OPERATING AGREEMENT (amended) OF WORLD TREE USA, LLC
EXHIBIT 1A3
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(amended)
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OF
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THE UNITS REPRESENTED BY THIS DOCUMENT HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER ANY SECURITIES LAWS AND THE TRANSFERABILITY OF SUCH UNITS IS RESTRICTED. SUCH UNITS MAY NOT BE SOLD, ASSIGNED, GIFTED, TRANSFERRED OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED, NOR WILL THE VENDEE, ASSIGNEE, BENEFICIARY, OR TRANSFEREE BE RECOGNIZED AS HAVING ACQUIRED SUCH UNITS FOR ANY PURPOSES, UNLESS (A) A REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, WITH RESPECT TO SUCH UNITS SHALL THEN BE IN EFFECT AND SUCH HAS BEEN QUALIFIED UNDER ALL APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS, OR (B) THE AVAILABILITY OF AN EXEMPTION FROM SUCH REGISTRATION AND QUALIFICATION SHALL BE ESTABLISHED TO THE SATISFACTION OF COUNSEL FOR THE COMPANY.
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THE UNITS REPRESENTED BY THIS DOCUMENT ARE FURTHER SUBJECT TO FURTHER RESTRICTION AS TO THEIR SALE, TRANSFER, HYPOTHECATION, OR ASSIGNMENT AS SET FORTH IN THE OPERATING AGREEMENT OF THE COMPANY AND AGREED TO BY EACH MEMBER OF THE COMPANY.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
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ARTICLE I | Β | DEFINITIONS | Β | 5 | Β |
1.1 | Β | Definitions | Β | 5 | Β |
ARTICLE II | Β | FORMATION OF THE LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY | Β | 11 | Β |
2.1 | Β | General | Β | 11 | Β |
2.2 | Β | Name | Β | 11 | Β |
2.3 | Β | Purposes and Powers | Β | 11 | Β |
2.4 | Β | Known Place of Business | Β | 11 | Β |
2.5 | Β | Statutory Agent | Β | 11 | Β |
2.6 | Β | Term | Β | 11 | Β |
2.7 | Β | Company Classification | Β | 11 | Β |
ARTICLE III | Β | CAPITAL CONTRIBUTIONS | Β | 11 | Β |
3.1 | Β | Capital Contributions | Β | 11 | Β |
3.2 | Β | Units | Β | 12 | Β |
3.3 | Β | Use of Capital Contributions | Β | 12 | Β |
3.4 | Β | No Unauthorized Withdrawals of Capital Contributions | Β | 12 | Β |
3.5 | Β | Return of Capital | Β | 12 | Β |
3.6 | Β | Third Party Rights | Β | 13 | Β |
3.7 | Β | Preemptive Rights | Β | 13 | Β |
ARTICLE IV | Β | MANAGEMENT | Β | 13 | Β |
4.1 | Β | Management by the Manager | Β | 13 | Β |
4.2 | Β | Restrictions on the Power of the Manager | Β | 13 | Β |
4.3 | Β | Prohibited Acts | Β | 14 | Β |
4.4 | Β | Reliance Upon Actions by the Manager | Β | 14 | Β |
4.5 | Β | Manager Tenure, Qualifications and Manner of Acting | Β | 14 | Β |
4.6 | Β | Resignation | Β | 14 | Β |
4.7 | Β | Removal | Β | 14 | Β |
4.8 | Β | Vacancies | Β | 15 | Β |
4.9 | Β | Independent Activities | Β | 15 | Β |
4.10 | Β | Expenses | Β | 15 | Β |
4.11 | Β | Officers | Β | 15 | Β |
4.12 | Β | Fiduciary Duties; Conflict of Interest. | Β | 15 | Β |
ARTICLE V | Β | PAYMENTS AND DISTRIBUTIONS | Β | 16 | Β |
5.1 | Β | Distributions of Net Available Cash Flow | Β | 16 | Β |
5.2 | Β | Tax Distribution | Β | 16 | Β |
5.3 | Β | Distributions in Liquidation | Β | 16 | Β |
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
(continued)
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5.4 | Β | Amounts Withheld | Β | 17 | Β |
5.5 | Β | State Law Limitation on Distributions | Β | 17 | Β |
5.6 | Β | Liability For Repayment of Distributions | Β | 17 | Β |
5.7 | Β | Compensation | Β | 17 | Β |
5.8 | Β | Inclusion of Unit Holder | Β | 17 | Β |
ARTICLE VI | Β | ALLOCATION OF PROFITS AND LOSSES | Β | 17 | Β |
6.1 | Β | Allocations of Profits and Losses | Β | 17 | Β |
6.2 | Β | Tax Allocations | Β | 18 | Β |
6.3 | Β | Knowledge of Tax Consequences | Β | 19 | Β |
6.4 | Β | Transferor - Transferee Allocations | Β | 19 | Β |
6.5 | Β | Inclusion of Unit Holders | Β | 19 | Β |
ARTICLE VII | Β | LIABILITIES, RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF MEMBERS | Β | 19 | Β |
7.1 | Β | Limitation of Liability | Β | 19 | Β |
7.2 | Β | Access to Company Records | Β | 19 | Β |
7.3 | Β | Authority to Bind the Company, Management Authority | Β | 19 | Β |
7.4 | Β | Waiver of Action for Partition | Β | 19 | Β |
7.5 | Β | Cooperation With Tax Matters Partner | Β | 20 | Β |
7.6 | Β | Acknowledgment of Liability for State and Local Taxes | Β | 20 | Β |
7.7 | Β | Limitation On Bankruptcy Proceedings | Β | 20 | Β |
7.8 | Β | Voting Rights | Β | 20 | Β |
7.9 | Β | Voting Procedure | Β | 20 | Β |
7.10 | Β | Approval of Actions | Β | 20 | Β |
7.11 | Β | Confidentiality | Β | 20 | Β |
ARTICLE VIII | Β | LIABILITY, EXCULPATION AND INDEMNIFICATION | Β | 21 | Β |
8.1 | Β | Liability | Β | 21 | Β |
8.2 | Β | Exculpation | Β | 22 | Β |
8.3 | Β | Indemnification | Β | 22 | Β |
ARTICLE IX | Β | BOOKS AND RECORDS, REPORTS, TAX ACCOUNTING, BANKING | Β | 23 | Β |
9.1 | Β | Books and Records | Β | 23 | Β |
9.2 | Β | Reports to Members | Β | 23 | Β |
9.3 | Β | Tax Matters | Β | 23 | Β |
9.4 | Β | Bank Accounts | Β | 26 | Β |
ARTICLE X | Β | ADMISSIONS AND WITHDRAWALS | Β | 26 | Β |
10.1 | Β | Admission of Member | Β | 26 | Β |
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
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10.2 | Β | Right to Withdraw | Β | 26 | Β |
10.3 | Β | Rights of Withdrawn Member | Β | 26 | Β |
10.4 | Β | Option to Purchase the Interest of a Member upon a Withdrawal Event | Β | 27 | Β |
ARTICLE XI | Β | TRANSFERABILITY | Β | 28 | Β |
11.1 | Β | General | Β | 28 | Β |
11.2 | Β | Permitted Transfer | Β | 28 | Β |
11.3 | Β | Conditions To Permitted Transfer | Β | 28 | Β |
11.4 | Β | Admission As Substitute Member | Β | 28 | Β |
11.5 | Β | Rights As Assignee | Β | 29 | Β |
11.6 | Β | Prohibited Transfers | Β | 29 | Β |
11.7 | Β | Marital Dissolution or Legal Separation | Β | 29 | Β |
11.8 | Β | Right of First Refusal | Β | 30 | Β |
11.9 | Β | Legends | Β | 31 | Β |
11.10 | Β | Distributions in Respect of Transferred Units | Β | 31 | Β |
11.11 | Β | Drag-Along Rights | Β | 32 | Β |
11.12 | Β | Inclusion of Unit Holders | Β | 32 | Β |
ARTICLE XII | Β | DISSOLUTION AND TERMINATION | Β | 33 | Β |
12.1 | Β | Dissolution | Β | 33 | Β |
12.2 | Β | Liquidation, Winding Up and Distribution of Assets | Β | 33 | Β |
12.3 | Β | Deficit Capital Accounts | Β | 34 | Β |
12.4 | Β | Articles of Dissolution | Β | 34 | Β |
12.5 | Β | Return of Contribution Non-Recourse to Other Members | Β | 34 | Β |
12.6 | Β | In Kind Distributions | Β | 34 | Β |
12.7 | Β | Inclusion of Unit Holder | Β | 34 | Β |
ARTICLE XIII | Β | MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS | Β | 34 | Β |
13.1 | Β | Notices | Β | 34 | Β |
13.2 | Β | Governing Law | Β | 35 | Β |
13.3 | Β | Entire Agreement; Amendments | Β | 35 | Β |
13.4 | Β | Additional Documents and Acts | Β | 35 | Β |
13.5 | Β | Dispute Resolution | Β | 35 | Β |
13.6 | Β | Headings | Β | 37 | Β |
13.7 | Β | Severability | Β | 37 | Β |
13.8 | Β | Heirs, Successors, and Assigns | Β | 37 | Β |
13.9 | Β | Creditors and Other Third Parties | Β | 37 | Β |
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13.10 | Β | Section, Other References | Β | 38 | Β |
13.11 | Β | Authority to Adopt Agreement | Β | 38 | Β |
13.12 | Β | Leveraging | Β | 38 | Β |
13.13 | Β | Preparation of Document | Β | 38 | Β |
13.14 | Β | Counterparts | Β | 38 | Β |
13.15 | Β | Waiver | Β | 38 | Β |
13.16 | Β | Spousal Consent | Β | 38 | Β |
13.17 | Β | Inclusion of Unit Holders | Β | 38 | Β |
APPENDIX 1 | Β | SPECIAL TAX AND ACCOUNTING PROVISIONS | Β | A-1 | Β |
A1. | Β | Accounting Definitions | Β | A-1 | Β |
A2. | Β | Special AllocationsΒ | Β | A-4 | Β |
A3. | Β | Curative Allocations | Β | A-6 | Β |
A4. | Β | General Allocation Rules | Β | A-6 | Β |
A5. | Β | Recharacterization of Fees or Distributions | Β | A-6 | Β |
A6. | Β | Recapture of Deductions and Credits | Β | A-6 | Β |
EXHIBIT A SCHEDULE OF MEMBERS AND CAPITAL CONTRIBUTIONS | Β | E-1 | Β | ||
EXHIBIT B SPOUSAL CONSENT | Β | E-2 | Β |
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OFΒ
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This amended OPERATING AGREEMENT (this βAgreementβ) is entered into and is effective as of April 24, 2019 (the βEffective Dateβ), by and between WORLD TREE TECHNOLOGIES, INC., a Nevada corporation (βWorld Tree Techβ and collectively with such other members as may be admitted from time to time, the βMembersβ), and WORLD TREE TECH, in its capacity as manager (collectively with such other managers as may be appointed from time to time, the βManagersβ).
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For the consideration of their mutual covenants hereinafter set forth, the Members and the Manager hereby agree as follows:
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ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS
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1.1 Definitions. Appendix 1 hereof sets forth the definitions of certain terms relating to the maintenance of capital accounts and accounting rules. In addition, the following terms used in this Agreement shall have the following meanings:
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βActβ means the Chapter 86 of Nevada Revised Statutes as amended from time to time (or any corresponding provisions of succeeding law), and all references to specific sections thereof shall include any amended or successor provisions thereto.
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βAffiliateβ means (a) any Person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by, or under common control with another Person, and (b) with respect to any natural person, the spouse, parents, siblings and descendants (natural and adopted) of such natural person. βControl,β βcontrolledβ and βcontrollingβ means the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a Person and shall be deemed to exist if any Person directly or indirectly owns, controls, or holds the power to vote fifty percent (50%) or more of the voting securities of such other Person.
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βAgreed Valueβ means an amount calculated by first determining the amount that would be received by the Member or Unit Holder whose Units are subject to the determination of value hereof assuming (a) all Company assets, including its intangible assets, were sold for cash equal to their gross fair market value, (b) all Company liabilities were satisfied to the extent required by their terms, and (c) the net assets of the Company were distributed to all Members and Unit Holders pursuant to Section 12.2; provided, that such amount shall not take into account, or be reduced by, discounts for (i) lack of marketability, and (ii) lack of control. For purposes of this definition only, the gross fair market value of any Company asset shall be the value mutually determined by (i) the transferor and transferee or (ii) if they cannot so agree, by an independent appraiser mutually selected by the transferor and transferee, or (iii) if the transferor and transferee cannot agree on an appraiser, then each party shall select an appraiser, those two appraisers shall select a third appraiser, and such third appraiser shall determine the gross fair market value. The independent appraiser determining the gross fair market value of any Company asset shall have at least ten (10) years of experience in valuing businesses comparable to the business then conducted by the Company. For purposes of clarification, because the Agreed Value of a Memberβs or Unit Holderβs Units takes into consideration the Contribution Account and Capital Account applicable to such Units, the Agreed Value per Unit for one Member or Unit Holder may not necessarily be the same as the Agreed Value for another Member or Unit Holder.
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βAgreementβ has the definition as set forth above and replaces in its entirety any former operating agreements of the Company.
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βAssumed Tax Rateβ is defined in Section 5.2(b)
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βAuthorized Individualsβ is defined in Section 13.5(b).
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βBusiness Dayβ means any day other than a Saturday or Sunday or any other day on which banks in Nevada are permitted or required by applicable law to be closed.
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βManagerβ means the Companyβs Manager, which board is initially comprised of one (1) Manager β World Tree Tech. Each Manager will serve on the Manager.
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βCapital Accountβ is defined in Section A1 of Appendix 1.
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βCapital Contributionβ means any contribution to the capital of the Company whenever made.
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βClaimsβ is defined in Section 8.3(a).
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βCodeβ means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time. All references herein to sections of the Code shall include any corresponding provision or provisions of succeeding law.
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βCompanyβ is defined in the Recitals.
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βCompany Income Accountβ is defined in Section 5.2(b).
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βConfidential Informationβ is defined in Section 7.11.
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βContribution Accountβ of any Member or Unit Holder means, at any given time, an amount equal to the excess, if any, of (a) the aggregate contributions of cash and the net fair market value of property of such Member or Unit Holder as of such date to the capital of the Company over (b) the aggregate distributions previously distributed to such Member or Unit Holder, at such point in time, pursuant to Section 12.2(d) hereof as of such date. The initial Contribution Account balances of the Members and Unit Holders is set forth on Exhibit A to this Agreement. For these purposes, the net fair market value of property contributed by a Member or Unit Holder shall be reasonably agreed to by the contributing Person and the Manager at the time of contribution.
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βCovered Personβ means (a) a Member, a Unit Holder, a Manager, an Officer, and an Affiliate of a Member, a Unit Holder, a Manager, or an Officer and (b) directly or indirectly, the respective officers, directors, equity holders, partners, members, managers, trustees, beneficiaries, employees, representatives, or agents of a Member, a Unit Holder, a Manager, an Officer, or an Affiliate of a Member, a Unit Holder, a Manager, or an Officer.
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βDamagesβ is defined in Section 8.3(a).
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βDefault Interest Rateβ means (a) the rate per annum equal to the prime rate of interest as quoted in the Money Rates section of The Wall Street Journal, plus (b) 2%; provided, that such rate shall not exceed the maximum rate permitted by applicable law.
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βDefaulting Memberβ is defined in Section 9.3(d).
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βDepreciationβ is defined in Section A1 of Appendix 1.
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βDisabling Conductβ means a violation of this Agreement after notice and an opportunity to cure.
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βDisposing Memberβ is defined in Section 11.8(b).
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βDisposition Noticeβ is defined in Section 11.8(b).
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βDisputeβ is defined in Section 13.5(a).
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βDisputing Partyβ is defined in Section 13.5(b).
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βDissolution Noticeβ is defined in Section 11.7(b).
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βEffective Dateβ is defined in the introductory paragraph.
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βExit Transactionβ is defined in Section 11.11(a).
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βFiscal Yearβ means the Companyβs taxable year, which shall be a calendar year except as otherwise required by law.
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βInitial Memberβ means World Tree Tech.
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βInitiating Partyβ is defined in Section 13.5(b).
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βLienβ means any mortgage, lien (statutory or otherwise), security interest, charge, adverse right, interest or claim, pledge, license, option, conditional sales contract, assessment, levy, hypothecation, restriction, title defect, right of refusal, or encumbrance.
