Boards and Commissions

Unless otherwise stated, the Mayor makes all appointments. If you are interested in a volunteer opportunity with any of these boards and commissions, please send a letter of interest, your resume and a completed Candidate Response Form to:

Diane Brock
Office of the Mayor
1819 Farnam Street, Suite 300
Omaha, Nebraska 68183
Fax: 402-444-6059
dbrock@ci.omaha.ne.us

Board and commission Summaries

Administrative Appeals Board
Number of Members: 5
Special Qualifications: None
Residency Requirement: Omaha residency not required
Summary of Duties: Decides appeals on permits/licenses notices revoked/inoperable vehicles, revoked/suspended tree removal licenses, denied curb cuts and contractor performance disputes

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Air Conditioning & Air Distribution Board
Number of Members: 5
Special Qualifications: 4 AC&AD contractors (2 domestic 2 commercial-industrial with 5 years experience as contractor in Omaha area and 1 registered professional mechanical engineer. Must be licensed and practicing in the City per 40-57.
Residency Requirement: Member can live outside Omaha city limits but inside 3 mile zoning jurisdiction
Summary of Duties: Conducts/grades exams for Certificates of Competency, develops questions, certifies eligibles, addresses complaints/certificate misuse

Alarm Review Board
Number of Members: 5
Special Qualifications: 2 citizens of Omaha, 1 from alarm company with less than 750 alarm users; 1 from alarm company with 750 users but less than 5,000 alarm users; 1 from alarm company with more than 5,000 alarm users
Residency Requirement: Must be resident of Omaha
Summary of Duties: Review and rule appeals submitted to the City for false alarm fees assessed to user

Architects/Engineers Review & Selection Committee
Number of Members: 5 (1 appointed by Mayor)
Special Qualifications: City Engineer; 1 qualified representative of the department sponsoring the project; 2 other City personnel appropriate to the project and 1 disinterested Omaha resident appointed by Mayor
Residency Requirement: The disinterested member must be a resident of the City of Omaha
Summary of Duties: Awards architectural, engineering, land surveying, landscape architectural contracts

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Benson Business Improvement Area Board
Number of Members: 5
Special Qualifications: Must be property owners, residents or business operators within the business area
Residency Requirement: Must be property owners, residents or business operators within the business area
Summary of Duties: Advisory-studies needs of area; recommends to City what improvements are needed

Building Board Of Review
Number of Members: 7
Special Qualifications: Architect, electrician, engineer, mechanical engineer, sanitary engineer, building contractor, structural engineer and representative of the residents of the City of Omaha
Residency Requirement: None
Summary of Duties: Rules on decisions against contractors, owners, etc. regarding building, installation, construction of devices/apparatus, recommends code changes, hears grievances on P&I Superintendent's decision

Civil Rights Hearing Board
Number of Members: 11 (3 appointed by Mayor)
Special Qualifications: Representatives from business, labor, Human Relations Board, the community at large and persons protected from discrimination
Residency Requirement: Must live within City limits and be a registered voter of Douglas County
Summary of Duties: Conducts hearings, hears testimony regarding unlawful practices discovered by/not resolved by Human Relations Director; issues findings of fact, conclusions of law and orders allowed by Ordinance

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Downtown Business Improvement Area Board
Number of Members: 11
Special Qualifications: Must be property owners, residents or business operators within the business area
Residency Requirement: Must be property owners, residents or business operators within the business area
Summary of Duties: Advisory-studies needs of area; recommends to City what improvements are needed

Dundee Business Improvement Area Board
Number of Members: 11
Special Qualifications: Must be property owners, residents or business operators within the business area
Residency Requirement: Must be property owners, residents or business operators within the business area
Summary of Duties: Advisory-studies needs of area; recommends to City what improvements are needed

Electrical Examining Board
Number of Members: 6
Special Qualifications: 1 electrical engineer, 1 master electrician affiliated with union shop, 1 journeyman electrician affiliated with union shop, 1 master electrician affiliated with open shop, 1 journeyman electrician affiliated with open shop, 1 electric utility representative
Residency Requirement: Membership can come from the City's zoning jurisdiction
Summary of Duties: Conducts exams to determine applicant qualifications for Master Electrician's Certificate of Competency or Journeyman's Certificate of Competency

