Your monthly news & updates |
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Welcome to the City of Beaufort's monthly newsletter. Any feedback? Please send to Kathleen Williams, kwilliams@cityofbeaufort.org. |
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A look at Southside Park survey results |
A playground, a paved course, a multipurpose paved court, and a pavilion with picnic tables topped the Southside Park Community Survey wish list.
There were more than 1,100 responses to the survey, which was created by the Southside Park Task Force, and shared through various social media and email methods in the last month.
Want to comment?
At its April 1 meeting via Zoom, the task force is inviting public comment at the beginning of the meeting, which starts at 4 p.m. The public is invited to comment on the survey results or any other aspect related to Southside Park improvements.
To attend the April 1 meeting please click the link below to join the webinar at 4 p.m.:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87237354401?pwd=NkJoSUxlSWNGTlBHZGtUOCsrbnF3Zz09
Passcode: 378637
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McFee returns to City Council |
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Congratulations to Mike McFee, who was sworn in to City Council on March 9 after winning a Special Election on March 2. McFee was first elected to City Council in 2008, and was mayor pro tem in his last term. The Special Election was held to fill the unexpired term of current Mayor Stephen Murray.
McFee was sworn in by Municipal Court Judge Ralph Tupper. His stepmother, Joanne McFee, held the Bible for him.
At its March 30 meeting, City Council elected McFee to be mayor pro tem, allowing him to act as mayor when Mayor Murray is absent.
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City holds retreat to review goals for coming year
At its annual retreat held March 22-23, City of Beaufort elected officials, administrators, and department managers reviewed the City’s 2020-2022 Strategic Plan, its short-term and longer-term capital projects, and an early draft of a new Comprehensive Plan.
The retreat, at the Best Western Sea Island Inn in downtown Beaufort, was the first held under the new tenure of Mayor Stephen Murray and with new Councilmen Neil Lipsitz and Mitch Mitchell. Councilmen Phil Cromer and Mike McFee, veterans of the Strategic Plan process, also attended.
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Flood ordinance passed
The City of Beaufort’s Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance, updated to conform with new FEMA flood maps, was approved by City Council March 9.
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PD's Annual Report reflects year of change
The Police Department's 2020 Annual Report, which was recently released, covers everything from departmental staffing levels to professional standards to use of force innovations and crime statistics.
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Cybersecurity exercise helps
organizations identify risks
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The City of Beaufort, along with representatives from the Town of Port Royal, Beaufort County, the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office, Beaufort Memorial Hospital, Hargray, Beaufort Jasper Water Sewer Authority, and the Beaufort County School District, participated on March 24 in a cybersecurity tabletop exercise, the first of its kind held in this region.
The exercise was facilitated by members of the South Carolina National Guard 125th Cyber Protection Battalion as well as leaders from SLED’s South Carolina Critical Infrastructure Cybersecurity Program.
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New playground at Washington St. Park |
Kids in the City of Beaufort have a new playground to enjoy!
A ribbon cutting was held at Washington Street Park on March 5 to unveil two new play structures -- one for toddlers and one for older children.
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Spanish Moss Trail is open
After segments of the Spanish Moss Trail closed to allow extensive infrastructure work related to the Mossy Oaks Stormwater Project, the trail is completely open.
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Survey on Lady's Island park
Beaufort County is seeking public input in developing the conceptual master plans for the Pineview Preserve and Bailey Memorial Park properties on Lady's Island. If you'd like to share your opinion, please fill out the survey here. |
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Preparing yard debris
for weekly pickup
We're deep into yard debris season -- here is what you need to do to have your debris picked up by WastePro:
Your vegetative waste will be collected once per week on your garbage collection day.
- Place all items adjacent to but not in the street by 6:30 a.m. on the scheduled pickup day to ensure pick-up.
- Bulk waste and yard waste materials must be generated by the resident at the residential unit where the bulk is collected.
- Vegetative yard trash MUST be put in disposable containers not to exceed 50 lbs. and 4 feet in length or tied in bundles also less than 50 lbs. and 4 feet in length per bundle.
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What's next on pipe replacement project
Beaufort Jasper Water and Sewer Authority is continuing its galvanized pipe replacement project. Over time, these lines corrode, which can cause the water to look yellow or brown, and can cause taste, odor and water pressure issues.
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For history buffs,
this is the place to go
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Have you been to our gem of a museum?
The Beaufort History Museum is ready to emerge from its pandemic-imposed cocoon, with new features to greet visitors who want to learn more about Beaufort’s singular history.
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New sites added to Reconstruction Network |
The Reconstruction Era National Historic Network added six new sites in South Carolina in March, helping to advance scholarship and public understanding of one of the most transformational periods in American history.
These included three in Beaufort County:
- Historic Mitchelville Freedom Park on Hilton Head preserves the site of the country’s first self-governed town of formerly enslaved people.
- Penn Center on St. Helena Island preserves the historic campus of Penn School — one of the first schools in the United States for formerly enslaved people — established in 1862 at the dawn of the Reconstruction era.
- Wesley United Methodist Church in Beaufort served as a school for formerly enslaved people and as a headquarters for some Republican politicians in the region during the Reconstruction era.
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Easter egg hunt on First Friday!
Be sure to join the Downtown Merchants Association First Friday on April 2 when the first ever Easter egg hunt will be held in downtown Beaufort!
More than 1,000 eggs will be hidden downtown, filled with candy, coupons, gift cards and more!
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Add Third Thursdays to your Beaufort must list!
You know about First Fridays -- but what about LIVE after 5 on the third Thursday of every month?
LIVE After 5 is downtown Beaufort's newest recurring monthly party with live music, local artists, late-night shopping and drink and food specials. Be sure to check out LIVE after 5 on Thursday, April 15, from 5-9 p.m. See all April events
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Every month we'll feature the new businesses that have opened in Beaufort, as described in the owners' own words. |
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Bloom Custom Cakes
Home-based business
Sun-Sat: 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
843-338-9502 – phone for consultation
A passion for baking, years of professional experience, and the goal of bringing joy to this community has come together to create Bloom Custom Cakes. Jessica Kent strives to exceed expectations with every beautiful, bespoke creation that leaves her studio. Classic, elegant cakes, unforgettable taste, decorated with attention to every detailed element .... this is Bloom Custom Cakes.
Jessica is honored to be a part of the Lowcountry's wedding professional community, and truly loves contributing to wedding day celebrations. She also offers custom cake designs, from military retirements to birthday cakes, baby showers to holiday cakes!
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5 p.m. April 13 Work Session
7 p.m. April 13 Regular Meeting
5 p.m. April 27 Work Session
7 p.m. April 27 Regular Meeting
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Meetings will be held via Zoom and streamed on the City's Facebook page. You can find agendas closer to the date of the meeting on our website's Agenda Center.
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Southside Park Task Force, 4 p.m. April 1, April 15
Neighborhood Association, 10 a.m. April 6
Design Review Board, 2 p.m. April 8
Historic Review Board, 2 p.m. April 14
Metropolitan Planning Commission, 5 p.m., April 19
Cultural District Advisory Board, 2 p.m., April 21
Meetings will be held via Zoom and streamed on the City's Facebook page. You can find agendas closer to the date of the meeting on our website's Agenda Center.
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