SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of report (Date of earliest event reported): April 9, 2006
OTTER TAIL CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
|
|
|
|
|
Minnesota
(State or other jurisdiction
of incorporation)
|
|
0-00368
(Commission
File Number)
|
|
41-0462685
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
|
|
|
|
215 South Cascade Street, P.O. Box 496, Fergus Falls, MN
(Address of principal executive offices)
|
|
56538-0496
(Zip Code)
|
Registrants telephone number, including area code: (866) 410-8780
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy
the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
o
|
|
Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
|
|
o
|
|
Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
|
|
o
|
|
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR
240.14d-2(b))
|
|
o
|
|
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR
240.13e-4(c))
|
Item 1.01 Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement
(1) On April 9, 2006 the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of Otter Tail
Corporation (the Company) approved compensation for Directors. Following are the retainer and
meeting fees as approved:
|
|
|
|
|
Retainer Chairman of the Board
|
|
$
|
66,000
|
|
Retainer Director
|
|
$
|
30,000
|
|
Retainer Committee Chair
|
|
$
|
7,000
|
|
Board Meeting Fee (per meeting)
|
|
$
|
1,500
|
|
In addition, each Director was awarded a restricted stock grant under the 1999 Stock Incentive Plan
of 2,200 common shares that vests over four years. The form of Restricted Stock Award Agreement
for Directors is filed as Exhibit 10.1 hereto and is incorporated herein by reference.
Directors receive an actual expense or a $100 travel allowance if they are required to furnish
their own transportation to Board or Committee meetings outside their city of residence.
Directors may elect to receive their compensation (other than expense reimbursements) in the
form of cash, common shares or a combination. Directors may elect to defer the receipt of all or
part of their cash compensation pursuant to the Otter Tail Corporation Deferred Compensation Plan
for Directors. The deferral may be in the form of cash or stock units. Cash deferrals receive
interest at a rate equal to 1% over the prime commercial rate of U.S. Bank National Association.
Deferrals in the form of stock units are credited quarterly with dividend equivalents equal to the
dividend rate on Otter Tail Corporations common shares and the deferred amount is paid out in
common shares. The Deferred Compensation Plan for Directors, As Amended, was filed as Exhibit
10-N-1 to the Companys Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002 and is incorporated herein
by reference.
(2) On April 9, 2006 the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company
granted performance-based stock incentive awards to the Companys executive officers under the 1999
Stock Incentive Plan. Under these awards, the Companys executive officers could earn up to an
aggregate of 88,050 common shares based on the Companys total shareholder return relative to the
total shareholder return of the companies that comprise the Edison Electric Institute Index over
the performance period of January 1, 2006 through December 31, 2008. The target share award by
executive officer is as follows: John Erickson, 22,800 shares; Lauris Molbert, 17,800 shares;
Kevin Moug, 10,700 shares and George Koeck, 7,400 shares. Actual payment may range from zero to
150 percent of the target amount. The executive officers have no voting or dividend rights related
to these shares until the shares, if any, are issued at the end of the performance period. The
form of 2006 Performance Award Agreement is filed as Exhibit 10.2 hereto and is incorporated herein
by reference.
(3) On April 9, 2006, the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company
granted restricted stock units to certain employees, including 4,300 restricted stock units to one
of the Companys executive officers, Chuck MacFarlane, payable in common shares upon vesting on
April 8, 2010.
2
(4) On April 9, 2006 the Compensation Committee of the Companys Board of Directors approved
performance targets for 2006 under the terms of the Otter Tail Corporation Executive Annual
Incentive Plan (the Incentive Plan). The Incentive Plan provides incentives to executive
officers if the Company achieves certain performance targets. The Compensation Committee of the
Board of Directors is responsible for setting performance targets under the Incentive Plan near the
end of the first quarter each year and establishing total target payout percentages for each of the
executive officers. For 2006 the performance targets are as follows:
|
1.
|
|
Corporate Earnings per Share. Each executive officer receives 33 1/3 percent of the
total target payout if the Company achieves the targeted earnings per share. Each
executive officer receives 8 1/3 percent of the total target payout if the Company achieves
the minimum performance level, and additional increments for performance above the target.
|
|
|
2.
|
|
Corporate Return on Equity. Each executive officer receives 33 1/3 percent of the
total target payout if the Company achieves the targeted return on equity. Each executive
officer receives 8 1/3 percent of the total target payout if the Company achieves the
minimum performance level, and additional increments for performance above the target.
|
|
|
3.
|
|
Cash Flow from Operations. Each executive officer receives 33 1/3 percent of the total
target payout if the Company achieves the targeted cash flow from operations. Each
executive officer receives 8 1/3 percent of the total target payout if the Company achieves
the minimum performance level and additional increments for performance above the target.
|
The Compensation Committee has discretion over treatment of extraordinary gains, write-offs,
or other events in determining the amount of incentive bonus to be paid. The Incentive Plan was
filed as Exhibit 10.2 to the Companys Form 8-K dated April 15, 2005 and is incorporated herein by
reference.
(5) On April 10, 2006, the Companys shareholders approved an amendment to the 1999 Employee
Stock Purchase Plan (the Purchase Plan) increasing the number of common shares available under
the Purchase Plan from 400,000 common shares to 900,000 common shares. The 1999 Employee Stock
Purchase Plan, As Amended (2006), is filed as Exhibit 10.3 hereto and is incorporated herein by
reference.
(6) On April 10, 2006, the Companys shareholders approved amendments to the 1999 Stock
Incentive Plan (the Incentive Plan):
|
(i)
|
|
increasing the number of common shares available under the Incentive Plan from
2,600,000 common shares to 3,600,000 common shares;
|
|
|
(ii)
|
|
extending the term of the Incentive Plan from December 13, 2008 to December 13,
2013;
|
3
|
(iii)
|
|
deleting the provision of the Incentive Plan that permitted the Company to
grant reload options;
|
|
|
(iv)
|
|
adding a provision to the Incentive Plan that prohibits repricing of options
without shareholder approval; and
|
|
|
(v)
|
|
adding a provision to the Incentive Plan limiting the term of any stock option
to 10 years from the date of grant.
|
The 1999 Stock Incentive Plan, As Amended (2006), is filed as Exhibit 10.4 hereto and is
incorporated herein by reference.
Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Principal Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of
Principal Officers.
On April 10, 2006, Mr. Thomas M. Brown and Mr. Robert N. Spolum retired from the Board of Directors
at the time of the 2006 Annual Meeting of Shareholders in accordance with Board policies.
Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits
|
|
|
10.1
|
|
Form of Restricted Stock Award Agreement for Directors
|
10.2
|
|
Form of 2006 Performance Award Agreement
|
10.3
|
|
1999 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, As Amended (2006)
|
10.4
|
|
1999 Stock Incentive Plan, As Amended (2006)
|
Signature
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly
caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
|
|
|
|
|
Date: April 13, 2006
|
OTTER TAIL CORPORATION
|
|
|
By /s/ Kevin G. Moug
|
|
|
Kevin G. Moug
|
|
|
Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
|
|
|
4
Exhibit Index
|
|
|
10.1
|
|
Form of Restricted Stock Award Agreement for Directors
|
10.2
|
|
Form of 2006 Performance Award Agreement
|
10.3
|
|
1999 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, As Amended (2006)
|
10.4
|
|
1999 Stock Incentive Plan, As Amended (2006)
|
5
Exhibit 10.1
OTTER TAIL CORPORATION
1999 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN
2006 RESTRICTED STOCK AWARD AGREEMENT
FOR DIRECTORS
This Restricted Stock Award Agreement is between Otter Tail Corporation, a Minnesota
corporation (the Corporation), and the person named in the attached Restricted Stock Award
Certificate for Directors who is a Non-employee Director (Director) of the Corporation effective
as of the date of grant (the Grant Date) set forth in the attached Restricted Stock Award
Certificate for Directors.
WHEREAS, the Corporation, pursuant to the Otter Tail Corporation 1999 Stock Incentive Plan
(the Plan), wishes to award to the Director a number of the Corporations Common Shares, par
value $5.00 per share (the Common Shares), subject to certain restrictions and on the terms and
conditions contained in this Agreement and in the attached Restricted Stock Award Certificate for
Directors, which is made a part hereof.
NOW, THEREFORE, for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and adequacy of which are
hereby acknowledged, the Corporation and the Director hereby agree as follows:
1.
Award of Restricted Stock
. The Corporation hereby grants to the Director,
effective as of the Grant Date, an award of restricted stock for that number of Common Shares set
forth in the attached Restricted Stock Award Certificate for Directors (the Shares), on the terms
and conditions set forth in this Agreement, the Restricted Stock Award Certificate for Directors
and the Plan.
2.
Rights of the Director with Respect to the Shares
. With respect to the Shares, the
Director shall be entitled at all times on and after the date of issuance of the Shares to exercise
the rights of a shareholder of Common Shares of the Corporation, including the right to vote the
Shares and the right to receive dividends thereon as provided in Section 8 hereof, unless and until
the Shares are forfeited pursuant to Section 5(b) hereof. The rights of the Director with respect
to the Shares shall remain forfeitable at all times prior to the date or dates on which such rights
become vested, and the restrictions with respect to the Shares lapse, in accordance with Section 3,
4 or 5(a) hereof.
