Fitzsimmons, R. v. The Office of Economic ( 2014 )

J-S50018-14
NON-PRECEDENTIAL DECISION - SEE SUPERIOR COURT I.O.P. 65.37
ROBERT C. FITZSIMMONS AND : IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF
AMBRA FITZSIMMONS, : PENNSYLVANIA
:
Appellants :
:
v. :
:
THE OFFICE OF ECONOMIC AND :
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT OF THE :
CITY OF BRADFORD, :
:
Appellee : No. 23 WDA 2014
Appeal from the Order Entered December 3, 2013,
In the Court of Common Pleas of McKean County,
Civil Division, at No. 1358 C.D. 2012.
BEFORE: FORD ELLIOTT, P.J.E., SHOGAN and ALLEN, JJ.
MEMORANDUM BY SHOGAN, J.: FILED SEPTEMBER 08, 2014
Appellants Robert C. Fitzsimmons and Ambra Fitzsimmons, his wife,
appeal from the order entering summary judgment in favor of The Office of
We affirm.
The trial court summarized the facts and procedural history as follows:
Patricia Rodgers purchased the property located at [28 Onofrio]
Street, Bradford, Pennsylvania [on February 10, 2001]. To help
with the purchase, she received a $22,000 loan from [OECD].
The loan was secured with a mortgage. Robert Fitzsimmons
married Patricia Rodgers in March 2004. On December 13,
2006, Robert Fitzsimmons was added as a title owner to the
property in question via a quit claim deed. In September 2009
Robert Fitzsimmons and Patricia Rodgers were divorced. As part
of the distribution of property, Mr. Fitzsimmons was given
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ownership of the property located at [28 Onofrio] Street,
Bradford, Pennsylvania. On April 16, 2011, Robert Fitzsimmons
and Ambra Fitzsimmons were married. On December 23, 2009,
Robert Fitzsimmons executed a Mortgage Assumption Agreement
with [OECD] and assumed the mortgage issued to Patricia
Rodgers. On June 20, 2012, at a real estate closing, [OECD]
took the net proceeds of the sale of the property at [28 Onofrio]
Street Bradford, Pennsylvania ($16,319.96), over the objection
of [Appellants]. [OECD] took the net proceeds to satisfy the
$22,000 mortgage issued to Patricia Rodgers and assumed by
[Appellants]. [According to Appellants, OECD] should have
never taken the proceeds because the $22,000 loan was
forgiven, per the mortgage, because Robert Fitzsimmons and
Patricia Rodgers met the residency requirements.
[Appellants filed a complaint on October 22, 2012.] On
November 20, 2012, [OECD] filed an Answer and New Matter
denying that it inappropriately took the net proceeds of the sale
and alleged the following facts: The mortgage and note entered
into by Patricia Rodgers explicitly required her to pay back the
$22,000.[1] Through the Mortgage Assumption Agreement
Robert Fitzsimmons assumed that obligation. Robert
Fitzsimmons sold the property at [28 Onofrio] Street on June 20,
2012. Prior to the sale, [Appellants] acknowledged that they
owed [OECD] $22,000, but indicated they did not have sufficient
funds to pay the full amount and agreed to pay [OECD] the net
amount of proceeds from the sale ($16,319.96) if [OECD] would
accept the same in return for satisfaction of the mortgage.
[OECD] agreed.
On December 28, 2012, [Appellants] filed an Answer to
[OECD] because the loan was forgiven.
1
According to Sara Andrews, Executive Director of OECD, the $22,000.00
down pa
2001 by Resolution #24519. This resolution specifically provides that these
monies are repayable in full without interest upon the sale of the
/13, at unnumbered 2 and
attachment.
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On October 24, 2013, [OECD] filed a Motion for Summary
Judgment with a Brief in Support. On November 7, 2013
[Appellants] filed an Answer. On November 14, 2013,
[Appellants] filed a Brief in Opposition.
Trial Court Opinion, 12/3/13, at unnumbered 1 2.
December 3, 2013. This appeal followed. Appellants and the trial court
have complied with Pa.R.A.P. 1925.
On appeal, Appellants present the following question for review:
Did the Trial Court err in granting summary judgment
against [Appellants] on claims against [OECD] based upon the
Mortgage that was executed by the parties? Specifically, did the
Trial Court err by finding as a matter of law that [Appel
obligation to repay the $22,000 loan was not forgiven pursuant
to the terms of the Mortgage and that [Appellants] were
obligated to repay such loan?
