LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY OPERATING AGREEMENT of FORTE INVESTMENT FUND, LLC a Delaware limited liability company
EXHIBIT B
LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY OPERATING AGREEMENT | FORTE INVESTMENT FUND, LLC |
LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY OPERATING AGREEMENT
of
FORTE INVESTMENT
FUND, LLC
a Delaware limited liability company
This Limited Liability Company Operating Agreement (“Agreement”) of Forte Investment Fund, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Company”), is by and among Forte Partners Global Inc., a Massachusetts corporation (“Initial Member” or “Manager”), and each additional Person who becomes a Member, in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement. Any capitalized terms used herein, but not defined, shall have the meaning ascribed to them in the Private Placement Memorandum (“Memorandum”), including any Series Supplement (as defined below).
The Company is a limited liability company formed pursuant to Section 18-215 of the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act, Del. Code Xxx. Tit. 6, § 18-101, et seq., as amended. The parties to this Agreement are the Manager and those additional Persons who are subsequently admitted as Members, in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement. The parties intend by this Agreement to define their rights and obligations with respect to the Company’s and each Series’ governance and financial affairs, and to adopt regulations and procedures for the conduct of Company and each Series’ activities. Accordingly, for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is mutually acknowledged, the parties agree as follows:
(a) “Act” means the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act, Del. Code Xxx. Tit. 6, § 18-101, et seq., as amended.
(b) “Affiliate,” with respect to a Person, means (1) a Person that, directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with the Affiliate, (2) a Person who owns or controls at least Ten Percent (10%) of the outstanding voting interests of the Affiliate, (3) a Person who is an officer, director, manager, or general partner of the Affiliate, or (4) a Person who is an officer, director, manager, general partner, trustee, or owner of at least Ten Percent (10%) of the outstanding voting interests of an Affiliate described in clauses (1) through (3) of this sentence.
(c) “Aggregate Ownership Limit” shall initially mean, for all investors, the greater of (a) 9.8% of the aggregate Outstanding Interests of a Series, or (b) such other percentage set forth in the applicable Series, unless such Aggregate Ownership Limit is otherwise waived by the Manager in its sole discretion
(d) “Agreement” means this Agreement, including any subsequent amendments thereto.
1
LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY OPERATING AGREEMENT | FORTE INVESTMENT FUND, LLC |
(e) “Bankruptcy” means the filing of a petition seeking liquidation, reorganization, arrangement, readjustment, protection, relief, or composition in any state or federal bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, or receivership proceeding.
(f) “Beneficial Ownership” shall mean ownership of Membership Interests in a Series by a Person, whether the Membership Interests are held directly or indirectly (including by a nominee), and shall include Membership Interests that would be treated as owned through the application of Sections 856(h)(1) and/or 544 of the Code, as modified by Sections 856(h)(1)(B) and 856(h)(3) of the Code, provided, however, that in determining the number of Membership Interests Beneficially Owned by a Person, no Interest shall be counted more than once. The terms “Beneficial Owner,” “Beneficially Owns” and “Beneficially Owned” shall have the correlative meanings.
(g) “Capital Account” of a Member means the capital account maintained for such Member. The balance of the Capital Account of a Member, determined as set forth in Section 4.5 below, shall herein be referred to as the “Capital Account Balance.”
(h) “Capital Transaction Proceeds” shall refer to transaction-based income derived from a Property. Transaction-based income include, without limitation, the sale, refinance, and/or disposition of a Property.
(i) “Certificate” means the Certificate of Formation filed with the Secretary of State to organize the Company as a series limited liability company, including any subsequent amendments thereto.
(j) “Charitable Beneficiaries” shall mean one or more beneficiaries of a trust provided that each such organization must be described in Section 501 of the Code and contributions to each such organization must be eligible for deduction under each of Sections 170(b)(1)(A), 2055 and 2522 of the Code.
(k) “Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time.
(l) “Constructive Ownership” shall mean ownership of Membership Interests by a Person, whether the interest in the Membership Interests is held directly or indirectly (including by a nominee), and shall include interests that would be treated as owned through the application of Section 856(d)(5) of the Code. The terms “Constructive Owner,” “Constructively Owns” and “Constructively Owned” shall have correlative meanings. The term “Constructive Owner” is intended to be interpreted in the context of Section 856(h) of the Code so that the Constructive Owners of Membership Interests held by an entity shall be the Individuals (as defined in Section 544 of the Code) who are treated as owners of Membership Interests for purposes of Section 856(h) of the Code, rather than the Entity itself.
(m) “Contribution” means anything of value that a Member contributes to a Series as a prerequisite for, or in connection with, Membership Interests in a Series, including (without limitation) any combination of cash, property, services rendered, a promissory note, or any other obligation to contribute cash or property or render services.
(n) “Dissociation” means a complete termination of a Member’s membership in a Series due to an event described in Article 3 hereof.
(o) “Distribution” means the direct or indirect transfer of money or other property to a Member with respect to a Membership Interest in a Series.
2
LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY OPERATING AGREEMENT | FORTE INVESTMENT FUND, LLC |
(p) “Effective Date” means the date on which the Company’s existence as a series limited liability company begins, as prescribed by the Act.
(q) “Entity” means an association, relationship, or artificial person through or by means of which an enterprise or activity may be lawfully conducted, including, without limitation, a partnership, trust, limited liability company, corporation, joint venture, cooperative, or association.
