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Clifton council authorizes engineering spending for streetscape, conditionally approves utility consultant
Summary
The Clifton Town Council authorized up to $50,000 for J2 Engineers and approved a CES utility consultant proposal contingent on VDOT approval, while discussing using a letter of credit instead of a $300,000 cash transfer to Verizon to retain interest earnings.
At its March 5, 2024 meeting, the Clifton Town Council approved engineering and consulting steps intended to advance the town’s Streetscape project while seeking to limit near-term cash outlays.
Councilmember Mary Hess moved to authorize up to $50,000 for services under the J2 Engineers agreement executed in February; Councilmember Lynn Screen seconded and the motion passed by roll call with all six members voting aye. The vote clears the contract work described in the J2 agreement to proceed within the approved spending limit.
The council also voted to approve a proposal from CES for utility consultant services on the condition that the Virginia Department of Transportation approve CES as a consultant. Councilmember Jay Davis moved the conditional approval; Councilmember Screen seconded. The roll-call vote recorded five ayes and one abstention—Councilmember Steve Effros abstained.
Separately, committee and staff discussion focused on how the town will finance its Streetscape obligations. The Treasurer and Special Projects Committee discussed giving Verizon a letter of credit in place of sending a $300,000 check, a step intended to allow the town to keep earning interest on the funds. The council asked the Town Attorney to review legal risks associated with the Streetscape plan; Brant Baber volunteered to draft the request to the attorney and committee members recommended a tightly focused, written legal opinion and an advanced draft resolution to share with VDOT.
The approvals provide project momentum but include two checks on implementation: (1) the CES engagement is contingent on VDOT sign-off, and (2) the town will pursue legal review and specific conditions before moving forward with the larger funding or formalized obligations to Verizon. No public comment proposing alternatives or additional funding sources was recorded in the minutes.
Next steps recorded in the meeting minutes: the Town Attorney will be asked to review the Streetscape legal risk in writing; staff will continue coordination with VDOT; and the CES consultant will be confirmed only after VDOT approval.
