City Council vote divided on HBF
By Lolita Huckaby
BEAUFORT
Seventeen little words in a detailed ordinance – that’s what divided the Beaufort City Council on Tuesday, Aug. 22.
The men of the Council came back to work after a month-long summer hiatus, all to tackle the same issue they left – how much power to give the Historic Beaufort Foundation?
For months now, actually more than a year, the city elected leaders have been considering removing the single sentence from codes regulating how boards and commissions will function. The debate started several years ago, when Billy Keyserling was mayor and felt giving the HBF the specific authority to recommend an individual to the five-member Historic Review Board just wasn’t right.
The board, which reviews projects to be constructed or renovated in the city’s historic district, is appointed by the City Council. When you consider that district is roughly only 12 by 20 blocks of the city’s 28 square miles, you might not think it’s that much of a big deal.
Oh, but it is. Just look at the time and energy that’s been put into the discussion.
It’s worthy of the energy because the historic district and its preservation is an important part of the city, according to some people. It’s why the history of the town is part of the city’s promotional market; it’s why some people come to visit; it’s why some people choose to move here, even buying some of the large, historic homes that are part of the district.
According to some people, i.e., the Chamber of Commerce, it’s an important part of the discussion because IF the HRB is perceived as a deterrent to economic growth, a change is needed, and the Foundation’s influence on that review board should be part of that change.
Looking at the discussion holistically, it’s not unlike a soap opera. There are the main characters – Mayor Stephen Murray, HBF Director Cynthia Jenkins, developer and former 303 Associates President Dick Stewart, former Mayor Billy Keyserling. Their relations all have backstories which appear to influence the decision making.
The City Council voted August 22 on the first of two necessary readings to remove that 17-word sentence on a rare vote of 3-2, with Council members Neil Lipsitz and Mitch Mitchell voting against the proposal, Council members Josh Scallate and Mike McFee voting in favor with Mayor Murray breaking that tie.
Councilman Mitchell, aware of the tension in the room which accompanied the discussion, made an interesting comment during his explanation of his vote – he hoped that all parties, regardless of the turnout of the discussion – would come together and work together for the good of the community.
The change will still need a second reading before it goes into effect and that’s scheduled for the September 12 meeting. There will be a public hearing and the half-dozen speakers who turned out last week to speak, will probably speak again.
Based on the comments made last week by council, it’s highly unlikely there will be any change in the vote. Perhaps concerned citizens will be better served just to stay home and watch TV, read a book.
And wait to see if it makes a difference in how Beaufort continues to grow.
Council did some nice things
BEAUFORT – The August 22 City Council meeting wasn’t all about historic preservation and how to protect that goose that lays the golden egg.
The Council got around to hiring a new attorney – Ben Coppage – who replaces long-time city attorney Bill Harvey who left in May quite suddenly and somewhat mysteriously, since no one would say why. After 36 years directing the city government’s legal activities, Harvey was out the door shortly after City Manager Bill Prokop retired.
The council opted to continue a contract arrangement with Coppage, as they had with Harvey, instead of creating an in-house legal department like Beaufort County government. (One can only imagine how busy the county’s three lawyers are right now, with all the allegations and investigations surrounding former manager Eric Greenway. On top of that, the County Council’s bringing in an outside law firm to give them advice. Good thing the county’s three lawyers aren’t being paid by the hour but it’s probably not a good thing, thinking about these legal fees are going to cost the taxpayers.)
In addition to hiring Coppage, the City Council passed some resolutions, adopted a lovely strategic plan and agreed with the County Council to name the Boundary Street open space where Wendy’s used to be, the First S.C. Volunteer Infantry Park in honor of the first African American regiment formed to join Union forces during the Civil War.
Lolita Huckaby Watson is a community volunteer and newspaper columnist. In her former role as a reporter with The Beaufort Gazette, The Savannah Morning News, Bluffton Today and Beaufort Today, she prided herself in trying to stay neutral and unbiased. As a columnist, these are her opinions. Her goal is to be factual but opinionated, based on her own observations. Feel free to contact her at bftbay@gmail.com.
