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: December 13, 2005

SUBJECT: INFORMATION BULLETIN - NOVEMBER ’05

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

DEPARTMENT OF POLICE SERVICES

Citizens Police Academy

GBI agent Lee Sweat was the guest speaker for the November 15^th graduation program for the Citizens Police Academy. Agent Sweat described his experiences in the recovery and identification of victims of Hurricane Katrina in the New Orleans area. As part of the program, Chief Hobbs presented a number of awards and recognitions to members of the Department.

• Alberto Cruz was presented an award to recognize his selection as “Officer of the Year.” Chief Hobbs emphasized that this is an honor decided by vote of the members of the Department.
• Mike Gentry was recognized for his recent promotion to the rank of Sergeant.
• Other officers were recognized for achieving certifications or service awards.

Captain Chris Matson, the Department’s firearms instructor, announced the winners of the firearms qualification awards.

• Lt. James Delk was the winner of the Top Gun award as the highest qualifier.
• Delta Team was the winner of the Top Team award.
• Captain Matson was recognized by Chief Hobbs for his perfect 300 qualification score.

Hispanic Citizens Police Academy

Graduation for the Seventh session of the HCPA was held on Thursday, November 17^th. Mr. Daniel King of Planeta X radio was the special guest. Mr. King hosts a daily show on Planeta X where he discusses topics of interest to the Hispanic community.

TRIAD

The TRIAD meeting was held at the Senior Center on November 18^th. Holiday Safety was the theme of the meeting, and Officers Darell Whitehead and Mayra Ambris discussed holiday crime prevention. Captain Holcomb of the Fire Department provided information on fire safety during the holidays.

Detectives/COPS/Viper

COPS Officers attended three Neighborhood Watch meetings, the Apartment Managers Coalition meeting, the TRIAD meeting, the Citizens Police Academy, and the Hispanic Citizens Police Academy meetings. They also participated in the Veteran’s Day program at the Senior Center.

Chief Dwayne Hobbs

(404) 366-7280

DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION / FINANCE

Expenditures (preliminary totals) for the General Fund for the month of November are $1,659,572 or 10.57% of the budget. Year-to-date preliminary expenditures for the General Fund are $5,982,862 or 38.10% of the budget (fiscal year July 2005 – June 2006). For comparison purposes, the period of July through November represents 41.67% of the budget year. Total expenditures for the General Fund remain under budget through November. Expenditures for the month of November were above average due primarily to payment of the City health insurance premium.

Local Option Sales Tax revenue received in November was $452,095 compared to $402,102 for November of the prior year. The fiscal year-to-date total received is $2,257,739 or 44.7% of the budget; the percentage of the budget year through November is 41.67% of the year.

Mike Blandenburg, Director

(404) 366-4720

DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS

Street Division:

Major projects for the month of November included helping the Building Maintenance Division with the installation of Christmas decorations. These crews also ran the vacuum truck cleaning out ditches of fallen leaves. Low limbs were cut from the sidewalks on Forest Parkway. Preparation and arrangements were made for the City barbeque.

Building Maintenance:

Public Works crews lead by the Building Maintenance Division installed Christmas decorations throughout the City, and exterior decoration to most all of the main city buildings. Maintenance crews also completed numerous work orders for all city departments.

Parks Division:

Along with the daily cleanup around the park areas and city buildings and the interior cleanups of the recreation building and park buildings, Park crews were busy removing leaves from side parks and median areas and right-of-ways, which included Forest Parkway and Jonesboro Road. The Parks Division crews planted flowers in park areas and most major city building. The Parks Division with help from the other Public Works Divisions was also responsible for the setup on the Main Street and the Starr Park area for the Annual Christmas Parade and Grand Lighting of the Park Area.

Mike Gippert, Director

(404) 608-2310

OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER

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

Pond & Company is still awaiting approval of the concept report.

Livable Centers Initiative (LCI)-Main Street Streetscape Project

The Historic/106 report has been approved. In addition, Robert & Company hopes to obtain right-of-way drawing approval in early 2006.

State Farmers Market Project

EDAW is currently performing the basic data collection tasks, as well as preparing for interviews with stakeholders. The interviews are scheduled to begin in January 2006.

Community Development Block Grants (CDBG)

The City is still awaiting the Notice to Proceed from the County for the two CDBG projects awarded.

