Hood River City Councilors approved raising the hourly rate for metered parking in the downtown area from 75 cents to one dollar per hour, but left the cost of a monthly permit for city lots where they are.  The rates have not been raised since July 2008.  New rates would go into effect sometime around July 1.  City Manager Steve Wheeler says parking revenues go into two areas:  reimbursement of the costs for managing parking and general fund expenses.  Monthly lot permits will remain 35 dollars in three locations and 20 dollars for the Columbia Street lot.  Some in attendance at the Council meeting objected to the rate increase, while others questioned the fairness to downtown businesses of metered parking when there is none on the Heights.  The City is also in discussions with the Port of Hood River about establishing metered parking in the waterfront area.