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 10, 2006

SUBJECT: INFORMATION BULLETIN - JULY ‘06

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

DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING, BUILDING AND ZONING

BUILDING PLANS SUBMITTED

1. Ga. Power 752 Main St.; Int. remodel

2. Joyeria Y Regalos 4645 Jonesboro Rd. Ste. B; Int. remodel

BUILDING PERMITS ISSUED

1. 477 Evergreen Drive Storage Bldg.; 224 sq. ft. JC $2,000

2. 1005 Tamarack Trl. Remodel; 489 sq. ft. JC $6,466

3. 686 Shellnut Dr. Storage Bldg.; 200 sq. ft. JC $1,000

4. 752 Main St. Ga. Power; remodel; JC $13,000

5. 506 Whitely Dr. Roof repair; 560 sq. ft. JC $4,000

6. Breckenridge Apts. 5530 Old Dixie Hwy. Clubhouse; 984 sq.

ft. JC $140,000

7. Park Ave. Pavillion 4645 Jonesboro Rd. Int. Remodel Ste. B;

1,200 sq. ft. JC $1,500

8. 477 Evergreen Dr. Roof over patio; 300 sq. ft. JC $4,000

9. Basi Enterprises 4183-4185 Jonesboro Rd. Remodel; 3,800

sq. ft. JC $150,000

10. 770 Cascade Dr. Int/Ext rehab; 1,000 sq. ft. JC $10,000

11. 1331 Rocksprings St. Additions; 780 sq. ft. JC $10,000

CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCIES ISSUED

1. 4384 Jonesboro Rd. American Window Pro Tinting 07/28/06

2. 4126 Thurmond Rd. The Good Stuff Store 07/07/06

3. 4645 Jonesboro Rd. Jackie’s Boutique 0705/06

4. 5124 Springdale Rd. Rose Town U-Haul 07/07/06

5. 198 Main St. Perkin’s Auto Repair 07/13/06

6. 424 Forest Pkwy. Forest Pkwy. Coin Laundry 07/31/06

7. 1147 Watts Rd. Petit Treasure 07/18/06

8. 4328 Jonesboro Rd. Dong’s Auto Service 07/17/06

9. 4577 Jonesboro Rd. Is Real Outreach Ministry 07/19/06

10. 4532 Jonesboro Rd. Financial Education 07/19/06

11. 4059 Jonesboro Rd. Mexicana Market 07/19/06

12. Pineridge Court Pineridge Villas Bldg. 3 07/20/06

13. Pineridge Court Pineridge Villas Bldg. 4 07/20/06

14. Pinerdige Court Pineridge Villas Bldg. 2 07/20/06

Affiliate Board Activity

Planning and Zoning Board

The Planning and Zoning Board held a called meeting at 7:30 p.m. on July 12^th, 2006 at the Agnes B. Bateman Community Development Bldg., 785 Forest Pkwy., Forest Park, Ga. 30297. At issue, was review and consideration of a Preliminary Subdivision Plat for Manor Ridge Park, a 2.77 acre, (7) lot, single family residential development. This parcel is currently zoned R-80 Single Family Residential classification. The developer is Darrell Anderson, D & W Investments, Inc. 2431 Lake Harbin Rd., Morrow, Ga. 30260. The Planning and Zoning Board unanimously approved the preliminary plat and issued a Certificate of Preliminary Subdivision Plat Approval (CPSPA). After receiving a (CPSPA), this is where a contractor usually confidently proceeds with the civil plan design of a project. However, this particular site had many challenges associated with topography, storm water, infrastructure design, and drainage easements, that the project was fully designed upfront to see if it was feasible to develop. The subdivision civil plans have been reviewed by Tim Mullen, PE Travis Pruitt & Assoc., Inc. (City contracted engineering consultants) approved and are acceptable for the issuance of a Land Disturbance Permit (LDP) at this time. To meet the requirements of CFPCO Chapter 7 Subdivisions, Sect. 8-7-12 Conditional Approval of Preliminary Plat, the Planning and Zoning Board must hold a hearing regarding this issue. Subsequently, a Land Disturbance Permit (LDP) was issued July 26^th, 2006. Mr. Anderson will be constructing a minimum of 2,400 sq. ft. homes. He has three (2)-story floor plans for this development. There are two (2)-story 2,600 sq. ft. and one split foyer at 2,800 sq. ft. Three to four of these homes will be brick and the others will be stucco, absolutely no vinyl siding. The homes will be marketed at least $200,000 each. Construction should begin soon.

