[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6653698,"mediaKeyId","2477917-9c87e812a829602fa7fe085a30cfda0c","parentId",2477917,"title","Forest Park approves conditional use permit to combine W.A. Fountain Elementary and Unidos Language School","audioSeconds",1299,"startMs",2267000,"endMs",3566000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2477917-9c87e812a829602fa7fe085a30cfda0c&start=2267&end=3566","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2477917-9c87e812a829602fa7fe085a30cfda0c/thumbnail_2267000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6653698/Forest-Park/Clayton-County/Georgia/Forest-Park-approves-conditional-use-permit-to-combine-WA-Fountain-Elementary-and-Unidos-Language-School","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6653698-5bd5ae98743ee13e12355da2d2b462b3/orig.mp4?Expires=1771171018&Signature=NrDjaXVee7QoUfzUWs7Whb054J5m1dD93j14itAVCeUyRBoAVuxlD6dGD8zwsCqXbqtKy-zNzRvAHljDQ5~LdXIO08MqjwVqabW-SVcObZwP~ZgTafeQt~fFUrMuQnoXgrbli1MRZLOj2sNyyM0jCJVcs~I~HavEtrdnzNzIzpY18CodejL1dam8XuGrKOZGIg93gkgafp2DlApRzno1q-DTpz1POm2ivqL5phhniB-TaQt7DbwdBQkdq8J2wsT7vjz9iJ-c4tfEV7gl9vZdXpopG9zfz5p1kG0sKCiFFCvz~XeZSLY~Dz3Tyq4YFIOsjPLSymoVFsCfUbe2PZSznw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Forest Park ","date","2025-03-04T01:10:20.863Z","article","Forest Park's mayor and council on March 3 approved Conditional Use Permit 2025-01 to combine W.A. Fountain Elementary School and Unidos Language School into an expanded elementary facility at 5215 West Street, the city said.

City planning staff told council the project would involve partial demolition and expansion while retaining the property's single-family residential zoning designation. Planned site work includes a new driveway, improved circulation and parking, landscaping, a post-construction stormwater system and erosion controls for work in a floodplain and stream buffer. The Planning Commission recommended approval on Feb. 20.

Why it matters: The consolidated facility aims to respond to projected community growth and to provide updated classrooms and technology. Staff said the design will preserve significant site features and maintain vegetative areas while improving safety and circulation.

The school district representative at the meeting said the district expects to repurpose one of the vacated buildings as an early-learning center, though staff said final uses will be confirmed through the board of education. Council members asked about adjacent vegetation (kudzu) and whether recent cutting addressed complaints; staff said the school district had removed some growth and that staff would confirm whether the construction work will fully address the remaining concerns.

Per the city charter, the council recessed into a public hearing for the conditional use permit; no members of the public signed up to speak either for or against the request. After the hearing the council voted to approve the permit. The motion to approve was made by Councilwoman James and seconded by Councilman Mears; the roll-call vote was recorded as yes from Councilmembers James, Gutierrez, Akins Wells, Mears and Mayor Butler, 5–0.

Staff said if the council's approval is upheld through the permitting steps, the applicant can proceed with partial demolition and construction per the approved site and erosion-control plans.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Forest Park Council Meeting 3/3/25","oneSentenceSummary","The city approved Conditional Use Permit 2025-01 allowing a partial demolition and expansion of W.A. Fountain Elementary School to incorporate Unidos Language School; council approved the permit after a public hearing and a 5–0 vote.","taxTitle","Forest Park, Clayton County, Georgia","taxId",55072,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6653704,"Forest Park approves $96,500 impact-fee study contract with Hatley Plans LLC",1370,2070000,3440000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2477917-9c87e812a829602fa7fe085a30cfda0c&start=2070&end=3440","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2477917-9c87e812a829602fa7fe085a30cfda0c/thumbnail_2070000.jpg","/articles/6653704/Forest-Park/Clayton-County/Georgia/Forest-Park-approves-96500-impact-fee-study-contract-with-Hatley-Plans-LLC","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6653704-7db3a535b9dfb88e3c63f5f86239216b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771171018&Signature=g~E7awblvIfemYlvPkTUv5WXkNl0F8wYx1~pQOx0zFqbcA6zjg0mo2lx~G2cbn0HW7zLMKEM3TZHmj1I5cHnQ5rjReE1VPNInTxAbQVtnfepfk-ki4SCNnkOiW9aYggo1x6hi4rRrMPvwd4cDwC9WRHJgMcRw6k4QW9oVKDBt3VV5ew2WUGpSZZkSD2cuZS3NbltklfnBFmIMA27~suOyWEkuJOoXTzREEHHBedc5xXgtChkd88jSjrUcGl0yiveQCsHvqDzQtNzztpR~y0cVHsBKH4euK72YCdf3U8PWIF~gFwJ10Vx~XHiJMtW39qatDcz3qEQviphJx1Wfc5kBA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Forest Park's mayor and council voted March 3 to contract with Hatley Plans LLC of Brookhaven to conduct a comprehensive impact fee study, the city said, to evaluate updated fee levels and the possible expansion of eligible services under the Georgia Development Impact Fee Act of 1990.

