[{"_1":2,"_110":-5,"_111":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74,86,98],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},"mediaId",6571322,"mediaKeyId","3049896-3cbd5550aef6f2baa90a9b79335f3f30","parentId",3049896,"title","Council pushes multimodal design work for Mount Diablo corridor; city weighs website upgrade and outreach","audioSeconds",2713,"startMs",232000,"endMs",2945000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3049896-3cbd5550aef6f2baa90a9b79335f3f30&start=232&end=2945","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3049896-3cbd5550aef6f2baa90a9b79335f3f30/thumbnail_232000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6571322/Lafayette/Contra-Costa-County/California/Council-pushes-multimodal-design-work-for-Mount-Diablo-corridor-city-weighs-website-upgrade-and-outreach","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6571322-1f6d9b4c26838ab5020b04fdddb0d701/orig.mp4?Expires=1771142008&Signature=OMHS8sRkg0~vAb7pz6f7BVHoYu0DOQJ3BvvzIJvQn8~bCnelEvaMIbXlEbLp2yPr491afShDLZnAKjoPH4wLitsdyU52qbobDq8h-x18Ft2j53HLB12BNZTqKMmlp-yEvhZxsUpkVPqwquEzlyujmjNHNoIvaIcbD2StuwXBzF7-JqIulSbz37hSw4hpSXPISdymKxiADyZnHWrWxbNhVYngTyOV4QHwMJ2zPFj75frwn3xGViA6rNkp6z6XQoeAE13N0A3XdV6GUcnVBUKAnYKENUzk3prFLgzXwkNYLQEljRyCM4CuDEfvYldGHsnkH5H85LvbtE4zetatzc-zqA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-04-18T10:04:54.887Z","article","Lafayette councilmembers used a March 7 workshop to press staff on planning for the Mount Diablo corridor and downtown, and to discuss digital engagement and a potential website redesign.

Councilmembers said they want a multimodal corridor plan that prioritizes pedestrian, bicycle and transit connections so future downtown and corridor housing can be less car‑dependent. Staff recommended beginning a multimodality study in early 2026 and to align that work with upcoming major project reviews (for example, the De Silva property and other corridor sites). Council asked staff to prepare a scope that will look at safe routes to downtown, parking demand, and how new housing developments would affect curb space and on‑street parking.

On digital outreach, staff described the city’s current communications mix (weekly roundup email to ~10,000 subscribers, Facebook and Instagram pages, YouTube for meetings, Nextdoor posts and the MyLafayette app). Suzanne, a staff member leading communications, told the council the current website costs about $10,000 per year for hosting and maintenance; a proposed redesigned platform with expanded search, online forms and integrated payments could cost roughly $27,000 per year based on initial proposals.

Councilmembers suggested the city consider a phased approach: (1) stabilize and index existing content and analytics; (2) do a coordinated brand/graphic identity update; then (3) build a new site with improved forms and search. Several councilmembers offered to help refine requirements and review vendor proposals.

Council asked staff to: prepare a scope and cost estimate for a multimodal corridor study (beginning in 2026 if no additional staff is added); include parking analysis and short‑term active‑transportation improvements in the consultant scope; and provide options for a website redesign that include phased costs and potential savings from form automation.

No formal votes were taken on contracting; council support was directional and staff will return with scopes and cost estimates.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Lafayette City Council Goal Setting Workshop, March 7, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Councilmembers pressed staff to plan a multimodal redesign of Mount Diablo Boulevard and to integrate parking and mobility studies into upcoming development decisions. Staff also outlined website upgrade options and recommended a phased digital engagement strategy.","taxTitle","Lafayette, Contra Costa County, California","taxId",77659,"location","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6571327,"Lafayette staff shortages top agenda as council flags hiring, succession and training needs",1050,5400000,6450000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3049896-3cbd5550aef6f2baa90a9b79335f3f30&start=5400&end=6450","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3049896-3cbd5550aef6f2baa90a9b79335f3f30/thumbnail_5400000.jpg","/articles/6571327/Lafayette/Contra-Costa-County/California/Lafayette-staff-shortages-top-agenda-as-council-flags-hiring-succession-and-training-needs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6571327-4966e4a2982bed052286282a55b1c2eb/orig.mp4?Expires=1771142008&Signature=NExkpp5sdbTjPtfqQRd3h~c9kgg6Rh0zIESJacj6wkXb5ZS39yVd~HLPqYMqGB57nRdzS526K4FntLTFWXySoM6Fyg1s6b6ytHqiCeQ9MX0njxt7uMUKNpac0ZWXR-kw8shOMSuhpewwxKfDGo5NSQ0NUONF45O5vyV40JzjJsn~851dBmSKVG2QR8WZkbUcM~c~hwTD9z2G5Y02Mek4nwDoPs5qx-k0vII~ZoV-ZG~BxlxS~Q3kSDZcyd0v5eYLLApSJEnyAKGdBi8A3EuLCQqClpE-DiM6T0MvOzY9SwAQ261FpiH7deSO7h~t17Ol5NODHB~rztdlE08XGH3f~w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Lafayette city staff told the council on March 7 that staffing and succession planning will be a central operational priority for the year. The city manager and personnel staff reported multiple vacancies, several senior‑staff promotions that created openings, and anticipated medical leaves that will leave planning and other departments short staffed through the end of the year.

