As used in section 5 through 35:

    (a) “Articles” means a metropolitan area council’s articles of incorporation provided for in section 5.

    (b) “Council area” means the combined territory of the cities, villages, and townships participating in a metropolitan area council.

    (c) “Largest” means, if used in reference to a county, the county having the greatest population residing in participating cities, villages, and townships. “Largest”, if used in reference to a participating local governmental unit, means the participating local governmental unit having the greatest population.

    (d) “Local governmental unit” means a county, township, city, or village.

    (e) “Metropolitan area” means a metropolitan statistical area, as defined as of the effective date of this act, by the United States department of commerce or a successor agency, with a population of less than 1,500,000 people.

    (f) “Participating”, if used in reference to a local governmental unit, means 1 of the following:

    (i) After formation of a metropolitan area council, a local governmental unit that has joined in the formation of the council or been added to the council pursuant to section 11 and that has not withdrawn pursuant to section 33.

    (ii) Before formation of a metropolitan area council, a local governmental unit named in the articles of incorporation as a participating local governmental unit.