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Smithfield Council adopts housekeeping changes to 'City Trees' code (Ordinance 2026-03)
Summary
The council adopted Ordinance 2026-03, amending Chapter 12.24 (City Trees) to clarify Tree Committee composition and remove redundant planting-language; the ordinance passed unanimously, 5-0, after a brief public hearing with no comments.
After a brief public hearing with no speakers, the Smithfield City Council voted to adopt Ordinance 2026-03, a housekeeping amendment to Title 12 (Streets, Sidewalks and Public Places), Chapter 12.24 (City Trees).
City Manager Justin Lewis summarized the changes as clarifications recommended by the Tree Committee to make the chapter easier to read and to specify the committee composition (five appointed voting members plus a permanent non-voting council member). During discussion Councilmembers debated removing a redundant sentence that would have repeated the approved tree list; Councilmember Chris Olsen supported deleting the redundancy to improve readability.
Councilmember John Engler moved to adopt the ordinance and Councilmember Jay Downs seconded. The motion passed unanimously, with votes recorded in favor from Engler, Downs, Olsen, Orme and Staker.
The adopted ordinance updates definitions and care and maintenance sections for park and street trees. Councilmembers said the changes were intended to help the Tree Committee operate efficiently and avoid tie votes while preserving Council oversight.
