By: Libi Uremovic | Original Article at patch.com
Beaumont City Council Meeting Transcript November 17, 2015
3:00 Mayor Brenda Knight asks Mike Taylor of Pardee Homes leads the Pledge of Allegiance
5:15 Knight: I’m going to make an adjustment to the Agenda since there are so many people here tonight. I’m going to move 7.a. up because a lot of you are here to speak on that Item. Our City Attorney Pinkney is going to report out of Closed Session, then he’s going to his report Item 7.a., then we will open up for Public Comments.
13:00 Pinkney: The City Council may request an impartial analysis. When directed by you, I will prepare an impartial analysis of the Initiative. The analysis has to be limited to 500 words or less and must include a statement indicating whether the Ballot by a Petition signed by the requisite number of voters or the government body, Council itself. If I believe the Measure would be unlawful for any reason the Analysis may indicate that the Initiative has potential legal problems. I do not believe it would be appropriate this evening for me to opine on the legality of the Ordinance.
16:00 Pinkney: A City-Council initiated measure has to go through CEQA process. There is an exemption for voter-initiated measures, but if Council were to vote to put it on the ballot it’s not categorically exempt from CEQA.
21:50 Pinkney: And you may hear from some folks tonight that believe they have vested rights and we’ll review that on a case by case basis.
28:15 John Dyson: What are the BBG Committes’ next steps? If Council chooses not to act on this Issue we will immediately launch a voter petition drive, gather signatures of the 10% required Beaumont Voters and we will qualify this Initiative to be placed 2016 General Election Ballot. What do we ask of Council tonight? Please allow Beaumont Citizens as change to vote on this important issue. Please provide the requested information to the BBG Committee. Do not yield to homebuilder pressures and scare tactics. Do not place personal and political agendas ahead of the voters’ right to speak. Please place our Initiative on the next Meeting Agenda.
29:30 Pinkney: May I weigh in on the request made to put it on the next Agenda. If Council is going to consider putting this on the ballot we would do a CEQA review to determine if there is any foreseeable environmental impacts, so maybe 30 days from now if that’s what the Council plans to do verses the next meeting. Just a suggestion.
White: What does a CEQA review entail?
30:00 Pinkney: It involves having someone that’s qualified; an environmental consultant or environmental engineer to weigh any foreseeable environmental impacts of the proposed ordinance. There may be someone on staff that’s qualified to do that, I’m not ..
35:30 Daniel Durosi: I’m a citizens of Beaumont, I moved out here about 10 years ago from the L.A. area because I was hired by the homebuilder here in town. I love living in Beaumont. I feel that if we put a restriction on the building permits issued it would effect my job which could cause me to lose income and have to move back to town and lose my house.
40:20 Robert Marks: Resident of Beaumont, Historia Lane, built by Pardee. I am an employee of Pardee. I’m a young guy, 32 years old. I have plenty of friends; same age, same bracket.
43:00 Shawn Hale: Forman for framing company that builds here in Beaumont.
43:50 Jerry Dobie: Long time Beaumont Resident. I also work for Pardee Homes.
44:55 William Natal: I’m a resident of Beaumont, I’m also a contractor in Beaumont. I moved here 10 years ago this month because our company was doing so much work out here. I’m married, have kids. My kids are coming of age to go to school.
46:00 Jan Haramon: We own the commercial property at the corner of 8th Street and Highland Springs.
48:00 Mike Sutton: VP Michael Baker International. (Pittsburg) Work with Pardee Homes since 1999.
48:30 Mark Swanson: Resident Sept, 2008 Fairway Canyon. Fairway Canyon HOA Board President. Engineer of record on several Pardee projects. An increase in retail development is revenue for the City. If residential growth is allowed to continue the retail and commercial will eventually make its way to the City beyond what currently exists.
Sam Pavaloto: 3894 Florence Ave. (not a development) Moved to Beaumont in 1989. I became a part of the Planning Commission.
52:15 Denise Shirley: Representing James A Shirley Construction. Underground Utility Company working with Pardee Homes.
58:00 Nicholas Reyes: Resident of Beaumont since 2004 for Beyond Construction for Pardee Homes
58:30 Patrick Emanuel: Work for Pardee Homes. We built two great school. Where did that money come from? It came from the development fees paid to the City and School District in order to build these facilities. We pay our part do to the building. Beaumont is a city where young families can get their american dream. It would greatly impact these young families if you limited growth.
101:00 Blake Harrison: Blake Roofing Inc.
102:45 Mark Parrish: Pennsylvania
103:50 Edwina Blair: Pardee Homes
105:00 Sean Balingit, Chamber of Commerce 1705 Lakeside
108:00 Mike Ballenger 2009 Redwood Street
109:30 Michael Garrison: Director of governmental affairs, Building Industry Association “you want young people’’
112:30: Micheal Titus, Law Firm of Jackson Demarco, Jackson, Titus Peckenpaul Cali Govt Code
65913.1 Evidence Code 669.5
Mark O’Hachet: Pardee Homes 5-star restaurant Air Cuisine 721 Beaumont Ave.
Aurora Navahos : BT Pipeline
Woodside Homes
Patrick Murphy
Randy Lien
Bart Hollander Rich Developments
Russel Singer
Dan Devlin
Benjamin Slomy
Jason Baker, Keegan and Baker
Alona Nonda Group LLC
Soloman Levy
Joseph Matranga CPA Matranga & Company
128:00 Jeff Chambers Pardee Homes “Referendum on Pardee Homes” Retail Shopping Center Expert ICSC – Trade Organization for Shopping Centers “The City has no debt. CFD Debt is not City Debt – It’s homeowners’ debt. Correct me if I’m wrong.”
Judy Bingham: You’re correct.
131:30 Mike Taylor Pardee Homes “you’ve got 1/2 dozen people that show up at every single council meeting” “the same 6 or 8 people that claim they are the voice of the 40,000 residents.”