(r) “Excepted Holders” shall mean any holder of Membership Interests of a Series for whom an Excepted Holder Limit is created by the Manager.
(s) “Excepted Holder Limit” shall mean, provided that the affected Excepted Holder agrees to comply with the requirements established by the Manager, the percentage limit established by the Manager.
(t) “Excess Distributable Cash” means a Series’ monthly or quarterly gross revenue, depending on the accounting period of such Series, less (1) the Series’ monthly or quarterly operating expenses (including payment of outstanding debt [if any], administrative costs, legal expenses, and accounting fees) and (2) payment of Asset Management Fee to the Manager.
(u) “Family,” with respect to a Member, means any individual(s) who is related to the Member by blood, marriage, or adoption. For the purposes of this definition, an individual is related to the Member by marriage if the person is related by blood or adoption to the Member’s current spouse.
(v) “Initial Member” means the Person identified in the Series Designation of such Series as the Initial Member associated therewith.
(w) “Majority” means more than Fifty Percent (50%) of all the outstanding Membership Interests.
(x) “Manager” means a Person who is vested with authority to manage Company and each Series, in accordance with Article 5 hereof.
(y) “Member” means each member of the Company associated with a Series, including, unless the context otherwise requires, the Initial Member, the Manager, each Member (as the context requires), each Substitute Member and each Additional Member.
(z) “Member Nonrecourse Debt” means “partner nonrecourse debt” as defined in Regulations Section 1.704-2(b)(4);
(aa) “Member Nonrecourse Deductions” means “partner nonrecourse deductions” as defined in Regulations Section l. 704-2(i);
(bb) “Membership Interest” means a Member’s unit in the form of membership interests in the Company associated with a Series. A Member’s ownership unit in the Company, which consists of the Member’s right to share in profits, receive Distributions, participate in the Company’s governance and approve the Company’s acts under Article 5.4 hereof, participate in the designation and removal of the Manager and receive information pertaining to the Company’s affairs. A Member’s ownership unit in the Company shall equal to a Member’s units divided by the aggregate units of all Members. Changes in Membership Interests after the Effective Date, including, but not limited to, those changes necessitated by the admission and Dissociation of Members, will be reflected in the Company’s records. The allocation of Member Interests as reflected in the Company’s records from time to time is presumed to be correct for purposes of this Agreement and the Act.
3
LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY OPERATING AGREEMENT | FORTE INVESTMENT FUND, LLC |
(cc) “Memorandum” shall mean the Private Placement Memorandum of the Company.
(dd) “Minimum Gain” means minimum gain as defined in Sections 1.704-2(b)(2) and 1.704-2(d) of the Regulations.
(ee) “One Hundred Members Date” means the first day on which Membership Interests are beneficially owned by One Hundred (100) or more Persons within the meaning of Section 856(a)(5) of the Code.
(ff) “Periodic Cash Flow” shall refer to income that is generally made on a periodic basis with certain frequency. An example of Periodic Cash Flow may be rental income from a Property, and/or other periodic cash flow generated from a Property.
(gg) “Permitted Transferee,” with respect to a Member, means another Member, a member of the Member’s Family, or a trust for the benefit of the Member or a member of the Member’s Family.
(hh) “Person” means a natural person or an Entity.
(ii) “Profit,” as to a positive amount, and “Loss,” as to a negative amount, mean, for a Taxable Year, the Company’s or Series’ income or loss for the Taxable Year, as determined in accordance with accounting principles appropriate to the Company’s method of accounting and consistently applied.
(jj) “Property” or “Properties” means any real estate or interest of real estate in which the applicable Series acquires ownership interests as described in the Memorandum and Series Supplement.
(kk) “Qualified purchasers” include: (i) “accredited investors” under Rule 501(a) of Regulation D; and (ii) all other non-accredited Investors so long as their investment in the Membership Interests does not represent more than Ten Percent (10%) of the greater of the Investor’s, alone or together with a spouse, annual income or net worth (excluding the value of the Investor’s primary residence and any loans secured by the residence (up to the value of the residence)), or Ten Percent (10% ) of the greater of annual revenue or net assets at fiscal year-end (for non-natural persons).
(ll) “Regulations” means proposed, temporary, or final regulations promulgated under the Code by the U.S. Department of the Treasury, as amended from time to time.
(mm) “Series” refers to one or more separate and distinct series as such term is used under the Act.
(nn) “Series Membership Interest Ownership Limit” shall mean not more than 9.8% of the aggregate of the outstanding Membership Interests in a Series, or such other percentage determined by the Manager in accordance with Section 3.11.
(oo) “Series Offering” refers to the specific offering of Membership Interests in a particular Series, and further detailed in the Series Supplement for such Series.
4
LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY OPERATING AGREEMENT | FORTE INVESTMENT FUND, LLC |
(pp) “Subscription Agreement” means the Subscription Agreement included as Exhibit B to the Memorandum.
(qq) “Taxable Year” means the Company’s (and each Series’) taxable year as determined in Article 6 hereof.
(rr) “Transfer,” as a noun, means a transaction or event by which ownership of any Membership Interest is changed or encumbered, including, without limitation, a sale, exchange, abandonment, gift, pledge, or foreclosure. “Transfer,” as a verb, means to affect a Transfer.
