Wanamaker v. Bucyrus , 2012 Ohio 5232 ( 2012 )

[Cite as Wanamaker v. Bucyrus, 2012-Ohio-5232.]
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF OHIO
THIRD APPELLATE DISTRICT
CRAWFORD COUNTY
JOHN WANAMAKER, ET AL.,
PLAINTIFFS-APPELLEES,
v. CASE NO. 3-12-02
ANDERZACK-PITZEN
CONSTRUCTION, INC.
DEFENDANT-APPELLEE,
-AND- OPINION
CITY OF BUCYRUS, OHIO,
DEFENDANT-APPELLANT.
JOHN WANAMAKER, ET AL.,
PLAINTIFFS-APPELLEES,
v. CASE NO. 3-12-03
ANDERZACK-PITZEN
CONSTRUCTION, INC.
DEFENDANT-APPELLANT,
-AND- OPINION
CITY OF BUCYRUS, OHIO,
DEFENDANT-APPELLEE.
Case Nos. 3-12-02, 3-12-03
Appeals from Crawford County Common Pleas Court
Trial Court No. 10-CV-0450
Judgment Reversed and Cause Remanded in Case No. 3-12-02
Judgment Affirmed in Case No. 3-12-03
Date of Decision: November 13, 2012
APPEARANCES:
James F. Mathews and Gary A. Piper for Appellant, the City of
Bucyrus
J. Stephen Teetor and Scyld D. Anderson for Appellant, Anderson-
Pitzen Construction, Inc.
James H. Banks for Appellees, John and Linda Wannamaker
SHAW, P.J.
{¶1} Defendants-appellants, the City of Bucyrus (the “City”) and
Anderzack-Pitzen Construction, Inc. (“APC”), appeal the April 17, 2012
judgments of the Crawford County Court of Common Pleas denying their motions
for summary judgment.
{¶2} In 2009 and 2010, the City undertook a significant highway
reconstruction and improvement project, known as the 2009 Downtown Street &
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Case Nos. 3-12-02, 3-12-03
Storm Sewer Project, which involved replacing pavement, installing new curbs,
repairing sidewalks, upgrading sewers, and improving traffic lighting. The City
contracted with APC as the prime contractor for the project. The project affected
a particular section of Sandusky Street in downtown Bucyrus where the business
of the plaintiffs-appellees, John and Linda Wanamaker (the “Wanamakers”), is
located.
{¶3} On June 9, 2010, the basement wall of the Wanamakers’ building
was damaged when a backhoe operated by an APC employee hit the wall while
attempting to remove a concrete slab in the sidewalk. As a result, four blocks in
the building’s foundation were knocked out of alignment. After the incident, the
Wanamakers noticed water leaking through the damaged portion of the wall,
which destroyed items stored in the basement and created an intolerable “musty
smell” that permeated through the building. The Wanamakers also discovered that
their showroom glass window was damaged allegedly as a result of the constant
jackhammering associated with the project.
{¶4} On September 24, 2010, the Wanamakers filed a complaint naming
the City and APC as defendants. The complaint alleged that the City and APC
improperly used heavy equipment during the project, which caused damage to
their building. The complaint further alleged that the City was negligent in hiring
and retaining APC to handle the project. The complaint also claimed that Linda
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Case Nos. 3-12-02, 3-12-03
Wanamaker now suffers from chronic sinus problems and other health issues as a
result of the smell caused by the seepage in the damaged wall. The Wanamakers
specifically asserted in the complaint that the City and APC acted “knowingly,
intentionally, willfully and wantonly and with reckless disregard of the rights of
[the Wanamakers] and the safety of their property.” (Complaint at ¶ 4).
Consequently, the Wanamakers sought punitive as well as compensatory damages.
{¶5} The City filed an answer asserting several defenses, including that it
is entitled to governmental immunity as a political subdivision under R.C. 2744.01
et seq. APC filed a separate answer asserting various defenses and specifying that
it reserved the right to assert “all defenses for which discovery and/or investigation
reveal a basis.” (APC answer at ¶ 23).
{¶6} During the course of discovery, it was revealed that the
Wanamakers’ basement wall, which was part of an old coal chute, protruded into
the public right of way underneath the sidewalk.
{¶7} On February 29, 2012, the City filed a motion for summary
judgment asserting that the Wanamakers’ claims are barred because it is entitled to
governmental immunity, and that the Wanamakers’ damages stem from the fact
that their wall encroached on the public right of way. The City also claimed that
they had contracted with APC and another independent party to complete the
project and that the damage to the Wanamakers’ building occurred while APC was
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working in its contracted capacity. The City maintained that it did not direct or
participate in the work resulting in the damage to the Wanamakers’ building.
