The Commission shall have the following powers and duties:
A. Urban Forestry.
1. To act in an advisory capacity to the Village Council on matters relating to urban forestry, including the enhancement and preservation of trees in the Village, and methods to mitigate threats to trees in the Village such as Dutch elm disease and the emerald ash borer;
2. In consultation and coordination with the Village Council and Village professional staff, to make recommendations to the Village Council regarding amendments to the provisions of Tree Preservation Code, Chapter 15.28 of this code;
3. To apply annually for Tree City U.S.A. designation or other awards and incentives recognizing the Village or any portion of the Village for its trees or forestry;
4. To provide advice and mediation in disputes concerning the maintenance or removal of trees in the Village when requested by all parties to a dispute;
5. To determine, at the request of the Director of Engineering, whether an application for a permit to remove a tree under Section 15.28.040(B)(6) meets the requirement of that subsection that the removal of the tree will avoid or alleviate an economic hardship or hardship of another nature on the property or residence; and
B. Environmental Stewardship.
1. To act in an advisory capacity to the Village Council on matters relating to:
a. sustainability, meaning the use of resources so that they do not become depleted or permanently damaged and requiring the balancing of environmental, economic and social demands, so as to meet present needs without compromising the future;
b. the protection of the environment;
c. the conservation of energy; and
d. the preservation, conservation, enhancement and protection of the quality of the Village's natural resources, including issues related to pollution and recycling;
2. In consultation and coordination with the Village Council, to make recommendations to the Village Council regarding the improvement of private energy stewardship by the Village's residents and businesses, including strategies for energy conservation, reduced energy consumption and access to renewable energy sources; and
3. In consultation and coordination with the Village Council and Village professional staff, to make recommendations to the Village Council regarding the adoption of "green" building strategies for public and private development and redevelopment, such as the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Program developed by the U.S. Green Building Council.
C. Technical Assistance and Information Services.
1. In consultation and coordination with the Village Council and Village professional staff, to assist in disseminating information about protection of the environment, the conservation of energy, and the protection, maintenance and improvement of the Village's tree population;
2. To work in consultation and cooperation with the Plan Commission in the Plan Commission's review and updating of the Comprehensive Plan on matters pertaining to the protection of the environment, and to make recommendations to the Plan Commission for amendments to the Comprehensive Plan pertaining to:
a. sustainability, as defined in Section 3.04.050B.1.a, above; and
b. the protection, maintenance and improvement of the Village's tree population, including updating Chapter XIV, "Street Tree Planting," of the Winnetka Comprehensive Plan; and
3. In consultation and coordination with the Village Council and Village professional staff, to act as a liaison between the Village and other local and regional governmental, public and private agencies, such as the Winnetka Park District, area schools, Great Lakes Commission and Chicago Wilderness, for the purpose of obtaining information on matters related to the foregoing powers and duties of the Commission.
D. To report to the Village Council from time to time on the work of the Commission, including but not limited to (i) presenting a report to the Village Council in an open session of the Village Council at least once each calendar year, and (ii) submitting such other and additional reports as the Village Council, in the exercise of its discretion and authority, may direct from time to time; and
E. To perform such other duties and responsibilities as directed by the Village Council or as otherwise required by ordinance or statute.
(MC-5-2020 § 4, Amended 11/17/2020; MC-3-2011, Amended 04/26/2011; MC-3-2008, Amended, 06/03/2008)