Mayor John Engen wants it to be such a place 100 years from now, too.

“Our city is strong,” said Engen, who stepped into office almost a year ago.

Engen gave the annual state of the city address Tuesday to nearly 400 people at the Doubletree Hotel. He talked about being the mayor of his hometown, told of progress the city made in 2006 and set out a course for 2007.

First, Engen talked about being mayor. He is finding the job more complicated, challenging and rewarding than he ever imagined - “and I have a fairly active imagination.”

He is even relishing the challenges, so much so that Engen told the crowd he plans to run for a second term.

Engen said he spends much of his time talking with people. Scheduled and impromptu meetings packed his calendar last year, he said. He counted some 1,200 meetings since January 2006, which taught him that folks take his open-door policy seriously. He lends them an ear whenever he can, he said.

“It's more important for me to listen than it is for me to talk.”

The mayor lauded Missoula's progress over the past year. He praised various departments and staff, and reminisced about the many milestones the city passed.

Engen said he was pleased that residents approved a $10 million open space bond, and he talked about Missoula's urban spaces, too.

Last year, the city tackled transportation across the municipality.

Construction took place along Russell Street and west of Reserve Street. In some folks' eyes, though, not all construction led to progress. When Engen mentioned West Broadway, he expected laughter from the audience, and it came.

Last year's changes to West Broadway gave many area residents and business owners heartburn, but Engen told them he believes the corridor can still be beautiful and functional.

Since last year, some intersections across town seem to be working better. The city installed nine “traffic calming circles,” he said.

As the city grows, ensuring public safety remains a priority. That means paying attention to the needs of firefighters and police officers.

The Linda Vista neighborhood has a new fire station, and Engen bragged about the city's firefighters.

They're in top form, he said. Last year, a team visited Seattle for an annual stair climb. In full gear, firefighters climbed the Columbia Center's 69 flights. The building is the second tallest on the West Coast.

It's a feat even for the fit.

Engen, who is not so fit yet, said he took on a different responsibility during the stair climb.

“I remained in Missoula to answer the phone,” he said.

In 2006, Missoula started taking better care of its police officers.

Their pay has been well below the market rate, but a new contract gives police incremental raises. Their pay is expected to line up with the market rate in four years.

They're doing their job, Engen said: The crime rate in Missoula remains flat.

“We want to keep it that way,” he said.

He also offered praise for departments that keep the city running smoothly.

Sewer rates remain low, but the wastewater treatment plant exceeds environmental recommendations, Engen said. Meanwhile, the city continues to connect homes to sewer lines.

Public transportation is becoming cleaner, and it's also a more popular way to commute in Missoula, he said.

City buses are relying more and more on biofuel. Missoula added five buses that use biofuel. Plus, the number of people using Mountain Line jumped 9 percent last year.

“We have a hunch that rising gas prices may have had something to do with that,” Engen said.

The city's inner offices are working well, too.

City accountants are top-notch, Engen said. That means Missoula's credit is good and it gets low interest rates.

“We do accounting right in the city of Missoula,” Engen said.

Building in Missoula continues to flourish, too. Last year, the city added nearly 500 dwellings, including some 350 houses.

In 2006, Missoulians swam in new swimming pools, skated in a new skatepark and danced at a Rolling Stones concert.

“But you know, I'm not satisfied,” Engen said.

He wants to see progress in 2007, too.

He wants the police to move into new headquarters because they're currently cramped. He wants the city's transportation fleet to burn more clean fuel. And he wants to be able to ask residents whether they support a local sales tax - he only wants to be able to ask, he said.

He'd like teachers, nurses, cops, firefighters and soldiers who dream of homeownership in Missoula to be able to have a shot at it.

Engen shared some personal goals, too. He wants to be more healthy. He plans to reduce his waistline and climb to the top of Mount Sentinel, though later he said he meant Mount Jumbo.

As mayor, he'll continue to keep in touch with Missoulians.

“My door remains open, and as always, I'm ready to listen,” he said.

Audio online

To listen to Mayor John Engen's state of the city address,  http://www.missoulian.com/123/22.php