TO:

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: April 20, 2010

SUBJECT: INFORMATION BULLETIN - MARCH, 2010

The following is a department by department status report of priority activities, projects and initiatives for the month of March, 2010.

DEPARTMENT OF RECREATION AND LEISURE SERVICES

WHAT’S HAPPENING!

Youth Basketball – The 2010 season this year, to say the least, was awesome!

There was an incredible show of talent, skill, and good sportsmanship

spanning across all the age groups. We would be remiss to omit our first year

of 3-4 year olds, better known as the Mighty Mites. Truly it was a treat to

see them progress. They started off as little tikes who ran around aimlessly

on the court, cried as if someone stole their last piece of cake, and ran

straight from the restroom onto the court and vice versa! Within weeks, they

began to heed the instruction of our volunteer coaches and learned the basics

of team ball-passing, dribbling, shooting, and in the end, they didn’t need as

many potty breaks! Job well done!

For the older age groups, we witnessed superb plays, accurate passing games,

and shooting that was on point all around – in the paint and from downtown!

The final day, March 13^th, gave the Recreation staff some of the most

phenomenal games we’ve ever seen. Hats off to those players, as well!

To close the season, we held banquets at the Recreation Department after

each game giving each team the opportunity to celebrate a great season and

for the coaches to distribute trophies and reward their players’ strong efforts.

Public Swimming – The indoor pool was open to the public on Tuesday and

Thursday 7pm-9pm; and Saturday 1pm-4pm.

Water Exercise – Our Recreation and Leisure Services offers two water

exercise classes. One is held on Monday and Wednesday 1pm-2pm; the other

takes place on Monday and Wednesday at 6pm. These classes are very

popular with participants that have limited movement due to joint pain or

those that just enjoy exercising in the water as opposed to floor exercising.

The classes are held in our heated indoor pool.

Lift Your Body – On Tuesday and Thursday at 12noon, J.R. Pierre, one of our

recreation supervisors, instruct participants through a very intense floor

exercise class known as Lift Your Body. The class incorporates boxing,

aerobics, step aerobics, weightlifting and jogging in a forty-five minute

workout. The participants must enjoy it because they keep coming back for

more. The class meets at 12:15pm.

Yoga – On Wednesday night Mr. Wesley White takes his participants

through a soothing yoga workout. The participants spend an hour and fifteen

minutes learning movements to help de-stress their stressful workday. This

class is held at 6:45 pm.

Easter Egg Hunt/Safety Fest – Once again it drew a crowd of excited little

people with parents and friends in tow. On March 27^th our Saturday at Starr

Park began with a sun-filled morning and a drove of children ranging from

ages 3-10 anticipating a fun afternoon. As a precursor to the event, the

Forest Park Police and Fire Departments came out to educate the community

with their Safety Fest which consists of tips and guidelines on how to stay

safe and protected. It also included the infamous Smokehouse which once

inside, simulates what a living space might look like once it goes up in

smoke.

A couple of yards away was a booth set up for those youngsters hoping to test

their abilities in the coloring challenge. Some were good. Others proved

themselves as natural Picasso’s. Well not exactly, but we weren’t

going to tell them otherwise. Sonic also attended and set up a play booth and

donated metallic eggs and prizes for the event.

The actual Easter Egg Hunt took place at 11am across four softball fields. By

then, we already had a crowd of over a hundred kids running with baskets in

hand grabbing for Easter candy and eggs scattered along the fields, and

vying for the big prizes which followed. Some ran, some crawled, while

others decided they’d just follow the bunny across the field.

To wrap things up, our two Easter Bunnies assisted with the distribution of prizes for best coloring masterpieces and 1^st, 2^nd, 3^rd places for eggs retrieved. They also accommodate the winners by posing for pictures with the little treasure hunters.

