The Weekly Roundup, December 9, 2022

Friday, December 9, 2022 | What's Doing in Lafayette?

City Council Meeting Monday Night

The City Council meeting on Monday, December 12 starts early at 6:30 p.m. with a closed session. The open session includes:

• Update from the Emergency Preparedness Commission
• Presentation of the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report for Fiscal Year 2021-22
• City Council re-organization including
  • Oath of Office to Susan Candell (new 4-year term) Teresa Gerringer (new 4-year term) and Wei-Tai Kwok (new 2-year term)
  • Remarks by Mayor Gerringer
  • Selection of Mayor and Vice Mayor for the upcoming year
• Discussion on Fiscal Year 2022-23 Budget and Departmental Workplans
• Update on Hybrid Meeting Solutions and Discussion on Returning to In-Person Meetings
• Public Hearing on Creation of Community Facilities Districts for Facilities and Impact Fees

See the full agenda (including staff reports) as well as information about how to participate in or watch the online meeting.

Lafayette Community Center Playground Renovations

The Parks, Trails & Recreation Commission will be discussing the renovation of the Lafayette Community Center playground at their meeting on Wednesday night. The renovation will include the replacement of aging play structures and an expansion that will allow for use by a broader age range. The expansion will support public use, the existing onsite preschool, and the growing elementary age afterschool care program. The agenda and meeting materials will be available on our website.

Free Lafayette Shopping & Restaurant Shuttle Offered on Thursdays in December from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

All ages welcome. Wheelchair accessible. Seats are limited. The shuttle is a white mini-bus that is part of the City's year-round Lafayette Spirit Van Program and the vehicle will have "Lafayette Shopping & Restaurant Shuttle" on the sides. This pilot program for a Shopping & Restaurant Shuttle in Lafayette's business district will be offered on Thursday December 15 and 22 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. More information including map with shuttle stops at www.lovelafayette.org/SpiritVan. If you have feedback about the shuttle, please contact Lafayette Spirit Van Program Coordinator, Riki Juster at [email protected].

Want to volunteer or work with the Lamorinda Spirit Van Program? The year-round program provide rides to older Lamorinda residents (age 60 and up) to errands, shopping, medical and personal appointments Monday through Friday in Lamorinda and central Contra Costa area. We are currently seeking more dispatchers (afternoon shifts, paid position) and volunteer drivers (morning or afternoon shifts) To learn more, please contact Riki (email above) or leave a message at 925-284-5546.

New Student Registration for Upcoming School Year

Registration for Students NEW to the Lafayette School District for the 2023-2024 School Year begins in January. Registration for Transitional Kindergarten (TK) through Grade 5 will open at 8 a.m. on Tuesday, January 3 while Stanley Middle School registration will open on January 27. Go online at www.lafsd.org and then click on the Enrollment icon; Registration will be paused after 5/19/23 resuming 7/5/23.

There will be a parent-only Roadmap to TK/Kindergarten presentation on Thursday, January 5, at 6 p.m. in the Lafayette Elementary Multipurpose Room. FYI:

• 2023-2024 TK eligibility is for children born between 9/2/18 and 4/2/19
• 2023-2024 K eligibility is for children born between 9/2/17 and 9/1/18
• 2023-2024 1st grade eligibility is for children born between 9/2/16 and 9/1/17

Covid Cases are Rising in Contra Costa County

Covid cases are currently rising in our County; Read the latest local information and see the data summary on the County's website at COVID-19 updates. Contra Costa residents can request free at-home covid test kits from Contra Costa Health Services (CCHS) by filling out this online form or by calling 833-829-2626. You also can pick up free at-home test kits at county libraries or contact your healthcare provider. For more information about obtaining test kits, visit the County's Home Tests page.

Below Market Rate Housing Available in Lafayette

The following developments have Below Market Rate (BMR) units priced to be affordable to moderate income households that are available now as a "First File, First Served" status:

In Contra Costa, the income limit for moderate BMR units is $119,950 for a 1-person household and $137,100 for a two-person household. Look up income limits for other household sizes.

Follow these three simple steps to get started...

1. Create a MyHouseKeys account at https://www.myhousekeys.com/
2. Request an Application ID for the City of Lafayette Ownership Program found in the Program Center, under Programs
3. Enter the Drawing for the Opportunity (Home) you are interested in

Sandbags Available During the Rainy Season

With rain expected again over the weekend, Lafayette residents can take advantage of the City's "fill-them-yourself" sandbag stations at the following two locations:

• Corner of Mt Diablo Boulevard at Village Center (across from the Veteran's Memorial Building)
• Corner of Camino Diablo and Loveland (west of the public works corporation yard).

