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:                   November 16, 2006

 

SUBJECT:            INFORMATION BULLETIN  - OCTOBER  ‘06

 

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

 

DEPARTMENT OF FIRE/EMS

 

Fire Prevention Week Activities

  • Sgt. Karol Tillman and FF Jason Brown talked to the Health Occupations Class at Forest Park Senior High about fire service careers.
  • Fire A-Shift personnel utilized the Fire Safety House at Hendrix Drive Elementary to teach 80 children “How to Get Out Alive”.
  • 80 children at Fountain Elementary School were taught Fire Safety by B-Shift personnel.
  • 40 children from Kidtopia Academy toured Fire Station One and were taught Fire Safety.

 

The Fire Marshals Office taught 50 employees of Hexion Chemical the proper methods of extinguishing fires using portable fire extinguishers.

 

The Fire Marshals Office and on-duty personnel utilized the Fire Safety House and Hazard House to teach some 300 participants Fire Safety at the City’s Autumn in the Park Festival.

 

Fire Personnel assisted in the Forest Park 5K Fun/Run/Walk by providing a stand-by ambulance for participants of the walk.

 

A-Shift and the Fire Marshals Office used the Fire Safety House to teach the After School Program of First Baptist Church about Fire Safety.

 

B-Shift and the Fire Marshals Office taught 77 children and adults Fire Safety by utilizing the Fire Safety House at the City Halloween Carnival.

 

Fire Personnel conducted annual hose and pumper testing to ensure equipment is ready for emergency response.

C-Shift Personnel and Administrative Staff conducted a mock vehicle rollover crash at Forest Park High School during Red Ribbon Week to demonstrate the effects of drugs and alcohol on teen drivers. Christine Terrell of Support Services volunteered to act as a patient during the exercise where the “Jaws of Life” were demonstrated to remove a victim from the vehicle and “Life Flight” helicopter was brought in to transport one of the victims to the nearest trauma medical facility. Approximately 200 high school age students were allowed to view this eye-opening demonstration.

 

The Fire Department responded to 140 emergency incidents during October to include:

  • 5 structure fires
  • 3 vehicle fires
  • 4 other fires
  • 10 false alarms
  • 1 hazmat
  • 92 EMS calls
  • 25 other responses

 

 

Chief Eddie Buckholts

(404) 608-2382

 

 

OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER

 

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

 

Pond & Company will re-submit preliminary plans to GDOT based on the comments received last month.

 

Livable Centers Initiative (LCI)-Main Street Streetscape Project

 

The City of Forest Park City Council approved a resolution requesting authorization for the Mayor to execute the Construction Agreement for this project.

 

State Farmers Market Project

 

EDAW has produced development scenarios for the retail component of the Farmers Market.  Each scenario addresses circulation, ingress/egress, programmed uses and site design concepts.  In addition, the transportation analysis has been completed and a list of transportation improvements identified.

 

A meeting will be scheduled to present the retail scenarios and final transportation 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.

 

Pocket Parks

 

The county is completing the basketball court at the Second Avenue Park. and the parking pad at Theatre Drive.

 

Other

 

CREATE Award

Each year the Atlanta Regional Commission accept applications for the CREATE and Developments of Excellence Awards.  The CREATE Community Award was developed in 2004 to recognize exceptional achievement of cities in five areas including community involvement, economic development, transportation initiatives, educational partnerships and environmental sustainability.  More than 15 developments were nominated for the Developments of Excellence Award and 58 applications for the CREATE award were submitted from across the region.  This was the City of Forest Park first year submitting an application.

 

The City of Forest Park was awarded the CREATE award in the category of Air Quality and Transportation for the City of Forest Park Sidewalks to Schools and Transit Oriented Pedestrian projects at the October 18, 2006 City/county Managers luncheon held at Georgia State University.

 

Award winners will be officially recognized and presented with the award at the State of the Region Breakfast at the Downtown Hyatt on November 17.

         

 

 

                                                          John Parker, City Manager

                                                          Angela Redding, Mgt. Analyst

                                                          (404) 366-4720

 

 

DEPARTMENT OF RECREATION AND LEISURE SERVICES

 

WHAT’S HAPPENING

 

Y                  Community Wide Yard Sale – The Community Wide Yard Sale was held on October 7, 2006 9am-2pm at the parking lot behind the Recreation Center.  We had a total of 86 vendors.  This is always a popular event and is well attended.  I guess it is true what they say “one man’s junk is another’s treasure”.

 

Y                  Youth Basketball Registration – Registration started on October 16, 2006.  The program is for boys and girls ages 5-16 years old.  Practice will start in December and games in January 2007.  As of October we have signed up 257 children for this program.

