Ronald W. Erickson v. The Port Of Port Angeles ( 2018 )

Filed
Washington State
Court of Appeals
Division Two
July 31, 2018
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON
DIVISION II
RONALD W. ERICKSON, No. 49951-7-II
Appellant,
v.
PORT OF PORT ANGELES; CITY OF PORT UNPUBLISHED OPINION
ANGELES; NIPPON PAPER IND. USA,
Respondents,
WASHINGTON STATE DEPARTMENT OF
TRANSPORTATION; WASHINGTON
STATE DEPARTMENT OF ECOLOGY;
CLALLAM COUNTY, LOWER ELWHA
KLALLAM TRIBE; PUGET SOUND MILLS
& TIMBER COMPANY STOCKHOLDERS;
RIDDELL, WILLIAMS P.S.; OLYMPIC
PENINSULA TITLE CO.; ZENOVIC &
ASSOCIATES, INC; THE UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR; and CLYDE
H. BODDY,
Defendants.
LEE, J. — Ronald Westley Erickson appeals a superior court order granting summary
judgment in favor of the City of Port Angeles, the Port of Port Angeles, and Nippon Paper
Industries, USA (Nippon) and dismissing Erickson’s claims. Erickson argues that the superior
court erred in: (1) granting the City’s motion for summary judgment; (2) granting the Port and
Nippon’s motion for summary judgment; (3) dismissing his other claims against the defendants;
No. 49951-7-II
(4) granting the City’s request for attorney fees; (5) requiring him to provide a more definite
statement as to the nature of his claims; (6) failing to provide him appointed counsel in violation
of his due process rights; and (7) denying his motion for reconsideration. We affirm.
FACTS
A. THE PROPERTY
On December 5, 1997, Erickson purchased a 140 square foot triangular parcel of land at a
Clallam County tax foreclosure sale. This triangular piece of property is located at the corner of
K Street and Marine Drive1 in the City of Port Angeles. The property occupies the southwest
corner of an area known as the Sampson Donation Land Claim.
After purchasing the parcel, Erickson discovered that his property was formerly a right of
way for the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul & Pacific Railroad (Railroad). The Railroad obtained
the right of way in 1919, when the Puget Sound Mill & Timber Co. granted the Railroad a fee
simple determinable. According to Erickson, the granting deed contained a reversion clause,
which stated:
Said property of the second part [railroad], its successors or assigns to have and to
hold said property for a right-of-way and if said Party of the Second Part should
abandon said property or put the same to any other use except the purpose for which
the same is herein conveyed [railroad purposes], the title thereto and all rights and
appurtenances thereunto belonging shall immediately revert in said First Party
[PSM&T].
1
Marine Drive was formerly named Third Street.
2
No. 49951-7-II
Clerk’s Papers (CP) at 332.2 Erickson’s research unearthed the ownership history of the property
and city streets abutting his 140 square foot parcel, including information about the Sampson
Donation Land Claim, Marine Drive, and K Street—all of which border one side of Erickson’s
triangular property.
1. Sampson Donation Land Claim
Erickson’s parcel is situated in the southwest corner of tract F of the Sampson Donation
Land Claim. By 1945, Clallam County had acquired several “tracts, pieces and parcels of land”
in and around the Sampson Donation Land Claim through a series of tax lien foreclosures. CP at
257. The County decided that this real estate would aid in industrial development and approved a
resolution conveying the property to the Port of Port Angeles. The 1945 conveying deed
specifically exempted the 140 square foot railroad right of way that would later become Erickson’s
parcel.
2. Marine Drive
Marine Drive borders the southwestern portion of Erickson’s property. In 1913, the City
of Port Angeles acquired a 70 foot strip of land running along the southwestern portion of the
Sampson Donation Land Claim. The Puget Sound Mill & Timber Co. deeded this strip of land to
the City, “its successors and assigned forever” for the express purpose of establishing a public
street. CP at 593. The granting deed stated, “upon a failure upon the part of said city of Port
Angeles to improve the land herein granted for highway purposes, or upon the failure of such use
said lands shall revert to the grantor herein.” CP at 593.
2
The Puget Sound Mill & Timber Co. dissolved in 1925. The Railroad abandoned its line on the
Olympic Peninsula in 1980.
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No. 49951-7-II
3. K Street
K Street borders the northwestern side of Erickson’s property. In 1989, the City vacated
its right of way to the portion of K Street north of Marine Drive. As a result, 13 feet of the vacated
portion K Street presently abuts Erickson’s parcel. In vacating K Street, the City quit claimed one
half of the vacated portion of K Street to the Port, and the other half of the vacated portion of K
Street to Daishowa America Co., Ltd. Daishowa later became incorporated as Nippon Paper
Industries, USA (Nippon).
B. ERICKSON’S LAWSUIT
1. The Complaint
In May 2014, Erickson brought suit against the City, the Port, and Nippon.3 His complaint
sought declaratory relief “in regard to Railroad Property” and the taking of private property for
public use. CP at 1150 (emphasis omitted).
In June 2015, Erickson filed a 62 page amended complaint for: (1) property line
designation; (2) quiet titles; (3) water rights; (4) trespasses; (5) injunctive relief; (6) declaratory
relief for (a) frauds, (b) franchises, (c) legal costs, (d) statutes of limitation, (e) public
transportation corridors, (f) shifting public use doctrine, (g) Torrens registrations, (h) rewards, (i)
arbitrary and capricious actions, (j) “Federal Right to Lands, etc.”; and (7) damages. CP at 1073.
3
Erickson also named in both his complaints, the Washington State Department of Transportation,
Clallam County, the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe, the Olympic Peninsula Title Co, Zenovic &
Associates, Riddell Williams P.S., the Puget Sound Mills & Timber Company, and Clyde H.
Boddy, the former Executive Director of the Port. These defendants were later dismissed from the
lawsuit by stipulated motion. In his amended complaint, Erickson also named the Washington
State Department of Ecology and the United States Department of Interior as defendants. These
defendants are not parties to this appeal.
4
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2. Request for Accommodations under GR 33
Erickson suffers from short term memory challenges, audio delay recognition, anxiety,
suggestibility, and mood swings. In May 2015, Erickson requested disability accommodation
pursuant to GR 33.4
Pursuant to GR 33, Erickson asked the superior court to appoint a trial attorney to represent
him in his lawsuit. In the alternative, Erickson requested a litigation guardian to assist in the
courtroom.
The superior court granted Erickson’s accommodation request and ordered “that a litigation
guardian shall be appointed for Mr. Erickson to handle this litigation on his behalf.” CP at 19.
The order further instructed the litigation guardian to “review the pleadings in this matter and
conduct all research necessary to make a determination whether any of Mr. Erickson’s claims have
merit [and/or] whether it is in his best interests to proceed with the lawsuit.” CP at 19.
