OPERATING AGREEMENT OF EAST COAST ETHANOL, LLC Dated July 27, 2007
OF
Dated
July 27,
2007
TABLE
OF CONTENTS
Page
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SECTION
1: THE COMPANY
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1
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1.1
Formation
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1
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1.2
Name
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1
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1.3
Purpose; Powers
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1
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1.4
Principal Place of Business
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2
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1.5
Term
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2
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1.6
Title to Property
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2
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1.7
Payment of Individual Obligations
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2
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1.8
Independent Activities; Transactions With Affiliates
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2
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1.9
Definitions
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2
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SECTION
2. CAPITAL CONTRIBUTIONS; CAPITAL ACCOUNTS
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8
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2.1
Original Capital Contributions
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8
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2.2
Additional Capital Contributions; Additional Units
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9
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2.3
Capital Accounts
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9
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SECTION
3. ALLOCATIONS
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10
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3.1
Profits
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10
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3.2
Losses
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10
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3.3
Special Allocations
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10
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3.4
Curative Allocations
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12
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3.5
Loss Limitation
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12
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3.6
Other Allocation Rules
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12
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3.7
Tax Allocations: Code Section 704(c)
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13
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3.8
Tax Credit Allocations
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13
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SECTION
4. DISTRIBUTIONS
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13
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4.1
Net Cash Flow
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13
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4.2
Amounts Withheld
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13
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4.3
Limitations on Distributions
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14
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SECTION
5. MANAGEMENT
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14
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5.1
Directors
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14
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5.2
Number of Total Directors
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14
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5.3
Election of Directors
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14
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5.4
Removal of Directors
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16
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5.5
Committees
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16
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5.6
Authority of Directors
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16
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5.7
Director as Agent
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18
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i
5.8
Restriction on Authority of Directors
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18
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5.9
Director Meetings and Notice
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19
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5.10
Action Without a Meeting
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19
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5.11
Quorum; Manner of Acting
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19
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5.12
Voting; Potential Financial Interest
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20
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5.13
Duties and Obligations of Directors
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20
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5.14
Chairman and Vice Chairman
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20
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5.15
President and Chief Executive Officer
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20
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5.16
Chief Financial Officer
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20
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5.17
Secretary; Assistant Secretary
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21
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5.18
Vice President
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21
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5.19
Delegation
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21
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5.20
Execution of Instruments
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21
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5.21
Limitation of Liability; Indemnification of Directors
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21
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5.22
Compensation; Expenses of Directors
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22
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5.23
Loans
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22
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SECTION
6. ROLE OF MEMBERS
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22
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6.1
One Membership Class
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22
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6.2
Members
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23
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6.3
Additional Members
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23
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6.4
Rights or Powers
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23
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6.5
Voting Rights of Members
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23
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6.6
Member Meetings
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23
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6.7
Conduct of Meetings
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23
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6.8
Notice of Meetings; Waiver
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23
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6.9
Quorum and Proxies
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24
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6.10
Voting; Action by Members
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24
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6.11
Record Date
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24
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6.12
Termination of Membership
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24
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6.13
Continuation of the Company
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24
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6.14
No Obligation to Purchase Membership Interest
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24
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6.15
Waiver of Dissenters Rights
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24
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SECTION
7. ACCOUNTING, BOOKS AND RECORDS
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24
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7.1
Accounting, Books and Records
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24
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7.2
Delivery to Members and Inspection
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25
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7.3
Reports
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25
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7.4
Tax Matters
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26
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SECTION
8. AMENDMENTS
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26
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8.1
Amendments
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26
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SECTION
9. TRANSFERS
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27
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9.1
Restrictions on Transfers
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27
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9.2
Permitted Transfers
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27
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9.3
Conditions Precedent to Transfers
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27
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ii
9.4
Prohibited Transfers
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29
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9.5
No Dissolution or Termination
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29
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9.6
Prohibition of Assignment
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29
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9.7
Rights of Unadmitted Assignees
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29
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9.8
Admission of Substituted Members
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30
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9.9
Representations Regarding Transfers
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30
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9.10
Distribution and Allocation in Respect of Transferred
Units
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31
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9.11
Additional Members
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31
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SECTION
10. DISSOLUTION AND WINDING UP
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32
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10.1
Dissolution
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32
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10.2
Winding Up
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32
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10.3
Compliance with Certain Requirements of Regulations; Deficit Capital
Accounts
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32
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10.4
Deemed Distribution and Recontribution
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33
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10.5
Rights of Unit Holders
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33
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10.6
Allocations During Period of Liquidation
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33
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10.7
Character of Liquidating Distributions
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33
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10.8
The Liquidator
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33
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10.9
Forms of Liquidating Distributions
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34
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SECTION
11. MISCELLANEOUS
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34
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11.1
Notices
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34
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11.2
Binding Effect
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34
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11.3
Construction
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34
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11.4
Headings
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34
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11.5
Severability
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34
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11.6
Incorporation By Reference
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34
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11.7
Variation of Terms
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35
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11.8
Governing Law
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35
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11.9
Waiver of Jury Trial
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35
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11.10
Counterpart Execution
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35
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11.11
Specific Performance
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35
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iii
OF
THIS
OPERATING AGREEMENT
(the
“Agreement”) is entered into and shall be effective as of the 27 day of July,
2007, by and among East Coast Ethanol, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company
(the “Company”), each of the Persons (as hereinafter defined) who are identified
as Members on the attached Exhibit “A” and who have executed a counterpart of
this Agreement, and any other Persons as may from time-to-time be subsequently
admitted as a Member of the Company in accordance with the terms of this
Agreement. Capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein shall have the meaning
set forth in Section 1.9.
WHEREAS,
the
Company’s organizers caused to be filed with the State of Delaware, Certificate
of Formation dated July 27, 2007, pursuant to the Delaware Limited Liability
Company Act (the “Act”); and
NOW,
THEREFORE,
in
consideration of the covenants and agreements contained herein, and other good
and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby
acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:
1.1 Formation.
The
initial Members formed the Company as a Delaware limited liability company
by
filing Certificate of Formation with the Delaware Secretary of State on July
27,
2007 pursuant to the provisions of the Act. To the extent that the rights or
obligations of any Member are different by reason of any provision of this
Agreement than they would be in the absence of such provision, this Agreement
shall, to the extent permitted by the Act, control.
1.2 Name.
The
name of the Company shall be “East Coast Ethanol, LLC” and all business of the
Company shall be conducted in such name.
1.3 Purpose;
Powers.
The
nature of the business and purposes of the Company are: (i) to own, construct,
operate, lease, finance, contract with, and/or invest in ethanol production
and
co-product production facilities as permitted under the applicable laws of
the
State of Delaware; (ii) to engage in the processing of corn, grains and other
feedstock into ethanol and any and all related co-products, and the marketing
of
all products and co-products from such processing; and (iii) to engage in any
other business and investment activity in which a Delaware limited liability
company may lawfully be engaged, as determined by the Directors. The Company
has
the power to do any and all acts necessary, appropriate, proper, advisable,
incidental or convenient to or in furtherance of the purpose of the Company
as
set forth in this Section 1.3 and has, without limitation, any and all powers
that may be exercised on behalf of the Company by the Directors pursuant to
Section 5 hereof.
1
1.4 Principal
Place of Business.
The
Company shall continuously maintain an office in Delaware. The principal office
of the Company shall be at Corporation Trust Center, 0000 Xxxxxx Xxxxxx,
Xxxxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000 or elsewhere in the State of Delaware as the
Directors may determine. Any documents required by the Act to be kept by the
Company shall be maintained at the Company’s principal office.
1.5 Term.
The
term of the Company commenced on the date the Certificate of Formation (the
“Certificate”) of the Company were filed with the office of the Delaware
Secretary of State, and shall continue until the winding up and liquidation
of
the Company and its business is completed following a Dissolution Event as
provided in Section 10 hereof.
1.6 Title
to Property.
All
Property owned by the Company shall be owned by the Company as an entity and
no
Member shall have any ownership interest in such Property (as hereinafter
defined) in his/her/its individual name. Each Member’s interest in the Company
shall be personal property for all purposes. At all times after the Effective
Date, the Company shall hold title to all of its Property in the name of the
Company and not in the name of any Member.
1.7 Payment
of Individual Obligations.
The
Company’s credit and assets shall be used solely for the benefit of the Company,
and no asset of the Company shall be Transferred or encumbered for, or in
payment of, any individual obligation of any Member.
1.8 Independent
Activities; Transactions With Affiliates.
The
Directors shall be required to devote such time to the affairs of the Company
as
may be necessary to manage and operate the Company, and shall be free to serve
any other Person or enterprise in any capacity that the Director may deem
appropriate in such Director’s discretion. Neither this Agreement nor any
activity undertaken pursuant hereto shall (i) prevent any Member or Director
or
its Affiliates, acting on its own behalf, from engaging in whatever activities
it chooses, whether the same are competitive with the Company or otherwise,
and
any such activities may be undertaken without having or incurring any obligation
to offer any interest in such activities to the Company or any Member; or (ii)
require any Member or Director to permit the Company or Director or Member
or
its Affiliates to participate in any such activities, and as a material part
of
the consideration for the execution of this Agreement by each Member, each
Member hereby waives, relinquishes, and renounces any such right or claim of
participation. To the extent permitted by applicable law and subject to the
provisions of this Agreement, the Directors are hereby authorized to cause
the
Company to purchase Property from, sell Property to or otherwise deal with
any
Member (including any Member who is also a Director), acting on its own behalf,
or any Affiliate of any Member; provided that any such purchase, sale or other
transaction shall be made on terms and conditions which are no less favorable
to
the Company than if the sale, purchase or other transaction had been made with
an independent third party.
1.9 Definitions.
Capitalized words and phrases used in this Agreement have the following
meanings:
(a) “Act”
means the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act, as amended from time to time
(or any corresponding provision or provisions of any succeeding
law).
2
(b) “Adjusted
Capital Account Deficit” means, with respect to any Unit Holder, the deficit
balance, if any, in such Unit Holder’s Capital Account as of the end of the
relevant Fiscal Year, after giving effect to the following adjustments: (i)
Credit to such Capital Account any amounts which such Unit Holder is deemed
to
be obligated to restore pursuant to the next to the last sentences in Sections
1.704-2(g)(1) and 1.704-2(i)(5) of the Regulations; and (ii) Debit to such
Capital Account the items described in Sections 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d)(4),
1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d)(5) and 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d)(6) of the Regulations. The
foregoing definition is intended to comply with the provisions of Section
1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d) of the Regulations and shall be interpreted consistently
therewith.
(c) “Affiliate”
means, with respect to any Person: (i) any Person directly or indirectly
controlling, controlled by or under common control with such Person; (ii) any
officer, director, general partner, member or trustee of such Person; or (iii)
any Person who is an officer, director, general partner, member or trustee
of
any Person described in clauses (i) or (ii) of this sentence. For purposes
of
this definition, the terms “controlling,” “controlled by” or “under common
control with” shall mean the possession, direct or indirect, of the power to
direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a Person or
entity, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or
otherwise, or the power to elect at least 50% of the directors, members, or
persons exercising similar authority with respect to such Person or entities.
(d) “Agreement”
means this Operating Agreement of East Coast Ethanol, LLC, as amended from
time
to time.
(e) “Certificate”
means the Certificate of Formation of the Company filed with the Delaware
Secretary of State, as same may be amended from time to time.
(f) “Assignee”
means a transferee of Units who is not admitted as a substituted member pursuant
to Section 9.8.
(g) “Capital
Account” means the separate capital account maintained for each Unit Holder in
accordance with Section 2.3.
(h) “Capital
Contributions” means, with respect to any Member, the amount of money (US
Dollars) and the initial Gross Asset Value of any assets or property (other
than
money) contributed by the Member (or such Member’s predecessor in interest) to
the Company (net of liabilities secured by such contributed property that the
Company is considered to assume or take subject to under CODE Section 752)
with
respect to the Units in the Company held or purchased by such Member, including
additional Capital Contributions.
(i) “CODE”
means the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time
to
time.
(j) “Company”
means East Coast Ethanol, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.
3
(k) “Company
Minimum Gain” has the meaning given the term “partnership minimum gain” in
Sections 1.704-2(b)(2) and 1.704-2(d) of the Regulations.
