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The Weekly Roundup, February 13, 2026

Post Date:02/13/2026 3:52 PM

Friday, February 13, 2026| What’s Doing in Lafayette?

News From the City Manager’s Corner

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

Congrats to Lafayette Police Officer of the Year, Detective Polen!
Lafayette Chamber’s Signature Events for 2026
Preparing for Road Repaving this Summer
Happy Valley Improvement Association Encourages CWS Signups
Get Involved in Your Community - Join a City Advisory Body
Planning Commission Meeting on Tuesday
City Council Goal-Setting Workshop on Friday

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

Congrats to 2025 Lafayette Police Department Officer of the Year – Detective Michael Polen

25 LPD OOY On Monday night, Chief Williams announced that Detective Michael Polen has been named our 2025 Officer of the Year! Detective Polen joined the Police Department’s Investigations Unit in January and immediately got to work. Over the past year, he handled a large caseload and led investigations involving robberies, burglaries, fraud, sexual assaults, and firearm recoveries.

He’s known for being hands-on and proactive. In 2025 alone, he tracked down and arrested suspects in seven different counties, working closely with partner agencies to close cases and hold offenders accountable. His attention to detail has led to multiple felony arrests and stronger cases for prosecution. One example: during last summer’s Art & Wine Festival, Detective Polen recognized and arrested a fraud suspect as the individual entered the event. The arrest not only prevented potential victims at the festival but also helped solve related cases for four other agencies. Detective Polen’s dedication, integrity, and steady commitment to community safety represent the very best of the Lafayette Police Department. Please join us in congratulating him on this well-deserved recognition!

Lafayette Chamber of Commerce Announces Dates for Signature Events in 2026

Our wonderful partner, the Lafayette Chamber of Commerce has announced dates for their 2026 Signature Events, and we are so excited! Mark your calendars for a year packed with community fun, local flavor, and can’t-miss experiences:

Artisan Walk – May 9
Taste of Lafayette Restaurant Stroll – May 19
Rock the Plaza Concert Series – June 5, 12, and 26
Sidewalk Sale – August 15
Lafayette Art & Wine Festival – September 19 & 20
Lafayette Res Run for Education – October 18
Witch Way to Mocktails – October 24
Trick or Treat Street – October 30
Community Thanksgiving Breakfast – November 17
It’s A Wonderful Life in Lafayette Holiday Celebration – December 4

We hope to see you downtown at these events throughout the year. Visit www.lafayettechamber.org/events for more information.

Preparing for Road Repaving this Summer

Have you noticed white paint markings around pothole and other areas of failed road pavement? Recently, our Engineers marked areas on the streets listed below that have more severe pavement failure that will require the construction crew to dig out and replace the failed portion before those streets are resurfaced this summer.

Residents on impacted streets are encouraged to attend the informational meeting online on Wednesday, February 25, at 7pm to learn how the construction project may impact existing frontage improvements as well as street access and traffic flow during construction, etc. More information is available on our website.

The 2026 Road Paving Capital Improvement Project is tentatively scheduled to start in June and is anticipated to be completed in September. The project includes road rehabilitation on:

Arbor Way (Hidden Valley Road to End)
Bacon Court (Bacon Court to Bacon Court)
Brook Street (Hough Avenue to Moraga Road)
Diablo Drive (Hawthorn Drive to East End)
Glenside Dr (Reliez Station Rd to Glenside Cir)
Happy Hollow Court (Bacon Court to End)
Hidden Valley Road (Diablo Circle (north) to Acalanes Road)
Huntleigh Drive (Lucas Drive to End)
John Way (Powell Drive to Old Jonas Hill Road)
Knox Drive (Silverwood Drive to Hidden Valley Road)
Las Huertas Road (Saint Mary’s Road to Old Millstone Lane)
Los Arabis Drive (Estates Drive to Upper Happy Valley Rd)
Los Palos Manor (Glenside Drive to North End)
Marianne Drive (Acalanes Road to West End)
McBride Drive (Bradbury Drive to End)
Monticello Road (Glen to End)
Natasha Drive (Rahara Drive to End of Public Road at Driveway to 4020 Natasha)
O’Conner Drive (Oak Street to Moraga Road)
Richelle Court (Reliez Station Road to End)
Rose Court (Rose Lane to End)
Ruppel Place (McBride Drive to End)
Secluded Place (Bacon Court to End)
Springhill Road (Goyak Drive to Springhill Lane)
Sweet Court (Sweet Drive to End)
Via Roble (Dolores Drive to Via Baja (south))
Village Center (Mosswood Drive to Mt. Diablo Boulevard)
Walnut Drive (Woodland Way to Dyer Drive)
Yorkshire Court (Ridge Road to End)

For more details, contact Ana Bernardes Senior Engineer at (925) 299-3209 or via email.

