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Friday, June 5, 2026| What’s Doing in Lafayette?

News From the City Manager’s Corner

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

• City Council to Discuss Proposed Budget Monday Night
• Pride Flag at Lafayette Plaza
• Police Department Annual Report 
• Be Part of Santa's Sleigh Boutique
• Apply to Join New Multi-Modal Mobility Advisory Committee
• Lafayette Reservoir Tower Photo/Artwork Winners
• Pride Flag at Lafayette Plaza for LGBTQ Pride Month
• #LafayetteResTower Drawing Winners Announced
• Rock the Plaza
• Emergency Services Training Exercise Downtown on Saturday
• Roadwork Projects

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

City Council Meeting Includes FY26-27 Budget Discussion

As part of their meeting on Monday, the City Council will hold a special budget workshop and is expected to make a number of important policy decisions regarding the FY 26-27 Proposed Budget. Adoption of the budget will be continued to the next meeting.

The City Council meeting starts at 7pm at the library and also includes:

• Presentation by Lamorinda Village (part of the Lafayette Civic Values: Lifelong Learning and the Arts series)
• Annual Police Department Update by Chief Williams
• Settlement Agreement with Housing Action Coalition regarding litigation on the City’s Housing Element
• Discussion on timing of adoption for Objective Design Standards (Phase 2)
• Adoption of Policy on the disruption of telephonic or internet service during City Council Meetings (SB 707 Compliance)
• Presentation of Department Work Plans for FY2026-27

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

Pride Flag Raising Ceremony

Prior to the meeting, everyone is invited to join the City Council in Lafayette Plaza at 6:15pm for a brief flag raising ceremony in celebration of love, diversity and inclusion. A limited number of “Love Lafayette” rainbow buttons will be available at the ceremony and the City Main Offices (during normal business hours); Limit one per person, while supplies last. The Pride Progress Flag will be flown throughout June in recognition of LGBTQ Pride Month.

Chief to Present Police Department Annual Report 

Also at Monday night’s City Council meeting, Police Chief Williams will present an overview of the Department’s 2025 accomplishments, including calls for service, reported crime activity, and key areas of focus such as proactive policing, traffic safety, emergency preparedness, thorough criminal investigations, and continued efforts to strengthen community relationships. This annual presentation also looks at Part 1 crime trends. Refer to the agenda for information about how you can attend the meeting or watch remotely.

Throughout the year, in this publication, we provide a brief snapshot of total calls for service and a look at traffic safety. Here is the snapshot for May:

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

Be Part of Santa's Sleigh Boutique – Now Accepting New Vendor Applications

Santa's Sleigh Boutique has been a beloved Lafayette holiday tradition for more than 25 years, bringing together the community for a festive shopping experience in December filled with seasonal charm and unique treasures.

If you create handcrafted goods, specialty foods, artwork, vintage treasures, boutique items, or other unique products, you are invited to join a well-established holiday event with a loyal customer base and showcase your creations to enthusiastic holiday shoppers. Contact santassleighatlcc@gmail.com for vendor information and application details.

Santa's Sleigh Boutique offers a carefully curated collection of beautiful, handcrafted gifts and original creations including handmade jewelry, home décor, holiday accents, artwork, gourmet treats, vintage collectibles, and other one-of-a-kind items. Save the dates of December 4 and 5 now to find unique holiday gifts while supporting small businesses and local creators. The event will be held at the Lafayette Community Center and admission is free.

Reminder: Apply to Join New Multi-Modal Mobility Advisory Committee

As part of the City's long-term vision for a vibrant, connected downtown, we have begun work on the Mt. Diablo Boulevard Corridor Multimodal Mobility Plan ("M3") and are currently accepting applications to fill 3 at-large community member seats on the new Multi-Modal Mobility Advisory Committee. The committee will provide community input on M3 and other overlapping transportation and urban design projects and studies over the next two years to:

• Review concepts, alternatives, and draft recommendations
• Help identify tradeoffs, opportunities, and potential impacts across projects
• Provide balanced feedback informed by lived experience and professional insight

Learn more about how to apply on the Multi-Modal Mobility Advisory Committee page or by downloading the recruitment flyer. Applications are due June 14, 2026 to be considered during first review.

