It seems like I joined the organization only yesterday, but I‘m excited to declare that we are officially over my 100-day mark. To our city residents, for whom I serve with the utmost sense of pride and purpose each and every day, I’d like to thank you from the bottom of my heart for welcoming me with such open arms. The faith and trust you have placed in me over the past several months has been remarkable. It is you – our fathers, mothers, children, students, legacy residents, volunteers and countless others – who make up our city's very strong, unbreakable fabric. Without you, there surely would be no Forest Park. To the members of our distinguished Forest Park City Council: Mayor Angelyne Butler, Councilwoman Kimberly James, Councilman Dabouze Antoine, Councilman Hector Gutierrez, Councilwoman Latresa Akins-Wells, and Councilman Allan Mears, it is true that an organization is only as strong as it’s leadership, and I must say, our leadership is pretty strong.
On the evening of May 4, 2023, I stood before you all as the newly elected city manager eager to articulate a progressive vision for our city. I delivered a swearing-in speech filled with hope, excitement and determination. More importantly, I rolled out my 100-day action plan, titled ONE Forest Park. This distinct plan served as the roadmap for my first 100 days as city manager and focused on three critical areas: operation efficiency, neighborhood sustainability and economic development. These three important tenets weren’t chosen lightly, as they all are vital to the success of any municipality – big or small.
I want to take a moment to recap some of the outstanding accomplishments that have been achieved during my first 100 days as city manager in order to truly create ONE Forest Park. Those accomplishments include: recovering of $600,000 of delinquent taxes, sanitation and business license fees; unveiling of the brand-new City App, entitled OneClick. The ONEClick app will allow residents to report issues directly from the palm of their hand. From potholes to park maintenance or even trash collection concerns and downed trees, ONEClick serves as a one-stop shop for reporting local service requests within the City of Forest Park. We also launched OneLight, a collaborative effort to repair and upgrade nearly 1,900 light fixtures throughout the city so that we can increase our street lighting footprint. This holistic effort will not only improve safety and reduce crime but also significantly reduce the city’s energy usage and lower our annual carbon footprint. We have also worked diligently to develop a new incubator space to be located off the city’s main thoroughfare that will feature a commissary kitchen, flex workspace, and food hall. We recognize that many entrepreneurs within our community lack the financial resources or brick-and-mortar space to launch a business. This incubator will not only help budding startup companies get off the ground but will also help tackle the city’s food desert concerns.
Although there are times of hardships and uncertainties that many in our community continue to face, it is also a time for exceptional opportunities, extreme optimism and yes, even much success! We can, we shall and we will, and you know why. It’s because we truly are ONE Forest Park. It is with great pride that I serve as your City Manager.
City Manager Many Thanks, We Are, #OneForestPark Ricky L. Clark, Jr.The Leaflet is a weekly digest designed to highlight the City Manager's progress toward the One Forest Park initiative.
JAMES SHELBY CAPITAL PROJECTS MANAGER
Main Street Streetscape Phase II
Project Complete except for removal of wooden poles. Estimated completion - Late Sept.
Starr Park Renovations
Gillem Public Safety Building
City of Forest Park Welcome Signs
Fires Station #1
City Center
Forest Park Landscaping
Proposed Business Incubator
Project in current form is on hold. Project o be merged into concept plan for City Center to include renovations of indoor pool facility.
Construction completed - No major issues to report. Punch list is being addressed. Hogan is submitting closeout documents later this week.
All signs have been erected except for the sign on Forest Pkwy. Sign was moved to a different location. Permits are moving and we anticipate landscaping soon.
Project is on hold until a geographic study is completed to determine the best location for sufficient coverage.
PPI Architects are developing a new City Center. PPI is working on finalizing program confirmation and concept designs. Hope to bid by 1st quarter 2024.
Request for Proposal has been advertised for landscape design, installation, enhancement, and installation for medians. Bids are due Oct. 12, 2023 at 2pm.
County approved funding for Concept Design and Schematic Design. Project is ongoing with no major issues.
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Reporting Period: August 1, 2023 - August 31, 2023
Quotes have been received from the contractors for the remodeling of the senior center to move forward with the remodeling project. The “Sassy Seniors” line dance team competed in a talent showcase in Forsyth County. The group of dancers placed 2nd in the dance category and won the overall Spirit Award.
Reporting Period: August 1, 2023 - August 31, 2023
Senior Engineer Opening: The position has been filled. He is already familiar with many of our systems and my expectation is he will hit the ground running with a focus on projects allowing our two other engineers more bandwidth to focus on the daily tickets and incidents.