Happy Valley Improvement Association Encourages CWS Signups

A big thank you goes out to the Happy Valley Improvement Association on helping to sign residents up for Contra Costa County’s Emergency Community Warning System (CWS). Through the HOA’s Signup Challenge to their residents, we saw measurable increase in sign-ups in November! It was 3x a typical month (and only surpassed by the influence of the LA Fires back in January of last year).

CWS ensures that you will receive immediate notification of wildfires and other disasters affecting Lafayette. Put simply, sign up for CWS as your life may depend on it.

If you are part of a HOA or other neighborhood group and want to help make sure your neighbors are signed up to receive emergency alerts, reach out to our Emergency Services Coordinator, Andy Comly for guidance and support.

Get Involved in Your Community - Join a City Advisory Body

Fulfill your new year’s resolution to “act locally” and help shape our community’s future by serving on an advisory body. Lafayette residents interested in these volunteer opportunities and application can visit our website or e-mail cityhall@lovelafayette.org. We are currently seeking new members for the following advisory bodies:

Crime Prevention Commission
Environmental Task Force
Planning Commission
Central Contra Costa Transit Authority (CCCTAA) Advisory Committee Contra Costa Transportation Authority (CCTA) Citizens Advisory Committee

Meetings & Events

Planning Commission Meeting on Tuesday Night

Due to the Presidents Day holiday on Monday, the Planning Commission meeting will be held on Tuesday night. It starts at 7pm and includes

Request by Springhill Road Trust (Owner) to construct an 8,837 sq. ft. two-story single-family residence including an ADU at 3535 Springhill Road, and a lot line revision between 3535 & 3533 Springhill Road.

Please refer to full agenda (posted at www.lovelafayette.org/calendar) for the staff reports as well as information about how to participate in or watch the meeting.

City Council Goal-Setting Workshop on Friday

The City Council will hold their annual goal-setting workshop on Friday, February 20 starting at 9am. At the workshop, the City Council will identify priorities, seek consensus and discuss next steps for City Council Goals for FY25-26.

As part of the process, they will receive updates and discuss:

Current Staffing levels
City Budget
Findings of the Facilities Assessment Report
Community Center – Condition, Scenario Options, and Strategic Paths Forward
Update on Park, Trail, and Open Space Needs Identified in Adopted City Plans
Mt. Diablo Corridor Multi-Modal Mobility Planning Efforts

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 - cancelled
Creeks Committee - February 18 at 7pm

Highlights from Senior Services

Sunrise Rotary Home Team Are Handy Helpers for Seniors

For Seniors that are not too handy with a screwdriver or hammer, our community is lucky to have the Sunrise Rotary Home Team that can help. Working through Lamorinda Village to set up appointments, the two-man teams come to your home for free, toolbox in hand and a stepladder as needed, to do the odd job that can’t be easily handled on one’s own. From changing out light bulbs, batteries in smoke detectors, and drippy faucets, etc., these volunteers can help relieve the stress of these everyday chores. Contact Lamorinda Village at 925-283-3500 to schedule an appointment.

Other Community News & Events

Sweet Thursday Author Series: Charlotte Biltekoff on Thursday

There has been a lot of buzz recently about processed food being a problem and the need to eat “real” food. But misperceptions and fears caused by the public’s lack of scientific understanding creates confusion about what real food is. Real Food, Real Facts offers lessons that extend beyond food choice and discuss how people come to accept or reject scientific authority in matters of personal health and well-being.

Join the Sweet Thursday Author Series on Thursday, February 19 at 7pm at the Lafayette Library to hear author, Charlotte Biltekoff who is a professor of Food Science & Technology and an endowed professor in Food, Wine, and Culture at UC Davis. Register to attend in person at https://tinyurl.com/sweet-Feb2026. 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.

Half-Price Sale at Friends Corner Book on Saturday

On Saturday, February 14, every book in the shop will be 50% off. Shop hours are 10am to 4pm. Proceeds support the collection, programs, and services of the Lafayette Library. More details at www.lllcf.org/friends-book-shop.

