CENTRAL IOWA ENERGY, LLC OPERATING AGREEMENT
Exhibit 3.2
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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SECTION 1. THE COMPANY |
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1.1 Formation |
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1.2 Name |
1 | |||
1.3 Purpose; Powers |
1 | |||
1.4 Principal Place of Business |
1 | |||
1.5 Term |
2 | |||
1.6 Agent For Service of Process |
2 | |||
1.7 Title to Property |
2 | |||
1.8 Payment of Individual Obligations |
2 | |||
1.9 Independent Activities: Transactions with Affiliates |
2 | |||
1.10 Definitions |
2 | |||
SECTION 2. CAPITAL CONTRIBUTIONS; CAPITAL ACCOUNTS |
8 | |||
2.1 Original Capital Contributions |
8 | |||
2.2 Additional Capital Contributions ; Additional Units |
8 | |||
2.3 Capital Accounts |
9 | |||
SECTION 3. ALLOCATIONS |
10 | |||
3.1 Profits |
10 | |||
3.2 Losses |
10 | |||
3.3 Special Allocations |
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3.4 Curative Allocations |
12 | |||
3.5 Loss Limitation |
12 | |||
3.6 Other Allocation Rules |
12 | |||
3.7 Tax Allocations: Code Section 704(c) |
13 | |||
3.8 Tax Credit Allocations |
13 | |||
SECTION 4. DISTRIBUTIONS |
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4.1 Net Cash Flow |
13 | |||
4.2 Amounts Withheld |
13 | |||
4.3 Limitations on Distributions |
14 | |||
SECTION 5. MANAGEMENT |
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5.1 Directors |
14 | |||
5.2 Number of Total Directors |
14 | |||
5.3 Election of Directors |
14 |
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5.4 Committees |
16 | |||
5.5 Authority of Directors |
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5.6 Directors as Agent |
18 | |||
5.7 Restrictions on Authority of Directors |
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5.8 Director Meetings and Notice |
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5.9 Action Without a Meeting |
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5.10 Quorum; Manner of Acting |
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5.11 Voting; Potential Financial Interest |
20 | |||
5.12 Duties and Obligations of Directors |
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5.13 Chairman and Vice Chairman |
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5.14 President and Chief Executive Officer |
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5.15 Chief Financial Officer |
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5.16 Secretary; Assistant Secretary |
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5.17 Vice President |
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5.18 Delegation |
21 | |||
5.19 Execution of Instruments |
21 | |||
5.20 Limitation of liability; Indemnification of Directors |
21 | |||
5.21 Compensation; Expenses of Directors |
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5.22 Loans |
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SECTION 6. ROLE OF MEMBERS |
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6.1 One Membership Class |
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6.2 Members |
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6.3 Additional Members |
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6.4 Rights or Powers |
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6.5 Voting Rights of Members |
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6.6 Member Meetings |
23 | |||
6.7 Conduct of Meetings |
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6.8 Notice of Meetings; Waiver |
23 | |||
6.9 Quorum and Proxies |
24 | |||
6.10 Voting; Action by Members |
24 | |||
6.11 Record Date |
24 | |||
6.12 Termination of Membership |
24 | |||
6.13 Continuation of the Company |
24 | |||
6.14 No Obligation to Purchase Membership Interest |
24 | |||
6.15 Waiver of Dissenters’ Rights |
24 | |||
6.16 Limitation on Ownership |
24 | |||
SECTION 7. ACCOUNTING, BOOKS AND RECORDS |
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7.1 Accounting, Books and Records |
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7.2 Delivery to Members and Inspection |
25 | |||
7.3 Reports |
25 | |||
7.4 Tax Matters |
26 |
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SECTION 8. AMENDMENTS |
26 | |||
8.1 Amendments |
26 | |||
SECTION 9. TRANSFERS |
27 | |||
9.1 Restrictions on Transfers |
27 | |||
9.2 Permitted Transfers |
27 | |||
9.3 Conditions Precedent to Transfers |
27 | |||
9.4 Prohibited Transfers |
29 | |||
9.5 No Dissolution or Termination |
29 | |||
9.6 Prohibition of Assignment |
29 | |||
9.7 Rights of Unadmitted Assignees |
29 | |||
9.8 Admission of Substituted Members |
30 | |||
9.9 Representations Regarding Transfers |
30 | |||
9.10 Distribution and Allocations in Respect of Transferred Units |
32 | |||
9.11 Additional Members |
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SECTION 10. DISSOLUTION AND WINDING UP |
32 | |||
10.1 Dissolution |
32 | |||
10.2 Winding Up |
33 | |||
10.3 Compliance with Certain Requirements of Regulations; Deficit Capital Accounts |
33 | |||
10.4 Deemed Distribution and Recontribution |
34 | |||
10.5 Rights of Unit Holders |
34 | |||
10.6 Allocations During Period of Liquidation |
34 | |||
10.7 Character of Liquidating Distributions |
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10.8 The Liquidator |
34 | |||
10.9 Forms of Liquidating Distributions |
34 | |||
SECTION 11. MISCELLANEOUS |
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11.1 Notices |
35 | |||
11.2 Binding Effect |
35 | |||
11.3 Construction |
35 | |||
11.4 Headings |
35 | |||
11.5 Severability |
35 | |||
11.6 Incorporation By Reference |
35 | |||
11.7 Variation of Terms |
35 | |||
11.8 Governing Law |
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11.9 Waiver of Jury Trial |
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11.10 Counterpart Execution |
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11.11 Specific Performance |
36 |
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THIS OPERATING AGREEMENT (the “Agreement”) is entered into and shall be effective as
of the 4th day of August, 2005, by and among Central Iowa Energy, LLC, an Iowa limited liability
company (the “Company”), each of the Persons (as hereinafter defined) who are identified as Members
on the attached Exhibit “A” and who have executed a counterpart of this Agreement and a
Subscription Agreement, and any other Persons as may from time-to-time be subsequently admitted as
a Member of the Company in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. Capitalized terms not
otherwise defined herein shall have the meaning set forth in Section 1.10.
WHEREAS, the Members desire to set forth their respective rights, duties, and responsibilities
with respect to the Company and its business and affairs.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the covenants and agreements contained herein, and other
good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the
parties hereto agree as follows:
SECTION 1. THE COMPANY
1.1 Formation. The initial Members formed the Company as an Iowa limited
liability company by filing Articles of Organization with the Iowa Secretary of State on March 31,
2005 pursuant to the provisions of the Act. To the extent that the rights or obligations of any
Member are different by reason of any provision of this Agreement than they would be in the absence
of such provision, this Agreement shall, to the extent permitted by the Act, control.
1.2 Name. The name of the Company shall be “Central Iowa Energy , LLC” and all
business of the Company shall be conducted in such name.
1.3 Purpose; Powers. The nature of the business and purposes of the Company are: (i) to
own, construct, operate, lease, finance , contract with, and/or invest in biodiesel production and
co-product production facilities as permitted under the applicable laws of the State of Iowa; (ii)
to engage in the processing of feedstocks into biodiesel and any and all related co-products, and
the marketing of all products and co-products from such processing; and (iii) to engage in any
other business and investment activity in which an Iowa limited liability company may lawfully be
engaged, as determined by the Directors. The Company has the power to do any and all acts
necessary, appropriate, proper, advisable, incidental or convenient to or in furtherance of the
purpose of the Company as set forth in Section 1.3 and has, without limitation, any and all powers
that may be exercised on behalf of the company by the directors pursuant to Section 5 hereof.
1.4 Principal Place of Business. The Company shall continuously maintain an office in
Iowa. The principal office of the Company shall be at
0000 0xx Xxxxxx Xxxx, Xxxxxx, XX 00000, or elsewhere as the Directors may determine.
Any documents required by the Act to be kept by
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the Company shall be maintained at the Company’s
principal office.
1.5 Term. The term of the Company commenced on the date the Articles of Organization
(the “Articles”) of the Company were filed with the office of the Iowa Secretary of State, and
shall continue until the winding up and liquidation of the Company and its business is completed
following a Dissolution Event as provided in Section 10 hereof.
1.6 Agent For Service of Process. The name and address of the agent for service of
process on the Company in the State of Iowa shall be Xxxxxx X. Xxxx, 000 Xxxxx Xx., X.X. Xxx 000,
Xxxx Xxxx, XX 00000-0000, or any successor appointed by the Directors.
1.7 Title to Property. All Property owned by the Company shall be owned by the
Company as an entity and no Member shall have any ownership interest in such Property (as
hereinafter defined) in his/her/its individual name. Each Member’s interest in the Company shall
be personal property for all purposes. At all times after the Effective Date, the Company shall
hold title to all of its Property in the name of the Company and not in the name of any Member.
1.8 Payment of Individual Obligations. The Company’s credit and assets shall be used
solely for the benefit of the Company, and no asset of the Company shall be transferred or
encumbered for, or in payment of, any individual obligation of any Member.
1.9 Independent Activities: Transactions with Affiliates. The Directors shall be
required to devote such time to the affairs of the Company as may be necessary to manage and
operate the Company, and shall be free to serve any other person or enterprise in any capacity that
the Director may deem appropriate in its discretion. Neither this Agreement nor any activity
undertaken pursuant hereto shall (i) prevent any Member or Director or its Affiliates, acting on
its own behalf, from engaging in whatever activities it chooses, whether the same are competitive
with the Company or otherwise, and any such activities may be undertaken without having or
incurring any obligation to offer any interest in such activities to the Company or any Member; or
(ii) require any Member or Director to permit the Company or Director or Member or its Affiliates
to participate in any such activities, and as a material part of the consideration for the
execution of this Agreement by each Member, each Member hereby waives, relinquishes, and renounces
any such right or claim of participation. To the extent permitted by applicable law and subject to
the provisions of this Agreement, the Directors are hereby authorized to cause the Company to
purchase Property from, sell Property to or otherwise deal with any Member (including any Member
who is also a Director), acting on its own behalf, or any Affiliate of any Member; provided that
any such purchase, sale or other transaction shall be made on terms and conditions which are no
less favorable to the Company than if the sale, purchase or other transaction had been made with an
independent third party.
1.10 Definitions. Capitalized words and phrases used in this
Agreement have the following meanings:
(a) “Act” means the Iowa Limited Liability Company Act, as amended from time to time (or
any corresponding provision or provisions of any succeeding law).
(b) “Adjusted Capital Account Deficit” means, with respect to any Unit Holder, the
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deficit balance, if any, in such Unit Holder’s Capital Account as of the end of the relevant Fiscal
Year, after giving effect to the following adjustments: (i) Credit to such Capital Account any
amounts which such Unit Holder is deemed to be obligated to restore pursuant to the next to the
last sentences in Sections 1.704-2(g)(1) and 1.704-2(i)(5) of the Regulations; and (ii) Debit to
such Capital Account the items described in Sections 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d)(4),
1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d)(5) and 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d)(6) of the Regulations. The foregoing definition
is intended to comply with the provisions of Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d) of the Regulations and
shall be interpreted consistently therewith.
(c) “Affiliate” means, with respect to any Person: (i) any Person directly or indirectly
controlling, controlled by or under common control with such Person; (ii) any officer, director,
general partner, member or trustee and of such person; (iii) any person who is an officer,
director, general partner, member or trustee of any Person described in clauses (i) or (ii) of this
sentence. For purposes of this definition, the terms “controlling”, “controlled by” or “under
common control with” shall mean the possession, direct or indirect, of the power to direct or cause
the direction of the management and policies of a Person or entity, whether through the ownership
of voting securities, by contract or otherwise, or the power to elect at least 50% of the
directors, members, or persons exercising similar authority with respect to such person or
entities.
(d) “Agreement” means this Operating Agreement of Central Iowa Energy, LLC, as amended from
time to time.
(e) “Articles” means the Articles of Organization of the Company filed with the Iowa
Secretary of State, as same may be amended from time to time.
(f) “Assignee” means a transferee of Units who is not admitted as a substituted member
pursuant to Section 9.8.
(g) “Capital Account” means the separate capital account maintained for each Unit Holder in
accordance with Section 2.3.
(h) “Capital Contributions” means, with respect to any Member, the amount of money (US
Dollars) and the initial Gross Asset Value of any assets or property (other than money) contributed
by the Member (or such Member’s predecessor in interest) to the Company (net of liabilities secured
by such contributed property that the Company is considered to assume or take subject to under Code
Section 752) with respect to the Units in the Company held or purchased by such Member, including
additional Capital Contributions.
(i) “Code” means the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to
time.
(j) “Company” means Central Iowa Energy, LLC , an Iowa limited liability company.
(k) “Company Minimum Gain” has the meaning given the term “partnership
minimum gain” in Sections 1.704-2(b)(2) and 1.704-2(d) of the Regulations.