(l) “Debt”
means (i) any indebtedness for borrowed money or the deferred purchase price
of
property as evidenced by a note, bonds, or other instruments; (ii) obligations
as lessee under capital leases; (iii) obligations secured by any mortgage,
pledge, security interest, encumbrance, lien or charge of any kind existing
on
any asset owned or held by the Company whether or not the Company has assumed
or
become liable for the obligations secured thereby; (iv) any obligation under
any
interest rate swap agreement; (v) accounts payable; and (vi) obligations under
direct or indirect guarantees of (including obligations (contingent or
otherwise) to assure a creditor against loss in respect of) indebtedness or
obligations of the kinds referred to in clauses (i), (ii), (iii), (iv) and
(v),
above provided that Debt shall not include obligations in respect of any
accounts payable that are incurred in the ordinary course of the Company’s
business and are not delinquent or are being contested in good faith by
appropriate proceedings.
(m) “Depreciation”
means, for each Fiscal Year, an amount equal to the depreciation, amortization,
or other cost recovery deduction allowable with respect to an asset for such
Fiscal Year, except that if the Gross Asset Value of an asset differs from
its
adjusted basis for federal income tax purposes at the beginning of such Fiscal
Year, Depreciation shall be an amount which bears the same ratio to such
beginning Gross Asset Value as the federal income tax depreciation,
amortization, or other cost recovery deduction for such Fiscal Year bears to
such beginning adjusted tax basis; provided, however, that if the adjusted
basis
for federal income tax purposes of an asset at the beginning of such Fiscal
Year
is zero, Depreciation shall be determined with reference to such beginning
Gross
Asset Value using any reasonable method selected by the Directors.
(n) “Director”
means any Person who (i) is referred to as such in Section 5.1 of this Agreement
or has become a Director pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, and (ii)
has
not ceased to be a Director pursuant to the terms of this Agreement. “Directors”
means all such Persons. For purposes of the Act, the Directors shall be deemed
to be the “managers” (as such term is defined and used in the Act) of the
Company.
(o) “Dissolution
Event” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 10.1 hereof.
(p) “Effective
Date” means July 27, 2007.
(q) “Facilities”
shall mean the ethanol production and co-product production facilities in the
states of Florida, Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina or such other
location as may be determined by the Directors to be constructed and operated
by
the Company pursuant to the Company’s business plan as may be amended from time
to time.
(r) “Fiscal
Year” means (i) any twelve-month period commencing on January 1 and ending on
December 31 and (ii) the period commencing on the immediately preceding January
1 and ending on the date on which all Property is distributed to the Unit
Holders pursuant to Section 10 hereof, or, if the context requires, any portion
of a Fiscal Year for which an allocation of Profits or Losses or a distribution
is to be made.
4
(s) “GAAP”
means generally accepted accounting principles in effect in the United States
of
America from time to time.
(t) “Gross
Asset Value” means with respect to any asset, the asset’s adjusted basis for
federal income tax purposes, except as follows: (i) The initial Gross Asset
Value of any asset contributed by a Member to the Company shall be the gross
fair market value of such asset, as determined by the Directors provided that
the initial Gross Asset Values of the assets contributed to the Company pursuant
to Section 2.1 hereof shall be as set forth in such section; (ii) The Gross
Asset Values of all Company assets shall be adjusted to equal their respective
gross fair market values (taking CODE Section 7701(g) into account), as
determined by the Directors as of the following times: (A) the acquisition
of an
additional interest in the Company by any new or existing Member in exchange
for
more than a de minimis Capital Contribution; (B) the distribution by the Company
to a Member of more than a de minimis amount of Company property as
consideration for an interest in the Company; and (C) the liquidation of the
Company within the meaning of Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(g), provided
that an adjustment described in clauses (A) and (B) of this paragraph shall
be
made only if the Directors reasonably determine that such adjustment is
necessary to reflect the relative economic interests of the Members in the
Company; (iii) The Gross Asset Value of any item of Company assets distributed
to any Member shall be adjusted to equal the gross fair market value (taking
CODE Section 7701(g) into account) of such asset on the date of distribution
as
determined by the Directors; and (iv) The Gross Asset Values of Company assets
shall be increased (or decreased) to reflect any adjustments to the adjusted
basis of such assets pursuant to CODE Section 734(b) or CODE Section 743(b),
but
only to the extent that such adjustments are taken into account in determining
Capital Accounts pursuant to Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(m) and
subparagraph (vi) of the definition of “Profits” and “Losses” or Section 3.3(c)
hereof; provided, however, that Gross Asset Values shall not be adjusted
pursuant to this subparagraph (iv) to the extent that an adjustment pursuant
to
subparagraph (ii) is required in connection with a transaction that would
otherwise result in an adjustment pursuant to this subparagraph (iv). If the
Gross Asset Value of an asset has been determined or adjusted pursuant to
subparagraph (ii) or (iv), such Gross Asset Value shall thereafter be adjusted
by the Depreciation taken into account with respect to such asset, for purposes
of computing Profits and Losses.
(u) “Issuance
Items” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.3(h) hereof.
(v) “Liquidation
Period” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.6 hereof.
(w) “Liquidator”
has the meaning set forth in Section 10.8 hereof.
(x) “Losses”
has the meaning set forth in the definition of “Profits” and “Losses.”
(y) “Member”
means any Person (i) whose name is set forth as such on Exhibit “A” initially
attached hereto or has become a Member pursuant to the terms of this Agreement,
and (ii) who is the owner of one or more Units.
(z) “Members”
means all such Members.
5
(aa) “Membership
Economic Interest” means collectively, a Member’s share of “Profits” and
“Losses,” the right to receive distributions of the Company’s assets, and the
right to information concerning the business and affairs of the Company provided
by the Act. The Membership Economic Interest of a Member is quantified by the
unit of measurement referred to herein as “Units.”
(bb) “Membership
Interest” means collectively, the Membership Economic Interest and Membership
Voting Interest.
(cc) “Membership
Register” means the membership register maintained by the Company at its
principal office or by a duly appointed agent of the Company setting forth
the
name, address, the number of Units, and Capital Contributions of each Member
of
the Company, which shall be modified from time to time as additional Units
are
issued and as Units are transferred pursuant to this Agreement.
(dd) “Membership
Voting Interest” means collectively, a Member’s right to vote as set forth in
this Agreement or required by the Act. The Membership Voting Interest of a
Member shall mean as to any matter to which the Member is entitled to vote
hereunder or as may be required under the Act, the right to one (1) vote for
each Unit registered in the name of such Member as shown in the Membership
Register.
(ee) “Net
Cash
Flow” means the gross cash proceeds of the Company less the portion thereof used
to pay or establish reserves for all Company expenses, debt payments, capital
improvements, replacements, and contingencies, all as reasonably determined
by
the Directors. “Net Cash Flow” shall not be reduced by depreciation,
amortization, cost recovery deductions, or similar allowances, but shall be
increased by any reductions of reserves previously established.
(ff) “Nonrecourse
Deductions” has the meaning set forth in Section 1.704-2(b)(1) of the
Regulations.
(gg) “Nonrecourse
Liability” has the meaning set forth in Section 1.704-2(b)(3) of the
Regulations.
(hh) “Officer”
or “Officers” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.18 hereof.
(ii) “Permitted
Transfer” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.2 hereof.
(jj) “Person”
means any individual, partnership (whether general or limited), joint venture,
limited liability company, corporation, trust, estate, association, nominee
or
other entity.
(kk) “Profits
and Losses” mean, for each Fiscal Year, an amount equal to the Company’s taxable
income or loss for such Fiscal Year, determined in accordance with Code Section
703(a) (for this purpose, all items of income, gain, loss, or deduction required
to be stated separately pursuant to CODE Section 703(a)(1) shall be included
in
taxable income or loss), with the following adjustments (without duplication):
(i) Any income of the Company that is exempt from federal income tax and not
otherwise taken into account in computing Profits or Losses pursuant to this
definition of “Profits” and “Losses” shall be added to such taxable income or
loss; (ii) Any expenditures of the Company described in CODE Section
705(a)(2)(b) or treated as CODE Section 705(a)(2)(b) expenditures pursuant
to
Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(i), and not otherwise taken into account
in computing Profits or Losses pursuant to this definition of “Profits” and
“Losses” shall be subtracted from such taxable income or loss; (iii) In the
event the Gross Asset Value of any Company asset is adjusted pursuant to
subparagraphs (ii) or (iii) of the definition of Gross Asset Value, the amount
of such adjustment shall be treated as an item of gain (if the adjustment
increases the Gross Asset Value of the asset) or an item of loss (if the
adjustment decreases the Gross Asset Value of the asset) from the disposition
of
such asset and shall be taken into account for purposes of computing Profits
or
Losses; (iv) Gain or loss resulting from any disposition of Property with
respect to which gain or loss is recognized for federal income tax purposes
shall be computed by reference to the Gross Asset Value of the Property disposed
of, notwithstanding that the adjusted tax basis of such Property differs from
its Gross Asset Value; (v) In lieu of the depreciation, amortization, and other
cost recovery deductions taken into account in computing such taxable income
or
loss, there shall be taken into account Depreciation for such Fiscal Year,
computed in accordance with the definition of Depreciation; (vi) To the extent
an adjustment to the adjusted tax basis of any Company asset pursuant to CODE
Section 734(b) is required, pursuant to Regulations Section
1.704-(b)(2)(iv)(m)(4), to be taken into account in determining Capital Accounts
as a result of a distribution other than in liquidation of a Unit Holder’s
interest in the Company, the amount of such adjustment shall be treated as
an
item of gain (if the adjustment increases the basis of the asset) or loss (if
the adjustment decreases such basis) from the disposition of such asset and
shall be taken into account for purposes of computing Profits or Losses; and
(vii) Notwithstanding any other provision of this definition, any items which
are specially allocated pursuant to Section 3.3 and Section 3.4 hereof shall
not
be taken into account in computing Profits or Losses. The amounts of the items
of Company income, gain, loss or deduction available to be specially allocated
pursuant to Sections 3.3 and Section 3.4 hereof shall be determined by applying
rules analogous to those set forth in subparagraphs (i) through (vi) above.
6
(ll) “Property”
means all real and personal property acquired by the Company, including cash,
and any improvements thereto, and shall include both tangible and intangible
property.
(mm) “Regulations”
means the Income Tax Regulations, including Temporary Regulations, promulgated
under the CODE, as such regulations are amended from time to time.
(nn) “Regulatory
Allocations” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.4 hereof.
(oo) “Related
Party” means the adopted or birth relatives of any Person and such Person’s
spouse (whether by marriage or common law), if any, including without limitation
great-grandparents, grandparents, parents, children (including stepchildren
and
adopted children), grandchildren, and great-grandchildren thereof, and such
Person’s (and such Person’s spouse’s) brothers, sisters, and cousins and their
respective lineal ancestors and descendants, and any other ancestors and/or
descendants, and any spouse of any of the foregoing, each trust created for
the
exclusive benefit of one or more of the foregoing, and the successors, assigns,
heirs, executors, personal representatives and estates of any of the foregoing.
7
(pp) “Securities
Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
(qq) “Subsidiary”
means any corporation, partnership, joint venture, limited liability company,
association or other entity in which such Person owns, directly or indirectly,
fifty percent (50%) or more of the outstanding equity securities or interests,
the holders of which are generally entitled to vote for the election of the
board of directors or other governing body of such entity.
(rr) “Tax
Matters Member” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.4 hereof.
(ss) “Transfer”
means, as a noun, any voluntary or involuntary transfer, sale, pledge or
hypothecation or other disposition and, as a verb, voluntarily or involuntarily
to transfer, give, sell, exchange, assign, pledge, bequest or hypothecate or
otherwise dispose of.
(tt) “Units”
or “Unit” means an ownership interest in the Company representing a Capital
Contribution made as provided in Section 2 in consideration of the Units,
including any and all benefits to which the holder of such Units may be entitled
as provided in this Agreement, together with all obligations of such Person
to
comply with the terms and provisions of this Agreement.
(uu) “Unit
Holders” means all Unit Holders.
(vv) “Unit
Holder” means the owner of one or more Units.
(ww) “Unit
Holder Nonrecourse Debt” has the same meaning as the term “partner nonrecourse
debt” in Section 1.704-2(b)(4) of the Regulations.
(xx) “Unit
Holder Nonrecourse Debt Minimum Gain” means an amount, with respect to each Unit
Holder Nonrecourse Debt, equal to the Company Minimum Gain that would result
if
such Unit Holder Nonrecourse Debt were treated as a Nonrecourse Liability,
determined in accordance with Section 1.704-2(i)(3) of the Regulations.
(yy) “Unit
Holder Nonrecourse Deductions” has the same meaning as the term “partner
nonrecourse deductions” in Sections 1.704-2(i)(1) and 1.704-2(i)(2) of the
Regulations.
SECTION
2. CAPITAL CONTRIBUTIONS; CAPITAL ACCOUNTS
2.1 Original
Capital Contributions.
The
name, original Capital Contribution, and initial Units quantifying the
Membership Interest of each Member are set out in Exhibit “A” attached hereto,
and shall also be set out in the Membership Register along with those Members
admitted after the Effective Date.
