A. Appointment: The city council shall appoint a permanent tree board to serve and assist with the issues involving public trees. This includes issues involving planting, maintenance (appropriate and timely preservation or removal) of trees and shrubs within the city limits. All decisions of the tree board shall be submitted to the city council for ratification.
B. Membership: The tree board shall consist of a minimum of five (5) members initially appointed by the mayor. Membership should consist of citizens in the community of Hansen with an interest in and, to some extent, a knowledge of issues involving trees and urban forestry. From thence, members shall be chosen as provided for in the bylaws of said organization. One member will also be a member of the city council to serve as liaison with the city council.
C. Terms; Vacancies; Application For Position:
1. The representative of the city council will serve a term of two (2) years but will not serve as chair of the board. Initially two (2) of the members of the board will serve a term of one year while the other two (2) will serve a term of two (2) years the first term and then a term of two (2) years thereafter (see the bylaws of the Hansen tree board for further details). Thereafter, unless otherwise indicated by the tree board, future members and the chair of the board will be chosen by vote as outlined in the board bylaws.
2. In the event that a vacancy shall occur during the term of any member, his or her successor shall be appointed for the unexpired portion of the term.
3. Interested parties may apply for a position on the tree board by applying to the tree board.
D. Compensation: The tree board will serve without monetary compensation for serving on the board. Recompense for expenses attendant with participation in approved activities may be made.
E. Minutes Of Meetings: The tree board will keep minutes of all meetings and the minutes will be available for public view.
F. Meetings: The tree board shall meet as needed, but at least once per quarter, to review plans and practices for seasonal consideration in conjunction with oversight of the city maintenance personnel's activities. The chair may call a meeting of the board as needed.
G. Voting: A majority (nominally 2/3 of the members) vote of the board members is required as outlined in the board's bylaws.
H. Duties And Responsibilities: The Hansen tree board shall provide recommendations to the mayor and city council as to the preservation, protection and management of the community forest of Hansen, in accordance with the intent and purpose of this chapter. The board shall have the following duties and responsibilities:
1. To advise the city council on maintaining a community forestry program.
2. To develop a community forest master plan for the community of Hansen.
3. To educate and promote proper tree/shrub planting, care and pruning practices.
4. To create or collaborate on informational brochures, articles or publications such as the bulletins published by the National Arbor Day Foundation, to educate the public on appropriate community trees and their benefits.
5. To represent the city in distributing tree information and speaking before the public or the council on tree/community related issues.
6. To recruit volunteers for planting projects and promote Arbor Day activities in the community.
7. To hold regular meetings as required by the elected chair of the tree board.
8. To aid the city council in obtaining and maintaining tree city USA status.
9. To work in collaboration with other administrative agencies, including, but not limited to, soil conservation districts, highway districts and public utilities.
10. To develop minimum standards for the community forest based on International Society Of Arboriculture ANSI 300 standards, which takes into account local soil and water issues for tree planting within the community forest master plan.
11. To develop policies regarding the handling of sites with historical trees including, but not limited to, determining and distributing information on trees of significance, of historical trees potentially scheduled for removal, pruning or area construction prior to such action within the right of way area, by either the homeowner, Idaho Power or the highway districts. The board also requests the opportunity to send a representative to the site for the purposes of inquiring about the action, gain knowledge concerning the needs of the public or agency requirements and documenting the consequences to the tree(s).
12. To develop policies and procedures regarding the permitting of any arborist wishing to work within the community of Hansen.
13. To enhance and pursue opportunities for obtaining monetary funds for community forestry purposes, related supplies and community forestry activities through local and federal assistantship grants and donations. (Ord. 188, 4-13-2009)