Yes it was. It was just long enough ago that I needed to look it up (in the interest of accuracy).
This link recounts the conclusion of the incident: https://www.seattlemet.com/news-and-city-life/2018/02/city-settles-with-west-seattle-homeowners-over-cutting-public-trees
It was more than a single homeowner who cut trees on public-owned land. And it looks like the final price tag was closer to $800k
The picture shows some long-term “trimming”; finally, somebody noticed!