A. It is unlawful to plant, remove, cut down above or below ground, trim or top any tree on City tree planting strips or other City property, or cause such acts to be done by others, unless the work is performed in compliance with the City's arboricultural regulations and the provisions of this chapter.
B. 1. The City Forester may require a person desiring to cut down above or below ground, or otherwise remove one or more trees or shrubs from planting strips or other City property, to state:
a. The number of plants involved;
b. The species or common name of each plant; the trunk diameter of trees involved (at 41/2 feet aboveground) or the average crown diameter and height of shrubs involved;
c. The location of the work to be done;
d. The reason(s) for the removals; and
e. Any such other information as the City Forester may require to determine whether permission should be given;
2. As a condition for permission to remove specified plants from any City property, the City Forester may require the permittee to compensate the City for the value of the plants removed, either by monetary assessment, by requirements for replacement plantings, or a combination thereof. Plant values shall be determined by the City Forester, using professional methods based upon the most recent edition of the "Guide for Plant Appraisal International Society of Arboriculture", P.O. Box GG, Savoy, IL 61874. Payments of monetary assessments shall be made to the City Treasurer. The permittee shall be financially responsible for replacement plantings requirements which may include, but are not limited to, specifications for plant care and maintenance necessary for successful revegetation of the site; time limitations for replanting to be accomplished; and/or species, size and location(s) of replacement plantings. The permittee may be required to post a cash bond, letter of credit, or surety bond, as determined by the City Forester, to ensure compliance with this section.
C. 1. The City Forester may require a person desiring to trim or top one or more trees growing in the planting strips or other City property to state:
a. The number of plants involved; the species or common name of each plant;
b. The trunk diameter of trees involved (at 41/2 feet aboveground);
c. The location of the work to be done;
d. The reason(s) for the work to be done; and
e. Any such other information required by the City Forester to determine whether permission should be given;
2. Prior to granting permission to trim or top specified trees on any City property, the City Forester may require the permittee to compensate the City for the value of the tree(s) in the event of the death of the tree(s) due to any actions or work performed under the permit.
D. Nothing in this section shall be construed to require the City Forester to grant permission for any requests made pursuant to this section. (Ord. 17-30)