City of Lafayette California

Meet the City’s Emergency Preparedness Coordinator, John Cornell! John Cornell has worked for the City of Lafayette for 10 years and is currently the City’s Emergency Preparedness Coordinator, assigned to the Police Department, where he oversees the planning and coordination of emergency preparedness projects within the City of Lafayette and the coordination with other agencies, including neighboring cities. ·        John oversees the installation of the multi-county wildfire camera system, creating redundant communications for both law enforcement and fire, enhancing school emergency preparedness, and more. ·        He is in charge of the Emergency Operation Center (EOC), as well as being a liaison with groups like the City’s Emergency Preparedness Commission, the Lamorinda CERT Foundation, and the Lamorinda HAM radio club. ·        This year, John served on a City team which partnered with Con Fire to clear brush along some of the City’s major evacuation routes.    ·        He also interfaces with agencies around the Bay Area to help coordinate and prepare for large events or critical incidents. This includes being on the CAL OES tactical communications team which is called on to assist throughout the state.   ·        John serves as a team leader on the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office drone team, which provides drone support for law enforcement throughout the county.   Read John’s full profile at https://lnkd.in/gMjx2pgd #lovelafayette #lafayetteca #LocalGovtRocks #EmergencyPrep

The City of Lafayette has received the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting from the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) for our annual comprehensive financial report (ACFR) for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2023. This is the ninth consecutive year the City has received the certificate. “This recognition is a testament to the City’s ongoing commitment to excellence and transparency in financial reporting, and I am grateful to Administrative Services Assistant Director Jennifer Wakeman and the whole Finance Department for their excellent work,” said City Manager Niroop Kasthuri Srivatsa You can access our recent financial audits on our website at https://lnkd.in/gatpDprM #LoveLafayette #AwardWinning

Meet Your Team: Jennifer Wakeman - As Lafayette’s Assistant Administrative Services Director, Jennifer Wakeman fulfills vital roles encompassing several City areas: Finance, Human Resources, and Risk Management. Wakeman has worked at the City for more than ten years. Under Jennifer’s able management, the City has earned the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting every year for the past 8 years. This award recognizes the City’s commitment to going beyond the minimum requirements of generally accepted accounting principles, while promoting the spirit of transparency and full disclosure. "A typical day starts with me arriving at the office, checking in with staff, handling emails, and then getting down to work. On any given day, this could involve scheduled meetings, reviewing accounting work, developing procedures and processes, drafting policies, preparing annual reports, conducting research, and following up on staff requests—along with any unscheduled meetings," Wakeman explains. When asked what she likes most about working here, Wakeman confidently states, "I value the accessibility of my colleagues at all levels of the organization and the City's strong support for professional development." Wakeman maintains professional membership with -- and is especially active in -- the CSMFO (California Society of Municipal Finance Officers). In addition to serving as chair for a number of committees and establishing programs for mentorship and student engagement, Wakeman currently serves as the President-Elect. In 2019, the California Society of Municipal Finance Officers named her their Volunteer of the Year. She has been a Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) member since 2004 and a member of the Municipal Management Association of Northern California since 2006. In 2022, Wakeman was appointed by the State Controller to the California Uniform Construction Cost Accounting Commission for a three-year term. She is one of only two city representatives on this Commission. Read Jennifer’s full profile at: https://lnkd.in/g6CC36CN #lovelafayette #lafayetteca #LocalGovtRocks

