Exhibit 3.1.1
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PETERSEN HOLDINGS, L.L.C.
A Delaware Limited Liability Company
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LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT
Dated as of September 30, 1996
THE MEMBERSHIP INTERESTS REPRESENTED BY THIS LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT
HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE UNITED STATES SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 OR UNDER
ANY OTHER APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS. SUCH INTERESTS MAY NOT BE SOLD, ASSIGNED,
PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF AT ANY TIME WITHOUT EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION
UNDER SUCH ACT AND LAWS OR EXEMPTION THEREFROM, AND COMPLIANCE WITH THE OTHER
RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFERABILITY SET FORTH HEREIN.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
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Page
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS..................................................... 1
1.1 Definitions.............................................. 1
1.2 Construction............................................. 7
1.3 Including................................................ 7
ARTICLE II
ORGANIZATION.................................................... 7
2.1 Formation................................................ 7
2.2 Name..................................................... 7
2.3 Registered Office; Registered Agent; Principal Office;
Other Offices............................................ 7
2.4 Purposes................................................. 8
2.5 Powers of the Company.................................... 8
2.6 Foreign Qualification.................................... 10
2.7 Term..................................................... 10
2.8 No State-Law Partnership................................. 10
ARTICLE III
MEMBERSHIP; CAPITAL CONTRIBUTIONS; ADDITIONAL INTERESTS......... 10
3.1 Members.................................................. 10
3.2 No Liability of Members.................................. 11
3.3 Initial Capital Contributions............................ 12
3.4 Issuance of Additional Interests; Additional Members..... 12
3.5 Certification of Units................................... 13
3.6 Termination of Class B Common Units and Class C Common
Units.................................................... 13
ARTICLE IV
CAPITAL ACCOUNTS................................................ 13
4.1 Establishment and Determination of Capital Accounts...... 13
4.2 Computation of Amounts................................... 13
4.3 Negative Capital Accounts................................ 14
4.4 Company Capital.......................................... 14
ARTICLE V
DISTRIBUTIONS; ALLOCATIONS OF PROFITS AND LOSSES................ 14
5.1 Generally................................................ 14
5.2 Distributions............................................ 14
5.3 Allocation of Profits and Losses......................... 15
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5.4 Regulatory and Special Allocations....................... 15
5.5 Tax Distributions........................................ 16
5.6 Tax Allocations: Code Section 704(c)..................... 18
5.7 Securityholders Agreement Provision...................... 18
ARTICLE VI
MANAGEMENT...................................................... 19
6.1 The Managing Member; Delegation of Authority and Duties.. 19
6.2 Officers................................................. 20
ARTICLE VII
EXCULPATION AND INDEMNIFICATION................................. 21
7.1 Performance of Duties; No Liability of Member and
Officers................................................. 21
7.2 Competing Activities..................................... 21
7.3 Transactions Between the Company and the Members......... 22
7.4 Right to Indemnification................................. 22
7.5 Advance Payment.......................................... 22
7.6 Indemnification of Employees and Agents.................. 23
7.7 Appearance as a Witness.................................. 23
7.8 Nonexclusivity of Rights................................. 23
7.9 Insurance................................................ 23
7.10 Savings Clause........................................... 23
ARTICLE VIII
TAXES........................................................... 24
8.1 Tax Returns.............................................. 24
8.2 Tax Matters Partner...................................... 24
ARTICLE IX
BOOKS, REPORTS AND COMPANY FUNDS................................ 24
9.1 Maintenance of Books..................................... 24
9.2 Member Tax Information................................... 24
9.3 Company Funds............................................ 24
ARTICLE X
TRANSFERS AND OTHER EVENTS...................................... 25
10.1 Assignment by Members.................................... 25
10.2 Void Assignment.......................................... 25
10.3 Substituted Member....................................... 25
10.4 Effect of Assignment..................................... 26
10.5 Legend................................................... 26
10.6 Transfer Fees and Expenses............................... 26
10.7 Other Limitations........................................ 26
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10.8 Effective Date........................................... 26
10.9 Effect of Incapacity..................................... 27
ARTICLE XI
DISSOLUTION, LIQUIDATION AND TERMINATION........................ 27
11.1 Dissolution.............................................. 27
11.2 Liquidation and Termination.............................. 27
11.3 Cancellation of Certificate.............................. 28
ARTICLE XII
GENERAL/MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS................................ 28
12.1 Offset................................................... 28
12.2 Notices.................................................. 28
12.3 Entire Agreement......................................... 29
12.4 Effect of Waiver or Consent.............................. 29
12.5 Amendment or Modification................................ 29
12.6 Binding Effect........................................... 30
12.7 Governing Law; Severability.............................. 30
12.8 Further Assurances....................................... 30
12.9 Waiver of Certain Rights................................. 30
12.10 Indemnification and Reimbursement for Payments on
Behalf of a Member....................................... 30
12.11 Notice to Members of Provisions.......................... 31
12.12 Counterparts............................................. 31
12.13 Consent to Jurisdiction.................................. 31
12.14 Headings................................................. 31
12.15 Remedies................................................. 31
12.16 Severability............................................. 32
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LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT
OF
PETERSEN HOLDINGS, L.L.C.
A DELAWARE LIMITED LABILITY COMPANY
THIS LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT of Petersen Holdings, L.L.C.,
dated and effective as of September 30, 1996, is adopted by, and executed and
agreed to, for good and valuable consideration, by BrightView Communications
Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("BrightView"), Petersen Investment Corp., a
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Delaware corporation ("PIC"), Petersen Publishing Company, a California
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corporation ("PPC") and the Persons listed as investors on Schedule A hereto as
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of the date hereof upon their execution of this Agreement or a counterpart
hereto and each other Person who becomes a Member in accordance with the terms
of this Agreement.
WHEREAS, the Members wish to form a limited liability company pursuant
to the Act by filing a Certificate of Formation of the Company (the
"Certificate") with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware and by
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entering into this Agreement;
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements
herein made and intending to be legally bound, the Members hereby agree as
follows:
ARTICLE
DEFINITIONS
1.1 DEFINITIONS. As used in this Agreement, the following terms have
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the following meanings:
"Act" means the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act, Title 6,
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(S)(S)18-101, et seq., and any successor statute, as amended from time to
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time.
"Additional Interests" has the meaning given that term in Section 3.4.
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"Affiliate" of, or a Person "Affiliated" with, a specified Person
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means a Person that directly, or indirectly through one or more
intermediaries, controls, or is controlled by, or is under common control
with, the Person specified.
"Agreement" means this Limited Liability Company Agreement, as
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executed and as it may be amended, modified, supplemented or restated from
time to time, as the context requires.
"Agent" has the meaning given such term in the Credit Agreement.
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"Book Value" means, with respect to any Company property, the
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Company's adjusted basis for federal income tax purposes, adjusted from
time to time to reflect the adjustments required or permitted by Treasury
Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(d)--(g); provided that the Book Value
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of each asset of the Company shall be adjusted as of the Closing Date (as
such term is defined in the Purchase Agreement) pursuant to Treasury
Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(f) in a manner determined by the
Managing Member such that the aggregate Book Value of the Company's assets
(net of the Company's liabilities) as of such date is equal to the
aggregate initial Capital Account balances of the members (immediately
after the Members' actual or deemed Capital Contributions pursuant to
Section 3.3).
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"Capital Account" has the meaning given that term in Section 4.1.
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"Capital Contribution" means the aggregate contributions made by a
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Member to the Company pursuant to Article III as of the date in question,
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as shown opposite such Member's name on Schedule A, as the same may be
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amended from time to time.
"Cash Inflows" means, with respect to the Investor Members, all cash
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payments received by such Investor Members with respect to or in exchange
for the Class A Common Units and Preferred Units purchased by the Investor
Members pursuant to the Securities Purchase Agreement or the Executive
Agreements, but excluding the Executive Securities (whether such payments
are received from the Company or any third party and whether such payments
are received directly for the securities or are received indirectly from
other securities or property received with respect to or in exchange for
the securities). For example, if a security is sold on January 1, 1998 for
a combination of $2,000 in cash and $1,000 in promissory notes, and such
promissory notes pay $1,100 in cash on January 1, 1999, then a Cash Inflow
of $2,000 would have occurred on January 1, 1998 and another Cash Inflow of
$1,100 would have occurred on January 1, 1999.
"Cash Outflows" means, with respect to the Investor Members, all
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payments of cash or property made by such Investor Members (and in the case
of assets contributed by PPC in connection with the Acquisition, the value
thereof as agreed upon by BrightView and PPC at the time of such
contribution) to purchase the Class A Common Units and Preferred Units
purchased by the Investor Members pursuant to the Securityholders Agreement
or the Executive Agreements (but excluding the Executive Securities).
"Certificate" has the meaning given that term in the Preamble.
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"Certificated Interests" has the meaning given that term in Section
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10.5.
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"Class A Common Unit" means a Common Unit representing a fractional
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part of the Membership Interests of the Members and having the rights and
obligations specified with respect to Class A Common Units in this
Agreement.
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"Class B Common Unit" means a Common Unit representing a fractional
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part of the Membership Interests of the Members and having the rights and
obligations specified with respect to Class B Common Units in this
Agreement.
"Class B IRR Target" means that Investor Members have achieved an IRR
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of 30%.
"Class C Common Unit" means a Common Unit representing a fractional
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part of the Membership Interests of the Members and having the rights and
obligations specified with respect to Class C Common Units in this
Agreement.
"Class C IRR Target" means that the Investor Members have achieved an
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IRR of 35%.
"Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and any successor
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statute, as amended from time to time.
"Common Units" means the Class A Common Units, the Class B Common
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Units and the Class C Common Units.
"Company" means the Delaware limited liability company formed pursuant
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to the Certificate and this Agreement.
"Company Minimum Gain" has the meaning set forth for "partnership
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minimum gain" in Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-2(d).
"Credit Agreement" means the Credit Agreement, dated as of September
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30, 1996, among Operating LLC, First Union National Bank of North Carolina,
as Administrative Agent (as defined in such Agreement) and Syndication
Agent (as defined in such Agreement), CIBC, Inc., as Documentation Agent
(as defined in such Agreement) and certain banks and other financial
institutions, as amended, modified, supplemented or restated, and including
any agreement pursuant to which indebtedness thereunder is refinanced, as
in effect from time to time.
"Economic Interest" means a Member's or Economic Owner's share of the
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Company's net profits, net losses and distributions pursuant to this
Agreement and the Act, but shall not include any right to participate in
the management or affairs of the Company, including the right to vote on,
consent to or otherwise participate in any decision of the Members, or any
right to receive information concerning the business and affairs of the
Company, in each case to the extent provided for herein or otherwise
required by the Act.
