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:                   January 21, 2009

 

SUBJECT:            INFORMATION BULLETIN  - DECEMBER, 2008

 

The following is a department by department status report of priority activities, projects and initiatives for the month of December, 2008.

 

 

OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER

 

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

The City Attorney delivered 21 Preliminary Title Search files to City Hall.  This will enable the City to begin the easement process with property owners.  There are a total of 51 easements.

 

Livable Centers Initiative (LCI)-Main Street Streetscape Project

The Easements have been recorded with the Clayton County Clerk of Court.  Pam Black Local Government Coordinator with the Georgia Department of Transportation reviewed the files.  The city is now waiting for the Right-of-Way certification.

 

State Farmers Market

The City is working with the Department of Agriculture to identify funding sources for Phase I of the Implementation Plan.

 

 

 

                                                          John Parker, City Manager

                                                          Angela Redding, Management Analyst

                                                          (404) 366-4720    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DEPARTMENT OF POLICE SERVICES

TRIAD

 

  • TRIAD hosted a Christmas celebration with entertainment provided by the comedian “Weeping Willy.” Approximately 60 people were in attendance

 

COPS

 

  • The Neighborhood Watch year end meeting was held on Dec.18 with approximately 150 residents in attendance. During the meeting a recap of the important events and criminal activity throughout the year was conducted

 

Patrol

 

  • Baker Team apprehended two suspects in an armed robbery that occurred at Parkside Crossing. The victim, H/M Mario Perez was approached by 3 B/Ms as he entered the main gate of Parkside Crossing. The 1st suspect, an unknown B/M produced a pistol grip shotgun, and fired off a shot. The other two B/Ms later identified as Zachery Marquezz (DOB 10/27/86) and Phillip Flowers (DOB 05/24/82) approached and robbed the victim of $60.00, 2 cell phones and a house key. Marquezz and Flowers were apprehended behind Crazy Horse on Jonesboro Rd. with the pick up truck they fled in. The unknown suspect fled on foot and escaped. The truck belonged to the father of one of the suspects.

 

  • Sgt. Cloud recognized the efforts of some citizens on Catherine Drive. Patti Israel at 619 Catherine Drive and neighbors noticed graffiti on a fence and took it upon themselves to get the area cleaned up.  Paint was provided by public works and several residents painted the fence.

 

  • Capt. Podsiadly, Lt. Wright and MPO Cochran completed the Intoxilyzer Refresher course

 

  • Officer Consalvo is in the “Shadow” portion of his training and progressing well

 

  • SGT Cloud conducted in service training at Clayton Regional Academy on gangs.

 

  • MPO Jackson attended gang investigator course at GPSTC 40 hr course.

 

  • MPO Waltrip attended Advance Traffic Law at GPSTC 24 hr course.

 

  • MPO Randall was recognized for his outstanding contributions to juvenile justice by Clayton County Juvenile Court and will be recognized at a luncheon.

 

CID

 

  • Detectives received information from Sandy Springs PD regarding female suspects in Bank robberies. Wachovia & SunTrust were possible targets. SGT. Henry advised ALL the banks in Forest Park of the possible threat providing them with suspect information & M.O.

 

  • On Dec 2, 2008 Det. Craig attended the Clayton County Child Protocol Meeting.

 

Administration

 

  • Six newly hired police recruits will be attending Clayton Regional Police Academy beginning January 12, 2009.

 

 

Chief Dwayne Hobbs

(404) 366-7280                                

 

 

 

 

DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING, BUILDING AND ZONING

 

Building Plans Submitted

 

Business Name

Address

Details

Sara Lee Bakery

4868 Old Dixie Hwy.

Guard house addition

 

Certified Auto Parts

5021 Old Dixie Hwy. Ste. 100

 

Interior racking

 

 

 

 

 

 

Building Permits Issued

 

Structure Type

Address

Details

 

Commercial

5021 Old Dixie Hwy. Ste. 100

Interior finish; 40,600 sq. ft. JC $342,089

 

Residential

 

5431 Alder Drive

Handicap ramp; 196 sq. ft. JC $3,000

 

 

Certificate of Occupancies Issued

 

Business Name

Address

Date of Issue

Village at the Grove

5774 Pearson Place

12/30/08

Village at the Grove

5768 Pearson Place

12/18/08

Pearson & Assoc.

