Dover City Council
Minutes April 21, 2026
The City of Dover in Pope County, State of Arkansas, met in regular session April 21, 2026, 6 p.m. at the Dover City Hall. The following were present: Mayor Roger Lee presiding and the following Council Members: Russell Warhurst, Carl Wetzel, Brent Hottinger, Connie Ragsdale, Jonathan Isaac, and Attorney Jacob Phillips.
Absent: Fred Standridge
Prayer: Brent Hottinger.
Pledge of Allegiance: Carl Wetzel.
Roll Call: Recorder Renee Nelson
Minutes of March 17, 2026, meeting were reviewed and there being no corrections, Council Member Hottinger made a motion to approve the minutes. Council Member Ragsdale 2nd. A voice vote. Yeas:5. Nays: 0. Motion carried.
Monthly bills were received and signed. Council Member Ragsdale made a motion to approve payment of bills. Council Member Isaac 2nd. A voice vote. Yeas:5. Nays: 0. Motion carried.
Mayor Lee reviewed the financials and the balance sheet.
Melissa Sanders presented the library report.
The library had 1589 visitors, 16 new cards last month. Mondays: Storytime average 20 attendees, Tuesdays reading at ABC daycare 15-20 children, Wednesdays card games average 10 attendees, Thursdays adult crafts average 6 attendees. Preparations are underway for the summer reading program starting in June. Theme is “Unearthing the Story” focusing on dinosaurs.
Ron Walker presented the planning commission report.
In the planning hearing and regular planning meeting on April 9,2026, they discuss the closing of two alleys: 16.5 ft. wide by 112.65 ft. long alley north of lot 29 block F town of Dover running west from Hill St. and 16.5 ft. wide by 110 ft. long alley south of lot 29 block F town of Dover running west from Hill St. No opposition was present at meeting. Planning commission voted 3-0 with Mr. Helton abstaining, to recommend the closure of the alley to council. No action was taken on the third alley. An issue with an unsightly property complaint was resolved without incident. The next planning commission quarterly meeting is scheduled for July 2, 2026.
Thomas Richardson from Tracer Communications gave a proposal for cameras for the city.
Mr. Richardson gave quotes regarding installation of a security camera system at the Fire Station, City Hall and City Park. The city will own and control the systems, which are a one-time purchase models with no recurring fees like some others. Remote access will be available for authorized personnel with tiered access levels and an audit trail for accountability. Footage is watermarked to verify it has not been tampered with to prevent misuse of sensitive footage. A wireless connection can be established for the park from the radio tower at city hall. Park equipment will be in a lock box. License Plate Reader System (LRP) discussion was tabled for a later date. Trouble shooting can be handled within same day or next at most by Tracer if needed. Council Member Hottinger wanted to hear from Utilities Superintendent, Fire Chief, and Police Chief. Mr. White asked if the wiring at park be underground because of recent damage to trees at park for safety reasons and eliminating outages from storms. Chief Duvall stated that it would help them with vandalism and visibility of surrounding area. Chief Titsworth stated it will help with investigations, and remote access will help with surveilling more than one area at a time. After more discussion, Council Member Hottinger made a motion to approve bid from Tracer on Cameras for the city. Council Member Isaac 2nd. A voice vote. Yeas:5. Nays:0. Motion Carried.
Recorder Nelson informed Mayor Lee and Council they would have to acknowledge this was not a budgeted amount for 2026. They would need to amend the budget. Council stated that they think cameras are a needed asset for the city. The council acknowledged and approved the funds for the cameras. Mr. Richardson informed the council that sometimes the state will help fund cameras for coverage of state highways. The mayor said he would investigate it.
Ordinance 2026-2 Vacating Alleys
An Ordinance Vacating Alleys in the city of Dover, Arkansas.
A 16.5 FT. WIDE BY 112.65 FT. LONG ALLEY, NORTH OF LOT 29, BLOCK F, TOWN OF DOVER, RUNNING WEST FROM HILL STREET.
A 16.5 FT. WIDE BY 110 FT. LONG ALLEY, SOUTH OF LOT 29, BLOCK F, TOWN OF DOVER, RUNNING WEST TO HILL STREET.
