Monday, December 9, 2024

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

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, Kirk Crespin, David Zavala, Manuel Tamez, Brent Bates, Rob Evans, Kristin Schwartz, Lance Clark

Absent:  Gerry Jenkins

Consent Agenda

Councilmember Tamez moved and Councilmember Bates seconded to approve the consent agenda Items 1-4.

Item #1 – Approval of Council Meeting Minutes – 11/25/2024

Item #2 – Approval of Minutes for Boards and Commissions

a)    Utilities Board –11/12/2024

b)    Planning & Zoning – 10/24/24

Item #3 – Payment of Bills

General Fund-Vouchers #100865-100970

Item #4 – License – Renewals

a)    Hotel/Motel License – Lamar Hospitality, LLC/dba Cobblestone Hotel & Suites, 1215 N. Main St.

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

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

Audience Participation

Kelly Owens, Lamar, CO, he spoke to the Council in regards to the Police Chief not allowing him to speak to the court clerk.  Mayor Crespin stated that they would look in the issue.

City Treasurer Report

City Treasurer Schwartz reported that we Council had given permission for them to apply for the VALE Grant in the amount of $20,371.00.  They received notification that they were awarded $20,221.00.  This helps pay for a portion of the court clerks salary and the victim’s assistance program.  She stated that they applied for the Animal Assistance Foundation Grant in the amount of $18,500.00 and were awarded the full $18,500.00.  This helps with the Animal Shelter Manager salary and supplies for the Animal Shelter. 

She also reported that originally the El Pomar grant was going to be used to help with the new purchase of a new K-9 unit and needed equipment for the K-9.  They have received a significant amount of donations towards the purchase of the new K-9 that they are going to shift the needs of the grant to purchase new vests for the PD Officers.  They will be completing the application and submitting with the new information.

City Treasurer Schwartz reported that they had a grant in the amount of $70,000.00 for the Lead Service Line Potholing.  Reconn the contractor for the project has completed the first $70,000.00 worth of potholing which included 150 potholes.  They will be submitting the application to the state for the funding and close this grant by the end of December.

City Clerk Report

City Clerk Williams reported that the October revenue report reflected collections of $399,212.06 which was down 3.67% or $15,195.54.  Year to Date collections were $5,045,243.46 which was up 5.47% or $261,770.86 from 2023.

City Administrator Report

Office Closure

City Administrator Evans announced that the City Offices will be closed Tuesday and Wednesday, December 24-25, 2024 for the Christmas Holiday.

Holiday Basketball Tournament

City Administrator Evans announced that the Holiday Basketball Tournament is December 19-21, 2024 at the Community Building.

Office Closure

City Administrator Evans announced that the City Offices will be closed Wednesday, January 1, 2025 for New Year’s Day.

Common Grounds

City Administrator Evans announced that there will be no Common Grounds in January due to the January 1, 2025 office closure.

Project Update

City Administrator Evans gave project updates on the items below:

• Library will be hosting Santa reading to the kids on Thursday, December 12, 2024. 
• Library, along with Rotary Club, will be hosting Kid’s Christmas in the Cultural Event Center on Saturday, December 14, 2024 beginning at 10:00 a.m.
• IT Department continues to work on the Tyler software conversion.
• Public Works – Airport Taxiway A Project final walk thru will be 12-10-2024.
• Parks & Recreation continues work on Escondido Park and they have had lots of activity at the Community Building.
• Police Department will have a new Commander starting January 6, 2025.  There is going to be an animal shelter fund raiser at Scooters on December 11, 2024.

Miscellaneous

None

Reports and Correspondence from Council

Golf Board Update

Councilmember Gonzales reported that the Golf Board will be meeting tomorrow Tuesday, December 10, 2024, he will report on this in January.  Also Terry Turner was hired back as the golf pro for Spreading Antlers.

Planning & Zoning Update

Councilmember Gonzales did have a meeting, however what was discussing during the meeting is also on the agenda for discussion tonight.

PEP Update

Councilmember Bates wanted to wish Cheryl Sanchez a very happy retirement as the Executive Director of the PEP Board.

Miscellaneous

None

NEW BUSINESS

Public Hearing for Adoption of Supplemental Budget for City of Lamar for Current Year Ending December 31, 2024

Mayor Crespin requested to open Public Hearing at 7:25 p.m. 

Councilmember Tamez moved and Councilmember Bates seconded to open the Public Hearing for Adoption of Supplemental Budget for City of Lamar for Current Year Ending December 31, 2024.

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

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

City Treasurer gave a brief review of the Supplemental Budget for Council.

Mayor Crespin asked for any comments for or against the 2024 Supplemental Budget; none received.

Councilmember Tamez moved and Councilmember Bates seconded to close the 2024 Supplemental Budget Hearing at 7:28 p.m.

