Table of Contents

2003


UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 


 

FORM 10-Q

 

x Quarterly Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2003

 

¨ Transition Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

for the transition period from                  to                 

 

Commission file number 1-14105

 


 

AVALON HOLDINGS CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Ohio   34-1863889

(State or other jurisdiction

of incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

One American Way, Warren, Ohio   44484-5555
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (330) 856-8800

 


 

Indicate by a check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes   x      No   ¨

 

The registrant had 3,185,240 shares of its Class A Common Stock and 618,091 shares of its Class B Common Stock outstanding as of November 7, 2003.

 



Table of Contents

AVALON HOLDINGS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

INDEX

 

             Page

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION     
    Item 1.   Financial Statements    3
    Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2003 and 2002 (Unaudited)    3
    Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at September 30, 2003 (Unaudited) and December 31, 2002    4
    Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2003 and 2002 (Unaudited)    5
    Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)    6
    Item 2.   Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations    13
    Item 4.   Controls and Procedures    20
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION     
    Item 1.   Legal Proceedings    21
    Item 2.   Changes in Securities and Use of Proceeds    21
    Item 3.   Defaults upon Senior Securities    21
    Item 4.   Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders    21
    Item 5.   Other Information    21
    Item 6.   Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K    21
SIGNATURE    22

 

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Table of Contents

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

AVALON HOLDINGS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited)

(in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

    

Three Months Ended

September 30,


   

Nine Months Ended

September 30,


 
     2003

    2002

    2003

    2002

 

Net operating revenues

   $ 15,728     $ 19,116     $ 46,056     $ 51,085  

Costs and expenses:

                                

Costs of operations

     13,714       16,538       40,889       46,184  

Selling, general and administrative expenses

     2,207       4,308       7,003       8,785  
    


 


 


 


Operating loss from continuing operations

     (193 )     (1,730 )     (1,836 )     (3,884 )

Other income:

                                

Interest income

     49       57       164       201  

Other income, net

     96       100       258       341  
    


 


 


 


Loss from continuing operations before income taxes

     (48 )     (1,573 )     (1,414 )     (3,342 )

Provision (benefit) for income taxes

     —         —         —         —    
    


 


 


 


Loss from continuing operations

     (48 )     (1,573 )     (1,414 )     (3,342 )

Discontinued operations:

                                

Loss from discontinued operations before income taxes

     —         (63 )     —         (760 )

Provision (benefit) for income taxes

     —         —         —         —    
    


 


 


 


Loss from discontinued operations

     —         (63 )     —         (760 )

Net loss

   $ (48 )   $ (1,636 )   $ (1,414 )   $ (4,102 )
    


 


 


 


Net loss per share from continuing operations

   $ (.01 )   $ (.41 )   $ (.37 )   $ (.88 )
    


 


 


 


Net loss per share from discontinued operations

   $ —       $ (.02 )   $ —       $ (.20 )
    


 


 


 


Net loss per share (Note 2)

   $ (.01 )   $ (.43 )   $ (.37 )   $ (1.08 )
    


 


 


 


Weighted average shares outstanding (Note 2)

     3,803       3,803       3,803       3,803  
    


 


 


 


 

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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AVALON HOLDINGS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

(in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

    

September 30,

2003


   

December 31,

2002


 
     (Unaudited)        

Assets

                

Current assets:

                

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 3,854     $ 2,595  

Short-term investments

     3,919       5,965  

Accounts receivable, net

     10,198       11,776  

Prepaid expenses

     2,436       1,781  

Other current assets

     529       549  
    


 


Total current assets

     20,936       22,666  

Noncurrent investments

     2,013       —    

Properties and equipment, less accumulated depreciation and amortization of $18,460 in 2003 and $17,050 in 2002

     26,701       28,303  

Costs in excess of fair market value of net assets of acquired businesses, net

     538       538  

Other assets, net

     138       139  
    


 


Total assets

   $ 50,326     $ 51,646  
    


 


Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity

                

Current liabilities:

                

Accounts payable

   $ 6,297     $ 5,852  

Accrued payroll and other compensation

     895       827  

Accrued income taxes

     280       236  

Other accrued taxes

     432       541  

Other liabilities and accrued expenses

     1,255       1,425  
    


 


Total current liabilities

     9,159       8,881  

Other noncurrent liabilities

     11       131  

Shareholders’ equity :

                

Class A Common Stock, $.01 par value

     32       32  

Class B Common Stock, $.01 par value

     6       6  

Paid-in capital

     58,096       58,096  

Accumulated deficit

     (16,988 )     (15,574 )

Accumulated other comprehensive income

     10       74  
    


 


Total shareholders’ equity

     41,156       42,634  
    


 


Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

   $ 50,326     $ 51,646  
    


 


 

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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AVALON HOLDINGS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)

(in thousands)

 

    

Nine Months Ended

September 30,


 
     2003

    2002

 

Operating activities:

                

Loss from continuing operations

   $ (1,414 )   $ (3,342 )

Reconciliation of loss from continuing operations to cash provided by operating activities:

                

Depreciation and amortization

     1,793       1,835  

Amortization of investments

     48       86  

Provision for losses on accounts receivable

     611       2,208  

Gain from disposal of property and equipment

     (69 )     (40 )

Gain on investments

     —         (2 )

Change in operating assets and liabilities:

                

Accounts receivable

     967       (2,693 )

Prepaid expenses

     (655 )     (1,008 )

Other current assets

     20       (34 )

Other assets

     1       1  

Accounts payable

     445       1,202  

Accrued payroll and other compensation

     68       139  

Accrued income taxes

     44       (24 )

