ORD NO 01-2003 CITY OF VAN BUREN, ARKANSAS
ORDINANCE NO. -2003
AN ORDINANCE QUALIFYING VAN BUREN FOR THE TREE CITY USA PROGRAM
Be it ordained by the Council of the City of Van Buren, Arkansas.
Section 1 Purpose
It is the purpose of this ordinance to promote and protect the public health, safety, and general
welfare by providing for the development of a Community Forestry Plan to address the planting,
maintenance and removal of public trees within the City of Van Buren in order to promote the benefits of
our community forest resources.
Section 2 Definitions
Public Trees. Trees on public grounds including street rights -of -way, alleys, parks, medians,
substations, treatment plants, plazas, squares, public buildings and any other area designated for
public use.
Tree. Any self supporting woody perennial plant, usually having a main stem or trunk and many
branches, and at maturity normally attaining a trunk diameter greater than three inches at DBH and a
height of over ten feet.
Section 3 Administration
The Tree City USA Board shall be promoting the responsible planting of trees on public and private
property, public education about trees, promotion of proper maintenance of trees, advocating trees
within the City and developing innovative and joint funding for projects from a variety of sources.
(A) The Tree City USA Board shall consist of five (5) members, residents of the city, who
shall be appointed through the regular boards and committees appointment procedure.
(B) Terms of membership on the Tree City USA Board shall be for a period of two (2) years,
however, three of the initial membership terms shall be for a period of one (1) year so as to
provide for staggered membership terms. Should a member be unwilling or unable to serve
the full membership term, the vacancy shall be filled, for the unexpired term by, standard
appointment procedure.
(C) Tree City USA Board members shall serve without compensation.
(D) Tree City USA Board shall hold regular meetings three (3) times a year and may call special
meetings if necessary to carry out its duties.
(E) It shall be the responsibility of the Tree City USA Board to study, investigate, consult,
develop, update annually, and administer a written plan for the care, preservation, pruning,
planting or removal of trees and shrubs in parks, along streets and in other public areas. Such
plan will be presented annually to the City Council and upon their
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acceptance and approval shall constitute the official comprehensive tree management
plan.
(F) The Board will investigate available grants, loans or contributions from other
governmental, agencies, public or private corporations or individuals.
Section 4 Conflicts in Regulation
(A) Where a conflict arises between this chapter and another ordinance, the more
stringent requirement shall apply.
(B) The provisions of this ordinance are declared separable, and if any provision shall for any
reason be held illegal, or invalid, it shall not affect the validity of the remainder of the
ordinance.
PASSED AND APPROVED THIS r x 4 DAY OF FEBRUARY, 2003
MAYOR �4HN�j
ATTESTED:
CITY CLERKITREASURER
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