"We had a bad year and an extremely busy year. There might be some hard feelings left. It is time to get them on the table and resolve them," James told her fellow council members at a team-building session on Dec. 18.

To create an optimum environment for the council members to relax and talk freely, the team-building session was held at the Blackberry Farm Retreat Center, with a cozy fireplace and glittering Christmas decorations.

James started the session by asking council members and City Manager David Knapp to tell their own life stories.

"It is important to tear away the facade and let other people know who we are so we can understand each other's passion and help each other succeed," James said.

James started first. She came from an abusive family and has had many life-threatening experiences, so she is passionate about law enforcement and education. Vice Mayor Patrick Kwok is a faithful Catholic and a family man, who raised six children with his wife of 38 years. Councilman Richard Lowenthal is a third-generation Californian, whose parents were so poor that he and his two brothers slept in the dining room.

Councilwoman Dolly Sandoval came from a blue-collar family and has been devoted to environmental causes since she was a student at Fremont High School. "If you are not part of the solution, you are part of the problem," she likes to say.

Newly elected Councilwoman Kris Wang came to the United States from Taiwan for further education in 1980 with only $300 in her pocket. City Manager Knapp had a background in psychology, philosophy and military service before devoting himself to public administration.

After the council members shared their stories, James asked council members to voice their concerns. The development project for the Oaks Shopping Center became the focus of discussions because the controversial item appeared at the new council's first official meeting.

Lowenthal and Sandoval voted for the project, while Kwok and Wang voted against it. James abstained.

Lowenthal has received much criticism for voting for the project. "I am a problem solver and an electrical engineer by profession. I make decisions based on facts even though they may be unpopular," he said.

Kwok said he had trouble determining whether those who came to the city council meeting were the majority or the minority. He also wanted to clarify the misconception that he yields to public pressure when he votes.

Wang said she felt overwhelmed by the high-profile project but she was relieved when other council members told her that it takes at least two years to have a better grasp of municipal business.

City Manager Knapp said his job is to make sure the city council members have all the information they need to make a decision. "It is a sacred trust," he said. "When there is a new city council member, the chemistry changes. It is not a mix. It is a compound."

James ended the meeting by asking everybody to say something nice about each other and make a toast for a new productive year.