News List

Friday, September 13, 2024 | What’s Doing in Lafayette?

News From the City Manager’s Corner

This week’s updates from City Manager, Niroop Srivatsa highlight:

• Presentation about Indigenous History of the East Bay
• Renting Out a Residential Pool Requires a Land Use Permit
• Lafayette Creek Restoration Project Receives Federal Funds
• Take KTVU’s Zip Trips Poll to Highlight Lafayette Businesses and Amenities
• 15th Annual Senior Symposium is on Saturday, September 28
• Measure H is Intended to Raise Revenue to Maintain Current City Services in Lafayette
• Reminder: Traffic Calming Program Applications Due September 30
• Roadwork Advisories
• Tree Removal Work Underway at Terraces of Lafayette Site
• See You Next Weekend at the Lafayette Art & Wine Festival
• Meet Your Team: Jennifer Wakeman
• Save the Date: Fall Poetry for the Ages Event on October 29
• Police Department Statistics for August 2024

Watch Presentation about Indigenous History of the East Bay

In early 2023, as part of the yearlong recognition of 175+ years of Lafayette’s history, the City Council appointed a task force to lead the community journey in considering whether Lafayette should adopt a form of land acknowledgment. In October, the City Council accepted the recommendations of the task force and adopted a land acknowledgment statement. To continue to raise awareness about Lafayette’s past, the City has added the Land Acknowledgment in the new wrap for the utility box at corner of Mt. Diablo and Lafayette Circle and replaced the current street sign at Mt. Diablo Blvd. and Lafayette Circle to include both “Mt. Diablo Blvd.” and “Tuyshtak” (name of mountain used by Ohlone, which means “dawn of time”). More recently, Corrina Gould of the Sogorea Te’ Land Trust spoke at Monday night’s City Council meeting about the indigenous history of the East Bay and the work of the Land Trust. Her presentation can be viewed on the City’s YouTube channel.

Renting Out a Residential Pool Requires a Land Use Permit

At the City Council meeting on August 12, 2024 several residents spoke about the impacts and concerns of homeowners renting out their residential pools for parties and other activities using online platforms like Swimply.com and Peerspace.com.  The Council directed staff to research the matter and return with a report.  This past Monday night, staff presented its research and findings to the City Council and public – that residential amenity rentals like swimming pools, yards, and sports courts, constitute a commercial activity that is not permitted in residential zoning districts unless a Land Use Permit has been submitted and approved through a public hearing process.  You can watch the presentation here and read the report here. 

Lafayette Creek Restoration Project Receives Federal Funds

Recently, Congressman Mark DeSaulnier presented the City with a check for $900,000 in federal funds for the Lafayette Creek Public Access Project. The funds will be used to improve a 530-foot section of the west reach of Lafayette Creek (at the western entrance to downtown Lafayette). In addition to creek bank restoration and removal of invasive plant species, the project scope includes widening the walkway along Mt. Diablo Blvd., constructing a protected bike path, and adding interpretive signage about the creek and natural habitat. Mayor Dawson expressed her appreciation and said: “Thank you to our Creeks Committee for the vision to develop this project and thank you to Congressman DeSaulnier for championing this project and making it possible.”

Take KTVU’s Zip Trips Poll to Highlight Lafayette Businesses and Amenities

KTVU’s summer Zip Trips series highlights fun things to do in Bay Area cities. You have the chance to vote for Lafayette to kick of their 2025 series in a KTVU poll. We’re excited about the opportunity to have KTVU highlight our world class dining, shopping, outdoor experiences, summertime events and places to gather, play and connect, so show your LOVE for Lafayette and consider voting in their poll at www.ktvu.com/2025-zip-trip-vote (NOTE: You likely will have to turn off your browser’s ad blockers to be able to vote.)