Forest Park Middle School – Our neighbors at Forest Park Middle School

invited the Recreation & Leisure Department and the Personnel Department

to its middle school fair which informed parents on recent happenings in and

around Clayton County. It allowed neighboring organizations to set up

booths with display boards and catalogs to advise parents about community

issues as well as events for the children. While Personnel displayed job

openings, Recreation put the word out about sports programs and upcoming

events. Of course there was also a table for those who needed more

information and assistance on the much anticipated CRCT exam.

Registration – For the month of March the Recreation Center finished registeration in the following programs: T-Ball with 6 teams 12 kids per team, Pee Wee Ball with 4 teams with 12 kids per team, Soccer with 23 teams 11-20 kids per team, Girls Softball with 4 teams 13 girls per team, Girls Volleyball with 4 teams 12 kids per team, Adult Basketball with 8 teams 10 adults per team, Adult Volleyball with 6 teams 12 adults per team.

We are still registering in the following programs: girls basketball, adult softball and basketball camp.

Gym Use – 879 participants for the month of March 2010

Ongoing Classes

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

Chess – Wednesday 5pm-9pm

Martial Arts (Tai-Chi, Kung Fu) – Tuesday 6pm-7pm

SENIOR ACTIVITIES

* This month was really busy with all of our specials. First we had the Soup & Cornbread Lunch, and sold lots of soup. Everyone could dine in; however, most of the orders were delivered to local businesses. It was fun for the Seniors to cook the soup and cornbread.

* Then came our St Patty’s Day Dinner, most of the seniors came in green outfits. It was quite different seeing everyone in green.

* Our last special was the trip to Baby Janes for lunch. We had 25 seniors for lunch.

* The Red Hatters went to Oakwood for lunch and to show off their fine outfits and hats.

* Our exercise classes are growing as the seniors are becoming fit for baby sitting this summer. They all want to be ready to run with grandkids.

* Dominoes are now meeting twice a week. They really enjoy playing and are teaching more seniors to play each week. They meet on Mondays to teach, and Tuesdays are for the regular players that know the game.

* The Line Dancers have been going to some of the nursing homes. They meet here on Wednesdays and enjoy the dancing and exercise.

* Additional programs: Cards, Walking, Swimming, Shuffleboard are also in full force and keeps us busy. New programs are continuously being implemented.

UPCOMING EVENTS

* April 3, 2010 – Community-Wide Yard Sale - 9am-2pm – Parking Lot @ Recreation Center

* April 5-9, 2010 – Spring Break Day Camp – Recreation Center

* April 24, 2010 – Fishing Rodeo @ Fort Gillem Stephens Lake 8am-12 noon

Elaine Corley, Director

404-363-2908

DEPARTMENT OF FIRE AND EMS

· Sgt. Ian Hogan and FF/EMT Bryan Rathvon participated in the Celebrity Reading program at J.E. Edmonds Elementary. Approximately 40 students participated in the event.

Major David Halcome and Captain Sam Batten attended the International Association of Arson Investigators Spring Conference in McDonough.

40 students were taught fire safety utilizing the Fire Safety House during the City-Wide Easter Egg Hunt.

Battalion Chiefs Major Oliver, Barry Hopper and Robert Brackett attended a one-day seminar hosted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Augusta. The seminar was designed to train first responders on the recognition and handling of Improvised Explosive Devices (IED).

Chief Eddie Buckholts conducted a fire safety education class for prospective foster parents of the Georgia AGAPE adoption agency. Twenty Two parents attended and participated.

A fire service honors memorial service was conducted for recently retired Deputy Chief Raymond Clark who unexpectedly passed away on March 28^th. Chief Clark served the City for 42 years.

Congratulations to Captain Joel Turner who was promoted to EMS Training Officer. Captain Turner previously served as B Shift Lieutenant.

All Shift personnel were recertified in Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) and were trained and certified in Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS).

Run Activity Fire

Residential Fire 1

Vehicle Fire 1

EMS Assist 113

False Alarm 13

Mutual Aid Given 2

HazMat Response 1

Other Hazards 7

138 Total Fire Calls

EMS

Patients Treated and Transported 182

Patients Treated and Released on Scene 102

284 Total EMS Calls

TOTAL CALLS 422

Chief Eddie Buckholts

(404) 608-2382

OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER

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

The City of Forest Park has executed acquisitions for thirty (30) of the fifty-one (51) properties requiring an easement.

