We encourage you to provide us with your comments about current issues in Covington. We value your attendance and participation at our bi-weekly council meetings. We hold these regular meetings on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month beginning at 7 p.m., unless otherwise noticed, at Covington City Hall.
COUNCIL MEMBERS: 
Mayor - Jeff Wagner - Position #7
Mayor Pro Tem - Sean Smith - Position #5
Kristina Soltys - Position #1
Jennifer Harjehausen - Position #2
Jared Koukal - Position #3
Joseph Cimaomo, Jr. - Position #4
Elizabeth Porter - Position #6
Reach your city council at citycouncil@covingtonwa.gov
*If you would like to report a problem or issue about topics such as roads, traffic, parking, street signs, code violations, etc., please use the Covington Connects system so your report gets processed right away by the appropriate department.
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Contact Councilmember Soltys - ksoltys@covingtonwa.gov
Jennifer Harjehausen - Position #2.jpg)
My husband and I have been married over 20 years and are thrilled to be raising our four kids here in Covington. I have degrees in Marine Biology and Molecular Cellular & Developmental Biology, and work as a Project Manager for a clinical trials laboratory.
I have served in leadership positions on numerous non-profit boards in our community, including our schools’ PTSAs and our local preschool, Covington Co-Op. I served as Chair of the City’s PRePAC Committee and served on the City’s Arts Commission and Planning Commission. I’ve also enjoyed serving on various committees supporting the efforts of Kent School District, including the Family Engagement Task Force and Citizens Budget Review Committee.
I am humbled and truly honored to have been Covington’s 2018 Citizen of the Year. Working with and building relationships with other people committed to making our City great has been an extraordinary gift. As our city grows and new businesses and more people come to our community, I look forward to fostering and cultivating more relationships to build an even stronger, safer, and greater city.
My goal is to provide our residents the community they desire and deserve.
Contact Councilmember Harjehausen - jharjehausen@covingtonwa.gov
Jared Koukal is honored to have been voted as Covington’s City Council Member for Position 3 serving as the youngest elected city official. After finishing his contract with the Army, he has been serving the community of Covington in many ways. Jared has enjoyed being a part of Covington’s Economic Development Commission (CEDC) beginning in 2017 as co-chair. Creating relationships with the commission, residents and business owners has led him to take on more city responsibilities. He has also served on the Government Affairs Board tackling affordable housing and transportation.
When he is not spending time on his real estate career or at the city, Jared enjoys spending time with his family. Jared has been married for three years and has a beautiful 2-year old daughter with another daughter on the way. They are very excited for the changes ahead. He also enjoys his time outdoors hiking the PNW trails.
Jared's goals for the City of Covington and it’s residents include maintaining our economic stability in our downtown core as we prepare for the new LakePointe development, finding solutions for the rising mail theft in our community, and promoting transparency between the city and the residents of Covington.
Contact Councilmember Koukal - jkoukal@covingtonwa.gov
Joseph Cimaomo, Jr. - Position #4
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I was born in California and moved to Washington in 1991, I have lived in the Covington area since 1998, and am a graduate of Kentwood High School. Before being elected to the Council I served as the Vice Chair for the Covington Budget Priorities Committee. I am married and have two sons.I want to see our council continue to strive to make Covington better. I am looking forward to seeing the new development at the Hawk Property being built. I am also looking forward to developing long term solutions for our roads.
Contact Councilmember Cimaomo - jcimaomojr@covingtonwa.gov
Sean Smith, Mayor Pro Tem - Position #5
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In 2005, my wife and I moved our family from San Francisco to the Puget Sound area after I accepted a position with a national non-profit. When we considered a place to make our home, we researched and visited countless communities looking for a combination of good schools, safe neighborhoods, diverse residents, natural settings, access to mass transit, and affordable housing. We found all these things in Covington!
From the day I moved here, one of my priorities has been to get involved in the community’s future. Along that line, I’ve volunteered in my children’s schools, on city commissions, and on local ball fields. Specifically, I have worked on the Covington Planning Commission and its Budget and Priorities Advisory Commission. For my planning commission service, I received the city’s 2010 Commissioner of the Year Award. I have also served as an Art Docent and a volunteer Science Coordinator at Covington Elementary. I even stepped up and coached a few of my kids’ basketball and baseball games.
My time in Covington has taught me that communities and cities benefit when its citizens take an active role in shaping its destiny. I am honored to serve the citizens of Covington on their City Council.
Contact Mayor Pro Tem Smith - ssmith@covingtonwa.gov
Elizabeth Porter - Position #6
I have lived in Washington since 1980. I grew up in Yelm and after graduating from college in Bellingham with a degree in finance, I moved to King County and have never left. I have lived in Covington since 2004 with my husband Mike, drawn here by the close proximity to a natural environment and close access to both the mountains and the Puget Sound. My professional background is 26 years in retail management and the past two years as a retail operations project manager.
In August of 2020, I was appointed to City Council position #6, to fill the vacancy left when Councilmember Fran Hollums retired. Prior to my appointment to the council, I served for three years on Covington’s Planning Commission, with the last two years as co-chair. I have been on the Green River Community College Business Advisory Committee since 2007, a member of Camber Outdoors and Washington Trails Association and also belong to the Covington Rotary Club. Together with my husband, we volunteer at the Storehouse Foodbank and the Elk Run Farm in Maple Valley.
While out canvassing in Covington during the 2019 election, I had the opportunity to meet some wonderful fellow residents! Over the next 14 months, I would like to continue with this type of personal engagement so that we can all feel valued and go along on the journey to build a vibrant and safe community full of cultural activities, shopping, restaurants, alternative commuting options, and places where we can come together and connect while enjoying the natural beauty that I believe makes Covington special.
Contact Councilmember Porter - eporter@covingtonwa.gov
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Our city means a lot to me. I've invested a lot of time and energy in helping to build our community and I wish to see our city continue to thrive both economically and as a great place to live, work and play. I believe that being involved, not only locally, but regionally, is essential to make sure Covington is heard and that we are at the table for the future of our City, our County and our State. It is not just about us, it is about all of us working together, forming lasting partnerships for the common good.
Since being elected to the Covington City Council in 2004, I have continued to focus on developing more activities and parks for our youth, developing a balance between economic development and the needs of our citizens, and to continue addressing the transportation issues of Covington, all while continuing to pursue a balanced budget for our city.
Currently, I am the Municipal Manager with Republic Services. Prior, I was a financial advisor for eight years and previously managed Wagners, a family business in Covington, for 17 years.
I have been a resident of Covington since 1988. While living here, I have been active in numerous organizations including: President of Covington Days, Covington Kiwanis Club, Covington Merchants Association, Covington Community Council, Chair of the Covington Chamber of Commerce, as well as the co-chair of the Covington Economic Development Council. I have also been involved with Reach Out Covington, Children's Miracle Network Telethon and I was voted Kiwanian of the Year in 1993. Previously, I have served on the King County Flood Control District Advisory Committee, Kent Chamber Board of Directors, King County Growth Management Planning Council and was selected as the 2014 Covington Citizen of the Year.
Currently, I am proud to serve on the following:
- Sound Cities Association Board of Directors
- Covington Chamber Board of Directors
- Communities in Schools Kent, President of the Board
- Covington Domestic Violence Task Force, Board Member
- Sound Cities Association Event Committee
- Kent Kiwanis Club
My wife Michele and I enjoy living in Covington and we look forward to continue raising our family in this great city. Covington -- Growing Toward Greatness!
Contact Mayor Wagner - jwagner@covingtonwa.gov