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:                   January 8, 2007

 

SUBJECT:            INFORMATION BULLETIN  - DECEMBER  ‘06

 

The following is a department by department status report of priority activities, projects and initiatives for the month of  December,  2006.

 

 

DEPARTMENT OF FIRE/EMS

  • Congratulations are in order for Deputy Chief Raymond Clark who recently completed 35 years of service with the City. A proclamation was presented by the Mayor and Council on December 18, 2006.

 

  • Captain Sam Batten has just completed his Fire Inspector Certification through the Georgia Public Safety Training Center.

 

  • The Fire Safety House used for educating small children in Fire Safety has been overhauled including new decals and logos portraying the Departments new emblem.

 

Fire Department Activities

 

  • B Shift personnel participated along with the Clayton County Narcotics Unit in the annual Premier Trucking Children’s Christmas Party. Apparatus was displayed and Fire Safety questions were fielded from 307 children.

 

  • Fire Marshals Office attended, along with the Police Department, the December Apartment Managers meeting.

 

  • Over 100 attended the Fire Department Christmas Party. The children in attendance were surprised by a visit from Santa Claus arriving on a fire truck.

 

 

  • Four personnel from the Fire Department assisted Public Works in the cooking of the annual City Barbeque.

 

  • Fire personnel have been very busy organizing several fundraisers for one of our own – FF/EMT Jim Hambrick who has been diagnosed with cancer and is expected to be out of work for several more months. Upcoming fundraisers include benefit barbeque on January 27th, a motorcycle ride in mid-April and a golf and softball tournament in the plans. The Jim Hambrick Benevolent Committee is coordinating this effort. Contact by email at takingcareofjim@bellsouth.net.

 

  • Fire Department personnel assisted a local family by providing Christmas for children in a needy family. A great response was made in this effort.

 

  • Thanks to the Police Department and its Communication Officers for helping the Jim Hambrick family at Christmas. A list had been made for the Fire Department to undertake, but the Police Department fulfilled the list. Thanks Again!

 

Responses for the month of December

 

  • Structure Fires              2
  • Vehicle Fires                  3
  • Other Fires                    1       
  • Brush Fires                    1
  • Rubbish Fires                4       
  • EMS Assist                     86
  • False Alarms                  22
  • Mutual Aid Given           1
  • Hazmat Response          3
  • Hazardous Response     7
  • Others                            27
  • Emergency Medical        248

 

Total Call Volume                    405

 

 

                                                          Chief Eddie Buckholts

                                                          (404) 608-2382    

 

 

 

 

 

 

DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS

 

Annual City Barbeque:

          Public Works crews along with help from City Hall were responsible for the Annual City of Forest Park Barbeque.  The event this year fed approximately 2,025 people barbeque pork, hot dogs, Brunswick stew, coleslaw, bread, pickles, potato chips, corn bread, and cheese cake.

 

Street Division:

          Major projects for the month of December included the city barbeque and the Forest Avenue sidewalk and curb replacement.  Street and Maintenance Division crews placed 30’ of 12” pipe, 725’ of curbs, and 670’ of sidewalks, using a total of 30 tons of fill dirt, 102 tons of crush run and 72 yards of concrete.  Crews were busy cleaning gutter and drains of leaves and debris.  The recycling center was cleaned up and prepared for the upcoming Clean Sweep.   

 

Building Maintenance:

          Major projects completed by Building Maintenance crews included finishing the 2nd Street Park and checking all Christmas lights daily.  Work completed on 2nd Street entailed the pouring of the concrete pad for the shed, the shed was built, basketball goals were set and walkways poured leading to shed, and a fence was placed around the park entrance. Maintenance crews also completed numerous work orders throughout all city departments.

 

Parks Division:

          Leaf clean up and park maintenance kept our Parks crew along with our other departments very busy. Along with helping to clear right-of-ways, crews help with the completion of 2nd Street Park. Winter flowers were planted at City Hall, Annex, Recreation Building and all the annual beds around the city limit signs and all outdoor fields were winterized.  Right-of-way cutting was done on College Street, Jonesboro Road, Forest Parkway, Pineridge Drive, and Thurmond Road.

