Wesley Chapel council hires David Rosella as park technician

The Wesley Chapel council voted on Aug. 4 to accept a recommendation to hire David Rosella as the village park technician, the council confirmed during a brief special meeting.

Council member John Leki introduced Rosella to the council and said Rosella had volunteered with the park for years, helping build trails and leading children's events. "He meets all the requirements of the job," Leki said, recommending Rosella for the position.

Rosella told the council he was recently retired and said his official retirement date is Aug. 31. "I've had a desk job for the last 30 years. A little labor won't hurt me," Rosella said. He confirmed he has worked with current park volunteers and staff for decades and that he is comfortable with the job duties.

Council members asked whether Rosella could work the posted schedule and accept the offered pay. Rosella confirmed he could work 19 hours per week at $20 per hour, saying, "Absolutely. It's not the money line." Administrative staff reminded Rosella about onboarding paperwork; council members said the village will collect a W-9 and other required forms and that time sheets must be submitted on time.

The council moved to "accept John Leki's recommendation for [the] park technician"; the motion was seconded and approved with "all in favor" recorded. The transcript does not record individual roll-call votes. After the vote the council moved to adjourn and closed the special meeting.

Rosella said he lives in Silver Creek and confirmed that he resides in Wesley Chapel. Council members briefly acknowledged that hiring a local resident was not intended to influence any future election. The council did not attach additional conditions to the appointment in the recorded discussion.

Next steps: the village will complete routine onboarding paperwork for Rosella and incorporate him into the park staff schedule. The council took no other formal actions during the special meeting.