Closing in on his one-year anniversary as Culver City’s mayor, Andrew Weissman has kept his sense of humor.

Soon after stepping up to the podium for his “State of the City” address March 24 during Culver City’s 30th Annual Mayor’s Luncheon, Weissman offered his early condolences to the man who will assume the mayoral mantle for the ensuing 12 months.

“As for next year, good luck Chris Armenta,” joked Weissman in a nod to the current vice mayor.

“In all seriousness, we have faced and continue to face serious challenges here in Culver City. We are all in this together. We depend upon each of you to make Culver City the unique place it already is.”

Weissman kept his remarks brief during the event at Veterans Memorial Auditorium, acknowledging the trying times the city is facing while also latching on to several positive developments that have come to fruition during his stint as Culver City’s reigning elected official.

Employing a “light at the end of the tunnel” approach, Weissman first spoke to the ongoing darkness that has been the No. 1 topic of discussion at City Hall and elsewhere in the community for quite some time — the ongoing budget crisis. While making a concerted effort to point out how the Culver City City Council, city staff and other interested parties are diligently working together to find solutions, Weissman admitted that adjustments may be in order, and residents should not be caught off guard if changes are made to the status quo.

“We all know the financial challenges facing the city,” Weissman said. “In the final analysis, we may no longer be able to afford programs just because people have become accustomed to them.”

After sounding that warning, Weissman moved on to a list of highlights and points of civic pride in an attempt to show that, despite the budget crunch, Culver City is still a beacon of success in several areas — touching upon such items as a reduction in traffic accidents, Culver City Fire Department response times, the city’s “green” transportation fleet, the ongoing expansion of the Expo Line to the Westside, and a committed sense of volunteerism by city residents.

“Despite the lagging economy, Culver City is anything but stagnant,” Weissman said. “These are but some of the signs of economic strength and vitality in Culver City.”

Also taking a brief turn at the microphone was outgoing City Manager Mark Scott, who made his final official public appearance before leaving his position Friday, April 2 to relocate to Fresno, where he will fill the same role.