(a) 
The tree trimming specifications and policy are designed to apply to the trimming and removal of any plant, bush, or tree growth interfering with the safe operation of the electrical system, right-of-way visibility, and to maintain parks and public property in a safe, proper and manageable manner. It is not the intent of this policy to deface the appearance or damage the life of any plant, bush, or tree for the sake of doing so, but to protect the safety and welfare of the citizens of the city and its employees.
(b) 
These specifications prescribe standards to ensure consistent tree trimming practices, and efficient, economical line clearance maintenance. They shall provide a basis for determining whether tree trimming is necessary or appropriate, and shall dictate the methods to be adhered to in the performance of the work activity described in this document. This policy takes into account sections of the American National Safety Institute Standards (ANSI).
(c) 
All city departments are committed to complying with the terms and conditions of this policy and any ordinances applicable to the trimming of any plants, bushes, or trees. These guidelines are also recommended for all franchises, firms, persons, or corporations involved in trimming trees within the city.
(d) 
The primary goal for electrical line clearance is to maintain a safe and reliable electrical distribution system. While establishing proper line clearance, tree trimming shall be in a manner that best directs tree growth away from electrical conductors and facilities and street rights-of-way, extend trimming cycles, and reduce the overall amount of future trimming work required. Because of the difficulty in developing line clearances which would cover all circumstances, the electrical superintendent and/or city manager reserves the right to assess, on a case-by-case basis, any special situations where the strict application of these specifications and policies might be impractical or inappropriate. However, the intent is to strive to meet the clearances set out herein.
(Ordinance 2012-01 adopted 1/10/12)
(a) 
Initial notification shall be made by door tag or personal contact or visit with the property owner or occupant. The reason for trimming or removal should be explained to the property owner or occupant. If the reason is a violation of city ordinance, the process for resolving the matter should be explained. Arrangements should also be made to correct the matter as soon as possible.
(b) 
When scheduled trimming to a section of town is established the occupants in the area should be notified by door tag or personal contact or visit and a schedule should be published in the local newspaper and aired on the local radio station at least one week in advance of the proposed schedule.
(c) 
If property owner wants the city to take care of the matter or violation, the work will be scheduled as soon as possible.
(d) 
If the property owner wants to take care of the matter or violation themselves, the work needs to be scheduled and completed within ten days or a reasonable time frame agreed to by the property owner and city. Amount of time considered to be reasonable will depend upon the degree of need to correct.
(e) 
If all attempts to contact the property owner/occupant fail then a certified letter will be sent giving the property owner/occupant ten days from the signed receipt date, accepting the letter, to correct the problem or make arrangements to correct the problem. If action is not taken or contact has not been made by the property owner/occupant within fifteen days from the date of the letter or ten days from acceptance of the letter or if the property owner/occupant refuses to correct the violation within a reasonable time frame, the matter will be turned over to the municipal court.
(f) 
If a situation arises involving any plant, bush or tree that presents an immediate or inherent danger to the public, the employees, or the utility system, the city shall have the ability to take immediate action to correct the problem to the best of its ability.
(Ordinance 2012-01 adopted 1/10/12)
The following shall apply to property owner requests and individual request for assistance in trimming or topping plants, bushes, or trees, where the property owner will be responsible for completing trimming or removal.
(1) 
Each request shall be evaluated individually, and may require an on-site visit by the responsible department and property owner or occupant.
(2) 
If possible, electrical lines shall be removed or de-energized by the electrical department to permit safe removal of the tree or tree limbs by the property owner, occupant, contractor, entity, or any other person. However, no property owner, occupant, contractor, entity, or any other person may trim or remove trees, or vegetation around any electrical utility without prior approval from the electrical superintendent or city manager.
(3) 
The property owner may be directed, at the option of the electrical department, to have the service drop temporarily disconnected to allow safe tree trimming or removal by the property owner.
(4) 
All departments trimming, removing or assisting in the trimming and removal of plants, bushes, or trees shall properly mark or barricade the area in which trimming is being performed to prevent injury to the public or employees.
(5) 
If it is determined that the request for assistance from the city should be granted on an expedited basis the property owner shall schedule time with the city so that either the city or property owner may have the work performed, as soon as possible, to avoid risk of injury to the public, employees, or electrical system.
(6) 
Whenever possible, all such requests shall be deferred until the normally scheduled trimming cycle, for the area in which the property is located or to a time that will be least detrimental to the plant, bush or tree.
(Ordinance 2012-01 adopted 1/10/12)
The following shall apply when the city initiates a tree removal and after communication with the property owner or tenant: the tree presents a danger to the public; a danger to the traffic; a danger to the electrical system; a tree is destabilizing electric utility structures; a tree is totally involved with the electrical system and clearance cannot be obtained without removal; where affected trees have dominant terminal leaders (pines, etc.) and can not be directionally pruned away from the electrical system; and other situations that may poise a danger to the public or employees. The removal of trees except in an emergency situation shall require prior authorization of the public works director or city manager.
(1) 
The electrical department shall safely remove limbs near energized lines before removing the remainder of the tree. Other departments shall safely remove as many limbs as possible near or in rights-of-way before removing the remainder of the tree. All departments shall properly mark or barricade the area in which trimming is being performed to prevent injury to the public or employees.
(2) 
The final stump cut will be as close to the ground as possible. Branch debris shall be removed by the department performing the work. The removal of stumps shall be the responsibility of the property owner.
