§ 33.135 ESTABLISHMENT.

   (A)   The Commission on Human Rights and Relations shall consist of nine members, all electors of the town, to be appointed by the Mayor, subject to the approval of the Legislative Council. Not more than six members of the Commission shall be of the same political party. Commission members shall serve without compensation.

   (B)   Of the nine Commissioners first appointed, three Commissioners shall be appointed for a term of three years; three Commissioners shall be appointed for a term of two years; and three Commissioners shall be appointed for a term of one year. Thereafter, all Commissioners shall be appointed for a term of three years. In the event of a vacancy in the Commission's membership, the succeeding member shall be appointed to serve the unexpired term of the vacating member. The Mayor may remove any member for cause, which shall include failure to attend, without reasonable excuse, three meetings during any calendar year.

(Ord. 433, passed 3-12-01)

§ 33.136 PURPOSE.

   The purposes of the Commission shall be as follows:

   (A)   To foster mutual understanding and respect among all members of the community;

   (B)   To encourage equality of treatment and respect among all members of the community;

   (C)   To work with governmental and non-governmental organizations charged with promoting an integrated and diverse community;

   (D)   To work with federal, state, and town departments, boards and commissions, as well as with private, civic, religious, business, industrial, labor, and other organizations, groups and persons to recommend to and advise the Mayor regarding participation in programs, events, and projects which reflect the diversity of the community and help all members of the community enjoy equality of opportunity in all phases of community life;

   (E)   Working with town departments, boards and commissions to provide outreach to and greater participation in all aspects of town government and civic life for all members of the community;

   (F)   Promoting educational activities and programs that further the Commission's purposes, specifically those that further intergroup understanding and acceptance;

   (G)   Promoting interracial dialogue and cultural diversity in programs, events, and projects sponsored by the town and others;

   (H)   To perform independent research and investigation for the purpose of making reports and recommendations to the Mayor with respect to new or proposed programs or issues involving human and group rights and relations.

   (I)   To advise and assist the town in eliminating all discrimination against any individual or individuals because of race, color, gender, age, religious creed, economic status; national origin or ancestry.

(Ord. 422, passed 10-2-00)

§ 33.137 LIMITATIONS.

   (A)   Nothing in this subchapter shall be construed as conferring upon the Commission any administrative authority over the staff or the operations of any dept of the town.

   (B)   The Commission shall have no fiscal authority. The Commission shall have no authority to incur any expenses without the prior approval of the Mayor and the Legislative Council. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Commission shall be provided by the town with the services of a clerk, who shall be paid as an independent contractor from the Town Clerk's professional and technical services line item account.

(Ord. 422, passed 10-2-00)

TREE COMMISSION

§ 33.140 ESTABLISHMENT.

   (A)   There shall be established a Tree Commission to consist of five members recommended by the Mayor, subject to approval of the Legislative Council, who shall reside in the town. Commission members shall serve without compensation. The Director of Public Works or his/her designee shall be a non-voting ex officio member of the Commission.

   (B)   The initial terms of office shall be three years for two members; two years for two members; and one year for one member. Thereafter, at the expiration of the initial term of each member, a successor shall be appointed for a term of three years. In the event of a vacancy, a successor shall be appointed by the Mayor subject to approval of the Legislative Council to serve the unexpired term of the vacating member. Any member may be removed from the Commission as set forth in § 7-1:H of the Charter.

(Ord. 647, passed 6-4-14)

§ 33.141 DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES.

   (A)   The responsibility of the Tree Commission shall pertain to trees located on public property and in the public rights-of-way and not on private property.

   (B)   The Tree Commission is charged with:

      (1)   Developing and from time to time updating an Urban Forest Master Plan;

      (2)   Developing and maintaining a town tree inventory;

      (3)   Developing community educational programs regarding trees and the understanding of the benefits of appropriate tree planting and care;

      (4)   Developing polices, giving recommen-dations, and providing advice to all concerned town departments and agencies as to species selection, planting, spacing, fertilization, bracing, pruning, transplanting, maintenance, preservation, protection or removal of trees on all public lands and public rights-of-way; and

      (5)   Acting in an advisory capacity to the Planning and Zoning Commission with respect to landscape design, and principles, locally suitable botanic species and protection of natural resources.

(Ord. 647, passed 6-4-14)

§ 33.142 TREE FUND.

   There shall be established within the Finance Department a “Commemorative Tree Fund,” comprised of contributions from interested persons and other entities, for the purpose of maintaining the wooded character of the streets and lands within the town. The Tree Commission may recommend expenditures from the Commemorative Tree Fund to the Administration but shall have no other fiscal authority.

(Ord. 647, passed 6-4-14)