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Friday, December 12, 2025 | What’s Doing in Lafayette?

News From the City Manager’s Corner

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

• Carl Anduri Selected to Serve as Lafayette’s Next Mayor
• City Council Raises Concerns about Regional Plan Bay Area 2050+
• Planning Commission to Review New Building Design Standards Monday Night
• A Look Back at Our Accomplishments in 2025
• Check Out Our First Downtown Mural
• Register for Winter/Spring Recreation Programs and Classes
• Police Conduct Saturation Patrol
• Congrats to the 2026 Business Persons of the Year

 If you have feedback for us about these topics, send an email to lafayettelistens@lovelafayette.org.

Carl Anduri Selected to Serve as Lafayette’s Next Mayor; John McCormick Selected as Vice Mayor

The Lafayette City Council has unanimously selected Carl Anduri to serve as Mayor, and John McCormick to serve as Vice Mayor, for the next 12 months.  Mayor Anduri said, “I look forward to working with our engaged residents, our talented City staff and my Council colleagues as we continue our efforts to make Lafayette an even better place to live.”

On behalf of the entire Council, at the City Council meeting on Monday night, Mayor Anduri expressed gratitude to outgoing Mayor Susan Candell for serving as mayor in 2025, her welcoming way running the City Council meetings, and working hard to find common ground and bring people together around complex issues.

Anduri also expressed optimism for the year ahead and identified seven mayoral initiatives he and Vice Mayor McCormick wish to carry out over the next two years:

• Welcome new residents and introduce them to the resources that make Lafayette such a special place to live at events organized by the Lafayette Juniors in collaboration with the City and the LLLCF
• Make all of us safer by enhancing the "Slow Down Lafayette" campaign
• Make Lafayette more small business friendly by increasing the City's collaboration with the Chamber of Commerce on door-to-door visits with local businesses
• Support environmental sustainability by working with RecycleSmart on an educational campaign to increase the diversion of compostable waste out of the landfill
• Expand services to local seniors by deepening the City's collaboration with Lamorinda Village
• Reinforce the City's commitment to lifelong learning and the arts with monthly presentations to the Council by local art and lifelong learning organizations
• Partner with the Lafayette Historical Society to celebrate America's 250th anniversary next year, with a focus on the role of France in America's independence

Read more about the mayoral rotation.

Watch a recording of the City Council meeting on the City’s YouTube channel.

City Council Raises Concerns about Regional Plan Bay Area 2050+

On Monday night, the City Council directed Staff to submit feedback to the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) on their Draft Plan Bay Area 2050+ which will shape growth and investment across the Bay Area’s region’s nine counties and 101 cities over the next 25 years.

MTC is responsible for regional transportation planning, funding, and coordination across the nine-county San Francisco Bay Area. Together with the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG), MTC adopted Plan Bay Area 2050 in 2021 as a long-range plan to improve housing, transportation, the economy, and the environment. Plan Bay Area 2050+ is a limited and focused update to Plan Bay Area 2050 and includes Transit 2050+, a parallel planning effort to evaluate and plan for the future of the region’s public transit system.

The City Council’s concerns include:

• Problematic population projections
• Reliance on MTC’s Transit-Oriented Communities Policy is premature, as its implementation measures have not yet been approved
• Incorrect statements that the Plan will not override local land use decisions
• Imposition of unfunded liabilities on local governments
• Support for six concerns raised in the comment letter from City of Cupertino

You can comment on the draft plan online at planbayarea.org/draftplan through 5pm on Thursday, December 18. Email comments to info@planbayarea.org or see their website for other ways to submit comments. 

A Look Back at Our Accomplishments in 2025

Also at Monday night’s City Council meeting, outgoing Mayor Candell highlighted the Council’s major accomplishments from the past year, and I provided a high-level overview of staff’s day-to-day work. As Lafayette’s City Manager, I am truly grateful to serve such a thoughtful, supportive City Council and to lead a dedicated, hardworking team of staff.

