San Clemente Rehires Lobbyist

The San Clemente City Council rehired its Washington D.C. lobbyist Tuesday for $45,000.

The yearlong contract costs the same as past contracts with the firm Marlowe & Co., which has helped secure more than $2.5 million in federal funds over the past several years, according to city staff reports.

For example, Marlowe & Co. persuaded legislators to include funding for emergency exit routes in their latest transportation bill, making the La Pata extension to connect San Clemente with Orange County's inland arterials a higher federal funding priority, according to city staff reports.

"It's in the final design stages," said City Manager George Scarborough on the La Pata extension. "If funding becomes available, the reality is, unlike the 241, everything will be in line to start construction ... in 2013."

The firm also had a hand in establishing a quiet zone at North Beach, so trains don't have to sound their whistles at railroad crossings, staff reports state. Efforts are also underway to establish a quiet zone at the San Clemente Pier crossing and other pedestrian intersections.

Marlowe & Co. lobbyists also helped shepherd efforts to get the Army Corps of Engineers to replace sand along San Clemente's eroding beaches. The environmental studies are finished, and city officials hope the project will begin over the next year.

The San Clemente City Council meets at 6 p.m. Tuesday at the San Clemente Civic Center, 100 Avenida Presidio.

Updated 11 a.m. Dec. 19 with vote result and Scarborough quote.