[Adopted by Ord. No. 2004-15 (Sec. 2-54 of the 1987 Revised General Ordinances)]
[Amended 5-25-2022 by Ord. No. 2022-09]; 10-12-2023 by Ord. No. NP2023-16
Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40:64-1 et seq., there is hereby created a Shade Tree Committee, which will be known as "The Shade Tree Committee of the Borough of Red Bank." The Committee shall consist of five members, plus two alternate Commissioners, who shall be designated at the times of their appointment as "Alternate No. 1" and "Alternate No. 2," all to be appointed by the Mayor. The members shall be residents of the Borough and shall serve without compensation except as hereinafter provided. Members shall be appointed on the basis of their qualifications, fitness and desire to fulfill and advance the objectives and purposes of the Committee as set forth herein. An alternate Commissioner may participate in discussions of the proceedings but may not vote except in the absence or disqualification of a regular Commissioner. A vote shall not be delayed in order that a regular Commissioner may vote instead of an alternate Commissioner. In the event that a choice must be made as to which alternate Commissioner is to vote, Alternate No. 1 shall vote first.
[Amended 5-25-2022 by Ord. No. 2022-09]
The initial Committee members to be appointed shall be appointed for staggered terms so that the term of one member shall expire in one year and the terms of two members shall expire in each of the next two years. Thereafter, all members shall be appointed for a three-year term. All vacancies shall be filled for the unexpired term only. Members shall serve until their successors are appointed and qualified and they shall receive no compensation for their services. The initial terms of the alternate commissioners first appointed shall be two years for Alternate No. 1 and one year for Alternate No. 2, so that the term of not more than one alternate commissioner shall expire in any one year.
[Amended 10-12-2023 by Ord. No. NP2023-16]
The Borough Council shall have the discretion, upon recommendation from the Committee, to remove any member who is not fulfilling his or her duties and responsibilities.
A. 
The members of the Committee shall annually elect from their own number a Chairperson, Vice Chairperson and Secretary. The duties of the Chairperson shall be to set the meeting dates, conduct the meetings of the Committee, appoint subcommittees and report on such to the Mayor and Council. The duties of the Vice Chairperson shall be to assist the Chairperson in the completion of his or her duties and to act in his or her stead during an absence. The duties of the Secretary shall be to record the minutes of all meetings of the Committee and to receive and transmit all correspondence of the Committee.
B. 
The Committee shall meet regularly in connection with the performance of its duties. It may adopt rules and regulations in order to facilitate the carrying out of its duties and the conduct of its meetings.
[Amended 10-12-2023 by Ord. No. NP2023-16]
During the month of December of each year, the Committee shall submit a budget request to the Mayor and Council. In each annual budget of the Borough, a sum shall be appropriated as may be determined by the Borough Council to be necessary for the Committee to accomplish the purposes set forth herein and to implement those recommendations of the Committee which the Borough Council, in its discretion, deems feasible and appropriate.
The powers and duties of the Committee shall be as follows:
A. 
To foster and promote arboriculture and the preservation and planting of shade trees within the Borough.
B. 
To identify and recommend to the governing body locations on Borough of Red Bank public land where trees should be planted and tree maintenance would be beneficial. This includes areas where new trees can be planted and existing trees can be pruned or removed if they are dying or present a hazard. The Committee shall recommend a priority of locations where trees should be planted on Borough property.
C. 
To assist the governing body in obtaining grants or other resources for shade tree purposes.
D. 
To make recommendations to the Code Enforcement Officer, or other responsible enforcement officer, to cite a property owner for the remediation or removal of any trees on private property that are deemed to endanger the public safety, health or welfare.
E. 
To review applications pending before the Planning Board or Board of Adjustment and make comments and recommendations to the Boards concerning such applications.