Houston is set to undergo a significant change in the management of its public works, with the City Council poised to review a proposal that would eliminate the requirement for the Public Works Director to hold a licensed engineering degree. If approved, this would open the door for Randall Macchi, currently the Chief Operating Officer for Houston Public Works and a lawyer by trade, to assume the full title—as he has already been sharing the role of interim public works director.
This proposed change has prompted the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) to express their concerns. In a letter sent to Mayor Whitmire, as reported by the Houston Chronicle, the ASCE warns that diluting the engineering requirement could have repercussions on safety, public health, and welfare. Feniosky Peña-Mora, president of ASCE, emphasized the importance of having a licensed engineer in the leadership role, one who oversees "the planning, design, construction, and maintenance of engineered public infrastructure systems."
As the discussion progresses, various industry voices have shared their perspectives in the public forum. The CEO of the American Public Works Association has reminded us that cities across America operate differently, citing Houston’s unique challenges with storms, flooding, and the essential services provided by the public works during emergencies like COVID-19, as highlighted in a piece by ABC13.
In response to the concerns raised, Chris Newport, Chief of Staff for the Mayor’s office, stated in an email that the city engineer will be responsible for approving engineering-related decisions. Despite this, some professionals in the field continue to express concerns. David Hagy of the Houston chapter of the American Council of Engineering Companies suggested maintaining the current requirement or enhancing the role of the city engineer to ensure compliance if the director is not a licensed engineer.
Houston's City Council will discuss a potential ordinance change at their meeting today. The decision could affect not only the Public Works Department but also raise broader questions about the role of professional expertise in managing the city's infrastructure.