City staff said the study will examine fee categories and administration for parks and open space, roads and bridges, planning and development, police, fire and emergency medical services and other department services the consultant deems eligible. The procurement closed with two proposals; the evaluation committee selected Hatley Plans as the highest-scoring proposer. The contract amount presented to council was $96,500.

Why it matters: The study is a technical step required before a municipality can adopt or revise development impact fees. Staff told council the city would not move forward with the study until the new budget cycle begins in July, so the award is primarily a procurement decision to engage technical expertise.

Council members asked about timing and budget sequencing; staff confirmed they will present budget funding for the study in the July budget cycle. The motion to approve the contract was made by Councilwoman James and seconded by Councilman Mears; the roll-call vote was recorded as yes from all councilmembers and the mayor, 5–0.

Staff described outreach and a market survey undertaken to solicit qualified firms. The evaluation committee reported there were relatively few firms that provide this expertise; two proposals were received and Hatley Plans scored highest after the technical and cost evaluation.","The council awarded Hatley Plans LLC the city's impact fee study contract, a step toward reconsidering development impact fees; the study is budgeted to begin in the next fiscal cycle.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6653709,"Forest Park awards on-call HVAC contract to Arias MEP after competitive bid",1789,1706000,3495000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2477917-9c87e812a829602fa7fe085a30cfda0c&start=1706&end=3495","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2477917-9c87e812a829602fa7fe085a30cfda0c/thumbnail_1706000.jpg","/articles/6653709/Forest-Park/Clayton-County/Georgia/Forest-Park-awards-on-call-HVAC-contract-to-Arias-MEP-after-competitive-bid","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6653709-d0496217f7b1e7dba5bcea51df58a53a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771171018&Signature=HOvo6ZVhDY~-qCzuBOAHDHQiQrIPtvH0OZZFjVFIFoiHysYGypQyHcsrMubdaKpkaGCeXAYsBWecRIwyXXJZdvD1yc~XOeoA9tP1deqdNtM1jx-QEcv2LacW9NgKdSCt6UuQZMz3Add04wrbk4ZbuEwUFtW9I1MIjCIs6dsbkARSkPHvyNW-EPaKOszS0RQNOTO-XE6eGrm1VADoUPPEZXAIsC7fbELl4jbnXXDA0ZSQsXj8fDy0I9VgGgpxBaX5hf4Tw15b4k-Ns-DnYYfa4tcUAY3wKT0BGv70gUkkjVkNoRZFdHNZq22sRlQDBz~PD3nNZ8jsuaoKawg-6xS0sA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Forest Park's governing body voted March 3 to award an on-call HVAC repair, installation and maintenance contract to Arias MEP of Peachtree City after a competitive bidding process.

Procurement staff told council the city put the services out to bid to expand a previous maintenance-only arrangement to include repairs and new installations across city-owned facilities. The bid was identified as \"On-call HVAC equipment repair, installation, and maintenance request bid number 2024 RFB 004.\" Staff said three bids were received and that the recommended award was to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder, Arias MEP. The council recorded an estimated monthly contract amount of $10,322 and said the payments will come from various departmental operating funds.

Why it matters: The contract changes the scope from routine monthly maintenance to an on-call arrangement that includes larger repairs and new equipment installation; council members discussed whether some services should be brought in-house for long-term savings. City staff said routine building maintenance remains in-house and the contract covers work beyond the capacity of existing staff.

Procurement staff explained formal evaluation and reference checks were completed prior to the recommendation. Public-works leadership said the contract responds to aging equipment across multiple facilities: staff reported 22 pieces of equipment older than 20 years were replaced in 2022, and two facilities (the Public Safety Building and the 696 Community Center) were added to the city inventory.

The motion to approve the contract was made by Councilwoman James and seconded by Councilman Gutierrez. The roll-call vote was recorded as yes from Councilmembers James, Gutierrez, Akins Wells, Mears and Mayor Butler, 5–0.

