All Entries in the "Utilities" Category
Chip Seal Project Set for Several Holly Streets
The Holly Trustees held a brief monthly meeting on Wednesday, June 3, approving an engineering services contract with Atencio Engineering for a feasibility study for two railroad water line crossings and a boring on Highway 50 in town. This is a preliminary segment needed for the $20,000 REDI Grant project for the community. Interim Administrator, […]
Rains Reducing Drought in S.E. Colorado
Drought Information Statement from National Weather Service Record to near record precipitation throughout May has ended the drought across most of southeastern Colorado. A very stormy month has produced widespread rainfall of two to four inches across most of south central and southeast Colorado, with pockets of six to eight inches of rain recorded across […]
Light Plant Makes Repairs on Area Outages
The Lamar Utility Board held a brief meeting, approving purchase orders and payment of bills. A bid for underground junction boxes for $5,357 was approved to maintain stock inventory. Light Plant Superintendent, Houssin Hourieh, explained that some of these will be used as parts of the electrical infrastructure for the proposed dormitory pod for Lamar […]
Urban Authority Okays Funding for Las Brisas
“Thank you for your consideration and for establishing this organization which can help fund business ventures and re-purpose existing businesses in town,” said Alfred Bergquist, during his attendance at the Monday evening meeting of the Lamar Redevelopment Authority. Lamar Mayor, Roger Stagner, had asked Mr. Bergquist if he had any comments regarding his grant application […]
City of Lamar Can Take ARPA to Jury Trial over Repowering Project
The Senior District Court Judge, Scott Epstein, in the cases against ARPA by the City of Lamar and the Ratepayers comprised of several local business owners, ruled that although the Ratepayers case has no standing and their case was dismissed, the suits brought by the City of Lamar and Lamar Utilities Board can move forward […]
New Road Can Pave the Way for New Commercial Development
Camino de Santa Fe was officially opened to traffic Friday, May 22, with a ribbon cutting attended by representatives from the City of Lamar, Prowers County, Lamar Chamber of Commerce and CDOT. Built by Lamar Public Works crews, this short stretch of roadway now connects East Parmenter to East Olive Street, between Wal-Mart and Dollar General. […]
ARPA/LUB Scholarships Announced; Exploration of New Power Source Continues
The Lamar Utility Board held a brief general meeting before moving into executive session regarding the assets of the Lamar Repowering Project. Prior to that, the December 2014 Financial Report was delivered which showed that cash was up $159,533 from November and accounts receivable increased by $155,456. There was a gross operating loss for the […]
ARPA Board Signs Sales Agency Agreement for the Lamar Repowering Project
The Arkansas River Power Authority (ARPA) has entered into an agreement with International Process Plants (IPP) to assist with the marketing and sale of the Lamar Repowering Project power plant. IPP is a global asset recovery firm based in Princeton, New Jersey with offices and infrastructure in seventeen different countries. The contract with IPP follows […]
Lamar Council Okays Funding to Support Southwest Chief Route
Lamar Police Chief Kyle Miller gave the oath of office to the city’s newest officer, Thomas Dunagan, who recently graduated from the Otero Junior College Law Enforcement Agency. He began his orientation training in Lamar on April 30 of this year. “With Officer Dunagan’s hiring, we’re now at our budgeted strength of 20 officers for […]
Holly Trustees Continue Administrator Search
The Holly Board of Trustees had been close to finalizing a contract with a potential new City Administrator, but the candidate, Eric Duthie, indicated he would not be available for the position. Jerry L’Estrange, the interim administrator, will continue to serve the city in that capacity. Megan Jara, Holly Town Clerk said there is about […]
Focus on Finances at PMC Board Meeting
The Prowers Medical Center Board of Directors held their first monthly meeting since the official groundbreaking ceremony was held, April 13, for their 18 month, $12M renovation project. The directors approved a modification to the Parkview Memorial Hospital affiliation agreement, limiting the contract to one year, renewable annually, instead of an open-ended schedule. Parkview will […]
Colorado Employment Situation | March 2015
Total nonfarm payroll jobs declined 3,900 from February to March to 2,504,100 jobs, according to the survey of business establishments. Private sector payroll jobs decreased 4,600 and government increased 700. According to the survey of households, the unemployment rate was unchanged from February to March 2015 at 4.2 percent. The number of people actively participating […]
City and County Are Underway with Spring Construction
It’s been a busy couple of weeks on the sidewalks of Main Street in Lamar, and at the Prowers County Courthouse. While some homeowners begin their seasonal upgrades around the house, municipal crews for the county and city have been engaging in some heavy-duty tasks. Motorists and pedestrians probably noticed the tall, blue crane from Southeast […]
Lamar Utilities Board Keeps Power Development Options Open
Lamar Utilities Board Extends Green Castle Agreement The Lamar Utilities Board, following an executive session on Tuesday, April 14, voted for a third extension of the agreement with Green Castle to pursue development of a natural gas power plant for Lamar. Lamar Light and Power Superintendent, Houssin Hourieh, explained the energy development firm needs more […]
Hazardous Weather Alert for S.E. Colorado this Afternoon
HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PUEBLO CO TRINIDAD VICINITY/WESTERN LAS ANIMAS COUNTY BELOW 7500 FT-CROWLEY COUNTY-LA JUNTA VICINITY/OTERO COUNTY-EASTERN LAS ANIMAS COUNTY-WESTERN KIOWA COUNTY-EASTERN KIOWA COUNTY-LAS ANIMAS VICINITY/BENT COUNTY-LAMAR VICINITY/PROWERS COUNTY-SPRINGFIELD VICINITY/BACA COUNTY- 1119 AM MDT WED APR 15 2015 THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR PORTIONS OF CENTRAL…EAST CENTRAL…SOUTH CENTRAL AND […]
Lamar City Sales Tax Posts Another Monthly Gain
Total Sales and Use Tax Collections for the City of Lamar are up 6.18%, or $15,660, for the month of February. Collections for the early year total $268,956 compared to the same time last year when collections were at $253,564. City Sales Tax was up 7.81% for a $17,326 increase in that single category. Year […]
Lamar Council Approves Funding for LPD Policy Upgrades
The Lamar Police Department will receive a new policy and procedure manual from the firm, Lexipol. Lamar Police Chief, Kyle Miller, explained the service will also provide local officers with daily scenarios-based training that reinforces agency approved policies and procedures, as well as regular updates for the life of the contract. Chief Miller added, […]
Groundbreaking Moves PMC Forward for New Facilities
Construction crews have already been at work, removing slabs of concrete from one of the parking lots at Prowers Medical Center, even as the groundbreaking ceremony for renovations and expansion was being held this past Monday, April 13, adjacent to the Emergency Room entrance. Craig Loveless, hospital Chief Executive Officer, welcomed the audience and was […]
PMC Hosts Groundbreaking for Expanded Facilities April 13
After several years of planning, the expansion and renovation plans for Prowers Medical Center in Lamar are set to proceed. The $7.6M venture will take an estimated 18 months and will impact about eight areas of the hospital including HVAC and electrical renovations. A groundbreaking ceremony has been planned for Monday, April 13th at 11am […]
City of Holly Close to Hiring New Administrator, Sets Clean Up Day Date
The Holly Trustees have selected a finalist from the candidates interviewed to serve as Holly Town Administrator, following the resignation late last year of Marsha Willhite. Final details of the negotiations are being worked out and a formal announcement will soon be available. Monday, April 27 has been selected as the town clean-up day […]