(A) Establishment. A Tree Commission is hereby be established.
(B) Membership. Membership shall consist of 5 members approved and appointed by the Mayor: 1 arborist, urban forester, agronomist, landscape specialist, or other “tree expert”; 1 representative of the city's historic districts or downtown; 3 other members of the general populace who have an interest in shade trees. If any of these positions cannot be filled after reasonable search, appointment shall be made from the general interested public. One shall be appointed member for a 3-year term, 2 members for 2-year terms and 2 members for a 1-year term. Following the initial appointment, all appointments will be for 2 years.
(C) Officers and meetings.
(1) The Commission shall choose its own officers annually, keep a record of its proceedings, and make its own rules and regulations.
(2) The Commission shall provide for regular and special meetings, open to the public, at which the subject of trees insofar as it relates to the city may be discussed by the members of the Commission, officers and personnel of the city and its several divisions and all others interested in the tree program.
(D) Duties. The duties of the Tree Commission shall be as follows:
(1) To study the problems and determine the needs of the city, in connection with tree management, including the care, preservation, pruning, planting, replanting, removal or disposition of trees and shrubs in parks, along city streets, and in other public areas.
(2) To recommend to the city the type and kind of trees to be planted upon such city streets or in parks or other city property as is designated.
(3) To assist the proper city officials as well as the Council and the citizens of the city in dissemination of news and information regarding the selecting, planting and maintaining of trees within the corporate limits, whether the same be on private or public property, and to make such recommendations from time to time to the Council as to desirable legislation concerning the tree program and activities for the municipality.
(Ord. 25-2005, passed 6-14-05)