Atchley v. City of Fresno, 151 Cal. App. 3d 635 (Cal. Ct. App. 1984). · Go Syfert
Atchley v. City of Fresno, 151 Cal. App. 3d 635 (Cal. Ct. App. 1984). Cases Citing This Book View Copy Cite
170 citation events (127 in the last 25 years) across 3 distinct courts.
Strongest positive: In re R.C. CA3 (calctapp, 2025-06-27)
Treatment trajectory · 1985 → 2026 · click a year to view as-of
1985 2005 2026
Top citers, strongest first. 50 distinct citers. How cited ↗
discussed Cited as authority (rule) In re R.C. CA3
Cal. Ct. App. · 2025 · confidence medium
(In re S.C. (2006) 138 Cal.App.4th 396, 408 , quoting Atchley v. City of Fresno (1984) 151 Cal.App.3d 635, 647 [a point asserted without argument and authority “is deemed to be without foundation and requires no discussion by the reviewing court”].) While the Agency does have an affirmative and continuing duty of ICWA inquiry (In re Dezi C., supra, 16 Cal.5th at p. 1125; § 224.2, subd. (a); Cal. Rules of Court, rule 5.481(a)), the Agency “is not required to ‘cast about’ for information or pursue unproductive investigative leads.” (In re D.S., supra, 46 Cal.App.5th at p. 1053.) 10 …
discussed Cited as authority (rule) In re M.B. CA3
Cal. Ct. App. · 2025 · confidence medium
(In re S.C. (2006) 138 Cal.App.4th 396, 408 , quoting Atchley v. City of Fresno (1984) 151 Cal.App.3d 635, 647 [a point asserted without argument and authority “is deemed to be without foundation and requires no discussion by the reviewing court”].) Second, while the Agency has an affirmative and continuing duty of ICWA inquiry (In re Dezi C., supra, 16 Cal.5th at p. 1125; § 224.2, subd. (a); Cal. Rules of Court, rule 5.481(a)), the Agency “is not required to ‘cast about’ for information or pursue unproductive investigative leads” (In re D.S., supra, 46 Cal.App.5th at p. 1053).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Mendoza v. City of Duarte
Cal. Ct. App. · 2025 · confidence medium
(See Cal. Rules of Court, rule 8.883(a)(1)(A); Atchley v. City of Fresno (1984) 151 Cal.App.3d 635, 647 [when a point is asserted without argument and authority for the proposition, “it is deemed to be without foundation and requires no discussion by the reviewing court”].) DISPOSITION The trial court’s order denying the City’s attorney fees motion is affirmed.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Executive Dynamics Search v. Lawrence CA4/1
Cal. Ct. App. · 2024 · confidence medium
(Atchley v. City of Fresno (1984) 151 Cal.App.3d 635, 647 [when a point is asserted without authority for the proposition, “it is deemed to be without foundation and requires no discussion by the reviewing court”].) To obtain rescission, plaintiffs needed to establish the consideration for the lease failed due to defendants’ fault.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Executive Dynamics Search v. Lawrence CA4/1
Cal. Ct. App. · 2024 · confidence medium
(Atchley v. City of Fresno (1984) 151 Cal.App.3d 635, 647 [when a point is asserted without authority for the proposition, “it is deemed to be without foundation and requires no discussion by the reviewing court”].) To obtain rescission, plaintiffs needed to establish the consideration for the lease failed due to defendants’ fault.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) In re C.E. CA3
Cal. Ct. App. · 2023 · confidence medium
(Ibid.; Atchley v. City of Fresno (1984) 151 Cal.App.3d 635, 647 [lack of authority or analysis constitutes forfeiture].) Moreover, father had the opportunity to oppose the reduction and argue for more extensive visitation upon termination of dependency jurisdiction -- he simply did not avail himself of that opportunity.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) In re N.B. CA3 (2×)
Cal. Ct. App. · 2023 · confidence medium
(Atchley v. City of Fresno (1984) 151 Cal.App.3d 635, 647 [lack of authority or analysis constitutes forfeiture].) In any event, the claim lacks merit.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Walgreen Co. v. Anest CA3
Cal. Ct. App. · 2023 · confidence medium
(Atchley v. City of Fresno (1984) 151 Cal.App.3d 635, 647 [when a point is asserted without argument and authority for the proposition, an appellate court may deem 3 Civil Code section 1550 provides the essential elements of a contract are (1) parties capable of contracting, (2) their consent, (3) a lawful object, and (4) consideration, and Civil Code section 1572 defines types of fraud. 10 it to be without foundation and need not discuss it].) D.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) (HC) Wells v. Lizarraga
E.D. Cal. · 2022 · confidence medium
To the extent 6 this observation, made in passing and without citation to authority, is intended to constitute an argument, it must be deemed forfeited. 7 (Cal. Rules of Court, rule 8.204(a)(1)(B) [each point in appellate brief must be supported by citation of authority]; Atchley v. City of 8 Fresno (1984) 151 Cal.App.3d 635, 647 [lack of authority or analysis constitutes forfeiture].) 9 We conclude there is substantial evidence to support the trial court’s 10 finding that Wells’s 1994 conviction for violating section 245(a)(1) was a serious felony within the meaning of the three strikes l…
discussed Cited as authority (rule) In re I.S. CA3
Cal. Ct. App. · 2021 · confidence medium
(Cal. Rules of Court, rule 8.204(a)(1)(B) [each point in appellate brief must be supported by citation of authority]; Atchley v. City of Fresno (1984) 151 Cal.App.3d 635, 647 [lack of authority or analysis constitutes forfeiture].) In any event, the cases cited by father are inapposite.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) In re L.A. CA3
Cal. Ct. App. · 2021 · confidence medium
(Cal. Rules of Court, rule 8.204(a)(1)(B) [each point in appellate brief must be supported by citation of authority]; Atchley v. City of Fresno (1984) 151 Cal.App.3d 635, 647 [lack of authority or analysis constitutes forfeiture].) Father also argues his CPS referral history does not constitute substantial evidence of a current risk of harm to the minor.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Verotel Merchant Services B v. v. Rizal Commercial Bank CA2/4
Cal. Ct. App. · 2021 · confidence medium
(See In re S.C. (2006) 138 Cal.App.4th 396 , 408 [“To demonstrate error, appellant must present meaningful legal analysis supported by citations to authority and citations to facts in the record that support the claim of error.”]; Atchley v. City of Fresno (1984) 151 Cal.App.3d 635, 647 [“Where a point is merely asserted by appellant’s counsel without any argument of or authority for the proposition, it is deemed to be without foundation and requires no discussion by the reviewing court.”].) Moreover, we find no support in the record for defendants’ suggestion that the trial court …
discussed Cited as authority (rule) In re E.B. CA3
Cal. Ct. App. · 2020 · confidence medium
(Cal. Rules of Court, rule 8.204(a)(1)(B) [each point in appellate brief must be supported by argument and, if possible, by citation of authority]; Atchley v. City of Fresno (1984) 151 Cal.App.3d 635, 647 [lack of authority or analysis constitutes forfeiture].) In any event, section 366.26, subdivision (h) neither expressly requires, nor does it contain language compelling that it be inferred, that a court must ascertain whether a child prefers adoption over guardianship, or vice versa.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) In re J.R.
