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:                   October 19, 2006

 

SUBJECT:            INFORMATION BULLETIN  - SEPTEMBER  ‘06

 

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

 

 

DEPARTMENT OF RECREATION AND LEISURE SERVICES

WHAT’S HAPPENING

 

Y                  Youth Soccer – The youth soccer league started the season on September 9, 2006.  Games are played on Saturdays starting at 10am.  The soccer program has a total of 201 children on 16 teams ages 4-12.  Games are played at the soccer fields on Park Drive.    

 

Y                  Baton – Georgia Youth on Parade conducts our baton classes every Saturday 9am-11am.  We average about 20 students weekly.

 

Y                  Adult Softball – Games are played on Tuesday and Thursday nights starting at 6:30pm at Baker Field.  There are ten (10) teams. 

 

Y                  Water Exercise – Meets on Monday and Wednesday 1pm-2pm every month at the indoor pool. 

 

Y                  Yoga – Meets on Wednesday evenings 6:45pm-8pm at the recreation building.

 

Y                  Water Aerobics – Meets on Monday and Wednesday night 7pm-8pm monthly at the indoor pool.

 

Y                  Men’s Basketball – The Men’s Basketball league season opened September 27, 2006.  Games are played on Wednesday nights starting at 7pm in the gymnasium.

 

Y                  Chess Club – The Chess Club meet every Wednesday evening 6pm-9pm at Ash Street Community Building #1.

 

SENIOR ACTIVITIES

 

Y                  We have had a good month at the Senior Center, and are getting ready for the Yard Sale next month.

 

Y                  We have had a covered dish lunch to end the summer and it was fun to see what everyone brought.  Summer salads are fun to make and eat.  So it was a surprise!     

 

Y                  The shufflers are getting ready for the State Tournament in Warner Robins at the end of the month.  There are ten (10) going  to try and qualify for the Nationals in June of 2007.  It will be a great chance.  We will also have walkers, swimmers, horseshoe throwers.  

 

Y                  Our Bingo breakfasts and lunches are still going strong and seem to bring out the seniors.  It is a great way to meet new friends and enjoy good fellowship.

 

Y                  Line Dancing is really busy getting ready for the fall festival.  They hope to perform and show off their talents.

 

Y                  The Card Club meets regularly and is up to four tables on Thursdays. During the week they also play and teach anyone that would like to learn.

 

Y                  Walkers in our Lazy Walking Club meet on Tuesday and Thursday mornings.  They take their time, but still enjoy a walk or two around the Center.

 

UPCOMING EVENTS

 

Y                  October 7, 2006 – Community-Wide Yard Sale 9am-2pm @ Recreation Building parking lot

Y                  October 7, 2006 – Defensive Driving @ Fire Station #2

Y                  October 16, 2006 – Youth Basketball Registration starts – Monday-Friday 10am-7pm until filled @ gymnasium

Y                  October 21, 2006 – Autumn in the Park Festival @ Starr Park 10am-6pm

Y                  October 28, 2006 – 5K Fun Run/Walk @ 8am @ Starr Park

Y                  October 31, 2006 – Magic of Halloween Carnival @ Gymnasium 6pm-8pm

 

 

Elaine Corley, Director

404-363-2908

 

 

DEPARTMENT OF POLICE SERVICES

Officer of the Quarter and Officer of the Year

 

Officer Andrew Monroe was voted Officer of the Quarter for the third quarter of 2006. Officer Monroe was selected for his consistently excellent performance. He was proactive in his patrol duties, locating several stolen vehicles, and assisting other officers when needed. He serves as a field training officers for the new personnel assigned to his Team while handling his share of the workload.

 

In a vote of the last four Officers of the Quarter winners, Officer Monroe was selected as Officer of the Year. He will represent the department at the Knights of Columbus annual Public Safety Appreciation Luncheon in October.

 

TRIAD

 

Dr. Regina Hendricksen presented a program on Chiropractic Care for the September 15th meeting, held at the Forest Park Senior Center. The October 20th meeting will include a hotdog cookout.

 

Citizen Police Academy and Hispanic Citizens Police Academy

 

The Citizens Police Academy began on September 19th. After an orientation session and tour of the police building on the first night, the students have been treated to presentations on the School Resource Officer Program, the Community Oriented Policing Program, and basic crime prevention techniques. Classes are held on Tuesday nights at the Police Department.

 

The Hispanic Citizens Police Academy began a new session on September 21st. The students received a tour of the police building, and then learned about the Community Oriented Policing Program and Georgia criminal laws. Classes are held on Thursday nights at the Police Department.