Fort Gillem

The City met with ARC and the Department of Labor regarding funds available to plan a comprehensive response to a BRAC 2005 Closure or Realignment.

Bill Werner, City Manager

Angela Redding, Mgmt. Analyst

(404) 366-4720

DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING, BUILDING AND ZONING

BUILDING PLANS SUBMITTED

1. 105 Forest Pkwy. Bldg. 200 Airlogistics II; Sprinkler System

2. 4460 Jonesboro Rd. Caranciria Garcias#5; Int. Remodel

BUILDING PERMITS ISSUED

1. 4161 Jonesboro Rd. John’s Fine Foods; Roof over bldg.;

54 sq. ft. Job cost $2,400

2. 5159 Warner St. Int. Remodel/Rehab.; 2,000 sq. ft.

Job cost $8,000

3. 5077 Bartlett Rd. Int./Ext. Repair; 704 sq. ft.; Job

cost $3,200

4. 4626 Bartlett Rd. Int./Ext. rehab; 1,800 sq. ft. Job

cost $10,000

5. 392 Fourth St. New house; 1,520 sq. ft. Job cost

$92,000

6. 355 Fourth St. New house; 1,520 sq. ft. Job cost

$92,000

7. 359 Fourth St. New house; 1,520 sq. ft. Job cost

$92,000

8. 4073 O’Hara Rd. Room Additions; 400 sq. ft. Job cost

$35,000

9. 5429 Joyce Dr. Room additions; 228 sq. ft. Job cost

$5,000

10. 1172 S. Parkwood Dr. Roof Repair; Job cost $2,000

CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCIES ISSUED

1. 4040 Jonesboro Rd. D.O.J. Auto Dealership

2. 4095 Jonesboro Rd. Ste. J Taqueria Y Pupseria

3. 4855 Jonesboro Rd. El Aguila Asesores Lations

4. 5592 Old Dixie Hwy. Restaurant El Milagro

5. 4510 Jonesboro Rd. La Esperanza Mexican Restaurant

6. 132 Forest Pkwy. Patriots

CONSTRUCTION PROJECT UPDATES

• Townhome development, Georgia Avenue at West Street moves forward. The townhome development at 615 Georgia Ave. that began construction in May of 2004 and sat dormant for the last (10) months has been sold and under construction again. The original owner/developer, M & A Homes 4557 Chamblee-Tucker Rd., Atlanta, Ga. 30084 pulled building permits for the two (2), three story buildings (brick & stucco) with (12) units each, ran into financial woes in late 2004. As a result, the project had stopped in January 2005. At this point, the site had finished grade, curb & gutter, water and sanitary sewer infrastructure, rough utilities, and foundation/slab inspections for both building A & B. H & H Elite Enterprises, LLC 414 Ridgemont Dr., Lawrenceville, Ga. 30045 has purchased the development and has began to secure the proper permits to construct the project, construction has begun once again.

• Kenai Townhome Development – 380 Main Street

The civil plans for the Kenai Townhome development was submitted November 23^rd, 2005 and is currently being reviewed by Tim Mullen, PE, Travis Pruitt and Associates, Inc., the City’s consulting engineers. The civil plan process has now reached the point where the issues expressed by the area residents can now be addressed. At each and every occasion for the area residents to express their concerns about this development, two issues were of main concern; wetlands and tree preservation. I know the citizens thought their concerns were falling on deaf ears and not being considered. However, all reviews and considerations prior to the submission of these civil construction and erosion control plans were based on conceptual and preliminary plans which set the parameters of this development. Now, the plans are site specific and all of the environmental concerns and much more will be addressed and complied with prior to the issuance of a Land Disturbance Permit.

• The Planning and Zoning Board, Zoning Appeals Board and the Architectural Design Review Board held no meetings during the month of November 2005.

Steve Pearson, Director

(404) 608-2300

DEPARTMENT OF RECREATION AND LEISURE SERVICES

WHAT’S HAPPENING

· Youth Basketball - We have a total of 37 teams, 296 children ages 5-16 years old signed up for our youth basketball. There are 8 Pee Wee teams, 8 Shorty teams, 10 Midget teams, 6 Junior teams, and 5 Senior teams. Practice will start in December with games being played starting in January 2006.

· Clayton County High School Swim Teams – Meets were held on November 16, and 30, 2005. There are 8 teams. Meets are tri-meets and are at 6 pm and 7:30 pm on Wednesday nights.

