City Council Minutes
Monday, March 24, 2025
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, David Zavala, Manuel Tamez, Rob Evans, Kristin Schwartz, Lance Clark
Absent: Brent Bates
Consent Agenda
Councilmember Tamez moved and Councilmember Jenkins seconded to approve the consent agenda Items 1-4.
Item #1 – Approval of Council Meeting Minutes – 3/10/2025 & Special Meeting Minutes 3/17/2025
Item #2 – Approval of Minutes for Boards and Commissions
- Utilities Board –2/25/2025
- Planning & Zoning – 12/03/24
Item #3 – Payment of Bills
General Fund-Vouchers #101663-101771
Item #4 – Licenses – New & Renewal
- Hotel & Restaurant Liquor License – Mission Villanueva, 100 Savage Ave.
- Voting Yes: Gonzales, Mata, Jenkins, Crespin, Zavala, Tamez
- Voting No:
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 she found out the end of last week that the EPA monies have been released and can now resume our project for the Brownfields Assessment Grant.
City Treasurer Schwartz reported that she received notice that we needed to go through the EPA application process for the CDS funding for the Wastewater Treatment Plan Engineering and Design Phase, this has been completed and were awarded the funds again. There are some meetings scheduled to go over this to move forward.
City Treasurer Schwartz stated that she received a call from the State that we were awarded $80,000.00 again for the third year for the Welcome Center. She hasn’t received the PO yet but this is for the 2025-2026 year.
City Treasurer Schwartz stated that there is an item on tonight’s agenda to move the TAP Grant forward. She was informed that we have a new regional representative that will be working with us, Don Scanga is no longer with CDOT. She spoke with Matthew Petit for a kick off meeting last week and he is eager to get this project moving forward.
City Treasurer Schwartz reported that the audit starts on March 31 through April 9, 2025.
City Clerk Report
None
City Administrator Report
Coffee with Rob
March 26, 2025 – AM Breakfast House
Prowers Economic Prosperity 2025 Annual Banquet
City Administrator Evans announced that the Prowers Economic Prosperity 2025 Annual Banquet is Thursday, March 27, 2025, 6:00-8:00 p.m. at the Historic Cow Palace Inn.
Grand Opening & Ribbon Cutting Coberley Realty
City Administrator Evans announce that the grand opening and ribbon cutting for Coberley Realty is Friday, March 28, 2025, 1:00-3:00 p.m.
SECO Senior All Star Games
City Administrator Evans announced that the SECO Senior All Star Games is Saturday, March 29, 2025, 6:00 p.m. at the Lamar Community Building.
Common Grounds
City Administrator Evans announced that Common Grounds is Wednesday, April 2, 2025, 7:00 a.m. at the Cultural Event Center featuring the Library.
Project Update
City Administrator Evans gave project updates on the items below:
- Library – National Library Week is in April, they will be celebrating it all month with many events scheduled. Friends of the Library Book Sale continues.
- Parks – Prepping for the summer and continued work on Escondido Park.
- IT – Installing cameras at the Public Safety Building for security, continued work on Tyler Software and working on Resource Center equipment for the move by the Community Development Department.
- Community Development – Working on Historic Preservation Ordinance, GIS Dept. received a new plotter and the Main St. Board installed new Main St. Banners.
- Public Works – Community Cleanup begins in April, every weekend except Easter, free dump weekends. Street crews continue working on the alley ways and the water department continues the lead line service project.
- Police Dept. – three of the new officers have completed their FTO training.
Miscellaneous
Councilmember Jenkins asked when the dog park construction will begin. City Administrator Evans stated that everything is out at the dog park regarding equipment, they are ordering the sod and as soon as it gets in it will be completed.
Councilmember Jenkins also reminded the public that they need to keep their dogs on leashes while at the ponds.
Reports and Correspondence from Council
Golf Board Update
Councilmember Gonzales announced that the annual board meeting was March 22, 2025. During the meeting Rick Akers resigned from the board and reappointments were Brandon Jennings and Dean Reed. The board unanimously voted to increase the yearly dues to $600.00 with handicap fee of $50.00. The Ice Breaker Tournament is March 29, 2025 and the kick off the season.
Public Safety Board Update
Councilmember Jenkins reported that they have three board applications up for approval by Council tonight.
Water Board Update
Councilmember Tamez reported that the overall levels of the wells are up for the year and that the Willow Valley Water District Improvements are getting ready to start. He also stated that Tresa and other Water Dept. staff visited the schools, the main question asked by the students was if there were clowns in the sewer.
Appreciation Plaque
Mayor Crespin presented City Administrator Evans an Appreciation Plaque for years of service with the City of Lamar.
LCC President Circle
Mayor Crespin attended the LCC President Circle with the topic of discussion being LCC’s Strategic Plan and what they are working towards.
Miscellaneous
None
NEW BUSINESS
Approve Proclamation No. 25-01 – “A Proclamation of the City of Lamar Designating the Month of April 2025 as National Child Abuse Prevention Month”
Councilmember Jenkins moved and Councilmember Mata seconded to approve Proclamation No. 25-01 – “A Proclamation of the City of Lamar Designating the Month of April 2025 as National Child Abuse Prevention Month”.
- Voting Yes: Gonzales, Mata, Jenkins, Crespin, Zavala, Tamez
- Voting No: None
Mayor Crespin stated “Let the record reflect that all Councilmembers voted an affirmative, motion passes 6-0”.
Update and Approve MOU with Prowers Medical Center
Councilmember Jenkins moved and Councilmember Tamez seconded to approve MOU with Prowers Medical Center regarding Mass Medical Emergencies.
