Gessner v. City of Minot

1998 ND 157, 583 N.W.2d 90, 1998 N.D. LEXIS 157, 1998 WL 481498

• Court: North Dakota Supreme Court
• Decided: August 18, 1998
• Docket: Civil 980069
• Status: Published

Opinions

VANDE WALLE, Chief Justice.

[¶ 1] Norma Charlene Gessner appealed from judgments dismissing her wrongful death action against the City of Minot and the Ward County Water Management District. We hold Gessner failed to perfect service of process upon Minot and, consequently, the court did not acquire personal jurisdiction over Minot. We further hold there are genuine issues of material fact relevant to the District’s potential liability. We affirm the judgment dismissing Minot but reverse the summary judgment dismissing the District and remand for a trial on the merits.

[¶ 2] Gessner’s four-year-old son, Cory Hammond, drowned on July 26, 1992, when he fell from a concrete flood control device on the Souris River, located adjacent to Oak Park in Minot. The structure was part of a flood control project constructed by the United States Army Corps of Engineers. The District acted as the sponsoring agency for the project, and agreed to provide “all lands, easements, and rights-of-way necessary for the construction and subsequent maintenance of the channel improvement” and to “[mjain-tain and operate all of the works for the channel improvement after the completion” of the project. The project was completed and transferred to the District for control of operation and maintenance, effective December 15, 1981. By resolution of the City Council, Minot agreed to provide for the “operation and maintenance of all of the project within the City of Minot” as of February 15,1982.

[¶ 3] After Cory’s death in 1992, Gessner filed a wrongful death action against Minot and the District. Minot moved for dismissal, alleging insufficient service of process upon the city. The district court granted the motion, entered an N.D.R.Civ.P. 54(b),.certifica-tion, and Gessner appealed to this Court. In Gessner v. City of Minot, 529 N.W.2d 868, 870 (N.D.1995), we held the district court’s 54(b) certification was improvidently granted, and we dismissed the appeal. The District then filed a motion for summary judgment, claiming the action against it should be dismissed because the District had no control over the flood control structure at the time of Cory’s death. The district court granted summary judgment, dismissing Gessner’s claim against the District. Gessner appealed.

Service Upon Minot

[¶ 4] Gessner attempted to commence her action against Minot by serving a summons and complaint on Robert A. Schempp, the Minot City Manager. The district court found this was insufficient service of process, because Gessner should have served a member of Minot’s governing body. Gessner claims service upon the city manager was adequate. We disagree.

[¶ 5] Valid service of process is necessary to assert personal jurisdiction over a defendant. Smith v. City of Grand Forks, 478 N.W.2d 370, 371 (N.D.1991). The procedure for serving process upon a city is directed by N.D.R.Civ.P. 4(d)(2)(E):

(d) Personal Service.

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(2) How Service Made Within the State. Personal service of process within the state must be made as follows:

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(E) upon a city, township, school district, park district, county, or any other municipal or public corporation, by delivering a copy of the summons to any member of its governing board....

Specific requirements for service of process must be strictly complied with, and a judgment based on service where the procedural requirements of the rule have not been followed is void. Farrington v. Swenson, 210 N.W.2d 82, 83 (N.D.1973).

[¶ 6] Minot has adopted the city council form of government. Under N.D.C.C. § 40-08-01 Minot’s governing body is composed of the mayor and the city aldermen. Minot has also adopted a city manager plan under N.D.C.C. ch. 40-10 and has hired a city manager to be its chief administrative officer under N.D.C.C. § 40-10-03. However, the city manager is not a member of the city’s governing body and is not, therefore, a proper person for making service of process on the city. See, e.g., Nissen v. City of Fargo, 338 N.W.2d 655, 657 (N.D.1983) (holding service of process on city auditor was not service on city commissioners). We conclude the district court properly determined there was insufficient service of process on Minot.

