/ KREM City News

SPOKANE--Spokane Mayor Mary Verner ticked off a long list of accomplishments in the annual State of the City address to the Spokane City Council Monday night and promised that 2009 would bring an "adventure in leadership".

City Cable 5

Mayor Mary Verner delivers her first State of the City address.

Verner listed quite a few city successes including restoring alley garbage pick up in North Spokane, the completion of the Maple-Ash construction project, and the city's completion of several spray pads for little kids to cool off in city parks.

The Mayor also said the city met goals by extending library hours and putting on Bike to Work Week.

Verner praised the emergency response to this year's record snow fall,  which also put the city over its street budget.  Verner says as a result thousands of potholes were filled, but there is still work to do.

The Mayor gave similar praise in regards to the city's spring flooding response in Peaceful Valley.

Verner did acknowledge the city has their work cut out for them with the world in econonmic turmoil and predicted an “adventure in leadership” for her and the council.  In the next year the council will look at restructuring the municipal court system. They'll also try to reduce jail costs, and find funding for the North-South Freeway, as well as balance the street maintenance budget.