§ 12.24.04. Planning, planting, maintenance and removal.

A.

All tree planting, maintenance, and removal on public grounds shall follow the standards, specifications, and guidelines provided in the attached handbook for the city, which may be reviewed and updated periodically by the administrative authority. The latest edition of said attached handbook shall be kept on file in the office of the city clerk and as attachment A to the ordinance from which this section is derived.

B.

Trees may be planted on public grounds only after notification to the administrative authority and providing the selection, location, and maintenance of said trees is in accordance with the guidelines of the city's landscape handbook.

C.

Trees shall not be removed from public grounds unless approval is received from the administrative authority.

D.

It shall be a violation of this chapter to damage, destroy, or mutilate any tree on other public grounds or permanently attach or place any rope or wire (other than one to support a young or broken tree), sign, poster, handbill, or other thing to any such tree.

E.

It shall be unlawful for any person to top or cut back to stubs the crown of any tree on public grounds.

F.

The city shall have the right to prune, maintain, and remove any tree on public grounds which interferes with any traffic control device or sign.

G.

Trees severely damaged by storms or other causes where required pruning practices are impractical may be exempted from this chapter.

H.

City employees performing tree work on public grounds shall attend an educational workshop on basic tree science and the proper techniques of tree pruning. A certificate will be issued when an individual has successfully completed the workshop.

I.

The responsibility for writing and implementing the annual community forestry work plan for the city shall be such department(s) as shall be designated by the parks commission.

( Ord. No. 2003-22, § 4 )