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

News From the City Manager’s Corner

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

• Thank You to Contra Costa Fire
• Are you Firewise?
• Now on View: Fall Art Exhibitions
• Ballots Mailed for Upcoming Statewide Special Election
• Lafayette Reservoir Run for Education is next Sunday, October 19
• Police Department Statistics for September
• City Council Meeting TUESDAY Night
• Upcoming Meetings
• Ongoing Roadwork Advisories

 

Thankful for Contra Costa Fire’s Quick Actions

We sincerely thank Contra Costa Fire for their swift response to the wildfire that broke out last Friday afternoon along Pleasant Hill Road. Special appreciation goes to Helicopter 1 for dropping water on the blaze, which affected approximately three acres. Your dedication and quick action made a significant difference in keeping our community safe.

 

 

Are You Firewise? Take a look at our new map to find out!

Lafayette's Emergency Preparedness Commission recently completed a map of all Firewise neighborhoods in our city.  The interactive map is available on the city website and will be kept updated as new neighborhoods achieve recognition. The map serves two important purposes.  First, for residents who live in a Firewise area, they can look up contact information for their neighborhood’s area leader in order to participate. Second, the City will use these maps to identify high fire risk areas that could benefit from forming new Firewise groups, connect interested residents, and assist in the application process.   

Wildfire preparedness is one of Lafayette's highest priorities and the Firewise program is a critical part of preparation. It provides a framework for residents to reduce risk as a community over time which helps everyone in Lafayette. Property insurance discounts are also available for residents of Firewise neighborhoods and may be significant.   

Read more about the national Firewise program. For more information, please email Lafayette Emergency Preparedness Commissioner, Stephanie Bontemps.

 

Now on View: Fall Art Exhibitions

This fall, the Public Art Committee invites you to experience three compelling exhibitions, each offering its own unique perspective:

• Hidden Gems: Revealing Geometry in the Landscape by Jenna Hobbs is on view in both the Community Hall and Town Hall Theatre, blending abstraction and representation to uncover the quiet elegance of geometry woven into the natural world.
• Bottles to Blues by Fergus Folan is featured in the Library Display Case, celebrating the harmony of clay and music through wheel-thrown porcelain guitar slides that bring the blues to life.
• Building Portraits by Laura Heinrich is on view in the Library Homework Center, exploring landscapes of renewal and capturing the haunting beauty of abandoned structures alongside the vibrancy of revitalized spaces.

Save the date for an artist reception on November 10 from 5 to 6:30 in the Community Hall Gallery—meet the artists and see all of the work. Exhibitions run through November 30.

 Pictured: oil painting by Jenna Hobbs (c)

 

Have You Received Your Ballot for the Upcoming Statewide Special Election?

Registered voters in Contra Costa County should have received their Official Ballots for the upcoming November 4 Statewide Special Election. If you do not receive your ballot by October 13, please call the County Elections Office at 925-335-7800 for assistance.

Here are some dates to keep in mind:

• Contra Costa Elections Office now open for early voting
• October 20 is the Deadline for registering to vote online via RegisterToVote.ca.gov
• Regional in-person Early Voting opens on October 31
• Polling places will be open on Election Day, November 4 (7am to 8pm)
• Vote-by-Mail ballots must be postmarked on or before November 4

Voters who wish to cast their ballot early can:

• send their ballot through the US Mail in their postage pre-paid ballot envelope
• drop off their ballot in one of 45 secure Contra Costa dropboxes located throughout the County; In Lafayette, there is a secure ballot dropbox in front of the Lafayette School District Office at 3477 School St.
• drop off their ballot in person at 555 Escobar Street in Martinez between 8am to 5pm Monday through Friday.

For more information about the November 4th Statewide Special Election, go to the Contra Costa County Elections Office, your trusted source of nonpartisan election information, at ContraCostaVote.gov, or call 925-335-7800.

 

Get Ready to ShakeOut on October 16

Join millions of people across California practicing earthquake safety at 10:16 a.m. October 16 by participating in an earthquake drill at work, school, or home! Read about how you can get ready to ShakeOut! Also, use this worksheet to create Your Action Plan for what to do before, during, and after a damaging earthquake.

