Donna Zink & Jeff Zink v. City of Mesa

FILED
JUNE 1, 2021
In the Office of the Clerk of Court
WA State Court of Appeals, Division III
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON
DIVISION THREE
DONNA ZINK and JEFF ZINK, wife ) No. 36994-3-III
and husband, and the marital community )
composed thereof, )
)
Appellants / Cross Respondents, )
)
v. )
)
CITY OF MESA, a Washington Municipal )
Corporation; DUANA RAE ROSS, )
a married woman; DAVID FERGUSON, )
a married man; and ELIZABETH DAVIS, )
a married woman, ) OPINION PUBLISHED IN PART
)
Respondents / Cross Appellants, )
)
PATRICK FAY, a married man; )
FRANKLIN COUNTY, a Washington )
Municipal Corporation; RICHARD )
LATHIM, in his capacity as Franklin )
County Sheriff; RUBEN BAYONA, )
an individual; FRANKLIN COUNTY )
SHERIFF’S DEPUTY SCANTLIN, )
an individual; and BRIAN PFEIFFER, )
an individual, )
)
Defendants. )
PENNELL, C.J. — The Open Public Meetings Act of 1971 (OPMA), chapter 42.30
RCW, is a powerfully worded statute that broadly protects the public’s right of access to
all forms of public meetings. Under the terms of the statute, governmental bodies cannot
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set conditions on the right to attend a public meeting unless reasonably based on the need
to keep order.
Donna Zink was excluded from a Mesa city council meeting because she sought
to video record the proceedings. The video recording was not inherently disruptive;
Ms. Zink was prohibited from making a recording simply because at least some members
of the city council did not wish to be on video. By conditioning Ms. Zink’s attendance at
the city council meeting on her agreement not to make a video recording, Mesa violated
Ms. Zink’s rights under the OPMA. We affirm the trial court’s order granting Ms. Zink’s
OPMA claim against Mesa, but reverse the court’s award of attorney fees, as it was too
restrictive. 1
FACTS
Mesa is a noncharter code city, with a mayor and city council organized under
chapter 35A.12 RCW. As a noncharter code city, the city council is the governing
body of Mesa. Former RCW 35A.12.010 (1997). The mayor serves as presiding officer
for the city council, having a vote only in case of a tie concerning certain matters.
1
In the published portion of this opinion we address Ms. Zink’s claims under
the OPMA. We address her remaining claims in the unpublished portion of our opinion
and grant partial relief based on the trial court’s summary disposition of various claims
against the Zinks.
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Former RCW 35A.12.100 (1979). In 2003, the Mesa city council consisted of five
members. The mayor was Duana Ross.
The Mesa city council had a meeting scheduled to commence at 7:00 p.m. on
May 8, 2003. There were routine items on the agenda. Three of the council’s five
members were present for that day’s meeting, constituting a majority of the governing
body.
Local resident Donna Zink appeared for the May 8 city council meeting and began
video recording a few minutes before 7:00 p.m., utilizing a mini-recorder and tripod.
Ms. Zink had previously recorded other city council meetings. She had also notified
the city attorney of her intent to video record the council meetings and had not received
any objections.
Shortly after Ms. Zink began recording, council member Patrick Fay and
Mayor Duana Ross told Ms. Zink they did not care to be on tape. Two other members
of the council were present, but remained silent. The mayor told Ms. Zink she needed
permission to tape the proceedings. Ms. Zink asked what law required such permission.
Ms. Zink stated she was “not turning the camera off so call the police.” Ex. 51 at 34 sec.
through 37 sec.
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Mayor Ross then called 911 at the prompting of council member Fay. During the
call, Mayor Ross stated “we have some problems here with a citizen” and “we would like
her to be removed from city hall.” Ex. 16 at 14 sec. through 27 sec. After getting off the
telephone with 911, Mayor Ross called the council meeting to order and then immediately
announced a 10 minute recess.
A sheriff’s deputy arrived and talked to Ms. Zink. Ms. Zink informed the officer
she had a right to record the meeting as it was a public meeting and she was not causing a
disturbance. A discussion ensued over whether Washington’s privacy act, chapter 9.73
RCW, applied to Ms. Zink’s recording, or whether the OPMA applied. While apparently
reviewing the OPMA, Mayor Ross commented she had three council members objecting
to the video tape because it made them feel uncomfortable while they were trying to do
their jobs. Mayor Ross also stated she had tried to consult with the city attorney about the
issue, but had not yet heard back.
The deputy eventually said he had conferred with council member Fay, who also
worked as a sheriff’s deputy. According to the deputy, council member Fay reported
learning from a prosecutor that a recording could not be made without two-party consent.
The deputy claimed Ms. Zink was trespassing and would be arrested if she did not either
leave or stop recording. Ms. Zink did not stop recording. Ms. Zink was then handcuffed,
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transported to the Franklin County jail, given a citation, and released. After Ms. Zink’s
removal, the council resumed its meeting and conducted business on its agenda.
Ms. Zink was criminally charged via citation with trespass in the first degree.
She was arraigned on May 12, 2003, and was required to return to court for a pretrial
conference on June 11. Instead of returning for a pretrial conference, the docket shows
the case was dismissed through a motion of the prosecutor on May 20.
