EXHIBIT 10.9
COMMERCIAL SECURITY AGREEMENT
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PRINCIPAL LOAN DATE MATURITY LOAN NO. CALL COLLATERAL ACCOUNT OFFICER INITIALS
$5,500,000.00 10-07-1998 04-30-1999 0070854442 07-0854442 202
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References in the shaded area are for Lender's use only and do not limit the applicability of this document to any
particular loan or item.
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Borrower: THE KEITH COMPANIES, INC.; ET. AL. LENDER: IMPERIAL BANK
2955 REDHILL AVENUE ORANGE COUNTY REGIONAL OFFICE
COSTA MESA, CA 92626 695 TOWN CENTER DRIVE, SUITE 100
MESA, CA 92626-1924
GRANTOR: THE KEITH COMPANIES, INC., KEITH ENGINEERING, INC., ESI, ENGINEERING SERVICES, INC. AND JOHN M. TETTEMER &
ASSOCIATES, LTD.
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THIS COMMERCIAL SECURITY AGREEMENT IS ENTERED INTO AMONG THE KEITH COMPANIES,
INC. KEITH ENGINEERING, INC., ESI, ENGINEERING SERVICES, INC. AND JOHN M.
TETTEMER & ASSOCIATES, LTD. (REFERRED TO BELOW INDIVIDUALLY AND COLLECTIVELY AS
"BORROWER"); THE KEITH COMPANIES, INC., KEITH ENGINEERING, INC., ESI,
ENGINEERING SERVICES, INC. AND JOHN M. TETTEMER & ASSOCIATES, LTD. (REFERRED TO
BELOW INDIVIDUALLY AND COLLECTIVELY AS "GRANTOR"); AND IMPERIAL BANK (REFERRED
TO BELOW AS "LENDER"). FOR VALUABLE CONSIDERATION, GRANTOR GRANTS TO LENDER A
SECURITY INTEREST IN THE COLLATERAL TO SECURE THE INDEBTEDNESS AND AGREES THAT
LENDER SHALL HAVE THE RIGHTS STATED IN THIS AGREEMENT WITH RESPECT TO THE
COLLATERAL, IN ADDITION TO ALL OTHER RIGHTS WHICH LENDER MAY HAVE BY LAW.
DEFINITIONS. The following words shall have the following meanings when used
in this Agreement. Terms not otherwise defined in this Agreement shall have
the meanings attributed to such terms in the Uniform Commercial Code. All
references to dollar amounts shall mean amounts in lawful money of the United
States of America.
AGREEMENT. The word "Agreement" means this Commercial Security Agreement, as
this Commercial Security Agreement may be amended or modified from time to
time, together with all exhibits and schedules attached to this Commercial
Security Agreement from time to time.
BORROWER. The word "Borrower" means each and every person or entity signing
the Note, including without limitation THE KEITH COMPANIES, INC., KEITH
ENGINEERING, INC., ESI, ENGINEERING SERVICES, INC. and JOHN M. TETTEMER &
ASSOCIATES, LTD.
COLLATERAL. The word "Collateral" means the following described property of
Grantor, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, whether now existing or
hereafter arising, and wherever located:
ALL PERSONAL PROPERTY, WHETHER PRESENTLY EXISTING OR HEREAFTER CREATED OR
ACQUIRED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO: ALL ACCOUNTS, CHATTEL PAPER,
DOCUMENTS, INSTRUMENTS, MONEY, DEPOSIT ACCOUNTS AND GENERAL INTANGIBLES
INCLUDING RETURNS, REPOSSESSIONS, BOOKS AND RECORDS RELATING THERETO, AND
EQUIPMENT CONTAINING SAID BOOKS AND RECORDS. ALL INVESTMENT PROPERTY
INCLUDING SECURITIES AND SECURITIES ENTITLEMENTS. ALL GOODS INCLUDING
EQUIPMENT AND INVENTORY. ALL PROCEEDS INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION,
INSURANCE PROCEEDS. ALL GUARANTEES AND OTHER SECURITY THEREFOR.
In addition, the word "Collateral" includes all the following, whether now
owned or hereafter acquired, whether now existing or hereafter arising, and
wherever located:
(a) All attachments, accessions, accessories, tools, parts, supplies,
increases, and additions to and all replacements of and substitutions for
any property described above.
(b) All products and produce of any of the property described in this
Collateral section.
(c) All accounts, general intangibles, instruments, rents, monies,
payments, and all other rights, arising out of a sale, lease, or other
disposition of any of the property described in this Collateral section.
(d) All proceeds (including insurance proceeds) from the sale,
destruction, loss, or other disposition of any of the property described
in this Collateral section.
(e) All records and data relating to any of the property described in
this Collateral section, whether in the form of a writing, photograph,
microfilm, microfiche, or electronic media, together with all of Grantor's
right, title, and interest in and to all computer software required to
utilize, create, maintain, and process any such records or data on
electronic media.
EVENT OF DEFAULT. The words "Event of Default" mean and include without
limitation any of the Events of Default set forth below in the section titled
"Events of Default."
GRANTOR. The word "Grantor" means THE KEITH COMPANIES, INC., KEITH
ENGINEERING, INC., ESI, ENGINEERING SERVICES, INC. and JOHN M. TETTEMER &
ASSOCIATES, LTD.. Any Grantor who signs this Agreement, but does not sign the
Note, is signing this Agreement only to grant a security interest in
Grantor's interest in the Collateral to, Lender and is not personally liable
under the Note except as otherwise provided by contract or law (e.g.,
personal liability under a guaranty or as a surety).
