Beaumont City Council today voted unanimously to award a $1,780,000 contract to N & T Construction Company, Inc. for construction of a new communications building.
N & T provided the lowest of eight bids received for the project. Construction is expected to begin at the end of the month and require approximately 240 days for completion.
“The building will be constructed to meet Category 5 windstorm codes and will be elevated eight feet from the current ground elevation to meet Category 5 storm surge projections,” City Manager Kyle Hayes said.
The 7,838 square foot building will contain work spaces, offices, a small kitchen, restroom and shower area for employees, as well as a concrete room containing the 800 MHz radio system in the interior of the building.
Construction will be funded through a Department of Homeland Security Port Security Grant. The city will pay $445,000 through the Capital Program fund to meet a local match requirement for the grant.
The city council voted to appoint Ransom “Duce” Jones to fill the unexpired term of Patrick Gibbs on the Planning and Zoning Commission.
The city council voted unanimously to approve the purchase of property at 10411 Old Sour Lake Road in the amount of $50,000.
The property is being purchased by the city for use by the Beaumont Municipal Airport. The 0.783 acre tract of land is adjacent to the airport.
The city council voted to grant a specific use permit to allow a church and family life center at 7925 North Major Drive.
The item was approved with conditions, which included:
- Texas Department of Transportation approval of driveway access on Major Drive
- The parking lot must meet landscaping requirements, except for the perimeter landscaping along the Walker Road frontage
- Sidewalk along Major Drive
The city council voted to approve the closure of Pearl Street at the intersection of the KCS Railroad right-of-way.
“The purpose of the closure is all part of an effort to create a quiet zone so that trains do not have to blow their horns at intersections in the area,” Hayes said. “An actual quiet zone will be created by installing the appropriate signalization. Nearby are the Cathedral Square residential development, Ebenezer Baptist Church and St. Anthony Basilica. These properties will greatly benefit by the quiet zone.”
The city council voted to close Gilbert Street from Main Street to Trinity Street.
The closure is also part of an effort to create a “quiet zone” for the train tracks, which are near the street.
The city council voted to approve the expenditure of $231,744 for the purchase of two dump trucks from Houston Freightliner, Inc.
All other items were approved by unanimous vote. All members were present. Agenda