FAIRHOPE, Ala. — Mayor Tim Kant delivered his 10th annual “state of the city” address Sunday, stating that he wanted to “let everyone know where we’ve been and where we’re going.”

Since Kant was first elected in 2000, the city has grown from a population of 12,480 to 16,185, he said.

Kant emphasized what he called “10 years of accomplishments,” emphasizing the construction of a new library, tennis complex, skate park, airport runway expansion, history museum, recreation center, golf course renovation, and adoption of a “no smoking” rule in local restaurants.

He also pointed to new business construction, such as the Hampton Inn, Bayside Orthopaedic, Publix Super Market and The Shoppes at Fairhope Village, as evidence that the city was doing better during difficult economic times than many cities.

The mayor also gave a positive overall financial picture for Fairhope, citing a recent audit of the city’s finances. That view would be challenged during Monday’s City Council meeting by Councilman Rick Kingrea, who said the city was close to being in a “critical situation.”

Kant announced two “community cleanup” days on May 15 and Sept. 18 this year, to encourage local citizen involvement in keeping the city clean.

“I’m proud of this community and what we’ve achieved together,” Kant said.

At Sunday’s event at the James P. Nix Center, Joe Birindelli received the 2009 Fairhope First Quality of Life award from Fairhope First, a local nonprofit that sponsored the mayor’s address.

“There couldn’t be a better person to receive the award,” Kant said. “He’s one of those individuals who always does something for others and never asks anything for himself. Those are the kind of people that make you proud.”

The award was presented by Jan McElroy, president of Fairhope First, who noted Birindelli’s accomplishments and current activities.

McElroy said Birindelli was a highly decorated veteran, who served in Vietnam, and retired from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in 1999 after 33 years.

“Joe’s had extensive involvement with our veterans organizations,” McElroy said. “He is so deserving of this honor.”

Birindelli helped organize Citizens for Local Troop Support and is now co-chair of that organization to help families and soldiers in the National Guard unit in Fairhope deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan, she said.

Birindelli is also chair of the Fairhope Veteran’s Day Parade Committee and is co-chair of the Fairhope Veterans Memorial Committee, she added.

“I’m not very deserving of this,” Birindelli said modestly. “I’m not the smartest guy in the world, and I know what my limitations are, so I try to be around and work with smart, energetic people who can help make things happen.”