OPERATING AGREEMENT OF TRANSWORLD ASSETS, LLC A LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY ORGANIZED UNDER THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE Effective as of July 15, 2007
OF
TRANSWORLD
ASSETS, LLC
A
LIMITED
LIABILITY COMPANY
ORGANIZED
UNDER THE LAWS OF
THE
STATE
OF DELAWARE
Effective
as of July 15, 2007
TABLE
OF CONTENTS
ARTICLE
1. [INSERT PAGE NUMBER]
1.1. Name [INSERT
PAGE NUMBER]
1.2. Principal
Office of the Company [INSERT PAGE
NUMBER]
1.3. Purpose [INSERT
PAGE NUMBER]
1.4. Term [INSERT
PAGE NUMBER]
1.5. Other
Activities of Members [INSERT PAGE
NUMBER]
1.6. Defined
Terms [INSERT PAGE NUMBER]
ARTICLE
2. [INSERT PAGE NUMBER]
2.1. Capital
Contributions [INSERT PAGE
NUMBER]
2.2. Maintenance
of Capital Accounts [INSERT PAGE
NUMBER]
2.3. Withdrawal
of Capital [INSERT PAGE
NUMBER]
2.4. Additional
Capital Contributions [INSERT PAGE
NUMBER]
2.5. Interest
on Capital Contributions [INSERT PAGE
NUMBER]
2.6. Priority
and Return of Capital [INSERT PAGE
NUMBER]
2.7. Limitation
on Liability of Member [INSERT PAGE
NUMBER]
2.8. Loans [INSERT
PAGE NUMBER]
2.9. Sale
of Additional Securities [INSERT PAGE
NUMBER]
ARTICLE
3. [INSERT PAGE NUMBER]
3.1. Allocation
and Distribution of Cash Flow [INSERT PAGE
NUMBER]
3.2. Allocation
of Profits and Losses. [INSERT PAGE
NUMBER]
3.3. Minimum
Gain Chargeback [INSERT PAGE
NUMBER]
3.4. Chargeback
Attributable to Member Non-recourse Debt [INSERT PAGE NUMBER]
3.5. Qualified
Income Offset [INSERT PAGE
NUMBER]
3.6. Limitations
on Loss Allocations [INSERT PAGE
NUMBER]
3.7. Member
Non-recourse Deductions [INSERT PAGE
NUMBER]
3.8. Amendments
to Allocations [INSERT PAGE
NUMBER]
ARTICLE
4. [INSERT PAGE NUMBER]
4.1. Management [INSERT
PAGE NUMBER]
4.2. Voting
Powers of Other Members, General Rules [INSERT
PAGE NUMBER]
4.3. Certain
Matters [INSERT PAGE NUMBER]
4.4. Meetings [INSERT
PAGE NUMBER]
4.5. Written
Consent. [INSERT PAGE NUMBER]
4.6. Vote
by Proxy. [INSERT PAGE
NUMBER]
4.7. Records. [INSERT
PAGE NUMBER]
4.8. Tenure
and Qualifications [INSERT PAGE
NUMBER]
4.9. Certain
Powers of the Manager [INSERT PAGE
NUMBER]
4.10. Company
Basis Elections[INSERT
PAGE NUMBER]
4.11. Liability
for Certain Acts[INSERT
PAGE NUMBER]
4.12. The
Manager has no Exclusive Duty to the Company[INSERT
PAGE
NUMBER]
4.13. Indemnification[INSERT
PAGE
NUMBER]
4.14. Withdrawal[INSERT
PAGE
NUMBER]
4.15. Effect
of Certain Events[INSERT
PAGE NUMBER]
4.16. Vacancies[INSERT
PAGE
NUMBER]
4.17. Officers[INSERT
PAGE
NUMBER]
4.18. Resignation
of Officer[INSERT
PAGE NUMBER]
ARTICLE
5. [INSERT PAGE NUMBER]
5.1. General
Restriction [INSERT PAGE
NUMBER]
5.2. Assignment
of Units [INSERT PAGE NUMBER]
5.3. Admission
of Additional Members [INSERT PAGE
NUMBER]
5.4. Conditions
of Transfers of Units [INSERT PAGE
NUMBER]
5.5. Withdrawal
of Member [INSERT PAGE
NUMBER]
5.6. Recognition
of Assignees and Substituted Members [INSERT
PAGE NUMBER]
5.7. Obligations
of Transferring Member [INSERT PAGE
NUMBER]
5.8. Allocations
Upon Transfer of Units. [INSERT PAGE
NUMBER]
ARTICLE
6. [INSERT PAGE NUMBER]
6.1. Events
Triggering Dissolution [INSERT PAGE
NUMBER]
6.2. Effect
of Dissolution [INSERT PAGE
NUMBER]
6.3. Liquidation [INSERT
PAGE NUMBER]
6.4. Revaluation [INSERT
PAGE NUMBER]
6.5. Distributions
in Kind [INSERT PAGE NUMBER]
6.6. Timing
of Liquidation [INSERT PAGE
NUMBER]
6.7. Certificate
of Cancellation [INSERT PAGE
NUMBER]
ARTICLE
7. [INSERT PAGE NUMBER]
7.1. Fiscal
Year [INSERT PAGE NUMBER]
7.2. Method
of Accounting [INSERT PAGE
NUMBER]
7.3. Books
and Records [INSERT PAGE
NUMBER]
7.4. Federal
Income Tax Returns [INSERT PAGE
NUMBER]
7.5. Reports
and Statements [INSERT PAGE
NUMBER]
7.6. Bank
Accounts [INSERT PAGE NUMBER]
7.7. Tax
Matters Partner [INSERT PAGE
NUMBER]
ARTICLE
8. [INSERT PAGE NUMBER]
8.1. Amendment [INSERT
PAGE NUMBER]
8.2. Amendments
Without Consent of Members [INSERT PAGE
NUMBER]
8.3. Amendments
Requiring Consent of Affected Members [INSERT
PAGE NUMBER]
8.4. Glossary [INSERT
PAGE NUMBER]
8.5. Notices [INSERT
PAGE NUMBER]
8.6. Binding
Effect [INSERT PAGE NUMBER]
8.7. Counterparts [INSERT
PAGE NUMBER]
8.8. Governing
Law [INSERT PAGE NUMBER]
8.9. Severability [INSERT
PAGE NUMBER]
8.10. Gender[INSERT
PAGE
NUMBER]
OF
TRANSWORLD
ASSETS, LLC
A
DELAWARE LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY
This
OPERATING AGREEMENT of Transworld Assets, LLC (this “Agreement”), is entered
into and shall be effective as of July 15, 2007 by and among Stratus Sevices
Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation with offices located at 149 Avenue at
the
Commons, Xxxxx 0, Xxxxxxxxxx, Xxx Xxxxxx 00000 (“Stratus”), and the parties
identified on Schedule A hereto (Stratus and such-parties to be collectively
hereinafter be referred to as the “Members” and each individually as a
“Member”).
RECITAL
WHEREAS,
Transworld Assets, LLC (the “Company”) has been validly formed by the filing of
a Certificate of Formation with the Office of the Secretary of State, State
of
Delaware on June 26, 2007 under the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act
(the
“Act”);
WHEREAS,
the Members desire to enter into this Agreement to set forth the terms of
their
understanding and agreement with respect to matters relating to the
Company;
In
consideration of the mutual promises in this Agreement, the parties, intending
to be legally bound, agree as follows:
ARTICLE
1.
