EXHIBIT 3.26
LIMITED PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT
OF
RUFFINO HILLS TRANSFER STATION LP
LIMITED PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT
OF
RUFFINO HILLS TRANSFER STATION LP
This Limited Partnership Agreement of Ruffino Hills Transfer Station
LP (the "PARTNERSHIP"), a Texas limited partnership (as amended, modified,
supplemented or restated from time to time in accordance with the terms hereof,
this "AGREEMENT"), is made and entered into effective as of the 21st day of
April, 2004 (the "EFFECTIVE DATE"), by and between WS General Partner, LLC, a
Texas limited liability company ("GENERAL PARTNER"), as general partner, and
Waste Services Limited Partner, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company
("LIMITED PARTNER"), as limited partner.
WITNESSETH:
WHEREAS, the General Partner and the Limited Partner desire and
agree to form the Partnership as a limited partnership pursuant to the Act and
this Agreement; and
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants set forth
herein, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and
sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto, intending to
be legally bound, hereby enter into this Agreement.
ARTICLE I.
DEFINED TERMS
The defined terms used in this Agreement shall, unless the context
otherwise requires, have the meanings specified in this Article I.
1.1. Definitions. When used in this Agreement, the following terms
will have the meanings set forth below.
"ACT" means the Texas Revised Limited Partnership Act, as amended
from time to time.
"AFFILIATE" OR "AFFILIATED" shall mean, as to any Person, any other
Person that directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries controls,
is controlled by, or is under common control with such specified Person. For the
purposes of this Agreement, a Person shall be deemed to control a second Person
if (i) such first Person possesses the power, directly or indirectly, to vote
50% or more of the securities having voting power for the election of directors
of such second Person, or (ii) in the case of a second Person that is a
partnership, such first Person is the general partner of such partnership or
possesses, directly or indirectly, the power described in clause (i) as to the
general partner of such partnership or the power to replace the general partner
of such partnership, or (iii) such first Person possesses the power to direct
the management and policies of such second Person, directly or indirectly,
whether through the
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ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise; and the terms
"affiliated," "controlling" and "controlled" have meanings correlative to the
foregoing.
"CAPITAL ACCOUNT" means an account, with respect to each Partner,
that is maintained for each Partner on the books of the Partnership and which is
increased by (i) the amount of such Partner's Capital Contributions when made
and (ii) the amount of any Net Profits allocated to such partner pursuant to
Section 5.1 hereof, and decreased by (a) the amount of money and the fair market
value of any property distributed to such Partner by the Partnership and (b) the
amount of any Net Losses allocated to such Partner pursuant to Section 5.1
hereof.
"CAPITAL CONTRIBUTION" means, with respect to any Partner, the
amount which such Partner contributes or is deemed to contribute to the
Partnership.
"CODE" means the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended from time to time, and any successor thereto.
"COVERED PERSON" means any Partner, any Affiliate of a Partner or
any officers, directors, managers, members, shareholders, partners, employees,
representatives or agents of a Partner or their respective Affiliates, or any
officer, employee or agent of the Partnership or its Affiliates.
"DEBT" means (i) indebtedness for borrowed money, (ii) obligations
evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or other similar instruments, (iii)
obligations to pay the deferred purchase price of property or services, (iv)
obligations as lessee under leases which shall have been or should be, in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, recorded as capital
leases, and (v) obligations under direct or indirect guaranties in respect of,
and obligations (contingent or otherwise) to purchase or otherwise acquire, or
otherwise to assure a creditor against loss in respect of, indebtedness or
obligations of others of the kinds referred to in clauses (i) through (iv)
above.
"FISCAL YEAR" means the calendar year.
"GENERAL PARTNER" means WS General Partner, LLC and includes any
Person who becomes a successor general partner of the Partnership pursuant to
the provisions of this Agreement.
"INDEMNITEE" means any General Partner, any director, officer, or
employee of any General Partner, any officer of the Partnership, and any
shareholder, or shareholder of a shareholder, of any General Partner, to the
extent any such shareholder is involved in actions or proceedings involving any
other Indemnitee identified herein and such shareholder and all such other
Indemnitees are represented by the same.
"LIMITED PARTNER" means Waste Services Limited Partner, LLC and
includes any Person who is admitted as an additional limited partner of the
Partnership or a substituted limited partner of the Partnership pursuant to the
provisions of this Agreement and "LIMITED PARTNERS" means any of such Persons
when acting in their capacities as a limited partner of the Partnership.
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"NET PROFITS AND NET LOSSES", as the case may be, shall mean the
Partnership's income and losses, including the Partnership's realized or
allocated share of depreciation and amortization expense, and any amounts of
gain or loss realized by the Partnership upon the sale of all or any portion of
Partnership property, after deducting all expenses incurred in connection with
the Partnership's business.
"PARTNER" means either the General Partner or the Limited Partner,
and "PARTNERS" means the General Partner and the Limited Partner.
"PARTNERSHIP EXPENSES" means all costs, expenses and charges
incurred with respect to the acquisition, improvement, ownership, operation,
administration, and maintenance of the Partnership and the Partnership Property,
as determined by the General Partner.
"PARTNERSHIP INTEREST" means an ownership interest in the
Partnership held by any Partner, which includes any benefits and obligations
attributable to such Partnership Interest, including a Partner's share of the
profits and losses of the Partnership and the right to receive distributions of
Partnership assets in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement and the
Act.
"PARTNERSHIP PROPERTY" means any and all assets and real, personal,
tangible and intangible property owned by the Partnership.
"PARTNERSHIP UNIT" means a fractional, undivided share of the
Partnership Interests of all Partners issued hereunder. The allocation of
Partnership Units among the Partners shall be as set forth on Exhibit A, as may
be amended from time to time.
