SECOND AMENDED and RESTATED OPERATING AGREEMENT of HUSKER AG, LLC a Nebraska limited liability company THIS OPERATING AGREEMENT CONTAINS RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFERABILITY OF MEMBERSHIP INTERESTS
Exhibit 3.2
SECOND AMENDED
and
RESTATED
of
HUSKER AG, LLC
a Nebraska limited liability company
THIS OPERATING AGREEMENT
CONTAINS RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFERABILITY OF
MEMBERSHIP INTERESTS
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HUSKER AG, LLC
SECOND AMENDED
and
RESTATED
THIS SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED OPERATING AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is made and entered into as of April 30, 2001 by Husker Ag, LLC (the “Company”), a Nebraska limited liability company.
In consideration of the mutual covenants contained herein, and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following meanings:
1.1 “Act” shall mean the Nebraska Limited Liability Company Act, as amended from time to time.
1.2 “Affiliate” shall mean, in the case of any Person (the “Specified—Person”), any other Person (a) that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled by or is under common control with the Specified Person, or (b) that is an executive officer, director or manager, or serves in a similar capacity with respect to, the Specified Person, as determined by the Board of Directors in its sole discretion based on facts and information available to the Board.
1.3 “Agreement” shall mean this Operating Agreement, as originally executed or as amended, modified, supplemented or restated from time to time.
1.4 “Capital Account Balance” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.1.
1.5 “Capital Contribution” shall mean, in the case of any Member as of any date of determination, the aggregate amount of cash, property, or services rendered, or a promissory note or other binding obligation to contribute cash or property or to perform services that such Member shall have contributed to the Company on or prior to such date and a Member’s share of any of the Company’s liabilities as determined in accordance with the Code and Treasury Regulations (or, if such Member is not the original holder of the Interest of such Member, the Capital Contribution with respect to the Interest). In the event that any capital is returned to a Member, such Member’s Capital Contribution shall be adjusted to reflect such return.
1.6 “Code” shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time and any successor statute or subsequent codification or recodification of the federal income tax laws of the United States.
1.7 “Company” shall mean Husker Ag, LLC, a Nebraska limited liability company, as such limited liability company may from time to time be constituted, or any successor in interest for such limited liability company.
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1.8 “Director” shall mean one or more Persons elected by the Members to be members of the Board of Directors, or appointed by the Board as provided in Article VI of this Agreement. The “Board of Directors” or “Board” shall manage the Company as provided in Article VI.
1.9 “Distribution” shall mean any distribution pursuant to Section 5.8 by the Company of cash to the Members or any Distribution in Kind.
1.10 “Distribution in Kind” shall have the meaning set forth in paragraph(b) of Section 5.8.
1.11 “Interest” shall mean, in the case of any Member at any time, such Member’s share of the Profits and Losses of the Company at such time and the right of such Member to receive distributions of Company assets to which such Member may be entitled as provided in this Agreement and applicable law, and the right of such Member to vote and participate in the management of the Company as provided in this Agreement.
1.12 “Losses” shall mean the net losses and deductions of the Company determined in accordance with accounting principles consistently applied from year to year employed under the method of accounting adopted by the Company and as reported separately or in the aggregate, as appropriate, on the tax return of the Company filed for federal income tax purposes.
1.13 “Majority in Interest” shall mean the affirmative vote of those Members holding more than fifty percent (50%) of the Percentage Interests. With respect to the Board, “Majority of the Board” shall mean the affirmative vote of more than fifty percent (50%) of the Directors.
1.14 “Member” shall mean any Person who, at the time referenced, owns an Interest in the Company.
1.15 “Officer” shall mean a Member or other Person designated by the Board as provided in Section 6.11.
1.16 “Person” shall mean an individual, a partnership, a joint venture, a corporation, a limited liability company, a trust, an estate, an unincorporated organization or any other entity or a government or any department or agency thereof.
1.17 “Percentage Interest” means the percentage figure calculated by dividing the number of Units owned by the Member by the total number of Units outstanding.
1.18 “Pro Rata” means the ratio computed by dividing the Units of each Member to whom a particular provision of this Agreement is stated to apply by the aggregate of the Units of all Members to whom that provision is stated to apply.
1.19 “Profits” shall mean the net income and gains of the Company determined in accordance with accounting principles consistently applied from year to year employed under the method of accounting adopted by the Company and as reported separately or in the aggregate, as appropriate, on the tax return of the Company filed for federal income tax purposes. Profits includes taxable income, capital gain, and income exempt from taxation.
1.20 “Publicly Traded Partnership” shall mean a partnership whose interests are traded on an established securities market, or are readily tradable on a secondary market (or the substantial equivalent thereof), within the meaning of Treasury Regulations Section 1.7704-1, as amended from time to time.
1.21 “Qualified Matching Service Program” shall mean a matching service that satisfies the requirements of a qualified matching service within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Section 1.7704-1(g)(2), as amended from time to time, during limited time periods specified and approved by Board from time to time, in its sole discretion.
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1.22 “Super-Majority Vote” or “Two-Thirds Majority” shall mean the affirmative vote of those Members holding more than Two-Thirds ( 2/3) of the Percentage Interests. With respect to the Board, “Super-Majority Vote” or “Two-Thirds Majority” shall mean the affirmative vote of more than two-thirds ( 2/3) of the Directors.
1.23 “Transfer” or derivations thereof, of a Unit or Interest means, as a noun, the sale, assignment, exchange, pledge, hypothecation or other disposition of a Unit or Interest, or any part thereof, directly or indirectly, or the sale, assignment, exchange, pledge, hypothecation, or other disposition of a controlling interest in the equity securities of a Member, and as a verb, voluntarily to transfer, sell, assign, exchange, pledge, hypothecate or otherwise dispose of.
1.24 “Treasury Regulations” shall mean the regulations of the United States Department of the Treasury pertaining to the income tax, as from time to time in force.
1.25 “Units” means equal units of the entire ownership interest of all Members of the Company, and all rights and liabilities associated therewith, at any particular time, including, without limitation, rights to distributions (liquidating or otherwise), allocations, information, and consent or approve.
1.26 “Value” shall mean, with respect to any Distributions, if cash, the amount of such cash, or if not cash, the value of such Distribution calculated pursuant to paragraph (d) of Section 5.8.
ARTICLE II
2.1 Formation. The parties to this Agreement have organized a limited liability company under the provisions of the Act by delivering Articles of Organization to the Secretary of State of the State of Nebraska for filing. The Board may take such further actions as it deems necessary or advisable to permit the Company to conduct business as a limited liability company in any jurisdiction. The rights and liabilities of the Members under this Agreement shall be as provided by Nebraska law.
2.2 Name. The name of the Company shall be Husker Ag, LLC, or any other name permitted by the Act as the Members shall afterwards designate by appropriate amendment to the Company’s Articles of Organization.
2.3 Principal Office. The principal office of the Company shall be at 00000 Xxxxxxx 00, Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000 or such place as the Members may, from time to time, designate by appropriate amendment to the Company’s Articles of Organization. The Board may establish additional places of business for the Company when and where required by the business of the Company.
2.4 Names and Addresses of Members. The names, addresses and number of Units held by the initial Members of the Company are set forth in the Membership Register.
2.5 Membership Units and Register. Ownership rights in the Company are evidenced by Units. The Company shall maintain a membership register (the “Membership Register”) at its principal office or by a duly appointed agent of the Company setting forth the name, address and number of Units held by each Member which shall be modified from time to time as Transfers occur or as additional Units are issued to new or existing Members pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement.
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2.6 Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of the Company shall begin on January 1 and end on December 31 of each year. The Board may change the Company’s fiscal year upon the affirmative vote of a majority of the Directors. The fiscal year in which the Company shall terminate shall end on the date of termination of the Company.
2.7 No Partnership. The Directors and the Members intend that as a result of this Agreement: (i) the Company not be a partnership (including, without limitation, a limited partnership) or joint venture for any purposes other than federal and state tax purposes, (ii) no Member or Director be a partner or joint venturer of any other Member, for any purposes other than federal and state tax purposes, and (iii) this Agreement may not be construed to suggest otherwise. This Section 2.7 does not prohibit any Member or Director, in his individual or independent capacity, from being associated with another Member or another Person.
(a) The parties to this Agreement have reached an understanding concerning various aspects of (i) their business relationship with each other and (ii) the organization and operation of the Company and its business. They wish to use rights created by statute to record and bind themselves to that understanding.
(b) The parties intend for this Agreement to control, to the extent stated or fairly implied, the business and affairs of the Company, including the Company’s governance structure and the Company’s dissolution and winding up, as well as the relations among the Company’s Members.
2.9 Advice of Counsel. Each Person signing this Agreement: (a) understands that this Agreement contains legally binding provisions; (b) has had the opportunity to consult with that Person’s own lawyer; and (c) has either consulted that lawyer or consciously decided not to consult a lawyer.
