Clifton council approves CD reinvestment, infrastructure repairs and event permits; discusses trash plan

The Clifton Town Council on Aug. 7, 2018, approved a series of routine financial and infrastructure measures while discussing longer‑term items including a trash management plan and eligibility for a Recreational Trails Program grant.

In financial business, Mayor Bill Hollaway moved to reinvest three maturing certificates of deposit into three new 12‑month CDs at John Marshall Bank, each in the amount of $101,171.22 at an interest rate noted in the meeting materials. The council also approved the engagement of White, Withers, Masincup & Cannaday, P.C. to perform the FY18 audit under the same terms as the prior year, and voted to accept the Treasurer’s Report. Town Treasurer Marilyn Barton had provided an emailed financial packet noting a Summary of Cash Balances of $1,170,642.34 and identifying $303,513.66 in CDs with reinvestment options due Aug. 10, 2018; she flagged the need to consider cash‑flow for the Streetscape project and to schedule the FY18 field audit.

On development and permitting, Councilmember Melissa Milne moved to approve Planning Commission recommendations to issue a Use Permit to Kelly Layfield for Wheelhouse Pilates, a Preliminary Use Permit for construction to Councilmember Darrell Poe (Poe abstained on that item), a Use Permit to C|S Design, and a Preliminary Use Permit for Kimberly Lowell. All motions carried, with the abstention recorded where noted.

The council approved several maintenance and community‑event measures: a $1,400 proposal to paint wooden handrails on the bridge over Popes Head Creek (contracted to Florencio Contreras); authorization of up to $5,000 in advance funds for the Haunted Trail Committee upon request of a committee chair; acceptance of a $6,250 proposal from McGee Civil Construction, LLC to replace and shore up the washed‑out bridge on the 8‑Acre Park trail; authorization of up to $3,200 to treat or remove two damaged park trees after consultation with the County arborist; and $3,500 to scrape, sand and repaint the Clifton Town caboose (stenciling to be proposed separately).

During Citizens Remarks, Vice Mayor Steve Effros asked whether the County planned to address tent caterpillars reported near town trees. Laura McDonald, chair of the town Committee on the Environment, said the insects are fall web worms, are native, and that the County would not spray or remove them because they are an important food source for migrating birds.

Council discussion of a Town Trash Management Plan produced a request for more specifics: the council asked staff and volunteers to return with recommendations that include the number and placement of trash cans, proposed signage, and any related operational details. Councilmember Regan McDonald also noted the Recreational Trails Program application process is significant and that minimum eligible project costs start at approximately $100,000; he suggested the Town consider applying in a future round (next due 2020).

The meeting ended after the council completed its agenda; Councilmember Darrell Poe moved to adjourn at 9:39 p.m.

Votes at a glance

- Approve July 2018 Minutes as revised: passed, poll vote 6–0 (Mover: Darrell Poe; Second: Melissa Milne). - Reinvest three maturing CDs at John Marshall Bank (three 12‑month CDs at $101,171.22 each): passed by roll‑call, unanimous (Mover: Mayor Bill Hollaway). - Engage White, Withers, Masincup & Cannaday, P.C. for FY18 audit: passed by roll‑call, unanimous (Mover: Mayor Bill Hollaway). - Accept Treasurer’s Report: passed, poll vote 6–0 (Mover: Councilmember Poe). - Approve Florencio Contreras proposal to paint Popes Head Creek bridge handrails ($1,400): passed by roll‑call, unanimous (Mover: Mayor Hollaway). - Approve Use Permit for Wheelhouse Pilates (Kelly Layfield): passed, poll vote 6–0 (Mover: Milne). - Approve Preliminary Use Permit for Darrell Poe (construction): passed, poll vote 5–0‑1 (Poe abstained) (Mover: Milne). - Approve Use Permit for C|S Design (Christina Simon): passed, poll vote 6–0 (Mover: Milne). - Approve Preliminary Use Permit for Kimberly Lowell: passed, poll vote 6–0 (Mover: Milne). - Authorize advance funds to Haunted Trail Committee (up to $5,000): passed by roll‑call, unanimous (Mover: Mayor Hollaway). - Approve McGee Civil Construction proposal for 8‑Acre Park bridge replacement and rip‑rap ($6,250): passed by roll‑call, unanimous (Mover: Councilmember McDonald). - Authorize up to $3,200 for treatment/removal of two damaged park trees: passed by roll‑call, unanimous (Mover: Councilmember Poe). - Approve repainting of the Clifton Town caboose ($3,500): passed by roll‑call, unanimous (Mover: Councilmember Hinderstein).

(All vote descriptions and dollar amounts are taken from the meeting minutes and the Treasurer’s emailed report.)