Forest Park Ward 1 meeting: Planning director previews Main Street project and county housing study; city manager search advances

Kimberly James, Forest Park’s Ward 1 councilwoman, opened the neighborhood meeting Thursday and said the session would focus on department updates and community events.

Interim Planning Director Savannah Aris Pumasa told attendees the department is interviewing to fill two vacancies and is preparing to implement the OpenGov permitting platform so residents can submit applications and track approvals online. "We are working to transition to a new software that's a lot more user-friendly...and will allow for a easier way to do business, get your permits submitted," Pumasa said. She also said the city is participating with Clayton County in a countywide housing study and the Georgia Initiative for Community Housing (GICH) to identify needs and options for future housing policy.

Pumasa said the Urban Design Review Board approved the architectural design for a Georgia Utility Contractors Association (GUCA) project on Main Street last month and that the project is on the Planning Commission agenda this evening for a variance request that the developer needs to move forward. "Once or if they get approved...they will be able to continue with their committee and lead to construction," she said.

Public-safety updates included remarks from Captain Joe Wickerson of the police department, who reported a slight drop in serious crimes in Ward 1: "There has been a total of 41 part one crimes this year compared to 45 last year. That's a change of negative 8.9%." Wickerson also listed several properties under code-enforcement review and said multiple citations had been issued with an Aug. 6 court date.

Fire-capacity and inspections work was described by the fire marshal's representative, introduced at the meeting as Fire Captain Bason. He said a new deputy fire marshal, Andre Eberhart, will begin next week, and listed several large construction projects now under fire-marshal review, including a Metcalf extension warehouse and a Digital Realty data center. The office also reported completing inspections this month and conducting public-safety education events.

Finance staff said June is the last month of the fiscal year; Senior Accountant Tony Lamar said the city is finalizing the 2026–27 budget pending council approval and preparing for upcoming audits while updating budgeting, procurement and tax systems.

Cedric Maxwell, director of recreation and leisure services, highlighted summer programming and upcoming events: a Juneteenth celebration at Starr Park (performances, vendors and a fireworks show), a June 27 soccer watch party and Caribbean Fest, youth fall-sports registration, ongoing summer camp (with free breakfast and lunch for participants) and a new Legacy Fest planned for October. "Everything kicks off at 3:00 p.m. and pretty much goes into about 9:15, 9:30 with the fireworks show," Maxwell said of the Juneteenth program.

Public Works Director Matthews described ongoing Georgia Power limb‑clearing along rights-of-way, a Billy Park playground installation expected within weeks pending equipment availability, grass‑cutting catch-up after heavy rains, and a recreation-center project targeting a November groundbreaking that remains contingent on Starr Park design approvals and Clayton County Water Authority sign-offs.

Chief of staff Victoria Williams said the executive search for a new city manager is progressing toward its final phase and that staff expect to share an update in early July. Williams also outlined a July community distribution event, "Gifts at the Park," a partnership with Good360 and Helping Hands Ending Hunger to distribute donated household goods; organizers reported spending about $7,000 to obtain an estimated $250,000–$300,000 in goods and said roughly 261 people had registered so far.

Councilwoman James closed the recording, reminded residents that Ward 1 briefings occur every third Thursday at 696 Main Street, and acknowledged Mayor Allison's presence at the meeting. There were no formal votes recorded in the meeting; several items — notably the GUCA Main Street variance and the city-manager search — will move to separate processes (Planning Commission review and the executive-search firm timeline) for next steps.