Court Opinion

ID: 4111482
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2016-12-27 21:20:15.384149+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:36:37.071643
License: Public Domain

IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON

ELLEN TAFT, a married woman, and                No. 73917-4-1
ARTHUR CHAMPERNOWNE, a
married man, and their marital                  DIVISION ONE
community,

                        Appellants,

                                                UNPUBLISHED OPINION
CENTRAL CO-OP, a Washington                                                           ro

nonprofit corporation, DAN ARNETT, a
married man, JANE DOE ARNETT, a
married woman, and their marital
community,

                        Respondents.            FILED: December 27, 2016

      Schindler, J. — Under the bylaws of the Central Co-op, after written notice and

an opportunity for the member to respond, the board of trustees can terminate a

membership for repeated violations of the bylaws or policies. Ellen Taft filed a lawsuit

against Central Co-op alleging the board of trustees violated the bylaws when it

terminated her co-op membership. The court dismissed the lawsuit on summary

judgment. Because there are genuine material issues of fact as to whether the co-op

provided notice that complied with the bylaws, we reverse and remand.

                                         FACTS

      Central Co-op is a nonprofit corporation that operates a grocery store in the

Capitol Hill neighborhood of Seattle. Ellen Taft has been a member of Central Co-op
No. 73917-4-1/2

since "the early 90's."

       On June 27, 2013, Taft told Central Co-op employee Alexander DuBois he

should "question whether the many dogs in the store were indeed service dogs."

DuBois said it was "against the law to question individuals with dogs" and he "was not

allowed to confront shoppers" about whether a dog is a service animal. Co-op store

supervisor Jessica Daw also told Taft that Central Co-op employees "are not allowed to

ask shoppers whether their dog is a service animal."

       Taft contacted Seattle & King County Public Health to report the presence of a

"non-service animal" at the Central Co-op store. On June 28, a Public Health

compliance officer conducted an inspection of the store and found "no animals in the

store at this time."

       On July 3, Central Co-op Manager Douglas Peterson called Taft at her home

about the June 27 interaction with co-op employees DuBois and Daw. Peterson told

Taft "never to approach a staff member or address issues pertaining to pets and service

animals again."

       On November 14, a Central Co-op customer submitted a written comment card.

The customer described a woman angrily confronting him about his service animal. The

card states, in pertinent part:

       Today ... I entered the Co Op and was met by a woman insisting and
       pointing at me and my dog saying animals/pets aren't allowed — she
       repeated this several times, each one with more anger, spite and venom.
       Needless to say I was shocked and stated truthfully and matter of fact "my
       dog is a service animal."

       On December 6, Peterson called Taft at her home about "an incident on

November 14, 2013." Taft denied any "incident had taken place on November 14."
No. 73917-4-1/3

Peterson told Taft she would receive a letterexplaining why she was "was no longer
welcome to shop at the Co-Op."

       On December 11, Taft's attorney sent a letter to the Central Co-op Board of

Trustees (Board). The letter states Taft "has never received a single notice that she has

somehow run afoul of Central Co-Op's rules and regulations and that her membership

was in jeopardy." The attorney states the co-op bylaws required written notice of the

proposed termination of membership or shopping privileges and the opportunity to

respond. The letter states that because Taft "did not receive any kind of written notice

. . . , the termination is in violation of the Co-Op Bylaws."

       On February 21, 2014, Taft's attorney sent the Board a second letter. The

attorney states Taft did not receive a response to the December 11 letter or a copy of

the letter Peterson said he was going to send on December 6. Taft's attorney reiterates

that under the bylaws, Taft is entitled to written notice and an opportunity to respond.

       Central Co-op General Manager Dan Arnett took the position that because Taft

was not a Central Co-op member, the co-op did not have to follow the requirements of

the bylaws. On March 5, Taft sent Arnett a letter stating she was a Central Co-op

member and attached a copy of her membership card. After reviewing its records,

Central Co-op confirmed Taft was a member.

       On April 28, the Board sent a letter to Taft terminating her membership. The

letter states the Board decided to terminate Taft's membership "due to your actions at

the Co-op including the verbal abuse of shoppers and workers as well as your

continued refusal to refrain from such activity even after repeated warnings." The letter

states the cause for termination includes "intentional or repeated violation" of the
No. 73917-4-1/4

Central Co-op bylaws or policies. The letter states, "[Y]ou have repeatedly violated two

important policies and are creating an unsafe shopping experience for customers as

well as mistreating staff."

