David G. Young v. City of LaFollette

IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF TENNESSEE

AT KNOXVILLE

May 2, 2011 Session

DAVID G. YOUNG, ET AL. v. CITY OF LAFOLLETTE

Appeal from the Chancery Court for Campbell County

No. 09-103 Billy Joe White, Chancellor

No. E2010-00653-COA-R3-CV - FILED - MAY 20, 2011

This case stems from the suspension and later termination of David G. Young (“Young”)

from his position as City Administrator for the City of LaFollette (“LaFollette”). Young filed

a petition for writ of certiorari in the Chancery Court of Campbell County (“the Trial Court”).

The Trial Court ruled in favor of Young and annulled the LaFollette proceedings that resulted

in Young’s suspension and termination. The Trial Court also awarded Young, as the

prevailing party, certain discretionary costs. LaFollette appeals. We hold that LaFollette did

not act fraudulently, illegally, or arbitrarily in its termination of Young’s employment. We

reverse.

Tenn. R. App. P. 3 Appeal as of Right; Judgment of the Chancery Court Reversed;

Case Remanded

D. M ICHAEL S WINEY, J., delivered the opinion of the Court, in which H ERSCHEL P . F RANKS,

P.J., and C HARLES D . S USANO, J R., J., joined.

Emily A. Cleveland and Jon G. Roach, Knoxville, Tennessee, for the appellant, the City of

LaFollette.

David H. Dunaway, LaFollette, Tennessee, for the appellee, David G. Young, individually

and as City Administrator for the City of LaFollette.

OPINION

Background

Young was appointed City Administrator by LaFollette’s City Council. In

2009, City Clerk Lynda White (“White”) submitted a grievance concerning Young’s alleged

conduct to LaFollette’s Mayor and City Council. White’s allegations took the form of four

categories: 1) concerns that she would be physically harmed by Young based in part on an

incident whereby he “rose to his feet and towered over” her; 2) sexual harassment by Young

in the form of certain sexual remarks and insinuations made to White, sometimes in the

presence of others; 3) verbal and non-verbal aggression by Young; and 4) being required to

work extra hours for which she was not compensated.

LaFollette, after consulting its City Attorney and the District Attorney, chose

Fire Chief Gary Byrd as the investigator for the White grievance. Having known both Young

and White for many years, Byrd recused himself and delegated the investigation to Ernie Hill,

another LaFollette employee. Hill interviewed witnesses and later submitted the collected

information to the LaFollette City Council. Young submitted a written response concerning

the White grievance directly to the LaFollette City Council.

On August 4, 2009, the Lafollette City Council took up the White grievance.

Council members reviewed White’s grievance and questioned her. Young and his attorney

were present and made statements. No cross examination was permitted. Hill answered

questions regarding his investigation. The City Council voted 3-2 to suspend Young pending

further factual review. Young subsequently filed a Petition for Writ of Certiorari in the Trial

Court seeking review of his suspension by LaFollette. On September 1, 2009, the LaFollette

City Council voted 3-2 to terminate Young’s employment. Young filed an Amended Petition

for Writ of Certiorari in the Trial Court following his termination.

After a hearing, the Trial Court entered an order on February 22, 2010, finding

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and holding :

1. That the actions of the Respondent, City of

LaFollette, on August 4, 2009 and September 1, 2009 are null

and void as to the Petitioner, David G. Young.

2. The Court finds that the Petitioner, David G.

1

We have omitted portions of the order that, while visible, are marked through and accompanied by

what apparently are the Chancellor’s signed initials.

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Young, at all times mentioned herein was an employee of the

City of LaFollette, and that the Petitioner had certain property

rights in expected continued employment, and that the

proceedings held by the Respondent, the City of LaFollette,

were ultra vires inasmuch as the Respondent, City of LaFollette,

did not follow its own established procedures and regulations

for the handling of grievances, and the discipline that was given

to the Petitioner, David G. Young.

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4. The Court further finds that there was not

adequate cause to terminate the Petitioner, David G. Young,

from his position as City Administrator, and specifically finds

that there was insufficient evidence of alleged sexual

harassment, nor was there any other cause to justify termination

of the Petitioner, David G. Young.

5. The Court further finds that by conducting a

hearing or judicial tribunal and allowing witnesses to testify

against the Petitioner in support of a grievance filed by the City

Recorder, Lynda White, that the City of LaFollette was

otherwise required to comply with its own established

procedures, as well as due process under the U.S. and Tennessee

Constitutions.

6. The Court finds that the Petitioner, David G.

Young, has met the requisites, standards, and requirements for

this Court having granted a Writ of Certiorari.

