EXHIBIT 3(v)
OPERATING AGREEMENT
OF
SMOG CENTERS OF CALIFORNIA, LLC
an Oregon limited liability company
This Operating Agreement is entered into and shall be effective as of
January 9, 2003 by and among the Company and the persons identified on Exhibit A
of this Agreement as Members who execute the counterpart signatures pages
attached hereto.
ARTICLE 1
FORMATION
1.1 NAME. The name of the limited liability company (the "Company") is
Smog Centers of California, LLC.
1.2 ARTICLES OF ORGANIZATION. The Articles of Organization ("Articles")
were filed with the Oregon Secretary of State on November 21, 2002 under the
Oregon Limited Liability Company Act ("Act").
1.3 DURATION. The duration of the Company shall be perpetual, unless
earlier dissolved as provided in this Agreement.
1.4 NATURE OF BUSINESS.. The Company may engage in any lawful business
permitted by the Act or the laws of any jurisdiction in which the Company may do
business. The Company shall have the authority to do all things necessary or
convenient to accomplish its purpose and operate its business.
1.5 REGISTERED OFFICE AND REGISTERED AGENT. The principal and initial
registered office of the Company shall initially be at 000 XX Xxxxxxx, Xxxxx
000, Xxxxxxxx, Xxxxxx 00000-0000. The name of its initial registered agent at
such address shall be Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx. The Members may relocate the
principal office or establish additional offices from time to time.
1.6 TITLE TO ASSETS. Title to all property and assets of the Company
shall be held in the name of the Company. No Member shall have any ownership
interest in such property in the Member's individual name or right and each
Member's interest in the Company shall be personal property for all purposes.
1.7 DEFECTS AS TO FORMALITIES. A failure to observe any formalities or
requirements of this Agreement, the Articles of Organization or the Act shall
not be grounds for imposing personal liability on the Members for liabilities of
the Company.
OPERATING AGREEMENT- Page 1
1.8 NO PARTNERSHIP INTENDED FOR NONTAX PURPOSES. The Members have
formed the Company under the Act, and expressly do not intend hereby to form a
partnership under either the Oregon Uniform Partnership Act nor the Oregon
Uniform Limited Partnership Act or a corporation under the Oregon Business
Corporation Act. The Members do not intend to be partners one to another, or
partners as to any third party. No Member shall have any authority, by word or
action, to represent to another person that any other Member is a partner or
that the Company is a partnership.
ARTICLE 2
MEMBERS; CAPITAL CONTRIBUTIONS
2.1 MEMBERS; INITIAL CONTRIBUTIONS; OWNERSHIP INTERESTS. The names and
addresses of the Members of the Company, the initial cash contribution to the
capital of the Company made by each Member (the "Initial Contributions"), and
the percentage ownership interest ("Ownership Interest") of each Member (subject
to adjustment as provided in this Agreement) are as set forth in the attached
Exhibit A.
2.2 ADDITIONAL MEMBERS. Additional Members may be admitted to the
Company only upon the unanimous vote or written consent of all Members pursuant
to Article 7 of this Agreement.
2.3 MEMBER LOANS. If any Member determines that additional funds are
necessary to pay ordinary and necessary operating and capital expenditures of
the Company or any debts, liabilities and obligations incurred by the Company in
the ordinary course of its business, ("Ordinary Costs"), and if the Members fail
to agree to make capital contributions to pay such Ordinary Costs, any Member
shall have the right to loan funds to the Company pay all or a portion such
Ordinary Costs ( "Member Loan"). Any such Member Loan shall bear interest at the
rate of six percent (6%) per annum.
2.4 NO INTEREST ON CAPITAL CONTRIBUTIONS. No interest shall be paid on
the Initial Contributions or on any subsequent contributions to capital of the
Company.
2.5 ADDITIONAL CONTRIBUTIONS. In addition to the Initial Contributions,
the Company may determine from time to time that additional contributions
("Additional Contributions")are needed to enable the Company to conducts its
business. Upon making such a determination, the Company shall give written
notice to all Members at least ten (10) business days prior to the date such
Additional Contributions are due. Such notice shall set forth the amount of the
Additional Contributions needed, the purpose for which the contributions are
needed and the date by which the Members should contribute. Each Member shall be
entitled to contribute a proportionate share of such Additional Contributions.
No Member shall be obligated to make any Additional Contribution except as
otherwise required by law. In the event any one or more Members do not make
their Additional Contribution, the other Members shall be given the opportunity
to make the contributions not otherwise made.
OPERATING AGREEMENT- Page 2
2.6 RETURN OF CONTRIBUTIONS; NO RIGHT TO WITHDRAW CAPITAL. Each Member
shall look solely to the assets of the Company for the return of such Member's
capital contributions and, if the assets of the Company are insufficient to
return such capital contributions, such Members shall have no recourse against
any other Member for that purpose. Except as specifically provided in this
Agreement, a Member may not withdraw capital from the Company. To the extent any
amount that any Member is entitled to receive from the Company pursuant to any
provision of this Agreement constitutes a return of capital, each of the Members
consents to the withdrawal of such capital. A Member shall not have the right to
demand and receive property other than cash in return for such Member's capital
contribution.
2.7 MAINTENANCE OF CAPITAL ACCOUNTS. The Company shall establish and
maintain a capital account ("Capital Account") with respect to each Member. Each
Capital Account shall be (i) credited with all contributions made on account of
each Member and Member's distributive share of all profits (including any income
exempt from federal income tax); and (ii) charged with the amount of all
distributions made on account of such Member and the Member's distributive share
of losses. Capital Accounts shall be maintained in accordance with federal
income tax accounting principles as set forth in Regulations Section
1.704-1(b)(2)(iv) or any successor provision.
ARTICLE 3
ALLOCATIONS AND DISTRIBUTIONS
3.1 PROFITS AND LOSSES. All items of profits and losses shall be
allocated among the Members according to their respective Ownership Interests
described in the attached Exhibit A.
3.2 DISTRIBUTIONS IN GENERAL. Except as otherwise provided in the Act,
the Articles and this Agreement, no Member shall have the right or power to
demand or receive distributions in a form other than cash and no Member shall be
compelled to accept a distribution of any asset in kind, to the extent that the
interest distributed would exceed the Member's pro rata share of operating or
liquidating distributions. No distributions shall be made in violation of ORS
63.229. If any such wrongful distribution is made, the provisions of ORS 63.235
shall determine the liability and the remedy, if any, thereof.
