Council approves rate increase for Hillsboro Taxi

The Hillsboro City Council has authorized an increase in fares for Hillsboro, after council president Lee Koogler had to break a tied vote on the matter. 

Misty Haag, office manager of Hillsboro Taxi and Transportation Services addressed council during their regular meeting April 11 and requested they consider a rate increase. 

"We are currently at $5 for in-town rides and $1.50 per mile outside of the corporation limit," Haag said. "We would like to increase that to $7 and $2 per mile outside the corporation limit. We have a lot of regular riders. We're going to try to work with them for staffing needs. What we'd like to try is, we're going to go with the $7 but try to work with them with a scheduling. If they can schedule their ride the day before, we will give them a discount and let it be $5, but if you're calling for a cab the same day, it will be $7."

Haag said the discount is something that they want to try in particular for the regular customers who rely on Hillsboro Taxi to take them to work every day. 

The recent increase in gas costs have prompted the request for the rate increase. 

Koogler said that council has addressed matters like this before. Consulting with Hillsboro Law Director Fred Beery, Koogler said council had to approve any rate increase. New legislation is not required, but council took a voice vote on the matter. 

Koogler asked Haag, "You're doing this to be able to survive and function as a business?"

"Right. As the city cab, we haven't had a rate increase ... I've been there almost three years and we haven't had a rate increase yet," Haag said. "With fuel pushing $4 a gallon, that is definitely a factor."

Hillsboro Taxi was founded in 2006.

Koogler asked council if they had any questions or discussions on the matter. When council did not respond he asked if there were any motions. Council member Brian Waller made a motion to approve the increase, which was seconded by council member Rod Daniels. 

Council member Bill Alexander asked if the matter would require a three-reading rule, and Beery explained because council has already adopted the legislation setting the rates and provides for increases. Council just needed to act to increase the rates. 

Waller, Daniels and council member Peter Pence voted for the increase, while council members Alexander, Bonnie Parr, Dave Shoemaker voted against it.

"We have the rate opportunity for me to vote, as it's a 3-3 tie," Koogler said. 

President of council only votes in order to break a tie. Koogler voted for the increase, making the final vote 4-3.

Council also unanimously voted to excuse the absence of council member Mary Brown Turner, who is convalescing following a hip replacement. 

Hillsboro resident Greg Walters, who lives in the 200 block of Johnson Street, asked council to consider a variance to allow his to park his semi truck on his property. Walters, who is employed as a trucker and only home approximately four days a month, said he has not had trouble parking there until recently after there were issues with a neighbor "trying to turn his yard into a junk yard." After the Hillsboro Police Department had been by to investigate those complaints, he was informed that he was not permitted to park his truck there. 

Walters said the truck is his livelihood, is an expensive piece of equipment, and that he likes to have it close to him. It costs $15 a night to park it at local establishments, he said. When he parks it at home, it is on the skirt in his alley and occasionally on a neighbor's property, but the neighbor has given him permission. 

"I was wondering what I could do to petition to get some type of special dispensation or a permit to park on my property," Walters said. 

Hillsboro Safety and Service Director Ralph Holt said any vehicle or equipment over a ton and a half is not permitted to be parked in Residential A or B areas, according to city ordinance. 

Koogler put the matter into the street and safety committee for further review, and council voted 6-0 to allow a one-month variance to permit Walters to legally park the truck on his property. 

In other business:

• The upgrade project at the city's wastewater treatment plant could be completed nearly six months early, according to Holt.

The completion date for the wastewater treatment plant was projected to be in April-May 2012. The contracting and engineer and now projecting the upgrades will be completed by fall of 2011, Holt said. 

During his report to council, Holt addressed street issues, including potholes. 

"Potholes in the city have gotten a lot of attention this year. Potholes are an issue every year," Holt said. 

Holt explained the city uses "hot mix" in the springtime to fix holes that formed over the winter "until we have the funds to pave the streets." Hot mix is only made during spring and summer months. 

He also said he had a conversation with an area resident who is concerned about how fast people are driving on Johnson Street and is requesting stop signs on Muntz Street, on the west and east sides of Johnson Street. Holt asked that the matter be placed into the street and safety committee for further review. 

"I would appreciate council's input before the city makes a decision on this matter," Holt said.  

Holt also reported that the water line replacement project on Highland Drive is nearing completion. 

• Council voted 6-0 to increase appropriations in the 507 sewer revenue fund in the amount of $9,000 to cover the cost of diesel fuel for the generator used during the plant upgrade. In a separate vote, council approved the transfer of $9,000 from the sewer improvement fund to the sewer revenue fund. 

• Council voted to waive the three-reading rule and passed 6-0 a resolution to provide for payment to certain city employees, not subject to collective bargaining agreement, who decline health insurance coverage provided by the city of Hillsboro. The employees shall be paid $300 per month who received single coverage health insurance and $800 per month for employees who received family coverage health insurance. The payments shall be made retroactively to Jan. 1, 2011 and "shall remain in effect until the qualified employee accepts health insurance coverage through the city of Hillsboro."

Hillsboro auditor Gary Lewis said the funds had been allocated for the resolution in the 2011 budget. There was no discussion on the matter by council. 

• Heard the first resolution of an ordinance granting a franchise to Columbus Southern Power Company for distribution of electricity to the city of Hillsboro. 

John Buck of AEP Ohio addressed council regarding the agreement, saying that the last agreement was signed in 1986, and each agreement is for 25 years. Koogler put the matter into the utilities committee for further review. 

• Daniels asked that item regarding annexation of property be removed from the zoning an annexation committee. The matter was placed in committee in December, but Daniels said the city had not received the official petition from the council commissioners. Koogler agreed to remove the item. 

• Committee meetings have been scheduled for the property maintenance and restoration committee Monday, April 18 at 5:30 p.m. The street and safety committee will meet at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, April 19 at 5 p.m., and will be followed by the zoning and annexation committee, and the utilities committee.