CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
NOVEMBER 18, 2024
DR. EMMANUEL ADEDIRAN CITY MANAGER
DR. EMMANUEL ADEDIRAN
To the Mayor, Council and citizens of College Park:
As I near the 1.5-year mark in my relocation to this wonderful community, and my second month as your City Manager (following 8-months as Interim Manager), I believe that these reports may be more helpful, and capture more completed projects and initiatives, by moving to a monthly format.
We will continue to internally capture data, but these reports, starting in 2025 will be issued at the second Council meeting, summarizing the work of each department and agency that month, as well as looking ahead to the priorities of the following month.
As an example, as I write you this letter, my fingers are crossed that the superstructure of our Camp Creek Parkway multi-use pedestrian bridge will be laid in place. This project has required federal, state and local resources, agencies and coordination and has been years in the making. It is my hope, in our December report, to be able to extend an invitation to the community and all of its residents to attend the formal dedication ceremony in January or February (weather depending) and the reconnection of our One City...with the new span sewing back the fabric of our city, the Main Street corridor and Historic District being reconnected with our Georgia International Convention Center, Gateway Arena and weaving through part of our coming Six West redevelopment. This airport city will be flying even higher in 2025.
Yanous Barner and his team at the GICC and Gateway Arena continue to receive great reviews from our Gateway and Convention Center customers recently, including Chick Fil-A Corporate, the Georgia Chamber of Commerce and former First Lady Michelle Obama as well as one of our sports franchise tenants, the College Park Skyhawks.
Your College Park Electric Utility, a member of the Municipal Electric Authority of Georgia (MEAG), broke ground on a massive solar energy generation project on 600 acres in between Pineview and Pitts, Georgia in Wilcox County. This sustainable energy project will provide clean, renewable energy to 22 Georgia cities, including College Park, with a projected annual production of 80 megawatts (MW) by 2026. Pineview Solar, LLC, is a partnership between Linea Energy and MEAG. College Park's share of that generation load will be 4.1 MW.
Five cadets, recognized at our last Council meeting, continued through the Fire Academy training to join the College Park Fire Department, and two Police cadets just completed 11weeks of rigorous training to join the College Park Police Department.
And finally, your Public Works and Sanitation Departments continue a wide array of improvements and beautification projects across the city, while the Sanitation team continues a crackdown on illegal dumping and use of commercial dumpsters by non-customers and non-residents.
Our holiday decor will soon be in place, with the holiday spirit hopefully just behind. We wish you and your family and friends a warm, safe and happy holiday season.
Sincerely,
Dr. Emmanuel Adediran
City Manager
City
of
College Park
CONVENTION CENTER, ARENA AND GOLF ENTERPRISES
DIRECTOR’S OVERVIEW
October was a stable month in that we hosted Chick filA for the entire month at the Convention Center and hosted three very impactful events at the during the month at the Arena. On October 27th, we hosted the 2819 Church, a free event that reached the Arena’s capacity.
TRADESHOWS/NETWORKING
• Chat-n-Chill Mixer in Union City
• Lunch meeting with CFA event planners @ CFA HQ
• East Point Filming 101 @ 20 West ENT Studios
• POP grand opening of The Dogwood event facility
• Airport Chamber luncheon @ Marriott Gateway
The “When We All Vote Rally” occurred on October 29th was a most inspiring political rally headlined by special guest speaker and Former First Lady, Michelle Obama and many other celebrities with the mission of inspiring voters to go to the polls. It was an exhilarating experience to see the crowds revved-up and ready to vote.
SPECIAL EVENTS
Campus celebrated October birthdays and Employee of the Quarter.
BUILDING AND PROPERTY SUSTAINABILITY
PERSONNEL UPDATE
Kesha Clark has been hired as the new Occupation Tax Revenue Administrator.
TECHNOLOGY UPDATE
SeeClick Fix program is being used by Code Enforcement which enables our residents to report non-emergency issues, share feedback, and request information about our community.
OCCUPATIONAL TAX DIVISION BY THE NUMBERS
The 2024 Alcohol License renewal season is underway. All approved businesses in the state of Georgia that have alcohol licenses must have a City of College Park alcohol license before selling alcohol within the city. Our team will work with Code Enforcement to issue any citations for those who are not in compliance with the ordinance. We start November 1, 202
ELECTRIC POWER
SOLAR PROJECT UNDERWAY
Groundbreaking for a major solar project was recently held in Wilcox County, Georgia. The project, named Pineview Solar LLC, is a joint effort by Linea Energy and MEAG Power to provide clean renewable energy to 22 Cities, including College Park.
GROUNDBREAKING
Linea Energy and MEAG Power officials participated in the groundbreaking on November 12th
The project is located on 600 acres of farmland between Pineview and Pitts, Georgia. The 80 MW generation will be in commercial operation by 2026, and College Park will receive 4.1 MW of the energy.
