City Council Meeting Page 1 of 28 October 27, 2025
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City of Lafayette
City Council Minutes
Lafayette Library and Learning Center – Don Tatzin Community Hall October 27, 2025 3491 Mount Diablo Boulevard, Lafayette, California 6:00 p.m.
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City Council Meeting Page 2 of 28 October 27, 2025
1. CALL TO ORDER – 7:00 P.M.
Mayor Candell called the Regular City Council meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
2. ROLL CALL
Present: Mayor Candell; Vice Mayor Anduri; Councilmembers Cervantes, McCormick, Wotherspoon
Absent/Excused: None
Staff Present: Greg Wolff, Planning and Building Director; Jonathan Katayanagi, Parks, Trails and Recreation Director; Mala Subramanian, City Attorney; Joanne Robbins, City Clerk
3. Disclosure and/or Take Action on Remote Participation due to Just Cause or Emergency Circumstances Pursuant to AB 2449 (Gov. Code section 54953(f).)
4. ADOPTION OF AGENDA
ACTION: It was M/S/C (Anduri/McCormick) to adopt the agenda. Roll Call Vote: Vote: 5-0 (Ayes: Candell, Anduri, Cervantes, McCormick, Wotherspoon; Noes: None).
5. PUBLIC COMMENTS (For Closed Session Items)
City Attorney Mala Subramanian announced that the Closed Session item is related to the attached letter from Mr. Betts which she has determined is a threat of litigation. This allows the Council to go into Closed Session. The letter is in the staff report and relates to a potential decision by the PTR Commission’s decision to remove an existing grass field at Buckey Fields and replace it with a 70x30 infield mix.
RACHEL LEONARD, Lafayette-Moraga Youth Association, said the LLL’s historic investments into Buckeye complex does not give it a legally protectable right or interest in the City’s fields. There appear to be at least some members of this community who believe the opposite is true when, in fact, the public comments from a former LLL Board Member Ran Creighton, reveal that LLL expressly waived its right to even assert any interest in the City’s fields in exchange for $1 million in grant money from the State of California and $300,000 from the City of Lafayette that was used to improve Buckeye Fields. Mr.
Creighton’s public comment email sent on October 21st states, as follows: “As part of the consideration for obtaining the money from both the State and the City of Lafayette, LLL gave up any right to contend that it had a proprietary interest in the fields. The point being this—LLL has no legally protectable right or interest in the City’s fields that could serve as a basis for an injunction and there is no legal basis for any such lawsuit.
6. CLOSED SESSION
Mayor Candell adjourned the meeting at 6:05 p.m. to Closed Session to discuss the following matter:
1. Conference with Legal Counsel – Anticipated Litigation Government Code section 54956.9(d)(2) (1case)
Reconvene /Report of Closed Session
City Council Meeting Page 3 of 28 October 27, 2025
Mayor Candell reconvened the Regular Meeting at 7:00 p.m. and announced no reportable action was taken in Closed Session.
7. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – Mayor Candell led in the Pledge of Allegiance.
8. PUBLIC COMMENTS (For items not on the agenda) – 7:00 p.m. - None.
9. CITY MANAGER’S UPDATE
Planning Director Greg Wolff, on behalf of the City Manager, stated he had no report.
Mayor Candell announced she received a request to rearrange the agenda to move Item 17.A. up on the agenda, which is for the Rosa Parks resolution to be heard after Chief Bachmann’s presentation.
10. PRESENTATIONS
A. Greg Wolff, Planning and Building Director
Introduction of Senior Engineer Laurie Sucgang
Recommendation: Receive and file.
Planning Director Greg Wolff introduced and welcomed Laurie Sucgang, the City’s new Senior Engineer, and he provided a background of her experience, education, skills, and hobbies.
Laurie Sucgang said she is honored to join the Lafayette team in the Public Works Engineering Department and thanked Mr. Wolff for the introduction.
Mayor Candell and Councilmembers welcomed Ms. Sucgang to the City.
B. Assistant Chief Chris Bachman, Contra Costa County Fire Protection District Update from the CCC Fire Protection District
Recommendation: Receive and file.
Assistant Chief Chris Bachman, CCC Fire Protection District, said this is a six-month update to provide Con Fire’s work over that time, and he gave a PowerPoint presentation on accomplishments, which include information on an annexation to expand the District’s boundaries, total dispatch incidents, total fire calls, messaging about not lighting fireworks with no incidents over the last two years, response to 23 fires by Copter 1, significant incidents, residential structure fires, calls over 9 months, vehicle accidents, wildfire preparedness guide QR code, preplanning identification of fuel break completions, type of mitigation performed, and disposal for insurance companies, response to wildfires, and alerts, warnings, and evacuation highlights.
Mayor Candell thanked Assistant Chief Bachman for his updates and recognized Con Fire for activities relating to wildfires.
Councilmember McCormick referred to a picture in the Lamorinda Weekly about the helipad being installed at the intersection of Pleasant Hill Road and Hwy 24.
City Council Meeting Page 4 of 28 October 27, 2025
Assistant Chief Bachman said they have three--one installed at the Sheriff’s Department off of Marsh Creek and one at the Byron Wildfire Center, as well as Phillips 66 at Rodeo/Hercules. There are three other identified locations they would like to install but they must work through legalities of getting approval from the land owner along with how they will supply water to it. They have the funding and approval to install six throughout the County, of which they have installed three thus far.
Councilmember Cervantes said he could see Chopper 1 dropping water on the fire on Pleasant Hill Road and was amazed at how quickly the team responded to that fire. Con Fire has been a great partner for the City of Lafayette. The City relies on Con Fire for fire safety issues and the City makes people aware through Firewise and other programs which Con Fire supports. He said he thinks the mapping fuel breaks information is very interesting and asked if it was available to the public.
Assistant Chief Bachman said they are doing this in phases. One data set they must upload needs to be done by October 31st, and they are focusing their efforts on getting all information on fuel breaks in the last year to get into that one reporting system. Once they get that done, they will continue to collaborate with Cal Fire on confirming the list of what insurance companies are wanting with their data set, correct that model, and then they will have it done on their end. They will make that available on their website along with uploading it to any organization that is willing to take it and share it with insurance companies. It will also be on Con Fire’s website in a few months, so they will be very transparent.
Councilmember Cervantes referred to the McChrystal report from the Los Angeles fires and asked for Con Fire’s next steps based on that report.
Assistant Chief Bachman said they are looking at that. The CWS system is also being evaluated and the County will be bringing in a third-party reviewer to evaluate that alerting system. The McChrystal report focuses on evacuations, alerts, and notifications. When Con Fire is at an incident, their job is to identify what resources they need, put those resources in place, and identify whether they need to evacuate a certain area. If they do, they are in a unified command. They will meet up with local law enforcement and if Cal Fire is there, they are in a unified command, as well, and identify what zone they need to evacuate.
Once that decision is made, that alert goes to CWS and they push it out to the community, and then law enforcement acts on that evacuation. There are multiple approaches and multiple agencies involved in that whole process. The report is fascinating and lengthy, and they are evaluating those areas and comparing some of these because they are used in the same system with Genesis, although they were using Genesis also as their alerting tool, which Con Fire does not. This also means they need to be evaluating their alerting tool with CWS to see if it has any of those deficiencies called out in that report.
Councilmember Wotherspoon thanked Assistant Chief Bachman and referred to the Pleasant Hill Road wildfire. She asked if he would able to share the cause with the Council. Assistant Chief Bachman said it is still under investigation. They know it started near a power pole but that does not always mean it was from the power company. Sometimes they see when fires are intentionally set, they do that as a distractor; that they light the fire at the base of a power pole thinking it is the easy blame. So, they must work with the utility company to get that report and see if any surge or malfunction occured at that pole which they are in the process of doing.
Mayor Candell said the City is part of a regional roundtable with Senator Grayson who has come out for a regional ask for funding from the State. She asked when can the Council expect to hear back from Assistant Chief Bachman, given the December 1st deadline.
City Council Meeting Page 5 of 28 October 27, 2025
Assistant Chief Bachman said his staff has already reached out to their Chief Officer team involved in that and put some deadline dates in November of when they need to provide some topics to gain the buy-in of other partners that were there.
Mayor Candell opened the public comment period.
ROBERT LAVOIE said in looking at numbers on the residential fires, it seemed there was a dramatic increase.
He asked if Assistant Chief Bachman had any information on the source of the ignition or changes from unusual spikes.
Assistant Chief Bachman said when he pulled the report, he looks whether any of them made a significant incident, which was whether it was a full alarm or did it go to a second alarm like the previous year where they saw a total loss in the structure. Most of them were very minor for all six fires and not a major loss or impact to the neighborhoods. He was not able to locate pictures which would identify it as a large incident they would have been involved in for several hours. If the Council would like a report back on those details, he could pull them, but based on the lack of publicity none of them rose to a significant incident.
Mayor Candell said there is no need to respond back, and she and Councilmembers thanked Assistant Chief Bachman for his presentation.
17. WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
A. E-mail from Sue Serverson, on behalf of the Acalanes Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), requesting a proclamation recognizing December 1, 2025, as “Rosa Parks Day:
Illuminating Our Path to Civil Rights.”
Recommendation: Approve the proclamation recognizing December 1, 2025, as “Rosa Parks Day:
Illuminating Our Path to Civil Rights.”
Teresa Lucido, Regent for the Acalanes Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) and a proud Lafayette resident since 1992. She thanked the Council and is honored to accept the proclamation recognizing December 1, 2025 as “Rosa Parks Day: Illuminating Our Path to Civil Rights.” She said 70 years ago, Mrs. Parks’ quiet act of courage on a Montgomery, Alabama bus became a turning point in American history. It is a reminder of the pursuit of liberty and equality, and it did not end with the American Revolution but continues to this day with every generation.
Their Chapter is dedicated to honoring all those who have advanced the ideals of freedom and justice set forth in the nation’s founding. They are grateful to the Council and the City of Lafayette in joining them in celebrating Rosa Parks’ legacy and inspiring citizens to stand up or to sit down for doing what is right. She thanked the Council for the meaningful recognition.
ACTION: It was M/S/C (Anduri/Wotherspoon) to approve the proclamation recognizing December 1, 2025, as “Rosa Parks Day: Illuminating Our Path to Civil Rights.” Vote: 5-0 (Ayes: Candell, Anduri, Cervantes, McCormick, Wotherspoon; Noes: None).
11. CONSENT CALENDAR
Mayor Candell asked if Councilmembers wished to remove any items, and there were no requests and no public comments.
City Council Meeting Page 6 of 28 October 27, 2025
A. City Council Minutes
October 14, 2025
Recommendation: Approve.
ACTION: It was M/S/C (Cervantes/Wotherspoon) to adopt Consent Calendar Item A. Vote: 5-0 (Ayes:
Candell, Anduri, Cervantes, McCormick, Wotherspoon; Noes: None).
12. OLD BUSINESS – None.
13. STAFF REPORTS
A. Jenny Rosen, Staff Liaison for the Public Art Committee
1. Public Art Requirement for The Blue Oak at 950 Hough Avenue Recommendation: Approve the public art proposal for Binary Wall / Datum Line by Clay Jensen for The Blue Oak at 950 Hough Avenue.
Staff Liaison for the Public Art Committee Jenny Rosen gave the staff report and overview of the proposal for Binary Wall / Datum Line, created by local artist and Lafayette resident, Clay Jensen, which fulfills the public art requirement for the site’s development at 950 Hough Avenue.
The Public Art Committee unanimously recommends approval so the artist may proceed with fabrication and installation. She then provided a background of the artist and introduced Mr. Jensen.
Clay Jensen, artist, provided brief comments about the sculpture he prepared for the Blue Oak at 950 Hough Avenue.
Ms. Rosen said there are Public Art Committee members present to answer any questions.
Councilmember McCormick referred to the piece integrating with the lighting and landscaping. He asked if it would be lit at night. Mr. Jensen said yes, it would be simply lit from the ground up.
Mayor Candell opened the public comment period.
ROBERT LAVOIE referred to the topography on the plates, and asked if this is something from the City’s topography, a random pattern, or some other site.
Mr. Jensen said not specifically Lafayette, but yes, it is California landscape in general.
Vice Mayor Anduri thanked Ms. Rosen and the Public Art Committee for all their work on the piece, which is a great outcome. He also thanked Brian Griggs and Jeff Stone, the developers, for helping them get to this outcome which is very positive and will be a great addition to public art in the City.
ACTION: It was M/S/C (Anduri/McCormick) to approve the public art proposal for Binary Wall / Datum Line by Clay Jensen for The Blue Oak at 950 Hough Avenue. Vote: 5-0 (Ayes: Candell, Anduri, Cervantes, McCormick, Wotherspoon; Noes: None).
2. Public Art Installation at the South Entrance to the Lafayette BART Station – Dandelion Seeds City Council Meeting Page 7 of 28 October 27, 2025
Recommendation: Allocate $134,892.12 from the General Fund to complete the installation of Dandelion Seeds, the public art installation that serves at the centerpiece of the City’s gateway at the south entrance of the Lafayette BART station.
Staff Liaison for the Public Art Committee Jenny Rosen gave the staff report and overview of the request for $134,892.12 to close the final funding gap for Dandelion Seeds, the signature artwork at the heart of the public plaza that is part of the Lafayette Town Center pathway and BART Station project. The shortfall is not a result of mismanagement, but the result of building code updates and economic changes that have occurred over the past six years. The project has been years in the making and, to date, the City has invested $72,000 in Dandelion Seeds. Walking away now would mean losing that investment and the integrity of a project built on community vision and collaboration, which she described further.
Ms. Rosen said the artists are present this evening, David Cole and Michael Brown of Kinematics Lab and, before answering any questions or move into discussion, she played a video of the work to bring it to life.
Councilmember McCormick said he understands the overage is primarily due to the thicker poles supporting the structure and there are different building codes now. It is $40,000 for the incremental costs but he is confused why the additional cost also includes a contingency fund of $25,000 which is 10% of the whole project. He asked if the contingency was built into the original contract.
Ms. Rosen said the budget went up for a number of reasons, in part to the building code change during the time. This project was approved before COVID and there was a six-year delay because of this, so there has been inflation increases for the entire project and all costs involved. She broke this down in the staff report with inflation numbers across those years. The contingency added was added by the Engineering Department because they were handling the pole construction and sourcing the materials and fabrication.
It is their policy to build in a contingency and that was the number she was given to cover that.
Mayor Candell opened the public comment period, and there were no speakers.
Vice Mayor Anduri made a motion for approval of the allocation.
Councilmember Cervantes said he appreciates that part of this time delay was dealing with BART and, even though trains may run well, projects are not the same thing. The concern he had was the +$135,000 which will have to come from the General Fund. He asked and confirmed that the City was above its reserve threshold by their policy which gave him some comfort, and if not, all of this unwinds from the six years of effort and the money the City put into it goes away. He voiced support of the motion and believes the City can handle it.
Councilmember Wotherspoon said she is feeling a bit uncertain about the numbers and wished the Finance Director was here to ask questions in the public forum. She is thinking back in June when there was the budget presentation and some asks that various parties put in for additional funding, and some things were set aside because they did not know what the revenues would be for Measure H. She has not heard any update on that, so it makes her hesitant on this allocation.
City Council Meeting Page 8 of 28 October 27, 2025
Councilmember McCormick agreed and said he is concerned, as well. He understands why it is a worthwhile use and understands the justification, but the Council is not being asked to weigh this against anything else, including some things the Council will hear later on tonight. So, he is a little concerned because it is just in a vacuum without anything surrounding it, but can support it. They had long conversations about how the City is using every extra dollar on some tough things and now they are saying “yes” to this which he thinks is the entire sum of some of the things they said ‘no’ to during budget discussions.
Mayor Candell said that is fair, but this is part of a very large project and the City has a great partnership with BART and it is creating this formal walkway from BART to the downtown. This began ages ago and it went through and was approved at that time, but it just got 100% delayed. Finally, BART is saying they can actually fund this project. So, that part will go through. It is just this piece of art which is the last thing that Lafayette is being asked to contribute to. So, there are two people on the fence and two people not on the fence.
Councilmember Wotherspoon asked if they could bring this back, get the input from the Finance Director and hear this at a future meeting, and asked when the timeline on the construction is.
Ms. Rosen said at the last City Council meeting the Council approved the bid for the contract to do the work.
She can speak to Matt Luttropp tomorrow and ask him when they anticipate beginning construction, and that she had held conversations with him discussing whether there would be any way they could delay the installation. This is not financially feasible because the project is covered under the construction to build in the infrastructure which is all underground for this big project that will be going on at the time of construction.
Vice Mayor Anduri said as background for the public, the Mayor mentioned that the Council set their top three priorities for this year. The first was wildfire mitigation/prevention; second was implementing the Housing Element and all things involved with that; and third is evaluating the City’s fiscal situation. The entire Council thanks all residents for passing Measure H because that puts them in a great position. The Council decided this fiscal year, rather than fund any new projects, they would wait to see how much money actually comes in on Measure H and would also commission a study of all of their assets including fields, parking lots, and how much it would cost over 20 years to maintain and/or replace those fields because the City does not have that built into their budget. Once they get that report, they will decide whether they are going to establish sinking funds and start putting money aside for all of those things to replace them.
He thinks what sets this apart is that this is something the Council has approved for the last six years. They put money into it and they will lose money unless they move forward. It is unfortunate there were delays with COVID and BART, but they are where they are and they would lose more money not going ahead than if they were to go ahead. He therefore would support moving forward with this. It will be a great entryway into Lafayette from BART.
Mayor Candell said she weighs in favor of this because of its history and because where the Council has been supporting this the entire time, and this would be very hard to all of a sudden pull it.
Councilmember McCormick said he will support it given the context, but it is disappointing they have to include a contingency fund to support it but understands building codes change.