#LafayetteResTower Drawing Winners Announced

Last month, we invited you to share a recent photo or artwork of the iconic tower at the Lafayette Reservoir before EBMUD’s Safety Upgrade Project shortens the tower by 40’. The randomly-selected winners have until Monday, June 15 to contact Communications Analyst, Suzanne Iarla to claim their prize, such as a Bartbridge hat featuring the tower! See the selected images on our website.

Included below in this issue is a construction update from EBMUD about the project.

Meetings & Events 

Other Top Meetings This Week

• Emergency Preparedness Commission – June 1 at 10am
• City Council Legislation Committee– June 1 at noon
• Transportation & Circulation Commission – cancelled
• Public Art Committee – cancelled

See You Tonight at Rock the Plaza

Grab your blanket or chairs and a picnic dinner and come down to Lafayette Plaza for free live music in June presented by the Lafayette Chamber:

• June 5: Jimbo Scott and Yesterday’s Biscuits
• June 12: The Kyle Athayde Dance Party
• June 26: Lamorinda Idol Finalists

Bands perform 6 to 8 pm. Find the city informational table and stop by to say hello! Lafayette Plaza is located at 3530 Plaza Way (at the corner of Mt. Diablo Blvd. & Moraga Road.). Learn more at lafayettechamber.org/rock.

Emergency Services Training Exercise Tomorrow, Saturday

Lafayette Police and Lamorinda CERT will be running an Emergency Services training exercise tomorrow at 3470 Mt. Diablo Blvd in downtown Lafayette. Approximately 30 to 40 participants will be taking part in a disaster response training scenario designed to help prepare emergency personnel and volunteers for a major earthquake or other natural disaster.

If you notice increased activity around this location tomorrow morning, there's no cause for concern. There will be no impact to traffic on Mt. Diablo Boulevard, and this is only a training exercise. For more information on the exercise, contact Andy Comly, Lafayette Emergency Services Coordinator. To sign up for CERT classes to be trained as a volunteer, visit Lamorinda CERT.

Thank you for your support as we continue to prepare for emergencies and strengthen our community's readiness!

On View: Double Vision by Ellen Reintjes

Now on view in the Town Hall Theatre Gallery, Double Vision by local artist Ellen Reintjes explores how a bird might perceive its own reflection in a pair of binoculars, where observation becomes both subject and mirror. Developed from decades of birdwatching and travel, the series draws on landscapes from local coasts and redwood forests to distant wetlands, using circular, lens-like forms and swirling motifs inspired by binocular optics.

The exhibition features five works from the What the Binoculars Saw series. Reintjes is a Bay Area artist whose work is grounded in observation through birdwatching, travel, photography, and natural history, and she has been included in The de Young Open.

The Town Hall Theatre lobby gallery is open to the public when there are public events occurring in the Town Hall Theatre including one hour before showtime.

Save the Date: Public Art Murals Workshop
Learn more about our Downtown Murals Program and give input regarding the selection of the next mural artist on Wednesday, June 24.

Roadwork Projects

Road Paving Project Starting Soon

This summer, we will be performing road maintenance on multiple streets throughout Lafayette. The project is scheduled to start in June and is anticipated to be completed in September. Residents on impacted streets should watch for a letter in the mail next week with more information. Questions? Visit www.lovelafayette.org/2026RoadPaving or contact Senior Engineer, Ana Bernardes.

Other Projects

Ongoing City-led Projects:

• Utility Work on Topper Lane & School Street
• BART Bike Station/Pathway Project

Ongoing Utility Work in Town:

• EBMUD Pipeline Replacement Downtown Next week, EBMUD will be working on Wilkinson Ln heading into La Fiesta Square. There will still be some activity on southbound Moraga Rd where they connect onto the larger main.
• PG&E Brook Street Gas Line Replacement

Community News & Events

Tiny Beautiful Things at Town Hall Theatre Opens June 6

A moving and intimate theatrical experience about connection and the courage to keep going, Tiny Beautiful Things will close Town Hall Theatre Company’s 2025-2026 season. Adapted for the stage by Nia Vardalos from the bestselling book by Cheryl Strayed, this powerful play brings to life the anonymous advice column “Sugar,” where strangers seek guidance on love, loss, identity, and everything in between. Through a series of deeply personal letters, Sugar offers wisdom that is both unflinchingly honest and fiercely compassionate, reminding audiences that even in their most broken moments, they are never truly alone. With humor, vulnerability, and unexpected warmth, Tiny Beautiful Things explores what it means to be human in all its messy complexity. The production invites audiences into a shared space of storytelling where empathy takes center stage and the act of listening becomes transformative.

