PARKERSBURG - City council got a bit of sales pitch Tuesday night and some members weren't buying.

Members of the Finance Committee, in addition to the other four members of council, got a sales pitch from local officials and a representative of the Buxton Co. to commit $50,000 for a market-retail study.

City council is being asked to approve the money for a retail market study.

Bowie Hogg, territory business manager for Buxton, gave a 25-minute presentation outlining the work.

The five-member committee unanimously voted to forward the proposal onto council for consideration, but not before attempting to table the matter for two weeks. Council member Mike Reynolds made the motion to table the matter, citing a need to digest the information.

"I have a lot of questions," he said.

The 60-day study will cost $70,000. The city is being asked to spend $60,000, with $10,000 coming from the Wood County Economic Development Authority. Ten thousand dollars of the city's portion will come from CDBG funds.

The money, which Mayor Bob Newell is seeking to take from the capital reserve fund, would provide a marketing package to target retailers.

Hogg told council members the study would look at three sites in the area: the southside, Fort Boreman and W.Va. 14.

The study will produce detailed data (such as drive time areas, household profiles and retail leakage and surplus analysis) that Hogg said is crucial to prospective retailers considering expansion.

Council member Sharyn Tallman asked why officials were looking at Buxton. She questioned Wood County Economic Development Authority President Keith Burdette.

"Isn't that your job?" she asked.

"We have never focused on retail before," Burdette said. "It has always been on industrial development. We have committed a third of what the city gives us to this project because it gives us info we couldn't possibly have, and even if had the info we couldn't overlay with retailers."

"Buxton is a nationally recognized company," Newell added. "They are the only ones who can do what we are asking to be done. Companies could care less about Parkersburg, West Virginia. They want to know if they can make a profit in Parkersburg, West Virginia."

Newell implored committee members to moved forward on the matter and send it onto council for consideration.

He said all council members would have a chance to review the proposal. And if there were questions or council needed additional time the matter could be delayed.

"I know of no better time the city has been in the position to pursue retail and in a position to create jobs," he said.

The motion to table the matter failed with only Reynolds and Brad Kimes voting to postpone it. When Jim Reed made the motion to forward the matter onto the full council, it was unanimously approved.

Following the hour-long committee meeting, council members had a short regular meeting.

Newell withdrew Courtney Albourne from consideration as a nominee to the Municipal Planning Commission. Council member Sharon Lynch said she has made numerous unsuccessful attempts to contact Albourne.

Council unanimously approved the appointment of Kim Wilson to the Municipal Planning Commission as well as members of the Bicentennial Commission.

John Lutz, Abby Hayhurst, Cecil Childress, David Newell, Jess Mancini, Roger Sheppard, Jay Jones, Jim Fox, Felice Jorgeson and Susan Bayles were confirmed by council. Tallman will serve on the commission as the council representative.