Gabriel Avalos

Posted on July 23, 2025July 23, 2025 by Gabriel Avalos

This week, the City of Covina received notice from its water billing software provider, AVR Utility Billing, that recent updates to the system’s billing platform have created access issues for Covina water customers. Our team is working closely with the software vendor to restore full functionality as quickly as possible.

Please note that these issues will not interrupt water service for Covina Water customers and no late fees or water shutoffs will be incurred as a result of these system updates. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience that our customers may experience during this unplanned system update and we will continue to share information as it becomes available.

Payment Options
In the meantime, note that the following payment options are available:

Automated phone payment – (855) 234-0365. Note that payments made through the automated phone options may not post for up to 2 business days.
In person via cash, check, or credit card at City Hall – Finance Department during business hours (Monday through Thursday, 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.).
Drop box outside of City Hall on College Street.
Payments can be mailed to:
City of Covina, Finance Division
125 E. College Street
Covina, CA 91723-2199

Customer Support

We are facing a high volume of calls and strive to respond promptly to each inquiry. You can also send us an email at water@covinaca.gov for a same-day response.

Posted on July 17, 2025July 17, 2025 by Gabriel Avalos

In light of recent immigration and customs enforcement activity in the region, we understand that many in our community may be feeling anxious or uncertain. The City of Covina is committed to protecting the rights, dignity, and well-being of all our residents, regardless of immigration status.

This page has been created to provide access to trusted information, legal resources, local support services, and community organizations. Our goal is to ensure that everyone who calls Covina home feels informed, respected, and supported.

Learn more HERE.

Posted on June 10, 2025June 10, 2025 by Gabriel Avalos

Wave hello to FRIC & FRAC. Launched in February 2025, FRIC and FRAC is a free transit service to help you get around Downtown Covina. Fric and Frac stands for Free Rides in Covina and Free Rides Around Covina. The service is in a pilot phase and is meant to improve connections in the city’s transit-oriented downtown, helping to connect the Covina Metrolink Train Station with all that our downtown has to offer. The program was also launched as an economic development tool to help make Covina stand out in the San Gabriel Valley as a destination for visitors and businesses alike. To learn more about the transit program, including the fixed route and operating hours, visit www.covinaca.gov/fricandfrac.

We are also on social media, follow, share, and tag @Gocovina. Enjoy the ride!

Posted on March 5, 2025March 5, 2025 by Gabriel Avalos

We are excited to share a list of the newest City housing-related laws that are important in understanding State of California Affordable Housing laws that apply to all jurisdictions within California, including the City of Covina. These laws are intended to expand opportunities for affordable housing, ADU construction, and mixed-use development. If housing projects are proposed in conformance with California affordable housing laws, The City of Covina is compelled to approve those housing projects that have demonstrated to be in compliance with the applicable California affordable housing laws. Understanding these State of California Affordable Housing laws is essential to understanding potential housing projects proposed within, or adjacent to, the City of Covina. It should be noted that affordable housing projects that comply with the applicable State of California statute(s) are not subject to discretionary review/approval by the City of Covina, those projects are still required to comply with California Building Codes and Fire Codes.

Please find our new webpage here: https://covinaca.gov/our-community/state-housing-laws/

Posted on November 26, 2024November 26, 2024 by Gabriel Avalos

Covina, CA – The City of Covina is pleased to announce that Ric Walczak has been selected as the City’s next Chief of Police following Chief David Povero’s announced retirement at the end of December. Chief Walczak will be responsible for continuing to provide responsive policing services, leadership for Covina Police Department team members and facilitating engagement with community stakeholders.
Chief Walczak has strong ties with the Covina community, starting as a Police Officer in 1996 and progressing through the leadership ranks of Sergeant, Lieutenant and most recently, Captain, where he has served since 2019. In the role of Captain, Walczak has overseen both the Operations and Support Services Divisions within the Department, leading a staff of 100 sworn and non-sworn team members and overseeing the Department’s operating budget. Through his 29-years with Covina Police Department, Walczak has participated in a variety of functions with the Department, including patrol operations, investigations, communications, crime prevention, administration and community relations.

In learning about his appointment to serve as Chief of Police, Walczak expressed his sincere appreciation to the men and women that serve in the Department, the City Council and the Covina community noting, “Covina has been home for my family over the last several decades. It is my privilege to work with our exceptional team and community to foster new opportunities and enhance the City’s reputation of being a great home town.”

Ric Walczak grew up in Covina, where he attended Northview High School and later received a Bachelor of Science in Public Administration at the University of La Verne and a Master of Science in Law Enforcement and Public Safety Leadership at the University of San Diego. A strong believer in training and education, Ric has also attained a P.O.S.T. Management Certificate and was a graduate of the California Police Chief’s Executive Development program. Outside of work, Ric enjoys spending time with his wife Mary, his sons Ollie, Andrew and Ricky, and his parents Richard and Mary Lou.
Please help us congratulate Ric on his appointment to Chief of Police, as he assumes this new role on Wednesday, January 1, 2025.

Contact:
Chris Marcarello, City Manager
cmarcarello@covinaca.gov
(626) 384-5410