Initially, we observe our scope and standard of review:
Our scope of review of an order granting summary judgment is
plenary. [W]e apply the same standard as the trial court,
reviewing all the evidence of record to determine whether there
exists a genuine issue of material fact. We view the record in
the light most favorable to the non-moving party, and all doubts
as to the existence of a genuine issue of material fact must be
resolved against the moving party. Only where there is no
genuine issue as to any material fact and it is clear that the
moving party is entitled to a judgment as a matter of law will
summary judgment be entered.
Motions for summary judgment necessarily and directly implicate
Thus, a record that supports summary judgment will either (1)
show the material facts are undisputed or (2) contain insufficient
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evidence of facts to make out a prima facie cause of action or
defense and, therefore, there is no issue to be submitted to the
[fact-finder]. Upon appellate review, we are not bound by the
t
order only upon an error of law or an abuse of discretion.
Judicial discretion requires action in conformity with
law on facts and circumstances before the trial court
after hearing and consideration. Consequently, the
court abuses its discretion if, in resolving the issue
for decision, it misapplies the law or exercises its
discretion in a manner lacking reason. Similarly, the
trial court abuses its discretion if it does not follow
legal procedure.
Where the discretion exercised by the trial court is challenged on
appeal, the party bringing the challenge bears a heavy burden.
DeArmitt v. New York Life Ins. Co., 73 A.3d 578, 585 586 (Pa. Super.
2013) (citations and quotation marks omitted). The question of whether
there exist any genuine issues of material fact is subject to a de novo
standard of review. Drelles v. Manufacturers Life Ins. Co., 881 A.2d
822, 830 831 (Pa. Super. 2005).
Pennsylvania Rule of Civil Procedure 1035.2 provides for summary
judgment, in pertinent part, as follows:
Rule 1035.2. Motion
After the relevant pleadings are closed, but within such
time as not to unreasonably delay trial, any party may move for
summary judgment in whole or in part as a matter of law
(1) whenever there is no genuine issue of any material fact
as to a necessary element of the cause of action or defense
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which could be established by additional discovery or expert
report[.]
***
Note: Rule 1035.2 sets forth the general principle that a
motion for summary judgment is based on an evidentiary
record which entitles the moving party to judgment as a
matter of law.
The evidentiary record may be one of two types. Under
subparagraph (1), the record shows that the material facts
are undisputed and, therefore, there is no issue to be
submitted to a [fact-finder].
An example of a motion under subparagraph (1) is a
motion supported by a record containing an admission. By
virtue of the admission, no issue of fact could be
established by further discovery or expert report.
***
Oral testimony alone, either through testimonial affidavits
witnesses, even if uncontradicted, is generally insufficient
to establish the absence of a genuine issue of material
fact.
Pa.R.C.P. 1035.2 (internal citations omitted).
When faced with questions of contractual interpretation, our standard
and scope of review are well settled:
Because contract interpretation is a question of law,
interpretation. Our standard of review over
questions of law is de novo and to the extent
necessary, the scope of our review is plenary as the
appellate court may review the entire record in
making its decision. However, we are bound by the
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Ruby v. Abington Memorial Hospital, 50 A.3d 128, 132
(Pa.Super.2012) (internal quotations omitted). Moreover, we
have stated:
Determining the intention of the parties is a
paramount consideration in the interpretation of any
contract. The intent of the parties is to be
ascertained from the document itself when the terms
are clear and unambiguous. However, as this Court
stated in Herr Estate, 400 Pa. 90, 161 A.2d 32is admissible to explain or clarify or resolve the
ambiguity, irrespective of whether the ambiguity is
created by the language of the instrument or by
We first analyze the contract to determine whether
an ambiguity exists requiring the use of extrinsic
evidence. A contract is ambiguous if it is reasonably
susceptible of different constructions and capable of
being understood in more than one sense. The
court, as a matter of law, determines the existence
of an ambiguity and interprets the contract whereas
the resolution of conflicting parol evidence relevant
to what the parties intended by the ambiguous
provision is for the trier of fact.
Missett v. Hub International Pennsylvania, LLC, 6 A.3d 530,
State Farm Fire and Casualty Company v. PECO, 54 A.3d
921, 928 (Pa.Super.2012).
