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:                   July 13, 2006

 

SUBJECT:            INFORMATION BULLETIN  - JUNE  ‘06

 

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

 

DEPARTMENT OF FIRE/EMS

 

  • B-Shift and the Fire Marshals Office attended the community health fair sponsored by Forest Chapel Baptist Church at 5150 Whatley Drive. The fire safety trailer was used to teach 19 children fire safety.

 

  • Congratulations are in order for former Fire Apparatus Operator Michelle Lemacks who has been promoted to C-Shift Lieutenant. She was the successful candidate among seventeen personnel vying for the position.

 

  • Fire personnel responded to 264 calls for service during the month of May. Total included 210 Emergency Medical calls and 54 fire-related calls including two structure fires.

 

 

 

Chief Eddie Buckholts

(404) 608-2382

 

 

 

 

DEPARTMENT OF RECREATION AND LEISURE SERVICES

 

 WHAT’S HAPPENING

 

·        Outdoor Pool – The outdoor pool opened May 31, 2006.  It operates Monday through Saturday.  The pool is open to the public daily and is available for rentals.

·        Summer Swim Lessons – Started on June 5, 2006.  We have completed two sessions of swim lessons. The sessions are for two weeks, one-hour lessons for a total of eight (8) per session.  We have taught 140 students in the first two sessions. Swim lessons are for children ages 3-12 years old.  The lessons are based on American Red Cross guidelines.

 

·        Family Night – Family nights are scheduled on Friday night 6:30pm-8pm. For $3 per person, they can swim, play mini golf, and have a hot day plate.  We had 4 planned in June 2006.  We were only able to do two family nights due to the weather.  

 

·        Summer Day Camp – The camp is for boys and girls ages 5-12 years old.  The month of June we had four one-week session, with a total of 413 attending.  Camp activities included games, sport activities, arts and crafts, storytelling, special events and swimming.  Some of the campers have gone to World of Coke, Disney Magic Show and Zoo Atlanta.    

 

·        Girl’s Summer League Basketball – League play started on June 19, 2006. Games are played on Monday-Thursday starting @ 6pm.  Total of 12 teams with 96 participants. 

 

·        Youth Basketball Camp – Camp was held on June 5-8, 2006 6pm-9pm.  The camp offered basic fundamentals in dribbling, passing, jump shooting, ball handling and defensive techniques. 

 

·        Semi Pro Football Game – The Southern Football League hosted a game on June 24, 2006 5pm-9pm at Kiwanis Stadium.  There were approximately 800 spectators at this event.

 

·        International Christian Fellowship – Held an African Cultural Festival on Saturday, June 16, 2006 11am-8pm at Kiwanis Stadium. The festival consisted of African films, food, kiddie korner, health screening and a flag football game. 

 

·        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 1:30 pm-2:30 pm (seniors)

Yoga – Wednesday evenings 6:30 pm - 8 pm

Ladies Fitness – Monday evenings 8 pm

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

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

                                      & Saturday 10 am-4 pm

 

SENIOR ACTIVITIES

·        June was a quiet month.  We stayed busy, but with inside activities because of the heat

 

·        The Red Hatters had a great lunch at Buckners and really did enjoy the food and company.  It was a nice ride and they all got to wear their red fineries.   

 

·        The Line Dancers are getting into the swing of things.  They learn new dances all the time and really look forward to the Jamboree this fall.

 

·        Shuffleboarders are practicing and getting ready for the State Tournament in Warner Robins.  This is a qualifying year for the Nationals at Louisville, Kentucky.  So we are excited.

 

·        The Card Club grows each week as many new members enjoy learning and playing cards and enjoying their weekly lunch.

 

·        Our exercise class is doing really good and seems to be an enjoyable morning for the ladies and gentlemen.  We look for new members to join us each month.