Unity in Interest of the Codefendants

[¶ 7] Gessner asserts even though she failed to properly serve Minot and the statute of limitations has run for obtaining proper timely service, she should be allowed to now serve Minot and have the service relate back to her service upon the District as a codefendant “united in interest” with Minot under N.D.C.C. § 28-01-38:

An action is commenced as to each defendant when the summons is served on him, or on a codefendant who is a joint contractor or otherwise united in interest with him.

Under this statute an action is deemed to have been commenced against a defendant when the summons is served upon a party who is united in interest with that defendant. We have not previously construed the phrase “united in interest” in the context of this statute. However, New York has a similar provision, and we look for guidance from its court’s interpretations to construe our statute.¹

[¶ 8] The New York Court of Appeals has held that parties are “united in interest” if the subject matter of the action is such that both parties “stand or fall together and ... judgment against one will similarly affect the other.” Mondello v. New York Blood Center, 80 N.Y.2d 219, 604 N.E.2d 81, 85, 590 N.Y.S.2d 19 (1992), citing Prudential Ins. Co. v. Stone, 270 N.Y. 154, 159, 200 N.E. 679 (1936). Under those circumstances, the party not timely served is charged with notice of the institution of the action and, because of the relationship with the timely served party, is deemed not prejudiced in maintaining a defense on the merits of the otherwise barred claim. Mondello, 590 N.Y.S.2d 19, 604 N.E.2d at 85. Thus, for instance, partners are united in interest because they are personally and vicariously liable for the torts of their co-partners committed within the scope of the partnership j business. Connell v. Hayden, 83 A.D.2d 30, 443 N.Y.S.2d 383, 395 (1981). Where, however, the action is one to recover for tort I “persons who are charged with concurrent negligence producing plaintiffs injuries will not be held to be ‘united in interest’ absent some relationship between them giving rise to vicarious liability for the acts of the other.” Connell, 443 N.Y.S.2d at 396-97.

[¶ 9] Parties are not united in interest under the New York statute if each could assert different defenses to the plaintiffs claims, such that untimely service upon one of them may prevent that party from conducting an appropriate investigation of a defense which the timely served defendant has no interest or desire to pursue. See, e.g., Mfrs. & Traders Trust Co. v. Lindauer, 135 Misc.2d 132, 513 N.Y.S.2d 629, 637-38 (1987). Under New York’s interpretations of the united-jn-interest concept the most important consideration is whether the party timely served is obligated by necessity to protect the nonserved defendant by investigating and preparing all defenses available to both parties. Under those circumstances, timely service of process on the original party acts to satisfy the underlying purpose of the statute of limitations to ensure a defendant has a fair opportunity to prepare a defense.

[¶ 10] The New York decisions provide helpful guidance for construing and applying the term “united in interest” under N.D.C.C. '§ 28-01-38. We conclude two parties are united in interest when they are in such relation to each other with regard to the subject matter of the plaintiffs action that they will necessarily stand or fall together, a judgment against one will necessarily result in liability upon the other, and neither can reasonably raise a defense which is unavailable to the other. Under that definition, we conclude Minot and the District are not code-fendants united in interest.

[¶ 11] In reading the allegations - in the pleadings, it is readily apparent Minot and the District have available different defenses and may not “stand or fall together” on the plaintiffs claims against them. For example, Minot could argue the District had a non-delegable duty to design and construct a flood control structure not unreasonably dangerous to children, but failed to do so. The factfinder could conclude Minot’s agreement to maintain and operate the structure after it was completed was not an assumption of the duty to design and construct a reasonably safe structure and the operation and maintenance of it was not the proximate cause of the victim’s death. Contrarily, the District could argue Minot became an independent contractor when it resolved to undertake all operation and maintenance of the structure and the victim’s death was proximately caused by Minot’s failure, after several years of operation and observation of the danger it posed, to use reasonable care in maintaining the structure to make it reasonably safe for children. The District could further argue it owed no duty to the victim to maintain the structure in a reasonably safe condition.

