[Ord. No. 10541, 12-20-2018]
(a) 
A Kirkwood Urban Forestry Commission is hereby created and established for the purpose of promoting high standards of long-term planning, maintenance, and perpetuation of Kirkwood's publicly owned trees and encouraging responsible management and maintenance of privately owned trees. The Commission shall review current City ordinances and practices that affect planting, maintenance, protection, and removal of trees on public and private property and advise the Urban Forester on suggested amendments; provided, however, the scope of the Commission's review of tree management practices on private property shall be strictly limited to issues of public health, safety, public nuisance, or the protection of trees during construction. The Commission shall advise the City Council, Urban Forester, and the public of the current state of the City's urban forest and recommend to the Urban Forester any needed action on the part of the City to improve or preserve it.
(b) 
The Commission shall perform the following duties:
(1) 
Annually organize, with the assistance of City staff as required, an annual Arbor Day celebration.
(2) 
Advocate urban forestry activities at the Greentree Festival and other similar events.
(3) 
Prepare an annual report designated the "Kirkwood Urban Forest Report" that details urban forest activities for the past year and suggests activities for the coming year. Said report shall be made to the City Council by October 31 of each year.
(4) 
Assist the Urban Forester in updating and maintaining the Kirkwood Tree Manual.
(5) 
The Commission is empowered, upon approval of the City Council, to assist the Urban Forester in preparing grant applications to obtain funds for urban forestry activities.
(6) 
The Commission shall make recommendations to the Urban Forester on a permit to remove in accordance with § 24.3(c)(2) of the Kirkwood Code of Ordinances.
(7) 
The Commission may serve as an additional conduit for technical information or advice as requested by City staff, other City boards or commissions, citizens, and developers regarding appropriate strategies of long-term planning, maintenance, and perpetuation of Kirkwood's publicly owned trees.
(8) 
The Commission shall work with the Urban Forester to develop and promote an appropriate tree planting program for trees on City property, excluding, however, property officially designated as public parks.
(9) 
The Commission may organize education programs for the benefit of Kirkwood citizens, and assist the Urban Forester in developing a cooperative program of coordinating utility easement maintenance with appropriate urban forestry strategies.
Each member shall serve for a term of three years, provided that the initial appointments to the Commission shall be as follows: Two members shall be appointed for a term of one year; two members shall be appointed to a term of two years; three members shall be appointed to a term of three years; thereafter, each successor who shall be appointed shall be appointed for a term of three years.
Each member shall serve until a successor is duly appointed and qualified. In the event of death, resignation, or removal of any member, a successor shall be appointed to serve for the unexpired term for which such member had been appointed. The Council may remove any member of the Commission at any time.
Members of the Commission shall be selected based upon their professional experience, training, special interest, or exhibited abilities in the area of urban forestry or related fields.
The Kirkwood Urban Forestry Commission shall elect from its members its own Chair, Vice Chair, and Secretary. The Vice Chair is to act as the Chair in the absence of the Chair. The Chair and Vice Chair shall be elected for a term of one year, but shall hold the office until a successor is elected. The Secretary shall, with the assistance of staff designated by the Chief Administrative Officer, record the substance of all meetings and, in coordination with the City Clerk, assist in the compliance with all aspects of the Missouri Open Meetings Law.[1]
Records of the Commission shall be maintained in the office of the Chief Administrative Officer or other such office as may be designated by the Chief Administrative Officer.
[1]
Editor's Note: See § 610.010 et seq., RSMo.
The Kirkwood Urban Forestry Commission shall make rules and regulations as it shall deem necessary for the conduct of its affairs, provided that such rules and regulations shall not be inconsistent with the provisions of this Code and other ordinances of the City. The Commission shall hold public meetings at least once each calendar quarter in order to conduct its business.
The City, through the office of the Chief Administrative Officer, shall assign to the Kirkwood Urban Forestry Commission such office space and facilities and such necessary clerical help as shall be necessary for the fulfillment of its duties. The City Attorney shall render such legal services as shall be necessary or required by the Commission.