IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON CO
MICHELLE J. KINNUCAN,
DIVISION ONE
k£>
Appellant,
No. 74360-1-1
v.
UNPUBLISHED OPINION
CITY OF SEATTLE,
Respondent. FILED: December 19, 2016
Dwyer, J. — RCW 59.18.440 authorizes any city, town, county, or
municipal corporation to adopt local ordinances that require property owners to
pay relocation assistance funds to low-income tenants upon the demolition,
substantial rehabilitation, or change of use of the dwelling in which such tenants
reside, so long as the ordinances provide for administrative hearings to resolve
disputes between the landlord and tenant relating to relocation assistance or
unlawful detainer actions during relocation. After the City of Seattle determined
that it would not provide Michelle Kinnucan with an administrative hearing to
resolve her unlawful detainer action, she filed suit in the King County Superior
Court seeking a writ of mandamus to require the City ofSeattle to adopt policies
and procedures consistent with RCW 59.18.440. The superior court denied
Kinnucan's request for the writ and granted the City's motion to dismiss. Finding
no error, we affirm.
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I
In response to sharp increases in rental prices during the 1980s, the
Washington legislature enacted legislation that it hoped would "encourage
economic opportunity for all Washington citizens and [ ] promote the availability
of affordable housing." Garneau v. City of Seattle, 147 F.3d 802, 804 (9th Cir.
1998). RCW 59.18.440(1) authorizes cities to adopt ordinances that require
property owners to provide low-income tenants with relocation assistance funds,
so long as the property owner is seeking to demolish, substantially rehabilitate, or
change the use of a dwelling occupied by such tenants. Pursuant to RCW
59.18.440(5), cities that adopt such requirements must also adopt policies,
procedures, or regulations that "include provisions for administrative hearings to
resolve disputes between tenants and property owners relating to relocation
assistance or unlawful detainer actions during relocation."
The City subsequently adopted the Tenant Relocation Assistance
Ordinance (TRAO). The TRAO requires that property owners obtain a tenant
relocation license "[p]rior to the demolition, change of use or substantial
rehabilitation of any dwelling unit, and prior to the removal of use restrictions from
any dwelling unit which results in the displacement of a tenant." Seattle
Municipal Code (SMC) 22.210.050. Before the City issues such a license, the
property owner must provide all tenants with an informational packet about the
TRAO, pay the property owner's share of the relocation assistance funds to the
City (half of the total amount due to each tenant), and provide a 90-day advance
notice of the demolition of the property to all tenants. SMC 22.210.060. The City
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then issues a tenant relocation license to the property owner and provides
eligible low-income tenants with relocation assistance funds. SMC 22.210.130.
The TRAO prohibits property owners from increasing rent or otherwise
harassing or intimidating tenants in order to avoid paying their share of relocation
assistance. SMC 22.210.136, .140. Additionally, the TRAO provides
administrative hearings "to appeal a determination concerning a tenant's
eligibility for a relocation assistance payment, to resolve a dispute concerning the
authority to institute unlawful detainer actions before issuance of the tenant
relocation license ... or to review a decision of the Director [regarding
complaints of rent increases]." SMC 22.210.150.
Kinnucan resided at the Lockhaven apartment building pursuant to a fixed-
term tenancy from 2009 to 2013. On June 1, 2013, Kinnucan's lease was
converted to a month-to-month tenancy. Goodman Real Estate (Goodman)
thereafter purchased the Lockhaven apartments and sought to terminate all of
the Lockhaven leases in order to substantially rehabilitate the apartments.
Goodman applied for a tenant relocation license pursuant to the TRAO, the City
determined that Kinnucan was eligible for relocation assistance, and the City
issued a tenant relocation license to Goodman.
