[Ord. No. 10541, 12-20-2018]
(a) A Kirkwood Urban Forestry Commission is hereby created and established
for the purpose of promoting high standards of long-term planning,
maintenance, and perpetuation of Kirkwood's publicly owned trees and
encouraging responsible management and maintenance of privately owned
trees. The Commission shall review current City ordinances and practices
that affect planting, maintenance, protection, and removal of trees
on public and private property and advise the Urban Forester on suggested
amendments; provided, however, the scope of the Commission's review
of tree management practices on private property shall be strictly
limited to issues of public health, safety, public nuisance, or the
protection of trees during construction. The Commission shall advise
the City Council, Urban Forester, and the public of the current state
of the City's urban forest and recommend to the Urban Forester any
needed action on the part of the City to improve or preserve it.
(b) The Commission shall perform the following duties:
(1)
Annually organize, with the assistance of City staff as required,
an annual Arbor Day celebration.
(2)
Advocate urban forestry activities at the Greentree Festival
and other similar events.
(3)
Prepare an annual report designated the "Kirkwood Urban Forest
Report" that details urban forest activities for the past year and
suggests activities for the coming year. Said report shall be made
to the City Council by October 31 of each year.
(4)
Assist the Urban Forester in updating and maintaining the Kirkwood
Tree Manual.
(5)
The Commission is empowered, upon approval of the City Council,
to assist the Urban Forester in preparing grant applications to obtain
funds for urban forestry activities.
(6)
The Commission shall make recommendations to the Urban Forester
on a permit to remove in accordance with § 24.3(c)(2) of
the Kirkwood Code of Ordinances.
(7)
The Commission may serve as an additional conduit for technical
information or advice as requested by City staff, other City boards
or commissions, citizens, and developers regarding appropriate strategies
of long-term planning, maintenance, and perpetuation of Kirkwood's
publicly owned trees.
(8)
The Commission shall work with the Urban Forester to develop
and promote an appropriate tree planting program for trees on City
property, excluding, however, property officially designated as public
parks.
(9)
The Commission may organize education programs for the benefit
of Kirkwood citizens, and assist the Urban Forester in developing
a cooperative program of coordinating utility easement maintenance
with appropriate urban forestry strategies.
Each member shall serve for a term of three years, provided
that the initial appointments to the Commission shall be as follows:
Two members shall be appointed for a term of one year; two members
shall be appointed to a term of two years; three members shall be
appointed to a term of three years; thereafter, each successor who
shall be appointed shall be appointed for a term of three years.
Each member shall serve until a successor is duly appointed
and qualified. In the event of death, resignation, or removal of any
member, a successor shall be appointed to serve for the unexpired
term for which such member had been appointed. The Council may remove
any member of the Commission at any time.
Members of the Commission shall be selected based upon their
professional experience, training, special interest, or exhibited
abilities in the area of urban forestry or related fields.
The Kirkwood Urban Forestry Commission shall elect from its
members its own Chair, Vice Chair, and Secretary. The Vice Chair is
to act as the Chair in the absence of the Chair. The Chair and Vice
Chair shall be elected for a term of one year, but shall hold the
office until a successor is elected. The Secretary shall, with the
assistance of staff designated by the Chief Administrative Officer,
record the substance of all meetings and, in coordination with the
City Clerk, assist in the compliance with all aspects of the Missouri
Open Meetings Law.
Records of the Commission shall be maintained in the office
of the Chief Administrative Officer or other such office as may be
designated by the Chief Administrative Officer.
The Kirkwood Urban Forestry Commission shall make rules and
regulations as it shall deem necessary for the conduct of its affairs,
provided that such rules and regulations shall not be inconsistent
with the provisions of this Code and other ordinances of the City.
The Commission shall hold public meetings at least once each calendar
quarter in order to conduct its business.
The City, through the office of the Chief Administrative Officer,
shall assign to the Kirkwood Urban Forestry Commission such office
space and facilities and such necessary clerical help as shall be
necessary for the fulfillment of its duties. The City Attorney shall
render such legal services as shall be necessary or required by the
Commission.