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PORT OF THE <br /> COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORDS AND MASS TRANSIT <br /> DATE: January 5, 2021 Re: Comm. No. 38 <br /> PLACE: Council Chambers <br /> Hilo, Hawaii <br /> TIME: 9:55 a.m. <br /> Council Chair and Members <br /> Hawaii County Council <br /> Hilo, Hawaii 96720 <br /> Your Committee on Public Works and Mass Transit, to which was referred Communication No. 38, <br /> reports as follows: <br /> Communication No. 38, dated December 8, 2020 and submitted by Mayor Mitchell D. Roth, nominates <br /> Steven L "Ikaika"Rodenhurst as director of the Department of Public Works, pursuant to Section 6-2.2 <br /> of the County Charter. The appointment became effective at noon on December 7, 2020, and if <br /> confirmed will be co-terminous with the Mayor, expiring at noon on December 2, 2024. <br /> i <br /> County Charter Article VI, Chapter 2, Section 6-2.2 establishes the qualifications for the Director of a <br /> Public Works: <br /> "The director of public works shall be appointed by the mayor, confirmed by the council and <br /> may be removed by the mayor. The director shall be a registered professional engineer. The <br /> director shall have had a minimum of five years of experience in an administrative <br /> capacity." (Emphasis added.) <br /> Your Committee, having made extensive inquiries into Mr. Rodenhurst's record, and having heard <br /> representations from Mayor Roth, Human Resources Director William V. Brilhante Jr., and former <br /> Deputy Chief Engineer Riley Smith, is satisfied that the applicant meets the qualifications of the <br /> Charter. <br /> Mayor Roth in the course of his opening remarks stated that Mr. Rodenhurst possesses an engineering <br /> license and nine years of administrative experience, satisfying both of the Charter requirements. <br /> Mr. Rodenhurst takes an active role in his community and treats people with dignity and respect, he said. <br /> Mayor Roth has discussed with Mr. Rodenhurst the need to change and fix the building permit process. <br /> The Mayor stated his belief that his administration should help people thrive and succeed, and this <br /> nomination is a step toward that. He saw no issues in meeting the requirements of the Charter, and said <br /> Mr. Rodenhurst's experience, as reviewed by the Mayor, Mr. Smith in his role as a member of the <br /> selection review committee, and Director Brilhante, far exceeds what is needed. <br /> Mayor Roth asked Director Brilhante to speak about the nominee's qualifications. Director Brilhante <br /> said he was asked to vet a few of the Mayor's appointments to meet minimum qualifications as stated in <br /> the Charter. While typically the Mayor makes the appointment and the Council does the vetting, <br /> PWMTC Report No.: 1 <br />