Monday, July 28, 2025

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

Present:  Joe Gonzales, Shalah Mata, David Zavala, Manuel Tamez, Brent Bates, Kristin Schwartz, Lance Clark

Absent:   Gerry Jenkins, Kirk Crespin

Consent Agenda

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

1. Approval of Council Meeting Minutes – 7/14/2025
2.  Approval of Minutes for Boards and Commissions
   1. Utilities Board – 6/24/25
3. Payment of Bills
   1. General Fund-Vouchers #102642 - #102761
4. Payment of Bills
   1. General Fund-Vouchers #102642 - #102761
5. License New/Renewals
   1. Carnival License – Sun Valley Rides Carnival, 2820 N. Pinal Ave, Casa Grande, AZ 85122
   2. Hotel & Restaurant Liquor License – Casa Azteca Mexican Grill, 1301 S. Main St.

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

Mayor Crespin stated “Let the record reflect that all Councilmembers voted an affirmative, motion passes 5-0”.

Audience Participation

None

City Treasurer Report

City Treasurer Schwartz reported that they are getting ready to move forward with the TAP Grant.  Meeting is being scheduled with all parties involved to schedule dates with CDOT, JVA is taking lead on this project.

City Treasurer Schwartz reported that they are having monthly meetings with JVA regarding the Waste Water Treatment Plant Project, they are discussing funding opportunities, getting ownership of the land.  They have a planning grant on the agenda tonight for this project as well to help with the engineering process of the project.  They have also been working on funding for the Public Safety Building along with some planning meetings to be able to present some drawings to Council.

City Treasurer Schwartz reported that they are working on closing some grants, the Fishing for Fun Grant is about complete with the last piece being the cleaning station and they continue work on the archery range.

City Treasurer Schwartz reported that the financial portion of the Tyler software upgrade is going live August 11-22, 2025.  She thanked Thomas and Bryce for handling the training portion for all of the employees.  She stated that they would be doing payroll and then utility billing by the end of the year.

City Clerk Report

None

City Administrator Report

Corporate Cup

Mayor Pro-Tem Tamez announced that the Corporate Cup is Wednesday-Saturday, July 30th through August 2nd.

Back To School Bash

Mayor Pro-Tem Tamez announced that the Back to School Bash is Saturday, August 2, 2025, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Grace Family Worship Center.

SECCI 2nd Annual Fight Night

Mayor Pro-Tem Tamez announced that the SECCI 2nd Annual Fight Night is Saturday, August 2, 2025, 6:00-10:00 p.m. at the Pocket Park.

Sand & Sage Round-Up

Mayor Pro-Tem Tamez announced that the Sand & Sage Round-Up is August 2-9, 2025.  List of events included in agenda packet.

Common Grounds

Mayor Pro-Tem Tamez announced that Common Grounds is Wednesday, August 6, 2025 at 7:00 a.m. in the Cultural Event Center featuring the Police Department.

Project Updates

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

Parks & Recreation Department

• Fishing Dock is almost completed, there are a few small items that need to be installed but should be finished in the next day or so.

IT Department

• Working on getting everyone trained for the Tyler software upgrade.

Community Development Department

• Corporate Cup is Wednesday through Saturday, July 31 through August 2, 2025.

Council Liaison

Golf Board Update

Councilmember Gonzales announced that the club manager reported they had some good tournaments in the month of June with some good turnout.  In July the 4th of July tournament along with the Glo Golf tournament were well attended.  This past weekend they had their club golf tournament with Brad Stonerock as their golf champion.  The club manager mentioned that their lights are going bad in the pro shop and need to be replaced.  They have received bids around $1,900.00 and are looking into whether they should replace them or the Elk’s.  He also stated that their superintendent reported that there are some diseases on the course and has sprayed some herbicide and fungicide to take care of them, this has caused some brown areas on the course.

Councilmember Gonzales reported that the board has updated their contract with the LCC Golf Team and there was discussion about the upcoming Two Shot Golf Tournament, they asked Anthony LaTour if he would visit with JVA so see if they would do another sponsorship this year during the tournament.  He also stated that they let the city use a tractor last year to help with Escondido Park.  There was discussion on donating it to the city and the board made the decision to move forward with that donation.