Council Member Hottinger made a motion to suspend the rules put Ordinance 2026-2 on 1st reading by title only. Council Member Wetzel 2nd. A voice vote. Yeas:5. Nays:0. Motion carried. Attorney Phillips read Ordinance 2026-2 by title only. Council Member Hottinger made a motion to accept Ordinance as read. Council Member Isaac 2nd. A voice vote. Yeas:5. Nays:0. Motion carried.
Council Member Hottinger made a motion to suspend the rules and put Ordinance 2026-2 on 2nd reading by title only. Council Member Isaac 2nd. A voice vote. Yeas:5. Nays:0. Motion carried. Attorney Phillips read Ordinance 2026-2 by title only. Council Member Hottinger made a motion to accept Ordinance as read. Council Member Ragsdale 2nd. A voice vote. Yeas:5. Nays:0. Motion carried.
Council Member Hottinger made a motion to suspend the rules and put ordinance 2026-2 on 3rd and final reading by title only. Council member Ragsdale 2nd. A voice vote. Yeas:5. Nays:0. Motion carried. Attorney Phillips read Ordinance 2026-2 by title only. Council Member Hottinger made a motion to accept 3rd and final reading of Ordinance. Council Member Isaac 2nd. A voice vote. Yeas:5. Nays:0. Motion carried. Ordinance 2026-2 passed and alleys are now closed.
- J. White presented the utilities report.
Water Dept.
- Installed three new services
- Austin attended basic and intermediate treatment classes
- Austin received his water distribution license
Sewer Dept.
- Sewer filming at the elementary school
- Spray right of ways
Street Dept.
- Replaced deck belt on oldest mower
- Hauled away scrap from ballpark pavilion
- Serviced all 3 mowers
- Replaced flag rope at city hall
- Mowing and weed eating
- Limb clean-up
- Limb trimming
- Spraying weed killer
- Removed Christmas lights at the park
Chief Charles Duvall presented the fire report.
The city fire department responded to several incidents including grass fire, brush fire, control burn, clearing tree from a road and setting up an LZ at the ballpark. The city has purchased a basic small drone to aid in locating fire origins and lost people. There is a plan in motion to offer CPR classes to all youth sports coaches in the area. The county is going to purchase six new Automated External Defibrillators (AED’s) and may be reimbursed with funds from an Arvest Bank Grant. One AED will be given to the Dover Ballpark. Summer Rec. will be installing a gate at the ballfield to give access to ambulances to backside of the field.
Chief Josh Titsworth presented the police report.
The police department had a total of 176 calls last month including traffic stops, MVC, welfare checks, assistance, criminal incidents, disturbances, warrants. All officers completed a CPR class on April 14. Chief Titsworth discussed future ideas like bike patrols for proactive policing that can improve community relations more effectively than reactive enforcement. This would be good for Ozark Memories Day and other festivals. One of our officers is trained and can be an instructor for this patrol.
Mayor Lee asks the council if they would like to table the attendance and council pay until everyone is present. The council stated yes. Council Member Hottinger made a motion to table the discussion on council attendance and pay until all council members are present. Council Member Ragsdale 2nd. A voice vote. Yeas:5. Nays:0. Motion carried.
The mayor informed the council that 911 said the city could change the spelling of Josaphene street to Josephene just let them know what the city decided. Mr. White will be ordering new signs. Mayor Lee informed the council a man would be removing the storage container behind City Hall soon. Audit report on the Sewer Construction Grant was going well. The auditor came to the City Hall on Wednesday April 15, 2026, received the document he needed and would inform us when the audit was complete. Recorder Nelson has picked up packets for the council member up for re-election. They can start circulating their petitions on May 7, 2026. Packet will need to be turned in beginning at noon July 29 and ending August 5, 2026, before noon.
Mayor Lee asked the council if they would go into an executive session for a personnel matter. Council Member Warhurst made a motion to go into executive session. Council Member Ragsdale 2nd. A voice vote. Yeas:5. Nays:0. Motion carried. The council went into executive session at 7:17pm.
The council returned at 7:27 pm. Council Member Warhurst made a motion return to regular session. Council Member Ragsdale 2nd. A voice vote. Yeas:5. Nays:0. Motion carried.
No action was taken.
Council Member Ragsdale made a motion to adjourn. Council Member Hottinger 2nd. A voice vote. Yeas:5. Nays:0. Meeting adjourned.
