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Clifton council authorizes small Wetlands Solutions contingency as Streetscape utility work advances
Summary
Council updated VDOT Streetscape and utility-bank schedules, authorized up to $2,000 for a wetlands update, and discussed outreach and audit readiness as utility relocation is set to begin in spring 2025.
The Clifton Town Council on Jan. 7 received a detailed update on the Main Street Streetscape project and approved a $2,000 contingency for Wetlands Solutions as the town moves toward utility relocation work in spring 2025.
Chair Yantis, speaking for the Special Projects (Streetscape) Committee, said property-owner outreach for required easements is underway and reported that utility relocation and construction of the utility bank are planned to begin in Spring 2025, with roadway construction to follow about a year later. The Council discussed impacts to downtown parking and traffic and asked for proactive communications to residents and businesses via the town website, clerk distribution list, and the Mayor’s newsletter.
The Council approved a motion by Councilmember Jay Davis authorizing payment of up to $2,000 to Wetlands Solutions, increasing the prior authorization to ensure completion of a required environmental document. Chair Yantis told the Council “it turns out that it could be as much as $1,800 and as such is requesting an increase in the approval by $800.” The motion passed by roll call vote, 6–0.
The project team reported that the town submitted 100% engineering drawings to the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) in December and that VDOT’s Central Office must finalize execution of agreements. The Council also discussed splitting the Utility Pathway (utility bank) construction into a separate procurement and the assignment of a new UPC for the work, with CES finalizing utility-bank engineering drawings and Verizon’s cost-responsibility for relocations still pending.
Treasurer Suzy Murphy and other Council members emphasized audit preparedness for Streetscape accounting, noting that the town has engaged Rodefer Moss to begin audit work. Chair Yantis asked the Legal Committee to include its Streetscape report in the minutes to maintain a clear record of decisions and communications with VDOT.
Next steps include final VDOT approvals, completion of easement negotiations (targeted by February), confirmation from Verizon and Cox on relocation costs, and coordination with Norfolk Southern for work in the railroad right-of-way. Council members asked staff to increase resident notifications about parking and traffic impacts once a construction schedule is finalized.