(ss) “Transferee” means a Person who acquires any Membership Interest by Transfer from a Member or another Transferee not admitted as a Member, in accordance with Article 3 hereof.
ARTICLE 2: THE COMPANY
2.1 Status. The Company is a limited liability company organized in the state of Delaware under the Act.
2.2 Name. The name of the series limited liability company is Forte Investment Fund, LLC. The business of the Company and any Series may be conducted under any other name or names, as determined by the Manager.
5
LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY OPERATING AGREEMENT | FORTE INVESTMENT FUND, LLC |
(a) Series Operations. Each Series shall operate to the extent practicable as if it were a separate limited liability company, and intends to acquire, manage, value-add, develop, construct, lease, and/or sell real Properties located throughout the United States with primary focus in New Jersey and Maryland
(b) Ownership of Series Property. Title to any Series Property, whether real, personal, or mixed, and whether tangible or intangible, shall be deemed to be held and owned by the relevant Series to which such asset was contributed or by which such asset was acquired, and none of the Company, any Member, or other Series, individually or collectively, shall have any ownership interest in such Series Property or any portion thereof. Each Member of a Series irrevocably waives any right that it may have to maintain an action for partition with respect to its interest in the Company, any Series, or any Series Property.
(c) Title of Series Property. Title to any or all of the Series Property may be held in the name of the relevant Series or one or more nominees, as the Manager may determine. All Series Property shall be recorded by the Manager as the property of the applicable Series in the books and records maintained for such Series, irrespective of the name in which record title to such Series Property is held. Any corporation, brokerage firm, or transfer agent called upon to transfer any Series Property to or from the name of any Series shall be entitled to rely upon instructions or assignments signed or purporting to be signed by the Manager or its agents without inquiry as to the authority of the Person signing or purporting to sign such instruction or assignment or as to the validity of any transfer to or from the name of such Series.
6
LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY OPERATING AGREEMENT | FORTE INVESTMENT FUND, LLC |
A Person shall be admitted as a Member as the result of a Series Offering upon agreeing to be bound by the terms of this Agreement as amended as of the date of the proposed admission, the Memorandum, the Series Supplement, and has delivered to the Manager a completed Subscription Agreement, along with payment in the amount of such investment, all of which have been accepted by the Manager. The Manager may withhold approval of the admission of any Person for any or no reason.
The Manager may withhold its consent to the admission of any Person as a Member for any reason, including when it determines in its reasonable discretion that such admission could: (i) result in there being 2,000 or more beneficial owners (as such term is used under the Exchange Act) or 500 or more beneficial owners that are not accredited investors (as defined under the Securities Act) of any Series, as specified in Section 12(g)(1)(A)(ii) of the Exchange Act, (ii) cause such Persons holding to be in excess of the Aggregate Ownership Limit, (iii) in any trailing 12-month period, cause the Persons’ investment in all Membership Interests (of all Series in the aggregate) to exceed such limitations disqualifying them as a Qualified Purchaser, (iv) could adversely affect the Company or a Series or subject the Company, a Series, the Manager or any of their respective Affiliates to any additional regulatory or governmental requirements or cause the Company to be disqualified as a limited liability company, or subject the Company, any Series, the Manager or any of their respective Affiliates to any tax to which it would not otherwise be subject, (v) cause the Company to be required to register as an investment company under the Investment Company Act, (vi) cause the Manager or any of its Affiliates being required to register under the Investment Advisers Act, (vii) cause the assets of the Company or any Series to be treated as plan assets as defined in Section 3(42) of ERISA, or (viii) result in a loss of (a) partnership status by the Company for US federal income tax purposes or the termination of the Company for US federal income tax purposes or (b) corporation taxable as an association status for US federal income tax purposes of any Series or termination of any Series for US federal income tax purposes. A Person may become a record holder without the consent or approval of any of the Members. A Person may not become a Member without acquiring an Interest.
The Manager will not permit any person to become a Member of a Series until such person has agreed to be bound by all the provisions of this Agreement, as amended as of the date of the proposed admission, including any addendums, the terms of the Memorandum, and has delivered to the Manager a completed Subscription Agreement, along with payment in the amount of such investment, all of which have been accepted by the Manager
7
LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY OPERATING AGREEMENT | FORTE INVESTMENT FUND, LLC |
(a) Restrictions on Transfer. A Member may Transfer its Membership Interest in a Series only in compliance with this Article 3. Restrictions have been placed upon the ability of all Members to resell or otherwise dispose of any Membership Interest obtained or acquired hereunder, including, without limitation, the following:
(1) The Membership Interests have not been registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (“Securities Act”), in reliance upon the exemptions provided for under Section 4(A)(2) and Regulation D thereunder.
(2) There is no public market for the Membership Interests and none is expected to develop in the future. Even if a potential buyer could be found, Membership Interests may not be resold or transferred without satisfying certain conditions designed to comply with applicable tax and securities laws, including, without limitation, provisions of the Securities Act, Rule 144 thereunder, and the requirement that certain legal opinions be provided to the Manager with respect to such matters. A transferee must meet the same investor qualifications as the Members admitted during the Series Offering. Any potential buyer must be capable of bearing the economic risks of this investment, with the understanding that Membership Interests may not be liquidated by resale or redemption, and should expect to hold their Membership Interests as a long-term investment.