"Economic Owner" means any owner of an Economic Interest who is not a
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Member. No owner of an Economic Interest which is not a Member shall be
deemed a "member" (as that term is used in the Act) of the Company.
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"Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
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from time to time.
"Executive Agreement" means each of those certain Executive Securities
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Purchase and Employment Agreements between BrightView, the Company,
Operating LLC and each of Claeys Bahrenburg and Neil Vitale, as each such
agreement may be amended, modified, supplemented or restated from time to
time.
"Executive Member" means each of the Members identified on Schedule A
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hereto as an "Executive," so long as such Person is a Member.
"Executive Securities" has the meaning given such term in the
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Securityholders Agreement.
"Fiscal Year" of the Company means the calendar year.
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"Fiscal Quarter" of the Company means each calendar quarter ending
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March 31, June 30, September 30 and December 31.
"Incapacity" or "Incapacitated" means (a) with respect to a natural
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person, the bankruptcy, death, incompetency or insanity of such individual
and (b) with respect to any other Person, the bankruptcy, liquidation,
dissolution or termination of such Person.
"Indemnifying Member" has the meaning given that term in Section
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12.10.
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"Initial Member" means each Person identified on Schedule A hereto as
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of the date hereof who has executed this Agreement or a counterpart hereof.
"Investor Members" means each of the Members identified on Schedule A
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hereto as an "Investor," so long as such Person is a Member.
"IPO" means an underwritten initial public offering of the Company's
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or any successor's equity securities under the Securities Act.
"IRR" means the annual interest rate (compounded annually) which, when
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used to calculate the net present value as of September 30, 1996, of all
(i) Cash Inflows received by the Investor Members through the date of
determination and (ii) Cash Outflows made by the Investor Members through
the date of determination, causes such entire amount to equal zero. The
IRR shall be determined by the Company's regular outside accounting firm.
For purposes of the net present value calculation, each Cash Inflow and
each Cash Outflow specified above shall be deemed to have been received or
made on the first day of the month nearest to the actual date of such
payment.
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"Losses" means items of Company loss and deduction determined
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according to Section 4.2.
"Member" means the Initial Members and each Person who is hereafter
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admitted as a Member in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and the
Act. The Members shall constitute the "members" (as that term is defined
in the Act) of the Company. Notwithstanding any provision of this
Agreement to the contrary, the Members shall constitute a single class or
group of members of the Company for all purposes of the Act and this
Agreement.
"Member Minimum Gain" has the meaning set forth for "partner
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nonrecourse debt minimum gain" in Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-2(i).
"Member Nonrecourse Deductions" has the meaning set forth for "partner
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nonrecourse deductions" in Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-2(i).
"Membership Interest" means a Member's interest in the Company,
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including such Member's Economic Interest and the right, if any, to
participate in the management of the business and affairs of the Company,
including the right, if any, to vote on, consent to or otherwise
participate in any decision or action of or by the Members and the right to
receive information concerning the business and affairs of the Company, in
each case to the extent expressly provided in this Agreement or otherwise
required by the Act.
"Officer" means each Person designated as an officer of the Company
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pursuant to Section 6.2 for so long as such Person remains an officer
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pursuant to the provisions of Section 6.2.
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"Operating LLC" means Petersen Publishing Company, L.L.C., a Delaware
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limited liability company.
"Percentage Interest" means, at any time with respect to a Member, a
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percentage equal to a fraction, (a) the numerator of which is the number of
Common Units held by such Member at such time and (b) the denominator of
which is the aggregate number of Common Units held by all Members at such
time, in each case as reflected in the books and records of the Company.
"Person" means a natural person, partnership (whether general or
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limited), limited liability company, trust, estate, association,
corporation, custodian, nominee or any other individual or entity in its
own or any representative capacity.
"PPC" has the meaning given that term in the introductory paragraph.
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"Preferred Unit" means a Unit representing a fractional part of the
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Membership Interests of all Members and having the preference rights and
other rights and obligations specified with respect to Preferred Units in
this Agreement.
"Prime Rate" shall have the meaning given to the term "Alternate Base
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Rate" in the Credit Agreement.
"Proceeding" has the meaning given that term in Section 7.4.
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"Profits" means items of Company income and gain determined according
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to Section 4.2.
"Purchase Agreement" means the Asset Purchase Agreement, dated as of
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August 15, 1996, by and among BrightView and PPC, as such agreement may be
amended, modified, supplemented or restated from time to time in accordance
with its terms.
"Public Sale" means any sale of equity securities to the public
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pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act or
to the public through a broker, dealer or market maker pursuant to the
provisions of Rule 144 adopted under the Securities Act (or any similar
rule than in force).
"SEC" means the Securities and Exchange Commission or any successor
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agency thereto that administers the Securities Act and the Exchange Act.
"Securities Act" means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended from time to
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time.
"Securityholders Agreement" means the Securityholders Agreement, dated
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as of the date hereof, among BrightView, PIC, the Company, and the other
Persons signatory thereto, as such agreement is amended, modified,
supplemented or restated from time to time.
"Tax Matters Member" has the meaning given to that term in Section
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8.2.
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"Taxable Year" means the Company's taxable year ending December 31 (or
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part thereof, in the case of the Company's last taxable year), or such
other year as is (i) required by Section 706 of the Code or (ii) determined
by the Managing Manager.
"Transfer" has the meaning given that term in Section 10.1.
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"Unit" means a Membership Interest of a Member in the Company
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representing a fractional part of the Membership Interests of all Members
and shall include Common Units and Preferred Units; provided that any class
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of Units issued shall have designations, preferences or special rights set
forth in this Agreement and the Membership Interest represented by such
class of Units shall be determined in accordance with such designations,
preferences or special rights.
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"Unit Equivalents" means (without duplication with any Units or other
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Unit Equivalents) rights, warrants, options, convertible securities,
exchangeable securities, indebtedness or other rights, in each case
exercisable for or convertible or exchangeable into, directly or
indirectly, Units or securities exercisable for or convertible or
exchangeable into Units, whether at the time of issuance or upon the
passage of time or the occurrence of some future event.
"Unpaid Preferred Yield" means at any time an amount equal to the
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excess, if any, of (a) the aggregate Yield accrued through such date, over
(b) all prior distributions made by the Company to the holders of Preferred
Units pursuant to Section 5.2(a).
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"Unreturned Preferred Capital" means at any time the aggregate Capital
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Contributions with respect to the Preferred Units reduced by all prior
distributions made to the holders of Preferred Units by the Company
pursuant to Section 5.2(b).
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"Yield" means at any time an amount calculated on a daily basis
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(without daily compounding) at the rate of 12% per annum on (a) the
Unreturned Preferred Capital plus (b) all Unpaid Preferred Yield thereon
determined as of the date thereof if such date is as of the end of a Fiscal
Quarter and otherwise as of the end of the Fiscal Quarter most recently
ended.
Other terms defined in this Agreement have the meanings so given them.
1.2 CONSTRUCTION. Whenever the context requires, the gender of all
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words used in this Agreement includes the masculine, feminine and neuter and the
singular number includes the plural number and vice versa. All references to
Articles and Sections refer to articles and sections of this Agreement, and all
references to Schedules are to Schedules attached hereto, each of which is made
a part hereof for all purposes.
1.3 INCLUDING. Reference in this Agreement to "including,"
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"includes" and "include" shall be deemed to be followed by "without limitation."
ARTICLE II
ORGANIZATION
2.1 FORMATION. The Company has been organized as a Delaware limited
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liability company by the execution and filing of the Certificate by an
authorized person (within the meaning of the Act), under and pursuant to the
Act. The rights, powers, duties, obligations and liabilities of the Members
shall be determined pursuant to the Act and this Agreement. To the extent that
the rights, powers, duties, obligations and liabilities 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.
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2.2 NAME. The name of the Company is "Petersen Holdings, L.L.C.," and
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all Company business shall be conducted in that name or in such other names that
comply with applicable law as the Managing Member may select from time to time.
2.3 REGISTERED OFFICE; REGISTERED AGENT; PRINCIPAL OFFICE; OTHER
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OFFICES. The registered office of the Company required by the Act to be
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maintained in the State of Delaware shall be the office of the initial
registered agent named in the Certificate or such other office (which need not
be a place of business of the Company) as the Managing Member may designate from
time to time in the manner provided by law. The registered agent of the Company
in the State of Delaware shall be the initial registered agent named in the
Certificate or such other Person or Persons as the Managing Member may designate
from time to time in the manner provided by law. The principal office of the
Company shall be at such place as the Managing Member may designate from time to
time, which need not be in the State of Delaware, and the Company shall maintain
records there. The Company may have such other offices as the Managing Member
may designate from time to time.
2.4 PURPOSES. The nature of the business or purposes to be conducted
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or promoted by the Company is to engage in any lawful act or activity for which
limited liability companies may be organized under the Act. The Company may
engage in any and all activities necessary, desirable or incidental to the
accomplishment of the foregoing. Notwithstanding anything herein to the
contrary, nothing set forth herein shall be construed as authorizing the Company
to possess any purpose or power, or to do any act or thing, forbidden by law to
a limited liability company organized under the laws of the State of Delaware.
2.5 POWERS OF THE COMPANY.
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(a) Power and Authority. Subject to the provisions of this
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Agreement, the Company shall have the power and authority to take any and all
actions necessary, appropriate, proper, advisable, convenient or incidental to
or for the furtherance of the purposes set forth in Section 2.4, including the
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power:
(1) to conduct its business, carry on its operations and have
and exercise the powers granted to a limited liability company by the
Act in any state, territory, district or possession of the United
States, or in any foreign country that may be necessary, convenient or
incidental to the accomplishment of the purpose of the Company;
(ii) to acquire by purchase, lease, contribution of property or
otherwise, own, hold, operate, maintain, finance, refinance, improve,
lease, sell, convey, mortgage, transfer, demolish or dispose of any
real or personal property that may be necessary, convenient or
incidental to the accomplishment of the purpose of the Company;
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(iii) to enter into, perform and carry out contracts of any
kind, including contracts with any Member or any Affiliate thereof, or
any agent of the Company necessary to, in connection with, convenient
to or incidental to the accomplishment of the purpose of the Company;
(iv) to 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 (including
the power to be admitted as a partner thereof and to exercise the
rights and perform the duties created thereby), trusts, limited
liability companies (including the power to be admitted as a member or
appointed as a manager thereof and to exercise the rights and perform
the duties created thereby) or individuals or direct or indirect
obligations of the United States or of any government, state,
territory, governmental district or municipality or of any
instrumentality of any of them;
(v) to lend money for any proper purpose, to invest and
reinvest its funds and to take and hold real and personal property for
the payment of funds so loaned or invested;
(vi) to sue and be sued, complain and defend, and participate
in administrative or other proceedings, in its name;
(vii) to appoint employees and agents of the Company and define
their duties and fix their compensation;
(viii) to indemnify any Person in accordance with the Act and to
obtain any and all types of insurance;
(ix) to cease its activities and cancel its Certificate;
(x) to negotiate, enter into, renegotiate, extend, renew,
terminate, modify, amend, waive, execute, acknowledge or take any
other action with respect to any lease, contract or security agreement
in respect of any assets of the Company;
(xi) to borrow money and issue evidences of indebtedness and
guaranty indebtedness (whether of the Company or any of its
subsidiaries), and to secure the same by a mortgage, pledge or other
lien on the assets of the Company;
(xii) to pay, collect, compromise, litigate, arbitrate or
otherwise adjust or settle any and all other claims or demands of or
against the Company or to hold such proceeds against the payment of
contingent liabilities; and
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(xiii) to make, execute, acknowledge and file any and all documents
or instruments necessary, convenient or incidental to the
accomplishment of the purpose of the Company.
