Catch-all Corner: police academy, LafaYeti Day, strategic plans, DDA board, water bill assistance
What's happening around town
Photo by JACQUELINE BRANDWAYN on Unsplash
STRATEGIC PLANS
The city website has a new page that gathers all the important plans for the city in one spot.
Here’s what it says along with links to the documents.
Discover the City's commitment to achieving excellence through strategic planning. This page serves as a comprehensive resource for the City's strategic plans, offering transparency and insight into our vision, goals, and the steps we are taking to accomplish them.
Arts and Cultural Resources Plan (PDF)
This five-year strategic plan reflects a collaborative effort informed by public input, emphasizing the importance of communication, creativity, and partnerships with the community.
Climate Action Plan (PDF)
The City of Lafayette has developed its first CAP to provide a comprehensive and pragmatic update to our existing Sustainability Plan. The CAP outlines key actions the City is taking to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and prepare our community for the impacts of climate change.
Comprehensive Plan (PDF)
The Comprehensive Plan embodies the community's vision, providing a modern roadmap with policies and strategies to address key issues while honoring Lafayette's heritage and guiding future City actions.
Library Strategic Plan (PDF)
This five-year strategic plan emphasizes innovative service delivery, operational efficiency, enhanced communications, and ongoing dialogue to better meet the diverse needs of Lafayette residents.
Multimodal Transporation Plan (MMTP) (PDF)
The Lafayette MMTP is a comprehensive multimodal transportation guiding plan that addresses the near- and long-term transportation and mobility needs of the Lafayette community, including residents, commuters, businesses, and visitors.
Parks, Recreation, and Open Space Plan (PDF)
The PROS Master Plan Update constructs a vision for PROS and how it can provide services to the Lafayette community.
Wildlife Plan (PDF)
This five-year plan provides in-depth vegetation and wildlife assessments of open space and other properties throughout the city, with thorough strategies and recommendations to improve, enhance, and protect wildlife habitats and the species that call it home.
FEBRUARY 6TH IS LAFAYETI DAY
Text copied from the LafaYeti website and photos provided by Maria Redondo of Romero’s who spearheaded LafaYeti Day which in my humble opinion has a very Lafayette vibe. More of this type of event please. Bring on the quirky! I couldn’t pick just one image to share, they all made me smile, but the stay groovy one made me laugh out loud.
What is LafaYeti Day?
LafaYeti Day is a funky fun business holiday created by community members to encourage social gatherings and support for local Mom & Pop Shops.
Purveyors all around town offer specials, promos, and/or make donations to local causes to celebrate LafaYeti Day.
Why February 6?
LafaYeti Day is celebrated on 2/6 because it corresponds with the last two digits of our zip code - 80026.
Also, why not muster up a fun holiday to cure those winter blues & support the local businesses that make Lafayette uniquely Lafayette?
COMMUNITY POLICE ACADEMY
I’ve heard positive reports from folks who have participated in this ongoing program by our police department.
Date: February 26, 2025 - May 21, 2025
Time: 6:30 PM - 9:30 PM
Time Details: Wednesday evenings
Location:View Facility
Lafayette Police Department and Municipal Court Building
Address: 451 N. 111th St.
Contact: 303-661-1383
Email: Robert Wilson, Community Affairs
Cost: None
Link: CPA Application
The Community Police Academy (CPA) provides the public 15 and older with an inside look at law enforcement. The academy will explain and demonstrate many of the department's policies, divisions, and functions and provide an increased understanding of the tasks police officers face in their daily work. Topics covered include crime scene investigation, high-risk vehicle stops, traffic enforcement, DUI investigation, SWAT, police communications center, hiring process and training, use of force, and much more!
The Community Police Academy meets once a week for 13 weeks and each block provides participants first-had information by officers and includes hands-on and interactive opportunities. If you have ever wondered why police do what they do to keep you safe, apply to attend the 2025 spring academy! Applications and background checks are required. Applications available online and at the police department. Seating is limited, so apply early!
