Armatas v. Plain Twp.

[Cite as Armatas v. Plain Twp., 2023-Ohio-204.]
COURT OF APPEALS
STARK COUNTY, OHIO
FIFTH APPELLATE DISTRICT
STEVEN A. ARMATAS : JUDGES:
: Hon. Earle E. Wise, Jr., P.J.
Plaintiff-Appellant : Hon. W. Scott Gwin, J.
: Hon. Patricia A. Delaney, J.
-vs- :
:
PLAIN TOWNSHIP, OHIO, ET AL. : Case No. 2022 CA 00039
:
Defendants-Appellees : OPINION
CHARACTER OF PROCEEDING: Appeal from the Court of Common
Pleas, Case No. 2021 CV 00235
JUDGMENT: Affirmed
DATE OF JUDGMENT: January 24, 2023
APPEARANCES:
For Plaintiff-Appellant For Defendants-Appellees
STEVEN A. ARMATAS JAMES F. MATHEWS
7690 Bucknell Circle, NW TONYA J. ROGERS
North Canton, OH 44720 400 South Main Street
North Canton, OH 44720
Stark County, Case No. 2022 CA 00039 2
Wise, Earle, P.J.
{¶ 1} Plaintiff-Appellant, Steven A. Armatas, appeals the March 10, 2022
judgment entry of the Court of Common Pleas of Stark County, Ohio, granting summary
judgment to Defendants-Appellees, Plain Township, Ohio, and Plain Township Board of
Trustees.
FACTS AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY
{¶ 2} In September 2016, a dispute commenced between appellant and
appellees over what constitutes a "hedge" under Article VI, Section 602.10, of the Plain
Township Zoning Resolution. The ordinance states in pertinent part that "[f]ences, walls,
and hedges shall be permitted in any required yard or along the edge of any yard" in any
residential district, except if "located in or along the sides or front edge of a front yard
shall not exceed three (3) feet in height." The maximum height of a fence, wall or hedge
in any residential district shall be eight feet. Appellant argued "hedges" included his
neighbor's 20-foot high evergreen trees running along the back edge of his property and
the zoning director disagreed, stating trees and hedges were different things.
{¶ 3} On November 14, 2017, appellees voted to amend Article IV "Definitions"
to define "hedge," "shrub," and "wall." "Hedge" was defined as a "line of closely spaced
shrubs" and "shrub" was defined as a "bushy, woody plant generally with several
permanent stems instead of a single trunk, thereby distinguishing it from a tree."
{¶ 4} Between 2016 and 2019, appellant filed numerous writs, complaints, and
appeals over the issue as outlined by the trial court in its March 10, 2022 judgment entry
at 2-5. Pertinent to this appeal is a federal lawsuit appellant filed on November 14, 2019.
Appellant named as defendants the members of the Plain Township Board of Trustees
Stark County, Case No. 2022 CA 00039 3
and the zoning director in their individual capacities. The complaint alleged fraud,
violation of federal civil rights, civil conspiracy, unconstitutional passage of a bill of
attainder, and punitive damages, and sought declaratory judgment to declare the
amendment void. By memorandum of opinion and order dated January 27, 2021, the
federal court granted the defendants' motion for judgment on the pleadings, dismissed all
of appellant's claims with prejudice, and declined to exercise jurisdiction over the
declaratory judgment action and dismissed it without prejudice.
{¶ 5} On May 28, 2020, Aultman Hospital and affiliates filed a complaint against
appellant to have him declared a vexatious litigator. On June 17, 2020, Plain Township,
two trustees, and the zoning director filed a motion to intervene. By journal entry filed
October 14, 2020, the motion to intervene was granted.
{¶ 6} On February 26, 2021, appellant filed the underlying complaint against
appellees for declaratory judgment, seeking to invalidate and/or strike down and/or
declare null and void the amendment. As in the federal action, appellant argued the
amendment failed to advance a legitimate public interest, was passed solely to advance
the personal interests of the named defendants, and defendants failed to follow the
appropriate ratification procedure under Ohio law. On April 29, 2021, appellant filed an
amended complaint to add a claim for violation of the Open Meetings Act, claiming
appellees did not pass a resolution to intervene in the aforementioned vexatious litigator
lawsuit.
