Jacob Dimond / jake@yelmonline.com
Nearly a year after being defeated in the Thurston County general election by Griselda Arias last November, former Yelm City Councilor Joshua Crossman is back with the City of Yelm — this time working in a new aspect of city government.
During a Yelm City Council meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 25, city councilors unanimously approved the appointment of Crossman to Yelm’s Tree Advisory Board. The appointment was first motioned by Councilor Joseph Richardson and seconded by Councilor Stephanie Kangiser — before being unanimously approved.
“I think he’s well qualified, especially with his business and working with wood,” Mayor Joe DePinto said. “Thank you. Congratulations.”
According to the City of Yelm’s website, the Yelm Tree Advisory Board was created in 1996 by the city. Its mission is to enhance and protect the city’s urban forest, and to maintain the “tree city status” for the city. Additionally, the advisory board communicates with Yelm City Council about tree-related matters.
When asked in his application why he’s interested in serving on a Yelm board or commission, the former Yelm city councilor, Crossman, wrote that he enjoys giving back to his community that he grew up with.
In addition to his experience serving as a Yelm city councilor for four years, Crossman also owns and operates his own business, PTL Flooring, locally here in Yelm. He opened his business in 2004.
Crossman was elected to Yelm City Council in November 2021, and at the conclusion of his first full term, he was narrowly defeated by then-challenger, Arias, for Yelm City Council Position No. 3.
His final meeting as Yelm city councilor took place on Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025.
“I would like to say thank you to the staff. It’s been great working with you all these four years. Council, it’s been interesting and fun. Thank you to the residents of Yelm,” Crossman said, last December during his final meeting as a councilor. “This opportunity is very educational. It was quite a learning experience being in this seat. If it goes the way it has been the last four years, I might be applying next year for the vacancy. I think every year we’ve had at least one or two (vacancies). It’s been a fun adventure. I’ll be around still. Thank you everybody.”
DePinto, members of Yelm City Council and the city administrator thanked Crossman for his contributions to Yelm City Council and the City of Yelm as a whole during his final meeting last year.
“I also want to thank council member Crossman for his service to this community and for his service as mayor pro tem,” DePinto said. “There’s a lot of different things you’ve impacted, but the one I saw most impactful was the sidewalks by Fort Stevens. You advocated for that and a more walkable Yelm. Thank you for those efforts, and thank you for your service.”
The tree advisory board meets six times a year, including in September, November, January, February, March and April. Meetings take place at 4 p.m. on the fourth Monday of each designated meeting month.
According to the City of Yelm’s website, members of the tree advisory board currently include Maureen Arroyo, John Graver, Kathleen Auckland, Crystal Wilson and Alec Sorenson. Each of the members, including the recently approved Crossman, were appointed by DePinto and confirmed by Yelm City Council to serve a four-year term.
Additionally, the City of Yelm was recognized as a “Tree City USA” by the National Arbor Day Foundation in 1996, and since then, the city has hosted an Arbor Day celebration on the last Friday in April.
