CLARKESVILLE, Ga. — The Clarkesville City Council is expected to take up the proposed purchase of new body cameras for the city’s police department when it meets Monday.
The council’s regular meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. Oct. 5 at City Hall. The body camera purchase is listed under unfinished business on the agenda.
The council discussed the proposed system during its Sept. 29 work session. Police Chief Danny Clouatre told council members the department’s current body cameras remain functional but are aging, with replacement parts becoming difficult to obtain. Staff discussed a five-year lease as a possible way to acquire the new system, with a vote scheduled for the Oct. 5 meeting.
The meeting also will include reports from the city’s Finance, Main Street, Economic Development, Fire, ESG, Planning and Zoning and Police departments.
The September Main Street report shows 45 downtown events during the month, with an estimated combined attendance of 2,061. Three new businesses were also reported: Flerd at 1341 Washington St., Haven Ridge Nutrition at 124 C Clarkesville Plaza and Waffle House at 661 W. Louise St.
Main Street staff also continued preparations for the Fall Festival, downtown trick-or-treating, the Habersham County Christmas Parade, Downtown Christmas, Small Business Saturday and the Candlelight Christmas Walk. The city also completed three painted downtown crosswalks and launched its 2027 Community Partnership Packet.
Economic development staff reported continued work to identify and promote vacant commercial properties, connect prospective businesses with available sites and communicate with Georgia Power about drone footage of downtown. The city also secured $9,000 in private community partnership funding for fiscal 2027 and is working with local and regional organizations on additional funding resources.
The Fire Department will report 77 responses during August, including 53 EMS calls, six motor vehicle accidents, four tree-down calls, three service calls, two fires and nine canceled or false calls. Forty-five of the responses were within the city and 32 were outside the city.
The fire report also notes that October is Fire Prevention Month, with Fire Prevention Week scheduled for Oct. 4-10. This year’s theme, “Charge Into Fire Safety,” focuses on reducing the risk of lithium-ion battery fires involving everyday devices such as phones, laptops, e-bikes and scooters.
The council also will consider approval of its Sept. 1 and Sept. 29 work session minutes before receiving the departmental reports.
The agenda includes public comment and consideration of entering executive session, but does not specify the subject of the potential executive session.
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