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:                 July 10, 2007

 

SUBJECT:            INFORMATION BULLETIN  - JUNE, 2007

 

The following is a department by department status report of priority activities, projects and initiatives for the month of June, 2007.

 

 

DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING, BUILDING AND ZONING

 

BUILDING PLANS SUBMITTED

1.       4816 Old Dixie Hwy.               C & R’s Tire Service; Wall (Ste. A)

2.       107 Forest Pkwy.                     Alcatel/Lucent; Sprinkler  (Ste. 500)

3.       107 Forest Pkwy.                     Alcatel/Lucent; Warehouse(Ste. 500)

4.       4666 Jonesboro Rd.                          Best Coin Laundry; Int. remodel

5.       4415 Jonesboro Rd.                          Roadway Inn; Sprinkler

 

BUILDING PERMITS ISSUED

1.       103 Forest Pkwy.                     60,000 sq. ft. (warehouse) JC $1,897,194

2.       804 Oakdale Dr.                      Enclose garage; 450 sq. ft. JC $1,600

3.       4495 Simpson Rd.                             (3)Modular classrooms; 672 sq. ft. ea. JC

$9,000

4.       5500 Reynolds Rd.                            (2) Modular classrooms; 672 sq. ft. ea. JC

$6,000

5.       4831 Puckett St.                      Int. remodel; 900 sq. ft. JC $3,000

6.       581 Kay St.                              Demo dwelling; JC $1,500

7.       4301 Rushmore Pl.                           Enclose deck; 384 sq. ft. JC $1,850

8.       4772 Frontage Rd.                            Repair wind damage; 11,640 sq. ft. JC

$90,000

9.       66 Barnett Rd.                         Concrete pad; 16 sq. ft. JC $4,000

10.     107 Forest Pkwy.                     Warehouse; 9,401 sq. ft. JC $150,340

11.     4666 Jonesboro Rd        .                   Int. remodel; 4,000 sq. ft. JC $12,000

12.     1409 Rockcut Rd. Bldg. E                 Fire ruling; 6,400 sq. ft. JC $9,000

13.     1036 Rocksprings St.               Garage; 713 sq. ft. JC $5,000

14.     4530 Simpson Rd.                            Remodel Kitchen; 203 sq. ft. JC $15,000

15.     5159 West St.                          Rehab; 720 Sq. ft. JC $1,300

16.     730 Hill St.                              Wall; 456 sq. ft. JC $4,000

17.     615 Barksdale Dr.                             Wall; 408 sq. ft. JC $7,000

18.     1114 Tamarack Trl.                  Fire repair; 2,367 sq. ft. JC $30,000

19.     547 Moriah Ln.                        Shed; 120 sq. ft. JC $2,500

20.     4735 Courtney Dr. Bldg. A      Fire repair; 6,000 sq. ft. JC $210,000

21.     4894 Jonesboro Rd.                          Tenant finish (Ste. 2); 6,290 sq. ft. JC

$66,500

22.     4735 Courtney Dr. Bldg. A      Fire ruling; 6,000 sq. ft. JC  $5,000

 

 

CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCIES ISSUED

1.       Forward Air          2750 Southpoint Dr.               06/15/07

2.       HD Plumbing       312 Cash Memorial Blvd.                  06/11/07

3.       Ga. Reg. Trans.     316 Cash Memorial Blvd.                  06/21/07

4.       H&S Concrete      519 Forest Pkwy. Ste. 210       06/27/07

5.       Benson’s Imm.     4037 Jonesboro Rd.                          06/18/07

6.       Savor the Taste     4510 Jonesboro Rd.                          06/04/07

7.       Phillip’s Café        4962 Jonesboro Rd.                          06/04/07

8.       Octagon Refrig.    4878 Moreland Ave.(Hwy. 42)  06/18/07

9.       C & R’s Tire Svc.   4816 Old Dixie Hwy. Ste. A     06/28/07

10.     Happy Stop                    5604 Old Dixie Hwy.                06/21/07

11.     Nunez Products    112 Royal Dr.                          06/21/07

12.     Liberty Sales        703 Ruskin Dr. Ste. B             06/28/07

 

