No. 10-16-00044-CV

IN THE COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE

TENTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT OF TEXAS

Karen Hall, Appellant

City ofBryan, Appellee

BriefofKaren Hall

On Appeal from judgment

in cause number 12-00039l-CV-272

In 272nd District Court

Hon. Travis B. Bryan, Presiding

Oral Argument Requested

Karen Hall, pro se

P.O. Box 13

Kurten, TX 77862

(979)589-2920
Appellant:

Appellee:

Identity of Parties and Council

Counsel

Counsel

Counsel

Counsel

Karen Hall

Karen Hall, pro se

P.O. Box 13

Kurten, TX 77862

City ofBryan

Ryan Henry

1380 Pantheon Way, Suite 110

San Antonio, TX 78232

Janis Hampton

P.O. Box 1000

Bryan, TX 77805

Artin DerOhanian

1380 Pantheon Way, Suite 110

San Antonio, TX 78232

n
Table of Contents

Identity ofParties and Counsel ii

Table ofContents i"

Index ofAuthorities v

Oral Argument Requested 1

Statement ofthe Case 2

Points ofError 2

Statement ofFacts 3

Summary ofthe Argument 8

Argument 9

Point 1: The trial court erred in granting the City's Motion for Summary

Judgment as supplemented based onresjudicata 9

Point 2: The trial court erred in grantingthe City's Motion for Summary

Judgment assupplemented based on collateral estoppel 13

Point 3: The trial court erred in granting the City's Motion for Summary

Judgment assupplemented based on a statute of limitations 15

Point 4: The trial court erred in denying appellant's Motion for Summary

Judgment 18

iii
Conclusion 28

Prayer 30

Certificate of Service 31

Appendix 32

Appendix - Supplemental bound separately

IV
Index of Authorities

Cases

Abbott Laboratories v. Gravis, 470 S.W.2d 639 (Tex. 1971) 12

Alexander Oilv. City ofSeguin, 823 S.W.2d 312 (Tex. App.—San Antonio

1989) 16

Barr v. Resolution Trust Corp., 837 S.W.2d 628 (Tex.1992) 9, 10

Bonniwellv. BeechAircraft Corp., 663 S.W.2d 818 (Tex. 1984) 14

City ofCelina v. City ofPilot Point, 2009 Tex. App. LEXIS 6932, *11, 2009 WL

2750978 (Tex. App. Fort Worth Aug. 31, 2009, pet. refd) 16

City ofCorpus Christi v. Taylor, 126 SW 3d725 (Tex. App.—Corpus Christi

2004) 13,17

City ofDallas v. D.R. Horton, No. 05-14-01414-CV (Tex. App.—Dallas, July 10,

2015). Pet. filed 17

City ofHeath v. King, 665 S.W.2d 133 (Tex. App. - Dallas 1983, no writ) 1, 26

City ofLubbock v. Stubbs, 327 S.W.2d 411,414 (Tex. 1959) 10,12

City ofMurphy v. City of Parker, 932 S.W.2d 479 (Tex. 1995) 16

Clear Lake City Water Auth. v. Clear Lake Util., 549 SW 2d 390 (Tex. 1977) 13

Cowlingv. Colligan, 312 S.W.2d947 (Tex. 1958) 10

Creative Thinking Etc. v. Creative Thinking, 74 SW 3d 511 (Tex. App.—Corpus

Christi 2002)... 26
EagleProperties, Ltd. v. Scharbauer, 807 SW 2d 722 (Tex. 1990) 14

Fort Worth Stockyards Co. v. Brown, 161 S.W.2d 549 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth

1977) 12

Franklinv. Rainey, 556 S.W.2d 583 (Tex. App.—Dallas 1977) 12

Godde v. Wood, 509 SW 2d 441 (Tex. App.—Corpus Christi 1974) 17

Hall v. City ofBryan, No. 10-05-00417-CV,(Tex. App.—Waco 2006)....3, 9, 10,

13

Hall v. City ofBryan, No. 10-10-00403-CV, (Tex. App.—Waco 2011) 4, 9

Hall v. City ofBryan, No. 10-12-00248-CV, (Tex. App.—Waco 2014) 5, 9, 25

Hudspeth v. Hudspeth, 673 SW 2d 252 (Tex. App.—San Antonio 1984) 12

Marino v. State Farm Fire & CasualtyIns. Co., 787 S.W.2d 949 (Tex. 1990)

10,12

Poe v. The City ofLago Vista Cause No. D-l-GN-05-002184, 345th District Travis

County(August 2, 2006) 1, 27

Powell v. Powell, 703 S.W.2d 464 (Tex. App. 1985) 12

Puga v. Donna Fruit Co., 634 S.W.2d 677, 679 (Tex. 1982) 9

Reynolds v. Murphy, 266 SW 3d 147 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth 2008) 26

Rolling Lands v. Northwest Airport, 111 SW3d 193, 194 (Tex. App.—Texarkana

2003) 12

Simulis, LLCv. Gen. Elec. Capital Corp., 392 SW 3d 735 (Tex. App.—Houston

14*2011) 26

vi
Sysco FoodServices, Inc. v. Trapnell, 890 SW 2d 801 (Tex. 1994) 14

Texas A&MUniv. Sys. v. Koseoglu, 233 S.W.3d 839 (Tex. 2007) 26

Statutes

Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code ANN. § 16.004 (Vernon 2002) 16