"PERSON" means an individual or a corporation, partnership, limited
liability company, trust, unincorporated organization, joint stock company,
joint venture, association or other entity, or any government, or any agency or
political subdivision thereof.
"REGULATIONS" means the regulations promulgated by the United States
Department of the Treasury pursuant to and in respect of provisions of the Code.
All references herein to sections of the Regulations shall include any
corresponding provision or provisions of succeeding, similar, substitute
proposed or final Regulations.
"SHARING PERCENTAGE" means (i) 0.5% as to the General Partner and
(ii) 99.5% as to the Limited Partner.
"TRANSFER" means a sale, assignment, transfer, gift, encumbrance,
hypothecation, mortgage, pledge, exchange or any other conveyance or disposition
by law (including by merger of a Partner) or otherwise, voluntarily or
involuntarily.
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ARTICLE II.
GENERAL
2.1. Purpose. The Partnership's business and purpose shall consist
of any and all lawful businesses and purposes permitted under the Act and under
applicable law, and such activities as are necessary, incidental or appropriate
in connection therewith.
2.2. Powers. The Partnership shall be empowered to do any and all
acts necessary, appropriate, proper, advisable, incidental to or convenient for
the furtherance and accomplishment of the purposes and business described in
Section 2.1 herein and for the protection and benefit of the Partnership.
2.3. Name. The name of the Partnership shall be "Ruffino Hills
Transfer Station LP," under which all business affairs of the Partnership shall
be conducted.
2.4. Names and Addresses of Partners. The names and addresses of the
Partners are set forth in Exhibit A. The Partners agree that the rights, duties
and liabilities of the Partners shall be as provided in the Act, except as
otherwise provided herein.
2.5. Place of Business. The principal place of business of the
Partnership shall be located at 7025 East Greenway Parkway, Suite 100,
Scottsdale, Arizona 85254. The General Partner may change the location of such
principal place of business at any time and from time to time as it (in its sole
discretion) deems appropriate. The Partnership may also have such other places
of business as the General Partner determines to be appropriate.
2.6. Certificate of Limited Partnership. The General Partner has
caused to be filed a Certificate of Limited Partnership with the Secretary of
State of the State of Texas.
2.7. Additional Filings. The General Partner shall cause the
Partnership to make any filings or disclosures required by the laws of any other
state with respect to the qualification of the Partnership as a foreign limited
partnership under the internal laws of each such state.
2.8. Ownership. All property owned by the Partnership shall be owned
by the Partnership as an entity and, insofar as permitted by applicable law, no
Partner shall have any ownership interest in any Partnership Property in its
individual name or right, and each Partner's Partnership Interest shall be
personal property for all purposes.
2.9. Term. The term of the Partnership commenced on the date the
Certificate of Limited Partnership of the Partnership was filed with the
Secretary of State of the State of Texas and shall continue until the first to
occur of (a) December 31, 2053 or (b) the dissolution of the Partnership
pursuant to this Agreement. The separate legal existence of the Partnership
shall continue until the cancellation of the Certificate of Limited Partnership
of the Partnership in the manner required by the Act and in accordance with
Section 9.5.
2.10. Registered Office; Registered Agent. The address of the
registered office of the Partnership in the State of Texas is CT
Corporation. The name and address of the
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registered agent for service of process on the Partnership in the State of Texas
is 350 N. St. Paul St., Dallas, TX 75201. The General Partner may change the
registered office and the registered agent by thirty (30) days prior written
notice to the other Partners.
ARTICLE III.
CAPITAL
3.1. Capital Contributions. The Partners shall make such Capital
Contributions as are mutually agreed to by the Partners. All such Capital
Contributions shall be made in proportion to the Partners' respective Sharing
Percentages.
3.2. Return of Capital. No Partner shall have the right to demand
or receive the return of such Partner's Capital Contributions to the
Partnership, even in the event of withdrawal, whether or not such withdrawal is
permitted hereunder or in breach hereof.
3.3. Interest on Capital Contributions. No Partner shall receive
any interest on such Partner's Capital Contributions or such Partner's Capital
Account, notwithstanding any disproportion therein as between the Partners.
3.4. Certification. The Partnership shall issue to each Partner a
certificate summarizing the terms of such Partner's interest in the Partnership,
including the number of Partnership Units owned and the Percentage Interest
represented by such Partnership Units as of the date of such certificate. The
certificate representing each Partner's Partnership Units shall be endorsed with
the following legend:
THE SECURITY REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 AS AMENDED. IT MAY NOT BE SOLD, OFFERED FOR SALE,
PLEDGED OR HYPOTHECATED IN THE ABSENCE OF AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT AS
TO THE SECURITY UNDER SAID ACT OR AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE ACT.
ARTICLE IV.
ACCOUNTING; BOOKS AND RECORDS; TAX MATTERS
4.1. Bank Accounts. The General Partner will, at the expense of the
Partnership, deposit all funds collected by it relating to Partnership Property
into an account or accounts in the name of the Partnership; and withdrawals from
said accounts shall be made by signatures only of such Persons as are designated
by the General Partner to act on behalf of the Partnership.
4.2. Partnership Records. The General Partner shall, at the expense
of the Partnership, keep proper books of record and account in which full, true
and correct entries shall be made of all dealings and transactions in relation
to the Partnership's business and activities, and shall, at its own expense,
keep proper books of record and account in which full, true and correct entries
shall be made of all dealings and transactions in relation to the General
Partner's business and activities. The General Partner shall permit
representatives of the other Partners
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upon reasonable notice, for any purpose reasonably related to its interest in
the Partnership, to examine and make abstracts from any such books and records,
at any reasonable time during reasonable business hours, and to discuss the
business and financial and other condition of the Partnership and the General
Partner with officers, accountants, and other representatives of the General
Partner.
