Dover City Council
Minutes February 18, 2025
The City of Dover in Pope County, State of Arkansas, met in regular session February 18, 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 Connie Ragsdale.
Absent: Attorney Jacob Phillips.
Prayer: Brent Hottinger.
Pledge of Allegiance: Russ Warhurst.
Roll Call: Recorder Renee Nelson.
Minutes of January 21, 2025, meeting were reviewed and there being no corrections, Council member Standridge made a motion to approve the minutes. Council member Walker 2nd. A voice vote. Yeas:6. Nays: 0. Motion carried.
Minutes of February 11, 2025, Special Called meeting, were reviewed and there being no corrections, Council Member Hottinger made a motion to approve the minutes. Council member Warhurst 2nd. A voice vote. Yeas:6. Nays:0. Motion carried.
Monthly bills were received and signed. Council member Ragsdale made a motion to approve payment of bills. Council member Standridge 2nd. A voice vote. Yeas:6. Nays: 0. Motion carried.
Reviewed balance sheet and monthly financials.
Melissa Sanders was not present. No Library report.
Ron Walker presented the planning commission report. The next commission meeting is on April 3, 2025, at Dover City Hall at 6 pm. Ron informed the council that Kyle Lynch was wanting to change from an R-1 to Agricultural zone. The commission will discuss their recommendations at the next meeting and then bring it to the council.
Due to the increasing inquiries about housing chickens in the Dover City limits, it was brought up to the council that the ordinance for chickens needs to be addressed and possibly changed in the future.
Westley Roach spoke to the council about moving a manufactured home on his property. It would be about 120ft inside the city limit line. The zoning code in his area does not allow for these homes in the city limits. The Council will need to discuss whether to approve or if the area can be rezoned to accommodate the request. Mr. Roach said his time frame was a couple of months. The council will consider the request and get back to Mr. Roach at a later date.
J.J. White presented the utilities report.
WATER DEPT.
- INSTALLED 1 2” MAIN GAURD
- REPLACED 1 VALVE BOX
- INSTALLED RP AND TURNED WATER ON TO BALLPARK
- REINSTALLED RAW WATER PUMP 1
- CLEANED VALVE BOXES
SEWER
- REPLACED GOVERNOR ON LS GENSET
- REPLACED 1 FLOAT AT GRINDER
- PULLED AND CLEARED GRINDER PUMP
STREET DEPT.
- CLEARED CITY HALL AND ROADS OF SNOW
- REPLACED RELAY ON SCHOOL LIGHTS
- CLEANED UP AFTER WATER LEAK HWY 27
- REPAIRED ROAD TO RAW WATER
- REPAIRED CITY HALL SIGN
- CLANED CULVERTS
- CLEARED BRIDGE NORTH ELIZABETH
- PATCHED POTHOLES
The Sewer Project is proceeding with tearing out concrete and getting ready to pour new pads for new generators. Old ones have been removed. The council expressed their gratitude for the work the utilities guys and J.J have been doing for the city.
Chief Charles Duvall presented the fire report. Chief Duvall has an old generator from a fire truck to sell or auction off. The Fire Department helped EMS with medical assistance, structure fire, gas leak, grass fire assist with Hatley Fire Department, last month. Chief Duvall discussed repair work on the 1203 Fire Truck. It will keep the truck running for another 10-15 years. This is one of the better trucks they have. A newer used Fire truck can cost around $250,000-$300,000. The council discussed paying for the repairs. Council member Standridge made a motion to approve up to $13000 for repairs on the 1203 Fire truck to be split between general and Act 833 accounts. Council member Hottinger 2nd. A voice vote. Yeas:6. Nays:0. Motion carried.
Chief Josh Titsworth presented the police report. The police had 77 calls run through dispatch last month; traffic stops, assist citizens, welfare check, shoplifting, burglary, trespass, disturbance, MVC, and shots fired. The city will be selling two of the police vehicles to the Dover School district for the School Resource Officers whom in July will be under contract with the school district full-time. Chief Titsworth handed a proposal to the council on purchasing a new vehicle for the police department. He had quotes on 3 different vehicles. He gave pricing with money from the sale of SRO vehicles and trade-in of two vehicles. These vehicles will be equipped with patrol packages and ready to use. The council asked for more information on the vehicle that the Chief would prefer. He said he would do more research and get back to them.
The mayor attended the Pope Co. Intergovernmental Meeting recently. They discussed a ¾ cent sales tax increase to support building a new jail and 911 center. Pope co. will hold a special election on May 13, 2025. Currently the jails have no room for all the inmates. The mayor informed the council that the Summer Recreation Program would take the old storage container behind the city hall. It will be moved to the ballpark. The mayor discussed Ordinance 2017-3, unsightly and unsanitary conditions on real property located inside the city limits. The city is going to start giving notices and fines for a property not following the rules. The council agrees that this should be enforced so our town looks better.
The 1st Baptist Church in Dover has asked if the city would consider closing tree Street. The mayor asked the council to think about the proposal and next month we will discuss it further.
Mayor Roger Lee gave his report on a proposal to change the city hall phone service. The one we use now has not been helpful in addressing problems with the system. The city has found a company that they think would be better and more user friendly. Mayor Lee informed the council that employee evaluations have been done, and he would like to give a merit increase. The budget was prepared with an increase in mind of 4% for 2025. Council member Standridge made a motion to give authority to the mayor to give merit raise increases up to 4% to the city employees. Council member Ragsdale 2nd. A voice vote. Yeas:6. Nays:0. Motion carried.
Council member Ragsdale made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Council member Standridge 2nd. A voice vote. Yeas:6. Nays:0. Meeting adjourned.
