Tuesday, October 21, 2025

CALL TO ORDER

Meeting was called to order at 7:01 am by Jennifer Mortimeyer.

WELCOME & INTRODUCTIONS

Board members attending: Galan Burnett, Trevor LaCost, Jennifer Mortimeyer, and Jacob Peterson.  City staff: Anne-Marie Crampton. Guests: Janan Graham, History Colorado CLG Coordinator; Mike Duffy

Absent: Gabrielle Hammer-Nieschburg

Public Comment: None

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Trevor made a motion to approve the corrected meeting minutes from April 15, 2025; Jacob seconded the motion, all in favor.

Trevor made a motion to approve the July 15, 2025 meeting minutes; Jacob seconded the motion, all in favor.

OLD BUSINESS

• The Lassie has been sold to Jake and Tiffany Whisenand. They are not sure what they will do with the property yet.
• The City and Main Street Colorado is assisting Jigisha Shah with her plans to redevelop the Davis Western Store/Green’s Jewelers (101/103 S. Main) with retail downstairs and housing units upstairs. History Colorado has helped determine what era the buildings should qualify as historic for:  midcentury 1900s. We need to locate photos of the building facades during this time period.
• HP Ordinance – The consultant reviewing the City’s zoning and subdivision codes recommended that most of the process-related HP content – much of what the HP Board revised earlier in the year – be moved from Chapter 2 (Administrative – Boards & Commissions) to Chapter 30. The Lamar Planning & Zoning Commission reviewed the updated chapter and sent it to the City Council for review and approval. The updated content and ordinance will be considered on first review at a special meeting on November 3.

PRIORITIES

• Main Café: The City is close to sending out an RFP for a consultant to manage the EPA Brownfield Cleanup grant.
• Willow Creek Park/Caretaker’s House/Pikes Tower: Lindsey Flewelling believes that a SHF grant could assist this project.  The Board had a question if GOCO funds could be used for preservation efforts at the park.

NEW BUSINESS

• Janan Graham, Associate Fellow for History Colorado’s Heritage for All Initiative spoke to the Board about her visit to Lamar to research both The Alamo and Second Baptist Church for potential state designation. Designation would allow both properties to qualify for HP tax credits for restoration. Board members noted that it should secure signage for the church if it receives state designation.
• Secretary Election: Trevor moved to offer the secretary position to Gabrielle Nieschburg; Jacob seconded. Motion passed. Anne-Marie will discuss it with Gabrielle.
• Annual Report Review: The board and Anne-Marie reviewed the annual report and confirmed that board members hadn’t attended any additional qualifying trainings during the year.
• The board brainstormed additional goals/activities for FY2026 and agreed to schedule a special meeting on 11/18/2025 at 7:00 – 9:00 am to confirm additional goals and activities, including a “Show & Tell” of historic properties with the Prowers County Historical Society in the spring of 2026. Other ideas included applying for grants and completing fundraisers to cover new project expenses and additional training, conducting a new historic site assessment of additional properties.

Miscellaneous

none.

NEXT PUBLIC MEETING

• The next special meeting is November 18, 2025 at 7:00 – 9:00 am
• The next regular meeting is January 20, 2026 at 7:00 am.

ADJOURNMENT

Jacob moved to adjourn the meeting. Galan seconded the motion. Meeting adjourned at 8:00 am.

Tuesday, July 15, 2025

CALL TO ORDER

Meeting was called to order at 7:01 am by Jacob Peterson.

WELCOME & INTRODUCTIONS

Board members attending: Jacob Peterson, Trevor LaCost, Galan Burnett, Stephanie Gonzales (via Zoom).  City staff: Anne-Marie Crampton. Guests: Lindsey Flewelling, History Colorado CLG Coordinator

Public Comment: None

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Trevor made a motion to approve the meeting minutes from April 15, 2025; Jacob seconded the motion, all in favor.