3. Order Dismissing Claims
On October 23, Lawrence E. Freedman, the attorney appointed to serve as Erickson’s
litigation guardian, filed an amended report with the superior court. Freedman reported that only
Erickson’s boundary line and quiet title claims had potential merit. Erickson disagreed, and on
March 15, 2016, sent Freedman a letter voicing his frustration with Freedman’s conclusions.
4
GR 33 governs requests for accommodation by persons with disabilities and provides “measures
to make each court service, program, or activity, when viewed in its entirety, readily accessible to
and usable by a person with a disability.” GR 33(a)(1). This includes, “as to otherwise
unrepresented parties to the proceedings, representation by counsel, as appropriate or necessary to
making each service, program, or activity . . . readily accessible to and usable by a person with a
disability.” GR 33(a)(1)(C).
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No. 49951-7-II
On March 25, the Port, the City, and Nippon, filed a motion to dismiss Erickson’s claims
“consistent with the Litigation Guardian’s amended report.” CP at 973. The defendants argued
that “it would not be practical or fair for the defendants to go through and disprove the frivolously
long list of claims, or even be put to the task of identifying the elements of each claim” in light of
Freedman’s report. CP at 973.
Erickson filed a response, in which he claimed that he had “not received legal counsel from
the court representing [his] concerns on this matter.” CP at 907. In his supporting declaration,
Erickson claimed that a 2003 preliminary short plat map on file with the City failed to properly
identify his property.
The superior court heard oral argument on the motion to dismiss on April 22. At the motion
hearing, Erickson renewed his request for a court appointed attorney under GR 33. The superior
court orally ruled that it was not going to appoint a civil attorney to represent Erickson because it
did not believe there was a legal basis for such request.
Erickson then stated that he had “looked at the facts and [was] willing to excuse maybe
five or six different actions.” Verbatim Report of Proceedings (VRP) (Apr. 22, 2016) at 12.
Erickson stated that he would be willing to dismiss:
[A]ctivation of the city’s 2004 vacation of K Street, activating the reversion
of Marine Drive to [him], plaintiff, injunction relief on the utility trespass of Nippon
on Clallam County property in the far corner, injunction relief in regards to Marine
Drive, mishandling of the plaintiff’s tort registration by Clallam County.
VRP (Apr. 22, 2016) at 13.
He then argued that the remaining claims should include his (1) utility trespass claim
against the Port and (2) “improper identification in an easement right given to the city.” VRP
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No. 49951-7-II
(Apr. 22, 2016) at 13-14. Erickson conceded that he did not yet understand the aspects of his fraud
claim and still needed to research whether the City may lawfully vacate streets inside the “Port
Angeles municipal zone.” VRP (Apr. 22, 2016) at 14.
The superior court granted the motion to dismiss all of Erickson’s claims with prejudice,
except the property line and quiet title actions. Erickson sought discretionary review of the
superior court’s order of dismissal, which this court denied.
C. MOTIONS FOR SUMMARY JUDGEMENT ON REMAINING CLAIMS
1. Motion for More Definitive Statement
Following the superior court’s order of dismissal, the Port and Nippon filed a motion for a
more definite statement as to Erickson’s remaining claims under CR 12(e).5 Finding that
Erickson’s complaint was “so voluminous and confusing as to be unintelligible,” the superior court
granted the motion. CP at 30. The superior court ordered Erickson to clearly identify the real
property line adjustments, quiet titles issues, and legal theories on which he based his claim.
Erickson filed a more definite statement on June 13. Erickson identified his quiet title
issues as: (1) quieting title to the property he acquired in the 1997 tax foreclosure deed against the
Port, (2) quieting title to a portion of Marine Drive against Nippon,6 and (3) quieting title to half
of the portion of K Street vacated in 1989 against the Port and Nippon. As to his property line
5
Under CR 12(e), “If a pleading to which a responsive pleading is permitted is so vague or
ambiguous that a party cannot reasonably be required to frame a responsive pleading, or if more
particularity in that pleading will further the efficient economical disposition of the action, the
party may move for a more definite statement before interposing a responsive pleading.”
6
Even though Marine Drive borders the southwestern portion of Erickson’s land, he referred to
this quiet title action as a “westerly boundary line extension.” CP at 487. According to Erickson,
this portion of Marine Drive was within a Nippon boundary line survey.
7
No. 49951-7-II
claims, Erickson sought (1) expansion of his southern property line to include the portion of Marine
Drive abutting Tracts D, E, and F of the Sampson Donation Land Claim and (2) extension of the
northern and western boundary of his property to include the vacated portions of K Street under
Erickson’s “reversion rights to [Sampson Donation Land Claim] lands.” CP at 491. Erickson
admitted that the issue of his reversion rights to K Street was “tricky” and opined that it would be
easier for the superior court to undo the 1989 street vacation of K Street. CP at 491.
2. The City’s Motion for Summary Judgment
On May 2, Erickson sent 60 interrogatories to the City. Some of these interrogatories
required the City to answer questions regarding land not subject to Erickson’s lawsuit and to
provide legal analysis as to how someone could extinguish the City’s claimed property rights.
In response, the City emailed Erickson and informed him that his interrogatories amounted
to an abuse of process. The City stated that it asserted no interest in the remaining disputed
property identified in Erickson’s lawsuit and, therefore, was not a proper party to the dispute. The
City informed Erickson that it would be requesting sanctions if he failed to dismiss the City from
his lawsuit. Erickson never dismissed the City from his lawsuit.
On May 17, the City filed a motion for summary judgment, seeking dismissal of Erickson’s
claims against the City. The City argued that it had abandoned any interest in K Street in 1989
when it vacated its right of way.
As to Marine Drive, the City acknowledged that it does hold a right of way. However, the
City attached a copy of the GR 33 accommodation request Erickson sent in April, in which
Erickson informed the court that he had “reversed [his] perception of the facts supporting [his]
8
No. 49951-7-II
opinion that The City activated the reversion clause on PSM&T’s dedication deed for Marine
Drive.” CP at 790.
The City argued that it should be dismissed from Erickson’s suit because the City did not
claim any interest to the property remaining at issue in the case. In support, the City relied on the
plain language of RCW 7.28.010, which governs quiet title actions, and allows someone to bring
a quiet title action “against the person claiming the title or some interest therein.”
The City also requested an award of partial fees under CR 117 and RCW 4.84.185.8 In
support, the City attached a copy of the interrogatories Erickson sent, as well as the email exchange
putting Erickson on notice that his interrogatories constituted an abuse of process.