Tex. Loc. Gov't Code §43.056 1, 3,20,21,27

Tex. Loc. Gov't Code §43.141 passim

Tex. Loc. Gov't Code §43.148 1,8,27,30

Tex. Loc. Gov't Code §43.901 6,15,16

Tex. Loc. Gov't Code §51.003 6

Tex. Gov't Code §311.011 18

Tex. Gov't Code §311.016 18

Tex. Gov't Code §311.023 18

Tex. Gov't Code §312.005 19

Tex. Gov't Code §312.006 18

Tex. Rev. Civ. Stat. Art 970a (Municipal Annexation Act) 1, 19, 20, 21, 28

vn
Oral Argument Requested

This case raises significant issues related to amunicipality's obligation

regarding the provision ofservices to newly annexed areas. From 1963 with the

passage ofthe Municipal Annexation Act (Appendix B) to the current versions of

TEX. LOC. GOV'T Code §43.056 titled Provision of Services to Annexed Area and

TEX. LOC. GOV'T CODE §43.141 titled Disannexation For Failure To Provide

Services, the Legislature's intent is clear; similar services for similar areas.

Since the recodification ofTEX. REV. ClV. STAT, article 970a into §43.056

and §43.141, no other case has been appealed making this acase offirst

impression. In City ofHeath v. King, 665 S.W.2d 133 (Tex. App. -Dallas 1983,

no writ) (1 CR 10), the Municipal Annexation Act was the controlling statute. In

Poe v. The City ofLago Vista Cause No. D-l-GN-05-002184, 345th District Travis

County (August 2, 2006), the case was not appealed by the City ofLago Vista. (3

CR 1089) (3 CR 1303-1307) (1 RR 27-29). No appellate court has ever ruled on

the refund of property taxes and fees pursuant to TEX. LOC. GOV'T CODE §43.148.

The inclusion of oral arguments will significantly aid the decision ofthis

Court.
STATEMENT OF THE CASE

Appellant filed suit seeking disannexation ofthe approximately 105 acres

labeled 6A-1 and commonly called Hwy. 21 East from the City ofBryan because

the City failed to provide, in good faith or under its service plan, full municipal

services pursuant to TEX. Loc. GOV'T CODE §43.141. The trial court granted the

City ofBryan's Motion for Summary Judgment as supplemented and denied Hall's

Second Amended Motion for Summary Judgment.

Points of Error

Point 1: The trial court erred in granting the City's Motion for Summary

Judgment as supplemented based on resjudicata.

Point 2: The trial court erred in granting the City's Motion for Summary Judgment as supplemented based on collateral estoppel.

Point 3: The trial court erred in granting the City's Motion for Summary Judgment as supplemented based on astatute of limitations.

Point 4: The trial court erred in denying appellant's Motion for Summary

Judgment.
STATEMENT OF FACTS

On July 27, 1999 the City ofBryan (hereinafter referred to as "City" or

"Bryan") annexed by Ordinance 1175 and pursuant to TEX. LOC. GOV'T CODE

§43.056 \ nine (9) separate areas comprising over 6000 acres. (1 CR 7). April

2004 - almost five years after being annexed - the majority ofthe qualified voters

ofthe approximately 105 acres labeled Area 6A-1, commonly called Hwy. 21 East

("Hwy. 21 East" or "Area" hereinafter) filed for disannexation under TEX. Loc.

GOV'T CODE §43.141. After 60 days passed without the City's taking action on

the petition, Hall, as one ofthe signers ofthe petition, filed suit for disannexation.

(1 CR 9). The trial court granted the City's Motion for Summary Judgment. The

case was appealed. Hall v. City ofBryan, No. 10-05-0417-CV, 2006 WL 3438537

(Tex.App.—Waco 2006, pet. denied) (hereinafter referred to as HallI). This

court affirmed the trial court's ruling stating that "Hall lacked standing" to

complain aboutthe service plan.

Aservice plan is valid for ten (10) years unless renewed. §43.056 (i). The

City did not renew the service plan so it expired July 27, 2009. On September 1,

1Because this area was annexed prior to the September 1999 changes to TEX. Loc. GOV'T Code

§43.056 titled Provision of Services to Annexed Area, the time for providing services is 4lA

years instead ofthe 2l/2 years listed in the current version. (Appendix C).
2009, appellant filed another petition signed by the majority ofthe qualified voters

ofArea 6A-1 requesting disannexation under §43.141. (1 CR 9). On October 27,

2009, the City ofBryan denied the request and appellant filed suit seeking

disannexation. The City filed acombined Plea to the Jurisdiction and Motion for

Summary Judgment on multiple grounds. The trial court granted the City's Plea to

the Jurisdiction and Motion for Summary Judgment. The case was appealed. Hall

v. City of Bryan, No. 10-10-00403-CV, 2011 LEXIS 8038 (Tex.App.—Waco

2006, pet. denied), (hereinafter referred to as Hall IT). This court affirmed the trial

court's ruling stating that appellant's complaints amounted to "an attack on the

validity ofthe annexation." "Accordingly, ...she has no standing." Id. The other

issues raised in the City's Motion for Summary Judgment were not addressed by

this court because ofits finding that the trial court lacked jurisdiction.

The Opinion did, however, give clear direction to an individual seeking

disannexation when it said, "a complaint that the city has failed to provide services

to specific property that was annexed, under aservice plan or in good faith, gives

that individual property owner standing to sue the city to have the property

disannexed. TEX. LOC. GOV'T CODE ANN. §43.141 (West 2008)." (HallII).

