Dover City Council
Minutes July 15, 2025
The City of Dover in Pope County, State of Arkansas, met in regular session July 15, 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, and Attorney Jacob Phillips.
Absent: Fred Standridge
Prayer: Chief Josh Titsworth.
Pledge of Allegiance: Russ Warhurst.
Roll Call: Recorder Renee Nelson.
Minutes of June 10, 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:5. Nays: 0. Motion carried.
Monthly bills were received and signed. Council member Ragsdale 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.
Nothing new on the Bridge Grant
Melissa Sanders presented the library report. 2395 visitors for June. 24 new cards issued. During July they have had movie day with popcorn. Christmas in July, art class and many other events planned for the rest of the month.
Ron Walker presented the Planning Commission report. Ron reported no new building projects at this time. The next meeting of the commission will be August 7, 2025, at 6pm. at Dover City Hall.
Marcia Walker from the Dover Area Chamber of Commerce gave a presentation for the DACC. After a slide show of the projects DACC hosts every year, Mrs. Walker asked the council to consider donations for the upcoming Ozark Memories Day festival and Hometown Christmas Fireworks. Council member Hottinger made a motion to pay $3000 toward amusement rides at OMD and $6000 for fireworks to Shawn Partain for Hometown Christmas in 2025. Council member Walker 2nd. A voice vote. Yeas:5. Nays:0. Motion carried.
J.J. White presented the utilities report.
Water Department:
- Repaired one service line leak
- Cleared right of ways
Sewer Department:
- Repaired one force main leak
- Installed two sewer services
- Cleared right of ways
- Sewer project update: Dover’s sewer construction is 98% done. Getting generators online and clean up still needs to be done. Russellville’s construction still has 40 to 50% left to finish.
Street Department:
- Ditch cleaning on Oak Street
- Spraying weed killer
- Limb trimming
- Dirt work; seed and straw after leaks
- Patched potholes
- Mowing and weed eating
Mr. White asked the council to consider hiring Austin Gibbs. Mr. Gibbs had worked for the city previously and recently moved back to the Dover Area. Council member Hottinger made a motion to hire Austin Gibbs at the recommended pay. Council Ragsdale 2nd. A voice vote. Yeas:5. Nays:0. Motion carried.
Fire Chief Charles Duvall presented the fire report. The station had responded to several calls including grass fire, trash fire, lawnmower fire, and several dispatched and cancelled route calls. Chief Duvall reported that 1203 is in good shape now after repairs. They were having the new decals put on the engine. He reported the new fan ventilation is a great help with the heat, especially with the equipment. Next, Chief Duvall would like to have automatic doors for the station.
Police Chief Josh Titsworth presented the police report. Marshals conducted a total of 78 traffic stops, 32 citations, 46 warnings for various violations including DWI, unsafe driving, and driving on suspended licenses. Deputies responded to 5 motor vehicle crashes, served 7 warrants. The new full-time officer is close to graduating from the academy.
The council discussed the Arkansas Act 922. It amends the law to allow utility task vehicles on a designated public street or highway under certain circumstances. This does not include all-terrain vehicles, a golf cart, a riding lawnmower or a lawn or garden tractor. UTV’s are subject to valid driver’s license, proof of insurance, comply with rules of the road, registered and displayed decal for UTV, 2 headlights, rear facing turn signals, brake lights, and seatbelts.
The highway 7 bypass was mentioned. Some citizens thought it would still be a good idea for the safety of the city with all the traffic.
The 1st Baptist Church has withdrawn their petition to close Tree Street currently.
Council member Wetzel made a motion to put Ordinance 2025-5, Private club permit, on the second reading by title only. Council member Ragsdale 2nd. A voice vote.
Council member Walker-Yea
Council member Warhurst-Nay
Council member Hottinger-Nay
Council member Ragsdale-Yea
Council member Wetzel-Yea
Council member Standridge-absent
Motion carried.
Attorney Phillips read Ordinance 2025-5, Private Club permit for Mak Daddy’s Meet N Eat, LLC, by title only.
Council member Ragsdale made a motion to accept the 2nd reading of Ordinance 2025-5, Private Club permit by title only. A voice vote.
Council member Walker-Yea
Council Member Warhurst-Nay
Council member Hottinger-Nay
Council member Ragsdale-Yea
Council member Wetzel-Yea
Council member Standridge-absent
Motion carried.
The mayor presented Resolution 2025-9 to apply for the Community Assistance Grant Program for upgrades to the Dover City Park restroom and pavilion. Council member Ragsdale made a motion to approve Resolution 2025-9. Council member Hottinger 2nd. A voice vote. Yeas:5. Nays:0. Motion carried.
Paster Jeff Paxton addressed the council to express his opposition to the proposed Private Club permit. He stated that, in his view, the permit would not have a positive impact on the community or its families. Drawing from personal experience, he shared concerns about the negative effects of alcohol on families and warned that a private club permit could contribute to an increase in DWIs. He also questioned the precedent it might set, expressing concern that approving one permit could lead to an increase in similar applications from other businesses in the city. Pastor Paxton thanked the council for letting him speak. Other citizens countered that people already consume alcohol and tobacco, and it should be each individual’s choice. Another citizen commented that Mak Daddys seems to lean more toward a bar atmosphere, with the live bands and dancing, than to a restaurant atmosphere. (ex. Chili’s or La Huerta’s) One citizen was concerned about children being present in the building while serving alcohol. Machelle Lee asked to speak on her behalf. She stated her vision is to have a family-oriented business. Mrs. Lee gave an example, that Chucky Cheese restaurants serve alcohol and are not considered to have a bar atmosphere. Mrs. Lee said that she had put off applying for the permit because she was trying to establish a business to accommodate the community that did not want alcohol. But recently she has had people state that they would come to eat at Mak Daddy’s if they could have a drink with their meal. Mrs. Lee said that she monitored her patrons and if any problems arose, she handled them personally and with official channels. Her vision is to have a place where you can go to eat with your whole family and have a good time. It will not be a place to come and get drunk.
Ordinance 2025-5, Private Club Permit is scheduled for the 3rd and final reading in August, if passed it with then go before the state. Mayor Lee said the community can talk to their area council members and voice their opinions. The next council meeting is August 19,2025 at 6 pm at Dover City Hall.
Council member Ragsdale made a motion to adjourn. Council member Hottinger 2nd. A voice vote. Yeas:5. Nays:0. Motion carried.
