Tri-city leaders discuss public safety priorities, receive House Bill 2015 update

City managers and police leaders from Maple Valley, Covington and Black Diamond met Feb. 25 at Lake Wilderness Lodge for a joint discussion of regional public safety priorities.

City Manager Regan Bolli (Covington), City Manager Laura Philpot (Maple Valley) and City Administrator Kevin O’Neill (Black Diamond) provided an update on House Bill 2015; the meeting minutes record that an update was given but do not include the substance or any figures from that briefing. The agenda also listed community policing, Flock cameras, drones and joint training as items for joint discussion.

Police Chief Tony Lockhart (Maple Valley) and Black Diamond Chief of Police Jamey Kiblinger gave a police update to the assembled councilmembers. The minutes characterize these as brief updates; they do not record detailed policy proposals, implementation timelines, or formal votes.

Why it matters: The cities framed the session as a regional coordination effort on public safety tools and training. Although the minutes show multiple presenters and listed technology and training among topics, they do not document any formal motions, funding decisions or specific implementation steps.

The meeting adjourned without recorded votes or motions on public safety items.