Lamar Transportation Projects Noted at City Council Meeting

Loop Running through Willow Creek Park

Transportation in one form or another was a topic of discussion for the Lamar City Council during their Monday meeting, June 27^th.  The council approved an agreement between the city and Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) railroad for the replacement of sidewalks across the Main Street tracks which will be built by CDOT during the Main Street renovation project.    The sidewalks are between Beech and Hickory Streets.  The three part agreement stipulates that the sidewalks will be maintained by the City of Lamar, they will be constructed by CDOT and BNSF requires an agreement for any work done on their property.  The first phase of the Main Street project is expected to begin in October, but there is no specific date when the sidewalks will be replaced.

Two public meetings on forms of transportation that will impact the community have been scheduled for Lamar. One meeting will be a public hearing for the US 50 Corridor which will be held from 5pm to 8pm on Monday, July 11^th at the Lamar Community Building.  The other meeting will provide an update on the proposed Lamar Loop trail which will encompass and connect areas of outdoor activities throughout Lamar.  Consultants contracted for trail development will make a presentation from 5:30pm to 7pm on Monday, July 25^th at the Cultural Events Center.

Citizen’s Academy Graduates: Gearhart and Ivan and Ramona Cheasebro

The Lamar Police Department concluded another Citizen’s Academy for area residents and Police Chief Kyle Miller presented plaques to three of the nine participants who completed the Academy which ran from the middle of April to mid-May. All three, LaNette Gearhart, and Ramona and Ivan Cheasebro, stated that they received a quality education on the workings of the Lamar Police Department and recommended it for any resident who wants to know more about how officers work to preserve and protect the citizens of Lamar.

Chief Miller and Officer Steve Sanger requested the council approve the police department’s affiliation with the Colorado Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC). “This takes a proactive approach to prevent internet crimes against children,” Miller explained.  He said this mostly involves child pornography, “There are people out there trying to get ahold of kids for bad things and this gives us a way to get out in front of that.”  Miller told the council that officer Sanger was recently certified for his participation in a training course in Fremont County.  The chief said the program will allow the ICAC force and local law enforcement to be made aware of child pornography related interests on the internet in their own communities.  Miller explained that when there is sufficient legal cause, search warrants can be issued to investigate the interest by a person on the internet, “This way we don’t have to wait for a child to become a victim on this type of crime before we step in.”  The council approved the memorandum of understanding which will allow the Lamar Police Department to receive any tips on this type of interest in the community.

Lamar City Administrator, John Sutherland, outlined an RFP, Request for Proposal, to develop a Geographical Information System for the community. The system, which was bid out for interested businesses, will cost $23,590 and will be paid for from an Energy and Mineral Impact Assistance Fund grant.  North Line GIS, which has worked with the city in the past, presented the accepted proposal.  The firm will provide a layer-by-layer computer layout for streets, addresses, water and electric lines, hydrants and flood plain information using ground and aerial imagery for the city.

City Engineer, Wiley Work, made a brief presentation for a resolution to change the name of West Prairie Drive in Woodland Park to Prairie Street as it had been called almost 15 years ago. Work said this will help avoid confusion with Prairie Drive which is on the southwest side of Lamar.  Prairie Street is directly across from Willow Creek.

The council was made aware of a residence on West Washington Street that is being used by alleged trespassers. According to the city, the house has no utilities and the off-premise owner of the residence was unaware until recently, that it had been occupied.  The council adopted a resolution authorizing Garth Nieschburg, City Attorney, to initiate action in Prowers County Court, to authorize the city to remove the occupants from the dwelling through an injunction.

Several future dates were noted by Administrator Sutherland. The First Annual Firecracker Clay Target Shoot will be held Sunday, July 3rd, sponsored by the South East Colorado Trap Club and the Lamar Fire Department.  Proceeds from the shoot will benefit the annual fireworks fund.  The Club is located due west from the rear of the Rodeway Cow Palace Inn.  Fire Chief Jeremy Miller said this year’s fireworks display is scheduled to begin around 9:30pm at the fairgrounds.  Contact the Lamar Fire Department for more information at 719-336-4321.  City offices will be closed on Monday, July 4th for the national holiday observance.  Brew Unto Others on South Main Street will host the July 6th council breakfast from 7am to 8am.  A public hearing on the US Corridor 50 will be held Monday, July 11th from 5pm to 8pm at the Lamar Community Building.  A public meeting to provide updates on the Lamar Loop will be held Monday, July 25th from 5:30pm to 7pm at the Cultural Events Center.

By Russ Baldwin