The Yakima City Council is seeking volunteers interested in serving on the City of Yakima Community Integration Committee, Planning Commission, Community Review Board, Historic Preservation Commission, Bicycle/Pedestrian Advisory Committee and the Board of Appeals.
The Planning Commission, Historic Preservation Commission, Bike/Ped Committee and Board of Appeals currently have one opening each. The Community Review Board has two positions open and the newly created Community Integration Committee has seven open positions along with two youth member openings. The youth members must be age 16-22 at the time of appointment. Additionally, the Housing Authority Board may have two open positions in the near future.
It is the responsibility of the City Council to appoint people to serve on the governing bodies of those organizations.
The Community Integration Committee’s seven non-youth members and two youth members must live within Yakima city limits. The non-youth members serve a four-year term while the youth members serve a two-year term. The board holds meetings once per month, but may also conduct additional meetings as needed. Appointments shall be made to ensure that varied community perspectives are represented and, to the extent possible, reflect the current demographics of the City, including consideration of historically underrepresented communities. The purpose and intent of the community integration committee is to advise the Yakima City Council on ways to improve community engagement; diversify the city government and workforce; provide additional review of policies, ordinances and resolutions if requested; and give a voice to all Yakima residents.
There are seven members of the Planning Commission, all of whom serve four-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 is no residency requirement for members of the Community Review Board, but the positions must represent different aspects of the public as a whole. Currently there is a vacancy on the board for a local resident and one that must be filled by a representative of the healthcare 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 meetings twice per month, 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 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.
The Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee Board has seven members. Members serve a three-year term and must live within the Yakima city limits. The responsibilities of the committee are to review, comment, generate ideas, and advise the City Council on issues related to the development, maintenance, and planning of the network of facilities for bicycles and pedestrians including public streets, sidewalks, bike paths, pathways and related improvements; and to work with staff, committees, schools, affected residents, and neighborhoods or other interested groups on bicycle/pedestrian projects and implementation.
There is no residency requirement for service on the Housing Authority Board, but neither employees nor elected officials from the City of Yakima or Yakima County are eligible to apply. The board has five members who serve five-year terms. The Housing Authority Board is responsible for developing and operating programs to provide housing for low-income people in the city. The board holds a regular monthly meeting, but may also conduct additional meetings as needed.
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, Committee, Commission Vacancies – News Release