OLD BUSINESS

• The Lassie State Register Nomination – The Lassie received state designation on May 21, 2025.
• HP Ordinance – The City’s Attorney has drafted an ordinance that modifies the existing HP ordinance. He asked if we could identify what parts of the current ordinance have been modified, so the entire new document does not have to be included (and read) at a future Council meeting for approval. Jacob and Trevor volunteered to help Anne-Marie compare the modified document to the existing ordinance, so she can submit just those changes to Mr. Clark.

PRIORITIES

• Main Café: The City of Lamar has received notice of an EPA Brownfield Cleanup grant award. The City will use both the CDPHE and EPA Cleanup grants to resolve asbestos issues in the Main Café and south warehouse in the next two years.
• Willow Creek Park/Caretaker’s House/Pikes Tower: Lindsey Flewelling believes that a SHF grant could assist this project.  The Board had a question if GOCO funds could be used for preservation efforts at the park.

NEW BUSINESS

• History Colorado CLG Coordinator Lindsey Flewelling spoke to the board. There are 67 CLGs in Colorado. The next closest CLGs are in Kiowa County and La Junta. She explained the benefits and responsibilities of maintaining CLG status. CLGs are eligible for National Parks HP-related grants. SHF grants will fund interpretive signage at historic sites where buildings have been demolished. There may be no match for a La Colonia state nomination because it would be covered under the Heritage for All initiative to increase the number of historic sites highlighting underrepresented populations.
• Election of 6/1/20205 – 5/31/2025 Board Seats – The Board received applications from Galan Burnett, Gabrielle Hammer Nieschburg, and Mike Duffy. Stephanie Gonzales had intended to reapply for her seat and did not do it in time. The Board encouraged her to stay engaged in the board and apply for a future alternate board member seat. Trevor moved to accept Galan and Gabrielle for the available seats. Stephanie seconded the motion, all in favor with Galan stepping out during the discussion and vote.

Miscellaneous

The Board would like to continue to encourage property owners to seek local and state designation. Trevor suggested a potential “Show & Tell” evening in conjunction with Big Timbers Museum/Prowers County Historical Society, where owners could do short presentations on their property histories. Big Timbers and the HPAB could promote a photo scanning night to help property owners digitize artifacts related to their historic properties.  Lindsey mentioned that Yuma has “open mic night” and tractor tours of historic properties. Their board members help write short bios and map sites. Denver has an ice cream social in conjunction with their historic preservation efforts. Other communities have completed a mapping of historic properties and feelings evoked by the properties. The board could overlay a flood map on the HP property map and hold a corresponding workshop for property owners with intervention strategies.

The Board discussed the opportunity to recognize the Beverly Augustine home and/or her ranch. Lindsey thought that the City could apply for a grant to help write a nomination for one or more of the Augustine properties.

The Board wants to move forward with designating alternate board members, so it can encourage greater involvement and reduce the risk of having meetings without a quorum.

Stephanie will check to see if the City is eligible to become a certified Enterprise Zone project again. She said that eligibility criteria have changed recently.

NEXT PUBLIC MEETING

• The next regular meeting will be on October 21, 2025 at 7:00 am.

ADJOURNMENT

Jacob moved to adjourn the meeting. Trevor seconded the motion. Meeting adjourned at 7:56 am.

Tuesday, April 14, 2025

CALL TO ORDER

Meeting was called to order at 7:04 am by Jennifer Mortimeyer.

WELCOME & INTRODUCTIONS

Board members attending: Jacob Peterson, David Zavala, ­­­Jennifer Mortimeyer, Trevor LaCost.  City staff: Anne-Marie Crampton, Joy Dashner. Guests: Mike Duffy

Public Comment: Mike Duffy praised the Board for endorsing the designation of the DC Marker and St. George Creaghe houses, which were fully approved at the April 14, 2025 City Council meeting. 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Jacob made a motion to approve the meeting minutes from January 21, 2025; Trevor seconded the motion, all in favor.

