Tuesday, September 5, 2017
Due to the imminent threat of Hurricane Irma in the Savannah area early next week, the Savannah College of Art and Design is delaying the start of the fall round of classes, which had been scheduled for Monday, Sept. 11.
The new start date is Monday, Sept. 18.
"Students & families should NOT plan to travel to the SAV/ATL campuses at this time," SCAD announced on Twitter at about 4 p.m. Tuesday.
New students will not be allowed to move in to their residence halls until September 14, and returning students September 16, other than students who are already pre-approved to arrive before 5 p.m. Wednesday, September 6, according to the college.
SCAD says they don't currently anticipate the end day of classes having to change.
The new start date is Monday, Sept. 18.
"Students & families should NOT plan to travel to the SAV/ATL campuses at this time," SCAD announced on Twitter at about 4 p.m. Tuesday.
New students will not be allowed to move in to their residence halls until September 14, and returning students September 16, other than students who are already pre-approved to arrive before 5 p.m. Wednesday, September 6, according to the college.
SCAD says they don't currently anticipate the end day of classes having to change.
The Chatham Emergency Management Agency (CEMA) is closely monitoring Hurricane Irma and any impacts it may make to our area. CEMA will advance to OPCON 4 tomorrow at 8 AM, which means enhanced monitoring.
Irma, is a Category 5 Hurricane with maximum sustained winds at 180 mph, moving at 14 mph and tropical storm force winds extending 160 miles from the center of the storm. Residents and businesses should monitor your normal sources for current weather information.
CEMA says:
Individuals, families, and businesses are encouraged to begin common storm preparation efforts:
· Monitor local authorities for advice and protective actions.
· Prepare or inspect your emergency supply kit, and do not forget your pet’s kit too.
· Create or update your family evacuation plan, detailing how and where you will evacuate and where you could meet if separated.
· Document important belongings and consider taking pictures or video.
· Inspect your property for loose, lightweight items that could become airborne.
· If you have functional access or medical needs call the Chatham County Public Health Department to sign up for the registry, (912) 691-7443.
Throughout the day, CEMA’s OPCON 4 activities will include:
· Conducting coordination conference calls with local partners, surrounding emergency management agencies, the National Weather Service, the Georgia Emergency Management Agency and neighboring states for activities and information sharing.
· Initiating a Level 3 activation of the Emergency Operations Center. This level is a more heightened level of awareness and consists of CEMA staff and select partners.
· Sending regular updates via social media and posting pertinent information on CEMA’s Website.
Irma, is a Category 5 Hurricane with maximum sustained winds at 180 mph, moving at 14 mph and tropical storm force winds extending 160 miles from the center of the storm. Residents and businesses should monitor your normal sources for current weather information.
CEMA says:
Individuals, families, and businesses are encouraged to begin common storm preparation efforts:
· Monitor local authorities for advice and protective actions.
· Prepare or inspect your emergency supply kit, and do not forget your pet’s kit too.
· Create or update your family evacuation plan, detailing how and where you will evacuate and where you could meet if separated.
· Document important belongings and consider taking pictures or video.
· Inspect your property for loose, lightweight items that could become airborne.
· If you have functional access or medical needs call the Chatham County Public Health Department to sign up for the registry, (912) 691-7443.
Throughout the day, CEMA’s OPCON 4 activities will include:
· Conducting coordination conference calls with local partners, surrounding emergency management agencies, the National Weather Service, the Georgia Emergency Management Agency and neighboring states for activities and information sharing.
· Initiating a Level 3 activation of the Emergency Operations Center. This level is a more heightened level of awareness and consists of CEMA staff and select partners.
· Sending regular updates via social media and posting pertinent information on CEMA’s Website.
Tags: Hurricane Irma , CEMA
Thursday, August 31, 2017
At today's City Council meeting, Savannah’s Mayor and Aldermen recognized the Historic Savannah Foundation for making a large donation to assist in planning for the restoration of the interior of City Hall.
The Historic Savannah Foundation is providing matching funds in the amount of $2,500.00 towards a $10,000 grant the City recently received from the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
“Historic Savannah Foundation is proud to partner with the City of Savannah in preserving City Hall. Whether you live in Savannah or San Francisco, sense of place is important and restoring one of the most recognizable and historically significant buildings in Savannah ensures the use of this landmark for future generations of citizens and visitors,” said Historic Savannah Foundation President and CEO Daniel Carey.
"While the City has undertaken periodic restoration/preservation projects on the exterior, the interior has not received any major restoration or preservation work since its opening in 1906," a City spokesperson says.
