LIQUOR COMMITTEE MEETING April 20, 2015 A regular meeting of the Liquor Committee was held on April 20, 2015 at 6:15 P.M. in the City Council Chambers of City Hall with the following persons in attendance: Liquor Committee members Dave Cushman, Fred Bern and Donnie Schoenrock, Liquor Store Manager Greg Zurbey, City Administrator Jennifer Bromeland and Recording Secretary Dave Maschoff. (A quorum of the Liquor Committee was present.) UPDATED LIQUOR STORE DESIGN AND BUDGET Bromeland explained the proposed new liquor store design was discussed at the Finance Committee meeting. She said it was the consensus of the Finance Committee to wait and see what the budget figures are in another year before moving forward with construction. Bromeland asked what Zurbey’s thoughts were. Zurbey noted the City’s Financial Consultant, Shannon Sweeney, had said he would feel comfortable with the project if the margins would remain stable for six months and would support it. Zurbey noted the City is past the period of obtaining bids and contracts for a project this summer. He said Cushman brought up a good point of the City taking it’s time and doing it right. Zurbey said as long as the numbers keep improving and progressing, he’s comfortable with that. He said maybe in a couple months, the issue could be revisited and possibly fall bids could be sought. Schoenrock noted that there may be additional costs for construction over the winter because of the need to have heat to thaw out the ground and provide heat in the building. He suggested maybe seeking bids in October or November for construction in the spring. Zurbey said he would be comfortable with that because he would not want to move the liquor store into a new facility during the holidays. Schoenrock said bids could be sought to determine what a fall/winter construction cost would be. Zurbey noted the “shell” of the building could be erected in the fall with the interior work completed during the winter. He said January and February are usually slower months for sales at the liquor store. 1Zurbey said he would be comfortable with either option of building in the winter or in the spring. Bern noted the extra time before moving forward will also give Sweeney additional information to determine where the liquor store figures are trending. LEAD LIQUOR STORE CLERK POSITION Bromeland provided information to the Liquor Committee members of a proposed position description for a Lead Liquor Store Clerk to replace what used to be the Assistant Liquor Store Manager's position. She said the Lead Liquor Store Clerk job description was written by the City’s consultant who is completing the Compensation and Classification Study. Since the study isn’t finished yet, the position is classified at A12, using the current system in place. Bromeland provided information on the pay range for the position. The starting hourly wage would likely be $12.52 to $13.15 per hour, depending upon experience and qualifications. She said the interview process would be conducted by the Liquor Store Manager and City Administrator, with a recommendation to be made to the City Council to hire. Zurbey explained that turn-over has been high at the liquor store. He said he doesn’t think it’s due to the job, but that the jobs at the liquor store are part-time and those that have left have accepted full-time positions elsewhere. Zurbey said he would like to hire somebody for the lead liquor store clerk position by summer. He said it would be helpful if someone could be hired before the beginning of July in order to get some training completed before the liquor store has its busy season. Zurbey said he would like to take personal time off or have the ability to attend conferences if the position can be filled. It was the consensus of the Liquor Committee to recommend to the City Council that the City advertise for a full-time Lead Liquor Store Clerk. LIQUOR STORE MANAGER REPORT Zurbey explained the monthly report to the Committee was different than in the past due to a request made last month by Committee member Bern. He said a consultant has been hired on a small contract to be able to provide additional information for the monthly reports. Zurbey said the “look” of the reports may change it the future. In addition to showing sales and other information for 2015, it also shows the figures from 2014 to use for comparison. 2Zurbey reported the liquor store’s numbers are good. He said the store’s gross profit is still really good. Zurbey said there has been some turnover in staff, but there have also been some good hires that are working out well. He said March was a successful month. Zurbey said profits, sales and gross profits were all up. With no further business, the meeting was adjourned. David A. Maschoff, ee Secretary