 

 

                                                          Mike Gippert, Director

                                                          (404) 608-2310

 

 

 

 

 

 

DEPARTMENT OF RECREATION AND LEISURE SERVICES

 

WHAT’S HAPPENING

 

*        Youth Basketball – The Youth Basketball league started practicing December 2, 2006.  We have 37 teams with 8 players on each team ages 5-16 years old.  Games will start January 5, 2007.  Games are played on Friday nights and all day Saturday starting at 9am.

 

*        Pictures with Santa – Pictures with Santa was held on Friday, December 1, 2006 6pm-8pm at the Forest Park Senior Center. 

 

*        Call From Santa – Call from Santa was held December 5 and 7, 2006.  There were approximately 80 children contacted.   

 

*        City BBQ – The City BBQ was held on Wednesday, December 5, 2006 11am-1:30pm in the gymnasium at the Forest Park Recreation Center.

 

*        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

 

*        December was a busy month at the Senior Center.  With Christmas around the corner and getting ready for a New Year, we stayed busy.

 

*        Beside our regular programs of Cards, Puzzles, Dominoes, Dancing, Crafts, Computer, Exercise, and the new knitting

          our Special Events for the month that kept us on the go were: Santa Pictures and Breakfast with Santa kept grandmas and families busy.  They enjoyed the fun of having family pictures and then came back for a great breakfast with Santa.  We had the Mayor cooking pancakes and the Seniors were the servers.  The children had a great time and so did the adults.

 

*        The next event was our annual Christmas Dinner.  The food was really good, prepared by the Seniors.  Everyone had a good time!  The Forest Park High School Orchestra came and played Christmas music and made the night special.

 

*        The Red Hatters had a special holiday lunch at Chateu-Elon then went over to Mayfield Dairy for dessert.

 

*        We ended the Christmas season and started the New Year with a buffet breakfast for all the Seniors.  There were 80 or more seniors that came out and really enjoyed starting the New Year together.

 

*        In all we had a great year here at the Senior Center.  We are looking forward to a New Year and adding some new programs and hoping to see more new faces.

 

UPCOMING EVENTS

 

*        January 5, 2007 – Youth Basketball Games Start @ 6pm @ the Recreation Center Gymnasium

 

*        January 6, 2007 – Youth Basketball Games Start @ 9am-10pm @ the Recreation Center Gymnasium

 

 

Elaine Corley, Director

404-363-2908

 

 

OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER

 

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

 

Pond & Company is continuing to address the comments from the Preliminary Field Plan Review Report.

 

Livable Centers Initiative (LCI)-Main Street Streetscape Project

 

The City has received the Notice to Proceed with Right-of-Way Acquisition.  GDOT has recommended that the City meet with their Right-of-Way personnel before acquiring right-of-way to ensure the proper steps are taken.  A meeting will be scheduled for January.

 

Robert & Company has submitted all of the required submittals for the Preliminary Engineering phase.  A few details regarding utilities and final drawings remain outstanding, but should be complete very soon.

 

State Farmers Market Project

 

EDAW is developing the final Concept Plan based on comments from the City, Steering Committee and public comments.  The City is currently reviewing the Design Guidelines.

 

EDAW will begin the process of developing an implementation strategy.

 

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

The park improvements project is almost complete.  Signage such as those on Forest Parkway and located at city facilities will be placed in each park.

 

 

                                                          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 December are $1,432,497 or 8.94% of the budget.  Year-to-date preliminary expenditures for the General Fund are $7,596,758 or 47.41% of the budget (fiscal year July 2006 – June 2007). For comparison purposes, the period of July through December represents 50.00% of the budget year. Total expenditures for the General Fund remain under budget for the for the six month period of July through December.