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8. That this Court has exercised its supervisory

jurisdiction on the basis of a Writ of Certiorari, and has

restricted its examination into the external validity of the

proceedings held on August 4, 2009 and September 1, 2009 by

the Respondent, City of LaFollette.

9. That after reviewing the entire records of the

proceedings held by the Respondent, City of LaFollette, the

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Court finds that the statements made in the Petition for

Certiorari are taken as true, and that the Respondent, City of

LaFollette through its actions taken on August 4, 2009 and

September 1, 2009 acted illegally, arbitrarily, and without

sufficient material evidence to warrant any discipline against the

Petitioner, David G. Young.

10. The Court further finds that there is no other

adequate remedy at law for the Petitioner, David G. Young, and

that there was good cause for granting the Writ of Certiorari

issued by the Court in this cause.

It is therefore ORDERED, ADJUDGED AND

DECREED that the proceedings conducted by the Respondent,

City of LaFollette on August 4, 2009 and September 1, 2009 as

they pertain to the Petitioner, David G. Young, are annulled….

On March 16, 2010, after another hearing, the Trial Court entered an order

awarding certain discretionary costs to Young. LaFollette appeals. We reverse.

Discussion

Though not stated exactly as such, LaFollette raises one overall issue on

appeal: whether the Trial Court erred when it granted Young’s Petition for Writ of Certiorari

after finding and holding that LaFollette acted illegally, arbitrarily and without sufficient

material evidence when it suspended Young and later fired him.

Our Supreme Court has articulated the standard of review in common law writ

of certiorari cases such as this one:

“In such actions the reviewing court is limited to inquiry

as to whether the administrative agency acted fraudulently,

illegally or arbitrarily. Hoover Motor Express Company v.

Railroad and Public Utilities Commission, 195 Tenn. 593, 261

S.W.2d 233 (1953).

***

Under the common law writ of certiorari, questions of

law only will be reviewed by the courts. An action of an

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administrative agency which is not supported by any evidence

is arbitrary and void and may be quashed on common law writ

of certiorari. Whether or not there is any material evidence to

support the action of the agency is a question of law to be

decided by the reviewing court upon an examination of the

evidence introduced before the agency. Any additional evidence

offered to the reviewing court is limited to the question of

whether the agency exceeded its jurisdiction or acted

fraudulently, illegally or arbitrarily. Hoover Motor Express Co.,

Inc. v. Railroad & Public Utilities Commission, 195 Tenn. 593,

261 S.W.2d 233 (1953). People's Bank of Van Leer v. Bryan, 55

Tenn.App. 166, 397 S.W.2d 400 [401]; Bayside Warehouse Co.

v. Memphis, 63 Tenn.App. 268, 470 S.W.2d 375; Brown v.

Tenn. Real Estate Comm., Tenn.App. 1972, 494 S.W.2d 506,

cert. den. 414 U.S. 877, 94 S.Ct. 54, 38 L.Ed.2d 122.”

In the trial court, under the common law writ, reversal or modification

of the action of the Civil Service Board may be had only when the trial court

finds that the Board has acted in violation of constitutional or statutory

provisions or in excess of its own statutory authority; has followed unlawful

procedure or been guilty of arbitrary or capricious action; or has acted without

material evidence to support its decision. The trial court does not weigh the

evidence. The scope of review by the appellate courts is no broader or more

comprehensive than that of the trial court with respect to evidence presented

before the Board.

Watts v. Civil Serv. Bd. for Columbia, 606 S.W.2d 274, 276-77 (Tenn. 1980).

Review on a common law writ of certiorari is very narrow, and we will not

inquire into the intrinsic correctness of LaFollette’s decisions. As we have stated:

Tennessee Code Annotated § 27-9-101 provides for judicial review of a

decision by any local board or commission by the filing of a petition for a

common law writ of certiorari. See Lafferty v. City of Winchester, 46 S.W.3d

752, 758 (Tenn. Ct. App. 2000); Wilson County Youth Emergency Shelter v.

Wilson County, 13 S.W.3d 338, 342 (Tenn. Ct. App. 1999); Walker v.

Metropolitan Bd. Of Parks And Recreation, Nos. M2007-01701-COA-R3-CV,

M 2008-01226-COA-R3-CV, M2008-02218-COA-R3-CV,

M2008-01748-COA-R3-CV, 2009 WL 5178435 at *18 (Tenn. Ct. App. Dec.

30, 2009) (Petitions to Rehear Denied Jan. 11 and 26, 2010) (Rule 11 perm.

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app. denied June 30, 2010).

The scope of review under the common law writ of certiorari is very narrow.

