SECOND DI VI SI ON

M I LLER, P. J.

, RI C K M A N and REESE, JJ.

N O T IC E : M otions for r e c ons i de r a tion m us t be

ph y sic a l ly r e ce iv ed i n our c le r k ’s offic e w ithin te n

da y s of the da te of de c is ion to be de e m ed tim e ly file d.

http://w w w .ga a ppe a l s .us /r ule s

Septem ber 23, 2019



# I n th e Co u r t o f

A p p eals o f

G eo r g ia

A1 9 A1 29 5

. KLINGENSM ITH et al

. v

. L O NG COUNTY,

GEORGIA.

M I LLE R , Pres i d i n g J u d g e.

Th i s ap p eal s t em s fro m a n eg l i gen ce an d nu i s an ce act i o n th at vari o u s res i d en t s

wh o li v e i n o r aro un d t h e V i ck ers H i l l s u bd i v i s i o n fi l ed ag ai n s t Lo n g Co u n t y

,

Geo rg i a (“ th e Co u n t y ”), du e to t h e rep eat ed fl oo d i n g o f th e s u b d iv i si o n

. Th e t ri al

co u rt g ran t ed su m

m ary j u d gm en t t o t h e Co u n t y o n v ari o u s g ro u nd s t h at i n cl u d ed

s o v erei g n i m

m u n i t y , fai lu re t o co m

pl y wi t h t he p res en t m en t req u i rem en t o f OCGA

§ 3 6-1 1-1 , an d t he m eri t s . Th e p l ai n t i ffs no w ap p eal fro m t h e t ri al co u rt ’ s s u m m ary

ju d g m en t o rd er, ch al l en gi n g each of t h e g ro u nd s o n wh i ch t h e t ri al co u rt rel i ed i n i t s

o rd er. W e co n cl u d e t h at (1 ) t h e p l ai n t i ffs ’ n eg l i g en ce cl ai m s are barred by so v erei g n

i m m u ni t y ; (2 ) an y cl ai m s o f a p erm an en t n ui s an ce o r t res p as s are barred b y t h e o n e-y ear p res e n t m e n t r e q u i rem en t o f OCGA § 3 6-1 1 -1 ; an d (3 ) t h e p l ai n t i ffs fai l ed to

p ro d uce ev i d en ce t o creat e a g en u i n e i s s u e o f m at eri al fact o n a cl ai m fo r co n t i n u i n g

n u i s an ce. W e t h erefo re affi rm

.

“ Su m m ary ju d g m en t i s pro p er wh en th ere is n o g en u i ne i s s ue o f m at eri al fact

an d t h e m o v an t i s en t i t l ed t o ju d g m en t as a m at t er of l aw. W e rev iew t h e g ran t o r

d en ial of s u m

m ary ju d g m en t d e n o v o, co n s t ru i n g t h e ev i d e n c e i n f a v o r o f t h e

n o n m o v an t .” (Ci t at i o n an d p u n ct u at i o n o m i tt ed .) S ummer v

. Secu r i t

y Cr ed i t S

vcs

.,

LLC , 3 3 5 Ga. Ap p. 1 9 7, 1 9 7 -1 9 8 (7 79 SE2 d 1 2 4 ) (2 0 1 5 ).

So vi ewed

, t h e reco rd s h o ws th at

, aro u n d 2 00 6

, Geo rg i a Co as t al Lan d

Co m p an y acq u i red l an d i n Lo n g Co u n t y

, G eo rg i a, wi t h t h e i n t en t t o d ev el o p a n d

b u i l d a res i d en t i al s u b d iv i s i o n cal l ed Vi c k e r s Hi ll

. Geo rg i a Co as t al h ad P.C.

Si m o n t on & As s o ci at es

, In c., a ci v i l en g i neeri n g fi rm

, p rep are a p rel i m i nary p l at fo r

t h e s ub d i v i s io n t o s ub m i t to th e Co u n ty fo r ap p ro v al

. Th e Co un t y ap p ro v ed t h e p l at

i n Ap ri l 2 0 0 7

, an d

, at t h at t i m e, Geo rg i a Co as t al b eg an s el l i n g l o t s t o p ri v at e p art i es

fo r d ev el o p m en t an d co n s t ru ct i o n

.

So o n aft er co n st ru ct i o n b eg an i n Vi ck ers Hi l l

, s t an d i n g wat er becam e an i s s u e

fo r m an y o f t h e res i d en t s o f t h e s u b d i v i s i o n

. In 2 0 14

, aft er recei vi n g m an y co m p l ai n t s

o f t h e fl o o d in g fro m t h e res i d en t s o f Vi ck e r s H i l l

, t h e Co u n ty s t u d i ed t h e i s s u e o f

2fl oo d i n g at t h e s u b d i v i si o n an d is s u ed a rep ort

. T h e r e p o rt co n cl u ded t h at t h e

d ev el o p m en t o f t h e su b d iv i s io n i n c r e a s e d t h e t o tal ru n off fro m t h e area by

ap p ro x i m at el y 2 5 cu bi c-feet -p er-s eco n d

, wh i ch was si gn i fi can t l y h ig h er t h an t h e 1

cu b ic-fo o t -p er-s eco n d i n creas e t h at was s et b y t he Co u n t y ’ s o rd i nan ce. Th i s l arg e

i n creas e of ru n o ff res u l ted i n a b ack -u p at t he cu l v ert o n t h e p ro p ert y of Carl St een

,

wh o l iv es ad

jace n t t o t h e s u b d i v i s i on at t he p o i n t wh ere t h e ru n o ff fro m t h e

s u b d iv i s i o n i s rel eas ed

, wh i ch s erv ed as a m ajo r d rai n ag e p o i n t fo r t h e wet l an d s t h at

are ad jacen t t o t he s u b d i v i s i o n

. Th e rep o rt r e c o m m en d ed t h at t he p i p es on St een ’ s

p ro p ert y b e wi d en ed

, t h at v ar i o u s pi p es wi t h in th e s u b d i vi s i o n b e rep l aced o r

wi d en ed

, an d t h at v ari o u s d i t ch es an d p i p es w i t hi n th e s u b di v is i on b e cl ean ed an d

res t ored t o t h e p ro p er g rad e.

