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HomeMy WebLinkAboutOctober 9, 2014 - City Council Newsletter City of Eugene 125 East 8 Avenue, 2 Floor thnd Eugene, Oregon 97401 (541) 682-5010 (541) 682-5414 (FAX) www.eugene-or.gov EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER October 9, 2014 IN THIS EDITION HUNDREDS SEEK ASSISTANCE WITH ENERGY BILLS FUTURE EUGENE PUBLIC LIBRARY: JOIN THE COMMUNITY CONVERSATION AROUND THE CITY Hundreds Seek Assistance with Energy Bills The phone lines at Campbell Community Center were bombarded on Oct. 1, with nearly 500 callers seeking financial assistance with an energy bill. Eugene Water & Electric Board’s (EWEB) Customer Care Program offers a $200 payment to individuals who meet the program’s low-income requirements. At the beginning of each month, the Adult Services Program at Campbell makes appointments with low-income seniors (ages 60 and above) to determine if they qualify. Low-income seniors who are customers of other utilities in Lane County may apply for a one-time subsidy of $150 - $500 through the federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program(LIHEAP), which opens at 8:30 a.m., on Nov. 3. Anyone wishing to find out if they qualify may call 541-682-5354. Those who received an LIHEAP payment last program year do not need to call - they will receive an application by mail in November. The program is one of many agencies in Lane County helping low-income residents. Last year, the Adult Services Program at Campbell helped 2,000 households obtain energy assistance. Other social services offered by Adult Services include:  Free appointments with a senior health insurance benefits advisor to answer questions about health insurance coverage  Free legal consultation with Senior Law Service  A diabetes support and information group  Parkinson’s support group  Osteoporosis/osteopenia support group  Driver safety program through AARP  Free income-tax assistance through AARP For more information about the Energy Assistance Program or the Adult Services Program, call Program Coordinator Dahlia Garza at 541-682-6394. Future Eugene Public Library: Join the Community Conversation How does the community picture “Our Future Eugene Public Library” for the coming 10 years and beyond? What kinds of information, services, tools, and activities will the community want and need? Eugene Public Library invites adults and teens to participate in any one of a series of community conversations about public interests, ideas, and priorities as the Library moves into the future. Come to one of these 90-minute, facilitated community conversations: At the Downtown Library: At Bethel Branch: At Sheldon Branch: Monday, October 13, 12:00 p.m. Tuesday, October 14, 12:00 p.m. Thursday, October 23, 11:30 a.m. Monday, October 13, 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, October 14, 5:30 p.m. The public can also provide input through an online survey in English or Spanish. EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER PAGE 1 October 9, 2014 “In the past, currently, and into the future, all of us at Eugene Public Library are committed to providing the services and resources that best use our resources to meet our community’s needs,” says Library Director Connie Bennett. “Public input is crucial to our strategic planning for the coming years.” The Eugene Public Library is both a landmark destination and a vibrant engine of local energy, connection, and learning. Last year, there were more than one million visits to Eugene’s three library locations. Community members checked out nearly three million items and used over one million sessions of Internet access on library computers and wi-fi. The Library hosts nearly 2,000 free events each year, ranging from storytimes for young children, to guidance for job seekers and small business owners, to author talks and hands-on workshops. Free online services include 24-hour live chat help by librarians, homework tutoring, and downloadable eBooks, audiobooks, magazines, and music. For more information, contact the Eugene Public Library at 541-682-8316 or www.eugene-or.gov/library. EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER PAGE 2 October 9, 2014