[{"_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",6478488,"mediaKeyId","5708875-1b174f66153c864b37a5fa823a6020fe","parentId",5708875,"title","Votes at a glance: Forest Park council approves millage rate, conditional use permit, massage-license type and interim manager pay","audioSeconds",3371,"startMs",2145000,"endMs",5516000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5708875-1b174f66153c864b37a5fa823a6020fe&start=2145&end=5516","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5708875-1b174f66153c864b37a5fa823a6020fe/thumbnail_2145000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6478488/Forest-Park/Clayton-County/Georgia/Votes-at-a-glance-Forest-Park-council-approves-millage-rate-conditional-use-permit-massage-license-type-and-interim-manager-pay","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6478488-3abf00729d33b5527027e71c2f79e030/orig.mp4?Expires=1770896912&Signature=J6pXLeDBVjj8xheZE4HA5i1jL3Z6rKNWUmAq~AG7cJpi1c~yCezxAL7hP58kFglm9ViAfT3aBaCuBBYCBUsw41v~fUIBzhlboSscgUrrZbToTwNvgMLz07Y377glihS6vgn1-1gV0nsTs-H1~FVRpV9lD6jvmnuYq9fn3hFiew9nEgcTw-s5O9zQ5wGnW0-Sfl1S4MFqnlT7IBBKd~aU9g3zt~ev3kO7GOCglL1QloxknUhPX34hY7Z2ZuAIPQVevCzdx7NBc8~yEOktwpV~dJu8e1QSWY6mjESF3keBZBUzbYMIzP9X9-Y1I6jRZPenSuaD25SeDvrSjTFeZaIQRQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Forest Park ","date","2025-09-03T11:53:20Z","article","At its Sept. 2 meeting the Forest Park Mayor and Council took several formal votes on routine and regulatory items. Brief summaries and recorded outcomes follow.

Tentative millage rate (proposed): The council approved the recommended proposed millage rate as advertised, a tentative rate of 16.74 mills reflecting a 1.21% increase in property tax revenue due to rising assessed values. The city announced public hearings scheduled for Sept. 2 and Sept. 15. Roll call: Councilwoman James — yes; Councilwoman Gunn — yes; Councilman Gutierrez — yes; Councilmember Akins Wells — yes. Outcome: Approved (recorded 4–0).

Conditional use permit — 5000 Governors Drive: The council approved a conditional use permit to recognize a change in ownership and business name for an existing licensed memory-care assisted living facility (known in the transcript as Governors Glen) in a single-family residential district. Staff said no changes to the building footprint or operations were proposed. Roll call: James — yes; Gunn — yes; Gutierrez — yes; Akins Wells — yes. Outcome: Approved (4–0).

Massage establishment business-license type: The council approved processing and issuance of a business license for a proposed massage-therapy establishment at 1105 Forest Parkway, in accordance with the city's licensing chapter (section 9-7-4) that requires council review. Staff reported the application had been reviewed by planning, fire, police and building departments with no objections. Roll call: James — yes; Gunn — yes; Gutierrez — yes; Akins Wells — yes. Outcome: Approved (4–0).

Selection of recruitment firm (see separate article): The council voted to select a Norcross recruitment firm for the city manager search; recorded roll call showed three votes in favor and one abstention (Councilmember Akins Wells) — the detailed procurement debate and selection are summarized in a separate article.

Interim city manager pay authorization: The council authorized a salary increase for the interim city manager during her term in office. Roll call recorded votes in favor by Councilwoman James, Councilwoman Gunn, Councilman Gutierrez and Councilmember Akins Wells. Outcome: Approved (4–0).

How votes were recorded: For each item the clerk called the roll, and the record shows the four councilmembers (James, Gunn, Gutierrez and Akins Wells) voting on the listed items. The mayor's vote is not recorded in the roll calls transcribed for these items in the provided transcript excerpt.

What to watch next: The millage rate is tentative and tied to public hearings; staff said the city will return with final contract terms for the recruitment firm; site-plan and buffer details remain for rezoning items and the council will oversee implementation steps for approved permits and licenses.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Forest Park Council Meeting 9/2/25","oneSentenceSummary","The council approved a tentative millage rate, a conditional use permit for an assisted living facility, a new business-license type for massage establishments, and authorized a salary increase for the interim city manager; roll-call votes recorded in each case.","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},6478492,"Council approves rezoning at 486 Main Street with limits on truck parking and landscaping buffers",2977,2383000,5360000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5708875-1b174f66153c864b37a5fa823a6020fe&start=2383&end=5360","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5708875-1b174f66153c864b37a5fa823a6020fe/thumbnail_2383000.jpg","/articles/6478492/Forest-Park/Clayton-County/Georgia/Council-approves-rezoning-at-486-Main-Street-with-limits-on-truck-parking-and-landscaping-buffers","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6478492-8e080d7a223d69fd47cdc736054d52d3/orig.mp4?Expires=1770896912&Signature=ft8~Gyjxulcd2wN~r5mStuqOgn3YdJfgyhEPEP8sP1VlhX46ruGMefo8MkbhuKJcGZbleyLA3iIg87bfhY3Z0N-qzD4Tv5dJB3M43b7ptZ6Fhs5J-5wWTkaunm5cbXaN8fZSNGabGfhp4AA8PlDbVBBBBvR6TnJbrVHtHQEIt5H-07F3phN9ggLRsuAkWhXJZXkkv~oRsxPfEDnGcFZ6yqsMYk9ye5-mimZp35R10Cb5Duw8cwcuvnZi0k2iy574QZDZT6GyrWHeollFesZEARW-znekc45k5gmiQBuE5NiGqKU6W4qTkU0ByWZ7ae-dBsfAmYUA7aNs3JB-A-37tQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Forest Park Mayor and Council on Sept. 2 approved a rezoning request affecting three parcels near the corner of Main Street and Burkes Road in Ward 2, allowing conversion of the primary parcel on Main Street to General Commercial (GC) while keeping two rear parcels residential.

