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Friday, July 10, 2026| What’s Doing in Lafayette?

News From the City Manager’s Corner

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

• Nomination Period for City Council Candidates Opens Monday
• Affordable Homeownership Opportunities – Attend Webinar on Tuesday to Learn More
• A Joyful Celebration of Independence and History
• June Police Department Snapshot
• New Feature Alert! Spotlight on the Downtown
• City Council Meeting Monday Night

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

Nomination Period for City Council Candidates Opens Monday

Are you interested in running for a seat on the Lafayette City Council? The City Council makes policies to address the needs and wishes of our residents and works collaboratively to set the vision for Lafayette’s future. Councilmembers are directly elected by Lafayette voters.

On Tuesday, November 3, 2026, a general municipal election will be held for:

• Two City Councilmembers for the full term of 4 years each
• One City Councilmember for the partial term of 2 years

If you are interested in running for public office, please contact City Clerk Joanne Robbins starting Monday, July 13 at 925-284-1968 or jrobbins@lovelafayette.org to schedule an appointment to pull nomination papers. The nomination period opens on July 13 and closes on August 7, 2026.

To be eligible to run for public office in the City of Lafayette, you must meet the following requirements: 1) An elector of the city when he or she assumes office; and 2) A registered voter of the City at the time nomination papers are issued; and 3) Not disqualified by the Constitution or laws of the State of California from holding office. 

Affordable Homeownership Opportunities – Attend Webinar on Tuesday to Learn More

Applications for two- and three-bedroom Below-Market-Rate (BMR) homes available for purchase at The Brant for moderate income households are currently being accepted. You must apply through HouseKeys and complete the required eligibility and income verification process. Visit the HouseKeys website or sign up for informational webinar on Tuesday, July 14 at 6pm to learn more. (Note, date correction to Tuesday evening.)

Below-Market-Rate (BMR) programs expand affordable home ownership opportunities and help expand housing opportunities for households who may otherwise struggle to find housing in Lafayette, contributing to a more diverse and inclusive community. The City has had an inclusionary housing requirement in the downtown for a decade (since 2016) and expanded last year (2025) to apply citywide. The recently opened Brant by Lennar is a mixed-use development that includes Western Flyer Brewery, the future retail home of Hollie’s Homegrown and 66 condominium units, including 10 units that are dedicated as below-market-rate units (affordable to very-low to moderate income households).

In general, BMRs are priced to serve households with incomes at or below either 80% or 120% of the Area Median Income (AMI), depending on the applicable affordability requirements.  Incomes are adjusted for household size (total amount of people living in and/or moving into the house). BMR home prices are calculated by incorporating the various housing costs, including interest rates, at the time the home is originally placed on the market. The home is then deed-restricted and prices for future resale are established via a formula used at the time the owner sells their BMR home.

A Joyful Celebration of Independence and History

Thank you to everyone who came to the library last Thursday to celebrate America’s Independence with us with games, crafts, music, films and the opportunity to sign a giant copy of the Declaration of Independence! It was wonderful to have live music by The Au Contraires and Magdelena Sage, the presentation of the colors by local scouts Christopher & Andre Vojta, the national anthem performed by Janel Wager and hear the story behind why our town is called "Lafayette". We would especially like to thank our partners, without whom, the event would not have been possible: Lafayette Historical Society, Acalanes Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, All Ages Recreation Downtown (AARD), Front Porch Music, as well as our junior recreation leaders and other volunteers.

June Police Department Snapshot 

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

New Feature Alert! Spotlight on the Downtown

We are pleased to introduce a new segment, Spotlight on the Downtown—your weekend go-to guide for all the fun, exciting, and can't-miss happenings in downtown Lafayette. Looking for weekend plans? Downtown Lafayette has something for everyone! From live music and community events to shopping, dining, and family activities, we'll highlight everything that makes our downtown such a wonderful place to be. Be sure to check it out each week and start planning your next weekend in beautiful downtown Lafayette!

Here’s our spotlight for this weekend:

Reve Bistro kicks off the weekend with its Summer in Provence Lunch Pop-Up on Friday, July 10 (continuing on Saturday). On Friday evening, Front Porch Music Presents takes the stage at 7pm at the Town Hall Theatre.

On Saturday, July 11, the Friends of the Lafayette Library & Learning Center's Half-Price Book Sale will be held from 10am to 4pm; Stop by and browse before exploring downtown Lafayette's shops, restaurants, cafés, and specialty retailers.

