That's a heartwarming narrative that bears no resemblance to observed reality. Frequently these positions are either totally uncontested or a straight party line vote by individuals who have literally no idea who or what they're voting for beyond party affiliation. What actually happens: council ignores the shit out of the noise coming from individuals that don't actually fund their campaigns, their affiliated party, or both. Entire projects are reframed as notionally beneficial to the community at large, citing some combination of bullshit claims about economic benefits and inclusivity, something something gentrification bad, etc, and the larger voting populace shrugs and goes on with their day oblivious. Worst case scenario a seat or two get sacrificed and the party apparatus advances another foot soldier to fill in the now vacated seat, with identical results.