Dover City Council
Minutes April 15, 2025
The City of Dover in Pope County, State of Arkansas, met in regular session April 15, 2025, 6 p.m. at the Dover City Hall. The following were present: Mayor Roger Lee presiding and the following Council members: Russell Warhurst, Chris Walker, Carl Wetzel, Brent Hottinger, Fred Standridge, and Attorney Jacob Phillips.
Absent: Connie Ragsdale.
Prayer: Fred Standridge.
Pledge of Allegiance: Carl Wetzel.
Roll Call: Recorder Renee Nelson.
Minutes of March 18, 2025, meeting were reviewed and there being no corrections, Council member Walker made a motion to approve the minutes. Council member Warhurst 2nd. A voice vote. Yeas:5. Nays: 0. Motion carried.
Minutes of April 1, 2025, Special Call meeting were reviewed there being no corrections, Council member Walker made a motion to approve the minutes. Council member Hottinger 2nd. A voice vote. Yeas:5. Nays:0. Motion carried.
Monthly bills were received and signed. Council member Standridge made a motion to approve payment of bills. Council member Wetzel 2nd. A voice vote. Yeas:5. Nays: 0. Motion carried.
Reviewed balance sheet and monthly financials.
Melissa Sanders presented the library report.
The library had 1739 visitors in March. Fourteen new cards were issued. They had Spring Break Week Titled “Paws for Reading”. Poky Little Puppy came on Monday to visit. Nova Star Rescue brought some dogs and talked about the responsibilities of owning a pet another day. One day they had Pete the Cat Storytime. Friday of spring break, the library had a visit from “Paws for Justice,” a trained dog named Roxy, who goes to court for support to help during proceedings.
Ron Walker presented the planning commission report.
The Planning commission had a public hearing meeting on March 27, 2025, for the petition on 75 George Roach Place to rezone C3 to Agriculture. On that day with no objections to the rezoning, the planning commission approved the rezoning of 75 George Roach Place from C3 to Agriculture. The petition was then handed to the council for approval.
The mayor then presented an Ordinance 2025-3, An Ordinance Rezoning Real Property Located At 75 George Roach PL., Dover, Arkansas 72837, From Commercial (C3) to Agriculture.
Council member Standridge made a motion to suspend the rules and place Ordinance 2025-3 to rezone Geroge Roach Pl. from C3 to Agriculture on 1st reading by title only. Council member Hottinger 2nd. A voice vote. Yeas:5. Nays:0. Motion carried.
The mayor read Ordinance 2025-3 by title only. Council member Wetzel made a motion to accept 1st reading by title only. Council member Standridge 2nd. A voice vote. Yeas:5. Nays;0. Motion carried.
Council member Standridge made a motion to suspend the rules and place Ordinance 2025-3 on 2nd reading by title only. Council member Wetzel 2nd. A voice vote. Yeas:5. Nays:0. Motion carried. The mayor read Ordinance 2025-3 by title only. Council member Wetzel made a motion to accept 2nd reading by title only. Council member Walker 2nd. A voice vote. Yeas:5. Nays:0. Motion carried.
Council member Standridge made a motion to put Ordinance 2025-3 on 3rd and final reading by title only. Council member Walker 2nd. A voice vote. Yeas:5. Nays:0. Motion Carried. Attorney Phillips read Ordinance 2025-3 by title only. Council member Wetzel made a motion to accept 3rd and final reading by title only. Council member Hottinger 2nd. A voice vote. Yeas:5. Nays:0. Motion carried.
Council member Standridge made a motion to invoke an emergency clause and place the ordinance in full effect. Council member Walker 2nd. A voice vote. Yeas:5. Nays:0. Motion carried.
The Planning Commission had a public hearing on April 10, 2025, for a petition for moving a structure to 75 George Roach Pl. in Dover, Arkansas. Commission approved the moving of the structure after all paperwork had been completed. Council member Standridge made a motion to approve the moving of a structure on to 75 George Roach Pl. Council member Wetzel 2nd. A voice vote. Yeas:5. Nays:0. Motion carried.
Kyle Lynch attended the April 10th meeting. He is wanting to rezone his property from R-1 to Agriculture so that he could house his show hogs. The planning commission, after much discussion, voted down the proposal of rezoning. The commission vote was no (4 to 1). Jim Lynch spoke on Kyle’s behave, explaining what the house and operation would entail; enclosed housing for hogs, exercise yard for them, sewage disposal and cleaning. Council member Wetzel said we need to research the issue further. Other council members expressed their concern that this would lead to others wanting the same options for hogs in the city. One resident had call Mr. Walker with concerns against the Lynch proposal. The mayor asked for other comments. The council tabled the discussion until next month’s meeting. Mr. Walker said the next planning commission quarterly meeting will be on August 7th, 2025, at 6 pm. at Dover City Hall.
Dustin Morphis from the Dover Housing Authority was present at the meeting to ask the council to appoint Dianna Hamilton to the Housing Authority Commission Board. The DHA board had approved her and were waiting for the council’s approval. Council member Standridge made a motion to appoint Dianna Hamilton to the Dover Housing Authority Board for a 5-year term. Council member Walker 2nd. A voice vote. Yeas:5. Nays:0. Motion carried. Mr. Morphis thanked the council and informed them that another member of the board was getting ready to leave the Board. He asked if the council knew of anyone who might like to be on the Board.