Cal. Ct. App. · 2019 · confidence medium
(Cal. Rules of Court, rule 8.204(a)(1)(B) [each point in appellate brief must be supported by citation of authority] further rule references are to the Cal. Rules of Court; Atchley v. City of Fresno (1984) 151 Cal.App.3d 635, 647 [lack of authority or analysis constitutes forfeiture].) In any event, as the Department points out, the record demonstrates that the maternal grandparents had been approved for adoption as of June 2017 and had been caring for the minor since December 2016.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Krolikowski v. San Diego City Employees' Retirement System
Cal. Ct. App. · 2018 · confidence medium
(Cf. Atchley v. City of Fresno (1984) 151 Cal.App.3d 635, 646-647 [in deducting amounts from the plaintiffs' pension benefits based on their outside income, the city was not undertaking an "execution" on their pension benefits, as a writ of execution is the process of "authorizing the seizure and appropriation of the property of a defendant for the satisfaction of a money judgment against him"].) In the absence of any authority supporting their position, appellants make a policy argument.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Tun v. Wells Fargo Dealer Services, Inc.
Cal. Ct. App. · 2016 · confidence medium
(See Berger v. Godden (1985) 163 Cal.App.3d 1113, 1117 [ 210 Cal.Rptr. 109 ] (Berger) [noting the “failure of appellant to advance any pertinent or intelligible legal argument . . . constitute[s] an abandonment of the [claim of error]”]; Atchley v. City of Fresno (1984) 151 Cal.App.3d 635, 647 [ 199 Cal.Rptr. 72 ] (Atchley) [noting when an appellant “offer[s] no authority, nor analysis, for [a] proposition,” the point “is deemed to be without foundation and requires no discussion by the reviewing court”].) Hence, Tun’s conclusory claim of error fails.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Ferraro v. Glendale Unified School Dist. CA2/4
Cal. Ct. App. · 2016 · confidence medium
(See City of Lincoln v. Barringer (2002) 102 Cal.App.4th 1211, 1239, fn. 16 [to demonstrate error, “appellant must present meaningful legal analysis supported by citations to authority and citations to facts in the record that support the claim of error”]; Atchley v. City of Fresno (1984) 151 Cal.App.3d 635, 647 [a point asserted without argument and authority for the proposition “is deemed to be without foundation and requires no discussion by the reviewing court”]; Berger v. Godden (1985) 163 Cal.App.3d 1113, 1117 [“failure of appellant to advance any pertinent or intelligible lega…
discussed Cited as authority (rule) People v. Lincoln CA3
Cal. Ct. App. · 2016 · confidence medium
(Cal. Rules of Court, rule 8.204(a)(1)(B) [each point in appellate brief must be supported by citation of authority]; Atchley v. City of Fresno, supra, 151 Cal.App.3d at p. 647 [lack of authority or analysis constitutes forfeiture].) Even assuming defendant’s offense of conviction did not prohibit the filing of a petition for certificate of rehabilitation, defendant failed to provide either “satisfactory evidence of a three-year residence in this state immediately prior to the filing of the petition,” as required by section 4852.01, former subdivision (a), or “satisfactory evidence of …
discussed Cited as authority (rule) People v. Wells CA3
Cal. Ct. App. · 2015 · confidence medium
(Cal. Rules of Court, rule 8.204(a)(1)(B) [each point in appellate brief must be supported by citation of authority]; Atchley v. City of Fresno (1984) 151 Cal.App.3d 635, 647 [lack of authority or analysis constitutes forfeiture].) We conclude there is substantial evidence to support the trial court’s finding that Wells’s 1994 conviction for violating section 245(a)(1) was a serious felony within the meaning of the three strikes law. 3.0 Conviction for Assault with a Firearm—Wells The jury found Wells guilty of assault with a firearm (§ 245, subd. (a)(2)—count three), and found not tr…
discussed Cited as authority (rule) People v. Lawrence CA3
Cal. Ct. App. · 2015 · confidence medium
(Cal. Rules of Court, rule 8.204(a)(1)(B) [each point in appellate brief must be supported by citation of authority]; Atchley v. City of Fresno, supra, 151 Cal.App.3d at p. 647 [lack of authority or analysis constitutes forfeiture].) Defendant’s claim also fails on the merits.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Qin v. Xu CA2/7
Cal. Ct. App. · 2015 · confidence medium
(See Akins v. State of California (1998) 61 Cal.App.4th 1, 50 [contention waived by failure to cite legal authority]; Atchley v. City of Fresno (1984) 151 Cal.App.3d 635, 647 [a point asserted by appellant without argument or authority need not be discussed by reviewing court].) For the same reason, we treat as waived appellant’s assertion that the entire action was barred by the litigation privilege (Civ.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) In re T.R. CA3
Cal. Ct. App. · 2015 · confidence medium
(Cal. Rules of Court, rule 8.204(a)(1)(B) [each point in appellate brief must be supported by citation of authority]; People v. Hardy (1992) 2 Cal.4th 86, 150 ; People v. Galambos (2002) 104 Cal.App.4th 1147, 1159 ; Atchley v. City of Fresno (1984) 151 Cal.App.3d 635, 647 [lack of authority or analysis constitutes forfeiture].) She did not do so.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Davis v. Sentinel Weekly News
Cal. Ct. App. · 2015 · confidence medium
We would infer from this argument that Press-Enterprise is conceding the notice of sale is not a legal notice that needs to be published in a newspaper of general circulation; however, this inference is complicated by Press-Enterprise’s conclusion wherein it describes the notice of sale as a “legal notice.” Due to the lack of legal citation and discussion supporting the conclusion that the notice of sale is a “legal notice,” we conclude Press-Enterprise is not intending to assert the notice of sale is a legal notice. 3 (See Atchley v. City of Fresno (1984) 151 Cal.App.3d 635, 647 [ 1…
discussed Cited as authority (rule) In re Establishment of The Press-Enterprise
Cal. Ct. App. · 2015 · confidence medium
We would infer from this argument that Press-Enterprise is conceding the notice of sale is not a legal notice that needs to be published in a newspaper of general circulation; however, this inference is complicated by Press-Enterprise’s conclusion wherein it describes the notice of sale as a “legal notice.” Due to the lack of legal citation and discussion supporting the conclusion that the notice of sale is a “legal notice,” we conclude Press-Enterprise is not intending to assert the notice of sale is a 20 legal notice.3 (See Atchley v. City of Fresno (1984) 151 Cal.App.3d 635, 647 […
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Marriage of Kuhs CA5
Cal. Ct. App. · 2014 · confidence medium