Planning staff presented the petition and said the Planning Commission recommended approval with conditions to limit uses, require site-plan review, mandate buffers and prohibit truck parking on portions of the property that abut residences. The applicant, property owner Ritza Hernandez, told the council the business is a wholesale distribution operation that needs room to park box trucks and asked the council to allow space for approximately five trucks for storage and deliveries.

Planning staff read the existing recommended truck-parking restriction: \"Truck parking shall be prohibited on all portions of the property, including the rear parcel zoned R-T. Trucks, however, may access the site for loading and unloading purposes.\" Council members negotiated a modification to allow a limited number of box trucks to be parked on the parcel that fronts Main Street, subject to time limits and landscaping buffers to reduce impacts on nearby townhomes.

The council approved staff's rezoning recommendation to convert the Main Street parcel to GC while denying rezoning of the two rear parcels and amended the conditions to permit up to five box trucks and to prohibit truck parking longer than 48 consecutive hours on the site. The roll call recorded \"yes\" votes from Councilwoman James, Councilwoman Gunn, Councilman Gutierrez and Councilmember Akins Wells.

Why it matters: The rezoning will enable the property's existing commercial operator to expand parking and operations while the conditions aim to reduce visual and noise impacts on adjacent residential areas. Planning staff said required buffers would be landscaped and could range from 5 to 15 feet depending on final site plan and code requirements.

Next steps: Staff will work with the applicant to finalize the site plan, determine buffer widths, and include the truck-parking and buffer requirements in the zoning approval. The council suggested limiting overnight or long-term parking as part of the condition to balance business needs with neighborhood character.","The council rezoned the frontage parcel at 486 Main Street to general commercial, denied rezoning of two rear parcels, and added conditions including truck-parking limits (up to five box trucks, no more than 48 consecutive hours) and required buffering.",{"_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},6478496,"Forest Park council selects Norcross-based firm for city manager search after debate over RFP",4883,596000,5479000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5708875-1b174f66153c864b37a5fa823a6020fe&start=596&end=5479","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5708875-1b174f66153c864b37a5fa823a6020fe/thumbnail_596000.jpg","/articles/6478496/Forest-Park/Clayton-County/Georgia/Forest-Park-council-selects-Norcross-based-firm-for-city-manager-search-after-debate-over-RFP","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6478496-5a28bca194a9fee5a0d6ef8854f1b6af/orig.mp4?Expires=1770896912&Signature=OD0-YLnCKvBUbbI-cBmdrz4Vt-7ujiuJQqKneDr7tDawrvw8etdlIBFp1UfpvsYdmTM4-729RK9bxq8oxguWGVrOR27uWUdtlrYfX-PiYKlOztLhoMd8ewTThBA0IO2vp~n~2PzCK0cb1lpfBYJfLywj2Cf~RTJxNxDTsrlYsu4orLsVfI6tACP~lBo5lGzC40JxzyBP1~JH1hNDUOWnLF3zId6NfTur~VQ2jIhqvsgCZ9oeXK3unVkJnZbsDmocX5sHVC29lVtZeoH5XyPrMGxEgOk-wRAnCJc7CdEgaQDhTdEtYhjmvr62DtmMr46rD60Yu3pA7Sr46E~SPIu03g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Forest Park Mayor and Council on Sept. 2 voted to hire a Norcross-based executive recruitment firm to conduct a nationwide search for a new city manager, concluding a multi-week discussion over whether to run a formal request-for-proposals process.

Procurement staff (name not specified) told the council that they solicited proposals from six firms and received submissions from two. One firm, based in Alpharetta, proposed a base fee of about $21,000 (not including travel or advertising costs) and offered a one-year guarantee if the selected candidate left within that time. The second firm, based in Norcross, proposed a not-to-exceed fee of $24,841 that included consultant travel and advertising; that firm offered a two-year placement guarantee, and the city of Stockbridge gave the Norcross firm a positive reference.