On February 13, 2012 appellant again filed for disannexation. Hall v. City
ofBryan, No. 10-12-00248-CV, (Tex. App.—Waco 2014). (hereinafter referred to

as HallIII). (1 CR 7) (3 CR 1085) (1 RR 67-68). The grounds stated in Plaintiffs

First Amended Petition for Disannexation are limited to the City's failure to

provide, in good faith or under its service plan, full municipal services to Area 6A1pursuant to §43.141. (1 CR 7). Area 6A-1 has been annexed over sixteen (16)

years and still lacks sanitary sewer, fire hydrants, adequate police patrols. As of

February 2012 not one shovel-full of dirt had been turned. There had been no

"good faith" effort made to provide this area with full municipal services similar to

that currently enjoyed by citizens living within the city's full-service boundaries

with similar land use and population density. Hwy. 21 E. is afully developed area

similar to many other areas within Bryan's full-purpose boundaries. It is

undisputed that full municipal services were not provided as ofthe filing ofHall

III (February 13, 2012) and therefore, this area meets the requirements for

disannexation.

The City filed an answer which sought to assert sovereign and governmental

immunity, official and qualified immunity, resjudicata, collateral estoppel, statute

oflimitations, and contractual obligations. The City then filed acombined Plea to

the Jurisdiction and Motion for Summary Judgment. The Plea to the Jurisdiction
inaccurately claimed that the appellant's disannexation suit was an attack on the

validity ofthe City's annexation. The plea also erroneously asserted that

appellant's claim was for "free" services. Appellant's claim is that the City of

Bryan failed to provide services to specific property that was annexed, under a

service plan or in good faith. The City's Summary Judgment argues resjudicata,

collateral estoppel, statute oflimitations, quo warranto, and sovereign immunity.

Appellant's response to the City's Plea to the Jurisdiction and Motion for

Summary Judgment addressed each ofthe grounds asserted by the City.

May 7, 2012 - four days prior to the hearing on the City's Plea to the

Jurisdiction motion - the City filed afirst supplement to its jurisdiction plea

asserting sovereign immunity, quo warranto, resjudicata, collateral estoppel,

statute oflimitations, the Municipal Validation Act (TEX. Loc. GOV'T CODE

§51.003), and presumed consent (TEX. LOC. GOV'T CODE §43.901). (2 CR at 463,

469-474). The City also asserted that it is not responsible for providing services to

annexed areas.

On May 10, 2012, appellant filed her response to the City's first supplement

to its plea to the jurisdiction addressing each ofthe specific claims made by the

City. May 11, 2012 the trial court held ahearing on the City's Plea to the
Jurisdiction and the Defendant City ofBryan's First Supplement to Defendant's

Plea to the Jurisdiction The trial court granted the City's Plea to the Jurisdiction.

That ruling was appealed. After oral arguments, this court issued an Opinion on

July 24, 2014, remanding the case to the trial court on one point of error; the lack

of "regular and routine police patrols" required by the service plan.

Both the City and Hall filed Motions for Summary Judgment. (1 CR 46-

703) (3 CR 1084-1327). After ahearing on December 22, 2015, the trial court

granted the City's Motion for Summary Judgment as supplemented and denied

Hall's Motion for Summary Judgment. (3 CR 1623-1627). Notice ofAppeal was

timely filed by appellant on February 5, 2016. (3 CR 1637-1638).
Summary Of The Argument

The trial court erred in granting the City ofBryan's Motion for Summary

Judgment. It is undisputed that as ofthe filing date, February 13, 2012, there were

no wastewater facilities (sanitary sewer) or fire hydrants (except those at the City

owned Coulter Airfield) in Area 6A-1. Hours ofvideo and personal observation

attest that the Area lacks regular and routine preventive patrols. Legislative intent

and statutory history shows that when acity annexes an area, it is required to

provide that area with comparable services to similar areas ofthe city. Basically,

similar services for similar areas.

The primary issue in this appeal is whether acity may ignore nearly 50

years oflegislative efforts to prevent cities from annexing land, imposing

municipal taxes on the landowners, and failing to provide municipal services

comparable to other parts ofthe city. Analysis ofthe governing statute, Tex.

Gov't Code §43.141, shows the Legislature's intent that acitizen may seek

disannexation when services are not timely provided. Because the City ofBryan

has monumentally failed to provide in good faith the municipal services required

by the service plan, appellant is requesting that Area 6A-1 be disannexed from the

City ofBryan pursuant to Tex. Gov't Code §43.141 and that all taxes and fees be

refunded pursuant to Tex. Gov't Code §43.148.

8
Argument

Point 1: The trial court erred in granting the City's Motion for Summary

Judgment as supplemented based on resjudicata.

The City has raised the issue ofresjudicata citing this Court's ruling in Hall

I(Hall v. CityofBryan^o. 10-05-00417-CV, (Tex. App.—Waco 2006)). (1 CR

55). Broadly speaking, resjudicata is the generic term for a group ofrelated

concepts concerning the conclusive effects given final judgments. Barr v.

Resolution Trust Corp., 837 S.W.2d 628 (Tex. 1992). See Puga v. Donna Fruit Co.,

634 S.W.2d 677, 679 (Tex. 1982). In both HallII(Hall v. City ofBryan, No. 10-

10-00403-CV, (Tex. App.—Waco 2011)) and HallIII (Hall v. City ofBryan, No.