In early April, immediately after receiving the tenant relocation license,
Goodman issued a notice to Kinnucan requiring her to vacate her apartment by
the end of the month. Kinnucan thereafter contacted the City's Office of the
Hearing Examiner by e-mail to ask if the hearing examiner was the appropriate
agency to "hear[ ] disputes concerning the owner's authority to institute unlawful
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detainer actions" pursuant to the TRAO. The City responded that the hearing
examiner "has the authority to hear your complaint." A hearing was never
commenced, however, because the hearing examiner later ruled that she did not
have the authority to adjudicate the dispute. Kinnucan sought reconsideration,
but the hearing examiner reaffirmed her decision.
Meanwhile, the City notified Goodman that the revised lease termination
notification had been issued in violation of Seattle's just cause ordinance, which
prohibits eviction without a court order. SMC 22.206.160. Goodman
subsequently rescinded the improper notice and issued a new notice of eviction.
Proceeding pro se, Kinnucan filed a lawsuit against Goodman seeking a
temporary restraining order, eventually dropping the suit after the parties agreed
to mediate. Kinnucan ultimately did not vacate Lockhaven until October of 2014.
In December 2014, Kinnucan filed suit against the City seeking a writ of
mandamus requiring the City to: (1) grant "administrative hearings to all tenants
who, after September 30, 2014, file or have filed appeals to resolve disputes
relating to relocation assistance or unlawful detainer actions during relocation
within the meaning of RCW 59.18.440(5)"; and (2) adopt "policies, procedures, or
regulations that include provisions for administrative hearings to resolve disputes
between tenants and property owners relating to relocation assistance or
unlawful detainer actions during relocation." The City answered, asserting that
its existing ordinances and regulations already complied with the law. The
superior court denied Kinnucan's application and granted the City's motion to
dismiss pursuant to CR 12(b)(6). Kinnucan timely appealed.
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II
We review de novo a trial court's ruling on a motion to dismiss pursuant to
CR 12(b)(6). Alexander v. Sanford. 181 Wn. App. 135, 141, 325 P.3d 341
(2014). Dismissal pursuant to CR 12(b)(6) is appropriate only when "it appears
beyond doubt that the plaintiff cannot prove any set of facts which would justify
recovery." Tenore v. AT&T Wireless Servs., 136 Wn.2d 322, 330, 962 P.2d 104
(1998). In making this determination, the plaintiff's allegations are presumed to
be true and we may consider hypothetical facts, consistent with the averments in
the complaint, that are not part of the formal record. Sanford, 181 Wn. App. at
142.
The issuance of a writ of mandamus is an extraordinary remedy. Burg v.
City of Seattle, 32 Wn. App. 286, 289, 647 P.2d 517 (1982). Pursuant to RCW
7.16.160, a writ of mandamus may be issued
by any court, except a district or municipal court, to any inferior
tribunal, corporation, board or person, to compel the performance
of an act which the law especially enjoins as a duty resulting from
an office, trust or station, or to compel the admission of a party to
the use and enjoyment of a right or office to which the party is
entitled, and from which the party is unlawfully precluded by such
inferior tribunal, corporation, board or person.
A party seeking mandamus must prove three predicates before a writ will
issue: "(1) the party subject to the writ is under a clear duty to act, RCW
7.16.160; (2) the applicant has no 'plain, speedy and adequate remedy in the
ordinary course of law,' RCW 7.16.170; and (3) the applicant is 'beneficially
interested.' RCW7.16.170." Euqster v. City of Spokane, 118 Wn. App. 383,
402, 76 P.3d 741 (2003).
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Kinnucan first contends that RCW 59.18.440(5) imposes a clear duty on
the City to offer administrative hearings to low-income tenants after a tenant
relocation license has been issued to the property owner. We disagree.
The determination of whether a statute specifies a duty is a matter of
statutory interpretation that we review de novo. State v. LG Elecs., Inc., 185 Wn.
App. 123, 132, 340 P.3d 915 (2014), affirmed 186 Wn.2d 1, 375 P.3d 636 (2016).