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βLossesβ is defined in Section A1 of Appendix 1.
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βMajority-In-Interest of the Membersβ means the written consent of those Members collectively holding at least fifty-one percent (51%) of the aggregate number of outstanding Voting Units held by all Members. (For purposes of clarification, (a) Voting Units held by Withdrawn Members or Unit Holders and (b) Non-Voting Units will not be included in the calculation of the aggregate number of outstanding Voting Units held by the Members.)
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βManagerβ means the initial Manager set forth on the signature page hereto or any other Person who becomes a Manager in accordance with this Agreement.
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βMemberβ means (a) the Initial Members until such time, if any, that any such Person becomes a Withdrawn Member, (b) any Person acquiring Units directly from the Company in accordance with this Agreement until such time, if any, that any such Person becomes a Withdrawn Member, and (c) any Person who acquires Units in the Company in a Permitted Transfer and who is deemed, or is admitted as, a Substitute Member until such time, if any, that such Person becomes a Withdrawn Member.
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βMember Assessmentβ is defined in Section 9.3(d).
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βNet Available Cash Flowβ means, with respect to any period, the Companyβs gross cash receipts derived from any source whatsoever, reduced by the portion thereof used to pay or establish reasonable reserves for all Company expenses, debt payments and accrued interest (including principal and interest payments on loans made to the Company by non-Members and by the Members), contingencies, and proposed acquisitions, as reasonably determined by a Majority-In-Interest of the Members. βNet Available Cash Flowβ shall not be reduced by depreciation, amortization, cost recovery deductions, or similar allowances.
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βNon-Disposing Memberβ is defined in Section 11.8(b).
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βNon-Voting Unitβ means a Unit of the Company which does not entitle the Member holding such Unit to have (with respect to such Unit) any right to vote on any matter reserved for the Membersβ approval or consent in this Agreement or under the Act. A Member holding only Non-Voting Units shall not have any right to vote on any matter reserved for the Membersβ approval or consent in this Agreement or under the Act.
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βNotice Periodβ is defined in Section 11.8(b).
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βOfficerβ is defined in Section 4.8.
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βParticipant Memberβ is defined in Section 11.11(b).
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βPercentage Interestβ means, at any particular time, the percentage interest of each Member or Unit Holder of the Company, and is determined with respect to a particular Member or Unit Holder at any particular time by dividing the number of Units owned by such Member or Unit Holder by the aggregate number of outstanding Units.
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βPermitted Transferβ means a transfer as defined in Section 11.2.
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βPersonβ means any individual, firm, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, trust, estate, association or other legal entity.
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βProcedureβ is defined in Section 13.5(a).
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βProceedingβ is defined in Section 8.3(a).
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βProfitsβ means the profits of the Company as defined in Section A1 of Appendix 1.
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βPurchase Optionβ is defined in Section 10.4(b).
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βPurchase Option Noticeβ is defined in Section 10.4(c).
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βRegulationsβ means the regulations issued by the Treasury Department under the Code.
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βResponding Partyβ is defined in Section 13.5(b).
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βSeries A Memberβ means a Member holding Series A Units.
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βSeries A Percentage Interestβ means, at any particular time, the percentage interest of each holder of a Series A Unit determined by dividing (a) the number of Series A Units owned by such Series A Member, by (b) the aggregate number of outstanding Series A Units.
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βSeries A Unitβ means a Company Non-Voting Unit designated as such, which Series A Unit shall have the rights described herein and otherwise governed by the terms and conditions of this Agreement
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βSeries B Memberβ means a Member holding Series B Units.
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βSeries B Percentage Interestβ means, at any particular time, the percentage interest of each holder of a Series B Unit determined by dividing (a) the number of Series B Units owned by such Series B Member, by (b) the aggregate number of outstanding Series B Units.
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βSeries B Unitβ means a Company Voting Unit designated as such, which Series B Unit shall have the rights described herein and otherwise governed by the terms and conditions of this Agreement.
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βSpecial Purchase Noticeβ is defined in Section 11.7(c).
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βSpecial Purchase Rightβ is defined in Section 11.7(a).
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βSubstitute Memberβ means a Person (a) who acquires Units from a Member and who satisfies all of the conditions of Section 11.4 or (b) who acquires Units from a Member pursuant to Section 11.11.
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βTaxing Jurisdictionβ means any state, local, or foreign government that collects tax, interest, and penalties, however designated, on any Memberβs share of income or gain attributable to the Company.
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βTax Distributionβ is defined in Section 5.2(a).
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βTax Loanβ is defined in Section 9.3(d).
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βTax Matters Partnerβ means the Person so designated in Section 9.3(d).
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βTransferβ means (a) when used as a noun, any voluntary or involuntary sale, assignment, gift, transfer, or other disposition, and (b) when used as a verb, voluntarily or involuntarily to sell, assign, gift, dispose, or otherwise transfer.
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βUnitβ means the economic interest in the Company acquired by a Member or Unit Holder representing the economic rights of a Member or Unit Holder and the Memberβs or Unit Holderβs permitted assignees and successors to share in distributions of cash and other property from the Company pursuant to the Act and this Agreement, together with the Memberβs or Unit Holderβs distributive share of the Companyβs Profits and Losses. A Unit can be a Series A Unit or a Series B Unit.
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Any reference to βUnitβ in this Agreement without further designation as to whether such Unit is a Series A Unit or a Series B Unit, shall mean Series A Units and Series B Units.
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βUnit Holderβ means a Person who owns Units of the Company, but who is not a Member (including, except as otherwise provided herein, a Member who becomes a Withdrawn Member).
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βVoting Unitβ means a Unit of the Company which entitles the Member holding such Unit to have (with respect to such Unit) a right to vote on all matters reserved for the Membersβ approval or consent in this Agreement or under the Act. A Member holding both Voting Units and Non-Voting Units shall not have, with respect to the Non-Voting Units, any right to vote on any matter reserved for the Membersβ approval or consent in this Agreement or under the Act. If a Unit Holder owns Voting Units, such Unit Holder shall not have any right to vote on any matter reserved for the Membersβ approval or consent in this Agreement or under the Act.
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βWithdrawal Eventβ means the occurrence of any of the following events with respect to any Member or Unit Holder:
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(a) The Member or Unit Holder voluntarily withdraws from the Company without the consent of a Majority-In-Interest of the Members, except as expressly permitted herein;
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(b) The Member or Unit Holder does any of the following: (i) makes an assignment for the benefit of creditors; (ii) files a voluntary petition in bankruptcy; (iii) is adjudicated as bankrupt or insolvent; or (iv) files a petition or answer seeking for the Member or Unit Holder any reorganization, arrangement, composition, readjustment, liquidation or similar relief under any statute, law or rule; (v) files an answer or other pleading admitting or failing to contest the material allegations of a petition filed against the Member or Unit Holder in a bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or similar proceeding; or (vi) seeks, consents to or acquiesces in the appointment of a trustee, receiver or liquidator of the Member or Unit Holder, or of all or any substantial part of the Memberβs or Unit Holderβs property;
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(c) If (i) within twenty (20) days after the commencement of any proceeding against a Member or Unit Holder seeking reorganization, arrangement, composition, readjustment, liquidation, dissolution or similar relief under any statute, law or regulation, the proceeding has not been dismissed, or (ii) within ninety (90) days after the appointment without the Memberβs or Unit Holderβs consent or acquiescence of a trustee, receiver or liquidator of the Member or Unit Holder or of all or any substantial part of the Memberβs or Unit Holderβs properties, the appointment is not vacated or stayed, or within ninety (90) days after the expiration of any such stay, the appointment is not vacated;
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(d) If a Member or Unit Holder is a natural person: (i) the individualβs death; or (ii) the entry of an order or judgment by a court of competent jurisdiction adjudicating the Person incompetent to manage the individualβs person or his estate;
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(e) If a Member or Unit Holder is acting as a Member or Unit Holder by virtue of being a trustee of a trust, the termination of the trust but not merely the substitution of a new trustee;
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(f) If a Member or Unit Holder is a general or limited partnership, the dissolution and commencement of winding up of the partnership;
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(g) If a Member or Unit Holder is a corporation, the filing of a certificate of dissolution or its equivalent for the corporation or revocation of its charter;
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(h) If a Member or Unit Holder is an estate, the distribution by the fiduciary of the estateβs entire interest in the Company;
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(i) If a Member or Unit Holder is another foreign or domestic limited liability company, the filing of articles of dissolution or termination or their equivalent for the foreign or domestic limited liability company; or
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(j) The Member or Unit Holder engages in Disabling Conduct.
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βWithdrawn Memberβ means a Member (or Unit Holder) following the occurrence of a Withdrawal Event with respect to such Person.
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βWithdrawal Noticeβ is defined in Section 10.4(a).
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ARTICLE II
FORMATION OF THE LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY
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2.1 General. The Company has been formed pursuant to the Act and the terms of this Agreement, effective upon the filing of the Articles of Organization for the Company with the Nevada Secretary of State. The Members shall execute and acknowledge any and all certificates and instruments and do all filing, recording, and other acts as may be necessary or appropriate to comply with the requirements of the Act relating to the formation, operation, and maintenance of the Company in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.
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2.2 Name. The name of the Company shall be βWorld Tree USA, LLCβ and the business of the Company shall be carried on in this name with such variations and changes as the Manager deems necessary or appropriate to comply with requirements of the jurisdictions in which the Companyβs operations shall be conducted.
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2.3 Purposes and Powers. The business purpose of the Company shall be to transact any lawful business as may be authorized under the Act. Without limiting the foregoing, the Company shall initially be engaged in the business of (a) reducing the carbon footprint through a carbon offset program involving investment in Empress Splendor trees, and (b) any and all activities related or incidental to the foregoing.
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2.4 Known Place of Business. The known place of business shall be located at such location as identified by the Manager from time to time. The Manager shall be authorized to change the location of the known place of business of the Company; provided, however, that such change is authorized under the Act and the Manager provides written notice of such change to all of the Members.
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2.5 Statutory Agent. The statutory agent for service of process on the Company in the State of Nevada is Xxxxxx Xxx Legoy, 0000 Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxxx, Xxxx, Xxxxxx 00000.
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2.6 Term. The term of the Company commenced on the filing of the Articles of Organization for the Company and shall not expire except in accordance with the provisions of Article XII hereof or in accordance with the Act.
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2.7 Company Classification. The Members intend that the Company always be operated in a manner consistent with its treatment as a βpartnershipβ for federal and state income tax purposes. The Members also intend that the Company not be operated or treated as a βpartnershipβ for purposes of Section 303 of Title 11 of the United States Code (relating to bankruptcy). Neither the Managers nor the Members may take any action inconsistent with the express intent of the parties hereto. The Company is not a βpartnershipβ for purposes of any state law partnership act or limited partnership act and the Members are not partners for purposes of such acts.
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ARTICLE III
CAPITAL CONTRIBUTIONS
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3.1 Capital Contributions. The Initial Members of the Company have the Contribution Accounts and Capital Accounts set forth on Exhibit A. If the Manager determines that (i) the Company requires contributions to capital in order to pay when due the obligations and expenses of the Company or otherwise to accomplish the Companyβs purposes, and (ii) such capital needs cannot be satisfied pursuant to the day-to-day business operations of the Company, then the Manager may (but is not required to) seek to satisfy such capital needs as follows:
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(a) First, pursuant to loans from the Members; provided, that (i) no Member shall be required to make a loan to the Company without its consent, which consent may be withheld in such Memberβs sole and absolute discretion, (ii) the consent of a Majority-In-Interest of the Members shall be required before any Member may make a loan to the Company, (iii) such loans will be secured by a lien on all of the Companyβs assets; or
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(b) Second, pursuant to loans from third party lenders; provided, that (i) the consent of a Majority-In-Interest of the Members shall be required before any a third party lender may make a loan to the Company, (ii) no Member, Manager or Affiliate of any Member or Manager shall be required to provide a guarantee or other form of credit support, and (iii) a Member may, in its sole discretion, elect to provide a guarantee or other form of credit support; or
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(c) Third, pursuant to additional Capital Contributions from the Members (or Unit Holders, if permitted by the consent of a Majority-In-Interest of the Members); provided, that (i) no Member shall be required to make additional Capital Contributions without its consent, which consent may be withheld in such Memberβs sole and absolute discretion, and (ii) any such additional Capital Contributions from the Members shall be made pursuant to the sale and issuance of additional Units as set forth in Sections 3.2 and 3.7 below; or
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(d) Fourth, pursuant to the sale and issuance of additional Units to third parties as set forth in Sections 3.2 and 3.7 below; provided, that the consent of a Majority-In-Interest of the Members shall be required before the Company issues and sells any additional Units to any third party.
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3.2 Units. The total number of outstanding Units of the Company initially shall be Ten Thousand (10,000) Voting Series B Units.
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(a) General. The fair market value of Units issued after the Effective Date shall be determined by dividing (i) the Companyβs fair market value immediately prior to such additional Capital Contribution, by (ii) the number of Units outstanding immediately prior to such additional Capital Contribution. The fair market value of the Company shall be reasonably determined in good faith by the Manager. In addition, immediately before issuing Units, the Gross Asset Value of the Companyβs assets will be adjusted in a manner provided under subsection (b) of the definition of Gross Asset Value in Appendix 1 hereof, and each Memberβs and Unit Holderβs Capital Account will reflect such adjusted Gross Asset Value as required under Regulations Β§1.704-1(b)(iv). Except as determined by the Manager, Unit Holders shall not be permitted to participate in, and may therefore be diluted by, an additional capital call pursuant to Section 3.1.
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(b) Books and Records. The name and address of each Initial Member and the initial number of Units held by each is set forth on Exhibit A hereto. Such list shall be amended from time to time to reflect any additional Units issued by the Company, any Units transferred in accordance with this Agreement, and any Person admitted as a Member. Members or Unit Holders who change their addresses following the issuance of Units shall advise the Company of any such change of address. Any reference to Exhibit A in this Agreement means Exhibit A as amended to reflect any changes in the information specified herein. The Manager shall be authorized to issue certificates reflecting the number of Units held by each Member of the Company.
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3.3 Use of Capital Contributions. All Capital Contributions shall be expended only in furtherance of the business purposes of the Company as set forth in Section 2.3 hereof.
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3.4 No Unauthorized Withdrawals of Capital Contributions. No Member or Unit Holder shall have the right to withdraw or to be repaid any of such Member or Unit Holderβs Capital Contributions, except as specifically provided in this Agreement.
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3.5 Return of Capital. Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, no Member or Unit Holder shall be entitled to the return of the Memberβs or the Unit Holderβs Capital Contributions to the Company. The Manager shall have no personal liability for the repayment of the Capital Contributions made by any Member or Unit Holder, it being agreed that any return of Capital Contributions or Profits shall be made solely from the assets of the Company.
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3.6 Third Party Rights. Nothing contained in this Agreement is intended or will be deemed to benefit any creditor of the Company, nor will any creditor of the Company be entitled to require the Manager to solicit or demand Capital Contributions from any Member.
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3.7 Preemptive Rights.
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(a) The Company hereby grants to each Series A Member a preemptive right to purchase its pro rata share of any Series A Units which the Company may (upon the consent of a Majority-In-Interest of the Members), from time to time, propose to sell and issue to any third party, subject to the terms and conditions set forth below. The pro rata share of a Series A Member shall be based on the Series A Percentage Interest of such Series A Member.
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(b) In the event the Company intends to issue Series A Units, it shall give each Series A Member written notice of such intention, describing the price thereof and the general terms and conditions upon which the Company proposes to effect such issuance. Each Series A Member shall have fifteen (15) days from the date of any such notice to agree to purchase all or part of its pro rata share of such Series A Units for the price and upon the general terms and conditions specified in the Companyβs notice by giving written notice to the Company stating the quantity of Series A Units to be so purchased. If the Series A Members, as a group, have elected to purchase some but not all of the Series A Units within said fifteen (15) day period, those Series A Members who have elected to purchase a portion of the Series A Units shall have an additional fifteen (15) day period to elect to purchase the balance of the Series A Units, which right to purchase shall be allocated among them in proportion to their Series A Percentage Interests.
