Latest News

Friday, October 3, 2025 | What’s Doing in Lafayette?

Edited 7:00pm 10/3/25

News From the City Manager’s Corner

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

• Read the Latest Issue of Lafayette Vistas
• Use an Electric Blower or Rake Those Leaves
• Who’s Looking in My Carts? Lid-flip Inspections Starting Next Week
• Fall Art Exhibit Deadline is Oct. 15
• Spooky Walk Tickets on Sale
• Upcoming Meetings
• Detour This Saturday for Portion of St. Mary’s Road, plus Ongoing Roadwork Advisories
• Turn Your Key and Be Idle Free!

Read the Latest Issue of Lafayette Vistas

The Fall 2025 issue of Lafayette Vistas is now available! This issue is focused on our downtown. Read about:

• Planning for future growth while maintaining our vibrant downtown
• Chamber Fall events
• Park Theater reopening
• Updating Objective Design Standards
• Parking Management Strategies
• New Biking/Walking Pathways
• Community Meeting on Upcoming EBMUD Projects (also listed below)

Have questions or feedback about something you read in Vistas? Drop us a line at lafayettelistens@lovelafayette.org.

Use an Electric Blower or Rake Those Leaves

With the leaves turning color and our first rain of the season, it’s a good time to remind everyone that gas-powered leaf blowers are not permitted for use in Lafayette. In addition to noise pollution, gas-powered leaf blowers emit hydrocarbons, particulates, toxins, and carcinogens into the air - contributing to air pollution and negative health effects for the user. According to the California Air Resources Board, operating a gas-powered leaf blower for one hour emits the same amount of pollution as a one-way trip from Los Angeles to Denver! Alternative technologies are available that do not use gas, including corded electric and cordless battery-powered leaf blowers.

Still hearing noisy, gas-powered blowers in your neighborhood?

• Download and print a brochure or flyer (bilingual) to share with your neighbors.
• Submit a noise complaint using the Code Enforcement Request Form. For complaints without clear photographic evidence, staff will send a Courtesy Notice to the property owner to remind them that gas-powered leaf blowers are not allowed in Lafayette.

Who’s Looking in My Carts? Lid-flip Inspections Starting Next Week

This month, RecycleSmart is performing ‘lid-flips’ to visually inspect carts for proper sorting of organics, recycling, and landfill waste. RecycleSmart has retained the services of SCS Engineers to complete random visual inspections of proper sorting of materials. From October 10 to October 17, you may see inspectors in Lafayette performing 'lid-flips' and looking into your organics, recycling, and landfill (residential and commercial) carts.

Inspectors may leave outreach on your carts, including a “Good Job” or “Oops” tag, with helpful tips and suggestions. For information about proper waste sorting, please visit www.RecycleSmart.org or test your waste sorting skills at https://www.RecycleSmart.org/game.

State law SB 1383 requires that every community conduct annual route audits to monitor contamination, including the proper sorting of organics (food scraps, yard trimmings, and uncoated food-soiled paper) from landfill, and provide education and outreach to residents. If you have additional questions about the lid-flips, visit RecycleSmart at www.recyclesmart.org or call (925) 906-1801.

Fall in Love with October Programs at the Library!

Join the Lafayette Library and Learning Center Foundation this October for new and exciting programs. Learn more and register at LLLCF.org/monthly-preview. 

Click on the graphic below for more information about: 

• Caregiver Wellness - October 9 
• Mary Roach  - October 21
• Fratello Marionettes’ Spooktacular Variety Show - October 25 
• Halloween Dress-up Storytime - October 31
• Newsletter
• Social Media

The Foundation is excited to launch their new strategic plan, shaped by your feedback, which drives the Foundation's mission to raise funds for valuable library resources, offer engaging programs, foster community building and amplify the Lafayette Library and Learning Center's visibility, reach and impact. This strategic plan is intended to be a guide for the Foundation's work, with a focus on goals to accomplish for the first year. View the strategic plan at LLLCF.org/strategic-plan.

Want to be the first to know about library programs? Subscribe to the Foundation’s weekly program newsletter. The Lafayette Library and Learning Center Foundation provides more than $1million in annual funding for the Library. Support your library and its enriching programs.

Discover Lafayette Artists on Instagram

Let’s make Lafayette’s art scene more visible and connected—together! Join the Public Art Committee’s effort to highlight local talent through our new Instagram account, @LoveLafayetteArtists. It’s easy to get involved:

• Follow and like our new account, @LoveLafayetteArtists
• If you are a Lafayette-based artist and wish to be showcased, simply fill out this online form and upload a photo of yourself creating in your studio or a recent artwork.
• Use the hashtag #LoveLafayetteArtists and tag us in your Instagram posts about local art and artists!

