Lamar City Council meeting of July 27, 2026

Lamar City Council met on July 27, 2026.  Absent were Council members Brent Bates, Gerry Jenkins, and Joe Gonzales, although Gonzales joined the meeting virtually. After the invocation, Pledge of Allegiance, and roll call, the agenda was approved. During the “Public Comments” portion of the meeting, Landon Brown, owner of the Prowers County Market, introduced his family (wife Elizabeth and children Susan, Elliott, and Felicity) and wanted to publicly thank Mayor Crespin and Council for all the help his family received in achieving their dream of opening a new grocery store for the community and also for attending the previous weekend’s official Open House and ribbon cutting. Brown said that it is approaching a year since their journey began and he was reflecting on what they had hoped to do, which was to provide a community-driven grocery store to fulfill the needs of our community.  “The grand opening went really, really well” Brown said, saying the store gave away several items, including two bikes, groceries and “a whole herd of cows”, referring to the store’s mascot “Prowers the County Cow” and told the story of its inception – his brother recently opened Auggie’s Market in La Junta and has a similar stuffed animal mascot Auggie the Bear. Brown said that he didn’t want to “be copycats” but his deli manager’s grandson saw the bear and said “Well, I want a Prowers County Cow!” and thus the adorable stuffed Highland cow was born.  He presented one to Council at the meeting.  Brown said he wanted to offer a food item unique and not available elsewhere locally and that since he has a “Mediterranean woman” in his life (his wife), Gyros were the perfect choice – they couldn’t keep up with cutting the meat at the grand opening due to its popularity. Crespin thanked the Browns for “stepping up to the plate” to open a much-needed business for Lamar and said he hopes the community supports the store.  All Council members at the meeting thanked the Browns for bringing their business to Lamar and mentioned how wonderful it is to be able to contact the owner of the store and get quick, personal responses directly from them, unlike big corporate stores.  Councilman Headlee said he had done so, requesting a particular Icelandic yogurt and that “within two weeks it was in the store which was amazing”.

Also addressing Council during Public Comments was Jay Brooke, who wished to comment on Council’s decisions made at their last meeting in regard to Lamar Light and Power.  He said that while he is a Lamar Utilities Board member, he was not representing or speaking for the Board, but as a citizen.  He remarked that two weeks ago, someone told him about the possibility of the City selling Lamar Light and Power to Southeast Colorado Power Association .  He said it must just be a rumor, saying that as a board member he would have known if that was true but that he was then taken by surprise when he heard of Council’s decision at that meeting.  He commended L&P Superintendent Hourieh for dedicating his career making the utility “one of the best municipal utilities in the state and perhaps even the country” and for him “picking up the pieces after the disaster” of the failed power plant years ago.  He then asked Council if they had spoken to any of the employees, many of whom have expressed fear of losing their jobs if such a sale is made.  Brooke mentioned the loyalty of the employees, including the linemen, who are crucial to retain.  He said he felt the City’s decision was “short-sighted” and asked if the end justifies the means. He requested that the City speak with the employees directly to address their concerns. Crespin said he wanted to clarify that the decision at the last meeting was only to investigate the offer of purchase, but that was all it was and that Council felt it was their fiduciary duty to explore it. “Council doesn’t have the authority to agree to a sale and that if the offer made is deemed to be decent, the City will take the offer to Lamar Utilities Board and only if they agree would such an issue be put on a ballot for voters to decide.

City Administrator Hammes announced several upcoming events. The Back 2 School Bash will be held Saturday, August 1 from 9-1 at grace family Worship Center.  The Sand & Sage Fair runs August 1-8, with the rodeo held August 7 and 8. The last day of the season for the Lamar Swimming Pool is August 8.  The SECCI Drive for Hope golf tournament is August 1 at Spreading Antlers.  The Parks and Recreation’s fall youth sports registration is open, with a deadline of August 5.  Brenda Brown with Main Street Lamar then spoke about the upcoming Corporate Cup, to be held beginning on July 29, with the opening kickoff that day with announcements from sponsors at 5:30 and the cornhole tournament at 6 pm.  Thursday will see the Krazy Kickball event happen at 5:30. Beach volleyball competition will be Friday, July 31 at 5:30 pm at North Gateway Park. Saturday, August 1 will include the predicted 5K walk/run at 8 am, the fishing tournament from 8 am to 3 pm, Community Togetherness Project from 10 am to 1 pm, and kayak races at 2 pm.

In department updates, Fire Chief Burkhart and Lamar Police chief Ridder gave reports.  Burkhart said the department is averaging 5.63 calls a day, up slightly from 2025.  The department is awaiting delivery of a new truck that is in the process of being assembled in Wisconsin.  Final delivery is expected by early spring of 2027.  He said the department is always looking for volunteers and that with LCC starting classes soon, they hope to get students willing to do so.  He mentioned the EMT basic program that will be starting soon through LCC and that anyone interested should contact the department.  Funding for the classes is available, so interested students will have no out of pocket expenses.  Chief Ridder said they have seen a 9.9% reduction in accidents this year.  They are still concerned with staffing levels, being short two officers; however, a new hire will be starting soon.  Currently, there are 14 street officers and 3 investigators and Ridder is hoping to get a dedicated traffic control officer. He said he is proud of the department’s employees who all work very well together and that community involvement is a big goal.  He hopes to be able to offer more of a presence in schools and that the photo radar system can help deter speeding in school zones.

Ordinance No. 1286 was approved on its second reading, which adds new sections to Chapter 26 of the Lamar Municipal Code to establish regulations for automated vehicle identification systems in the City.  Also approved was a professional service agreement with My Rural Planner.  Money for this comes from a Lamar Expanding Affordable Housing Capacity Grant received by the City for $50,000.  The grant will provide assistance in updating land codes and development of processes to expedite new affordable housing developments.  An agreement for renewal with Lower Arkansas Water Management Association (LAWMA) for use of the Fort Bent Augmentation Station was approved.  The city is required to augment water back to the river to offset well pumping and usage each year through an approved structure.

Tresa Holbert gave Council an update on the City water systems status.  She told them that NOAA has designated this year as the driest year in 130 years of recorded history and, as such, the city is closely watching water usage which includes Stage 2 watering restrictions for residents and she encouraged residents to be cognizant of their water usage.  The drinking water is safe, she said, and meets or exceeds EPA standards.  The Willow Valley project is being completed, with a 12” PVC line replacing a 14” cast iron line that dated to the 1930s.  Full road paving in that area will be happening soon.  Resolution No. 26-07-01, “A Resolution of Necessity of the City Council of Lamar” was approved.  The resolution declares that acquisition of identified property interests is necessary for the construction of the City’s new wastewater treatment facility.  The resolution authorizes the City’s legal counsel to continue negotiations with the property owner and initiate eminent domain proceedings in accordance with Colorado law to acquire the property while ensuring just compensation.  In the same vein, the final agenda item was for Council to accept a Titan Commercial Valuation Agreement for appraisal services for the property mentioned above.  These appraisals are necessary to establish fair market value and to support negotiations and any future property acquisition proceedings that may be necessary. Council voted unanimously to accept the agreement. The meeting was then adjourned for Council to enter into an Executive Session for advice on legal questions regarding eminent domain and urban development.

The next meeting will be held Monday, August 10 at 7 pm.

By: Barbara Crimond