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HomeMy WebLinkAbout8.2 Health and Fitness Initiatives STAFF REPORT CITY CLERK File #950-30 CITY COUNCIL DATE:March 18, 2014 TO: Honorable Mayor and City Councilmembers FROM: Christopher L. Foss, Acting City Manager SUBJECT: Potential Health and Fitness Initiatives Prepared by Micki Cronin, Assistant Director of Parks and Community Services EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: At a January 23, 2014 Health and Fitness Roundtable hosted by the City and attended by members of the local business and healthcare community, several ideas were presented to further the City’s healthy initiatives. The City Council will receive a report summarizing these suggestions which could expand existing programs to include more healthy initiatives in partnership with the business community and new opportunities to expand the City’s current offerings. FINANCIAL IMPACT: Staff estimates the cost to implement the programs would be approximately $16,000. If the City Council wishes to pursue some of the initiatives, Staff would further refine the cost estimate for those items as part of the budget preparation process for the upcoming two-year budget. RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends that the City Council, by motion, provide direction on the priorities for which initiatives to pursue, if any, as part of the budget preparation process. Submitted By Reviewed By Parks and Community Services Director Acting Assistant City Manager DESCRIPTION: In keeping with the City Council’s Vision to “promote an active and healthy lifestyle,” Staff engaged health and fitness businesses from Dublin in a discussion about ways to advance the Vision and promote health and fitness throughout the City. More than 20 health and fitness providers attended a roundtable discussion on January 23, 2014, and provided recommendations on partnership opportunities and on new programs to achieve this outcome. Staff has reviewed the suggestions from the roundtable meeting and has identified potential ITEM NO. 8.2 Page 1 of 3 initiatives that could be implemented at little to no cost, as well as some initiatives that could be considered as part of the FY 2014/15 – 2015/16 budget preparation. Initiatives with Little to No Cost Shamrock 5K Fun Run/Walk Health and Fitness Zone: As a part of this year’s “Shamrock 5K Fun Run/Walk,” the City promoted a special “Health and Fitness Zone” in the post-race area. For a fee, local health and fitness providers were offered the opportunity to set up a booth and promote their services in the community to an active, health-conscious audience. The cost to offer this activity is offset by fees charged to the vendors that participate. School District Meeting to Discuss Health and Fitness Screening Partnerships: City staff could reach out to the Dublin Unified School District, on behalf of the business community, to initiate discussions regarding existing school-age health and fitness screening programs and potential partnerships to support and expand screening programs as needed. A number of local health providers were interested in offering their services free of charge to the District in this manner. Free Fitness Fridays: The City could offer Dublin-based health and fitness providers the opportunity to organize and lead “Free Fitness Fridays” in the Library Community Room. Starting in the fall, providers could schedule the room for Fridays through the Parks and Community Services Department to encourage participation in their fitness-related activities. The room could be scheduled for a limited number of Fridays per provider, as long as the activities are offered at no charge and are health or fitness-related activities. The program would require minimal Staff time and could be incorporated with the existing Parks and Community Services part-time customer service hours. Potential Initiatives for the Two-Year Budget The following are initiatives that, if the City Council desired, Staff could include in the budget preparation process for City Council consideration for the next two years. Live Healthy Dublin – Increase Business Involvement: From Sunday, March 16, through Sunday, May 25, the City is hosting its second “Live Healthy Dublin” program with the “Step 2 It Challenge.” The Challenge has opportunities for the business community to become involved. There will be two community walks during the 10-week event, on April 12 and May 3, in which local businesses are encouraged to participate as sponsors and have the opportunity to promote their services. Participants are also encouraged to get a jump-start on their program by participating in the “Shamrock 5K Fun Run/Walk,” where sponsorship and promotion opportunities have always been available and encouraged. Currently, staffing for this effort is shared between four staff. Consolidating this effort under a single staff assignment will enable the City to more proactively seek out business support and involvement in the program. The direct part-time staff cost would be approximately $11,000. Community Health and Fitness Expo at the Dublin Farmers’ Market : It was suggested that a Community Health Fair and Wellness Expo be held at an existing City event. While splatter was mentioned, it would not necessarily fit into the unique branding for that event. If the City Council is interested in having a Community Expo, then Staff would recommend incorporating it into an evening at the Farmers’ Market. Sponsorship opportunities could also be integrated into the event. This could provide a good opportunity for Dublin health providers to engage the community. The direct part-time staff cost would be approximately $2,500 to plan, advertise and coordinate the Expo. Page 2 of 3 Health and Wellness Expo for Dublin Business Community: There was a desire to hold an expo focused more on employers and their employees in Dublin, during the open enrollment season in the fall. Several of those in attendance at the roundtable indicated they have interest in serving in a leadership capacity to host the event. The City could provide the facility or assist with finding a business partner to house the event. The City could also provide advertising of the event on the City’s website and in the Activity Guide. The direct part-time staff cost to support the facility and advertising needs for this event would be approximately $2,500. Staff is recommending the City Council provide direction on the priorities for which initiatives to pursue, if any, as part of the budget preparation process. Staff recommends that consideration be given to the current level of events and programs offered, and the time and cost associated with adding new options. NOTICING REQUIREMENTS/PUBLIC OUTREACH: A copy of this Staff Report was sent to those who attend the Health and Fitness Roundtable Meeting. ATTACHMENTS: 1. Notes from the Health and Fitness Roundtable Page 3 of 3 Health and Fitness Roundtable – Notes Thursday, January 23, 2014 City Officials: Mayor Sbranti Staff: Chris Foss Paul McCreary Micki Cronin Jacqui Diaz Erin Steffen Shari Jackman Start Time: 7:42 AM 1. Welcoming Remarks: Mayor 2. General Participant Introductions 3. Public Comments – none. 4. & 5. Health and Fitness Programs and related Improvements by the City of Dublin a. In 2013 focus on Live Healthy Dublin was made a priority for the City Council, which took a holistic view to health b. City is expanding wellness opportunities for employees: bring in consultants for health related support and workshops, healthier snack options in facilities, and recently started “boot camp” to prepare employees for the Shamrock 5K Fun Run. c. “Live Healthy Dublin” 10-week wellness 2013 challenge had 487 participants and 102 teams. The Challenge focused on nutrition and fitness, and users would go online and to record their efforts; a new program has been planned for 2014 called the “Step to It” Challenge. d. Bike and Pedestrian Improvements were made in various areas; in particular Golden Gate Drive is a great example of how the City is making streets more user friendly for walkers and bikers. 1 e. Expanding parks and open space system encourages people to walk, hike, bike and more. f. Some other City programs/events include the Farmer’s Market, Trail Trekkers, and the Senior Resource Fair. The City is also promoting the East Bay Regional Park District wellness challenge Sharing / Discussion: What programs are being done in your organizations? In other cities? Is there a way for the City to partner? Comments and ideas included: a. One business said they promote office staff to ride bikes to work, but there isn’t a great way to get from Pleasanton to Dublin. Staff mentioned the opening of the Alamo Canal Trail I-580 Underpass. b. Bike to Work National Bike Month: encourage businesses to promote biking to work, participate in one of many bike events, or offer sponsorship of bike events. c. Mayor Sbranti suggested that those in attendance get notes from this meeting and updates on future health-related topics benefiting the community. Schools a. Dentists: There was reference to a program in Livermore where dentists as a group volunteer their time to do screenings and education for children. Additionally, the dentist may be contacted when is there is a family that they should see that may be in need as dentists donate their time. Suggestion to expand the screening program to other medical focuses. a. Chiropractic Association “Get Active America” program to show stretches, exercise. Program is there, just needs to be implemented b. Scoliosis screening, backpack safety. One attendee already works with DUSD to offer this throughout the school system (works with Nurse Vicky) b. Getting early screenings would be great for avoiding back end costs c. The Southern Alameda County Dental Association sponsors programs like “Give Kids a Smile” and “Adopt a Smile” usually in February d. Most dentists would like to do this, but few are asked e. This wouldn’t necessarily be to acquire new patients f. It was discussed that more information was needed on what is currently provided in Dublin schools and that a point person should be identified with Dublin Unified School District. Farmer’s Market 1. Staff explained there are themed nights each week, one of which is a monthly health night. Activities include guided walks around the park, medical practitioners doing free screening, but the theme was not very successful. Changed to a monthly cook-off night instead featuring healthy ingredients. 