1 David Yakobson
From: Alan Cook <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, September 9, 2025 9:37 AM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Self Certification
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Flagged
EXTERNAL
Good Evening City Council and Constituents of Santa Monica, I would like to open with the statement that there is a place for self certification of specific projects within jurisdictions. It can be properly inspected for code compliance, it can be time saving for all parties, and provide cost saving benefits.
Unfortunately, it can create more time consuming and expensive problems during the actual construction process and it could result in litigation. There are future risks with insurance acquisition and future liability litigation possibilities on the horizon.
Currently the development and construction industry does not have the proper foundation to support self certification processes(insurance vehicles for Engineering, Architecture, Construction,etc). It does not have proper training for Building Officials and inspectors. To few jurisdictions have attempted implementation of the process so there is little solid data that is trustworthy. But it does have a place in our current development environment.
I do not know the how and why Santa Monica City Council it’s considering self certification. I do not know how they are defining and implementing it within the city departments. I do not know enough about the city, its constituents, or its development goals to provide specific helpful insight. I can only state that I oversee a successful self certification program and have modified it to meet the jurisdiction’s needs.
I can only assume the City Council and Staff has done all the homework and turned over every stone before implementing a self certification program. If not, I recommend this item be tabled to continue investigating.
Thank you for your time,
Alan Cook, CBO
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Item 11-B
September 9, 2025
Item 11-B
September 9, 2025