Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Land Use topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Board declares Bright Park exempt surplus, draws public concern over valuation and process
Summary
Trustees adopted a resolution designating Bright Park as exempt surplus land for parks and recreation and authorized steps toward deed restrictions and easements; public speakers urged the district to seek fair-market value, questioned committee scope and accuracy of acreage figures, and asked for clarity on city funding for park improvements.
The Washington Unified School District board voted July 24 to declare Bright Park exempt surplus land for parks and recreation, a move district staff said will let the district notify public agencies interested in acquiring the site for park use and place deed restrictions limiting future uses.
Chief Business Officer Monique Soval introduced the resolution and said the district intends to seek appraisals, surveys and deed restrictions so the land will be used ‘‘as parks and recreation property’’ while preserving the district’s priority access. District counsel Sam Santana told trustees, "once that property is declared to be exempt surplus property, then we can proceed to provide the statutoily required notices to the public agencies that are required under statute to be notified of the availability of this property to be used as parks and recreation property." He said the board will still obtain appraisals and may commission independent reviews.
Two community speakers raised detailed objections during public comment. Pat Flint said the 7-Eleven committee that reviewed the parcel lacked district-wide enrollment data, flagged inconsistent acreage figures in committee materials and asked why the committee recommended "exempt" status rather than ordinary surplus designation that typically triggers fair-market-value sales. Danny Langford echoed concerns, noting the city’s stated funding gap for park improvements (the city had quoted needing $45 million to $50 million for the project and a $15 million grant) and urging the board not to give land away without getting fair market value.
During trustee questioning, district counsel said the recent statutory changes enacted during the COVID period created an "exempt surplus" pathway but that the exempt designation does not prevent the district from negotiating fair-market value; Soval and counsel described plans to hire an independent appraiser, commission a survey to finalize the legal description, and include deed restrictions and an easement that would run with the land to protect district priority use and physical-education access. Trustees emphasized the process will return to the board for final approval of appraisal results, survey details and any proposed sale or conveyance documents.
The board moved the resolution forward and adopted it by roll-call vote. Trustees said the vote opens the next steps (surveys, appraisals and formal negotiations) rather than finalizing a sale. Community members requested the board ensure clear public reporting on acreage, appraisal values and any outstanding financial obligations tied to prior facilities projects.
