Mayor Scott Edwards presents Amelia with a proclamation officially naming her the Mayor of West Teays Elementary School.

The Hurricane City Council meeting of Monday, February 3, opened with West Teays Elementary School Second Graders leading the Pledge of Allegiance to the American Flag, followed by a Pledge of Allegiance to the State Flag.

The West Teays students attended the meeting to learn what local governments do. They were witnesses to passage of a new city ordinance and the modification of city code. The students toured City Hall prior to the meeting and asked city officials questions. Also prior to the meeting, students saw Michael Black take the oath to execute his duties as a member of the Hurricane City Council. Black was appointed to fill the seat left vacant by the resignation of Steve Goff from council at the December council meeting.

The meeting was an extra special experience for Kindergartner Amelia Oliver who was elected mayor of her class by an official vote (show of hands). Amelia assisted Mayor Scott Edwards by wielding the gavel and announcing the passage of motions made by council members when prompted.

The council meeting served as a venue to draw awareness to Congenital Heart Defects and Angelman Syndrome.

Jake Baker, a 14-year old Hurricane resident who was born with a major heart defect, addressed all present about American Heart Month, National Wear Red Day and Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Week. Following his presentation, Mayor Edwards read a proclamation declaring the week of February 7 to 14 as Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Week in the City of Hurricane.

Jayden Lewis, a victim of Angelman Syndrome, and his family were present to bring awareness to the rare neuro-genetic disorder that occurs in one of every fifteen thousand births. Following photos, Edwards read a proclamation officially naming February 15 as Angelman Syndrome Awareness Day in the City of Hurricane.

Police Chief Mike Mullins presented council with summary HPD activities during the 2024 calendar year. The department seized $77,587.00 in cash while removing sizable amounts of Meth, Marijuana, Heroin, Fentanyl, Cocaine, and other drugs from distribution. The 806.8 grams of Fentanyl seized was sufficient to produce more than 400,000 deadly overdoses.

City Manager Andy Skidmore informed council that the ball fields at Bridge Park have been booked for every weekend from March through July.

In regular business, council held the second and final reading of a Vape Ordinance which severely restricts the location of vape shops in city limits. The ordinance mirrors one which the Putnam County Commission signed into law in 2024.

Council approve an amendment to the city’s Business and Occupation Tax Code which will reduce tax collections. Hurricane’s one percent sales tax has made it possible to reduce B&O taxes.

Acting upon the recommendation of the Municipal Planning Commission, council approved a request to have 2760 5th Street re-zoned to B-1. The property is opposite Hurricane Middle School.

In new business, council held the first reading of an ordinance which would bring 1.68 acres near the Chapman Funeral Home on Teays Valley Road into city limits.

In other business, council approved the appointment of Rachel Hill to the Hurricane Water Board.

Mayor Edwards announced that city offices will be closed on Monday, February 17, in observance of Presidents Day.

The next regular council meeting will be Monday, March 3rd, at 6:30 p.m.