February 23, 2026

The City Council met in a regular session at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Room with Mayor Crespin presiding.

Present:  Joe Gonzales, Mark Headlee, Gerry Jenkins, Kirk Crespin, David Zavala, Brad Johnson, Brent Bates, Kristin Schwartz, Mitch Hammes, Lance Clark

Absent:                  

Consent Agenda

Councilmember Headlee moved and Councilmember Jenkins seconded to approve the consent agenda Items 1-4, with the removal of 4(c) Tavern 1301 liquor license renewal.  This was not a renewal and will be brought to a later meeting for a public hearing. 

Item #1 – Approval of Council Meeting Minutes – 2/09/2026

Item #2 – Approval of Minutes for Boards and Commissions

a)    Utilities Board – 1/27/2026

b)    Public Safety Board – 1/15/2026

Item #3 – Payment of Bills

General Fund-Vouchers #104157 - #104232

Item #4 – License New/Renewals

a)    Hotel & Restaurant Liquor License – Mission Villanueva, 100 Savage Ave.

b)    Hotel & Restaurant Liquor License – Cobblestone Hotel & Suites, 1215 N. Main St.

d)  Entertainment Liquor License – The LaMar, 219 S. Main St.

• Voting Yes:   Gonzales, Headlee, Jenkins, Crespin, Zavala, Johnson, Bates
• Voting No:    

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

Audience Participation

Twila Batterton, 1903 S. 10th St. voiced her frustration about her neighbor’s dogs running at large and using her yard as a bathroom.  Council asked some questions such as has she called in the incidents.  She stated that she had in the past but nothing was done.  Council asked that Mitch look into this and do a follow up.

 City Treasurer Report

City Treasurer Schwartz reported that we received award letter on the Main St. DOLA Grant, we requested $15,000 but was awarded $18,000.00.

City Treasurer Schwartz Tyler update, training continues on utility billing.  She and City Administrator Hammes will do the training on the mygov module.  She continues working on the bank reconciliation and the next two modules will be time & attendance and sales tax.

City Clerk Report

City Clerk Williams reported that she had looked at end of year sales tax revenue and it shows that we ended the year with about a 2% increase.

City Administrator Report

Common Grounds

City Administrator Hammes announced that Common Grounds is Wednesday, March 4, 2026, 7:00 a.m. in the Cultural Event Center.

Officer Accommodation

City Administrator Hammes announced that Officer Lozoya received an Officer Accommodation.  Brianne Appel of Wholehearted Connection and Counseling was very impressed on how Officer Lozoya handled a situation that he responded to, she wrote a paragraph on how well he reacted to the situation and those involved.  Officer Lozoya received a Sheepdog Challenge Coin for his accommodation.

Department Updates

City Administrator Hammes reported that between himself and Community Development they have narrowed down some traffic calming to the 6th and Oak St. intersection along with other areas around the city.

City Administrator Hammes gave the following updates below:

IT will be replacing the firewall in the next two weeks.

New Animal Shelter Manager hired, Alexis Qualls.

Pool repairs have been completed and they have started the hiring process for this summer.

City Administrator stated that he had gone to the CLM Legislative session and it was a great session and was updated on current and new legislative matters.

Council Liaison

Neighborhood Watch Program

Councilmember Jenkins stated that they have three ladies that are very interested in the Neighborhood Watch Program.  They have created a Facebook page and would like the first area to be from Oak to Beech and 6th to 14th St.  Their first meeting is March 12, 2026.

PEP Update

Councilmember Johnson gave a brief update of the recent PEP Board meeting.  They discussed their annual banquet on March 26, 2026, awards and the shovel ready program.

Golf Board Update

Councilmember Bates announced that the Spreading Antlers Ice Breaker in March 21, 2026.

NEW BUSINESS

220 Holly Street LLC Annexation Application and Resolution

Councilmember Gonzales moved and Councilmember Bates seconded to approve Resolution 26-02-01 – “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Lamar, Colorado, Stating the Intent of the City of Lamar, Initiating Annexation Proceedings for such Property Known as 220 Holly St. LLC, Approximately 19.23 Acres, Located at 220 Holly Street in Lamar, Colorado and Setting a Date for a Public Hearing”.