"Mandamus is appropriate to compel a government official or entity 'to comply
with law when the claim is clear and there is a duty to act.'" Eugster, 118 Wn.
App. at 404 (quoting In re Pers. Restraint of Dyer, 143 Wn.2d 384, 398, 20 P.3d
907 (2001)). Mandamus "will issue only in relation to the performance of a
ministerial duty and not for a duty or power which requires the exercise of
discretion." Burg, 32 Wn. App. at 291. A discretionary function "is one involving
a basic governmental policy, program, or objective requiring the exercise of a
basic policy evaluation, judgment, and expertise on the part of the officer or
agency." Moloney v. Tribune Publ'g Co., 26 Wn. App. 357, 360, 613 P.2d 1179
(1980).
Here, whether the City has a clear duty to provide administrative hearings
after the issuance of a tenant relocation license turns on the meaning of RCW
59.18.440(5). It should first be noted that RCW 59.18.440 is a remedial statute,
intended to address the disparate impact of rising rent on low-income individuals
by providing those individuals with relocation funds. Garneau, 147 F.3d at 804.
"[Rjemedial legislation is construed liberally in order to accomplish the purpose
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for which it is enacted." State v. Doutv, 92 Wn.2d 930, 936, 603 P.2d 373
(1979). The broader rules of statutory construction require that courts interpret
statutes in the manner that best advances the perceived legislative purpose.
Morris v. Blaker, 118Wn.2d133, 143,821 P.2d 482 (1992).
Pursuant to RCW 59.18.440(5), a city that requires property owners to pay
into a relocation assistance program for low-income tenants must adopt policies,
procedures, or regulations that include "administrative hearings to resolve
disputes between tenants and property owners relating to relocation assistance
or unlawful detainer actions during relocation." The key phrase—"during
relocation"—is neither defined nor referenced elsewhere in the code.
Kinnucan contends that the City's TRAO is flawed in two ways. First,
Kinnucan asserts that the plain meaning of "during relocation" includes the period
of time in which a low-income tenant is moving from one residence to another.
Thus, she contends, the City is impermissibly limiting the period of time in which
it offers administrative hearings to exclude the time frame after a tenant
relocation license has been issued but before the tenant has moved out of the
apartment. Second, Kinnucan asserts that the TRAO impermissibly limits the
scope of these administrative hearings with regard to unlawful detainer actions
by providing for such hearings only to determine the authority to institute unlawful
detainer actions. Kinnucan is wrong on both counts.
1
Kinnucan contends that the plain meaning of the phrase "during
relocation" includes the period of time in which a tenant is moving from one
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residence to another.1 Although "during relocation" is not defined in RCW
59.18.440, the scope of the phrase is apparent by reading the statute as a whole.
First, RCW 59.18.440(1) expressly preempts any local regulations or
ordinances not authorized by this legislation that require property owners to pay
relocation assistance funds to low-income tenants. Second, RCW 59.18.440(3)
requires that a participating city determine the amount of relocation assistance to
be provided to low-income tenants from property owners and require that those
property owners pay that amount. Third, RCW 59.18.440(4)(c) requires that a
participating city pay the portion of relocation assistance not covered by property
owners. Finally, RCW 59.18.440(5) provides for judicial review of administrative
hearing decisions relating to relocation assistance.
Thus, RCW 59.18.440 requires that a participating city establish a system
whereby low-income tenants receive relocation assistance that is mutually paid
for by the city and by the property owner. Should a dispute arise between the
property owner and the tenant relating to relocation assistance, the city must
allow for an administrative hearing. Tellingly, RCW 59.18.440 is silent as to any
dispute or event that occurs after such relocation assistance has been provided.
Accordingly, a reading of the statute as a whole leads to but one conclusion—
"during relocation" is in reference to the relocation assistance, not physical
relocation of the tenants themselves.