{¶ 7} On November 19, 2021, appellees filed a motion for summary judgment.
By judgment entry filed March 10, 2022, the trial court granted the motion, finding the
2017 zoning amendment complied with procedures set forth in R.C. 519.12, the doctrine
Stark County, Case No. 2022 CA 00039 4
of res judicata applied, and appellant failed to provide any evidence on his Open Meetings
Act claim. The trial court dismissed appellant's claims with prejudice.
{¶ 8} Appellant filed an appeal and this matter is now before this court for
consideration. Assignments of error are as follows:
I
{¶ 9} "THE STATE TRIAL COURT COMMITTED ERROR BY NOT AFFORDING
THE PLAINTIFF A HEARING BEFORE RENDERING SUMMARY JUDGMENT IN
FAVOR OF THE DEFENDANTS."
II
{¶ 10} "THE STATE TRIAL COURT COMMITTED ERROR BY DISREGARDING
THE STATUTORY LAW OUTLINING THE PROPER PROCEDURE FOR A TOWNSHIP
TO ADOPT A ZONING AMENDMENT."
III
{¶ 11} "THE STATE TRIAL COURT COMMITTED ERROR BY APPLYING THE
DOCTRINE OF RES JUDICATA TO A FEDERAL COURT ORDER DISMISSING
PLAINTIFF'S STATE LAW DECLARATORY JUDGMENT CLAIMS WITHOUT
PREJUDICE."
IV
{¶ 12} "THE STATE TRIAL COURT COMMITTED ERROR BY DISMISSING
PLAINTIFF'S CLAIM THAT DEFENDANTS VIOLATED OHIO'S OPEN MEETINGS ACT
WHEN THEY AUTHORIZED A LAWSUIT AGAINST HIM OUTSIDE A PUBLIC FORUM."
STANDARD OF REVIEW
Stark County, Case No. 2022 CA 00039 5
{¶ 13} The trial court granted summary judgment to appellees. Summary
judgment motions are to be resolved in light of the dictates of Civ.R. 56. Said rule was
reaffirmed by the Supreme Court of Ohio in State ex rel. Zimmerman v. Tompkins, 75
Ohio St.3d 447, 448, 663 N.E.2d 639 (1996):
Civ.R. 56(C) provides that before summary judgment may be
granted, it must be determined that (1) no genuine issue as to any material
fact remains to be litigated, (2) the moving party is entitled to judgment as
a matter of law, and (3) it appears from the evidence that reasonable minds
can come to but one conclusion, and viewing such evidence most strongly
in favor of the nonmoving party, that conclusion is adverse to the party
against whom the motion for summary judgment is made. State ex. rel.
Parsons v. Fleming (1994), 68 Ohio St.3d 509, 511, 628 N.E.2d 1377, 1379,
citing Temple v. Wean United, Inc. (1977), 50 Ohio St.2d 317, 327, 4 O.O.3d
466, 472, 364 N.E.2d 267, 274.
{¶ 14} As an appellate court reviewing summary judgment motions, we must stand
in the shoes of the trial court and review summary judgments on the same standard and
evidence as the trial court. Smiddy v. The Wedding Party, Inc., 30 Ohio St.3d 35, 506
N.E.2d 212 (1987).
I
Stark County, Case No. 2022 CA 00039 6
{¶ 15} In his first assignment of error, appellant claims the trial court erred by not
affording him a hearing before rendering summary judgment in favor of appellees. We
disagree.