 

 

Lafayette Reservoir Run for Education is next Sunday, October 19

The Chamber’s annual fall fitness fundraiser, the Lafayette Reservoir Run for Education is taking place next Sunday, October 19. There’s something for everyone with the 5k or 10k chip timed course or the 2 mile fun run/walk! Sign up today and support our schools and the Chamber at https://lafayettechamber.org/resrun.

Road Closures: There will be traffic detours on race day! Portions of Mt. Diablo Blvd will be closed Sunday morning from approximately 6am until 11am. The course runs on Mt. Diablo Blvd. between Moraga Road and Lafayette Reservoir. You will not be allowed to cross over Mt. Diablo Blvd and must use the coned detour lanes. View Road Closure Map here.

• Eastbound Mt. Diablo Blvd will be closed at Paulson Court (Oakwood Athletic Club will be accessible) to Moraga Road.  
• Westbound Mt. Diablo Blvd will closed at Moraga Road to Paulson Court.
• One lane on Mt. Diablo Blvd’s north side between Happy Valley Road and El Nido Ranch Road will be open westbound for local traffic with minimal delays.  
• One lane on Mt. Diablo Blvd’s south side will be open eastbound from Village Center to Mt. View Rd. for local traffic with minimal delays during peak periods of race traffic. 

Packet Pick-Up: If you have already registered, starting on Tuesday, you can pick up your pre-assigned bib and t-shirt (only available while supplies last) at the Lafayette Chamber Office, 251 Lafayette Circle, Ste 150. This year’s t-shirt theme is “From acorn to oak tree, Lafayette is age friendly.” Packet pickup is only during select times, so refer to the Chamber’s website for packet pickup information.

 

Police Department Statistics for September

Calls for Police Service	Sept. 2025
Total Calls for Police Service	1,526
Police Reports	90
Arrests	25
Traffic Citations	311
Traffic Collisions - With Only Property Damage	1
Traffic Collisions - With Injuries	3
Hit & Run - With Only Property Damage	3
Hit & Run – With Injuries	0
D.U.I. Arrests	1

 

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

 

City Meetings & Events 

Indigenous Peoples Day Holiday on Monday

City Administrative Offices will be closed on Monday in observance of Indigenous Peoples Day.

 

City Council Meeting on Tuesday Night

The City Council meeting on Tuesday night starting at 7pm and includes:

• Comments on Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) Transit Oriented Communities (TOC) Policy requesting that the mandatory TOC requirements be replaced with voluntary, incentive-based guidelines that support housing and affordability without penalizing jurisdictions making good-faith efforts to comply.
• Set fees and establish use categories for use of sports fields at Lafayette Community Park and Buckeye Fields

Regarding the sports field use categories and rental fees for Lafayette Community Park and Buckeye Fields, The proposed changes, recommended by the Parks, Trails & Recreation Commission, are the first such revision since 2011 and aim to align Lafayette’s fees with regional averages, ensure long-term field sustainability, and prioritize access for community-based youth leagues. The revised fee structure introduces four user categories, seasonal leagues, clubs/out-of-season leagues, camps/tournaments, and short-term rentals, each with a phased hourly rate increase from 2026 through 2029. While the proposed increase in baseball field fees, from $8 to $17 per hour ($20 at year four), may appear significant, the actual impact is mitigated by the historical lease agreement with Lafayette Little League (LLL), which has been the primary baseball user. Under the recently expired 21-year lease at Buckeye Fields, LLL was effectively paying approximately $24 per hour, meaning the new phased rate brings costs into alignment rather than introducing a substantial new burden. For further information, review the staff report.

Note: Separately, we are also looking into proposed changes to the Buckeye Field infields. Mayor Candell and staff are currently meeting with user group leadership regarding the infield improvements for softball, and that item is anticipated to come to City Council for consideration at the October 27th meeting.

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

 

Top Meetings This Week

• Design Review Commission - Oct. 13 at 7pm
• Lamorinda School Bus Transportation Agency - Oct. 16 at 5pm

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

 

Lid-Flip Inspections in Lafayette This Week

This week, you may see people performing 'lid-flips' and looking into your (residential and commercial) carts to complete random visual inspections of proper sorting of organics, recycling, and landfill materials. If you have questions about the lid-flips, visit RecycleSmart at www.recyclesmart.org or call (925) 906-1801. Test your waste sorting skills at https://www.RecycleSmart.org/game.