FORMATION,
PURPOSE AND DEFINITIONS
1.1. Name
. Pursuant
to the terms of this Agreement, the Members intend to carry on a business
for
profit as co-owners under the name “TRANSWORLD ASSETS, LLC.” The
Company may conduct its activities under any other permissible name designated
by the Manager. The Manager shall be responsible for complying with
any registration requirements in the event an alternate name is used for
the
Company.
1.2. Principal
Office of the
Company
. The
principal office of the Company shall be located at 149 Avenue at the Commons,
Xxxxx 0, Xxxxxxxxxx, Xxx Xxxxxx 00000, or at such other location as the Manager,
at its sole discretion, may determine. The registered agent for the
service of process and registered office of the Company shall be the person
and
location set forth in the Certificate of Formation filed with the Office
of the
Secretary of State, State of Delaware, and the Manager may, from time to
time,
change such agent and office by appropriate filings as required by
law.
1.3. Purpose
. The
Company may engage in any lawful business permitted under the laws of the
State
of Delaware, including, but not limited to, the acquisition of the business
and
assets of Green-Tech Assets, Inc. and CC Laurel, Inc. and the operation of
such
businesses following their acquisition.
1.4. Term
. The
term of this Company shall be perpetual, unless the Company is earlier dissolved
in accordance with the provisions of Article 6 of this Agreement or the
Act.
1.5. Other
Activities of
Members
. The
Members may engage in or possess an interest in other business ventures of
any
nature, provided that they are not similar to or competitive with the activities
of the Company.
1.6. Defined
Terms
. Unless
defined elsewhere in this Agreement, capitalized words and phrases used in
this
Agreement shall have the meanings ascribed to such terms in the Glossary
contained in Section 8.4 of this Agreement.
ARTICLE
2.
CONTRIBUTIONS
AND CAPITAL ACCOUNTS
2.1. Capital
Contributions
. The
Members have made the Capital Contributions set forth on Schedule A, as the
same
may be amended from time to time. In consideration of the Capital
Contributions made by the Members, the Members have been credited with the
Units
set forth next to their name on Schedule A hereto.
2.2. Maintenance
of Capital
Accounts
. The
Company shall establish and maintain a Capital Account for each
Member.
2.3. Withdrawal
of
Capital
. A
Member shall not be entitled to withdraw any part of such Member’s Capital
Account or to receive any distribution from the Company, except as provided
in
this Agreement. The Manager shall, however, have the authority, in
the Manager’s sole discretion, to return to the Members all or part of the
Capital Contributions of the Members, provided that such payments are made
to
the Members in proportions permitted under Article 3 below.
2.4. Additional
Capital
Contributions
. No
Member shall be required to make any additional capital contribution to the
Company or to restore any deficit in such Member’s Capital Account, except as
provided in this Agreement, and such deficit, if any, shall not be considered
a
debt owed to the Company or to any other person for any purpose.
2.5. Interest
on Capital
Contributions
. No
interest shall be due from the Company on any Capital Contribution of any
Member.
2.6. Priority
and Return of
Capital
. Except
as may be expressly provided in this Agreement, no Member shall have priority
over any other Member, either for the return of Capital Contributions or
for
cash generated from operations, provided that this section shall not apply
to
loans (as distinguished from Capital Contributions) which a Member has made
to
the Company.
2.7. Limitation
on Liability of
Member
. The
Members shall have no liability or obligation for any debts, liabilities
or
obligations of the Company beyond each Member’s respective Capital Contribution
or obligation to make a Capital Contribution, except as expressly required
by
this Agreement or applicable law.
2.8. Loans
. If
any Member makes any loan or loans to the Company, or advances money on its
behalf, the amount of any such loan or advance shall not be deemed an increase
in, or contribution to, the Capital Account of the lending Member or entitle
the
lending Member to any increase in his, her or its share of the distributions
of
the Company. Interest shall accrue on any such loan at an annual rate
agreed to by the Company and the lending Member (but not in excess of the
maximum rate allowable under applicable usury laws).
2.9. Sale
of Additional
Securities
. In
order to raise additional capital or for any other proper Company purpose,
the
Manager is authorized to cause additional interests in the Company, Units
and
other securities to be issued, from time to time, to the Manager, Members,
Unitholders or to other Persons. In addition, the Manager is
authorized to cause to be issued, purchased, redeemed, exchanged, traded
or
granted by the Company, calls, options, appreciation rights, bonds, debentures
and other securities from time to time. Any Company interests, Units,
calls, options, bonds, debentures and other securities so issued may be issued
with such designations, preferences and relative participating, operational
or
other special rights, powers and duties, including rights, powers and duties
senior to existing classes and series of Company interests and Units, as
shall
be fixed by the Manager in the exercise of its sole and complete discretion,
including without limitation, (i) the allocation of items of Company income,
gain, loss, deduction and credit to such securities; (ii) the right of such
securities to share in Company distributions, (iii) the rights of such
securities upon dissolution and liquidation of the Company; (iv) the price
at
which and the terms and conditions, if any, upon which such securities may
be
converted into another class or series of securities of the Company, if such
securities are convertible into other securities of the Company; (v) the
terms
and conditions upon which such securities will be issued, assigned and
transferred; and (vi) the right of such securities to vote on Company matters,
including matters relating to the relative rights, preferences and privileges
of
such securities. Upon or prior to the issuance of any additional
Company securities, the Manager, without the approval at the time of any
Member
or Unitholder, each Member or Unitholder hereby approving of any and each
such
amendment, may amend any provision of this Agreement and, may execute, swear
to,
acknowledge, deliver, file and record such documents as to the Manager may,
in
its sole discretion, determine to be necessary or appropriate in connection
therewith in order to reflect the authorization and issuance of such securities
and the relative rights and preferences as to matters set forth in the preceding
sentence. Any such issuance of Company securities may be made without
the approval at the time of any Person or Unitholder, each Person and Unitholder
hereby approving of any and each such issuance. The Manager will have
sole and complete discretion in determining the consideration and terms and
conditions with respect thereto and without the need for any vote or approval
of
Members or Unitholders. The Manager may do all things necessary to
comply with the Act or other applicable law and is authorized and directed
to do
all things it deems necessary or advisable in connection with any such future
issuance.
ARTICLE
3.
ALLOCATIONS
AND DISTRIBUTION
3.1. Allocation
and Distribution of Cash
Flow
. As
soon as reasonably practical after the end of each month, the Manager shall
make
a determination of Cash Flow From Operations with respect to such
month. Cash Flow From Operations shall be made at such times and in
such amounts as the Manager may, in his discretion, determine; provided,
however
that if a distribution of Cash Flow from Operations is made with respect
to any
month in a Calendar Quarter, then within sixty (60) days after the
end such Calendar Quarter, the Manager shall make a distribution of
Cash Flow from Operations such that after taking into account all of the
distributions of Cash Flow from Operations with respect to such Calendar
Quarter:
(a)
24.5%
of the Cash Flow From Operations attributable to such Calendar Quarter shall
be
retained by the Company;
(b)
20%
of the . Cash Flow From Operations attributable to such Calendar Quarter
shall
be distributed to the Class A Unitholders (pro rata based upon the number
of
Class A Units held;)
(c)
51%
of the Cash Flow From Operations attributable to such Calendar Quarter shall
be
distributed to the Class B Unitholder;
(d)
4.5%
of the Cash Flow From Operations attributable to such Calendar Quarter shall
be
distributed to the holder of the Class A Units
;provided,
however, that the Manager may make additional distributions of Cash Flow
From
Operations to the Class A Unit Holders and Class C Unit Holder until
such time as the total cash distributions made to the Class A Unit Holders
equal
40% of the Cash Flow From Operations distributed by the Company and the total
cash distributions made to the Class C Unit Holder equals 9% of the Cash
Flow
From Operations distributed by the Company. To
the extent that the Company is required by law to withhold or to make tax
or
other payments on behalf of or with respect to any Member, the Company may
withhold such amounts from any distribution and make such payments as
required. For purposes of this Agreement, any such payment or
withholdings shall be treated as a distribution to the Member on behalf of
whom
the withholding or payment was made.
