Council heard updates on two youth workforce efforts and set follow‑up deadlines. Brenda McKenzie, director of workforce partnerships, summarized improvements to the summer youth internship program—streamlined online access (tampa.gov/internships), a single contact email (internships@tampa.gov) and improved department outreach—and said FY25 capacity was 48 intern slots. Councilwoman Young asked staff to explore increasing slots; council requested a Feb. 19 return with department interest and a cost estimate to reach a 70‑slot target.

Separately, Councilman Viera pressed to restart the previously approved special‑needs internship program (earlier budgeted but not fully launched). Members agreed to rename it the "Mike Phillips All‑Abilities Internship Program," requested that the program appear on the city website and scheduled an in‑person status update Feb. 5, followed by bimonthly written updates. Council asked staff to identify a $100,000 funding source for the all‑abilities internship by Feb. 5 and to return with details of program operations and partners (McDonald Training Center, other nonprofits) so placements can proceed. Council emphasized community demand and asked for expedient implementation.