ARTICLE III
The Company may engage in any lawful business, other than banking or insurance. The Agreement shall be construed in light of such purpose.
ARTICLE IV
4.1 Initial Paid-In Capital. The name, address, original Capital Contribution, and initial Units quantifying the Interest of the initial Members are set out in the Membership Register or otherwise in the Company records. Capital Contributions for new Members accepted by the Board, from time to time, shall be made by each new Member as determined by the Board in its sole discretion.
4.2 Additional Capital Contributions. No Member shall be required to make any additional contributions to the capital of the Company. No Member shall be obligated to satisfy any negative Capital Account Balance, except to the extent expressly set forth herein or in the Articles of Organization. No Member shall be paid interest on any Capital Contribution.
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4.3 Minimum Transfers and Maximum Ownership.
(a) Beginning August 31, 2005, (i) no Member shall Transfer fewer than five (5) Units to any transferee (except in the case where all Units owned by a Member are transferred to a single transferee); and (ii) no Member shall Transfer any Units that would result in the transferor owning fewer than five (5) Units after the Transfer. Any Member that wishes to make such a Transfer may request the Company to redeem the affected Units pursuant to Sections 10.7 and 10.8 of this Agreement. For this purpose, the affected Units shall include any Units intended to be transferred or retained by the transferor in an amount of fewer than five (5) Units.
(b) No Member together with its Affiliates shall own Percentage Interests in the Company in excess of thirty percent (30%).
4.4 Withdrawal or Reduction of Members’ Capital Contributions. The withdrawal or reduction of Members’ contributions to the capital of the Company shall be governed by Section 21-2619 of the Act, as amended from time to time; provided, however:
(a) No Member has the right to withdraw all or any part of his Capital Contribution or to receive any return on any portion of his Capital Contribution, except as may be otherwise specifically provided in this Agreement. Under circumstances involving a return of any Capital Contribution, no Member has the right to receive property other than cash.
(b) No Member shall have priority over any other Members, either as to the return of Capital Contributions or as to Losses and Profits, or distributions, except as otherwise provided herein.
4.5 Loans from Directors and Members. The Company may borrow money from and enter into other transactions with any Director or Member. Borrowing from or engaging in other transactions with one or more Directors or Members does not obligate the Company to provide comparable opportunities to other Directors or Members. Any loan made by a Director or Member to the Company shall be evidenced by a promissory note made payable from the Company to such Director or Member. Loans by a Director or Member to the Company shall not be considered Capital Contributions.
4.6 Loans by Company to Members. Unless otherwise approved by the Board of Directors, the Company will not make any loans to Members. Notwithstanding the foregoing or anything in this Agreement to the contrary, the Company shall not, directly or indirectly, including through any subsidiary, extend or maintain credit, arrange for the extension of credit, or renew an extension of credit, in the form of a personal loan to or for any Director or Officer of the Company.
ARTICLE V
5.1 Capital Accounts. A “Capital Account” shall be established for each Member on the books of the Company and maintained in accordance with Section 1.704-1(b)(2) of the Treasury Regulations, as amended from time to time.
(a) To each Member’s Capital Account there shall be credited:
(i) the cash and the Value of any property other than cash contributed by such Member to the capital of the Company;
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(ii) such Member’s allocable share of Profits, and any items of income or gain which are specially allocated to the Member; and
(iii) the amount of any Company liabilities assumed by such Member of which are secured by any property of the Company distributed to such Member.
The principal amount of a promissory note which is not readily traded on an established securities market and which is contributed to the Company by the maker of the note shall not be credited to the Capital Account of any Member until the Company makes a taxable disposition of the note or until (and only to the extent) principal payments are made on the note.
(b) To each Member’s Capital Account there shall be debited:
(i) the amount of cash and the Value of any property other than cash distributed to such Member pursuant to Section 5.8;
(ii) such Member’s allocable share of Losses and any items of expense or loss which are specially allocated to the Member; and
(iii) the amount of any liabilities of such Member assumed by the Company or which are secured by any property contributed by such Member to the Company.
Provided; however, all of the foregoing to be determined in accordance with the rules set forth in Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv) of the Treasury Regulations, as amended from time to time.
5.2 Allocations and Distributions. Except as may be required by section 704 (b) and (c) of the Code and the applicable Treasury Regulations or under Section 5.5 below, all items of income, gain, loss, deduction, and credit of the Company shall be allocated among the Members, and distributions shall be made, in accordance with this Article V.
5.3 Allocations of Income, Gain, Loss, Deductions, and Credits. All items of income, gain, loss, deductions, and credits for a fiscal year shall be allocated to the Members ratably in proportion to their Percentage Interests.
5.4 Allocation of Gain or Loss Upon the Sale of All or Substantially All of the Company’s Assets.
(a) Allocation of Gain. Any income or gain from the sale or exchange of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets shall be allocated, first, to those Members with capital account balances less than the amounts of their respective Capital Contributions that have not previously been distributed, that amount of income or gain, if any, necessary to increase their capital account balances to the amount of their Capital Contributions not previously distributed; and thereafter, the remaining income or gain, if any, shall be allocated to the Members, ratably in proportion to their Percentage Interests.
(b) Allocation of Loss. Any loss from the sale or exchange of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets shall be allocated, first, so as to equalize the capital account balances of all Members holding the same number of Units, and thereafter, the remaining losses shall be allocated to the Members, ratably in proportion to their Percentage Interests.
5.5 Regulatory Allocations and Allocation Limitations. Notwithstanding the preceding provisions for allocating income, gains, losses, deductions and credits, the following limitations, regulatory allocations and contingent reallocations are intended to comply with applicable income tax Treasury Regulations under Section 704(b) of the Code and shall be so construed when applied. The defined
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terms used below shall have the meaning set forth in the applicable section of the Code or Treasury Regulations and the terms “Member” and “Company” shall mean “partner” and “partnership” with respect to this application of such definitions to this section.
(a) Company Minimum Gain Chargeback. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 5.5, if there is a net decrease in Company Minimum Gain during any Company fiscal year, each Member shall be specially allocated items of Company income and gain for such year (and, if necessary, for subsequent years) in accordance with Section 1.704-2(f)(1) of the Treasury Regulations in an amount equal to such Member’s share of the net decrease in Company Minimum Gain (determined in accordance with Section 1.704-2(g)(2) of the Treasury Regulations). This Section 5.5(a) is intended to comply with the minimum gain chargeback requirement in the Treasury Regulations and shall be interpreted consistently therewith.
(b) Member Minimum Gain Chargeback. Except as otherwise provided in Section 1.704-2(i)(4) of the Treasury Regulations, notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 5.5, if there is a net decrease in Member Nonrecourse Debt Minimum Gain attributable to a Member Nonrecourse Debt during any Company fiscal year, each Member who has a share of the Member Nonrecourse Debt Minimum Gain attributable to such Member Nonrecourse Debt, determined in accordance with Section 1.704-2(i)(5) of the Treasury Regulations, shall be specially allocated items of Company income and gain for such year (and, if necessary, for subsequent years) in an amount equal to such Member’s share of the net decrease in Member Nonrecourse Debt Minimum Gain attributable to such Member Nonrecourse Debt, determined in accordance with Section 1.704-2(i)(4) of the Treasury Regulations. Allocations pursuant to the previous sentence shall be made in proportion to the respective amounts required to be allocated to each Member pursuant thereto. The items to be so allocated shall be determined in accordance with Sections 1.704-2(i)(4) and 1.704-2(j)(2) of the Treasury Regulations. This Section 5.5(b) is intended to comply with the minimum gain chargeback requirements in Section 1.704-2(i)(4) of the Treasury Regulations and shall be interpreted consistently therewith.
(c) Qualified Income Offset. In the event a deficit balance in a Member’s capital account in excess of the sum of (i) the amount such Member is obligated to restore or contribute to the Company pursuant to any provision of this Operating Agreement and (ii) the amount such Member is deemed to be obligated to contribute pursuant to the penultimate sentences of Section 1.704-2(g)(1)(ii) and 1.704-2(i)(5) of the Treasury Regulations, is caused or increased because a Member receives an adjustment, allocation, or distribution described in Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d) of the Treasury Regulations, such Member will be allocated items of Company income and gain in an amount and manner sufficient to eliminate such deficit balance or such increase in the deficit balance, as quickly as possible, to the extent required in the Treasury Regulations. This Section 5.5(c) is intended, and shall be so construed, to provide a “qualified income offset” within the meaning of Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d) of the Treasury Regulations.
