§ 12.24.03. Certificate and insurance required.

A.

A city issued tree pruner/service certificate shall be required for the owner and supervisory personnel or person of each business performing commercial tree work in parks and on other public grounds.

B.

Each applicant shall attend educational training on basic tree science and the proper techniques of tree pruning; and/or shall demonstrate sufficient knowledge of basic tree science and the proper techniques of tree pruning by scoring seventy-five (75) percent or higher on a test approved by the University of Arkansas's Cooperative Extension Service. Individuals with an International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) certification are exempt from this requirement.

C.

A certificate shall be issued by the city parks commission when an individual has successfully completed the training and scored seventy-five (75) percent or higher on the test.

D.

The certificate shall be available at each job site.

E.

All persons engaged in the business of public tree care and removal shall be under the supervision of a certified tree pruner/service.

F.

Non-compliance with the standards, specifications, and guidelines outlined herein shall result in the following actions being taken:

First violation—Warning issued and repeat training.

Second violation—Suspension of certificate for thirty (30) days.

Third violation—Revocation of certificate.

Should a violation result in the revocation of an individual's certificate, such individual shall have the right to reapply for a commercial tree pruner/service certificate after thirty (30) days, subject to the limitations set forth in subsection B. Attendance at the educational workshop, as set forth above, is required prior to re-issuance of such certificate.

G.

Should an individual's certificate be revoked for a fourth violation within a one-year period, re-application for a certificate shall be denied for such individual.

Appeals from denial of certification shall be in writing to the city parks commission, with final appeal to the city council.

( Ord. No. 2003-22, § 3 )