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:                   February  14, 2007

 

SUBJECT:            INFORMATION BULLETIN  - JANUARY, 2007

 

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

 

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.  Simpson Road at the creek was a main area of work involving rebuilding the headwall and cleaning the creek out.  Forest Avenue sidewalks were completed and 2 catch basins were built, grass seed and hay was placed.  Street crews also picked up numerous loads of yard waste.

 

 

Building Maintenance:

          Building Maintenance along with Park crews started the digging in Starr Park to facilitate water drainage in play area. Walls were painted in the operations restroom and break room along with the ceiling vents in the main hallway and leaking gutters were repaired at the Police Department. Maintenance crews also completed numerous work orders throughout all city departments.

 

 

Parks Division:

          Parks crews assisted Maintenance crews with the digging at Starr Park.  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.  Special attention was given to maintenance of the Forest Parkway landscaped areas.

 

 

                                                          Mike Gippert, Director

                                                          (404) 608-2310

DEPARTMENT OF FIRE/EMS

 

  • Fire Department officers participated in its annual Strategic Planning Summit held at the Georgia Public Safety Training Center. Goals, objectives and Strategic Plans for the year were discussed in detail at this day-long event.

 

  • The Fire Department, assisted by CERT Members and several businesses, held a very successful Barbeque Fundraiser for our brother FF/EMT Jim Hambrick, who is battling cancer, and his family. Several other fundraising events are scheduled to assist this family during this time. Retired Sheriff Bill Lemacks furnished and prepared the Barbeque.

 

  • Fourteen members of the Department participated in a Full-Scale HazMat Exercise with the Clayton County Fire/EMA and other county agencies. Our objectives in this exercise were hazmat, multi-agency coordination and Incident Command.

 

  • Deputy Chief Clark and Administrative Assistant Joyce Sartain attended a one-day class on Fair Labor Standards Act.

 

  • Forest Park Community Emergency Response Team members are in process of being taught the National Incident Management System (NIMS) by Fire Department Personnel. This training will familiarize CERT members how to integrate into the Incident Command System during incidents and large events where their services are needed.

 

  • C-Shift personnel responded on a pregnant female who shortly after the arrival of our crews went into cardiac arrest. Fire Department personnel were able to revive the patient on scene. After arrival at the hospital patient was talking and doing well. Patient has since returned home, and doing well.

 

  • All Fire Personnel attended a 2-hour class hosted by Atlanta Fire-Rescue. This was a very unique training opportunity where firefighters actually toured the site where Atlanta Firefighter Steven Solomon was killed on Thanksgiving Night. Lessons learned from this incident were reviewed with firefighters in hopes that the occurrence of these types would be minimized.

 

Structure Fires              6

Vehicle Fires                  5

Brush Fires                    1

Other Fires                         5

EMS (Engine Assist)           92

False Alarms                       10

Mutual Aid (Given)              0

Hazmat                               2

Hazardous Condition                   5

EMS Calls                           238

Other                                  9

 

Total for all Incidents               373

 

 

 

                                                          Chief Eddie Buckholts

                                                          (404) 608-2382

 

 

 

DEPARTMENT OF RECREATION AND LEISURE SERVICES

WHAT’S HAPPENING

 

*        Youth Basketball – Our Youth Basketball Program is in full swing.   We have 37 teams with 8 players on each team for a total of 296 participants ages 5-16 years old.  Games started on January 6, 2007.  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 72 games in January.  Basketball pictures were held on January 28, 2007.

 

*        Men’s Fitness – Started on Wednesday, January 10, 2007 9pm-10:30pm. 

 

*        Chess Club – The Chess Club meets on Wednesday night 6pm-9pm at Community Building #1.     

 

*        Swim Lessons – The Swim Class meets on Saturdays 11am-12noon for beginners and 12:noon-12:30pm for preschool students.  We had a total of 18 students (Beginners – 15; Preschool – 3).

