Chapter 2.108
TREE BOARD
Sections:
2.108.035 Officers – Quorum – Meetings.
2.108.010 Title.
There is created a citizens committee to be called the city tree board. (Ord. 1211 NS § 1, 2000; Ord. 1209 NS § 1, 2000).
2.108.020 Mission.
Trees are a symbol of Washington State and the Great Northwest – signifying strength, power and abundance. Trees provide numerous human physiological and psychological health benefits, offer soil stability, afford habitat for animals, bestow beauty, quiet and freshness to our environment, and enhance the urban setting. In this regard, the city of Colville tree board will promote the care, maintenance and conservation of trees. The tree board will advise the city on tree management on the grounds of city parks and rights-of-way and will encourage private landowners to manage their trees for safety, beauty, and the public welfare. The tree board will encourage the planting of new trees while preserving historic heritage trees throughout the city through education, programs and joint projects. The tree board wishes to support an environment that encourages a sense of community and pride. (Ord. 1608 NS, 2018; Ord. 1211 NS § 2, 2000; Ord. 1209 NS § 2, 2000).
2.108.030 Membership.
The board shall consist of a minimum of three and maximum of five members to be appointed by the mayor with confirmation from the city council members shall serve without pay. The board may consist of any combination of interested citizens including representatives of the city planning commission, the business community, the Colville school district, electrical utilities and neighborhoods. (Ord. 1211 NS § 3, 2000; Ord. 1209 NS § 3, 2000).
2.108.035 Officers – Quorum – Meetings.
A. Officers of the committee shall consist of a chairperson, secretary and other officers as may be necessary. Officers shall be elected by the committee in January of each year.
B. It shall be the duty of the chairperson to preside at all meetings of the committee and of the secretary to keep official minutes of all meetings and of all proceedings of the committee.
C. Minutes of all meetings of the committee shall be provided to the city clerk within 30 days of the meeting date.
D. A majority of the committee shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business and a majority of those present shall be necessary to carry any proposition.
E. The committee shall fix the time and place of its meetings. The meetings of the committee shall be public. Special meetings of the committee may be called by the chairperson. (Ord. 1608 NS, 2018).
2.108.040 Terms of office.
The initial appointment shall be one member to a one-year term, one member to a two-year term, and one member (or three if board consists of five members) to a three-year term. Initial terms shall be determined by lot. Each appointment thereafter shall serve a three-year term. In the event of a vacancy of any position, the mayor shall appoint a successor for the unexpired portion of the term with confirmation by the city council. Members may be removed by the mayor, subject to approval by the city council for inefficiency or neglect of duty. (Ord. 1211 NS § 4, 2000).
2.108.050 Powers and duties.
The city tree board shall have the following powers and duties:
A. To develop a written plan and make recommendations for the care, preservation, planting, removal, enhancement, and disposition of trees and shrubs in parks, public rights-of-way, and other public property;
B. To develop information and procedures to encourage preservation, protection, and enhancement of existing trees and shrubs on public property as well as additional planting of trees and shrubs on public property, and to provide public information to the citizens of Colville to encourage property management and enhancement of trees within the city;
C. To make comments and recommendations regarding plans and/or development proposals, which affect trees or which may include the planting of trees and shrubs on city property, including rights-of-way and parks. The tree board shall provide recommendations and comments to municipal authorities responsible for making final decisions regarding the adoption and/or implementation of such plans or proposals;
D. To perform such other tasks as may from time to time be directed by the mayor and/or city council. (Ord. 1211 NS § 5, 2000; Ord. 1209 NS § 4, 2000).