It was an occasion for laughter, a few sentimental tributes, here and there a funny bit.

But for those gathered in the City Hall Council Chambers on Monday evening – friends, colleagues, family – there was recognition of something else: an era passing.

Councilmembers Sue Singer, 16 years, Lynn Norman, eight years, and Virginia Haugen, four years, were leaving, and it was time for farewells that were not really goodbyes and a glance back before slinging the knapsack over the shoulder for new fields.

Largo Wales, John Hayes Holman and Wayne Osborne begin their terms in January.

“This is a change … the biggest change in the Council since around 1995,” said Mayor Pete Lewis. “… This has been a special moment in time, a special moment in the history of the city when people of this caliber have gone together and worked as much as they have for as long as they have for the hours that they have in the service of their community.”

To name just a few of the accomplishments that marked their tenure: construction of new clubhouse at the Auburn Golf Course; building and opening of an activities center at Les Gove Park; launching a new animal shelter; establishment of an environmental park.

Singer and Norman alone, Lewis said, had served on almost every committee in King County.

Computing the hours worked for pay received, Lewis estimated that their earnings came to about 50 cents an hour.

“I will say it’s been the twinkling of an eye that eight years have gone by,” Norman said, “and I can’t imagine what 16 years would feel like, because … “

“Like 24,” Singer quickly added, drawing laughter.

Norman described what it takes to make things happen.

“The first thing you learn on the Council is that nothing happens fast in the City, and it’s very unlike the private realm where you can just do things the way you want to do them without a whole lot of checks and balances,” Norman said. “It’s a rigorous process, and a lot of times the public will say, ‘uh, when are you ever going to get this done?’ and the only one more frustrated is the elected official.

“But there’s a process for a reason,” Norman continued, “and one of those reasons is for adequate community input to make sure the City is getting the best deal possible, that it gathers all the money that a project will need.”

Getting used to the glacial process is one of the biggest challenges confronting a new councilmember, Norman said.

“In the end, the list of what you accomplished is never as long as what you hoped it would be, but I’m very proud of the work we have done,” Norman said.

Using her granddaughter, Megan, to hold up numbers, Singer read from a list of the 10 most rewarding moments in her 16 years of political life. Highlights included: hobnobbing with prime ministers, ambassadors and business moguls on international economic development trips to Australia, Japan, Finland and Estonia while she was president of the Puget Sound Regional Council.

Other highlights: opening the new, inter-generational activities center at Les Gove and being there when the idea was conceived; watching the wrecking ball knock down tavern row.

Singer also cited “helping to give birth” to the Auburn Library, Mary Olson Farm, Valley Com, the Valley Regional Fire Authority, the Auburn Environmental Park, the Green Zone and the Promenade.

“No wonder I’m so tired – that’s a lot of kids,” Singer said with a laugh.

But her number one, all-time-favorite memory?

“Seeing the ‘who are you?’ look on my husband’s face when I asked him to keep Sen. Murray and Congressman Insley entertained at our table when I did some last-minute changes to the program while I was president of the Puget Sound Regional Council,” Singer said. “I’ll never forget that look”

Haugen thanked “the very wise” people who helped her, including Singer and Norman, calling he the latter “the most articulate, smartest lady” she had ever worked with.

Councilwoman Nancy Backus paid tribute to her colleagues and friends.

“I want to thank you for our service, friendship, dedication, your belief that we deserve so much than for a long time we thought we deserved,” Backus said.

The City presented all three outgoing council members with mementoes in honor of their years of service. And in a letter, King County Executive Dow Constantine even declared Dec. 19, 2011 Sue Singer Day in King County.