For Immediate Release
Date: December 27, 2012

Citizens interested in playing an active role in their local government are encouraged to apply for current openings on the Savannah City Council boards, commissions and authorities listed below. The Clerk of Council will accept applications beginning Thursday, Jan. 3 until noon on Thursday, Jan. 31. These groups work on behalf of Council on various topics of interest to the community, providing guidance or assisting in making decisions that impact daily life in Savannah. Citizens with a wide range of backgrounds and experience are needed to fill these important roles.

Applications can be found on the City’s website, www.savannahga.gov/boards. For more information, contact the Clerk of Council at (912) 651-6442 or email clerkofcouncil@savannahga.gov.

CODE ENFORCEMENT APPEALS BOARD: Nine (9) members appointed to fill staggered three year (3) terms by City Council. Must be City resident; no term limits. Three (3) appointees must be qualified in the fields of architecture and/or structural engineering. Hear appeals where errors are alleged and other matters affecting property subject to procedures set forth in the Nuisance Abatement Ordinance. Five (5) staggered terms are available for appointment.CULTURAL AFFAIRS COMMISSION: Eighteen (18) members appointed to staggered 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. Three (3) terms are 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. One (1) term is 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. Two (2) alternate positions are 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. One (1) term is available for appointment.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. Ten (10) terms are available for appointment.

PARK AND TREE COMMISSION: Nine (9) members appointed to staggered 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 parks, squares, grass plats, trees, and flowers of the city; the planting and caring for. Two (2) staggered terms are available for appointment.
PROPERTY MAINTENANCE ENFORCEMENT BOARD OF APPEALS. The board of appeals shall consist of a minimum of three (3) members, serving 4-year terms, who 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 voting rights on any matter before the board. The board shall be appointed by the chief appointing authority and shall serve staggered four (4) year terms. One (1) term & two (2) alternates are available for appointment.SAVANNAH AIRPORT COMMISSION: Five members appointed to staggered five (5) year terms by City Council. Responsible for the operation, development and maintenance of municipal airport; an independent authority with its own staff and revenue sources. One (1) term is 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 one-half of members shall be persons with physical or mental disabilities. Members shall serve a two (2) year staggered term, with eligibility for reappointment to a second consecutive two (2) year term. Three (3) terms are available for appointment.SAVANNAH DEVELOPMENT AND RENEWAL AUTHORITY (SDRA) Twenty –five (25) members appointed to four (4) year terms. City residents; no term limits. Develops recommendations to City Council for revitalization of Savannah’s downtown including comprehensive planning, beautification, marketing, etc. Twenty-five staggered terms are 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. Six (6) terms are available for appointment.SAVANNAH HOSPITAL AUTHORITY: Seven (7) members appointed to staggered 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. Five (5) staggered terms are 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. Four (4) staggered terms are available for appointment.TOURISM ADVISORY COMMITTEE: a) 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 (As per ordinance approval in 2007). One (1) member-at-large term is available for appointment.
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 years, except that of those members first appointed, three shall be appointed for one (1) year, three for two (2) years, and three for three (3) years. When the terms of these first appointed shall expire, their successors shall be appointed for three-year terms. 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. One (1) term is available for appointment.