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 11, 2008

SUBJECT: INFORMATION BULLETIN - AUGUST, 2008

The following is a department by department status report of priority activities, projects and initiatives for the month of August, 2008.

DEPARTMENT OF FIRE/EMERGENCY SERVICES

• All personnel participated in the annual school familiarization and walk-through. This is done the week before school starts and is designed to acquaint all responders with the nine schools within the City, thus expediting emergency response if needed.

• Major Halcome and Capt. Batten attended the annual Southeastern Arson Conference in Savannah. This conference is designed to keep Investigators and Inspectors current on educational requirements and latest technology in the prevention field.

• All Fire Personnel participated in the City Centennial Celebration by not only assisting with Medical Control but also collecting $1200 for the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

• Captain Batten from the Fire Marshals Office attended a residents meeting at Oak Forest Apartments – Ernest Avenue to discuss evacuation procedures and importance of fire drills in preparedness plans.

• September is Emergency Preparedness Month in the State of Georgia and all citizens are asked to review preparedness plans in the home, work location and community. Two websites that are particularly helpful are www.ready.gov and www.gema.state.ga.us. Please help us help you by reviewing these materials before natural and manmade events occur. Remember: Failure to plan is a plan to fail.

• Major Matt Jackson and Sgt. Rusty Hicks attended the State EMS Conference in Savannah. The purpose of this conference in addition to required training is to keep current and on the leading edge of technologies in the EMS Arena.

Run Activity – August

Structure Fires 3

Other Fires 5

EMS-Engine Assist 101

False Alarms 10

Mutual Aid/Given 1

Hazmat 4

Other Hazards 14

Other Responses 21

EMS Calls 312

471 Total Calls

15 Average Calls per Day

Chief Eddie Buckholts

(404) 608-2382

OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER

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

Right-of-way documents are being reviewed before forwarding to the City Attorney.

Livable Centers Initiative (LCI)-Main Street Streetscape Project

Tasks in the right-of-way phase are being finalized in order to move the project to the construction phase.

State Farmers Market

The Department of Agriculture is reviewing the Strategies for Implementing the Master Plan and Transportation Study to identify funding sources for the project.

Forest Park Business Coalition

The next Forest Park Business Coalition meeting will be held Tuesday, September 16, 2008 at Clayton County Community Services Authority 1000 Main Street from 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Clayton County Chamber of Commerce Member Spotlight

Angela Redding is the winner of the August 2008 Member Spotlight for the City of Forest Park.

Member Spotlight is a door prize which is selected each month at the Clayton County Chamber of Commerce Early Bird Breakfast. The winner must be a Clayton County Chamber of Commerce member in good standing and have been a member for at least one year. The City of Forest Park was recognized at the Early Bird Breakfast and will be highlighted on the Chamber's website for through September 25, 2008, free of charge.

To view the information on the Chamber’s website, visit www.claytonchamber.org and select Member Spotlight.

John Parker, City Manager

Angela Redding, Mgt. Analyst

(404) 366-4720

DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION / FINANCE

Expenditures (preliminary totals) for the General Fund for the month of August are $1,327,353 or 7.09% of the budget. Year-to-date preliminary expenditures for the General Fund are $2,967,445 or 15.84% of the budget (fiscal year July 2008 – June 2009). 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 $511,721, compared to $396,590 for August of the prior year. The fiscal year-to-date total received is $1,003,813 or 19.53% of the budget; the percentage of the budget year through August is 16.67% of the year. Revenue from Local Option Sales Tax remains ahead of budget through August.

The annual audit for the City is scheduled to begin on September 22 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 by the end of November.

New business licenses issued during the month of August:

Name Description

Furia Musical Spanish Music

Huie’s Car Detail Car Wash and Detailing

Cyty Walk Clothing and Accessories

Funtime Bowl / Forest Park Bowling

Ribs Lation BBQ Restaurant

American Deli & Wings Fast food restaurant

JM Communication Cellular phone service / accessories

Tiendy Y Carnieria La Alegria Grocery store

Georgia Industrial Equipment Sales & Service – floor cleaning

equipment

Mike Blandenburg, Director

(404) 366-4720

DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING, BUILDING AND ZONING

Building Plans Submitted

Business Name	Address	Details
Family Dollar	4018 Jonesboro Rd.	New retail store
Sunny Garden	4150 Jonesboro Rd. Bldg. B Ste. 800	Tenant finish – Restaurant
Ash Street Center	5277 Ash Street	Remodel / Addition
Ga. Credit Union	435 Forest Pkwy.	Interior remodel