10-12-00248-CV, (Tex. App.—Waco 2014)), this Court has treated the service

plan as a continuous contract. The City concurs in its Motion for Summary

Judgment Sec. E. titled Alternatively, the Citv asserts it currently provides proper

services andhas always done so. (1CR61) Black's defines a "continuing

contract" as, "a contract calling for periodic performances over a space oftime."

BLACK'S LAW DICTIONARY, 321 (Sixth Ed. 1990). The annexation service

plan is not aone time event such as abotched surgery or acar accident but the

provision ofservices for as long as the area remains part ofthe city. The case
before this Court was filed inFebruary 13, 2012 (1 CR7)(3 CR1085) (1 RR 67-68)

and it is the actions or lack of actions at thattime that constitutes the basis for

this lawsuit. It is a snapshop ofArea 6A-1 at that time. This is not a relitigation

ofHallI as put forth by the City.

Resjudicata is not abar when a sequence ofevents occurs across time,

space, origin, or motivation. Barr, 837 S.W.2d at 631. New facts confer new

rights and create anew cause of action. Marino v. State Farm Fire &Casualty

Ins. Co., 787 S.W.2d 949 (Tex. 1990). Ajudgment in one suit will not operate as

resjudicata to asubsequent suit on the same question between the same parties

"where, in the interval, the facts have changed, or new facts have occurred which

may alter the legal rights or relations ofthe parties." Id. at 949-950. See City of

Lubbock v. Stubbs, 327 S.W.2d 411, 414 (Tex. 1959). "The judgment is res

adjudicata only ofpresent and not offuture conditions." Cowling v. Colligan,

312S.W.2d947(Tex. 1958).

InHall I, this Court's opinion stated that the City had "complied with the

service plan as written." The Opinion then quotes the City's policy of extending

municipal services with "...developer or property owner participation." That

ruling was based on the affidavits ofKevin Russell, Director ofDevelopment

10
Services, who said that it is city policy to require developers or property ownersto

pay for wastewater line extensions, the affidavit ofMichael Donoho, Bryan Fire

Chief, who saidit is city policy that"property owners and developers are

responsible for installation offire hydrants," and the affidavit ofBryan Police

ChiefMichael Strope who said that the City could provide police protection and

services. (1 CR 52) Chief Strope never addressed the question of" regular and

routine police patrols" asrequired by the service plan.

Assuming the City'spolicy in 2004 was thatthe developers and property

owners pay for capital improvements, evidence obtained from Discovery shows

that the City's policy has changed. (3 CR 1134-1256). Area 6A-1 is a fully

developed mix ofresidential and businesses. The projects listed are only a small

sample ofthe Capital Improvement Projects (CIPs) where sewer (CIP numbers

starting with 411) and/or water with fire hydrants (CIP numbers starting with 611)

have been installed by theCity and paid for with bond funds or other monies

controlled by the City of Bryan. (Appendix D, E).

It is a "...well-accepted rule thatresjudicata is not a defense in a subsequent

action ifthere has been a change in thematerial facts, the applicable statutory law,

or the decisional law between the first judgment and the second suit. The rationale

11
underlying this rule is that no judgment can affect subsequently arising rights and

duties." Marino, 787 S.W.2d 9 at 950. "Estoppel by judgment extends only to

facts in issue as they existed at the time the judgment was rendered, and does not

prevent are-examination ofthe same question between the same parties,

where, in the interval, the facts have changed, or new facts have occurred

which may alter the legal rights or relations ofthe parties." (emphasis added).

City ofLubbock, 327 S.W.2dat414. See Hudspeth v. Hudspeth, 673 SW2d252

(Tex. App.—San Antonio 1984).

Resjudicata will operate as abar only to matters actually raised or that

could have been raised in the previous litigation. Powell v. Powell, 703 S.W.2d

464 (Tex. App. 1985). See Abbott Laboratories v. Gravis, 470 S.W.2d 639 (Tex.

1971). As to matters which arise subsequently, the prior judgment will not be res

judicata. Fort Worth Stockyards Co. v. Brown, 161 S.W.2d 549 (Tex. App.-Fort

Worth 1977). See Franklin v. Rainey, 556 S.W.2d 583 (Tex. App.—Dallas 1977).

The issues raised in this suit are based on significant changes ofmaterial facts

between the first suit in 2004 and the filing ofthis suit in 2012. The changes

center around the City's policy regarding sewer and fire hydrant construction.

Resjudicata does not apply in dealing with acontinuing contract when the

current suit "arises out ofaseparate breach." Rolling Lands v. Northwest Airport,

12
111 SW 3d 193, 194 (Tex. App.—Texarkana 2003). The service plan is not a

document to be followed for one day but imposes duties for the entire time the

area remains apart ofthe City. It is classified as a"continuous contract." City of

Corpus Christi v. Taylor, 126 SW 3d 725 (Tex. App.—Corpus Christi 2004). See

Clear Lake City Water Auth. v. Clear Lake Util, 549 SW 2d 390 (Tex. 1977). It

can only be terminated by the City ofBryan and only then by disannexing the area.

Until such time, the obligations imposed by the service plan remain in effect. If

the City fails to perform those obligations, citizens can petition for disannexation.

This Court's ruling in 2004 does not exempt the City from fulfilling those

obligations in subsequent years.

Resjudicata (claim preclusion) is not abar to this disannexation suit. The

trial court erred in granting summary judgment for the City based on resjudicata.

Point 2: The trial court erred in granting the City's Motion for Summary

Judgment as supplemented based on collateral estoppel.