 

Administration

 

Kasie Huston completed the 408 hour basic law enforcement training class on September 14th. She is now assigned to the field training program with Adam Team.

 

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has required all law enforcement agencies to participate in training to better prepare for, respond to, and manage emergency situations. On-line computer training for all emergency responders, supervisors, and executives is required. Four classes have been required in 2006:

 

  • Introduction to Incident Command System procedures
  • Basic Incident Command System
  • Introduction to the National Incident Management System
  • Introduction to the National Response Plan

 

Each of these takes about three hours for an individual to complete on-line. So far in 2006 Forest Park Police personnel have completed about 500 hours of FEMA training. Additional training classes will be conducted in 2007, and all new personnel will receive the FEMA training.

 

COPS

 

The COPs Officers participated in the following community events in September.

 

  • Sept. 21        - Hispanic Citizens Police Academy
  • Sept. 30        - Health Fair/Block Party at Paradise Church of God

 

The First Baptist Church of Forest Park operates an after school program for area children with the assistance of other local groups. The police department participates by having COPS Officers and other personnel spend a little time with the young people assisting with school homework and conducting creative, fun, and educational activities.

 

During the month of September COPS Officers deployed the speed trailer on Burks Road, College Street, Thurmond Road and Bartlett Road. The speed trailer proves a visual notification to drivers of their speed, and records information that the department uses to analyze speed patterns.

 

 

 

                                                          Chief Dwayne Hobbs

                                                          (404) 366-7280

 

 

 

DEPARTMENT OF FIRE/EMS

  • A-Shift attended Community Helpers Week at Eagles Nest Daycare located at 4826 Courtney Drive. They showed the fire apparatus and taught fire safety to 40 children.

 

  • Sgt. Lee Stilley, Sgt. Rusty Hicks and FF Chance Williams represented the City of Forest Park  at the Firefighter Appreciation Night at the Atlanta Braves game on the 28th of September. They displayed our HAZ-MAT Trailer and answered questions concerning their careers in the Fire Service.

 

  • On September 30th the Fire Department attended the Health Fair sponsored by the Paradise Gymnasium and Cultural Center. The Fire Department taught fire safety to 50 children using the Fire Safety Trailer and displayed fire apparatus including the HAZ-Mat Trailer.

  • Congratulations to Capt. Batten on the completion of Arson Investigations Level 1 taken at Georgia Public Safety Training Center.

 

  • Total  Calls – 392

2 - Service Calls

79 – EMS Assist

11 – Hazardous Conditions

14 – Good Intent Calls

8 – Fires with 2 building fires

8 – False Calls

278 – EMS Related Calls

 

  • Seven teachers from Forest Park Street School were trained in First Aid/CPR.

 

  • The Fire Department hosted a 24 hour class for all City departments to train together on the National Incident Management System (NIMS). This NIMS 300 Class was presented by the Georgia Public Safety Training Center and is designed to teach the Unified Command and Control of disaster situations. All City departments are working diligently in training personnel to function within the system.

 

 

 

Chief Eddie Buckholts

(404) 608-2382

 

                  

 

DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION/FINANCE

 

Expenditures (preliminary totals) for the General Fund for the month of September are $1,074,762 or 6.71% of the budget.  Year-to-date preliminary expenditures for the General Fund are $3,502,730 or 21.86% of the budget (fiscal year July 2006 – June 2007). For comparison purposes, the period of July through September represents 25.00% of the budget year. Total expenditures for the General Fund are under budget for the month of September and for the three month period of July through September.

 

Local Option Sales Tax revenue received in September is $523,902, compared to $423,141 for September of the prior year. The fiscal year-to-date total received is $1,381,363 or 27.08% of the budget. The percentage of the budget year through September is 25.00% of the year; revenue from Local Option Sales Tax is ahead of budget through September.

 

The preparation of 2006 property tax bills is in progress, and the bills are expected to be mailed by October 16. Payment of property taxes is due by December 20.

