Lamar City Council oks Beer Garden for Sand and Sage Roundup Fair at June 23 meeting

All council members were present for the June 23 meeting.  Mayor Kirk Crespin began by saying it’s been a busy few months for the city, particularly in light of the absence of a City Administrator and City Police Chief, both of whom resigned recently.  Crespin and Councilman Manuel Tamez have stepped in as interim City Administrators and Commander Kevin Ridder has been assigned as Interim Police Chief.  Crespin wanted the community to know that the City Administrator position has been posted online as well as one for a deputy Public Works position.  He said the city is “waiting a little bit longer” giving Chief Ridder an opportunity before looking for another Chief.  “We may have already found ours, but will let time tell” said Crespin.

In the City Treasurer’s report, Kristin Schwartz announced that the City has received both a $10,000 WPCRF (Water Pollution Control Revolving Fund) grant for planning the Waste Water Treatment Plant, as well as a $5,000 El Pomar grant for purchasing bulletproof vests for the Police Department.  Linda Williams, City Clerk, gave a report on several items.  There were 309 electric connects for the year through May, with 284 disconnects in that same period.  Water connects during that period totaled 193 with 174 disconnects.  Cemetery lot sales through May totaled 16 with 13 at Fairmount and 3 at Riverside.  There were 21 openings/closings at Fairmount, 4 in the Veteran’s Section and 5 at Riverside.  The 2025 Coordinated Election on November 4, 2025 has the following positions on the ballot: Mayor-at-Large (2 year term) and Ward I, II and III Council positions (all 4-year terms). Call for Petitions will begin advertising July 17 and running for 3 weeks.  Those that are interested in running may pick up packets in the Clerk’s office no earlier than August 6 and must be returned no later than August 29, 2025.

The City Administrator’s report included several upcoming events. Prowers County Youth Council’s Free Movie in the Park is Friday, June 27 starting at approximately 8:30 pm in Willow Creek Park by the pool.  The movie will be ”Moana 2.”  The SECO Pridefest will be Saturday, June 18 from noon to 5:00 pm in the Enchanted Forest.  Common Grounds will be Wednesday, July 2 at 7:00 am in the Cultural Events Center and will feature the Building Codes Department.  The City of Lamar’s annual fireworks show begins at 9 pm on July 4.  The City’s Community Social that had to be rescheduled due to weather will now be held on Friday, July 11.  The free swim is from 1-5 pm, the meet and greet and meal from 5-7 pm and the movie “Inside Out 2” begins at 9 pm.  The Friday with the Force event, which also needed to be rescheduled due to weather, has not announced a new date as of yet.  All City offices will be closed on July 4 for Independence Day.  The Lamar Library’s Summer Reading Program has a record 400 participants this year.  Concrete work (sidewalks and walkways) for the new dock at Gateway Park has been completed and leveling of dirt at Escondido Park for the Running Lopes soccer field is wrapping up.  The City celebrated several employee milestones, with Brenda Appel completing 10 years of service as a 911 dispatcher, Jerry King completing 15 years of service as a Maintenance Worker, Senior in the Street Department, and Patrick Mason completing 40 years of service as Director of Public Works.

The first item on the agenda for the night was a Public Hearing for a Special Event Permit for the Sand and Sage Round-Up to host a beer garden during the fair.  There was no one present to speak against the permit and it was passed unanimously.  The beer garden will be open from 5 pm to midnight on August 7, 8, and 9 during the fair.  The area has been enlarged and modified this year to allow people in the beer garden access closer to the stage only on Friday night during the concert.  Security will be provided to ensure safety and adherence to legal drinking requirements.

Carol (Sue) Tecklenburg was reappointed to fill a 5-year term on the Lamar Housing Authority Board.  Council voted to ratify a phone poll to submit project changes to DOLA for the Main Street Mini Grant.  Kathy McCorkle, secretary/treasurer for Southeast Colorado Cancer Initiative (SECCI), spoke to Council about the group and what it does for the community before asking that the Pocket Park rental fee and food truck vendor fees be waived during the August 2 “Fight Night” event.  SECCI is a non-profit organization that provides fuel for local cancer patients who need to commute for cancer treatments provided outside of Lamar.  For persons in Lamar, Wallace Gas and Oil will provide the fuel and people outside of Lamar fueling their vehicle can submit receipts for reiumbursement.  So far this year, SECCI has spent $6,000 on fuel and has 25-30 active clients.  They also offer one-time emergency funding in the amount of $250 for persons with initial cancer diagnoses to help those persons just starting their cancer journey.  That program has provided $3,000 to patients so far this year.  The Fight Night event is an evening to honor the journey of those who have faced cancer by celebrating the lives of current patient, survivors and loved ones who have lost their battle. The event is a major fundraiser for the group.  In addition to the waiving of fees, the group asked to have the alley behind the Pocket Park blocked off as well as the south end of the parking lot so that food trucks and tables can be set up and allow for safety of participants.  No alcoholic beverages will be served at this event.  Council voted to waive the fees for the event as well as agreeing to block off the alley and parking lot.

The 2025 Corporate cup Challenge will be held July 30 through August 2.  Team sponsorships are in line with last year’s numbers, but there has not been a good response for corporate sponsors.  The group asked the City to be a Platinum Sponsor for the event, which Council voted to approve.  The $2,000 sponsorship has already been budgeted for.  There is still availability for anyone wishing to enter a team.  Businesses with fewer than the required 15 participants can join up with another business or businesses to reach that number.  Council also approved permission for metal crosses to be placed near the graves of those buried in the Veteran’s Section of the cemetery, as it is city-owned property.  Signage will be placed giving families the option to have the crosses removed if they so wish.  Graves of veterans buried elsewhere in the cemetery can also ask to have the crosses placed if they wish and signage will provide information for doing so.

It was announced to Council that the About F.A.C.E. grant was approved for the City.  The $5,000 grant will allow youth 18 and under to use the Community Building for free as well as providing scholarships for families unable to afford the registration fees for youth sports.  This grant replaces the Rawlings Grant that was utilized in the past. Council voted to approve on first reading “An Ordinance Adding a New Article III, Sections 16-55 to 16-57, to Chapter 16, Prohibiting Perpetual, Prolonged and Extended Yard Sales in both Residential and Commercially Zoned Areas of the City of Lamar, Colorado”.  The ordinance addresses the problems faced with persons having yard sales continuously, as they present safety hazards and litter problems.  The Ordinance also covers any sale advertised as “yard, garage, estate, rummage, lawn, attic” etc. Such sales will now be limited to 3 consecutive weekdays or two consecutive weekends and will also be limited to no more than 4 times per year in the same location.  Council then adjourned the meeting to go into Executive Session.

The next City Council meeting will be Monday, 6 at 7 pm.

By: Barbara Crimond