(A) There is hereby created and established a Tree Committee (“Committee”) for the Village of Smithville, which shall be composed of the following: five to eight citizens who shall be appointed by the Mayor with approval of Council, a member of Council, the Mayor and up to two advisory members who may be non-residents of the village. Advisory members shall not he voting members nor hold office.
(B) The term of the five to eight persons to be appointed by the Mayor shall be for three years. For the first Committee, one to two members shall be appointed for one year, one to two members for two years, and one to two members for three years. The member from Council shall be appointed each January. In the event a vacancy occurs during the term of any member, his or her successor shall be appointed for the unexpired portion of the term with approval of Council. All members shall serve without compensation.
(C) The Tree Committee shall choose its own officers, make its rules and regulations for its proceedings, and keep a journal of its proceedings. A majority of the membership shall constitute a quorum. All plans, findings, advice, reports and recommendations made by the Committee shall be in writing and designate by name those members of the Committee approving or concurring wherein and members who do not so approve shall have the right as a part of such report to state their reasons for refusing to approve or concur.
(D) The Committee shall have the power to study, investigate, plan, advise, report and recommend to Council any action, program, plan or legislation which the Committee finds or determines to be necessary or advisable for the care, preservation, trimming, planting, removal or disposition of trees and shrubs in public ways, streets, alleys or parks. All recommendations made by the Committee shall be approved by Council. A cumulative record shall be maintained in the village flail listing the species, variety, size and date of the trees planted, cost, if any, and subsequent maintenance. Before any tree is planted, an effort shall be made to have the owner of the adjacent property agree to maintain the tree. The Committee may inspect and approve or reject all plant material, obtain professional advice, plant, prune remove and care for trees and shrubs on public property. The Committee, when requested by the Council or Mayor, shall consider, investigate, make findings and recommend upon any special matter or question coming within the scope of its work.
(E) Before the first day of June in each year, the Tree Committee shall file an estimate of anticipated revenues and expenditures for the next fiscal year. The estimate of expenditures shall include the full amount requested by the committee to be funded by the village. If this amount is approved and included in the next succeeding year's budget, that amount will be appropriated at the beginning of the year. Any expenditure shall be accompanied by a purchase order for encumbrance according to the Ohio Revised Code.
(Ord. 2002-20, passed 8-26-2002)