4.3. Financial Accounting and Tax Reporting. The General Partner
shall prepare and cause to be furnished to each of the Partners in a timely
manner copies of (a) such annual and interim financial reports and statements as
are required to be prepared under the terms of any debt obligations of the
Partnership or any of its Affiliates, (b) such other financial reports and
statements as the General Partner determines are useful or appropriate, and (c)
all necessary tax reporting information.
4.4. Preparation of Tax Returns. The General Partner shall arrange
for the preparation and timely filing of all returns required of the Partnership
for federal and state income tax purposes.
4.5. Tax Elections. For federal income tax purposes, the Company
shall be disregarded as an entity separate from the owner of its partners (which
are also disregarded) pursuant to Treasury Regulations section
301.7701-3(b)(1)(ii). The General Partner shall, in its sole and absolute
discretion, determine whether to make or revoke any elections available to the
Partnership under applicable tax laws. If the Partnership becomes classified as
a partnership (rather than as a disregarded entity) for federal income tax
purposes, the General Partner shall have the right, in connection with any
assignment of a Partner's interest in the Partnership permitted hereunder, to
make an election in the manner provided in Regulations Section 1.754-1(b) on
behalf of the Partnership to adjust the basis of Partnership property in the
manner provided in Code Sections 734(b) and 743(b).
4.6. Tax Matters Partner. If the Partnership becomes classified as
a partnership (rather than as a disregarded entity) for federal income tax
purposes, the General Partner shall be the "tax matters partner" of the
Partnership for federal income tax purposes under Section 6231(a)(7)of the Code.
ARTICLE V.
ALLOCATIONS
5.1. Allocation of Net Profits and Net Losses to Capital Accounts.
Net Profits and Net Losses (and items thereof) for a Fiscal Year or other period
shall be allocated among the Partners for Capital Account purposes and, subject
to Section 5.2 hereof, for tax purposes, in proportion to their respective
Sharing Percentages.
5.2. Tax Allocations; Code Section 704(c). If the Partnership
becomes classified as a partnership (rather than as a disregarded entity) for
federal income tax purposes, the following provisions of this Section 5.2 shall
apply:
(a) Proportional to Net Income or Net Loss. Except as otherwise
provided in this Section 5.2, for each taxable period, each item of Partnership
income, gain, deduction and
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loss for tax purposes shall be allocated among the Partners in the same
proportion as they share the corresponding item of Net Profits, Net Losses or
other item of Partnership income, gain, loss or deduction for such period,
(b) Contribution of Property. In accordance with Code Section
704(c) and the Regulations thereunder, income, gain, loss, and deduction as to
any property contributed to the capital of the Partnership shall, for tax
purposes, be allocated among the Partners so as to take into account any
variation between the adjusted basis of such property to the Partnership for
federal income tax purposes and the fair market value of such property.
(c) Asset Value Adjustment. If the value of any Partnership asset
is adjusted pursuant to the provisions of Code Section 704(b) and the
Regulations thereunder, subsequent allocations of income, gain, loss, and
deduction as to such asset shall, for tax purposes, be made so as to eliminate
as quickly as possible any variation between the adjusted basis of such asset
for federal income tax purposes and its fair market value in the same manner as
pursuant to Code Section 704(c) and the Regulations thereunder. Any elections or
other decisions relating to such allocations shall be made by the General
Partner in any manner that reasonably reflects the purpose and intention of this
Agreement.
(d) Discretion; Effect. Any election or other decision relating to
allocations pursuant to this Section 5.2 shall be made by the General Partner in
any manner that reasonably reflects the purposes and intention of this
Agreement. Allocations pursuant to this Section 5.2 are for purposes of federal,
state and local taxes only and shall not affect or in any way be taken into
account in computing any Partner's Capital Account balance or share of Net
Profits, Net Losses or distributions pursuant to any provision of the Agreement.
ARTICLE VI.
DISTRIBUTIONS
At such times as are determined by the General Partner, the General
Partner shall cause the Distributable Cash of the Partnership to be distributed
among the Partners in proportion to their respective Sharing Percentages. For
these purposes, the "DISTRIBUTABLE CASH" of the Partnership means the net cash
available from Partnership operations and transactions (excluding cash from
Capital Contributions of the Partners) as of the end of the quarter or after the
closing of a transaction, as the case may be, immediately preceding the date of
a distribution, as determined in the reasonable judgment of the General Partner,
after paying Partnership Expenses, making all required debt service payments on
Debt of the Partnership, and establishing or maintaining working capital
reserves.
ARTICLE VII.
