While the glasses aren't exactly rose-colored, Marysville Mayor Dennis Kendall outlined a year of significant accomplishments and coming achievements in his annual State of the City address, delivered to members of the Greater Marysville Tulalip Chamber of Commerce at the business group's January 30 meeting.

"This economy has made us check our values," said Kendall. "In setting the city's priorities, we are tightly focused on the benefit to our citizens."

The mayor credited some of the city's recent successes on the strength of partnerships with the Tulalip Tribes, the Marysville School District, Community Transit and the local fire districts.

"I'm a firm believer in partnerships," said the mayor. "These alliances help us build on adversity and turn challenges into opportunity."

After outlining some of the city's accomplishments for 2008, which included major infrastructure projects, improvements in crime tracking and response, new and enhanced park and trail facilities, and sound budget management, the mayor turned his attention to the future.

The city has identified five primary areas of focus for the coming year. Bringing a UW North Sound campus to the 369-acre Smokey Point property tops the list, although city leaders recognize that funding for a university may be a victim of declining revenue resources. Kendall hopes to see legislation that commits the state to a 4-year university "north of the river."

The central Marysville annexation, number two on the list, will bring the entire Urban Growth Area into the city, adding 2,846 acres and 20,000 residents. By annexing the entire area, the city will receive a rebate of two-tenths of one percent on state sales tax, which will help provide municipal services to the area.

At number three, the city hopes to make progress on a Civic Complex to locate city offices and services in a central, convenient location that would help spur private downtown development. By building an environmentally-responsible facility, the city would also save money on utility costs.

Closely related to the civic complex, the fourth priority is the Downtown and Waterfront Redevelopment project. Tagged the "Marysville Makeover," planning is underway to create a pedestrian-friendly waterfront shopping and residential area. Look for public meetings throughout the year as city leaders gather citizens' comments.

The fifth and final "Big Five" project is development that implements the Smokey Point Master Plan, encouraging a light commercial/industrial park in the northeast section of the city.

With President Obama's economic stimulus package closer to approval, the mayor talked about the possible effects of the bill on the local economy. The legislation is poised to create jobs by "investing billions in roads, schools and other city construction projects." Part of the criteria for the federal funds is that projects are "shovel-ready," and Marysville has identified four transportation infrastructure jobs for the wish list.

If federal dollars are available, Marysville residents could see improvements to State Avenue from 116th to 136th St.; the completion of Ingraham Boulevard from 68th Avenue NE to 74th Drive NE, which will connect to the new Marysville Getchell High School; replacement of the I-5 bridge at 116th Street in cooperation with the Tulalip Tribes; and a new I-5 overcrossing at 156th Street.

Kendall commented, "The pace [of economic growth] has slowed now as the economy has weakened and growth has slowed, but we are better off than much of the Puget Sound region, which in turn has weathered still better than much of the rest of the nation."

The Marysville City Council holds regular meetings the second and fourth Mondays of each month at 7 p.m. on the second floor of City Hall, 1049 State Avenue. The public is always welcome to attend.