City Council Meeting Page 9 of 28 October 27, 2025
Councilmember Cervantes said this has been a project that has gone on for six years. They have had delays with BART and there have been other contingencies with changes in the building code, but this is the part to the puzzle for this entry and they are into it halfway already and he voiced support to finish it. It is not ideal, but it would be a real loss if they just dropped the ball and not let it happen.
ACTION: It was M/S/C (Anduri/Cervantes) to allocate $134,892.12 from the General Fund to complete the installation of Dandelion Seeds, the public art installation that serves at the centerpiece of the City’s gateway at the south entrance of the Lafayette BART station. Vote: 4-0-1 (Ayes: Candell, Anduri, Cervantes, McCormick; Noes: None; Abstain: Wotherspoon).
B. Jonathan Katayanagi, Parks and Recreation Director
Infield Modifications at Buckeye Fields
Recommendation: Staff recommends City Council uphold the Parks, Trails, and Recreation Commission’s August 13, 2025 action approving Option 1: Removal of one existing grass infield at Buckeye Fields and replacement with a 70/30 infield mix; and direct staff to proceed with modification so the field is available ahead of the Spring 2026 baseball/softball season.
Mayor Candell requested the Council allow for 2 minutes per speaker, given there are 39 speaker slips or 2 hours of public comment.
ACTION: It was M/S/C (Anduri/McCormick) to allocate two minutes per speaker for Item 13.B. Vote: 5-0 (Ayes: Candell, Anduri, Cervantes, McCormick, Wotherspoon; Noes: None).
Mayor Candell opened the public comment period.
HARPER WOLFF, a 6th grader at Stanley who has played softball since kindergarten, told the Council it’s unfair that boys get more time on better fields. She said her team only recently got 30 minutes a week on Upper Community Field, which they still share with boys, and she asked the Council to convert one Buckeye field into a softball field for girls.
MACIE LUSCH, a 6th grader at Stanley who has played softball since kindergarten, said boys get better facilities at Buckeye — including a snack shack, real bases, and a scoreboard — while girls have fake bases and fewer games and practices. She urged the Council to make Buckeye available for softball too, to show that girls matter as much as boys.
AUBREY GREGOR, a 5th grader said she wants better softball fields in Lafayette, noting it’s unfair that boys use all four community fields while girls only get one, which is on a hill and far away. She said this inequality has gone on too long and that all softball players have wanted to play at Buckeye Fields. She was excited about the chance to do so and hopes it still happens so she can play on a real softball field.
KATIE and CARLA, both 10-year-old softball players from Burton Valley, urged the Council to support equal access to quality fields. Citing the Fair Pay to Play Act, they said boys have four City baseball fields while girls have only one, and school fields aren’t comparable. They asked the Council to vote “yes” on improving Buckeye Field so it can be shared for softball and baseball, saying this change would inspire future generations of girls and encourage more to play softball.
City Council Meeting Page 10 of 28 October 27, 2025
Director Katayanagi expressed appreciation for the dedication and involvement of local sports organizations, particularly LLL (LLL) and Lafayette-Moraga Youth Association (LMYA), acknowledging that the current shortage of athletic fields has prompted necessary community discussions. He emphasized that the City Council’s role at this meeting is limited to reconsidering a Parks, Trails, and Recreation (PTR) Commission decision, not revisiting previous options or introducing new ones.
In his presentation, Mr. Katayanagi outlined the historical context of the issue, noting that the field allocation discussion predates the current members of both user groups. He reviewed updated data and explained that, while opportunities such as the DeSilva site exist for future development, financial constraints significantly limit the City’s ability to pursue new capital projects. He detailed the City’s fiscal challenges, including rising costs, deferred maintenance needs, and limited available funds despite the recent passage of a half-cent sales tax intended to maintain service levels. Comparatively, modest infield modifications at Buckeye Fields are the only cost-feasible improvements that would also ensure compliance with state law.
Director Katayanagi concluded by identifying land, money, and patience as the key factors to resolving the broader field shortage. He stressed the need for community collaboration, potential long-term funding solutions (such as a parks bond or major fundraising effort), and mutual understanding among all user groups. He reiterated that while compliance and fairness require immediate adjustments at Buckeye Fields, the City remains open to developing additional or enhanced facilities in the future with adequate community support and resources.
City Attorney Mala Subramanian said that she reviewed all information that was presented in the staff report and presented tonight before the Council to determine if the City was in compliance with the Fair Play Act and has significant concerns with the current situation and the City’s compliance with the Fair Play Act, and it is the City Attorney’s recommendation that the Council move forward with staff’s recommendation, Option No. 1 in order to get into compliance with the Fair Play Act.
Mayor Candell stated she received approval of a joint statement from Adam Carman, head of LLL and also from Rachel Leonard from LMYA because the City did try to meet in good faith and work this problem through to see what they could decide on:
“Starting on October 3rd, the City LMYA Softball and LLL held meetings to try to come up with a shared vision agreement for Chaney Fields and the future of softball and baseball facilities that all parties could agree on. This was necessary because at that date, LLL was threatening a lawsuit against the City and LMYA did discuss our lack of compliance with the Fair Play and Community Sports Act. LLL said at that meeting they were starting to launch their own softball program consistent with many other Little Leagues across the country. I made the suggestion that a better way forward was to bench the lawyers and just have Rachel Leonard from LMYA, Adam Carman from LLL and her, and the Parks and Recreation Director Jonathan Katayanagi meet moving forward. She has made it clear to both parties that she is 100% agnostic to what the shared vision is agreed upon. The only thing that matters is that both LMYA and LLL agree on the vision. This is still true to this day and she is so optimistic that we could even do this at the meeting tonight.
City Council Meeting Page 11 of 28 October 27, 2025
The following meeting was on October 10th. Adam Carman from LLL shared a PowerPoint of the vision that LLL had come up with for immediate actions, two-year actions, and a four-year vision.
This was shared with the City and LMYA and the goal was set at the next meeting that LMYA should come back with their assessment of this proposal. So, at the meeting on October 7th, LMYA did come back with their assessment of the proposal and there was only one single point of contention left. The rest of the shared vision was endorsed by LMYA which, to her, was a serious progress since their first meeting.
At this point, LLL made it clear that their very strong preference was to arrive at a solution versus pursuing legal avenues. LMYA at that point is still considering a lawsuit against the City depending on the City’s decision. Knowing they had still not reached full agreement, she told them I was considering delaying any decision on this topic until they could reach an agreement. But, by their final meeting last week on Tuesday, October 21st, staff and the City Attorney had said that if the Council did not hear the decision, the PTR decision would stand. So, she requested they move forward with this meeting tonight.”
Mayor Candell then shared the details of the progress they made during those meetings where both parties stand at the moment. She asked to let her know during public comment of anything they have changed their minds on since today.
First, the good progress made and the things that both parties agree on:
1. LMYA Softball will play on Chaney Field for the first time in 2026. Mr. Katayanagi has a method of allocating fields for all the parties involved and LMYA Softball will be in the rotation for time slots at Chaney Field this upcoming season.
2. Agreed upon by both parties is that the permanent mound on Chaney Field will be removed and a portable mound will be used for baseball.
3. LLL agreed to provide $30,000 for immediate improvements to Upper Community Fields which is used by both softball and baseball. LMYA also agrees to contribute funds to a future softball complex and improvements at Upper Community Field.
4. LMYA and LLL agrees that a task force should be created to help the schools improve their fields.
5. LMYA and LLL agrees the City should develop plans and budget to add a softball-only field at Community Park, ultimately creating a two-field softball complex and amenities similar to Buckeye as well as engage LLL, LMYA, and other stakeholders in related fundraising opportunities.
6. LLL has launched a softball program and intends to also request time on Chaney Field but will not require removal of the grass infield as a stop gap measure until the shared vision of creating a softball-only field is completed.
Mayor Candell said these meetings did result in many positive outcomes, including agreement on the shared multi-vision of building two softball only fields at Community Field. LLL has already spoken with architects and shared possible field configurations publicly, but unfortunately, they still have the one point of disagreement. LMYA wants the infield grass to move to Chaney Field in addition to removing the dirt pitcher’s mound.
City Council Meeting Page 12 of 28 October 27, 2025
Of the things that may potentially happen once the Council makes a decision tonight based upon statements made by both LMYA and LLL, if the Council chooses Option No. 1 which is the one recommended by staff and the PTR Commission to remove the grass infield at Chaney Field, in addition to the agreed upon mound removal, LLL’s position is that they would likely not donate the extra $30,000 to immediately fix the Upper Community Fields, as this funding is intended to be an addition to the $20,000 that the City would have had because it would not have spent it on removing the grass infield.
LLL does not feel it will be able to fundraise in nearly the capacity they are capable of if the City removes the infield grass at Chaney. It is unclear what the status of a shared vision for a future softball complex will be. LLL may pursue a lawsuit against the City for preliminary injunction intending to pause removal of the grass infield.
So, if the Council chooses Option No. 3 which is just to remove the dirt pitcher’s mound and not the infield grass, LMYA has indicated they may pursue a lawsuit against the City for failure to comply with the Fair Play Act. If a lawsuit is filed, it is unclear what the status of a shared vision of the future of a softball complex will be.