(b) Managing Member. Subject to the provisions of this Agreement, (i)
the Company, and the Managing Member on behalf of the Company, may enter into
and perform any and all documents, agreements and instruments contemplated
hereby, all without any further act, vote or approval of any Member and (ii) the
Managing Member may authorize any Person (including any Member or Officer) to
enter into and perform any document on behalf of the Company.
(c) Merger. Subject to the provisions of this Agreement and the
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Securityholders Agreement, the Company may, with approval of the Managing Member
and without the need for any further act, vote or approval of any Member, merge
with, or consolidate into, another limited liability company (organized under
the laws of Delaware or any other state), a corporation (organized under the
laws of Delaware or any other state) or other business entity (as defined in
Section 18-209(a) of the Act), regardless of whether the Company is the survivor
of such merger or consolidation.
2.6 FOREIGN QUALIFICATION. The Managing Member shall cause the Company to
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comply with all requirements necessary to qualify the Company as a foreign
limited liability company in any jurisdiction in which the Company owns property
or transacts business to the extent, in the reasonable judgment of the Managing
Member, such qualification or registration is necessary or advisable for the
protection of the limited liability of the Members or to permit the Company
lawfully to own property or transact business. The Managing Member may and, at
the request of the Managing Member or any officer, each Member shall, execute,
acknowledge, swear to and deliver any or all certificates and other instruments
conforming with this Agreement that are necessary or appropriate to qualify,
continue or terminate the Company as a foreign limited liability company in all
such jurisdictions in which the Company may conduct business.
2.7 TERM. The term of the Company commenced on the date the Certificate
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was filed with the office of the Secretary of State of Delaware and shall
continue in existence until December 31, 2026 or dissolution prior thereto as
determined under Section 11.1.
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2.8 NO STATE-LAW PARTNERSHIP. The Members intend that the Company shall
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not be a partnership (including, without limitation, a limited partnership) or
joint venture, and that no Member, Economic Owner or Officer shall be a partner
or joint venturer of any other Member, Economic Owner or Officer, for any
purposes other than federal and, if applicable, state tax purposes, and this
Agreement shall not be construed to the contrary. The Members intend that the
Company shall be treated as a partnership for federal and, if applicable, state
income tax purposes, and each Member and the Company shall file all tax returns
and shall otherwise take all tax and financial reporting positions in a manner
consistent with such treatment.
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ARTICLE III
MEMBERSHIP; CAPITAL CONTRIBUTIONS; ADDITIONAL INTERESTS
3.1 MEMBERS.
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(a) Names, etc. Subject to the following sentence, the
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names, residence, business or mailing addresses, Capital Contributions and the
Units of the Members are set forth on Schedule A, as such Schedule shall be
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amended from time to time in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. Any
reference in this Agreement to Schedule A shall be deemed to be a reference to
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Schedule A as amended and in effect from time to time. Each Person listed on
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Schedule A, upon (i) his or its execution of this Agreement or counterpart
thereof and (ii) receipt (or deemed receipt) of such Person's Capital
Contribution as set forth on Schedule A, is hereby admitted to the Company as a
Member of the Company.
(b) Loans by Members. No Member, as such, shall be required
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to lend any funds to the Company or to make any additional contribution of
capital to the Company, except as otherwise required by applicable law or by
this Agreement. Any Member may, with the approval of the Managing Member, make
loans to the Company, and any loan by a Member to the Company shall not be
considered to be a Capital Contribution.
(c) Representations and Warranties of Members. Each Member
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hereby represents and warrants to and acknowledges with the Company that: (i)
such Member has such knowledge and experience in financial and business matters
and is capable of evaluating the merits and risks of an investment in the
Company and making an informed investment decision with respect thereto; (ii)
such Member is able to bear the economic and financial risk of an investment in
the Company for an indefinite period of time; (iii) such Member is acquiring
interests in the Company for investment only and not with a view to, or for
resale in connection with, any distribution to the public or public offering
thereof; (iv) the interests in the Company have not been registered under the
securities laws of any jurisdiction and cannot be disposed of unless they are
subsequently registered and/or qualified under applicable securities laws and
the provisions of this Agreement have been complied with; (v) the execution,
delivery and performance of this Agreement have been duly authorized by such
Member and do not require such Member to obtain any consent or approval that has
not been obtained and do not contravene or result in a default under any
provision of any law or regulation applicable to such Member or other governing
documents or any agreement or instrument to which such Member is a party or by
which such Member is bound and (vi) this Agreement is valid, binding and
enforceable against such Member in accordance with its terms.
3.2 NO LIABILITY OF MEMBERS.
-----------------------
(a) No Liability. Except as otherwise required by
applicable law and as expressly set forth in this Agreement, no Member shall
have any personal liability whatever in such Member's capacity as a Member,
whether to the Company, to any of the other Members, to the creditors of the
Company or to any other third party, for the debts, liabilities, commitments or
any other obligations of the Company or for any losses of the Company. Each
Member shall be liable
-11-
only to make such Member's Capital Contribution to the Company and the other
payments provided expressly herein.
(b) Distribution. In accordance with the Act and the laws of the
State of Delaware, a member of a limited liability company may, under certain
circumstances, be required to return amounts previously distributed to such
member. It is the intent of the Members that no distribution to any Member
pursuant to Article V hereof shall be deemed a return of money or other property
---------
paid or distributed in violation of the Act. The payment of any such money or
distribution of any such property to a Member shall be deemed to be a compromise
within the meaning of the Act, and the Member receiving any such money or
property shall not be required to return to any Person any such money or
property. However, if any court of competent jurisdiction holds that,
notwithstanding the provisions of this Agreement, any Member is obligated to
make any such payment, such obligation shall be the obligation of such Member
and not of any other Member.
3.3 INITIAL CAPITAL CONTRIBUTIONS. Each Member shall make a Capital
-----------------------------
Contribution to the Company in cash or assets or evidence of indebtedness in the
amount set forth opposite such Member's name on Schedule A hereto. Upon receipt
----------
of the Capital Contribution set forth opposite such Member's name on Schedule A,
----------
each Member shall be deemed to own the number of Preferred Units and Common
Units set forth opposite such Member's name on Schedule A.
----------
3.4 ISSUANCE OF ADDITIONAL INTERESTS; ADDITIONAL MEMBERS.
----------------------------------------------------
(a) Additional Interests. Subject to Section 10.7 and Article VI
-------------------- ------------ ----------
of the Securityholders Agreement, the Managing Member shall have the right to
cause the Company to issue or sell to any Person (including Members and
Affiliates of Members) any of the following (which for purposes of this
Agreement shall be "Additional Interests"): (i) additional Membership Interests
--------------------
or other interest-in the Company (including new classes or series thereof having
different rights); (ii) obligations, evidences of indebtedness or other
securities orinterests convertible into or exchangeable for Membership Interests
or other interests in the Company; and (iii) warrants, options or other rights
to purchase or otherwise acquire Membership Interests or other interests in the
Company. The Managing Member shall determine the terms and conditions governing
the issuance of such Additional Interests, including the number and designation
of such Additional Interests, the preference (with respect to distributions, in
liquidation or otherwise) over any other Membership Interests and any required
contributions in connection therewith.
(b) Additional Members and Interests. In order for a Person to be
--------------------------------
admitted as a Member of the Company with respect to an Additional Interest: (i)
such Person shall have delivered to the Company a written undertaking to be
bound by the terms and conditions of this Agreement and shall have delivered
such documents and instruments as the Managing Member determines to be necessary
or appropriate in connection with the issuance of such Additional Interest to
such Person or to effect such Person's admission as a Member; and (ii) the
Managing Member or the Secretary of the Company shall amend Schedule A without
----------
the further vote, act or consent of any other Person to reflect such new Person
as a Member. Upon the amendment of Schedule A, such
----------
-12-
Person shall be deemed to have been admitted as a Member and shall be listed as
such on the books and records of the Company and thereupon shall be issued his
or its Membership Interest, including any Economic Interest that corresponds to
and is part of such Membership Interest. If an Additional Interest is issued to
an existing Member, the Managing Member or the Secretary of the Company shall
amend Schedule A without the further vote, act or consent or any other Person to
----------
reflect the-issuance of such Additional Interest and, upon the amendment of such
Schedule A, such Member shall be issued his or its Additional Interest,
- ----------
including any Economic Interest that corresponds to and is part of such
Additional Interest.
3.5 CERTIFICATION OF UNITS. The Company may in its discretion issue
----------------------
certificates to the Members representing the Membership Interest held by each
Member.
3.6 TERMINATION OF CLASS B COMMON UNITS AND CLASS C COMMON UNITS. If
------------------------------------------------------------
an employee of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries ceases to be employed by
the Company and its Subsidiaries for any reason, each Class B Common Unit and
Class C Common Unit issued to such employee shall automatically terminate upon
such termination of employment regardless of the reason therefor.
