City of Douglasville Annual Report 2022

Welcome everyone! Thank you all for taking the time to read this annual report and see all the wonderful things that have happened in the City of Douglasville over the past year.

Throughout this report, you will hear about some amazing events, activities, and milestones we have completed this year. You will also read about our exceptional award-winning departments, and major projects in the City. You will see that our community is in an excellent place as we continue to grow and thrive.

I look forward to continuing to work alongside our staff and citizens to make a lasting impact on our great community. May God bless you, your families, and the great city we call home!

Rochelle Robinson Mayor

Nycole N. Miller WARD 2, POST 1

Dr. LaShun Burr Danley WARD 3, POST 1

Chris “Coach” Watts WARD 4

Samuel Davis WARD 3, POST 2

Howard M. Estes WARD 5

Mark Adams WARD 2, POST 2

Terry S. Miller MAYOR PRO TEM, WARD 1

The City of Douglasville employs approximately 300 full-time, part-time, seasonal, and temporary employees. The mission of the Human Resources Department is to provide the following quality services to the City of Douglasville employees:

• Recruitment and selection of qualified individuals

• Retention of valuable employees

• Training, development, and education to promote individual success and increase overall value to the organization

• A safe and healthful working environment

• Inspiration and encouragement for a high level of employee morale through recognition, effective communication, and constant feedback

• Resources for administering compensation, benefits, policies, and procedures

The Department achieves these services through a teamwork philosophy based around effective organizational skills, proactive efforts, and a balance between professionalism and servanthood.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Human Resources Department facilitated Phase II of the Douglasville Wellness Center operations. City employees’ spouses and dependents covered under the City’s health plan are now able to access the wellness center for primary care needs. No cost services include:

• ANNUAL PHYSICAL EXAMS WITH LAB WORK

• WELL-WOMAN/WELL-MALE EXAMS

• WELL-CHILD CHECKUPS (AGES 2 YEARS AND UP)

• PRIMARY CARE

• CHRONIC CONDITION MANAGEMENT

• DIABETES MANAGEMENT

• ACUTE CARE

• COLD AND FLU

• LAB WORK

• OVER 110 GENERIC MEDICATIONS AVAILABLE

In September of 2021, the City of Douglasville received the Atlanta Business Chronicle’s Healthiest Employer first place award for medium-sized employers. The award honors organizations that take proactive measures to better the lives of their employees through innovative programs, leadership commitment, and program ROI. This is the City’s third time receiving first place.

To address the recent labor market challenges with talent retention and acquisition, the Human Resources Department concluded and implemented a Classification and Compensation Study in February 2022. The City of Douglasville continues to be committed to reviewing the compensation structure to ensure market and internal alignment of competitive and fair compensation systems.

Also, in February of 2022, the City of Douglasville received a Safety and Liability Grant in the amount of $20,000.00 from the Georgia Municipal Association. This grant provides a financial incentive for the City to improve employee safety and general public liability loss control efforts through the purchase of training, equipment, or services. The City’s proactive approach to loss control has helped to curb injuries to employees and the public.

Lastly, the Human Resources Department welcomed college professionals to its fourth installment of the Summer Internship Program in May 2022. Ten interns were selected across various Georgia colleges, universities, and technical schools to get practical work experience that compliments academic studies. This paid internship program has provided permanent employment opportunities at the city.

HUMAN RESOURCES STATISTICS

The Douglasville Police Department (DVPD) is a state certified full-service law enforcement agency that provides police services to the Douglasville city limits on a 24/7 basis. Multiple divisions make up the Department to serve the citizens in the most effective and professional way. From Patrol to Detectives, Special Operations to Training, Traffic, and several others; the Department has 101 Certified Officers, 20 civilian support staff personnel, and five part-time positions. The Department is constantly looking for the most qualified and diverse candidates to join the team.

The past few years have been challenging to attract and retain quality candidates to fill vacant police officer positions. The Douglasville Police Department offers many benefits and incentives making it attractive for officers seeking employment. The starting salary for a certified officer was recently increased to $50,031 annually. In addition, the Department provides:

· Take-home vehicle program

· Excellent equipment and facilities

· Advanced technology

· Tuition reimbursement

· Paid POAB dues

· Specialized units and opportunities for advancement

· Advanced training

· Community-oriented philosophy that resonates throughout the ranks

Anyone looking to get into law enforcement should look at the Douglasville Police Department. Applications can be found online on the City of Douglasville’s website www.douglasvillega.gov/jobs.

“One with our Community” is the motto of Chief Gary Sparks and the Douglasville Police Department.

Each year, the Douglasville Police Department compiles agency data summarizing activities and crime statistics. In 2021, the Department made

· 59,460 citizen contacts

· Wrote 11,571 reports

· 2,262 arrests

· 8,605 traffic stops

· Issued 5,532 citations.

