I've taken a quick look at two councils in unincorporated Washington communities – Manson with about 3,500 people near Chelan, and Peshastin, much smaller, near Leavenworth. Both councils, I was told, grew out of the groups that had created their UGAs.
At www.peshastin.org you will find the by-laws of their council, which has seven members who serve three-year terms. They “have no legal authority to impose binding conditions, contracts or requirements...but may issue advisory opinions.” Members serve without compensation; the council has no borrowing authority, but may solicit donations and distribute funds.
As illustrated, the Peshastin Community Council (blue line) covers a larger geographic area than the UGA (salmon line with purple fill). The larger salmon/purple area to the upper left is Leavenworth.
LilithYanagumachi, a long-range planner, of the Chelan County Department of Community Development, said that the councils are helpful in establishing zoning criteria and in representing their communities to the County Commissioners. But she added that individuals coming before the commissioners can have as much stature as the councils.
Members of the council, whose terms are rotated, are elected at annual meetings. Cathy Springer, vice chair of the Peshastin council, explained that candidates – she called them “volunteers” – complete an application form that includes the signatures of 10 people who endorse the candidacy. At the meeting, the forms are on display and voters put names they are voting for in a box. Ms. Springer added that at the last meeting, when she was re-elected, there was only one candidate each for the two vacant positions.
Interest in the council heats up, she said, “When crap hits the fan.”
On the last Saturday in July, Friends of the Peshastin Library held an ice cream social that brought the community together and raised funds for the public library.
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