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Clifton council renews Cox franchise with decommissioning clause; approves Pink House lease, holiday lights and caboose painting
Summary
At its Dec. 3, 2019 meeting, Clifton Town Council approved renewal of Cox Communications’ franchise with new language requiring removal of unused aerial cable, agreed to lease part of the Pink House to new tenants, authorized $1,500 for holiday tree lighting and $3,575 for caboose lettering, and accepted the treasurer’s financial reports.
The Clifton Town Council on Dec. 3, 2019 approved renewal of Cox Communications’ franchise agreement with edited language requiring the company to remove unused aerial cable, approved a two-year lease of a portion of the Pink House, and signed off on several local expenditures and the town treasurer’s November financial reports.
Mayor Bill Hollaway proposed adding the following sentence to the end of section 8.4 of the franchise: "Grantee shall decommission and remove all aerial parts of the cable system within the geographic boundaries of the franchise authority that are no longer in use by the Franchisee." Kevin McNulty of Cox Communications agreed to include that language in the final agreement prior to execution. Mayor Hollaway moved to approve the renewal with the agreed revisions; the motion passed on a 6-0 vote.
Why it matters: the franchise renewal governs Cox’s use of rights-of-way and infrastructure within Clifton, and the added clause requires the company to remove aerial cable components no longer in service—language the council framed as addressing visual clutter and potential safety concerns.
The Council also approved several local administrative and budget items. It authorized up to $1,500 for a professional service to install and remove holiday lighting on the Ayre Square tree, a single-year expense approved by roll-call vote. The council agreed to lease the rear portion of the Pink House for two years at $1,300 per month beginning Jan. 1, 2020, in response to a request from State Senator George Barker and Delegate-elect Dan Helmer; Vice Mayor Steve Effros noted concerns voiced by Kathy Kalinowski about the town losing a dedicated office space and suggested alternative options.
Council authorized payment of $3,575 to Design Techniques, Inc. for stenciling and painting letters on the town caboose. Separately, the Streetscape Special Projects Committee successfully requested that the Treasurer attach cleared checks paid to Streetscape vendors to monthly Treasurer’s Reports; Councilmember Regan McDonald said test drilling on Main Street to evaluate storm sewer conditions may occur in January if a VDOT permit is granted.
On routine business, the Council approved the November minutes and accepted the Treasurer’s Report as presented. Treasurer Marilyn Barton circulated financial statements for the period ended Nov. 30, 2019 showing total funds of $1,221,598.04. The reports flagged a Haunted Trail event revenue figure of about $22,653 for July 1–Nov. 30, FYTD expenses of $7,263 and net proceeds near $15,390; Barton said documentation supporting the Haunted Trail report had been requested to reconcile the event accounting.
No substantive public opposition to the franchise renewal or the other motions was recorded during the meeting’s public comment period. Michelle Stein of Dell Avenue asked whether the franchise included free internet or TV; Vice Mayor Effros said the town’s internet is delivered through Fairfax County, and Kevin McNulty said Cox is constrained by current FCC proceedings from offering free TV as requested by the speaker.
The meeting concluded after a short report from the Zoning Administrator that a shed had been moved to its approved location at 7151 Main Street. The Council adjourned at 9:34 p.m.
