City Council Minutes
Monday, February 24, 2025
The City Council met in a regular session at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Room with Mayor Pro-Temp Manuel Tamez residing.
Present: Joe Gonzales, Shalah Mata, Gerry Jenkins, David Zavala, Manuel Tamez, Brent Bates Rob Evans, Kristin Schwartz, Lance Clark
Absent: Kirk Crespin
Consent Agenda
Councilmember Gonzales moved and Councilmember Bates seconded to approve the consent agenda Items 1-4.
- Approval of Council Meeting Minutes – 2/10/2025
- Approval of Minutes for Boards and Commissions
- Utilities Board –1/28/2025
- Payment of Bills
- General Fund-Vouchers #101429-101530
- Voting Yes: Gonzales, Mata, Jenkins, Zavala, Tamez, Bates
- Voting No:
Mayor Pro-Tem Tamez stated “Let the record reflect that all Councilmembers voted an affirmative, motion passes 6-0”.
Audience Participation
Jennie Navarrette, 900 Everett St., Lamar; Director of Domestic Safety Resource Center. Ms. Navarrette gave a brief presentation of what the Domestic Safety Resource does and means to our community and surrounding SE Colorado area. She also stated her concerns for the Resource Center possibly having to shut down due to the federal freeze that has been implemented. They are looking at different avenues to keep the doors open such as fundraising events, foundation requests and possible help from other entities.
City Administrator and Council will look into how the City could help and will be in touch with Ms. Navarrette.
City Treasurer Report
City Treasurer Schwartz reported that Chief Burkhart informed her that the box on the ambulance that we were going to have re-chassied was too old and will not qualify. We have had to pull the EMTS grant and will apply next year.
City Treasurer Schwartz stated that Tess is currently working on the TURF grant that Council gave permission for them to apply for, we also have the SRF pre-form completed with the help of JVA. This will help us to be able to apply for SRF funds for the waste-water treatment plant.
City Treasurer Schwartz stated that they are waiting on bid opening next week for engineering services on the TAP Grant to be able to move forward.
Councilmember Tamez asked if the federal freeze has put anything on hold for the City.
City Treasurer Schwartz stated that yes we have holds on both the airport and brownfield grants.
City Clerk Report
None
City Administrator Report
Coffee with Rob
February 26, 2025 – Daylight Donut
2025 Annual Colorado Municipal League Conference
City Administrator Evans announced that the 2025 CML Conference is June 24-27, 2025 in Breckenridge.
Common Grounds
City Administrator Evans announced that Common Grounds is Wednesday, March 5, 2025, 7:00 a.m. at the Cultural Event Center featuring the Building Department.
Tri-State 911 Fundraiser
City Administrator Evans announced that the Tri-State 911 Fundraiser is Saturday, March 22, 2025, 6:00-9:00 p.m. at the Historic Cow Palace Inn.
District 6SE Colorado Lions Convention
City Administrator Evans announce that the District 6SE Colorado Lions Convention is Friday-Sunday, March 14-16, 2025 at the Historic Cow Palace Inn.
Project Update
City Administrator Evans gave project updates on the items below:
- Public works has been doing
- IT Department has been working on continued upgrades to the camera system.
- Parks & Rec Department continues work on Escondido Park.
- Library is working on Mobile Memory Labs and reminder that Story Time is Fridays at 10:00 a.m. for 3 years and up.
Miscellaneous
Councilmember Tamez brought up the pothole on the south side of E. Olive St.
Councilmember Bates asked if the Police Department could possibly monitor Memorial Dr. and 14th St. for speeding.
Reports and Correspondence from Council
Golf Board Update
Councilmember Gonzales reported that the golf board’s annual meeting is March 22, 2025. He also stated that one of the agenda items to be voted on is the raising of dues to $650.00.
Public Safety Board Update
Councilmember Jenkins announced that the Public Safety Board currently has two openings on the board.
Main St. Lamar Board
Councilmember Bates announced that DOLA will be here on Wednesday, February 26, 2025 to
PEP Update
Councilmember Bates announced
Miscellaneous
None
NEW BUSINESS
Consider Approval of Lamar Days Car Show Request
Ron Cook presented the Lamar Days Annual Car Show Event and request. Event will be May 16-17, 2025. He is asking for the use of a portion of Willow Creek Park for the Car Show and overnight parking if needed.
Councilmember Gonzales moved and Councilmember Zavala seconded to approve the use of Willow Creek Park and the overnight parking.
