For Immediate Release
Date: April 19, 2017
The Mayor and Aldermen of the City of Savannah will be accepting applications for the Boards, Commissions, and Authorities listed below beginning Friday, April 21, 2017 through Friday, May 5, 2017 at 12 p.m. Upon completion of the appointment process by the Mayor and Aldermen of the City of Savannah, all applicants and appointees will be notified.
Applications can be found on the City’s website: www.savannahga.gov/boards. For further information, contact the Office of the Clerk of Council at (912) 651-6442 or clerkofcouncil@savannahga.gov.
CURRENT OPENINGS:
CHATHAM-SAVANNAH AUTHORITY FOR THE HOMELESS. Nineteen (19) members appointed to overlapping four-year (4) terms. Four (4) appointed by City Council to develop and oversee implementation of comprehensive plan for public and private agencies to deal effectively with problems of the homeless in our community. One (1) term available for appointment
CIVIL SERVICE BOARD. Three (3) members appointed to overlapping six-year (6) terms by City Council. Basic function is to hear appeals from disciplinary action against an employee when it is alleged the action is taken for political or religious reasons. The labor Seat should be filled by someone who is not a management-level employee: this person does not have to be member of a labor union. Chatham County resident for at least five (5) years. No term limits. One (1) term available for appointment
CULTURAL AFFAIRS COMMISSION. Eighteen (18) members appointed to three (3) year terms by City Council. Advisory body charged with the responsibility of recommending a comprehensive plan and program for a community cultural arts services program. No more than 2 consecutive, three-year terms. Six (6) terms available for appointment.
ETHICS BOARD. The board will hear and conduct review of complaints filed against elected officials of the City; if such complaints involve impropriety of elected officials and violation of the provisions of the Ethics Ordinance, and if such violations affected the elected official’s ability to carry out his/her official duties. Members shall be known for their personal integrity. The Mayor shall appoint one (1) member; the Aldermen shall appoint one (1) member; together the Mayor and Aldermen shall appoint one (1) member who shall be an attorney in good standing with the State bar. Members must reside in the City and not be an elected official or City employee. Board members shall be prohibited from engaging in City election, political activities, and from making campaign contributions to candidates in City elections during their terms as board members. Members shall serve a four (4) year term. Three (3) terms available for appointment.
GREATER SAVANNAH INTERNATIONAL ALLIANCE. The Greater Savannah International Alliance shall consist of 19 members all of whom shall be approved by vote of the Mayor and Aldermen. The term of office for each member of the Greater Savannah International Alliance shall be three (3) years, and no member shall serve for more than two consecutive, three (3) year terms. The members of the Greater Savannah International Alliance shall be a demographically broad representation of the community and economy in the Savannah Metropolitan Area with an interest in international issues. Eight (8) terms available for appointment.
HISTORIC DISTRICT BOARD OF REVIEW. Eleven (11) members appointed to three (3) year terms by Savannah City Council including one small business owner with an architectural background. Makes decisions on new construction and any changes to historic structures in the City’s Historic District. Three (3) terms available for appointment.
HOUSING AUTHORITY OF SAVANNAH. Established pursuant to general law O.C.G.A. 8-3-1 et seq. which creates a Housing Authority for each City and County. The general law provides for a governing body of five (5) Commissioners serving a five (5) year term with one (1) appointment each year. Vacancies are filled for the unexpired terms. Commissioners serve until a successor is named. The terms begin, on January 5th of each year. Any appointment after January 5th would be for the reminder of the term expiring on January 5th. The General Assembly of 1994 repealed all special legislation providing for additional Commissioners and Residents, thus the only Commissions are the five (5) Regular Commissioners appointed pursuant to general law. 1 (one) Unexpired Term (must be a public housing resident or assisted housing (Section 8) participant)
KEEP SAVANNAH BEAUTIFUL. Twenty-five (25) members appointed to three (3) year terms by City Council. Shall include representatives from the news media, businesses, City government, civic associations, and neighborhood groups. No term limits. An advisory board that works with the City in developing a program to control litter and assist beautification efforts on streets, sidewalks, parks, and private property. Three (3) terms available for appointment.
METROPOLITAN PLANNING COMMISSION (MPC). Twelve (12) members appointed to overlapping three (3) year terms with six (6) appointments made by City Council and the City Manager serving. No term limits. Aided by professional staff, this commission makes studies of present and future development; assists local government in translating study results into plans, policies and programs; recommends zoning ordinances and subdivision regulations. Two (2) terms available for appointment.
