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: August 20, 2007

SUBJECT: INFORMATION BULLETIN - JULY, 2007

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

DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION/FINANCE

Expenditures (preliminary totals) for the General Fund for the month of July are $1,256,469 or 7.14% of the annual budget. July is the first month of the new fiscal year. For comparison purposes, the month of July represents 8.33% of the budget year. Preliminary total expenditures for the General Fund are under budget for the fiscal year (month of July) by $208,437 or 1.19%.

Local Option Sales Tax (L.O.S.T.) revenue received in July is $428,000 compared to $425,949 for July of the prior year. The amount received in July is consistent with the prior year.

The Finance Department has been preparing for the annual audit, which is scheduled to begin on September 4. The auditors will again be the firm of Tidwell Dewitt.

The City has recently been notified that our Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2006, qualifies for a Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting. The Certificate of Achievement is the highest form of recognition in governmental accounting and financial reporting, and its attainment represents a significant accomplishment by a government and its management.

The Finance Department would like to welcome our new employee, Regina Franklin. Regina began working for the City on June 27 as our Accounting Technician.

Licenses issued for new business for the month of July 2007:

Name Description

Scorcher’s Restaurant

Brooke Insurance Insurance Agent

Tienda Y. Carniceria La Joya Grocery Store / Meat Market

American Financial Services Consumer Financing

R & S Imports Clothing Sales

Hierberia San Fancisco De Asis Herbal / Candles / Oil / Stationery, Etc.

Clinica Familiar De Forest Park Medical Family Practice

U.S. Services Trucking

La Hispana Service Tax and Document Services

Mike Blandenburg, Director

(404) 366-4720

DEPARTMENT OF RECREATION AND LEISURE SERVICES

WHAT’S HAPPENING

* Outdoor Pool – For the month of July 2007 we had a total of 1058 people to use the pool during public swimming hours. Our operating hours for public swimming are Monday, Wednesday, Friday 1:30pm-6pm; Tuesday and Thursday 3pm-6pm; Saturday 12noon-6pm; and Sunday 1pm-5pm. We have also had our day camp and other day care centers to use the pool mainly 9:30am-1pm Monday through Friday. The pool will be opened through Labor Day weekend hours are Friday 6pm-8pm, Saturday 12noon-6pm, and Sunday 1pm-5pm.

* Girls Basketball League – The league was in full swing the month of July 2007. Games are played on Monday through Thursday starting at 6pm. We have fourteen teams with 112 girls participating in this program.

* Day Camp – In the month of July 2007 we had a total of 232 children participating in our day camp program. We had four weeks of camp in July. Camp hours are 9am-5pm Monday through Friday with extended care available 7:30am-6pm. The children are involved in a wide range of activities from arts and crafts, sports, swimming, games, story telling and special events. The day camp program was a success. Thanks to the hard work of Ms. Abbey Jones, Program Coordinator and her day camp staff.

* Summer Swim Lessons – Beginning swim lessons for the month of July 2007 we had two sessions, one that started July 2-13 and the second session started July 16-27, 2007. These lessons are for children ages 6-12 years old. We had a total of 73 children in the beginner classes for the month of July. Classes are taught in the morning at the indoor pool.

Preschool swim lesson class ages 3-5 years old - 14 children participated.

Adult swim class 13 years and up, total of 21 people attended this session July 16-27, 2007.

We also had a beginner swim class at the outdoor pool July 9-26 6pm-6:45pm; and 6:45pm-7:30pm. We had a total of 14 to participate in this class.

Our “learn to swim program” was very successful. We taught over 249 in our summer swim programs.

* Semi-Pro Football – Games were played at Kiwanis Stadium on July 7, 2007 (Forest Park Falcons) and July 21, 2007 (Southern Football League).

* Daily Gym Use – 1,091 participated in the month of July 2007

* Wellness Programs

Water Aerobics – Monday & Wednesday 7pm-8pm

Yoga – Wednesday evenings 6:30pm-8pm

Water Exercise – Monday, Wednesday, Friday 12noon-1pm

Monday & Wednesday 12noon-1pm, 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

July was a fun month with lots of fun, food and fireworks.

* The Seniors had their annual trip to the BBQ picnic in Butts County and had a good time except for the rain. We had about 40 seniors that enjoyed the trip and good food.

* Then came our Beach Bash for the community. It was a good time for all the kids and parents that took part in the festivities and the music, games and evening of fun. Music was provided by Henry the D.J. and the watermelon games and water balloons were the best games.

* We had an Ice Cream Social and we all enjoyed fixing our own sundaes using all kinds of toppings. It looked like everyone was off their diets that day.