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(l) “Debt” means (i) any indebtedness for borrowed money or the deferred purchase price of
property as evidenced by a note, bonds or other instruments; (ii) obligations as lessee under
capital leases; (iii) obligations secured by any mortgage, pledge, security interest, encumbrance,
lien or charge of any kind existing on any asset owned or held by the Company whether or not the
Company has assumed or become liable for the obligations secured thereby; (iv) any obligation under
any interest rate swap agreement; (v) accounts payable; and (vi) obligations under direct or
indirect guarantees of (including obligations (contingent or otherwise) to insure a creditor
against loss in respect of) indebtedness or obligations of the kinds referred to in clauses (i),
(ii), (iii) (iv) and (v), above provided that Debt shall not include obligations in respect of any
accounts payable that are incurred in the ordinary course of the Company’s business and are not
delinquent or are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings.
(m) “Depreciation” means, for each Fiscal Year, an amount equal to the depreciation,
amortization, or other cost recovery deduction allowable with respect to an asset for such Fiscal
Year, except that if the Gross Asset Value of an asset differs from its adjusted basis for federal
income tax purposes at the beginning of such Fiscal Year, Depreciation shall be an amount which
bears the same ratio to such beginning Gross Asset Value as the federal income tax depreciation,
amortization, or other cost recovery deduction for such Fiscal Year bears to such beginning
adjusted tax basis; provided, however, that if the adjusted basis for federal income tax purposes
of an asset at the beginning of such Fiscal Year is zero, Depreciation shall be determined with
reference to such beginning Gross Asset Value using any reasonable method selected by the
Directors.
(n) “Director” means any Person who (i) is referred to as such an Section 5.1 of this
Agreement or has become a Director pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, and (ii) has not cease
to be a Director pursuant to the terms of this Agreement. “Directors” means all such Persons. For
purposes of the Act, the Directors shall be deemed to be the “managers” (as such term is defined
and used in the Act) of the Company.
(o) “Dissolution Event” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 10.1 hereof.
(p) “Effective Date” means July 21, 2005.
(q) “Facilities” shall mean the biodiesel production and co-product production facilities
in Iowa or such other location as may be determined by the Directors to be constructed and operated
by the Company pursuant to the business plan.
(r) “Fiscal Year” means (i) any twelve-month period commencing on October 1 and ending on
September 30 and (ii) the period commencing on the immediately preceding October 1 and ending on
the date on which all Property is distributed to the Unit Holders pursuant to
Section 10 hereof, or, if the context requires, any portion of a Fiscal Year for which an
allocation of Profits or Losses or a distribution is to be made.
(s) “GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles in effect in the United States of
America from time to time.
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(t) “Gross Asset Value” means with respect to any asset, the asset’s adjusted basis for
federal income tax purposes, except as follows: (i) The initial Gross Asset Value of any asset
contributed by a Member to the Company shall be the gross fair market value of such asset, as
determined by the Directors provided that the initial Gross Asset Values of the assets contributed
to the Company pursuant to Section 2.1 hereof shall be as set forth in such section; (ii) The Gross
Asset Values of all Company assets shall be adjusted to equal their respective gross fair market
values (taking Code Section 7701(g) into account), as determined by the Directors as of the
following times: (A) the acquisition of an additional interest in the Company by any new or
existing Member in exchange for more than a de minimis Capital Contribution; (B) the distribution
by the Company to a Member of more than a de minimis amount of Company property as consideration
for an interest in the Company; and (C) the liquidation of the Company within the meaning of
Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(g), provided that an adjustment described in clauses (A) and
(B) of this paragraph shall be made only if the Directors reasonably determine that such adjustment
is necessary to reflect the economic interests of the Members in the Company; (iii) The Gross Asset
Value of any item of Company assets distributed to any Member shall be adjusted to equal the gross
fair market value (taking Code Section 7701(g) into account) of such asset on the date of
distribution as determined by the Directors; and (iv) The Gross Asset Values of Company assets
shall be increased (or decreased) to reflect any adjustments to the adjusted basis of such assets
pursuant to Code Section 734(b) or Code Section 743(b), but only to the extent that such
adjustments are taken into account in determining Capital Accounts pursuant to Regulations Section
1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(m) and subparagraph (vi) of the definition of “Profits” and “Losses” of Section
3.3(c) hereof; provided, however, that Gross Asset Values shall not be adjusted pursuant to this
subparagraph (iv) to the extent that an adjustment pursuant to subparagraph (ii) is required in
connection with a transaction that would otherwise result in an adjustment pursuant to this
subparagraph (ii) is required in connection with a transaction that would otherwise result in an
adjustment pursuant to this subparagraph (iv). If the Gross Asset Value of an asset has been
determined or adjusted pursuant to subparagraph (ii) or (iv), such Gross Asset Value shall
thereafter be adjusted by the Depreciation taken into account with respect to such asset, for
purposes of computing Profits and Losses.
(u) “Issuance Items” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.3(h) hereof.
(v) “Liquidation Period” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.6 hereof.
(w) “Liquidator” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.8 hereof.
(x) “Losses” has the meaning set forth in the definition of “Profits” and “Losses”.
(y) “Member” means any Person (i) whose name is set forth as such on Exhibit “A” initially
attached hereto or has become a Member pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, and
(ii) who is the owner of one or more Units.
(z) “Members” means all such members.
(aa) “Membership Economic Interest” means collectively, a Member’s share of “Profits” and
“Losses”, the right to receive distributions of the Company’s assets, and the right to
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information
concerning the business and affairs of the Company provided by the Act. The Membership Economic
Interest of a Member is quantified by the Unit of measurement referred to herein as “Units”.
(bb) “Membership Interest” means collectively, the Membership Economic Interest and
Membership Voting Interest.
(cc) “Membership Register” means the membership register maintained by the Company at its
principal office or by a duly appointed agent of the Company setting forth the name, address, the
number of Units, and Capital Contributions of each Member of the Company, which shall be modified
from time to time as additional Units are issued and as Units are transferred pursuant to this
Agreement.
(dd) “Membership Voting Interest” means collectively, a Member’s right to vote as set forth
in this Agreement or required by the Act. The Membership Voting Interest of a Member shall mean as
to any matter to which the Member is entitled to vote hereunder or as may be required under the
Act, the right to one (1) vote for each Unit registered in the name of such Member as shown in the
Membership Register.
(ee) “Net Cash Flow” means the gross cash proceeds of the Company less the portion thereof
used to pay or establish reserves for all Company expenses, debt payments, capital improvements,
replacements, and contingencies, all as reasonably determined by the Directors. “Net Cash Flow”
shall not be reduced by depreciation, amortization, cost recovery deductions, or similar
allowances, but shall be increased by any reductions of reserves previously established.
(ff) “Nonrecourse Deductions” has the meaning set forth in Section 1.704-2(b)(1) of the
Regulations.
(gg) “Nonrecourse Liability” has the meaning set forth in Section 1.704-2(b)(3) of the
Regulations.
(hh) “Officer” or “Officers” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.19 hereof.
(ii) “Permitted Transfer” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.2 hereof.
(jj) “Person” means any individual, partnership (whether general or limited), joint
venture, limited liability company, corporation, trust, estate, association, nominee or other
entity.
(kk) “ Profits and Losses” mean, for each Fiscal Year, an amount equal to the
Company’s taxable income or loss for such Fiscal Year, determined in accordance with Code Section
703(a) (for this purpose, all items of income, gain, loss, or deduction required to be stated
separately pursuant to Code Section 703(a)(1) shall be included in taxable income or loss), with
the following adjustments (without duplication): (i) Any income of the Company that is exempt from
federal income tax and not otherwise taken into account in computing Profits or Losses pursuant to
this definition of “Profits” and “Losses” shall be added to such
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taxable income or loss; (ii) Any expenditures of the Company described in Code Section 705(a)(2)(b)
or treated as Code Section 705(a)(2)(b) expenditures pursuant to Regulations Section
1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(i), and not otherwise taken into account in computing Profits or Losses pursuant
to this definition of “Profits” and “Losses” shall be subtracted from such taxable income or loss;
(iii) In the event the Gross Asset Value of any Company asset is adjusted pursuant to subparagraphs
(ii) or (iii) of the definition of Gross Asset Value, the amount of such adjustment shall be
treated as an item of gain (if the adjustment increases the Gross Asset Value of the asset)or an
item of loss (if the adjustment decreases the Gross Asset Value of the asset) from the disposition
of such asset and shall be taken into account for purposes of computing Profits or Losses; (iv)
Gain or loss resulting from any disposition of Property with respect to which gain or loss is
recognized for federal income tax purposes shall be computed by reference to the Gross Asset Value
of the Property disposed of, notwithstanding that the adjusted tax basis of such Property differs
from its Gross Asset Value; (v) In lieu of the depreciation, amortization, and other cost recovery
deductions taken into account in computing such taxable income or loss, there shall be taken into
account Depreciation for such Fiscal Year, computed in accordance with the definition of
Depreciation; (vi) To the extent an adjustment to the adjusted tax basis of any Company asset
pursuant to Code Section 734(b) is required, pursuant to Regulations Section
1.704-(b)(2)(iv)(m)(4), to be taken into account in determining Capital Accounts as a result of a
distribution other than in liquidation of a Unit Holder’s interest in the Company, the amount of
such adjustment shall be treated as an item of gain (if the adjustment increases the basis of the
asset) or loss (if the adjustment decreases such basis) from the disposition of such asset and
shall be taken into account for purposes of computing Profits and Losses; and (vii) Notwithstanding
any other provision of this definition, any items which are specifically allocated pursuant to
Section 3.3 and Section 3.4 hereof shall not be taken into account in computing Profits or Losses.
The amounts of the items of Company income, gain, loss or deduction available to be specifically
allocated pursuant to Section 3.3 and Section 3.4 hereof shall be determined by applying rules
analogous to those set forth in subparagraphs (i) and (vi) above.
(ll) “Property” means all real and personal property acquired by the Company, including
cash, and any improvements thereto, and shall include both tangible and intangible property.
(mm) “Regulations” means the Income Tax Regulations, including Temporary Regulations,
promulgated under the Code, as such regulations are amended from time to time.
(nn) “Regulatory Allocations” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.4 hereof.
(oo) “Related Party” means the adopted or birth of relatives of any Person and such Person’s
spouse (whether by marriage or common law), if any, including without limitation
great-grandparents, grandparents, parents, children (including stepchildren and adopted
children), grandchildren, and great-grandchildren thereof, and such Person’s (and such Person’s
spouse’s) brothers, sisters, and cousins and their respective lineal ancestors and descendants, and
any other ancestors and/or descendants, and any spouse of any of the foregoing, each trust created
for the exclusive benefit of one or more of the foregoing, and the successors, assigns, heirs,
executors, personal representatives and estates of any of the foregoing.
7
(pp) “Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
(qq) “Subsidiary” means any corporation, partnership, joint venture , limited liability
company, association or other entity in which such Person owns, directly or indirectly, fifty
percent (50%) or more of the outstanding equity securities or interests, the holders of which are
generally entitled to vote for the election of the board of directors or other governing body of
such entity.
(rr) “Tax Matters Member” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.4 hereof.
(ss) “Transfer” means, as a noun, any voluntary or involuntary transfer, sale, pledge or
hypothecation or other disposition and, as a verb, voluntarily or involuntarily to transfer, give,
sell, exchange, assign, pledge, bequest or hypothecate or otherwise dispose of.
(tt) “Units” of “Unit” means an ownership interest in the Company representing a Capital
Contribution made as provided in Section 2 in consideration of the Units, including any and all
benefits to which the holder of such Units may be entitled as provided in this Agreement, together
with all obligations of such Person to comply with the terms and provisions of this Agreement.
(uu) “Unit Holders” means all Unit Holders.
(vv) “Unit Holder” means the owner of one or more Units.
(ww) “Unit Holder Nonrecourse Debt” has the same meaning as the term “partner nonrecourse
debt” in Section 1.704-2(b)(4) of the Regulations.
(xx) “Unit Holder Nonrecourse Debt Minimum Gain” means an amount, with respect to each Unit
Holder Nonrecourse Debt, equal to the Company Minimum Gain that would result if such Unit Holder
Nonrecourse Debt were treated as a Nonrecourse Liability, determined in accordance with Section
1.704-2(i)(3) of the Regulations.
(yy) “Unit Holder Nonrecourse Deductions” has the same meaning as the term “partner
nonrecourse deductions” in Sections 1.704-2(i)(1) and 1.704-2(i)(2) of the Regulations.
SECTION 2. CAPITAL CONTRIBUTIONS; CAPITAL ACCOUNTS
2.1 Original Capital Contributions . The name, address, original
Capital Contribution, and initial Units qualifying the Membership Interest of each Member are set
out in “Exhibit A” attached hereto, and shall also be set out in the Membership Register.
2.2 Additional Capital Contributions ; Additional Units. No Unit Holder shall be
obligated
to make any additional Capital Contributions to the Company or to pay any assessment to the
Company, other than any unpaid amounts on such Unit Holder’s original Capital
8
Contributions, and no
Units shall be subject to any calls, requests or demands for capital.
Subject to Section 5.7, additional Membership Economic Interests quantified by additional Units may
be issued in consideration of Capital Contributions as agreed to between the Directors and the
Person acquiring the Membership Economic Interest quantified by the additional Units. Each Person
to whom additional Units are issued shall be admitted as a Member in accordance with this
Agreement. Upon such Capital Contributions, the Directors shall cause the Membership Register as
maintained by the Company at its principal office and incorporated herein by this reference, to be
appropriately amended and such amendments shall not be considered amendments to this agreement for
purposes of Section 8.1 hereof.
