C I T Y O F F O R E S T P A R K

TO: Mayor and Council

FROM: John Parker, City Manager

DATE: September 17, 2007

SUBJECT: INFORMATION BULLETIN - AUGUST, 2007

The following is a department by department status report of priority activities, projects and initiatives for the month of August, 2007.

DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING, BUILDING AND ZONING

Building Plans Submitted

1. 1409 Rockcut Rd. Sheraton House Apts.-Bldg. E; Fire repair

2. 5021 Old Dixie Hwy. Air Logistics II-Bldg. 300; Warehouse

3. 5028 Old Dixie Hwy. Ms. Travis Learning Ctr.; Window upgrades

4. 842 Main St. Buffalo Wings & Rings; Interior demo

Building Permits Issued

1. 5021 Old Dixie Hwy. Bldg. 300 Shell office/warehouse; 104,000 sq. ft.

JC $2,650,000

2. 1167 Curtis Dr. Bed/bath addition; 589 sq. ft. JC $19,000

3. 4730 Frontage Rd. Demo NE section; JC $40,000

4. 5028 Old Dixie Hwy. Replace windows; 30 sq. ft. JC $1,600

5. 5050 Phillips Dr. Kitchen expansion; 270 sq. ft. JC $24,100

6. 1409 Rockcut Rd. E Rebuild top floor fire damage; 3,200 sq. ft. JC

$40,000

7. 4472 College St. Int/Ext rehab; 800 sq. ft. JC $3,500

8. 2000 S.Point Dr. 200 Overhead door/ramp; 1,120 sq. ft. JC $23,000

9. 996 Finley Dr. Garage; 384 sq. ft. JC $3,500

10. 695 South Ave. Deck/ramp; 100 sq. ft. JC $2,000

11. 5205 Ash St. Garage; 340 sq. ft. JC $2,000

Certificate of Occupancies Issued

1. Peikington North America 107 Forest Pkwy. 300 08/15/07

2. Trellborg Wheel Systems 107 Forest Pkwy. 900 08/16/07

3. Haynes Happy Hands Carwash 1003 Forest Pkwy. 08/08/07

4. Intown Suites 363 Forest Pkwy. 08/17/07

5. Star Wheels & Window Tinting 4384 Jonesboro Rd. 08/07/07

6. Discount Electronics Mart 4645 Jonesboro Rd. B 08/29/07

7. Sa-Va Sa LLC; Forest Apts. 260 Main St. 08/29/07

8. VanGuard Truck Ctr. 700 Ruskin Dr. 08/29/07

9. Joyeria Silva Inc. 4645 Jonesboro Rd. C 08/29/07

Affiliate Board Activity

Architectural Design Review Board (ADRB)

The ADRB held a meeting at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday August 14, 2007 in the conference room at the Agnes B. Bateman Community Development Bldg., 785 Forest Pkwy., Forest Park, Ga. 30297. At issue was a plan review for Liberty Junction II project, located at 4568 Old Dixie Hwy., Forest Park, Ga. 30297. Liberty Junction II (retail/strip center) has met all the construction plan criteria reviews both civil and building with the following exceptions:

The ADRB has requested that the developer make revisions to the plans showing the dumpster pad being 12’ x 12’ and enclosed, parking needs to be striped in white and handicapped spaces in blue. Also, that the landscape irrigation system be shown on the plans. Once the revisions to the plans have been submitted and reviewed by Planning, Building and Zoning Dept. approval for construction will be granted.

Snapshot in Time

Since January 1^st, 2007 there has been 460 permits issued for a total of $23,296,906 in construction cost.

Steve Pearson, Director

(404) 608-2303

RECREATION AND LEISURE SERVICES

WHAT’S HAPPENING

* Youth Soccer – The Youth Soccer draft was held on August 9, 2007 and August 11, 2007. The soccer program has a total of 207 children on 18 teams age 4-12 years. Practice started on August 13, 2007. Games are played at 10 am beginning September 8, 2007. Games are played at the soccer fields on Park Drive.

* Adult Softball – We have two leagues that play on Monday and Tuesday nights at Baker Field.

* Aquatic Programs – Water Aerobics, Water Exercise and Swim for Fun has utilized the outdoor pool the month of August 2007 during the regularly maintenance of the indoor pool.

* Outdoor Pool – Closed for public hours on Sunday, August 26, 2007. The pool was open to the public on Friday 6pm-8pm, Saturday 12noon-6pm, and Sunday 1pm-5pm during the month of August. Attendance for the month of August 2007 was 296.

* Kiwanis Stadium – Saturday, August 4, 2007 2pm-9pm a Youth Gospel Extravaganza Concert was held at the stadium. The Southern Football League played 2 semi-pro football games on August 11, 18, 2007 5pm-9pm. Youth Soccer practiced at Kiwanis Stadium Monday through Thursday 6pm-8pm. Babb Middle School played one football game on August 28, 2007. Forest Park Youth Football opener was August 25, 2007 with eight (8) football teams.

