array of relevant local issues, such as beach nourishment efforts, area tourism and marketing, city council discussions through live streaming, new city job postings and changes in city policies. “With Joshua stepping into this new role, we have expanded the position’s scope from tourism coordination to comprehensive public information,” said IOP City Administrator Douglas Kerr. “By broadening these duties, we aim to increase transparency and ensure the public is fully aware of the many positive projects the city currently has underway.” This is not his first job with a municipality. Part of Uys’ background includes interning with the City of Charleston, where he got the chance to restructure their website; see how a city functions “behind the scenes;” compile come by and scarce – so I developed our new ‘Beach’ page,” he said. “I developed an interactive map that shows the dates of various beach projects and highlights the location of sand placement, so residents and businesses are informed about the dates and location of affected areas well in advance of placement.” It’s a lot to manage early on, but Uys is eyeing the challenge with his sleeves rolled up. “I wake up every morning excited for work,” he said. “Every day is different and I’m learning every day, pairing perfectly with my MPA (Master of Public Administration) classes I take in the evening.” 6 IslandVibesIOP.com New public information officer focused on more than tourism growth By L. C. Leach III Waterway Blvd. flood barrier aims to boost tidal safety By L. C. Leach III NEWS When the City of Isle of Palms hired South African-born Joshua Uys last December to fill the void of public information officer, it was in many ways exactly the kind of position for which he had been training for years. “I can’t exactly pinpoint when I became interested in government,” said Uys, who relocated to the Lowcountry from Port Elizabeth, South Africa, at age 18 with his family, and enrolled at the College of Charleston. “But I’ve always had a passion for people and community. I knew I wanted to pursue a career that directly impacts people’s day-to-day lives.” Uys’ hiring came after a threemonth search by the city, and his role is as clear as his title: to keep the public and press informed and updated on an The battle to combat flooding on Isle of Palms is being fought along many fronts: sectional drainage, water discharge systems and beach renourishment at both ends of the island. As of late, area engineers are preparing to begin Phase 2 of the Waterway Boulevard Flood Barrier Project. “The City of Isle of Palms is experiencing increased occurrences of flooding due to extreme high tides, sea level rise and more intense coastal storms,” said Hillary Aton, project manager with Thomas & Hutton engineering services in Mount Pleasant, who is overseeing the flood project. “These conditions, combined with the lack of a formal drainage system in some areas and the general low-lying topography of the island, have created flooding conditions throughout the city.” Phases 1 and 1A, which consisted of a new $1.5 million flood barrier within the Harbor Golf Course at Wild Dunes, were completed in the fall of 2025. Holes 9 and 10 that parallel the Intracoastal Waterway were also raised in elevation to assist in seasonal tidal flooding. resident feedback on floodwater concerns into a detailed briefing for the mayor’s office; and survey local small business resource partners to develop a comprehensive guide for entrepreneurs seeking funding or procurement opportunities. Uys came to Isle of Palms in the summer of 2025, initially to work in the Building, Planning, and Zoning Department. He knew immediately that he was exactly where he wanted to be. “The culture at the City of Isle of Palms was what I was looking for,” he said. “Staff are friendly, laid-back, and I thrive under a laissez-faire team of leaders.” From day one, Uys was thrust into the middle of a major ongoing public issue: IOP beach erosion and renourishment. “Residents and businesses were concerned that information was hard to Phase 2, running for approximately 1.68 miles between 21st and 41st avenues, is now in permitting with construction expected to begin in February. This part of the project for the Waterway Boulevard Pathway is expected to protect the island from tidal intrusions and coastal-driven flooding from the north side. “Improvements include raising the pathway to an elevation of 7 feet to provide protection from extreme tides and sea level rise,” Aton said. “Portions of the existing pathway are below elevation 5 feet, and as low as 4.27 feet, and have experienced overtopping from extreme tide events on numerous occasions.” Additional improvements in Phase 2 will include new, localized drainage systems to convey stormwater runoff captured under the pathway, and installation of inline check valves on all pipes along the corridor that discharge under the pathway to the Intracoastal Waterway. “The check valves will serve to prevent tidal backflow in the drainage system and eliminate sunny day flooding, as well as preserve the capacity in the drainage system,” Aton said. Phase 2 is anticipated to be completed by the fall of 2026, and the city has secured all 22 release agreements from adjacent property owners. Funding for the project, approved on Aug. 23, 2024, totals approximately $1.08 million. The federal cost share amounted to $979,931.70, while the remaining $108,881.30 either must come from the city or another funding source secured by the city. “No additional funding has been requested or approved,” said Tiffanie Barrett, chief of public information and external affairs with the South Carolina Emergency Management Division. “But local and state governments can apply for federal hazard mitigation grants, most of which are available only after a federal disaster declaration for the state.” “The tidal protection components of Phase 1 have not yet been tested with a severe tidal event or coastal storm event,” Aton added. Isle of Palms city leadership and the project's engineering firm and contractor have completed Phase 1 of the Waterway Boulevard project and anticipate Phase 2 to begin in Q1 2026. Joshua Uys
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