By Sara QuamThe Luverne City Council met for about five hours Monday night in a visioning or strategic planning session. Council members used the meeting as an opportunity to meet more casually, not voting on issues.The meeting was facilitated by Bill Radio, Director of Member and Public Relations for Missouri River Energy Services. Radio is a former city manager and administrator, so government issues are a part of his experience.He said to the Council, "Why do you think we are doing this?"Council member Pat Baustian said, "It is helpful for any city administrator to see where we are coming from."He also said it’s important to learn and get input from city workers.Council member Bob Kaczrowski said, "On the flip side of that, I think it’s important to see where we’re coming from as a Council."Council member Maynard Lafrenz said it is good for newly elected Council members to learn what they can expect and get the opportunity to establish direction for the city.Council member Esther Frakes said that elected people get the chance, in the setting of a visioning session, to individually share goals while trying to reach a consensus as a group.Radio said, "I’m always in awe of people who serve on city commissions of any sort because the work versus material growth isn’t even close. It’s kind of a thankless job, so I’m thanking you now."A big part of the meeting was acknowledging the city’s strengths and weaknesses in order to be able to accomplish the goals of the Council.City staff and council members listed those strengths and weaknesses.Strengths from both were: osolid infrastructure (technology, roads, services)olocation, Interstate 90 and Highway 75oproximity to Sioux Fallsohospital and medical facilities, including nursing homesocommunity pride and attitudeoparks and recreational facilitiesogood schoolNegatives from both were:ocompetition with Sioux Falls ointer-governmental relationsolong-range goals and visionocity administrator/ continuity in leadershipBoth the Council and staff listed opportunities they saw:oold hospital campus oarea around new hospitalotax-free JOB Zoneodevelop city campgroundThreats to the city’s productivity included:oa decrease in government aid from the stateoan aging populationointergovernmental agencies trustounfunded mandatesThe Council members said they had a few clear goals for the city. One was to grow and not be stagnant, but control the growth so the city keeps its well-planned appearance and flow.Another goal was that, even in times of budget crunches, to help preserve the quality of life in Luverne, especially city services.The council will review information shared at the meeting and try to find ways to accomplish various goals the meeting outlined.