Soheila Bana for Richmond

06/14/2026

Emergency Water and Earthquake Resiliency

I told you about Harbour Hall Community Resiliency Center (CRC), the first CRC in Richmond and the County. I invited EBMUD to make sure the CRC would have emergency water. I just had a meeting at Harbour Hall with Toody Maher and the CRC team, EBMUD's Director of Engineering & Construction and a senior civil engineer in charge of EBMUD's Pipeline Resilience Network, and a representative from Public Works. I learned that:

- Some pipelines are more resilient, like steel, and some are more vulnerable to earthquakes, like cast iron. EBMUD is mapping all their vulnerable pipelines.
- EBMUD has many miles of pipelines that need to be replaced; the cost is $4M per mile for pipeline replacement.
- EBMUD spends $100M a year to replace 25 miles each year. They focus on main water arteries.
- EBMUD has no solution for water storage.

This last item was interesting to me. So, I suggested we continue the discussion in collaboration with Pogo Park to find a feasible solution that could be replicated in different neighborhoods. Knowing EBMUD has ties to UC Berkeley researchers, I am proposing to get them involved, too. I am inviting councilmembers Claudia Jimenez and Jamelia Brown - the other 2 members of the Earthquake Resiliency Ad Hoc Committee - to join me in the follow up as well as close discussions with CERT members to find solutions to water storage and community earthquake resilience. I will keep you posted on our progress.

06/14/2026

We celebrated OUR victory with nearly 68% of the vote! Your words at the victory party clearly showed this celebration belonged to each and every one of you, and I am deeply grateful for your trust, your energy, and your voices.

Our campaign was a true grassroots movement powered by the voters of District 4, and the support of the non-voters in the greater community, unincorporated El Sobrante and other districts — residents and businesses — who were a part of this community and this victory. We are one community, and I will always serve and fight for you just the same.

We celebrated at the Copper Mug, thanks to Ali for organizing, and a special thank you to Don Gosney for capturing this beautiful moment — his artistic eye made this shot possible. This photo is a treasure, just like the people in it.

Thank you, District 4, the El Sobrante community, and the City of Richmond! Thank you wonderful volunteers! Now let's get back to work — for all of us!

06/09/2026

AC Transit Board to Consider Possible Service Reductions

I just received this email today:

Dear Councilmember Bana,
As I mentioned previously, AC Transit is facing a significant budget deficit that will likely impact service levels if we do not secure new, sustainable funding. The AC Transit Board of Directors will be considering a proposed Contingency Service Plan at their upcoming Wednesday, June 10th board meeting at 5PM. Prior to the Board meeting, there will be an Open House where staff will be available to answer questions and walk members of the public through the proposal, more details in the eNews below. Please share this information with your networks to ensure your communities are familiar with the proposal that may impact their service. Thank you.

AC Transit Board to Consider Possible Service Reductions Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District (AC Transit) sent this bulletin at 06/08/2026 03:07 PM PDT Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page. AC Transit Board to Consider Possible Service Reductions In the face of a 4-year, $200 m...

06/07/2026

Don’t miss this great event! The Richmond Rainbow Pride celebration is happening today and continues until 4:00 PM. Come out and join the community for a day of pride, connection, and celebration.

And yes, Rostam (our dog) joined the parade, too! 🐾🏳️‍🌈

06/06/2026

Today at De Anza High School’s graduation, I felt proud of our graduating students and grateful to all who educated and supported them: their teachers, counselors, custodians, staff, and parents.

The valedictorian shared that when she told her parents she was the valedictorian, they did not know what the word meant. Her story reminded me of my own experience when I received the Regents Scholarship while transferring to UC Berkeley and did not know what “Regents” meant. I was delighted to take a photo with her as she crossed the stage.

It was also wonderful to meet the new principal, Candice Cofield (Dr. C), and to see Trustee Demetrio González-Hoy, Superintendent Cotton, and many others who work so hard to support our students.

The ceremony was also bittersweet. Students honored the memory of senior Daven Smith, who tragically lost his life in a car accident, and former principal Chris Pierce, who knew the names of all 1,100 students and helped us establish the Dating Matters course for 9th graders to address gender-based violence.

Congratulations to the Class of 2026. We are proud of you and wish you success in the journey ahead.

06/06/2026

This networking event was a great opportunity to reconnect with many friends and meet new people. I enjoyed congratulating Vince Robb and Nico Carjuzaa on their campaigns, and I especially commend Nico for his courage in running for Congress against Garamendi. It was also great to meet our two leading mayoral candidates and have a thoughtful conversation with EBRPD Trustee Colin Coffey about expanding access to dog parks in our community.

06/04/2026

THANK YOU! Let's celebrate our victory together!

This victory would not have been possible without your support! Thank you for your generous donations and endorsements. Thanks to the thoughtful neighbors who arranged block parties for me or invited me to their birthday celebrations and BBQ/pizza parties. ​

A very special thank you to our campaign volunteers: Susan, Sue, Jayne, Suzie, Cyrus, Marilyn, Marva, Ann-Marie, Teri, Maggie, Simone, Ramon, John, Mahnaz, Chris, Mikki, Louise, Margo, Marsha, Catherine, Juan, Michael, Clayton, Lorna, and Ali (I hope I didn't miss anyone!). From designing yard signs and taking campaign photos, to distributing flyers, organizing the kickoff, canvassing, rallying on the streets and online, and finally organizing this victory celebration—your hard work made all the difference. A special shout-out to Alan for constantly being by my side through it all!

06/02/2026

THANK YOU to ALL of YOU for your continued support, encouragement, and well wishes throughout this journey. It has been OUR campaign, and I hope our collective hard work will lead to a win we can all celebrate together:)

06/02/2026

‘This is a test:’ With fire season here, East Richmond residents practiced an emergency evacuation

A mass drill on Saturday aimed to show how well-prepared residents and local agencies are for a potential wildfire in the Richmond hills.

06/02/2026

See you at 12 noon on June 7th!