Building Permits Issued

Structure Type	Address	Details
New residence	359 First Street	760 Sq. ft.; JC $60,000
Commercial	105 Forest Pkwy. Ste. 100	Tenant finish; 9,350 sq. ft. JC $13,500
Residential	625 Brookwood Drive	Deck addition; 50 sq. ft. JC $1,400
Residential	5474 Cone Place	Roof repair; JC $3,616
Commercial	435 Forest Pkwy. Ste. 303/304	Interior demo; JC $3,000
Commercial	910 Main Street	Roof repair; JC $15,000
Residential	5017 East Street	Roof repair; JC $5,280

Certificate of Occupancies Issued

Business Name	Address	Date of Issue
Huie’s Car Detail	1003 Forest Pkwy.	08-01-2008
Azteca Tax & Acct.	4162 Jonesboro Rd.	08-05-2008
American Wings	4652 Jonesboro Rd.	08-11-2008
Funtime Bowling	4859 Jonesboro Rd.	08-08-2008
City Walk Retail Clothing	786 Main St. Ste. 300	08-07-2008
Tienda Y Carneceria	977 Forest Pkwy.	08-19-2008
Ga. Industrial Equipment	335 First St.	08-15-2008
Range & Guns	285 Lake Mirror Rd.	08-26-2008
Families United Childcare	957 Astor Ave.	08-29-2008
Cook & Cook Insurance	4613 Jonesboro Rd.	08-13-2008

AFFILIATE BOARD ACTIVITY

There were no meetings of the affiliate Boards for the month of August 2008.

Steve Pearson, Director

(404) 608-2300

DEPARTMENT OF RECREATION AND LEISURE

Adult Softball – This is a Coed League that plays on Tuesday night at 7 pm. There are six teams in the league. Play started on August 5, 2008 and continues until October 7, 2008. Games are played at Baker Field.

Youth Soccer – The Fall Soccer program has 16 teams with 192 children participating between the ages of 4 years and 12 years. Games are played on Saturday starting September 6, 2008. Games are played at the Soccer Fields on Park Drive.

Outdoor Pool – The Outdoor Pool closed August 9, 2008 for public swimming. There was an attendance of 244 participants. There were two Family Nights held on August 1, and August 8 6pm-7:30pm. The Outdoor Pool is still open for Water Exercise, Water Aerobics, and Senior Swim.

Kiwanis Stadium – Babb Middle School played a game on August 19, 2008 at 5pm. Southwest Atlanta Christian Academy played a game on August 29, 2008 at 7pm. Youth Soccer practices at Kiwanis stadium on Monday through Thursday.

The Recreation Center was closed starting August 11, 2008 for repairs and maintenance. Recreation Center is scheduled to re-open on September 22, 2008.

Centennial Celebration – The Centennial Celebration was held on Thursday, August 14, 2008 5pm-9pm; Friday, August 15, 2008 5pm-10pm; and Saturday, August 16, 2008 10am-10pm. Opening Ceremonies were held on Thursday with a giant birthday cake depicting the City of Forest Park over the last 100 years. The Forest Park High School ROTC presented the colors and the Jonesmen Quartet sang the National Anthem. After the National Anthem 15 snow white doves were released by Mayor Deyton. The Guest Speaker was Congressman David Scott. Several proclamations were presented to the City. The night concluded with the Jonesmen Quartet. Friday started with awards and recognitions to the sponsors and volunteers. The museum was open from 5pm to 8pm. There were arts and crafts, food, games and souvenirs. The headliner band was the Tams. Saturday provided all types of entertainment from cloggers, line dancers, bluegrass, jazz, country to Hispanic music. A car show was held on Baker Field 10am-3pm. The night ended with the band ‘Party Nation’. Everyone enjoyed the Centennial Celebration and had a great crowd for this event.

Wellness Programs

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

Exercise/Weight Room – Monday-Friday 9am-8pm and Saturday 10am-4pm

Martial Arts (Tai-Chi, Kung Fu) – Tuesday & Thursday 7:30pm-8:30pm

SENIOR ACTIVITIES

The Seniors were busy as the Red Hatters started the month.