GUARANTOR. The word "Guarantor" means and includes without limitation each
and all of the guarantors, sureties, and accommodation parties in connection
with the indebtedness.
INDEBTEDNESS. The word "Indebtedness" means the indebtedness evidenced by
the Note, including all principal and interest, together with all other
indebtedness and costs and expenses for which Grantor or Borrower is
responsible under this Agreement or under any of the Related Documents. In
addition, the word "Indebtedness" includes all other obligations, debts and
liabilities, plus interest thereon of Borrower, or any one or more of them,
to Lender, as well as all claims by Lender against Borrower, or any one or
more of them, whether existing now or later; whether they are voluntary or
involuntary, due or not due, direct or indirect, absolute or contingent,
liquidated or unliquidated; whether Borrower may be liable individually or
jointly with others; whether Borrower may be obligated as guarantor, surety,
accommodation party or otherwise; whether recovery upon such indebtedness may
be or hereafter may become barred by any statute of limitations; and whether
such indebtedness may be or hereafter may become otherwise unenforceable.
(AHK) INITIALS
LENDER. The word "Lender" means Imperial Bank, its successors and assigns.
NOTE. The word "Note" means the note or credit agreement dated October 7,
1998, in the principal amount of $5,500,000.00 from Borrower to Lender,
together with all renewals of, extensions of, modifications of, refinancings
of, consolidations of and substitutions for the note or credit agreement.
RELATED DOCUMENTS. The words "Related Documents" mean and include without
limitation all promissory notes, credit agreements, loan agreements,
environmental agreements, guaranties, security agreements, mortgages, deeds
of trust, and all other instruments, agreements and documents, whether now or
hereafter existing, executed in connection with the Indebtedness.
BORROWER'S WAIVERS AND RESPONSIBILITIES. Except as otherwise required under
this Agreement or by applicable law, (a) Borrower agrees that Lender need not
tell Borrower about any action or inaction Lender takes in connection with this
Agreement; (b) Borrower assumes the responsibility for being and keeping
informed about the Collateral; and (c) Borrower waives any defenses that may
arise because of any action or inaction of Lender, including without limitation
any failure of Lender to realize upon the Collateral or any delay by Lender in
realizing upon the Collateral; and Borrower agrees to remain liable under the
Note no matter what action Lender takes or fails to take under this Agreement.
GRANTOR'S REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES. Grantor warrants that: (a) this
Agreement is executed at Borrower's request and not at the request of Lender;
(b) Grantor has the full right, power and authority to enter into this
Agreement and to pledge the Collateral to Lender; (c) Grantor has established
adequate means of obtaining from Borrower on a continuing basis information
about Borrower's financial condition; and (d) Lender has made no representation
to Grantor about Borrower or Borrower's creditworthiness.
GRANTOR'S WAIVERS. Except as prohibited by applicable law, Grantor waives any
right to require Lender to (a) make any presentment, protest, demand, or notice
of any kind, including notice of change of any terms of repayment of the
Indebtedness, default by Borrower or any other guarantor or surety, any action
or nonaction taken by Borrower, Lender, or any other guarantor or surety of
Borrower, or the creation of new or additional Indebtedness;
03/04/99 COMMERCIAL SECURITY AGREEMENT PAGE 2
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(b) proceed against any person, including Borrower before proceeding against
Grantor; (c) proceed against any collateral for the Indebtedness, including
borrower's collateral, before proceeding against Grantor; (d) apply any
payments or proceeds received against the Indebtedness in any order; (e) give
notice of the terms, time, and place of any sale of any collateral pursuant to
the Uniform Commercial Code or any other law governing such sale; (f) disclose
any information about the Indebtedness, the Borrower, any collateral, or any
other guarantor or surety, or about any action or nonaction of Lender; or (g)
pursue any remedy or course of action in Lender's power whatsoever.
Grantor also waives any and all rights or defenses arising by reason of (h) any
disability or other defense of Borrower, any other guarantor or surety or any
other person; (i) the cessation from any cause whatsoever, other than payment
in full, of the Indebtedness; (j) the application of proceeds of the
Indebtedness by Borrower for purposes other than the purposes understood and
intended by Grantor and Lender; (k) any act of omission or commission by Lender
which directly or indirectly results in or contributes to the discharge of
Borrower or any other guarantor or surety, or the Indebtedness, or the loss or
release of any collateral by operation of law or otherwise; (l) any statute of
limitations in any action under this Agreement or on the Indebtedness; or (m)
any modification or change in terms of the Indebtedness, whatsoever, including
without limitation, the renewal, extension, acceleration, or other change in
the time payment of the Indebtedness is due and any change in the interest
rate.
Grantor waives all rights and defenses arising out of an election of remedies
by Lender, even though that election of remedies, such as nonjudicial
foreclosure with respect to security for a guaranteed obligation, has destroyed
Grantor's rights of subrogation and reimbursement against Borrower by the
operation of Section 580d of the California Code of Civil Procedure, or
otherwise.