PEP Update

Councilmember Gonzales reported that during the meeting Rosie Gomez of Cornerstone Resource Center gave a presentation with what they offer and what is going on in their center.  He stated the treasurer provided a financial statement and that they have sent a letter to the lodging panel asking for $1,200.00 for marketing and advertising.  They have reached out to Lisa Schlotterhausen to see if she would help them with the grant writing.  There was conversion about recycling and that the state was setting forth new mandates on recycling that would have to be in place for all communities by 2027.  They have their VIP Social coming up on August 14, 2025 and the Corporate Cup beginning on July 31, 2025.  He also stated that they approved a budget for Brent Bates to do marketing for PEP on social media regarding promoting new businesses.

Councilmember Gonzales gave a reminder the PEP, Lamar Workforce Center, LCC, Cornerstone Resource Center, and the Chamber of Commerce would be hosting a career fair on October 10, 2025.

Airport Board Update

Councilmember Mata stated that the board was unable to meet but wanted to remind everyone that there is an opening on the board and encouraged anyone to apply.

NEW BUSINESS

Informational Presentation by Southeast Colorado Regional Housing Authority (SECRHA) Regarding and Application for CHFA’s Land Banking Funding to Help with Future Housing Development in the City of Lamar and Approval of a Letter of Support from City Council of the City of Lamar in Support of the Application.

Teale Hemphill gave a brief presentation regarding SECRHA and the application process to CHFA’s Land Banking Funding for the purchase of property at 700 E. Parmenter St. for future housing development.

Councilmember Bates moved and Councilmember Gonzales seconded to approve Letter of Support to SECRHA for their grant application to CHFA for land acquisition and have the Mayor Pro-Tem sign.

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

Mayor Crespin stated “Let the record reflect that all Councilmembers voted an affirmative, motion passes 5-0”.

Appointment to Lamar Housing Authority Board

Councilmember Gonzales moved and Councilmember Mata seconded to approve appointment of Jean Reifschneider to the Lamar Housing Authority Board for an un-expired five-year term expiring June 1, 2029.

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

Mayor Crespin stated “Let the record reflect that all Councilmembers voted an affirmative, motion passes 5-0”.

Appointment to Water Advisory Board

Councilmember Bates moved and Councilmember Gonzales seconded to approve appointment of Roy to the Water Advisory Board for an expired five-year term expiring February 1, 2030.

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

Mayor Crespin stated “Let the record reflect that all Councilmembers voted an affirmative, motion passes 5-0”.

Appointment to Historic Preservation Board

Councilmember Bates moved and Councilmember Mata seconded to approve appointments of Galan Burnett and Gabrielle Nieschburg to the Historic Preservation Board for two expired three-year terms expiring June 1, 2028.

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

Mayor Crespin stated “Let the record reflect that all Councilmembers voted an affirmative, motion passes 5-0”.

City Audit Engagement Letter with rfarmer, LLC

Councilmember Bates moved and Councilmember Gonzales seconded to approve the Audit Engagement Letter with rfarmer, LLC for City audits 2025, 2026, and 2027 to include the Tabor language provided by the City Attorney and authorize the Mayor Pro-Tem to sign.

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

Mayor Crespin stated “Let the record reflect that all Councilmembers voted an affirmative, motion passes 5-0”.

Approval of Planning Grant Agreement with Colorado Water Resources & Power Development Authority (CWR&PDA) for the Waste Water Treatment Plant

Councilmember Bates moved and Councilmember Mata seconded to approve the Planning Grant Agreement with Colorado Water Resources & Power Development Authority for the Waste Water Treatment Plant in the amount of $10,000.00 and authorize the Mayor Pro-Tem to sign

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

Mayor Crespin stated “Let the record reflect that all Councilmembers voted an affirmative, motion passes 5-0”.

Adjournment

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

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

Mayor Crespin stated “Let the record reflect that all Councilmembers voted an affirmative, motion passes 5-0”.

The meeting adjourned at 7:27 p.m.

Linda Williams – City Clerk 

Manuel Tamez – Mayor Pro-Tem