“When an appellant fails to raise a point, or asserts it but fails to support it with reasoned argument and citations to authority, we treat the point as waived [or forfeited].” (Badie v. Bank of America (1998) 67 Cal.App.4th 779, 784-785 ; see also People v. Stanley (1995) 6. 10 Cal.4th 764, 793 ; Akins v. State of California (1998) 61 Cal.App.4th 1, 50 [contention forfeited by failure to cite any legal authority]; Atchley v. City of Fresno (1984) 151 Cal.App.3d 635, 647 [where point is merely asserted by appellant without argument or authority, it is deemed to be without foundation and r…
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Mount Shasta Bioregional Ecology Center v. County of Siskiyou
Cal. Ct. App. · 2012 · confidence medium
(Kim v. Sumitomo Bank (1993) 17 Cal.App.4th 974, 979 [ 21 Cal.Rptr.2d 834 ]; Atchley v. City of Fresno (1984) 151 Cal.App.3d 635, 647 [ 199 Cal.Rptr. 72 ].) Guidelines section 15125, subdivision (a), reads in relevant part: “An EIR must include a description of the physical environmental conditions in the vicinity of the project, as they exist at the time the notice of preparation is published, or if no notice of preparation is published, at the time environmental analysis is commenced, from both a local and regional perspective.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Juror Number One v. Superior Court
Cal. Ct. App. · 2012 · confidence medium
Where a point is raised in an appellate brief without argument or legal support, “it is deemed to be without foundation and requires no discussion by the reviewing court.” (Atchley v. City of Fresno (1984) 151 Cal.App.3d 635, 647 [ 199 Cal.Rptr. 72 ].) Likewise with Juror Number One’s Fifth Amendment claim.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Unite Here Local 30 v. Department of Parks & Recreation
Cal. Ct. App. · 2011 · confidence medium
A point raised in an appellate brief without argument or legal support “is deemed to be without foundation and requires no discussion by the reviewing court.” (Atchley v. City of Fresno (1984) 151 Cal.App.3d 635, 647 [ 199 Cal.Rptr. 72 ].) As for the change in concessionaire, plaintiffs do not take issue with OTFHC specifically.
cited Cited as authority (rule) Donley v. Davi
Cal. Ct. App. · 2009 · confidence medium
(Atchley v. City of Fresno (1984) 151 Cal.App.3d 635, 647 [ 199 Cal.Rptr. 72 ].) In any event, the claim is meritless.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) In Re Ross Timothy
Cal. Ct. App. · 2009 · confidence medium
(People v. Hardy (1992) 2 Cal.4th 86, 150 [ 5 Cal.Rptr.2d 796 , 825 P.2d 781 ]; Atchley v. City of Fresno (1984) 151 Cal.App.3d 635, 647 [ 199 Cal.Rptr. 72 ].) In any event, the traverse acknowledges the California Supreme Court has rejected such an ex post facto claim of error, and counsel simply “reiterates this claim here to preserve this issue for further review” (assuming he can do so without having tendered in this court any argument or legal authority to support his claim).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) People v. Murray
Cal. Ct. App. · 2008 · confidence medium
Where a point is raised in an appellate brief without argument or legal support, “it is deemed to be without foundation and requires no discussion by the reviewing court.” (Atchley v. City of Fresno (1984) 151 Cal.App.3d 635, 647 [ 199 Cal.Rptr. 72 ].) In any event, defendant is incorrect.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) California Correctional Peace Officers Assn. v. Schwarzenegger
Cal. Ct. App. · 2008 · confidence medium
(See Atchley v. City of Fresno (1984) 151 Cal.App.3d 635, 647 [ 199 Cal.Rptr. 72 ].) CCPOA also asserts “the Act’s listing of the kinds of conditions that can qualify as a State of Emergency, while not exhaustive, indicates that the Legislature meant to give state officials power over situations that would be the province of local government but for their ‘magnitude’ in the particular instance.” (Original italics.) True, but this does not mean that a state of emergency cannot apply to a condition of peril on state-controlled property.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Cequel III Communications I, LLC v. Local Agency Formation Commission of Nevada County
Cal. Ct. App. · 2007 · confidence medium
(Kim v. Sumitomo Bank (1993) 17 Cal.App.4th 974, 979 [ 21 Cal.Rptr.2d 834 ]; Atchley v. City of Fresno (1984) 151 Cal.App.3d 635, 647 [ 199 Cal.Rptr. 72 ].) 6 We need not address whether LAFCo was required to undertake the new needs assessment because, in any event, LAFCo did the needs assessment update and made findings in 2004 regarding current need. 7 Where the appellant challenges the sufficiency of the evidence, the reviewing court starts with the presumption that the record contains evidence sufficient to support the judgment; it is the appellant’s affirmative burden to demonstrate oth…
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Sacramento County Department of Health & Human Services v. Kelly E. (2×) also: Cited "see"
Cal. Ct. App. · 2006 · confidence medium
(See Berger v. Godden, supra, 163 Cal.App.3d at p. 1117 ; Atchley v. City of Fresno (1984) 151 Cal.App.3d 635, 647 [ 199 Cal.Rptr. 72 ].) Even if the claim of error has been preserved by an objection in the trial court, appellant cannot prevail without establishing that she was prejudiced by the alleged error.
examined Cited as authority (rule) In Re SC (3×) also: Cited "see"
Cal. Ct. App. · 2006 · confidence medium
(See Berger v. Godden, supra, 163 Cal.App.3d at p. 1117 , 210 Cal.Rptr. 109 ; Atchley v. City of Fresno (1984) 151 Cal.App.3d 635, 647, 199 , Cal.Rptr. 72.) Even if the claim of error has been preserved by an objection in the trial court, appellant cannot prevail without establishing that she was prejudiced by the alleged error.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Kuperman v. San Diego County Assessment Appeals Bd. No. 1
Cal. Ct. App. · 2006 · confidence medium
(See Atchley v. City of Fresno (1984) 151 Cal.App.3d 635, 647 [ 199 Cal.Rptr. 72 ] [“Where a point is merely asserted by appellant’s counsel without any argument of or authority for the proposition, it is deemed to be without foundation and requires no discussion by the reviewing court”]; Howard v. Thrifty Drug & Discount Stores (1995) 10 Cal.4th 424, 443 [ 41 Cal.Rptr.2d 362 , 895 P.2d 469 ] [burden of showing error occurred]; City of Lincoln v. Barringer (2002) 102 Cal.App.4th 1211, 1226 [ 126 Cal.Rptr.2d 178 ] [rejecting due process argument when appellants failed to develop any argum…
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Osgood v. Landon
Cal. Ct. App. · 2005 · confidence medium
(Opdyk v. California Horse Racing Bd. (1995) 34 Cal.App.4th 1826, 1831, fn. 4 [ 41 Cal.Rptr.2d 263 ] [waiver for failure to head argument as required by Cal. Rules of Court, rule 15(a)]; Troensegaard v. Silvercrest Industries, Inc. (1985) 175 Cal.App.3d 218, 228 [ 220 Cal.Rptr. 712 ] [error waived because no argument, citation to authorities, or reference to record]; Atchley v. City of Fresno (1984) 151 Cal.App.3d 635, 647 [ 199 Cal.Rptr. 72 ] [lack of authority or analysis constitutes waiver].) In addition, the record does not include a reporter’s transcript of the change of custody hearing…
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Baxter Healthcare Corp. v. Denton
Cal. Ct. App. · 2004 · confidence medium
