Chapter 2.23
CITY TREE COMMISSION

Sections:

2.23.010    City Tree Commission established.

2.23.020    Purpose.

2.23.030    Term of office and compensation.

2.23.040    Duties and responsibilities.

2.23.050    Procedures.

2.23.060    Review by City Council.

2.23.010 City Tree Commission established.

There is hereby established a City Tree Commission for the City of Albany, which shall consist of five members. The members shall be appointed by the Mayor and ratified by the City Council. At least one member of the City Tree Commission shall be a representative from the field of arboriculture, landscape architecture, or otherwise have professional knowledge of trees and their care. Members shall be residents of the City of Albany or shall own property or maintain a business within the City of Albany. (Ord. 5269 § 1, 1997; Ord. 5096 § 1, 1993).

2.23.020 Purpose.

The City Tree Commission is established by the Albany City Council to promote and protect the public health, safety, and general welfare of the citizens of Albany by providing for the regulation of the planting, maintenance, and removal of trees in the City of Albany. (Ord. 5096 § 1, 1993).

2.23.030 Term of office and compensation.

City Tree Commission members shall each serve a three-year term with the exception of the original members. The term of office of the first member appointed shall expire on December 31, 1994; the terms of office of the second and third members appointed shall expire on December 31, 1995; and the terms of office for the fourth and fifth members appointed shall expire on December 31, 1996. Commission members shall serve without compensation. (Ord. 5096 § 1, 1993).

2.23.040 Duties and responsibilities.

It shall be the responsibility of the City Tree Commission to:

(1) Study, investigate, develop, and administer a written plan for the care, preservation, pruning, planting, replanting, removal or disposition of trees in parks, and in public areas, which includes the public right-of-way. The plan will be presented to the City Council and upon their acceptance and approval shall constitute the City Tree Plan for the City of Albany. The Commission, when requested by the City Council, shall consider, investigate, make finding, report, and recommend upon any special matter or question coming within the scope of its work;

(2) Develop criteria for the City Forester to apply in making decisions entrusted to his/her discretion;

(3) Designate heritage trees on public and private lands within the City;

(4) Promote the planting and proper maintenance of trees through special events including an annual local celebration of Arbor Day;

(5) Obtain the annual Tree City USA designation by the National Arbor Day Foundation; and

(6) Review the discretionary decisions of the City Forester. (Ord. 5096 § 1, 1993).

2.23.050 Procedures.

The City Tree Commission shall elect a chairperson and a vice-chairperson and shall develop its own meeting schedule. A majority of the members shall constitute a quorum. The Commission shall keep a journal of its proceedings, which shall be kept on file in the office of the City Recorder. (Ord. 5096 § 1, 1993).

2.23.060 Review by City Council.

The City Council shall have the right to review the conduct, acts, and decisions of the City Tree Commission. Any person may appeal any ruling or order of the City Tree Commission to the City Council who may hear the matter and make a final decision. (Ord. 5096 § 1, 1993).