For Immediate Release
Date: February 24, 2015

The Mayor and Aldermen of the City of Savannah will be accepting applications beginning Wednesday, February 25, 2015 for appointment(s) and reappointment(s) to the Boards, Commissions and Authorities listed below. Applications can be found on the City’s website: www.savannahga.gov/boards. Applications must be received by noon, Friday, March 20. Upon completion of the appointment process by the Mayor and Aldermen of the City of Savannah, all applicants and appointees will be notified.

For further information, contact the Office of the Clerk of Council. Telephone 651-6441, Fax 651-4260 or Email – clerkofcouncil@savannahga.gov.

CURRENT OPENINGS

AGING SERVICES ADVISORY COUNCIL. Twenty-nine (29) members appointed to three (3) year terms with two (2) members appointed by City Council to represent the City of Savannah on the Coastal Georgia Regional Redevelopment Center Aging Services Advisory Council. The membership of the Aging Services Advisory Council consists of persons over 60 years of age or consumers, aging advocates, other interested individuals, and local elected officials, one whom should be a minority. This Council meets quarterly in Richmond Hill, Georgia and from time to time meets with staff to review budgets; get updates on new programs; and provides input on how current and new programs are developed. Two (2) terms available for appointment.

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. Three (3) terms available for appointment. 2 full terms and 1 unexpired term.COASTAL WORKFORCE INVESTMENT BOARD: The Workforce Investment Act of 1998 created Workforce Investment Boards, charter is to improve workforce quality development, enhance the productivity and competitiveness of the workforce and to reduce welfare dependency. The composition of the WIB is made up of individuals serving in both private and public sectors, which have a genuine interest in improving the quality of the region’s workforce. Appointments to the WIB are made by the Consortium of Chief Local Elected Officials within Region 20 which includes Bryan, Glynn, Chatham, Long, Bulloch, Camden, Effingham, Liberty and McIntosh counties. Fifteen (15) members appointed to three (3) year terms. Appointed can live in the City/County. Three (3) terms available for appointment.
CODE ENFORCEMENT APPEALS BOARD: Nine (9) members appointed to fill overlapping three-year terms by City Council. Three appointees must be qualified in the fields of architecture and/or structural engineering. Hear appeals when errors are alleged and other matters affecting property subject to procedures set forth in the Nuisance Abatement Ordinance. Five (5) terms available for appointment.DOWNTOWN SAVANNAH AUTHORITY. Five (5) members, including Mayor or member of City Council serving his/her term of office and four (4) City residents appointed to 4- year terms by City Council, as well as a member of Chatham County Delegation to the GA Legislature. Encourages construction of new parking facilities and provides financial incentives for private projects which have economic benefits to the downtown area. Two (2) terms available for appointment.
ELECTRICAL APPEALS AND ADVISORY BOARD: On recommendation from the Mayor, seven (7) members are appointed to four-year (4) terms by City Council: four licensed electrical contractors; two registered consulting electrical engineers (one from power company, one from private firm), and one administrative person from the power company. All members shall have no less than 6 years’ experience in professional field. No term limits. Determines appeals to decisions of electrical inspectors of the City. Three (3) terms available for appointment for (2 Electrical Contractors and 1 Private Consulting Firm).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. One (1) unexpired term available for appointment.
HISTORIC PRESERVATION ADVISORY COUNCIL. One (1) member appointed to a three (3) year term by Savannah City Council. The appointee can be reappointed for consecutive terms. The appointee should be a well-acquainted member of the community and have knowledge in some of the following areas: national register nomination, historic tax incentives, streetscapes and urban design, historical research and surveys or presentation. One (1) term 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. Two (2) terms available for appointment. 1 Full term and 1 unexpired term.
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. Fifteen (15) terms available for appointment.PENSION BOARD. Eight (8) members, including one member of City Council and two residents appointed to ¬overlapping four-year (4) terms by City Council; also serving are the City Manager, the City’s Chief Financial Officer and three employee-elected representatives. Administers the City of Savannah Employee Retirements Plan. 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. One (1) term available for appointment.
PROPERTY MAINTENANCE ENFORCEMENT BOARD OF APPEALS: The board of appeals shall consist of a minimum of three (3) members, serving four (4) year terms, which are qualified by experience and training to pass on matters pertaining to property maintenance and who are not employees of the jurisdiction. The code official shall be an ex-officio member, but shall have no vote on any matter before the board. One (1) term & two (2) alternates are available for appointment.SAVANNAH AIRPORT COMMISSION. Five (5) members appointed to overlapping five-year (5) terms by City Council. Members are eligible for reappointment. Chatham County resident. Responsible for the operation, development and maintenance of municipal airport; and independent authority with its own staff and revenue sources. One (1) 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 of 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 one-half of members shall be persons with physical or mental disabilities. Members shall serve a two (2) year term, with eligibility for reappointment to a second consecutive two (2) year term. Seven (7) terms 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. One (1) unexpired term available for appointment.SAVANNAH FILM COMMISSION. Nineteen (19) member board for a four (4) year term. City Council appoints nine citizens from the community, four representatives from the motion picture and television industry and one representative from small business. One ex-officio is appointed by the Director of the Convention and Visitors Bureau, one ex-officio by the President of the Downtown Neighborhood Association and one member of the State Film Commission, ex-officio. The term of office for ex-officio members shall be for the term of office in the organization they represent. Advises and assists the film director in developing a program for responding to inquiries from production companies about filming in the community. Term Limits: Not more than two consecutive four-year terms. Four (4) terms available for appointment.
SAVANNAH HOSPITAL AUTHORITY. Seven (7) members appointed to overlapping four-year (4) terms by City Council. Arranges the contractual agreements between Candler General Hospital and purchases of hospital authority bonds used to finance the building of their complex off DeRenne. One (1) term available for appointment.SAVANNAH RECREATION COMMISSION: Twelve (12) members are appointed to three (3) year terms by City Council and are eligible for reappointment. Serves as an advisory body on recreational programs and facilities. Two (2) terms available for appointment.
SAVANNAH ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS: Five (5) members appointed to staggered three-year (3) terms by City Council. No term limits. Must be a resident of the City of Savannah. 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. Two (2) 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. The following Three (3) terms are available for appointment – Historic Savannah Foundation (1) unexpired term; (1) At-Large Representative; (1) Food, Beverage, and/or Retail Industries.
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. Five (5) terms available for appointment.