8
2.2 Additional
Capital Contributions; Additional Units.
No Unit
Holder shall be obligated to make any additional Capital Contributions to the
Company or to pay any assessment to the Company, other than any unpaid amounts
on such Unit Holder’s original Capital Contributions, and no Units shall be
subject to any calls, requests or demands for capital. Subject to Section 5.7,
additional Membership Economic Interests quantified by additional Units may
be
issued in consideration of Capital Contributions as agreed to between the
Directors and the Person acquiring the Membership Economic Interest quantified
by the additional Units. Each Person to whom additional Units are issued shall
be admitted as a Member in accordance with this Agreement. Upon such Capital
Contributions, the Directors shall cause the Membership Register as maintained
by the Company at its principal office and incorporated herein by this
reference, to be appropriately amended and such amendments shall not be
considered amendments to this Agreement for purposes of Section 8.1 hereof.
2.3 Capital
Accounts.
A
Capital Account shall be maintained for each Unit Holder in accordance with
the
following provisions:
(a) To
each
Unit Holder’s Capital Account there shall be credited (i) such Unit Holder’s
Capital Contributions; (ii) such Unit Holder’s distributive share of Profits and
any items in the nature of income or gain which are specially allocated pursuant
to Section 3.3 and Section 3.4; and (iii) the amount of any Company liabilities
assumed by such Unit Holder or which are secured by any Property distributed
to
such Unit Holder;
(b) To
each
Unit Holder’s Capital Account there shall be debited (i) the amount of money and
the Gross Asset Value of any Property distributed to such Unit Holder pursuant
to any provision of this Agreement; (ii) such Unit Holder’s distributive share
of Losses and any items in the nature of expenses or losses which are specially
allocated pursuant to Section 3.3 and 3.4 hereof; and (iii) the amount of any
liabilities of such Unit Holder assumed by the Company or which are secured
by
any Property contributed by such Unit Holder to the Company;
(c) In
the
event Units are Transferred in accordance with the terms of this Agreement,
the
transferee shall succeed to the Capital Account of the transferor to the extent
it relates to the Transferred Units; and
(d) In
determining the amount of any liability for purposes of subparagraphs (a) and
(b) above there shall be taken into account CODE Section 752(c) and any other
applicable provisions of the CODE and Regulations.
The
foregoing provisions and the other provisions of this Agreement relating to
the
maintenance of Capital Accounts are intended to comply with Regulations Section
1.704-1(b), and shall be interpreted and applied in a manner consistent with
such Regulations. In the event the Directors shall determine that it is prudent
to modify the manner in which the Capital Accounts, or any debits or credits
thereto (including, without limitation, debits or credits relating to
liabilities which are secured by contributed or distributed property or which
are assumed by the Company or any Unit Holders), are computed in order to comply
with such Regulations, the Directors may make such modification, provided that
it is not likely to have a material effect on the amounts distributed to any
Person pursuant to Section 10 hereof upon the dissolution of the Company. The
Directors also shall (i) make any adjustments that are necessary or appropriate
to maintain equality between the Capital Accounts of the Unit Holders and the
amount of capital reflected on the Company’s balance sheet, as computed for book
purposes, in accordance with Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(q), and
(ii)
make any appropriate modifications in the event unanticipated events might
otherwise cause this Agreement not to comply with Regulations Section
1.704-1(b).
9
SECTION
3. ALLOCATIONS
3.1 Profits.
After
giving effect to the special allocations in Section 3.3 and Section 3.4 hereof,
Profits for any Fiscal Year shall be allocated among the Unit Holders in
proportion to Units held.
3.2 Losses.
After
giving effect to the special allocations in Section 3.3 and 3.4 hereof, Losses
for any Fiscal Year shall be allocated among the Unit Holders in proportion
to
Units held.
3.3 Special
Allocations.
The
following special allocations shall be made in the following order:
(a) Minimum
Gain Chargeback.
Except
as otherwise provided in Section 1.704-2(f) of the Regulations, notwithstanding
any other provision of this Section 3, if there is a net decrease in Company
Minimum Gain during any Fiscal Year, each Unit Holder shall be specially
allocated items of Company income and gain for such Fiscal Year (and, if
necessary, subsequent Fiscal Years) in an amount equal to such Unit Holder’s
share of the net decrease in Company Minimum Gain, determined in accordance
with
Regulations Section 1.704-2(g). Allocations pursuant to the previous sentence
shall be made in proportion to the respective amounts required to be allocated
to each Unit Holder pursuant thereto. The items to be so allocated shall be
determined in accordance with sections 1.704-2(f)(6) and 1.704-2(j)(2) of the
Regulations. This Section 3.3(a) is intended to comply with the minimum gain
chargeback requirement in Section 1.704-2(f) of the Regulations and shall be
interpreted consistently therewith.
(b) Unit
Holder Minimum Gain Chargeback.
Except
as otherwise provided in Section 1.704-2(i)(4) of the Regulations,
notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 3, if there is a net
decrease in Unit Holder Nonrecourse Debt Minimum Gain attributable to a Unit
Holder Nonrecourse Debt during any Fiscal Year, each Unit Holder who has a
share
of the Unit Holder Nonrecourse Debt Minimum Gain attributable to such Unit
Holder Nonrecourse Debt, determined in accordance with Section 1.704-2(i)(5)
of
the Regulations, shall be specially allocated items of Company income and gain
for such Fiscal Year (and, if necessary, subsequent Fiscal Years) in an amount
equal to such Unit Holder’s share of the net decrease in Unit Holder Nonrecourse
Debt Minimum Gain, determined in accordance with Regulations Section
1.704-2(i)(4). Allocations pursuant to the previous sentence shall be made
in
proportion to the respective amounts required to be allocated to each Unit
Holder pursuant thereto. The items to be so allocated shall be determined in
accordance with Sections 1.704-2(i)(4) and 1.704-2(j)(2) of the Regulations.
This Section 3.3(b) is intended to comply with the minimum gain chargeback
requirement in Section 1.704-2(i)(4) of the Regulations and shall be interpreted
consistently therewith.
10
(c) Qualified
Income Offset.
In the
event any Member unexpectedly receives any adjustments, allocations, or
distributions described in Sections 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d)(4),
1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d)(5), or 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d)(6) of the Regulations, items
of
Company income and gain shall be specially allocated to such Member in an amount
and manner sufficient to eliminate, to the extent required by the Regulations,
the Adjusted Capital Account Deficit as soon as practicable, provided that
an
allocation pursuant to this Section 3.3(c) shall be made only if and to the
extent that the Member would have an Adjusted Capital Account Deficit after
all
other allocations provided for in this Section 3 have been tentatively made
as
if this Section 3.3(c) were not in the Agreement.
(d) Gross
Income Allocation.
In the
event any Member has a deficit Capital Account at the end of any Fiscal Year
which is in excess of the sum of (i) the amount such Member is obligated to
restore pursuant to any provision of this Agreement; and (ii) the amount such
Member is deemed to be obligated to restore pursuant to the penultimate
sentences of Sections 1.704-2(g)(1) and 1.704-2(i)(5) of the Regulations, each
such Member shall be specially allocated items of Company income and gain in
the
amount of such excess as quickly as possible, provided that an allocation
pursuant to this Section 3.3(d) shall be made only if and to the extent that
such Member would have a deficit Capital Account in excess of such sum after
all
other allocations provided for in this Section 3 have been made as if Section
3.3(c) and this Section 3.3(d) were not in this Agreement.
(e) Nonrecourse
Deductions.
Nonrecourse Deductions for any Fiscal Year or other period shall be specially
allocated among the Members in proportion to Units held.
(f) Unit
Holder Nonrecourse Deductions.
Any
Unit Holder Nonrecourse Deductions for any Fiscal Year shall be specially
allocated to the Unit Holder who bears the economic risk of loss with respect
to
the Unit Holder Nonrecourse Debt to which such Unit Holder Nonrecourse
Deductions are attributable in accordance with Regulations Section
1.704-2(i)(1).
(g) Section
754 Adjustments.
To the
extent an adjustment to the adjusted tax basis of any Company asset, pursuant
to
CODE Section 734(b) or CODE Section 743(b) is required, pursuant to Regulations
Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(m)(2) or 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(m)(4), to be taken into
account in determining Capital Accounts as the result of a distribution to
a
Unit Holder in complete liquidation of such Unit Holder’s interest in the
Company, the amount of such adjustment to Capital Accounts shall be treated
as
an item of gain (if the adjustment increases the basis of the asset) or loss
(if
the adjustment decreases such basis) and such gain or loss shall be specially
allocated to the Unit Holders in accordance with their interests in the Company
in the event Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(m)(2) applies, or to the
Unit
Holder to whom such distribution was made in the event Regulations Section
1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(m)(4) applies.
(h) Allocations
Relating to Taxable Issuance of Company Units.
Any
income, gain, loss or deduction realized as a direct or indirect result of
the
issuance of Units by the Company to a Unit Holder (the “Issuance Items”) shall
be allocated among the Unit Holders so that, to the extent possible, the net
amount of such Issuance Items, together with all other allocations under this
Agreement to each Unit Holder shall be equal to the net amount that would have
been allocated to each such Unit Holder if the Issuance Items had not been
realized.
11
3.4 Curative
Allocations.
The
allocations set forth in Sections 3.3(a), 3.3(b), 3.3(c), 3.3(d), 3.3(e),
3.3(f), 3.3(g) and 3.5 (the “Regulatory Allocations”) are intended to comply
with certain requirements of the Regulations. It is the intent of the Members
that, to the extent possible, all Regulatory Allocations shall be offset either
with other Regulatory Allocations or with special allocations of other items
of
Company income, gain, loss or deduction pursuant to this Section 3.4. Therefore,
notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 3 (other than the Regulatory
Allocations), the Directors shall make such offsetting special allocations
of
Company income, gain, loss or deduction in whatever manner it determines
appropriate so that, after such offsetting allocations are made, each Member’s
Capital Account balance is, to the extent possible, equal to the Capital Account
balance such Member would have had if the Regulatory Allocations were not part
of the Agreement and all Company items were allocated pursuant to Sections
3.1,
3.2, and 3.3(h).
3.5 Loss
Limitation.
Losses
allocated pursuant to Section 3.2 hereof shall not exceed the maximum amount
of
Losses that can be allocated without causing any Unit Holder to have an Adjusted
Capital Account Deficit at the end of any Fiscal Year. In the event some but
not
all of the Unit Holders would have Adjusted Capital Account Deficits as a
consequence of an allocation of Losses pursuant to Section 3.2 hereof, the
limitation set forth in this Section 3.5 shall be applied on a Unit Holder
by
Unit Holder basis and Losses not allocable to any Unit Holder as a result of
such limitation shall be allocated to the other Unit Holders in accordance
with
the positive balances in such Unit Holder’s Capital Accounts so as to allocate
the maximum permissible Losses to each Unit Holder under Section
1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d) of the Regulations.
3.6 Other
Allocation Rules.
(a) For
purposes of determining the Profits, Losses, or any other items allocable to
any
period, Profits, Losses, and any such other items shall be determined on a
daily, monthly, or other basis, as determined by the Directors using any
permissible method under CODE Section 706 and the Regulations thereunder.
(b) The
Unit
Holders are aware of the income tax consequences of the allocations made by
this
Section 3 and hereby agree to be bound by the provisions of this Section 3
in
reporting their shares of Company income and loss for income tax purposes.
(c) Solely
for purposes of determining a Unit Holder’s proportionate share of the “excess
nonrecourse liabilities” of the Company within the meaning of Regulations
Section 1.752-3(a)(3), the Unit Holders’ aggregate interests in Company profits
shall be deemed to be as provided in the capital accounts. To the extent
permitted by Section 1.704-2(h)(3) of the Regulations, the Directors shall
endeavor to treat distributions of Net Cash Flow as having been made from the
proceeds of a Nonrecourse Liability or a Unit Holder Nonrecourse Debt only
to
the extent that such distributions would cause or increase an Adjusted Capital
Account Deficit for any Unit Holder.
12
(d) Allocations
of Profits and Losses to the Unit Holders shall be allocated among them in
the
ratio which each Unit Holder’s Units bears to the total number of Units issued
and outstanding.
3.7 Tax
Allocations: CODE Section 704(c).