(In re Marriage of Nichols (1994) 27 Cal.App.4th 661, 672-673, fn. 3 [ 33 Cal.Rptr.2d 13 ]; Atchley v. City of Fresno (1984) 151 Cal.App.3d 635, 647 [ 199 Cal.Rptr. 72 ] [“Where a point is merely asserted by appellant’s counsel without any argument of or authority for the proposition, it is deemed to be without foundation and requires no discussion by the reviewing court”].) *354 In sum, OEHHA has failed to establish that the judgment results in a “de facto de-listing” of DEHP, as opposed to simply being a determination that the exemption from the Proposition 65 warning requirements …
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Spates v. Dameron Hospital Ass'n
Cal. Ct. App. · 2003 · confidence medium
Where a point is raised in an appellate brief without argument or legal support, “it is deemed to be without foundation and requires no discussion by the reviewing court.” (Atchley v. City of Fresno (1984) 151 Cal.App.3d 635, 647 [ 199 Cal.Rptr. 72 ].) In any event, we find the argument that a duty enforceable by plaintiff arose merely by the hospital’s effort to contact next of kin unpersuasive.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Trinkle v. California State Lottery
Cal. Ct. App. · 2003 · confidence medium
(People v. Stanley (1995) 10 Cal.4th 764, 793 [ 42 Cal.Rptr.2d 543 , 897 P.2d 481 ]; Atchley v. City of Fresno (1984) 151 Cal.App.3d 635, 647 [ 199 Cal.Rptr. 72 ].) Therefore, because Trinkle’s claim is unsupported by citation of authority or legal analysis, we treat it as waived.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Sanctity of Human Life Network v. California Highway Patrol
Cal. Ct. App. · 2003 · confidence medium
(Atchley v. City of Fresno (1984) 151 Cal.App.3d 635, 647 [ 199 Cal.Rptr. 72 ].) Public property that is not by tradition or by designation a public forum may be a nonpublic forum or not a forum at all.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Magan v. County of Kings
Cal. Ct. App. · 2003 · confidence medium
(See Akins v. State of California (1998) 61 Cal.App.4th 1, 50 [ 71 Cal.Rptr.2d 314 ] [waiver of contention by failure to cite any legal authority]; Atchley v. City of Fresno (1984) 151 Cal.App.3d 635, 647 [ 199 Cal.Rptr. 72 ] [where point is merely asserted by appellant without argument or authority, it is deemed to be without foundation and requires no discussion by reviewing court].)
discussed Cited as authority (rule) People v. Baniqued
Cal. Ct. App. · 2000 · confidence medium
(Atchley v. City of Fresno (1984) 151 Cal.App.3d 635, 647 [ 199 Cal.Rptr. 72 ]; Opdyk v. California Horse Racing Bd. (1995) 34 Cal.App.4th 1826, 1830-1831, fn. 4 [ 41 Cal.Rptr.2d 263 ]; Troensegaard v. Silvercrest Industries, Inc. (1985) 175 Cal.App.3d 218, 228 [ 220 Cal.Rptr. 712 ].) Defendants make the same argument in their reply brief, and at least cite some authority there.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Baldwin v. City of Los Angeles
Cal. Ct. App. · 1999 · confidence medium
(Ibid.) Another rule of construction “requires that courts avoid a construction which renders a part of the statute or ordinance ‘surplusage.’ [Citation.] [50 Under well established principles the contemporaneous administrative construction of a statute or ordinance by the administrative agency charged with its enforcement is entitled to great weight and will be followed unless clearly erroneous.” (Atchley v. City of Fresno (1984) 151 Cal.App.3d 635, 648 [ 199 Cal.Rptr. 72 ].) Further, although a court may properly rely upon extrinsic aids, it should first turn to the words of the ordi…
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Akins v. State of California (2×)
Cal. Ct. App. · 1998 · confidence medium
(Atchley v. City of Fresno (1984) 151 Cal.App.3d 635, 647 [ 199 Cal.Rptr. 72 ] [contention unsupported by legal analysis may be disregarded by reviewing court].) RD 1000 in its supplemental brief states it “agrees that if a public entity intentionally uses private property as a permanent (or frequently and inevitably recurring) detention basin for flood water, then the property owners may be entitled to compensation.” RD 1000 thus concedes *33 liability subject to qualification but presents no authority or analysis supporting imposition of the qualification under the California Constitutio…
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Mattco Forge, Inc. v. Arthur Young & Co. (2×)
Cal. Ct. App. · 1997 · confidence medium
(Huntington Landmark Adult Community Assn. v. Ross (1989) 213 Cal.App.3d 1012, 1021 [ 261 Cal.Rptr. 875 ]; Atchley v. City of Fresno (1984) 151 Cal.App.3d 635, 647 [ 199 Cal.Rptr. 72 ].) Disposition The judgment is reversed as to Mattco’s award of damages, except the portion that awarded Mattco out-of-pocket-expenses and interest thereon, which is affirmed.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) City of Vista v. Sutro & Co.
Cal. Ct. App. · 1997 · confidence medium
(California Teachers Assn. v. San Diego Community College Dist. (1981) 28 Cal.3d 692, 699 [ 170 Cal.Rptr. 817 , 621 P.2d 856 ]; Atchley v. City of Fresno (1984) 151 Cal.App.3d 635, 647 [ 199 Cal.Rptr. 72 ].) In interpreting the resolution, we are bound to give effect to its language’s usual and ordinary meaning.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Valley Crest Landscape, Inc. v. City Council
Cal. Ct. App. · 1996 · confidence medium
(Atchley v. City of Fresno (1984) 151 Cal.App.3d 635, 647 [ 199 Cal.Rptr. 72 ].) We conclude that changing the subcontractor’s percentages in North Bay’s bid did not constitute a violation of the Act.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) People v. $31,500 United States Currency
Cal. Ct. App. · 1995 · confidence medium
(People v. Callegri (1984) 154 Cal.App.3d 856, 865 [ 202 Cal.Rptr. 109 ]; Atchley v. City of Fresno (1984) 151 Cal.App.3d 635, 647 [ 199 Cal.Rptr. 72 ].) 19 For example, the 1994 law requires in section 11488.5, subdivisions (d) and (e), that for future seizures the People must prove the claimant had actual knowledge of the property’s connection to drug trafficking.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) In Re Marriage of Nichols
Cal. Ct. App. · 1994 · confidence medium
(Atchley v. City of Fresno (1984) 151 Cal.App.3d 635, 647 [199 Cal.Rptr. 72 ] [when a point is asserted without any argument of or authority for the *673 proposition, “it is deemed to be without foundation and requires no discussion by the reviewing court”].) Having declined to consider the question for the reasons stated above, we express no opinion on whether a minority and marketability discount should or should not be applied in valuing a shareholder interest in a professional corporation such as husband’s law firm. 4 As husband correctly points out, “[flhere is no inconsistency be…
Retrieving the full opinion text from the archive…
ALLAN ATCHLEY Et Al., Plaintiffs and Appellants,
v.
CITY OF FRESNO, Defendant and Respondent
Civ. 7374.
California Court of Appeal.
Jan 17, 1984.
151 Cal. App. 3d 635
COUNSEL Staniford, Harris, Loomis Home and W. Stuart Home for Plaintiffs and Appellants. James A. McKelvey, City Attorney, Edwin A. Oeser, Assistant City Attorney, and Douglas C. Holland, Deputy City Attorney, for Defendant and Respondent.
Gallagher.
Cited by 97 opinions  |  Published