15th Annual Senior Symposium is on Saturday, September 28

Hosted by the Community Foundation of Lafayette, this year’s Senior Symposium is taking place on Saturday, September 28, at the Lafayette Veterans Memorial Center (3780 Mt. Diablo Blvd.) This event is designed to empower seniors and caregivers. It will run from 8:30 am to noon and is free to attend. To register: https://bit.ly/ss24lafayette. The symposium will feature notable speakers, including:

• Honorable Gina Dawson, Mayor of Lafayette
• Robert Todd, a Faculty Lecturer at OLLI UC Berkeley, who will speak on "The Dawn of the Intelligence Age”
• Abbey Dykhouse, LCSW, MSW, discussing "The New Sandwich Generation" and navigating care needs
• Rob Tufel, MSW, MPH, CEO of Cancer Support Community SF Bay Area, who will present on optimizing health by understanding the connection between aging and cancer.

Plus, hear a special presentation on the new Cancer Support Center being built in Lafayette.

Measure H is Intended to Raise Revenue to Maintain Current City Services in Lafayette

In November 2024, Lafayette voters will have a choice: The City Council has approved placing a funding measure on the November 5, 2024 ballot so voters in Lafayette can consider enacting a local sales tax of 1/2₵ for a period of 7 years to provide funding to maintain the current level of City services.

If approved by 50% +1 of Lafayette voters in November, all the revenue from the sales tax would go directly into the City’s General Fund; The General Fund provides funding for City services and facilities including:

• Maintaining public streets and storm drains and providing timely pothole repair.
• Funding wildfire preparedness activities.
• Maintaining the number of sworn police officers at the current level.
• Maintaining the current level of services for seniors.
• Cleaning and maintaining city parks, open spaces, paths, and playfields.
• Improving traffic safety on our streets and roads for all users.
• Continuing financial support for our community partners like the Chamber of Commerce.

A ½ cent sales tax would raise about $2.4 million per year for City services. All funds generated by the local sales tax would be locally controlled and stay in Lafayette to provide important city services. Under State law, the State cannot take this funding away, and the City is not required to share it with any other entity. 100% of the revenue would remain in the City to benefit Lafayette residents.

If Measure H passes, it will require that a Citizen’s Oversight Committee will be formed, and an annual audit will be conducted and made public to monitor how these funds are being spent.

If Measure H fails to secure a simple majority vote, the Lafayette City Council will have to consider, as part of the budgeting process, possibly cutting back or discontinuing some City programs and services.

The City currently faces an ongoing annual deficit of more than $2M. This deficit is due primarily to rising costs for maintaining our public streets and City facilities, insurance, and more state mandates without state funding. City Manager Niroop K. Srivatsa said, “It is projected that closing the annual deficit will require cuts across all City departments.” The deficit equates to approximately 10% of the City’s annual General Fund budget so cuts could impact all City departments, including police, public works, planning, engineering, parks and recreation, and administration. “Although the Council has not made any decisions yet on what services or programs would be impacted, Staff presented a scenario of what 10% across-the-board cuts may entail to the City Council on June 10, 2024, Srivatsa added. You can read the staff report on City's website or watch a recording of the presentation on the City’s YouTube channel.

More information about Measure H is available on the City of Lafayette’s website at www.LoveLafayette.org/MeasureH. More information about the City’s financial situation is available on the City of Lafayette’s website at www.LoveLafayette.org/FiscalSustainability or email lafayettelistens@lovelafayette.org.

Reminder! Traffic Calming Program Applications Due September 30

Last year, the City Council adopted an updated Traffic Calming Program including a new application process for residents who are interested in traffic calming on their street. Traffic calming applications for the upcoming year are due by September 30, 2024. (The Program is now managed on an annual cycle, rather than accepting applications on a rolling basis.) More information, including the  Request Form is available on the program webpage.

Roadwork Advisories

• Slurry Seal Project: This past week, the Contractor put edgeline striping on Pleasant Hill Road near the newly constructed curb located in the southbound lane south of Reliez Station Road.Next week on Friday, the Contractor is returning to the City to work on the punchlist and complete the project. During this time, a slurry truck will be traveling throughout the City filling in bald spots in the slurry mat. Wet slurry spots will be sanded over to prevent it from sticking to vehicles, but please be alert if some areas of the street are coned off.Now on Friday, 9/20, the cul-de-sac on Hillcrest Drive will be re-slurried to cover the asphalt patches. During this time, the cul-de-sac will be closed for four hours while the slurry dries.