MANAGEMENT AND OPERATION OF BUSINESS
7.1. Management. Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement,
the management and operation of the Partnership shall be vested exclusively in
the General Partner, which shall have the power on behalf of the Partnership to
carry out any and all of the purposes
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of the Partnership and to perform all acts and enter into and perform all
contracts and other undertakings that it may in its discretion deem necessary or
advisable or incidental thereto. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein,
the General Partner shall have, and shall have full authority in its discretion
to exercise, on behalf of and in the name of the Partnership, all rights and
powers of a general partner of a limited partnership under the Act necessary or
convenient to carry out the purposes of the Partnership. Without limiting the
foregoing, the General Partner is hereby authorized and empowered in the name of
and on behalf of the Partnership:
(a) to initiate, investigate, research, negotiate, structure and
arrange the acquisition, lease, or disposition of Partnership Property;
(b) to possess, monitor, manage, or otherwise deal in, and to
exercise all rights, powers, privileges and other incidents of ownership or
possession with respect to Partnership Property;
(c) to employ or consult such Persons as it shall deem necessary,
appropriate or advisable for the operation and management of the Partnership,
including, without limitation, brokers, accountants, engineers, attorneys or
specialists in any field of endeavor whatsoever, including such Persons who may
be Limited Partners or affiliated with or controlled by the General Partner, and
to authorize any such Person to act for and on behalf of the Partnership;
(d) to deposit the funds of the Partnership in the Partnership's
name in any bank or trust company and to entrust to such bank or trust company
any of the securities, monies, documents and papers belonging to or relating to
the Partnership; or to deposit in and entrust to any brokerage firm that is a
member of any national securities exchange any of said funds, securities,
monies, documents and papers belonging to or relating to the Partnership;
(e) to make appropriate elections and other decisions with respect
to tax and accounting matters;
(f) to enter into, make, deliver and perform all contracts,
agreements, instruments and other undertakings as the General Partner may
determine to be necessary, advisable, appropriate or incidental to the carrying
out of the objects and purposes set forth above or contemplated hereby, the
taking of such action by the General Partner to be conclusive evidence of such
determination;
(g) to acquire and enter into any contract of insurance necessary
or desirable for the protection or conservation of Partnership Property or the
protection of officers, agents, or representatives of the Partnership (including
directors and officers insurance or the equivalent thereof) as the General
Partner, in its discretion, shall determine;
(h) to distribute Distributable Cash to the Partners, in
accordance with the provisions of this Agreement;
(i) to bring and defend actions and proceedings at law or equity
before any court or governmental, administrative or other regulatory agency,
body or commission or otherwise;
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(j) to sell, lease, exchange or otherwise dispose of all or
substantially all the Partnership assets; and
(k) to cause the Partnership to participate in a merger,
consolidation, entity conversion, share or interest exchange as permitted by the
Act. The General Partner may authorize the Partnership to merge with one or more
domestic or foreign corporations, limited partnerships or other entities
pursuant to Section 2.11 of the Act by executing a written consent adopting the
plan of merger that provides for the merger. The General Partner shall have no
obligation to furnish a copy or summary of the plan of merger, or a notice
regarding the merger, to the Limited Partner.
7.2. Reimbursement of, and Payments to, General Partner. The
General Partner shall be reimbursed on a monthly basis for all Partnership
Expenses incurred by the General Partner.
7.3. Outside Activities of General Partner. The General Partner
shall not be prohibited from engaging in or having business interests or
activities other than those relating to the Partnership.
7.4. Contracts with Affiliates. Affiliates of the General Partner
and/or the Limited Partner may provide services of any kind to, and otherwise be
employed or engaged by the Partnership, as long as the terms and conditions of
any such agreements are not materially more or less favorable than would be
agreements with unrelated third parties.
7.5. Other Matters Affecting General Partner. The General Partner
(a) shall not be liable to the Partnership or any Partner for losses sustained,
liabilities incurred, or benefits not derived by the Partners so long as the
General Partner acted in good faith, without gross negligence or willful
misconduct, (b) may exercise any of the powers granted to it hereunder and
perform any of the duties imposed upon it hereunder either directly or by or
through agents and shall not be responsible for any misconduct or negligence on
the part of any such agent appointed in good faith, without gross negligence or
willful misconduct, (c) may rely, and shall be protected in acting or refraining
from acting, upon any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion,
report, notice, request, consent, order, bond, debenture, or other paper or
document believed by it in good faith to be genuine and to have been signed or
presented by the proper party or parties, (d) may consult with legal counsel,
accountants, appraisers, management consultants, investment bankers, architects,
engineers, environmental consultants and other consultants and advisers selected
by it and any act taken or omitted to be taken in reliance upon the opinion of
such Persons selected and consulted in good faith shall be conclusively presumed
to have been done or omitted in good faith, (e) shall not be liable to the
Partnership or the Partners for the failure to perform any obligation that the
General Partner cannot perform because the Partnership has insufficient funds to
pay the cost and expense relative to such obligation, and (f) shall not be
required by the Partnership or any Partner to take any action that General
Partner or the Partnership is prohibited from taking, or have any liability for
taking any action that the General Partner or the Partnership is required to
take, under this Agreement or the General Partner's organizational documents.
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7.6. No Limited Partner Management Rights. The Limited Partner
shall not participate in the management or control of the Partnership's
business, shall not transact any business for the Partnership, and shall not
have the power to act for or bind the Partnership, such powers being vested
solely and exclusively in General Partner. The Limited Partner shall not be
bound by, or personally liable for, the expenses, liabilities, or obligations of
the Partnership, provided that all Partners shall be subject to the application
and distribution of revenue and as provided herein.
7.7. Officers. The General Partner shall have the right, in respect
of any of its rights, powers and obligations hereunder, to act through any of
its duly authorized officers. The General Partner may, but shall not be
obligated to, designate one or more persons to act as officers of the
Partnership ("Partnership Officers"). Any Partnership Officer shall have such
authority and perform such duties as the General Partner may from time to time
determine. The General Partner may assign titles to particular Partnership
Officers. Unless the General Partner otherwise determines, if the title is one
commonly used for officers of a business corporation formed under the Texas
Business Corporation Act, the assignment of such title shall constitute the
grant of authority and a power of attorney to such Partnership Officer to
exercise all of the powers and perform all of the duties that are normally
associated with that office, subject to any express grant or limitation of
authority made by the General Partner in the case of such Partnership Officer.
Each Partnership 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. Any number of
offices may be held by the same person. Any Partnership Officer shall serve at
the pleasure of the General Partner and may be removed at any time and in the
sole discretion of the General Partner by written notice to such Partnership
Officer.