PROCEDURE
In 2005, Ms. Zink and her husband sued the city of Mesa, Mayor Ross, the
three city council members present that night (collectively Mesa), Franklin County,
the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, the elected sheriff, and the involved deputies.
The Zinks made claims regarding violations of the OPMA as well as civil rights and
emotional distress claims regarding Ms. Zink’s exclusion from the meeting and arrest.
In pretrial rulings, the court disposed of all the Zinks’ claims except the OPMA
claim and a tort claim under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 for deprivation of liberty without due
process. Also prior to trial, the Zinks settled their claims against the county. Council
member Fay later died and the claims against him were voluntarily dismissed. Although
the Zinks had originally been represented by counsel, they proceeded to trial pro se.
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A jury trial was held in January 2018. In the middle of trial, Mesa filed a motion
for directed verdict on both claims. The court granted the motion with respect to the
§ 1983 claim. The jury subsequently returned a defense verdict on the OPMA claim.
Posttrial, the court ruled the OPMA case was not triable to a jury as a matter of
right and the court was not bound by the jury’s verdict. The court set aside the jury’s
verdict and found the city of Mesa violated the OPMA by prohibiting Ms. Zink from
recording. The court refused to enter judgment against the mayor and city council
members in their individual capacities, finding there was insufficient proof as to that
aspect of the case.
Ms. Zink sought attorney fees and costs in the amount of $19,411.65, pursuant to
the OPMA. RCW 42.30.120(4). She produced an attorney fee declaration from her prior
attorney, documenting the work he had done on the case. The court disregarded most of
the fee declaration. The court awarded $5,000.00 in attorney fees, based on its estimate
of what would be reasonable under the circumstances. The court also awarded $1,511.49
in costs, for a total judgment against the city of $6,511.49.
The Zinks sought direct review by the Washington Supreme Court. The Supreme
Court denied review and transferred the appeal to this court, pursuant to RAP 4.2(e)(1).
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ANALYSIS
Open Public Meetings Act
The OPMA provides “[a]ll meetings of the governing body of a public agency
shall be open and public and all persons shall be permitted to attend any meeting of
the governing body of a public agency, except as otherwise provided in this chapter.”
RCW 42.30.030. Remedies for violations of the OPMA include mandamus or
injunction as provided in RCW 42.30.130, voidance of certain actions as provided in
RCW 42.30.060, and recoupment of “all costs” and reasonable attorney fees as provided
in RCW 42.30.120(4).
Our review of the OPMA’s legal requirements is de novo. Wood v. Battle Ground
Sch. Dist., 107 Wn. App. 550, 558, 27 P.3d 1208 (2001). Statutory terms are interpreted
according to the rules for discerning legislative intent. Dep’t of Ecology v. Campbell &
Gwinn, LLC, 146 Wn.2d 1, 9-12, 43 P.3d 4 (2002). We defer to the trial court for any
applicable factual findings. See Miller v. City of Tacoma, 138 Wn.2d 318, 322-23,
979 P.2d 429 (1999). Here, the parties dispute whether an OPMA violation occurred
in this case and, if so, whether liability extends only to the city or also to the mayor
and individual city council members. These are largely legal matters and are therefore
reviewed de novo.
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The May 8, 2003, proceedings constituted a “meeting”
One of the elements 2 of an OPMA claim is proof a governing body conducted
a “meeting.” See Eugster v. City of Spokane, 110 Wn. App. 212, 222, 39 P.3d 380(2002). The OPMA defines a “meeting” as a gathering “at which action is taken.”
RCW 42.30.020(4). Our case law has discerned the term “meeting” was intended to
have broad application. Wood, 107 Wn. App. at 562. The basic requirements are the
presence of a majority of the governing body and a collective intent to transact official
business. Citizens All. for Prop. Rights Legal Fund v. San Juan County, 184 Wn.2d 428,
442-43, 359 P.3d 753 (2015).
The May 8 session attended by Ms. Zink readily meets the foregoing definition of
a meeting. The fact that action had yet to be taken does not mean there was no meeting.
It is undisputed that at the time Ms. Zink recorded the proceedings, the mayor and city
2
A claim against a governmental entity requires proof of five facts: (1) members
(2) of a governing body or a committee thereof (3) of a public agency (4) violated or
intend to violate a section of chapter 42.30 RCW, (5) at a meeting. RCW 42.30.030;
former RCW 42.30.120(1) (1985). When a claim is against an individual member for
personal liability, the plaintiff must prove a past violation, not an anticipatory violation,
under element (4), and must also prove (6) the individual member had “knowledge of the
fact that the meeting [was] in violation” of a provision of the statute. Former RCW
42.30.120(1). The current remedies for a claim against a member found personally liable
are a $500 civil penalty for a first violation and a $1,000 civil penalty for subsequent
violations. RCW 42.30.120(1)-(2).
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council members had gathered together with the collective intent to hold a meeting.
This is all that is required under the OPMA.
The OPMA includes a right to record public meetings
The OPMA recognizes very few avenues for restricting attendance at
governmental meetings. The statute recognizes the authority to exclude the public from
executive sessions. Former RCW 42.30.110 (2001). In addition, the governing body
may remove a member of the public who is disrupting the orderly conduct of business.
RCW 42.30.050. But any such removal must be reasonable. In re Recall of Kast, 144
Wn.2d 807, 811-12, 31 P.3d 677 (2001) (per curiam).
