Issaquah Mayor Ava Frisinger delivered the annual State of the City Address Monday, Feb. 2 to a packed crowd at City Hall Northwest, citing a list of the city’s accomplishments and the chance to “focus on the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.”

Among the city’s successes were the addition of two new parks, the completion of the first phase of the intelligent transportation system, opening the transit center, passing the tree preservation ordinance, the city’s emergency radio station, completing the Lewis Creek fish passage improvement, and bringing in an emergency management coordinator and public information officer.

She thanked city employees for their work and lauded them as what sets Issaquah apart from other cities. But after the year wrap-up, the speech went right to what was on most minds during a tough economic year; what happens next.

“Issaquah has overcome many hard times before, and we’re ready for the challenge again,” Frisinger said.

Despite the shaky state of the national economy, Finance Director Jim Blake said in a video following the speech that Issaquah should end 2009 with the same cash reserves it began the year with.

The video highlighted the accomplishments and future directions of various city departments, and focused on what Frisinger called the three cornerstones of sustainability: the environment, people and businesses.

Future city projects would focus on minimizing environmental impacts and operating more efficiently, she said.

Open Space Steward Matt Mechler discussed how city departments would be working together on projects, such as invasive plant removal, and said that sustainability is about “enhancing and preserving.”

Police Chief Paul Ayers assured community members the department was well trained on all new equipment and programs and Planning Director Mark Hinthorne detailed the steps the Central Issaquah Plan is taking toward providing incentives for green building and promoting a vibrant downtown.

On the business side, Economic Development Manager Dan Trimble focused on the impact the intelligent transportation system will have.

“One of the key ways to support business is through effective transportation,” he said.

Public Works Engineering Director Bob Brock further drove this point home with a discussion of the complete streets program, alternative transportation, and a roundabout the city is planning to build.

Frisinger ended the video with a reminder that in order for the city to be successful, those three cornerstones must be kept in mind.

“Looking forward, I am positive this city, this council, these citizens … have the opportunity to make this a historical year,” she said.