Friday, April 24, 2026| What’s Doing in Lafayette?

Edited 10:16pm 4/24/26 and 12:30pm 4/27/26 to correct typos

News From the City Manager’s Corner

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

• Lafayette Vistas Spring Issue Available
• Earth Day Festival Downtown on Sunday
• Help Protect Our Community From Wildfires
• March Police Department Snapshot
• City Council Meeting Monday Night
• Planned Roadwork Downtown
• EBMUD’s Lafayette Reservoir Tower Work

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

Lafayette Vistas Highlights Our Safe, Connected, Playful Future

The Spring issue of Lafayette Vistas was mailed out this week and is also available online. This issue highlights the City Council’s top priorities for the year ahead:

• Advancing the Mt. Diablo Blvd. corridor plan
• Fiscal Sustainability including the challenges of maintaining our busy Community Center and other City facilities
• Wildfire prevention and preparedness

It also includes information about the new wayfinding signs along the trails at Community Park, how we are reaching out to welcome new residents to town, and plans to celebrate American Revolutionary hero, the Marquis de Lafayette as part of America’s 250th Anniversary this year.

You can also:

• Sign-up to receive future issues via email
• Look back at previous issues
• Share your feedback

See You at the Earth Day Festival on Sunday

Come to Lafayette Plaza on Sunday, April 26 from 11am to 2pm for Sustainable Lafayette’s Earth Day Festival featuring kids activities, a petting zoo, vintage clothing shop, free bike repairs, arts & craft activities, face painting and a full slate of educational and interactive exhibits. Be sure to stop by our Creeks Committee’s table to hear about our local creeks and then join them for a walk later in the afternoon to the west reach of Lafayette Creek.

Help Protect Our Community From Wildfires – Complete Weed Abatement Before June 1

Do your part by clearing dry grass, weeds, brush and accumulated debris from your property. This simple action will help to reduce the threat of devastating wildfires. Property owners in Central County (including Lafayette) need to cut weeds to under 3 inches and remove dead vegetation by June 1st. Additional springtime actions you can take to reduce the risk of wildfire include cleaning out your gutters, creating 100+ feet of Defensible Space around your home, and if you live in a high fire severity zone, joining Firewise with your neighbors. If you have questions about Contra Costa Fire’s Weed Abatement program, check out the FAQs or send an email.

March Police Department Snapshot 

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

Meetings & Events 

City Council Meeting Monday Night

The City Council Meeting on Monday (April 27) starts at 7pm and includes:

• Presentation/Update from Contra Costa County Fire Protection District
• Annual update from the Environmental Task Force
• Downtown Lafayette Parking Management Study
• Establish a Multi-Modal Mobility Advisory Committee
• Approve, with conditions, the SAHA/Sunflower proposal to develop a four-story 100% affordable project for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, along with surface parking and associated site improvements. The City has been working with Sunflower Hill and SAHA for over a year to support this proposal on the City-owned parking lot at 949 Moraga Road and has already agreed to contribute the land for the project.
• Evaluate pursuing eligibility for Metropolitan Transportation Commission’s Incentive Program and provide direction to Staff

Read the full agenda for the staff reports as well as information about how to participate in or watch the meeting.

Other Top Meetings This Week

• Design Review Commission – cancelled
• Crime Prevention Commission - Tuesday, April 28 at 6pm

Lamorinda School Bus Registration Opens Soon

Registration for a school bus pass for the 2026–27 school year opens soon. Spots are limited and filled on a first-come, first-served basis, starting:

• Friday, May 1 at 1pm for TK to 6th grade students
• Tuesday, May 5 at 1pm for 7^th to 8th grade students

Art Exhibit Closing Reception Next Monday

The Public Art Committee invites you to “One Last Look,” a closing reception for its spring exhibitions featuring Hearing Shapes, Seeing Sounds by John Poole and Surface by Mary Stets Chabolla. Join us in the Community Hall Gallery at the Library on Monday, May 11, from 5 to 6:30pm.