One of the core protections under the OPMA is that an individual’s right to
attend a public meeting cannot be restricted to fulfilment of a “condition precedent.”
RCW 42.30.040. The statute does not define what is meant by “condition precedent.”
Black’s Law Dictionary defines the term as:
An act or event, other than a lapse of time, that must exist or occur before a
duty to perform something promised arises. ● If the condition does not
occur and is not excused, the promised performance need not be rendered.
The most common condition contemplated by this phrase is the immediate
or unconditional duty of performance by a promisor.
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BLACK’S LAW DICTIONARY 366 (11th ed. 2019). 3
Under the foregoing definition, extracting a promise not to record as a
precondition on attendance at a public meeting would appear to qualify as a condition
precedent. This understanding is also consistent with the purpose of the OPMA, which is
to grant the people of the state of Washington the right to be informed and retain control
over governmental agencies. RCW 42.30.010.
The foregoing understanding of the OPMA is consistent with a 1998 attorney
general opinion. When asked by a county prosecutor whether “a county legislative body
[may] prohibit an individual from using a video or audio recording device to record a
meeting or hearing conducted by county officials,” the Office of the Attorney General
concluded:
A county does not have authority to ban video or sound recording of a
meeting required to be open to the public by the [OPMA]; the county
could regulate recording only to the extent necessary to preserve order
at the meeting and facilitate public attendance.
1998 Op. Att’y Gen. No. 15, at 1.
3
The edition of Black’s Law Dictionary current at the time of the OPMA’s
enactment states: “A condition precedent . . . is one which to be performed before
some right dependent thereon accrues, or some act dependent thereon is performed.”
BLACK’S LAW DICTIONARY 366 (rev. 4th ed. 1968).
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While we are not bound by attorney general opinions, we generally give them great
weight. Five Corners Family Farmers v. State, 173 Wn.2d 296, 308, 268 P.3d 892(2011). Such weight is especially appropriate here, given the opinion has been in place
for over 20 years and the OPMA has been amended several times during this period with
no changes that would impact the opinion.
We interpret the OPMA as prohibiting governing bodies from restricting audio or
video recordings as a condition precedent to attending a public meeting. This is not to say
a governing body cannot exclude a member of the public who is recording a meeting in a
disruptive manner. But the undisputed facts show this is not what happened here. The
video evidence demonstrates Ms. Zink did not cause a disturbance when she began
recording. The discussion between Ms. Zink, Mayor Ross and others was civil and
orderly. There were no threats and the discussion took place prior to the council’s
discussion of items on the agenda. Unlike the circumstances in Kast, Ms. Zink’s actions
did not constitute an interruption of the council’s public meeting. 144 Wn.2d at 818. The
decision to eject Ms. Zink from the May 8, 2003, city council meeting was not reasonable
under the circumstances.
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The city of Mesa violated the OPMA
Mesa argues that even if a prohibition on audio and video recordings is an invalid
condition precedent under the OPMA, the city did not violate the OPMA because the
condition was imposed by the mayor, not the city’s governing body. We disagree.
The mayor was not some sort of a rogue third party. She was the city’s chief executive
and served as a presiding officer of the city council. When speaking to the 911 operator,
Mayor Ross used the first person plural “we” throughout the brief conversation. In
addition, while talking during Ms. Zink’s recording, the mayor made abundantly clear
she was speaking for the council when she directed Ms. Zink to stop recording. Ms. Zink
has therefore stated a claim that the city of Mesa’s governing body established an invalid
condition precedent on her attendance at a public meeting.
The facts do not support individual OPMA liability
Although the city of Mesa is liable for mandamus and injunctive relief under
RCW 42.30.130, personal liability against the individual elected officials requires further
analysis under the statute. Former RCW 42.30.120(1). To state a claim against the
individual officials, Ms. Zink also had to prove each member had “knowledge of the
fact that the meeting is in violation” of the OPMA. Id. Notably, this mens rea element
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is phrased so that the member must have knowledge the meeting itself was in violation of
the OPMA, not knowledge that a particular action was in violation of the OPMA.
The trial court held Ms. Zink failed to establish individual liability because
Mayor Ross’s actions on May 8, 2003, were taken on advice given by the city’s attorney.
We agree with Ms. Zink that this finding is not supported by substantial evidence. At
trial, the former city attorney testified he received a call from the city council the night
Ms. Zink was arrested. From the evidence at trial, it appears no one consulted the city
attorney until after the Mayor ordered Ms. Zink to stop recording and called 911. At the
trial, Mayor Ross testified that the city attorney was not called until just before the
sheriff’s deputy showed up, and it was the city’s clerk/treasurer, Teresa Standridge, who
called at Mayor Ross’s request.
The trial court’s oral ruling, which was not incorporated into its written rulings,
was there was no knowledge because none of the respondents had received training on
the OPMA. This was an accurate finding based on the undisputed evidence admitted
at trial and should be substituted as alternative grounds for affirming the trial court’s
judgment. RAP 2.5(a); see Young v. Toyota Motor Sales, 196 Wn.2d 310, 321, 472 P.3d
990 (2020) (citing Abbott Corp. v. Warren, 53 Wn.2d 399, 402, 333 P.2d 932 (1959)).
It was not until 2014, well after the city council meeting at issue in this case, that our
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legislature adopted a training requirement for public officials. RCW 42.30.205. This case
is an unfortunate example of one where no training took place.