On M arch 27

, 2 0 1 5

, a n o t i ce to t h e C o u n t y w a s s en t b y co u n s el on b eh al f o f

“ s ev eral fam i li es wh o res i d e i n an d aro un d Vi ck ers Hi l l Su b d i v i si o n ” wh o h ad cl ai m s

ag ai n s t t h e co u n ty

. Th e n o ti ce s p eci fi ed th at i t w as s en t t o co m p ly wi t h t h e

req u i rem en t s of OCGA § 3 6 -1 1 -1

, an d it s tat ed t h at t h e res i d en t s h ad cl ai m s fo r t h e

co n ti n u i n g n u is an ce an d tres p as s cau s ed b y t h e i n s uffi ci en t d r a i n ag e an d res u l t an t

s t an d i n g wat er, wh i ch st i l l h ad n o t b een fi x ed an d h ad al s o l ed t o t he d et eri o rat i o n o f

3t h e ro ad way s wi t h i n t h e s u b d i v i s i o n

. Th e n o t i ce di d n ot i den t i fy an y o f t h e res i d en t s

b y n am e.

St een

, Ran d al l an d Bet h Kl i n g e nsm ith, W a lt er Pel t o n, W i l l i am Karri k er, J am es

W i ne, an d Ch es t er Brad ley fi l ed t h e i n s tan t co m

p l ai n t o n Feb ru ary

9 , 2 0 1 6 , ag ai n s t

t h e Co u nt y

, t w o fi ct i t i o u s “ J o h n Do e” d efen d an t s t h at were al l eg ed t o be em p l o y ees

o r ag en t s o f t h e Co u n t y , an d P.C. Si m o n t on

. 1 Ex cep t fo r St een , t h e p l ai nt i ffs are al l

res i den t s o f V i c k ers Hi l l

. T h e p l ai n ti ffs rai s ed t h e fo ll o wi ng cl ai m s ag ai n s t t h e

Co u n t y : (1 ) n eg l ig en ce d u e t o t he Co u n t y ’ s al l eg ed fai lu re t o o vers ee an d m o n i t o r t h e

d e v e l o p m e n t an d co n st ru ct i on wi t h i n Vi ck ers H i l l, t h e Co u n t y ’ s ap p ro v al o f a

d ev el o p m en t p l an fo r t h e s u bd i v i s i o n t h at v i o lat ed t h e Co u n t y ’ s o wn reg u lat i o n s

, an d

t h e Co u n t y ’ s fai l u re to m ai n t ai n t h e ro ad way s an d s i g nag e wi t h in t h e s u b di v is i o n ; (2 )

n u i s an ce ari s i n g fro m t h e al l eg ed fai l u re t o t ak e s u ffi ci en t act i o n t o ad d res s t h e

ex t en s i v e fl o od i n g an d s t an d in g wat er p ro b l em s i n t h e s u b d i v i s io n ; an d (3 ) t res p as s

fo r t he wat er t h at i n t ru d ed u p o n an d rem ai ned o n t h e p lai n t i ffs ’ p ro pert ies d u e t o t h e

i n ad eq u at e d rai n ag e s y s t em s i n t h e s u b d i v i s i o n

. Serv i ce was effect ed o n t h e Co u n t y

o n Feb ru ary

2 0, 2 01 6

.

1 Th e p l ai n t i ffs l at er v o l u n t ari ly d i s m i s s ed t h ei r cl ai m s ag ai n st P.C. Si m o n t o n

wi t h o u t p reju d i ce.

4Fo l l owi n g d i s co v ery

, t h e Co u nt y m o v ed fo r s u m m ary j u d gm en t o n al l cl ai m s

.

Aft er a h eari n g , t h e t ri al co u rt g ran t ed t h e Co u nt y ’ s m o t i o n fo r s um m ary ju d g m en t

.

Th e tri al co u rt co n cl u d ed t hat (1 ) t h e P l a i n ti ffs ’ an t e l i t em n o ti ce was in su ffi ci en t

u n d er OCGA § 3 6 -1 1 -1 b ecau se t h e n o t i ce d i d n o t i d en ti fy an y o f t he cl ai m an t s ; (2 )

t h e fo u r-y ear s tat u t e o f li m it at i o n s (OCGA § 9 -3 -3 0 (a ) ) b arred t h e cl ai m s fo r

n eg li g en ce an d t res p as s ; (3 ) t h e n eg l i g en ce cl ai m was barred b y s o v erei g n i m m u ni t y ;

(4 ) t h e n u i s an ce cl ai m fo r t h e al l eg ed fl o o di n g an d s t an di n g wat er fai led as a m at t er

o f l aw b ecau s e t h e reco rd s h o wed t h at t h e Co u nt y d i d n o t co n s t ru ct o r m ai n t ai n t h e

d rai n ag e s y s tem ; an d ( 5 ) t h e n ui s an ce cl ai m fo r t h e co nd i t i o n of t h e ro ad s fai l ed as

a m at t er o f l aw becau s e t h e Co u n t y d i d no t o wn t h e r o ad s

. Th i s t i m el y ap p eal

fo l l o w ed

.

1

. T he p l ai n t iffs fi rs t arg u e t hat t h e t ri al co u rt erred in i ts co n cl u s io n t h at t h ei r

n eg li g en ce cl ai m s were b arred b y so v er e ign i m m unity be c a use i ndividua l gov ern m en t

o ffi ci al s m ay b e hel d p ers o n al l y l i ab l e fo r m i n i s teri al act s n eg l i g en t l y p erfo rm ed

, an d

t h ey arg u e t h at t h ey p ro d u ced su ff i c i e n t ev i den ce t o sh o w t h at t h e Co u n t y ’ s ag en t s

were n eg l i gen t i n fo l l o wi n g t h e Co u n t y ’ s o wn su b d i v i si o n reg u l at i o n s i n rel at i o n to

5t h e Vi ck ers Hi l l s u bd i v i s i o n

. 2 Th ey fu rt h er arg u e t h at s o v erei g n i m m u n i t y d o es n ot

ap p ly becau s e t h e Co u n t y w as v i cari o u s ly l i ab l e fo r t h e act i o n s o f i ts ag en t s

. W e

d i s ag ree.

“ [S] o v erei g n i m

m u n i t y i s t h e i m

m u ni ty p ro v i d ed t o g o v ern m en t al en t i t i es an d

t o p u b l i c em

p l o y ees s ued i n t h ei r o ffi ci a l c a p a c i t ies .” (Ci t at i o n om i t t ed .) Ra t l if f v.

McDo na l d

, 3 2 6 Ga. A pp

. 3 0 6

, 3 0 9 (1 ) (7 5 6 SE2 d 5 6 9 ) (2 0 1 4 )

. O n t h e o t h er h an d,

“ [t ] h e d o ct ri n e o f offi ci al im m u n i t y

, al s o k n o w n as q u al i fi ed i m m u n i t y

, o ffers p u b l i c

o ffi cers a n d e m

p l oy ees l i m it ed p ro t ect i o n fro m s ui t i n t h ei r p ers o n al cap aci t y .”

