City to support youth council through MOU with U of A SNAP-Ed, including travel and vehicle use

City staff presented a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the city and the University of Arizona SNAP-Ed program to continue supporting the former Youth Commission in a less formalized structure under the university—s SNAP-Ed youth council.

Staff said the MOU permits the city to provide marketing support, transportation to and from the Arizona League of Cities and National League of Cities conferences, use of city vehicles, and complimentary use of city facilities for youth council activities and fundraising. The city will budget up to $2,000 per year to subsidize conference attendance for up to five participants per year.

In exchange, U of A SNAP-Ed will provide quarterly reports to the mayor and council, in-person briefings and oversight and guidance for participants and their activities, staff said. The city—s MOU will go to U of A SNAP-Ed's governing board for final execution.

Council members expressed support for continued youth engagement and noted the seasonal ebb and flow of youth participation; one council member warned that SNAP-Ed funding is subject to broader program funding decisions and said the city would adapt if funding changed. Staff said the agreement formalizes support and is intended to allow the youth council to move more quickly and flexibly than the previous commission model.

Sources and attribution: MOU terms and the $2,000 per-year conference subsidy were presented on the record by city staff during the work session.