Member-Managed Form of Operating Agreement For The Minnesota Revised Uniform Limited Liability Company Act
Member-Managed Form of Operating Agreement For The Minnesota Revised Uniform Limited Liability Company Act
Member-Managed Form of Operating Agreement For The Minnesota Revised Uniform Limited Liability Company Act
Stephen M. Quinlivan
David C. Jenson
Stinson Leonard Street LLP
February 2015
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NOTE TO USERS
This is a preliminary draft form meant to engender discussion of the application of the Minnesota
Revised Uniform Limited liability Company Act. It is not published for any other purpose. It is
subject to change and changes will not be published. The form is not appropriate in many
circumstances. Users are responsible for ensuring compliance with the Minnesota Revised
Uniform Limited Liability Company Act and other applicable law and circumstances. This form
should only be used with the assistance of qualified legal and tax professionals. No
representation is made that this form is suitable for any purpose.
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OPERATING AGREEMENT
OF
[NAME]
The Interests referred to in this Operating Agreement have not been registered under the
Securities Act of 1933 or any other securities laws, and such Interests may not be
transferred without appropriate registration or the availability of an exemption from such
registration requirements.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
ARTICLE I - DEFINITIONS..........................................................................................................1
1.1 Terms Defined Herein........................................................................................................1
1.2 Certain Interpretive Matters............................................................................................5
ARTICLE II - BUSINESS PURPOSES AND OFFICES................................................................6
2.1 Name; Business Purpose....................................................................................................6
2.2 Powers.................................................................................................................................6
2.3 Principal Office..................................................................................................................6
2.4 Registered Office and Registered Agent..........................................................................6
2.5 Amendment of the Articles................................................................................................6
2.6 Effective Date.....................................................................................................................6
2.7 Liability of Members.........................................................................................................6
2.8 Interest Not Acquired for Resale......................................................................................7
2.9 Ratification of Certain Acts...............................................................................................7
ARTICLE III - CAPITAL CONTRIBUTIONS AND LOANS.......................................................7
3.1 Capital Contributions........................................................................................................7
3.2 Additional Capital Contributions.....................................................................................7
3.3 Capital Accounts................................................................................................................8
3.4 Capital Withdrawal Rights, Interest and Priority..........................................................9
3.5 Loans...................................................................................................................................9
ARTICLE IV - ALLOCATIONS AND DISTRIBUTIONS............................................................9
4.1 Non-Liquidation Cash Distributions................................................................................9
4.2 Liquidation Distributions..................................................................................................9
4.3 Income, Losses and Distributive Shares of Tax Items....................................................9
4.4 Allocation of Income, Loss and Credits.........................................................................10
4.5 Special Rules.....................................................................................................................10
4.6 [Withholding of Distributions.........................................................................................13
4.7 No Priority........................................................................................................................13
4.8 Tax Withholding...............................................................................................................13
4.9 Reserves............................................................................................................................13
ARTICLE V - MANAGEMENT...................................................................................................13
5.1 Management.....................................................................................................................13
5.2 Meetings of Members; Place of Meetings......................................................................14
5.3 Quorum.............................................................................................................................14
5.4 Proxies...............................................................................................................................14
5.5 Action Without Meeting..................................................................................................14
5.6 Notice of Meetings............................................................................................................14
5.7 Waiver of Notice...............................................................................................................15
5.8 Execution of Documents Filed with Minnesota.............................................................15
5.9 Voting by Certain Holders..............................................................................................15
5.10 Voting Requirement.........................................................................................................15
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OPERATING AGREEMENT
OF
[NAME]
This Operating Agreement (this Agreement) is made and entered into as of [], 20[],
among [] [the persons set forth on Schedule A].
[][have caused] [intend to cause] [] (the Company) to be formed as a limited
liability company under the Minnesota Revised Uniform Limited Liability Company Act, chapter
322C of the Minnesota statutes, and, pursuant thereto, the parties hereby adopt this Agreement as
the operating agreement of the Company.
The parties hereto agree as follows:
ARTICLE I - DEFINITIONS
I.1
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Capital Account means the separate account established and maintained by the
Company for each Member and each Transferee pursuant to Section 3.3.
Capital Contribution means with respect to a Member the total amount of cash and
the agreed upon net Fair Value of property (or services, where an Interest in Company Capital is
issued for such services) contributed by such Member (or such Members predecessor in interest)
to the Company for such Members Interest.
Code means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
Company means [], a Minnesota limited liability company.
Company Capital means at any measuring date the aggregate Capital Accounts of
Members.
Company Minimum Gain has the same meaning as partnership minimum gain set
forth in Treasury Regulation 1.704-2(d)(1). Company Minimum Gain is determined, first, by
computing for each Nonrecourse Debt any gain that the Company would realize if the Company
disposed of the property subject to that liability for no consideration other than full satisfaction
of such liability and, then, aggregating the separately computed gains. For purposes of
computing gain, the Company will use the basis of such property that is used for purposes of
determining the amount of the Capital Accounts under Section 3.3. In any taxable year in which
a Revaluation occurs, (i) if the Members Capital Accounts are increased to reflect a revaluation
of Company property subject to a Nonrecourse Debt, the net increase or decrease in Company
Minimum Gain for such taxable year will be determined by: (1) calculating the net decrease or
increase in Company Minimum Gain using the current years book value and the prior years
amount of Company Minimum Gain; and (2) adding back any decrease in Company Minimum
Gain arising solely from the Revaluation; and (ii) if the Members Capital Accounts are
decreased to reflect the Revaluation, the net increase or decrease in Company minimum gain is
determined in the same manner as in the year before such taxable year, but by using book values
of Company property rather than adjusted tax bases.
