Council approves new share-ride taxi contract

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The Prairie du Chien Common Council blazed through their last October agenda in less than ten minutes. The council approved a fee increase at the airport, accepted a bid for a timber harvest at LaRiviere Park and approved a new contract with Running, Inc. for the share-ride taxi service.

In attendance were Andy Ringgold, Kayla Ingham, Mark Bowar, Nate Bremmer, Bob Granzow, Nick Crary and Vicki Waller. Mayor David Hemmer, City Planner Nate Gilberts, City Clerk Tina Fuller and Police Chief Kyle Teynor were also present. Alderman Jaaren Riebe and City Administrator Chad Abram were absent.

The city’s evaluation committee recommended that the council award the share-ride contract to Running, Inc. The contract runs from Jan. 1, 2025 to Dec. 31, 2026, with three one-year options. According to Gilberts, the first two years must be identical because of standards set by the Department of Transportation.

The city is required to put out bids for taxi procurement, and Prairie du Chien only received one. Other taxi services within two hours of the city had the option to bid on the contract.

On October 1, the council approved a 75-cent fee increase for the share-ride program to help cover increased costs. The hourly cost from the taxi service increased from $29.09 per hour to $35.24 over the past five years.

The cost for adult riders will be $4 per ride, while senior citizens, disabled riders, students and youth will pay $2.50. Gilberts estimated the fee increase will generate approximately $29,000 in additional revenue per year.

 

Timber harvest

The council accepted a bid for a timber harvest at LaRiviere Park. Bids were submitted until October 8 at 10 a.m. for the contract.

The city received eight bids, with Wieland & Sons offering the highest price ($136,890). The Iowa-Wisconsin lumber company has been in business since 1948. Their bid was a little more than $5,000 above the next closest bidder, White City Lumber out of Hillsboro.

In a memo to the council and finance committee, Abram announced the bid results and recommended the money from the sale be placed in the LaRiviere Park Fund for future park projects.

 

Other business

approved a two percent increase for leasing airport hangers, which will take effect in 2025.

approved an ordinance that prohibits people from camping on city-owned property. The ordinance defined camping as “to establish or maintain, at any time during the day or night, a temporary or permanent place for cooking or sleeping with the intent to remain in that location overnight.”

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