The City of Boerne appealed a trial court's order denying its plea to the jurisdiction in a case involving the disinterment and reburial of remains from a cemetery plot. The trial court allowed the plaintiffs, David Vaughan and Vaughan's Hill Country Funeral Home, to amend their pleadings. The appellate court reversed, finding that the plaintiffs' pleadings did not establish a waiver of the City's governmental immunity. The sale and management of cemetery plots by a city is defined by the legislature as a governmental function for which immunity still applies. Therefore, the trial court erred in allowing the plaintiffs to amend their pleadings and the claims against the City were dismissed.
The Supreme Court denied the petition and upheld the Court of Appeals' decision that the complaint filed by the petitioners (Theodore and Nancy Ang) against the respondents (spouses Alan and Em Ang) in the Regional Trial Court of Quezon City regarding collection of a debt was improperly filed based on venue. The petitioners resided in Los Angeles, California while the respondents resided in Bacolod City. As such, pursuant to rules on venue, the only proper venue for filing the complaint was the Regional Trial Court where the respondents resided, which was Bacolod City. The Court also found that the petitioners' attorney-in-fact, who filed the complaint on their behalf, was not a real party in
City Water International Inc. v. Wax Hairdressing Inc.Matthew Riddell
This case involves a dispute over a renewal contract for the rental of a water cooler. The plaintiff, City Water International Inc., claimed the defendant, Wax Hairdressing Inc., breached the renewal contract by failing to make payments. The court found that the individual who signed the renewal contract on behalf of Wax Hairdressing had apparent authority to bind the company. The court also found Wax Hairdressing was estopped from arguing it was not bound by the contract given it made payments according to the contract for years. The court awarded damages of $1879.25 to the plaintiff.
This document discusses several methods of extinguishing obligations under Peruvian civil law, including consolidation, compensation, dation in payment, novation, condonation, and mutual rescission. It provides definitions and examples for each method. Consolidation extinguishes an obligation when the qualities of creditor and debtor unite in one person. Compensation extinguishes obligations when two parties are respectively creditor and debtor of each other. Dation in payment allows fulfilling an obligation with a different payment than originally agreed. Novation replaces one obligation with another by agreement. Condonation is the creditor forgiving the debt, extinguishing the obligation. Mutual rescission ends a bilateral agreement by mutual consent, unless it
The court reinstates its initial oral decision that two initiative petitions proposed by Defendants, the Rezoning Petition and Adoption Petition, are not eligible to be submitted to a vote by Prairie Village electors. The court analyzes the Rezoning Petition under the guidelines from McAlister v. City of Fairway and determines it is administrative in nature rather than legislative, as it impacts existing city policies and laws, requires specialized knowledge, and deals with a statewide concern of zoning authority. The court similarly finds the Adoption Petition is not legally sufficient to be submitted to a vote. The Abandonment Petition may still be submitted for a vote.
The document summarizes two cases where courts recognized a promissory estoppel claim against an employer - Roberts v. Geosource Drilling Services, Inc. and Hernandez v. UPS Supply Chain Solutions, Inc. In Roberts, the employee quit his job and prepared to work for Geosource in reliance on oral promises and a written contract, but Geosource rescinded the job offer. In Hernandez, the employee had actually moved from Illinois to Texas based on a job promise. Both courts found promissory estoppel claims based on the employees' detrimental reliance on the employers' promises.
This document summarizes a court case between Thomas Hobbs and his neighbor Lucille Markey regarding Hobbs' application to convert his commercial greenhouse into a gasoline filling station. The board of adjustment had approved Hobbs' application, but the circuit court set aside the board's order. The court here affirms the circuit court's decision, finding that a recent amendment to the zoning statute prohibiting changes from one nonconforming use to another applied in this case and prevented Hobbs' proposed conversion. The court rejects Hobbs' various arguments that he had acquired vested rights or that the amendment constituted improper special legislation.
This document summarizes an American court case from 1964 regarding zoning regulations. It discusses how a lower court upheld a zoning commission's denial of a request to rezone a property from residential to commercial. On appeal, the higher court found that a state law requiring the circuit court to have a "de novo" trial on appeals from zoning commissions was unconstitutional as it imposed a non-judicial administrative function on the courts. The court determined zoning decisions should be left to administrative bodies rather than tried independently by courts.
Federal Judge Rules Against Small Haulers in Waste Management DisputeThis Is Reno
Reno's small waste haulers were dealt a blow this week in their ongoing dispute against the City of Reno and Waste Management. Green Solutions Recycling filed suit against the city and Reno Disposal (Waste Management) over the city's enforcement of its franchise agreement with Waste Management.
The Supreme Court denied the petition and upheld the Court of Appeals' decision that the complaint filed by the petitioners (Theodore and Nancy Ang) against the respondents (spouses Alan and Em Ang) in the Regional Trial Court of Quezon City regarding collection of a debt was improperly filed based on venue. The petitioners resided in Los Angeles, California while the respondents resided in Bacolod City. As such, pursuant to rules on venue, the only proper venue for filing the complaint was the Regional Trial Court where the respondents resided, which was Bacolod City. The Court also found that the petitioners' attorney-in-fact, who filed the complaint on their behalf, was not a real party in
City Water International Inc. v. Wax Hairdressing Inc.Matthew Riddell
This case involves a dispute over a renewal contract for the rental of a water cooler. The plaintiff, City Water International Inc., claimed the defendant, Wax Hairdressing Inc., breached the renewal contract by failing to make payments. The court found that the individual who signed the renewal contract on behalf of Wax Hairdressing had apparent authority to bind the company. The court also found Wax Hairdressing was estopped from arguing it was not bound by the contract given it made payments according to the contract for years. The court awarded damages of $1879.25 to the plaintiff.