3.3 NET CASH FROM OPERATIONS. Except as otherwise provided in Article
11 of this Agreement, Net Cash from Operations, if any, shall be distributed not
later than 30 days after the end of the fiscal year 100% to the Members. For
purposes of this Agreement, "Net Cash from Operations" shall mean the gross cash
proceeds from Company operations less the portion thereof used to pay or
establish reserves for all Company expenses, debt payments, capital improvements
and other contingencies, all as determined by the Manager(s) .
3.4 NET CASH FROM SALES OR REFINANCINGS. Except as otherwise provided
in Article 11 of this Agreement, Net Cash from Sales or Refinancings shall be
distributed, at such times as the Manager(s) may determine, in the following
order and priority:
OPERATING AGREEMENT- Page 3
a. first, to the Members in an amount equal to their Initial
Contributions and Additional Contributions as defined in Article 2 of this
Agreement;
b. Second, the balance, if any, 100% to the Members.
For purposes of this Agreement, "Net Cash from Sales or Refinancings" shall mean
the net cash proceeds from all sales and refinancings, less any portion thereof
use to establish reserves, all as determined by the Manager(s). "Net Cash from
Sales or Refinancings" shall include all principal and interest payments with
respect to any note or other obligation received by the Company in connection
with such sale.
3.5 MINIMUM DISTRIBUTIONS FOR TAXES. Within 90 days after the end of
each fiscal year, the Company shall make a distribution in an amount equal to at
least (a) the Company's net taxable income during the fiscal year multiplied by
(b) the lesser of (i) 15% or (ii) the sum of the maximum federal and state tax
rates of any Member in effect for the fiscal year, less (c) the amount of any
distributions made during the fiscal year, other than distributions made during
the fiscal year that were required to be made under this Section 3.5 with
respect to a prior fiscal year.
ARTICLE 4
MEMBERS
4.1 AUTHORITY TO ACT. No Member shall have the power or authority to
bind the Company unless the Member is a Manager or the Member has been
authorized by the Manager to act as an agent of the Company in accordance with
this Agreement.
4.2 LIMITATION OF LIABILITY. Each Member's liability shall be limited
as set forth in this Agreement, the Act and other applicable law. A Member will
not be personally liable, merely as a Member, for any debts or losses of the
Company beyond the Member's respective Initial Contributions and any obligation
of the Member under Article 2 to make Additional Contributions, except as
otherwise provided by law.
4.3 INDEMNIFICATION. The Company shall defend and indemnify each Member
to the fullest extent permissible under Oregon law, as the same exists or may
hereafter be amended, against all liability, loss, and costs (including, without
limitation, attorney fees) incurred or suffered by such person by reason of or
arising from the fact that such person is or was a Member of the Company,
provided that the person acted in good faith and reasonably believed that the
person's actions or inaction were in the best interests of the Company. The
indemnification provided in this Section shall not be exclusive of any other
rights to which any person may be entitled under any statute, bylaw, agreement,
resolution of Members, contract, or otherwise.
4.4. MEMBER MANAGEMENT RIGHTS. All Members shall be entitled to vote on
or consent to any matter submitted to a vote or consent of the Members.
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a. In addition to any other actions which, by virtue of the Act, the
Articles or this Agreement require a certain consent of the Members or the
Managers, the following actions require the consent of a Majority of the
Members:
(1) Fixing the number of Managers;
(2) Electing the Manager(s);
(3) Setting or adjusting the compensation or benefits of
Manager(s);
(4) Removing any Manager without cause;
(5) Removing any Manager for cause;
(6) Filling any vacancy created by the resignation,
removal or death of a Manager;
(7) Filling any vacancy created by the increase in the
number of Manager(s);
(8) Approving any transaction involving an actual or
potential conflict of interest between a Member or a
Manager and the Company;
(9) Determining the amount, if any, and timing of any
guaranteed payments to Members;
(10) Admitting an additional Member;
(11) Amending or restating this Agreement;
(12) Changing the nature of the business of the Company;
(13) Incurring a Company debt other than in the ordinary
course of business;
(14) Incurring any debt in any single transaction in
excess of $5,000.00;
(15) Causing the Company to make any capital expenditure
in any single transaction in excess of $5,000.00;
(16) Dissolving the Company pursuant to Section 11;
(17) Extending the statute of limitations for the
assessment of tax deficiencies against Members with
respect to adjustments to the Company's federal,
state, or local tax returns; or
OPERATING AGREEMENT- Page 5
(18) Taking or approving any action or transaction which
is reserved to the Members by the Act, the Articles
or this Agreement without any express statement of
the extent of Member action required.
B. In addition to any other actions which, by virtue of the Act, the
Articles or this Agreement, require the unanimous consent of the Members or the
Manager(s), the following actions require the unanimous consent of the Members:
(1) Compromising any Initial Contribution obligation;
(2) Amending or restating the Articles;
(3) Approving any action to sell, lease, exchange,
mortgage, pledge, or other transfer or disposition of
all or substantially all of the Company Property,
other than in the ordinary course of business; or
(4) Merging the Company with another Entity.
4.5 ACTIONS OF MEMBERS.
a. ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of the Members shall be held on
the third Tuesday in March or at such other time as shall be determined by the
Managers, for the purpose of the transaction of such business as may come before
the meeting.
b. SPECIAL MEETINGS. Special meetings of the Members, for any purpose
or purposes, unless otherwise prescribed by statute, may be called by any
Manager or by any Member or Members holding at least 10% of the Ownership
Interests.
c. PLACE OF MEETING. The Managers may designate any place, either
within or outside of Oregon, as the location for any meeting of the Members. If
no designation is made, or if a special meeting be otherwise called, the place
of meeting shall be the principal executive office of the Company in Oregon.
d. NOTICE OF MEETING. Except as provided in Section 4.5(e) below,
written notice stating the place, day and hour of the meeting and the purpose or
purposes for which the meeting is called shall be delivered not less than ten
nor more than 50 days before the date of the meeting, either personally or by
mail, by or at the direction of the person calling the meeting, to each Member.
If mailed, such notice shall be deemed to be delivered two calendar days after
being deposited in the United States mail, addressed to the Member at the
Member's address as it appears on the books of the Company, with postage thereon
prepaid.
