CR 09-041 Step to it Challanger
May 5, 2009 H 0 P K I N S Council Report 2009 -041
Step To It Challenge
Proposed Action
Staff recommends adoption of the following motion: Move to Approve Resolution 2009-
028 Challenging Northwest Hennepin County City Councils to Step To It.
Adoption of this motion allows the City to engage with 11 other Hennepin County cities
in the "Step to it Challenge "event.
Overview
The City's 2008 -2009 Goals include a strategy to undertake a health city initiative. The
"Step To It Challenge" is an event that promotes health and active lifestyles within our
community through walking, running, and other forms of exercise.
The Step To It Challenge is a fun, light- hearted way to connect with family, friends, and
neighbors and get moving again after a long winter. The other cities that are involved in
the challenge are Brooklyn Center, Brooklyn Park, Osseo, Golden Valley, Maple Grove,
Minnetonka, New Hope, Plymouth, Robbinsdale and St. Louis Park.
Supporting Information
• Resolution Number 2009 -028, Challenging Northwest Hennepin County City
Councils to "Step To It ".
Alternatives
• Do not adopt resolution 2009 -028. Do not participate this year.
Debbie Sperling
Executive Secretary
Financial Impact: N/A Budgeted: Y/N N/A Source:
Related Documents (CIP, ERP, etc.):
Notes:
CITY OF HOPKINS
HENNEPIN COUNTY, MINNESOTA
RESOLUTION 2009 -028
CHALLENGING NORTHWEST HENNEPIN COUNTY
CITY COUNCILS TO STEP TO IT
WHEREAS, moderate physical activity such as walking can improve an individual's
health and wellbeing; and
WHEREAS a regular walking program can reduce blood cholesterol, lower blood
pressure, increase cardiovascular endurance, boost bone strength, and help manage weight;
and
WHEREAS, the Hennepin County Human Services and Public Health Department has
partnered with the Minnesota Twins organization to promote a regular walking program — Step
To It; and
WHEREAS, the Hopkins City Council fully supports and sponsors the Step To It Program
in the community, and is actively involved in walking throughout the city; and
WHEREAS, The Hopkins City Council wants to promote a health, active lifestyle amongst
all cities' elected officials
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Hopkins,
Hennepin County, Minnesota, that the individual City Councils of Brooklyn Park, Brooklyn
Center, Osseo, Golden Valley, Maple Grove, Minnetonka, New Hope, Plymouth, Robbinsdale
and St. Louis Park are hereby challenged to walk more steps than the Hopkins City Council
during the official Step To It Program.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED the Hopkins City Council believes it not only will record the
largest number of total steps for the Council as a whole, but will also have a member of the
Council record the most steps for any one Council member in any of the participating cities.
THE CITY COUNCILS ARE HEREBY CHALLENGED TO STEP TO IT!
Moved, seconded, and unanimously approved by the Hopkins City Council the 5 th day of May,
2009.
Eugene Maxwell, Mayor
ATTEST:
Terry Obermaier, City Clerk
Hennepin County News
Public Affairs • 612 - 348 -3848 • 300 South Sixth Street, Minneapolis, MN 55487 -0011
April 15, 2009
Contacts: Dianne Blaydes, Human Services and Public Health Department: 612 - 348 -7550
Brad Kissell, Human Services and Public Health Department: 612 - 348 -5367
Second Annual Step To It Challenge grows to 11 cities in 2009
Great participation and positive feedback from the first Hennepin County Step To It
Community Challenge in five communities last year have led to an expanded challenge in 11
western Hennepin County suburbs from May 18 to June 14, 2009.
Billed as a fun and healthy way to create community spirit and put some spring in the step
of Hennepin County residents, this physical activity competition has enlisted the support of
2009 cosponsor, the Minnesota Twins.
"As a member of the community, the Minnesota Twins organization is proud to be a
sponsor of events like the Step To It Challenge that promote healthy, family oriented
activities in the community," said Bryan Donaldson, Twins spokesperson.
Residents will be counting walking steps (or equivalent physical activities such as running
or biking) over designated walking routes. Hennepin County Public Health Promotion (PHP)
has helped establish and mark the routes on paved sidewalks or established trails in some
participating communities. They are: Brooklyn Center, Brooklyn Park, Golden Valley,
Hopkins, Maple Grove, Minnetonka, New Hope, Osseo, Plymouth, Robbinsdale and
St. Louis Park.
Participants will record their steps online, with awards, celebration events and free Twins
tickets going to individuals and cities that log the most points.
Wu [�):
Even some city leaders got involved in the 2008 competition, with the Golden Valley City
Council challenging council members from neighboring St. Louis Park. It is anticipated that
other councils will join in the competition too, according to Dianne Blaydes, a Hennepin
County senior health promotion specialist and one of the coordinators of the event.
"The Step To It Challenge has proven to be a unique way to get communities competing
with one another in a fun, light- hearted way, and getting people moving after a long winter,"
Blaydes said.
Physical activity, in combination with a healthy diet, has been shown to reduce
overweight and obesity. The 2006 Survey of the Health of All the Population and the
Environment (SHAPE) showed that more than half (54.1 percent) of Hennepin County
adults were either obese or overweight, with the obesity rate among county adults rising 39
percent between the 1998 and 2006 surveys. For more information, visit the SHAPE Web
site at <www.hennepin.us /shape >.
To register online and get more information about challenge events, go to the Step To It
Challenge Web site at <www.steptoit.org >. Registrations and the reporting of walking steps
can also be faxed to Jennifer Nagel, Hennepin County Public Health Promotion, at
612- 348 -7548 or call 612- 348 -5618.
Hennepin County Public Health Promotion works with community organizations, schools,
businesses and cities in Hennepin County to promote health and reduce chronic diseases.
For more information, visit its website at <www.hennepin.us/PHP> or call 612- 348 -5618.
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