Lamont council accepts higher roadwork rates, approves multiple resolutions and hears fiber-optic update

The Lamont City Council on March 11, 2026 approved a set of routine financial items and a series of resolutions, accepted a roadwork pricing proposal that reflects higher rates for 2026 and heard an update on a community fiber-optic buildout.

Randy Kramer of Prairie Road Builders presented the company’s 2026 pricing proposal and told the council that "prices are up from last year," listing seal-coat rates at $2.90 per square yard for projects over 12,000 square yards, $3.09/sy for 6,000–12,000 sy and $3.28/sy for projects under 6,000 sy; surface patching (cold mix) was quoted at $310 per ton. On a motion by Councilmember Devlin and second by Councilmember Lamphier, the council accepted the pricing proposal and approved it as Resolution 26-08.

Mike Becker, general manager of East Buchanan Telephone Coop, updated the council on the Lamont Fiber Optic Project, showed examples of equipment the coop installs in homes and businesses, and said technicians have begun site surveys with residents — "which is a free service," he said. The update did not include a timetable for full service activation or subscriber costs.

The council approved its consent agenda at the start of the meeting; the clerk’s published expenditures totaled $115,240.16 and February receipts totaled $35,714.54. Notable line items listed in the finance report included a 2026 Chevy Silverado at $66,431.31 and a wide-out plow and sander priced at $26,193.00.

On separate motions the council also: - Approved Resolution 26-09, certifying delinquent city service bills to property tax for collection (motion by Councilmember Devlin, second Councilmember Lamphier; all ayes). - Approved Resolution 26-10 to provide health insurance reimbursement to the city clerk (motion by Councilmember Slack, second Councilmember Lincoln; ayes: Adams, Devlin, Lamphier, Lincoln, Slack). - Approved Resolution 26-11 declaring 305 Church Street and 315 Church Street, Lamont, as nuisance properties/dilapidated structures in need of demolition (motion by Councilmember Lincoln, second Councilmember Lamphier; ayes: Devlin, Slack, Adams, Lamphier, Lincoln). - Approved Resolution 26-12 authorizing termination of an easement with GrowMark, Inc., d/b/a AgVantage FS (motion by Councilmember Slack, second Councilmember Lincoln; ayes: Lamphier, Adams, Devlin, Lincoln, Slack).

City Clerk Paula J. Harvey reported the Lamont Fire Department had no calls since the prior meeting and that fire trucks had been serviced; no personnel changes were reported. The Public Works Director told the council the new plow truck is ready, the department is waiting on a quote from Oasis to repair a pipe on Albert Street and plans to replace the shop furnace.

Mayor Michael J. Cook highlighted the American Legion Loren Foster Post 346 as the month’s Mayor’s Spotlight, announced spring clean-up on April 8 with a dumpster for appliances and metal, and said he is planning a community scavenger hunt. Councilmember Devlin moved to adjourn; Councilmember Adams seconded. The meeting adjourned at 7:38 p.m.

Next steps noted in the meeting record include follow-up on the Oasis repair quote and continued site surveys for the fiber project.