City Council Minutes
Monday, November 25, 2024
The City Council met in a regular session at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Room with Mayor Crespin presiding.
Present: Joe Gonzales, Shalah Mata, Gerry Jenkins, Kirk Crespin, Manuel Tamez, Brent Bates, Rob Evans, Kristin Schwartz, Lance Clark
Absent: David Zavala
Amend Agenda to Add New Item 1 moving all other Items Down
Councilmember Jenkins moved and Councilmember Tamez approve to Amend Agenda to Add New Item 1 moving all other Items Down.
- Voting Yes: Gonzales, Mata, Jenkins, Crespin, Tamez, Bates
- Voting No: None
Mayor Crespin stated “Let the record reflect that all Councilmembers voted an affirmative, motion passes 6-0”.
Consent Agenda
Councilmember Jenkins moved and Councilmember Mata seconded to approve the consent agenda Items 1-4.
Item #1 – Approval of Council Meeting Minutes – 11/11/2024
Item #2 – Approval of Minutes for Boards and Commissions
- Utilities Board –10/29/2024
Item #3 – Payment of Bills
General Fund-Vouchers #100772-100864
Item #4 – License – Renewals
- Hotel/Motel License – The Buzzard’s Nest, 113 N. Main St.
- Hotel/Motel License – Holiday Motel, 404 N. Main St.
- Voting Yes: Gonzales, Mata, Jenkins, Crespin, 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 provided a brief grant update.
She stated that they have been working diligently on the CDS funding and navigating that process. They did receive some good news with being able to retain JVA as our engineer of record. They have had a meeting with JVA regarding the process and look forward to having the application submitted by the end of the year and funding available around January or February to start moving forward.
She stated that she received information regarding the TAP grant and she is going to have to go out for bid for the Engineer of Design, she is working on the RFP.
She stated that today was the first data pull for Tyler, it did not go as expected. She is going to try to have utility billing back up in the morning so that we can do monthly billing and submit the after report to Tyler as well.
City Clerk Report
City Clerk Williams reported that in the month of October there were 2,389 sales tax returns posted. For new licenses we have had 6 Lamar and 5 non-Lamar and 1 Lamar with 3 non-Lamar accounts closed.
She stated that for residential services there were 67 electric and 43 water connects along with 53 electric and 38 water disconnects and for Commercial services there were 9 electric and 2 water connects along with 9 electric and 2 water disconnects.
In the Cemeteries for October there was 1 lot purchased at Fairmount along with 4 openings/closings and 2 openings/closings in the Veteran’s section and 1 opening/closing at Riverside.
City Administrator Report
No Coffee with Rob on Wednesday, November 27, 2024.
Lamar Public Library Holiday Food Drive
City Administrator Evans announced that the Library is hosting their annual Holiday Food Drive November 1, 2024 thru December 20, 2024. All items will be donated to Sparrow House Ministries
Office Closure
City Administrator Evans announced that the City Offices will be closed Thursday and Friday, November 28-29, 2024 for the Thanksgiving Holiday.
Christmas Party
City Administrator Evans announced that the City Christmas Party is Saturday, December 7, 2024 6:00 -11:00 p.m. at the Lamar Elks Lodge.
Lamar Chamber of Commerce – Cocoa Crawl
City Administrator Evans announced that Lamar Chamber of Commerce Cocoa Crawl in Saturday, November 30, 2024, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. with Concert at Shore Arts Center at 2:00 p.m.
Parade of Lights
City Administrator Evans announced that the Parade of Lights is Saturday, November 30, 2024 beginning at 5:15 p.m.
Water Customer Letters
City Administrator Evans announced that the Notice of Service Line letters has been sent to all water customers, a copy of flyer was included in packet as well as social media post.
Thanksgiving Week Schedule
City Administrator Evans included a copy of the Thanksgiving Week Schedule in packet along with the media release.
Project Update
City Administrator Evans gave project updates on the items below:
- Fire Department – Deputy Chief Widener has received his Fire Inspection I certification. Also the new command vehicle is almost done.
- Parks & Recreation – Continues to work on Escondido Field and they have been working on Enchanted Forest for the Parade of Lights.
- IT Department – Working on Tyler software conversion.
- Library – December 7, 2024 is the last library craft day.
- Police Department – Will be helping with Parade of Lights.
Miscellaneous
City Administrator Evans wanted to thank the Street Department for their help with the lights on the decorative street lights on Main St.
City Administrator Evans stated that Arby’s will be open, they have a target date of January 6, 2025 due to training delays.
Reports and Correspondence from Council
Golf Board Update
Councilmember Gonzales reported that the Golf Board is currently negotiating with the Elks Lodge on some items.
Airport Board Update
Councilmember Mata reported that the Taxiway A project is underway and scheduled to be complete by December 15, 2024. They also talked about the lighting needing to be upgraded.
Public Safety Board Update
Councilmember Jenkins reported they continue discussion of the Neighborhood Watch program and they also have one opening on the board.
PEP Update
Councilmember Bates reported that PEP presented the 2025 budget for approval.
LPI Board Update
Councilmember Bates announced that this was the first meeting with the new main St. Manager Brenda May.
Miscellaneous
None
NEW BUSINESS
Amend Agenda “A Proclamation Declaring the 16 Days between International Day to Eliminate Violence against Women on November 25 and International Human Rights Day on December 10 as the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence”
Councilmember Tamez moved and Councilmember Bates seconded to approve “A Proclamation Declaring the 16 Days between International Day to Eliminate Violence against Women on November 25 and International Human Rights Day on December 10 as the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence.