 

 

UPCOMING EVENTS

·        July 4, 2006 – Beach Bash @ Starr Park 4 pm-8 pm

·        July 7, 14, 21, 28, 2006 – Family Night @ Starr Park Pool/Mini Golf 6:30 pm - 8 pm - $3 per person

·        July 5-31, 2006 – Soccer Registration Monday-Friday 9 am -7 pm @ gym  

·        July 24-26, 2006 – Soccer Clinic 6:30 pm - 8 pm @ Soccer Fields 

 

Elaine Corley, Director

404-363-2908

 

DEPARTMENT OF POLICE SERVICES

 

Uniform Patrol

Marc Hoffman and Stephen Geeslin completed the basic law enforcement training class at the Clayton Regional Law Enforcement Academy on June 29th. Officers Hoffman and Geeslin received additional training at the Department before entering the field training program as part of a patrol team.

 

TRIAD

The TRIAD group held its monthly meeting on June 16th at the Forest Park Senior Center. Sergeant Cory Cloud conducted an informative presentation on youth gang activity in Clayton County. For information on the TRIAD Program contact the Forest Park Senior Center or Major Chris Matson at the Police Department.

 

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

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.

 

Leah Baker came to the Department in June as an intern from Clayton State University. Ms. Baker is assisting in several research projects as part of her class work at the University. She has conducted citizen surveys at Starr Park and reviewed offense reports as part of a crime analysis effort.

 

COPS

The Forest Park Police Cadet Program consists of about twenty teenagers who meet weekly with police officers to learn about law enforcement and good citizenship. Officer Darell Whitehead from the COPS Unit is the lead instructor and schedules other members of the Department as instructors. The Cadets meet on Tuesday nights, from 6:00 pm until 7:30 pm. Anyone interested should contact Officer Whitehead at (404) 366-2232.

 

                                                          Chief Dwayne Hobbs

                                                          (404) 366-7280

DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS

Street Division:

          Street crews laid 120’ of 12” pipe at 740 and 748 Patricia Drive and built 2 stormwater catch boxes. Pipes were sealed to the existing piping with red bricks and concrete.  Crews completed four abatement orders at 4600 City View Drive, 4709 Chesler Street, 827 Dennis Drive, and 464 Greenhill Way. Two potholes were filled on Forest Hills Path.  Crews also put No Parking signs on City View Drive, Burks Road, New Burks Road, and Virginia Circle.  Crews cut down 6 trees and cleaned up the lot at 2nd Street Park.

 

Building Maintenance:

          Building Maintenance crews removed the rear side walk and replaced with concrete at City Hall.  A new door sensor was installed on the front door and an electrical box was built around equipment in the tax office. Crews repaired roof leaks at Fire Stations #1 and #2. Sheetrock was replaced over the front entrance at the Senior Building. All lower stadium walls 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 crews removing leaves and limb from City right of ways.

 

 

 

                                                          Mike Gippert, Director

                                                          (404) 608-2310

 

 

 

 

DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION / FINANCE

 

Expenditures (preliminary totals) for the General Fund for the month of June are $1,445,611 or 8.92% of the budget.  Year-to-date preliminary expenditures for the General Fund are $16,214,572 or 90.61% of the budget (fiscal year July 2005 – June 2006). For comparison purposes, the period of July through June represents 100.00%  of the budget year. Preliminary total expenditures for the General Fund are under budget for the fiscal year by $1,520,931 or 9.39%.

 

Local Option Sales Tax revenue received in June is $491,113 compared to $466,146 for June of the prior year. The fiscal year-to-date total received is $5,347,228 or 105.89% of the budget; the percentage of the budget year through June is 100.00% of the year. Revenue from Local Option Sales Tax for the fiscal year has exceeded budget by $297,224 or 5.89%.

 

The budget process for the 2006-2007 fiscal year has been completed. Budget presentations by departments to the Mayor & Council were conducted May 30, 31 and June 1. The budget for fiscal year 2006-2007 was adopted by Mayor & Council at the June 19 City Council Meeting. The efforts during the budget process by Mayor & Council and the department heads is greatly appreciated.