ARTICLE VIII.
TRANSFERS AND WITHDRAWALS
8.1. Transfer. Except as provided in this Article 8, no Partnership
Interest shall be Transferred, in whole or in part. Any attempted Transfer in
contravention of this Article 8 shall be void ab initio; provided, however, that
this Article 8 shall be subject to and construed in a manner consistent with the
General Partner's power to cause the Partnership to participate in a merger,
consolidation, entity conversion, share or interest exchange as permitted by the
Act, and no exercise of the General Partner's powers under Section 7.1(k) shall
be prohibited by this Article 8.
8.2. Permitted Transfers. The Limited Partner may freely Transfer
its Partnership Interest without the consent of any Partner. The General Partner
may freely Transfer its Partnership Interest, in whole, upon at least ten (10)
days prior written notice to each Partner, but without the consent or approval
of any Partner. Any successor general partner of the Partnership permitted by
this Section 8.2 shall to the fullest extent permitted by law be deemed admitted
as a general partner of the Partnership immediately prior to the withdrawal of
the General Partner as a general partner of the Partnership. Any successor
General Partner permitted by this Section 8.2 is hereby authorized to, and shall
continue the business of, the Partnership without dissolution.
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8.3. Withdrawal. No Partner may withdraw from the Partnership,
other than as a result of a permitted Transfer.
8.4. Transferees to be Bound by this Agreement. Notwithstanding any
other provision of this Agreement, no Partnership Interest may be Transferred,
and no Transfer shall be effective, unless and until the proposed Transferee
shall in a writing addressed to each other Partner agree to be bound by this
Agreement. Each Transferee shall be deemed admitted as a General Partner or a
Limited Partner, as the case may be, at such time such Person executes the
writing described in the preceding sentence.
8.5. Substitution. No Partner shall have the right, power, or
authority to substitute for itself, as a partner in the Partnership, any Person
who is not a Partner of the Partnership, unless such Partner has transferred its
Partnership Interest in accordance with the terms of this Article 8.
ARTICLE IX.
DISSOLUTION
9.1. Dissolution Events.
(a) Except as set forth in this Article 9, no Partner shall have
the right to dissolve the Partnership.
(b) The Partnership shall dissolve, and its affairs shall be wound
up, upon the first to occur of (i) the expiration of its stated term as provided
in Section 2.9; (ii) the sale or disposition of all or substantially all of the
assets of the Partnership in accordance with this Agreement; or (iii) the
written consent of all Partners.
9.2. Winding Up.
(a) Upon the occurrence of an event of dissolution described in
Section 9.1(b), the Partnership shall continue solely for the purposes of
winding up its affairs in an orderly manner, liquidating its assets, and
satisfying the claims of its creditors and Partners. No Partner shall take any
action that is inconsistent with, or not necessary to or appropriate for, the
winding up of the Partnership's business and affairs. The General Partner or any
Person designated by the General Partner (such Person being deemed to be a
"liquidating trustee" within the meaning of the Act is hereinafter referred to
as the "LIQUIDATOR") shall be responsible for overseeing the winding up and
dissolution of the Partnership and shall take full account of the Partnership's
liabilities and property and the Partnership property shall be liquidated as
promptly as is consistent with obtaining the fair value thereof, and the
proceeds therefrom shall be applied and distributed in the following order: (i)
first, to any creditors of the Partnership, in satisfaction of liabilities of
the Partnership (whether by payment or the making of reasonable provisions for
payment thereof); and (ii) second, to the Partners in proportion to their
respective positive Capital Account balances.
For purposes of this Section 9.2, the Capital Account balances of
the Partners shall be determined after making Capital Account adjustments under
Article 5 to account for the
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results of Partnership operations, and for all sales and dispositions of all or
any part of the Partnership's assets, through the time of any liquidating
distribution. Additionally, for purposes of adjusting Capital Accounts and
making liquidating distributions, Net Profits and Net Losses shall be determined
and the Capital Accounts of the Partners shall be adjusted as if any unsold
assets that are distributed to the Partners had been sold for their fair market
values, and the distribution of such assets shall be treated as a distribution
of cash equal to the fair market value of such assets.
(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 9.2(a) which require
liquidation of the assets of the Partnership, but subject to the order of
priorities set forth therein, if prior to or upon dissolution of the Partnership
the Liquidator determines that an immediate sale of part or all of the
Partnership's assets would be impractical or would cause undue loss to the
Partners, the Liquidator may, in its sole and absolute discretion, defer for a
reasonable time the liquidation of any assets except those necessary to satisfy
liabilities of the Partnership and/or distribute to the Partners in lieu of
cash, as tenants in common and in accordance with the provisions of Section
9.2(a), undivided interests in such Partnership assets as the Liquidator deems
not suitable for liquidation. Any such distributions in kind shall be made only
if, in the good faith judgment of the Liquidator, such distributions in kind are
in the best interest of the Partners, and shall be subject to such conditions
relating to the disposition and management of such properties as the Liquidator
deems reasonable and equitable and to any agreements governing the operation of
such properties at such time. The Liquidator shall determine the fair market
value of any property distributed in kind using such reasonable method of
valuation as it may adopt.