To ensure sufficient sand and bags are available, please only take what you need. If the station needs supplies, notify Public Works at 925-934-3908. (The station is re-stocked during normal business hours.) Sandbags can also be purchased from local home improvement or construction material stores.

Free Pet Adoptions This Weekend

Contra Costa Animal Services, in partnership with the Bissell Pet Foundation, is offering free adoptions of all animals through this Sunday, December 11 to help reduce the shelter population and find loving homes for the pets in their care. Licensing fee may apply. You view animals available for adoption online by visiting their Available Animals Page.

2023 Labor Law Update for Businesses on December 14

Sponsored by Contra Costa County Workforce Development Board, this presentation will go over critical updates for California employers, including:

• New pay transparency requirements,
• Mandatory bereavement leave,
• Changes to the California Family Rights Act and paid sick leave law,
• New cannabis use rights,
• Minimum wage and exempt salary increases, and, of course,
• COVID-related extensions and updates.

The online training is free and will be held from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Pre-register at www.employers.org

Teens Welcome at The SWELL Center During School Winter Break

The Lafayette Library and Learning Center Foundation is pleased to announce that the SWELL Center at the Lafayette Library will be open during school winter break. Teens grades 6th to 12th are welcome to drop in December 19 to 23 and December 27 to 30, between 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. More information at www.lllcf.org/winter-swell

Draft Housing Element for Unincorporated Areas in Contra Costa County Now Available for Public Review

Just like the City of Lafayette is updating its Housing Element, Contra Costa County is also in the process of updating their Housing Element for the unincorporated areas. The public comment period to review the County's Draft Housing Element is currently open until 5:00 p.m. on Monday, December 19, 2022. Comments can be emailed to Maureen Toms.

New Deadline: Drop off Toys for Tots Donations by Tuesday

The Lafayette Recreation Department and Lafayette Youth Commission are accepting toys and games for Toys for Tots again this year. Gifts must be new and unwrapped. The deadline to drop off your donations at the Lafayette Community Center (near the office) has been moved up to Tuesday, December 13. There are other nearby donation locations which may be accepting donations a few days longer.

Community Events and Meetings

Diablo Women's Chorale Holiday Concerts on December 10 and 11: Join the Diablo Women's Chorale on either Saturday, Dec 10 at 3 p.m. or Sunday, Dec 11 at 3 p.m. at their new venue Walnut Creek United Methodist Church, 1543 Sunnyvale Ave in Walnut Creek. To purchase advanced tickets online go to diablowomenschorale.org. Pre-concert tickets are $28 online. Ticket prices at the door are $33 for adults and $18 for students.

Assistance League Thrift Shop's Holiday Events: The Assistance League Thrift Shop (3521 Golden Gate Way) hold its final holiday event for 2022. The Holiday Attire and Accessories event continues this week with prices on remaining inventory reduced by 50% off of the previous week's prices. Your donations and purchases fund 16 hands-on programs that serve the vulnerable. To learn more, please visit: www.assistanceleague.org/diablo-valley

Wonders of the World (WOW) lecture on December 14: The Friends of the Lafayette Library WOW program welcomes you to an in-person talk about the di Rosa Center for Contemporary Art. One of the foremost collections of Northern California art, di Rosa is an art park and nature preserve on 214 acres in the Carneros region of Napa County. di Rosa presents current exhibitions in addition to maintaining a permanent collection of notable works by artists with ties to the Bay Area from the mid-twentieth century to the early 2000s. Join Manager of Education & Civic Engagement, Hugo Corro, as he presents the history of the di Rosa grounds and discusses the significance of the di Rosa collection within the greater Bay Area. Please register for this event at https://tinyurl.com/wow-dec22.

Contra Costa Behavioral Health Services Community Forum on December 15: Everyone is invited to a community forum as part of the County's Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) Community Program Planning Process. Participants will learn about the MHSA, discuss new project ideas and participate in small group break out discussions. Use this link to register. The online forum will be held on Thursday from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Call 925-313-9525 or email [email protected] with any questions. Visit the MHSA website to find the most recent MHSA Three Year Program and Expenditure Plan and other information.

Local "Letters to Santa" Mailbox: A local mom, Kristina McCann, is sharing her holiday spirit by inviting Lamorinda kids to write a letter to Santa Claus. Include a return address and your child will receive a response! Drop off the letters in the special mailbox at 3196 Rohrer Drive (in Burton Valley).

Trombonanza Returns on December 17: Enjoy a Bay Area Trombone Christmas! Head over to Papillon Coffee Shop in La Fiesta Square on Saturday, December 17 to hear some holiday cheer. The youth choir will be performing from 8:30 to 9 a.m., followed by seasoned vets from 9:15 to 10:30 a.m. The event will be held rain or shine. If you have any questions about this event, contact Jamie Harris at [email protected].