The City raises the defense ofcollateral estoppel again citing this Court's

ruling in HallI. (3 CR58). Aparty seeking to assert the bar of collateral estoppel

must establish that (1) the facts sought to be litigated in the second action were

fully and fairly litigated in the first action, (2) those facts were essential to the

13
judgment inthe first action, and (3) the parties were cast as adversaries inthe first

action. Sysco FoodServices, Inc. v. Trapnell, 890 SW2d 801 (Tex. 1994). See

Bonniwell v. Beech Aircraft Corp., 663 S.W.2d 818 (Tex. 1984). Under state law,

collateral estoppel only precludes the relitigation of identical issues of fact or law

which were actually litigated and essential to the prior judgment. Eagle

Properties, Ltd. v. Scharbauer, 807 SW 2d722 (Tex. 1990). The determining

issue before this court in 2004 was the City's claim that it complied with the

service planbecause it followed City policy to have developers or property owners

pay for services. That policy has changed.

For collateral estoppel to bar relitigation of an issue, that issue must have

been "necessarily determined" in the priorlitigation. Id. The capital improvement

policy no longer requires only developers orproperty owners to pay for

wastewater line extensions and to be responsible for the installation offire

hydrants. Discovery evidence clearly shows areas similar toArea 6A-1 that have

sewer and fire hydrants installed and paid for with bond funds or other City

controlled monies. Area 6A-1 is being treated differently from similar areas ofthe

City. This conflicts with the service plan requirement that, "Under this plan, the

City ofBryan will provide the newly annexed areas with the same type, kind and

14
quality ofservices currently enjoyed by the citizens ofBryan who reside in areas

with similar physical and development characteristics."

In order to prevail under collateral estoppel, the case must have been "fairly

and fully litigated." This isnot a retrial ofthe facts of 2004 but a trial ofthe facts

in 2012. Collateral estoppel cannot be applied to a case when there is a change of

material facts. Because the service plan is a continuous contract, each failure

confers new rights. The same arguments and cases cited above in resjudicata

establishing new facts conferring new rights and creating a new cause of action are

incorporated here by reference.

Collateral estoppel (issue preclusion) is not a bar to this disannexation suit.

The trial court erred in granting summary judgment for the City based on collateral

estoppel.

Point 3: The trial court erred in granting the City's Motion for Summary

Judgment as supplemented based on a statute of limitations.

The City raised a statute oflimitations defense citing TEX. LOC. GOV'T

CODE §43.901. (3 CR 59). The wording ofthis statute, although not exactly the

model ofclarity, makes it inappropriate to apply tothis or any disannexation suit.

By reading the bill analysis itbecomes very clear that it only applies to

15
challenging an ordinance. Challenges to an ordinance can only be done bya

municipality or an individual when the error is ab initio. (3 CR 1602-1603).

The City ofBryan made no such error. Acopy of§43.901 and the bill analysis is

attached.l (Appendix F, G). An excellent explanation ofab initio errors can be

found inthe Court ofAppeals ruling inAlexander Oil v. City ofSeguin, 823

S.W.2d 312 (Tex. App.—San Antonio 1989).

This explains why the only two cases offered to the court—City ofMurphy

v. City ofParker, 932 S.W.2d 479 (Tex. 1995) and City ofCelina v. City ofPilot

Point, 2009 Tex. App. LEXIS 6932, *11, 2009 WL 2750978 (Tex. App. Fort

Worth Aug. 31, 2009, pet. refd)—deal with one municipality annexing into

another municipality's ETJ. An ab initio error. Exactly the purpose of§43.901.

Adisannexation suit brought under § 43.141 is not the same as a challenge tothe

actual annexation ordinance. It is very misleading to cite §43.901 as a limitation

statute in a disannexation suit.

The statute of limitations for contracts isfour years. SeeTex. Civ. Prac. &

Rem. Code ANN. § 16.004 (Vernon 2002). However, ina contract that has

continuing obligations, the following rule applies:

1Tex. H.B. 1264, 77th Leg., R.S. (2001) through Legislative Reference Library ofTexas

(http://www.lrl.state.tx.us/).

16
Limitations begins to run on a continuing contract at the earlier of the

following: (1) whenthe work [under the contract] is complete; (2) when

the contract is terminated in accordance with its terms; or (3) when the

contract is anticipatorily repudiated by oneparty andthisrepudiation is

adopted by the other party. City ofCorpus Christi, 126 SW 3d at 725.

Because the obligations imposed by the service plan are still in effectand

the service plan contract has notbeen terminated orrepudiated, no statute of

limitations applies.

Where a claim for work, labor, or materials performed or furnished is

the outgrowth of an entire contract for continuous work, labor or

materials (until thework project has been completed), the claim will be

treated and considered as an entire demand and limitations will not

commence to run until the contract has been finished. Godde v. Wood,

509 SW 2d 441 (Tex. App.—Corpus Christi 1974).

Also, there does not appear to be any statute of limitations on filing a

disannexation suit. In one case, the area was annexed in 1971 and the

disannexation suit was filed in 2013. City ofDallas v. D.R. Horton, No. 05-14-

01414-CV (Tex. App.—Dallas, July 10, 2015). Pet. filed.

The statute oflimitations is not a bar to this disannexation suit. The trial

court erred in granting summary judgment for the City based on any statute of

limitations.

17
Point 4: The trial court erred in denying appellant's Motion for Summary

Judgment.

Code Construction Act

The Texas Government Code sections were written to assist courts in

determining legislative intent. Plaintiff asks this Court to take specific notice of

§312.006(a), §311.011(a), §311.016(1-3), §311.023(1-7), and §312.005. (3 CR

1308).

