The Yakima City Council is asking volunteers interested in serving on the City of Yakima Parks & Recreation Commission, Planning Commission, Historic Preservation Commission, Arts Commission, Community Review Board, Public Facilities District Board and the Henry Beauchamp, Jr. Community Center Advisory Board to submit applications to the City Clerk’s office. Additionally, there is one vacancy on the Board of Appeals for a mechanical contractor or a developer.
The Arts Commission, Community Review Board, Historic Preservation Commission and Public Facilities District Board each currently have two positions open. The Parks and Recreation Commission has one youth position and three other positions open. The Planning Commission and Henry Beauchamp, Jr. Community Center Advisory Committee each have one position open. It is the responsibility of the City Council to appoint people to serve on the governing bodies of those organizations.
There is no residency requirement for upcoming openings on the Arts Commission. There are currently two open positions for community representatives (the community members shall be from diverse backgrounds and shall have no vested interest in any particular art or cultural endeavor). The commission has 13-15 members, all of whom serve four-year terms. The commission meets monthly to enhance the cultural and aesthetic quality of life in the city of Yakima by actively pursuing the placement of public art in public spaces and by actively seeking to expand public access to visual and performing arts.
There is no residency requirement for upcoming openings on the Community Review Board, but the positions must represent different aspects of the public as a whole and represent the business and health community. The board has seven members who serve three-year terms. The Community Review Board is responsible for conducting administrative hearings and rendering decisions based upon written findings and do all things necessary and proper to carry out and enforce chapter 11.10 of the Yakima Municipal Code. The board holds twice monthly meetings, but may also conduct additional meetings as needed.
There are seven members of the Historic Preservation Commission, all of whom serve four-year terms and must live within Yakima city limits. The commission meets monthly and provides for the identification, evaluation, designation, and protection of designated historic and prehistoric resources within the boundaries of the City of Yakima and preserves and rehabilitates eligible historic properties for future generations. The commission shall include at least three professionals who have experience in identifying, evaluating, and protecting historic resources and are selected from among the disciplines of history, architecture, architectural history, landscape architecture, historic preservation, planning, folklore, cultural anthropology, prehistoric and historic archaeology, American studies, curation, traditional building crafts, the practice of historic rehabilitation or restoration, finance and banking, law, real estate, or related disciplines.
There are seven members of the Planning Commission, all of whom serve six-year terms and must live within Yakima city limits or own a business or real property within city limits. The Planning Commission meets twice monthly and works on long range planning issues within city limits.
There are seven members on the Parks and Recreation Commission, all of whom serve four-year terms and must live within Yakima city limits. The commission holds monthly meetings and advises the City Council and Parks and Recreation Manager concerning the formulation of policy, plans, and programs to maintain and operate City parks and carry out recreation programs. Youth members of the Parks and Recreation Commission must live within city limits and be between 16 and 22 years of age at the time of appointment and serve a two-year term.
There are seven members on the Henry Beauchamp, Jr. Community Center Advisory Board, all of whom serve four-year terms and must live within Yakima city limits. The board holds quarterly meetings and makes recommendations to the center operator and the City regarding management policies, operations, maintenance, and capital improvement needs. The appointees are based upon the recommendation of the Board of Directors.
There are seven members on the Board of Appeals who serve three-year terms. The Board of Appeals members are qualified by experience and training to evaluate appeals pertaining to building construction. The board currently requires a mechanical contractor or a developer.
Anyone interested in applying for openings can download an application from the City of Yakima website – https://www.yakimawa.gov/council/assets/Application-form-for-City-of-Yakima-Boards-and-Commissions.pdf – or can pick up an application at the City Clerk’s office at Yakima City Hall.
For more information about current or future openings on City of Yakima boards, committees, or commissions, contact City Clerk Sonya Claar Tee by phone (575-6037) or by e-mail
(sonya.claartee@yakimawa.gov).
Applicants Sought for Board and Commission Openings – News Release