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Shelby Jones urges Cullman City to inspect large pines near Eastside Park, citing safety and insurance concerns
Summary
Resident Shelby Jones asked the council to inspect tall pine trees near Eastside Park that he says were marked for removal after a 2011 tornado, arguing they overhang power lines, damage property and could threaten lives; the council acknowledged the concern and said it would follow up.
Shelby Jones, who said he lives at 608 Alabama Avenue Southeast, told the Cullman City Council that several very large pines in his Eastside neighborhood were marked for removal after a 2011 tornado but never cut down. He said branches now overhang power lines, have begun to damage foundations and plumbing, and drop large limbs into yards where children play.
"One of those trees falls on you, you're dead," Jones said, urging the council to have someone inspect the street and consider trimming or removal. He told the council the Cullman Power Board marked the trees with orange paint in 2011 but recently told residents the utility was not responsible for removal.
Council President Kim Hall asked who had marked the trees; Jones responded that the Cullman Power Board did so, and council members discussed the trees' location on private property and whether limbs encroach on the board’s easement. The council did not take immediate formal action but said staff would follow up to clarify whether the trees remain designated hazards, what entity is responsible, and whether the city can assist or require abatement.
The council thanked Jones for bringing the concern to the public-comment period; no vote or resolution was recorded on the issue during the meeting.
Next steps: Jones asked the mayor’s office and the power board to investigate; council members said the city will check procedures and the reporting app for later follow-up.