(Ci t at i o n o m i t t ed .) G r a mmen s v. Do l l a r

, 2 8 7 G a. 6 1 8

, 6 1 9 (6 97 SE2 d 7 7 5 ) (2 0 1 0 ).

It i s t ru e t h at o ffi ci al im

m u n i t y affo rd ed t o i n d iv i d ual p ub l ic em p lo y ees i s wai v ed in

cas es wh ere m i n i s t eri al act s were n eg l i g en t l y p erfo rm ed or w h ere o ffi ci al act s were

p erfo rm ed wi t h m al i ce o r an i n t en t t o i n ju re. See id

. at 6 1 9 -6 2 0

. Ho wev er, “ so v erei g n

i m m u ni t y an d o ffi ci al i m

m u n i t y are n o t s y n o n y

m ou s

, b u t are s ep arat e, rel at ed

d o ct ri n es

. So v erei g n i m

m u n it y

. . . refers t o th e i m m u ni t y t rad i t i o nal l y g ran t ed

g o v ern m en t al en t it es

, s u ch as t he s t at e o r i t s co u n ti es

. Offi ci al i m m u n i t y

, o n t h e o t h er

2 Becau s e “ [s ]o v e r e i g n i m m u n i t y i s n o t an affi rm at i v e d efen se, g o i n g t o t h e

m eri t s o f t h e cas e, b u t rai s es t h e i ss u e o f t h e t ri al co urt ’ s s u b j ect m at t er ju ri s d i ct i o n

t o t ry t h e cas e,” Amb a ti v. Bd

. o f Reg en ts of Un i v. S

ys

. o f Ga

. , 31 3 Ga. Ap p

. 2 8 2

, 2 8 2

n .3 (7 2 1 SE2 d 1 4 8 ) (2 0 1 1 ), we wi l l ad d res s t h e t ri al co u rt ’ s d et erm i n at i o n s as t o t h e

Co u n t y ’ s s o v erei g n i m

m u ni t y fi rs t

.

6h an d, is ap p l i cab le t o g o v ern m en t o ffi ci al s an d em p l o ye e s s u ed i n t h ei r i n d i v i d u al

cap aci t i es .” (Ci t at i o n s an d p u n ct u at i o n o m i t t ed .) No r r i s v. E m a n u el Co u n t

y

, 2 5 4 Ga.

Ap p

. 1 14

, 1 1 6 (1 ) (5 61 SE2 d 2 4 0 ) (2 0 02 ). In s t ead , o u r l aw i s cl ear t h at “ [a] co u n t y

m ay b e l i ab l e fo r a co u n ty em p l o y ee’ s n eg l i g en ce i n p erfo rm i n g an o ffi ci al fu n ct i o n

o n l y t o th e ex t en t t h e co u n t y h as w a i v e d s o v erei g n i m m u n i ty .” (Ci t at i o n o m i t t ed .)

Ra t l i ff , s u p ra, 3 2 6 Ga. Ap p . at 3 0 9 (1 ).

Th u s

, t o p u rs ue cl ai m s ag ai n s t t h e Co un t y

, t h e p l ai nt iffs m u s t p o i n t t o a wai v er

o f t h e Co u n ty ’ s s o verei g n i m m u n it y reg ard l es s o f wh et her an y i n d iv id u al co u n t y

o ffi ci al d oes o r d o es n o t hav e o ffi ci al i m m u n i t y fro m t h e p l ai nt i ffs ’ cl ai m s

. 3 T h e o n l y

w a i v e r t h ey p oi n t t o i s t h e wai v er o f s o v erei g n i m m u n i t y fo r cl ai m s al l eg i n g t h e

n eg l i g e n t p e rfo rm an ce o f m i n is t eri al d u t ies

. Th at wai v er, h o w ev er, o n l y ap p l i es to

ci t i es an d d o es no t ap p l y t o co u n t i es

. Ru t h er f o r d v. DeKa l b Co u n t

y

, 2 8 7 Ga. Ap p.

3 6 6

, 3 6 7 -3 6 9 (1 ) (a), (b ) (6 5 1 SE2 d 7 7 1 ) (2 0 0 7 ). Co m p are OCGA § 3 6 -3 3 -1 (b ) (“ Fo r

n eg lect to p erfo rm o r i m

p ro p er o r u n s k i l l fu l p erfo rm an ce of t h ei r m i n is t eri al d u t i es

,

3 An y cl ai m s ag ai n s t t h e fi ct i t i o u s d efen dan t s are no t rel ev an t t o t h is ap p eal

b ecau s e t h e C o u n t y’s s u m m ary ju d g m en t m o t i o n was m ad e so l el y o n beh al f o f t h e

Co u n t y an d n ot o n beh al f o f an y fi ct i t i o u s d efen d an t s

. T h e t ri al co u rt ’ s s u m m ary

ju d g m en t o rd er al s o d i d n ot ap p ear t o ad d res s an y cl ai m s ag ai ns t t h e fi ct it io u s “ J o h n

Do e” d efen d an t s, an d an y i n d iv i d u al “ J o h n Do e” defen d an t s are n o t p art i es t o t h i s

ap p eal

.

7[m

u n i ci p al co rp o rat i o n s ] s hal l b e l i ab l e.”) wi t h OCGA § 36 -1 -4 (s et t i n g o u t t h e

s o v erei g n i m

m u ni t y o f co u n ti es an d co n t ai n i n g n o s uch wai v er fo r m i n i s t eri al d u t i es ).

Becau s e “ [a] wai v er o f s o verei gn i m m u n i t y m u s t b e es t ab l i s hed b y t h e p art y s eek i n g

t o b en efi t fro m t hat w ai v er,” (Ci t at io n o m i t t ed .) Li b er t y Co un t y v. El l er

, 3 2 7 Ga. Ap p.

7 7 0 , 7 7 1 (1 ) (7 6 1 SE2 d 1 6 4 ) (2 0 1 4 ), an d t h e p l ai n t i ffs d id n o t (an d d o n o t ) p o i n t t o

an y ot h er p urp o rt ed wai v er o f s o v erei g n i m m u ni t y b y t h e Co u nt y fo r t h ei r n eg l i g en ce

cl ai m s , t h ey

are b arred b y

s o verei g n i m

m u n it y

.