3.
Vesting
. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the Shares shall
vest, and the restrictions with respect to the Shares shall lapse, in installments on the dates and
in the amounts set forth in the attached Restricted Stock Award Certificate for Directors if the
Director remains continuously a Director of the Corporation until the respective vesting dates.
4.
Change of Control
. Notwithstanding the vesting provision contained in Section 3
above, but subject to the other terms and conditions set forth herein, upon the occurrence of a
Change of Control (as defined below) prior to any termination of the Directors service on the
Board, the Director shall become immediately and unconditionally vested in all of the Shares,
and the restrictions with respect to all of the Shares shall lapse. As used herein, Change of
Control shall mean any of the following events:
(a) The acquisition by any person, entity or group, within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3)
or 14(d)(2) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act), other than the
Corporation or any of its Affiliates, or any employee benefit plan of the Corporation and/or one or
more of its Affiliates, of beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under
the Exchange Act) of 15% or more of either the then outstanding Common Shares or the combined
voting power of the Corporations then outstanding voting securities in a transaction or series of
transactions not approved in advance by a vote of at least three-quarters of the Continuing
Directors (as hereinafter defined); or
(b) Individuals who, as of the Grant Date, constitute the Board of Directors of the
Corporation (generally the Directors and as of the Grant Date the Continuing Directors) cease
for any reason to constitute at least a majority thereof, provided that any person becoming a
Director subsequent to the Grant Date whose nomination for election was approved in advance by a
vote of at least three-quarters of the Continuing Directors (other than a nomination of an
individual whose initial assumption of office is in connection with an actual or threatened
solicitation with respect to the election or removal of the Directors of the Corporation, as such
terms are used in Rule 14a-11 of Regulation 14A under the Exchange Act) shall be deemed to be a
Continuing Director; or
(c) The approval by the shareholders of the Corporation of a reorganization, merger,
consolidation, liquidation or dissolution of the Corporation or of the sale (in one transaction or
a series of related transactions) of all or substantially all of the assets of the Corporation
other than a reorganization, merger, consolidation, liquidation, dissolution or sale approved in
advance by a vote of at least three-quarters of the Continuing Directors;
(d) The first purchase under any tender offer or exchange offer (other than an offer by the
Corporation or any of its Affiliates) pursuant to which Common Shares are purchased; or
(e) At least a majority of the Continuing Directors determines in their sole discretion that
there has been a change in control of the Corporation.
5.
Early Vesting; Forfeiture
.
(a) If the Directors service on the Corporations Board ceases for reason of disability,
retirement from the Board or death prior to the vesting of the Shares pursuant to Section 3 or 4
hereof, the Director or the Directors legal representatives, beneficiaries or heirs, as the case
may be, shall become immediately vested, as of the date of such disability, retirement or death, in
all of the unvested Shares, and the restrictions with respect to all of such Shares shall lapse.
No transfer by will or the applicable laws of descent and distribution of any Shares which vest by
reason of the Directors death shall be effective to bind the Corporation unless the Committee
shall have been furnished with written notice of such transfer and a copy of the will or such other
evidence as the Committee may deem necessary to establish the validity of the transfer.
2
(b) If the Directors service on the Corporations Board ceases for reasons other than
disability, retirement or death prior to the vesting of the Shares pursuant to Section 3 or 4
hereof, the Directors rights to all of the unvested Shares shall be immediately and irrevocably
forfeited, including the right to vote such Shares and the right to receive cash dividends.
6.
Restriction on Transfer
. Until the Shares vest pursuant to Section 3, 4 or 5(a)
hereof, none of the Shares may be sold, assigned, transferred, pledged, hypothecated or otherwise
disposed of or encumbered, and no attempt to transfer the Shares, whether voluntary or involuntary,
by operation of law or otherwise, shall vest the transferee with any interest or right in or with
respect to the Shares.
7.
Issuance and Custody of Certificates
.
(a) The Corporation shall cause to be issued one or more stock certificates, registered in the
Directors name, representing the Shares. Each such certificate shall be subject to an appropriate
stop-transfer order and shall bear the following legend:
The Common Shares represented by this certificate are subject to
forfeiture, and the transferability of this certificate and the
Common Shares represented hereby are subject to the restrictions,
terms and conditions (including restrictions against transfer)
contained in the Otter Tail Corporation 1999 Stock Incentive Plan
and a Restricted Stock Award Agreement between Otter Tail
Corporation and the registered owner of such shares. Release from
such restrictions, terms and conditions shall be made only in
accordance with the provisions of the Plan and the Agreement, copies
of which are on file in the office of the Secretary of Otter Tail
Corporation.
(b) Upon execution of this Agreement, the Director shall execute and deliver to the
Corporation a stock power or stock powers relating to the Shares.
(c) Each certificate issued pursuant to Section 7(a) hereof, together with the stock power or
stock powers relating to the Shares, shall be deposited by the Corporation with the Secretary of
the Corporation or a custodian designated by the Secretary.
(d) After any Shares vest pursuant to Section 3, 4 or 5(a) hereof, and following payment of
the applicable withholding taxes pursuant to Section 9 hereof, the Corporation shall promptly cause
to be issued a certificate or certificates, registered in the Directors name or in the name of the
Directors legal representatives, beneficiaries or heirs, as the case may be, representing such
vested Shares (less any shares withheld to pay withholding taxes), free of the legend provided in
Section 7(a) hereof and any stop-transfer order with respect to such Shares, and shall cause such
certificate or certificates to be delivered to the Director or the Directors legal
representatives, beneficiaries or heirs, as the case may be.
3
8.
Distributions and Adjustments
.
(a) If any Shares vest in the Director subsequent to any change in the number or character of
the Common Shares of the Corporation (through recapitalization, stock split, stock dividend,
reorganization, merger, consolidation or otherwise), the Director shall then receive upon such
vesting the number and type of securities or other consideration which the Director would have
received if such Shares had vested prior to the event changing the number or character of the
outstanding Common Shares.
(b) Any additional Common Shares of the Corporation, any other securities of the Corporation
and any other property (except for cash dividends or other cash distributions) distributed with
respect to the Shares prior to the date or dates the Shares vest shall be subject to the same
restrictions, terms and conditions as the Shares to which they relate and shall be promptly
deposited with the Secretary of the Corporation or a custodian designated by the Secretary.
(c) Any cash dividends or other cash distributions payable with respect to the Shares shall be
distributed to the Director at the same time cash dividends or other cash distributions are
distributed to shareholders of the Corporation generally.
9.
Income Tax Matters
. The Director acknowledges that the Director will consult with
the Directors personal tax advisor regarding the income tax consequences of the grant of the
Shares, or any other matters related to this Agreement. Income taxes will not be withheld in
connection with the vesting of shares under this Agreement.
10.
Miscellaneous
.
(a) The Corporation shall reserve and keep available such number of Common Shares as will be
sufficient to satisfy the requirements of this Agreement.
(b) The Corporation shall not be required to deliver any Shares until the requirements of any
federal or state securities laws, rules or regulations or other laws or rules (including the rules
of any securities exchange) as may be determined by the Corporation to be applicable are satisfied.
(c) If any of the shares covered by this Agreement are not registered under the Securities Act
of 1933 at the time of their issuance hereunder, the Director represents and agrees that all such
shares purchased under this grant will be acquired for investment and not for resale.
(d) As used in this Agreement, the term Common Shares shall mean the Common Shares of the
Corporation as authorized at the Grant Date and Fair Market Value shall have the meaning ascribed
to them in the Plan.
(e) This grant of Shares is granted pursuant to the Plan and is subject to all the terms and
conditions contained therein. A copy of the Plan is available to the Director upon request.
4
(f) This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State
of Minnesota.
(g) Headings in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and shall not be deemed
in any way to be material or relevant to the construction or interpretation of this Agreement or
any provision hereof.
(h) THIS RESTRICTED STOCK AWARD AGREEMENT FOR DIRECTORS IS ATTACHED TO AND MADE A PART OF A
RESTRICTED STOCK AWARD CERTIFICATE FOR DIRECTORS AND SHALL HAVE NO FORCE OR EFFECT UNLESS SUCH
RESTRICTED STOCK AWARD CERTIFICATE FOR DIRECTORS IS DULY EXECUTED AND DELIVERED BY THE CORPORATION
AND THE DIRECTOR.
* * * * * * * *
5
OTTER TAIL CORPORATION
1999 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN
RESTRICTED STOCK AWARD CERTIFICATE FOR DIRECTORS
This certifies the award of restricted stock as specified below which has been granted under
the Otter Tail Corporation 1999 Stock Incentive Plan (the Plan), the terms and conditions of
which are incorporated by reference herein and made a part hereof. In addition, the award shown in
this Certificate is nontransferable and is subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the
attached 2006 Restricted Stock Award Agreement for Directors of which this Certificate is a part.
