Utility rates may rise, bus routes may be cut, and a new 120-foot cell phone tower may be constructed a few feet from University housing. But local officials said students can help sway the outcome of these issues by taking a break from finals and attending meetings being held this week.
Eugene Water and Electric Board will meet at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday to discuss a 2.64 percent residential rate increase that EWEB may need to maintain a balanced budget.
EWEB spokesman Lance Robertson said the utility holds public hearings to get a sense of what its customers are thinking, and he encouraged students to attend the meeting.
“There’s a high likelihood that the board will make a decision after this meeting,” Robertson said.
Students unable to make the night meeting can attend a late afternoon city hearing on Sprint PCS’ appeal for a 120-foot cell phone tower located just 23 feet north of University graduate housing. City Planner Kent Kullby said students are welcome to attend the 5 p.m. hearing, where Sprint hopes to challenge the city’s denial of its cell tower plans.
“We had a lot of good public testimony against the project already,” Kullby said. But “people should attend the public hearing so they know what’s happening.”
If Tuesday proves to be a busy day for students, they have a final chance to catch a meeting on Wednesday, when Lane Transit District will make a final decision on bus route cuts and schedule changes. The board is holding a 6:30 p.m. public hearing to find a way to make up a projected $2.5 million budget deficit over the next two years.
The board is expected to cut the last bus of the evening back from 11:40 p.m. to 10:40 p.m., decrease frequency of Route 11, which serves Springfield, and make other schedule changes. LTD was also planning on cutting Route 78, which connects West Eugene to the University, but has since decided to keep the popular route running in the morning and late afternoon.
Spokesman Andy Vobora said the bus company has already collected public feedback for the proposed route changes, but students are welcome to come.
“We never discourage people from coming,” Vobora said. “Feedback is good for the board to hear.”