Steve Pearson, Director

(404) 608-2300

DPEARTMENT OF RECREATION AND LEISURE SERVICES

WHAT’S HAPPENING

Y Outdoor Pool – The outdoor pool operation is Monday through Saturday. The pool is open to the public daily and is available for rentals. Also Friday nights has been Family Night 6:30pm-8pm at the outdoor pool. For $3 per person they can swim, play mini golf, and have a hotdog plate.

Y Summer Swim Lessons – We have completed two sessions of swim lessons for the month of July. The sessions are for two weeks long, one-hour lessons for a total of eight (8) per session. We have taught 120 students in the first two sessions. This year we have included one evening class. Swim lessons are for children ages 3-12 years old. The lessons are based on American Red Cross guidelines.

Y Summer Day Camp – The camp is for boys and girls ages 5-12 years old. The month of July we had four one-week sessions, with a total of 325 campers attending. Camp hours are 9am-5pm with extended care 7:30am-6pm. Camp activities included games, sport activities, arts and crafts, storytelling, special events and swimming. The last day of camp was Hawaiian Day. The campers dressed in Hawaiian attire and had a pool/pizza party. Camp ended July 28, 2006.

Y Girl’s Summer League Basketball – The league is in full swing. Games are played on Monday-Thursday starting @ 6pm. Total of 12 teams with 96 participants.

Y Southern Crescent Swim League – The Southern Crescent Swim League held their annual League Championship Meet at the indoor pool on July 15, 2006 9am-3pm. The league consists of nine teams from Clayton, Henry and Fayette Counties. They had over 300 swimmers compete in this year’s event.

Y Semi Pro Football Games – The Jonesboro Seminoles played games on July 8, 29, 2006 at Kiwanis Stadium 5pm-9pm.

Y Adult Swim Lessons – We offered an adult class that was held July 17-27, 2006. Class met on Monday-Thursday 7:30pm-8:30pm. We had 13 adults in this class.

Y Soccer Clinic – The soccer clinic was held July 24, 25, 26, 2006 at the soccer fields. The clinic was for boys/girls ages 6-10 years old.

Y July 4^th Beach Bash – The Fourth of July Beach Bash was held at Starr Park 4pm-8pm on July 4, 2006. There were approximately 200 people that participated in the different events which included a watermelon eating contest, water balloon toss, corn shucking and volleyball. A DJ played music and everyone had a great time.

Y Wellness Programs

Water Aerobics – Monday evenings 7:30pm-8:30pm

Aerobics – Tuesday & Thursday 6pm-7pm

Water Exercise – Monday & Wednesday 1pm-2pm

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

Yoga – Wednesday evenings 6:30pm-8pm

Ladies Fitness – Monday evenings 8pm

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

Exercise/Weight Room – Monday-Friday 9am-8pm

& Saturday 10am-4pm

SENIOR ACTIVITIES

Y June was a busy month for our center. We had an Ice Cream Social, took a peach picking trip, made breakfast and lunch and even had a great Beach Bash on the 4^th of July.

Y The seniors enjoyed the Ice Cream Social and it was fun watching them put toppings on their ice cream to make the perfect sundae.

Y At the Peach Orchard we all bought peaches, vegetables and whatever they had, topped off with a lunch of a sandwich or a salad, then home we came.

