A pair of strategic planning sessions for city council are taking place at the Sportsman's Lodge in Wahnapitae Friday and Saturday.
Mayor John Rodriguez, who called the meetings, said it's a chance for members of council to get together in an informal setting.
"We're looking at it as a chance to get together and see if we can focus on what some of our priorities are going to be for the next four years and to get a sense of where we are with each other on these issues," Rodriguez said.
After stating publicly after his election that he would try to save citizen's money at every opportunity, Rodriguez defended the expense of a weekend getaway for 13 people.
"The whole sense of the idea was to get away from media, and get away from going home for apple pie and steak. We thought it allowed a sense isolation and chance to get to know each other better," Rodriguez said.
"During the days here, we don't get to see each other very much because everybody is busy doing their thing and we don't get a chance to sit down away from phones, e-mails, fax machines and everybody who wants to get a piece of you. It's worthwhile to get away and focus."
A report on the results of the strategic planning sessions will be presented at a priorities committee meeting in February.
