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GOEAC-53 Page 2 July 8, 2025 <br />not be venturing into new territory based on the example of Maui and Kauai. Member <br />Kierkiewicz stated that managerial experience and the ability to motivate people to get the job <br />done is most important. <br />Committee Member Michelle Galimba said she was on the Charter Commission when this was <br />brought forth in that setting and was in support until the most recent past DPW Director Hugh <br />Ono came forward in opposition and helped change her mind. She said that she was compelled by <br />the testimony that having subordinates having higher qualifications than the director may cause <br />concerns when the director needs to override decisions and wanted to know how that would be <br />addressed. She wanted to hear the potential amendment by engineers that might be able to address <br />this concern. <br />Committee Member Dennis Onishi asked Mr. Brilhante if they had 30 days to fill this position. <br />Mr. Brilhante said they had 60 days based on the recent charter amendment. Member Onishi said <br />that the previous administration did not have that restriction. Member Onishi asked why the <br />charter amendment was added prior to that to have a qualified professional engineer. <br />Mr. Brilhante said he is not familiar with why that happened but is willing to get that information. <br />He then asked if Division Chiefs were required to have a professional engineering license. <br />Mr. Brilhante said that he thought that the Engineering Division head was required to have a <br />professional engineering license. <br />Corporation Counsel Renee Schoen stated she was not familiar with the minimum qualifications <br />required for those positions. Member Onishi then mused that if the Director doesn't have to be <br />licensed, then maybe the Engineering Chief also doesn't have to be licensed. Mr. Brilhante said <br />that the rationale is that that Engineering Division does need higher license and certification due <br />to their job description and duties. Member Onishi suggested that the Engineering Chief will have <br />to stamp certain documents that previously could be stamped by the Director of DPW and wants <br />to understand who would be responsible for that. Ms. Schoen said she doesn't think that this <br />occurs. Member Onishi said that in the past the Deputy Director couldn't sign off on certain <br />specific documents because they didn't have the proper qualifications in the absence of the <br />Director. Member Onishi asked if a licensed engineer is needed at the top, then why would one be <br />needed elsewhere in the Department? Mr. Brilhante said that these are questions that Human <br />Resources would be best to address regarding minimum requirements for various positions. <br />Mr. Brilhante said that there is additional language being proposed but he doesn't have it <br />currently. <br />Committee Member Matt Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder stated that he agrees with Member Kierkiewicz, <br />that he supported it then and he supports now. Member Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder believes that it's a <br />managerial position, which is not necessary to have an engineering degree. He also recommended <br />that the decision be left up to the voters. <br />Committee Member Rebecca Villegas said that while it is easy for professional engineers to say, <br />yes, you need to have this requirement, none of those qualified want to do the job. Member <br />Villegas stated that perhaps the Department has become too large and might benefit from being <br />split into two different Departments. She has witnessed multiple different mayors struggle with <br />GOEAC Report No. 53 <br />