This document discusses several methods of extinguishing obligations under Peruvian civil law, including consolidation, compensation, dation in payment, novation, condonation, and mutual rescission. It provides definitions and examples for each method. Consolidation extinguishes an obligation when the qualities of creditor and debtor unite in one person. Compensation extinguishes obligations when two parties are respectively creditor and debtor of each other. Dation in payment allows fulfilling an obligation with a different payment than originally agreed. Novation replaces one obligation with another by agreement. Condonation is the creditor forgiving the debt, extinguishing the obligation. Mutual rescission ends a bilateral agreement by mutual consent, unless it
The court reinstates its initial oral decision that two initiative petitions proposed by Defendants, the Rezoning Petition and Adoption Petition, are not eligible to be submitted to a vote by Prairie Village electors. The court analyzes the Rezoning Petition under the guidelines from McAlister v. City of Fairway and determines it is administrative in nature rather than legislative, as it impacts existing city policies and laws, requires specialized knowledge, and deals with a statewide concern of zoning authority. The court similarly finds the Adoption Petition is not legally sufficient to be submitted to a vote. The Abandonment Petition may still be submitted for a vote.
The document summarizes two cases where courts recognized a promissory estoppel claim against an employer - Roberts v. Geosource Drilling Services, Inc. and Hernandez v. UPS Supply Chain Solutions, Inc. In Roberts, the employee quit his job and prepared to work for Geosource in reliance on oral promises and a written contract, but Geosource rescinded the job offer. In Hernandez, the employee had actually moved from Illinois to Texas based on a job promise. Both courts found promissory estoppel claims based on the employees' detrimental reliance on the employers' promises.
This document summarizes a court case between Thomas Hobbs and his neighbor Lucille Markey regarding Hobbs' application to convert his commercial greenhouse into a gasoline filling station. The board of adjustment had approved Hobbs' application, but the circuit court set aside the board's order. The court here affirms the circuit court's decision, finding that a recent amendment to the zoning statute prohibiting changes from one nonconforming use to another applied in this case and prevented Hobbs' proposed conversion. The court rejects Hobbs' various arguments that he had acquired vested rights or that the amendment constituted improper special legislation.
This document summarizes an American court case from 1964 regarding zoning regulations. It discusses how a lower court upheld a zoning commission's denial of a request to rezone a property from residential to commercial. On appeal, the higher court found that a state law requiring the circuit court to have a "de novo" trial on appeals from zoning commissions was unconstitutional as it imposed a non-judicial administrative function on the courts. The court determined zoning decisions should be left to administrative bodies rather than tried independently by courts.
Federal Judge Rules Against Small Haulers in Waste Management DisputeThis Is Reno
Reno's small waste haulers were dealt a blow this week in their ongoing dispute against the City of Reno and Waste Management. Green Solutions Recycling filed suit against the city and Reno Disposal (Waste Management) over the city's enforcement of its franchise agreement with Waste Management.
The Court of Appeals of North Carolina held that the federal Animal Welfare Act does not preempt a claim brought under North Carolina law alleging animal cruelty at a zoo. The federal law does not expressly preempt state law, implies no intent to exclusively regulate animal welfare nationwide, and does not conflict with the state law. Therefore, the district court had subject matter jurisdiction over the plaintiffs' claims and its dismissal was reversed and remanded.
The Court of Appeals of North Carolina held that the federal Animal Welfare Act does not preempt a claim brought under North Carolina law alleging animal cruelty at a zoo. The federal law does not expressly preempt state law, implies no intent to exclusively regulate animal welfare nationwide, and does not conflict with the state law. Therefore, the district court had subject matter jurisdiction over the plaintiffs' claims and its dismissal was reversed and remanded.
The document is a court opinion from the Minnesota Court of Appeals regarding a challenge to a municipal ordinance in Red Wing, Minnesota that allows for warrantless inspections of rental properties to check for code violations. The court affirms the lower court's decision granting summary judgment for the city. The court finds that the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in Camara v. Municipal Court established that reasonable inspections of rental properties pursuant to warrants do not require individualized probable cause of a code violation and do not violate the Fourth Amendment. The court also determines that the Minnesota Constitution should be interpreted consistently with the Fourth Amendment in this context, and that the plaintiffs have not provided sufficient justification to interpret the Minnesota Constitution differently. Therefore, the rental
This document summarizes a decision by the Ohio Board of Tax Appeals regarding tax valuations for property owned by Kohl's Department Stores for tax years 2010 and 2013. The Board consolidated two cases regarding the same property. For tax year 2010, Kohl's appealed the dismissal of its complaint seeking a lower valuation. For tax year 2013, Kohl's appealed the denial of its request to lower the valuation. The Board remanded the 2010 case back to the local board to consider the valuation, as the county appellees failed to prove a covenant in a TIF agreement barred Kohl's appeal. For 2013, the Board found Kohl's did not provide sufficient evidence to prove its requested lower valuation.
order Order on Motion for Miscellaneous Relief Order on Motion to Amend/Correct Fri 12:58 PM
ORDER granting in part and denying in part 60 Motion for Leave to Add Joinder of Additional Plaintiffs and for Leave to Add Facts to the Complaint; granting 62 Motion to Amend 60 Motion. Signed by Judge Jackson L. Kiser on 4/8/16.
