§ 2.6. Beautification and Tree Advisory Board.

A.

Establishment. The Beautification and Tree Advisory Board is hereby established to provide attention and guidance in matters related to the natural physical features and landscaping in the City.

B.

Powers. The Beautification and Tree Advisory Board shall have the following powers:

1.

To offer advice on all plans for the beautification of City-controlled land;

2.

To formulate a beautification plan for the City and make recommendations to the Planning Board regarding beautification;

3.

To recommend procedures for the care, maintenance, pruning, fertilization, watering, planting, removal, replacement, staking, and spraying of vegetation, and for planting on private land at street intersections and other locations to prevent traffic hazards;

4.

To make recommendations regarding the beautification of any street, sidewalk, or public parking area proposed to be constructed, installed, widened, altered, or increased in size;

5.

To select recipients of a monthly citywide beautification award for commercial projects and monthly beautification awards for residential projects in each City Commission zone;

6.

To adopt rules governing its proceedings, conduct regular public meetings, call special meetings, and create committees to help carry out its powers and duties; and

7.

To carry out any other powers and duties delegated to it by the City Commission, in accordance with State law.

C.

Membership, Appointment, and Terms of Office.

1.

The Beautification and Tree Advisory Board shall consist of seven members appointed by the City Commission as a whole.

2.

Board members shall include one member nominated by each City Commissioner from among residents of the City Commission zone, plus one at-large member nominated by the Mayor who may be a resident of any City Commission zone.

3.

All board members shall be residents of the City and qualified electors.

4.

Board members shall be appointed for three-year, staggered terms, and may be appointed to successive terms. Members shall continue to serve until their successors are appointed.

5.

Vacancies occurring for reasons other than expiration of term shall be filled for the period of the unexpired term only. If a vacating member was appointed from among residents of a particular City Commission zone, the replacement member shall also be a resident of that zone.

6.

Board members shall serve without compensation.

D.

Attendance. If a voting member of the Beautification and Tree Advisory Board fails to attend three regularly scheduled board meetings during any 12-month period, the board shall consider the cause of the absences and if it deems it necessary, may request that the member resign or that the City Commission remove the member in accordance with subsection E below. The City Commission shall fill any vacancy created by resignation or removal of the board member in accordance with Section 2.6.C.5.

E.

Removal. Beautification and Tree Advisory Board members may be removed for cause by a majority vote of the City Commission. If a member is removed, the City Commission shall fill the vacancy in accordance with Section 2.6.C.5.

F.

Chair and Vice-Chair.

1.

The Beautification and Tree Advisory Board shall elect a Chair and a Vice-Chair from among its members, each to serve a one-year term. No member shall serve more than two consecutive full terms as Chair. The Vice-Chair may be elected to successive terms without limitation.

2.

The Chair shall preside over all board meetings. The Vice-Chair shall perform the duties of the Chair in the absence of the Chair. If both the Chair and Vice-Chair are absent, the board shall vote to determine who shall serve as acting Chair for the meeting.

G.

Staff. The City shall provide clerical and professional staff liaison to the Beautification and Tree Advisory Board and shall provide for notification of board members of all meetings, the keeping of the minutes of the meetings, and administrative support.

H.

Meetings.

1.

Schedule. The Beautification and Tree Advisory Board shall adopt a schedule establishing the date, time, and location of regular meetings. The Chair may cancel a regular meeting on determining that there are no agenda items for consideration, and may call special meetings.

2.

Official Record. The Beautification and Tree Advisory Board shall keep a written record of its recommendations, transactions, and determinations. Such record shall include minutes of meetings in accordance with State law and shall be a public record. The record shall be filed with the City Clerk and shall be available for inspection by the public during normal business hours.

3.

Notice of Meetings. Notice of all Beautification and Tree Advisory Board meetings and public hearings shall be provided to the public in accordance with State law and the public hearing requirements in Section 3.3.E.3, Public Hearing Notice, as appropriate.

4.

Open Meetings. All meetings of the Beautification and Tree Advisory Board shall be open to the public.

I.

Quorum and Necessary Vote.

1.

Quorum. Four members of the Beautification and Tree Advisory Board shall constitute a quorum. No official business of the board shall be conducted without a quorum present.

2.

Voting. The affirmative vote of a majority of Beautification and Tree Advisory Board members present and voting is required to approve any item.

J.

Voting Conflicts. All board members shall comply with State law regarding voting conflicts.

K.

Rules of Procedure. The Beautification and Tree Advisory Board may adopt rules of procedure governing its procedures and operations.

L.

Sunshine Law Requirements. All meetings and decisions of the board shall comply with State Sunshine Law requirements.