AFFILIATE BOARD ACTIVITY

 

Planning and Zoning Board

 

The Planning and Zoning Board held a hearing on June 13, 2007 at 7:30 p.m. in the courtroom within the Agnes B. Bateman Community Development Bldg., 785 Forest Pkwy., Forest Park, Ga. 30297. At issue, was to consider a final plat for the subdivision of a 1.7 acre parcel known as Trustee Drugs, Inc.; a commercial lot located in the southwest quadrant of the City of Forest Park, Ga. Further described as being and lying in Land Lot 51 of the 13th District of Clayton County, Ga. on Governors Dr., aka 381 Forest Pkwy.  The reason for the subdivision is so that the owner, Dr. Jude Ohaya may separate the parcel, which contains the Trustee Drugs Inc. building and parking lot, and a second fully developed site i.e. parking, drives, detention pond facility which is site ready to build a new building upon. Dr. Jude C. Ohaya wishes to sell the site ready parcel.  The site currently contains 1.7 acres and has street frontage (drives) located both on Forest Parkway and Governors Drive. I would like to give the following overview of the criteria data as it relates to this subdivision;

 

§         Boundary and plat information was prepared by Conkle-Lane and Associates, Griffin, Ga. P.O. Box 845, G. Tom Conkle Ga. RLS No. 2001; December 29th, 2003.

§         Total Site Area:          1.70 acres

§         Tract A Area:    0.80 acres (Trustee Drugs Inc.)

§         Tract B Area:    0.90 acres (Site ready parcel)

 

There will be no new road construction associated with this project; therefore the impact to the Public Works, Fire and Police Departments will be negligible.  Each lot abuts existing streets; Forest Parkway and Governors Drive. Sanitary sewer and potable water supply is available to these lots.  Clayton County Water Authority regulates the sanitary sewer and water installation and tie-in. Our Staff has reviewed the Final Plat data required for approval and finds the Final Plat meets or exceeds the required minimum criteria.  It is the Staffs opinion that the Final Plat for Trustee Drugs Inc. Subdivision, (2) lots be approved for recording in the Office of the Clerk of Superior Court of Clayton County, Georgia. The Planning and Zoning Board unanimously voted to approve the final plat and signed the document. Mayor and Council considered the final plat on July 2, 2007 and voted to approve the final plat and signed a Resolution to allow the City Manager to sign and validate the document.

 

International Property Maintenance Code (IPMC) Board of Appeals

 

The IPMC Board of Appeals held it’s first ever hearing on June 20, 2007 at 5:30 p.m. Agnes B. Bateman Community Development Bldg., 785 Forest Pkwy., Forest Park, Ga. 30297.  At issue, was an appeal filed by Loletha D. Hale, Attorney; H & A Attorney and Counselors at Law for Ms. Ethyl Gray. Ms. Gray is the owner of severely distressed property (house) located at 512 Perkins Dr., Forest Park, Ga. 30297. This structure had been determined dilapidated, unsafe and not a candidate for rehabilitation and ordered abated by the Building Official. The Board of Appeals considered testimony and evidence provided by the City and testimony provided by Loletha D. Hale on Ms. Gray’s behalf.  Subsequently, the matter before the Board was tabled until a later meeting, to be determined.

 

Special Interest

 

Forward Air located at 2750 Southpoint Dr., Forest Park, Ga. 30297 held its Atlanta Grand Opening celebration June 20, 2007. Mayor Deyton performed the ribbon cutting at 6:30 p.m. This function was to celebrate the opening of Forward Air’s new 140,000 sq. ft. Atlanta hub terminal. This development is the culmination of a process which began in early 2002 with the rezoning of a 20 acre parcel known as the Stogner Tract from R-85 Single Family Residential to Planned Unit Development (PUD) in the northwest quadrant of the City. In 2005, Seefried Properties, Inc. began a field survey and civil site plan design for the 20 acre parcel. The development, Seefried Properties, Inc. was planning for was Forward Air, a national publicly traded company in the freight industry.  The architecture of the building is generally consistent with the other existing industrial buildings in Southpoint. The 20 acre parcel was purchased and closed on April 15, 2006. The civil site plan was developed, reviewed and approved, and a land disturbance permit was issued on September 11, 2006.  A Certificate of Occupancy was issued on June 15, 2007 for the $10,000,000 development. Forward Air has developed a first class industrial building which will employ nearly 100 people. This development promotes the growth of an industrial tax base within the City. Best of wishes for continued success to Forward Air.

