Lamar Tree Board Sets Spring Tree Planting Schedule

Municipal Offices in Lamar

The Lamar City Council adopted Proclamation 19-03 declaring April 18^th as Arbor Day and Arbor Week which runs from Sunday, April 14^th to the 20^th.  Tree Board President, Jane Felter, said the City was honored once again with the 2018 Tree City USA Award marking the 28^th year Lamar has received national recognition.  As a highlight, members of the City Tree Board listed some annual programs they will conduct during this period.  “We’ve received a grant of $10,000 which will be used to purchase approximately 63 replacement trees around the city, using $7,500 of the grant,” Felter explained adding the balance will probably be spent on removing a large tree which looms over the caretaker’s cottage at Willow Creek Park.  On Thursday, April 18^th, 5^th grade students will take part in an annual tree planting event, adding from 30 to 40 new trees at the city’s ballpark and City Park.  The board recommended the re-appointments of Judy Arnold and Darrell Finney to three year terms on the Tree Board expiring in March 2022.

Another appointment was made by the council; Chris Henderson applied to continue to serve on the Water Advisory Board following the expiration of his term. The council re-appointed him to the board for a term expiring February 1, 2024.

The council set Monday, April 22^nd for a public hearing date for the Sand and Sage Round-Up Special Event Permit application to host their annual beer garden during the fair on August 3^rd as well as the 8^th thru the 10^th and again during the Pedal the Plains event on September 15^th of this year.

The Lamar Police will offer security services during the 14^th annual Wild West Cook-Off contest at Willow Creek Park.  This is a requirement of the Kansas City BBQ Society for a sanctioned event.  Officers will patrol the Park from May 10^th to the 11^th during the event.

Lamar Police Chief, Kyle Miller, presented an MOU, Memorandum of Understanding, with RESADA, Region Six Drug and Alcohol Center in Las Animas. The agreement would be to rent the services of the department’s K-9 for random drug searches on their facility at a fee of $110 per search with a guarantee of four searches a year.

The council was given an overview of the 20 week course hosted by Family Leadership Training Institute by member Braunwyn Nidey. “It’s made up of as many as 90 volunteers who take the course to become involved with their community through various projects they decide to do,” she explained.  FLTI is a division under CSU’s Office of Engagement and supported in part by the Colorado Department of Health and Environment.  Family members are educated in public speaking and leadership development which helps them develop a relationship with a community’s civic leaders such as a city council or county commissioners.  Braunwyn invited the council to attend a graduation ceremony on Thursday, May 9^th at the downtown Pocket Park.  Members Gwendolyn and Micah Burnett also related their development through the FLTI courses for council members.

The council approved a season contract with Mason Martinez to continue to water flowers along Main Street for another year at a fee of $3,000 for six months service. This marks the 3^rd year of the agreement.

The Town of Springfield has adopted building codes but does not have the staff needed to implement the regulations. John Sutherland, City Administrator, said their town trustees approached the City inquiring about the availability of Craig Brooks, Lamar’s Chief Building Inspector, to visit and oversee the construction of a private home in Springfield.  Sutherland said all parties were on board with the request so long as it was understood that Lamar’s citizens would maintain first priority for his services.

The council adopted Resolution 19-04-01 which transfers $750,000 from the city’s Restricted Account to the Lamar Building Finance Corporation. This act will establish a revolving loan fund for the acquisition of Capital Assets for the City’s Operating and Administrative Departments.  The fund is financed from the city’s ARPA settlement suit, Case 31, over the Lamar Repowering Project in which ARPA was ordered to pay $2.5 million to the City of Lamar.  These funds will allow the city to acquire, “real estate and to construct, install or acquire and place thereon any and all public improvements within the boundaries of the City of Lamar.”  The purchases would be for the use and benefit of the residents of the City.

Administrator Sutherland reminded the council of various activities taking place in the near future including the High Plains Community Wellness Expo set for April 18-19 from 6 to 10am at the LCC Wellness Center, the Parks and Recreation Department have planned its annual Easter Egg Hunt for 9am at Willow Creek Park on Saturday, April 20^th, a Free Small Business Workshop, “The Importance of an Online Presence” will be held Tuesday, April 23^rd from 5:30 to 7:30pm at the Betz Tech Center at LCC and the Lamar School District Anti-Bully 5K Run/Walk is set for Saturday, April 27^th at 9am at Merrill Brush Football Field.

By Russ Baldwin