HomeMy WebLinkAboutComm No 0043.59 - Testimony - CA-26 - Qualifications for the Director DPWFrom: Rob Saterlie <rob.saterlie@epinc.pro>
Sent: Tuesday, June 11, 2019 7:39 AM
To: Charter Commission
Subject: County of Hawaii Charter Amendment - PE requirement
Charter Commission,
I oppose CA -26, the proposal to amend Section 6-2.2 relating to Qualifications for the Director of the Department of
Public Works. It is vital that the Director's qualifications continue to include the requirement to be a "registered
professional engineer", more accurately, a "licensed professional engineer (P.E.)" because:
1. The Director frequently makes engineering decisions as part of their duties and responsibilities, in fact has the
power to over -rule engineering decisions made by his or her subordinates; many of these decisions potentially
affect the safety, health, and well-being of the public;
2. The adverse risks of an unlicensed engineer, or a non -engineer, over -ruling the engineering judgement of local
DPW engineering staffs, have been well-documented by the National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE),
and is an unacceptable risk for Hawaii County;
3. Licensed P.E.'s are bound by the NSPE Code of Ethics for Engineers, which first cannon states that "Engineers, in
the fulfillment of their fundamental duties, shall hold paramount the safety, health, and welfare of the public".
4. The very concept of engineering licensure was developed over a century ago after a series of engineering
disasters causing much damage and fatalities occurred, due to inexperienced persons making critical
engineering decisions. Degrading the nationwide system of licensed engineers in charge of matters of vital
engineering decisions goes against the need to "hold paramount" the safety of the public.
Thank you,
Robert Saterlie I Designer
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Comm. No. 43.59