Lafayette Planning Commission to Review New Building Design Standards on Monday Night

Starting at 6:30pm, join the Planning Commission (PC) on Monday night as they consider the proposed updates to our Objective Design Standards (ODS). Walk around the room and see display boards with explanations/examples of the standards being considered such as building setbacks and step backs, where to put parking, building design styles, articulation, fenestration, and more! At 7pm the Planning Commission will receive a presentation and discuss the ODS, then may make a recommendation for the City Council to adopt the ODS.

See the full agenda for the staff reports as well as information about how to participate in or watch the meeting. Meting information is also available at www.lovelafayette.org/calendar. For more information, about the ODS process, visit the ODS webpage.

Register for Winter/Spring Recreation Programs and Classes

Registration is now open for winter/spring recreation programs. We have something for all ages and interests. Take a look at our offerings in the 2026 Winter/Spring Rec Guide then register online. If you need help registering for a class or program, send an email to recreation@lovelafayette.org or call us at 925-284-2232.

Love Lafayette? Get Involved by Joining an Advisory Body to the City Council

If you are interested in areas of civic life related to planning/development, creeks and environmental stewardship, crime prevention, senior services and more, visit www.lovelafayette.org/volunteers for more information about applying to serve on an advisory board, committee or commission.

Police Conduct Saturation Patrol

Lafayette Police traffic officers, accompanied by officers from the Danville Police Department, conducted a saturation patrol in Lafayette on Wednesday. These officers focused on traffic safety in school zones, downtown, and areas in neighborhoods where we have received complaints regarding driving behavior and pulled drivers over for violations such as:

• cell phone laws
• stop sign violations
• speeding

During the course of the day, the officers wrote over 120 citations and arrested an individual who had a warrant for assault with a deadly weapon. 

Our goal in conducting these types of operations is to reduce the amount of drivers speeding through our neighborhoods, reduce the amount of drivers using their mobile devices while driving and to maintain the safety at intersections and crosswalks, especially in school zones.

Announcing the 2026 Business Persons of the Year: Erin and Ford Andrews, owners of Sideboard Lafayette!

Congratulations Erin and Ford Andrews, owners of Sideboard Lafayette (and longtime Lafayette residents) for being selected as Lafayette’s 2026 Business Persons of the Year. A dinner in their honor is scheduled for the evening of Thursday, January 29, 2026 at the Lafayette Park Hotel & Spa. The dinner will also include the Introduction of the 2026 Lafayette Chamber Board of Directors. More information about the honorees and the event visit https://lafayettechamber.org/bpoy.

Update to Year End Office Closure Schedule

City Administrative Offices will all be closed Wednesday, December 24 through January 2, reopening on Monday, January 5, 2026. See more information about the Year End Office Closure.

City Meetings & Events 

In addition to the Planning Commission meeting on Monday night (mentioned above), other top meetings this week include:

• Transportation & Circulation Commission – Dec. 15 at 7pm
• Creeks Committee – Dec. 17 at 7pm

Other Community News & Events

Dollar-for-Dollar Match Challenge in support of The Lafayette Park Theater Renovation Campaign

For decades, the Park Theater cinema, built in 1941 and dark since 2005, has been a symbol of community and creativity. Thanks to the incredible generosity of neighbors and supporters, the all-volunteer Park Theater Trust (TPTT), has raised $12 million toward the historic Park Theater’s protection and restoration. Now, the focus is on closing the funding gap so the Park can finally open in 2026! 

The TPTT announced last week that two very generous families from the community are offering to match up to $100,000 in donations received by December 31. Every donor’s name will proudly appear on the Park Theater Donor Honor Roll, displayed at the Park throughout 2026. This is a chance for everyone in the community to really make a difference in a once-in-a-lifetime civic project that will shine for generations to come. Visit www.parktheatertrust.org for more information.

