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 18, 2008

 

SUBJECT:               INFORMATION BULLETIN  - JULY, 2008

 

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

 

DEPARTMENT OF RECREATION AND LEISURE SERVICES

 

Summer Camp   - Concluded on July 25, 2008, with a cookout and a Hawaiian theme.  The campers (approximately 60) wore Hawaiian gear and participated in competitive field day events.  During the month of July we had 315 kids registered in our camp.

 

Summer Swim Classes – We had two sessions the month of July 2008.  One started June 30-July 11, and the second session July 14-24.  These classes are taught at the indoor pool on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 8:30am-12noon.  Lessons were for children ages 3-12 years old.  Preschool (ages 3-5) classes had 19 participants, Beginners (ages 6-12) classes had 78 participants.

 

Outdoor Pool Swim Lessons – Met in the evenings 6pm-6:45 pm and 6:45 pm-7:30 pm on July 7-24, 2008.  Total participants - 21

 

Adult Swim Lessons – Were held at the indoor pool July 14-24, 2008.  15 Adults

 

Total swimming lessons participants for the month of July 2008 - 133

 

Outdoor Pool – The month of July 2008 had a total of 1,187 people to use the pool during public swimming. The pool is open to the public on Monday, Wednesday, Friday 1:30 pm-6 pm; Tuesday and Thursday 3 pm-6 pm; Saturday 12 noon-6 pm; and Sunday 1 pm-5 pm.  The pool will close on August 9, 2008.  We also had day camps to use the pool from 9:30 am-1 pm Monday thru Friday.

 

Girls Basketball League – This program is for girls ages 8-17 years old.  We have 16 teams with 128 girls participating in this program.  League play with eight middle school teams and ten recreational teams.  Games are played

Monday-Friday 6 pm-10 pm in the gymnasium.

 

Family Nights at Starr Park Pool were held July 11, 18, 25, from 6:30pm to 8pm.  This special time is set aside so families may enjoy swim time at the pool and enjoy a hotdog meal (hotdog, chips, drink) for only $2.50 per person.

 

Adult Softball – Registration was held Monday through Friday 9am-7pm.  We filled six coed teams to start league play August 5, 2008.

 

Soccer – Registration was held the month of July.  We registered approximately 150 kids.

 

Semi-Pro Football – Leased Kiwanis Stadium July 12th, 19th, 26th, 2008.

 

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

 

                        We are staying busy even with the hot weather.  We are just having to do more indoor activities.

 

                        We are swimming at the indoor pool, playing cards, Bingo, WII games and others.

 

*          Our special trip this month was to Perry for some good tasting peaches.  It was fun and we bought a lot of peaches, corn, and nuts.  Then, of course, we had lunch and some homemade peach ice cream.  

 

*          Our Ice Cream Social was kind of different as we all enjoyed  ice cream and toppings.  We had chocolate fudge, pineapple, fruit, nuts, and even some crushed butterfingers.  We all had fun making and eating them.

 

*          WII Bowling is staying busy and the scores are picking up.  We do it twice weekly and  some are now doing tennis.  

 

*          The Card Club, computers are all doing well.  A lot of the seniors are babysitting grandkids and so we are missing some of our people.    

 

*          Our coffee and cake mornings have really been on the busy side.  I think everyone comes out in the morning while it is cool.

 

                        We had a great month and are looking forward to a great August.

 

 

UPCOMING EVENTS

 

*        August 7, 2008 – School Starts Back 

 

*        August 9-September 14, 2008 – Recreation Building closed to public for renovations 

 

*        August 14-16, 2008 – Centennial Celebration @ Starr Park

August 14, 15 - 5pm-10pm; and August 16 - 10am-10pm

 

 

 

Elaine Corley, Director

404-363-2908

 

 

 

DEPARTMENT OF POLICE SERVICES

TRIAD

 

The July Triad meeting was held with approximately 45 people in attendance.  Information was presented on Internet fraud and how to keep your personal information safe online.

 

COPS

 

As part of the redesigned Neighborhood Watch program, meetings 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

 

All patrol personnel completed firearms re-qualification training held at Fort McPherson.

 

Sgt. Cloud attended a Gang conference on St. Simon’s Island.

 

Officer Warner has successfully completed Advanced Report Writing

 

Lt. Wright ran in the Peachtree Road Race and completed the 6.2 mile course in 60 minutes.

 

Officer Jonathan Hill completed his field training program and is now working as a solo officer.

 

CID

 

All CID personnel completed firearms re-qualification training held at Fort McPherson. Capt. Cotrell was the “Top Gun” of the department, shooting back-to-back perfect 300 scores.

 

Detectives attended a Crime stoppers meeting at Powder Springs PD.