 

Local Option Sales Tax revenue received in December is $326,479, compared to $434,669 for December of the prior year. The fiscal year-to-date total received is $2,758,548 or 54.10% of the budget. The percentage of the budget year through December is 50.00% of the year; therefore, revenue from Local Option Sales Tax remains ahead of budget through December.

 

The due date for payment of 2006 property taxes was December 20. Approximately $1,650,000 of collections had been posted to the accounting system by December 31. This amount does not represent all tax collections. An additional amount of property taxes had been collected but not posted to the accounting system as of December 31.

 

 

Mike Blandenburg, Director

(404) 366-4720

 

 

 

DEPARTMENT OF POLICE SERVICES

Crime Trends for 2006

Criminal activity is measured nationally by the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting System’s Part I Offenses. These include Homicide, Rape, Robbery, Aggravated Assault, Burglary, Larceny, and Auto Theft. In 2006, the City of Forest Park saw a decrease of 8% in reported Part I Offenses.

 

Part I Offenses are divided into Violent and Property crimes. Violent crimes are Homicide, Rape, Robbery, and Aggravated Assault. Property crimes are Burglary, Larceny, and Auto Theft. In 2006 Forest Park experienced 169 fewer property crimes, a 12% decrease. There was an increase of 32 violent crimes, representing an 18% rise. Since 1996 there has been a decrease of 51% in Part I crimes reported in the City.

 

Our officers handled over 19,000 calls for service in 2006, made 3,800 arrests, investigated 1,131 traffic accidents, and issued 15,432 traffic citations. The number of traffic accidents in the City declined 3% in 2006 compared to 2005; with a decrease of 19% in traffic accidents since 1996.

 

TRIAD

The TRIAD group held its regular holiday pot luck luncheon at the Senior Center on December 15th.  Fifty-five members attended and enjoyed the singing and dancing of the Sassy Seniors group from Newnan. The TRIAD meets on the second Friday of every month.

 

Apartment Managers Coalition

The Apartment Managers Coalition met at the COPS office on December 14th. Managers from five complexes attended. Detective Jackson talked to the members about crime problems in apartments and recent arrests made by the Department.

 

Administration

Debra Houghton was hired on December 27th as the License & Permits Clerk.

 

Captain Roy Hanson served as the team leader for the two-day state certification inspection of the Tyrone, Georgia Police Department for the Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police.

 

 

 

                                                          Chief Dwayne Hobbs

                                                          (404) 366-7280

 

 

 

DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING, BUILDING AND ZONING

 

BUILDING PLANS SUBMITTED

 

1.       276 First St.                   Office additions – Interior

2.       4150 Jonesboro Rd.       New shopping center

3.       4933 Jonesboro Rd.       Remodel bathroom (ADA requirement)

4.       4183 Jonesboro Rd.       Ste. B; Interior remodel

 

BUILDING PERMIITS ISSUED

 

1.       Instar Services               276 First St.; additions; 1,269 sq. ft. JC $10,000

2.       5350 Lee Cir.                 Storage Shed; 320 sq. ft. JC $1,400

3.       4837 N. Oak St.             Fire repair; 1,200 sq. ft. JC $18,000

4.       740 Callaway Dr.           Den addition; 400 sq. ft. JC $6,000

5.       4818 Bartlett Rd.           Roof; 1,280 sq. ft. JC $1,800

6.       5421 Ash St.                  Room addition; 960 sq. ft.; JC $44,000

7.       5141 Springdale Rd.      Handicap ramp; 128 sq. ft.; JC $2,500

8.       4284 Gilbert Pl.             Fire repair; 1,050 sq. ft.; JC $15,000

9.       TNT Parts                        3000 S. Corp. Pkwy. Ste. 400; Warehouse;

60,000 sq. ft.; JC $472,000

 

CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCIES ISSUED

 