Credits means all tax credits allowed by the Code with respect to activities of the
Company or the Property.
Distributions means any distributions by the Company to the Members of Available
Cash or Liquidation Proceeds or other amounts.
Fair Value of an asset means its fair market value as determined by the Members or as
otherwise required by law, and taking Code Section 7701(g) into account where required by
Treasury Regulations.
Income and Loss mean, respectively, for each fiscal year or other period, an amount
equal to the Companys taxable income or loss for such year or period, determined in accordance
with Code 703(a), except that for this purpose: (i) all items of income, gain, deduction or loss
required to be separately stated by Code 703(a)(1) will be included in taxable income or loss;
(ii) tax exempt income will be added to taxable income or loss; (iii) any expenditures described
in Code 705(a)(2)(B) (or treated as Code 705(a)(2)(B) expenditures pursuant to Treasury
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Regulation 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(i)) and not otherwise taken into account in computing taxable
income or loss will be subtracted; and (iv) taxable income or loss will be adjusted to reflect any
item of income or loss specially allocated in Article IV.
Initial Capital Contributions means the Capital Contributions made by the Members
pursuant to Section 3.1.
Interest refers to all of a Members rights and interests in the Company in such
Members capacity as a Member, all as provided in the Articles, this Agreement and the Act,
including the Members interest in the capital, income, gain, deductions, losses, and credits of the
Company.
Liquidation Proceeds means all Property at the time of liquidation of the Company
and all proceeds thereof.
Majority in Interest means any Member or group of Members holding an aggregate of
more than 50% of the Percentage Interests held by all Members. Except as expressly set forth
herein, among other things, this standard replaces (i) any requirement under the Act that an
event, transaction, or decision be made by a majority of the members or the like and (ii) the
requirement that each member has equal rights in the management and conduct of the business of
the Company as set forth in Section 322C.0407 Subd. 2 of the Act.
Member means each Person executing this Agreement and each Person who is
subsequently admitted to the Company as a Member pursuant to Section 7.3 or Section 7.5, other
than a Person who ceases to be a Member of the Company pursuant to Section 7.7.
Member Minimum Gain has the same meaning as partner nonrecourse debt minimum
gain as set forth in Treasury Regulation 1.704-2(i)(3). With respect to each Member
Nonrecourse Debt, Member Minimum Gain will be determined by computing for each Member
Nonrecourse Debt any gain that the Company would realize if the Company disposed of the
property subject to that liability for no consideration other than full satisfaction of such liability.
For purposes of computing gain, the Company will use the basis of such property that is used for
purposes of determining the amount of the Capital Accounts under Section 3.3. In any taxable
year in which a Revaluation occurs, (i) if a Members Capital Account is increased to reflect a
revaluation of Company property subject to a Member Nonrecourse Debt, the net increase or
decrease in Member Minimum Gain for such taxable year will be determined by: (1) calculating
the net decrease or increase in Member Minimum Gain using the current years book value and
the prior years amount of Member Minimum Gain; and (2) adding back any decrease in
Member Minimum Gain arising solely from the Revaluation; and (ii) if a Members Capital
Account is decreased to reflect the Revaluation, the Member Minimum Gain is determined in the
same manner as in the year before such taxable year, but by using book values of Company
property rather than adjusted tax bases.
Member Nonrecourse Debt has the same meaning as partner nonrecourse debt set
forth in Treasury Regulation 1.704-2(b)(4).
Member Nonrecourse Deductions has the same meaning as partner nonrecourse
deductions set forth in Treasury Regulation 1.704-2(i)(2). Generally, the amount of Member
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Nonrecourse Deductions with respect to a Member Nonrecourse Debt for a fiscal year equals the
net increase during the year in the amount of the Member Minimum Gain (determined in
accordance with Treasury Regulation 1.704-2(i)) reduced (but not below zero) by the aggregate
distributions made during the year of proceeds of Member Nonrecourse Debt and allocable to the
increase in Member Minimum Gain determined according to the provisions of Treasury
Regulation 1.704-2(i).
Nonrecourse Debt means a Company liability with respect to which no Member or a
related person bears the economic risk of loss as determined under Treasury Regulation
1.752-1(a)(2) and 1.752-2.
Nonrecourse Deductions has the same meaning as nonrecourse deductions set forth in
Treasury Regulation 1.704-2(c). Generally, the amount of Nonrecourse Deductions for a fiscal
year equals the net increase in the amount of Company Minimum Gain (determined in
accordance with Treasury Regulation 1.704.2(d)) during such year reduced (but not below
zero) by the aggregate distributions made during the year of proceeds of a Nonrecourse Debt that
are allocable to the increase in Company Minimum Gain, determined according to the provisions
of Treasury Regulation 1.704-2(c) and (h).
Percentage Interest of each Member, will be as set forth on Schedule A, as adjusted
from time to time as required or permitted by the provisions of this Agreement.
Permitted Transferee means (a) any lineal descendants of a Member and (b) any
trust if (i) the trust was created by and is revocable by a Member or Permitted Transferee, (ii) the
Member or the Permitted Transferee is and remains the primary beneficiary of such trust during
his or her lifetime, and (iii) the trustee becomes a party to this Agreement by executing and
delivering a consent to the Company.
Person means any individual, partnership, limited liability company, corporation,
cooperative, trust or other entity.
Prime Rate means the annual rate of interest reported from time to time in The Wall
Street Journal as the base rate on corporate loans at large money center commercial banks.