 

*        Teen Weight Lifting – Teen Weight Lifting meets on Tuesday and Thursday 5pm-6pm.  The program is for boys and girls ages 13-17 years old.  The class teaches how to lift weights properly and safely.

 

*        Water Exercise – This class is becoming one of our most popular classes.  The class meets on Monday and Wednesday 1pm-2pm at the indoor pool.  Water exercise allows you to get the same benefits as regular land workouts.  Plus you can exercise every muscle and every joint in the body at the same time.  It provides 12 times the resistance of air.  It burns calories, improves oxygen intake, balance and coordination and tones every part of your body.  It provides a great cardiovascular workout.  It is easy on your joints-the perfect exercise for anyone with arthritis, joint injuries, or weight problems that make floor exercise difficult.  It does not make you sweaty and it’s a lot of fun!

 

*        Tai Chi/Kung Fu – We have two new martial art programs that started in January.  The Tai Chi meets on Tuesday night at 8:15pm and the Kung Fu meet on Tuesday night at 6pm at Community Building #4.

 

*        Gym/Weight Room/Exercise Room – The gym is open to the public 12noon-5:30pm Monday-Friday for basketball.  The weight room is open Monday-Friday9am-8pm, and Saturday 10am-4pm.  For the month of January we had 1,178 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 10am-4pm

 

SENIOR ACTIVITIES

 

*        It was the start of a new year and a lot of excitement at the Center.  We are all looking forward to new ideas, our dinners, special events and more.

 

*        Red Hatters started the month with lunch at Baby Janes and had a great buffet.  They all did enjoy dressing up for the occasion.

 

*        Then came the covered dish special and some good food was served.  It seems like Seniors like good food.

 

*        Bingo with breakfast or lunch, doesn’t matter, as long as they can play Bingo and win a prize.

 

*        We also started knitting classes, have line dancing, shuffleboard practice, cooking and cards and of course the new faze is dominoes.   

 

*        So we are now getting ready for a busy February.

 

UPCOMING EVENTS

 

*        February 1-28, 2007 – Registration for Youth Soccer, T-Ball,

Baseball, Softball @ the Recreation Center Gym - Monday-Friday 10am-7pm

 

*        February 10, 2007 – Senior Center Valentine Dinner starting @ 6pm -  must have ticket to participate

 

          *        February 28, 2007 – March of Dimes Youth Basketball

Coaches’ Games starting @ 6pm in gym

 

 

Elaine Corley, Director

404-363-2908

 

 

DEPARTMENT OF POLICE SERVICES

 

TRIAD

Fifty-three Triad members attended the January 19th meeting.  The topic was "What is Happening in Forest Park."  City Manager John Parker was the guest speaker.  He spoke to the senior citizens about the future of Fort Gillem and proposed renovations to the State Farmers Market.

 

Apartment Managers Coalition

Officer Ambris and Detective Jackson met with apartment managers on January 25th and provided fliers in English and Spanish warning of the danger of leaving unattended vehicles running to warm up. There have been a number of unattended running vehicles stolen throughout the area, and Forest Park Officers are warning residents about this danger.

 

Patrol

Members of Baker Team were on duty when a pedestrian robbery occurred and a twelve year old was robbed of his cell phone by four individuals. Quick response by the officers resulted in three of the suspects being arrested within minutes of the crime. Lieutenant Dan Podsiadly, Sergeant David Eads, and Officers James Fraser, Todd Gladden, Sara Craig, and Chris Waltrip were all involved in the capture of the suspects. Detective Kelvin Jackson interviewed the suspects and obtained confessions.

 

Officer Jason Armstrong received a commendation from Chief Hobbs for his actions that led to the arrest of three individuals involved in thefts following bank withdrawals. These suspects would follow people from the bank and steal their bank bags when they stopped to eat or run errands before returning to work. Officer Armstrong observed the suspects and took action leading to their arrests. They are suspected in similar thefts in other jurisdictions.