661 Forest Pkwy. Ste. A

12/01/08

Freeman, Mathis & Gary

661 Forest Pkwy. Ste. E

12/01/08

Excelsior Staffing

526 Forest Pkwy. Ste. E

12/02/08

 

Grecian Gyro

4542 Old Dixie Hwy. Ste. 104

 

12/01/08

Good Nutrition

757 Main Street

12/05/08

 

Trane Parts

5021 Old Dixie Hwy. Ste. 500

 

12/08/08

PDF Driver Clinic

532 Forest Pkwy. Ste. E

12/10/08

Ga. Emissions; dba Robert Walker

 

1003 Forest Pkwy.

 

12/10/08

 

Little Secrets

4140 Jonesboro Rd. Ste. D-3

 

12/12/08

Mor Mex Taxi

4450 Jonesboro Rd.

12/15/08

Impact Sales & Services

661 Forest Pkwy. Ste. B

12/15/08

 

 

AFFILIATE BOARD ACTIVITY

 

There were no meetings of the affiliate Boards for the month of December 2008.

 

 

                                                          Steve Pearson, Director

                                                          (404) 608-2300

DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION/FINANCE

 

Expenditures (preliminary totals) for the General Fund for the month of December are $1,470,416 or 7.73% of the budget.  Year-to-date preliminary expenditures for the General Fund are $8,478,214 or 44.56% of the budget (fiscal year July 2008 – June 2009). For comparison purposes, the period of July through December represents 50.00% of the budget year. Total expenditures for the General Fund remain under budget for the for the six month period of July through December.

 

Local Option Sales Tax revenue received in December is $505,588, compared to $493,964 for December of the prior year. The fiscal year-to-date total received is $2,983,994 or 58.00% of the budget. The percentage of the budget year through December is 50.00% of the year; therefore, revenue from Local Option Sales Tax remains more than budget through December.

 

The due date for payment of 2008 property taxes was December 20. Approximately $3,555,000 of collections had been posted to the accounting system by December 31.

 

This amount does not represent all tax collections. An additional amount of property taxes had been collected but not posted to the accounting system as of December 31.

 

 

Mike Blandenburg, Director

(404) 366-4720

 

 

 

DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS

 

Street Division:

          Public Works crews along with help from City Hall were responsible for the Annual City of Forest Park Barbeque.  Major projects for the month of December included the city barbeque and right of way clean up.  Street and Maintenance Division crews cleaned trees from right of ways and helped Building Maintenance crews hang Christmas decorations.  Crews were busy cleaning gutter and drains of leaves and debris from Brookwood Drive, Forest Parkway, Longleaf Drive, Pinecreek Road, Ponderosa Park Drive, Robin Lane, Kennesaw Drive, and Mistral Way.  The recycling center was cleaned up and prepared for the upcoming Clean Sweep.   

 

 

Completed Court Ordered Abatements:

          895 Needle Drive, 5631 Ash Street, 860 Cascade Drive, 600 Brookwood Drive, and 1169 Evelyn

 

Special Paid Sanitation Pick-ups:

          Pineridge Drive, 855 North Avenue, and Parker Street

 

Building Maintenance:

          Major project completed by Building Maintenance crews included the removal of light fixtures and poles from Jonesboro Road. Monitors were hung in the 911 room along with installing 2 electrical switch boxes at the police headquarters building. Repairs were also completed at Fire Station 1 included the replacing of a water heater.  Maintenance crews also completed numerous work orders throughout all city departments.

 

Parks Division:

          Leaf clean up and park maintenance kept our Parks crew along with our other departments very busy. Along with helping to clear right-of-ways, crews helped with the installation of Christmas decorations throughout the city. Winter flowers were planted at City Hall, Annex, Recreation Building and all the annual beds around the city limit signs and all outdoor fields were winterized.

 

 

                                                         

                                                          Mike Gippert, Director

                                                          (404) 608-2310

 

 

 

 

DEPARTMENT OF FIRE/EMS

 

All on-duty personnel participated in the City Annual Christmas Parade including vehicles and decorated float.  Thanks to FAO Bobby Taylor for coordinating the float project.

 

Personnel participated in the Annual Premier Transport Christmas party by providing an engine, rescue truck and setting up for the Fire Safety House for teaching children Fire Safety in the home.

 

The Fire Department held its Annual Employee Christmas party with 130 persons in attendance and a special visit from Santa Claus bringing gifts for the children.

 

All Fire Personnel assisted in providing Christmas for the Jim Hamrick Family.