Erickson filed a response in opposition to summary judgment. Erickson argued that there
still remained genuine issue as to material fact regarding the City’s claimed interest because: (1)
the City failed to vacate Marine Drive when it first named the street Third Street North, (2) a
portion of K Street should have reverted to Erickson in 2004, (3) “[a] now modified reversion of
Marine Drive to [Erickson] not in 2004 but about 1917 for noncompliance with dedicator’s
7
CR 11 governs the signing and drafting of pleadings and motions in superior court. Under CR
11(a), the signature of a party on a pleading constitutes a certificate that to the best of the party or
attorney’s knowledge, it is (1) well-grounded in fact; (2) warranted by existing law; (3) not
interposed for an improper purpose, such as to harass, increase the cost of litigation, or cause
unnecessary delay; and “(4) the denials of factual contentions are warranted on the evidence or, if
specifically so identified, are reasonably based on a lack of information or belief.” If a party signs
a pleading, motion, or legal memorandum in violation of CR 11, the court may impose appropriate
sanctions, which may include ordering the offending party to pay reasonable expenses incurred,
including attorney fees. CR 11(a).
8
Under RCW 4.84.185, upon the finding that the action was frivolous and advanced without
reasonable cause, the court may require the nonprevailing party to pay the prevailing party
reasonable expenses, including the attorney fees incurred in opposing the claim.
9
No. 49951-7-II
manifest objective,” (4) the nature of the City’s “procurement of road use” within K Street was
unknown, and (5) Erickson had standing to make a claim to K Street. CP at 630.
As to Marine Drive, Erickson argued that the City could not properly rely on his statement
disavowing interest in Marine Drive “without permission of the court justice” under GR 33(2)(b).9
CP at 631. Erickson also cited to GR 33(f)10 to argue that statements made in requesting
accommodation under GR 33 are “not admissible as limiting plaintiff’s rights.” CP at 631.
Erickson further argued that the City had clouded ownership to his lands by enacting a 1913
ordinance establishing Third Street (present day Marine Drive), but “not vacating such by name.”
CP at 634.
Erickson appeared to argue that there remained genuine issues of material fact as to whether
the City retained an interest in K Street and whether Erickson had a right to claim interest in
adjoining K Street lands. At the motion hearing, Erickson also asked the superior court to take
judicial notice of the fact that the City never recorded its 1989 vacation with the county auditor’s
office, as required by RCW 35.79.030.11
9
There is no GR 33(2)(b). GR 33(b)(2) requires requests for disability accommodation be made
in advance in order to allow the court to better address the needs of the individual.
10
There is no subsection (f) under GR 33.
11
Under RCW 35.79.030, “A certified copy of such ordinance shall be recorded by the clerk of
the legislative authority and in the office of the auditor of the county in which the vacated land is
located.”
10
No. 49951-7-II
On June 17, the superior court granted the City’s summary judgment motion and dismissed
the City from Erickson’s lawsuit. The superior court also awarded the City $1,500 in attorney fees
under CR 11 and RCW 4.84.185.
3. The Port and Nippon’s Motion for Summary Judgment
On August 12, the Port and Nippon filed a motion for summary judgment seeking to
dismiss all of Erickson’s remaining claims. The Port and Nippon argued that Erickson’s more
definite statement regarding his claims failed to clarify his legal claims. Nevertheless, the Port
and Nippon addressed what claims it believed Erickson asserted against them.
In their motion, the Port and Nippon explained that neither party disputed that Erickson
owned the 140 square foot parcel he acquired in the 1997 Clallam County tax foreclosure sale.
But as to Erickson’s grievances regarding a short plat created at the Port’s request in 2003, the Port
and Nippon argued that omission of Erickson’s property in the short plat map was not a claim to
ownership of his property. Like the City, the Port and Nippon relied on the plain language of
RCW 7.28 to argue that quiet title was inappropriate because neither party claimed “ ‘title or some
interest therein’ ” to Erickson’s parcel. CP at 375 (quoting RCW 7.28.010).
The Port and Nippon also argued that Erickson’s claim to reversion rights to Marine Drive
should be dismissed because Erickson characterized this claim as a quiet title action “ ‘dependent
upon other issues proving plaintiff’s reversion rights to Marine Drive.’ ” CP at 376. Nippon
argued that Erickson did not have standing to challenge a boundary survey prepared at the request
of a third party nor could Erickson require Nippon to take action and correct a mistake in the
survey.
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The Port and Nippon then addressed Erickson’s claim to the 1989 vacated portion of K
Street based on the “manifest objective” of a 1913 railroad deed, citing to Carlson v. Stair, 3 Wn.
App. 27, 30, 472 P.2d 598 (1970), which held that “ ‘[a] tax deed extends only to the real property
over which the court in the foreclosure proceeding has obtained jurisdiction.’ ” CP at 378. The
Port and Nippon argued that even if Erickson’s parcel at one time carried a revisionary right, such
right did not pass to Erickson through his 1997 tax deed.
In response, Erickson filed 27 attachments, which included hand drawn maps depicting his
desired property line extension through Marine Drive and K Street. Erickson argued that the Port
asserted an ownership interest in his 140 square foot parcel when it signed the 2003 purchase and
use agreement between the Port and the State, which erroneously included his 140 square foot
parcel as Port-owned lands. However, Erickson conceded that the DOT fixed this mistake and
later updated the agreement to exclude Erickson’s parcel from its description of Port-owned land.
Relying on the right of way easement granting the City the right to build and operate utility pole
lines, Erickson asserted that the City’s utility easement traversed his property. Erickson also
argued that Nippon and the Port owned “invalid deeds” through the 1989 street vacation because
the City’s quit claim deeds were “meaningless.” CP at 227. Erickson also contended that as an
adjoining property owner, he held fee title to K Street.
On September 23, the superior court granted the Port and Nippon’s motion for summary
judgment. The order dismissed all of Erickson’s remaining claims against the Port and Nippon.
4. Renewed GR 33 Request
Prior to oral argument on the Port and Nippon’s motion for summary judgment, Erickson
again requested accommodation under GR 33. The superior court denied Erickson’s request for
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No. 49951-7-II
an attorney at public expense. However, the superior court granted the alternative relief that it
would consider any reasonable requests of Erickson in future proceedings to make oral
presentations clearer.
D. MOTION FOR RECONSIDERATION
On October 3, Erickson filed a motion for reconsideration under CR 59 12 of the superior
court’s order granting summary judgment. Erickson’s motion did not specify which order granting
summary judgment he sought reconsideration.
Erickson claimed an irregularity in the proceeding because “[n]ear the beginning of the
hearing [Port’s counsel] made comment to [the presiding judge] concerning his objections to some
kind of information or evidence before the court.” CP at 180. Erickson further asserted he was
never served a copy of that objection. Erickson also claimed surprise in learning that the Port did
not claim interest in Marine Drive and stated that he could not have known this fact prior to filing
his complaint.
