Monday, February 10, 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 Mata seconded to approve the consent agenda Items 1-4.

Item #1 – Approval of Council Meeting Minutes – 1/27/2025

Item #2 – Approval of Minutes for Boards and Commissions

1. Utilities Board –1/14/2025

Item #3 – Payment of Bills

General Fund-Vouchers #100308-101428

Item #4 – License – Renewals

1. Coin Operated Amusement Devices – Ayala Snacks, LLC 1514 San Juan Ave., LaJunta, CO 81050
2. Tavern Liquor License – The Buzzard’s Roost, 101 N. Main St.
3. Fermented Malt Beverage – TA Express, 708 N. Main St., Lamar, CO 81052
4. Lodging & Entertainment – The LaMar, 219 S. Main St.

• Voting Yes:    Mata, Jenkins, Crespin, Zavala, Tamez
• Voting No:     Gonzales

Mayor Crespin stated “Let the record reflect that all Councilmembers voted an affirmative, motion passes 5-1”.

Audience Participation

Kelly Owens, Lamar resident addressed Council with questions on CORA request and Officers lying.  Cora request information was addressed by City Clerk Williams, follow up to happen the next day.  Mr. Owens wants and answer as to why all of the officers from the top down lie.  Council will look into this and have to get back with him.

City Treasurer Report

City Treasurer Schwartz reported that they did receive the EMTS Grant award for the new ambulance.  She did mention that CDOT required the City to go out for bid for the Engineer of Record for the TAP Grant.  This is a new requirement but once this is completed in early March we will be able to move forward with the project pretty quickly.  This grant is for the curb, gutter and sidewalks on the west side of Main St. from Park St. to Savage Ave., up Savage Ave. and a portion of 8th & 9th Streets.

City Clerk Report

City Clerk Williams reported that the December revenue report reflected collections of $594,573.59 which was down .31% or $1,827.06.  Year to Date collections were the same.

City Administrator Report

City Office Closure

City Administrator Evans that the City Offices will be closed Monday, February 17, 2025 for President’s Day.

Coffee with Rob

February 19, 2025 – Dunkin Donut

February 26, 2025 – Daylight Donut

Valentine’s Sock Hop Dance

City Administrator Evans announced that the Valentine’s Sock Hop Dance is February 13, 2025, 5:00 p.m. at the Lamar Senior Center.

Lamar FFA Labor Auction & Pasta Dinner

City Administrator Evans announced that the Lamar FFA Labor Auction & Pasta Dinner is Tuesday, February 18, 2025, 6:30 p.m. at the Lamar High School.

Project Update

City Administrator Evans gave project updates on the items below:

• Public works has been doing crack sealing on the runways at the airport, cleaning the Willow Creek Floodway area and Code Enforcement clean-ups.
• Parks & Recreation have been working on getting all equipment and materials for the needed repairs at Escondido Park.
• Library will be hosting a Unicorn Party on February 14, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. they are also participating in the Dolly Parton Imagination Library, the Friends of the Library delivers books to kids under the age of five.
•  IT Department has replaced the laptop that runs the music on Main St.  They will continue the camera project and continued work on the Tyler software.

Miscellaneous

City Administrator Evans gave a thank you to the Police Department for all of the hard work they have been doing.

He also wanted to remind the citizens to not park on the curbs and sidewalks both residential and commercial property.

Mayor Crespin stated that they had a report of some type of explosion on Sunday in the area of the North Side of Lamar.  PD investigated and found nothing.

Reports and Correspondence from Council

Miscellaneous

None

NEW BUSINESS

Motion to Ratify Council Approval to Amend Car Palace Building Contract to Extend the Environmental Study Deadline to 2-11-25 and Closing/Title Work Deadline to 3-3-25

Councilmember Tamez moved and Councilmember Gonzales seconded to approve the motion to ratify Council approval to amend Car Palace Building Contract to extend the Environmental Study deadline to 2-11-25 and Closing/Title Work deadline to 3-3-25.

• 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 Bid 45-001 for Financing for Lease Purchase of 4 – New 2024 Ford Police Interceptors

Councilmember Tamez moved and Councilmember Jenkins seconded to approve to award Bid 45-001 for financing for Lease Purchase of 4 – New 2024 For Police Interceptors.

• 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)Evaluations of City Administrator, City Clerk, and City Treasurer (2) To Discuss the Purchase, Acquisition, Lease, Transfer or Sale of Real, Personal, or other Property Interest under C.R.S. 24-6-402(4)(a) Concerning the Car Palace/Public Safety Building Purchase

Councilmember Tamez moved and Councilmember Zavala seconded to enter into Executive Session – (1) For Discussion of Personnel Matters C.R.S. 24-6-402 (4)(f)Evaluations of City Administrator, City Clerk, and City Treasurer (2) To Discuss the Purchase, Acquisition, Lease, Transfer or Sale of Real, Personal, or other Property Interest under C.R.S. 24-6-402(4)(a) Concerning the Car Palace/Public Safety Building Purchase.

• 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 7:35 p.m.

In attendance was City Treasurer Schwartz

City Administrator Evans and City Attorney Clark left the meeting at 8:03 p.m.

Councilmember Jenkins moved and Councilmember Tamez seconded that executive session adjourn at 9:02 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 9:03 p.m.

Linda Williams – City Clerk

Kirk Crespin – Mayor