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Regular City Council Meeting Monday, January 03, 2011 Page 13 ings on budget issues and those challenges, City Manager Malinen advocated that upcoming meetings be more focused on a dialogue among Councilmembers and staff on creation of a work plan or strategic plan reflecting collective City Council priorities over the next few years. City Manager Malinen noted the difficulties in holding those meetings off -site and attempting videotaping for public informa- tion; and suggested that future meetings be planned in the City Council Cham- bers. City Manager Malinen noted past practices to hold meetings on Saturday mornings, but identified several Monday evenings January 31 and February 7 that were currently available for a potential work plan meeting. City Manager Malinen also advised that the community survey was currently being mailed out and suggested that the City Council may wish to delay their work plan meeting until receipt of survey data, estimated to be approximately February 20, 2010; in order to include that valuable information to factor into priority discussions. Mr. Malinen encouraged Councilmembers to use a facilitator at the meeting to keep it organized and on task. Councilmember Willmus expressed his opposition to the need for a facilitator, opining that he preferred a more informal discussion with staff and City Council members. Mayor Roe sought clarification from Councilmember Willmus, whether his con- cerns with a facilitator were based on cost or process issues. Councilmember Willmus advised that he felt a more general discussion would be accomplished without a facilitator, but noted that cost is a concern, while not an overriding one. Councilmember McGehee expressed her preference not to have a facilitator, al- lowing for a more open discussion with staff without need of a mediator. Coun- cilmember McGehee suggested that the meeting be done without a facilitator, and if it proved ineffective, a facilitator could be used the next time around. Councilmember Johnson advised that he had attended one strategic meeting with and one without a facilitator; and opined that he felt the one without a facilitator had proven very productive, and concurred with Councilmembers Willmus and McGehee that a facilitator was not needed. Mayor Roe volunteered his services as a facilitator for the meeting, and expressed confidence that he would steer the process to meet expectations for the day and the agenda, while being able to participate in discussions as well. Councilmember McGehee expressed her preference for meeting earlier in the year rather than waiting for survey results.