This waiver includes, without limitation, any loss of rights Grantor may suffer
by reason of any rights or protections of Borrower in connection with any anti-
deficiency laws, or other laws limiting or discharging the Indebtedness or
Borrower's obligations (including, without limitation, Section 726, 580a, 580b,
and 580d of the California Code of Civil Procedure). Grantor waives all rights
and protections of any kind which Grantor may have for any reason, which would
affect or limit the amount of any recovery by Lender from Grantor following a
nonjudicial sale or judicial foreclosure of any real or personal property
security for the Indebtedness including, but not limited to, the right to any
fair market value hearing pursuant to California Code of Civil Procedure
Section 580a.
Grantor understands and agrees that the foregoing waivers are waivers of
substantive rights and defenses to which Grantor might otherwise be entitled
under state and federal law. The rights and defenses waived include, without
limitation, those provided by California laws of suretyship and guaranty, anti-
deficiency laws, and the Uniform Commercial Code. Grantor acknowledges that
Grantor has provided these waivers of rights and defenses with the intention
that they be fully relied upon by Lender. Until all Indebtedness is paid in
full, Grantor waives any right to enforce any remedy Lender may have against
Borrower or any other guarantor, surety, or other person, and further, Grantor
waives any right to participate in any collateral for the Indebtedness now or
hereafter held by Lender.
If now or hereafter (a) Borrower shall be or become insolvent, and (b) the
Indebtedness shall not at all times until paid be fully secured by collateral
pledged by Borrower, Grantor hereby forever waives and relinquishes in favor of
Lender and Borrower, and their respective successors, any claim or right to
payment Grantor may now have or hereafter have or acquire against Borrower, by
subrogation or otherwise, so that at no time shall Grantor be or become a
"creditor" of Borrower within the meaning of 11 U.S.C. section 547(b), or any
successor provision of the Federal bankruptcy laws.
RIGHT OF SETOFF. Grantor hereby grants Lender a contractual security interest
in and hereby assigns, conveys, delivers, pledges, and transfers all of
Grantor's right, title and interest in and to Grantor's accounts with Lender
(whether checking, savings, or some other account), including all accounts held
jointly with someone else and all accounts Grantor may open in the future,
excluding, however, all IRA and Keogh accounts, and all trust accounts for
which the grant of a security interest would be prohibited by law. Grantor
authorizes Lender, to the extent permitted by applicable law, to charge or
setoff all Indebtedness against any and all such accounts.
OBLIGATIONS OF GRANTOR. Grantor warrants and covenants to Lender as follows:
ORGANIZATION. Grantor is a corporation which is duly organized, validly
existing, and in good standing under the laws of the State of California
State of California.
AUTHORIZATION. The execution, delivery, and performance of this Agreement by
Grantor have been duly authorized by all necessary action by Grantor and do
not conflict with, result in a violation of, or constitute a default under
(a) any provision of any articles or agreements relating to entity
incorporation, organization or existence, any agreement or other instrument
binding upon Grantor or (b) any law, governmental regulation, court decree,
or order applicable to Grantor.
PERFECTION OF SECURITY INTEREST. Grantor agrees to execute such financing
statements and to take whatever other actions are requested by Lender to
perfect and continue Lender's security interest in the Collateral. Upon
request of Lender, Grantor will deliver to Lender any and all of the
documents evidencing or constituting the Collateral, and Grantor will note
Lender's interest upon any and all chattel paper if not delivered to Lender
for possession by Lender. Grantor hereby appoints Lender as its irrevocable
attorney-in-fact for the purpose of executing any documents necessary to
perfect or to continue the security interest granted in this Agreement.
Lender may at any time, and without further authorization from Grantor, file
a carbon, photographic or other reproduction of any financing statement or of
this Agreement for use as a financing statement. Grantor will reimburse
Lender for all expenses for the perfection and the continuation of the
perfection of Lender's security interest in the Collateral. Grantor promptly
will notify Lender before any change in Grantor's name including any change
to the assumed business names of Grantor. THIS IS A CONTINUING SECURITY
AGREEMENT AND WILL CONTINUE IN EFFECT EVEN THOUGH ALL OR ANY PART OF THE
INDEBTEDNESS IS PAID IN FULL AND EVEN THOUGH FOR A PERIOD OF TIME BORROWER
MAY NOT BE INDEBTED TO LENDER.
NO VIOLATION. The execution and delivery of this Agreement will not violate
any law or agreement governing Grantor or to which Grantor is a party, and
its articles or agreements relating to entity incorporation, organization or
existence do not prohibit any term or condition of this Agreement.
ENFORCEABILITY OF COLLATERAL. To the extent the Collateral consists of
accounts, chattel paper, or general intangibles, the Collateral is
enforceable in accordance with its terms, is genuine, and complies with
applicable laws concerning form, content and manner of preparation and
execution, and all persons appearing to be obligated on the Collateral have
authority and capacity to contract and are in fact obligated as they appear
to be on the Collateral.
LOCATION OF THE COLLATERAL. Grantor, upon request of Lender, will deliver to
Lender in form satisfactory to Lender a schedule of real properties and
Collateral locations relating to Grantor's operations, including without
limitation the following: (a) all real property owned or being purchased by
Grantor; (b) all real property being rented or leased by Grantor; (c) all
storage facilities owned, rented, leased, or being used by Grantor; and (d)
all other properties where Collateral is or may be located. Except in the
ordinary course of its business, Grantor shall not remove the Collateral from
its existing locations without the prior written consent of Lender.
