Matters Memo

City of Boulder City Council Agenda Item Meeting Date: October 16, 2025 Agenda Title 2026 Council Retreat Planning Discussion

Staff Contact • • •

Megan Valliere, City Council Program Manager, City Manager's Office Pam Davis, Assistant City Manager, City Manager’s Office Nuria Rivera-Vandermyde, City Manager, City Manager’s Office

Executive Summary The purpose of this item is for council to discuss the upcoming 2026 Council Retreat and provide full body guidance on key questions related to the retreat’s agenda.

Questions for Council 1. Does Council support the Retreat Committee’s recommendations related to the proposed agenda for the 2026 retreat? 2. Does Council support the Retreat Committee’s recommendations related to preparing for the priority-setting exercise at the 2026 retreat? 3. Does Council agree that two 6.5-hour days (with half hour meal breaks each day) will be an appropriate amount of time for completing the retreat’s agenda and goals?

Analysis The Retreat Committee recommends the following agenda items for the 2026 retreat: 1. Team Building and Optimizing Council Dynamics 2. Workplan Priority Setting 3. Process Improvement Discussion The Retreat Committee recommends the following process for submitting workplan priority proposals ahead of the 2026 retreat: 1. Individual council members share ideas with the City Manager’s Office by midDecember to determine anticipated workload and staff capacity considerations. 2. Council members submit formal proposals for workplan priority projects to city staff and the retreat facilitator no later than December 31, 2025. Staff will compile these into a complete list grouped by theme and impacted department and will share it with the full council in early January 2026. 3. Having reviewed the full list of ideas submitted by council colleagues, bring no more than two final proposals per council member to the January retreat for consideration and prioritization.

Anticipated Fiscal and Workplan Impacts In deciding upon workplan priority proposals, the Retreat Committee and city staff request that council members consider: -

-

The timeframe in which projects could realistically be completed, with a preference for those items that can be completed within a 3–6-month period, and no more than one year; The department(s) that would be responsible for each project to support a balanced approach for the finalized council workplan; Whether the scope of a project is reasonable alongside other planned work in each department; and Whether projects align with existing goals in the Citywide Strategic Plan.

Next Steps for City Council The Retreat Committee will use guidance provided at the October 16th study session to collaborate with our outside facilitator and staff on planning efforts for the 2026 retreat.

Digital Accessibility The City of Boulder is committed to digital accessibility. Some content may not be fully accessible due to technical limitations or issues. For alternate formats or accommodations, please visit Accessibility | City of Boulder or contact accessibility@bouldercolorado.gov.