Volunteer Opportunities on City Boards, Committees and Commissions

The Yakima City Council is seeking volunteers interested in serving on City of Yakima boards, committees, and commissions. The Arts Commission, Community Review Board, and Bicycle/Pedestrian Committee each have one available position.  The Historic Preservation Commission and the Board of Appeals currently have two available openings. It is the responsibility of the City Council to appoint people to serve on the governing bodies of those organizations. The following boards and commissions have term expirations in June and may have positions vacant:  Henry Beauchamp Jr. Advisory Board, Parks and Recreation Commission, and Tree City USA Board.

There are no residency requirements for the current openings on the Arts Commission, whose members serve four-year terms.  The available position on the commission needs to be filled by an artist.

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 representative of the healthcare community.

The Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee Board has seven members.  Currently, there is one vacancy. Members serve a three-year term and must live within the Yakima city limits.

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 vacancies 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.

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.

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 – 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).