Hartley council hears daycare, EMA updates

The Hartley City Council on March 14 fielded annual updates from two local entities.

Hartley Community Daycare Center Director Kaity Pedley gave a rundown of activities at the local facility over the past year. She reported that the daycare is operating at full capacity and is fully staffed.

"We have a really good core staff, which is really great," she said.

Pedley said the Department of Human Services is offering retention bonuses to staff members that qualify, which has helped the facility keep people on board while wages continue to rise across all industries.

"That has been a nice perk for us when trying to hire people or retain people," she said.

Additionally, Pedley noted a fencing project was completed last summer. However, the addition was short-lived, as a storm in December destroyed it. The daycare is mulling options for replacement.

Pedley also noted the facility is looking into starting an after-school program, summer transportation to the pool and other locations, and updating doors, windows, insulation, landscaping and exterior signage.

The daycare is slated to host its annual fundraiser in June, which helps pay for improvement projects.

"Financially, we're doing really well," said Pedley. "I'm really proud of the daycare and our staff."

• EMA update

O'Brien County Emergency Management Agency Director Jared Johnson also updated the council about his department. Johnson encouraged Hartley residents to sign up for Alert Iowa, which is a messaging system that sends important information via text message during weather emergencies and other events. Visit http://www.obrienema.org or http://www.alert.iowa.gov for more information.

Additionally, Johnson shared information about "wandering kits," which are used to track vulnerable individuals with dementia or other disabilities who have a tendency to wander away from their homes.

The devices are waterproof and the batteries last one month. Emergency personnel track the location of the device by using a radio frequency.

"As we get closer to the device worn by the individual, the beep gets louder and more frequent," Johnson explained.

Johnson encouraged any interested O'Brien County residents to contact his office about signing up for the tracking device.

Johnson also updated the council about EMA's two drones and encouraged the council to review Hartley's emergency operation plan.

"We've been facing a lot of stuff over the last five years, and I'm just encouraging communities to stay prepared," he said.

• Other business

The council approved an estimate from Soden's Handyman Service for $7,686.32 to repair the concession stand roof at Fanning Field, as well as an estimate for $2,266.68 to repair the complex's storage shed. Both buildings were damaged during a December storm

Additionally, citywide spring cleanup day was set for Monday, April 25.