City Manager Jacob Foos described the City Council retreat held Friday, Aug. 22, at the Legacy in Eufaula as a success.

“It was a productive meeting to discuss the Council’s vision for Eufaula, along with the mission and goals for the future,” he said.

Although a variety of topics were discussed, the priorities were improving city streets and the overall infrastructure of the city.

“And advancing economic development, which includes supporting and growing existing businesses, while also attracting new ones that bring more diverse, higher-quality job opportunities to Eufaula,” Foos said.

“We are now compiling the information from Friday’s special meeting and will bring an action item to the Council at a future meeting, where they will have the opportunity to formally adopt the vision, mission, and goals.”

Attending the event in addition to Foos were Mayor/Ward 4 councilman James Hickman; Vice-Mayor/ Ward 1 councilmember Tish Morgan, Ward 2 Councilman Roger Barton and Ward 3 Councilmember Evelyn Gulley.

Also, Police Chief David Bryning, Public Works Director Willie Eastteam and City Clerk/Treasurer Valeri Cox as well as Tourism & Economic Development Director Andrea Oldham and newly appointed City Attorney Luke Laster.

Speaking at the retreat were Bartlesville City Manager Mike Bailey and Lori Mueller, with the Oklahoma Municipal Assurance Group.

Foos said he hopes the retreat will be an annual event, or at least every two or three years.

“The last one we did was in 2019 when we developed our strategic vision and that’s the one where the Council set its pillars of tourism and economic development, a reliable infrastructure, and that’s what led to all the water improvements that we did in sewer improvements,” Foos said.

“So it’s really an opportunity for the Council to develop their vision for the community and lay the groundwork for the comprehensive planning process.”

Bailey and Mueller led the meeting. Laster talked about open meetings and Council interaction with personnel.

Mayor Hickman was ecstatic about the event.

“My initial reaction is this is fantastic. Our whole goal is to be unified as a council body, and, you know, the better and more unified we can be, the more strategic we can be and planning for our city,” he said.

“That is the most important thing. Because so many times, you know, we’re not unified, we’re not on the same track, and with this, this helps us get on that track. It helps us create a vision.

“As the old saying says, if you can’t plan for it, you can’t measure it to see if you’re succeeding. And so that’s our whole goal.”

Standing are Bartlesville City Manager Mike Bailey, left, and Lori Mueller, with the Oklahoma Municipal Assurance Group. Seated are, clockwise, Tourism & Economic Development Director Andrea Oldham; Public Works Director Willie Eastteam; City Attorney Luke Laster; Vice-Mayor/Ward 1 councilmember Tish Morgan; City Manager Jacob Foos; Mayor/Ward 4 councilman James Hickman; Ward 3 Councilmember Evelyn Gulley; Ward 2 Councilman Roger Barton; City Clerk/Treasurer Valeri Cox and Police Chief David Bryning.