         

New business licenses issued during the month of September:

 

                   Name                                       Description

 

          Subway                                             Fast food restaurant

          Stonehenge Fabrication/Design       Stone fabrication                    

Water Edge Apartments                    Apartment complex       

          El Mestizo Produce                            Wholesale Mexican produce

          Vien Dong Travel                               Sale of travel tickets

          In The City Barber And Beauty         Beauty and Barber Salon

          Clinica Agave Clinic                          Family Medicine

          Excelsior Staffing                              Staffing services

          Dream Decoration                                      Pictures and ceramics

          Zapateria 4 Hermanos                       Shoe sales

          Millennium Auto Sales                     Used car sales

          Forest Park Coin Laundry                 Coin Laundry

          Forest Park Food Mart                       Grocery / Convenience Store

          Fetec                                                 Truck parts / equipment sales   

    & service

          Divine Coin Laundry                         Coin Laundry

          Mama’s Store                                    Children’s clothing, toys, bicycles

 

 

 

Mike Blandenburg, Director

(404) 366-4720

 

 

 

DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS

Street Division:

          Major projects for the month included finishing project at Patricia Drive, which required placing 30 tons of fill dirt, 50 pounds of grass seed, and 10 bales of hay.  The sinkhole behind the T-ball restroom was filled and 50 feet of concrete was place at drain ditch. A new guardrail was placed at Agnew Drive.  Driveway tie-in was constructed at 2 locations on Spring Valley Drive and 3 locations on First Street.   Ditches were cleaned and repaired at 389 First Street and 5042 Springdale Road.

 

 

Building Maintenance:

          Crews busted out the floor in the front office at the fire station and repaired a collapsed sewer line.  The floor was repack, concrete poured, all toilets were reset and new carpet was laid. All light bulbs were replaced at the football stadium and an exhaust fan was installed at the concession stand in preparation for the upcoming football season. Graffiti was removed from the Starr Park monument and new posts were replaced at 2 entrances.

 

 

Parks Division:

          Along with helping to clear right-of-ways, special attention was given to Starr Park in preparation for the Yard Sale.  Preparations were made for the Block Party held on Hendrix Drive and the area was cleaned up. Ball fields were lined off getting ready for the fall season. Right-of-way cutting was done on Jonesboro Road, 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

 

 

 

DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING, BUILDING AND ZONING

BUILDING PLANS SUBMITTED:

1.       Sanofi Adventis                        2500 SouthPoint Dr. (Sprinkler)

2.       La Quince Letras                     760 Morrow Rd. (Remodel)

3.       Prophetical Word Church        713-B Forest Pkwy. (Ste. Exp)

 

BUILDING PERMITS ISSUED:

1.       5086 Old Dixie Hwy.      Lot 6; Mobile Home setup; 674 sq. ft.; JC

$1,300

2.       5086 Old Dixie Hwy.      Lot 48; Mobile Home setup; 728 sq. ft.; JC

$1,300

3.       357 First St.                   New House; 1,642 sq. ft.; JC $20,000

4.       4878 Hwy. 42                 truck wash addition; 1,320 sq. ft.; JC

$7,000

5.       697 Ruskin Dr. Ste. E    Tenant finish; 1,360 sq. ft.; JC $3,000

6.       724 Brookwood Dr.        Roof replacement; JC $5,500

7.       500 Mistral Way             Covered patio/porch; 470 sq. ft.; JC

$2,000

8.       4344 Sierra Dr.              Storage room; 220 sq. ft.; JC $1,500

9.       746 Catherine St.          2nd Floor balcony; 441 sq. ft.; JC $4,000

10.     1024 Stoneybrook Rd.   Repair roof; JC $1,500

11.     4769 Ridgewood Dr.      Gable roof; 928 sq. ft.; JC $1,500

12.     5797 Pearson Pl.            New house; 2,865 sq. ft.; JC $86,000

13.     5761 Pearson Pl.            New house; 2,624 sq. ft.; JC $78,720

14.     5769 Pearson Pl.            New house; 2,869 sq. ft.; JC $86,070

15.     5753 Pearson Pl.            New house; 2,869 sq. ft.; JC $86,070

16.     5785 Pearson Pl.            New house; 2,982 sq. ft.; JC $89,460

17.     4533 Montclair Ct.         Screen porch; 200 sq. ft.; JC $1,500

18.     435 Burks Pl.                 Bedroom (2) and Bathroom; 480 sq. ft.; JC

$1,800

 

CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCIES ISSUED

1.       El Mestro Produce                             4758 Lake Mirror Pl.      09/07/06

2.       Stonehenge Fabrication          4766 Frontage Rd.         09/07/06

3.       WatersEdge Apts.                    411 Barton Rd.              09/07/06

4.       Vist Dong Travel                      4798 Jonesboro Rd. B   09/08/06

5.       BJ’s Hair Affair                        1042 Main St.                09/12/06

6.       Clinica Agave Clinic                 4434 Jonesboro Rd.       09/14/06

7.       In the Cut Barber                    819 Forest Pkwy. C        09/15/06

8.       On-Staff Solutions                   526-E Forest Pkwy.        09/15/06

9.       Dream Decoration                             753 Main St.                  09/15/06

10.     Solo’s Barber Shop                  1003-A Forest Pkwy.      09/18/06

11.     FP Food Mart                           4193 Jonesboro Rd.       09/21/06

12.     FP Coin Laundry                     4195 Jonesboro Rd.       09/21/06

13.     FTEC Inc.                                 5178 Old Dixie Hwy.      09/26/06

 

