§ 2-201. Created; number, appointment, terms of members, duties
Effective on Wednesday, April 6, 2022
a) Members. The Lake Wales Tree Advisory Board shall be governed by a board of five (5) members known as the Lake Wales Tree Advisory Board. At the expiration of each term, a successor shall be appointed to fill such vacancies for terms of three (3) years each, except the initial terms of the members shall be staggered so as to provide one (1) vacancies at the end of the initial first year, two (2) vacancies at the end of the initial second year, and two (2) vacancies at the end of the initial third year. All such appointments after the initial ones provided for in this Ordinance shall be selected by the City Commission from a list of applicants for any such vacancy or vacancies. A majority of the members must reside or own property within the city limits. One (1) member shall be a current or retired professional arborist, landscape architect, or landscape planner. One (1) member shall be a current or retired real estate investor, developer or equivalent. During any vacancy or vacancies for any reason or reasons, the remaining members of said board shall constitute said board with full power and authority to act as though there were no vacancy in the membership of said board. Three members shall constitute a quorum for meetings and an affirmative vote of a majority of the members present shall be necessary for any action taken by the authority. The tree advisory board shall meet at regular meetings at least four (4) times per year, and absence from three (3) consecutive regular meetings of the tree advisory board shall operate to vacate the seat of a member, unless such absence is excused by the tree advisory board by motion setting forth the fact of such excuse duly passes and entered upon the minutes
b) Responsibilities. The Tree advisory board shall study and advise city administration on the following matters:
1. Inventory of trees on city maintained property
2. Development and maintenance of a written plan for the care, preservation, pruning, planting, replanting, removal of trees in parks, in city ROW and other public areas.
3. Promote awareness of the city’s tree canopy and develop educational programs to communicate the benefits of trees
4. The beautification of the City through maintenance of the city’s trees
5. Aide the City in its goal to achieve membership in organizations such as Tree City USA, and America in Bloom
6. Aide the City in pursuit of relevant grant opportunities
7. Advise city Horticulturist on matters concerning trees and related resources
8. Keep abreast of current trends in urban forestry through appropriate training and development