Y The Beach Bash was fun for all ages. It was full of games, picnicking and music. The music kept everyone happy and dancing and the games kept everyone busy. We had a watermelon eating contest, corn shucking, water balloon fun and horse shoe tournaments. Everyone enjoyed it and the crowd was great.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Y August 5-September 4, 2006 – Recreation Building closed to the public for renovations

Y August 8, 2006 – First Day of School

Y September 5, 2006 – Recreation Building Reopens

Elaine Corley, Director

404-363-2908

FOREST PARK FIRE/EMS

• The Forest Park Fire Department with the assistance of the Leisure Services Department and particularly the Senior Ladies hosted the July Meeting of the Metro Area Fire Chiefs Association with a record attendance of Fifty-four. Chief Fire Officers attended and were treated to a home-cooked meal by the Senior volunteers at the Senior Citizens Center before the meeting.

• The Bell South Pioneers, a group of retired employees handmade and presented to the Fire Department seventy-five assorted Hug-A-Bears Teddy Bears to be used on incidents involving traumatic calls where small children are involved.

• Congratulations are in order for Lt. Sam Batten who was recently promoted to the rank of Captain-Deputy Fire Marshal. FAO Barry Welch subsequently was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant. Both of these dedicated employees bring with them approximately ten years of dedicated service to the City and promise to become great officers in the department.

• One Forest Park Firefighter and four Butts County Firefighters were trained in Pediatric Advanced Life Support by Forest Park Fire Department.

• We were asked to participate in a statewide study under Emory Hospital, called CARES, to evaluate cardiac arrest victims.

• The Department of Fire Services responded to a total of 261 calls for service in July. Reponses included 210 medical-related calls and 51 fire-related calls including three (3) structural fires.

• All Fire Personnel have spent a week on schools in the City preparing for school to start. Project included school inspections and familiarization.

Chief Eddie Buckholts

(404) 608-2382

DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS

Street Division:

Street crews placed 110 feet of 12 inch pipe, built 3 drain boxes and grated, backfilled area with dirt and placed hay and grass seed at 740 Patricia Drive. Crews completed 6 abatement orders to clean up properties and dug out ditches on both sides of Perkins Drive. Crews also helped the Parks Department cutting grass on City right-of-ways.

Building Maintenance:

Building Maintenance crews replaced wood and drywall inside the Fire Station and replaced broken belts on the exhaust fan in the bay area. Counter was removed, wall framed, sheet rock placed, wall painted, window and door installed and tile laid at Public Works Department. Exit door handles were replaced at the Recreation and Leisure Department. A broken window at Putt Putt was replaced with plexi-glass. 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

DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION/FINANCE

Expenditures (preliminary totals) for the General Fund for the month of July are $1,286,816 or 8.03% 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 $48,321 or 0.30%.

Local Option Sales Tax (L.O.S.T.) revenue received in July is $425,949 compared to $428,963 for July of the prior year. The budget amount for Revenue from Local Option Sales Tax for the fiscal year is $5,100,000, and the monthly budget amount is $425,000. The amount received in July is consistent with the prior year and the current budget.

The Finance Department has been preparing for the annual audit, which is scheduled to begin on August 14. 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, 2005, 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.

Mike Blandenburg, Director

(404) 366-4720

DEPARTMENT OF POLICE SERVICES

Uniform Patrol

Members of the Forest Park Police Honor Guard paid tribute to retired Captain Harold Babb by serving as pallbearers at his funeral under the direction of Captain Jamie Reynolds and Lieutenant Dan Podsiadly. Honor Guard members presented an American flag to Mrs. Babb in remembrance of Captain Babb.

Kasie L. Huston was hired as a police recruit on July 5^th. On July 10^th she began the basic law enforcement training class at the Clayton County Regional Academy.

Detectives

On July 4th Captain Robert Cotrell, Lt. Amy Wright and Sgt. Cory Cloud of the Criminal Investigation Division participated in the 2006 Peachtree Road Race. The race is ten kilometers (6.2 miles), and had 55,000 participants. Chief Hobbs expressed pride in their accomplishment and urged other employees to work towards this level of fitness.

