CI T Y   O F   F O R E S T   P A R K

 

 

TO:                             Mayor and Council

 

FROM:                       John Parker, City Manager

 

DATE:                        May 20, 2009

 

SUBJECT:                 INFORMATION BULLETIN  - APRIL, 2009

 

 

The following is a department by department status report of priority activities, projects and initiatives for the month of April, 2009.

 

DEPARTMENT OF RECREATION AND LEISURE SERVICES

WHAT’S HAPPENING!

 

Community Yard Sale – On April 4th we had another spectacular Community Yard Sale.  We sold 103 vendor spaces and there were a steady stream of shoppers throughout the day.  The Yard Sale hours were 9am to 2pm. 

 

Egg Hunt/Safety Fest – Our Easter Egg Hunt/Safety Fest was another successful community event with approximately 300 kids participating.  Forest Park Fire and Police Departments were on hand to provide important safety information and the Fire House.  Walmart and Sonics provided additional support with donations.  Forest Park High School ROTC assisted the Recreation Staff with the coloring contest and egg hunt. 

 

Fishing Rodeo – The Fishing Rodeo was held on April 25, 2009 8am-11am.  The rodeo was held at Lake Stephenson at Fort Gillem.  This is a partnership program between the City of Forest Park and Fort Gillem.  We had around 50 children to participate in this year’s event.

 

For the month of April, the recreation center started league play in the following sports:  T-Ball (66 kids, 6 teams), Pee Wee Ball (44 kids, 4 teams), Girls Softball (46 kids, 4 teams), Girls Volleyball (66 kids, 6 teams), Youth Soccer (265 kids), Adult Basketball (60 participants, 6 teams), Adult Softball (12 teams).

 

Also the recreation center started registering for our summer basketball league, basketball camp, soccer camp, day camp, and swim lessons.

 

Public Swimming – The indoor pool is open to the public on Tuesday and Thursday from 7pm to 9pm and Saturdays 1pm-4pm.     

 

Men Fitness – Meets on Tuesday nights 8:30pm-10pm.  This program is for men 18 years and older.  The program consists of full court basketball games and weight lifting.

 

Gym use:  634 for the month of April 2009.

 

Ongoing Classes

            Water Aerobics – Monday & Wednesday 6pm-7pm

            Yoga – Wednesday evening 6:45pm-8pm

            Water Exercise – Monday & Wednesday 1pm-2pm

            Teen Weight Lifting – Tuesday & Thursday 5pm-6pm

            Swim For Fun (ages 55 & Over) – Tuesday & Thursday 1:30pm-2:30pm

            Chess – Wednesday 5pm-9pm

            Baton – Wednesday 6pm-7pm

            Martial Arts (Tai-Chi, Kung Fu) – Tuesday 6pm-7pm

 

 

SENIOR ACTIVITIES

 

*          April has been a very busy month with many activities going on.

 

*          We started off the month with the yard sale and it was work and fun at the same time.  The Seniors enjoyed selling the hot dogs and flea market articles.

 

*          Then the Red Hatters went to Mellow Mushroom for a meeting and lunch.  Everyone enjoyed the meal, dressing up and going out.

 

*          Easter Dinner was a show case of different foods that we all enjoyed and the fellowship was great.  We all shared in the fun.

 

*          The Strawberry Patch was full of berries and we enjoyed picking them.  The new patch was a lot of fun as it was a big farm with peacocks, goats, baby lambs, cows, and all the things on a farm, so it was fun and different.  Then of course off to lunch.

 

*          55 Alive was held and 25 seniors came to learn about driving skills and saving on insurance.  They really did seem to enjoy the class and said they learned a lot.

 

*          Some of our other events this month were Cards, Dominoes, Shuffleboard, Cooking, TRIAD Barbecue, covered dishes and much more for the seniors.  See you next month!

 

 

 

 

UPCOMING EVENTS

 

*        May 1, 2009 – Summer Day Camp & Swim Lesson Sign-up 9 am-7 pm @ Gym Office (month of May)  

 

*        May 2, 2009 – Swing Into Spring Festival 10:30 am-6 pm @ Starr Park 

 

*        May 7, 8, 2009 – Fourth District Golden Olympics 10 am @ Starr Park

 

 

 

                                                                        Elaine Corley, Director

                                                                        404-363-2908

 

 

 

 

 

DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION / FINANCE

 

Expenditures (preliminary totals) for the General Fund for the month of April are $1,780,346 or 9.25% of the budget.  Year-to-date preliminary expenditures for the General Fund are $14,562,148 or 75.63% of the budget (fiscal year July 2008 – June 2009). For comparison purposes, the period of July through April represents 83.33% of the budget year. Total expenditures for the General Fund remain under budget for the ten month period of July through April.

