Beaumont council approves major projects, several contracts and names interim city manager

Beaumont’s City Council on Nov. 18 approved a set of capital projects and vendor contracts and appointed Gustavo Romo as interim city manager.

Council members voted to move several items approved earlier in the meeting into action: a cooperative agreement with the Riverside County Transportation Commission (RCTC) to advance the Pennsylvania Avenue grade‑separation project, citywide security and holiday‑decoration contracts, and amendments to the five‑year capital improvement plan. In closed session the council unanimously appointed Gustavo Romo as interim city manager; staff said a contract and formal compensation package will be presented in open session on Dec. 2.

Why it matters: the RCTC agreement and CIP changes are intended to make major transportation and infrastructure projects ready for construction or further design; the security and holiday contracts affect multiple city facilities and public events. The interim city manager appointment begins a transition to a new executive while the council completes a formal contract process.

Key facts

- Pennsylvania grade separation: staff recommended, and council approved, a cooperative agreement with RCTC to complete plans, specifications and estimates (PS&E) and right‑of‑way activities in an amount not to exceed $14,000,000. Staff said CEQA/NEPA documents had been completed earlier in the evening and that the TCEP grant requires the project to be ‘ready to list’ by June 2026 (with a one‑year extension available). Council discussion confirmed $4,000,000 of that total is earmarked for right‑of‑way and relocation expenses.

- Citywide security system: council authorized a professional‑services agreement with Vector Resources for design, installation and a five‑year service plan for an integrated alarm/camera/access control system at city facilities in an amount not to exceed $825,000; funding was included in the CIP adopted earlier in the meeting.

- Holiday decorations and banners: council approved a three‑year general services agreement with Decoralite (Decoralite/Decralite in staff presentation) for seasonal lighting, banners and related storage and services, not to exceed $260,000 aggregate; one councilmember voted no.

- CIP amendments and other technical approvals: council approved the second amendment to the FY2026–2030 Capital Improvement Plan, which included splitting large wastewater projects into smaller, location‑specific projects, a new mobile wastewater office, IT backups/disaster‑recovery items, and retaining $1,000,000 in smart‑technology funds for Highland Springs design and implementation.

- Interim city manager: in closed session the council unanimously appointed Gustavo Romo as interim city manager; staff reported a change in compensation 'at the first step of the city manager range, which is $260,002.00 8, divided monthly' (transcript language) and said a contract would be brought to the council on Dec. 2 for approval in open session.

Votes at a glance (formal outcomes from the meeting)

- CIP amendment (resolution to amend FY26–30 CIP): approved (roll call unanimous). - Special‑events ordinance (first reading/introduction and related fee resolution): motion to hold public hearing, waive first full reading and approve by title only — approved (roll call unanimous). - Cooperative agreement with RCTC (Pennsylvania grade separation): approved (roll call affirmative votes; amount not to exceed $14,000,000). - Vector Resources professional services agreement (citywide integrated security): approved (amount not to exceed $825,000). - Decoralite seasonal lights/streetlight banners three‑year agreement: approved (not to exceed $260,000; one 'no' vote recorded). - Interim city manager appointment (closed session report out): Gustavo Romo appointed by unanimous vote; contract to be presented Dec. 2.

What council said

Council members praised staff for completing environmental documents tied to large transportation grants and for work on the CIP. Multiple members asked detailed budget and timing questions before approving the RCTC agreement. On the security contract, council questioned camera retention times and which cameras would retain footage longer.

Next steps

- Staff will present a formal interim city manager contract for council approval on Dec. 2. - The RCTC cooperative agreement puts the Pennsylvania Avenue project on a timeline to be ready for construction advertising; staff and RCTC will proceed under the terms approved by council.

Attribution and evidence

This article draws from council presentations and formal roll‑call votes reported in the meeting transcript and the closed‑session report read aloud by the city attorney.