Lamar City Council meeting of March 9, 2026

The Lamar City Council meeting of March 9, 2026 was held with all council members in attendance.  Mayor Kirk Crespin welcomed the audience to the meeting and spoke about some reminders now that the weather is warming up and daylight savings time has begun.  First, he wanted to remind residents of the changes made last year regarding yard/garage sales.  Only four sales are allowed per year and anyone selling items in a fixed location more frequently will need to contact city offices regarding permits for same as well as sales tax collection information.  Also, with the lack of sufficient precipitation this winter, there will likely be yard watering restrictions in place and he encouraged people to check the city’s website and Facebook page for upcoming information concerning this.

City Administrator Mitch Hammes had several announcements.  First, Lamar Cub Scout Pack 223 is holding a flag replacement fundraiser.  Anyone with a worn or faded flag can have their flag properly retired at a ceremony and can purchase a new 3×5 foot flag for $20.  The Annual 9/11 Tribute banquet and fundraiser at Tavern 1301 will be held beginning at 6 pm March 14.  There will be a Prowers County Rally with Victor Marx at Tavern 1301 on Sunday, March 22 at 5 pm.

The first agenda item for the evening was tabled until more information can be ascertained.  Scheduled for the night’s meeting was a public hearing for a new Fermented Malt Beverage and Wine Retail Liquor License for Prowers County Market, who expects their new store to be open in late April.  They intend to continue to offer shoppers the ability to purchase beer and wine as they were accustomed to when the Safeway store was in operation at the same location.  Speaking in opposition, a gentleman who did not state his name provided council members with copies of Colorado’s Bulletin 22-04, which states that a new fermented malt beverage/wine retailer license shall not be issued if they are located within 500 feet of an existing liquor store, which he claims is the case with Prowers County Market.  Since this was the first time Council had been made aware of this bulletin, it was decided to table the hearing until both the city clerk and city attorney can gather more information from the state as well as looking at the possibility of a license transfer from Safeway.

Approved was a security contract with the Sand & Sage Round-Up Fair Board and the City of Lamar for security for the Wild West Cook-Off Contest to be held April 24-25.  The contest is sanctioned by the Kansas City BBQ Society.  Security will be provided by off-duty LPD officers at the rate of $45 per hour for a total of $360.   Also approved for this event was overnight parking for the cook-off teams in Willow Creek Park for the evening of April 23 through Sunday morning, April 25.  Cindy Bennett told Council that this is the 22^nd year this contest has been held here and currently has 20 teams signed up.

Mike Duffy, city representative for the Ports to Plains Alliance, gave a brief update from his recent Washington, D.C. trip during which discussions were held with various Senators and Representatives along with Federal High Administration and Commerce Department officials.  Council next voted to reappoint Jane Felter and Jack VanHook to the Lamar Tree Board, to serve three-year terms expiring March 1, 2029.  A request by Titus Sharpe for extra-territorial water service to his property at 9201 County Road HH was approved unanimously.  There is an increased rate for this service since it is outside city limits.  Janette Erdman was reappointed to the Library Advisory Board for a five-year term.  Ms. Erdman was a teacher and librarian at Wiley School and has served one term on this board to date.

An Economic Development Incentive Agreement for Denny’s Restaurant was approved.  This is a duplicate of a previous agreement that expired before the restaurant was able to be finished.  The terms of the agreement call for five years of decreasing reimbursements as follows:  For 2027, 100% reimbursement of sales tax collected and 50% of the city’s portion of property tax, to be paid in January of 2028.  For 2028, 80% reimbursement of sales tax and 50% of the city’s portion of property tax, to be paid in January 2029.  For 2029, 60% reimbursement of sales tax and 50% of city’s portion of property tax, to be paid in January of 2030.  For 2030, a 40% reimbursement of sales tax and 50% of city’s portion of property tax, to be paid in January of 2031 and for 2031, a 20% reimbursement of sales tax and 50% of city’s portion of property tax, to be paid in January of 2032.  This is a performance-based agreement with no rebates issued if for some reason the business doesn’t open as anticipated.   A lease extension was approved for North Fork Farms for “the domes” – the premises originally built for coal storage in the city.  The option to purchase portion of the original agreement expired on March 1 but due to existing deterioration of the exterior coating, it was decided to extend the agreement until September 1, 2026 to allow for evaluation of the extent of the damages.

The last two agenda items for the evening concerned scheduling public hearings for a temporary modification of premise to the liquor license for Tavern 1301 as well as a special event permit for the Lamar Chamber of Commerce’s Cinco de Mayo event.  Tavern 1301 has requested a temporary modification to their current liquor license to include an outside enclosed tented area for the Lions Club convention for April 10 and 11, 2026.  The area would be enclosed with a tent and panels and entrance will be through the Colorado Room.  The Chamber of Commerce’s special events permit would be for the beer garden for the May 2 Cinco de Mayo event which is scheduled from 11 am until 9 pm.   Both public hearings will be held at the next meeting of City Council, March 23, 2026 as close to 7 pm as possible.

By: Barbara Crimond