[¶ 12] The question of agency is a fact question for the trier of fact. E.g., Red River Commodities, Inc. v. Eidsness, 459 N.W.2d 805, 810 (N.D.1990). The factfinder could also determine Minot was acting as the agent of the District in providing maintenance and care of the flood control structure and the District is vicariously liable on a theory of respondeat superior for the city’s negligence in that undertaking.

[¶ 13] All of these potential defenses hinge upon factual determinations not yet fully developed on the record. It is enough that these defendants do not necessarily stand or fall together on plaintiffs claims against them. Significant and separate defenses are available to each of them, and their interests may be more aptly described as being antagonistic than united. We therefore hold service of the summons upon the District did not constitute commencement of the action against Minot, under N.D.C.C. § 28-01-38. The district court did not err in dismissing Gessner’s complaint against Minot for insufficiency of service of process.

' Summary Judgment Dismissal of the District

[¶ 14] The trial court granted summary judgment dismissal of Gessner’s action against the District, concluding:

[N]o evidence has been presented that the Ward County Water Management District has exercised control or direction over the flood control improvements within the City of Minot since 1982. Neither has it been demonstrated that the Ward County Water Management District has retained any ability to control or otherwise supervise the City of Minot’s actions.

It appears that the supervision of the Corps of Engineers is limited to maintenance and upkeep. No evidence has been presented [t]hat the Ward County Water Management District has such authority.

[¶ 15] We review the court’s dismissal of Gessner’s claim against the District under the summary judgment standards of N.D.R.Civ.P. 56. Summary judgment is a procedure for deciding an action without a trial when there are no genuine disputes as to either the material facts or the inferences to be drawn from the undisputed facts, or if resolving the disputed facts would not change the result. Pechtl v. Conoco, Inc., 1997 ND , 567 N.W.2d 813. When considering a motion for summary judgment, the evidence must be viewed in the light most favorable to the party opposing the motion, who must be given the benefit of all favorable inferences which can be reasonably drawn from the evidence. Stanley v. Turtle Mountain Gas & Oil, 1997 ND 169, ¶ 6, 567 N.W.2d 345.

[¶ 16] The complaint alleges the District knew children were regularly attracted to the flood control structure located adjacent to a city park, and the District knew or should have known the structure “created an unreasonable risk of serious harm to members of the public, especially children, and knew or should have known that children, because of their age, would not realize the seriousness of the risk.” The complaint further alleges the District negligently failed to warn the public of the existence of the dangerous condition of the structure, failed to construct a barrier to prevent children from entering the structure, and failed to warn of the dangerous condition or to eliminate the danger by installing guardrails or other protection.

[¶ 17] In Mikkelson v. Risovi, 141 N.W.2d 150, 154 (N.D.1966), the court applied the principles set forth in Reinstatement, Second, Torts § 339:

§ 339. Artificial Conditions Highly Dangerous to Trespassing Children A possessor of land is subject to liability for physical harm to children trespassing thereon caused by an artificial condition upon the land if

(a) the place where the condition exists is one upon which the possessor knows or has reason to know that children are likely to trespass, and

(b) the condition is one of which the possessor knows or has reason to know and which he realizes or should realize will involve an unreasonable risk of death or serious bodily harm to such children, and

(e) the children because of their youth do not discover the condition or realize the risk involved in intermeddling with it or in coming within the area made dangerous by it, and

(d) the utility to the possessor of maintaining the condition and the burden of eliminating the danger are slight as compared with the risk to children involved, and

(e) the possessor fails to exercise reasonable care to eliminate the danger or otherwise to protect the children.

In 1971, the District agreed to sponsor the construction of the flood control structure by the Corps of Engineers. In undertaking that responsibility the District agreed to hold and save harmless the United States from any damages due to construction of the project and to maintain and operate the improvement after its completion. When the structure was completed in 1981, the District accepted responsibility for operation and maintenance of the structure.