Friends of the Lafayette Library WOW Lecture on Feb. 18: Contra Costa Search and Rescue

On Wednesday, February 18, the Friends of the Lafayette Library Wonders of the World (WOW) program will host Contra Costa Sheriff’s Search and Rescue Team’s Administrative Executive Officer, Jon Kalan, at 2pm in the Don Tatzin Community Hall. He will talk about the important work conducted by this volunteer organization to quickly and safely find missing persons in urban, suburban, and wilderness environments and reunite them with their families and loved ones. Learn what the team does, how they do it, some recent missions, and how the community can help. Register for this event at tinyurl.com/wow-feb2026

Lafayette Chamber News and Upcoming Events

Guests are welcome to attend their first meeting for free and then may join the Lafayette Chamber or pay a $20 guest fee per event:

Lafayette Chamber Connectors from 8:15 to 9:30am on Wednesday, February 18 at Creekside Commons (1035 Carol Lane). The Chamber Connectors group provides Lafayette Chamber members an opportunity to highlight their business and meet other professionals who may refer new customers. Refreshments provided. Registration required.

Deadline is Friday, Feb 20 to Nominate a Teen for the Contra Costa County Youth Hall of Fame

Contra Costa County is now accepting nominations for the 2026 Youth Hall of Fame Awards, honoring outstanding county residents ages 12 to 18. For more information and the application to nominate youth in our community, click Nomination Form. Nominations must be received or postmarked by February 20.

Students Have Until Saturday to Enter Lamorinda Arts Council's Annual High School Visual Arts Competition

This annual competition and exhibit celebrates student artwork in four categories: 2D, 3D, Photography, and Digital Art and features an awards ceremony with cash prizes. Registration is open through February 21. More information is available at https://lamorindaarts.org/vac

Rotary Club of Moraga’s Lunar New Year Dinner – Order by Feb. 21

The last day to place your order is February 21 by 5 pm for the meal provided by Golden Palace Restaurant on Wednesday, February 25. Each meal includes 3 Vegetable Egg Rolls, 3 Chicken Potstickers, 3 Sesame Balls, Vegetable Fried Rice, 1 bottle of Tsingtao Beer, Mandarin Orange, and Laysee (red envelope with gold chocolate coin). The cost per meal is $40 ($25 for food, $15 donation). More details online at www.moragarotaryfundraiser.com. Your donation will continue to help support Rotary Club of Moraga’s local youth projects.

EBMUD Lafayette Reservoir Tower Upgrade Project Community Meeting on Feb. 26

EBMUD’s Lafayette Reservoir Tower Upgrade Project is getting underway. EBMUD will host a community meeting on February 26 at 6pm via Zoom to share what park visitors can expect during construction, discuss the anticipated construction schedule, and answer questions from the community. Community members should register for the meeting on the Lafayette Reservoir and Water System Upgrades project webpage.

Miscellaneous

Watch Presentation on the Park Theater: IKYMI, you can watch the recent presentation by Kathy Bowles, Board Member, Park Theater Trust about the Park Theater on our YouTube Channel. The presentation is part of our Lafayette Civic Values: Lifelong Learning and the Arts series.

County Website Shows Impacts of HR1 (Federal) and State Budget to Contra Costa: To make information easier to access, Contra Costa County has created a new dedicated webpage to support clear and consistent communication around HR 1 and state budget impacts to county residents and the County’s budget.

Do You Say Lafayettian or Some Other Demonym? Send us an email at socialmedia@lovelafayette.org to let us know you refer to people from Lafayette.

EBMUD is pleased to share its Biennial Report for Fiscal Years 2024-25: Rooted in Community is an online report containing maps, videos and stories of how EBMUD provided reliable, high-quality water and wastewater services for East Bay customers.

Coyote Awareness: You may notice increased coyote activity during their winter mating season. To reduce potential conflicts with our wild neighbors, residents are reminded not to feed wildlife, secure trash and other food attractants, and keep pets leashed, especially small dogs. If encountered, remain calm, make yourself appear large, and encourage the animal to move away. For more information please visit the California Department of Fish and Wildlife website https://wildlife.ca.gov/HWC/Coyotes

Learn About Water Conservation Rebates

Get Answers About EBMUD's Rebate Programs during virtual office hours from 12 to 1pm on Feb. 17. Find out about EBMUD’s Water Conservation programs that can help save water and money. Details at ebmud.com/rebates.

Know Your Rights Regarding ICE: Access 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! The City Council has proclaimed February as B lack History Month.

Feb. 15 Maha Shivratri (Hindu)

Feb. 16 Presidents' Day – City Administrative Offices will be closed on Monday, Feb. 16

Feb. 17 Lunar New Year – Check out this list of Bay Area celebrations compiled by the East Bay Times

Photo for the Week

leaves - toddler playing in yard

Wet conditions are forecast on Sunday, with possible strong winds Monday and Tuesday. Ahead of the rain, secure any loose outdoor items like furniture, toys/sports equipment, and rake up leaves so they don’t clog storm drains and ditches.

Quote for the Week

Be courteous to all, but intimate with few, and let those few be well tried before you give them your confidence—true friendship is a plant of slow growth.

- George Washington

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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.

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

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