Opinion ID: 497275
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: The Challenged Awards6

Text: 14 (a) Dismantling of Equipment 15 At trial, appellee claimed dismantling expenses totalling $10,000. According to uncontroverted testimony, Pou was forced to dismantle the equipment twice, each time at a cost of $5,000. Nonetheless, appellant argues that the court erred in allowing compensation for two dismantlings because the applicable regulations provide for reimbursement for only one dismantling. The relevant regulation reads in pertinent part:641.62 Actual reasonable expenses in moving. 16 (a) Allowable moving expenses. 17 (6) Removal, reinstallation, reestablishment, including such modification as deemed necessary by the District Engineer, and reconnection of utilities for machinery, equipment, appliances, and other items, not acquired as real property. Prior to payment of any expenses for removal and reinstallation of such property, the displaced person shall be required to agree in writing that the property is personalty and that the Government is released from any payment for the property. 18 32 C.F.R. Sec. 641.62 (1973 as amended 1979) 7 . 19 In the circumstances of this case, it is entirely reasonable that appellant should bear the cost of two dismantlings. First, although the quoted regulation does not specifically provide for reimbursement for more than one dismantling, neither does it explicitly prohibit such compensation. Appellant's bald assertion that the text of the regulation contemplates only one dismantling is unpersuasive. 20 Second, in this case full reimbursement for both dismantlings is required to effectuate the stated purpose of the Relocation Act--providing fair and equitable treatment for those displaced by federal programs. Pou's unchallenged testimony was that he was forced to abandon the Playa de Ponce location because he was unable to afford the rent. Presumably, Pou's financial hardships were related, at least in part, to the Commonwealth's condemnation of his original business location--at least, the jury could have so found. Moreover, the Commonwealth failed to offer any evidence in support of its claim that the $9,000 it paid Pou for moving expenses on March 20, 1979 included payment for either dismantling. Thus, the district court did not err in upholding the jury verdict granting compensation for both dismantlings. 21 (b) Moving Expenses 22 As noted above, appellant paid appellees $9,000 in March, 1979 to cover the cost of the original move to the Playa de Ponce location. We discern no error in the jury award of an additional $9,000 to cover the expense of the subsequent move to the Calle del Sol location. The applicable regulation, 32 C.F.R. Sec. 641.62(a)(1), reads as follows: 23 (a) Allowable moving expenses. 24 (1) Transportation of individuals, families, and personal property from the acquired site to the replacement site, not to exceed a distance of 50 miles, except where the District Engineer determines that relocation beyond the 50-mile area is justified. The circumstances justifying the moving expenses exceeding the 50-mile limitation should be made a part of the record. (Emphasis added.) 25 Appellees urge that we view the twin relocations as part of a single move. Under this scenario, the initial move to Playa de Ponce was merely an interim measure allowing Pou to store and maintain his machinery prior to relocating his operation to Calle del Sol. Thus, all expenses incurred in moving from the acquired site [the original location of Torrefaccion Mi Tacita] to the replacement site [Calle del Sol] would be contemplated by the express terms of the regulation. 26 We need not accept this position in order to sustain the award. It matters little whether we analyze the relocation as one move in two stages or two separate moves--both necessitated by the condemnation. The jury was free to find that fairness and equity dictated that Pou receive compensation for all moving expenses incurred as a result of the expropriation. The facts firmly support that conclusion, and clearly the regulation does not by its terms prohibit full reimbursement for these costs. Again, given Congress' stated objectives in enacting the URA, a broad reading of the implementing regulations is appropriate. Indeed, at least initially, the Commonwealth appears to have appreciated that the equities with respect to this particular expense favor appellee. In its Reply to Plaintiffs' Motion Submitting Detailed Claims (dated April 30, 1982) appellant advised the district court that it was willing and prepared to offer [appellees] $9,000.00 to cover their second move. Having suffered a belated change of heart, appellant asks this court to second-guess the jury's award. However, because the award on this item was neither contrary to law nor unsupported by substantial evidence before the jury, we are powerless to disturb it. 27 (c) Rental Expenses (Storage) 28 On March 20, 1979, the Commonwealth paid Pou $9,000 to cover the cost of storing his equipment for a six month period. Pou received a second $9,000 payment, covering an additional six month period, on August 16, 1979. Appellant does not contest the propriety of these two payments. Rather, its position is that the court erred in allowing appellees to recover storage costs in excess of those incurred during the initial 12 month period. 