3.2. Allocation
and Distribution of Cash
From Sale. In the event of a sale of all or substantially all of
the assets of the Company, a cash distribution will be made (i) first to
the
Class A Unit Holders and Class C Unit Holders (pro rata based upon the number
of
Class A Units and Class C Units held, respectively) until the total cash
distributions made to the Class A Unit Holders pursuant to this Agreement
equal
40% of the cash distributions made by the Company and the total cash
distributions made to the Class C Unit Holder pursuant to this agreement
equal
9% of the cash distributions made by the Company and (ii) to the Class A
Unit
Holders, Class B Unit Holder and Class C Unit Holder in accordance with their
respective Capital Accounts.
3.3. Allocation
of Profits and
Losses.
(a) Profits
shall be allocated to the Members in proportion to their respective Percentages,
subject to the special allocations contemplated by Sections 3.3 through 3.7
below.
(b) Losses
shall be allocated:
(i) First
to
Members with positive Capital Account balances in accordance with the ratio
of
their respective Capital Account balances until no Member has a positive
Capital
Account;
(ii) Then,
among the Members in proportion to their respective percentages; provided,
however, that no allocation of Losses shall be made to any Member to the
extent
that an allocation would create or increase a deficit Capital Account balance
in
that Member’s Capital Account, calculated as required in Treasury Regulations,
Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d), in excess of his proportionate share of Minimum
Gain defined in Section 1.704-2(d)1-4 of the Treasury Regulations and his
share of Partner Non-Recourse Debt Minimum Gain described in Treasury
Regulations, Section 1.704-(2)(i)(5) and any amount that the Member is obligated
to restore on account of its deficit capital account under Section
1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(c) of the Treasury Regulations.
(c) Notwithstanding
the foregoing, in the event the Percentage of any Member changes during a
calendar year for any reason, including without limitation, the transfer
of any
interest in the Company, such allocations of taxable income or loss of items
that are required to be separately stated under Section 702(a) of the Code
shall
be adjusted to reflect the varying interests of the Members during such year
in
accordance with the method selected by the Members, as required by Section
706(d) of the Code.
3.4. Minimum
Gain
Chargeback
. If
there is a net decrease in Company Minimum Gain during a Company taxable
year,
all Members shall be specially allocated items of income and gain for such
year
(and, if necessary, for subsequent years) in proportion to, and to the extent
of, an amount equal to the portion of such Member’s share of the net decrease in
Minimum Gain during such year as determined under Treasury Regulation Section
1.704-2(g)(2). Any such allocations shall be made in accordance with
and only to the extent required by Treasury Regulation Sections 1.704-2(f)
and
1.704-2(j)(2)(i).
3.5. Chargeback
Attributable to Member
Non-recourse Debt
. If
there is a net decrease in Company minimum gain during a Company taxable
year
attributable to a Member Non-recourse Debt, any Member with a share of minimum
gain attributable to such debt at the beginning of such year shall be specially
allocated items of income and gain for such year (and, if necessary, for
subsequent years) in proportion to, and to the extent of, an amount equal
to
such Member’s share of the net decrease in Minimum Gain attributable to such
Member Non-recourse Debt (which share of such net decrease shall be determined
under Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-2(i)(4)). Any such
allocations shall be made in accordance with and only to the extent required
by
Treasury Regulation Sections 1.704-2(i) and 1.704-2(j)(2)(ii).
3.6. Qualified
Income
Offset
. If
any Member unexpectedly receives any adjustments, allocations or distributions
described in Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d)(4) through
(6)
which results in an Adjusted Capital Account Deficit, such Member shall be
allocated items of income and book gain in an amount and manner sufficient
to
eliminate such Adjusted Capital Account Deficit as quickly as
possible.
3.7. Limitations
on Loss
Allocations
. Notwithstanding
anything in Section 3.2 of this Agreement to the contrary, Losses shall not
be
allocated to any Members if they would create an Adjusted Capital Account
Deficit in such Member’s Capital Account, and such Losses shall be reallocated
under this Section3.6 to Members with a positive Capital Account
balance.
3.8. Member
Non-recourse
Deductions
. Items
of Company loss, deductions or Code Section 705(a)(2)(B) expenditures that
are
attributable to a Member Non-recourse Debt (“Member Non-recourse Deductions”)
shall be allocated among the Members who bear the Economic Risk of Loss for
such
Member Non-recourse Liability in the ratio in which they share Economic Risk
of
Loss for such Member Non-recourse Liability. This provision is to be
interpreted in a manner consistent with the requirements of Treasury Regulation
Section 1.704-2(i).
3.9. Amendments
to
Allocations
. In
order to preserve and protect the contemplated distributions and allocations
provided for in this Article 3, the Manager is authorized and directed to
allocate net profit, net loss, or any other item of tax preference, income,
gain, loss, deduction, or credit arising in any year differently than otherwise
provided for in this Article 3 if, and to the extent that, allocating such
items
in the manner provided in this Article 3 would not to be permitted by Section
704(b) of the Code or the regulations thereunder. Any allocations
made pursuant to this Section 3.8 shall be deemed to be a complete substitute
for any allocation otherwise provided for in this Article 3, and no amendment
to
this Agreement or approval of any Member shall be required. In making
any allocation ( the “New Allocation”) as set forth above, the Manager is
authorized to act only after having determined that the New Allocation either
more accurately reflects the distributions contemplated by this Article 3
or is
not inconsistent with those distributions, and after having been advised
by tax
counsel to the Company or the Company’s accountants that, in their opinion,
after examining the then applicable terms of Section 704(b) of the Code and
the
regulations thereunder, along with all relevant administrative and judicial
authority, (i) the New Allocation is necessary, and (ii) the New Allocation
is
the minimum necessary modification of the allocations. New
Allocations made by the Manager in reliance upon the advice of tax counsel
shall
be deemed to be made pursuant to the fiduciary obligation of the Manager
to the
Members, and no such New Allocations shall give rise to any claim or cause
of
action by any Members.
ARTICLE
4.
RIGHTS
AND DUTIES OF MANAGERS AND MEMBERS
4.1. Management
. The
business and affairs of the Company shall be managed by its Manager (initially,
Stratus). The Manager shall direct, manage and control the business
of the Company to the best of the Manager’s ability. Except for
situations in which the approval of the Members is expressly required by
this
Operating Agreement or by nonwaivable provisions of applicable law, the Manager
shall have full and complete authority, power, and discretion to manage and
control the business, affairs, and properties of the Company, to make all
decisions regarding those matters and to perform any and all other acts or
activities customary or incident to the management of the Company’s
business. Nothing contained in this Agreement shall require any
person to inquire into the authority of the Manager to execute and deliver
any
document on behalf of the Company or to bind the Company pursuant to such
document.