ARTICLE IV
CAPITAL ACCOUNTS
4.1 ESTABLISHMENT AND DETERMINATION OF CAPITAL ACCOUNTS. A capital
---------------------------------------------------
account ("Capital Account") shall be established for each Member on the books of
---------------
the Company initially reflecting an amount equal to such Member's initial
Capital Contribution pursuant to Section 3.3. Each Member's Capital Account
-----------
shall be (a) increased by any additional Capital Contributions made by such
Member pursuant to the terms of this Agreement and such Member's share of items
of income and gain allocated to such Member pursuant to Article V, (b) decreased
---------
by such Member's share of items of loss, deduction and expense allocated to such
Member pursuant to Article V and any distributions to such Member of cash or the
---------
fair market value of any other property (net of liabilities assumed by such
Member and liabilities to which such property is subject) distributed to such
Member and (c) adjusted as otherwise required by the Code and the regulations
thereunder, including but not limited to, the rules of Treasury Regulation
Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv). Any references in this Agreement to the Capital
Account of a Member shall be deemed to refer to such Capital Account as the same
may be increased or decreased from time to time as set forth above.
4.2 COMPUTATION OF AMOUNTS. For purposes of computing the amount of
----------------------
any item of Company income, gain, loss or deduction to be allocated pursuant to
Article IV and to be reflected in the Capital Accounts, the determination,
recognition and classification of any such item shall be the same as its
determination, recognition and classification for federal income tax purposes
(including any method of depreciation, cost recovery or amortization used for
this purpose), provided that:
--------
-13-
(a) The computation of all items of income, gain, loss and deduction
shall include tax-exempt income and those items described in Treasury Regulation
Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(i), without regard to the fact that such items are
-
not-includable in gross income or are not deductible for federal income tax
purposes.
(b) If the Book Value of any Company property is adjusted pursuant to
Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(e) or (f), the amount of such
- -
adjustment shall be taken into account as gain or loss from the disposition of
such property.
(c) Items of income, gain, loss or deduction attributable to the
disposition of Company property having a Book Value that differs from its
adjusted basis for tax purposes shall be computed by reference to the Book Value
of such property.
(d) Items of depreciation, amortization and other cost recovery
deductions with respect to Company property having a Book Value that differs
from its adjusted basis for tax purposes shall be computed by reference to the
property's Book Value in accordance with Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-
1(b)(2)(iv)(g).
-
(e) To the extent an adjustment to the adjusted tax basis of any
Company asset pursuant to Code Sections 732(d), 734(b) or 743(b) is required,
pursuant to Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(m), to be taken into
-
account in determining Capital Accounts, the amount of such adjustment to the
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).
4.3 NEGATIVE CAPITAL ACCOUNTS. No Member shall be required to pay to the
-------------------------
Company or any other Member any deficit or negative balance which may exist from
time to time in such Member's Capital Account.
4.4 COMPANY CAPITAL. No Member shall be paid interest on any Capital
---------------
Contribution to the Company or on such Member's Capital Account, and no Member
shall have any right (a) to demand the return of such Member's Capital
Contribution or any other distribution from the Company (whether upon
resignation, withdrawal or otherwise), except upon dissolution of the Company
pursuant to Article XI hereof or (b) to cause a partition of the Company's
----------
assets.
ARTICLE V
DISTRIBUTIONS; ALLOCATIONS OF
PROFITS AND LOSSES
5.1 GENERALLY. Subject to the provisions of Section 18-607 of the Act and
---------
Section 5.5, the Managing Member shall have sole discretion regarding the
- -----------
amounts and timing of distributions to Members, in each case subject to the
retention and establishment of reserves of, or payment to third parties of, such
funds as it deems necessary with respect to the reasonable business needs of the
Company which shall include the payment or the making of provision for the
payment
-14-
when due of the Company's obligations, including the payment of any management
or administrative fees and expenses or any other obligations.
5.2 DISTRIBUTIONS. Subject to Section 5.5, distributions to be made on
------------- -----------
any date shall be made in the following order and priority:
(a) First, if any Preferred Units are outstanding, to the holders of
-----
Preferred Units pro rata according to their ownership of Preferred Units until
the aggregate distributions with respect to the Preferred Units made pursuant to
this Section 5.2(a) reduces the aggregate Unpaid Preferred Yield to zero; and
--------------
(b) Second, if any Preferred Units are outstanding, to the holders of
------
Preferred Units pro rata according to their ownership of Preferred Units until
the aggregate distributions with respect to the Preferred Units made pursuant to
this Section 5.2(b) reduces the aggregate Unreturned Preferred Capital to zero;
--------------
and
(c) Third, if the Class B IRR Target has not been achieved, to the
-----
holders of Class A Common Units in proportion to their ownership of Class A
Common Units; and
(d) Fourth, if the Class B IRR Target has been achieved but the Class
------
C IRR Target has not been achieved, to the holders of Class A Common Units and
Class B Common Units in proportion to their ownership of Class A Common Units
and Class B Common Units; and
(e) Fifth, if the Class C IRR Target has been achieved, to the
-----
holders of Class A Common Units, Class B Common Units and Class C Common Units
in proportion to their ownership of Class A Common Units, Class B Common Units
and Class C Common Units.
5.3 ALLOCATION OF PROFITS AND LOSSES. For each Fiscal Year of the
--------------------------------
Company, after adjusting each Member's Capital Account for all Capital
Contributions and distributions during such Fiscal Year and all special
allocations pursuant to Section 5.4 with respect to such Fiscal Year, all
-----------
Profits and Losses (other than Profits and Losses specially allocated pursuant
to Section 5.4) shall be allocated to the Members' Capital Accounts in a manner
-----------
such that, as of the end of such Fiscal Year, the Capital Account of each Member
(which may be either a positive or negative balance) shall be equal to (a) the
amount which would be distributed to such Member, determined as if the Company
were to liquidate all of its assets for the Book Value thereof and distribute
the proceeds thereof pursuant to Section 11.2 hereof, minus (b) the sum of (i)
------------ -----
such Member's share of Company Minimum Gain (as determined according to Treasury
Regulation Sections 1.704-2(d) and (g)(3)) and Member Minimum Gain (as
determined according to Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-2(i)) and (ii) the
amount, if any, which such Member is obligated to contribute to the capital of
the Company as of the last day of such Fiscal Year. Notwithstanding anything to
the contrary contained herein, during the entire term of the Company, the
Managing Member (i) shall be allocated not less than one percent (1%) of each
material item of income, gain, loss and deduction of the Company and (ii) shall
maintain a Capital Account balance of not less than one percent (1%) of the
total Capital Account balances of the Members.
-15-
5.4 REGULATORY AND SPECIAL ALLOCATIONS. Notwithstanding the
----------------------------------
provisions of Section 5.3:
-----------
(a) If there is a net decrease in Company Minimum Gain during
any Taxable Year, each Member shall be specially allocated items of taxable
income or gain for such Taxable Year (and, if necessary, subsequent Taxable
Years) in an amount equal to such Member's share of the net decrease in Company
Minimum Gain, determined in accordance with Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-
2(g). The items to be so allocated shall be determined in accordance with
Treasury Regulation Sections 1.704-2(f)(6) and 1.704-2(j)(2). This paragraph is
intended to comply with the minimum gain chargeback requirement in Treasury
Regulation Section 1.704-2(f) and shall be interpreted consistently therewith.
(b) Member Nonrecourse Deductions shall be allocated in the
manner required by Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-2(i). Except as otherwise
provided in Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-2(i)(4), if there is a net
decrease in Member Minimum Gain during any Taxable Year, each Member that has a
share of such Member Minimum Gain shall be specially allocated items of taxable
income or gain for such Taxable Year (and, if necessary, subsequent Taxable
Years) in an amount equal to that Member's share of the net decrease in Member
Minimum Gain. Items to be allocated pursuant to this paragraph shall be
determined in accordance with Treasury Regulation Sections 1.704-2(i)(4) and
1.704-2(j)(2). This paragraph is intended to comply with the minimum gain
chargeback requirements in Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-2(i)(4) and shall
be interpreted consistently therewith.
(c) If any Member unexpectedly receives any adjustments,
allocations or distributions described in Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-
1(b)(2)(ii)(d)(4), (5) or (6), items of taxable income and gain shall be
specially allocated to such Member in an amount and manner sufficient to
eliminate the adjusted capital account deficit (determined according to Treasury
Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d)) created by such adjustments,
allocations or distributions as quickly as possible. This paragraph is intended
to comply with the qualified income offset requirement in Treasury Regulation
Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d) and shall be interpreted consistently therewith.
(d) The allocations set forth in paragraphs (a), (b) and (c)
above (the "Regulatory Allocations") are intended to comply with certain
----------------------
requirements of the Treasury Regulations under Code Section 704. Notwithstanding
any other provisions of this Article V (other than the Regulatory Allocations),
---------
the Regulatory Allocations shall be taken into account in allocating Profits and
Losses among Members so that, to the extent possible, the net amount of such
allocations of Profits and Losses and other items and the Regulatory Allocations
(including Regulatory Allocations that, although not yet made, are expected to
be made in the future) to each Member shall be equal to the net amount that
would have been allocated to such Member if the Regulatory Allocations had not
occurred.
-16-
5.5 TAX DISTRIBUTIONS.
-----------------
(a) Notwithstanding Sections 5.1 and 5.2 above, so long as the
------------ ---
Managing Member has not determined in good faith that such distribution would be
prohibited or create a default or event of default under the Act or any
financing agreement to which the Company is subject, then (i) at least ten
business days before each date prescribed by the Code for calendar year
corporations to pay quarterly installments of estimated tax, the Company shall
distribute to the Members an amount of cash equal to the excess of (x) the
Quarterly Estimated Tax Amount for the quarter of the Taxable Year with respect
to which such distribution is being made over (y) the amount of Distributions
(if any) previously made pursuant to Section 5.2 during such quarter; (ii) if
-----------
the aggregate amount of such distributions with respect to any Taxable Year is
less than the Company's Tax Amount for such Taxable Year, the Company shall
distribute an amount of cash equal to the balance of such Tax Amount ("Shortfall
---------
Distributions"); and (iii) the Company shall use its best efforts to make such
- -------------
Shortfall Distributions at, on or before the date prescribed by the Code
(without extensions) for calendar year corporations to file federal income tax
returns. If the aggregate amount of such distributions under this Section 5.5
-----------
with respect to any Taxable Year exceeds the Company's Tax Amount for such
Taxable Year, the Company's obligations to make future distributions to such
Member pursuant to this Section 5.5 shall be reduced by the amount of such
-----------
excess until such excess has been fully deducted from such distributions.
(b) The Company's "Tax Amount" for a Taxable Year shall be the
----------
federal, state, and local income taxes which would be payable by the Company if
the Company were taxed for such Taxable Year at the highest marginal federal,
state and local income tax rate applicable to any Member on the Company's
taxable income for the Taxable Year (treating Yield as an item which is not
deductible in computing such taxable income) (computed as if the Company had
elected to carry forward all loss and credit carryovers, taking into account the
character of any loss and credit carry forward as a capital or ordinary loss).