PARK AND TREE COMMISSION. Nine (9) members appointed to overlapping three (3) year terms by City Council. Must be a City resident. Term Limit: No member may serve more than three, consecutive three year terms. Charged with directing the activities related to the planting and caring for parks, squares, grass plats, trees, and flowers of the city. One (1) term available for appointment.
PILOTAGE COMMISSION. Seven (7) members appointed for overlapping seven (7) year term by City Council. No term limits. Appointees must include shipping agents, exports, or merchants, or others engaged on or familiar with marine shipping and the requirements of the Port of Savannah. Licenses pilots, prescribes rules and regulations, sets fees and imposes penalties, sets and collects penalties for vessels refusing to take pilots or mistreating pilots. Appointees cannot be pilots. Two (2) term available for appointment.
SAVANNAH-CHATHAM COUNCIL OF DISABILITY ISSUES. The Savannah–Chatham Council on Disability Issues shall facilitate and coordinate community efforts to improve the quality of life for citizens with disabilities for the City of Savannah and Chatham County through advising and advocating local leaders. The Council shall be composed of ten (10) members with representation balanced among the business community, human service providers, and consumers (i.e., citizens with disabilities). At least ½ of members shall be persons with persons with physical or mental disabilities. Members shall serve overlapping two (2) year terms, with eligibility for reappointment to a second consecutive two-year term. Seven (7) terms available for appointment.
SAVANNAH/CHATHAM COUNTY HISTORIC SITES AND MONUMENTS COMMISSIONS (HS&M): Five (5) members appointed to overlapping five (5) year terms by City Council. No term limits. Citizen of Chatham County. Recommends plan and cost estimates for the erection of any monuments or substantial restoration of same in the City or County and may hold title and pay for same. One (1) term available for appointment.
SAVANNAH DEVELOPMENT AND RENEWAL AUTHORITY (SDRA): Twenty –five (25) members appointed to four-year (4) terms. City residents; no term limits. Develops recommendations to City Council for revitalization of Savannah’s downtown including comprehensive planning, beautification, marketing, etc. Four (4) terms available for appointment.
SAVANNAH ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (SEDA). Eighteen (18) members, six (6) appointed by City Council, serving overlapping five-year (5) terms. No term limits; eligible for re-appointment. Conducts a program of industrial and port development for the City of Savannah and Chatham County and is self-funded. No one holding public office or receiving compensation from either public entity can serve. One (1) term available for appointment.
SAVANNAH RECREATION COMMISSION. Twelve (12) members are appointed to three (3) year terms by City Council. Eligible for reappointment. Serves as an advisory body on recreational programs and facilities. Ten (10) terms available for appointment
SAVANNAH ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS. Seven (7) members appointed to overlapping three-year (3) terms by City Council. No term limits; City resident. Members cannot hold public office, except for one appointee who must be a current member of the Metropolitan Planning Commission. Board hears and rules on appeals from decisions of the zoning administrator and hears and rules on requests for permits which require the board’s approval. Four (4) terms available for appointment.
TOURISM ADVISORY COMMITTEE. Creation and composition. There is hereby created a tourism advisory committee, which shall consist of 13 members appointed by the mayor and aldermen. One shall be a representative of the lodging industry; one shall be a representative of a tour company; one shall be a member of the Savannah Visitors Bureau; one shall be a representative from a Historic District museum or attraction; two shall be members of the Downtown Neighborhood Association; two shall be members of Historic Savannah Foundation; one shall be a representative of the food, beverage and/or retail industries; one shall be at large with demonstrated knowledge of the history and/or architecture of the Historic District; two shall be residents at-large and one shall be a member at-large. Four (4) terms available for appointment for the following: One (1) Tour Company representative; One (1) Historic Savannah Foundation representative; One (1) Downtown Neighborhood Association representative; One (1) Hotelier.
TRAFFIC CALMING COMMITTEE: The Traffic Calming Committee shall consist of nine (9) members all of whom shall be approved by vote of the Mayor and Aldermen. The term of office for each member of the Traffic Calming Committee shall be three (3) years. A member of the Traffic Calming Committee shall not serve for more than two consecutive, three year terms. The members of the Traffic Calming Committee shall be a demographically broad representation of the community in the Savannah Metropolitan Area with an interest in Traffic Calming. Committee members must live in the City limits of Savannah. Appointments can come from any district. 2 (Two) terms available for appointment for: 1 (One) At-Large Post 2 representative; and 1 (One) DISTRICT 1 representative.