Commissioner: We need retail businesses

A company hired to recruit business to Clovis is bringing in three new retail stores and two new restaurants, its spokesman told city commissioners on Thursday.

Commissioner Helen Casaus is not impressed.

Madison Neal of Retail Strategies of Birmingham, Ala., told commissioners two new businesses are expected to open this year, while three more will open in 2025.

Neal did not name the businesses but told commissioners

Retail Strategies has engaged with 152 prospects about locating to Clovis. Among those, 110 gave feedback, 80 had potential interest and 30 had no interest, he said.

“Multiple prospects have interest in locating to Clovis but no franchisees to follow through,” Neal said.

Casaus said in the meeting, “I am disappointed in Retail Strategies. What we need here is retail businesses.”

After the meeting, she expressed stronger criticism.

“I don’t see for the past four years that (Retail Strategies) has done anything for Clovis,” Casaus told The News.

She said the city doesn’t need any more restaurants.

“What we need are retail stores where you can buy clothes. A lot of people are complaining that we need retail. For a city this size we should have more retail,” Casaus said.

Neal told commissioners in his presentation that his firm brought Popeyes, HTeaO and Big R to Clovis. Casaus said that credit goes elsewhere.

“Chase Gentry (former economic development director) and Raymond Mondragon (Chamber of Commerce representative) had been talking to Popeyes and HTeaO way before the city contracted with Retail Strategies. And I’m pretty sure the mall developer brought in Big R,” Casaus said.

The city has been working with Retail Strategies for four years.

City Manager Justin Howalt said the city pays the consulting firm $40,000 per year.

Also in Thursday’s meeting:

Commissioners heard from Jackie Fishman of Consensus Planning of Albuquerque regarding a master plan for Ned Houk Park.

The state provided about $80,000 for the master plan work with a $40,000 match of city funds.

Fishman described proposed improvements, trail building, fencing options, signage and more, including the presentation of 18 kinds of drought-tolerant trees that would do well at the park north of Clovis.

The Ned Houk master plan was recommended for approval by the Parks, Recreation & Beautification Committee at its meeting in June.

“This is a dream plan, we have no funding for this,” Commissioner Megan Palla said.

Mayor Mike Morris opened Thursday’s meeting with a tribute to Hank Baskett Jr., a longtime civic leader and director of Oasis Children’s Advocacy Center who died July 5 at age 80.

In other business, commissioners:

• Renewed the professional services agreement between the city and Clovis MainStreet.

• Approved the renewal of a services contract with the Harmon, Barnett & Morris law firm for city services from attorney Jared Morris.

• Chose Mayor Morris as delegate, Mayor pro tem Chris Bryant as an alternate to represent Clovis at the upcoming New Mexico Municipal League annual business meeting to be held in Clovis Aug. 13-16.

• Approved Parks & Recreation Director Russell Hooper applying for a New Mexico Forestry Division urban and community forestry assistance governmental grant.

• Voted to go ahead with introducing changes to city Animal Code involving dangerous dogs, microchipping and tethering.

Commissioners discussed the wording of the tethering section at length.

• Quarterly distinguished city employee awards went to Hillcrest Park Zoo supervisor Stephanie Chavez and zoo line employee Jack Merchant.

• Clovis Fire Department Chief Mike Nolen gave a report on CFD helping battle the Ruidoso fires last month. Nolen said Clovis sent 23 personnel, two engines, one ambulance and one command unit. He said Clovis residents who have homes in Ruidoso allowed CFD personnel to stay there while they battled the fires.