2.3 Capital Accounts. A Capital Account shall be maintained for each Unit Holder in
accordance with the following provisions:
(a) To
each Unit Holder’s Capital Account there shall be credited (i)
such Unit
Holder’s Capital Contributions; (ii) such Unit Holder’s distributive share of Profits and any items
in the nature of income or gain which are specially allocated pursuant to Section 3.3 and Section
3.4; and (iii) the amount of any company liabilities assumed by such Unit Holder or which are
secured by any Property distributed to such Unit Holder;
(b) To each Unit Holder’s Capital Account there shall be debited (i) the amount of money
and the Gross Asset Value of any Property distributed to such Unit Holder pursuant to any provision
of this Agreement; (ii) such Unit Holder’s distributive share of Losses and any items in the nature
of expenses or losses which are specially allocated pursuant to Section 3.3 and 3.4 hereof; and
(iii) the amount of any liabilities of such Unit Holder assumed by the Company or which are secured
by any Property contributed by such Unit Holder to the Company;
(c) In the event Units are Transferred in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, the
transferee shall succeed to the Capital Account of the transferor to the extent it relates to the
Transferred Units; and
(d) In determining the amount of any liability for purposes of subparagraphs (a)
and (b) above there shall be taken into account Code Section 752(c) and any other applicable
provisions of the Code and Regulations.
The foregoing provisions and other provisions of this Agreement relating to the maintenance of
Capital Accounts are intended to comply with Regulations Section
1.704-1(b), and shall be interpreted and applied in a manner consistent with such Regulations. In
the event the Directors shall determine that it is prudent to modify the manner in which the
Capital Accounts, or any debits or credits thereto, (including,
without limitation, debits or credits relating to liabilities which are secured by
contributed or distributed property or which are assumed by the Company or any Unit Holders), are
computed in order to comply with such Regulations, the Directors may
9
make such modification,
provided that it is not likely to have a material effect on the amounts distributed to any Person
pursuant to Section 10 hereof upon the dissolution of the Company. The Directors shall also (i)
make any adjustments that are necessary or appropriate to maintain equality between the Capital
Accounts of the Unit Holders and the amount of capital reflected on the Company’s balance sheet, as
computed for book purposes, in accordance with Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(q), and (ii)
make any appropriate modifications in the event unanticipated events might otherwise cause this
Agreement not to comply with Regulations Section 1.704-1(b).
SECTION 3. ALLOCATIONS
3.1 Profits. After giving effect to the special allocations in Section 3.3 and
Section 3.4 hereof, Profits for any Fiscal Year shall be allocated among the Unit Holders in
proportion to Units held.
3.2 Losses. After giving effect to the special allocations in Section 3.3 and Section
3.4 hereof, Losses for any Fiscal Year shall be allocated among the Unit Holders in proportion to
Units held.
3.3 Special Allocations The following special allocations shall be made in the
following order:
(a) Minimum Gain Chargeback. Except as otherwise provided in Section 1.704-2(f) of the
Regulations, notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 3, if there is a net decrease in
Company Minimum Gain during any Fiscal Year, each Unit Holder shall be specially allocated items of
Company income and gain for such Fiscal Year (and, if necessary, subsequent Fiscal Years) in an
amount equal to such Unit Holder’s share of the net decrease in Company Minimum Gain, determined in
accordance with Regulations Section 1.704-2(g). Allocations pursuant to the previous sentence
shall be made in proportion to the respective amounts required to be allocated to each Unit Holder
pursuant thereto. The items to be so allocated shall be determined in accordance with sections
1.704-2(f)(6) and 1.704-2(j)(2) of the Regulations. This Section 3.3(a) is intended to comply with
the minimum gain chargeback requirement in Section 1.704-(f) of the Regulations and shall be
interpreted consistently therewith.
(b) Unit Holder Minimum Gain Chargeback. Except as otherwise provided in Section
1.704-2(i)(4) of the Regulations, notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 3, if there
is a net decrease in Unit Holder Nonrecourse Debt Minimum Gain attributable to a Unit Holder
Nonrecourse Debt during any Fiscal Year , each Unit Holder who has a share of the Unit Holder
Nonrecourse Debt Minimum Gain attributable to such Unit Holder Nonrecourse Debt, determined in
accordance with Section 1.704-2(i)(5) of the Regulations, shall be specially allocated items of
Company income and gain for such Fiscal Year (and, if necessary,
subsequent Fiscal Years) in an amount equal to such Unit Holder’s share of the net decrease in
Unit Holder Nonrecourse Debt Minimum Gain, determined in accordance with Regulations
Section 1.704-2(i)(4). Allocations pursuant to the previous sentence shall be made in
proportion to the respective amounts required to be allocated to each Unit Holder pursuant thereto.
The items to be so allocated shall be determined in accordance with Sections 1.704-
10
2(i)(4) and 1.704-2(j)(2) of the Regulations. This Section 3.3(b) is intended to comply with the
minimum gain chargeback requirement in section 1.704-2(i)(4) of the Regulations and shall be
interpreted consistently therewith.
(c) Qualified Income Offset. In the event any Member unexpectedly receives any
adjustments, allocations or distributions described in sections 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d)(4),
1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d)(5), or 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d)(6) of the Regulations, items of Company income and
gain shall be specially allocated to such Member in an amount and manner sufficient to eliminate,
to the extent required by the Regulations, the Adjusted Capital Account Deficit as soon as
practicable, provided that an allocation pursuant to this Section 3.3(c) shall be made only if and
to the extent that the Member would have an Adjusted Capital Account Deficit after all other
allocations provided in this Section 3 have been tentatively made as if this Section 3.3(c) were
not in the Agreement.
(d) Gross Income Allocation. In the event any Member has a deficit Capital Account at
the end of any Fiscal Year which is in excess of the sum of (i) the amount such Member is obligated
to restore pursuant to any provision of this Agreement; and (ii) the amount such Member is deemed
to be obligated to restore pursuant to the penultimate sentences of Section 1.704-2(g)(1) and
1.704-2(i)(5) of the Regulations, each such 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 3.3(d) shall be made only if and to the extent that such Member would have
a deficit Capital Account in excess of such sum after all other allocations provided for in this
Section 3 have been made as if Section 3.3(c) and this Section 3.3(d) were not in this Agreement.
(e) Nonrecourse Deductions. Nonrecourse Deductions for any Fiscal Year or other period
shall be specially allocated among the Members in proportion to Units held.
(f) Unit Holder Nonrecourse Deductions. Any Unit Holder Nonrecourse Deductions for any
Fiscal Year shall be specially allocated to the Unit Holder who bears the economic risk of loss
with respect to the Unit Holder Nonrecourse Debt to which such Unit Holder Nonrecourse Deductions
are attributable in accordance with Regulations Section 1.704-2(i)(1).
(g) Section 754 Adjustments. To the extent an adjustment to the adjusted tax basis of
any Company asset, pursuant to Code Section 734(b) or Code Section 743(b) is required, pursuant to
Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(m)(2) or 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(m)(4), to be taken
into account in determining Capital Accounts as a result of a distribution to a Unit Holder in
complete liquidation of such Unit Holder’s interest in the Company, the amount of such adjustment
to Capital Accounts shall be treated as an item of gain (if the adjustment increases the basis of
the asset) or loss (if the adjustment decreases such basis) and such gain or loss shall be
specially allocated to the Unit Holders in accordance with their interests in the Company in the
event Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(m)(2) applies, or to the Unit Holder to whom such
distribution was made in the event Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(m)(4) applies.
(h) Allocations Relating to Taxable Issuance of Company Units. Any income, gain, loss or
deduction realized as a direct or indirect result of the issuance of Units by the Company to a Unit
Holder (the “Issuance Items”) shall be allocated among the Unit Holders so that, to the
11
extent
possible, the net amount of such Issuance Items, together with all other allocations under
this Agreement to each Unit Holder shall be equal to the net amount that would have been allocated
to each such Unit Holder if the Issuance Items had not been realized.
3.4 Curative Allocations. The allocations set forth in 3.3(a), 3.3(b), 3.3(c),
3.3(d), 3.3(e), 3.3(f), 3.3(g) and 3.5 (the “Regulatory Allocations”) are intended to comply with
certain requirements of the Regulations. It is the intent of the Members that, to the extent
possible, all Regulatory Allocations shall be offset either with other Regulatory Allocations or
with special allocations of other items of Company income, gain, loss or deduction pursuant to this
Section 3.4. Therefore, notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 3 (other than the
Regulatory Allocations) the Directors shall make such offsetting special allocations of Company
income, gain, loss or deduction in whatever manner it determines appropriate so that, after such
offsetting allocations are made, each Member’s Capital Account balance is, to the extent possible,
equal to the Capital Account balance such Member would have had if the Regulatory Allocations were
not part of the Agreement and all Company items were allocated pursuant to Sections 3.1, 3.2, and
3.3(h).
3.5 Loss Limitation. Losses allocated pursuant to Section 3.2 hereof shall not exceed
the maximum amount of Losses that can be allocated without causing any Unit Holder to have an
Adjusted Capital Account Deficit at the end of any Fiscal Year. In the event some but not all of
the Unit Holders would have Adjusted Capital Account Deficits as a consequence of an allocation of
Losses pursuant to Section 3.2 hereof, the limitation set forth in this Section 3.5 shall be
applied on a Unit Holder by Unit Holder basis and Losses not allocable to any Unit Holder as a
result of such limitation shall be allocated to other Unit Holders in accordance with the positive
balances in such Unit Holder’s Capital Accounts so as to allocate the maximum permissible Losses to
each Unit Holder under Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d) of the Regulations.
3.6 Other Allocation Rules.
(a) 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 Directors using any permissible method under Code Section 706 and
the Regulations thereunder.
(b) The Unit Holders are aware of the income tax consequences of the allocations made by
this Section 3 and hereby agree to be bound by the provisions of this Section 3 in reporting their
shares of company income and loss for income tax purposes.
(c) Solely for purposes of determining a Unit Holder’s proportionate share of the “excess
nonrecourse liabilities” of the Company within the meaning of Regulations Section 1.752-3(a)(3),
the Unit Holders’ aggregate interests in Company profits shall be deemed to be as provided in the
capital accounts. To the extent permitted by Section 1.704-2(h)(3) of the Regulations, the
Directors shall endeavor to treat distributions of Net Cash Flow as having been made from the
proceeds of a Nonrecourse Liability or a Unit Holder Nonrecourse Debt only to the extent that such
distributions would cause or increase an Adjusted Capital Account Deficit for any Unit Holder.
12
(d) Allocations of Profits and Losses to the Unit Holders shall be allocated among them in
the ratio which each Unit Holder’s Units bears to the total number of Units issued and outstanding.
3.7 Tax Allocations: Code Section 704(c). In accordance with Code Section 704(c) and
the Regulations thereunder, income, gain, loss, and deduction with respect to any Property
contributed to the capital of the Company shall, solely for tax purposes, be allocated among the
Unit Holders so as to take account of any variation between the adjusted basis of such Property to
the Company for federal income tax purposes and its initial Gross Asset Value (computed in
accordance with the definition of Gross Asset Value). In the event the Gross Asset Value of any
Company asset is adjusted pursuant to subparagraph (ii) of the definition of Gross Asset Value,
subsequent allocations of income, gain, loss, and deduction with respect to such asset shall take
account of any variation between the adjusted basis of such asset for federal income tax purposes
and its Gross Asset Value in the same manner as under Code Section 704(c) and the Regulations
thereunder. Any elections or other decisions relating to such allocations shall be made by the
Directors in any manner that reasonably reflects the purpose and intention of this Agreement.
Allocations pursuant to this Section 3.7 are solely for purposes of federal, state, and local taxes
and shall not affect, or in any way be taken into account in computing, any Unit Holder’s Capital
Account or share of Profits , Losses, other items, or distributions pursuant to any provision of
this Agreement.
3.8 Tax Credit Allocations. All credits against income tax with respect to the
Company’s property or operations shall be allocated among the Members in accordance with their
respective membership interests in the Company for the Fiscal Year during which the expenditure,
production, sale, or other event giving rise to the credit occurs. This Section 3.8 is intended to
comply with the applicable tax credit allocation principles of section 1.704-1(b)(4)(ii) of the
Regulations and shall be interpreted consistently therewith.
SECTION 4. DISTRIBUTIONS
4.1 Net Cash Flow. The Directors, in their discretion, shall make distributions
of Net Cash Flow, if any, to the Members. Except as otherwise provided in
Section 10 hereof, Net Cash Flow, if any, shall be distributed to the Unit Holders in proportion to
Units held subject to, and to the extent permitted by, any loan covenants or restrictions on such
distributions agreed to by the Company in any loan, credit or any other debt financing agreements
with the Company’s lenders and creditors from time to time in effect. In determining Net Cash
Flow, the Directors shall endeavor to provide for cash distributions at such times and in such
amounts as will permit the Unit Holders to make timely payment of income taxes.