Tex. Gov't Code §312.006. LIBERAL CONSTRUCTION, (a) TheRevised

Statutes are the law ofthis state and shall be liberally construed to achieve

their purpose and to promote justice.

Tex. Gov't Code §311.011. COMMON AND TECHNICAL USAGEOF

WORDS, (a) Words and phrases shall be read in contextand construed

according to the rules of grammar and common usage.

Tex. Gov't Code §311.016. "MAY," "SHALL," "MUST," ETC.. The

following constructions apply unless the context in which the word or phrase

appears necessarily requires a different construction or unless a different

construction is expressly provided by statute:

(1) "May" creates discretionary authority or grants permission or a

power.

(2) "Shall" imposes a duty.

(3) "Must" creates orrecognizes a condition precedent

Tex. Gov't Code §311.023. STATUTE CONSTRUCTION AIDS. In

construing a statute, whether or not the statute is considered ambiguous

on its face, a court may consider among other matters the:

(1) object sought to be attained;

(2) circumstances under which the statute was enacted;

18
(3) legislative history;

(4) common law or former statutory provisions,

including laws on the same or similar subjects;

(5) consequences of a particular construction;

(6) administrative constructionofthe statute; and

(7) title (caption), preamble, and emergency provision

Tex. Gov't Code §312.005. LEGISLATIVE INTENT. In interpreting a

statute, a court shall diligently attempt to ascertain legislative intent and shall

consider at all times the old law, the evil, and the remedy.

In examining the history of the annexation statutes, there is virtually no "old

law" because prior to 1912, onlythe Texas Legislature had the legal authority to

expand a city's boundaries through annexation. With the passage of the

Constitution Amendment Article XI section 5 creating the Home Rule

Amendment, cities obtained to power of annexationwith few restrictions.

Essentially, between 1912 untilthe passage of the 1963 Municipal Annexation

Act,there was still no "old law". There was, however, a great deal of "the evil" as

cities annexed enormous amounts ofland with little or no regard to providing

municipal services. "The remedy" came in 1963 with the passage of the

Municipal Annexation Act. The Act required that anannexing municipality

provide certain services to the residents ofthe annexed area within three years or

face the possibility ofhaving to disannex the area. The legislative intent that

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services be provided to newly annexed areas isstill in effect today under TEX.

LOC. GOV'T CODE §43.056 and TEX. LOC. GOV'T CODE §43.141.

Legislative History ofTEX. Loc. Gov't CODES §43.056 and §43.141

In 1912 a constitutional amendment created home rule municipalities.2

This amendment allowed citiesto annex without legislative approval.3 In 1963,

the 58th Texas Legislature enacted theMunicipal Annexation Act(hereinafter

referred to as "Act").4 The Act regulated numerous aspects ofmunicipal

annexation including the requirement to furnish services. The Act also allowed

areas to be disannexed when those services were not timely provided.

In 1981 the 67th Legislature amended the Actby passing House Bill("HB"

hereinafter) 1952.5 ( Appendix H). This amendment added the requirement that

cities must write a service plan. The legislative intent of the service plan is to force

2Tex. Const, art. XI, §5.

3Texas House ofRepresentatives, House Committee on Land and Resource Management, Interim

Report, 80th Leg., R.S. (May 5, 2008), p. 86 through Legislative Reference Library ofTexas

(http://www.lrl.state.tx.us/).

4Municipal Annexation Act, Vernon 970a, 1963. Certification attached.

5Tex. H.B. 1952, 67th Leg., R.S. (1981). Certification attached.

6House Study Group, Bill Analysis, Tex. H.B. 1952,67th Leg., R.S. (1981) through Legislative

Reference Library ofTexas (http://www.lrl.state.tx.us/).

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cities to list the required services and then provide those services.6 ( Appendix I).

The Intergovernmental Affairs Committee Bill Analysis for HB 1952 states that

"'...failure to provide...governmental and proprietary services to anannexed

territory is grounds for disannexation."7 Clearly, the Legislature intended

disannexation to be the remedy when a municipality fails to provide all

legislatively required services.

In 1987 and 1989,the 70th and 71st legislative sessions respectively,

recodified statutes governing annexation including Vernon's Texas Civil Statute

970a.8 (Appendix J). Inthe old civil statute labeled CITIES, TOWNS and

VILLAGES, Vernon's Texas Civil Statute 970a contained both the annexation and

disannexation requirements. The 70th Legislature first created the Local

Government Code Chapter 43 title MUNICIPAL ANNEXATION. The service

requirements were then placed in the newly formed TEX. LOC. GOV'T CODE

§43.056 titled Provision ofServices to Annexed Area. The disannexation

requirements were placed inthe newly formed Tex. Loc. Gov't Code §43.141

titled DisannexationFor Failure To Provide Services. (3 CR 1091) (3 CR 1324-

1327).

7Intergovernmental Affairs Committee, Bill Analysis, Tex. H.B. 1952, 67th Leg., R.S. (1981)

through Legislative Reference Library ofTexas (http://www.lrl.state.tx.us/).

8Tex. S.B. 896, 70th Leg., R.S. (1987) through Legislative Reference Library ofTexas

(http://www.lrl.state.tx.us/).

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City's Failure To Meet ServicePlan Requirements

A. Sanitary Sewer

The City ofBryan's service plan states on page 1, "Under this plan, the City

ofBryan will provide the newly annexed areas with the same type, kind and

quality ofservices currently enjoyed by the citizens ofBryan who reside in areas

with similar physical and development characteristics." (Appendix K).