OPERATING AGREEMENT- Page 6
e. MEETING OF ALL MEMBERS. If all of the Members shall meet at any time
and place, either within or outside of Oregon, and consent to the holding of a
meeting at such time and place, such meeting shall be valid without call or
notice, and at such meeting lawful action may be taken.
f. RECORD DATE. For the purpose of determining the Members for any
purpose, the date on which any required notice is mailed shall be the record
date for the determination of the Members.
g. QUORUM. Members, represented in person or by proxy, with an
aggregate Ownership Interests in excess of 50% shall constitute a quorum at any
meeting of the Members. In the absence of a quorum at any such meeting, the
Members so represented may adjourn the meeting from time to time for a period
not to exceed 60 days without further notice. However, if the adjournment is for
more than 60 days, or if after the adjournment a new record date is fixed for
the adjourned meeting, a notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given to each
Member of record. At such adjourned meeting at which a quorum shall be present
or represented, any business may be transacted which might have been transacted
at the meeting as originally noticed. The Members present at a duly organized
meeting may continue to transact business until adjournment, notwithstanding the
departure during such meeting of Members whose absence would cause less than a
quorum to remain. In the event an action requires the consent of the remaining
Members or some portion thereof, the foregoing quorum rules of this Section
4.5(g) shall be applied by substituting "remaining Members" for "Members"
therein.
h. MANNER OF ACTING. If a quorum is present, a Majority of the Members
shall act for the Members, unless the vote of a different proportion or number
is otherwise required by the Act, the Articles, or this Agreement. Unless
otherwise expressly provided herein or required under applicable law, Members
who have an interest in the outcome of any particular matter upon which the
Members not vote or consent may vote or consent upon any such matter and their
vote or consent, as the case may be, shall not be counted in the determination
of whether the requisite matter was approved by the Members. In the event an
action requires the consent of the remaining Members or some portion thereof,
the foregoing rules of this Section 4.5(h) shall be applied by substituting
"remaining Members" for "Members" therein.
i. PROXIES. At all meetings of the Members a Member may vote in person
or by a proxy executed in writing by the Member or by a duly authorized
attorney-in-fact. Such proxy shall be filed with the Managers before or at the
time of the meeting and may be of any duration except that a Member who shall
appear in person at a meeting shall void any outstanding proxy for so long as
such Member is in attendance.
j. ACTION BY MEMBERS WITHOUT A MEETING. Action required or permitted to
be taken at a meeting of Members may be taken without a meeting if the action is
evidenced by one or more written consents describing the action taken, signed by
Members sufficient to have approved the actions or resolutions at issue had a
duly called meeting been held at which all Members were in attendance and
delivered to the Managers for inclusion in the minutes or for filing with the
Company records. Action taken under this Section is effective when the necessary
Members have signed the consent, unless the consent specifies a different
effective date. The record date for determining Members entitled to take action
without a meeting shall be the date the first Member signs a written consent.
OPERATING AGREEMENT- Page 7
k. WAIVER OF NOTICE. When any notice is required to be given to any
Member, a waiver thereof in writing signed by the person entitled to such
notice, whether before, at, or after the time stated therein, shall be
equivalent to the giving of such notice.
l. TELEPHONIC MEETINGS. With respect to a particular meeting or
generally with respect to future meetings, the Managers may permit any or all
Members to participate in the meeting by, or may permit the conduct of the
meeting through, use of any means of communication by which all Members
participating may simultaneously hear each other; provided the notice of such a
meeting shall state that the Members may participate in such a fashion and
describe how any Member may notify the Company of the Member's desire to be
included in the meeting. A Member participating in such a meeting is deemed to
be present in person at such meeting.
4.6 BOOKS, RECORDS, REPORTS AND INFORMATION. Each Member shall have the
right to receive the reports and information required to be provided by this
Agreement. Upon reasonable request, each Member, and the Member's agent and
attorney shall have the right, during ordinary business hours, to inspect and
copy, at the requesting Member's expense, the books and records which the
Managers are required, by the Act and this Agreement, to keep.
ARTICLE 5
MANAGERS
5.1 GENERAL
a. INITIAL MANAGER. The Company shall initially have one (1) Manager,
namely:
Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
00000 XX 00xx Xxx.
Xxxxxx, XX 00000
b. NUMBER. The number of Managers shall be fixed from time to time by
the Members, but in no instance shall there be less than one Manager.
c. QUALIFICATIONS. Managers need not be residents of Oregon or Members.
d. TERM. Each Manager shall hold office until the next annual meeting
of the Members or until the Member's successor shall have been elected and
qualified.
e. ELECTION. Except as otherwise provided herein, Managers shall be
elected by the Members.
OPERATING AGREEMENT- Page 8
f. RESIGNATION. Any Manager may resign at any time by giving written
notice to the Members. The resignation of any Manager shall take effect upon
receipt of notice thereof or at such later time as shall be specified in such
notice; and, unless otherwise specified therein, the acceptance of such
resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective. The resignation of a
Manager who is also a Member shall not affect the Manager's rights as a Member
and shall not constitute a withdrawal as a Member.
g. REMOVAL. All or any lesser number of the Managers may be removed,
with or without cause, by the Members at a meeting called expressly for that
purpose. The removal of a Manager who is also a Member shall not affect the
Manager's rights as a Member and shall not constitute a withdrawal of a Member.
h. VACANCIES. Any vacancy occurring for any reason other than an
increase in the number of Managers may be filled by the remaining Managers then
in office, provided that if there are no remaining Managers, the vacancy(ies)
shall be filled by a majority of the Members. Any Manager's position to be
filled by reason of an increase in the number of Managers shall be filled by the
Managers then in office or by an election at an annual meeting or at a special
meeting of the Members called for that purpose or by the Members. A Manager
elected to fill a vacancy shall be elected for the unexpired term of the
Manager's predecessor in office and shall hold office until the expiration of
such term and until the Manager's successor shall be elected and shall qualify
or until the Manager's earlier death, resignation or removal. A Manager chosen
to fill a position resulting from an increase in the number of Managers shall
hold office until the next annual meeting of the Members and until the Manager's
successor shall be elected and shall qualify, or until the Manager's earlier
death, resignation or removal.
5.2 ACTION BY MANAGERS. The rights and powers of the Managers hereunder
shall be exercised by them in such manner as they may agree. In the absence of
an agreement among the Managers, the following shall apply:
a. MEETINGS. Meetings of the Managers, for any purpose or purposes,
unless otherwise prescribed by statute, may be called by any Manager.
b. PLACE OF MEETING. The Managers may designate any place, either
within or outside of Oregon, as the location for any meeting of the Managers. If
no designation is made, or if a special meeting be otherwise called, the place
of meeting shall be the principal executive office of the Company in Oregon.
c. NOTICE OF MEETING. Except as provided in Section 5.2(d) below,
written notice stating the place, day and hour of the meeting and the purpose or
purposes for which the meeting is called shall be delivered not less than ten
nor more than 50 days before the date of the meeting, either personally or by
mail, by or at the direction of the person calling the meeting, to each Manager.
If mailed, such notice shall be deemed to be delivered two calendar days after
being deposited in the United States mail, addressed to the Manager at the
Manager's address as it appears on the books of the Company, with postage
thereon prepaid.