REMOVAL OF COLLATERAL. Grantor shall keep the Collateral (or to the extent
the Collateral consists of intangible property such as accounts, the records
concerning the Collateral) at Grantor's address shown above, or at such other
locations as are acceptable to Lender. Except in the ordinary course of its
business, including the sales of inventory, Grantor shall not remove the
Collateral from its existing locations without the prior written consent of
Lender. To the extent that the Collateral consists of vehicles, or other
titled property, Grantor shall not take or permit any action which would
require application for certificates of title for the vehicles outside the
State of California, without the prior written consent of Lender.
TRANSACTIONS INVOLVING COLLATERAL. Except for inventory sold or accounts
collected in the ordinary course of Grantor's business, Grantor shall not
sell, offer to sell, or otherwise transfer or dispose of the Collateral.
While Grantor is not in default under this Agreement, Grantor may sell
inventory, but only in the ordinary course of its business and only to buyers
who qualify as a buyer in the ordinary course of business. A sale in the
ordinary course of Grantor's business does not include a transfer in partial
or total satisfaction of a debt or any bulk sale. Grantor shall not pledge,
mortgage, encumber or otherwise permit the Collateral to be subject to any
lien, security interest, encumbrance, or charge, other than the security
interest provided for in this Agreement, without the prior written consent of
Lender. This includes security interests even if junior in right to the
security interests granted under this Agreement. Unless waived by Lender,
all proceeds from any disposition of the Collateral (for whatever reason)
shall be held in trust for Lender and shall not be commingled with any other
funds; provided however, this requirement shall not constitute consent by
Lender to any sale or other disposition. Upon receipt, Grantor shall
immediately deliver any such proceeds to Lender.
TITLE. Grantor represents and warrants to Lender that it holds good and
marketable title to the Collateral, free and clear of all liens and
encumbrances except for the lien of this Agreement. No financing statement
covering any of the Collateral is on file in any public office other than
those which reflect
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the security interest created by this Agreement or to which Lender has
specifically consented. Grantor shall defend Lender's rights in the
Collateral against the claims and demands of all other persons.
COLLATERAL SCHEDULES AND LOCATIONS. Insofar as the Collateral consists of
inventory, Grantor shall deliver to Lender, as often as Lender shall require,
such lists, descriptions, and designations of such Collateral as Lender may
require to identify the nature, extent, and location of such Collateral.
Such information shall be submitted for Grantor and each of its subsidiaries
or related companies.
MAINTENANCE AND INSPECTION OF COLLATERAL. Grantor shall maintain all
tangible Collateral in good condition and repair. Grantor will not commit or
permit damage to or destruction of the Collateral or any part of the
Collateral. Lender and its designated representatives and agents shall have
the right at all reasonable times to examine, inspect, and audit the
Collateral wherever located. Grantor shall immediately notify Lender of all
cases involving the return, rejection, repossession, loss or damage of or to
any Collateral; of any request for credit or adjustment or of any other
dispute arising with respect to the Collateral; and generally of all
happenings and events affecting the Collateral or the value or the amount of
the Collateral.
TAXES, ASSESSMENTS AND LIENS. Grantor will pay when due all taxes,
assessments and liens upon the Collateral, its use or operation, upon this
Agreement, upon any promissory note or notes evidencing the indebtedness, or
upon any of the other Related Documents. Grantor may withhold any such
payment or may elect to contest any lien if Grantor is in good faith
conducting an appropriate proceeding to contest the obligation to pay and so
long as Lender's interest in the Collateral is not jeopardized in Lender's
sole opinion. If the Collateral is subjected to a lien which is not
discharged within fifteen (15) days, Grantor shall deposit with Lender cash,
a sufficient corporate surety bond or other security satisfactory to Lender
in an amount adequate to provide for the discharge of the lien plus any
interest, costs, attorneys' fees or other charges that could accrue as a
result of foreclosure or sale of the Collateral. In any contest Grantor
shall defend itself and Lender and shall satisfy any final adverse judgment
before enforcement against the Collateral. Grantor shall name Lender as an
additional obligee under any surety bond furnished in the contest
proceedings.
COMPLIANCE WITH GOVERNMENTAL REQUIREMENTS. Grantor shall comply promptly
with all laws, ordinances, rules and regulations of all governmental
authorities, now or hereafter in effect, applicable to the ownership,
production, disposition, or use of the Collateral. Grantor may contest in
good faith any such law, ordinance or regulation and withhold compliance
during any proceeding, including appropriate appeals, so long as Lender's
interest in the Collateral, in Lender's opinion, is not jeopardized.
HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES. Grantor represents and warrants that the Collateral
never has been, and never will be so long as this Agreement remains a lien on
the Collateral, used for the generation, manufacture, storage,
transportation, treatment, disposal, release or threatened release of any
hazardous waste or substance, as those terms are defined in the Comprehensive
Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980, as amended,
42 U.S.C. Section 9601, et seq. ("CERCLA"), the Superfund Amendments and
Reauthorization Act of 1986, Pub. L. No. 99-499 ("SARA"), the Hazardous
Materials Transportation Act, 49 U.S.C. Section 1801, et seq., the Resource
Conservation and Recovery Act, 42 U.S.C. Section 6901, et seq., Chapters 6.5
through 7.7 of Division 20 of the California Health and Safety Code, Section
25100, et seq., or other applicable state or Federal laws, rules, or
regulations adopted pursuant to any of the foregoing. The terms "hazardous
waste" and "hazardous substance" shall also include, without limitation,
petroleum and petroleum by-products or any fraction thereof and asbestos.