Opinion

GALLAGHER, J. *

On May 12, 1980, appellants filed a complaint for declaratory, injunctive and compensatory relief. A court trial was held in March 1982. The court entered judgment for respondent City of Fresno.

Statement of the Facts

Allan Atchley, Curtis Bosch, Jack Enos, Duane Garey, and Mark Smith are retired employees of the police department of respondent City of Fresno. Each appellant is receiving a retirement benefit from respondent City of Fresno due to a service-connected disability.

The Council of the City of Fresno established two retirement systems in 1955. One of these systems is the fire and police retirement system (Fresno Mun. Code, § 2-1702) [1] which is administered by the retirement board (§ 2-1703).

All members of the system may become eligible for service retirements or disability retirements. The general provisions pertaining to service and disability retirements are contained in sections 2-1727 through 2-1731, inclusive. A service retirement is generally awarded to any member who has been a member for at least 10 years and is at least 50 years of age. A[*640] disability retirement is generally awarded to any member physically or mentally incapacitated for the performance of his duties. There is no minimum age for disability retirement and there is no minimum length of service if the disability was incurred in the line of duty. “Ordinary disability” refers to a disability which was incurred in a manner unrelated to employment. “Industrial disability” refers to a service-connected disability.

Section 2-1731, subdivision (c) [2] requires the retirement board to reduce, under certain circumstances, the monthly pension of a pensioner who, prior to attaining age 50, engages in a gainful occupation. The pension is reduced to an amount which when added to his monthly compensation of such occupation, does not exceed the amount of the compensation currently being paid to members at the rank the retiree held at the time of retirement. This concept of reducing the pension pursuant to this formula is referred to as the “earnings test.”

The gravamen of appellants’ complaint is that the City of Fresno has required each of the individual appellants to file a quarterly report of their outside income and asserts the right to either compel an audit or to withhold those retirement benefits until such quarterly report or audit is made. Each appellant is a retiree being paid retirement pay, and each has a form of outside income. Based on section 2-1731, subdivision (c), the respondent City of Fresno undertook to determine the amount of said outside income for each appellant, and deducted a certain amount by withholding the amount from appellants’ retirement benefits.

The controller and director of finance for respondent City of Fresno, Walter Berg, discussed implementation of the “earnings test” with the retirement board in 1960. Subsequent to that meeting, the current practice of auditing and withholding retirement benefits where excess outside income was present, was adopted. Richard Turner, a senior account auditor in charge of the retirement section in the department of finance for respondent City of Fresno, testified that no written policy existed for the implementa[*641] tion of the “earnings test” other than the explanation that appears on the reporting form.

Discussion

I. The withholding of retirement benefits for failure to file report forms was lawful.

Appellants contend it was error for the trial court to fail to determine the unlawfulness of withholding of disability benefits for failure of the beneficiary to file report forms. Appellants argue that there is no statutory requirement for the filing of the report forms, and the attempt to impose the reporting requirement is an impairment of the contractual right to said benefits as a part of the employment contract. Appellants cite Winslow v. City of Pasadena (Cal.App.).

A hearing was granted in the Winslow case, and the Supreme Court’s opinion is cited as Winslow v. City of Pasadena (1983) 34 Cal.3d 66 [192 Cal.Rptr. 629, 665 P.2d 1], In the now defunct opinion filed by the Second District Court of Appeal, it was held that the trial court erred in denying a former city police officer’s petition for a writ of mandate by which he sought to set aside the city’s action terminating his medical disability retirement pension and ordering him back to duty in a newly created “light duty” assignment. The decision rested on the case authority of Newman v. City of Oakland Retirement Bd. (1978) 80 Cal.App.3d 450 [145 Cal.Rptr. 628], The Supreme Court affirmed the trial court’s decision.

Winslow was employed by the City of Pasadena Police Department as a police officer in 1958. In 1975, serving as a motorcycle officer, he developed an employment-connected disease. He was granted a service-connected disability retirement continuing “until further order of the Retirement Board.” In 1979, a number of light duty positions were created in the department, including that of “desk officer.” The retirement board had Winslow reexamined to determine his eligibility for this type of service, and after a hearing, recommended his reinstatement based on the finding that Winslow was not totally disabled, and that his physical condition “has ceased to disable him from service as a police officer with the assignment as desk officer. ...” Winslow then filed a petition for writ of mandate pursuant to Code of Civil Procedure section 1094.5. (Winslow v. City of Pasadena, supra, 34 Cal.3d 66, 67-68.) The trial court found that the weight of the evidence supported the board’s action and concluded that the board’s action did not constitute a change in policy impairing Winslow’s vested pension rights.

The Supreme Court held in Winslow that the assignment did not constitute a change in policy which unconstitutionally impaired the officer’s vested[*642] pension rights, where, when an officer retired, there was no guarantee or reasonable expectation that the department would not create new positions, where the retirement was subject to further order of the retirement board, and where the reinstatement involved no policy change and was consistent with the city charter, which did not require conditioning reinstatement an officer’s capacity to serve either as a motorcycle officer or in every other police position; rather, the charter permitted reinstatement to any equivalent position which the officer’s health permitted. The court distinguished the case of Newman v. City of Oakland Retirement Bd., supra, 80 Cal.App.3d 450.

In Newman, a police officer who had suffered a gunshot wound in his right wrist was mandatorily retired in 1974. Two years later, the city’s retirement board voted to reinstate him. On appeal, the Newman court noted that from the time of his employment until his retirement, the city applied a “full-range-of-duties” standard, meaning that an officer could not be recalled to active duty unless his recovery from disabling injury permitted his performance of all of the duties of a regular police officer. Thereafter, the board adopted a new test which authorized the recall of an officer to an available position when he could perform a “reasonable range” of police duties. (Id., at p. 453.) The Newman court found that use of this test was an adoption of a new standard constituting a change in policy. The board’s retroactive application of this policy, it was held, violated Newman’s fully matured and vested contractual right to pensionable status. (Id., at pp. 462-463.)

Newman, as explained by the Supreme Court in Winslow, involved a change in policy because it entailed a substantial alteration of the basic conditions under which an employee could be recalled. When Winslow retired, however, there was neither guarantee nor reasonable expectation that the department would not alter its internal structure periodically, by creating, eliminating, or restructuring necessary positions or rearranging existing assignments. Nor was there a requirement that an active officer be able to serve in every possible assignment. Indeed, the record disclosed that the city’s policy “in the past” had been to provide light duty assignments to injured employees. (Winslow v. City of Pasadena, supra, 34 Cal.3d 66, 69.)

The Supreme Court, therefore, focused on whether or not the reinstatement involved a change in policy which entailed a substantial alteration of basic conditions under which an employee could be recalled. (Id., at pp. 70-71.)