Mayor Candell said they tried really hard on behalf of the community to make this meeting either not happen or take a different format because they have a shared vision—that they could not reach that agreement in time and that is why they are here tonight. She asked if Councilmembers had any questions of the staff.
Councilmember McCormick inquired about Lafayette Little League’s (LLL) reported safety concerns regarding Option No. 1.
Director Katayanagi explained that LLL’s concerns primarily relate to how the ball behaves on dirt infields, particularly at Upper Field, where inconsistent surfaces may lead to unpredictable ball movement and potential safety issues such as wild pitches. He noted that similar issues can occur on any field depending on the quality of maintenance and field conditions. He emphasized that safety and playability are influenced by the level of preparation and care applied to the fields, which often involves volunteer participation from parent groups. He reaffirmed the City’s ongoing partnership with these volunteers and its openness to collaborative field maintenance efforts.
Councilmember McCormick sought clarification on whether the $20,000 budget allocation was intended specifically for converting the field or for general field maintenance.
Director Katayanagi explained that the funds were purposefully budgeted for the field conversion in anticipation of the expiring lease and ongoing discussions with user groups. He noted that City staff and league leaders had been considering field upgrades, including potential synthetic turf, for several years.
However, due to fiscal constraints and the City’s decision to implement only a half-cent sales tax—focused on preventing a structural deficit rather than funding new projects—the $20,000 allocation represents a limited, compliance-driven investment rather than a broader capital improvement initiative.
Councilmember Cervantes commended the thoroughness of the staff report and acknowledged that the core issue stems from the City’s shortage of athletic fields, as supported by the data presented. He inquired about the estimated cost of developing new fields and whether $5 million would be sufficient for such a project, while noting that the topic extended beyond the current item’s scope.
City Council Meeting Page 13 of 28 October 27, 2025
Director Katayanagi clarified that $650,000 is currently needed to address a maintenance issue at Buckeye’s patio, which has suffered from soil compaction and deterioration since its initial construction during a rainy season. He stated that although a repair project has been designed, the City lacks the necessary capital funding to complete it. Regarding new field development, he explained that actual costs depend on site-specific conditions such as grading, drainage, and field configuration. Reconfiguring Community Park fields or integrating multiple sports areas could require synthetic turf to manage transitions between dirt and grass. He added that significant site work, such as proper drainage and erosion control, would increase expenses. As a result, improving existing fields could cost several million dollars, while constructing new fields on challenging terrain could exceed $5 million.
Vice Mayor Anduri referenced public comments regarding current softball participation levels and asked how those figures might affect a court’s assessment of whether the City provides equitable athletic opportunities.
City Attorney Subramanian explained that participation data may appear skewed because the Buckeye Fields were under an exclusive lease, limiting access for other users. Only one of the four City fields became available for broader use within the past year, which she indicated would likely be the basis for judicial review. She emphasized that courts would focus on the actual availability of facilities rather than participation rates alone, noting that there is demonstrated demand and interest in softball opportunities both locally and in surrounding areas.
Vice Mayor Anduri observed that, under such circumstances, a court could reasonably determine that if equal opportunities were available, participation among girls would likely be higher. City Attorney Subramanian concurred with that interpretation.
Councilmember McCormick noted that Lafayette Little League (LLL) is developing its own softball program, which could lead to increased female participation on the existing fields, and asked whether this development would help address equity concerns.
City Attorney Subramanian responded that expanding opportunities for girls through both LLL and LMYA would be a positive step. She indicated that greater participation would be expected if LLL successfully launches its softball program and LMYA continues to expand access to additional fields, collectively supporting broader gender equity in youth sports.
Councilmember McCormick said even if they were okay playing at Chaney and Buckey as configured, he asked and confirmed City Attorney Subramanian would still be concerned and would recommend the Council move forward with Option No. 1 and the modifications proposed.
Mayor Candell recalled that state grant funding helped establish Buckeye Fields in the past and asked whether similar funding opportunities are currently available.
Director Katayanagi explained that while parks-related grants do occasionally become available, Lafayette is often less competitive due to the community’s relatively high median income, which is a factor in grant evaluations. Although the City receives only a small portion of local property tax revenue, grant eligibility is typically assessed based on resident income levels rather than municipal funding capacity. He noted that past successes, such as the Brook Street Park earmark grant, demonstrate that targeted funding is possible when specific community needs align with available programs. However, he confirmed that staff have not identified any current grants suitable to address the City’s facility or field improvement needs.
City Council Meeting Page 14 of 28 October 27, 2025
Mayor Candell opened the public comment period.
VICTOR SILVA, Acalanes High School’s softball coach for 22 years, said Lafayette lacks a feeder program and dedicated fields for girls, forcing players to join teams in nearby cities with better facilities. He stressed that having local fields is essential for developing skills and providing equal opportunities for girls in the community.
ALFONSO “KIKO” GARCIA recalled coaching in the late 1990s and early 2000s, noting conflicts over field access for girls’ softball. He described a long Title IX effort—starting with local disputes and later at College Park High School—where girls lacked dedicated facilities while baseball fields were prioritized. After a 25- year legal process, improvements were finally mandated for the girls’ field. Garcia emphasized that girls need their own facilities to support growth and development in the sport.
CHELSEA BOWMAN emphasized that youth sports foster confidence, teamwork, and community, and stressed broad agreement on the need for more fields and equitable access. She acknowledged the value of existing investments but highlighted that expanding multi-use fields benefits more children without taking anything away. She urged the Council to act now to provide girls with fair access, noting that leadership sometimes requires making difficult but necessary decisions to ensure equity today rather than postponing it.
CAROL BEST echoed Ms. Bowman’s comments, and asked the Council to look at all of the passion around the room. What LMYA is asking for is a simple truth that they raise their children with. She said one of the first principles they teach kids is to share. She asked to share one more field and not all four fields but a second field for shared use.
RACHEL LEONARD, LMYA Softball Commissioner and longtime coach, urged the Council to provide equitable field access for girls’ softball. She noted that when Lafayette Little League (LLL) requested grass fields at Buckeye, the City warned that grass might need to be removed if softball needed access—yet LLL now opposes that change. She emphasized that playing softball on grass disadvantages players and perpetuates inequities, leaving softball with fewer regulation fields than baseball. She framed the issue as a legal and ethical matter of gender equity, stressing the importance of providing girls with proper facilities to ensure fairness and meaningful athletic opportunities.
DANIELLE LEONARD, a 6th grader and LMYA softball player, emphasized that girls should not have to compromise how softball is played. She noted that of the City’s four fields, only one is currently available for girls, highlighting the inequity compared to boys’ access. She expressed her passion for softball and stressed the importance of playing on proper dirt fields without compromise.
Vice Mayor Anduri asked Ms. Leonard to explain why a dirt infield is essential for softball.
Ms. Leonard responded that grass fundamentally changes the game, slowing the ball and altering fielding dynamics, base running, and scoring. She emphasized that softball and baseball require different surfaces, and proper training on dirt fields is necessary to preserve the sport’s integrity and competitiveness.
Councilmember McCormick referenced a 2020 staff statement suggesting potential changes to the fields and asked whether grass was being added or simply replaced, and whether the fields had previously been dirt.
City Council Meeting Page 15 of 28 October 27, 2025
Director Katayanagi clarified that all four fields had grass infields in 2020, which needed replacement. The replacement aligned with LLL’s request at the time, as communicated via email between staff and league leadership, which is when the City became aware of the future implications.
Councilmember Wotherspoon asked what is Ms. Leonard’s position on turf versus dirt, and Ms. Leonard said turf would be fine.
MAYA SHOENHEIR, a senior at Acalanes High School and member of the Female Athlete Board, shared her experiences playing softball since first grade and coaching local youth. She described early barriers, including limited opportunities and gender bias in baseball, and highlighted challenges like unsafe or inadequate fields. She noted that neighboring leagues, such as Pleasant Hill, provide equal attention to softball and baseball, and that LMYA softball is showing improvement through community efforts and clinics. She emphasized that adding just one field in Lafayette could dramatically expand softball opportunities without affecting baseball, urging the Council to prioritize equitable access and put players first.
Mayor Candell asked Ms. Shoenheir to clarify what she meant by “dual purpose fields.” She explained that these are multi-use fields where both baseball and softball are played, each using dirt infields, allowing equitable access and proper playing conditions for both sports.
DR. REBECCA ANDERSON shared her personal experiences as a varsity athlete who often had to wait for uniforms and space, emphasizing the frustration of being delayed or limited in opportunities. She expressed pride in her daughter speaking at the meeting and highlighted the importance of visible support for girls’ sports. She stressed that softball is fundamentally different without a dirt infield and advocated for her daughter to have the same quality facilities her son had, rather than playing on an inferior, “second-class” field.
