[R.O. 2011 §12.08.030; Ord. No. 6670 §1 (part), 2006]
A.
City Forester.
1.
Duties include, but are not limited to, the following:
a.
Implement this Chapter. The City Forester is authorized
to adopt and promulgate rules and regulations necessary to interpret
and implement the provisions of this Chapter to secure the intent
thereof and to promote the public health, safety and general welfare.
b.
Authorize permits and supervise permitted work. The
City Forester shall be authorized to issue and administer permits
and supervise permitted work in accordance with this Chapter.
c.
Implement the community forestry plan. It shall
be the responsibility of the City Forester to study, investigate,
develop and annually prepare an update of the community forestry plan
for the care, replacement, maintenance, and removal or disposition
of City trees and shrubs. Said update shall be presented to the Urban
Forestry Commission for adoption and forwarded to Council for approval.
d.
Member of the Urban Forestry Commission. The City
Forester shall also be an ex officio non-voting member of the Urban
Forestry Commission.
B.
Urban Forestry Commission.
1.
Creation of Commission. There is hereby established
an Urban Forestry Commission. The Commission shall consist of the
City Forester, and seven (7) members who shall be appointed by the
City Council and who shall be and have been residents of the City
for at least two (2) years immediately prior to their appointment.
The terms of such members shall be staggered. Two (2) shall be designated
to serve for a term of one (1) year, three (3) shall be designated
to serve for a term of two (2) years, and two (2) shall be designated
to serve for a term of three (3) years from the date of such initial
appointment. Members subsequently appointed by the City Council shall
serve for a term of three (3) years. Such members shall receive no
compensation for their services as such. The City Council shall appoint
a Councilmember as an ex officio member of the Commission to act as
liaison between Council and the Commission. The City Council may remove
any member of the Commission for the misconduct or neglect of duty.
Vacancies on the Commission occasioned by removal, resignation or
for any other cause shall be filled for the remainder of the term
in like manner as in the case of original appointment.
2.
Election of officers. The Urban Forestry Commission
shall, as soon as practical after original appointment of its members,
meet and elect a President and such other officers as it may deem
necessary. Thereafter, elections of officers shall be had annually
in the month of January.
3.
Adoption of rules and regulations. The Commission
shall make and adopt such rules and regulations for its guidance and
proceedings as may be expedient and necessary for the carrying out
of its duties, and not inconsistent with the Charter, the provisions
of this Code or other ordinances of the City.
4.
Performance of duties. The Urban Forestry Commission
shall upon advice and input from the City Council, City Forester,
Director of Public Works and Parks, and the Director of Planning adopt
and annually update a community forestry plan, and shall perform such
other duties as may be provided by this Code or by other ordinance.
Such plan shall, upon approval of City Council, constitute the official
comprehensive community forestry plan for the City.
5.
Quorum for transaction of business. A majority of
the Commission members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction
of business.
6.
Annual and regular meetings. The annual meeting
of the Commission shall be held in January for the purpose of electing
a President and such other officers, and for the transaction of such
other business as may come before the Commission. The Commission may
fix the time and place for holding of additional regular meetings
with notice of such meetings to be delivered or mailed to all Commission
members. The Commission shall hold a minimum of six (6) regular meetings
per calendar year. Additionally, the Commission shall meet within
thirty (30) days of notice to act upon any appeal.
7.
Special meetings. Special meetings of the Commission
may be called or at the request of the President, or two (2) Commission
members.
8.
Appeals. Any person directly affected by an order, decision or determination of the City Forester shall have the right to appeal to the Urban Forestry Commission. All appeals shall be filed within ten (10) days after the order, decision or determination is rendered by the City Forester; provided however, that appeals of special assessments pursuant to Section 505.180(F) shall be filed within thirty (30) days after notice of the special assessment is mailed to the property owner. All appeals shall be in writing and filed with the Director of Parks, Recreation and Forestry and City Manager for placement on the Commission's agenda. An appeal shall be based on a claim that the true intent of this Chapter or the regulations or rules adopted thereunder have been incorrectly interpreted or applied, and shall specify the reasons. The Commission may reverse, affirm or modify the order, decision or determination of the City Forester. The Commission shall render its decision by majority vote after an appeal hearing.
