The Yakima City Council is seeking volunteers interested in serving on City of Yakima boards, committees, and commissions.
The Community Integration Committee (youth) has one available position. The Bicycle/Pedestrian Advisory Committee has one opening, the Board of Appeals currently has two available openings and the Henry Beauchamp Advisory Committee has four available openings. The Arts Commission, Tree City USA and Historic Preservation Commission each have two terms expiring and the Parks & Recreation Commission has three terms expiring and one youth vacancy opening.
It is the responsibility of the City Council to appoint people to serve on the governing bodies of those organizations. More about the volunteer opportunities:
There is one youth position available on the Community Integration Committee, which is for a two-year term. Applicants must live within Yakima city limits and be between the ages of 16-22 at the time of appointment. 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.
The Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee has seven members. Members serve a three-year term and must live within the Yakima city limits.
There are seven members on the Board of Appeals who serve three-year terms. The board currently requires a mechanical contractor or a developer to fill one of its vacancies.
There are seven members of the Henry Beauchamp Community Center Advisory Board, all of whom serve four-year terms and must live within Yakima city limits. Currently, there are four vacancies on this board, which holds quarterly meetings and makes recommendations to the center operator and the City regarding management policies, operations, maintenance, and capital improvement needs.
There are two terms expiring with possible vacancies for community representatives on the Arts Commission. There is no residency requirement for the Arts Commission, whose members serve four-year terms. The community members shall be from diverse backgrounds and shall have no vested interest in any particular art or cultural endeavor.
The Tree City USA Board consists of five members and two terms are expiring. People with experience related to trees and other plantings, specifically those with training as arborists, are encouraged to apply.
There are seven members of the Historic Preservation Commission, all of whom serve four-year terms and must live within Yakima city limits. Currently there are two terms expiring on the commission, which 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.
Members of the Parks and Recreation Commission must live within Yakima city limits and youth members must be between 16-22 years of age at the time of appointment in order to be eligible to serve a two-year term. Currently, there are three terms expiring and one youth vacancy.
Additional information on the duties and responsibilities of each committee can be found at https://www.yakimawa.gov/council/boards-commissions/. 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
Contact City Clerk Sonya Claar Tee by phone, 575-6037, or e-mail, sonya.claartee@yakimawa.gov, for more information about current or future openings on City of Yakima boards, committees, or commissions.