March 18, 2024 Strategic Report

DR. EMMANUEL ADEDIRAN INTERIM CITY MANAGER

I am pleased to transmit the 17th installment of the Community Building Leadership Team’s (CBLT’s) Strategic Performance Report (SPR).

GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS & GRANTS, ETC.

The scheduled meetings with our Federal Congressional Delegation went well on March 7, 2024, in Washington, D.C. City leadership was able to convey top Federal priorities as well as hear the top priorities of each of our College Park representatives, Senators Raphael Warnock & Jon Ossoff, Congresswoman Nikema Williams & Congressman David Scott. A special thanks to the team input, leadership, and commitment to making College Park a world class place to live, work and play!

Follow up with each elected office has been completed and further conversations with the appropriate office staff is the start of a productive relationship to bridge the gap on specific grant opportunities for our projects and to garner appropriate letters of support for grant applications, etc.

In more great news... The Consolidated Appropriations Act for 2024 was signed into law this past week. This allowed for the funding of two specific College Park projects: Water Supply Project (Water System Improvements Project – water tank and pump) in the amount of $959,752 and Finding the Flint Nature Preserve for $500,000. College Park IS winning!! In order to keep winning, College Park must continue to apply for earmarked funding and grants opportunities, as the next phase of the federal priorities process commences. Next week, Airport & Governmental Affairs and our federal lobbyists will prepare earmarked funding for the lead pipe replacement in areas throughout the City, as well as Camp Truitt property improvements. Other priorities which can be handled via regional, or state grants will be pursued in the coming weeks

ONGOING EDUCATION

This past week, Deputy City Clerk Queenie Brown had the opportunity to travel to the University of Georgia Lawrenceville, Georgia campus to participate in two courses to help fulfill her state-mandated clerk training. Per the State of Georgia, any person with "clerk" in their name has to complete a 101-hour course to receive the Georgia Certified Clerk designation. As of today, Ms. Brown has completed 50 out of 101 hours, with more courses scheduled in the upcoming year.

CITY CLERKS

Georgia Cities Week is approaching next month from April 21-27, 2024. The City of College Park is proud to announce that we are partnering with Georgia Municipal Association for this annual event that will aim to recognize and highlight municipalities and all they do across the state.

“Going into its 25th year, Georgia Cities Week is also an opportunity to celebrate community achievements and recognize volunteers and city employees”. The Georgia Cities Week planning committee held their most recent meeting last week to finalize the weeklong of activities and event. A definite event that has been scheduled for Georgia Cities Week is the 2nd annual Touch-A- Truck event. The final schedule of events for Georgia Cities week will be confirmed and shared with the City of College Park community by March 22, 2024.

ELECTRIC POWER

RESIDENTIAL ELECTRIC RATES

The most recent Georgia Public Service Commission survey was released for billings in January.

Below are the comparisons of College Park Power to the other 92 power companies and Georgia Power at different kilowatt hour (KWH) levels.

Winter Rates – November through April:

500 KWH 1000 KWH 1500 KWH 2000 KWH

College Park $71.00 $127.00 $183.00 $239.00

College Park difference from average - 9.3% -5.4% -13.8% -2.3%

College Park difference from

Power -12.2% -11.5% -11.2% -11.1%

Summer Rates – May through October:

500 KWH 1000 KWH 1500 KWH 2000 KWH

College Park $71.00 $137.00 $203.00 $269.00

College Park difference from

-10.0% -.9% +.7% +1.4%

College Park difference from

Electric rate design supports the Strategic Plan Goal I: Local Economy and Growth under 1.6 - maintain structures for rates, fees, fines and penalties that are both sustainable and in keeping with price points in surrounding communities.

For more comparisons to other power companies, visit the Georgia Public Service

Commission website Residential Rate Survey (ga.gov).

FROM THE OFFICE OF EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICESCOMMUNITY CPR COMMUNITY CPR CLASS:

1. WestinHotel–March 11,2024

a. 16 Students

FROM THE OFFICE OF THE FIRE MARSHAL Public Education - Station Tour – Station #3 - Tri-City Home School

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

Bandwidth/Phone Upgrade Deployment

Our phone deployment in City Hall has been pushed back to March 28th because of scheduling conflicts for Customer Service. All other locations have been upgraded to a “Cloud Voice” system.

