13.14.020 Designation of shade tree committee.
The Shade Tree Committee is a committee designated by the City Council pursuant to Chapter 2.04 as a special committee to advise the City with respect to public trees and urban forestry matters generally.
A. The Tree Committee is appointed by the City Council and consists of five or seven members.
1. One member must be a member of the City Council.
2. One member must be a member of the Planning Commission. Alternatively, the Planning Commission may appoint a Landmarks Review Board member as the Planning Commission’s representative in lieu of a Planning Commissioner.
3. One member must be designated by the board of the Hood River Downtown Business Council to represent the Hood River Downtown Business Council.
4. The balance of the Tree Committee will consist of persons with an interest in trees. If possible, at least one member should be a representative from the field of arboriculture, landscape architecture, or otherwise have a background and professional knowledge of trees and their care. Although residents of the city and urban growth area are preferred, residency within the city limits or urban growth area is not required.
B. Tree Committee members are appointed for a term of four years except that upon initial constitution of the Tree Committee, three members will be appointed to two year terms and the remainder to four year terms. Vacancies are filled by an appointment made by the Council for the remainder of the unexpired term. Tree Committee members may be reappointed for additional terms of four years each.
C. Members of the Tree Committee serve at the pleasure of the Council and may be removed at any time by the Council for any or no reason. A member of the Tree Committee may resign at any time by submitting a letter of resignation to the Council.
D. A member who is absent from three consecutive meetings without excuse is considered to be in non-performance of duty.
E. The Tree Committee members, by majority vote, shall elect a chairperson and vice chairperson for a one year term at the beginning of each year, and may reelect the incumbent. The chairperson presides over Tree Committee meetings. The vice-chairperson presides in the chairperson’s absence.
F. Regular meetings shall be held at a frequency necessary to carry out Tree Committee duties. Meetings shall be called at the request of the chairperson, four Committee members, or at the request of the City Manager, Public Works Director or Planning Director.
G. A majority of the Tree Committee constitute a quorum for conducting any business.
H. The Tree Committee may make and alter rules and regulations for its operation consistent with the City Charter, ordinances, and resolutions, subject to review and approval of the Council.
I. Members of the Tree Committee receive no compensation, but shall be reimbursed for duly authorized expenses.