A. Creation and membership. The Shade Tree Commission is hereby created. Unless otherwise specified, the word "Commission," when used in this Part, shall be construed to mean the Shade Tree Commission of the City of Reading. The Commission shall be composed of five (5) residents of the City appointed by resolution of Council upon the recommendation of the Mayor. If possible, at least two (2) of the members shall be professionals in forestry, horticulture, plant pathology, entomology, landscape architecture or related fields. One Commissioner shall serve for a term of three years, one for a term of four years and one for a term of five years on a Commission of only three residents. If the Commission consists of more than three members, the time sequence provided for a three-member commission shall be repeated. On the expiration of the term of any Commissioner, a successor shall be appointed to serve for a term of five years. The Commission shall notify Council promptly of any vacancies which occur. Appointments to fill vacancies shall be only for the unexpired portion of the term. [Amended 6-13-2011 by Ord. No. 26-2011]
B. Organization, records and meetings. The Commission shall elect from its own membership a Chairman, Vice Chairman and secretary who shall serve annual terms and who may succeed themselves. All officers shall be eligible for reelection. The Commission shall keep full public records of its business in accordance with the law. The Commission shall submit a report of its activities to Council as may be requested or required.
For the purpose of taking action, a quorum of three (3) members must be present.
C. Removal of members. Any member may be removed for misconduct or neglect of duty or for other just cause by a majority vote of Council taken after the member has received 15 days' advance notice of the intent to take such vote. Failure of a member to attend three consecutive regular meetings of the Commission will constitute grounds for immediate removal from the Commission by City Council. Failure of a member to attend at least 50% of the regular meetings of the Commission in a calendar year will constitute grounds for immediate removal from the Commission by City Council. The Chairperson of the Commission shall inform the City Clerk in writing when a member has failed to comply with this attendance policy. Following such notification, City Council may vote to remove the member and seek applicants to fill the vacant position.
D. Expenditures for services. Within the limits of funds appropriated by Council, the Commission may employ or contract for secretaries, clerks, legal counsel, consultants and other technical assistance. Members shall serve without compensation except that Council may reimburse Commission members for expenses incurred in the performance of their duties.
E. Notification that work is to be performed. Whenever the Commission proposes to plant, transplant or remove shade trees, notice of the time and place of the meeting at which such work is to be considered shall be given in at least one newspaper of general circulation within the City once each week for two weeks immediately preceding the time of the meeting, as provided by law. Such notice shall specify in detail the street(s) or other public area(s) or portions thereof upon which trees are proposed to be so planted, transplanted or removed. Any property owners directly affected by such planting, transplanting or removal shall be notified by mail of such meeting at least one week prior to the meeting.