{¶8} The same day, APC also filed a motion for summary judgment
asserting it is entitled to governmental immunity pursuant to R.C. 2744.01 et seq.
APC argued that the City specifically instructed APC to remove the section of
sidewalk abutting the Wanamakers’ building, which caused the damage. APC
also asserted that even though it was hired by the City to complete the project, the
City never made APC aware that a portion of the Wanamakers’ wall protruded
into the public right of way underneath the sidewalk. Therefore, APC contended
that insofar as the City is entitled to immunity, APC is also entitled to immunity
because it was acting as an agent on behalf of the City and performing a
governmental function at the time the damage to the Wanamakers’ building
occurred.
{¶9} On April 17, 2012, in two separate judgment entries, the trial court
summarily overruled both the City’s and APC’s motions for summary judgment.
Pursuant to R.C. 2744.02(C), both the City and APC filed notices of appeal,
asserting the following assignments of error.1
1
Section 2744.02(C) of the Revised Code states “an order that denies a political subdivision or an
employee of a political subdivision the benefit of an alleged immunity from liability * * * is a final order.”
Because the appeals arise from separate judgment entries issued by the trial court, there are separate
appellate case numbers assigned to each case (case no. 3-12-02 refers to the City’s appeal and case no. 3-
12-03 refers to APC’s appeal). This Court subsequently consolidated the cases for purposes of oral
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Case Nos. 3-12-02, 3-12-03
Appeal 3-12-02
THE CITY’S ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR NO. I
THE TRIAL COURT ERRED WHEN IT OVERRULED THE
APPELLANT’S MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT
AND DENIED THE APPELLANT THE BENEFIT OF
GOVERNMENTAL IMMUNITY, TO THE APPELLANT’S
PREJUDICE.
THE CITY’S ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR NO. II
THE TRIAL COURT ERRED WHEN IT OVERRULED THE
APPELLANT’S MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT ON
THE ALTERNATIVE GROUNDS PRESENTED, TO THE
APPELLANT’S PREJUDICE.
{¶10} On appeal, the City argues that the trial court erred in overruling its
motion for summary judgment. Specifically, the City claims that it is entitled to
governmental immunity under R.C. 2744.01 et seq. and that this immunity bars all
the Wanamakers’ claims against it.
{¶11} Initially, we note that an appellate court reviews a grant of summary
judgment de novo, without any deference to the trial court. Conley–Slowinski v.
Superior Spinning & Stamping Co., 128 Ohio App.3d 360, 363 (1998). A grant of
summary judgment will be affirmed only when the requirements of Civ.R. 56(C)
argument. However, because the issues raised in both appeals stem from the same set of facts, we have
elected to address the appeals in a single opinion.
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Case Nos. 3-12-02, 3-12-03
are met. This requires the moving party to establish: (1) that there are no genuine
issues of material fact, (2) that the moving party is entitled to judgment as a matter
of law, and (3) that reasonable minds can come to but one conclusion and that
conclusion is adverse to the non-moving party, said party being entitled to have
the evidence construed most strongly in his favor. Civ.R. 56(C); see Horton v.
Harwick Chem. Corp., 73 Ohio St.3d 679, 1995-Ohio-286, paragraph three of the
syllabus.
{¶12} The party moving for summary judgment bears the initial burden of
identifying the basis for its motion in order to allow the opposing party a
“meaningful opportunity to respond.” Mitseff v. Wheeler, 38 Ohio St.3d 112,
syllabus (1988). The moving party also bears the burden of demonstrating the
absence of a genuine issue of material fact as to an essential element of the case.
Dresher v. Burt, 75 Ohio St.3d 280, 292, 1996-Ohio-107. Once the moving party
demonstrates that he is entitled to summary judgment, the burden shifts to the non-
moving party to produce evidence on any issue which that party bears the burden
of production at trial. See Civ.R. 56(E).
{¶13} The Political Subdivision Tort Liability Act, codified in R.C.
Chapter 2744, sets forth a three-tiered analysis for determining whether a political
subdivision is immune from liability for injury or loss to property.
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First, R.C. 2744.02(A) sets forth the general rule of immunity,
that political subdivisions are not liable in damages for the [loss
to person or property,] personal injuries or death of a person.