Ms. Zink argues Mayor Ross and members of the city council likely knew their
actions were illegal. But as a plaintiff, Ms. Zink bore the burden of proof. Here, there is
simply no evidence of knowledge one way or the other. Given this circumstance, Ms.
Zink has not and cannot established a basis for individual liability under the OPMA. 4
The Zinks are entitled to reasonable attorney fees under the OPMA
Attorney fees are available under RCW 42.30.120(4) for violations of the OPMA.
The Zinks appeal the trial court’s attorney fee award, arguing it undervalued their claim
for fees.
Reviewing an attorney fee award involves mixed questions of law and fact. Legal
issues, such as whether attorney fees are applicable, are reviewed de novo. See Dix v. ICT
Group, Inc., 160 Wn.2d 826, 833, 161 P.3d 1016 (2007). But we afford deference to the
trial court’s discretionary decisions about the amounts of a fee and cost award. Gander v.
Yeager, 167 Wn. App. 638, 647, 282 P.3d 1100 (2012).
4
In a cross appeal, Mesa argues the trial court erred by finding Ms. Zink’s
OPMA claim was not subject to a jury trial. We decline to address this claim. Mesa
never requested a jury trial under CR 38. Further, any error with respect to the jury trial
issue was likely invited when counsel for Mesa consistently asserted in pretrial filings
and hearings that the OPMA claim was not triable to a jury.
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Award methodology
The trial court denied the Zinks’ full request for attorney fees after finding
problems with 4 of the 120 fee entries proffered by the Zinks’ attorney. Although the
attorney requested almost $20,000 in fees, the court awarded only $5,000 based on
the low value of the Zinks’ OPMA claim and the court’s “years of experience as a trial
lawyer.” Report of Proceedings (June 22, 2018) (RP) at 15. We agree with the Zinks
that the trial court’s brief analysis constituted an abuse of discretion.
In awarding attorney fees, the court is required to apply the lodestar methodology.
Mahler v. Szucs, 135 Wn.2d 398, 433, 957 P.2d 632 (1998). This involves multiplying
the reasonable number of hours spent securing a successful recovery for the client by a
reasonable hourly rate. Id. at 434. “[I]n rare instances,” the fee may be adjusted “upward
or downward in the trial court’s discretion.” Id. In considering whether to make such an
adjustment, the court may consider facts “‘such as the contingent nature of success in the
lawsuit or the quality of legal representation, which have not already been taken into
account.’” Bowers v. Transamerica Title Ins. Co., 100 Wn.2d 581, 593-94, 675 P.2d 193(1983) (plurality opinion) (quoting Miles v. Sampson, 675 F.2d 5, 8 (1st Cir. 1982)).
Here, the trial court’s $5,000 attorney fee award was not issued pursuant to the
requisite lodestar methodology. The court did not identify the number of hours reasonably
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expended on the Zinks’ case or the applicable rate. Nor did the court actively assess the
vast majority of the billing records submitted by the Zinks. “[T]he absence of an adequate
record upon which to review a fee award will result in a remand of the award to the trial
court to develop such a record.” Mahler, 135 Wn.2d at 435.
Apart from the failure to comply with the lodestar methodology, the trial court also
overemphasized the lack of economic recovery. The court stated it was awarding only
$5,000 in part because: “[i]t started out as a $100 claim,[5] the most the [Zinks] could
have gotten is a $100 claim. Nobody in their right mind would pay a lawyer $15,000 to
pursue a $100 claim.” RP (June 22, 2018) at 15. This reasoning undermines the very logic
of the OPMA, which mandates an award of costs and attorney fees for plaintiffs who
prevail in litigation of an OPMA claim, regardless of the limited dollar amount available
in statutory civil penalties. See RCW 42.30.120(4) (The prevailing party “shall be
awarded all costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees.”). The OPMA is a remedial
statute, subject to liberal construction. RCW 42.30.910. As such, its provision for award
of attorney fees must be liberally construed. Progressive Animal Welfare Soc. v. Univ. of
5
As mentioned previously, it was actually a claim with no monetary value.
Statutory civil penalties (formerly $100 but now $500) are available only against
individual members of a governing body and Ms. Zink has not made out a claim for
individual liability under the OPMA. Attorney fees and costs are the only amounts
recoverable by a prevailing party against municipal entities under the OPMA.
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Wash., 114 Wn.2d 677, 683, 790 P.2d 604 (1990). There is no liberal construction if the
statutory requirement of attorney fees can be undermined because the statute provides
only for limited penalties.
We reverse the trial court’s OPMA fee award and remand for further proceedings.
The panel having determined that only the foregoing portion of this opinion
will be printed in the Washington Appellate Reports, and that the remainder having no
precedential value, shall be filed for public record pursuant to RCW 2.06.040, it is so
ordered.
Negligent infliction of emotional distress
Background facts
Prior to trial, Mesa requested a CR 35 psychological examination of Ms. Zink
related to her negligent infliction of emotional distress claim. Mesa’s chosen examiner
was Dr. Philip Barnard, a psychologist. Ms. Zink objected and Mesa filed a motion to
compel. Ms. Zink argued her compliance was not justified because the proposed
examination would not produce any relevant or admissible evidence. Ms. Zink offered
she would participate in an exam limited in scope to only that information necessary to
determine whether Ms. Zink suffered emotional distress or anxiety at the time of her
alleged unlawful arrest.