This production contains adult language and themes including grief, addiction, and relationships. Main Stage tickets are $25. A special senior matinee will be offered on Thursday, June 18, with tickets priced at $10. Tickets and information: www.Townhalltheatre.com or contact: Boxoffice@townhalltheatre.com

East Bay Public Gardens Open House Tomorrow

On Saturday from 10am to 1pm, discover the beauty and benefits of water‑wise gardening. See the full list of participating gardens including the Lafayette Community Garden and Outdoor Learning Center (3932 Mt. Diablo Blvd).

Diablo Women's Chorale Summer Workshops Start June 8

The Diablo Women's Chorale (DWC) offers the 2026 Summer Workshops—no audition required. This year’s theme is “Yacht Rock” and includes a Mixed Vocal Adult Choir (all gender voices) and DWC Youth Singers (middle and high school). Weekly classes meet Monday evenings from June 8 to July 27 in Pleasant Hill. Sign up  to save your spot today.

Speed Networking for Lafayette Business Women on June 10

Lafayette Chamber’s Lafayette Business Women affinity group, will meet on Wednesday, June 10 in the Great Hall at St. Perpetua Church, 3454 Hamlin Road, Lafayette for speed networking Free for Lafayette Chamber members, first time guests also free. Learn more at https://lafayettechamber.org/lbw.

Author Lisa See at the Lafayette Library on June 11

Join the Lafayette Library and Learning Center Foundation for the debut of New York Times Bestselling author Lisa See’s latest book, Daughters of the Sun and Moon. Set amid the vibrancy and turmoil of post-Civil War Los Angeles, See's novel tells the story of three Chinese women who survive and eventually thrive despite all odds. Complete with her trademark prose, deep research, and emphasis on the importance of female friendship, agency, and autonomy, Daughters of the Sun and Moon is a treat for longtime fans and new readers alike. Purchase tickets at www.LLLCF.org/dsslisasee  

Central San Open House and Celebration Next Saturday, June 13

Central San’s 80th anniversary celebration includes a free, all-ages, community-wide Open House on Saturday, June 13 in Martinez that includes:

• Treatment plant and other facility tours
• Free food and ice cream
• Demonstrations of trucks, tools, and equipment
• Toilet racers (like go-karts, but with toilets!)
• Interactive games, crafts, and activities
• Educational exhibits
• Plus, plenty of surprises!

If you are interested in a behind-the-scenes walking tour of the treatment plant to see how Central San cleans millions of gallons of wastewater every single day preregister to reserve your tour spot as spaces are limited.

Friends Corner Book Shop Sale Next Saturday  

Next Saturday, June 13, every book will be 50% off.  Shop hours are 10am to 4pm. Proceeds from the Friends Corner Book Shop support the collection, programs, and services of the Lafayette Library.

Re:Imagine Literary - Youth Open Mic June 14

Immerse yourself in a world of poetry, prose, visual arts and creative writing. At Re:Imagine Literary, dare to dream beyond the grounded. Encouraged by the Lamorinda Arts Council and the California Writers Club, Mt. Diablo Branch, the Youth Ambassadors Program, YAP, hosts a free Youth Open Mic on Sunday, June 14 from 4:00 to 5:30 pm. Listen to youth aged 13 to 18 read creative writing or present artwork and photography (easel provided) from the Spring 2026 Re:Imagine Literary publication. RSVP for the Open Mic. No host snacks.

Celebrating Juneteenth with a Free Park Day

Join the East Bay Regional Park District in celebrating Juneteenth, the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States with a Free Park Day and special naturalist-led programs on Friday, June 19.

