Jason Asbury presents HPD K-9 Officer Makenzie White with a check for $1,866.45 while Polce Chief Mike Mullins (right) looks on.
The Hurricane City Council met on Monday, June 2, to hear updates from city officials and to conduct regular business. Prior to the updates, the council recognized two HPD officers, Patrolman Billy Vickers and Corporal Brett Johnson, for service, above and beyond, normal duties. Vickers aided a motorist with a flat tire on I-64 by removing the tire, purchasing a replacement, and installing the new tire. Johnson, upon seeing a woman struggle to mow a lawn while toting a baby carrier and baby, finished mowing the large lawn.
Also prior to business, Jason Asbury presented the Hurricane Police K-9 Unit a check for $1,866.45. The money represents the profits from the Meeks Mountain Muddy Mutt 15K Run which was held in March.
The agenda for the meeting listed “Discussion and possible decision to donate newly acquired land from WV DOT to Hurricane Development Authority.” The land which was newly acquired was the 2 acre parcel that sits between the CSX tracks and State Route 34 at the junction of 34 with State Route 19 near Fruth Pharmacy. The council approved the transaction with little discussion.
The plan to acquire and to give away the property has been in place for several years. At the 2024 March council meeting, City Manager Andy Skidmore announced that the property had been appraised at $400,000 and the city was waiting on the West Virginia Department of Transportation. At that time, Mayor Scott Edwards said that the plan was to team with a private developer who would fill the acreage and join it to adjacent property (the old Cummings property, opposite from Walgreens).
P & L Associates of West Virginia, headquartered in Weston, purchased the Cummings property (4.95 acres) in 2021 for $900,000. The Hurricane Development Authority, a 501 c(3), plans to sell the 2-acre parcel to P & L for the appraised value of $442,000.
Mayor Edwards said that the property plans involve retail and food outlets.
Council also approved the rezoning of the property located at 16 Hurricane Creek Road and 3107 Baker Street from Residential to B-3. Thor Meeks plans to construct an office building at the site.
Hurricane Fire Chief Paul Niedbalski informed council that 15 firefighters have completed the first phase of a 32-hour swiftwater recuse program which was conducted at the class 4 rapids at the upper falls of Coal River. There are five members of the department which are fully trained in swiftwater rescue.
Council recognized the Hurricane Middle School Girls Track Team for winning the Mid Valley Athletic Conference Championship prior to business. Mayor Edwards reported that a 38-team competition at the Putnam County Bank Sport Complex at Bridge Park produced $10,000 in profit from concession sales. Edwards said that cash flow generated from field rentals has been as expected and bond payments are being made according to schedule.
Winners of the Hurricane Independence Day Celebration Pageant introduced themselves to council prior to the business session.
Marketing and Development Director Amanda Ramey informed council members that 4th of July activities will be moved from City Park to the PCB Sports Complex at Bridge Park this year. The City will provide shuttle service from the Midland Trail portion of the park to the sports complex. Ramey said the 4th of July Parade will be at 4 p.m. with line up beginning at 3 p.m. at Bridge Park on Midland Trail.
City offices will be closed on Thursday, June 19, for Juneteenth observance and on Friday, June 20, for West Virginia’s birthday. The next council meeting will be Monday, July 7, at 6:30 p.m.