       According to the Co-op's bylaws the Board of Trustees has the right to
       involuntarily terminate a membership for cause. Cause may include but is
       not limited to intentional or repeated violation of any provision of the Co
       op's bylaws or policies. Based on your current actions the Board believes
       that you have repeatedly violated two important policies and are creating
       an unsafe shopping experience for customers as well as mistreating staff.
       Board Policy B5 sates "the General Manager shall not allow an unsafe
       shopping experience for our customers." And Board Policy B6 states "the
       General Manager shall not cause or allow treatment of staff in any way
       that is unfair, unsafe, unclear or undignified."

       The Board told Taft she could "provide written explanation of your actions" by

May 18.

       You have until Sunday May 18th to provide written explanation of your
       actions to the board. The board will take your statement into
       consideration before voting for an official termination of your
       membership.111

       On May 14, Taft's attorney sent a letter to the Board President. The letter states

the Board "received misinformation about Ms. Taft" and she does not "understand

where you got the notion she 'repeatedly' did anything that could be construed as a

violation of policy."

       It appears that you, and perhaps the other board members, have received
       misinformation about Ms. Taft. Allow me to correct the record. You say
       that Ms. Taft has "repeatedly violated two important policies." We do not
       understand where you got the notion she "repeatedly" did anything that
       could be construed as a violation of policy.

          Emphasis in original.
No. 73917-4-1/5

       The letter describes Taft's concern about animals in the store and summarizes

the interactions between Taft and Central Co-op employees during summer 2013.

       Like most of us, Ellen Taft is aware of the obvious, potential hazards to
       sanitation and safety when dogs and other pets are allowed inside a store
       where food is sold and consumed. Last summer she called attention to a
       pet dog inside the store and asked a staff member to inquire of the owner
       if the dog was a bona fide service animal. The staff person refused, but
       the customer immediately volunteered that the dog was merely a pet and
       departed the store. Another time, a staff person refused Ms. Taft's
       request to inquire if a dog was a service animal, saying that the ADA[2]
       prohibited the question. Ms. Taft knew otherwise.

     The letter also describes the telephone calls from Peterson to Taft in July and

December 2013 and Taft's denial that an incident occurred on November 14.

       After these incidents, in July 2013, a Co-op staff member told Mrs. Taft
       over the telephone not to request staff enforcement of regulations
       pertaining to service animals. . ..

               On the morning of December 7 [sic], 2013, ... Petersen [sic]. . .
       called Mrs. Taft to proclaim, in an angry tone of voice, that her "shopping
       privileges" were being terminated. He stated that an incident had
       occurred on November 14, but Mrs. Taft replied that no such incident had
       occurred.

       The attorney requested the Board provide additional information about the

alleged "repeated" violations. The letter states, in pertinent part, "I have several

questions for you, starting with this: Where are the 'repeated' violations by Mrs. Taft of

any Co-op regulation? Kindly provide documentation of this allegation." The Board did

not respond.

       On June 25, the Board President sent Taft a letter informing her that the Board

voted on June 9 to terminate her membership. The letter identifies the June 27

interactions with co-op staff and the November 14 customer complaint as "incidents

       2 Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, 42 U.S.C. §§ 12101-12213.
No. 73917-4-1/6

during 2013 when Mrs. Taft acted inappropriately in the store harassing either staff or

shoppers."

          Central Co-Op's staff provided documentation to the board of several
          specific incidents during 2013 when Mrs. Taft acted inappropriately in the
          store harassing either staff or shoppers. Including an incident on June 27,
          2013 when two staff reported being verbally abused by Mrs. Taft. On July
          3, 2013 one of the Co-op's staff managers contacted Ms. Taft by
          telephone and informed her that she was not to communicate directly with
          any customer in the Co-op about their service animal and that any
          communication with staff must be respectful. Ms. Taft was further
          informed that she would be banned from the store if she could not follow
          these rules.

          On November 14, 2013 a written complaint was received from a customer
          stating Ms. Taft had verbally attacked him while shopping. This qualified
          as a violation of the terms for Ms. Taft to continue shopping at the Co-op.

          The letter includes descriptions of incidents from Central Co-op employees and

quotes the November 14 customer comment card to provide "more detail about how her

actions created an unsafe and undignified work and retail environment."3 The Board

states, "Reasons and details for the consideration of Ms. Taft's membership termination

have been given verbally and in writing."