Navigating Constitutional Issues in Municipal Enforcement ActionsDouglas Hoffer
The document summarizes some of the key issues related to navigating constitutional challenges to municipal ordinances. It discusses that municipal courts have the authority to examine the constitutionality of ordinances. It also outlines the burdens and presumptions in constitutional challenges, noting that legislative enactments are presumed constitutional and the party challenging bears the burden of proving the ordinance unconstitutional beyond a reasonable doubt. The document also discusses constructing ordinances to eliminate constitutional issues and the concept of severability if part of an ordinance is found unconstitutional."
This document is a report and recommendation from a magistrate judge regarding a motion to dismiss for lack of personal jurisdiction filed by the defendant, Info Directions, Inc. The plaintiff, Transverse LLC, alleges that Info Directions interfered with its contract and misappropriated its trade secrets related to billing software. The magistrate judge provides background on the parties and claims, summarizes the legal standards for personal jurisdiction, and will make a recommendation to the district court judge on the motion to dismiss.
This document discusses jurisdictional issues that can arise in operating while intoxicated (OWI) prosecutions. It notes that while a valid prior OWI conviction may deprive a circuit court of competency to hear a case charged as a first offense OWI, it does not remove the court's subject matter jurisdiction. Challenges to a court's competency can be waived if not raised in a timely manner. For municipal courts, the document outlines that they have jurisdiction over civil forfeiture cases for first offense OWI citations. However, municipal courts may lack authority to try cases involving valid prior OWI convictions. It also discusses relevant statutes and case law on these jurisdictional issues.
Fall 2010 open memo assignment no doubt v. activision right of publicity cali...Lyn Goering
This document is a court order granting the plaintiff's application to remand a case back to state court from federal court. The plaintiff had filed a complaint against the defendant in state court for claims related to the use of the plaintiff's likeness in a video game. The defendant removed the case to federal court, arguing the claims were preempted by federal copyright law. The court analyzed the relevant legal standards for removal and copyright preemption. Applying a two-part test, the court determined the plaintiff's claims were not preempted as they involved misappropriation of the plaintiff's name and likeness beyond what was agreed to, rather than contesting the defendant's copyright. The court therefore granted the application to remand the case back to
This document is the defendants' closing argument in response to the plaintiffs' closing argument regarding trust documents presented in a real estate dispute. It argues that the plaintiffs' claims of fraudulent conduct by the defendant are unsupported and illogical. It asserts that the trust documents in question have no relevance to the legal issues being tried, which involve the interpretation of purchase and sale agreements for two properties. The defendant argues that the plaintiffs have presented no valid legal basis to rescind the agreements and that the evidence shows the plaintiffs were unable to complete the purchase for financial reasons.
Real time Attorney advice memo priviledged and confidentialnicemanin
Morris Associates Engineering Consultants filed a mechanic's lien for $19,425.82 for engineering services provided to Orchard Hill Farms between 2007-2008. Orchard Hill Farms argues the lien should be dismissed for two reasons: 1) Morris Associates breached its contract by not completing all services and 2) the lien amount was willfully exaggerated in violation of NY Lien Law. If the lien is voided for exaggeration, Morris Associates would be liable for damages under Lien Law §39a including attorney fees.
This case involves a dispute over whether a hotel property's nonconforming use status under zoning laws had been abandoned. The local board of adjustments found that the long-disused hotel's nonconforming use as a hotel had not been abandoned because the owners had attempted to sell the property as a hotel. However, the circuit court reversed, finding abandonment had occurred. The appellate court affirmed, finding that while the sale attempt rebutted the presumption of abandonment from the long disuse, the overall record compelled a finding that the owners intended to abandon the nonconforming use.
This case involves a dispute over whether a nonconforming hotel use was abandoned under the city's zoning ordinance. The owners wanted to convert the hotel into offices. A neighbor argued the hotel use was abandoned due to years of non-use. The board found no abandonment since the owners tried to sell the property as a hotel. The court reversed, finding the record showed an intent to discontinue the hotel use based on years of non-use and no explanation for it. The appellate court affirmed, as the record did not show efforts to continue the hotel use or find an acceptable substitute use during the long period of non-use.
The Supreme Courts jurisprudence of P. R. 2003 2003 DTS 1.docxssusera34210
The Supreme Court's jurisprudence of P. R. 2003
2003 DTS 121 LAS Marías REFRENCE LAB V. MUNICIPALITY OF SAN JUAN 2003TSPR121
IN THE SUPREME COURT OF PUERTO RICO
Las Marías Reference Laboratory Corp.
Demandante-Recurrido
V.
Municipality of San Juan
Demandado-Peticionario
Certiorari
TSPR 2003 121
DPR 159 ____
Case Number: DC-2002-725
Date: July 15 2003
Circuit Court of Appeals: Regional Circuit I
Judge Rapporteur: Hon. Dolores Rodriguez of Oronoz
Lawyers from the petitioner: Lcdo. Ivan Castro Ortiz
Lcdo. Simone Cataldi Malpica
Counsel for the defendant: Lcdo. Orlando Fernandez
Subject: collection of money, contract. Municipality not liable for the debt. The non-referral of a municipal contract to the Office of the Comptroller, as required by the Autonomous Municipalities Law, makes this one ineffective and unenforceable. Court orders that all municipalities regulate on this area to comply with this requirement for bill and recommends to the private parties to enforce this requirement of law before making any delivery.
WARNING
This document is an official document of the Supreme Court that it is subject to changes and corrections of the compilation process and official publication of the decisions of the Court. Its electronic distribution is done as a public service to the community.