* Bingo is always fun for everyone. They just like to be doing something and either like breakfast or lunch as an extra. It is also fun to tell everyone a good story or share vegetables or items from their homes.

* The Peach trip was enjoyed by all. We bought peaches, vegetables, peanuts or what ever they sold that day. We then ate a good lunch and finished that with a bowl of homemade peach ice cream.

* Our regular classes went well and kept everyone busy this month. We stayed busy with seniors watching grandchildren, vacationing, or having company. But we are all looking forward to cooler weather and kids going back to school.

UPCOMING EVENTS

* August 7, 2007 – First Day Of School

* August 8-September 5, 2007 – Recreation Building Closed to Public for Renovations

* September 5, 2007 – Recreation Building Reopens

Elaine Corley, Director

404-363-2908

DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING, BUILDING AND ZONING

Building Plans Submitted

1. 107 Forest Pkwy. Ste. 900 Tenant warehouse; Tulleborg Wheels

2. 4652 Jonesboro Rd. Fire suppression system; Wing Spot

3. 5265 Old Dixie Hwy. Guard house & Sprinkler system;

Sears/Kmart

4. 4730 Frontage Rd. Revised plan; Pink Pony South

Building Permits Issued

1. 1090 Elaine Dr. Kitchen remodel; 374 sq. ft. JC $3,000

2. 6047 Pine Creek Rd. Repair; 32 sq. ft. JC $3,000

3. 868 Longleaf Dr. Enclose carport; 190 sq. ft. JC $1,700

4. 4593 Ernest Dr. Storage shed; 144 sq. ft. JC $1,300

5. 4669 Dennis Dr. Int/Ext remodel; 789 sq. ft. JC $5,000

6. 713 Conley Rd. Remodel; 84 sq. ft. JC $2,600

7. 107 Forest Pkwy.

Ste. 900 Warehouse; 35,773 sq. ft. JC $167,255

8. 790 Slaton St. Storage shed; 96 sq. ft. JC $1,600

9. 4324 Shady Ln. Way Storage shed; 256 sq. ft. JC $1,500

10. 4061 Jonesboro Rd. Cooler pad; 275 sq. ft. JC $1,500

11. 713 Conley Rd. Porch; 900 sq. ft. JC $5,000

12. 4666 Jonesboro Rd. White box; 2,798 sq. ft. JC $10,000

13. 4415 Jonesboro Rd. New motel; 13,300 sq. ft. JC $512,452

Certificates of Occupancies Issued

1. American Financial Service 526 Forest Pkwy. Ste. C 07/12/07

2. Preferred Staffing 532 Forest Pkwy. Ste. E 07/26/07

3. Scorcher’s 541 Forest Pkwy. Ste.1 & 2 07/13/07

4. Brooke Insurance 4894 Jonesboro Rd. 07/26/07

5. Clinica Familiar 4921 Jonesboro Rd. Ste. E 07/18/07

6. Range & Guns 285 Lake Mirror Rd. 07/10/07

7. US Services Inc. 703 Ruskin Dr. Ste. A 07/24/07

Affiliate Board Activity

Planning and Zoning Board

The Planning and Zoning Board held a meeting on July 18, 2007 the following two items were on the agenda:

Elite Estates Townhomes – Final Plat Review Bldg. B (8) Units – 615 Georgia Ave.

Mr. Harris submitted an as-built final plat, titled; Final Plat for Elite Estates Townhomes dated June 12, 2007. Mr. Harris elected to apply for final plat approval pursuant to CFPCO Section 8-7-13(a) which states [in part] “If desired by the subdivider, it (final plat) may constitute only that portion of the approved preliminary plat (as-built site plan) which he proposes to record and develop at the time, provided, however, that such portion conforms to all requirements of these regulations.” Mr. Harris has a substantial amount of investment in this development and he seeks to recoup a portion of this investment by marketing and selling the new completed units in building B. Each unit in building B will be priced at $155,000. Building A will be completed later this year. The site currently contains 0.69 acres and has street frontage (drives) located at both Georgia Ave. and West St. The Planning Commission voted to unanimously approve the final plat. Mayor and Council considered the final plat at the August 6^th, 2007 regular Council meeting where the item was tabled.

Gospel Baptist Church 4700 S. Mitchell St. & 4718 Mitchell St.

Stephen Adams, petitioner submitted a proposed subdivision final plat to relocate an existing property line which will split the difference between two existing buildings located on property owned by The Gospel Baptist Church of Clayton County; 4700 S. Mitchell St. and 4718 Mitchell St., Forest Park, Ga. 30297. The Planning Commission voted unanimously to approve the final plat. Mayor and Council considered the final plat at the August 6^th, 2007 regular Council meeting and approved the final plat the same night.

