The Council has two retreats each year. The summer retreat follows the Spring election and usually focuses on personal interactions, goals, and will include some early budget forecasts. The Fall retreat is usually more financial. This year's retreat will actually be a Winter retreat because it is not until next Monday.
 
The agenda for the retreat was posted today and it doesn't look like previous retreats. The list of items says that we'll be taking a close look at where we've been and where we're headed financially. Then we will take a look at future development. I read it as "Grow the City." At least, that's why I have my fingers crossed. However it turns out, it will be an education.
 

 

THE GARLAND CITY COUNCIL
FINANCIAL RETREAT
 
Fire Administration, Support Services,
and Training Facility – Room 419
1500 East State Highway 66
Garland, TX 75040
 
January 11, 2010
9:00 a.m.
 
AGENDA

Introduction and Opening Comments Historical Financial Trends Long-Term Financial Forecast Development Capacity and Characteristics Economic Development Presentation – Mr. Michael Buckley Council Discussion Regarding Economic Development Closing Comments

 

 
Professor Michael Buckley is a visiting lecturer and clinical professor in the School of Architecture at the University of Texas - Arlington. He formerly directed Columbia University’s Master of Science in Real Estate Development Program and heads the Center for High Density Development. As president of Halcyon Ltd., a development advisory firm, he has an international reputation for mixed-use retail and strategic planning for underutilized sites such as Washington’s SE Federal Center, Moscow’s Manezhnaya complex, Puerto Rico’s El Triangulo Dorado Plan and the new Oso BlancoScience City. A former trustee of the Urban Land Institute (ULI) and chairman of the Urban Mixed-Use Council, Professor Buckley ran the ULI Program Committee and is now responsible for the Affinity Groups at the Pension Real Estate Association conferences. He holds Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees from Rice University and a Master’s Degree in Advanced Studies from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He is a board member of the Association of Foreign Investors in Real Estate and of Interlink Group in Puerto Rico, past president of the Connecticut Society of Architects, and the author of numerous articles on mixed-use retail and urban revitalization.