DEPARTMENT: Health Department
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Thomas Schlenker
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: District 2
SUBJECT:
Authorizing an Agreement with Urban Strategies, Inc.
SUMMARY:
This Ordinance authorizes an agreement with Urban Strategies, Inc. and authorizes the acceptance of compensation in the amount of $20,000.00 for a term ending on February 28, 2014, for services provided by the City of San Antonio through the San Antonio Metropolitan Heath District (Metro Health) to execute and complete a Health Impact Assessment that will systematically assess the potential effects of the proposed Wheatley Choice Neighborhood Project.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The International Association of Impact Assessment defines a Health Impact Assessment (HIA) as a combination of procedures, methods and tools that systematically judges the potential, and sometimes unintended, effects of a policy, plan, program or project on the health of a population and the distribution of those effects within the population. An HIA identifies appropriate actions to manage those effects.
In addition, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has recognized the many intersections between health issues and community design. These include accessibility for people with mobility impairments or other disabling conditions; the relationships between children's health and elders and the built environment including park planning, recreational and community facilities; displacement of vulnerable groups and local businesses due to gentrification; and injury prevention in relation to transportation planning. Further considerations include community access to safe and adequate spaces for physical activity, transportation-related air pollutants as affecting respiratory health; and the effects of poorly planned growth, subsequent loss of green space, and surface and groundwater quality. Community design also has strong correlations to mental health, social capital and civic engagement.
Under the proposed agreement, Metro Health will conduct an HIA that will systematically assess the potential effects of the proposed Wheatley Choice Neighborhood Project on the health of the population within the footprint, as well as the distribution of those effects within the population. The HIA will encompass the consideration of potential health impacts to be considered, with a particular emphasis on vulnerable populations, an impact analysis, recommendations to mitigate or manage anticipated adverse health effects of the project, and the monitoring of decision outcomes and long term results.
ISSUE:
Metro Health is requesting City Council authorization of an agreement with Urban Strategies, Inc. and authorization of the acceptance of compensation in the amount of $20,000.00 for a term ending on February 28, 2014, for services entailed in the execution and completion of a Health Impact Assessment of the Wheatley Choice Neighborhood.
ALTERNATIVES:
Without the proposed agreement, the City of San Antonio will not be authorized to accept compensation from Urban Strategies, Inc., to complete an HIA to systematically assess the potential long-term effects of the proposed Wheatley Choice Neighborhood Project.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Metro Health is requesting City Council authorization of an agreement with Urban Strategies, Inc. and authorization of the acceptance of compensation in the amount of $20,000.00 for a term ending on February 28, 2014. Revenues generated from this agreement will be deposited back into the Neighborhood Health Program.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of an ordinance authorizing an agreement with Urban Strategies, Inc. and authorizing the acceptance of compensation in the amount of $20,000.00 for a term ending on February 28, 2014, to complete a Health Impact Assessment of the Wheatley Choice Neighborhood Project.