(a) Creation of a Shade Tree Commission.
(1) Composition. A Shade Tree Commission is hereby established and shall be composed of seven members, of which the City Manager and a Public Works Department representative shall be permanent members. The remaining five positions shall be appointed by the Mayor and City Council for a term of five years and shall serve without compensation. At least one of the members shall be experienced in forestry, horticulture, landscape architecture or related fields. City Council has the option to further appoint a liaison from its membership to the Commission for the purpose of keeping City Council informed of Commission activities. Such liaison will be a non-voting member of the Shade Tree Commission.
(2) Appointment of non-residents. At the discretion of the Mayor and City Council, two members who reside outside the corporate limits of the City may be appointed if there are no qualified, experienced or interested residents available.
(3) Vacancies. In the event that a vacancy shall occur during the term of any member, a successor shall be appointed for the unexpired portion of the term.
(b) Authority of the Shade Tree Commission. The Shade Tree Commission shall have the authority and jurisdiction of regulating the planting, maintenance and removal of trees on streets and other publicly owned property to ensure safety or preserve the aesthetics of such public sites. All actions to plant new trees, prune (canopy and root) and/or remove existing trees shall be taken following a public meeting. Advertisements for such meetings shall be in accordance with the Sunshine Act of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The by-laws of the Shade Tree Commission shall determine the frequency of said meetings and the agenda for each.
(1) Condition of permit. The Shade Tree Commission shall have the authority to affix reasonable conditions to the granting of a shade tree work permit. Permits must be submitted to the Commission for the planting, pruning (canopy and root), removal of trees, as well as laying down barriers or storage underneath a tree, which may damage the trees' general health.
(2) Master shade tree plan. The Shade Tree Commission shall have the authority to formulate a master shade tree plan. Public hearings will be held as necessary. The master street tree plan shall specify the species of trees to be planted on streets or other public sites of the Municipality, a citywide tree planting strategy, and a correct standard for tree trimming and maintenance. The Commission, in making its decisions, shall use the master shade tree plan. From and after the effective date of the master shade tree plan, or any amendment thereof, all planting shall conform thereto.
A. The Shade Tree Commission shall consider all existing and future utility and environmental factors when recommending a specific species for each of the streets and other public sites of the Municipality.
B. The Shade Tree Commission shall have the authority to amend or add to the master shade tree plan at any time that circumstances make it advisable.
(c) Operation of the Shade Tree Commission. The Commission shall choose its own officers, make its own rules and regulations, unless otherwise stated by ordinance, and keep a journal of its proceedings. A majority of the members shall be a quorum for the transaction of business. The Commission shall be required to submit to City Council an annual report of its activities and official actions.
(Ord. 4820. Passed 2-28-01.)