HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-OR-63 Ordinance Establishig a Tree Board ORDINANCE NO. 2024-OR- 3
BEFORE THE COMMON COUNCIL FOR THE CITY OF JEFFERSONVILLE
STATE OF INDIANA
AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE ESTABLISHMENT A TREE BOARD
WHEREAS,the City of Jeffersonville wishes to promote the City's urban forestry needs;and
WHEREAS,the Common Council recognizes the positive benefits of trees, including but not limited
to increasing property values, reducing, blocking, and buffering water,air and noise pollution,
helping to manage and filter stormwater, moderating climate by reducing the effects of heat,
increasing urban biodiversity of animals, insects,and natural vegetation,adding esthetic appeal,
and creating public spaces that are welcoming and humane; and
WHEREAS,the City's Comprehensive Plan recommends supporting and enhancing the urban tree
canopy and recognizes that urban tree canopies mitigate the negative effects of urban heat,traffic,
air pollution and poor air quality,stormwater runoff,erosion, lack of vegetation, and other
environmental problems; and
WHEREAS,the Common Council has previously adopted An Ordinance Establishing
Responsibilities and Standards for Planting, Maintenance, and Removal of Trees Within the City of
Jeffersonville(Ordinance No.2021-OR-9, approved on March 15,2021); and
WHEREAS;the City does not employ a forester,arborist,or other trained staff member to manage
the trees on its publicly-owned parks and facilities, nor does it have a formal tree care program or a
work plan for the City's tree canopy,and
WHEREAS,a volunteer Tree Board would help fill this necessary gap in City Services
BE IT HEREBY ORDAINED BY THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF JEFFERSONVILLE, CLARK
COUNTY, INDIANA,THAT:
Section 1. A Tree Board is established for the purposes of:
A. Working with City government and officials in an advisory capacity to provide input from
citizens and community stakeholders on tree-related issues and helping to develop
future policies and laws regarding the selection and maintenance of trees in public
areas;
B. Advocating for good sound urban forestry within the City;
C. Partnering with schools, churches and other organizations to promote understanding of
the benefits of trees and responsible stewardship of trees;
D. Communicating with and educating residents,especially children,on the benefits of
trees and the importance of judicious tree selection, planting and care; and
E. Making application to become part of the Tree City USA program of the Arbor Day
Foundation.
Sectiona. The Tree Board shall be comprised of not less than five(5)members reflective of the
diverse population within our community having knowledge and interest in gardening,
arboriculture,environmentalism, and city growth,development, and beautification.The members
shall include representatives from the Common Council, City agencies(Planning, Redevelopment,
Parks, Public Works, and/or Utilities), and the general public. The Common Council shall appoint
two(2) representatives from among the citizens of the City;The Mayor shall appoint three(3)
representatives from among the City agencies;These members shall serve a two-year term.
Members must disclose any potential conflicts of interest. Members shall serve without
compensation.
Section-3. The Tree Board shall be responsible for developing and maintaining its own By-Laws
and Rules of Order and conducting its own meetings.The Tree Board shall determine how to define
its mission and how to conduct its business to comply with the express purposes of establishment
herein and the other reasonable requests of the City and the Common Council. The Tree Board is
specifically authorized to make application to become a Tree City USA.
This Ordinance shall be in full force and effect from and after its passage by the Common Council
and approval by the Mayor.
VOTED FOR: VOTED AGAINST:
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PASSED AND ADOPTED(Ordinance No. 2024-OR-4t:3) by the Common Council of the City of
Jeffersonville, Indiana,on this (i day of -01/• ,2024.
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Dustin White, President
ATTEST:
Lisa Gill, Clerk , •Ll��
PRESENTED by me(Ordinance No.2024-OR- �O )to the Mayor of Jeffersonville, Indiana,on
this 7 day of V7 D i J 9P ,2434.a`�
Lisa Gill, Clerk
SIGNED AND�PPROVED(Ordinance No.2024-OR- Go3 ) by me o hi d of
l.d�i e ,2024.
Mike Moore, Mayor.