 

Y                  International Autumn in the Park Festival – The festival was held on October 21, 2006 at Starr Park 10am-6pm.  It was a nice autumn day, not a cloud in the sky.  We had a good crowd at the festival.  There were a total of 55 vendors.  The vendors consisted of arts and crafts, games, food, civic groups, health information and instructional booths.  Home Depot had a booth for children to learn how to make some wood crafts.  They also gave the children a Home Depot apron.  The Forest Park Fire and Police Department participated.  We would like to thank them for being a part of the festival and providing valuable safety information to our community.  There was a wide range of entertainment from Ferguson Karate doing a demonstration to clogging, line dancing, spoon playing, Hip-Hop singing, Gospel singing, ending with “A Touch of Class”, a jazz band.  Our Silverteen Line Dancing group performed and did a great job. Everyone  enjoyed this year’s festival. 

 

Y                  Pee Wee Basketball Camp – The camp was held on October 23, 24, 2006 6:30pm-8pm in the gym.  We had 12 children to participate.  The camp is for children ages 5-7 years old.  The camp is designed as an introduction to basketball for kids.

 

Y                  5K Fun Run/Walk – Our annual 5K Run/Walk was held on October 28, 2006.  Despite the wind and cold temperatures, we had 78 runners and walkers to participate.  City department helping with this year’s race were Police, Fire/EMS, Public Works and Recreation and Leisure Services.  The Forest Park High School provided volunteers to help from ROTC and FBLA.  Promina Southern Regional Healthcare Service was a sponsor that helped to provide t-shirts for the race.  The overall winners were Amy Martin of Jonesboro and Stefan Skaga of Germany.  Pictures of the race can be viewed at www.WILLARDPHOTOGRAPHY.NET.

 

Y                  Youth Soccer – The youth soccer Fall season ended on Saturday October 28, 2006.  We had a total of 16 teams.    

 

Y                  Halloween Carnival – Our annual Halloween carnival took place on October 31, 2006 6pm-8pm in the gymnasium.  There were approximately 400 children ages 12 years and under participating in the festivities.  Volunteers from Forest Park High School ROTC were on hand for additional assistance.  We offered games, prizes, a costume contest and most of all a safe environment for the children.

 

SENIOR ACTIVITIES

 

Y                  October was a busy month for the seniors.  We started off with the Yard Sale and Flea Market and ended up with a celebration of Halloween.

 

Y                  The Red Hatters High Tea and Finger Foods to start a big holiday season coming up.  There are 18 Red Hatters in a group.     

 

Y                  Of course the Yard Sale was a busy day for all the Seniors, the ones working at our booth and the others walking around for bargains.  

 

Y                  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.

 

Y                  Our next event was our festival with the Seniors doing the craft booth and the rest of us cooking hot dogs.  But they all enjoyed the fellowship, music, food and the fun of helping.

 

Y                  We ended the month with a Halloween dinner full of costume, good music and great food.  Everyone seemed to enjoy the night out.

 

UPCOMING EVENTS

 

Y                  November 10, 2006 – Veterans Day Ceremonies @ Senior Center 10am

Y                  November 11, 2006 – Youth Basketball Draft @ Gymnasium @ 10am

Y                  November 27, 2006 – Christmas Parade & Tree Lighting @ 6:30pm – Parade down Main Street to Starr Park

 

 

Elaine Corley, Director

404-363-2908

 

 

 

DEPARTMENT OF POLICE SERVICES

Citizen Police Academy and Hispanic Citizens Police Academy

 

The Citizens Police Academy and the Hispanic Citizens Police Academy held meetings in October. Graduation for the CPA will be held on Tuesday, November 14; and the HCPA will hold its graduation on Thursday, November 16th.

 

COPS

Area residents and visitors are reminded to lock their vehicles when parking, and not to leave valuables inside and visible. Motorists are urged not to leave their unattended vehicles running on cold days. We have experienced thefts from vehicles when items were left inside, and we have had running, but unattended, vehicles stolen. Use common crime prevention techniques to reduce your chance of being victimized. Additional crime prevention tips are available through our COPS officers.

 

Detectives

 

Captain Robert Cotrell attended a one-day training class on the Dynamics of Vehicle Pursuits at the Georgia Public Safety Training Center in Forsyth, Georgia. Lieutenant Amy Wright attended a one-week class on Internal Affairs Investigations.

