Monday, August 25, 2025

The City Council met in a regular session at 7:18 p.m. in the Council Room with Mayor Crespin presiding.

Present: Joe Gonzales, Shalah Mata, Gerry Jenkins, Kirk Crespin, David Zavala, Manuel Tamez, Brent Bates, Kristin Schwartz, 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 – 8/11/2025

Item #2 – Approval of Minutes for Boards and Commissions

a)    Planning & Zoning – 7/9/25

Item #3 – Payment of Bills

General Fund-Vouchers #102888 - #102984

Item #4 – License New/Renewals

a)    Fermented Malt Beverage & Wine – Walmart #2672, 1432 E. Olive St.

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

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

Audience Participation

None

City Treasurer Report

City Treasurer Schwartz gave a brief update on the Tyler conversion.  We went live with the financials, there have been a few bumps but everyone is excited to be using it.  The next module will be Payroll and that begins next week.

City Clerk Report

None 

City Administrator Report

Office Closure

Mayor Pro-Tem Tamez announced that city offices will be closed Monday, September 1, 2025 in observance of Labor Day.

9/11 Tri-State Tribute

Mayor Pro-Tem Tamez announced that the 9/11 Tri-State Tribute is Saturday, September 6, 2025.  List of events below.

• Parade 10:00 a.m. begins at Beech St. & 6th St, south to Cedar St., west to 9th St., south to fair grounds.
• Flag Retirement Ceremony – 11:30 a.m.
• BBQ – 12:00 p.m.
• Lamar Lions Club 20x30 foot American Flag Raising
• Ice Cream Social – 3:00 p.m.

Lamar Cub Scouts Pack 223

Mayor Pro-Tem Tamez announced that Cub Scout Pack 223 is hosting a join night on Thursday, August 28, 2025 at 6:00 p.m. at Lamar Christian Church.

Common Grounds

Mayor Pro-Tem Tamez announced that Common Grounds is Wednesday, September 3, 2025, 7:00 a.m. in the Cultural Events Center.

Miscellaneous

Mayor Crespin announced that the CML Fall District meeting will be September 25, 2025 in Las Animas.  Those Councilmembers that are going please contact Mary so that she can get you signed up. 

Department Updates

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

HR Department

• Annual wellness fair will be September 23-24, 2025 for the City employees.
• CIRSA will be onsite for training in Ocotober.
• Gallagher meeting for the 2026 insurance plan meeting.

Library

• Shared Memories Lab will be installed August 26, 2025 and hopefully up and running by end of week.
• Storytimes resume next week on Wednesday, September 3, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. for tots and Friday, September 5, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. for 6th grade.
• Library Carnival is Friday, September 5, 2025 at 10:00 a.m.

Police Department

• Working on sending traffic speed and accident data to company working on the traffic study preparing for their site visit.
• Continued work on Public Safety Building, architectural designs have pretty much been completed in draft form.

IT Department

• Working on Tyler software upgrade, include training for employees and themselves along with policy and procedures for the new software.
• Working on an e-cycle program
• Working on new back up for the new software and the migration of the Aclara server.

Parks & Recreation

• Continued work on Escondido Park.
• Successful skateboarding event last week.

Public Works Department

• Completed parking lot at Escondido Soccer Field.
• Working on fencing and berms at the archery range.
• Annual milling and paving project will begin next week.

Mayor Crespin gave a brief update on the City Administrator search, there has been three drop out of the process so it is down to four.  They should be receiving the information soon and will begin the process of narrowing it down to two and hopefully be announcing who the candidates will be in the near future.

Council Liaison

Golf Board Update

Councilmember Gonzales stated that the Superintendent reported that there was some damage to hole #4 and #9 due to a leak in a hydraulic hose during mowing that has killed some of the grass around that area.  He has repaired both the areas and the issue with the mower.  They have also had to repair a motor to the sprinkler system in the amount of $1,800.00 and they are looking at repairing another sprinkler system as well.

Councilmember Gonzales reported that they also received a Butler Grant around $6,500.00.  The recent tournaments held were the Angel Open and Club Match.  Upcoming tournaments are the Two Shot and the Labor Day events.

PEP Update

Councilmember Gonzales announced that the board had someone come from the State to visit about the Rural Jumpstart Program, she spoke about how to get business started in rural communities.  She stated that there are tax incentives available for the new businesses along with some grant funding.

Councilmember Gonzales also reported that the board is looking at tinting the windows of their office along with discussing financials.  They are looking into incentives for employees when traveling such as mileage and hotel expenses.  There was also brief talk about the Holly water project.

