v.
.145 ACRES, MORE OR LESS . . .,
NEIL
FLETCHER CONSTRUCTION, Cross-Defendants.
Appellate Division
AP No. 11-96
May 19, 1997
[1] A.S.C.A. § 43.1011 does
not provide a clear standard of review of arbitrated condemnation proceedings.
[2]
A.S.C.A. § 4.1044 provides for a remand where substantial rights of the
petitioner have been prejudiced because the arbitrators’ decision violates
of applicable constitutional or statutory provisions, or if it is made upon
unlawful procedure.
[3] In reviewing an arbitration award, the reviewing Court need not determine the applicable standard of review where it is apparent that the arbitrators failed to follow the specific statutory procedures.
[4] A.S.C.A. § 43.1010
requires that the arbitration award contain findings or conclusions of the
panel; reflecting how the award was determined. [1ASR3d20]
[5] Where an award does not contain
specific, written findings or conclusions of the panel, but merely arrives at
amount, the award should be remanded.
[6] Where case involved condemnation of right of way for a sewer line, the appropriate written findings required inclusion of a determination as to the placement of the sewer line through the property, use and building restrictions applicable to the easement, government access requirements, and conclusions as to the effects of such encumbrances upon the market value of the parcel.
Before WARD, Acting Associate Justice,* GOODWIN,** Acting Associate Justice, WALLACE,*** Acting Associate Justice, AFUOLO, Associate Judge and LOGOAI, Associate Judge.
Counsel: For Plaintiff
Cheryl Crenwelge, Assistant Attorney General,
For Defendant Neil Annandale, Charles V. Alailima
OPINION AND ORDER
The American
Samoa Government ("ASG") is entitled, pursuant to A.S.C.A. § 43.1001,
to acquire by condemnation real property for public use. The ASG filed two documents for the
condemnation of two parcels of land belonging to defendant Neil Annandale
("
A.S.C.A. § 43.1011 provides for the appeal of the arbitration award and states that:
[o]n appeal, the appellate division may hear such evidence,
including the testimony of the arbitrators, as is material, may [1ASR3d21] approve, modify, revise, or reject the award of the
arbitrators, and may either make a new and different award or resubmit the
matter to the same or different arbitrators to be appointed in the same manner
as the original arbitrators.
[1-2] The statute does not clearly establish a standard of review. Given the nature of condemnation proceedings, the Court looks to the legislature for guidance in the standards of review of administrative proceedings. A.S.C.A. § 4.1044 provides the standard of review on appeal from administrative decisions and specifically provides for remand of cases if substantial rights of the petitioner have been prejudiced because the decision is, inter alia, in violation of applicable constitutional or statutory provisions or made upon unlawful procedure. A.S.C.A § 4.1044(1) and (3).
[3] However, as discussed below, we need not specifically determine the proper standard of review under A.S.C.A. § 43.1011 to decide this case.
Parcel B is a quarter acre of land. The condemnation of a right of way on Parcel B was initiated as part of a government sewer project. As part of this project an underground pipe and a manhole were installed on Parcel B.
[4] Without addressing the substantive arguments made by the parties, we find that the arbitrators failed to follow the procedures set forth in A.S.C.A. § 43.1010(d), (e) and (f), which state:
(d) The award shall be determined by a majority of the
arbitrators after viewing the property involved and considering such evidence
concerning the value of the property as may be submitted by the interested
parties.
(e) The award shall be made within one month after the arbitrators have entered upon their duties, or have been called on to act by a notice in writing from any party unless the court sets a different time. The chairman of the arbitrators shall, within the time limit for the award, file the determination of the amount of the award with the court, enclosed in a sealed cover endorsed with the names of the parties to the arbitration. The court shall open the award and forward a copy of the same to the parties.
(f) [T]he decision of the arbitrators shall be final if notice of appeal is not served within the time limited by law. [1ASR3d22]
The clear language of the statute requires more than a filing of the naked financial award. The "determination of the amount of the award" (not the "award"), is required to be filed with the Court.
[5] In this matter the "award" of $50.00 for Parcel B was filed with no findings or conclusions of the panel, reflecting how the award was determined, as is required by law. We therefore find the award with respect to Parcel B, should be reversed and remanded.
[6] We reject the Arbitration Award as to Parcel B. The determination of the compensation for Parcel B shall be remanded to the same arbitrators, who shall view the property involved, take such additional evidence as to the property's value as may be submitted by the parties pursuant to A.S.C.A. § 43.1010, and reduce to their findings to writing. These findings should include a determination as to the placement of the sewer line through the property, use and building restrictions applicable to the easement, government access requirements, and conclusions as to the effects of such encumbrances upon the market value of Parcel B. This written determination and the final dollar award shall then be filed with the Court pursuant to A.S.C.A. § 43.1010.
This opinion and order shall be stayed for 14 days to allow the parties to meet, confer, and attempt to resolve this controversy through good faith negotiations. If an agreement is reached within that period the parties shall timely file a written notice with the Court and a proposed Order to dismiss.
It is so Ordered.
**********
* Honorable John L. Ward II, District Court Judge, serving by designation of the Department of the Interior.
** Honorable Alfred T. Goodwin,
*** Honorable J. Clifford Wallace, United States Court of Appeal for the Ninth Circuit, serving by designation of the Department of the Interior.