Monday, December 8, 2025

The City Council met in a regular session at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Room with Mayor Crespin presiding.

Present:  Joe Gonzales, Mark Headlee, Gerry Jenkins, Kirk Crespin, David Zavala, Brad Johnson, Brent Bates, Kristin Schwartz, Mitch Hammes, Lance Clark

Absent:                   

Consent Agenda

Councilmember Jenkins moved and Councilmember Bates seconded to approve the consent agenda Items 1-4. 

Item #1 – Approval of Council Meeting Minutes – 11/24/2025 & Special Meeting Minutes 11/17/2025

Item #2 – Approval of Minutes for Boards and Commissions

a)    Utilities Board – 11/11/2025

b)    Historic Preservation Board – 4/15/2025, 7/15/2025

c)     Library Board – 11/20/2024, 1/22/2025, 3/19/2025, 6/18/2025, 8/20/2025

Item #3 – Payment of Bills

General Fund-Vouchers #103680 - #103762 – Minus Ck. #103723 Gonzales Unlimited $5,482.16 & #103751 Riverside Communications $100.00.

Item #4 – License New/Renewals

a)    Retail Liquor Store – JR’s Bottle Shop, 1115 N. Main St.

• Voting Yes:   Gonzales, Headlee, Jenkins, Crespin, Zavala, Johnson, Bates
• Voting No:    

Mayor Crespin stated “Let the record reflect that all Councilmembers voted an affirmative, motion passes 7-0”.

Approve Check #103723 to Gonzales Unlimited

Councilmember Jenkins moved and Councilmember Bates seconded to approve check #103723 in the amount of $5,482.16 to Gonzales Unlimited for vehicle repairs.

• Voting Yes:   Headlee, Jenkins, Crespin, Zavala, Johnson, Bates
• Voting No:     None
• Abstain:        Gonzales

Approve Check #103751 to Riverside Communications

Councilmember Jenkins moved and Councilmember Gonzales seconded to approve check #103751 in the amount of $100.00 to Riverside Communications for advertising.

• Voting Yes:   Gonzales, Headlee, Jenkins, Zavala, Johnson, Bates
• Voting No:     None
• Abstain:        Crespin

Mayor Crespin stated “Let the record reflect that all Councilmembers voted an affirmative, motion passes 6-0”.

Audience Participation

None

City Treasurer Report

City Treasurer Schwartz reported that they received notice that we received the Animal Assistance Foundation Grant in the amount of $18,000.00 to be used towards the Animal Shelter expenses.  She also reported that we had applied for a T-Mobile Hometown Grant for the Enchanted Forest and we were denied that grant.

City Clerk Report

None

City Administrator Report

Lamar Public Library Kids Christmas

City Administrator Hammes announced that the Lamar Public Library Kids Christmas is Saturday, December 13, in the Cultural Event Center.

Lamar Police Department Auxiliary Christmas Light Tour

City Administrator Hammes announced that the Lamar Police Department Christmas Light Tour is Saturday, December 13th & 20th, 2026 at 5:30 p.m.

Elks Hoop Shoot

City Administrator Hammes announced that the Elks Hoop Shoot Free Throw Contest is Sunday, December 14, 2025, 7:00 a.m. in the Cultural Event Center.

Eli Young Concert

City Administrator Hammes announced that the Eli Young Concert is Wednesday, December 17, 2025 at The LaMar.

Holiday Basketball Tournament

City Administrator Hammes announced that the Holiday Basketball Tournament is Thursday-Saturday, December 18-20, 2026 at the Community Building.

Office Closure

City Administrator Hammes reported that the City Offices will be closed Thursday & Friday, December 25-26, 2025 in observance of Christmas.

Office Closure

City Administrator Hammes reported that the City Offices will be closed Thursday, January 1, 2026 in observance of New Year’s Day.

Common Grounds

City Administrator Hammes reported that Common Grounds is Wednesday, January 7, 2026 in the Cultural Event Center.

Cancelled Council Meeting

City Administrator Hammes gave a reminder that the December 22, 2025 Council Meeting has been cancelled.

Department Updates

Human Resources hosted a Reasonable Suspicion training, which is a two year refresher.  This was for directors and managers to learn how to respond if the suspect someone coming to work under the influence.

Police Department is seeing an increase for calls of service

Parks & Recreation has prepped the Community Building for all of the upcoming events.

City Administrator Hammes met and will be meeting with Public Works and Community Development to coordinate any upcoming development questions or issues so we can present a more unified approach to those projects.

City Administrator Hammes announced that he will be doing a ride along with Code Enforcement on Wednesday, December 10, 2025.  To allow him to see what and how we are doing things and come up with some new ways of helping with the blight and other issues that they face.

