The Village Board hereby establishes a Tree Commission.
A.
Purpose. The purpose of the Tree Commission shall be to gather information and make recommendations to the Mayor, the DPW Superintendent, and the Village Board with respect to the planting and maintenance of trees in the Village of Manlius. The Tree Commission shall:
(1)
Coordinate and promote Arbor Day activities;
(2)
Review and update a five-year plan to plant and maintain trees on Village property;
(3)
Support public awareness and education programs relating to trees;
(4)
Review Village department concerns relating to tree care;
(5)
Submit an annual report of its activities to the Village Board;
(6)
Assist with the annual application to renew the Tree City USA designation;
(7)
Recommend a list of tree species for planting on Village property and as street trees, and a list of prohibited species;
(8)
Identify opportunities for tree-related grant funding and coordinate application efforts;
(9)
Prepare and submit to the Mayor a proposed budget for tree-related expenditures by February l of each year; and
(10)
Other duties that may be assigned by the Mayor or the Village Board.
B.
Membership.
(1)
The Tree Commission shall consist of seven members appointed by the Mayor with the approval of the Village Board. Each of the commissioners shall be residents of the Village of Manlius with the possible exception of one commissioner upon a finding by the Village Board to be an individual with demonstrated expertise in one or more areas reasonably related to the mission and function of the Tree Commission. Any member may be removed by the Mayor for cause after a public hearing.
(2)
Chair. The Tree Commission shall annually elect a Chair from its own members to serve for a term of one year commencing on the first Monday in April.
(3)
Village Board liaison. One Village Trustee shall be appointed by the Mayor to be a liaison to the Tree Commission for a term of one year, commencing on the First Monday in April.
C.
Term of office. Terms of office shall be for two years commencing on the first Monday of April in the initial year.
D.
Meetings. The Tree Commission shall meet periodically as necessary to fulfill the purposes of this law. All meetings shall be open to the public. The Commission shall keep minutes of the meetings and send copies of the minutes to the Mayor and the Village Clerk.
E.
Compensation. The members of the Tree Commission shall serve without compensation.