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(c) In the event any Series A Member fails to exercise the foregoing preemptive right with respect to any Series A Units within such fifteen (15) day or thirty (30) day period (as applicable), the Company may within one hundred twenty (120) days after the end of such period sell any or all of such Series A Units not agreed to be purchased by the Series A Members, at a price and upon general terms no more favorable to the purchasers thereof than specified in the notice given to each Series A Member pursuant to Section 3.7(b) above. In the event the Company has not sold such Series A Units within such one hundred twenty (120) day period, the Series A Company shall not thereafter issue or sell any Series A Units without first offering such Series A Units to the Series A Members in the manner provided above.
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ARTICLE IV
MANAGEMENT
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4.1 Management by the Manager. Except as otherwise specifically set forth in this Agreement or required under the Act, the Manager shall have full and complete authority, power, and discretion to manage and control the business, affairs, and properties of the Company and to make all decisions regarding such matters and to perform any and all other acts or activities customary or incidental to the management of the Company; provided, that the Manager may, in its sole and absolute discretion, delegate to one or more Officers, in writing, certain authority, power, and discretion (which authority, power and discretion may, at any time, be revoked by the Manager, in its sole and absolute discretion).
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4.2 Restrictions on the Power of the Manager.
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(a) Before the Manager undertakes any act on behalf of the Company for which this Agreement requires a Majority-In-Interest of the Members, the Manager must obtain such consent before undertaking such act.
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(b) The Manager shall not undertake any act on behalf of the Company if the authority to take such act is expressly reserved to the Members pursuant any provision of this Agreement or the Act.
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(c) For purposes of clarification, the Manager shall have the authority to do any act on behalf of the Company other than those acts which (i) require a Majority-In-Interest of the Members pursuant to any provision of this Agreement, or (ii) are expressly reserved to the Members pursuant any provision of this Agreement or the Act.
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4.3 Prohibited Acts. The Manager shall not have authority to knowingly perform any act that contravenes the provisions of this Agreement or the Act.
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4.4 Reliance Upon Actions by the Manager. Any Person dealing with the Company may rely without any duty of inquiry upon any action taken by the Manager on behalf of the Company. Any and all deeds, bills of sale, assignments, mortgages, deeds of trust, security agreements, promissory notes, leases, and other contracts, agreements or instruments executed by the Manager on behalf of the Company shall be binding upon the Company, and all Members agree that a copy of this provision may be shown to the appropriate parties in order to confirm the same. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, any Person dealing with the Company may rely upon a certificate or written statement signed by the Manager as to:
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(a) The identity of the Manager or any Member;
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(b) The existence or nonexistence of any fact or facts that constitute a condition precedent to acts by the Manager or that are in any other manner germane to the affairs of the Company;
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(c) The Persons who are authorized to execute and deliver any instrument or documents on behalf of the Company; or
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(d) Any act or failure to act by the Company on any other matter whatsoever involving the Company or any Member.
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4.5 Manager Tenure, Qualifications and Manner of Acting.
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(a) The Manager shall act in such capacity until the earlier of its resignation or removal.
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(b) The Manager shall not be required to be a resident of the State of Nevada.
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4.6 Resignation. The Manager may resign at any time by delivering written notice to all Members. The resignation of the Manager shall take effect upon receipt of notice thereof or at such later time as shall be specified in such notice; and, unless otherwise specified therein, the acceptance of such resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective. Such resignation shall not affect the Managerβs rights and liabilities as a Member, if applicable
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4.7 Removal. Notwithstanding any other provision in this Agreement, the Manager may be removed, at any time, solely with the written consent of World Tree Tech (which consent may be given or withheld in World Tree Techβs sole and absolute discretion) and for no other reason. (As used in this Section 4.7, βWorld Tree Techβ shall mean World Tree Tech and any successor(s) in interest to its Units.)
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4.8 Vacancies. If a vacancy occurs for any reason in the office of Manager, World Tree Tech, in its sole and absolute discretion, shall appoint a Person to fill that vacancy. (As used in this Section 4.8, βWorld Tree Techβ shall mean World Tree Tech and any successor(s) in interest to its Units.)
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4.9 Independent Activities. Except as expressly set forth in a separate written agreement with the Company, the Members, the Managers and any Affiliate of a Member or Manager may, notwithstanding this Agreement, engage in whatever activities such Person chooses without having or incurring any obligation to offer any interest in such activities to the Company or to any Member. Except as expressly set forth in a separate written agreement with the Company, neither this Agreement nor any obligation undertaken pursuant hereto shall prevent the Members, the Managers or any Affiliate of a Member or Manager from engaging in such activities, or require a Member, Manager or any Affiliate of a Member or Manager to permit the Company or any Member to participate in any such activities, and as a material part of the consideration for the execution of this Agreement by the Managers and the admission of each Member, each Member hereby waives, relinquishes, and renounces any such right or claim of participation.
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4.10 Expenses. The Manager shall be reimbursed for its expenses incurred on behalf of the Company.
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4.11 Officers. The Manager, in the Managerβs sole and absolute discretion, may appoint any officer of the Company (each an βOfficerβ), which Person may, under supervision of the Manager, perform any acts or services for the Company as the Manager may approve, and for the term as the Manager may designate at any time or from time to time. Any Officer appointed by the Manager (if any) may be removed at any time, with or without cause, by the Manager, subject only to the rights of such Officer set forth in a separate written agreement with the Company (if any).
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4.12 Fiduciary Duties; Conflict of Interest.
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(a) No Member, Manager or Officer shall owe any duties of any kind, at law or in equity, to the Company, any Member, any Manager or any other Person (including, without limitation, any fiduciary duties (including, without limitation, any duties of care or loyalty)), and such duties are, to the maximum extent permissible under applicable law, expressly eliminated. Each Member may make decisions, cast votes, and act in such Memberβs sole discretion and own best interest.
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(b) The Members understand and acknowledge that (i) the Manager presently acts as the manager of World Tree COP Inc., and (ii) the Manager may in the future engage in other investment structures on the same or similar terms as the Company.
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There is no independent committee or other persons representing the Members in situations involving conflicts of interest. Accordingly, the Members are relying on the Manager to resolve any such material conflicts of interests, which resolutions might have been materially different had the interests of Members been represented by independent persons in such circumstances.
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The Members expressly agree that no Manager or Officer will be deemed to have breached any fiduciary or other duty to the Members as a result of, due to, or because of such Managerβs or Officerβs actions in connection with such Managerβs or Officerβs management of and/or participation in World Tree COP Inc. or any other investment structure involving a carbon offset program, and any conflicts of interest that may arise from such activities.
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ARTICLE V
PAYMENTS AND DISTRIBUTIONS
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5.1 Distributions of Net Available Cash Flow. Except as provided in Section 5.2, in connection with a Tax Distribution, and Article XII, in connection with the dissolution of the Company, distributions of Net Available Cash Flow shall be made, at such times as are determined by the Manager, to the Members as follows:
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(a) Fifty Percent (50%) to the Series A Members, to each Series A Member in proportion to such Personβs Series A Percentage Interest; and
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(b) Fifty Percent (50%) to the Series B Members, to each Series B Member in proportion to such Personβs Series B Percentage Interest.
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5.2 Tax Distribution.
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(a) Making a Tax Distribution. To the extent of Net Available Cash Flow and subject to any restrictions on the Company imposed by any third party lenders, the Manager will make quarterly distributions to each of the Members in an amount intended to enable each Member to discharge such Memberβs United States federal, state and local tax liabilities (including estimated income tax liabilities and net investment income tax liabilities) arising from allocations of Profits, Losses, income, gain, loss, expense, deduction and credit of the Company to the Member for which such an allocation is required (a βTax Distributionβ).
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(b) Amount of Tax Distribution. The Tax Distribution shall be calculated as the product of (i) the Company Income Amount (defined below) for such quarterly period, multiplied by (ii) the Assumed Tax Rate (defined below). For these purposes, the βCompany Income Amountβ shall be an amount, if positive, equal to (x) the net taxable income of the Company allocable to the Members for such period, minus (y) any net taxable loss of the Company allocable to the Members for any prior periods to the extent such losses were not previously taken into account for purposes of this Section 5.2(b) to the extent such losses would be available pursuant to the Code to offset income of the Members (or, if applicable, their ultimate beneficial owners) in such applicable period or prior applicable periods. Also for these purposes, the βAssumed Tax Rateβ shall mean an effective rate of forty percent (40%); provided, however, that the Manager may adjust the Assumed Tax Rate in the Managerβs reasonable discretion.
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(c) Limitations on Tax Distributions. The amount to be distributed to a Member as a Tax Distribution in respect of any Fiscal Year shall be computed as if any distributions made pursuant to Section 5.1 during such Fiscal Year were a Tax Distribution in respect of such Fiscal Year.
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(d) Effect of Tax Distributions. Any Tax Distribution made pursuant to this Section 5.2 shall be considered an advance against the next distribution(s) payable to the applicable Member pursuant to Section 5.1 and shall reduce such distribution(s) on a dollar-for-dollar basis. If upon liquidation of the Company, any Member has received more distributions by virtue of this Section 5.2 than such Member otherwise would have been entitled without regard to this Section 5.2 then such Member shall be obligated to contribute to the Company the deficit balance in such Memberβs Capital Account or such excess distributions, whichever is less.
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5.3 Distributions in Liquidation. Following the dissolution of the Company and the commencement of winding up and the liquidation of its assets, distributions to the Members shall be governed by Section 12.2.
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5.4 Amounts Withheld. All amounts withheld pursuant to the Code or any provisions of state or local tax law with respect to any payment or distribution to the Members from the Company shall be treated as amounts distributed to the relevant Members for all purposes of this Agreement.
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5.5 State Law Limitation on Distributions. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary contained in this Agreement, the Manager shall not make a distribution to any Member on account of its Units if such distribution would violate the Act or other applicable law.
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5.6 Liability For Repayment of Distributions. The Members acknowledge and agree that pursuant to Section 86.343 of the Act, a member of a limited liability company who receives a distribution from a limited liability company in violation of Section 86.343 of the Act is liable for a period of three years following such distribution to return the distribution to the limited liability company or in the event of the Companyβs dissolution or insolvency, to the Companyβs creditors, for the amount of the distribution. The Manager does not intend to make any distribution to the Members if any such distribution would be required to be returned by the Members in accordance with the foregoing. However, there may be circumstances in which claims of creditors may have been unanticipated or the extent of such claims may have been difficult to calculate and, accordingly, the Members are aware that there may be circumstances in which distributions from the Company may be required to be repaid to the Company by distributee Members.
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5.7 Compensation. Certain Members may perform services on behalf of the Company pursuant to a consulting agreement entered into between the Company and such Member. In such instances, the Manager, in its sole and absolute discretion, shall determine on behalf of the Company the consideration to be paid to such Member, and whether such consulting agreement should be modified, extended or terminated. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, any consideration paid pursuant to such consulting agreement shall be treated as a guaranteed payment, within the meaning of Code Sec. 707(c), paid to such Member from the Company and not as a distribution. Any such guaranteed payment shall be made irrespective of any distributions of Net Available Cash Flow, and any allocations of Profits and Losses provided for elsewhere in this Agreement to such Member.
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5.8 Inclusion of Unit Holder. Except as otherwise provided herein, and except for voting purposes, the term βMemberβ for purposes of this Article V shall include a Unit Holder.
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ARTICLE VI
ALLOCATION OF PROFITS AND LOSSES
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6.1 Allocations of Profits and Losses.
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(a) Profit Allocations. After making any special allocations required under Appendix 1, Profits for each Fiscal Year (and each item of income and gain entering into the computation thereof) shall be allocated among the Members (and credited to their respective Capital Accounts) in the following order and priority:
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(i) First, to the Members, pro rata in accordance with the amount of Losses being offset, until the cumulative Profits allocated pursuant to this Section 6.1(a)(i) are equal to the cumulative Losses, if any, previously allocated to the Members pursuant to Section 6.1(b)(iv) for all prior periods;
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(ii) Second, to the Members, pro rata in accordance with the amount of Losses being offset, until the cumulative Profits allocated pursuant to this Section 6.1(a)(ii) are equal to the cumulative Losses, if any, previously allocated to the Members pursuant to Section 6.1(b)(iii) for all prior periods;
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(iii) Third, to the Members, pro rata in accordance with the amount of Losses being offset, until the cumulative Profits allocated pursuant to this Section 6.1(a)(iii) are equal to the cumulative Losses, if any, previously allocated to the Members pursuant to Section 6.1(b)(ii) for all prior periods; and
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(iv) Fourth, as follows, (x) Fifty Percent (50%) to the Series A Members, to each Series A Member in proportion to such Personβs Series A Percentage Interest; and (y) Fifty Percent (50%) to the Series B Members, to each Series B Member in proportion to such Personβs Series B Percentage Interest.
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(b) Loss Allocations. After making any special allocations required under Appendix 1, Losses for each Fiscal Year (and each item of loss and deduction entering into the computation thereof) shall be allocated among the Members (and charged to their respective Capital Accounts) in the following order and priority:
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(i) First, to the Members, pro rata in accordance with the amount of Profits being offset, until the cumulative Losses allocated pursuant to this Section 6.1(b)(i) are equal to the cumulative Profits, if any, previously allocated to the Members pursuant to Section 6.1(a)(iv) for all prior periods, in proportion to the Membersβ respective shares of the Profits being offset;
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(ii) Second, if any, to the Members in accordance with their Contribution Account balances as of the end of the period to which the allocation of Losses under this Section 6.1(b)(ii) relates; and
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(iii) Thereafter, if any, as follows, (x) Fifty Percent (50%) to the Series A Members, to each Series A Member in proportion to such Personβs Series A Percentage Interest; and (y) Fifty Percent (50%) to the Series B Members, to each Series B Member in proportion to such Personβs Series B Percentage Interest.
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(iv) Losses allocated in accordance with subparagraphs (i), (ii) and (iii), of this Section 6.1(b) to the Capital Account of any Member shall not exceed the maximum amount of Losses that can be so allocated without creating an Adjusted Capital Account Balance deficit with respect to such Capital Account. This limitation shall be applied individually with respect to each Member in order to permit the allocation pursuant to this Section 6.1(b)(iv) of the maximum amount of Losses permissible under Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d). All Losses in excess of the limitations set forth in this Section 6.1(b)(iv) shall be allocated solely to those Members that bear the economic risk for such additional Losses within the meaning of Code Section 704(b) and the Regulations thereunder. If it is necessary to allocate Losses under the preceding sentence, the Manager shall, in accordance with the Regulations promulgated under Code Section 704(b), determine those Members that bear the economic risk for such additional Losses.
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6.2 Tax Allocations.
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(a) Except as otherwise provided in Section 6.2(b) hereof, for income tax purposes, all items of income, gain, loss, deduction and credit of the Company for any tax period shall be allocated among the Members in accordance with the allocation of Profits and Losses prescribed in this Article VI and Appendix 1 hereto.
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(b) In accordance with Code Section 704(c) and the Regulations thereunder, income, gain, loss and deduction with respect to any property contributed to the capital of the Company shall, solely for tax purposes, be allocated among Members so as to take account of any variation between the adjusted basis of such property to the Company for federal income tax purposes and its initial Gross Asset Value under a method permissible pursuant to, for example, Regulation Sec. 1.704- 3(b), (c) or (d), as selected by the Manager. If the Gross Asset Value of any Company asset is adjusted pursuant to Section A1 of Appendix 1 hereto, subsequent allocations of income, gain, loss and deduction with respect to such asset shall take account of any variation between the adjusted basis of such asset for Federal income tax purposes and its Gross Asset Value in the same manner as under Code Section 704(c) and the Regulations thereunder. Allocations pursuant to this Section 6.3 are solely for purposes of federal, state and local taxes and shall not affect, or in any way be taken into account in computing, any Memberβs Capital Account or share of Profits, Losses or other items or distributions pursuant to any provision of this Agreement.
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(c) The Members are aware of the income tax consequences of the allocations made by this Article VI and Appendix 1 hereto and hereby agree to be bound by the provisions of this Article VI and Appendix 1 hereto in reporting their distributive shares of the Companyβs taxable income and loss for income tax purposes.
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6.3 Knowledge of Tax Consequences. The Members are aware of the income tax consequences of the allocations made by this Article VI and Appendix A hereto and hereby agree to be bound by the provisions of this Article VI and Appendix A hereto in reporting their distributive shares of the Companyβs taxable income and loss for income tax purposes.
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6.4 Transferor - Transferee Allocations. Income, gain, loss, deduction or credit attributable to any Units that have been transferred shall be allocated between the transferor and the transferee under any method allowed under Code Section 706 and the Regulations thereunder as agreed by the transferor and the transferee.