4.2. Voting
Powers of Other
Members, General Rules
. Except
as otherwise expressly provided for in this Agreement, a Member who is not
a
Manager shall not have any voting rights or take any part in the day-to-day
management or conduct of the business of the Company, nor shall any such
Member
have any right or authority to act for or bind the Company in his capacity
as a
Member. Actions and decisions that do require the approval of the
Members pursuant to any provision of this Agreement may be authorized or
made by
affirmative vote of Members holding a majority of the Units. Such
vote may be taken at a meeting of the Members or by written consent without
a
meeting.
4.3. Certain
Matters
. Without
limiting the generality of Section 4.2, the unanimous approval of the Manager
and Members holding a majority of the outstanding Class A Units shall be
required before any of the following acts involving the Company:
(a) transferring
all or substantially all of the assets of the Company;
(b) any
merger, consolidation or other business combination with respect to the Company
or the liquidation or dissolution of the Company or the adoption of any plan
with respect to any such liquidation or dissolution;
(c) the
Company making an assignment for the benefit of creditors, filing a voluntary
petition in bankruptcy, filing a petition or answer seeking for itself any
reorganization, arrangement, composition, readjustment, liquidation, dissolution
or similar relief under any statute, law or regulation, or seeking, consenting
to or acquiescing in the appointment by a court of a trustee, receiver or
liquidator of the Company or all or any substantial part of its
assets;
4.4. Meetings
. Any
Member may call a meeting to consider approval of an action or decision under
any provision of this Agreement by delivering to the other Member notice
of the
time, location (which shall be in the State of New Jersey) and purpose of
such
meeting at least five (5) days before the day of such meeting. A
Member may waive the requirement of notice of a meeting either by attending
such
meeting or executing a written waiver before or after such
meeting. Any such meeting shall be held during the regular business
hours unless Member’s holding a majority of the outstanding Units consent in
writing or by their attendance at such meeting to its being held at another
time.
4.5. Written
Consent.
Any
Member may propose that the Company authorize an action or decision pursuant
to
any provision of this Agreement by written consent of Members holding a majority
of the Units entitled to vote on such matter in lieu of a meeting. A
Member’s written consent may be evidenced by a signature on a counterpart of the
proposal or by a separate writing (including a facsimile) that identifies
the
proposal with reasonable specificity and states that the Member consents
to such
proposal.
4.6. Vote
by Proxy.
A
Member
may vote (or execute a written consent) by proxy given to another
Member. Any such proxy must be in writing and must identify the
specific meeting or matter to which the proxy applies or state that it applies
to all matters (subject to specified reservations, if any) coming before
the
Members for approval under any provision of this Agreement prior to a specified
date (which shall not be later than the first anniversary date on which such
proxy is given). Any such proxy shall be revocable at any time and
shall not be effective at any meeting at which the Member giving such proxy
is
in attendance.
4.7. Records.
The
Company shall maintain permanent records of all actions taken by the Members
pursuant to any provision of this Agreement, including minutes of all Company
meetings, copies of all actions taken by consent of the Members, and copies
of
all proxies pursuant to which one Member votes or executes a consent on behalf
of another.
4.8. Tenure
and
Qualifications
. Stratus
shall be the Company’s initial Manager. The Manager shall hold office
until the effective date of its withdrawal or upon the occurrence of any
events
set forth in Section 4.15. A Manager need not be a resident of the
State of Delaware or a Member of the Company.
4.9. Certain
Powers of the
Manager
. Without
limiting the generality of Article 4, and except as otherwise set forth in
Section 4.3, the Manager shall have power and authority, on behalf of the
Company:
(a) To
do and
perform all acts as may be necessary or appropriate to conduct the Company’s
business;
(b) To
purchase liability and other insurance to protect the Company’s property and
business;
(c) To
hold
any Company real and/or personal properties in the name of the
Company;
(d) To
invest
any Company funds temporarily, including without limitation, in time deposits,
short-term government obligations, commercial paper, or other
investments;
(e) To
execute on behalf of the Company all instruments and documents, including,
without limitation, checks, drafts, notes and other negotiable instruments,
mortgages, or deeds of trust, security agreements, financing statements,
documents providing for the acquisition, mortgage or disposition of the
Company’s property, assignments, bills of sale, leases, partnership agreements,
operating agreements of other limited liability companies, and any other
instruments or documents necessary, in the opinion of the Manager, to the
business of the Company;
(f) To
employ
accountants, legal counsel managing agents, or other experts or employees
or
agents to perform services for the Company and to compensate them from Company
funds;
(g) To
enter
into any and all other agreements on behalf of the Company with any other
person
for any purpose, in such forms as the Manager may approve; and
(h) To
do and
perform all other acts as may be necessary or appropriate to the conduct
of the
Company’s business.
4.10. Company
Basis Elections
. In
the event of the distribution of property by the Company within the meaning
of
Section 734 of the Code, or the transfer of an interest in the Company within
the meaning of Section 743 of the Code, the Manager, in the Manager’s sole and
absolute discretion, may elect to adjust the basis of the Company property
pursuant to Sections 734, 743 and 754 of the Code. Members affected
by this election, if made, shall supply to the Company the information that
may
be required to make the election.
4.11. Liability
for Certain Acts
. The
Manager shall not have any liability by reason of being or having been a
Manager
of the Company. The Manager does not, in any way, guarantee the
return of the Members’ Capital Contributions or a profit for the Members from
the operations of the Company. To the extent permitted by Delaware
law, no Member or Manager of the Company shall be personally liable to the
Company or its Members for damages for breach of any duty owed to the Company
or
its Members except that a Member or Manager shall not be relieved from liability
for any breach of duty based on an act or omission (a) in breach of such
person’s duty of loyalty to the Company or its Members, (b) not in good faith or
involving a knowing violation of law or this Agreement, or (c) resulting
in
receipt by such person of an improper personal benefit.
4.12. The
Manager has no Exclusive Duty to the Company
. The
Manager shall not be required to manage the Company as its sole and exclusive
function and he, she or it may have other business interests and may engage
in
other activities in addition to those relating to the
Company. Neither the Company nor any Member shall have any right, by
virtue of this Operating Agreement, to share or participate in such other
investments or activities of the Manager or to the income or proceeds derived
from such investments or activities. The Manager shall incur no
liability to the Company or to any Member as a result of engaging in any
other
business or venture.
4.13. Indemnification
.