Steve Pearson, Director

(404) 608-2300

DEPARTMENT OF FIRE/EMS SERVICES

• The Forest Park Fire Department has added three new employees. FF/EMT Andre’ Valentine, FF/EMT Enrique Barlow and FF/EMS Salvador Carillo are now on board and bring several years of experience with them. Welcome Aboard!
• On July 10^th the CERT meeting was held in the City of Morrow. This was to introduce the two teams and plan for joint training in the future.
• On July 12^th a local day care center visited Fire Station One for a tour and a short fire safety lesson.
• The Fire Marshals Office has completed inspections on all schools within the City. Shift personnel have walked through schools and corrected pre-fire plans and updated contact information.

Chief Eddie Buckholts

(404) 608-2382

DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS

Street Division:

Street crews placed 400 feet of sidewalk and 100 feet of curbing at West Street and Main Street using 60 tons of fill dirt, 40 tons of crush run, 45 yards of concrete and laid 3 pallets of sod. Crews completed 4 special sanitation pick up orders to clean up properties and dug out ditches at South Avenue and Georgia Avenue. Crews also helped the Parks Department cutting grass on City right-of-ways.

Building Maintenance:

Building Maintenance crews finished the installation of the new playground equipment in Starr Park. Fire Station #2 the roof leak in the bay was checked and repaired, and the ramp to shed was rebuilt. The water valve at the indoor pool was check and replaced along with the installation of 3 water valves in the concession stand. Crews repaired roof leaks at City Hall and changed out ceiling tiles. 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 helped Street crews picking up leaves and limbs.

Mike Gippert, Director

(404) 608-2310

OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER

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

A meeting was held July 13^th with Pond & Company to review the project and discuss ways to bring the project within budget. Based upon the review, Pond & Company will revise the concept plan and submit to GDOT.

Livable Centers Initiative (LCI)-Main Street Streetscape Project

GDOT finally approved the cost estimates submitted in February. The City can now proceed with the acquisition of right-of-way.

State Farmers Market Project

A meeting was held July 17^th with EDAW to finalize all deliverables and discuss implementation plans. An additional services contract will be submitted for approval to utilize the remaining grant funds for implementation.

Community Development Block Grant Projects (CDBG)

Starr Park Improvements

The Ribbon Cutting Ceremony was held July 23, 2007 for improvements made in Starr Park. The renovations include a new interactive playground set, new restrooms and concession stand.

Dignitaries joining in the Ribbon Cutting (from left to right): Bob Young, Regional Director Atlanta Region, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Eldrin Bell, Chairman, Clayton County Board of Commissioners, Mary Presley, Deputy Director, Atlanta Office of Community Planning and Development, John Parker, City Manager, City of Forest Park, Corine Deyton, Mayor, City of Forest Park, and Debbie Youmans, Councilwoman, City of Forest Park.

Forest Park Summer Day Camp kids pose with the Chick-Fil-A cow during the ribbon cutting.

OTHER

Mayor Deyton presented a general overview of the City to the Forest Park Kiwanis Club on July 12^th.

John Parker, City Manager

Angela Redding, Mgt. Analyst

(404) 366-4720

DEPARTMENT OF POLICE SERVICES

TRIAD

The TRIAD group held its monthly meeting on July 20^th at the Forest Park Senior Center. A representative of the Heritage Bank presented a program on banking services for seniors, including fraud and ID theft prevention.

Community Oriented Policing

Forest Park COPS Officers conducted the following activities:

• Neighborhood Watch meeting was held for residents of Kennesaw Dr.
• Spoke to children at Eagles Nest Daycare.
• Conducted classes for the Police Cadet Program.
• Met with residents of West Warren.
• Neighborhood Watch meeting was held for Longleaf residents.

Citizens Police Academy

The Police Cadets program is ongoing with 8 participants enrolled. The Cadet program is designed to familiarize students with responsibilities of police officers and some basic legal information. Graduation for the class will be held in August.

Administration

Capt. Roy Hanson announced his retirement which will be effective August 7, 2007. Capt. Hanson directed the training division and was responsible for the state and International Accreditation program through CALEA.

Two new employees have begun training at Clayton Regional Law Enforcement Academy. Ronald Wheeler and Eugene Moses will be attending the 10-week basic law enforcement training course and upon completion will begin the field training program to become Forest Park Police officers.

Chief Dwayne Hobbs

(404) 366-7280