Meyerink v. Northwestern Public Service Co.

391 N.W.2d 180, 1986 S.D. LEXIS 287
CourtSouth Dakota Supreme Court
DecidedJuly 9, 1986
Docket15127
StatusPublished
Cited by84 cases

This text of 391 N.W.2d 180 (Meyerink v. Northwestern Public Service Co.) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering South Dakota Supreme Court primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Meyerink v. Northwestern Public Service Co., 391 N.W.2d 180, 1986 S.D. LEXIS 287 (S.D. 1986).

Opinions

FOSHEIM, Chief Justice.

Plaintiff Landowners (Landowners) appeal from a summary judgment in favor of Northwestern Publie Service Company (NWPS) and the State of South Dakota. We affirm.

Around 1900 the Chicago, Milwaukee, and St. Paul Railway Company (Railroad) acquired a 200 foot strip of land in Charles Mix County between Geddes and Platte. Deeds were conveyed from the landowners to Railroad. A standard “right-of-way” form, supplied by Railroad, was used.

In 1980, Railroad went bankrupt and the South Dakota Railroad Authority (Rail Authority or State) acquired the Railroad’s interest in the landstrip. In 1984, Northwestern Public Service Company applied to the Rail Authority for permission to place a power line on the landstrip. A “Utility Crossing Agreement” was executed in June, 1984. Present adjoining landowners were contacted by NWPS about the pending construction and need for additional access. Landowners were told they could avoid construction over their property at their own expense. Consequently, in June, 1985, Landowners initiated this action to set aside the agreement, enjoin construction, and recover any damages. Landowners specifically challenged State’s authority to give NWPS access to the land-strip.

The circuit court denied Landowners’ request for a temporary injunction. Summary judgment for NWPS and State was entered in August, 1985, on the basis of the transcript and evidence presented at the earlier injunction hearing. The trial court concluded that: (1) it had jurisdiction, (2) Landowners failed to establish liability, (3) [182]*182State holds the Landstrip in fee, (4) State properly granted a use of the landstrip to NWPS, and (5) Landowners will not sustain compensable damages as a result of the location of the power lines on the landstrip.

When reviewing a summary judgment, we are governed by Wilson v. Great Northern Railway Co., 83 S.D. 207, 157 N.W.2d 19 (1968):

(1) The evidence must be viewed most favorable to the non-moving party; (2) The burden of proof is upon the movant to show clearly that there is no genuine issue of material fact and that he is entitled to judgment as a matter of law; (3) Though the purpose of the rule is to secure a just, speedy and inexpensive determination of the action, it was never intended to be used as a substitute for a court trial or for a trial by jury where any genuine issue of material fact exists. (4) A surmise that a party will not prevail upon trial is not sufficient basis to grant the motion on issues which are not shown to be sham, frivolous or so unsubstantial that it be obvious it would be futile to try them. (5) Summary judgment is an extreme remedy and should be awarded only when the truth is clear and reasonable doubts touching the existence of a genuine issue as to material fact should be resolved against the mov-ant. (6) Where, however, no genuine issue of fact exists it is looked upon with favor and is particularly adaptable to expose sham claims and defenses.

Id. at 212, 157 N.W.2d at 21 (footnotes omitted); Bayer v. Employers Reinsurance Corp., 383 N.W.2d 858, 861 (S.D.1986).

A review of the record and consideration of inferences most favorable to the non-moving party, leads us to conclude that the trial court properly awarded summary judgment against Landowners. We ultimately, however, base our decision on jurisdictional grounds rather than those espoused by the trial court. Cook v. Rezek, 296 N.W.2d 731, 733 (S.D.1980); see also Barger for Wares v. Cox, 372 N.W.2d 161, 168 (S.D.1985).

I.

Landowners initially argue that State holds a mere easement for railroad purposes only and, therefore, cannot increase the burden on that' easement by permitting construction of public utility power lines. Landowners further argue that even if State has sufficient interest in the right-of-way to increase the burden upon it, State did not follow required procedure in permitting NWPS’ use and that power line construction constitutes a compensable taking of their property.

By statute, a fee title is presumed to be passed unless a lesser estate was intended. SDCL § 43-25-15.1 In Northwest Realty Co. v. Jacobs, 273 N.W.2d 141 (S.D.1978), we held that when the term “right-of-way” is used in a deed, it usually indicates only an easement is being conveyed. Id. at 144. However, if the instrument considered as a whole indicates a fee title was intended by the parties, then the presumption of a fee title controls. Id. Further, only when construction of the instrument as a whole leaves the intention of the parties in doubt should consideration be given to the situation and circumstances of the parties at the time of the execution of the deed. Id. at 145.

Upon review of the deed between the railroad and Landowners’ predecessors in interest, we note that it was captioned a “right-of-way deed.” However, when the deed is considered as a whole, it is clear that transfer of a fee title,2 not a lesser estate, was intended. The deed states that the landowners “will forever Warrant and Defend the title to the premises hereby conveyed_” That is clearly the lan[183]*183guage of a conveyance in fee3 or, more specifically, a warranty deed. See SDCL § 43-25-5. Easements are not so phrased. No ambiguity exists and we need not further examine the intention of the parties, consideration given, or circumstances at the time of execution. Northwest Realty Co., 273 N.W.2d at 145.

II.

Having concluded that a fee title was conveyed to the railroad and is now held by State, we must determine whether placement of the power lines on the landstrip by NWPS was properly authorized by State. Landowners strongly argue that SDCL § 5-2-11 requires the Governor’s approval for any conveyance of title of, or grant of an easement over, land in which State holds title.

SDCL chapter 5-2 controls conveyances of land easements on state owned lands. SDCL § 5-2-10 authorizes state agencies and departments to grant perpetual easements on lands under their control for power lines. The procedure for exercising this authority is found in SDCL § 5-2-11. Upon application for easements of any kind on state lands, a resolution of the agency requesting the conveyance is to be forwarded to the Commissioner of School and Public Lands. Id. The Commissioner draws the easement or conveyance of title and it is submitted to the Governor for his signature. Id.

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Bluebook (online)
391 N.W.2d 180, 1986 S.D. LEXIS 287, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/meyerink-v-northwestern-public-service-co-sd-1986.