[Name and address of recipient]
[Social Security Number of recipient]
You have been granted the following Award:
|
|
|
Grant Type:
|
|
Restricted Stock
|
Number of Common Shares:
|
|
2,200
|
Grant Date:
|
|
April 10, 2006
|
Vesting Schedule:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Percentage of
|
Date
|
|
Restricted Stock Vested
|
April 8, 2007
|
|
|
25
|
%
|
April 8, 2008
|
|
|
25
|
%
|
April 8, 2009
|
|
|
25
|
%
|
April 8, 2010
|
|
|
25
|
%
|
By the Corporations and your signature below, it is agreed that this award of restricted
stock is governed by the terms and conditions of the 2006 Restricted Stock Award Agreement for
Directors, a copy of which is attached and made a part of this document, and the Corporations 1999
Stock Incentive Plan, a copy of which is enclosed.
|
|
|
|
|
OTTER TAIL CORPORATION
|
|
|
|
|
|
By:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
John D. Erickson
Its: President & Chief Executive Officer
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
[Name of Recipient]
|
|
|
6
Exhibit 10.2
OTTER TAIL CORPORATION
1999 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN
2006 PERFORMANCE AWARD AGREEMENT
This Performance Award Agreement is between Otter Tail Corporation, a Minnesota corporation
(the Corporation), and you, as an employee of the Corporation or one of its Affiliates, effective
as of the date of grant (the Grant Date) set forth in the attached Performance Award Certificate.
WHEREAS, the Corporation, pursuant to the Otter Tail Corporation 1999 Stock Incentive Plan
(the Plan), wishes to grant to you the opportunity and right to receive a number of the
Corporations Common Shares, par value $5.00 per share (the Common Shares), subject to the terms
and conditions contained in this Agreement and in the attached Performance Award Certificate, which
is made a part of this Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and adequacy of which are
hereby acknowledged, the Corporation and you hereby agree as follows:
1.
Performance Award
. The Corporation hereby grants to you, effective as of the Grant
Date, a Performance Award representing the right to receive a specified number of Common Shares, as
set forth in the attached Performance Award Certificate and subject to the terms and conditions set
forth in this Agreement, the Performance Award Certificate and the Plan. The Performance Award, to
the extent it becomes payable, shall be paid in Common Shares of the Corporation (the Shares).
2.
Performance Period and Performance Goals
. The performance period for purposes of
determining whether the Performance Award will be paid shall be January 1, 2006 through December
31, 2008 (the Performance Period). The performance goals for purposes of determining whether,
and the extent to which, the Performance Award will be paid are set forth in
Exhibit 1
to
this Agreement, which Exhibit is made a part of this Agreement.
3.
Payment
. Subject to the provisions of Sections 4 and 5 of this Agreement, the
Performance Award shall be paid as soon as practicable after the Compensation Committee of the
Corporations Board of Directors (the Committee) determines, in its discretion after the end of
the Performance Period, whether and to what extent the performance goals have been achieved in
accordance with the terms set forth in
Exhibit 1
to this Agreement.
4.
Forfeiture; Early Payment
. Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 3 of this
Agreement, in the event your employment is terminated during the Performance Period, the
Performance Award and your right to receive any Shares shall be immediately and irrevocably
forfeited, unless such termination is by reason of:
(a) disability (as determined under any long-term disability program then maintained by the
Corporation or any of its Affiliates that is applicable to you),
(b) retirement (normal or early retirement under any retirement plan of the Corporation or any
of its Affiliates that is applicable to you),
(c) death,
(d) your resignation for Good Reason (as defined in your Executive Employment Agreement,
dated on or before the Grant Date, between the Corporation and you), or
(e) your termination Without Cause (as defined in your Executive Employment Agreement, dated
on or before the Grant Date, between the Corporation and you).
In the event your employment is terminated during the Performance Period for one of the reasons
enumerated in clauses (a) through (e) above, then you or your estate shall be entitled to receive a
payment of the Performance Award based on, and assuming that, the performance goal would be
achieved at the Target level, as set forth in
Exhibit 1
to this Agreement. Such payment
shall be made promptly following the date of such termination. If a payment is made pursuant to
this Section 4, no payment shall be made pursuant to Section 3 of this Agreement.
5.
Change in Control
. Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 3 of this Agreement,
in the event of a Change in Control (as defined in the Change in Control Severance Agreement,
dated on or before the Grant Date, between the Corporation and you) during the Performance Period
that occurs prior to your termination of employment, you shall be entitled to receive a payment of
the Performance Award based on, and assuming that, the performance goal would have been achieved at
the Target level, as set forth in
Exhibit 1
to this Agreement. Such payment shall be made
promptly following the date of the Change in Control. If a payment is made pursuant to this
Section 5, no payment shall be made pursuant to Section 3 of this Agreement.
6.
Restriction on Transfer
. The Performance Award, and the right to receive Shares,
may not be sold, assigned, transferred, pledged, hypothecated or otherwise disposed of or
encumbered, other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution, and no attempt to transfer
the Performance Award, and the right to receive the Shares, whether voluntary or involuntary, by
operation of law or otherwise, shall vest the transferee with any interest or right in or with
respect to the Performance Award or the Shares. No transfer by will or the applicable laws of
descent and distribution of the Performance Award shall be effective to bind the Corporation unless
the Committee shall have been furnished with written notice of such transfer and a copy of the will
or such other evidence as the Committee may deem necessary to establish the validity of the
transfer.
7.
Issuance of Shares
. After the Performance Award becomes payable pursuant to
Section 3, 4 or 5 hereof, and following payment of the applicable withholding taxes pursuant to
Section 8 hereof, the Corporation shall promptly cause to be issued a certificate or certificates,
registered in your name or in the name of your legal representatives, beneficiaries or heirs, as
the case may be, representing the Shares (less any shares withheld to pay withholding taxes) and
shall cause such certificate or certificates to be delivered to you or your legal representatives,
beneficiaries or heirs, as the case may be.
2
8.
Income Tax Matters
.
(a) You acknowledge that you will consult with your personal tax advisor regarding the income
tax consequences of the grant of the Performance Award, the receipt of Shares upon any payment of
the Performance Award, the subsequent disposition of the Shares and any other matters related to
this Agreement. In order to comply with all applicable federal or state income tax laws or
regulations, the Corporation may take such action as it deems appropriate to ensure that all
applicable federal or state payroll, withholding, income or other taxes, which are your sole and
absolute responsibility, are withheld or collected from you.
(b) In accordance with the terms of the Plan, and such rules as may be adopted by the
Committee under the Plan, you may elect to satisfy your federal and state income tax withholding
obligations arising from the receipt of the Shares by (i) delivering cash, check (bank check,
certified check or personal check) or money order payable to the order of the Corporation, (ii)
having the Corporation withhold a portion of the Shares otherwise to be delivered having a Fair
Market Value equal to the amount of such taxes, or (iii) delivering to the Corporation Common
Shares having a Fair Market Value equal to the amount of such taxes. The Corporation will not
deliver any fractional Share but will pay, in lieu thereof, the Fair Market Value of such
fractional Share. Your election must be made on or before the date that the amount of tax to be
withheld is determined.
9.
Miscellaneous
.
(a) Nothing contained in this Agreement or the Plan shall confer on you any right to continue
in the employ of the Corporation or any Affiliate or affect in any way the right of the Corporation
or any Affiliate to terminate your employment at any time.
(b) You shall not have any rights of a holder of Common Shares unless and until Shares are
actually issued to you after the end of the Performance Period as provided in this Agreement.
(c) The Corporation shall not be required to deliver any Shares until the requirements of any
federal or state securities laws, rules or regulations or other laws or rules (including the rules
of any securities exchange) as may be determined by the Corporation to be applicable are satisfied.
(d) This Agreement is subject to the terms of the Plan. Terms used in this Agreement which
are not defined herein shall have the respective meanings given to such terms in the Plan. A copy
of the Plan is available to you upon request.
(e) This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the internal laws of
the State of Minnesota, without giving effect to the conflicts of laws principles thereof.
(f) Headings in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and shall not be deemed
in any way to be material or relevant to the construction or interpretation of this Agreement or
any provision hereof.
3
(g) THIS PERFORMANCE AWARD AGREEMENT IS ATTACHED TO AND MADE A PART OF A PERFORMANCE AWARD
CERTIFICATE AND SHALL HAVE NO FORCE OR EFFECT UNLESS SUCH PERFORMANCE AWARD CERTIFICATE IS DULY
EXECUTED AND DELIVERED BY THE CORPORATION AND YOU.