"In order to ensure continued use of the building for future generations of citizens and prolong the life of significant historical features, an interior conditions assessment of the major public spaces is currently underway which will result in a restoration plan and maintenance schedule."
The total cost for the project is $33,600. The City of Savannah will fund the remaining $21,100 in costs which are not covered by the grant and donation. Lominack Kolman and Smith started work in mid-July and the preservation assessment and maintenance plan should be completed in January 2018.
The Historic Savannah Foundation is providing matching funds in the amount of $2,500.00 towards a $10,000 grant the City recently received from the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
“Historic Savannah Foundation is proud to partner with the City of Savannah in preserving City Hall. Whether you live in Savannah or San Francisco, sense of place is important and restoring one of the most recognizable and historically significant buildings in Savannah ensures the use of this landmark for future generations of citizens and visitors,” said Historic Savannah Foundation President and CEO Daniel Carey.
"While the City has undertaken periodic restoration/preservation projects on the exterior, the interior has not received any major restoration or preservation work since its opening in 1906," a City spokesperson says.
"In order to ensure continued use of the building for future generations of citizens and prolong the life of significant historical features, an interior conditions assessment of the major public spaces is currently underway which will result in a restoration plan and maintenance schedule."
The total cost for the project is $33,600. The City of Savannah will fund the remaining $21,100 in costs which are not covered by the grant and donation. Lominack Kolman and Smith started work in mid-July and the preservation assessment and maintenance plan should be completed in January 2018.
Southern Company and its utility partners are seemingly moving forward with the over-budget and delayed nuclear expansion project at Plant Vogtle in Burke County Georgia along the Savannah River.
In South Carolina, SCE&G and Santee Cooper have recently opted to cancel their interest in the only other nuclear reactor construction project in the country, the V.C. Summer plant, due to similar concerns.
"Uncertainly looms in the wake of the Westinghouse bankruptcy, the designer and builder of the AP1000 reactor design, and parent company Toshiba’s continued financial uncertainly given the multi-billion dollar losses because of the Vogtle and V.C. Summer reactor projects. The total project cost is now estimated at more than $25 billion," says the nonprofit group Southern Alliance for Clean Energy (SACE).
“Southern Company’s decision is an anomaly, a very expensive one. Even as every other utility realized the extreme risks to their shareholders and customers and correctly decided to stop the financial bleeding, Southern stubbornly presses forward," says Dr. Stephen A. Smith, Executive Director of the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy.
"It’s imperative that Georgia regulators at the Public Service Commission conduct an open and transparent process and protect ratepayers from these unfair financial burdens — ensuring that all additional risks be borne by the Company and its shareholders. Further, the Vogtle project has already benefitted from many billions of dollars in federal taxpayer funded incentives – not one more dollar should be doled out to this project at taxpayers’ expense."
This week, Southern Company filed more details with the Security and Exchange Commission (SEC) and filed the 17th semi-annual Vogtle Construction Monitoring report with the Georgia Public Service Commission (PSC).
"The monitoring report mentions an additional $4.5 billion capital cost estimate to complete Georgia Power’s portion of the project as 45.7% owner and a total capital cost estimate of $9.45 billion to complete the project, which represents more than a doubling of the original capital cost estimate," says SACE.
"The report estimates increased financing costs to $3.4 billion bringing Georgia Power’s share of the project for capital and financing costs to $12.2 billion, a doubling of the original $6.1 billion. The completion schedule is also significantly delayed, again. Originally the two reactor units should have both been online in April 2016 and April 2017 and new Company estimates are November 2021 for unit 3 and November 2022 for unit 4," SACE says.
The report includes cost estimates for cancelling the project: “between $730 million and $760 million, of which Georgia Power’s share is estimated to be approximately $330 million to $350 million exclusive of estimated credits from the salvage and sale of assets.”
In South Carolina, SCE&G and Santee Cooper have recently opted to cancel their interest in the only other nuclear reactor construction project in the country, the V.C. Summer plant, due to similar concerns.
"Uncertainly looms in the wake of the Westinghouse bankruptcy, the designer and builder of the AP1000 reactor design, and parent company Toshiba’s continued financial uncertainly given the multi-billion dollar losses because of the Vogtle and V.C. Summer reactor projects. The total project cost is now estimated at more than $25 billion," says the nonprofit group Southern Alliance for Clean Energy (SACE).
“Southern Company’s decision is an anomaly, a very expensive one. Even as every other utility realized the extreme risks to their shareholders and customers and correctly decided to stop the financial bleeding, Southern stubbornly presses forward," says Dr. Stephen A. Smith, Executive Director of the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy.