Airport Board Update

Councilmember Mata stated that the Airport Board was not able to meet due to lack of quorum, however there is still an opening on the board.

Public Safety Board Update

Councilmember Jenkins gave a thank you to the Police Department for their presence on Main St. during the school hours.

Planning and Zoning Update

Councilmember Zavala announced that the board had a meeting with Michael Yearman regarding the Chapter 30 Zoning which will be discussed during the meeting tonight.

Water Board Update

Councilmember Tamez reported that the water wells are sitting at higher levels this year over last year, great news.

NEW BUSINESS

Zoning Code Update

Community Development Director Crampton reported that MY Rural Planner Michael Yearman has been contracted to work on the zoning code update and over the last three months has met with City staff and Planning & Zoning to review sections and work through code recommendations.  Michael will meet with City Attorney Clark for guidance on code questions.  There are a variety of meeting dates beginning in August through December.

FY 2025-2026 Colorado State Grant for Libraries

Councilmember Bates moved and Councilmember Jenkins seconded to approve FY 2025-2026 Colorado State Grant for Libraries in the amount of $5,900.00 pending attorney review and authorize the Treasurer to make drawdowns during the year.

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

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

Appointments to Victims & Witnesses Assistance Law Enforcement (VALE) Board

Councilmember Bates moved and Councilmember Jenkins seconded to approve the re-appointments of RoseAnn Yates and Debbie Vigue to expired 3-year terms expiring August 1, 2028.

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

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

Scholarship Application for Youth Registrations

Councilmember Bates moved and Councilmember Gonzales seconded to approve to begin receiving scholarship applications for youth registration.

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

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

Escondido Field Top Dressing

After discussion with Parks, Recreation, and Cemetery Director LaTour and Eric with Golf and Sport Solutions Councilmember Bates moved to approve the cost of $15,500.00 for the Escondido field top dressing, prior to second motion Councilmember Bates amended his motion to table approval of the top dressing at Escondido Field pending further information from Golf and Sports Solutions and Councilmember Mata seconded to table item until further information is provided.

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

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

(Warranty) Pool Repairs Through Renosys Corporation

Councilmember Gonzales moved and Councilmember Jenkins seconded to approve the (warranty) pool repairs through Renosys Corporation upon attorney review.  There will be a minimum mobilization fee of $2,500.00 with additional costs for travel expenses and labor at $165.00 an hour, this will be a 2026 budget item.

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

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

Authorize Staff to Accept and Sign the F.A.C.E. Grant Agreement

Councilmember Bates moved and Councilmember Mata seconded to approve and authorize staff to accept and sign the F.A.C.E. Grant Agreement and allow the Mayor to sign.

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

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

Permission to Apply for the Animal Assistance Foundation Grant

Councilmember Bates moved and Councilmember Gonzales seconded to approve permission to apply for the Animal Assistance Foundation Grant in the amount of $15,000.00 and allow Mayor to sign if grant awarded.

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

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

Permission to Apply for the Walmart Local Store Giving Grant

Councilmember Bates moved and Councilmember Gonzales seconded to approve permission to apply for the Walmart Local Store Giving Grant and if awarded permission to pass through to Lamar Partnership Inc for their Corporate Sponsorship and team fee.

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

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

Ratify Approval to Submit DOLA Main Street Scholarship & Mini-Grant

Councilmember Tamez moved and Councilmember Mata seconded to approve ratification of phone poll to submit DOLA Main Street Scholarship & Mini-Grant in the amount of $3,000.00.

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

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

Schedule a Public Hearing for a Special Event Permit for the Lamar Chamber of Commerce Oktoberfest Event

Councilmember Gonzales moved and Councilmember Jenkins seconded to approve to schedule Public Hearing on September 8, 2025 for a Special Event Permit for the Lamar Chamber of Commerce Oktoberfest Event.

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

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

Miscellaneous

None

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 Tamez moved and Councilmember Jenkins 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:   Gonzales, Mata, Jenkins, Crespin, Zavala, Tamez, Bates
• Voting No:     None

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

Regular meeting recessed and executive session convened at 8:23 p.m.

Councilmember Jenkins moved and Councilmember Bates seconded that executive session adjourn at 9:32 p.m. and open meeting was reconvened.

• Voting Yes:   Gonzales, Mata, Jenkins, Crespin, Zavala, Tamez, Bates
• Voting No:     None

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

Adjournment

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

• Voting Yes:   Gonzales, Mata, Jenkins, Crespin, Zavala, Tamez, 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 9:32 p.m.

Linda Williams – City Clerk

Kirk Crespin – Mayor