- Voting Yes: Gonzales, Mata, Jenkins, Crespin, Zavala, Tamez
- Voting No: None
Mayor Crespin stated “Let the record reflect that all Councilmembers voted an affirmative, motion passes 6-0”.
Request for Approval of the Jesus March
Councilmember Gonzales moved and Councilmember Jenkins seconded to approve the request for the use of Bicentennial Park for the Jesus March hosted by the LCC Yahweh Today organization.
- Voting Yes: Gonzales, Mata, Jenkins, Crespin, Zavala, Tamez
- Voting No: None
Mayor Crespin stated “Let the record reflect that all Councilmembers voted an affirmative, motion passes 6-0”.
Proposed Agreement for Law Enforcement and Security Services
Councilmember Gonzales moved and Councilmember Mata seconded to approve the Agreement for Law Enforcement and Security Services for the Jr. Class Prom and authorize the Mayor to sign.
- Voting Yes: Gonzales, Mata, Jenkins, Crespin, Zavala, Tamez
- Voting No: None
Mayor Crespin stated “Let the record reflect that all Councilmembers voted an affirmative, motion passes 6-0”.
Appointment to the Public Safety Board
Councilmember Jenkins moved and Councilmember Mata seconded to approve appointments to the Public Safety Board of Elijah Adkins expiring June 1, 2028, Kit Haskins expiring June 1, 2028 and John Dykes Jr. expiring June 1, 2026.
- Voting Yes: Gonzales, Mata, Jenkins, Crespin, Zavala, Tamez
- Voting No: None
Mayor Crespin stated “Let the record reflect that all Councilmembers voted an affirmative, motion passes 6-0”.
Appointment to the Planning and Zoning Commission
Councilmember Tamez moved and Councilmember Gonzales seconded to approve the re-appointment to the Planning and Zoning Commission of Eric George to an expired five-year term expiring February 1, 2030.
- Voting Yes: Gonzales, Mata, Jenkins, Crespin, Zavala, Tamez
- Voting No: None
Mayor Crespin stated “Let the record reflect that all Councilmembers voted an affirmative, motion passes 6-0”.
Authorization for the Treasurer to Work with SECED for Code Revision Work
Councilmember Tamez moved and Councilmember Gonzales seconded to approve and authorize the Treasurer and Building Official to finalize negotiations and create an MOU with SECED to utilize funds.
- Voting Yes: Gonzales, Mata, Jenkins, Crespin, Zavala, Tamez
- Voting No: None
Mayor Crespin stated “Let the record reflect that all Councilmembers voted an affirmative, motion passes 6-0”.
Southeast Networks & Support, LLC Lease Agreement
Councilmember Jenkins moved and Councilmember Mata seconded to approve Southeast Networks & Support, LLC Lease Agreement and Addendum for a five-year lease expiring May 30, 2030 and authorize the Mayor to sign.
- Voting Yes: Gonzales, Mata, Jenkins, Crespin, Zavala, Tamez
- Voting No: None
Mayor Crespin stated “Let the record reflect that all Councilmembers voted an affirmative, motion passes 6-0”.
Award RFQ 45-004 for Engineering Services for TAP Grant Sidewalk Project
Councilmember Tamez moved and Councilmember Gonzales seconded to approve and award RFQ 45-004 for Engineering Services for TAP Grant Sidewalk Project to JVA.
- Voting Yes: Gonzales, Mata, Jenkins, Crespin, Zavala, Tamez
- 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 USDA Community Facilities Grant
Councilmember Tamez moved and Councilmember Gonzales seconded to approve staff to apply for the USDA Community Facilities Grant to be used for renovation of the Public Safety Building.
- Voting Yes: Gonzales, Mata, Jenkins, Crespin, Zavala, Tamez
- Voting No: None
Mayor Crespin stated “Let the record reflect that all Councilmembers voted an affirmative, motion passes 6-0”.
Approval of Change Order with Tyler Technologies for Full Data Conversion
Councilmember Gonzales moved and Councilmember Mata seconded to approve the change order with Tyler Technologies of $2,900.00 for the Full Data Conversion.
- Voting Yes: Gonzales, Mata, Jenkins, Crespin, Zavala, Tamez
- 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 Discussion of Personnel Matters C.R.S. 24-6-402 (4)(f), regarding Evaluations of City Administrator, City Clerk, and City Treasurer (2) For Discussion of Personnel Matters C.R.S. 24-6-402 (4)(f), regarding the City Administrator Search
Councilmember Jenkins moved and Councilmember Tamez seconded to enter into Executive Session – (1) For Discussion of Personnel Matters C.R.S. 24-6-402 (4)(f), regarding Evaluations of City Administrator, City Clerk, and City Treasurer (2) For Discussion of Personnel Matters C.R.S. 24-6-402 (4)(f), regarding the City Administrator Search.
- Voting Yes: Gonzales, Mata, Jenkins, Crespin, Zavala, Tamez
- 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 7:56 p.m.
Councilmember Jenkins moved and Councilmember Tamez seconded that executive session adjourn at 9:37 p.m. and open meeting was reconvened.
- Voting Yes: Gonzales, Mata, Jenkins, Crespin, Zavala, Tamez
- 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 Tamez seconded that the meeting adjourn.
- Voting Yes: Gonzales, Mata, Jenkins, Crespin, Zavala, Tamez
- Voting No: None
Mayor Crespin stated “Let the record reflect that all Councilmembers voted an affirmative, motion passes 6-0”.
The meeting adjourned at 9:38 p.m.
Linda Williams – City Clerk
Kirk Crespin – Mayor