* The Recreation Center was closed the month of August for repairs and maintenance. The center will reopen on September 5, 2007.

SENIOR ACTIVITIES

August has been a pretty good month. The seniors are getting over taking care of grandkids and getting things back together or staying out of the heat.

* The Red Hatters are still busy enjoying shopping, lunch, and some fine fellowship. They all seem to dress up and show off their fancy hats.

* Bingo with breakfast or lunch is a fun day. Everyone loves to have their meal cooked for them. Then have fun playing bingo.

* Our big event for August was our Annual Luau with the decorations and great food. They seem to really show themselves up in cooking. It also brings out all those Hawaiian dresses and shirts to show off.

* Our knitting, exercise classes, dancing and shuffleboard stay busy and always seem to have someone new to learn how to do it. We now have shuffleboard two days of the week for competition as we have doubled in the number of new players.

* There is always something going on at the Senior Center. We are always playing cards, dancing, dominoes, gossiping or just having a cup of coffee and donut. It’s a great place as Seniors enjoy the new fellowship they have started.

UPCOMING EVENTS

* September 5, 2007 – Registration for Fall Classes ( water aerobics, water exercise, defensive driving, martial arts, etc.)– Start Monday-

Friday 9 am-7 pm

* September 7, 2007 – Italian Night @ Forest Park Senior Center

* September 8, 2007 – Opening Day for Soccer

* September 11, 25, 2007 – Babb Middle School Football Games @

Kiwanis Stadium @ 4:30 pm

* September 13, 20, 2007 – South West Atlanta Christian Academy

Football Games @ Kiwanis Stadium @ 5 pm

· September 25-28, 2007 – State Golden Olympics @ Warner Robins, GA

Elaine Corley, Director

404-363-2908

DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION/FINANCE

Expenditures (preliminary totals) for the General Fund for the month of August are $1,328,944 or 7.56% of the budget. Year-to-date preliminary expenditures for the General Fund are $2,585,412 or 14.70% of the budget (fiscal year July 2007 – June 2008). For comparison purposes, the period of July through August represents 16.67% of the budget year. Total expenditures for the General Fund are under budget for the month of August and year to date.

Local Option Sales Tax revenue received in August is $396,590, compared to $431,512 for August of the prior year. The fiscal year-to-date total received is $824,591 or 15.56% of the budget; the percentage of the budget year through August is 16.67% of the year. Revenue from Local Option Sales Tax remains slightly under budget through August.

It should be noted that the budget amount is slightly more than the prior year budget.

The annual audit for the City is scheduled to begin on September 10 and the fieldwork (audit procedures) is expected to be completed in October. Preparation of the financial report will begin at that time and is expected to be completed in November.

New business licenses issued during the month of August:

Name Description

Lucent Technologies Installation Center - telephones

Digital Pro Camera sales

Best Star Wheels & Window Wheels, window tinting, accessories

Haynes Happy Hands Car Wash Car Wash

Pilkington North America, Inc. Distributor – auto glass parts

Schottenstein Realty Tenant contact; maintenance service

Lupita’s Mexican Restaurant Restaurant

Intown Suites Forest Park Extended stay rental

Forest Apartment Apartment rental Discount Electronics Mart Used electronics and computers

Mike Blandenburg, Director

(404) 366-4720

DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS

Major projects for the month included the removal of current sidewalks and replacing with handicap ramps. Handicap ramps were placed at City Hall and 20 ramps were placed along Courtney Drive. During the heavy storms trees were removed from the roadway at Spring Valley Drive, Bartlett Road, North Avenue and Virginia Circle. Driveway tie-ins were placed at Slaton and Derry Street, 980 Cone Road, and College at Main Street.

Building Maintenance:

Crews worked on major repairs at the Recreation and Leisure building. Several rooms were repainted including the walls and marking sign in the pool area. Deck drains were replaced, the bleachers were cleaned and repaired, and the deck was cleaned and painted with non-slip paint. Doors were replaced and weather stripping added. The gym floor was cleaned and waxed, the backboards were cleaned and rims repainted. The basement area floor was stripped and waxed, and all stained or broken tile was replaced. The grout was cleaned in the showers rooms also all air vents were cleaned, and hardware on doors replaced.

Parks Division:

Right-of-way cutting on Main Street, Jonesboro Road, and Forest Parkway highlighted efforts by Parks crews. The rains have made August a busy month for Parks crews cutting grass and trimming and pruning shrubs. All ball fields were lined off for the upcoming football season. Personnel have been shifted from other divisions to help with these tasks as well as utilization of the trustee workforce.

