Number
211668
Version
SUBSTITUTE 1
Reference
Sponsor
ALD. RAINEY
Title
Substitute resolution directing the Milwaukee Health Department to develop policies and procedures relating to Health Impact Statements for certain businesses.
Analysis
This resolution directs the Milwaukee Health Department to develop policies and procedures relating to Health Impact Statements for food and beverage establishments that require food dealer or alcoholic beverage licenses from the City or approval by the Board of Zoning Appeals. Specifically, these policies and procedures shall evaluate:
1. How the proposed business affects the availability of fresh food options in the area.
2. The density of unhealthy food options in the area surrounding the proposed business.
3. Other deleterious health effects that may pertain to the proposed business, such as improving, worsening, or maintaining existing public health problems, or introducing new health concerns.
Body
Whereas, People who do not eat healthy foods are at greater risk of obesity, diabetes, and heart disease; and
Whereas, In 2019, the obesity rate in Milwaukee was 37.2%, which was higher than the Milwaukee Metropolitan Statistical Area obesity rate of 26.4%; and
Whereas, According to a U.S. Department of Agriculture measure, Milwaukee has 13 “food deserts,” which are geographic areas where residents have limited access to fresh food; and
Whereas, A 2015 survey of corner stores in Milwaukee’s Near West Side found that only 54% carried fresh produce of any kind; and
Whereas, Many low-income and minority residents live in neighborhoods that are located far away from vendors selling healthy food, such as grocery stores, ethnic food stores, and farmer’s markets; and
Whereas, Developing proposed policies and procedures related to Health Impact Statements for businesses that should offer healthy food and beverage options is a first step towards the City subsequently establishing these requirements in the Milwaukee Code of Ordinances; and
Whereas, The Health Department is an appropriate agency for reviewing the neighborhood and personal health impacts of pending new businesses that sell food and alcoholic beverages; and
Whereas, For food and alcohol beverage licenses, Common Council members may request Health Impact Statements to review proposed establishments’ effects on the availability of fresh and nutritious food, the density of unhealthy food and beverages in the area around the proposed license, and other deleterious health effects that may pertain to the license; and
Whereas, For food- and beverage-selling establishments that are required to obtain approval from the Board of Zoning Appeals, Council members may request Health Impact Statements to review proposed establishments’ effects on the availability of fresh and nutritious food, the density of unhealthy food and beverages in the area around the proposed establishment, and other deleterious health effects that may pertain to the business, such as improving, worsening, or maintaining existing public health problems, or introducing new health concerns; now, therefore be it
Resolved, By the Common Council of the City of Milwaukee, that the Health Department shall develop policies and procedures related to Health Impact Statements for food and beverage establishments that require food dealer or alcohol beverage licenses from the City or approval by the Board of Zoning Appeals; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the proposed policies and procedures shall evaluate:
1. How the proposed business affects the availability of fresh food options in the area.
2. The density of unhealthy food options in the area surrounding the proposed business.
3. Other deleterious health effects that may pertain to the proposed business, such as improving, worsening, or maintaining existing public health problems, or introducing new health concerns.
; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Health Department shall present the proposed policies and procedures to the Common Council within 60 days of adoption of this resolution.
Requestor
Drafter
LRB177249-2
Alex Highley
2/11/2022