On both Saturday and Sunday at 7pm, check out the youth production of Eleven Variations on Friar John's Failure at Town Hall Theatre.

On Sunday, July 12 from 10am to 3pm, the Vintage Market returns to the parking lots of Zahra Boutique (3578 Mt. Diablo Blvd.) and BMO Bank (3583 Mt. Diablo Blvd.), featuring vintage clothing, home décor, collectibles, and more. Then, join Live Music Sundays at Headlands Brewery from 1 to 4pm or head to Local Vines for Meet the Maker: Inside the Vault with Prima Materia beginning at 2pm.

Meetings & Events

City Council Meeting Monday

The City Council Meeting on Monday (July 13) starts at 7pm and includes:

• Presentation on Lamorinda Arts Council, part of the Lafayette Civic Values: Lifelong Learning and the Arts series
• Thanks to commissioner whose service ended last month including long-time volunteers:
  • Jon Gray, Design Review Commission (6 years)
  • Arman Hailou, Design Review Commission (6.5 years)
  • Judith Klein Flynn, Banner Advisory Committee (10 years
  • Lee Thompson, Capital Projects Assessment Committee Member (32 years)
• Closed Session on existing litigation

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
• Code Enforcement Appeals Board – Wednesday, July 15
• Creeks Committee – Wednesday, July 15
• Lamorinda Tri Cities - Special Meeting in Moraga on Thursday, July 16

State of the City Address on Monday, July 20

You are invited to attend Lafayette’s annual State of the City Address and Volunteer Recognition on Monday, July 20 at 7pm in the Don Tatzin Community Hall. Hear highlights of the City's achievements, learn about current initiatives and future goals, and join us in recognizing the outstanding volunteers whose service strengthens our community. Residents, businesses, and community members are encouraged to attend this annual tradition of reflection, recognition, and community pride!

The State of the City Address is both an informative and celebratory gathering that encourages community engagement and connection. Attendees will gain valuable insight into the City's direction, accomplishments, and priorities while joining fellow residents in recognizing the dedicated volunteers whose time, expertise, and commitment help shape and strengthen Lafayette. These individuals serve on commissions and committees, support community events, assist with environmental stewardship and public safety initiatives, mentor youth, advocate for local causes, and contribute countless hours to programs that enhance the quality of life for all citizens. A reception will follow the program. 

Save the Date: National Night Out is Tuesday, August 4

Meet First Responders at National Night Out, an annual event designed to strengthen police-community partnerships and foster neighborhood camaraderie. Plan to drop by the Lafayette Community Center – Pickleball Court Area (500 St. Mary’s Road) from 5 to 5 to 7pm on Tuesday, August 4 to talk with local police officers, firefighters and your neighbors who volunteer to serve on the City’s Crime Prevention Commission. All ages welcome, and there will be a food truck!

Roadwork Projects

Ongoing City-led Projects:

• Road Paving Projects are underway around town. During the week of July 13, our contractor will continue sidewalk/curb and gutter work on Brook Street (multiple locations) and O'Conner Drive at Moraga Road. Reconstruction of the curb ramps at O'Conner Drive will require closure of the southbound right lane on Moraga Road. Flaggers will direct traffic entering and exiting O'Conner Drive. Motorists should expect delays of up to 5 minutes. Please use the designated pedestrian detours and observe the “no parking” restrictions.

• Utility Work on Topper Lane & School Street - ongoing

• BART Bike Station/Pathway Project – ongoing

Other Utility Work in/around Town:

• EBMUD Pipeline Replacement Downtown – EBMUD will be pressure testing the new water main July 13 through 16 requiring brief lane closures on Moraga Road (Mt. Diablo Blvd. to Brook Street).
• PG&E Brook Street Gas Line Replacement – PG&E’s crew will continue to install the new gas main on Brook Street (between Hough and Dewing Avenues); this work requires one lane to be closed so please observe signs and instructions from flaggers.
• EBMUD Lafayette Reservoir Construction – ongoing

Community News & Events

News from Lamorinda Arts Council

• Artist Reception on Saturday in Orinda

  This month the Lamorinda Arts Council is proud to present a vibrant exhibition featuring artwork by members of the Oakland Art Association at their online gallery. Showcasing a diverse collection of watercolor, oil, acrylic, pastel, graphite, photography, ink and watercolor, wood art, segmented turning, and sculpture, the exhibit celebrates the creativity, talent, and artistic diversity of our local community.  Attend the Artists' Reception on Saturday, July 11, from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. at 26 Orinda Way to meet the artists, enjoy light refreshments, and experience this inspiring collection in person. The reception and exhibition are free and open to everyone.