 

 

                                                          Chief Dwayne Hobbs

                                                          (404) 366-7280

DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING, BUILDING AND ZONING

BUILDING PLANS SUBMITTED:

 

1.       Global Mail                    1500 SouthPoint Dr. Ste. 200; Int. remodel

2.       Knight Transportation   703 Ruskin Dr.; Retaining wall

3.       Rogers & Brown             107 Forest Pkwy. Ste. 100; Tenant finish

 

BUILDING PERMITS ISSUED:

 

1.       Enterprise Rent-A-Trick          4878 Hwy. 42; Canopy for truck wash;

1,320 sq. ft. – JC $6,000

2.       401 Fourth St.                         New home; 1,550 sq. ft. – JC $86,000

3.       Handy Food Mart                     4126 Thurmond Rd.; Ext. remodel – JC

$17,000

4.       Forest Park Plaza                     4894 Jonesboro Rd.; shopping ctr.; JC

$632,000

5.       5121 Ash St.                            (3) Car garage; 840 sq. ft. – JC $21,500

6.       528 Moore Ave.                        Demo/Fire Ruling; 1,386 sq. ft. – JC

$3,500

7.       Latino Plaza                                      4234 Jonesboro Rd.; 1,288 sq. ft.; enclose

patio – JC $26,000

8.       Forward Air                              2750 SouthPoint Dr.; warehouse; 142,000

sq. ft. – JC $5,406,702

9.       760 Morrow Rd.                       Replace garage doors w/windows; 81 sq.

ft. – JC $1,800

10.     713-B Forest Pkwy.                 Restroom addition; 105 sq. ft. – JC $7,000

 

CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCIES ISSUED:

 

1.       Auto Tech                       314 Forest Pkwy.                     10/05/06

2.       Perimeter Ins.                4699 Jonesboro Rd.                10/05/06

3.       Turn-n-Headz                697 Ruskin Dr.                        10/05/06

4.       Instar Services               276 First St.                            10/10/06

5.       Gospel Faith Mission     697 Forest Pkwy.                     10/12/06

6.       Joshua’s Generation      4300 Old Jonesboro Rd.                   10/19/06

7.       ANDA Express                4584 Jonesboro Rd. C             10/19/06

8.       Grandma Julia’s            957 Astor Ave.                         10/20/06

9.       Truinfo Latino Inc          4855 Jonesboro Rd.                10/20/06

10.     Direct General               541 Forest Pkwy. C                  10/26/06

11.     Marisqueria 7 #4            4015 Jonesboro Rd.                10/27/06

12.     NP Car Audio                 4424 Jonesboro Rd.                10/27/06

13.     FP Financial Ctr.            4532 Jonesboro Rd.                10/31/06

 

 

 

AFFILIATE BOARD ACTIVITY:

 

NOTE:    There were no Affiliate Board meetings during the month of October 2006.

 

 

                                                          Steve Pearson, Director

                                                          (404) 608-2300

                            

 

 

DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION / FINANCE

 

Expenditures (preliminary totals) for the General Fund for the month of October are $1,127,731 or 7.04% of the budget.  Year-to-date preliminary expenditures for the General Fund are $4,616,305 or 28.81% of the budget (fiscal year July 2006 – June 2007). For comparison purposes, the period of July through October represents 33.33% of the budget year. Total expenditures for the General Fund are under budget for the month of October and for the four month period of July through October.

 

Local Option Sales Tax revenue received in October is $490,262, compared to $508,130 for October of the prior year. The fiscal year-to-date total received is $1,871,625 or 36.70% of the budget. The percentage of the budget year through October is 33.33% of the year; revenue from Local Option Sales Tax remains ahead of budget through October.

 

The preparation of 2006 property tax bills has been completed, and the bills were mailed ahead of schedule on October 13. Payment of property taxes is due by December 20.

         

 

Mike Blandenburg, Director

(404) 366-4720

                            

 

 

DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS

 

Street Division:

 

Major projects for the month included the repair of a storm water pipe crossing South Ave. causing a sinkhole in the roadway.  Crews also repaired 80  feet of sidewalks that were cracked.  Cleaned up and cut down dead trees at Scott Blvd. Park.  Installed 420 Feet of 15 inch storm pipe on Forest Ave. in conjunction with the CDBG grant project.

 

Building Maintenance Division:

 

Projects for the month included major renovations on Community Building #4.  The indoor pool was pressure was and bleached to kill Algae build up on the ceiling and walls.  Floors were repainted with a slip resistant paint.  Miscellaneous work orders were completed within all departments.

 

Parks Division:

 

Set ups were made for the Halloween Carnival  and the International Autumn in the Park Festival along with continuous right of way maintenance and fall plantings around the City Buildings and Park Areas.

 

                                                         

                                                          Mike Gippert, Director

                                                          (404) 608-2310