In
accordance with CODE Section 704(c) and the Regulations thereunder, income,
gain, loss, and deduction with respect to any Property contributed to the
capital of the Company shall, solely for tax purposes, be allocated among the
Unit Holders so as to take account of any variation between the adjusted basis
of such Property to the Company for federal income tax purposes and its initial
Gross Asset Value (computed in accordance with the definition of Gross Asset
Value). In the event the Gross Asset Value of any Company asset is adjusted
pursuant to subparagraph (ii) of the definition of Gross Asset Value, subsequent
allocations of income, gain, loss, and deduction with respect to such asset
shall take account of any variation between the adjusted basis of such asset
for
federal income tax purposes and its Gross Asset Value in the same manner as
under CODE Section 704(c) and the Regulations thereunder. Any elections or
other
decisions relating to such allocations shall be made by the Directors in any
manner that reasonably reflects the purpose and intention of this Agreement.
Allocations pursuant to this Section 3.7 are solely for purposes of federal,
state, and local taxes and shall not affect, or in any way be taken into account
in computing, any Unit Holder’s Capital Account or share of Profits, Losses,
other items, or distributions pursuant to any provision of this Agreement.
3.8 Tax
Credit Allocations.
All
credits against income tax with respect to the Company’s property or operations
shall be allocated among the Members in accordance with their respective
membership interests in the Company for the Fiscal Year during which the
expenditure, production, sale, or other event giving rise to the credit occurs.
This Section 3.8 is intended to comply with the applicable tax credit allocation
principles of section 1.704-1(b)(4)(ii) of the Regulations and shall be
interpreted consistently therewith.
SECTION
4. DISTRIBUTIONS
4.1 Net
Cash Flow.
The
Directors, in their discretion, shall make distributions of Net Cash Flow,
if
any, to the Members. Except as otherwise provided in Section 10 hereof, Net
Cash
Flow, if any, shall be distributed to the Unit Holders in proportion to Units
held subject to, and to the extent permitted by, any loan covenants or
restrictions on such distributions agreed to by the Company in any loan, credit
or any other debt financing agreements with the Company’s lenders and creditors
from time to time in effect. In determining Net Cash Flow, the Directors shall
endeavor to provide for cash distributions at such times and in such amounts
as
will permit the Unit Holders to make timely payment of income taxes.
4.2 Amounts
Withheld.
All
amounts withheld pursuant to the CODE or any provision of any state, local
or
foreign tax law with respect to any payment, distribution or allocation to
the
Company or the Unit Holders shall be treated as amounts paid or distributed,
as
the case may be, to the Unit Holders with respect to which such amount was
withheld pursuant to this Section 4.2 for all purposes under this Agreement.
The
Company is authorized to withhold from payments and distributions, or with
respect to allocations to the Unit Holders, and to pay over to any federal,
state and local government or any foreign government, any amounts required
to be
so withheld pursuant to the CODE or any provisions of any other federal, state
or local law or any foreign law, and shall allocate any such amounts to the
Unit
Holders with respect to which such amount was withheld.
13
4.3 Limitations
on Distributions.
The
Company shall make no distributions to the Unit Holders except as provided
in
this Section 4 and Section 10 hereof. Notwithstanding any other provision,
no
distribution shall be made if it is not permitted to be made under the
Act.
SECTION
5. MANAGEMENT
5.1 Directors.
Except
as otherwise provided in this Agreement, the Directors shall direct the business
and affairs of the Company, and shall exercise all of the powers of the Company
except such powers as are by this Agreement conferred upon or reserved to the
Members. The Directors shall adopt such policies, rules, regulations, and
actions not inconsistent with law or this Agreement as it may deem advisable.
Subject to Section 5.7 hereof or any other express provisions hereof, the
business and affairs of the Company shall be managed by or under the direction
of the Directors and not by its Members. The amendment or repeal of this section
or the adoption of any provision inconsistent therewith shall require an action
by the Members pursuant to Section 6.10 of this Agreement.
5.2 Number
of Total Directors.
The
initial number of Directors of the Company shall be seventeen (17). The
Directors shall have the authority to reduce the size of the Board of Directors.
After any such a reduction, the number of Directors shall be within a range
from
a minimum of seven (7) Directors and a maximum of thirteen (13) Directors,
the
exact number of which is to be determined at the discretion of the Board of
Directors.
5.3 Election
of Directors.
(a) Election
of Directors and Terms.
Atlantic Ethanol, LLC, Florida Ethanol, LLC, Mid-Atlantic Ethanol, LLC, and
Palmetto Agri-Fuels, LLC shall each appoint four (4) initial Directors. Xx.
Xxxxx Xxxxxx shall act as the initial independent Director. The initial
Directors shall include the individuals set forth on Exhibit “B” attached
hereto. The initial Directors shall serve until the first annual or special
meeting of the Members following the date on which substantial operations of
the
Facilities commence, and in all cases until a successor is elected and
qualified, or until the earlier death, resignation, removal or disqualification
of any such Director. After the expiration of the initial terms of the
Directors, at each annual meeting of the Members, Directors shall be elected
by
the Members for staggered terms of three (3) years and until a successor is
elected and qualified. Prior to the expiration of their initial terms, the
initial Directors shall, by written resolution, separately identify the Director
positions to be elected and so classify each such Director position as Group
I,
Group II or Group III, with such classification to serve as the basis for the
staggering of terms among the elected Directors. The terms of Group I Directors
shall expire first (initial term of one year with successors elected to three
year terms thereafter), followed by those of Group II Directors (initial term
of
two years with successors elected to three year terms thereafter), and then
Group III Directors (initial and subsequent terms of three years). Directors
shall be elected by a plurality vote of the Members so that the nominees
receiving the greatest number of votes relative to all other nominees are
elected as Directors.
14
(b) Nominations
for Directors.
One or
more nominees for Director positions up for election shall be named by the
then
current Directors or by a nominating committee established by the Directors.
Nominations for the election of Directors may also be made by any Member
entitled to vote generally in the election of Directors. However, any Member
that intends to nominate one or more persons for election as Directors at a
meeting may do so only if written notice of such Member’s intent to make such
nomination or nominations has been given, either by personal delivery or by
United States mail, postage prepaid, to the Secretary of the Company not less
than sixty (60) days nor more than ninety (90) days prior to the first day
of
the month corresponding to the previous year’s annual meeting. Each such notice
to the Secretary shall set forth:
(i)
|
the
name and address of record of the Member who intends to make the
nomination;
|
(ii)
|
a
representation that the Member is a holder of record of Units of
the
Company entitled to vote at such meeting and intends to appear in
person
or by proxy at the meeting to nominate the person or persons specified
in
the notice;
|
(iii)
|
the
name, age, business and residence addresses, and principal occupation
or
employment of each nominee;
|
(iv)
|
a
description of all arrangements or understandings between the Member
and
each nominee and any other person or persons (naming such person
or
persons) pursuant to which the nomination or nominations are to be
made by
the Members;
|
(v)
|
such
other information regarding each nominee proposed by such Member
as would
be required to be included in a proxy statement filed pursuant to
the
proxy rules of the Securities and Exchange
Commission;
|
(vi)
|
the
consent of each nominee to serve as a Director of the Company if
so
elected; and
|
(vii)
|
a
nominating petition signed and dated by the holders of at least five
percent (5%) of the then outstanding Units and clearly setting forth
the
proposed nominee as a candidate of the Director’s seat to be filled at the
next election of Directors.
|
The
Company may require any proposed nominee to furnish such other information
as
may reasonably be required by the Company to determine the eligibility of such
proposed nominee to serve as a Director of the Company. The presiding Officer
of
the meeting may, if the facts warrant, determine that a nomination was not
made
in accordance with the foregoing procedures, and if he should so determine,
he
shall so declare to the meeting and the defective nomination shall be
disregarded. The amendment or repeal of this Section or the adoption of any
provision inconsistent therewith shall require the approval of a majority of
the
Membership Voting Interests. Whenever a vacancy occurs other than from
expiration of a term of office or removal from office, a majority of the
remaining Directors shall appoint a new Director to fill the vacancy for the
remainder of such term.
15
5.4 Removal
of Directors.
Any
person elected to serve as a Director of the Company may be removed from the
Board upon an action by the Members in accordance with Section 6.10 of this
Agreement. A Director may also be removed from the Board by a resolution
approved by the affirmative vote of a super majority of seventy-five percent
(75%) of the Directors. The notice of a meeting called or convened for the
purpose of removing a Director must include a statement that the purpose, or
one
of the purposes of the meeting is removal of a Director. A Director may be
removed with or without cause.
5.5 Committees.
A
resolution approved by the affirmative vote of a majority of the Directors
may
establish committees having the authority of the Directors in the management
of
the business of the Company to the extent consistent with this Agreement and
provided in the resolution. A committee shall consist of one or more persons
appointed by affirmative vote of a majority of the Directors present. A majority
of the committee members shall be Directors but not every committee member
is
required to be a Director. Committees may include a compensation committee
and/or an audit committee, in each case consisting of one or more independent
Directors or other independent persons. Committees are subject to the direction
and control of the Directors, and vacancies in the membership thereof shall
be
filled by the Directors. A majority of the members of the committee present
at a
meeting is a quorum for the transaction of business, unless a larger or smaller
proportion or number is provided in a resolution approved by the affirmative
vote of a majority of the Directors present.
5.6 Authority
of Directors.
Subject
to the limitations and restrictions set forth in this Agreement, the Directors
shall direct the management of the business and affairs of the Company and
shall
have all of the rights and powers which may be possessed by a “manager” under
the Act including, without limitation, the right and power to do or perform
the
following and, to the extent permitted by the Act or this Agreement, the further
right and power by resolution of the Directors to delegate to the Officers
or
such other Person or Persons to do or perform the following:
(a) Conduct
its business, carry on its operations and have and exercise the powers granted
by the Act in any state, territory, district or possession of the United States,
or in any foreign country which may be necessary or convenient to effect any
or
all of the purposes for which it is organized;
(b) Acquire
by purchase, lease, or otherwise any real or personal property which may be
necessary, convenient, or incidental to the accomplishment of the purposes
of
the Company;
(c) Operate,
maintain, finance, improve, construct, own, grant operations with respect to,
sell, convey, assign, mortgage, and lease any real estate and any personal
property necessary, convenient, or incidental to the accomplishment of the
purposes of the Company;
(d) Execute
any and all agreements, contracts, documents, certifications, and instruments
necessary or convenient in connection with the management, maintenance, and
operation of the business, or in connection with managing the affairs of the
Company, including, executing amendments to this Agreement and the Certificate
in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, both as Directors and, if
required, as attorney-in-fact for the Members pursuant to any power of attorney
granted by the Members to the Directors;
16
(e) Borrow
money and issue evidences of indebtedness necessary, convenient, or incidental
to the accomplishment of the purposes of the Company, and secure the same by
mortgage, pledge, or other lien on any Company assets;
(f) Execute,
in furtherance of any or all of the purposes of the Company, any deed, lease,
mortgage, deed of trust, mortgage note, promissory note, xxxx of sale, contract,
or other instrument purporting to convey or encumber any or all of the Company
assets;
(g) Prepay
in
whole or in part, refinance, recast, increase, modify, or extend any liabilities
affecting the assets of the Company and in connection therewith execute any
extensions or renewals of encumbrances on any or all of such assets;
(h) Care
for
and distribute funds to the Members by way of cash income, return of capital,
or
otherwise, all in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement, and perform
all matters in furtherance of the objectives of the Company or this Agreement;
(i) Contract
on behalf of the Company for the employment and services of employees and/or
independent contractors, such as lawyers and accountants, and delegate to such
Persons the duty to manage or supervise any of the assets or operations of
the
Company;
(j) Engage
in
any kind of activity and perform and carry out contracts of any kind (including
contracts of insurance covering risks to Company assets and Directors’ and
Officers’ liability) necessary or incidental to, or in connection with, the
accomplishment of the purposes of the Company, as may be lawfully carried on
or
performed by a limited liability company under the laws of each state in which
the Company is then formed or qualified;
(k) Take,
or
refrain from taking, all actions, not expressly proscribed or limited by this
Agreement, as may be necessary or appropriate to accomplish the purposes of
the
Company;
(l) Institute,
prosecute, defend, settle, compromise, and dismiss lawsuits or other judicial
or
administrative proceedings brought on or in behalf of, or against, the Company,
the Members or the Directors or Officers in connection with activities arising
out of, connected with, or incidental to this Agreement, and to engage counsel
or others in connection therewith;
(m) Purchase,
take, receive, subscribe for or otherwise acquire, own, hold, vote, use, employ,
sell, mortgage, lend, pledge, or otherwise dispose of, and otherwise use and
deal in and with, shares or other interests in or obligations of domestic or
foreign corporations, associations, general or limited partnerships, other
limited liability companies, or individuals or direct or indirect obligations
of
the United States or of any government, state, territory, government district
or
municipality or of any instrumentality of any of them;
17
(n) Agree
with any Person as to the form and other terms and conditions of such Person’s
Capital Contribution to the Company and cause the Company to issue Membership
Economic Interests and Units in consideration of such Capital Contribution;
and
(o) Indemnify
a Member or Directors or Officers, or former Members or Directors or Officers,
and to make any other indemnification that is authorized by this Agreement
in
accordance with, and to the fullest extent permitted by, the Act.