The amounts in respect of tax withholding on payments to or from the Company for
which Members (or owners directly or indirectly of such Members) are credited
under applicable tax law shall be credited against payments of the Tax Amount to
such Members. The Company's Tax Amount shall be determined initially by the
Managing Member on the basis of figures set forth on IRS Form 1065 filed by the
Company and the similar state or local forms filed by the Company but shall be
subject to subsequent adjustment pursuant to audit, litigation, settlement,
amended return, or the like.
(c) The Company's "Estimated Tax Amount" for a Taxable Year (or
--------------------
Fiscal Period) shall be the Company's Tax Amount for such Taxable Year (or
Fiscal Period) as estimated from time to time by the Manager. In making such
estimate, the Manager shall take into account amounts shown on IRS Form 1065
filed by the Company and similar state or local forms filed by the Company for
the preceding taxable year and other adjustments as in the reasonable business
judgment of the Manager are necessary or appropriate to reflect the estimated
operations of the Company for the Taxable Year (or Fiscal Period). The Company's
"Quarterly Estimated Tax Amount" for any quarter of a Taxable Year shall be the
------------------------------
excess of (x) the product of (I) 1/4 in the case of the first quarter of the
Taxable Year, 1/2 in the case of the second quarter of the Taxable Year, 3/4 in
the case of the third quarter of the Taxable Year and 1 in the case of the
fourth quarter of the
-17-
Taxable Year and (II) the Company's Estimated Tax Amount for such Taxable Year
over (y) all prior distributions of Quarterly Estimated Tax Amounts for such
Taxable Year.
(d) Such portion of the distributions pursuant to Section 5.5(a)
--------------
as is determined in good faith by the Managing Member to be appropriate, based
on the share of the Company's taxable income allocated to Members on account of
their ownership of each class of Common Units, shall be distributed to Members
holding Common Units of such Class, in proportion to their Common Units of such
class and such distribution shall be considered a distribution to Members under
Section 5.2(c), 5.2(d) or 5.2(e), as appropriate. Any remaining portion of the
distributions pursuant to Section 5.5(a) shall be treated as a distribution
--------------
pursuant to, and shall be made in accordance with, Section 5.2(a).
--------------
(e) Each distribution pursuant to Section 5.5(a) shall be made
--------------
to the Persons shown on the Company's books and records as Members as of the
date of such distribution.
5.6 TAX ALLOCATIONS: CODE SECTION 704(C).
------------------------------------
(a) The income, gains, losses, deductions and expenses of the
Company shall be allocated, for federal, state and local income tax purposes,
among the Members in accordance with the allocation of such income, gains,
losses, deductions and expenses among the Members for computing their Capital
Accounts, except that if any such allocation is not permitted by the Code or
other applicable law, the Company's subsequent income, gains, losses, deductions
and expenses shall be allocated among the Members for tax purposes to the extent
permitted by the Code and other applicable law, so as to reflect as nearly as
possible the allocation set forth herein in computing their Capital Accounts.
(b) In accordance with Code Section 704(c) and the Treasury
Regulations thereunder, income, gain, loss, deduction and expense with respect
to any property contributed to the capital of the Company shall, solely for tax
purposes, be allocated among the Members 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 fair market value at the time of contribution under the
remedial allocation method described in Treas. Reg. (S)1.704-3(d).
(c) If the Book Value of any Company asset is adjusted pursuant
to Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(f) as provided in the
definition of Book Value, subsequent allocations of items of taxable income,
gain, loss, deduction and expense 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 Book Value in the same manner as under Code Section 704(c).
(d) Allocations of tax credit, tax credit recapture, and any
items related thereto shall be allocated to the Members according to their
interests in such items as determined by the Managing Member taking into account
the principles of Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(4)(ii).
-18-
(e) Any elections or other decisions relating to such
allocations shall be made by the Managing Member in any manner that reasonably
reflects the purpose and intent of this Agreement. Allocations pursuant to this
Section 5.6 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 Member's
Capital Account or share of profits, losses, other items or distributions
pursuant to any provisions of this Agreement.
5.7 SECURITYHOLDERS AGREEMENT PROVISION. Notwithstanding anything to
-----------------------------------
the contrary contained in this Agreement, the provisions of Section 4.1(a)(iii)
-------------------
and Section 4.1(b) of the Securityholders Agreement shall be considered to be
--------------
modifications of the provisions related to distributions set forth in this
Article V.
- ---------
ARTICLE VI
MANAGEMENT
6.1 THE MANAGING MEMBER; DELEGATION OF AUTHORITY AND DUTIES.
-------------------------------------------------------
(a) Members and Managing Member. Except as otherwise required by
---------------------------
the Act, the business and affairs of the Company shall be managed by or under
the direction of a "manager"(as that term is defined in the Act) who shall be a
-------
Member (the "Managing Member"). The initial Managing Member shall be BrightView.
----------------
Except as otherwise expressly provided for in this Agreement, the Members hereby
consent to the exercise by the Managing Member of all such powers and rights
conferred on them by the Act with respect to the management and control of the
Company. Notwithstanding the foregoing and except as explicitly set forth in
this Agreement, if a vote, consent or approval of the Members is required by the
Act or other applicable law with respect to any act to be taken by the Company
or matter considered by the Managing Member, the Members agree that they shall
be deemed to have consented to or approved such act or voted on such matter in
accordance with the determination of the Managing Member on such act or matter.
No Member, in his or its capacity as a Member, shall have any power to act for,
sign for or do any act that would bind the Company. The Managing Member shall
devote such time and effort to the affairs of the Company as he or it may deem
appropriate for the oversight of the management and affairs of the Company.
(b) Delegation by Managing Member. The Managing Member shall
have the power and authority to delegate to one or more other Persons the
Managing Member's rights and powers to manage and control the business and
affairs of the Company, including to delegate to agents and employees of a
Member or the Company (including Officers), and to delegate by a written
agreement with, or otherwise to, other Persons. The Managing Member may
authorize any Person (including, without limitation, any Member or Officer) to
enter into and perform under any document on behalf of the Company.
-19-
(c) Resignation. The Managing Member may resign by delivering his or
-----------
its written resignation to the Company. Such resignation shall be effective
fourteen (14) business days following receipt of such resignation by the Company
unless some later time is specified in such resignation.
(d) Removal. The initial Managing Member may not be removed. Any
-------
subsequent Managing Member may be removed only by PIC.
(e) Vacancy. If a vacancy in the position of Managing Member should
-------
for any reason occur, a replacement Managing Member shall be appointed by PIC.
Any subsequent Managing Member may be removed only by PIC.
(f) Compensation. The Managing Member shall not be entitled to
------------
compensation from the Company in connection with its activities as Managing
Member; provided that the foregoing shall not prevent the Managing Member from
--------
receiving reimbursement for out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Managing
Member on behalf of the Company, receiving distributions as a Member pursuant to
this Agreement or otherwise receiving compensation from the Company for actions
unrelated to its activities as Managing Member.
(g) Committees. The Managing Member may, from time to time, designate
----------
one or more committees. Any such committee, to the extent provided in the
enabling resolution and until dissolved by the Managing Member, shall have and
may exercise any or all of the authority of the Managing Member. At every
meeting of any such committee, the presence of a majority of all the
representatives thereof shall constitute a quorum, and the affirmative vote of a
majority of the representatives present shall be necessary for the adoption of
any resolution. The Managing Member may dissolve any committee at any time.
6.2 OFFICERS.
--------
(a) Designation and Appointment. The Managing Member may, from
---------------------------
time to time, employ and retain Persons as may be necessary or appropriate for
the conduct of the Company's business, including employees, agents and other
Persons (any of whom may be a Member) who may be designated as Officers of the
Company, with titles including but not limited to "chief executive officer,"
"chairman," "president," vice president," "treasurer," "secretary," "general
manager," "director" and "chief financial officer," as and to the extent
authorized by the Managing Member. Any number of offices may be held by the same
person. In its discretion, the Managing Member may choose not to fill any office
for any period as it may deem advisable. Officers need not be residents of the
State of Delaware or Members. Any Officers so designated shall have such
authority and perform such duties as the Managing Member may, from time to time,
delegate to them. The Managing Member may assign titles to particular Officers.
Each Officer shall hold office until his successor shall be duly designated and
shall qualify or until his death or until he shall resign or shall have been
removed in the manner hereinafter provided. The salaries or other compensation,
if any, of the Officers of the Company shall be fixed from time to time by the
Managing Member.
-20-
(b) Resignation/Removal. Any Officer may resign as such at any time.
-------------------
Such resignation shall be made in writing and shall take effect at the time
specified therein, or if no time be specified, at the time of its receipt by the
Company. The acceptance of a resignation shall not be necessary to make it
effective, unless expressly so provided in the resignation. Any Officer may be
removed as such, either with or without cause at any time by the Managing
Member. Designation of an Officer shall not of itself create any contractual
or employment rights.
(c) Duties of Officers Generally. The Officers, in the performance of
----------------------------
their duties as such, shall owe to the Company duties of loyalty and due care of
the type owed by the officers of a corporation to such corporation and its
stockholders under the laws of the State of Delaware.
(d) Chairman. Subject to the powers of the Managing Member, the
--------
Chairman of the Company shall be in general and active charge of the entire
business and affairs of the Company, and shall be its Chief Executive Officer
and chief policy making Officer.
(e) Chief Financial Officer. The chief financial officer shall keep
-----------------------
and maintain, or cause to be kept and maintained, adequate and correct books and
records of accounts of the properties and business transactions of the Company,
including accounts of its assets, liabilities, receipts, disbursements, gains,
losses, capital and Units. The chief financial officer shall have the custody of
the funds and securities of the Company, and shall keep full and accurate
accounts of receipts and disbursements in books belonging to the Company, and
shall deposit all moneys and other valuable effects in the name and to the
credit of the Company in such depositories as may be designated by the Managing
Member. The chief financial officer shall have such other powers and perform
such other duties as may from time to time be prescribed by the chief executive
officer or the Managing Member.