Erickson further argued that reconsideration was warranted because the order was contrary
to law under CR 59(a)(7). CP at 183. Specifically, Erickson argued that RCW 4.28.010
specifically allows a quiet title action against the tenant in possession.13 According to Erickson,
12
Under CR 59, an aggrieved party can motion the superior court for reconsideration on the basis
of: (1) irregularity in the court proceedings, (2) misconduct of the prevailing party, (3) accident or
surprise, (4) newly discovered evidence, (5) excessive damages, (6) error in the assessment of the
amount of recovery, (7) no evidence or reasonable inference from the evidence to justify the
decision, (8) error in law occurring at the trial, and (9) that substantial justice has not been done.
13
Erickson relies on RCW 4.28.010 as the basis for his quiet title action; however, the correct
statute is RCW 7.28.010.
13
No. 49951-7-II
the Port was a tenant in possession based on a final 2004 plat map, which erroneously included
Erickson’s 140 square foot parcel as part of Port property.
The superior court denied Erickson’s motion for reconsideration. Erickson appeals.
ANALYSIS
A. ORDERS GRANTING SUMMARY JUDGMENT
Erickson assigns error to the superior court order granting summary judgment in favor of
the City, as well as the superior court order granting summary judgment in favor of the Port and
Nippon. Erickson appears to direct the same legal arguments at both orders granting summary
judgment. However, Erickson fails to explain how any of the legal arguments he presents relate
to his disputes with the individual respondents he named in his lawsuit. Erickson also fails to
explain how the legal arguments he presents show a genuine issue of material fact precluding
summary judgment.14
Nonetheless, because Erickson does assign error to both superior court orders granting
summary judgment, we consider each in turn. In doing so, we hold that the superior court did not
err in granting either the City or the Port and Nippon’s motions for summary judgment.
1. Legal Principles
We review the grant of summary judgment de novo. Verdon v. AIG Life Ins. Co., 118 Wn.
App. 449, 452, 76 P.3d 283 (2003). Thus, we engage in the same inquiry as the superior court.
Landstar Inway Inc. v. Samrow, 181 Wn. App. 109, 120, 325 P.3d 327 (2014). However, we may
14
In his briefing, Erickson’s sole reference to a genuine issue of material fact lies in one of the 16
issues he presents. However, this argument is limited, as Erickson merely claims that his
“reversion right” and “lot size” constitute genuine issue of material fact. Br. of Appellant at 30.
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No. 49951-7-II
affirm the superior court’s grant of summary judgment “on any basis supported by the record.”
Bavand v. OneWest Bank, 196 Wn. App. 813, 825, 385 P.3d 233 (2016).
Summary judgment is appropriate when the pleadings, affidavits, depositions, and
admissions on file show the absence of any genuine issue of material fact, and that the moving
party is entitled to judgment as a matter of law. Winston v. State Dep’t of Corr., 130 Wn. App.
61, 63-64, 121 P.3d 1201 (2005). Sitting in the same position as the superior court, we consider
all facts and reasonable inferences in the light most favorable to the nonmoving party. Landstar
Inway, Inc., 181 Wn. App. at 120. We will uphold a grant of summary judgment if, from all the
evidence, reasonable minds could reach but one conclusion. Cho v. City of Seattle, 185 Wn. App.
10, 15, 341 P.3d 309 (2014), review denied 183 Wn.2d 1007 (2015).
The party moving for summary judgment bears the initial burden of demonstrating an
absence of an issue of material fact. Young v. Key Pharm., Inc., 112 Wn.2d 216, 225, 770 P.2d
182 (1989). If the moving party meets this burden, then the inquiry shifts to the party opposing
summary judgment, who must then demonstrate the existence of a genuine issue of material fact.
Id. “A genuine issue of material fact exists where reasonable minds could differ on the facts
controlling the outcome of the litigation.” Ranger Ins. Co. v. Pierce County, 164 Wn.2d 545, 552,
192 P.3d 886 (2008). Summary judgment is appropriate if the opposing party fails to meet its
burden and make the requisite showing of a genuine issue of material fact. Young, 112 Wn.2d at
225.
2. The City’s Motion for Summary Judgment
Erickson appears to argue that a genuine issue of material fact remained as to whether the
City asserted an interest in the portion of the streets Erickson sought to quiet title. We disagree.
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Erickson’s remaining claims at summary judgment were for quiet title and related
boundary line adjustment. RCW 7.28.010, which governs quiet title actions, provides that
[a]ny person having a valid subsisting interest in real property, and a right to the
possession thereof, may recover the same by action in the superior court of the
proper county, to be brought against the tenant in possession; if there is no such
tenant, then against the person claiming the title or some interest therein.
We first look to the plain language of a statute in ascertaining its meaning. State v.
Armendariz, 160 Wn.2d 106, 110, 156 P.3d 201 (2007). “If the plain language of the statute is
unambiguous, then this court’s inquiry is at an end.” Id.The plain language of RCW 7.28.010 limits quiet title actions to be brought against either
a tenant in possession or against a person claiming title or some interest in the property at issue.
Therefore, in order for Erickson to bring a quiet title action against the City, the City must claim
title or an interest in the property for which Erickson sought title. RCW 7.28.010.
In moving for summary judgment, the City presented evidence that it did not assert any
claim to Erickson’s 140 square foot parcel or the abutting K Street. As to Marine Drive, the City
provided evidence that Erickson had abandoned his claim that the City had activated Erickson’s
“reversion rights” to the street. CP at 845. Therefore, the City met its initial burden of showing
an absence of a genuine issue of material fact as to Erickson’s quiet title claims against the City.
Young, 112 Wn.2d at 225.
The burden then shifted to Erickson to demonstrate the existence of a genuine issue of
material fact. Id. In opposition to summary judgment, Erickson submitted a number of documents,
including a copy of the ordinance in which the City vacated its right of way to K Street. Erickson
argues that the City’s 1989 deed to the Port and Nippon “are a hostile cloud on Erickson’s acquired
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No. 49951-7-II
vested rights.” Br. of Appellant at 28-29. However, Erickson fails to explain how the City asserted
a right to K Street by executing a deed in which the City specifically relinquished its right to K
Street. Erickson also fails to address City’s evidence showing that Erickson disavowed his interest
in Marine Drive.15 Therefore, Erickson fails to meet his burden showing that the City asserted any
interest in the land Erickson sought to quiet title.
Erickson further argues that he had “a lawful right” to sue the City based on RCW
4.16.020(1). Br. of Appellant at 26. RCW 4.16.020(1) provides:
For actions for the recovery of real property, or for the recovery of the possession
thereof; and no action shall be maintained for such recovery unless it appears that
the plaintiff, his or her ancestor, predecessor or grantor was seized or possessed of
the premises in question within ten years before the commencement of the action.