R.C. 2744.02(A)(1) provides:
“For purposes of this chapter, the functions of political
subdivisions are hereby classified as governmental functions and
proprietary functions. Except as provided in division (B) of this
section, a political subdivision is not liable in damages in a civil
action for injury, death, or loss to person or property allegedly
caused by any act or omission of the political subdivision * * * in
connection with a governmental or proprietary function.” * * *
The immunity afforded a political subdivision in R.C.
2744.02(A)(1) is not absolute, but is, by its express terms, subject
to the five exceptions to immunity listed in former R.C.
2744.02(B). * * * Thus, once immunity is established under R.C.
2744.02(A)(1), the second tier of analysis is whether any of the
five exceptions to immunity in subsection (B) apply. * * *
Finally, under the third tier of analysis, immunity can be
reinstated if the political subdivision can successfully argue that
any of the defenses contained in R.C. 2744.03 applies.”
Hortman v. City of Miamisburg, 110 Ohio St.3d 194, 2006-Ohio-4251, ¶¶ 10-12,
quoting Cater v. Cleveland, 83 Ohio St.3d 24, 28 (1998).
{¶14} The parties do not dispute that the City is a political subdivision
within the meaning of the statute. However, the Wanamakers argue that the
exception set forth in R.C. 2744.02(B)(2) precludes the City from raising
immunity as a defense in this case. Specifically, this exception provides that
“political subdivisions are liable for injury, death, or loss to person or property
caused by the negligent performance of acts by their employees with respect to
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Case Nos. 3-12-02, 3-12-03
proprietary functions of the political subdivisions.” R.C. 2744.02(B)(2) (emphasis
added). The Wanamakers maintain that the City was performing a “proprietary
function” when the damage to their building occurred implicating the exception to
governmental immunity. The City for its part argues that the R.C. 2744.02(B)(2)
exception does not apply because the City was engaged in a “governmental
function” at the time the Wanamakers’ building was damaged, and therefore it is
entitled to invoke the governmental immunity stated in R.C. 2744.02(A)(1).
{¶15} The statute recognizes that political subdivisions act in two defined
capacities—“governmental functions” and “proprietary functions.” R.C.
2744.01(C)(1) defines a “governmental function” as a function of a political
subdivision that is specified in division (C)(2) of this section or that satisfies any
of the following:
(a) A function that is imposed upon the state as an obligation of
sovereignty and that is performed by a political subdivision
voluntarily or pursuant to legislative requirement;
(b) A function that is for the common good of all citizens of the
state;
(c) A function that promotes or preserves the public peace,
health, safety, or welfare; that involves activities that are not
engaged in or not customarily engaged in by nongovernmental
persons; and that is not specified in division (G)(2) of this section
as a proprietary function.
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Section 2744.01(C)(2) of the Revised Code specifies the following as examples of
a governmental function which are pertinent to our consideration.
***
(e) The regulation of the use of, and the maintenance and
repair of, roads, highways, streets, avenues, alleys, sidewalks,
bridges, aqueducts, viaducts, and public grounds;
***
(l) The provision or nonprovision, planning or design,
construction, or reconstruction of a public improvement,
including, but not limited to, a sewer system* * *.
{¶16} Section 2744.01(G)(1) of the Revised Code defines a “proprietary
function” as a function of a political subdivision that is specified in division (G)(2)
of this section or that satisfies both of the following:
(a) The function is not one described in division (C)(1)(a) or (b)
of this section and is not one specified in division (C)(2) of this
section;
(b) The function is one that promotes or preserves the public
peace, health, safety, or welfare and that involves activities that
are customarily engaged in by nongovernmental persons.
Section 2744.01(G)(2) provides that a “ ‘proprietary function’ includes, but is not
limited to, the following:”
(a) The operation of a hospital by one or more political
subdivisions;
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Case Nos. 3-12-02, 3-12-03
(b) The design, construction, reconstruction, renovation,
repair, maintenance, and operation of a public cemetery other
than a township cemetery;
(c) The establishment, maintenance, and operation of a utility,
including, but not limited to, a light, gas, power, or heat plant, a
railroad, a busline or other transit company, an airport, and a
municipal corporation water supply system;
(d) The maintenance, destruction, operation, and upkeep of a
sewer system;
(e) The operation and control of a public stadium, auditorium,
civic or social center, exhibition hall, arts and crafts center, band
or orchestra, or off-street parking facility.
