Since it's inception 28 years ago, the Topanga Town Council has been serving an ever-growing and ever-changing community. The Town Council began in 1977, when resident Jan Moore had a vision as to how to serve the community. Town meetings led to an ad hoc committee that formed the Topanga Canyon Town Council. It became a non-profit California corporation whose function was to act as an informational conduit between the town and local government officials.

Gary Davis became the next President and continued to promote the spirit and ideas of the original founders. One of his most important contributions was to establish the TCTC Hotline, which more than proved its worth during the floods of 1980. The Council acted as liaison between the community and the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the National Guard, Red Cross, Cal-trans and the Los Angeles County Health Department. Hotline volunteers relayed information and directed help to those who needed it. The Hotline demand was so great, that in 1994, TCEP (Topanga Coalition for Emergency Preparedness) was founded to improve communication during emergencies for residents.

During the 1980’s, Barry Glasser, Marty Brastow and Al Riggs served terms as President of the Town Council. The Council participated in a feasibility study with the Local Agency Formation Commission to determine if Topanga should be a candidate for incorporation as a city. The small amount of sales tax generated in Topanga was not, and is not, sufficient to pay for agencies such as fire, police and roads. It also joined various Topanga organizations to oppose Disney’s attempt to build Canyon Ranch in the northern undeveloped area. TCTC has encouraged the expansion of State Parks on undeveloped land in our area and supports the Resource Conservation Districts environmental efforts.

In 1982, the Council helped organize the Buddy Ebsen Community Arson Watch and funded the Topanga unit. Twenty-two years in the making, Arson Watch became independent. Under the supervision of Alan Emerson, over 140 volunteers patrol the canyon and adjacent areas in the Santa Monica Mountains.

Beginning in 1990, Dale Robinette served as President of the Town Council. During his 12-year tenure, the Council began participating in the California's Highway Adoption Program and campaigning for the "Slow Down Through Town" movement. Fundraising efforts included the production of the Topanga license plate frames and the sale of the Topanga Access Stickers.

In 2002, Manfred Schlosser became President and re-established a time-honored tradition by having the Town Council sponsor the town parade during Memorial Day weekend. Anthony Hall headed the Council for the next two years, supporting programs that include the development of a public library and a public swimming pool.

As of 2006, long time resident Jacqui Benson, leads the way by continuing to promote the spirit and ideas of the original founders. The Council continues to serve on the TCEP-County Emergency Task Force, and appears at County hearings giving advice on numerous land-use planning issues affecting Topanga and its inhabitants.

The Topanga Town Council is also committed to further the academic goals of the community's children; to keep graffiti from proliferating the community; to provide avenues of communication during emergencies; and to promote community projects that benefit all.