Next, appellants rely on Chula Vista Police Officers’ Assn. v. Cole (1980) 107 Cal.App.3d 242 [165 Cal.Rptr. 598] for the proposition that unless[*643] there is some provision for reporting the outside income, there is no duty to report it, and the City of Fresno, according to appellants, cannot impose a duty without a change in the contract.

In Chula Vista, the court held that the defendant city had failed to comply with the terms of the employment contract which required verification of illness or sick leave of four days or more. The court determined that the agreement’s silence as to the verification of illness or sick leave of less than four days implied that no such condition could be imposed. When the defendant city began imposing a requirement for said verification during a “sick-out” the court held that the municipality violated the established and express terms of the civil service rules and failed to pursue the established remedy available under the terms of the then existing employment contract to ferret out an employee’s abuse of sick leave.

Chula Vista is not applicable to the instant case in that the municipality in Chula Vista violated established and express terms of the civil service rules. As will be explained, such is not the case here.

Lastly, appellants cite Olson v. Cory (1980) 27 Cal.3d 532, 538 [178 Cal.Rptr. 568, 636 P.2d 532] for the proposition that “If there is an unabridged right to receive vested benefits, there can be no subsequent impairment.” In Olson the trial court declared unconstitutional legislation which limited an annual cost-of-living increase in judicial salaries to a maximum of 5 percent beginning on July 1, 1977, which were previously calculated strictly according to the California consumer price index. The amendment was effective January 1, 1977. The trial court ruled the statute unconstitutional on the grounds it constituted an impermissible impairment of vested contractual rights. The Supreme Court affirmed the judgment as to any judge who served any portion of his term or the unexpired term of a predecessor judge prior to January 1, 1977, and as to judicial pensioners whose benefits were based on the salary for the office of such a judge. The Supreme Court reversed the judgment in all other respects. The high court held that the statute as it purportedly limited cost-of-living salary increases provided by the statute before its amendment was unconstitutional as to judges during any term or any unexpired term of a predecessor judge if such portion of said term was served prior to January 1, 1977, and judicial pensioners whose benefits were based on some proportionate amount of the salary for the office of such a judge. However, the Supreme Court also held that a judge or justice who completes a protected term and voluntarily embarks upon a new term can no longer claim to serve in a protected term, and his or her compensation would thereafter be governed by the provisions of the new legislation. (Id., at pp. 546-548.) Thus, the Olson decision is consistent with the general rule that an employee has a vested contractual right to a[*644] pension consistent with the pension system existing at the time employment is accepted. Therefore, Olson does not support appellants’ contention as will hereinafter be explained.

A public employee who serves under a pension system similar to those contained in the Fresno Municipal Code acquires a vested contractual right to a substantial pension. This right arises before the happening of the contingency which makes the pension payable, and it cannot be constitutionally abolished by subsequent changes in the law. (Kern v. City of Long Beach (1947) 29 Cal.2d 848, 852-856 [179 P.2d 799].) The courts have recognized that a public pension system is subject to the implied qualification that the governing body may make reasonable modifications and changes before the pension becomes payable and that until that time the employee does not have a right to any fixed or definite benefits but only to a substantial or reasonable pension. (Wallace v. City of Fresno (1954) 42 Cal.2d 180, 183 [265 P.2d 884]; Betts v. Board of Administration (1978) 21 Cal.3d 859, 863 [148 Cal.Rptr. 158, 582 P.2d 614].) When a city originally sets up its pension system it has rather wide latitude in prescribing the terms and conditions for retirement, and it may adopt restrictions that would be considered unreasonable impairments of the contract if subsequently imposed upon employees who have served under the pension plan. (Wallace v. City of Fresno, supra, 42 Cal.2d 180, 183.)

The “earnings test” provided in section 2-1731, subdivision (c) appears in California cases which involve questions regarding pension benefits. Although the “earnings test” itself was not challenged, the decisions impliedly approved the test. (Brophy v. Employees Retirement System (1945) 71 Cal.App.2d 455 [162 P.2d 939]; Burger v. Employees’ Retirement System (1951) 101 Cal.App.2d 700 [226 P.2d 38].)

Respondent relies on the case of Berry v. City of Portsmouth, Virginia (4th Cir. 1977) 562 F.2d 307 in which an “earnings test,” authorized by a city ordinance, somewhat similar to that in the instant case, was challenged by plaintiffs who alleged they had been denied their constitutional rights, including, but not limited to, equal protection under the laws, substantive and procedural due process, and freedom from involuntary servitude. In Berry, the City of Portsmouth enacted a city ordinance authorizing the reduction of disability retirement payments if a disabled city employee resumed gainful employment or refused employment suitable to his capacity. The ordinance was enacted in 1961. Although the board of trustees of the fire and police retirement system (the Board), knew that some disabled employees were gainfully employed, from 1961 to 1975 it paid all disabled employees an unreduced pension. But in 1975, the ordinance was amended by the city council to require employees on disability retirement to submit[*645] to the Board’s secretary “at least once each year during the first five years following retirement. . . such information as the Board may deem appropriate concerning any gainful employment, and the compensation therefor. ...” The Fourth Circuit held: “When the City enacted its plan for certain individuals to receive disability benefits under certain conditions, it reserved the right in the Board to reduce payments if the disabled employee resumed gainful employment or refused employment suitable to his capacity. Neither the Board nor the City ever relinquished the right to reduce pensions. It was only through the Board’s grace that gainfully employed disabled workers continued to receive unreduced payments until 1975. The employees have no property right to continued unreduced payments, paid in the first place in the discretion of the Board, necessary to invoke procedural due process protection . . . .” (Id., at p. 311.)

In the instant case, section 2-1731, subdivision (c) was part of the fire and police retirement system which was established by the council of the City of Fresno on July 1, 1955. (§ 2-703.)

On November 9, 1960, the controller and director of finance for the City of Fresno met with the police and fire retirement board and discussed implementation of the earnings test. An actuary drafted the form ultimately used and subsequent to that meeting the practice was adopted. It was conceded in the lower court that no formal resolution was adopted setting forth specific guidelines or procedures for the implementation of the earnings test. As each appellant became a member of the retirement system after July 1, 1955, the authority to reduce payments if a disabled employee resumed gainful employment was a preexisting term and condition of receiving disability benefits. Thus, the right to reduce payments does not constitute a subsequent change in the individual’s right to receive disability benefits or the amount to which a retiree was statutorily entitled.

The question remains would the enforcement of the board’s right to reduce payments, in the manner adopted, amount to a subsequent and intolerable impairment of the contract right. “ ‘An employee’s vested contractual pension rights may be modified prior to retirement for the purpose of keeping a pension system flexible to permit adjustments in accord with changing conditions and at the same time maintain the integrity of the system. [Citations.] Such modifications must be reasonable, and it is for the courts to determine upon the facts of each case what constitutes a permissible change. To be sustained as reasonable, alterations of employees’ pension rights must bear some material relation to the theory of a pension system and its successful operation, and changes in a pension plan which result in disadvantage to employees should be accompanied by comparable new advantages. [*646] [Citations.] . . .’ ” (Betts v. Board of Administration, supra, 21 Cal.3d 859, 864; italics in original.)

