Urban Forester/City Arborist Questions

[evo]

This goes out to all who have at least some experience with Urban Forestry/City Arborist.

I live and work near a small town which has recently passed a tree protection ordnance. In short it reads that all trees with a DBH greater than 12" (multi stemmed is DBH added) needs to be deemed hazardous to be removed. There is some language about views, and solar access, but it's very vague. The ordnance states that the public works department will meet with the home owner, then the permit/request will go to the Arborist to be rubber stamped. The major problem with the ordnance is that there is not a Arborist on staff, the city is requesting a volunteer. Which I'm considering.


Now for the questions:

1) If I had this position would it be a conflict of interest? Would I only be limited to pruning trees in which were no permits were filed?

2) Since I would not be on City payroll would my business be liable for any errors, or would that fall upon the city?

3) I am currently employed part time by a Cert. Arborist and Risk Assessor, who has many more years of experience than any one else in the area. Would any of the above be an issue?

4) I feel that this should be a paid position, but it could also be good resume work. I do plan on pushing for the ordnance to go further by adopting best management practices, or the A300. Would I be in a better position to do so?

 

[oldoakman]

Check your PM

 

[guymayor]

There's more problems with this concept to count.

"the public works department will meet with the home owner, then the permit/request will go to the Arborist to be rubber stamped. The major problem with the ordnance is that there is not a Arborist on staff..."
So you would jump in as a volunteer, just to fatten your cv? there are better ways to do that without the obvious conflict of interest. You might be limited to pruning trees in which were no permits were filed.

2) Since I would not be on City payroll would my business be liable for any errors, or would that fall upon the city?" Your biz, or your person, yes!

3) I am currently employed part time by a Cert. Arborist and Risk Assessor, who has many more years of experience than any one else in the area." Sounds like the man for the job! He should write a proposal to the city to do this assessment work. You could help, and learn.

4) I feel that this should be a paid position, but it could also be good resume work. I do plan on pushing for the ordnance to go further by adopting best management practices, or the A300. "
Which? Both? If you aren't Real familiar with the BMP, and mitigation options, would you be comfortable with the responsibility?

 

[evo]

Guy, Thank you for your response. The guy I work for has would not touch this position with a 10' pole, even if he is the most qualified around. I'm confused on your response to my last question? Yes I'm familiar with the ISA's BMP's and the A300, in fact I bought copies to forward to the city. If the city adopted the ISA BMP's for tree care on my suggestion what responsibility would I have? My main objective with this goal is to backdoor no topping, and no spike climbing prune jobs.

The ordnance is a joke with how it's put together. The permit is free, the over site is a volunteer position, and the restitution for axing a tree with out a permit is to replant 4:1 of a suitable specie (if you cut a tree in a wetland with out a permit you just need to replant at a 2:1). The city is complaint driven which would be the only time any enforcement would take place.