Enjoy the Lafayette-Moraga Regional Trail

With warmer summer weather coming, East Bay Regional Park District reminds trail users should plan to head out early in the day to avoid the hottest hours and always pack lots of water and energy snacks if enjoying longer trails. Tip: The Lafayette-Moraga Regional Trail has an abundance of shade, making this a popular hike year-round. It’s a 7.5 mile out-and-back paved trail.

EBMUD Status Update on Lafayette Reservoir Tower Safety Upgrade Project

Equipment mobilization into the park is now complete, and heavy construction equipment is in place. Beginning today (Friday, June 5), crews will begin removing external fixtures from the tower. Scaffolding surrounding the outlet tower will be installed beginning next week (June 8–June 12). Weather permitting, the demolition of the upper portion of the tower is scheduled to begin in late June or early July. The crane barge will be the primary platform for demolition activity throughout the summer. EBMUD expects the tower portion of the project to be completed by the end of October 2026.

There are no planned vehicular closures in June, however, there will be intermittent traffic flagging at the park entrance to manage equipment and debris transport. Park visitors (driving or walking) should expect occasional brief delays of approximately 10 to 15 minutes on the trail and vehicles entering or exiting the park. Project-related questions should be directed to EBMUD at construction-east@ebmud.com or 510-287-2053.

Youth Ride Busses for Free in June & July

This summer, youth 18 and under can ride County Connection, WestCAT, and Tri Delta Transit buses for free thanks to Youth Ride Free. From June 1 through July 31, young riders can catch a bus without submitting an application, showing an ID, or buying a special pass. It’s a simple way for students to get to summer jobs, parks, libraries, activities, and to enjoy time with friends. Learn more at: YouthRideFree.com

Become Water Wise With Simple Steps

Making a difference starts with simple steps. From replacing a portion of your lawn and improving soil health to choosing drought-tolerant plants, small changes can help create a more water-efficient and resilient landscape. Residents are encouraged to participate in the 2026 Water Wise Challenge, part of the Cleaner Contra Costa program. Together, participants have already helped save more than 4.38 million gallons of water through everyday conservation actions.

Complete at least three Water Wise actions by June 30th and share your progress on the Cleaner Contra Costa platform for a chance to win a $50 gift card of your choice. Join the 2026 Water-wise Challenge today.

Looking for more upcoming happenings around town?

Visit the Chamber’s Community Events Calendar online.

Miscellaneous

Temple Isaiah Proposal to Build New Community Building:  The City has received a development request from Temple Isaiah to construct a new community building adjacent to the existing temple at 945 Risa Road. Information about the proposal is now available on our Major Development Projects webpage (you can navigate the map or scroll through the list of projects in the sidebar to find the Temple Isaiah project). The Planning Commission will conduct a preliminary review on the project at its July 6, 2026 meeting; the agenda with linked staff reports will be posted online on July 1.

Preliminary Election Results: Preliminary results from the State Primary Election on June 2 are available. For Contra Costa results, visit www.ContraCostaVote.gov or call the County Elections Office at 925-335-7800. 

Grapevines Sold at Costco Found to Have Invasive Pest: The glassy-winged sharpshooter poses an immediate and serious threat to grapevines and agricultural landscapes. An estimated 200 plants were sold before the infestation was detected. Customers who purchased grapevine plants at Costco in April or May should contact the Contra Costa County Department of Agriculture / Weights & Measures at 925-608-6600. Read the full press release.

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.

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.

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 also proclaimed June as LGBTQ Pride Month. June is also Caribbean American Heritage Month.

June 14            Flag Day

June 19            Juneteenth – City Administrative Offices will be closed

Photo for the Week

School’s out and Week 1 of Summer Camps at Lafayette Parks, Trails & Recreation is officially in the books! This week, Camp Awesome welcomed Fur, Scales, and Tails for an exciting interactive animal show that gave campers an up-close look at a variety of animals and plenty of memorable laughs.

Want your child to join the fun? Registration is still open for Camp Awesome and several other enrichment camps offered at the Lafayette Community Center. Register today at LafayetteRec.org

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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.