OXNARD : City Leaders to Hold ‘Team-Building’ Retreat in Solvang

Oxnard City Council members and the city’s top administrators will hold a “team-building workshop” in Solvang this week at a cost of $7,500.

The workshop Friday and Saturday, officially called a special council meeting, will focus on “team-building techniques and interpersonal issues that will help the council function better as a body,” City Manager Vernon G. Hazen said.

Hazen, who also will attend the retreat, said no policy matters will be discussed during the workshop, which will be conducted by facilitators Dick and Marion Vittitow.

The retreat, approved by the council in a 5-0 vote last Tuesday, calls for members to meet among themselves for a day and a half.

After that, Hazen said, the council “will share its expectations” with the city’s department heads.

The two-day council workshop will cost about $4,200, including the cost of the facilitators, meals and lodging.

The workshop for department chiefs will cost about $3,300.

One speaker attending last week’s council meeting said the workshop was an excellent idea in view of heated exchanges that have taken place between some members.

When the speaker suggested, however, that “some badly needed money could be saved if you held your vacation right here in Oxnard,” Mayor Nao Takasugi snapped, “This is not going to be a vacation, I assure you.”