Smithfield council adopts ordinance clarifying Tree Committee rules

The Smithfield City Council unanimously adopted Ordinance 2026-03 on April 8, amending Title 12 of the municipal code to clarify the Tree Committee’s membership, terms and responsibilities.

The change was presented by city staff as a housekeeping measure recommended by the Tree Committee to make the ordinance easier to read and to resolve redundant language. Councilmember Todd Orme highlighted that the revised language sets five appointed voting members plus one permanent, nonvoting council member, a configuration intended to avoid ties while keeping the committee small enough to secure a quorum.

City staff opened a public hearing at 6:58 p.m.; no members of the public spoke. After brief council discussion about deleting a redundant sentence that restricted planting to the approved tree list, Councilmember John Engler moved to adopt the ordinance. Councilmember Jay Downs seconded the motion, and the ordinance passed 5-0 (Engler, Downs, Olsen, Orme, Staker).

The adopted changes are intended to streamline administration of street and park trees and to clarify the Tree Committee’s advisory role. The council did not specify an implementation date during the meeting; staff will incorporate the ordinance language into the municipal code.