Councilmembers asked staff to notify council when future solicitations are posted on the city's procurement portal (OpenGov); staff said a vendor symposium for interested firms is planned for March 21.","Forest Park council approved a new on-call HVAC repair, installation and maintenance contract with Arias MEP (Arias MEP of Peachtree City) as the lowest responsive bidder; estimated monthly cost was given during the presentation.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6653713,"Forest Park council approves 'Elevate' workforce program for unhoused and underemployed residents",2657,811000,3468000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2477917-9c87e812a829602fa7fe085a30cfda0c&start=811&end=3468","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2477917-9c87e812a829602fa7fe085a30cfda0c/thumbnail_811000.jpg","/articles/6653713/Forest-Park/Clayton-County/Georgia/Forest-Park-council-approves-Elevate-workforce-program-for-unhoused-and-underemployed-residents","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6653713-93f9d524521298b9c641633e09ea1d71/orig.mp4?Expires=1771171018&Signature=kd8S03ZIehFyfJAK7WKd3wx~JtR87RiS8jHUuwACygwueujuDVX7aIqkq4Xef3ZMWk~eeE-rKlZthRMZSNVpFiPTG608wJyhMXrlsrzofVgy2~EsTPm5EUIH9t5CY-SN4Wd~Rwf06TrkIjs2lLTu1Gr1j0sugQQrBm~rfZEE3Pd6cu3twuh4wcmeB~dn6B007Ahsgv3Q0-E71sM1HsWW~y7bvCFtHSr~1Fl3jI3oS-NSlez3mvmfF-UDJrHgfO2M-rdiTpbeQnbQRrre~1fVaL9oW4wfXfpkmixHxjOJhhg8LQGcQ639Qh62EMibQAzqPn~XrW0bSbqRT49cFbfFRA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Forest Park's mayor and council on March 3 approved Elevate, a workforce-development initiative the city said is designed to move unhoused, displaced and underemployed residents \"from shelter to stability.\" The council voted unanimously to authorize the program.

City staff described Elevate as a cohort-based pilot that will initially accept 20 to 25 participants and pair them with job training, mental-health support, transportation assistance and wraparound services. The Atlanta Center for Self Sufficiency agreed to run parts of the program at a Forest Parkway site, and the city said it has partnered with Atlanta Technical College and Clayton State University for training and campus exposure.

Why it matters: Council members said the program targets a population they view as underserved by general workforce programs — people currently without stable housing, residents returning from incarceration, and others who face multiple employment barriers. The city and partners said the program aims to provide both vocational skills and immediate supports such as transit assistance and housing navigation to improve job retention.

The presentation credited Calvary Refuge Center — the local shelter operator — and its leadership for prompting the initiative. Dana Inman, chief executive officer of the Atlanta Center for Self Sufficiency, told the council, \"We are a workforce development agency that focuses on financially vulnerable individuals. We work with individuals who are unemployed, underemployed, unhoused, returning from incarceration, people living in subsidized housing. And our job is to help them find a job.\" Calvary Refuge representatives described deferred maintenance needs at their facility and said they expect the partnership to help increase placements into stable housing and employment.

Council members pressed for operational details during the discussion. City staff and partners said the program will be individualized — some participants may complete the cohort quickly, while others will require ongoing assistance. The city said the program will initially run as a small cohort to identify resource gaps and to test coordination among partners. Officials also mentioned transportation supports: MARTA passes, rideshare supplements and housing assistance were cited as parts of the plan to reduce employment barriers.

Council members and the city asked Calvary Refuge to provide a written list of facility needs so volunteers and the public can help with deferred-maintenance items. Calvary Refuge said it has about 60 rooms but currently uses roughly 50, and that outside fundraising and volunteer labor will be needed for some repairs.

The council moved to approve the initiative; the motion was made by Councilwoman James and seconded by Councilman Mears. The roll-call vote was recorded as yes from Councilmembers James, Gutierrez, Akins Wells, Mears and Mayor Butler, 5–0.

The council did not adopt a detailed budget for Elevate at the March 3 meeting; speakers said the program will start as a pilot and that staff will later present funding specifics and next steps.","The Forest Park governing body approved the Elevate initiative, a partnership-led workforce and wraparound-services program that will start with a 20–25 person pilot to help unhoused, underemployed and displaced residents gain job and life skills.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Forest Park approves conditional use permit to combine W.A. Fountain Elementary and Unidos Language School

Forest Park approves $96,500 impact-fee study contract with Hatley Plans LLC

Forest Park awards on-call HVAC contract to Arias MEP after competitive bid

Forest Park council approves 'Elevate' workforce program for unhoused and underemployed residents