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Residents urge council to protect affordability and neighborhood character in utility policy
Summary
During public comment, a Pioneer Square resident urged protection of downtown lighting and opposed a 10% utility cost increase; other commenters warned that budget cuts could undermine affordability efforts and criticized council priorities for equity and funding decisions.
Public comment at the July 29 meeting included multiple statements on utilities, affordability and neighborhood character.
Hannah, who identified herself as a Pioneer Square resident, told the committee she is concerned about proposed utility and lighting changes downtown and urged protection of copper light posts in the Pioneer Square protected area. "10% cost increase is astronomical and fiscally irresponsible," she said, arguing that utility cost changes should more closely reflect inflation.
An online commenter identified by the chair as Mr. Alvarez cautioned that proposed budget cuts elsewhere could negate the committee's affordability work on water, power bills and emergency assistance; he said families should be given early notice about potential service cuts. David Haines urged the council to focus on broader economic and corporate accountability and criticized what he described as race-based allocation decisions by council leadership.
Chair Hollingsworth closed public comment and the committee proceeded to its agenda items.