SONJA GARNETT, Head Softball Coach at St. Mary’s College, emphasized her long experience with softball and the barriers that lead girls and women to leave the sport, including limited access, cost, travel, and negative experiences. She stressed that the debate is about equitable opportunities for girls, not a conflict between leagues or genders. She cited the City’s Parks, Trails, and Recreation Plan, noting the persistent shortage of fields and that softball was historically overlooked despite its growth and Olympic status, highlighted that softball requires dirt fields for competitive play, and that providing comparable facilities to those maintained by LLL would ensure compliance with Title IX and create equitable opportunities for local softball families.
Vice Mayor Anduri said on behalf of the Council, he congratulated Coach Garnett on back-to-back Conference championships.
ALESSANDRA PEGNIM Alessandra Pegnim, a parent with children in both LLL and LMYA, urged collaboration rather than conflict between leagues. She emphasized that Lafayette should focus on building more fields, improving safety and parking, and creating better access for all kids. Highlighting her family’s local history in sports, she noted the longstanding shortage of fields and the volunteer effort required to maintain them. Ms. Pegnim encouraged the City to invest energy and resources into expanding facilities, fostering community, and generating potential revenue, rather than spending time in disputes over existing fields.
City Council Meeting Page 16 of 28 October 27, 2025
SAMANTHA WOLFF said she has been a Lafayette resident nearly her entire life. Her son has played baseball here. Her daughter currently plays softball here and she spoke earlier. She is here because her daughter is entitled to all the same privileges as her son but she is not currently receiving them. The Fair Play Act was passed in 2004. Compliance was required by 2006 and 20 years later we are arguing over infield grass at one City infill. Meanwhile, generations of girls have not had the same opportunities to play on City fields as the boys. The staff report clearly shows this disparity. This year’s girls softball got 135 hours of field time while boys baseball got over 3,500 hours. Even worse, Upper Community Field which was configured for girls tease this year was occupied by baseball four times more than softball. Keep in mind that for all years prior to this, the number of hours that girls were able to play softball on City fields was zero.
What seems to be lost in this discussion is the impact on their girls. The proposal for the girls to just play on a grass infield prevents them from properly learning how to play the sport and it places them at a disadvantage. This is not a compromise they should have to make and it is not one they are asking of their boys. Ultimately, tonight’s decision comes down to this—what do you value more? One grass infield? Or, the ability of all girls in the community to learn how to play properly and to be given access just the same as the boys. It should not be a difficult decision. She asked the Council to do the right thing—show our girls in this community that we care about them and we value them equally.
RAND CHRITTAN, former LLL President and LMYA Lafayette Vice President, recalled working 25 years ago to make Buckeye (then 7-11) Fields available for multiple sports. He explained that initial resistance to sharing the fields nearly blocked grants, but collaboration between LLL and LMYA allowed them to secure state funding, City funds, and contributions from the Field of Dreams Committee. He emphasized that the fields were built for community access and youth sports, and he criticized current legal disputes, urging the Council and leagues to work together for the benefit of the kids rather than involving lawyers.
Councilmember Wotherspoon asked if LMYA had a softball program 25 years ago.
Mr. Chrittan replied he did not recall, as the focus was on completing the fields. He apologized for not documenting the history for the Council. He explained that LLL had an ownership interest in the fields— formal or informal—but relinquished that claim to secure $1 million in funding to renovate the fields. This transfer of rights marked the transition of ownership to the City.
CAMRYN SMITH, a Division One softball player at St. Mary’s College, spoke in support of equitable field access for girls. She emphasized that baseball players have three fields while softball girls have only one, which is far from facilities, restrooms, and snack bars. She noted that a proposed solution—using a portable mound—would allow shared use without reducing baseball access. Drawing from her own experience growing up with four dirt softball fields in Mission Viejo, she urged the Council to ensure Lafayette girls have the same opportunities she had.
SASHA CAÑEDO, a senior on the St. Mary’s softball team, spoke about the importance of equitable field access for girls. She described the team’s dedication and their “why” for showing up every day, emphasizing that they are fighting for future female athletes. She highlighted the unfair placement of softball fields—far from bathrooms and facilities—and the broader impact of unequal access on safety, participation, and girls dropping out of sports. She stressed that providing equal opportunity is about empowering future leaders—doctors, teachers, coaches—and urged the Council to act now to support girls in Lafayette, framing it as a fight for fairness, safety, and opportunity, not just a field.
City Council Meeting Page 17 of 28 October 27, 2025
LEXIS TAMOY, Acalanes teacher and Female Athletic Board advisor, emphasized that AB 2404 legally mandates gender equity in sports facilities. She noted that City officials and state lawmakers agree that Option 1 complies with the law, giving girls a second proper softball field while baseball retains all four fields. Tamoy highlighted that inequities at College Park High led to a settled sex discrimination lawsuit, warning Lafayette could face similar issues. She stressed that concerns about harming boys are unfounded and that girls aged 6–13 cannot wait—action must happen now to provide equitable access during their playing years.
MARIO STORTI Mario Storti, St. Mary’s men’s rugby captain, shared that his experience in club sports taught him hard work, community, and standing up for what’s right. He spoke in support of Lafayette girls’ softball, highlighting the inspiration they provide as back-to-back WCC Champions and emphasizing the community’s responsibility to give these athletes fair opportunities.
Vice Mayor Anduri said it would be remiss not to congratulate Mr. Storti and his teammates on their national championship.
HANNAH FERGUSON, joined by 27 St. Mary’s College Division One softball teammates and four coaches, spoke on behalf of Lafayette girls’ softball. She emphasized that the girls are not asking for extras like shaded stands or scoreboards—they are simply asking for equitable access to a second field. She then highlighted the broader importance of sending the message that girls’ sports matter equally, noting that female athletes face barriers that contribute to higher dropout rates. She urged the Council to approve sharing one baseball field with a portable mound, emphasizing that doing so would promote fairness, opportunity, and the growth of girls’ sports locally.
AARON HU ceded his time to Nancy Hu.
NANCY HU, a 14-year Lafayette resident, parent, and volunteer, shared personal stories of her son Aaron’s growth and resilience playing at Chaney Field. She highlighted how these fields foster confidence, teamwork, and community support for young athletes. She emphasized that launching LLL softball at Chaney would provide girls with the same access to facilities, amenities, and memorable experiences that boys have had for decades. She stressed that the value of the fields lies in the community, the children, and the volunteers who make the programs possible. She urged the Council to approve LLL’s softball proposal, partner with the league, expand opportunities, and continue to make Lafayette’s fields spaces where all kids can grow, learn, and thrive.
DAN EMERSON ceded his time to Daniel Deitrick.
DANIEL DEITRICK, a longtime Lafayette resident and volunteer, highlighted the rich history and community effort behind LLL fields. He emphasized that LLL is a 100% volunteer organization and that the quality of the fields reflects decades of care, effort, and investment by local families. He traced the development of the fields from their origins in 1963, the 2003 “Field of Dreams” project, and subsequent lease renewals, stressing that the land has always been a non-exclusive, community resource.
He addressed concerns about grass infields, showing examples of LLL Softball World Series fields with grass, and argued that compromise and flexibility are necessary to maximize opportunities for all youth.
He concluded by urging collaboration among the community, LLL, and other leagues to improve facilities, expand access, and seize the chance to strengthen Lafayette’s sports programs, rather than framing the issue as softball versus baseball or LMYA versus LLL.
City Council Meeting Page 18 of 28 October 27, 2025
ADAM CARMAN said he is the new LLL President and he has spoken with all Councilmembers and Mayor over the month, and ceded his time to his Vice President of Softball, Cat Lukach.
CAT LUKACH, a Lafayette resident, LLL volunteer, and gender justice professional, shared her personal experience as a single mom finding community through LLL. She highlighted how LLL provides life lessons beyond sports, teaching confidence, teamwork, and character, and emphasized the stark contrast she observed between her son’s baseball experience with LLL and her daughter’s prior softball experience with LMYA.
Under new leadership, LLL has launched a softball program, expanded access and brought more women into leadership roles. She stressed that fairness and equity should focus on creating more opportunities and fields for all kids, not stripping existing resources. She argued that removing grass from Buckeye/Chaney infields would harm a thriving, volunteer-supported community resource, sow division, and undermine the very values LLL embodies. She concluded that true equity is about building more, not taking away what already works, and urged the Council to preserve the existing fields while expanding opportunities for all youth.
Vice Mayor Anduri said to the extent Ms. Lukach is willing to do so, he asked for more detail about what their plans are for softball under LLL.
Ms. Lukach said they have already launched registration. They have an instructional co-ed starting at 5 years and then they have divisions up through 12-year-olds.
Mr. Carman added that they are following the model of LLL softball which is thriving nationally and actually in Contra Costa County, so they will be joining District 4 which already has 8 softball leagues. They plan to bring the exact same passion, community, and camaraderie that they have for baseball to softball such as jamboree, the playoffs, all stars, inter-league play, and what they have for boys will be brought exactly to girls in softball.
Vice Mayor Anduri asked if registration is open and asked what number they were planning on for softball.
Mr. Carman replied that registration is open now for softball and for instructional, and they open boys baseball registration on November 2nd. Mr. Carman said they plan to get 100 girls.
