[Adopted 6-21-2010 by Ord. No. 6209]
There is hereby established in the City of Parsons a Tree Advisory
Board for the purpose of advising the City Manager and City Commissioners
on matters pertaining to the safety and general welfare of the planting,
maintenance, and removal of trees, shrubs and other plants within
Parsons. Direct responsibility for the enforcement and implementation
of proposals and ordinances shall be that of the City Manager or his
or her designee.
The City Commission shall appoint seven members to said advisory
board. All members shall serve without pay. The initial appointments
will consist of three members with three-year terms, two members with
two-year terms and two members with one-year terms. All terms thereafter
shall be for three years. In the event that a vacancy shall occur
during the term of any member, his or her successor shall be appointed
for the unexpired portion of the term.
On or before July 1 of each year the Tree Advisory Board shall
meet and organize its membership by electing one member as its Chairperson,
one member as its Secretary and to establish or amend operating procedures.
The Board shall meet at the times and places established by the Board,
but at a minimum shall meet two times per year. Notice and minutes
of all meetings shall be provided to the City Clerk. The Advisory
Board shall abide by the Kansas Open Meetings Act and Kansas Open
Records Act.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: See K.S.A. § 75-4317 et seq.
and K.S.A. 45-215 et seq., respectively.
The Tree Advisory Board shall recommend and make suggestions
to the City Manager and governing body for their consideration on
the following issues:
A.
Promote awareness and education of tree planting, care and maintenance
on both City-owned and privately owned property.
B.
Develop and maintain a list of desirable trees for planting within
the City of Parsons, including three size classes: small, medium,
and large. The recommended tree list shall be available to the public.
C.
Provide recommendations to the City with regards to planting trees
in parks, road rights-of-way and other City-owned properties.
D.
Develop and maintain guidelines for the spacing of trees.
E.
In new subdivisions or when the development of commercial property
occurs, the Tree Advisory Board shall review landscaping plans and
may recommend trees to be planted along any of the streets, parking
lots, parks and other public places abutting lands henceforth developed
and/or subdivided.
F.
Upon the discovery of any destructive or communicable disease or
other pestilence which endangers the growth or health of trees, or
threatens to spread disease or infestations, the Tree Advisory Board
shall at once cause written notice to be sent to the owner of the
property upon which such diseased or infested tree is situated providing
information to such property owner on how to eradicate, remove or
otherwise control such condition.
G.
Provide for the selection, location, and identification of any trees
which would be designated as a "landmark tree." A tree may qualify
as a landmark tree if it meets one or more of the following criteria:
H.
Such other matters as the City Manager or City Commission may direct.
I.
Annually submit items for consideration in the annual budget and
capital improvement plan to the City Manager by the deadline provided
by the City Manager.
J.
The Tree Advisory Board shall report to City Commission at a minimum
once per year.