OPERATING AGREEMENT- Page 9
d. MEETING OF ALL MANAGERS. If all of the Managers shall meet at any
time and place, either within or outside of Oregon, and consent to the holding
of a meeting at such time and place, such meeting shall be valid without call or
notice, and at such meeting lawful action may be taken.
e. QUORUM. More than half of the Managers, represented in person or by
proxy, shall constitute a quorum at any meeting of the Managers. In the absence
of a quorum at any such meeting, the Managers so represented may adjourn the
meeting from time to time for a period not to exceed 60 days without further
notice. However, if the adjournment is for more than 60 days, a notice of the
adjourned meeting shall be given to each Manager of record. At such adjourned
meeting at which a quorum shall be present or represented, any business may be
transacted which might have been transacted at the meeting as originally
noticed. The Managers present at a duly organized meeting may continue to
transact business until adjournment, notwithstanding the withdrawal during such
meeting of that number of Managers whose absence would cause less than a quorum.
f. MANNER OF ACTING. If a quorum is present, the act of a majority of
the Managers who are present, in person or by proxy, shall be the act of the
Managers, unless the vote of a different proportion or number is otherwise
required by the Act, the Articles, or this Agreement. Unless otherwise expressly
provided herein or required under applicable law, Managers who have an interest
in the outcome of any particular matter upon which the Managers vote or consent
may not vote or consent upon any such matter and their vote or consent, as the
case may be, shall not be counted in the determination of whether the requisite
matter was approved by the Managers.
g. PROXIES. At all meetings of the Managers, a Manager may vote in
person or by a proxy executed in writing by the Manager or by a duly authorized
attorney-in-fact. Such proxy shall be filed with the Managers before or at the
time of the meeting and may be of any duration except that a Manager who shall
appear in person at a meeting shall void any outstanding proxy for so long as
such Manager is in attendance.
h. ACTION BY MANAGERS WITHOUT A MEETING. Action required or permitted
to be taken at a meeting of Managers may be taken without a meeting if the
action is evidenced by one or more written consents describing the action taken,
signed by Managers sufficient to have approved the actions or resolutions at
issue had a duly called meeting been held at which all Managers were in
attendance and delivered to the Company for inclusion in the minutes or for
filing with the Company records. Action taken under this Section is effective
when the necessary Managers have signed the consent, unless the consent
specifies a different effective date.
i. WAIVER OF NOTICE. When any notice is required to be given to any
Manager, a waiver thereof in writing signed by the person entitled to such
notice, whether before, at, or after the time stated therein, shall be
equivalent to the giving of such notice.
OPERATING AGREEMENT- Page 10
j. TELEPHONIC MEETINGS. With respect to a particular meeting or
generally with respect to future meetings, the Managers may permit any or all
Managers to participate in the meeting by, or may permit the conduct of the
meeting through, use of any means of communication by which all Managers
participating may simultaneously hear each other. A Manager participating in
such a meeting is deemed to be present in person at such meeting.
5.3 AUTHORITY OF THE MANAGERS. Subject to the limitations and
restrictions set forth in the Act, the Articles and this Agreement (including,
without limitation, those set forth in this Article 4), the Managers shall have
the sole and exclusive right to manage the business of the Company and shall
have all of the rights and powers which may be possessed by Managers under the
Act and the Articles including, without limitation, the right and power, on
behalf and in the name of the Company to:
a. Institute, prosecute, and complaint and defend in all courts in the
Company's name;
b. Purchase, take, receive, lease or otherwise acquire, own, hold,
improve, use and otherwise deal in or with real or personal property or any
interest in real or personal property, wherever situated;
c. Sell, convey, mortgage, pledge, create a security interest in,
lease, exchange, transfer and otherwise dispose of all or any part of the
Company property;
d. Purchase, take, receive, subscribe for or otherwise acquire, own,
hold, vote, use, employ, sell, mortgage, lend, pledge, otherwise dispose of and
otherwise use or deal in or with other interests in or obligations of any other
Entity;
e. Make contracts or guarantees, incur liabilities, borrow money, issue
Company notes or other obligations that may be convertible into other securities
of the Company, or include the option to purchase other securities of the
Company, or secure any of the Company's obligations by mortgage or pledge of any
of the Company property, franchises or income;
f. Lend money, invest or reinvest Company funds or receive and hold
real or personal property as security for repayment of funds so loaned, invested
or reinvested, including, without limitation, the loans to Managers, Members,
employees and agents;
g. Be a promoter, incorporator, general partner, limited partner,
member, associate or manager of any partnership, joint venture, trust or other
Entity;
h. Conduct the Company's business, locate its offices and exercise the
powers granted by the Act and the Articles within or without Oregon;
i. Elect or appoint Managers, employees or agents of the Company,
define their duties, fix their compensation and lend them money and credit;
j. Make and alter this Agreement not inconsistent with the Articles or
the law of Oregon for managing the Company's business and regulating its
affairs;
OPERATING AGREEMENT- Page 11
k. Pay pensions and establish pension plans, profit sharing plans and
other benefit or incentive plans for any and all of its current or former
Managers, Members, employees and agents;
l. Make donations for the public welfare or for charitable, scientific
or educational purposes;
m. Transact any lawful business that will aid governmental policy;
n. Indemnify a Member or Manager or any other person as and to the
extent not inconsistent with the provisions of the Act or the Articles; and
o. Cease the Company's activities and dissolve;
5.4 RESTRICTIONS ON AUTHORITY OF MANAGERS. In addition to any other
consent requirements contained in the Act, the Articles or this Agreement:
a. Each Manager shall not have the authority to, and covenants and
agrees that it shall not, do any of the following acts without the unanimous
consent of the Members:
(1) Knowingly do any act in contravention of this
Agreement or without the consent of the Members as
required by this Agreement;
(2) Knowingly do any act which would make it impossible
to carry on the ordinary business of the Company,
except as otherwise provided in this Agreement;
(3) Confess a judgment against the Company in an amount
in excess of $5,000.00;
(4) Possess Company property, or assign rights in
specific Company property, for other than a Company
purpose;
(5) Knowingly perform any act that would subject any
Member to personal liability in any jurisdiction; or
(6) Cause the Company to voluntarily take any action that
would cause a Bankruptcy of the Company.
