Council Approves Beer Garden Events, LPD-LFD-EMT Staff Praised

The Lamar City Council held a pair of public hearings on special event permits for the Lamar Chamber of Commerce during its August 12 meeting.  Both were approved.  The permits allow for a beer garden on Saturday, September 20 for the Pedal the Plains bike event coming to town for an overnight visit.  The beer garden will run from Noon to 10pm.  The other permit approved allowed another beer garden to be held for the traditional observance of Oktoberfest on October 5 and the event will be run from 11am to 10pm. 

A lease agreement between the city and SBA Structures, LLC was approved by the council.  The tower site has been rented by SBA since 2000, and the new contract extends the agreement for 10 successive terms of five years each at a fee of $700 per month.  Under the amended contract, the rent is automatically increased 10% at the start of each five year term.  The land is on County Road DD8. 

City Administrator John Sutherland got a nod from council members for a two year agreement at $250 per month,  with a website known as Socialmentum, doing business as MindMixer.  Sutherland said the recent positive response on the city’s website regarding citizen’s viewpoints on the proposed by-pass generated a significant number of responses.  In light of the online turnout, the administrator said this additional avenue, along with first Wednesday, monthly breakfast meetings with the council, can help increase citizen participation on relevant issues. 

The city council approved an additional ordinance prohibiting the use of marijuana within the city limits.  The ordinance serves to block another feature in the passage of Amendment 64 regarding recreational use of marijuana in Colorado.  The ordinance prohibits various marijuana ‘social’ clubs which has had users congregating on private property to ingest recreational marijuana.  Marijuana storage facilities and medical centers and dispensaries are also covered under the ordinance.  

Numerous commendations were presented to members of the Lamar Police and Fire Departments for their professionalism and dedication regarding several past events.  Police Chief Gary McCrea highlighted the efforts of Officer Ray Macias and others for their work in apprehending two individuals who robbed the McClave State Bank this past June.  Call Center employees, Ryan Cook and Heather Burkhart received medals for their service during events that led to the robber’s capture.  EMT’s and members of the Lamar Fire Department were recognized by Fire Chief Marshall Cook for having saved the life of Lamar resident Bill Elam who went into cardiac arrest during Flag Day ceremonies this past June.

Two persons were approved to continue to serve on the VALE Board.  Patsy Colclazier and Rose Ann Yates were reappointed to a three year term each, ending August 1, 2016.

A public hearing has been scheduled for Monday, August 26,  by the council regarding a request for the final plat of the Viaero-Hartshorn Subdivision.

The council set aside September 19th as a tentative date to meet and discuss issues of shared budget concerns for 2014 with the Prowers County Commissioners.

By Russ Baldwin