Opinion ID: 2509052
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: The affidavits of Scholtens and Patlovich

Text: The Fuhrmans next argue that the affidavits of Scholtens and Patlovich submitted by Ada County in support of its motion for summary judgment did not demonstrate irreparable harm, as found by the district court. In the Findings, the district court determined that criminal prosecution is not an adequate remedy at law because it would not alleviate the harm to adjacent property owners posed by the existence of unengineered fill on the Fuhrmans' property. In addition, the district court determined that Ada County made a prima facie showing of irreparable harm based on the affidavits of Scholtens and Patlovich and the presence of the irrigation canal at the top of the Fuhrmans' property. Further, the district court found that the Fuhrmans did not present any admissible evidence to contradict the assertions of the moving party and establish a genuine issue of material fact. McCoy v. Lyons, 120 Idaho 765, 820 P.2d 360 (1990) [(1991)]; Olsen v. J.A. Freeman Co., 117 Idaho 706, 791 P.2d 1285 (1990). Therefore, the Court finds Ada County established irreparable harm. According to the Fuhrmans, only part of Scholtens' affidavit pertains to the issues disclosed by the pleadings and the statements were intended to explain why the Fuhrmans needed a grading permit, not to explain irreparable harm. Further, the Fuhrmans point out that Scholtens did not discuss how the presence of fill would irreparably harm the irrigation canal. The Fuhrmans go on to argue that the pictures attached to Patlovich's affidavit do not show irreparable harm because Patlovich stated that the existing fill was not a danger to public health, safety and welfare. Ada County argues the evidence presented in the affidavits of Scholtens and Patlovich is sufficient because the affidavits reveal that the Fuhrmans did not comply with Chapter 33 and the HOD. Additionally, the affidavits demonstrate the reasons the Fuhrmans were required to obtain a grading permit. Finally, Ada County introduced evidence in another affidavit that the embankment of the canal could collapse, the canal company required the Fuhrmans to fix the canal embankment, and the Fuhrmans have not re-engineered the fill near the canal embankment. We find no error in the district court's interpretation or reliance on the affidavits of Scholtens and Patlovich. Specifically, Scholtens' affidavit provided in part: Improperly placed and non-engineered fill placed on that embankment held the real possibility that the integrity of the embankment could fail causing the irrigation canal to collapse. The Fred Meyer Shopping Center on Chinden Boulevard is directly below Fuhrman's property. The Fuhrmans did not present the district court with any evidence to the contrary in Mr. Fuhrman's affidavit. Therefore, we uphold the district court's determination.