Clifton council approves $1,000 for tree lights and nominates member for regional hazard-mitigation plan

The Clifton Town Council on Nov. 2 approved two routine items intended to support seasonal community events and regional emergency planning.

The council authorized up to $1,000 for lights to be placed on the Ayre Square holiday tree. Mayor Bill Hollaway moved the expenditure and Councilmember Darrell Poe seconded; the motion passed by roll call: Hollaway Aye; Pline Aye; Screen Aye; Effros Aye; Poe Aye. Donna Netschert told the council she would provide contact information for the contractor who completed last years tree-lighting work so an updated quote could be obtained.

Separately, councilmembers agreed to participate in the Fairfax County Office of Emergency Management revision of the Northern Virginia Hazard Mitigation Plan. Councilmember Darrell Poe moved to nominate Councilmember Lynn Screen as the Town point of contact and leader for the participation effort; the motion was approved by poll, 5-0. Meeting materials included a Letter of Intent template that cites Code of Federal Regulations Title 44 Part 201.6 and Virginia statutory adoption requirements in the Code of Virginia as guidance for participation and post-approval adoption steps.

The council also entered and certified an executive session limited to discussion of acquisition of real property for a public purpose; the entry and subsequent certification were approved by poll, 5-0. The meeting adjourned after the executive-session certification.

The authorization for tree lights and the hazard-mitigation nomination do not by themselves commit the town to a specific expense beyond the $1,000 authorization or to any particular mitigation project; the Letter of Intent included in the packet explains that nonparticipation would make a locality ineligible for certain federal and state hazard-mitigation funds under FEMA programs.