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: December 14, 2006

SUBJECT: INFORMATION BULLETIN - NOVEMBER ‘06

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

DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING, BUILDING AND ZONING

BUILDING PLANS SUBMITTED:

1. Global Mail 1500 Southpoint Drive, Ste. 200; Interior

remodel

2. Knight Transport 703 Ruskin Drive; Retaining wall

3. Rogers & Brown 107 Forest Pkwy. Ste. 100; Warehouse

4. Forward Air 2750 Southpoint Dr.; Sprinkler

BUILDING PERMITS ISSUED:

1. 2750 Southpoint Dr. Retaining wall; 4,050 sq. ft. JC $107,000

2. 4785 Tuong Yen Ct. New house; 1,393 sq. ft. JC $70,000

3. 4797 Tuong Yen Ct. New house; 1,393 sq. ft. JC $72,000

4. 4761 Tuong Yen Ct. New house; 1,804 sq. ft. JC $72,000

5. 4791 Tuong Yen Ct. New house; 2,099 sq. ft. JC $75,000

6. 4767 Tuong Yen Ct. New house; 2,099 sq. ft. JC $80,000

7. 4773 Tuong Yen Ct. New house; 1,884 sq. ft. JC $75,000

8. 4796 Tuong Yen Ct. New house; 2,099 sq. ft. JC $75,000

9. 936 South Ave. Repair existing porches; JC $1,900

10. 1065 Rockcut Rd. Enclose porch for storage; JC $1,200

11. 107 Forest Pkwy. Ste. 100 Warehouse; 31,000 sq. ft. JC $182,000

12. 1500 Southpoint Dr. Ste. 200 Int. remodel; 75,375 sq. ft. JC $108,000

13. 2500 Southpoint Dr. Racking system; JC $496,000

14. 4834 N. Oak St. Fire ruling; 1,200 sq. ft. JC $20,000

15. 703 Ruskin Dr. Retaining wall; 1,225 sq. ft. JC $21,000

16. 777 Northview Dr. Rehab; JC $22,150

17. 4713 Mitchell St. Remodel; 1,700 sq. ft. JC $10,000

CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCIES ISSUED:

1. 4645 Jonesboro Rd. Ste. G NU2U 11/03/06

2. 760 Morrow Rd. Las Quince Letras 11/03/06

3. 4613 Jonesboro Rd. Fantastic Deals 11/09/06

4. 4059 Jonesboro Rd. Mexicana Market 11/20/06

5. 820 Morrow Rd. A-1 Custom Fit 11/28/06

6. 797 Morrow Rd. Pizza Wali 11/28/06

7. 4185 Jonesboro Rd. Ste. A Auto Sound 11/29/06

AFFILIATE BOARD ACTIVITY

Zoning Board of Appeals

The Zoning Board of Appeals held a public hearing at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, November 29^th, 2006 in the courtroom, located in the Agnes B. Bateman Community Development Building, 785 Forest Parkway, Forest Park, Georgia 30297. At issue, was to consider a request by Rajarshi, LLC owner/developer of a proposed Roadway Inn Motel to be located at 4405 Jonesboro Road, Forest Park, Georgia 30297, Land Lot 17 of the 13th District of Clayton County, Georgia for a variance to a 15’ side yard required building setback of the C-1 General Commercial Zoning Classification. Rajarshi, LLC plans to develop a (29) room (2)-story motel on a currently vacant 0.513 acre parcel, Clayton County Tax Id No. 13017C C003. As currently designed, the site layout depicts the (2)-story motel footprint with a zero side yard setback on the south property line. This particular property line is the common property line of the subject site (zoned C-1 General Commercial) and 3.5± acre parcel, Clayton County Tax ID No. 13017C C002, 4423 Jonesboro Road, Forest Park, Ga. 30297, owned by Georgia Jeanette and James Edward Matheson currently zoned R-80 Single Family Residential. There were 20 people in attendance, and a petition signed by 226 persons was submitted in opposition to the motel even locating at this particular site, because of its proximity to a 24-hour daycare facility. Some of the opposition stated concerns that a motel would bring in activity such as prostitution, child predators, sex offenders, drugs and criminal activity of all sorts. They surmised that this type of activity would endanger the children. The motel is an allowable use in the C-1 General Commercial district, and whether or not the motel could locate there, was not at issue. Mr. Matheson, owner of adjacent property presented a letter of opposition to granting the variance. The proposed site layout did not comply with CFPCO Section 8-8-56 General Commercial District sub paragraph (f) (3) Side Yard which states; “No limitation except, when abutting a lot zoned residential and in such case a side yard of at least fifteen (15) feet shall be provided in addition to any required buffer.” What the applicant is requesting equates to a 100% variance or complete elimination of the side yard setback requirement of 15’. The board voted unanimously to deny the 15’ side yard variance. The developer and engineer stated they would reconfigure the site plan and add a third story to the building and will submit these revised plans soon.