The representations and warranties contained herein are based on Grantor's
due diligence in investigating the Collateral for hazardous wastes and
substances. Grantor hereby (a) releases and waives any future claims against
Lender for indemnity or contribution in the event Grantor becomes liable for
cleanup or other costs under any such laws, and (b) agrees to indemnify and
hold harmless Lender against any and all claims and losses resulting from a
breach of this provision of this Agreement. This obligation to indemnify
shall survive the payment of the Indebtedness and the satisfaction of this
Agreement.
MAINTENANCE OF CASUALTY INSURANCE. Grantor shall procure and maintain all
risks insurance, including without limitation fire, theft and liability
coverage together with such other insurance as Lender may require with
respect to the Collateral, in form, amounts, coverages and basis reasonably
acceptable to Lender and issued by a company or companies reasonably
acceptable to Lender. Grantor, upon request of Lender, will deliver to
Lender from time to time the policies or certificates of insurance in form
satisfactory to Lender, including stipulations that coverages will not be
cancelled or diminished without at least thirty (30) days' prior written
notice to Lender and not including any disclaimer of the insurer's liability
for failure to give such a notice. Each insurance policy also shall include
an endorsement providing that coverage in favor of Lender will not be
impaired in any way by any act, omission or default of Grantor or any other
person. In connection with all policies covering assets in which Lender
holds or is offered a security interest, Grantor will provide Lender with
such loss payable or other endorsements as Lender may require. In no event
shall the insurance be in an amount less than the amount agreed upon in the
Agreement to Provide Insurance. If Grantor at any time fails to obtain or
maintain any insurance as required under this Agreement, Lender may (but
shall not be obligated to) obtain such insurance as Lender deems appropriate,
including if it so chooses "single interest insurance," which will cover only
Lender's interest in the Collateral.
APPLICATION OF INSURANCE PROCEEDS. Grantor shall promptly notify Lender of
any loss or damage to the Collateral. Lender may make proof of loss if
Grantor fails to do so within fifteen (15) days of the casualty. All
proceeds of any insurance on the Collateral, including accrued proceeds
thereon, shall be held by Lender as part of the Collateral. If Lender
consents to repair or replacement of the damaged or destroyed Collateral,
Lender shall, upon satisfactory proof of expenditure, pay or reimburse
Grantor from the proceeds for the reasonable cost of repair or restoration.
If Lender does not consent to repair or replacement of the Collateral, Lender
shall retain a sufficient amount of the proceeds to pay all of the
Indebtedness, and shall pay the balance to Grantor. Any proceeds which have
not been disbursed within six (6) months after their receipt and which
Grantor has not committed to the repair or restoration of the Collateral
shall be used to prepay the Indebtedness.
INSURANCE RESERVES. Lender may require Grantor to maintain with Lender
reserves for payment of insurance premiums, which reserves shall be created
by monthly payments from Grantor of a sum estimated by Lender to be
sufficient to produce, at least fifteen (15) days before the premium due
date, amounts at least equal to the insurance premiums to be paid. If
fifteen (15) days before payment is due, the reserve funds are insufficient,
Grantor shall upon demand pay any deficiency to Lender. The reserve funds
shall be held by Lender as a general deposit and shall constitute a non-
interest-bearing account which Lender may satisfy by payment of the insurance
premiums required to be paid by Grantor as they become due. Lender does not
hold the reserve funds in trust for Grantor, and Lender is not the agent of
Grantor for payment of the insurance premiums required to be paid by Grantor.
The responsibility for the payment of premiums shall remain Grantor's sole
responsibility.
INSURANCE REPORTS. Grantor, upon request of Lender, shall furnish to Lender
reports on each existing policy of insurance showing such information as
Lender may reasonably request including the following: (a) the name of the
insurer; (b) the risks insured; (0) the amount of the policy; (d) the
property insured; (e) the then current value on the basis of which insurance
has been obtained and the manner of determining that value; and (f) the
expiration date of the policy. In addition, Grantor shall upon request by
Lender (however not more often than annually) have an independent appraiser
satisfactory to Lender determine, as applicable, the cash value or
replacement cost of the Collateral.
GRANTOR'S RIGHT TO POSSESSION. Until default, Grantor may have possession of
the tangible personal property and beneficial use of all the Collateral and may
use it in any lawful manner not inconsistent with this Agreement or the Related
Documents, provided that Grantor's right to possession and beneficial use shall
not apply to any Collateral where possession of the Collateral by Lender is
required by law to perfect Lender's security interest in such Collateral. If
Lender at any time has possession of any Collateral, whether before or after an
Event of Default, Lender shall be deemed to have exercised reasonable care in
the custody and preservation of the Collateral if Lender takes such action for
that purpose as Grantor shall request or as Lender, in Lender's sole discretion,
shall deem appropriate under the circumstances, but failure to honor any request
by Grantor shall not of itself be deemed to be a failure to exercise reasonable
care. Lender shall not be required to take any steps necessary to preserve any
rights in the Collateral against prior parties, nor to protect, preserve or
maintain any security interest given to secure the Indebtedness.
