(a) The Landscape and Grounds Department, and more specifically the Landscape and Grounds Superintendent or other City employee designated by the Director of Public Services, shall have the authority to promulgate the rules and regulations of the arboricultural specifications and standards of practice governing the planting, maintenance, removal, fertilization, pruning and bracing of trees on the streets or other City property in the City, and shall direct, regulate and control the planting, maintenance and removal of all trees growing now or hereafter in any City owned area of the City. It is preferred that the responsible employee have a degree in forestry, be a certified arborist or have equivalent education or experience. The Landscape and Grounds Superintendent shall cause the provisions of this chapter to be enforced.
(b) The Landscape and Grounds Superintendent shall have the authority and jurisdiction of regulating the planting, maintenance and removal of trees on streets and other City-owned property to insure safety or preserve the aesthetics of such public sites, in accordance with the permit system contained in the terms of the chapter.
(c) The Landscape and Grounds Superintendent shall have the authority and it shall be their duty to supervise or inspect all work done under a permit issued in accordance with the terms
of this chapter.
(d) The Landscape and Grounds Superintendent shall have the authority to affix reasonable conditions to the granting of a permit in accordance with the terms of this chapter.
(e) Master Street Tree Plan. The Landscape and Grounds Superintendent shall have the authority to formulate a master street tree plan. The master street tree plan shall specify the species of tree to be planted on each of the streets or other City owned sites in the Municipality. From and after the effective date of the master street tree plan, or any amendment thereof, all planting shall conform thereto.
(f) The Landscape and Grounds Superintendent shall consider all existing and future utility and environmental factors when recommending a specific species for each of the streets and other public sites of the City.
(g) The Landscape and Grounds Superintendent shall have the authority to amend or add to the master street tree plan at any time that circumstances make it advisable.
(h) The City and its residents shall follow all guidelines in its Emerald Ash Borer Management Plan.
(i) The duties of the Landscape and Grounds Superintendent shall be as follows:
(1) To study the problems and determine the needs of the City in regard to tree planting, maintenance, protection and removal on City property.
(2) To recommend to the proper authority the type and kind of trees to be planted upon such City streets or parts of City streets or in City parks or other City-owned lands.
(3) To assist the properly constituted officials of the City, as well as Council and residents of the City in the dissemination of news and information regarding the selection, planting and maintenance of trees within the corporate limits, whether the same be on private or public property, and to make such recommendations from time to time to Council as to desirable legislation concerning the tree program and activities for the Municipality.
(4) To provide information, when necessary, to the Director of Public Services, other City departments, City Council and personnel of the City regarding this chapter. (Ord. 2011-10. Passed 4-18-11.)