Lake City council tables tree-management ordinance after questions on maintenance, utilities and funding

Lake City — The City Council on Feb. 26 voted unanimously to table Ordinance 2025.001, a first-reading measure that would establish policies, regulations and standards for management of public trees and create an advisory tree board.

The ordinance’s stated purpose, read into the record by Mayor Umika Robinson, is “to establish policies, regulations, and standards for the management of public trees within the city limits. Public tree management shall include but not be limited to tree establishment, maintenance, protection, and removal.” Council members and members of the public pressed staff for details on planting locations, long-term maintenance, utility-line clearance and likely costs before the council considered a first-reading vote.

Lisa Jones, a city staff member speaking for the administration, described the advisory role the proposed tree board would play: “The policies regarding public trees will have an advisory council, the tree board, constituted under this ordinance that will make recommendations to the city in regards to how we will handle any issues related to public trees.” Jones said the current tree-planting activities tied to the city’s program are predominantly on private property and school grounds and are supported by outside partners including Trees…