OPERATING AGREEMENT- Page 12
b. Each Manager shall not have the authority to, and covenants and
agrees that it shall not, do any of the following acts without the consent of a
Majority of the Managers in addition to any required consent of the Members:
(1) Determining the amount, if any, and timing of any
guaranteed payments to Members;
(2) Determining the Net Cash from Operations and the Net
Cash from Sales and Refinancings available for and
the timing of distributions;
(3) Expelling a Member;
(4) Incurring any debt in any single transaction in
excess of $5,000.00;
(5) Causing the Company to make any capital expenditure
in any single transaction in excess of $5,000.00; or
(6) Taking or approving any action or transaction which
is reserved to the Managers by the Act, the Articles,
or this Agreement without any express statement of
the extent of Manager action required;
5.5 DUTIES AND OBLIGATIONS OF MANAGERS. In addition to such other
duties and obligations as Managers may have, Managers shall be responsible for
the following:
a. The Managers shall cause the Company to conduct its business and
operations separate and apart from that of any Manager or any affiliate of a
Manager, including, without limitation:
(1) Segregating Company property and not allowing Company
property to be commingled with the funds or other
assets of, held by, or registered in the name of any
Manager or any affiliate of a Manager;
(2) Maintaining books and financial records of the
Company separate from the books and financial records
of any Manager and any affiliate of a Manager, and
observing all Company procedures and formalities,
including, without limitation, maintaining minutes of
Company meetings and acting on behalf of the Company
only pursuant to due authorization of the Members;
(3) Causing the Company to pay its liabilities from
Company Property; and
(4) Causing the Company to conduct its dealings with
third parties in its own name and as a separate and
independent entity.
OPERATING AGREEMENT- Page 13
b. The Managers shall take all actions which may be necessary or
appropriate:
(1) For the continuation of the Company's valid existence
as a limited liability company under the laws of
Oregon and of each other jurisdiction in which such
existence is necessary to protect the limited
liability of the Members or to enable the Company to
conduct the business in which it is engaged; and
(2) For the accomplishment of the Company's purposes,
including the acquisition, development, maintenance,
preservation, and operation of Company Property in
accordance with the provisions of this Agreement and
applicable laws and regulations.
C. The Managers shall be under a fiduciary duty to perform the duties
of Managers in good faith, in a manner they reasonably believe to be in the best
interests of the Company and its Members, and with such care as an ordinarily
prudent person in a like position would use under similar circumstances. In
discharging these duties, a Manager shall be fully protected in relying in good
faith upon the records required to be maintained under this Agreement, and upon
such information, opinions, reports or statements by any other Manager, Member,
or agent, or by any other person, as to matters the Manager 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 Company, including
information, opinions, reports or statements as to the value and amount of the
assets, liabilities, profits and losses of the Company or any other facts
pertinent to the existence and amount of assets from which distributions to the
Members might properly be paid.
5.6 RIGHT TO RELY ON MANAGERS.
a. Any person dealing with the Company may rely (without duty of
further inquiry) upon a certificate signed by any Manager as to:
(1) The identify of any Manager or any Member;
(2) The existence or nonexistence of any fact or facts
which constitute a condition precedent to acts by a
Manager or which are in any other manner germane to
the affairs of the Company;
(3) The Persons who are authorized to execute and
delivery any instrument or document of the Company;
or
(4) Any act or failure to act by the Company or any other
matter whatsoever involving the Company or any
Member.
b. The signature of any Manager shall be necessary and sufficient to
convey title to any Company Property or to execute any promissory notes, trust
deeds, mortgages, or other instruments of hypothecation, and all of the Members
agree that a copy of this Agreement may be shown to the appropriate parties in
order to confirm the same, and further agree that the signature of any Manager
shall be sufficient to execute any "statement of company" or other documents
necessary to effectuate this or any other provision of this Agreement. All of
the Members do hereby appoint the Managers as their attorney(s)-in-fact for the
execution of any or all of the documents described in this Section 5.6(b).
OPERATING AGREEMENT- Page 14
5.7 LIABILITY AND INDEMNITY OF THE MANAGERS. A Manager is not
personally liable for any debt, obligation or liability of the Company merely by
reason of being a Manager and is not liable to the Company or its Members for
monetary damages for conduct as a Manager. A Manager who performs the duties as
Manager in accordance with this Agreement shall not have any liability by reason
of being or having been a Manager. The Company shall indemnify the Managers and
make advances for expenses to the maximum extent permitted under the Act.
However, this provision shall not eliminate or limit a Manager's liability for:
a. Any breach of a Manager's duty of loyalty to the Company or its
Members as described in this Agreement;
b. Acts or omissions not in good faith which involve intentional
misconduct or a knowing violation of law;
c. Any unlawful distribution under the Act; or
d. Any transaction from which the Manager derives an improper personal
benefit.
ARTICLE 6
CONFLICTS OF INTEREST AND CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION
6.1 DUTY OF LOYALTY. Each Member and Manager shall be entitled to
enter into transactions that may be considered to be competitive with, or a
business opportunity that may be beneficial to, the Company, it being expressly
understood that some of the Members may enter into transactions that are similar
to the transactions into which the Company may enter and the Company and each
Member waive the right or claim to participate therein. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, Members and Managers shall account to the Company and hold, as
trustee for it, any property, profit or benefit derived by the Member or
Manager, without the consent of the Members, in the formation, conduct and
winding up of the Company business or from the use or appropriation by the
Member or Manager of any Company assets, including information developed
exclusively for the Company and opportunities expressly offered to the Company.
6.2 OTHER SELF INTEREST. A Member or Manager does not violate a duty or
obligation to the Company merely because the conduct furthers the interest of
the Member or Manager. A Member or Manager may lend money to and transaction
business with the Company. The rights and obligations of a Member or Manager who
lends money to or transacts business with the Company are the same as those of a
person who is not a Member or Manager, subject to other applicable laws. No
transaction with the Company shall be voidable solely because a Member or
Manager has a direct or indirect or indirect interest in the transaction if the
transaction is approved or ratified by the Members.
6.3 CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION. The Members recognized and acknowledge
that as Members they will have access to, be provided with and, in some cases,
will prepare and create Confidential Information. A Member shall not use or
disclose or use any Confidential Information, either personally or for the use
of others, other than in connection with the Member's activities on behalf of
the Company. Nor shall a Member disclose any Confidential Information to any
person who is not a Member, not employed by the Company or not authorized by the
Company to receive such Confidential Information, without the prior written
consent of the Company. Each Member shall use reasonable and prudent care to
safeguard and protect and prevent the unauthorized use and
OPERATING AGREEMENT- Page 15
disclosure of Confidential Information. The obligations contained in this
Section 6.3 shall survive for long as the Company in its sole judgment considers
certain information to be Confidential Information. For purposes of this
Agreement, "Confidential Information" shall mean information or material
proprietary to the Company whether written or oral, tangible or intangible,
which a Member obtains knowledge of through or as a result of the Member's
activities on behalf of the Company. Confidential Information may include,
without limitation, data, know-how, trade secrets, designs, plans, drawings,
specifications and reports related to the Company's business activities.