Incode SaaS migration: We just completed the migration to Incode’s hosted software. This included a migration of all of our data to their cloud and setup of all city clients to point to the new cloud-based software for our ERP.
New Station 3: All the access control is completed and the PD is able to use the building now. The only outstanding item is a POS reader to accept payments for PD which we are just waiting on from the bank
ISP/Network upgrades: We continue this project focused on the PD and Public works this month. We have already completed City Hall and multiple fire stations.
SeeClickFix implementation: IT is working with multiple departments on the implementation of the new City app.
PD MDT refresh: The PD needs new MDT’s for most of patrol and so we are working with PD to plan for this refresh
PD Fusus implementation: This project as been on the back burner for several weeks while the new public safety building as been the focus. This project consist of integrating AI software with the PD systems and cameras.
PD Crywolf Implementation: This software helps track an monitor false alarm calls. It was in use several years ago but has not been setup on the new domain so the PD is requesting we implement the software for them again.
PD Freedom App Implementation: This is a mobile app version of CAD for PD. It was in use several years ago but has not been setup on the new domain so the PD is requesting we implement the software for them again.
Desktop Refresh project: We continue with our City-wide desktop refresh project and consistently deploy 2-5 new desktops each week.
CivicPlus Decommission: HR has moved away from this to ADP and we are working with them to sunset the old software and still retain access to the past data.
ADP time and attendance implementation: We are in the final stages of the implementation of this new time management software.
Scanner Project for court: Implementation of new scanning capabilities for court. This is a new project request in the queue.
Ipads/Fire software: This is a new project request in the queue/planning stages
911 move/upgrades: this is a new project in the planning stages
Reporting Period: August 18, 2023 - September 14, 2023
The following city-related news/information was promoted via the city’s Public Information Office from 8/18/23 to 9/14/23:
• News Release: Upcoming Due Dates Announced For Business, License Renewals
• News Release: Forest Park Police Respond To A Shooting Incident / 3800 Block of Jonesboro Road (story picked up by FOX5, WSB-TV, 11Alive, AJC, Atlanta News First, WLOX)
• News Release: Fire Department Accepting Applications For Girls' Future Firefighter Camp (story picked up by the Clayton News-Daily)
• Media Alert: 2023 Annual 5K Autumn Fun Run & Walk Scheduled For Sept. 30
• Public Notice: Public Notice: Temporary Lane Closures Announced For Pineridge Road (story picked up by the Clayton News-Daily)
• Public Notice: Temporary Road Closure Extended For Portion Of Forest Avenue (story picked up Clayton News-Daily)
• Total number of media requests received:
Forest Park Code Enforcement hosted its first ward block party in Perkins Park. Code Enforcement has block parties planned for each ward.
CODE VIOLATIONS: WARD 1
Reporting Period: August 1, 2023 - August 31, 2023
9/19/23 5-7:30 pm Cedar Circle
10/20/23 5-7:30 pm Bill Lee Park 11/10/23 5-7:30 pm Kennesaw Dr. & Rushmore Place
CODE VIOLATIONS: WARD 2
CODE VIOLATIONS: WARD 3
CODE VIOLATIONS: WARD 4
WORKED WITH ADP ON THE RECRUITMENT MODULE.
COMPILED DATA FOR MICHELLE WARNER AT GMA FOR CITY’S PENSION PLAN.
DEPLOYED A VIRTUAL WORKPLACE HARASSMENT CLASS FOR ALL CITY STAFF.
Reporting Period: August 1, 2023 - August 31, 2023
769 tickets; 207 dispositions
15 New Probationers
Probation fees collected: $5,675.79
Traffic/Misdemeanor fees collected: $42,870.00
Environmental Court:
Cases: 63
Fees collected: $6,121.00
Employment Outlook
The Court has two vacant positions at this time, Clerk I and Clerk II.
The Court will add a Clerk III at a later date.
A walkthrough of the Court Services area was done; discussion on the remodel of the area to convert to a functional Court Operations Department. No timetable has been confirmed for this transition.
Background and Recruiting New Hires August
Carl Ortiz- Ramos- Police Officer
Deondre Hunt- Police Officer
Kaiya Williams- Communications Operator
Kayla Bartlett- Communications Operator
Tabatha Carver- Communications Operator
Community Affairs
Community affairs attended Citizens Police Academy
Community affairs attend the Village on Patrol with
Councilwoman Kimberly James discussed the needs of
Forest Park High School where truancy is a major problem
between the hours of 1130 and 2 pm.