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6.5 Inclusion of Unit Holders. Except as otherwise provided herein, and except for voting purposes, the term βMemberβ for purposes of this Article VI shall include a Unit Holder.
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ARTICLE VII
LIABILITIES, RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF MEMBERS
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7.1 Limitation of Liability. Each Memberβs and Unit Holderβs liability for the debts and obligations of the Company shall be limited as set forth in the Act and other applicable law. The provisions of this Section 7.1 shall not be deemed to limit in any way the liabilities of any Member to the Company and to the other Members arising from a breach of this Agreement.
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7.2 Access to Company Records. Upon the written request of any Member, the Manager shall permit such Member, at a reasonable time to both the Manager and the Member, to inspect and copy, at the Memberβs expense, any of the Companyβs records (including, without limitation, the records required to be maintained pursuant to Section 9.1) and in accordance with and as further provided in Section 86.241 of the Act.
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7.3 Authority to Bind the Company, Management Authority. Unless authorized to do so by this Agreement or by the Manager, no Member, Unit Holder or group of Members or Unit Holders shall have any power or authority to bind the Company in any way, to pledge the Companyβs credit, to render the Company liable for any purpose, or to otherwise engage in the management of the Company.
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7.4 Waiver of Action for Partition. Each Member and Unit Holder irrevocably waives during the term of the Company any right that such Person may otherwise have to maintain any action for partition with respect to Company property or other assets of the Company.
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7.5 Cooperation With Tax Matters Partner. Each Member and Unit Holder agrees to cooperate with the Tax Matters Partner and to do or refrain from doing any or all things reasonably required by the Tax Matters Partner in connection with the conduct of any proceedings involving the Tax Matters Partner.
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7.6 Acknowledgment of Liability for State and Local Taxes. To the extent that the laws of any Taxing Jurisdiction require, each Member and Unit Holder requested to do so by the Manager shall submit an agreement indicating that such Person shall make timely income tax payments to the Taxing Jurisdiction and that such Person accepts personal jurisdiction of the Taxing Jurisdiction with regard to the collection of income taxes, interest, and penalties attributable to such Personβs income. If a Member or Unit Holder fails to provide such agreement, the Company may withhold or pay over to such Taxing Jurisdiction the amount of tax, penalty, and interest determined under the laws of the Taxing Jurisdiction with respect to such income. Any such payments shall be treated as distributions to the applicable Member or Unit Holder for purposes of Article V.
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7.7 Limitation On Bankruptcy Proceedings. No Member, without the consent of a Majority- In-Interest of the Members, shall file or cause to be filed any action in bankruptcy involving the Company.
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7.8 Voting Rights. Each Member entitled to vote shall have a vote equal to the number of Voting Units that the Member holds in the Company. A Member holding Non-Voting Units shall not have any voting rights with respect to such Non-Voting Units. Unit Holders who are not also Members shall have no right to vote.
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7.9 Voting Procedure. In any circumstances requiring approval or consent by the Members, such approval or consent shall, except as otherwise provided to the contrary in this Agreement, be given or withheld in the sole and absolute discretion of the Members, and conveyed in writing to the Manager not later than ten (10) days after such approval or consent was requested by the Manager in a written notice directed to the Members; provided, however, that the Manager may require a response within a shorter period, but not less than five (5) days after request by the Manager. Failure to respond within the requisite time period shall constitute a vote consistent with the Managerβs recommendation with respect to the proposal if any. If the Manager receives the necessary approval or consent of the Members to such action, the Manager shall be authorized to implement such action without further authorization by the Members. Except as otherwise provided, each Member entitled to vote shall have a vote equal to the number of Voting Units that the Member holds in the Company.
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7.10 Approval of Actions. The Manager shall convene a meeting of the Members upon the request of any Member. Such meeting shall be held not later than ten (10) days following request therefor. Any meeting of Members shall be held at the known place of business of the Company or at such other place as all of the Members shall unanimously agree. Any Member may participate in any meeting of Members by means of a conference telephone or similar communication equipment. The Members may approve actions either at meetings of the Members or pursuant to a written consent in lieu of a meeting (which consent shall be signed by Members whose Percentage Interests equal or exceed the minimum Percentage Interests required for approval of such action); provided, that a copy of such written consent in lieu of meeting shall be promptly delivered to any Members who did not sign such consent.
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7.11 Confidentiality.
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(a) Each Member hereby acknowledges that, through its involvement with the Company, it will have access to and become aware of Confidential Information, and that the protection of the Confidential Information is necessary to protect and preserve the value of the Company and its business. In such regard, subject to the provisions of Section 7.11(b), each Member hereby covenants thatΒ it shall not, without the prior written consent of the Company, use or disclose any Confidential Information for any reason other than in pursuing the business interests of the Company, or engage in, or knowingly refrain from, any action, where such action or inaction may result in (ii) the unauthorized disclosure of any Confidential Information to any Person, or (ii) the unauthorized use of any Confidential Information by any Person.
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(b) A Member shall be permitted to disclose Confidential Information to the extent, but only to the extent, (i) the Company provides its express prior written consent to such disclosure; or (ii) required by law; provided, that prior to making any disclosure of Confidential Information required by law (whether pursuant to a deposition, interrogatories, requests for information or documents in legal proceedings, subpoena, civil investigative demand, or other similar process), the Member must notify the Company of the Memberβs intent to make such disclosure, so that the Company may seek a protective order or other appropriate remedy and may participate with the Member in determining the amount and type of Confidential Information, if any, which must be disclosed in order to comply with applicable law.
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(c) Promptly after a Person ceases to be either a Member of the Company, such Person shall return to the Company any Confidential Information which is in tangible form and which is then in such Personβs possession. Each Member further agrees that, at the request of Company, such Member will execute a written statement certifying that the Member has satisfied the requirements of this Section 7.11(c).
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(d) For purposes of this Section 7.11, βConfidential Informationβ means all information concerning or related to the business, operations, financial condition or prospects of the Company or any of its Affiliates (whether prepared by the Company, its Affiliates, their respective advisors or otherwise, and regardless of the form in which such information appears and whether or not such information has been reduced to a tangible form) that is not known by, or readily available to the public, and shall specifically include (without limitation): (i) information regarding the members, managers, officers, directors, employees, equity holders, customers, suppliers, distributors, sales representatives and licensees of the Company and its Affiliates, in each case whether past, present or prospective; (ii) all software, intellectual property, inventions, discoveries, trade secrets, processes, techniques, methods, formulae, ideas and know-how of the Company and its Affiliates; and (iii) all financial statements, audit reports, budgets and business plans or forecasts of the Company and its Affiliates.
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The term βConfidential Informationβ does not include, with respect to a given Member, information that (A) is or becomes generally available to the public other than as a result of an unauthorized disclosure by such Member; or (B) becomes available to such Member on a non-confidential basis from a source other than the Company or any of its Members, Managers, Officers, consultants, representatives or agents; provided, that such source is not bound by a confidentiality agreement with, or other contractual, legal, or fiduciary obligation of confidentiality to, the Company with respect to such information
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ARTICLE VIII
LIABILITY, EXCULPATION AND INDEMNIFICATION
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8.1 Liability. Except as otherwise provided by the Act or pursuant to any agreement, the debts, obligations and liabilities of the Company, whether arising in contract, tort or otherwise, shall be solely the debts, obligations and liabilities of the Company, and no Covered Person shall be obligated personally for any such debt, obligation or liability of the Company solely by reason of being a Covered Person.
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8.2 Exculpation. No Covered Person shall be liable to the Company or any Member for any act or omission taken or suffered by such Covered Person (a) in good faith and (b) in the reasonable beliefΒ that such act or omission is in the best interest of the Company and is within the scope of authority granted to such Covered Person by this Agreement; provided, however, that such act or omission does not constitute Disabling Conduct by the Covered Person. A Covered Person may rely in good faith upon the records of the Company and upon such information, opinions, reports or statements presented to the Company by any Person as to matters the Covered Person reasonably believes are within such Personβs professional or expert competence and who has been selected with reasonable care by or on behalf of the Company.
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8.3 Indemnification.
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(a) The Company shall, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, indemnify, hold harmless and release each Covered Person from and against all claims, demands, liabilities, costs, expenses, damages, losses, suits, proceedings and actions, whether judicial, administrative, investigative or otherwise, of whatever nature, known or unknown, liquidated or unliquidated (βClaimsβ), that may accrue to or be incurred by any Covered Person, or in which any Covered Person may become involved, as a party or otherwise, or with which any Covered Person may be threatened, relating to or arising out of the business and affairs of, or activities undertaken in connection with, the Company, including, but not limited to, amounts paid in satisfaction of judgments, in compromise, or as fines or penalties and counsel fees and expenses incurred in connection with the preparation for or defense or disposition of any investigation, action, suit, arbitration or other proceeding (a βProceedingβ), whether civil or criminal (all of such Claims and amounts covered by this Section 8.3, and all expenses referred to in Section 8.3(b), are referred to as βDamagesβ), except to the extent that it is ultimately determined that such Damages arose from Disabling Conduct of such Covered Person. The termination of any Proceeding by settlement shall not, of itself, create a presumption that any Damages relating to such settlement arose from Disabling Conduct of any Covered Person. Members shall not be required to personally indemnify any Covered Person.
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(b) Expenses incurred by a Covered Person in defense or settlement of any Claim that may be subject to a right of indemnification hereunder shall be advanced by the Company prior to the final disposition thereof upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of the Covered Person to repay such amount if it is ultimately determined that the Covered Person is not entitled to be indemnified hereunder. The right of any Covered Person to the indemnification provided herein shall be cumulative with, and in addition to, any and all rights to which such Covered Person may otherwise be entitled by contract or as a matter of law or equity and shall extend to such Covered Personβs heirs, personal representatives, successors and assigns.
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(c) Promptly after receipt by a Covered Person of notice of the commencement of any Proceeding, such Covered Person shall, if a claim for indemnification in respect thereof is to be made against the Company, give written notice to the Company of the commencement of such Proceeding, provided that the failure of any Covered Person to give notice as provided herein shall not relieve the Company of its obligations under this Section 8.3 except to the extent that the Company is actually prejudiced by such failure to give notice. In case any such Proceeding is brought against a Covered Person (other than a derivative suit in right of the Company), the Company will be entitled to participate in and to assume the defense thereof to the extent that the Company may wish, with counsel reasonably satisfactory to such Covered Person. After notice from the Company to such Covered Person of the Companyβs election to assume the defense thereof, the Company will not be liable for expenses subsequently incurred by such Covered Person in connection with the defense thereof. The Company will not consent to entry of any judgment or enter into any settlement that (i) does not include as an unconditional term thereof the giving by the claimant or plaintiff to such Covered Person of a release from all liability in respect to such Claim, or (ii) which requires any action (or inaction) by the Covered Person other than the payment of money.
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ARTICLE IX
BOOKS AND RECORDS, REPORTS, TAX ACCOUNTING, BANKING
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9.1 Books and Records. The Manager, at the Companyβs expense, shall keep or cause to be kept adequate books and records for the Company, which contain an accurate account of all business transactions arising out of and in connection with the Companyβs conduct, required by the Act. Upon the written request of any Member, such Member or its designated representative shall have the right, at any reasonable time, to have access to and may inspect and copy the contents of such books or records. The cost of such inspection and copying shall be borne by the requesting Member. Additionally, at the Companyβs expense, the Manager shall maintain or cause to be maintained the following records at the Companyβs known place of business:
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(a) An alphabetical list of the full name and last known business, residence, or mailing address of each Member, both past and present;
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(b) A copy of the stamped Articles of Organization for the Company, and all certificates of amendment thereto, together with a copy of all signed powers of attorney pursuant to which any record has been signed;
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(c) Copies of the Companyβs currently effective Operating Agreement and all amendments thereto, copies of any prior Agreements no longer in effect, and copies of any writings permitted or required with respect to a Memberβs obligation to contribute cash, property, or services;
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(d) Copies of the Companyβs Federal, state, and local income tax returns and reports for the six (6) most recent years;
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(e) Copies of financial statements of the Company, if any, for the six (6) most
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recent years;
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(f) Minutes of every meeting of the Members and the Manager;
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(g) Any written consents or approvals obtained from Members for actions taken by
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the Manager;
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(h) Any written consents or approvals obtained from Members for actions taken by Members without a meeting; and
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(i) An informational list for annual filing pursuant to Section 86.263 of the Act.
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9.2 Reports to Members. Within a reasonable period after the end of each Fiscal Year, the Manager, at the expense of the Company, shall cause to be prepared and furnished to each Member (but not each Unit Holder) an annual report containing a balance sheet as of the end of such Fiscal Year and statements of income and expense for the year then ended.
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9.3 Tax Matters.
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(a) The Managers, Members and Unit Holders intend that the Company shall be operated in a manner consistent with its treatment as a partnership for federal and state income tax purposes. The Members and Unit Holders shall not take any action inconsistent with this expressed intent. The Tax Matters Partner shall take no action to cause the Company to elect to be taxed as a corporation pursuant to Regulations Β§301.7701-3(a) or any counterpart under state law. Each Manager,Β each Member and each Unit Holder agrees not to make any election for the Company to be excluded from the application of the provisions of Subchapter K of the Code.
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(b) The Manager shall cause the accountants for the Company to prepare and timely file all tax returns required to be filed by the Company pursuant to the Code and all other tax returns deemed necessary and required in each jurisdiction in which the Company does business. The Manager shall instruct the Companyβs accountants to prepare and deliver all necessary tax returns and information to each Member and Unit Holder within a reasonable period following the end of each Fiscal Year.
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(c) The Manager may, where permitted by the rules of any Taxing Jurisdiction, file a composite, combined, or aggregate tax return reflecting the income of the Company, and pay the tax, interest, and penalties of some or all of the Members and Unit Holders on such income to the Taxing Jurisdiction, in which case the Company shall inform the Members and Unit Holders of the amount of such tax, interest, and penalties so paid.
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(d) The Manager shall be the (I) βTax Matters Partnerβ pursuant to Code Section 6231(a)(7) and any comparable provision of state or local tax law, and (II) the βpartnership representativeβ of the Company for purposes of the partnership tax audit rules (as set forth in Sections 6221 through 6241 of the Code, as amended by the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015, together with any guidance issued thereunder or successor provisions and any similar provision of state or local tax laws (the βPartnership Tax Audit Rulesβ)) (the βTax Matters Partnerβ).
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(i) Each Member shall execute, certify, acknowledge, deliver, swear to, file and record all documents necessary or appropriate to evidence its approval of this designation. In each case, the Manager is authorized to (A) represent the Company (at the Companyβs expense) in connection with all examinations of the Companyβs affairs by all tax authorities, including resulting administrative and judicial proceedings, (B) make any tax elections or take any actions whatsoever it may choose, including but not limited to elections that are available under the provisions of the Code (and applicable Treasury Regulations) referenced in the first sentence of this Section 9.3(d), and (C) expend Company funds for professional services and other expenses reasonably incurred in connection therewith. Each Member agrees to cooperate with the Company and the Manager and to do or refrain from doing any or all things reasonably requested by the Company with respect to the conduct of such proceedings.
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(ii) In addition, (A) the Manager is hereby authorized to (I) designate any other Person selected by the Manager as the βpartnership representativeβ under the Partnership Tax Audit rules, and (II) take, or cause the Company to take, such other actions as may be necessary or advisable pursuant to Treasury Regulations or other guidance to ratify the designation, pursuant to this Section 9.3(d), of the Manager (or any Person selected by the Manager) as the βpartnership representativeβ under the Partnership Tax Audit Rules; and (B) each Member agrees to take such other actions as may be requested by the Manager to ratify or confirm any such designation pursuant to this Section 9.3(d).
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(iii) Any Member that enters into a settlement agreement with respect to any partnership item (within the meaning of Section 6231(a)(3) of the Code) shall notify the other Members and the Tax Matters Partner of such settlement agreement and its terms within 30 days from the date of settlement. Promptly following the written request of the Tax Matters Partner, the Company shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, reimburse and indemnify the Tax Matters Partner for all reasonable expenses, including reasonable legal and accounting fees, claims, liabilities, losses and damages incurred by the Tax Matters Partner in connection with any administrative or judicial proceeding (A) with respect to the tax liability of the Company and/orΒ (B) with respect to the tax liability of the Members in connection with the operations or activities of the Company.
