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: October 12, 2005

SUBJECT: INFORMATION BULLETIN - SEPTEMBER ’05

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

DEPARTMENT OF FIRE AND EMS SERVICES

• The Fire Marshal’s Office and Fire personnel conducted Fire Extinguisher Training for all shifts at Clorox.

• Fire personnel conducted a tour of the fire apparatus for 54 children while teaching fire safety at Eagles Nest Daycare on Courtney Drive.

• Fire personnel assisted with teaching fire safety to 15 children and 5 adults at My Babies Learning Center on Main Street.

• The Fire Department assisted with the Georgia Mutual Aid Group Boot Drive to raise money for Hurricane Katrina relief. The boot drive was held for one weekend and raised $6844.22 for this great cause. Proceeds were disbursed to the American Red Cross.

• Two personnel and two vehicles were deployed through the Georgia Mutual Aid Group and Georgia Emergency Management Agency to assist with the Hurricane Katrina relief effort. Capt. Barry Hopper was deployed with a 4-person incident management team for 14 days. Capt. Matt Jackson was deployed to function as an inspector for a 7-day deployment. Both were attached to units working in the area of Waveland, MS (Hancock County) where the eye of the storm made landfall. All costs for vehicles and personnel are reimbursable through the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The experience gained by these two personnel should prove to be invaluable to the City of Forest Park.

Chief Eddie Buckholts

(404) 608-2382

DEPARTMENT OF RECREATION AND LEISURE SERVICES

YOUTH and TEEN

· Youth Soccer - Our youth soccer program has kicked into full gear with 17 teams, almost 300 kids between the ages of 4 and 13 years old participating. All games are played on Saturdays beginning at 10 am at the soccer fields located on Park Drive.

· Baton – Georgia Youth on Parade operates our baton program every Saturday from 9 am to 11 am. We have an average of 20 students weekly.

· Youth Football and Cheerleading – Forest Park Youth Football (a volunteer organization) operates our youth football and cheerleading program. There are eleven (11) football teams involving 275 kids and eight (8) cheerleading teams with 120 kids participating. Home games are played at Kiwanis Stadium on Saturdays.

· Swimming Lessons – Preschool Water Orientation for kids 3-5 years of age and beginners for kids ages 6 years and up are held in the indoor pool on Saturdays 1pm-2:30 pm. There are 21 participants in our first session.

ADULT PROGRAMS

· Water Exercise – Is held every Monday and Wednesday 1pm-2pm. Participants get involved in a variety of movements and exercise designed for your health.

· Men’s Full Court Basketball –Fall Season – There are six (6) teams participating on Wednesday evenings. Participants must be 18 years and older.

· Hunter’s Education – Gun safety and hunting tips for all who attended state required course. Classes were two days four hours each. We had approximately fifteen (15) in attendance.

· YOGA – This program places emphasis on health for the body, mind and emotions well being. Must be 18 years of age or older to participate, meets on Wednesdays. There are approximately five (5) dedicated students!

· Money Smart – Learn to be money smart. Receive a certificate upon completion that will help you if your credit is bad to get established with a bank or credit union. Great instructors to help you. Workshops held on Saturdays 9am-1pm. Check on dates.

SENIOR ACTIVITIES

· Lazy Walkers Club – This group gets together on Tuesday and Thursday mornings at 9am. Their walk is for pleasure and exercise as they examine the facilities for maintenance and enjoy all the beautiful landscaping.

· Bingo – Play Bingo and win sweets on the 2^nd and 4^th Fridays of the month. Also stick around for lunch on the 4^th Friday, a small fee required. We have approximately 40 participants.

· Arts and Crafts – The arts and crafts group get together the 2^nd and 4^th Tuesday of the month. We are currently working on our crafts for the Autumn Festival.

· Swim for Fun – We have 12 to 15 dedicated seniors that swim and exercise in the water every Tuesday and Thursday 1:30 pm-2:30 pm.