• Crosswalk maintenance work on Mt. Diablo Blvd will continue next week: On Monday, it’s planned to close a lane on Mt. Diablo Blvd. at Moraga Road in downtown Lafayette for a few hours to re-set the paving stones in the crosswalk. On Tuesday, the crew plans to work on Lafayette Circle (near Starbucks) starting at 8 am however this will not require a lane closure on Mt. Diablo Blvd. Please drive with caution while crewmembers are working in the roadway.

Tree Removal Work Underway at Terraces of Lafayette Site

This week, the developer of Terraces of Lafayette began tree removal work at the site (3233 Deer Hill Rd). The project has a completed a Phase 1 grading permit for removal of asphalt and minor site work to restore positive drainage. Construction drawings are currently under review with grading for the project anticipated to begin in Spring 2025 after the winter rains. For information about the development, visit the Major Development Projects website and scroll to “Terraces of Lafayette”

See You Next Weekend at the Lafayette Art & Wine Festival

The Lafayette Art & Wine Festival is next weekend, Saturday, September 21, 10 am to 7 pm and Sunday, September 22, 10 am to 6 pm in Downtown Lafayette – Mt. Diablo Blvd between Dewing Avenue and Moraga Road; and on Lafayette Circle. Free Admission!

• Please refer to the parking map and be aware of road closures starting Friday night. Also, please do not park in private lots while you are at the Festival.
• Tell your friends to take BART to the Festival! Park at any BART lot and exit the south exit of the Lafayette Station for a short walk from the station. Or, hop on the free festival shuttle bus.
• The Festival features 4 stages with 20+ bands, 250 artist / craft booths, 4 kid zones, wide selection of California varietals and craft beers, local dining and shopping. Find the music schedule, food and drink lineup, family fun activities and more at lafayettefestival.com and follow on social media at @lafayettefestival

Meet Your Team: Jennifer Wakeman

As Lafayette’s Assistant Administrative Services Director, Jennifer Wakeman fulfills vital roles encompassing several City areas: Finance, Human Resources, and Risk Management.

• For Finance, she oversees all accounting processes and reporting, investments, debt management, internal controls, and budget tracking.  Her priorities in this aspect of her job are accuracy, good partnerships with the operating departments, and transparency.
• For Human Resources, Wakeman manages the benefit plans and handles offboarding of separating employees.  Having good rapport with and being accessible to the City’s employees are of particular focus for Wakeman.
• Her Risk Management duties include providing census and other required information for insurance renewals and she serves as an alternate Board member for the Municipal Pooling Authority.

Wakeman has worked at the City for more than ten years. Under Jennifer’s able management, the City has earned the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting every year for the past 8 years. This award recognizes the City’s commitment to going beyond the minimum requirements of generally accepted accounting principles, while promoting the spirit of transparency and full disclosure.

"A typical day starts with me arriving at the office, checking in with staff, handling emails, and then getting down to work. On any given day, this could involve scheduled meetings, reviewing accounting work, developing procedures and processes, drafting policies, preparing annual reports, conducting research, and following up on staff requests—along with any unscheduled meetings," Wakeman explains.

When asked what she likes most about working here, Wakeman confidently states, "I value the accessibility of my colleagues at all levels of the organization and the City's strong support for professional development."

Wakeman maintains professional membership with -- and is especially active in -- the CSMFO (California Society of Municipal Finance Officers). In addition to serving as chair for a number of committees and establishing programs for mentorship and student engagement, Wakeman currently serves as the President-Elect. In 2019, the California Society of Municipal Finance Officers named her their Volunteer of the Year.

She has been a Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) member since 2004 and a member of the Municipal Management Association of Northern California since 2006.

In 2022, Wakeman was appointed by the State Controller to the California Uniform Construction Cost Accounting Commission for a three-year term. She is one of only two city representatives on this Commission.

Earlier this year, we launched a series of articles that is intended to introduce you to key members of the City’s team. Read Jennifer Wakeman's full profile.  