Court Opinion issued by the Judge associated JEHOVAH CORRADA DEL RIO
San Juan, Puerto Rico on July 15 2003.
We must resolve if the non-referral of a municipal contract to the Office of the Comptroller, as required by the Autonomous Municipalities Law, makes this one ineffective and unenforceable.
By understanding that compliance with this requirement is a constitutive element of all municipal contract, resolve in the affirmative.
I
Las Marías Reference Laboratory Corp. (Hereinafter, "Las Marias") has filed a lawsuit in recovery of money against the Municipality of San Juan (hereinafter, "the Village") by the amount of $510,659.80 . [ 1] By the claim, the Marys argued that the aforementioned debt arose from a contract it had signed with the Municipality, in which this would provide clinical laboratory services to indigent residents of San Juan. [ 2] The alleged services were provided for various periods between the 1 of August 1994 and 30 June 1997. [endnoteRef:1][endnoteRef:2] [1: Footnotes
[ 1] The demand was presented on 28 August 1997. See Appendix, p. 1.
] [2: [ 2] The services were provided to the patients of programs such as "San Juan AIDS" and "Mental Health", as well as other attached to the Department of Health of the Capital. See petition for certiorari , p. 3.
]
Subsequently, the parties presented before the Court of First Instance, Upper Chamber of San Juan (hereinafter, "TPI") a stipulation of partial Judgment, through which they agreed that the municipality would satisfy the amount of $244,544.50 in partial payment of the amount owed. [ 3] As a result, the TPI proceeded to sentencing by the partial amount stipul ...
OH Court Decision Striking Down Municipal Home Rule for Oil & Gas DrillingMarcellus Drilling News
The court decision from the Ohio Ninth Appeallate District Court in the case of Munroe Falls v Beck Energy in which the appeallate court says that local zoning regulations are preempted by the state's regulations when it comes to oil and gas drilling. Municipalities cannot prevent drilling based on their own zoning regulations. Certain local zoning laws still apply (road use, rights-of-way, etc.). This decision has major implications for Utica Shale drillers and for local municipalities.
This document is a memorandum submitted by Plaintiffs' attorneys in support of a motion for a temporary restraining order against Defendants. It summarizes the arguments made in previous filings and addresses issues raised in the State's opposition memorandum. Specifically, it argues that the Attorney General's Opinion No. 13-1 misinterprets the meaning and intent of Article I, Section 23 of the Hawaii Constitution regarding the definition of marriage. It also argues that federal justiciability standards of an actual controversy, ripeness, and standing do not apply given that this involves a matter of great public importance under Hawaii law. The memorandum aims to demonstrate the Plaintiffs have a likelihood of success on the merits in their request for a declaratory judgment on the meaning of
SharonsDefaultJudgmentvsCitySt.Paul,MN 5 jul07ratasslegal 22Sharon Anderson
Sharon Anderson aka Peterson Scarrella decades fighting City St. Paul,MN Filing for Office to Make Government Accountable current on the MN Ballot Republican 4 MN Attorney General http://sharon4mnag.blogspot.com Civil Rights Activist Forensic Files also at http://sharon4anderson.org
This document is a memorandum in support of a motion in limine regarding the effect of Senate Bill 814 on the parties' agreement concerning defense counsel. It argues that SB 814's independent counsel provisions do not apply in this case for two reasons: 1) The insurance policies give Continental the right to control the defense, triggering the savings clause in SB 814, and 2) The parties previously agreed that Bingham would serve as defense counsel within the traditional tripartite relationship, not as independent counsel, so applying SB 814 would contradict this existing agreement. The memorandum also contends that even if SB 814 did apply, it does not allow Schnitzer to select counsel or pay out-of-forum rates that exceed what is
This document summarizes a court case involving two tax liens that were assigned by Nassau County to AJM Capital II, LLC. The Town of Hempstead and Roosevelt Field Water District sued AJM seeking declarations that the liens were invalid. The Supreme Court dismissed the suits as time-barred but the Appellate Division reversed, finding that the six-year statute of limitations for declaratory judgment actions applied rather than shorter periods for other actions challenging tax assessments, and that the suits were filed within six years of AJM acquiring the liens.
The Court of Appeals of North Carolina held that the federal Animal Welfare Act does not preempt a claim brought under North Carolina law alleging animal cruelty at a zoo. The federal law does not expressly preempt state law, implies no intent to exclusively regulate animal welfare nationwide, and does not conflict with the state law. Therefore, the district court had subject matter jurisdiction over the plaintiffs' claims and its dismissal was reversed and remanded.
The Court of Appeals of North Carolina held that the federal Animal Welfare Act does not preempt a claim brought under North Carolina law alleging animal cruelty at a zoo. The federal law does not expressly preempt state law, implies no intent to exclusively regulate animal welfare nationwide, and does not conflict with the state law. Therefore, the district court had subject matter jurisdiction over the plaintiffs' claims and its dismissal was reversed and remanded.
