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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2962 Tree Commission ORDINANCE NO. ~7~ 2. AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 2.25, STREET TREE COMMISSION, AMENDING NAME, MEMBERSHIP, QUORUM, POWERS AND DUTIES, AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS Annotated to show deletions and additions to the code sections being modified. . Deletions are bold . and additions are in bold underline. WHEREAS, the City of Ashland Street Tree Commission wishes to modify and update the Street Tree Commission Ordinance relating to the name of the Commission, membership, powers and duties, and other requirements; and THE PEOPLE OF THE CITY OF ASHLAND DO ORDAIN AS FOllOWS: SECTION 1. Chapter 2.25, Street Tree Commission is hereby amended to read as follows: 2.25 Street Tree Commission 2.25.010 Established - Membership The Tree Commission is hereby established to provide advice and auidance to commissions, the Council and city departments on all tree-related matters and to involve citizens in protectina Ashland's urban forest. . The Commission shall consist of the actual number of current sittina Commission members appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by the City Council pursuant to AMC Section 2.25. 020, but in no case shall there be less than five members nor more than seven voting members and three non-voting ex officio members consisting of the Planning Commission, a member of the City Council, and a representative of the Director of Community Development Department and a representative of the Parks and Recreation Department. The voting members shall be appointed by the Mayor with confirmation by the City Council. 2.25.020 Term Vacancies The term of a voting Commissioner shall be for three years. Any vacancy shall be filled by appointment of the Mayor with confirmation by the City Council for the unexpired portion of the term. The terms of the members shall be for three years. Any Commissioner with ~J/ho is absent from four or more unexcused absences from meetings in a one-year period shall be considered no longer active and the position vacant, and a new Commissioner shall be appointed to fill the vacancy. 2.25.030 Quorum Rules and Meetings Tree Commission Ordinance: Second Reading. July 15,2008 Page 1 of 4 Four 'toting members of the Commission shall constitute a quorum. A Quorum shall be defined as one-half the number of sittina Commissioners, plus one, but in no case less than three. If there is no Quorum, no official Commission business shall be conducted and all matters advertised shall automatically be continued to the next reaularly scheduled meetina. The Commission may make rules and regulations for its meetings and procedures consistent with city ordinances, and shall meet at least once every month. At its first meeting of each year the Commission shall elect a Chair, a Vice-Chair and a Secretary.. (ORD 2779 S3, 1996) 2.25.040 Powers and Duties, Generally The purpose, powers, duties and responsibilities of the Tree Commission shall be as follows: 1. To act in an advisory capacity to the PlanninQ Commission, City Council and Plaonina Department Staff Advisor in the administration of the land-use plannina process, with respect to tree science and requirements, landscape desian and principles, locally suitable botanic species and protection of natural resources. Failure to make a recommendation on any individual plannina action shall not invalidate the action. 2. To develop and recommend to the City Council for its adoption ordinances and policies for the plantina, care and protection of trees throuahout the City and to make amendments as required to AMC 18.61. 3. To act in an advisory capacity to the City Administrator and to all City departments reQardina tree protection, maintenance, removal or any related issues in the City and on all City properties. 4. To develop and recommend to the Plannina Commission and the City Council for their review and adoption a city-wide tree monitorina and maintenance plan for lona-term tree care, includina irriaation, prunina and other annual activities. Copies of the plan shall be kept in the Office of the City Recorder and the Community Development Department for public review. 5. To develop and recommend to the City Council for its adoption a master list of street trees suitable for plantina alona city streets, a COpy of which shall be kept on file by the Office of the City Recorder and the Community Development Department as well as made available on the internet. The list shall be updated and reviewed as required. 6. To educate the citizenry and to promote public knowledae and understandina of the benefits of appropriate tree plantina and care. 7. To facilitate an inventory of existina trees, includina historical or sianificant trees; to identify publicly owned properties in need of sustainable tree- plantina or landscapina; and to submit recommendations reaardina such enhancement of public lands and riahts-of-way and to present reports of such inventories, at the request or direction of Council. ft.. To in\~entory existing street trees, including historical trees and public properties in need of beautification and plantings, and present a ~:'ritten report to Tree Commission Ordinance: Second Reading. July 15, 2008 Page 2 of 4 the City Council of its findings. B. To de'-~elop and recommend to the City Council for its adoption a master list of street trees suitable for planting along the streets of the City, a copy of 'f*lhich shall be kept on file in the Office of the City Recorder and the Department of Community Deyelopment for public information. The list shall be re'Jiewed as required. C. To de'Jelop and recommend to the Planning Commission and the City Council for its adoption a Tree Management Plan, a copy of \\Ihich shall be kept on file in the Office of the City Recorder and the Department of Community Development for public information. D. To develop and recommend to the City Council for its adoption ordinances and policies for the planting, care and protection of trees throughout the City. E. To act in an ad'Jisory capacity to the Planning Commission in the administration of the site re'Jie\a: and subdh.ision process YJith respect to landscape design, suitable plantings, protection of natural vegetation, and tree requirements. F. To act in an advisory capacity to the City Administrator and to all City departments regarding tree maintenance and related issues in the City and the City's properties. G. To submit recommendations to the City Council regarding the beautification of public properties and rights of ~*a:ay. H. To promote public knev..,ledge and acceptance of the yalue of appropriate tree planting and care. I. To de':elop, maintain, and update a recommended street tree list. 2.25.050 Reports The Commission shall submit copies of its minutes to the City Council and shall prepare and submit such reports as from time to time may be requested of them by the City Council of or the Planning Commission. 2.25.060 Donations Subiect to the formal acceptance by the City Council, the the-Commission may receive gifts, bequests or other devices of property in the name of the City to carry out any of the purposes of this Chapter, which shall be placed in a special account for use at the discretion of said-the Commission. Penalty or mitiaation fees as described Tree Commission Ordinance: Second Reading. July 15,2008 Page 3 of 4 in 18.61.030, C and authorized by City Council may also be placed in such account. SECTION 2. Severability.. The sections, subsections, paragraphs and clauses of this ordinance are severable. The invalidity of one section, subsection, paragraph, or clause shall not affect the validity of the remaining sections, subsections, paragraphs and clauses. SECTION 3. Codification. Provisions of this Ordinance shall be incorporated in the City Code and the word "ordinance" may be changed to "code", "article", "section", or another word, and the sections of this Ordinance may be renumbered, or re-Iettered, provided however that any Whereas clauses and boilerplate provisions (Le. Sections 2- 3) need not be cod ified. The foregoing ordinance was first read by title only in accor ance with Article X, Section 2(C) of the City Charter on the ~ day of , 2008, and du PASSED and ADOPTED this IS day of ,2008. ;/{~~ Barbara M. Christensen, City Recorder SIGNED and APPROVED this/~ day of Reviewed as to form: Tree Commission Ordinance: Second Reading. July 15,2008 Page 4 of 4