7‑Eleven committee reviews draft surplus‑property report for four West Contra Costa sites, names Don Gosy secretary

The West Contra Costa Unified School District 7‑Eleven Committee spent the bulk of its May 14 meeting reviewing a draft report and background materials for four former school sites that are under consideration to be declared surplus.

Staff described the four properties and the statutory process under Education Code sections 17387 and 17390, which requires public hearings and a committee recommendation before the board considers surplus designations. Phil Henderson, district legal counsel, was present for the Brown Act briefing that framed how the committee must conduct deliberations publicly.

Adams Middle School: Staff said Adams covers nearly six acres and contains a multi‑story classroom building and a gym. Members flagged structural and hazardous‑material problems: a retired facilities employee said the building’s floor joints were inadequate and would likely "pancake" in a major quake; others noted the site likely contains asbestos and lead‑based paint that would raise demolition and abatement costs. A 2022 appraisal by district consultants estimated net value between about $6 million and $8.6 million; staff said demo and abatement costs would be deducted from sale proceeds and that the valuation should be updated.

Harmon Nolles: The site is largely cleared and flat and, unlike several of the other parcels, staff said the Division of State Architect would approve a new school building there. The committee discussed access constraints and the need for a future meeting to more fully analyze likely uses.

Portola: The upper portion of Portola was described as unstable; the Division of State Architect has determined portions are not buildable because of soils and landslide history. A community garden and a lease/right‑of‑entry with a gardening program occupy part of the parcel; staff said a medium‑density townhome scenario (roughly 15 units on 5 acres) had been modeled but that buildability depends on further geotechnical study.

C View: This former elementary site is complicated by a creek/gulch, railroad tracks on two sides, proximity to the bay and an East Bay Regional Park District request for an easement to complete a section of the Bay Trail. Staff warned that any park easement would shrink developable acreage and that CC&Rs affecting residential use may apply to parts of the site.

Committee members raised additional written‑record issues: several members said they had not received agenda packets or Zoom links in advance and urged staff to ensure new members are fully onboarded. One member noted the county housing element assumes 50 units for Adams Middle School; staff said the county calculation was a separate planning assumption and that any housing assumption would need to be considered as a committee action.

On actions, Mr. Renua nominated Don Gosy as committee secretary, Miss Toms seconded, and the chair declared the appointment adopted without objection. The committee set its next meeting for June 1 at 6 p.m. to continue work, agreed to schedule public hearings required by statute before finalizing recommendations, and extended the current meeting for the limited purpose of setting the next meeting date.

Staff and committee members said valuations, zoning and geotechnical analyses would be updated and circulated before decisions are finalized.