Roadwork Projects

City Road Restriping Project

For the week of April 27, our contractor will do a combination of night work and daytime work – please refer to the “no parking” signs on each block for specific details. The Contractor will continue applying thermoplastic paint to the striping lines on Mt. Diablo Blvd (right now, there is just temporary paint), repainting the parking space markings and bicycle sharrows. More work will also be done towards Moraga Rd and restriping of the crosswalk.

This work will require some closure of travel lanes with traffic control during certain phases of construction and temporary blocking of parking spaces. For more details, read the Engineer’s Weekly Update on the Re-Striping project webpage.

City BART Bike Station/Pathway Project

This project is underway. For more information, visit the project webpage.

EBMUD Wilkinson Cluster Pipeline Replacement Project Starting Soon

Beginning in May, EBMUD will begin overnight construction for its Wilkinson Cluster Pipeline Replacement Project in downtown Lafayette. To reduce daytime impacts to local businesses, nearby schools, and traffic in this busy area, work will take place at night on Mt. Diablo Boulevard between Lafayette Circle and Moraga Road, on Moraga Road between Mt. Diablo Boulevard and Brook Street, and on Wilkinson Lane.

Work hours will be 9pm to 6am Sunday through Thursday. Traffic control will be in place, and residents may experience delays of up to 10 minutes when entering or leaving the work area. EBMUD will provide direct notifications to impacted customers in advance of any planned water shutdowns or significant construction impacts. For project details and updates, visit EBMUD’s project webpage.

EBMUD Lafayette Reservoir Tower Work to Begin in Early May

Beginning in early May 2026, EBMUD’s Lafayette Reservoir Tower Seismic Upgrade Project will move into its next major phase, with visible construction activity beginning at the tower which will be shortened by 40 feet. Once work begins, scaffolding will surround the tower for much of the project while crews complete seismic and structural improvements.

• Traffic Advisory for Wednesday, May 6: The Lafayette Reservoir will be temporarily closed to vehicular traffic on Wednesday, May 6, from 8am to noon to allow for scheduled construction activities. No vehicles will be permitted into the park during that time. Pedestrians will still be able to access the park during these hours, and crews will guide visitors into the park when it is safe to do so. EBMUD will also notify subscribers directly through EBMUD Alerts.
• Expect additional temporary morning closures to vehicular traffic throughout May and June as construction continues. Sign up for EBMUD alert email notifications and follow EBMUD’s social media channels to keep informed.

• Visitors to the Res should continue to expect temporary impacts such as periodic activity from large equipment and construction operations, as well as potential delays of approximately 10 to 15 minutes when exiting the park as equipment is mobilized in and out of the work area.

• A segment of Walter Costa Trail that passes through the Lafayette Water Treatment Plant property will remain closed for the duration of the project.

Fishing, hiking, and first-come, first-served picnic use will remain open during construction, though visitors may notice changing conditions near the project site. More information is available on their website at www.ebmud.com/lafayettetower, and questions can be directed to construction-east@ebmud.com.

BART Single-Tracking Through the Transbay Tune this Sunday

On Sunday, April 26, BART will be replacing lights in the Transbay Tube which will result in single-tracking and slower service than usual. A Yellow Line shuttle train will run between SFO and Millbrae all day; Passengers traveling beyond SFO must transfer. This work will also take place on June 7, and July 19.

Community News & Events

Pianist Jon Nakamatsu’s Debut with Pacific Chamber Orchestra This Weekend

Van Cliburn Gold Medalist Jon Nakamatsu will make his debut Pacific Chamber Orchestra performance on Saturday, April 25 at 3pm at the Lafayette Orinda Presbyterian Church and Sunday, April 26 at 3pm. The program features Edward MacDowell’s buoyant Piano Concerto No. 2 and Tchaikovsky’s soaring, life affirming Symphony No. 5. Tickets and information at PacificChamberOrchestra.org.

Meet & Greet with Senator Grayson Next Thursday

Senator Tim Grayson will be doing a meet and greet with constituents in Lamorinda on April 30 from 4 to 5:30 pm in the Garden Room at the Orinda Library. If you live or work in Lamorinda, RSVP to meet the Senator at tinyurl.com/MeetGrayson.

