HomeMy WebLinkAboutComm No 0043.25 - Testimony - CA-26 - Qualifications for the Director DPWLaniFiau Properties, LLC
(PO. (Boz 9032
Kaitua-zona, .ItI 96745
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�mait rsmith@tanihau.net
June 4, 2019
Douglas Adams, Chair
County of Hawaii Charter Commission
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
Via email and video conference; charter.commission(c�hawaiicounty.gov
Re: Testimony in Opposition to CA- 26
Requirement for Professional Engineer Licensure, DPW Director
and Chief Engineer
Chair Adams and Members of the Charter Commission. My name is Riley W.
Smith, P.E. I am a resident of the District of South Kohala and work in Kailua-
Kona. I am testifying in opposition to CA -26.
I have been and currently still am a licensed professional engineer, civil
designation and have been licensed in the State of Hawaii since 1980. I was
also the Deputy Director at the Department of Public Works, from 1993 to
1995. When I accepted the responsibility of that position, I regularly made
decisions that impacted the welfare of all residents of Hawaii island. This
included adoption of more stringent building codes, revisions to the drainage
ordinance, as well as establishing sound rationale to set speed limits,
operation of traffic signals and general highway safety.
Currently, the Department of Public Works is responsible for six divisions:
Administration, Automotive, Building, Engineering, Highway Maintenance and
Traffic. These divisions are responsible for the health and welfare of our
citizens. If you live or work in a building, if you are concerned that the building
you are in won't flood during a storm, or if you drive a vehicle on a County
roadway, you clearly want to be sure that the person in charge of this
infrastructure is qualified for the job. The Director and Chief Engineer must
currently possess a professional engineer's license. This license certifies that
he/she has been properly trained, so that your safety and that of your family, is
not compromised.
This person is responsible to supervise other positions that must also be
licensed (Building Division Chief, Engineering Division Chief) and should also
possess similar licensure, as the person being supervised. Otherwise, they
may not clearly understand the health and safety issues that are at stake,
when making important decisions that impact all of us.
Comm. No. 43.25
As a licensed professional engineer, the Director and Chief Engineer is
personally liable for decisions made and liability assumed, when making
decisions as a licensed engineer. A person with only a bachelor's degree, will
not have the same level of liability concern nor personal responsibility, as
someone who is licensed. The consequences of being licensed and making
an error in judgment are much more severe for the licensed professional.
For the above reasons, I ask that you not approve this item to be included on
the upcoming election ballot.
Very truly yours,
Riley W. Smith, P.E.
President/Chief Executive Officer
Cc: Bill Bergin, DVM
Michelle Galimba
Bobby Jean Leithead Todd
Chris Roehrig, Esq.
Marcie Saquing