(3) A legend will be placed upon all instruments evidencing ownership of Membership Interests in each Series, stating that the Membership Interests have not been registered under the Securities Act, as amended, and set forth the foregoing limitations on resale. Notations regarding these limitations shall be made in the appropriate records of each Series with respect to all Membership Interests offered hereby. Any Member who transfers, upon the Manager’s consent, any Membership Interests to another Person shall, subject to the sole and absolute discretion of the Manager, pay the Manager a transfer fee of at least Five Hundred Dollars ($500) to cover administrative costs related thereto. If a Member transfers Membership Interests to more than one person, except transferees who will hold title together, the transfer to each person will be considered a separate transfer.
8
LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY OPERATING AGREEMENT | FORTE INVESTMENT FUND, LLC |
(c) Permitted Transfers. A Member may, at any time, Transfer Membership Interests to a Permitted Transferee if, as of the date the Transfer takes effect, the Company is reasonably satisfied that all of the following conditions are met:
(1) the conditions listed above have been met;
(2) the Transferee is a Person with the same qualifications as the original Member;
(3) the Transfer, alone or in combination with other Transfers, will not result in the Company’s termination for federal income tax purposes;
(4) the Transfer is the subject of an effective registration under, or exempt from the registration requirements of, applicable state and federal securities laws;
(5) the Company receives from the Transferee the information and agreements reasonably required to permit it to file federal and state income tax returns and reports; and
(6) the Manager receives payment from the Transferee of a transfer fee of Five Hundred Dollars ($500) for each Transferee.
(1) Admission as a Member. A Member who Transfers one or more Membership Interests in a Series has no power to confer on the Transferee the status of a Member. A Transferee may be admitted as a Member only in accordance with the provisions of this Article. A Transferee who wishes to become a Member must submit an application in writing to the Company and provide evidence, as requested by the Company, of compliance with all conditions to admission, as set forth above. Prior to admission, each proposed member must execute and deliver a counterpart of this Agreement, as amended to date, or a separate written agreement to be bound hereby. The Company shall not, without cause, refuse the application for membership of a Transferee who has complied with all the provisions of this Agreement.
9
LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY OPERATING AGREEMENT | FORTE INVESTMENT FUND, LLC |
(2) Rights of Non-Member Transferee. A Transferee who is not admitted as a Member in accordance with the provisions of this Article: (i) has no right to vote or otherwise participate in the Company’s or any Series’ governance; (ii) is not entitled to receive information concerning the Company’s or any Series’ affairs or inspect the Company or any Series’ books and records; (iii) with respect to the transferred Membership Interests, is entitled to receive the Distributions to which the Member would have been entitled had the Transfer not occurred; and (iv) is subject to the restrictions imposed by this Article to the same extent as a Member. Any provision of the Agreement permitting or requiring the Members to take action by vote or written approval of a specified percentage of the Membership Interests shall be deemed to mean only Membership Interests then-owned by Members.
(f) The Company, or its appointee, shall keep or cause to be kept on behalf of the Company and each Series a register that will set forth the Members of each of the Membership Interests and information regarding the Transfer of each of the Membership Interests. The Manager is xxxxxx initially appointed as registrar and transfer agent of the Membership Interests, provided that the Manager may appoint such third-party registrar and transfer agent as it determines appropriate in its sole discretion, for the purpose of registering Membership Interests and Transfers of such Membership Interests as herein provided, including as set forth in any Series Offering.
3.5 Return of Capital. The Manager may, at its sole and absolute discretion, cause a Series to repurchase Membership Interests from Members as a part of a plan to reduce the outstanding capital of the Series. Any such return of capital would not be considered a Distribution and would not be included in the determination of such Member’s return on investment. However, any such return of capital would reduce the Member’s Membership Interest in the Series. Thus, if the Manager elects to return all of a Member’s capital, the Member shall no longer be a Member in the Series and/or the Company, and the Member would be considered to have withdrawn or to have elected redemption from the Series and/or the Company.
10
LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY OPERATING AGREEMENT | FORTE INVESTMENT FUND, LLC |
3.8 Manner of Action by Members.
(a) General Voting Rights. Unless otherwise provided in this Agreement, addendum, or any Series Supplement, (i) each Member shall be entitled to vote on matters submitted for the consent or approval of Members generally, (ii) all Members (regardless of Series) shall vote together as a single class on all matters as to which all Members are entitled to vote, and (iii) only Members of a particular Series shall be entitled to vote for matters submitted for the consent or approval of the Members of such Series.
(b) Meetings. The Company shall not be required to hold an annual meeting of the Members. The Manager may, whenever it thinks fit, convene meetings of the Company or any Series. The non-receipt by any Member of a notice convening a meeting shall not invalidate the proceedings at that meeting.
11
LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY OPERATING AGREEMENT | FORTE INVESTMENT FUND, LLC |
ARTICLE 4: FINANCE
(a) The Manager shall issue Membership Interests in one or more Series with each such Series. Capital Contributions shall be payable in one installment and shall be paid prior to or by the date of the proposed acceptance by the Manager of a Person’s admission as a Member to the Series (or a Member’s application to acquire additional Membership Interests in a Series), as set forth in the applicable Subscription Agreement.
4.2 Allocation of Profit and Loss; Regulatory Allocations. The debts, liabilities, obligations, and expenses incurred, contracted for, or otherwise existing with respect to a particular Series shall be enforceable against the assets of such Series only, and not against the assets of the Company or any other Series thereof. References to the “Company” in this section generally includes the applicable Series, and references to a “Member” generally includes the applicable Series Member, unless the context otherwise states so.
