Enid city commissioners approved a 24-month contract with Retail Attractions, a retail development consultant Tuesday with the possibility of extending the contract for an additional 12 months.
The contract calls for the continuation of Rickey Hayes’ work and pays Retail Attractions $63,000 for the first year and $57,000 for the second year. Hayes suggested he would agree to a performance-based arrangement if commissioners added a third year to the contract.
During the study session preceding the regular meeting, Hayes told commissioners he has identified market data that helps to sell Enid to national retail companies. He said he and others managed to convince two retail stores in Enid to remain here. The stores were receiving pressure from their corporate boards to increase their margin per square foot. By reducing the number of square feet the stores used they increased their square foot numbers, he said. One of the businesses also created room for a new retail store in the vacated area of the store.
Among the retail data he established are primary and secondary trade areas he can market to 90 percent of all national retail businesses looking to expand.
Retail Attractions currently represents 18 communities, including Enid.
“Enid is the shining jewel we represent,” he said.
He told commissioners he hopes to see a big growth rate late this year and in 2011, as well as in late 2012, but said marketing communities is a slow, tedious process.
In a discussion with commissioners, Hayes said he would be willing to take a performance-based contract and lower the retainer the city pays, if the contract is extended for another year.
City Manager Eric Benson said the only way the city has to expand the quality of life in Enid is through sales tax.
The commission approved the 24-month contract and Hayes will begin negotiations with Benson about extending the contract another 12 months.
In other business, attorney Bryce Kennedy discussed negotiations with Suddenlink Communications for a new 10-year cable television franchise agreement. Kennedy told commissioners in the last two years the company paid the city of Enid more than $1 million in franchise fees.
“That is a significant financial impact,” Kennedy said.
The contract includes $1,000 per month for rental for PEGASYS, Enid’s public-access television station, and $25,000 for maintenance and repair of PEGASYS equipment and $10,000 toward upgrades. The funds all go to the city of Enid general fund and are spent as the commission determines.
Kennedy said the franchise fee will be $600,000 per year, plus other costs, for the next 10 years, or more than $6 million to the city in franchise fees. He recommended the contract be approved.
Ratification is set for discussion at the first meeting in June.
In other business, Tom Nicholas was appointed to the Enid Police Civil Service Commission. Nicholas was among a number of people who applied. Those attending the study session were questioned by Mayor John Criner about the position.