Huntington’s City Council passed a resolution honoring a Huntington YMCA fitness program and announced the Huntington Police Department’s Officer of the Year Monday during its bimonthly meeting at City Hall.

The program, Kids in Motion, began as a pilot six-week program in November 2013 with 25 participants. By the start of 2015, the 10-week program had 90 participants and now includes family-oriented workouts.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported a change in childhood obesity during the past 30 years, declaring one-third of children as overweight.

Sarah Specht, participant and mother of two children in the Kids in Motion program, said the YMCA was responsible for her family’s decision to exercise and lead healthier lifestyles.

“We learned in the first week that three out of the four of us were obese,” Specht said. “We were eating horrible food: all processed, all frozen, what was easy for me to cook, and I know the two of us could barely run the mile. It was embarrassing.”

Specht said the family made an immediate decision to start preparing healthy meals, and in the spring, took advantage of Huntington’s exercise opportunities.

“We’ve walked the PATH… played disc golf at Rotary Park, we go hiking at Beech Fork [State Park],” Specht said. “Huntington has a lot to offer if people just know about it.

Specht said the family has shed 100 pounds altogether.

The council also praised Lieutenant Officer John Williams, who has served the HPD for 25 years. Williams was awarded the honor for his series of achievements and demonstration of investigative ability in high-profile cases.

“[Williams’] expertise and, more importantly, his leadership have proven him invaluable and have helped the police department to achieve new levels of success in its investigative function,” said Huntington Police Chief Joe Ciccarelli.

Williams said he came to the area to be with family after serving in the Coast Guard for four years in the early 1980s.

“I can’t really consider being anywhere else now,” Williams said. “This is home.”

Williams said he spent the first 15 years on patrol and the remaining 10 years on investigations.

“In the service I had some similar related experience in law enforcement in the Bahamas doing drug and addiction patrols,” Williams said. “So I thought this would be a perfect fit. I started it, and I’ve loved it ever since.”

Williams said he will retire from the HPD in approximately a month and a half.

The council also passed two ordinances concerning the effluent and force main pipelines at the Huntington Wastewater Treatment Plant. The pipes, labeled as in extreme disrepair, will be replaced within 270 days after starting construction.

Huntington Mayor Steve Williams announced the date of the annual State of the City address at 3 p.m. Feb. 17 at City Hall.

Williams said the address will be broadcasted on Comcast channel 25 and on SuperTalk 94.1 FM and AM930, and for the first time, streamed on the City of Huntington website.

Lexi Browning can be contacted at [email protected].