2 2. One attendee indicated that Thursday evening isn’t prime time, and the City should consider changing the time/day or doing multiple locations/days. 3. Incorporate a nutritionist to cover “cooking healthy.” Although there are healthy cooking demonstrations the City couple explore including a nutritionist as part of the demo. Health Fair a. There was discussion about holding a community-wide health and fitness event to highlight the resources available in Dublin. b. Best time to host this is during open enrollment (fall), when people are talking about changing plans and trying to understand how to use them c. Pleasanton does a “health expo” d. Ways to encourage participation at a Health Fair: a. Acquire keynote speakers? Participants can receive education as well as info from vendors b. Have a group of practitioners hire a company to coordinate the event and offset with fees. c. Promote a variety of free screenings to broaden the market. d. Demos/ instruction: doing a large-scale dance classes, karate, other types of instruction e. Food: everyone eats and everyone loves to eat. Take advantage of that, but also explain the importance of the “fitness” element as well. f. Advertise what people would get at this event to draw them in e. Other fairs to reference: a. StreetFest (Oakland) layout with stage and some chairs, maybe at one of the parks. Could have a chef doing a cook-off onstage b. Annual Fremont Kite Festival. Get community involvement f. Mayor Sbranti indicated we already do several of these efforts, but they are scattered. This would “wrap a bow” around it and call it a “fitness fiesta” or some showcase g. This is great, but it’s only one time a year. We need to teach the parents all year long in order to reach the kids. How can we promote? What Participants Are Already Doing a. Biggest Loser program a couple of times per year, one chiropractor would track the loss of fat rather than water weight or muscle. b. One attendee handles wellness programs for a large company and helps implement a weight-loss program for those who need help. The company subsidizes the program and gets lower health costs as a result. Make sure that you have good metrics in place to encourage healthy weight-loss practices. 3 c. Personal training school with a holistic approach (mental as well as physical) d. Offer a free dance class for youth to get them to try it; very successful in other cities. e. Live Healthy Dublin 2014 a. Teams of 2-10, kicks off at Fun Run b. Enrollment starts in February c. Two trail walks d. Pedometers e. $10 per person to register Mental Health It was stated that the local professionals haven’t really connected with outside mental health programs, citywide or other. This could be a good thing to explore, doing an outreach with mental health professionals in Dublin. Suggested creating a brochure of the various providers in Dublin? Maybe work with the Chamber to create this. Possible Outreach/Promotion of Healthfulness a. Website Health Webpage maintained on the City website; invite someone to write a monthly article on a different subject matter b. Dublinrecguide.com: great way to reach the community c. Encourage some of the larger companies in Dublin to boost the health and fitness of their employees. Have them offer subsidies to employees to take classes and programs, or provide onsite fitness programs and extracurricular sports teams. d. Bike Month e. Ask health professionals to link to a health page, tips on healthy living f. It was suggested that the Chamber of Commerce may be able to coordinate this effort. Needs in the Community? a. Welcome page for new residents: Tri-Valley is very transitional, listing things that are available in the City, links to different websites. b. Contact practitioners and providers and let them know how their help is needed; most will want to help and get involved c. Expand health and fitness beyond the warm months of April-September. Maybe implement some winter-related activities like a “Holiday Healthy” campaign d. Promote professionals in Dublin as part of the Shop Local campaign, work with the Chamber of Commerce and use the Facebook page throughout the year to promote health-based businesses 4 Outside Participation Mayor Sbranti indicated that a lot of these events in other communities aren’t created by the City, but rather a coalition of practitioners that want to work on these ideas. The City can be a participant and provide a facility, but it doesn’t have the bandwidth to necessarily do all the planning and coordination. 1. Matt Alexander (Alexander Chiropractic): interested in helping with Health Fair 25 participants, plus City Staff and Mayor End Time: 8:54 5