The document is a court opinion from the Minnesota Court of Appeals regarding a challenge to a municipal ordinance in Red Wing, Minnesota that allows for warrantless inspections of rental properties to check for code violations. The court affirms the lower court's decision granting summary judgment for the city. The court finds that the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in Camara v. Municipal Court established that reasonable inspections of rental properties pursuant to warrants do not require individualized probable cause of a code violation and do not violate the Fourth Amendment. The court also determines that the Minnesota Constitution should be interpreted consistently with the Fourth Amendment in this context, and that the plaintiffs have not provided sufficient justification to interpret the Minnesota Constitution differently. Therefore, the rental
This document summarizes a decision by the Ohio Board of Tax Appeals regarding tax valuations for property owned by Kohl's Department Stores for tax years 2010 and 2013. The Board consolidated two cases regarding the same property. For tax year 2010, Kohl's appealed the dismissal of its complaint seeking a lower valuation. For tax year 2013, Kohl's appealed the denial of its request to lower the valuation. The Board remanded the 2010 case back to the local board to consider the valuation, as the county appellees failed to prove a covenant in a TIF agreement barred Kohl's appeal. For 2013, the Board found Kohl's did not provide sufficient evidence to prove its requested lower valuation.
order Order on Motion for Miscellaneous Relief Order on Motion to Amend/Correct Fri 12:58 PM
ORDER granting in part and denying in part 60 Motion for Leave to Add Joinder of Additional Plaintiffs and for Leave to Add Facts to the Complaint; granting 62 Motion to Amend 60 Motion. Signed by Judge Jackson L. Kiser on 4/8/16.
Navigating Constitutional Issues in Municipal Enforcement ActionsDouglas Hoffer
The document summarizes some of the key issues related to navigating constitutional challenges to municipal ordinances. It discusses that municipal courts have the authority to examine the constitutionality of ordinances. It also outlines the burdens and presumptions in constitutional challenges, noting that legislative enactments are presumed constitutional and the party challenging bears the burden of proving the ordinance unconstitutional beyond a reasonable doubt. The document also discusses constructing ordinances to eliminate constitutional issues and the concept of severability if part of an ordinance is found unconstitutional."
This document is a report and recommendation from a magistrate judge regarding a motion to dismiss for lack of personal jurisdiction filed by the defendant, Info Directions, Inc. The plaintiff, Transverse LLC, alleges that Info Directions interfered with its contract and misappropriated its trade secrets related to billing software. The magistrate judge provides background on the parties and claims, summarizes the legal standards for personal jurisdiction, and will make a recommendation to the district court judge on the motion to dismiss.
This document discusses jurisdictional issues that can arise in operating while intoxicated (OWI) prosecutions. It notes that while a valid prior OWI conviction may deprive a circuit court of competency to hear a case charged as a first offense OWI, it does not remove the court's subject matter jurisdiction. Challenges to a court's competency can be waived if not raised in a timely manner. For municipal courts, the document outlines that they have jurisdiction over civil forfeiture cases for first offense OWI citations. However, municipal courts may lack authority to try cases involving valid prior OWI convictions. It also discusses relevant statutes and case law on these jurisdictional issues.
Fall 2010 open memo assignment no doubt v. activision right of publicity cali...Lyn Goering
This document is a court order granting the plaintiff's application to remand a case back to state court from federal court. The plaintiff had filed a complaint against the defendant in state court for claims related to the use of the plaintiff's likeness in a video game. The defendant removed the case to federal court, arguing the claims were preempted by federal copyright law. The court analyzed the relevant legal standards for removal and copyright preemption. Applying a two-part test, the court determined the plaintiff's claims were not preempted as they involved misappropriation of the plaintiff's name and likeness beyond what was agreed to, rather than contesting the defendant's copyright. The court therefore granted the application to remand the case back to
This document is the defendants' closing argument in response to the plaintiffs' closing argument regarding trust documents presented in a real estate dispute. It argues that the plaintiffs' claims of fraudulent conduct by the defendant are unsupported and illogical. It asserts that the trust documents in question have no relevance to the legal issues being tried, which involve the interpretation of purchase and sale agreements for two properties. The defendant argues that the plaintiffs have presented no valid legal basis to rescind the agreements and that the evidence shows the plaintiffs were unable to complete the purchase for financial reasons.
Real time Attorney advice memo priviledged and confidentialnicemanin
Morris Associates Engineering Consultants filed a mechanic's lien for $19,425.82 for engineering services provided to Orchard Hill Farms between 2007-2008. Orchard Hill Farms argues the lien should be dismissed for two reasons: 1) Morris Associates breached its contract by not completing all services and 2) the lien amount was willfully exaggerated in violation of NY Lien Law. If the lien is voided for exaggeration, Morris Associates would be liable for damages under Lien Law §39a including attorney fees.
This case involves a dispute over whether a hotel property's nonconforming use status under zoning laws had been abandoned. The local board of adjustments found that the long-disused hotel's nonconforming use as a hotel had not been abandoned because the owners had attempted to sell the property as a hotel. However, the circuit court reversed, finding abandonment had occurred. The appellate court affirmed, finding that while the sale attempt rebutted the presumption of abandonment from the long disuse, the overall record compelled a finding that the owners intended to abandon the nonconforming use.
This case involves a dispute over whether a nonconforming hotel use was abandoned under the city's zoning ordinance. The owners wanted to convert the hotel into offices. A neighbor argued the hotel use was abandoned due to years of non-use. The board found no abandonment since the owners tried to sell the property as a hotel. The court reversed, finding the record showed an intent to discontinue the hotel use based on years of non-use and no explanation for it. The appellate court affirmed, as the record did not show efforts to continue the hotel use or find an acceptable substitute use during the long period of non-use.
The Supreme Courts jurisprudence of P. R. 2003 2003 DTS 1.docxssusera34210
The Supreme Court's jurisprudence of P. R. 2003
2003 DTS 121 LAS Marías REFRENCE LAB V. MUNICIPALITY OF SAN JUAN 2003TSPR121
IN THE SUPREME COURT OF PUERTO RICO
Las Marías Reference Laboratory Corp.
