Jerry Olson bids farewell to Hartley council

Jerry Olson will now have a little more free time on the second Monday night of each month.

The longtime Hartley City Council member logged his final meeting Monday. Olson served 16 cumulative years on the council and did not seek re-election this year.

"It's been fun and enjoyable," Olson said during prepared remarks at the conclusion of the meeting. "Is it emotional? Yes it is."

Olson was first elected to the council in 2005 and served two terms. He was elected again after a two-year break in 2015, again serving a pair of terms.

Olson highlighted various accomplishments the city has achieved during his tenure on the council. Things like the new pool, Highway 18 industrial park, Pine Grove Addition, cemetery chapel renovation and other infrastructure improvements topped the list.

He was proud to have played a small part in each project from his seat on the council and appreciated the community's never-ending desire to improve.

"It's been all of us working together," he said.

Olson urged the remaining council members to keep leading the community with a positive attitude and to work as a unified body.

"Don't be dogmatic. Be open-minded and listen," he said. "Regardless of the vote – 5-0, 4-1, 3-2, whatever – that's the decision of the council."

The council presented Olson with a certificate of recognition for his years of service at the conclusion of the meeting. A resolution was also passed doing the same.

"We've appreciated everything you've done, Jerry," said Mayor Rodney Ahrenstorff.

Olson's successor, Matt Dolphin, was sworn in after the meeting was adjourned. His term officially begins Jan. 1.

Greg Cotter's new term will also take affect in the New Year. He was appointed in July to fill a vacancy and won one of the two open seats on the November ballot.

• Other business

The council breezed through an otherwise light agenda Monday night.

A sharing agreement was approved with the City of Paullina, which will send Wastewater Treatment Plant/Water Treatment Plant Superintendent Curtis Conaway to the southern O'Brien County city one morning a week.

According to discussion, Paullina employees are currently testing to obtain Grade I certification to operate its water system. Since no employee actually has Grade I certification, the Iowa DNR is requiring the city to hire someone who does to complete required water tests.

City Administrator Roxann Swanson said the arrangement falls short of requiring a 28E agreement and should be unnecessary soon – Grade I testing dates are upcoming. Hartley will be reimbursed for wages and mileage for Conaway's services.

Additionally, the council received an update on Missouri River Energy Services' 2024 rate increases. Spring/fall rates will increase to $9.75/kW from $9.50/kW, while time-of-use energy rates will increase as follows: on peak, $0.043 to $0.046; mid-peak, $0.033 to $0.034; off-peak, $0.023 to $0.024.

All other supply rates will remain unchanged from 2023.