The purpose of the Public Tree Advisory Commission shall be to hear appeals of decisions on the planting and removal of public trees as provided under Section 2.11.100, and to provide advice to staff and the City Council on matters related to the Goleta Urban Forest.
(Ord. 12-16 § 2; Ord. 23-04 § 1)
A Public Tree Advisory Commission for the City is created.
(Ord. 12-16 § 2; Ord. 23-04 § 1)
The Public Tree Advisory Commission shall be composed of five members.
(Ord. 12-16 § 2; Ord. 23-04 § 1)
Commissioners shall be appointed by the Mayor with the approval of the City Council according to the process established in Chapter 2.15.
(Ord. 12-16 § 2; Ord. 20-12 § 7; Ord. 23-04 § 1)
A. 
Applicants and members must demonstrate respect for the diversity of the Goleta community and be committed to ensuring equity, inclusion, and access for all residents and visitors in the provision of government services.
B. 
Three members of the Public Tree Advisory Commission shall be residents of the City.
C. 
The Public Tree Advisory Commission shall be composed of professional and lay members with a demonstrated interest, competence, or knowledge in the following areas: landscape architecture, landscape contracting, horticulture, or urban forestry.
D. 
No member of the Public Tree Advisory Commission may be an employee or officer of the City.
(Ord. 12-16 § 2; Ord. 23-04 § 1)
The Public Tree Advisory Commission shall meet four times per year or as needed to fulfill its duties.
(Ord. 23-04 § 1)
The Public Tree Advisory Commission shall have the following responsibilities:
A. 
Advise the City Council and staff on policies and regulations related to the management of the urban forest.
B. 
Advise on the development of tree related ordinances.
C. 
Hear appeals of staff decision related to the planting and removal of trees as provided under Goleta Municipal Code Section 2.11.100.
(Ord. 23-04 § 1)
A. 
Members of the Public Tree Advisory Commission shall be appointed to a four-year term. There shall be no limit to the number of terms to which members may be appointed.
B. 
The terms of the members shall be staggered so that approximately one-third of the members are appointed each year.
C. 
Members shall serve until their successor has been appointed by the Mayor and approved by the City Council pursuant to Chapter 2.15.
(Ord. 12-16 § 2; Ord. 20-12 § 7; Ord. 23-04 § 1)
The City Council may establish by resolution the compensation to be paid to the members of the Commission.
(Ord. 23-04 § 1)
A decision made by City staff related to the planting and removal of trees may be appealed to the Public Tree Advisory Commission. However, any decision made by City staff for the protection of the public health and safety of the citizens shall not be subject to appeal. A letter stating the reasons for the appeal, along with the appropriate fee, must be filed with the Public Works Department within the 10 days following the staff decision. If the 10th day falls on a day that the Public Works Department offices are closed, the appeal period is extended until 5:00 p.m. on the following business day.
(Ord. 12-16 § 2; Ord. 20-12 § 8; Ord. 23-04 § 1)
Any persons may appeal a final decision by the Public Tree Advisory Commission to the City Council within 10 days of the decision becoming final. If a decision is not appealed to the City Council within that period, the decision cannot be appealed. The Public Works Department will notify the Public Tree Advisory Commission as to the scheduled date of the appeal hearing. The Public Tree Advisory Commission will designate a member to attend an appeal hearing.
(Ord. 12-16 § 2; Ord. 20-12 § 8; Ord. 23-04 § 1)