As t he part i es co rrect l y p o i n t o u t, h o wev er, “ t h e Co n st it u t i o n p r o v id es fo r a

wav ier o f s o v erei g n i m

m u n i t y wh ere a co u n ty

creat es a n u i s an ce wh i ch am o u n t s t o

an i nv ers e co n d em

n at i o n.” (Ci t at io n o m i t t ed

. ) El l er

, s u p ra, 3 2 7 Ga. Ap p

. at 7 7 2 (1 ).

Th erefo re, t h e p lai n t i ffs ’ n ui s an ce cl ai m s are n o t b arred b y s ov erei g n i m m u n i t y t o t h e

ex t en t t h ey

co n s t i t u t e an i nv ers e co nd em nat i o n

. 4

2

. In t wo rel at ed cl ai m s o f erro r, th e p l a i n t i ffs al s o arg u e t h at t h e t ri al co u rt

erred i n it s co n cl u s i o n t h at t h ei r n u i s an ce cl ai m s were b arred by t h e re q u i s i t e fo u ry ear s tat u t e o f li m i t at i o n s, OCGA § 9 -3 -3 0 (a), an d t hat t h e t ri al co u rt erred in

4 W h i l e th e p lai n t i ffs rai s ed bo t h a n u i s an ce an d a tres p as s cl ai m i n ad d i t i o n to

t h ei r n eg l i g en ce cl ai m s

, in es s en ce, t h es e cl ai m s t o g et h er are pro ceed i n g as an i n v ers e

co n dem n at i o n cl ai m

, “ [r] eg ard l es s o f ho w t h e v ari o u s cl a i m s are den o m i n at ed .”

S t a n f i el d v. Gl yn n Co u n ty

, 2 8 0 Ga. 7 8 5

, 7 8 6 (1 ) (6 3 1 SE2 d 3 7 4 ) (2 00 6 ). Fo r eas e o f

referen ce, we wi l l co n t i nu e t o co l l ect i v el y refer t o t h es e cl ai m s as n ui s an ce cl ai m s

.

8co n cl u d in g t h at t h ey fai l ed t o co m p l y wi t h t h e pre s e n t m en t req u i rem en t o f OCGA

§ 3 6 -1 1 -1

. W e co n cl ud e t hat s u m m ar y j u dg m en t was p ro p erl y g ran t ed o n t h es e

cl ai m s

.

(a) W e fi rs t ad d re s s w h e t h er t h e pl ai n ti ffs co m p l i ed wi t h t h e st at u t o ry

p res en t m en t req u irem en t

. Un d er Geo rg ia l aw, “ [a] ll cl ai m s ag ai n s t co un t ies m u st b e

p res en t ed w i t hi n 1 2 m o n th s aft er t h ey accru e o r beco m e p ay ab l e o r t he sam e are

b arred .” OCGA § 3 6-1 1-1

. “ Su b s t an t i al co m pl i an ce i s al l t h at i s req u i red t o m eet t h e

s t at u to ry n o t i ce req u i rem en ts ” o f OCGA § 3 6 -1 1 -1

. (Ci t at i o n o m i t t e d

. ) Ci t y of

Co l umb us v. Ba rn g r o ver

, 2 5 0 Ga. Ap p . 5 89 , 5 96 (4 ) (5 5 2 SE2 d 5 36 ) (2 0 0 1).

Th e t ri al co u rt co rr e c t l y ru l ed t h at t h e p u rp o rt ed p res en t m en t n o ti ce t h at t h e

p l ai n t i ffs s en t t o t h e co u n t y o n M arch 2 7, 2 0 1 5, was i n s u ffi ci en t t o m eet t h is st at u t o ry

req u i rem en t becau se i t d i d n o t s p e c i fi cal l y i d en t i fy an y o f t h e cl ai m an ts

. W e fi n d

Ca mp b el l v. Ci ty of At l a n t a

, 1 1 7 Ga. A p p

. 8 2 4 (1 6 2 SE2 d 2 13 ) (1 9 6 8) t o b e

co n tro l l in g i n t h i s cas e. In Ca mp bel l

, we co n cl u d ed t h at an an t e-l it em n ot i ce t h at

i d en t i fi ed a h u s b an d as a t ort cl ai m an t

, b ut d i d n o t i d en ti fy hi s wi fe as a cl ai m an t fo r

l o s s o f co n s o rt iu m

, w a s i n s u ffi ci en t t o m eet s u b st an t i al co m p li an ce wi t h t h e

p res en t m en t req ui rem en t fo r th e wi fe’ s cl ai m

, ev en t h o u gh t h ere was ev i d en ce o n t h e

n o t i ce fro m w h i ch t h e ci t y d efe n d a n t co u l d h av e d ed u ced th at t h e w i fe h ad a v al id

9cl ai m as wel l

. Id

. at 8 2 5

. W e co n cl u d ed t h at “ [t ] h e ci t y i s o n l y req ui r e d t o m ak e

ad ju s t m en t s wi t h p art i es wh o m ak e k n o wn t h ei r cl ai m a nd t he i r i d en t i t y a s

cl a i ma nt s .” (Em p has is ad d ed .) Id

.

Al t h ou g h Ca mp b el l in v o l v ed t h e an t e-l i t em s t at u t e fo r c l a i m s ag ai n s t

m u ni ci p al i ti es

, an d n o t t h e s tat u t e at i s s u e fo r cl ai m s ag ai n s t co u n ti es

, we fi n d n o

reas on to d ev i at e fro m i ts h o l d i n g i n cas es i n v o l v i n g cl ai m s ag ai n s t co u n t i e s

. 5 T h e

p u rp os e o f t h e p res en t m en t s tat u t e i s to “ al l o w g o vern m e n t s t h e o p po rt u n i t y to

i n v es t i ga te pote ntia l c la im s, a sc e r ta in the e v i d en ce, an d av o i d u n n eces s ary l i t i g at i o n,”

Ba r ng r o ver

, s up ra, 2 5 0 Ga. Ap p . at 5 9 6 (4 ), p u rp o s es t h at wo u l d al l b e fru s t rat ed i f

cl ai m an t s d i d n o t i d en t i fy t h em s el v es t o co u n t i es ag ai n s t wh i ch t hey h av e cl ai m s

.