 

Administration

 

The redesigned police cars were entered into a contest and received a best design award from Law & Order Magazine.  A picture of the cars and an article will be featured in the August issue.

 

MPO Lisa Presley is training for the Nike Women’s Marathon (26.2 miles) in San Francisco 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 ADMINISTRATION / FINANCE

 

 

Expenditures (preliminary totals) for the General Fund for the month of July are $1,452,924 or 7.76% of the annual budget. As you know, 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 $107,601 or .57%.

 

Local Option Sales Tax (L.O.S.T.) revenue received in July is $492,092 compared to $428,000 for July of the prior year. The amount received in July 2008 probably includes an additional distribution, which would account for the increase over July 2007. The July 2008 amount received is 9.57% of the budget total, compared to the monthly budget percentage of 8.33%. Therefore, the amount received in July is more than budget.

 

The Finance Department has begun preparing for the annual audit, which is scheduled to begin on September 22. The auditors will be the firm of Mauldin & Jenkins.

 

 

Mike Blandenburg, Director

(404) 366-4720

 

 

 

 

 

DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING, BUILDING AND ZONING

 

Building Plans Submitted

1.         4926 Old Dixie Hwy.                        Interior remodel.

2.         435 Forest Pkwy. Ste. 303/304    Interior remodel.

3.         107 Forest Pkwy. Ste. 100             Tenant finish.

 

Building Permits Issued

1.         1124 Rockcut Rd.                             Deck enclosure; 256 sq. ft. JC $1,800

2.         1132 Rockcut Rd.                             Fire ruling; 1,100 sq. ft. JC $200

3.         826/828 Morrow Rd.                      Fire repair; 1,828 sq. ft. JC $40,000

4.         510 Evergreen Dr.                           Interior remodel; 58 sq. ft. JC $8,000

5.         1067 Forest Pkwy. Ste. C                Tenant finish; 960 sq. ft. JC $6,000

6.         5541 Pine Ridge Pl.                          Garage remodel; 576 sq. ft. JC $2,000

7.         4518 Mitchell St.                              Interior rehab; JC $7,000

8.         4933 Jonesboro Rd.                         Demolition; JC $3,000

 

Certificate of Occupancies Issued

1.         819 Forest Pkwy. Ste. D      $1 Dollar Spot and More                 07-10-08

2.         532 Forest Pkwy. Ste. A     Professional Probation Svcs.           07-21-08

3.         4831 Puckett St.                   The House of Prayer                        07-17-08

4.         820 Morrow Rd.                   Custom Design                                  07-23-08

5.         697 Forest Pkwy.                 Restoration Deliverance COG        07-28-08

6.         4903 Jonesboro Rd.             Fashion Plus                                      07-28-08

7.         4330 Jonesboro Rd.             Meinke Car Care                              07-28-08

8.         4446 Jonesboro Rd.             Thanh Thanh Restaurant               07-28-08

9.         4630 Lake Mirror Pl.           All Season Fresh Produce               07-31-08

 

 

 

 

 

AFFILIATE BOARD ACTIVITY

 

Planning and Zoning Board

The Planning and Zoning Board held a public hearing on June 19, 2008 at 7:30 p.m. in the courtroom within the Agnes B. Bateman Community Development Bldg, 785 Forest Pkwy., Forest Park, Ga. 30297. At issue was to consider two (2) petitions for two (2) single tracts of land lying adjacent to one another, to be rezoned from there (legal non-conforming use) R-80 Single Family Residential zoning designation to C-1 General Commercial. 

 

TRACT 1:      6.189 acre parcel, Clayton County Tax ID No. 13015B B004, Jonesboro Rd. (Former Bell’s Junkyard) owned by estate of Palmer R. Bell, Pamela L. King and Patsy B. Brown co-executors. Petitioner: William L. Kizer, KSLS, LLC as authorized agent of the estate of Palmer Bell. They plan to construct a 9,180 sq. ft. Family Dollar retail department store facility on approximately one (1) acre site. 

 

TRACT 2:      6.09 acre parcel, Clayton County Tax ID No. 13015B B005 aka 4020 Jonesboro Rd. owned by Barbara Lee Bell. Petitioner: Joe M. Harris, City Attorney City of Forest Park. 

 

The subject tracts/parcels are the former Bells Junkyard/Auto Salvage site, and adjacent U.S. Auto Sales facility. The entire Jonesboro Rd. corridor was currently zoned C-1 General Commercial with the exception of the (2) subject parcels. Both, KSLS, LLC and the City of Forest Park petitioned to rezone the two (2) subject parcels from R-80 Single Family Residential (legal non-conforming use) to C-1 General Commercial to accommodate the Family Dollar development and to make the last two (2) non-conforming parcels on Jonesboro Rd., consistent with the current zoning classification of the area. The Planning and Zoning Board unanimously recommended to approve these petitions. A second Public Hearing was held on July 21, 2008 at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 745 Forest Pkwy., Forest Park, Ga. 30297. Council voted unanimously to approve the petitions during the regular Council meeting that same night.

