155.03 SHADE TREE AND BEAUTIFICATION COMMITTEE.

   (a)   Creation. There shall be appointed according to the provisions of this ordinance the Shade Tree and Beautification Committee ("the Committee").

   (b)   Composition. The Committee shall consist of four (4) ex officio members and seven (7) appointed members.

   (c)   Ex Officio Members. The City Forester, one City Councilperson (designated by City Council), the Code Enforcement Superintendent (or his or her proxy), and the Director of Public Works (or his or her proxy) shall serve as ex officio members of the Committee.

   (d)   Appointed Members. City residents shall comprise the seven (7) appointed members.

      (1)   Appointment. City Councilpersons shall appoint at least one resident of each City Ward for consideration for appointment to the Committee; if fewer than seven (7) residents have been appointed by Councilpersons then the City Council shall appoint residents of the City such that at least seven (7) residents are nominated.    

      (2)   Self-Nomination. Any resident of the City may self-nominate by submitting an application seeking appointment to the Committee.    

   (e)   Terms of Office. Members of the Committee shall be appointed for three (3) -year staggered terms. To accomplish staggered terms, initial terms for each member shall be determined by the Director of Parks and Recreation such that two (2) members are appointed for one (1) year, two (2) are appointed for two (2) years, and three (3) are appointed for three (3) years.

   (f)   Vacancies. Vacancies on the Committee shall be filled by appointment of the Councilperson. Members of the Committee appointed to fill vacancies shall serve through the end of the term of the member whose departure created the vacancy.

   (g)   Officers. The Committee shall annually select one (1) of the members to serve as Chair, may appoint a second member to serve as Vice-Chair, and may appoint a third member to serve as Secretary.

   (h)   Meetings. The Committee shall meet a minimum of six (6) times each year. All meetings shall be open to the public. The Chair may schedule additional meetings as needed.

   (i)   Compensation. Excluding reimbursement for completing the requisite O.D.N.R. Tree Academy courses, Members of the Committee shall serve without compensation.

   (j)   Duties and Responsibilities. The Committee will establish, in writing, any additional provisions needed to operationalize their responsibilities. The Committee shall act in an advisory capacity to the Director and shall:

      (1)   Attend at least two-thirds (2/3) of Committee meetings every year;

      (2)   Complete an Ohio Department of Natural Resources Tree Academy, which shall be reimbursed by the City of Youngstown, within six (6) months of appointment, if they have not completed it within five (5) years of the date on which they become a member;   

      (3)   Coordinate and promote Arbor Day activities;    

      (4)   Assist with the annual application to renew the Tree City USA designation;

      (5)   Support public awareness and education programs relating to trees;

      (6)   Investigate concerns or questions raised by residents in relation to tree management;

      (7)   Review and provide recommendations regarding the provisions of the Urban Forestry Management Plan;   

      (8)   Submit an annual report of its activities to the City Council;   

      (9)   Advise Code Enforcement about the desired beautification of vacant lots; and   

      (10)   Other duties that may be assigned by the Department of Parks and Recreation. (Ord. 22-143. Passed 6-1-22.)