Minutes June 18, 2024
The City of Dover in Pope County, State of Arkansas, met in regular session June 18, 2024, 6 p.m. at the Dover City Hall. The following were present: Mayor Lee presiding and the following Council members: Russell Warhurst, Chris Walker, Carl Wetzel, Brent Hottinger, Fred Standridge, Connie Ragsdale, and Attorney Diedre Luker.
Absent : none
Prayer : Connie Ragsdale.
Pledge of Allegiance: Mayor Lee.
Roll Call: Recorder Renee Nelson
Minutes of May 21, 2024, meeting were reviewed and there being no corrections, Council member Walker made a motion to approve the minutes. Council member Ragsdale 2nd. A Voice Vote. Yeas: 5. Nays: 0. Motion carried.
Monthly bills were received and signed. Council member Standridge made a motion to approve payment of bills. Council member Hottinger 2nd. A Voice Vote. Yeas: 5. Nays: 0. Motion carried.
Reviewed Balance Sheet.
Russ Warhurst arrived at the meeting at 6:04 p.m.
Judge Clay McCall attended the meeting. In January his judgeship will be up, and he will be free to take on new opportunities. He expressed interest in being the city attorney.
Aaron Brock has contacted the city attorney about the Stipend, Act 224. He indicated he was going to pay in full at the end of June.
Library Report was presented by Melissa Sanders. They had 1788 visitors. 15 new cards were issued. The summer reading program is going on now, until July 22, 2024, on Monday mornings at 10 a.m. June 3 had 64 visitors, June 10 had 85 visitors, and June 17 had 46 visitors. On July 15, 2024, they will have Smokey the Bear visiting.
Planning Commission Report was presented by Ron Walker. Jason McGee is planning to buy a lot on Colony Street. The lot is not a regular size according to the codes. The lot will need a variance granted for Mr. McGee to build on it. The planning commission recommends a variance, the city council agrees. Council member Carl Wetzel made a motion to grant a variance for size on Lot 2 on Colony Street. Council member Walker 2nd. A Voice Vote. Yeas: 6. Nays: 0. Motion carried. Ron has been contacted by Randy Campbell on the Athletic Practice Center he plans to build. Mr. Campbell was informed of the paperwork he would need to continue. The council had previously discussed this facility and approved. Next planning commission meeting is July 11, 2024, 6 p.m.
Connie Ragsdale addressed the council about mowing the ditches within the city. She was asking who is responsible for mowing the curve at the square in town and other areas. Mayor Lee said it was it was state highway, he would contact them and see what could be done. Maybe a collaboration between the highway department and city can be reached for someone to mow them.
Utilities report was presented by J.J. White.
Water Department:
- Repaired two leaks.
- Installed one service for community garden.
- Replaced float in 120k tank.
- Jack acquired a Backflow Repair License.
- Replaced one meter shut off.
- Replaced desktop turbidimeter.
- Replaced hour meter on high service pump#2.
Sewer Department:
- Replaced de-humidifier in L.S. #1 dry well.
- Humbard has completed 45% of manhole repairs. They have started on service line repairs & line cleaning.
- The original sewer project plan did not include wet well liner. The old one, for wet well # 1, is an epoxy liner, and it needs to be replaced. It is leaking. We have quotes for new ones. Ours is a deep one and the cost is more expensive for these. The company that is currently working on the repairs had the best bid and can replace it. The cost is $50,629.00.
Council member Ragsdale made a motion to approve $50,629.00 for a new epoxy liner for the #1 wet well. Council member Walker 2nd. A Voice Vote. Yeas: 6. Nays: 0. Motion carried.
Street Department:
- The new electronic gate at tanks is in, still need electricity for connection.
- Cleaned ditches.
- The Sidewalk project has been halted for a short time. The highway department needs the contractor to file a traffic plan and get a permit to halt traffic in downtown Dover. The sidewalk will also have to be inspected by an engineer and be ADA compliant before final payment is made to the contractor.
Fire report was presented by Chief Duvall. He reported they had one emergency landing zone at the baseball field, control burn on Market Street, structure fire on Linker Mountain, two smoke alarms malfunctions, and removal of a tree with rural fire department. The new Cascade System is installed and running. Unit 1205 has been made mobile. It can fill five tanks. Braden Wise was promoted to Captain and training officer. The Chief introduced his assistant, Terry Duvall, she will help him with reports and training.
Police Report was presented by Chief Josh Titsworth. He reported that the city had 146 total calls for the month. The new officer, Roger Wright, has been riding with Officer Ryan O’Neal, getting familiar with the area. The city is still in negotiations with the school for the new school year’s contract for School Resource Officers. The officers received their new service weapons and would like to purchase their old ones. The city is looking into options for these purchases that comply with state and federal laws.
The Water/Sewer budget for 2024-2025 was discussed. Council member Standridge made a motion to accept the budget and pass Resolution 2024-3, Water/Sewer Budget for 2024-2025. Council member Walker 2nd. A voice Vote. Yeas: 6. Nays: 0. Motion carried.
A Fun Park Grant Resolution was presented. The mayor was wanting to apply for the grant again this year. The items suggested for use of the grant are the same as last year: 1.) Seal and stripe both parking lots at ballpark, 2.) Replace shingle roof with metal on the bathrooms at ballpark, 3.) Have handicap accessible spots in the east parking lot at the ballpark, 4.) Playground equipment at the city park. A motion was made by council member Standridge to approve the Fun Park Grant Application Resolution 2024-4. Council member Walker 2nd. A Voice Vote. Yeas:6. Nays:0. Motion carried.
Ordinance 2024-4 was discussed but no action was taken.
Mayor Lee mentioned that Resident Tom Hill, on North Elizabeth was needing the culvert cleaned out. The new door for the city hall has been ordered. The auditor said the city would need to review how they donate to the Chamber of Commerce for Ozark Memories Days and Hometown Christmas events. The council is still taking suggestions on what to do with the storage shed behind the city hall.
Council member Ragsdale made a motion to adjourn. Council member Standridge 2nd. A Voice Vote. Yeas:6. Nays:0. Motion carried.
