Bellingham City Council

The Bellingham City Council's February 23rd meeting featured significant action on tree preservation, immigration rights, and infrastructure funding, alongside Mayor Kim Lund's innovative video State of the City address. The evening's most consequential action was the unanimous passage of a resolution reaffirming the city's commitment to immigrant rights and denouncing federal immigration enforcement actions that violate constitutional protections. This resolution, which underwent multiple amendments during debate, represents the council's response to what members described as unprecedented federal overreach threatening due process and civil liberties. The council also extended the interim landmark tree preservation ordinance for another six months through September 26, 2026, continuing protection for trees 36 inches or greater in diameter while staff works on permanent regulations through the Planning Commission. Public testimony revealed ongoing tension between tree preservation and housing development needs, with speakers representing both environmental concerns and property development challenges. Infrastructure improvements received unanimous support as council approved three major grant-funded projects: a $2.3 million Washington State Department of Transportation grant for Samish Way and Maple Street overlay work, a $10.46 million grant for Electric Avenue Bridge reconstruction, and an interlocal agreement for temporary water supply with Lake Whatcom Water and Sewer District. The council also renewed its $100,000 annual commitment to the Whatcom Racial Equity Commission and heard an extensive update on the challenging financial realities facing the $200 million Whatcom County Justice and Behavioral Care Center project.

**Landmark Tree Ordinance Extension (AB 24843):** Passed 7-0. Extended interim development regulations for six more months (until September 26, 2026) to allow Planning Commission review and potential state legislative guidance. Staff reported 13 clearing permits issued in 2025 for landmark tree removal, with 6 more issued in early 2026. **Immigration Rights Resolution (AB 24841):** Passed 7-0 after three amendments. The final resolution reaffirms constitutional protections, denounces federal enforcement actions as "unlawful," and commits the city to using "all tools at our disposal" to protect community members. Key amendments added language celebrating the city's support for diverse voices through cultural programming and changed "lawless" federal actions to "unlawful." **Transportation Grants (AB 24837, AB 24838):** Both passed 7-0. Authorized mayor to sign agreements for $2.3 million Samish Way/Maple Street overlay project (100% grant funded) and $10.46 million Electric Avenue Bridge reconstruction ($1.4 million local match required). Both projects managed through Washington State Department of Transportation. **Water Supply Agreement (AB 24842):** Passed 7-0. Approved interlocal agreement with Lake Whatcom Water and Sewer District for temporary water supply during their reservoir maintenance and construction, generating estimated $250,000 revenue for city water fund. **Racial Equity Commission Funding (AB 24835):** Passed 7-0. Continued annual $100,000 contribution to Whatcom Racial Equity Commission, moving from three-year to annual budget cycle. **Commute Trip Reduction Plan (AB 24829):** Passed 7-0 on final reading. Adopted four-year plan for 2025-2029 as required by state law.

**Council Member Lilliquist, on federal immigration actions:** "In this country we do not enforce the law by breaking the law and that's the problem I'm seeing." **Council Member Williams, on supporting immigrant communities:** "I have been at meetings where people have asked me, 'What is the city doing? what is the city doing to deal with this?'" **Yoshi Rall, on tree preservation:** "Trees are fellow beings. They're alive like we are. They communicate... When we treat trees willy-nilly and destroy them without thinking a second thought about it, that comes back to us." **Council Member Cotton, on city limitations:** "Sometimes I have apprehension also um as an immigration attorney and thinking about advocating on behalf of members of the immigrant community and not wanting something to seem as though right it's it's providing more assurance and more um security than than maybe we can um can deliver on." **Adam Bellinger, on tree ordinance consequences:** "And financially speaking, that incentivizes them to basically clear cut that all those lots. um in order to maintain the uh viability of them as being buildable." **Judge Roy Dalton Jr. (quoted by Council Member Lilliquist):** "In this country we do not enforce the law by breaking the law."