Fi n a l l y, t h ere i s n o in di cat i o n i n t h e reco rd t h at t h e pl ai n t i ffs ’ i d en t i ti es were

u n k n o wn t o t h e at t o rn ey wh o d raft ed t h e no t i ce at t h e t i m e it wa s s en t

. Th u s

, we

5 Bo t h t he co u n t y s t at u t e an d t he ci t y s t a t u t e req u i re o n l y s u b s t an t i al

c o m p l i an ce, Ba r ng r over

, su p ra, 2 5 0 Ga. Ap p. at 5 9 6 (4 ), an d n ei t her s t at u t e

affi rm at i v el y req u i res p ro sp ect i v e p l ai n t i ffs to i d en t i fy t hem s el v es

, see OCGA § § 3 6

-

1 1 -1 ; 3 6 -3 3-5

, an d s o t h e m at eri al req u i rem en t s o f th e st at u t es fo r t h e p u rp o s es o f t h i s

ap p eal are i d en t ical

.

10co n cl u d e t h at th e M arch 2 7

, 2 0 1 5 n o t i c e f a i l ed t o s at is fy t he s tat u t o ry p res en t m en t

req u i rem en t

. 6

Ne v e r t h e l es s

, al t h o u g h t h e n ot i ce was defi ci en t

, w e ag ree wi t h t h e p l ai n t i ffs

t h at t h ei r co mp l a i n t was s uffi ci en t to m eet t he s t at u t o ry p res en t m en t req u i rem en t s o f

OCGA § 3 6 -1 1

- 1

, a s t h e co m p lai n t cl earl y i d en ti fi ed each o f t h e p l ai n t i ffs as

cl ai m an t s an d s et o u t t h e part i cu l ars o f each o f t h e cl ai m s ag ai n s t t h e Co u n t y

. See

Bu r to n v. DeKa lb Co u n t

y

, 2 0 2 Ga. Ap p

. 6 7 6

, 6 7 7 (4 1 5 SE2 d 6 4 7 ) (1 99 2 ) (“ [I] f a

co m p l ai n t i s fi led an d p ro p erl y s erv ed wi t h i n t h e 1 2 -m o nt h t i m e l i m i t

, t h e

req u i rem en t s o f [OCGA § 3 6 -1 1 -1 ] are m et .”). Acco rd i n g ly

, an y o f t h e p l ai n t i ffs ’

cl ai m s t h at accru ed wi th i n o n e y ear o f t h e s erv i ce o f t h e co m p l ai n t o n t h e Co u n t y o n

Feb ru a r y 2 0

, 20 1 6 (t he d at e wh en t h e p l ai n t i ffs “ p res en t ed ” t h ei r cl ai m s t o t h e

Co u n t y ) wo u ld n o t b e b arred an d wo u l d b e al l o wed t o p ro ceed

. 7

6 Th e p l ai n t i ffs s u g g es t t h at

, i f t h e C o u n t y r e q u i red t h ei r i d en t i t i es to

i n v es t i g at e t h e cl ai m s

, i t wo u l d h av e b e e n a t ri v ial m at t er fo r t he Co u nt y t o u s e t h e

co n tact i n fo r m a t i o n o n t he n o t i ce t o co n t act t h e l i s t ed at t o rn ey

. Th is co n t en t i o n

i g n o res th e fact t h at i t i s t h e p l ai n t i ffs ’ b u rd en t o p ro v i d e t h e Co u n t y w i t h t h e

s u b s t an t i al i nfo rm at i o n n eces s ary t o g i ve n ot i ce o f t he cl ai m

. “ It was no t in cu m b en t

u p o n [t h e Co u n ty ] t o s eek o u t t h e [u nn am ed p art y ] t o m ak e ad ju s t m en t o f a cl ai m o f

wh i ch i t h ad n o n o t ice.” Ca mp b el l , s u p ra, 1 1 7 Ga. Ap p . at 8 2 5

.

7 T h e fo u r-y ear s t at u t e o f l i m i t at i o n s fo r n u i s an ce an d t r e s p a s s cl ai m s wo u ld

al s o cl earl y n o t ap p l y t o b ar an y o f t h es e cl ai m s s i n ce t h ey wo u l d h av e accru ed wi t h in

o n e y ear o f t h e fi l in g o f t h e co m p l ai n t . See OCGA § 9 -3 -3 0 (a).

11(b ) W e t h erefo re t u rn to t h e q u es t io n o f wh et h er a n y o f th e p l ai nt i ffs ’ cl ai m s

reg ard i n g t h e s tan d i n g wat er p ro b l em s an d al l eg ed l y i n ad eq u at e d rai n ag e act u al l y d id

ac c r u e d u r i n g t h at ti m e p eri o d

. W e co n cl u d e th at th e p l ai n t i ffs ’ cl ai m s fo r a

p erm an en t n u is an ce are t i m e-b arred an d t h at t h ey h av e n o t

, as a m at t er o f l aw,

p res en t ed a cl ai m

fo r a co n t i nu i n g n u i s an ce.

A co u n t y m ay b e l i ab l e fo r a nu i san ce i f t hat n u is an ce “ ro se to t h e l ev el o f an

i n v ers e co n d em

n at i o n

. M ere n eg l i g en ce i s n o t en o u gh .” (Ci tat i on s o m i tt ed

. ) Mo r r i s

v. Do u g la s Co u n t

y B d

. o f Hea l th

, 2 7 4 Ga. 89 8 (1 ) (5 61 SE2 d 3 9 3) (2 0 0 2 ). Al s o

, “ [a]

co u nt y is n o t l i ab l e fo r a n u i s an ce m erel y b ecau s e i t ap p ro ved a co ns t ru ct i o n pro ject .”

(Ci t at i o n s o m i t t ed

. ) Id

. “ To t h e co n t rary

, i n o rd er t o b eco m e res po n s i b l e, a

m u ni ci p al i ty m

u s t act i v el y t ak e co n t ro l o ver t h e p ro p ert y i n q u e s t io n o r accep t a

d ed icat i on o f t h at p ro p ert y

. ” Ci t y o f A t l a n t a v. Kl eb er

, 2 8 5 G a. 4 1 3

, 4 1 9 (3 ) (6 7 7

SE2 d 1 3 4) (2 00 9 ). T o b e h el d l i ab l e fo r n u i san c e, “ [o ] w n ers h i p o f l an d b y t h e

t o rt feas o r i s n o t an el em en t

, b u t co n t ro l i s ; t h e es sen t i al el em en t o f n u is an ce i s co n tro l

o v er t h e cau se o f t h e h arm

. Th e t o rt feas o r m u st b e e i t h e r t h e c a u s e o r a co n cu rren t

cau s e o f t h e creat i o n

, co n t i n u a n ce, o r m ai n t en an ce o f t h e n u i s an ce.” (Ci t at i o n

o m it t ed .) S

u mi t o mo Co r

p

. o f A m. v. Dea l

, 25 6 Ga. Ap p

. 7 03

, 7 0 7 (2 ) (5 6 9 SE2 d 6 0 8 )

(2 0 0 2).