Tracy, who led the staffing overview, said the city currently had seven open positions, including senior planners and engineering roles that are proving difficult to recruit for in the Bay Area market. Staff said recruitment challenges stem from regional competition and differing compensation levels; contract planners will be used to meet application review needs but are more expensive and require close supervision.

Councilmembers and staff emphasized the immediate need for an HR analyst whose job the manager described as critical to onboarding, training and retention initiatives. The city intends to re‑post that position and to prioritize filling accounts and planning support roles. Staff recommended focusing near‑term hiring on positions that enable delivery of key projects (housing element work, objective design standards) while deferring longer‑range hires until workloads stabilize.

Staff and council also discussed internships and recruitment pipelines: the city has had success promoting employees who started as interns and said internships and partnerships with local colleges are a source of candidates. The city manager said staff will return with a staffing plan that clarifies which hires will be regular positions, which will be contract support and timing for each.

Council offered support for retaining staff through training and clarified that filling some senior roles may require rethinking classifications and job descriptions to match the current recruitment environment.

No binding actions were taken. Direction to staff was to accelerate recruitment of the HR analyst, continue hiring critical planning/finance roles, and return with a hiring and succession plan for council review.","Council members and staff identified staffing and succession planning as a top implementation issue, describing seven open positions, upcoming leaves and the need for HR capacity to onboard and retain staff.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6571332,"New Cal Fire hazard maps drive Lafayette to press ConFire for local data, public outreach",847,9534000,10381000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3049896-3cbd5550aef6f2baa90a9b79335f3f30&start=9534&end=10381","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3049896-3cbd5550aef6f2baa90a9b79335f3f30/thumbnail_9534000.jpg","/articles/6571332/Lafayette/Contra-Costa-County/California/New-Cal-Fire-hazard-maps-drive-Lafayette-to-press-ConFire-for-local-data-public-outreach","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6571332-a0b0b21dae624cf0873343db07eaef79/orig.mp4?Expires=1771142008&Signature=R6NwiZDfQ-E7ojjVIFn~~itnoGdUZQuL2QsdbZEmJF65GNGzlC7ivtLJ7X6SKKgGzx4vuXa3agTyOM4St8cXkWHEcz5r2SIHQFFReKOVDAp4R8VBENQ4u6EHuo90UeDQm~n92g6NOQLucCSe6IfpX1F5NOl7RMirKhfgy2BjAHy7C8OCzCzQm2N6-pQNwx~gv7vhlwlT3gYRu~CcKlSzIb2glcMzFV7H63heAxItV-UqjFbWBskM32OsIhEraqjqXnTvkn~D6v-VqYHwmNOoLGwTMfGJ6d49MtUoS3A2YmM~4Ktq6rMtKr3QTlVOyp1-Tguo6mZWr3CK3IgR2CtcZA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Lafayette councilmembers spent a major portion of a March 7 special meeting discussing new wildland fire hazard maps released by state agencies and Contra Costa Fire. Staff told the council the maps were posted Feb. 24 and are open for public comment; ConFire must transmit its updated map and related ordinance within 120 days.

Staff summarized the mapping methodology, which models ember/brand dispersal from wildland areas and uses vegetation and slope data to estimate wildfire hazard. Councilmembers and staff expressed concerns that the model emphasizes wildland fuels and ember travel and does not appear to incorporate utility and transmission‑line risk, local built environment fuel loading (housing and structures), or local water‑supply/pumping capacity.

Andy Conley, the city's new emergency preparedness coordinator, and city staff said they are posting FAQs and links to ConFire and Cal Fire materials on the city website and encouraging residents to file comments through ConFire’s public portal. The council directed staff to prepare a short list of technical questions for ConFire and Cal Fire (for example: whether urban fuel loads and utility risks were included, and how worst‑case wind scenarios were selected) and to request a public ConFire forum where residents can ask questions.

Councilmembers urged the city to gather local data in parallel — such as detailed evacuation timing for single‑ingress neighborhoods, water storage and pump capacity with East Bay Municipal Utility District, and a review of transmission and distribution utility maintenance practices — so Lafayette can submit informed comments if it chooses to challenge or request revisions to the maps. Several councilmembers said the city should work with neighboring Moraga and Orinda to coordinate any regional legislative or regulatory advocacy.

Staff said ConFire had advised that changes to the map would require substantial technical evidence and urged residents and the council to focus on specific, documented facts when submitting comments.