Upon successful completion of the academy, students will be honored at a graduation ceremony!
APPLY TO JOIN THE LAFAYETTE DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (DDA)
You can apply to serve on this board only if you are within the boundary of the newly created district. Perhaps you remember there was some confusion over the Lafayette ballot last November. I wrote about it. The ballot book had information about the creation of this DDA and associated funding but it wasn’t on most people’s ballot. Only people who lived, owned property or a business in the proposed new district could vote yes or no to this new entity which will replace the Lafayette Urban Renewal Authority (LURA). The yes votes won and now the governing board is being created.
Still confused? The funding used by LURA to address blight along Public Rd, and parts of Simpson and Baseline ended in 2024. This new entity will have a similar funding mechanism but a different focus. Here’s the draft of the Old Town Tomorrow action plan that the new board will formally adopt and follow.
Here’s what the city is telling us.
Applications close on Feb. 5
The Lafayette Downtown Development Authority (DDA) is the lead public entity dedicated to enhancing and preserving the downtown area of Old Town Lafayette. By fostering partnerships and making strategic investments, the Lafayette DDA strengthens and revitalizes this vibrant community hub. Guided by the Old Town Tomorrow Action Plan, the DDA strives to create a welcoming, dynamic space for small businesses, visitors, and residents alike.
Role of a DDA Board Member
Serving as a DDA Board Member is an opportunity to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of Old Town Lafayette. Board members guide the DDA’s strategic goals and priorities, oversee impactful projects and initiatives, and guide investments to ensure the area’s economic vitality and character. This role requires a passion for the downtown community, collaboration, and a strong commitment to supporting local businesses.
Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible to serve on the DDA Board, applicants must meet at least one of the following criteria:
Residents: Individuals who live within the DDA boundary, whether as homeowners or renters.
Landowners: Individuals or entities that own property within the DDA boundary.
Business Lessees: Individuals or entities that lease property within the DDA boundary.
Entities that own or lease property within the DDA boundary can appoint a manager, agent, or employee to represent the entity on the board.
Applications are due Feb. 5.
VALENTINE’S DAY AT THE SENIOR CENTER
Valentine's Celebration
Celebrate Valentine’s Day at the Senior Center and enjoy a special Valentine's dessert and entertainment.
Location: Lafayette Senior Center
Feb. 14 | 1-3pm
Resident $3 / Nonresident $4
FROM THE CITY WEBSITE
RIDE FREE LAFAYETTE
Free, on-demand, door-to-door bus service connects you to places within the City of Lafayette. Riders can book a ride by phone, online, or via the On-Demand Transit: Rider app. A bus will arrive at a pick-up location at a designated time. Call 1-833-456-3359
Schedule your trip and learn more on the Ride Free Lafayette webpage.
WATER BILL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
The city began this program last year but didn’t get as many participants as expected. The monthly credit of $7.50 has been increased to $15 this year.
FROM THE CITY WEBSITE:
The City of Lafayette is continuing to pilot the Water Bill Assistance Program in 2025 in partnership with Sister Carmen Community Center (SCCC) to help reduce the impact of increased water rates for our disproportionately impacted residents. This program is in addition to the existing utility bill assistance program available through SCCC.
If approved for the program, a credit of $15 per month, or up to $180 per year, will be applied to monthly bills through the end of the calendar year.
To participate in the program, customers must earn 80% or under the area median income and be on a fixed income or an older adult. Please contact Sister Carmen Community Center for assistance at:
303-665-4342
Email: info@sistercarmen.org
For any questions, Utility Billing staff is available:
Phone: 303-665-5588 (Option 1)
Email: utilitybill@lafayetteco.gov.
STAY GROOVY
Want to offer more support? Awesome!
I looked for the Lafayette app but apparently there is no distinction between Lafayette, Louisiana, Lafayette, Oregon and us, and we’re in the minority. I gave up.