The Lamar City Council finished business for 2020 with their final meeting of the year, Monday, December 21
st with a reminder that city offices will be closed December 24
th and 25
th as well as January 1, 2021.
City Administrator, Steve Kil, noted the Community Development Block Grant of $900,000 for the administration of funds earmarked for improvements to Plainsview Apartments on South 11
th Street in Lamar was awarded by the Department of Local Affairs. The city will be a third-party funding conduit between DoLA and the apartment complex owners.
Kil told the council the city is working with GOCO for an extension and modification of the Generation Wild grant that was awarded in 2015. The goal of the grant was to develop various outdoor projects appealing to Lamar’s youth. The project grant, $1.3 million was awarded to Lamar with $445,000 for capital projects and the balance invested in programs, pathways and capacity. The city used $380,000 for the skateboard facility in Willow Creek Park and $80,000 for new playground equipment on the western side of the park. However, the pathways and programs portion of the grant became stalled with the departure of the local LiveWell Prowers County coordinator. The city is now requesting a modification to the grant to redirect $524,127 over to capital improvements which includes $65,000 for a picnic and camping area at North Gateway Park, a new playground at the Lamar Sports Complex, expanding the soccer field and lighting at Escondido Park and resurfacing the town’s tennis court adjacent to the municipal swimming pool. The council is also requesting an extension to June 30, 2022 to complete these projects.