ARTICLE 7
ACCOUNTING AND R ECORDS
7.1 BOOKS OF ACCOUNT. The Company's books and records, a register
showing the names, addresses, and Ownership Interests of the Members, and this
Agreement shall be maintained by the Members, and each Member shall have access
thereto at all reasonable times. The Members shall keep such books and records
of the operation of the Company that are appropriate and adequate for the
Company's business and for the carrying out of this Agreement.
7.2 FISCAL YEAR. The fiscal year of the Company shall be the
calendar year.
7.3 ACCOUNTING REPORTS. Within ninety (90) days after the close of each
fiscal year, the Members shall cause each Member to receive an unaudited report
of the activities of the Company for the preceding fiscal year, including a copy
of a balance sheet of the Company as of the end of such year and a statement of
income or loss for such year.
7.4 TAX RETURNS. The Manager(s) , shall cause all required federal and
state income tax returns for the Company to be prepared and timely filed with
the appropriate authorities. Within ninety (90) days after the end of each
fiscal year, each Member shall be furnished a statement suitable for use in the
preparation of the Member's income tax return, showing the amounts of any
distributions, contributions, gains, losses, profits, or credits allocated to
the Member during such fiscal year.
7.5 ACCESS TO BOOKS AND RECORDS. Each Member shall have the right to
receive copies of the books and records of the Company. Upon reasonable notice,
each Member and the Member's agent or attorney shall have the tight, during
ordinary business hours, to inspect and copy, ay the requesting Member's
expense, the books and records which the Company is required by the Act and this
Agreement to keep.
OPERATING AGREEMENT- Page 16
ARTICLE 8
ADDITIONAL MEMBERS
8.1 ADMISSION. Persons may be added as additional Members upon terms
and conditions approved by the Members. A person shall not become an Additional
Member until such person becomes a party to this Agreement as a Member by
signing a counterpart copy of this Agreement and executes such documents and
instruments as the Company may reasonably request as may be necessary or
appropriate to confirm such person as a Member in the Company and such person's
agreement to be bound by the terms and conditions thereof.
8.2 ACCOUNTING. No additional Member shall be entitled to any
retroactive allocation of losses, income or expense deduction incurred by the
Company. The Members may at the time an additional Member is admitted, close the
Company books or make prorata allocations of loss, income and expense deductions
to the additional Member for that portion of the Company's fiscal year in which
such additional Member was admitted in accordance with the relevant provisions
of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. The provisions of ORS
63.185(4) shall not apply in the event of an admission of an additional Member.
ARTICLE 9
TRANSFERS OF INTERESTS
9.1 RESTRICTION ON TRANSFERS. Except as otherwise permitted by this
Agreement, no Member shall transfer all or any portion of such person's
interests in the Company without the express written consent of all other
Members. In the event that any Member pledges or otherwise encumbers any of such
person's interests in the Company as security for the payment of a debt, any
such pledge or hypothecation shall constitute a transfer and shall only be made
pursuant to a pledge or hypothecation agreement that requires the pledgee or
secured party to be bound by all of the terms and conditions of this Agreement.
9.2 PERMITTED TRANSFERS. Subject to the conditions and restrictions set
forth in Sections 9.3 and 9.6 of this Agreement, a Member may at any time
transfer all or any portion of such Member's interest in the Company to:
(a) any other Member;
(b) any member of the transferor's family;
(c) the transferor's executor, administrator, trustee, or personal
representative to whom such interests are transferred at death or involuntarily
by operation of law;
(d) any purchaser in accordance with Section 9.4 of this Agreement.
OPERATING AGREEMENT- Page 17
9.3 CONDITIONS ON PERMITTED TRANSFERS. A transfer shall not be treated
as a permitted transfer under Section 9.2 of this Agreement unless and until the
following conditions are satisfied:
a. Except in the case of a transfer of a Member's Ownership Interest at
death or involuntarily by operation of law, the transferor and the transferee
shall execute and deliver to the Company such documents and instruments as may
be necessary or appropriate to effect such transfer and to confirm the agreement
of the transferee to be bound by the provisions of this Agreement. The Company
shall be reimbursed by the transferor and/or transferee for all costs and
expenses that it reasonably incurs in connection with such transfer.
b. Except in the case of a transfer of a Member's Ownership Interest at
death or involuntarily by operation of law, the transferor shall furnish to the
Company an opinion of counsel that the transfer will not cause the Company to
terminate for federal income tax purposes or under the Act.
c. The transferor and the transferee shall furnish the Company with all
information reasonably necessary to permit the Company to file all required
federal and state tax returns and other legally required information statements
or returns. The Company shall not be required to make any distributions
otherwise provided for in this Agreement with respect to any transfer until it
has received such information.
d. Except in the case of a transfer of a Member's Ownership Interest at
death or involuntarily by operation of law, the transfer of the Member's
Ownership Interests shall be either registered under the Securities Act of 1933,
as amended, and any applicable state securities laws or, in the opinion of
counsel to the Company, such transfer is exempt for such registration.
9.4 RIGHT OF FIRST REFUSAL. Except as permitted by Section 9.2 of this
Agreement, a Member may not transfer all or any portion of his/her Ownership
Interest ("Offered Interest") unless such Member ("Seller") first offers to sell
the Offered Interest pursuant to the terms of this Section 9.4.
a. LIMITATIONS ON TRANSFERS. No transfer may be made under this Section
9.4 unless the Seller shall offer all of the Seller's Ownership Interest for
sale to the Company. The Company shall have thirty (30) days to exercise its
first right to purchase the Offered Interest from the date of receipt of written
notice from the Seller that the Seller desires to sell the Offered Interest. If
the Company does not exercise its right to purchase the Offered Interest within
the thirty (30) day period, the remaining Members shall have an additional
thirty (30) days thereafter within which to purchase their proportionate share
of the Offered Interest. A Member's proportionate share is equal to that
percentage which the Ownership Interest of the Member at such date shall bear to
the total Ownership Interests owned by the other Members. The purchase price and
payment thereof for the Offered Interest purchased under this Section 9.4 shall
be in accordance with Section 9.4(d) of this Agreement. If the Company and the
non-selling Members do not elect to purchase all of the Offered Interest, then
the Seller may sell the Offered Interest to any other third party at the same
price and on the same terms and conditions as the original offer to the Company.
Such third party purchaser will be required to execute the counterpart copy of
this Agreement, as amended, pursuant to which such purchaser agrees to be bound
by this Agreement.
