How to Engage with City Council
Types of Meetings
The Lamar City Council meets in regular session at 7 p.m. on the second and fourth Mondays of each month in the Council Chambers of Lamar City Complex, located at 102 S. Parmenter in Lamar, Colorado. At these meetings, the Council is actively making decisions for the City, which includes but is not limited taking action on resolution, ordinances, approving contracts, appointing citizens to boards, developing policy and making decisions that guide city operations. Meetings often include several agenda items that require timely and effective progression through meetings. All Regular Meetings are open to the public and include a Public Comment portion, which comments will be permitted on matters of interest or concern to members of the public, including items the Council will consider at the meeting. Each speaker will be allowed to speak one time, will be required to provide their name and address and limited to three (3) minutes for each speaker and is at counsel’s discretion. Notice of location, time, place, and agenda packets for the meetings will be posted on the community bulletin boards in the City Complex first floor lobby, on the City’s website, in local media, and to those that have requested to receive agenda packets at least 48 hours in advance. Due to the length and nature of these meetings, interaction with Council during meetings can be limited, if not during designated public comment periods.
Special Meetings are meetings that are necessary to be held prior to a Regular Meeting. Lamar City Council Special Meetings may be called by the mayor, mayor pro tem, or any two council members. An Emergency Meeting may be held to deal with an emergency situation at any time. The state's definition of an emergency meeting has two elements. First, the meeting must concern generally unexpected circumstances, and second, those circumstances must require immediate consideration by the Council. Special Meetings are open to the public and include a Public Comment portion, which comments will be permitted on matters of interest or concern to members of the public, including items the Council will consider at the meeting. Each speaker will be allowed to speak one time, will be required to provide their name and address and limited to three (3) minutes for each speaker and is at counsel’s discretion. Notice of location, time, place, and agenda packets for the meetings will be posted on the community bulletin boards in the City Complex first floor lobby, on the City’s website, in local media, and to those that have requested to receive agenda packets at least 48 hours in advance. Due to the length and nature of these meetings, interaction with Council during meetings can be limited, if not during designated public comment periods. Depending on the topic, interaction with Council may be limited if not during designated public comment periods..
An Executive Session can be called at any time during a regular meeting or special meeting of the Council, upon proper notice, motion, second and an affirmative vote of 2/3rds the Council present. Executive Sessions may be entered under C.R.S. 24-6-402, and are not open to the public. When council enters into an executive session during a regular or special meeting, the Council will participate in the Executive Session until the meeting concludes and reenter the regular or special meeting upon conclusion. The Council may invite certain employees or guests who they feel should take part in their deliberation during the Executive Session. No formal action may be taken in the executive session except as provided under C.R.S. 24-6-402.
Public hearings may be entered by Council during Regular or Special Meetings, upon proper notice, motion, second and by an affirmative vote of a majority of Council present. During the Public Hearing, Council will solicit public opinion, input and comments. After public comment concludes, Council will upon a motion, second and affirmative vote of a majority of Council will close the Public Hearing, upon which Council may take action on the agenda item. As an example, Council often holds Public Hearings within regular or special council meetings when considering new liquor licenses or special events permits but they may involve other matters.
The Lamar City Council may call for town halls for purposes to discuss particular issues that may require greater public input and feedback from the community. This forum allows for more time and greater engagement between Council and the public than a regular or special meeting or work session. As an example, public input and feedback may be solicited when the City considers changes to, but not limited to, programs, facilities, services or policies. No formal action may be taken during the Town Hall meetings.
The Lamar City Council has the authority to hold joint meetings with governing bodies from other area governmental units, districts, or other boards, and such joint meetings may be held in the jurisdiction of either body. A joint meeting with other governing bodies may be set for a variety of purposes depending on the nature of the meeting, which includes but is not limited regular, special, emergency meetings, work sessions or town halls. Notice of time, place, and reason of the meeting will be posted in the same manner as all other meetings as stated herein. Depending on the topic, interaction with Council may be limited and is at the discretion of Council, if not specifically designated during a public comment period.
The Lamar City Council holds informal work sessions to review and discuss particular topics, staff projects, and potential Council regular meeting agenda items, receive training, or interact with work groups on specific issues. This forum allows for more time and greater engagement between Council and the public than a regular or special meeting. No final action may be taken at such a meeting. The Open Meetings Law defines an “informal meeting” as any gathering of a majority of the council for the purposes of considering or deliberating on the public business. Such a meeting is an official meeting of the council and requires 48 hours advance notice to the public. Citizen interaction with Council members on agenda items is encouraged if time allows.
The law exempts genuine social gatherings involving a majority of the council from constituting an official meeting of the Lamar City Council. During these events, citizens can interact socially with Council members.