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:                   March 15, 2007

 

SUBJECT:            INFORMATION BULLETIN  - FEBRUARY, 2007

 

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

 

DEPARTMENT OF POLICE SERVICES

 

Lifesaving Award

On March 14th Officer Heather May will be presented the Department’s Lifesaving Award for her actions in response to an unknown trouble call. When Officer May arrived on the scene she found a mother attempting to dislodge an object from a choking infant’s throat. Officer May took the child from the mother, placed her across her lap, and tapped her back until the object was dislodged and the child began to breathe normally.

 

TRIAD

Sixty-eight senior citizens attended the February 16th Triad meeting.  The topic of the meeting was Planning Building and Zoning issues.  Forest Park, Morrow, and Clayton County code enforcement officials spoke to the group about various laws and how to handle neighborhood problems.

 

Apartment Managers Coalition

The monthly meeting was held on February 22nd at the COPS office. Managers from Paisley Park, Wingate Apartments, Montega Apartments, Water Oak Village, Clayton Forest, and Waldorf Creek Apartments attended. Detective Kelvin Jackson spoke with the managers.

 

Patrol

Officer Barry Morris was hired on February 9th and assigned to Baker Team for field training. Marian Glantz and Dianne LaRose were hired on February 21st and assigned to the Clayton Regional Law Enforcement Academy for the state mandate training class.

 

 

 

Detectives

On February 18th, Forest Park officers and detectives responded to 4013 Jonesboro Road when reports of a fight were received. Upon arrival they found three people shot and seriously injured, and a large crowd of people attempting to flee the scene of the shooting, which took place as a large party was breaking up. Led by Detective Lieutenant James Delk, the Forest Park officers worked to assist those wounded, protect the other people present, and identify the shooter. Within two days Lt. Delk identified and obtained warrants for Aggravated Assault against the accused shooter.

 

COPS

Neighborhood Watch meetings were held for:

  • Burks Road area
  • Shortleaf Drive area
  • Spruce Drive

 

COPS officers met with business owners and managers at Forest Plaza and surrounding areas to discuss any concerns or ideas they have. They assisted with the Apartment Managers Coalition meeting. Officer Whitehead assisted with the After School Program.

 

 

 

                                                          Chief Dwayne Hobbs

                                                          (404) 366-7280

 

 

 

 

OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER

 

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

Pond & Company completed addressing the comments from the Preliminary Field Plan Review Report and submitted to GDOT.  Pond anticipates submitting the Right-of-Way plans to GDOT in March.

 

Livable Centers Initiative (LCI)-Main Street Streetscape Project

M. H. Biggers and Associates have begun the process to prepare right-of-way cost estimates.

 

State Farmers Market Project

EDAW has begun cost estimates of transportation improvements and development of the final Master Plan document.  A meeting will be held in mid-March to discuss implementation strategies.

 

Community Development Block Grant Projects (CDBG)

Forest Avenue

This project has been completed.  Improvements made were the construction of a handicap accessible sidewalk, curb & gutter and drainage improvements.  CDBG funds awarded $82,000.

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                          John Parker, City Manager

                                                          Angela Redding, Mgt. Analyst

                                                          (404) 366-4720

 

 

 

DEPARTMENT OF RECREATION AND LEISURE SERVICES

 

WHAT’S HAPPENING

 

*        Youth Basketball – Our Youth Basketball Program is in full swing.   We have 37 teams with 296 participants.  Games are played on Friday nights starting at 6pm, 7pm, 8pm, and 9pm; and all day Saturday 9am-10pm.   We have played a total of 78 games the month of February. 

 

*        March of Dimes Coaches Game – The March of Dimes Coaches game was held on Wednesday, February 28, 2007.  The first game started at 6:15pm, the Pee Wee coaches played the Shorty coaches.  The second game started at 7:30pm between the Junior/Senior coaches playing the Midget coaches.  We had a good turnout that supported a good cause. 

 

*        Lifeguard Training – This is an American Red Cross Lifeguard Training course.  The screening was held on February 14, 2007.  The class meets on Wednesday nights 5pm-9pm.     

 

*        Youth Ball Registration – We are currently signing up for Soccer, Girls Softball, T-Ball and Baseball.  Registration was held the month of February 9am-7pm Monday-Friday in the gym office.