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(iv) Subject to the foregoing, to the extent required to do so under the Partnership Audit Tax Rules, the Company shall make any payments of assessed amounts under Code Sec. 6221 of the Partnership Audit Tax Rules and shall allocate any such assessment among the current or former Members and former Unit Holders of the Company for the βreviewed yearβ to which the assessment relates in a manner that reflects the current or former Membersβ or Unit Holdersβ respective interests in the Company for that reviewed year based on such Memberβs or Unit Holderβs share of such assessment as would have occurred if the Company had amended the tax returns for such reviewed year and such Member or Unit Holder incurred the assessment directly (using the tax rates applicable to the Company pursuant to Code Sec. 6225(b)). To the extent that the Company is assessed amounts under Code Sec. 6221(a), the current or former Member(s) or Unit Holder(s) to which this assessment relates shall pay to the Company such Memberβs or Unit Holderβs share of the assessed amounts including such Memberβs or Unit Holderβs share of any additional accrued penalties and interest assessed against the Company relating to such Memberβs or Unit Holderβs share of the assessment (together, the βMember Assessmentβ), upon thirty (30) days of written notice from the Tax Matters Representative requesting the payment. If a Member or Unit Holder does not timely pay to the Company the full amount of the Member Assessment (the βDefaulting Memberβ), then the shortfall shall be treated as a loan (the βTax Loanβ) by the Company to the Defaulting Member, with the following results:
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A1. the unpaid balance of the Tax Loan bears interest at the rate of equal to the Default Interest Rate, compounded quarterly, from the day that the advance is deemed made until the date that the Tax Loan, together with all accrued interest, is repaid to the Company;
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A2. all amounts otherwise distributable or payable by the Company to the Defaulting Member shall be withheld until the loan and all accrued interest have been paid in full;
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A3. the payment of the Tax Loan and accrued interest is secured by a security interest in the Defaulting Memberβs Units; and
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A4. in addition to the other rights and remedies granted to it under this Agreement, the Company has the right to take any action available at law or in equity, at the cost and expense of the Defaulting Member, to obtain payment from the Defaulting Member of the unpaid balance of the Tax Loan and all accrued and unpaid interest. On any default in the payment of any Member Assessment, the Company is entitled to all the rights and remedies of a secured party under the Uniform Commercial Code of the applicable state (or states), as reasonably determined by the Manager, with respect to the security interest granted. Each Defaulting Member hereby authorizes the Company, as applicable, to prepare and file financing statements and other instruments that the Manager may deem necessary to effectuate and carry out the preceding provisions of this Section. Each Member and Unit Holder agrees that the aforesaid liquidated damages provisions constitute reasonable compensation to the Company and its non-defaulting Members and non-defaulting Unit Holders for the additional risks and damages sustained by each of them when and if any Defaulting Member shall default on an obligation to pay any Assessed Amount.
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(v) At the sole and absolute discretion of the Tax Matters Representative, with respect to current Members and current Unit Holders, the Company may alternatively allowΒ some or all of a Memberβs or Unit Holderβs obligation pursuant to this Section 9.3(d) to be applied to, and reduce, the next distribution(s) or payments otherwise payable to such Member or Unit Holder under this Agreement. The provisions contained in this Section 9.3(d)(iii) shall survive (A) the dissolution of the Company, (B) the withdrawal of any Member or Unit Holder, or (C) the Transfer of any Memberβs or Unit Holderβs Units.
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(e) The Tax Matters Partner may, with respect to the Company, make the election provided under Code Β§754 of the Code and any corresponding provision of applicable state law.
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(f) Each Member and Unit Holder covenants (i) to timely file all tax returns required to be filed by such Person pursuant to the laws of each applicable Taxing Jurisdiction, and (ii) with respect to each such filing, to report all Company items on such Personβs income tax return in a manner consistent with the tax return of the Company. However, if a Member or Unit Holder reports a Company item on such Personβs income tax return in a manner inconsistent with the tax return of the Company, then such Person shall notify the Manager and the other Members and Unit Holders of such treatment before filing such Personβs income tax return. If a Member or Unit Holder engages in any such inconsistent reporting, then such Person shall be liable to the Company, and each Member and Unit Holder for any expenses, including professionalsβ fees, tax, interest, penalties, or litigation costs, that may arise as a consequence of such inconsistent reporting, such as an audit by a Taxing Jurisdiction. The obligations of any Member or Unit Holder set forth in this Section 9.3(f) shall apply on a flow through basis and apply to the ultimate beneficial owners of Units.
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9.4 Bank Accounts. All funds of the Company shall be deposited in the name of the Company in an account or accounts maintained with such bank or banks selected by the Manager. The funds of the Company shall not be commingled with the funds of any other Person. Checks shall be drawn upon the Company account or accounts only for the purposes of the Company and shall be signed by authorized Persons on behalf of the Company.
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ARTICLE X
ADMISSIONS AND WITHDRAWALS
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10.1 Admission of Member. Persons may be admitted as Members as a result of the issuance of Units only with the consent of a Majority-In-Interest of the Members. Additionally, no Person shall be admitted as a Member of the Company after the date of formation of the Company as a result of a Transfer of Units, except in accordance with Sections 11.4 and 11.11.
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10.2 Right to Withdraw. A Member or Unit Holder may withdraw from the Company only with the consent of a Majority-In-Interest of the Members.
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10.3 Rights of Withdrawn Member. Upon the occurrence of a Withdrawal Event with respect to a Member or Unit Holder, the Withdrawn Member (or the Withdrawn Memberβs personal representative or other successor if applicable) shall cease to have any rights of a Member (and shall have no right to vote or otherwise participate in the management of the Company, no right to inspect the books and records of the Company, and no other rights afforded to Members under this Agreement), except the right to receive distributions occurring at the times and equal in amounts to those distributions the Withdrawn Member would otherwise have received if a Withdrawal Event had not occurred. If there are no remaining Members, distributions to any Withdrawn Member shall be governed by Section 12.2. Any Unit Holder permitted to own Units pursuant to this Agreement, but who is not already a signatory to this Agreement must become a party to this Agreement and execute such documents and instruments as the Manager determines necessary or appropriate to confirm such Person as a Unit Holder and such Personβs agreement to be bound by this Agreement.
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10.4 Option to Purchase the Interest of a Member upon a Withdrawal Event.
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(a) Within thirty (30) days from the occurrence of a Withdrawal Event with respect to a Member, the Withdrawn Member (or the Withdrawn Memberβs personal representative or other successor if applicable) shall provide the Company with written notice of the Withdrawal Event (βWithdrawal Noticeβ).
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(b) The Company shall then have the first option (such option to be exercised by a Majority-In-Interest of the Members, but excluding the Withdrawn Member) to purchase all of the Withdrawn Memberβs Units (βPurchase Optionβ) in the place of making distributions to the Withdrawn Member (or the Withdrawn Memberβs personal representative or other successor if applicable) as set forth in Section 10.3. If the Company does not exercise its Purchase Option for the Withdrawn Memberβs Units, then the remaining Members (other than the Withdrawn Member) shall have the right to exercise the Purchase Option to purchase all the Withdrawn Memberβs Units that the Company did not elect to purchase. In that case, if more than one Member wishes to exercise the Purchase Option, each such Member shall be entitled to purchase a portion of the Withdrawn Memberβs Units on a pro rata basis, based on the Percentage Interests of the Members wishing to purchase Withdrawn Memberβs Units.
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(c) The Purchase Option shall be exercisable at any time during the 30-day period following the Companyβs and the other Memberβs receipt of the Withdrawal Notice by delivery of written notice (the βPurchase Option Noticeβ) to the Withdrawn Member (or the Withdrawn Memberβs personal representative or other successor if applicable) and only if all of the Withdrawn Memberβs Units are purchased by the Company, the Members, or a combination of both.
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(d) The Purchase Option Notice shall indicate the date the purchase is to be effected (such date to be not less than five (5) Business Days, nor more than twenty (20) Business Days, after the date of the Purchase Option Notice), and the amount which the Company or the Member(s), as applicable, proposes to pay for the Units. If the Withdrawn Member (or the Withdrawn Memberβs personal representative or other successor if applicable) does not agree to the amount proposed to be paid, then the price to be paid shall be the Agreed Value for such Units; provided, however that if the Withdrawal Event that triggered the Purchase Option is clause (a) or (j) of the definition of Withdrawal Event, then the price to be paid shall be 50% of the Agreed Value. In all instances, the purchase shall occur not more than ten (10) Business Days following the determination of the Agreed Value.
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(e) The purchase price for the Withdrawn Memberβs interest shall be payable fifteen percent (15%) cash at closing and the remainder pursuant to a 10-year nonnegotiable promissory note bearing interest at the Default Interest Rate compounded annually on each anniversary of the note. The note shall be payable in annual installments of principal and interest accrued to date, with payments determined necessary to fully amortize the note with equal payments of principal and interest over the 10-year term of the note. Interest shall be computed on the basis of a computational year of 360 days of equal 30-day months. There shall be no pre-payment penalty on the note. The note shall be secured by a pledge of the Units redeemed/sold. On or before the closing date of any such redemption/purchase, the Withdrawn Member (or the Withdrawn Memberβs personal representative or other successor if applicable) shall, at its sole cost, cause to be discharged any and all Liens on the its Units, and shall provide written evidence of any such discharges.
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ARTICLE XI
TRANSFERABILITY
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11.1 General. No Member shall be authorized to Transfer all or a portion of such Memberβs Units unless the Transfer constitutes a Permitted Transfer. Without limiting the foregoing, no Member shall create or suffer to exist any Lien upon, in, or in respect of all or any part of any of such Memberβs Units without the consent of a Majority-In-Interest of the Members.
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11.2 Permitted Transfer. Subject to the conditions and restrictions set forth in Section 11.3, a Transfer of a Memberβs Units shall constitute a βPermitted Transferβ provided that such Transfer is made subject to the Company and the other Membersβ rights of first refusal set forth in Sections 11.8 below.
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If the transferee of Units in a Permitted Transfer shall not become a Substitute Member, the transferee shall have only the rights set forth in Section 11.5 hereof.
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11.3 Conditions To Permitted Transfer. A Transfer shall not be treated as a Permitted Transfer unless all of the following conditions are satisfied:
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(a) The transferor and the transferee reimburse the Company for all costs that the Company incurs in connection with such Transfer;
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(b) The Transfer does not cause the Company to βterminateβ for federal income tax purposes unless all of the Members waive this condition in writing;
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(c) The transferor and transferee shall furnish the Company with the transfereeβs taxpayer identification number, sufficient information to determine the transfereeβs initial tax basis in the Units transferred, and any other information reasonably necessary to permit the Company to file all required federal and state tax returns and other legally required information statements or returns. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Company shall not be required to make any distribution otherwise provided for in this Agreement with respect to any transferred Units until it has received such information;
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(d) The Units which are the subject of the Transfer are registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and any applicable state securities laws, or alternatively, counsel for the Company furnishes an opinion that such Transfer is exempt from all applicable registration requirements or that such Transfer will not violate any applicable securities laws; and
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(e) The transferor and the transferee agree to execute such documents and instruments necessary or appropriate in the discretion of the Manager to confirm such Transfer.
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11.4 Admission As Substitute Member. A transferee of Units who is not a Member shall be admitted to the Company as a Substitute Member only upon satisfaction of the following conditions:
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(a) The Units with respect to which the transferee is being admitted were acquiredΒ (i) by means of a Permitted Transfer or (ii) pursuant to Section 11.11; and
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(b) The transferee becomes a party to this Agreement and executes such documents and instruments as the Manager determines are necessary or appropriate to confirm such transferee as a Member and such transfereeβs agreement to be bound by the terms of this Agreement.
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Any Person who acquires Units and satisfies the requirements of Sections 11.4(a) and 11.4(b) above shall automatically be admitted as a Substitute Member unless the transferor directs in writing to the contrary.
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Any Unit Holder permitted to own Units pursuant to this Agreement, but who is not already a signatory to this Agreement must become a party to this Agreement and execute such documents and instruments as the Manager determines necessary or appropriate to confirm such Person as a Unit Holder and such Personβs agreement to be bound by this Agreement.
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11.5 Rights As Assignee. A Person who acquires Units but who is not admitted to the Company as a Substitute Member shall have only the right to receive the distributions and allocations of Profits and Losses to which the Person would have been entitled under this Agreement with respect to the transferred Units, but shall have no right to vote or otherwise participate in the management of the Company, no right to inspect the books and records of the Company, and no other rights afforded to Members under this Agreement. Any distributions to such purported transferee may be applied (without limiting any other legal or equitable rights of the Company) to satisfy any debts, obligations, or liabilities for damages that the transferor or transferee may have to the Company. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Section 11.5 shall not apply to any Person who was a Member before acquiring the Units at issue, unless the transferee of such Units has determined to the contrary as provided in Section 11.2.
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11.6 Prohibited Transfers. Any purported Transfer of Units that is not a Permitted Transfer shall be null and void and of no force and effect whatsoever. In the case of an attempted Transfer that is not a Permitted Transfer, the Persons engaging in or attempting to engage in such Transfer shall be liable to and shall indemnify and hold harmless the Company from all loss, costs, liability and damages that the Company or any Member shall incur as a result of such attempted Transfer.
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11.7 Marital Dissolution or Legal Separation.
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(a) Grant. The Company shall have the right (such right to be exercised by the Manager) (the βSpecial Purchase Rightβ), exercisable at any time during the 45-day period following the Companyβs receipt of the required Dissolution Notice under Section 11.7(b), to purchase from the Memberβs spouse, in accordance with the provisions of Section 11.7(c) any or all of the Memberβs Units which would otherwise be awarded to such spouse incident to the dissolution of marriage or legal separation in settlement of any community property or other marital property rights such spouse may have or obtain in the Memberβs Units. The Special Purchase Right shall not apply to any Units retained by the Member.
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(b) Notice of Decree or Agreement. Each Member shall promptly provide the Company with written notice (the βDissolution Noticeβ) of (i) the entry of any judicial decree or order resolving the property rights of the Member and the Memberβs spouse in connection with their marital dissolution or legal separation, or (ii) the execution of any contract or agreement relating to the distribution or division of such property rights. The Dissolution Notice shall be accompanied by a copy of the actual decree of dissolution or settlement agreement between Member and the Memberβs spouse, which provides for the award to the spouse of any Units in settlement of any community property or other marital property rights such spouse may have in such Units.
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(c) Exercise of Special Purchase Right. The Special Purchase Right shall be exercisable by delivery of written notice (the βSpecial Purchase Noticeβ) to the Member and the Memberβs spouse within forty-five (45) days after the Companyβs receipt of the Dissolution Notice. The Special Purchase Notice shall indicate the date the purchase is to be effected (such date to be not less than ten (10) days, nor more than forty-five (45) days, after the date of the Special Purchase Notice), and the amount, which the Company proposes to pay for the Units. If the Memberβs spouse does not agree to the amount proposed to be paid by the Company, then the price to be paid shall be the Agreed Value. The purchase price shall be payable fifteen percent (15%) cash at closing and the remainder pursuant to a 5-year nonnegotiable promissory note bearing interest at the Default Interest Rate compounded annually on each anniversary of the note. The note shall be payable in annual installments of principal andΒ interest accrued to date, with payments determined necessary to fully amortize the note with equal payments of principal and interest over the 5-year term of the note. Interest shall be computed on the basis of a computational year of 360 days of equal 30-day months.
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(d) Units Not Purchased. With respect to any Units awarded to the Memberβs spouse that are not purchased pursuant to the Special Purchase Right, the Memberβs spouse will be treated as an assignee (and not a Substitute Member) and will have only the rights set forth in Section 11.5.
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11.8 Right of First Refusal.
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(a) General. If any Member desires to Transfer all or a portion of the Memberβs Units to any Person who is not a Member, such Transfer shall not constitute a Permitted Transfer unless such Member shall afford the Company and the other Members a right of first refusal pursuant to this Section 11.8.
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(b) Notice. A Member desiring to Transfer Units shall first provide to the other Members and the Company at least forty-five (45) daysβ prior written notice of the Memberβs intention to make a Transfer of Units (the βDisposition Noticeβ). The forty-five (45) day period following the Companyβs receipt of the Disposition Notice shall be termed the βNotice Periodβ. The Member desiring to Transfer Units shall be known as the βDisposing Memberβ and the other Members shall be known as the βNon-Disposing Membersβ for purposes of this Agreement. In the Disposition Notice, the Disposing Member shall specify the price at which the Units are proposed to be Transferred, the portion of the Disposing Memberβs Units to be Transferred, the identity of the proposed transferee, and the terms and conditions of the proposed Transfer.