 

Local Option Sales Tax revenue received in April is $289,119 compared to $409,857 for April of the prior year. The decrease in the April amount from 2008 to 2009 can be attributed to the economy. The fiscal year-to-date total received is $4,453,692 or 86.65% of the budget. The percentage of the budget year through April is 83.33% of the year; therefore, revenue from Local Option Sales Tax remains more than budget through April.

 

Licenses for New Business for the month of April 2009:

 

            Name                                                             Description

 

The Wireless Store                                      Cell phones and accessories

Morrison Express Corporation                 International freight / warehousing

Tornado Car Wash                                      Car wash

Hart-Mart                                                     Food sales / general store

Perishable Transport Solutions               Freight forwarding / logistics

Baby Express                                                            General store

T-N-T Auto Performance                           Auto repair and emissions testing

New York Buffalo Wings                            Restaurant

Primolink                                                     Orthopedic equipment

Ernest & Lam Auto Shop                           Auto service / oil change / brakes          

A.J. Wright                                                   Retail family apparel

Malinh Saving                                              Import / export / clothing            

 

 

                                                                        Mike Blandenburg, Director

                                                                        (404) 366-4720

 

 

 

DEPARTMENT OF POLICE SERVICES

 

TRIAD

 

TRIAD held their annual barbecue dinner at the Forest Park Senior Center. More than 500 barbecue plates were sold for the fundraiser and MPO Crystal Turnage won the 42” flat screen television in the raffle. The event raised $2,700 for the TRIAD program.

 

Citizens Police Academy

 

The Citizen’s Police Academy class is currently underway with 16 people attending this session.

 

Patrol

 

Officer Simmons, Avery, and Stevenson completed OC training (Good Job)

 

Lt. Gentry completed Advanced Firearms

 

Officer Kennemur completed Advanced Traffic Law class

 

MPO Groenewold, Ofc. Avery, Ofc. Geeslin, Ofc. Stevenson, and Simmons received commendations for their handling of an armed robbery in progress at Pawn Mart which resulted in the arrest of several suspects.

 

MPO Groenewold completed Standardized Field Sobriety School

 

Sgt. Adams completed Specialized Search and Seizure class

 

Baker Team welcomed aboard to two new officers : Officer Shane Clayton and Officer Eric McClelland - both are Clayton Regional Academy Grads.

 

Sgt. Pigate completed Supervision III

Officer R. Hightower completed O.C. training

 

Officer Johnson completed Advanced Traffic Law class

 

Capt. Harris attended the neighborhood watch meeting hosted by Lt. Delk on 4/28/09.

 

Delta Team welcomed a new officer - Officer Rowe to the team.

 

Officer Gomez and Officer Rowe completed department orientation

 

Delta Team has 28 arrests made for DUI since January 1

 

CID

 

LT Delk gave a presentation to the citizen’s police academy on 4/28/2009. Topics discussed covered the criminal investigation division & internal affairs. 

 

Detective Sgt. Henry completed Intox Class

 

Patrolman Morris transferred to Detectives

 

The department wishes Det. Kelvin Jackson good luck as he leaves to go to the Secret Service. He will soon be Special Agent Jackson.

 

Detective Averhart attended the neighborhood watch meeting on 04-07-09.

 

Detective Averhart attended 4 hours of Robbery Investigation training at Clayton County Regional Academy on 04-09-09.

 

Admin

 

MPO Presley conducted a 40 hour department orientation class for the five new officers who recently graduated the Clayton Regional Law Enforcement Academy.

 

 

 

                                                                        Chief Dwayne Hobbs

                                                                        (404) 366-7280

 

 

 

DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS

 

Street Division:

            Street crews work diligently repairing 200 feet of sidewalk at Hendrix Drive and Conley Road.  Crews worked clearing fallen trees from roadways on the north and south side of town during the numerous storms, along with right-of-way clean-ups of debris in ditches, cutting bushes.  

 

Cleaned Storm drains:

            5194 Middlebrook Drive, 5596 Sequoia Drive, 5114 Springdale Road, 4566 Bartlett Road, 5733 Cypress Court, Phillips Drive at Courtney Drive, Agnew Drive at Old Dixie, Ash Street at Bridge Avenue

 

Limb and Debris Pickups:

            538 Watson Ferry Drive, 692 Morrow Road, 1169 Evelyn Drive, 1121 Ponderosa Park Drive, 1118 South Parkwood Drive, 4625 Mitchell Street and Third Street

 

Building Maintenance:

            Major projects for the Maintenance crews have been the replacement of carpet from the police department offices and the removal of damaged ceiling tiles and replacement, patched and touched up walls and repainted offices.  Repairs were made to the gate at Public Works which entailed digging a trench to place pipe for electrical wiring, ran wires to keypad and gate motor for security gate.  Crews removed and installed new turn off valve at the indoor and outdoor pools, along with making repairs to damaged bleachers at the stadium. Other projects completed by Building Maintenance crews included work orders for all buildings and departments.