         

 

Mike Blandenburg, Director

(404) 366-4720

 

 

 

 

DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING, BUILDING AND ZONING

 

BUILDING PLANS SUBMITTED:

 

1.       105 Forest Pkwy. Ste. 400       ICT New Heights; Tenant finish

2.       4183-4185 Jonesboro Rd.       Basi Enterprises, Inc.; Remodel       

3.       705 Ruskin Dr.                        JB Hunt; Remodel

4.       5530 Old Dixie Hwy.               Breckenridge Apts.; Clubhouse

5.       4894 Jonesboro Rd.                Forest Plaza; Shell Bldg.

 

BUILDING PERMITS ISSUED:

 

1.       4717 Stillwood Cove       Rear deck; 256 sq. ft. Job cost $2,200

2.       380 Main St.                  Demo residential dwelling; 1,600 sq. ft.

Job cost $4,500

3.       894 Pineview Dr.            Roof repair; 1,200 sq. ft. Job cost $4,000

4.       774 Warren Dr.              Rear porch; 675 sq. ft. Job cost $4,500

5.       5598 Ash St.                  Storage Bldg.; 144 sq. ft. Job cost $1,600

6.       4845 Old Dixie Hwy.      Zoe’s Motel; repair car accident damage;

640 sq. ft. Job cost $1,700

7.       741 Shellnut Dr.            Above ground pool; 24 sq. ft. Job cost

$1,600

8.       5355 Sharon St.            Room addition; 364 sq. ft. Job cost $8,000

9.       1121 Stoneybrook Rd.   Rear deck; 110 sq. ft. Job cost $1,500

10.     1068 Ponderosa Pk Dr.  Storage Bldg.; 234 sq. ft. Job cost $1,108

11.     5121 Ash St.                  Bed/Bath remodel; 228 sq. ft. Job cost

$61,000

12.     4474 Meadow Dr.           Storage Bldg.; 128 sq. ft. Job cost $1,800

13.     388 Second St.              Int/Ext repairs; 1,000 sq. ft. Job cost

$10,000

14.     856 Kennesaw Dr.         Int/Ext repairs; 1,200 sq. ft. Job cost

10,000

15.     105 Forest Pkwy. 400    Tenant Finish; 9,272 sq. ft. Job cost

$134,000

16.     4156 Boling Dr.             Repair car accident damage; Job cost

$2,000

 

 

CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANICES ISSUED:

 

1.       4798 Jonesboro Rd. Ste. B      Kim Thuy Travel             06/07/06

2.       4869 Jonesboro Rd.                Clothes 4 Less               06/08/06

3.       680 Main St.                            J-N-J Martinez               06/15/06

4.       105 Forest Pkwy. Ste. 300       Kelco                              06/19/06

5.       4644 Jonesboro Rd.                J’s Sports Bar/Grill       06/22/06

6.       105 Forest Pkwy. #600            Int’l Svc. Prep Grp                   06/26/06

7.       4705 Jonesboro Rd.                Kings Comm.                 06/27/06

8.       435 Forest Pkwy. #303            Ga. Power Credit Union 06/28/06

9.       1003 Forest Pkwy.                   Happy Hand Car Wash  06/29/06

10.     5120 Old Dixie Hwy.               Highway Materials         06/30/06

11.     4821 Hendrix Dr.                    RS Care Home               06/30/06

 

Affiliate Board Activity

 

There were no meetings of the Architectural Design Review Board, Planning and Zoning Board, or the Zoning Board of Appeals during the month of June, 2006.

 

 

 

Steve Pearson, Director

                                                      (404) 608-2303       

 

 

 

OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER

 

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

Pond & Company is preparing different design alternatives to bring the project within budget.