(Ordinance 2012-01 adopted 1/10/12)
The following shall apply to cleanup, removal and disposal of pruned material:
(1) 
Each department shall remove and dispose of only those plants, bushes, trees or portions of plants, bushes, and trees trimmed by that department. When possible, removal and cleanup shall be completed within ten days of time cut. However, general practice shall be to remove the brush upon completion of the work. No cut limbs, trunks, brush, trash or other debris will be left on the premises, or adjacent streets or alleys.
(2) 
Removal and disposal of remaining portions of any plant, bush or tree pruned by the property owner is the responsibility of the property owner. Whenever possible options for disposal should be explained to the customer.
(Ordinance 2012-01 adopted 1/10/12)
Line clearance distances attained during tree trimming operations shall vary depending on the power line voltage and the type of tree encountered. High voltage lines require greater clearances. The tree trimming operations shall provide clearance as appropriate for the line voltage and average growth rate of the affected trees, with the overall objective of achieving a minimum of four to five-year pruning cycle. The electrical department shall start and follow a schedule route which follows the primary feeder lines.
(1) 
Line clearing shall begin only after careful consideration of the position occupied by the electrical system relative to the adjacent trees, and the growth rate of the affected trees.
(2) 
If the trimming required to obtain adequate clearance from an electrical facility and/or conductor (i.e. leaning pole, low pole height, sagging wire, etc.) would significantly affect the shape of the tree, the electrical department shall determine if the electrical facility and/or conductor can be adjusted to reduce the trimming required.
(3) 
The clearance specified herein shall be consistently achieved to the best of the department’s ability. Special efforts shall be undertaken for reasonable resolution of any property owners objections or disputes. If the property owner does not wish for the trees to be trimmed and the ability exists that the lines can be rerouted the property owner may request that the lines be rerouted at the property owner’s expense. The property owner will be responsible for all costs associated with the rerouting of any electric lines not excluding any easements or deed research. If a situation arises that the ability to reroute the lines is available and the property owner is willing to pay all associated costs, but the extent of research and manhours required to reroute is considered to be too great by city management, they may refuse to reroute without approval by council.
(4) 
Telephone or television cable facilities shall not be considered in determining line clearances.
(5) 
(A) 
Where possible, the following clearances shall be attained:
(i) 
Service drop, streetlights and conductors: 3 feet.
(ii) 
Secondary conductors less than 600 volts: 3 feet.
(iii) 
Primary conductor greater than 600 volts: 6 feet.
(iv) 
Greater distances may be achieved if easement allows.
(B) 
All attempts will be made to ensure that cuts do not exceed 6 feet. However, for the health of the tree, limbs will be cut back to the closest secondary or parent limb.
(C) 
The shape and appearance of all trees will be considered, during the trimming process, in an attempt to preserve the overall appearance of the tree.
(6) 
According to the Texas State Law, article 143C it shall be unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to cause any person or equipment to be within 10 feet of high power lines unless the utility company has been notified and protective equipment is in place to prevent contact with conductors (lines). Therefore it is also the city’s policy to prevent any person, firm, or corporation from placing or maintaining any object, tree, or equipment within six feet of a power line.
(7) 
The electrical department shall remove all overhang above the pole or primary conductors, or as directed by city management. Poles, guy wires, down guys, transformers, and other electrical facilities shall be free of weight, strain or altered positions caused by contact with plants, bushes, or tree limbs. Guy wires, down guys and poles shall be free of vines. The electric department, at its own discretion, shall determine whether to cut and/or remove all vines or plant growth obstructing or limiting access, at the base of, or on the affected electrical facility, pole, guy wire or down guy.
(Ordinance 2012-01 adopted 1/10/12)
The following section accounts for minimum height requirements.
(1) 
No plant shall be maintained having a height greater than three feet (3') above the level of the centerlines of the nearest abutting street or in the area of a triangle formed by the intersecting property lines and a diagonal line joining the property lines at points twenty feet from their intersection of any corner lot on which a front yard is required.
(2) 
No plant shall be maintained having a height greater than three feet (3') above the level of the centerline of the nearest abutting street or in that area which lies between the property lines of any corner lot and the curblines of any street (sidewalk areas).
(3) 
A minimum of ten feet (10') clearance above the street level at the nearest curbline in that area of visibility triangle on such corner lot.
(4) 
A minimum of eight feet (8') clearance above the sidewalk level in that area between the property line and the curbline of any abutting street.
(5) 
A minimum of five feet (5') clearance between any tree or plant from any fire hydrant.
(6) 
A minimum of ten feet (10') clearance above the street level at the curbline and graduated toward the centerline of the street to a clearance of 14 feet above the centerline.
(7) 
City management shall have a written notice served upon the owner or occupant of any property upon which any violation exists to correct within ten days after service of this notice. Service of said notice may be by certified mail or by personal service upon the owner or occupant. If condition is not corrected by the end of such 10-day period, a complaint shall be filed with the municipal court.
(8) 
Street superintendent has the authorization to trim or remove any tree or plant which obstructs any traffic-control device in the city.
(Ordinance 2012-01 adopted 1/10/12)
In accordance with existing city laws, any homeowner or contractor planning work in the right-of-way that involves excavation of any sort will have the responsibility to obtain permits required by the city to identify any underground utilities in the area of excavation. Such permit shall be obtained from the city.
(Ordinance 2012-01 adopted 1/10/12)
Any person violating any provision of this article shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, upon conviction thereof shall be subject to a fine not to exceed $500.00.
(Ordinance 2012-01 adopted 1/10/12)