A 13-person steering committee was appointed to work directly with Kendig Keast Collaborative—the consulting firm hired to help Magnolia develop a new comprehensive plan—at the April 10 Magnolia City Council meeting.

"The 13 representatives on the steering committee represent a cross-section of the community," said Deborah Rose-Miller, Magnolia's economic development coordinator, who helped assemble the committee. "We wanted a broad base of different people."

Members from City Council, the planning committee, 4A Economic Development Committee and 4B Community Development Committee are included, as well as representatives from Magnolia ISD and the Magnolia Area Chamber of Commerce.

The steering committee will meet with Kendig Keast at various points throughout the planning process to discuss how the plan can best satisfy community needs.

Magnolia residents will also contribute input for the plan via listening sessions that are set to take place May 9. Groups will meet directly with city officials and Kendig Keast to discuss community issues, needs and priorities.

The city will be sending out invitations to residents to participate on the listening session groups within the next week and is seeking around 40–50 people in total. Similar to the steering committee, these groups are intended to represent different areas within the community. Interested residents are encouraged to contact Miller at City Hall as soon as possible if they want to be considered.

"We are asking [Kendig Keast] to help us and guide us on what we should be focused on," Miller said. "As we get into these target listening sessions we can fine tune that and mold it into what's best for Magnolia."

An open house for public review of the plan is set for Feb. 18, 2013, after the bulk of the plan has been written. A rough draft for the project schedule identifies a City Council meeting March 12, 2013 as a possible date for a final public hearing and consideration to adopt.

The steering committee members are:

Patsy Williams, Mayor Pro Tem

Anne Sundquist, City Council

Barbara Gardner, chair, Planning Committee

Barry Tate, board chairman, Magnolia Area Chamber of Commerce

Roger Galatas, developer

Gari Lynn Hessong, 4B Community Planning Committee

Charlie Riley, Magnolia ISD school board

Dr. Todd Stephens, Magnolia ISD superintendent

Pat Carmichael, developer

Greg Holcombe, realtor

Charlotte Harris, Keep Montgomery County Beautiful

Dr. Matt Clark, Magnolia ISD

Christopher Hillman, engineer