Council approves band-aid for youth services

The Maricopa City Council approved a short-term contract extension with Koko Entertainment to provide youth programming for Maricopa teens at last night’s council meeting.

“The extension will set the contract on the same calendar as the city’s fiscal budget and give us a chance to evaluate what money will be available for these types of services,” said Councilmember Alan Marchione.

City staff originally asked council to approve a $43,000 contract with the entertainment company to extend the youth services it provides through March 2012.

However, Marchione and Councilmember Carl Diedrich balked at the request because the city did not put the contract out to bid to ensure it was receiving the best price for the service, and because the funding request came before the start of the next fiscal year, when council will be looking at budget cuts.

Asked why the city did not get competing bids on the services provided by Koko, Community Services Director John Nixon said the city had a one-year renewal option with the entertainment company and staff felt the best course of action was to exercise that option.

“We have been very impressed by the program Koko has created in Maricopa in one year and wanted to give him an additional year to build on that success,” Nixon said.

After discussion, the council unanimously approved extending Koko Entertainment’s contract through the end of the fiscal year at a cost of $13,500.

Council originally approved a one-year contract with Koko entertainment in March 2010 for $43,000 to launch a group of teen programs, including the creation of an entertainment crew, hip hop classes and DJ training.

The programs are open to all teens, and classes are hosted every Tuesday and Thursday at Maricopa High School. Teens in the program also take part in a wide variety of weekend events.
 
Kim Hunter, owner of Koko Entertainment, said 50 Maricopa teens have taken part in the programming since it was launched, but that the number of people they have touched is much greater.

One example Koko provided council was a recent trip his group made to a nursing home. “At first they were a little scared to interact with the seniors, but by the end of the day, they didn’t want to leave,” Hunter said.

“This group of teens has since showcased their skills at Phoenix Mercury games, Phoenix Suns games and other events around the Valley, but the one place they are always most excited to return to is the nursing home,” he added.