          3 The letter about the interaction quotes from a staff member on June 27, 2013:
          "I did have an interaction which involved her [Ms. Taft] making a large scene and yelling
          at me in the store because of a dog. I can give you specifics if you like, but put simply,
          she is rude and harassing and refuses to calm down and speak with you once she gets
          started." - Staff member. June 28 2013.
(Alteration in original.) According to another staff member," '[i]n the mid-afternoon of Thursday the
14th'":
          "I was helping a customer at the info desk when a woman [Mrs. Taft] loudly interrupted
          verbally, and by physically inserting herself between me and the customer, 'you need to
          call your manager right now and ask that man if that's a service dog'. Her arm was
          outstretched pointing at a regular customer and his small service dog, who was less than
          two arm lengths away. I said, 'Ma'am I'll be right with you' and attempted to finish my
          sentence to the customer I was helping, when she interjected again, louder and still
          pointing at the other customer. This [is] very serious, you need to call you [sic] manager
          right now and ask that man ifthat's a service dog.' At this point the customer with the
          service animal responded to her This is my service animal.'" - Staff member, November
          16,2013.
(Alteration in original.)
No. 73917-4-1/7

      On August 29, Taft's attorney sent the Board a letter asking the Board to

reconsider its decision to terminate Taft's membership. The letter states the reasons for

terminating Taft's membership "have been a moving target" and the Board's June 25

letter "accused her, for the first time, of committing two bad acts in June and November

of 2013." The letter states Taft "vehemently denies that these incidents occurred."

      On November 17, Taft and her spouse Arthur Champernowne (collectively, Taft)

filed a lawsuit against Central Co-op. Taft alleged the Board violated the bylaws by

terminating her membership without providing notice of the reasons for the termination

and an opportunity to respond.

      Central Co-op filed a motion for summary judgment dismissal of the lawsuit.

Central Co-op argued Taft's membership "was terminated in accordance with Central

Co-Op's Bylaws." Central Co-op asserted the April 28, 2014 letter provided Taft with

notice of the reasons for the proposed termination and an opportunity to respond. In

support, Central Co-op submitted a number of documents and the declaration of

Douglas Peterson.

      On June 27, 2013, staff members DuBois and Daw told Peterson that "they had

experienced a heated confrontation with Ms. Taft." Peterson called Taft on July 3 and

"informed her that yelling at Co-Op staff and shoppers was not appropriate, and if this

behavior occurred again she would not be allowed to shop at the Co-Op." Peterson

learned about the interaction between Taft and a customer on November 14 "through a

customer feedback form and communication from [a] Co-Op staff member." Peterson

states that after speaking with the shopper and staff member "and reviewing information
No. 73917-4-1/8

related to the incident, I believed that she had ignored the warning provided to her on

July 3, 2013."

       On December 6, Peterson called Taft and told her "she was no longer welcome

to shop at the Co-Op." Peterson states that he "sent a letter to Ms. Taft" on December

6 "informing her that due to her repeated inappropriate communications with Co-Op

staff and customers most recently on November 14, 2013 she was no longer welcome

to shop at the Co-Op." Peterson attached a copy of the undated letter addressed to

Taft. The letter describes the interaction between Taft and the Central Co-op

employees on June 27 and her "hostile confrontation with a shopper and staff' on

November 14. The letter states, in pertinent part:

       On June 27th, 2013, you engaged with a customer and several employees
       in a manner that was inappropriate. I spoke with you about this over the
       phone on July 3rd and made clear several conditions that needed to be
       met for you to be welcome here at Central Co-op:

        •   All communication between you and any staff member must be
            respectful and appropriate.

        •   You are not allowed to communicate with any customer in Central
            Co-op about their service animal.

        •   Failure to meet either of the above conditions would result in your not
            being allowed to shop at Central Co-op.

       On November 14th, you failed to adhere to the above conditions.... As
       such, you are no longer welcome at Central Co-op effective Friday,
       December 6, 2013. You will be asked to leave immediately if you return to
       the property.

       In response, Taft argued the April 28 letter did not comply with the notice

requirements of the bylaws. Taft asserted that unlike the June 25 letter terminating her

membership, the April 28 notice did not provide the reasons for her termination.

                                             8
No. 73917-4-1/9

       In the alternative, Taft argued there were material issues of fact regarding

whether Central Co-op complied with the bylaws by providing notice of repeated

violations and the opportunity to respond.