4.2 Amounts Withheld. All amounts withheld pursuant to the Code or any provision of
any state, local or foreign tax law with respect to any payment, distribution or allocation to the
Company or the Unit Holders shall be treated as amounts paid or distributed, as the case may be, to
the Unit Holders with respect to which such amount was withheld pursuant to Section 4.2 for all
purposes under this Agreement. The Company is authorized to withhold from payments and
distributions, or with respect to allocations to the Unit Holders, and to pay over to any federal,
state and local government or any foreign government, any amounts required to be so
13
withheld
pursuant to the Code or any provisions of any other federal, state or local law or any foreign law,
and shall allocate any such amounts to the Unit Holders with respect to which such amount was
withheld.
4.3 Limitations on Distributions. The Company shall make no distributions to the Unit
Holders except as provided in this Section 4 and Section 10 hereof. Notwithstanding any other
provision, no distribution shall be made if it is not permitted to be made under the Act.
SECTION 5. MANAGEMENT
5.1 Directors. Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, the Directors
shall direct the business and affairs of the Company, and shall exercise all of the powers of the
Company except such powers as are by this Agreement conferred upon or reserved to the Members. The
Directors shall adopt such policies, rules, regulations, and actions not inconsistent with law or
this Agreement as it may deem advisable. The amendment or repeal of this section or the adoption
of any provision inconsistent therewith shall require the approval of a majority of the Membership
Voting Interests.
5.2 Number of Total Directors. The total number of Directors of the Company shall be
a minimum of seven (7) and a maximum of Thirteen (13). The Members may increase or decrease the
number of Directors last approved and may change from a variable range to a fixed number or vice
versa by majority vote at any annual or special meeting.
5.3 Election of Directors.
(a) Election of Directors and Terms. The initial Directors, appointed by the
initial Members, shall be the individuals set forth on Exhibit “B” attached hereto. The initial
Directors shall serve until the first annual or special meeting of the Members following
substantial completion of the construction of the Facilities, and in all cases until a successor is
elected and qualified, or until the earlier death, resignation, removal or disqualification of any
such
Director. After the expiration of the initial term of the Directors, at each annual meeting of the
Members, Directors shall be elected by the Members for staggered terms of three (3) years and until
a successor is elected and qualified; provided however, that any Member who is authorized to
appoint a Director pursuant to Section 5.3 (c) shall not be entitled to vote for the election of
any other Directors that the Members are entitled to elect, and the Units held by such Member shall
not be included in determining a majority of the Membership Voting Interests for purposes of
electing Directors. The initial Directors shall, by resolution adopted prior to the expiration of
their initial term, separately identify the Director positions to be elected and shall classify
each such Director position as Group I, Group II or Group III, with such classification to serve as
the basis for the staggering of terms among the elected directors. The terms of Group I Directors
shall expire first (initial term of one year with successors elected to three-year terms
thereafter), followed by those of Group II Directors (initial term of two years with successors
elected to three-year terms thereafter), and then Group III Directors (initial and subsequent terms
of three years). Except for the special right of appointment of certain Directors provided for in
this Section, Directors shall be elected by a plurality vote of the Members so that nominees
receiving the greatest number of votes relative to all other nominees are elected as directors.
14
(b) Nominations for Directors. One or more nominees for Director positions up
for election shall be nominated by the then current Directors or by a nominating committee
established by the Directors. Nominations for election of Directors may also be made by any Member
entitled to vote generally in the election of Directors. However, any Member that intends to
nominate one or more persons for election as Directors at a meeting may do so only if written
notice of that Member’s intent to make such nomination or nominations has been given, either by
personal delivery or by United States mail, postage prepaid, to the Secretary of the Company not
less than sixty (60) days nor more than ninety (90) days prior to the annual meeting of the
Company. Each such notice to the Secretary shall set forth:
(i) | The name and address of record of the Member who intends to make the nomination; | ||
(ii) | A representation that the Member is a holder of record of Units of the Company entitled to vote at such meeting and intends to appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to nominate the person or persons specified in the notice; | ||
(iii) | The name, age, business and residence address, and principal occupation or employment of each nominee; | ||
(iv) | A description of all arrangements or understandings between the Member and each nominee and any other person or persons (naming such person or persons) pursuant to which the nomination or nominations are to be made by the Member; | ||
(v) | Such other information regarding each nominee proposed by such Member as would be required to be included in a proxy statement filed pursuant to the proxy rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission; | ||
(vi) | The consent of each nominee to serve as a Director of the Company if so elected; and | ||
(vii) | A nominating petition signed and dated by the holders of at least five percent (5%) of the then outstanding Units and clearly setting forth the proposed nominee as a candidate of the Director’s seat to be filled at the next election of Directors. |
The Company may require any proposed nominee to furnish such other information as may reasonably be
required by the Company to determine the eligibility of such proposed nominee to serve as a
Director of the Company. The presiding Officer of the meeting may, if the facts warrant, determine
that a nomination was not made in accordance with the foregoing procedures, and if he should so
determine, he shall so declare to the meeting and the defective nomination shall be disregarded.
The amendment or repeal of this Section or the adoption of any provision inconsistent herewith
shall require the approval of a majority of the Membership Voting Interests. Whenever a vacancy
occurs other than from expiration of a term of office or removal from office, a majority of the
remaining Directors shall appoint a new Director to fill the vacancy for the remainder of such
term.
(c) Special Rights of Appointment of Directors for Certain Members. Commencing
with the first annual or special meeting of the Members following financial closing, each Member
who holds two thousand (2,000) or more Units, all of which were purchased by such Member from the
Company during the Company’s initial registered offering (“Appointing
15
Members”), shall be entitled
to appoint one (1) Director, so long as the Appointing Member is the holder of two thousand (2,000)
or more Units. Units held by an Affiliate or Related Party of a Member shall be included in the
determination of whether the Member holds the requisite number of Units for purposes of this
Section. Only Members who acquire two thousand (2,000) or more Units from the Company in its
initial registered offering are granted appointment rights hereunder. Accordingly, any Member who
subsequently acquires two thousand (2,000) or more Units other than by acquisition from the Company
in its initial registered offering beginning in 2005, shall not be entitled to appoint any
Directors, regardless of the number of Units held by such Member. A Director appointed by a Member
under this section shall serve indefinitely at the pleasure of the Member appointing him or her
until a successor is appointed, or until the earlier death, resignation or removal of the Director.
Any Director appointed under this section may be removed for any reason by the Member appointing
him or her, upon written notice to the Board of Directors, which notice may designate and appoint a
successor Director to fill the vacancy, and which notice may be given at a meeting of the Board of
Directors attended by the person appointed to fill the vacancy. Any such vacancy shall be filled
within thirty (30) days of its occurrence by the Member having the right of appointment. In the
event that the number of Units held by a Member falls below the threshold of two thousand (2,000)
Units, the term of any Director appointed by such Member shall terminate, the seat will dissolve,
and the Unit Holder will elect Directors with Unit Holders in accordance with this section 5.3(a).
The Member’s special right of appointment will terminate.
5.4 Committees. A resolution approved by the affirmative vote of a majority of the
Directors may establish committees having the authority of the Directors in the management of the
business of the Company to the extent consistent with this Agreement and provided in the
resolution. A committee shall consist of one or more persons, appointed by affirmative vote of a
majority of the Directors present. Committees may include a compensation committee and/or an audit
committee, in each case consisting of one or more independent Directors or other independent
persons. Committees are subject to the direction and control of the Directors, and vacancies in
the membership thereof shall be filled by the Directors. A majority of the Members of the
committee present at a meeting is a quorum for the
transaction of business, unless a larger or smaller proportion or number is provided in a
resolution approved by the affirmative vote of a majority of the Directors present.
5.5 Authority of Directors. Subject to the limitations and restrictions set forth in
this Agreement, the Directors shall direct the management of the business and affairs of the
Company and shall have all of the rights and powers which may be possessed by a “manager” under the
Act including, without limitation, the right and power to do or perform the following and, to the
extent permitted by the Act or this Agreement, the further right and power by resolution of the
Directors to delegate to the Officers or such other Person or Persons to do or perform the
following:
(a) Conduct its business, carry on its operations and have and exercise the powers granted
by the Act in any state, territory, district or possession of the United States, or in any foreign
country which may be necessary or convenient to effect any or all of the purposes for which it is
organized;
(b) Acquire by purchase, lease, or otherwise any real or personal property which may
16
be necessary, convenient, or incidental to the accomplishment of the purposes of the Company;
(c) Operate, maintain, finance, improve, construct, own, grant options with respect to,
sell, convey, assign, mortgage, and lease any real estate and any personal property necessary,
convenient, or incidental to the accomplishment of the purposes of the Company;
(d) Execute any and all agreements, contracts, documents, certifications, and instruments
necessary or convenient in connection with the management, maintenance, and operation of the
business, or in connection with managing the affairs of the Company, including, executing
amendments to this Agreement and the Articles in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, both
as Directors and, if required, as attorney-in-fact for the Members pursuant to any power of
attorney granted by the Members to the Directors;
(e) Borrow money and issue evidences of indebtedness necessary, convenient, or incidental
to the accomplishment of the purposes of the Company, and secure the same by mortgage, pledge, or
other lien on any Company assets;
(f) Execute, in furtherance of any or all of the purposes of the Company, any deed, lease,
mortgage, deed of trust, mortgage note, promissory note, xxxx of sale, contract, or other
instrument purporting to convey or encumber any or all of the Company assets;
(g) Prepay in whole or in part, refinance, recast, increase, modify, or extend any
liabilities affecting the assets of the Company and in connection therewith execute any extensions
or renewals of encumbrances on any or all of such assets;
(h) Care for and distribute funds to the Members by way of cash income, return of capital,
or otherwise, all in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement, and perform all matters in
furtherance of the objectives of the Company or this Agreement;
(i) Contract on behalf of the Company for the employment and services of employees
and/or independent contractors, such as lawyers and accountants, and delegate to such Persons the
duty to manage or supervise any of the assets or operations of the Company;
(j) Engage in any kind of activity and perform and carry out contracts of any kind
(including contracts of insurance covering risks to Company assets and Directors’ and Officers’
liability) necessary or incidental to, or in connection with, the accomplishment of the purposes of
the Company, as may be lawfully carried on or performed by a limited liability company under the
laws of each state in which the Company is then formed or qualified;
(k) Take, or refrain from taking, all actions, not expressly proscribed or limited by this
Agreement, as may be necessary or appropriate to accomplish the purposes of the Company;
(l) Institute, prosecute, defend, settle, compromise, and dismiss lawsuits or other
judicial or administrative proceedings brought on or in behalf of, or against, the Company, the
Members or the Directors or Officers in connection with activities arising out of, connected with,
or incidental to this Agreement, and to engage counsel or others in connection therewith;
17
(m) Purchase, take, receive, subscribe for or otherwise acquire, own, hold, vote, use,
employ, sell, mortgage, lend, pledge, or otherwise dispose of, and otherwise use and deal in
and with, shares or other interests in or obligations of domestic or foreign corporations,
associations, general or limited partnerships, other limited liability companies, or individuals or
direct or indirect obligations of the United States or any government, state, territory, government
district or municipality or of any instrumentality of any of them;
(n) Agree with any Person as to the form and other terms and conditions of such Person’s
Capital Contribution to the Company and cause the Company to issue Membership Economic Interests
and Units in consideration of such Capital Contribution; and
(o) Indemnify a Member or Directors or Officers, or former Members or Directors or
Officers, and to make any other indemnification that is authorized by this Agreement in accordance
with, and to the fullest extent permitted by, the Act.
5.6 Directors as Agent. Notwithstanding the power and authority of the Directors to
manage the business and affairs of the Company, no Director shall have authority to act as agent
for the Company for the purposes of its business (including the execution of any instrument on
behalf of the Company) unless the Directors have authorized the Director to take such action. The
Directors may also delegate authority to manage the business and affairs of the Company (including
the execution of instruments on behalf of the Company) to such Person or Persons (including to any
Officers) designated by the Directors, and such Person or Persons (or Officers) shall have such
titles and authority as determined by the Directors.
5.7 Restrictions on Authority of Directors.
(a) The Directors shall not have authority to, and they covenant and agree that they
shall not, do any of the following acts without the unanimous consent of the Members:
(i) | Cause or permit the Company to engage in any activity that is not consistent with the purposes of the Company as set forth in Section 1.3 hereof; | ||
(ii) | Knowingly do any act in contravention of this Agreement or which would make it impossible to carry on the ordinary business of the Company, except as otherwise provided in this Agreement; | ||
(iii) | Possess Company Property, or assign rights in specific Company Property, for other than a Company purpose; or | ||
(iv) | Cause the Company to voluntarily take any action that would cause a bankruptcy of the Company. |
(b) The Directors shall not have authority to, and they covenant and agree that they shall
not cause the Company to, without the consent of the Members:
18
(i) | Merge, consolidate, exchange or otherwise dispose of at one time all or substantially all of the Property, except for a liquidating sale of the Property in connection with the dissolution of the Company; | ||
(ii) | Confess a judgment against the Company in an amount in excess of $500,000; | ||
(iii) | issue Units other than the 500 Units issued to members of The Biodiesel Group at a purchase price of less than $500 per Unit; | ||
(iv) | issue more than an aggregate of 35,000 Units; and | ||
(v) | cause the Company to acquire any equity or debt securities of any Director or any of its Affiliates, or otherwise make loans to any Director or any of its Affiliates. |
The actions specified herein as requiring the consent of the Members shall be in addition to any
actions by the Directors that are specified in the Act as requiring the consent or approval of the
Members. Any such required consent or approval may be given by the number of vote necessary to
constitute member action pursuant to Section 6.10 herein.