Steve Pearson, Director

(404) 608-2300

DEPARTMENT OF POLICE SERVICES

Citizen Police Academy and Hispanic Citizens Police Academy

The graduation program for the Citizens Police Academy was held on Tuesday, November 14^th in the Municipal Courtroom. Guest speaker for the occasion was Clayton County Solicitor General, Leslie Miller Terry. Solicitor Terry joined Chief Hobbs and Mayor Deyton in the presentation of certificates to the eleven members of the class. Chief Hobbs introduced four new officers, and presented awards and recognitions to members of the Department. Major Matson presented the Department’s Top Gun firearms award to Lieutenant Dan Podsiadly for his performance in the annual qualification round. Dinner was provided to those present by the Forest Park Chic-fil-a Restaurant.

The Hispanic Citizens Police Academy held its graduation program on Thursday, November 16^th in the Municipal Courtroom. Assistant Chief Orr spoke to the twelve members of the class on the importance of the police and community working together to solve problems and prevent crimes. Mayor Deyton assisted Colonel Orr with the presenting of certificates to the graduates. Members of the class and their families provided a wide selection of food items for everyone’s enjoyment.

For information on the Citizens Police Academy or the Hispanic Citizens Police Academy call (404) 366-7280, or contact any Forest Park Police supervisor.

Operations

Joining the Department after completion of the Clayton Regional Law Enforcement Training Academy Mandate Class are: Duane Hiers, Noslen Perez, Macus Colvin, and Alfred Paul, IV. They received an additional week of training from Department personnel on report writing, ethics, defensive driving, defensive tactics, courtroom testimony, and investigative techniques. These new Officers have been assigned to patrol teams and will be working with Field Training Officers for several months.

Five Forest Park Officers completed a thirty-two hours training class at the Georgia Public Safety Training Center on “Proactive Criminal Enforcement.”

Citizens Police Academy Class #19.

Hispanic Citizens Police Academy class #9

Chief Dwayne Hobbs

(404) 366-7280

OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER

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

A Preliminary Field Plan Review was held at the Georgia Department of Transportation on November 8, 2006. Pond and Company has begun addressing comments from the Preliminary Field Plan Review.

Livable Centers Initiative (LCI)-Main Street Streetscape Project

Right-of-Way Plans and Environmental documents have been approved. The City may now proceed with the acquisition of Right-of-Way.

State Farmers Market Project

EDAW presented transportation recommendations and concept plans for the retail portion of the State Farmers Market to the Steering Committee. A public meeting was held November 28, 2006 to gather input on the recommendations.

Community Development Block Grant Projects (CDBG)

Forest Avenue

Construction has begun on this project. Improvements consist of constructing a handicap accessible sidewalk, curb & gutter and drainage improvements. CDBG funds awarded $82,000.

John Parker, City Manager

Angela Redding, Mgt. Analyst

(404) 366-4720

DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION / FINANCE

Expenditures (preliminary totals) for the General Fund for the month of November are $1,320,698 or 8.24% of the budget. Year-to-date preliminary expenditures for the General Fund are $5,976,746 or 37.30% of the budget (fiscal year July 2006 – June 2007). 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 for the month of November and for the five month period of July through November.

Local Option Sales Tax revenue received in November is $560,444, compared to $461,580 for November of the prior year. The fiscal year-to-date total received is $2,432,069 or 47.69% of the budget. The percentage of the budget year through November is 41.67% of the year; revenue from Local Option Sales Tax remains ahead of budget through November.

The preparation and mailing of 2006 property tax bills was completed in October. Payment of property taxes is due by December 20.

New business licenses issued during the months of October and November:

Name Description

Main Street Dental Group Dental Office

H & S Recovery Auto recovery; storage; transport

Joshua’s Christian Learning Center Childcare

Mrs. Winners Chicken Fast Food Restaurant

Grandma Julia’s Child Care Center Daycare

Direct General Insurance Agency Insurance Agency

H & T Home Improvement House remodeling – office space

K Mart Corporation Distribution Center

Las Quince Letras Gold/Silver jewelry; perfumes

Grupo Aduanal M.A. Exporting Vehicles

A-1 Custom Fit Interior Design Upholstery/Window Treatment

Instar Service Group Construction/ Restoration

Perimeter Insurance Agency Insurance agency

Anda Express Translations / Notary

TriunfoLation, Inc. Taxes/Notary/Translations

Platinum Photography Photography

NP Car Audio, Inc. Retail Electronics

Wachovia Bank Banking

NU2U New/Used Clothing, Shoes

Pho Jonesboro Restaurant Restaurant

A.B. Fantastic Deals Thrift Store Used furniture, clothes, household

Pizza Wali Pizza, subs, chicken, pasta, deli

Mike Blandenburg, Director

(404) 366-4720

DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS

Street Division:

Major projects for the month of November included the replacing of 580 feet of sidewalk and curbing on Forest Avenue which entailed putting down 72 tons of crush run for the base, 78 tons fill dirt and 58 yards of concrete. Crews also helped with 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. Crews also started on the Second Avenue Park by laying of concrete for the shed and basketball court areas. 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

DEPARTMENT OF RECREATION AND LEISURE SERVICES

WHAT’S HAPPENING

* Youth Basketball Draft – The Youth Basketball Draft was held on November 11, 2006 at the Recreation Center. We have a total of 37 teams 296 children ages 5-16. Practices will start in December with games beginning in January.