Save the Date: Fall Poetry for the Ages Event on October 29

The Public Art Committee is excited to announce that the Fall Poetry for the Ages, a salon-style poetry reading, will be held at the Town Hall Theatre on Tuesday, October 29 at noon. It's free and open to the public. Join us for complimentary coffee, tea and cookies and discover local emerging poets! If you are a local poet, please consider sharing your work with us at this fall-themed event! More information can be found on our website at https://www.lovelafayette.org/city-hall/commissions-committees/public-art-committee/programs

Police Department Statistics for August 2024

You can also look up events reported to the Police Department last week via the online Community Crime Map.

City Meetings & Events

Planning Commission Meeting Monday Night

The Planning Commission meeting on September 16 starts at 7 pm and includes:

• Informational Presentation on Measure H
• Public Hearing on application (L02-24, DR13-24 Haws) for a Land Use Permit and Design Review to remove the existing automotive spray booth from the interior of the service building and install a detached prefabricated spray booth with mixing room at an existing automotive service business at 3291 Mt Diablo Blvd.

Please refer to the full agenda for staff reports as well as information about how to participate in or watch the meeting.

Other meetings this week include:

To view all upcoming public meetings and their locations, please visit our calendar. You can also sign up for meeting notices to come straight to your email inbox.

Other Community News & Events

It’s Acalanes High School Homecoming Week

Homecoming week for AHS students is September 15 through 21 and community members are invited to get into the Dons Spirit! Community members can:

• See the hallway decorations this Sunday from 5 to 6pm – This year’s theme is “Musicals”
• Donate online to the Canned Food Drive
• Attend the Homecoming game on Friday, September 20

Three Ways to Fund Parks and Play Near Downtown Lafayette

1. Fund Lafayette parks by pre-ordering your holiday tree by Sept. 15. Lafayette Chamber member Honeybear Christmas Trees (near Acalanes High School) gives All Ages Recreation Downtown 20% of each sale!

2. Help AARD reach it’s goal! $6,820 is needed by Oct. 24 to fund two park designs. Consider making a donation. Donations are tax deductible. AARD is a multiple award-winning local 501c3 and 509a2 public benefit nonprofit dedicated to all ages recreation programs and destinations near downtown Lafayette. All amounts are appreciated.

3. Play with AARD at All Ages Play Dates: Tonight, Friday 13 in Plaza Park, 4:30 to 7pm. Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 21 & 22 at the Lafayette Art & Wine Festival, Fiesta Square (between Papillon and Tutu's). Visit All Ages Recreation Downtown for more information, donate, or to get involved.

“Road Map to Voting” Community Conversation on Thursday, September 19

This webinar will introduce voters to important information about how to prepare themselves for the November 5, 2024 election. The County has been producing Community Conversations webinars for the past 3 years in partnership with the League of Women Voters Diablo Valley, the League of Women Voters West Contra Costa County, the Contra Costa County Library and CCTV.  Register to join them on Zoom or watch live on CCTV, which broadcasts on channels Comcast Cable 27, ATT/U-Verse 99, and Astound 32 & 1027.

Half Price Sale at Friends Corner Book Shop Next Saturday

Visit the Friends Corner Book Shop before or after your fun day at the Lafayette Art and Wine Festival! On Saturday, September 21, every book in the shop will be 50% off.  Shop hours are 10 am to 4 pm. Proceeds support the collection, programs, and services of the Lafayette Library.

Moraga Rotary Club eWaste and Shredding Event Fundraiser Next Saturday

The Rotary Club of Moraga is hosting another e-waste and shredding event on Saturday September 21 from 10 am to 4 pm at the Moraga Shopping Center at McCaulou’s Parking Lot Shredding processed according to NAID Certification and all recycling according to California law. For more information, call 510-590-7510. At this event, you can properly dispose of:  

• Shredding of personal and business documents
• TVs including Flat Screens
• Monitors, Laptops, Scanners, Printers, Copiers, Faxes
• CPUs, Phones, Video Games, Stereos, DVD players, VCRs
• Small Household Appliances, Microwaves
• Free cell phones and ink jet cartridges

Coastal Cleanup Day is Next Saturday

Help clean and preserve East Bay shorelines and waterways during the 40th Annual Coastal Cleanup Day on Saturday, Sept. 21, from 9 a.m. to noon. The East Bay Regional Park District has selected seven parks for cleanup, including bayside beaches, shoreline trails, and inland lakes. Staff and volunteers will work together to collect and dispose of litter and recyclables, beautify the shorelines, and help maintain delicate ecosystems. For more information, visit www.ebparks.org and search for “Coastal Cleanup Day.”