12Ou r l aw d i s t i n g u i s h es b et w e e n t w o t y p es o f n u i san ces : p erm an en t o r

co n ti n u i n g

. “ Th e cl as s i f

i c a t i o n o f a n u i san ce as co nt i n u i n g o r p erm an en t d i rect l y

co n tro l s t h e m an n er in wh i ch t h e s t at ut e o f l i m i t at i o n s wi l l b e ap p li ed t o t h e

u n d erl y i n g cl ai m .” (Ci t at i o ns an d p un ct u at i o n o m i t t ed

. ) E l l er

, s u p ra, 3 2 7 Ga. Ap p.

at 7 7 2 (2 ).

A nu i san ce, p erm an en t an d co n t i n ui n g i n i t s ch aract er, t h e d es t ru ct i o n

o r d am ag e bei n g at on ce co m p l e t e u p o n t h e co m

p let i o n o f t h e act b y

wh i ch t h e n ui s an ce i s c r e a t ed

, gi v es b u t o n e ri g ht o f act i o n, wh ich

accru es i m

m ed i at el y u p o n t h e creat i o n o f t h e n u i s an c e

, a n d ag ai n s t

wh i ch t h e s t at u t e o f l i m i t at i on s b eg in s , fro m t hat t i m e, t o ru n

. W h ere a

n u i s an ce i s n o t p erm an en t i n i t s ch aract er, b ut i s o n e wh ich can an d

s h o u l d b e ab at ed b y t h e p ers o n erect i ng or m ai n t ai n i n g i t

, e v ery

co n t in u an ce of t h e n u i s an ce i s a fres h nu i s an ce fo r wh i ch a fres h act i o n

wi l l l i e. Th i s act i o n accru es at t h e ti m e o f su ch co n t i n u an ce, an d ag ai n s t

i t th e s t at ut e o f l im i t at i o n s ru n s o n ly fro m t h e t i m e o f s u ch accru al

.

(Ci t at i o n o m i t t ed .) Id . at 7 7 3 (2 ).

In t h e co n t ex t o f drai n ag e s y s t em s

, a co m p l ai n t ab o u t “ t h e m ere p res en ce” o f

an im pro perl y in s tal l ed s ys tem

, p i p e, o r cu l v ert co n s ti t ut es a cl ai m fo r a p erm an en t

n u i s an ce. Kl eb er

, su p ra, 2 8 5 G a. at 4 1 6 (1 ). A cl ai m fo r a p erm an en t n u i san ce accru es

“ u p o n t h e creat i o n o f t he n u i s an ce on ce s o m e p o rt i o n o f t h e h a r m b eco m es

o b s erv ab l e.” (Ci t at i o n o m i t ted .) Og l et h o r p e Po wer Co r

p

. v. Fo r r i s ter

, 2 8 9 Ga. 3 3 1,

133 3 3 (2 ) (7 1 1 SE2 d 64 1 ) (2 0 1 1). A cl ai m of p erm an en t n u is an ce wi l l al s o accru e i f a

n ew h arm t h at was n o t p rev i o u sl y o b s erv ab l e o ccu rred wi t h i n t h e li m i tat i o n s p eri o d,

b u t “ a ch an g e i n d eg ree o f h arm do es n o t res t art t h e l i m i t at i o n p eri o d .” (Ci t at i o n s

o m it t ed .) Fl o

yd Co u nt y v. S co t t

, 3 2 0 Ga. Ap p

. 5 49

, 5 5 2 (1 ) (7 4 0 SE2 d 2 7 7 ) (2 0 1 3 ).

On t h e o t her h an d, l an d o w n ers m ay s h o w a co n t i n u i n g n ui s an ce fro m i m p ro p er

d rai n ag e t h ro u g h ev i d en ce t h at an ex i s t in g co nd i t i o n, su ch as a cu l v ert or d rai n p i pe,

was im pro p erl y m a i n t a i ned

. See Kl eb er

, s up ra, 2 8 5 Ga. at 4 1 7 (1 ). A p l ai n t i ff can

p ro ceed o n s u ch a cl ai m i f he o r s he can es t ab l i s h t h at t h e Co u n t y m ai n tai n s t h e

s y s t em o r t h at “ th e [Co u n t y ] ’s a c t i o n s i n reg ard t o th e s t orm d rai nag e s y s t em

co n st i t u t ed s u ch ex erci s e o f co nt ro l o r accep t an ce s o as t o es t ab l i s h a d u ty o n t h e p art

o f t h e Ci ty

t o ad eq u at el y

m ai nt ai n i t .” H

i b b s v. Ci t y o f Ri ver d a l e

, 2 6 7 Ga. 3 3 7

, 3 3 8

(4 7 8 SE2 d 1 2 1 ) (1 9 9 6 ).

Here, t h e Co u n t y ’ s rep ort fro m i t s i n ves t i g at i o n i n t o t h e s u b d i v i s i o n’ s fl o o d i n g

co n cl u d ed t h at t he dev el o p m en t o f t h e s u b d i v is io n i n creas ed t h e t o t al ru n off fro m t h e

area b y aro u n d 2 5 cu bi c-feet -p er-s eco n d

, wh ich cau s ed a l arg e i n creas e o f wat er t h at

b ack s-u p at t h e cu lv ert o n St een ’ s p ro p ert y

. Th e p l ai n t i ffs d i d p ro d u ce ev id en ce t h at

t h e p i p es u n d er St een ’ s p ro p ert y (wh i ch th e Co u nt y m ai n t ai n s) are a m ai n

co n tri b u t i o n to t h e p ro b l em b ecau s e t h ey are u n d ers i zed fo r t h e am o un t o f wat er t h at

14n o w d rai n s fro m t h e s u bd i v i s i o n

. H o wev er, i t is u n d i s p u t ed t h at th e p i p es u n d er

St een ’ s p ro p ert y

were i n s tal l ed b efo re t h e d ev el o p m en t o f Vi ck ers Hi l l an d t h at t h e

p i p es were en ti rel y a d e q u at e t o h an d l e an y ru n off b efo re t h e s u b d i v i s i o n ’ s

d ev el o p m en t

. Th es e co m

p l ai n t s

, t h erefo re, al l s tem fro m a d efect i v e i m p l em en t at i o n

o r i n s tal l at i o n o f a p erm an en t n u i s an ce, n o t o f a co n t in u i n g nu i san ce, an d, t h u s

, t h es e

cl ai m s accru ed wh en t he p l ai n t i ffs beg an o b serv i n g t h e st an d i n g wat er pro b l em

. See

Og l et h or p e Po wer Co r

p.