(a) The
Manager and the present and former directors, officers, employees and Affiliates
of the Manager and employees of the Company (individually, an “Indemnitee”),
will each, to the maximum extent permitted by law, be indemnified and held
harmless by the Company from and against any and all losses, claims, damages,
liabilities, joint and several expenses (including legal fees and expenses),
judgments, fines, costs, settlements, and other amounts arising from any
and all
claims, demands, actions, suits or proceedings, civil, criminal, administrative
or investigative, (1) in which the Indemnitee may be involved, or threatened
to
be involved, as a party or otherwise (a) by reason of its present or former
status as a Manager or a director, officer, employee or Affiliate of the
Manager
or the Company, (b) by reason of its present or former status in serving,
at the
request of the Company or Manager, as a director, officer, shareholder, employee
or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other
enterprise or as a member of a committee or similar body, or (c) by reason
of
its management of the affairs of Manager or the Company, or (2) which relate
to
the property, business or affairs of Manager or the Company, whether or not
the
Indemnitee continues to be a Manager or a director, officer, employee or
Affiliate of Manager or employee of the Company at the time any such liability
or expense is paid or incurred, if the Indemnitee acted in good faith and
in a
manner reasonably believed to be in, or not opposed to, the best interests
of
the Company, and, with respect to any criminal proceeding, had no reasonable
cause to believe and did not believe its or his conduct was
unlawful. The termination of a proceeding by judgment, order,
settlement, conviction or upon a plea of nolo contendere, or its equivalent,
will not, of itself, create a presumption that the Indemnitee did not act
in
good faith and in a manner which the Indemnitee reasonably believed to be
in, or
not opposed to, the best interests of the Company or a presumption that the
Indemnitee had reasonable cause to believe or did believe that its conduct
was
unlawful. The Manager will have the right and power, but not the
obligation unless otherwise agreed, to indemnify and hold harmless present
or
former employees, agents, advisers, consultants and counsel of or to the
Manager, the Company (including any custodian, investment adviser, accountant,
attorney, corporate fiduciary, trustee, bank, other financial institution,
or
other agent or Person who serves or served in such capacity for the Company
or
the Manager, on terms similar to those described above against liabilities
incurred by them in acting in any such capacity.
(b) An
Indemnitee will not be entitled to indemnification under this Section 4.13
for
any actions that constitute actual fraud or with respect to any claim, issue
or
matter in which it has been adjudged liable for gross negligence or willful
misconduct, unless and only to the extent that the court in which such action
was brought, or another court of competent jurisdiction, should determine
upon
application that, despite the adjudication of liability, but in view of all
circumstances of the case, the Indemnitee is fairly and reasonably entitled
to
indemnification for liabilities and expenses as the court may deem
proper.
(c) An
Indemnitee’s expense (including legal fees and expenses) incurred in defending
any proceeding will be paid by the Company in advance of the final disposition
of the proceeding upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of the
Indemnitee to repay such amount if it is ultimately determined by a court
of
competent jurisdiction that the Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified
by
the Company as authorized hereunder.
(d) The
indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by this Section 4.13
are in
addition to any other rights to which the Indemnitee may be entitled under
any
agreement, bylaw provision, vote of the Partners, as a matter of law or
otherwise, both as to action in the Indemnitee’s capacity as a Manager, or as a
present or former partner, shareholder, director, officer, employee or Affiliate
of the Manager or employee of the Company and to action in any other capacity,
and will continue as to an Indemnitee who has ceased to serve in such capacity
and will inure to the benefit of the heirs, successors, assigns and
administrators of the Indemnitee. The parties intend for this Section
4.13 to be liberally construed.
4.14. Withdrawal
. The
Manager may withdraw, resign or retire on thirty (30) days’ written notice to
the Class A Unitholders. The Manager may not withdraw, resign or
retire as the Manager unless the Members holding a majority of the outstanding
Class A Units have elected a successor to serve as Manager effective on or
before such withdrawal, resignation or retirement.
4.15. Effect
of Certain Events
. The
Manager will cease to be the Manager of the Company only upon the occurrence
of
any one or more of the following events:
(a) The
Manager’s withdrawal, resignation or retirement from the Company, effective as
provided in Section 4.14;
(b) Effective
as provided in (ii) below, an order for relief against the Manager is entered
under Chapter 7 of the federal bankruptcy law, or the Manager (i) makes a
general assignment for the benefit of creditors, (ii) files a voluntary petition
under the federal bankruptcy law, (iii) files a petition or answer seeking
for
that Manager any bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, composition,
readjustment, liquidation, dissolution or similar relief under any statute,
law,
or regulation, (iv) files an answer or other pleading admitting or failing
to
contest the material allegations of a petition filed against that Manager
in any
proceeding of this nature, or (v) seeks, consents to, or acquiesces in the
appointment of a trustee, receiver, or liquidator of the Manager or of all
or
any substantial part of that Manager’s properties;
(c) The
death
of an individual Manager.
4.16. Vacancies
. Any
vacancy occurring for any reason in the position of Manager of the Company
shall
be filled by the affirmative vote of Members holding at least a majority
of the
outstanding Class A Units.
4.17. Officers
. The
Manager may, from time to time, employ or retain persons as may be necessary
or
appropriate for the conduct of the Company’s business (subject to the
supervision and control of the Manager), including employees, agents and
other
persons who may be designated as officers of the Company. Any number
of offices may be held by the same person. In its discretion, the
Manager may choose not to fill any office for any period as it may deem
advisable. Any officers so designated shall have such authority and
perform such duties as the Manager may, from time to time, delegate to them
by
written resolution executed by the Manager. The Manager may assign
titles to particular officers. Each officer shall hold office until
he or she shall resign or shall have been removed in the manner hereinafter
provided. The salaries or other compensation, if any, of the officers
of the Company shall be fixed from time to time by the Manager. The
officers, in the performance of their duties as such, shall owe to the Company
duties of loyalty and due care of the type owed by the officers of a corporation
to such corporation and its shareholders under the laws of the State of
Delaware.
4.18. Resignation
of Officer
. Any
officer may resign as such at any time. Such resignation shall be
made in writing and shall take effect at the time specified therein, or if
no
time be specified, at the time of its receipt by Manager. The
acceptance of a resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective,
unless
expressly so provided in the resignation. Any officer may be removed
as such, either with or without cause at any time by the
Manager. Designation of an officer shall not of itself create any
contractual rights or employment rights.
ARTICLE
5.
TRANSFER
OF UNITS
5.1. General
Restriction
. A
Member may transfer, whether voluntarily or involuntarily, all or some of
such
Member’s Units only as expressly provided for in this Agreement. For
purposes of this Agreement, a “transfer” includes, but is not limited to, any
sale, assignment, gift, exchange, hypothecation, collateral assignment or
subjection to any security interest.
5.2. Assignment
of
Units
. Subject
to compliance with the conditions of Section 5.4, a Member shall have the
right
to transfer all or some of such Member’s Units by a written instrument of
assignment, the terms of which are not in contravention of any of the provisions
of this Agreement. The assigning Member shall deliver to the Manager
a written instrument of assignment in form and substance satisfactory to
the
Manager, duly executed by the assigning Member or such Member’s personal
representative or authorized agent. The assignment shall be
accompanied by such assurances of genuineness and effectiveness and by such
consents or authorizations of governmental or other authorities as may be
reasonably required by the Manager.
5.3. Admission
of Additional
Members
. Any
person acceptable to the Manager may become an additional Member in
the Company by the issuance of additional Units in exchange for such
consideration as the Manager may determine. Such person may become an
additional Member in the Company only if, in addition to the requirements
of
Section 5.4, the person executes such instruments as the Manager may deem
necessary or desirable to effect such admission. Admission of an
additional Member shall be recognized by the Company as provided in Section
5.7.
5.4. Conditions
of Transfers of
Units
. A
transfer of Units otherwise permitted by this Article 5 shall be subject
to the
limitations set forth below in this Section 5.4 unless the transfer is to
a
Permitted Transferee.
(a) No
Units
may be transferred without the written consent of the Manager.