{¶17} In the instant case, the record reveals the following regarding the
nature of the project at issue. Attached to its motion for summary judgment, the
City submitted the affidavit of Sean Cassaro, an Engineer Technician with the
City. Cassaro averred that the project involved replacing pavement, installing new
curbs and sewer upgrades, repairing sidewalks, and improving traffic lighting. In
addition, a Construction Daily Report submitted for the date the damage to the
Wanamakers’ building occurred, indicates that the sidewalk in front of the
Wanamakers’ building needed repaired because a two-inch-wide section of the
existing sidewalk had pulled away at the joint leaving a 1/8 inch gap. APC
removed the two inch strip of sidewalk so that new concrete could be poured.
Thus, the record demonstrates that the Wanamakers’ building was damaged during
the performance of this specific sidewalk repair.
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Case Nos. 3-12-02, 3-12-03
{¶18} In reviewing the statute, this particular project falls squarely into at
least two of the enumerated examples of a governmental function in the statute—
i.e., R.C. 2744.01(C)(2)(e)(defining a governmental function as the “regulation of
the use of, and the maintenance and repair of * * * sidewalks”) and R.C.
2744.01(C)(2)(l)(defining a governmental function as the “provision or
nonprovision, planning or design, construction, or reconstruction of a public
improvement”). Moreover, other appellate courts have recognized reconstruction
and improvement projects similar to the one performed in the case sub judice
constitute a governmental function. See CAC Building Properties, L.L.C., v. City
of Cleveland, 8th Dist. No. 91991, 2009-Ohio-1786, ¶¶ 31-33; Music Centers, Inc.
v. Cuyahoga Falls, 9th Dist. No. 21802, 2004-Ohio-3703, ¶ 13.
{¶19} Notably, the Wanamakers fail to cite any evidence in the record or
any authority supporting their contention that the City was engaged in a
proprietary function when their building was damaged.
{¶20} The Wanamakers also allege that the City was negligent in hiring
and retaining APC as the prime contractor to complete the project. The
Wanamakers further allege the City acted with reckless disregard when it hired
APC and that it intentionally concealed the fact from the Wanamakers that their
building allegedly encroached on the public right of way.
{¶21} Section 2744.03 of the Revised Code provides as follows:
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Case Nos. 3-12-02, 3-12-03
(A) In a civil action brought against a political subdivision or
an employee of a political subdivision to recover damages for
injury, death, or loss to person or property allegedly caused by
any act or omission in connection with a governmental or
proprietary function, the following defenses or immunities may
be asserted to establish nonliability:
***
(5) The political subdivision is immune from liability if the
injury, death, or loss to person or property resulted from the
exercise of judgment or discretion in determining whether to
acquire, or how to use, equipment, supplies, materials,
personnel, facilities, and other resources unless the judgment or
discretion was exercised with malicious purpose, in bad faith, or
in a wanton or reckless manner.
{¶22} The record demonstrates that the Wanamakers failed to submit any
evidence to the trial court to substantiate their claim that the City was negligent in
exercising its discretion to hire APC to complete the project. Moreover, upon
viewing the inferences to be drawn from the underlying facts set forth in
Wanamakers’ pleadings and deposition testimony in a light most favorable to
them, there is simply no credible evidence in the record to support the
Wanamakers’ claim that the City’s discretion was exercised with malicious
purpose, in bad faith, or in a wanton or reckless manner or that it intentionally
concealed any information from them.
{¶23} Accordingly, because none of the exceptions in R.C. 2744.02(B)
apply and because there is no other basis to abrogate the City’s governmental
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immunity, we find there is no genuine issue of material fact that the City is entitled
to immunity pursuant to R.C. 2744.02(A)(1). Therefore, we conclude the trial
court erred when it overruled the City’s motion for summary judgment on this
basis. The City’s first assignment of error is sustained.
{¶24} Next, the City argues in its second assignment of error that it is
entitled to summary judgment on alternative grounds. However, due to our
resolution of the City’s first assignment of error, the second assignment of error is
rendered moot and is therefore overruled.
Appeal 3-12-03
APC’S ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR
THE TRIAL COURT ERRED IN DENYING DEFENDANT-
APPELLANT ANDERZACK-PITZEN CONSTRUCTION,
INC.’S MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT.
{¶25} On appeal, APC argues that any governmental immunity granted to
the City should also be extended to APC by virtue of its relationship with the City
in completing the project. Specifically, APC contends that any status it may have
had as an independent contractor was “supplanted” by the City’s direct order to
remove the sidewalk which resulted in the damage to the Wanamakers’ building.
