(a) Establishment; Purposes. There is hereby established a commission which shall be known as the Forestry Commission of the City. The purposes of the Forestry Commission, and of this chapter, shall be to regulate and control the planting, transplanting, removal, maintenance and protection of trees and shrubs in the City in order to eliminate and guard against dangerous conditions which may result in injury to persons using the streets, alleys, sidewalks or property of the City; to promote and enhance the beauty and general welfare of the City; to prevent damage and disorder to any public sewer, water main, street, sidewalk or other public property; to protect trees and shrubs located in public areas from undesirable and unsafe planting, removal, treatment and maintenance practices; and to guard all trees and shrubs against the spread of disease or pests. It is the intent of Council that the provisions of this chapter shall apply to all trees, shrubs or plants growing or hereafter planted in or upon any public land, and also to all trees or shrubs growing or to be planted in or upon any private premises which shall threaten the lives, health, safety or welfare of the public or of public property.
(b) Appointment. The Commission shall consist of five members, appointed by the Mayor, with the consent and approval of Council. Each Commissioner shall be appointed for a term of five years, with one Commissioner being appointed, or reappointed, on May 1, in each year.
(c) Residence; Terms. Each Commissioner shall, at the time of his or her appointment, and during his or her term of office, be a resident of the City and shall hold office until his or her successor has been appointed and shall have qualified.
(d) Officers. A Chairperson of the Commission shall be named, as such, by the Mayor, from among the members. A Vice Chairperson and a Secretary shall be elected annually, from the Commission, by the members.
(e) Compensation. The members of the Commission shall receive no compensation, but shall be reimbursed for necessary expenses.
(f) Vacancies. In the event of a vacancy, a successor shall be appointed for the unexpired term only.
(g) Removals. A Commissioner shall be removable for cause by the Mayor, subject to confirmation of such removal by the recorded vote of the majority of the members of the City Council, after hearing. For purposes of this section, missing three consecutive meetings of the Forestry Commission shall be deemed to be due cause for removal.
(h) Meetings. The Chairperson shall call special meetings when he or she deems them necessary, or upon the request of any two Commissioners. One regular meeting shall be held each month, of which special notice need not be given. The Secretary shall keep a record of the proceedings, which shall be available for inspection.
(i) Quorum. A majority of the Commissioners shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.
(j) Reports to City Manager. The Commission shall render written reports to the City Manager annually, or more frequently upon request of the City Manager. Such reports shall review the activities of the Forestry Department and shall also contain recommendations for further legislative action required by Council for the accomplishment of the purposes and objectives of the Forestry Department.
(k) Rights, Powers and Duties. The Commission shall, under the jurisdiction and control of City Manager, establish and maintain a long term forestry program for the propagation and preservation of trees and shrubs within the City, administer the provisions of this chapter and direct the activities of the City Forester and of the employees of the Forestry Department.
(1977 Code §§28-101 to 28-111; Ord. 2017-56. Passed 7-17-17; Ord. 2017-85. Passed 12-18-17.)