Keystone Dedicated Logistics, LLC v. JGB Enterprises, Inc., 77 A.3d 1,
6 7 (Pa. Super. 2013).
Mortgage, the $22,000 loan was forgiven as a result of the satisfaction of
the condition that Patricia F. Rodgers and Robert C. Fitzsimmons occupy the
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Robert C. Fitzsimmons assumed the debt of Patricia Rodgers
under the Note and Mortgage. The Note and Mortgage
unambiguously required Rodgers to repay the $22,000.00 down
payment assistance loan to the OECD upon the sale of the
Property. . . Robert C. Fitzsimmons expressly acknowledged the
obligation to repay the down payment assistance loan when he
executed the Mortgage Assumption Agreement.
OECD explains that the five-year residency period relied
the Property under the HOME program[, a program to improve the quality of
housing stock in a community]. This language was designed to prevent a
purchaser from receiving the enhanced value and benefit of a publicly-
funded home renovation and then flipping the home shortly after purchasing
10; see also Affidavit of Sara Andrews, 10/24/13, at
unnumbered 3 (explaining that the residency provisions were related to the
HOME rehabilitation monies and not the $22,000.00 down payment
assistance monies).
The trial court reviewed the following document provisions as relevant:
1. Mortgage between Patricia Rodgers and [OECD] securing
$22,000 loan, recorded February 20, 2001:
a.
OECD upon the sale of the real estate, without
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b.
1. Payment of this debt in full without interest upon the
c.
of Property; Borrowers Loan Application; leaseholds.
Borrower shall occupy, establish, and use the Property
the execution of this Security Instrument and shall
residence for the entire five (5) year forgiveness period.
principal residence at another location, Borrower will be
2. Note for $22,000 dated February 20, 2001:
a. icia F. Rodgers,
borrower, whose address is 28 Onofrio Street,
Bradford, Pennsylvania 16701, hereby promises to
pay the order of Office of Economic and Community
Development of the City of Bradford, Payee, whose
address is 20 Russell Boulevard, Bradford,
Pennsylvania 16701, the principal sum of $22,000.
Payment of this debt may be made in full without
3. Mortgage Assumption Agreement between OECD and Robert
Fitzsimmons dated December 23, 2009:
a. der and owner of the
following documents (hereinafter sometimes
Mortgage Note dated February 20, 2001, in the
original principal amount of $22,000 executed and
delivered by PATRICIA F. RODGERS (hereinafter
2. Mortgage given by Original Borrower as
20, 2001 . . . and which Mortgage encumbers the
real
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b. WHEREAS, the Borrower [Robert Fitzsimmons]
desires to receive said Property and formally assume
all of the covenants and conditions contained in the
c. NOW THEREFORE, for and in consideration of the
sum of One Dollar ($1.00) in hand paid, receipt of
which is hereby acknowledged and in consideration
of the Premises and of the mutual covenants
contained herein, and for other good and valuable
consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which
are hereby acknowledged by the parties, the parties
hereto agree as follows:
i. Assumption. Borrower [Robert Fitzsimmons]
expressly assumes the Loan Documents and
agrees to perform all covenants, conditions,
duties and obligations contained therein and
agrees to pay the Note and the obligations
evidenced thereby in a prompt and timely
manner in accordance with the terms
Trial Court Opinion, 12/3/13, at unnumbered 2 4 (emphasis omitted;
brackets in original).
Applying the laws of summary judgment and contract interpretation to
the mortgage and note provisions, the trial court opined as follows:
because the contracts at issue in this case required [Appellants]
to repay the $22,000 loan. Both parties agree that [Appellants]
assumed the Mortgage and Note that belonged to Patricia
Rodgers. The dispute is based on how to interpret the Mortgage.
[OECD] argues that the Mortgage should be interpreted to
require [Appellants] to re-pay the $22,000 loan. [Appellants]
argue that the Mortgage should be interpreted to grant [them]
loan forgiveness due to meeting the residency requirement. The
Court must use the cannons [sic] of interpretation to determine
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if these clauses can be reconciled or if one must trump the
other. The Mortgage has at least two clauses that explicitly
state that Ms. Rodgers had to repay the loan and one clause
which suggests that the loan could be forgiven if she lived in the
residence for five years. The clauses cannot cancel each other
out and cannot be reconciled. Thus, under [Hoover to Use of
Chambersburg Trust Co. v. Alexander, 163 A. 389, 390 (Pa.