MPO Jason Armstrong of the VIPER Unit and his wife Jeneen announced the birth of their son, Jaxon William Armstrong. Jaxon was born on July 5^th and arrived weighing six pounds and five ounces. Everyone at the Department sends their best to the proud parents.

Detective Kelvin Jackson received the Advanced Law Enforcement Certification from the Georgia Peace Officers Standards and Training Council.

TRIAD

Bank Account Fraud was the topic for the July meeting of TRIAD, held at the Forest Park Senior Center. Officials from Heritage Bank explained how frauds occur and how seniors and their families can protect their personal accounts.

Citizen Police Academy and Hispanic Citizens Police Academy

Anyone who lives, works, or has other connections to the City is welcome to participate in the Citizens Police Academy or the Hispanic Citizens Police Academy. New sessions for each academy will be starting in the fall. For information on either of these, contact Captain Alex Skwira or Captain Roy Hanson at (404) 366-7280.

Administration

Captain Jamie Reynolds was awarded a certificate for his completion of the Georgia Law Enforcement Command College Program on July 25^th. The Command College is sponsored by the Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police, with classes held at Columbus State University. On July 28^th Captain Reynolds received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Saint Leo University.

Sergeant Ray Daniel completed the two-week instructor training class at the Georgia Public Safety Training Center. Sergeant Daniel will conduct a class at a regional academy under academy staff supervision to complete his certification as a law enforcement instructor.

COPS

Officer Darell Whitehead conducted weekly meetings of the Police Cadet Academy, a new program for young people between twelve and seventeen. Classes on various law enforcement topics are taught by police personnel at eight weekly sessions. July meetings included the following topics:

· Ethics and Leadership, Major Chris Matson, instructor

· Criminal Investigations and Gangs, Detective Lieutenant Amy Wright and Sergeant Cory Cloud, instructors

· Drivers Education, Sergeant Ray Daniel, instructor

· Academy summary, Officer Darell Whitehead, instructor

Graduation for the twenty members of the first Academy class was held on August 1^st.

Officer Whitehead and Officer Mayra Ambris assisted Captain Jim Scott with the August meeting of the Apartment Managers Coalition, held at the COP’s office. Representatives of four apartment complexes attended.

A Neighborhood Watch meeting was held on July 18^th for residents of the Stillwood Cove, Tanglewood Lane, Burks Road, Burks Place and Cityview Drive neighborhood. A block party for the neighbors is being planned to promote the monthly meetings.

Chief Dwayne Hobbs

(404) 366-7280

OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER

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

Pond & Company submitted preliminary plans to GDOT for their review and comment.

Livable Centers Initiative (LCI)-Main Street Streetscape Project

The City is still awaiting the title search reports from the City Attorney. Robert & Company submitted utility plans to the utility companies for verification of existing and proposed facilities.

State Farmers Market Project

The Steering Committee kick-off meeting was held 11:00 am Tuesday, July 11^th at City Hall. EDAW provided information packets to the steering committee with an overview of the Farmers Market and a discussion of the deliverables for this project. In addition, EDAW completed the Real Estate Analysis on existing conditions and regional markets. A community kick-off meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, August 8^th. A morning and evening session will be held.

Community Development Block Grant Projects (CDBG)

Forest Avenue – The project is scheduled to start in 2 to 3 weeks. Improvements consist of constructing a sidewalk, curb & gutter and drainage improvements. CDBG funds awarded $82,000.

Park Improvements – Scott Blvd. and Hemlock & Alder parks have been completed. The County is assisting with improvements to Second Street and Theatre Road parks. CDBG funds awarded $74,662.

OTHER MEETINGS

Clayton County Economic Development Council

The Economic Development Council meeting was held at the Georgia International Convention Center. CH2M presented an assessment of Economic Development in Clayton County.

ARC Workforce Development

A meeting was held with ARC officials to discuss ARC’s assistance with GIS information and Workforce Development Initiatives for Fort Gillem.

John Parker, City Manager

Angela Redding, Mgt. Analyst

(404) 366-4720