905.02 CITY TREE BOARD.

   (a)   Establishment; Membership. There is hereby established a City Tree Board, which shall consist of five members, who may be residents of the City; own property, or otherwise have an economic interest in the City; or, have expertise that would benefit the Board and as a result, the Sidney community, and who shall be appointed by Council.

   (b)   Term of Office; Compensation.

      (1)   Each member shall be appointed for a term of three years. In the event that a vacancy shall occur during the term of any member, Council shall appoint a successor for the unexpired term.

      (2)   Members of the Board shall serve without compensation. Any board member who has three unexcused absences on an annual basis shall be removed from the Tree Board.

   (c)   Powers and Duties. It shall be the responsibility of the Board to study, investigate, counsel, develop, administer, and periodically update a written plan for the care, preservation, pruning, planting, replanting, removal or disposition of trees and shrubs in public places, including Graceland Cemetery. The plan will be presented annually to the Council, and, upon its acceptance and approval, shall constitute the official Urban Forestry Master Plan. The Board, when requested by Council, shall consider, investigate and make findings and recommendations upon any special matter or questions coming within the scope of its work.

   (d)   Operation; Rules and Regulations. The Board shall choose its own officers, make its own rules and regulations and keep minutes of its proceedings. A majority of the members shall be a quorum for the transaction of its business.

(Ord. A-2846. Passed 1-25-16.)

905.03 INTERFERENCE WITH BOARD PROHIBITED.

   No person shall prevent, delay or interfere with the Board, or any of its agents, while they are engaging in the planting, cultivating, mulching, pruning, spraying or removing of any street trees, City trees or trees on private grounds, if authorized in this chapter.

(Ord. A-1702. Passed 4-10-89; Ord. A-2636. Passed 2-8-10.)

905.04 REVIEW OF BOARD DECISIONS BY COUNCIL.

   Council shall have the right to review any conduct, acts and decisions of the City Tree Board. Any person may appeal any ruling or order of the Board to the Council, which may hear the matter and make a final decision.

(Ord. A-1701. Passed 4-10-89.)

905.05 STREET TREE SPECIES TO BE PLANTED.

   The Board shall develop and maintain a list of tree species for use within the City’s right-of-way and public places. No species other than those included on said list may be planted as street trees or City trees without written permission of the Board. The Board shall also develop and maintain a list of spacing intervals for the various species of trees that shall determine where trees may be planted within City public places.

(Ord. A-1702. Passed 4-10-89; Ord. A-2636. Passed 2-8-10.)