Council Investigates Energy Efficiency Plan for Municipal Buildings

Oscar Riley Presents Donation to Police Chief Gary McCrea

The council approved an agreement for a utility easement for a right of way for water lines which are not located in a public right of way.  The easement agreement from private landowners was needed to build the new line which will provide service to Prowers Medical Center along Kendall Drive.  The installment of new water lines is the fourth phase of a water infrastructure improvement plan initiated by the city several years ago.  The easement property is owned by the Prowers County Hospital District.  Another, smaller section of land was also granted an easement.  The landowners are Lamar Building Material Supply and Guaranty Abstract Company.  This land is needed to accommodate a needed 90 degree bend in the waterline. 

The council approved a contract extension for operation of the concession stand at the Community Building.  The Lamar Savage Booster Club has operated the stand for several years.  The extended contract, according to Leisure Services Director Rick Akers, would have the City of Lamar receive 8% of the net income for the 2012-2013 year.  Akers detailed a concession contract at the Ball Field Complex as requested by the Lamar High School Class of 2014.  The City of Lamar would receive 4% of the net income for the remaining 2012 year.  This was the only bid received, after the city advertised for interested parties. 

A contract for improvement work at the Lamar Municipal Airport was approved by the council.  The airport was initially awarded a $550,485 Federal Grant through the FAA for a portion of an Apron Rehabilitation project.  The original grant included a 95/5% split, which was altered to 90/10.  However CDOT’s Colorado Aeronautics Division agreed to match 7.5% of the City’s 10% match, leaving Lamar’s cost for improvements at $15,291.  The council approved a contract amendment allowing the alteration of the percentages of cost responsibility. 

In other action:

Oscar Riley, from the Lamar Elks Lodge, presented Lamar Police Chief Gary McCrea with a $300 donation from the Elks to be used as part of the purchase price and training for a replacement K9 German Shepherd. 

Jim Larrick Receives Plaque of Service from Roger Stagner

Mayor Roger Stagner and the council joined in a round of applause and show of appreciation to former council member, Jim Larrick for his eight years of service to the community as a member of the City Council.  Stagner presented Larrick with a plaque for his years of service.  Another presentation was made to PCDI Director, Lisa Nolder by Skip Ruedeman, council liaison to PCDI.  Nolder and PCDI were recently recognized by the Economic Development Council of Colorado as the Small Community of the Year award, and Nolder received the “Rookie of the Year” award from the EDCC.

Interim City Administrator Steven Rabe informed the council that Chris Sandoval has been selected from the list of candidates for the position of Superintendent of Water, Wastewater and Stormwater.  Sandoval, who hails from Utah, begins his position with the city May 21, replacing Doug Montgomery.  Rabe also noted that municipal offices will be closed Monday, May 28 for the Memorial Day holiday, and the council meeting was moved to Tuesday, May 29.  No applications have been received by the city for a replacement on the Lamar Community Resource and Senior Center Advisory Board following the passing of member, Ernie Hoffmeister.   The council had advertised the position, but no applications were submitted for consideration.  The council decided to re-advertise the position.  The council also approved a motion for Rabe to enter into negotiations with Honeywell Building Solutions for a preliminary report on the cost of improving the energy systems and some infrastructure in various municipal buildings and the city well field.  Essentially the project is designed to pay for itself through more efficient and lower cost utilities to such areas as the community building, library and municipal complex, water metering systems and wastewater facilities.

Council activities for the evening were under the observation of the Lamar Scout Pack #218.  About 10 scouts were in the audience with scout master Don Steerman.  He said the troop attended the meeting as one of the requirements of attaining their communications badge.

By Russ Baldwin