Beaumont council approves contracts for utilities, drainage and downtown upgrades; denies BISD empowerment-zone request, asks staff to return on fee waiver

Beaumont City Council approved a slate of procurement and project resolutions during its April 20 meeting and took one notable policy action to deny a Neighborhood Empowerment Zone request from Beaumont Independent School District while asking staff to return with a separate option to waive permit fees.

Votes at a glance (actions taken) - Consent agenda: Council approved the consent agenda (motion carried by voice vote); item G was taken up and approved separately with a later roll call voice vote. - Item 1 — Prison lift station pump: Council approved a resolution authorizing the purchase of one Vogel Sank ex Ripper Muncher pump for the prison lift station. Motion to approve carried by voice vote (mover reported as Councilman Getz; second by Councilman Pelsha). - Item 2 — LED video walls: Council approved the purchase and installation of direct-view LED video walls from Ford Audio Video Systems LLC for council chambers and a first-floor conference room; staff said the purchase is budgeted in the PEG fund. Motion carried by voice vote. - Item 3 — Laura Addition Drainage Improvements: Council awarded a contract…