* * * * * * * *
4
OTTER TAIL CORPORATION
1999 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN
PERFORMANCE AWARD CERTIFICATE
This certifies the Performance Award, as specified below, has been granted under the Otter
Tail Corporation 1999 Stock Incentive Plan (the Plan), the terms and conditions of which are
incorporated by reference herein and made a part hereof. In addition, the award shown in this
Certificate is nontransferable and is subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the attached
2006 Performance Award Agreement of which this Certificate is a part.
[Name and Address of the Participant]
[Social Security Number of the Participant]
You have been granted the following Award:
|
|
|
Grant Type:
|
|
Performance Award
|
Target Number of Common Shares
|
|
|
Subject to Award:
|
|
|
Maximum Number of Common Shares
|
|
|
Subject to Award:
|
|
|
Grant Date:
|
|
April 10, 2006
|
Performance Period:
|
|
January 1, 2006 December 31, 2008
|
Performance Goals:
|
|
Set forth in
Exhibit 1
to the
2006 Performance Award Agreement
|
By the Corporations and your signature below, it is agreed that this Performance Award is
governed by the terms and conditions of the Performance Award Agreement, a copy of which is
attached and made a part of this document, and the Plan.
|
|
|
|
|
|
OTTER TAIL CORPORATION
|
|
|
By:
|
|
|
|
|
[Name of Authorized Officer]
[Title]
|
|
|
Exhibit 1
Performance
Goals for Three-Year Performance Period
(January 1, 2006 December 31, 2008)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Threshold
|
|
Target
|
|
Maximum
|
Performance Goal
|
|
Otter Tail TSR
performance
relative to peer
group
|
|
<10 %ile
|
|
10 %ile
|
|
25
th
%ile
|
|
50
th
%ile
|
|
75
th
%ile
or greater
|
Payment Levels
|
|
% of target shares
|
|
|
0
|
%
|
|
|
50
|
%
|
|
|
50
|
%
|
|
|
100
|
%
|
|
|
150
|
%
|
n
Amounts payable for performance between the 25
th
and 75
th
percentile will be interpolated.
n
Total Shareholders Return (TSR) = stock price appreciation plus value of dividends.
n
Peer group = Edison Electric Institute Index
Exhibit 10.3
OTTER TAIL CORPORATION
1999 EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN
AS AMENDED (2006)
ARTICLE I.
INTRODUCTION
Section 1.01
Purpose
. The purpose of the Plan is to provide employees of the Company
and certain related corporations with an opportunity to share in the ownership of the Company by
providing them with a convenient means for regular and systematic purchases of Common Stock and,
thus, to develop a stronger incentive to work for the continued success of the Company.
Section 1.02
Rules of Interpretation
. It is intended that the Plan be an employee
stock purchase plan as defined in Section 423(b) of the Code and Treasury Regulations promulgated
thereunder. Accordingly, the Plan shall be interpreted and administered in a manner consistent
therewith if so approved. All Participants in the Plan will have the same rights and privileges
consistent with the provisions of the Plan.
Section 1.03
Definitions
. For purposes of the Plan, the following terms will have the
meanings set forth below:
(a)
Acceleration Date
means the earlier of the date of shareholder approval or
approval by the Companys Board of Directors of (i) any consolidation or merger of the Company in
which the Company is not the continuing or surviving corporation or pursuant to which shares of
Company Common Stock would be converted into cash, securities or other property, other than a
merger of the Company in which shareholders of the Company immediately prior to the merger have
substantially the same proportionate ownership of stock in the surviving corporation immediately
after the merger; (ii) any sale, exchange or other transfer (in one transaction or a series of
related transactions) of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company; or (iii) any plan
of liquidation or dissolution of the Company.
(b)
Affiliate
means any subsidiary corporation of the Company, as defined in Section
424(f) of the Code, whether now or hereafter acquired or established.
(c)
Code
means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
(d)
Committee
means the committee described in Section 10.01 of the Plan.
(e)
Common Stock
means the Companys Common Shares, $5 par value per share, as such
stock may be adjusted for changes in the stock or the Company as contemplated by Article XI of the
Plan.
(f)
Company
means Otter Tail Corporation, a Minnesota corporation, and its
successors by merger or consolidation as contemplated by Section 11.02 of the Plan.
(g)
Current Compensation
means all regular wage, salary and commission payments paid
by the Company to a Participant in accordance with the terms of his or her employment, but
excluding annual bonus payments and all other forms of special compensation.
(h)
Fair Market Value
as of a given date means the fair market value of the Common
Stock determined by such methods or procedures as shall be established from time to time by the
Committee, but shall not be less than, if the Common Stock is then quoted on the NASDAQ National
Market System, the average of the high and low sales price as reported on the NASDAQ National
Market System on such date or, if the NASDAQ National Market System is not open for trading on such
date, on the most recent preceding date when it is open for trading. If on a given date the Common
Stock is not traded on an established securities market, the Committee shall make a good faith
attempt to satisfy the requirements of this Section 1.03(h) and in connection therewith shall take
such action as it deems necessary or advisable.
(i)
Participant
means a Regular Employee who is eligible to participate in the Plan
under Section 2.01 of the Plan and who has elected to participate in the Plan.
(j)
Participating Affiliate
means an Affiliate which has been designated by the
Committee in advance of the Purchase Period in question as a corporation whose eligible Regular
Employees may participate in the Plan.
(k)
Plan
means the Otter Tail Corporation 1999 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, as it
may be amended, the provisions of which are set forth herein.
(l)
Purchase Period
means the period beginning on May 1, 1999 and ending on the last
business day in December, 1999 and thereafter each approximate six-month period beginning on
January 1st and July 1st of each year and ending on the last business day in June and December of
each year; provided, however, that the then current Purchase Period will end upon the occurrence of
an Acceleration Date.
(m)
Regular Employee
means an employee of the Company or a Participating Affiliate
as of the first day of a Purchase Period, including an officer or director who is also an employee,
but excluding an employee whose customary employment is less than 20 hours per week.
(n)
Stock Purchase Account
means the account maintained on the books and records of
the Company recording the amount received from each Participant through payroll deductions made
under the Plan.
ARTICLE II.
ELIGIBILITY AND PARTICIPATION
Section 2.01
Eligible Employees
. All Regular Employees shall be eligible to participate in the Plan beginning on the first
day of the first Purchase Period to commence after such person becomes a Regular Employee. Subject
to the provisions of Article VI of the Plan, each such employee will continue to be eligible to
participate in the Plan so long as he or she remains a Regular Employee.
2
Section 2.02
Election to Participate
. An eligible Regular Employee may elect to
participate in the Plan for a given Purchase Period by filing with the Company, in advance of that
Purchase Period and in accordance with such terms and conditions as the Committee in its sole
discretion may impose, a form provided by the Company for such purpose (which authorizes regular
payroll deductions from Current Compensation that continue until the employee withdraws from the
Plan or ceases to be eligible to participate in the Plan).
Section 2.03
Limits on Stock Purchase
. No employee shall be granted any right to
purchase Common Stock hereunder if such employee, immediately after such a right to purchase is
granted, would own, directly or indirectly, within the meaning of Section 423(b)(3) and Section
424(d) of the Code, Common Stock possessing 5% or more of the total combined voting power or value
of all the classes of the capital stock of the Company or of all Affiliates.
Section 2.04
Voluntary Participation
. Participation in the Plan on the part of a
Participant is voluntary and such participation is not a condition of employment nor does
participation in the Plan entitle a Participant to be retained as an employee.
ARTICLE III.
PAYROLL DEDUCTIONS AND STOCK PURCHASE ACCOUNT
Section 3.01
Deduction from Pay.
The form described in Section 2.02 of the Plan will
permit a Participant to elect payroll deductions of any multiple of $10 but not less than $10 or
more than $2,000 per month of such Participants Current Compensation during such Purchase Period,
subject to such other limitations as the Committee in its sole discretion may impose. A
Participant may cease making payroll deductions at any time, subject to such limitations as the
Committee in its sole discretion may impose. In the event that during a Purchase Period the entire
credit balance in a Participants Stock Purchase Account exceeds the product of (a) 85% of the Fair
Market Value of the Common Stock on the first business day of that Purchase Period and (b) 2,000,
then payroll deductions for such Participant shall automatically cease, and shall resume on the
first pay period of the next Purchase Period.
Section 3.02
Credit to Account
. Payroll deductions will be credited to the
Participants Stock Purchase Account on each applicable payday.
Section 3.03
Interest
. No interest will be paid on payroll deductions or on any other amount credited to, or on
deposit in, a Participants Stock Purchase Account.
Section 3.04
Nature of Account
. The Stock Purchase Account is established solely for
accounting purposes, and all amounts credited to the Stock Purchase Account will remain part of the
general assets of the Company or the Participating Affiliate (as the case may be).
Section 3.05
No Additional Contributions
. A Participant may not make any payment into
the Stock Purchase Account other than the payroll deductions made pursuant to the Plan.
3
ARTICLE IV.
RIGHT TO PURCHASE SHARES
Section 4.01
Number of Shares
. Each Participant will have the right to purchase on
the last business day of the Purchase Period all, but not less than all, of the number of whole and
fractional shares, computed to four decimal places, of Common Stock that can be purchased at the
price specified in Section 4.02 of the Plan with the entire credit balance in the Participants
Stock Purchase Account, subject to the limitations that (a) no more than 2000 shares of Common
Stock may be purchased under the Plan by any one Participant for a given Purchase Period, and (b)
in accordance with Section 423(b)(8) of the Code, no more than $25,000 in Fair Market Value
(determined at the beginning of each Purchase Period) of Common Stock and other stock may be
purchased under the Plan and all other employee stock purchase plans (if any) of the Company and
the Affiliates by any one Participant for any calendar year. If the purchases for all Participants
for any Purchase Period would otherwise cause the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock to be
sold under the Plan to exceed the number specified in Section 10.04 of the Plan, each Participant
shall be allocated a pro rata portion of the Common Stock to be sold for such Purchase Period.
