Ordinance 985 hot topic at Beaumont City Council meeting

Tuesday’s Beaumont City Council meeting was attended by many non-residents, with Ordinance 985 on their minds.

One of the hot topics of the evening, Ordinance 985 brought in a large number of public speakers, many of whom were not Beaumont residents. Ordinance 985 allows for citations to be written to owners of properties that are presenting a safety risk to the neighborhood. It was repeatedly confirmed that officers can only enter a resident’s property with either permission from the owner – which is the most common form of entry – or through a warrant granted by a judge. 

In most cases, once a warning has been issued, owners clean up the issue and citations do not have to be written. The city attorney restated three times, “there is no change in regard to what currently is the law and what is proposed to be the law,” in accordance to Ordinance 985. 

In an effort to solve the public’s complaints and declarations of rights to their private property, Councilman David Castaldo offered the solution that the first appeal fee should be waived for first time offenders. 

Mayor Pro-Tem Roger Berg reflected upon the community spirit of Beaumont, saying, “Instead of issuing citations, the community, on several occasions, has assisted community members in cleaning up their home.” 

Special guests at the meeting included members of the Girl Scout's San Gorgonio Troop 71.  Brownie Katelyn Beaucaire led the assembly through the Pledge of Allegiance to open the meeting. Ben Cloninger from the Sand Trap Bar and Grill presented the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) donation of a large, flat screen TV, after months of collecting raffle tickets from local patrons. The council also discussed a future benefit for the MDA - the Feb. 19 Murder Mystery Dinner, sponsored by the city. 

Councilman Jeff Fox requested to use monies to help finish projects under construction, including freeway interchange and Brookside Avenue’s safety for both elementary and high school students. 

Councilwoman Nancy Gall also reviewed the report for Brookside Avenue safety, and it was noted that a future City Council meeting will discuss possible solutions.

On a congratulatory note, Brittany Ramos requested a sponsorship of $2000 she must earn to represent the city as an ambassador for People to People International. The council amended this request in order to give Brittany $3000 instead for her experience, with the promise that she would return and give a report of her travels. Ramos is a sophomore at Beaumont High School, serves as an Explorer for the police department, and holds the Beaumont’s Princess title.