THE METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT OF NASHVILLE AND DAVIDSON COUNTY
Karl F. Dean , Mayor
SUBJECT: Creation of the Metropolitan Landscape Coordination Program
I, Karl Dean, Mayor of the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County, by virtue of the power and authority vested in me, find, direct and order the following:
I. The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County (the “Metropolitan Government”) conducts its landscaping activities through the Departments of Codes Administration, Parks and Recreation, Public Works, General Services and Water and Sewerage Services; and, the Metropolitan Development and Housing Agency (“MDHA”) also conducts landscaping activities within the Metropolitan Government’s boundaries.
II. The Green Ribbon Committee on Environmental Sustainability, the Metro Tree Advisory Committee, the Open Space Plan, and the Tree Canopy Assessment performed by the Department of Public Works (collectively, the “Community Reports”) identified the importance of green space, trees, and plant material within the Metropolitan Government for their environmental, economic, and social benefits.
III. In order to preserve, develop, expand and enhance Nashville’s natural beauty, the Metropolitan Government must effectively manage and support its landscape, including, but not limited to, its trees, plant material, and green space.
IV. To improve the management and support of its landscape, the Metropolitan Government must coordinate the landscape-related responsibilities of its departments, a need identified by the Community Reports.
V. Creating a landscape coordination program, overseen by the Department of Public Works and including a horticulturalist, will require the Metropolitan Government’s departments to take a coordinated approach to developing and maintaining green space, trees, and other plant material and be an important mechanism for achieving the goals identified by the Community Reports.
1. I hereby establish the Metropolitan Landscape Coordination Program (the “Program”), which shall be overseen by the Department of Public Works and include a horticulturalist whose position shall supplement, not replace, the responsibilities of other Metropolitan Government positions.
2. The horticulturalist, whose position shall be created pursuant to the Charter of the
Metropolitan Government, shall conduct outreach activities and serve
as a contact for Metropolitan Government departments, agencies, staff, boards,
commissions, committees, outside organizations, and the community.
3. The Departments of Codes Administration, Parks and Recreation, Public Works, General Services and Water and Sewerage Services, through their directors or designated representatives, shall participate in the Program and MDHA is also encouraged to participate.
4. The Program, through its horticulturalist, shall establish guidelines (the “Landscape Coordination Guidelines”), consistent with the laws, rules, regulations, and policies of the Metropolitan Government, to preserve, develop, expand and enhance the Metropolitan Government’s landscape and to foster a coordinated approach among Metropolitan Government departments and MDHA to the maintenance and development of the Metropolitan Government’s landscape.
5. The Landscape Coordination Guidelines shall be reviewed annually to determine if revisions are necessary; and, the first set of guidelines shall be submitted to the Office of the Mayor no later than Friday, November 30, 2012.
Ordered, Effective and Issued:
Karl F. Dean
Mayor
Date: December 19. 2011