EXPENDITURES BY LENDER. If not discharged or paid when due, Lender may (but
shall not be obligated to) discharge or pay any amounts required to be
discharged or paid by Grantor under this Agreement, including without limitation
all taxes, liens, security interests, encumbrances, and other claims, at any
time levied or placed on the Collateral. Lender also may (but shall not be
obligated to) pay all costs for insuring, maintaining and preserving the
Collateral. All such expenditures incurred or paid by Lender for such purposes
will then bear interest at the rate charged under the Note from the date
incurred or paid by Lender to the date of repayment by Grantor. All such
expenses shall become a part of the Indebtedness and, at Lender's option, will
(a) be payable on demand, (b) be added to the balance of the Note and be
apportioned among and be payable with any installment payments to become due
during either (i) the term of any applicable insurance policy or (ii) the
remaining term of the Note, or (c) be treated as a balloon payment which will be
due and payable at the Note's maturity. This Agreement also will secure payment
of these amounts. Such right shall be in addition to all other rights and
remedies to which Lender may be entitled upon the occurrence of an Event of
Default.
EVENTS OF DEFAULT. Each of the following shall constitute an Event of Default
under this Agreement:
DEFAULT ON INDEBTEDNESS. Failure of Borrower to make any payment when due on
the Indebtedness.
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OTHER DEFAULTS. Failure of Grantor or Borrower to comply with or to perform
any other term, obligation, covenant or condition contained in this Agreement
or in any of the Related Documents or failure of Borrower to comply with or to
perform any term, obligation, covenant or condition contained in any other
agreement between Lender and Borrower.
FALSE STATEMENTS. Any warranty, representation or statement made or furnished
to Lender by or on behalf of Grantor or Borrower under this Agreement, the
Note or the Related Documents is false or misleading in any material respect,
either now or at the time made or furnished.
DEFECTIVE COLLATERALIZATION. This Agreement or any of the Related Documents
ceases to be in full force and effect (including failure of any collateral
documents to create a valid and perfected security interest or lien) at any
time and for any reason.
INSOLVENCY. The dissolution or termination of Grantor or Borrower's existence
as a going business, the insolvency of Grantor or Borrower, the appointment of
a receiver for any part of Grantor or Borrower's property, any assignment for
the benefit of creditors, any type of creditor workout, or the Commencement of
any proceeding under any bankruptcy or insolvency laws by or against Grantor
or Borrower.
CREDITOR OR FORFEITURE PROCEEDINGS. Commencement of foreclosure or forfeiture
proceedings, whether by judicial proceeding, self-help, repossession or any
other method, by any creditor of Grantor or Borrower or by any governmental
agency against the Collateral or any other collateral securing the
Indebtedness. This includes a garnishment of any of Grantor or Borrower's
deposit accounts with Lender. However, this Event of Default shall not apply
if there is a good faith dispute by Grantor or Borrower as to the validity or
reasonableness of the claim which is the basis of the creditor or forfeiture
proceeding and if Grantor or Borrower gives Lender written notice of the
creditor or forfeiture proceeding and deposits with Lender monies or a surety
bond for the creditor or forfeiture proceeding, in an amount determined by
Lender, in its sole discretion, as being an adequate reserve or bond for the
dispute.
EVENTS AFFECTING GUARANTOR. Any of the preceding events occurs with respect to
any Guarantor of any of the indebtedness or such Guarantor dies or becomes
incompetent. Lender, at its option, may, but shall not be required to, permit
the Guarantor's estate to assume unconditionally the obligations arising under
the guaranty in a manner satisfactory to Lender, and, in doing so, cure the
Event of Default.
ADVERSE CHANGE. A material adverse change occurs in Borrower's financial
condition, or Lender believes the prospect of payment or performance of the
Indebtedness is impaired.
INSECURITY. Lender, in good faith, deems itself insecure.
RIGHT TO CURE. If any default, other than a Default on Indebtedness, is
curable and if Grantor or Borrower has not been given a prior notice of a
breach of the same provision of this Agreement, it may be cured (and no Event
of Default will have occurred) if Grantor or Borrower, after Lender sends
written notice demanding cure of such default, (a) cures the default within
ten (10) days; or (b), if the cure requires more than ten (10) days,
immediately initiates steps which Lender deems in Lender's sole discretion to
be sufficient to cure the default and thereafter continues and completes all
reasonable and necessary steps sufficient to produce compliance as soon as
reasonably practical.
RIGHTS AND REMEDIES ON DEFAULT. If an Event of Default occurs under this
Agreement, at any time thereafter, Lender shall have all the rights of a secured
party under the California Uniform Commercial Code. In addition and without
limitation, Lender may exercise any one or more of the following rights and
remedies:
ACCELERATE INDEBTEDNESS. Lender may declare the entire Indebtedness, including
any prepayment penalty which Borrower would be required to pay, immediately
due and payable, without notice.
ASSEMBLE COLLATERAL. Lender may require Grantor to deliver to Lender all or
any portion of the Collateral and any and all certificates of title and other
documents relating to the Collateral. Lender may require Grantor to assemble
the Collateral and make it available to Lender at a place to be designated by
Lender. Lender also shall have full power to enter upon the property of
Grantor to take possession of and remove the Collateral. If the Collateral
contains other goods not covered by this Agreement at the time of
repossession, Grantor agrees Lender may take such other goods, provided that
Lender makes reasonable efforts to return them to Grantor after repossession.
