(a)   The governing board believes that:

(1)   A healthy and appealing community is one which maintains and manages its natural resources;

(2)   Trees, bushes and other flora are deemed to add substantially to the quality of life and attractiveness of a community, and the well-being of its citizens;

(3)   Development of a city board which specifically focuses attention on adding, replacing and managing such flora is in the public’s interest; and

(4)   Efforts towards beautification of our community benefit the entire community, helping to instill a sense of pride and motivating other citizens and groups to maintain their property.

Therefore the governing board hereby creates and establishes a tree board for the city. Such tree board shall have at least five members consisting of the parks superintendent and four citizens at-large, with at least one of these citizen board member positions being filled with a person educated or engaged in a trade with emphasis on horticulture, arbor-related work, gardening, landscaping, greenhouse-work or other similar focus. The governing board shall endeavor to place persons on the tree board who reside in and around different sections of the community in an effort to provide fair and equal representation of all areas of town.

(Ord. 3184, § 1, 5-28-96; Ord. 3290, § 1, 5-28-02; Code 2016, Sec. 98-31)

The terms for all tree board members shall be three years, with the exception of the parks superintendent, who shall serve on the tree board as long as employed by the city in the capacity of parks and recreation department manager.

(Ord. 3184, § 2, 5-28-96; Ord. 3290, § 2, 5-28-02; Code 2016, Sec. 98-32)

Members of the tree board shall serve without compensation for all work performed in their capacity as tree board members.

(Ord. 3184, § 3, 5-28-96; Ord. 3290, § 3, 5-28-02; Code 2016, Sec. 98-33)

It shall be the responsibility of the tree board to study, investigate, counsel, develop and implement a plan for the preservation of trees and shrubs in parks, along streets, on public property and along other public rights-of-way, and to assist in the design and/or maintenance of city entrances.

(Ord. 3184, § 4, 5-28-96; Ord. 3290, § 4, 5-28-02; Code 2016, Sec. 98-34)

The tree board from time to time may delegate the everyday functions of the tree board to the city administrator and/or his/her representative.

(Ord. 3184, § 5, 5-28-96; Ord. 3290, § 5, 5-28-02; Code 2016, Sec. 98-35)