(A) Creation and establishment. Village Council has the authority to create a tree advocacy group for the Village of Kingsley on an as needed basis, which shall consist of 5 members, citizens and residents of this municipality, who shall be appointed by the Village President with the approval of the Council. The members shall come from different interest groups including homeowners, tree professionals, street department, and municipal government.
(B) Terms of office. The term of the 5 persons to be appointed by the Village President shall be set by Council. In the event that a vacancy shall occur during the term of any member, his/her successor shall be appointed for the unexpired portion of the term.
(C) Compensation. Members of tree advocacy group shall serve without compensation.
(D) Duties and responsibilities.
(1) It shall be the responsibility of the tree advocacy group to advise and assist in the study, investigation, counsel, development and administration of a written plan for the care, preservation, pruning, planting, replanting, removal or disposition of trees and shrubs in parks, along streets, and in other municipal areas. Such plan could be presented annually to the Village Council for possible acceptance and approval to constitute the official comprehensive community tree plan if so desired by the Village Manager, or designee.
(2) The tree advocacy group shall promote and supervise the establishment of a tree inventory for street and park trees. The inventory shall be updated with the results of ground inspections every 3 years.
(3) The tree advocacy group, when requested by the Village Council, shall consider, investigate, make finding, report and recommend upon any special matter or question coming within the scope of its work.
(4) If called on to do so, additional duties of the tree advocacy group may include coordinating annual Arbor Day celebrations; coordinating tree plantings, volunteer efforts to install or maintain plantings or other beautification projects on public land with citizens groups; provide a means to involve the public in community forestry management plan; and promote new and existing tree programs by motivating both local government and the public to support community forestry management.
(E) Operation. The tree advocacy group shall choose its own officers, and keep a journal of its proceedings. A majority of the members shall be a quorum for the transaction of business.
(F) Meetings. The tree advocacy group shall meet as needed, and in addition, meetings can be called by the chairperson or by the Village President.
(G) Quorum. A majority of the members shall constitute a quorum and any actions of the tree advocacy group may be taken by a majority of the members present at the meeting at which the action is taken.
(H) Administrative support staff. Staff support to the tree advocacy group shall be appointed by the Municipal Administrator, or designee.
(Ord. 01 03-09, passed 3-9-2009; Am. Ord. 01 01-09, passed 3-9-2009)