Demandante-Recurrido
V.
Municipality of San Juan
Demandado-Peticionario
Certiorari
TSPR 2003 121
DPR 159 ____
Case Number: DC-2002-725
Date: July 15 2003
Circuit Court of Appeals: Regional Circuit I
Judge Rapporteur: Hon. Dolores Rodriguez of Oronoz
Lawyers from the petitioner: Lcdo. Ivan Castro Ortiz
Lcdo. Simone Cataldi Malpica
Counsel for the defendant: Lcdo. Orlando Fernandez
Subject: collection of money, contract. Municipality not liable for the debt. The non-referral of a municipal contract to the Office of the Comptroller, as required by the Autonomous Municipalities Law, makes this one ineffective and unenforceable. Court orders that all municipalities regulate on this area to comply with this requirement for bill and recommends to the private parties to enforce this requirement of law before making any delivery.
WARNING
This document is an official document of the Supreme Court that it is subject to changes and corrections of the compilation process and official publication of the decisions of the Court. Its electronic distribution is done as a public service to the community.
Court Opinion issued by the Judge associated JEHOVAH CORRADA DEL RIO
San Juan, Puerto Rico on July 15 2003.
We must resolve if the non-referral of a municipal contract to the Office of the Comptroller, as required by the Autonomous Municipalities Law, makes this one ineffective and unenforceable.
By understanding that compliance with this requirement is a constitutive element of all municipal contract, resolve in the affirmative.
I
Las Marías Reference Laboratory Corp. (Hereinafter, "Las Marias") has filed a lawsuit in recovery of money against the Municipality of San Juan (hereinafter, "the Village") by the amount of $510,659.80 . [ 1] By the claim, the Marys argued that the aforementioned debt arose from a contract it had signed with the Municipality, in which this would provide clinical laboratory services to indigent residents of San Juan. [ 2] The alleged services were provided for various periods between the 1 of August 1994 and 30 June 1997. [endnoteRef:1][endnoteRef:2] [1: Footnotes
[ 1] The demand was presented on 28 August 1997. See Appendix, p. 1.
] [2: [ 2] The services were provided to the patients of programs such as "San Juan AIDS" and "Mental Health", as well as other attached to the Department of Health of the Capital. See petition for certiorari , p. 3.
]
Subsequently, the parties presented before the Court of First Instance, Upper Chamber of San Juan (hereinafter, "TPI") a stipulation of partial Judgment, through which they agreed that the municipality would satisfy the amount of $244,544.50 in partial payment of the amount owed. [ 3] As a result, the TPI proceeded to sentencing by the partial amount stipul ...
OH Court Decision Striking Down Municipal Home Rule for Oil & Gas DrillingMarcellus Drilling News
The court decision from the Ohio Ninth Appeallate District Court in the case of Munroe Falls v Beck Energy in which the appeallate court says that local zoning regulations are preempted by the state's regulations when it comes to oil and gas drilling. Municipalities cannot prevent drilling based on their own zoning regulations. Certain local zoning laws still apply (road use, rights-of-way, etc.). This decision has major implications for Utica Shale drillers and for local municipalities.
This document is a memorandum submitted by Plaintiffs' attorneys in support of a motion for a temporary restraining order against Defendants. It summarizes the arguments made in previous filings and addresses issues raised in the State's opposition memorandum. Specifically, it argues that the Attorney General's Opinion No. 13-1 misinterprets the meaning and intent of Article I, Section 23 of the Hawaii Constitution regarding the definition of marriage. It also argues that federal justiciability standards of an actual controversy, ripeness, and standing do not apply given that this involves a matter of great public importance under Hawaii law. The memorandum aims to demonstrate the Plaintiffs have a likelihood of success on the merits in their request for a declaratory judgment on the meaning of
SharonsDefaultJudgmentvsCitySt.Paul,MN 5 jul07ratasslegal 22Sharon Anderson
Sharon Anderson aka Peterson Scarrella decades fighting City St. Paul,MN Filing for Office to Make Government Accountable current on the MN Ballot Republican 4 MN Attorney General http://sharon4mnag.blogspot.com Civil Rights Activist Forensic Files also at http://sharon4anderson.org
This document is a memorandum in support of a motion in limine regarding the effect of Senate Bill 814 on the parties' agreement concerning defense counsel. It argues that SB 814's independent counsel provisions do not apply in this case for two reasons: 1) The insurance policies give Continental the right to control the defense, triggering the savings clause in SB 814, and 2) The parties previously agreed that Bingham would serve as defense counsel within the traditional tripartite relationship, not as independent counsel, so applying SB 814 would contradict this existing agreement. The memorandum also contends that even if SB 814 did apply, it does not allow Schnitzer to select counsel or pay out-of-forum rates that exceed what is
This document summarizes a court case involving two tax liens that were assigned by Nassau County to AJM Capital II, LLC. The Town of Hempstead and Roosevelt Field Water District sued AJM seeking declarations that the liens were invalid. The Supreme Court dismissed the suits as time-barred but the Appellate Division reversed, finding that the six-year statute of limitations for declaratory judgment actions applied rather than shorter periods for other actions challenging tax assessments, and that the suits were filed within six years of AJM acquiring the liens.
1. MEMORANDUM OPINION
No. 04-12-00177-CV
CITY OF BOERNE,
Appellant
v.