Accordingly, APC argues it was acting as the City’s “employee” at the time the
damage occurred rather than as an independent contractor.
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{¶26} Section 2744.01(B) of the Revised Code defines “Employee” as “an
officer, agent, employee, or servant, whether or not compensated or full-time or
part-time, who is authorized to act and is acting within the scope of the officer’s,
agent’s, employee’s, or servant’s employment for a political subdivision.
‘Employee’ does not include an independent contractor * * *.” Generally,
independent-contractor status is determined by the right to control. Bostic v.
Connor, 37 Ohio St.3d 144, paragraph one of the syllabus (1988). The key issue
is whether the City retained control of, or the right to control, the mode and
manner of doing the work contracted for—i.e., the sidewalk repair.
{¶27} The following facts were submitted for the trial court’s review
regarding the degree of control exercised by the City over APC in executing the
specific sidewalk repair. As part of discovery, APC filed the affidavit of Roger
Jones, the APC operating engineer who operated the backhoe causing the damage
to the Wanamakers’ building. Jones averred that APC did not order the removal
of the specific piece of sidewalk, which resulted in the damage, but that APC was
simply following the orders of another individual who was either working for the
State of Ohio or the City. Rogers also claimed no one informed him that the
Wanamakers’ wall protruded underneath the sidewalk.
{¶28} In addition, APC filed the affidavit of David Bost, the APC foreman
who worked on the project. Bost averred that the original construction plan was to
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only remove the sidewalk located more than five feet from any buildings. Bost
claims this plan was modified when the City’s third-party engineer, Stan Carlysle,
told him that APC had to remove the sidewalk adjoining the Wanamakers’
building. Bost claimed he told Carlysle that he did not want to remove the
additional sidewalk for several reasons, one of which was that this task was
outside the “scope of work.” Bost averred that APC eventually removed the
sidewalk at issue at Carlysle’s insistence, but claims that no one made APC aware
that the Wanamakers’ wall protruded underneath the sidewalk.
{¶29} Based on this evidence, APC argues that the City’s order to remove
the sidewalk adjoining the Wanamakers’ building “made the relationship between
the City and [APC] to be one of master-and-servant rather than owner-and-
independent contractor.” (APC brief at 5). Accordingly, APC maintains that it
was acting as “an agent under the control” of the City at the time the damage to
the Wanamakers’ building occurred and therefore it is also entitled to immunity
under R.C. 2744.02(A)(1).
{¶30} Throughout the proceedings before the trial court, the City
consistently denied exercising any significant degree of control over APC with
respect to the specific sidewalk repair. As previously noted, the City submitted an
affidavit of its Engineering Technician who stated the following:
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[The City of] Bucyrus contracted with [APC] as the prime or
general contractor for the reconstruction project.
***
[The City of] Bucyrus separately contracted for inspection
services with Gleespen Engineering & Surveying, Inc.
(“Gleespen”).
***
Attached hereto, marked as Exhibit “C,” is an authentic copy of
the Construction Daily Report prepared by Gleespen for June 9,
2010, taken from the project file records. This report
memorializes the events which occurred that date while the
contractors, APC and Gleespen, were working on the area of the
project in front of the building owned by John & Linda
Wanamaker.
***
The City of Bucyrus did not direct and did not participate in the
work described in the June 9, 2010, Construction Daily Report
[which resulted in the damage to the Wanamakers’ building].
(Cassaro Affidavit at ¶¶ 5-9).
{¶31} As demonstrated by the record, the degree of control the City
exerted over APC on the day in question remains disputed by the parties. In
particular, the parties dispute the role of Gleespen, whose employee apparently
ordered the removal of the sidewalk, as either an agent for the City or as a third-
party independent contractor. Thus, genuine issues of material fact exist regarding
the relationship between the City and APC which are determinative to whether
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APC is also entitled to immunity under R.C. 2744.02(A)(1). Therefore, this
matter is not properly determined by summary judgment. Accordingly, we
conclude that the trial court did not err when it denied APC’s motion for summary
judgment on this basis. APC’s assignment of error is overruled.
{¶32} For all these reasons, the judgment of the Crawford County Court of
Common Pleas in appeal number 3-12-02 is reversed and the cause remanded for
further proceedings consistent with this opinion and the judgment of the Crawford
County Court of Common Pleas in appeal number 3-12-02 is affirmed.
Judgment in 3-12-02 Reversed
and Cause Remanded
Judgment in 3-12-03 Affirmed
PRESTON and WILLAMOWSKI, J.J., concur.
/jlr
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