• Mark Your Calendar for 12th Annual Art of Mixology: Lamorinda Arts Council’s signature fundraising event returns to Orinda Theatre Square on Saturday, October 10, 2026 with local mixologists, food, music, and community celebration. Tickets available now and sponsorship opportunities are available -  Email mailto:info@lamorindaarts.org for more details.

• For more than 75 years, the Lamorinda Arts Council has enriched life in Lafayette, Moraga, and Orinda through arts education, exhibitions, and community programs such as Lamorinda Idol, the High School Visual Arts Competition, and the Orinda Library Art Gallery. As a volunteer-driven nonprofit, they rely on donations to support local artists and youth programs. Following the loss of a major California arts grant, your support is more important than ever to help keep the arts accessible, vibrant, and thriving throughout Lamorinda.

News from Lamorinda CERT:

• Disaster Dining and Emergency Water Presentation on Monday Night: Lamorinda CERT’s monthly meeting includes a presentation about safe drinking water and a sampling of disaster foods from various vendors, some with a 25-year shelf-life.  Come out and taste the offerings and learn about the pros and cons of each brand.  Figure out which entrees your family will enjoy (or at least tolerate) when the big one hits and we are without power, potable water, or our other creature comforts for days, weeks and possibly longer. RSVP via email to attend the meeting on Monday, July 13 at 7pm in the Sarge Littlehale Room in Orinda.  Click here for instructions to the venue.

• Lamorinda CERT Basic Class – Register Now for Fall Series in Lafayette: Get CERT-ified and learn skills to help your household and our whole community be more resilient to disasters. The CERT Fall 2026 class series will run from Tuesday, September 15th through November 10th at the Lafayette Community Center. Learn about personal and home preparedness for all-hazard emergencies; radio communications; utility, hazardous materials and fire safety; disaster medical response; light search and rescue; Incident Command System; disaster psychology; terrorism;  and pet preparedness. For more information, visit https://classes.lamorindacert.org. 

• Leadership Changes at Lamorinda CERT: Lamorinda CERT has been teaching preparedness classes since 2004, with more than 1,600 CERT graduates! Last month, the Foundation announced Todd Combellick as the new Program Manager and Daniel Lin as the new Deputy Program Manager. Duncan Seibert, who served as Program Manager for the past 16 years, is now the Program Manager Emeritus and he’ll continue to be involved in research, program development, water program, and other duties.

Supervisor Andersen’s State of the County Address on Tuesday, July 14 in San Ramon

Join the San Ramon Chamber of Commerce as it hosts Supervisor Candace Andersen for her annual State of the County Address. This special event offers community members, business leaders, and residents an opportunity to hear firsthand about the County’s accomplishments, current priorities, and the challenges and opportunities ahead. Supervisor Andersen will provide updates on public safety, transportation, health and human services, economic development, and initiatives impacting communities throughout Contra Costa County. To register and purchase tickets visit SRC State of the County 2026.

News from the Lafayette Chamber:

• Shape future transportation in Contra Costa County! CCTA, the Contra Costa Transportation Authority, delivers countywide transportation improvements. CCTA’s work includes smarter highways and signals, street repairs, bike/pedestrian overcrossings, and safer and easier ways to get to school.  This summer, CCTA is partnering with Lafayette Chamber to listen to people who live, work, go to school, and travel throughout the county. Take the CCTA Summer Listening Survey and you can enter to win one of five $100 Visa gift cards. Learn more at CCTA.ca.org/community/listening

   

• Lafayette Res Run for Education – Early Bird Gets the (Gummy) Worm! The Lafayette Chamber of Commerce and the City of Lafayette are proud co-sponsors of the Lafayette Res Run for Education. In 2025, the 32nd Annual Lafayette Res Run for Education brought together nearly 2,200 runners and raised $37,611 for local public schools, as well as Chamber services and programs. Races on October 18 include: 5k at 8am, 10k at 8:15am, 2-mile at 8:45am. Participants can also take part in the virtual Reservoir Challenge from October 11-17. The first 100 students from each school will receive a voucher for ¼ lb of bulk candy from Zoonie’s Candy Toy and Gelato at packet pickup! Register now at https://lafayettechamber.org/resrun

   

• Lafayette Business Women Group on July 15 Lafayette Chamber’s Lafayette Business Women affinity group, will meet Wednesday, July 15 at Premier Kitchens, 3373 Mt. Diablo Blvd. for morning networking 8:45am-10am. Free for Lafayette Chamber members, first time guests also free. Learn more at https://lafayettechamber.org/lbw.