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(c) Option to Company. The Company may elect within the first twenty (20) days of the Notice Period to purchase some or all of the Units proposed to be Transferred by the Disposing Member at the proposed price as contained in the Disposition Notice. The terms and conditions of the purchase by the Company shall be the terms and conditions of the proposed Transfer as set forth in the Disposition Notice. Any purchase by the Company shall be made in cash within the first twenty-fiveΒ (25) days of the Notice Period.
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(d) Options to Members. If the Company does not purchase all of the Disposing Memberβs Units covered by the Disposition Notice, the remaining Units may be purchased by the Non- Disposing Members on the same terms and at the same price available to the Company. Each Non- Disposing Member shall have the option to purchase that portion of the Disposing Memberβs Units that is necessary to maintain the Memberβs Percentage Interest vis-Γ -vis the other Non-Disposing Members. If any Non-Disposing Member does not purchase the portion of the Units available to such Member within the period stated in Section 11.8(e), the remaining Units will then be available for purchase by the other Non-Disposing Members in proportion to their respective Percentage Interests.
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(e) Timing. If the Company decides to purchase less than all of the Units offered by the Disposing Member (including a decision to purchase none of such Units), within five (5) days after the Company reaches such decision, and, in any event, by the end of the first twenty-five (25) days of the Notice Period, the Company shall so notify each Non-Disposing Member. The notice shall state that the Company did not exercise its option to purchase all of the Disposing Memberβs Units offered pursuant to the Disposition Notice and shall contain appropriate information concerning the Non- Disposing Membersβ options to purchase all or any part of the Units offered by the Disposing Member. Each Non-Disposing Member must give written notice to the Disposing Member and the other Non- Disposing Members of the exercise of such Memberβs option to acquire the Memberβs portion of such Units within the first thirty (30) days of the Notice Period. Such Member must then pay for such Units in cash by the end of the first thirty-five (35) days of the Notice Period. If any Non-Disposing MemberΒ does not elect to purchase, and pay the purchase price for, all of the Units available to such Member within the required time period, the remaining Non-Disposing Members shall be entitled to purchase any remaining Units vis-Γ -vis such Membersβ Percentage Interests by giving written notice to the Disposing Member and the other Non-Disposing Members within the first forty (40) days of the Notice Period. Any purchase by the remaining Non-Disposing Members shall be made in cash within the first forty-five (45) days of the Notice Period.
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(f) Condition to Electing Option. The options set forth in Sections 11.8(c) and 11.8(d) shall be subject to the condition that in no event shall less than one hundred percent (100%) of the Units proposed to be disposed of by the Disposing Member be purchased in the aggregate by the Company and the Non-Disposing Members.
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(g) Transfer to Third Party. If the Company and the Non-Disposing Members have not collectively purchased all of the Disposing Membersβ Units covered by the Disposition Notice within the Notice Period, the Disposing Member may, provided the conditions of Section 11.3 are satisfied, sell its remaining Units to Persons other than the Company and the Non-Disposing Members; provided that any disposition must be made on the terms and conditions and to the party specified in the Disposition Notice and must be consummated within the one hundred twenty (120) day Notice Period.
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(h) Non-Applicability. This Section 11.8 will not apply to any Transfers made pursuant to Section 11.12.
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11.9 Legends. Each Member agrees that the following legend shall be placed upon any counterpart of this Agreement or any other instrument or document evidencing ownership of a Unit:
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Β | The Units represented by this document have not been registered under any securities laws and the transferability of such Units is restricted. Such Units may not be sold, assigned, gifted, transferred or otherwise disposed, nor will the vendee, assignee, beneficiary, or transferee be recognized as having acquired such Units for any purposes, unless (a) a registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, with respect to such Units shall then be in effect and such has been qualified under all applicable state securities laws, or (b) the availability of an exemption from such registration and qualification shall be established to the satisfaction of counsel for the Company. Β The Units represented by this document are further subject to further restriction as to their sale, transfer, hypothecation, or assignment as set forth in the Operating Agreement of the Company and agreed to by each Member and Manager of the Company. | Β |
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11.10 Distributions in Respect of Transferred Units. If any Units in the Company are transferred during any accounting period in compliance with the provisions of this Article XI, all distributions on or before the date of such Transfer shall be made to the transferor, and all distributions thereafter shall be made to the transferee.
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11.11 Drag Along Rights.
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(a) Notwithstanding any other provision set forth this Agreement to the contrary, in the event that a Majority-In-Interest of the Members requests in writing that the Company effect (i) a sale of all or substantially all of the Companyβs assets, or (ii) the acquisition of the Company by another entity by means of merger, consolidation or other transaction or series of related transactions resulting inΒ the exchange of the outstanding Units of the Company such that the Members of the Company prior to such transaction own, directly or indirectly, less than fifty percent (50%) of the voting power of the surviving entity, or (iii) a sale of at least fifty-one percent (51%) of the outstanding Units owned by all Members and Unit Holders, or (iv) the liquidation or dissolution of the Company (each such transaction an βExit Transactionβ), the Majority-In-Interest of the Members shall be entitled to cause each Member and Unit Holder to (A) vote any and all Units having the right to vote held by it, or as to which it has voting power, in favor of the consummation of the Exit Transaction proposed by such Majority-In- Interest of the Members, at any meeting of Members of the Company at which such transactions are considered, or in any written consent of Members of the Company relating thereto, (B) if applicable, tender all Units of the Company held by it, or as to which it has power of disposition, which are the subject of such proposed Exit Transaction in accordance with the terms of the proposed Exit Transaction, (C) if applicable, waive any dissentersβ rights, preemptive rights, or appraisal rights, as the case may be, and (D) take all other actions reasonably required in order to effectuate fully the Exit Transaction proposed by such Majority-In-Interest of the Members. Notwithstanding any other provision set forth this Agreement to the contrary, in the event that a Majority-In-Interest of the Members requests in writing that the Company effect an Exit Transaction, the Manager shall be deemed to have approved such Exit Transaction and the consent of the Manager shall not be required to effectuate such transaction. Upon becoming a party to this Agreement, a transferee of Units in an Exit Transaction shall automatically become a Substitute Member unless the transferor directs in writing to the contrary.
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(b) In connection with the pursuit and consummation of any Exit Transaction provided for above, each Member and Unit Holder that is a party to this Agreement (each a βParticipant Memberβ) hereby: (i) grants the Manager an irrevocable proxy (which shall be and shall be deemed to be coupled with an interest) to vote (by actual vote or by written consent) the Units held by such Participant Member or its successors and permitted assigns and transferees in favor of any Exit Transaction pursued in connection with this Section 11.11 in the event that such Participant Member or its successors and permitted assigns and transferees fail to consent in writing or vote for any such Exit Transaction; and (ii) agrees to promptly execute and deliver (without unreasonable condition or delay) any transaction agreement(s) and documentation (including, without limitation, member agreements, waivers and releases, and affiliate letters) deemed necessary, appropriate, or advisable by the Company or the Manager in connection with the Exit Transaction. In the event that a Participant Member or its successors or permitted assigns and transferees fails to promptly execute and deliver any such transaction agreement(s) and documentation, or attempts to unreasonably condition or delay the execution or delivery thereof, the Manager (or the Managerβs designee) shall be deemed to have been irrevocably appointed as the attorney-in-fact of such Participant Member (or the successor or permitted assignees or transferees thereof), with full power to execute and deliver any and all such transaction agreement(s) and documentation in the name and on behalf of such Participant Member (or the successor or permitted assignees or transferees thereof). In addition to any other rights and remedies available to it at law or in equity, the Manager (and, when applicable pursuant to this Section 11.11, the Company) will be entitled to specifically enforce the terms of this Agreement with respect to any Exit Transaction.
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For purposes of clarification, Sections 11.1, 11.2, 11.3, 11.5, 11.6, and 11.8 hereof shall not be applicable to Transfers made pursuant to this Section 11.11, and the transferees of such Units shall automatically be admitted as Substitute Members unless the transferor directs in writing to the contrary.
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(c) To the extent applicable, any transaction taken pursuant to this Section 11.11 shall take into consideration the Agreed Value of each partiesβ Units, in each instance as reasonably determined by the Manager. (For example, if a proportionate number of Units are to be Transferred from each Member and Unit Holder pursuant to this Section 11.11, and for purposes of such Transfer, βproportionateβ is reasonably determined by the Manager to be computed based on the number of outstanding Units, then any consideration paid for such Units shall be apportioned among the parties to such Transfer based on the Agreed Value of the Units transferred such that some Members may receiveΒ more consideration than others, even though all Members are Transferring the same number of Units. As another example, if the Manager reasonably determines that βproportionateβ is reasonably determined based on the Agreed Value of Units, then any consideration paid shall be apportioned among the Transferors such that some Members may sell not only more Units, but also a larger proportionate share of their Units when compared to others.)
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11.12 Inclusion of Unit Holders. For purposes of this Article XI, except for voting purposes, the term βMemberβ shall also include a Unit Holder.
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ARTICLE XII
DISSOLUTION AND TERMINATION
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12.1 Dissolution. The Company shall be dissolved upon the first to occur of any of the following events:
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(a) The sole and unfettered determination of a Majority-In-Interest of the Members;
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(b) The entry of a decree of judicial dissolution under Section 86.490 et seq. of theΒ Act; or
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(c) The sale, exchange, or other disposition of all or substantially all the assets ofΒ the Company.
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The Company shall not be dissolved upon the occurrence of a Withdrawal Event with respect to a Member unless there is no remaining Member.
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12.2 Liquidation, Winding Up and Distribution of Assets. The Manager shall, upon dissolution of the Company, proceed to liquidate the Companyβs assets and properties, discharge the Companyβs obligations, and wind up the Companyβs business and affairs as promptly as is consistent with obtaining the fair value thereof. The proceeds of liquidation of the Companyβs assets, to the extent sufficient therefor, shall be applied and distributed as follows:
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(a) First, to the payment of debts and liabilities (other than debts and liabilities owing to the Members) or to the establishment of any reasonable reserves for contingent or unliquidated debts and liabilities;
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(b) Second, to the payment of any accrued interest owing on any other debts and liabilities owing to Members in proportion to the amount due and owing to each Member;
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(c) Third, to the payment of outstanding principal amounts owing on any other debts and liabilities owing to Members in proportion to the amount due and owing to each Member; and
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(d) Fourth, to the Members, in the same proportion to each Member as such Memberβs Contribution Account bears to the aggregate total of Contribution Accounts of all Members, until each Member has received cumulative distributions pursuant to this Section 12.2(d), in an amount equal to such Memberβs Contribution Account as of the date immediately prior to the making of such distributions; and
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(e) Thereafter, in accordance with the positive balance of each Memberβs Capital Account as determined after taking into account all Capital Account adjustments for the Companyβs taxable year during which the liquidation occurs, including any Capital Account adjustments associated with the allocation of Profits and Losses with respect to any sale, transfer or other taxable disposition ofΒ any Company property. Any such distributions to the Members in respect of their Capital Accounts shall be made within the time requirements of Regulations Β§ 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(b)(2). If for any reason the amount distributable pursuant to this Section 12.2(e) shall be more than or less than the sum of all the positive balances of the Membersβ Capital Accounts, the proceeds distributable pursuant to this Section 12.2(e) shall be distributed among the Members in accordance with the ratio by which the positive Capital Account balance of each Member bears to the sum of all positive Capital Account balances. Distributions required by this Section 12.2(e) may be distributed to a trust established for the benefit of the Members for the purposes of liquidating Company property, collecting amounts owed to the Company, and paying any contingent or unforeseen liabilities or obligations of the Company arising out of or in connection with the Company. In such case, the assets of such trust shall be distributed to the Members from time to time, in the discretion of the Manager, in the same proportions as the amount distributed to such trust by the Company would otherwise have been distributed to the Members pursuant to this Agreement.
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12.3 Deficit Capital Accounts. No Member shall have any obligation to contribute or advance any funds or other property to the Company by reason of any negative or deficit balance in such Memberβs Capital Account during or upon completion of winding up or at any other time except to the extent that a deficit balance is directly attributable to a distribution of cash or other property in violation of this Agreement.
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12.4 Articles of Dissolution. At such time as all of the debts, liabilities and obligations of the Company have been paid, discharged or otherwise provided for, the Members shall cause βArticles of Dissolutionβ to be executed and filed with the Nevada Secretary of State in accordance with the Act.
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12.5 Return of Contribution Non-Recourse to Other Members. Except as provided by law, upon dissolution, each Member shall look solely to the assets of the Company for the return of the Memberβs Capital Contributions. If the Company property remaining after the payment or discharge of the debts and liabilities of the Company is insufficient to return the cash or other property contribution of one or more Members, such Member or Members shall have no recourse against the Managers or any other Member.
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12.6 In Kind Distributions. A Member shall have no right to demand and receive any distribution from the Company in any form other than cash. However, a Member may be compelled to accept a distribution of an asset in kind if the Company is unable to dispose of all of its assets for cash.
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12.7 Inclusion of Unit Holder. Except as otherwise provided herein, the term βMemberβ for purposes of this Article XII shall include a Unit Holder.
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ARTICLE XIII
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
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13.1 Notices. Except as otherwise provided herein, any notice, demand, or communication required or permitted to be given to a Member or Manager by any provision of this Agreement shall be deemed to have been sufficiently given or served for all purposes if (a) delivered personally to the Member or Manager, (b) sent by facsimile or electronic mail transmission, or (c) sent by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, addressed to the Memberβs address set forth in Exhibit A or the Managerβs address on file with the Company. Except as otherwise provided herein, any such notice shall be deemed to be given on the date on which the same was personally delivered, on the date on which the notice was transmitted by facsimile or electronic mail transmission if confirmation thereof is obtained or, if sent by registered or certified mail, on the third (3rd) day after such notice was deposited in the United States mail addressed as aforesaid.
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13.2 Governing Law. This Agreement and the rights of the parties hereunder will be governed by, interpreted, and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of Nevada without regard for conflict of laws rules.
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13.3 Entire Agreement; Amendments. This Agreement (including with the Exhibits referenced herein and attached hereto), together with the Articles of Organization, constitute the entire agreement between the Members concerning the matters set forth herein, and this Agreement may not be amended except by a Majority-In-Interest of the Members. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Manager shall be authorized to make any amendments to this Agreement which, in the opinion of counsel to the Company, are necessary to maintain the status of the Company as a limited liability company for federal and state income tax purposes.
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13.4 Additional Documents and Acts. Each Member agrees to execute and deliver such additional documents and instruments and to perform such additional acts as may be necessary or appropriate to effectuate, carry out and perform all of the terms, provisions and conditions of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby.
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13.5 Dispute Resolution.
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(a) Agreement to Use Procedure. The Members and Managers have entered into this Agreement in good faith and in the belief that it is mutually advantageous to them. It is with that same spirit of cooperation that they pledge to attempt to resolve any dispute amicably without the necessity of litigation. Accordingly, they agree if any dispute arises between them relating to this Agreement (the βDisputeβ), they will first utilize the procedures specified in this Section 13.5 (the βProcedureβ) prior to any additional proceedings.
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(b) Initiation and Procedure. The Members and Managers seeking to initiate the Procedure (the βInitiating Partyβ) shall give written notice to the other Members and/or Managers, describing in general terms the nature of the Dispute, the Initiating Partyβs claim for relief and identifying one or more individuals with authority to settle the Dispute on such Initiating Partyβs behalf. The Member(s)/Manager(s) receiving such notice (the βResponding Partyβ, whether one or more) shall have five (5) business days within which to designate by written notice to the Initiating Party, one or more individuals with the authority to settle the Dispute on such Responding Partyβs behalf. The individuals so designated shall be known as the βAuthorized Individuals.β The Initiating Party and the Responding Party shall collectively be referred to as the βDisputing Partiesβ or individually as the βDisputing Party.β
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(c) Direct Negotiations. The Authorized Individuals shall be entitled to make such investigation of the Dispute as they deem appropriate, but agree to promptly, and in no event later than thirty (30) days from the date of the Initiating Partyβs written notice, meet to discuss resolution of the Dispute. The Authorized Individuals shall meet at such times and places and with such frequency as they may agree. If the Dispute has not been resolved within thirty (30) days from the date of their initial meeting, the Disputing Parties shall cease direct negotiations and shall submit the Dispute to non-binding mediation in accordance with the following procedure set forth in this Section.
