TITLE
Recommendation to receive supporting documentation into the record, conclude the public hearing, and adopt resolution approving the Communities of Excellence in Nutrition, Physical Activity and Obesity Prevention (CX3) Pedestrian Plan as a technical appendix to the Mobility Element of the Long Beach General Plan; and
Accept Categorical Exemption No. CE-16-268. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
Beginning in October 2003, the City Council authorized funding for the Department of Health and Human Services to operate the Healthy Active Long Beach (HALB) program. Funded by the California Department of Public Health’s Nutrition Education and Obesity Prevention Branch (NEOP), the HALB program focuses on preventing obesity and chronic diseases linked to poor nutrition and inactivity. The program also conducts activities aimed at improving food security among persons eligible for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) throughout the City of Long Beach.
In the summer of 2009, 2010, and 2013, the HALB program team conducted neighborhood assessments in ten NEOP eligible neighborhoods located in Central and West Long Beach. The Communities of Excellence in Nutrition, Physical Activity and Obesity Prevention (CX3) assessments looked at multiple indicators to evaluate the food and physical activity environment for these neighborhoods. The indicators included markets and grocery stores, fast-food restaurants, outdoor marketing, safety and walkability, and the availability of alternative food sources such as farmer’s markets and community gardens. Based on community input from these health assessments, improved pedestrian access and mobility to recreational and activity centers, as well as healthy food options, were identified as a priority. These assessments followed the CX3 framework established by the California Department of Public Health. The CX3 framework also includes an implementation component. The HALB project team selected the preparation of pedestrian guidelines to meet the Policy, Systems and Environmental Change (PSE) requirements.
In July 2014, the HALB project team started community outreach within each of the ten CX3 neighborhoods located around Cabrillo and Poly High Schools, Washington and Franklin Middle Schools, and Lafayette, Burnett, Mary Butler, Whittier, International, and Edison Elementary Schools, as well as St. Mary’s Hospital. To be part of the CX3 area, the neighborhood must have at least 50 percent or more of the resident population at or below 130 percent Federal Poverty Level. Building upon earlier work related to developing the CX3 neighborhoods assessments, additional walk audits were conducted along major corridors and neighborhood connectors to determine the physical conditions of the pedestrian environment.
The CX3 Pedestrian Plan, attached as an exhibit to the Resolution, assesses existing conditions in CX3 areas, identifies paths for improving the pedestrian environment, and lays out a framework of tools, project types, policies and programs for improving CX3 neighborhoods. The CX3 Pedestrian Plan identifies 76 capital projects to improve pedestrian circulation including walking/jogging loops around Polytechnic High School and Long Beach City College - Pacific Coast Campus. The CX3 Pedestrian Plan is one of several tools that will be prepared to implement the Mobility Element of the Long Beach General Plan. As such, once adopted, the CX3 Pedestrian Plan will serve as a technical appendix to the Mobility Element, and changes to the projects and programs in the plan will not require amending the General Plan. The CX3 Pedestrian Plan was also developed through community workshops, City departmental coordination meetings and stakeholder interviews.
On September 1, 2016, the Planning Commission held a study session on the CX3 Pedestrian Plan, and the CX3 Pedestrian Plan has been made publicly available and posted online for comment since September 20, 2016.
On November 17, 2016, the Planning Commission conducted a public hearing on the CX3 Pedestrian Plan and recommended that the City Council adopt a Resolution approving the CX3 Pedestrian Plan as a technical appendix to the Mobility Element (Exhibit A - Planning Commission Staff Report).
Since the CX3 Pedestrian Plan is a Citywide document, a public hearing notice was provided through newspaper publication on January 21, 2017, and no responses were received as of the preparation of this report.
In accordance with the Guidelines for Implementation of the California Environmental Quality Act, a Categorical Exemption (CE 16-268) was issued for the proposed project (Exhibit B - Categorical Exemption).
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Amy R. Webber on January 12, 2017 and by Budget Management Officer Rhutu Amin Gharib on January 18, 2017.
SUSTAINABILITY
The nation is facing an epidemic of obesity as nearly one in three children (ages 2-19) in the nation are overweight or obese, putting them at risk for serious health problems. The likelihood of being overweight is influenced by the environment in which you live, from your ability to be physically active to your access to healthy food options and non-processed food choices. The CX3 Pedestrian Plan addresses access and mobility to health food options for low-income communities, which tend to have the poorest food choices with greater densities of restaurants and stores selling processed foods rather than fresh produce. For these communities, the easiest choice, if there is one, is most often not the healthy choice.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action on this matter is not time critical.
FISCAL IMPACT
The CX3 Pedestrian Plan is a policy document that lays out a framework of tools, project types, policies and programs for improving CX3 neighborhoods. Although the plan includes project and program descriptions, detailed designs and project specifics have not been developed. As such, the CX3 Pedestrian Plan does not constitute City Council approval of projects, programs or expenditures. There is no fiscal impact associated with this recommendation. If adopted by City Council, the CX3 Pedestrian Plan will assist in securing funding to implement the programs and projects in the plan.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
BODY
[Enter Body Here]
Respectfully Submitted,
AMY J. BODEK, AICP
DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT SERVICES
KELLY COLOPY
DIRECTOR OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
APPROVED:
PATRICK H. WEST
CITY MANAGER