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The trial court ultimately ruled Ms. Zink had put her mental health at issue and,
as a result, the defense was entitled to an examination under CR 35. The court refused
to second guess Dr. Barnard’s assessment of the appropriate scope of the examination.
The court did limit dissemination of Ms. Zink’s examination results.
After Ms. Zink refused to show up for the examination scheduled with Dr.
Barnard, Mesa filed a motion to dismiss her negligent infliction of emotional distress
claim as a sanction. The trial court determined Ms. Zink had willfully violated the order
compelling an examination and, given trial was only six weeks away, dismissal of the
claim was the only reasonable sanction. The court issued a written order giving Ms. Zink
one last chance to submit to the CR 35 examination. Ms. Zink again refused to comply.
The court then dismissed Ms. Zink’s claim of negligent infliction of emotional distress.
Analysis
Ms. Zink challenges the trial court’s CR 35 order and subsequent order dismissing
her negligent infliction of emotional distress claim as a sanction for violating the order.
We review discovery decisions, including sanctions, for abuse of discretion. T.S. v. Boy
Scouts of Am., 157 Wn.2d 416, 423, 138 P.3d 1053 (2006); Burnet v. Spokane
Ambulance, 131 Wn.2d 484, 494, 933 P.2d 1036 (1997).
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The record shows Ms. Zink knowingly and willfully violated the trial court’s
CR 35 order because she believed it was overbroad. In taking this stance, Ms. Zink
invited the court’s sanctions. The trial court had jurisdiction in the case and authority to
issue discovery orders. As a result, Ms. Zink was not entitled to simply ignore the trial
court’s discovery order. See Dike v. Dike, 75 Wn.2d 1, 8, 448 P.2d 490 (1968) (“[W]here
the court has jurisdiction of the parties and of the subject matter of the suit and the legal
authority to make the order, a party refusing to obey it, however erroneously made, is
liable for contempt.”). Her options were either to seek relief in this court through
discretionary review or to comply with the order and preserve an objection for appeal.
See id.The existence of a privilege can sometimes excuse a party’s refusal to comply
with an otherwise lawful order. See id. at 9. But here we are not talking about privilege.
The CR 35 order did not require Ms. Zink to divulge information from an existing
medical or treatment provider. She was instead required to participate in an evaluation
with a provider retained by Mesa as part of a legal proceeding. A CR 35 examination
may impinge upon a litigant’s privacy interests, but it does not create a claim of privilege.
See Tietjen v. Dep’t of Labor & Indus., 13 Wn. App. 86, 90, 534 P.2d 151 (1975)
(“A [defense] CR 35 medical and mental examination is a legal proceeding [where the]
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physician-patient relationship establishing privilege does not exist.”). Further, many
privacy interests are waived when a plaintiff files suit, including privacy implicated
by a psychological examination when the trial court finds good cause for a CR 35
examination.
Because Ms. Zink neither sought interlocutory review of the CR 35 order nor
submitted to the evaluation, the trial court was entitled to treat the discovery order as final
and impose sanctions. Ms. Zink was warned that failure to comply with the terms of the
CR 35 examination would result in dismissal of her negligent infliction of emotional
distress claim, yet she refused to comply. Given this circumstance, the trial court’s
dismissal order was an appropriate exercise of discretion. Dismissal will not be
reevaluated at this point, regardless of the propriety of the underlying discovery order.
Dismissal mid-trial of 42 U.S.C. §1983 14th Amendment due process claim
Ms. Zink appeals the trial court’s directed verdict on her § 1983 due process claim.
We review this issue de novo and assess whether, viewing the evidence in the light most
favorable to Ms. Zink, she has established a prima facie case for relief. In re Dependency
of Schermer, 161 Wn.2d 927, 939-40, 169 P.3d 452 (2007).
To establish a claim for relief under 42 U.S.C. § 1983, a plaintiff must prove two
elements: (1) some person deprived them of a federal constitutional or statutory right and
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(2) the person in question was acting under color of state law. Sintra, Inc. v. City of
Seattle, 119 Wn.2d 1, 11-12, 829 P.2d 765 (1992), abrogated on other grounds by Chong
Yim v. City of Seattle, 194 Wn.2d 682, 702-03, 451 P.3d 694 (2020).
The trial court’s directed verdict appeared to be based on the view that a violation
of a nonfederal statute can form the basis of a § 1983 claim only if the statute purports to
grant a property right; because the OPMA grants a liberty interest, not a property interest,
§ 1983 was inapplicable. To the extent this is an accurate summary of the trial court’s
decision, it was wrong. The United States Supreme Court has repeatedly held state laws
can create protected liberty interests for purposes of § 1983 liability. See, e.g., Kentucky v.
Thompson, 490 U.S. 454, 459-60, 109 S. Ct. 1904, 104 L. Ed. 2d 506 (1989).
On appeal, Mesa argues we should uphold the trial court’s directed verdict because
the OPMA creates only a privilege, not a right. In support of this claim, Mesa cites the
following language from the Washington Supreme Court’s decision in Kast: “The
[OPMA] does not purport to grant citizens the right to interrupt meetings as they see fit;
rather, citizens are granted a privilege to be present during public meetings so that they
can remain informed of an agency’s actions.” 144 Wn.2d at 818.