 

Officer Crystal Turnage received a commendation for her investigation resulting in an arrest for illegal drugs and a weapon violation.

 

Detectives

During January the Detectives made a number of significant arrests:

  • One person was arrested in a child abuse case. 
  • Three individuals were arrested for the robbery of a twelve year old boy of this cell phone.
  • After an intensive investigation, an arrest was made in a robbery at a local Waffle House Restaurant.
  • One person was arrested in the death of a young child.
  • Three juveniles were arrested for a commercial burglary.
  • Three juveniles were arrested for a residential burglary.
  • Arrest warrants were obtained for a 2005 burglary following blood analysis by the GBI, and warrants were obtained on another individual for auto theft.
  • Three suspects were arrested for the theft of a vehicle left running unattended.

 

COPS

COPS Officers held a Neighborhood Watch meeting for residents of the Dearing Street area, and met with business people along Jonesboro Road to discuss problems they are experiencing. Neighborhood Watch meetings were held for three other areas of the City.

 

 

 

                                                          Chief Dwayne Hobbs

                                                          (404) 366-7280

 

 

 

 

DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCE

 

Expenditures (preliminary totals) for the General Fund for the month of January are $1,449,662 or 8.96% of the budget.  Year-to-date preliminary expenditures for the General Fund are $9,045,674 or 55.93% of the budget (fiscal year July 2006 – June 2007). For comparison purposes, the period of July through January represents 58.33% of the budget year. Total expenditures for the General Fund remain slightly under budget for the seven month period of July through January.

 

Local Option Sales Tax revenue received in January is $413,882, compared to $362,530 for January of the prior year. The fiscal year-to-date total received is $3,172,431 or 62.20% of the budget. The percentage of the budget year through January is 58.33% of the year; therefore, revenue from Local Option Sales Tax remains ahead of budget through January.

 

Business license payments are being received for 2007 licenses. As of the end of January, $218,592 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 January. The due date for payment is February 28.

 

Approximately $2,100,000 of the year 2006 property taxes had been collected and posted to the accounting system by the end of January.

 

 

Mike Blandenburg, Director

(404) 366-4720

 

 

 

OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER

 

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

Pond & Company is anticipating submitting the Preliminary Plans to GDOT with corrections from the Preliminary Field Plan Review Report.

 

Livable Centers Initiative (LCI)-Main Street Streetscape Project

Robert & Company is continuing the utility design coordination with utility companies and has finalized the design plans.

 

City Council authorized the Mayor to accept the fee proposal from M.H. Biggers and Associates to provide right-of-way cost estimates.

 

State Farmers Market Project

EDAW has completed the draft transportation analysis.  The final concept is being refined based on comments from the Steering Committee, public meetings, and City staff.  An implementation strategy is being developed that includes a management framework.

 

Community Development Block Grant Projects (CDBG)

Forest Avenue

Construction is currently underway.  Improvements consist of constructing a handicap accessible sidewalk, curb & gutter and drainage improvements.  CDBG funds awarded $82,000.

 

Park Improvements

This project has been completed.  Improvements were made to the following parks: Second Avenue, Scott Boulevard, Theatre Road, and Hemlock & Alder.

 

Other

United Way

Employees have pledged $367 to the United Way 2007 Campaign.

 

South Metro Development Outlook

The South Metro Development Outlook Forum sponsored by The Collaborative Firm was held January 30th at the Georgia International Convention Center.  City of Forest Park projects highlighted were the State Farmers Market, Fort Gillem, and the LCI Downtown Main Street project.  The South Metro Development Outlook Forum is held annually to highlight development opportunities in the South Metro Atlanta area as well as discussions addressing transportation and land use issues.

