Broward County Commission Regular Meeting
Director's Name: Andrew J. Meyers
Department: County Attorney
Information
Requested Action
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MOTION TO ENACT Ordinance, the title of which is as follows:
AN ORDINANCE OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF BROWARD COUNTY, FLORIDA, PERTAINING TO TREE TRIMMING CONTRACTORS; AMENDING VARIOUS SECTIONS OF CHAPTER 9, ARTICLE XI, OF THE BROWARD COUNTY CODE OF ORDINANCES ("CODE"); PROVIDING DEFINITIONS; PROVIDING FOR LICENSURE OF TREE TRIMMING CONTRACTORS; ESTABLISHING LICENSURE, APPLICATION, AND TRAINING REQUIREMENTS; REQUIRING MAINTENANCE OF QUALIFICATIONS; PROVIDING FOR ENFORCEMENT; AND PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY, INCLUSION IN THE CODE, AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
(Sponsored by the Board of County Commissioners)
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Why Action is Necessary
A Resolution directing the County Administrator to publish notice of public hearing to consider enactment of the Ordinance is being considered by the Board of County Commissioners at its meeting of September 10, 2020.
What Action Accomplishes
Allows the Board's consideration of an Ordinance updating and amending the tree trimming contractor regulations.
Is this Action Goal Related
No
Previous Action Taken
Summary Explanation/Background
This item supports the Board's Value of consistently delivering responsive, efficient, quality services to the public and internal customers and Goal 4: Build into every process and service effective checks and balances that do not cause inefficiency, but rather ensure consistency, continuity, and quality.
The proposed Ordinance amends Article XI of Chapter 9 of the Broward County Code of Ordinances to provide for licensure of tree trimming contractors consistent with the regulations and processes for building contractors. Currently, the Building Code Services Division (BCSD) of the Environmental Protection and Growth Management Department processes applications and issues licenses for tree trimming to sole proprietors, business organizations, and governmental agencies. The proposed Ordinance provides for licensure of those performing tree trimming work, rather than the entity, and would require business organizations to have a licensed individual serve as qualifying agent in order for the organization to contract for or perform tree trimming work. The requirements for governmental agencies performing tree trimming work would remain unchanged but governmental agencies would be issued a certificate of authority, rather than a tree trimmer license.
The proposed Ordinance is not expected to have an impact on existing tree trimming contractors because the requirements for obtaining licensure remain unchanged. BCSD intends to implement the proposed Ordinance for current tree trimming contractors upon renewal of the licenses.
The Environmental Protection and Growth Management Department and the BCSD recommend approval of the proposed Ordinance.
Source of Additional Information
Maite Azcoitia, Deputy County Attorney, 954-357-7600
Fiscal Impact
Fiscal Impact/Cost Summary
Per the Office of Management and Budget, the estimated impact on the budget does not exceed the threshold required for a Fiscal Impact Statement.