TITLE
Recommendation to request a staff report, with an update and timeline, regarding the Health and Wellness Element for the City of Long Beach; and request information from Staff regarding other ways in which the City can partner with The California Endowment in its 10-Year $100 million initiative to make Long Beach a better place to live, work and play.
DISCUSSION
Efforts to create a healthy and sustainable Long Beach took a big step forward with the recent award of a planning grant from The California Endowment to the City of Long Beach. Through its Ten Year Building Healthy Communities Place Based Initiative in Long Beach, The California Endowment has committed funding for a new Health and Wellness Element for the Long Beach 2030 General Plan Update. The grant totals $300,000.00 in new funding for community-based planning activities.
On March 30, 2011, the City Manager’s office issued press release announcing this planning grant, which will improve the health and wellness of Long Beach residents. The new Health and Wellness Element will provide policies and programs to foster residents’ health and well being to provide safe, convenient access to healthy foods and recreational opportunities for all residents. The effort to create health and wellness policies will be conducted in conjunction with the City of Long Beach Health and Human Services Department, one of only three such municipal public health programs in the State of California, and the City of Long Beach award-winning Parks, Recreation and Marine Department.
The Building Healthy Communities Initiative is a 10-year, $100 million place based initiative, targeting 14 communities throughout California, including Central and West Long Beach, to support systemic policy change and community engagement, to create a healthier Long Beach.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
Dee Andrews, Councilmember Sixth District
Rae Gabelich, Councilmember Eight District
Steven Neal, Councilmember Ninth District