(A) The Urban Forester shall implement the following activities as listed, but not limited to:
(1) Meet at least once each calendar quarter with the Tree Board, or more often if necessary.
(2) Develop an inventory of the city’s street trees specifying type and condition of the trees.
(3) Establish a pattern of orderly, periodic inspection of the condition of the trees covered under this chapter and fully document that inspection for maintenance purposes.
(4) Develop a master plan with the assistance of the Tree Board for the care, removal, preservation, pruning, planting, and disposition of street trees along existing city streets and trees along rivers and streams outside the city’s park system. This plan, any substantive changes in it, and any later plans and substantive changes in them must be approved by the Board of Public Works and Safety.
(5) Annually submit a request to the Mayor for a budget for inspection and tree care and maintenance. The budget should set aside funds for emergency need.
(B) Other items required for the Urban Forester job responsibilities are listed but not limited to:
(1) Develop an annual written plan for tree care. This plan shall be presented annually to the Tree Board and Board of Public Works and Safety and shall constitute the official city Tree Plan for the City of Noblesville for that year. In addition, owners of property that will be affected by the proposed plan shall be notified in a manner, reasonably designed to insure actual notice to them, of the proposed action affecting their property.
(2) Consider, investigate, make findings, report, recommend upon, and keep adequate records of its actions upon any matter or questions coming within the scope of its work as defined by this chapter.
(3) Coordinate efforts with related projects of such groups as the Park Board, Plan Commission, Common Council and city departments.
(4) Communicate with the State Highway Department as to any highway projects which would affect the planting area along state highways within the city limits.
(5) Promulgate rules and regulations for the proper administration of this chapter which shall include methods of good arboriculture.
(6) Review with the Planning Department through the Technical Advisory Committee, all plans for preserving existing trees and planting new trees in subdivisions or along new roadways.
(7) Review with the City Street Commissioner and/or Board of Public Works and Safety or their representative all public utility street cut permits which might endanger existing street trees.
(8) Cause or order to be removed any street tree or part thereof which is an unsafe condition or is infected with any injurious fungus, insect, or other pest, or which by reason of its nature, is injurious to sewers, electric power lines, gas lines, water lines, or other public improvements.
(9) Issue licenses as required by this chapter. (§ 97.40)
(10) Govern all aspects of the city’s arborist certification program. (Section § 97.41.)
(11) The Urban Forester in conjunction with the Tree Board shall develop, and each subsequent year, update the city Tree Plan. The plan shall outline urban forestry program activities for a minimum of the next five years. This plan shall describe the urban forestry activities to be undertaken by the city, the reasons for those activities, the possible funding sources, the means of accomplishing the activities, the alternatives available to the city to fund or accomplish the activity, the projected date of completion, and the consequences if the activity is not completed. Activities may include, but are not limited to, street free inventory, planting, tree removal, beautification projects, and educational projects.
(12) The Urban Forester shall cause the city Tree Plan and the Arboricultural Specifications Manual, and all revisions and amendments to them, to be published and promulgated and shall make available to any interested person copies of this chapter, information about the requirements of the Arboricultural Specifications Manual, and the city tree plan. Notice that such information or revisions are available for public inspection may be published in a newspaper for circulation within Hamilton County.
(13) The Urban Forester shall administer the city Tree Plan, this chapter, and all related provisions.
(14) The Urban Forester shall perform whatever acts are necessary, including the planting and maintenance of trees and the removal of undesirable trees, shrubs, and other plants located on city- owned property, to ensure that all trees, shrubs, and other plants located on city-owned property conform with the city Tree Plan, the Arboricultural Specifications Manual and this chapter. Pursuant to this duty, the Urban Forester, in accordance with normal city procedures regarding contracts, may participate in the review, construction and approval process regarding city contractual agreements prior to submitting to the Board of Public Works and Safety for approval.
(15) The Urban Forester, with assistance from the Tree Board, shall establish a program of public information and education that will encourage the planting, maintenance, or removal of trees, shrubs, and other plants on private property in furtherance of the goals of the city Tree Plan. Funding for an Urban Forester position and budget shall originate from the Street Department budget. Other sources such as fines, grants, and permit fees may also be used when applicable.
(16) The Urban Forester shall make all efforts to participate in any organization offering further education as well as promoting, expanding, and accrediting urban forestry.
(Ord. 17-4-98, passed 5-24-99; Am. Ord. 8-3-09, passed 4-28-09)