Information obtained from a Discovery Request shows many similar areas within

the Bryan city limits that enjoy access to sewer lines that were installed by the City

and paid for with either bond funds orother City controlled monies. (3 CR 1134-

1256). This occurred both prior to 2004 and after 2004.

The service plan, under Capital Improvements states onpage 4, "Within two

years after the effective date ofannexation, the City is also obligated to acquire or

begin constructing any additional capital improvements that are necessary to

provide the required levels ofservice in the annexed areas. Such acquisition or

construction must be substantially completed within four-and-one-half years after

the annexation...." Basically, similar services for similar areas. Area 6A-1 is a

fully developed mixed use area ofresidents and businesses and is similar to

numerous other areas ofthe city.

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The placement of sewer lines throughout the Cityis shown on a map. (3 CR

1265). (Appendix L). Sewer projects are identified with a 411 CIP(Capital

Improvement Project) number. (3 CR 1134-1256). (Appendix D).

B. Fire Hydrants

Besides the general "similar services for similar areas" statement in the

service plan, the requirements for fire hydrants ismore specific. Bryan's service

plan states on page 2, "Immediately upon annexation the City ofBryan will

provide fire suppression comparable to similar areas inthe rest ofthe City." Area

6A-1 does not have fire hydrants (except those at the City owned Coulter

Airfield). (3 CR1590-1592). Information obtained from Discovery shows many

similar areas withinthe Bryancity limits that have access to fire hydrants that

were installed bythe City and paid for with either bond funds or other City

controlled monies. This occurred both prior to 2004 and after 2004.

The placement offire hydrants throughout the City isshown on a map. (3

CR 1264). (Appendix M). Water line projects with fire hydrants are identified

with a 611 CIP (Capital Improvement Project) number. (3 CR 1134-1256).

(Appendix E).

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C. Police Patrols

Onpage 2 of Bryan's service plan, it states, "Immediately upon annexation,

the City ofBryan Police Department will provide regular androutine preventive

patrols...." (1 CR 20-25) (3 CR 1293-1298). (Appendix K). In2005 one hundred

thirty (130) continuous hours of video recordings on a side road in Area 6A-1

shows only one Bryan police car. (3 CR1086) (3 CR 1258-1263) (1 RR 14-16).

One patrol car every 130 hours is not "regular and routine preventive patrols." A

2-lane side streetdirectly off Highway 21was chosen because Highway 21 is a

four-lane 70 mph highway with a left turn lane. It isimpossible to view all

vehicles in all lanes as they pass in front of the camera. Appellant made the

assumption that any patrol car onHwy. 21 would also patrol the side streets.

Lieutenant Patterson states in his affidavit that, "Highway 21 has a

consistent police presence with patrol officers driving different sections of

Highway 21 multiple times per day." (3 CR 1585-1587). This statement is

controverted by onehundred (100) hours (various days/times) of personal

observation by several different individuals (backed byvideo recordings) at 6111

Hwy. 21 E. inArea 6A-1 in October 2015. Only one Bryan police car was

observed during that time. (3 CR 1260-1263) (1 RR 14-16). Achart listing all law

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enforcement vehicles observed with the days, times, and observer's name is

attached. (Appendix N). Each observer signed an affidavit stating the day and

time any law enforcement vehicle (sheriff, DPS, constable, orBryan PD) was

observed. (3 CR 1260-1263) (3 CR 1274-1286). When this evidence is added to

the 130 continuous hours of video recordings in 2005, it proves a consistent lack

of "regularand routine preventive patrols."

Amended Pleadings Allowed

The City challenges appellant's amended Petition and her Motion for

Summary Judgment for raising issues besides police patrols. The City's Motionfor Summary Judgment states, "Essentially, the opinion [HallIII] holds this court

has no jurisdiction tohear any ofMs. Hall's claims, save the police services claim.

All such claims must be dismissed." (1CR 63). On remand, appellant is not

limited tothe single issue ofpolice patrols but can amend her pleadings to include

other issues. InHall v. City ofBryan, No. 10-12-00248-CV (Tex. App.—Waco

2014), at footnote 5, the 10th Court Opinion states "...our holding does not

necessarily mean there are no other claims that Hall can pursue in this proceeding

by amending her petition."

There are numerous instances when a higher court has issued instructions

25
that a pleading may be amended. "Aplaintiff deserves 'a reasonable opportunity

to amend' pleadings unless the pleadings demonstrate incurable defects or negate

the existence ofjurisdiction." Texas A&M Univ. Sys. v. Koseoglu, 233 S.W.3d

839 (Tex. 2007). Unless the opinion includes limiting language, appellant is"free

to amend its pleadings to add newclaims." Simulis, LLC v. Gen. Elec. Capital

Corp., 392 SW 3d 735 (Tex. App.—Houston 14th 2011). Emphasis added. "[The]

court's opinion and mandate did not prevent appellant from amending its pleadings

on remand to add new causes of action not substantially the same as those

originally considered on appeal...." Id. This Court's opinion and mandate did not

prevent appellant from amending its pleading to add new causes of action

following remand. Creative Thinking Etc. v. Creative Thinking, 74 SW 3d511

(Tex. App.—Corpus Christi 2002). See Reynolds v. Murphy, 266 SW 3d 147

(Tex. App.-Fort Worth 2008).

Therefore, theCity is in error in stating that Hall islimited, on appeal, to the

issue of police patrols.