"It’s imperative that Georgia regulators at the Public Service Commission conduct an open and transparent process and protect ratepayers from these unfair financial burdens — ensuring that all additional risks be borne by the Company and its shareholders. Further, the Vogtle project has already benefitted from many billions of dollars in federal taxpayer funded incentives – not one more dollar should be doled out to this project at taxpayers’ expense."
This week, Southern Company filed more details with the Security and Exchange Commission (SEC) and filed the 17th semi-annual Vogtle Construction Monitoring report with the Georgia Public Service Commission (PSC).
"The monitoring report mentions an additional $4.5 billion capital cost estimate to complete Georgia Power’s portion of the project as 45.7% owner and a total capital cost estimate of $9.45 billion to complete the project, which represents more than a doubling of the original capital cost estimate," says SACE.
"The report estimates increased financing costs to $3.4 billion bringing Georgia Power’s share of the project for capital and financing costs to $12.2 billion, a doubling of the original $6.1 billion. The completion schedule is also significantly delayed, again. Originally the two reactor units should have both been online in April 2016 and April 2017 and new Company estimates are November 2021 for unit 3 and November 2022 for unit 4," SACE says.
The report includes cost estimates for cancelling the project: “between $730 million and $760 million, of which Georgia Power’s share is estimated to be approximately $330 million to $350 million exclusive of estimated credits from the salvage and sale of assets.”
At today's regular meeting, Savannah City Council is expected to vote to adopt Savannah Forward, the City’s strategic plan.
The top five priorities set by Council are Public Safety, Infrastructure, Neighborhood Revitalization, Economic Strength and Poverty Reduction, and Good Government, according to a spokesperson.
"Earlier this year City Council contracted with consultant Managing Results, LLC, to work with the City to develop a seven-year strategic plan. The process included seven community meetings; five focus groups; 11 individual meetings with City Council, the City Manager, employees, and others; and a two-day City Council retreat," the City spokesperson says.
High-level goals were established by Council for each priority. "The City Manager then created a new organizational structure and budget process, aligning operations with resources and funding. Next step is finalizing action plans and developing detailed business plans for each of Savannah’s operations, establishing a clear road map to meet Council’s goals and make Savannah the best mid-sized city in America," the City says.
The top five priorities set by Council are Public Safety, Infrastructure, Neighborhood Revitalization, Economic Strength and Poverty Reduction, and Good Government, according to a spokesperson.
"Earlier this year City Council contracted with consultant Managing Results, LLC, to work with the City to develop a seven-year strategic plan. The process included seven community meetings; five focus groups; 11 individual meetings with City Council, the City Manager, employees, and others; and a two-day City Council retreat," the City spokesperson says.
High-level goals were established by Council for each priority. "The City Manager then created a new organizational structure and budget process, aligning operations with resources and funding. Next step is finalizing action plans and developing detailed business plans for each of Savannah’s operations, establishing a clear road map to meet Council’s goals and make Savannah the best mid-sized city in America," the City says.
Monday, August 21, 2017
Telfair Museums on Monday announced that their exhibition "Generation: Sawsan AlSaraf, Tamara Abdul Hadi, Sundus Abdul Hadi" was awarded the Silver Award for Exhibitions under $25,000 in the Southeastern Museums Conference (SEMC) 2017 Exhibition.
"Generation," which is on display until September 10, explores the complexity of Arab communities that are often simultaneously subjected to stereotyping and underrepresentation. The artists represent two generations of Iraqi-Canadian women and identify as diasporic artists.
"'Generation' is an important and timely exhibition in that it is the first presentation of these three artists in the United States. It offers a needed conversation, and public face, to voices of the Arab diaspora, in a time when empathy and understanding are crucial," said Rachel Reese, Telfair's Associate Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art. "This is how narratives start changing and shifting, by supporting these conversations and opening them up to the public."
The competition is sponsored by the SEMC Curator’s Committee and recognizes well-designed exhibitions that have educational value and treat objects with care and respect. Telfair Museums previously won the Gold award for its Mickalene Thomas at Giverny show in 2016.
"Generation," which is on display until September 10, explores the complexity of Arab communities that are often simultaneously subjected to stereotyping and underrepresentation. The artists represent two generations of Iraqi-Canadian women and identify as diasporic artists.
"'Generation' is an important and timely exhibition in that it is the first presentation of these three artists in the United States. It offers a needed conversation, and public face, to voices of the Arab diaspora, in a time when empathy and understanding are crucial," said Rachel Reese, Telfair's Associate Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art. "This is how narratives start changing and shifting, by supporting these conversations and opening them up to the public."
