City of Omaha Mayor’s Office

Administrative Appeals Board

• Number of Members : 5 - plus 2 alternates
• Length of Term: 3 years
• 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

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: No residency requirements
• Summary of Duties: Review and approve applications for Air Conditioning/Air Distribution licensing and coninuing education of Master and Journeyman Installers. Certifies examination scores, addresses complaints/misuses against license holders.

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: Omaha for two citizens. Alarm company representative must work in 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, appointed by Mayor; 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

Benson Business Improvement District 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: The Benson Business Improvement District (BID No. 6875) is established under the authority of the Business Improvement District Act, Neb. Rev. Stat. § 19-4105, et seq. for the purpose of providing specified activities, work and improvements in the Benson area of Omaha, Nebraska.

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

City Naming Committee

• Number of Members: 9
• Special Qualifications: Nine members include Planning Director; Public Works Director; Police Chief; Fire Chief; Parks and Recreation Director; Library Director; and 3 representatives of the Public at Large. Authorized designees of members, with the exception of the 3 representatives of the Public at Large, may represent the member at a meeting of the committee where he or her is absent
• Residency Requirement: None
• Summary of Duties: Reviews and provides recommendations for the proposed naming or renaming of city property

Downtown Business Improvement Area Board

• Number of Members: 11
• Length of Term: 5 years
• Meeting Date/Time/Place: Meets twice a year; meetings will be held in Downtown Omaha
• 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: The primary responsibility of the Board is to oversee the Omaha Downtown Improvement District Association (ODIDA) and, in particular to review and approve for submission to the City Council ODIDA’s annual work plan and budget. Further information about the District and ODIDA, including the ordinance, is available at www.omahadowntown.org .

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

Heartland Workforce Solutions

• Number of Members: 30-55
• Length of Term: 3 years, renewable up to 3 terms
• Established by: Workforce Investment Act
• Appointment Process: Appointed by Mayor - no Council approval
• Special Qualifications: Must be a decision maker in business he or she represents; have the endorsement of one other business entity in the region. Total board must have balanced representation in accordance with the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) federal legislation.
• Residency Requirement: Must reside in Douglas, Sarpy, or Washington County
• Summary of Duties: Familiar with WIA and willing to serve on at least one committee. Board attendance requirements and must attend board orientation.

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: No residency requirements
• Summary of Duties: Conducts exams and issues Hoisting and Portable Engineer’s Certificates

Human Resources Board

• Number of Members: 5 members & 3 alternates
• Special Qualifications: Not specified
• Residency Requirement: Must reside in the City of Omaha (qualified electors of the City)
• Summary of Duties: Advises on personnel matters, hears appeals on disciplinary actions, reviews exam schedules/lists, hears grievances

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
• Appointment Process: Recommended by Mayor; Approved by City Council
• 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 within a landmark heritage preservation district, which business or property may be owned or operated by a corporation of which such member is a partner.
• 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
• Length of Term: 3 years - term limit of two 3 year terms
• Appointment Process: Appointed by Mayor; Approved by City Council
• Special Qualifications: Not specified
• Residency Requirement: Must be resident of the City of Omaha
• Summary of Duties: Adopts by-laws of library for preservation/usefulness; impose penalties for trespassing/injury upon properties, damage to books and late returns.

Mayor’s Commission For Citizens With Disabilities

• Number of Members: 14
• Special Qualifications: Composed of 14 members representing the broad cross-section of the Omaha community with physical, visual, hearing, or other disabilities
• Residency Requirement: Except for Commission Secretary all members must be residents of the City of Omaha
• Summary of Duties: The commission is to counsel and advise the Mayor of concerns of citizens with disabilities and recommend to the Mayor policies to be implemented through municipal government that: affect the status of citizens with disabilities; affect employment in municipal government of citizens with disabilities; and affect accessibility to and from public buildings and infrastructures governed by municipal codes and ordinances.

Mayor’s Fair Housing Advisory Group

• Number of Members: 11
• Special Qualifications: 2 citizens of the City of Omaha appointed whom shall represent a low to moderate income neighborhood as defined by the City of Omaha Planning Department Housing and Community Development Division; 1 citizen each from the following industries: builders, financial institutions, and realtors; 4 citizens of a protected class by virtue of that individual’s race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, familial status, or handicap; 1 additional citizen as a representative of one of the above categories or the community at large; and 1 representative of the City administration
• Residency Requirement: Must be resident of the City of Omaha
• Summary of Duties: Review/update the City-sponsored assessment of impediments to fair housing choice in public and private sectors; identify additional avenues of inquiry related to assessment; identify barriers to fair housing choice by industry and sector; develop activities and implement programs to eliminate barriers identified; review actions taken and evaluate the results of those actions