OLD BUSINESS

• St. George Creaghe/D.C. Marker House Designations: Anne-Marie rewrote resolutions from a prior historic property to accompany the letter from the HP Board and supporting documentation.  The designations were approved last night. Anne-Marie and the City’s Attorney decided to not hold up the properties’ designation and address final changes to the City’s Historic Preservation ordinance to give HP properties more protection in the future. Jenny thanked Anne-Marie for all her work she had done to prepare for the designation of the two homes.
• There is a possibility that a home at 305 S. 3rd Street could be submitted for designation. The property is owned by Jake Harris. 
• Saving Places State Conference CAMP Session: Jacob, Stephanie, Trevor, and Anne-Marie attended, and all voiced their takeaways from the CAMP Session. They each spoke of what knowledge and ideas they took away from the day.
• History Colorado is submitting a nomination for The Lassie for state designation.

PRIORITIES

• Main Café: no updates, just waiting on the EPA Brownfield Cleanup grant application process.
• Willow Creek Park/Caretaker’s House/Pikes Tower: Community member Chuck Cook approached the City’s Park & Rec Director about the walls at Willow Creek Park; he wants a plan. 

NEW BUSINESS

• The City has received a letter from the US Department of Interior regarding a programmatic assessment for the Ark Valley Conduit, which will end in Lamar.  Because the LHPAB is a Certified Local Government (CLG), it has the opportunity to participate in the process.  No action needs to be taken as of yet.
• Historic Preservation Ordinance: Anne-Marie emailed the revised ordinance as the board had updated it in the work session and asked for questions or concerns about the updates.  The Board would like to add the ability to designate alternate board members to the revised ordinance. Trevor made a motion to approve the revised ordinance and send it to the City Attorney for his revisions. Motion seconded by Jacob. All in favor.
• The board approves and recommends the ordinance be sent to Lance Clark, City attorney.

Miscellaneous

Lindsay Flewelling will be at the July meeting.

NEXT PUBLIC MEETING

• The next regular meeting will be on July 15, 2025 at 7:00 am.

ADJOURNMENT

Trevor moved to adjourn the meeting. Jacob seconded the motion. Meeting adjourned at 7:48 am.

Tuesday, March 11, 2025

The meeting was called to order at 7:04 am by Jennifer Mortimeyer.

WELCOME & INTRODUCTIONS

Board members attending were: Jennifer Mortimeyer; Stephanie Gonzales; Jacob Peterson (via zoom); Galan Burnett; and City liaison Anne-Marie Crampton; Joy Dashner; Stephanie Strube, Building Official. Absent: David Zavala and Trevor LaCost.

NEW BUSINESS

Discussion about the ordinance for the Historical Preservation Society.  We looked at the City of Greeley’s Historical Preservation Ordinance.  Discussed what regulations we want to add to our current Lamar Municipal Code for Historic Preservation.  Below is a quick outline of what we accepted to be added and some changes made.

1. Applicability.  Keep this section as is and add to our code.
2. Administrative review of undesignated properties. Keep this section and add to our code.
3. Criteria for Individual, owner-nominated properties.  Keep this section as is and add to our code.
4. Criteria for individual, non-owner-nominated properties.  Keep this section as is and add to our code.
5. Criteria for district designation.  Keep this section as is and add to our code.
6. Integrity criteria. Keep this section as is and add to our code.
7. Designation.  Keep this section, there is no public hearing currently for designation, LMC §2-363. The application fee; board recommends take to council for waive of fee or discounted application fees.
8. Non-owner nominations.  Keep this section with modifications.
9. Historic Districts. Keep this section with modifications.
10. District designation plan.  Keep this section as is and add to our code.
11. Public Hearing procedure.  Keep as is and add to our code.
12. Recording. Keep this section with modifications.
13. Moratorium.  Keep this section as is and add to our code.
14. Signs. Keep as is and add to our code.
15. Notice.  Keep as is and add to our code.
16. Newspaper notice.  Keep as is and add to our code.
17. Sign. Keep as is and add to our code.
18. Appeal.  Keep this section with modifications.
19. Incentives. Keep this section with modifications.
20. Alterations of designated property.  Keep this section with modifications.
21. Major Alterations.  Keep this section with modifications.
22. Minor Alterations.  Keep this section with modifications.
23. Relocation.  Keep this section and add to our code.
24. Demolition.  Keep this section and add to our code.
25. Emergencies. Keep this section and add to our code.
26. Requirement of maintenance to prevent demolition by neglect.  Keep this section and add to our code.
27. Criteria for certificate of approval.  Keep this section and add to our code.
28. Removal from historic register/hardship exemptions. Keep this section and add to our code.

