Fiscal Note
No appropriation required.
Title
Amending Section 10.101(1)(b) to allow staff the ability to prune or remove City trees in greenways when necessary.
Body
DRAFTER’S ANALYSIS: Under MGO Sec. 10.101, the City’s public works staff are able to trim or prune trees in public right-of-ways and greenways under the direction of the City Forester, without having to get a permit. This ordinance would create an additional exception that would allow Engineering and Parks Division staff to trim, prune or remove City trees in City greenways, without City Forester oversight, when necessary for drainage purposes. This ordinance will streamline such actions, allowing staff to address maintenance issues in a more timely manner, while freeing up Forestry staff for other purposes.
***********************************************************************************
The Common Council of the City of Madison do hereby ordain as follows:
1. Paragraph 5 of Subdivision (b) entitled “Exemptions” of Subsection (1) entitled “Intent and Purpose” of Section 10.101 entitled “Regulation of Tree Trimming, Pruning and Removal Within the Public Right-of-Way of any Street, Alley or Highway” of the Madison General Ordinances is amended as follows:
“5. When the trimming, pruning and removal is being performed by the City of Madison Engineering Division or Parks Division staff on City maintained greenways because the trees are potential hazards and conflict with stormwater drainage access/conveyance on ponds and greenways, as determined by the City Engineer, or, for greenways in City Parks, the Parks Superintendent.”
2. The title of Section 10.101 entitled “Regulation of Tree Trimming, Pruning and Removal Within the Public Right-of-Way of any Street, Alley or Highway” is amended as follows:
“10.101 Regulation of Tree Trimming, Pruning and Removal Within the Public Right-of-Way of any Street, Alley or Highway or Greenway”