(b) No
Units
may be transferred or issued if such proposed action, in the opinion of counsel
for the Company, (i) would result in the termination of the Company under
Section 708 of the Code, or (ii) would result in the cancellation of the
Certificate of Formation or an obligation to file a Certificate of Cancellation,
or (iii) would impair the ability of the Company to be taxed as a partnership
for Federal income tax purposes.
(c) No
Units
may be transferred by a Member unless the transferee confirms in writing
acceptable to the Members that such transferee has accepted, assumed, and
agreed
to be bound subject to and bound by all of the terms and conditions of this
Agreement.
(d) No
Units
may be transferred unless, if requested, the Manager receives an opinion
of
counsel, satisfactory in form and substance to the Company’s counsel, to the
effect that such transfer will not violate the Federal securities laws, or
any
state securities or syndication laws. Such opinion shall, in the case
of a transfer by a Member, be furnished at the expense of such
Member.
5.5. Withdrawal
of
Member
. Except
as otherwise provided in this Article 5, no Member shall be entitled to withdraw
or resign from the Company.
5.6. Recognition
of Assignees and
Substituted Members
. Amendments
to the books and records of the Company and, as may be required by law,
amendments to the Certificate of Formation, shall be made monthly (or less
frequently to the extent that such assignments or substitutions occur less
frequently) to recognize the assignments of Units and, as applicable, admission
of substituted or additional Members. Assignments of Units and
admissions of new Members shall be recognized and effective on and as of
the
first day of the first month following the date of the satisfaction of the
conditions to the transfer and substitution set forth in this Article, as
applicable.
5.7. Obligations
of Transferring
Member
. Except
as otherwise agreed to by the Manager, no transfer by a Member of all or
any
portion of an interest in the Company shall, to any extent, relieve the
transferring Member of any of such Member’s obligations to the Company or
liability, if any, as a Member (whether or not such person remains as a
Member).
5.8. Allocations
Upon Transfer of Units.
(a) As
between a Member and his transferee, profits, losses and credits for any
monthly
period shall be apportioned to the person who is the holder of the Units
transferred on the last day of such monthly period, without regard to the
results of the Company’s operations during the period before or after such
transfer. However, in the event that it is determined by the Manager
that the convention adopted by the Company to allocate income, gain, loss,
deduction or credit of the Company is not in compliance with Section 706(d)
of
the Code, as modified by Regulations promulgated thereunder, then the Manager
shall revise the method of allocation to comply with such
Regulations.
(b) No
new
Members shall be entitled to any retroactive allocation of Profits or Losses
incurred by the Company. The Manager may, at its option, at the time
a Member is admitted, or a Unit transferred, close the Company’s books or make
an allocation of tax items using any reasonable method permitted under Section
706(d) of the Code and applicable Treasury Regulations.
(c) Any
distributions of cash or other property shall be made to the holder of record
of
any Units on the date of distribution.
ARTICLE
6.
DISSOLUTION
AND LIQUIDATION
6.1. Events
Triggering
Dissolution
. The
Company shall dissolve and commence winding up and liquidating upon the first
to
occur of any of the following events:
(a) the
determination by vote of the Members holding Units representing a majority
of
the outstanding Units, that the Company should be dissolved;
(b) the
insolvency or bankruptcy of the Company;
(c) the
sale
of all or substantially all of the Company assets; or
(d) any
event
that makes it impossible, unlawful or impractical to carry on the business
of
the Company.
6.2. Effect
of
Dissolution
. No
dissolution of the Company shall release any of the parties to this Agreement
for their contractual obligations under this Agreement.
6.3. Liquidation
. Upon
dissolution of the Company in accordance with Section 6.1, the Company shall
be
liquidated. The Manager shall select a liquidating manager (who may
be any Member or the Manager) who shall serve only for purposes of winding
up
the Company (“Liquidating Manager”). The proceeds of such liquidation
shall be applied and distributed in the following order of
priority:
(a) to
the
payment of the debts and liabilities of the Company (other than debts or
liabilities owing to a Member) and the expenses of liquidation (including,
if
applicable, the reasonable fees of the Liquidating Manager);
(b) the
setting up of any reserves which the Liquidating Manager may deem reasonably
necessary for any contingent or unforeseen liabilities or obligations of
the
Company as the Liquidating Manager may deem advisable, for distribution in
the
manner hereinafter provided;
(c) to
the
repayment of any outstanding advances or loans that may have been made by
any of
the Members to the Company, other than capital contributions, pro rata among
them on the basis of such advances and loans to the Company; and
(d) the
balance, if any, to the Members (or to their permitted transferees of their
Interest in the Company, in whole or in part) in accordance with their
respective Capital Accounts, after adjustment for all income, loss, and gain
of
the Company and after adjustment for all previous contributions and
distributions of the Company.
6.4. Revaluation
. If
the Company assets are not sold, but instead are distributed in kind, such
assets, for purposes of determining the amount to be distributed to the parties,
shall be revalued on the Company books to reflect their then current fair
market
value as of a date reasonably close to the date of liquidation. Any
unrealized appreciation or depreciation shall be allocated among the Members
and
taken into account in determining the Capital Accounts of the Members as
of the
date of liquidation.
6.5. Distributions
in
Kind
. The
Liquidating Manager may make distributions to the Members in cash or in kind,
or
partly in cash or partly in kind, in divided or undivided interests, and
to
allocate any property towards the satisfaction of any payment or distribution
due to the Members in such manner as the Liquidating Manager may determine,
whether or not such distributive shares may as a result be composed of different
assets. Distribution of any asset in kind to a Member shall be
considered as a distribution of an amount equal to the asset’s fair market value
for purposes of this Article 6.
6.6. Timing
of
Liquidation
. Distributions
and liquidation of the Company shall be made in compliance with Treasury
Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(b). Distributions may be made to
a trust established for the benefit of the Members for the purposes of
liquidating Company assets, collecting amounts owed to the Company, and paying
any contingent or unforeseen liabilities or obligations of the Company or
of the
Members arising out of or in connection with the Company. The assets
of any such trust shall be distributed to the Members from time to time in
the
reasonable discretion of the Liquidating Manager, in the same proportions
as the
amount distributed to such trust by the Company would otherwise have been
distributed to such persons pursuant to this Agreement.
6.7. Certificate
of
Cancellation
. Upon
the dissolution of the Company and the completion of the liquidation and
winding
up of the Company’s affairs and business, the Liquidating Manager shall (or if
the Liquidating Manager fails to act, then any Member may) prepare and file
a
certificate of cancellation with the Delaware Secretary of State, as required
by
the Act. When such certificate is filed, the Company’s existence
shall cease.
ARTICLE
7.
ACCOUNTING
AND FISCAL MATTERS
7.1. Fiscal
Year
. The
fiscal year of the Company shall end on September 30 or on such other date
as
shall be selected by the Manager.
7.2. Method
of
Accounting
. The
Managers shall select a method of accounting for the Company as deemed necessary
or advisable and shall keep, or cause to be kept, full and accurate records
of
all transactions of the Company in accordance with sound accounting principles
consistently applied.
7.3. Books
and Records
. All
books of account shall, at all times, be maintained in the principal office
of
the Company. Upon reasonable request, each Member shall have the
right, during ordinary business hours, to inspect and copy all accounts,
books,
and other relevant Company documents at the requesting Member’s
expense. Upon written request of any Member, the Managers shall
provide a list showing the name, addresses, and Units of all Members, and
a copy
of the Operating Agreement and Certificate of Formation.