8 The governing regulation, 32 C.F.R. Sec. 641.62(a)(4), is reproduced below: 29 (a) Allowable moving expenses. 30 (4) Storage of personal property for a period generally not to exceed 12 months when the District Engineer determines that storage is necessary in connection with relocation. (Emphasis added.) 31 As the district court observed, although the regulation contemplates reimbursement for a storage period generally not to exceed 12 months, its terms presuppose that in exceptional circumstances a longer period may be justified. Pacheco v. Aquino, Civil No. 80-1736 (RLA) slip op. at 11 (D.P.R. April 24, 1984) (opinion and order). The court properly assigned Pou the burden of establishing that the Commonwealth acted arbitrarily in not exercising its discretion to pay storage expenses beyond the one-year term. Id. 32 From the evidence presented by Pou the jury could and did conclude that the exceptional circumstances of this case warranted additional compensation. Uncontradicted testimony illustrated the complexity of the relocation effort. First, as discussed above, the equipment was moved twice, initially to Playa de Ponce and later to Calle del Sol. Second, although Pou intended Calle del Sol to be the permanent site of Torrefaccion Mi Tacita, appellees were unable to secure the permits necessary to operate the business there. 9 Perhaps in a more perfect world appellees would have been able quickly to relocate their business and resurrect their operations. Here, however, from the date Pou vacated the appropriated properties up until trial, Torrefaccion Mi Tacita remained inoperative. In these exceptional circumstances, the jury was free to award storage expenses incurred beyond the one-year period. 33 (d) Search Costs 34 The jury allowed Pou $55,000 compensation for costs incurred in searching for a replacement site for his business. Appellant complains bitterly that this amount represents a whooping [sic] 11,000% of what is allowed by the regulation. That regulation, 32 C.F.R. Sec. 641.64 provides: 35 Sec. 641.64 Reasonable expenses in searching for replacement business or farm. 36 (a) Allowable. 37 (1) Actual reasonable travel costs. 38 (2) Extra costs for meals and lodging. 39 (3) Time spent in searching at the rate of the displaced person's salary or earnings, but not to exceed $10 per hour. 40 (4) In the discretion of the District Engineer, broker, real estate, or other professional fees deemed necessary to locate a replacement business or farm operation. 41 (b) Limitation. The total amount a displaced person may be paid for searching expenses may not exceed $500 unless the Chief of Engineers determines that a greater amount is justified based on the circumstances involved. 42 In its opinion and order of April 24, 1984, the district court ruled that an amount greater than $500 may be justified depending on the circumstances involved. 10 If proper facts are proved, we agree with this legal proposition. One such instance, represented by the current case, is if it is shown that it would be an abuse of discretion for the administrative officials to refuse to allow a greater amount warranted by the particular circumstances. 11 Here, through uncontroverted testimony, not objected to at trial, Pou established that between the years 1977 and 1980 alone, he travelled more than 60,000 miles in search of a suitable location for his business. In addition, he testified to making several thousand dollars worth of telephone calls during the same period. Moreover, at trial Pou offered into evidence copies of his cancelled checks which documented, in painstaking detail, his precise search expenses. The record is replete with evidence from which the jury could reasonably conclude that appellee properly incurred $55,000 in reimbursable search expenses and that that amount should have been allowed. 43 (e) Reinstallation Expenses 44 Because Pou was forced to relocate his business twice, he incurred dual reinstallation expenses. At trial, the parties stipulated that each reinstallation of machinery and equipment (first at Playa de Ponce and later at Calle del Sol) cost $51,300. Consequently, the jury award of $102,600 for this item reflects full compensation for reinstallation at both locations. 