       In the declaration, Taft states she "never received any notice of the alleged

incidents on which the Co-Op based its decision to terminate my membership."

             I never received any notice of the alleged incidents on which the
      Co-Op based its decision to terminate my membership. The June 25,
      2014 letter from the Board, announcing that they had voted to terminate
      my membership on June 9, 2014, based on my violation of executive
      policies, of which I had never seen in my life, included references to
      incidents of alleged misconduct. I was never given notice of such
      incidents prior to my termination.

      Taft admits that on June 27, 2013, she "informed a staff member that they should

question whether the many dogs in the store were indeed service animals."4 But Taft

states she "did not confront and speak to either staff or customers in an abusive,

aggressive, confrontational manner; and I never spoke to a customer at all."

      Taft admits that during the July 3 phone call, Peterson told her she was not

allowed to "approach a staff member or address issues pertaining to pets and service

animals again." According to Taft, Peterson "did not warn me that my shopping

privileges would be revoked." Taft admits that during the December 6, 2013 telephone

call, Peterson "indicated that there had been an incident on November 14, 2013." But

Taft denies the November 14 incident occurred and states she never received the

undated letter Peterson claimed he sent to her on December 6.

        Emphasis in original.
No. 73917-4-1/10

       The court granted Central Co-op's motion for summary judgment and dismissed

the lawsuit. Taft filed a motion for reconsideration. Taft argued there were disputed

issues of material fact. The court denied the motion.

                                              ANALYSIS

       Taft contends there are disputed issues of material fact as to whether Central

Co-op complied with the bylaws by providing notice of repeated violations of the bylaws

or policies and an opportunity to respond before terminating her membership.

       As a preliminarily matter, Central Co-op cites Pleasant v. Reqence BlueShield,

181 Wash. App. 252, 261, 325 P.3d 237 (2014), to argue Taft cannot assert there are

genuine issues of material fact regarding notice because she filed a cross motion for

summary judgment. But unlike in Pleasant, the record establishes Taft argued in the

alternative that material issues of fact precluded summary judgment.5

        We review an order of summary judgment dismissal de novo, engaging in the

same inquiry as the trial court. Citizens All, for Prop. Rights Legal Fund v. San Juan

County, 184 Wash. 2d 428, 435, 359 P.3d 753 (2015). We view the evidence and all

reasonable inferences in the light most favorable to the nonmoving party. Keck v.

Collins, 184 Wash. 2d 358, 370, 357 P.3d 1080 (2015). Summary judgment is appropriate

only when there is no genuine issue as to any material fact and the moving party is

entitled to judgment as a matter of law. CR 56(c); Scrivener v. Clark Coll., 181 Wash. 2d
439, 444, 334 P.3d 541 (2014). A material fact precluding summary judgment is a fact

        5 In her reply brief, Taft concedes filing a cross motion for summary judgment precludes arguing
there are material issues of fact regarding notice. We reject the concession as not well taken. See In re
Pers. Restraint of Goodwin. 146 Wash. 2d 861, 875, 50 P.3d 618 (2002) ("[A] court is not bound by an
erroneous concession related to a matter of law.").

                                                      10
No. 73917-4-1/11

that affects the outcome of the litigation. Eicon Constr.. Inc. v. E. Wash. Univ.. 174
Wash. 2d 157, 164-65, 273 P.3d 965 (2012).6

       The action of a corporation is conclusive if it is within the power conferred on the

corporation and in accordance with the bylaws. 12A William Meade Fletcher,

Fletcher Cyclopedia of the Law of Corporations § 5704, at 797 (2009). Bylaws

constitute a contract between the co-op and its members. See Langan v. Valicopters.

Inc.. 88 Wash. 2d 855, 859, 567 P.2d 218 (1977); Rodruck v. Sand Point Maint. Comm'n.

48 Wash. 2d 565, 578, 295 P.2d 714 (1956). Therefore, we apply the general principals of

contract law when interpreting an organization's bylaws. Roats v. Blakelv Island Maint.