12
LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY OPERATING AGREEMENT | FORTE INVESTMENT FUND, LLC |
(b) Regulatory Allocations. Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 4.2(a) above:
13
LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY OPERATING AGREEMENT | FORTE INVESTMENT FUND, LLC |
4.4 Distributions. There are two general categories of income derived from a Series: (1) Periodic Cash Flow; and (2) Capital Transaction Proceeds. In the event of uncertainty or ambiguity as to whether a source of income is categorized as Periodic Cash Flow or Capital Transaction Proceeds, the Manager shall have the sole and absolute discretion to determine such category. The manner in which income is distributed from a Series will depend on the source of income, as further detailed below.
(1) First, to pay for Series’ expenses and costs such as property acquisition cost, offering expenses and acquisition expenses, and to pay for Series’ fees (including, without limitation, payment of outstanding debt (if any), administrative costs, legal expenses, accounting fees) and any allocation of capital expenditure reserve (“Capital Expenditure Reserve”). (as applicable) for the Series;
(2) Second, to pay the Asset Management Fee (“Asset Management Fee”) to the Manager; and
(3) Thereafter, Eighty Percent (80%) of any Excess Distributable Cash shall be distributed to the Series’ Members on a pro-rata basis (based on the total aggregate amount of Membership Interests in the Series) and Twenty Percent (20%) of any Excess Distributable Cash shall be distributed to the Series’ Manager.
(1) First, to pay for the Series’ expenses, costs and fees (including, without limitation, payment of outstanding debt (if any), administrative costs, legal expenses accounting fees) and any allocation of Capital Expenditure Reserve (as applicable) for the Series;
(2) Second, to pay the Asset Management Fee to the Manager;
(3) Third, to return any unreturned Contributions until the Member’s Contributions to the Series has been fully repaid; and
(3) Thereafter, One Hundred Percent (100%) of any excess distributable cash shall be distributed to the Series’ Members on a pro-rata basis (based on the total aggregate amount of Membership Interests in the Series).
(c) All excess cash will be distributed to Members in accordance with the sequence split as noted above, and shall be prorated as applicable for the amount of time that a Member was a member of such Series during such applicable accounting period. Excess distributable cash is not cumulative nor guaranteed.
14
LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY OPERATING AGREEMENT | FORTE INVESTMENT FUND, LLC |
(d) By the end of the Series’ fiscal year, the Manager will make every effort to have distributed to each Member the amount of Profit or Loss that will be allocated to that Member on the applicable tax documents required for tax reporting as required by applicable law. However, the amount of income reported to each Member on its tax documentation may differ somewhat from the actual cash distributions made during the fiscal year covered by the tax documentation, due to, among other things, the valuation allowance and factors unique to the tax accounting of limited liability companies, such as the treatment of investment expense.
(1) increased by: (i) the amount of any money the Member contributes to Series’ capital to purchase additional Membership Interests; and (ii) the Member’s share of the Series’ Profits and any separately stated items of income or gain; and
(2) decreased by: (i) the amount of any money the Series distributes to the Member; (ii) the Member’s share of the Series’ Losses and any separately stated items of deduction or loss; and (iii) the amount of any withdrawals or redemption made by such Member in accordance with the redemption plan.
15
LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY OPERATING AGREEMENT | FORTE INVESTMENT FUND, LLC |
5.2 Time Devoted to Business. The Manager will devote to Company and Series activities the amount of time reasonably necessary to discharge the Manager’s responsibilities.
(1) The Manager is authorized, on the Company’s and each Series’ behalf, to make all decisions as to (i) the development, sale, lease, or other disposition of Company and Series assets; (ii) the origination and purchase of loans or any other assets of all kinds; (iii) the acquisition, purchase, leasing, and/or sale of Properties or any other assets of all kinds; (iv) the management of all, or any part, of the Company’s and each Series’ assets and business; (v) the borrowing of money and the granting of security interests in the Company’s and each Series’ assets (including loans from Members) as, and only if, provided for in the Memorandum; (vi) the prepayment, refinancing, or extension of any mortgage affecting the Company’s and each Series’ assets; (vii) the compromise or release of any of the Company’s and each Series’ claims or debts; (viii) the employment of Persons for the operation and management of the Company’s and each Series’ business; (ix) wind up and dissolve the Company or a Series in accordance with Article 7 below and/or cause the Company to merge into a new Affiliate Entity for the purposes of offering Membership Interests under a Regulation A as set forth under the Securities Act, as amended, and (x) all elections available to the Company and each Series under any federal or state tax law or regulation.
(2) The Manager, on behalf of the Company and each Series, may execute and deliver (i) all contracts, conveyances, assignments, leases, subleases, franchise agreements, licensing agreements, management contracts, and maintenance contracts covering or affecting the assets of the Company and each Series; (ii) all checks, drafts, and other orders for the payment of Company and Series funds; (iii) all loan documents including, without limitation, promissory notes, mortgages, deeds of trust, security agreements, and other similar documents; (iv) all articles, certificates, and reports pertaining to the Company’s and each Series’ organization, qualification, and dissolution; (v) all tax returns and reports; and (vi) all other instruments of any kind or character relating to the Company and each Series’ affairs. No Member, by virtue of its status as such, shall have any management power over the business and affairs of the Company or any Series or actual or apparent authority to enter into, execute or deliver contracts on behalf of, or to otherwise bind, the Company or any Series.
