C I T Y   O F   F O R E S T   P A R K

 

TO:                       Mayor and Council

 

FROM:                  Bill Werner, City Manager

 

DATE:                   August 10, 2005

 

SUBJECT:            INFORMATION BULLETIN  - JULY  ’05

 

The following is a department by department status report of priority activities, projects and initiatives for the month of July,  2005.

 

DEPARTMENT OF POLICE SERVICES

 

International Accreditation

 

On Saturday, July 29th, Chief Hobbs led three Forest Park officers before a review committee from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) in Boston, Massachusetts. This committee was tasked with reviewing the report from the on-site evaluation of our Department conducted April 10-13, and making a recommendation to the full CALEA Board if our accreditation should be renewed for a three-year period. The April on-site included a review of our files for all 446 CALEA standards, interviews with officers and community members, a public hearing at City Hall, and ride-alongs with officers.

 

The three committee members were very gracious in their compliments towards Chief Hobbs for his tenure in public service, and our Department for the many community programs we conduct. They enthusiastically voted to extend our accreditation and the full CALEA Board of Directors awarded re-accreditation to the Department at a banquet later that night.

 

“Accreditation Recognizes Professional Excellence” is the motto of CALEA, and it is often said that the only thing more difficult than obtaining accreditation is maintaining it. Achieving re-accreditation is a tribute to the entire Department and to the City of Forest Park. We remain the only law enforcement agency in Clayton County to achieve this professional mark of excellence.

 

 

 

Crime & Accident Trends

 

Part 1 crimes decreased 1.6% in the first six months of 2005 compared to the same period in 2004. This represents an actual decrease of fourteen offenses. Property crimes accounted for the downturn, with a decrease of twenty-seven crimes, or -3.4%. Violent crimes increased by thirteen offenses, from sixty-two to seventy-five.

 

The number of traffic accidents in the City decreased by 15% for the first six months of 2005, from 653 in 2004 to 555 in 2005.

 

 

 

                                                          Chief Dwayne Hobbs

                                                          (404) 366-7280

 

 

 

DEPARTMENT OF FIRE/EMS

 

  • This month all firefighters have walked through the schools in the City and the new building on Fort Gillem. This will increase their familiarization of the layout of the buildings and make sure all pre-incident information is complete and correct.
  • On July 28th six of the City of Forest Park CERT Members volunteered to assist with a bioterrorism exercise at Mt. Zion High School. This was hosted by the Clayton County Board of Health. These volunteers assisted with greeting, directing patients, and helping with paperwork.
  • Capt. Roger Brown has retired after 35 years of service to the City. We wish him A Happy Retirement.
  • Capt. David Halcome has been promoted to the rank of Major – Fire Marshal.
  • Lt. Barry Hopper has been promoted to Captain – Shift Commander.
  • FF/EMT James Tyson has been promoted to Lieutenant.

 

 

 

Chief Eddie Buckholts

(404) 608-2382

 

 

 

 

DEPARTMENT OF RECREATION AND LEISURE SERVICES

 

WHAT’S HAPPENING

 

Y                  Outdoor Pool  - The pool operation is Monday thru Saturday.  The pool is open to the public daily and is available for rental.

 

Y                  Summer Day Camp – The camp is for boys and girls ages 4-12 years old.  The month of July we had four one-week sessions, with a total of 272 campers attending. Camp hours are 9am-5pm, and extended care is 7:30am-6pm.  Camp activities include games, sport activities, arts and crafts, storytelling, special events, and swimming.  The last day of camp, they had a pizza and pool party.  Abbey Jones, Recreation Supervisor and the day camp counselors have done a great job with the Day Camp Program this year.

 

Y                  Family Night – The month of July we held four Family Nights on Friday nights at the Outdoor Pool 6:30pm-8pm.  For $3 per person they can swim, play mini golf and have a hotdog plate.  This has been a popular activity.

 

Y                  S.T.A.R.T. – Summer recreation swimming program operated the month of July.  Swimmers practiced on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday 4:30pm-5:30pm.  For children ages 6-18 years old.  The S.T.A.R.T. Program is a member of the Southern Crescent Swim League.

 

Y                  The Southern Crescent Swim League held their annual League Championship Meet at the Indoor Pool on July 16, 2005 9am-3pm.  They had over 300 swimmers compete in this year’s event.  The league consists of 8 teams from Clayton, Henry and Fayette Counties.

 

Y                  Summer Swim Lessons –We have completed two sessions of swim lessons for the month of July.  The sessions are two-weeks long, one-hour lessons for a total of 8 per session.  We have taught 145 students in these two sessions.  This year we have included one evening class.  Swim lessons are for children ages 3-12 years old, and are based on the American Red Cross guidelines.

 

Y                  Girls Summer League Basketball – The league is in full swing.  Games are played Monday-Friday starting at 6pm.  Total of 19 teams with 152 girls.

 

Y                  Soccer Clinic – The soccer clinic was held on July 25, 26, 28, 2005 6:30pm-8pm at the soccer fields.  The clinic was for boys and girls ages 6-10 years old.