Forest Park Day
National Night Out
Ladies of Favor All Girls Academy Community Service
Project
Back to School Event Councilman Gutierrez
Back to School Event Paradise Church
Honor guard individuals were selected, and uniforms were purchased.
Internal Affairs
3 Open IA cases (1 case is on hold).
2 New Internal Affairs cases for the month
Multiple open records requests for the DA’s Office and Forest Park Courts.
CALEA
Review- Powerdms License to update User for Powerdms
Year 1 update ( 2021)
Total Files- 28
18 files – received documentation for Assessment
10 Files – remaining additional review
Policy Review
Written directive/policy revising ongoing-
Duty to Intervene
Strip/Cavity Search
Request review of Firearms – Range Policy (CALEA Standards)
Received Firearms Policy Language update.
Follow up with FOD- Sworn Officer Assaults Review
Reporting Period: August 1, 2023 - August 31, 2023
INTERIM DIRECTOR PATTERSON
Chaunda Melson & Natasha McGill Finance Department
Continuing to progress treatments and technology to better provide for the employees and citizens of Forest Park. Will be putting video laryngoscopes on the ambulances in September for use by paramedics.
Reporting Period: August 1, 2023 - August 31, 2023
PRIVATE DWELLINGS - 1
APARTMENTS - 2
VEHICLES - 1
OTHER VEHICLES - 0
HAZARDOUS CONDITIONS - 14
CAMP FIRE -
EMS ASSIST - 194
FALSE ALARMS - 30
HAZMAT – 1
OTHER - 47
INSPECTIONS - 56
ANNUALS - 9
FOLLOW UP - 13
NEW BUSINESSES - 11
VACANT - 4
ATTEMPTED - 0
PLAN REVIEWS - 11
FINAL CONSTRUCTION - 6
FIRE PROTECTION - 2
PATIENTS TREATED 232
PATIENT REFUSALS 122
PATIENT REFUSALS AMA26
MUTUAL AID 4
COVID CALLS 0
STEMI 0
CARDIAC ARREST 5
ROSC 1
TRAUMA 47
SHOOTING / STABBING2
OVERDOSE 4
NARCAN USED 6
The EMS Division is in the ending weeks of an Advanced EMT Class with hopes of graduating 11 AEMTs. Continuing to provide monthly ConEd for on-shift personnel. Received and implementing new life saving equipment and medications, getting placed into service as training occurs on the equipment and meds.
8/24 Cummins Fire Extinguisher Training
8/19 Clayton County Back to School Bash
8/19 Forest Park Day
ARMSTRONG INDIVIDUAL TRAINING:
July 30 – August 2: Georgia Southeastern Arson Conference (IAAI & GFIA) in Savannah, GA
Aug. 4: NWSChat 2.0 Partner Training on new platform (Slack)
Aug. 17: Fire Prevention Week 2023 – Cooking Safety Starts with You. Pay Attention to Fire Prevention. Webinar Training
Aug. 23: CSST & Lightning, Webinar Training
GRANTS:
Currently working on AFG FY 2022 awarded projects (i.e., Direct Source Capture Systems; Heavy Rescue)
FP EMA:
Launched our Craig 1300 board. Will present an overview to Mayor and Council on Aug. 21st meeting.
Spoke with GEMA/HS Training to host upcoming courses of G191, NIMS-ICS 300 & 400 (awaiting to receive dates from the Instructor, but tentatively hoping for October dates).
Aug. 29: GEMA/HS Area 7 Meeting (hosted at Cobb County EOC).
Aug. 31: FD/PD Command Monthly Meeting
Working on CRR in coordination with the FMO to present training to the community.
LEPC Sub-Committee met again on Aug. 11th, had some really great discussion and shared updates on LEPC progress.
Aug. 16th: Attended the Multi-Year Training & Exercise Planning Workshop. Partners throughout the county joined such as CCFD, CCPD, CCWA, CCPS, and DPH. Lots of great discussion on training needs, capability assessments/gaps, and identified topics we would all like to partner with to train together on.
Aug. 17th: Attended a planning meeting with CCFD/EMA at Fresh Express to discuss future hazmat training at their facility.
Aug. 29-31: LEPC Fresh Express Hazmat Training.
The next LEPC Meeting will be September 7th: Sheri Russo, Area 7 Coordinator for GEMA/HS is presenting.
