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Board directs staff to develop comprehensive parkway tree‑pruning plan after debate over enforcement and costs
Summary
Trustees directed staff to prepare a comprehensive plan for cyclical parkway tree pruning after staff described code responsibilities, outreach efforts and a proposed seven‑year zone cycle; trustees asked staff to return with costs and a budget plan.
Orland Park trustees voted on June 2 to direct staff to develop a comprehensive parkway tree‑pruning program after a lengthy committee discussion about resident responsibilities, code enforcement workload and the condition of the village’s urban forest.
Public works staff described the current municipal code (3‑6‑9) that places responsibility for parkway tree maintenance on property owners and said many residents misunderstand that duty. Joel (presenter; last name not specified) said outreach has included newsletters, a website and a list of prequalified contractors, but code enforcement still gets high volumes of requests and violation complaints. “We've done...newsletter updates...but, yes, we do own the trees. They do have to maintain it just like they've been maintaining the grass,” Joel said.
Staff proposed changing the municipal code to authorize the village to bid a seven‑year cyclical pruning contract and to perform the work by zone; staff said the program would address safety and long‑term tree health and reduce code‑enforcement conflicts. Joel said the village could reallocate funds from a previously scoped line item (screening) to seed an initial cycle but that trustees would ultimately need detailed cost estimates for budget review.
Trustees raised process and fiscal concerns. Trustee Gutierrez and Trustee Malani said the idea is appropriate but requested that the program be advanced through the regular budget process with explicit cost estimates. Trustee Healy asked whether the change was urgent; staff replied the program would reduce repeated enforcement workload and improve tree care. Trustee Lawler asked about liability: the village attorney said if the village knew of an unsafe condition the village could be named a defendant in related claims; trustees cited sidewalk replacement as a precedent for the village taking broader responsibility for infrastructure maintenance.
The motion to direct staff to develop a comprehensive annual parkway plan passed on a roll call; trustees indicated they want a future Committee of the Whole presentation with zone maps, cost estimates, and an outreach plan.
Next steps: Staff will prepare a detailed program proposal including a seven‑zone map, contractor cost estimates, communication materials for residents and a recommended budget timeline to present at a future Committee of the Whole meeting.
