Dover City Council
Minutes June 10, 2025
The City of Dover in Pope County, State of Arkansas, met in regular session June 10, 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, Fred Standridge, Connie Ragsdale, and Attorney Jacob Phillips.
Absent: Brent Hottinger.
Prayer: Russ Warhurst.
Pledge of Allegiance: Connie Ragsdale.
Roll Call: Recorder Renee Nelson.
Minutes of May 20, 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 Ragsdale made a motion to approve payment of bills. Council member Standridge 2nd. A voice vote. Yeas:5. Nays: 0. Motion carried.
Reviewed balance sheet and monthly financials.
Mayor Lee asked the council to consider moving the Arvest Business Money Market account to a Public Fund Money Market Account so the bank would cover security pledges above the FDIC amount. Council member Standridge made a motion to move money from the Business MM Account to a Public Fund MM account. Council member Ragsdale 2nd. A voice vote. Yeas:5. Nays:0. Motion carried.
No Library report.
Ron Walker presented the Planning Commission report. Ron stated the next Planning commission quarterly meeting would be August 7,2025 at Dover City Hall at 6 pm. No new building permits currently. The mayor informed the council that surveys found on Pine Street property showed that Pine Street is an alley.
J.J. White presented the utilities report.
WATER DEPT.
- REPAIRED ONE LEAK
- INSTALLED NEW FINISHED WATER TURBIDIMETER
- INSTALLED NEW RAW WATER TURBIDIMETER
- INSTALLED NEW CONTROLLER FOR TURBIDIMETERS
SEWER DEPT.
- REPAIRED HYDRAULIC HOSE ON MINI X
- GRINDER STATION ONLINE
- SEWER PROJECT UPDATE-Grinder Pump Station 94% complete, Lift Station 1 89% complete,
Lift Station 2 84% complete, Flow Metering Structure 98% complete, put new meter in metering station.
STREET DEPT.
- SPRAYED CITY HALL, CITY PARK, WATER PLANT, AND MARKET ST
- INSTALLED FLAG LIGHT AT CITY HALL
- REMOVED TREE FROM CITY PARK
- LIMB TRIMMING
- DIRT WORK; SEED AND STRAW AFTER LEAKS
- PATCHED POTHOLES
- MOWING AND WEED EATING
Slabtown Road needs repair. The city had quotes for concrete and asphalt. Recent quotes were for 2 in. asphalt. It was brought up to the council that 2 in. would not be sufficient for the area to be repaired. Due to the difference in cost the council decided on going with asphalt. Council member Standridge made a motion to repair part of Slabtown Road by Dollar General with 4 “of asphalt. Council member Wetzel 2nd. A voice vote. Yeas:5. Nays:0. Motion carried.
Chief Josh Titsworth presented the Police report. In May the Police department responded to 159 incidents: including traffic stops, welfare checks, disturbances (domestic, verbal and physical altercations). Last month the Dover Police turned in a truck load of prescription drugs, from our drug drop off box in the lobby of city hall, for disposal to the State Police Headquarters at Clarksville.
Fire Chief Charles Duvall was absent. He had asked the mayor to tell the council that the firefighters and he were very appreciative of the new ventilation fan at the fire house.
No updates on the bridge grant currently.
The 1st Baptist Church representative was not present. The mayor had talked to the pastor, and he had requested following through with the street closing. Council member Standridge made a motion to approve Resolution 2025-8, A resolution setting a hearing day for closing Tree Street. Council member Ragsdale 2nd. A voice vote. Yeas:5. Nays:0. Motion carried.
Machelle Lee and Attorney John Peel were present to discuss the Private Club Application that Ms. Lee had filled out for Mak Daddy’s Old Town Meet N Eat LLC at 9733 Market Street. They had requested that the council approve an ordinance with an emergency clause so they could proceed with the state license. The council preferred to go with the regular ordinance procedure and then decide to put the ordinance on the first reading.
Council member Walker made a motion to place Ordinance 2025-5 on first reading. Council member Ragsdale 2nd.
A voice vote.
Council member Ragsdale-Yea
Council member Wetzel-Yea
Council member Standridge-Yea
Council member Walker-Yea
Council member Warhurst-Nay
Council member Hottinger- Absent
Motion Carried.
Attorney Phillips read Ordinance 2025-5. Council member Walker accepted 1st reading of Ordinance 2025-5 as read. Council member Ragsdale 2nd. A voice vote.
Council member Ragsdale-Yea
Council member Wetzel-Yea
Council member Standridge-Yea
Council member Walker-Yea
Council member Warhurst-Nay
Council member Hottinger- Absent
Motion carried.
The mayor mentioned to the council that the city would look at the land behind the park for sale. The council agreed to make an offer if deemed practical.
The mayor presented the 2025-2026 Water -Sewer Budget to the council. Council member Wetzel made a motion to adopt Resolution 2025-8, Water-Sewer Budget. Council member Warhurst 2nd. A voice vote. Yeas:5. Nays:0. Motion Carried.
Mayor Lee informed the council about a Community Assistance Grant that had become available recently and closes on July 31, 2025. He asked if the council would like to apply for this grant to repair or replace the bathrooms and the stage pavilion in the city park. The council agreed to proceed with applying for the grant.
Mayor Lee asked the council to consider a cost of living raise for the city employees. After some discussion Council member Standridge made a motion to give the city employees a 4% cost of living raise to go in effect July 1st. Council member Warhurst 2nd. A voice vote. Yeas:5. Nays:0. Motion carried.
Council member Ragsdale made a motion to adjourn. Council member Standridge 2nd. A voice vote. Yeas:5. Nays:0. Meeting adjourned.