 

Zoning Board of Appeals

The Zoning Board of Appeals held a Public Hearing on Wednesday July 23, 2008 at 7:30 p.m. in the courtroom within the Agnes B. Bateman Community Development Bldg, 785 Forest Pkwy., Forest Park, Ga. 30297. At issue was to consider a request for a variance by petitioner Mitchell J. Paulk, PE Land Engineering, Inc. to encroach into the City’s stream buffer protection area. Ga. Regional Transportation Authority (GRTA) has a need to expand the bus yard parking lot at its 316 Cash Memorial Blvd. location.  Rainwater Construction, owners of the GRTA bus yard location, has obtained the professional services of Mitchell J. Paulk, PE to design civil plans to address the issues with this expansion project. It has been determined that the land disturbing activities will encroach into the stream buffer protection area somewhat. Mr. Paulk has proposed buffer mitigation and enhancement efforts to provide water quality treatment and accommodate the parking expansion. After considering the petition and Mr. Paulk’s proposed plans, the variance board came to the conclusion that to grant the petition would allow the proposed parking expansion project to be properly permitted to meet State and Local codes.  GRTA could obtain the much needed additional parking; the water quality enhancements would provide an effective and long term solution to protecting the stream in the area. Subsequently, the Zoning Board of Appeals unanimously granted the variance.

 

           

 

                                                                        Steve Pearson, Director

                                                                        (404) 608-2303

 

 

 

DEPARTMENT OF FIRE/EMERGENCY SERVICES

 

  • Fire personnel showed fire apparatus and taught Fire Safety at Ash Street Learning Center. Approximately 50 students attended.

 

  • Fire Marshals Office attended a safety meeting and discussed emergency evacuation plans with employees of American Foot and Leg Clinic.

 

  • Outreach classes resulted in 26 citizens being taught CPR and Basic First Aid.

 

  • The CERT is involved in assisting the City by volunteering to assemble and provide manpower for a REHAB trailer to be used on large-scale long duration incidents. This unit will consist of cooling equipment, cold or warm beverages, food and other logistical equipment when needed. Thanks to our great CERT Volunteers!!

 

  • Chief Eddie Buckholts and Major Matt Jackson attended and participated in a state sponsored 3-day structural collapse drill in Covington. Both attendees functioned as members of the State All-Hazard Incident Management Team during the exercise.

 

Call Volume

 

3           Structure Fires

1           Other Fire

66        Engine Assist

5          False Alarms

1          Mutual Aid Given

4          HazMat

11        Other Hazardous Responses

18        Other Responses

285     EMS Calls

 

349     Total Calls  (13 calls for service per day)

 

 

 

                                                                        Chief Eddie Buckholts

                                                                        (404) 608-2382

 

 

 

DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS

 

Street Division:

            Street crews were kept busy cutting and clearing out 9 large oak trees from the park area along with securing Briarwood Apartment. This entailed putting up 3 gates and installing fencing around the perimeter and installing 200 feet of guard railing to prevent illegal dumping.  A total of 15 special sanitation pick-ups were completed along with 7 abatement orders.  Ditches were cut and cleaned on West Street, Burks Road, Perkins Drive, Linda Way and Scott Road. Crews also helped the Parks Department cutting grass on City right-of-ways.

 

Building Maintenance:

            Building Maintenance crews were kept busy refurbishing the Girl Scout Hut by repainting all ceiling, repairing sheetrock, painting trim and molding. The floors were stripped and wax, wood siding and facial boards were removed and replaced with vinyl siding and the whole building was repainted. The concession stand was repainted and the stadium barrier and walls were lowered. The air conditioner unit was replaced at the outdoor pool and repairs were made in the women restroom and the pump house.  The shower area was redone at Fire Station #1 which required tearing out the shower walls and floors and putting plumbing, redoing concrete flooring, laying tile and grouting.  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 special sanitation pick-ups and abatement orders and Maintenance crews in refurbish city buildings.

 

 

                                                                        Mike Gippert, Director

                                                                        (404) 608-2310

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.

 

Archway Partnership

Mayor Corine Deyton and Angela Redding are serving on the Archway Partnership Executive Committee.

 

State Farmers Market

The planning part of the project has been completed.  The next step is to meet with the Commissioner of Agriculture to begin the Implementation Phase.

 

 

 

 

                                                                        John Parker, City Manager

                                                                        Angela Redding, Mgt. Analyst

                                                                        (404) 366-4720