Case Summary
| Case ID | 11F-H1112006-BFS, 11F-H1112010-BFS, 12F-H121001-BFS |
|---|---|
| Agency | Department of Fire, Building and Life Safety |
| Tribunal | OAH |
| Decision Date | 2012-04-30 |
| Administrative Law Judge | M. Douglas |
| Outcome | partial |
| Filing Fees Refunded | $1,650.00 |
| Civil Penalties | $600.00 |
Parties & Counsel
| Petitioner | Allen R. Tobin | Counsel | — |
|---|---|---|---|
| Respondent | Sunland Village Community Association | Counsel | Jason E. Smith, Esq.; Lindsey O’Conner, Esq. |
Alleged Violations
Article V, Section 7
Article XII, Section 2
Article VI (D)(7)
Outcome Summary
Tobin prevailed on claims that the HOA violated quorum requirements and unauthorized legal spending rules. The HOA prevailed on the claim that Tobin violated bylaw amendment notice requirements. Both parties ordered to pay penalties and filing fees for their respective violations.
Why this result: See individual issues for details on specific losses.
Key Issues & Findings
Board Quorum Violation
Three board members met on Feb 11, 2011, without a quorum (requires 4) and declared annual meeting amendments void.
Orders: Sunland ordered to comply with Article V, Section 7; pay filing fee of $550 to Tobin; pay civil penalty of $200.
Filing fee: $550.00, Fee refunded: Yes, Civil penalty: $200.00
Disposition: petitioner_win
- Article V, Section 7
Improper Bylaw Amendment
Tobin proposed bylaw amendments from the floor at the annual meeting without the required notice to members.
Orders: Tobin ordered to pay Sunland its filing fee of $550; pay civil penalty of $200 to Department.
Filing fee: $550.00, Fee refunded: Yes, Civil penalty: $200.00
Disposition: respondent_win
- Article XII, Section 2
- Article IX, Section 5
Unauthorized Legal Expenditures
Manager and three board members met with attorney and authorized legal action without full Board knowledge or approval.
Orders: Sunland ordered to comply with Article VI (D)(7); pay filing fee of $550 to Tobin; pay civil penalty of $200.
Filing fee: $550.00, Fee refunded: Yes, Civil penalty: $200.00
Disposition: petitioner_win
- Article VI (D)(7)
Decision Documents
11F-H1112010-BFS Decision – 292297.pdf
11F-H1112010-BFS Decision – 295402.pdf
Based on the provided documents, here is a concise summary of the legal hearing for Case No. 11F-H1112010-BFS, which was consolidated with two related matters.
### **Case Summary: Sunland Village Community Association v. Tobin**
**Docket No:** 11F-H1112010-BFS
**Forum:** Arizona Department of Fire, Building and Life Safety; Office of Administrative Hearings
**Administrative Law Judge (ALJ):** M. Douglas
**Hearing Dates:** February 28 and April 23, 2012
#### **Proceedings and Context**
This hearing consolidated three matters involving the same parties: Allen R. Tobin (homeowner and Board member) and the Sunland Village Community Association ("Sunland"). While the hearing addressed cross-petitions, Docket No. 11F-H1112010-BFS specifically concerned Sunland’s petition against Mr. Tobin regarding his conduct at the 2011 Annual Meeting,.
#### **Key Facts and Arguments (Docket No. 11F-H1112010-BFS)**
* **The Incident:** During Sunland's annual meeting on January 12, 2011, Mr. Tobin presented three motions from the floor to amend the Association’s Bylaws,. These motions concerned director term limits, voting restrictions for the Board President, and residency requirements.
* **Sunland’s Argument:** Sunland alleged that Tobin violated Article XII, Section 2 of the Bylaws, which requires that notice of any proposed amendment be provided to members in the same manner as the notice of the annual meeting (at least 10 days in advance by mail),. Because Tobin made the motions from the floor without prior notice, members not present were denied the opportunity to debate or vote.
