(A) Tree Board. There is hereby created and established a City Tree Board for the City of Mount Holly, North Carolina, which shall consist of five members, citizens and residents of the city, who shall be appointed by the Mayor with the approval of the Council.
(B) Term of office. The term of the five persons to be appointed by the Mayor shall be three years; except that, the term of two of the members appointed to the first Board shall be for only one year and the term of two members of the first board shall be for two years. 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.
(C) Compensation. Members of the Board shall serve without compensation.
(D) Duties and responsibilities. It shall be the responsibility of the Board to study, investigate, counsel and develop and/or update annually, and administer a written plan for the care, preservation, pruning, planting, replanting, removal or disposition of trees and shrubs in parks, along streets and in other public areas. Such plan will be presented annually to the City Council and upon their acceptance and approval shall constitute the official comprehensive city tree plan for the City of Mount Holly, North Carolina. The Board, when requested by the City Council, shall consider, investigate, make finding, report and recommend upon any special matter of question coming within the scope of its work.
(E) Operation. The Board shall choose its own officers, make its own rules and regulations and keep a journal of its proceedings. A majority of the members shall be a quorum for the transaction of business.
(F) Interference with City Tree Board. It shall be unlawful for any person to prevent, delay or interfere with the City Tree Board, or any of its agents, while engaging in and about the planting, cultivating, mulching, pruning, spraying, or removing of any street trees, park trees or trees on private grounds, as authorized in this ordinance.
(G) Review by City Council. The City Council shall have the right to review the conduct, acts and decisions of the City Tree Board. Any person may appeal from any ruling or order of the City Tree Board to the City Council who may hear the matter and make final decision.
(H) Penalty. Any person violating any provision of this ordinance shall be, upon conviction or a plea of guilty, subject to a fine equal to the cost the city incurred to take the necessary corrective action, or $500, whichever is greater.
(Ord. passed 5-13-1996)