All Entries in the "Utilities" Category
Lamar Utilities Board Reviews Insurance Contracts, Board Member Application
Lamar Utilities Board members voted to continue insurance coverage for its 29 mile gas pipeline. The coverage with IMA Kansas Inc. routinely renews on September 3 and was initiated in 2005. Other insurance carriers for the city, such as CIRSA or Traveller’s, covers the power plant substations and wind turbines, but not for the pipeline. […]
PCDI Discusses Rural Business Loan Sources
Prowers County Development Incorporated has accepted insurance bids from between eight and ten agents in Lamar and Prowers County for the East Washington Street property. Premiums following roof repairs on one of the warehouses following a summer wind storm have increased significantly and the PCDI board is looking for the best deal. Board member […]
Temporary LUB Chairman Appointed
Mike Bryant was elected as a temporary board chairman by members of the Lamar Utilities Board during their regular meeting on Tuesday, August 12. Rick Beard was elected to serve as vice-chairman. Both members will serve in this capacity until a replacement for David Anderson has been recommended by the Utility Board and approved by […]
ARPA Files Motion to Dismiss City of Lamar/Lamar Ratepayers Lawsuit
Arkansas River Power Authority, in an August 10 news release, filed a motion to dismiss a lawsuit against the southeast Colorado power organization regarding the Lamar Repowering Project: “Stating that the retail customers identified as plaintiffs in a lawsuit filed against ARPA in July are not parties to the ARPA contracts; and therefore, have no […]
Urban Redevelopment Authority Okays Roof Repair Project
The Lamar City Council, acting as the Lamar Redevelopment Authority Board on Monday, August 11, approved a grant request to fund building improvements to My Wholesale Products at 105 South Main Street and Thoughts in Bloom at 107 South Main in Lamar. Shawna Hodge, Executive Director of Lamar Partnership Incorporated, explained that the requested $8,000 will […]
Holly Trustees Approve ARPA Reaffirmation
The Holly Trustees, by a five to two vote, passed the resolution reaffirming its contract obligations to ARPA, Arkansas River Power Authority. Trustees Larry Sitts and Johnnie Lyons cast no votes during the regular monthly Trustees meeting on Wednesday, August 6. Holly is one of six ARPA municipality members who have been requested to sign […]
Trinidad City Council Approves Settlement with ARPA
Trinidad City Council Approves Settlement By NEWS RELEASE on Thursday, July 31st, 2014 In a Special Meeting held on July 29, 2014 the City of Trinidad, Colorado approved the Settlement Agreement with the Arkansas River Power Authority (“ARPA”) and Syncora Guarantee Inc., which resolves the City of Trinidad, Colorado v. Arkansas River Power Authority, […]
Anderson Departs Lamar Utilities Board
The Lamar Utility Board passed a resolution recognizing outgoing chairman David Anderson for his service to the community over the past five years. He was presented with a unique combination clock and functional electric meter by Lamar Light Plant Superintendent, Houssin Hourieh, during the Tuesday meeting, July 29. Hourieh noted that Anderson’s departure leaves […]
Prowers Planning Commission Okays Dairy Farm Land Use Permit
By a three to one vote, the Prowers County Planning Commission approved the provisional special use permit application from Karl Nyquist of C & A Companies, to construct a dairy cattle operation south of Holly. A public hearing was held by the Commission at the Prowers Fairgrounds Home Ec Building Tuesday morning, July 15. Nyquist […]
City of Lamar Joins Citizen Lawsuit Against ARPA, Nieschburg Resigns from ARPA Board
The Lamar City Council last night, July 14, approved a resolution to join a citizens’ lawsuit regarding the electrical energy rates charged by the Lamar Electrical Department and Contractual Relationships between member cities and ARPA, Arkansas River Power Authority and the bond holders or insurers (Syncora Guarantee, Inc.) of the Lamar Repowering Project. The resolution […]
Lamar City Council Goes Hardball with ARPA (Detailed Article on Council Meeting)
Following a half hour executive session, the Lamar City Council Tuesday night, July 8, took some firm steps with regard to ARPA, Arkansas River Power Authority, and that organization’s options for the Lamar Repowering Project. The council voted unanimously to direct its two ARPA representatives, Garth Nieschburg and Houssin Hourieh, to vote No on decommissioning […]
Lamar City Council Goes Hardball with ARPA
For all of their two votes at the ARPA membership table, the Lamar City Council authorized their representatives to vote no on approving a resolution to reaffirm the organic contract with the Arkansas River Power Authority and revenue bond insurer, Syncora. Lamar City Attorney, Garth Nieschburg and Lamar Light Plant Superintendent, Houssin Hourieh, were also […]
Decision Time for Lamar City Council on ARPA
As ARPA, Arkansas River Power Authority, representatives weigh their options on whether to place the Lamar Repowering Project in cold standby status or decommission the coal plant, the Lamar City Council sought suggestions for their next steps from residents during a public meeting Wednesday, July 2. The ARPA board will meet to ponder and perhaps […]
Recent Workshop Focused on Trees and Utility Lines – Maintaining Both Safety and Tree Health
Several utility companies participated in a workshop this past week in La Junta focused on trees and electric utility lines. Jack Wolfe, Chief Operating Office for Southeast Colorado Power Association (SECPA), spoke about how utility service providers carry a huge responsibility (by law) to provide safe and reliable service. When a tree is trimmed or […]
Lamar City Council Calls Executive Session Dealing with Power Company Concerns
The Lamar City Council will go directly into executive session after opening a special meeting on Tuesday, July 8, at 6pm in council chambers. There is no word on how long the meeting may last, but the council agenda has listed several options for the council following the executive session which was called for […]
Part 2 of the Proposed Lamar Parks, Trails and Recreation Master Plan, Reviewed June 24
Bicentennial Park is easily the most visible open space area in the City of Lamar, due to its proximity to Main Street, just south of the Municipal Building. Except for some special occasions, the park is seldom used. Last year, a locally produced mural was erected on the property as part of the […]
Getting on the Road for Main Street Development
Kristin Cypher, Vice-President of Britina Design, led the public discussion during the Wednesday, June 25 morning meeting to discuss downtown Lamar improvements in light of future construction plans for Main Street by CDOT next year. This was a follow up meeting to review suggestions from residents to develop an open and friendly downtown area. […]
PCDI Board Briefed on Repowering Project Options
The monthly Prowers County Development Incorporated meeting on June 24th was highlighted by guest, ARPA General Manager, Rick Rigel who briefed PCDI board members on a brief history of events relating to present developments for the future of the Lamar Repowering Project. Rigel has met with representatives from several municipal groups, as well as […]
Pelsue Returns to Lamar
Pelsue in Englewood, Colorado has recently reopened its assembly center for Fiber Optic Splicing Trailers in Lamar. Mike Bryant, who was hired as the manager of the business, said the staff has been in operation for about five weeks. The Pelsue shop, located on the west side of Highway 287 and south of Spreading […]
Lamar City Council Sets Public Meeting Dates for ARPA Discussion
Several public hearings were set by the Lamar City Council during their Monday evening meeting, two of which will focus on developments regarding ARPA, Arkansas River Power Authority. Mayor Roger Stagner said he hoped citizens with concerns about ARPA and the Lamar Repowering Project will attend one of the two meetings set for the Lamar […]