Longmont council lays out March retreat priorities and favors outside facilitator
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Summary
Longmont councilers agreed on a retreat in March focused on team-building, capacity/federal-funding briefings, and priority-setting (housing, early childhood, transportation). Staff will provide pre-reads; members generally favored an external facilitator for leadership work.
Assistant City Manager Sandy Cedar told the council the retreat is scheduled for March and asked what topics and formats members wanted, including whether to hire outside facilitation.
"Currently, your retreat is scheduled for March," Sandy Cedar said, and outlined options for locations and a draft agenda that would include team-building, council work-plan review and staff briefings on capacity and grants.
Council members emphasized a short, discussion-forward retreat with pre-reads so staff can limit long presentations. Council member Popkin said she "tend[s] to lean towards an outside facilitator," arguing outside facilitation could help manage workplace dynamics and allow staff to participate without leading every conversation. Multiple members echoed that preference for at least part of the retreat.
Content priorities coalesced around four chunks: learning about one another's leadership and communication styles; a capacity and federal-funding briefing (grants awaiting federal action and how that affects delivery); council priority-setting tied to the work plan (notably housing, early childhood and transportation); and community-engagement and systems-connection discussions. Members also asked that presentations be provided as pre-reads so retreat time is used mainly for deliberation.
Council suggested inviting community partners, including LDDA and Visit Longmont, and holding a round-table lunch with the Youth Council. Staff will return with a draft retreat agenda and suggested facilitator options.
The council did not take a formal vote on a facilitator at this meeting; staff will bring a draft for future action.
