Council Approves Special Event Permits

Municipal Offices in Lamar

The Lamar City Council, during the first hour of its June 10^th meeting, approved requests for permits following public three hearings.   The Lamar Elks Lodge request for a special events permit for a beer garden at the Downtown Custom and Classic Expo Car Show was approved for August 16^th and 17^th.  A temporary Modification of Premise application for the Buzzard’s Roost was approved for their annual September ‘Road Jam’ concert at 101 North Main Street in Lamar. The third hearing concerned a liquor license transfer for the Green Garden Restaurant which was also approved.  The restaurant created an Limited Liability Corporation (LLC) for their business and was required to conduct a transfer of ownership in name only, per state regulations.  During the open discussion portion of the meeting, car show organizers, Trevor LaCost and Chris Duffy, recapped the highlights of the first show and discussed some modifications for the second year of the summer event.

New flower pots will soon be in view along Main Street with the Council’s receipt of funding from CDOT for several streetscape plans including planters, benches, trash receptacles, a sound system, tree grates and wayfinding kiosks. The city was awarded a $400,000 grant in 2016, but not the money which included a $100,000 match.  The Home Store in Lamar, based on the award, went ahead and had purchased the flower pots for $83,120 and have been without payment ever since.  The council decided to pay for their purchase, contingent on the letter to proceed with the projects from CDOT.  Angie Cue, Lamar’s Community Development Coordinator informed the council the authorization letter had been received as of Monday.  “We plan to start putting some of the displays along Main Street this week,” she explained, adding that the old planters will not go to waste, but will be on display along Olive Street and other locations for the city as the need warrants.

Lamar Flying Service will be better equipped to offer road service to their patrons. The council approved the transfer of a 2011 Lamar Police Department car that has been taken out of service.  The airport will use the vehicle for pilot/passenger transport into town.

Several approaching events were highlighted for the council by Administrator, John Sutherland, including the Lamar Library’s free Moon Rock display this Friday, June 14^th in the Cultural Events Center between 2pm and 4pm.  The Lamar Police Department is presenting some fun times for the public, Friday, June 21^st with “Friday with the Force” at Willow Creek Park at 5pm.  The event includes free swimming, BBQ meal, Bug Run, outdoor movie and inflatable obstacle course.  Bike to Work day begins at 7am with a free breakfast to all walkers and riders at the Lamar Community Building until 8am.

By Russ Baldwin