ARTICLE VII
EXCULPATION AND INDEMNIFICATION
7.1 PERFORMANCE OF DUTIES; NO LIABILITY OF MEMBER AND OFFICERS.
----------------------------------------------------------
No Member (including the Managing Member) shall have any duty to the Company or
any Member of the Company except as expressly set forth herein or in other
written agreements. No Member (including the Managing Member) or Officer of the
Company shall be liable to the Company or to any Member for any loss or damage
sustained by the Company or to any Member, unless the loss or damage shall have
been the result of gross negligence, fraud or intentional misconduct by the
Member (including the Managing Member) or Officer in question or, in the case of
an Officer, breach of such Person's duties pursuant to Section 6.2(c). In
performing such Person's duties, each such Person shall be entitled to rely in
good faith on the provisions of this Agreement and on information, opinions,
reports or statements (including financial statements and information, opinions,
reports or statements as to the value or amount of the assets, liabilities,
profits or losses of the Company or any facts pertinent to the existence and
amount of assets from which distributions to Members might properly be paid) of
the following other Persons or groups: one or more Officers or employees of the
-21-
Company; any attorney, independent accountant, appraiser or other expert or
professional employed or engaged by or on behalf of the Company, the Managing
Member or any committee of the Managing Member; or any other Person who has
been selected with reasonable care by or on behalf of the Company, the Managing
Member or any committee of the Managing Member in each case as to matters which
such relying Person reasonably believes to be within such other Person's
competence. The preceding sentence shall in no way limit any Person's right to
rely on information to the extent provided in Section 18-406 of the Act. No
Member (including the Managing Member) or Officer of the Company shall be
personally liable under any judgment of a court, or in any other manner, for any
debt, obligation or liability of the Company, whether that liability or
obligation arises in contract, tort or otherwise, solely by reason of being a
Member or Officer of the Company or any combination of the foregoing.
7.2 COMPETING ACTIVITIES. Except as may otherwise be agreed in
--------------------
writing and subject to the duties and obligations of the Managing Member and
Officers to the Company: (a) the Members and the officers, directors, security
holders, partners, members, managers, agents, employees and Affiliates of each
of them, may engage or invest in, own and/or manage, independently or with
others, any business activity of any type or description, including without
limitation those that might be in direct or indirect competition with the
Company; (b) neither the Company nor any other Member shall have any right in or
to any of such other ventures or activities or to the income or proceeds derived
therefrom; (c) neither the Members nor the officers, directors, securityholders,
partners, members, managers, agents, employees or Affiliates of any of them
shall be obligated to present any investment opportunity or prospective economic
advantage to the Company, even if the opportunity is of the character that, if
presented to the Company, could be taken advantage of by the Company; and (d)
the Members and the officers, directors, securityholders, partners, members,
managers, agents, employees and Affiliates of each of them shall have the right
to hold any investment opportunity or prospective economic advantage for their
own account or to recommend such opportunity to Persons other than the Company.
7.3 TRANSACTIONS BETWEEN THE COMPANY AND THE MEMBERS. Notwithstanding
------------------------------------------------
that it may constitute a conflict of interest, the Members or their Affiliates
may engage in any transaction (including, without limitation, the purchase,
sale, lease or exchange of any property or the rendering of any service or the
establishment of any salary, other compensation or other terms of employment)
with the Company so long as such transaction is approved by the Managing
Member, or if such transaction is with the Managing Member or one of its
Affiliates, a majority of the votes of the disinterested Members. No Member
shall be deemed by reason of Section 6.1 to have approved any such transaction.
-----------
7.4 RIGHT TO INDEMNIFICATION. Subject to the limitations and
------------------------
conditions as provided in this Article VII, each Person who was or is made a
-----------
party or is threatened to be made a party to or is involved in any threatened,
pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal,
administrative or arbitrative (hereinafter a "Proceeding"), or any appeal in
----------
such a Proceeding or any inquiry or investigation that could lead to such a
Proceeding, by reason of the fact that such Person, or a Person of which such
Person is the legal representative, is or was a Member or Officer shall be
indemnified by the Company to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law,
-22-
as the same exists or may hereafter be amended (but, in the case of any such
amendment, only to the extent that such amendment permits the Company to provide
broader indemnification rights than said law permitted the Company to provide
prior to such amendment) against judgments, penalties (including excise and
similar taxes and punitive damages), fines, settlements and reasonable expenses
(including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys' fees) actually incurred by
such Person in connection with such Proceeding, appeal, inquiry or investigation
(each a "Loss"), unless and to the extent that such Loss shall have been the
----
result of gross negligence, fraud or intentional misconduct by such Person, and
indemnification under this Article VII shall continue as to a Person who has
-----------
ceased to serve in the capacity which initially entitled such Person to
indemnity hereunder. The rights granted pursuant to this Article VII shall be
-----------
deemed contract rights, and no amendment, modification or repeal of this Article
-------
VII shall have the effect of limiting or denying any such rights with respect to
- ---
actions taken or Proceedings, appeals, inquiries or investigations arising prior
to any amendment, modification or repeal.
7.5 ADVANCE PAYMENT. The right to indemnification conferred in this
---------------
Article VII shall include the right to be paid or reimbursed by the Company the
- -----------
reasonable expenses incurred by a Person (other than an officer of the Company
or a Subsidiary thereof in respect of claims by the Company or a Subsidiary
thereof against such officer in such officer's capacity as such) of the type
entitled to be indemnified under Section 7.4 who was, is or is threatened to be,
----------
made a named defendant or respondent in a Proceeding in advance of the final
disposition of the Proceeding and without any determination as to the Person's
ultimate entitlement to indemnification; provided, however, that the payment of
such expenses incurred by any such Person in advance of the final disposition of
a Proceeding shall be made only upon delivery to the Company of a written
affirmation by such Person of his or her good faith belief that he has met the
standard of conduct necessary for indemnification under Article VII and a
-----------
written undertaking, by or on behalf of such Person, to repay all amounts so
advanced if it shall ultimately be determined that such indemnified Person is
not entitled to be indemnified under this Article VII or otherwise.
-----------
7.6 INDEMNIFICATION OF EMPLOYEES AND AGENTS. The Company, at the
---------------------------------------
direction of the Managing Member, may indemnify and advance expenses to an
employee or agent of the Company to the same extent and subject to the same
conditions under which it may indemnify and advance expenses under Sections 7.4
------------
and 7.5.
- -------
7.7 APPEARANCE AS A WITNESS. Notwithstanding any other provision of
-----------------------
this Article VII, the Company may pay or reimburse reasonable out-of-pocket
expenses incurred by a Officer, employee or agent in connection with his
appearance as a witness or other participation in a Proceeding at a time when he
is not a named defendant or respondent in the Proceeding.
7.8 NONEXCLUSIVITY OF RIGHTS. The right to indemnification and the
------------------------
advancement and payment of expenses conferred in this Article VII shall not be
-----------
exclusive of any other right that a Member, Officer or other Person indemnified
pursuant to this Article VII may have or hereafter acquire under any law (common
-----------
or statutory) or provision of this Agreement.
-23-
7.9 INSURANCE. The Company may, but is not obligated to, purchase and
---------
maintain insurance, at its expense, to protect itself and any Member, Officer or
agent of the Company who is or was serving at the request of the Company as a
manager, director, officer, partner, venturer, proprietor, trustee, employee,
agent or similar functionary of a foreign or domestic limited liability company,
corporation, partnership, joint venture, sole proprietorship, trust, employee
benefit plan or other enterprise against any expense, liability or loss, whether
or not the Company would have the power to indemnify such Person against such
expense, liability or loss under this Article VII.
-----------
7.10 SAVINGS CLAUSE. If this Article VII or any portion hereof shall
-------------- -----------
be invalidated on any ground by any court of competent jurisdiction, then the
Company shall nevertheless indemnify and hold harmless each Person indemnified
pursuant to this Article VII as to costs, charges and expenses (including
-----------
reasonable attorneys' fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement
with respect to any such Proceeding, appeal, inquiry or investigation to the
full extent permitted by any applicable portion of this Article VII that shall
-----------
not have been invalidated and to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law.
ARTICLE VIII
TAXES
8.1 TAX RETURNS. The Company shall cause to be prepared and filed all
-----------
necessary federal and state income tax returns for the Company, and shall make
any elections the Managing Member may deem appropriate and in the best interests
of the Members. Each Member shall furnish to the Company all pertinent
information in its possession relating to Company operations that is necessary
to enable the Company's income tax returns to be prepared and filed.
8.2 TAX MATTERS PARTNER. The Managing Member shall be the "tax
-------------------
matters partner" of the Company pursuant to section 6231(a)(7) of the Code (the
"Tax Matters Member"). The Tax Matters Member shall take such action as may be
------------------
necessary to cause each of the Investor Members and PPC to become a "notice
partner" within the meaning of section 6223 of the Code. The Tax Matters Member
is authorized to represent the Company before the Internal Revenue Service and
any other governmental agency with jurisdiction, and to sign such consents and
to enter into settlements and other agreements with such agencies as the
Managing Member deems necessary or advisable.
ARTICLE IX
BOOKS, REPORTS AND COMPANY FUNDS
9.1 MAINTENANCE OF BOOKS. The Company shall keep books and records of
--------------------
accounts in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles and
shall keep minutes of the proceedings of its Members and each committee. The
Fiscal Year shall be the accounting year of the Company for financial reporting
purposes.
-24-
9.2 MEMBER TAX INFORMATION. Within ninety (90) days after the end of
----------------------
each Taxable Year, the Managing Member or Officers will cause to be delivered to
each Person who was a Member or Economic Owner at any time during such Taxable
Year a Form K-1 and such other information, if any, with respect to the Company
as may be necessary for the preparation of such Member's or Economic Owner's
federal, state and local income tax returns, including a statement showing such
Member's or Economic Owner's share of income, gain or loss, expense and credits
for such Taxable Year for federal income tax purposes. Any deficiency for taxes
imposed on any Member or Economic Owner (including penalties, additions to tax
or interest imposed with respect to such taxes) shall be paid by such Member or
Economic Owner, and if paid by the Company, shall be recoverable from such
Member or Economic Owner pursuant to Section 12.10; provided, however, that this
------------- --------
sentence shall not be construed to prevent the operation of Sections 5.5 or
---------------
5.2(c).
- ------
9.3 COMPANY FUNDS. The Company may not commingle the Company's funds
-------------
with the funds of any Member or the funds of any Affiliate of any Member.
ARTICLE X
TRANSFERS AND OTHER EVENTS
10.1 ASSIGNMENT BY MEMBERS. Each Member may sell, assign, transfer,
---------------------
exchange, mortgage, pledge, grant a security interest in, or otherwise dispose
of or encumber (including by operation of law) all or any part of such Member's
Membership Interest (including any Units or other Economic Interest) (each such
event, a "Transfer"), provided that no such Transfer will be effective unless
--------
and until the transferee shall have executed and delivered to the Company an
agreement in form and substance satisfactory to the Managing Member to be bound
by the provisions of this Agreement applicable to the Membership Interest
Transferred, and no such assignment shall relieve the assignor of its
obligations hereunder unless such assignee is admitted as a substitute Member
pursuant to Section 10.3.