- Voting Yes: Gonzales, Mata, Jenkins, Crespin, Tamez, Bates
- Voting No: None
Mayor Crespin stated “Let the record reflect that all Councilmembers voted an affirmative, motion passes 6-0”.
Resolution No. 24-11-02 – “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Lamar, Colorado Setting the Interest Rate Paid on Customer Water Deposits”
Councilmember Bates moved and Councilmember Tamez seconded to approve Resolution No. 24-11-02 – “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Lamar, Colorado Setting the Interest Rate Paid on Customer Water Deposits”.
- Voting Yes: Gonzales, Mata, Jenkins, Crespin, Tamez, Bates
- Voting No: None
Mayor Crespin stated “Let the record reflect that all Councilmembers voted an affirmative, motion passes 6-0”.
Approve Staff to Apply for El Pomar Competitive Grant
Councilmember Bates moved and Councilmember Tamez seconded to approve Staff applying for the El Pomar Competitive Grant for the purchase of a new K-9 dog, vehicle crate, kennel and transport crate in the amount of $22,680.00 with no match.
- Voting Yes: Gonzales, Mata, Jenkins, Crespin, Tamez, Bates
- Voting No: None
Mayor Crespin stated “Let the record reflect that all Councilmembers voted an affirmative, motion passes 6-0”.
Approve Staff to Apply for CDPHE EMTS Provider Grant
Councilmember Bates moved and Councilmember Tamez seconded to approve Staff applying for the CDPHE EMTS Provider Grant for the purchase of a new truck for an ambulance, project total is $275,500.00 with a 50% cash match.
- Voting Yes: Gonzales, Mata, Jenkins, Crespin, Tamez, Bates
- Voting No: None
Mayor Crespin stated “Let the record reflect that all Councilmembers voted an affirmative, motion passes 6-0”.
Approve Agreement with JVA on Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant Design and Engineering
Councilmember Bates moved and Councilmember Mata seconded to approve agreement with JVA on Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant Design and Engineering with Addendum and authorize the Mayor to sign.
- Voting Yes: Gonzales, Mata, Jenkins, Crespin, Tamez, Bates
- Voting No: None
Mayor Crespin stated “Let the record reflect that all Councilmembers voted an affirmative, motion passes 6-0”.
ACA Reporting Agreement for 2024 1095’s with CliftonLarsenAllen, LLP
Councilmember Gonzales moved and Councilmember Tamez seconded to approve the ACA Reporting Agreement for 2024 1095’s with CliftonLarsenAllen, LLP and authorize the Mayor to sign.
- Voting Yes: Gonzales, Mata, Jenkins, Crespin, Tamez, Bates
- Voting No: None
Mayor Crespin stated “Let the record reflect that all Councilmembers voted an affirmative, motion passes 6-0”.
New Public Safety Building Discussion and Action
Councilmember Bates moved and Councilmember Tamez seconded to approve Purchase Agreement for 902 N Main St. in the amount of $650,000.00 with a $25,000.00 charitable deduction for naming rights from seller and with changes submitted by City Attorney regarding the Phase I & II expenses to seller and if seller pulls out seller retains $10,000.00 of $30,000.00 earnest money put down.
- Voting Yes: Gonzales, Mata, Jenkins, Crespin, 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 – (1) For a Conference with the City Attorney for the Purpose of Receiving Advice on Specific Legal Questions under C.R.S. 24-6-402 (4)(b) regarding Economic Development Negotiation Strategies (2) For a Conference with the City Attorney for the Purpose of Receiving Advice on Specific Legal Questions under C.R.S. 24-6-402 (4)(b) regarding Negotiation Strategies for the Public Safety Building (3) For Discussion of Personnel Matters C.R.S. 24-6-402 (4)(f) for Discussion/Planning of Annual Evaluations of City Administrator, City Clerk, and City Treasurer
Councilmember Bates moved and Councilmember Tamez seconded to enter into Executive Session – (1) For a Conference with the City Attorney for the Purpose of Receiving Advice on Specific Legal Questions under C.R.S. 24-6-402 (4)(b) regarding Economic Development Negotiation Strategies (2) For a Conference with the City Attorney for the Purpose of Receiving Advice on Specific Legal Questions under C.R.S. 24-6-402 (4)(b) regarding Negotiation Strategies for the Public Safety Building (3) For Discussion of Personnel Matters C.R.S. 24-6-402 (4)(f) for Discussion/Planning of Annual Evaluations of City Administrator, City Clerk, and City Treasurer.
- Voting Yes: Gonzales, Mata, Jenkins, Crespin, 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 7:45 p.m.
City Treasurer Schwartz and City Clerk Williams were also in attendance at the Executive Session.
Councilmember Bates moved and Councilmember Tamez seconded that executive session adjourn at 8:36 p.m. and open meeting was reconvened.
- Voting Yes: Gonzales, Mata, Jenkins, Crespin, 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 Tamez moved and Councilmember Bates seconded that the meeting adjourn.
Voting Yes: Gonzales, Mata, Jenkins, Crespin, 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.
Lance Clark as City Attorney attests pursuant to C.R.S. § 24-6-402(2)(d.5)(II)(B) that a portion of the executive minutes not recorded constituted a privileged attorney-client conversation.
Lance Clark
Linda Williams – City Clerk
Kirk Crespin – Mayor