Photo by Aaron Burnett

Mark Holloway and his wife Jackie received a letter of appreciation from the city at Monday’s city council meeting. Holloway accepted the award on behalf of LPR Construction which has been working on the repowering project. LPR made significant contributions to multiple local charities during their time in Lamar, including the Southeast Colorado Cancer Initiative and the Toys for Tots program. Also receiving letters of appreciation Monday for their help with coordinating the state high school rodeo finals were Julie Dorenkamp and Chana Reed.

LAMAR—Two large purchases were the focus of much of the discussion at Monday’s Lamar City Council meeting.

A lease purchase of a new fire engine had been approved in May, but the terms of the lease purchase had not been finalized because the vehicle had not been built. With the engine nearing completion, City Administrator Ron Stock presented the council with options for financing the transaction. The administrator informed the council that changing economic factors have made the lease purchase of the engine less attractive than purchasing the vehicle outright. Stock said when the lease purchase was originally presented, a low interest rate from the financier and high returns on the city’s investments made the lease purchase option a sound choice because it would allow the city to pay for the vehicle over the course of several years, minimizing the effects to the city’s reserves. Lower returns on municipal investments combined with the now higher interest rate being charged for the lease make an outright purchase of the vehicle more attractive than a lease purchase said the administrator. City treasurer Linda Rohlman also informed the council that upon further review of lease regulation the full amount of the lease would have to be accounted for during the first year of the lease, essentially tying up the capital for the length of the lease.

The city placed a $100,000 down payment on the vehicle previously and has a remaining balance of $206,409. The council had saved $50,000 a year for the past three years to purchase a new fire engine. The council voted unanimously to purchase the vehicle outright. Also approved for the fire engine was up to $15,000 to equip the vehicle. The money had originally been budgeted as matching funds for a grant for the airport that was not approved. In a followup interview, Rohlman estimated the remaining balance in the capital improvement fund at $1.3 million.

The second large purchase discussed Monday evening was a vacuum truck for the water and sanitation department. The department currently has a jet trailer it utilizes to flush sewer lines. The new truck would be used for many of the same tasks as the jet trailer said Water Manager Doug Montgomery, but could also be used to perform other tasks such as cleaning storm sewer lines and excavation in tight or dangerous areas.

The council approved in a split vote, with councilmen Ron Cook and Roger Stagner voting against and all other council members voting in favor, the purchase of a vac truck from Boyle Equipment Company of Commerce City, for $260,000.

Cook expressed concern over the timing of the purchase. “I’d like to see us hold off on the purchase of the vac truck for now since it’s close to budget,” said Cook.

Funding for the truck will come from the water and wastewater fund. The fund currently has $800,000 originally set aside for construction projects on the water storage and delivery system. Stock told the council that in light of higher than originally projected costs for the projects only one portion of the construction would be undertaken this year at a cost of $240,000, leaving funds available for this year’s purchase of the truck.

Other items covered by the council Monday included approval for the purchase of additional mosquito spray and larvicide, the purchase of two pieces of exercise equipment for the community building and the approval of a revision to the patron guide and an increase in processing fees at the municipal library.

On the consent agenda, council approved the payment of bills totaling $233,446 and a second reading of ordinance number 1119. The ordinance, originally read at the council’s July 14 meeting, calls for the adoption of the International Energy Conservation Code. Prior to the council’s session, a work session was held during which representatives from Lamar Community College updated the council on events and opportunities and treasurer Rohlman updated the council on the budget.

The council’s next session is scheduled for Monday, August 11, at 7 p.m. Meetings are generally held in the council chambers located on the second floor of the municipal building.