5.8 Director Meetings and Notice. Meetings of the Directors shall be held at such
times and places as shall from time to time be determined by the Directors. Meetings of the
Directors may be called by the Chairman of the Company or by two or more Directors. If the date,
time, and place of a meeting of the Directors has been announced at a previous meeting, no notice
shall be required. In all other cases, five (5) days’ written notice of meetings, stating the
date, time, and place thereof and any other information required by law or desired by the Person(s)
calling such meeting, shall be given to each
director. Any Director may waive notice of any meeting. A waiver of notice by a Director is
effective whether given before, at, or after the meeting, and whether given orally, in writing, or
by attendance. The attendance of a Director at any meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of
such meeting, unless such Director objects at the beginning of the meeting to the transaction of
business on the grounds that the meeting is not lawfully called or convened and does not
participate thereafter in the meeting.
5.9 Action Without a Meeting. Any action required or permitted to be taken by the
Directors may also be taken by a written action signed by a super majority of seventy-five percent
(75%) of all Directors authorized to vote on the matter as provided by this Agreement, provided
that a copy of such written action shall be promptly given to all such Directors. The Directors
may participate in any meeting of the Directors by means of telephone conference or similar means
of communication by which all persons participating in the meeting can simultaneously hear each
other.
5.10 Quorum; Manner of Acting. Not less than fifty percent (50%) of the Directors of
each class of Directors authorized to vote on a matter as provided by this Agreement shall
constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any Directors’ meeting. Each Director shall
have one (1) vote at meetings of the Directors. The Director shall take action by the vote of a
majority of the number of Directors constituting a quorum as provided by this Agreement.
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5.11 Voting; Potential Financial Interest. No Directors shall be disqualified from
voting on any matter to be determined or decided by the Directors solely by reason of such
Director’s (or his/her Affiliate’s) potential financial interest in the outcome of such vote,
provided that the nature of such Director’s (or his/her Affiliate’s) potential financial interest
was reasonably disclosed at the time of such vote.
5.12 Duties and Obligations of Directors. The Directors shall cause the Company to
conduct its business and operations separate and apart from that of any Director or any of its
Affiliates. The Directors shall take all actions which may be necessary or appropriate (i) for the
continuation of the Company’s valid existence as a limited liability company under the laws of the
State of Iowa and each other jurisdiction in which such existence is necessary to protect the
limited liability of its Members or to enable the Company to conduct the business in which it is
engaged, and (ii) for the accomplishment of the Company’s purposes, including the acquisition,
development, maintenance, preservation, and operation of Company Property in accordance with the
provisions of this Agreement and applicable laws and regulations. Each Director shall have the
duty to discharge the forgoing duties in good faith, in a manner the Director believes to be in the
best interests of the Company, and with the care an ordinarily prudent person in a like position
would exercise under similar circumstances. The Directors shall be under no other fiduciary duty
to the Company or the Members to conduct the affairs of the Company in a particular manner.
5.13 Chairman and Vice Chairman. Unless otherwise provided by a resolution adopted by
the Directors, the Chairman shall preside at meetings of the Members and the Directors; shall see
that all orders and resolutions of the Directors are carried into effect; may maintain records of
and certify proceedings of the
Directors and Members; and shall perform such other duties as may from time to time be prescribed
by the Directors. The Vice Chairman shall, in the absence or disability of the Chairman, perform
the duties and exercise the powers of the Chairman and shall perform such duties as the Directors
or the Chairman may from time to time prescribe. The Directors may designate more than one Vice
Chairmen, in which case the Vice Chairmen shall be designated by the Directors so as to denote
which is most senior in office.
5.14 President and Chief Executive Officer. Until provided otherwise by a resolution
of the Directors, the Chairman shall also act as the interim President and Chief Executive Officer
(“CEO”) of the Company (herein referred to as the “President”; the titles of President and CEO
shall constitute a reference to one and the same office and Officer of the Company), and the
Chairman may exercise the duties of the office of Chairman using any such designations. The
Director shall appoint someone other than the Chairman as the President of the Company not later
than the commencement of operations of the Facilities, and such President shall perform such duties
as the Directors may from time to time prescribe, including without limitation, the management of
the day-to-day operations of the Facilities.
5.15 Chief Financial Officer. Unless provided otherwise by a resolution adopted by
the Directors, the Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”) of the Company shall be the Treasurer of the
Company and shall keep accurate financial records for the Company; shall deposit all monies,
drafts, and checks in the name of and to the credit of the Company in such banks and depositories
as the Directors shall designate from time to time; shall endorse for deposit all
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notes, checks,
and drafts received by the Company as ordered by the Directors, making proper vouchers therefore;
shall disburse Company funds and issue checks and drafts in the name of the Company as ordered by
the Directors, shall render to the President and the Directors, whenever requested, an account of
all such transactions as CFO and of the financial condition of the Company, and shall perform such
other duties as may be prescribed by the Directors or the President from time to time.
5.16 Secretary; Assistant Secretary. The Secretary shall attend all meetings of the
Directors and of the Members and shall maintain records of, and whenever necessary, certify all
proceedings of the Directors and of the Members. The Secretary shall keep the required records of
the Company, when so directed by the Directors or other Person or Persons authorized to call such
meetings, shall give or cause to be given notice of meetings of the Members and of meetings of the
Directors, and shall also perform such other duties and have such other powers as the Chairman or
the Directors may prescribe from time to time. An Assistant Secretary, if any, shall perform the
duties of the Secretary during the absence or disability of the Secretary.
5.17 Vice President. The Company may have one or more Vice Presidents. If more than
one, the Directors shall designate which is most senior. The most senior Vice President shall
perform the duties of the President in the absence of the President.
5.18 Delegation. Unless prohibited by a resolution of the Directors, the President,
Chief Financial Officer, Vice President and Secretary (individually, an
“Officer” and collectively “Officers”) may delegate in writing some or all of the duties and powers
of such Officer’s management position to other Persons. An Officer who delegates the duties or
powers of an office remains subject to the standard of conduct for such Officer with respect to the
discharge of all duties and powers so delegated.
5.19 Execution of Instruments. All deeds, mortgages, bonds, checks, contracts and
other instruments pertaining to the business and affairs of the Company shall be signed on behalf
of the Company by (i) the Chairman; or (ii) when authorized by resolution(s) of the Directors, the
President; or (iii) by such other Person or Persons as may be designated from time to time by the
Directors.
5.20 Limitation of liability; Indemnification of Directors. To the maximum extent
permitted under the Act and other applicable law, no Member, Director or Officer of this Company
shall be personally liable for any debt, obligation or liability of this Company merely by reason
of being a Member, Director, Officer or all of the foregoing. No Director or Officer of this
Company shall be personally liable to this Company or its Members for monetary damages for a breach
of fiduciary duty by such Director or Officer; provided that this provision shall not eliminate or
limit the liability of a Director or Officer for any of the following: (i) for any breach of the
duty of loyalty to the Company or its Members; (ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith or
which involve intentional misconduct or knowing violation of law; or (iii) for a transaction from
which the Director or Officer derived an improper personal benefit or a wrongful distribution in
violation of Section 807 of the Act. To the maximum extent permitted under the Act and other
applicable law, the Company, its receiver, or its trustees (in the case of its receiver or trustee,
to the extent of Company Property) shall indemnify, save and hold harmless, and pay all judgments
and claims against each Director or Officer relating to any liability or damage
21
incurred by reason
of any act performed or omitted to be performed by such Director, or Officer, in connection with
the business of the Company, including reasonable attorneys’ fees incurred by such Director or
Officer in connection with the defense of any action based on any such act or omission, which
attorneys’ fees may be paid as incurred, including all such liabilities under federal and state
securities laws as permitted by law. To the maximum extent permitted under the Act and other
applicable law, in the event of any action by a Unit Holder against any Director or Officer,
including a derivative suit, the Company shall indemnify, save harmless, and pay all costs,
liabilities, damages and expenses of such Director or Officer, including reasonable attorneys’ fees
incurred in the defense of such action. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions, no Director or
Officer shall be indemnified by the Company to the extent prohibited or limited (but only to the
extent limited) by the Act. The Company may purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any
Person in such Person’s official capacity against any liability asserted against and incurred by
such Person in or arising from that capacity, whether or not the Company would otherwise be
required to indemnify the Person against the liability.
5.21 Compensation; Expenses of Directors. No Member or Director shall receive any
salary, fee, or draw for services rendered to or on behalf of the Company merely by virtue of their
status as a Member or Director, it being the intention that, irrespective of any personal interests
of any of the Directors, the Directors shall have authority to establish reasonable compensation of
all Directors for services to the
Company as Directors, Officers, or otherwise. Except as otherwise approved by or pursuant to a
policy approved by the Directors, no Member or Director shall be reimbursed for any expenses
incurred by such Member or Director on behalf of the Company. Notwithstanding the foregoing, by
resolution by the Directors, the Directors may be paid as reimbursement therefor, their expenses,
if any, of attendance at each meeting of the Directors. In addition, the Directors, by resolution,
may approve from time to time, the salaries and other compensation packages of the Officers of the
Company.
5.22 Loans. Any Member or Affiliate may, with the consent of the Directors, lend or
advance money to the Company. If any Member or Affiliate shall make any loan or loans to the
Company or advance money on its behalf, the amount of any such loan or advance shall not be treated
as a contribution to the capital of the Company, but shall be a debt due from the Company. The
amount of any such loan or advance by a lending Member or Affiliate shall be repayable out of the
Company’s cash and shall bear interest at a rate not in excess of the prime
rate established, from time to time, by any major bank selected by the Directors for loans to its most credit worthy commercial borrowers, plus four per cent (4%) per annum. If a Director, or any Affiliate of a Director, is the lending Member, the rate of interest and the terms and conditions of such loan shall be no less favorable to the Company than if the lender had been an independent third party. None of the Members or their Affiliates shall be obligated to make any loan or advance to the Company.
rate established, from time to time, by any major bank selected by the Directors for loans to its most credit worthy commercial borrowers, plus four per cent (4%) per annum. If a Director, or any Affiliate of a Director, is the lending Member, the rate of interest and the terms and conditions of such loan shall be no less favorable to the Company than if the lender had been an independent third party. None of the Members or their Affiliates shall be obligated to make any loan or advance to the Company.
SECTION 6. ROLE OF MEMBERS
6.1 One Membership Class. There shall initially be one class of Membership
Interests and one class of Units. Additional classes of Membership Interests and Units may be
created and issued to new Members or to existing Members on such terms and conditions as the
Directors may determine and may include the creation of different classes of Membership Interests
represented by different classes of Units, which classes may have different rights, powers and
22
preferences, which rights, powers and preferences may be senior to those of existing Members,
including, without limitation, voting rights and distribution preferences. Members shall have no
preemptive rights to acquire additional or newly created Units of the Company.
6.2 Members. Each Person who desires to become a Member must complete and execute a
signature page to this Agreement in the form of Exhibit “C” attached hereto and such other
documents as may be required by the Directors. Each prospective Member must be approved and
admitted to the Company by the Board of Directors. The Membership Interests of the Members shall
be set forth on the membership register as maintained by the Company at its principal office and
which by this reference is incorporated herein.
6.3 Additional Members. No Person shall become a Member without the approval of the
Directors. The Directors may refuse to admit any Person as a Member in their sole discretion. Any
such admission must comply with the requirements described in this Agreement and will be effective
only after such Person has executed and delivered to the Company such documentation as determined
by the Directors to be necessary
and appropriate to effect such admission including the Member’s agreement to be bound by this
Agreement. Upon the admission of a member the Directors shall cause the Membership Register to be
appropriately amended pursuant to Section 8.1 of this Agreement and will not require Member action
for purposes of Section 8.1.
6.4 Rights or Powers. Except as otherwise expressly provided for in this Agreement,
the Members shall not have any right or power to take part in the management or control of the
Company or its business and affairs or to act for or bind the Company in any way.
6.5 Voting Rights of Members. The Members shall have voting rights as defined by the
Membership Voting Interest of such Member and in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement.
Members do not have the right to cumulate their votes for any matter entitled to a vote of the
Members, including election of Directors.
6.6 Member Meetings. Meetings of the Members shall be called by the Directors, and
shall be held at the principal office of the Company or at such other place as shall be designated
by the person calling the meeting. Members representing an aggregate of not less than thirty
percent (30%) of the Membership Voting Interests may also in writing demand that the
Directors call a meeting of the Members. Regular meetings of the Members shall be held not less
than once per Fiscal Year.
