Issaquah Mayor Ava Frisinger first took office in 1998. She has been re-elected twice, and now, in her fourth term, she’s decided not to seek the office again.

At Monday’s regular city council meeting Frisinger delivered what will be her final state of the city address. In her address, she brought the crowd back to 1998 – when city hall south on Sunset Way didn’t exist, Friends of the Issaquah Salmon Hatchery was a fledgling organization, and Costco had just settled into its headquarters not long before.

Much has changed since 1998, including the development of the Issaquah Highlands.

“While we’ve grown by more than 140 percent since 1998, most would say we still have that small town feel,” Frisinger said. “Why? Our citizens are heard. We care about each other and our larger community.”

Now with the approval of the Central Issaquah Plan, which will guide the core of Issaquah as it transforms from parking lots and strip malls to a more sustainable urban area, although Frisinger will no longer be at the helm, she said she is confident that in 30 years Issaquah will be pleased with the outcome of the CIP because of its dedicated citizens, businesses and volunteers.

Frisinger said she was proud of the city’s work to secure $4 million in state funds to improve fish passage near the Issaquah Salmon Hatchery, where she volunteers as a docent. She acknowledged that the city needs to work on improving traffic congestion in North Issaquah, citing the local improvement district in that area which will be considered this year. Frisinger also referenced the potential annexation of Klahanie.

“Once the study is completed this spring, it’s time that a final decision is made,” she said. “Clarity is needed for both Issaquah and the residents of the Klahanie PAA (potential annexation area).”

Frisinger said the city has the right vision, people and passion to continue the hard work she has been a part of for 16 years.