· Line Dancing – We have classes every Thursday 5pm-6pm. If you can move your feet you will have a great time and advance to the line dance club that meets on Wednesday 1 pm-3 pm. The club also performs for many City functions.

Senior Special Events

· Red Hatters – Traveled to Tanger Outlet in Locust Grove, Georgia. They shopped, went to a fashion show, window shopped and then lunched on BBQ. About 16 people went on this trip.

· Covered Dish Lunch – Great cooks, great food and great fellowship that’s what happens two or three times a week at lunch time at the Senior Center. Participation ranges from 12 to 20 people.

· Italian Night – 46 people attended Italian Night and feasted on a variety of Italian dishes, salads, and Italian Ice.

UPCOMING EVENTS

· September 28-October 1, 2005 – State Golden Olympics @ Warner Robins, Georgia

· October 1, 2005 – Community Yard Sale @ 9am-2 pm

· October 8, 2005 – Defensive Driving @ Fire Station #2

· October 15, 2005 – Autumn Festival @ Starr Park 10am-6pm

· October 29, 2005 – 5K Fun Run/Walk @ 8 am

· October 31, 2005 – Magic of Halloween – Gymnasium 6pm-8pm

Facility Reservations: 15

Elaine Corley, Director

404-363-2908

DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION

Expenditures for the General Fund for the month of September are $1,097,811 or 7.12% of the budget. Year-to-date expenditures for the General Fund are $3,447,015 or 22.35% of the budget (fiscal year July 2005 – June 2006).

The fieldwork for the annual audit was completed by the end of September. The auditors are in the process of preparing the financial report.

Property tax bills are expected to be mailed between October 15 and 20. The taxes are due by December 20.

New business licenses issued during September:

Name Type of Business

Vaquerita Musical General Merchandise

City South, Inc. Wholesale Products

8A Group Real Estate

Evergreen Auto Sales Used Car Dealership

T&S Painting Painting

American Wheel Wheels and Tires

Innovation Gifts

Master Pacific Seamless Gutters Vinyl Siding and Gutters-

installation

Shell Food Mart / U Haul Rental – U Haul

Jamaica Kitchen Restaurant

Unimedical PC Medical (Health) Service

Variety Store Costume Jewelry, Clothing

FM Multiservice Document Preparation

Subway Fast Food Restaurant

PNP Associates, Inc. Wholesale Supply and Cell Phones

Café Mong Mo Vietnamese Restaurant

Family General Merchandise and Gifts

Double AA Carpentry General Contractor

Carniceria Garcia Inc. Grocery and Takeria

Windward Treasures Variety Shop / Costume Jewelry

Mike Blandenburg, Director

(404) 366-4720

DEPARTMENT OF POLICE SERVICES

Officer of the Year

Detective Alberto Cruz has been elected Officer of the Year by vote of the officers of the department. Detective Cruz is a four-year veteran and has played an important part in the building of our partnership with the Hispanic community. He gives of his time to serve as an instructor for the Hispanic Citizens Police Academy.

Detective Cruz was nominated for Officer of the Year based on his recent investigations. He investigated the stalking of a juvenile female by an unknown male. During his investigation he learned that the juvenile was a witness to an armed carjacking in the city, and by interviewing her was able to identify the perpetrators of the carjacking.

Detective Cruz identified and obtained arrest warrants on an individual that attempted to kidnap a female victim, and arrested another individual following his investigation of the sexual abuse of a seven-year old female.

Detective Cruz works closely with the community, our uniform officers, and other detectives to solve crimes and locate those responsible for them. He is a credit to the department and the city, and his election as Officer of the Year shows that he has the respect of his peers.

TRIAD

On September 16^th, fifty TRIAD members visited the State of Georgia Archives Building in Morrow.

Detectives/COPS/Viper

Five neighborhood watch meetings were held along with the monthly Apartment Managers Coalition meeting. The speed trailer was deployed on Jonesboro Road and on Conley Road during September.