(c) In the discretion of the Liquidator, a pro rata portion of the
distributions that would otherwise be made to the Partners pursuant to this
Article IX may be (i) distributed to a trust established for the benefit of the
Partners for the purposes of liquidating Partnership assets, collecting amounts
owed to the Partnership, and paying any contingent, conditional or unmatured
liabilities or obligations of the Partnership or of the General Partner arising
out of or in connection with the Partnership and the assets of any such trust
shall be distributed to the Partners from time to time, in the reasonable
discretion of the Liquidator, in the same manner and priority as such assets
would have been distributed by the Partnership to the Partners pursuant to
Section 9.2(a) of this Agreement, or (ii) withheld or escrowed to provide a
reasonable reserve for Partnership liabilities (contingent or otherwise) and to
reflect the unrealized portion of any installment obligations owed to the
Partnership, provided that such withheld or escrowed amounts shall be
distributed to the Partners in the manner and order of priority set forth in
Section 9.2(a) as soon as practicable.
9.3. Negative Capital Accounts. No Partner shall be liable to the
Partnership or to any other Partner for any negative balance outstanding in such
Partner's Capital Account, whether such negative Capital Account results from
the allocation of Net Losses or other items of deduction and loss to such
Partner or from distributions to such Partner.
9.4. Rights to Return of Capital. Except as otherwise provided in
this Agreement, the Partners shall look solely to the assets of the Partnership
for the return of their Capital Contributions and shall have no right or power
to demand or receive property other than cash from the Partnership.
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9.5. Termination of Partnership and Cancellation of Certificate of
Limited Partnership. Upon the completion of the liquidation of the Partnership
cash and property as provided in Section 9.2, the Partnership shall be
terminated, a certificate of cancellation shall be filed, and all qualifications
of the Partnership as a foreign Limited Partnership in jurisdictions other than
the State of Texas shall be canceled and such other actions as may be necessary
to terminate the Partnership shall be taken. The General Partner shall not cause
or permit any such certificate of cancellation to be filed or any other such
action to be taken except following the dissolution, and upon completion of the
winding up and liquidation, of the Partnership pursuant to this Article 9.
9.6. Reasonable Time for Winding-Up. A reasonable time shall be
allowed for the orderly winding-up of the business and affairs of the
Partnership and the liquidation of its assets pursuant to Section 9.2, in order
to minimize any losses otherwise attendant upon such winding-up, and the
provisions of this Agreement shall remain in effect among the Partners during
the period of winding-up and liquidation.
9.7. Waiver of Partition. Each Partner hereby waives any right to
partition of the Partnership property.
ARTICLE X
LIABILITY, EXCULPATION AND INDEMNIFICATION
10.1. Liability.
(a) Except as otherwise provided by the Texas Act, the debts,
obligations and liabilities of the Partnership, whether arising in contract,
tort or otherwise, shall be solely the debts, obligations and liabilities of the
Partnership, and no Covered Person shall be obligated personally for any such
debt, obligation or liability of the Partnership solely by reason of being a
Covered Person.
(b) Except as otherwise expressly required by law, no Partner, in
its capacity as Partner, shall have any liability in excess of (i) the amount of
its Capital Commitment, (ii) its share of any assets and undistributed profits
of the Partnership, (iii) its obligation to make other payments expressly
provided for in this Agreement, and (iv) the amount of any distributions
wrongfully distributed to it.
10.2. Exculpation.
(a) NO COVERED PERSON SHALL BE LIABLE TO THE PARTNERSHIP OR ANY
OTHER COVERED PERSON FOR ANY LOSS, DAMAGE OR CLAIM INCURRED BY REASON OF ANY ACT
OR OMISSION PERFORMED OR OMITTED BY SUCH COVERED PERSON IN GOOD FAITH ON BEHALF
OF THE PARTNERSHIP AND IN A MANNER REASONABLY BELIEVED TO BE WITHIN THE SCOPE OF
AUTHORITY CONFERRED ON SUCH COVERED PERSON BY THIS AGREEMENT, UNLESS SUCH LOSS
OR LIABILITY ARISES FROM THE COVERED PERSON'S INTENTIONAL MISCONDUCT, GROSS
NEGLIGENCE, VIOLATION OF APPLICABLE LAW, MATERIAL BREACH OF THIS AGREEMENT OR
FRAUD.
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(b) A Covered Person shall be fully protected in relying in good
faith upon the records of the Partnership and upon such information, opinions,
reports or statements presented to the Partnership by any Person as to matters
the Covered Person reasonably believes are within such other Person's
professional or expert competence and who has been selected with reasonable care
by or on behalf of the Partnership, including information, opinions, reports or
statements as to the value and amount of the assets, liabilities, Profits,
Losses, Available Cash or any other facts pertinent to the existence and amount
of assets from which distributions to Partners might properly be paid.
10.3. Duties and Liabilities of Covered Persons.
(a) To the extent that, at law or in equity, a Covered Person has
duties (including fiduciary duties) and liabilities relating thereto to the
Partnership or to any other Covered Person, a Covered Person acting under this
Agreement shall not be liable to the Partnership or to any other Covered Person
for its good faith reliance on the provisions of this Agreement. The provisions
of this Agreement, to the extent that they restrict the duties and liabilities
of a Covered Person otherwise existing at law or in equity, are agreed by the
parties hereto to replace such other duties and liabilities of such Covered
Person.
(b) Unless otherwise expressly provided herein, (a) whenever a
conflict of interest exists or arises between Covered Persons, or (b) whenever
this Agreement or any other agreement contemplated herein or therein provides
that a Covered Person shall act in a manner that is, or provides terms that are,
fair and reasonable to the Partnership or any Partner, the Covered Person shall
resolve such conflict of interest, taking such action or providing such terms,
considering in each case the relative interest of each party (including its own
interest) to such conflict, agreement, transaction or situation and the benefits
and burdens relating to such interests, any customary or accepted industry
practices, and any applicable generally accepted accounting practices or
principles. In the absence of bad faith by the Covered Person, the resolution,
action or term so made, taken or provided by the Covered Person shall not
constitute a breach of this Agreement or any other agreement contemplated herein
or of any duty or obligation of the Covered Person at law or in equity or
otherwise.
