§ 2-108. Tree board.

(a)

Purpose and intent. The purpose of the Village of Palmetto Bay Tree Board is to promote the general welfare and to encourage the preservation of green space and the environment by encouraging the village, through a group of concerned volunteer citizens charged by ordinance, with reviewing and making recommendations as to developing and administering a comprehensive tree management program. A tree board would assist the village in developing an urban or community forestry program, and ultimately, an annual, systematic management of the village's tree resources, including, tree planting, maintenance and removal program for trees on streets, parks and other public places.

(b)

Administration of the village's tree program ultimately to be recognized as consistent with the National Arbor Day Foundation.

(c)

The Village of Palmetto Bay tree program shall be administered by the department of public works. To assist in administering the program, the village council may appoint an advisory tree board.

(d)

An arborist may be utilized as part of the tree board review process. In becoming a Tree City USA designated municipality, the village would need to expend approximately $50,000.00, in each year, at $2.00, per capita to maintain the designation.

(e)

Membership in the advisory tree board.

(1)

Membership. The mayor shall appoint advisory board members, subject to council approval. Each council member shall tendering potential appointee names for the mayor's consideration prior to final approval. The advisory tree board shall consist of five members. The advisory board members shall serve for two years, under staggered terms, serving without compensation. Each advisory board member must be knowledgeable in at least one of the identified fields of: urban planning, landscape architecture, tree-related professionals such as forestry professors, nursery operators, arborists, or other environmental civic activist. To ensure a balanced and diverse advisory board it is recommended that at least two of the board members be a tree-related professional or show substantial participation in horticultural activities, and one be a civic leader in the community.

(2)

Meetings. If any member fails to attend two of three successive meetings without cause and without prior approval of the chairman, the committee shall declare the member's office vacant, and the village council shall promptly fill that vacancy. The advisory board shall meet at least once a year to evaluate and make recommendations to village staff and to the village council as to updates recommended to the village's existing landscape and tree master plan, which plan shall become the village's annual community forestry work plan.

(3)

Conflict of interest. If any member of the advisory boar shall find that his private or personal interests are involved in the matter coming before the board, he shall disqualify himself from all participation in that matter.

(4)

Duties. The tree advisory board shall review and propose revisions to the village's master street tree plan and plans relating to trees for all village parks and public places for review and action by village staff and the village council. The board is to issue recommendations to the village council for all program acquisitions or modifications in accordance with this division. The advisory board may make recommendations as to the public education aspects of the program. The public works director, or his/her designee, shall be the liaison to the advisor board, shall prepare a budget for staff and other expenditures necessary to operate the program and shall deliver a written annual report to the village council. The advisory board will undertake all activities directed or requested by either the village manager or village council. The advisory board shall be guided by the criteria of the National Arbor Day Foundation's Street Tree USA Program criteria and guidelines. The tree advisory board is also directed to coordinate and assist in the creation of a garden club within the village.

(f)

The third Friday in January is Village of Palmetto Bay Arbor Day.

(Ord. No. 09-02, § 1, 1-12-2009)