WebEOC:
Met with Clayton and Fulton County EMA’s on July 17th to discuss more in-depth WebEOC processes like the sitrep, fleet boards, etc.
Developing internal training to provide FPFD personnel.
Plan to add data into WebEOC board to help with future inventory and tracking of various data sets.
FP EMA and Clayton County EMA:Reporting Period: August 1, 2023 - August 31, 2023
Cut trees off the R/O/W: 37 Hrs.
Debris Removal: 47 Hrs.
Storm Debris Removal: 81 Hrs.
Street Sweeper Unit # 105 – 101 Hrs.
Asphalt repaired: 0 Hrs.
Illegal Dumping: 0 Hrs.
1 Abatements: 56 Hrs. – 5039 East St
Cut grass/Edge/Weedeat/Blow – 403 Hrs.
0 Courtesy Pick Up:
1 Paid Pickup: Linda Way
Hauled 0 load of tires to Jackson, Ga – 0 Hrs.
Litter control on the R/O/W – 6 Hrs.
Storm Drain cleaning: 52 Hrs.
STREET SWEEPER COVERAGE LOCATIONS:
Pineridge Dr/ Watson Ferry Rd/ Virginia Cir/ Sequoia Dr/ Ash St/ Burks Pl/ Burks Rd/ Yancey Rd/ Bridge Ave/ Georgia Ave/
Greenwood Way/ Helen St/ Highland St/ Highland St Cir/ Lake Dr/ Phillips Dr/ Phillip Cir/ Skyland Dr/ Warner St/ Woodland Dr/
Woodland Way/ Glade Rd/ Greenhill Way/ Iowa Dr/ Old Dixie Rd/ Brookdale Dr/ Ponderosa Park Dr/ Tamarack Tl/ College St/
Evergreen Dr/ North Ave/ Stillwood Cove/ Tanglewood Ln/ Ashmore Dr/ Hendrix Dr/ O’Hara Rd/ Tara Dr/ Blueridge Dr/ Boling
Dr/ Cascade Dr/ Cloudland Dr/ Kennesaw Dr/ Lookout Dr/ Sierra Dr/ Pine Mountain Dr/ Bennet Alley/ Cone Rd/ Elm Dr/ Glenn
Dr/ Lee Cir/ Longleaf Dr/ Oak St/ Park Dr/ Pine St/ Pine Creek Dr/ Sharon St/ Dunwoody Dr/ Forest Hills Path/ Needle Dr/
Oakdale Dr/ Shellnut Dr/ Shirley Ct/ Slash Pine Dr/ Spruce Ave/ Hill St/ Forest Ave/ Courtney Dr/ Gunter Dr/ Willena Dr/ Manse
Dr/ Scott Rd/ Cynthia Ln/ High Dr/ Springside Dr/ Forest Pkwy/ Main St/ South Ave/
BUILDING MAINTENANCE WORK ORDERS:
POLICE/ GUN RANGE 14 WORK ORDERS AT 146 SERVICE HOURS
FIRE STATION#3 0 WORK ORDER AT 0 SERVICE HOURS
FIRE STATION#1 0 WORK ORDER AT 0 SERVICE HOURS
FIRE STATION#2 0 WORK ORDER AT 0 SERVICE HOUR
CITY HALL 4 WORK ORDERS AT 34 SERVICE HOURS
AMPHITHEATER 3 WORK ORDERS AT 12 SERVICE HOURS
PERSONNEL 0 WORK ORDER AT 0 SERVICE HOURS
ALDER PARK 0 WORK ORDER AT 0 SERVICE HOURS
BLOCK BLDG 5 WORK ORDERS AT 48 SERVICE HOURS
PUBLIC WORKS 7 WORK ORDERS AT 64 SERVICE HOURS
REC BLDG 0 WORK ORDER AT 0 SERVICE HOURS
SECOND ST PARK 0 WORK ORDER AT 0 SERVICE HOURS
696 MAIN ST 0 WORK ORDER AT 0 SERVICE HOURS
COUNCIL HOUSE 0 WORK ORDER AT 0 SERVICE HOURS
MAIN ST FOUNTAIN 6 WORK ORDERS AT 155 SERVICE HOURS
FLEET 2 WORK ORDERS AT 3 SERVICE HOURS
PBZ 2 WORK ORDERS AT 10 SERVICE HOURS
RIGHT OF WAYS 1 WORK ORDER AT 105 SERVICE HOURS
STARR PARK 2 WORK ORDERS AT 19 SERVICE HOURS
OUTDOOR POOL 0 WORK ORDERS AT 0 SERVICE HOURS
PUBLIC SAFETY BLDG 1 WORK ORDER AT 4 SERVICE HOURS
City Hall Admin Remodel 151 service hours
Clean Sweep at Street School 59 service hours
SANITATION:
6 Dead animals removed from right of way.
33 Total Assessed values for debris collection.
Residential – 27
Commercial - 6
153 Total residential sanitation customers call. 38 Waste Management missed collections: Resident calls complaint.
55 Total Commercial sanitation customers call.
Parks Division:
6 Main Parks maintained Alder/ Second St/ Perkins/ Bill Lee/ Theater/ Starr Park on rotation.
5 Side Parks maintained 3@ Bridge Ave/ 2@ Georgia Ave/ 1@ Ash St on rotation.
2 Bathrooms maintained T-ball restroom and Starr Park Concession Stand Restroom every day.
23 Removed trash bags and Litter Control at Marta bus stops
135 Removed trash bags and Litter Control at Right of Ways and Parks
5 Ball fields maintained (3 Softball, 1 Baseball & 1 T-ball) for games as needed.
1 Kiwanis Football field groomed for games as needed.
2 Soccer fields maintained on rotation.
Cut and groomed all the PCD & Rec/ City Hall/ P.D./ Gun Range/ Fire Station 1,2,3/Senior Center
Cut West St, Agnew Rd, Cash Memorial Blvd, Second St, Third St/ South Ave/ Springdale Rd/ First St/
Cut and groomed city ROW Jonesboro Road/ Forest Parkway, Old Dixie
3 Community Sheds in Starr Park to De-litter and change trash every day.
Fleet Division:
Police – 38 requests for 143.5 service hours
PW Streets – 11 requests for 25.5 service hours
PW Parks – 15 requests for 32 service hours
PW Build Maint – 2 requests for 9 service hours
PW Sanitation – 1 request for 3 service hours
Rescue – 2 requests for 8 service hours
Fleet – 4 requests for 4.5 service hours
City Hall- 0 request for 0 service hours.
Fire – 6 requests for 8.5 service hours
Animal Control – 2 requests for 6.5 service hours
PBZ – 2 requests for 3 service hours
Rec – 0 request for 0 service hour
Signs – 0 request for 0 service hour
PCD Summary
15 Zoning Inquiries (Verifications)
11 Sign Permits
30 Trade Permits Issued
0 Food Truck Permits
0 Fence Permits Certificate of Occupancy
Sankofa Montessori at 5881 Phillips Dr
Kyrishia Johnson at 5068 Ash St
HD Supply at 2055 Anvil Block Rd
Waters Edge Apartments, Unit B14 at 417 Barton Dr
Affiliate Board Meetings
Planning Commission: No agenda items for the month of August.
Architecture Review Board: No agenda items for the month of August.
Clayton County Land Bank: No Forest Park items were on the land bank agenda.
Employment Outlook
Planner 1 vacancy. Space is needed to accommodate another employee currently at the PCD building.
Reporting Period: August 1, 2023 - August 31, 2023
Met with three residential developers on Main Street properties
Met with developers on senior living facility for Robin Lane
Contacted seven developers for Main Street properties
Met with Atlanta Airport Community Improvement District on Forest Park CID expansion
Toured Gillem with FP Police Department to integrate Gillem security cameras in PD surveillance
Preparing RFPs for Main Street property for developer attraction
Updating Forest Park Film Division strategy and outreach
New Business Outreach Strategy which includes:
Weekly business visits
Development of master business contact lists
Launch monthly Business Recognition Programs (Women, Vets, Hispanic, Asian and African American)
Relaunch of Forest Park Business Association with wider outreach
Coordinated Black Business Month presentations to City Council
Coordinating Ballons and Blues Festival for Main Street in October
Participated in Clayton County Development Forum sponsored by District 1 Commissioner Anderson
Repaired plumbing at 751-771 Main Street
Coordinated landscaping for Main Street and Gillem Logistics
Finalized 2023-2024 budgets for authorities
Launched Basecamp application to record department activity
Finished property and casualty reports for authority and city insurance
Held weekly team meetings
Business Name
Description of project
Status
Klass6 Boutique Renovation to front of building
Project not started, pending
Revival Working Coworking Space
Project not started, pending
Atlas Strength & Conditioning Outdoor Fitness Space
Project not started, pending