- Voting Yes: Gonzales, Mata, Jenkins, Zavala, Tamez, Bates
- Voting No: None
Mayor Pro-Tem Tamez stated “Let the record reflect that all Councilmembers voted an affirmative, motion passes 6-0”.
Agreement for Law Enforcement and Security Services for Sand & Sage Round-Up Fair Board for the Wild West Cook-Off Contest
Councilmember Jenkins moved and Councilmember Bates seconded to approve agreement for Law Enforcement and Security Services for Sand & Sage Round-Up Fair Board for the Wild West Cook-Off Contest
- Voting Yes: Gonzales, Mata, Jenkins, Zavala, Tamez, Bates
- Voting No: None
Mayor Pro-Tem Tamez stated “Let the record reflect that all Councilmembers voted an affirmative, motion passes 6-0”.
Appointment to Lamar Tree Board
Councilmember Bates moved and Councilmember Jenkins seconded to approve the re-appointments to Lamar Tree Board for both Judy Arnold and Dewey Norfleet to three-year terms ending March 1, 2028.
- Voting Yes: Gonzales, Mata, Jenkins, Zavala, Tamez, Bates
- Voting No: None
Mayor Pro-Tem Tamez stated “Let the record reflect that all Councilmembers voted an affirmative, motion passes 6-0”.
Award Bid 45-002 for Financing of Ford F250 for Street Department
Councilmember Bates moved and Councilmember Gonzales seconded to approve and award Bid 45-002 for Financing of Ford F250 for Street Department to Community State Bank and allow Mayor Pro-Tem to sign.
- Voting Yes: Gonzales, Mata, Jenkins, Zavala, Tamez, Bates
- Voting No: None
Mayor Pro-Tem Tamez stated “Let the record reflect that all Councilmembers voted an affirmative, motion passes 6-0”.
Award Bid 45-003 for Financing of Ford F250 for Equipment Maintenance
Councilmember Bates moved and Councilmember Gonzales seconded to approve and award Bid 45-003 for Financing of Ford F250 for Equipment Maintenance to Community State Bank and allow Mayor Pro-Tem to sign.
- Voting Yes: Gonzales, Mata, Jenkins, Zavala, Tamez, Bates
- Voting No: None
Mayor Pro-Tem Tamez stated “Let the record reflect that all Councilmembers voted an affirmative, motion passes 6-0”.
Approval of Agreement with Chase JP Morgan for Merchant Agreement for Tyler Software
Councilmember Mata moved and Councilmember Jenkins seconded to approve Merchant Agreement with Chase JP Morgan for Tyler Software and allow the Mayor Pro-Tem to sign.
Voting Yes: Gonzales, Mata, Jenkins, Zavala, Tamez, Bates
Voting No: None
Mayor Pro-Tem Tamez stated “Let the record reflect that all Councilmembers voted an affirmative, motion passes 6-0”.
Quit-Claim Deed between City of Lamar and George S. Gotto III and Anna Mae Gotto, 304 Woodland Dr., Lamar, CO 81052
Councilmember Bates moved and Councilmember Mata seconded to approve Quit-Claim Deed between City of Lamar and George S. Gotto III and Anna Mae Gotto, 304 Woodland Dr., Lamar, CO 81052.
- Voting Yes: Gonzales, Mata, Jenkins, Zavala, Tamez, Bates
- Voting No: None
Mayor Pro-Tem Tamez stated “Let the record reflect that all Councilmembers voted an affirmative, motion passes 6-0”.
Miscellaneous
Cindy Bennett of the Sand and Sage Round-up Fair Board asked about the overnight camping that she had turned in for approval.
City Administrator stated that they will get it on the next agenda as it was missed getting on the current meeting.
Adrian Lopez, 1205 S. 9th St., he asked the following questions.
- What motivated you to become leaders of Lamar
- Share a long term vision of Lamar that would benefit young men and women
- What specific policies do you plan to introduce to empower young men and women to stay in town?
- What steps do you take to encourage community involvement and participation in the towns’ affairs?
- How do you address the concerns and struggles of young residents who may feel that their voices may not be heard?
- How are you planning on creating or promoting economic opportunities for young men and women in this town?
Mayor Pro-Tem Tamez along with other Councilmembers and City Administrator addressed some of the questions and provided some input on how to go about getting involved in the community.
Adjournment
There being no further business to come before the Council, Councilmember Bates moved and Councilmember Jenkins seconded that the meeting adjourn.
- Voting Yes: Gonzales, Mata, Jenkins, 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 7:49 p.m.
Linda Williams – City Clerk
Manuel Tamez – Mayor Pro-Tem