We disagree with Mesa that the language in Kast means the OPMA does not create
a statutory right. What the Kast court held was that a citizen’s authority to attend a public
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meeting is not unlimited; a disruptive person can be lawfully expelled from a public
meeting. But limitations do not mean the statute does not confer any rights. It simply
means the rights created are, like all other rights, not absolute. See, e.g., Perry Educ.
Ass’n v. Perry Local Educators Ass’n, 460 U.S. 37, 45, 103 S. Ct. 948, 74 L. Ed. 2d 794(1983) (right to free speech may be regulated by time, place manner restrictions). By its
plain terms, the OPMA grants individuals the right to attend public meetings so long as
they are not disruptive. Given this interpretation, Ms. Zink’s § 1983 due process claim
does not fail based on the theory she merely had a “privilege,” not a right.
The Zinks presented a viable claim that Mayor Ross, acting in her official capacity,
deprived Ms. Zink of her right to attend a public meeting by unlawfully conditioning
attendance on Ms. Zink’s foregoing the video recording of the meeting. As a result, the
Zinks were entitled to a jury trial on their § 1983 due process claim against Mayor Ross.
The Zinks have also asserted sufficient facts for municipal liability. A local
government may only be sued under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 for an action that “executes a
policy statement, ordinance, regulation, or decision officially adopted and promulgated by
that body’s officers.” Monell v. Dep’t of Soc. Servs., 436 U.S. 658, 690, 98 S. Ct. 2018,
56 L. Ed. 2d 611 (1978). The facts here indicate Mayor Ross, in her capacity as the
presiding officer at the city council meeting, made a deliberate choice to prohibit
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Zink v. City of Mesa
members of the public from video recording council meetings. In making this
determination, Mayor Ross indicated she was enforcing the will of the council members
who did not wished to be on video. Given this record, Ms. Zink has asserted facts
sufficient to establish municipal and individual liability. See Pembaur v. City of
Cincinnati, 475 U.S. 469, 483, 106 S. Ct. 1292, 89 L. Ed. 2d 452 (1986) (“[M]unicipal
liability under § 1983 attaches where—and only where—a deliberate choice to follow a
course of action is made from among various alternatives by the official or officials
responsible for establishing final policy with respect to the subject matter in question.”).
The trial court’s directed verdict must therefore be reversed as to Mayor Ross and the city
of Mesa. 6
Summary judgment rulings
The Zinks appeal the trial court’s summary judgment dismissal of their claims for
false arrest, false imprisonment, malicious prosecution, Fourth Amendment / 42 U.S.C.
§ 1983, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and loss of consortium. We review
de novo, viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the Zinks.
6
Mesa claims qualified immunity prevents Ms. Zink from proceeding on her
Fourteenth Amendment due process claim. However, the trial court expressly declined to
reach that issue, and Mesa failed to adequately brief it on appeal. Accordingly, we also
decline to address qualified immunity.
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No. 36994-3-III
Zink v. City of Mesa
False arrest and false imprisonment
“False arrest occurs when a law enforcement officer, or one claiming to have the
powers of a police officer, unlawfully restrains or imprisons another by physical force,
threat of force, or conduct reasonably implying the use of force against the detainee
should [they] resist.” Demelash v. Ross Stores, Inc., 105 Wn. App. 508, 529, 20 P.3d 447(2001) (citing Bender v. City of Seattle, 99 Wn.2d 582, 591, 664 P.2d 492 (1983)).
“The gist of false arrest and false imprisonment is essentially the same, viz., the unlawful
violation of a person’s right of personal liberty, and a false imprisonment occurs
whenever a false arrest occurs.” Youker v. Douglas County, 162 Wn. App. 448, 465,
258 P.3d 60 (2011).
Mesa claims it is entitled to summary judgment because Ms. Zink’s arrest and
imprisonment were conducted by an independent third party, a deputy of the Franklin
County Sheriff’s Office. However, the rule is not so simple. An individual is not liable for
false arrest or imprisonment when they do “nothing more than detail [their] version of the
facts to [law enforcement] and ask for assistance, leaving it to the officer to determine
what is the appropriate response.” McCord v. Tielsch, 14 Wn. App. 564, 566, 544 P.2d 56(1975). But liability can attach if the individual “invites or participates” in the arrest by
law enforcement. Id. at 566. This is also known as instigation. RESTATEMENT (SECOND)
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No. 36994-3-III
Zink v. City of Mesa
OF TORTS § 45A cmt. c, at 70 (AM. LAW INST.1965). An individual will not be liable for
instigating a false arrest if they “leave[] to the police the decision as to what shall be done
about any arrest, without persuading or influencing them.” Id.
