Beaumont council adopts Purple Heart parking pilot, proclaims California Native American Day; consent and other items approved

The Beaumont City Council on Sept. 16 voted to adopt a voluntary pilot program to honor Purple Heart license plate holders, adopted a resolution recognizing the fourth Friday of September as California Native American Day, and approved routine consent and agenda items.

Council members voted unanimously on the measures. The council also approved a bundled consent calendar and a package of agenda items labeled J-1 through J-3; no public comments were recorded on those items and roll-call votes showed all present council members voting yes.

The Purple Heart item began with a staff presentation from Steven Jones of Community Development outlining a voluntary, incentive-based pilot to recognize combat-wounded veterans through marked parking spaces and public recognition. Jones said the next steps, if authorized, would be to “draft the framework to include thresholds and locations and preferred incentives like website promotion and recognition at city…