Volunteer Opportunities on City Boards and Commissions

The Yakima City Council is asking volunteers interested in serving on the City of Yakima Parks and Recreation Committee Youth Position, Planning Commission, Lodging Tax Advisory Committee, Arts Commission, and the Southeast Community Center Advisory Committee to submit applications to the City Clerk’s office.

The Planning Commission and Arts Commission currently have one open position each, the Parks and Recreation Commission has one open youth position, the Southeast Community Center Advisory Committee has two open positions and the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee has two open positions. 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 is no residency requirement for service on the Arts Commission at this time. There is one vacancy for an artist (“working artist” shall be a person who has had their works of art exhibited in professional gallery spaces and/or has had their work included in professionally juried exhibitions or permanent collections). 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.

Youth members of the Parks and Recreation Commission must live within Yakima city limits and be between 16-22 years of age at the time of appointment in order to be eligible to serve a two-year term. 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.

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.

There are nine members of the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee, all of whom serve two-year terms. There are two vacancies, one of which is for a member who is a representative of a business required to collect lodging tax and one vacancy for a representative who is involved in activities authorized to be funded by the revenue received from the lodging tax.

Anyone interested in applying for openings can download an application from the City of Yakima website – www.yakimawa.gov/council/assets/BoardsCommissionsApplication.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 – News Release