16
LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY OPERATING AGREEMENT | FORTE INVESTMENT FUND, LLC |
(3) The Manager, on behalf of the Company and each Series, shall have the authority to issue additional classes of Membership Interests for any Company or Series purpose at any time and from time to time to such Persons for such consideration or for no consideration and on such terms and conditions as the Manager shall determine, all without the approval of the Members. Each Membership Interest shall have the rights and be governed by the provisions set forth in this Agreement (including any Series Offering and/or Series Supplement).
i. the amount of excess distributable cash of any Series for any period and the amount of assets at any time legally available for the payment of distributions on Membership Interests of any Series;
ii. the fair value, or any sale, bid, or price to be applied in determining the fair value, of any asset owned or held by any Series or of any Membership Interests;
iii. any matter relating to the acquisition, holding, and disposition of any assets by any Series;
iv. the adoption, amendment, and repeal of the Allocation Policy;
v. the evaluation of any competing interests among the Series and the resolution of any conflicts of interests among the Series;
vi. any other matter relating to the business and affairs of the Company or any Series or required or permitted by applicable law, this Agreement or otherwise to be determined by the Manager; and
vii. the determination of the Net Asset Value of Membership Interests, which shall be made in accordance with the Memorandum and relevant Series Supplement.
5.4 Required Member Approval. Except as specifically provided herein, without the approval of the Members holding a Majority of the issued and outstanding Membership Interests, the Manager may not take any action with respect to (a) the Company’s merger with, or conversion into, another Entity unless such Entity is an Affiliate of the Company or the Manager, or (b) a transaction not expressly permitted by this Agreement, Memorandum, and Series Supplement, involving a conflict of interest between the Manager and the Company.
17
LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY OPERATING AGREEMENT | FORTE INVESTMENT FUND, LLC |
5.6 Indemnification of Manager. Except as limited by law, the Company and/or the Series shall indemnify the Manager for all expenses (including, without limitation, legal fees and costs), losses, liabilities, and damages the Manager actually and reasonably incurs in connection with the defense or settlement of any action arising out of, or relating to, the conduct of the Company and/or the Series activities, except an action with respect to which the Manager is adjudged to be liable for fraud, bad faith, willful misconduct, and/or breach of a fiduciary duty owed to the Company and/or the Series, or the Members, under the Act or this Agreement. Therefore, Members may have a more limited right of action than they would have, absent these provisions in the Agreement. The Company and/or the Series shall advance the costs and expenses of defending actions against the Manager arising out of, or relating to, the management of the Company and/or the Series, provided that it first receives the written undertaking of the Manager to reimburse the Company and/or the Series, if ultimately found not to be entitled to indemnification. A successful indemnification of the Manager, or any litigation that may arise in connection with the Manager’s indemnification, could deplete the assets of the Company and/or a Series. Members who believe the Manager has engaged in conduct resulting in fraud, willful misconduct, bad faith, or breach of the Manager’s fiduciary duty, should consult with their own legal counsel.
18
LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY OPERATING AGREEMENT | FORTE INVESTMENT FUND, LLC |
The actual amount of Property Management Fee for each Series cannot be determined at this time, as these fees are dependent upon the location and value of each Series Property.
19
LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY OPERATING AGREEMENT | FORTE INVESTMENT FUND, LLC |
(f) The definition of Manager’s Fees includes all of the fees described in “Compensation to Manager and Affiliates.”
(g) The Manager may, but has no obligation to, defer, waive, or assign all or a portion of the Manager’s Fees to the Company or a Series. In such event, the Manager will be entitled to recover the deferred fees at a later time.
20
LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY OPERATING AGREEMENT | FORTE INVESTMENT FUND, LLC |
ARTICLE 6: RECORDS AND ACCOUNTING
21
LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY OPERATING AGREEMENT | FORTE INVESTMENT FUND, LLC |
6.3 Reports.
(i) a financial statement of such Series prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP, which includes a balance sheet, profit and loss statement and a cash flow statement; and
(ii) confirmation of Membership Interests in each Series outstanding as of the end of the most recent fiscal year; provided, that notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Company or any Series is required to disclose financial information pursuant to the Securities Act, then compliance with such provisions shall be deemed compliance with this Section 6.3 and no further or earlier financial reports shall be required to be provided to the Members of the applicable Series with such reporting requirement.
22
LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY OPERATING AGREEMENT | FORTE INVESTMENT FUND, LLC |
6.4 Tax Compliance.
(1) the amount withheld will be considered a Distribution to the Member; and
(2) if the withholding requirement pertains to a Distribution in kind, or an allocation of Profit, Company and/or a Series will pay the amount required to be withheld to the governmental agency, and promptly take such action as it considers necessary or appropriate to recover a like-amount from the Member, including offset against any Distributions to which the Member would otherwise be entitled.