Cinderella at Town Hall Theatre Closes December 18:

Orinda Library Art Gallery Show Through December 30: The Bay Area Studio Artists (BASA) show "It's in Our Nature" is now on view in the Art Gallery at the Orinda Library. For more information, go to https://lamorindaarts.org/current-exhibit.

Public Meetings

During the pandemic, Lafayette has been holding public meetings online. (Contra Costa Health Services continues to recommend teleconferencing for public meetings since online meetings present the lowest risk of spreading the coronavirus.) Meeting agendas will provide instructions on how to contribute public comment and participate in the meetings. You can sign up for meeting notices here. To view all of next week's public meetings please visit our full calendar. This week's top meetings include:

Youth Commission Meeting at 6 p.m. on December 12

City Council Meeting at 6:30 p.m. on December 12 (noted above)

Parks, Trails & Recreation Commission at 7 p.m. on December 14 (also noted above)

Emergency Preparedness Commission at 7 p.m. on December 14

Design Review Commission at 7 p.m. on December 14

Click on the links above to access the meeting agenda and instructions on how to participate in online meetings.

Community Briefs

Modified Hours for City Administrative Offices: Lafayette Administrative Offices will be closed from 11am to 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, December 14 for Staff Development. Also, our Administrative Offices will also be closed for the Year End break from Friday, December 23 to January 2, reopening on Tuesday, January 3, 2023.

Covid-19 Information and Resources: Please refer to Covid-19 guidance and health orders issued by the State of California.For Contra Costa Covid-19 information and local health data, visit Contra Costa Health's (CCH) website at cchealth.org/coronavirus. The CCH Coronavirus Call Center is still available at 833-829-2626, weekdays from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (available in English and Spanish). For assistance in other languages or after hours, please call 211 or 800-833-2900. You can also text HOPE to 20121.

• As you are planning social gatherings with family and friends, remember that health officials strongly recommend you get tested for covid if you feel sick or if you are planning to attend a large indoor gathering. Anyone who tests positive for Covid, even if they don't have symptoms, should isolate at home. See the Covid-19 Patients & Contacts page for more information about what to do if you test positive.

Street Parking Near Library During Temporary Garage Closure: Due to damage caused by vandals to the garage gate, the garage will be closed for several weeks. During the temporary garage closure, the City will not enforce the two-hour parking limit on the following blocks:

• Golden Gate Way East of First St.
• Mt. Diablo Blvd between First St. and Second St.
• Second St. between Mt. Diablo and Moraga Blvd.
• First St. between Mt. Diablo and Moraga Blvd.

Parking meters elsewhere are still in effect and must be paid. Other parking violations such as Red Zones, Blocking Driveways, fire hydrant and other hazards will continue to be enforced.

Shop Local Lafayette eCards: Stretch your shopping dollars in support of local businesses with the Lafayette Shop Local eCard Holiday Bonus Promotion. For full details and to purchase cards, go to https://app.yiftee.com/gift-card/lafayette--ca

Registration Open for Winter Recreation Classes and Programs: Lafayette Recreation classes and programs for the Winter session open for registration on Monday at midnight. We have wonderful classes and programs for all ages and desires. Visit our website at www.lafayetterec.org to see what we have to offer.

"My Lafayette" Mobile App Puts City Resources in Your Hand: Download the My Lafayette app in the Apple App Store and Google Play - Android. If you have questions or feedback about the app, please email Communications Analyst, Suzanne Iarla.

Contra Costa County Office of Education (CCCOE) Annual Report Available: You can read the CCCOE's 2021-2022 Annual Report to the Community on CCCOE's website at cocoschools.org/annualreport. The Report outlines the accomplishments of the past year by the agency, county school districts, its schools, and students. The report also includes information about the county's Board of Education, school funding, how the agency serves its most vulnerable students, and more.

Lafayette Planning Applications and Major Development Projects: Want to know the planning applications that the City's Planning Department is processing? You can visit the Planning Applications Received page for the latest application information. Curious about construction taking place around town? Information on major developments that are underway can be found on the City of Lafayette Major Development Projects website.

City of Lafayette Notifications: Sign up for meeting agendas and Lafayette's publications here: bit.ly/LafayetteNotifications.

Cultural Observations and Celebrations

Celebrate our diversity by learning more about these upcoming cultural observations and celebrations in December:

16 Las Posadas (Mexico) - Ends Dec. 24

18 Hanukkah Begins (Jewish) - Ends December 26

Photo for the Week

This week, Brighter Beginnings and Foster Village of Contra Costa received gifts donated by Lafayette Staff. It is an annual tradition for Staff to adopt-a-family (or two) during the holiday season.

Quote for the Week

Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving.

- Albert Einstein

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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.

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