On Sept. 22 Mayor Jason Baker gave his last State of the City Address to city staff, school district officials, emergency responders and residents.

Baker’s address, a brief 15-minute speech, highlighted the city’s progress for the year which included new development, public art and the completion of city projects.

“The state of the city is really great,” Baker said in his address.

The address began with Baker expressing his gratitude to Campbell city manager Mark Linder, who will retire at the end of this year.

“A lot of things you’ll hear about tonight, Mark had a hand in,” Baker said.

He began by addressing the city’s unemployment rate, which at 3 percent is lower than the national and county averages.

“More Campbell residents are employed today than they ever were before in the history of Campbell,” Baker said. “Our unemployment rate is 3 percent. Our total employed is just over 25,000 in Campbell. Total unemployed is 794.”

Baker also spoke about the city’s resident satisfaction survey. The results, he said, showed 95 percent of city residents are satisfied with the city. Campbell has a population of slightly more than 40,000 residents.

“The results of our resident satisfaction survey this year were terrific,” Baker said. “They accurately reflect what a truly great place this is to live work and play.”

Baker said that residents are happy with the city’s quality of life because of the resources provided, such as public safety and public works projects. This year the city has been able to add two new police officers to its department as well as invest further in pavement projects. He added that 40 percent of the city’s expenditures are on public safety.

Baker also spoke about the region’s affordable housing crisis and homelessness.

“I’m not proud of that, but I’m not going to ignore it,” he said, adding that housing developments that are under construction will have 30 new below-market-rate housing units in Campbell.

Eleven of those 30 units will be for low- and very low-income families.

Adding more public art and getting people out of their cars to walk around the city is still a major goal for Campbell, Baker said. He expressed appreciation for the Art Outside the Box program that sees residents bring colorful, original artwork to city utility boxes. The program is in its second year.

“These help turn a drive or walk though Campbell into a journey,” Baker said.

Baker ended his speech by saying that more bike racks, public art and possibly more parks or open space could come to the city in the near future.

“I think a lot of folks are proud of Campbell,” Baker said. “I’m proud of our city and I hope you are, too.”

Baker’s term on the city council ends this year. This is his second time serving as mayor of the city.