Monday, March 17, 2025

The City Council met in a regular session at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Room with Mayor Crespin presiding.

Present:  Joe Gonzales, Shalah Mata, Gerry Jenkins, Kirk Crespin, David Zavala, Manuel Tamez, Brent Bates, Rob Evans, Kristin Schwartz

Absent: Lance Clark

Amend Agenda to add Audience Participation

Councilmember Tamez moved and Councilmember Bates seconded to approve to add Audience Participation item to the Agenda.

• Voting Yes:    Gonzales, Mata, 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”.

Audience Participation

Doug Harbour voiced his concerns about the City Administrator resignation.  His hope is that the Administrator would rescind his resignation or that Council would hold on making a decision to accept his resignation.

A Discussion Regarding the Receipt of and Acknowledgement of the City Administrator’s Resignation

Mayor Crespin gave a brief update on the resignation of the City Administrator. He has been working with City Attorney on drafting a letter of receipt and acceptance that City Administrator Evans has signed.  His last day will be April 9, 2025.

Councilmember Bates moved and Councilmember Gonzales seconded to approve the acceptance and acknowledgement of the City Administrator’s resignation effective April 9, 2025.

• Voting Yes:    Gonzales, Mata, 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”.

Formalize the Direction of the Recruitment and Hiring of a New City Administrator

Council discussed how they would like to move forward with the search for a new City Administrator.  At the direction of Council they would like to get quotes from a variety of third party hiring firms.  Councilmember Tamez stated that he does not want to do the search by us, a third party is necessary.

A Discussion to Formalize the direction Regarding the Appointment or Hiring of an Interim City Administrator

Mayor Crespin stated that during the absence of a City Administrator both himself and Mayor Pro-Tem Crampton filled in as the Interim during the search.

Councilmember Gonzales made a suggestion that Councilmember Bates help in the interim with Mayor Crespin.

Councilmember Bates thank Councilmember Gonzales for the suggestion and confidence that he had in him but at this time feels that he does not truly have the amount of time it may take and suggest maybe Mayor Pro-Tem Tamez would be the better person for the position if he had the time.  Mayor Pro-Tem Tamez stated that he would have the time to help with this interim position.

Councilmember Jenkins moved and Councilmember Gonzales seconded to approve that Mayor Crespin and Mayor Pro-Tem Tamez fill in the Interim until a new City Administrator is hired.

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

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

Appointment of an Alternative Member to the Adjustment and Appeals Board

Councilmember Gonzales moved and Councilmember Jenkins seconded to approve the appointment of an alternative member Earl Hawkins to the Adjustment and Appeals Board.

• Voting Yes:    Gonzales, Mata, 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”.

A Discussion to Formalize the Direction Related to the Development of the Public Safety Building Oversight Committee

Mayor Crespin had brought up during the last meeting the need of creating an oversight committee to work with JVA for the development of the public safety building.  This will help to move forward with the building.  The board should consist of the Fire & Police Chiefs, Building Inspector, Mayor and Councilmember Bates, Public Works Director Mason along with a citizen and help from City Treasurer Schwartz on financing questions.  Councilmember Jenkins will be an alternate when the Mayor or Councilmember Bates cannot be in attendance.

Councilmember Bates moved and Councilmember Mata seconded to approve the committee members for the Public Safety Building Oversight Committee.

• Voting Yes:    Gonzales, Mata, 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”.

Miscellaneous

Mayor Crespin stated that he had received a letter from a concerned citizen regarding the recycling bins around Lamar and the fact that they are always full.

City Administrator Evans stated that the bins are owned by SE Colorado Recycling and they are the ones that do the pickups.  He stated that we do have an agreement with them and are in the process of negotiating a renewal at this time.  He will look into what the status may be and report back.

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, Mata, 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”.

The meeting adjourned at 6:33 p.m.

Linda Williams – City Clerk

Kirk Crespin – Mayor