Monday, November 10, 2025

The City Council met in a regular session at 7:06 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, Kristin Schwartz, Mitch Hammes, Lance Clark

Absent:                   

Consent Agenda

Councilmember Jenkins moved and Councilmember Zavala seconded to approve the consent agenda Items 1-4. 

Item #1 – Approval of Council Meeting Minutes – 10/27/2025 & Special Meeting Minutes – 11/03/2025

Item #2 – Approval of Minutes for Boards and Commissions

a)    Utilities Board – 10/14/2025

Item #3 – Payment of Bills

General Fund-Vouchers #103453 - #103540

Item #4 – License New/Renewals

a)    Fermented Malt Beverage – (Off) – TA Express, 708 N. Main St.

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

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

Audience Participation

None

City Treasurer Report

City Treasurer Schwartz provided a copy of the 2024 write-offs for the water/sewer and sanitation accounts.  They wrote off $10,431.73 for water/sewer accounts which was .29% of the $3,556,036.91 billed and $7,650.83 for sanitation accounts which was .51% of the $1,488,398.54 billed.

City Treasurer Schwartz provided a list of all active grants to date worth over 12 million. 

City Clerk Report

City Clerk Williams reported that the election went well, the official results should be coming in within the next week to ten days for records.

City Clerk Williams stated that in looking at the sales tax transfers we continue to show an increase in revenue.

City Administrator Report

Veterans Day Program

City Administrator Hammes reported that the Tri-State 9/11 Foundation is hosting a Veterans Day Program on Tuesday, November 11, 2025, 11:00 a.m. at the 9/11 Memorial by Big Timbers Museum.

Lamar Public Library Trivia Night

City Administrator Hammes announced that the Lamar Public Library is hosting a Trivia Night on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, 6:00-8:00 p.m.

Domestic Safety Resource Center Fantasy Tree Auction

City Administrator Hammes announced that the Domestic Safety Resource Center Fantasy Tree Dinner, Auction, & Dance is Saturday, November 22, 2025, 5:30 – 8:30 p.m.

City Office Closures

City Administrator Hammes announced that the City Offices will be closed on Thursday & Friday, November 27-28, 2025 in observance of Thanksgiving.

City of Lamar Christmas Party

City Administrator Hammes announced that the City Christmas Party is Saturday, December 6, 2025 at 6:00 p.m. at the Lamar Elks Lodge.

Lamar Chamber of Commerce Cocoa Crawl

City Administrator Hammes announced that the Lamar Chamber of Commerce Cocoa Crawl is Saturday, November 29, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in downtown Lamar.

Parade of Lights

City Administrator Hammes announced that the Parade of Lights is Saturday, November 29, 2025 at 6:30 p.m.

Department Updates

• Water Department is in the process of winterizing the well houses and meter pits and performed some service line replacements.
• Street Department has been catching up on the utility cut patching and pot hole repairs, they have also been trimming trees to clear the path for the street sweeper to get into the gutters.
• Police Department received a donation from Tractor Supply.  The 2025 traffic study has been completed and is being evaluated.  The staff is participating in several community outreach events over the next week.
• IT Department is completing phase 2 of the recreation center camera project.  Additional cameras were added to cover parking lots and a few blind spots at the center.  Most of the cameras have been mounted and the project should be complete in a few days.  The wireless backhaul has been completed from the Scout House to the Swimming Pool, two camera systems have been combined into one, the bandwidth will be upgrade to create better monitoring and work experience.
• Mitch stated that they have started utility billing in the Tyler system.
• Parks and Recreation has completed the Archery Range rules, they are getting ready for winter sports and the Santa House has been updated.
• Fire Department continues outfitting Engine 7 and it should be ready to roll out in a few weeks.

Miscellaneous

Mayor Crespin gave a reminder on the Christmas Party so that Council can get their RSVP’s in.

Mayor Crespin also brought up the Parade of Lights float that the Council usually participates, he asked what Councilmembers would be attending.

Councilmember Gonzales asked if the work at the Swimming Pool had been started.  Parks & Recreation Director LaTour stated that the work will begin in the Spring.

Council Liaison

None

NEW BUSINESS

Accept City of Lamar 2025 Optional Coverage Quotes and Certificates of Insurance Renewal

Councilmember Gonzales moved and Councilmember Jenkins seconded to table the City of Lamar 2026 Optional Coverage Quotes and Certificates of Insurance Renewal through CIRSA until next Council meeting so that the increase from last year to this year can be presented.

• 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”.

Discussion and Possible Decision Regarding the Interim City Administrators Roles

Discussion regarding the Interim City Administrator roles through end of year to help new City Administrator Mitch Hammes.

Councilmember Bates moved and Councilmember Gonzales seconded to approve Interim City Administrator assisting new City Administrator Mitch Hammes through end of year so that he is aware of past history and issues that may continue, this will be extended if necessary by an additional vote.

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

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

Miscellaneous

None

Adjournment

There being no further business to come before the Council, Councilmember Jenkins moved and Councilmember Mata 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 7:25 p.m.

Linda Williams – City Clerk 

Kirk Crespin – Mayor