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:                   June 12, 2006

 

SUBJECT:            INFORMATION BULLETIN  - May  ‘06

 

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

 

DEPARTMENT OF RECREATION AND LEISURE SERVICES

 

WHAT’S HAPPENING

 

·        Youth Soccer – Games are played on Saturday starting at 10am. We have 18 teams ages 4-12 years old.  The season ended May 20, 2006 with their annual banquet being held at Cici’s Pizza in Riverdale.

 

·        T-Ball – The T-Ball games are played on Saturdays at the T-Ball field starting at 10am.  We have a total of 6 teams.

 

·        Girls Softball – We have 3 girls softball teams and 8/under, 10/under and 12/under. Home games are played at Stanford and Burk Fields.  Games are played through the week and on Saturdays.  

 

·        Middle School Swimming – The Middle School swimming program continues its competitive swim program in the indoor pool.  There are 13 Middle Schools.  Meets are held on Friday nights (tri-meets starting at 5:30pm, 6:30pm, 7:30pm, 8:30pm).  The preliminaries and finals were held May 8, 9, 10, 2006.    

 

·        Men’s Basketball Spring League – Games are played on Wednesday nights at the Recreation Center. There are six teams. 

 

·        Adult Softball – Games are played on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday night at Baker Field.  We have a total of 24 teams. Ladies league, Men’s league, and a Coed league.  Games start at 6:30pm. 

 

·        Fourth District Golden Olympics – Were held May 10, 11, 12, 2006.  Seniors competed in Walking, Swimming, Running, Basketball, Shuffleboard, Bowling, Horseshoes, Softball Throw, Board Games, Card Games, and more.  Gold, Silver and Bronze medals were awarded in all categories.  Everyone had a great time.

 

·        Summer Special Sign Up – Held May 4, 2006.  This was the kick-off for our summer registration for day camp and swim lessons.  There was a great turnout.  Those that wanted to could get a head start on the registration process to be assured of getting their child registered for day camp and swim lessons.   

 

·        Starr Park Pool Opens – Opening day was May 31, 2006.  The official opening of the outdoor pool.  The hours of operation are Monday, Wednesday, Friday 1:30pm-6pm; Tuesday and Thursday 3pm-6pm; Saturday 12noon-4pm.

 

·        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

 

·        May was a busy month for the Seniors.  We had the Olympics to start the month and kept it moving with our Ho-Down.  Other events during the month were as follows:

 

·        The Olympics were a busy three days with 20 events – 100 seniors – guests – and other recreation center workers.  We started with the opening ceremonies, the picnic, and the closing ceremonies and award presentations.  It was fun and a big success for everyone. 

 

·        We had fun with new programs in health care, field trips, and cooking.

 

·        Line Dancing is going along fine and growing.  They enjoy the company and exercise.

 

·        Bingo is a time spent with either breakfast or lunch and a good speaker to talk to us on daily health problems, the new drug program, and what we should all look out for.

 

·        The walking and exercise program has really motivated our seniors that needed just a small push to get in shape, lose weight or just get their bones in motion.

 

·        Our shuffleboard club had a great month.  Starting out in Alabama with a total of 15 medals, then our own Olympics here in Forest Park and gaining about 16 medals and then ending the month with the East Atlanta Olympics winning 12 medals.  They are getting ready for the State Olympics in September.

 

·        Our Forest Park Center stays busy with many programs and new members all the time.  We are always looking for new programs, ideas and trips.

 

 

UPCOMING EVENTS

 

·        June 5, 2006 – Summer Day Camp & Swim Lessons start

·        June 5-8, 2006 – Cheerleading Camp 6pm-8pm – Kiwanis Field

·        June 5-8, 2006 – Girls and Boys Basketball Camp – Gym  

·        June 9, 16, 23, 30, 2006 – Family Night @ Starr Park Pool/Mini Golf Friday Night 6:30pm-8pm

·        June 26, 2006 – Girls Basketball League starts – Gym 

 

 

Elaine Corley, Director

404-363-2908

 

 

 

DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION / FINANCE

 

 

Expenditures (preliminary totals) for the General Fund for the month of May are $1,229,049 or 7.76% of the budget.  Year-to-date preliminary expenditures for the General Fund are $13,208,912 or 83.36% of the budget (fiscal year July 2005 – June 2006). For comparison purposes, the period of July through May represents 91.67% of the budget year. Total expenditures for the General Fund continue to be under budget year-to-date.