5.7 Director
as Agent.
Notwithstanding the power and authority of the Directors to manage the business
and affairs of the Company, no Director shall have authority to act as agent
for
the Company for the purposes of its business (including the execution of any
instrument on behalf of the Company) unless the Directors have authorized the
Director to take such action. The Directors may also delegate authority to
manage the business and affairs of the Company (including the execution of
instruments on behalf of the Company) to such Person or Persons (including
to
any Officers) designated by the Directors, and such Person or Persons (or
Officers) shall have such titles and authority as determined by the
Directors.
5.8 Restrictions
on Authority of Directors.
(a)
The
Directors shall not have authority to, and they covenant and agree that they
shall not, do any of the following acts without the unanimous consent of the
Members:
(i)
|
Cause
or permit the Company to engage in any activity that is not consistent
with the purposes of the Company as set forth in Section 1.3 hereof;
|
(ii)
|
Knowingly
do any act in contravention of this Agreement or which would make
it
impossible to carry on the ordinary business of the Company, except
as
otherwise provided in this Agreement;
|
(iii)
|
Possess
Company Property, or assign rights in specific Company Property,
for other
than a Company purpose; or
|
(iv)
|
Cause
the Company to voluntarily take any action that would cause a bankruptcy
of the Company.
|
(b)
The
Directors shall not have authority to, and they covenant and agree that they
shall not cause the Company to, without the consent of a majority of the
Membership Voting Interests:
(i)
|
Merge,
consolidate, exchange or otherwise dispose of all or substantially
all of
the Property, except for a liquidating sale of the Property in connection
with the dissolution of the Company;
|
(ii)
|
Confess
a judgment against the Company in an amount in excess of $500,000;
|
18
(iii)
|
Issue
Units at a purchase price that is less than thirty percent (30%)
of the
purchase price offered to investors in the Company’s initial registered
offering of Units;
|
(iv)
|
Issue
an aggregate number of Units that is greater than one hundred twenty-five
percent (125%) of the maximum number of Units to be offered to investors
in the Company’s initial registered offering of Units;
or
|
(v)
|
Cause
the Company to acquire any equity or debt securities of any Director
or
any of its Affiliates, or otherwise make loans to any Director or
any of
its Affiliates.
|
The
actions specified herein as requiring the consent of the Members shall be in
addition to any actions by the Directors that are specified in the Act as
requiring the consent or approval of the Members. Unless otherwise required
by
this Agreement or the Act, any such required consent or approval may be given
by
a vote of a majority of the Membership Voting Interests.
5.9 Director
Meetings and Notice.
Meetings of the Directors shall be held at such times and places as shall from
time to time be determined by the Directors. Meetings of the Directors may
also
be called by the Chairman of the Company or by any two or more Directors. If
the
date, time, and place of a meeting of the Directors has been announced at a
previous meeting, no notice shall be required. In all other cases, five (5)
days’ written notice of meetings, stating the date, time, and place thereof and
any other information required by law or desired by the Person(s) calling such
meeting, shall be given to each Director. Any Director may waive notice of
any
meeting. A waiver of notice by a Director is effective whether given before,
at,
or after the meeting, and whether given orally, in writing, or by attendance.
The attendance of a Director at any meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice
of such meeting, unless such Director objects at the beginning of the meeting
to
the transaction of business on the grounds that the meeting is now lawfully
called or convened and does not participate thereafter in the
meeting.
5.10 Action
Without a Meeting.
Any
action required or permitted to be taken by the Directors may also be taken
by a
written action signed by a super majority of seventy-five percent (75%) of
all
Directors authorized to vote on the matter as provided by this Agreement,
provided that a copy of such written action shall be promptly given to all
such
Directors. The Directors may participate in any meeting of the Directors by
means of telephone conference or similar means of communication by which all
persons participating in the meeting can simultaneously hear each
other.
5.11 Quorum;
Manner of Acting.
Not
less than fifty percent (50%) of the total number of Directors authorized to
vote on a matter as provided by this Agreement shall constitute a quorum for
the
transaction of business at any Directors’ meeting. Each Director shall have one
(1) vote at meetings of the Directors. The Directors shall take action by the
vote of a majority of the number of Directors constituting a quorum as provided
by this Agreement.
19
5.12 Voting;
Potential Financial Interest.
No
Director shall be disqualified from voting on any matter to be determined or
decided by the Directors solely by reason of such Director’s (or his/her
Affiliate’s) potential financial interest in the outcome of such vote, provided
that the nature of such Director’s (or his/her Affiliate’s) potential financial
interest was reasonably disclosed to the Board of Directors on behalf of the
Company at the time of such vote.
5.13 Duties
and Obligations of Directors.
The
Directors shall cause the Company to conduct its business and operations
separate and apart from that of any Director or any of its Affiliates. The
Directors shall take all actions which may be necessary or appropriate (i)
for
the continuation of the Company’s valid existence as a limited liability company
under the laws of the State of Delaware and each other jurisdiction in which
such existence is necessary to protect the limited liability of Members or
to
enable the Company to conduct the business in which it is engaged, and (ii)
for
the accomplishment of the Company’s purposes, including the acquisition,
development, maintenance, preservation, and operation of Company Property in
accordance with the provisions of this Agreement and applicable laws and
regulations. Each Director shall have the duty to discharge the foregoing duties
in good faith, in a manner the Director believes to be in the best interests
of
the Company, and with the care an ordinarily prudent person in a like position
would exercise under similar circumstances. The Directors shall be under no
other fiduciary duty to the Company or the Members to conduct the affairs of
the
Company in a particular manner.
5.14 Chairman
and Vice Chairman.
Unless
provided otherwise by a resolution adopted by the Directors, the Chairman shall
preside at meetings of the Members and the Directors; shall see that all orders
and resolutions of the Directors are carried into effect; may maintain records
of and certify proceedings of the Directors and Members; and shall perform
such
other duties as may from time to time be prescribed by the Directors. The Vice
Chairman shall, in the absence or disability of the Chairman, perform the duties
and exercise the powers of the Chairman and shall perform such other duties
as
the Directors or the Chairman may from time to time prescribe. The Directors
may
designate more than one Vice Chairmen, in which case the Vice Chairmen shall
be
designated by the Directors so as to denote which is most senior in
office.
5.15 President
and Chief Executive Officer.
Until
provided otherwise by a resolution of the Directors, the Chairman shall also
act
as the interim President and CEO of the Company (herein referred to as the
“President”; the titles of President and CEO shall constitute a reference to one
and the same office and Officer of the Company), and the Chairman may exercise
the duties of the office of Chairman using any such designations. The Directors
shall appoint someone other than the Chairman as the President of the Company
not later than the commencement of operations of the Facilities, and such
President shall perform such duties as the Directors may from time to time
prescribe, including without limitation, the management of the day-to-day
operations of the Facilities.
5.16 Chief
Financial Officer.
Unless
provided otherwise by a resolution adopted by the Directors, the Chief Financial
Officer of the Company shall be the Treasurer of the Company and shall keep
accurate financial records for the Company; shall deposit all monies, drafts,
and checks in the name of and to the credit of the Company in such banks and
depositories as the Directors shall designate from time to time; shall endorse
for deposit all notes, checks, and drafts received by the Company as ordered
by
the Directors, making proper vouchers therefore; shall disburse Company funds
and issue checks and drafts in the name of the Company as ordered by the
Directors, shall render to the President and the Directors, whenever requested,
an account of all such transactions as Chief Financial Officer and of the
financial condition of the Company, and shall perform such other duties as
may
be prescribed by the Directors or the President from time to time.
20
5.17 Secretary;
Assistant Secretary.
The
Secretary shall attend all meetings of the Directors and of the Members and
shall maintain records of, and whenever necessary, certify all proceedings
of
the Directors and of the Members. The Secretary shall keep the required records
of the Company, when so directed by the Directors or other person or person
authorized to call such meetings, shall give or cause to be given notice of
meetings of the Members and of meetings of the Directors, and shall also perform
such other duties and have such other powers as the Chairman or the Directors
may prescribe from time to time. An Assistant Secretary, if any, shall perform
the duties of the Secretary during the absence or disability of the
Secretary.
5.18 Vice
President.
The
Company may have one or more Vice Presidents. If more than one, the Directors
shall designate which is most senior. The most senior Vice President shall
perform the duties of the President in the absence of the
President.
5.19 Delegation.
Unless
prohibited by a resolution of the Directors, the President, Chief Financial
Officer, Vice President and Secretary (individually, an “Officer” and
collectively, “Officers”) may delegate in writing some or all of the duties and
powers of such Officer’s management position to other Persons. An Officer who
delegates the duties or powers of an office remains subject to the standard
of
conduct for such Officer with respect to the discharge of all duties and powers
so delegated.
5.20 Execution
of Instruments.
All
deeds, mortgages, bonds, checks, contracts and other instruments pertaining
to
the business and affairs of the Company shall be signed on behalf of the Company
by (i) the Chairman; or (ii) when authorized by resolutions(s) of the Directors,
the President; or (iii) by such other person or persons as may be designated
from time to time by the Directors.
5.21 Limitation
of Liability; Indemnification of Directors.
To the
maximum extent permitted under the Act and other applicable law, no Member,
Director or Officer of this Company shall be personally liable for any debt,
obligation or liability of this Company merely by reason of being a Member,
Director, Officer or all of the foregoing. No Director or Officer of this
Company shall be personally liable to this Company or its Members for monetary
damages for a breach of fiduciary duty by such Director or Officer; provided
that this provision shall not eliminate or limit the liability of a Director
or
Officer for any of the following: (i) for any breach of the duty of loyalty
to
the Company or its Members; (ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith or
which involve intentional misconduct or knowing violation of law; or (iii)
for a
transaction from which the Director or Officer derived an improper personal
benefit or a wrongful distribution in violation of the Act. To the maximum
extent permitted under the Act and other applicable law, the Company, its
receiver, or its trustee (in the case of its receiver or trustee, to the extent
of Company Property) shall indemnify, save and hold harmless, and pay all
judgments and claims against each Director or Officer relating to any liability
or damage incurred by reason of any act performed or omitted to be performed
by
such Director, or Officer, in connection with the business of the Company,
including reasonable attorneys’ fees incurred by such Director in connection
with the defense of any action based on any such act or omission, which
attorneys’ fees may be paid as incurred, including all such liabilities under
federal and state securities laws as permitted by law. To the maximum extent
permitted under the Act and other applicable law, in the event of any action
by
a Unit Holder against any Director or Officer, including a derivative suit,
the
Company shall indemnify, save harmless, and pay all costs, liabilities, damages
and expenses of such Director or Officer, including reasonable attorneys’ fees
incurred in the defense of such action. Notwithstanding the foregoing
provisions, no Director or Officer shall be indemnified by the Company to the
extent prohibited or limited (but only to the extent limited) by the Act. The
Company may purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any Person in such
Person’s official capacity against any liability asserted against and incurred
by such Person in or arising from that capacity, whether or not the Company
would otherwise be required to indemnify the Person against the liability.
21
5.22 Compensation;
Expenses of Directors.
No
Member or Director shall receive any salary, fee, or draw for services rendered
to or on behalf of the Company merely by virtue of their status as a Member
or
Director, it being the intention that, irrespective of any personal interest
of
any of the Directors, the Directors shall have authority to establish reasonable
compensation of all Directors for services to the Company as Directors,
Officers, or otherwise. Except as otherwise approved by or pursuant to a policy
approved by the Directors, no Member or Director shall be reimbursed for any
expenses incurred by such Member or Director on behalf of the Company.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, by resolution by the Directors, the Directors
may
be paid as reimbursement therefor, their expenses, if any, of attendance at
each
meeting of the Directors. In addition, the Directors, by resolution, may approve
from time to time, the salaries and other compensation packages of the Officers
of the Company.
5.23 Loans.
Any
Member or Affiliate may, with the consent of the Directors, lend or advance
money to the Company. If any Member or Affiliate shall make any loan or loans
to
the Company or advance money on its behalf, the amount of any such loan or
advance shall not be treated as a contribution to the capital of the Company
but
shall be a debt due from the Company. The amount of any such loan or advance
by
a lending Member or Affiliate shall be repayable out of the Company’s cash and
shall bear interest at a rate not in excess of the prime rate established,
from
time to time, by any major bank selected by the Directors for loans to its
most
creditworthy commercial borrowers, plus four percent (4%) per annum. If a
Director, or any Affiliate of a Director, is the lending Member, the rate of
interest and the terms and conditions of such loan shall be no less favorable
to
the Company than if the lender had been an independent third party. None of
the
Members or their Affiliates shall be obligated to make any loan or advance
to
the Company.
