<strong>From staff reports</strong>

At its March 30 meeting, Beaufort City Council elected Councilman Mike McFee to be mayor pro tem. McFee, who was elected to City Council in a Special Election held March 2, was mayor pro tem in his previous term on City Council.

The mayor pro tem acts as mayor when Mayor Stephen Murray is absent.

In other actions, City Council:

– Extended the mask requirement in buildings accessible to the public in the City of Beaufort through April 30. Council encouraged those who are eligible for a vaccine to make an appointment as soon as possible. About 37 percent of Beaufort County residents aged 15 or older have been vaccinated, according to the Department of Health &amp; Environmental Control.

– Agreed to co-sponsor the Lowcountry Wind Symphony’s May 1 concert at Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park.

– Approved the request from the Beaufort Water Festival to hold the 65th annual festival from July 16 to 25. The popular festival was not held last year due the pandemic. The festival organizers agreed to adhere to any pandemic-related restrictions in place during the festival’s time frame.