"This problem, I want it to go away," Otto Michalec said, his voice rising as he punched a ticket issued by the City of West U.
Otto, his sister, and a niece all live in the small bungalow that his father, Jim, purchased 60 years ago at the corner of Rice Boulevard and College. Around 40 years ago, Otto says his father planted 7 pecan trees on their property, and one pecan tree on some adjacent city property.
In March 2025, James Michalec, now 91, hired Rangel Tree Service to trim the trees, a lot. Photos show that the entire canopy of all the trees was removed. West U officials quickly said the topping of the pecan trees violated their city ordinance.
"The City's ordinance allows for pruning of 25% of the canopy without a permit, but they pruned 100% and left sticks and stumps," West University Place City Manager David Beach said.
Not only did Rangel Tree Service fail to obtain a required permit, but they also completed a form and failed to follow through. ABC13 obtained documents showing Rangel's involvement.
Beach said following the city ordinance, West U's urban forester calculated the cost to replace eight pecan trees and sent the Michalec family the bill. Per city ordinance, the family can either replace the damaged trees or contribute to West U's city tree fund. The city calculated a $31,000 bill.
Otto says he got the bill sent to his father's estate after James passed away in June, and is flabbergasted.
"I would say the regulations are probably too stiff. The fact is that my dad planted these trees, that's what he wanted cut. And they didn't complain then, so why are they complaining now, for $31,000, that's ridiculous."
David Beach says they can't enforce the codes arbitrarily.
"The city has adopted codes that applies to everyone," he says. "We have had other locations where trees have been damaged and needed to be replaced."
But Otto says his family doesn't have the money, and in his eyes, the trees look fine. There is new growth, and he's heard no complaints from his neighbors.
"Why do I have to pay? Why don't they pay for it? The city, the city of West U, is one of the richest in the whole United States, and that's a fact," Otto said.
Beach says one thing the family can do is contact Rangel Tree Service and ask them to come back and fix the problem. West U itself has tried to contact the tree company, to no avail. It has since issued a citation to the company, which is now required to appear in municipal court.
ABC13 contacted the Rangel Tree Service company. A person who answered the phone said they have no records of servicing that family home. ABC13 then sent them documents showing they did work on the property, but the company has since not returned our calls.
For news updates, follow Miya Shay on Facebook, X and Instagram.