Chapter 1.54
TREE BOARD
Sections:
1.54.020 Tree board formation.
1.54.010 Purpose.
The purpose of this chapter is to create an organization that shall be responsible for advising, promoting and educating the community on issues pertaining to trees and wooded plants in the city of Ritzville, Washington, and to maintain the status of Tree City USA that will promote and protect the public health, safety, and general welfare by:
A. Providing for the supervision of the planting, pruning, removal, and maintenance of trees, shrubs, and other plants within the city of Ritzville.
B. Educating and assisting citizens to promote a healthy urban forest.
C. Promoting the restoration and preservation of desirable trees and shrubs.
D. Advocating for the establishment and retention of adequate tree planting spaces while considering the community desire for urban aesthetics.
E. Protecting residents from damage caused or threatened by the improper planting, maintenance, or removal of trees and shrubs.
F. Establish a tree care ordinance in compliance with the Ritzville Comprehensive Plan, Ritzville zoning code and other plans as developed and adopted by the city council of the city of Ritzville. (Ord. 2036 § 1, 2010; Ord. 2027 § 1, 2008).
1.54.020 Tree board formation.
To fulfill the purposes established in RCC 1.54.010, the city council hereby establishes a tree board which shall be established as follows:
A. The board will include five members appointed by the mayor and approved by the city council.
1. There shall be two city councilmembers.
2. Three board members will be appointed from the citizens at large, not required to be residents.
B. One board member shall be appointed for an initial one-year term. Two board members shall be appointed for an initial two-year term and two board members shall be appointed for three-year terms. Thereafter, all appointments shall be for three years. If appointed, should a city council board member not be re-elected during their term on the board, the mayor will appoint another city councilmember to complete the unexpired term. (Ord. 2052 § 1, 2011; Ord. 2027 § 2, 2008).
1.54.030 Powers and duties.
In cooperation with city staff, consultants, and citizenry, the tree board shall have the following powers and duties:
A. To establish procedures that will be established by ordinance by the city council at a subsequent date to regulate and issue permits for the planting, pruning, removal, replacement and maintenance of all trees and shrubs within city limits.
B. To prepare an arboricultural manual and present it to the city council for adoption.
C. To prepare a vegetation management plan and present it to the city council for adoption.
D. To prepare and maintain an inventory of all trees and shrubs in the rights-of-way and public places within the city and determine contagiously diseased, dead or hazardous, obstructing the rights-of-way, or posing a threat to public safety, by having the right to take samples of trees and shrubs for laboratory testing.
E. To develop a plan for assisting property owners with their trees within the rights-of-way, which plan includes educational programs and criteria for financial assistance.
F. Provide review, input and advice as requested with regard to the development of landscaping and/or tree ordinances within the city, as well as reviewing project plans for compliance with said ordinances, as requested by city staff.
G. Providing the mayor and city council with a twice-yearly report regarding tree board activities, the first in February of each year and the second at the option of the advisory tree board or the city council.
H. Promoting public education about trees and proper tree maintenance.
I. Advocating trees within the city of Ritzville to provide for aesthetics within the city of Ritzville through the formulation and implementation of tree programs.
J. Developing innovative and joint funding for tree projects from a variety of sources.
K. Developing programs and projects while working with other community groups to enhance city beautification. (Ord. 2036 § 2, 2010; Ord. 2027 § 3, 2008).
1.54.040 Tree City USA.
By adopting this chapter the city of Ritzville agrees to maintain the status of the Tree City USA program by meeting the four standard requirements:
A. Establish a tree board or department;
B. Establish a tree care ordinance;
C. Provide a community forestry program with an annual budget of at least $2.00 per capita; and
D. Supporting Arbor Day by observance and a proclamation. (Ord. 2036 § 4, 2010; Ord. 2027 § 4, 2008).