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To amend and reordain City Code § 8-544, concerning the Urban Forestry Commission, for the purpose of revising the composition, appointment process, and scope and timeline for preparation and submission of reports to Council.
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THE CITY OF RICHMOND HEREBY ORDAINS:
§ 1. That section 8-544 of the Code of the City of Richmond (2020) is hereby amended and reordained as follows:
Sec. 8-544. Urban Forestry Commission.
(a) Established. There is hereby created and established an Urban Forestry Commission for the purpose of improving the City's urban forestry resources through policy development, advice, education and fundraising.
(b) Composition; terms of office. The Commission shall consist of [two] three non-voting members and nine voting members. The [two] three non-voting members shall be the [Director of Public Works and the Director of Community Development] City’s Urban Forester, a representative from the Office of Sustainability, and a representative from the Department of Parks, Recreation, and Community Facilities, or their designees. Of the nine voting members, three members shall be appointed by the Mayor and six members shall be appointed by the City Council. If any of the seats on the Commission to be filled by appointment of the Mayor remains unfilled after 60 days have lapsed from the date that a vacancy occurs, the Council may appoint such persons as may be necessary to fill any such vacancy. The members of the Commission shall represent a range of expertise necessary to fulfill the purpose and duties of the Commission. One member shall be a certified arborist, and one member shall be a registered certified landscape architect. Except for the certified arborist, all voting members shall be residents of the City. No voting member shall be an officer or employee of the City, and no member shall hold any contract with the City, or subcontract thereof, to provide goods or services relating to City-owned trees. The members of the Commission shall serve for terms of three years, except for the initial nine voting members, of whom three shall be appointed to one-year terms, three shall be appointed to two-year terms, and three shall be appointed to three-year terms, to facilitate the staggering of member terms. However, upon the expiration of a term of office, the member holding that office may continue to serve until a successor is appointed and qualified. Any vacancy shall be filled for the unexpired term in the same manner as provided in this subsection. All other aspects of the Commission and its membership not addressed in this article shall be governed by Chapter 2, Article V, Division 1.
(c) Responsibilities and duties. The Commission shall fulfill the following responsibilities and duties:
(1) Prepare and submit to Council a report within its first six months of meeting that includes a review of the Commission’s mission, scope and duties, appointment procedures, and rules of procedure with the goal of modernizing the commission and ensuring continued future success.
[(1)] (2) Advise the Director of Public Works regarding rules, regulations and policies promulgated under the City's Municipal Tree Policy and any revisions thereof.
[(2)] (3) Recommend to the Council any legislation, plans, policies and programs complementary to the intent and purpose of the City's Municipal Tree Policy.
[(3)] (4) Facilitate the development and adoption of a tree maintenance and management plan for City-owned trees.
[(4)] (5) Assist with public relations and education programs to increase public understanding of urban forestry issues, including programs developed by the Department of Public Works, the Tree Stewards, the Friends of Urban Forestry and civic associations.
[(5)] (6) Work with interested private organizations to raise money for projects involving City-owned trees and programs developed by the Department of Public Works.
[(6)] (7) Prepare and submit an annual report to the Council and make presentations on an annual basis and as requested by the Council.
[(7)] (8) Ensure the continuation of the Commission's purpose by annually providing a list of qualified candidates for expiring terms, if any, for consideration by the Mayor and the Council by May 30 of each year.
[(8)] (9) Develop and assist with the adoption of a more comprehensive Municipal Tree Policy and present progress reports on its efforts in this regard to the Council's Land Use, Housing and Transportation Standing Committee upon the Committee's request.
(d) Rules of procedure. The Commission may adopt rules of procedure or bylaws not inconsistent with this division to govern the conduct of its meetings and operations. The Commission may elect a Chairperson and such other officers in accordance with the Commission's rules of procedure or bylaws.
(e) Committees of the Commission. Only members of the Commission shall be permitted to serve as members of any Committee of the Commission.
(f) Meetings. The Urban Forestry Commission shall hold [regular monthly] a minimum of four meetings per calendar year, and other meetings as needed.
(g) Administrative support. The Department of [Community Development] Public Works shall provide staff support and an employee to serve as Secretary to the Commission.
§ 2. This ordinance shall be in force and effect upon adoption.