{¶ 16} Appellant argues Loc.R. 10.01 of the Court of Common Pleas of Stark
County, General Division, contemplates that some type of hearing must precede the
ruling on a motion for summary judgment and since he was not afforded a hearing, his
due process rights were violated. Said rule pertains to hearings and submission of
motions. The rule, in effect at the time, states: "This rule is not applicable to motions for
summary judgment taken pursuant to Civil Rule 56. Motions for summary judgment taken
pursuant to Civil Rule 56 will be set for hearing and briefs will be due as required by Civil
Rule 56(C)." Thus, as this court found in Wilmington Savings Fund v. Lautzenheiser,
Stark No. 2018CA00131, 2019-Ohio-2389, ¶ 26, "no Stark County Local Rule governs
motions for summary judgment." The Wilmington court went on to analyze Civ.R. 56(C),
in effect at the time, and concluded at ¶ 28: "The rule does not require a hearing, and
instead permits the trial court to render a decision by considering the memoranda and
evidentiary materials submitted by the parties." Accord J.P. Morgan Mortgage Acquisition
Corporation v. Baker, 5th Dist. Ashland No. 20-COA-021, 2021-Ohio-1024, ¶ 15; Mariner
Finance, LLC v. Childs, 10th Dist. Franklin No. 21 AP-19, 2021-Ohio-3935, ¶ 8.
{¶ 17} The current version of Civ.R. 56(C), applicable to this case, states after all
arguments and materials have been filed, "[s]ummary judgment shall be rendered
forthwith." The rule does not mandate the holding of a hearing. The rule provides
"[r]esponsive arguments, together with all affidavits and other materials in opposition, and
a movant's reply arguments may be served as provided by Civ.R. 6(C)." Civ.R. 6(C)
Stark County, Case No. 2022 CA 00039 7
states: "Responses to motions for summary judgment may be served within twenty-eight
days after service of the motion. A movant's reply to a response to any written motion
may be served within seven days after service of the response to the motion."
{¶ 18} Appellees filed a lengthy motion for summary judgment on November 19,
2021, containing affidavits and numerous exhibits. Appellant filed an equally lengthy
response on December 17, 2021, also containing affidavits and numerous exhibits.
Appellees filed a reply on December 22, 2021. The trial court did not rule on the motion
until March 10, 2022. Appellant was given a full opportunity to brief the issues and submit
evidence and has not shown any prejudice.
{¶ 19} Upon review, we find the trial court did not err in not holding a hearing before
ruling on the summary judgment motion.
{¶ 20} Assignment of Error I is denied.
II
{¶ 21} In his second assignment of error, appellant claims the trial court erred by
disregarding the statutory law outlining the proper procedure for a township to adopt a
zoning amendment. We disagree.
{¶ 22} The dispute centers on Article VI, Section 602.10, of the Plain Township
Zoning Resolution which states in pertinent part that "[f]ences, walls, and hedges shall be
permitted in any required yard or along the edge of any yard" in any residential district,
except if "located in or along the sides or front edge of a front yard shall not exceed three
(3) feet in height." The maximum height of a fence, wall or hedge in any residential district
shall be eight feet. Appellant argued "hedges" included his neighbor's 20-foot high
Stark County, Case No. 2022 CA 00039 8
evergreen trees running along the back edge of his property and the zoning director
disagreed, stating trees and hedges were different things.
{¶ 23} On September 12, 2017, appellees voted to amend Article IV "Definitions"
to include definitions for "hedge," "shrub," "tree," and "wall" (Amendment #571-17,
Resolution #17-442). In part, "hedge" was defined as a "line of closely spaced shrubs"
and "shrub" was defined as a "bushy, woody plant generally with several permanent
stems instead of a single trunk, thereby distinguishing it from a tree." As explained in the
proposed resolution, appellees determined in their legislative judgment, the "definitions
will assist in the uniform and reasonable application[,] interpretation, and enforcement of
the Plain Township Zoning Resolution."
{¶ 24} The amendment was sent to the Stark County Regional Planning
Commission for review. On October 3, 2017, the planning commission approved the
amendment, but recommended modifying the definition of "tree" to a more common
definition.
{¶ 25} On October 11, 2017, the Plain Township Zoning Commission held a
hearing on the amendment and recommended its denial.