7.4. Federal
Income Tax
Returns
. The
Manager shall prepare, or cause to be prepared, Federal income tax returns
for
the Company, and, in connection therewith and at the discretion of the Manager,
make any available or necessary elections, including elections with respect
to
the useful lives and rates of depreciation of the properties of the
Company.
7.5. Reports
and
Statements
. By
the first of April of each calendar year of the Company, the Manager shall
cause
to be delivered to the Members such information as shall be necessary for
the
preparation by the Members of their Federal, state and local income and other
tax returns. The Manager shall also furnish such other information to
the Member as, in the judgment of the Manager, shall be reasonably necessary
for
the Members to be advised of the financial status and results of operations
of
the Company.
7.6. Bank
Accounts
. The
Manager shall open and maintain (in the name of the Company) such bank accounts
in which shall be deposited all funds of the Company. Withdrawals
from such account or accounts shall be made upon the signature or signatures
of
such person or persons as the Manager shall designate.
7.7. Tax
Matters Partner
. The
Manager shall act as “Tax Matters Partner” under Section 6231(a)(7) of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, to manage administrative tax
proceedings with the Internal Revenue Service.
ARTICLE
8.
MISCELLANEOUS
8.1. Amendment
. Amendments
to this Agreement may be made in accordance with the terms of this
Article 8.
8.2. Amendments
Without Consent of
Members
. In
addition to any amendments otherwise authorized in this Agreement, amendments
may be made to this Agreement from time to time by the Manager, without the
consent of any Member, which (i) do not adversely affect the rights of the
Members or their assignees in any material respect; (ii) correct any error
or
resolve any ambiguity in or inconsistency among any of the provisions of
this
Agreement; (iii) delete or add any provision of this Agreement that is required
to be so deleted or added by any federal or state securities commission or
other
governmental authority; (iv) amend this Agreement and the Certificate of
Formation to admit new Members or issue new interests, Units or securities
in
accordance with this Agreement; and (v) is in response to a change in the
Act
that permits or requires an amendment so long as no Member is adversely affected
in any material respect.
8.3. Amendments
Requiring Consent of
Affected Members
. Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary in this Article 8, this Agreement may not be amended,
without the consent of the Member or Members affected by any amendment to
this
Agreement which would (i) materially and adversely affect the rights of the
Member ( except that the Manager may amend this Agreement and the Certificate
of
Formation to admit new Members or issue new interests, Units or securities
in
accordance with this Agreement) or (i) modify the limited liability of a
Member.
8.4. Glossary
. As
used in this Agreement, capitalized words and phrases shall have the meanings
set forth below:
(a) Affiliate. “Affiliate”
means, with respect to any Person (i) each Person that, directly or indirectly,
owns or controls, whether beneficially, or as a trustee, guardian or other
fiduciary, 50% or more of the voting interests of such Person, (ii) each
Person
that controls, is controlled by or is under common control with each Person
or
any Affiliate of such Person, (iii) each of such Person’s officers, directors,
managers, joint venturers, members and partners, or (iv) such Person’s spouse,
children, siblings and parents. For the purpose of this definition,
“control” of a Person shall mean the possession, directly or indirectly, of the
power to direct or cause the direction of its management or policies, whether
through the ownership of voting interests, by contract or
otherwise.
(b) Adjusted
Capital Account Deficit. “Adjusted Capital Account Deficit” means
the deficit balance, if any, in a Member’s Capital Account at the end of any
fiscal year, with the following adjustments:
(i) Credit
to
such Capital Account any amount that such Member is obligated to restore
under
Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(c), as well as any addition
thereto pursuant to the next to last sentences of Treasury Regulation Sections
1.704-2(g)(1) and 1.704-2(i)(5); and
(ii) Debit
to
such Capital Account the items described in Treasury Regulation Sections
1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d)(4) through (6). The foregoing definition of
Adjusted Capital Account Deficit is intended to comply with the provisions
of
Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d) and shall be interpreted
consistently therewith.
(c) Bankruptcy. “Bankruptcy”
of any individual, corporation or partnership shall be deemed to occur when
(1)
such individual, corporation or partnership files a petition in bankruptcy,
or
voluntarily takes advantage of any bankruptcy or insolvency law, or (2) is
the
subject of a petition or answer proposing the adjudication of such person
as a
bankrupt, and such individual, corporation or partnership either consents
to the
filing thereof, or fails to cause such petition or answer to be discharged
or
denied prior to the expiration of sixty (60) days from the date of such filing,
or (3) such person’s or entity’s assets are insufficient to pay his, her or its
liabilities, or he, she or it has so admitted in writing.
(d) Calendar
Quarter. “Calendar Quarter” means any of the three month periods
ending March 31, June 30, September 30 or December 31.
(e) Capital
Account. “Capital Account” means, with respect to any Member, the
Capital Account maintained for such Member in accordance with the following
provisions:
(i) To
each
Member’s Capital Account there shall be credited such Member’s Capital
Contributions, such Member’s distributive share of Profits and any items in the
nature of income or gain that are specially allocated pursuant to Article
3 of
this Agreement, and the amount of any Company liabilities that are assumed
by
such Member or that are secured by any Company property distributed to such
Member.
(ii) In
the
event any Member transfers all or any of his or her Units 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.
(iii) In
determining the amount of any liability for purposes of this Section 8.4,
there
shall be taken into account Code Section 752(c) and other applicable Code
Sections and Treasury Regulations.
(iv) The
foregoing provisions and the other provisions of this Agreement relating
to the
maintenance of Capital Accounts are intended to comply with Treasury Regulation
Section 1.704-1(b), and shall be interpreted and applied in a manner consistent
with the Treasury Regulations. In the event the Manager determines
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 that are secured by contributed or distributed property
or that are assumed by the Company or the Members), are computed in order
to
comply with such Regulations, the Manager may make such modification, provided
that it is not likely to have a material effect on the amounts distributable
to
any Member pursuant to Article 6 of this Agreement upon the dissolution of
the
Company. The Manager also shall make any appropriate modifications in
the event unanticipated events might otherwise cause this Agreement not to
comply with Regulations Section 1.704(b).
(f) Cash
Flow From Operations. “Cash Flow From Operations” means all cash
funds derived from operations of the Company (including interest received
on
reserves), less cash funds to pay current operating expenses and to pay or
establish reasonable reserves for future expenses, debt payments, capital
improvements, contingencies, and replacements as determined by the
Manager.
(g) Capital
Contribution. “Capital Contribution” means, with respect to any
Member, the amount of money and the initial gross asset value of any property
(other than money) contributed to the Company with respect to Units held
by such
Member.
(h) Class
A Unit. “Class A Unit” means a Unit representing a fractional
part of the Class A Unitholders’ interest in the profits, losses and
distribution of the Company and having the rights and obligations specified
with
respect to Class A Units in this Agreement.
(i) Class
A Unitholder. “Class A Unitholder” means a holder of Class A
Units.
(j) Class
B Unit. “Class B Unit” means a Unit representing a fractional
part of the Class B Unitholders’ interest in the profits, losses and
distributions of the Company and having the rights and obligations specified
with respect to the Class B Units in this Agreement.
(k) Class
B Unitholder. “Class B Unitholder” means a holder of Class B
Units.