, s u p ra, 2 8 9 Ga. at 3 3 3 (2 ); Kl eb er

, s u p ra, 2 8 5 Ga. at 4 1 7 (1 ).

Th e reco rd i s cl ear t h at each o f t h e p lai n t iffs o b serv ed p ro b lem s wi t h s t an d i n g wat er

o n th ei r p ro p ert y befo re Feb ru ary 2 0 1 5

, wh ich wa s m o r e t h an o n e y ear b efo re t h ey

s e r v e d t h e co m

pl ai n t o n t h e Co u n t y

. Th u s

, al l o f th es e cl ai m s s t em m i n g fro m a

p erm an en t n u i s an ce are b arred b y OCGA § 3 6-1 1 -1

. 8

Ad d it i on al l y

, t h e p l ai n t i ffs h a v e no t p res en ted s u ffi ci en t ev i d en ce t o s u p p o rt

a cl ai m fo r a co n t i n ui n g nu i s an ce. Fi rs t

, th ere i s n o ev id en ce th at t h e st an d i n g wat er

i s cau s ed b y t h e Co u nt y ’ s fai l u re t o m ai nt ai n or u pk eep i ts o wn w at er s y st em o r t h at

8 W h i l e th e pl ai n t i ffs p ro du ced ev i d en ce t o s h o w t h at t he d rai n ag e p ro b l em s are

g et t i n g wo rs e wi t h fu rt h er dev el o p m en t o f Vi ck ers Hi l l

, t h i s i s “ a ch an g e i n d eg ree

o f h arm ” fro m t he s t an d i n g wat er p ro bl em s t h at al read y ex i s t ed

, an d s o t h es e f a c t s

wo u l d no t res t art t h e l i m i t at i o n p eri o d o r creat e a n ew cl ai m o f p erm an en t n u i s an ce.

See Fl o yd Co u n t y , s u p ra, 3 20 Ga. Ap p . at 5 5 2 (1 ).

15t h e pi p es u n d e r St een ’ s p ro p ert y w ere i n ad eq u at el y m ai n tai n ed

. Th ere was al s o n o

ev i d en ce p res en t ed o r th at t h e Co u n t y t o o k an y act i o n b ey o n d ap p ro vi n g n ew

d ev el o p m en t t hat in creas ed t h e fl oo d i n g p ro b l em

. See Kl eb er

, s u pra, 2 8 5 Ga. at 4 1 7

(1 ); Ci t y of Ma co n v. Ma cr i ve Co n s t r

. , 2 4 1 Ga. Ap p. 3 9 6

, 3 9 7 (5 2 5 SE2 d 4 1 8 ) (1 9 9 9 )

(n o co n t i n u i n g nu i s an ce s h o wn wh ere al l eg ed l y i n a d eq uat e d rai n ag e sy st em was

co m p l et e m o re t h an fo u r y ears p ri o r t o t h e fi l i n g o f t h e n u i s an ce s u it

, an d n o ev i d en ce

s h o wed t h at t h e c i t y t o ok an y act i on aft er in s t al l at i o n t h at i n creas ed t h e fl o o d i n g

p ro b lem ).

Seco n d

, th e p l ai n t i ffs hav e n o t p res en t ed s u ffi ci en t ev i den ce fro m wh i ch a

fact fi n d er co u l d co n cl u d e t h at t h e Co u n t y h as ex erci s ed co n t ro l o r accep t ed t h e d u t y

t o m ai n t ai n t h e d rai n ag e s y s tem wi t h i n th e s u b d i vi s i o n

. T h e f act s t h at t h e Co u n t y

ap p ro v ed t h e s u b di vi s i on

, co n t i n u es t o i ss u e co n st ru ct i o n p erm i t s i n t he s u b d i v i s i o n,

an d co n d u ct ed an in v es t i g at io n i n t o t h e fl o od i n g

, are i n s u ffi ci en t t o s h ow co n t ro l

. See

H i b b s v. Ci t

y o f Ri ver d a l e

, 22 7 Ga. Ap p

. 8 8 9, 8 9 0 -8 9 1 (4 9 0 SE2 d 4 36 ) (1 9 9 7 )

(p l ai nt i ffs fai l ed t o s h o w t h at ci t y ex erci s ed “ d om i n i on o r co n tro l ” o ver d rai n ag e

s y s t em wh en t h e ci t y m e r e l y ap p ro v ed t h e d ev el o p m en t p l an

, i n v es ti g at ed t h e

d rai n ag e an d i s s ued a rep o rt

, an d u s ed i t s reg u l at o ry au t h o ri ty t o req u i re t h e d ev el o p er

t o co rrect t h e p ro b l em s wi th t h e s u b d iv i s i o n’ s d rai n ag e s y s t em s ). In ad d i t i o n,

16al t h o u g h t h ere i s ev i den ce th at s o m e new di t ch es were cu t t h ro ug h t h e s u b d i v i s i o n

i n 2 0 1 2 o r 2 0 1 3

, t h e ev i d en ce i n t h e reco rd s ho ws t h at Geo rg ia Co as t al creat ed t h o s e

d i t ch es at th e Co u nt y ’ s b eh es t, an d t h e Co un t y di d n o t c r e a t e th e d i t ch es i t s el f.

F i n a l l y

, t h e ev i d en ce t h at t h e Co u n ty co n du ct ed wo rk o n St een ’ s p ro p ert y an d

al l eg ed l y ag reed t o b ui l d a ret en t i o n p o n d on St een ’ s p ro p ert y i s n ot ev id en ce t h at t h e

Co u n t y at t em

p t ed t o ex erci s e co n t ro l o v er t h e d rai n ag e s y s tem wi t h in t h e s u b d i v i s i o n

i t sel f b ecau s e it i s u n d i s p u t ed t hat St een ’ s p ro p ert y i s n o t part o f t h e s u b d i v i s i o n an d

t h at t h e Co u nt y d o es in d eed co n t ro l t h e drai n ag e s y s t em o n St een ’ s p ro p ert y

. W h i l e

t h es e fact s al l d em o ns t r a t e t h at t h e Co u n t y m ay hav e s t art ed t o us e i t s au t h o ri ty to

ad d res s t h e fl o od i n g i s s ues

, we h av e p rev i o u sl y co n cl u d ed t h at t h e fact t h at a

g o v ern m en t al en t i t y u ses i t s reg u l at o ry au t ho ri t y t o o rd er a d ev el o p er to t ak e act i o n

t o ad d res s i n ad eq u at e d rai n ag e d o es n o t co n s t i t u t e ev id en ce t h at t h e go v ern m en t al

en t i t y s o ug h t t o co n t ro l t h e d rai n ag e s y s t em i t s el f. See id

. a t 8 9 0-8 9 1

. Th u s

, t h e

p l ai n t i ffs h av e n o t p res en t ed s u ffi ci en t ev id en ce o f a co nt in u in g n u is an ce s u ch t h at

t h ei r cl ai m s wo u l d h av e accru ed u po n each fl o o d i n g o f t h ei r p ro p ert y

.

