City Council Minutes
Monday, January 27, 2025
The City Council met in a regular session at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Room with Mayor Crespin presiding.
- Present: Shalah Mata, Gerry Jenkins, Kirk Crespin, David Zavala, Manuel Tamez, Brent Bates, Rob Evans, Kristin Schwartz, Lance Clark
- Absent: Joe Gonzales
Consent Agenda
Councilmember Tamez moved and Councilmember Bates seconded to approve the consent agenda Items 1-4.
Item #1 – Approval of Council Meeting Minutes – 1/13/2025
Item #2 – Approval of Minutes for Boards and Commissions
- Utilities Board –12/10/2024
Item #3 – Payment of Bills
General Fund-Vouchers #100207-101307
Item #4 – License – Renewals
- Hotel/Motel License – Davasya Inc/dba Blue Spruce, 1801 S. Main St.
- Hotel/Restaurant Liquor License – Cobblestone Hotel & Suites, 1215 N. Main St.
- Fermented Malt Beverage – Loaf N Jug #57, 1107 S. Main St.
- Fermented Malt Beverage – Loaf N Jug #58, 300 N. Main St.
- Voting Yes: Mata, Jenkins, Crespin, Zavala, Tamez, Bates
- Voting No: None
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 the City was awarded the full $18,500.00 that they applied for through the Animal Assistance Foundation. She also stated that both the Pet Overpopulation Grant and the Fire Safety Grant have been submitted.
City Clerk Report
City Clerk Williams reported that during November and December there were 3,708 sales tax returns received and posted along with 3 new Lamar licenses and 8 new non-Lamar licenses, there were 3 Lamar and 10 non-Lamar accounts closed.
City Clerk Williams reported that during November and December for residential utility services there were 97 electric and 66 water connects along with 85 electric and 59 water disconnects and for commercial services there were 12 electric and 4 water connects along with 9 electric and 3 water disconnects.
City Clerk Williams also reported for the same months there were 2 lots purchased at Fairmount cemetery along with 7 opening/closing and 1 opening/closing in the Veteran’s section. At Riverside cemetery there were 2 lots sold and 2 opening/closings.
City Administrator Report
Lamar Chamber of Commerce Annual Banquet
City Administrator Evans announced that the Lamar Chamber of Commerce Annual Banquet is Friday, January 31, 2025 at the Historic Cow Palace Inn – Social Hour 5:00 pm, banquet 6:00 pm..
Coffee with Rob
January 29, 2025 – Rivals
Snow Goose Festival
City Administrator Evans announced that the Snow Goose Festival is Saturday, February 8, 2025, 7:00 p.m. at the Lamar High School.
Project Update
City Administrator Evans gave project updates on the items below:
- Public Works has been working on the Willow Creek drainage and clearing vegetation along with crack sealing at the airport.
- IT has been working on the Tyler software conversion.
- Library is hosting a Unicorn Party on February 14, 2025 at 10:00 a.m.
- Parks have been having in progress meetings on Escondido Park.
- Police & Fire have been very busy, very quick to respond and doing a great job.
- Community Development has hired a new Main St. Manager; Brenda May. She has been working with the LPI Board on rebranding.
- Building Department along with Public Works are working together on creating an Ordinance regarding grease interceptors.
Miscellaneous
Councilmember Jenkins asked if there was some type of Ordinance regarding snow removal on sidewalks in residential areas.
City Administrator stated that there is a general one regarding sidewalks, he would have to look into this and get back with her.
Mayor Crespin announced that Common Grounds will be Wednesday, February 5, 2025 at 7:00 a.m. in the Cultural Event Center.
Reports and Correspondence from Council
Public Safety Board Update
Councilmember Jenkins have some ideas regarding the neighborhood watch, they would like to set a meeting with City Administrator and Council. She also stated that they have two openings on the board.
Historic Preservation Board
Councilmember Zavala announced that there will be a Historic Preservation Board meeting tomorrow.
