Covington council approves fidelity coverage and legal counsel contract; consent agenda passes

Covington — At its Nov. 17, 2025 meeting, the Covington Village Council approved a resolution authorizing bonds/faithful performance coverage and voted to retain Frank J. Patrizio and the law firm McCulloch, Felger, Fite and Gutmann Co. L.P.A. as village legal counsel.

Mayor Lee Harmon called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. and the council first approved a standard consent agenda that included minutes and October financial reports. Councilmember Amy Welborn moved to approve the consent agenda; Councilmember Martin Leistner seconded. Jesse Reynolds recorded an abstention; the remaining five members voted aye.

The council then passed Resolution R38-25, which authorizes an agreement with PEP to provide fidelity/bonding coverage in lieu of a traditional surety bond, a step the minutes say aligns with requirements of the Ohio Revised Code. The motion to approve R38-25 was made by Councilmember Amy Welborn and seconded by Councilmember Julie Blumenstock; the minutes record the vote as all ayes.

Later in the meeting Administrator Jordan Hodges presented a two-year contract to employ Frank J. Patrizio and the named firm as legal counsel through Dec. 31, 2027. Council voted to waive the three-reading rule (motion by Councilmember Amy Welborn, seconded by Councilmember Derrick Canan) and then approved Resolution R43-25 (motion by Councilmember Dawn Duff, seconded by Councilmember Jesse Reynolds); the minutes record all ayes.

The council met in executive session from 7:30 p.m. to 9:04 p.m. to consider personnel matters under the Ohio Revised Code; the meeting resumed and concluded with an adjournment at 9:10 p.m.

What happens next: Several ordinances and resolutions from the Nov. 17 meeting carry to a Dec. 1, 2025 session for second reading or further action. The council clerk will publish the official meeting record and minutes.