Monday, July 14, 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, Kristin Schwartz, Lance Clark

Absent:   Joe Gonzales

Consent Agenda

Councilmember Jenkins moved and Councilmember Mata seconded to approve the consent agenda Items 1-3. 

1. Approval of Council Meeting Minutes – 6/23/2025
2. Approval of Minutes for Boards and Commissions
   1. Utilities Board –6/10/25
3. Payment of Bills

General Fund-Vouchers #102494 - #102641

• Voting Yes:    Mata, Jenkins, Crespin, Zavala, Tamez, Bates
• Voting No:    

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

Audience Participation

Kelly Owens, Lamar, CO gave a statement about the United States Constitution.

Anthony LaTeer asked about murals in Lamar.  He has a building that he is thinking about putting a mural on and wanted some input regarding what was allowed or not.

Mayor Crespin suggested he reach out to Community Development Director Crampton.

City Treasurer Report

City Treasurer Schwartz stated that they were in the process of closing the Main St. Mini Grant and the Comprehensive Plan Grant.  They are working on researching grants for the Public Safety Building and waiting on a meeting with CDOT to move forward on the TAP Grant.

City Treasurer Schwartz stated that she has provided hard copies of the 2024 audit for everyone to review prior to the next meeting when Ronny Farmer will be here to present the audit findings.

City Clerk Report

City Clerk Williams reported that the June revenue report reflected collections of $434,210.32 which was down .03% or $141.02.  Year to Date collections were $2,754,840.17 which was up 3.65% or $97,015.01 from 2024.

City Administrator Report

Windmill Classic

Mayor Crespin announced that the 35th Annual Men’s Windmill Softball Tournament was this past weekend with a great turnout.

Aaron Watson Concert

Mayor Crespin announced that the Aaron Watson Concert was this past weekend at The LaMar.

Glow Golf Tournament

Mayor Crespin announced that the Lamar Chamber of Commerce Glow Golf Tournament is Saturday, July 19, 2025 beginning at 3:00 p.m.

5th Annual Prowers County 4-H Fun Shoot

Mayor Crespin announced that the 5th Annual Prowers County 4-H Fun Shoot is Saturday, July 19, 2025, 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Lamar BMS Grand Re-Opening

Mayor Crespin announced that Lamar BMS Grand Re-Opening is Saturday, July 19, 2025.

Corporate Cup

Mayor Crespin announced that the Corporate Cup is Wednesday-Saturday, July 30th through August 2nd.

Project Updates

Mayor Crespin and Mayor Pro-Tem Tamez provided the department project updates below.

Fire Department

• Ladder testing begins Tuesday, July 15th and will last two days.
• Employees helped cook during the Lamar Social on Friday, July 11th and Willow Creek Park.

Library

• Today is the last day to log books for the Summer Reading Program.
• Summer Reading will wrap up with a Pizza Party and Awards Ceremony on Monday, July 21, 2025 at the Lamar Swimming Pool, 6:30 p.m.

Police Department

• Continue to work towards equipment modernization and training.
• Calls for service this year is up by 50%.

Parks & Recreation

• Staff have been preparing fields for the Windmill Classic Tournament.
• Prepared Willow Creek Park for the Lamar Social.
• New sod at Escondido Park on Running Lopes field
• Working on Fishing Dock and surrounding area.
• There was notice received today from Division of Wildlife regarding dead fish around pond 2, this is due to the heat.

IT Department

• Wrapping up updates with the Aclara System
• Continue the conversion to the Tyler Software System
• They are working on expanding the on premise and cloud storage to accommodate the new systems.

Community Development Department

• Community Social was a success, thank you to Anne-Marie, Brenda, and Courtney.
• Chief Building Inspector Strube is leaving the department and transitioning to the Water Department, they are looking at hiring possibly 2 in the building department.
• Continue on updating the zoning codes
• Website accessibility is at 97% there are only 6 documents at this time that are not 100 % accessible.

Public Works

• Working on repairs at the animal shelter, pot holes, street repairs, floating dock, archery range, Escondido Park dirt work and WWTP meetings.