 

 

AFFILIATE BOARD ACTIVITY

 

ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS

The City of Forest Park, Zoning Board of Appeals held a Public Hearing at 7:30 p.m. September 6th, 2006 in the courtroom of the Agnes B. Bateman Community Development Bldg., 785 Forest Pkwy., Forest Park, Ga. 30297.  At issue was consideration of a request by Hani Kondos owner/developer of Village at the Grove Subdivision, located on Phillips Drive, Forest Park, Georgia 30297, Land Lot 112 of the 13th District, Ward 5, which is Councilman Lord’s Ward, for variance to certain building setbacks required by R-80 Single Family Residential Zoning classification. Mr. Kondos plans to develop the (10) lot subdivision with homes that include 5 to 6 bedrooms each, two (2) car garages, a minimum of 3,160 sq. ft. to 3,500 sq. ft. of living space. The homes are slightly larger than the allowable building area and will require setback variances of up to (10’) ten feet on certain lots. The Board unanimously approved the blanket variance for Village at the Grove to the building setbacks. On September 7th, 2006, Mr. Kondos pulled (5) building permits. Lots 1 – 5 are currently under construction.

 

PLANNING AND ZONING BOARD

The City of Forest Park, Planning and Zoning Board held a meeting at 7:30 p.m. September 13th, 2006 in the courtroom of the Agnes B. Bateman Community Development Bldg., 785 Forest Pkwy., Forest Park, Ga. 30297.  At issue was to review a final plat for the subdivision of one (1) lot, a 2.727 acre parcel into two (2) parcels.  Tract 1 would contain 1.737 acres abutting Jonesboro Road. Tract 1 is currently a developed C-1 General Commercial zoned parcel which contains the Wachovia Bank facility, 4532 Jonesboro Road, Forest Park, Ga. 30297.  Tract 2 would contain 0.990 acres abutting Old Jonesboro Road.  Tract 2 is currently a developed C-1 General Commercial zoned parcel which contains a building/facility that has been vacant since 2005. This tract lies in Land Lot 48 of the 13th District of Clayton County, Georgia.  The applicant / owner, Wachovia Bank, represented by Powel and Goldstein LLP. Theresa B. Sirois has submitted this petition under CFPCO Section 8-7-12(f) Short-Cut Method; which allows a subdivider (developer) to submit an application for final plat approval without submitting a preliminary plat, provided that;

 

1.       each lot in the proposed subdivision abuts an existing public street;

2.       the proposed subdivision will not effect any major alterations of utility installations, or other existing or proposed public facilities; and

3.       the application for final plat approval meets all the applicable procedural, design and other requirements of these regulations

 

The final plat for this subdivision meets the requirements of CFPCO Section 8-7-12(f) subparagraph (1), (2), and (3).   The reason for this subdivision is so the owner (Wachovia Bank) can market Tract 2.   The Planning and Zoning Board voted unanimously to approve and signed the Final Plat. Mayor and Council approved the Final Plat at the regular Council meeting held October 2nd, 2006.

 

 

 

                                                         Steve Pearson, Director

                                                          (404) 608-2300

 

 

 

OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER

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

Pond & Company has begun responding to GDOT’s preliminary plan comments.

 

Livable Centers Initiative (LCI)-Main Street Streetscape Project

GDOT approved the Right of Way Plans for the project.  The project is now ready to move to the construction phase.  Moreland Altobelli will send the Construction Agreements to the City.

 

 

 

State Farmers Market Project

EDAW is currently producing development scenarios for the retail component of the Farmers Market.  Each scenario will address circulation, ingress/egress, programmed uses and site design concepts.

 

The traffic analysis has been completed and a preliminary list of transportation improvements has been identified.

 

Community Development Block Grant Projects (CDBG)

Forest Avenue – The project is now scheduled to start late October.  Improvements consist of constructing a sidewalk, curb & gutter and drainage improvements.  CDBG funds awarded $82,000.

 

 

 

                                                          John Parker, City Manager

                                                          Angela Redding, Mgt. Analyst

                                                          (404) 366-4720