CLARKESVILLE — The Clarkesville City Council will step away from its normal meeting format next week for a daylong retreat focused on city management, infrastructure planning and several major projects that could shape the city’s future for years to come.
The council’s called meeting is scheduled for 9 a.m. Wednesday, June 17, at the Clarkesville Community House, 157 Mary St. The retreat is expected to last for most of the day.
The agenda includes discussions on executive management responsibilities, project management structure, wastewater infrastructure, a proposed fire station, redevelopment of the city-owned property at 555 Monroe St., and the future of the city’s brush pickup service.
Council members are also scheduled to begin the meeting with an executive session to discuss personnel matters. The agenda cites Georgia’s Open Meetings Act provision allowing discussion of the appointment, employment, compensation, hiring, disciplinary action, dismissal or evaluation of a public officer or employee.
Major projects on the agenda
Several items scheduled for discussion involve projects that have been recurring topics throughout the year.
One of the most significant is the city’s long-range wastewater infrastructure planning. During a May council meeting, city officials said discussions with the Georgia Department of Community Affairs helped establish a path forward for future wastewater improvements. ESG Project Manager Joe Deputy told council members similar projects in other communities can take five to seven years to complete, though Clarkesville hopes to move more quickly.
Council members will also revisit plans for the former Habersham County courthouse property at 555 Monroe St. The city purchased the site in 2025 and has since explored several redevelopment concepts, including construction of a new fire station and a downtown hotel. City leaders have emphasized that planning for the fire station, hotel and infrastructure improvements will move forward simultaneously rather than as competing projects.
The property remains one of the most prominent redevelopment opportunities in downtown Clarkesville. A hotel feasibility study presented earlier this year concluded the city could support a roughly 70-room upscale hotel, while city officials have also said the site could address public safety needs through construction of a new fire station.
The retreat agenda includes separate discussions on both the fire station project and the 555 Monroe St. project, suggesting council members could further refine priorities, responsibilities and next steps.
Brush pickup service under review
Another item likely to generate discussion is the city’s brush pickup program.
The issue surfaced during recent work session discussions when council members debated whether Clarkesville should continue providing curbside yard debris collection in its current form. Some officials expressed concern that the service has become a strain on city resources and contractors, while others argued it remains a valuable service for residents, particularly those without access to landscaping companies.
No formal action has been taken on the program, but the retreat agenda includes a dedicated discussion item on brush pickup service.
Management and budget discussions
In addition to project updates, council members are expected to discuss the roles and responsibilities of the city’s executive management team and consider approval of project management responsibilities for major city initiatives.
The council will also consider Resolution 2026-4 regarding 2025 budget amendments and approve minutes from several meetings held this spring.
The retreat concludes with an open discussion period before adjournment.
Because the meeting is structured as a retreat, residents can expect broader discussions on city priorities and long-term planning than what typically occurs during a regular council meeting.
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