1Although Kinnucan contends that the phrase "during relocation" leaves nothing to the
discretion of the City, she does not attempt to define when "during relocation" has ended—only
that it must include some period of time after the City has issued the tenant relocation license.
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RCW 59.18.440(5) imposes on the City a duty to adopt "policies,
procedures, or regulations" that are consistent with the statute's requirements.
The precise details of those policies, procedures, or regulations are left to the
discretion of the City. Here, the City adopted the TRAO, which provides for
administrative hearings up until the point in time when a tenant relocation license
has been issued and, thus, the low-income tenant's eligibility has been
determined and the property owner has paid its portion of the relocation
assistance. These administrative hearings are available to low-income tenants
"during relocation," as understood in the context of RCW 59.18.440 as a whole.
Although the City could have exercised its discretion to require a different
administrative hearing scheme, a writ of mandamus will not issue to compel a
government entity to exercise its discretion in a particular manner.2 Euqster, 118
Wn. App. at 405.
2In its briefing, amicus Northwest Justice Project suggests that subjects of administrative
hearings commenced after the issuance of the relocation license could be (1) the merits of an
unlawful detainer action, (2) the merits ofa justcause defense to an unlawful detainer action, or
(3) a requestto revoke the relocation license. This assertion fails.
As the City points out, superior courts have exclusive jurisdiction over the merits of an
unlawful detainer action. Thus, the statute at issue cannot be construed as amicus suggests.
Also as pointed out by the City, just cause is a defense arising out of Seattle ordinance—not state
statute. Thus, it is not credible toassert that the legislature sought to mandate the existence of
hearings to resolve just cause issues (solely a City of Seattle matter) postlicense issuance.
Finally, as the City also points out, the sought-after hearings could not be for the purpose
of revoking the issued license. In almost all cases, the license will be issued in conjunction with
the redevelopment permit. SMC 22.210.050. The issuance of a redevelopment permit is a final
land use decision, Ward v. Bd. ofCounty Comm'rs, 86Wn. App. 266, 270, 936 P.2d 42 (1997) ("a
'land use decision' is 'a final determination by a local jurisdiction's body or officer with the highest
level of authority to make the determination, including those with authority to hear appeals'"
(quoting RCW 36.70C.020(2)), subject to the Land Use Petition Act's (LUPA) 21-day appeal
period. RCW 36.70C.040(2), (3). After that, the issue is final. See Habitat Watch v. Skagit
County. 155 Wn.2d 397, 407, 120 P.3d 56 (2005) ("[A] land use decision becomes unreviewable
by the courts if not appealed to superior court within LUPA's specified timeline."). Any action by
the City to revoke the license would necessarily affect the permit and be controlled according to
the law applicable to LUPA.
Similarly, if a tenant grievance arises after the issuance of a license, it issubject to the
City's code enforcement process. If voluntary compliance is not obtained, the City may bring an
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There is nothing in RCW 59.18.440 that imposes a clear duty on the City
to offer administrative hearings continuously throughout the period of time in
which a low-income tenant is moving from one residence to another. The City
lawfully exercised its discretion to limit administrative appeals to the period of
time before a tenant relocation license is issued.
2
Kinnucan also contends that the City has wrongfully limited the
administrative hearings that it does provide regarding unlawful detainer actions.
This is so, she asserts, because RCW 59.18.440(5) requires that the City permit
unlawful detainer actions to be adjudicated in administrative hearings.
RCW 59.18.440(5) requires that the City adopt policies, procedures, or
regulations that include administrative hearings to resolve disputes "relating
to . . . unlawful detainer actions during relocation." The City's TRAO provides for
such hearings "to resolve a dispute concerning the authority to institute unlawful
detainer actions before issuance of the tenant relocation license." SMC
22.210.150.
Contrary to Kinnucan's position, the TRAO's limitations regarding unlawful
detainer actions are entirely consistent with RCW 59.18.440. The superior courts
have subject matterjurisdiction over unlawful detainer proceedings. Wash.