Council Liaison

Planning & Zoning Update

Councilmember Zavala reported that the Planning & Zoning Committee met with Michael Yearman to begin the review and update of the building & codes for the City of Lamar.  There will be additional meetings scheduled.

Water Board Update

Councilmember Tamez reported that the water wells are doing extremely well, above average from the same time last. 

Main St. Lamar Update

Councilmember Bates reported that they have begun work on the next round of DOLA funding with prioritizing projects.  They continue working on their strategic plan and the Corporate Cup is July 30th through August 2nd.

PEP Update

Mayor Crespin announced that there is continued talk about ways to work together moving forward and there will be continued discussions regarding Economic Development.

Citizen Calls

Mayor Crespin stated that he receives many calls for a variety of different things that could range from fireworks, pot holes, dogs running at large, arguments, etc.  He is willing to talk to anyone about issues in the city, however to get some of these calls addressed in a timely manner you need to call the 911 dispatch center.  They can direct an officer or code enforcement to the issue directly and timely.  Some of these issues could get resolved much quicker.

OLD BUSINESS

Ordinance No. 1280 – “An Ordinance Adding a New Article III, Sections 16-55 to 16-57, to Chapter 16, Prohibiting Perpetual, Prolonged and Extended Yard Sales in both Residential and All Other Zoned Areas of the City of Lamar, Colorado”

Councilmember Bates moved and Councilmember Jenkins seconded to approve Ordinance No. 1280 – “An Ordinance Adding a New Article III, Sections 16-55 to 16-57, to Chapter 16, Prohibiting Perpetual, Prolonged and Extended Yard Sales in both Residential and Commercially Zoned Areas of the City of Lamar, Colorado”, prior to seconded reading City Attorney will add additional verbiage regarding Industrial Zones as well.

• 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

Appointment to Parks & Recreation Advisory Board

Councilmember Bates moved and Councilmember Tamez seconded to approve appointment of Jill Bellomy to the Parks & Recreation Advisory Board for an un-expired three-year term expiring February 1, 2026.

• 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”.

Shared Memories MOU with Pueblo City-County Library District

Councilmember Bates moved and Councilmember Zavala seconded to approve the Shared Memories MOU with Pueblo City-County Library District and authorize the Mayor to sign.

• 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”.

Award Traffic Study Update Proposal

Councilmember Bates moved and Councilmember Zavala seconded to approve and award Traffic Study Update Proposal to Kimley Horn and authorize the Mayor to sign the Letter of Agreement and Addendum.

• 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”.

Award Bid 45-007 for Janitorial Services at Welcome Center

Councilmember Jenkins moved and Councilmember Mata seconded to approve and award Bid 45-007 for Janitorial Services at Welcome Center to Daniel Neuhold.

• 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”.

Agreement for Lamar Police Department Body-Worn Cameras

Councilmember Bates moved and Councilmember Tamez seconded to approve entering into a 5-year contract with Axon for body-worn cameras to comply with Colorado State Law.

• 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

Councilmember Bates gave a reminder about SECCI Fight Night August 2, 2025 at the Pocket Park.

Mayor Crespin also announced that he will be out of town during the next Council meeting on the July 28, 2025.

Councilmember Jenkins gave the PD a thank you for all the hard work they have been doing.

Executive Session – For the Purpose of Determining Positions Relative to Matters that May be Subject to Negotiations, Developing Strategy for Negotiations, and/or Instructing Negotiators Under C.R.S. 24-6-402 (4)(e) regarding the City Administrator Search

Councilmember Jenkins moved and Councilmember Mata seconded to enter into Executive Session – For the Purpose of Determining Positions Relative to Matters that May be Subject to Negotiations, Developing Strategy for Negotiations, and/or Instructing Negotiators Under C.R.S. 24-6-402 (4)(e) regarding the City Administrator Search.

• 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 8:00 p.m.

Councilmember Jenkins moved and Councilmember Bates seconded that executive session adjourn at 8:36 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 Bates moved and Councilmember Jenkins 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 8:37 p.m.

Linda Williams – City Clerk 

Kirk Crespin – Mayor