HomeMy WebLinkAbout13-069 - ADMIN Resolution - City Council - 2013/05/06RESOLUTION NO. 13-069
CITY OF ST. LOUIS PARK, MINNESOTA
APPROVING A HEALTHY EATING AND ACTIVE LIVING POLICY
WHEREAS, the strategic directions from Vision St. Louis Park state that "St. Louis Park
is a connected and engaged community," and "is committed to being a leader in environmental
stewardship. We will increase environmental consciousness and responsibility in all areas of city
business;" and
WHEREAS, in 2012, the City of St. Louis Park adopted a Resolution 12-077 authonzing
the City of St. Louis Park to participate in the Minnesota GreenStep Cities Program and directing
city staff to identify a best practices for further development and promotion, including adoption
of an Active Living Policy; and
WHEREAS, the City's Environmental Group (E Group), an internal interdepartmental
workgroup, supports the Vision in being good stewards of the environment, is actively involved
in environmental activities and best practices outlined in the Minnesota GreenStep Cities
Program, and recommends the Healthy Eating Active Living Policy.
WHEREAS, Active Living Hennepin County is a partnership of cities, businesses and
nonprofits working together to increase opportunities for active living through policy change and
infrastructure planning. The group was launched in 2006 with funding from Blue Cross Blue
Shield of Minnesota and Hennepin County; and
WHEREAS, the City of St. Louis Park has been partner in Active Living Hennepin
County since 2006; and
WHEREAS, in 2008, the City of St. Louis Park adopted Resolution 08-046 in support of
the mission, vision and goals of Active Living Hennepin County; and
WHEREAS, physical inactivity and poor nutrition are leading causes contributing to
increasing rates of obesity and other chronic diseases; and
WHEREAS, obesity is recognized by the United States Center for Disease Control and
Prevention as a public health epidemic that calls for preventative actions by local communities to
reduce this threat to community health, well-being, and prosperity; and
WHEREAS, more than half of Hennepin County adults are overweight or obese and
therefore at risk for many chronic conditions including diabetes, heart disease, cancer, arthritis,
stroke, and, hypertension; and
WHEREAS, health problems associated with physical inactivity and poor nutrition
affect Hennepin County through reduced quality of life and higher medical costs (over $1 billion
in Hennepin County per year); and
WHEREAS, the City of St. Louis Park has an interest to preserve, promote, and improve
the health of its citizens by taking action to increase healthy eating and active living within its
jurisdiction;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE RESOLVED, that the City Council hereby declares that the
City of St. Louis Park will seek opportunities and establish mechanisms to support individual,
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community, and environmental efforts to improve the public's health by encouraging the
development and implementation of policies and practices that support and promote healthy
eating and active living among citizens of the City of St. Louis Park, as set forth herein; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City Council hereby adopts the following
Healthy Eating Active Living Policy:
City of St. Louis Park Healthy Eating and Active Living Policy
May 6, 2013
Guiding Principles
1. Daily physical activity improves health and can reduce levels of obesity or chronic diseases,
such as type 2 Diabetes or heart disease.
2. Built environments with accessible destinations, integrated transportation networks and
inviting design promote physically active and safe options.
3. Programs and policies inclusive of all cultures and abilities can help reduce health disparities.
4. Public participation and awareness of the benefits and opportunities related to healthy eating
and active living are increased through effective communication strategies.
Acknowledgement of Current Practices
The City Council acknowledges that the City of St. Louis Park has established a high quality of
life for its citizens in the community and currently provides a variety of resources and services
(i.e. facilities, parks, trails, sidewalks, programs, services, events, etc.) for people of all ages and
abilities to lead a healthy lifestyle. The intent of this policy is for the City Council to advocate
for the continued sustainability of existing offerings while recognizing opportunities to add or
improve policies and practices.
Policies
I. Built Environment
The City of St. Louis Park recognizes that the built environment influences active living
opportunities, and that the City of St. Louis Park influences the built environment at many scales
through infrastructure investments, land use policies and regulations, and City financial
assistance. The City will:
1. Prioritize access to multiple modes of transportation when selecting sites for City
facilities and buildings.
2. Integrate active living elements into the design of City buildings and interior spaces (i.e.
highly visible stairways, orientation to streets and sidewalks, bicycle facilities, and transit
stops near main building entries, etc.).
3. Plan and construct a built environment that encourages walking, biking and other forms
of physical activity.