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Hoisting & Portable Engineering Licensing
Number of Members: 3 (2 appointed by Mayor)
Special Qualifications: 1 member is City's boiler inspector, 2 members must hold valid 1st Grade Hoisting and Portable Engineering Certificate for the past 5 years
Residency Requirement: Must be resident of the City of Omaha
Summary of Duties: Conducts exams and issues Hoisting and Portable Engineer's Certificates

Human Relations Board (Human Rights And Relations)
Number of Members: 9
Special Qualifications: Registered voter for City of Omaha
Residency Requirement: Must be a registered voter for City of Omaha
Summary of Duties: Advises on matters regarding the administration/ enforcement of laws/ordinances prohibiting discrimination; conducts educational programs

Human Resources Board
Number of Members: 5 members & 2 alternates
Special Qualifications: Not specified
Residency Requirement: Must be resident of the City of Omaha
Summary of Duties: Advises on personnel matters, hears appeals on disciplinary actions, reviews exam schedules/lists, hears grievances

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Investment Advisory Board
Number of Members: 5 (4 appointed by Mayor)
Special Qualifications: Private sector investment community not of the same firm or organization
Residency Requirement: None
Summary of Duties: Review/recommend investment strategies, portfolio policies, procedures to maximum investment yields; at least twice a year provides written report to Mayor recommending changes and current status of City investment policies

Landmarks Heritage Preservation Commission
Number of Members: 9
Special Qualifications: 1 architect; 1 curator/director of an art/other museum; 1 professional artist/historian; 3 from historical society, preservation/architectural/landscape/interior design/planning/ cultural association; 2 lay persons; 1 owner/operator business/property
Residency Requirement: Not specified
Summary of Duties: Preserves/enhances structures/districts/elements of heritage, tourist attractions; promotes use, encourages private ownership/ utilization of structures

Library Board
Number of Members: 9
Special Qualifications: Not specified
Residency Requirement: Must be resident of the City of Omaha and have library membership
Summary of Duties: Adopts by-laws of library for preservation/usefulness; imposes penalties for trespassing/ injury upon properties, damage to books and late returns

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Mayor's Commission For Citizens With Disabilities
Number of Members: 14
Special Qualifications: Representatives from cross-section of Omaha with physical, visual, hearing or other disabilities as defined in Sec. 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1974
Residency Requirement: Except for Commission Secretary all members must be residents of the City of Omaha
Summary of Duties: Counsels Mayor regarding concerns of citizens with disabilities, recommends policies, affects employment, accessibility to government buildings for citizens with disabilities

Mayor's Fair Housing Advisory Group
Number of Members: 11
Special Qualifications: Representatives from housing- related industries, non-profit organizations and the general community
Residency Requirement: None
Summary of Duties: Assesses barriers to fair housing choice, identifies additional avenues of inquiry, barriers; develops activities to further fair housing choice and eliminate identified barriers

Metropolitan Entertainment And Convention Authority
Number of Members: 5 (appointments rotate between Mayor & City Council)
Special Qualifications: Registered voter of Douglas County- not elected official or employee of any public body
Residency Requirement: Resident of Douglas County
Summary of Duties: With respect to Convention Center/Arena - responsibility for control over or all aspects of project development, existing public facilities, empowered to assume management and control

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Omaha Airport Authority
Number of Members: 5
Special Qualifications: None
Residency Requirement: None
Summary of Duties: Administers the operation of facilities, promotes aviation services, manages Eppley and Carrier airport, passenger/cargo/support facilities

Omaha Convention & Visitors Bureau Advisory Board
Number of Members: 7 (1 appointed by Mayor)
Special Qualifications: None
Residency Requirement: Must be resident of the City of Omaha
Summary of Duties: Promote and encourage convention and tourism in Omaha and Douglas County

Omaha Housing Authority
Number of Members: 5
Special Qualifications: Not specified; State law requires 1 racial minority and all residents of City or within 10 miles
Residency Requirement: Members can come from inside the City of Omaha limits or ten mile area
Summary of Duties: Conducts business of the Housing Authority

