A. The Code Enforcement Officer has the authority and jurisdiction to regulate the planting, maintenance, and removal of trees and other plants in the public right-of-way and on other City property to ensure public safety; to alleviate interference with the providing of essential City services; and to preserve the aesthetics of these public sites. The City Forester or designee shall make reasonable effort to contact and inform the abutting property owner prior to: 1) initiating substantial forestry work, including work involving the removal of a limb or limbs greater than six inches (6") in diameter; 2) when, in the opinion of the City Forester, street tree maintenance operations will significantly alter the appearance of the tree; or 3) complete street tree removal is necessary. Contact with the property owner may be made by phone or electronically if personal contact cannot be reasonably made. Work may proceed without notice when exigent circumstances exist and work is required to prevent or mitigate property damage or public safety hazard, or disruption of essential City services.
B. The City Forester has the authority to direct City forestry personnel to prune or remove trees and other plants located on or growing from private property which interfere with electric transmission and distribution lines, street and sidewalk clearance or visibility, which are causing damage to curb, gutter, sidewalk, or other City property, or which in the City Forester's opinion otherwise constitute a hazard to the general public. Consultation with, and written or verbal consent from, the property owner shall be obtained prior to any pruning or removal of trees or other plants located on private property. In the case of emergency and when time is of the essence, notification may be made after the action is taken.
C. The City Forester has the authority and duty to review tree planting and landscaping planting plans for building and development projects which have been submitted as required by the zoning ordinance of the City. The City Forester has authority to modify a landscape plan as a condition of approval as provided in the zoning ordinance. (Ord. 17-30)