Erickson appears to argue that RCW 4.16.020(1) allows him to assert “reversion rights” of
those who previously owned his property. Br. of Appellant at 30. However, he fails to provide
citation to any legal authority allowing him to challenge a City street vacation that occurred
approximately 10 years before he purchased his parcel of land. “Where no authorities are cited in
15
Even if Erickson could show that he never relinquished his claim to Marine Drive, he still fails
to show that he could lawfully bring a quiet title claim for any portion of Marine Drive. Erickson’s
entire quiet title claim to portions of K Street and Marine depended on his theory that he held
“reversion rights” and “vested rights” based on a reversion clause in the 1919 deed creating a
Railroad right of way over his property. Br. of Appellant at 28, 30.
However, at a tax foreclosure sale, “the successful bidder acquires title in fee as against the
owner, but the taxing body does not warrant title to the land sold and is not responsible for defects
therein.” Carlson, 3 Wn. App. at 30. Further, “A tax deed extends only to the real property over
which the court in the foreclosure proceeding has obtained jurisdiction.” Id. (rejecting a husband
and wife’s claim that they could rely on a 1906 plat map to quiet title to land surrounding a property
acquired through a tax foreclosure sale). Thus, Erickson could not extend his property line and
quiet title to the surrounding streets based on the “reversionary rights” of previous grantees
because he had only acquired the rights to his 140 square foot parcel at the tax foreclosure sale.
17
No. 49951-7-II
support of a proposition, the court is not required to search out authorities, but may assume that
counsel, after diligent search, has found none.” DeHeer v. Seattle Post-Intelligencer, 60 Wn.2d
122, 126, 372 P.2d 193 (1962).
Further, Erickson fails to explain how RCW 4.16.020(1) allows him to bring a quiet title
action against a party who does not assert any interest in the property he seeks to quiet title.
Because Erickson’s claim to quiet title against the City depended on the City actually asserting an
interest in the land he sought to quiet title, summary judgment was appropriate here. We affirm
the grant of summary judgment dismissing Erickson’s claims against the City.
3. The Port and Nippon’s Motion for Summary Judgment
Erickson appears to argue that the superior court erred in granting the Port and Nippon’s
motion for summary judgment because: (1) the Port asserted an interest in Erickson’s property
when it relied on an inaccurate 2003 plat survey, and (2) Erickson had “vested rights” and
“reversion rights” to the vacated portions of K Street. Br. of Appellant at 29-30. We disagree.
Erickson’s claims against the Port and Nippon are based on his claimed “reversionary
rights” of the prior owners of his 140 square foot parcel. CP at 487. Specifically, Erickson
believed that, based on a reversionary clause in the 1919 deed in which Puget Sound Mill & Timber
Co. granted the Railroad the right of way, the Railroad right of way over his property reverted back
to the grantor (Puget Sound Mill & Timber Co.) when the Railroad abandoned its line in 1980.
Therefore, as an abutting owner of K Street, he should have been granted fee title to a portion of
the vacated street.
18
No. 49951-7-II
Erickson also believed that the Port asserted title to his 140 square foot parcel of land when
it approved a purchase and use agreement in 2003, which failed to accurately identify Erickson’s
property. Thus, Erickson sought to quiet title to his 140 square foot parcel against the Port.
The Port did not dispute the 2003 short plat error. However, the Port argued that it never
asserted a claim to Erickson’s property by approving a short plat map, which erroneously identified
Erickson’s property in its description of Port-owned property. Relying on the plain language of
RCW 7.28, the Port argued that it could not be named in Erickson’s quiet title action because it
was not actually asserting title or interest in Erickson’s parcel. Therefore, as the moving party, the
Port met its initial burden of showing an absence of material fact as to this quiet title claim. Young,
112 Wn.2d at 225.
Erickson fails to explain how evidence that the Port approved a survey map containing this
error, which was later fixed, showed that the Port asserted title to his property. He, therefore, fails
to show that there remained a genuine issue as to any material fact regarding his quiet title claim
against the Port to his 140 square foot parcel. Summary judgment in favor of the Port was proper.
As to Erickson’s quiet title claims to K Street and Marine Drive, the Port and Nippon did
not dispute that the 1919 granting deed contained a reversionary clause. But the Port and Nippon
cited to the legal authority discussed above, which held that “ ‘[a] tax deed extends only to the real
property over which the court in the foreclosure proceeding has obtained jurisdiction.’ ” CP at
378 (quoting Carlson v. Stair, 3 Wn. App. 30). Therefore, the Port and Nippon met their initial
burden of showing an absence of genuine issue as to any material fact, and that they were entitled
to judgment as a matter of law.
19
No. 49951-7-II
Once the burden shifted to Erickson, he provided a number of documents, none of which
showed that he could assert the interests of prior owners to property he acquired at a tax foreclosure
sale. And Erickson fails to provide citation to relevant legal authority showing that his “fee title
reversion rights” allowed him to assert prior owners’ interests to K Street and Marine Drive. Br.
of Appellant at 26. Because this is the linchpin of Erickson’s claims to quiet title on portions of K
Street and Marine Drive, his argument on this basis fails. Therefore, summary judgment was
proper as to these “reversionary rights” claims. We affirm the superior court’s grant of summary
judgment in favor of the Port and Nippon.
4. Issues Never Called to the Attention of the Superior Court
Erickson raises several issues on appeal that were never called to the attention of the
superior court on summary judgment. Specifically, Erickson argues: (1) the 1989 deed granting
fee title in K Street to the Port and Nippon was “ambiguous and lawfully inadequate,” (2) the City
failed to record its street vacation with the county auditor, (3) adjoining street owners within a plat
own fee in the adjacent streets, and (4) street vacations must comply with RCW 58.17.212. Br. of
Appellant at 15. We decline to address these issues raised for the first time on appeal.
a. Legal principles
“On review of an order granting or denying a motion for summary judgment the appellate
court will consider only evidence and issues called to the attention of the trial court.” RAP 9.12.
Even though our review is de novo, a party may not raise an argument that was neither pleaded
nor argued to the superior court for the first time on appeal. Sourakli v. Kyriakos, Inc., 144 Wn.
App. 501, 509, 182 P.3d 985 (2008), review denied 165 Wn.2d 1017 (2009).
20
No. 49951-7-II
b. Ambiguity in the 1989 deed
Erickson argues that the 1989 deed granting fee title in the vacated portion of K Street to
the Port and Nippon was “ambiguous and lawfully inadequate.” Br. of Appellant at 15. Thus, he
contends that the deed never transferred title to the Port and Nippon, and as a result, the City still
holds fee title to the property.
Erickson claims that this issue was called to the attention of the trial court because he cited
to RCW 64.04.050, which governs the substance and forms of quitclaim deeds. Even though
Erickson did cite to RCW 64.04.050 in his more definite statement, he only cited to the statute to
support his assertion that the “doctrine of quit claim deeds only transfer rights actually owned.”
