§ 25-13. Care of public trees.

(a)

The parks and recreation director and/or his designee may plant, prune, maintain and remove trees, plants and shrubs within the public right-of-way of all streets, parks, and public grounds as deemed necessary to ensure public safety or to preserve or enhance the symmetry and beauty of such public grounds. This shall include the removal of trees that may threaten any municipal water or sewer line, or any tree that is infected by fungus, insect, or other pest disease. All tree work to be supervised by a certified arborist.

(b)

Every owner of any tree or shrub overhanging any street or right-of-way within the city shall prune the branches so that such branches shall not obstruct the light from any street lamp or obstruct the view of any street intersection; will not obstruct the passage of pedestrians on sidewalks; will not obstruct the passage of vehicles on the street; will not obstruct vision of traffic signs, will not obstruct vision of vehicular traffic, and will not obstruct the view of any street or alley intersection. If the property owner fails to do so, the parks and recreation director and/or his designee shall have the right to remove or prune any tree or shrub on private property which threatens the safety of those who may use a city street or city park. A fee shall be assessed for this service on an hourly basis. Fees will be based on the current hourly wages of city maintenance workers.

(c)

No person shall remove, destroy, or cause the removal or destruction of a tree on city property or in any city park without first having obtained written permission for such removal or destruction from the parks and recreation director.

(d)

It shall be unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to attach any cable, wire, rope sign or any object to any city tree, plant or shrub without written permission from the parks and recreation director.

(e)

To assist in coordinating and promoting Arbor Day activities.

(Ord. No. 2009-9140, § 3, 12-3-09)