Dover City Council
Minutes December 17, 2024
The City of Dover in Pope County, State of Arkansas, met in regular session December 17, 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 Fred Standridge.
Absent: None.
Prayer: Brent Hottinger.
Pledge of Allegiance: Fred Standridge.
Roll Call: Recorder Renee Nelson.
Minutes, of November 19, 2024, meeting were reviewed and there being no corrections, Council member Warhurst made a motion to approve the minutes. Council member Ragsdale 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: 6. Nays: 0. Motion carried.
Reviewed balance sheet and monthly financials.
Melissa Sanders presented the library report.
The library had 1088 visitors last month and issued 12 new cards. They hired Kim Tise as the new assistant manager. Santa visited on December 13, He had cookies and juice with the kids. About sixty were in attendance while Santa was there. They hope to get some new programs set up in the new year.
Ron Walker presented the planning commission report.
Ron reported that two individuals have requested a variance on 47 West Center Street so they can build a 4-plex on the property. The builders have said the design will match as close as possible to the other duplexes. The council said they would wait until after the next planning meeting and if approved would have a resolution drawn up for the variance. The next planning commission meeting is set for January 2, 2025, at 6 pm at Dover City Hall.
J.J. White presented the utilities report.
Water Department.
- Repaired 2 leaks
- Repaired heater at booster station
- Repaired pump pedestal at raw water
- Replaced a receptacle in plant office
- Replaced 2 light fixtures in plant office
- Changed 3” meter for high school
- Installed 1 new service
- Replaced electric heater in compressor room
- Replaced gas heater in high service pump room
- Billy and Zack passed the treatment exams
Sewer Department.
- Installed 2 rain catchers for manholes
- Repaired toilet in ambulance building
- Repaired kitchen facet in ambulance building
- Replaced flush valves fire department
- Replaced backhoe battery (under warranty)
Street Department.
- Edged sidewalks on Hwy 27
- Removed limbs on Kaeli and Walker
- Removed leaves at city park
- Patched hole N. Maple with gravel
- Replaced tire swing at park
- Replaced spring rider at park
- Installed 4 new receptacles at park
- Cleaned pavilion roofs at park
- Reset speed limit sign Cedar Creek
- Replaced relay school flashers
Sewer Construction Project. Humbard is done with their part. The others should start on the grinder and meter stations soon. The whole project should be completed around November 2025.
Chief Charles Duvall presented the fire report.
The fire department responded to incidents consisting of trash fire, building fire, grass fire, service call assist, a couple of false alarms and a medical assist. The Chief would like to commend Volunteer Firefighter Rodney Koster’s warning for on-coming traffic of a vehicle swerving on the road on December 8. The vehicles pulled over because of the flashing lights otherwise they would have been hit head-on. The fire department response time was 11 minutes from tone to extraction thanks to the city’s volunteer firefighters and the new equipment they have been able to purchase with grant money received this year.
Chief Josh Titsworth presented the police report.
The Chief reported on the Christmas parade and Hometown Christmas in the park. All went well with both events. Everyone was pleased with the fireworks after the festivities.
The mayor presented the Resolution for the 2025 budget. The only change from last month’s proposed budget was a line-item for the purchase cards. The council approved Resolution 2024-8, General and street budget for 2025. Council member Walker made a motion to approve Resolution 2024-8. Council member Standridge 2nd. A Voice Vote. Yeas:6. Nays:0. Motion Carried.
The city was approved for federal aid for two of the city’s bridges. The Arkansas Department of transportation stated the city would have to pay for a feasibility study. Last month we misquoted the price of the study. It is $5000 not $500. The council discussed it and decided to go ahead with the projects.
Council member Ragsdale made a motion to pass Resolution 2024-10, expressing willingness of the city of Dover to utilize federal-aid monies for the Linker Creek Bridge replacement on Peaceful Valley Rd. Council member Walker 2nd. A voice vote. Yeas:6. Nays:0. Motion carried.
Council member Ragsdale made a motion to pass Resolution 2024-11, expressing willingness of the city of Dover to utilize federal -aid monies for McCoy Creek Bridge replacement on North Elizabeth Street. Council member Hottinger 2nd. A voice vote. Yeas:6. Nays:0. Motion carried.
The council was given copies of the new personnel policy two months ago to review. With no additional changes to the policy the council voted to pass the new policy beginning January 1st, 2025. Council member Hottinger made a motion to approve the personnel policy starting January 1, 2025. Council member Warhurst 2nd. A voice vote. Yeas:6. Nays:0.
The city would like to get purchase cards through Arvest Bank for city employees that need to purchase items for the operation of the city. The council was presented with a purchase card policy with rules for each employee to read and sign when receiving a purchase card to use. The council voted to approve the policy with a motion from Council member Walker. Council member Ragsdale 2nd. A voice vote. Yeas:6. Nays:0. Motion carried.
Council member Walker made a motion to pass Resolution 2024-9, Purchase card procedures for the city of Dover, Arkansas and other purposes. Council member Warhurst 2nd. A voice vote. Yeas:6. Nays:0. Motion carried.
The mayor reported that the Dover Baseball Park insurance policy was not going to pay for any damage to the park. They say the damage was due to age and wear. The school, summer recreation and the city of Dover have agreed to split the cost of repairs with $13895.88 for school and $10551.61 for each city and summer rec. The council discussed the issue. Council members were asking who would take responsibility for keeping the facility in good shape once the repairs were done. Until the city can establish who will oversee the maintenance for the upkeep of the ballpark the council would like to table the discussion. The mayor said he would set up meetings with the school and summer recreation to get clearer information. Council member Hottinger made a motion to table the discussion on the ballpark. Council member Walker 2nd. A voice vote. Yeas:6. Nays:0. Motion carried.
Council member Ragsdale made a motion to adjourn. Council member Standridge 2nd. A voice vote. Yeas:6. Nays:0. Motion Carried.