Council members debated whether to run a formal RFP — which staff said would typically take 90 to 120 days and require an evaluation committee — or to proceed with an informal solicitation that directly requests quotes from known firms. Councilmember Akins Wells and others urged a formal, transparent solicitation and noted the importance of taking time to find a well-qualified manager; other councilmembers argued the city needs to move forward quickly to fill the position while an interim manager remains in a dual role.

Interim Chief Clemons and other staff described the informal approach as standard practice for some recruitment services and said typical recruitment timelines after contracting run 60 to 90 days. The council ultimately voted to contract with the Norcross firm (referred to in the motion as \"Slaton Slaven of Norcross\"). The roll call shows Councilmember James, Councilwoman Gunn and Councilman Gutierrez voted \"yes,\" and Councilmember Akins Wells recorded an abstention.

What was approved: The council's motion accepted the recommended Norcross firm to begin recruitment work; staff noted that the governing body would retain final vetting authority for candidate selection, including how many candidates are forwarded to the council and whether community meetings are held.

Funding and timeline: Staff said the recruitment component generally would be procured for amounts under the $50,000 formal-solicitation threshold; specific contract terms, advertising budgets and travel reimbursements were discussed as possible additions to the base fee and were not finalized at the meeting.

Next steps: Staff will negotiate final contract terms and return contract language to the governing body for approval and execution. Councilmembers emphasized that the council — not the firm — will make the final hiring decision and can set the number of finalists and interview procedures.","After debating an informal procurement approach versus a formal RFP, the council selected a Norcross recruitment firm with a two-year placement guarantee to run the nationwide search for a new city manager.",{"_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},6478501,"Forest Park council approves charter amendment limiting investigations by individual officials",5043,352000,5395000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5708875-1b174f66153c864b37a5fa823a6020fe&start=352&end=5395","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5708875-1b174f66153c864b37a5fa823a6020fe/thumbnail_352000.jpg","/articles/6478501/Forest-Park/Clayton-County/Georgia/Forest-Park-council-approves-charter-amendment-limiting-investigations-by-individual-officials","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6478501-2609ac582faabecedceb727878b09168/orig.mp4?Expires=1770896912&Signature=FInFS0ksD~2kvZXNcjQvyGQTTcR-5mLbXouSpQwOZoZFw1GCuGDHbZ4qD~sgcKsq~cRzm-viXr8voUl2iGYV5QcCwdoDCTeuAYrZxdAgdWi~vLnLP7kDzord1RxGDdCAnaUh-XmyYPY9ixo0f08Wj85FhKokNEPe-6-fQWObfpAPGqZE2tn-21gaspLsDo6krm3CSH~f3bpyakE6FDNoOT2fPwBxLDi8MVYAOrY103MyDvVbLWylRTbMEri22LMmiA9C3lpLYET5fXKvJu1u5VXgMdjoiaer1aE6~32-~mZMy1vqiCcqrKsTZu6utrLT0AtJ-3qc2FklBoZ4VpNSTg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Forest Park Mayor and Council on Sept. 2 approved an amendment to the city charter that restricts individual elected officials from conducting independent investigations into city operations, requiring instead that such inquiries be authorized by the governing body.

City Attorney (name not specified) told the council the change would reconcile a conflict in the charter between a provision that permits individual council members to question employees and another section that prohibits council members from directing city staff. \"It would be essentially investigating, probing, asking questions to city employees about their day to day,\" the City Attorney said, adding that \"it wouldn't prohibit the employee from going directly to a council member.\"

The council voted 4–0 to adopt the amendment. Councilwoman James moved to approve the change and Councilwoman Gunn seconded the motion; the roll call recorded votes in favor by Councilwoman James, Councilwoman Gunn, Councilman Gutierrez and Councilmember Akins Wells. The motion language before the council sought to revise section 2.15, \"Inquiries and Investigations,\" of Article II of the charter.

Why it matters: The amendment formalizes the governing body's control over any official probe into municipal operations, limiting the authority of individual officials to initiate investigations. Supporters said the change resolves conflicting charter language and clarifies lines of authority; some council members voiced concern during discussion about ensuring employees remain able to report problems to elected officials.

Council members debated what the amendment means in practice. Councilmember Akins Wells asked whether the change would prevent employees from speaking to council members; the City Attorney responded it would not bar employees from approaching an elected official but would require a formal approval by the governing body before an official investigation is launched. Councilwoman James said she welcomed the amendment and looks forward to its passage.

The council cited state enabling law in the discussion: the agenda referenced OCGA 36-35-3, the Georgia statute authorizing municipal charter amendments. No specific implementation timeline was discussed at the meeting.

The amendment will appear on future agendas as required for final adoption and publication under state and local procedures.","The Forest Park Mayor and Council voted to amend Section 2.15 of the city charter to require that investigations be authorized by the full governing body, while clarifying that employees may still speak privately with elected officials.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Forest Park council approves millage rate, conditional use permit, massage-license type and interim manager pay

Council approves rezoning at 486 Main Street with limits on truck parking and landscaping buffers

Forest Park council selects Norcross-based firm for city manager search after debate over RFP

Forest Park council approves charter amendment limiting investigations by individual officials