CITY COMMISSION AGENDA ITEM

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Department:

City Manager’s Office

Commission Meeting Date:  July 11, 2017

Staff Contact:

Eileen Horn, Sustainability Director

Helen Schnoes, Food Systems Coordinator (Douglas County)

Recommendations/Options/Action Requested:

 

Consider adoption of the Douglas County Food System Plan.  

 

Executive Summary:

The Horizon 2020 Steering Committee tasked the Douglas County Food Policy Council (DCFPC) with developing a set of goals, objectives, and policies to “ensure the master plan is fitting the true needs of the community” concerning agricultural land, rural character preservation, and local food system development. In 2016, staff facilitated a robust community engagement process. A draft Food System Plan was released in January 2017.

 

The plan provides strategic recommendations in 5 goal areas.  Some of those areas have been updated since the March 14 Study Session when the Commission first received and discussed the document.  Key revisions include:

·         Reorganization of Goal 4, to clarify actions that support a more equitable local food system.

·         New policies:

o Policy 2.1.4 to develop public policy tools to direct high density development into urban areas;

o Policy 2.1.5 to consider creation of an Agricultural Reserve Overlay District;

o Policy 2.2.7 to study local water use patterns to identify potential areas to promote conservation;

o Policies 2.3.4, 2.3.5, and 2.3.6 to consider use and impact of synthetic agricultural chemicals in the local food system;

o Policy 4.1.6 to build community food security preparedness;

o Policy 5.1.1. Research and identify local policy opportunities to discourage waste generation and encourage diversion as appropriate.

·         An implementation framework appendix.

 

The Douglas County Commission unanimously adopted the Food System Plan on June 28. The final plan will be incorporated by reference into the revised comprehensive plan. The plan will then serve as the guiding document for the Council and staff to pursue food systems development.

Strategic Plan Critical Success Factor

Safe, Healthy & Welcoming Neighborhoods, Collaborative Solutions, Economic Growth & Security

Fiscal Impact (Amount/Source):

As a guiding plan, there are no direct financial commitments requests in the plan.

Attachments:

Food System Plan

Food System Assessment Executive Summary

 

 

 

 

Reviewed By:

(for CMO use only)

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