David VAUGHAN and Vaughan’s Hill Country Funeral Home, Inc.,
Appellees
From the 288th Judicial District Court, Bexar County, Texas
Trial Court No. 2009-CI-17409
Honorable Barbara Hanson Nellermoe, Judge Presiding
Opinion by: Catherine Stone, Chief Justice
Sitting: Catherine Stone, Chief Justice
Rebecca Simmons, Justice
Steven C. Hilbig, Justice
Delivered and Filed: July 11, 2012
REVERSED AND RENDERED
The City of Boerne appeals the trial court’s order denying its plea to the jurisdiction and
affording appellees, David Vaughan and Vaughan’s Hill Country Funeral Home, Inc.
(collectively “Vaughan”), an opportunity to amend their pleadings. Because Vaughan’s
pleadings affirmatively demonstrate that no cause of action exists for which the City’s immunity
is waived, the trial court erred in affording Vaughan the opportunity to amend. We reverse the
trial court’s order and dismiss the underlying claims against the City.
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BACKGROUND
Vaughan was an independent contractor engaged by the City as a cemetery sexton for the
Boerne Cemetery. Vaughan sold two cemetery plots to Debbie Thomas after verifying the
availability of the plots with the City. Thomas’s husband was buried in one of the plots. Eight
years later, the City discovered that the plot in which Thomas’s husband was buried had
previously been sold to another person.
After unsuccessfully attempting to negotiate a resolution of the matter, the City and
Vaughan, without any prior notice to Thomas, disinterred the remains of Thomas’s husband from
the plot and reinterred the remains in another section of the Boerne Cemetery. Thomas sued
Vaughan alleging breach of contract and numerous other tort claims. Vaughan filed a third-party
petition against the City for indemnity and contribution, asserting the plot was sold by Vaughan
to Thomas based on the City’s representation that the plot was available and that the remains of
Thomas’s husband were moved by the City based on the City’s decision.
The City filed a plea to the jurisdiction. Vaughan responded that the City waived its
immunity because Vaughan was merely acting as the City’s agent when he signed the contract to
sell the plot to Thomas. Vaughan further responded that the City was engaged in a proprietary
function for which it is not entitled to immunity. After a hearing, the trial court denied the plea,
but ordered Vaughan to amend his pleadings. Before Vaughan’s deadline for amending his
pleadings, the City filed this interlocutory appeal of the trial court’s order. See TEX. CIV. PRAC.
& REM. CODE ANN. § 51.014(b) (West Supp. 2011) (interlocutory appeal from order denying
plea to the jurisdiction stays all other proceedings in the trial court pending resolution of the
appeal).
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STANDARD OF REVIEW
“Immunity from suit deprives a trial court of jurisdiction.” City of Houston v. Williams,
353 S.W.3d 128, 133 (Tex. 2011). “Whether a trial court possesses jurisdiction is a question of
law we review de novo.” Id.
“The trial court must determine at its earliest opportunity whether it has the constitutional
or statutory authority to decide the case before allowing the litigation to proceed.” Tex. Dept. of
Parks & Wildlife v. Miranda, 133 S.W.3d 217, 226 (Tex. 2004). “When a plea to the jurisdiction
challenges the pleadings, we determine if the pleader has alleged facts that affirmatively
demonstrate the court’s jurisdiction to hear the cause.” Id. “We construe the pleadings liberally
in favor of the plaintiffs and look to the pleaders’ intent.” Id. “If the pleadings do not contain
sufficient facts to affirmatively demonstrate the trial court’s jurisdiction but do not affirmatively
demonstrate incurable defects in jurisdiction, the issue is one of pleading sufficiency and the
plaintiffs should be afforded the opportunity to amend.” Id. at 226-27. An incurable defect
exists if “the petition affirmatively demonstrates that no cause of action exists or that plaintiff’s
recovery is barred.” Peek v. Equip. Serv. Co., 779 S.W.2d 802, 805 (Tex. 1989).
BREACH OF CONTRACT
Liability of an Agent
In its response to the City’s plea to the jurisdiction, Vaughan asserted that the City
waived its immunity by entering into a contract with Thomas for the sale of the cemetery plots at
issue. Vaughan contends that because he was acting as the City’s agent in entering into the
contract, he is entitled to indemnity. Under ordinary principles of agency involving private
litigants, this is a correct proposition. See Ross F. Meriwether & Assocs., Inc. v. Aulbach, 686
S.W.2d 730, 731 (Tex. App.—San Antonio 1985, no writ).
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Here, however, the litigation involves private litigants and a governmental entity, and that
distinction is significant. The City’s immunity is waived as to breach of contract claims only if
the contract is for the provision of goods and services to the City. See TEX. LOC. GOV’T CODE
ANN. §§ 271.152, 271.151(2) (West 2005). Because the contract relating to the sale of the
cemetery plots to Thomas was not a contract for the provision of goods and services to the City,
Vaughan cannot allege facts that would establish a waiver of immunity for this claim. See id.;
see also Tex. A&M Univ. v. Bading, 236 S.W.3d 801, 802-03 (Tex. App.—Waco 2007), pet.
denied, Zachary Const. Corp. v. Tex. A&M Univ., 298 S.W.3d 617 (Tex. 2009) (holding
university immune from claims seeking contribution and/or indemnity). Accordingly, Vaughan
cannot establish jurisdiction under a breach of contract theory.