Property means all properties and assets that the Company may own or otherwise have
an interest in from time to time.
Reserves means amounts set aside from time to time by the Members pursuant to
Section 4.9.
Revaluation means the occurrence of any event described in clause (v), (w), (x), (y) or
(z) of Section 3.3(c) as a result of which the book value of Property is adjusted by the Company
to its Fair Value.
Substitute Member has the meaning set forth in Section 7.3.
Super-Majority in Interest means any Member or group of Members holding an
aggregate of more than []% of the Percentage Interests held by all Members.
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Tax Matters Member means the Person designated pursuant to Section 6.4 to
represent the Company in matters before the Internal Revenue Service.
Transfer means (i) when used as a verb, to give, sell, exchange, assign, transfer,
pledge, hypothecate, bequeath, devise or otherwise dispose of or encumber, and (ii) when used as
a noun, the nouns corresponding to such verbs, in either case voluntarily or involuntarily, by
operation of law or otherwise.
Transferee has the meaning set forth in Section 7.2.
Transferor has the meaning set forth in Section 7.2.
Treasury Regulations means the regulations promulgated by the Treasury Department
with respect to the Code.
I.2
dollars;
(h)
all references to articles, sections, paragraphs, clauses, exhibits or
schedules refer to articles, sections, paragraphs and clauses of this Agreement, and to exhibits or
schedules attached to this Agreement, unless expressly provided otherwise;
(i)
each exhibit and schedule to this Agreement is a part of this Agreement
and references to the term Agreement are deemed to include each such exhibit and schedule to
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this Agreement except to the extent that the context indicates otherwise, but if there is any
conflict or inconsistency between the body of this Agreement and any exhibit or schedule, the
provisions of the body of this Agreement will control;
(j)
the words this Agreement, herein, hereby, hereunder, and words
of similar import refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular article, section or
other subdivision, unless expressly so limited;
(k)
(l)
all references to agreements or laws are deemed to refer to such
agreements or laws as amended or revised or as in effect at the applicable time, including
corresponding provisions of future agreements or laws; and
(m) as used in this Agreement, accounting terms not defined in this
Agreement, and accounting terms partly defined to the extent not defined, have the respective
meanings given to them under United States generally accepted accounting principles.
ARTICLE II - BUSINESS PURPOSES AND OFFICES
II.1
. The name of the Company is stated in the Articles. The business purpose of the
Company is to [] and to do any and all things necessary, appropriate or incidental thereto. The
Company is formed only for such business purpose and will not be deemed to create any
agreement among the Members with respect to any other activities whatsoever other than the
activities within such business purpose.
II.2
Powers
. In addition to the powers and privileges conferred upon the Company by law and those
incidental thereto, the Company has the same powers as a natural person to do all things
necessary or convenient to carry out its business and affairs.
II.3
Principal Office
. The principal office of the Company will be located at [], or at such other place as the
Members may determine from time to time.
II.4
. The location of the registered office and the name of the registered agent (if any) of the
Company in the State of Minnesota are stated in the Articles. The registered office and
registered agent of the Company in the State of Minnesota may be changed, from time to time,
by the Members.
II.5
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. The Company shall amend the Articles at such time or times and in such manner as may
be required by the Act and this Agreement.
II.6
Effective Date
. This Agreement is effective as of the date that the Articles were filed with the Secretary
of State of Minnesota.
II.7
Liability of Members
. Each Member hereby represents and warrants to the Company and to each other
Member that: (a) in the case of a Member who is not a natural person, the Member is duly
organized, validly existing, and in good standing under the law of its state of organization and
that it has the requisite power and authority to execute this Agreement and to perform its
obligations hereunder; (b) the Member is acquiring an Interest for such Members own account
as an investment and without an intent to distribute such Interest; and (c) the Member
acknowledges that the Interests have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933 or any
state securities laws, and such Members Interest may not be resold or transferred by the Member
without appropriate registration or the availability of an exemption from such requirements.
II.9
. The Company and each initial Member hereby ratify all actions taken before the
Company had at least one Member pursuant to Section 322C.0105, Subd. 3 of the Act.
ARTICLE III - CAPITAL CONTRIBUTIONS AND LOANS
III.1
Capital Contributions
. Upon the execution of this Agreement, each Member will make an initial cash
contribution to the capital of the Company in the amount set forth opposite such Members name
on Schedule A. No creditor of the Company shall rely upon or enforce an agreement to make a
capital contribution to the Company under Section 322C.0403 or otherwise under the Act.
III.2
. The Members may from time to time cause the Company to raise additional capital
from the Members or from Persons who are not Members (a Capital Increase) and to issue
additional Interests in respect thereof. [No Member will have any preemptive right to make an
investment in the Company with respect to a Capital Increase by reason of such Members
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Capital Accounts
.
(a)
A separate Capital Account will be maintained for each Member and each
Transferee. Each Members Capital Account will be (i) increased by (A) the amount of money
contributed by such Member, (B) the Fair Value of property contributed by such Member (net of
liabilities secured by such contributed property that the Company is considered to assume or take
subject to under Code 752), (C) allocations to such Member, pursuant to Article IV, of
Company income and gain (or items thereof), and (D) to the extent not already netted out under
clause (ii)(B) below, the amount of any Company liabilities assumed by the Member or which
are secured by any property distributed to such Member; and (ii) decreased by (A) the amount of
money distributed to such Member, (B) the Fair Value of property distributed to such Member
(net of liabilities secured by such distributed property that such Member is considered to assume
or take subject to under Code 752), (C) allocations to such Member, pursuant to Article IV, of
Company loss and deductions (or items thereof), and (D) to the extent not already netted out
under clause (i)(B) above, the amount of any liabilities of the Member assumed by the Company
or which are secured by any property contributed by such Member to the Company.