The council asked staff to return with a short draft comment for council review after the ConFire presentation scheduled for March 24, and to coordinate a resident‑focused outreach plan with ConFire and utility partners that will include town halls and neighborhood events to explain evacuation planning and defensible‑space expectations.

No formal action was taken; the council's guidance was advisory to staff.","Councilmembers used a March 7 workshop to review new state/ConFire wildfire hazard maps released Feb. 24, ask staff to gather local data and to coordinate public information and targeted town halls with Contra Costa Fire (ConFire) and utilities.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6571337,"Lafayette council keeps Measure H money focus; staff to inventory long-term maintenance needs",452,2102000,2554000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3049896-3cbd5550aef6f2baa90a9b79335f3f30&start=2102&end=2554","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3049896-3cbd5550aef6f2baa90a9b79335f3f30/thumbnail_2102000.jpg","/articles/6571337/Lafayette/Contra-Costa-County/California/Lafayette-council-keeps-Measure-H-money-focus-staff-to-inventory-long-term-maintenance-needs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6571337-78df9ad7e427c59a4c21b8a347c5f35f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771142008&Signature=nHjWo6M3R1dzuZTcoxLLgS-PC~c7qg~7Cw9Ojp~vJ1gzLZaHSDNoyssGvOGcIDTpsWK8RB1ZaxaY1FCnxiMgqGFP37sxPNQVwvg2Jhg06g8WwtinC5V3peudzWSAN3XG8Sy1DagOoIY6P3V7LQA7rdVPQ~PmfeG0xU-v97Oh2M2WT3I4jz8YNaK6OcDVwfP9fggbSurl3jCEdSD9TX4pgnSVlL8cZLtTam2ucUEnlubahsHFcBgmeIetViO0WjhijWSLDCFyUe91JRoNSK1DLolYkLnw9FoDIruQEdD~aAcqtO-NsJS5mVjtXUAbj8WGAaUfxtlDP755Y192UK8KHQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Lafayette City Council on March 7 reiterated fiscal sustainability — including planning for Measure H revenues and long‑term maintenance needs — as a top priority for the next year. Council members said they want staff to complete an inventory of city assets and return with proposals to fund a multi‑year maintenance program and sinking funds.

Council members and staff stressed the public‑facing promise the city made to voters when Measure H passed and said early work should focus on establishing a citizen oversight process and clearer spending priorities for the new revenues. The city manager said Measure H receipts will begin to flow in the next full fiscal year and asked the council for direction on how to allocate those funds toward ongoing programs versus capital maintenance.

Tracy, a senior staff member who led the discussion of budgets and staffing needs, described an initial asset list that staff had assembled and told council members that consultants had been contacted to help produce a 10‑ and 20‑year capital maintenance plan. Tracy reported receiving a consultant quote of about $40,000 for a first phase covering buildings, parks and trails; a second phase to cover traffic signals, street lights and other transportation infrastructure would be priced separately.

Several council members urged staff to prioritize the facilities that are in the poorest condition, including the library, community center and police department roofs and HVAC systems, and to bring back near‑term cost estimates. Councilmember Jared said a pragmatic approach would be to identify the largest, most urgent projects first and phase the rest.

Council discussion also raised financing options. Participants discussed whether the city should rely on reserves, create new sinking funds indexed to inflation, or pursue lease financing or other borrowing that would allow major repairs or replacement to proceed now rather than wait. Staff noted that general obligation (GO) bonds require voter approval and a two‑thirds vote, while lease financing and other forms of public borrowing are commonly used for infrastructure projects.

The council asked staff to return with: a detailed asset inventory and consultant scope for the 10‑ to 20‑year maintenance plan; an estimate of the amounts needed immediately to address the highest‑priority building repairs; recommended reserve/sinking‑fund policies (including whether to index to inflation); and options for financing larger projects, including pros and cons of lease financing versus pay‑as‑you‑go.

The meeting also included a brief public comment period in which a resident asked that ladder truck needs and fire station capacity be considered in planning discussions.

The council adopted the meeting agenda by motion at the start of the special session; no other formal spending actions were taken at this meeting.

The council directed staff to return with the requested analyses and cost estimates for consideration during budget preparation and in advance of any decisions about using Measure H revenues for long‑term maintenance.

(At the conclusion of council discussion staff said it will return with a prioritized, phased approach that will identify immediate and near‑term projects first, followed by steady, ongoing contributions to a sinking fund.)","At a March 7 special meeting the Lafayette City Council kept fiscal sustainability tied to Measure H as a top priority, asked staff to complete an inventory of city infrastructure and to seek a multi‑year capital maintenance plan, and discussed whether to set aside funds as sinking funds for long‑term upkeep.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council pushes multimodal design work for Mount Diablo corridor; city weighs website upgrade and outreach

Lafayette staff shortages top agenda as council flags hiring, succession and training needs

New Cal Fire hazard maps drive Lafayette to press ConFire for local data, public outreach

Lafayette council keeps Measure H money focus; staff to inventory long-term maintenance needs