City of Gonzales
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT & STRATEGIC
PARTNERSHIPS
STAFF REPORT
TO: Honorable Mayor Rios and City Council
DATE: January 18, 2022
FROM: Carmen Gil, Community Engagement & Strat. Partnership Dir.
THROUGH: René L. Mendez, City Manager
SUBJECT: Resolution in Support of the Blue Zones Monterey County
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the Gonzales City Council approve Resolution No. 2022-01, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Gonzales Supporting the Blue Zones Project Monterey County.
BACKGROUND
The Blue Zones project is the outcome of a study and a New York Times bestseller by the National Geographic Fellow Dan Buettner of locations in the world with the highest life longevity, referred to as “Blue Zones”. These Blue Zones have been known to have the same 9 traits, known as the Power 9, these include Moving Naturally, having a Purpose, Down Shifting, the 80% Rule, Plant Slant, Wine at Five, Belonging, Family First and the Right Tribe. Through these traits the Blue Zones Project believes it can make a difference in the people’s lives and extend their longevity.
Currently, Blue Zones is working to create healthier communities across 50 cities in the U.S. The Blue Zones Project was brought to Monterey County by Salinas Valley Memorial Healthcare System and Talyor Farms in 2019. Since then, they have been working to create a healthier Salinas Valley. Starting with their presence in the City of Salinas, then their expansion into Monterey and now they are moving into South County by expanding the initiative to the City of Gonzales and the City of King.
Through this partnership, the City of Gonzales will be able to increase its capacity to support local residents in their quest to be healthier by working to coordinate efforts around healthy eating, physical activity and mindfulness with Blue Zones Monterey County staff.
AGENDA
ITEM
23 REVIEW AND ANALYSIS
By approving the Resolution in support of the expansion of their efforts, the City Council makes it clear that we are interested in partnering with them on the endeavor and that the City is committed to the community’s health and wellbeing.
Duties and Commitments
City of Gonzales staff will work to facilitate the partnership with Blue Zones Monterey County. They will partner with them on different aspects of community health such as the built environment, healthy eating, diabetes prevention and nutrition.
Explain Recommendation and How it Supports the Vision
Gonzales will continue to be a safe, clean, family-friendly community, diverse in its heritage, and committed to working collaboratively to preserve and retain its small town charm.
Explain: The partnership with Blue Zones Monterey County will allow the City to support more of its residents with their health and wellbeing. Through this partnership the local capacity for services around creating healthier lifestyles will increase, and thus favor everyone in the long run.
Explain how the Recommendation Directly Implements the Mission The City Council and Staff of the City of Gonzales will realize our Vision by providing the leadership, commitment, and resources necessary to provide excellent services that enhance the quality of life of our diverse community.
Explain: Please see explanation above for the Vision.
City services will be delivered in a cost-effective, respectful, and friendly manner to insure the safety and well being of the residents and the promotion of business, recreational, housing and employment opportunities in an environmentally sustainable manner.
Explain: Please see explanation above for the Vision.
Strong fiscal policies allow us to provide appropriate infrastructure for:
• Public Safety X Yes No N/A
• Housing X Yes No N/A
• Recreation X Yes No N/A
• Environment X Yes No N/A
• Education X Yes No N/A
Explain: Please see explanation above for the Vision.
ALTERNATIVES
If the City Council decides it does not want to support the efforts of Blue Zones Monterey County, we will be missing out on the added capacity that the project will bring to the community.
BUDGET IMPACT
There is no impact to the budget by approving this resolution.
CONCLUSION
It is recommended that the Gonzales City Council approve Resolution No. 2022-01, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Gonzales Supporting the Blue Zones Project Monterey County.
Attachments:
1. Resol 22-01 Supporting the Blue Zones Project