(d) Gross Income Allocations. In the event that a deficit balance in a Member’s Capital Account at the end of any fiscal year is in excess of the sum of (i) the amount such Member is obligated to restore or contribute to the Company under this Operating Agreement and (ii) the amount such Member is deemed to be obligated to restore pursuant to the penultimate sentences of Treasury Regulations §§ 1.704-2(g)(1)(ii) and 1.704-2(i)(5), the Member shall be specially allocated items of Company income and gain in the amount of such excess as quickly as possible, provided that an allocation pursuant to this Section 5.5(d) shall be made only if and to the extent that the Member would have a deficit balance in its Capital Account in excess of such sum after all other allocations provided for in this Section have been made as if Section 5.5(c) and this Section 5.5(d) were not in this Operating Agreement.
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(e) Nonrecourse Deductions. Nonrecourse Deductions shall be specially allocated to the Members in proportion to the allocation of Losses under Section 5.4.
(f) Member Nonrecourse Deductions. Any Member Nonrecourse Deductions for any fiscal year shall be specially allocated to the Member who bears the economic risk of loss with respect to the Member Nonrecourse Debt to which such Member Nonrecourse Deductions are attributable in accordance with Section 1.704-2(i)(1) of the Treasury Regulations.
(g) Members’ Shares of Excess Nonrecourse Debt. The Members’ shares of excess Company Nonrecourse Debt within the meaning of Section 1.752-3(a)(3) of the Treasury Regulations shall be determined in accordance with the manner in which it is reasonably expected that the deductions attributable to such Company Nonrecourse Debt will be allocated.
(h) Curative Allocations. The allocations set forth in subsections (a), (b), (d), and (d) (the “Regulatory Allocations”) are intended to comply with certain requirements of the Treasury Regulations under Section 704(b). Notwithstanding any other provision of this Article V (other than the Regulatory Allocations), the Regulatory Allocations shall be taken into account in allocating other items of income, gain or loss among the Members so that, to the extent possible, the net amount of allocations of such items of income, gain or loss and the Regulatory Allocations to each Member shall be equal to the net amount that would have been allocated to such Member if the Regulatory Allocations had not occurred. For this purpose, future Regulatory Allocations under Section 5.5(a) and (b) shall be taken into account that, although not yet made, are likely to offset other Regulatory Allocations made under Section 5.5(f) and (g).
5.6 Proration of Allocations. All income, gains, losses, deductions and credits for a fiscal year allocable with respect to any Members whose Units may have been transferred, forfeited, reduced or changed during such year should be allocated based upon the varying interests of the Members throughout the year. The precise manner in which such allocations are made shall be determined by the Board of Directors in its sole discretion and shall be a manner of allocation, including an interim closing of the books, permitted to be used for federal income tax purposes.
5.7 Consent to Allocation. Each Member expressly consents to the methods provided herein for allocation of the Company’s income, gains, losses, deductions and credits.
5.8 Distributions.
(a) The Board of Directors shall determine, in its sole discretion, whether to distribute or retain all or any portion of the Profits. The Directors may distribute cash to the Members irrespective of Profits. All cash distributions shall be made to the Members in accordance with paragraph (c) of this Section 5.8. Provided, however, no Member has a right to any distribution prior to the dissolution of the Company without the approval of the Board.
(b) The Board may agree to distribute to the Members in kind any property held by the Company. Any such distribution of property shall be referred to herein as a “Distribution in Kind.” The value of any such Distribution in Kind at the time of such distribution shall be determined in accordance with paragraph (d) of this Section 5.8 and such distribution shall be made to the Members in accordance with paragraph (c) of this Section 5.8. Distributions in Kind, made pursuant to this paragraph (b), shall be subject to such restrictions and conditions as the Board shall have determined are necessary or appropriate in order for such distributions to be made in accordance with applicable law.
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(c) Any distribution of Profits in accordance with this Section 5.8, and any distribution, other than Profits, of cash pursuant to paragraph (a) of this Section 5.8 or Distribution in Kind pursuant to paragraph (b) of Section 5.8, shall be made to the Members according to their Percentage Interests.
(d) The Value of any Distribution in Kind as of any date of determination (or in the event such date is a holiday or other day that is not a business day, as of the next preceding business day) shall be the estimated fair market value of any property distributed, as determined by the Board of Directors in its sole discretion.
(e) All distributions are subject to set-off by the Company for any past-due obligation of the Members to the Company.
(f) Members shall not receive salaries or compensation from the Company solely in their capacities as Members or for the use of their capital.
5.9 Other 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 Board, using any permissible method under Section 706 of the Code and the Treasury Regulations thereunder.
5.10 Compliance with Section 704(b) of the Code. The provisions of this Article as they relate to the maintenance of Capital Accounts are intended, and shall be construed, and, if necessary, modified to cause the allocations of profits, losses, income, gain and credit pursuant to Article V to have substantial economic effect under the Treasury Regulations promulgated under Section 704(b) of the Code, in light of the distributions made pursuant to Articles V and XI and the contributions made pursuant to Article IV. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, this Agreement shall not be construed as creating a deficit restoration obligation or otherwise personally obligate any Member or Transferee to make a contribution in excess of the initial contribution or additional contribution agreed to by a Majority in Interest of the Members of the Company.
5.11 Transfer of Capital Accounts. In the event all or a portion of an Interest in the Company is Transferred in accordance with the terms of the Articles of Organization and this Agreement, the transferee shall succeed to that portion of the Capital Account of the transferor which is allocable to the transferred Interest.
5.12 Income Tax Consequences. The Members are aware of the income tax consequences of the allocations made by this Article V and hereby agree to be bound by the provisions of this Article V in reporting their shares of Company income and loss for income tax purposes.
ARTICLE VI
6.1 Management.
(a) The Company shall be managed by a Board of Directors elected by the Members (in accordance with Section 6.1(c)). All powers of the Company shall be exercised by or under the authority of, and the business affairs of the Company managed under the direction of the Board of Directors in accordance with this Agreement. Individual Directors or Officers designated by the Board from time to time may act for or on behalf of the Company and execute all agreements on behalf of the Company and otherwise bind the Company as to third parties without the consent of the Members or remainder of the Board of Directors; provided, however, that with respect to those issues requiring approval of the Members under the Act or as set forth in this Agreement, such approval must first be
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obtained; provided, further, that the affirmative vote of a Majority of the Board shall be required for (a) incurring any indebtedness or expense in excess of $20,000 other than in the ordinary course of business; (b) pledging, mortgaging, encumbering or granting any lien on any assets of the Company other than in the ordinary course of business; or (c) purchasing any asset or making capital expenditures in excess of $50,000.
(b) The salaries and other compensation, if any, of the Directors for management services shall be fixed annually by a Super Majority Vote of the Board. A Board decision on this matter may be changed by a Super Majority Vote of the Members at any duly-called annual or special meeting.
(c) The Board of Directors shall be comprised of thirteen (13) members who shall be elected by the Members at the annual meeting of the Members in accordance with Section 8.2 of this Agreement. The Board of Directors shall be divided into three classes, Class I, Class II, and Class III, with Class I consisting of five (5) directors and Class II and Class III each consisting of four (4) directors. The Directors shall serve staggered terms of three (3) years and until their successor is elected and qualified. Directors need not be residents of the State of Nebraska or Members of the Company.
(d) Nominations for election to the Board of Directors may be made by the Board of Directors, the nominating committee, or by any Member entitled to vote for the election of Directors. Nominations, other than those made by or on behalf of the existing management of the Company, shall be made in writing and shall be delivered or mailed to the Secretary of the Company or to the chairman of the nominating committee, no earlier than the first day of the October preceding the annual meeting and no later than the last day of the March preceding the annual meeting. Or, in the event of a special meeting of Members, not later than the close of the fifteenth day following the day on which notice of the meeting is first mailed to Members. Each nomination shall contain such information about the nominee which shall be deemed appropriate, from time to time, by the nominating committee. Each nomination shall be accompanied by the written consent of each nominee to serve as a Director of the Company if so elected. At the meeting of Members, the Chairman of the Board shall declare out of order and disregard any nomination not presented in accordance with this section.
