A relaxed atmosphere dotted with periodic laughter and casual dress is not what one is used to seeing when city leaders gather.

This was the reality Saturday when DeKalb City Council members met for their “annual” city council retreat. The gathering included the city’s department heads, council members and the mayor.

This special meeting took place at the visitor center of the Ellwood House, 509 N. First St.

City Manager Mark Biernacki called the meeting the Annual City Council Retreat but conceded there has not been one in years.

The retreat was facilitated by the NIU Center for Governmental Studies, which is now a subdivision of the Regional Development Institute.

The retreat’s objective was professional development said Carol Zar, assistant director for NIU’s Regional Development Institute.

Some of the skills that were polished included conflict resolution and self evaluation, Zar said.

“These meetings are common with many units of local government [and] can show what the real obstacles are and how they overcome them,”” she said.

The meeting lasted from 9 a.m. until almost 3 p.m.

First Ward Alderman Karega Harris was the only member of the council who could not attend.

Recent changes in the city government increased the need for the meeting. The recent election of Mayor Frank Van Buer and Fourth Ward Council Member Donna Gorski has altered the policy direction of the council.

“We discovered ways that we work well together,” Gorski said. She described the meeting as valuable and collegial.

“While there may be different ideas, everyone is willing to listen to each other,” Gorski said.

Others council members expressed similar sentiment.

“No specific issues were discussed, but when we have differences we can now work more effectively together,” said 3rd Ward Alderman Steve Kapitan.