6.5 Partnership Representative.
(a) The Members hereby agree that: (i) the Manager (or an individual designated by the Manager) will be designated the initial “partnership representative” within the meaning of Section 6223(a) of the Code (“Partnership Representative”), and the Manager shall be authorized to take any actions necessary under Treasury Regulations, or other guidance, to cause such person to be designated as such; (ii) if an entity is designated as Partnership Representative, the Manager shall simultaneously designate an individual who will act for the entity Partnership Representative; (iii) the Partnership Representative may be removed and replaced at any time, by the Manager; (iv) the Company and/or Series and each Member agree that they shall be bound by the actions taken by the Partnership Representative, as described in Section 6223(b) of the Code; (v) the Members hereby consent to the election set forth in Section 6226(a) of the Code, and agree to take any action and furnish the Partnership Representative with any information necessary to give effect to such election, if the Manager decides to make such election; (vi) any imputed underpayment of tax imposed on the Company and/or Series pursuant to Section 6232 of the Code (and any related interest, penalties, or other additions to tax) that the Manager reasonably determines is attributable to one or more Members (including any former Member) in the Manager’s sole discretion; and (vii) the Partnership Representative will be considered indemnified, and the provisions of Section 5.6 shall apply to the Partnership Representative. The Partnership Representative shall be authorized to take any of the foregoing actions (or any similar actions) to the extent necessary, to allow the Company and/or Series to comply with the partnership audit provisions of the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015.
(b) Regarding the potential obligation of a former Member under this paragraph, the following shall apply: (i) each Member agrees that, notwithstanding any other provision in this Agreement, if it is no longer a Member, it shall nevertheless be obligated for any responsibilities under Section 6.5, as if it were a Member prior to withdrawal from the Company and/or Series and/or transfer of its interest; and (ii) as applicable, the Manager will not be required to consent to the transfer of interest of any Member, unless the transferee receiving such interest agrees that in the event the transferor of such interest does not fulfill its obligation under the preceding clause (i) within 20 business days following written demand by the Manager, such transferee shall be jointly and severally liable with such transferor for such obligation, and the Manager may thereafter treat the transferee as the relevant Member for purposes of this Subsection. The Partnership Representative will provide prompt written notification to each Member in the event of any audit of the Company and/or Series by the United States Internal Revenue Service, and provide all information reasonably requested by any Member regarding such audit and associated proceedings. The provisions of this Section 6.5 will not apply to any taxable year of the Company and/or Series for which the Company and/or Series has made a valid election out of Subchapter C of Chapter 63 of the Code, pursuant to Section 6221 of the Code.
23
LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY OPERATING AGREEMENT | FORTE INVESTMENT FUND, LLC |
ARTICLE 7: DISSOLUTION
7.1 Events of Dissolution.
(a) The Company will continue until (a) dissolved herein, pursuant to Section 5.3(b) above, unless sooner dissolved or terminated under the Act, or as described herein; (b) the sale or other disposition of all, or substantially all, the assets of all the Series; (c) any event that makes the Company ineligible to conduct its activities as a series limited liability company under the Act; or (d) otherwise, by option of law.
(b) A Series shall remain in existence until the earlier of the following: (i) dissolution of the Company, (ii) the Manager’s election begin the winding up an dissolution of such Series; (iii) the sale, exchange, or other disposition of substantially all of the assets of the Series, or (iv) the withdrawal or resignation of the Manager, unless a new manager is appointed pursuant to the terms in Section V herein.
7.2 Effect of Dissolution.
(a) Appointment of Liquidator. Upon dissolution of the Company or termination of any Series, the Manager (unless unwilling or unable to serve as such) shall serve as liquidator, and as such will wind up and liquidate the Company (or a Series) in an orderly, prudent, and expeditious manner, in accordance with the following provisions of this Article. While serving as liquidator, the Manager shall have the same authority, powers, duties, and compensation as before dissolution, except that the liquidator shall not acquire any additional assets for the Company (or the Series), and shall use its best efforts to liquidate the Company’s (or Series’) existing assets as rapidly as is consistent with receiving the fair market value thereof. If the Manager is unwilling or unable to serve as liquidator, or has resigned or been removed, the Members shall elect another person, who may be a Member, to serve as liquidator.
(b) Distributions Upon Dissolution. The Company or a Series will not cease to exist immediately upon the occurrence of an Event of Dissolution, but will continue until its affairs have been wound up. Upon dissolution of the Company (or a Series), the Manager will wind up the Company’s (or Series’) affairs by liquidating the Company’s (or Series’) assets as promptly as is consistent with obtaining the fair market value thereof, either by sale to third parties or by collecting loan payments under the terms of the loan(s), until a suitable sale can be arranged. All funds received by the Company (or Series) shall be applied to satisfy or provide for Company and/or Series debts and liabilities, and the balance, if any, shall be distributed to the relevant Members on a pro-rata basis.
24
LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY OPERATING AGREEMENT | FORTE INVESTMENT FUND, LLC |
(a) Notwithstanding Section 8.1, the Manager shall not, without the approval, written consent, or vote of a Majority of the Membership Interests eligible to vote, amend this Agreement with respect to the following:
i. if such amendment would modify the limited liability of a Member in a manner adverse to such Member;
ii. if such amendment would create an obligation to make Contributions not contemplated in this Agreement;
iii. if such amendment would alter or change the distribution and liquidation rights provided in Article 4 and Section 3.2 respectively, except as otherwise permitted under this Agreement;
25
LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY OPERATING AGREEMENT | FORTE INVESTMENT FUND, LLC |
iv. make any amendments that would materially adversely affect any Member, including affecting their Capital Account Balance, allocable share of income and loss, or increase their allocable share of the Asset Management Fee, except as otherwise permitted under this Agreement; or
v. amend this Section 8.1(a).