Members of the VIPER Team attended a forty-hour class on search and seizure for drug cases at the Georgia Public Safety Training Center in Forsyth. VIPER Officers are regularly paired with detectives to assist with investigations. MPO Lee worked with Detective Cruz in the investigation of a church burglary, resulting in the arrest of a suspect. MPO Armstrong and Detective Fisher assisted at the High School in response to several fights, making six arrests in the process. MPO Armstrong received information that resulted in three arrests and the seizure of cocaine at a local motel. VIPER Officers located two juveniles wanted by Detective Hurst for a stabbing at Starr Park.

Detectives obtained fifty-four arrest warrants and one search warrant in September. Fourteen arrests were made: one for rape; two for robbery; one for aggravated assault; three for burglary; and seven for theft.

Citizens Police Academy

The Seventeenth session of the Citizens Police Academy began on September 20^th, with twenty people attending. Chief Hobbs and Captain Skwira welcomed the new students and gave an overview of the police department. On September 27^th, Captain Matson discussed police training, educational opportunities for police officers, and the use of Tasers. Lieutenant Stevens provided instruction on domestic violence and child abuse issues.

The 7^th session of the Hispanic Citizens Police Academy began on September 29^th. Officer Ambris conducted an orientation session and a tour of the police department building.

Chief Dwayne Hobbs

(404) 366-7280

DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS

Street Division:

Major projects for the month included finishing project at 1182 Lloyd Drive, which required building a catch basin and putting down fill dirt, grass seed, and hay. The curb line on Theater Drive was replaced using 23 yards of concrete, 12 tons of asphalt for the front on the curb. Pot holes were filled on Bridge Ave., South Ave., Park Dr., Perkins Dr., Pineridge Dr., Longleaf Dr., and Hill Street.

Sanitation:

YARD WASTE TRASH

Tons – 4.29 Tons – 6.63

Cost – $122.60 Cost – $271.72

Building Maintenance:

Brick pavers were laid at Theater Drive Park. Crews tore out the storage room wall at the fire station and replaced all drainage pipes from sink and ice machine, and the roof area was re-tarred over the office area. A new ice machine was installed at the football field concession stand, and crews repaired leaking sinks in the front office of the concession stand.

Parks Division:

Along with helping to clear right-of-ways, crews took care of an abatement order on Oakdale Drive. Special attention was given to Starr Park in preparation for the Yard Sale. Asphalt walkways to front entry were placed at the Optimist House. Ball fields were lined getting ready for the fall season. Right-of-way cutting was done on Jonesboro Road and College Street. Forest Parkway was trimmed and edged. Personnel have been shifted from other divisions to help with these tasks as well as utilization of the trustee workforce.

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 continuing with development of the construction drawings. 60% drawings should be ready for submittal during October.

Livable Centers Initiative (LCI)-Main Street Streetscape Project

Robert & Company has begun preparing the construction-drawing package. Right-of –way drawings have been requested for the preparation of easement acquisition documents and to complete the Historic/106 effects report.

State Farmers Market Project

Council approved EDAW’s contract at the September 19^th Council meeting. The City has received the agreement and Notice to Proceed from GDOT. Preparation is underway for a kick-off meeting.

Community Development Block Grants (CDBG)

The City is waiting on the Notice to Proceed from the County for the two CDBG projects awarded. The projects awarded are Pocket Park Improvements (Theatre Road Park, Second Street Park, Scott Boulevard Park and Hemlock & Alder Park) in the amount of $74,662 and Street/Drainage/Sidewalk Improvements to Forest Avenue in the amount of $82,000.

Bill Werner, City Manager

Angela Redding, Management Analyst

(404) 366-4720

DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING, BUILDING AND ZONING

BUILDING PLANS SUBMITTED

1. 4560 Frontage Rd. Public Storage; Sprinkler plans

2. 4764 Jonesboro Rd. H&R Block; Interior remodel

3. 1067 Forest Pkwy. Parkway Walk III; New shopping Ctr.