## Meeting Overview On Monday, February 23rd, 2026, the Bellingham City Council convened at 7:00 p.m. in City Hall's Council Chambers for their regular meeting. Council President Hannah Stone presided over a session attended by all seven council members: Hollie Huthman, Daniel Hammill, Edwin "Skip" Williams, Lisa Anderson, Michael Lilliquist, and Jace Cotton. Mayor Kim Lund was also present. The evening's agenda featured a significant public hearing on extending the landmark tree preservation ordinance, committee reports from three afternoon sessions covering infrastructure projects and justice initiatives, and Mayor Lund's state of the city address delivered through an innovative video format. The meeting would prove notable for both its substantive policy discussions and the passionate debate surrounding federal immigration enforcement actions. What distinguished this meeting was the depth of civic engagement it represented — from technical discussions about grant funding for street improvements to constitutional questions about federal law enforcement, the council grappled with issues spanning the mundane necessities of municipal governance to fundamental questions about community values and civil rights. ## Landmark Tree Protection Extension The evening's centerpiece was a public hearing on extending Bellingham's interim landmark tree preservation ordinance for another six months. This emergency ordinance, first adopted in May 2024, has been extended multiple times as the city works toward permanent regulations protecting significant trees throughout the community. Planning and Community Development Director Blake Lyon provided the background, explaining that the ordinance originated from concerns about preemptive tree removal during the development of the city's Urban Forest Plan. "We saw an initial uptake when we did the emergency ordinance where people kind of preemptively removing which was what part of why the emergency ordinance was necessary because we were trying to to stop that behavior," Lyon noted. The ordinance automatically protects trees with a diameter at breast height of 36 inches or greater, while excluding cottonwood trees. Since adoption, the city has processed 13 clearing permits in 2025 for landmark tree removals — trees that were either dead, diseased, dying, or impacting development projects. An additional six permits have been processed so far in 2026. Lyon outlined both successes and challenges with the interim regulations. On the positive side, the ordinance has provided substantial protection for existing landmark trees and improved interdepartmental coordination between planning, parks, and public works staff. However, he acknowledged concerns about the "heavy kind of front-end effort not only by staff but also by kind of our design community," noting the extensive tree surveys and preliminary engineering work required to determine project feasibility. The public hearing drew diverse perspectives. Adam Bellinger raised concerns about unintended incentives, describing how his parents own wooded lots in the Samish neighborhood where most trees approach the 36-inch threshold. "Financially speaking, that incentivizes them to basically clear cut that all those lots. um in order to maintain the uh viability of them as being buildable," he explained, arguing this doesn't meet the city's intended goal of preserving forested neighborhoods. Yoshi Rall offered a passionate defense of tree preservation, drawing on spiritual and scientific arguments. "Trees are fellow beings. They're alive like we are. They communicate," he said, referencing research showing trees communicate at frequencies around 100,000 cycles, well above human hearing range. He emphasized the health benefits of trees, citing studies showing people who can see nature are healthier than those whose windows face brick walls. John, a longtime resident and certified arborist for 25 years, supported the ordinance but raised two concerns. First, he argued the 36-inch diameter threshold "doesn't fit all," noting that some wonderful trees will never reach three feet in diameter. Second, he criticized the penalty structure as inadequate, calling the maximum $2,400 fine "a joke" compared to the actual value of mature trees as determined by certified arborist assessments. Brian Gas challenged the ordinance from a different angle, arguing the city lacks a cohesive plan. "You can't have it all," he said, questioning how the city can simultaneously protect trees, shrink development capacity, and address housing affordability. He suggested a mitigation approach similar to wetlands, where developers could "cut a tree do like plant 10 other trees somewhere else." Perry Esridge, representing the Whatcom County Association of Realtors and Building Industry Association, supported the six-month extension while praising Director Lyon's collaborative approach. He noted that while some issues were anticipated early on, others "have come from experience in trying to work with the ordinance and could not have been anticipated." Council members engaged with technical details during discussion. Council Member Lilliquist questioned the tree protection zone definition, which creates a minimum 72-inch diameter circle of protection based on a multiple of the tree diameter. He suggested this "one-sizefits-all" approach might not make biological sense, noting that the drip line often provides a better measure of root influence zones. Lyon responded that the current formula uses one foot of critical root zone radius for every inch of tree diameter, so a 40-inch tree would have a 40-foot radius protection zone. He indicated staff is contemplating revisions to allow reasonable encroachments where appropriate, such as when a building