[¶ 18] The District also has a statutory responsibility for the structure and authority to take whatever action it deems necessary in that regard:

When dams constructed by federal agency under control of district. Any dam, dike, or other water control device or flood control project constructed by or with the assistance of any federal agency but which is not maintained or operated by any federal agency shall become the responsibility of the district where it is located. The district may take any action concerning this dam, dike, or other water control device it deems feasible or necessary.

N.D.C.C. § 61-16.1-40.

[¶ 19] From admissions in the District’s brief, one could infer the District, prior to accepting operation and maintenance responsibilities in 1981, had knowledge of facts the structure constituted an unreasonably dangerous hazard for children:

On June 22, 1977, DeeAnn Berry fell from the flood control structure.... This drowning was fully investigated by the Minot Police Department....

In addition to being aware of the 1977 drowning, Minot was generally aware of the dangers the flood control structures presented. Minot was aware particularly that children would sometimes play near the structures, and had explored the possibilities of precautions, such as a fence around the structure.... Minot further issued repeated warnings about the dangers that the flood control works presented.

[T]he alleged safety defects at the site from which Cory fell were “open and obvious,” at least insofar as Minot was con-cerned_ This was known as early as ' 1977 when a drowning occurred at the same site.

If in 1977 Minot knew or should have known the obvious and unreasonable risk of danger this structure presented to children, there is at least an inference the District, who, in 1981, assumed total responsibility for maintenance and operation, should also have known of the obvious risk and danger. The District asserts, however, it had no control of the structure or responsibility for the public safety after the city assumed operation and maintenance of the structure in February 1982.

[¶ 20] There has been no development of facts on this record as to who has legal title to this flood control structure or who has ■ such control or authority to be considered a possessor of the structure and adjacent land. The facts might show Minot was acting as an agent of the District in operating and maintaining the flood control structure, and the District, as Minot’s principal, is vicariously liable for any negligence by Minot in performing that undertaking. The District receives periodic reports of the city’s operation and maintenance activities, from which a factfinder could also infer the District retained control and responsibility for the structure. Once developed, the facts might also show the flood structure was negligently designed, causing an unreasonable risk of harm to children, and the District negligently breached its duty as sponsor of the project by failing to eliminate the risk.

[¶ 21] Although the question of whether a defendant owes a duty is generally a preliminary question of law for the court, when the existence of a duty depends upon the resolution of factual issues, those facts must be resolved by the trier of fact. Pechtl v. Conoco, Inc., 1997 ND 161, ¶7, 567 N.W.2d 813. We conclude there are genuine issues of material fact regarding the District’s authority to control the flood structure at the time of the victim’s death and regarding its duty, or lack thereof, to provide a structure free from unreasonable risk of harm to children in accordance with the Restatement Section 389. There are numerous factual questions which could potentially result in either direct or vicarious liability by the District on Gessner’s claims. These unresolved factual issues preclude a determination, as a matter of law, that the District has no liability in this case. We hold, therefore, the district court erred in granting the District’s motion for summary judgment dismissal.

[¶ 22] We affirm the district court’s order dismissing the City of Minot as a party defendant, we reverse the district court’s order dismissing the District as a party defendant, and we remand for a trial on the merits against the District.

[¶ 23] SANDSTROM, NEUMANN and MARING, JJ., concur.

1 . The New York provision is found at CPLR § 203(b): "A claim asserted in the complaint is interposed against the defendant or co-defendant united in interest with him when: (1) the summons is served upon the defendant....” The source notes to § 28-01-38 indicate its derivation as "Wait's (N.Y.) Code, 99; Harston's (Cal.) Practice, 350.” See Estate of Zins by Kelsch v. Zins, 420 N.W.2d 729 (N.D.1988) (noting decisions of states from which our law is derived are highly persuasive).