While an employee’s vested contractual pension rights may be modified prior to retirement, the enforcement procedures in question do not rise to the level of a modification. The reporting requirement does not reduce or alter the amount of disability benefits to which the appellants are entitled. It is simply an implementation of a preexisting restriction.

Olson v. Cory is entirely consistent with the principle that an employee is entitled to the pension benefits in effect at the time of his employment. In the present case, the earnings test was a statutory provision of the system at the time of their employment and has not been modified, or changed, but merely implemented and enforced. Therefore, the trial court did not err as a matter of law in upholding the lawfulness of the withholding of retirement disability benefits for failure to file the required report forms.

II. The withholding of retirement benefits by way of audit did not violate the prohibition in the ordinance against seizure.

Appellants claim that section 2-1706 prohibits the withholding of disability benefits for failure to file the quarterly report form on the basis that said section provides exemption from execution. This argument is clearly without merit.

Section 2-1706 provides: “The right of a person to a pension, annuity, a retirement allowance, or the return of contributions, the pension, annuity, or retirement allowance itself, any optional benefit, or any other right or benefit accrued or accruing to any person under the provisions hereof and the moneys in the fund created herein, shall not be subject to execution, garnishment, attachment, or any other process whatsoever, and shall be unassignable; provided, however, that the right of any member to the return of contributions upon his permanent separation from the service may be assigned by such member to any credit union in which eligibility for membership is limited to persons employed or formerly employed by the city, as collateral for any loan made by such credit union directly to such member; and provided further, that no such assignment by a member to a credit union shall be deemed a waiver by such member of his right, under any provision of this article, to allow his accumulated contributions to remain in the Retirement Fund. Assignments permitted hereunder shall be deemed acknowledged by the city upon the filing thereof with the Controller, but the city, its officers and employees shall not be liable to any credit union for any loss or damage on account of failure for any reason to give effect to any such assignment.”

[*647] A writ of execution is the process authorizing the seizure and appropriation of the property of a defendant for the satisfaction of a money judgment against him. (5 Witkin, Summary of Cal. Law (8th ed. 1974) p. 3388.) Appellants offer no authority, nor analysis, for the proposition that the conduct of respondent City of Fresno qualifies as an execution prohibited by the terms of section 2-1706. Where a point is merely asserted by appellant’s counsel without any argument of or authority for the proposition, it is deemed to be without foundation and requires no discussion by the reviewing court. (People v. Dougherty (1982) 138 Cal.App.3d 278, 282 [188 Cal.Rptr. 123].)

Next, appellants contend that “if, by some incredible means, it is determined the conduct of Fresno was not an execution. . . [t]hen the plaintiffs are asked to forfeit the benefits of (i) having served Fresno, and (ii) sought outside income. Such forfeiture is clearly and expressly forbidden.” Appellants then merely cite Municipal Code section 2-1735.

Section 2-1735 provides: “Subject to compliance with this article, nothing shall deprive a member of the right to a retirement allowance as determined under it, after he has qualified as to service and disability for retirement for disability, or as to age and service for retirement for service.”

Again, appellants cite no authority nor offer legal analysis for the contention that the enforcement of section 2-1731, subdivision (c) constitutes a forfeiture. Section 2-1735 clearly requires compliance with this article, which inherently includes compliance with the implementation and enforcement of section 2-1731, subdivision (c).

Section 2-1703, which created the retirement board, also set forth the board’s powers and duties. Subdivision (b) provides: “The Board shall have the sole power and authority to hear and determine all facts pertaining to applications for and awards of any benefits under the System, or any matters pertaining to the administration thereof.” Furthermore, section 2-1712 provides that each member and beneficiary “shall be subject to all the provisions hereof and to all the rules and regulations adopted by the Board, and shall furnish to the Board such information effecting his status as a member or beneficiary of the System as the Board may require.” Thus, the administration of the pension fund is vested in the retirement board which may promulgate rules and regulations designed to provide for the effective administration of the board’s business.

The construction of a municipal ordinance or resolution is governed by the rules governing construction of statutes. (In re Yick Wo (1885) 68 Cal. 294 [9 P. 139], revd. on other grounds, 118 U.S. 356 [30 L.Ed. 220,[*648] 6 S.Ct. 1064].) A basic rule of statutory interpretation requires that courts avoid a construction which renders a part of the statute or ordinance “surplusage.” (People v. Gilbert (1969) 1 Cal.3d 475, 480 [82 Cal.Rptr. 724, 462 P.2d 580].)

Under well established principles the contemporaneous administrative construction of a statute or ordinance by the administrative agency charged with its enforcement is entitled to great weight and will be followed unless clearly erroneous. (Rivera v. City of Fresno (1971) 6 Cal.3d 132, 140 [98 Cal.Rptr. 281, 490 P.2d 793].)

In this case, the requirement of the filing of the quarterly reporting form is merely an extension of the operative provisions of section 2-1731, subdivision (c).

Civil Code section 1655 provides: “Stipulations which are necessary to make a contract reasonable, or conformable to usage, are implied, in respect to matters concerning which the contract manifests no contrary intention.”
Civil Code section 1656 provides: “All things that in law or usage are considered incidental to a contract, or as necessary to carry it into effect, are implied therefrom, unless some of them are expressly mentioned therein, when all other things of the same class are deemed to be excluded.”

The reduction in disability benefits when the retiree is gainfully employed and under the age of 50, and such gainful employment generates income which provides the retiree with income in an amount exceeding the current salary level of the retiree’s last position or rank, is a policy which was in effect both at the time appellants were first hired as well as when the appellants retired. It was this long-established policy that was enforced by the requirement of filing the quarterly report form. It cannot be said that this requirement constitutes an adoption of a subsequent policy.

In the instant case, appellants are obligated to comply with the rules and regulations of the board. (§ 2-1712.) Such rules and regulations include the filing of the quarterly reports of income derived from gainful employment other than from service to the City of Fresno. Thus, the rights created in section 2-1735 are contingent upon the satisfaction of the earnings test requirements as set forth in section 2-1731, subdivision (c).

III. The withholding of benefits was not discriminatory because it failed to allow for promotional changes or the right to seek outside gainful employment.

Appellants contend the trial court erred in failing to determine the unlawfulness of withholding based on the discriminatory nature of not al[*649] lowing for promotional changes (“freezing”) and not allowing for the right to seek outside gainful employment. Appellants complain that the respondent discriminates against the retiree on the basis that employees are allowed two kinds of opportunities to enhance their income, without any reduction whatsoever, i.e., “moonlighting,” or working with pay off-duty, and promotions. It is claimed that this kind of conduct is simply discriminatory and that now the same pursuit of income enhancement deprives the retiree, through no fault of his own, of that enhancement.

Again, appellants offer no authority for this proposition. Appellants did not argue that the disparity was based upon an unconstitutional classification or upon any other constitutionally impermissible reason.

