Dover City Council
Minutes August 19, 2025
The City of Dover in Pope County, State of Arkansas, met in regular session August 19, 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, Connie Ragsdale, Fred Standridge, and Attorney Jacob Phillips.
Absent: None
Prayer: Mayor Roger Lee.
Pledge of Allegiance: Connie Ragsdale.
Roll Call: Recorder Renee Nelson.
Minutes of July 15, 2025, meeting were reviewed and there being no corrections, Council member Ragsdale made a motion to approve the minutes. Council member Hottinger 2nd. A voice vote. Yeas:6. Nays: 0. Motion carried.
Monthly bills were received and signed. Council member Hottinger made a motion to approve payment of bills. Council member Walker 2nd. A voice vote. Yeas:5. Nays: 0. Motion carried.
Reviewed balance sheet and monthly financials.
Grant Updates: Bridge Grant and Great Strides/Trail Grant have no updates currently. Fun Park Grant (Baseball Park) and Community Assistance Grant (City Park) have been turned in.
Melissa Sanders presented the library report. 2597 visitors for the month of July. 26 new cards issued. The Summer Program has concluded and was a great success with a total of 145 adults, teens and children. The library will resume the regular programs for after school starting in September.
Public Comment:
Fifteen citizens of Dover were on the agenda to speak on the Private Club Permit Issue. Of the citizens who addressed the council, half spoke in favor of, and half spoke against the permit for alcohol sales in the city. Representatives from both sides articulated their positions with clarity, conviction, and respect. The mayor and council expressed their appreciation to everyone for sharing their input.
1st Baptist Church had asked permission to build a canopy over Tree Street at the front of the church, back in February. The council approved with contingency that information on liability be presented. With this issue being solved, the mayor has prepared a letter for the church to continue with the construction. Council member Standridge made a motion to approve the letter about the canopy cover over Tree Street for the 1st Baptist church. Council member Wetzel 2nd. A voice vote. Yeas:6. Nays:0. Motion carried.
In addition, the church is going to resurface their parking lot and would like to resurface Tree Street also. Council member Standridge made a motion to approve the letter for 1st Baptist Church resurfacing of Tree Street along with their parking lot. Council member Wetzel 2nd. A voice vote. Yeas: 6. Nays:0. Motion carried.
Ron Walker presented the Planning Commission report.
He reported that Mr. Christopher of RJ’s Upholstery is planning on building a shop with a home on-site at 6520 Market Street. Because this area is a C-3, Mr. Walker asked the mayor to issue a letter verifying Mr. Christopher has permission to build on site by the city. The council approved the letter. The next Planning Commission meeting is on October 2, 2025, at 6:30 pm at City Hall.
J.J. White presented the utilities report.
Water department:
- Repaired steps at raw water
- Reinstalled intake screen
- Pulled motor raw water pump 2
- Replaced one meter box
- Meter change outs
- Installed new water separator on air compressor
- Changed one hour meter
- Sprayed right of ways
Sewer department:
- Cleared floor drain at city hall
- Installed one sewer service
- Spraying right-of-way
- Fill value city park
- Fill Valve Fire Department
Street department:
- Repaired picnic table at city park
- Spray weed killer
- Limb removal
- Painted school crossing lights
- Replaced soap dispensers at city park
- Repaired spring rider
- Cleaned sidewalks
- Serviced side by side
- Patched potholes
- Mowing and weed eating
Street department put a culvert and patch on Pirates Loop. AR Dot is planning on fixing Pirates Loop at the end of August or sometime in September. The Chamber of Commerce had asked the city about painting the arch sign above entrance to City Park. The mayor got a quote of $600 (sand blasting, primer, and painting) from Martin Munez, that McFadden Cemetery used to paint their sign. The council approved painting the sign. Mr. White had information for the council to consider on various increases for new water meters and other items that have increased due to recent economic changes.
Sewer construction update: Dover construction is done except for clean-up. Russellville still needs to complete lift station 3.
Chief Charles Duvall presented the Fire report:
Fire department responded to a grass fire, 2 burn complaints, assisted Dover Rural, assisted with MVC entrapment and LZ on Pine Hill Rd. The fire station got new door locks on the EMS bay, new door opener for EMS side and repaired flashing around doors. The new door opener will help with utility cost because the new door will alert the Chief when it has been left open due to emergencies or malfunction like old opener. The Chief informed the council the floors in the station need to be stripped in the training area and EMS area. He has received one quote for $1200. He is waiting for others.
Chief Josh Titsworth presented the Police report:
The police department had a total of 82 calls ranging from traffic stops, citations, disturbances, harassment, fraud, animal cruelty, welfare concerns, stolen property.
The recorder asks for approval of an affidavit of destruction for supporting documents from the water/sewer and general departments (2014-2017). The council approved destruction of these documents.
The mayor asked the council to consider approving additional attorney fees. Attorney Phillips currently receives a monthly stipend; however, due to recent events, he has worked extra hours on a case involving the city. The mayor asked the council to consider paying for these additional hours. Attorney Phillip informed the council he would keep track of his hours and submit them for payment at the conclusion of case. The council approved the additional fees.
Ordinance 2025-5, Public Club Permit was up for third and final reading. Council member Standridge made a motion to put Ordinance 2025-5 on third and final reading by title only. Council member Wetzel 2nd. A roll call vote.
Council member Brent Hottinger: Nay
Council member Russ Warhurst: Nay
Council member Chris Walker: Nay
Council member Connie Ragsdale: Nay
Council member Carl Wetzel: Yea
Council member Fred Standridge: Nay
Vote 5 to 1 against.
Motion failed.
Ordinance 2025-5, Private Club Permit, failed to pass.
The council again thanked the citizens for their input and encouraged them to continue to come to monthly meetings and to voice their opinions and support the city.
Council member Hottinger made a motion to adjourn. Council member Standridge 2nd. A voice vote Yeas:6. Nays:0. Meeting adjourned.