6.2 Authority of the Board of Directors. In addition to and not in limitation of any rights and powers conferred by law or other provisions of this Agreement, and except as limited, restricted or prohibited by the express provisions of this Agreement, the Board of Directors shall have and may exercise on behalf of the Company, all powers and rights necessary, proper, convenient or advisable to effectuate and carry out the purposes, business and objectives of the Company. Such powers shall include, without limitation, the power to:
(a) expend Company funds in connection with the operation of the Company’s business or otherwise pursuant to this Agreement;
(b) employ and dismiss from employment any and all employees, agents, independent contractors, attorneys and accountants;
(c) prosecute, settle or compromise all claims against third parties, compromise, settle or accept judgment on, claims against the Company and execute all documents and make all representations, admissions and waivers in connection therewith;
(d) borrow money on behalf of the Company from any Person, issue promissory notes; drafts and other negotiable and nonnegotiable instruments and evidences of indebtedness, secure payment of the principal of any such indebtedness and the interest thereon by mortgage, pledge, property of the Company, whether at the time owned or thereafter acquired;
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(e) hold, receive, mortgage, pledge, lease, transfer, exchange, otherwise dispose of, grant options with respect to, and otherwise deal in the exercise all rights, powers, privileges and other incidents of ownership or possession with respect to all property of whatever nature held or owned by, or licensed to, the Company;
(f) lend any of the Company property with or without security;
(g) have and maintain one or more offices within or without the State of Nebraska;
(h) open, maintain and close bank accounts and money market mutual funds accounts, and draw checks and other orders for the payment of monies;
(i) engage accountants, custodians, consultants and attorneys and any and all other agents and assistants (professional and nonprofessional) and pay such compensation in connection with such engagement that the Board of Directors determines is appropriate;
(j) enter into, execute, make, amend, supplement, acknowledge, deliver and perform any and all contracts, agreements, licenses, and other instruments, undertakings and understandings that the Board determines is necessary, appropriate or incidental to carrying out the business of the Company;
(k) file a petition in bankruptcy on behalf of the Company;
(l) delegate to the Chairman, President and other Officers such responsibility and authority as the Board deems necessary or appropriate from time to time; and
(m) issue additional Units to new and existing Members of the Company from time to time on terms and conditions determined by the Board in its sole discretion.
In exercising its powers, the Board of Directors may (i) rely upon and shall be protected in acting or refraining from acting upon any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, or document believed by him or her to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties; (ii) consult with counsel, accountants, and other experts selected by him or her and any opinion of an independent counsel, accountant or expert shall be full and complete authorization and protection in respect of any action taken or suffered or omitted by the Board of Directors in good faith and in accordance with such opinion; and (iii) execute any of his or her powers hereunder or perform any duties hereunder either directly or by or through agents or attorneys.
6.3 Obligations of the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors shall:
(a) devote to the Company and apply to the accomplishment of Company purposes so much of the Board of Directors’ time and attention as they determine to be necessary or advisable to manage properly the affairs of the Company;
(b) maintain accounting records from which a Company Capital Account Balance can be determined for each Member;
(c) execute, file, record or publish all certificates, statements and other documents and do all things appropriate for the formation, qualification and operation of the Company and for the conduct of its business in all appropriate jurisdictions;
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(d) employ attorneys to represent the Company when necessary or appropriate;
(e) use their best efforts to maintain the status of the Company as a “limited liability company” for state law purposes, and as a “partnership” for federal income tax purposes;
(f) have fiduciary responsibility for the safekeeping and use of all funds and assets of the Company, and not employ or permit others to employ such funds or assets (including any interest earned thereon) in any manner except for the benefit of the Company; and
(g) maintain a current list of the names, last known addresses and Percentage Interest of each Member at the Company’s principal office.
6.4 Resignation of Director. Any Director may resign as Director of the Company upon written notice to the Board of Directors.
6.5 Removal of Director. Any Director may be removed from time to time with or without cause by the affirmative vote of Members holding a Majority in Interest.
6.6 Vacancies. Any vacancy occurring in the position of Director may be filled by the affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining Directors.
6.7 Meetings of the Board. Meetings of the Board may be called by the Chairman of the Board or any two (2) Directors and shall be held at the principal place of business of the Company, or elsewhere as the notice of such meeting shall direct. Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement, the Articles, or the Act, the affirmative vote of a majority of the Directors present at a duly convened meeting of the Board at which a quorum is present shall constitute the act of the Board.
6.8 Place of Meeting. The Board may designate any place, either in or out of the State of Nebraska, as the place of meeting for any meeting. If no designation is made, the place of meeting shall be the Company’s principal office. Directors may attend any such meeting in person or by telephonic or video conference call.
6.9 Notice of Meetings. Written or oral notice of every meeting of the Board, stating the place, date and hour of the meeting, and the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called, shall be given by the Secretary of the Company to each other Director at least twenty-four (24) hours prior to the meeting, unless such notice is waived in accordance with Article IX hereof.
6.10 Quorum. The presence of a majority of the Directors shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. If a quorum is not present at a meeting, a majority of the Directors represented may adjourn the meeting from time to time without further notice.
6.11 Officers.
(a) The Board may elect a Chairman, Vice Chairman, President, one or more Vice Presidents, Treasurer, and Secretary from among its Directors. Any two (2) or more offices may be held by the same person.
(b) The Officers of the Company shall be elected annually by the Board at the first meeting of the Board held after each annual meeting of Members. If the election of Officers shall not be held at such meeting, such election shall be held as soon thereafter as conveniently may be. Vacancies may be filled or new offices created and filled at any meeting of the Board. Each Officer shall hold office until his or her successor shall have been duly elected and qualified or until his or her death, or until he or she shall resign or shall have been removed in the manner hereinafter provided. Election or appointment of an Officer or agent shall not of itself create contract rights.
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(c) Any Officer or agent may be removed by the Board at any time with or without cause, but such removal does not affect the contract rights, if any, with the Company of the person so removed.
(d) A vacancy in any office because of death, resignation, removal, disqualification or otherwise, may be filled by the Board for the unexpired portion of the term. An Officer may resign at any time by delivering notice to the Company. A resignation is effective when the notice is delivered unless the notice specifies a later effective date. If a resignation is made effective at a later date and the Company accepts the future effective date, the Board may fill the pending vacancy before the effective date if the Board provides that the successor does not take office until the effective date.
6.12 Liabilities of Directors. In carrying out their duties hereunder, the Directors shall not be liable to the Company or to any Member for any actions taken in good faith and reasonably believed by them to be in the best interest of the Company or in reliance on the provisions of this Agreement or the Articles, or for good faith errors of judgment, but shall only be liable for misconduct or negligence in the performance of their duties as Directors. The Directors shall not be expected to devote their full time and attention to the affairs of the Company, but shall devote such amounts of time and attention as are reasonable and appropriate in their good faith judgment under the circumstances prevailing from time to time.
6.13 Indemnification of the Directors, their Affiliates and Control Persons.
(a) Neither the Directors nor any Officer shall be liable to the Company or any Member for any act or omission based upon errors of judgment or other fault in connection with the business or affairs of the Company if the Board determines that such course of conduct was in the best interest of the Company and did not result from the negligence or misconduct of such Director or Officer.
(b) To the fullest extent permitted by law, the Directors and Officers (each such person being referred to herein as an “Indemnitee”), shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Company from and against any and all losses, claims, damages, settlements and other amounts arising from any and all claims (including attorneys’ fees and expenses, as such fees and expenses are incurred), demands, actions, suits or proceedings (civil, criminal, administrative or investigative), in which they may be involved, as a party or otherwise, by reason of their management of the affairs of the Company, whether or not they continue to be such at the time any such liability or expense is paid or incurred; provided that Indemnitee shall not be entitled to the foregoing indemnification if a court of competent jurisdiction shall have determined that such losses, claims, damages, liabilities, expenses or such other amounts resulted primarily from the negligence or misconduct of such Indemnitee. The termination of a proceeding by judgment, order, settlement or conviction upon a plea of nolo contenders, or its equivalent, shall not, of itself, create any presumption that such losses, claims, damages, liabilities, expenses or such other amounts resulted primarily from the negligence or misconduct of any Indemnitee or that the conduct giving rise to such liability, was not in the best interest of the Company. The Company shall also indemnify any Indemnitee who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action by or in the right of the Company to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of the fact that such Indemnitee is or was an agent of the Company, against any losses, claims, damages, liabilities, expenses or any other amounts incurred by such Indemnitee in connection with the defense or settlement of such action; provided that no Indemnitee shall be entitled to the foregoing indemnification if a court of competent jurisdiction shall have determined that any such losses, claims, damages, liabilities, expenses or such other amounts resulted from the negligence or misconduct of such Indemnitee. The Company may advance any Indemnitee any expenses (including,
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without limitation, attorneys’ fees and expenses) incurred as a result of any demand, action, suit or proceeding referred to in this paragraph (b) provided that (i) the legal action relates to the performance of duties or services by the Indemnitee on behalf of the Company; and (ii) the Indemnitee gives a full recourse promissory note to the Company for the amounts of such advances payable in the event that the Indemnitee is determined to be not entitled to indemnification hereunder.
(c) The indemnification provided by paragraph (b) of this Section 6.13 shall not be deemed to be exclusive of any other rights to which any Indemnitee may be entitled under any agreement, as a matter of law, in equity or otherwise, and shall continue as to an Indemnitee who has ceased to have an official capacity and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, successors and administrators of such Indemnitee.
(d) Any indemnification pursuant to this section will be payable only from the Company’s assets.
