Mayor Scott Edwards displays the clock which was in the Hurricane Depot in 1969.
The Hurricane City Council meeting of July 5 commenced with Sandy Larch presenting the City with a special clock. The clock was taken from the Hurricane C&O Depot on Main Street when the structure was torn down in 1969. The clock was passed on from Sandy’s grandfather to her father and then to her following his death in 2003.
Mayor Scott Edwards announced his plan for the clock’s future. Edwards stated that he envisions converting the Fire Department on Main Street into a structure that will house a restaurant and two businesses. The building will be named The Depot and will serve as the home of the clock. The projected new home is about one hundred feet from the original Hurricane Depot.
Also prior to regular business, the City honored five high school students from Arts in Action. The students were inducted into The National Honor Society for Dance Arts in May. Claire Pifer, Kelsey Sherman, Miranda Stuart, Isabel Al Zoubi, and Olivia Jacobsen were named to the National Society because they achieved a high level of artistic merit, fulfilled hours of community service hours, and had a 3.6 or higher grade point average.
Council also recognized the State Champion Hurricane High School Boys and Girls Tennis Teams and the Hurricane High Bass Fishing Club which won the Bass Nation West Virginia High School Championship.
The Boys Tennis Team was undefeated in regular season competition, Conference Champions and Regional Champions in addition to winning the State title. Individual State honors went to Jacob Smolder – All State Team, Curry Taylor – State Champion @ #3 Singles, Kellen Pauley and Elias Kave – State Champion @ #3 Doubles.
The Girls Team went 12-1 in the regular season, were Conference Champions and Regional Champions in addition to winning the State. Winning individual honors at the State Championship were Lexi Smolder – State Champion @ #1 Singles & All State Team, Katy Limanen – State Champion @ #2 Singles & All State Team, Savannah Allen – State Champion @ #3 Singles, Lexi Smolder & Katy Limanen – State Champion @ #1 Doubles.
HHS Bass Fishing Club consists of Wesley Allen and Riley Hendricks. The two won the Bass Nation West Virginia High School Championship which took place on the Ohio River in Ravenswood. They received first place and the big fish with a total weight was 5.35 lbs. and big fish of 3.93 lbs. They will compete with other high school teams at the National Championship in Lake Hartwell, SC in August. Last year, around 250 boats competed in the National Championship.
In the regular business session, City Manager Andy Skidmore informed Council that health insurance cost for city employees had jumped dramatically because of claims and that the premium increase would exceed the industry average increase. Skidmore said that the City will work with CAMC in an effort to reduce future costs.
Skidmore reported that the paving for the new Fire Department station and the paving of the parking area for the football field at Bridge Park is now one project and is expected to be completed in September. Skidmore said that the new Fire Department station is now slated to be complete by the end of February of 2023.
In business leftover from the June council meeting, the Council approved the recommendation of the Hurricane Planning Commission that a request for a variance to operate a business in a residence at 1113 Fieldcrest Drive be denied.
In other business, Council approved the annexation of 0.53 acres on U.S. 60 (the old Speedway property).
Council held the Second Reading of an edit to City Code Section 521.05 — Excrement. Prior to the edit, dogs were allowed to do on public property that which they were forbidden to do on private property. Dogs are now forbidden to dirty either public or private property.
Council approved the appointment of Dan Lauffer as the Citizen Representative to the Hurricane Fire Board.
The next regular council meeting will be Monday, August 1, at 6:30 p.m.