Section 4.02
Purchase Price
. The purchase price for any Purchase Period shall be that
price as announced by the Committee prior to the first business day of that Purchase Period, which
price may, in the discretion of the Committee, be a price which is not fixed or determinable as of
the first business day of that Purchase Period; provided, however, that in no event shall the
purchase price for any Purchase Period be less than the lesser of (a) 85% of the Fair Market Value
of the Common Stock on the first business day of that Purchase Period or (b) 85% of the Fair Market
Value of the Common Stock on the last business day of that Purchase Period, in each case rounded up
to the next higher full cent.
ARTICLE V.
EXERCISE OF RIGHT
Section 5.01
Purchase of Stock
. On the last business day of a Purchase Period, the entire credit balance in each
Participants Stock Purchase Account will be used to purchase the number of whole shares and
fractional shares, computed to four decimal places, of Common Stock purchasable with such amount
(subject to the limitations of Section 4.01 of the Plan), unless the Participant has filed with the
Company, in advance of that date and subject to such terms and conditions as the Committee in its
sole discretion may impose, a form provided by the Company which requests the distribution of the
entire credit balance in cash.
Section 5.02
Notice of Acceleration Date
. The Company shall use its best efforts to
notify each Participant in writing at least ten days prior to any Acceleration Date that the then
current Purchase Period will end on such Acceleration Date.
ARTICLE VI.
WITHDRAWAL FROM PLAN; SALE OF STOCK
Section 6.01
Voluntary Withdrawal
. A Participant may, in accordance with such terms
and conditions as the Committee in its sole discretion may impose, withdraw from the Plan and
4
cease
making payroll deductions by filing with the Company a form provided for this purpose. In such
event, the entire credit balance in the Participants Stock Purchase Account will be paid to the
Participant in cash within 30 days. A Participant who withdraws from the Plan will not be eligible
to reenter the Plan until the beginning of the next Purchase Period following the date of such
withdrawal.
Section 6.02
Death
. Subject to such terms and conditions as the Committee in its sole
discretion may impose, upon the death of a Participant, no further amounts shall be credited to the
Participants Stock Purchase Account. Thereafter, on the last business day of the Purchase Period
during which such Participants death occurred and in accordance with Section 5.01 of the Plan, the
entire credit balance in such Participants Stock Purchase Account will be used to purchase Common
Stock, unless such Participants estate has filed with the Company, in advance of that day and
subject to such terms and conditions as the Committee in its sole discretion may impose, a form
provided by the Company which elects to have the entire credit balance in such Participants Stock
Account distributed in cash within 30 days after the end of that Purchase Period or at such earlier
time as the Committee in its sole discretion may decide. Each Participant, however, may designate
one or more beneficiaries who, upon death, are to receive the Common Stock or the amount that
otherwise would have been distributed or paid to the Participants estate and may change or revoke
any such designation from time to time. No such designation, change or revocation will be
effective unless made by the Participant in writing and filed with the Company during the
Participants lifetime. Unless the Participant has otherwise specified the beneficiary
designation, the beneficiary or beneficiaries so designated will become fixed as of the date of the
death of the Participant so that, if a beneficiary survives the Participant but dies before the
receipt of the payment due such beneficiary, the payment will be made to such beneficiarys estate.
Section 6.03
Termination of Employment
. Subject to such terms and conditions as the
Committee in its sole discretion may impose, upon a Participants normal or early retirement with
the consent of the Company under any pension or retirement plan of the Company or Participating
Affiliate, no further amounts shall be credited to the Participants Stock Purchase Account.
Thereafter, on the last business day of the Purchase Period during which such Participants
approved retirement occurred and in accordance with Section 5.01 of the Plan, the entire credit
balance in such Participants Stock Purchase Account will be used to purchase Common Stock, unless
such Participant has filed with the Company, in advance of that day and subject to such terms and
conditions as the Committee in its sole discretion may impose, a form provided by the Company which
elects to receive the entire credit balance in such Participants Stock Purchase Account in cash
within 30 days after the end of that Purchase Period, provided that such Participant shall have no
right to purchase Common Stock in the event that the last day of such a Purchase Period occurs more
than three months following the termination of such Participants employment with the Company or
Participating Affiliate by reason of such an approved retirement. In the event of any other
termination of employment (other than death) with the Company or a Participating Affiliate,
participation in the Plan will cease on the date the Participant ceases to be a Regular Employee
for any reason. In such event, the entire credit balance in such Participants Stock Purchase
Account will be paid to the Participant in cash within 30 days. For purposes of this Section 6.03,
a transfer of employment to any Participating Affiliate or to the Company, or a leave of absence
which has been approved by the Committee, will not be deemed a termination of employment as a
Regular Employee.
5
ARTICLE VII.
NONTRANSFERABILITY
Section 7.01
Nontransferable Right to Purchase
. The right to purchase Common Stock
hereunder may not be assigned, transferred, pledged or hypothecated (whether by operation of law or
otherwise), except as provided in Section 6.02 of the Plan, and will not be subject to execution,
attachment or similar process. Any attempted assignment, transfer, pledge, hypothecation or other
disposition or levy of attachment or similar process upon the right to purchase will be null and
void and without effect.
Section 7.02
Nontransferable Account
. Except as provided in Section 6.02 of the Plan,
the amounts credited to a Stock Purchase Account may not be assigned, transferred, pledged or
hypothecated in any way, and any attempted assignment, transfer, pledge, hypothecation or other
disposition of such amounts will be null and void and without effect.
Section 7.03
Nontransferable Shares
. Except as the Committee shall otherwise permit,
prior to the second anniversary of the beginning of any Purchase Period, the Common Stock purchased
at the end of such Purchase Period by a Participant pursuant to Section 5.01 of the Plan may not be
assigned, transferred, pledged, hypothecated or otherwise disposed of in any way other than by will
or by the laws of
descent and distribution, and any other attempted assignment, transfer, pledge, hypothecation
or other disposition of such share or shares will be null and void and without effect.
ARTICLE VIII.
COMMON STOCK ISSUANCE AND DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT
Section 8.01
Issuance of Purchased Shares
. Promptly after the last day of each
Purchase Period and subject to such terms and conditions as the Committee in its sole discretion
may impose, the Company will cause the Common Stock then purchased pursuant to Section 5.01 of the
Plan to be issued for the benefit of the Participant and held in the Plan pursuant to Section 8.03
of the Plan.
Section 8.02
Completion of Issuance
. A Participant shall have no interest in the
Common Stock purchased pursuant to Section 5.01 of the Plan until such Common Stock is issued for
the benefit of the Participant pursuant to Section 8.03 of the Plan.
Section 8.03
Form of Ownership
. The Common Stock issued under Section 8.01 of the
Plan will be held in the Plan in the name of the Participant or jointly in the name of the
Participant and another person, as the Participant may direct on a form provided by the Company,
until such time as certificates for such shares of Common Stock are delivered to or for the benefit
of the Participant pursuant to Section 8.05 of the Plan.
Section 8.04
Automatic Dividend Reinvestment
. Prior to the delivery of certificates
to or for the benefit of the Participant under Section 8.05 of the Plan, any and all cash dividends
paid on full and fractional shares of Common Stock issued under either Section 8.01 of the Plan or
this Section 8.04 shall be reinvested to acquire either new issue Common Stock or shares of Common
Stock purchased on the open market, as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion.
Purchases of Common Stock under this Section 8.04 will be (a) with respect to shares
6
newly issued
by the Company, invested on the dividend payment date, or, if that date is not a trading day, the
immediately preceding trading day, or (b) with respect to shares purchased on the open market,
normally purchased on the open market within ten business days of the dividend payment date,
depending upon market conditions. The price per share of the Common Stock issued under this
Section 8.04 shall be (x) with respect to shares newly issued by the Company, the Fair Market Value
of the Common Stock on the applicable investment date, or (y) with respect to shares purchased on
the open market, the weighted average price per share at which the Common Stock is actually
purchased on the open market for the relevant period on behalf of all participants in the Plan.
All shares of Common Stock acquired under this Section 8.04 will be held in the Plan in the same
name as the Common Stock upon which the cash dividends were paid.
Section 8.05
Delivery
. At any time following the conclusion of the nontransferability period set forth in Section
7.03 of the Plan and subject to such terms and conditions as the Committee in its sole discretion
may impose, by filing with the Company a form provided by the Company for such purpose, the
Participant may elect to have the Company cause to be delivered to or for the benefit of the
Participant a certificate for the number of whole shares and cash for any fractional share
representing the Common Stock purchased pursuant to Section 5.01 of the Plan. Subject to such
terms and conditions as the Committee in its sole discretion may impose, a Participant may at any
time elect to have the Company cause to be delivered to or for the benefit of the Participant a
certificate for the number of whole shares and cash for any fractional share representing the
Common Stock purchased pursuant to Section 8.04 of the Plan upon the reinvestment of dividends by
filing with the Company a form provided by the Company for such purpose. An election notice will
be processed as soon as practicable after receipt. A certificate for whole shares normally will be
mailed to the Participant within five business days after receipt of the election notice; provided,
however, that if the notice is received between a dividend record date and a dividend payment date,
a certificate will generally not be sent out until the declared dividends have been reinvested
pursuant to Section 8.04 of the Plan. Any fractional share normally will be sold on the first
trading day of each month and a check for the fractional share sent to the Participant promptly
thereafter.
ARTICLE IX.