 

Last Call! Deadline to Apply for Winter Exhibits is Wed., Oct. 15

Seeking Photographers, Painters, Collage Artists - Deadline is 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

Central San Work in Roadway on Moraga Road & Nemea Lane

Starting Monday October 13, contractor Cratus will be replacing two sewer manholes and lining about 420 ft of Central Contra Costa Sanitary District’s sewer main at Moraga Road and Nemea Lane. The lane closures will take place between 9am and 2:30 weekdays through October 24. Motorists can use Rheem or use St. Mary's Road to avoid delays. Residents with questions about construction impacts or general project information should call Chris Carpenter at Central San at (925) 229-7200.

Updates on continuing projects:

• City Road Paving on St. Mary’s Road – Next week, the Contractor will address miscellaneous punch list items. No lane closures are anticipated. Visit our website for the Project Update for more details.
• 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 crews working on Almaden, Kim Rd, and Reliez Valley Ct next week. There may be minor lane closures on Reliez Valley Road at times, so expect 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

Tonight: Two Bands, One Great Cause - A Fundraiser for Town Hall Theatre

Join Front Porch Music for an unforgettable evening of live music, community spirit, and local talent! Two powerhouse Bay Area bands—the 7-piece country band, Lonesome Eddie & the Saddle Sores and Ancestral Water—take the stage (7 to 9pm) to raise funds for Town Hall Theatre’s sound system upgrades and stage improvements. Come early for a 6 PM lobby party with live music by John Vukelich by the historic bar. It’s the perfect night to kick back, connect, and support the theatre we all love. Advance Tickets $20: townhalltheatre.com/front-porch. Town Hall Theatre is located at 3535 School St., Lafayette

 

Keep on Truckin Family Fun Event Tomorrow on Golden Gate Way

This Saturday, October 11 from 9am to 2pm, kids can climb aboard, honk the horn, and meet the heroes behind the wheel at the KEEP ON TRUCKN Family Fun Event on Golden Gate Way (next to the library), hosted by the Rotary Club of Lafayette. This hands-on, high-energy event brings together an incredible lineup of trucks and vehicles 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 in advance at www.rotarylafayette.org.

Featured Vehicles Include:

• Garbage Trucks
• Dump Trucks
• Tow Trucks
• Moving Vans
• And many more!

Note: Golden Gate Way from Mt. Diablo Blvd. to 1st Street will be closed and traffic will be detoured around the event.

 

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.

 

Sweet Thursday Author Series: Kevin Fagan on Thursday, October 16 

Join the Sweet Thursday Author Series on Thursday, October 16 at 7pm at the Lafayette Library to hear author, Kevin Fagan’s powerful exposé on homelessness in San Francisco.  The Lost and the Found takes an empathic and humane approach to explaining what’s behind the homelessness epidemic in one of the most prosperous cities in America – San Francisco. Fagan is a Pulitzer Prize finalist and San Francisco Chronicle reporter who has covered homelessness for thirty years and experienced it himself. This is a deeply researched commentary on the housing market, and a set of policy solutions to help civil leaders and activists chart a way out of this epidemic. Register to attend in person at tinyurl.com/sweet-Oct2025. The doors will open at 6:30 for coffee and sweets and books will
be available for purchase. This program is presented by The Friends of the Lafayette Library.

 

Three Quarter Century Celebration

Lamorinda Village and Lamorinda Sunrise Rotary invite residents 75 years and over (plus a family member or caregiver) to the annual Three Quarter Century Celebration featuring special guest Henry Kaku on Tuesday, October 21 at 2pm at the Lafayette-Orinda Presbyterian Church - Fellowship Hall (49 Knox Drive, Lafayette). RSVP to Lamorinda Village at info@lamorindavillage.org or 925-283-3500.

 

Looking after your Future Self - Lafayette Library on October 29

Take care of your future self by investing in your well-being today! Join the Lafayette Library and Learning Center Foundation on October 29 for an interactive conversation preparing you to make confident decisions about your health in the future. Palliative care specialists from John Muir Health will discuss the importance of having a legally designated decision-maker, the benefits of palliative care, POLST (Physician Orders for Life Sustaining Treatment) and more! This is a FREE community event, learn more on the Foundation's website.

Be the first to know about all library programs by subscribing to their 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.