 

*        Adult Ball Registration – We are signing up for Men Softball, Ladies Softball, Coed Softball, Men Basketball and Coed Volleyball 9am-7pm Monday-Friday in the gym office.

 

*        Indoor Pool – The indoor pool is open for public swimming on Tuesday and Thursday night 7:30pm-9:30pm; and Saturdays 1pm-4pm.

 

*        Teen Weight Lifting – This program is for boys and girls ages 13-17 years old.  The class meets on Tuesday and Thursday 5pm-6pm.

 

*        Gym/Weight Room/Exercise Room – The gym is open to the public 12noon-5:30pm Monday-Friday for basketball.  The weight room/exercise room is open Monday-Friday 9am-8pm, and Saturday 10am-4pm.  For the month of February we had 1,265 members use these facilities.

 

*        Wellness Programs

Water Aerobics – Monday & Wednesday 7pm-8pm

Yoga – Wednesday evenings 6:30pm-8pm

Water Exercise – Monday & Wednesday 1pm-2pm

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

Swim For Fun – Tuesday & Thursday 1:30-2:30pm – 55 & up

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

                                                                   Saturday 10 am-4 pm

 

SENIOR ACTIVITIES

 

*        Our Super Bowl Party was fun and exciting for everyone.  There was some good fun.  Everyone did their thing, cards, dominoes, puzzles, and a lot of talking.

 

*        The Red Hatters spent another good lunch meeting at Olive Garden.

 

*        Valentine Dinner was a special night for everyone.  It seemed to bring out the best of everyone.  We had roses for all the ladies and the men enjoyed giving them to their favorite lady and some of the others.

 

*        Our Bingo, lunch or breakfast, is always a fun morning.  It gives all the seniors a morning or two out.  Our lunches are always a surprise.

 

*        The most fun for a group of seniors (18) was going to the Circus and meeting their families there and grandchildren.  It was fun for everyone and meeting their families was a good feeling for the staff.   

 

UPCOMING EVENTS

 

*        March 5, 6, 8, 2007 – Dribble & Shoot Contest @ the Gym starting at 6pm

 

*        March 13, 15, 2007 – Soccer Draft

 

*        March 14, 2007 – Soup & Cornbread Lunch @ Senior Center 11am-1pm

 

          *        March 21, 2007 – T-Ball Draft

 

*        March 31, 2007 – Easter Egg Hunt/Safety Fest @ Baker Field 10 am - 2 pm

 

 

Elaine Corley, Director

404-363-2908

 

 

DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS

 

Street Division:

          Street crews had a busy month with right-of-way clean-ups of debris in ditches, cutting bushes, and opening blocked storm drains.  Crews also picked up leaves and limbs, using the chipper unit and the backhoe. Drain boxes were rebuilt at School Place at Ash Street to accommodate the school bus turning. Drains were cleaned out at numerous locations to prevent flooding. Crews replace 16 feet of 15 inch piping at Pineridge Road and Springside Drive.

 

Building Maintenance:

          Major projects for the Maintenance crews have been the refurbishing of the playground site.  Edge and ground piping was install to facilitate drainage.  A large tree was removed in preparation for the new concession stand.  Six rooms were painted at the Police Department and shelves were built.  Other projects completed by Building Maintenance crews included work orders for all buildings and departments.

 

 

Parks Division:

          Parks crews were maintaining park areas and 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 prepared all City bed for spring planting. Park crews helped Building Maintenance Division personnel with the refurbishing of the playground site. 

 

                            

                                                          Mike Gippert, Director

                                                          (404) 608-2310

 

 

 

DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION / FINANCE

 

Expenditures (preliminary totals) for the General Fund for the month of February are $878,561 or 5.39% of the budget.  Year-to-date preliminary expenditures for the General Fund are $9,930,430 or 60.93% of the budget (fiscal year July 2006 – June 2007). For comparison purposes, the period of July through February represents 66.67% of the budget year. Total expenditures for the General Fund remain under budget for the eight month period of July through February.

 

Local Option Sales Tax revenue received in February is $468,668 compared to $500,079 for February of the prior year. The prior year amount was unusually high. The fiscal year-to-date total received is $3,641,099 or 71.39% of the budget. The percentage of the budget year through February is 66.67% of the year; therefore, revenue from Local Option Sales Tax remains ahead of budget through February.