#MeetYourTeam Greg Wolff is Lafayette's Director of Planning & Building and he recently celebrated his 27th anniversary with the City. Wolff manages and provides administrative direction and oversight for all functions of the Planning and Building Services Department. This includes current, advanced, and environmental planning, building and safety, plan checking, discretionary applications like design review and variances, and development entitlement. Wolff coordinates with the public, applicants, other City departments, officials, and outside agencies, fostering cooperative working relationships with City departments, intergovernmental and regulatory agencies, and various public and private groups. “As an entry-level planner in 1997,” he says, “I saw Lafayette as a perfect blend of small town and semi-rural living. I chose planning because our environment is how we experience the world. A grassy hillside studded with oak trees or a city street with sidewalks and street trees, the quality of a place—its design, materials, scale, and details—make up the user’s experience. Little is more impactful to one’s state of mind and enjoyment of a place. “Today, I continue to appreciate that Lafayette does not operate like a government bureaucracy. There are no silos, and no one is territorial. We eagerly collaborate and help one another. We celebrate accomplishments as a team. The City Manager’s door is always open for any employee.  “There is oversight, but without unnecessary levels of review. Good ideas are embraced, and initiative is rewarded by allowing a good idea to be piloted. Effort and good work are acknowledged. We are a small staff, but we get a lot done,” said Wolff. When asked what he likes most about working for the City of Lafayette, Wolff says, “The work is meaningful, and residents care about what we do. This results in well-attended hearings with a lot of public input. We are held to a high standard, and it is gratifying to meet it. The caliber of the City Council, Planning and Design Review Commissioners, and other commissioners is top-notch. “They are all volunteers and their dedication and thoughtfulness around the work they do is admirable. I have made many lasting relationships with members of this wonderful community. It is a special place with outstanding civic-minded residents, and it’s rewarding to be of service to them.  Wolff enjoys working with the Lafayette team. “Above all, the individuals on staff are smart, hardworking, and collaborative. We are fortunate to serve a council and commissions that are sharp, dedicated, and civil. They may not always agree, but they disagree with respect for one another and staff. Their track record is to appreciate staff’s work.” Read Greg Wolff's full profile on our website: https://lnkd.in/gz7NCyRn #LoveLafayette #LocalGovtRocks #Planning

We're #hiring a new Audio-Visual Operator / Technician to help run our hybrid meetings. Apply today or share this post with your network.

We're #hiring a new Audio-Visual Operator/Technician to help run our hybrid meetings. Apply today or share this post with your network. #LoveLafayette #LocalGovtRocks

Tracy Robinson has worked for the City of Lafayette for 24 years. As the City’s Administrative Services Director, she oversees Finance, Human Resources, Risk Management, Information Technology, and Property Management duties while also supervising the City’s public outreach and budget. “I grew up in the Bay Area,” says Robinson, “and Lafayette was a ‘dream’ destination for me—beautiful, upscale, and extremely charming. It has always felt to me like an oasis in the urban landscape, and I wanted to be part of that environment.” Asked what a typical day at work is like, she responds that there is no typical day, which is why she likes working here so much. Her busiest time on the job is budget season when she says she’s “...knee-deep in spreadsheets.”  She also often gets random assignments that don’t “fit” anywhere else and fills in for the City Manager when she is away. You might run into her making the loop around the Lafayette Reservoir during her lunchbreak. In addition to her first priority of managing the finances, she spends much of her time on Human Resources as employees are a significant asset of the City noting that, “We can’t do anything without our employees”. As a result, a lot of her time is taken up sourcing for an interviewing candidates, onboarding new employees, planning training classes and developing and implementing policies that encourage a productive and safe working environment. “We don’t have an HR department, it’s all me!” Robinson also serves on the board of the Municipal Pooling Authority, which is the City’s insurance organization that includes 18 other cities and primarily focuses on how best to protect the City from liability. What Robinson likes most about working for the City is the variety of her work. “Because it is a small City with a lean staff, I get to wear a lot of hats. Even after 24 years, there is something new to work on virtually every day, and something new to learn. It is never boring and the team of people I work with are all dedicated, smart and professional. It’s a great place to be every day.” Robinson earned a Bachelor of Arts in Molecular Biology from U.C. Berkeley and an M.B.A. from U.C. Davis. She worked for World Savings at its Oakland headquarters for 12 years, starting out as an operations analyst before moving on to the Loan Department as a budget manager, followed by a short stint in Information Technology as a project manager before joining the City of Lafayette as Administrative Services Director Robinson sums it all up, saying, “I came to Lafayette in 2000, and I’ve loved it here ever since!” Read Tracy's Profile on our website: https://lnkd.in/g9MErVNJ #lovelafayette #lafayetteca #meetourteam #localgovtrocks