SECTION
6. ROLE OF MEMBERS
6.1 One
Membership Class.
There
shall initially be one class of Membership Interests and one class of Units.
22
6.2 Members.
Each
Person who desires to become a Member must complete and execute a signature
page
to this Agreement in the form of Exhibit “C” attached hereto and such other
documents as may be required by the Directors. Each prospective Member must
be
approved and admitted to the Company by the Board of Directors. The Membership
Interests of the Members shall be set forth on the Membership Register as
maintained by the Company at its principal office and by this reference is
incorporated herein.
6.3 Additional
Members.
No
Person shall become a Member without the approval of the Directors. The
Directors may refuse to admit any Person as a Member in their sole discretion.
Any such admission must comply with the requirements described in this Agreement
and will be effective only after such Person has executed and delivered to
the
Company such documentation as determined by the Directors to be necessary and
appropriate to effect such admission including the Member’s agreement to be
bound by this Agreement. Upon the admission of a Member the Directors shall
cause the Membership Register to be appropriately amended. Such amendments
shall
not be considered amendments pursuant to Section 8.1 of this Agreement and
will
not require Member action for purposes of Section 8.1.
6.4 Rights
or Powers.
Except
as otherwise expressly provided for in this Agreement, the Members shall not
have any right or power to take part in the management or control of the Company
or its business and affairs or to act for or bind the Company in any way.
6.5 Voting
Rights of Members.
The
Members shall have voting rights as defined by the Membership Voting Interest
of
such Member and in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement. Members
do
not have a right to cumulate their votes for any matter entitled to a vote
of
the Members, including election of Directors.
6.6 Member
Meetings.
Meetings of the Members shall be called by the Directors, and shall be held
at
the principal office of the Company or at such other place as shall be
designated by the person calling the meeting. Members representing an aggregate
of not less than thirty percent (30%) of the Membership Voting Interests may
also in writing demand that the Directors call a meeting of the Members. Regular
meetings of the Members shall be held not less than once per Fiscal
Year.
6.7 Conduct
of Meetings.
Subject
to the discretion of the Directors, the Members may participate in any meeting
of the Members by means of telephone conference or similar means of
communication by which all persons participating in the meeting can
simultaneously hear and speak with each other.
6.8 Notice
of Meetings; Waiver.
Notice
of the meeting, stating the place, day and hour of the meeting, shall be given
to each Member in accordance with Section 11.1 hereof at least twenty (20)
days
and no more than sixty (60) days before the day on which the meeting is to
be
held. A Member may waive the notice of meeting required hereunder by written
notice of waiver signed by the Member whether given before, during or after
the
meeting. Attendance by a Member at a meeting is waiver of notice of that
meeting, unless the Member objects at the beginning of the meeting to the
transaction of business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened
and thereafter does not participate in the meeting.
23
6.9 Quorum
and Proxies.
The
presence (in person or by proxy or mail ballot) of Members representing an
aggregate of at least twenty-five percent (25%) of the Membership Voting
Interests is required for the transaction of business at a meeting of the
Members. Voting by proxy or by mail ballot shall be permitted on any matter
if
authorized by the Directors.
6.10 Voting;
Action by Members.
If a
quorum is present, the affirmative vote of a majority of the Membership Voting
Interests represented at a meeting of the Members (in person, by proxy, or
by
mail ballot) and entitled to vote on the matter shall constitute the act of
the
Members, unless the vote of a greater or lesser proportion or numbers is
otherwise required by this Agreement.
6.11 Record
Date.
For the
purpose of determining Members entitled to notice of or to vote at any meeting
of Members or any adjournment of the meeting, or Members entitled to receive
payment of any distribution, or to make a determination of Members for any
other
purpose, the date on which notice of the meeting is mailed (or otherwise
delivered) or the date on which the resolution declaring the distribution is
adopted, as the case may be, shall be the record date for determination of
Members.
6.12 Termination
of Membership.
The
membership of a Member in the Company shall terminate upon the occurrence of
events described in the Act, including resignation and withdrawal. If for any
reason the membership of a Member is terminated, the Member whose membership
has
terminated loses all Membership Voting Interests and shall be considered merely
as Assignee of the Membership Economic Interest owned before the termination
of
membership, having only the rights of an unadmitted Assignee provided for in
Section 9.7 hereof.
6.13 Continuation
of the Company.
The
Company shall not be dissolved upon the occurrence of any event that is deemed
to terminate the continued membership of a Member. The Company’s affairs shall
not be required to be wound up. The Company shall continue without dissolution.
6.14 No
Obligation to Purchase Membership Interest.
No
Member whose membership in the Company terminates, nor any transferee of such
Member, shall have any right to demand or receive a return of such terminated
Member’s Capital Contributions or to require the purchase or redemption of the
Member’s Membership Interest. The other Members and the Company shall not have
any obligation to purchase or redeem the Membership Interest of any such
terminated Member or transferee of any such terminated Member.
6.15 Waiver
of Dissenters Rights.
Each
Member hereby disclaims, waives and agrees, to the fullest extent permitted
by
law or the Act, not to assert dissenters’ or similar rights under the Act.
SECTION
7. ACCOUNTING, BOOKS AND RECORDS
7.1 Accounting,
Books and Records.
The
books and records of the Company shall be kept, and the financial position
and
the results of its operations recorded, in accordance with GAAP. The books
and
records shall reflect all the Company transactions and shall be appropriate
and
adequate for the Company’s business. The Company shall maintain at its principal
office all of the following: (i) A current list of the full name and last known
business or residence address of each Member and Assignee set forth in
alphabetical order, together with the Capital Contributions, Capital Account
and
Units of each Member and Assignee; (ii) The full name and business address
of
each Director; (iii) A copy of the Certificate and any and all amendments
thereto together with executed copies of any powers of attorney pursuant to
which the Certificate or any amendments thereto have been executed; (iv) Copies
of the Company’s federal, state, and local income tax or information returns and
reports, if any, for the six most recent taxable years; (v) A copy of this
Agreement and any and all amendments thereto together with executed copies
of
any powers of attorney pursuant to which this Agreement or any amendments
thereto have been executed; and (vi) Copies of the financial statements of
the
Company, if any, for the six most recent Fiscal Years. The Company shall use
the
accrual method of accounting in preparation of its financial reports and for
tax
purposes and shall keep its books and records accordingly.
24
7.2 Delivery
to Members and Inspection.
Any
Member or its designated representative shall have reasonable access during
normal business hours to the information and documents kept by the Company
pursuant to Section 7.1. The rights granted to a Member pursuant to this Section
7.2 are expressly subject to compliance by such Member with the safety, security
and confidentiality procedures and guidelines of the Company, as such procedures
and guidelines may be established from time to time. Upon the request of any
Member for purposes reasonably related to the interest of that Person as a
Member, the Directors shall promptly deliver to the requesting Member, at the
expense of the requesting Member, a copy of the information required to be
maintained under Section 7.1. Each Member has the right, upon reasonable request
for purposes reasonably related to the interest of the Person as a Member and
for proper purposes, to: (i) inspect and copy during normal business hours
any
of the Company records described in Section 7.1; and (ii) obtain from the
Directors, promptly after their becoming available, a copy of the Company’s
federal, state, and local income tax or information returns for each Fiscal
Year. Each Assignee shall have the right to information regarding the Company
only to the extent required by the Act.
7.3 Reports.
The
chief financial officer of the Company shall be responsible for causing the
preparation of financial reports of the Company and the coordination of
financial matters of the Company with the Company’s accountants. The Company
shall cause to be delivered to each Member the financial statements listed
below, prepared, in each case (other than with respect to Member’s Capital
Accounts, which shall be prepared in accordance with this Agreement) in
accordance with GAAP consistently applied. Delivery of the financial statements
shall occur as soon as practicable following the end of each Fiscal Year (and
in
any event not later than one hundred and twenty (120) days after the end of
such
Fiscal Year) and at such time as distributions are made to the Unit Holders
pursuant to Section 10 hereof following the occurrence of a Dissolution Event.
The financial statements shall consist of a balance sheet of the Company as
of
the end of such Fiscal Year and the related statements of operations, Unit
Holders’ Capital Accounts and changes therein, and cash flows for such Fiscal
Year, together with appropriate notes to such financial statements and
supporting schedules, all of which shall be audited and certified by the
Company’s accountants, and in each case, to the extent the Company was in
existence, setting forth in comparative form the corresponding figures for
the
immediately preceding Fiscal Year end (in the case of the balance sheet) and
the
two (2) immediately preceding Fiscal Years (in the case of the statements).
For
purposes of this paragraph, public access to the financial statements through
either the Company’s or the Securities and Exchange Commission’s website shall
constitute delivery pursuant to this Section 7.3.
25
7.4 Tax
Matters.
The
Directors shall, without any further consent of the Unit Holders being required
(except as specifically required herein), make any and all elections for
federal, state, local, and foreign tax purposes as the Directors shall determine
appropriate and represent the Company and the Unit Holders before taxing
authorities or courts of competent jurisdiction in tax matters affecting the
Company or the Unit Holders in their capacities as Unit Holders, and to file
any
tax returns and execute any agreements or other documents relating to or
affecting such tax matters, including agreements or other documents that bind
the Unit Holders with respect to such tax matters or otherwise affect the rights
of the Company and the Unit Holders. The Directors shall designate a Person
to
be specifically authorized to act as the “Tax Matters Member” under the CODE and
in any similar capacity under state or local law; provided, however, that the
Directors shall have the authority to designate, remove and replace the Tax
Matters Member who shall act as the tax matters partner within the meaning
of
and pursuant to Regulations Sections 301.6231(a)(7)-1 and -2 or any similar
provision under state or local law. Necessary tax information shall be delivered
to each Unit Holder as soon as practicable after the end of each Fiscal Year
of
the Company but not later than three (3) months after the end of each Fiscal
Year.
SECTION
8. AMENDMENTS
8.1 Amendments.
Amendments to this Agreement may be proposed by the Board of Directors or upon
delivery of a written petition signed and dated by Members holding at least
five
percent (5%) of the then outstanding Units of the Company. Delivery of the
signed petition must be made by personal delivery by one of the signing Members,
or by United States mail, postage prepaid, to the Secretary of the Company.
Each
such petition delivered to the Secretary shall set forth the name and address
of
each signing Member, a representation of the number of record Units of which
each Member holds, and must clearly set forth the Amendment which the signing
Members are seeking. The Board of Directors shall submit to the Members a
verbatim statement of any proposed amendment, providing that counsel for the
Company shall have approved of the same in writing as to form, and the Board
of
Directors shall include in any such submission a recommendation as to the
proposed amendment. The Board of Directors shall seek the written vote of the
Members on the proposed amendment or shall call a meeting to vote thereon and
to
transact any other business that it may deem appropriate. Except as otherwise
provided under this Agreement, a proposed amendment shall be adopted and be
effective as an amendment hereto only if approved by an action of the Members
pursuant to Section 6.10 of this Agreement. Notwithstanding any provision of
this Section 8.1 to the contrary, this Agreement shall not be amended without
the consent of each Member adversely affected if such amendment would modify
the
limited liability of a Member.
26
SECTION
9. TRANSFERS
9.1 Restrictions
on Transfers.
Except
as otherwise permitted by this Agreement, no Member shall Transfer all or any
portion of its Units. In the event that any Member pledges or otherwise
encumbers all or any part of its Units as security for the payment of a Debt,
any such pledge or hypothecation shall be made pursuant to a pledge or
hypothecation agreement that requires the pledgee or secured party to be bound
by all of the terms and conditions of this Section 9. In the event such pledgee
or secured party becomes the Unit Holder hereunder pursuant to the exercise
of
such party’s rights under such pledge or hypothecation agreement, such pledgee
or secured party shall be bound by all terms and conditions of this Operating
Agreement and all other agreements governing the rights and obligations of
Unit
Holders. In such case, such pledgee or secured party, and any transferee or
purchaser of the Units held by such pledgee or secured party, shall not have
any
Membership Voting Interest attached to such Units unless and until the Directors
have approved in writing and admitted as a Member hereunder, such pledgee,
secured party, transferee or purchaser of such Units.
9.2 Permitted
Transfers.