Livable Centers Initiative (LCI)-Main Street Streetscape Project

The City of Forest Park received six (6) sealed bids for this project. The lowest qualified bidder information was submitted to the Atlanta Regional Commission. The city is waiting for ARC and GDOT to approve the lowest qualified bidder and issue the Notice to Proceed with Construction.

State Farmers Market

NO STATUS CHANGE – Assisting the Georgia Department of Agriculture in identifying and researching funding sources for transportation and building improvements.

John Parker, City Manager

Angela Redding, Mgt. Analyst

(404) 366-4720

DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION / FINANCE

Expenditures (preliminary totals) for the General Fund for the month of March are $1,926,525 or 9.07% of the budget. Year-to-date preliminary expenditures for the General Fund are $13,799,804 or 64.97% of the budget (fiscal year July 2009 – June 2010). For comparison purposes, the period of July through March represents 75.00% of the budget year. Total expenditures for the General Fund remain under budget for the nine month period of July through March.

Local Option Sales Tax revenue received in March is $413,326 compared to $366,372 for March of the prior year. The fiscal year-to-date total received is $3,713,168 or 71.41% of the budget. The percentage of the budget year through March is 75.00% of the year; so, revenue from Local Option Sales Tax remains less than budget through March. The actual being less than budget can be attributed to the continued state of the economy.

Business license payments for 2009 licenses were due by February 28. As of the end of March, $803,740 (100.5% of budget) of collections had been posted to the accounting system. The City has exceeded the Budget amount for Business License fees collected.

Licenses for New Business for the months of February and March 2010:

Name Description

Show Case #2 Gift items, perfume, toys

La Economica Grocery and meat store

King Cobra Restaurant and sports bar

Clayton County Public Defender Office Providing defense for the public

A &A Vending Miscellaneous repair service

Tire Solution Tires, wheels, brakes, oil change services

Don Juan Mexican Foods Restaurant

Novedades Cirene Retail home decoration and electronic

Mike Blandenburg, Director

(404) 366-4720

DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS

Street Division:

Street crews had a busy month with right-of-way clean-ups of debris in ditches, cutting bushes, and opening blocked storm drains. Crews also assisted the Building Maintenance Department in laying out the foundation for the new barn with entailed digging ditched for plumbing and laying down pipe, also tieing off rebar in preparation for pouring concrete for the foundation. The Recycling Center was cleaned up and preparations were made for the upcoming Clean Sweep.

Special Paid Sanitation Pick-ups:

5182 Old Dixie pallets, 5068 Cherry St. limbs, 5583 Phillips Dr. limbs, 5596 Sequoia Dr. limbs, 5645 Sequoia Dr. limbs, 5557 Sequoia Dr. limbs, 5512 Ash St limbs, 4756 Burks Rd limbs.

Abatements:

800 Conley Rd., 980 Cone Rd., 621 West Warren Dr., 785 Northview Dr., 862 Birch St., Falcon Dr. @ Frontage Rd., 857 Springvalley Dr.

Cleared Drainage Pipes:

890 Conley Rd., 12 Tara Dr., 25 Tara Dr., 26 Tara Dr., 10 Tara Dr.

Building Maintenance:

Major projects for the Maintenance crews were the rebuilding of the barn and remodeling for the Public Works office space. Trenches were dug and cleared, plumbing pipes were laid, and foundation areas was marked and rebar was placed in preparation for the pouring of concrete. Crews also separated the conference room at the Public Works office to create a storage area, which entailed framing room, installing sheetrock, ceiling tracks and lighting. The old storage area was converted into an office, adding a drop ceiling, new light fixtures, painting walls, and adding ventilation for new office personnel. 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. Park crews assisted the Street and Maintenance crews with their projects. All city flowerbed areas were tilled in preparation for planting. Setup was done for the City-wide Yard Sale.

