Volunteer Opportunities on City Boards, Committees and Commissions

The Yakima City Council is asking volunteers interested in serving on the City of Yakima Planning Commission, Board of Appeals, Tree Board and the Henry Beauchamp, Jr. Community Center Advisory Committee to submit applications to the City Clerk’s office.

The Planning Commission, Board of Appeals and Henry Beauchamp, Jr. Community Center Advisory Committee currently have one open position each. The City of Yakima Tree Board currently has three open positions available. It is the responsibility of the City Council to appoint people to serve on the governing bodies of those organizations.

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 Board of Appeals who serve three-year terms and meet on an on-call basis. 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.

The City of Yakima Tree Board consists of five members. One seat on the board will be filled by the City of Yakima arborist and one seat will be filled by the Yakima City Council through the recommendation of the Yakima Arboretum. The other three seats will be filled independently by the Yakima City Council. All applicants for the three seats that will be filled independently by the City Council must live within Yakima city limits. People with experience related to trees and other plantings, specifically people with training as arborists, are encouraged to apply, although not all positions on the board require such experience.

There are seven members of 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. Appointments to the board are based upon the recommendations of the board of directors.

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 City Boards, Committees, and Commissions – News Release