A number of city and county meetings will be held during the next three weeks while the Emerald is not being published. Several might affect University students, so here are some issues to watch out for this week:
Monday
The Eugene City Council will hold its weekly meeting where a number of issues are addressed and a public forum is held, offering citizens the opportunity to give testimony to city leaders about any issue they want officials to be aware of.
At the 7:30 p.m. meeting at City Hall, 777 Pearl Street, the council will decide when to hold a public meeting discussing the vacating of two alleys near campus as part of the basketball arena construction project.
The University is requesting city approval to vacate Villard Alley from E. 15th Avenue to E. 13th Avenue and a portion of E. 13th Avenue at the intersection of E. 13th Avenue and Franklin Boulevard.
The two roads run directly through the proposed arena site.
The city’s hearings official decided last week to make many of the steps needed to complete the arena open to the public, giving concerned citizens the opportunity to vocalize their opposition at these public meetings. The decision will also require the University to obtain a conditional use permit before building on the land.
The council will also discuss upcoming 2008-09 budget issues at tonight’s public hearing.
Using state revenue-sharing money, the city will look to fund a number of projects such as road repairs, adding four more police officers and making bicycle patrol a year-round service.
Tuesday
The Fairmount Neighborhood Association will hold its general meeting at 6:30 p.m. at the Laurelwood Golf Course, 2700 Columbia Street.
City Councilor Alan Zelenka and Lane County Commissioner Pete Sorenson are expected as guest speakers, and residents will discuss Olympic Trials information, offering parking and street closure maps. The group has been the most vocal local neighborhood attempting to force the University to address the potential problems that could arise once the basketball arena is built.
Wednesday
City officials will hold a public input meeting at Autzen Stadium at 5 p.m. to discuss permit approval for construction of the University’s newly proposed baseball park. The permit request is for a synthetic turf field, lighting, fencing, a player development area, dugout and other associated site improvements.
New City Manager Jon Ruiz has been holding listening forums throughout the community during May and June to meet with residents, listen to their priorities and discuss opportunities to improve city services. On Wednesday Ruiz will be in the library of Parker Elementary School, 3875 Kincaid Street, at 7 p.m., and on Thursday he will be in the library of Cal Young Middle School, 2555 Gilham Road, at 7 p.m.
Check the Emerald’s Web site for updates on local government meetings during the next three weeks while the Emerald is not published.
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