corner impacts a small portion of the root zone without undermining overall tree stability. Council Member Anderson inquired about enforcement, asking whether trees had been removed without permits. Lyon confirmed there was an initial surge of preemptive removals when the emergency ordinance was adopted, but code enforcement actions largely ceased after those early violations. He also described a particularly challenging case involving a 50-inch landmark tree that has lifted a homeowner's foundation, preventing windows from closing properly — a scenario the interim ordinance didn't anticipate. The discussion revealed the ordinance's complexity in balancing tree preservation with reasonable property use. Lyon mentioned working on guidance to clarify what constitutes "reasonable" use, noting the current language requires property owners to demonstrate "reasonable attempts to develop within the confines" of tree protection requirements. Before voting, Council President Stone caught a clerical error in the ordinance, noting that the public hearing date still referenced the previous extension hearing from August 11, 2025. She moved to amend this to reflect the current hearing date of February 23, 2026 — a technical correction that passed unanimously. Council Member Hamill then moved passage of the amended ordinance, which also passed 7-0. The six-month extension begins March 26, 2026, and continues until September 26, 2026, providing time to complete the Type VI legislative process for permanent regulations. ## Mayor's State of the City Address Mayor Lund departed from tradition by presenting her state of the city address as a professionally produced video, calling it "a different approach to um producing a state of the city address" intended to be "more engaging ideally" and "more sharable." The video, lasting approximately 12 minutes, showcased 2025 accomplishments and 2026 priorities through a cinematic lens. Lund framed the presentation around the theme of stewardship, emphasizing how city government works behind the scenes to maintain essential services while being "careful stewards of your tax dollars." Addressing the previous year's $10 million budget shortfall, Lund explained how the city created a "budget for 2026 that is more sustainable and more balanced, yet firmly rooted in our community's values." She acknowledged that "limited resources mean tough choices, cutting services in some areas and balancing those cuts with new revenue to maintain our essential public safety responses and critical infrastructure." The video highlighted major infrastructure investments, particularly in long-deferred maintenance projects. "In 2025, we committed to tackling long deferred maintenance like upgrades to the Post Point wastewater treatment plant and other water system improvements," Lund said. "These aren't the flashy projects, but they're critical." Water system protection received significant attention, with Lund noting the city "nearly doubled the city owned land in the Lake Watcom wershed last year, acquiring over a thousand acres of forest." She emphasized strengthening forest management capacity by "adding staff and expertise" to actively protect these drinking water sources. Transportation improvements featured prominently, from new flashing beacons making neighborhoods safer and more walkable to the community streets program allowing neighborhoods to "participate directly alongside staff to get their most needed transportation improvements prioritized." The video showcased new roundabouts, repaved roads, and rapid response to flood-damaged arterial streets. Downtown revitalization received considerable focus, with Lund declaring downtown "our social, economic, and cultural heart" that "saw it come alive in new ways" in 2025. She cited "alleyway galleries to symphony in the streets, from bike cops to parades" as evidence that downtown investments are drawing people to the city center. The Little Squalicum Pier earned special recognition as "the longest pier from White Rock, BC to Pacifica, California," giving "Bellingham a space to enjoy the bay from an entirely new perspective" for the first time in a century. Recreation and open space expansion continued with land acquisition for trails on Samish Crest, the new Sunset Pond loop trail, property purchase for a covered waterfront skate park, and extensive community engagement in civic complex planning. Lund addressed social equity work, highlighting passage of an ordinance "affirming that Bellingham is a place where everyone belongs" and deepened relationships with tribal partners. The Keep Washington Working Act advisory group hosted "courageous conversations" while the city joined legal action "taking legal steps to protect our residents and preserve critical federal funding for basic needs." Housing action represented a major 2025 theme. Lund described implementing her housing executive order by "modernizing our development rules and working as a team across city departments to get to yes, faster on key housing projects." She celebrated the opening of North Haven Tiny Home Village as "a partnership between the city and Homes Now that provides a safe step towards permanent housing for people without it." Looking ahead to 2026, Lund outlined ambitious plans including central library renovations focused on "new spaces and programs for kids and families" while making the 70-year-old building "more resilient for our changing climate future." She announced continued work on a new indoor community recreation center and promised to "continue to invite your input on this muchneeded and long awaited community priority." Environmental restoration featured prominently in forward-looking plans. "In 2026, we are laying the groundwork to turn the