CP at 495 (emphasis omitted). We hold that Erickson never raised a challenge to the ambiguity
of the 1989 deed below, and therefore, this issue was never called to the attention of the superior
court.
c. The City’s failure to record the 1989 street vacation
Erickson claims that the City failed to comply with RCW 35.79.030 because it never filed
a street vacation notice with the county auditor. Erickson first raised the issue of whether the City
complied with street vacation notice procedures in his motion for reconsideration. Therefore, this
issue was not called to the attention of the superior court on summary judgment and may not be
raised for the first time on appeal. RAP 9.12.
d. Vacation of subdivisions under RCW 58.17.212
Erickson argues that RCW 58.17.212, which outlines vacation of subdivisions, allows
subsequent fee owners to “bring a quiet title action to correct prior erroneous claims.” Br. of
Appellant at 19. Erickson appears to argue that this issue was before the superior court because
21
No. 49951-7-II
he referenced RCW 58.17.212 at the hearing on the City’s motion for summary judgment.
However, Erickson’s reference to this statute at the motion hearing was:
I’m just saying that my property line extensions, RCW 58.7, entitle me to as a
property owner, to interest in adjoining streets and [RCW] 58.17.212, actually says
that if a survey, plat, survey plat, then property owners outside the plat don’t have
any reversion or interest in that street.
VRP (June 15, 2016) at 46.
Thus, while Erickson did argue that RCW 58.7 entitles abutting property owners to file a
vacation of a subdivision, he never argued that it allows him the right to assert a prior land owner’s
interest to do so. Thus, this argument based on RCW 58.17.212 is not the same argument Erickson
made to the superior court, and this issue was not called to the superior court’s attention.
Therefore, we decline to address this issue.
e. Street vacation under RCW 58.17.212
Erickson argues that street vacations within a plat may only be vacated by RCW 58.17.212,
not RCW 35.79. His argument here appears to rely on the evidence that the City created Third
Street (currently Marine Drive) by obtaining a right of way over a portion of the Sampson Donation
Land Claim in 1913. Erickson contends that this issue was before the superior court on summary
judgment because he “identified the differing prerequisites between RCW 58.17 and RCW 35.79.”
Br. of Appellant at 22. We disagree.
In response to the Port, the City, and Nippon’s motion to dismiss all of Erickson’s claims
except for the quiet title and property boundary disputes, Erickson did quote the language of both
RCW 58.17.212 and RCW 35.79. However, his sole argument based on this language was that a
“street vacation within a plat seems to be a process different than the process the city of Port
22
No. 49951-7-II
Angeles used when vacating ‘K’ Street north of Marine Drive.” CP at 932. He did not argue that
the City could only vacate a street within a plat under RCW 58.17.212. Therefore, we decline to
address this argument because it was not called to the attention of the superior court.
In sum, we hold that the superior court did not err in granting summary judgment in favor
of the City and dismissing Erickson’s claims against the City. We also affirm the order granting
summary judgment in favor of the Port and Nippon and dismissing Erickson’s claims against the
Port and Nippon.
B. ORDER OF DISMISSAL
Erickson argues that the superior court erred in dismissing with prejudice (1) his utility
trespass claim against the City and (2) his claims that the County was required to correct an error
to the county assessor maps.16 We disagree.
1. Standard of Review
From the record it is not clear under what legal basis the Port, the City, and Nippon based
its motion to dismiss the majority of Erickson’s claims. The parties moved for dismissal
“consistent with the Litigation Guardian’s amended report,” which outlined which of Erickson’s
claims had potential merit. CP at 973. In its order of dismissal, the superior court similarly failed
to identify under what legal basis it dismissed Erickson’s claims.
Nonetheless, in ruling on the motion, the superior court allowed Erickson to submit
evidence outside the pleadings. Specifically, the superior court did not exclude Erickson’s
16
The superior court dismissed a number of other claims. However, on appeal, Erickson limits
his argument to these two claims.
23
No. 49951-7-II
declaration referencing the 2003 preliminary short plat map and a utility pole used by Nippon.
Because the superior court allowed Erickson to submit material outside of the pleadings, the
motion for dismissal is treated as a motion for summary judgment. 17 CR 12(c). We review the
grant of summary judgment de novo. Verdon, 118 Wn. App. at 452.
2. The Superior Court did not Err in Dismissing Erickson’s Claims
a. Utility line claims
Erickson argues that the superior court erred in dismissing his utility trespass claim against
the City because the City’s utility lines across his property constituted a taking of air space
property. Erickson also argues that this easement constituted an “invalid deed” across his property.
Br. of Appellant at 32.
Erickson argues that a utility line ran “northerly” over his property, but fails to support
such argument with citation to relevant portions of the record. Br. of Appellant at 31. Erickson
cites to the portion of a 2004 street vacation petition in which the City agreed to bury its future
utility lines. However, Erickson does not provide any citation to the record showing the utility
lines at issue here were constructed after 2004. Erickson also fails to provide any legal authority
to support his utility trespass claim. Therefore, we decline to address these claims. RAP
10.3(a)(6).
17
Under CR 12(c), a party may move for judgment on the pleadings, but “[i]f, on a motion for
judgment on the pleadings, matters outside the pleadings are presented to and not excluded by the
court, the motion shall be treated as one for summary judgment.”
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No. 49951-7-II
b. County assessor map of Erickson’s property
Erickson appears to argue that the superior court erred in dismissing his claims related to
the mapping of his territory because the county assessor had a duty to maintain updated maps. We
disagree.
Erickson’s argument relies on the plain language of RCW 84.40.160, which requires the
county assessor to “continually update the maps [indicating parcel configurations] to reflect
transfers, conveyances, acquisitions, or any other transaction or event that changes the boundaries
of any parcel.” RCW 84.40.160. However, Erickson cites to no legal authority holding that he
can bring a claim under RCW 84.40.160 to compel the County to update its records. Erickson also
appears to argue that the County’s failure to remedy the error regarding his property constituted
negligence. But Erickson fails to even identify the elements of negligence or explain how the
County’s actions meet the elements of negligence. Therefore, we hold that Erickson’s claims fail.
c. Dismissal with prejudice
Erickson asks this court to “lift the [p]rejudice” against the dismissed issues in his case.
Br. of Appellant at 37. We decline to do so.
Erickson appears to argue that his multitude of claims should not have been dismissed with
prejudice because they benefit the people of Washington. However, Erickson fails to provide
citation to legal authority holding that he can bring an action on behalf of the people of
Washington.18 Finally, Erickson does not cite to any legal authority that would allow this court to
18
At one point, Erickson makes a claim that the attorney general should have been a party to his
action and that the superior court “ignored this legislated procedure or intent.” Br. of Appellant
at 39.
25
No. 49951-7-II
specifically “lift the [p]rejudice” portion of the superior court’s order of dismissal. Br. of
Appellant at 37. Therefore, we decline to consider this argument. RAP 10.3(a)(6).
C. AWARD OF ATTORNEY FEES
Erickson argues that the superior court erred in sanctioning him for filing a frivolous claim.