 

Y                  July 4th Beach Bash – Was held at Starr Park 4pm-8pm.  The Beach Bash was a blast.  We had approximately 150 children and adults participating in different events including a watermelon eating contest, water balloon toss, corn shucking, volleyball and much more!  There was a DJ playing music to keep an upbeat fun environment.  Everyone had a good time.

 

Y                  Soccer – We have been registering for fall soccer program the month of July 2005.  Soccer is for boys and girls ages 4-14 years old.  The season starts in September 2005.

 

Y                  Semi-Pro Football Games – The Southern Football League hosted a game on July 9, 2005 5pm-9pm at Kiwanis Stadium.  There were 1,000 spectators at this event.  The Jonesboro Seminoles hosted a game on July 30, 2005 5pm-9pm at Kiwanis Stadium also.

 

Y                  Teen Time – We have held two Teen Time events at Starr Park on July 16, 30, 2005.  Swim, mini golf, volleyball, relays, and entertainment 6pm-9pm.

 

Y                  Senior Programs

July was a busy month for the seniors. We started out with a July 4th picnic and firework show and ended with a great covered dish lunch.  Here is what we did in between those events.

We enjoyed the Beach Bash and helping with the fun and games.  Our picnic lunch was different as we all brought a little something.

The Red Hatters was a quiet meeting as the weather held us back from a day at the stores.  Storms kept us from our favorite things at times.

Walking in the mornings is a little cooler and gets everyone up a little earlier.  After our walk comes our gossip with coffee and cake session.  All seniors enjoy that.

The shuffleboard club is getting ready for the State Tournament in September.  So they are doing a lot of playing and practicing.  The State Tournament is in Warner Robins.

Line dance classes are going strong even in this hot weather.  But everyone likes the exercise and fellowship.

One of our big events this month was the trip to Ft. Valley for peaches.  The seniors enjoyed the tour of the orchards for peaches and pecans.  After the tour we bought peaches, gifts, and vegetables, ate lunch and headed home.

The Ice Cream Social was a busy day for us.  We started the morning making homemade ice cream and then spent the afternoon serving it.  The seniors all made their own sundaes and enjoyed all the toppings to put on them.

TRIAD – had their covered dish lunch and guest speaker on the Social Security.  Everyone enjoyed the great lunch and information.

The Senior Center had a guest speaker this month to talk about the new drug program that will be starting in 2006.   It was very informative.

Bingo is still a favorite program.  It is held twice a month and is brings a lot of seniors out.  We play for 1-˝ hours and the prizes are good for everyone.  The fourth Friday we also have lunch, so it is a special treat.

We ended the month with our great covered dish lunch and as usual we had some great dishes for all to enjoy.

 

Y                  Wellness Programs

Water Aerobics – Monday & Wednesday evenings 7pm-8pm @ Outdoor Pool

Aerobics – Tuesday & Thursday 7pm-8pm

Water Exercise – Monday & Wednesday 1pm-2pm

Swim For Fun – Tuesday & Thursday 1:30pm-2:30pm (seniors)

Yoga – Wednesday evenings 6:30pm-8pm

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

Exercise Room/Weight Room – Monday thru Friday 9 am-8 pm  & Saturday 10am-4pm

 

 

UPCOMING EVENTS

 

Recreation Center closed to public August 8-September 5, 2005 – Annual Building & Pool Maintenance

 

Y                  August 1, 2005 – Red Hatters – 10:30am @ Senior Center

Y                  August 5, 2005 – Family Night @ Starr Park Pool/Mini Golf  

6:30pm-8pm

Y                  August 6, 2005 – Starr Park Pool Closes

Y                  August 12, 2005 – Bingo – 10am @ Senior Center

Y                  August 13, 2005 – Senior Luau – 6pm @ Senior Center (Reservation Required)

Y                  August 26, 2005 – Bingo & Lunch – 10am @ Senior Center

 

 

Elaine Corley, Director

404-363-2908

 

 

 

DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS

 

Street Division:

          Street crews filled in a large sinkhole at 435 Greenhill Way using 26 tons of stone and 4 tons of fill dirt.  Crews completed to abatement orders at 759 Bridge Avenue and 5588 Alder Drive. Fallen trees from storms were cut from the right of way at Fallview Drive Conley Road, and Evergreen Drive.  Crews also helped the Sanitation Department picking up leaves and limbs, using the chipper unit and the backhoe.

 

 

Sanitation:

 

          YARD WASTE                          TRASH

          Tons – 50.49                            Tons – 8.21

          Cost –  $1,090.60                    Cost – $327.63

 

 

Building Maintenance:

          Building Maintenance crews finished the walls in the computer room at City Hall.  Repairs were made to the air conditioning unit at the Girl Scott Hut and the breaker was replaced in the Admin Office.  The roof over the gym was repaired. Door handles were replaced in 911 room and Admin Hall at PD.  Painted sheet rock at Senior Building, set dog clean-up station in Park. 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 Sanitation and Street crews picking up leaves and limbs.