Examples ofOther Disannexations

Directly on point is City ofHeath v. King, 665 S.W.2d 133 (Tex. App. -

Dallas 1983, nowrit). (1 CR 10) (3 CR1088) (1 RR26-27). InHeath the

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Appellate Court affirmed that the City ofHeath should disannex the five tracts of

land pursuant to TEX. REV. ClV. STAT, article 970a § 10 [older version ofTEX.

Loc. GOV'T CODE §43.141] because "the city failed to furnish services to the five

areas in question comparable to services furnished other areas ofthe city with

similar characteristics oftopography, patterns of landutilization, andpopulation

density...." (3 CR 1088) (1 RR26-27). The Refund ofTaxes statute TEX. Loc.

GOV'T CODE §43.148—effective date September 1, 2000—was not available in

1983.

Because Lago Vista did not provide sewer to the Poe's property within the 4

V2 years required by TEX. LOC. GOV'T CODE §43.056 and the service plan, Bobby

Poe filed for disannexation under §43.141. Poe v. The City ofLago Vista Cause

No. D-l-GN-05-002184, 345th District Travis County (August 2, 2006). Judge

Yelenosky ordered the area disannexed and "ordered the return oftaxes paid by

the plaintiffs." 9 This case was not appealed. (3 CR 1089) (3 CR 1303-1307) (1

RR 27-29).

In 2002 afterreceiving a petition from annexed residents, the SanMarcos

City Council ordered 330 homes disannexed because the city failed to provide full

9Certified Opinion Poe v. City ofLago Vista Cause No. D-l-GN-05-002184, 345th District Travis

County (August 2,2006). (Appendix O).

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municipal services. This information is in the public domain and can be found at

the Austin-American Statesman's website www.statesman.com. (3 CR 1090) (3

RR 25-27).

In 2006 the City ofGreenville disannexed over 1000acres afterresidents

submitted a petition requesting disannexation because theCity failed to provide

the area with the required services. This information is in the public domain and

can be found at the Greenville Herald Banner's website www.heraldbanner.com.

(3 CR 1090)(1RR 25-27).

Conclusion

Appellant hasmet all the requirements for disannexation under TEX. LOC.

Gov't Code §43.141. A valid petition wasfiled withthe municipality on

September 1, 2009. (3 CR 1096-1132). More than 60 days have passed since the

City received the petition. The Bryan City Council, by a vote of 5-2, denied the

request on October 27, 2009. (3 CR 1085). Appellant is one ofthe signers ofthe

petition (3 CR 1085) (3 CR 1111). The Bryan City Council adopted Ordinance

NO. 1175 on July 27, 1999 which annexed over 6000 acres including Area6A-1.

(3 CR 1085). It has been more than 4 V2 years from the date ofthe annexation, and

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the City has failed to provide, in good faith or under its service plan, full

municipal services to Area 6A-1. On February 13, 2012, appellant filed for

disannexation pursuant to §43.141 (1 CR 7) ( CR 1085) (1 RR 67-68). This

lawsuit is a snapshot of Area 6A-1 on February 13, 2013.

As ofthe filing ofthis lawsuit, the City ofBryan has failed to perform its

obligations in accordance withthe service plan or failed to perform in good faith.

The businesses and residents ofArea 6A-1 do not have, as required by the service

plan, the same type, kind and quality ofservices currently enjoyed by the citizens

of Bryan who reside in areas with similar physical and development

characteristics. The businesses and residents ofArea 6A-1 do not have sewer

service as do similar areas as proven by the Discovery information and the map

showing sanitary sewer lines throughout the city. (3 CR 1134-1256) (3 CR1265)

(Appendix D,L). The businesses and residents ofArea 6A-1 do not have fire

suppression with fire hydrants as do similar areas as proven bythe Discovery

information and the map showing fire hydrants throughout the city (3 CR 1134-

1256) (3 CR 1265) (Appendix E,M). The businesses andresidents of Area 6A-1

do not have regular and routine preventive police patrols as provenby the 130

continuous hours of video in 2005 and the 100 hours of observation (and video) in

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2015. (3 CR 1084-1086)(3 CR 1258)(1 RR 14-16).

On the issue of providing services to annexed areas, the City has blatantly

disregarded its own service plan, the letter ofthe law, and the spirit ofthe law.

Therefore, Area 6A-1 is ripe for disannexation as a matter oflaw.

Prayer

Wherefore, premises considered, Appellant, Karen Hall, respectfully prays

for the following relief:

(1) that the judgment ofthe trial court be reversed and render judgment that

Area 6A-1 be disannexed from the City ofBryan for a period often (10) years

pursuant to TEX. Loc GOV'T CODE §43.141(c),

(2) order the landowners be refunded the property taxes and fees collected by

the City during the period that the area was part of theCity pursuant to TEX.

Loc. Gov't Code §43.148,

(3) The Plaintiffrecover the costs ofthis suit, and such other and further

reliefto which Plaintiffmay be justly entitled.

Respectfully submitted,

Karen Hall

P.O.Box 13

Kurten, TX 77862

979/589-2920

Karen Hall, pro se

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CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE

I hereby certify that a true and correctcopy ofthe above and foregoing was

served by CMRRR onthis &3/U day ofJune 2016 as follows:

Ryan Henry

1380 Pantheon Way, Ste. 110

San Antonio, TX 78232

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fliu^ PJfKaren Hall
Appendix

Appendix A. January 28,2016 Order

32