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Friday, October 17, 2025 | What’s Doing in Lafayette?

News From the City Manager’s Corner

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

• Lafayette Reservoir Run for Education is on Sunday
• Show Your Support for United Against Hate Week
• Share Your Skills! Apply to Serve on a City Advisory Body
• Deadline to Register to Vote in the Upcoming Statewide Special Election is Oct. 20
• Now Is the Right Time to Get Updated COVID and Flu Vaccines
• Transportation Available for Lamorinda Seniors Getting Flu & Covid Vaccination

Indigenous People’s Day Acknowledged

Monday was Indigenous People’s Day, so we want to once again highlight the City’s land acknowledgment statement:

We acknowledge that Lafayette is part of the unceded, ancestral homeland of the Bay Miwok people. The Bay Miwok and neighboring Ohlone people have lived in and moved through this place for thousands of years. They stewarded and shaped this land for hundreds of generations. We express our appreciation and gratitude for this profound legacy, which enhances and contributes to our lives to this day. We will strive to honor this land and strengthen our ties with the Indigenous communities that continue to live and work in our East Bay region as our neighbors and community members. We acknowledge and honor them and their ancestors, elders, and next seven generations.

Lafayette Reservoir Run for Education is on Sunday

Lace up your sneakers! The Chamber’s annual fall fitness fundraiser, the Lafayette Reservoir Run for Education is taking place on Sunday, October 19. The weather is looking nice and it’s not too late to sign up!

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. View the Road Closure Map here.

Show Your Support for United Against Hate Week

United Against Hate Week in the Bay Area is October 19-25. This event was started in the Bay Area in 2017 and has become an annual event across California and beyond. The City of Lafayette stands firm in our commitment to being a welcoming, inclusive, tolerant, and safe community for all. You can get involved by downloading the following:

• LAFAYETTE United Against Hate - Poster (PDF)
• LAMORINDA United Against Hate - Poster (PDF)
• Download LAMORINDA United Against Hate social media graphics: Facebook | Instagram

We also have a very limited number of printed “Lafayette Stands United Against Hate” posters for interested local businesses/organizations/faith groups – Pick one up a while supplies last at:

• City of Lafayette Main Office (3675 Mt. Diablo Blvd #210)

  Monday through Friday 8am to 5pm

  or

• Lafayette Chamber Office (251 Lafayette Circle, Ste 150)
• Monday through Thursday 9am to 4pm and Friday 9am to 1pm

Share Your Skills! Apply to Serve on a City Advisory Body

We have several boards, commissions and committees which operate in an advisory capacity to City Council and are accepting applications from community members to apply to fill several positions that are either currently open or will open soon. Visit www.lovelafayette.org/volunteers for more information.

Deadline to Register to Vote in the Upcoming Statewide Special Election is Oct. 20

Here are some things to keep in mind about the special election:

• October 20 is the Deadline to register to vote online via RegisterToVote.ca.gov

• Contra Costa Elections Office in Martinez is now open for early voting; Regional in-person Early Voting locations will open on October 31

• The secure Contra Costa Dropbox in front of the Lafayette School District Office (3477 School St.) is now open

• 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

Registered voters should have received their Official Ballots for the upcoming November 4 Statewide Special Election. For more information, go to the Contra Costa County Elections Office, your trusted source of nonpartisan election information, at ContraCostaVote.gov, or call 925-335-7800.

Now Is the Right Time to Get Updated COVID and Flu Vaccines

Bay Area Health Officials recommend Fall 2025 updated vaccines in alignment with State of California guidance. This week, health officers from the 13 Bay Area health jurisdictions advised the public to get updated vaccines now to protect against flu and COVID this season. The fall 2025 updated flu vaccine and fall 2025 updated COVID vaccine are now available in pharmacies and doctors’ offices throughout the Bay Area. Despite recent federal changes, the updated fall 2025 COVID shot is still free or low-cost for people who live in California and who have health insurance regulated by this state. The same goes for the annual flu shot. Read more on Contra Costa Health’s website.

It’s especially important for older adults to stay up to date on vaccinations. For most, your primary care provider or local pharmacy can assist with vaccinations. Seniors can find nearby vaccination sites and schedule appointments through MyTurn.ca.gov. Additionally, Contra Costa Health’s Public Health Clinics are offering both flu and covid vaccines by appointment at (925) 608-5350.