{¶ 26} On November 14, 2017, appellees voted to pass zoning amendment #571-
17 with modification, eliminating the definition of "tree" (Resolution #17-442).
{¶ 27} Appellant filed a lawsuit, conceding the issue was whether appellees
adhered to the proper procedures under Ohio law in adopting the zoning amendment.
Plaintiff's December 17, 2021 Response Brief in Opposition at 3.
{¶ 28} Procedures to amend zoning ordinances is codified in R.C. 519.12. The
steps are as follows in pertinent part:
Stark County, Case No. 2022 CA 00039 9
{¶ 29} 1) Amendments to zoning resolutions may be initiated "by the passage of a
resolution by the board of township trustees." Subsection (A)(1).
{¶ 30} 2) Thereafter, "the township zoning commission shall transmit a copy of it
together with text and map pertaining to it to the county or regional planning commission,
if there is such a commission, for approval, disapproval, or suggestions." Subsection
(E)(1)(a).
{¶ 31} 3) "The county or regional planning commission shall recommend the
approval or denial of the proposed amendment or the approval of some modification of it
and shall submit its recommendation to the township zoning commission." Id.{¶ 32} 4) "The recommendation shall be considered at the public hearing held by
the township zoning commission on the proposed amendment." Id.{¶ 33} 5) "The township zoning commission, within thirty days after the hearing,
shall recommend the approval or denial of the proposed amendment, or the approval of
some modification of it, and submit that recommendation together with * * * the
recommendation of the county or regional planning commission on it to the board of
township trustees." Subsection (E)(2).
{¶ 34} 6) "The board of township trustees, upon receipt of that recommendation,
shall set a time for a public hearing on the proposed amendment." Subsection (E)(3).
{¶ 35} 7) "Within twenty days after its public hearing, the board of township
trustees shall either adopt or deny the recommendations of the township zoning
commission or adopt some modification of them. If the board denies or modifies the
commission's recommendations, a majority vote of the board shall be required."
Subsection (H).
Stark County, Case No. 2022 CA 00039 10
{¶ 36} Appellant takes issue with the last step. He argues appellees were not
permitted to pass zoning amendment #571-17 with modification, eliminating the definition
of "tree," because the zoning commission recommended its denial. Appellant argues
appellees cannot modify a denial.
{¶ 37} In its judgment entry filed March 10, 2022, the trial court disagreed, finding
the following:
The Board of Trustees had before it two recommendations: one of
the regional planning commission and one of the zoning commission. One
recommended a modification and the other recommended a denial. The
statute required that both recommendations be submitted to the trustees
and the statute utilizes the plural form of "recommendations" when
instructing that the trustees may "adopt or deny the recommendations of
the township zoning commission or adopt some modification of them." R.C.
519.12(H). (Emphasis sic.)
{¶ 38} Appellant argues the plural "recommendations" must come from the
township zoning commission and does not contemplate a recommendation from the
planning commission. On this issue, the trial court determined:
Here, the text of the amendment passed by the trustees was
considered by both the regional planning commission and the zoning
commission. It was the regional planning commission who recommended
Stark County, Case No. 2022 CA 00039 11
the omission of the definition of tree. This proposal then was passed on to
the zoning commission, where it had the opportunity to consider the very
amendment the Board of Trustees ultimately passed. All pertinent entities
had an opportunity to weigh in on the proposed amendment. The
recommendations before the Board of Trustees were: (1) to eliminate the
definition of tree but to adopt amendments incorporating the remaining
definitions, and (2) to deny the amendment altogether. The Board of
Trustees properly modified the zoning commission's recommendation when
it accepted the change proposed by the regional planning commission, but
decided not to deny the amendment entirely--which it had every right to do
under R.C. 519.12. The Court finds no merit to Armatas' circular argument
that the amendment should have gone through the entire process again
simply to remove the definition of tree when that recommendation was
already before the zoning commission and the zoning commission rejected
it.
{¶ 39} Given the facts of this case, we concur with the trial court's analysis. R.C.