Councilmember McCormick asked about the practicality of playing LLL softball on grass infields, noting that previous speakers suggested grass might affect competitive play due to shorter base paths and faster ball speed.
Cat Lukach responded that while a grass infield is strongly recommended, it is not a strict requirement.
She explained that new LLL softball programs often face this challenge and that the league will provide guidance during the first couple of years. She also noted that long-term plans include developing multiuse turf fields, but again, grass infields are not essential for the program’s success.
Councilmember Cervantes asked if the long-term plan for softball includes a turf infield.
Cat Lukach confirmed that a turf infield is part of their long-term vision.
City Council Meeting Page 19 of 28 October 27, 2025
Mr. Carman added that their immediate proposal outlined on www.lafayettelittleleague.org website focuses on raising funds to upgrade facilities and eventually build a premier complex. He emphasized that whether the fields are turf, dirt, or grass, the ultimate plan will require collaboration among community leaders, the City leagues, and the school district. Currently, most of the 600 kids’ practices and games occur on school district fields, many of which are in disrepair, so the goal is to use volunteer support and funding to improve them from day one.
Vice Mayor Anduri confirmed that LMYA would be satisfied with a turf infield at Chaney Field; Rachel Leonard responded “yes.” He then asked about LLL’s position on turf.
Mr. Carman stated that LLL shares the same position—they support turf. He highlighted several reasons for advocating turf:
• Interoperability: Turf supports multiple sports on the same field. • Environmental benefits: Turf requires less water and maintenance. • Long-term cost savings: Reduces upkeep compared to traditional fields. • Playability: Turf performs better in rain and high heat.
Mr. Carman also noted that many Lafayette kids currently leave town to play sports—such as Magic Soccer in Wilder or softball in Pleasanton and Martinez. He emphasized that investing in turf fields locally would keep kids engaged in Lafayette sports and provide them with quality opportunities close to home.
PAIGE WILLIAMS, 16, Campolindo High School softball captain and scholar-athlete, highlighted the need to expand local opportunities for girls’ sports in Lafayette. She shared her experience of leaving Lafayette to pursue elite softball across multiple cities, facing long travel and practice challenges that impacted school balance. Now partnering with LLL, she advocates establishing a Lafayette-based elite softball program, improving existing facilities, and building tier-one fields—particularly at Upper Community—so girls have the resources to excel locally, without needing to leave town.
GITA JACOBSON Gita Jacobson, Lafayette resident and local design-build firm owner, urged the Council to prioritize long-term planning over temporary fixes. She emphasized that girls deserve a dedicated softball field designed for their game, not just a convertible shared space. With community support, sponsorship, and careful planning, Lafayette can build premier baseball and softball facilities that serve all players for generations.
CHRIS KELLY ceded his time to Benjamin Ginsberg.
BENJAMIN GINSBERG, Lafayette resident and father of a fifth-grade son, emphasized that while all agree girls deserve better fields, they also deserve a stronger organization. Having coached for both LMYA and LLL, he contrasted the two: LMYA provides minimal, poorly organized experiences across multiple sports, resulting in unbalanced teams, low competitiveness, and disengaged children. In contrast, LLL offers structured, well-supported programs that foster teamwork and positive experiences. He cited personal examples—winless soccer seasons, poorly equipped volleyball and basketball practices, and unresponsive administration—to highlight LMYA’s shortcomings. He noted that community letters overwhelmingly favor LLL (79%) and stressed that Lafayette should focus on long-term solutions rather than quick fixes.
He urged the Council to partner with LLL to build a sustainable, high-quality softball program, noting that he personally supports funding a new field and guarantees LLL will provide a superior experience for Lafayette’s young athletes.
City Council Meeting Page 20 of 28 October 27, 2025
ROB SAYEGH, speaking on behalf of himself and his wife, shared their family’s experience with both LMYA and LLL, noting that LLL provides a far superior, community-driven sports environment supported by dedicated parent volunteers and well-maintained fields. He emphasized the importance of safety, quality, and sustainability in field management and questioned why Lafayette cannot match the standards seen in nearby cities like Orinda’s Wilder complex, which features weather-resilient turf fields. He urged the Parks, Trails & Recreation Department to pursue long-term field improvement solutions that expand access, attract regional play, and generate city revenue. He called for collaboration between the City and local organizations to build lasting, high-quality sports facilities for all Lafayette athletes.
MIKE LEDERMAN, a Lafayette resident of 18 years and longtime LLL coach, highlighted the exceptional care and upkeep LLL provides at Buckeye fields, making them a model for Little League play across Northern California. He noted that LLL spends about $25,000 annually from its budget to maintain the fields and questioned how this level of care will continue under City management, especially compared to Upper Community. He emphasized that LLL is volunteer-run, not-for-profit, and has been a reliable partner to the City, contrasting this with proposals involving attorneys and litigation. He urged the Council to focus on fixing actual deficiencies, like those at Upper Community, rather than altering what already works at Buckeye.
MARK JACOBSON, a Lafayette parent and coach in both LLL and LMYA, reframed the discussion around long-term investment in youth sports rather than superficial differences like grass versus dirt. He characterized LMYA’s proposal as a “Minimum Viable Product”—offering minimal change, no expanded capacity, and no funding plan—essentially redistribution, not true investment. In contrast, LLL’s plan provides immediate upgrades to Upper Community Park and a phased path to a premier softball complex for girls, offering real ownership rather than shared access. Jacobson emphasized that families are already showing trust in LLL’s approach, and that Lafayette deserves visionary leadership to build lasting, firstclass facilities for both boys and girls.
Vice Mayor Anduri said Mr. Jacobson said under vision for the LLL plan, softball would have access to Chaney Field, and he asked if he meant Chaney Field with grass infield or a skinned infield.
Mr. Jacobson said he is not defining the plan. What he is saying is there is an immediate opportunity to solve what is being asked for today to allow girls to play softball immediately. Vice Mayor Anduri asked if this would be a grass infield, and Mr. Jacobson said they will support turf and women playing. This is the LLL’s stance, so it is supportive of girls playing softball.
BEN TSCHANN, a 16-year Lafayette resident, parent of LLL and LMYA players, and Athletic Director for St.
Perpetua’s CYO, emphasized the importance of equitable opportunities for girls in sports. He highlighted that the Council has a clear choice: invest in synthetic turf rather than “skin” existing fields, noting available budget resources. Tschann stressed that Lafayette youth sports are under-resourced compared to neighboring cities and recommended establishing a dedicated sports commission to oversee youth sports facilities and development, ensuring long-term, equitable investment for all athletes.
City Council Meeting Page 21 of 28 October 27, 2025
FRANKIE HAMMONDE, Assistant Coach at St. Mary’s College and former Team USA gold medalist, spoke in strong support of greater gender equality in Lafayette’s sports programs. She highlighted ongoing disparities in funding, facilities, access, and recognition between boys’ and girls’ athletics, noting the negative impact on young female and gender-diverse athletes. She emphasized that equal access to sports fosters confidence, leadership, health, and academic success, benefiting the broader community. She urged the Council to review funding and resource policies—particularly regarding the Buckeye fields—and to take proactive steps toward equitable treatment and visible support for girls’ sports, warning that waiting for outside groups to act will stall progress.
LIZ CHANEY, widow of Matt Chaney, spoke alongside her son Dillan to advocate for gender equity in local sports. Liz praised LLL and LMYA but questioned why equity remains unresolved in 2025. She recalled Matt Chaney’s lifelong commitment to inclusive sports and urged that Chaney Field be dirt and opened to girls, emphasizing that cost should not be a barrier. Her son, Dillan Chaney, shared his deep personal connection to the field, having maintained and played on it for years. Expecting a daughter soon, he expressed hope that her generation will inherit a legacy of inclusion, equality, and opportunity to play on the field honoring her grandfather.
Ms. Chaney added that this is the only named field. To honor Matt’s legacy for inclusion of all children, we should get this going. There is a patience issue and this will be an evolving thing. They may spend some bad money after good just to get there and she thinks they can get there—they can solve anything but they need to do it now because there is no reason for any girl to have to wait.
JOE DOUGHERTY, a 20-year resident and board member of both LLL and LMYA, spoke about his disappointment that his two daughters never had the chance to play on Chaney Field like their brothers.
He defended LMYA against recent public criticism, emphasizing that all groups share the goal of supporting youth sports. As a PTR Commissioner, he noted their 7-0-2 vote on the issue, explaining the abstentions awaited legal input. He compared Lafayette’s field distribution to nearby cities, pointing out that most have equitable or greater access for softball and that softball is not played on grass infields. He stressed that the PTR Commission has spent decades studying available sites and options, with few viable locations remaining. He urged the Council to “do the right thing” and ensure equal opportunities for girls in Lafayette sports.