 

 

Parks Division:

            Parks crews were maintaining park areas and preparing fields for the upcoming football and baseball seasons.  Crews cut and weeded right-of ways along with their regular daily duties of Recreation and Leisure set-ups revolving around the recreation facilities and Senior Building activities.  Crews also helped Street Division personnel with the removal of fallen trees after several storms.

 

 

 

                                                                        Mike Gippert, Director

                                                                        (404) 608-2310

 

 

DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING, BUILDING AND ZONING

 

Building Plans Submitted

 

Business Name

Address

Details

There were no building plans submitted in the month of April 2009.

 

 

 

Building Permits Issued

 

Structure Type

Address

Details

 

Residential

 

5598 Ash St.

Ruling-damage; 304 sq. ft. JC $3,000

 

Residential

 

4339 Rushmore Pl.

Tree damage repair; 1,600 sq. ft. JC $7,000

 

Commercial

 

4568 Old Dixie Hwy. 101

Tenant finish; 3,400 sq. ft. JC $40,000

 

Residential

 

4850 N. Oak St.

Garage; 440 sq. ft. JC $1,955

Residential

882 Bridge Ave.

Roof;  JC $3,000

 

Residential

 

4680 Hendrix Dr.

Roof; 784 sq. ft. JC $2,000

 

Commercial

 

4018 Jonesboro Rd.

New store; 10,800 sq. ft. JC $300,000

Residential

4476 Hillpine Rd.

Garage space; JC $4,000

 

Residential

 

4476 Hillpine Rd.

(2) Retaining walls; JC $5,000

 

Residential

 

998 Tamarack Trl.

Fire repair; 1,517 sq. ft. JC $98,000

 

Residential

 

786 Dennis Dr.

Garage; 576 sq. ft. JC $19,000

 

Commercial

 

2500 S.Point Dr.

Tenant finish; 77,088 sq. ft. JC $300,000

Residential

786 Dennis Dr.

Site Prep for garage; JC $10,000

 

 

Certificate of Occupancies Issued

 

Business Name

Address

Date of Issue

Morrison Express

5345 Old Dixie Hwy. 200

04/01/09

Transport Solution

2750 S.Point Dr.

04/06/09

Mone’s Boutique

786 Main St. #302

04/06/09

Hart Mart

771 Main St.

04/07/09

Baby Express

4436 Jonesboro Rd.

04/09/09

Fashion Plus

4897 Jonesboro Rd.

04/25/09

Parkway Family Optical

530-D Forest Pkwy.

04/13/09

Ernest & Lam Auto Repair

 

868 Forest Pkwy.

 

04/15/09

Range of Motion

526-G Forest Pkwy.

04/15/09

New York Buffalo Wings

4645 Jonesboro Rd. A

04/15/09

AJ Wright

4851 Jonesboro Rd.

04/24/09

Mediquip

4940 Governors Dr. 205

04/28/09

Forest Park Center

5340 Old Dixie Hwy.

04/29/09

AFFILIATE BOARD ACTIVITY

 

There were no meetings of the affiliate Boards for the month of April 2009.

 

 

 

 

                                                                        Steve Pearson, Director

                                                                        (404) 608-2300

 

 

 

OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER

 

Sidewalks to Schools, Phase III and Transit Oriented Pedestrian Improvements Projects

The City is waiting for the City Attorney to deliver the remaining preliminary title search files for these projects.  The City Attorney has delivered 30 Preliminary Title Search files to City Hall.  There are a total of 51 easements.

 

Livable Centers Initiative (LCI)-Main Street Streetscape Project

NO STATUS CHANGE - The City of Forest Park is waiting for the Notice to Proceed with construction from the Georgia Department of Transportation.

 

State Farmers Market

A grant that can be utilized for signage improvements at the State Farmers Market has been delivered to personnel at the State Farmers Market for preparation.

 

CDBG

The city has started ordering the playground equipment for Starr Park.

 

Georgia Cities Week

In conjunction with Georgia Cities Week, the Forest Park Business Coalition meeting was held at City Hall.  In addition to the Mayor and City Manager, representatives from the Police and Fire Department presented information and initiatives to the group.

 

                          

 

Also, during Georgia Cities Week the city hosted the Clayton County Legislative Delegation.  The meeting provided the City of Forest Park the opportunity to update the Delegation on various revitalization and improvement projects in the city with an emphasis on the Redevelopment of Main Street and Fort Gillem.  Legislative Delegation members in attendance were Senators Valencia Seay and Gail Buckner, Representatives Mike Glanton, Glenn Baker, Roberta Abdul-Salaam and Georganna Sinkfield.

 

 

                                                                                                                                                                   

                                 

 

Pictured from left to right - (Representative Georganna Sinkfield, Senator Valencia Seay, City Manager John Parker, Mayor Corine Deyton, Senator Gail Buckner, Representative Glenn Baker, and Representative Mike Glanton.

 

 

 

                                                                        John Parker, City Manager

                                                                        Angela Redding, Mgt. Analyst

                                                                        (404) 366-4720