(b)
If any Interest is transferred in accordance with the terms of this
Agreement, the Transferee will succeed to the Capital Account of the Transferor to the extent it
relates to the transferred interest and the Capital Account of each Transferee will be increased
and decreased in the manner set forth above.
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(c)
In the event of (v) an additional capital contribution by an existing or an
additional Member of more than a de minimis amount that results in a shift in Percentage
Interests, (w) the distribution by the Company to a Member of more than a de minimis amount of
property as consideration for an Interest, (x) the grant of more than a de minimis Interest in the
Company as consideration for the provision of services to or for the benefit of the Company by
an existing Member acting in a Member capacity or by a new Member acting in a Member
capacity or in anticipation of being a Member, (y) in connection with the issuance by the
Company of a noncompensatory option (other than an option for a de minimis Interest), or (z) the
liquidation of the Company within the meaning of Treasury Regulation 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(g), the
book basis of the Property will be adjusted to Fair Value and the Capital Accounts of all the
Members will be adjusted simultaneously to reflect the aggregate net adjustment to book basis as
if the Company recognized gain or loss equal to the amount of such aggregate net adjustment;
provided, however, that the adjustments resulting from clauses (v), (w), (x) or (y) above will be
made only if the Members determine that such adjustments are necessary or appropriate to reflect
the relative economic interests of the Members.
(d)
If Property is subject to Code 704(c) or is revalued on the books of the
Company in accordance with the preceding paragraph pursuant to 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(f) of the
Treasury Regulations, the Members Capital Accounts will be adjusted in accordance with
1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(g) of the Treasury Regulations for allocations to the Members of depreciation,
amortization and gain or loss, as computed for book purposes (and not tax purposes) with respect
to such Property.
(e)
The foregoing provisions of this Section 3.3 and the other provisions of
this Agreement relating to the maintenance of Capital Accounts are intended to comply with
Treasury Regulation 1.704-1(b) and 1.704-2, and will be interpreted and applied in a manner
consistent with such Treasury Regulations. If it is determined by the Members that it is prudent
or advisable to modify the manner in which the Capital Accounts, or any increases or decreases
thereto, are computed in order to comply with such Treasury Regulations, the Members may
cause such modification to be made provided that it is not likely to have a material effect on the
amounts distributable to any Member upon the dissolution of the Company, and the
Administrator, upon any such determination by the Members, is empowered to amend or modify
this Agreement, notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement.
III.4
Loans
. Any Member may make a loan to the Company in such amounts, at such times
(including in lieu of a capital contribution under Section 3.2) and on such terms and conditions
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as may be approved by a Majority in Interest. Loans by any Member to the Company will not be
considered contributions to the capital of the Company.
ARTICLE IV - ALLOCATIONS AND DISTRIBUTIONS
IV.1
. The amount, if any, of Available Cash will be determined by the Members [quarterly]
and will be distributed to the Members within 45 days following the end of each [fiscal quarter]
in accordance with their respective Percentage Interests.
IV.2
Liquidation Distributions
(b)
Notwithstanding Section 322C.0707 Subd. 2 of the Act, the remainder to
the Members in accordance with and to the extent of their respective Capital Account balances
after taking into account the allocation of all Income or Loss pursuant to this Agreement for the
fiscal year or years in which the Company is liquidated.
IV.3
. The Companys Income or Loss, as the case may be, for each fiscal year of the
Company, as determined in accordance with such method of accounting as may be adopted for
the Company pursuant to Article VI, will be allocated to the Members for both financial
accounting and income tax purposes as set forth in this Article IV, except as otherwise provided
for herein or unless all Members agree otherwise.
IV.4
.
(a)
Income or Loss (other than from transactions in liquidation of the
Company) and Credits for each fiscal year will be allocated among the Members in accordance
with their Percentage Interests. To the extent there is any change in the respective Percentage
Interests of the Members during the year, Income, Loss and Credits will be allocated among the
pre-adjustment and post-adjustment periods as provided in Section 4.5(k).
(b)
Income from transactions in liquidation of the Company will be allocated
among the Members in the following order of priority:
(i)
to those Members, if any, with negative Capital Account balances
(determined prior to taking into account any Distributions pursuant to Section 4.2) in the
ratio that such negative balances bear to each other until all such Members Capital
Account balances equal zero; then
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(ii)
the remainder to the Members in accordance with their respective
Percentage Interests.
(c)
Loss from transactions in liquidation of the Company will be allocated
among the Members in the following order of priority:
(i)
to those Members, if any, with positive Capital Account balances
(determined prior to taking into account any Distributions pursuant to Section 4.2) in the
ratio that such positive balances bear to each other until all such Members Capital
Account balances equal zero; then
(ii)
the remainder to the Members in accordance with their respective
Percentage Interests.
IV.5
Special Rules
. Notwithstanding the foregoing allocation provisions of Article IV, the following special
rules shall apply:
(a)
Tax Allocations; 704(c) and Revaluation Allocations. Other than as
provided in this Section 4.5(a), items of income, gain, deduction and loss determined for income
tax purposes shall be allocated, to the extent possible and except as otherwise provided herein, in
the same proportions as corresponding items that enter into the calculation of Income and Loss.