 

Local Option Sales Tax revenue received in May is $607,922, compared to $444,601 for May of the prior year. The total for May 2006 includes a portion of April revenue that was not distributed by the State in April, in error. The fiscal year-to-date total received is $4,856,115 or 96.16% of the budget; the percentage of the budget year through May is 91.67% of the year. Revenue from Local Option Sales Tax remains ahead of budget through May, and the total for the year is expected to exceed budget.

 

The budget process for the 2006-2007 fiscal year continues. Budget presentations by departments to the Mayor & Council were conducted May 30, 31 and June 1. The budget will be considered for adoption by Mayor & Council at the June 19 City Council Meeting.

         

 

Mike Blandenburg, Director

(404) 366-4720

 

 

 

 

DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS

Street Division:

          Street crews were kept busy, 20 feet of 12” pipe and a grate was put in the ditch line at 850 White Oak Drive.  Crews also worked repaving the parking lot at Fire Station #1, 13 yards of concrete was poured and parking spaces marked off.  Four driveway tie-ins were placed on Cone Road. Potholes were filled on Courtney Drive, West Street, South Avenue, and Scott Boulevard.  Crews also picked up leaves and limbs, using the chipper unit and the backhoe.

 

Building Maintenance:

          Crews removed concrete floors at Fire Station #1 to check the sewer lines. Piping was replaced and the floors repoured and carpeted and the hallway retiled.  Repairs were made at both pool areas in preparation for the summer swim season. The Putt Putt Course required some repairs to the showers and the holes were repainted. 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 Division personnel with leaf and limb pick-up.

 

 

                                                          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 with Pond & Company to review the Preliminary Design.  The cost estimate based on the preliminary drawings exceeded the budget.  Pond & Company was told to revisit preliminary design to bring the project within budget.

 

Livable Centers Initiative (LCI)-Main Street Streetscape Project

Design Development drawings have been completed.  Final construction plans, details and specifications are being developed.  A request was made to the County for storm sewer elevation data related to the College Street Realignment Project.

 

State Farmers Market Project

EDAW is preparing for the Steering Committee kick-off meeting.  The meeting is tentatively scheduled for the second week in July.

 

Fort Gillem Redevelopment Project

Fred Bryant was selected as the Executive Director for the Forest Park/Fort Gillem Local Redevelopment Authority.  Fred assumed his position on June 1st.

 

 

                                              John Parker, City Manager

                                              Angela Redding, Management Analyst

                                              (404) 366-4720

 

DEPARTMENT OF POLICE SERVICES  

 

Uniform Patrol

Lieutenant Dan Podsiadly, Sergeant Mike Gentry, and Officer Todd Gladden received a letter of commendation for their actions in apprehending a subject who had twice broken into Forest Park Middle School.

 

Lieutenant James Delk, Sergeant Juan Cruz, and Officers Ramsey Iter, Turnage, Warner, Kelly and Barnett responded to an attempted robbery call on May 17th and located conducted a search that resulted in the arrest of the suspected robber.

 

TRIAD

The TRIAD senior citizens group meets on May 19th. About sixty members attended. A program on home gardens was presented by two Master Gardeners from the Clayton County Extension Service.

 

Citizen Police Academy

Graduation for the eighteenth session of the Forest Park Citizens Police Academy was held on May 16th. Mayor Corine Deyton spoke to the graduates and their families and friends, giving an update on the many challenges and opportunities facing the City and its elected officials. She commended Chief Hobbs and the Police Department for the numerous community programs they provide, including the Citizens Police Academy. Mayor Deyton joined Chief Hobbs and Captain Alex Skwira in presenting certificates of accomplishment to the eleven graduates of class eighteen.

