Volunteer Opportunities on City Boards, Committees and Commissions

The Yakima City Council is asking volunteers interested in serving on two newly-created exploratory committees to submit applications to the City Clerk’s office and include a resume.  The two exploratory committees are the Ethics and Equal Rights Exploratory Committee and the Community Integration Exploratory Committee.  Additionally, there are openings on the reinstated Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee, the Board of Appeals, the Yakima Housing Authority Board, and the Southeast Community Center Advisory Committee. The City Council is asking volunteers interested in serving on those bodies to submit applications to the City Clerk’s office.

It is the responsibility of the City Council to appoint people to serve on the governing bodies of those organizations. Additionally, committee members with appointments expiring are asked to reapply.

The exploratory committees and the Bike/Ped Committee each have seven open positions.  The Yakima Housing Authority Board and Southeast Community Center Advisory Board currently have one open position each, and the Board of Appeals has two open positions.

The Community Integration Exploratory Committee and the Ethics & Equal Rights Exploratory Committee positions are for one-year terms and members must reside in the Yakima city limits. The exploratory committees are tasked with reviewing and evaluating what issues are occurring in Yakima that would fall under such a committee, as well as what other jurisdictions, cities and counties in Washington State and elsewhere are doing to address these issues. One member of the Ethics and Equal Rights Exploratory Committee should have a background in the law.

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 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 an engineer, mechanical contractor, or a developer.

There is no residency requirement for service on the Yakima 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.

There are seven members on the Southeast 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.

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 additional information on the City of Yakima Boards & Commissions please visit our website at https://www.yakimawa.gov/council/boards-commissions/

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 – News Release