City Meetings & Events 

EDIT/UPDATE: Lunchtime Poetry Event Cancelled

Tuesday's Poetry for the Ages event has been cancelled. We look forward to seeing you next time! 

Top Meetings This Week

• Emergency Preparedness Commission - Oct. 6 at 10am
• Planning Commission - cancelled
• Transportation & Circulation Commission - cancelled
• Public Art Committee - Oct. 8 at 4pm
• Parks, Trails & Recreation Commission - Oct. 8 at 7pm
• Environmental Task Force - Oct. 9 at 7pm

More information is available at www.lovelafayette.org/calendar

Seeking Photographers, Painters, Collage Artists for Fall Exhibits

Deadline extended to October 15! Apply to showcase a solo show (8–10 works) in Lafayette’s downtown galleries and Town Hall Theatre lobby. Share your art, reach new audiences, and be part of our vibrant community.

Take a Walk on the Spooky Side Oct. 25 and 26

Join the Lafayette Youth Commission for two nights of spooky fun on the trail behind the Community Center! Choose from the “not too scary” version and the “very scary” version (recommended for ages 7 and up). Tickets for the Spooky Walk are available now.

Roadwork Projects

Detour This Saturday for Portion of St. Mary’s Road

Updates on continuing projects

• City Road Paving on St. Mary’s Road – For the week of October 6, our contractor will install and relocate new traffic signs and address miscellaneous punch list items. It is anticipated that this work will require temporary lane closure on St. Mary’s Road, so expect 5 to 10 minute delays. Visit our website for the Project Update for details about planned work for this week.
• Central San’s Sewer Replacement Work on Upper Happy Valley Road continues with intermittent lane closures and some travel delays.
• EBMUD Roadwork in Reliez Valley neighborhood – continues with some travel delays.

Slow for the cone zone! Please drive with caution and obey all traffic control signs and instructions in construction zones.

Other Community News & Events

Lafayette Homeowners Council Annual Meeting on Tuesday Evening

The Lafayette Homeowners Council invites you to their annual meeting on October 7 at the Veterans Memorial Hall (3780 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Lafayette). Hear Mayor Candell discuss what the City is doing about housing, growth, downtown development and other issues, followed by Q&A with the Mayor and City Manager Niroop Srivatsa.

Housing Equity: Mapping our History, Envisioning our Future on Wednesday Evening

Join the Lafayette DEIB Committee for an introduction to Contra Costa County’s Mapping Prejudice Project. County Clerk-Recorder, Kristin Connelly, will share this community based project to map the history of exclusionary real estate covenants in the county and discuss ways for citizens to participate and engage with this research. Following the presentation, there will be group conversations about how to build more diverse, equitable and inclusive communities in our County.

Take part on Wednesday, October 8 from 7 to 8:30 pm in the Don Tatzin Community Hall at the Lafayette Library (3491 Mount Diablo Blvd). This is a free event. No RSVP necessary. For more information contact LafayetteDEIB@gmail.som

Register to attend the EBMUD Upcoming Community Meeting on October 9 about Major Lafayette Reservoir Projects; Learn about the Shortening of the Res Tower

EBMUD will be holding an online community meeting on Thursday, October 9 at 6pm via Zoom to discuss a number of upcoming projects in Lafayette, including the Lafayette Reservoir Tower Retrofit Project. Register to attend the EBMUD community meeting.  To receive information and alerts directly from EBMUD, sign up/log in at www.ebmud.com/alerts/   

Keep on Truck’in Family Fun Event Next Saturday, October 11

Kids like trucks. Next Saturday, they can climb aboard, honk the horn, and meet the heroes behind the wheel at the KEEP ON TRUCK’IN Family Fun Event, hosted by the Rotary Club of Lafayette on Saturday, October 11 from 9am to 2pm on Golden Gate Way (next to the library). This hands-on, high-energy event brings together an incredible lineup of trucks and vehicles—from the everyday to the extraordinary—for kids of all ages to explore. Plus, enjoy food, games, and meet the people who drive them. Quiet hour will be offered from 1 to 2pm. Tickets (including a Family Pass) are available at www.rotarylafayette.org.

Lamorinda CERT Webinar on Earthquake Preparedness October 13

Preparedness skills are essential to learn BEFORE an earthquake strikes! Join Lamorinda CERT online on Monday, October 13 at 7pm for a presentation by Bruce Macler about Earthquake Preparedness and the Great ShakeOut, an annual drill to practice their earthquake preparedness skills wherever they are on October 16 at 10:16am.

Lafayette Chamber News and Events:

• And the winner is… The Lafayette Res Run for Education Early Registration Contest winner is Burton Valley Elementary! They will receive an additional $500 beneficiary check for having the most registrations through September 30 out of the five Lafayette School District Schools. But the incentives to register for the Res Run continue! The LafSD school with the most registrations on Race Day gets an additional $500 and the school (LafSD and AUHSD) with the most improved percentage of runners compared to last year will also get an additional $500!