 

As part of the program, annual firearms awards were presented to police personnel at the graduation. Master Patrol Officer Jason Armstrong received the “Top Gun Award” and Baker Team, led by Captain Alex Skwira, won the “Top Team Award”. Chief Hobbs presented certificates and ribbons to recently promoted officers and those achieving special law enforcement certifications.

 

Hispanic Citizens Police Academy

The Hispanic Citizens Police Academy has been meeting weekly on Thursday nights. Officer Mayra Zenon leads this group which holds Spanish language classes taught by Forest Park bilingual officers. Graduation for the HCPA is scheduled for June 15th.

 

Forest Park Police Cadet Program

The first Forest Park Police Cadet Program is scheduled to begin on June 6th . This program was designed to introduce teens between the ages of 12 and 17 to the career field of law enforcement. Classes will meet weekly between the hours of 6 PM and 8 PM during the months of June and July.

 

Detectives

Crime analysis by Detective personnel revealed a pattern of thefts of parts from air-conditioning units at construction sites and commercial rooftops. Forest Park Detectives were able to identify a suspect and arrest him for theft by taking and criminal damage to property involving seventeen air-conditioning units. Detectives are working with neighboring law enforcement agencies to determine if additional crimes may have been committed by this subject.

 

Administration

Captain Roy Hanson served as an assessor for the Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police at the State Certification on-site for the Holly Springs Police Department. Captain Hanson assisted the Morrow Police Department prepare for their state certification on-site by reviewing their operations and file preparation.

 

COPS

Officers from the COPS division participated in the Clayton Community Services annual International Day, Career Day at Huie Elementary School, and Career Day at Edmonds Elementary School.

 

 

 

 

                                                          Chief Dwayne Hobbs

                                                          (404) 366-7280

 

 

 

 

 

DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING, BUILDING AND ZONING  

 

BUILDING PLANS SUBMITTED

1.       Ga. Power Credit Union 435 Forest Pkwy. Ste. 303; Int. remodel

2.       J&J Martinez                 680 Main St.; Int. /Ext. remodel

3.       Handy Food Store          4126 Thurmond rd.; Retaining wall

4.       Turn-n-Headz Hair Salon 697 Ruskin Dr. Ste. A; Tenant finish

5.       Forest Park High School          5452 Phillips Dr.; Int. remodel

6.       Kelco                              105 Forest Pkwy. Ste. 300; Sprinkler

 

 

BUILDING PERMITS ISSUED

1.       5633 Sequoia Dr. Screen porch; 224 sq. ft. Job cost $20,000

2.       431 Barton Dr.     Porch addition; 60 sq. ft. Job cost $7,500

3.       1260 Watts Rd.     Patio enclosure; 256 sq. ft. Job cost $8,000

4.       680 Main St.        Int. remodel; 1,000 sq. ft. Job cost $4,000

5.       1280 Waverly Dr.  Storage shed; 144 sq. ft. Job cost $2,800

6.       744 Cone Rd.       Deck addition; 320 sq. ft. Job cost $2,000

7.       5068 Maple Dr.    Room addition; 288 sq. ft. Job cost $15,000

8.       435 Forest Pkwy.  Int. remodel; 960 sq. ft. Job cost $10,000

9.       1216 Waverly Dr.  Storage bldg.; 288 sq. ft. Job cost $2,500

10.     105 Forest Pkwy.  Tenant finish; 9,181 sq. ft. Job cost $132,000

11.     591 Virginia Cir.   Int/Ext. rehab; Job cost $24,500

12.     4552 Old Dixie     Remod. (131 units-windows); Job cost $160,000

13.     4291 Iowa Dr.       Roof repair; Job cost $15,000

14.     5241 Springdale   New dwelling; 1,510 sq. ft. Job cost $66,750

 

CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCIES ISSUED

1.       United Way                              5163 Old Dixie Hwy. Ste. 150 05/02/06

2.       Reemick’s Hair               765 Main St.                            05/03/06

3.       Eddie’s Truck Repair      314 Cash Memorial Blvd.        05/08/06

4.       Endell’s Barber              5114 Springdale Rd.               05/10/06

5.       Happy Shop Texaco       5604 Old Dixie Hwy.               05/17/06

6.       Bhullar Dental Group    848 Main St.                            05/31/06

7.       Xcel Auto Sales              4953 Springdale Rd.               05/31/06

8.       Global Dream Mattress  4043 Jonesboro Rd.                05/31/06  

 

 

AFFILIATE BOARD ACTIVITY

 

Planning and Zoning Board

 

The Planning and Zoning Board held a called meeting at 7:30 p.m. on May 3rd, 2006 at the Agnes B. Bateman Community Development Bldg., 785 Forest Pkwy., Forest Park, Ga. 30297. At issue was a Final Plat review for the subdivision of a 1.20 acre tract into (3) lots. The applicant Ben Harris, Realtor/Project Manager, Dream Maker Ventures submitted the petition to subdivide under CFPCO Section 8-7-13(f) Short-Cut Method.  This tract lies in Land Lot 46 of the 13th District of Clayton County, Forest Park, Ga. It is currently zoned R-80 Single Family Residential. The Board voted unanimously to approve the Final Plat, signed it and forwarded the plat to Mayor and Council for review.  At the May 15th, 2006 Regular Meeting of Mayor and Council, the Final Plat was tabled to receive more information.  Councilwoman Adams, Ward 1, sent a letter to area residents advising of a meeting to be held at the site, where the developer could share his plans and entertain questions at 5:30 p.m., Thursday May 25th, 2006. The meeting was described as informative and a positive exchange of ideas led to some residents offering their properties to be sold and developed to Ben Harris. The Mayor and Council unanimously voted to allow the City Manager to sign the Final Plat as approved at the Regular Council Meeting held on June 5th, 2006. Mr. Harris has had the subdivision Final Plat recorded in the office of the Clerk of Superior Court, Clayton County, Ga.

 

 

 

                                                          Steve Pearson, Director

                                                          (404) 608-2300

 

 

 

DEPARTMENT OF FIRE/EMS

 

Congratulations to the following personnel for recent promotions and transfers:

Capt. Raymond Clark has been promoted to Deputy Fire Chief, Lt. Major Oliver has been promoted to Shift Captain and Capt. Matt Jackson has been laterally transferred from Deputy Fire Marshal to EMS Director. All of these personnel are more than qualified for these assignments and we look forward to very productive changes for this agency.

 

The Fire Department along with the Police Department, City Manager and Elected Officials have been very busy working along with the Clayton County Board of Health and other municipalities on making tentative plans for the possibility of a pandemic or other outbreak in the County. This is part of the Cities Ready Initiative (CRI) administered through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

 

13 students from Forest Park Christian School toured Fire Station 1 for a field trip to ask questions and see vehicles for their health class.

 

A-Shift assisted Fire Marshal’s Office and CERT Team in teaching fire safety at a health fair sponsored by Clayton County Health Department at Starr Park.

 

B-Shift and Fire Marshal’s Office attended the International Day Festival Sponsored by Clayton County Head Start. 450 children were taught fire safety education using the fire safety trailer.

 

B-Shift and Fire Marshal’s Office attended Career Day at Fountain Elementary School. Questions about firefighting careers were answered and equipment displayed.

 

Fire Personnel staffed a rescue unit in support of the Annual Fishing Rodeo at Ft. Gillem and the Senior Olympics. These activities were in conjunction with the Recreation and Leisure Department.

 

C-Shift was recognized with a Certificate of Achievement for outstanding performance on a call that was run earlier in the month, involving a patient with severe trauma. The shift was recognized for their performance, teamwork and on-scene time, which led to the successful resuscitation of that patient.

 

Congratulations to FF/EMT Lowell Loggins for his recent successful completion of  the Paramedic Program at Griffin Technical College.

 

Six new City summer camp counselors were trained in First Aid and CPR by Lt. Turner and other members of his shift.

 

 

 

                                                          Chief Eddie Buckholts

                                                          (404) 608-2382