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

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

Resolution No. 24-12-01 – “A Resolution Appropriating Additional Sums of Money to Defray Expenses in Excess of Amounts Budgeted for the City of Lamar”

Councilmember Tamez moved and Councilmember Bates seconded to approve Resolution No 24-12-02 – “A Resolution Appropriating Additional Sums of Money to Defray Expenses in Excess of Amounts Budgeted for the City of Lamar.

• Voting Yes:    Gonzales, Mata, Crespin, Zavala, 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, Approving Update to the Open Records Policy and Schedule B”

Councilmember Tamez moved and Councilmember Bates seconded to approve Resolution No. 24-11-02 – “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Lamar, Colorado, Approving Update to the Open Records Policy and Schedule B”.

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

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

Schedule Public Hearing for New Retail Liquor License for UPOP Holdings LLC/dba JR’s Bottle Shop

Councilmember Bates moved and Councilmember Tamez seconded to approve the scheduling of Public Hearing for New Retail Liquor License for UPOP Holdings LLC/dba JR’s Bottle Shop for January 13, 2025.

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

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

Schedule Public Hearing for Hotel/Restaurant Liquor License for Melissa Felan dba/AM Breakfast House

Councilmember Tamez moved and Councilmember Bates seconded to approve the scheduling of Public Hearing for Hotel/Restaurant Liquor License for Melissa Felan dba/AM Breakfast House.

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

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

Hasty McClave EMT Class Clinical Agreement

Councilmember Tamez moved and Councilmember Mata seconded to approve the Hasty McClave EMT Class Clinical Agreement and authorize the Mayor to sign.

• Voting Yes:    Gonzales, Mata, Crespin, Zavala, Tamez, Bates
• 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 Bates moved and Councilmember Mata seconded to approve the proposed Agreement for Law Enforcement and Security Services with Lamar High School for the 2025 calendar year and authorize the Mayor to sign.

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

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

Residential Development/Construction Assistance Application Agreement for Optimus Construction LLC

Councilmember Bates moved and Councilmember Tamez seconded to approve the Residential Development/Construction Assistance Application Agreement for Optimus Construction LLC and authorize the Mayor to sign.

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

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

Denny’s Incentive Agreement

Councilmember Gonzales moved and Councilmember Mata seconded to approve Incentive Agreement with Front Range Limited for the Denny’s Restaurant and authorize the Mayor to sign.

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

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

Ordinance No. “An Ordinance of the City of Lamar, Colorado Rezoning of the Property Known as Lots 6,7,8,and Lots 13, 14, 15 of Langston Heights Subdivision, A Subdivision to the City of Lamar, According to the Recorded Plat thereof, County of Prowers State of Colorado, also Known as 1904, 1906, 1908 S 8th St. and 1903, 1905, 1907 S 9th St.

Councilmember Tamez moved and Councilmember Bates seconded to approve Ordinance No. “An Ordinance of the City of Lamar, Colorado Rezoning of the Property Known as Lots 6,7,8,and Lots 13, 14, 15 of Langston Heights Subdivision, A Subdivision to the City of Lamar, According to the Recorded Plat thereof, County of Prowers State of Colorado, also Known as 1904, 1906, 1908 S 8th St. and 1903, 1905, 1907 S 9th St.

• Voting Yes:    Gonzales, Mata, 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

Community Development Director Crampton asked for direction on the Haley/Ashton Rhodes agreement regarding the roof completion at 111A W. Beech.  They are asking for an extension to apply for the URA help with the roof.  All of Council is in agreement with the extension to June 2025.

Councilmember Bates asked how the bid process is coming along for the Traffic Study.  City Treasurer Schwartz stated that they are going to re-bid the study, they only received one bid and one of the companies stated that they never received the bid request.

Councilmember Zavala stated that he appreciates law enforcement doing traffic control in the mornings, they are stopping the ones speeding.

Councilmember Bates also stated his appreciation for the postings on the people they have arrested regarding drugs.

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 Code Enforcement, (2) For Discussion of Personnel Matters C.R.S. 24-6-402 (4)(f) regarding Structural Reorganization with Chief Fear

Councilmember Tamez moved and Councilmember Bates 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 Code Enforcement, (2) For Discussion of Personnel Matters C.R.S. 24-6-402 (4)(f) regarding structural reorganization with Chief Fear.

• Voting Yes:    Gonzales, Mata, 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 7:59 p.m.

Councilmember Bates moved and Councilmember Tamez seconded that executive session adjourn at 9:23 p.m. and open meeting was reconvened.

• Voting Yes:    Gonzales, Mata, 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 Tamez moved and Councilmember Bates seconded that the meeting adjourn.

• Voting Yes:    Gonzales, Mata, 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 9:24 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