The backup appliance is installed and receives data. We are now focusing on our “Fort Knox” in cloud storage,

Barrett Park

We now have “WIFI” in the park at Barrett Park. I will be testing the range and speed this week. Once this is complete, I will talk with Councilman McKenzie about a launch date. Once I complete the testing phase, all residents’ numbers have to loaded in the system

POLICE DEPARTMENT

COMMUNITY OUTREACH

On Friday, March 8, 2024, members of College Park Police Department assisted the Fulton County Board of Health with an inspection detail at the Travelodge hotel, located at 2471 Old National Pkwy.

The Travelodge hotel consists of two buildings on the property with a total of 104 rooms. More than ninety percent of the rooms were occupied with guests. The range of stay varied from 1 day of stay to more than 30 days of stay (months).

During the inspection numerous violations were identified within each hotel room. Some of the violations consist of roaches, bugs, leaks, faulty leaks, water stains in ceiling, peeling paint, warming plates, microwaves, faulty bathroom conditions, fire hazards, missing smoke detectors, etc.

Police observed rooms in deplorable condition. Foul odors and unkept living arrangements. Rooms were occupied by several occupants to include several children, ages ranging from infant to 15 years of age. Some of the children advised they were not in school. Several notations were made for a Georgia Division of Family & Children Services (DFCS) follow up.

The Board of Health detail coordinator will initiate the notification process directed at the Travelodge manager, who will then have a grace period of thirty days to address the issues, particularly pertaining to odors, bugs, mold, and mildew.

Failure to rectify the identified problems within the specified timeframe may result in the hotel's closure. A full report of today's findings will be requested from the Board of Health. Additionally, numerous citations were issued to the manager/owner of the Travelodge Hotel.

PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT

BUILDING AND GROUNDS

The Building and Grounds team began the task of refreshing our Jack P. Longino, City of College Park City Hall monument. This sign had extreme weather wear and tear.

Monument signs, like the one at City Hall, plays a crucial role as point-of-reference for both visitors and residents. By cleaning, scrubbing, and repairing areas in need of restoration, the team will not only improve the signs aesthetics, but also create a positive first impression for anyone entering our community. A visually appealing welcome sign sets the tone for a pleasant experience within the city.

KEEP COLLEGE PARK BEAUTIFUL

Keep College Park Beautiful marked its first-year anniversary with joy and Keep College Park Beautiful marked its first-year anniversary with joy and gratitude. We reflect on our achievements and extend heartfelt thanks to everyone who supported us, especially our dedicated volunteers. Their commitment has been the cornerstone of our success.

During this milestone celebration, we were honored to have not only our esteemed board members but also three City Councilpersons – Arnold, Carn, and McKenzie-join us. Their presence underscores the importance of our missions.

As we step into our second year, we eagerly look forward to welcoming more members from our vibrant community into the KCPB volunteer network. Together, we’ll continue to create beauty, foster sustainability, and a positive impact. Let’s #DoBeautifulThings!

PARKS, RECREATION, AND CULTURAL ARTS

COLLEGE PARK TEAMS DOMINATE ACROSS THE STATE

The College Park Tumbleweeds Xcel Silver team brought home a first-place trophy at the Courtney Kupets “Pink Gymnastics” Invitational in Savannah on March 1-3, 2024. Level USA Xcel Silver gymnast, Lailah Abdur Rahman, scored the highest score on the floor exercise with a 9.95 out of a possible 10.00. Level USA Xcel Silver gymnast, Madidson Jones, had the highest All-Around score of 39.075 out of a total of 3200 competitors in the entire meet.

The College Park Recreation & Cultural Arts basketball program had three teams dominate in the Georgia Recreation & Parks Association (GRPA) State tournament. The Girls’ 8U team finished first at the tournament at Whitfield and the Girls’ 10U Runner Up.

The Boys’ basketball program had two teams finish first. The 8U Boys’ won district in Kenesaw and the 10U Major won in Albany. GRPA State was held on March 1-2, 2024, weekend across the state of Georgia.