It does not involve an inquiry into the intrinsic correctness of the decision of

the tribunal below, but only as to whether that tribunal has exceeded its

jurisdiction, or acted illegally, fraudulently or arbitrarily. McCallen v. City of

Memphis, 786 S.W.2d 633, 638 (Tenn. 1990); Hutcherson v. Lauderdale

County Bd. of Zoning Appeals, 121 S.W.3d 372, 375 (Tenn. Ct. App. 2003);

Lafferty v. City of Winchester, 46 S.W.3d at 759. A court does not have the

authority to re-weigh the evidence or to substitute its own judgment for that of

the Commission. Hoover, Inc. v. Metro Bd. Of Zoning Appeals, 924 S.W.2d

900, 904 (Tenn. Ct. App. 1996). If there is no material evidence to support a

tribunal's action, it is arbitrary or illegal. Harding Academy v. Metropolitan

Government of Nashville, 207 S.W.3d 279, 283 (Tenn. Ct. App. 2006); Wilson

County Youth Emergency Shelter v. Wilson County, 13 S.W.3d at 342; Sexton

v. Anderson County, 587 S.W.2d 663, 667 (Tenn. Ct. App. 1979).

The trial court's review of the evidence is confined to the administrative

record, except that additional evidence may be introduced for the sole purpose

of determining whether the tribunal below has exceeded its jurisdiction, or

acted illegally, fraudulently or arbitrarily. Tenn.Code Ann. § 27-9-111(b);

Watts v. Civil Serv. Bd. for Columbia, 606 S.W.2d 274, 277 (Tenn. 1980);

Hemontolor v. Wilson County Board of Zoning Appeals, 883 S.W.2d 613, 618

(Tenn. Ct. App. 1994).

Our review of the evidence on appeal can be no broader or more

comprehensive than the trial court's review. Watts v. Civil Serv. Bd. for

Columbia, 606 S.W.2d at 277; Jacks v. City of Millington Bd. of Zoning

Appeals, 298 S.W.3d 163, 167 (Tenn. Ct. App. 2009).

Shute v. Metropolitan Government of Nashville, Davidson County, No.

M2009-01417-COA-R3-CV, 2010 WL 3064362, **3-4 (Tenn. Ct. App. August 5, 2010) R.

11 app. perm. appeal denied December 7, 2010. We, therefore, will examine the process by

which LaFollette terminated2 Young to determine whether LaFollette acted fraudulently,

illegally or arbitrarily.

2

While this case stems from both the suspension and termination of Young as City Administrator,

we believe the suspension was subsumed into the termination. Resolution of the termination will be

dispositive.

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Before we review LaFollette’s actions, we note that Young’s employment

status with LaFollette never was established by the Trial Court. The Trial Court, while

finding that Young had “certain property rights in continued employment,” never specified

the nature of those property rights or how they were created. We, however, must and will

keep to the narrow review for common law writs of certiorari as our resolution of that issue

is dispositive of this appeal.

The record contains a purported employment contract for a term signed by

Young with LaFollette. Our purpose herein is not to determine the validity of that contract.3

We are fundamentally interested only in whether LaFollette acted fraudulently, illegally, or

arbitrarily in its actions taken regarding Young. From the contract:

(e) Power and Authority of Mayor and Council. Nothing in this

Agreement shall be deemed to restrict the exercise of the power of the Mayor

and Council under the LaFollette Municipal Code to remove the City

Administrator at any time, but such removal shall not relieve the City from the

obligation to make payments due City Administrator under the provisions of

Paragraph 4 of this Agreement.

Although LaFollette may or may not owe Young money under the terms of the

contract, the contract, nevertheless, clearly emphasizes that it does not restrict LaFollette’s

ability to terminate Young’s employment “at any time.”

We next examine the City of LaFollette Personnel Rules and Regulations

(“Handbook”) as it relates to LaFollette’s right to terminate employees. A policy statement

preceding the Handbook provides:

This Personnel Policy Manual has been prepared to provide a central reference

source for identifying and communicating the policies and procedures to all

employees of the City of LaFollette. No provision of these policies or any

policies adopted by the City of LaFollette shall be construed as an employment

agreement or legal contract. Employment with the City of LaFollette is at will

(i.e. it may be terminated at any time, with or without cause, either by the

employee or by the City of LaFollette). The City of LaFollette, however, will

not terminate any employee for reasons that violate State or Federal Law.

These policies are subject to revision in the light of continuing experience and

it is your responsibility to bring to your supervisor’s attention any difficulties

you have in understanding of these policies.

3

We are aware of a parallel case in Circuit Court that may address issues related to this contract.

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The City of LaFollette reserves the right to modify or change these policies at

its sole discretion without notice.

