Opinion ID: 543793
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Posture of the Case.

Text: 24 Appellants' first amended complaint dated May 21, 1985, alleged violations of 42 U.S.C. Secs. 1983 and 1985 (1982) (Federal Civil Rights Act), 43 U.S.C. Sec. 912 (Public Lands Act), 47 U.S.C.A. Secs. 151-613 (1962 & Supp.1989) (Communications Act of 1934) and sought damages and declaratory relief. Vieux, 695 F.Supp. at 1024. Appellants also moved for a writ of mandate July 11, 1985, under Cal.Civ.Proc. Secs. 1085 and 1094.5 (allowing for review of administrative orders to compel or enjoin acts); a declaration of quiet title under federal and state law; damages against the County Supervisors for waste of, and injury to, taxpayers' assets, property, and funds under Cal.Civ.Proc. Sec. 526a; declaratory and injunctive relief; and attorneys' fees under 42 U.S.C. Sec. 1988 (1982), Cal.Civ.Proc. Sec. 1021.5 (1986) and Cal.Gov.Code Sec. 54960.5 (1983) (Brown Act). Vieux at 1024-25. Appellees then moved to dismiss the action. The district court denied both appellants' petition for writ of mandamus and appellees' motion. The district court bifurcated the action into a trial on the liability and title questions and then a trial on damages if liability existed. After extensive discovery, all defendants moved for summary judgment; the district court dismissed the Park District from the action but denied the motion for summary judgment as to the other defendants. Because appellants had conceded that certain causes of action no longer existed against the Park District, the court in its Memorandum and Order of January 29, 1987 discussed only the causes of action against the Park District under 42 U.S.C. Sec. 1983 and the quiet title under federal and state law. The court found that plaintiffs-appellants had failed to meet their burden under Fed.R.Civ.P. 56(e) and Celotex v. Catrett, 477 U.S. 317, 106 S.Ct. 2548, 91 L.Ed.2d 265 (1986), in opposing the Park District's motion for summary judgment. The court also found that the quiet title actions were not ripe because the Park District had no present interest in the rights of way. Appellants appealed that decision in Appeal No. 87-2509. 25 Before trial, the district court dismissed the Sec. 1985 action against all defendants except the County, dismissed the Writ of Mandate, and appellants' conceded their claim under the Cable Communications Act was no longer applicable. Vieux at 1025. The district court found that appellants had raised genuine issues of fact as to whether the railroad had abandoned the right of way and set that issue for trial. In its opinion and order of September 29, 1987, the district court found for defendants on all issues, Vieux, 695 F.Supp. 1023, finding no abandonment and that this issue was dispositive of all others. Id. at 1032-33. The district court entered judgment on November 30, 1987 in favor of all remaining defendants and subsequently denied appellants' motion for reconsideration. Appellants appealed in Appeal No. 87-15171, which was consolidated with No. 87-2509. II.