Council Relaxes Water Restrictions

Municipal Offices in Lamar

 

The council has approved Resolution 19-04-02 which modifies Stage One water restrictions in light of the easing of the drought situation and improved water well levels over the past year. Public Works Director, Pat Mason, explained the change will eliminate Friday as a non-watering day and extends daytime watering hours by one hour through the week.  Users can now water up to 11am and after 6pm seven days a week.  Before, watering was restricted between 10am until 6pm, the hottest portion of the day.  All other restrictions remain in place including running water on a hard surface, such as washing a car on a concrete driveway and not using a hose with automatic shut-off.  The new regulations went into effect as of the April 22nd council meeting.

The city has agreed to sell water to Castle Rock Construction Company while they are working on the CDOT passing lane project south of Lamar. Approximately a half a million gallons of water will be used over two months.  The non-potable water will be taken from the city’s open reservoirs on a per cubic foot basis using the 2019 Rates and Fees schedule, plus an additional $435 per month to cover augmentation costs.

Lamar has been selected by the National Society of Butterflies as Monarch City, USA and a live Monarch Butterfly release is scheduled for the downtown Pocket Park on Wednesday, May 1st at 2pm.  The proclamation noted the drastic decline in North American numbers, dwindling in the mid-1990’s of more than one billion, a drop of 90%.  Studies have shown the drop is attributable to the destruction and loss of summer breeding habitat in the US and loss of winter habitat in Mexico.  The proclamation, designating May of Each Year as Milkweed for Monarchs Month, encourages the Citizens of Lamar and Americans in general to plant native nectar plants to provide the needed blossoms and weeds that provide needed nutrients each year.

The council approved a motion to ratify a phone poll approving the acceptance of the Pet Over-Population Grant for $13,400. Another phone poll was approved for the submission of the POST, Police Officer Standards Training Grant for classes and equipment in the amount of $7,704.40.

The City Business Offices at 102 East Parmenter Street are scheduled for a remodeling project. Bid requests were sent to 10 licensed and insured contractors and three attended the pre-bid conference with only Camp and Currell Construction responding.  Cost of the project is $44,229.52.

The requested special events permit for a beer garden hosted by the Sand and Sage Round-Up was approved following the Lamar City Council’s public hearing held on April 22nd during the regular council meeting. The Round-Up will hold the annual beer garden during the Sand and Sage Round-Up Fair on August 3rd and again on August 8th – 10th at the Fairgrounds.  The permit also covers a beer garden on September 15th from noon to 5pm at the Fairgrounds during the Pedal the Plains bicycle event for Holly, Lamar and Springfield.

Lamar Police Chief, Kyle Miller, outlined the insurance coverage agreement with CIRSA for the new, 2019 Optional Coverage Program for Detainee Medical Coverage. The chief explained that if a person is injured while in police custody, they are typically taken to a medical care facility for treatment.  Cost of treatment is usually sought by the hospital from the law enforcement agency.  CIRSA’s current coverage does not include medical benefits coverage and the Detainee option will help defray some expenses.  The prorated premium of $3,000 is effective from May 15, 2019 through December 31, 2019 with a $2,500 deductible.

The transfer of Airport Entitlement Funds to the City of Fort Morgan was approved. The Lamar Airport received $150,000 each year for airport improvement projects.  The FAA requested funds from 2016 and 2017 for Fort Morgan, but they will be repaid to Lamar in Fiscal year 2021.   City Public Works Director, Pat Mason, explained Lamar’s airport does not plan to use the funds until that year and can benefit by this practice in order to do larger local projects in future years once these funds accumulate.

The council approved a lease-purchase financing agreement with the Lamar Building Finance Corporation. In the past, the council approved the transfer of funds to the Finance Corporation which created an “internal” lease-purchase financing mechanism for capital asset acquisitions by the City.  This allowed the city to buy equipment such as a new ambulance, life-saving equipment and a power-cot for use by ambulance staff.  The agreement calls for a term of 48 months with an interest rate of 2.75% with an up-front payment of $25,097 and equal annual payments of $26,845.82.  The total size of the agreement is $100,338 according to City Treasurer, Kristin McCrea.

A council meeting date for May was changed from the 27th to the 28th because of the Memorial Day holiday.  The city’s annual warranty agreement for the Lamar Library’s security gate and self-check machine was approved for a total cost of $3,228.34.  Lamar resident and avid skateborder, Keith Godden, suggested the city install two lights at the Willow Creek skateboard park, allowing youngsters to enjoy the sport when summer temperatures are cooler in the evenings.  Mayor Stagner explained the city has entertained that thought, but funding is a current issue.

City Administrator, John Sutherland, noted future events for the council including the annual City-Wide, Spring Clean-up Day, Saturday, April 27th; the Southeast Colorado Concert Association’s Spring Concert on Tuesday, April 30th at 7pm at the LHS, the monthly informal council breakfast will be held at the Pit Stop on Wednesday, May 1st from 7am to 8am; the Lamar Loop Ribbon Cutting Ceremony, 11am to 2pm, May 4th at the new pavilions at Willow Creek Park; the Sand and Sage Wild West BBQ is set for May 9-11 at Willow Creek Park; PMC Foundation Gala at Cow Palace Inn, Friday, May 10th at 6:30pm, Lamar Days BBQ at the Lamar Chamber on Friday, May 17th from 11am to 1pm, plus Scavenger Hunt downtown and No Booze Cruise with Cops at Sonic Drive-In at 6pm and Lamar Days events and parade, Saturday, May 18th at 10am.  Mayor Roger Stagner commented that he had received a check from the local Sorosis Chapter for $2,000 to be applied to a park bench at North Gateway Park.  Councilwoman, Gerry Jenkins reminded the public in general to be more aware of trash at local parks.  She had noted and received comments that littering has been noticed at North Gateway Park and the skateboard facility at Willow Creek Park.

By Russ Baldwin

 

 

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