Livable Centers Initiative (LCI)-Main Street Streetscape Project

GDOT approved the Categorical Exclusion environmental report.  Easement acquisition documents have been prepared.  The City Attorney is currently performing the title search for properties that will require an easement (temporary or permanent) and anticipate delivering the reports to the City the end of July.  Robert & Company has received comments from GDOT regarding the project construction drawings and is making the required revisions.

 

State Farmers Market Project

The Steering Committee kick-off meeting  was held Tuesday, July 11th at 11:00 a.m. in the Council Chambers.  Steering Committee members are:  Odessa Archibald, Georgia Power, Bonnie Sutherland Wilson, Sutherland Food, Shane Short, Clayton County Chamber of Commerce, Bob Merrill, Office of U.S. Congressman David Scott, Bobby Harris, Georgia Department of Agriculture, Darnell Moorer, Resident, Louise Judson, Businesswoman & Resident, Robin Roberts, Development and Redevelopment Authority of Clayton County, Margaret Brown, Resident, Dianne Lunsford, Resident, John Chafin, Business Owner, Dee Dee Peppers, Heritage Bank and Jeff Metarko, Clayton County Transportation Engineer.

 

Fort Gillem Redevelopment Project

The Forest Park/Fort Gillem Local Redevelopment Authority issued an RFQ (Request for Qualifications) for a Master Developer.  The RFQ was advertised May 26th, June 2nd & 9th.  June 16th was the deadline for submittal of the RFQ.  Five (5) Submittals were received with one being Non-responsive.  The following companies submitted an RFQ:  International Risk Group, LLC, Cousins, Cherokee Investment Partners, REACT USA (non-responsive) and The Concourse Group, LLC.  A committee has been formed to review the submittals.

 

OTHER MEETINGS

TCC (Transportation Coordinating Committee) Meeting held at ARC (Atlanta Regional Commission).  TCC coordinate transportation needs for the Atlanta Metro Region.  Forest Park projects relative to TCC are the Sidewalks to Schools projects and the Transit Oriented Pedestrian Improvement Projects.

 

LUCC (Land Use Coordinating Committee) Meeting held at ARC (Atlanta Regional Commission).  LUCC coordinate land use needs for the Atlanta Metro Region.  Projects relative to Forest Park are:  LCI (Livable Centers Initiative), Comprehensive Plan and Zoning.

 

Bicycle/Pedestrian Meeting held at ARC (Atlanta Regional Commission).  The Bike/Ped Committee coordinates bicycle/pedestrian projects for the Atlanta Metro Region.  Forest Park relative projects are:  Sidewalks to Schools projects and Transit Oriented Pedestrian project.

 

LCI (Livable Centers Initiative) Quarterly Meeting held at ARC (Atlanta Regional Commission).  Relative Forest Park projects include Main Street LCI project and the State Farmers Market.

 

SRAS (Southern Regional Accessibility Study) Meeting held at Coweta County Center for Performing Arts.  The SRAS is a study to plan for improvements in land use, traffic, transit and other mobility challenges in the rapidly growing 6-counties of the Southern Region:  Clayton, South Fulton, Coweta, Fayette, Spalding and Henry.

 

GDOT Clayton County Quarterly Meeting held at GDOT’s office located on Capitol Avenue.  Quarterly meeting to discuss and address needs, problems, and progress of all County projects and the projects of the cities within the county.

 

Leadership Clayton Advisory Board - Angela Redding serves as Chairwoman of the Leadership Clayton Board.  Leadership Clayton is a leadership class sponsored by the Clayton County Chamber of Commerce.  The Commencement for the 2006 Class of Leadership Clayton was held June 7, 2006 at Clayton State University.  The Speaker was Ben DeCosta, General Manager Hartsfield-Atlanta International Airport.

 

The deadline for applications for the 2006-2007 Class of Leadership Clayton is August 4, 2006.  Please call the Clayton County Chamber Commerce at 678-610-4021 to request an application.

 

 

 

                                                          John Parker, City Manager

                                                          Angela Redding, Mgt. Analyst

                                                          (404) 366-4720