Water Board Update
Councilmember Tamez reported that the water wells are up and all looking good. He stated that the Lead Line Service project is going well and that the Ark Valley Conduit project was awarded an additional 250 million.
PEP Board Update
Councilmember Bates announced that today’s PEP Board meeting was Tallie Harmon’s first meeting as Executive Director and there discussion was regarding the new lease agreement for office space coming up in April.
Golf Board Update
Mayor Crespin reported for Councilmember Gonzales that the golf shed building had a new overhead line installed due to the underground line rotting away. There are several overhead doors on the golf shed that need replaced or repaired, they are looking for a contractor for this project. The golf board is looking to hire a new CPA as their current accountant has been having some health issues. They have renewed their contract with LCC. They budgeted $30,000 for fertilizer and chemicals which will take about 1500 hours to apply during the slow months along with servicing the mowers.
Miscellaneous
Mayor Crespin stated that he has had a few meetings with restaurant owners over the last few weeks who have been sharing some concerns regarding the large amount of restaurants that we have. He is looking at doing a potential round table in the near future with the restaurant owners and another with the mobile food venders to get feedback from them.
OLD BUSINESS
Ordinance No. 1277 – “An Ordinance of the City of Lamar, Colorado Concerning the Keeping of Bee Hives within the City Limits
Councilmember Bates moved and Councilmember Tamez seconded to approve Ordinance No. 1277 – “An Ordinance of the City of Lamar, Colorado Concerning the Keeping of Bee Hives within the City Limits with correction stated by Councilmember Bates.
- Voting Yes: Mata, Jenkins, Crespin, Zavala, Tamez Bates
- Voting No: None
Mayor Crespin stated “Let the record reflect that all Councilmembers voted an affirmative, motion passes 6-0”.
Ordinance No. 1278 – “An Ordinance of the City of Lamar, Colorado Stating the Intent of the City of Lamar, Adopting the 2018 Edition of the “International Property Maintenance Code” with Amendments”
Councilmember Tamez moved and Councilmember Jenkins seconded to approve Ordinance No. 1278 – “An Ordinance of the City of Lamar, Colorado Stating the Intent of the City of Lamar, Adopting the 2018 edition of the “International Property Maintenance Code” with Amendments”.
- Voting Yes: Mata, Jenkins, Crespin, Zavala, Tamez Bates
- Voting No: None
Mayor Crespin stated “Let the record reflect that all Councilmembers voted an affirmative, motion passes 6-0”.
NEW BUSINESS
Lamar FFA Land Lab
Lamar FFA Members Blake Herrera, Cori Ellenberger, and Keaton Chavira along with FFA Advisor Andrew Williams gave presentation to Council regarding their new Ag Barn and Land Lab. They stated that they have received a $1,000.00 award to go towards the greenhouse which they already have purchased. They asked if there was any type of assistance the City could help with regarding the water line so they can complete there Ag Barn and Land Lab. They are hoping to have everything completed by sometime in March.
Councilmember Bates moved and Councilmember Zavala seconded to approve discussion and what type of assistance can be provided towards the water line for the FFA Ag Barn area.
- Voting Yes: Mata, Jenkins, Crespin, Zavala, Tamez, Bates
- Voting No: None
Mayor Crespin stated “Let the record reflect that all Councilmembers voted an affirmative, motion passes 6-0”.
Lamar Main Street Beautification Project – Mural, Banners, and Flagpole Project
Councilmember Tamez moved and Councilmember Jenkins seconded to approve the Lamar Main Street Beautification Project – Mural, Banners, and Flagpole Project and authorize the request of the remaining $16,971.76 in the DOLA Colorado Main Street Program.
- Voting Yes: Mata, Jenkins, Crespin, Zavala, Tamez, Bates
- Voting No: None
Mayor Crespin stated “Let the record reflect that all Councilmembers voted an affirmative, motion passes 6-0”.