Wreaths Across America at Lafayette Cemetery on Dec. 13

On Saturday, join the Acalanes Chapter National Society Daughters of the American Revolution’s annual wreath laying ceremony at noon (rain or shine) at the Lafayette Cemetery, 3285 Mt. Diablo Blvd.

From Town Hall Theatre

• Snowbound: A Holiday Tale – now through Dec. 20: It’s 1992—Nirvana rules the airwaves, Home Alone 2 is in theaters, and everyone wants a Super Nintendo under the tree. But for a high school group en route to a national academic competition, the holidays take an unexpected turn when a historic blizzard leaves them stranded having to take refuge in an abandoned house. As they grapple with missing their families and celebrating their own unique traditions, tensions rise, secrets unfold, and unlikely bonds form. Through laughter, conflict, and moments of ingenuity, they discover that the true meaning of the season isn’t about where you are—but who you’re with.

Check out the Town Hall happy hour from 6 to 6:30pm and 1 to 1:30pm, and enjoy a $1 off all beer, wine, and cocktails! Relax in the lobby 1 hour before each performance and delight in live music provided by local Bay Area musicians.

Promo Codes for Snowbound:

• Local Teacher Comps: THE2526
• Kiwanis $20 tickets: Kiwanis20
• Lamorinda students (must have student ID): STUDENT5
• Pay-What-You-Can (good for any performance): use the promo code PWYC followed by the amount you wish to pay per ticket (example PWYC10)

•  Yes, and Wine! Adult Improv this Sunday, Dec. 14 from 7 to 9pm: Are you ready to try something new and have fun doing it? These one-night-only classes are a great way to stretch your boundaries, meet new people, and have some laughs! Classes are open to improvisers of all skill levels and come with two cocktails (or non-alcoholic drinks).

Learn About Water Conservation Rebates

Register for EBMUD's virtual office hours on Dec 16 from 12 to 1pm to ask questions about EBMUD rebate programs, offer project advice, and answer your rebate questions. Learn more at ebmud.com/rebates.

More From the Lafayette Chamber

• Ribbon Cutting at Local Vines on Wednesday: Join the Lafayette Chamber of Commerce to celebrate the grand opening of Local Vines on December 17 from 2-3pm at 3393 Mt Diablo Blvd, Lafayette. The ribbon will be cut promptly at 2:30pm. Local Vines is a boutique urban wine tasting room in the heart of the Lamorinda Appellation. They are a cooperative of local winemakers now conveniently located in downtown Lafayette. Learn more and register for the Ribbon Cutting at https://lafayettechamber.org/ribbon-cutting.

   

• Shop, Ship & Dine Local! For the Holidays and every day, remember to shop, ship and dine local! Support neighbors and discover unique gifts at our locally owned businesses. View the Lafayette Chamber’s Dining & Gift Guide at https://lafayettechamber.org/guide. Check out the Lafayette Chamber’s social media for gifts for him, her, pet-lovers, person who has everything, hostess gifts and so much more! https://lafayettechamber.org/connect.

Are You Ready for a Wildfire or Earthquake? Take the Lamorinda CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) Class

Learn how to best prepare for wildfire and other disasters by taking the CERT class series! You can register for the winter class series on Thursday nights January 8, 2026 through March 5 from 6:30 to 9:30 pm in Moraga. Register now at https://classes.lamorindacert.org

Lafayette Library and Learning Center Foundation’s Film Screening and Discussion at the Lafayette Library on January 14 

Join the Lafayette Library and Learning Center Foundation for a film screening and discussion of Democracy Noir with director Connie Field. As Viktor Orbán dismantled Hungary’s democratic institutions, three women — a journalist, a politician, and a nurse—  worked tirelessly for their country’s soul. Democracy Noir paints an inspiring portrait of resistance. Learn more and register at www.lllcf.org/democracynoir. Be the first to know about all library programs by subscribing to their weekly program newsletter at www.lllcf.org/subscribe.

