Police Chief Mike Mullins informed Hurricane City Council its monthly meeting on June 7 that the FBI, acting on information provided by the HPD, seized $215,000 in cash during a Columbus, Ohio drug arrest. Mullins stated that a portion of the cash seized by the FBI is distributed to participating law enforcement agencies.

Mullins reported that the Hurricane Department has been selected to receive a portion of all cash seized by the FBI on the east coast of the United States.

Mullins stated that the Hurricane CIU unit seized 1.03 pounds of meth, 12.5 grams of heroin, 3 grams of crack cocaine and 25 Oxycodone pills during May. Mullins estimated the street value of the drugs to be slightly over $12,000. The HPD seized $12,743 in cash and 4 firearms while making the drug arrests.

Mullins reported that during the month, the HPD made 11 arrests which were charged to the state and 17 which were charged to the city. The city’s arrests included 12 for first offense shoplifting and two for second offense shoplifting. The state arrests included one DUI related, one drug related, and one for domestic battery.
Mullins also reported that the HPD department issued 135 citations and 61 warnings while responding to complaints involving fraud, petit larceny, destruction of property, hit and run, fireworks, and ATVs.

The department also responded to 25 EMR calls, 25 911 hang up calls, 12 alarm calls, 9 disturbance calls, 14 suspicious vehicle calls, 2 fight calls, 3 noise complaints, 4 trespassing complaints, 10 domestic violence calls and 25 suspicious persons complaints. The department made 4 well-being checks while taking 20 accident reports during the month.

City Manager Andy Skidmore reported that the emergency generators requested from the State in January, 2020, for the Senior Center on Putnam Avenue and the Fire Department have been approved. All costs, including installation will be provided by the State. Skidmore also reported that the recent 25 acre addition to Hurricane Bridge Park has been cleared by regulatory agencies to be used for the construction of four ball fields.

Marketing & Development Manager Amanda Ramey informed council that the evening edition of Food Truck Friday is scheduled from 4 to 8 p.m. on the last Friday of June, July, August and September. Daytime Food Truck Friday is from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Ramey announced that the Hidden Creek Mercantile building (the old IOOF lodge) will become the home of Conley’s Irish Pub. The business is expected to open around September 1st.

Ramey also announced that a large sign will be erected at Hurricane City Park to direct visitors to Meeks Mountain Trails. Ramey stated that Deck on Main, located between Bear Wood Company and WV Chiropractic and Wellness, will be equipped with an audio system that will allow patrons to place orders from Drip Cafe and Belknap Dough Company.

In new business, council approved the low bid of $45,850 from Nitro Construction to install a sprinkler system in the Hidden Creek Mercantile building.

Council approved the appointments of Reggie Billups and Steve Goff to the Water Board for 3-year terms and the appointment of Goff to a 3-year term on the Sanitary/Water Pollution Control Board.

Council also approved the appointments of Brian Linville, PJ Donovan, Samuel Crowder, Linda Gibson and Jill Adams to the City Tree Commission Board. The Tree Commission is authorized to develop and administer a plan for the care, preservation, pruning, planting, replanting, removal or disposition of trees and shrubs in parks, along streets and in other public areas. The plan allows Hurricane to qualify for benefits from the Arbor Day Foundation.

Mayor Scott Edwards announced that the city’s 4th of July parade will be at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 3. City offices will be closed on Monday, July 5. The next regular council meeting will be Tuesday, July 6, at 6:30 p.m.