5.9. SR 01-11-1999
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Item 5.9. a&b
MEMORANDUM
TO:
FROM:
Mayor & City Council
Pat Klaers, City A~rator
January 11, 1999 ~
DATE:
SUBJECT: Human Resource Issues
Environmental and Code Enforcement Officer
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Attached for your information is a memo from Building and Zoning
Administrator Steve Rohlf regarding the status of Environmental and Code
Enforcement Officer Laurie Mezera-Kerr. Steve is recommending, for a
variety of reasons, that we have Laurie begin work on a part time basis
versus her current full time status. The one concern that Steve still has to
address is code enforcement issues and this is mostly a summer work
program.
If the City Council has any concerns with Laurie going part time I need to
hear these concerns on Monday the 11th, otherwise Laurie will begin working
part time on Tuesday, January 12, 1999.
Liauor Store Manager
Attached for your information is the resignation letter from Fritz Dolejs as
the liquor store manager. Fritz has been with the city for 14 years and is
planning to retire at the end of January 1999. He will be missed by many of
us at City Hall.
I would like approval from the City Council to advertise for the liquor store
manager vacancy. Advertisements would go into the League of Minnesota
Cities Legislative Bulletin magazine, the Sunday Star Tribune newspaper,
the Municipal Liquor Store magazine, and the private liquor industry
monthly magazine (I am not sure of the magazine's title). How long the city
will receive applications depends on the timing of the publication of the
municipal and private liquor industry magazines. The department head
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13065 Orono Parkway · P.O. Box 490 · Elk River, MN 55330. TDD & Phone: (612) 441-7420 . Fax: (612) 441-7425
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selection process is usually at least three months and I don't think that we
can have a new manager on board until at least sometime in April.
At this time I would also like Council approval to interview existing liquor
store employees that are qualified to be the acting liquor store manager until
the selection process has been completed. Current Assistant Liquor Store
Manager Mike Donais has expressed no interest in the position or in being
the acting liquor store manager.
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On the other hand, the two full time clerks, Brent Behrns and Steve
Tillmann have both expressed interest in the acting liquor store manager
position and in the liquor store manager's position. Both of these employees
have been attending relevant worksessions and seminars on liquor store
management and have been "shadowing" Fritz for the past few months in
anticipation of his retirement. I would like Council approval to have Lori
and I interview at least Brent and Steve and make a recommendation to the
City Council next Monday on the best candidate to be the acting liquor store
manager. Whichever candidate becomes acting liquor store manager should
also then be eligible to be considered for the liquor store manager position.
Whoever is selected as acting liquor store manager technically would not
meet the minimum requirements as listed in the manager's job description,
but I believe the Council should waive those minimum requirements for the
top internal candidate and that the acting manager should have a legitimate
shot at the manager's position. Attached for your information is the liquor
store manager's job description.
From the time when Fritz retires at the end of the month, until we select a
new manager and have that person begin work, I would like to retain Fritz's
services on a consulting basis. I am not sure of any of the details of such a
consulting relationship, but I would like to pursue it and get some
recommendation to the Council by the end of January.
It is recommended that:
. The City Council approve the advertisement of the liquor store
manager's position
. The City Council approve the interviewing and selection of an
acting liquor store manager
. The City Council approve pursuing retaining Fritz's services on a
short term basis as a consultant.
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Memorandum
TO: PAT KLAERS
FROM:
STEPHEN ROHLF, BUILDING
& ZONING ADMINISTRATOR
JANUARY 4, 1999 S (L
DATE:
SUBJECT: ENVIRONMENTAL AND
ZONING CODE
ENFORCEMENT OFFICER
POSITION
As you are aware, Laurie Mezera-Kerr, is the city's current Environmental and Zoning
Code Enforcement Officer. Ms. Mezera-Kerr has accepted a position as the Livonia
Township Clerk. At first she thought that the part time nature of being the Township
Clerk would allow her to keep her position with the City of Elk River. However, the two
jobs combined with having small children is proving to be too time consuming for her.
.
Ms. Mezera-Kerr's duties with the city include:
. the city's refuse collection franchise
. recycling coordinator
. Energy City tours
. aiding the Economic Development Coordinator
. nuisance complaints
Laurie is a valued member of the Building and Zoning Department, but one way or the
other, the Department will not be able to retain her in a full time position. Instead of
loosing her all together, I propose to allow her to work part time. Working an average of
20 hours per week, Laurie would continue her duties with refuse collection, recycling and
Energy City tours. The hiring of an assistant to the Economic Development Coordinator
should resolve staffing needs in that department currently covered by Ms. Mezera-Kerr.
