11/17/17 – The Juneau Common Council this week adopted several resolutions championed by the Dodge County Blue Zones Project. The community-wide, well-being improvement initiative is designed to make healthy choices easier through sustainable changes to environment, policy and social networks. Action this week designated Juneau as a Complete Streets community. Leslie Covell-Hershberger with the Dodge County Blue Zones Project encouraged the city to update its streets ordinance with the Complete Streets concept. She says under the federal program, a municipality may see reimbursement for up to 80-percent of the costs to reconstruct a street with sidewalks, bike lanes and other features that take in consideration pedestrians, children and those with disabilities. Mayor Dan Wegener says it’s a good idea to incorporate the ideas behind complete streets into their street maintenance program, even if the city does not get grant dollars. The council also approved a resolution encouraging healthy food choices. The wording states that the city will support and promote the Blue Zones initiative; encourage schools, worksites, restaurants, grocery stores, convenience stores, farmers markets and food pantries to emphasize healthy food options; consider healthy food-related policy and system changes that advance community well-being and communicate the benefits of healthy food choices to Juneau citizens.
Pictured above left to right: Leslie Covell-Hershberger, Valerie Knetzger
