2018-8-8 Memo
M E M O R A N D U M
August 3, 2018
To: 2035 Health & Wellness Master Plan Committee
From: Kenneth Baker, Sr. Director of Planning and Development Services
Subject: Introduction to the Committee
The 2035 Health & Wellness Master Plan Committee is a committee appointed by the City Council
and consists of the following members:
• Nicole Bulcher
• Julie Camp
• Cindy Carbone
• Beth Chernik
• Jan Ekonomy
• Allison Fullmer
• Christina Guzman
• Rebekah Mulligan
• Mark Paris
• Stephen Schilsky
• Scott Wenger
The Health & Wellness Master Plan represents a new master plan element for the City of Southlake.
The role of the Committee in the development of the Health & Wellness Master Plan is as follows:
• Review existing City policy documents relating to health and wellness;
• Evaluate the current health & wellness landscape;
• Analyze current and future needs related to health and wellness; and,
• Develop and recommend approval of the Health & Wellness Master Plan.
The Committee will meet over the course of the next few months to formulate the scope and develop
the policy recommendations that will make up the Health & Wellness Master Plan. This will be done
through discussions as well as other identified activities to engage the group on these topics. While
the Committee will make a recommendation on the proposed plan, ultimate plan approval will be
through City Council action. The Committee consists of individuals with interest and expertise in a
variety of subjects related to health and wellness, and City staff looks forward to working alongside
this group.
In advance of the Committee meeting, staff has researched potential focus areas and topics for the
plan. While these subjects are broad in nature, the Committee will be asked to think about each within
the context of health and wellness. Some of the identified focus areas and topics for this plan include:
• Built and Natural Environment
o Building Design
o Accessibility
o Open Space
• Transportation
o Intelligent Transportation System (ITS)
o Autonomous Vehicles
o Active Transportation
• Aging Population
o Housing
o Access to Health Care
• Mental Health
o Resources
o Emotional Health
• Physical Health
o Obesity
o Physical Activity
• Nutrition
In addition to some of the items listed above, staff will be looking for opportunities for partnerships. It
is important to note that the City does not have a health department. The Committee can be thinking
about ways that costs can be offset and the role of volunteers in terms of health and wellness
initiatives.
At the first meeting taking place on Wednesday, August 8th in the third floor training rooms of
Southlake Town Hall, City staff will introduce the Committee to comprehensive planning by providing
an overview of this process in Southlake, demonstrating the role of the City’s strategic management
system in formulating policy documents such as the Health & Wellness Master Plan. Staff will also
provide an overview of existing health and wellness policies and initiatives within Southlake. Staff will
be looking to the Committee to help determine the scope of the master plan. In subsequent meetings
the scope will be refined and staff will present policy recommendations to the Committee for comment
and feedback. In advance of the meeting, the Committee can review some of the focus areas and
topics listed above, while also considering other potential opportunities.
Attempts will be made to accommodate all Committee members’ schedules when possible. Meetings
will typically be held between 5:30 pm and 7:30 pm on weeknights (Monday – Thursday) typically
once every few weeks, and are open to the public. Meeting notification for the public will be provided
through various means including an agenda posting, the City’s website, social media, the
Development Activity News blog, and other identified means. Staff anticipates anywhere from five (5)
to seven (7) Committee meetings to develop this plan element, including a public open house to
receive community feedback on the proposed recommendations.
Thank you for volunteering, and we look forward to seeing you on Wednesday.
Ken Baker, AICP
Senior Director of Planning and Development Services
(817) 748-8067
Jerod Potts
Policy and Strategic Initiative Principal Planner
(817) 748-8195