For those needing help getting to an appointment…

• The Lamorinda Spirit Van provides door-to-door transportation for Lafayette, Moraga, and Orinda residents ages 60 and older. Rides can be scheduled in advance by calling 925-283-3534, with discounted fares available for low-income riders.
• Seven day a week transportation for older adults who would like assistance accessing services like Uber or Lyft without the need for a smartphone app is available with GoGoGrandparent, a phone-based service that connects riders to Uber or Lyft at (855) 464-6872.  Lafayette residents age 70+ receive 50% off this Uber/Lyft service up to $50 a month by registering through the Lamorinda Spirit Van at (925) 283-3534.  People of any age can use this service without the subsidy.

Together, these resources make it easier for older adults in Lafayette to stay healthy and protected this season. For more information about transportation visit www.lovelafayette.org/spiritvan

City Meetings & Events 

Planning Commission Meeting

The Planning Commission meeting on Monday night starts at 7pm and includes:

• Public Hearing on Request from owner (Nguyen) to construct additions to an existing one-story single-family home, including a new 874 sq ft garage, a 169 sq ft first-floor addition and a 958 sq ft second-floor addition on a developed property in the Hillside Overlay District and within a Class II Ridgeline setback at 1280 Panorama Dr.

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

Other Top Meetings This Week

• Transportation & Circulation Commission – Oct. 20 cancelled
• Senior Services Commission - Oct. 23 at 3:30pm

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

Spooky Walk Takes Place Oct. 25 and 26

Get your tickets in advance for some 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).

Roadwork Projects

City Road Paving on St. Mary’s Road Completed! We are excited that the work on the City’s 2025 Road Paving Project has reached an end. During the past week, finished working on miscellaneous punch list items on St Mary’s Road and Mt Diablo Blvd.

Updates on continuing projects:

• Central San Work in Roadway on Moraga Road & Nemea Lane continues for the next two weeks. Motorists are advised to use St. Mary's Road to avoid delays. Lane closures will take place between 9am and 2:30 weekdays through October 31. Residents with questions about construction impacts or general project information should call Chris Carpenter at Central San at (925) 229-7200.

• 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

More Fun Events from the Lafayette Chamber:

• Trick or Treat Street – Friday, October 24 in Downtown Lafayette and Lafayette Plaza: 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 be one of the first to know about upcoming Chamber events by subscribing to the Lafayette Chamber’s retail events email blasts. 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 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.

Oct. 31 is Nomination Deadline for the County’s 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 

Save the Date! Over the River and Into the Woods

The Diablo Women’s Chorale (DWC) presents a joyful concert celebrating the wonders of nature, devotion, and true love. From No Roots to Cry Me a River to Bridge Over Troubled Water, DWC brings to life autumn’s warmth, hues, and harmonies. Performances are Friday, Nov. 21 at 7 pm and Sunday, Nov. 23 at 3 pm at Lafayette-Orinda Presbyterian Church. Founded in 1942, the Chorale has been a beloved East Bay tradition for more than 82 years. Tickets are available at diablowomenschorale.org.

Looking for more upcoming happenings around town?

Visit the Chamber’s Community Events Calendar online.

Miscellaneous

Watch the Recording of the Meeting about Major EBMUD Lafayette Reservoir Projects: Missed the recent community meeting about a number of upcoming projects in Lafayette, including the Lafayette Reservoir Tower Retrofit Project? You can watch the recording online.

Watch the Recording from the  Lafayette Homeowners Council Annual Meeting: The Lafayette Homeowners Council recently hosted Mayor Candell. If you missed the meeting, you can watch it on their YouTube channel.

Is Your Neighborhood Firewise? Take a look at our new interactive map to find out!

Tell East Bay Regional Parks what is important to you by helping to shape their next District Plan.

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!

Stay in the Loop on Library Programs: Curious about the latest programs and events at the Library? Stay connected by subscribing to the Lafayette Library and Learning Center Foundation’s weekly program newsletter, AdLib(rary). With a fresh, user-friendly design, AdLib highlights community voices and showcases must-see programs you won’t want to miss. You can also support your library and its enriching programs by making a donation to the Foundation.

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. 20                  Diwali (Hindu, Jain and Sikh)

Photo for the Week

On Thursday, staff from all City Departments joined with representatives from the American Red Cross and the Lamorinda Amateur Radio Interest Group, as well as City Emergency Preparedness Commissioners in an emergency response training exercise led by the City's Emergency Services Manager. These exercises help us improve our skills to better prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters (such as an earthquake or wildfire). We would also like to thank the following organizations for their support and guidance:

• Cal OES
• Contra Costa County OES
• Lafayette School District
• Contra Costa Fire Protection District

Quote for the Week

Failure is a great teacher and, if you are open to it, every mistake has a lesson to offer.

 - Oprah Winfrey

__________________ 

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.