The competition is sponsored by the SEMC Curator’s Committee and recognizes well-designed exhibitions that have educational value and treat objects with care and respect. Telfair Museums previously won the Gold award for its Mickalene Thomas at Giverny show in 2016.
Friday, August 18, 2017
The Chatham County Manager, in co-operation with the Chatham County District Attorney’s Office, "has asked the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) to investigate the circumstances surrounding the surrender of firearms collected by Savannah City Youth, Inc.’s, gun buyback program," a county spokesperson says.
The firearms were surrendered to Chatham-Savannah Counter Narcotics Team to be secured while the matter is being investigated, the county reports.
The local program received some criticism in that it offered cash for guns, unlike many such programs, which offer gift cards instead to eliminate the possibility of people using cash to go buy newer guns.
Such programs are also frequently criticized for potentially keeping law enforcement from securing guns as evidence which have been used in crimes.
SCMPD chief Joseph Lumpkin and City of Savannah officials appeared with Alderman Van Johnson and Savannah City Youth's Beverlee Trotter at a November press conference about the gun buyback program, though a press release the following day clarified that the department is not affiliated with the privately-funded program.
Both police-supervised and private gun buyback programs have generated controversy over whether such measures are effective. Studies show that the majority of the guns collected are non-functioning or not the type used in violent crimes, and while gun buyback programs are widely supported, they have not proved to reduce crime in violent communities.
The firearms were surrendered to Chatham-Savannah Counter Narcotics Team to be secured while the matter is being investigated, the county reports.
The local program received some criticism in that it offered cash for guns, unlike many such programs, which offer gift cards instead to eliminate the possibility of people using cash to go buy newer guns.
Such programs are also frequently criticized for potentially keeping law enforcement from securing guns as evidence which have been used in crimes.
SCMPD chief Joseph Lumpkin and City of Savannah officials appeared with Alderman Van Johnson and Savannah City Youth's Beverlee Trotter at a November press conference about the gun buyback program, though a press release the following day clarified that the department is not affiliated with the privately-funded program.
Both police-supervised and private gun buyback programs have generated controversy over whether such measures are effective. Studies show that the majority of the guns collected are non-functioning or not the type used in violent crimes, and while gun buyback programs are widely supported, they have not proved to reduce crime in violent communities.
Thursday, August 17, 2017
At today's City Council meeting, Mayor Eddie DeLoach made a statement — which he said had full support of the rest of Council — addressing the recent events in Charlottesville, Va., and the ensuing controversy about Confederate monuments.
"We must all denounce these forms of domestic terrorism... we must not just be on the right side of history, we must write the right version of history," Mayor DeLoach said.
City Council tasked City Manager Rob Hernandez with an effort to "expand the story" surrounding the Confederate monument in Forsyth Park, to make the monument more inclusive in nature. It is currently dedicated to Confederate war dead.
City Attorney Brooks Stillwell reminded Council that a state law passed in 2016 prohibits cities from removing any monument to military service in any war the U.S. has fought.
"State government has preempted the City's authority" just as they preempt cities in Georgia "from banning assault rifles," Stillwell said.
However, state law does allow for reinterpretation of monuments, as well as moving them to another visible location.
Echoing a resolution from previous years, City Council will vote on a resolution to Governor Deal requesting that the name of the Eugene Talmadge Bridge, named for a segregationist governor, be changed.
To applause, Alderman John Hall said "The name Eugene Talmadge is not what this city represents."
City Attorney Stillwell said the state has final say on the name of the bridge, and that "the City has no say."
Alderman Van Johnson said, "If the City had the power to change the name we would have done it years ago."
Alderman Julian Miller urged that a vote not be taken at today's meeting, but that "The public has a right to be heard on these issues before we go forward with it...we are constantly being asked to change the names of things."
A decision was made to hold a public forum in September, to be held outside of the regular Council meeting, to discuss the monument issue and the bridge renaming resolution and allow full public input.
Mayor DeLoach said, "I already know how I feel" and how City Council feels about the issues. He said "who shows up the most isn't going to determine" what Council thinks and decides on the monument and bridge issue.
"We must all denounce these forms of domestic terrorism... we must not just be on the right side of history, we must write the right version of history," Mayor DeLoach said.
City Council tasked City Manager Rob Hernandez with an effort to "expand the story" surrounding the Confederate monument in Forsyth Park, to make the monument more inclusive in nature. It is currently dedicated to Confederate war dead.
City Attorney Brooks Stillwell reminded Council that a state law passed in 2016 prohibits cities from removing any monument to military service in any war the U.S. has fought.
"State government has preempted the City's authority" just as they preempt cities in Georgia "from banning assault rifles," Stillwell said.