In accordance with Code 704(c) and the Treasury Regulations thereunder, income, gain, loss
and deduction with respect to any property contributed to the capital of the Company will, solely
for tax purposes, be allocated among the Members so as to take account of any variation between
the adjusted basis of such property to the Company for federal income tax purposes and its Fair
Value at the time of contribution. Similarly, in the event of a Revaluation, subsequent allocations
of income, gain, loss and deduction with respect to such property will take account of any
variation between the adjusted basis of such property to the Company for federal income tax
purposes and its Fair Value immediately after the adjustment in the same manner as under Code
704(c) and the Treasury Regulations thereunder. Any elections or other decisions relating to
such allocations must be made by the Members in a manner that reasonably reflects the purpose
and intention of this Agreement. Allocations pursuant to this Section 4.5(a) are solely for income
tax purposes and will not affect, or in any way be taken into account in computing, for book
purposes, any Members Capital Account or share of Income or Loss, pursuant to any provision
of this Agreement.
(b)
Minimum Gain Chargeback. Notwithstanding any other provision of
this Article IV, if there is a net decrease in Company Minimum Gain during a Company taxable
year, each Member will be allocated items of income and gain for such year (and, if necessary,
for subsequent years) in an amount equal to that Members share of the net decrease in Company
Minimum Gain during such year (hereinafter referred to as the Minimum Gain Chargeback
Requirement). A Members share of the net decrease in Company Minimum Gain is the
amount of the total decrease multiplied by the Members percentage share of the Company
Minimum Gain at the end of the immediately preceding taxable year. A Member is not subject to
the Minimum Gain Chargeback Requirement to the extent: (i) the Members share of the net
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which such Member Nonrecourse Deductions are attributable in accordance with Treasury
Regulation 1.704-2(i).
(g)
Curative Allocations. Any special allocations of items of income, gain,
deduction or loss pursuant to Sections 4.5(b), (c), (d), (e) and (f) will be taken into account in
computing subsequent allocations of income and gain pursuant to this Article IV, so that the net
amount of any items so allocated and all other items allocated to each Member pursuant to this
Article IV are, to the extent possible, equal to the net amount that would have been allocated to
each such Member pursuant to the provisions of this Article IV if such adjustments, allocations
or distributions had not occurred. In addition, allocations pursuant to this Section 4.5(g) with
respect to Nonrecourse Deductions in Section 4.5(e) and Member Nonrecourse Deductions in
Section 4.5(f) will be deferred to the extent the Members reasonably determine that such
allocations are likely to be offset by subsequent allocations of Company Minimum Gain or
Member Minimum Gain, respectively.
(h)
Loss Allocation Limitation. Notwithstanding the other provisions of this
Article IV, unless otherwise agreed to by all of the Members, no Member may be allocated Loss
in any taxable year that would cause or increase an Adjusted Capital Account Deficit as of the
end of such taxable year.
(i)
Share of Nonrecourse Liabilities. Solely for purposes of determining a
Members proportionate share of the excess nonrecourse liabilities of the Company within the
meaning of Treasury Regulation 1.752-3(a)(3), each Members interest in Company profits is
equal to such Members respective Percentage Interest.
(j)
Compliance with Treasury Regulations. The foregoing provisions of
this Section 4.5 are intended to comply with Treasury Regulation 1.704-1(b), 1.704-2 and
1.752-1 through 1.752-5, and must be interpreted and applied in a manner consistent with such
Treasury Regulations. If it is determined by the Members that it is prudent or advisable to
amend this Agreement in order comply with such Treasury Regulations, the Administrator, upon
being so directed by the Members, is empowered to amend or modify this Agreement,
notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement.
(k)
General Allocation Provisions. Except as otherwise provided in this
Agreement, all items that are components of Income or Loss will be divided among the Members
in the same proportions as they share such Income or Loss, as the case may be, for the year. For
purposes of determining the Income, Loss or any other items for any period, Income, Loss or any
such other items will be determined on a daily, monthly or other basis, as determined by the
Members using any permissible method under Code 706 and the Treasury Regulations
thereunder.
IV.6
[Withholding of Distributions
. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the Members (or any Person
required or authorized by law to wind up the Companys affairs) may suspend, reduce or
otherwise restrict Distributions of Available Cash and Liquidation Proceeds when, in their sole
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opinion, such action is in the best interests of the Company.] [NTD: Consider implications
whan including this provision.]
IV.7
No Priority
. Except as may be otherwise expressly provided herein, no Member has priority over
any other Member as to Company capital, income, gain, deductions, loss, credits or distributions.
IV.8
Tax Withholding
. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the Members are authorized to
take any action that they determine to be necessary or appropriate to cause the Company to
comply with any withholding requirements established under any federal, state or local tax law,
including withholding on any Distribution to any Member. For all purposes of this Article IV,
any amount withheld on any Distribution and paid over to the appropriate governmental body
will be treated as if such amount had in fact been distributed to the Member.
IV.9
Reserves
. The Members may establish, maintain and expend Reserves to provide for working
capital, for future maintenance, repair or replacement of the Property, for debt service, for future
investments and for such other purposes as the Members may deem necessary or advisable.
ARTICLE V - MANAGEMENT
V.1
Management
. The Company will be member-managed within the meaning of 322C.0407 of the Act.
In furtherance of the management of the Company by the Members, the Members may engage a
Person to act as the Administrator of the Company. The Administrator will not be required to be
a Member of the Company. The Administrator only has the authority to perform ministerial acts
in carrying out the decisions of the Members, including the execution of any instrument on
behalf of the Company. The Administrator may be removed or replaced at any time by the
Members. Until another Person is retained as Administrator, the Administrator is []. The
Administrator is not entitled to any compensation for acting as Administrator, but will receive
reimbursement of any expenses incurred on behalf of the Company. At any time and from time
to time, the Members may designate any Member or any other Person to carry out the decisions
of the Members, including the execution of any instruments on behalf of the Company.
