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."