• Voting Yes:   Gonzales, Headlee, Jenkins, Crespin, Zavala, Johnson, Bates
• Voting No:     None

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

Planning & Zoning/Adjustment and Appeals Common Membership

There was discussion regarding the membership of both the Planning & Zoning and Adjustment & Appeals having the same members allow for meetings to be on the same night back to back as needed.  No vote needed for this.

Additional discussion was asking for an extension of Warren Camp re-appointment to better align the two boards until June.

Councilmember Jenkins moved and Councilmember Bates seconded to allow the re-appointment be postponed until June to align with both boards.

• Voting Yes:   Gonzales, Headlee, Jenkins, Crespin, Zavala, Johnson, Bates
• Voting No:     None

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

Denny’s Incentive Agreement

Councilmember Bates moved and Councilmember Gonzales seconded to table the incentive agreement until the next schedule meeting.

• Voting Yes:   Gonzales, Headlee, Jenkins, Crespin, Zavala, Johnson, Bates
• Voting No:    

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

Community Christmas Tree

Councilmember Bates moved and Councilmember Zavala seconded to approve display site and help with storage, set up and tear down.

• Voting Yes:   Gonzales, Headlee, Jenkins, Crespin, Zavala, Johnson, Bates
• Voting No:    

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

 Award Roofing Bids for Airport Terminal and Airport Service Hangar

Councilmember Gonzales moved and Councilmember Bates seconded to approve and award Bid to Weathercraft Roofing for the roof repairs to the Airport terminal and service hangar and allow the Mayor to sign construction contract upon approval by City Attorney.

• Voting Yes:   Gonzales, Headlee, Jenkins, Crespin, Zavala, Johnson, Bates
• Voting No:    

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

Approve Resolution 26-02-02 – “A Resolution of the City of Lamar, Colorado, Amending the Personnel Policy Manual by Repealing the Existing Chapter III, Section 3 Vacation Leave and Replacing it with an Updated Policy”

Councilmember Bates moved and Councilmember Jenkins seconded to approve Resolution 26-02-02 – “A Resolution of the City of Lamar, Colorado, Amending the Personnel Policy Manual by Repealing the Existing Chapter III, Section 3 Vacation Leave and Replacing it with an Updated Policy”.

• Voting Yes:   Gonzales, Headlee, Jenkins, Crespin, Zavala, Johnson, Bates
• Voting No:    

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

New Copy Machine Agreement

Councilmember Bates moved and Councilmember Johnson seconded to approve a 60 month lease agreement for a new copy machine for the billing department expiring.

• Voting Yes:   Gonzales, Headlee, Jenkins, Crespin, Zavala, Johnson, Bates
• Voting No:    

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

 Renewal of Copy Machine Agreement

Councilmember Johnson moved and Councilmember Bates seconded to approve a 60 month lease agreement for new copier for the Police Department.

• Voting Yes:   Gonzales, Headlee, Jenkins, Crespin, Zavala, Johnson, Bates
• Voting No:    

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

Schedule Public Hearing for a New Fermented Malt Beverage & Wine Retail Liquor License for Prowers County Market, Inc.

Councilmember Bates moved and Councilmember Jenkins seconded to schedule a Public Hearing for a New Fermented Malt Beverage &Wine Retail Liquor License for Prowers County Market, Inc.

• Voting Yes:   Gonzales, Headlee, Jenkins, Crespin, Zavala, Johnson, Bates
• Voting No:    

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

Miscellaneous

City Administrator Hammes stated the he has received the final version of the Strategic Plan, he will be scheduling quarterly meetings to see progress.  He will get copies out to everyone for their review as well.

Mike Duffy announced that he will be going to the Washington DC Ports to Plains Fly-In and will report back on his return.

Executive Session – For Discussion of Personnel Matters Under C.R.S. 24-6-402 (4)(f), for Annual Evaluations of City Clerk and City Treasurer

Councilmember Jenkins moved and Councilmember Zavala seconded to enter into Executive Session – For Discussion of Personnel Matters Under C.R.S. 24-6-402 (4)(f), for Annual Evaluations of City Clerk and City Treasurer.

• Voting Yes:   Gonzales, Headlee, Jenkins, Crespin, Zavala, Johnson, 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 8:13 p.m.

Councilmember Johnson moved and Councilmember Jenkins seconded that executive session adjourn at 9:49 p.m. and open meeting was reconvened.

• Voting Yes:   Gonzales, Headlee, 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, Headlee, Jenkins, Crespin, Zavala, Johnson, 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 9:50 p.m.