519.12 provides that amendments to zoning resolutions be considered successively by
the regional planning commission, the township zoning commission, and finally by the
township board of trustees. Pursuant to subsection (H), a township board of trustees
"shall either adopt or deny the recommendations of the township zoning commission or
adopt some modification of them." Each entity reviewed and considered the same
amendment and gave their respective recommendations. The zoning commission denied
Stark County, Case No. 2022 CA 00039 12
the amendment in toto. To have the process repeat itself without the definition of "tree"
would be duplicative as the zoning commission already denied the whole amendment.
Appellees chose not to follow the zoning commission's recommendation which as noted
by the trial court, they had the right to do under R.C. 519.12(H).
{¶ 40} Upon review, we find the trial court did not disregard the statutory law
outlining the proper procedure for a township to adopt a zoning amendment.
{¶ 41} Assignment of Error II is denied.
III
{¶ 42} In his third assignment of error, appellant claims the trial court erred by
applying the doctrine of res judicata to a federal court order dismissing his state law
declaratory judgment action without prejudice. We disagree.
{¶ 43} In Armatas v. Aultman Hospital, 5th Dist. Stark No. 2021 CA 00133, 2022-
Ohio-4577, ¶ 34-36, this court set forth the doctrine of res judicata as follows:
Res judicata can be divided into two separate subparts: claim
preclusion and issue preclusion. Grava v. Parkman Twp., 73 Ohio St.3d
379, 653 N.E.2d 226 (1995). Claim preclusion holds that a valid, final
judgment on the merits bars all subsequent actions based upon any claim
arising out of the transaction or occurrence that was the subject matter of
the previous action. Id. Issue preclusion precludes relitigation of any "issue
that has been actually and necessarily litigated and determined in a prior
action." Fort Frye Teachers Assn v. State Emp. Rels. Bd., 81 Ohio St.3d
392, 692 N.E.2d 140 (1998). An issue "that was actually and directly at
Stark County, Case No. 2022 CA 00039 13
issue in a previous action, that was passed upon and determined by a court
of competent jurisdiction, may not be drawn into question in a subsequent
action between the same parties or their privities, whether the cause of
action in the two actions be identical or different." Id.Res judicata bars a second action when: (1) a court of competent
jurisdiction rendered a valid, final judgment on the merits in an earlier action;
(2) the second action involves the same parties or their privies; (3) the
second action raises claims that were or could have been litigated in the
first action; and (4) the second action arises out of the same transaction or
occurrence that was the subject of the first action. State ex rel. Armatas v.
Plain Twp. Of Bd. of Zoning Appeals, 160 Ohio St.3d 161, 2020-Ohio-2973,
154 N.E.3d 74.
The Ohio Supreme Court has held, "a claim litigated to finality in the
United States District Court cannot be relitigated in a state court when the
state claim involves the identical subject matter previously litigated in
federal court, and there is * * * no issue of party or privity." Rogers v. City
of Whitehall, 25 Ohio St.3d 67, 494 N.E.2d 1387 (1986).
{¶ 44} Appellant argues res judicata does not apply because the federal district
court dismissed his declaratory judgment claim without prejudice, the trial court overrode
and defied the federal district court order in applying the doctrine of res judicata, and the
trial court overstated the scope of the federal court's ruling.
Stark County, Case No. 2022 CA 00039 14
{¶ 45} In finding res judicata to apply, the trial court found the federal district court
determined certain facts and issues "which may be given preclusive effect here under the
doctrine of issue preclusion." March 10, 2022 Judgment Entry at 11. (Footnote omitted.)
The trial court concluded at 13, "the federal court passed upon the issue of whether there
was any lack of process or unfairness as a part of the hearing to amend the zoning
ordinance, and determined there was not."
{¶ 46} In the federal district court order, attached to appellees' April 1, 2021 answer
as Exhibit N, the federal district court reviewed the magistrate's recommendation to
dismiss appellant's federal civil rights claim, specifically, a substantive due process claim.