6.14 Transactions with the Directors or their Affiliates. The Board, on behalf of the Company, may enter into contracts with the Directors, Officers or Members (or their Affiliates), provided that any such transactions shall be on terms no more favorable to the Directors, Officers, Members (or their Affiliates) than generally afforded to non-affiliated parties in a similar transaction.
6.15 Conflicts of Interest. Subject to the other express provisions of this Agreement, the Directors at any time and from time to time may engage in and possess interests in other business ventures of any and every type and description, independently or with others, including ones in competition with the Company, with no obligation to offer to the Company or any other Member the right to participate therein.
ARTICLE VII
RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF MEMBERS
7.1 Limitation of Liability. Each Member’s liability shall be limited as set forth in this Agreement, the Act and other applicable law.
7.2 Company Debt Liability. A Member will not be personally liable for any debts or losses of the Company beyond his or her respective Capital Contributions except as provided in Section 7.6 or as otherwise required by law.
7.3 Liability to Third Parties. No Member or Director is liable for the debts, obligations or liabilities of the Company, whether arising in contract, tort or otherwise, including under a judgment, decree or order of a court.
7.4 Lack of Authority. No Member (other than a Director or an Officer as provided under Article VI) has the authority or power to act for or on behalf of the Company, to do any act that would be binding on the Company or to incur any expenditures on behalf of the Company.
7.5 List of Members. Members may obtain a copy of the Membership Register in accordance with the provisions of Section 11.5.
7.6 Member Liability to the Company.
(a) A Member who rightfully receives the return in whole or in part of its Capital Contribution is nevertheless liable to the Company to the extent now or hereafter provided by the Act.
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(b) A Member who receives a Distribution made by the Company: (i) which is either in violation of this Agreement, or (ii) when the Company’s liabilities exceed its assets (after giving effect to the Distribution), is liable to the Company for a period of six (6) years after such Distribution for the amount of the Distribution.
7.7 Representations and Warranties. Upon signing this Agreement or an Addendum hereto, each Member represents and warrants to the Company that: (i) the Member has full power and authority to execute this Agreement or such Addendum and to agree to this Agreement and to perform its obligations hereunder, and that all actions necessary for the due authorization, execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement or such Addendum by that Member have been duly taken; (ii) the Member has duly executed and delivered this Agreement or an Addendum hereto; and (iii) the Member’s authorization, execution, delivery, and performance of this Agreement and/or Addendum hereto do not conflict with any other agreement or arrangement to which the Member is a party or by which the Member is bound.
(a) In addition to the other rights specifically set forth in this Agreement, each Member is entitled to the information to which that Member is entitled to have access pursuant to the Act, under the circumstances therein stated.
(b) The Members acknowledge that, from time to time, they may receive information from or concerning the Company in the nature of trade secrets or that otherwise is confidential, the release of which may damage the Company or Persons with which it does business. Each Member shall hold in strict confidence any information that it receives concerning the Company that is identified as being confidential (and if that information is provided in writing, that is so marked) and may not disclose it to any Person other than another Member or the Director, except for disclosures (i) compelled by law (but the Member must notify the Director promptly of any request for that information, before disclosing it, if legal and practicable); (ii) to Persons to whom that Member’s Interest may be transferred as permitted by this Agreement, but only if the recipients have agreed to be bound by the provisions of this Section 7.8; or (iii) of information that the Member also has received from a source independent of the Company and the Member reasonably believes that source obtained the information without breach of any obligation of confidentiality. The Members acknowledge that breach of the provisions of this Section 7.8 may cause irreparable injury to the Company for which monetary damages are inadequate, difficult to compute, or both. Accordingly, the Members agree that the provisions of this Section 7.8 may be enforced by specific performance.
7.9 Membership Certificates. “Membership Certificates” in the form determined by the Board may be delivered representing all Interests to which Members are entitled. If issued, such Membership Certificates shall be consecutively numbered, and shall be entered in the books of the Company and on the Membership Register, as they are issued. Each Membership Certificate shall state on the face thereof the holder’s name, the Interests and such other matters as may be required by applicable laws. Each such Membership Certificate shall be signed by one or more Officers of the Company and may be sealed with the seal of the Company or a facsimile thereof if adopted. The signature of the Officers upon the Membership Certificates may be facsimile. Subject to Article X, upon surrender to the Company of a Membership Certificate for Interests duly endorsed or accompanied by proper evidence of succession, assignment or authority to Transfer, it shall be the duty of the Company to issue a new Membership Certificate to the person entitled thereto, cancel the old Membership Certificate and record the transaction upon its books and records and the Membership Register. Each Member hereby agrees that the following legend, as the same may be amended by the Board in its sole discretion, may be placed upon any counterpart of this Agreement, the Membership Certificates, or any other document or instrument evidencing ownership of Units:
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The sale, pledge, hypothecation, assignment or transfer of the ownership interest represented by this CERTIFICATE OF OWNERSHIP is subject to the terms and conditions of the Operating Agreement of Husker Ag, LLC, as amended from time to time. Copies of the Operating Agreement may be obtained upon written request to the Board of Directors of Husker Ag, LLC.
ARTICLE XIII
8.1 Voting Power. The affirmative vote of Members holding a Majority in Interest at a meeting at which there is a quorum present shall be the act of the Members; provided, however, that the dissolution and winding up of the Company requires the approval of Members required under Section 21-2622 of the Act, as amended from time to time; provided, however, in the event that the statute referred to above is amended to require approval of Members holding less than eighty percent (80%), the dissolution and winding up of the Company shall require the affirmative vote of Members holding eighty percent (80%) of the Percentage Interests. Provided, further, that a Super-Majority Vote of the Members shall be required for approval of the following actions: (a) the sale, exchange, lease, mortgage, pledge or other transfer of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company other than in the ordinary course of business; and (b) the merger or consolidation of the Company with another entity.
8.2 Cumulative Voting. At each election for Directors, every Member entitled to vote at such election shall have the right to vote, in person or by proxy, the number of Units owned by him or her for as many persons as there are Directors to be elected and for whose election he or she has a right to vote, or to cumulate his or her votes by giving one candidate as many votes as the number of such Directors multiplied by the number of his or her Units, or by distributing such votes on the same principle among any number of candidates.
8.3 Meetings of Members. The annual meeting of Members shall be held on such date as the Board shall by resolution specify within a period commencing on January 1 and ending on June 30 in each year. At each annual meeting, Members shall conduct such business as may be properly presented to such meeting. If the day fixed for the annual meeting shall be a legal holiday, such meeting shall be held on the next succeeding business day. Special meetings of Members of the Company may be called by the Chairman of the Board, by any three (3) Directors, or upon the written demand of Members holding at least a ten percent (10%) Percentage Interest and shall be held at the principal place of business of the Company, or elsewhere as the notice of such meeting shall direct. Members may attend any such meeting in person or by proxy.
8.4 Place of Meeting. The Board of Directors may designate any place, either in or out of the State of Nebraska, as the place of meeting for any meeting. If no designation is made, the place of meeting shall be the Company’s principal office.
8.5 Notice of Meetings. Written notice stating the date time and place of the meeting and a description of the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called, shall be mailed, unless oral notice is reasonable under the circumstances, not fewer than ten (10) nor more than sixty (60) calendar days before the date of the meeting, by or at the direction of the Board of Directors to each Member of record entitled to vote at the meeting. If mailed, such notice is effective when mailed addressed to the Member’s address shown in the Company’s current record of Members, with postage prepaid.
8.6 Quorum. The presence of Members holding a majority of the Percentage Interests in person or by proxy shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. If a quorum is not present at a meeting, a majority of the Percentage Interests represented may adjourn the meeting from time to time without further notice.
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ARTICLE IX
9.1 Written Waiver. Whenever any notice whatsoever is required to be given under the provisions of this Agreement or under the provisions of the Articles or the Act, waiver thereof in writing, signed by the person or persons entitled to such notice, whether before or after the time stated therein, shall be deemed equivalent to the giving of such notice.
9.2 Waiver by Attendance. A Member’s or Director’s attendance at a meeting of the Members or Directors, respectively: (i) waives objection to lack of notice or defective notice of the meeting, unless the Member or Director at the beginning of the meeting or promptly upon the Member’s or Director’s arrival objects to holding the meeting or transacting business at the meeting, and (ii) waives objection to consideration of a particular matter at the meeting that is not within the purpose or purposes described in the meeting notice, unless the Member or Director objects to considering the matter when it is presented.
9.3 Consent to Action Without Meeting. Any action required or permitted to be taken by the Members or Directors by vote may be taken without a meeting on written consent. The consent shall set forth the actions so taken and be signed by a Two-Third’s Majority of the Members or Directors.