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(d) Selection of Mediator. The Authorized Individuals shall have five (5) Business Days from the date they cease direct negotiations to submit to each other a written list of acceptable qualified attorney-mediators not affiliated with any of the Members or Managers. Within five (5) days from the date for receipt of such list, the Authorized Individuals shall rank the mediators in numerical order of preference and exchange such rankings. If no mediator has been selected by this procedure, within ten (10) Business Days after the date of receipt of the list referred to in the first sentence of this Section 13.5(d), the Authorized Individuals shall initiate mediation in accordance with the rules and procedures of the American Arbitration Association.
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(e) Time of Mediation. In consultation with the mediator selected, the Authorized Individuals shall promptly designate a mutually convenient time for the mediation, which shall take place in Phoenix, Arizona, and unless circumstances require otherwise, such time to be not later than forty-fiveΒ (45) days after selection of the mediator.
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(f) Exchange of Information. In the event any Disputing Party to this Agreement has substantial need for information in the possession of another Disputing Party to this Agreement in order to prepare for the mediation, all Disputing Parties shall attempt in good faith to agree to procedures for the expeditious exchange of such information, with the help of the mediator if required.
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(g) Summary of Views. At least seven (7) days prior to the first scheduled session of the mediation, each Disputing Party shall deliver to the mediator and to the other Disputing Parties a concise written summary of its views on the matter in Dispute and such other matters required by the mediator. The mediator may also request that a confidential issue paper be submitted by each Disputing Party to him.
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(h) Parties to be Represented. In the mediation, each Disputing Party shall be represented by an Authorized Individual and may be represented by counsel. In addition, each Disputing Party may, with permission of the mediator, bring such additional persons as needed to respond to questions, contribute information, and participate in the negotiations.
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(i) Conduct of Mediation. The mediator shall determine the format for the meetings, designed to assure that both the mediator and the Authorized Individuals have an opportunity to hear an oral presentation of each Disputing Partyβs views on the matter in dispute, and that the authorized parties attempt to negotiate a resolution of the matter in dispute, with or without the assistance of counsel or others, but with the assistance of the mediator. To this end, the mediator is authorized to conduct both joint meetings and separate private caucuses with the Disputing Parties. The mediation session shall be private. The mediator will keep confidential all information learned in private caucus with any Disputing Party unless specifically authorized by such Disputing Party to make disclosure of the information to the other Disputing Party. The Disputing Parties commit to participate in the proceedings in good faith with the intention of resolving the Dispute if at all possible. The mediation will be conducted in Phoenix, Arizona.
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(j) Termination of Procedure. The Disputing Parties agree to participate in the mediation procedure to its conclusion. The mediation shall be terminated (i) by the execution of a settlement agreement by the Disputing Parties, (ii) by a declaration of the mediator that the mediation is terminated, or (iii) by a written declaration of a Disputing Parties to the effect that the mediation process is terminated at the conclusion of one (1) full dayβs mediation session. Even if the mediation is terminated without a resolution of the Dispute, the Disputing Parties agree not to terminate negotiations and not to commence any additional proceedings prior to the expiration of five (5) days following the mediation. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any Disputing Party may commence additional proceedings within such five (5) day period if the Dispute could be barred by an applicable statute of limitations.
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(k) Fees of Mediation; Disqualification. The fees and expenses of the mediator shall be shared equally by the Disputing Parties. The mediator shall be disqualified as a witness, consultant, expert or counsel for any Disputing Parties with respect to the Dispute of any related matters.
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(l) Confidentiality. Mediation is a compromise negotiation for purposes of federal and state Rules of Evidence and constitutes privileged communication under Nevada law. The entire mediation process is confidential, and no stenographic, visual or audio record shall be made. All conduct, statements, promises, offers, views and opinions, whether oral or written, made in the course of the mediation by any Disputing Party, their agents, employees, representatives or other invitees and by theΒ mediator are confidential and shall, in addition and when appropriate, be deemed privileged. Such conduct, statements, promises, offers, views and opinions shall not be discoverable or admissible for any purpose, including impeachment, in any litigation or other proceeding involving the parties, and shall not be disclosed to anyone not an agent, employee, expert, witness, or representative of any of the Members or Managers; provided, however, that evidence otherwise discoverable or admissible is not excluded from discovery or admission as a result of its use in the mediation.
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(m) Litigation. The Disputing Parties agree to participate in good faith in the mediation procedure to its conclusion. If the Disputing Parties are not successful in resolving the Dispute through the mediation procedure, then, and only then, the Disputing Parties agree that the Dispute shall be resolved by litigation. Each party hereto agrees that this Agreement is made in Mesa, Arizona and irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the federal and state courts located in Mesa, Arizona for the purposes of any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement. Each party hereby consents to such jurisdiction and agrees that venue shall lie in the federal and state courts in Mesa, Arizona with respect to any claim or cause of action arising under or relating to this Agreement. Each party hereby waives any objection based on forum non conveniens and waives any objection to venue of any action instituted hereunder. If any legal action or any arbitration or other proceeding is brought in connection with this Agreement, the prevailing party shall be entitled to recover reasonable attorneysβ fees, accounting fees, and other costs incurred in that action or proceeding, in addition to any other relief to which it may be entitled. EACH PARTY ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT ANY CONTROVERSY WHICH MAY ARISE UNDER THIS AGREEMENT IS LIKELY TO INVOLVE COMPLICATED AND DIFFICULT ISSUES AND, THEREFORE, EACH PARTY HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES ANY RIGHT SUCH PARTY MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN RESPECT OF ANY LITIGATION DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.
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(n) Equitable Relief. Notwithstanding anything else set forth in this Section 13.5, in the event that a party breaches this Agreement, any non-breaching party may apply to a court of competent jurisdiction for emergency equitable relief (which may include an injunction, declaratory judgment and/ or specific performance) during or prior to the invocation of the Procedure set forth in this Section 13.5. Once the court has ruled on the non-breaching partyβs initial application for emergency equitable relief, however, the non-breaching party may not seek additional relief from the court and must resolve any additional issues pursuant to this Section 13.5.
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13.6 Headings. The headings in this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and are in no way intended to describe, interpret, define, or limit the scope, extent, or intent of this Agreement or any provision hereof.
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13.7 Severability. If any provision of this Agreement is held to be illegal, invalid or unenforceable under the present or future laws effective during the term of this Agreement, such provision will be fully severable and the remaining provisions of this Agreement will remain in full force and effect.
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13.8 Heirs, Successors, and Assigns. Each and all of the covenants, terms, provisions, and agreements herein contained shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and, to the extent permitted by this Agreement and by applicable law, their respective heirs, legal representatives, successors, and assigns.
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13.9 Creditors and Other Third Parties. None of the provisions of this Agreement shall be for the benefit of, or enforceable, by any creditors of the Company or any other third parties.
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13.10 Section, Other References. Except to the extent provided, references to the terms βSection,β βSchedule,β βExhibit,β or βAppendixβ mean to the corresponding Sections, Schedules, Exhibits, or Appendices attached to or referred to in this Agreement. Any reference to an Exhibit to this Agreement contained herein shall be deemed to include any Schedule(s) to such Exhibit. Each Appendix, Exhibit and Schedule referred to in this Agreement is hereby incorporated by reference in this Agreement as if such Appendix, Exhibit or Schedule were set out in full in the text of this Agreement.
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13.11 Authority to Adopt Agreement. By execution hereof, each Member represents and covenants as follows:
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(a) The Member has full legal right, power, and authority to deliver this Agreement and to perform the Memberβs obligations hereunder;
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(b) This Agreement constitutes the legal, valid, and binding obligation of the Member enforceable in accordance with its terms, except as the enforcement thereof may be limited by bankruptcy and other laws of general application relating to creditorsβ rights or general principles of equity;
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(c) This Agreement does not violate, conflict with, result in a breach of the terms, conditions or provisions of, or constitute a default or an event of default under any other agreement of which the Member is a party; and
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(d) The Memberβs investment in Units in the Company is made for the Memberβs own account for investment purposes only and not with a view to the resale or distribution of such Units.
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13.12 Leveraging. No Member or Unit Holder is permitted to leverage such Memberβs or Unit Holderβs Units for any purpose unless otherwise approved by the Manager, except as expressly provided herein.
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13.13 Preparation of Document. The Members and Manager have participated jointly in the negotiation and drafting of this Agreement. If a question of interpretation arises, this Agreement shall be construed as if drafted jointly by the Members, and no presumption or burden of proof shall arise favoring or disfavoring either party by virtue of the authorship of any provision of this Agreement.
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13.14 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts each of which shall for all purposes be deemed an original and all of such counterparts, taken together, shall constitute one and the same Agreement. The exchange of copies of this Agreement and of signature pages by facsimile transmission or .PDF delivered via email will constitute effective execution and delivery of this Agreement as to the Parties and may be used in lieu of the original Agreement for all purposes.
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13.15 Waiver. The due performance or observance by the parties hereto of their respective obligations under this Agreement shall not be waived, and the rights and remedies of the parties hereunder shall not be affected, by any course of dealing or performance or by any delay or failure of any party in exercising any such right or remedy. The due performance or observance by a party of any of its obligations under this Agreement may be waived only by a writing signed by the party against whom enforcement of such waiver is sought, and any such waiver shall be effective only to the extent specifically set forth in such writing.
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13.16 Spousal Consent. Any married individual who becomes a Member or Unit Holder must have his or her non-Member or non-Unit Holder spouse execute the Spousal Consent in the form attached hereto (as such may be amended from time to time, the βSpousal Consentβ), and the execution of such Spousal Consent shall be a condition precedent to becoming a Member or Unit Holder. If an individual becomes married after such individual is already a Member or Unit Holder, then such individual shall cause his or her non-Member or non-Unit Holder spouse to execute the Spousal Consent as soon as practicable after the individual becomes married.
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13.17 Inclusion of Unit Holders. For purposes of this Article XIII, except for voting purposes, the term βMemberβ shall also include a Unit Holder.
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(Signature Page Follows)
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SIGNATURE PAGE TO
OPERATING AGREEMENT OF WORLD TREE USA, LLC
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By execution below, each of the undersigned agrees to the terms and provisions of this Operating Agreement of World Tree USA, LLC.
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Β | MEMBER: | Β | |
Β | Β | Β | |
Β | WORLD TREE TECHNOLOGIES, INC. | ||
Β | Β | Β | Β |
By: | /s/ Xxxxx Xxxxxx | ||
Β | Name: | Xxxxx Xxxxxx | Β |
Β | Title: | CEO and Founder | Β |
Β | Β | Β | Β |
Β | MANAGER: | Β | |
Β | Β | Β | |
Β | WORLD TREE TECHNOLOGIES, INC. | Β | |
Β | Β | Β | Β |
Β | By: | /s/ Xxxxx Xxxxxx | Β |
Β | Name: | Xxxxx Xxxxxx | Β |
Β | Title: | CEO and Founder | Β |
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APPENDIX 1
SPECIAL TAX AND ACCOUNTING PROVISIONS
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A1. Accounting Definitions. The following terms, which are used predominantly in this Appendix 1, shall have the meanings set forth below for all purposes under this Agreement.
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βAdjusted Capital Account Balanceβ means, with respect to any Member, the balance of such Memberβs Capital Account as of the end of the relevant Fiscal Year, after giving effect to the following adjustments:
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(a) Credit to such Capital Account any amounts which such Member is obligated to restore pursuant to this Agreement or as determined pursuant to Regulations Β§ 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(c), or is deemed to be obligated to restore pursuant to the penultimate sentences of Regulations Β§ 1.704-2(g)(1) and 1.704-2(i)(5); and
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(b) Debit to such Capital Account the items described in clauses (4), (5) and (6) ofΒ Β§ 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d) of the Regulations.
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The foregoing definition of Adjusted Capital Account Balance is intended to comply with the provisions of Β§ 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d) of the Regulations and shall be interpreted consistently therewith.
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βAdjustment Dateβ means the date on which any of the following occurs: (i) the acquisition of additional Units in the Company by any new or existing Member in exchange for more than a de minimis Capital Contribution; (ii) the distribution by the Company to a Member or Unit Holder of more than a de minimis amount of cash or property as consideration for Units in the Company, if (in any such event) such adjustment is necessary or appropriate, in the reasonable judgment of the Manager, to reflect the relative economic interests of the Members or Unit Holders in the Company; (iii) the liquidation of the Company for federal income tax purposes pursuant to Regulations Β§ 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(g); or (iv) the grant of an interest in the Company (other than a de minimis interest) as consideration for the provision of services to or for the benefit of the Company by an existing Member or Unit Holder acting in a Member capacity, or by a new Member or Unit Holder acting in a Member capacity or in anticipation of being a Member.
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βCapital Accountβ means, with respect to any Member or other owner of Units in the Company, the Capital Account maintained for such Person in accordance with the following provisions:
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(a) To each such Personβs Capital Account there shall be credited the amount of money and the initial Gross Asset Value of such Personβs Capital Contributions, such Personβs distributive share of Profits and any items in the nature of income or gain that are specially allocated pursuant to Sections A2 and A3 hereof, and the amount of any Company liabilities assumed by such Person, as described in Regulations Β§ 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(c);
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(b) To each such Personβs Capital Account there shall be debited the amount of cash and the Gross Asset Value of any Company property distributed to such Person pursuant to any provision of this Agreement as determined by the Manager, such Personβs distributive share of Losses, and any items in the nature of expenses or losses that are specially allocated pursuant to Sections A2 and A3 hereof, and the amount of any liabilities of such Person assumed by the Company, as described in Regulations Β§ 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(c);
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(c) In the event any Units are transferred in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, the transferee shall succeed to the Capital Account of the transferor to the extent it relates to the transferred Units;
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(d) Code Β§ 752(c) shall be applied in determining the amount of any liabilities taken into account for purposes of this definition of βCapital Accountβ;
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(e) The Capital Accounts of all Members and Unit Holders shall also be increased or decreased immediately prior to any Adjustment Date to reflect the aggregate net increase or decrease in Gross Asset Values made pursuant to subparagraph (b) of the definition of Gross Asset Value as if the upward or downward change in the Gross Asset Value arising from such adjustment had been income or loss, respectively, and allocated among the Members and Unit Holders pursuant to Sections 6.1 and 6.2 and
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(f) The foregoing provisions and the other provisions of this Agreement relating to the maintenance of Capital Accounts are intended to comply with §§ 1.704-1(b) and 1.704-2 of the Regulations and shall be interpreted and applied in a manner consistent with such Regulations. The Manager may modify the manner of computing the Capital Accounts or any debits or credits thereto (including debits or credits relating to liabilities that are secured by contributed or distributed property or that are assumed by the Company or any Member) in order to comply with such Regulations, provided that any such modification is not likely to have a material effect on the amounts distributable to any Member pursuant to Section 12.2 upon the dissolution of the Company. Without limiting the generality of the preceding sentence, upon approval by the Manager, the Company shall make any adjustments that are necessary or appropriate to maintain equality between the aggregate sum of the Capital Accounts and the amount of capital reflected on the balance sheet of the Company, as determined for book purposes in accordance with § 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(g) of the Regulations. Upon approval by the Manager, the Company shall also make any appropriate modifications if unanticipated events (for example, the availability of investment tax credits) might otherwise cause this Agreement not to comply with Regulations § 1.704-1(b).
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βCompany Minimum Gainβ has the same meaning as the term βpartnership minimum gainβ under Regulations Β§ 1.704-2(d) of the Regulations.
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βDepreciationβ means, for each Fiscal Year or other period, an amount equal to the depreciation, amortization or other cost recovery deduction allowable with respect to an asset for such year or other period, except that if the Gross Asset Value of an asset differs from its adjusted basis for federal income tax purposes at the beginning of such year or other period, Depreciation shall be an amount that bears the same ratio to such beginning Gross Asset Value as the federal income tax depreciation, amortization or other cost recovery deduction for such year or other period bears to such beginning adjusted tax basis; provided, however, that if such depreciation, amortization or other cost recovery deductions with respect to any such asset for federal income tax purposes is zero for any Fiscal Year, Depreciation shall be determined with reference to the assetβs Gross Asset Value at the beginning of such year using any reasonable method selected by the Manager.
