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Lindstrom hires interim liquor‑store manager, approves consultant to revamp operations
Summary
Council appointed Scott Rickoff as a six‑month interim manager for the Lindstrom liquor store at $34.12/hour and approved a six‑month consulting agreement with Holman Consulting (Gina Holman) to oversee merchandising, inventory and marketing work aimed at returning the store to profitability.
The Lindstrom City Council on March 19 approved a six‑month interim appointment for the city’s municipal liquor store and authorized a consulting contract aimed at turning around store operations.
Staff (S5) told the council the interim appointment follows the resignation of manager Matt Olsen and that a hiring committee interviewed candidates and a consultant. “We’re recommending that the city appoint Scott Rickoff as interim liquor store manager,” S5 said, adding that the position would be hired as a city employee for six months at Step 1 pay, $34.12 an hour, and that Scott would be eligible to apply for the permanent position when it is advertised.
Staff also recommended contracting Holman Consulting Services and consultant Gina Holman for strategic guidance through Sept. 30. S5 described Holman as having municipal liquor‑store experience and as able to provide product selection, pricing and marketing guidance and to serve on the future hiring committee.
Council members asked several operational questions before voting. Staff said the interim manager would be full‑time (40 hours per week) and eligible for prorated benefits if selected; a physical inventory and section‑by‑section product counts were planned as an early task for the interim and consultant team. Council members sought clarification about the budget: a council member observed the combined six‑month package was “about a $78,000 investment” and staff said the net cost increases would be modest and partly offset if the store returned to profitability.
After discussion, council moved and seconded motions to approve the consulting agreement and to hire Rickoff; both motions passed on voice votes. “Motion carries,” the chair recorded.
Next steps: The interim manager and consultant will start operational work and inventory counts; staff will report back on early performance measures and the process/timeline for hiring the permanent manager.
