The second time may be the charm for the appointment of a human resources director in the city of Dunkirk.

On today’s agenda is Resolution 20 of 2018, which if approved, would appoint David Campola of Fredonia to the full-time position at a salary of $60,000 per year.

In September of 2016, Mayor Willie Rosas attempted create the position and hire Vicki Westling, who now works as an administrative assistant for the mayor and personnel department. A majority of council members could not agree and the matter was put on the back burner until Rosas brought it to the forefront once again last October.

“The current system is inefficient. Since I came into office, I realized a human resources position was missing. The personnel director is good at what he does, benefits disbursements, but he is not a human resources director, which we desperately need. That’s a problem. We’re the only municipality I know of without an HR department,” he said at the time.

Several members of the public spoke against the creation of a position, prompting council to table Resolution 96 of 2017 to create the position in the city charter. After about a month of debate, the resolution was passed 3-2.

Rosas promised an extensive search to find the right person for the job. According to Camola’s LinkedIn account, he has worked as the director of human resources at ECR International since 1999. The Common Council will also vote on Resolution 21 to increase parking fines from $6 to $10 for meter violations, $10 to $20 for overnight and all other prohibited parking violations. Alternate parking and handicapped parking violations would remain at $20 and $50, respectively. A public hearing will be needed before a vote.

In addition, Resolution 22 for a change order for a hydraulic bulkhead gate at the sewer plant for $149,500, Resolution 23 for budget line modifications in the police budget, Resolution 24 to close certain capital projects and budget line modifications and Resolution 25 passing a local law establishing responsible bidder requirements will be voted on.

Communications include a thank you from Pitching for Paws Founder Samantha Vacanti use of the softball fields during the inaugural fundraiser tournament, a request from Lakeshore Humane Society for the use of Koch’s Pavilion for the Pat McGee Memorial Dog Walk on June 16, a request from the WNY Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association for use of the large pavilion and Point Gratiot for the Walk to End Alzheimer’s on Sept. 29, a request from the Lake Shore Street Rod Association to use Koch’s, the large and lower pavilions and the parking lot at Point Gratiot for the annual Harbor Cruise on July 8, a notice of petition and verified petition from Level 3 Communications LLC on assessment and collection of property taxes and a notification of a dangerous tree in Point Gratiot from David Kleparek.

Loudspeaker permits were submitted by Israel Navarro for the large pavilion at Point Gratiot on June 23, Phyllis Crockett on behalf of Fredonia Class of 1968 for the large pavilion of Point Gratiot on Aug. 3, Minnie DeBose on behalf of Apostolic House of Prayer for the large pavilion at Point Gratiot on July 28 and Keith Ossman on behalf of Lake Shore Street Rods Association for a live band and DJ at Point Gratiot on July 8.

Council will hold a workshop at 5 p.m. in the mayor’s conference room, followed by the meeting at 5:30 p.m. in the court room.