Considering the evidence in the light most favorable to the Zinks, one could
conclude Mayor Ross and council member Fay instigated Ms. Zink’s arrest and
imprisonment by not only calling 911 with a request for law enforcement to remove
Ms. Zink, but also actively trying to convince the responding sheriff’s deputy that
Ms. Zink had no legal right to record the council meeting. The activities of Mayor Ross
and council member Fay went beyond merely providing truthful information to law
enforcement and then allowing law enforcement to take independent action. The city
officials looked through statute books and relayed legal claims in an effort to convince
the sheriff’s deputy there was a basis for arrest. Although the case against council
member Fay has been voluntarily dismissed, the questions of fact regarding Mayor
Ross’s responsibility mean the order of summary judgment as to false arrest and false
imprisonment was unwarranted as to Mayor Ross and the city of Mesa. See, e.g.,
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No. 36994-3-III
Zink v. City of Mesa
Bender, 99 Wn.2d at 587 (city can be held vicariously liable for false arrest). 7
Malicious prosecution
To sustain an action for malicious prosecution under the common law, a plaintiff
needs to prove five elements:
(1) that the prosecution claimed to have been malicious was instituted or
continued by the defendant; (2) that there was want of probable cause for
the institution or continuation of the prosecution; (3) that the proceedings
were instituted or continued through malice; (4) that the proceedings
terminated on the merits in favor of the plaintiff, or were abandoned; and
(5) that the plaintiff suffered injury or damage as a result of the prosecution.
Peasley v. Puget Sound Tug & Barge Co., 13 Wn.2d 485, 497, 125 P.2d 681 (1942).
“[M]alice and want of probable cause constitute the gist of” an action for malicious
prosecution. Id.Mesa claims the Zinks have not stated a valid claim for malicious prosecution
for three reasons: (1) none of the Mesa defendants instituted the case against Ms. Zink,
(2) there was probable cause to support the case against Ms. Zink, and (3) the case against
Ms. Zink did not amount to an actual prosecution. All three of Mesa’s arguments fail.
7
There is no evidence showing any of the other council members played a part in
Ms. Zink’s arrest and detention. Thus, summary judgment as to the remaining council
members was appropriate. With respect to the city of Mesa, it could be discretionary
immunity applies. However, the trial court expressly declined to reach this issue and
neither party adequately briefs it on appeal. If immunity applies, it may be addressed on
remand.
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No. 36994-3-III
Zink v. City of Mesa
First, as previously stated, there is evidence Mayor Ross and council member Fay
instigated the case against Ms. Zink by calling 911, asking for Ms. Zink to be removed,
and then actively engaging with the responding deputy in order to convince him there was
a legal basis for believing Ms. Zink had violated the law.
Second, because Ms. Zink had a right to attend Mesa’s council meeting regardless
of whether she chose to video record the proceedings, there was not probable cause to
arrest her for trespass. Former RCW 9A.52.010(3) (1985); former RCW 9A.52.070
(1979); RCW 9A.52.090(2).
Third, criminal charges were brought against Ms. Zink. The case was initiated by a
criminal citation, as permitted by CrRLJ 2.1(b)(1). Ms. Zink made an initial court
appearance on the citation, and was scheduled to return for a pretrial hearing. The fact
that the case was later dismissed confirms a case existed; it does not mean no case was
ever brought.
Given the documented animus between Ms. Zink and the city of Mesa, there is
evidence to support all five elements of the malicious prosecution claim. Ms. Zink is
therefore entitled to a jury trial on this issue as to Mayor Ross and the city of Mesa, which
may be held liable under a theory of respondeat superior. See Evans v. Tacoma Sch. Dist.
No. 10, 195 Wn. App. 25, 37, 380 P.3d 553 (2016).
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No. 36994-3-III
Zink v. City of Mesa
Fourth Amendment 42 U.S.C. § 1983 claim
The Fourth Amendment protects the “right of the people to be secure in their
persons . . . against unreasonable searches and seizures” by governmental officials.
U.S. CONST. amend. IV. 42 U.S.C. § 1983 provides individuals “‘a method for
vindicating federal rights,’” such as a violation of the Fourth Amendment. Graham v.
Connor, 490 U.S. 386, 393-94, 109 S. Ct. 1865, 104 L. Ed. 2d 443 (1989) (quoting Baker
v. McCollan, 443 U.S. 137, 144 n.3, 99 S. Ct. 2689, 61 L. Ed. 2d 433 (1979)).
The Zinks’ Fourth Amendment claim is that Ms. Zink was unlawfully arrested
without probable cause. Like the tort claim for false arrest, this claim against the
individual Mesa defendants turns on whether there is proof Ms. Zink was arrested
without probable cause and that one of the defendant governmental officials played a role
in instigating the arrest. See Wolf-Lillie v. Sonquist, 699 F.2d 864, 869 (7th Cir. 1983).
The claim against the city of Mesa turns on whether there is proof Ms. Zink’s arrest
was due to an official custom or policy. Id.; see also Monell, 436 U.S. at 694.
As previously discussed, the facts indicate both Mayor Ross and council member
Fay played a part in encouraging Ms. Zink’s arrest. This is sufficient to state individual
claims under § 1983. While the case against council member Fay has been voluntary
dismissed, the claim against Mayor Ross should have been allowed to go to trial. We do
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No. 36994-3-III
Zink v. City of Mesa
agree with the trial court that there are insufficient facts to justify a § 1983 false arrest
claim against the other individual Mesa defendants.
Although the Zinks have proffered sufficient facts for individual liability, they
have not presented sufficient facts against the city of Mesa. The record is devoid of any
evidence Ms. Zink was arrested pursuant to an official city policy or custom. In her brief,
Ms. Zink posits it was the city of Mesa’s policy to retaliate against her based on her prior
litigation with the city. This is nothing more than speculation. Regardless of whether the
city was retaliating against Ms. Zink, proof of one individual instance of misconduct is
not suggestive of a broader custom or policy.