We disagree.
1. Standard of Review
The decision of whether to award attorney fees under RCW 4.84.185 is left to the sound
discretion of the trial court and will not be disturbed absent a clear showing of abuse. Daubner v.
Mills, 61 Wn. App. 678, 684, 811 P.2d 981 (1991). Likewise, we review a superior court’s ruling
on a request for reasonable attorney fees and costs under CR 11 for an abuse of discretion. Protect
the Peninsula’s Future v. The City of Port Angeles, 175 Wn. App. 201, 218, 304 P.3d 914 (2013),
review denied 178 Wn.2d 1022 (2013).
A court abuses its discretion when its decision is manifestly unreasonable or based on
untenable grounds. Daubner, 61 Wn. App. at 684. For a ruling to be manifestly unreasonable, it
must fall “ ‘outside the range of acceptable choices, given the facts and the applicable legal
standard.’ ” State v. Dye, 178 Wn.2d 541, 548, 309 P.3d 1192 (2013) (quoting In re Marriage of
Littlefield, 133 Wn.2d 39, 47, 940 P.2d 1362 (1997)).
2. The Superior Court did not Abuse its Discretion
RCW 4.84.185 allows the prevailing party to a frivolous action to seek reasonable
expenses, including the cost of attorney fees. A claim is frivolous if it “cannot be supported by
any rational argument on the law or facts.” Daubner, 61 Wn. App. at 684. Further, under CR 11,
a plaintiff may be subject to sanctions if: (1) the cause of action is not well grounded in fact, (2)
26
No. 49951-7-II
the relief is not warranted by existing law, (3) the complaint is interpreted for an improper purpose,
and (4) the denials of factual contentions are not warranted on the evidence.
Here, the superior court granted the City $1,500 in attorney fees under both RCW 4.84.185
and CR 11. Erickson contends this was in error because the litigation guardian reported his quiet
title and boundary line claims to have merit. However, the record shows that Erickson sought to
quiet title to property in which the City did not have an interest. Because a claim for quiet title
must be brought against someone who claims an interest in the property, Erickson’s quiet title
claim against the City could not be supported by any rational argument in law or fact. RCW
7.28.010. Thus, his claims were in fact frivolous.
Moreover, even though the litigation guardian’s report stated that Erickson’s quiet title
claims had merit, Erickson was later put on notice that the City did not claim an interest in the
properties he sought to quiet title. Specifically, the City emailed Erickson and explained that they
did not have an interest in his parcel or in K Street. Despite this notice, Erickson did not dismiss
the City from his lawsuit, nor did he withdraw his interrogatories asking the City to provide
information unrelated to the property at issue in his lawsuit.
Because Erickson’s quiet title complaints against the City could not be supported by any
rational argument in law or fact, and Erickson pursued litigation to gather information on property
unrelated to the lawsuit after being placed on notice that he had no claim against the City, it was
not manifestly unreasonable for the superior court to grant the City’s request for fees under RCW
4.84.185 and CR 11. Therefore, we affirm the award of $1,500 attorney fees in favor of the City.
27
No. 49951-7-II
D. ORDER REQUIRING A MORE DEFINITE STATEMENT
Erickson appears to argue that the superior court erred in requiring Erickson to identify a
legal basis for his claims in its order for a more definite statement. We disagree.
1. Standard of Review
We review the superior court’s ruling on a CR 12(e) motion for a more definite statement
for abuse of discretion. Berg. v. Humptulips Boom & River Improvement Co., 38 Wash. 342, 344,
80 Pac. 528 (1905). “A trial court abuses its discretion if its decision is manifestly unreasonable
or based on untenable grounds or untenable reasons.” In re Marriage of Littlefield, 133 Wn.2d at
46-47.
2. The Trial Court did not Abuse its Discretion
Erickson contends that under the plain language of CR 12(e), he was not required to set
forth further legal argument as to the nature of his various claims. According to Erickson, requiring
additional citation to support his legal theories “restrict[ed] legal arguments beyond a complaint’s
intent.” Br. of Appellant at 42. We disagree.
A pleading setting forth a claim for relief must contain “(1) a short and plain statement of
the claim showing that the pleader is entitled to relief and (2) a demand for judgment for the relief
to which the pleader deems the pleader is entitled.” CR 8(a). Under CR 12(e):
If a pleading to which a responsive pleading is permitted is so vague or
ambiguous that a party cannot reasonably be required to frame a responsive
pleading, or if more particularity in that pleading will further the efficient
economical disposition of the action, the party may move for a more definite
statement before interposing a responsive pleading.
Here, Erickson filed a 62-page complaint, alleging seven separate causes of action. Under
Erickson’s request for declaratory relief, he identified 10 additional legal claims, including a claim
28
No. 49951-7-II
for “Federal Right to Lands, etc.” CP at 1073. Even though Erickson identified at least seven
separate legal claims, he failed to clearly identify what factual allegations supported each of these
distinct causes of action. Thus, Erickson failed to provide “a short and plain statement of the
claim” showing that he was entitled to relief. CR 8(a).
Contrary to Erickson’s argument, the order requiring him to provide a more definite
statement was not a “tool[] of discovery.” Br. of Appellant at 42. The superior court merely
ordered Erickson to identify the relief he sought and to clearly provide a legal basis for claiming
such relief, which is required under CR 8. Given the length of Erickson’s complaint, the multitude
of legal claims he asserted, and his failure to coherently organize his claims for relief, it was not
manifestly unreasonable for the superior court to order a more definite statement.
E. ACCOMMODATION REQUEST PURSUANT TO GR 33
Erickson argues that he was entitled to court appointed counsel because the City and Port’s
unconstitutional taking of his property was criminal in nature. According to Erickson, the superior
court’s failure to appoint counsel violated his due process rights.19 We disagree.
19
Even though Erickson originally requested court appointed counsel under GR 33, on appeal, he
does not appear to argue that he was entitled to counsel based on GR 33. Instead, he argues that
his GR 33 request referenced “the procedural protection afforded by the Constitution.” Br. of
Appellant at 46.
To the extent that Erickson relies on GR 33 to support his argument, he provides no
authority holding that a litigant with an ADA-recognized disability is entitled to court appointed
counsel in civil matters under GR 33. Instead, GR 33(a)(1)(C) provides representation by counsel
to assist an unrepresented party in accessing court service programs and activities. GR 33 does
not provide that such counsel will render legal representation for the unrepresented party in the
underlying civil matter.
29
No. 49951-7-II
1. Legal Principles
As a general rule, we do not consider issues raised for the first time on appeal. RAP 2.5(a).