(c) Whenever in this Agreement a Covered Person is permitted or
required to make a decision (i) in its "discretion" or under a grant of similar
authority or latitude, the Covered Person shall be entitled to consider only
such interests and factors as it desires, including its own interests, and shall
have no duty or obligation to give any consideration to any interest of or
factors affecting the Partnership or any other Person, or (ii) in its "good
faith" or under another express standard, the Covered Person shall act under
such express standard and shall not be subject to any other or different
standard imposed by this Agreement or other applicable law.
10.4. Indemnification.
(a) To the fullest extent permitted by law, the Partnership shall
indemnify and hold harmless each Covered Person from and against any and all
losses, claims, damages, liabilities, judgments, penalties (including excise and
similar taxes), fines, settlements and reasonable expenses (including court
costs and attorney's fees), joint or several, actually incurred
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by such Covered Person in connection with any threatened, pending or completed
claim, demand, action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal,
administrative, arbitrative or investigative, any appeal in such a claim,
demand, action, suit or proceeding and any inquiry or investigation that could
lead to such a claim, demand, action, suit or proceeding (any such claim,
demand, action, suit, proceeding, appeal, inquiry or investigation being
hereinafter referred to as a "PROCEEDING"), in which such Covered Person was, is
or is threatened to be made a named defendant or respondent because such Covered
Person has or had any status specified in clause (i) or (ii) above, REGARDLESS
OF WHETHER ANY OF SAID LOSSES, CLAIMS, DAMAGES, LIABILITIES, JUDGMENTS,
PENALTIES, FINES, SETTLEMENTS OR EXPENSES RESULTED FROM THE NEGLIGENCE OR OTHER
FAULT OF SUCH COVERED PERSON. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Covered Person
shall be indemnified and held harmless unless (x) a determination is made in
accordance with the procedures prescribed in Section 11.06 of the Act that such
Covered Person (1) acted in good faith, (2) reasonably believed that its conduct
was in the best interests of the Partnership (in the case of conduct by a person
in its official capacity) or at least not opposed to the best interests of the
Partnership (in all other cases) and (3) in the case of a criminal Proceeding,
had no cause to believe that its conduct was unlawful and (y) such Covered
Person's conduct did not constitute intentional misconduct, gross negligence, a
violation of applicable law, a material breach of this agreement or fraud. The
termination of any Proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, conviction or on a
plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent shall not alone determine that an
Covered Person did not meet the requirements set forth in the preceding
sentence.
(b) To the fullest extent permitted by law and without limiting
any right granted to an Covered Person under paragraph (a) above, the
Partnership shall indemnify and hold harmless each Covered Person from and
against any and all reasonable expenses (including court costs and attorney's
fees) incurred by such Covered Person in connection with a Proceeding in which
the Covered Person was a named defendant or respondent because such Covered
Person has or had any status specified in clause (i) or (ii) of the first
sentence of paragraph (a) above, if such Covered Person has been wholly
successful, on the merits or otherwise, in the defense of such Proceeding.
(c) To the fullest extent permitted by law, the Partnership shall
pay or reimburse, in advance of the final disposition of a Proceeding,
reasonable expenses (including court costs and attorney's fees) incurred by an
Covered Person who was, is or is threatened to be made a named defendant or
respondent in a Proceeding because such Covered Person has or had any status
specified in clause (i) or (ii) of the first sentence of paragraph (a) above;
provided, however, that prior to making any payment or reimbursement under this
paragraph (c), the Partnership shall receive (i) a written affirmation by such
Covered Person of such Covered Person's good faith belief that it has met the
standard of conduct necessary for indemnification under paragraph (a) above and
the Texas Act and (ii) a written undertaking by or on behalf of such Covered
Person to repay the amount paid or reimbursed if it is ultimately determined
that such Covered Person has not met such standard.
(d) The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided for
in this Section 10.4 shall be in addition to any other rights to which an
Covered Person may be entitled pursuant to any contract or agreement or any
action or approval of the Partners or as a matter of law, whether with respect
to an action of an Covered Person in any of its capacities specified in
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clause (i) or (ii) of the first sentence of paragraph (a) above or in any other
capacity, and shall continue as to an Covered Person who has ceased to serve in
such capacity and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, successors, assigns
and administrators of an Covered Person. The General Partners and the
Partnership may enter into indemnity contracts with Covered Persons and adopt
written procedures pursuant to which arrangements are made for the advancement
of expenses and the funding of obligations under Section 10.4(c) and containing
such other procedures regarding indemnification as are appropriate.
10.5. Insurance. The Partnership may purchase and maintain
insurance, to the extent and in such amounts as the General Partner shall, in
its discretion, deem reasonable, on behalf of Covered Persons and such other
Persons as the General Partner shall determine, against any liability that may
be asserted against or expenses that may be incurred by any such Person in
connection with the activities of the Partnership or such indemnities,
regardless of whether the Partnership would have the power to indemnify such
Person against such liability under the provisions of this Agreement. The
General Partner and the Partnership may enter into indemnity contracts with
Covered Persons and adopt written procedures pursuant to which arrangements are
made for the advancement of expenses and the funding of obligations under
Section 10.4 and containing such other procedures regarding indemnification as
are appropriate.
ARTICLE XI.
MISCELLANEOUS
11.1. Amendments. This Agreement shall not be amended, modified,
waived or terminated without the prior written consent of each Partner.
11.2. Complete Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the complete
and exclusive statement of the agreement between the Partners and replaces and
supersedes any oral or written agreements by and among the Partners or any of
them.