EFFECTIVE DATE, AMENDMENT AND
TERMINATION OF PLAN
Section 9.01
Effective Date
. The Plan was approved by the Board of Directors on
December 14, 1998, subject to approval by the shareholders of the Company within twelve (12) months
thereafter.
Section 9.02
Plan Commencement
. The initial Purchase Period under the Plan will
commence May 1, 1999. Thereafter, each succeeding Purchase Period will commence and terminate in
accordance with Section 1.03(l) of the Plan.
Section 9.03
Powers of Board
. The Board of Directors may amend or discontinue the
Plan at any time. No amendment or discontinuation of the Plan, however, shall be made without
shareholder approval that requires shareholder approval under any rules or regulations of the
NASDAQ National Market System or any securities exchange that are applicable to the Company.
7
Section 9.04
Automatic Termination
. The Plan shall automatically terminate when all
of the shares of Common Stock provided for in Section 10.04 of the Plan have been sold, provided
that such termination shall in no way affect the terms of the Plan pertaining to any Common Stock
then held under the Plan.
ARTICLE X.
ADMINISTRATION
Section 10.01
The Committee
. The Plan shall be administered by a committee (the
Committee) established by the Board of Directors. The members of the Committee need not be
directors of the Company and shall be appointed by and serve at the pleasure of the Board of
Directors.
Section 10.02
Powers of Committee
. Subject to the provisions of the Plan, the
Committee shall have full authority to administer the Plan, including authority to interpret and
construe any provision of the Plan, to establish deadlines by which the various administrative
forms must be received in order to be effective, and to adopt such other rules and regulations for
administering the Plan as it may deem appropriate. The Committee shall have full and complete
authority to determine whether all or any part of the Common Stock acquired pursuant to the Plan
shall be subject to restrictions on the transferability thereof or any other restrictions affecting
in any manner a Participants rights with respect thereto but any such restrictions shall be
contained in the form by which a Participant elects to participate in the Plan pursuant to Section
2.02 of the Plan. Decisions of the Committee will be final and binding on all parties who have an
interest in the Plan.
Section 10.03
Power and Authority of the Board of Directors
. Notwithstanding anything
to the contrary contained herein, the Board of Directors may, at any time and from time to time,
without any further action of the Committee, exercise the powers and duties of the Committee under
the Plan.
Section 10.04
Stock to be Sold
. The Common Stock to be issued and sold under the Plan
may be authorized but unissued shares or shares acquired in the open market or otherwise. Except
as provided in Section 11.01 of the Plan, the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock to be sold
under the Plan will not exceed 900,000 shares.
Section 10.05
Notices
. Notices to the Committee should be addressed as follows:
Otter Tail Corporation
215 South Cascade Street, Box 496
Fergus Falls, MN 56538-0496
Attn: Secretary
8
ARTICLE XI.
ADJUSTMENT FOR CHANGES
IN STOCK OR COMPANY
Section 11.01
Stock Dividend or Reclassification
. If the outstanding shares of Common
Stock are increased, decreased, changed into or exchanged for a different number or kind of
securities of the Company, or shares of a different par value or without par value, through
reorganization, recapitalization, reclassification, stock dividend, stock split, amendment to the
Companys Articles of Incorporation, reverse stock split or otherwise, an appropriate adjustment
shall be made in the maximum numbers and kind of securities to be purchased under the Plan with a
corresponding adjustment in the purchase price to be paid therefor.
Section 11.02
Merger or Consolidation
. If the Company is merged into or consolidated
with one or more corporations during the term of the Plan, appropriate adjustments will be made to
give effect thereto on an equitable basis in terms of issuance of shares of the corporation
surviving the merger or of the consolidated corporation, as the case may be.
ARTICLE XII.
APPLICABLE LAW
Rights to purchase Common Stock granted under the Plan shall be construed and shall take
effect in accordance with the laws of the State of Minnesota.
9
Exhibit 10.4
OTTER TAIL POWER COMPANY
1999 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN
AS AMENDED (2006)
Section 1. Purpose
.
The purpose of the Plan is to promote the interests of the Company and its shareholders by
aiding the Company in attracting and retaining employees, officers, consultants, independent
contractors and non-employee directors capable of assuring the future success of the Company, to
offer such persons incentives to put forth maximum efforts for the success of the Companys
business and to afford such persons an opportunity to acquire a proprietary interest in the
Company.
Section 2. Definitions
.
As used in the Plan, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth below:
(a) Affiliate shall mean (i) any entity that, directly or indirectly through one or more
intermediaries, is controlled by the Company and (ii) any entity in which the Company has a
significant equity interest, in each case as determined by the Committee.
(b) Award shall mean any Option, Stock Appreciation Right, Restricted Stock, Restricted
Stock Unit, Performance Award, Other Stock Grant or Other Stock-Based Award granted under the Plan.
(c) Award Agreement shall mean any written agreement, contract or other instrument or
document evidencing any Award granted under the Plan.
(d) Board shall mean the Board of Directors of the Company.
(e) Code shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time, and any
regulations promulgated thereunder.
(f) Committee shall mean a committee of Directors designated by the Board to administer the
Plan. The Committee shall be comprised of not less than such number of Directors as shall be
required to permit Awards granted under the Plan to qualify under Rule 16b-3, and each member of
the Committee shall be a Non-Employee Director within the meaning of Rule 16b-3 and an outside
director within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code. The Company expects to have the Plan
administered in accordance with the requirements for the award of qualified performance-based
compensation within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code.
(g) Company shall mean Otter Tail Power Company, a Minnesota corporation, and any successor
corporation.
(h) Director shall mean a member of the Board.
(i) Eligible Person shall mean any employee, officer, consultant, independent contractor or
Director providing services to the Company or any Affiliate whom the Committee determines to be an
Eligible Person.
(j) Fair Market Value shall mean, with respect to any property (including, without
limitation, any Shares or other securities), the fair market value of such property determined by
such methods or procedures as shall be established from time to time by the Committee.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, unless otherwise determined by the Committee, the Fair Market Value
of Shares as of a given date shall be, if the Shares are then quoted on the NASDAQ National Market
System, the average of the high and low sales price as reported on the NASDAQ National Market
System on such date or, if the NASDAQ National Market System is not open for trading on such date,
on the most recent preceding date when it is open for trading.
(k) Incentive Stock Option shall mean an option granted under Section 6(a) of the Plan that
is intended to meet the requirements of Section 422 of the Code or any successor provision.
(l) Non-Qualified Stock Option shall mean an option granted under Section 6(a) of the Plan
that is not intended to be an Incentive Stock Option.
(m) Option shall mean an Incentive Stock Option or a Non-Qualified Stock Option.
(n) Other Stock Grant shall mean any right granted under Section 6(e) of the Plan.
(o) Other Stock-Based Award shall mean any right granted under Section 6(f) of the Plan.
(p) Participant shall mean an Eligible Person designated to be granted an Award under the
Plan.
(q) Performance Award shall mean any right granted under Section 6(d) of the Plan.
(r) Person shall mean any individual, corporation, partnership, association or trust.
(s) Plan shall mean the Otter Tail Power Company 1999 Stock Incentive Plan, as amended from
time to time, the provisions of which are set forth herein.
(t) Restricted Stock shall mean any Shares granted under Section 6(c) of the Plan.
(u) Restricted Stock Unit shall mean any unit granted under Section 6(c) of the Plan
evidencing the right to receive a Share (or a cash payment equal to the Fair Market Value of a
Share) at some future date.
(v) Rule 16b-3 shall mean Rule 16b-3 promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission
under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or any successor rule or regulation.
(w) Shares shall mean shares of Common Stock, $5 par value per share, of the Company or such
other securities or property as may become subject to Awards pursuant to an adjustment made under
Section 4(c) of the Plan.
(x) Stock Appreciation Right shall mean any right granted under Section 6(b) of the Plan.
Section 3. Administration
.
(a)
Power and Authority of the Committee
. The Plan shall be administered by the
Committee. Subject to the express provisions of the Plan and to applicable law, the Committee
shall have full power and authority to: (i) designate Participants; (ii) determine the type or
types of Awards to be granted to each Participant under the Plan; (iii) determine the number of
Shares to be covered by (or with respect to which payments, rights or other matters are to be
calculated in connection with) each Award; (iv) determine the terms and conditions of any Award or
Award Agreement; (v) amend the terms and conditions of any Award or Award Agreement and accelerate
the exercisability of Options or the lapse of restrictions relating to Restricted Stock, Restricted
Stock Units or other Awards; (vi) determine whether, to what extent and under what circumstances
Awards may be exercised in cash, Shares, other securities, other Awards or other property, or
canceled, forfeited or suspended; (vii) determine whether, to what extent and under what
circumstances cash, Shares, promissory notes, other securities, other Awards, other property and
other amounts payable with respect to an Award under the Plan shall be deferred either
automatically or at the election of the holder thereof or the Committee; (viii) interpret and
administer the Plan and any instrument or agreement, including an Award Agreement, relating to the
Plan; (ix) establish, amend, suspend or waive such rules and regulations and appoint such agents as
it shall deem appropriate for the proper administration of the Plan; and (x) make any other
determination and take any other action that the Committee deems necessary or desirable for the
administration of the Plan. Unless otherwise expressly provided in the Plan, all designations,
determinations, interpretations and other decisions under or with respect to the Plan or any Award
shall be within the sole discretion of the Committee, may be made at any time and shall be final,
conclusive and binding upon any Participant, any holder or beneficiary of any Award and any
employee of the Company or any Affiliate.
