Lamar City Council hears from local water aerobics attendees about benefits at meeting of June 8, 2026

The Lamar City Council had a fairly short meeting on June 8, 2026.  Mayor Kirk Crespin asked viewers to please report any crimes or issues the Police Department needs to be made aware of by calling the Dispatch Number (336-3977) instead of “tagging” the department or the city on Facebook.  The Lamar Police Department’s Facebook page has additional information and is asking for the public’s help with this.

Addressing Council during the “Public Comment” portion of the meeting were several ladies who frequently attend the water aerobics classes taught at the Lamar Swimming Pool.  Instructor Heather Flint spoke about the program and its benefits, bringing with her several of her students.  All mentioned the health benefits – weight loss, muscle strengthening, flexibility, joint pain relief, etc., but also spoke about the “mental health” benefits they receive from the classes.  “We’re all equal in the water”, one woman said, saying that regardless of age or physical ability on land, they are all able to painlessly exercise due to the buoyancy.  Another mentioned the kind, welcoming nature of the group and how beneficial the social aspect is, particularly for older students.  “We also exercise our mouths”, she joked, referencing the opportunity to converse and laugh with one another.  One of the women detailed her recovery from a badly fractured leg, saying while she was unable to run or exercise out of the water, the water classes sped up her recovery.  Another talked about her weight loss journey and how she has regained her health and lost weight after participating all last summer.  Classes are free for persons over the age of 65, and are only $3 per class for persons under 54, while ages 55-64 pay only $2.50.  Punch cards for multiple visits can be purchased at the pool.  Classes are held at noon Monday through Friday and at 5:30 pm on Mondays and Thursdays.  Flint has been participating in water aerobics for over 25 years, and has served as the instructor in Lamar for the past several years.  She said they wanted to spread the word about the classes and encourage community members to attend, saying many people probably don’t know the classes are offered.

City Treasurer Kristin Schwartz said bids have gone out for contractors on the Brownsfield grant.  Work continues on departments going live with the new Tyler software, including Parks and Recreation and court scheduling.  City Clerk Linda Williams said that there was a problem with recent utility billing in Denver, when the crates of Lamar’s mail were inadvertently sent to Phoenix, causing delays in customers getting their bills.  She asked that residents call the office if they haven’t received their bill and reminded everyone that they can get statements online as well.  She is predicting the go-live date for sales tax reports will be July 15 but said that after reviewing January through May sales tax numbers, the city has seen a 7% increase to date in sales tax revenue.  City Administrator Mitch Hammes had several announcements.  There will be no City Council meeting on June 22 due to the upcoming Colorado Municipal League conference June 22-25.  The Lamar Chamber of Commerce “Wet/Dry Parade” will be held Saturday, July 4^th at 10 am on Main Street (more information will soon be published on The Prowers Journal concerning this).  City offices will be closed on Friday, July 3 for Independence Day.  The annual Community Social event is set for Friday, July 10 at Willow Creek Park – there will be free swimming, a movie, and food.  The Pancake Breakfast and Fly-In will be Saturday, June 27 from 9 am to 1 pm at the Lamar Municipal Airport.  The Lamar Fire Department will be receiving a new 75-foot ladder truck next spring – Hammes said it was $63,000 under budget.  Stephanie Strube is serving as the interim Community Development Director and Kolby Brubacher is serving as interim Parks and Recreation Director.

Council member Mark Headlee urged Lamar registered voters to get out and vote in the upcoming election. Council member Brad Johnson said the Willow Valley area has a skunk problem and asked if the city could provide additional skunk traps to the Animal Shelter, as the few they have are not sufficient.  The traps are specific to skunks, as the wire traps aren’t suitable for relocating the skunks if they spray.  Animal Control officers will transport and relocate skunks if they are in the correct trap.  Mr. Hammes said he would look into whether more traps could be purchased.  Council Member Brent Bates said the DECA golf scramble will be held Saturday, June 13 at Spreading Antlers.  A recent MAKS scholarship tournament was held there with 72 players on 18 teams.  He reminded golfers and spectators at tournaments to property hydrate with the summer’s heat.  He said SECCI’s annual “Fight Night” for cancer will be held July 18 at the Prowers County Fairgrounds.  The event had been held in the pocket park in previous years but has been moved so that inclement weather will not affect the festivities.  A golf tournament for SECCI is scheduled for August 1 at Spreading Antlers.

After a public hearing, approved on its second reading was Ordinance #1285 “An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Lamar, Colorado, Rezoning certain lots 12 and 21 from Open Estates (O-E) to Commercial (C-2) and Zoning lots 13 and 20 as Commercial (C-2), All of said property generally known as the 220 Holly Street Property”.  Proclamation 26-05 “Elder Abuse Awareness Day” was approved, designating June 15 for same.  The Sand & Sage Round-Up has submitted an application for a Special Events Permit to once again host a beer garden at Round-Up and fair on August 6, 2026 from 5 pm to midnight, August 7, 2026 from 5 pm to 1 am, and August 8, 2026 from 5 pm to midnight.  A public hearing for same was scheduled for the July 13, 2026 Lamar City Council meeting, for 7 pm.

Council voted to approve a lease agreement with Kactus, Inc. for office space at the Village Center.  For several years, the city has leased Units 3, 7 and a garage for the Lamar Police Department’s extra offices and for storage.  The lease has been changed to a yearly one in anticipation of the future opening of the Public Safety Building.  The lease amount has increased $100 from last year and monthly rent is $1,050.  Council voted to approve the mayor signing an Equitable Sharing Agreement and Certification form, required by the Department of Justice on an annual basis.  This certifies the amount of equitable sharing money that was spent each year and balance of unspent funds.  The funds are from DEA forfeiture dollars.  As of December 31, 2025, there was a balance of $1,092.24 in funds, with zero dollars spent in 2025.  Also approved was an agreement with the State of Colorado Department of Labor & Employment for the leasing of office space to them in the Community Resource and Senior Center building on E. Olive.  The 360 square foot space will be on a five-year lease to the State, with annual increases and is set to end on June 30, 2031.

Before adjourning the meeting to go into Executive Session, Council member David Zavala said that he had been contacted by Lamar Estates who asked if he could put on a low-rider car show for residents similar to the one that was at the Cinco de Mayo event.  He agreed to do it and said it will be held at Lamar Estates on Father’s Day, June 21 from 3-5 pm.  Council Member Gerry Jenkins asked if the city could somehow provide a siren at the ponds at North Gateway Park to alert people recreating there as to emergency weather conditions (severe thunderstorm/lightning, tornadoes, etc).  Crespin suggested placing it on the building the Aqua-Holics rent equipment from since there is adequate electricity for it there and Hammes said he would look into getting this in place.  It was also discussed that there is a need for additional trash receptacles at the ponds, particularly on holidays and busy weekends, as the ones there are not sufficient and trash piles up around them.

The next meeting of the Lamar City Council will be held on Tuesday, July 14 at 7 pm.

By: Barbara Crimond