V.2
. Except as provided in Section 5.5, all decisions of the Members will be made at a
meeting duly held in accordance with this Article V. Meetings of the Members may be held for
any purpose or purposes, unless otherwise prohibited by law or by the Articles, and may be
called by the Members holding not less than 20% of the Percentage Interests. All meetings of the
Members will be held at the principal office of the Company or at such other place, within or
without the State of Minnesota, as is designated from time to time by the Members and stated in
the notice of the meeting or in a duly executed waiver of the notice thereof. Members may
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Quorum
Proxies
. At any meeting of the Members, every Member having the right to vote thereat will be
entitled to vote in person or by proxy appointed by an instrument in writing signed by such
Member and bearing a date not more than three years prior to such meeting.
V.5
. Any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Members of the
Company may be taken without a meeting if the action is evidenced by one or more written
consents setting forth the action to be taken and signed [by each Member entitled to vote] [OR]
[by Members holding Percentage Interests sufficient to cause the action to be taken at a meeting
of the Members at which all Members were present].
V.6
Notice of Meetings
. Notice stating the place, day, hour and the purpose for which the meeting is called must
be given, not less than ten days nor more than 60 days before the date of the meeting, by or at the
direction of the Members calling the meeting, to each Member entitled to vote at such meeting.
A Members attendance at a meeting:
(a)
waives objection to lack of notice or defective notice of the meeting,
unless such Member, at the beginning of the meeting, objects to holding the meeting or
transacting business at the meeting; and
(b)
waives objection to consideration of a particular matter at the meeting that
is not within the purpose or purposes described in the notice of meeting, unless such Member
objects to considering the matter when it is presented.
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V.7
Waiver of Notice
. When any notice is required to be given to any Member of the Company hereunder, a
waiver thereof in writing signed by the Member entitled to such notice, whether before, at, or
after the time stated therein, is equivalent to the giving of such notice.
V.8
. Any Member or the Administrator is authorized to execute and file with the Minnesota
Secretary of State any document permitted or required by the Act. Such documents may be
executed and filed only after the Members have approved or consented to such action in the
manner provided herein.
V.9
. In the case of a Member that is a corporation, its Interest may be voted by such officer,
agent or proxy as the bylaws of such corporation may prescribe, or, in the absence of such
provision, as the board of directors of such corporation may determine. In the case of a Member
that is a general or limited partnership, its Interest may be voted, in person or by proxy, by such
Person as is designated by such Member. In the case of a Member that is another limited liability
company, its Interest may be voted, in person or by proxy, by such Person as is designated by the
operating agreement or limited liability company agreement of such other limited liability
company, or, in the absence of such designation, by such Person as is designated by the limited
liability company.
V.10
Voting Requirement
.
(a)
Each Member has the right to vote in accordance with such Members
Percentage Interest. Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement, the affirmative
vote of a Majority in Interest is required for a valid decision of the Members, including any
decision regarding any transaction, agreement or action that is not within the ordinary course of
the activities of the Company as referred to in 322C.0407 Subd. 2.
(b)
In addition to those matters specified elsewhere in this Agreement as
requiring the approval of a Super-Majority in Interest, the affirmative vote of a Super-Majority in
Interest is required for the following:
(i)
the approval of a merger or consolidation or plan of exchange with
another Person or the conversion to another type of entity or domestication to another
domicile;
(ii)
change of the status of the Company from one in which
management is vested in the Members to one in which management is vested in one or
more managers or in a board of governors;
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(iii)
the sale, lease, exchange, or other disposition, other than by
mortgage, deed of trust, or pledge, of all, or substantially all, the Property, with or
without the goodwill of the Company;
(iv)
determination, modification, compromise or release of the amount
and character of the contributions that a Member makes as the consideration for the
issuance of an Interest;
(v)
(vi)
Company;
(c)
In addition to those matters specified elsewhere in this Agreement as
requiring the approval of all Members, the affirmative vote of all Members will be required for
the following:
(i)
(d)
At any time that no Person has the right to vote or to participate in the
management of the business and affairs of the Company with respect to the Interest held by such
Member, then the Percentage Interest represented by such Interest will be disregarded in
determining whether the requisite percentage necessary for a valid decision of the Members has
been obtained, with the effect that such Interest will be treated as if such Interest had not been
issued and the requisite percentage necessary for a valid decision will be applied against the
remaining Percentage Interests.
V.11
. The Company will keep at its principal office minutes of all meetings of the Members
and a record of all actions taken by the Members without a meeting.
V.12
.
(a)
Limitation. No Person will be liable to the Company or its Members for
any loss, damage, liability, or expense on account of any action taken or omitted to be taken by
such Person as a Member or Administrator of the Company, other than for (i) breach of the duty
of loyalty; (ii) a financial benefit received by the Member to which the Member is not entitled;
(iii) a breach of a duty under Section 322C.0406 of the Act; (iv) intentional infliction of harm on
the Company or a Member; or (v) an intentional violation of criminal law. If the Act is hereafter
amended to authorize the further elimination or limitation of the liability of members, then,
without requiring any action by the Members, the liability of Members of the Company shall be
further limited to the fullest extent permitted by the amended Act. Any repeal of this provision
as a matter of law or any modification of this Section by the Members shall be prospective only,
and shall not adversely affect any limitation on the personal liability of a Member of the
Company existing at the time of such repeal or modification.