The Handbook further provides:

Nothing in the personnel rules and regulations document shall be deemed to

give employees any more property rights in their jobs than may already be

given by the City Charter. The City reserves the right to alter or to change any

or all of these rules without prior notice to employees.

The Handbook appears to preclude any limitation on LaFollette’s right to terminate

employees. Young nevertheless contends that the LaFollette proceedings are fatally flawed

because LaFollette disregarded its own established procedures in the Handbook, namely: 1)

White’s grievance bypassed the first three stages of a four stage grievance process and

LaFollette made no findings of fact regarding her grievance; and 2) LaFollette disregarded

its normal disciplinary procedures in terminating Young. As our review is limited to those

proceedings conducted by LaFollette with respect to Young, we will address the Handbook

as it pertains to him.

Young’s reliance on the Handbook is misplaced. LaFollette argues that the

Handbook does not even apply to Young. We agree. The Handbook exempts:

1. All Elected Officials

2. Members of the Appointed Boards and Committees

3. Consultants, Advisors and Legal Counsel rendering temporary

professional service

4. City Attorney

5. Independent Contractors

6. Volunteer personnel appointed without compensation

7. City Judge

Though the City Administrator is not specifically listed as exempt, the Handbook, however,

further defines “Exempt Service”:

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The elected positions of Mayor, council members, and those individuals who

serve at the pleasure of the elected officials who appointed them to their

positions; board and commission members; people employed as consultants or

counsel rendering temporary professional services; and positions involving

seasonal, temporary, emergency, or voluntary employment or appointments to

whom the rules and regulations are not applicable.

Pursuant to the LaFollette City Charter, “[t]he City Council may appoint and

fix the salary of the City Administrator, who shall serve at the will of the City Council.”

Thus, as an individual serving “at the pleasure of the elected officials who appointed” him,

Young, as City Administrator, was exempt from the provisions of the Handbook.

Nothing in the Handbook prohibited LaFollette from suspending or terminating

Young’s employment, nor was the Handbook even applicable to Young. Further, nothing

in the contract, which, again, we need not and do not make a determination regarding its

validity, prohibited LaFollette from suspending or terminating Young’s employment.

We now look to the Charter of the City of LaFollette, which states, concerning

removal of the City Administrator:

Section 8. Removal. The City Administrator shall not be removed from

office, other than for misconduct in office, during or within a period of ninety

(90) days next succeeding any general municipal election held in the city at

which election a member of the City Council is elected or when a new city

Councilman is appointed; the purpose of this provision is to allow any newly

elected or appointed member of the City Council or a recognized City Council

to observe the actions and ability of the City Administrator in the performance

of the powers and duties of his office. After the expiration of the ninety-day

period aforementioned, the City Administrator may be removed only by a

majority vote of the City Council as then constituted.

There is no evidence that LaFollette exceeded its authority under the City Charter. The

record does not reflect any proximate municipal elections that would run afoul of the Charter

provision. Furthermore, the LaFollette City Council voted 3-2 to terminate Young. In doing

so, LaFollette abided by the applicable provision in the City Charter requiring a majority vote

by its City Council to remove the City Administrator.

Young criticizes the public hearing at which White’s grievance was heard by

the LaFollette Mayor and City Council, arguing that, in part, because he was unable to cross

examine witnesses, his due process rights were violated. This argument is unavailing. As

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we have discussed, LaFollette had the right to terminate Young’s employment in accordance

with the City Charter. Neither the contract nor the Handbook limited LaFollette’s right to

terminate Young’s employment. No public hearing, let alone a formal trial, was necessary

for LaFollette to remove Young as City Administrator.

Our review here is narrow, and we need not determine whether the evidence

presented to the LaFollette City Council was adequate to sustain an allegation of sexual

harassment or any other allegation. Every salient fact in the record shows that LaFollette had

the right to terminate Young’s employment by a majority vote of the City Council. The

contract did not purport to restrict LaFollette’s ability to terminate Young’s employment.

The Handbook emphasized that it was a document subject to change at any time and did not

limit LaFollette’s right to terminate Young’s employment. In any event, as we have

discussed, the Handbook did not apply to Young. Finally, LaFollette acted according to its

City Charter when it terminated Young’s employment by majority vote of the City Council.

We hold that the Trial Court erred in holding that LaFollette acted illegally, arbitrarily, and

without sufficient material evidence.4

Conclusion

The judgment of the Trial Court is reversed, and this cause is remanded to the

Trial Court for collection of the costs below. Costs on appeal are taxed against the Appellee,

David G. Young.

_________________________________

D. MICHAEL SWINEY, JUDGE

4

Our holding also reverses the Trial Court with respect to discretionary costs awarded to Young.

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