ARTICLE X
TRANSFER OF MEMBERSHIP INTERESTS
10.1 Restrictions on Transfer. No Member shall Transfer all or any portion of an Interest without the prior written consent of the Board of Directors which consent may be withheld in the sole discretion of the Board. Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, no Member shall Transfer any Unit if, in the determination of the Board, such Transfer would cause the Company to be treated as a Publicly Traded Partnership, and any Transfer of Unit(s) not approved by the Board of Directors or that would result in a violation of the restrictions in this Agreement or applicable law shall be null and void with no force or effect whatsoever, and the intended transferee shall acquire no rights in such Unit(s).
10.2 Permitted Transfers. Subject to Section 10.1 above and the limits on minimum transfers and total maximum ownership set forth in Section 4.3 of this Agreement, any Transfer of Units made in accordance with the following provisions will constitute a “Permitted Transfer” for purposes of this Agreement:
(a) A Transfer by a Member and any related persons (as defined in the Code) in one or more transactions during any thirty (30) calendar day period of Interests representing in the aggregate more than two percent (2%) of the total Interests in Company;
(b) A Transfer or series of related Transfers by one or more Members (acting together) which involves the Transfer of fifty percent (50%) or more of the outstanding Units;
(c) Transfers of Units effected through a Qualified Matching Services Program;
(d) A Transfer by gift or bequest only to a spouse or child of such transferring Member, or to a trust established for the benefit of such spouse or child, or to an existing Member of the Company upon ten (10) days’ prior written notice to the Company of such gift or bequest; provided, however, that any such transfers shall be subject to the limitations provided in Sections 4.3(a) and 10.4(c) of this Agreement, as applicable; or
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(e) Such other Transfer meeting the requirements of Section 1.7704-1 of the Treasury Regulations governing Publicly Traded Partnerships, as determined by the Board of Directors in its sole discretion.
10.3 Conditions Precedent to Transfers. The Board of Directors, in its sole discretion, may elect not to recognize any Transfer of Units unless and until the Company has received:
(a) an opinion of counsel (whose fees and expenses shall be borne by the transferor) satisfactory in form and substance to the Board that such Transfer may be lawfully made without registration or qualification under applicable state and federal securities laws, or such Transfer is properly registered or qualified under applicable state and federal securities laws and if, requested by the Company that such Transfer will not cause the Company to be treated as a Publicly Traded Partnership;
(b) such documents and instruments of conveyance executed by the transferor and transferee as may be necessary or appropriate in the opinion of counsel to the Company to effect such Transfer, except that in the case of a Transfer of Units involuntarily by operation of law, the Transfer shall be confirmed by presentation of legal evidence of such Transfer, in form and substance satisfactory to the Company;
(c) the transferor’s Membership Certificate;
(d) the transferee’s taxpayer identification number and sufficient information to determine the transferee’s initial tax basis in the interest 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;
(e) evidence satisfactory in form and substance to the Board that the transferee meets the requirements, including maximum Unit ownership limitations, set forth in Section 4.3 of this Agreement; and
(f) other conditions on the Transfer of Units adopted by the Board from time to time as it deems appropriate, in its sole discretion.
10.4 Death of Member.
(a) Upon the death of any Member, the estate or personal representative of the deceased Member shall have the option to request the Company repurchase the deceased Member’s Interest subject to and in accordance with the applicable Code and Treasury Regulations regarding Publicly Traded Partnerships. If the estate or personal representative makes such a request, the Company may elect, in its sole discretion and subject to Section 10.4(b) below, to purchase the deceased Member’s Interest at the Redemption Value of such Interest in effect at the date of death as determined in accordance with Section 10.10 below, and on the terms and conditions set forth in Section 10.5 and Section 10.6 below. This request may be made by the deceased Member’s estate or personal representative by providing written notice to the Company within one hundred twenty (120) days after the date of death; provided, however, the Company will not repurchase such interest earlier than sixty (60) days after receipt of the written notice from the estate or personal representative requesting the purchase.
(b) Any Transfer pursuant to this Section 10.4 shall be subject to a determination by the Board that such Transfer shall not cause the Company to be deemed a Publicly Traded Partnership, and such Transfer shall be affected in accordance with this Agreement, the Code and applicable Treasury Regulations, and shall be further subject to the prior approval of the Board which may be withheld in its sole discretion.
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10.5 Payment Terms. If the purchase price for an Interest transferred pursuant to Section 10.4 above exceeds five thousand dollars ($5,000.00), the Company shall have the option to pay for the Interest purchased by paying five thousand dollars ($5,000) at Closing (as defined below) and executing a promissory note for the balance of the purchase price. The promissory note shall be paid in five (5) equal annual installments due on the anniversary date of the Closing and shall accrue interest per annum at a rate determined by the Board which shall not be less than the then current prime rate established by any major bank selected by the Board for loans to the bank’s most creditworthy commercial borrowers. The Company may prepay the promissory note, in whole or in part, at any time without penalty or premium.
10.6 Events in Connection with the Sale of Interests.
(a) If there is a sale of Interest under Section 10.4 of this Agreement to the Company, the closing (“Closing”) shall occur at a time mutually agreeable to the parties and in accordance with the time periods set forth in the applicable provision of this Agreement; provided, however, the Closing shall not occur until at least sixty (60) days after the Company’s receipt of notice from the estate or personal representative requesting the Company repurchase the deceased Member’s Interest, but in no event later than one hundred twenty (120) days after the date of the Company’s receipt of such notice.
(b) In the event of a sale of Interest under Section 10.4 of this Agreement to the Company, the purchase price shall be increased or decreased, as the case may be, by an amount equal to any indebtedness owed the deceased Member by the Company, or the deduction of any indebtedness owed the Company by the deceased Member, or both.
(c) In the event of the sale of Interests under this Agreement by a Member, all rights of the Member with respect to the Interest, including the right to vote such Interest and to receive distributions, shall terminate at Closing, except for the Member’s right to receive payment therefor.
10.7 Redemption of Interests.
(a) A Member (the “Requesting Member”) may request redemption of his or her Interest upon not less than sixty (60) calendar days’ prior written notice to the Board of Directors. The Board, in its sole discretion, shall determine whether to redeem such Interest and the Board is under no obligation to redeem any Interest of any Requesting Member.
(b) Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, any redemption pursuant to this Section 10.7 shall be subject to a determination by the Board, in its sole discretion, that such redemption shall not cause the Company to be deemed a Publicly Traded Partnership, and such redemption shall be affected in accordance with this Agreement, the Act, the Code and applicable Treasury Regulations, and shall be further subject to the prior approval of the Board which may be withheld in its sole discretion.
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10.8 Redemption Payment.
(a) Upon the redemption of a Member under Section 10.7, the Requesting Member shall be entitled to a payment equal to the Redemption Value of such Member’s Interest in the Company as of the effective date of the (the “Redemption Payment”); provided, however, if the remaining Members of the Company agree to dissolve the Company in accordance with Section 13.1 of this Agreement, then in no event shall such Member be entitled to a Redemption Payment, but such Member will be entitled to such Member’s share of the assets of the Company pursuant to Section 13.3 below.
(b) The Redemption Payment shall not be paid until at least sixty (60) days after the Company’s receipt of the notice from the Requesting Member required under Section 10.7(a) above. The Redemption Payment shall be paid in cash, or if the Redemption Payment exceeds five thousand dollars ($5,000), the Company shall have the option to pay the Redemption Payment by paying five thousand dollars ($5,000) upon the effective date of the redemption and executing a promissory note for the balance of the Redemption Payment. Such note shall be dated and delivered on the effective date of the withdrawal and shall be paid in five (5) equal annual installments due on the anniversary date of the withdrawal and shall accrue interest per annum at a rate determined by the Board which shall not be less than the then current prime rate established by any major bank selected by the Board for loans to the bank’s most creditworthy commercial borrowers. The Company may prepay the promissory note, in whole or in part, at any time without penalty or premium.
(c) The Redemption Payment shall be increased or decreased, as the case may be, by an amount equal to any indebtedness owed the Requesting Member by the Company, or the deduction of any indebtedness owed the Company by the Requesting Member, or both. All rights of the Member with respect to the Interest, including the right to vote such Interest and to receive distributions, shall terminate at Closing, except for the Member’s right to receive payment therefor upon the effective date of the redemption which shall be determined in accordance with Section 10.9 below.
10.9 Effective Date of Transfer.
(a) Any Transfer of a Unit shall be deemed effective as of the day of the month and year: (i) which the Transfer occurs (as reflected by the form of assignment); and (ii) the transferee’s name and address and the nature and extent of the Transfer are reflected in the records of the Company; provided, however, the effective date of a Transfer for purposes of allocation of Profits and Losses and for Distributions shall be determined pursuant to Section 10.9(b) below. Any transferee of a Unit shall take subject to the restrictions on Transfer imposed by this Agreement.
