Snowstorm thwarts three-day planning meeting in Beaufort to address city’s most pressing issues

A winter storm expected to bring bitter temperatures and possible snow to the lowlands has postponed a three-day planned vacation in Beaufort.

The city’s five elected council members, along with City Manager Scott Marshall and his staff, were scheduled to address some of the toughest issues facing the city of 14,000 along the Beaufort River at the Beaufort County Black Chamber Wednesday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m Commerce, 711 Bladen St.

The retreat is held every year to determine planning, construction and spending priorities, Mayor Phil Cromer said. The meetings help the city develop a game plan for the coming year and marching orders for city staff, he said.

“I hope it’s a very open, robust exchange of ideas,” Cromer said.

But Marshall said later Friday afternoon that the city had decided to postpone the retreat because of an impending storm.

The National Weather Service said Friday that the storm would bring extreme cold to the region on Tuesday and Wednesday, with low temperatures in the low 20s. Wind chill values ​​of up to 15 degrees are possible on Wednesday, the weather service said.

While there is a 70% chance of snow Tuesday evening, the amount of freezing precipitation the area could receive was still uncertain as of Friday afternoon.

A new date, time and location for the retreat will be determined and communicated as quickly as possible, the city said.

Before the decision to postpone the retreat, Cromer noted that the forecast snow and sleet could make transportation to the retreat meetings difficult for some — “even me” — since drivers in South Carolina rarely encounter ice and snow Roads often bump.

During the retreat – whenever it takes place – a key topic of discussion will be current and future capital needs in the growing city known for its historic districts, including stormwater drainage systems, which pose a constant challenge for a city vulnerable to storms and floods.

One goal of the retreat will be to create a priority list for capital projects, Cromer said.

A topic of great interest to the general public that will also likely be discussed is the future of Waterfront Park, Cromer said.

Last April, the city learned that the concrete piles supporting the park and seawall were in poor condition. Repairs or even replacement of the infrastructure below the waterline are necessary and are expected to cost several million.

“I think most people are wondering, ‘Where is Waterfront Park going?’” Cromer said. “This is a big problem.”

The City Council will also discuss revisions to the Development Code; Hear from department leaders and partners such as Dominion Energy and the Historic Beaufort Foundation; and issues that are important to individual council members.

At the end of each day’s meeting, time will be set aside for public comment, which will also be livestreamed on the city’s Facebook page.

The retreat will be moderated by Bill Stipp, a Phoenix-area public sector consultant who specializes in strategic planning.

The full agenda can be found at cityofbeaufort.org.