OPERATING AGREEMENT- Page 18
b. PURCHASE PRICE. The purchase price for any Offered Interest
purchased under this Agreement shall be its book value as of the last day of the
previous accounting year immediately prior to the year in which the purchase
occurs. For the purposes of this Agreement, the book value of the Offered
Interest shall be determined by an accountant employed by Company in accordance
with the generally accepted accounting principles consistently applied. Goodwill
and other intangible property shall be deemed of no value and shall not be taken
into consideration. Current accounts receivable shall be taken at face value,
less an allowance for bad debts. Federal, state and municipal taxes and
assessments shall be proportioned and charged as a liability as of the end of
such year.
c. PAYMENT OF PURCHASE PRICE. Payment of the purchase price shall be by
cash in a sum equal to ten (10%) percent of the total purchase price, which sum
shall be payable upon the determination of the purchase price of the Offered
Interest. The balance of the purchase price shall be paid in twelve (12) equal
monthly installments. The first monthly installment shall be paid thirty (30)
days from the date of the original payment, and the remaining monthly
installments shall be paid on the same day of each month thereafter, until the
purchase price is paid in full. In addition to the above payments, the Company
or the purchasing Member(s) shall pay, on the date each of the above payments
are made, accrued interest on the unpaid balance of the purchase price from the
date of payment. Interest shall commence on the date of the original payment and
shall be paid at a rate of six percent (6%) per annum. All or any portion of the
purchase price may be prepaid at any time, without any prepayment penalty.
D. INSURANCE. The Company may apply for a policy of insurance on the
life of each Member to enable the Company to purchase any Offered Interest. Each
Member agrees to do everything necessary to cause a policy of life insurance to
be issued pursuant to such application. The Company shall be the owner of any
policy or policies of life insurance acquired pursuant to the terms of this
Agreement. If any Member sells all his/her Ownership Interest during such
Member's lifetime or if the Company is dissolved as provided in Section 11 of
this Agreement, or if the Member ceases to be a Member pursuant to Section 10 of
this Agreement, such Member shall have the right to purchase any policy or
policies insuring such Member's life that are owned by the Company. The purchase
price for the life insurance policy or policies shall be the interpolated
terminal reserve value of such policy or policies as of the date of sale, less
any existing indebtedness against such policy or policies, plus that portion of
the premium or premiums on such policy or policies paid prior to the date of
sale which cover a period beyond the date of sale. Such right of purchase must
be exercised by the Member within thirty (30) days after such sale of his/her
Ownership Interest or the termination of this Agreement. Upon exercise of such
right, the insured Member shall deliver the purchase price for the life
insurance policy or policies to the Company, and the Company shall
simultaneously execute and deliver to the Member all the documents that are
required to transfer ownership of the policy or policies. If such right of
purchase is not exercised within such 30-day period, the Company may make
whatever disposition of the life insurance policy or policies it shall deem
proper.
OPERATING AGREEMENT- Page 19
9.5 ACCEPTANCE OF TRANSFEREE AS A NEW MEMBER. A transferee may be
admitted to the Company as a new member with all of the rights of a Member only
upon satisfaction of all of the following conditions:
a. The transferee shall become a party to this Agreement as a Member by
executing such documents and instruments as the Company may reasonably request
as may be necessary or appropriate to confirm such Transferee as a Member and
such transferee's agreement to be bound by the terms and conditions of this
Agreement.
b. The transferee shall pay or reimburse the Company for all reasonable
legal cost that the Company incurs in connection with the admission of the
transferee as a Member.
c. ORS 63.185(4) shall not apply in the event of the admission of a new
member.
9.6 DISTRIBUTIONS AND ALLOCATIONS REGARDING TRANSFERS. If a Member's
Ownership Interest is transferred during any fiscal year of the Company in
compliance with the provisions of this Agreement, profits, losses and all other
items attributable to such Ownership Interest for such fiscal year shall be
divided and allocated between the transferor and the transferee by taking into
account their varying interests during such fiscal year in accordance with
applicable provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. All
distributions on or before the date of a transfer shall be made to the
transferor and all distributions thereafter shall be made to the transferee.
Solely for purposes of making such allocations and distributions, the Company
shall recognize such transfer not later than the end of the calendar month
during which it is given notice of such transfer. The Company shall not incur
any liability for making allocations and distributions in accordance with the
provisions of this Section 9, whether or not the Company has knowledge of any
transfer.
ARTICLE 10
CESSATION OF A MEMBER
10.1 CESSATION. A person shall cease to be a Member upon the happening
of any of the following events:
a. The withdrawal of a Member pursuant to Section 10.2 of this
Agreement;
b. The expulsion of a Member pursuant to Section 10.3;
c. The bankruptcy of a Member;
d. The death of a Member or the entry of an order of a court of
competent jurisdiction adjudicating the Member incompetent to manage the
Member's person or estate;
e. The transfer of Member's entire Ownership Interest and the
acceptance of the transferee as a new member.
OPERATING AGREEMENT- Page 20
10.2 WITHDRAWAL. A Member may not voluntarily withdraw from the
Company, unless such withdrawal is with the consent of the other Members and
shall result in the transferee being deemed a new member.
10.3 EXPULSION. A Member may be expelled from the Company upon a
determination by the Members that the Member has been guilty of wrongful conduct
that adversely and materially affects the business of the Company, or has
willfully and persistently committed a material breach of this Agreement, or
otherwise breached a duty owed to the Company or the other Members, to the
extent that it is not reasonably practicable to carry on the business affairs of
the Company with the Member. An expelled Member shall be treated as having
withdrawn voluntarily from the Company on the date of the expulsion
determination.
10.4 RIGHTS UPON CESSATION. In the event that any person ceases to be a
Member for any reason other than set forth in Section 10.1(e) of this Agreement,
the following shall apply:
A. The Person shall be treated as a transferee from the date of
cessation until such time as the person has received all distributions to which
the person is or may be due under this Agreement;
B. If the cessation is a Dissolution Event and the business and affairs
of the Company are wound up under Article 11 of this Agreement, the person shall
be entitled to participate in the winding up of the Company to the same extent
as any Member except that any distributions to which the person would be
entitled shall be reduced by the damages sustained by the Company as a result of
the dissolution and winding up.
ARTICLE 11
DISSOLUTION AND WINDING UP
11.1 COVENANT NOT TO CAUSE DISSOLUTION. Except as otherwise permitted
by this Agreement, each Member hereby covenants and agrees not to take any
voluntary action that would cause the Company to dissolve and notwithstanding
any provision of the Act, the Company shall not dissolve prior to the occurrence
of a dissolution event ( "Dissolution Event").