-3-
(b)
Delegation
. The Committee may delegate its powers and duties under the Plan to
one or more Directors or a committee of Directors, subject to such terms, conditions and
limitations as the Committee may establish in its sole discretion.
(c)
Power and Authority of the Board of Directors
. Notwithstanding anything to the
contrary contained herein, the Board may, at any time and from time to time, without any further
action of the Committee, exercise the powers and duties of the Committee under the Plan.
Section 4. Shares Available for Awards
.
(a)
Shares Available
. Subject to adjustment as provided in Section 4(c) of the Plan,
the aggregate number of Shares that may be issued under all Awards under the Plan shall be
3,600,000. Shares to be issued under the Plan may be either authorized but unissued Shares or
Shares acquired in the open market or otherwise. Any Shares that are used by a Participant as full
or partial payment to the Company of the purchase price relating to an Award, or in connection with
the satisfaction of tax obligations relating to an Award, shall again be available for granting
Awards (other than Incentive Stock Options) under the Plan. In addition, if any Shares covered by
an Award or to which an Award relates are not purchased or are forfeited, or if an Award otherwise
terminates without delivery of any Shares, then the number of Shares counted against the aggregate
number of Shares available under the Plan with respect to such Award, to the extent of any such
forfeiture or termination, shall again be available for granting Awards under the Plan.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the number of Shares available for granting Incentive Stock Options
under the Plan shall not exceed 1,300,000, subject to adjustment as provided in the Plan and
subject to the provisions of Section 422 or 424 of the Code or any successor provision.
(b)
Accounting for Awards
. For purposes of this Section 4, if an Award entitles the
holder thereof to receive or purchase Shares, the number of Shares covered by such Award or to
which such Award relates shall be counted on the date of grant of such Award against the aggregate
number of Shares available for granting Awards under the Plan.
(c)
Adjustments
. In the event that the Committee shall determine that any dividend or
other distribution (whether in the form of cash, Shares, other securities or other property),
recapitalization, stock split, reverse stock split, reorganization, merger, consolidation,
split-up, spin-off, combination, repurchase or exchange of Shares or other securities of the
Company, issuance of warrants or other rights to purchase Shares or other securities of the Company
or other similar corporate transaction or event affects the Shares such that an adjustment is
determined by the Committee to be appropriate in order to prevent dilution or enlargement of the
benefits or potential benefits intended to be made available under the Plan, then the Committee
shall, in such manner as it may deem equitable, adjust any or all of (i) the number and type of
Shares (or other securities or other property) that thereafter may be made the subject of Awards,
(ii) the number and type of Shares (or other securities or other property) subject to outstanding
Awards and (iii) the purchase or exercise price with respect to any Award;
provided
,
however
, that the number of Shares covered by any Award or to which such Award relates
shall always be a whole number.
-4-
(d)
Award Limitations Under the Plan
. No Eligible Person may be granted any Award or
Awards under the Plan, the value of which Award or Awards is based solely on an increase in the
value of the Shares after the date of grant of such Award or Awards, for more than 50,000 Shares
(subject to adjustment as provided for in Section 4(c) of the Plan), in the aggregate in any
calendar year. The foregoing annual limitation specifically includes the grant of any Award or
Awards representing qualified performance-based compensation within the meaning of Section 162(m)
of the Code.
Section 5. Eligibility
.
Any Eligible Person shall be eligible to be designated a Participant. In determining which
Eligible Persons shall receive an Award and the terms of any Award, the Committee may take into
account the nature of the services rendered by the respective Eligible Persons, their present and
potential contributions to the success of the Company or such other factors as the Committee, in
its discretion, shall deem relevant. Notwithstanding the foregoing, an Incentive Stock Option may
only be granted to full or part-time employees (which term as used herein includes, without
limitation, officers and Directors who are also employees), and an Incentive Stock Option shall not
be granted to an employee of an Affiliate unless such Affiliate is also a subsidiary corporation
of the Company within the meaning of Section 424(f) of the Code or any successor provision.
Section 6. Awards
.
(a)
Options
. The Committee is hereby authorized to grant Options to Participants with
the following terms and conditions and with such additional terms and conditions not inconsistent
with the provisions of the Plan as the Committee shall determine:
(i)
Exercise Price
. The purchase price per Share purchasable under an Option shall be
determined by the Committee;
provided
,
however
, that such purchase price shall not
be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date of grant of such Option; and
further
provided
, that, except as otherwise provided in Section 4(c) hereof, the
Committee shall not reprice, adjust or amend the exercise price of any Option previously awarded to
any participant, whether through amendment, cancellation and replacement grant, or any other means,
without obtaining shareholder approval.
(ii)
Option Term
. The term of each Option shall be fixed by the Committee, but shall
not be longer than 10 years from the date of gran
t
.
(iii)
Time and Method of Exercise
. The Committee shall determine the time or times at
which an Option may be exercised in whole or in part and the method or methods by which, and the
form or forms (including, without limitation, cash, Shares, promissory notes, other securities,
other Awards or other property, or any combination thereof, having a Fair Market Value on the
exercise date equal to the relevant exercise price) in which, payment of the exercise price with
respect thereto may be made or deemed to have been made.
-5-
(b)
Stock Appreciation Rights
. The Committee is hereby authorized to grant Stock
Appreciation Rights to Participants subject to the terms of the Plan and any applicable Award
Agreement. A Stock Appreciation Right granted under the Plan shall confer on the holder thereof a
right to receive upon exercise thereof the excess of (i) the Fair Market Value of one Share on the
date of exercise (or, if the Committee shall so determine, at any time during a specified period
before or after the date of exercise) over (ii) the grant price of the Stock Appreciation Right as
specified by the Committee, which price shall not be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of one
Share on the date of grant of the Stock Appreciation Right. Subject to the terms of the Plan and
any applicable Award Agreement, the grant price, term, methods of exercise, dates of exercise,
methods of settlement and any other terms and conditions of any Stock Appreciation Right shall be
as determined by the Committee. The Committee may impose such conditions or restrictions on the
exercise of any Stock Appreciation Right as it may deem appropriate.
(c)
Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units
. The Committee is hereby authorized
to grant Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units to Participants with the following terms and
conditions and with such additional terms and conditions not inconsistent with the provisions of
the Plan as the Committee shall determine:
(i)
Restrictions
. Shares of Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units shall be
subject to such restrictions as the Committee may impose (including, without limitation, a waiver
by the Participant of the right to vote or to receive any dividend or other right or property with
respect thereto), which restrictions may lapse separately or in combination at such time or times,
in such installments or otherwise as the Committee may deem appropriate.
(ii)
Stock Certificates
. Any Restricted Stock granted under the Plan shall be
registered in the name of the Participant and shall bear an appropriate legend referring to the
terms, conditions and restrictions applicable to such Restricted Stock. In the case of Restricted
Stock Units, no Shares shall be issued at the time such Awards are granted.
(iii)
Forfeiture
. Except as otherwise determined by the Committee, upon termination
of employment (as determined under criteria established by the Committee) during the applicable
restriction period, all Shares of Restricted Stock and all Restricted Stock Units at such time
subject to restriction shall be forfeited and reacquired by the Company;
provided
,
however
, that the Committee may, when it finds that a waiver would be in the best interest
of the Company, waive in whole or in part any or all remaining restrictions with respect to Shares
of Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Units. Upon the lapse or waiver of restrictions and the
restricted period relating to Restricted Stock Units evidencing the right to receive Shares, such
Shares shall be issued and delivered to the holders of the Restricted Stock Units.
(d)
Performance Awards
. The Committee is hereby authorized to grant Performance
Awards to Participants subject to the terms of the Plan and any applicable Award Agreement. A
Performance Award granted under the Plan (i) may be denominated or payable in cash, Shares
(including, without limitation, Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units), other securities,
other Awards or other property and (ii) shall confer on the holder thereof the right to receive
payments, in whole or in part, upon the achievement of such performance goals during such
performance periods as the Committee shall establish. Subject to the terms of the Plan and
-6-
any applicable Award Agreement, the performance goals to be achieved during any performance period,
the length of any performance period, the amount of any Performance Award granted, the amount of
any payment or transfer to be made pursuant to any Performance Award and any other terms and
conditions of any Performance Award shall be determined by the Committee.
(e)
Other Stock Grants
. The Committee is hereby authorized, subject to the terms of
the Plan and any applicable Award Agreement, to grant to Participants Shares without restrictions
thereon as are deemed by the Committee to be consistent with the purpose of the Plan.
(f)
Other Stock-Based Awards
. The Committee is hereby authorized to grant to
Participants subject to the terms of the Plan and any applicable Award Agreement, such other Awards
that are denominated or payable in, valued in whole or in part by reference to, or otherwise based
on or related to, Shares (including, without limitation, securities convertible into Shares), as
are deemed by the Committee to be consistent with the purpose of the Plan. Shares or other
securities delivered pursuant to a purchase right granted under this Section 6(f) shall be
purchased for such consideration, which may be paid by such method or methods and in such form or
forms (including, without limitation, cash, Shares, promissory notes, other securities, other
Awards or other property or any combination thereof), as the Committee shall determine, the value
of which consideration, as established by the Committee, shall not be less than 100% of the Fair
Market Value of such Shares or other securities as of the date such purchase right is granted.