(l) Class
C Unit. “Class C Unit” means a Unit representing a fractional
part of the Class C Unitholders’ interest in the profits, losses and
distributions of the Company and having the rights and obligations specified
with respect to the Class C Units in this Agreement.
(m) Class
C Unitholder. “Class C Unitholder” means a holder of Class C
Units.
(n) Code. “Code”
means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time (or
any
corresponding provisions of succeeding law).
(o) Company. “Company”
means the limited liability company governed by this Agreement.
(p) Economic
Risk of Loss. “Economic Risk of Loss” means a determination that
a Member bears the economic risk with respect to a Company liability in
accordance with Treasury Regulation Section 1.752-2 (without regard to whether
that section applies to such liability).
(q) Manager. “Manager”
shall initially mean Stratus or such other person or entity later designated
by
the Members.
(r) Members. “Members”
means the persons listed on attached Schedule A, and any person admitted
to the
Company as a Member in accordance with Article 5. The Members shall
have the powers, rights and privileges provided to them in this
Agreement.
(s) Membership
Interest. “Membership Interest” means a Member’s economic
interest in the Company and such Member’s right to participate in the management
of the business and affairs of the Company, including, without limitation,
the
right to vote on, consent to, or otherwise participate in any decision or
action
of the Members pursuant to this Agreement or the Act.
(t) Member
Non-recourse Debt. “Member Non-recourse Debt” means any
Non-recourse Liability of the Company for which any Member (or a party related
to such Member) bears the Economic Risk of Loss.
(u) Minimum
Gain. “Minimum Gain” means, with respect to each Non-recourse
Liability of the Company, the amount of gain (of whatever character) that
would
be realized by the Company if it disposed of the Company property subject
to
such liability in a taxable transaction in full satisfaction of such liability
(and for no other consideration), and by then aggregating the amounts so
computed. It is further understood that Minimum Gain shall be
determined in a manner consistent with the rules of Treasury Regulation Section
1.704-2(d)(2) (or successor provisions).
(v) Non-recourse
Liability. “Non-recourse Liability” means any Company liability
(or portion thereof) for which no Member or related persons (within the meaning
of Treasury Regulation Section 1.752-4(b)) bears the Economic Risk of Loss
within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Section 1.752-2.
(w) Percentage. “Percentage”
means:
(i) As
to a
Class A Unitholder, the percentage determined by multiplying (A) forty (40)
by
(B) a fraction, the numerator of which shall be the total number of Class
A
Units held by such Class A Unitholder and the denominator of which shall
be the
total number of Class A Units then outstanding;
(ii) As
to a
Class B Unitholder, the percentage determined by multiplying (A) fifty one
(51)
by (B) a fraction, the numerator of which shall be the total number of Class
B
Units held by such Class B Unitholder and the denominator of which shall
be the
total number of Class B Units then outstanding; and
(iii) As
to a
Class C Unitholder, the percentage determined by multiplying (A) nine (9)
by (B)
a fraction, the numerator of which shall be the total number of Class C Units
held by such Unitholder and the denominator of which shall be the total number
of Class C Units then outstanding.
(x) Permitted
Transferee. “Permitted Transferee” means with respect to a Member
(i) a spouse, child, grandchild or sibling of the Member or a trust formed
for
estate planning purposes by the Member, (ii) a limited liability company,
partnership or corporation in which the Member has a controlling interest
or
(iii) a transferee set forth under such Member’s name on Schedule B
hereto.
(y) Person. “Person”
means and includes any individual, corporation, partnership, association,
limited liability company, trust, estate or other entity.
(z) Profits
and Losses. “Profits” and “Losses” means, for each fiscal year or
other period, an amount equal to the Company’s taxable income or loss for such
year or period, determined by the Company’s accountant.
(aa) Treasury
Regulations. “Treasury Regulations” means the Income Tax
Regulations promulgated under the Code, as such regulations may be amended
from
time to time (including corresponding provisions of succeeding
regulations).
(bb) Unit. “Unit”
means a Unitholder’s interest in the profits, losses and distributions of the
Company representing a fractional part of the aggregate interests in the
profits, losses and distributions of the Company of all Unitholders; provided
that any class or group of Units shall have the relative rights, powers duties
and obligations specified with respect to such class or group of units in
this
Agreement, and the interest of such class or group of Units in the profits,
losses and distributions of the Company shall be determined in accordance
with
such relative rights, powers, duties and obligations.
(cc) Unitholder. “Unitholder”
means any owner of one or more Units.
8.5. Notices
. Unless
otherwise provided in this Agreement or by written agreement of the Members,
all
notices or other communications required or permitted to be given under this
Agreement shall be deemed given when delivered personally or mailed by
registered or certified mail, return receipt required, postage prepaid, or
delivered by overnight courier service, to the Members at their addresses
on the
records of the Company, or at such other addresses as a Member may designate
in
writing to the Company.
8.6. Binding
Effect
. Except
as otherwise provided in this Agreement to the contrary, this Agreement shall
be
binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties, their personal
representatives, successors and assigns.
8.7. Counterparts
. This
Agreement may be executed in several counterparts, each of which shall be
deemed
an original, but all of which shall be considered one and the same instrument
which may be sufficiently evidenced by one counterpart.
8.8. Governing
Law
. This
Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws
of
the State of Delaware.
8.9. Severability
. The
invalidity or unenforceability of any particular provision of this Agreement
shall be construed in all respects as if such invalid or unenforceable
provisions were omitted.
8.10. Gender
. As
used in this Agreement, the masculine gender shall include the feminine and
the
neuter, and vice versa.
CERTIFICATION
The
undersigned agree, acknowledge and certify that the foregoing document
constitutes the Operating Agreement adopted by the Members of the Company
as of
the date of this Agreement.
STRATUS
SERVICES GROUP,
INC.
By: /s/
Xxxxxxx X.
Xxxxxxxx
Name:
Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
Title:
Executive Vice President &
CFO
TRANSWORLD ASSETS,
LLC
By:
STRATUS SERVICES GROUP, INC., Manager
By:
/s/Xxxxxxx X.
Xxxxxxxx
Name:
Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
Title:
Executive Vice President &
CFO
SIGNATURE
PAGE FOR TRANSWORLD ASSETS, LLC.
CLASS
A
UNITHOLDER
NAME
OF
CLASS A
UNITHOLDER:
ADDRESS:
TELEPHONE
NO. ( )
*NAME
OF
TRUSTEE:
*NAME
OF
PLAN
SPONSOR:
*ADDRESS
OF PLAN
SPONSOR:
TAX
ID
(EIN)
NO.:
CAPITAL
CONTRIBUTION:
SIGNATURE
OF THE CLASS A UNITHOLDER
By:
Name:
Title:
*If
applicable.
SCHEDULE
A
Capital
Contribution and Units
Member
|
Capital
Contributions
|
Class
A
Units
|
Class
B
Units
|
Class
C
Units
|
Stratus
Services Group, Inc.
|
$100,000*
|
----
|
51
|
----
|
Transworld
Holding, Inc.
|
$---------
|
----
|
----
|
9
|
*Represents
agreed upon value of 1,000,000 shares of Stratus Services Group, Inc. common
stock which have been contributed to the Company and an aggregate 1,000,000
shares of Stratus Services Group, Inc. common stock issued by Stratus Services
Group at the request of the Company to investors (which shares shall be deemed
to have been contributed to the Company by Stratus Services Group, Inc. and
distributed by the Company to the other Members).