These numbers increased from the year prior, as people have started to return to some normality and prepandemic routines in their everyday lives.

Each year the Department also compiles total numbers of major crimes reported in the city limits. Comparing 2020 to 2021, the major crimes reported to the Douglasville Police Department were as follows:

Community Outreach is one of the ways in which the Douglasville Police Department works to combat crime in the community. When officers know citizens and citizens know officers, they create a level of trust leading to partnership between those with an interest in the safety of the city.

The Police Department holds community events throughout the year, including festivals, cookouts, jamborees, town hall and community enrichment meetings, holiday events, “Youth Against Violence” and “Foundational Transformation of Men” programs, job fairs, food distributions, homeowners’ association meetings, and many more. In 2021, the Department held and participated in 69 community events. The DVPD and the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office often partner in community events with the same goals in mind – strengthening law enforcement’s relationship with the community.

For more information on the Douglasville Police Department, call us at 770-920-3010.

The City of Douglasville is booming with new developments, from a new Microsoft Data Center facility to a new Town Green and Amphitheater project.

TOWN GREEN PROJECT

The City of Douglasville has numerous upcoming projects. The City’s Town Green and Amphitheater project enhances the city’s culture and entertainment focus that is sure to usher in a new era for the City of Douglasville.

The space is destined to attract different age demographics, with its walkable environment, as the Town Green Project will be within walking distance of the city’s Conference Center and City Hall. In addition, this project will also add to the city’s Tax Allocation District (TAD) revenues and introduces a variety of opportunities for the city!

MULTI-FAMILY DEVELOPMENT

Several multi-family developments are currently underway. One being AHS Tributary Apartments. This development is comprised of 433-units across 7 buildings in a gated community. AHS Tributary is AHS Residential’s first development outside of Florida as the company expands its footprint into Georgia.

There are also several single-family developments in place. One of these developments includes Tributary Village, which will consist of 4-5 bedroom and bathroom homes. Senior Living developments are also ongoing. The Harmony at Douglasville will include studios and 1 to 2 bedrooms for Senior Living.

Information regarding the current studies being conducted by the City of Douglasville can be found at

www.douglasvillega.gov.

PLANNING AND ZONING

The city received over 38 zoning verification letters from external requests looking to develop parcels here in the city. Along those lines, the city received:

0 3 1 11

ANNEXATION REQUESTS SIGN PERMITS

REZONING APPLICATIONS

SPECIAL LAND USE PERMITS (SLUPS)

SPECIAL OUTDOOR EVENTS

133

18 2

DEVELOPMENT PLANS AND PLATS

VARIANCE REQUESTS

Economic Development Division

By partnering with community stakeholders, the Douglasville Economic Development Division seeks to nurture and enhance Douglasville’s vibrant economy and exceptional quality of life by providing support, leadership, and resources for business attraction, expansion, retention, and community reinvestment.

The division can only be as strong as the current business community and Douglasville’s business community has emerged from the pandemic stronger than ever. Downtown Douglasville is a great illustration of that. In the past year, 13 new businesses opened their doors in the downtown district, one business expanded and relocated to a larger downtown location, and four businesses invested in their buildings with the help of the Façade Grant. Despite the pandemic, the occupancy rate in the downtown area has increased from 85% in 2020-21 to 91.84% in 2021-22 as well.

As the completion of the Town Green approaches, Main Street Douglasville has been working hard to develop programs and events that will support the vibrancy of downtown year-round. Events like Food Truck Mondays, Pop Up Shops on O’Neal Plaza, and Training Tuesdays have proven to keep a steady stream of foot traffic in the downtown area.

Looking forward to the next fiscal year, the Economic Development Division, Main Street Douglasville, and the Downtown Development Authority look to capitalize on the current momentum created by the Town Green and Old Mill redevelopment projects. By utilizing the Tax Allocation District and new amenities brought on by redevelopment, this division will work to attract unique retailers, restaurants, and other amenities residents want and deserve.

91.84% 98% ONGOING INITIATIVES:

• New Horizons Marketing Strategy

• Old Mill Redevelopment Project

• Town Green/Amphitheater Project

• Public Arts Master Plan

department & main functions

The mission of the Conference Center and Tourism Department is to create an experience that matters in Douglasville, Georgia. The goal is to solicit overnight groups & individuals and to support organizations that will help create an economic impact through tourism dollars. To create, execute, and attract events and activities that promote Douglasville/Douglas County as a leading tourist destination.

cvb INITIATIVES

•Downtown GeoTour

•Work-Based Learning Program

HIGHLIGHTS

• 800 visitors

•Strategic Planning Session

•Welcome Center Window Cling Partnership

• Filled 569 Requests for information, including Reunion Bags, Relocation Packets, and additional brochures