* Men’s Basketball – The Men’s Basketball League has a total of four (4) teams that play on Wednesday night starting at 7pm.

* Public Swimming – The indoor pool was open to the public on Tuesday and Thursday nights 7:30pm to 9:30pm; and Saturdays 1pm to 4pm.

* Chess Club – Meets on Wednesday night starting at 6pm. They meet at Community Building #1.

* NYSCA – National Youth Sports Coaching Association – Mary Ann Connelly conducted a training program for our youth basketball coaches on November 30, 2006 at 6pm at the Senior Center.

* Swim Lessons – Youth Swimming lessons are conducted on Saturdays starting at 12noon.

* Wellness Programs

Water Aerobics – Monday & Wednesday 7pm-pm

Yoga – Wednesday evenings 6:30pm-8pm

Water Exercise – Monday & Wednesday 1pm-2pm

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

Swim For Fun – Tuesday & Thursday 1:30-2:30pm – 55 & up

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

Saturday 10am-4pm

SPECIAL EVENTS

* Veterans Day – The Veterans Day Ceremonies were held on November 10, 2006 at the Senior Center starting at 10am. Forest Park High School JRAFROTC presented the colors. The Forest Park High School Orchestra performed, Michelle Dorsey from City Hall sang ‘Amazing Grace”. Mayor Corine Deyton welcomed and introduced the guest speaker. The ceremonies had over 150 spectators. Refreshments were served after the ceremonies.

* Christmas Parade – Our Annual Christmas Parade took place on November 27, 2006. There were approximately 36 entries including dancing groups, Chick-Fil-A, Forest Park Youth Football cheerleaders and football players, our very own Police and Fire Departments and many more. The Parade started at Anne & Bill’s restaurant, proceeded down Main Street and ended at Starr Park with the lighting of the Christmas Tree and other Christmas decorations. There were thousands of onlookers watching the festivities and joining us in our kickoff of the holiday season. Ole St. Nick was there with candy in tow.

SENIOR ACTIVITIES

* Breakfast and Bingo or lunch is a big treat for the ones that come out. Some like to come for breakfast and some lunch, but most like to play Bingo.

* The Shuffleboard club is still practicing and has a great time strengthening their game.

* Our Senior Turkey Dinner was held November 18, at 6pm at the Senior Center. A great time was had by all that attended.

* The Line Dancing class is growing and now up to 12-15 students, as we have a new instructor.

* The card players are still meeting for a game of cards every week. Some come every day to play a hand of cards.

* 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 1, 2006 – Pictures with Santa 6pm @ Senior Center

* December 5, 7, 2006 – Santa’s Calling

* December 6, 2006 – City BBQ @ Forest Park Recreation Center Gymnasium 11am-1:30pm

* December 9, 2006 – Breakfast with Santa @ Senior Center

Elaine Corley, Director

404-363-2908

DEPARTMENT OF FIRE/EMS

• The Fire Department is pleased to announce the hiring of two new employees – FF/EMT(s) Mark Register and Alex Mims. We are pleased to have both of these young men on board and wish them a long and successful career.

• FF/EMT(s) Jody Thompson and Gene Harvey are presently enrolled in Paramedic classes and are expecting to complete their program in the next year. We wish them great success in improving their career and being better prepared to serve the community.

Fire Dept. Activities

• Participating in the City Christmas Parade assisted by CERT members. Received the coveted Mayor Cup Award for float entry. Thanks to FAO Bobby Taylor for another great float design and work done by department members.

• Participated in Jonesboro’s Annual Holiday at Home Parade.

• B-shift taught 260 children Fire Safety at Clayton Co. Head Start. The Fire Safety House was utilized in this detail.

• A Girl Scout Troop was given an educational tour at Station One.

• The Fire Marshals officers attended in conjunction with the Police Dept. an Apartment Managers meeting to discuss Holiday Hazards In The Home.

• The Fire Marshals office spoke on Holiday Hazards in the home at the final meeting.

Structure fires – 7 (3 mutual aid)

Vehicle fires – 3

Service calls – 8

Hazardous calls – 13

Alarms – 29

Engine – assist EMS – 78

Medical calls – 334

Total Calls - 472

Chief Eddie Buckholts

(404) 608-2382