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Council works on agenda The Medford City Council is working to establish an agenda it hopes a lobbyist can translate into federal dollars in the next Congress. At a study session Thursday, members of the council submitted their top priorities from a list of projects that may be eligible for federal funds. Results from the survey were not immediately available. City staff identified 10 projects for the council�s consideration which focus on areas such as parks acquisition, public works and urban renewal. Once the council�s priorities are compiled, city staff will discuss the projects with its contracted lobbyist. The council is expected to finalize an agreement with former Congressman Bob Smith�s government relations firm at its Thursday meeting. According to Councilman Bob Strosser, preservation of open spaces should be at the top of the council�s priority list. "These are assets for the future of the city," he added. "Once they�re gone, they�re gone." Specifically, the city would like federal 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. Aside from park acquisition, staff offered the following projects for council consideration: Santo Community Center renovation Sanitary Sewer Master Plan update Evergreen Street re-development in downtown Medford Downtown streetscape improvements Red-light camera installation at selected intersections Earthquake study Implementation of an effluent reuse project Increase recreational opportunities in Bear Creek Park Build a neighborhood park on Lewis Street and rehabilitate Prescott Park on Roxy Ann Peak According to Mike Dyal, city manager, Medford hopes lobbyists in Washington will secure federal money for three or four projects. "Most of these projects will go forward, but they would go forward much slower without federal dollars," Dyal added. Federal funds also would free up money in city coffers for other projects, he said. Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2000 Mail Tribune, Inc.