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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014 Resolution No. 081,. • RESOLUTION NO. _f/_ SERIES OF 2014 A RESOLUTION BY THE ENGLEWOOD CITY COUNCIL SETI1NG FORTH THE CITY'S COMMITMENT TO OBESITY PREVENTION AND LIVEWELL COLORADO'S HEALTHY EATING, ACTIVE LIVING (HEAL) CITIES AND TOWNS CAMPAIGN. WHEREAS, although Colorado is the "leanest" state in the country, fifty-eight percent (58%) of Colorado adults and a quarter of Colorado children are overweight or obese; and WHEREAS, the adult obesity rate has doubled in Colorado since 1995 and, if trends continue, only thirty-three percent (33%) of Colorado adults will be a healthy weight by 2020; and WHEREAS, more children are being diagnosed with diseases linked to overweight and obesity previously seen only in adults, such as Type 2 diabetes and heart disease; and WHEREAS, Colorado has the second fastest rate of increase in childhood obesity in the nation; and WHEREAS, the current generation of children are expected to have shorter lives than their parents due to consequences of obesity; and WHEREAS, the annual cost to Colorado in medical bills, workers compensation and lost productivity due to citizens being overweight or obese and lacking in physical activity exceeds $1.6 billion; and WHEREAS, obesity has been identified by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment as one of ten winnable battles in Colorado; and WHEREAS, cities and towns have the ability to impact opportunities for healthy eating and active living; and WHEREAS, in November of 2012 the Colorado Municipal League Board of Directors entered into a memorandum of understanding with LiveWell Colorado to work collaboratively on the HEAL Cities and Towns Campaign; and WHEREAS, LiveWell Colorado is a nonprofit organization committed to preventing and reducing obesity in the state by promoting healthy eating and active living in the places we live, work, learn, and play; and WHEREAS, the City of Englewood has shown a commitment to HEAL principles and activities including bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure planning and promotion, community gardens, and employee wellness initiatives. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCil, OF THE CITY OF ENGLEWOOD, COLORADO, AS FOLLOWS: Section 1. The City Council of the City of Englewood hereby recognizes that obesity and being overweight is a serious threat to the health and well-being of residents and employees of the City. While individual lifestyle changes are necessary, individual efforts alone are insufficient to combat obesity's rising challenges. Significant societal and environmental changes are needed to support individual efforts to make healthier choices. It is to that end that the City adopts this HEAL Cities and Towns Campaign resolution. Section 2. The City will make efforts to promote healthy eating and active living through the following policy and action recommendations that will be discussed and detailed in the final Englewood Walk and Wheel Master Plan and Program: a. Emphasizing capital improvement projects that increase the opportunities for physical activity, as funding allows; b. Planning and securing grant funding for a built environment that encourages walking, biking, and other forms of physical activity; c. Improving connectivity of walking a bicycle networks between residential neighborhoods and schools, parks, recreational resources, and retail businesses; d. Revising the comprehensive plan, sub-area plans, relevant master plans, and zoning ordinances to increase opportunities for physical activity wherever and whenever possible, through the adoption of healthy eating and active living goals, policies, and regulations including support for complete streets and compact mixed-use and transit- oriented development, and healthy local food production and retailing; e. Encouraging the siting of health food retailers, community gardens or farms and farmer's markets to increase access to healthy food, including fresh fruits and vegetables. Section 3. In order to promote wellness in the City, and to set an example for residents and businesses, the City hereby pledges to continue to advance workplace wellness initiatives that: a. Continue to promote employee wellness activities including employee hiking, cycling and yoga clubs, Bike to Work Day, and other active programs; and b . Explore new initiatives for employees, including active commuter clubs, healthy vending options, nutrition classes, fresh fruit in common areas, and healthy cooking classes . Section 4. An annual report will be made to the City Council regarding actions taken to implement this resolution, additional actions planned, and any desired actions that may require City Council approval. ADOPTED AND APPROVED this 3rd day of November, 2014. .. • • • I, Loucrishia A. Ellis, City Clerk for ~ity of Englewood, Colorado, hereby certify the above is a true copy of Resolution No.~ Series of 2014. • COUNCIL COMMUNICATION Date: Agenda Item: Subject: November 3, 2014 9 Ci Englewood LiveWell Colorado Healthy Eating Active Living {HEAL) Cities and Towns Campaign Resolution Initiated By: Staff Source: Community Development John Voboril, Long Range Planner II PREVIOUS COUNCIL ACTION City Council gave consent to the Community Development Department to apply to Kaiser Permanente for a Walk and Wheel grant in order to produce a new master bicycle and pedestrian plan for the City, replacing the completed 2004 master bicycle plan, at the September 16, 2013 Council study session. In order to receive a Walk and Wheel grant, the City was asked to agree to approving a Healthy Eating Active living (HEAL) resolution, and thus becoming a Colorado LiveWell HEAL community. A HEAL resolution modified by City staff to reflect past City Council actions and current City initiatives was presented to Council at the October 20, 2014 Council Study Session. RECOMMENDED ACTION • Staff recommends Council approve a resolution affirming past City actions and current City initiatives that support HEAL principles. BACKGROUND AND ANALYSIS HEAL principles include emphasizing capital improvements that increase physical activity; improving connectivity of the walking and bicycling network; revising City plans and zoning ordinances to include support for HEAL policies, goals, and regulations in the form of complete streets, compact mixed-use and transit-oriented development, and healthy food production and retailing; and supporting the siting of healthy food retailers, community gardens, and farmer's markets throughout the community to improve access to healthy foods. The City can also promote HEAL principles by setting examples for workplace wellness, including offering employee fitness activities, free employee access to the Englewood Recreation Center, and exploring access to healthy food offerings and education in the workplace. FINANCIAL IMPACT Adoption of the Englewood liveWell Colorado HEAL Cities and Towns Campaign resolution will have no immediate financial impact on the City. Failure to approve the HEAL resolution would jeopardize funding {$99,999) from Kaiser Permanente for the Walk and Wheel Master Plan and Program project currently underway. LIST OF ATTACHMENTS • Resolution