TED PELECKY expressed strong support for providing equitable sports fields for girls, inspired by his mother who played sandlot baseball when opportunities for women were limited. However, he criticized LMYA’s handling of the issue, calling it unnecessary, unethical, and damaging to the City’s reputation. He argued that because LMYA is a multi-city organization, Lafayette bears responsibility for equity compliance, while LMYA has repeatedly declined opportunities to improve or utilize available softball fields at JM, Wilder, and Upper Community. He contended that LMYA’s claim of inequitable access misrepresents the situation, noting that only three of four LLL fields are comparable to softball fields and that many LLL field times go unused. He emphasized that LLL has sought collaborative, long-term solutions without resorting to public attacks, and urged a fair compromise rather than converting existing baseball fields.
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KEN CHEO noted that of the city’s four fields, only one is used for softball and three for baseball, though smaller children never play on the larger field. Converting a field now would leave one softball-compatible and two baseball fields. He questioned whether the city intends to demolish a baseball field, emphasizing that proper mounds are essential for player development and that portable ones are inadequate. He urged compromise, noting that removing a mound harms development and asking if imbalance between softball and baseball fields could lead to disputes.
Mayor Candell asked staff to clarify the count of four fields—one at Lower Community, two at Buckeye, and one at Upper Community.
Director Katayanagi explained that the focus is not just on the number of fields but on player participation.
The Lower Community field serves only older male youth players, so they are included in the overall participant count. Adjusting Buckeye to have two baseball and two softball fields would allow the City to allocate field time more evenly and move toward a 50/50 balance in youth opportunities.
KEVIN PANAHAN said he coached in both LMYA softball and LLL at the AB field, which is a “big boy field” not used for LLL. He noted that Chaney Field, with 60-foot bases—the standard for softball through college—could serve both boys and girls, unlike now where it’s used only for baseball. He emphasized that this is about giving all kids quality experiences. While both Chaney and Buckeye Fields are beautiful, Buckeye offers a unique, special experience that girls also deserve to share.
Councilmember Cervantes said the point is that the 60-foot base path apply for Upper Community and the Buckeye and Chaney fields which work for softball all the way through college, and Mr. Panahan said this is correct and this applies to the fences, as well.
For Little League’s younger kids, Councilmember Cervantes asked if the larger field at Lower Community would be for older players, and Mr. Panahan confirmed, noting the Lower Community has 80- and 90 feet.
Both of those base pass are possible on that field. They move home plate up and home plate back depending on the age range.
PETER MARTINEZ FONTS criticized the City Council for approving $135,000 for “metal weeds” near BART while failing to invest in real turf or fields for kids. He said Mayor Candell tried to fix the issue, but poor leadership and planning left the City unprepared after 20 years to handle the end of the Little League lease or ensure fair field access. Instead of building quality facilities for both softball and baseball, the City chose a cheap, short-term fix that undermines public trust. Buckeye Fields, built through community effort, represent what residents can achieve—unlike City Hall, which he accused of inaction and poor foresight. He warned that approving the plan would further erode trust and show the Council’s lack of courage and planning.
PETER ANDERSON said his children have played in both LLL baseball and LMYA softball, both excellent programs. He said the key questions are whether the City should expand access to softball facilities and how to do so. He argued the City has a legal and moral duty to ensure equal field access, as girls currently face limited options and competition with boys’ programs. Supporting the PTR Commission’s recommendation to return Chaney Field to a dirt infield would meet this need, since competitive softball cannot be played on grass. The change would still allow baseball use, creating true parity without sacrificing access. Anderson said opposition to this plan lacks substance and urged the Council to “do the right thing” and let girls compete equally.
City Council Meeting Page 23 of 28 October 27, 2025
BREAK
Mayor Candell called for a brief break at 10:23 p.m. and thereafter, reconvened the regular meeting at 10:31 p.m.
Mayor Candell thanked all speakers for their public comments. She said this Council is united in supporting their incredible partner programs, LLL and LMYA. They value their partnerships and said they are incredible assets to this community. Regardless of what sports being played, she thanked everybody for being so passionate about bringing these programs to kids because it is what makes Lafayette special. The City obviously has an issue that is very big to the community which is why it was important to bring it to the City Council. Like any decision the Council makes for the City, the Council is the presiding body and 3 out of 5 gets a decision made. They have wonderful, professional Councilmembers who get along well and this is a tough conversation, but she knows they will get through it. She knows they have the support of the community and the Council supports the community as well. She asked if Councilmembers had any additional questions before deliberating.
Councilmember Wotherspoon said she heard a question about what the plan is for maintenance of fields if there is multiple user groups using them.
Director Katayanagi said maintenance of fields for the City will stay likely the same. There was reference of contracting with Pacheco from a speaker. The City actually uses the same contractor. They went out and got competitive bids to do the maintenance at the fields. The contractor at the LLL was already using is who the City now uses for contract care of the facilities at Community Park and at Buckeye Fields. While LLL is volunteer-run and have no employees, they pay additional funds to a contractor that does maintenance at all three of the grass fields. It was all four when they had those infields before. They also have the parent volunteers do work at those fields. So, Pacheco is working on both fields at Buckeye and at Lower Community fields.
He explained it will be up to LLL as to how they continue that on their grass infields and moving forward.
This is additional care they pay for to maintain a higher level of service at those facilities. They will also continue to work with parent volunteers from either group to continue to maintain those fields. Any maintenance troubles that are happening at Upper Community field, LLL is the primary user at that field.
Any field prep work that goes into those games currently and before when there were grass infields was still LLL as the primary stewards from a parent volunteer standpoint. So, any of the quality of those fields is reflective of the City’s care as well as the parents and their input at those fields, as well.
Vice Mayor Anduri said he thought he heard one of the speakers who was in favor of the LLL proposal say that the $25,000 that was being spent by LLL would go away and they asked how the City was planning to replace that.
Director Katayanagi said he cannot speak for how LLL will contribute funds to the fields based on the Council’s decisions. That will be up to that user group. He had a conversation with the President of LLL to make sure they were aware of the way the fees were going to work, as they are monitoring their funds right now. Buckeye, based upon the lease, is billed after the season.
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The City is still waiting on a PG&E bill to put together that final invoice for all of the Buckeye use. So, LLL based on the hourly allocations and their billing for Buckeye will have two bills come in very quickly here and he wants to be sure that they and anyone on their board are aware that they need funds to ensure they have everything aligned for their upcoming season for both softball and for their little league use.
When they look at their available funds and how they are working with the City, it is something they will have to keep in mind as they move forward, as well.
Mayor Candell asked for Council comments and deliberation.
Councilmember McCormick thanked all participants, said the Council read every letter received, and listened to all comments. He thanked both perspectives on the issue and said he has learned a lot in how special baseball and softball are. He thinks some people speaking in favor of the PTR Commission’s points and why skinning the field is such a big deal, it is important to note is that the partnership LLL has had with Buckeye Field is really special because of all of the volunteer work they have done with it. So, it is understanding there is a lot of pride. Just changing it for either the right reason or legal reason is hard to deal with. It is not City contractors that put the grass or maintained it, it is a lot of volunteerism and LLL.
He appreciates the goodwill from LLL and said it would not be what it is today without their contributions.
Councilmember Cervantes echoed these comments, was learning things along the way, and he thinks about this as an immediate issue with respect to Chaney Field but there is another bigger picture issue that several people have spoken about having to do with enviable playing field. He did not want the Council to lose track of that bigger issue but this is not what is on the agenda, but in his mind, this is the north star they should try to steer themselves to. With respect to the immediate issue is the PTR Commission’s approval of Option No. 1 and whether the Council affirms that or not. He hears from speakers who talked about providing access to a field for girls playing softball where they can have a field that is consistent with what they would be playing on as they move onto high school or college—that playing experience matters. He understands that. So, to him it is important to affirm that as a concept that the Council wants to give those girls access to a playing experience that they would benefit from if they pursue that sport and endeavor later on.
The background is the Fair Play Act and can appreciate the Council’s concerns about that and he shares them too, but consideration to the right kind of experience for the girls playing their sport in a way they would be playing if they move onto high school or college and that they can get better at that. So, to him, this is important. He did not want to lose track of the bigger picture as to how to enhance the experience overall, but the immediate one is what to do with this particular ballfield and the decision made by the PTR Commission and whether the Council affirms or overturns that. He thinks they made the right call on this.
Vice Mayor Anduri said LLL is obviously an incredible organization in the community and larger than life in terms of the impact it has had on the community and the number of families that have been involved.
All of them owe a lot to LLL in terms of the contributions it has made in terms of knitting the community together and providing an outstanding experience.
Whatever the Council decides tonight does not take away from that. He hopes that whatever happens the City will continue to work together. Everyone can agree that all speakers would like to see a future where there is a facility for softball that is equivalent to the facility they have now for baseball, that is custombuilt for softball because there will be differences if they build a softball facility. That must be their goal.
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If the Council decides tonight that they need to make a change in Chaney Field, he would say that when they have the softball facility, they restore Chaney Field to what it is now as a baseball facility. He sees whatever they decide on Chaney Field this evening is only an interim solution. The long-term solution has to be equivalent facilities and ideally the kind of regionally special facility that they have for baseball as they have for softball. The problem is, as everyone heard from Mr. Doherty, it is not that the PTR Commission has not been aware of this problem but it is not easy. The City does not have the land and it is not a simple solution. It is not easy, but they will have to double-down on their efforts. This has been a very educational experience. He feels very motivated now to make this happen, but the problem is that it will take time and he empathizes that the girls have waited long enough. There is no question about that.
