Lansing - Continuing to make Lansing a “first class city” is on the minds of several Lansing city council members - and they hope Mayor David Hollister agrees.

Hollister, who was elected in 1993, is serving his third term as the city’s mayor.

Monday’s State of the City address, the mayor’s ninth such appearance, will begin at 7 p.m. in Lansing Community College’s Dart Auditorium, 500 N. Capitol Ave.

The theme, “Lansing Works! - Our Neighborhoods, Our Families, Our Future,” will focus on renewing Lansing neighborhoods.

A number of programs designed to make Lansing neighborhoods safe places to live, work and raise a family will be introduced during the speech.

And one of its key points will focus on the need to secure a positive future for Lansing through its neighborhoods.

Sandy Allen, a second ward council member, said she agrees that revitalizing Lansing’s neighborhoods is a top priority.

“That’s one of the things that is going to attract people to living in Lansing,” Allen said. “We want people to choose to remain, or choose to come to Lansing.”

Carol Wood, an at-large council member, said she agrees continuing the neighborhood program is important, but she also wants to see Hollister focus on the budget.

“I want to know how long we might be in this budget crunch, and will it get better before it gets worse?” Wood said.

Lansing resident Tom Bright said he also worries about the city’s budget and potential for recession.

But new developments in the area, such as the General Motors Corp. plant recently built in the city, give him hope that Lansing will come out on top.

“I live and work in this city, my children go to school here, I want to find out what his goals are and how they affect me.”