Covington council approves liquor license, welcomes new administrator and finalizes 2021 appointments

Covington Village Council met via Zoom on Monday, Dec. 21, 2020. Mayor McCord called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.; six council members were present.

Council approved the meeting agenda at the start of the session. Mayor McCord reported on community activities, including the Christmas Home Decorating Contest (11 entrants) and announced the first- through fifth-place winners by address. He also listed appointments for 2021 to boards and commissions including Planning and Zoning, the Zoning Board of Appeals and the Income Tax Review Board, and confirmed Brenda Carroll as the village’s public records representative.

New Village Administrator Kyle Hinkelman gave an introduction to the council, describing meetings with village group leaders and staff during his first week, work on the 2021 budget and policy manual, launching the village Facebook page and outreach on CARES Act funding for residents. Hinkelman’s assignment as an authorized signatory on village accounts was later formalized by a council resolution.

Council approved a request related to a liquor license for Amerimex Restaurant and Deli after Police Chief Lee Harmon reviewed the application and did not request a hearing. Scott Tobias moved to approve the license without a hearing; Bud Weer seconded and the motion passed unanimously.

Routine minutes and financial reports were approved. Council also completed a third reading and approval of Ordinance 18-20 amending the salary ordinance and completed a second reading of Resolution R45-20, authorizing the mayor to enter into an agreement with Best Equipment for purchase of a street sweeper (no final vote on R45-20 was recorded in the minutes from this meeting).

The council set its 2021 meeting schedule: regular meetings on the first and third Monday of each month at 7 p.m., with Planning and Zoning to meet on the third Tuesday at 7 p.m. The meeting adjourned at 7:27 p.m.