So, it is not just the Fair Play Act alone, but it is. The City has an obligation because they incur liabilities if they are not in compliance with the law.
More important is the spirit of providing equal opportunity and that is something that the City needs to do. So, where he comes out on this is support for the PTR Commission’s direction to the Director to make the change to Chaney Field. He would also like to see that the Council agendize a discussion of what they will do in a concrete way to develop truly equal softball facilities in Lafayette and also maybe consider a time period by which they will do that, and consider a commitment to restore Chaney Field by a certain time too. This way, they will have premier facilities for both softball and for baseball. But, he did not think they have an alternative other than to move forward with the PTR Commission’s recommendation Councilmember Wotherspoon said she concurs. She is a parent of a school-aged kid at Acalanes High School and she knows how much parents contribute in time and money to augment facilities and programs for the good of all kids. She appreciates LLL and LMYA and countless other organizations that are working for the benefit of kids. She does not discount the very long and substantial commitments and contributions that LLL has made, but she feels the City is bound by the Fair Play Act which mandates gender equity in their publicly owned facilities. She is concerned about compliance and it is more than that. The City adopted a mission statement a couple of years ago. Councilmember Cervantes was the Chair of the General Plan Advisory Committee and worked for a long time with a lot of community input in developing the mission statement, and it expresses a commitment to equity and inclusion across all aspects of their city. She thinks this is important here, as well.
The City is fortunate to have fields that provide what seems like equivalent high school/college level experiences for boys baseball, including park amenities. They should also have parity for softball players.
She did not think a change to Chaney Field precludes them from going forward with a softball complex planning program and searching for funds. She would hope there are some state funds available and that the City could put its best application in and hope they are competitive, but also use the resources of the community and the creativity to get to that end point, but at this point, they must provide for the girls and softball.
Councilmember McCormick echoed Councilmembers’ comments and said he did not feel they have much of a choice as far as the compliance. They need to be compliant and provide access, but he is incredibly motivated to echo Vice Mayor Anduri’s point to see if they can resolve this, thinking it should have never come to this. He thinks LLL has done such a good job maintaining the fields and the Council had so many things to work on and it is unfortunate that they do not have time to work through everything properly like they need to. He implored LMYA to be good stewards of the fields like LLL is and implored LLL to work with the City to find a real solution. It is unfortunate they have to make change with such little time involved, but he hopes they can all work together to find a real solution over the next few years.
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Mayor Candell thanked everybody who has been involved with this. As a local government entity, it is impossible to give everybody everything they want and especially absolutely right now. City governments are not set up like that. The times when Lafayette has been really successful over the years is when they have strong partnerships with entities like LMYA and LLL and others, and they build together to make something great. They have done this before with Buckeye Fields. They are doing it right now with the BART station which is a $5 million project. The City put in a very small piece, which seems like a lot but it is a big project. They are also doing a partnership with Sunflower Hill/SAHA to build 48 units of affordable housing on 949 Moraga Road for developmentally disabled adults. These are the partnerships they create when they do great things in Lafayette. She was hoping they would not have to come here tonight and have a disagreement, but she is very much hoping it will not ruin the goodwill of everybody in this room to be able to do what they can do. It is when they have great partnerships is when they grow and when they build great things.
She only supports this if they have a timeline which Vice Mayor Anduri has suggested, in order to convert back. She thinks this is a smart tactic in order to put the pressure on them to do everything they can to make something happen in the direction they want. So, this is a tough decision for her because she did not really ever want to have to come to this point and this makes her frustrated. She shares hope they can build past this with all the players that are in this room. She then asked for a motion.
Vice Mayor Anduri said one other thing to add to the agenda at a future meeting is that during the break he asked the Director if it would be possible to do turf at the start of the 2026 season and the answer is “no.” But, he thinks this is something they should consider for 2027 so it puts them in their budget cycle and they can consider that.
ACTION: It was M/S/C (Anduri/McCormick) to uphold the Parks, Trails, and Recreation Commission’s August 13, 2025 action approving Option 1: Removal of one existing grass infield at Buckeye Fields and replacement with a 70/30 infield mix; and directed staff to proceed with modification so the field is available ahead of the Spring 2026 baseball/softball season. Vote: 5-0 (Ayes: Candell, Anduri, Cervantes, McCormick, Wotherspoon; Noes: None).
14. PUBLIC HEARINGS – None.
15. ITEMS REMOVED FROM CONSENT – None.
16. COUNCIL / COMMISSION REPORTS
A. Councilmembers report on activities and consideration of matters a Councilmember wishes to initiate for placement on a future agenda.
Councilmember McCormick reported participating in the Reservoir Run and Trick or Treat Street which were very successful events. He said he and his wife participated with the Lafayette Litterati this weekend which is an amazing group who meet every other Saturday morning 8:30 to 10:00 a.m. underneath the overpass on Pleasant Hill Road/Hwy 24 and they had 15 to 20 people there. They split up and take care of the trash and he highly recommended participating.
Councilmember Wotherspoon asked if the Council could invite them and present their program, noting one of their leaders presented to the ETF and spoke about their work, and Councilmembers concurred.
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She also attended with Councilmember McCormick the RecycleSmart Board meeting last week which conducted a trash survey to see what people are putting into which bin and also what are the components of the landfill have been through 60 different types of garbage. One of the big finds was that we are doing very well with putting green yard waste into the green bin, but we are not getting food scraps into the green bin. They will be working on campaigns for that.
RecycleSmart also co-sponsored a Recycle Repair Café held here a couple of weeks ago with Sustainable Contra Costa and Sustainable Lafayette was fixing bikes. They bring together people who are repair persons and public members bring one thing and get paired up with someone who might be able to fix it on the spot. They had a sewing area, a jewelry area, some lamp repairs, etc. which was great. The idea is to re-use and recycle.
Lastly, she shouted out to the Youth Commission who put together the Haunted House and Spooky Walk this weekend. Unfortunately, they got rained out on Sunday, but she heard Saturday was very good with lots of people. The Commission put in a huge amount of work leading up to it and she heard they wanted to invite the Council next year.
Councilmember Cervantes said yesterday Springhill Valley homeowners had its annual picnic and he and the Mayor attended. A fire engine from Con Fire was present with lots of kids learning about it and the event was great, but the rain put a little damper on it.
Vice Mayor Anduri said in reading the minutes, the City Manager announced the last meeting that the mural was scheduled to start today at 2:00 p.m., and he confirmed it started with the aim to be completed by November 15th.
Mayor Candell reported attending the Fire Roundtable with Senator Grayson and it was big. Senator Grayson has an idea to get one big ask for the area and make it a trailer bill so it gets attached to the budget and does not get discussed in committees. They have a low fire season right now and resources are able to vet a big ask, with Assistant Chief Bachman and Andy Comly working on it.
They had a chair of a commission come with an idea. The City normally reappoints commissioners after their terms and the idea is to check in with the Chair every 2 years. If the Chair has any grave concerns, they can think about holding an interview. She asked if Councilmembers would want to agendize this for the future. Vice Mayor Anduri and Councilmembers voiced support and also suggested adopting a policy to mandate rotation of Commission/Committee/Task Force Chairs. Vice Mayor Anduri said there were speakers who asked the Council to develop policies for interviewing potential new Commissioners and when they do it. He would not make that part of these changes, but it is something to do in the future separately. Councilmember Wotherspoon suggested thinking about onboarding procedures for this as part of a bigger discussion.
Mayor Candell said Eliot Hudson was a big part of the City’s mission statement work, and he said staff, contractors, commissioners, and others may not consider the City’s mission statement and he suggested including it in all things to ensure it is fulfilled.
17. WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
B. E-mail from Benjamin Jo, the American Lung Cancer Screening Initiative, requesting a proclamation recognizing November 2025 as “Lung Cancer Awareness Month”.
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Recommendation: Approve the proclamation recognizing November 2025, as “Lung Cancer Awareness Month”.
Mayor Candell presented the proclamation and opened the public comment period. There were no speakers.
ACTION: It was M/S/C (Cervantes/Wotherspoon) to approve the proclamation recognizing November 2025, as “Lung Cancer Awareness Month”. Vote: 5-0 (Ayes: Candell, Anduri, Cervantes, McCormick, Wotherspoon; Noes: None).
C. E-mail from Ken W. McCormick resigning from the Crime Prevention Commission Recommendation: Accept resignation.
Mayor Candell opened the public comment period, and there were no speakers.
ACTION: It was M/S/C (McCormick/Cervantes) to accept resignation with regret. Vote: 5-0 (Ayes: Candell, Anduri, Cervantes, McCormick, Wotherspoon; Noes: None).
18. ADJOURNMENT – 10:57 p.m.
APPROVED:
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Susan Candell, Mayor
ATTEST:
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Joanne Robbins, City Clerk