Spectators may want to bring a pillow to tonight’s council meeting — it’s going to be a long one.

Council will debate and vote on two controversial issues: raising transit fares and maintaining fluoride in the city’s water.

Both decisions failed to pass because of tie votes at the committee level and were referred to council. Several councillors missing for the two votes are expected to attend the televised meeting at 7 p.m.

Mayor Fred Eisenberger said he’s been trying to broker a compromise to raise transit fares only five cents instead of 10 cents. “It’s still a moving target,” he said yesterday.

Several councillors have argued the city needs to freeze bus fares this year, while others are advocating a larger hike to cover increased costs.

Councillors are also split on a proposal to slightly reduce the amount of fluoride in the city’s water. Several want the chemical removed completely.

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