Miscellaneous – none

NEXT PUBLIC MEETING

• The next regular meeting will be on April 15, 2025 at 7:00 am.

ADJOURNMENT

Meeting adjourned at 8:52 am.

Tuesday, January 21, 2025

Meeting was called to order at 7:04 am by Jennifer Mortimeyer.

WELCOME & INTRODUCTIONS

Board members attending were: Jennifer Mortimeyer (via phone); Stephanie Gonzales; Jacob Peterson; Galan Burnett; and City liaison Anne-Marie Crampton. Absent: David Zavala and Trevor LaCost.

Community members/media present: Sherry Sprout, Kim & Jack VanHook, Mary Lou & Chuck Cook, Mike Duffy.

PUBLIC COMMENT ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS

• Sherry Sprout, president of the Sorosis Federated Women’s Club, spoke to the Board.  She attended the meeting to offer their support for the repair and restoration of the WPA rock work in Willow Creek Park.  Their members consider it a part of Lamar’s historic landmarks, and they are concerned with its deteriorating condition.  They feel something needs to be done to shore up the rock walls before they completely disintegrate.  As a service club, they raise funds throughout the year to give back to the community and address the needs they see.  They would like to invest in this effort some way, either monetarily or with a letter-writing campaign.  They sought the board’s direction on how they could proceed or be of help.
• Jack VanHook asked the group to look at the city park in La Junta and what they have done to restore their wall at the park. 
• Chuck Cook expressed his concerns for public facility and lack of attention.  The La Junta park walls were beautifully done by a company out of Pueblo.
• There was additional discussion on what needs to be done to start securing grants.  Letters of support would be needed and the city is likely to need the community’s financial support to help with grants that require matches. Anne-Marie and Stephanie explained some grant writing possibilities that they will explore in coordination with the Treasurer’s Office. 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Jacob made a motion to approve the meeting minutes from October 15, 2024; Galan seconded the motion, all in favor.

OLD BUSINESS

• DC Marker and Creaghe house designations and easement restrictions: Anne-Marie contacted the City’s attorney regarding the property owner’s and board’s request for deed restrictions.  Lance Clark cautioned against a deed restriction and suggested that there might be another way to accomplish a restriction.  He has asked Anne-Marie to reach out to History Colorado to see what ideas they had, and she contacted the different entities. The Colorado Historical Foundation creates conservation easements to accomplish permanent.  They agreed that the conservation easements would not do well here.  The best alternative seems to modify the historic preservation ordinance to post-designation procedures for exterior property alterations. In the modified ordinance, owners of designated properties would work with the Building Department to submit proposed changes for tentative approval by the HP Advisory Board. This may require final approval by the City Council.  In addition to being filed with the County Assessor’s office, historic preservation designations would also be flagged in the City’s new enterprise system by their addresses. Additional discussion occurred regarding historic plaques for the historic designated sites.  Stephanie made motion to move it forward to council, Jacob seconded the motion for approval and retroactively in update to the ordinance, all in favor.
• Saving Places State Conference CAMP Session: Jacob, Stephanie, Trevor, and Anne-Marie are registered but waiting for more information on session content.

PRIORITIES

• Main Café: no updates, just waiting on the EPA Brownfield Cleanup grant application process.
• Willow Creek Park/Caretaker’s House/Pikes Tower: no updates.

NEW BUSINESS

• The City has received a letter from the US Department of Interior regarding a programmatic assessment for the Ark Valley Conduit, which will end in Lamar.  Because the LHPAB is a Certified Local Government (CLG), it has the opportunity to participate in the process.  No action needs to be taken as of yet.

Miscellaneous – none

NEXT PUBLIC MEETING

The next regular meeting will be on April 15, 2025 at 7:00 am.

ADJOURNMENT

Stephanie moved to adjourned meeting at 7:52 am. Galan seconded motion. Motion passed.