 

 

 

                                                          John Parker, City Manager

                                                          Angela Redding, Mgt. Analyst

                                                          (404) 366-4720

 

 

 

DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING, BUILDIING AND ZONING

 

BUILDING PLANS SUBMITTED

 

1.       107 Forest Pkwy. Ste. 200       Sprinkler system

2.       107 Forest Pkwy. Ste. 200       Warehouse

3.       4312 Old Jonesboro Rd.                   Shopping Ctr.

4.       4730 Frontage Rd.                   Sprinkler system

5.       2750 Southpoint Dr.               Interior finish

 

BUILDING PERMITS ISSUED

 

1.       5476 Moriah Ln.                      Sunroom addition; 108 sq. ft. JC

$4,000

2.       4648 Ruby Ln.                        Fire damage; 1,800 sq. ft. JC $3,000

3.       4183 Jonesboro Rd.                Interior remodel; JC $6,500

4.       107 Forest Pkwy. Ste. 200       Warehouse; 14,080 sq. ft. JC

$179,500

5.       1066 Elaine Dr.                       Interior rehab/repair; JC $5,000

6.       782 Virginia Cir.                      Storage shed; 144 sq. ft. JC $2,500

7.       815 Catherine St.                    Int/Ext rehab; 1,800 sq. ft. JC $1,100

 

CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCIES ISSUED

 

1.       Spa Supply                    4645 Jonesboro Rd. Ste. F      01/30/07

2.       Int’l Preperatory Acad    4932 Phillips Dr.                     01/11/07

3.       Shell Food                      4209 Jonesboro Rd.                01/08/07

4.       JoAnn’s School/Dance  1111 Forest Pwky.                   01/11/07

5.       FP Army/Navy Store      858 Main St.                            01/18/07

6.       Salon Unisex                  1127 Forest Pkwy.                   01/18/07  

7.       Hair Embassy                 825 Main St.                            01/18/07

8.       Clayton Bottle Shop       4075 Forest Pkwy.                   01/30/07

9.       Rogers & Brown             107 Forest Pkwy. Ste. 100       01/30/07

10.     Clinica Familiar             4921 Jonesboro Rd. Ste. E      01/30/07

11.     Martha’s Tax Svc.           4185 Jonesboro Rd. Ste. C      01/31/07

 

AFFILIATE BOARD ACTIVITY

 

Planning and Zoning Board

 

The Planning and Zoning Board held a public hearing at 7:30 p.m. on January 3rd, 2007 in the courtroom located in the Agnes B. Bateman Community Development Bldg., 785 Forest Pkwy., Forest Park, Ga. 30297. At issue was a proposed subdivision and partial rezoning of a 9.63 acre tract of land owned by Juanita Ridenhour. The 9.3 acre parcel, zoned R-80 Single Family Residential was proposed to be subdivided into three (3) tracts.

 

Tract 1:       Would contain 0.950 acres abutting City View Drive.

Tract 2:      Would contain 6.579 acres, (aka 4573 City View Drive); which abuts City View Drive and Stone Mountain Drive (now Barton Drive).

Tract 3:      Would contain 2.101 acres abutting the IDI Industrial Park Development in the northwest quadrant of the City.

 

Also, Tract 3  a 2.101 acre parcel was the subject of a rezoning, from R-

80 Single Family Residential to Planned Unit Development (PUD). 

 

Upon subdivision and rezoning Tract 3 a 2.101 acre parcel was sold to

IDI to accommodate additional parking for O’Reilly/Ozark Automotive

Distributors, Inc. 4000 Corporate Pkwy., located in the Industrial

Development International (IDI) Industrial Park. 

 

The Planning and Zoning Board unanimously voted to approve the

subdivision and recommend to Mayor and Council to approve the

rezoning.  A second Public Hearing was held on January 16th, 2007 at

7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 745 Forest Parkway,

Forest Park, Ga. 30297. During the regular scheduled meeting that same

night, Council approved the subdivision and rezoning by  unanimous

votes.

 

 

                                                          Steve Pearson, Director

                                                          (404) 608-2300