   

• Lafayette Chamber Young Professionals on July 16 Lafayette Chamber Young Professionals (YoPros) is a network of early and emerging professionals, as well as those changing careers or starting a new business. YoPros will meet on Thursday, July 16from 5:30pm-7pm at Local Vines, 3393 Mt. Diablo Blvd. Registration required online at https://lafayettechamber.org/yopros.  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.

Help Shape the Future of MTC's Public Engagement

The Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) released its Draft 2026 Public Participation Plan for the San Francisco Bay Area, inviting public review and comment on a fundamental document guiding the agency’s public engagement. Members of the public and all interested stakeholders are encouraged to review the draft document and provide feedback by 5 p.m. on Thursday, July 23. Complete the Online Survey —English | Spanish | Chinese or visit their website for other ways to submit comments. To request a printed copy of the draft document, a translation of any part of the plan or other assistance, call (415) 778-6757 or email info@bayareametro.gov. 

MTC is the transportation planning, financing and coordinating agency for the nine-county San Francisco Bay Area. MTC was created in 1970 to plan the Bay Area’s transportation system and has expanded to address other issues including housing, regional climate adaption, and administration of toll bridge revenues.

Summer Is Flying By... Is Your Student Ready for the Ride?

Believe it or not, the first day of school is just around the corner! Lafayette schools return Tuesday, August 11, and now is the perfect time to check one more thing off your back-to-school list. Skip the morning traffic, reduce stress, and help keep our local roads a little less congested by riding the Lamorinda School Bus. Register your student today at www.lamorindaschoolbus.org and be ready for a smooth start to the new school year.

LPIE 6th Annual Texas Hold ’Em Poker Tournament – Tickets on Sale Now

Lafayette Partners in Education (LPIE) invites the community to go all in for local students at the 6th Annual LPIE Texas Hold ’Em Poker Tournament on Friday, August 21, 2026. This exciting evening features professional poker dealers, dinner, a hosted bar, and friendly competition in a private residence.

Proceeds from the event support LPIE's mission to fund innovative academic programs that enrich learning for students in Lafayette's public schools. For tickets and additional information, visit www.lpie.org.

AARD Den Offers Free Art and Play Activities

The new All Ages Recreation Den located at 3561-A Mt. Diablo Blvd offers arts & crafts for all ages, the popular toddler activity tables, lawn games and other special surprises! Drop in for art and play this summer. See All Ages Recreation Downtown (AARD)’s Facebook page for Den hours and special events.

Looking for more upcoming happenings around town?

Visit the Chamber’s Community Events Calendar online.

Miscellaneous

Deadline Today: Take the Survey About the Countywide Community Warning System (CWS): If you have not already done so, please take a few minutes right now to take the County’s online Emergency Alerts & Preparedness Survey, which closes tonight.

Contra Costa County Assessor Delivers 2026–2027 Assessment Roll Reflecting Historic Growth: The Contra Costa County Assessor released the 2026–2027 Assessment Roll, an annual comprehensive snapshot of the assessed value of all taxable property within the County. The 2026–2027 Assessment Roll reports a total net assessed value of nearly $300.80 billion, representing an increase of $10.14 billion—or 3.48%—over the previous year. This marks the highest total assessed value in the County’s history, underscoring the region’s continued economic vitality and growth. For more information about property assessments or to access assessment data, please visit www.contracosta.ca.gov/191/Assessor

Read the Contra Costa County 2025 Annual Report: The County’s 2025 Annual Report is designed to provide a concise and understandable summary of the County’s financial health, major initiatives, and stewardship of public resources. It highlights their financial performance, key accomplishments, and major initiatives for the fiscal year ending June 30th. You can explore the report online through the County’s Annual Report webpage or view the interactive flipbook version.

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!

July is French American Heritage Month and Disability Pride Month.

Photo for the Week

Last Thursday, the library was bustling with people of all ages during our celebration of America’s 250^th Anniversary.

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 Editor’s Note: There will not be a Weekly Roundup issued next week. We’ll return on Friday, July 24. Happy summer!

 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.