SELL THE COLLATERAL. Lender shall have full power to sell, lease, transfer, or
otherwise deal with the Collateral or proceeds thereof in its own name or that
of Grantor. Lender may sell the Collateral at public auction or private sale.
Unless the Collateral threatens to decline speedily in value or is of a type
customarily sold on a recognized market, Lender will give Grantor reasonable
notice of the time after which any private sale or any other intended
disposition of the Collateral is to be made. The requirements of reasonable
notice shall be met if such notice is given at least ten (10) days, or such
lesser time as required by state law, before the time of the sale or
disposition. All expenses relating to the disposition of the Collateral,
including without limitation the expenses of retaking, holding, insuring,
preparing for sale and selling the Collateral, shall become a part of the
Indebtedness secured by this Agreement and shall be payable on demand, with
interest at the Note rate from date of expenditure until repaid.
APPOINT RECEIVER. To the extent permitted by applicable law, Lender shall have
the following rights and remedies regarding the appointment of a receiver: (a)
Lender may have a receiver appointed as a matter of right, (b) the receiver
may be an employee of Lender and may serve without bond, and (c) all fees of
the receiver and his or her attorney shall become part of the Indebtedness
secured by this Agreement and shall be payable on demand, with interest at the
Note rate from date of expenditure until repaid.
COLLECT REVENUES, APPLY ACCOUNTS. Lender, either itself or through a receiver,
may collect the payments, rents, income, and revenues from the Collateral.
Lender may at any time in its discretion transfer any Collateral into its own
name or that of its nominee and receive the payments, rents, income, and
revenues therefrom and hold the same as security for the Indebtedness or apply
it to payment of the Indebtedness in such order of preference as Lender may
determine. Insofar as the Collateral consists of accounts, general
intangibles, insurance policies, instruments, chattel paper, choses in action,
or similar property, Lender may demand, collect, receipt for, settle,
compromise, adjust, sue for, foreclose, or realize on the Collateral as Lender
may determine, whether or not Indebtedness or Collateral is then due. For
these purposes, Lender may, on behalf of and in the name of Grantor, receive,
open and dispose of mail addressed to Grantor; change any address to which
mail and payments are to be sent; and endorse notes, checks, drafts, money
orders, documents of title, instruments and items pertaining to payment,
shipment, or storage of any Collateral. To facilitate collection, Lender may
notify account debtors and obligors on any Collateral to make payments
directly to Lender.
OBTAIN DEFICIENCY. If Lender chooses to sell any or all of the Collateral,
Lender may obtain a judgment against Borrower for any deficiency remaining on
the Indebtedness due to Lender after application of all amounts received from
the exercise of the rights provided in this Agreement. Borrower shall be
liable for a deficiency even if the transaction described in this subsection
is a sale of accounts or chattel paper.
OTHER RIGHTS AND REMEDIES. Lender shall have all the rights and remedies of a
secured creditor under the provisions of the Uniform Commercial Code, as may
be amended from time to time. In addition, Lender shall have and may exercise
any or all other rights and remedies it may have available at law, in equity,
or otherwise.
CUMULATIVE REMEDIES. All of Lender's rights and remedies, whether evidenced by
this Agreement or the Related Documents or by any other writing, shall be
cumulative and may be exercised singularly or concurrently. Election by Lender
to pursue any remedy shall not exclude pursuit of any other remedy, and an
election to make expenditures or to take action to perform an obligation of
Grantor or Borrower under this Agreement, after Grantor or Borrowers failure
to perform, shall not affect Lender's right to declare a default and to
exercise its remedies.
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS. The following miscellaneous provisions are a part of
this Agreement:
AMENDMENTS. This Agreement, together with any Related Documents, constitutes
the entire understanding and agreement of the parties as to the matters set
forth in this Agreement. No alteration of or amendment to this Agreement shall
be effective unless given in writing and signed by the party or parties sought
to be charged or bound by the alteration or amendment.
APPLICABLE LAW. This Agreement has been delivered to Lender and accepted by
Lender in the State of California. If there is a lawsuit, Grantor and Borrower
agree upon Lender's request to submit to the jurisdiction of the courts of Los
Angeles County, the State of California. Lender, Grantor and Borrower hereby
waive the right to any jury trial in any action, proceeding, or counterclaim
brought by either Lender, Grantor or Borrower against the other. (AHK
initialed). This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance
with the laws of the State of California.
03/04/99 COMMERCIAL SECURITY AGREEMENT PAGE 5
(CONTINUED)
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ATTORNEYS' FEES; EXPENSES. Grantor and Borrower agree to pay upon demand all
of Lender's costs and expenses, including attorneys' fees and Lender's legal
expenses, incurred in connection with the enforcement of this Agreement.
Lender may pay someone else to help enforce this Agreement, and Grantor and
Borrower shall pay the costs and expenses of such enforcement. Costs and
expenses include Lender's attorneys' fees and legal expenses whether or not
there is a lawsuit, including attorneys' fees and legal expenses for
bankruptcy proceedings (and including efforts to modify or vacate any
automatic stay or injunction), appeals, and any anticipated post-judgment
collection services. Grantor and Borrower also shall pay all court costs and
such additional fees as may be directed by the court.
CAPTION HEADINGS. Caption headings in this Agreement are for convenience
purposes only and are not to be used to interpret or define the provisions of
this Agreement.