· Baton – GYOP operates out baton program every Saturday from 9:30am to 11:45am for ages 5-18 years old.

· Start Smart Basketball – Finished up on November 19, 2005. This program works with the parent and child on beginning basketball skills. Ages 3-5 years old.

· Adult Basketball – Men has 6 teams and play Thursday nights starting at 6:30 pm. The ladies have 4 teams and play on Wednesday nights starting at 7 pm. Both leagues continue play through December 17, 2005.

· Indoor Pool – The indoor pool opened for public swimming on Tuesday and Thursday nights 7:30 pm-9:30 pm.

· Swimming Lessons – Held on Saturdays, Beginners are for ages 6 years old and up at 1 pm-2 pm, and Preschool is for ages 3-5 years old at 2 pm-2:30 pm.

· Wellness Programs

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

Aerobics – Tuesday & Thursday 6 pm-7 pm

Water Exercise – Monday & Wednesday 1 pm-2 pm

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

SPECIAL EVENTS

· Veterans Day – The Veterans Day Ceremonies was held on November 11, 2005 at the Senior Center at 11 am. Forest Park High School JRAFROTC presented the colors. The Forest Park High School Orchestra performed, Michelle Dorsey from City Hall sang ‘Amazing Grace’. Mayor Hall welcomed and introduced the guest speaker. The guest speaker was Mr. John Loyd, a retired military veteran. The ceremonies had 100 spectators. Refreshments were served after the ceremonies.

· Christmas Parade & Tree Lighting – Our Annual Christmas Parade scheduled for November 28, 2005 was canceled due to the weather. The tree lighting was held at Starr Park on Thursday, December 1, 2005 at 6:30 pm. The First Baptist Church of Forest Park sang Christmas songs and the park was lit up and the arrival of Santa. There were over 200 people that attended this event.

SENIOR ACTIVITIES

· Coffee, chatter and sweets are in full swing on Wednesday and Friday mornings 8:30 am to 10 am. Come enjoy the fun and fellowship.

· Do you know how to play hand and foot? Do you know what it is? Come find out on Thursdays, it begins at 9:30 am and we may have to move to a bigger area.

· Our Line Dancing group (Senior Rockettes) is getting better and better. They meet every Wednesday from 1 pm to 3 pm, classes on Thursdays 5 pm-7 pm.

· November 4, 2005 was our $1 lunch for all seniors. There was great food and fellowship.

· The Red Hatters went to Olive Garden on November 7, 2005 for their monthly meeting. Everyone was dressed in their red and purple and had a wonderful time.

· Our Senior Turkey Dinner was held November 19, at 6 pm at the senior center. A great time was had by all that attended.

· The seniors were in charge of refreshments for the Christmas Parade. However, the parade was canceled due to the weather. The Christmas Celebration officially started December 1, 2005 with a gathering in Starr Park to light the decorations and the tree.

· The seniors also decorated the center for Christmas, by putting up a tree or two and hanging decorations all over the center. Everyone had a wonderful time bringing in the Christmas season.

UPCOMING EVENTS

· December 2, 2005 – Pictures with Santa – Senior Center

· December 6, 2005 – City Election Run-off @ Forest Park Recreation Center Gymnasium

· December 6, 8, 2005 – Santa’s Calling

· December 7, 2005 – City BBQ @ Forest Park Recreation Center Gymnasium

· December 7, 14, 2005 – 2005 Clayton County High School Swim Meets @ Indoor Pool

· December 10, 2005 – Breakfast with Santa @ Senior Center

Elaine Corley, Director

404-363-2908

DEPARTMENT OF FIRE/EMS SERVICES

• The Fire Department was asked to assist in the coordination of the Holiday Parade in the City of Jonesboro this year. The parade was hosted by Clayton County Fire Department. Clayton County, City of Forest Park, Morrow and Riverdale joined together to accomplish this event. Engine Two was used to represent our City.

• The Fire Safety Trailer was utilized for fire prevention education at Fountain Elementary School this month. 110 children were instructed in fire safety and prevention of hazards in the home.

• The second CERT class has been completed and is now training with the first class to strengthen our CERT Program. The CERT meetings are held at Fire Station #2 on Linda Way on the 2^nd Tuesday of every month at 6:00 – 8:00. This month we are training on basic first aid and personal infection control.

Chief Eddie Buckholts

(404) 608-2383