site of a former landfill and toxic industrial facility into a new waterfront park, a gem that will be three times the size of our beloved Boulevard Park," Lund announced, describing the massive environmental cleanup underway on the waterfront. Public safety funding emerged as a key challenge, with Lund noting the need to "evaluate how to maintain our high levels of essential public safety services, including police, fire, and emergency medical services." She identified these "critical frontline responses alongside investments in municipal court and alternative response programs need new sustainable sources of funding." The video concluded with Lund expressing pride in the city team's accomplishments and excitement for future work. She emphasized approaching challenges "with curiosity and humility and acting with purpose and excellence," working to create "a more affordable, more connected, and thriving Bellingham." Council members did not offer immediate feedback on the video format, though the innovation represented a notable departure from traditional in-chamber addresses or chamber luncheon presentations. ## Council Assignment Reports Council Member Williams provided extensive updates on parks and recreation initiatives. He announced preliminary discussions to consolidate the Parks and Recreation Committee and Greenways Committee, explaining that "the goal of that process is to discuss the potential of merging the two advisory boards so that there's a more comprehensive and effective approach to managing these very important recreational programs." A subcommittee comprising committee chairs and one member from each committee will begin planning discussions, with the process expected to take "the better part of a year." Williams emphasized this is "not to eliminate one but to consolidate" to create a unified approach to recreational programming. Williams highlighted the February 13th ribbon-cutting ceremony for Storybook Park, a new facility serving the Birchwood neighborhood. Despite rain on Friday the 13th after sunny weather the previous day, "a large number of people showed up," Williams reported. The event also recognized retiring landscape architect Jonathan Schilmilk, whose final major project was Storybrook Park. Another ribbon cutting is scheduled for February 27th at 3:00 p.m. for Sunset Pond improvements. The Whatcom Racial Equity Commission's community work earned significant attention from Williams. He described a November community forum at Bellingham Unitarian Fellowship focused on "learn about the ongoing issues that are being faced by immigrants in our community" and "share the participants feelings, concerns, and fears about the current situation." A second forum is planned for March 17th in Ferndale, co-hosted by the commission and Connect Ferndale. Williams encouraged participation regardless of residence location, noting pre-registration is required through the commission or Connect Ferndale. Council Member Lilliquist reported on three significant meetings. At the Whatcom County Business and Commerce Committee, discussion centered on a possible county health board reconfiguration, with "disagreement about where the problem lies and what the membership of that health board should be whether it should be all elected officials or include community members say with medical backgrounds or uh community experiences." The Whatcom Transportation Authority meeting featured news that WTA now owns "the former base station what used to be uh tube" — the former entertainment venue. While redevelopment as a transit center with potential housing above may take "several years," WTA hopes to activate the space with tenants soon, selecting a management company to help operate interim tenancy. Lilliquist also attended the Justice Project Facilities and Finance Advisory Board meeting, noting that Council Member Hamill would provide fuller context during his committee report. Council President Stone delivered a comprehensive legislative update as the 2026 session enters its final phase. With only 17 days remaining in the short session, the February 17th cutoff for bills to pass their house of origin eliminated numerous items the city was tracking. The February 25th deadline for bills to advance through opposite-house policy committees represents the next major hurdle. Budget bills for operating, capital, and transportation funding were being introduced during the meeting week, with the city's lobbyists analyzing relevant provisions. Stone praised the lobbying team's ability to focus on "fine-tuning" rather than just supporting or opposing bills, allowing the city to communicate specific technical concerns that could have broad local impacts. Director Lyon provided testimony on House Bill 2266 concerning step housing and Senate Bill 6026 regarding residential development in commercial and mixed-use zones. Assistant Transportation Director Tim Hohmann testified supporting Senate Bill 5581 for increased local control over multimodal improvements, using Bellingham's Meridian Street project as a concrete example of how greater local authority could improve outcomes. The city signed in support of House Bill 2304, expanding condominium express warranty options to advance affordable homeownership goals, and Senate Bill 6110, clarifying that electric motorcycles aren't e-bikes for regulatory purposes. Stone emphasized the value of providing specific local examples rather than generic position statements, noting the influence of firsthand testimony about actual Bellingham projects when legislators consider statewide policy. ## Public Works Infrastructure Projects The Public Works and Natural Resources Committee, chaired by Council Member Lilliquist, advanced three infrastructure funding agreements