Latest News

Friday, January 10, 2025 | What’s Doing in Lafayette?

News From the City Manager’s Corner

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

• Wildfire Preparedness – Are You Ready?
• City Launches New Program to Help Encourage ADUs in Lafayette
• Informational Meetings on Upcoming Roadwork
• Tickets on Sale for the Tri-City Dance for 7th & 8th Graders
• Come Work with Us! Seeking Accounting Assistant
• Congratulations to Supervisor Andersen
• City Council Meeting Monday Night

Wildfire Preparedness – Are You Ready?

The photos and stories about the devastating wildfires in Southern California are heartbreaking. Our thoughts and best wishes are with those impacted by the wildfires including all the local and visiting fire crews assisting in battling the blazes. With wildfires in the forefront of our minds, now is an excellent time to talk with your family and neighbors about having (or updating) an emergency plan customized for your household.

• Does each member know where to rendezvous if you had to evacuate separately? How would you communicate with one another? Who is your out-of-area contact? Do you have portable carriers/kennels for your pets? If you don’t drive, who can help you with transportation?
• Do you have a go-bag? A go-bag is a portable kit that contains what you need to survive for at least 72 hours. It should be pre-packed BEFORE disaster strikes and customized to meet the needs of everyone in your household.
• If you haven’t already, sign up now for the Community Warning System (CWS) through the Contra Costa County Sheriff ’s Office of Emergency Services at https://cwsalerts.com/registration. It’s easy to register and provides an effective way we can reach you with timely alerts about wildfires and other potentially life or health-threatening hazards that require you to take action.

Visit www.lovelafayette.org/ready for more preparedness information.

City Launches New Program to Help Encourage ADUs in Lafayette

The City is now offering a Pre-approved Accessory Dwelling Unit (PADU) program for ADU architects and designers (“vendors”). A PADU is a unique approval type for ADU vendors that provides for review and approval of ADU plans to be used within the City’s service area, and is not specific to any one site. The benefits of getting plans pre-approved include reduced design costs/uncertainty for property owners and expedited permitting.

Interested ADU vendors can now submit site-agnostic ADU plans for pre-approval by the City’s Planning Department and Contra Costa County Building Inspection Department.  Vendors can then market and sell these plans to property owners interested in building an ADU in Lafayette.

Once plans are pre-approved, the City will provide a snapshot of the building (such as a rendering/illustration and/or basic floor plan) along with contact information for the vendor. Property owners can then reach out to the vendor to purchase the plans; the City will not directly distribute/sell the full approved plan sets.

ADU vendors interested in the pre-approval process can visit the City’s website for instructions on how to submit PADU plans.

This summer, the City plans to build an 8' wide pathway connecting the East Bay Regional Parks District’s Briones Staging Area Parking Lot to the sidewalk outside of Springhill Elementary School. The current pathway is comprised of failing asphalt, compacted dirt, and gravel. The new pathway will be around 500 feet long with a smooth, ADA-compliant asphalt surface. There will also be a new fence installed along a 300' section of the pathway, acting as a buffer from cars on Pleasant Hill Road. This project was identified in the Springhill Elementary School Rapid Implementation School Safety Plan.

We will be hosting an informational presentation about the construction impacts, timing, etc. for the Pathway Project on Thursday, January 16 at 6pm. Visit our website for details. If you have questions regarding this project, please contact Tim Clark, Associate Engineer.

Beginning in April, the City of Lafayette will be repaving Saint Mary’s Road from Glenside Drive (north) to Roher Drive and Mount Diablo Boulevard from Paulson Court to El Nido Ranch Road. This roadwork will require detours and lane closures. We anticipate the project will be completed by the end of August.

We will be hosting an informational presentation about this roadwork on Wednesday, January 22 at 6pm. The meeting is an opportunity for neighbors to learn how the construction project may impact existing frontage improvements as well as your street access and traffic flow during construction. The zoom link for this meeting will be posted to our website next week. If you have questions regarding this project, please contact Ana Bernardes, Senior Engineer.

Tickets on Sale for the Tri-City Dance for 7th & 8th Graders

The Lafayette Youth Commission invites all local 7th & 8th Grade Students the Tri-City "Snow Ball" Dance on Thursday, January 24 at the Jennifer Russell Building (in the Lafayette Community Center). Tickets are $15 and once full, no more will be added! No tickets will be sold at the door.

Get ready for the ultimate winter party at our "Snow Ball" Dance! This isn’t just any dance – it’s packed with great games/activities and an awesome DJ playing all your favorite beats to keep you dancing! Join us for an unforgettable night of winter-themed excitement. Bring your energy, your friends, and your best dance moves.

Come Work with Us! Seeking Accounting Assistant

We are currently seeking a dynamic and detail-oriented Accounting Assistant to join our incredible team! The City offers a competitive salary, great benefits, work-life balance and opportunities for professional growth and creativity.

As an Accounting Assistant, you’ll be an integral part of the Administrative Services Department. You’ll take on responsibilities like:

• Reviewing and processing invoices for city expenditures.
• Preparing and organizing checks for review and approval.
• Reconciling daily deposits for accuracy and addressing miscoded entries.
• Monitoring petty cash accounts.
• Managing accounts receivable in collaboration with city departments.
• Preparing 1099s for vendors.
• Preparing annual reports for external agencies.
• Assisting with payroll as part of cross-training with the Accountant position.

See full details and how to apply at www.lovelafayette.org/jobs.

Congratulations to Supervisor Andersen

Our representative on the County Board of Supervisors, Candace Andersen, will be sworn in as Chair of the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors at their meeting on Tuesday. The public may attend the Board meeting in person at 1025 Escobar Street in Martinez, remotely via Zoom or watch live on Comcast Cable 27, ATT/U-Verse Channel 99, and WAVE Channel 32, and online at www.contracosta.ca.gov.