(g)
General
.
(i)
No Cash Consideration for Awards
. Awards shall be granted for no cash
consideration or for such minimal cash consideration as may be required by applicable law.
(ii)
Awards May Be Granted Separately or Together
. Awards may, in the discretion of
the Committee, be granted either alone or in addition to, in tandem with or in substitution for any
other Award or any award granted under any plan of the Company or any Affiliate other than the
Plan. Awards granted in addition to or in tandem with other Awards or in addition to or in tandem
with awards granted under any such other plan of the Company or any Affiliate may be granted either
at the same time as or at a different time from the grant of such other Awards or awards.
(iii)
Forms of Payment under Awards
. Subject to the terms of the Plan and of any
applicable Award Agreement, payments or transfers to be made by the Company or an Affiliate upon
the grant, exercise or payment of an Award may be made in such form or forms as the Committee shall
determine (including, without limitation, cash, Shares, promissory notes, other securities, other
Awards or other property or any combination thereof), and may be made in a single payment or
transfer, in installments or on a deferred basis, in each case in accordance with rules and
procedures established by the Committee. Such rules and procedures may include, without
limitation, provisions for the payment or crediting of reasonable interest on installment or
deferred payments or the grant or crediting of dividend equivalents with respect to installment or
deferred payments.
-7-
(iv)
Limits on Transfer of Awards
. No Award (other than Other Stock Grants) and no
right under any such Award shall be transferable by a Participant otherwise than by will or by the
laws of descent and distribution;
provided
,
however
, that, if so determined by the
Committee, a Participant may, in the manner established by the Committee, transfer Options (other
than Incentive Stock Options) or designate a beneficiary or beneficiaries to exercise the rights of
the Participant and receive any property distributable with respect to any Award upon the death of
the Participant. Each Award or right under any Award shall be exercisable during the Participants
lifetime only by the Participant or, if permissible under applicable law, by the Participants
guardian or legal representative. No Award or right under any such Award may be pledged,
alienated, attached or otherwise encumbered, and any purported pledge, alienation, attachment or
encumbrance thereof shall be void and unenforceable against the Company or any Affiliate.
(v)
Term of Awards
. The term of each Award shall be for such period as may be
determined by the Committee, but the term of any Option shall not be longer than 10 years from the
date of grant.
(vi)
Restrictions; Securities Exchange Listing
. All Shares or other securities
delivered under the Plan pursuant to any Award or the exercise thereof shall be subject to such
restrictions as the Committee may deem advisable under the Plan, applicable federal or state
securities laws and regulatory requirements, and the Committee may cause appropriate entries to be
made or legends to be affixed to reflect such restrictions. If any securities of the Company are
traded on a securities exchange, the Company shall not be required to deliver any Shares or other
securities covered by an Award unless and until such Shares or other securities have been admitted
for trading on such securities exchange.
Section 7. Amendment and Termination; Adjustments
.
(a)
Amendments to the Plan
. The Board may amend, alter, suspend, discontinue or
terminate the Plan at any time; provided, however, that, notwithstanding any other provision of the
Plan or any Award Agreement, without the approval of the shareholders of the Company, no such
amendment, alteration, suspension, discontinuation or termination shall be made that, absent such
approval:
(i) would violate the rules or regulations of the NASDAQ National Market System or any
securities exchange that are applicable to the Company; or
(ii) would cause the Company to be unable, under the Code, to grant Incentive Stock Options
under the Plan.
(b)
Amendments to Awards
. The Committee may waive any conditions of or rights of the
Company under any outstanding Award, prospectively or retroactively. Except as otherwise provided
herein or in the Award Agreement, the Committee may not amend, alter, suspend, discontinue or
terminate any outstanding Award, prospectively or retroactively, if such action would adversely
affect the rights of the holder of such Award, without the consent of the Participant or holder or
beneficiary thereof.
-8-
(c)
Correction of Defects, Omissions and Inconsistencies
. The Committee may correct
any defect, supply any omission or reconcile any inconsistency in the Plan or any Award in the
manner and to the extent it shall deem desirable to carry the Plan into effect.
Section 8. Income Tax Withholding; Tax Bonuses
.
(a)
Withholding
. In order to comply with all applicable federal or state income tax
laws or regulations, the Company may take such action as it deems appropriate to ensure that all
applicable federal or state payroll, withholding, income or other taxes, which are the sole and
absolute responsibility of a Participant, are withheld or collected from such Participant. In
order to assist a Participant in paying all or a portion of the federal and state taxes to be
withheld or collected upon exercise or receipt of (or the lapse of restrictions relating to) an
Award, the Committee, in its discretion and subject to such additional terms and conditions as it
may adopt, may permit the Participant to satisfy such tax obligation by (i) electing to have the
Company withhold a portion of the Shares otherwise to be delivered upon exercise or receipt of (or
the lapse of restrictions relating to) such Award with a Fair Market Value equal to the amount of
such taxes or (ii) delivering to the Company Shares other than Shares issuable upon exercise or
receipt of (or the lapse of restrictions relating to) such Award with a Fair Market Value equal to
the amount of such taxes. The election, if any, must be made on or before the date that the amount
of tax to be withheld is determined.
(b)
Tax Bonuses
. The Committee, in its discretion, shall have the authority, at the
time of grant of any Award under this Plan or at any time thereafter, to approve cash bonuses to
designated Participants to be paid upon their exercise or receipt of (or the lapse of restrictions
relating to) Awards in order to provide funds to pay all or a portion of federal and state taxes
due as a result of such exercise or receipt (or the lapse of such restrictions). The Committee
shall have full authority in its discretion to determine the amount of any such tax bonus.
Section 9. General Provisions
.
(a)
No Rights to Awards
. No Eligible Person, Participant or other Person shall have
any claim to be granted any Award under the Plan, and there is no obligation for uniformity of
treatment of Eligible Persons, Participants or holders or beneficiaries of Awards under the Plan.
The terms and conditions of Awards need not be the same with respect to any Participant or with
respect to different Participants.
(b)
Award Agreements
. No Participant will have rights under an Award granted to such
Participant unless and until an Award Agreement shall have been duly executed on behalf of the
Company and, if requested by the Company, signed by the Participant.
(c)
No Limit on Other Compensation Arrangements
. Nothing contained in the Plan shall
prevent the Company or any Affiliate from adopting or continuing in effect other or additional
compensation arrangements, and such arrangements may be either generally applicable or applicable
only in specific cases.
-9-
(d)
No Right to Employment
. The grant of an Award shall not be construed as giving a
Participant the right to be retained in the employ of the Company or any Affiliate, nor will it
affect in any way the right of the Company or an Affiliate to terminate such employment at any
time, with or without cause. In addition, the Company or an Affiliate may at any time dismiss a
Participant from employment free from any liability or any claim under the Plan or any Award,
unless otherwise expressly provided in the Plan or in any Award Agreement.
(e)
Governing Law
. The validity, construction and effect of the Plan or any Award,
and any rules and regulations relating to the Plan or any Award, shall be determined in accordance
with the laws of the State of Minnesota.
(f)
Severability
. If any provision of the Plan or any Award is or becomes or is
deemed to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction or would disqualify the Plan or
any Award under any law deemed applicable by the Committee, such provision shall be construed or
deemed amended to conform to applicable laws, or if it cannot be so construed or deemed amended
without, in the determination of the Committee, materially altering the purpose or intent of the
Plan or the Award, such provision shall be stricken as to such jurisdiction or Award, and the
remainder of the Plan or any such Award shall remain in full force and effect.
(g)
No Trust or Fund Created
. Neither the Plan nor any Award shall create or be
construed to create a trust or separate fund of any kind or a fiduciary relationship between the
Company or any Affiliate and a Participant or any other Person. To the extent that any Person
acquires a right to receive payments from the Company or any Affiliate pursuant to an Award, such
right shall be no greater than the right of any unsecured general creditor of the Company or any
Affiliate.
(h)
No Fractional Shares
. No fractional Shares shall be issued or delivered pursuant
to the Plan or any Award, and the Committee shall determine whether cash shall be paid in lieu of
any fractional Shares or whether such fractional Shares or any rights thereto shall be canceled,
terminated or otherwise eliminated.
(i)
Headings
. Headings are given to the Sections and subsections of the Plan solely
as a convenience to facilitate reference. Such headings shall not be deemed in any way material or
relevant to the construction or interpretation of the Plan or any provision thereof.
Section 10. Effective Date of the Plan
.
The Plan was approved by the Board on December 14, 1998, subject to approval by the
shareholders of the Company within twelve (12) months thereafter. Any Award granted under the Plan
prior to shareholder approval of the Plan shall be subject to shareholder approval of the Plan.
-10-
Section 11. Term of the Plan
.
No Award shall be granted under the Plan after December 13, 2013 or any earlier date of
discontinuation or termination established pursuant to Section 7(a) of the Plan. However, unless
otherwise expressly provided in the Plan or in an applicable Award Agreement, any Award theretofore
granted may extend beyond such date.
-11-