City Administrator Hammes stated that there were some awards given out to employees and citizens at the Christmas Party.  Ted Vasquez received the Employee of the Year, Tracy Fagan received Community Choice Award, Gayle Crawford received Volunteer of the Year, and Department of the Year went to Equipment Maintenance.  He also announce that they did a years of service luncheon for all of the employees that have hit milestone markers.  He mentioned Pat Mason with 40 years of service and Ted Vasquez with 44 years of service.

Miscellaneous

Mayor Crespin wanted to mention the Thunder Throw Down that was over the weekend.  He wanted to congratulate the teams that placed and that it was a wonderful event.

Council Liaison

Public Safety Board Update

Councilmember Jenkins announced that the Public Safety Board will not meet in December due to the holidays and the basketball tournaments.  They will meet again on January 15, 2026 in the Library.

Councilmember Jenkins also wanted to thank the Lamar Community Thanksgiving for hosting the Friendsgiving, they served between 350-400 people.

Miscellaneous

Mayor Crespin announced that the 2-Shot Goose Hunt will be December 10-13-2025.

NEW BUSINESS

Lamar High School Student Council Presentation

Lamar High School Student Council Head Girls, Tylee Greenlee and Addy Krug wanted to say thank you to the City of Lamar for helping them make their most recent Council project such a success.  The City of Lamar helped Student Council fix the pot holes in the parking lot both in front and back of the school.

Public Hearing for Adoption of Supplemental Budget for City of Lamar for Current Year Ending December 31, 2025

Mayor Crespin requested to open Public Hearing at 7:26 p.m. 

Councilmember Jenkins moved and Councilmember Bates seconded to open the Public Hearing for Adoption of Supplemental Budget for City of Lamar for Current Year Ending December 31, 2025.

• Voting Yes:   Gonzales, Headlee, Jenkins, Crespin, Zavala, Johnson, Bates
• Voting No:     None

Mayor Crespin stated “Let the record reflect that all Councilmembers voted an affirmative, motion passes 7-0”.

City Treasurer gave a brief review of the Supplemental Budget for Council.

Mayor Crespin asked for any comments for or against the 2025 Supplemental Budget; none received.

Councilmember Jenkins moved and Councilmember Gonzales seconded to close the 2025 Supplemental Budget Hearing at 7:28 p.m.

• Voting Yes:   Gonzales, Headlee, Jenkins, Crespin, Zavala, Johnson, Bates
• Voting No:     None

Mayor Crespin stated “Let the record reflect that all Councilmembers voted an affirmative, motion passes 7-0”.

Resolution No. 25-12-01 – “A Resolution Appropriating Additional Sums of Money to Defray Expenses in Excess of Amounts Budgeted for the City of Lamar”

Councilmember Bates moved and Councilmember Headlee seconded to approve Resolution No 25-12-01 – “A Resolution Appropriating Additional Sums of Money to Defray Expenses in Excess of Amounts Budgeted for the City of Lamar.

• Voting Yes:   Gonzales, Headlee, Jenkins, Crespin, Zavala, Johnson, Bates
• Voting No:     None

Mayor Crespin stated “Let the record reflect that all Councilmembers voted an affirmative, motion passes 7-0”.

Resolution 25-12-02 to Adopt 2026 Rates and Fee Schedule

Councilmember Bates moved and Councilmember Jenkins seconded to approve Resolution 25-12-02 to Adopt 2026 Rates and Fee Schedule.

• Voting Yes:   Gonzales, Headlee, Jenkins, Crespin, Zavala, Johnson, Bates
• Voting No:    

Mayor Crespin stated “Let the record reflect that all Councilmembers voted an affirmative, motion passes 7-0”.

Accept 2026 VALE Grant

Councilmember Bates moved and Councilmember Johnson seconded to approve and accept the 2026 VALE Grant in the amount of $23,624.00.

• Voting Yes:   Gonzales, Headlee, Jenkins, Crespin, Zavala, Johnson, Bates
• Voting No:    

Mayor Crespin stated “Let the record reflect that all Councilmembers voted an affirmative, motion passes 7-0”.

Schedule Public Hearing for a New Fermented Malt Beverage & Wine Retail Liquor License for All American Meat, Inc. dba Farmer’s Country Market #12

Councilmember Bates moved and Councilmember Headlee seconded to approve scheduling a public hearing for a New Fermented Malt Beverage & Wine Retail Liquor License for All American Meat, Inc. dba Farmer’s Country Market #12 on January 12, 2026.

