TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
FROM: Tom Kisela, City Manager
1. Subject
title
Agreement with NaviRetail, Inc. for retail development services.
body
2. Summary
Agreement with NaviRetail, Inc. for assistance with business attraction efforts.
3. Recommended Action
recommendation
1. Approve the agreement with NaviRetail, Inc. in the amount of $50,000 for retail development services; and authorize the Mayor and City Clerk to execute on behalf of the City.
2. Authorize the following budget transfer:
From: 952.9810.56020.20247 NW & SW Merged 2003 Taxable Bonds SAORA Capital $50,000
To: 952.9810.51670.00000 NW & SW Merged 2003 Taxable Bonds Other Professional and Consulting Services $50,000
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4. Fiscal Impact
The estimated expenditure for this agreement is $50,000 and will be funded through:
952.9810.51670.00000 NW & SW Merged 2003 Taxable Bonds
Other Professional and Consulting Services $50,000
5. Strategic Plan Goals
Goal 2: Be a fiscally healthy community
b: Analyze future fiscal needs and potential revenue opportunities.
6. Discussion and Background
Business attraction is an important component of the City’s Economic Development Strategy. Business attraction efforts focus on building relationships with property owners, brokers, leasing agents, retailers, and developers to fill vacant commercial properties with new businesses that meet community needs. Efforts also include attending economic development conferences and conventions, marketing Orange as an attractive place to do business, and staying abreast of changes in the retail sector.
The proposed agreement with NaviRetail, Inc. (NaviRetail) would augment limited staff resources with professional services from a firm that is dedicated to retail development and business attraction efforts. The agreement would be for one year and include the following services:
• Data gathering and collection
• Market analysis and mobility assessment
• Summary of market findings
• Community forum and recruitment workshop
• Retailer matching and targeting strategies
• Site matching and inventory assessment
• Business recruitment and retention efforts
City staff would work with NaviRetail to identify key vacant properties in the City and then implement a plan to attract targeted retailers to fill the vacant properties with desirable businesses.
City staff met with multiple retail development firms and are recommending NaviRetail based on their experience in working with municipalities as well as their strong relationships with retailers.
7. ATTACHMENT
• Agreement with NaviRetail, Inc.