A. Maintenance Or Removal:
1. Permit Required:
a. Application: Any person desiring a permit to remove or in any way damage a tree on or within the city properties shall file with the city an application on forms to be provided by the urban forestry committee setting forth therein in detail the work that is contemplated and the location and address of same; provided, that no permit shall first be required in situations where public inconvenience would result from the delay entailed in obtaining a permit or where such delay would place life, limb or property in jeopardy.
b. Investigation; Issuance; Supervision: Upon filing of such an application, the urban forestry committee shall investigate the contemplated work and, if in their judgment it is desirable and should be done, shall issue a written permit therefor; provided, that the work authorized in such permit shall be done under the supervision of the urban forestry committee.
2. Work By Utility Company: All work on public trees by a utility company should be under the direction of the urban forestry committee through written specifications, permit and inspection. The cost of work performed by recommendation of the urban forestry committee to clear lines should be charged to the utility company on a prearranged schedule and by a licensed and bonded contractor. Specifications shall include provision for cleanup of debris.
B. Topping: No citizen, private contractor or utility shall top trees belonging to the city without prior approval of the urban forestry committee through the permit process. This pertains only to trees on the city inventory.
C. Removal, Replanting And Replacement:
1. Removal From Lawns: Whenever it is necessary to remove a tree or trees from a lawn in connection with road or sidewalk improvement, the city shall replant such trees or replace them. Provided, that conditions prevent planting on lawns, this requirement will be satisfied if any equivalent number of trees of the same size and species or otherwise agreed to species will be planted on the adjoining property.
2. Removal Of Inventoried Trees; Replacement; Cost: No person or property owner shall remove city inventoried trees from city property for purpose of construction or for any reason, without first filling out an application and procuring a permit from the city and without replacing the removed tree or trees. Such replacement shall meet the standards of size, species and placement as recommended by literature available at city hall. The person or property owner shall bear the cost of removal and replacement of all trees removed.
D. Planting; Improper Planting: It shall be lawful for the city, under recommendation of the urban forestry committee, to remove or cause removal of any tree on city property.
E. Use Of Chemicals: If chemicals used to fertilize or spray for disease are chemicals that require the commercial applicator to have a license when using, then a permit is required. (Ord. 683, 11-14-2000)