Early Bird Tickets End Tuesday for Night at the Library

The Lafayette Library and Learning Center Foundation reminds you that Night at the Library on November 2 is THE party of the year celebrating the Lafayette Library and Learning Center’s 15 Anniversary with a fun night of friends, food and philanthropy to support the Library.  The doors to our beautiful and beloved library first opened in November 2009. Buy your tickets today before prices go up.

Save the Date for Lafayette Homeowners Council Board’s “Candidates Night”

Voter should in save the date of October 9 at 7 pm for the LHC’s Candidates Night (in person) at the Lafayette Library and Learning Center to hear from City Council candidates and about Measure H, the Lafayette Sales Tax Measure. More details will be posed on LHC’s website.  

Community Events Calendar Hosted by the Chamber

Looking for more upcoming happenings around town? Be sure to visit the Chamber’s Community Events Calendar

Reminders & Miscellaneous

September is National Preparedness Month - Now is the perfect time to get prepared for disasters. From earthquakes to wildfires and more, California is prone to many types of disasters. If you live, work or play in Contra Costa County, visit CWSAlerts.com  to register your cell phone and email address to receive emergency alerts.

Public Hearing on September 17 about New State Wildfire Modeling Regulation: Attend an online public hearing to provide input for the final phases of new wildfire modeling regulations on Tuesday, September 17 at 10 a.m. View the draft text of the catastrophe modeling regulation

and then Register to attend the Zoom meeting

Summer Shop Local Lafayette eCard Promotion – Buy one ecard, Receive a 50% Match Bonus Card! Purchase an eCard valued at $100 or $50 and the City of Lafayette will match your purchase with a bonus eCard valued at 50% of your purchase! See the list of participating businesses and more details on the Yiftee website.

Creeks Fun Fact: Rivers and creeks tend to meander with water flowing from side to side, creating numerous bends. This reduces water velocity, purifies the water and improves habitat for aquatic plants and animals.

Lafayette Planning Applications and Major Development Projects: Want to know what planning applications the City’s Planning Department is processing? You can visit the Planning Applications Received page for the latest application information. Curious about construction taking place around town? Information on major developments that are underway can be found on the Major Development Projects website.

Sign up to receive City notifications: Sign up for meeting agendas and Lafayette’s publications at bit.ly/LafayetteNotifications. Also, find out how to follow us on social media at https://www.lovelafayette.org/connect

Cultural Observations and Celebrations

Celebrate our diversity by learning more about these upcoming cultural observations and celebrations:

The City Council has proclaimed September as “Be Kind 21 in Lafayette” and Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15-October 15)     

Photo for the Week

Autumn is a perfect time to discover a new trail! The City of Lafayette has several neighborhood hikes. Pictured is the bridge behind the Lafayette Community Center that leads to Murray Lane and the Lafayette Community Park with sports fields, two playgrounds and more trails. Visit one of our trails today! 

Quote for the Week

To bring about change, you must not be afraid to take the first step. We will fail when we fail to try.

 — Rosa Parks

__________________

 The Weekly Roundup is prepared for the Lafayette Community, City Council and Staff. If you have thoughts about this week’s Roundup, a contribution for a future edition or a photo to be considered for the “Photo of the Week”, please email the City of Lafayette's Communications Analyst/Public Information Officer, Suzanne Iarla.

Did you know that we also offer a curated list of news headlines on issues facing our community? If you are not already, subscribe now to receive the to the Almost Daily Briefing on most weekday mornings.  

Subscribe to the Weekly Roundup and learn more about Lafayette’s publications and social media sites here.