• Voting Yes:   Gonzales, Headlee, Jenkins, Crespin, Zavala, Johnson, Bates
• Voting No:    

Mayor Crespin stated “Let the record reflect that all Councilmembers voted an affirmative, motion passes 7-0”.

Ratify Phone Poll Approving Policy for Years of Service Recognition

Councilmember Bates moved and Councilmember Jenkins seconded to approve to ratify phone poll approving Policy for Years of Service Recognition.

• Voting Yes:   Gonzales, Headlee, Jenkins, Crespin, Zavala, Johnson, Bates
• Voting No:    

Mayor Crespin stated “Let the record reflect that all Councilmembers voted an affirmative, motion passes 7-0”.

Award Bid 45-010 – 2026 Annual Asphaltic and Concrete Materials

Councilmember Headlee moved and Councilmember Gonzales seconded to approve and award Bid 45-010 – 2026 Annual Asphaltic and Concrete Materials to Brannan Aggregates.

• Voting Yes:   Gonzales, Headlee, Jenkins, Crespin, Zavala, Johnson, Bates
• Voting No:    

Mayor Crespin stated “Let the record reflect that all Councilmembers voted an affirmative, motion passes 7-0”.

Award Bid 45-011 – 2026 Annual Screen Printing and Embroidery

Councilmember Bates moved and Councilmember Johnson seconded to approve and award Bid 45-011 – 2026 Annual Screen Printing & Embroidery to J&N Shoes.

• Voting Yes:   Gonzales, Headlee, Jenkins, Crespin, Zavala, Johnson, Bates
• Voting No:    

Mayor Crespin stated “Let the record reflect that all Councilmembers voted an affirmative, motion passes 7-0”.

Award Bid 45-012 – Annual Main Street Flowers

Councilmember Bates moved and Councilmember Jenkins seconded to approve and award Bid 45-012 – Annual Main Street Flowers to Home Store in the amount of $18,482.00.

• Voting Yes:   Gonzales, Headlee, Jenkins, Crespin, Zavala, Johnson, Bates
• Voting No:    

Mayor Crespin stated “Let the record reflect that all Councilmembers voted an affirmative, motion passes 7-0”.

Award Bid 45-015 – 2026 Annual Paper of Record

Councilmember Bates moved and Councilmember Johnson seconded to approve and award Bid 45-015 – 2026 Annual Paper of Record to Kiowa County Press.

• Voting Yes:   Gonzales, Headlee, Jenkins, Crespin, Zavala, Johnson, Bates
• Voting No:    

Mayor Crespin stated “Let the record reflect that all Councilmembers voted an affirmative, motion passes 7-0”.

Liaison Appointments to Boards and Commissions

After discussion changes were made to liaison appointments; list below will be liaison appointments beginning January 2026.

Lamar Housing Authority – Councilmember Jenkins

Utilities Board – Mayor Crespin

Parks & Recreation Board – Councilmember Bates

Library Board – Councilmember Jenkins

Planning & Zoning Board – Councilmembers Gonzales & Zavala

Airport Board – Councilmember Johnson

Tree Board – Councilmember Headlee

Water Board – Councilmember Bates

Community Resource & Senior Center – Councilmember Headlee

PEP – Councilmember Johnson

Historic Preservation Board – Councilmember Headlee

Prowers Area Transit Board – Councilmember Gonzales

Ports to Plains – Mike Duffy

Golf Board – Councilmember Johnson

Public Safety Board – Councilmember Jenkins

SECED/SECOG – Mayor Crespin

CML Policy Committee – Councilmember Bates & City Administrator Hammes

Main Street Lamar Board – Councilmember Headlee

Chamber of Commerce – Councilmember Zavala

Adjustment & Appeals Board – Councilmembers Gonzales & Zavala

Councilmember Jenkins moved and Councilmember Zavala seconded to approve to 2026 Liaison positions.

• Voting Yes:   Gonzales, Headlee, Jenkins, Crespin, Zavala, Johnson, Bates
• Voting No:    

Mayor Crespin stated “Let the record reflect that all Councilmembers voted an affirmative, motion passes 7-0”.

Miscellaneous

Councilmember Bates stated great job to staff on the Christmas Party it was well attended, food and games were great and looked like everyone had a great time.

Adjournment

There being no further business to come before the Council, Councilmember Jenkins moved and Councilmember Bates seconded that the meeting adjourn.

• Voting Yes:   Gonzales, Headlee, Jenkins, Crespin, Zavala, Johnson, Bates
• Voting No:     None

Mayor Crespin stated “Let the record reflect that all Councilmembers voted an affirmative, motion passes 7-0”.

The meeting adjourned at 8:13 p.m.

Linda Williams – City Clerk

Kirk Crespin – Mayor