6.7 Conduct of Meetings. Subject to the discretion of the Directors, the Members may
participate in any meeting of the Members by means of telephone conference or similar means of communication by which all persons participating in the meeting can simultaneously hear and speak with each other.
participate in any meeting of the Members by means of telephone conference or similar means of communication by which all persons participating in the meeting can simultaneously hear and speak with each other.
6.8 Notice of Meetings; Waiver. Notice of the meeting, stating the place, day and
hour of the meeting, shall be given to each Member in accordance with Section 11.1 hereof at least
five (5) days and no more than sixty (60) days before the day on which the meeting is to be held.
A Member may waive the notice of meeting required hereunder by written notice of waiver
23
signed by
the Member whether given before, during or after the meeting. Attendance by a Member at a meeting
is waiver of notice of that meeting, unless the Member objects at the beginning of the meeting to
the transaction of business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened and thereafter
does not participate in the meeting.
6.9 Quorum and Proxies. The presence (in person or by proxy or mail ballot) of
Members representing an aggregate of at least twenty-five percent (25%) of the Membership Voting
Interests is required for the transaction of business at a meeting of the Members. Voting by proxy
or by mail ballot shall be permitted on any matter if authorized by the Directors.
6.10 Voting; Action by Members. If a quorum
is present, the affirmative vote of a majority of the Membership Voting Interests represented at
the Members’ meeting (in person, by proxy, or by mail ballot) and entitled to vote on the matter
shall constitute the act of the Members, unless the vote of a greater or lesser proportion or
numbers is otherwise required by this Agreement.
6.11 Record Date. For the purpose of determining Members entitled to notice of or to
vote at any meeting of Members or any adjournment of the meeting, or Members entitled to receive
payment of any distribution, or to make a determination of Members for any other purpose, the date
on which notice of the meeting is mailed (or otherwise delivered) or the date on which the
resolution declaring the distribution is adopted, as the case may be, shall be the record date for
determination of Members.
6.12 Termination of Membership. The membership of a Member in the Company shall
terminate upon the occurrence of events described in the Act, including registration and
withdrawal. If for any reason the membership of a Member is terminated, the Member whose
membership has terminated loses all Membership Voting Interests and shall be considered merely as
Assignee of the Membership Economic Interest owned before the termination of membership, having
only the rights of an unadmitted Assignee provided for in Section 9.7 hereof.
6.13 Continuation of the Company. The Company shall not be dissolved upon the
occurrence of any event that is deemed to terminate the continued membership of a Member. The
Company’s affairs shall not be required to be wound up. The Company shall continue without
dissolution.
6.14 No Obligation to Purchase Membership Interest. No Member whose membership in the
Company terminates, nor any transferee of such Member, shall have any right to demand or receive a
return of such terminated Member’s Capital Contributions or to require the purchase or redemption
of the Member’s Membership Interest. The other Members and the Company shall not have any
obligation to purchase or redeem the Membership Interest of any such terminated Member or
transferee of any such terminated Member.
6.15 Waiver of Dissenters’ Rights. Each Member hereby disclaims, waives and agrees,
to the fullest extent permitted by law or the Act, not to assert dissenters’ or similar rights
under the Act.
6.16 Limitation on Ownership. Notwithstanding any other provision herein, no Member
24
shall directly or indirectly own or control more than forty-nine per cent (49%) of the issued and
outstanding Units at any time. Units under indirect ownership or control by a Member shall include
Units owned or controlled by such Member’s Related Parties, Subsidiaries and Affiliates.
SECTION 7. ACCOUNTING, BOOKS AND RECORDS
7.1 Accounting, Books and Records. The books and records of the Company shall be
kept, and the financial position and the results of its operations recorded, in accordance with
GAAP. The books and records shall reflect all the Company transactions and shall be appropriate
and adequate for the Company’s business. The Company shall maintain at its principal office all of
the following: (i) A current list of the full name and last known address or residence address of
each Member and Assignee set forth in alphabetical order, together with the Capital Contributions,
Capital Account and Units of each Member and Assignee; (ii) The full name and business address of
each Director; (iii) A copy of the Articles and any and all amendments thereto together with
executed copies of any powers of attorney pursuant to which the Articles or any amendments thereto
have been executed; (iv) Copies of the Company’s federal, state, and local income tax or
information returns and reports, if any, for the six most recent taxable years; (v) A copy of this
Agreement and any and all amendments thereto together with executed copies of any powers of
attorney pursuant to which this Agreement or any amendments thereto have been executed; and (vi)
Copies of the financial statements of the Company, if any, for the six most recent Fiscal Years.
The Company shall use the accrual method of accounting in preparation of its financial reports and
for tax purposes and shall keep its books and records accordingly.
7.2 Delivery to Members and Inspection. Any Member or its designated representative
shall have reasonable access during normal business hours to the information and documents kept by
the Company pursuant to Section 7.1. The rights granted to a Member pursuant to this Section 7.2
are expressly subject to compliance by such Member with the safety, security and confidentiality
procedures and guidelines of the Company, as such procedures and guidelines may be established from
time to time. Upon the request of any Member for purposes reasonably related to the interest of
that Person as a Member, the Directors shall promptly deliver to the requesting Member, a copy of
the information required to be maintained under Section 7.1. Each Member has the right, upon
reasonable request for purposes reasonably related to the interest of the Person as a Member and
for proper purposes, to: (i) inspect and copy during normal business hours any of the Company
records described in Section 7.1; and (ii) obtain from the Directors, promptly after their becoming
available, a copy of the Company’s federal, state, and local income tax or information returns for
each Fiscal Year. Each Assignee shall have the right to information regarding the Company only to
the extent required by the Act.
7.3 Reports. The Chief Financial Officer of the Company shall be responsible for
causing the preparation of financial reports of the Company and the coordination of financial
matters of the Company with the Company’s accountants. The Company shall cause to be delivered to
each Member the financial statements listed below, prepared, in each case (other than with respect
to Member’s Capital Accounts, which shall be prepared in accordance with this Agreement) in
accordance with GAAP consistently applied. Delivery of the financial statements shall occur
as
25
soon as practicable following the end of each Fiscal Year (and in any event not later than one
hundred and twenty (120) days after the end of such Fiscal Year) and at such time as distributions
are made to the Unit Holders pursuant to Section 10 hereof following the occurrence of a
Dissolution Event. The financial statements shall consist of a balance sheet of the Company as of
the end of such Fiscal Year and the related statements of operations, Unit Holders’ Capital
Accounts and changes therein, and cash flows
for such Fiscal Year, together with appropriate notes to such financial statements and supporting
schedules, all of which shall be audited and certified by the Company’s accountants, and in each
case, to the extent the Company was in existence, setting forth in comparative form the
corresponding figures for the immediately preceding Fiscal Year end (in the case of the balance
sheet) and the two (2) immediately preceding Fiscal Years (in the case of the statements). For
purposes of this paragraph, public access to the financial statements through the Company’s web
site shall constitute delivery pursuant to this Section 7.3.
7.4 Tax Matters. The Directors shall, without any further consent of the Unit Holders
being required (except as specifically required herein), make any and all elections for federal,
state,
local, and foreign tax purposes as the Directors shall determine appropriate and represent the
Company and the Unit Holders before taxing authorities or courts of competent jurisdiction in tax
matters affecting the Company or the Unit Holders in their capacities as Unit Holders, and to file
any tax returns and execute any agreements or other documents relating to or affecting such tax
matters, including agreements or other documents that bind the Unit Holders with respect to such
tax matters or otherwise affect the rights of the Company and the Unit Holders. The Directors
shall designate a Person to be specifically authorized to act as the “Tax Matters Member” under the
Code and in any similar capacity under state or local law; provided, however, that the Directors
shall have the authority to designate, remove and replace the Tax Matters Member who shall act as
the tax matters partner within the meaning of and pursuant to Regulations Sections 301.6231(a)(7)-1
and -2 and any similar provision under state or local law. Necessary tax information shall be
delivered to each Unit Holder as soon as practicable after the end of each Fiscal Year of the
Company but not later than three (3) months after the end of each Fiscal Year.
SECTION 8. AMENDMENTS
8.1 Amendments. Amendments to this Agreement may be proposed by the Board of
Directors or any Member. Following such proposal, the Board of Directors shall submit to the
Members a verbatim statement of any proposed amendment, providing that counsel for the Company
shall have approved of the same in writing as to form, and the Board of Directors shall include in
any such submission a recommendation as to the proposed amendment. The Board of Directors shall
seek the written vote of the Members on the proposed amendment or shall call a meeting to vote
thereon and to transact any other business that it may deem appropriate. Except as otherwise
provided in this Agreement a proposed amendment shall be adopted and be effective as an amendment
hereto only if approved by the number of votes necessary to constitute Member action as provided in
Section 6.10 herein. Notwithstanding any provision of this Section 8.1 to the contrary, this
Agreement shall not be amended without the consent of each Member adversely affected if such
amendment would modify the limited liability of a Member, or alter the Membership Economic Interest
of a Member.
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SECTION 9. TRANSFERS
9.1 Restrictions on Transfers. Except as otherwise permitted by this Agreement
no Member shall transfer all or any part of its Units. In the event
that any Member pledges or otherwise encumbers all or 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 Section 9. In the event such pledgee or secured party becomes the Unit
Holder 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 terms and conditions of this
Operating Agreement and all other agreements governing the rights and obligations of Unit Holders.
In such case, each pledgee or secured party, and any transferee or purchaser of the Units held by
such pledgee or secured party, shall not have any Membership Voting Interest attached to 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.
9.2 Permitted Transfers. Subject to the conditions and restrictions set forth in this
Section 9, a Unit Holder may:
(a) At any time Transfer all or any portion of its Units:
(i) | To the transferor’s administrator or trustee to whom such Units are transferred involuntarily by operation of law or judicial decree, or; | ||
(ii) | Without consideration to or in trust for descendants or the spouse of a Member; and |
(b) At any time following the date on which substantial operations of the
Facilities commences, Transfer all or any portion of its Units:
(i) | To any person approved by the Directors in writing; | ||
(ii) | To any other Member or to any Affiliate or Related Party of another Member; or | ||
(iii) | To any Affiliate or Related Party of the transferor. |
Any such Transfer set forth in this Section 9.2 and meeting the conditions set forth in section 9.3
below is referred to in this Agreement as a “Permitted Transfer”.
9.3 Conditions Precedent to Transfers. In addition to the conditions set forth above,
no Transfer of a Membership Interest shall be effective unless and until all of the following
conditions have been satisfied:
(a) Except in the case of a Transfer involuntarily by operation of law, the transferor and
transferee shall execute and deliver to the Company such documents and instruments of Transfer as
may be necessary or appropriate in the opinion of counsel to the Company to effect
27
such Transfer.
In the case of a Transfer of Units involuntarily by operation of law, the Transfer shall be
confirmed by presentation to the Company of legal evidence of such Transfer, in form and substance
satisfactory to counsel to the Company. In all cases, the transferor and/or
transferee shall pay all reasonable costs and expenses connected with the Transfer and the
admission of the transferee as a Member and incurred as a result of such Transfer, including but
not limited to, legal fees and costs.
(b) The transferor and transferee shall furnish the Company with the transferee’s
taxpayer identification number, sufficient information to determine the transferee’s initial tax
basis in the Units transferred, and any other information reasonably necessary to permit the
Company to file all required federal and state tax returns and other legally required information
statements or returns. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the
Company shall not be required to make any distributions otherwise provided for in this
Agreement with respect to any transferred Units until it has received such information.
(c) Except in the case of a Transfer of any Units involuntarily by operation of law,
either (i) such Units shall be registered under the Securities Act, and any applicable state
securities laws, or (ii) the transferor shall provide an opinion of counsel, which opinion of
counsel shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Directors, to the effect that such Transfer is
exempt from all applicable registration requirements and that such Transfer will not violate any
applicable laws regulating the Transfer of securities.
(d) Except in the case of a Transfer of Units involuntarily by operation of law, the
transferor shall provide an opinion of counsel, which opinion of counsel shall be reasonably
satisfactory to the Directors, to the effect that such Transfer will not cause the Company to be
deemed to be an “investment company” under the Investment Company Act of 1940.
(e) Unless otherwise approved by the Directors and Members representing in the aggregate a
seventy five per cent (75%) majority of the Membership Voting Interests, no Transfer of Units shall
be made except upon terms which would not, in the opinion of counsel chosen by and mutually
acceptable to the Directors and the transferor Member, result in the termination of the Company
within the meaning of Section 708 of the Code or cause the application of the rules of Sections
168(g)(1)(B) and 168(h) of the Code or similar rules to apply to the Company. If the immediate
Transfer of such Unit would, in the opinion of such counsel, cause a termination within the meaning
of Section 708 of the Code, then if, in the opinion of such counsel, the following action would not
precipitate such termination, the transferor Member shall be entitled to (or required, as the case
may be) (i) immediately Transfer only that portion of its Units as may, in the opinion of such
counsel, be transferred without causing such a termination and (ii) enter into an agreement to
Transfer the remainder of its Units, in one or more Transfers, at the earliest date or dates on
which such Transfer or Transfers may be effected without causing such termination. The purchase
price for the Units shall be allocated between the immediate Transfer and the deferred Transfer or
Transfers pro rata on the basis of the percentage of the aggregate Units being transferred, each
portion to be payable when the respective Transfer is consummated, unless otherwise agreed by the
parties to the Transfer. In the case of a Transfer by one Member to another Member the deferred
purchase price shall be deposited in an interest-bearing escrow account unless another method of
securing the payment thereof is agreed upon by the transferor Member and the transferee Member(s).
