City leaders get ‘touchy-feely’ in Newport-Mesa

Mathis Winkler

NEWPORT BEACH -- They skipped the Pledge of Allegiance and addressed

each other by their first names. The guys left their ties at home and

some, including Mayor Gary Adams, showed up wearing jeans.

But despite the informal atmosphere at Saturday’s City Council

retreat, council members agreed Monday that they’d spent a productive

eight hours at the Radisson hotel.

City officials had set up the event to discuss issues ranging from

future annexations to senior housing to including the harbor area as a

specific part of the general plan.

But mostly it was about getting to know each other. With three new

council members behind the dais -- the largest turnover since 1980 -- the

meeting allowed the city’s elected officials to go beyond the usual

pleasantries they exchange before regular council meetings at City Hall.

“I came away knowing my fellow council members a bit better and

understanding issues in greater depth,” said Adams, adding that he and

City Manager Homer Bludau had already discussed holding another, shorter

retreat midyear.

Councilman Steve Bromberg, one of the trio who took office in

December, said he’d also like to see retreats happen on a more frequent

basis.

While Bromberg didn’t know what to expect before the meeting, he said

the discussions helped him to get a better understanding of city

business.

“It gave us an opportunity to see how the city is run,” Bromberg said,

adding that he also appreciated the opportunity to spend some social time

with his colleagues.

“Usually, we just give a handshake and a ‘hello,’ and it’s right down

to business,” Bromberg said. “There’s no opportunity to get to know each

other.”

With the city’s department heads in attendance, Bromberg added, the

retreat revealed the human beings behind such titles as “planning

director” and “public works director.”

“These are all people,” he said. “They cry. They believe. They all

have feelings. It’s a good way to get to know them.”

Council members made no formal decisions at the meeting although the

retreat functioned as a regular council meeting. State law prohibits a

majority of council members from discussing city business outside of

public meetings.

But the city’s top employee said he was pleased with the event.

“Everyone participated well,” said Bludau, adding that he was “very

proud” of the presentations city department heads made to council

members.