4. 105 Forest Pkwy. Bldg.200 Republic Properties; New warehouse

5. 1057 Main St. Ann & Bill’s; New restaurant

6. 105 Forest Pkwy. Bldg. 100 Ste. 200 Republic Prop; Tenant finish

7. 5290 Old Dixie Hwy. Wilpak; Sprinkler plans

BUILDING PERMITS ISSUED

1. 4764 Jonesboro Rd. Interior remodel; 2,200 sq. ft. Job cost $10,000

2. 1067 Forest Pkwy. Shell Office/Shopping Ctr.; 6,426 sq. ft. Job

cost $250,000

3. 1120 Tamarack Trl. Relocate kitchen; 130 sq. ft. Job cost $1,800

4. 1130 Elaine Dr. Patio/(2) Retaining walls; 307 total sq. ft. Job

cost $2,000

5. 105 Forest Pkwy. Bldg. Shell/Office/Warehouse; 136,000 sq. ft.;

200 Job cost $1,300,000

6. 5291 Sharon St. Front porch; 160 sq. ft. Job cost $1,000

7. 350 Fourth St. New Residential; 1,500 sq. ft. Job cost $92,000

8. 325 Cynthia Ln. Rear porch; 240 sq. ft. Job cost $6,500

9. 819 Forest Pkwy. Retail Shopping Ctr.; 8,036 sq. ft. Job cost

$275,000 (5 units)

10. 4645 Jonesboro Rd. Shopping Ctr. (Seto); 12,000 sq. ft. Job cost

$700,000 (8 units)

CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCIES ISSUED

1. McDaniel Mattress 4931 Phillips Dr. 09/30/05

2. Subway 4505 Jonesboro Rd. 09/29/05

3. Video Music Sport 4154 Jonesboro Rd. 09/23/05

4. Variety Store/Double AA Carpentry 1111 Forest Pkwy. 09/21/05

5. American Wheel Distributing 4384 Jonesboro Rd. 09/21/05

6. Unimedical 4575 Jonesboro Rd. 09/16/05

7. Family 4035 Jonesboro Rd. 09/19/05

8. Evergreen Auto Sales 4816 Old Dixie Hwy. 09/12/05

9. Jamaica Kitchens 851 Main St. 09/08/05

10. City South, Inc. 5163 Old Dixie Hwy. 09/08/05

11. Master Pacific 4162 Jonesboro Rd. 09/08/05

12. Key Touch 1035 Main St. 09/06/05

13. Vaquerita Musical 755 Main St. 09/02/05

14. Shell Food Mart 4209 Jonesboro Rd. 09/02/05

AFFILIATE BOARD ACTIVITY

The Planning and Zoning Board held a meeting on September 21^st, 2005 at 785 Forest Pkwy. There were (2) items on the agenda to consider:

1. A petition filed by Jerry A. Evans to rezone a 2.763 acre parcel located at 4866 Moreland Avenue (Hwy. 42) from C-1 General Commercial to Light Industrial (LI). The Board voted unanimously to recommend the rezoning to Mayor and Council.

2. Consideration of a commercial subdivision final plat submitted by O’Reilly’s Automotive, Inc. to subdivide a 4.25 acre parcel located on Jonesboro Road (SR54). The subdivision creates (3) lots; Tract One; 2.680 acre lot (existing Pizza Hut), Tract Two; 1.027 acre lot (existing O’Reilly’s Automotive Store) and Tract Three 0.547 acre lot which will be developed as a new Washington Mutual Bank facility. The board voted unanimously to approve the final plat and signed the final plat for recording purposes.

Subsequently, Mayor and Council voted unanimously to approve the petition to rezone and the commercial subdivision final plat on October 3^rd, 2005.

NOTE: There were no Architectural Design Review Board or Zoning Board of Appeals meetings during the month of September 2005.

NEW DEVELOPMENT ANNOUNCEMENTS

Carl McClain, owner of Mack’s Auto Sales, 4620 Old Jonesboro Road is preparing plans to redevelop both site and building to today’s standards in concert with redevelopment along the Jonesboro Road Corridor. The conceptual plan reflects a dramatic change that will certainly enhance the curb appeal at the location.

Steve Pearson, Director

(404) 608-2300