Annual Wild Mushroom Advisory in East Bay Regional Parks

Due to this year’s early rainy season, wild mushrooms are popping up in great numbers throughout East Bay Regional Parks. Mushrooms are an ecologically important part of the parklands and can look beautiful—but some of them contain dangerous toxins. The death cap (Amanita phalloides) and western destroying angel (Amanita ocreata) are two of the world’s most toxic mushrooms, and both can be found in Regional Parks during the rainy season. Read more at ebparks.org/safety/trails/toxic-mushrooms.

Find the Perfect Gift at the Friends Corner Book Shop

Take care of some of your holiday shopping at the Friends Corner Book Shop, which has 150 categories with more than 20,000 books to select from! Plus, proceeds from your purchases support the collection, programs, and services of the Lafayette Library. Read more at www.lllcf.org/friends-book-shop

Looking for more upcoming happenings around town?

Visit the Chamber’s Community Events Calendar online.

Miscellaneous

Holiday Safety Tips: Here are a few simple steps to keep your home, mail, and vehicles secure this holiday season:

• If traveling, ask a trusted neighbor to keep an eye on your home, pause mail and newspaper delivery, and ensure windows, doors, cameras, and outdoor lighting are all functioning properly.
• To prevent package and mail theft, track deliveries closely, avoid leaving packages on your porch, and consider using signature-required delivery or a locking mailbox.
• When out shopping, don’t leave valuables visible in your vehicle, always lock your doors, and park in well-lit areas.

New California Building Code Goes into Effect January 1: For more information, visit https://www.lovelafayette.org/planning.

Senior Wellness Center Drop-in Program: The SWELL Center at the Lafayette Library is open to anyone 65 and older. Drop in 10 am to noon on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays for a casual get together at the library. Have a cup of coffee and a pastry or join in a board game! Senior SWELL is offered in partnership with Lamorinda Village.

Know Your Rights Regarding ICE: Read resources compiled by the County’s Employment & Human Services Department and Stand Together Contra Costa. Stand Together Contra Costa’s Rapid Response hotline is 925-900-5151.

Reduced ADU Development Impact Fees: The City has temporarily reduced the development impact fees charged for new Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) by 50% through 2026. And, if you finish construction by September 30, 2026, you may be eligible for a rebate through the ADU Accelerator Program. Learn more about all the current incentives.

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!

Dec. 14 to 22              Hanukkah (Jewish)

Starting Dec. 16          Las Posadas (Christian/Mexico)

Starting Dec. 21          Yule (Pagan)

Dec. 24                        Christmas Eve (Christian)  - Start of City’s Year End Office Closure

Dec. 25                        Christmas (Christian)

Dec. 26                        Kwanzaa

Photo for the Week

We’re excited to share the completion of the first mural in Lafayette’s Downtown Mural Program, created by the talented Rachel Perls. Thank you to Rachel for her vision and artistry, to Julie Del Santo and Dudum Real Estate Group for providing the wall, to ABG Projects for their expertise in bringing the project to life, and to the City Council and residents for supporting the arts in Lafayette. The mural is stunning and adds new vibrancy to our downtown.

We encourage you to visit at twilight or dawn to see the violet shading at its best. The way the mural interacts with the Lafayette sky is remarkable throughout the day. And don’t miss how the fall leaves echo the Matilija poppy centers!

We’re already planning the next mural and need your help - If you know a property owner with a wall in the downtown core who might want to participate, let the Public Art Committee know — we’re officially looking for the next location.

Quote for the Week

People from a planet without flowers would think we must be mad with joy the whole time to have such things about us.

 ― Iris Murdoch

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Editor’s Note: Happy Holidays! Next week’s issue of the Weekly Roundup (December 19) will be the last issue for 2025. We truly appreciate all our readers and look forward to keeping you informed next year.

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.

Learn more about Lafayette’s other digital publications and social media sites here.