 

Several Fire personnel assisted Public Works in preparing the Annual Citywide BBQ.

 

Call Statistics

 

                   Structure                       8

                   Vehicle                           1

                   Brush                             1

                   Rubbish                         7

                   Other                             1

                   Hazardous conditions    10

                   Service Calls                  7

                   Good intent                    10

                   False Alarms                  7

                   EMS-Engine Asst.          89     

                                                          141 Total Fire Calls

 

                   EMS Calls                      240

                                                          381 Total Calls

 

                  

                                                          Chief Eddie Buckholts

                                                          (404) 608-2382

 

 

 

DEPARTMENT OF RECREATION AND LEISURE SERVICES

 

Christmas Parade – Our 16th Annual Christmas Parade took place on December 1, 2008 starting at 6:30pm.  Approximately 55 floats, cars, or walking groups participated including dignitaries from our City, Lake City, and the County.  The parade traveled its usual route from Anne & Bills’s restaurant, down Main Street to Starr Park, where a small ceremony took place and then the lighting of the park.

 

Call From Santa – December 2, and 4, 2008 Santa made phone calls to all the kids anxious to hear from St. Nick.  Parents pre-register their kids for the phone calls with a list of the things they would like for Christmas and a little more information to make the calls exciting for the kids.

 

Pictures with Santa – On December 12, 2008 Santa arrived at the Senior Building for pictures with Santa.  There were approximately 25 kids there with their parents for this exciting event.  15 packages were sold at $15 per package.

 

Youth Basketball – Our youth basketball program drafted teams on December 6th.  We have 28 teams participating this year.  The participants are ages 5-16 years of age.  Practices began December 8th.  The teams are broken down in five (5) divisions:  Pee Wee – ages 5-7 years old (6 teams); Shorty – ages 8-9 years old (5 teams); Midget – ages 10-11 years old (8 teams); Juniors – ages 12-13 years old (4 teams); Senior – ages 14-16 years old (5 teams).

 

Due to special events scheduled during the month of December, including the City BBQ, the 16th Annual Christmas Parade and some maintenance repairs, there was limited athletic and programs scheduled.

 

Public Swimming – The indoor pool is open to the public on Tuesday and Thursday from 7pm to 9pm.    

 

Swim Lessons – Swimming lessons are taught on Saturdays starting at 11am.  We have beginner and a preschool water orientation class.

 

Chess Club – Meets on Wednesday nights starting at 6pm.  The club meets in the dining room at the Recreation Center.

 

Wellness Programs

          Water Aerobics – Monday & Wednesday 6pm-7pm

          Yoga – Wednesday evening 6:45pm-8pm

          Water Exercise – Monday & Wednesday 1pm-2pm

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

Swim For Fun (ages 55 & Over) – Tuesday & Thursday 1:30pm-

2:30pm

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

 10am-4pm

Martial Arts (Tai-Chi, Kung Fu) – Tuesday & Thursday 7:30pm-

8:30pm

                    

 

SENIOR ACTIVITIES

 

*        December was a very busy month for the seniors.  We started with the parade and decorating the center.

 

*        Pictures with Santa and Breakfast with Santa are fun events and get the seniors into the Christmas spirit.  Between serving breakfast and cooking the pancakes it is fun for them all.

 

*        Red Hatters went to the Green Manor for a fun luncheon.  It was a good trip, everything was beautifully decorated and the music made the trip.

 

*        Our Christmas dinner is always special, the Forest Park High School Orchestra comes and entertains the seniors while we eat and then our gift giving starts or I should say Santa’s giving.  The food was great and everyone had a great time and a great meal.

 

*        The Card Club also had a Christmas luncheon trip.  It was cards, then eat, and end the day in cards.  It was fun for all.

 

*        The line dancers went over to Governor’s Glenn to dance for the seniors.  The seniors really did enjoy them and our dancers felt good about entertaining for them.

 

*        Our WII bowling, golf and fitness programs are all going well and keeping us busy.

 

*        We ended December with our annual New Years Breakfast.  It was a fun event and we get to see everyone to wish them a Happy New Year.

 

*        Now we begin to look forward to a new year and some new challenges.  Wishing everyone a Happy New Year!

 

 

UPCOMING EVENTS

 

*        January 10, 2009 – Youth Basketball games start & are played in Gymnasium starting at 9am and played all day.

 

 

 

Elaine Corley, Director

404-363-2908