City of Lawrence

Retail Task Force

August 3, 2010 meeting minutes

MEMBERS PRESENT:	Robert Chestnut, Earl Reineman, Allison Vance Moore, Susan Cook, Tom Kern, Mike Gaughan, Leslie Alhert, John Ellena
MEMBERS ABSENT:	Diane Oakes
STAFF PRESENT:	David L. Corliss, City Manager Diane Stoddard, Assistant City Manager Scott McCullough, Planning and Development Services Director Amy Brown Miller, Long-Range Planner Roger Zalneraitis, Economic Development Coordinator/Planner
PUBLIC PRESENT:	Hank Booth

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Call meeting to order:

Commissioner Rob Chestnut called the meeting to order at 4:00 pm on Tuesday August 3, 2010.

Minutes:

The July meeting minutes were approved unanimously.

Buxton Presentation:  Chip Rogers and Joe Brown from Buxton were present to provide information about the services that they provide cities.  Mr. Rogers reported that they provide services that include recruitment of national retailers and also help retain local businesses, depending upon the goal of the community.  Buxton reported that their Community ID product costs $70,000 and in most projects the City takes a lead with these costs.  Regarding the execution of the retail plan, Mr. Rogers indicated that typically one entity takes the lead and it is part of someone’s job description to execute.  He said that there are many people involved in the development of the plan.  He said the timeframe would be 45-60 days to develop a retail strategy.  The typical shelf-life of the information is 4-5 years and refreshing the information after that timeframe costs $10,000.  He indicated that some of the college towns that they work with include Murray, Kentucky; South Bend, Indiana; Clemson, South Carolina; and Bryan/College Station, Texas.  Mr. Rogers answered other various questions from the group. 

There was a discussion regarding the Buxton presentation.  Mr. Gaughan noted that it was important to have an idea of what we wanted in terms of retail, while Mr. Chestnut pointed out that what we wants has to based on what can be done.  It was generally agreed that data would be helpful with planning and incentives.  Mr. Kern said that it could also help answer general questions such as why we don’t have certain retailers in the community.  Mr. Corliss pointed out that the City needed $30 million in sales tax annually and some investment in information that could possibly assist with sales tax collections may be helpful, considering the shelf life of the information. 

Mr. Corliss provided an overview of additional information in the packet.  He briefly covered the retail incubator information and the draft report outline in the packet.  

It was asked what might be other companies that do this work and request of vendors their entire customer list.  It was the consensus of the group that market information would be of value to the community.  It was also suggested that perhaps this should be discussed with neighboring communities. 

The meeting was adjourned at 6:00 p.m.  The next meeting is set for Tuesday, September 7 at 4:00 pm.  The meeting in November was discussed and it was decided to schedule the November meeting on November 9.