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 and Tree City USA Board each have one available position.  There is one vacant youth position and one vacant adult position on the Parks and Recreation Commission. The Board of Appeals and Henry Beauchamp Advisory Committee currently have two available openings. The Bike/Ped Board has term expirations in December and may have positions vacant.  It is the responsibility of the City Council to appoint people to serve on the governing bodies of those organizations.

There is no residency requirement for the current opening on the Arts Commission, whose members serve four-year terms.  The available position on the commission needs to be filled by a community member and 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 must live within Yakima city limits. People with experience related to trees and other plantings, specifically people with training as arborists, are encouraged to apply, although not all positions on the board require such experience.

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.   

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. 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.

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

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).