 

 

 

                                                          Steve Pearson, Director

                                                          (404) 608-2300

 

 

 

DEPARTMENT OF FIRE/EMS SERVICES

  • The Clayton County Water Authority has recently completed re-lining water mains in the City and adding additional hydrants. This project is expected to increase water supplies in the City and assist in lowering Insurance Services Office (ISO) rates during the next couple of years.

 

  • Fire Personnel recently displayed a Fire Truck and Ambulance for students participating in the Summer Program of Second Baptist Church. Fire Safety and Education was presented to the approximate 100 students.

 

  • 30 residents of the Governors Terrace Apartments were taught Fire Safety Education and exit strategy from buildings in emergencies.

 

  • 16 people attended CPR/First Aid classes at the Clayton Community Services. Classes were conducted by Fire Personnel.

 

  • Twelve Automatic External Defibrillators obtained from the Community Prevention Grant of the Clorox Company have been received and are to be placed in all public schools in the City and the Recreational Gym. Training classes are being set up with school personnel with emphasis on coaches at the high school and the two middle schools before summer sports programs begin.

 

Call Volume for June 2007

 

·        Apartment Fire              1

·        Stores or Office              1

·        Vehicle Fire                    4

·        Brush Fire                     2

·        Dumpster Fire               3

·        Other Fires                              2

·        EMS Assist                     92

·        False Alarm                    10

·        Mutual Aid (given)                   3

·        HazMat Response          5

·        Other Response             22

145                                 Total Fire Calls

277                     Total EMS Calls

 

422             Total Calls

 

 

                                                          Chief Eddie Buckholts

                                                          (404) 608-2382

 

 

 

DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION / FINANCE

 

Expenditures (preliminary totals) for the General Fund for the month of June are $1,356,605 or 8.29% of the budget.  Year-to-date preliminary expenditures for the General Fund are $15,183,821 or 92.80% of the budget (fiscal year July 2006 – June 2007). For comparison purposes, the period of July through June represents 100.00%     of the budget year. Preliminary total expenditures for the General Fund are under budget for the fiscal year by $1,177,500 or 7.20%.

 

Local Option Sales Tax revenue received in June is $461,117 compared to $491,113 for June of the prior year. The fiscal year-to-date total received is $5,274,178 or 103.41% of the budget; the percentage of the budget year through June is 100.00% of the year. Revenue from Local Option Sales Tax for the fiscal year has exceeded budget by $174,178 or 3.41%.

 

The budget process for the 2007-2008 fiscal year has been completed. Budget presentations by departments to the Mayor & Council were conducted May 31, June 7, and June 12. The budget for fiscal year 2007-2008 was adopted by Mayor & Council at the June 18 City Council Meeting. The efforts by the Mayor and City Council, and the department heads, during the budget process is greatly appreciated.

         

 

Mike Blandenburg, Director

(404) 366-4720

 

 

 

DEPARTMENT OF RECREATION AND LEISURE SERVICES

 

WHAT’S HAPPENING

 

*        Swim Classes – Beginning Swim Lessons started on June 4 and June 18, 2007.  These are morning classes for children ages 6-12.  Classes meet on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.  We had a total of 89 for these two sessions.  These classes are held at the indoor pool.   

 

*        Beginning Swim Lessons – Evening class for children 6-12 met at the outdoor pool 6 pm-6:45 pm and 6:45 pm-7:30 pm.  Classes started June 11 through June 28, 2007.  We had 19 students for these classes.

 

*        Preschool Swim Lessons – Are for children ages 3-5 years old.  This class started on June 4, and June 18, 2007.  The class meets 11:30 am-12 noon for 8 lessons.  We had a total of 19 children.