 

 

                                                          Mike Gippert, Director

                                                          (404) 608-2310

 

 

 

 

DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING, BUILDING AND ZONING

BUILDING PLANS SUBMITTED

1.       1057 Main St.                          Main St. Shopping – Tenant Finish

2.       5290 Old Dixie Hwy.                Wilpak – Tenant Finish

3.       4560 Frontage Rd.                   Public Storage – Elevator Expansion

4.       105 Forest Pkwy. #700             Supply Core – Tenant Finish

 

BUILDING PERMITS ISSUED

1.       900 Cone Rd.                           Enclose carport; 200 sq. ft.; Job cost    

 $1,000

2.       357 First St.                             New residential dwelling; 1,642 sq.

ft.; Job cost $90,000

3.       4735 Courtney Dr. Bldg O      Wingate Apts. Fire repair – 11,100

sq. ft.; Job cost $500,000

4.       32 Forest Pkwy.                       Holcome Truck Repair (Garage); 4.500 sq.

ft.; Job cost $52,000

5.       105 Forest Pkwy. #700             Supply Core; 2,000 sq. ft.; Job cost

$153,000;

tenant finish

6.       4155 O’Hara Rd.                      Bed, bath & hall additions; 640 sq.

ft.; Job cost $2,500

7.       4256 Cloudland Dr.                 Front porch extension; 48 sq. ft.;

Job cost $1,550

8.       4458 Jonesboro Rd.                 Kool Smile; Inter. Remodel; Job cost

$30,000

9.       4325 Jonesboro Rd.                 Golden Gate; Inter. Remodel; 400

sq. ft.; Job cost $3,800

10.     852 Warren Dr.                        Enclose patio & porch; 150 sq. ft.;

Job cost $2,500

11.     1057 Main St.                          Main St. Shopping; Tenant Finish;

9,600 sq. ft.;  Job cost $90,000

12.     4878 Evans St.                         Demo rear porch; 204 sq. ft.; Job

cost $4,400

13.     4505 Jonesboro Rd.                 Subway; Inter. Finish; 1,136 sq. ft.;

Job cost $35,000

 

LAND DISTURBANCE PERMITS ISSUED

1.       Village at the Grove – Phillips Drive            07/18/05

 

CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCIES ISSUED

1.       Seven Gables (4 Houses)                                      07/28/05

2.       530 Forest Pkwy. Ste. C                              07/11/05

3.       771 Main St.                                               07/20/05

4.       713 Forest Pkwy. Ste. A                              07/21/05

5.       4059 Jonesboro Rd. Ste. B1/B2                07/22/05

6.       530 Forest Pkwy. Ste. D                             07/29/05

7.       713 Forest Pkwy. Ste. B                              07/21/05

 

 

AFFILIATE BOARD ACTIVITY

 

Planning and Zoning Board

 

The Planning and Zoning Board held a meeting on July 13th, 2005 at 7:30 p.m. in the courtroom located at 785 Forest Pkwy.  At issue, was to consider two subdivision preliminary plats; one for Kenai Townhomes at 380 Main St. comprised of (71) lots and 2,000 sq. ft. units; and one for Village Grove, a (10) lot single family residential development located at 5719 Phillips Dr.  The Planning and Zoning Board unanimously approved both developments and issued Certificates of Preliminary Plat Approvals for each.

 

ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN REVIEW BOARD

The Architectural Design Review Board (ADRB) held a meeting on July 26th, 2005; at issue was plan review for David’s Automotive located at 4660 Jonesboro Rd; formerly One-Hour Martinizing.  The building is being converted to an auto repair shop.  After a review of the site plans the developer was instructed to resubmit one set of plans, showing landscaping per City regulation along the right side (north property line) and remove wheel stops in parking area. 

 

 

 

                                                                   Steve Pearson, Director

                                                                   (404) 608-2300

 

 

 

DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION/FINANCE


Shirley Moore retired during July, after almost twelve years of service with the City.

 

Expenditures for the General Fund for the month of July are $1,047,439 or 6.79% of the budget.

 

The annual audit is scheduled to begin on August 15.

 

New business licenses issued during July:

 

                   Name                                       Type of Business

 

          G & S Cleaners                                 Dry Cleaners / Laundry

          Robert L. Campbell                           Property Management

          Chappy’s Handyman Service            General Contractor

          What A Cut                                       Barber / Stylist

          Interdynamic Auto                            Retail Automotive Parts

          Georgia Latino                                  Hispanic Business Travel

          Kalique U. Rehman, MD PC              Medical Services  

          The Wilson Group                             General Contractor

          Thong Kim Huynh                                      Martial Arts Training

          Maggy’s Boutique                              Boutique / Parfumes

          J.W. Installation                                Stone Countertop Installation

          Rutilio Ortiz                                                General Contractor

          Fashion Land 2                                 Men’s Wear

          Nathaniel James                               Service Trailer Truck

          Mary Taylor                                       Internet Online Business

          Holcombe Builders                            Building Contractor

                  

 

 

Mike Blandenburg, Director

(404) 366-4720