A committee to review tree ordinances in Riverside is in its formative stage.

City Administrator Christine Yancey proposed the tree committee at Monday’s city council meeting, “We just have some really good people in the community and I would like to rely on their expertise to do a complete tree plan. It talks about trimming. It talks about replacing, and what nobody likes to do in removing a tree that has reached the end of its lifespan and could become a danger. So having someone who has that knowledge would be spearheading this committee and serve as advisory to the council.”

Yancey says Mayor Allen Schneider asked that the tree committee work with the trails committee to make recommendations on possible new tree guidelines for the city, which could help Riverside achieve “Tree City USA” designation. She says she’ll consult with other cities including Hiawatha which is reviewing their tree ordinance after being hit hard by the derecho last August