(a) Establishment; Appointment. There is hereby established a Tree Commission for the Village, which Commission shall be composed of five residents of the Village. Members shall be appointed by the Mayor with the approval of Council. Members of the Commission shall serve at the pleasure of the Mayor and Council and may be removed at the discretion of the Mayor subject to the concurrence of Council.
(b) Terms of Office. Terms of the five persons on the Commission shall be for three years, except that the terms of two of the members appointed to the first Commission shall be for one year and two years, respectively. In the event that a vacancy occurs during the term of any member, his or her successor shall be appointed for the unexpired portion of the term in the same manner as an original appointment.
(c) Officers; Rules. The Commission shall elect a Chairperson from its members and a Secretary who may or may not be a member. The Commission may adopt rules for holding regular and special meetings, for the transaction or disposition of its business and for the exercise of its powers. However, where the general laws of the State and/or Council, by ordinance, have provided for the manner of the exercise of the powers of the Commission, such procedure shall be followed.
(d) Compensation. Members of the Commission shall serve without compensation or remuneration but shall be entitled to reimbursement for any and all necessary expenditures in carrying out the functions of the Commission.
(e) Quorum. A majority of the members of the Commission shall constitute a quorum at any meeting. No action of the Commission shall be deemed taken unless a majority of its members concur with such action.
(f) Commission as Trustee. The Commission may act as trustee for any property, assets or funds donated to the Village for the care and maintenance of trees, provided that the donor designates or provides for the designation of the Commission as such trustee. In such an event, the Commission shall have all those powers and duties necessary to carry out the purposes of the trust.
(g) Powers. The Commission shall have the power to study, investigate, plan, advise, report and recommend to Council or the Mayor any action, program, plan or legislation for the enhancement of the urban forest and which the Commission shall find or determine to be necessary or advisable for the care, preservation, trimming, planting, replanting, removal or disposition of trees and shrubs in public ways, streets, alleys, parks or other property owned by the Village. The Commission shall also have the authority to grant certain permits as specified in this chapter.
(Ord. 93-017. Passed 6-1-93.)