The City Forester, in consultation with the
Tree Board, shall have the authority to regulate the planting, maintenance,
and preservation of public trees for the benefit and welfare of the
public and to protect the beauty of such trees and public places,
using the advice of the Tree Board where helpful and following the
directives of the management plan.
Unless authorized by permit issued by the Public
Works Director, no person shall damage, cut, carve, transplant or
remove any public tree; nor attach ropes, wires, nails, advertising
posters or other contrivance; nor allow any gaseous, liquid or solid
substance which is harmful to such trees to come in contact with them;
nor set fire or allow any fire to burn where the fire or heat will
injure a public tree.
No person shall hinder, prevent, delay or interfere
with the City Forester or any of their designees while engaged in
carrying out the execution of this article.
The Tree Board shall have the authority to prepare
the rules and regulations of the arboricultural specifications and
standards governing the planting, maintenance, removal, fertilization,
pruning and bracing of public trees. Said rules and regulations shall
not become effective until approved by the City Council after a public
hearing.
The provisions of this article shall not apply
to the customary operations of governmental entities or public utilities;
provided, however, that any governmental entity or public utility
shall consult with the Public Works Director prior to the removal
of any public tree for the purpose of considering reasonable alternatives
to the removal of the tree.
This article shall be enforced and administered
by the Code Enforcement Officer. When any violation of any provision
of this article is found to exist, the Code Enforcement Officer is
hereby authorized and directed to institute any and all actions and
proceedings, either legal or equitable, that the City Forester may
deem appropriate or necessary to enforce the provisions of this article.