Subject
to the conditions and restrictions set forth in this Section 9, a Unit Holder
may:
(a) at
any
time Transfer all or any portion of its Units:
(i)
|
to
the transferor’s administrator or trustee to whom such Units are
transferred involuntarily by operation of law or judicial decree,
or;
|
(ii)
|
without
consideration to or in trust for descendants or the spouse of a Member;
and
|
(b) at
any
time following the date on which substantial operations at any of the Facilities
commences, Transfer all or any portion of its Units:
(i)
|
to
any Person approved by the Directors in
writing,
|
(ii)
|
to
any other Member or to any Affiliate or Related Party of another
Member;
or
|
(iii)
|
to
any Affiliate or Related Party of the transferor.
|
Any
such
Transfer set forth in this Section 9.2 and meeting the conditions set forth
in
Section 9.3 below is referred to in this Agreement as a “Permitted Transfer.”
9.3 Conditions
Precedent to Transfers.
In
addition to the conditions set forth above, no Transfer of a Membership Interest
shall be effective unless and until all of the following conditions have been
satisfied:
(a) Except
in
the case of a Transfer involuntarily by operation of law, the transferor and
transferee shall execute and deliver to the Company such documents and
instruments of Transfer as may be necessary or appropriate in the opinion of
counsel to the Company to effect such Transfer. In the case of a Transfer of
Units involuntarily by operation of law, the Transfer shall be confirmed by
presentation to the Company of legal evidence of such Transfer, in form and
substance satisfactory to counsel to the Company. In all cases, the transferor
and/or transferee shall pay all reasonable costs and expenses connected with
the
Transfer and the admission of the Transferee as a Member and incurred as a
result of such Transfer, including but not limited to, legal fees and
costs.
27
(b) The
transferor and transferee shall furnish the Company with the transferee’s
taxpayer identification number, sufficient information to determine the
transferee’s initial tax basis in the Units transferred, and any other
information reasonably necessary to permit the Company to file all required
federal and state tax returns and other legally required information statements
or returns. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Company shall
not be required to make any distribution otherwise provided for in this
Agreement with respect to any transferred Units until it has received such
information.
(c) Except
in
the case of a Transfer of any Units involuntarily by operation of law, either
(i) such Units shall be registered under the Securities Act, and any applicable
state securities laws, or (ii) the transferor shall provide an opinion of
counsel, which opinion and counsel shall be reasonably satisfactory to the
Directors, to the effect that such Transfer is exempt from all applicable
registration requirements and that such Transfer will not violate any applicable
laws regulating the Transfer of securities.
(d) Except
in
the case of a Transfer of Units involuntarily by operation of law, the
transferor shall provide an opinion of counsel, which opinion and counsel shall
be reasonably satisfactory to the Directors, to the effect that such Transfer
will not cause the Company to be deemed to be an “investment company” under the
Investment Company Act of 1940.
(e) Unless
otherwise approved by the Directors and Members representing in the aggregate
a
75% super majority of the Membership Voting Interests, no Transfer of Units
shall be made except upon terms which would not, in the opinion of counsel
chosen by and mutually acceptable to the Directors and the transferor Member,
result in the termination of the Company within the meaning of Section 708
of
the CODE or cause the application of the rules of Sections 168(g)(1)(B) and
168(h) of the CODE or similar rules to apply to the Company. If the immediate
Transfer of such Unit would, in the opinion of such counsel, cause a termination
within the meaning of Section 708 of the CODE, then if, in the opinion of such
counsel, the following action would not precipitate such termination, the
transferor Member shall be entitled to (or required, as the case may be) (i)
immediately Transfer only that portion of its Units as may, in the opinion
of
such counsel, be transferred without causing such a termination and (ii) enter
into an agreement to Transfer the remainder of its Units, in one or more
Transfers, at the earliest date or dates on which such Transfer or Transfers
may
be effected without causing such termination. The purchase price for the Units
shall be allocated between the immediate Transfer and the deferred Transfer
or
Transfers pro rata on the basis of the percentage of the aggregate Units being
transferred, each portion to be payable when the respective Transfer is
consummated, unless otherwise agreed by the parties to the Transfer. In the
case
of a Transfer by one Member to another Member, the deferred purchase price
shall
be deposited in an interest-bearing escrow account unless another method of
securing the payment thereof is agreed upon by the transferor Member and the
transferee Member(s).
28
(f) No
notice
or request initiating the procedures contemplated by Section 9.3 may be given
by
any Member after a Dissolution Event has occurred. No Member may sell all or
any
portion of its Units after a Dissolution Event has occurred.
(g) No
Person
shall Transfer any Unit if, in the determination of the Directors, such Transfer
would cause the Company to be treated as a “publicly traded partnership” within
the meaning of Section 7704(b) of the CODE.
The
Directors shall have the authority to waive any legal opinion or other condition
required in this Section 9.3 other than the Member approval requirement set
forth in Section 9.3(e).
9.4 Prohibited
Transfers.
Any
purported Transfer of Units that is not permitted under this Section shall
be
null and void and of no force or effect whatsoever; provided that, if the
Company is required to recognize such a Transfer (or if the Directors, in their
sole discretion, elect to recognize such a Transfer), the Units Transferred
shall be strictly limited to the transferor’s Membership Economic Interests as
provided by this Agreement with respect to the transferred Units, which
Membership Economic Interests may be applied (without limiting any other legal
or equitable rights of the Company) to satisfy any debts, obligations, or
liabilities for damages that the transferor or transferee of such Interest
may
have to the Company. In the case of a Transfer or attempted Transfer of Units
that is not permitted under this Section, the parties engaging or attempting
to
engage in such Transfer shall be liable to indemnify and hold harmless the
Company and the other Members from all cost, liability, and damage that any
of
such indemnified Members may incur (including, without limitation, incremental
tax liabilities, lawyers’ fees and expenses) as a result of such Transfer or
attempted Transfer and efforts to enforce the indemnity granted hereby.
9.5 No
Dissolution or Termination.
The
transfer of a Membership Interest pursuant to the terms of this Article shall
not dissolve or terminate the Company. No Member shall have the right to have
the Company dissolved or to have such Member’s Capital Contribution returned
except as provided in this Agreement.
9.6 Prohibition
of Assignment.
Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Article, Transfer of a
Membership Interest may not be made if the Membership Interest sought to be
sold, exchanged or transferred, when added to the total of all other Membership
Interests sold, exchanged or transferred within the period of twelve (12)
consecutive months prior thereto, would result in the termination of the Company
under Section 708 of the Internal Revenue CODE. In the event of a transfer
of
any Membership Interests, the Members will determine, in their sole discretion,
whether or not the Company will elect pursuant to Section 754 of the Internal
Revenue CODE (or corresponding provisions of future law) to adjust the basis
of
the assets of the Company.
9.7 Rights
of Unadmitted Assignees.
A
Person who acquires Units but who is not admitted as a substituted Member
pursuant to Section 9.8 hereof shall be entitled only to the Membership Economic
Interests with respect to such Units in accordance with this Agreement, and
shall not be entitled to the Membership Voting Interest with respect to such
Units. In addition, such Person shall have no right to any information or
accounting of the affairs of the Company, shall not be entitled to inspect
the
books or records of the Company, and shall not have any of the rights of a
Member under the Act or this Agreement.
29
9.8 Admission
of Substituted Members.
As to
Permitted Transfers, a transferee of Units shall be admitted as a substitute
Member provided that such transferee has complied with the following provisions:
(a) The transferee of Units shall, by written instrument in form and substance
reasonably satisfactory to the Directors; (i) accept and adopt the terms and
provisions of this Agreement, including this Section 9, and (ii) assume the
obligations of the transferor Member under this Agreement with respect to the
transferred Units. The transferor Member shall be released from all such assumed
obligations except (x) those obligations or liabilities of the transferor Member
arising out of a breach of this Agreement, (y) in the case of a Transfer to
any
Person other than a Member or any of its Affiliates, those obligations or
liabilities of the transferor Member based on events occurring, arising or
maturing prior to the date of Transfer, and (z) in the case of a Transfer to
any
of its Affiliates, any Capital Contribution or other financing obligation of
the
transferor Member under this Agreement; (b) The transferee pays or reimburses
the Company for all reasonable legal, filing, and publication costs that the
Company incurs in connection with the admission of the transferee as a Member
with respect to the Transferred Units; and (c) Except in the case of a Transfer
involuntarily by operation of law, if required by the Directors, the transferee
(other than a transferee that was a Member prior to the Transfer) shall deliver
to the Company evidence of the authority of such Person to become a Member
and
to be bound by all of the terms and conditions of this Agreement, and the
transferee and transferor shall each execute and deliver such other instruments
as the Directors reasonably deem necessary or appropriate to effect, and as
a
condition to, such Transfer.
9.9 Representations
Regarding Transfers.
(a) Each
Member hereby covenants and agrees with the Company for the benefit of the
Company and all Members, that (i) it is not currently making a market in Units
and will not in the future make a market in Units, (ii) it will not Transfer
its
Units on an established securities market, a secondary market (or the
substantial equivalent thereof) within the meaning of CODE Section 7704(b)
(and
any Regulations, proposed Regulations, revenue rulings, or other official
pronouncements of the Internal Revenue Service or Treasury Department that
may
be promulgated or published thereunder), and (iii) in the event such
Regulations, revenue rulings, or other pronouncements treat any or all
arrangements which facilitate the selling of Company interests and which are
commonly referred to as “matching services” as being a secondary market or
substantial equivalent thereof, it will not Transfer any Units through a
matching service that is not approved in advance by the Company. Each Member
further agrees that it will not Transfer any Units to any Person unless such
Person agrees to be bound by this Section 9 and to Transfer such Units only
to
Persons who agree to be similarly bound.
(b) Each
Member hereby represents and warrants to the Company and the Members that such
Member’s acquisition of Units hereunder is made as principal for such Member’s
own account and not for resale or distribution of such Units. Each Member
further hereby agrees that the following legend, as the same may be amended
by
the Directors in their sole discretion, may be placed upon any counterpart
of
this Agreement, the Certificate, or any other document or instrument evidencing
ownership of Units:
THE
TRANSFERABILITY OF THE COMPANY UNITS REPRESENTED BY THIS DOCUMENT IS RESTRICTED.
SUCH UNITS MAY NOT BE SOLD, ASSIGNED, OR TRANSFERRED, NOR WILL ANY ASSIGNEE,
VENDEE, TRANSFEREE, OR ENDORSEE THEREOF BE RECOGNIZED AS HAVING ACQUIRED ANY
SUCH UNITS FOR ANY PURPOSES, UNLESS AND TO THE EXTENT SUCH SALE, TRANSFER,
HYPOTHECATION, OR ASSIGNMENT IS PERMITTED BY, AND IS COMPLETED IN STRICT
ACCORDANCE WITH, THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS SET FORTH IN THE OPERATING AGREEMENT
AND AGREED TO BY EACH MEMBER.
30
THE
UNITS
REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE MAY NOT BE SOLD, OFFERED FOR SALE, OR
TRANSFERRED IN ABSENCE OF AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT
OF
1933, AS AMENDED, AND UNDER APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS.
9.10 Distribution
and Allocations in Respect of Transferred Units.
If any
Units are Transferred during any Fiscal Year in compliance with the provisions
of this Section 9, Profits, Losses, each item thereof, and all other items
attributable to the Transferred Units for such Fiscal Year shall be divided
and
allocated between the transferor and the transferee by taking into account
their
varying interests during the Fiscal Year in accordance with CODE Section 706(d),
using any conventions permitted by law and selected by the Directors. All
distributions on or before the date of such Transfer shall be made to the
transferor, and all distributions thereafter shall be made to the transferee.
Solely for purposes of making such allocations and distributions, the Company
shall recognize such Transfer to be effective as of the first day of the month
following the month in which all documents to effectuate the transfer have
been
executed and delivered to the Company, provided that, if the Company does not
receive a notice stating the date such Units were transferred and such other
information as the Directors may reasonably require within thirty (30) days
after the end of the Fiscal Year during which the Transfer occurs, then all
such
items shall be allocated, and all distributions shall be made, to the Person
who, according to the books and records of the Company, was the owner of the
Units on the last day of such Fiscal Year. Neither the Company nor any Member
shall incur any liability for making allocations and distributions in accordance
with the provisions of this Section 9.10, whether or not the Directors or the
Company has knowledge of any Transfer of ownership of any Units.
9.11 Additional
Members.
Additional Members may be admitted from time to time upon the approval of the
Directors. Any such additional Member shall pay such purchase price for
his/her/its Membership Interest and shall be admitted in accordance with such
terms and conditions, as the Directors shall approve. All Members acknowledge
that the admission of additional Members may result in dilution of a Member’s
Membership Interest. Prior to the admission of any Person as a Member, such
Person shall agree to be bound by the provisions of this Agreement and shall
sign and deliver an Addendum to this Agreement in the form of Exhibit “C,”
attached hereto. Upon execution of such Addendum, such additional Members shall
be deemed to be parties to this Agreement as if they had executed this Agreement
on the original date hereof, and, along with the parties to this Agreement,
shall be bound by all the provisions hereof from and after the date of execution
hereof. The Members hereby designate and appoint the Directors to accept such
additional Members and to sign on their behalf any Addendum in the form of
Exhibit “C,” attached hereto.