Super. Ct. 1932)], the earlier clauses requiring re-payment must
trump the latter clause that suggests loan forgiveness.
Further, the differing clauses create an ambiguity in the
mortgage. Based on that ambiguity the Court must ascertain
the intent of the parties. The best evidence for ascertaining the
documents surrounding the mortgage. The Court has all of
these documents properly before it, so it will use them to
decipher the intent of Patricia Rodgers when she entered into the
Mortgage and Note and the intent of Robert Fitzsimmons when
he entered into the Mortgage Assumption Agreement.
First, Patricia Rodgers intended to pay the loan back to
[OECD]. The Mortgage contains two clauses that require Ms.
Rodgers to re-pay the loan when she sells the house. Neither
clause mentions loan forgiveness, but requires the loan to be re-
paid once the house is sold. Along with the Mortgage, Ms.
Rodgers signed a Note for $22,000 that explicitly stated that she
was responsible for paying back the loan when she sold the
house. The Note also makes no mention of loan forgiveness, but
instead makes the sale of the house the trigger for paying back
the loan. Ms. Rodgers intended to pay back the loan.
Second, Robert Fitzsimmons intended to pay back the
loan. The Mortgage Assumption agreement contains multiple
clauses that require Mr. Fitzsimmons to pay back the loan. He
assumed the mortgage, the note, and all obligations arising
therefrom. The Agreement makes no mention of loan
forgiveness. Also, Mr. Fitzsimmons signed this Agreement long
after he would have met any alleged residency requirement for
loan forgiveness. If he thought the loan was forgiven, then he
would not have assumed the Note and Mortgage because the
loan obligations arising therefrom would have already been
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fulfilled. He knew, or should have known through the
representations of his counsel, what he was assuming.
. . . Based on a basic interpretation of the Mortgage and after
disagree that [Appellants] were required to re-pay the $22,000
loan.
Trial Court Opinion, 12/3/13, at unnumbered pages 7 8.
Applying our standard of review to the record at hand, we discern no
determination. The agreement of sale between Patricia Rodgers and the City
assistance of $22,000 to be financed as a second mortgage no monthly
payment required. Must be paid in full upon sale of property or change of
16/01, at ¶ 6(E). The mortgage and note
expressly require repayment of the $22,000 down-payment-assistance loan
to OECD upon sale of the property. Mortgage, 2/20/01, at 1; Note, 2/20/01,
at 1. Mr. Fitzsimmons assumed that obligation when he executed the
mortgage assumption agreement, which was recorded in McKean County
Record Book 647, Page 344. Mortgage Assumption Agreement, 12/23/09.
Indeed, Appellants averred in their complaint that Mr. Fitzsimmons
D] to assume the
mortgage previously issued from Patricia F. Rodgers mortgage dated
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Additionally, the mortgage disallowed transfer of the property without
uant to the mortgage assumption
Property to [Mr. Fitzsimmons] unless [he] shall assume all of the obligations
Mortgage, 2/20/01, at ¶ 15; Mortgage Assumption Agreement at 1. The
record also contains a memo drafted by Sara Andrews on July, 13, 2012,
explaining the context of the five-year forgiveness language which was
erroneously included in the mortgage. Sara Andrews also indicated that Mr.
transfer of the property from Ms. Rodgers as [Sara Andrews] had a
conversation with him on the matter and [she] also required him to provide
income informat
10/22/12, at Exhibit I.
Lastly, Mr. Fitzsimmons acknowledged the following facts under oath:
the agreement of sale, the mortgage, and the note contained repayment
provisions related to the $22,000.00 down payment assistance loan; he was
not aware of any documents that provided otherwise; OECD had to give
consent in writing to any transfer of the property; to receive such consent,
the
closing on June 20, 2012, he signed a settlement agreement, which
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39.
Based on this evidentiary record and
credibility determinations, we agree with the trial court that no reasonable
mind could disagree that Appellants were required to re-pay the $22,000
loan to OECD.2 Thus, we conclude that OECD was entitled to judgment as a
ma
judgment.
Order affirmed.
Judgment Entered.
Joseph D. Seletyn, Esq.
Prothonotary
Date: 9/8/2014
2
We also agree with the trial court that this case was properly decided on
the equitable arguments [of collateral estoppel and accord and satisfaction]
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