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(b)
Right to Indemnification and Advancement. The Company shall
indemnify and advance expenses to its Members and other persons acting in their official
capacity (as defined in Section 322C.0408 of the Act) with respect to proceedings (as defined
in Section 322C.0408 of the Act) to the fullest extent required by Section 322C.0408 of the Act.
V.13
. No contract or transaction between the Company and one of its Members or between
the Company and any Person in which one of its Members is a director or officer, or has a
financial interest, will be void or voidable solely for this reason, or solely because such Member
is present at or participates in any meeting of the Members at which the contract or transaction is
authorized, or solely because such Members vote is counted for such purpose, and such Member
will not be obligated to account to the Company for any profit or benefit derived by such
Member if the material facts as to such Members relationship are known to the Members, and
the Members holding either (i) a majority of the Percentage Interests held by those Members
who are disinterested with respect to such contract or transaction authorize such contract or
transaction, even though the disinterested Members be less than a quorum or (ii) all of the
Members. Interested Members may be counted in determining the presence of a quorum at a
meeting of the Members at which the contract or transaction is authorized.
Fiscal Year
. The fiscal year and taxable year of the Company will end on [] of each year, unless a
different year is required by the Code.
VI.2
. At all times during the existence of the Company, the Company will cause to be
maintained full and accurate books of account, which will reflect all Company transactions and
be appropriate and adequate for the Companys business. The books and records of the
Company will be maintained at the principal office of the Company.
VI.3
Financial Reports
. Within 75 days after the end of each fiscal year, there will be prepared and delivered to
each Member:
(a)
A balance sheet as of the end of such year and related financial statements
for the year then ended.
(b)
All information with respect to the Company necessary for the preparation
of the Members Federal and state income tax returns.
VI.4
11952039v1
. The Company will cause to be prepared and timely filed all Federal, state and local
income tax returns or other returns or statements required by applicable law. The Company will
claim all deductions and make such elections for federal or state income tax purposes that the
Members reasonably believe will produce the most favorable tax results for the Members. [] is
hereby designated as the Companys Tax Matters Member, to serve with respect to the
Company in the same capacity as a tax matters partner as defined in the Code, and in such
capacity is hereby authorized and empowered to act for and represent the Company and each of
the Members before the Internal Revenue Service in any audit or examination of any Company
tax return and before any court selected by the Members for judicial review of any adjustment
assessed by the Internal Revenue Service. [] hereby accepts such designation. The Members
specifically acknowledge, without limiting the general applicability of this Section, that the Tax
Matters Member will not be liable, responsible or accountable in damages or otherwise to the
Company or any Member with respect to any action taken by it in its capacity as a Tax Matters
Member. All out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Tax Matters Member in the capacity of
Tax Matters Member will be considered expenses of the Company for which the Tax Matters
Member is entitled to full reimbursement.
VI.5
. If a distribution of Company assets occurs that satisfies the provisions of Section 734 of
the Code or if a transfer of an Interest occurs that satisfies the provisions of Section 743 of the
Code, upon the determination of the Members, the Company will elect, pursuant to Section 754
of the Code, to adjust the basis of the Property to the extent allowed by such Section 734 or 743
and will cause such adjustments to be made and maintained.
VI.6
Bank Accounts
. All funds of the Company will be deposited in a separate bank, money market or
similar account or accounts approved by the Members and in the Companys name. Withdrawals
therefrom may be made only by individuals authorized to do so by the Members.
ARTICLE VII - TRANSFERS OF INTERESTS AND EVENTS OF
WITHDRAWAL
VII.1 General Restrictions
. Except as expressly provided in this Agreement, no Member may Transfer all or any
part of such Members Interest. Any purported Transfer of an Interest in violation of the terms of
this Agreement will be null and void and of no effect. A permitted Transfer will be effective as
of the date specified in the instruments relating thereto. Any Transferee desiring to make a
further Transfer will become subject to all of the provisions of this Article VII to the same extent
and in the same manner as any Member desiring to make any Transfer.
VII.2 Permitted Transfers
. Each Member (a Transferor) may Transfer (but not substitute the assignee as a
Substitute Member in such Members place, except in accordance with Section 7.3), by a written
instrument, all or any part of such Members Interest, provided that the Transfer would not result
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11952039v1
in the termination of the Company pursuant to 708 of the Code. Any assignee of an Interest
as allowed by this Section 7.2 who does not become a Substitute Member as provided in Section
7.3 (a Transferee) (i) will not be a Member and will not have any right to vote as a Member or
to participate in the management of the business and affairs of the Company, such right to vote
such Interest and to participate in the management of the business and affairs of the Company
continuing with the Transferor and (ii) shall have only those rights accorded to the transferee of a
transferable interest as set forth in Section 322C.0502 of the Act. The Transferee will, however,
be entitled to distributions and allocations of the Company, as provided in Article IV, attributable
to the Interest that is the subject of the Transfer to such Transferee.
VII.3 Substitute Members
.
(a)
No assignee of all or part of a Members Interest will become a Member in
place of the Transferor (a Substitute Member) unless and until:
(i)
the Transferor (if living) has stated such intention in the instrument
of assignment;
(ii)
the Transferee has executed an instrument accepting and adopting
the terms and provisions of this Agreement;
(iii)
the Transferor or Transferee has paid all reasonable expenses of the
Company in connection with the admission of the Transferee as a Substitute Member;
and
(iv)
the Transferee is either a Permitted Transferee or Members holding
a majority of the remaining Percentage Interests, in their sole and absolute discretion,
have consented in writing to such Transferee becoming a Substitute Member.
