Tree Advisory clean 10-10-2017 — File 204404

Page 1 DRAFT ORDINANCE CITY OF SOMERVILLE Ordinance No. 2017-_______ IN THE BOARD OF ALDERMAN: ________________, 2017 ORDINANCE REPLACING THE TREE ADVISORY COMMITTEE WITH THE URBAN FORESTRY COMMITTEE, EXPANDING THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE COMMITTEE, AND BROADENING THE SCOPE OF THE COMMITTEE’S DUTIES Replace current Section 12-100 of the City of Somerville Code of Ordinances, the Establishment of the Tree Advisory Committee, with the following: Sec. 12-100. - Establishment of the Urban Forestry Committee. a) Purpose. Sustainability and environmental stewardship are important values to the Somerville community as is clearly articulated in SomerVision, the city’s comprehensive plan. The Urban Forestry Committee will be charged with advising with respect to the management and maintenance of all existing and new trees and shrubs on all public grounds and public ways of the City of Somerville. b) Duties. The Urban Forestry Committee shall review planting policies for trees and shrubs on public grounds and public ways of the City of Somerville appraise the appropriateness of such plantings, their placement, and the type of maintenance necessary. The Urban Forestry Committee shall also review those planting proposals which it deems significant for trees and shrubs on public grounds and public ways of the City of Somerville. This Committee shall have the ability to comment during any City of Somerville permitting review processes. This Committee may elect to review issues related to the health, effective maintenance, and protection of existing trees and shrubs on public grounds and public ways of the City of Somerville, recommend solutions to any problems identified with such plantings, update the tree inventory with detailed information, and support all public education and outreach by: i. Promoting knowledge and awareness of the benefits of trees in the City; ii. Developing and maintaining a website; iii. Developing and maintaining a noteworthy tree program; iv. Developing educational materials regarding best management practices for tree care; v. Supporting City staff in establishing a volunteer adopt-a-tree program; and vi. Supporting City staff during Arbor Day Celebrations. c) Membership. This Committee shall consist of the following members:

Page 2 i. The Urban Forestry and Landscape Planner; ii. The Tree Warden; and iii. Seven (7) members of the public, with at least 1 member demonstrating expertise in the field of urban forestry and at least 1 member demonstrating expertise in the field of landscape design, each serving a term of three years, selected by the mayor, and subject to confirmation by the board of aldermen. d) The Urban Forestry Committee shall have no authority to interfere with the operations or conduct of business by the Tree Warden, the Urban Forestry and Landscape Planner, or the Parks and Open Space Division of the Office of Strategic Planning and Community Development (OSPCD).