(b) The Board, in its sole discretion, may establish interim periods in which Transfers may occur (the “Interim Transfer Periods”); provided, however, the Board shall provide Members reasonable notice of the Interim Transfer Periods and advance notice of any change to the Interim Transfer Periods. For purposes of making allocations of Profits and Losses, and Distributions, the Company will use the interim closing of the books method (rather than a daily proration of profit or loss for the entire period) and, except as otherwise determined by the Board, recognize the Transfer as of the last day of the Interim Transfer Period in which the Member complied with the notice, documentation and information requirements of Article X. All Distributions shall be made to the owner of record as of the record date as such record date is determined by the Board. The Board the authority to adopt other reasonable methods and/or conventions.
(c) The Board shall have the power and authority to adopt another reasonable method and/or convention with respect to such allocations and distributions; provided, neither the Company, the Board, any Director nor any Member shall incur any liability for
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making allocations and distributions in accordance with the provisions of this Section 10.9 (other than tax liabilities which may be incurred by Members), whether or not the Board or any Director or the Company or any Member has knowledge of any Transfer of ownership of any Interest in the Company.
10.10 Redemption Value. Upon the Transfer of any Interest pursuant to Section 10.4, or the redemption of an Interest pursuant to Section 10.7, the purchase price or Redemption Payment shall be equal to the Redemption Value of the Interest. “Redemption Value” of an Interest on any date shall, unless otherwise specifically provided in this Agreement, be equal to the most recent redemption valuation determination of the per Unit value of the Company by the Board in good faith; provided, that such valuation shall be calculated on a basis as consistent as practicable from period to period. The Board may, in its sole discretion, employ the advice of independent and qualified professionals in the determination of the Redemption Value, but is not under any obligation to do so. The Redemption Value of the Company shall be determined at such times as selected by the Board in its sole discretion. Valuations may generally be performed, at the discretion of the Board, as of the end of each fiscal year of the Company’s operations at the annual meeting of the Board; however, the Board, in its sole discretion, may have redemption valuations of the Company performed at any time or from time to time during any year and, except as otherwise specifically provided in this Agreement, shall utilize the results of the most recent valuation in determining the Redemption Value of an Interest for purposes of this Agreement. No Member or any party other than the Board shall have the right to require or request that a new or more recent valuation be performed for purposes of determining the Redemption Value of the Company or an Interest hereunder. The Company shall not establish the Redemption Value more than four (4) times during the Company’s taxable year.
10.11 Expenses. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, all expenses of the Company incident to the admission of the transferee to the Company as a Member shall be charged to and paid by the transferring Member.
10.12 Pledged Units. Subject to Section 10.1 above and the limits on minimum transfers and total maximum ownership set forth in Section 4.3 of this Agreement, in the event that any Member pledges or otherwise encumbers any part of its Units as security for the payment of a debt, any such pledge or hypothecation shall be made pursuant to a pledge or hypothecation agreement that requires the pledgee or secured party to be bound by all of the terms and conditions of this Article X. In the event such pledgee or secured party becomes a Member hereunder pursuant to the exercise of such party’s rights under such pledge or hypothecation agreement, such pledgee or secured party shall be bound by all of the terms and conditions of this Agreement. In such case, such pledgee or secured party, and any transferee or purchaser of the Units held by such pledgee or secured party, shall not have any voting rights associated with such Units unless and until the Directors have approved in writing and admitted as a Member hereunder, such pledgee, secured party, transferee or purchaser of such Units.
ARTICLE XI
RECORDS, FINANCIAL AND TAX REPORTING
11.1 Records and Accounting. The books of account and other records of the Company shall be maintained at the Company’s principal place of business. The Company shall prepare its financial statements using generally accepted accounting principles, consistently applied.
11.2 Tax Information. The Board will use its best efforts to cause to be delivered, as soon as practical after the end of each fiscal year of the Company, to the Members and Persons who were Members during such fiscal year all information concerning the Company necessary to enable such Member or Person to prepare such Member’s (or Person’s) Federal and state income tax returns for such fiscal year, including a statement indicating such Member’s (or Person’s) share of Profits, Losses, deductions and credits for such fiscal year for Federal and state income tax purposes, and the amount of any Distribution made to or for the account of such Member or Person during such fiscal year pursuant to this Agreement.
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11.3 Tax Returns. The Board shall cause income tax returns for the Company to be prepared and timely filed in accordance with applicable law.
11.4 Tax Matters Partner. The Board of Directors shall, from time to time by resolution, appoint one of its members as “tax matters partner” of the Company pursuant to Code Section 6231(a)(7). Such tax matters partner shall be a Member of the Company. The tax matters partner is authorized to perform all duties imposed by Sections 6222 through 6234 of the Code; provided, however, that the tax matters partner may not take any such action that is material to the Company without the consent of the Board of Directors; provided, further, that this sentence does not authorize such tax matters partner, the Board or any member of the Board to take any action left to the determination of an individual Member under Code Sections 6222 through 6234. The Company shall indemnify, to the full extent permitted by law, the tax matters partner from and against any damages and losses (including attorneys’ fees) arising out of or incurred in connection with any action taken or omitted to be taken by in carrying out responsibilities as tax matters partner, provided such action taken or omitted to be taken does not constitute fraud, gross negligence or willful misconduct.
11.5 Access to Books and Records.
(a) A Member of the Company shall be entitled to inspect and copy during regular business hours at the Company’s principal office the following records if he or she gives the Company written notice of his or her demand at least five business days before the date on which he or she wishes to inspect and copy:
(i) Articles or Restated Articles of Organization and all amendments thereto currently in effect;
(ii) Operating Agreement and all restatements and amendments thereto currently in effect;
(iii) Minutes of all Member meetings and records of all action taken by Members without a meeting for the past three years;
(iv) All written communications to the Members generally within the past three years;
(v) Annual financial statements that include a balance sheet as of the end of the fiscal year, an income statement for that year and a statement of changes in Members’ equity for that year unless such information appears elsewhere in the financial statements, along with the accountant’s report if the annual financial statements are reported upon by a public accountant;
(vi) A list of the names and business addresses of the Company’s current directors and officers; and
(vii) The most recent annual report delivered by the Company to the Nebraska Secretary of State.
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(b) A Member shall be entitled to inspect and copy during regular business hours at a reasonable location specified by the Company any of the following records of the Company if the Member meets the requirements of Section 11.5(c) below and gives the Company written notice of his or her demand at least five business days before the date on which he or she wishes to inspect and copy:
(i) Excerpts from minutes of any meeting of the Board of Directors, records of any action of a committee of the Board of Directors while acting in place of the Board of Directors on behalf of the Company, minutes of any meeting of the Members, and records of action taken by the Members or Board of Directors without a meeting, to the extent not subject to inspection under subsection (1) of this section;
(ii) Accounting records of the Company; and
(iii) The Membership Register.
(c) A Member may inspect and copy the records described in Section 11.5(b) above only if: (i) the Member’s demand is made in good faith and for a proper purpose; (ii) the Member describes with reasonable particularity his or her purpose and the records he or she desires to inspect; and (iii) the records are directly connected with the Member’s purpose.
ARTICLE XII
12.1 Elections.
(a) The Board of Directors may elect to adjust the basis of the assets of the Company for federal income tax purposes in accordance with Section 754 of the Code in the event of a distribution of Company property as described in Section 734 of the Code or a transfer by any Member of the Interest of such Member in the Company as described in Section 743 of the Code.
(b) The Board of Directors, at any time and from time to time, may also make such other tax elections as it deems necessary or desirable, in its discretion.
12.2 Interim Closing of the Books. There shall be an interim closing of the books of account of the Company (i) at any time a taxable year of the Company shall end pursuant to the Code, and (ii) at any other time determined by the Board of Directors to be required for good accounting practice or otherwise appropriate under the circumstances.
ARTICLE XIII
13.1 Events Requiring Termination and Dissolution. The Company shall be dissolved upon the occurrence of any event which would make unlawful the continuing existence of the Company or in accordance with Section 21-2622 of the Act, as amended from time to time; provided, however, in the event that the statute referred to above is amended to require approval of Members holding less than eighty percent (80%) of the Percentage Interests, the Company shall only be dissolved upon the approval of Members holding eighty percent (80%) of the Percentage Interests (each a “Liquidating Event”).
13.2 Winding Up Period. Upon the occurrence of a Liquidating Event, the Company shall continue solely for the purposes of winding up its affairs in an orderly manner, liquidating its assets, and satisfying the claims of its creditors and Members. No Member shall take any action that is inconsistent with, or not necessary to or appropriate for, the winding up the Company’s business and affairs. To
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the extent not inconsistent with the foregoing, all covenants and obligations in this Agreement shall continue in full force and effect until such time as the assets of the Company have been distributed pursuant to this Section and the Company has terminated. The Board shall be responsible for overseeing the winding up and liquidation of the Company, shall take full account of the Company’s liabilities and assets, shall cause the assets to be liquidated as promptly as is consistent with obtaining the Value thereof, and shall cause the proceeds therefrom, to the extent sufficient therefor, to be applied and distributed in the manner required by the Act. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Board of Directors, in carrying out such winding up and distribution, shall have full power and authority to sell the Company’s assets, or any part thereof, or to distribute the same in kind to the Members.