#MeetYourTeam Since 2018, Ben Alldritt has served as the City of Lafayette’s Chief of Police. Chief Alldritt manages a department with 16 sworn law enforcement officers and sergeants, six professional staff, and three part-time staff. He reports directly to the Lafayette City Manager and is responsible for police operations and services within the City while following the Office of the Sheriff's policies and procedures. (The City contracts with Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff for policing and public safety services.) Chief Alldritt’s formal education includes a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice and a master’s degree in Public Administration from Golden Gate University. Although a typical day for the Chief includes day-to-day management of the department, it’s not unusual to find him on the streets answering calls from police dispatch. “I’m always available for priority calls and even non-priority calls, when officers are tied up on other calls for service,” says Chief Alldritt. Throughout the year, Chief Alldritt participates in a variety of high-profile city and Chamber of Commerce events, including the annual two-day Lafayette Art & Wine Festival. The event, which attracts tens of thousands of visitors, is one of Contra Costa County’s most popular street festivals. Chief Alldritt’s goal for the festival is to make it a safe and fun event for families by coordinating event security with multiple outside agencies. Chief Alldritt’s focus is on community policing by developing lasting partnerships, engaging and communicating with all stakeholders, and being proactive and responsive. Chief Alldritt continues to prioritize emergency preparedness, school safety, and traffic safety. “I am proud of the men and women who serve the City of Lafayette with pride and dedication,” says Chief Alldritt. “The entire police department, along with city staff and leaders, are focused on providing the highest level of service possible to our residents, businesses, and visitors. We thank them for their continuing support.” Read more at https://lnkd.in/g4EVnYai #lovelafayette #lafayetteca #meetourteam #localgovtrocks

#MeetYourTeam As Lafayette’s City Manager, Niroop Kasthuri Srivatsa oversees the implementation of the City Council's vision, policies, and directives. Her responsibilities include managing the City’s day-to-day operations and professional staff. Srivatsa has been employed by the city for more than 30 years. Her initial position was Planning Director. She has also served as the City’s Planning Manager and Community Development Director, overseeing the planning, public works, and engineering divisions. She came to Lafayette from Chicago, Illinois, in 1992. In January 2019, Srivatsa was appointed Interim City Manager and was named City Manager in August 2019. She received her bachelor’s degree in Architecture and Town Planning from Madras University in Chennai, India. She has taken graduate courses in urban design, city planning, and sociology at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri, and classes in environmental law and land use policy at UC Davis’ Continuing and Professional Education Program. She has intensive disaster preparedness training from the California Specialized Training Institute. Asked what a typical day is like, she says there is no typical day. “Each day’s schedule depends on what’s happening in the City that day, what the City Councilmembers need, and what City departments are doing that day. However, I save time every day to contemplate and plan for the future of our City.” Srivatsa has been a member of the League of California Cities (“Cal Cities”) since 2012, home to more than 400 California cities. She is a past President of the Cal Cities Housing, Community, and Economic Development Department and has worked with city planners and planning commissioners on legislation affecting local land use control. She has developed educational training programs for new and seasoned planning commissioners and continues to serve as a speaker and moderator at conferences and training seminars. Srivatsa served on Cal Cities’ Revenue & Taxation Policy Committee for five years and is currently on its Environmental Quality Policy Committee, reviewing issues related to air and water quality, CEQA, solid waste and recycling, hazardous materials, coastal issues, utilities, and wildfires. Since 2019, Srivatsa has served as a commissioner with the California Statewide Community Development Authority. In addition to her professional associations and contributions, her community involvement includes being an advisor to the Lafayette Chamber of Commerce Board and the Board of the Diablo Valley Assistance League. She is also a member of the Rotary Club of Lafayette and a mentor for the Contra Costa Leadership Academy (CCLA) program, which provides leadership training to mid- and senior-level city employees. Learn More: https://lnkd.in/gWTsQ6dC #lovelafayette #lafayetteca #meetourteam #localgovtrocks

#MeetYourTeam As the Director of Engineering and Public Works for the City of Lafayette California, a typical day for Mike Moran looks like this: * Checking in with staff regarding the design and construction of maintenance and new infrastructure projects * Sorting through and forwarding or responding to more than 100 emails each day. * Reviewing or writing staff reports for Commissions or the City Council. “I enjoy working for Lafayette as the small staff allows me to wear multiple hats and to work directly on projects with residents,” he said. Moran also checks in on the City’s Public Works maintenance crew regarding landscaping, irrigation, road and building repairs, as well as other routine maintenance projects throughout the City. He also fields requests for new traffic signs, road improvements, and/or infrastructure requests from City residents and the City Council. “Throughout my career, I have had the pleasure of interacting with amazing residents and business owners in Lafayette,” he continues. Moran earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Engineering (Department of Civil Engineering) from California Polytechnic University at San Luis Obispo, graduating in 1991. He has been a Registered Professional Civil Engineer in California since 1997. Learn More: https://lnkd.in/g_4Ggr4J #lovelafayette #lafayetteca #meetourteam #localgovtrocks