Warsaw City Council tabled an ordinance to establish the city as a Tree City at its last meeting of 2012 Monday. The tree program is sponsored by the Arbor Day Foundation in cooperation with the USDA Forestry Service and the National Association of State Foresters. Benefits of becoming a Tree City include an enhanced public image and eligibility to apply for grants for city tree programs, and receiving funds for storm management response. The city held an Arbor Day ceremony in May when trees were planted in the city, one of the requirements to be a tree city. Warsaw Park Board sent a favorable recommendation for the ordinance to the city council. City Attorney Mike Valentine and City Planner Jeremy Skinner will look over the enforcement section of the ordinance. The council will review the ordinance again at its Jan. 7 meeting. The proposed ordinance states a person violating provisions of the ordinance be subject to a fine not to exceed $50 for a first violation, and not to exceed $250 for each subsequent violation. Skinner said there could possibly be language put in the ordinance that would require the city’s code enforcement officer to review tree city ordinance offenses. The current ordinance states the city has the right to remove any dead or deseased trees on private property within the city when trees create a hazard to life or property, or harbor insects or diseases which constitute a potential threat to other trees within the city. Monica Boyer, Warsaw resident, during the meeting said if residents are not required to remove trees what is the purpose of the ordinance. Warsaw Mayor Joe Thallemer said the ordinance is primarily for public grounds such as the park. “This ordinance is to assist the city in trying to prevent sidewalks from getting torn up by improper tree planting,” Thallemer said. Skinner said the ordinance defines the public right of way, protects utility easements and offers the city tree grant opportunities. Jack Wilhite, Warsaw resident, said he had concerns that homeowners would be required to take down trees on their properties. “Unfunded mandates are bad whether they are funded from the state to a city or federal to state or city to property owners,” Wilhite said. “I want to make sure the city isn’t forcing property owners to take a tree out because it can cost some money.” Andrea Nichols, Arbor Metrics Solutions arborist, said a private property owner will not be forced to do something on their private property. But she said the city could make suggestions limited to one time for trees, and if the resident expresses interest the city will provide tools to get work completed. Dead or diseased tree removal is in instances of emergencies, Nichols said. A city tree board will need to be established. It will be composed of five members who reside or work within Warsaw. The tree board will contain a mixture of professionals related to forestry or arboriculture and concerned citizens. Three members will be appointed by the city council, and two members will be appointed by the mayor. It is the responsibility of the board to study, investigate, advise and develop a written plan annually for the care, preservation, pruning, replanting and removal of trees and shrubs in parks and in other public areas. In other business, the council approved an ordinance to transfer $3,000 from cumulative capital development repairs and maintenance to cumulative capital development repair and maintenance supplies. The transfer is needed for an unexpected storm water line and manhole repair. The council reviewed a letter from David Rosenberry, Kosciusko 911 Communications director. The letter stated Rosenberry received a phone call from an out of town citizen whose son got stranded at Walmart in Warsaw. Kosciusko County dispatcher Jeanne Thomas helped dispatch law enforcement. The officer used his own debit card to purchase a small amount of gas to put into the stranded college students’s vehicle to get him back to college. The council approved Jack Wilhite to serve on Warsaw Board of Zoning Appeals and Jeff Johnson and Rick Snodgrass were re-appointed to serve on Redevelopment Commission.