• Featured on Group Tour Magazine and Atlanta Magazine’s website

• Visitors generated $15.5 million in state and local taxes which is equivalent to $315 in tax savings for every household

• 3.6% is the share of jobs directly sustained by visitor spending in the county

SIGNATURE EVENTS

• Trek or Treat

• Stranger Things Block Party

• Hunt for Hearts

• Behind the Veil Bridal Showcase

• National Travel and Tourism Week

o Travel Rally

o Recognition for the 2022 Spirit & Hospitality of the Year Award

Douglasville Conference Center

NEW ORGANIZATIONS

UGA Institute of Disease Management

National Bowling Association

Lume Technologies

WL Petrey

City of Villa Rica

Atlanta Oral and Facial Surgery

MET AGAIN IN DOUGLASVILLE

Coca Cola

Wellstar

Benton-Georgia

Association of Natural Health

Georgia Libertarian Party

KB and Associates

Wealth Management Group of Georgia

14 6 1

WEDDINGS SPORTS BANQUETS

8TH GRADE DANCES

PROM

8 3 3

ROTC BALLS

GALAS

The Community Relations Department strives to create events and initiatives that people can enjoy either from the safety of their homes or as the pandemic has decreased, in person.

After the 2021 Independence Day parade was canceled, the Community Relations team went to work brainstorming an idea on how to celebrate the holiday virtually. The idea was a 4th of July Shoebox Float Parade, where local schools, businesses, and organizations decorated shoeboxes to be filmed just like a real parade. Over 50 shoeboxes were submitted, filmed, and then streamed on Facebook. Afterward, the floats were put on display at the Douglas County Museum of History and Art for citizens and visitors to view in person.

The return of many crowd-favorite events and activities was the highlight over the past year. Bringing back an in-person Christmas Parade was a huge accomplishment as it generated one of our biggest crowds for any large-scale event. Plaza Bingo was another popular community event, where attendees tried their hand at trivia and bingo spanning various themes and holidays. Wednesday Wind Down returned at Jessie Davis Park and O’Neal Plaza. Douglasville’s 147th birthday was celebrated in February at the Douglasville Conference Center, and after the conclusion of the 2022 Beijing Olympics, the city held a homecoming event honoring Olympian and Douglasville native Elana Meyers Taylor at Arbor Place Mall.

Community engagement was a huge factor in deciding to create an entirely new initiative for children called “Douglasville Jr.!”, a video series that taught students about local government. With the help of “Ms. Emily and Freddy,” kids learned about different city departments such as the Mayor’s Office and elected officials, Parks and Recreation, Public Services, Keep Douglasville Beautiful, Conference Center and Tourism, and the Police Department’s K-9 unit. With input from the Douglas County School System, students from several elementary schools participated and made this an engaging video series for their peers.

Finally, the City of Douglasville’s 2020 Annual Report won the “Excellence” award for the annual Communicator Awards in the category of Design Features-Overall Design for Corporate Communications. The same report also won the “Distinction” award for the Public Relations and General Government for Corporate Communications categories. The department was recognized through the Georgia Recreation and Park Association with the Marketing and Visibility Publication Award for Online Media for the “2020 Honk-O-Ween Drive Boo” event and the Marketing and Visibility Publication Award for Marketing Campaign for “The Great Scavenger Hunt” event.

The Community Relations Department is here to engage with the citizens of Douglasville. As always, for more information regarding the team and other happenings around the city, visit www.douglasvillega.gov.

sanitation update

Since the onset of COVID, the Public Services Department has continued to experience staffing shortages in the Sanitation, Facility Maintenance, and Streets Divisions. Even with the manpower shortage and the increase in both residential and commercial customers, Public Services has been successful in implementing changes that enable the city to continue providing essential services to all customers.

Due to the shortage in manpower, the 2022 spring and fall cleanup events were discontinued. These strategic and operational adjustments were critical in continuing to fulfill the existing level of service commitments within the expanding community.

Residential Sanitation provides curbside sanitation services to over 9,300 residents . Commercial Sanitation provides roll-off services to over 110 customers and frontload services to almost 700 locations. During the past fiscal year, crews have collected and disposed over 18,605.98 tons of solid waste and yard waste , up from 16,729.13 tons disposed last fiscal year.

Commercial Sanitation implemented an annual 3% rate increase for services, as of January 1, 2022, for all rolloff and frontload customers to help reduce the increasing cost of operations and materials. Residential rates did not change this fiscal year. During the fiscal year, residential and commercial sanitation container costs have significantly increased, specifically the steel for containers, along with a decrease in availability. Public Services has increased the utilization of refurbishment processes and internal repairs on equipment in efforts to balance cost and inventory issues resulting from global supply disruptions.

Although the labor market has been impacted by COVID, Public Service employees have overcome challenges, embraced strategic and operational changes, and continued to provide quality services to the public.