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Omaha Performing Arts Society Board
Number of Members: 5 (1 appointed by Mayor)
Special Qualifications: Not a current elected or appointed city official
Residency Requirement: None
Summary of Duties:

Park And Recreation Board
Number of Members: 7
Special Qualifications: Voter sympathetic to development of parks
Residency Requirement: Registered voter in Douglas County
Summary of Duties: Advises regarding park/recreation sites, schedules improvements, recommends program budgets, advises regarding sale, lease of real estate for recreational purposes

Planning Board
Number of Members: 7 (6 appointed by Mayor)
Special Qualifications: 6 qualified electors from inside City and 1 from outside City limits but within 3 mile zoning jurisdiction
Residency Requirement: 6 must reside within the City limits and 1 from outside the City limits but inside the zoning jurisdiction
Summary of Duties: Advises on matters concerning planning programs, reviews Master Plan, land subdivision/zoning ordinances, conducts hearings

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Plumbing Board
Number of Members: 8
Special Qualifications: Director of County Health Dept. or representative; master plumber affiliated with union shop, journeyman plumber affiliated with union shop, master plumber affiliated with merit/open shop, journeyman affiliated with merit/ open shop, licensed architect, licensed mechanical engineer, member of general public not associated with plumbing business, journeyman/master plumber must have 5 years experience
Residency Requirement: Plumbers must reside within the zoning jurisdiction of the City of Omaha
Summary of Duties: Adopts rules not inconsistent with Code for sanitary construction, alteration and inspection of lawn sprinkler systems, water conditioners, plumbing/sewage connections and drains; conducts plumber exams

Public Art Commission
Number of Members: 9
Special Qualifications: Museum curator, architect or landscape architect, representative of local non-profit visual arts corporation/association, visual art teacher, commercial visual artist or designer, 2 established visual artists, two at-large members. Voting members may not serve on any other City board or commission
Residency Requirement: Resident of City of Omaha
Summary of Duties: Makes recommendations on artwork donated/acquired by City (i.e., artistic merit, value of pieces); advisory committee to other City boards in all matters regarding art and aesthetics

Sign Examining Board
Number of Members: 4 (2 appointed by Mayor
Special Qualifications: Two members with the City of Omaha (chief building inspector and electrical inspector), 1sign contractor engaged in business of sign erection within jurisdictional area of Omaha for past 2 years prior to appointment and hold a valid master's certificate of competency
Residency Requirement: None
Summary of Duties: Conducts exam, issues certificates of competency for journeyman and master sign erectors

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Stationary Engineer Examiners Board
Number of Members: 3 (2 appointed by Mayor)
Special Qualifications: 1 member is City's boiler inspector, appointed members shall each have 10 years practical experience in operation/maintenance of steam boilers, shall be qualified to make boiler inspections and hold 1st grade stationary engineer's certificate
Residency Requirement: Membership can come from the City's zoning jurisdiction (Omaha and 3 mile limit)
Summary of Duties: Prepares and conducts examinations

Steamfitters Examiners Board
Number of Members: 4 (3 appointed by Mayor)
Special Qualifications: A journeyman steamfitter with at least 5 years experience, an employer of journeyman steam- fitters, an architect or mechanical engineer, and the City's Heating and Power Plant Inspector
Residency Requirement: None
Summary of Duties: Conducts examinations/licenses master and journeyman steamfitters; hear appeals from license applicants; updates exam as required

Transit Authority Board
Number of Members: 5
Special Qualifications: Not specified
Residency Requirement: Must be resident of the City of Omaha
Summary of Duties: Adopts bylaws, owns/operates public transportation system excluding taxicabs and railroad systems

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Zoning Board Of Appeals
Number of Members: 5 members & 2 alternates
Special Qualifications: Not specified
Residency Requirement: Must be resident of the City of Omaha
Summary of Duties: Modifies application of regulations/provisions of ordinances regarding use, construction or alteration of buildings/structures, land use; renders decisions on administration errors

Last update 10/16/2007