Aclara Technologies LLC – Water Meter System Software Upgrades
Councilmember Tamez moved and Councilmember Jenkins seconded to approve the Aclara Technologies LLC – Water Meter System Software Upgrades.
- Voting Yes: Mata, Jenkins, Crespin, Zavala, Tamez, Bates
- Voting No: None
Mayor Crespin stated “Let the record reflect that all Councilmembers voted an affirmative, motion passes 6-0”.
Renew Cintas Uniform Services Agreement
Councilmember Mata moved and Councilmember Jenkins seconded to approve the renewal of the Cintas Uniform Services Agreement for a 5-year term.
- Voting Yes: Mata, Jenkins, Crespin, Zavala, Tamez, Bates
- Voting No: None
Mayor Crespin stated “Let the record reflect that all Councilmembers voted an affirmative, motion passes 6-0”.
CDOT Requests for Easement and ROW Main St. at Maple/Main St. and Savage Ave/Main St.
Councilmember Bates moved and Councilmember Tamez seconded to approve the CDOT Requests for Easement and ROW Main St. at Maple/Main St. and Savage Ave/Main St.
- Voting Yes: Mata, Jenkins, Crespin, Zavala, Tamez, Bates
- Voting No: None
Mayor Crespin stated “Let the record reflect that all Councilmembers voted an affirmative, motion passes 6-0”.
Permission to Apply for the Turf Replacement Grant Program
Councilmember Bates moved and Councilmember Zavala seconded to approve permission to apply for the Turf Replacement Grant Program in the amount of $187,700.00, this will require a 50% match of which 25% can be in-kind.
- Voting Yes: Mata, Jenkins, Crespin, Zavala, Tamez, Bates
- Voting No: None
Mayor Crespin stated “Let the record reflect that all Councilmembers voted an affirmative, motion passes 6-0”.
Approval of Lease Agreement with Kactus, Inc. for Office Space at Village Center
Councilmember Bates moved and Councilmember Tamez seconded to approve lease agreement with Kactus Inc. for office space at Village Center.
- Voting Yes: Mata, Jenkins, Crespin, Zavala, Tamez, Bates
- Voting No: None
Mayor Crespin stated “Let the record reflect that all Councilmembers voted an affirmative, motion passes 6-0”.
Miscellaneous
None
Executive Session – For Discussion of Personnel Matters C.R.S. 24-6-402 (4)(f)Evaluations of City Administrator, City Clerk, and City Treasurer
Councilmember Jenkins moved and Councilmember Mata seconded to enter into Executive Session – For Discussion of Personnel Matters C.R.S. 24-6-402 (4)(f)Evaluations of City Administrator, City Clerk, and City.
- Voting Yes: Mata, Jenkins, Crespin, Zavala, Tamez, Bates
- Voting No: None
Mayor Crespin stated “Let the record reflect that all Councilmembers voted an affirmative, motion passes 6-0”.
Regular meeting recessed and executive session convened at 8:14 p.m.
In attendance was City Clerk Williams, she left meeting at 9:20 p.m.
Councilmember Tamez moved and Councilmember Bates seconded that executive session adjourn at 9:59 p.m. and open meeting was reconvened.
- Voting Yes: Mata, Jenkins, Crespin, Zavala, Tamez, Bates
- Voting No: None
Mayor Crespin stated “Let the record reflect that all Councilmembers voted an affirmative, motion passes 6-0”.
Adjournment
There being no further business to come before the Council, Councilmember Jenkins moved and Councilmember Bates seconded that the meeting adjourn.
- Voting Yes: Mata, Jenkins, Crespin, Zavala, Tamez, Bates
- Voting No: None
Mayor Crespin stated “Let the record reflect that all Councilmembers voted an affirmative, motion passes 6-0”.
The meeting adjourned at 9:59 p.m.
Linda Williams – City Clerk
Kirk Crespin – Mayor