Const. Art. IV, § 6; RCW 59.12.050. Such jurisdiction is constitutional in origin
and could not have been divested by the Legislature through the enactment of
RCW 59.18.440. Blanchard v. Golden Age Brewing Co., 188 Wash. 396, 415, 63
action in municipal court. There is no indication in the statute at issue that the legislature sought
to circumvent or preempt this municipal method of code enforcement.
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P.2d 397 (1936). Likewise, the City has no authority to adopt ordinances that
divest the superior court of subject matter jurisdiction.
Rather, what the TRAO provides are administrative hearings for instances
in which a landlord is attempting to unlawfully evict a tenant—or otherwise
harass, intimidate, or raise rent to cause a tenant to vacate their apartment—so
as to avoid paying tenant relocation assistance. SMC 22.210.136, .140. These
unlawful actions may occur at any time prior to—or during—the time frame in
which a property owner is applying for a tenant relocation license, master use
permit, or building permit—so long as such actions are motivated by a desire to
avoid application of the tenant relocation assistance ordinance. SMC
22.210.136, .140. The hearing examiner's decision regarding any of these
unlawful actions would then be appealable to the superior court. RCW
59.18.440(5); SMC 22.210.150(J). Should an unlawful detainer action arise after
the City has issued the tenant relocation license, existing laws and ordinances
allow landlords and tenants to file suit in the superior court. Thus, the TRAO's
language providing for administrative hearings "concerning the authority to
institute unlawful detainer actions before issuance of the tenant relocation
license" is consistent with the City's mandate to provide for hearings "relating to"
unlawful detainer actions. RCW 59.18.440(5); SMC 22.210.150.
RCW 59.18.440(5) requires that the City adopt policies, procedures, or
regulations that provide for administrative hearings relating to relocation
assistance and unlawful detainer actions during relocation. The City has done
so. Kinnucan has not demonstrated that the City is under a clear duty to offer
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administrative hearings after the point provided for in the ordinance—the
issuance of the relocation license.
B
Issuance of a writ of mandamus also requires that the applicant have no
other plain, speedy, and adequate remedy in the ordinary course of law.
Euqster, 118 Wn. App. at 402. We review a trial court's determination as to
whether another suitable remedy exists for abuse of discretion. River Park
Sguare, LLC v. Miggins, 143 Wn.2d 68, 76, 17 P.3d 1178 (2001). "A remedy is
not inadequate merely because it is attended with delay, expense, annoyance, or
even some hardship. There must be something in the nature of the action that
makes it apparent that the rights of the litigants will not be protected or full
redress will not be afforded without the writ." City of Kirkland v. Ellis, 82 Wn.
App. 819, 827, 920 P.2d 206 (1996).
Kinnucan asserts that the other remedies available to low-income tenants
facing unlawful eviction—specifically, filing suit—are not as speedy as an
administrative hearing and cannot fully compensate those tenants. This
argument is unavailing.
The correct standard does not require that there be no other remedy as
convenient and inexpensive as the remedy sought by the writ but, rather, that
there be "no plain, speedy and adequate remedy in the ordinary course of law."
City of Kirkland, 82 Wn. App. at 827. By contending that the remedies that
currently exist are not as speedy or as convenient as an administrative hearing,
Kinnucan acknowledges that there are other remedies available to low-income
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tenants and attempts to change the standard by which those remedies are
analyzed.
Kinnucan herself cannot benefit from the writ she seeks and it is not clear
how any other low-income tenant could benefit from such an order. When
Kinnucan was unlawfully evicted from her apartment she brought suit pursuant to
the Residential Landlord-Tenant Act, chapter 59.18 RCW, which prevents
landlords from taking retaliatory actions against tenants acting lawfully and in
good faith. RCW 59.18.240. Kinnucan also relied on Seattle's just cause
ordinance, SMC 22.206.160, which prohibits evictions without a court order.