Mesa claims that even if Ms. Zink was arrested without probable cause, Mayor
Ross is nevertheless entitled to qualified immunity. Qualified immunity can insulate a
governmental official from liability for an unlawful arrest under § 1983. However, Mesa
does not provide any argument in support of this defense. Instead, Mesa simply asserts
Mayor Ross did not cause Ms. Zink’s arrest; a factual claim we have already discussed
and rejected. The question of qualified immunity is different from causation. Qualified
immunity turns on whether a governmental official’s conduct was objectively reasonable
based on clearly established law. See Furfaro v. City of Seattle, 144 Wn.2d 363, 384,
27 P.3d 1160 (2001). This is a complicated standard. Because Mesa has not adequately
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No. 36994-3-III
Zink v. City of Mesa
briefed the issue of qualified immunity, we decline to reach the merits of this defense.
See State v. Thomas, 150 Wn.2d 821, 868-69, 83 P.3d 970 (2004) (The court “will not
review issues for which inadequate argument has been briefed or only passing treatment
has been made.”). The § 1983 claim against Mayor Ross is instead reversed and
remanded.
The court did not err in dismissing the intentional infliction of
emotional distress claim
“The basic elements of the tort [of intentional infliction of emotional distress] are
(1) extreme and outrageous conduct; (2) intentional or reckless infliction of emotional
distress; and (3) actual result to the plaintiff of severe emotional distress.” Rice v.
Janovich, 109 Wn.2d 48, 61, 742 P.2d 1230 (1987) (citing RESTATEMENT (SECOND) OF
TORTS § 46 (AM. LAW INST. 1965)). 8
The Zinks have not produced sufficient evidence to support the third element of
the intentional infliction of emotional distress claim. To qualify as severe, a plaintiff’s
claim of emotional distress must be more than “‘transient.’” Kloepfel v. Bokor, 149
Wn.2d 192, 198, 66 P.3d 630 (2003) (quoting RESTATEMENT (SECOND) OF TORTS § 46
cmt. j, at 77 (AM. LAW INST. 1965)). The facts in the record before us do not support this
8
The torts of outrage and intentional infliction of emotional distress are
synonymous. Kloepfel v. Boker, 149 Wn.2d 192, 193 n.1, 66 P.3d 630 (2003).
30
No. 36994-3-III
Zink v. City of Mesa
showing. While Ms. Zink claims to have suffered a panic attack after her arrest, there is
no evidence showing her distress was ongoing or that it led Ms. Zink to seek professional
help. The Zinks’ claim for intentional infliction of emotional distress therefore fails.
See Sutton v. Tacoma Sch. Dist. No. 10, 180 Wn. App. 859, 872-73, 324 P.3d 763 (2014)
(general statements that victim was “traumatized and very upset” insufficient to prove
severity without evidence of intensity and duration of those symptoms)
Loss of consortium claims
Ms. Zink does not devote a section of her brief to the loss of consortium claim.
Because this claim has not been developed, we will not review it further. See State v.
Farmer, 116 Wn.2d 414, 432, 805 P.2d 200, 812 P.2d 858 (1991); Univ. of Wash. v.
GEICO, 200 Wn. App. 455, 465 n.3, 404 P.3d 559 (2017). The trial court’s loss of
consortium ruling is affirmed.
Trial court costs
The Zinks takes issue with the trial court not awarding as a cost the $200 statutory
attorney fee under RCW 4.84.080(1). This request is foreclosed by City of Montesano v.
Blair, 12 Wash. 188, 189-90, 40 P. 731 (1895) (statutory fees are not available when the
plaintiff is entitled to an award of reasonable attorney fees).
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No. 36994-3-III
Zink v. City of Mesa
Although the trial court denied some other aspects of the Zinks’ requested costs,
Ms. Zink does not devote a portion of her brief to this issue. As such, we will not further
review the cost award.
CONCLUSION 9
This matter is affirmed in part, reversed in part, and remanded for further
proceedings as follows:
• The trial court’s judgment that the city of Mesa, but not its individual officials,
violated the OPMA is affirmed. However, the related award of attorney fees is
reversed and remanded. The existing award of costs and denial of statutory
attorney fees is affirmed.
• The trial court’s dismissal of Ms. Zink’s negligent infliction of emotional distress
claim as a discovery sanction is affirmed.
• The order dismissing Ms. Zink’s Fourteenth Amendment 42 U.S. C. § 1983 claim
is reversed as to Mayor Ross and the city of Mesa.
• The orders of summary judgment as to false arrest, false imprisonment, and
malicious prosecution as to Mayor Ross and the city of Mesa are reversed and
9
Mesa has filed a cross appeal on several issues. The merits of the cross appeal are
mooted by our disposition of Ms. Zink’s appeal.
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No. 36994-3-III
Zink v. City of Mesa
remanded.
• The Fourth Amendment 42 U.S. C. § 1983 claim as to Mayor Ross is reversed and
remanded.
• The order of summary judgment as to Ms. Zink’s claim for intentional infliction of
emotional distress is affirmed.
• Dismissal of the claim for loss of consortium is affirmed.
_________________________________
Pennell, C.J.
WE CONCUR:
______________________________
Siddoway, J.
______________________________
Lawrence-Berrey, J.
33