* **Tobin’s Defense:** Mr. Tobin admitted he provided no formal written notice prior to the meeting. However, he argued that because the meeting moderator accepted the motions and the members present voted on them, the Association waived any irregularities regarding the lack of notice.
#### **Legal Analysis and Findings**
* **Burden of Proof:** The burden was on Sunland to prove the violation by a preponderance of the evidence.
* **Bylaw Violation:** The ALJ found that Article XII, Section 2 explicitly requires advance written notice for Bylaw amendments.
* **Knowledge of Violation:** The ALJ noted that Mr. Tobin was a serving Board member at the time and was aware of the notice requirements. The evidence showed he knowingly presented the motions without the required notice.
* **Conclusion:** The ALJ concluded that Mr. Tobin violated the provisions of Article XII, Section 2 of Sunland’s Bylaws.
#### **Final Decision and Order**
On April 30, 2012, the ALJ issued the following decision regarding this specific docket:
* **Outcome:** Sunland was deemed the prevailing party in Docket No. 11F-H1112010-BFS.
* **Penalties:**
1. Mr. Tobin was ordered to reimburse Sunland’s filing fee of **$550.00**.
2. Mr. Tobin was ordered to pay a civil penalty of **$200.00** to the Department.
The decision became final on June 15, 2012, after the Department of Fire, Building and Life Safety took no action to reject or modify the ALJ's decision,.
***
#### **Note on Consolidated Matters**
While Sunland prevailed in the docket requested above, the hearing also addressed two petitions filed by Tobin against Sunland (Nos. 11F-H1112006-BFS and 12F-H121001-BFS). In those matters, **Tobin prevailed**. The ALJ found that:
1. **Quorum Violation:** Sunland’s Board violated Bylaws by conducting business and declaring the annual meeting acts void at a February 2011 meeting without a quorum,.
2. **Unauthorized Fees:** Sunland violated its Policy Manual when the manager and specific Board members incurred legal fees without the knowledge or direction of the
Case Participants
Petitioner Side
- Allen R. Tobin (Petitioner)
Sunland Village Community Association
Board member; appeared on his own behalf - Linda Wagner (Board Member)
Sunland Village Community Association
Testified; filed civil action with Tobin
Respondent Side
- Jason E. Smith (HOA Attorney)
Carpenter, Hazlewood, Delgado & Wood, PLC
Represented Sunland Village Community Association - Lindsey O’Conner (HOA Attorney)
Carpenter, Hazlewood, Delgado & Wood, PLC
Represented Sunland Village Community Association - Gordon Clark (Property Manager)
Sunland Village Community Association
Full time employee-manager; named in civil action - Richard Gaffney (Board Member)
Sunland Village Community Association
Named in civil action - Kathrine J. (Kitty) Lovitt (Board Member)
Sunland Village Community Association
Vice President; named in civil action - Jack Cummins (Board Member)
Sunland Village Community Association
Named in civil action - Erwin Paulson (Member)
Sunland Village Community Association
Filed written objection regarding Tobin's motions - Scott Carpenter (Attorney)
Carpenter, Hazlewood, Delgado & Wood, PLC
Paid from Association funds for meetings with board minority - Penny Gaffney (Civil Defendant)
Named in civil action filed by Tobin and Wagner - Marriane Clark (Civil Defendant)
Named in civil action filed by Tobin and Wagner - Robert Lovitt (Civil Defendant)
Named in civil action filed by Tobin and Wagner - Karin Cummins (Civil Defendant)
Named in civil action filed by Tobin and Wagner
Neutral Parties
- M. Douglas (ALJ)
Office of Administrative Hearings
Administrative Law Judge - Gene Palma (Agency Director)
Department of Fire, Building and Life Safety
Transmitted decision to - Cliff J. Vanell (Director)
Office of Administrative Hearings
Certified the decision - Beth Soliere (Agency Staff)
Department of Fire, Building and Life Safety
Attention line for transmittal
Other Participants
- Verworst (Board Member)
Sunland Village Community Association
Absent from February 11, 2011 meeting