(A) General duties. The City Arborist shall have the authority to enforce the rules and regulations governing the planting, maintenance, removal, fertilization, pruning and bracing of trees on public rights-of-way, parkways and other city-owned property, the planting and maintenance of trees and tree islands within city-owned open off-street parking areas, make recommendations concerning the pruning, treating and removal of trees on private property which endanger public safety and concerning the other provisions of this article.
(B) Specific duties. It shall be the duty of the City Arborist to plan for a city tree program which should include:
(1) Regulating the planting, maintenance and removal of trees in the public rights-of-way, parkways or other city-owned land; planting and maintenance of trees and tree islands within open off-street parking areas owned and operated by the city; and the pruning, treating and removal of trees which endanger public safety;
(2) Formulating a comprehensive master street tree plan for the city, which shall include planting and/or preservation of street trees on undeveloped rights-of-way prior to street construction;
(3) Determining tree planting priorities;
(4) Preparing a set of arboricultural specifications and standards of practice, including but not limited to construction standards, planting and maintenance details and costs and benefits of trees under city jurisdiction;
(5) Instituting a tree education program for the public that includes proper arboricultural and horticultural practices, and the economic/public health benefits of trees;
(6) Preparing an approved tree and shrub list for the city which shall govern the type and species of trees which may be planted in public rights-of-way, parkways and other city-owned property and in open off-street parking areas owned and operated by the city;
(7) Conducting a tree and landscape inventory and analysis;
(8) Advising other departments of the city and all other persons, firms or corporations, now or hereafter engaged in the business of tree planting, maintenance or removal, on all projects that would affect trees under city jurisdiction;
(9) Drafting regulations protecting trees on property owned by the city;
(10) Issuing tree permits and making inspections thereof; and
(11) Advising citizens of the city, upon request, of proper methods of planting, pruning and maintaining trees and shrubs on private property.
(C) Powers. The City Arborist shall have the power and authority to issue permits for any planting, maintenance or removal of trees in any public area of the city, in open off-street parking lots owned or operated by the city and for the pruning, treating or removal of trees which endanger public safety. The City Arborist shall have the authority to attach reasonable conditions to these permits and to grant or deny them. The City Arborist shall also have the power to enforce the provisions of this article, as provided by law.
(Ord. No. 05-40, passed 4-14-2005)