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Covington council confirms new police chief, adopts emergency salary ordinance and amends downtown redevelopment district
Summary
Covington Village Council on June 22 unanimously confirmed David Friend as police chief, adopted an emergency salary ordinance to convert the chief to a contracted, salaried position, and approved an amended map for the Downtown Redevelopment District to enable larger projects including demolition and parking improvements.
The Covington Village Council on June 22 unanimously confirmed David Friend as the village’s new police chief and approved two ordinances that change pay and redevelopment rules.
Village Administrator Jordan Hodges told council that Resolution R32-26 "would confirm the appointment of David Friend as the new Police Chief for the village." Council Member Martin Leistner moved to waive the three-reading rule for the resolution; the motion was seconded by Council Member Steven Blei and passed on a unanimous voice vote. Leistner then moved to approve the resolution; the motion was seconded by Council Member Derrick Canan and also passed unanimously.
Hodges said Ordinance O10-26 was necessary because "the position will now be salaried by contract," and that Police Chief was the only change to Exhibit A. Council waived the three-reading rule on a motion by Canan, seconded by Blei, and approved the ordinance on a motion by Blei, seconded by Canan; members present voted "all ayes."
Council also approved Ordinance O11-26 to amend Exhibit A for the Covington Downtown Redevelopment District (DRD). Council Member Martin Leistner said the DRD group is "looking to save for some bigger projects, such as, demolition of the old Sellman's building and paving a parking lot." The council waived the three-reading rule for O11-26 and approved the ordinance; Hodges noted the amended DRD map will also require approval by the State of Ohio.
Other formal actions at the meeting included approval of the consent agenda (minutes and May financial reports) on a motion by Council Member Steven Blei, seconded by Derrick Canan. For votes where the minutes record "All ayes," the council members present were Julie Blumenstock, Derrick Canan, Jesse Reynolds, Steven Blei and Martin Leistner; Amy Welborn was excused.
Two items on the agenda were continued: Resolution R29-26 (agreement with OR Colan related to Broadway right-of-way and easements) and Resolution R30-26 (approval of the 2027 tax budget). Hodges said both items are scheduled for third reading on July 6, 2026. The tax budget must be submitted to the Miami County Budget Commission by July 20, 2026.
The council entered executive session at 7:15 p.m. to consider matters under division (G)(1) of section 121.22 of the Ohio Revised Code regarding personnel; the session ended at 8:10 p.m. No action was taken in executive session. The meeting adjourned at 8:12 p.m.