In support of his claim, appellant had argued " '[i]n attempting to adopt an Amendment to
the Hedge Ordinance in the fall of 2017, Defendants failed to advance a legitimate public
interest, and instead undertook such action to advance their own personal interests[.]' "
Magistrate's January 4, 2021 Report and Recommendation at 21, attached to Defendants'
April 1, 2021 Answer as Exhibit M. In finding appellant failed to plead a substantive due
process violation, the federal district court stated the following in its order at 6:
Armatas has argued at length that he properly identified a Fourteenth
Amendment substantive due process violation and harm to his property
values. However, the very basis of Armatas claim is faulty. Armatas
effectively seeks a determination that the Board of Trustees was not
permitted to amend the hedge ordinance. Armatas, however, has not
identified any lack of process surrounding the amendment. A full and fair
public hearing was held prior to the adoption of the amendment. Moreover,
Stark County, Case No. 2022 CA 00039 15
to the extent that Armatas argues that there were discussions suggesting
that the amendment would alleviate litigation, he advances a self-defeating
argument. Amending the ordinance to clarify its scope to reduce the
possibility of litigation is a legitimate governmental interest.
{¶ 47} The Sixth Circuit affirmed the district court's decision. Armatas v. Haws, 6th
Cir. No. 21-3190, 2021 WL 5356028 (Nov. 17, 2021).
{¶ 48} In his declaratory judgment claim to the trial court, appellant advanced the
same arguments he made in the federal case: the amendment failed to advance a
legitimate public interest, was passed solely to advance the personal interests of the
named defendants, and defendants failed to follow the appropriate ratification procedure
under Ohio law. The federal district court order addressed these issues. We concur with
the trial court's conclusion issue preclusion applies in this case.
{¶ 49} Upon review, we find the trial court did not err in applying the doctrine of res
judicata.
{¶ 50} Assignment of Error III is denied.
IV
{¶ 51} In his fourth assignment of error, appellant claims the trial court erred in
dismissing his claim that appellees violated Ohio's Open Meetings Act when they
authorized a lawsuit against him outside a public forum. We disagree.
{¶ 52} R.C. 121.22 governs public meetings. Subsection (A) mandates public
officials are required "to take official action and to conduct all deliberations upon official
Stark County, Case No. 2022 CA 00039 16
business only in open meetings unless the subject matter is specifically excepted by law."
Subsection (G)(3) states in pertinent part:
members of a public body may hold an executive session only after a
majority of a quorum of the public body determines, by a roll call vote, to
hold an executive session and only at a regular or special meeting for * * *
[c]onferences with an attorney for the public body concerning disputes
involving the public body that are the subject of pending or imminent court
action.
{¶ 53} Subsection (H) states in pertinent part:
A resolution, rule, or formal action of any kind is invalid unless
adopted in an open meeting of the public body. A resolution, rule, or formal
action adopted in an open meeting that results from deliberations in a
meeting not open to the public is invalid unless the deliberations were for a
purpose specifically authorized in division (G) or (J) of this section and
conducted at an executive session held in compliance with this section.
{¶ 54} In his appellate brief at 29, appellant argues the official meeting minutes of
the Plain Township Board of Trustees "show absolutely no reference to the authorization
of a vexatious litigator action (or any other type of lawsuit) against Mr. Armatas." As such,
he "has fulfilled his burden of demonstrating the essential elements of his claim."
Stark County, Case No. 2022 CA 00039 17
{¶ 55} In State ex rel. Hicks v. Clermont County Board of Commissioners, 2022-
Ohio-4237, --- N.E.3d ---, the Supreme Court of Ohio reviewed a summary judgment
decision involving a claim of an Open Meetings Act violation. The Hicks court at ¶ 11
stated, "to receive relief, the plaintiff must prove a violation of the OMA. There is no
requirement for the public body to conversely prove that no violation occurred." The Hicks
court explained at ¶ 21-23:
Under the "presumption of regularity," in the absence of evidence to
the contrary, courts will presume that public officers have properly
performed their duties and acted lawfully. The presumption of regularity is
related to the burden of proof, because if the former attaches, then the
burden of production remains on the plaintiff to overcome the presumption
and prove that a violation occurred.
