(Spirit Lake)– The city of Spirit Lake is tweaking an ordinance that regulates taxi services in the city.
City Administrator Mark Stevens presented the proposed changes at Tuesday’s city council meeting. He says they clarify who should be licensed and who isn’t; increases the minimal amount of insurance required from $500,000 to $1,500,000; creates a sets licensed period that begins April 1st of each year; requires registration of each individual operator; and requires a tag be visible in the taxi’s windshield so riders and police know that particular company is licensed to operate in the city.
The council Tuesday approved the first reading of the proposed changes. A second reading will be held at the next meeting.
The council also Tuesday approved a new two-year recycling contract with H & H Recycling of Spirit Lake in the amount of $7,880-per month, compared to $6,937 per month under the current contract.
The council also voted to support a grant application by the Dickinson County Trails Association that would go toward the purchase of the former Iowa-Northwestern Railroad right-of-way for construction of a bike trail from Allendorf (in Osceola county) to just west of Superior (in Dickinson county).
The vote to support the grant application didn’t come without some discussion, though.
Councilman Kevin Bice is concerned it could open the door for a request to the city and other governmental entities to come up with some of the money that’s needed for the proposed project. He cited a recent grant application by the Dickinson County Airport Authority that left the city on the hook for a 30-thousand dollar local match.
