Dover City Council
Minutes January 21, 2025
The City of Dover in Pope County, State of Arkansas, met in regular session January 21, 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 attorney Jacob Phillips.
Absent: Connie Ragsdale.
Prayer: Russ Warhurst.
Pledge of Allegiance: Chris Walker.
Roll Call: Recorder Renee Nelson.
Minutes of December 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: 5. Nays: 0. Motion carried.
Monthly bills were received and signed. Council member Hottinger made a motion to approve payment of bills. Council member Warhurst 2nd. A voice vote. Yeas: 5. Nays: 0. Motion carried.
Reviewed balance sheet and monthly financials.
Dylan Dous and Cody Dous were not in attendance.
Melissa Sanders was not present. No Library report.
Ron Walker presented the planning commission report. The planning commission meeting was January 2,2025. The Planning commission approved a variance for Cooper and Wood for Maple leaf apartments on #47 Center Street, changing from an R-2 to R-3 for a four plex. Eric Johnsgard asks for a variance for #9 and #21 south Elizabeth Street, changing from a C-1 to C-2 for use as a single-family residence. The council considered both requests.
Council member Wetzel made a motion for a variance to change #9 and #21 South Elisabeth Street from C-1 to C-2. Council member Standridge 2nd. A voice vote. Yeas:5. Nays:0. Motion Carried.
Council member Standridge made a motion to approve Resolution 2025-3 for variance to change #47 Center Street from R-2 to R-3. Council member Walker 2nd. A voice vote. Yeas:5. Nays:0. Motion Carried.
The Planning Commission’s next meeting is on April 3, 2025, at Dover City Hall at 6 pm. Ron stated that all members of the commission had turned in their SFI forms.
J.J. White presented the utilities report.
Water Dept.
- Repaired 2 leaks
- Replaced 1 service
- 1 new service installed
- Installed 1 new meter at existing service
- Replaced access hatch on Clearwell
Sewer Dept.
- Replaced battery on backhoe (warranty)
- Duncan installed meter station
- Duncan installed bypasses
Street Dept.
- Restrung Christmas lights
- Replaced receptacle at city park
- Replaced receptacle box at city park
- Removed tree for city hall
- Cleaned up after water leaks
- Cleared ice and snow
Fire Chief Duvall was on a call. The mayor presented the fire report. They had false alarm and medical assist at Dover school, gas leak on Cedar St., vehicle/pedestrian accident, vehicle fire, false alarm, and structure fire.
Chief Josh Titsworth presented the police report. The Marshalls had a total of 118 calls for December ranging from traffic accidents, traffic stops, assistance to citizens, welfare concerns, reckless driving, domestic disturbances, criminal investigations, warrants served, alarms, animal complaints, 911 hangups, standby requests, found property. They have ordered laptops for their cars. One officer has resigned and moved to a different county. The school has been approved to have their own SRO department. With Marshall’s help, the SRO officers will transition to the school control. The City of Dover will help them with anything they need until they get set up. The Chief expressed his appreciation of the council and their continued support.
Mayor Roger Lee presented: Mayor presented Resolution 2025-1 to amend 2023-5 2024 Budget. Equipment for the Fire Station and the sidewalks were the items that caused the budget to be amended. The council looked over the resolution. Council member Walker made a motion to approve Resolution 2025-1 2024 budget amendment. Council Warhurst 2nd. A voice vote. Yeas: 5. Nays:0. Motion carried.
Mayor presented Resolution 2025-2, for the council to approve the mayor to open accounts with Arvest bank. Council member Hottinger made a motion to approve Resolution 2025-2. Council member Walker 2nd. A voice vote. Yeas:5. Nays:0. Motion carried.
The USDA grant the city received last year still has some money left for the street and fire departments. The city is looking into quotes for other items these departments need. The State Street Aid Program for Street Overlay did not pick Dover as one of their recipients. Dover will investigate other options for some of the city streets in need of repair. All officials have turned in their SFI forms. The city has reached an agreement with the Dover School and Summer Recreation programs to do repairs at the Dover baseball park. The repairs should start soon.
Council member Hottinger made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Council member Standridge 2nd. A voice vote. Yeas:5. Nays:0. Meeting Adjourned.
