Crespin in as Lamar’s New Mayor

Crespin Presents Opening Remarks as Mayor of Lamar

Two Lamar City Council meetings were held Monday, November 11^th. The first, conducted by the outgoing council detailed the city sales and use tax report and accepted a 25^th Anniversary Plaque presented to the City by the Colorado Junior Rodeo Association.

Reciting Oath of Office

In closing remarks regarding his municipal service, Mayor Roger Stagner offered thanks to his current city council members as well as those he served with during his past ten years as Mayor of Lamar, including city staff and several former City Administrators. “It’s been a learning experience and it’s been a lot of fun, too,” he told the audience as he moved on to the next agenda item for the council meeting.

Reception Following Council Meeting

A public hearing was held for Transfer of Ownership/Lodging and Entertainment Liquor License for the Max Hotel, LLC d/b/a The Max Hotel. The current license is Stockmen’s Motor Inn owned by Bill Owen and the new owners, Nancy, Jarrod and Holly Clark submitted an application for the transfer. The business is located at 201 South Main Street in Lamar. Following the hearing the council recommended the transfer be approved.

Stagner Presented with Gift Commemorating Years of Service to the City

The council unanimously ratified an earlier phone poll approving the submission of the Savings Places Conference Scholarship application. Community Development Management will attend the conference which is oriented towards community historic preservation in early 2020 using scholarship funding.

The 2020 VALE grant, Victim’s Assistance and Law Enforcement, was approved and the funds, $13,850.17, will be used to provide “Victim Rights Act Notification” by the board. The Lamar Police Department had requested $15,841.

The council decided against the request for an exclusive extended five-year package by the developers of the Cobblestone Hotel project in Lamar. This past August, the developer suggested to the City that if they were offered an exclusive deal, it would help move their deliberations to build a hotel in Lamar.   The City reluctantly agreed to a 90-day exclusive agreement, but that has since passed with no apparent forward movement from the developers. They did, however, ask for a five-year extension of an exclusive incentive package estimated at $1,334,944. The incentives include Enhanced Enterprise Zone Credits from the state based on the number of FTE employees hired by the hotel, a tax rebate from the Lamar Redevelopment Authority which would be 85% of the increase in property taxes levied on the property, approximately $74,209 which would continually annually for the remaining life of the LRA, approximately 11 years. A five-year rebate of City Sales Taxes, amounting to $32,529 each year, a five-year rebate on the cost of water and sewer utilities, estimated at $21,348 per year and a site development discount package from the City and Lamar Light and Power estimated at $249,260. There was some discussion that the deliberations could be open-ended, but councilwoman, Anne-Marie Crampton suggested putting a cap on that and recommended at least a six-month extension. However, that was amended in favor of a one-year, non-exclusive agreement to be offered to the developers which the council approved.

A resolution was passed by the council authorizing the City Attorney to file court actions to abate public nuisances at 107 South Mullin Street and 700 East Parmenter Street in Lamar. The properties have been determined to be dilapidated and unfit for human habitation in accordance with city municipal codes. The violations have been posted and the property owners have been notified repeatedly of the violations with no result according to City Attorney, Garth Neischburg.

That was the final action taken by the outgoing Lamar City Council. The new council line-up was presented to the public with the oath of office by incoming Mayor of Lamar, Kirk Crespin who replaced Roger Stagner. Crespin was elected mayor during the November 5^th General Election, defeating challenger, Beverly Haggard who steps down as a member of the city council. Oaths of office were also taken by councilpersons, Anne-Marie Crampton, Rafael Rodriguez, and Gerry Jenkins and was administered by Judge Lane Porter. They ran unopposed for their new council seats. Oscar Riley was not up for re-election. Anne-Marie Crampton was selected as Mayor Pro-Tem, replacing Crespin who had served in that capacity.

Some basic paperwork in the transfer of the council was conducted, naming Girard National Bank, Frontier Bank, TBK Bank, Community State Bank and Legacy Bank for the deposit of city funds. Resolutions were also passed by the council allowing for the deposit of funds with Edward Jones, Colo Trust and CSAFE. Authorization was approved for city checks to be signed by the Mayor and Mayor pro-tem, city clerk and city treasurer.

The council voted to adopt the revised Non-Commercial Driver’s License Drug and CDL Alcohol Testing Policy to adhere to changes made by the Department of Transportation and how the changes will be administered.

A number of calendar dates for future events were noted including: the November 15-17 performance of the Trailblazer Theater Company at the LCC Bowman Building, the annual Parks and Recreation Turkey Trot on Saturday, November 16^th, Wellness Evaluations on November 20^th and 21^st at the Cultural Events Center, Health Insurance Open Enrollments on November 21^st and 22^nd and the Fantasy Tree Auction at the Lamar Elks Lodge on November 23^rd. In light of the holiday schedule, the council decided to cancel December 2^nd and January 6^th work sessions and decided to hold the informal council breakfast on January 8^th at the Rancher’s Restaurant at the Lamar Truck Plaza.

Applications for the two open city council positions will remain open until Wednesday, November 20^th, one in Ward One and in Ward Three. Linda Williams, City Clerk, said the council will review the applications and come to a decision by the November 25^th council meeting.

A public reception for the outgoing and incoming council members followed the two council meetings in the Cultural Events Center.

By Russ Baldwin