This leaves only nuisance complaints of Laurie's current duties that needs to be
addressed.
There is historically a great deal of turnover in the position that deals with nuisance
complaints. Laurie is in the process of surveying other communities to see who handles
these issues and how. Some possible options include:
. Police Department enforcement
. hiring an entry level person to handle nuisance complaints and assume they will
bum out after a year or so
.
\ \elkriver\sys\shrdoc\b&z\stever\camascup.doc
13065 Orono Parkway · P.O. Box 490 · Elk River, MN 55330. TDD & Phone: (612) 441-7420. Fax: (612) 441-7425
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. dividing up the complaint calls by the type of complaint and spreading out the
enforcement among planning, police, building inspectors, and an intern under
Laurie's guidance
There are issues to resolve, like where an additional person would have an office, and
more research of other communities to do before a recommendation can be made on how
to handle nuisance complaints. However, some things regarding this issue are very.clear,
such as it creates a high rate of burn out and stronger enforcement measures are needed.
Stronger enforcement methods that should be considered include:
. Abatement Ordinance - city clean-up and assess violator
. citations as misdemeanors by the Police Department for non-compliance
In summary, I urge you to strongly consider allowing Ms. Mezera-Kerr's position to be
part time. Recycling, refuse collection and Energy City tours can be handled on a part
time bases. Who deals with nuisance complaints can be addressed later when how they
are handled is refined. Ms. Mezera-Kerr has proven herself to be valuable employee with
a positive attitude. In addition, consistency in her major functions is important to the city
and we should try to retain her.
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To:
From:
Date:
Subject:
Pat Klears
Fritz Dolejs
January 4, 1999
My Resignation
I have been working for the City of Elk River as manager of Northbound Uquors since
1984. Over the past fourteen years, I have ran the store with the goal of maximizinQ profits
while minimizing expenses. Through consistent yearly revenue increases, these objectives
have clearly been met.
Though my years with Northbound have been rewarding, I have decided it is time in my life
to spend more time with my family and pursue personal interests that I have not had time
for in the past. Most immediately, my wife and I are planning to spend the remainder of the
winter in Arizona, relaxing, working on our golf game and enjoying the warm weather.
With a four week notice, my last day of employment at Northbound will be January 29,
1999.
I've been fortunate to work with such dedicated individuals at the store, and have
appreciated the professionalism shown to me by City Administration. Thank you for the
opportunity to work for the City of Elk River. Best to you all in the future.
IS; zOJr
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I Approved:
Revised:
City of Elk River Position Analysis
Position: Liquor Store Manager
Department: Liquor
Immediate Supervisor's Title: City Administrator
FLSA Status: Exempt
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Purpose: Manage the retail operations of the city's municipal liquor store.
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Essential Functions
1. Perform administrative activities
A. Establish procedures for and monitor the retail sales and cash handling for liquor
operation.
B. Prepare cash deposit receipts.
C. Secure and monitor inventory, currency and equipment; conduct inventory checks.
D. Check and approve invoices for payments.
E. Maintain daily accounting records.
F. Monitor state liquor law changes.
2. Perform retail operations
A. Plan and direct retail operations.
B. Forecast sales and profit margins.
C. Determine which products and brand names to carry.
D. Conduct price surveys and set prices.
E. Purchase local advertising and perform general marketing.
3. Perform personnel activities
A. Supervise the daily operations of the liquor store including the receiving of
incoming shipments, stocking and storing new inventory, setting up displays of
merchandise.
B. Delegate work and schedule employee work hours.
C. Assess employee performance.
D. Assist in employee selection.
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4.
Perform purchasing activities
A. Evaluate vendor products and services and select appropriate vendors.
B. Select and place ongoing orders with vendors and suppliers.
5. Perform budget activities
A. Compile, prepare, and recommend overall departmental budget.
B. Monitor and control overall departmental expenditures.
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Knowledge of basic accounting and inventory principles.
Knowledge of liquor industry laws, practices and merchandising techniques.
Skill in communicating, both orally and in writing.
Skill in marketing and promoting liquor sales.
Ability to establish and maintain effective work relationships with council, staff, and customers.
Knowledge of markups, profits, overhead, inventory turn's, compition nad merchandise skills.
Ability to operate computer.
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in business, marketing, or related field or an equivelant in experience and
education. Five years experience managing a small or medium size retail operation. Experience
in liquor industry. Three years supervisory experience.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience managing an off sale liquor store.
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