1.       July’s Hair Salon           4185 Jonesboro Rd. Ste. C      12/05/06

2.       Word of Deliverance       1320 Rockcut Rd.                    12/06/06  

3.       Sheraton House Apts.    1409 Rockcut Rd.                    12/06/06

4.       Forest Blu Rest.             5340 Old Dixie Hwy.               12/12/06

5.       El Relajo                        4462 Jonesboro Rd. Ste. A/B 12/12/06

6.       Imiren Pharma.              5345 Old Dixie Hwy.               12/13/06

7.       Tampico Tax                   4517 Jonesboro Rd.                12/14/06

8.       Paradise Tropical Fish    4726 Jonesboro Rd. Ste. A      12/19/06

 

AFFILIATE BOARD ACTIVITY

 

Architectural Design Review Board (ADRB)

 

  • The ADRB held a meeting at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday December 5, 2006. At issue was to review revised plans for JBL Jonesboro Rd., LLC (new shopping center located at the former Putt-Putt site), 4150 Jonesboro Rd., Forest Park, Ga. 30297.  Chairwoman Agnes Martin stated that all of the requested items to be addressed at the prior meeting had been addressed and seemed to be in order. Arnett Gray, Sr. made a motion to approve the revised plans, Deverick Williams seconded the motion. Voting on the motion was unanimous. The contractor is in the process of gathering utility disconnect letters for the former Putt-Putt building to obtain a demolition permit. The shopping center building permit can be issued after the old structure has been removed and inspected. The estimated completion of the project will be the Spring of 2007.

 

  • The ADRB held a meeting at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday December 19, 2006. At issue was to review plans for H & N Investments Group, 4312 Old Jonesboro Rd. (former McCrackin Pocketbook business during 1970-1980’s). The structure and site is being redeveloped into a shopping center. Chairwoman Martin stated the dumpster pad needs to be shown with an 8’ enclosure on the plans. Also, she inquired about the color scheme for the building. The engineer stated, the building will be brick and glass and the trim would not be a bright vivid color. Chairwoman Martin stated the landscaping plans looked good. Arnett Gray, Sr. made a motion to approve the plans once the dumpster pad had been marked correctly. Charles Toombs seconded the motion. Voting on the motion was unanimous.

 

SPECIAL INTEREST

 

Please join me in congratulating Code Compliance Officer Catherine Samay, for successfully passing the ICC Residential Building Inspector examination on December 12, 2006. Catherine is now an International Code Council (ICC) Certified and Registered “Residential Building Inspector”.  Catherine already holds Certification in the following ICC categories:

 

§         ICC Property Maintenance & Housing Inspector

§         ICC Zoning Inspector

 

Catherine also holds Certifications as:

 

  • Level 1A and 1B Erosion and Sedimentation Control Inspector – Georgia Soil & Water Conservation Commission
  • Georgia Association of Code Enforcement (GACE) Certified Code Enforcement Officer (3 – year course)

 

This is a significant noteworthy accomplishment, which brings great credit to the City and shows Catherine Samay’s commitment to the professional standards of the Planning, Building and Zoning Department. Thank you, Catherine, you should be very proud of your accomplishment.

 

 

 

PLANNING, BUILDING AND ZONING DEPT. PERFORMANCE MEASURE STATISTICAL YEAR END REPORT

January 1, 2006 to December 31, 2006

 

DEPARTMENT OF INSPECTIONS

 

YEAR END PROGRESS REPORT

 

 

TYPE OF PERMIT ISSUED     # OF PERMITS ISSUED   REVENUE FROM:

                                                                                                1/1/06 - 12/31/06

 

Building                                              227            $59,413.50

 

Electrical                                            157                         8,127.25

 

Mechanical                                        123                       10,361.57

 

Plumbing                                            126                         9,818.97

 

Signs                                                    149                         6,400.00

                                                                            

                                                                    782                   $84,121.29

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                                                                         

TYPE OF PERMITS                                                                              CONSTRUCTION COST

 

Apartments (Townhomes, Condominiums)               14                       305,000.00

 

New Homes                                                            17                    1,244,070.00

 

          Duplexes                                                               0

 

Home Additions/Alterations/Renovations               53                       355,760.00

 

New Commercial                                                  13                 103,248,602.00

 

Commercial Additions/Alterations/Remodel           29                    3,038,725.00   

