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Council gives Smith priority list By Jessica Smith Parks acquisition and an update of Medford�s sewer master plan top a list of items city leaders would like their new lobbyist to take up with Congress. Representatives from Smith West Co., a Medford government relations firm headed by former congressman Bob Smith, say they�ll review the list and report back to the Medford City Council in the next few weeks. Projects on agenda Here�s how the rest of the projects stacked up (beginning with the council�s first priority): Parks acquisition � The city wants Congress� help in paying the $4.8 million cost to acquire a 124-acre farm that will one day serve as a regional sports park off Highway 99. Sewer master plan � It will cost $300,000 to $500,000 to update the city�s sewer plan to prevent future overflows from increased use. ( tie) Santo Community Center � Medford needs $3.32 million to renovate the building and construct a gymnasium. ( tie) Effluent reuse � To meet stringent discharge requirements, the Regional Water Reclamation Facility recommends pumping treated wastewater to Sam�s Valley for agricultural uses. Construction cost is estimated at $18.2 million. Evergreen Street redevelopment � Urban renewal officials want $3.5 million to build a new road from 10th to Jackson streets to spur commercial development. Downtown streetscape � A pedestrian bridge across Bear Creek, signal improvements and a "gateway" into downtown Medford are included in this $4 million project. Bear Creek Park � Parks officials plan to overhaul the youth baseball complex, pave a dirt lot for parking, build another lot, and restore areas damaged by the 1997 flood, among other things. Cost is estimated at $3.4 million. Red-light cameras � The city wants $450,000 in federal funds to place cameras at Medford�s 10 busiest and most dangerous intersections to stop motorists from running red lights. Parks � Building a neighborhood park on Lewis Street and rehabilitating Prescott Park on Roxy Ann Peak are expected to cost $780,000. The council voted unanimously Thursday to approve the contract with Smith�s firm. The city wants to increase federal funding for local projects and programs. "We�re looking at what we can do within the confines of Congress and Washington, D.C.," said Christopher Smith, company president. "We want to do the best we can to follow (the council�s wishes) but we want to be realistic." Under the contract, the city will pay Smith West $72,000 for service through Dec. 31. Late last month, city staff asked the council to rank a list of 10 projects identified for potential federal funds. An earthquake study originally considered by the council has been removed from the list; the city will find another way to pay for the evaluation. Last year a lobbyist working for the city secured $315,000 in federal funding for Medford�s downtown revitalization effort and ecosystem restoration projects for Lone Pine Creek and Lazy Creek. Cathie Davis, deputy city manager, said it�s too soon to tell what the city can expect to receive this year. "Everything is so preliminary right now," she said. "It�s really hard to judge." Christopher Smith declined to discuss which council priorities would be likely candidates for federal funding, except to say the firm has already begun talks with legislators on Capitol Hill. It was former Congressman Bob Smith�s political clout that won over the city council. Aside from Smith�s 14 years in Washington, where he chaired the U.S. House Agriculture Committee, he served two decades in the Oregon Legislature. In December, Smith joined the Bush administration�s transition team. Yet some residents have questioned Smith�s influence locally, asking whether the city should award a contract to a man who has contributed to political campaigns for several council members. Smith�s political action committee, the Oregon Smith Fund, contributed $500 apiece to campaigns for Ed Chun, Bill Moore and Bob Strosser. Smith objected to suggestions he "paid off" the council. Meanwhile, Chun, Moore, Strosser and other members of the council have said they chose Smith�s firm because of the former congressman�s record of service. Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2000 Mail Tribune, Inc.