Beaumont council approves zoning change, CIP amendments, budget adjustments and library impact‑fee waiver

Beaumont — At its regular meeting Jan. 31, the Beaumont City Council adopted a package of ordinances, capital improvement program (CIP) amendments and budget adjustments and approved a one‑time development impact‑fee (DIF) waiver for the Beaumont Library District capped at $200,000. Council voted unanimously on the listed items.

Why it matters: The votes move forward a zoning code amendment intended to streamline minor planning applications, add new and amended CIP projects (including a downtown revitalization feasibility study), and free the library district from paying DIFs up to the approved cap so the district can focus on expanding services. The midyear budget adjustments also give staff authority to apply grant and other revenue balances to projects and programs described during the meeting.

Votes at a glance (selected items approved by roll call): - Ordinance to amend Beaumont Municipal Code chapter 17.02 (administration and administrative plot plans) — council waived the full reading and approved the ordinance (unanimous roll call). Staff said the change will allow planning review to occur at plan check or certificate-of-occupancy stages to reduce fees and processing time. - Resolution amending the city’s FY2025–2029 Capital Improvement Plan (third amendment) — approved (unanimous roll call). Council added five new CIP projects, three budget adjustments and three closed projects; notable additions included a downtown revitalization feasibility study budgeted at roughly $1,000,000 (general funds and road & bridge DIF) and a Pennsylvania/First Street signal upgrade (estimated $100,000). - Tri Pointe Homes: request to rescind hearing regarding withheld building permits for the Sundance project — council accepted the developer’s request to rescind after staff reported a settlement agreement had been reached (unanimous roll call). - Development impact‑fee waiver for the Beaumont Library District (J11) — council approved a DIF waiver resolution and struck detailed line‑item fee amounts in favor of a cap not to exceed $200,000 (unanimous roll call). Staff stated the waiver is intended to reduce financial barriers to the library expansion and that the waiver will be tied to a permit/plancheck deadline; unused credits may not be applied to other projects. - Sponsorship packet and marketing program (city events) — approved (unanimous roll call). Staff plans to launch within 4–6 weeks if approved. - Mesa Lift Station contract items (deductive change order, PSA amendment, notice of completion) — approved (unanimous roll call). Staff said as‑built drawings will be integrated into the city’s GIS. - Final lease payment for police radios (Motorola) — approved (unanimous roll call). Staff motion stated the final payment amount for the project; council authorized the payment. - Fiscal Year 2024–25 midyear budget report and attached budget amendments — council received the midyear report and approved the recommended budget amendments (unanimous roll call). Finance staff reported higher‑than‑budgeted sales tax receipts due to a one‑time CDTFA audit recovery and noted personnel savings from vacancies. Staff said an HDL invoice for its share of the audit recovery will be returned to council for a budget amendment. - General Plan annual progress report and Chapter 12 implementation update — received and filed (unanimous roll call). Staff noted the city will submit the report to the state Office of Planning and Research and that a five‑year general plan review will begin this summer. - Appointment/designees for ICSC conference attendance and formation of an ad hoc for animal control — mayor and councilmember appointments were made as noted in the roll calls.

What council did not finalize: Council discussed additional CIP and downtown improvements (see separate story on Beaumont Avenue sidewalk discussion). Several items were continued or set for future meetings where noted on the agenda.

Ending note: Staff will return to council with required budget amendments, contract documents and any follow‑up reports called for by council votes during the meeting.