However, even if not raised at the lower court, a party on appeal may raise claims of “manifest
error affecting a constitutional right.” RAP 2.5(a); State v. O’Hara, 167 Wn.2d 91, 94, 217 P.3d
756 (2009). The appellant must demonstrate that “(1) the error is manifest and (2) the error is truly
of constitutional dimension.” O’Hara, 167 Wn.2d at 98. We review claims of constitutional error
de novo. State v. Curtis, 110 Wn. App. 6, 11, 37 P.3d 1274 (2002).
2. Erickson Fails to Show Manifest Error Affecting a Constitutional Right
Both the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution as well as article I,
section 3 of the Washington State Constitution guarantee persons due process before depriving
fundamental liberty interests. In re Marriage of King, 162 Wn.2d 378, 391, 174 P.3d 659 (2007).
Further, the State may not deprive its citizens of a property interest without first affording
procedural due process. Schlosser v. Bethel Sch. Dist., 183 Wn. App. 280, 287, 333 P.3d 475(2014), review denied 182 Wn.2d 1004 (2015).
Here, Erickson appears to argue that the right to counsel is a function of due process when
the government unconstitutionally deprives a person of use of his or her property. His argument
relies on his assertion that such action is “criminal” in nature. Br. of Appellant at 43. However,
Erickson fails to provide citation to any legal authority holding that the government engages in
criminal conduct through an unconstitutional taking. Erickson also fails to provide citation to
relevant portions of the record showing that the City or State attempted to take his property for
public use.
30
No. 49951-7-II
Instead, Erickson argues that he was denied equality of justice because as a pro se litigant,
he was at a disadvantage. However, again, Erickson fails to provide citation to any relevant legal
authority holding that an indigent plaintiff should be provided a court appointed attorney in a quiet
title action. Even though Erickson references due process, he fails to provide any legal authority
holding that due process compels court appointed counsel in a civil property claim. Therefore, he
fails to show that this error was truly of constitutional dimension. O’Hara, 167 Wn.2d at 98.
Erickson also fails to make any argument that his deprivation of counsel constituted a
“manifest” error. Therefore, Erickson’s argument on this basis fails. And because Erickson fails
to show that his claim is a manifest error affecting a constitutional right, we hold that he may not
raise this issue for the first time on appeal.
F. MOTION FOR RECONSIDERATION
Erickson argues that the superior court erred in denying his motion for reconsideration
because the court never provided a reason for denying his motion. Erickson also appears to argue
that the superior court failed to provide substantive due process in making its ruling. We hold that
each of these claims fail.
1. Standard of Review
We review the superior court’s denial of a motion for reconsideration for abuse of
discretion. Martini v. Post, 178 Wn. App. 153, 161, 313 P.3d 473 (2013). A court abuses its
discretion if its ruling is manifestly unreasonable. Ryan v. State, 112 Wn. App. 896, 899, 51 P.3d
175 (2002). A court’s ruling is manifestly unreasonable when it is “ ‘outside the range of
acceptable choices, given the facts and applicable legal standard.’ ” Id. (quoting In re Marriage
of Littlefield, 133 Wn.2d at 47.) A superior court ruling also constitutes abuse of discretion “ ‘if it
31
No. 49951-7-II
is based on an incorrect standard or the facts do not meet the requirements of the correct standard.’
” Id. at 899-900 (quoting In re Marriage of Littlefield, 133 Wn.2d at 47.). Also, we review claims
of constitutional error de novo. Curtis, 110 Wn. App. at 11.
2. The Superior Court did not Abuse its Discretion
Under CR 59, an aggrieved party may seek reconsideration based on (1) an irregularity in
the court proceeding, (2) accident or surprise, and (3) an error in law occurring at trial. CR
59(a)(1), (3), (8). In his motion for reconsideration, Erickson argued that opposing counsel’s
failure to provide a copy of opposing counsel’s comment concerning objections prior to a court
proceeding constituted an irregularity under CR 59(1). Erickson also claimed surprise in learning
that the Port never claimed an interest in Marine Drive. Finally, Erickson argued that the ruling
dismissing his claims against the Port was contrary to law. Specifically, Erickson argued that the
Port became a tenant in possession when a final 2004 short plat map, created at the Port’s request,
erroneously included Erickson’s parcel in its identification of Port-owned property.
Erickson failed to provide any citation to legal authority supporting his three bases for relief
under CR 59. Therefore, Erickson has failed to show that the superior court’s decision to deny his
motion was “outside the range of acceptable choices.” In re Marriage of Littlefield, 133 Wn.2d at
47.
On appeal, Erickson appears to have abandoned his original claims to relief under CR 59,
and instead argues that the superior court was required to state a reason for dismissing his motion
for reconsideration. However, he does not support his argument with citation to legal authority.
Therefore, we decline to address this argument. RAP 10.3(a)(6).
32
No. 49951-7-II
Erickson also raises for the first time on appeal, a claim that the superior court violated due
process by denying his motion for reconsideration. He argues that the court procedure deprived
him of private land and, therefore, violated his substantive due process rights. However, he again
fails to cite to relevant portions of the record or legal authority supporting this argument. He also
fails to provide any argument that this constituted a manifest error affecting a constitutional right,
which would allow him to raise this issue for the first time on appeal. RAP 2.5(a). Therefore, we
do not consider this argument. RAP 10.3(a)(6).
G. ATTORNEY FEES ON APPEAL
The City requests an award for attorney fees on appeal under RAP 18.9(a) and RCW
4.84.185. The Port and Nippon also request attorney fees on the same basis. We grant
respondents’ request.
Under RAP 18.9, we may order a party to pay fees if we find that the party has filed a
frivolous appeal. An appeal is frivolous if, “considering the action in its entirety, it cannot be
supported by any rational argument based in fact or law.” Dave Johnson Ins., Inc. v. Wright, 167
Wn. App. 758, 785, 275 P.3d 339, review denied, 175 Wn.2d 1008 (2012). Stated another way, a
frivolous appeal is one in which the issues presented “are so devoid of merit that there is no
reasonable possibility of reversal.” In re Marriage of Healy, 35 Wn. App. 402, 406, 667 P.2d 114,
review denied, 100 Wn.2d 1023 (1983).
Considering Erickson’s action in its entirety, it cannot be supported by any rational
argument based in law or fact. Even though Erickson assigns error to two orders granting summary
judgment, he fails to explain how his numerous arguments show a genuine issue of material fact
as to any of his claims. Erickson also fails to provide citation to legal authority and relevant
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No. 49951-7-II
portions of the record to support a number of his legal arguments. See supra discussion section A,
B.
Therefore, the issues Erickson presents are so devoid of merit that there is no reasonable
possibility of reversal. We grant the City, the Port, and Nippon’s request for reasonable attorney
fees to be determined by a Commissioner of this court.
A majority of the panel having determined that this opinion will not be printed in the
Washington Appellate Reports, but will be filed for public record in accordance with RCW 2.06.040,
it is so ordered.
Lee, J.
We concur:
Maxa, C.J.
Melnick, J.
34