[HISTORY: Adopted by the Mayor and Council of the Borough of Ho-Ho-Kus 1-3-2023 by Ord. No. 2022-77.[1] Amendments noted where applicable.]
[1]
Editor's Note: This ordinance also repealed former Ch. 57, Shade Tree Commission, adopted 12-26-1961 by Ord. No. 378, as amended.
A Shade Tree and Beautification Committee for the Borough of Ho-Ho-Kus is hereby established.
A. 
The Shade Tree and Beautification Committee shall consist of seven members up to a maximum of 21 members who shall be residents of the Borough and who shall be appointed by the Mayor, with the advice of the Borough Council. The term of each member of the Committee shall be for one year, and members shall serve for their respective terms and until their successors are appointed and qualified. The members of the Committee shall be appointed at the organization meeting of the governing body in January of each year. Vacancies in the membership of the Committee, occurring for whatever cause, shall be promptly filled by the Mayor for the unexpired term.
B. 
Notwithstanding the above, the Mayor may waive the residency requirement of any member of the Committee for any individual upon application and for good cause shown.
The members of the Shade Tree and Beautification Committee shall serve without compensation.
The Mayor shall appoint a Chairperson and request meetings as he may deem necessary. The Shade Tree and Beautification Committee shall hold its organizational meeting in January of each year and elect its officers at the organizational meeting.
[Amended 4-25-2023 by Ord. No. 2023-85]
The duties of the Shade Tree and Beautification Committee shall be as follows:
A. 
To exercise, subject to review by the Borough Council, recommendation over the planting and care of shade and ornamental trees and shrubbery now located or which may hereafter be planted in any public highway, public park or public lands owned or under the jurisdiction of the Borough of Ho-Ho-Kus. The provisions of this chapter do not and shall not be interpreted to delegate any authority to the Shade Tree and Beautification Committee to enforce any of the provisions of Borough Code.
B. 
To encourage the planting of shade and ornamental trees and shrubbery throughout the Borough of Ho-Ho-Kus on public and on private property and to assist the various public boards, bodies and agencies of the Borough in their efforts with regard to the encouragement of planting shade and ornamental trees and shrubbery.
C. 
To prepare, develop and distribute information with respect to the growing of and care for shade and ornamental trees and shrubbery.
D. 
To prepare, develop and recommend any improvements for the purpose of enhancing the overall outdoor appearance of the downtown area through streetscape design, plantings and landscaping, hardscape items, and other recommended projects in order to attract residents and businesses in a pedestrian friendly atmosphere.
E. 
To make annual reports to the Borough Council setting forth therein and detailing the activities and operations of the Shade Tree and Beautification Committee during the preceding 12 months.
There may be appropriated in each annual budget of the Borough such sum or sums as may be determined by the Borough Council to be necessary for the proper operation and functioning of the Shade Tree and Beautification Committee; and the Committee is authorized, subject to approval of the Borough Council, to use and expend such funds for such purposes upon the adoption of the annual budget. All payments for services rendered to the Shade Tree and Beautification Committee shall be on standard Borough vouchers and shall be approved by the Borough Council before payment.