 

*        Our swim classes are based on American Red Cross guidelines with emphasis on safety.  We had a total of 127 students in swim lessons for the month of June 2007.

 

*        Outdoor Pool – Starr Park Outdoor Pool opened June 2, 2007.  The pool is open to the public on Monday, Wednesday, Friday 1:30 pm-6 pm; Tuesday and Thursday 3 pm-6 pm; Saturday 12 noon-6 pm; and Sunday 1 pm-5 pm.  We had a total of 1,729 people to use the pool the month of June 2007.  We also have had our Day Camp and other Day Care Centers to use the pool the month of June 2007.

*        Start Smart Soccer – This program prepares children for organized soccer in a fun environment.  The program started on June 5, and runs for six weeks.  We had a total of nine (9) children participate.    

 

*        Basketball Camp – The camp was held on June 4 through June 7, 2007.  Camp was held at night 6 pm-8 pm.  The camp was for boys and girls ages 8-13 and taught basic fundamentals of dribbling, passing, jumping, shooting, ball handling, and defensive techniques.  We had a total of 29 to participate in this year’s camp.

 

*        Girls Basketball League – This program is for girls ages 8-17 years old.  We have 14 teams with 112 girls participating in this program.  Games are played on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday starting at 6 pm in the gymnasium.

 

*        Day Camp – Summer Day Camp kicked off June 4, 2007.  The campers participate in various activities including athletics, arts and crafts, swimming, and other competitive and social activities.  Some of the campers were able to go to a Braves Game and Zoo Atlanta.  We had approximately 350 kids participate on our camp for the month of June.

 

*        Daily Gym Use – For the month of June 2007 was 1,002 participants.

 

*        Wellness Programs

Water Aerobics – Monday & Wednesday 7 pm-8 pm

Yoga – Wednesday evenings 6:30 pm-8 pm

Water Exercise – Monday, Wednesday, Friday 12 noon-1 pm Monday & Wednesday 12 noon-1 pm, 1 pm-2 pm

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

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

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

                                                                   Saturday 10 am-4 pm

 

SENIOR ACTIVITIES

 

                   June was a slow month with the Seniors.  Most were running around to graduations, weddings or the start of baby sitting.  So our activities were suited for that.

 

*        The Red Hatters had a great meeting and a good lunch at Baby Jane’s.  They enjoy dressing up and going out to eat.  Everyone loves to show off their hats when we go out.

 

*        Bingo keeps us busy with lunch or breakfast and the calling of BINGO.  The seniors enjoy playing and visiting with each other.  It is their bimonthly meeting of friends.       

 

*        The picnic was a great show of salads and vegetables.  Everyone tried to show up the other with their cooking.  Then we added hamburgers and hot dogs to make it a real picnic.

 

*        Our Fun Lunch of the month was at A & W.  It is a great place for our favorite root beer floats and whatever goes with it.

 

                   We all enjoy going out, eating in, or just getting together.  The Senior Center is a great place for all our seniors in Forest Park.  Beside these specials, we still have our regulars:  Cards, Dancing, Dominoes, Exercise, Knitting, Shuffleboard, and a lot more activities.  So we really are a place for friendship and plain getting together.

 

UPCOMING EVENTS

 

*        July 4, 2007 – Beach Bash @ Starr Park 4 pm-7 pm

 

          *        July 6, 13, 20, 27, 2007 – Family Night @ Starr Park Pool

6:30 pm-8 pm

*        July 7, 14, 21, 2007 – Football Camp @ Kiwanis Stadium 10 am-

12 noon

 

*        July 11, 2007 – Ice Cream Social @ Senior Center 1 pm-2:30 pm

Ticket required

 

*        July 23-25, 2007 – Soccer Clinic @ Soccer Field 6:30 pm-8 pm

 

 

Elaine Corley, Director

404-363-2908

 

 

 

 

 

DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS

Street Division:

          Street crews laid 80’ of 15” pipe at Austin Place, pipes were sealed to the existing piping with bricks and concrete.  Ditches were clean out behind the homes on North Parkwood.    Crews completed abatement order for Briarwood Apartments by boarding up all entryway and crawl spaces.  Potholes were filled at 5664 Cypress Drive.  Crews were kept busy cleaning fallen trees from roadway on Alpine Way, South Avenue, Woodland Way, Burks Road, Farris Circle, and Whitley Drive.  Crews helped Building Maintenance Department with the installation of the playground equipment.