         

Carports                                                                2                           1,300.00

 

Repairs                                                                 30                       155,760.00

 

Utility Buildings                                                    18                         35,958.00  

         

Signs                                                                     149                     261,722.00

                                                                                                                               

Car Garages                                                          3                           73,800.00             

Fire Damage                                                                   11                       172,400.00

 

Fire Repair                                                            25                      242,175.00

 

House Moving/Demolition                                               5                           38,100.00

 

Swimming Pools                                                     1                             1,600.00

 

Retaining Wall                                                       3                        136,500.00    

         

          Car Damage Repair                                                         3                            4,900.00

 

          Patio (Residential)                                                  1                               200.00

 

          Picnic Shed (Public)                                                         2                            6,000.00

 

          Community Center (Apt. Complex)                           1                        140,000.00

 

          Pavilion (Apt. Complex)                                           1                            1,200.00

 

          Mail Kiosk (Apt. Complex)                                       1                          10,000.00

 

          Gazebo (Residential)                                               1                            4,000.00

 

                                                                                     374              $109,477,772.00

 

YEAR TO DATE 2006 INSPECTIONS                     782

 

 

MEETINGS

 

Between January 1, 2006 and December 31, 2006 the following number of

meetings were attended by the Planning, Building and Zoning Dept.

 

(7) Architectural Design Review Board Meetings

 

(11) Planning and Zoning Board Meetings

 

(2) Planning and Zoning Appeals Board Meeting

 

ANNEXATIONS

 

Between January 1, 2006 and December 31, 2006  no properties (land) were annexed into the Corporate City Limits of Forest Park.

 

YEAR END SIGN REPORT

 

Between January 1, 2006 and December 31, 2006 there were 94 Sign Permits

issued and 55 temporary banner permits issued.

 

 

CODE ENFORCEMENT YEAR END PROGRESS REPORT

 

1)                 Business License Inspections                     #135

 

2)                 Citizens Complaints Filed                          # 619

 

3)                 Translation Services                                   # 871

 

4)                 Letters sent on City code Violations            # 750

 

5)                 City Ordinance violations found through general inspections    # 1,736

 

6)                 Yard Sale Violations: (No permits, unauthorized signs )                         # 388

 

7)                 Commercial Sign Violations (No permits, unauthorized signs )  # 1,210

 

8)                 Posted Public Notice Signs for Planning & Zoning Hearings        # 12

 

9)                 Posted Public Notice Signs for Planning & Zoning Appeals Hearings            # 2

 

                            

MISCELLANEOUS:

 

1)                 Received phone calls from Citizens                      # 2,081

2)                 Returned phone calls to Citizens                         # 1,549

3)                 Obtained Tax Information from Clayton County Tax Assessors Office

(LOCATION OF PROPERTIES)     109 through office internet service

4)                 Measured Right-of-Ways (Locations):

          Ashmore Dr.                             4645 Jonesboro Rd.             O'Hara Rd.

          Lloyd Dr. @ Curtis Dr.     O'Hara Rd. @ Tara Dr.         Patricia Dr.

          Lloyd Dr. @ Grace Dr.      South Ave. @ Sargent St.     City View Dr.

5)       Deliveries (Packages to Board Members, Travis Pruitt & Assoc.)

(30)            Deliveries to Board Members (A.D.R.B., Planning & Zoning

 Board, Planning & Zoning Appeals Board)

          (14)     Deliveries to Travis Pruitt and Associates

          (1)      Delivery to Dept. of Natural Resources                                  

 

 

 ANIMAL CONTROL YEAR END PROGRESS REPORT 2006

 

Dispatch/Office – Calls                                                  396

Calls answered/Incidents Sighted                                 1,225

Warnings Issued                                                             242

Citations Issued                                                             79

Trips to County                                                             205

Dogs                                                                               325

Cats                                                                                148

Other                                                                              10

Bites                                                                                19

 

 

 

                                                          Steve Pearson, Director

                                                          (404) 608-2300