Article IV, section 16 of the California Constitution guarantees to every person that “[a] 11 laws of a general nature shall have a uniform operation” and article I, section 7 provides that “[a] citizen or class of citizens, may not be granted privileges or immunities not granted on the same terms to all citizens” (formerly §§11 and 21 of art. I, respectively); the Fourteenth Amendment of the United States Constitution provides that no state may “deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws. ” This principle of “equal protection” preserved by both state and federal Constitutions, of course, “does not preclude the state from drawing any distinctions between different groups of individuals” (In re King (1970) 3 Cal.3d 226, 232 [90 Cal.Rptr. 15, 474 P.2d 983], cert. den. 403 U.S. 931 [29 L.Ed.2d 709, 91 S.Ct. 2249]) but it does require that, at a minimum, “persons similarly situated with respect to the legitimate purpose of the law receive like treatment.” (Brown v. Merlo (1973) 8 Cal.3d 855, 861 [106 Cal.Rptr. 388, 506 P.2d 212, 66 A.L.R.3d 505].) The constitutional principle of equal protection does not preclude the state from drawing distinctions between different groups of individuals. However, a classification “ ‘must be reasonable, not arbitrary, and must rest upon some ground of difference having a fair and substantial relation to the object of the legislation, so that all persons similarly circumstanced shall be treated alike.’ ” (Reed v. Reed (1971) 404 U.S. 71, 75-76 [30 L.Ed.2d 225, 229, 92 S.Ct. 251].)

It appears abundantly clear that those retirees receiving an industrial disability allowance and active employees are not similarly situated. A disability retirement benefit is received if the disability is industrial, upon medical determination the individual is physically or mentally incapacitated for the performance of duty and ought to be retired. (§ 2-1729, subd. (a).) The retiree with an industrial disability receives a disability annuity which equals one-half of his average compensation currently received by an active employee of the same rank. (§ 2-1730, subd. (a).) This benefit is presum[*650] ably for the purpose of financially compensating the individual for loss of income due to his service-connected disability. The sole question is whether he is incapacitated for performance of duty as a fireman or policeman, as the case may be. This, in and of itself, is reasonable justification for the class to be singled out. Disabled persons are not similarly situated with those actively employed. There is no constitutional obligation to treat the two classes equally.

IV. The withholding of retirement benefits does not constitute an unlawful labor practice.

Appellants next contend that Labor Code section 216 prohibits the withholding of wages by an employer and that such withholding by respondent is in clear contravention to the state law which governs the City of Fresno as an employer.

Labor Code section 216 provides: “In addition to any other penalty imposed by this article, any person, or an agent, manager, superintendent, or officer thereof is guilty of a misdemeanor, who:

“(a) Having the ability to pay, wilfully refuses to pay wages due and payable after demand has been made.
“(b) Falsely denies the amount or validity thereof, or that the same is due, with intent to secure for himself, his employer or other person, any discount upon such indebtedness, or with intent to annoy, harass, oppress, hinder, delay, or defraud, the person to whom such indebtedness is due.”

Respondent counters that this section of state law does not apply, and no violation exists, where the person charged with failure to pay wages has valid offsets or counterclaims to such wages, citing People v. Porter (1930) 107 Cal.App.Supp. 782 [288 P. 22], an appellate department decision. Respondent asserts that section 2-1731, subdivision (c) provides a valid offset to certain benefits otherwise payable to pensioners of the system. However, this argument does not appear particularly helpful since a valid offset of a portion of wages would not justify withholding the entire sum.

On the other hand, it has been recognized that a dispute in good faith as to whether any wages were due would be a defense to an action for penalties pursuant to Labor Code section 216. (In re Trombley (1948) 31 Cal.2d 801, 808 [193 P.2d 734].) In the instant case, the facts do not indicate a wilful failure to pay wages due and payable, but merely a withholding of benefits until it can be determined the amount of benefits due and payable as provided by the retirement system. The established procedure for determining[*651] the amount due and payable is the employee’s submission for consideration of the quarterly report form in question.

Therefore, it does not appear that the conduct of respondent amounted to a violation of Labor Code section 216. (Code Civ. Proc., § 909.) [3] Furthermore, were the board to fail to enforce section 2-1731, subdivision (c), said failure would result in the distribution of retirement benefits in an amount in excess of the amounts to which the appellants are statutorily entitled. Excess payments would constitute an impermissible gift of public funds in violation of section 6 of article XVI (formerly § 6 of art. XIII) of the California Constitution. (See Lamb v. Board of Peace Officers, etc. (1938) 29 Cal.App.2d 348, 350 [84 P.2d 183].)

V. The conduct of the City of Fresno was lawful.

Appellants continue to argue that the conduct of the respondent in this matter is “inexcusably wrong.” Appellants’ position remains that their expectations, reinforced by the law, are that there is “no reduction, no audit, no reports, no withholdings, and no forfeiture to be suffered.” Respondent then cites Chula Vista Police Officers’ Assn. v. Cole, supra, 107 Cal.App.3d 242 and Olson v. Cory, supra, 27 Cal.3d 532, which were previously discussed.

Appellants make no specific allegations as to the manner in which respondent’s conduct should be considered unlawful. It appears to be an effort to aggregate the foregoing arguments without offering any further points or authorities.

Respondent, in response, summarizes its argument. This nonissue deserves no further comment.

We hold the “earnings test” provided in section 2-1731, subdivision (c) is a valid term and condition for receiving industrial disability benefits in[*652] that it was originally established when the city created its pension system in 1955. The requirement of reporting outside income as a condition precedent to receiving said benefits appears to be a reasonable manner of enforcing the provisions of section 2-1731, subdivision (c). Therefore, the procedures and practices of the retirement board discussed herein are valid and lawful.

Affirmed.

Hanson (P. D.), Acting P. J., and Andreen, J., concurred.

*

Assigned by the Chairperson of the Judicial Council.

1

All code references are to the Fresno Municipal Code unless otherwise indicated.

2

Section 2-1731, subdivision (c) reads as follows: “Should any person retired for disability or service engage in a gainful occupation, prior to attaining age fifty, the Board shall reduce the amount of his monthly pension as defined herein to an amount which, when added to the compensation earned monthly by him in such occupation, shall not exceed the amount of the compensation attached to the rank which he held at the time of his retirement. Should the earning capacity of such beneficiary be further altered, the Board may further alter his said pension to an amount which shall not exceed the full amount to which he would be entitled under this article in the absence of engagement in such occupation, but which, subject to such limitation, shall equal, when added to the compensation earned by him, the amount of the compensation attached to said rank. When said beneficiary reaches age fifty, his retirement allowance shall be made equal to the full amount to which he would be entitled under this article in the absence of engagement in such occupation, and shall not again be modified because of earnings other than under employment by the city. ”

3

Section 909 of the Code of Civil Procedure reads as follows: “In all cases where trial by jury is not a matter of right or a trial by jury has been waived, the reviewing court may make factual determinations contrary to or in addition to those made by the trial court. The factual determinations may be based on the evidence adduced before the trial court either with or without the taking of evidence by the reviewing court. The reviewing court may for the purpose of making the factual determinations or for any other purpose in the interests of justice, take additional evidence of or concerning facts occurring at any time prior to the decision of the appeal, and may give or direct the entry of any judgment or order and may make any further or other order as the case may require. This section shall be liberally construed to the end among others that, where feasible, causes may be finally disposed of by a single appeal and without further proceedings in the trial court except where in the interests of justice a new trial is required on some or all of the issues.”