11.2 DISSOLUTION EVENTS. The Company shall dissolve and commence
winding up and liquidating upon the first to occur of any of the following
Dissolution Events:
a. The unanimous vote of Members to dissolve, wind up, and liquidate
the Company;
b. The sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company;
c. The happening of any other event that makes it unlawful, impossible
or impracticable to carry on the business of the Company;
d. The happening of any event that causes a Member to cease to be a
Member.
OPERATING AGREEMENT- Page 21
Notwithstanding anything in the Act to the contrary, the foregoing are
the exclusive events which may cause the Company to dissolve, except for events
which may cause judicial or administrative dissolution under the Act.
11.3 CONTINUATION. Upon the occurrence of any Dissolution Event set
forth in Section 11.2 of this Agreement, the Company shall not be dissolved or
required to be wound up if, within one hundred twenty (120) days after such
event, Members will aggregate Ownership Interests in excess of 50% agree to
continue the business of the Company. Unless such an election is made within the
120-day period, the Company shall wind up its affairs in accordance with Section
11.4 hereof.
11.4 WINDING UP. Upon the occurrence of a Dissolution Event, the
Company shall continue solely for the purposes of winding up its affairs in an
orderly manner, liquidating its assets and satisfying the claims of creditors
and Members, and no Member shall take any action that is inconsistent with, or
not necessary to or appropriate for, the winding up of the Company's business
and affairs. To the extent not inconsistent with the foregoing, all obligations
in this Agreement shall continue in full force and effect until such time as the
Company's assets have been distributed pursuant to this Section 11.4. The
Manager(s) shall be responsible for overseeing the winding up and dissolution of
the Company, shall take full account the assets and liabilities of the Company,
shall cause the Company's assets to be liquidated as promptly as in consistent
with obtaining the fair value thereof and shall cause the proceeds therefrom, to
the extent sufficient therefor, to be applied and distributed in the following
order:
a. First, to the payment and discharge of all of the Company's debts
and liabilities to creditors other than Members;
b. Second, to the payment and discharge of all of the Company's debts
and liabilities to Members;
c. Third, 100% to the Members in proportion to their Ownership
Interest.
11.5 RIGHTS OF MEMBERS. Except as otherwise provided in this
Agreement,
a. each Member shall look solely to the assets of the Company for the
return of contributions and shall have no right or power to demand or receive
property other than cash from the Company, and
b. no Member shall have priority over any other Member as to the return
of contributions, distributions or allocations.
11.6 NOTICE OF DISSOLUTION. In the event a Dissolution Event occurs or
an event occurs that would result in the dissolution of the Company, the
Manager(s) shall, within 10 days thereafter, provide written notice thereof to
each Member and to all other parties with whom the Company regularly conducts
business, as determined in the discretion of the Manager(s).
OPERATING AGREEMENT- Page 22
ARTICLE 12
AMENDMENTS
The Members may amend or repeal the provisions of this Agreement by
unanimous action. Any amendment shall be set forth in writing, or by action
taken at a meeting of Members called for that purpose. This Agreement may not be
amended or repealed by oral agreement of the Members.
ARTICLE 13
MISCELLANEOUS
13.1 GOVERNING LAW. This Agreement shall be governed by Oregon
law.
13.2 SEVERABILITY. If one or more of the provisions of this Agreement
is held to be unenforceable under applicable law, such provision shall be
excluded from this Agreement and the balance of this Agreement shall be
interpreted as if such provision were so excluded and shall be enforceable in
accordance with its terms.
13.3 THIRD-PARTY BENEFICIARIES. The provisions of this Agreement are
intended solely for the benefit of the Members and shall create no rights or
obligations enforceable by any third party, including creditors of the Company,
except as otherwise provided by applicable law.
13.4 COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in two or more
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which
together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
13.5 TITLES AND SUBTITLES. The titles and subtitles used in this
Agreement are used for convenience only and are not to be considered in
construing or interpreting this Agreement.
13.6 NOTICES. All notices required or permitted to be given under this
Agreement shall be in writing. Notices may be served by certified or registered
mail, postage pre-paid with return receipt requested; by private courier,
prepaid; by facsimile or other telecommunications device, or personally. Mailed
notices shall be deemed delivered five (5) days after mailing, properly
addressed. Notices by courier shall be deemed delivered on the date that the
courier warrants that delivery occurred. Telecommunications notices shall be
deemed delivered when receipt is confirmed by confirming transmission. Unless a
party changes its address by giving notice to the other party as provided
herein, notices shall be delivered to the parties at the addresses set forth on
the signature page of this Agreement.
13.7 ARBITRATION. If any controversy or claim arising out of this
Agreement cannot be settled, the controversy or claim shall be settled by
arbitration in accordance with the rules of the American Arbitration Association
or Arbitration Services of Portland, Inc., which ever organization is selected
by the party which first initiates arbitration by filing a claim in accordance
withe rules of the organization, as then in effect, and judgment on the award
may be entered in any court having jurisdiction. Nothing herein shall prevent a
Member or the Company from resort to a court of competent jurisdiction in those
instances where injunctive relief may be appropriate or for purposes of
expelling a Member.
OPERATING AGREEMENT- Page 23
13.8 ATTORNEYS' FEES.
If any suit or action arising out of or related to this
Agreement is brought by any party, including an arbitration proceeding under
Section 13.7 of this Agreement, the prevailing party shall be entitled to
recover its costs and fees, including reason attorneys' fees, incurred by such
party in such suit or action, including any appellate proceeding.
13.9 AMENDMENTS AND WAIVERS.
Any provision of this Agreement may be amended and the
observance of any provision may be waived only with the written consent of the
Company and the Members.
13.10 ENTIRE AGREEMENT.
This Agreement and the other documents to be furnished
pursuant to this Agreement embody the full and entire understanding and
agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and
supersede all prior agreements with respect to the subject matter hereof. There
are no restrictions, promises, representations, warranties or undertakings other
than those expressly set forth or referred to in this Agreement.
SMOG CENTERS OF CALIFORNIA, LLC
By: /s/ XXXXXXX X. XXXXXX, Manager
MEMBER:
CALIFORNIA CLEAN AIR, INC.
By:/s/ XXXXXXX X. XXXXXx
Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx, President
OPERATING AGREEMENT- Page 24
EXHIBIT A
MEMBER CONTRIBUTIONS
NAMES AND ADDRESSES AMOUNT OWNERSHIP INTEREST
California Clean Air, Inc.
00000 XX 00xx Xxx.
Xxxxxx, XX 00000 100%
OPERATING AGREEMENT- Page 25