31
SECTION
10. DISSOLUTION AND WINDING UP
10.1 Dissolution.
The
Company shall dissolve and shall commence winding up and liquidating upon the
first to occur of any of the following (each a “Dissolution Event”): (i) The
affirmative vote of a 75% super majority in interest of the Membership Voting
Interests to dissolve, wind up, and liquidate the Company; or (ii) The entry
of
a decree of judicial dissolution pursuant to the Act. The Members hereby agree
that, notwithstanding any provision of the Act, the Company shall not dissolve
prior to the occurrence of a Dissolution Event.
10.2 Winding
Up.
Upon
the occurrence of a Dissolution Event, the Company shall continue solely for
the
purposes of winding up its affairs in an orderly manner, liquidating its assets,
and satisfying the claims of its creditors and Members, and no Member shall
take
any action that is inconsistent with, or not necessary to or appropriate for,
the winding up of the Company’s business and affairs, PROVIDED that all
covenants contained in this Agreement and obligations provided for in this
Agreement shall continue to be fully binding upon the Members until such time
as
the Property has been distributed pursuant to this Section 10.2 and the
Certificate have been canceled pursuant to the Act. The Liquidator shall be
responsible for overseeing the prompt and orderly winding up and dissolution
of
the Company. The Liquidator shall take full account of the Company’s liabilities
and Property and shall cause the Property or the proceeds from the sale thereof
(as determined pursuant to Section 10.8 hereof), to the extent sufficient
therefor, to be applied and distributed, to the maximum extent permitted by
law,
in the following order: (a) First, to creditors (including Members and Directors
who are creditors, to the extent otherwise permitted by law) in satisfaction
of
all of the Company’s Debts and other liabilities (whether by payment or the
making of reasonable provision for payment thereof), other than liabilities
for
which reasonable provision for payment has been made; and (b) Second, except
as
provided in this Agreement, to Members in satisfaction of liabilities for
distributions pursuant to the Act; (c) Third, the balance, if any, to the Unit
Holders in accordance with the positive balance in their Capital Accounts
calculated after making the required adjustment set forth in clause (t) of
the
definition of Gross Asset Value in Section 1.10 of this Agreement, after giving
effect to all contributions, distributions and allocations for all periods.
10.3 Compliance
with Certain Requirements of Regulations; Deficit Capital
Accounts.
In the
event the Company is “liquidated” within the meaning of Regulations Section
1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(g), distributions shall be made pursuant to this Section
10 to
the Unit Holders who have positive Capital Accounts in compliance with
Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(b)(2). If any Unit Holder has a deficit
balance in his Capital Account (after giving effect to all contributions,
distributions and allocations for all Fiscal Years, including the Fiscal Year
during which such liquidation occurs), such Unit Holder shall have no obligation
to make any contribution to the capital of the Company with respect to such
deficit, and such deficit shall not be considered a debt owed to the Company
or
to any other Person for any purpose whatsoever. In the discretion of the
Liquidator, a pro rata portion of the distributions that would otherwise be
made
to the Unit Holders pursuant to this Section 10 may be: (a) Distributed to
a
trust established for the benefit of the Unit Holders for the purposes of
liquidating Company assets, collecting amounts owed to the Company, and paying
any contingent or unforeseen liabilities or obligations of the Company. The
assets of any such trust shall be distributed to the Unit Holders from time
to
time, in the reasonable discretion of the Liquidator, in the same proportions
as
the amount distributed to such trust by the Company would otherwise have been
distributed to the Unit Holders pursuant to Section 10.2 hereof; or (b) Withheld
to provide a reasonable reserve for Company liabilities (contingent or
otherwise) and to reflect the unrealized portion of any installment obligations
owed to the Company, provided that such withheld amounts shall be distributed
to
the Unit Holders as soon as practicable.
32
10.4 Deemed
Distribution and Recontribution.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 10, in the event the Company
is liquidated within the meaning of Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(g)
but
no Dissolution Event has occurred, the Property shall not be liquidated, the
Company’s Debts and other liabilities shall not be paid or discharged, and the
Company’s affairs shall not be wound up.
10.5 Rights
of Unit Holders.
Except
as otherwise provided in this Agreement, each Unit Holder shall look solely
to
the Property of the Company for the return of its Capital Contribution and
has
no right or power to demand or receive Property other than cash from the
Company. If the assets of the Company remaining after payment or discharge
of
the debts or liabilities of the Company are insufficient to return such Capital
Contribution, the Unit Holders shall have no recourse against the Company or
any
other Unit Holder or Directors.
10.6 Allocations
During Period of Liquidation.
During
the period commencing on the first day of the Fiscal Year during which a
Dissolution Event occurs and ending on the date on which all of the assets
of
the Company have been distributed to the Unit Holders pursuant to Section 10.2
hereof (the “Liquidation Period”), the Unit Holders shall continue to share
Profits, Losses, gain, loss and other items of Company income, gain, loss or
deduction in the manner provided in Section 3 hereof.
10.7 Character
of Liquidating Distributions.
All
payments made in liquidation of the interest of a Unit Holder in the Company
shall be made in exchange for the interest of such Unit Holder in Property
pursuant to Section 736(b)(1) of the CODE, including the interest of such Unit
Holder in Company goodwill.
10.8 The
Liquidator.
The
“Liquidator” shall mean a Person appointed by the Directors(s) to oversee the
liquidation of the Company. Upon the consent of a majority in interest of the
Members, the Liquidator may be the Directors. The Company is authorized to
pay a
reasonable fee to the Liquidator for its services performed pursuant to this
Section 10 and to reimburse the Liquidator for its reasonable costs and expenses
incurred in performing those services. The Company shall indemnify, save
harmless, and pay all judgments and claims against such Liquidator or any
officers, Directors, agents or employees of the Liquidator relating to any
liability or damage incurred by reason of any act performed or omitted to be
performed by the Liquidator, or any officers, Directors, agents or employees
of
the Liquidator in connection with the liquidation of the Company, including
reasonable attorneys’ fees incurred by the Liquidator, officer, Director, agent
or employee in connection with the defense of any action based on any such
act
or omission, which attorneys’ fees may be paid as incurred, except to the extent
such liability or damage is caused by the fraud, intentional misconduct of,
or a
knowing violation of the laws by the Liquidator which was material to the cause
of action.
33
10.9 Forms
of Liquidating Distributions.
For
purposes of making distributions required by Section 10.2 hereof, the Liquidator
may determine whether to distribute all or any portion of the Property in-kind
or to sell all or any portion of the Property and distribute the proceeds
therefrom.
SECTION
11. MISCELLANEOUS
11.1 Notices.
Any
notice, payment, demand, or communication required or permitted to be given
by
any provision of this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to
have
been delivered, given, and received for all purposes (i) if delivered personally
to the Person or to an officer of the Person to whom the same is directed,
or
(ii) when the same is actually received, if sent by regular or certified mail,
postage and charges prepaid, or (iii) if sent by facsimile, email, or other
electronic transmission, when such transmission is electronically confirmed
as
having been successfully transmitted. If sent by registered or certified mail,
then the notice, payment, demand or communication must be addressed as follows:
(a) If to the Company, to the address determined pursuant to Section 1.4 hereof;
(b) If to the Directors, to the address set forth on record with the Company;
(c) If to a Member, either to the address set forth in Section 2.1 hereof or
to
such other address that has been provided in writing to the
Company.
11.2 Binding
Effect.
Except
as otherwise provided in this Agreement, every covenant, term, and provision
of
this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Members
and
their respective successors, transferees, and assigns.
11.3 Construction.
Every
covenant, term, and provision of this Agreement shall be construed simply
according to its fair meaning and not strictly for or against any Member.
11.4 Headings.
Section
and other headings contained in this Agreement are for reference purposes only
and are not intended to describe, interpret, define, or limit the scope, extent,
or intent of this Agreement or any provision hereof.
11.5 Severability.
Except
as otherwise provided in the succeeding sentence, every provision of this
Agreement is intended to be severable, and, if any term or provision of this
Agreement is illegal or invalid for any reason whatsoever, such illegality
or
invalidity shall not affect the validity or legality of the remainder of this
Agreement. The preceding sentence of this Section 11.5 shall be of no force
or
effect if the consequence of enforcing the remainder of this Agreement without
such illegal or invalid term or provision would be to cause any Member to lose
the material benefit of its economic bargain.
11.6 Incorporation
By Reference.
Every
exhibit, schedule, and other appendix attached to this Agreement and referred
to
herein is incorporated in this Agreement by reference unless this Agreement
expressly otherwise provides.
34
11.7 Variation
of Terms.
All
terms and any variations thereof shall be deemed to refer to masculine,
feminine, or neuter, singular or plural, as the identity of the Person or
Persons may require.
11.8 Governing
Law.
The
laws of the State of Delaware shall govern the validity of this Agreement,
the
construction of its terms, and the interpretation of the rights and duties
arising hereunder.
11.9 Waiver
of Jury Trial.
Each of
the Members irrevocably waives to the extent permitted by law, all rights to
trial by jury in any action, proceeding or counterclaim arising out of or
relating to this Agreement.
11.10 Counterpart
Execution.
This
Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts with the same effect
as
if all of the Members had signed the same document. All counterparts shall
be
construed together and shall constitute one agreement.
11.11 Specific
Performance.
Each
Member agrees with the other Members that the other Members would be irreparably
damaged if any of the provisions of this Agreement are not performed in
accordance with their specific terms and that monetary damages would not provide
an adequate remedy in such event. Accordingly, it is agreed that, in addition
to
any other remedy to which the nonbreaching Members may be entitled, at law
or in
equity, the nonbreaching Members shall be entitled to injunctive relief to
prevent breaches of the provisions of this Agreement and specifically to enforce
the terms and provisions hereof in any action instituted in any court of the
United States or any state thereof having subject matter jurisdiction thereof.
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed and entered into this Operating
Agreement of the Company as of the date first set forth above.
COMPANY:
|
|||
By: /s/ Xxxxx Xxxxxx | |||
Xxxxx
Xxxxxx , Chairman
|
35
EXHIBIT
“A”
Name
and Address of Initial Members
|
Units
|
36
EXHIBIT
“B”
Initial
Board of Directors
Appointed
By
|
Initial
Board of Directors
|
Addresses
of Initial Board of Directors
|
||
Atlantic
Ethanol ,LLC
|
Xxxxx
Xxxxxxx
|
|||
Xxxx
Xxxxx
|
||||
Xxxxx
Russian
|
||||
Xxxxxxxx
Xxxxx
|
||||
Mid-Atlantic
Ethanol, LLC
|
Xxxxx
Xxxxxxx
|
|||
Xxxxx
Xxxxxx
|
||||
Xxxx
XxXxxx
|
||||
Xxxxx
Xxxxxxx
|
||||
Florida
Ethanol, LLC
|
Xxx
Xxxxx
|
|||
Xxxxxxx
Xxxxxx
|
||||
Xxxxx
Xxxxxx
|
||||
Xxx
Xxxxxxxxx
|
||||
Palmetto
Ethanol, LLC
|
Xxxx
Xxxx
|
|||
Xxxxxxxx
Xxxxxxxx
|
||||
Xxx
Xxxxxx
|
||||
Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxx
|
||||
Independent
Director
|
Xx.
Xxxxx Xxxxxx
|
37
EXHIBIT
“C”
MEMBER
SIGNATURE PAGE
ADDENDA
TO
THE
The
undersigned does hereby represent and warrant that the undersigned, as a
condition to becoming a Member in East Coast Ethanol, LLC, has received a copy
of the Operating Agreement, dated __________, 2007, and, if applicable, all
amendments and modifications thereto, and does hereby agree that the
undersigned, along with the other parties to the Operating Agreement, shall
be
subject to and comply with all terms and conditions of said Operating Agreement
in all respects as if the undersigned had executed said Operating Agreement
on
the original date thereof and that the undersigned is and shall be bound by
all
of the provisions of said Operating Agreement from and after the date of
execution hereof.
Individuals: | Entities: |
Name of Individual Member (Please Print) |
Name of Entity (Please Print) |
Signature of Individual |
Print Name and Title of Officer |
Name of Joint Individual Member (Please Print) |
Signature of Officer |
Signature of Joint Individual Member |
|
Agreed
and accepted on behalf of the
Company
and its Members:
EAST
COAST ETHANOL, LLC
By:
Its:
38