that passed unanimously during the evening session. The Samish Way and Maple Street Overlay Project received a $2.3 million grant from the Washington State Department of Transportation, covering 100% of project costs. The work includes pavement resurfacing and streetlighting improvements along the corridor between Bill McDonald Parkway and Ellis Street. Design work will proceed through 2026, with construction beginning in summer 2027. Lilliquist noted the city will coordinate with a separate sewer project along the same corridor, ensuring underground work is completed before surface improvements. Additionally, intersection improvements at the 45-degree turn from Maple to Ellis Street will be completed prior to the final paving project, following proper sequencing to avoid tearing up new pavement. The Electric Avenue Bridge Reconstruction Project garnered a much larger award — $10.46 million from WSDOT for an $11.8 million project. The reconstructed bridge will include safe pedestrian and cycling facilities while incorporating "forward compatibility for future bicycle and pedestrian networks that in the area that don't yet exist, but the bridge will be able to accommodate them." Design work extends through the end of 2026, with construction potentially delayed until 2028 due to the project's complexity. While the city must contribute approximately $1.4 million, the federal grant covers more than 80% of total costs. The Lake Whatcom Water and Sewer District interlocal agreement authorizes temporary water supply during maintenance of an existing reservoir and construction of a new reservoir. The district will pay an estimated $250,000 into the city's water fund for the service, utilizing an existing metered interconnection that was recently upgraded and proven functional. All three agreements represent significant infrastructure investments with minimal city financial commitment, demonstrating successful grant-seeking and regional cooperation. ## Justice Project and Racial Equity Funding The Public Health, Safety, Justice, and Equity Committee, chaired by Council Member Hamill, addressed two funding commitments and received an extensive briefing on the Whatcom County Justice and Behavioral Care Center. The committee recommended continuing the city's $100,000 annual commitment to the Whatcom Racial Equity Commission, shifting from a three-year to an annual budget cycle. The interlocal agreement with Whatcom County formalizes shared support for the commission's purpose and goals in promoting a "welcome, inclusive, and safe community for everyone." Hamill emphasized that beyond financial investment, the city provides significant staff time through Mayor Lund, Council Member Williams, and Strategic Initiatives Manager for Equity and Belonging Deborah Bensema's participation in commission work. The Justice and Behavioral Care Center update revealed significant budget challenges for what Hamill called "the largest capital project in the history of Whatcom County." Originally planned around a two-tenths of 1% sales tax generating projected $12.5 million annually to support roughly $200 million in bonds, the project faces obstacles from reduced sales receipts and increased construction costs. Deputy Executive Kayla Shott-Brussler presented various scenarios to accommodate budget realities. Sales receipts were $1 million or 9% below 2023 projections, which formed the basis of the original plan. Combined with construction cost increases, the most aspirational components of the plan face challenges. Hamill emphasized the complexity of the project, which voters rejected in 2015 and 2017 before approving in 2023. He strongly encouraged community members to watch several related meetings available on the county website, including the morning's Incarceration Prevention and Reduction Task Force meeting, the February 12th Finance and Facilities Advisory Board meeting, and the February 19th Justice Project Oversight and Planning meeting. The county executive seeks decisions by the end of April, creating an accelerated timeline for resolving competing priorities among the overarching goals. The three primary facilities remain "within reach" according to current analysis: the jail, behavioral care center, and 23-hour center. However, some original design considerations appear outside current budget realities. Hamill noted his service alongside Mayor Lund on the Finance and Facilities Advisory Board, where these budget constraints received detailed analysis. ## Federal Immigration Enforcement Resolution The evening's most emotionally charged discussion centered on a resolution reaffirming the city's commitment to immigrant rights and civil rights while denouncing federal immigration enforcement actions that "endanger public safety and violate individuals' constitutional rights." Council Member Hamill, who co-sponsored the resolution with Council Member Williams, explained it was primarily written between two high-profile killings by federal agents — those of Renee Good and Alex Prey. Additional names were included after consultation with the city's legal department. The resolution arose from what Williams described as unprecedented federal actions. "This is something I would well no you didn't say this but this is something I thought I would never see in my lifetime, this kind of behavior and these kinds of actions," he said. Williams emphasized the resolution's purpose as providing reassurance to immigrant communities while encouraging other municipal governments to take similar stands. Rather than prescriptive actions, the resolution commits the council to evaluate situations as they arise and "figure out how we're going to deal with it as as a governing body, as a as a city governance that is committed