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Clifton council approves environmental screen and moves forward on Streetscape Phase II administrative steps
Summary
The Town Council approved an environmental transaction screen (Form EQ-121), authorized up to $1,000 to update a threatened-and-endangered species NEPA study, and approved project administration agreements pending Legal Committee review and signatory designation for VDOT UPCs 109949/126584.
The Clifton Town Council on Dec. 10 approved a set of administrative steps to keep the Main Street Streetscape Phase II project moving, including signing an environmental transaction screen and funding a limited update to NEPA documentation.
Council approved the environmental transaction screen (VDOT Form EQ-121) presented by the Streetscape Project team. Councilmember Lynn Screen moved to approve the form and the motion passed by unanimous poll vote.
Streetscape Project managers reported that Wetland Studies and Solutions, Inc. (WSSI) identified one Threatened and Endangered Species study that needs an update to support required NEPA submissions. Council approved up to $1,000 to update that study, with CM Screen’s motion adopted by roll call (all Aye). Chair Geri Yantis said the Town previously authorized updating the Environmental Transaction Screen and that the additional study is intended to complete the set of materials VDOT requested for review.
Council also handled a package of project administration documents from VDOT, including revised Appendix A and a new Appendix A and B associated with UPC 126584 (the Utility Duct Bank breakout of UPC 109949). Members agreed the Legal Committee should review the Appendices and determine who is the appropriate signatory going forward (disagreement was noted between continuing Mayor signatory practice and the view that an authorized Town Administrator or full-time employee should sign certain documents). The Council approved the project administrative agreements contingent on the Legal Committee’s review and the identification of the appropriate signatory.
Project managers said required easements are ready for property owner outreach and that the Town-owned Ayre Square easement letter needs Town approval; the Council approved completing that letter and declined compensation for granting that easement. Project documentation included the VDOT Locally Administered Project Agreement that outlines federal and state requirements, including NEPA compliance and timelines tied to Transportation Alternatives funding.
The Streetscape project team and Council members stressed timeline sensitivity: UPC 126584 is linked to UPC 109949 under CTB policy and projects must be under construction by certain dates to avoid potential deallocation or reprogramming of federal Transportation Alternatives funds. Chair Yantis and staff noted VDOT’s environmental and administrative forms are prerequisites for advertising or advancing project phases.
Next steps: The Legal Committee will meet to review Appendices A and B and advise on signatory authority; staff and project managers will proceed with the NEPA update and easement outreach as approved. No construction authorization was taken at this meeting.
