Mayor Scott Edwards (right) presents a certificate of recognition to Matt Stevens.
The monthly meeting of the Hurricane City Council on December 2nd was an opportunity to say “thank you” to three members of the community for their public service. Mayor Scott Edwards presented certificates of recognition to Seth Skiles, Matt Stevens, and Steve Goff.
Skiles was named the 2024 West Virginia Teacher of the Year at the beginning of the school year and teaches music at Rock Branch Elementary. He is a life-long Hurricane resident and attended Hurricane schools.
Matt Stevens was honored for his role in leading local relief efforts to benefit victims of Hurricane Helene. Stevens grew up in the area of North Carolina which was hardest hit by flooding. He began collecting needful items in his garage. Response from the community caused collections to shift to the Hurricane Fire Station. Stevens made arrangements to fly collected supplies to be flown to Asheville, North Carolina. Stevens participated in helicopter delivery to devastated areas.
Mayor Edwards announced that Stevens will be participating in Hurricane’s Polar Express Christmas Parade on December 14 as the train’s mustachioed conductor.
Steve Goff was recognized for his twelve and a half years of service on city council. Edwards stated that he drafted Goff to fill an unexpected vacancy on council. During Goff’s tenure on council, the City has been enabled to develop Hurricane Bridge Park and to construct a new Hurricane Fire Station. The Hurricane Volunteer Fire Department has transitioned to add paid-firefighter personnel.
The City chose to honor Goff because he is resigning from Hurricane City Council on December 31st. In its regular business, council approved the appointment of Michael Black to fill Goff’s seat beginning on January 1st.
Police Chief Mike Mullins reported that his department made 44 arrests during November, 13 of which were charged to the City. Mullins announced that HPD seized $4,305 in cash, 174 grams of marijuana, 321 grams of meth, and 5 grams of Fentanyl in drug related arrests. Mullins said numerous drug paraphernalia was discover in the execution of a search at 2532 Virginia Avenue.
Fire Chief Paul Niedbalski announced that his department has begun weekend staffing. Niedbalski said 211 hours of training were administered during November.
Council heard from residents who have been adversely affected by the new stop sign at Virginia Avenue and Lynn Street. The sign was installed to relieve backup on Virginia. The police department will monitor the situation and recommend change if necessary.
In other business, council held the first reading of an ordinance which regulates the location and number of Vape Shops. The ordinance is similar to a Vape ordinance adopted by the Putnam County Commission earlier this year.
Council also held the first reading of an ordinance which would eliminate certain business categories from the city’s Business & Occupation Tax. City revenues would be reduced by $28,000 annually by the change.
Amanda Ramey announced that free Horse and Wagon rides on Main Street and Putnam Avenue will be December 21, between 5 and 8 p.m.
The next Hurricane Council meeting will be January 6, 2025, at 6:30 p.m.