(b) Except as otherwise provided herein, failure of a Member to respond to any proposed amendments, whether by ways of vote or written consent, within Fifteen (15) days after written notification is sent to Members, shall be deemed a consent to the Company’s proposed amendment.
8.3 Binding Arbitration. Either a Member, Manager or the Company may, at its sole election, require that the sole and exclusive forum and remedy for resolution of a Claim be final and binding arbitration pursuant to this section (this “Arbitration Provision”). The arbitration shall be conducted in the Middlesex County, state of Massachusetts. As used in this Arbitration Provision, “Claim” shall include any past, present, or future claim, dispute, or controversy involving a Member (or persons claiming through or connected with such Member), on the one hand, and the Company, on the other hand, relating to or arising out of this Agreement, and/or the activities or relationships that involve, lead to, or result from any of the foregoing, including (except to the extent provided otherwise in the last sentence of sub-section (iv) below) the validity or enforceability of this Arbitration Provision, any part thereof, or the entire Agreement. Claims are subject to arbitration regardless of whether they arise from contract; tort (intentional or otherwise); a constitution, statute, common law, or principles of equity; or otherwise. Claims include (without limitation) matters arising as initial claims, counter-claims, cross-claims, third-party claims, or otherwise. This Arbitration Provision applies to claims under the U.S. federal securities laws and to all claims that that are related to the Company, including with respect to this offering, our holdings, the common shares, our ongoing operations and the management of our investments, among other matters. The scope of this Arbitration Provision is to be given the broadest possible interpretation that is enforceable. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if this Arbitration Provision applies to federal securities law claims, the Member cannot waive compliance with the federal securities laws and the rules and regulations thereunder.
26
LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY OPERATING AGREEMENT | FORTE INVESTMENT FUND, LLC |
(i) The party initiating arbitration shall do so with the American Arbitration Association (the “AAA”) or JAMS. The arbitration shall be conducted according to, and the location of the arbitration shall be determined in accordance with, the rules and policies of the administrator selected, except to the extent the rules conflict with this Arbitration Provision or any countervailing law. In the case of a conflict between the rules and policies of the administrator and this Arbitration Provision, this Arbitration Provision shall control, subject to countervailing law, unless all parties to the arbitration consent to have the rules and policies of the administrator apply.
(ii) If the Company elects arbitration, the Company shall pay all the administrator’s filing costs and administrative fees (other than hearing fees). If Member elects arbitration, filing costs and administrative fees (other than hearing fees) shall be paid in accordance with the rules of the administrator selected, or in accordance with countervailing law if contrary to the administrator’s rules. The Company shall pay the administrator’s hearing fees for one full day of arbitration hearings. Fees for hearings that exceed one day will be paid by the party requesting the hearing, unless the administrator’s rules or applicable law require otherwise, or Member requests that the Company pay them and the Company agree to do so. Each party shall bear the expense of its own attorney’s fees, except as otherwise provided by law. If a statute gives Member the right to recover any of these fees, these statutory rights shall apply in the arbitration notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein.
(iii) Within Thirty (30) days of a final award by the arbitrator, a party may appeal the award for reconsideration by a three-arbitrator panel selected according to the rules of the arbitrator administrator. In the event of such an appeal, an opposing party may cross-appeal within Thirty (30) days after notice of the appeal. The panel will reconsider de novo all aspects of the initial award that are appealed. Costs and conduct of any appeal shall be governed by this Arbitration Provision and the administrator’s rules, in the same way as the initial arbitration proceeding. Any award by the individual arbitrator that is not subject to appeal, and any panel award on appeal, shall be final and binding, except for any appeal right under the Federal Arbitration Act (the “FAA”), and may be entered as a judgment in any court of competent jurisdiction.
The Company agrees not to invoke the Company’s right to arbitrate an individual Claim that a Member may bring in Small Claims Court or an equivalent court, if any, so long as the Claim is pending only in that court.
EXCEPT AS EXPRESSLY PROVIDED IN THIS AGREEMENT, NO ARBITRATION SHALL PROCEED ON A CLASS, REPRESENTATIVE, OR COLLECTIVE BASIS (INCLUDING AS PRIVATE ATTORNEY GENERAL ON BEHALF OF OTHERS), EVEN IF THE CLAIM OR CLAIMS THAT ARE THE SUBJECT OF THE ARBITRATION HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN ASSERTED (OR COULD HAVE BEEN ASSERTED) IN A COURT AS CLASS REPRESENTATIVE, OR COLLECTIVE ACTIONS IN A COURT.
27
LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY OPERATING AGREEMENT | FORTE INVESTMENT FUND, LLC |
28
LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY OPERATING AGREEMENT | FORTE INVESTMENT FUND, LLC |
FORTE INVESTMENT FUND, LLC, a Delaware series limited liability company | |||
By: | FORTE PARTNERS GLOBAL INC., | ||
a Massachusetts corporation | |||
Its Manager | |||
By: | /s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxx | ||
Name: | Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxx | ||
Title: | President |
BY PURCHASING A MEMBERSHIP INTEREST IN THE COMPANY AND EXECUTING A SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENT, EACH MEMBER AGREES TO THE TERMS AND PROVISIONS OF THIS LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY OPERATING AGREEMENT, THE SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENT, THE MEMORANDUM, AND THE SERIES SUPPLEMENT.
29