 

Building Maintenance:

          Building Maintenance crews begin preparation for the installation of the new playground equipment in Starr Park by pouring concrete, installing ground cover, installing boarder and placing landscaping around the playground area.  A new urinal was installed at the concession stand.   New signs were set out at all City side parks.  The pump motor at the outdoor pool was relocated; the hole was re-leveled and poured. Crews repaired roof leaks at City Hall and changed out ceiling tiles. Other projects completed by Building Maintenance crews included work orders for all buildings and departments.

 

 Parks Division:

          Parks crews were maintaining park areas and right-of ways along with their regular daily duties of Recreation and Leisure set-ups revolving around the recreation facilities and Senior Building activities.  Crews also helped Street crews removing downed trees from City right of ways and helped Building Maintenance crew with the installation at Starr Park.

                                               

 

                                                          Mike Gippert, Director

                                                          (404) 608-2310

 

 

 

DEPARTMENT OF POLICE SERVICES

 

TRIAD

The June Triad meeting was held on June 15th at the Senior Center. Chief Jeff Turner of the Clayton County Police Department gave a presentation on the new initiatives he has implemented. About forty people attended.

 

 

Community Oriented Policing

 

Forest Park COPS Officers conducted the following activities:

  • West Drive Neighborhood Watch meeting
  • Dearing Street Neighborhood Watch meeting
  • Apartment Manager’s Coalition meeting
  • Tanglewood Lane Neighborhood Watch meeting
  • Shortleaf Neighborhood Watch meeting
  • Police Cadet class meetings held
  • Parkside Crossing Neighborhood Watch meeting
  • Triad meeting attended
  • Attended youth football camp at Kiwanis Stadium
  • Kennesaw Drive Neighborhood Watch

 

Training Highlights

 

Officers Lisa Presley and Marcos Suarez completed the eighty-hour firearms instructor class at the Clayton Regional Law Enforcement Training Academy.

 

Firearms training and qualification was held for all sworn personnel under the direction of Major Chris Matson, assisted by Sergeant Mike Gentry, Officer Presley and Officer Suarez. Officers received a review of the Use of Force policy, practiced shooting while moving, and fired the state qualification course. Officer Jason Armstrong scored the highest and was named Top Gun for the year.

 

Sergeant Isaac Fisher, Jr. completed a forty hour training class at the Georgia Public Safety Training Center on “Internal Affairs Investigations”.

 

 

 

                                                          Chief Dwayne Hobbs

                                                          (404) 366-7280

 

 

OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER

 

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

The Georgia Department is continuing review of the Right-of-Way plans.

 

Livable Centers Initiative (LCI)-Main Street Streetscape Project

The City is still waiting for GDOT to approve the cost estimates submitted in February.

 

State Farmers Market Project

A meeting will be held to finalize all deliverables and to further discuss implementation plans.

                  

Community Development Block Grant Projects (CDBG)

Starr Park Improvements

Pictured below are some of the improvements in Starr Park.

 

 

Playground Equipment

 

 

New Concession Stand and Restrooms

 

OTHER

Angela Redding presented an update to the Forest Park Kiwanis Club June 7th on the following initiatives:  Livable Centers Initiative Downtown Main Street, State Farmers Market, Sidewalks to Schools, Phase III, and Transit Oriented Pedestrian Improvements.

 

Angela Redding has been asked to serve as Vice-Chair to former Clayton County Commissioner Carl Rhodenizer (Chair) on the 2007 Clayton County United Way Campaign Cabinet.

 

 

                                                          John Parker, City Manager

                                                          Angela Redding, Mgt. Analyst

                                                          (404) 366-4720