Minutes August 20, 2024
The City of Dover in Pope County, State of Arkansas, met in regular session August 20, 2024, 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, Connie Ragsdale, and Attorney Diedre Luker.
Absent: Fred Standridge.
Prayer: Russ Warhurst.
Pledge of Allegiance: Connie Ragsdale.
Roll Call: Recorder Renee Nelson
Minutes of July 16, 2024, meeting were reviewed and there being no corrections, Council member Hottinger made a motion to approve the minutes. Council member Walker 2nd. A Voice Vote. Yeas: 5. Nays: 0. Motion carried.
Monthly bills were received and signed. Council member Walker made a motion to approve payment of bills. Council member Warhurst 2nd. A Voice Vote. Yeas: 5. Nays: 0. Motion carried.
Reviewed Balance Sheet.
Melissa Sanders presented library report. They had 2536 visitors in July and 9 new cards issued. July 1st: 106 visitors present for Bee’s and Honey Program, July 8th: 76, present for Pirate Program, July 15th: 134, present for Smokey Bear’s Birthday Party, July 22nd: 87, present for End of Summer Party. They will regroup in August, and they will start back up in September.
Ron Walker presented the planning commission report. The proposed athletic field on Highway 7 was ready to proceed with permits and get started on the facilities. The house on 42 Crest Ridge Drive is in process of being sold. New owner informed the city that they will be cleaning it up as soon as the paperwork is final. Next planning commission meeting is scheduled October 3, 2024, at 6 p.m. at Dover City Hall.
JJ White presented the utilities report.
Water Dept:
- Replace 200-amp fuse at plant
- Installed one service
- Installed relay block booster
- Replaced relay booster
- Replaced H.S. gym meter
- Replaced one ARV
Sewer Dept:
- Spray rights-of-way
Street Dept:
- Replaced toddler swing at park
- Serviced Ferris mowers
- Replaced headlight on old street truck
- Build roads at water tank
Sewer construction is waiting on parts and is currently on hold. The city had two new hires to the utilities department. Storm on August 18th damaged fence by tanks.
Sidewalk Update: Certain sections of the sidewalk will need handrails to be ADA approved. This will add an increase of $45,000 to the amount that was originally proposed for sidewalk completion or $18,000 for the sections already in progress. College Street repair will be an additional cost of $17,000. The council discussed whether to continue with last section of sidewalks or finish the sections in progress and stop. The council discussed different options for handrails. The council decided to finish the last section of sidewalks with additional cost of handrails paid for out of the general fund. The suggestion was to wait until spring or summer to repair College Street when school was out.
Council member made a motion to continue sidewalk project with handrails paid out general fund and wait on College Street until next year. Council member Hottinger 2nd. A voice vote. Yeas:5. Nays:0. Motion Carried.
No fire report.
Chief Josh Titsworth presented the police report. They had 130 total calls for the month. MOU with school is completed. Officers have ACIC Training in September. Chief asked the council to consider two VHF radios for fire and police. During the storm the AWIN system was down. These would work on a different system which would help during times like that. Quotes are around $1500. Council will discuss the idea and decide later.
Denise Wallis, Dover Area Chamber of Commerce, ask the council if they would donate $5,000 for fireworks for the Christmas in the Park. A local man, Shawn Partain, has offered to do the show for the allotted amount. The fireworks will be synced to music and be after the parade when everyone is back by the park. Denise also asked for an additional $5,000 for amusement rides at Ozark Memories Day. The council considered a donation toward the amusement rides.
Council member Walker made a motion to pay $5,000 for fireworks for Christmas at the Park being paid the vender directly. Council member Wetzel 2nd. A voice vote. Yeas 5. Nays:0. Motion carried.
The mayor informed the council of Entergy’s new program, Control Outage. If a fire or other natural disaster is heading in a certain area the energy company will shut down the power before the disaster hits. New protocol due to major disaster causing more loss of life in past because power lines were live.
Citizens were concerned about the city’s ditches looking nice. The state highway department only mows 3 times a year. City stated they would be willing to help if they have the time and equipment.
Mayor reported that the attorney will need someone to take over for her soon. She stated that she could work for the city but would like the new attorney to start working with the court in October. Council member Ragsdale made a motion to go into executive session to discuss employee matters. Council member Hottinger 2nd. A voice vote. Yeas:5. Nays:0. Motion carried. Executive session started at 7:09 p.m. Council came out of executive session at 7:13 p.m. Council member Warhurst made a motion to go back into regular session. Council member Walker 2nd. A voice vote. Yeas:5. Nays:0. Motion carried.
Council member Hottinger made a motion to hire Jacob Phillips as new city attorney. Council member Walker 2nd. A voice vote. Yeas:5. Nays:0. Motion carried. Council member Ragsdale made a motion to split pay between current attorney and new attorney for October, November, and December of this year until current attorney term is concluded. Council member Hottinger 2nd. A voice vote. Yeas:5. Nays:0. Motion carried.
After more discussion the council decided to pay $3,000 for OMD amusement rides. Council member Walker made a motion to pay $3,000 for amusement rides at OMD to the vender with the remaining amount to be pay by chamber. Council member Warhurst 2nd. A voice vote. Yeas:5. Nays:0. Motion carried.
Council member Ragsdale made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Council member Hottinger 2nd. A voice vote. Yeas:5. Nays:0. Motion carried.