Comm'n. Inc.. 169 Wash. App. 263, 273-74, 279 P.3d 943 (2012); Save Columbia Credit

Union Comm. v. Columbia Cmty. Credit Union. 134 Wash. App. 175, 181, 139P.3d386

(2006). Where a contract requires notice, "[w]hether notice is reasonable depends on

the circumstances of each case and is ordinarily a question of fact." Associated

Petroleum Prods.. Inc. v. Nw. Cascade. Inc.. 149 Wash. App. 429, 434, 203 P.3d 1077

(2009); Lanov.Osberg Constr. Co.. 67 Wash. 2d 659, 663, 409 P.2d 466 (1965); SAK&

Assocs.. Inc. v. Ferguson Constr.. Inc., 189 Wash. App. 405, 417, 357 P.3d 671 (2015);

Cascade Auto Glass, Inc. v. Progressive Cas. Ins. Co.. 135 Wash. App. 760, 766, 145
P.3d 1253 (2006).

        Central Co-op's bylaws require notice and an opportunity to respond before

involuntary termination of a membership. Central Co-op bylaw 2.9 states, in pertinent

        6We note that contrary to Central Co-op's assertion, the business judgment rule does not require
the court to defer to the Board's decision to terminate Taft's membership. See Scott v. Trans-Svs., Inc.,
148 Wash. 2d 701, 709, 64 P.3d 1 (2003).

                                                   11
No. 73917-4-1/12

part:

               2.9    Termination of Membership. . . . Membership may be
        terminated involuntarily by the Board for cause after the member is
        provided written notice of the reasons for the proposed termination and
        has an opportunity to respond in person or in writing. Cause may include
        but is not limited to intentional or repeated violation of any provision of the
        Co-op's bylaws or policies, actions that will impede the Co-op from
        accomplishing its purposes, actions or threats that adversely affect the
        interests of the Co-op or its members, willful obstruction of any lawful
        purpose or activity of the Co-op, or breach of any contract with the Co-op.

        Under bylaw 2.9, the Board may involuntarily terminate an individual's

membership for cause. The bylaws define "cause" to include "intentional or repeated

violation of any provision of the Co-op's bylaws or policies." The plain language of

bylaw 2.9 entitles a member to "written notice of the reasons for the proposed

termination" and an "opportunity to respond" before the Board terminates the

membership.7

        Central Co-op asserts the April 28, 2014 letter complied with the bylaws. Taft

contends the Board did not comply with the notice requirements of the bylaws because

the April 28 letter did not identify the "repeated" violations of Central Co-op's bylaws or

policies justifying termination of her membership. Viewing the evidence in the light most

favorable to Taft, there are disputed issues of material fact as to whether Taft received

notice of repeated violations of Central Co-op bylaws or policies.

        The April 28 letter states the Board decided to terminate Taft's membership

based on her "continued refusal to refrain from .. . verbal abuse of shoppers and

workers" and "repeatedly" violating co-op policies by "creating an unsafe shopping

         Emphasis added.

                                              12
No. 73917-4-1/13

experience for customers as well as mistreating staff." But the April 28 letter does not

identify the repeated violations. The letter does not provide any detail about the

repeated violations or her continued refusal to refrain from "verbal abuse" of shoppers

and co-op employees.

       Viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to Taft, she was aware of only

the June 27, 2013 interaction with Central Co-op staff. Taft admits that during the

December 6, 2013 telephone call with Peterson, he "indicated that there had been an

incident on November 14, 2013." But Taft states she "told Mr. Peterson that no incident

had taken place on November 14." Peterson told Taft she "would be getting a letter

soon" explaining why she was no longer welcome at the co-op. Taft states she never

received a letter from Peterson. Taft's declaration states, in pertinent part:

       [T]he very first time I saw Mr. Peterson's undated letter to me about the
       revocation of shopping privileges was when I received a copy of Mr.
       Peterson's June 24, 2015 declaration in support of the motion for
       summary judgment.

The February 21, 2014 letter from Taft's attorney to Central Co-op also states Taft did

not receive the letter Peterson said he sent in December. The February 21 letter states,

in pertinent part:

       Mr. Petersen [sic] also stated that a letter from him would be coming in the
       mail verifying that her shopping privileges were terminated. Ms. Taft (and
       Mr. Champernowne) have not received this letter.

       Because there are material issues of fact as to whether Taft received notice in

compliance with the co-op bylaws, we reverse summary judgment dismissal of the

                                             13
No. 73917-4-1/14

lawsuit against Central Co-op and remand for trial.8

                                                       ScQju^efii^
WE CONCUR:

       8We reject Taft's argument that the court must "carefully scrutinize" the decision to terminate her
membership because her membership is a property interest. 12A Fletcher Cvclopedia of the Lawof
Corporations § 5704, at 795, does not address heightened judicial scrutiny of termination decisions and
does not support her argument.

                                                    14