[R.O. 1992 § 255.010; Ord. No. 05-9725 § 1, 2-7-2005]
As used in this Chapter, the following terms shall have these prescribed meanings:
COMMUNITY FOREST MANAGER
The official (public employee) representative of the Washington Urban Forestry Council (WUFC) and as such is responsible for administration of the community forestry program. The Community Forest Manager will be appointed by the City Administrator.
PARK TREE
A tree, shrub, bush and all other woody vegetation in public parks.
PRIVATE COMMUNITY FOREST
All trees within municipal boundaries but not owned by the City.
PUBLIC COMMUNITY FOREST
Trees, shrubs, bushes and all other woody vegetation owned by the City as a total resource.
[R.O. 1992 § 255.020; Ord. No. 05-9725 § 2, 2-7-2005]
A. 
It is the purpose of this Chapter to promote and protect the public health, safety and general welfare by providing for the regulation of the planting, maintenance and removal of trees, shrubs and other plants within the City of Washington, Missouri. It also is to manage Washington's community forest in a strong, healthy condition for today and the future of Washington, Missouri.
B. 
Intent. It is the intent of the City Council of Washington, Missouri, that the terms of this Chapter shall be construed so as to promote:
1. 
The planting, maintenance, restoration and survival of desirable trees, shrubs and other plants within the City.
2. 
The protection of community residents from personal injury and property damage and the protection of the City of Washington from property damage caused by or threatened by the improper planting, maintenance or removal of trees, shrubs or other plants located within the community.
[R.O. 1992 § 255.030; Ord. No. 05-9725 § 3, 2-7-2005]
There is hereby created and established a Washington Urban Forestry Council for the City of Washington, Missouri, which shall consist of a maximum of eight (8) members who shall be appointed by the Mayor with the approval of the City Council. The Community Forest Manager shall be an ex officio member of the Washington Urban Forestry Council.
[R.O. 1992 § 255.040; Ord. No. 05-9725 § 4, 2-7-2005]
A. 
Of those initially appointed to the first Board, the term of three (3) members appointed shall be one (1) year, and the term of two (2) members appointed shall be two (2) years, and the remaining members shall be appointed for three-year terms. Upon the expiration of these initial terms, all members shall thereafter be appointed to terms of three (3) years.
B. 
Within thirty (30) days after the appointment of the initial Board and every year after, the Board will select one (1) of its members President and one (1) Vice President. It shall also select a Secretary.
[R.O. 1992 § 255.050; Ord. No. 05-9725 § 5, 2-7-2005]
Members of the Washington Urban Forestry Council shall serve without compensation.
[R.O. 1992 § 255.060; Ord. No. 05-9725 § 6, 2-7-2005]
A. 
It shall be the responsibility of the Washington Urban Forestry Council to study, investigate, counsel, develop and/or update annually, and administer written plans (annual or long-range) for the care, replacement, maintenance and removal or disposition of trees and shrubs in parks, along streets and in other public areas. Such plans will be presented periodically to the City Council and upon its acceptance and approval shall constitute the official comprehensive City tree plan for the City of Washington, Missouri.
B. 
The Washington Urban Forestry Council, when requested by the City Council, shall consider, investigate, make funding available, report and recommend upon any special matter or question relating to trees.
[R.O. 1992 § 255.070; Ord. No. 05-9725 § 7, 2-7-2005]
The Community Forest Manager shall maintain a list of recommended trees for planting in public areas. The purpose of this listing will be to maintain diversity in the total tree population. This list shall be available to residents of the City upon request to aid in the selection of trees for private and public properties. The list of recommended trees shall be updated periodically to reflect new developments or species that will affect the population of the community forest.
[R.O. 1992 § 255.080; Ord. No. 05-9725 § 8, 2-7-2005]
Special permission must be obtained from the Community Forest Manager when planting trees within ten (10) feet of any point on a line on the ground immediately below any overhead utility wire.
[R.O. 1992 § 255.090; Ord. No. 05-9725 § 9, 2-7-2005]
A. 
The City shall have the right to plant, prune, maintain and remove trees, plants and shrubs within the rights-of-way or bounds of all streets, alleys, lanes, squares and public grounds as may be necessary to insure public safety. All tree pruning and removal will be done in accordance with the most current ANSI A300 Tree Shrub and Other Woody Plant Maintenance Standard Practices.
B. 
The City may remove, cause or order to be removed any tree or part thereof which is in an unsafe condition or which, by reason of its nature, is injurious to electric power lines or other public improvements or is seriously affected with any fatal disease.
[R.O. 1992 § 255.100; Ord. No. 05-9725 § 10, 2-7-2005]
No person, firm or corporation (except for authorized City personnel or others authorized by the City) shall cut, prune or remove any part of the public community forest. Violation of this provision shall, upon conviction, be punished by a fine of five hundred dollars ($500.00) for each tree, shrub or bush or by imprisonment in the City or County Jail for a term not exceeding ninety (90) days, or both fine and imprisonment. Violating any other provision or failing to comply with any notice issued pursuant to the provisions of this Chapter shall, upon conviction, be punished by a fine not exceeding five hundred dollars ($500.00) per violation or by imprisonment in the City or County Jail for a term not exceeding ninety (90) days, or by both such fine and imprisonment.
[R.O. 1992 § 255.110; Ord. No. 05-9725 § 11, 2-7-2005]
It shall be unlawful for any person, firm or City department to top or round off any public tree on public property. "Topping" or "rounding off" is defined as the systematic cutting back of limbs within the tree's crown to such a degree as to remove the normal canopy and disfigure the tree. Trees severely damaged by storms or other causes or certain trees under utility wires or other obstructions where other pruning practices are impractical may be exempted from this Section at the determination of the Community Forest Manager or the Washington Urban Forestry Council.
[R.O. 1992 § 255.120; Ord. No. 05-9725 § 12, 2-7-2005; Ord. No. 08-10438 § 2, 7-7-2008]
Clearance over streets and walkways shall be the responsibility of the abutting property owner. A clearance of ten (10) feet must be maintained over walkways and a clearance of fifteen (15) feet must be maintained over streets and alleys.
[R.O. 1992 § 255.130; Ord. No. 05-9725 § 13, 2-7-2005]
It shall be unlawful for any person to prevent, delay or interfere with the Community Forest Manager, the Washington Urban Forestry Council or any of its representatives or agents while engaging in and about the planting, cultivating, mulching, pruning, spraying or removing of any trees within the public community forest.
[R.O. 1992 § 255.140; Ord. No. 05-9725 § 14, 2-7-2005]
The Community Forest Manager is hereby charged with the responsibility for the enforcement of this Chapter and may serve notice to any person, firm or corporation in violation thereof or institute legal proceedings as may be required and the City Attorney is hereby authorized to institute proceedings to that end.