------------
10.2 VOID ASSIGNMENT. Any Transfer by any Member in contravention of
---------------
this Agreement shall be void and ineffectual and shall not bind or be recognized
by the Company or any other party. In the event of any Transfer in contravention
of this Agreement, the purported transferee shall have no right to any profits,
losses or distributions of the Company or any other rights of a Member.
10.3 SUBSTITUTED MEMBER.
------------------
(a) An assignee of any Units or other interests in the Company
(or any portion thereof), in accordance with the provisions of this Article X,
---------
shall become a substituted Member entitled to all the rights of a Member with
respect to such assigned interest if and only if (i) the assignor gives the
assignee such right, (ii) the Managing Member has granted its prior written
consent to such assignment and substitution, which consent may be withheld in
the sole discretion of the Managing Member; provided, however, that such consent
-------- -------
by the Managing Member shall not be required after (i) Treasury Regulations are
issued in final form that would authorize the Managing
-25-
Member to elect alternatively partnership or corporate status for the Company
for federal income tax purposes (the "Check The Box Regulations"); (ii) the
-------------------------
Managing Member has taken such action, if any, as may be necessary or required
by the Check the Box Regulations to maintain the status of the Company as a
partnership for federal income tax purposes; and (iii) the assignee has agreed
in writing to be bound by the provisions of this Agreement.
(b) The Company shall be entitled to treat the record owner of
any Units or other interest in the Company as the absolute owner thereof and
shall incur no liability for distributions of cash or other property made in
good faith to such owner until such time as a written assignment of such Units
or other interest in the Company, which assignment is consented to by the
Managing Member (which consent may be withheld in the Managing Member's sole
discretion), is permitted pursuant to the terms and conditions of Section 10.1
------------
and this Section 10.3, has been received and accepted by the Managing Member and
------------
has been recorded on the books of the Company.
(c) Upon the admission of a substituted Member, Schedule A
----------
attached hereto shall be amended to reflect the name, address and Units and
other interests in the Company of such substituted Member and to eliminate the
name and address of and other information relating to the assigning Member with
regard to the assigned Units and other interests in the Company.
10.4 EFFECT OF ASSIGNMENT. Following an assignment of an interest that
--------------------
is permitted under this Article X, the transferee of such interest shall be
---------
treated as having made all of the Capital Contributions in respect of, and
received all of the distributions received in respect of, such interest, shall
succeed to the Capital Account associated with such interest and shall receive
allocations and distributions under Articles V and XI in respect of such
-----------------
interest as if such transferee were a Member.
10.5 LEGEND. In the event that certificates representing Membership
------
Interests are issued ("Certificated Interests"), such certificates will bear the
----------------------
following legend:
"THE INTEREST REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE WAS ORIGINALLY
ISSUED AS OF _______ __, 19__, HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE "ACT"), AND MAY
NOT BE SOLD OR TRANSFERRED IN THE ABSENCE OF AN EFFECTIVE
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE ACT OR AN EXEMPTION FROM
REGISTRATION THEREUNDER. THE TRANSFER OF THE INTEREST
REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE IS SUBJECT TO THE CONDITIONS
SPECIFIED IN A LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT, AS
AMENDED, GOVERNING THE ISSUER (THE "COMPANY"), BY AND AMONG
CERTAIN INVESTORS. A COPY OF SUCH CONDITIONS SHALL BE
FURNISHED BY THE COMPANY TO
-26-
THE HOLDER HEREOF UPON WRITTEN REQUEST AND WITHOUT CHARGE."
10.6 TRANSFER FEES AND EXPENSES. The transferor and transferee of
--------------------------
any Membership Interest shall be jointly and severally obligated to reimburse
the Company for all reasonable expenses (including attorneys' fees and expenses)
of any Transfer or proposed Transfer of such interest, whether or not
consummated.
10.7 OTHER LIMITATIONS. In order to permit the Company to qualify
-----------------
for the benefit of a "safe harbor" under Code Section 7704, notwithstanding
anything to the contrary in this Agreement, no Transfer shall be permitted or
recognized (within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Section 1.7704-1(d)) by
the Company or the Members if and to the extent that such Transfer would cause
the Company to have more than 100 partners (within the meaning of Treasury
Regulation Section 1.7704-1(h), including the look-through rule in Treasury
Regulation Section 1.7704-1(h)(3)).
10.8 EFFECTIVE DATE. Any Transfer and any related admission of a
--------------
Person as a Member in compliance with this Article X shall be deemed effective
---------
on such date that the transferee or successor in interest complies with the
requirements of this Agreement.
10.9 EFFECT OF INCAPACITY. Except as otherwise provided herein, the
--------------------
Incapacity of a Member shall not dissolve or terminate the Company. In the
event of such Incapacity, the executor, administrator, guardian, trustee or
other personal representative of the Incapacitated Member shall be deemed to be
the assignee of such Member's Economic Interest and may, subject to the terms
and conditions set forth in Section 10.3, become a substituted Member.
------------
ARTICLE
DISSOLUTION, LIQUIDATION AND TERMINATION
11.1 DISSOLUTION. The Company shall be dissolved and its affairs
-----------
shall be wound up on the first to occur of the following:
(a) the expiration of its term pursuant to Section 2.7;
-----------
(b) the unanimous vote of the Investor Members;
(c) resolutions by the Managing Member to dissolve the
Company;
(d) the Incapacity or expulsion of the Managing Member, or the
occurrence of any other event under the Act that terminates the continued
membership of the Managing Member in the Company, unless a majority in
interest of the remaining Members (within the meaning of Revenue Procedure
95-10, as supplemented by Revenue Procedure 94-46, or any successor
thereto) agree in writing to continue the Company within 90 days
thereafter; and
-27-
(e) the entry of a decree of judicial dissolution of the
Company under Section 18-802 of the Act.
Except as provided in Section 11.1(d), the death, retirement, resignation,
---------------
expulsion, incapacity, bankruptcy or dissolution of a Member, or the occurrence
of any other event that terminates the continued membership of a Member in the
Company, shall not cause a dissolution of the Company, and the Company shall
continue in existence subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement.
11.2 LIQUIDATION AND TERMINATION. On dissolution of the Company,
---------------------------
the Managing Member or such other or additional Member or Members as designated
by the Managing Member shall act as liquidator(s). The liquidator(s) shall
proceed diligently to wind up the affairs of the Company and make final
distributions as provided herein and in the Act. The costs of liquidation shall
be borne as a Company expense. Until final distribution, the liquidator(s) shall
continue to operate the Company properties with all of the power and authority
of Managing Member and Members, subject to the power of the Managing Member to
remove and replace such liquidator(s). The steps to be accomplished by the
liquidator(s) are as follows:
(a) As promptly as possible after dissolution and again after
final liquidation, the liquidator(s) shall cause a proper accounting to be
made by a recognized firm of certified public accountants of the Company's
assets, liabilities and operations through the last day of the calendar
month in which the dissolution occurs or the final liquidation is
completed, as applicable.
(b) The liquidator(s) shall pay, satisfy or discharge from
Company funds all of the debts, liabilities and obligations of the Company
(including, without limitation, all expenses incurred in liquidation) or
otherwise make adequate provision for payment and discharge thereof
(including, without limitation, the establishment of a cash fund for contin
gent liabilities in such amount and for such term as the liquidator may
reasonably determine).
(c) All remaining assets of the Company shall be distributed
to the Members in accordance with Section 5.2 hereof by the end of the
-----------
taxable year of the Company during which the liquidation of the Company
occurs (or, if later, 90 days after the date of the liquidation).
The liquidator(s) shall cause only cash, evidences of indebtedness and other
securities to be distributed in any liquidation. The distribution of cash
and/or property to a Member in accordance with the provisions of this Section
-------
11.2 constitutes a complete return to the Member of its Capital Contributions
- ----
and a complete distribution to the Member of its interest in the Company and all
the Company's property and constitutes a compromise to which all Members have
consented within the meaning of the Act. To the extent that a Member returns
funds to the Company, it has no claim against any other Member for those funds.
-28-
11.3 CANCELLATION OF CERTIFICATE. On completion of the distribution
---------------------------
of Company assets as provided herein, the Company is terminated, and shall file
a certificate of cancellation with the Secretary of State of the State of
Delaware, cancel any other filings made pursuant to Section 2.1 and take such
-----------
other actions as may be necessary to terminate the Company.
ARTICLE XII
GENERAL/MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
12.1 OFFSET. Whenever the Company is to pay any sum to any Member,
------
any amounts that Member owes to the Company may be deducted from that sum before
payment; provided that the full amount that would otherwise be distributed shall
be debited from the Member's Capital Account pursuant to Section 4.1.
-----------
12.2 NOTICES. Except as expressly set forth to the contrary in this
-------
Agreement, all notices, requests or consents provided for or permitted to be
given under this Agreement must be in writing and must be given either by
depositing that writing in the United States mail, addressed to the recipient,
postage paid, and registered or certified with return receipt requested or by
delivering that writing to the recipient in person, by courier, or by facsimile
transmission; and a notice, request, or consent given under this Agreement is
effective on receipt by the Person who receives it. All notices, requests and
consents to be sent to a Member must be sent to or made at the address (or
facsimile number) given for that Member on Schedule A, or such other address (or
----------
facsimile number) as that Member may specify by notice to the other Members.
Any notice, request or consent to the Company or the Managing Member must be
given to the Managing Member or, if appointed, the Secretary of the Company at
the Company's chief executive offices. Whenever any notice is required to be
given by law or this Agreement, a written waiver thereof, signed by the Person
entitled to notice, whether before or after the time stated therein, shall be
deemed equivalent to the giving of such notice.
12.3 ENTIRE AGREEMENT. This Agreement and other written agreements
----------------
among the Members of even date herewith constitute the entire agreement among
the Members relating to the Company and supersedes all prior contracts or
agreements with respect to the Company, whether oral or written.
12.4 EFFECT OF WAIVER OR CONSENT. A waiver or consent, express or
---------------------------
implied, to or of any breach or default by any Person in the performance by
that Person of its obligations hereunder or with respect to the Company is not a
consent or waiver to or of any other breach or default in the performance by
that Person of the same or any other obligations of that Person hereunder or
with respect to the Company. Failure on the part of a Person to complain of any
act of any Person or to declare any Person in default hereunder or with respect
to the Company, irrespec tive of how long that failure continues, does not
constitute a waiver by that Person of its rights with respect to that default
until the applicable statute-of-limitations period has run.