TORTS
Proprietary v. Governmental Functions
A governmental entity’s liability for its tortious conduct often depends in part on whether
the entity’s conduct involved a proprietary or governmental function. When a municipality
commits a tort while engaged in a proprietary function, it is liable to the same extent as a private
entity or individual. Tooke v. City of Mexia, 197 S.W.3d 325, 343 (Tex. 2006); Martinez v. City
of San Antonio, 220 S.W.3d 10, 14 (Tex. App.—San Antonio 2006, no pet.). When a
municipality commits a tort while engaged in a governmental function, its liability is determined
by the provisions of the Texas Tort Claims Act. Martinez, 220 S.W.3d at 14. Vaughan contends
that selling cemetery plots is a proprietary function; therefore, the City is not immune from suit.
Legislative Determination of Governmental Function
Although in certain cases a court must consider the classification of a function as either
proprietary or governmental, such classification is not necessary if the function is defined by
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statute. Martinez, 220 S.W.3d at 14. The Texas Constitution authorizes the Legislature to define
for all purposes those functions of a municipality that are to be considered governmental and
those that are proprietary, including reclassifying a function’s classification assigned under prior
statute or common law. TEX. CONST. art. XI, § 13; Tooke, 197 S.W.3d at 343. For purposes of
tort liability, the Legislature has statutorily included “cemeteries and cemetery care” among a
municipality’s governmental functions. TEX. CIV. PRAC. & REM. CODE ANN. § 101.0215(a)(5)
(West 2011). Moreover, the Legislature has expressly provided that proprietary functions of
a municipality do not include those governmental activities listed in the statute. Id. at
§ 101.0215(c). Therefore, the Legislature has given deference to the judiciary to interpret what
constitutes a proprietary function only to the extent it is not listed in the statute. Herschbach v.
City of Corpus Christi, 883 S.W.2d 720, 730 (Tex. App.—Corpus Christi 1994, writ denied); see
also Martinez, 220 S.W.3d at 14.
Sale of Cemetery Plots as Governmental or Proprietary Function
Vaughan argues that although the statute includes “cemeteries and cemetery care” as a
governmental function, selling cemetery plots is proprietary. In support of this argument
Vaughan relies on City of Corpus Christi v. Absolute Indus., 120 S.W.3d 1 (Tex. App.—Corpus
Christi 2001, pet. denied). In the Corpus Christi case, however, the city relied on the statutory
listing of “garbage and solid waste removal, collection, and disposal” to argue that it was
immune from a claim against it for intentionally interfering with a contract between a private
company and a refinery. Id. at 2. The court disagreed and held that the actions about which the
private company complained did not center on the removal, collection, or disposal of solid waste,
but on the city’s interference with contractual relations. Id. at 3. The court reasoned that the fact
that the contract at issue pertained to solid waste disposal was irrelevant. Id. at 3.
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In the instant case, the complaint centers directly on the City’s actions in relation to the
cemetery, specifically the sale of a plot previously sold to another person and the disinterring of
remains from the cemetery. Accordingly, the cited case is readily distinguishable from the
instant case. Furthermore, we note that a plaintiff may not “‘split various aspects of [a
municipality’s] operation into discrete functions and recharacterize certain of those functions as
proprietary.’” Martinez, 220 S.W.3d at 15 (quoting City of San Antonio v. Butler, 131 S.W.3d
170, 178 (Tex. App.—San Antonio 2004, pet. denied)). Therefore, Vaughan is precluded from
splitting the sale of cemetery plots from the City’s operation of the cemetery to argue that the
selling of cemetery plots is proprietary. See id.
Waiver of City’s Immunity
Because the City’s actions related to a governmental function, Vaughan was required to
allege facts that would show a waiver of immunity under the Texas Tort Claims Act. Martinez,
220 S.W.3d at 14. Vaughan attempts to do this by asserting that Thomas’s claims in this case
were for personal injury “caused by a condition or use of” real property. See TEX. CIV. PRAC. &
REM. CODE ANN. § 101.021(2) (West 2011). Even if we ignore that Vaughan’s claims against
the City are not the same as Thomas’s claims against Vaughan, see Tex. Dept. of Transp. v. City
of Floresville Power & Light Sys., 53 S.W.3d 447, 455 (Tex. App.—San Antonio 2001, no pet.)
(noting waiver of immunity must be examined based on cross-claim brought by defendant
against governmental entity not on claim brought by plaintiff against defendant), Vaughan’s
argument would still fail. In order for immunity to be waived under this section of the statute, a
premises condition must actually be the instrumentality that causes the plaintiff’s harm. San
Antonio State Hosp. v. Koehler, 981 S.W.2d 32, 37 (Tex. App.—San Antonio 1998, pet. denied).
No possible amendment to Vaughan’s pleadings, or to Thomas’s for that matter, could establish
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that a premises condition was the cause of harm alleged in the instant case. Instead, it was
actions taken pertaining to the cemetery plot that allegedly caused the harm, not the cemetery
plot itself. See id.; see also Tex. Dept. of Transp., 53 S.W.3d at 455-56 (holding claim for
indemnity is claim for financial loss not personal injury damages).
CONCLUSION
We are cognizant of the distress that can arise from an unwanted disinterment of a loved
one’s remains. Likewise, we are aware of an agent’s frustration when the agent is sued for
actions taken based on information provided by a principal, especially where the principal admits
its fault in providing erroneous information to the agent. However, policy considerations
reviewed by the Legislature favor governmental immunity, and we are obligated to apply the
Legislature’s enactments.
Because the pleadings in this case affirmatively demonstrate that no cause of action exists
for which the City’s immunity is waived, the trial court erred in denying the plea to the
jurisdiction. Accordingly, the trial court’s order is reversed, and the claims against the City are
dismissed.
Catherine Stone, Chief Justice