The text
(a)
Establishment and purpose. The city council hereby recognizes the importance that the planting of trees along city streets and in other public places has on the environmental and aesthetic vitality of the city. The city council also recognizes there is a high level of citizen interest and participation on this subject, by citizens voluntarily planting and maintaining trees along city streets and other public places. Therefore, there is hereby established a tree trust in the City of Warwick, the funds of which shall be held in a segregated account to be utilized for the purpose of purchasing, planting and maintaining trees planted along public streets and other public places as determined by the city tree commission.
(b)
Donation and custody of funds. Any person, firm, corporation or other organization may make donations to sponsor the purchase, planting and/or maintenance of trees along city streets or other public places. The landscape architecture office within the planning department shall be the custodian of the fund and all funds shall be remitted to the treasurer and shall be held in a separate account entitled "tree trust". Budgeting and expenditure of funds shall be in the same manner as all municipal expenditures under the charter and ordinances of the City of Warwick.
(c)
Sponsor and memorial plaques. A sponsor may donate a specific sum of money for the purchase of a single tree or group of trees to be planted with the approval of the tree commission, or may make a general donation to the tree trust account to carry out the purposes of this chapter. Provision shall be made for the placement of sponsor and/or memorial plaques which may be purchased by a sponsor, the funds for which shall be remitted to the tree trust account. The tree commission shall establish guidelines for the type, size and placement of sponsor and memorial plaques.
(d)
Use and expenditure of funds. The tree commission shall establish guidelines for the use of funds donated to the tree trust to carry out the provisions of this chapter. Any purchase of trees, materials, supplies and services utilizing funds from the tree trust account shall be in the same manner as other city purchases are made under the municipal purchasing laws of the State of Rhode Island, and the charter and ordinances of the City of Warwick.
(Ord. No. O-06-15, § I, 5-8-06)