-29-
12.5 AMENDMENT OR MODIFICATION. This Agreement and any provision
-------------------------
hereof may be amended or modified from time to time only by a written instrument
adopted by the Managing Member and may be amended only with the written consent
of the Managing Member; provided, however, that (a) except as otherwise
expressly provided herein, an amendment or modification (subject to Article VI
----------
of the Securityholders Agreement, other than amendments or modifications adding
new classes of interests or issuing Additional Interests) (x) reducing
disproportionately a Member's Units or other interest in profits or losses or in
distributions, (y) increasing a Member's Capital Contribution or (z) increasing
any other obligation of a Member to the Company in respect of any Membership
Interest in a manner which is disproportionately adverse to such Member relative
to such obligations of other Members in respect of Membership Interests of the
same class or type, shall in each case be effective only with that Member's
consent or (b) an amendment or modification reducing the required interest for
any consent or vote in this Agreement shall be effective only with the consent
or vote of Members having the interest theretofore required. Notwithstanding
the preceding sentence, (i) the Managing Member may amend and modify the
provisions of this Agreement (including Article V) and Schedule A hereto to the
--------- ----------
extent necessary to reflect the issuance of interests (including new classes of
interests, and including the issuance or exercise of Common Unit Equivalents) in
the Company, and admission or substitution of any Member, permitted under this
Agreement and (ii) notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement,
this Agreement may be amended or modified to the extent necessary to effectuate
the issuance of Additional Interests pursuant to Section 3.4 at the direction of
-----------
the Managing Member.
12.6 BINDING EFFECT. Subject to the restrictions on Transfers set
--------------
forth in this Agreement, this Agreement is binding on and shall inure to the
benefit of the Members and their respective heirs, legal representatives,
successors and permitted assigns.
12.7 GOVERNING LAW; SEVERABILITY. THIS AGREEMENT IS GOVERNED BY AND
---------------------------
SHALL BE CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAW OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE EXCLUDING
ANY CONFLICT-OF-LAWS RULE OR PRINCIPLE THAT MIGHT REFER THE GOVERNANCE OR THE
CONSTRUCTION OF THIS AGREEMENT TO THE LAW OF ANOTHER JURISDICTION. In the event
of a direct conflict between the provisions of this Agreement and any provision
of the Certificate or any mandatory provision of the Act, the applicable
provision of the Certificate or the Act shall control. If any provision of this
Agreement or the application thereof to any Person or circumstance is held
invalid or unenforceable to any extent, the remainder of this Agreement and the
application of that provision to other Persons or circumstances is not affected
thereby and that provision shall be enforced to the greatest extent permitted by
law.
12.8 FURTHER ASSURANCES. In connection with this Agreement and the
------------------
transactions contemplated hereby, each Member shall execute and deliver any
additional documents and instruments and perform any additional acts that may be
necessary or appropriate to effectuate and perform the provisions of this
Agreement and those transactions.
12.9 WAIVER OF CERTAIN RIGHTS. Each Member irrevocably waives any
------------------------
right it may have to demand any distributions or withdrawal of property from the
Company or to maintain
-30-
any action for dissolution (except pursuant to Section 18-802 of the Act) of the
Company or for partition of the property of the Company.
12.10 INDEMNIFICATION AND REIMBURSEMENT FOR PAYMENTS ON BEHALF OF A
-------------------------------------------------------------
MEMBER. If the Company is obligated to pay any amount to a governmental agency
- ------
(or otherwise makes a payment) because of a Member's status or otherwise
specifically attributable to a Member (including, without limitation, federal,
state or local withholding taxes imposed with respect to any issuance of Units
or other interests to an Executive Member or any payments to an Executive
Member, federal withholding taxes with respect to foreign Persons, state
personal property taxes, state unincorporated business taxes, etc.), then such
Member (the "Indemnifying Member") shall indemnify the Company in full for the
-------------------
entire amount paid (including, without limitation, any interest, penalties and
expenses associated with such payments). The amount to be indemnified shall be
charged against the Capital Account of the Indemnifying Member, and, at the
option of the Managing Member, either:
------
(a) promptly upon notification of an obligation to indemnify the
Company, the Indemnifying Member shall make a cash payment to the Company
equal to the full amount to be indemnified (and the amount paid shall be
added to the Indemnifying Member's Capital Account but shall not be treated
as a Capital Contribution), or
--
(b) the Company shall reduce distributions that would otherwise be
made to the Indemnifying Member, until the Company has recovered the amount
to be indemnified (provided that the amount of such reduction shall be
deemed to have been distributed for all purposes of this Agreement, but
such deemed distribution shall not further reduce the Indemnifying Member's
Capital Account).
An Indemnifying Member's obligation to make contributions to the Company under
this Section 12.10 shall survive the termination, dissolution, liquidation and
-------------
winding up of the Company and, for purposes of this Section 12.10, the Company
-------------
shall be treated as continuing in existence. The Company may pursue and enforce
all rights and remedies it may have against each Indemnifying Member under this
Section 12.10, including instituting a lawsuit to collect such contribution with
- -------------
interest calculated at Prime Rate plus five percentage points per annum (but not
in excess of the highest rate per annum permitted by law).
12.11 NOTICE TO MEMBERS OF PROVISIONS. By executing this Agreement,
-------------------------------
each Member acknowledges that it has actual notice of (a) all of the provisions
hereof (including, without limitation, the restrictions on the transfer set
forth in Article X and the Securityholders Agreement) and (b) all of the
---------
provisions of the Certificate.
12.12 COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in multiple
------------
counterparts with the same effect as if all signing parties had signed the same
document. All counterparts shall be construed together and constitute the same
instrument.
-31-
12.3 CONSENT TO JURISDICTION. Each Member irrevocably submits to the
-----------------------
non-exclusive jurisdiction of the United States District Court for the Northern
District of Illinois and the state courts of the State of Illinois, sitting in
Chicago, for the purposes of any suit, action or other proceeding arising out of
this Agreement or any transaction contemplated hereby. Each Member further
agrees that service of any process, summons, notice or document by U.S.
certified or registered mail to such Member's respective address set forth above
shall be effective service of process in any action, suit or proceeding in
Illinois with respect to any matters to which it has submitted to jurisdiction
as set forth above in the immediately preceding sentence. Each Member
irrevocably and unconditionally waives any objection to the laying of venue of
any action, suit or proceeding arising out of this Agreement or the transactions
contemplated hereby in the United States District Court for the Northern
District of Illinois or the state courts of the State of Illinois, sitting in
Chicago, and hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waives and agrees not to
plead or claim in any such court that any such action, suit or proceeding
brought in such court has been brought in an inconvenient forum.
12.4 HEADINGS. The headings used in this Agreement are for the
--------
purpose of reference only and will not otherwise affect the meaning or
interpretation of any provision of this Agreement.
12.15 REMEDIES. The Company and the Members shall be entitled to
--------
enforce their rights under this Agreement specifically, to recover damages by
reason of any breach of any provision of this Agreement (including costs of
enforcement) and to exercise any and all other rights existing in their favor.
The parties hereto agree and acknowledge that money damages may not be an
adequate remedy for any breach of the provisions of this Agreement and that the
Company or any Member may in its or his sole discretion apply to any court of
law or equity of competent jurisdiction for specific performance or injunctive
relief (without posting a bond or other security) in order to enforce or prevent
any violation or threatened violation of the provisions of this Agreement.
12.16 SEVERABILITY. Whenever possible, each provision of this
------------
Agreement shall be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under
applicable law, but if any provision of this Agreement is held to be invalid,
illegal or unenforceable in any respect under applicable law or rule in any
jurisdiction, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability shall not affect
any other provision or any other jurisdiction, but this Agreement shall be
reformed, construed and enforced in such jurisdiction as if such invalid,
illegal or unenforceable provision had never been contained herein.
* * * * * *
-32-
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Members have executed this Agreement as of the date
first set forth above.
MANAGING MEMBER:
BRIGHTVIEW COMMUNICATIONS GROUP, INC.,
in its capacity as Managing Member and
as a Member
By: /s/ Daniel H. Blumenthal
--------------------------------
Name: Daniel H. Blumenthal
Title: Vice President
MEMBERS:
PETERSEN INVESTMENT CORP.
By: /s/ Daniel H. Blumenthal
--------------------------------
Name: Daniel H. Blumenthal
Title: Vice President
PETERSEN PUBLISHING COMPANY
By: /s/ Robert E. Petersen
--------------------------------
Name: Robert E. Petersen
Title: Chairman of the Board
CHASE EQUITY ASSOCIATES, L.P.
By: Chase Capital Partners
Its: General Partner
By: /s/ Brian J. Richmond
--------------------------------
Name: Brian J. Richmond
Title: General Partner
BANK AMERICA INVESTMENT CORPORATION
By: /s/ Christopher J. Perry
--------------------------------
Name: Christopher J. Perry
Title: Managing Director
CIVC PARTNERS II
/s/ Christopher J. Perry
By: ___________________________________
Name: Christopher J. Perry
Title: A General Partner
CIBC WG ARGOSY MERCHANT FUND 2, L.L.C.
/s/ Jay Bloom
By: ___________________________________
Name: Jay Bloom
Title: Managing Director
ALLSTATE INSURANCE COMPANY
/s/ ????
By: ___________________________________
Name: ????
Title: ????
/s/ ?????
By: ___________________________________
Name: ????
Title: ????
FUI, INC.
/s/ L. Watts Hamrich, III
By: ___________________________________
Name: L. Watts Hamrich, III
Title: Senior Vice President
NORWEST EQUITY CAPITAL, L.L.C.
By: Itasca NEC, L.L.C.
Its: Managing Member
/s/ John E. Lindahl
By: ___________________________________
Name: John E. Lindahl
Title: ????
/s/ James D. Dunning, Jr.
________________________________________
James D. Dunning, Jr.
/s/ Laurence H. Bloch
________________________________________
Laurence H. Bloch
/s/ Stuart Karu
________________________________________
Stuart Karu
/s/ Thomas J. Strauss
________________________________________
Thomas J. Strauss
/s/ Irwin Bard
________________________________________
Irwin Bard
/s/ Bernard Shavitz
________________________________________
Bernard Shavitz
/s/ D. Claeys Bahrenburg
________________________________________
D. Claeys Bahrenburg
/s/ Neal Vitale
________________________________________
Neal Vitale
SCHEDULE A
Total
Capital Manner of Preferred Preferred Common
Members Notice Address Contribution Contribution Capital Units Units
- ----------- ------------------- ----------------- --------------- ---------- ---------- ---------