Acalanes High School Spring Concert
Come support young talented musicians at the High School’s Spring Concert on Thursday, April 30 at 6:30pm in the Performing Arts Center. The Acalanes Orchestra, Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band and Combined Band will be performing a variety of works from composers such as Antonio Vivaldi, Owen Williams, Gustav Holst, Percy Grainger, Joseph Strauss and Julie Giroux.

“Re:Imagine Literary” Call For Artsy Youth - Deadline April 30

Teens aged 13 to 18 can submit art, photography, poetry, prose, and creative writing on the theme: Words We Avoid. Get your work published in the Spring issue of “Re:Imagine Literary” a virtual home to the Bay Area’s teen writers and artists. Visit reimagineliterary.wixsite.com/imagine-literary to apply.

Diablo Women’s Chorale Spring 2026 Performances

Bon Voyage, is a musical journey celebrating departures, returns, and everything in between—featuring a fun, eclectic mix of songs like Midnight Train to Georgia, Home, Ticket to Ride, and Route 66. Performances at Lafayette-Orinda Presbyterian Church on Friday, May 1 at 7pm and Sunday, May 3 at 3pm. Tickets are available. More information is at facebook.com/DiabloWomensChorale/

Free All Ages Art Table Sundays in May at AARD Den

All supplies provided! Led by Bill Carmel at All Ages Recreation Downtown Den, 3561-A Mt. Diablo Blvd. in downtown Lafayette.  

Become Water-Wise with the Cleaner Contra Costa Challenge

The 2026 Water Wise Challenge will help you take practical outdoor actions that save water and money. Whether you are adding mulch, improving irrigation, choosing water-wise plants, checking for leaks, or replacing part of your lawn, every step can make a difference. This challenge is about making sustainable action simple, local, and doable. Together, participants have already helped save more than 4.38 million gallons of water.  Join the 2026 Water Wise Challenge this spring and help build on that momentum. Complete at least 3 water wise actions and post about them on the Challenge platform by June 30 to be entered into a drawing for a $50 gift card! 

Learn About Water Conservation Rebates for Landscape, Plumbing and Technology upgrades

EBMUD's water conservation programs are designed to help save water and money. Connect with water conservation during online office hours (via Zoom) from 12 to 1pm on May 5 and 19. Learn more at ebmud.com/rebates.

CORRECTED DATE Save the Date: May 6 Presentation on BART’s Financial Situation

The Lafayette Homeowners Council is hosting an informational presentation on Wednesday, May 6 at 7pm at the library about BART’s future and the regional transportation sales tax that will be on the November ballot. [Editor's Note: the previous version incorrectly listed the date as May 8. Sorry for any confusion!]

Looking for more upcoming happenings around town?

Visit the Chamber’s Community Events Calendar online.

Miscellaneous

Early Bird Registration for the 2026 Lafayette Res Run for Education: Race day is Sunday, October 18. Register now for the 5k, 10k, 2mile or Reservoir Challenge. As a result of last year’s race, the beneficiary amount awarded to the schools in 2025 totaled $37,611.32

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.

Below Market Rate Homes for Sale: Housekeys will manage the lottery process for qualified buyers for the below-market-rate (BMR) condominiums units priced to be affordable. If you are interested in applying, create an online account with Housekeys or call Housekeys at 877-460-5397 to schedule an appointment.

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.

Learn About Water Conservation Rebates

Talk with EBMUD water conservation experts to ask questions about EBMUD rebate programs and get project advice. Drop into their online office hours (via Zoom) from 12 to 1pm on April 21, May 5 and 19. Learn more at ebmud.com/rebates.

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 only listed here 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, which is updated monthly.

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 cultural observations and celebrations! The City Council has proclaimed April as Muslim American Heritage Month and Autism Awareness Month. April is also Autism Acceptance Month | Month of the Military Child | National Volunteer Month

22           Earth Day

Photo for the Week

It's no secret that spring is in bloom! What's buzzing in your garden?

Quote for the Week

The hum of bees is the voice of the garden.

 – Elizabeth Lawrence

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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.