Acco rd i ng l y

, s um m ary j udg m en t was p ro perl y g ran t ed on t h e pl ai n t i ffs ’ cl ai m s

o f n u is an ce s t em m in g fro m t h e i n ad eq u at e d rai n ag e.

17(c) Fi n al l y

, we ad d res s wh et h er an y o f t h e p l ai n t i ffs ’ cl ai m s reg ard i n g t h e

co n di t i o n s o f t h e s u b d i v i s i o n ’ s ro ad s accru ed du ri n g t h e o n e-y ear p eri o d b efo re t h e

p l a i n t i ffs p res en t ed t h ei r cl ai m s t o t h e Co u n t y

. W e si m i larl y co ncl u d e t h at t h e y

accru ed m o re t h an a y ear p ri o r t o s erv i ce o f t h e co m p l ai n t an d are t h u s t i m e-b arred

.

Fi rs t

, an y cl ai m s reg ard i n g t h e d efi ci en t i ns t al l at i on o f t h e ro ad s t h em s el v es

(i ncl ud i ng t h e p lai n t i ffs ’ al l eg at i o n s t h at t h e wro n g m at eri al w as u s ed t o p av e t h em )

are cl ai m s t h at a p erm an en t n u i s an ce was i m p os ed

, an d s u ch cl ai m s are b arred b y t h e

o n e-y ear p res en t m en t req u irem en t s i n ce t h ey wo u l d h av e accru ed b efo re Feb ru ary

2 0 1 5 . See OCGA § 3 6 -1 1 -1 ; Kl eb er , s u p ra, 2 8 5 Ga. at 4 1 7 (1 ).

Seco n d

, t he p l ai n ti ffs p res en t ed i n s uffi ci en t ev i d en ce t hat t h e Co u n ty ex ert ed

co n tro l o v er t h e ro ad s so as t o es t ab l i s h a cl ai m ag ai n st t h e Co u nt y fo r an y d efi ci en t

m ai n t en an ce o f t h e ro ad s. In 2 0 1 2

, Geo rg i a Co as t al s i g n ed a ro ad m a i n t e n a nce

ag reem en t wh erei n i t ag reed t h at i t “ s h al l m ai n t a i n t h e ro ad s i n Vi ck ers Hi l l

Su b d i v i si o n u n t i l al l t h e h o u ses i n t h e s u b d i v i s i o n h av e b een b u il t an d s ol d

, at wh i ch

t i m e t h e Lo n g Co u n t y Bo ard o f Co m m i s s i o n ers wi l l o ffi ci al l y accep t an d m ai n t ai n al l

ro ad way s i n s ai d s u b d i v i si o n .” Th e Co u n ty h as n o t y et accep t ed an y of th e ro ad s in

t h e s u bd i v i s i o n

, an d i t h as n o t p erfo rm ed an y m ai n ten an ce o n t h e ro ad s i n t h e

s u b d iv i s i o n

. W h i l e t h e Co u n ty d i d at t em p t t o g et t h e d ev el o p er t o rep ai r t h e ro ad s in

18Vi ck ers Hi l l

, as n o ted ab o v e, t h i s fact al o n e i s i n s u ffi ci en t to es t ab l i s h t hat i t was t h e

Co u n t y ’ s res p on s ib i l i t y t o m ai n t ai n t h e ro ad s in t h e su b di v i s i o n

. See Hi bb s

, s u p ra,

2 2 7 Ga. Ap p

. at 8 9 0-8 91

. Th u s, t h e t ri al co urt p ro p erl y g ran t ed s um m ary ju d g m en t

o n an y cl ai m s b as ed o n t h e co n d i t i o n s o f t h e ro ad s

.

3

. Fi n al l y

, t he pl ai n t iffs arg u e t h at s u m m ary ju d g m en t w as i nap p ro p ri at e

b ecau s e t h ey p ro d u ced en o u g h reco rd ev id en ce to s h o w th at t h ey h ad a v al i d cl ai m

o f co n ti n u i n g n u i s an ce fo r t h e i n ad eq u at e d rai n ag e an d t h e co n d i t i o n s o f t h e

s u b d iv i s i o n ’ s ro ad s

. As s et o u t i n Sect i on 2

, s u pra, an y cl ai m s b as ed o n a p erm an en t

n u i s an ce are b arred as u n t i m e l y b y O C G A § 3 6 -1 1 -1

, an d t h e p l ai n t iffs d i d n ot

p ro d uce s u ffi ci en t ev i d en ce t o s u p p o rt a cl ai m o f a co n ti n ui n g n u i s an ce.

W e g reat l y em

pat h i z e wi t h t h e p l ai n t i ffs ’ s i t u at i on

, as

, fro m t he reco rd

, i t

ap p ears t h at t h ere is n o en d i n s i g h t t o t h ei r w at er t ro ub l es

. W e are n ev ert h el es s

co m p el l ed t o affi rm t h e g ran t o f s u m m a r y j u d g m en t t o t h e Co u n t y b ecau se (1 ) t h e

p l ai n t i ffs ’ n eg li g en ce cl ai m s are b arred b y s ov erei g n i m m u n i t y ; (2 ) an y cl ai m s o f a

p erm an en t n u i s an ce o r t res p as s are b arred b y t h e o n e-y ear p res en t m en t req u i rem en t

o f OCGA § 3 6 -1 1 -1 ; an d (3 ) t h e p l ai n ti ff s fai l ed to p ro d uce ev i d en ce t o creat e a

g en ui n e i s s u e o f m at eri al fact o n a cl ai m fo r co nt i n ui ng n u i s an ce.

Ju d g men t a f f i r m ed . Ri ckma n a n d

Rees e, JJ., co n cu r

.

19