12 According to the Commonwealth, the appropriate regulation contemplates reimbursement for only one reinstallation. However, we discern in the regulation's language no prohibition against reimbursement of more than one reinstallation expense where, as here, the additional installation was precipitated by conditions entirely outside appellees' control, and ultimately stemming from the condemnation. 45 32 C.F.R. Sec. 641.62 declares in relevant part: 46 (a) Allowable moving expenses. 47 (6) Removal, reinstallation, reestablishment, including such modification as deemed necessary by the District Engineer, and reconnection of utilities for machinery, equipment, appliances, and other items, not acquired as real property. Prior to payment of any expenses for removal and reinstallation of such property, the displaced person shall be required to agree in writing that the property is personalty and that the Government is released from any payment for the property. 48 As explained above, appellees presented uncontroverted evidence that the equipment and machinery were reinstalled on two occasions. The rationale supporting a jury award covering both reinstallations is identical to that proferred above with respect to reimbursement for both dismantlings. See supra Part III(a). In sum, the applicable regulation does not explicitly prohibit full compensation for both reinstallations and the generous purposes of the URA are best served in this case, on the basis of the facts shown, by complete reimbursement of these expenses. 49 (f) New Equipment and Machinery 50 In an order dated February 14, 1986, the district court held that appellees were entitled to [recover the value of new equipment and machinery under the Relocation Act] provided, however, at trial they are able to establish the old equipment was lost due to [appellant's] acts or omissions, the need for the new equipment and its value. Pacheco v. Aquino, Civil No. 80-1736 (RLA) (D.P.R. Feb. 14, 1986) (order). At trial, appellees submitted proof as to each of the three elements and the jury awarded $393,300 to cover the cost of new equipment and machinery. 51 The Commonwealth urges that the URA does not authorize payment of the value of new equipment and machinery in any circumstances. Further, appellant complains that, in allowing recovery for this item, the district court created a tort action against the Commonwealth in violation of the Eleventh Amendment of the Constitution. Both of these arguments lack merit. 52 The mere fact that the URA and the regulations adopted pursuant thereto do not expressly provide for this individual remedy does not necessarily preclude its existence. Young v. Harder, 361 F.Supp. 64, 71-72 (D.Kan.1973). Moreover, a private civil remedy may be implied where the legislative purpose and history of the statute and the thrust of the regulations make plain that those protected are intended to have an individual interest of this type. See, e.g., Tunstall v. Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen and Enginemen, 323 U.S. 210, 65 S.Ct. 235, 89 L.Ed. 187 (1944); Gomez v. Florida State Employment Serv., 417 F.2d 569 (5th Cir.1969). As noted earlier, the overriding purpose of the Relocation Act is to protect individuals displaced as a result of a federally assisted program and to insure that these persons will be fairly and equally treated. Harder, 361 F.Supp. at 71. See also Louisiana Dept. of Highways v. Coleman, 444 F.Supp. 151, 154 (M.D.La.1978) (major purpose of URA is to assure that one who is displaced by a federally assisted program does not suffer a loss if that loss can be reasonably compensated by a money payment). The jury award to Pou for the value of new machinery and equipment is consistent with the stated policy of the Relocation Act, its legislative history, and the cases interpreting that statute. 53 Robzen's Inc. v. HUD, 515 F.Supp. 228 (M.D.Pa.1981), relied upon by appellant, does not compel a contrary result. In that case, the Wilkes Barre City Council appropriated property belonging to Robzen's Inc., a meat processing facility. Robzen's brought suit against the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to recover a variety of moving expenses including the need for substitute equipment. The district court disallowed recovery of the cost of substitute equipment based upon its reading of the governing regulation, 24 C.F.R. Sec. 42.65(b)(5). That section provided: 54 Where an item of personal property which is used in connection with any business or farm operation is not moved but is replaced with a comparable item, reimbursement [shall be allowed] in