The December Hurricane City Council meeting on Monday opened with Brandon Doerner and Matt Young of the Meeks Mountain Trail Alliance (MMTA) presenting council with a recap of the Hurricane 100K held in September on the trail system carved on the slopes of the ridges of the Meeks property adjacent to Hurricane City Park.
Young stated that the event brought world class competitors from all over the country to Hurricane. The winner of the 62.5 mile race finished with a record time of 8:06:07. Young said that competitors reported that Hurricane’s friendliness was uncommon and exceeded all expectations.
The December 1st meeting was also official recognition time of the 2025 Class AAAA State Champion Hurricane High School Soccer team. Hurricane Mayor Scott Edwards called upon members of the team to identify the factors which propelled them to win the championship. Edwards was both surprised and pleased when one player answered that it was pure talent. Edwards said he had never before received such an answer. Members of the team posed for a photo and received certificates of recognition.
In other business, council learned that two members of the Police Department have resigned to take positions with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). DHS is offering qualified individuals a $50,000 signing bonus payable over three years. Edwards said that the city cannot match offers of that nature. The two officers were Matthew Baumgardner and Payton Carr. A new officer has been sworn in to replace Baumgardner and applicants to fill Carr’s position are being evaluated.
Mayor Edwards announced that Gerry Spears will resign from city council effective December 31, 2025. Spears has served as a member of Hurricane City Council for 13 years.
City manager Andy Skidmore announced that the city has advertised for bids for qualified persons or firms to provide engineering services necessary for the construction of the infrastructure necessary for the Woodworth Farms development. Infrastructure will include water, sewer, roads, and possibly stormwater retention. Deadline to submit statement of qualification is December 11th. Construction of infrastructure is slated to begin in spring of 2026.
Marketing and Development Director Amanda Ramey reported that the Hurricane’s Christmas Blessing program will make Christmas brighter for 507 children and adolescents throughout the county. The 507 number is up from the previous record of 450 set last year. The cost per child averages between $200 and $250.
Ramey announced that the deadline for residents to register for Hurricane’s annual Christmas House Decorating Contest is December 7. Hurricane’s Christmas Parade is scheduled for a 12 noon start on Saturday, December 13. The parade is projected to be larger than last year which featured close to one hundred participants. Prior to the parade, beginning at 10 a.m., there will be a “Cookies with Mrs. Claus” event at the Gazebo on Main Street.
Ramey also announced that Free Horse and Carriage Rides on Main Street will be December 20th from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
In new business, council held the first reading of an ordinance which will allow shrubbery to serve as a protective screening for B-3 zoning. Council approved a variance request to allow a home office at 214 Irene Circle. The variance will allow an attorney to operate from his home which office will not include client visitation.
Council also approved a variance which will allow two corner lots in the Woodworth Farms subdivision to have less than minimum setbacks.
The next city council; meeting will be Monday, January 5, at 6:30 p.m.
