The Hurricane City Council met on Monday, July 7, to conduct regular business and to recognize the Class AAA State Champion Hurricane High School Boys Tennis Team, individual event winners at the State Tennis Championships and at the State Track Meet, and Tennis coach Andy Ball, WVSSAC Coach of the Year.
Coach Ball has coached the tennis team at Hurricane High School from its beginnings, about fifty years ago. “This is the best [team] in the history of the school and in the history of the State,” Ball stated. Hurricane has won numerous tennis championships and the defending 2024 State Champion. Ball added that no team in the state has ever dominated competition as this year’s team did.
The team was led by Class AAA Boys Singles State Champ;ion Jacob Smolder and Doubles State Champions Kellen Pauley and Smolder.
The Hurricane High Boys Track Team fell short of winning the Class AAA title but won five State Championship events. Ty Steorts won both the 3200 Meter and 1600 Meter Runs. Ethan Chill was Shot Put champion. Jaiden Smith was the 110 Meter Hurdle champion. HHS Shuttle Hurdle Relay team of Zach Turner, Jaiden Smith, Sean Legros and Max Tidd captured first place honors.
In the regular business session, council heard updates from Hurricane Fire Chief Paul Niedbalski, Police Chief Mike Mullins and City Manager Andy Skidmore. Chief Niedbalski reported that the fire department responded to 932 calls in the first half of 2025, almost 100 calls more than in the same period during 2024.
Police Chief Mullins reported seizure of a vehicle used in an intent-to-deliver drug arrest. The HPD recorded 22 arrests which were charged to the State and 6 City arrests. The department seized 485.3 gram of marijuana and one gram of Fentanyl during June.
In new business, council held the first readings of ordinances which will bring three tracts into city limits. The tracts are 0.75 acres beside the Hurricane Water Plant at the reservoir, the 18.91 acres which makes up the bowl area of Meeks Mountain Trails, and 30.20 acres adjacent to the City’s Water Tank opposite from the Fire Station on Midland trail. All three tracts are owned by the city but are presently outside of city boundaries.
Council also approved a request from Teays Holdings to rezone 2813 and 2815 Virginia Avenue to B-2. The property was the site of the old Hurricane City Hall and has been used for business purposes since being acquired by Teays Holdings more than a decade ago.
Council approved the title transfer of a city-owned lot of 1/2 acre adjacent to U.S. Foods on Virginia Avenue to the Hurricane Development Authority. The ownership transfer allows the Development Authority to negotiate sale of the property with interested parties. Mayor Edwards said that U.S. Foods has expressed interest in the property and has need for additional parking.
The next council meeting will be Monday, August 4, at 6:30 p.m.
