Lafayette names new mayor, vice mayor; mayor highlights funding push for 48 affordable units at 949 Moraga Road

At its Dec. 8 meeting the Lafayette City Council elected Councilmember Carl Anduri as mayor and John McCormack as vice mayor by unanimous voice vote.

Outgoing Mayor Susan Kandel used her year‑in‑review remarks to recap major accomplishments and ongoing priorities: the passage of Measure H and a balanced budget, progress on the housing element, and a concerted effort to develop 48 permanently affordable units for adults with developmental disabilities at 949 Moraga Road. Kandel said Sunflower Hill secured a first round of housing funding from the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) totaling "over $19,500,000," and the city will pursue additional funding sources, including county Measure X funds, to complete the project.

Kandel framed the Sunflower Hill proposal as a partnership driven by staff, council and local advocates and thanked Rosemary Kerbach of Sunflower Hill for leadership in the effort. Councilmembers and staff noted the HCD award covers roughly one‑third of the project's funding need and that the next funding round is imminent; no final financing package was approved at this meeting.

The council also underscored ongoing priorities the new mayor plans to carry forward: wildfire mitigation, housing element implementation, and fiscal sustainability. Mayor Anduri said the city will expand public outreach initiatives (welcome events for new residents), double down on the Slow Down Lafayette safe‑streets campaign, work with RecycleSmart on food‑scrap diversion goals, and collaborate with nonprofit partners on civic events.

Next steps: staff will continue to support Sunflower Hill and pursue additional funding; project status and funding requests will return to council as specifics are secured.