11.3. Governing Law. This Agreement and the rights of the parties
hereunder shall be governed by, interpreted and enforced in accordance with, the
internal laws (exclusive of the choice of law provisions thereof or conflicts of
law rules thereof) of the State of Texas as to all matters, including, but not
limited to, matters of validity, construction, effect, performance and remedies.
11.4. Binding Effect. Subject to the provisions of this Agreement
relating to transferability, this Agreement shall be binding upon the parties
signatory hereto, and their respective successors and Transferees, and inure to
the benefit of such parties and their respective successors and permitted
Transferees. All representations, agreements and covenants made by or applicable
to any Partner hereunder are made for the direct benefit of each other Partner
hereunder and its successors and permitted Transferees.
11.5. Interpretation. Common nouns and pronouns shall be deemed to
refer to the masculine, feminine, neuter, singular and plural, as the identity
of the Person may in the context require. All headings, titles or captions
herein are inserted only for convenience and ease of reference and are not to be
considered in the construction or interpretation of any provision of
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this Agreement. Numbered or lettered articles, sections and subsections herein
contained refer to articles, sections and subsections of this Agreement unless
otherwise expressly stated. Words such as "herein," "hereinafter," "hereof,"
"hereto," "hereby" and "hereunder," when used with reference to this Agreement,
refer to this Agreement as a whole, unless the context otherwise requires. If
any provision of this Agreement or the application thereof to any Person or
circumstances is or becomes invalid or unenforceable to any extent, the
remainder of this Agreement and the application of such provisions to other
Persons or circumstances shall not be affected thereby and shall be enforced to
the greatest extent permitted by law.
11.6. Reliance on Authority. In no event shall any Person dealing
with the General Partner be obligated to ascertain that the terms of this
Agreement have been complied with, or be obligated to inquire into the necessity
or expediency of any act or action of the General Partner. Every contract,
agreement, deed, mortgage, promissory note, or other instrument or document
executed by the General Partner with respect to the Partnership shall be
conclusive evidence in favor of any and every Person relying thereon or claiming
thereunder that (a) at the time of the execution and/or delivery thereof, this
Agreement was in full force and effect, (b) such instrument or document was duly
executed in accordance with the terms and provisions of this Agreement and is
binding upon the Partnership and all of the Partners thereof, and (c) the
General Partner was duly authorized and empowered to execute and deliver any and
every such instrument or document for and on behalf of the Partnership.
11.7. No Third Party Beneficiary. This Agreement is made solely and
specifically among and for the benefit of the parties hereto, and their
respective successors and permitted Transferees subject to the express
provisions hereof relating to successors and permitted Transferees, and no other
Person shall have any rights, interest or claims hereunder or be entitled to any
benefits under or on account of this Agreement as a third party beneficiary or
otherwise. No third party, including any creditor of the Partnership shall have
any right to enforce any contribution of capital, loan, or other advance of
funds by any Partner.
11.8. Notices. All notices, requests and demands to or upon the
respective parties hereto to be effective shall be in writing (including by
facsimile), and, unless otherwise expressly provided herein, shall be deemed to
have been duly given or made (i) when delivered by hand, (ii) five (5) days
after being deposited in the mail, certified mail and postage prepaid, (iii) one
(1) day following timely delivery to a nationally recognized overnight courier
service, or (iv) in the case of facsimile notice, when sent and electronically
confirmed, addressed as provided in Exhibit A, or to such other address as may
be hereafter notified by the respective parties hereto.
11.9. Waiver. No failure by any party to insist upon strict
performance of any covenant, duty, agreement or condition of this Agreement or
to exercise any right or remedy resulting from a breach thereof shall constitute
a waiver of any such breach or any other covenant, duty, agreement or condition
or any right or remedy.
11.10. Limited Recourse. To the fullest extent permitted by law, in
no circumstances shall a shareholder, general or limited partner, director,
officer, employee or agent of a Partner or a partner in a Partner be personally
liable for monetary damages for any of the obligations of a Partner under this
Agreement. In no event shall any Partner be or become
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obligated personally to respond in monetary damages to the Partnership or any
other Partner with respect to this Agreement or on account of its being a
Partner except to the extent of its Partnership Interest, and any monetary claim
or judgment in favor of the Partnership or such other Partner shall be limited
accordingly so that the Partnership and such other Partner shall look only to
the Partner's Partnership Interest in the Partnership for the recovery of such
monetary claim or judgment and not to any of the Partner's other assets. To the
fullest extent permitted by law, the Partnership and each of the Partners waives
and disclaims any right it may have to proceed for monetary relief or damages
against the other Partners other than to the extent of the other Partners'
Partnership Interest in the Partnership. Nothing in this Section 11.10 shall
limit the right of any Partner to seek injunctive or other equitable relief
against any other Partner, the Partnership or any other Person. Each of the
Partners acknowledges and agrees that the covenants and obligations of or
applicable to such Partner hereunder shall be specifically enforceable by the
other Partners.
11.11. Consents and Approvals. All consents, requests, notices and
approvals required hereunder shall be in writing, unless otherwise specifically
required herein.
[signature page follows]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the General Partner and the Limited Partner have
executed this Agreement to be effective as of the Effective Date.
GENERAL PARTNER:
WS GENERAL PARTNER, LLC
a Texas limited liability company
By: WASTE SERVICES, INC.
Sole Member
By: /s/ Ivan R Cairns
----------------------------
Name: IVAN R CAIRNS
Its: EXEC VICE-PRES
LIMITED PARTNER:
WASTE SERVICES LIMITED PARTNER, LLC,
a Delaware limited liability company
By: /s/ Ivan R Cairns
--------------------------------
Name: IVAN R CAIRNS, Manager
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