“Stay committed to your decisions but stay flexible in your approach. It’s the end you’re after.”

– Anthony Robbins

keep douglasville beautiful

Keep Douglasville Beautiful (KDB) is dedicated to the beautification and sustainability of the Douglasville community. This is proven through a commitment to programs such as Go Green Douglasville, which promotes reduce and reuse, the Great American Cleanup, Mill Village Community Garden, Adopt-A-Road, and Church St Farmers Market. The organization also hosts two Electronics and E-waste recycling events, an Earth Day event, Christmas tree recycling event, and multiple tree, flower and vegetable planting events throughout the year.

KDB is committed to educating and providing the community with locally grown produce. KDB hosts the Church St Farmers Market each Tuesday from May-October where local farmers and artisans are able to setup and sell their goods. The market is a Georgia Fresh for Less market, offering EBT/SNAP food doubling. Residents can also learn and participate in growing their own fresh fruits and vegetables at the Mill Village Community Garden maintained by Keep Douglasville Beautiful.

In 2022, 116 volunteers worked 342 hours to support the KDB mission. An additional 252 volunteer hours of administrative duties for the organization was performed by the Board of Directors.

Finally, in 2022, KDB was proud to accept the Keep American Beautiful President’s Circle Award and the Keep Georgia Beautiful Governor’s Circle Award for the hard work done throughout the year. All the beautification, litter abatement, and sustainability efforts of Keep Douglasville Beautiful help to make Douglasville a better place to live, work and play. These initiatives are not possible without passionate, caring citizens who are willing to volunteer their time, talents, and resources to make Douglasville a community of which they are proud.

general updates

The Parks and Recreation Department has increased programs that focus on the essential needs of the community by over 200% in 2021-2022. In 2020, Parks and Recreation developed a Social Equity Plan identifying four underserved groups within the programming inventory. Over the past year, the programming team has been dedicated to ensuring a variety of services are offered based on the need of the community.

Athletic programs have increased revenue by 263% by focusing on providing more youth sports, instructional mini-clinics, mini-camps, and girls sports. The inaugural youth basketball season serviced a total of 274 boys and girls between the ages of 4-14. Spring program participation increased by adding mini-clinics for baseball, soccer, and volleyball. Building from the social equity lens, the Athletics Division added softball and girls’ volleyball to enhance girls sports in Douglasville.

Also developed was a new initiative to address the needs of senior citizens. This initiative created a host of programs and events including senior line dancing, card games, monthly social events, and a senior wellness walk. Therapeutic Recreation programs increased by 150% to include a 1-week specialized camp for individuals with disabilities and quarterly events to promote inclusion such as the Sweetheart Dance and Unified Kickball Tournament. Teen participation increased by 300%, introducing a teen alliance group that provided input for upcoming programs and activities, a summer Counselor in Training program, and a Summer Fun Pass field trip excursion around metro Atlanta.

park renovations

WILLING WORKERS PARK

Willing Workers Community Club Park renovations were completed in the Spring of 2022. This project was the second of three phases of complete park renovations. Since reopening, the park has hosted several community events including the annual Kids to Park Day, Senior Wellness Walk, and Senior Picnic. With this renovation, Willing Workers Community Club Park will serve as a future trailhead for the City of Douglasville connectivity plan.

JESSIE DAVIS PARK

In November 2021, citizens of Douglasville passed a 25-million-dollar Bond Referendum. This bond will solely fund the renovations needed at Jessie Davis Park. Renovations will include a new gymnasium, senior center, community center, playground, pavilions, synthetic turf football field, and a zero-entry swimming pool with splash features. The contractor for this project is Reeves Young.

HUNTER PARK

Following the construction of new tennis courts in 2010, four older courts were left abandoned. To improve athletic opportunities at Hunter Park, the old courts were recently renovated and converted into two full basketball courts, with permanent basketball goals, and six pickleball courts. The multi-use conversion allows the community to consistently access the basketball and pickleball courts.

OTHER INFORMATION

Due to being unable to reopen the Jessie Davis Park pool in 2021 due to lack of staffing for certified lifeguards, Douglasville Parks and Recreation introduced the Splash-N-Play summer program. Where each week water slides and games were set up at various Douglasville parks around the community for children to enjoy.

West Pines Golf Club continues to set records for the City of Douglasville. While maintaining roughly the same number of rounds (33,000), revenue increased by over 30% when compared to the previous year (which was a record-setting year). This jump is due in large part to increases in the following revenue categories: driving range, membership, food & beverage, and pro-shop sales.

Following the completion of the bunker renovation, course conditions continued to improve. After being reassessed by the Georgia State Golf Association, West Pines was awarded a United States Golf Association (USGA) qualifying event for the first time.

west pines golf club