Lafayette City Council Meeting - September 15, 2026

The Lafayette City Council met on September 15, 2026, at 5:30 PM (as per the agenda) to discuss a range of items including a property acquisition (closed session), a settlement agreement in a litigation, pre-approved ADU designs, a contested mural, a public art installation, parking ordinance amendments, and various appointments and proclamations. The meeting also included presentations from Berkeley Chamber Performances and the Creeks Committee, as well as public comments on several topics.

Consent Calendar

• Approved minutes from August 10 and August 20, 2026.
• Adopted Resolution 2026-51 establishing metering and enforcement hours for designated on-street and off-street parking locations.
• Authorized the City Manager to execute a Second Amendment to the Purchase and Sale Agreement for 986-980 Moraga Road (Campana).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Pamela West (running for Contra Costa County Office of Education governing board) spoke about her background and priorities for education, including AI, special education, and counseling services.
• Amy Peterson (Glen Road resident, 47-year Lafayette resident) expressed disappointment with the handling of the Vesce litigation and urged the council to condition settlement on dismissal of all persons unknown (the public).
• Kathleen Burke (Glen Road resident since 1989) stressed the safety concerns for children using the "dips" easement and asked for a commitment from the Vesees.
• Ben Douglas (Glen Road resident for 20 years) called the Vesees' actions disingenuous and urged the council not to settle without dismissing the public from the lawsuit.
• Libby Henry supported previous speakers and criticized what she saw as a YIMBY/billionaire takeover of property rights.
• Jeff Peacock (speaking for himself and Janice Peacock) read a statement from Janice, a Public Art Committee member who dissented, objecting to the mural's central focus on General Lafayette as a wealthy white male military figure, and also gave his own critical interpretation of the mural's imagery.
• Susan Dannen Felser (artist, 55-year Lafayette resident, founding member of public art committees) praised the artist's talent but objected to the timing and placement of the mural, citing current political and environmental crises; she suggested depicting Lafayette as a statesman rather than a military figure.

Presentations

• Berkeley Chamber Performances: Founding Director Joanne DePhillips and board member Mark Hodgson presented the organization's history and upcoming season (three concerts in Lafayette starting October 17, 2026). They expressed a desire to increase audience size and noted that students and youth attend free. Council members expressed appreciation and offered to help promote to schools.
• Creeks Committee Annual Update: Members Ron Huft, Mary Jo Cass, and Blakley provided an update on the Lee Creekside Park restoration project. They detailed historical efforts from 2003 to present, current work on Zone 3 (blackberry removal and replanting), and plans for bank stabilization requiring permits. The committee received a $10,000 grant from Lamorinda Sunrise Rotary. They also discussed the West Reach project, youth outreach, and the need for clearing culverts before anticipated heavy rains. Council members commended their work and noted the importance of ongoing maintenance.

Discussion Items

• Item 5A: Potential Acquisition of 3483 Mt. Diablo Blvd. – Council discussed in closed session; no reportable action.
• Item 13A: Successor Agency Refunding Bonds – Staff presented a resolution to authorize issuance of refunding bonds to refinance existing 2014 and 2015 bonds. The presentation noted that net present value (NPV) savings had fallen below the 5% threshold due to recent market volatility (oil price increases from geopolitical events). Despite this, staff asked for approval to proceed with the process (including oversight board and DOF approval) so the city could act quickly if market conditions improve. Council adopted the resolution unanimously.
• Item 13B: Settlement Agreement with Brian and Allyson Vesce – City Attorney Mala Subramanian explained that the council had previously asked the Vesees to dismiss the public from the lawsuit, but the Vesees declined. Public commenters urged the council not to settle unless the Vesees also dismissed the public. Council members clarified that the city can only represent its own interests (the S3 access condition), not the public's separate prescriptive easement claim. The council voted 5-0 to authorize the settlement.
• Item 14A: Pre-Approved ADU (PADU) Designs – Staff presented four floor plans in two architectural styles (Craftsman and Ranch/Mediterranean) developed with Moraga and Orinda. Planning Commission feedback had been incorporated. Council members asked about cost savings, fire-safe landscaping, roof pitch flexibility, HVAC placement, and streamlined permitting. Staff noted that further fire district review will occur. Council adopted Resolution 2026-54 unanimously.
• Item 14B1: Robert Minervini's Mural Design – The proposed mural for 286 Lafayette Circle features General Lafayette as a central figure in an idyllic landscape. Public Art Committee forwarded it with a 5-1 vote (one dissent). Public comment revealed strong opposition over the prominent military figure and perceived insensitivity to indigenous history. Council debated: some supported the artist's vision and the debate it creates; others felt it was redundant with the existing statue and an opportunity cost for other stories. Council voted 4-1 to approve the mural as designed (Councilmember Wotherspoon dissenting). No specific changes were directed, though some members suggested the artist might adjust details.
• Item 14B2: Lafayette Point Public Art – Scott Haycock's proposed kinetic suspended sculpture (over 100 frosted acrylic shapes) for the atrium at 3525 Mt. Diablo Blvd. received unanimous support from the Public Art Committee and council. Council applauded the project and approved it unanimously.
• Item 15A: Ordinance 704 (Parking Meter Zones and Fees) – Introduced amendments to implement downtown parking management study recommendations, including longer-duration paid parking at several locations and removal of First Street from metered zones per Caltrans. Council introduced the ordinance, waived first reading, and continued it to September 28 for second reading.

Key Outcomes

• Successor Agency Refunding Bonds: Adopted Resolution SA2026-02 authorizing staff to initiate bond issuance, contingent on market conditions achieving at least 5% NPV savings.
• Vesce Settlement: Authorized City Manager to execute the settlement agreement (5-0).
• Pre-Approved ADU Designs: Adopted Resolution 2026-54 approving the PADU prototype designs (5-0).
• Downtown Mural: Approved Robert Minervini's mural design for 286 Lafayette Circle (4-1).
• Lafayette Point Public Art: Approved Scott Haycock's kinetic sculpture proposal (5-0).
• Parking Ordinance: Introduced Ordinance 704 and continued to September 28, 2026.
• Appointments:
  • Jeff Langner to Emergency Preparedness Commission (5-0).
  • Lee Thompson to Capital Projects Assessment Committee (5-0).
  • Noah Corter and Olivia Kemp to Youth Commission (5-0).
• Proclamations:
  • Recognized September as Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month.
  • Recognized September as Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.
• Resignation: Accepted Grace Dixon's resignation from Parks, Trails and Recreation Commission with thanks.
• League of California Cities Conference: Delegated voting authority to Councilmember Kendall with direction to represent Lafayette's policy interests on housing and land use.
• Measure W Support: Adopted Resolution 2026-56 supporting Acalanes Union High School District's parcel tax measure W on the November 3, 2026 ballot (5-0).