Michael J. Sorba, Staff Writer
Posted: 01/20/2010 04:21:51 PM PST

COLTON – A “paper trail” that will serve as a reference for lobbyists who advocate for the city’s interests at the state and federal level has been approved by the City Council.

The Legislative Year 2010 Program states the city’s general position on legislation that affects the city or region as it works its way through Washington or Sacramento and also lists specific projects that are city goals.

“I call it a paper trail to make sure we are committed by way of this memorandum. It tells the legislative analysts to attack those priority projects,” said Councilman Richard DeLaRosa.

Projects that have been partially funded through federal or state money, such as the Art Thompson Teen Center, have been included in the past legislative priority documents, DeLaRosa said.

Included in the 2010 document are key projects the council has long pursued, such as a senior housing complex and the proposed Colton Sports Complex.

The document states the city aims to build at least one facility that would provide low-cost housing for seniors that is close to services they need.

It’s estimated such a complex would cost $20 million, the document states.

The council envisions the sports complex as approximately 30 acres of soccer and football fields to serve youth soccer and football leagues.

Colton has no such fields that are city-run. The projects cost is estimated at $35 million, which includes buying land and building the complex, the document says.

Thirteen other projects are listed in the document, including infrastructure improvements for the city’s water, sewer and street systems.

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