Mike Gippert, Director

(404) 608-2310

DEPARTMENT OF POLICE SERVICES

TRIAD

On Friday, August 17 the monthly Triad meeting was held at the Forest Park Senior Center. The guest speaker was Dr. Paul Colon of American Foot & Leg Clinic. The topic of discussion was foot and leg care. Dr. Colon also provided valuable information on the Alzheimer's and Assisted Living facilities he was instrumental in creating near his medical complex. There were 56 seniors in attendance.

Citizens Police Academy

Graduation for the participants in the police cadet program was held on August 8, 2007. Seven graduates and 20 guests were in attendance at the ceremony that was presided over by Chief Hobbs.

Hispanic Citizen’s Police Academy

Lt. Lopez has recruited approximately 20 participants for the upcoming Hispanic Citizen’s Police Academy which begins the first week of September.

Administration

Braeden Orr, son of Assistant Chief G.T. Orr, was featured in the Clayton Daily News as the Mascot for Jonesboro High School, better known as “Big Red.” Braeden, is a sophomore at Jonesboro High and is active in the mock trial program.

Community Oriented Policing

COPS officers participated in:

• Police Cadet Program
• Apartment Manager’s Coalition meeting
• Neighborhood Watch meetings for Longleaf Dr residents and West Warren Drive residents as well as Parkside Crossing, Willow Park Apartments, Shortleaf Dr., and Tanglewood Dr.
• A business watch meeting was held for Ash Morrow Plaza business owners
• Problem oriented policing projects were completed by MPO Whitehead at Waldorf Creek Apartments and Sargent St.

Patrol

Officers on all teams have begun a sign assessment to identify damaged or missing road signs in their areas. Graffiti cleanup is also an area that officers are focusing on and they are making contact with business owners and residents to ensure graffiti is removed in a timely manner.

There were several significant arrests in the month of August including suspects who were apprehended by Adam team while breaking into vehicles.

Chief Dwayne Hobbs

(404) 366-7280

DEPARTMENT OF FIRE/EMS

· Fire Personnel taught CPR/First Aid classes to 15 students at the Forest Park Street School.

· Major Matt Jackson and Paramedic Sgt. Lowell Loggins attended the State EMS Conference in Savannah. Many classes were taught on current technology and trends in the EMS field.

· Major David Halcome and Capt. Sam Batten from the Fire Marshals office attended the annual State Arson Conference in Savannah. Mandatory certification hours were completed at the conference.

· In conjunction with the Morrow Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) the Forest Park CERT members participated in a Search and Rescue Training Exercise at Southlake Mall. This class included Basic techniques utilized in Search and Rescue efforts.

· All shifts participated in a monthly walk-thru and familiarization at Quest Logistics located on South Point Drive. These walk-thrus allow for pre-planning to be done before an incident occurs.

· The Fire Department participated in the Muscular Dystrophy Association Boot Drive collecting funds from a very giving and caring community to be used to assist MDA patients. A total of $3858.00 was presented at the Jerry Lewis Telethon in Atlanta on Labor Day.

· Several members of the Fire Department along with several CERT members performed many different functions along with Fire Departments from throughout Georgia in hosting the International Association of Fire Chiefs-Fire Rescue International Conference. Approximately 18,000 people attended the conference. Those involved in these efforts included: Chief Eddie Buckholts, Major David Halcome, Major Matt Jackson, Capt. Sam Batten, Capt. Major Oliver, Capt. Barry Hopper and Capt. Robert Brackett. Support Services Director Christine Terrell and Fire Department personnel also participated with a booth in the Job Fair at the conference.

Call Volume

12 structure fires

2 vehicle fires

3 brush fires

3 dumpster fires

78 EMS assist

15 false alarms

2 mutual aids given

3 hazmat response

13 hazardous conditions

12 other response

286 EMS calls

429 Total calls

C Shift is to be commended for doing an outstanding job in quickly containing a structure fire within a local chemical facility. This fire could have been a huge disaster in the City without the prompt and efficient response of these men and women. KUDO’s to C-Shift personnel.

Chief Eddie Buckholts

(404) 608-2382

OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER

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

Pond & Company is proceeding with the revised concept report, construction and ROW drawings.

Livable Centers Initiative (LCI)-Main Street Streetscape Project

The City is in the process of assembling the ROW acquisition packages.

State Farmers Market Project

Mayor and Council approved additional services contracts with EDAW and Jack Burnside. In addition, Mayor and Council approved a Supplemental Agreement with GDOT.

The additional services are for the purpose of developing an implementation strategy that includes, phasing for the retail component, financing strategy for the retail component, and an executive summary brochure/rendering for marketing purposes.

Community Development Block Grant Projects (CDBG)

The City of Forest Park was awarded $125,000 in CDBG funds for the replacement of the roof on the Recreation Center.

Forest Park Business Coalition

The Forest Park Business Coalition meetings are held at Community Service Authority 1000 Main Street the third Tuesday of each month at 11:30 am.

John Parker, City Manager

Angela Redding, Mgt. Analyst