Mayor’s Pardon Review Board

• Number of Members: 2
• Length of Term: For the duration of the position
• Established by: Executive Order S-13-10
• Appointment Process: Member by designated position
• Special Qualifications: Members will be the Chief of Staff to the Mayor and Deputy Chief of Staff to the Mayor, if applicable
• Residency Requirements: None stated
• Responsible Department: Mayor’s Office
• Summary of Duties: Reviews a petitioner’s request for Mayoral Pardon for a conviction of an offense under Chapter 20 of the Municipal Code and pursuant to the power granted in Section 20-2 thereof. Board recommends action to the Mayor in regard to whether or not to pardon a petitioner. Based on the recommendation of the Board, the Mayor may issue a pardon for the specific offense petitioner has requested. Forms for pardons may be requested through the Mayor’s Office, Suite 300, 1819 Farnam Street, Omaha NE

Mayor’s Youth Commission

• Number of Members: up to 50 high school junior and seniors
• Length of Term: June 1 of one year through May 31 of following year
• Established by: Executive Order S-1-11
• Appointment Process: Mayor appoints commission
• Special Qualifications: members will be from a variety of Omaha area (not restricted to city limits) high school.
• Residency Requirements: students enrolled at the respective area high schools
• Summary of Duties: Outreach opportunities to young people throughout the Omaha community; suggestions for improving community relations between city departments and youth; and ways to incorporate the ideas of young people into long-term city planning.

Metropolitan Entertainment And Convention Authority

• Number of Members: 5 (appointments rotate between Mayor & City Council)
• Special Qualifications: Cannot be elected officials or employees of the City of Omaha or Douglas County
• Residency Requirement: Elector 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
• View meeting minutes and agendas

Omaha Airport Authority

• Number of Members: 5
• Special Qualifications: None
• Residency Requirement: No residency requirements
• Summary of Duties: Administers the operation of facilities, promotes aviation services, manages Eppley and Carrier airport, passenger/cargo/support facilities

Omaha Cable Television Advisory

• Number of Members: 7
• Length of Term: 3 years
• Appointment Process: Majority vote of the City Council
• Special Qualifications: Seven members with one resident from each council district. Every effort will be made to select individuals knowledgeable in the cable television industry. No member shall be employed by or have an interest in the grantee of any cable television franchise
• Residency Requirement: Must be residents of district represented
• Summary of Duties: Advise the Council on revoking of the franchise; resolve disagreements between any franchisee and subscriber or users of cable TV, appeal-able to the City Council; advise the council on regulation of rates; advise the Council regarding general policy; cooperate with the franchisee in drafting rules governing use of any public access channels and access production equipment. See Sec. 19-434 for remainder of duties. A quorum of four is necessary to convene any meeting.

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
• Appointment Process: Recommended by Mayor; approved by City Council
• Special Qualifications: Not specified; State law - must have one resident commissioner (applications are taken from all OHA residents in a specified time period).
• Residency Requirement: "Every Commissioner shall be a resident of the area of operation of the housing agency which he or she has been appointed to serve."
• Summary of Duties: Conducts business of the Housing Authority

Omaha Performing Arts Society Board

• Number of Members: 10
• Length of Term: 2 years
• Special Qualifications: Not a current elected or appointed city official
• Residency Requirement: None
• Summary of Duties: The Omaha Performing Arts Society Board of Directors support the mission of Omaha Performing Arts — a commitment to presenting the finest performing arts events, stewardship of the Holland Performing Arts Center and Orpheum Theater, and education activities for the community. They provide oversight for sound financial management, serve as advocates in the community, and ensure adequate financial resources are available which includes the capacity and willingness to support OPAS through very generous personal and/or business resources. All directors contribute significantly to OPAS each year, and also contribute to major capital/fundraising projects. They are also responsible for assisting in helping to raise money and identifying others who can contribute.

Park And Recreation Board

• Number of Members: 7
• Special Qualifications: Citizen sympathetic to the development of a park system and recreation program
• Residency Requirement: Qualified elector of the City of Omaha
• 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

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
• View new Website

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

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
• Length of Term: 5 years
• Special Qualifications: Not specified
• Residency Requirement: Must be resident of the Transit Authority territory as described in state statute 14-1803
• Summary of Duties: Adopts bylaws, votes on matters affecting the Transit Authority per general powers, more specifically outlined in state statute 14-1803. The Transit Authority owns/operates public transportation system excluding taxicabs and railroad systems

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