J.J. White presented the utilities report.
Water Department
Adjusted flows on R.W. Pumps
Billy received his grade 2 Distribution and Treatment License
Sewer Department
Cleared clog on L.S. Pump 2
Sewer project-work on the meter for metering station should begin in the next 2 weeks and Duncan should start working on the grinder on N. Elizabeth around that time also.
Street Department
Removed down limbs on Meadow ln.
Reworked the ditch at the ballpark
Cleaned culverts
Edged lawn at City Hall
Repair tractor tire
Patched the corner of N. Elizabeth Street
Removed tree from raw water road
Did mowing and weed eating
J.J mentioned that fiber optics are in the area. He also recommended two new hires for the utilities department. They have been down a few employees in the last year.
Council member Warhurst made a motion to go forth with hiring Dylan Villareal for the utilities department at recommended pay. Council member Hottinger 2nd. A voice vote. Yeas:5. Nays:0. Motion carried.
Council member Standridge made a motion to go forth with hiring Brandon Dalton for the utilities department at recommended pay. Council member walker 2nd. A voice vote. Yeas:5. Nays:0. Motion carried.
J.J. and the mayor mentioned they were hoping to be working on Cedar Creek Rd. paving and repairing the City Hall parking lot.
Chief Charles Duvall presented the fire report.
The fire department assisted with 12 calls last month. Ranging from an accident, on Market St., 2 burn ban warnings, limb on power line sparking, smoke on E. Camp St., travel trailer fire, grass fire, swift water rescue.
Chief Josh Titsworth presented the police report.
Chief Titsworth reported 120 incidents for the month of March. Ranging from traffic stops, welfare checks, false alarms, vehicle accidents, shoplifting, domestic disputes.
Chief Titsworth introduced Zack Stang as a possible new hire for the police department. He is a local person in the National Guards and will need to attend the academy. The chief suggested a starting pay. Council member Standridge made a motion to go into executive session. Council member Walker 2nd. A voice vote. Yeas:5. Nays:0. Motion carried. The council went into Executive session at 6:50 pm. and returned at 7:00 pm. Council member Standridge made a motion to go back into Regular session. Council Member Hottinger 2nd. A voice vote. Yeas:5. Nays:0. Motion carried.
Council member Standridge made a motion to hire Zachary Stang as a new officer with recommended pay. Council member Walker 2nd. A voice vote. Yeas:5.0 Nays:0. Motion carried.
The mayor presented Ordinance 2025-2, An Ordinance Authorizing the City of Dover, Arkansas to Contract with Specified Employees and Elected Officials for Business Purposes.
Council member Walker made a motion to suspend the rules and place ordinance on 1st reading by title only. Council member Hottinger 2nd. A voice vote. Yeas:5. Nays:0. Motion carried. Attorney Phillips read ordinance. Council member Walker made a motion to accept ordinance as read by title only. Council member Standridge 2nd. A voice vote. Yeas:5. Nays:0. Motion carried.
Council member Walker made a motion to suspend the rule and place ordinance on 2nd reading by title only. Council member Hottinger 2nd. A voice vote. Yeas:5. Nays:0. Motion carried. Attorney Phillips read ordinance by title only. Council member Walker made a motion to accept ordinance as read by title only. Council member Standridge 2nd. A voice vote. Yeas:5. Nays:0. Motion carried.
Council member Walker made a motion to suspend the rules and place ordinance on 3rd and final reading by title only. Council member Standridge 2nd. A voice vote. Yeas:5. Nays:0. Motion carried. Attorney Phillips read ordinance by title only. Council member Walker made a motion to accept ordinance as read. Council member Hottinger 2nd. A voice vote. Yeas:5. Nays:0. Motion carried.
Council member Hottinger made a motion to invoke an emergency clause and put ordinance in full effect. Council member Warhurst 2nd. A voice vote. Yeas:5. Nays:0. Motion carried.
The Bridge Grant application is waiting for the next steps. The Feasibility Study will be the next step to see if a new bridge would be applicable.
Great Strides/Trail Grant is being discussed. Any ideas for a trail in the city park would be greatly appreciated. The city will be talking to an engineer to make a couple of designs. Several engineering firms were mentioned. Council member Hottinger made a motion to work with the Crafton Tull firm in Russellville, Arkansas on the Great Strides / Trails Grant Design. Council member Walker 2nd. A voice vote. Yeas:5. Nays:0. Motion carried.
Mayor Roger lee gave the mayor report.
The mayor informed the council the city hall needs a new color printer. After researching several, we picked a Kyocera 4054 from Wight Office machines in Russellville, Arkansas. The old black and white printer has no trade-in value but is still in good shape. The office reached out to other cities to see if anyone was in need. One city reached out. Council member Standridge made a motion to donate the old printer to the city of Allport, Arkansas. Council member Warhurst 2nd. A voice vote. Yeas:5. Nays:0. Motion
Council member Hottinger made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Council member Standridge 2nd. A voice vote. Yeas:5. Nays:0. Meeting Adjourned.
