All Entries in the "Utilities" Category
Urban Redevelopment Discusses Value Added Construction
Discussion over funding a roof for a recently purchased downtown business and a new restaurant project was held by Lamar’s Urban Redevelopment Authority Monday, August 10. The Authority also decided to invite Prowers County Assessor, Andy Wyatt, to a future work session to discuss what constitutes added value to a property when basic infrastructure improvements […]
Holly Landfill Issues Improving, Working with Tighter Budget
Two years ago, the Holly landfill received a number of deficiency gigs regarding operations and record keeping. Matters are improving and this past Thursday, July 30, interim Town Administrator, Jerry L’Estrange, met with state and county representatives to review the current status of the landfill. L’Estrange noted that the town’s record keeping for the […]
L’Estrange Continues as Holly Administrator – Trustees Developing Utility Bill Payment Policy
Jerry L’Estrange and the Holly Trustees finalized a work agreement during their monthly meeting, August 5, which will set the parameters of his employment as Town Administrator through the end of 2017. L’Estrange began his duties as interim administrator this past January as a replacement for Marsha Willhite. The Trustees offered some ideas for a […]
PCDI to Host Business Seminars, Discusses Colorado Space Business Roundtable
The Prowers County Development Incorporated Board of Directors held their monthly meeting this past Tuesday, July28, with new member Cindy Otto attending her first meeting. She was appointed to replace Deb Choat for her unfinished term. Otto, like Choat, is a Granada resident. Interim Executive Director, George Gotto recapped his most recent activities including a […]
Water Main Break Closes SOS Center on East Olive Street
Due to a water main break on Olive Street in Lamar, resulting in the lack of water in the building, the Lamar Community Resource & Senior Center and SAGE Nutrition are closed today, July 30, 2015. The Prowers Area Transit Services (PATS) continue at this time, however, PATS may need to close early today. Any […]
LUB Reviews 2016 Draft Budget for Lamar Repowering Project
“This is a bare bones budget,” according to Houssin Hourieh, Lamar Light Plant Superintendent. He remarked that overall; it’s 27% lower than last year’s submission sent to ARPA for approval under their Joint Operating Agreement. ARPA, Arkansas River Power Authority, needs to have the budget submitted to them by August 1. 2016 revenues are […]
Lamar Council Prepares for Higher Internet Security for City Operations
Given the number of computer hacking incidents across the nation, the city’s insurer, CIRSA, has recommended that the city conduct a penetration audit to help with loss prevention and possibly lower CIRSA premiums. Thomas Sanchez, the city’s IT Director, explained that several security upgrades were considered as recommended by CIRSA. An audit of the […]
Colorado Employment Situation / June 2015
Employers in Colorado added 11,300 nonfarm payroll jobs from May to June for a total of 2,525,600 jobs, according to the survey of business establishments. Private sector payroll jobs increased 8,800 from May to June and government increased 2,500. According to the survey of households, the unemployment rate increased one-tenth of a percentage point in […]
Funding Crucial to Ports to Plains Development
A series of connected highways running 1,390 miles from Mexico to Canada through Texas, New Mexico, Colorado and other northward states Dakota make up the basic Ports to Plains Corridor project. Lamar hosted a regional meeting this past Wednesday, July 15, allowing participants to learn about the most recent developments for highway development and the need […]
New Downtown Beautification Programs Approved for Lamar
The Lamar Redevelopment Authority approved $27,000 in Authority funds to purchase and install new concrete flowerboxes for the east and west sides of Main Street in Lamar, from Beech Street to Elm Street. Shawna Hodge, Community Development and Urban Renewal Manager, told the Authority that the new boxes will blend with the existing architectural features […]
Lamar Council Approves Utility Developments
The council authorized an agreement for engineering services for $10,000 for the Main Street Water Distribution System Project Needs Assessment. The goal is to replace the city’s aging water mains underneath Main Street in anticipation of CDOT’s re-surfacing project set to begin in early 2016. A Needs Assessment on the project, costing $10,000, is required […]
Two Ball Fields Done, Two Closer to Completion
Work has been steadily progressing to complete the final two softball fields at the Lamar Sportsplex ever since a final GoCO grant was approved for the City this past spring. Last week, work was underway to place the final sets of field lights for the third and fourth ball parks. Each post will hold a […]
Granada Safe Route to Schools Project Could Begin in September
Granada Police Chief, David Dougherty, stated that the Safe Routes to School project will be rebid after three weeks of advertising for the project. The pre-bid meeting is July 23 with CDOT officials and any area contractors interested in the project. It has been revamped in light of the lack of any close estimated bids […]
Holly Trustees Discuss Water Project, Flood Plain Ordinance
Representatives from Antencio Engineering visited in Holly late last month to prepare a preliminary report for the city’s REDI Water project. Grant funding will be needed for the project which will see crossings under railroad tracks and Highway 50 in town. Holly Mayor, Brad Simon, said the funding may be available from DOLA, but as it’s […]
ARPA and City of Lamar Perspectives on Required Demolition Permit
The City of Lamar and ARPA, Arkansas River Power Authority, have been at legal loggerheads for the past year over the failed Lamar Repowering Project, its ultimate disposition and the ability to default on the construction bonds used to build the coal fired plant. The plant has been offline since late 2011. In September 2014, […]
City Council Schedules Public Hearing for Sand and Sage Beer Garden
The Lamar City Council set July 13 as the date for a public hearing for the Prowers County Fairboard. Members are requesting a special events permit to host a beer garden during some events at the Sand and Sage Fair in August. The council also held a public hearing for a special event permit for […]
Colorado Employment Situation for May 2015
Employers in Colorado added 4,900 nonfarm payroll jobs from April to May for a total of 2,514,500 jobs, according to the survey of business establishments. Private sector payroll jobs increased 4,400 and government increased 500. According to the survey of households, the unemployment rate increased one-tenth of a percentage point in May to 4.3 percent. […]
Iberdrola and Tri-State G & T Sign Wind Power Agreement
Iberdrola Renewables Announces Wind Power Agreement with Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association Twin Buttes II Wind Project to Supply Clean, Competitively-priced Power PORTLAND, Ore. – Iberdrola Renewables today announced a 25-year contract to supply Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association, Inc. (Tri-State) – a wholesale electric power supplier owned by 44 electric cooperatives and public power […]
Lamar Revenue Taxes Show Monthly Gain
The City of Lamar’s April Sales and Used Tax shows a 3.96% improvement over April 2014 by $9,235.95 with $242,352 collected this past May and $233,116 collected last year. Other Sales and Use Tax collections improved 1.06% over the same time last year for a gain of $2,784. Total collections for April 2015 are at […]
Lamar Police Department and Domestic Safety Sign Agreement
Lamar Mayor, Roger Stagner, signed a memorandum of understanding between the Lamar Police Department and the Domestic Safety Resource Center as outlined by Lamar Police Chief, Kyle Miller and Kathy McCorkle, Executive Director of DSRC. The MOU will help to provide assistance to victims of domestic crimes, as the Center currently provides such items as […]