an amount not to exceed (i) the replacement cost, minus any proceeds received from its sale, or (ii) the estimated cost of moving, whichever is less. 55 According to the Commonwealth, payment to Pou for the value of new equipment and machinery would amount to double compensation prohibited by the URA because appellees have already been reimbursed for the cost of moving and storing their old equipment. However, reliance on Robzen's is misplaced for two reasons. First, the regulations at issue in that case reside in Title 24 of the Code of Federal Regulations and therefore apply only to HUD-assisted projects. Second, Robzen's involved the application of the Assembled Economic Unit Doctrine, a principle of Pennsylvania state law which requires the state to include in eminent domain awards an allowance for machinery, equipment and fixtures which cannot be economically moved to a new location. No such doctrine exists in Puerto Rico eminent domain jurisprudence. These key legal distinctions render meaningless attempts to draw parallels between Robzen's and the case before us. 56 Although an individual usually would not recover both moving expenses and the cost of new machinery and equipment, this is not the usual case. Faced with an extraordinary factual predicate, the jury and court were free to fashion the special relief they did. The uncontroverted evidence demonstrated that Pou was forced to move his equipment and machinery twice, first from the condemned property to Playa de Ponce and thereafter, when the Commonwealth refused to pay for storage in excess of 12 months, to Calle del Sol. In addition, the delicate nature of torrefaction machinery coupled with Pou's inability to locate a site on which to operate and thereby maintain his equipment undoubtedly could be found to have contributed to the deterioration and loss of the equipment. The jury was free to find (as it apparently did) that the old equipment was lost due to [appellant's] acts or omissions. Concomitantly, the jury could also reasonably conclude that new equipment and machinery were required to effectuate the broad purposes of the URA. 57 Contrary to appellant's position, in allowing recovery of the value of new equipment and machinery, the district court did not create a tort action against the Commonwealth prohibited by the Eleventh Amendment. That Amendment provides: 58 The Judicial power of the United States shall not be construed to extend to any suit in law or equity, commenced or prosecuted against one of the United States by Citizens of another state, or by Citizens or Subjects of any Foreign State. 59 Although the Amendment by its terms does not bar suits against a state by its own citizens, the Supreme Court has consistently held that an unconsenting state is immune from suits brought in federal courts by her own citizens, as well as by citizens of another state. Hans v. Louisiana, 134 U.S. 1, 10 S.Ct. 504, 33 L.Ed. 842 (1890); Duhne v. New Jersey, 251 U.S. 311, 40 S.Ct. 154, 64 L.Ed. 280 (1920); Great Northern Life Ins. Co. v. Read, 322 U.S. 47, 64 S.Ct. 873, 88 L.Ed. 1121 (1944); Employees v. Department of Public Health and Welfare, 411 U.S. 279, 93 S.Ct. 1614, 36 L.Ed.2d 251 (1973). It has also been established that the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico enjoys the full protection afforded by the Eleventh Amendment. Ezratty v. Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, 648 F.2d 770, 776 n. 7 (1st Cir.1981). 60 Nonetheless, a state may waive its Eleventh Amendment immunity. Pennhurst State School & Hospital v. Halderman, 465 U.S. 89, 104 S.Ct. 900, 79 L.Ed.2d 67 (1984). And, as Tullock v. State Highway Comm'n of Missouri, 507 F.2d 712 (8th Cir.1974) (Associate Justice Tom C. Clark, United States Supreme Court, retired and sitting by designation), teaches, by accepting the responsibility of administering relocation benefits under the URA, the Commonwealth has assumed the same obligations as the federal government and has consented to suit. Id. at 715 (citing Parden v. Railway of the Alabama State Docks' Dep't, 377 U.S. 184, 84 S.Ct. 1207, 12 L.Ed.2d 233 (1964)). Should any doubt remain, this waiver of Eleventh Amendment immunity is implicit in the document outlining the responsibilities of the Commonwealth in connection with the federally-assisted flood protection project. That document contains the Commonwealth's promise to [h]old and save the United States free from damages due to the construction, maintenance and operation of the project.... Agreement Between the United States of America and Commonwealth of Puerto Rico for Local Cooperation on Channel Improvements of the Portugues and Bucana Rivers Project for Flood Protection and Other Purposes at Ponce, Puerto Rico 2.