There is hereby created and established a Tree Commission for the City, to consist of nine voting members, as follows:
(a) Appointments. Members are to be appointed in the following manner: Two voting public members appointed by the Mayor; four voting public members appointed by Council in a manner to be determined by that body. One voting seat shall be occupied by the City Arborist or a cert
ified arborist serving in that position under contract. One voting seat shall be occupied by a representative of the Building and Housing Department. The remaining voting seat shall be occupied by a member of Council appointed by the President of Council. The Director of Public Service shall occupy a nonvoting seat on the Commission . Up to two additional ex-officio (non-voting) members may be appointed upon agreement between Council and the Mayor so as to insure that expertise in urban forestry is well represented. Public members shall serve four-year terms. Terms shall begin on either January 1 or July 1 of the year in which a member is appointed. Public members may be reappointed to no more than three consecutive terms. A vacancy occurring during the term of any member of the Commission shall be filled for the unexpired term in the manner authorized for an original appointment. (c) Eligibility. Public members shall be residents of the City of South Euclid. (d) Qualifications. Public members shall, within three years of their appointment, have completed either Tree Commission Academy presented by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Forestry or receive other training in urban forestry, tree care, and public tree management. Those who do not fulfill this obligation are not eligible for reappointment to a new term. (Ord. 16-92. Passed 7-27-92; Ord. 20-15. Passed 12-28-15.)
943.06 OPERATION. The Tree Commission shall meet at least three times each year or as needed and shall hold its first meeting within three months of enactment of this chapter, at which time it shall elect a chairman and vice-chairman and thereafter shall elect officers at its first meeting each year. A majority of voting members shall constitute a quorum and any actions of the Commission may be taken by a majority of the voting members present at the meeting at which the action is taken. A special meeting may be called by the chairperson, or in his or her absence, the vice-chairperson, or by any two Tree Commissioners. Members may participate in up to two meetings per year via conference call or video conference/interaction. Meetings of the Tree Commission shall be open to the public and announced in advance via the city website or other appropriate means. The Commission shall keep minutes of its meetings and file them with the Clerk of Council. (Ord. 42-99. Passed 6-28-99; Ord. 20-15. Passed 12-28-15.)
943.07 DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES. (a) It shall be the responsibility of the Tree Commission to develop, administer and maintain a written plan to be known as the Master Tree Plan. (b) The Commission , when requested by Council, shall consider, investigate, make findings, report and recommend upon any special matter of question coming within the scope of its work. The Commission shall study the problems and determine the needs of the City in connection with its tree planting and maintenance program. (c) The Commission shall recommend to the Director of Public Service, the type and kind of trees to be planted upon such City streets or parts of City streets or in parks as designated. (d) The Commission shall assist the Director of Public Service, as well as Council and residents of the Municipality in the dissemination of news and information regarding the selection, planting and maintenance of trees within the corporate limits, whether the same are on private or public property and shall make such recommendations from time to time to Council as to desirable legislation concerning the tree program and activities for the Municipality. The Commission shall work in conjunction with civic and public interest groups devoted to tree care and preservation. The Commission shall plan and sponsor the city's annual Arbor Day celebration on the last Friday in April. Passed 12-28-15.)
943.08 MASTER TREE PLAN. The Tree Commission shall have the authority to formulate a Master Tree Plan. The Master Tree Plan shall include the inventory of existing public trees and shall specify the requirements for the care, preservation, pruning, planting, replanting and removal or disposition of trees in parks, along streets and on other public sites and shall specify the species of tree to be planted in these areas. The Master Tree Plan shall be updated and presented to Council every three years and upon their acceptance and approval shall constitute the official comprehensive Master Tree Plan for the City. From and after the effective date of the Master Tree Plan, or any amendment thereof, all planting, removal and maintenance shall conform thereto. (a) The Commission shall have the responsibility of inventory (and classifying as to location, species, size, condition and evaluation) for the existing public trees , as an integral part of the Master Tree Plan. This inventory shall be updated bi-annually. (b) The Commission shall consider all existing and proposed buildings, utilities and environmental factors including climate change and pests when recommending the planting of a specific species or other work for all streets and public sites within the City. (c) The Commission shall have the authority to amend or add to the Master Tree Plan at any time that circumstances make it advisable. Passed 12-28-15.)
943.09 TREE SPECIES TO BE PLANTED. The Tree Commission shall develop and maintain a list of desirable large, medium and small trees for planting in parks, along streets and on other public sites based on mature height, soil condition, surrounding conditions, and species suitability. The largest tree that is suitable for each site shall be the default choice. Lists of trees not suitable for planting in these areas shall also be created by the Commission . Passed 12-28-15.)
