§ 62-40. Creation and establishment of a tree advisory committee.

There is hereby created and established a tree advisory committee for the city, which shall consist of five members, who shall be appointed by the mayor and council.

(1)

Duties and responsibilities. It shall be the responsibility of the tree advisory committee to develop and/or update, and administer a written plan for the care, preservation, pruning, planting, replanting, removal or disposition of trees and shrubs in parks, along streets and in other public areas. The tree advisory committee shall consider, investigate, make finding, report and recommend upon any special matter of question coming within the scope of its work.

(2)

Term of office. The term of the five persons to be appointed by the mayor and council shall be three years. In the event that a vacancy shall occur during the term of any member, his successor shall be appointed for the unexpired portion of the term.

(3)

Compensation. Members of the tree advisory committee shall serve without compensation.

(4)

Definitions.

Park trees mean trees, shrubs, bushes and all other woody vegetation in public parks having individual names, and all areas owned by the city, or to which the public has free access as a park.

Street trees mean trees, shrubs, bushes, and all other woody vegetation on land lying between property lines on either side of all streets, avenues, or ways within the city.

(5)

Operation. The tree advisory committee shall choose its own officers, governed by Robert's Rules, and keep a journal of its proceedings. A majority of the members shall be a quorum for the transaction of business.

(6)

Street tree species to be planted. The following list constitutes the official street tree species for the city. No species other than those included in this list may be planted as street trees without written permission of the city manager or designee.

Canopy Trees	Accent Trees	Palm Trees
Live Oak	Crepe Myrtle	Washingtonia
Weeping Elm	Ligustrum Tree-form	Sabal
Winged Elm	Weeping Yaupon Holly	Medjool
Magnolia	Weeping Bottlebrush	Queen
Red Maple	Silver Buttonwood

 

(7)

Spacing of street trees. No trees may be planted closer together than the following, without the approval of the city manager or designee:

Shade trees, 40—50 feet on center;

Accent trees/power line planting, 30—40 feet on center;

Palm trees, 20—30 feet on center; except as recommended by the advisory committee.

(8)

Distance from curb and sidewalk. The distance trees may be planted from curbs or curb lines and sidewalks will be in accordance with the following:

Shade trees, three feet;

Accent trees, two feet; and

Palm trees, two feet.

(9)

Distance from street corners and fire hydrants. No street tree shall be planted closer than ten feet of any street corner, measured from the point of nearest intersecting curbs or curb lines. No street tree shall be planted closer than ten feet of any fireplug.

(10)

Utilities. No street trees other than those species listed in subsection (6) of this section may be planted under or within ten lateral feet of any overhead utility wire, or over or within five lateral feet of any underground water line, sewer line, transmission line or other utility.

(11)

Review by city council. The city council shall have the right to review the conduct, acts and decisions of the tree advisory committee.

( Ord. No. 09-2014 , § 2(Exh. A), 10-14-14)