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βGross Asset Valueβ means, with respect to any asset, the assetβs adjusted basis for federal income tax purposes, except as follows:
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(a) The initial Gross Asset Value for any asset (other than money) contributed by a Member to the Company shall be as determined by the Manager and the contributing Member;
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(b) The Gross Asset Value of all Company assets shall be adjusted to equal their respective gross fair market values, as determined by the Manager as of the following times: (i) the acquisition of additional Units in the Company by any new or existing Member in exchange for more than a de minimis Capital Contribution; (ii) the distribution by the Company to a Member of more than a de minimis amount of cash or property as consideration for Units in the Company, if (in any such event) such adjustment is necessary or appropriate, in the reasonable judgment of the Manager, to reflect the relative economic interests of the Members in the Company; (iii) the liquidation of the Company for federal income tax purposes pursuant to Regulations Β§ 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(g); or (iv) the grant of an interest in the Company (other than a de minimis interest) as consideration for the provision of services to or for the benefit of the Company by an existing Member acting in a Member capacity, or by a new Member acting in a Member capacity or in anticipation of being a Member;
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(c) The Gross Asset Value of any Company asset distributed to any Member shall be adjusted to equal its gross fair market value on the date of distribution;
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(d) The Gross Asset Value of the Companyβs assets shall be increased (or decreased) to reflect any adjustments to the adjusted basis of such assets pursuant to Code Β§ 734(b) or Code Β§ 743(b), but only to the extent that such adjustments are taken into account in determining Capital Accounts pursuant to Regulation Β§ 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(m) and Section A2(g) hereof; provided, however, that Gross Asset Values shall not be adjusted pursuant to this subsection (d) to the extent that an adjustment pursuant to subsection (b) of this definition is necessary or appropriate in connection with a transaction that would otherwise result in an adjustment pursuant to this subsection (d); and
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(e) If the Gross Asset Value of an asset has been determined or adjusted pursuant to subsection (a), (b) or (d) above, such Gross Asset Value shall thereafter be adjusted by the Depreciation taken into account from time to time with respect to such asset for purposes of computing Profits and Losses.
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βMember Nonrecourse Debtβ has the same meaning as the term βpartner nonrecourse debtβ under Β§ 1.704-2(b)(4) of the Regulations.
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βMember Nonrecourse Debt Minimum Gainβ has the same meaning as the term βpartner nonrecourse debt minimum gainβ under Β§ 1.704-2(i)(2) of the Regulations and shall be determined in accordance with Β§ 1.704-2(i)(3) of the Regulations.
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βMember Nonrecourse Deductionsβ has the same meaning as the term βpartner nonrecourse deductionsβ under Regulations Β§ 1.704-2(i)(1). The amount of Member Nonrecourse Deductions with respect to a Member Nonrecourse Debt for each Fiscal Year of the Company equals the excess (if any) of the net increase (if any) in the amount of Member Nonrecourse Debt Minimum Gain attributable to such Member Nonrecourse Debt during such Fiscal Year over the aggregate amount of any distributions during such Fiscal Year to the Member that bears the economic risk of loss for such Member Nonrecourse Debt to the extent that such distributions are from the proceeds of such Member Nonrecourse Debt which are allocable to an increase in Member Nonrecourse Debt Minimum Gain attributable to such Member Nonrecourse Debt, determined in accordance with Β§ 1.704-2(i)(2) of the Regulations.
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βNonrecourse Debtβ or βNonrecourse Liabilityβ has the same meaning as the term βnonrecourse liabilityβ under Β§ 1.704-2(b)(3) of the Regulations.
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βNonrecourse Deductionsβ has the meaning set forth in Β§ 1.704-2(b)(1) of the Regulations. The amount of Nonrecourse Deductions for a Company Fiscal Year equals the excess (if any) of the net increase (if any) in the amount of Company Minimum Gain during that Fiscal Year over the aggregate amount of any distributions during that Fiscal Year of proceeds of a Nonrecourse Debt that are allocable to an increase in Company Minimum Gain, determined according to the provisions of Β§ 1.704-2(c) of the Regulations.
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βProfitsβ or βLossesβ means, for each Fiscal Year or other period, the taxable income or taxable loss of the Company as determined under Code Β§ 703(a) (including in such taxable income or taxable loss all items of income, gain, loss or deduction required to be stated separately pursuant to Code Β§ 703(a)(1)) with the following adjustments:
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(a) All items of gain or loss resulting from the sale of any Company property shall be computed by reference to the Gross Asset Value of such property notwithstanding that the adjusted tax basis differs from its Gross Asset Value thereof;
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(b) Any income of the Company that is exempt from federal income tax shall be added to such taxable income or loss;
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(c) Any expenditures of the Company that are described in Code Β§ 705(a)(2)(B), or treated as such pursuant to Regulations Β§ 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(i), and that are not otherwise taken into account in the computation of Profits and Losses pursuant to this definition of βProfitsβ and βLossesβ shall be included in the determination of Profits or Losses;
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(d) If the Gross Asset Value of any Company asset is adjusted pursuant to subsectionΒ (b) or (c) of the definition of βGross Asset Valueβ set forth in this Appendix 1, the amount of such adjustment shall be taken into account as gain or loss from the disposition of such asset for purposes of computing Profits or Losses unless such gain or loss is specially allocated pursuant to Section A2 hereof;
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(e) In lieu of the depreciation, amortization, and other cost recovery deductions taken into account in determining such taxable income or loss, there shall be deducted Depreciation, computed in accordance with the definition of such term in this Appendix 1, and
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(f) Notwithstanding any of the foregoing provisions, any items that are specially allocated pursuant to Section A2 or A3 hereof shall not be taken into account in computing Profits or Losses.
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A2. Special Allocations. The allocation of Profits and Losses for each Fiscal Year shall be subject to the following special allocations in the order set forth below:
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(a) Company Minimum Gain Chargeback. If there is a net decrease in Company Minimum Gain for any Fiscal Year, each Member shall be specially allocated items of income and gain for such year (and, if necessary, for subsequent years) in an amount equal to such Memberβs share of the net decrease in Company Minimum Gain during such year, determined in accordance with RegulationsΒ Β§ 1.704-2(g)(2). Allocations pursuant to the preceding sentence shall be made among the Members in proportion to the respective amounts required to be allocated to each of them pursuant to such Regulation. The items to be so allocated shall be determined in accordance with Regulations Β§ 1.704-2(f)(6). Any special allocation of items of Company income and gain pursuant to this Section A2(a) shall be made before any other allocation of items under this Appendix 1. This Section A2(a) is intended to comply with the βminimum gain chargebackβ requirement in Regulations Β§ 1.704-2(f) and shall be interpreted consistently therewith.
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(b) Member Nonrecourse Debt Minimum Gain Chargeback. If there is a net decrease during a Fiscal Year in the Member Nonrecourse Debt Minimum Gain attributable to a MemberΒ Nonrecourse Debt, then each Member with a share of the Member Nonrecourse Debt Minimum Gain attributable to such debt, determined in accordance with Regulations Β§ 1.704-2(i)(5), shall be specially allocated items of income and gain for such year (and, if necessary, subsequent years) an amount equal to such Memberβs share of the net decrease in the Member Nonrecourse Debt Minimum Gain attributable to such Member Nonrecourse Debt, determined in accordance with Regulations Β§ 1.704-2(i)(4). Allocations pursuant to the preceding sentence shall be made among the Members in proportion to the respective amounts to be allocated to each of them pursuant to such Regulation. Any special allocation of items of income and gain pursuant to this Section A2(b) for a Fiscal Year shall be made before any other allocation of Company items under this Appendix 1, except only for special allocations required under Section A2(a) hereof. The items to be so allocated shall be determined in accordance with Regulations Β§ 1.704-2(i)(4). This Section A2(b) is intended to comply with the provisions of Regulations Β§ 1.704-2(i)(4) and shall be interpreted consistently therewith.
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(c) Qualified Income Offset. If any Member receives any adjustments, allocations, or distributions described in clauses (4), (5) or (6) of Regulations Β§ 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d), items of income and gain shall be specially allocated to each such Member in an amount and manner sufficient to eliminate as quickly as possible, to the extent required by such Regulation, any deficit in such Memberβs Adjusted Capital Account Balance, such balance to be determined after all other allocations provided for under this Appendix 1 have been tentatively made as if this Section A2(c) were not in this Agreement.
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(d) Gross Income Allocation. In the event any Member has a deficit Capital Account at the end of any Fiscal Year which is in excess of the sum of (i) the amount (if any) such Member is obligated to restore pursuant to any provision of this Agreement, and (ii) the amount such Member is deemed to be obligated to restore pursuant to the penultimate sentences of §§ 1.704-2(g)(1) and 1.704- 2(i)(5) of the Regulations, each such Member shall be specially allocated items of income and gain in the amount of such excess as quickly as possible, provided that an allocation pursuant to this Section A2(d) shall be made only if and to the extent that such Member would have a deficit Capital Account in excess of such sum after all other allocations provided for in this Appendix 1 have been made as if Section A2(c) hereof and this Section A2(d) were not in the Agreement.
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(e) Nonrecourse Deductions. Nonrecourse Deductions for any Fiscal Year or other period shall be specially allocated to the Members in accordance with their Percentage Interests.
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(f) Member Nonrecourse Deductions. Member Nonrecourse Deductions for any Fiscal Year or other period shall be specially allocated, in accordance with Regulations Β§ 1.704-2(i)(1), to the Member or Members who bear the economic risk of loss for the Member Nonrecourse Debt to which such deductions are attributable.
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(g) Code Β§ 754 Adjustments. To the extent an adjustment to the adjusted tax basis of any Company asset under Code Β§ 734(b) or 743(b) is required to be taken into account in determining Capital Accounts pursuant to Regulations Β§ 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(m), the amount of such adjustment to the Capital Accounts shall be treated as an item of gain (if the adjustment increases the basis of the asset) or loss (if the adjustment decreases such basis), and such gain or loss shall be specially allocated to the Members in a manner consistent with the manner in which their Capital Accounts are required to be adjusted pursuant to such section of the Regulations.
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(h) Syndication Expenses. Any syndication expenses which must be deducted from each Memberβs Capital Account in accordance with Regulation Β§ 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(i)(2) in the year paid shall be allocated pro rata to the Members based on their Percentage Interests. If Members are admitted to the Company on different dates, all syndication expenses shall be divided among the Members from time to time so that, to the extent possible, the cumulative syndication expenses allocated pursuant to thisΒ Section A.2(h) with respect to each Unit is the same amount. In the event the Manager shall determine that such result is not likely to be achieved through future allocations of syndication expenses, the Manager may allocate a portion of Profits or Losses so as to achieve the same effect on the Capital Accounts of the Members, notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement.
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A3. Curative Allocations. The allocations set forth in subsections (a) through (h) of Section A2 hereof (βRegulatory Allocationsβ) are intended to comply with certain requirements of Regulations §§ 1.704-1(b) and 1.704-2. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Appendix 1 (other than the Regulatory Allocations and the next two (2) following sentences), the Regulatory Allocations shall be taken into account in allocating other Profits, Losses and items of income, gain, loss and deduction among the Members so that, to the extent possible, the net amount of such allocations of other Profits, Losses and other items and the Regulatory Allocations to each Member shall be equal to the net amount that would have been allocated to each such Member if the Regulatory Allocations had not occurred. For purposes of applying the preceding sentence, Regulatory Allocations of Nonrecourse Deductions and Member Nonrecourse Deductions shall be offset by subsequent allocations of items of income and gain pursuant to this Section A3 only if (and to the extent) that: (a) the Manager reasonably determines that such Regulatory Allocations are not likely to be offset by subsequent allocations under Section A2(a) or Section A2(b) hereof, and (b) there has been a net decrease in Company Minimum Gain (in the case of allocations to offset prior Nonrecourse Deductions) or a net decrease in Member Nonrecourse Debt Minimum Gain attributable to a Member Nonrecourse Debt (in the case of allocations to offset prior Member Nonrecourse Deductions). The Manager shall apply the provisions of this Section A3, and shall divide the allocations hereunder among the Members, in such manner as will minimize the economic distortions upon the distributions to the Members that might otherwise result from the Regulatory Allocations.
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A4. General Allocation Rules. For purposes of determining the Profits, Losses or any other items allocable to any period, Profits, Losses and any such other items shall be determined on a daily, monthly or other basis, as determined by the Manager using any method permissible under Code Β§ 706 and the Regulations thereunder. For purposes of determining the Membersβ proportionate shares of the βexcess nonrecourse liabilitiesβ of the Company within the meaning of Regulations Β§ 1.752-3(a)(3), their respective interests in Member profits shall be in the same proportions as their Percentage Interests.
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A5. Recharacterization of Fees or Distributions. In the event that a guaranteed payment to a Member is ultimately recharacterized (as the result of an audit of the Companyβs return or otherwise) as a distribution for federal income tax purposes, and if such recharacterization has the effect of disallowing a deduction or reducing the adjusted basis of any asset of the Company, then an amount of Company gross income equal to such disallowance or reduction shall be allocated to the recipient of such payment. In the event that a distribution to a Member is ultimately recharacterized (as the result of an audit of the Companyβs return or otherwise) as a guaranteed payment for federal income tax purposes, and if any such recharacterization gives rise to a deduction, such deduction shall be allocated to the recipient of the distribution.
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A6. Recapture of Deductions and Credits. If any βrecaptureβ of deductions or credits previously claimed by the Company is required under the Code upon the sale or other taxable disposition of any Company property, those recaptured deductions or credits shall, to the extent possible, be allocated to Members, pro rata in the same manner that the deductions and credits giving rise to the recapture items were allocated using the βfirst-in, first-outβ method of accounting; provided, however, that this Section A6 shall only affect the characterization of income allocated among the Members for tax purposes.
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EXHIBIT A
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SCHEDULE OF MEMBERS AND CAPITAL CONTRIBUTIONS
(as of the Effective Date)
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INITIAL MEMBERS | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Member | Β | Capital Account | Β | Β | Initial Contribution Account | Β | Β | Voting Series B Units | Β | Β | Voting Series B Unit Percentage Interest | Β | Β | Non-Voting Series A Units | Β | Β | Non-Voting Series A Unit Percentage Interest | Β | ||||||
Β | Β | Β | Β | Β | Β | Β | Β | Β | Β | Β | Β | Β | Β | Β | Β | Β | Β | Β | ||||||
World Tree Technologies, Inc. 000 X. Xxxxxxxx Xxxx Xxxxx 000-000 Xxxx, Xxxxxxx 00000 Attn: Xxxxxx Xxxxx | Β | $ | 10,000 | Β | Β | $ | 10,000 | Β | Β | Β | 10,000 | Β | Β | Β | 100 | % | Β | Β | -- | Β | Β | Β | -- | Β |
Β | Β | Β | Β | Β | Β | Β | Β | Β | Β | Β | Β | Β | Β | Β | Β | Β | Β | Β | Β | Β | Β | Β | Β | Β |
[Non-Voting Series A Unit Holders] | Β | $ | [ ] | Β | Β | $ | [ ] | Β | Β | Β | -- | Β | Β | Β | -- | Β | Β | [ ] | Β | Β | [ ] | % | ||
Β | Β | Β | Β | Β | Β | Β | Β | Β | Β | Β | Β | Β | Β | Β | Β | Β | ||||||||
TOTALS | Β | $ | [ ] | Β | Β | $ | [ ] | Β | Β | Β | 10,000 | Β | Β | Β | 100 | % | $ | [ ] | Β | Β | 100 | % |
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EXHIBIT B
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SPOUSAL CONSENT
TO
entered into and effective as of April 24, 2019
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The undersigned is the spouse of a Member and acknowledges that the undersigned has read the foregoing Operating Agreement entered into and effective as of April 24, 2019 (the βAgreementβ), by and among the Members and the Manager of World Tree USA, LLC, a Nevada limited liability company (the βCompanyβ) and understands its provisions. The undersigned is aware that, by the provisions of the Agreement, the undersigned and the undersignedβs spouse have agreed to sell or transfer all of the undersignedβs Units in the Company, including any community property interest, in accordance with the terms and provisions of the Agreement. The undersigned hereby expressly approves of and agrees to be bound by the provisions of the Agreement in its entirety, including, but not limited to, those provisions relating to the sales and transfers of Units and the restrictions thereon. If the undersigned predeceases the undersignedβs spouse when the undersignedβs spouse owns any Units in the Company, the undersigned agrees not to devise or bequeath whatever community property interest or quasi- community property interest the undersigned may have in the Company in contravention of the Agreement.
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Dated: | By: | Β | Β |
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