4. Increase walking and biking connectivity between residential neighborhoods and schools,
parks, recreational resources, transit service, retail and employment.
5. Support a safe and efficient regional public transit system, including dial -a -ride, bus, light
rail, and commuter rail services.
6. Utilize Complete Streets principles to design and maintain streets in a manner that is
appropriate to the community context and safe for all users, including pedestrians,
bicyclists and transit passengers of all ages and abilities, as well as trucks, buses and
automobiles.
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II. Natural Environment
City of St. Louis Park recognizes that nature plays a vital role in human health and well-being,
and that the City's parks and open spaces provide access to nature for individuals in St. Louis
Park.
1. Maintain Westwood Hills Nature Center as the focal point of the City's park system,
providing and preserving all of the inherent healthy benefits of a natural experience
within its woods, marsh and prairie environs, while promoting and supporting, through
programs and leisure, varied levels of activities aimed at diverse physical abilities and
ages.
2. Support efforts to improve the water quality of Minnehaha Creek and to provide access
for passive and active enjoyment of this natural resource.
3. Maintain and sustain the City's parks and trails in recognition of the positive benefits and
acknowledgment of the City's environmental stewardship.
III. Services and Programs
City of St. Louis Park provides training, programs and services to the community and its
employees in an effort to promote healthy lifestyles. The City will (continue to):
1. Evaluate and provide programs and community events that are inclusive to people of all
ages and abilities, and eliminate as many participation barriers (i.e. disability, financial,
etc.) as possible for the delivery of outstanding service.
2. Seek opportunities to incorporate physical activity and information at community events.
3. Offer athletics, fitness and other active living and recreation programs.
4. Manage several community gardens. Also, mentor, advise, assist and collaborate with
businesses and neighborhoods in development, maintenance and management of
privately -owned and operated community gardens.
5. Provide an array of volunteer opportunities that emphasize outdoors, physical activity,
nature, and community (i.e. Adopt -a -Park, Citizen Assisted Lake Monitoring Program,
Adopt -a -Garden, Beautify the Park, Parktacular, etc.).
IV. Promotion and Partnerships
City of St. Louis Park will promote healthy eating and active living through its publications and
develop/maintain community partnerships to encourage healthy eating and active living
opportunities. The City will (continue to):
1. Expand community access to indoor and outdoor facilities through joint use agreements
with schools and/or other partners.
2. Help promote local events and programs that encourage healthy eating and active living.
V. Employee Wellness
City of St. Louis Park recognizes that employees that practice healthy eating and active living
help to contain health care, transportation, and other costs, in addition to preventing adverse
health and environmental outcomes. In order to promote wellness within City of St. Louis Park,
and to set an example for other employers, the City has adopted and implemented an employee
wellness program as follows:
1. Healthy eating encouragement and opportunities including staff events, vending machine
contracts, lunch and learn seminars, and other events.
2. Physical activity encouragement and opportunities such as stand up desks, stability ball
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chairs, mapped out walking routes near city hall, encouraged use of walking meetings
and stairways, fitness equipment available for checkout, onsite fitness facility, staff
events that encourage wellness, and other events.
3. Ongoing support and encouragement for healthy lifestyles through promotion of events,
communication and "spotlights" in city newsletter.
4. Wellness incentive policy, which provides financial rewards for completing certain
wellness activities.
5. On-site screening for biometric results and flu shots.
6. Online wellness resources through city Intranet and partner with health insurer and other
consultants/vendors.
7. Ongoing innovation and exploration of new well-being opportunities such as the
possibility of offering an onsite clinic.
VI. Healthy Food Access
City of St. Louis Park recognizes that good nutrition, in addition to physical activity, is needed to
combat obesity. Therefore, the City will (continue to):
1. Periodically evaluate land use policies for health impacts, including access to healthy
food (i.e. 2011 Health Impact Assessment of the Comprehensive Plan).
2. Allow, manage, or support in other ways local community gardens and farmer's markets
in order to increase access to healthy food, including fresh fruits and vegetables;
3. Set required percentages for healthy choice options for vending machines located in city
owned or leased locations;
4. Encourage nutritional food options at city events, city sponsored meetings, served at city
facilities and city concessions, and city programs.
Reviewe
for Administration:
Ad
e Ci Council May 6, 2013
City M
Attest:
City Clerk
Mayo