The Sammamish City Council unanimously established the Klahanie Transition Committee at its Tuesday regular meeting, approving the appointment of 14 people representative of about 95 percent of the Klahanie annexation area.

The volunteer team, effective early August, will help the city spread the word throughout the area and will advise the city regarding parks, streets, and other issues of concern.

“As we began to think about it and recognize the challenges in bringing them in early,” Deputy Mayor Kathy Huckabay said, “we decided that it was better to take some slower steps going forward, and particularly to invite a transition committee in to begin discussing about what Klahanie’s priorities were — not what our priorities are. … We really want to know what Klahanie is interested in, and I think the best way to find that out is this transition committee.”

City Communications Director Tim Larson took the lead on the project, contacting as many Klahanie homeowner associations he could find. He identified 10, which nominated representatives for the committee. The Klahanie Association, since it represents about 80 percent of annexation area, will have four representatives on the committee.

One Klahanie business owner was also selected to serve.

The committee will dissolve after the Klahanie area is annexed, unless the council extends that time.

While the Sammamish City Attorney Michael Kenyon said the committee’s meetings are not likely subject to the Open Public Meetings Act, citizens are welcome to attend. Meetings will likely be held in the executive briefing room within city hall.