We had our usual card club, line dancing, dominoes, WII games and the other regular programs.

* Our special event of the month was a Luau. It was fun to decorate, cook and then enjoy it all. We had a great meal and some really good food to eat.

* The other special for the month was a picnic lunch. It was really something to see what people would bring to a picnic. We had most of the regular but we had some unusual items.

* The biggest event that the Seniors enjoyed was our 100^th City Celebration. They all enjoyed helping to cut the cakes, serving punch and just see old friends and hear the oldies being sung. It was great for them and most were there every night not to miss a single thing.

This month was busy as you see but it is great for the seniors to have something to do and go to if only for a special day.

UPCOMING EVENTS

* September 3, 11, 18, 25, 2008 – Forest Park High School JV games @ Kiwanis Stadium starting @ 5pm

* September 6, 2008 – Youth Soccer Opening Day

* September 6, 2008 – Forest Park Youth Football Opening Day

* September 16, 2008 – Babb Middle School games @ Kiwanis Stadium @ 4:30pm

* September 25-28, 2008 – State Senior Olympics @ Warner Robins

* September 27, 2008 – Southern Football League Semi Pro Football games @ Kiwanis Stadium

Elaine Corley, Director

404-363-2908

DEPARTMENT OF POLICE SERVICES

TRIAD

The August Triad meeting was held with approximately 45 people in attendance. Information was presented on internet and financial identity fraud.

COPS

Attendance continues to be high at the Neighborhood Watch program meetings that have been held for north and south side residents. Average meeting attendance has been between 80 and 100 residents which is a dramatic improvement in community involvement.

Patrol

Captain Skwira, Sgt Armstrong, Lt. Lopez, Capt. Stevens, Lt. Wright and Lt. Delk attended the Media Relations Class on Aug. 4-5 at the APD Academy.

Officers Myra Ambris, Barry Morris and Duane Hiers all received their Intox. 5000 certification for determining the blood alcohol content of drivers determined to be under the influence of alcohol.

Citizens Police Academy Class #23 will begin on September 16, 2008.

CID

Detectives conducted Internet and Financial Identity Fraud presentation for TRIAD

Sgt. Henry attended a Child Abuse Protocol Meeting at the Rainbow House*

Detective S. Craig completed the Criminal Investigation Course at GPSTC.

Administration

In service training has begun for all police personnel. Topics include ethics, dealing with mentally ill persons, vehicle pursuits, bias based policing, 2008 legal updates and crime scene processing.

MPO Lisa Presley is training for the Nike Women’s Marathon (26.2 miles) in San Francisco October 19th for Team in Training to benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. As part of this effort she is selling raffle tickets for $5 each for a Glock pistol. Tickets can be purchased directly from her or through her website at: http://pages.teamintraining.org/ga/nikesf08/lpresley

Chief Dwayne Hobbs

(404) 366-7280

DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS

Street Division:

During the heavy storms trees were removed from the roadway at Callaway Drive, Scott Blvd, Pineridge Dr., N. Oak St., West St., Main St., Georgia Ave., and Forest Parkway. Crews also cleaned up 8 special sanitation pickups. Crews completed 6 court ordered abatements, and cut low limbs and cleaned right-of-ways on the north and south sides of town. Set-up and cleaned up after 100 year celebration. Crews also cleaned up the recycling center and disposed of tires collected.

Building Maintenance:

Crews worked on major repairs at the Recreation and Leisure building. Computer lines and credit card lines were installed in the office. Two water line cut off valves were placed in the womens shower area. The pool area was sand blasted, primed, and repainted along with the foyer and the gym. The gym floors were stripped and recoated. Major repairs were made at the police department which included the repairing of holes in the recreation room and the yard jail wall and painted all blue parts of building. Installed new door and frame in the inside hallway, replaced sink and cabinet and capped off water supply lines. Electrical outlets were removed and placed on the opposite wall. All track and ceiling tiles were replaced and new ceramic tile flooring was placed at the police department. Crews also installed a new scoreboard at the football stadium along with completing numerous work orders from all departments.

Parks Division:

Right-of-way cutting on Main Street, Jonesboro Road, and Forest Parkway highlighted efforts by Parks crews along with preparation of the 100 year centennial celebration. 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