28
(f) No notice or requests initiating the procedures contemplated by Section 9.3 may be
given by any Member after a Dissolution Event has occurred. No Member may sell all or any
portion of its Units after a Dissolution Event has occurred.
(g) No Person shall Transfer any Unit if, in the determination of the Directors, such
Transfer would cause the Company to be treated as a “publicly traded partnership” within the
meaning of Section 7704(b) of the Code.
The Directors shall have the authority to waive any legal opinion or other condition required in
this Section 9.3 other than the Member approval requirements set forth in Section 9.3(e).
9.4 Prohibited Transfers. Any purported Transfer of Units that is not permitted under
this Section shall be null and void and of no force or effect whatsoever; provided that, if the
Company is required to recognize such a Transfer (or if the Directors , in their sole discretion,
elect to recognize such a Transfer), the Units Transferred shall be strictly limited to the transferor’s Membership Economic Interests as provided by this Agreement with respect to the transferred Units, which Membership Economic Interests may be applied (without limiting any other legal or equitable rights of the Company) to satisfy any debts, obligations, or liabilities for damages that the transferor or transferee of such Interest may have to the Company. In the case of a Transfer or attempted Transfer of Units that is not permitted under this Section, the parties engaging or attempting to engage in such Transfer shall be liable to indemnify and hold harmless the Company, and the other Members from all cost, liability, and damage that any of such indemnified Members may incur (including, without limitation, incremental tax liabilities, lawyers’ fees and expenses) as a result of such Transfer or attempted Transfer and efforts to enforce the indemnity granted hereby.
elect to recognize such a Transfer), the Units Transferred shall be strictly limited to the transferor’s Membership Economic Interests as provided by this Agreement with respect to the transferred Units, which Membership Economic Interests may be applied (without limiting any other legal or equitable rights of the Company) to satisfy any debts, obligations, or liabilities for damages that the transferor or transferee of such Interest may have to the Company. In the case of a Transfer or attempted Transfer of Units that is not permitted under this Section, the parties engaging or attempting to engage in such Transfer shall be liable to indemnify and hold harmless the Company, and the other Members from all cost, liability, and damage that any of such indemnified Members may incur (including, without limitation, incremental tax liabilities, lawyers’ fees and expenses) as a result of such Transfer or attempted Transfer and efforts to enforce the indemnity granted hereby.
9.5 No Dissolution or Termination. The transfer of a Membership Interest pursuant to
the terms of this Article shall not dissolve or terminate the Company. No Member shall have the
right to have the Company dissolved or to have such Member’s Capital Contribution returned except
as provided in this Agreement.
9.6 Prohibition of Assignment. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this
Article,
Transfer of a Membership Interest may not be made if the Membership Interest sought to be sold,
exchanged or transferred, when added to the total of all other Membership Interests sold, exchanged
or transferred within the period of twelve (12) consecutive months prior thereto, would result in
the termination of the Company under section 708 of the Internal Revenue Code. In the event of a
transfer of any Membership Interests, the Members will determine, in their sole discretion, whether
or not the Company will elect pursuant to Section 754 of the Internal Revenue Code (or
corresponding provisions of future law) to adjust the basis of the assets of the Company.
9.7 Rights of Unadmitted Assignees. A Person who acquires Units but who is not
admitted as a substituted Member pursuant to Section 9.7 hereof shall be entitled only to the
Membership Economic Interests with respect to such Units in accordance with this Agreement, and
shall not be entitled to the Membership Voting Interest with respect to such Units. In addition,
such Person shall have no right to any information or accounting of the affairs of the Company,
shall
29
not be entitled to inspect the
books or records of the Company, and shall not have any of the rights of a Member under the Act or
this Agreement.
9.8 Admission of Substituted Members. As to Permitted Transfers, a transferee of
Units shall be admitted as a substituted Member provided that such transferee has complied with the
following provisions:
(a) The transferee of the Units shall, by written instrument in form and substance
reasonably satisfactory to the Directors;
(i) | Accept and adopt the terms and provisions of this agreement, including this Section 9, and | ||
(ii) | Assume the obligations of the transferor Member under this Agreement with respect to the transferred Units. The transferor Member shall be released from all such assumed obligations except: |
(x) | Those obligations or liabilities of the transferor Member arising out of a breach of this Agreement, | ||
(y) | In the case of a Transfer to any Person other than a Member or any of its Affiliates, those obligations or liabilities of the transferor Member based on events occurring, arising or maturing prior to the date of Transfer, and | ||
(z) | In the case of a Transfer to any of its Affiliates, any Capital Contribution or other financing obligation of the transferor Member under this Agreement; |
(b) The transferee pays or reimburses the Company for all reasonable legal, filing, and
publication costs that the company incurs in connection with the admission of the transferee as a
Member with respect to the Transferred Units; and
(c) Except in the case of a Transfer involuntarily by operation of law, if required by the
Directors, the transferee (other than a transferee that was a Member prior to the Transfer) shall
deliver to the Company evidence of the authority of such person to become a Member and to be bound
by all of the terms and conditions of this Agreement, and the transferee and transferor shall each
execute and deliver such other instruments as the Directors reasonably deem necessary or
appropriate to effect, and as a condition to, such Transfer.
9.9 Representations Regarding Transfers.
(a) Each Member hereby covenants and agrees with the Company for the benefit of the Company
and all members, that
(i) | It is not currently making a market in Units and will not in the future |
30
make a market in Units, | |||
(ii) | It will not Transfer its Units on an established securities market, a secondary market (or the substantial equivalent thereof) within the meaning of Code Section 7704(b) (and any Regulations, proposed Regulations, revenue rulings, or other of initial pronouncements of the Internal Revenue Service or Treasury Department that may be promulgated or published thereunder), and | ||
(iii) | In the event such Regulations, revenue rulings, or other pronouncements treat any or all arrangements which facilitate the selling of Company interests and which are commonly referred to as “matching services” as being a secondary market or substantial equivalent thereof, it will not Transfer any Units through a matching service that is not approved in advance by the Company. Each Member further agrees that it will not Transfer any Units to any Person unless such Person agrees to be bound by this Section 9 and to Transfer such Units only to Persons who agree to be similarly bound. |
(b) Each Member hereby represents and warrants to the Company and the Members that such
Member’s acquisition of Units hereunder is made as principal for such Member’s own account and not
for resale or distribution of such Units. Each Member further hereby agrees that the following
legend, as the same may be amended by the Directors in their sole discretion, may be placed upon
any counterpart of this Agreement, the Articles, or any other document or instrument evidencing
ownership of units:
THE TRANSFERABILITY OF THE MEMBERSHIP UNITS REPRESENTED
BY THIS CERTIFICATE IS RESTRICTED. SUCH UNITS MAY NOT BE
SOLD, ASSIGNED, OR TRANSFERRED, NOR WILL ANY ASSIGNEE, VENDEE, TRANSFEREE OR ENDORSEE
THEREOF BE RECOGNIZED
AS HAVING ACQUIRED ANY SUCH UNITS FOR ANY PURPOSES,
UNLESS AND TO THE EXTENT SUCH SALE, TRANSFER,
HYPOTHECATION, OR ASSIGNMENT IS PERMITTED BY, AND IS
COMPLETED IN STRICT ACCORDANCE WITH, THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS SET FORTH IN THE OPERATING
AGREEMENT OF
THE COMPANY AND AGREED TO BY EACH MEMBER.
THE UNITS REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT
OF 1933 OR ANY STATE
SECURITIES LAWS, EXCEPT THE STATE OF IOWA, AND MAY NOT
BE SOLD, OFFERED FOR SALE, OR TRANSFERRED IN ABSENCE OF
AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF
1933, AS AMENDED, AND UNDER APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES
LAWS, IN ADDITION, THE UNITS REPRESENTED BY THIS
31
CERTIFICATE MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED WHILE THE COMPANY
IS OFFERING SUCH UNITS FOR SALE AND FOR A PERIOD OF NINE MONTHS FROM THE DATE OF THE LAST
SALE BY THE COMPANY
OF SUCH UNITS, TO ANY PERSONS RESIDENT OUTSIDE THE STATE
OF IOWA.
9.10 Distribution and Allocations in Respect of Transferred Units. If any Units
are transferred during any Fiscal Year in compliance with the provisions of this Section 9,
Profits,
Losses, each item thereof, and all other items attributable to the Transferred Units for such
Fiscal Year shall be divided and allocated between the transferor and the transferee by taking into
account their varying interest during the Fiscal Year in accordance with Code Section
706(d), using any conventions permitted by law and selected by the Directors. All distributions on
or before the date of such Transfer shall be made to the transferor, and all distributions
thereafter shall be made to the transferee. Solely for purposes of making such allocations and
distributions, the Company shall recognize such Transfer to be effective as of the first day of the
month following the month in which all documents to effectuate the transfer have been executed and
delivered to the Company, provided that, if the Company does not receive a notice stating the date
such Units were transferred and such other information as the Directors may reasonably require
within thirty (30) days after the end of the Fiscal Year during which the Transfer occurs, then all
such items shall be allocated, and all distributions shall be made, to the Person who, according to
the books and records of the Company, was the owner of the Units on the last day of such Fiscal
Year. Neither the Company nor any Member shall incur any liability for making allocations and
distributions in accordance with the provisions of this Section 9.10, whether or not the Directors
or the Company has knowledge of any Transfer of ownership of any Units.
9.11 Additional Members. Additional Members may be admitted from time to time upon
the approval of the Directors. Any such additional Member shall pay such purchase price for
his/her/its Membership Interest and shall be admitted in accordance with such terms and conditions,
as the Directors shall approve. All Members acknowledge that the admission of additional Members
may result in dilution of a Member’s Membership Interest. Prior to the admission of any Person as
a Member, such Person shall agree to be bound by the provisions of this Agreement and shall sign
and deliver an Addendum to this Agreement in the form of Exhibit “C”, attached hereto. Upon
execution of such Addendum such additional Members
shall be deemed to be parties to this Agreement as if they had executed this Agreement on the
original date hereof, and, along with the parties to this Agreement shall be bound by all the
provisions hereof from and after the date of execution hereof. The Members hereby designate and
appoint the Directors to accept such additional Members and to sign on their behalf any Addendum in
the form of Exhibit “C”, attached hereto.
SECTION 10. DISSOLUTION AND WINDING UP
10.1 Dissolution. The Company shall dissolve and shall commence winding up and
liquidating upon the first to occur of any of the following (Each a “Dissolution Event”): (i) The
affirmative vote of a seventy-five per cent (75%) super majority in interest of the Membership
Voting Interests to dissolve, wind up, and liquidate the Company; or (ii) The entry of a decree
32
of
judicial dissolution pursuant to the Act. The Members hereby agree that, notwithstanding
any provision of the Act, the Company shall not dissolve prior to the occurrence of a Dissolution
Event.
10.2 Winding Up. Upon the occurrence of a Dissolution 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, and no Member shall take any action
that is inconsistent with, or not necessary to or appropriate for, the winding up of the Company’s
business and affairs, PROVIDED that all covenants contained in this Agreement and obligations
provided for in this Agreement shall continue to be fully binding upon the
Members until such time as the Property has been distributed pursuant to this Section 10.2 and the
Articles have been canceled pursuant to the Act. The Liquidator shall be responsible for
overseeing the prompt and orderly winding up and dissolution of the Company. The Liquidator shall
take full account of the Company’s liabilities and Property and shall cause the Property or the
proceeds from the sale thereof (as determined pursuant to Section 10.8 hereof), to the extent
sufficient therefore, to be applied and distributed, to the maximum extent permitted by law, in the
following order: (a) First, to creditors (including Members and Directors who are creditors, to the
extent otherwise permitted by law) in satisfaction of all of the Company’s Debts and other
liabilities (whether by payment or the making of reasonable provision for payment thereof), other
than liabilities for which reasonable provision for payment has been made; and (b) Second, except
as provided in this Agreement, to Members in satisfaction of liabilities for distributions pursuant
to the Act; (c) Third, the balance, if any, to the Unit Holders in accordance with the positive
balance in their Capital Accounts calculated after making the required adjustment set forth in
clause (t) of the definition of Gross Asset Value in Section 1.10 of this Agreement, after giving
effect to all contributions, distributions and allocations for all periods.