Mike Gippert, Director

(404) 608-2310

DEPARTMENT OF POLICE SERVICES

TRIAD

The monthly TRIAD meeting was held with approximately 48 people in attendance.

Gordon Sherman from the “National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare” was the guest speaker with approximately 48 people in attendance.

Patrol

On 3-9-10 Viper team along with the CCSO conducted a warrant roundup inside Clayton County looking for individuals wanted on City warrants. There were 45 warrants to serve. VIPER Team members were able to clear 8 of those warrants, 6 by physical arrest and the other 2 were located in area jails.

Adam Team members attended GCIC Security & Integrity Class

A citizen named Darnell Moorer called and wanted to commend the professionalism of Officer Mayhew and Officer Avery

Adam team welcomed Sgt. T Cochran who was recently selected for promotion.

Officer Avery completed Criminal Procedures class.

A victim of Domestic Violence called to commend Officer Raley and thank her for her help and understanding during the incident.

Adam Team members all qualified during firearms and use of force training held March 22-25.

Officer Fadi Habboushi has successfully completed FTO Program

Congratulations to Officer Kennemur and Officer Peterson on getting married.

MPO Ambris has completed Marijuana ID Class and is now certified to test cannabis.

Officer Clayton completed intox 5000 class and is now certified.

MPO Adams has completed Standardized Field Sobriety training.

Sgt. Jackson started with Delta Team after his recent promotion.

Sgt. Armstrong and Officer Bullington attended TRIAD on March 19

Officer Gomez has completed Intox training

Delta Team attended firearms qualification on March 22 and all personnel qualified.

Training has been conducted with Delta team on the new alarm ordinance.

CID

Capt. Cotrell and Det. Morris attended the Fulton County Burglary Task Force meeting on 02-25-10

Capt. Cotrell attended both the Clayton County CID’s meeting regarding the ongoing rape investigations and a metro Atlanta multi-jurisdictional copper theft meeting.

On 03/04/10 Sgt. Fisher sat on a promotional board for the Hapeville Police Department.

Lt. Delk completed the Management III course at GPSTC

Det. Colvin attended Search Warrants and Affidavits class.

Sgt. Fisher attended Crime Stoppers and Forest Park Business meetings.

Det. Craig attended Advanced Search Warrants class at GPSTC.

Det. Averhart attended Evidence Presentation for Court class at GPSTC.

COPS

MPO Turnage conducted the Apartment Manager’s Coalition with (8) managers in attendance

Major Matson was the speaker for the North Side NHW meeting with (68) people in attendance.

COPS officers participated in the Easter Egg Roll/Safety Feast on 3/27/10.

Chief Dwayne Hobbs

(404) 366-7280

DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING, BUILDING AND ZONING

Building Plans Submitted

Business Name	Address	Details
Delta Insurance	4921 Jonesboro Rd. B-C	Interior remodel
Sanofi Aventis	2500 S.Point Dr.	Pallet racking
Forest Park High	5452 Phillips Dr.	Gym addition
Sanofi Aventis	2500 S.Point Dr.	Pallet relocate

Building Permits Issued

Structure Type	Address	Details
Residential	776 Brookwood Dr.	Handicap ramp; 192 sq. ft. JC $3,200
Assembly (Public Bldg)	5013 Park Ave.	Bldg.; 3,200 sq. ft. JC $125,000
Residential	718 South Ave.	Porches; JC $3,000
Residential	5347 Sharon St.	Fire repair; JC $1,600
Residential	739 Blueridge Dr.	Enclose carport; 206 sq. ft. JC $1,500
Commercial	2500 S.Point Dr.	Pallet relocate; JC $10,200
Commercial	2500 S.Point Dr.	Racking system; JC $200,000
Residential	5774 Pearson Pl.	Shed; 108 sq. ft. JC $1,000
Commercial	4921 Jonesboro Rd. B-C	Remodel; 1,464 sq. ft. JC $4,500
Residential/Multi-Family	4663 Waldrop Dr. Bldg. M	Demo; JC $25,000
Residential	1089 Grace Dr.	Kitchen repair; JC $3,000
Educational (School)	5500 Reynolds Rd.	Modular classroom; 768 sq. ft. JC $3,000
Residential/Multi-Family	5530 Old Dixie Hwy. Bldg. F	Stairwell; JC $8,000
Residential/Multi-Family	5530 Old Dixie Hwy. Bldg. T	Stairwell; JC $8,000
Residential/Multi-Family	5530 Old Dixie Hwy. Bldg. P	Stairwell; JC $16,000
Residential/Multi-Family	5530 Old Dixie Hwy. Bldg. Q	Stairwell; JC $8,000