 

News & Events From East Bay Regional Parks

The Park District is preparing its next District Plan, a long-term roadmap to guide the future of our parks. The Park District wants to hear about what is important to you!

• Initial public survey results are available for review. 
• Watch this brief video to explore the data that will shape the plan.
• There will be more opportunities to give your input and shape the District Plan.
• Sign up for the Park Explorer e-Newsletter to get keep informed.

Experience the peak of Fall in East Bay Regional Parks. Some highlights are listed below. For more information and other events, go to www.ebparks.org/calendar:

• Hispanic Heritage Month: Sep. 15 through Oct. 15
• New Online Exhibit – History of Los Charros at Contra Loma:
• Ardenwood Harvest Festival: Oct. 11 through Oct. 12, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Sunol Heritage Festival: Oct. 18, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Haunted Railroad and Pumpkin Patch: Throughout October – Ardenwood Historic Farm.
• Women in Wilderness – Plein Air Art Expression: Oct. 25, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
• Photography Exhibit at Big Break: Oct. 25, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Halloween Community Campfire at Del Valle: Oct. 25, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
• Día de los Muertos Community Alter at Crab Cove: Oct. 25 to Nov. 2, 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

 

Nominations Open for the 48th Annual Humanitarian of the Year!

Each year, the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors’ Humanitarian of the Year award recognizes a high school student and an adult who bring people together, act for justice, and inspire others to make positive changes, whether through community work, advocacy, mentorship, or everyday acts of kindness. This year’s theme is, Democracy as a Verb: Building on Dr. King’s Legacy in Contra Costa. Read more on the nominations process at Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Ceremony webpage. All nominations are due by October 31st.  High School Student Nomination Form  |   Adult Nomination Form

Questions? Email: melissa.hickok@cr.cccounty.us 

Looking for more upcoming happenings around town?

Visit the Chamber’s Community Events Calendar online.

 

Miscellaneous

Missed EBMUD’s Community Meeting about Upcoming Projects? On Thursday evening, EBMUD hosted a community meeting to share information on several upcoming projects at and near the Lafayette Reservoir. The recording is now available on EBMUD’s YouTube channel. The presentation includes project schedules, anticipated impacts for park visitors and neighbors. You can learn more about each project and view construction updates on their website.

 

Watch Board of Supervisors Meetings on Cable TV or Online: If you missed the live Board of Supervisors meeting, you can watch a re-broadcast online on Thursday at 6 pm on Contra Costa Television Channels (CCTV): Comcast Cable 27, ATT/U-Verse 99, and Astound 32 and 1027. Meetings also can be viewed online the same week they are held, usually within 48 hours. To watch the recorded meetings online, visit the County’s Streaming Media Archive.

 

Use Your Library Card to Access Free Crosswords, Sudoku, Other Puzzles & More! With PressReader, you can enjoy unlimited access to crosswords, sudoku, and other puzzles to keep your mind sharp, plus newspapers and magazines including MIT Technology Review, The Economist, The New York Times, La Opinión, World Journal, Times of India, La Razón, China Daily, Newsweek, and The Boston Globe. Whether you’re catching up on global headlines, diving into in-depth analysis, or unwinding with a puzzle, PressReader has something for everyone. Visit the Digital Resources page at CCLibrary.com to get started.

 

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

 

Discover Lafayette Artists on Instagram: Follow and like our new account @LoveLafayetteArtists and use the hashtag #LoveLafayetteArtists in your Instagram posts about local art and artists!

 

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 to 13         Sukkot (Jewish)

Oct. 10                World Mental Health Day

Oct. 13                Indigenous Peoples’ Day – City Admin. Offices will be closed

Oct. 13 to 14        Shemini Atzeret (Jewish)

Oct. 14 to 15        Simchat Torah (Jewish)

 

Photo for the Week

 

Slow Down Lafayette! Have you seen our lawn signs around Upper Happy Valley reminding drivers to drive safely? Traffic safety continues to be a top priority in the City of Lafayette, with the goal of reducing injuries to pedestrians, bicyclists and drivers/passengers. We are pleased to work with local school PTAs to share these lawn signs around town throughout the year. Did you know that speed is the most critical factor that affects the severity of injuries? For more information and safety tips, visit www.lovelafayette.org/slowdown

 

Quote for the Week

The simplest pleasures are sometimes the most extraordinary

 - Edgar Allan Poe

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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.

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.