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Council pauses claim over tree that fell on homeowner's deck; Parks and Forestry describe trail‑tree record limits
Summary
Brooklyn Polinski told the council that a city tree fell onto her deck in May 2025 and that her insurance claim was denied. The council voted to place her claim on pending status for further research while Parks and Recreation staff and the city attorney explained that trail trees are recorded differently and phone call records may not exist.
At its Aug. 11 meeting the Lincoln City Council placed on pending a claim by resident Brooklyn Polinski after Polinski described a May 24, 2025 incident in which a city‑owned trail tree fell across a fence and damaged a four‑year‑old deck.
Polinski said Parks forestry crews removed the downed tree but that her claim for roughly $1,000 for deck repairs and $590 for a cherry‑picker had been denied; she had not filed an insurance claim because damage was below her deductible. The council pulled the item for additional review and to allow city attorneys time to investigate documentation.
City Assistant Attorney Lily Ely and Parks & Recreation Director Maggie Stuckey Ross told council that trail trees are managed differently than street trees: trail and park trees are often not logged in the same Beehive record‑keeping system unless a field inspection created a work order. Stuckey Ross said the city’s Northeast District handles trail‑tree calls and that District records may not use the Beehive system unless work orders were created after inspection.
Parks staff said Watershed/Forestry staff inspected and removed the hazard after the incident and advised the resident to submit a claim; staff acknowledged there was no record of previous calls specific to that tree in Beehive. Council members asked staff to clarify the reporting process for trail trees and encouraged residents to submit an Uplink request with a photo and geolocation pin so the city maintains a written record.
Council action and next steps Councilman Dooden moved to place the claim on pending; the motion to set the claim aside for further review passed 5‑1 on the procedural vote to set pending and the full consent motion passed 6‑0 later. Council instructed staff to review the claim file, pursue any documentation of prior calls and report back; resident Polinski said she will supply photos and invoices for follow‑up.