The presumption of regularity attaches to public officers,
administrative officers, and public boards acting within their official
capacities or performing their official duties. Here, the board was acting
within its official capacity to discuss employee matters in executive session.
Therefore, the presumption of regularity attaches, and the burden of
production remains on Hicks to prove that a violation occurred. Under the
presumption of regularity, absent evidence to the contrary, courts should
presume that a public body in executive session discussed the topics stated
in its motion to enter executive session and did not discuss any matters not
stated in the motion. It is the plaintiff's burden to prove otherwise.
Stark County, Case No. 2022 CA 00039 18
If we were to hold that the burden of production is on the public body
in these circumstances, we would create a presumption of irregularity.
Consider a case such as this one, in which there is no evidence of what the
public body discussed in executive session. If the burden of production
were on the public body, then in the absence of any evidence, the court
would have to presume that the public body acted contrary to law and
considered topics not stated in its motion to enter executive session. That
would amount to a presumption of irregularity, which is contrary to Ohio law.
(Emphasis sic.) (Citations omitted.)
{¶ 56} According to appellant's April 29, 2021 amended complaint at ¶ 124-127,
the official meeting minutes of the Plain Township Board of Trustees dated February 11,
2020, on two occasions dated February 25, 2020, and on March 19, 2020, the board
adjourned to executive session to "conference with the law director or other retained
counsel concerning pending or imminent court action" as authorized under R.C.
121.22(G). Appellant did not allege any errors regarding going into executive session,
but claimed the meeting minutes from January 14, 2020 to October 13, 2020 "shows no
reference to the authorization of a vexatious litigator action or any other type of lawsuit
against Plaintiff." April 29, 2021 Amended Complaint at ¶ 123. Therefore, any legal action
taken against him "should be declared invalid, and/or struck down, and/or declared null
and void on the grounds its authorization constituted a disqualifying event under and a
violation of the Ohio Open Meetings Act." Id. at ¶ 130.
{¶ 57} In their appellate brief at 29-30, appellees argue the following:
Stark County, Case No. 2022 CA 00039 19
in order to succeed in an OMA violation claim, the appellant is required to
demonstrate that a majority of the Plain Township Board of Trustees held a
prearranged meeting in which public business was discussed and formal
action was taken. Here, however, the appellant's only evidence is the
absence of a resolution to commence the vexatious litigator lawsuit, and the
presumption that it resulted from Trustee deliberations. (Emphasis sic.)
{¶ 58} In its March 10, 2022, judgment entry granting summary judgment to
appellees on this issue, the trial court found the following:
Armatas has not presented this Court with any evidence of a factual
issue regarding whether Plain Township conducted improper deliberations
upon official business during a secret meeting. The Court has afforded
ample time for discovery. Armatas has not put forth any evidence that such
meeting occurred. His argument centers around his legal interpretation that
deliberation and a resolution are necessary, therefore there must have been
some improper deliberation. Plain Township responds that no such
deliberation occurred, but rather it was entitled to unilaterally authorize the
litigation in some fashion absent a meeting. This Court is not called upon
to determine whether Plain Township was correct in its assertion. The sole
cause before the Court in that regard is a violation of the Open Meetings
Stark County, Case No. 2022 CA 00039 20
Act. The Court finds that Plaintiff has failed to create a genuine issue of
material fact regarding whether that meeting occurred.
{¶ 59} In reviewing the evidence presented, we concur appellant has not
presented any evidence of a factual issue regarding an Open Meetings Act violation. As
held by the Hicks court, it was his burden to prove that a violation occurred.
{¶ 60} Upon review, we find the trial court did not err in granting summary judgment
to appellees on appellant's Open Meetings Act violation claim.
{¶ 61} Assignment of Error IV is denied.
{¶ 62} The judgment of the Court of Common Pleas of Stark County, Ohio is
hereby affirmed.
By Wise, Earle, P.J.
Gwin, J. and
Delaney, J. concur.
EEW/db