Certificate of Occupancies Issued

Business Name	Address	Date of Issue
Universal Church	4150 Jonesboro Rd. Stes. 1800-2100	03/03/2010
CVS Pharmacy	1029 Forest Pkwy.	03/28/2010
Best Star Wheels/Tinting	4384 Jonesboro Rd.	03/08/2010
Don Juam Mexican	4571 Jonesboro Rd.	03/08/2010
Novedades Cirene	4645 Jonesboro Rd.	03/09/2010
El Latino	4420 Jonesboro Rd.	03/10/2010
Uniway Showroom	5182 Old Dixie Hwy. A	03/12/2010
Auto Finance	5486 Old Dixie Hwy.	03/22/2010
2K Agency	4726 Jonesboro Rd. D	03/22/2010
City South	5182 Old Dixie Hwy. B	03/22/2010
ATI Insurance	4523 Jonesboro Rd.	03/28/2010
Trax Inc.	526 Forest Pkwy. K	03/26/2010
Mattresses 4 Sale	816 Morrow Rd.	03/30/2010

Affiliate Board Activity

Planning and Zoning Board

The Planning Commission (Planning and Zoning Board) held a Public Hearing on March 24^th, 2010 at 7:30 p.m. in the courtroom located within the Agnes B. Bateman Community Development Building, 785 Forest Parkway, Forest Park, Georgia 30297. The Public Hearing was to consider a rezoning petition filed by Ernest W. Lee, owner of a 10.68 acre tract of land, lying and being in Land Lot 19 of the 13^th District, Clayton County, Forest Park, Georgia (Clayton County Tax Valuation ID No. 13019C A020). This parcel is currently zoned R-95 Single Family Residential and it is wooded and unimproved. Mr. Lee proposed to rezone the property to Planned Unit Development (PUD) of industrial character, and to utilize a portion of the property as a “borrow pit”. (A “borrow pit” is an excavated pit or hole created to provide earth that can be used at another site.) The subject parcel borders both, R-95 Single Family Residential on the (east) side and Planned Unit Development (PUD) on the (west) side. The property is bisected by Poole Creek, and is considered non-developable due to the creek and topography of the area.

The Planning and Zoning Board voted on the petition and the motion for recommendation to approve died for the lack of a second to the motion. The rezoning petition was presented to Mayor & Council without a recommendation from the Planning and Zoning Board. A second public hearing was held on April 5, 2010 at City Hall during the regular scheduled Council meeting that same night. Council voted unanimously to deny the petition.

Special Interest

Code Compliance Officer Ron Bedingfield has received his Georgia Association of Code Enforcement (GACE) Level II GACE Masters Certificate on March 18^th, 2010. Officer Bedingfield received his certification as GACE Code Enforcement Officer Level I in 2007 (A 3-year course). He has pursued the Level II certification which also covers hazardous and special materials handling. This course outlines how a code enforcement officer deals with asbestos, demolition waste, barrels with unknown contents, paints and other chemicals, etc. Officer Bedingfield received his framed certification at a graduation ceremony which was held at the Spring Conference in Athens, Georgia. This noteworthy accomplishment brings great credit to the City and reflects his personal commitment to the professional standards of the Planning, Building and Zoning Department. Thank you Ron; you should be very proud of your accomplishment.

Steve Pearson, Director

(404) 608-2300