Community Tree Board Role and Duties

The City Council approved the creation of a pilot Community Tree Board (CTB). The initial appointment will be for an 18 month period. The main CTB assignment will be to work with Public Works Services (PWS) staff to develop the 24 recommendations of the Community Tree Policy Task Force into recommendations that Council will adopt.

Below are the 5 general steps to appointing and supporting a successful community board:

• Identify role
• Identify work expectations
• Define the composition and minimum qualifications to serve
• Recruit appointees
• Develop work plan

Role:
The CTB will be an appointed body that has several broad charges from Council. Review the consensus 24 recommendations from the Community Task Force on Tree Policies (attached) which will include:

• formulation of the urban forestry program policies and goals / management plan
• formulation of the urban forest master plan
• formulation of revisions to urban forestry ordinances – updates and enhancements to the street tree and tree preservation ordinances
• formulation of practices related to ordinance and code enforcement
• formulation of the partnerships and public education program
• Formulation of trees policies involved with development
• serve as an appeals body for tree preservation and street tree permit appeals
• serve as an appeals body for tree related ordinance violation or administration citation appeals

Expectations:
The CTB members shall:

• commit to an attendance standard
• establish an agreement or voting mechanism for decision making
• observe ground rules and agreements established by the Board
• serve with objectivity and an open mind
• listen to the community
• provide staff feedback and clear reactions to proposed items
• review, research, and analyze the issues related to how the City and the community live with and maintain the Communities’ tree resources.
• practice un-biased judgment during appeal hearings
• willingness to participate within the established work schedule

Composition and minimum qualifications:

• Five members shall be appointed by City Council
• The initial appointment shall be for 18 months
• A chair shall be selected or appointed.
• At least one of the members shall be an arboricultural or horticultural professional, with a maximum of three.
• Members shall live or work in Redwood City.
• Attend meetings as scheduled on a regular frequency and as needed for work in progress or ordinance and code enforcement appeals as they occur.

Recruitment:

• Interested community members shall submit an application for the CTB to the City Clerk for Council consideration prior to a set closing date.
• City Council will review the applications and may interview candidates.
• City Council shall select the five appointees for the CTB.

Work Plan:

• The CTB will meet with PWS staff and review all the task force recommendations
• A priority list and work schedule shall be developed
• The CTB shall present the proposed work plan to Council.
• The CTB shall update Council as work progresses.
• Completed recommendations will be placed on City Council meeting agendas for adoption
• Staff shall support with technical information and bring outside consultants and resources as determined beneficial.
• Staff shall provide action minutes to City Council.