MULTIPLE PARTIES; CORPORATE AUTHORITY. All obligations of Grantor and Borrower
under this Agreement shall be joint and several, and all references to
Borrower shall mean each and every Borrower, and all references to Grantor
shall mean each and every Grantor. This means that each of the persons signing
below is responsible for all obligations in this Agreement.
NOTICES. All notices required to be given under this Agreement shall be given
in writing, may be sent by telefacsimile (unless otherwise required by law),
and shall be effective when actually delivered or when deposited with a
nationally recognized overnight courier or deposited in the United States
mail, first class, postage prepaid, addressed to the party to whom the notice
is to be given at the address shown above. Any party may change its address
for notices under this Agreement by giving formal written notice to the other
parties, specifying that the purpose of the notice is to change the party's
address. To the extent permitted by applicable law, if there is more than one
Grantor or Borrower, notice to any Grantor or Borrower will constitute notice
to all Grantor and Borrowers. For notice purposes, Grantor and Borrower will
keep Lender informed at all times of Grantor and Borrower's current
address(es).
POWER OF ATTORNEY. Grantor hereby appoints Lender as its true and lawful
attorney-in-fact, irrevocably, with full power of substitution to do the
following: (a) to demand, collect, receive, receipt for, sue and recover all
sums of money or other property which may now or hereafter become due, owing
or payable from the Collateral; (b) to execute, sign and endorse any and all
claims, instruments, receipts, checks, drafts or warrants issued in payment
for the Collateral; (c) to settle or compromise any and all claims arising
under the Collateral, and, in the place and stead OF Grantor, to execute and
deliver its release and settlement for the claim; and (d) to file any claim or
claims or to take any action or institute or take part in any proceedings,
either in its own name or in the name of Grantor, or otherwise, which in the
discretion of Lender may seem to be necessary or advisable. This power is
given as security for the Indebtedness, and the authority hereby conferred is
and shall be irrevocable and shall remain in full force and effect until
renounced by Lender.
PREFERENCE PAYMENTS. Any monies Lender pays because of an asserted preference
claim in Borrower's bankruptcy will become a part of the Indebtedness and, at
Lender's option, shall be payable by Borrower as provided above in the
"EXPENDITURES BY LENDER" paragraph.
SEVERABILITY. If a court of competent jurisdiction finds any provision of this
Agreement to be invalid or unenforceable as to any person or circumstance,
such finding shall not render that provision invalid or unenforceable as to
any other persons or circumstances. If feasible, any such offending provision
shall be deemed to be modified to be within the limits of enforceability or
validity; however, if the offending provision cannot be so modified, it shall
be stricken and all other provisions of this Agreement in all other respects
shall remain valid and enforceable.
SUCCESSOR INTERESTS. Subject to the limitations set forth above on transfer of
the Collateral this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit
of the parties, their successors and assigns.
WAIVER. Lender shall not be deemed to have waived any rights under this
Agreement unless such waiver is given in writing and signed by Lender. No
delay or omission on the part of Lender in exercising any right shall operate
as a waiver of such right or any other right. A waiver by Lender of a
provision of this Agreement shall not prejudice or constitute a waiver of
Lender's right otherwise to demand strict compliance with that provision or
any other provision of this Agreement. No prior waiver by Lender, nor any
course of dealing between Lender and Grantor, shall constitute a waiver of any
of Lender's rights or of any of Grantor's obligations as to any future
transactions. Whenever the consent of Lender Is required under this Agreement,
the granting of such consent by Lender in any instance shall not constitute
continuing consent to subsequent instances where such consent is required and
in all cases such consent may be granted or withheld in the sole discretion of
Lender.
WAIVER OF CO-OBLIGOR'S RIGHTS. If more than one person is obligated for the
Indebtedness, Borrower irrevocably waives, disclaims and relinquishes all
claims against such other person which Borrower has or would otherwise have by
virtue of payment of the Indebtedness or any part thereof, specifically
including but not limited to all rights of indemnity, contribution or
exoneration.
BORROWER AND GRANTOR ACKNOWLEDGE HAVING READ ALL THE PROVISIONS OF THIS
COMMERCIAL SECURITY AGREEMENT, AND BORROWER AND GRANTOR AGREE TO ITS TERMS.
THIS AGREEMENT IS DATED OCTOBER 7,1998.
BORROWER:
THE KEITH COMPANIES, INC.
BY: /s/ ARAM H. KEITH, PRESIDENT
KEITH ENGINEERING, INC., CO-BORROWER
BY: /s/ ARAM H. KEITH, PRESIDENT
ESI, ENGINEERING SERVICES, INC., CO-BORROWER
BY: /s/ ARAM H. KEITH, PRESIDENT
JOHN M. TETTEMER & ASSOCIATES, LTD., CO-BORROWER
BY: /s/ ARAM H. KEITH, PRESIDENT
GRANTOR:
THE KEITH COMPANIES, INC.
BY: /s/ ARAM H. KEITH, PRESIDENT
KEITH ENGINEERING, INC., CO-BORROWER
BY: /s/ ARAM H. KEITH, PRESIDENT
ESI, ENGINEERING SERVICES, INC., CO-BORROWER
BY: /s/ ARAM H. KEITH, PRESIDENT
JOHN M. TETTEMER & ASSOCIATES, LTD., CO-BORROWER
BY: /s/ ARAM H. KEITH, PRESIDENT