The project utilizes innovative technologies, including bifacial solar panels and racking equipment which tracks the suns’ bifacial panels by capturing sunlight on both sides of the panel and taking advantage of light reflecting off the ground while the racking systems adjust their tilt to follow the sun throughout the day.
College Park Power presently delivers 90% emission-free power to its 9000 customers. Solar will contribute to the clean energy mix of nuclear and hydro.
PUBLIC WORKS
Building & Grounds
In my opinion, is one of the most underrated divisions within the Public Works department. The Building and Grounds division plays a vital part in our city’s infrastructure, contributing to various aspects of urban living. This team’s wide range of tasks and responsibilities it manages, is all aimed at enhancing the city’s quality of life.
I can personally attest to this teams multifaceted and diverse skills, which include maintenance and beautification, infrastructure management, seasonal duties, special projects, environmental eco-friendly landscape techniques, and community engagement.
Their efforts ensure the city’s growth aligns with the needs of its residents and governing body. It's much more than just cutting grass—new hires quickly realize this. This is not the easiest department to work in, but it is the most task-driven division under the Public Works umbrella.
Highway, Streets and Storm Water
Safety First! The Highway, Streets, and Storm Water division is once again prioritizing your well-being. Now, individuals with disabilities can safely navigate high-traffic areas. A new crosswalk has been installed at the intersection of John Wesley Avenue and Main Street.
Our team has completed the installation of a 4-way stop sign at the intersection of Virginia Avenue and Atlanta Street. When high traffic is observed and citizens raise their concerns, it falls on this department to act. This implementation reduces risks, controls speeds, and ensures safer crossings for everyone using our city streets.
FIRE RESCUE
FROM THE OFFICE OF TRAINING
• Five fire recruits participating in fire recruit training orientation
• Physical Agility Testing scheduled over the next two weeks to fill the remaining vacancies
POLICE
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
The College Park Police Department is always seeking ways to give back to the community. This year, in conjunction with the Omicron Kappa Zeta Chapter, Zeta Amicae of College Park, GA, we are organizing a food drive. We believe this initiative will have a significant impact on our community. We are collecting non-perishable items to support the community between November 1st thru November 24th. The drop off is located at the College Park
ACTIVE SHOOTER TRAINING
With an increase in school shootings across the nation, the College Park Police Department and Woodward Academy Campus Security participated in an Active Shooter training on November 2, 2024. The classroom training included discussions and participating in various scenarios.
An “active shooter” is an individual who is engaged in killing, or attempting to kill, people in a confined and populated area. Active shooter incidents are often unpredictable and evolve quickly. Amid the chaos, anyone can play an integral role in mitigating the impacts of an active shooter incident.
In many cases, there is no pattern or method to the selection of victims by an active shooter, and these situations are by their very nature unpredictable and evolve quickly. Because active shooter situations are often over within 10 to 15 minutes - before law enforcement arrives on the scene individuals must be prepared both mentally and physically to deal with an active shooter situation.
PARKS, RECREATION AND CULTURAL ARTS - UPCOMING EVENTS
THE HOLIDAY SEASON IS UNDERWAY
Decorations have started going up on City Hall grounds in preparation for the holiday season. If you have driven down Main Street recently, you now will see the decor. In recognition of the Jewish holiday Hanukkah, a vibrant life size Dreidel and Menorah, and a bright flag that dons a Kinara (a Swahili word that means candle holder), in recognition of Kwanza, face the busy corridor. There is also the Nativity Scene which has been a staple in the city for decades and three more feet added to the Christmas Tree this year. It was important to City officials that holiday décor be reflective of the citizens they serve. All festive décor is provided by A.D. Kringle Design, LLC.
DRAFT DAY FOR GIRLS AND BASKETBALL
On Sunday, November 10, youth enrolled in the College Park Youth Girls’ Basketball Program attended the highly anticipated Draft Day Camp at the Brady Recreation Center. Each season players are drilled on basic skills, engage in team building activities, and placed on teams all designed to enhance their performance, develop leadership and team building skills, and encourage fun while competing. Staff welcomed players and prepared lunch to ensure they had the needed energy to warm up and run drills. Practice for the upcoming season starts December 7 with games played at the Tracey Wyatt Center (boys) and the Brady Recreation Center
UPCOMING EVENTS
Senior Thanksgiving Luncheon
On Thursday, November 21st at 11:30 am during the 51st Annual Senior Thanksgiving Luncheon at the Tracey Wyatt Center. This year’s theme is a Masquerade.
Annual Light Up the City
Monday, December 2 from 6:00 – 8:00 pm on the City Hall and Auditorium Lawn.
College Park Christmas Parade
Saturday, December 7 from 9:30 – 11:30 am on Main Street corridor.