City Meetings & Events

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.

The Lafayette City Council will hold a regular meeting on Monday, January 13, starting early at 5:45 pm with a closed session; the open session starts at 7 pm and includes:

• Adopting the Final FY24-25 Workplan and budget and affirming Council priorities
• Public Hearing: Appeal of staff’s determination of ineligibility for an SB9 Housing Development Request by McGrew (Owner) on Glen Road
• Amendment to the City Manager Employment Agreement with Niroop K. Srivatsa

See the full agenda for the staff reports as well as information about how to participate in or watch the meeting. Information is also available at www.lovelafayette.org/calendar

Youth Commission Meeting – January 13 at 6pm

Other Community News & Events

The Kyle Athayde Dance Party Open Rehearsal Sessions

The Dance Party’s rehearsal sessions in Oakland will be open to the public on January 10 and 11 in advance of their recording session for the new album, consisting entirely of Afro-Cuban Music. Details at www.kyleathaydedanceparty.com

Do you love to sing? Consider Joining the Diablo Women's Chorale

The Diablo Women's Chorale is one of the longest-running secular choirs in the East Bay, and welcomes women of all ages to join their Spring 2025 Season, starting Monday, January 20. Rehearsals and auditions are held at St. Mark's Lutheran Church, 3051 Putnam Blvd, Pleasant Hill CA 94523. For more information, visit https://www.diablowomenschorale.org/join-us or contact Membership Chair, Nancy Hickman at hickmandg@gmail.com or (925) 899-5050. 

2025 Step into the Light Youth Arts Competition for Bay Area High School Students

Bay Area High School students are invited to participate in the 3rd annual creative competition honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy called Step into the Light. As a youth arts competition created by the Cow Palace, Step into the Light has essay, poetry, art, and video categories. Art pieces may include photography, painting, sculpture and mixed media inspired by Dr. King’s messages addressing injustices, which were stirring, and were always shared with a ray of hope.  In fact, he spoke at the Cow Palace in 1964! The Grand Prize is an Apple Airpod Max Wireless Headphone Set, and the Best of Show Winners for each category win $300! Entries may be emailed by January 24 at 6pm to SITL@cowpalace.com.

Contra Costa County Historical Society Presents Eugene O'Neill: His Life in Contra Costa County, Saturday, January 25, 2025

Delve into the life of one of America's greatest playwrights on January 25 to hear more about Eugene O'Neill and his life at Tao House in Danville. RSVPs are requested by January 16. RSVP online or call (925) 229-1042

Celebrate the 2025 Lafayette Business Person of the Year on January 30

The Lafayette Chamber is celebrating 2025 Lafayette Business Person of the Year, Nick Bozych, Managing Director of the Lafayette Park Hotel & Spa! A dinner will be held in his honor on Thursday, January 30, 6 to 9pm at the Lafayette Park Hotel & Spa. The evening will also include the installation of the 2025 Lafayette Chamber Board of Directors. Register online at https://lafayettechamber.org/business-person-of-the-year/.

Now Open! 2025 Lafayette Citizen of the Year Nominations

Submit your nomination by Friday, January 31, 2025 at noon. Dinner tentatively scheduled for the evening of Thursday, March 27, 2025 at the Lafayette Park Hotel & Spa. Review criteria and submit a nomination online at https://lafayettechamber.org/citizen-of-the-year/.

Lafayette Library and Learning Center Foundation News & Events

How do we feed a growing population without ruining our planet? Get ready for genetic modification, Michelin stars, and the fascinating story of how a young boy found his way from his mother’s kitchen to research labs and restaurants around the world.  Attend this event at the Lafayette Library on February 11, 2025 as chef-turned-chemist Vayu Hill-Maini shares his research on how filamentous fungi - a diverse group of organisms that includes molds and mushrooms - can be used to make sustainable foods to address the environmental impacts of food production. Vayu Hill-Maini is an Assistant Professor of bioengineer at Stanford University. Learn more and register today at https://www.lllcf.org/hill-maini. 

Looking for more upcoming happenings around town?

Visit the Chamber’s Community Events Calendar online.

Miscellaneous

Tree Protection Ordinance Updates Now in Effect: Changes include clearer and lower replacement tree ratios, more attention paid to fire safety and defensible space, and new penalties for violations of the ordinance. Details on the Tree Permit Application webpage. For more information, please email Staff at planner@lovelafayette.org.

Registration for New Elementary School Students Now Open:  Online pre-registration for the 2024-2025 Kindergarten and Transitional Kindergarten programs and new students to the Lafayette School district (TK to 5 grade) is available at www.lafsd.org. Please email msibley@lafsd.org with your questions.

BART Bus Bridge Next Weekend: Free buses will replace trains between Walnut Creek and Concord on January 18 and 19. BART must replace decades-old track components between Walnut Creek and Concord stations to ensure reliable service. Riders can expect delays of 20 to 30 minutes in the work area on both days of the planned work. 

Winter/Spring Recreation Registration: We offer classes and programs for all ages and interests. Register online.

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! January is Poverty Awareness Month.

14 Mahayana New Year (Buddhist)

14 Orthodox New Year (Orthodox)

18 Bodhi Day (Buddhist)

19 World Religion Day (Bahá'í)

20 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Holiday - City Administrative Offices will be closed on Monday, January 20.

Photo for the Week

What’s in your go-bag? A go-bag is a portable kit that you prepare disaster strikes so you can easily grab and go! It should be customized to meet the needs of everyone in your household for three days. Need to build one? Use this check list from Lamorinda CERT as a place to start!

Quote for the Week

There's no harm in hoping for the best as long as you're prepared for the worst.
― Stephen King

__________________

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.