The Parks and Recreation Department shall consist of such employees that may be required by ordinance or may be deemed necessary by the City Manager to effectively carry out the work of that Department.
(Ord. 1012; Code 2021)
The Parks and Recreation Department as established is responsible for the maintenance of all park facilities and development of new areas, the care of all trees on public right-of-way including planting, trimming, and treating of diseased trees.
(Ord. 1012; Code 2021)
As used in this chapter:
A. Park trees means trees, shrubs, bushes and all other woody vegetation in public parks having individual names, and all areas owned by the city, or to which the public has free access as a park.
B. Street trees means trees, shrubs, bushes and all other woody vegetation on land lying between property lines on either side of all streets, avenues or ways within the city.
(Ord. 1012; Code 2021)
It is unlawful for any person or firm to engage in the business or occupation of trimming, pruning, treating, or removing trees within the city without first applying for and procuring a license. The license fee shall be twenty-five dollars annually in advance; provided, however, that no license shall be required of any public service company or city employee doing such work in the pursuit of their public service endeavors. Before any license shall be issued, each applicant shall first file evidence of possession of general liability insurance coverage in the minimum amount of five hundred thousand dollars, indemnifying the city or any person injured or damaged resulting from the pursuit of such endeavors as herein described. Nothing contained in this chapter shall be construed to prevent owners from performing work on their own property. No person or firm shall trim, prune, treat, or remove any street or park trees without the express written approval of the City.
(Ord. 1012; Code 2021)
The following list constitutes the official street tree species for the city. No species other than those included in this list may be planted as street trees without written permission of the city:
A. Small Trees.
1. Flowering crab;
2. Redbud (tree form);
3. Bradford pear;
4. Hawthorn (Washington tree form);
5. Purple leaf plum;
6. Cork tree (Amur);
7. Osage orange (male trees);
8. Goldenrain, thornless;
9. Japanese lilac tree.
B. Medium Trees.
1. Honey locust, improved varieties;
2. Goldenrain;
3. Kentucky coffee tree;
4. Ash, Marshall’s Seedless;
5. Ginkgo, Autumn Gold variety;
6. Hackberry;
7. Red maple;
8. Pagoda tree (Japanese);
9. Buroak;
10. London plane.
(Ord. 1012; Code 2021)
No street tree shall be planted closer than twenty-five feet of any street corner, measured from the point of nearest intersection curbs or curb lines. No street tree shall be planted closer than ten feet of any fireplug.
(Ord. 1012; Code 2021)
No trees may be planted under or within ten lateral feet of any overhead utility wire, or over or within five lateral feet of any underground water line, sewer line, transmission line or other utility.
(Ord. 1012; Code 2021)
A. The city shall have the right to plant, trim, spray, preserve and remove trees, plants and shrubs within the lines of all streets, alleys, avenues, lanes, squares and public grounds, as may be necessary to insure safety when servicing city utilities or to preserve the symmetry and beauty of such public grounds.
B. The city may remove or cause or order to be removed any tree or part thereof which is in unsafe condition or which, by reason of its nature, is injurious to sewers, electric power lines, gas lines, water lines or other public improvements, or is affected with any injurious fungus, insect or other pest.
(Ord. 1012; Code 2021)
A. Every owner of any tree overhanging any street or right-of-way within the city shall trim the branches so that such branches shall not obstruct the light from any streetlamp or obstruct the view of any street intersection, and so that there shall be a clear space of eight feet above the surface of the street or right-of-way.
B. Such owners shall remove all dead, diseased or dangerous trees, or broken or decayed limbs which constitute a menace to the safety of the public.
C. The city shall have the right to trim any tree or shrub on private property when it interferes with the proper spread of light along the street from a streetlight, or interferes with visibility of any traffic-control device or sign, such trimming to be confined to the area immediately above the right-of-way.
(Ord. 1012; Code 2021)
Any person violating any provision of this chapter shall be, upon conviction or a plea of guilty, subject to a fine not to exceed one hundred dollars.
(Ord. 1012; Code 2021)