Blizzard ice 3-day planning fun in Beaufort set to solve city’s hot-button issues

A winter storm expected to bring bone-chilling temperatures and possibly snow to the Lowcountry has postponed a three-day planning retreat in Beaufort.

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

The retreat are held annually to set planning, building and spending priorities, Mayor Phil Cromer said. The sessions help the city come up with a game plan for the coming year, he said, and marching orders for city staff.

“I hope it’s a very open, robust, free-flowing idea,” Cromer said.

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

The National Weather Service said Friday that the storm will bring extreme cold to the region Tuesday and Wednesday, with lows in the lower 20s. Wind chill values ​​as low as 15 degrees are possible on Wednesday, the weather service says.

While the chance of snow Tuesday night was listed at 70%, the amount of freezing precipitation the area may receive was still uncertain Friday afternoon.

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

Before the decision to postpone the retreat, Cromer noted that the predicted snow and sleet could make transportation to the retreat meetings difficult for some — “even me” — because South Carolina drivers don’t encounter icy and snowy roads. often.

During the retreat – whenever it occurs – current and emerging capital requirements across the growing city known for its historic neighborhoods will be a big topic of discussion, i.a rainwater drainage systemswhich is a constant challenge for a city susceptible to storms and floods.

One goal of the retreat will be to come up with a list of priorities for capital projects, Cromer said.

A topic of great interest to the general public, which is also likely to be discussed, is the future of Waterfront ParkCromer said.

Last April, the city learned that the concrete pilings that support the park and seawall are in rough shape. Repairs or even replacement of the infrastructure that lies below the water line is necessary with costs expected to be in the millions.

“I think most people are thinking, where are we going with Waterfront Park?” Cromer said. “That’s a biggie.”

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 topics that are important to the individual council members.

Time will be set aside for public comment at the end of each day’s meeting, which will also be streamed live on c.ity’s Facebook page.

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

You can find the full agenda at cityofbeaufort.org.