The annual Lafayette Reservoir Run for Education is coming up on Sunday, October 19. Sign up today to support our schools! https://lafayettechamber.org/resrun.

• Trick or Treat Street – Downtown Lafayette and Lafayette Plaza: For a fun, safe Halloween event, children and their parents are invited to Trick-or-Treat on Mt. Diablo Blvd. from Lafayette Plaza to Dewing Ave, Lafayette Circle and in La Fiesta Square from 4:00-6:00pm on Friday, October 24, 2025. This event is free for everyone and recommended for children 9 and under. Come in costume! Don’t forget to bring your Trick-or-Treat bag. All participating businesses will display a “Trick-or-Treat Poster.” Presented by the Lafayette Chamber. Learn more at https://lafayettechamber.org/trick-or-treat.

• Witch Way to Mocktails – Saturday, October 25: Wear witch hats, witch costumes or Halloween costumes and sample signature mocktails at participating Lafayette retail stores from 11am to 3pm. Enter to win one of two gift baskets, no purchase necessary. Businesses will provide, free of charge, a sample/tasting of their very own signature mocktail!  Register for a reminder and enter the drawing and be one of the first to know about upcoming Chamber events by being subscribed to the Lafayette Chamber’s retail events email blasts. For registering, you will be entered to win one of two gift baskets. By entering, you agree to receive occasional emails about Lafayette Chamber Retail Committee events. You may unsubscribe at any time.

Lafayette businesses wanting to participate in Trick-or-Treat Street or Witch Way to Mocktails should contact the Lafayette Chamber at info@lafayettechamber.org.

Looking for more upcoming happenings around town?

Visit the Chamber’s Community Events Calendar online.

Miscellaneous

City Offering Reduced ADU Development Impact Fees: ADUs (Accessory Dwelling Units, also referred to as in-law units or granny flats) are a quick and effective way to increase housing availability and reduce housing costs in Lafayette while preserving the neighborhood character. The City has temporarily reduced the development impact fees charged for new ADUs by 50% through 2026. Additionally, Lafayette homeowners who obtain permits and finish construction by September 30, 2026 may be eligible for a rebate through the ADU Accelerator Program. Learn more about all the current incentives at www.lovelafayette.org/adu

Know Your Rights Regarding ICE: Read resources compiled on Stand Together Contra Costa’s website and the County’s Employment & Human Services Department website.

Curious about Development Around Town? Information on major planning projects can be found on the Major Development Projects webpage.  You can navigate the map or scroll through the list of projects in the sidebar. Projects are populated to the page after submission of a complete application and the project is heading into the review process.  If you are interested in large and small project applications submitted to the Planning Department, visit the Planning Applications Received webpage.

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

Contact Us: To contact a City Department or Staff member, refer to our online Staff Directory. For information on contacting an individual City Council member, see the City Council webpage. You may also email the entire City Council at cityhall@lovelafayette.org. Comments regarding a City Council agenda item should be sent to cityhall@lovelafayette.org  by noon on the day of the public meeting.  Comments received by noon on the day of the meeting will be included as part of the agenda packet, while those received after the deadline will be distributed to the Council on the following business day.

Cultural Observations and Celebrations

Celebrate our diversity by learning more about these upcoming cultural observations and celebrations! The City Council has proclaimed September 15 to October 15 as Hispanic Heritage Month and the month of October as Global Diversity Awareness Month.

October is also Filipino American History Month | German American Heritage Month  | Italian American Heritage Month  | Polish American Heritage Month | LGBTQ History Month | National Disability Employment Awareness Month | ADHD Awareness Month | Down Syndrome Awareness Month  | Learning Disabilities Awareness Month

Oct. 6 German American Heritage Day

Oct. 6 to 13 Sukkot (Jewish)

Oct. 10 World Mental Health Day

Photo for the Week

Turn Your Key and Be Idle Free! Drivers waiting to pick up kids from activities at the Community Center will now see a friendly reminder to stop idling their cars. (Idling is when a driver leaves their car engine running when they aren’t driving. Some newer cars have auto shutoffs or electric engines, and those aren’t a problem. But idling older cars can be a big problem.)

In 2022, after hearing from student in the Project Earth program about how idling cars harms our environment and is dangerous for people’s health, the City adopted a “No idling” resolution. Since then, Project Earth and Sustainable Lafayette have been working with the City to install signs at schools and just recently installed signs at the Lafayette Community Center.

Quote for the Week

You cannot get through a single day without having an impact on the world around you. What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.

 — Jane Goodall

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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.

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