Should a landlord attempt to cause a low-income tenant to vacate their
apartment before applying for a tenant relocation license—to avoid paying their
portion ofthe relocation assistance—the TRAO provides for administrative
hearings. SMC 22.210.150; SMC 22.210.140(B). These were the other plain,
speedy, and adequate remedies available to Kinnucan and these are the same
remedies that will be available to other low-income tenants facing unlawful
eviction.
Kinnucan correctly acknowledges that low-income tenants may find it
difficult and relatively expensive to file suit against their landlords, and that an
administrative hearing might be preferable in those instances. However, "[tjhere
must be something in the nature ofthe action or proceeding that makes it
apparent to this court that it will not be able to protect the rights of the litigants or
afford them adequate redress, otherwise than through the exercise ofthis
extraordinary jurisdiction." State ex rel. Miller v. Superior Court of Spokane
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County. 40 Wash. 555, 559, 82 P. 877 (1905). The issue of a writ is not proper
when other sufficient remedies exist. This is such an instance.
In denying the writ and granting the City's motion to dismiss, the trial court
stated, "I do believe that there is an alternative remedy, and that is to file a suit, a
lawsuit. I mean, I realize it may be inconvenient. It might be expensive,
especially for low-income folks, but there is still that option for people." The trial
court voiced a tenable reason for concluding that low-income tenants have
another plain, speedy, and adequate remedy at law. Accordingly, the trial court
did not abuse its discretion.
C
Issuance of a writ of mandamus is an extraordinary remedy, and Kinnucan
has failed to set forth any set of facts that justify such relief. RCW 59.18.440(5)
mandates that the City provide administrative hearings to resolve disputes
related to relocation assistance and unlawful detainer actions during relocation—
the City has done so. Low-income tenants may pursue an administrative hearing
to resolve certain disputes pursuant to the TRAO prior to the issuance of the
tenant relocation license. SMC 22.210.150. Nothing in RCW 59.18.440 imposes
a duty on the City to provide administrative hearings for low-income tenants
throughout the period oftime in which a tenant is moving from one residence to
another. Should a low-income tenant face unlawful eviction, as Kinnucan did,
there are other plain, speedy, and adequate remedies available. Issuance ofa
writ of mandamus was not required.
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Finally, it is prudent to address the proposed remedy itself. "Writs are not
directed at a general course of conduct" but, rather, "the remedy of mandamus
contemplates the necessity of indicating the precise thing to be done." Walker v.
Munro, 124 Wn.2d 402, 407, 879 P.2d 920 (1994) (concluding that a writ
ordering a state officer to comply with the constitution is a general mandate
(citing Clark County Sheriff v. Dep't of Social &Health Servs., 95 Wn.2d 445,
450, 626P.2d6(1981))).
Kinnucan seeks an order directing the City to adopt policies, procedures,
or regulations "that satisfy the legislative mandate in RCW 59.18.440(5)" and
provide administrative hearings "consistent with the same legislative mandate."
Br. of Appellant at 6. It is not clear how such an order would lead to an extended
time frame for administrative hearings. The City's position is that the TRAO
already complies with the requirements of RCW 59.18.440 without offering such
administrative hearings. Kinnucan's proposed order does no more than order the
City to comply with the law—a general course of conduct that the City is already
engaged in.
Even if the City did offer administrative hearings after the issuance of a
tenant relocation license, it is not clear what purpose such hearings would serve.
The hearing examiner would have no authority to adjudicate the merits of
unlawful detainer actions or revoke licenses relating to the rehabilitation of the
property. Indeed, the very claim that Kinnucan sought administrative review of—
a violation ofSeattle's just cause ordinance—was properly disposed of by the
superior court.
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The trial court properly granted the City's motion to dismiss.
Affirmed.
^
We concur:
^%^. / 4?x,J
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