 

Business license payments for 2007 licenses were due by February 28. As of the end of February, $561,496 (88% of budget) of collections had been posted to the accounting system. This amount does not represent all license collections. An additional amount of fees had been collected but not posted to the accounting system as of the end of February.

 

Approximately $2,300,000 (93% of taxes billed) of the year 2006 property taxes had been collected and posted to the accounting system by the end of February.

 

Licenses for new business for the months of January and February 2007:

 

          Name                                                 Description

 

Source On Staffing Solution                       Temporary / Permanent Staffing

Star Chasers Early Learning Academy       Childcare

Rogers & Brown Custom Brokers               Customs brokerage / warehouse

N & T Travel Agency                                    Airline Tickets sales

Diaz Pet Store                                             Pets and pet supplies

Happy Gift Cosmetic & Travel                     Retail sales of gifts and merchandise

Clayton Bottle Shop                                   Retail alcohol package store   

Martha’s Tax Service                                   Individual income tax services

HV Spa Supply                                           Spa chairs, manicure tables, counters

TNT Parts                                                    Sales of heavy duty tractor/trailer      

                                  parts

Banuestra Financial Corporation               Check cashing facility

Baker Distribution Company                      HVAC wholesale parts and equipment

Chevron Food Mart                                     Convenience store / gas

X Cellular                                                   Sales of cell phones and accessories

 

 

 

Mike Blandenburg, Director

(404) 366-4720

 

 

 

 

DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING, BUILDING AND ZONING

BUILDING PLANS SUBMITTED

 

1.       4286 Jonesboro Rd.                Ext/Interior remodel/repair

2.       842 Main St.                            Interior remodel

3.       5265 Old Dixie Hwy.               Ext/Interior remodel

4.       257 Forest Pkwy.                     Paint booth addition

5.       132 Royal Dr.                          Sprinkler system

6.       132-B Royal Dr.                       Interior remodel

7.       4059 Jonesboro Rd.                Interior remodel

 

 

BUILDING PERMITS ISSUED

 

1.       705 Ruskin Dr.              Interior remodel; 12,325 sq. ft. JC $168,000

2.       4768 Puckett St.            Wheelchair ramp; 720 sq. ft. JC $1,240

3.       4778 Tuong Yen Ct.       New house; 1,578 sq. ft. JC $65,000

4.       920 Main St.                  Demo Commercial Bldg. JC $60,000

5.       2750 Southpoint Dr.      Interior finish; 130,000 sq. ft. JC $362,500

6.       4286 Jonesboro Rd.       Ext/Interior remodel/repair; JC $48,900

7.       5142 Henderson Rd.      New house; 1,554 sq. ft. JC $40,000

8.       5134 Henderson Rd.      New house; 1,656 sq. ft. JC $40,000

9.       5190 Henderson Rd.      New house; 1,656 sq. ft. JC $40,000

10.     5174 Henderson Rd.      New house; 1,646 sq. ft. JC $40,000

11.     5166 Henderson Rd.      New house; 1,500 sq. ft. JC $40,000

12.     530 Simpson Rd.           Weight room addition; 176 sq. ft. JC $3,000

13.     546 Cynthia Ln.             Remodel basement; 600 sq. ft. JC $2,200

14.     4648 Ruby Ln.               Fire repair; 1,800 sq. ft. JC $15,000

 

CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCIES ISSUED

 

1.       Diaz Pet Store                4816 Jonesboro Rd.                02/05/07

2.       Accessories Yina            4183 Jonesboro Rd.                02/08/07

3.       TNT Parts                       3000 S.Corp Pkwy.                  02/12/07

4.       Chevron Food Mart        4578 Old Dixie Hwy.               02/12/07

5.       X-Cellular                      561 Forest Pkwy. Ste. 3           02/21/07

6.       Baker Equipment           107 Forest Pkwy. Ste. 200       02/22/07

 

 

AFFILIATE BOARD ACTIVITY:

 

NOTE:    There were no Affiliate Board meetings during the month of February 2007.

 

 

 

                                                          Steve Pearson, Director

                                                          (404) 608-2300