to these values." Several amendments were adopted during discussion. Mayor Lund suggested adding a recital celebrating the city's commitment to "elevating diverse voices and immigrant stories as reflected in our recent museum exhibits, library events, community convenings, and investments in arts and culture." This amendment referenced specific examples including the Maryanne Peters exhibit at the Lightcatcher Museum, Isabel Wilkerson's Mount Baker Theater appearance, and the Whatcom Reads selection "Solito" by Javier Zamora. Council Member Cotton raised concerns about language referring to federal enforcement on "American streets and in American neighborhoods." She noted that for many immigrants from North, Central, and South America, the term "American" has broader continental meaning. The council amended this language to refer to enforcement "on streets and in neighborhoods here in the United States." Council Member Lilliquist successfully moved to change "lawless" to "unlawful" when describing federal actions, arguing that while agents had legal authority, several courts have ruled they broke the law in their implementation. The substantive debate revealed deep concerns about constitutional violations and due process rights. Lilliquist, referencing his oath to uphold the U.S. Constitution, cited federal judges' criticism of agent misconduct. He quoted Judge Roy Dalton Jr. of Florida saying "in this country we do not enforce the law by breaking the law" and Illinois Judge Ellison's finding that federal actions were "so lawless and untrue in their testimony that it shocked the conscience." Cotton, drawing on her background as an immigration attorney, emphasized the importance of distinguishing between supporting law enforcement and supporting constitutional rights. "Things aren't mutually exclusive like the enforcement of our immigration laws and the enforcement of due process laws and civil rights and constitutional rights are not mutually exclusive and that we should be enforcing all of our laws," she said. She described participating with Chief Mertzig in a Zoom meeting with approximately 90 Spanish-speaking families to address community safety concerns, noting that fear extends beyond immigration status to include naturalized and dual citizens feeling unsafe. Council Member Anderson initially questioned whether another resolution was necessary given the 2025 resolution affirming Bellingham as a welcoming city. However, she ultimately supported this resolution as addressing external federal actions rather than internal city policies. "This particular one, it really is examining a lot of the stuff that's external," she said, calling it important for "marking a time in history that um we as council are not supporting the violation of uh civil rights, human rights, and the constitution." Cotton highlighted five related bills moving through the state legislature that the city is tracking: House Bill 21105 on immigrant worker protections and advanced employer notices for federal I-9 audits; House Bill 2411 modifying shared leave provisions for hate crime victims and those affected by immigration enforcement; Senate Bill 5855 concerning face coverings by law enforcement officers including federal immigration enforcement; Senate Bill 5906 establishing data and personal safety protections in public accommodations; and Senate Bill 6021 concerning driver privacy protections and automatic license plate readers. The resolution sparked reflection on the city's limitations in addressing federal enforcement while affirming commitment to constitutional principles and community support. ## Closing & What's Ahead The meeting concluded with routine consent agenda approval and final passage of the four-year Commute Trip Reduction Plan for 2025-2029, required by state environmental regulations. The consent agenda included standard financial authorizations for January 2026 accounts payable and payroll transactions, approval of January 26th meeting minutes, and several intergovernmental agreements including paramedic training amendments and explosive magazine storage cooperation between the county sheriff and city police. Executive session reports noted two property acquisition discussions — one general acquisition with Longman and one Lake Whatcom watershed property with Rosenblatt. Both were for information and discussion only, with no action taken. Council President Stone announced the next meeting for March 9, 2026, before transitioning to public comment period. The broadcast ended for television viewers, though the meeting continued via Zoom for additional public participation. The evening demonstrated the breadth of municipal governance — from technical infrastructure funding to constitutional questions about federal authority. The landmark tree ordinance extension reflected ongoing challenges in balancing environmental protection with development needs, while the immigration resolution showed the council grappling with federal actions beyond their direct control but affecting their constituents. The mayor's video format for the state of the city address represented innovation in civic communication, attempting to make government accomplishments more accessible and engaging for public consumption. Whether this approach succeeds in reaching broader audiences remains to be seen. As the council adjourned at 9:23 p.m., the evening's business reflected a community wrestling with growth pressures, constitutional principles, and the fundamental question of how local government can effectively serve residents in an era of federal policy disputes and environmental challenges. The March 9th meeting will likely continue addressing these ongoing tensions between local governance capacity and community needs.