The Hartley Sentinel-The Everly/Royal News - Serving O'Brien & Clay Counties

The Hartley City Council on Monday fielded an update on the proposed recreational trail on the south side of town.

Dave Vander Broek, of the Hartley Recreational Trail Committee, gave a report on where things stand currently. The group would like to build the first stretch of trail starting from Neebel Park extending westward to Vine Avenue along the south side of Third Street SW.

If possible, construction is hoped to start next year.

"I don't think there's necessarily a set-in-stone date," said Bolton & Menk engineer Wes Boyer. "We've got lots of time until next construction season."

Vander Broek and Boyer outlined various points of discussion regarding the trail, like whether it should be 8' wide or 10' wide. It will be constructed in the city's right of way on the south side of the road, and will likely need construction easements from an adjacent property owner for portions of the path.

Attempts will be made to contact the property owner and bring them up to speed about the project.

"We don't want to get ahead of ourselves," Boyer said. "The project has been kind of put on hold and we're waiting for direction."

• Traffic study on Hwy. 18

In other business, the city council agreed to do a traffic study along Highway 18 between 8th Avenue West and 4th Avenue West. According to discussion, there have been some "close calls" with vehicles and pedestrians recently, and the city wants to look at ways to potentially avoid a future tragedy by making it safer.

"Since we're having complaints, I think it's something we need to do for safety," said Council Member Mary Westphalen.

Mayor Rodney Ahrenstorff said a recent near miss could have resulted in serious injury or death if the vehicle hadn't veered in time. Bolton & Menk will conduct the study and compile data for future reference.

• Other business

The council renewed the employee health insurance plan. Total cost increased 13.11 percent compared to the previous year.

Members weren't thrilled about the increase, but they weren't too upset, either.

"There were some years we've had 30 and 40 percent increases, so it could be worse," said Westphalen.

Additionally, the council approved a 28E agreement with the Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn Community School District for a School Resource Officer (SRO) program. H-M-S is also seeking a similar agreement with the City of Sanborn for the middle school.

Each participating police department would assign an officer to be a SRO. The officer would be in the school(s) eight hours per week. Primary assignments include buildings, grounds and parking lots, and possibly attend major school events. Hartley Police Chief Joe Hengeveld said any of the department's three officers could fulfill the SRO role depending on who's on duty. He said it would not take time away from their current obligations.

Under the proposal, the SRO will be an employee of their respective city. H-M-S would pay $5,000 or 20 percent of the total salary and benefits package, whichever is lower.

At last month's school board meeting, Superintendent Patrick Carlin explained that H-M-S would be eligible for $15,000 in state funding for having an SRO program.

Finally, the council agreed to review Ordinance No. 348 Section 1.5, which outlines rules and restrictions for parking trailers on city roads. Council members Ron Hengeveld and Greg Cotter will review the ordinance and bring proposed changes back to the council for potential revision.

According to Police Chief Hengeveld, current rules are difficult to enforce.