10.3 Compliance with Certain Requirements of Regulations; Deficit Capital Accounts.
In the event the Company is “liquidated” within the meaning of Regulations Section
1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(g), (a) distributions shall be made pursuant to this Section 10 to the Unit
Holders who have positive Capital Accounts in compliance with Regulations Section
1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(b)(2). If any Unit Holder has a deficit balance in his Capital Account (after
giving effect to all contributions, distributions and allocations for all Fiscal Years, including
the Fiscal Year during which such liquidation occurs), such Unit Holder shall have no obligation to
make any contribution to the capital of the Company, with respect to such deficit, and such deficit
shall not be considered a debt owed to the Company or to any other Person for any purpose
whatsoever. In the discretion of the Liquidator, a pro rata portion of the distributions that
would otherwise be made to the Unit Holders pursuant to this Section 10 may be: (a) Distributed
to a trust established for the benefit of the Unit Holders for the purposes of liquidating Company
assets, collecting amounts owed to the Company, and paying any
contingent or unforseen liabilities or obligations of the Company. The assets of any such trust
shall be distributed to the Unit Holders from time to time, in the reasonable discretion of the
Liquidator, in the same proportions as the amount distributed to such trust by the Company would
otherwise have been distributed to the Unit Holders pursuant to Section 10.2 hereof; or
(b) 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 Unit Holders as soon as practicable.
33
10.4 Deemed Distribution and Recontribution. Notwithstanding any other provisions of
this Section 10, in the event the Company is liquidated within the meaning of Regulations Section
1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(g) but no Dissolution Event has occurred, the Property shall not be liquidated,
the Company’s Debts and other liabilities shall not be paid or discharged, and the Company’s
affairs shall not be wound up.
10.5 Rights of Unit Holders. Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, each
Unit Holder shall look solely to the Property of the Company for the return of its Capital
Contribution and has no right or power to demand or receive Property other than cash from the
Company. If the assets of the Company remaining after payment or discharge of debts or liabilities
of the Company are insufficient to return such Capital Contribution, the Unit Holders shall have no
recourse against the Company or any other Unit Holder or Directors.
10.6 Allocations During Period of Liquidation. During the period commencing on the
first day of the Fiscal Year during which a Dissolution Event occurs and ending on the date on
which all of the assets of the Company have been distributed to the Unit Holders pursuant to
Section 10.2 hereof (the “Liquidation Period”), the Unit Holders shall continue to share Profits,
Losses, gain, loss and other items of Company income, gain, loss or deduction in the manner
provided in Section 3 hereof.
10.7 Character of Liquidating Distributions. All payments made in liquidation of the
interest of a Unit Holder in the Company shall be made in exchange for the interest of such Unit
Holder in Property pursuant to Section 736(b)(1) of the Code, including the interest of such Unit
Holder in Company goodwill.
10.8 The Liquidator. The “Liquidator” shall mean a Person appointed by the Directors
to oversee the liquidation of the Company. Upon the consent of a majority in interest of the
Members, the Liquidator may be the Directors. The Company is authorized to pay a reasonable fee to
the Liquidator for its services performed pursuant to this Section 10 and to reimburse the
Liquidator for its reasonable costs and expenses incurred in performing those services. The
Company shall indemnify, save harmless, and pay all judgments and claims against such Liquidator,
or any officers, Directors, agents or employees of the Liquidator in connection with the
liquidation of the Company, including reasonable attorneys’ fees incurred by the
Liquidator, or any officers, Director, agent or employee in connection with the defense of any
action based on any such act or omission, which attorneys’ fees may be paid as incurred, except to
the extent such liability or damage is caused by the fraud, intentional misconduct, or a knowing
violation of the laws by the Liquidator which was material to the cause of action.
10.9 Forms of Liquidating Distributions. For purposes of making distributions
required by
Section 10.2 hereof, the Liquidator may determine whether to distribute all or any portion of the
Property in-kind or to sell all or any portion of the Property and distribute the proceeds
therefrom.
34
SECTION 11. MISCELLANEOUS
11.1 Notices. Any notice, payment, demand, or communication required or
permitted to be given by any provision of this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to
have been delivered, given, and received for all purposes (i) if delivered personally to the Person
or to an officer of the Person to whom the same is directed, or (ii) when the same is actually
received, if sent by regular or certified mail, postage and charges prepaid, or by facsimile, if
such facsimile is followed by a hard copy of the facsimile communication sent promptly thereafter
by registered or certified mail, postage and charges prepaid, addressed as follows, or to such
other address as such Person may from time to time specify by notice to the Members and the
Directors: (a) If to the Company, to the address determined pursuant to Section 1.4 hereof; (b)
If to the Directors, to the address set forth on record with the Company; (c) If to a Member,
either to the address set forth in Section 2.1 hereof or to such other address as has been provided
in writing to the Company.
11.2 Binding Effect. Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, every covenant,
term, and provision of this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Members
and their respective successors, transferees, and assigns.
11.3 Construction. Every covenant, term, and provision of this Agreement shall be
construed simply according to its fair meaning and not strictly for or against any Member.
11.4 Headings. Section and other headings contained in this Agreement are for
reference purposes only and are not intended to describe, interpret, define, or limit the scope,
extent, or intent of this Agreement or any provision hereof.
11.5 Severability. Except as otherwise provided in the succeeding sentence, every
provision of this Agreement is intended to be severable, and, if any term or provision of this
Agreement is illegal or invalid for any reason whatsoever, such illegality or invalidity shall not
affect the validity or legality of the remainder of this Agreement. The preceding sentence of this
Section 11.5 shall be of no force or effect if the consequence of enforcing the remainder of this
Agreement without such illegal or invalid term or provision would be to cause any Member to lose
the material benefit of its economic bargain.
11.6 Incorporation By Reference. Every exhibit, schedule, and other appendix attached
to this Agreement and referred to herein is incorporated in this Agreement by reference unless this
Agreement expressly otherwise provides.
11.7 Variation of Terms. All terms and any variations thereof shall be deemed to
refer to masculine, feminine, or neuter, singular or plural, as the identity of the Person or
Persons may require.
11.8 Governing Law. The laws of the State of Iowa shall govern the validity of this
Agreement, the construction of its terms, and the interpretation of the rights and duties arising
hereunder.
11.9 Waiver of Jury Trial. Each of the Members irrevocably waives to the extent
permitted by law, all rights to trial by jury in any action, proceeding or counterclaim arising out
of or relating to this Agreement.
35
11.10 Counterpart Execution. This Agreement may be executed in any number of
counterparts with the same effect as if all of the Members had signed the same document. All
counterparts shall be construed together and shall constitute one Agreement.
11.11 Specific Performance. Each Member agrees with the other Members that the other
Members would be irreparably damaged if any of the provisions of this Agreement are not performed
in accordance with their specific terms and that monetary damages would not provide an adequate
remedy in such event. Accordingly, it is agreed that, in addition to any other remedy to which the
nonbreaching Members may be entitled, at law or in equity, the
nonbreaching Members shall be entitled to injunctive relief to prevent breaches of the provisions
of this Agreement and specifically to enforce the terms and provisions hereof in any action
instituted in any court of the United States or any state thereof having subject matter
jurisdiction thereof.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed and entered into this Operating Agreement of the
Company as of the date first set forth above.
COMPANY:
|
MEMBER | |||
/s/ Xxxxxx X. Xxxx | ||||
Xxxxxx X. Xxxx | ||||
/s/Xxx Xxxxxxxx, Chairman |
||||
By: Xxx Xxxxxxxx
|
/s/ Xxxx Xxxxxx | |||
Its: Chairman
|
Xxxx Xxxxxx | |||
/s/ Xxxxx Xxxxxxxx | ||||
Xxxxx Xxxxxxxx | ||||
/s/ Xxxx Xxxxx | ||||
Xxxx Xxxxx | ||||
/s/ Xxx Xxxxxx | ||||
Xxx Xxxxxx | ||||
/s/ Xxx Xxxxxxxx | ||||
Xxx Xxxxxxxx | ||||
/s/ Xxxx Xxxx | ||||
Xxxx Xxxx | ||||
/s/ Xxxxx Xxxxxx | ||||
Xxxxx Xxxxxx | ||||
/s/ Xxxxxxx Xxxx | ||||
Xxxxxxx Xxxx |
36
/s/ Xxx Xxxxxxxxx | ||||
Xxx Xxxxxxxxx | ||||
/s/ Xxxx Xxxxxx | ||||
Xxxx Xxxxxx | ||||
/s/ Xxxx X. Xxx Xxx | ||||
Xxxx X. Xxx Xxx |
37
Name and Address of Initial Members | Xxxxx | |||
Xxxxxx X. Xxxx
|
000 | |||
000 Xxxxx X.X. Xxx 000 |
||||
Xxxx Xxxx, XX 00000-0000 |
||||
Xxxx Xxxxxx
|
20 | |||
000 X. 0xx Xx. Xxxxx |
||||
Xxxxxx, XX 00000 |
||||
Xxxxx Xxxxxxxx
|
20 | |||
Xxx 000 |
||||
Xxxxxx, XX 00000 |
||||
Xxxx Xxxxx
|
120 | |||
0000 000xx Xx. |
||||
Xxxxxxxx Xxxx, XX 00000 |
||||
Xxx Xxxxxx
|
20 | |||
0000 X. 00xx Xx. X |
||||
Xxxxxx, XX 00000 |
||||
Xxx Xxxxxxxx
|
20 | |||
000 Xxx X-00X |
||||
Xxxxxxxx, XX 00000 |
||||
Xxxx Xxxx
|
20 | |||
0000 Xxxxx Xx |
||||
Xxxxxx, XX 00000 |
||||
Xxxxx Xxxxxx
|
120 | |||
0000 000xx Xx |
||||
Xxxxx, XX 00000 |
||||
Xxxx Xxxxxx
|
120 | |||
000 X Xxx |
||||
Xxxxx, XX 00000 |
||||
Xxxxxxx Xxxx
|
20 | |||
0000 00xx Xxx Xxxx |
||||
Xxxxx Xxxxxx, XX 00000 |
38
Name and Address of Initial Members | Units | |||
Xxx Xxxxxxxxx
|
120 | |||
000 X 0xx |
||||
Xxxx Xxxx, XX 00000 |
||||
Xxxx Xxxxxx
|
20 | |||
000 X 00xx Xx X |
||||
Xxxxxx, XX 00000 |
||||
Xxxx X Xxx Xxx
|
20 | |||
0000 Xx 00xx Xxx X |
||||
Xxxxxxx Xxxx, XX 00000 |
39
EXHIBIT “B”
Initial Board of Directors
Initial Board of Directors
Xxxxxx X. Xxxx
|
Xxx Xxxxxxxx | Xxxx Xxxxxx | ||
101 Xxxxx
|
000 Xxx X-00X | 000 X 00xx Xx X | ||
XX Xxx 000
|
Xxxxxxxx, XX 00000 | Xxxxxx, XX 00000 | ||
Xxxx Xxxx, XX 00000-0000
|
641-236-6378 | 000-000-0000 | ||
000-000-0000 (office)
|
000-000-0000 (cell) | 000-000-0000 (cell) | ||
000-000-0000 (cell)
|
xxxxxxx@xxxxxxxxx.xxx | xxxxxx@xxxxxxxxx.xxx | ||
xxxxxxx@xxxxxx.xxx |
||||
Xxxx Xxxxxx
|
Xxxx Xxxx | Xxxx X. Xxx Xxx | ||
000 X 0xx Xx Xxxxx
|
0000 Xxxxx Xx | 0000 Xx 00xx Xxx X | ||
Xxxxxx, XX 00000
|
Xxxxxx, XX 00000 | Xxxxxxx Xxxx, XX 00000 | ||
000-000-0000
|
000-000-0000 (home) | 000-000-0000 (cell) | ||
000-000-0000
|
000-000-0000 (cell) | 000-000-0000 (office) | ||
xxxxxxxx@xxxxxxxxx.xxx |
xxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxx.xxx | xxxx.x.xxxxxx@xxxxxx.xxx | ||
Xxxxx Xxxxxxxx
|
Xxxxx Xxxxxx | |||
Xxx 000
|
0000 000xx Xx | |||
Xxxxxx, XX 00000
|
Early, IA 5035 | |||
000-000-0000
|
000-000-0000 | |||
000-000-0000
|
000-000-0000(cell) | |||
xxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxx.xxx |
xxxxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxx.xxx | |||
Xxxx Xxxxx
|
Xxxxxxx Xxxx | |||
0000 000xx Xx
|
0000 00xx Xxx Xxxxx | |||
Xxxxxxxx Xxxx, XX 00000
|
Xxxxx Xxxxxx, XX 00000 | |||
000-000-0000
|
000-000-0000 | |||
000-000-0000 (cell) |
000-000-0000 | |||
Xxxxxxxx@xxxxx.xxx |
xxxxxx@xxxxxx.xxx | |||
Xxx Xxxxxx
|
Xxx Xxxxxxxxx | |||
0000 X 00xx Xx X
|
000 X 0xx | |||
Xxxxxx, XX 00000
|
Xxxx Xxxx, XX 00000 | |||
000-000-0000
|
000-000-0000 | |||
000-000-0000 |
000-000-0000 (cell) | |||
xxxxxxxx@xxxxxx.xxx |
xxxx@xxxxxx.xxx |
40