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CA -26: Proposed Amendment to Section 6-2.2 - Relating to Qualifications for the <br />Director of Public Works; Submitted by Commission Adams. <br />Further, the appointment of a licensed engineer to the Director <br />position conforms to the professional licensure rules of the State of <br />Hawaii as stated in HAR Chapter 115, and meets the requirement to <br />preserve the responsibility of this position to protect the SAFETY, <br />HEALTH AND WELL BEING of the citizens of the County of Hawaii. <br />The following provides facts as to why the P.E. Requirement should <br />not be removed from the Hawaii County Charter. <br />❖ The DPW Director, without doubt and as part of their major <br />duties, makes engineering decisions. These decisions, which are <br />made frequently in the course of their duties, significantly and <br />directly affect the safety, welfare, and health of our County's <br />Citizens. <br />❖ The Director has the final say within the Department even if it <br />goes against the advice and recommendations of his licensed <br />professional engineering staff & procured licensed engineering <br />consultants. It is vital therefore, that professional engineers not <br />be placed in the position of possibly being over -ruled on their <br />engineering judgement by a Director who does not possess a P.E. <br />license, indeed may not even possess an engineering degree <br />from an accredited school. <br />❖ Among the practice areas in which the Director's decisions are <br />frequently made include: <br />o Drainage & Flooding <br />o Traffic Safety and Engineering <br />o Geotechnical or Ground Foundations and Slope Stability <br />o Road and Highway Design Criteria <br />o Environmental Engineering and Controls <br />o Structural Engineering <br />o Building Code, Design, and Permitting Requirements <br />o Electrical, Mechanical Engineering Requirements <br />o Construction Practices, Techniques and Project <br />Management. <br />❖ The first fundamental canon of the Code of Ethics of the National <br />Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE) states: "Engineers, in <br />the fulfillment of their fundamental duties, shall hold paramount <br />