City Council Continues Option for Business Development with Buxton

Municipal Offices in Lamar

The Lamar Redevelopment Authority approved an application for a DOLA REDI grant of $30,000 to finance the on-going efforts of Buxton group to provide marketing strategies for the City of Lamar’s retail development programs. City Administrator, John Sutherland, noted that the reports from Buxton have served as an information asset to Angie Cue, Lamar’s Community Development Director in her efforts to promote Lamar as a viable community for business attraction and development.  “We’ve had several wins recently for our town which has helped get us noticed for development such as the Pilot Truck Stop, the Pocket Park and the new Willow Creek Pharmacy in the past year.”  He mentioned that some development for a future hotel or motel in the community is also being studied with some expansion for one motel and another is seeking to refinance for future improvements.  The Authority members cast a unanimous vote in favor of the application.

The Lamar Police Department received the go-ahead to apply for the Police Officer Standards and Testing (POST) grant. The $11,254.44 grant will finance the on-going training for officers who are certified in Colorado as well as equipment and supplies needed to maintain compliance with the mandate.

The Lamar Fire and Emergency Services will apply for their grant to replace a Type 1 structural engine that has been out of service for two years due to a broken gearbox. The Tier 2 request through DOLA’s Energy and Mineral Impact Assistance Program is for $350,000 and will purchase a Type 3, 4X4 fire engine that would serve multiple roles with structural protection as well as wild land fire protection.

The Arkansas Valley Conduit, planned to bring drinking water from Pueblo to cities in southeast Colorado, has been on the drawing boards for over 50 years, but is still receiving limited funding for the planning stages of the project, until recently. The US Department of the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation, received permission from the city to conduct field activities on city-owned land.  The study, concentrating on privately owned lands between Pueblo and Lamar, is expected to last a minimum of five years.

City Administrator, John Sutherland, noted several items on the community calendar including the annual Denim and Lace Revue March 29-31, an executive session between the City and County on April 2^nd, the monthly council breakfast will be held from 7am to 8am on Wednesday, April 4^th at the Quality Inn on North Main Street, the Lamar Chamber of Commerce Comedy Night on Friday, April 6^th at the Lamar Eagles Lodge at 7:30pm, the Friends of the Lamar Library Spring Book Sale April7-11^th at the Cultural Events Center and the City-Wide Spring Clean-Up Day on Saturday, April 28^th from 7am to 4pm.

The council selected May 29^th as one of their May meeting dates due to a conflict with Memorial Day which falls on the 28^th, during which, City Offices will be closed.

The application from Donald and Jemalin Nordo for a new hotel/motel license was approved by the council. The couple’s business, DJ Main Street View Inn & Suites, was the former Chek Inn at 1210 South Main Street in Lamar.

Two current openings on the Lamar Parks and Recreation Advisory Board were approved; Tara Bender and Brice Hiigel had their applications approved for three year terms, with Bender’s expiring in 2020 and Hiigel’s re-appointment ending in 2021.

Lamar Airport Sign

Oscar Riley, Council Liaison to the Spreading Antlers Golf Course and Lamar Municipal Airport, noted the Golf Committee is installing tournament software which will visually post tournament standings as they occur and the course is receiving nine new trees along the fairways. The Airport board said an estimate from the FAA for an aerial-view runway study of the facility is estimated between $90-95,000.

Of the three vendors that submitted annual bids to supply the City of Lamar with fertilizer, Building Material Supply was awarded the contract for their low bid of $6,809.50. This allows for a spring and fall cycle of fertilization.

By Russ Baldwin