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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0810.011 2020-2022 P/ ncl� ill liq �t. l r%on 11 P 42 LO C"� A L C= { -- -4, S T A B I L I Z A T 1 0 N , July 5, 2022 ;- Hawaii County Council Honorable Maile Davis, Chair - Honorable Aaron Chung, Vice Chair Honorable Members of the Hawaii County Council RE: IN SUPPORT OF THE INTENT OF BILL 174 WHICH INITIATES AN AMENDMENT TO ARTICLE VI OF THE HAWAII COUNTY CHARTER(2020 EDITION), BY ADDING A NEW CHAPTER TO ESTABLISH A DEPARTMENT OF BUILDING. Aloha Chair Davis and members of the council, My name is Wayne Perrin Jr., and I am the Big Island Representative for Hawaii Operating Engineers Industry Stabilization Fund (HOEISF). We are a labor management fund representing 3000 unionized members in heavy engineering site work and 500 general contractors specializing in heavy site and vertical construction. HOEISF supports the intent of Bill 174, which will create a Department of Building to manage the duties and functions currently performed by the Building Division within the Department of Public Works. The vast responsibilities of the Department of Public Works (DPW)are massive and complex with six sections—Administration, Automotive, Building, Engineering, Highways, and Traffic. Regarding the construction industry, the permitting and inspections processes are key to ensuring projects move forward in an efficient and timely manner. Unfortunately,this has not been the case with extensive permitting backlogs and issues with the county's EPIC system. Having a new department that is squarely focused on facilitating building permits and inspections, could help with the permitting and inspections backlog. There are still many questions and concerns that need to be vetted out and addressed by the administration regarding implementation, and feedback from industry stakeholders. We look forward to seeing Bill 174 continue in the process and seeing how it can be developed to support the council, administration, industry stakeholders and the citizens of Hawaii County. Thank you for the opportunity to submit testimony in support of the intent of Bill 174. Mahalo, Wayne Perrin,Jr. Big Island Representative Hawaii Operating Engineers Industry Stabilization Fund Comm. No. M • �� ef. o•• Ref. e 022