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Council debates facilitated workshop versus informal meeting to repair working relationships
Summary
The mayor proposed a strategic reset workshop to rebuild council cohesion after a contentious meeting; councilmembers split between supporting a facilitated, potentially costed workshop and preferring informal, non‑taxpayer-funded gatherings or an executive session if legally allowable.
The mayor introduced a discussion item proposing a council strategic reset session aimed at establishing shared goals and improving decorum. He said staff and a third‑party facilitator could be used to help identify governance and teamwork practices.
Councilmembers responded in turn: some—citing a recent contentious meeting and a prior Fitch ratings downgrade tied in part to governance perceptions—supported a facilitated workshop or governance training to restore public confidence. Others said they preferred informal gatherings or a private executive session where legally appropriate to avoid appearing to spend taxpayer money on retreats. City Manager Trent Epperson said the city typically holds strategic planning sessions in January or February with team‑building components and offered to research costs and facilitators; City Attorney Lawrence Provins explained that executive sessions are limited to specific legal exceptions and advised staff to return with appropriate options. The council agreed to ask staff to provide cost estimates and bring a follow‑up item or subcommittee recommendation at a future meeting.