(b)
Upon satisfaction of all of the foregoing conditions with respect to a
Transferee, the Administrator will cause this Agreement to be duly amended to reflect the
admission of the Transferee as a Substitute Member.
VII.4 Effect of Admission as a Substitute Member
. Unless and until admitted as a Substitute Member pursuant to Section 7.3, a Transferee
is not entitled to exercise any rights of a Member in the Company, including the right to vote,
grant approvals or give consents with respect to such Interest, the right to require any
information or accounting of the Companys business or the right to inspect the Companys
books and records, but a Transferee will only be entitled to receive, to the extent of the Interest
transferred to such Transferee, the Distributions to which the Transferor would be entitled. A
Transferee who has become a Substitute Member has, to the extent of the Interest transferred to
such Transferee, all the rights and powers of the Member for whom such Transferee is
substituted and is subject to the restrictions and liabilities of a Member under this Agreement and
the Act. Upon admission of a Transferee as a Substitute Member, the Transferor will cease to be
a Member of the Company to the extent of such Interest.
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The Company will be dissolved upon the first to occur of the following
events:
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(i)
upon the approval of [a Super-Majority in Interest] OR [a Majority
in Interest] OR [all] of the Members; and
(ii)
upon the entry of a decree of judicial dissolution permitted under
Section 322.0701 of the Act.
(b)
Notwithstanding Section 322.0701 of the Act, the forgoing events which
cause dissolution of the Company are the exclusive events which cause the dissolution of the
Company.
VIII.2 Effect of Dissolution
. Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, upon the dissolution of the Company,
the Members will take such actions as may be required pursuant to the Act and will proceed to
wind up, liquidate and terminate the business and affairs of the Company. In connection with
such winding up, the Members may liquidate and reduce to cash (to the extent necessary or
appropriate) the assets of the Company as promptly as is consistent with obtaining Fair Value
therefor, apply and distribute the proceeds of such liquidation and any remaining assets in
accordance with the provisions of Section 8.3, and do any and all acts and things authorized by,
and in accordance with, the Act and other applicable laws for the purpose of winding up and
liquidation.
VIII.3 Application of Proceeds
. Upon dissolution and liquidation of the Company, the assets of the Company will be
applied and distributed in the order of priority set forth in Section 4.2.
ARTICLE IX - MISCELLANEOUS
IX.1
. Title to the Property will be held in the name of the Company. No Member has any
ownership interest or rights in the Property, except indirectly by virtue of such Members
ownership of an Interest. No Member has any right to seek or obtain a partition of the Property,
nor does any Member have the right to any specific assets of the Company upon the liquidation
of or any distribution from the Company.
IX.2
Organizational Expenses
. Each Member will pay such Members own expenses incurred in connection with the
creation and formation of the Company and review and negotiation of this Agreement.
IX.4
Notices
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Waiver of Default
. None of the provisions contained in this Agreement are for the benefit of or enforceable
by any third parties, including creditors of the Company; provided, however, the Company may
enforce any rights granted to the Company under the Act, the Articles, or this Agreement.
IX.7
Entire Agreement
. This Agreement, together with the Articles, constitutes the entire agreement among the
Members and supersedes all other written, oral, or implied agreements, arrangements, and
understandings among the Members the formation, operation and continuation of the Company
and the relations among and between the Members and the Company.
IX.8
IX.9
.
(a)
Except as otherwise provided herein, this Agreement and the Articles may
not be modified or amended in any manner other than by the written agreement of a SuperMajority in Interest [or Majority in Interest] at the time of such modification or amendment.
(b)
This Agreement may be amended by the Administrator, without any
execution of such amendment by the Members, in order to reflect the occurrence of any of the
following events provided that all of the conditions, if any, contained in the relevant sections of
this Agreement with respect to such event have been satisfied:
(i)
an adjustment of the Percentage Interests of the Members upon
making a Capital Contribution (Section 3.2), upon the admission of an additional
Member or issuance of an additional Interest (Section 7.5), or upon the redemption of an
Interest (Section 7.6);
(ii)
the modification of this Agreement to comply with the relevant tax
laws pursuant to Sections 3.3 or 4.5(j); and
(iii)
(c)
Anything in this Section 9.8 to the contrary notwithstanding, without the
written consent of all Members, no amendment to this Agreement may:
(i)
add to, detract from or otherwise modify the purposes of the
Company as set forth in this Agreement;
(ii)
(iii)
amend any provisions of Article IV other than an amendment to
comply with the relevant tax laws as provided in Section 4.5(j); or
(iv)
amend this Section 9.8 or any provision of this Agreement
requiring the consent of a Super-Majority in Interest.
IX.10 Severability
. If any provision of this Agreement is held to be illegal, invalid or unenforceable to any
extent, the legality, validity and enforceability of the remainder of this Agreement will not be
affected thereby and will remain in full force and effect and may be enforced to the greatest
extent permitted by law.
IX.11 Binding Agreement
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such Member has had the opportunity to seek the advice of independent
(c)
(d)
such Member has had the opportunity to seek the advice of independent
legal counsel;
tax counsel.
[signature pages follow]
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The parties hereto have executed this Operating Agreement on the date first written
above.
MEMBERS:
11952039v1
SCHEDULE A
Capital
Contribution
Percentage
Interest
[Member Name]
___%
___%
100%
[Member Address]
Email:
Facsimile:
Totals:
11952039v1