However, state law does allow for reinterpretation of monuments, as well as moving them to another visible location.
Echoing a resolution from previous years, City Council will vote on a resolution to Governor Deal requesting that the name of the Eugene Talmadge Bridge, named for a segregationist governor, be changed.
To applause, Alderman John Hall said "The name Eugene Talmadge is not what this city represents."
City Attorney Stillwell said the state has final say on the name of the bridge, and that "the City has no say."
Alderman Van Johnson said, "If the City had the power to change the name we would have done it years ago."
Alderman Julian Miller urged that a vote not be taken at today's meeting, but that "The public has a right to be heard on these issues before we go forward with it...we are constantly being asked to change the names of things."
A decision was made to hold a public forum in September, to be held outside of the regular Council meeting, to discuss the monument issue and the bridge renaming resolution and allow full public input.
Mayor DeLoach said, "I already know how I feel" and how City Council feels about the issues. He said "who shows up the most isn't going to determine" what Council thinks and decides on the monument and bridge issue.
The scheduled re-vote on a controversial apartment building project near Forsyth Park will not take place at today's City Council meeting.
Delray Ventures, the developer behind the project, informed City Council that it wished that the two agenda items involving the project be removed from the City Council agenda.
"We have listened carefully to all comments and recognize that our petitions are not supported by a majority of City Council," a letter from Delray to the Mayor and Aldermen reads.
"We do not want a vote by City Council to curtail future zoning or development efforts for the current owner," the letter goes on to read.
Andree Patterson, the president of the Victorian Neighborhood Association who led the fight against the project by Delray Ventures, says she was contacted by the developer's attorney and told the bid was off.
Patterson said in a Wednesday night Facebook post that the attorney, Harold Yellin, "contacted me twice today to inform us that Delray has withdrawn its request for rezoning and for permitting of their construction project. At 7:30 tonight, he informed me that he was going to hand-deliver Delray's letter to the courthouse tomorrow morning, so as to remove those agenda items from tomorrow's meeting."
The re-vote effort was spearheaded by Alderman Tony Thomas, who was part of the five-vote majority initially approving the rezoning classification at the prior City Council meeting.
"After careful reflection on the proceedings and additional information that I have learned regarding the development during the hearing and since, I will be calling for a Vote of Reconsideration at the next city council meeting," Thomas said soon afterward.
Delray Ventures, the developer behind the project, informed City Council that it wished that the two agenda items involving the project be removed from the City Council agenda.
"We have listened carefully to all comments and recognize that our petitions are not supported by a majority of City Council," a letter from Delray to the Mayor and Aldermen reads.
"We do not want a vote by City Council to curtail future zoning or development efforts for the current owner," the letter goes on to read.
Andree Patterson, the president of the Victorian Neighborhood Association who led the fight against the project by Delray Ventures, says she was contacted by the developer's attorney and told the bid was off.
Patterson said in a Wednesday night Facebook post that the attorney, Harold Yellin, "contacted me twice today to inform us that Delray has withdrawn its request for rezoning and for permitting of their construction project. At 7:30 tonight, he informed me that he was going to hand-deliver Delray's letter to the courthouse tomorrow morning, so as to remove those agenda items from tomorrow's meeting."
The re-vote effort was spearheaded by Alderman Tony Thomas, who was part of the five-vote majority initially approving the rezoning classification at the prior City Council meeting.
"After careful reflection on the proceedings and additional information that I have learned regarding the development during the hearing and since, I will be calling for a Vote of Reconsideration at the next city council meeting," Thomas said soon afterward.
Wednesday, August 16, 2017
The Mayor and Aldermen of the City of Savannah will be accepting applications beginning Thursday, August 17, 2017 through Friday, September 15, 2017 for appointments and reappointments to these Boards, Commissions and Authorities:
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 a member of a labor union. Chatham County resident for at least five (5) years. No term limits. One (1) term 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 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.
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 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. Four (4) 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) unexpired 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. Two (2) 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. One (1) term 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 (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. One (1) term available for appointment for: DISTRICT 6 representative.
Applications can be found on the City’s website: www.savannahga.gov/boards. Applications will be accepted beginning Thursday, August 17, 2017.
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 a member of a labor union. Chatham County resident for at least five (5) years. No term limits. One (1) term 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 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.
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 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. Four (4) 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) unexpired 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. Two (2) 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. One (1) term 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 (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. One (1) term available for appointment for: DISTRICT 6 representative.
Applications can be found on the City’s website: www.savannahga.gov/boards. Applications will be accepted beginning Thursday, August 17, 2017.
