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Regular City Council Meeting <br /> Monday, December 8,2014 <br /> Page 44 <br /> available as long as there was sufficient time for planning her work schedule <br /> ahead. Councilmember Laliberte also agreed that two days were not necessary <br /> for the retreat. <br /> Councilmember Etten concurred with the strategic planning and goal setting pur- <br /> pose, and supported having staff involved, as well as doing it during the weekday. <br /> Councilmember Etten suggested a Friday afternoon meeting with staff for four or <br /> five quality hours, but no more than that; and then if necessary the City Council <br /> could continue the next morning (Saturday) for a few hours. Councilmember Et- <br /> ten spoke in support of using the City Council Chambers; or suggested one of the <br /> new park structures (e.g. Lexington Park) that would allow the brain to operate <br /> differently and be a positive change from the normal location. Councilmember <br /> Etten spoke in strong support of having minutes, and if held at an alternative site, <br /> was fine with having a videotape for the archives, which would preclude the need <br /> for a live broadcast. <br /> Mayor Roe noted that it was easier to do videotaping or a live broadcast if the Re- <br /> treat was held in the City Council Chambers, and agreed that he saw no need to <br /> go off-site. Regarding an agenda, Mayor Roe supported strategic planning and <br /> City Council and City goals for the next year, along with prioritizing them. <br /> Mayor Roe opined that having it on a weekday was good for the part of the Re- <br /> treat involving staff; and several half days would probably be adequate. Regard- <br /> ing a facilitator, Mayor Roe advised that, having served as a Facilitator while act- <br /> ing as Chairperson, from his past experience had not been productive, nor allow <br /> him to participate in discussions. Mayor Roe suggested that facilitator services <br /> may be available at a more reasonable cost than originally estimated by staff; and <br /> suggested several resources, including Barbara Raye as an option. <br /> Councilmember McGehee opined that hiring a facilitator didn't represent that <br /> much of an expense, if you wanted to have the Chairperson running the meeting <br /> as well as participating in discussions. Councilmember McGehee suggested that <br /> the cost could come out of Communication Funds reserves. <br /> Councilmember Willmus advised that he was not necessarily against hiring a fa- <br /> cilitator,just against spending the money to provide one, and suggested looking to <br /> other"free"options. <br /> Mayor Roe suggested a look at alternatives may provide less expensive options <br /> for a facilitator. <br /> Councilmember Laliberte expressed her openness to resources available; and <br /> spoke in support of having part of the meeting with staff and the other part with- <br /> out staff if broken into two partial days. <br /> Councilmember Etten stated that he'd be open to a facilitator who could move <br /> discussions in a positive manner and forward versus circling around. Coun- <br />