13.3 Distribution.
(a) Upon the occurrence of a Liquidating Event and the dissolution of the Company, the affairs of the Company shall be wound up in accordance with Section 13.2 above. The fair market value of the assets of the Company shall be determined, with the Value of any real or personal property held by the Company being determined in accordance with paragraph (e) of Section 5.8 and the fair market value of any other assets held by the Company (other than cash) being determined by an independent appraiser selected by the Board. Thereupon, the assets of the Company shall be distributed in the following manner and order: (i) to the claims of all creditors of the Company, including Members who are creditors, to the extent permitted by law, in satisfaction of liabilities of the Company, other than liabilities for distributions to Members; (ii) to Members and former Members in satisfaction of liabilities for distribution, pursuant to Section 21-2625(1)(b) of the Act, and (iii) to the Members with positive Capital Account Balances in accordance with their Percentage Interests. Each such Member entitled to a distribution of any assets of the Company, pursuant to clause (iii) of this paragraph (a), shall receive such Member’s share of such assets in cash or in kind, and the portion of such share that is received in cash may vary from Member to Member, all as the Board of Directors in their discretion may decide. If distributions to any Member upon termination of the Company are insufficient to return to such Member the full amount of such Member’s Capital Contribution, such Member shall have no recourse against the Board of Directors, the Company or against any other Member.
(b) In the discretion of the Board, a Pro Rata portion of the distributions that would otherwise be made to the Members pursuant to Section 13.3(a) hereof may be:
(i) distributed to a trust established for the benefit of the Members for the purposes of liquidating Company assets, collecting amounts owed to the Company, and paying any contingent or unforeseen liabilities or obligations of the Company or of the Members arising out of or in connection with the Company. The assets of any such trust shall be distributed to the Members from time to time, in the reasonable discretion of the Board, in the same proportions as the amount distributed to such trust by the Company would otherwise have been distributed to the Members pursuant to Section 13.3(a) hereof; or
(ii) withheld to provide a reasonable reserve for Company liabilities (contingent or otherwise) and to reflect the unrealized portion of any installment obligations owed to the Company, provided that such withheld amounts shall be distributed to the Members as soon a practicable.
13.4. Deficit Capital Account Balance. The Members shall have no liability to the Company, to the other Members, or to the creditors of the Company on account of any deficit balance in such Member’s Capital Account Balance except to the extent such deficit arises from the failure of the Member to contribute the full amount of its Capital Contribution. The Company shall be solely responsible for payment of liabilities to its creditors.
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ARTICLE XIV
14.1 Notices. All Notices or other communications under this Agreement shall be in writing (unless otherwise expressly provided herein) and shall be considered properly given if delivered by hand or mailed by first class United States Mail, postage prepaid, addressed in care of the respective Members or Directors at their last-known address. Notice may also be delivered by means of a confirmed telecopy, provided the original of the notice is also promptly deposited in the United States Mail, first class postage prepaid, addressed to the Members or Directors at such address. Notice of change of address shall be given to the Company by hand or first class united States Mail, after the date of receipt of which notice, the change of address shall be effective. Unless actual receipt of a notice is required by an express provision hereof, any such notice shall be deemed to be effective as of the earliest of (a) the date of delivery or confirmed telecopy, or (b) the third business day following the date of deposit with the United States Post Office or in a regularly maintained receptacle for the deposit of United States Mail. Any refusal to accept delivery of any such communication shall be considered successful delivery thereof.
14.2 Insurance. The Company may purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a Director, Member, employee or agent of the Company or is or was serving at the request of the Company as a Director, member, officer, director, employee or agent of another limited liability company, corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, or other enterprise, against any liability asserted against such person and incurred in any such capacity or arising out of his or her status as such.
14.3 Successors. This Agreement and all of the terms and provisions thereof shall be binding upon the Directors and all Members and their respective legal representatives, heirs, successors and permitted assigns.
14.4 Applicable Law. This Agreement and the rights and obligations of the Members thereunder shall be construed and interpreted under the laws of the State of Nebraska without regard to its conflict of law principals.
14.5 Amendments. This Agreement may not be modified or amended except upon the Super-Majority Vote of the Board or upon an affirmative vote of Two-Thirds ( 2/3) Majority of the Members. Upon the modification or amendment of this Agreement, the Board shall promptly execute such amendments or other documents as the Company deems appropriate to reflect such amendments under the law of the State of Nebraska. In the event the Board materially modifies or amends this Agreement pursuant to this Section 14.5, the Board shall send notice to the Members of the material modification or amendment within a reasonable period of time after the effective date of such modification or amendment.
14.6 Waiver of Partition. Each of the Members of the Company irrevocably waives any right to maintain any action for partition with respect to the property of the Company.
14.7 Company Property. The legal title to any real or personal property or interest therein now or hereafter acquired by the Company shall be owned, held or operated in the name of the Company, and no Member, individually, shall have any ownership interest in such property.
14.8 Acceptance of Prior Acts by New Members. Each Person becoming a Member, by becoming a Member, ratifies all action duly taken by the Company, pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, prior to the date such person becomes a Member.
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14.9 Section Headings. The division of this Agreement into sections, subsections and exhibits is for convenience of reference only and shall not affect the interpretation or construction of this Agreement.
14.10 Severability. In the event that one or more of the provisions contained in this Agreement or any portions thereof are unenforceable or are declared invalid for any reason whatsoever, such enforceability or invalidity shall not affect the enforceability or validity of the remaining terms or portions of this Agreement, and each such unenforceable or invalid portion hereof shall be severable from the remainder of this Agreement and the remainder of this Agreement shall be interpreted as if such unenforceable or invalid provision or portion thereof had not been included as a part thereof.
14.11 Agreement for Further Execution. At any time or times, upon the request of the Board, the Members agree to sign and swear to any certificate required by the Act, to sign and swear to any amendment to or cancellation of such certificate whenever such amendment or cancellation is required by law or by this Agreement, and to cause the filing of any of the same of record wherever such filing is required by law.
14.12 Time. Time is an essential element to the performance of this Agreement by each Member.
14.13 Copies Reliable and Admissible. This Agreement shall be considered to have been executed by a person if there exists a photocopy, facsimile copy, or a photocopy of a facsimile copy of an original hereof, or of a counterpart hereof or of an Addendum hereto which has been signed by such person. Any photocopy, facsimile copy, or photocopy of facsimile copy of this Agreement, or a counterpart hereof or an Addendum hereto shall be admissible into evidence in any proceeding as though the same were an original.
14.14 Entire Agreement. This Agreement is the sole operating agreement of the Company and constitutes the entire agreement among the parties; it supersedes any prior agreements or understandings among the parties, oral or written, all of which are hereby canceled.
14.15 Gender. Whenever the context shall require, each term stated in either the singular or plural shall include the singular and the plural, and masculine or neuter pronouns shall include the masculine, the feminine and the neuter.
14.16 No Waiver. No failure or delay on the part of any Member in exercising any rights under this Agreement, or in insisting on strict performance of any covenant or condition contained in this Agreement, shall operate as a waiver of any of such Member’s rights hereunder.
14.17 Submission to Jurisdiction. Each of the parties to this Agreement hereby submits to the jurisdiction of and agrees that suit will only be brought in the state or federal court sitting in Omaha, Nebraska (the “Nebraska Court”) in any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby. Each party also agrees not to bring any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated thereby in any other court except as may be necessary to enforce any judgment or order of the Nebraska Court. Each of the parties waives any defense of inconvenient forum to the maintenance of any action or proceeding so brought and waives any bond, surety or other security that might be required of any other party with respect thereto.
14.18 Specific Performance. Each of the parties acknowledges and agrees that the other party would be damaged irreparably in the event any of the provisions of this Agreement are not performed in accordance with their specific terms or otherwise are breached. Accordingly, each of the parties agrees that the other parties shall be entitled, without posting a bond or other collateral, to an injunction or injunctions to prevent breaches of the provisions of this Agreement and to enforce specifically this Agreement and the terms and provisions hereof in any action instituted in the Nebraska Court, in addition to any other remedy to which it may be entitled, at law or in equity.
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14.19 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in several counterparts, including Addendums hereto, each of which shall be deemed an original but all of which shall constitute one and the same instrument.
14.20 Creditors. None of the provisions of this Agreement shall be for the benefit of or enforceable by any creditors of the Company.
THIS SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED OPERATING AGREEMENT INCLUDES AMENDMENT NO.’S 1 THROUGH 12.
DATED AS OF NOVEMBER 30, 2007.
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