Other accrued taxes

     (109 )     (81 )

Other liabilities and accrued expenses

     (170 )     (64 )

Other noncurrent liabilities

     (120 )     11  
    


 


Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities from continuing operations

     1,460       (1,806 )

Net cash used in operating activities from discontinued operations

     —         (171 )
    


 


Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

     1,460       (1,977 )
    


 


Investing activities:

                

Sale of available-for-sale investments

     —         808  

Purchase of available-for-sale investments

     (2,014 )     —    

Maturities of available-for-sale investments

     1,935       —    

Sales of held-to-maturity investments

     —         712  

Capital expenditures

     (231 )     (2,829 )

Proceeds from disposal of property and equipment

     109       51  
    


 


Net cash used in investing activities from continuing operations

     (201 )     (1,258 )

Net cash provided by investing activities from discontinued operations

     —         478  
    


 


Net cash used in investing activities

     (201 )     (780 )
    


 


Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

     1,259       (2,757 )

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year

     2,595       4,807  
    


 


Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

   $ 3,854     $ 2,050  
    


 


 

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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AVALON HOLDINGS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

September 30, 2003

 

Note 1. Basis of Presentation

 

The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of Avalon Holdings Corporation and subsidiaries (collectively “Avalon”) and related notes included herein have been prepared in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Accordingly, certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles have been omitted consistent with such rules and regulations. The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and related notes should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and related notes included in Avalon’s 2002 Annual Report to Shareholders.

 

In the opinion of management, these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position of Avalon as of September 30, 2003, and the results of its operations and cash flows for the interim periods presented.

 

The operating results for the interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year.

 

Note 2. Basic Net Income (Loss) Per Share

 

Basic net income (loss) per share has been computed using the weighted average number of common shares outstanding each period, which was 3,803,331. There were no common equivalent shares outstanding and therefore diluted per share amounts are equal to basic per share amounts for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2003 and 2002.

 

Note 3. Investment Securities

 

Avalon held available-for-sale securities of $5,932,000 at September 30, 2003 and $5,965,000 at December 31, 2002, which are included in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets under the captions “Short-term investments” and “Noncurrent investments”. As a result of the classification of these securities as available-for-sale, Avalon has recognized unrealized losses, net of applicable income taxes, of $19,000 during the three month period ended September 30, 2003 and $64,000 during the nine month period ended September 30, 2003 as a component of other comprehensive income. Accumulated other comprehensive income was $10,000 at September 30, 2003.

 

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Information regarding investment securities consists of the following (in thousands):

 

     September 30, 2003

   December 31, 2002

    

Amortized

Cost


  

Gross

Unrealized

Gains


  

Estimated

Fair

Value


  

Amortized

Cost


  

Gross

Unrealized

Gains


  

Estimated

Fair
Value


Available-for-Sale:

                                         

U.S. Treasury Notes

   $ 5,922    $ 10    $ 5,932    $ 5,891    $ 74    $ 5,965

 

The amortized cost and estimated fair value of available-for-sale investments at September 30, 2003, by contractual maturity, consist of the following (in thousands):

 

     Available-for-Sale

    

Amortized

Cost


  

Estimated

Fair Value


Due in one year or less

   $ 3,909    $ 3,919

Due after one year through five years

     2,013      2,013
    

  

Total

   $ 5,922    $ 5,932
    

  

 

Note 4. Comprehensive Income (Loss)

 

Comprehensive income (loss) is comprised of two components: net income (loss) and other comprehensive income (loss). Comprehensive income (loss) is the change in equity during a period from transactions and other events and circumstances from non-owner sources. The unrealized gains and losses, net of applicable taxes, related to available-for-sale securities is the only component of “Accumulated other comprehensive income” in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets for Avalon. Comprehensive income (loss), net of related tax effects, is as follows (in thousands):

 

    

Three Months

Ended

September 30,


   

Nine Months

Ended

September 30,


 
     2003

    2002

    2003

    2002

 

Net loss

   $ (48 )   $ (1,636 )   $ (1,414 )   $ (4,102 )

Unrealized gain (loss) on available-for-sale securities

     (19 )     34       (64 )     86  
    


 


 


 


Total comprehensive loss

   $ (67 )   $ (1,602 )   $ (1,478 )   $ (4,016 )
    


 


 


 


 

Note 5. Discontinued Operations

 

Recognizing that the continuing losses incurred by the analytical laboratory business would adversely impact its future financial performance, in the second quarter of 2002, management determined that it was in Avalon’s best interest to discontinue operating the analytical laboratory business. Accordingly, on May 1, 2002, Avalon sold all of the operating assets of its Export, Pennsylvania analytical laboratory business and on September 1, 2002, Avalon sold all of the operating assets of its radio-chemistry laboratory business. The results of operations of the analytical laboratory business for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2002 have been included in discontinued operations.

 

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Note 6. Legal Matters

 

In September 1995, certain subsidiaries of Avalon were informed that they had been identified as potentially responsible parties by the Indiana Department of Environmental Management with respect to a Fulton County, Indiana hazardous waste disposal facility, which facility is subject to remedial action under Indiana environmental laws. Such identification was based upon the subsidiaries having been involved in the transportation of hazardous substances to the facility. During the fourth quarter of 1999, Avalon became a party to an Agreed Order and a Participation Agreement regarding the remediation of a portion of this site. The Participation Agreement provides for, among other things, the allocation of all site remediation costs except for approximately $3 million. In April 2003, Avalon executed an Agreed Order that provides for, among other things, the allocation of remaining site remediation costs. Avalon’s total liability for such remaining costs was approximately $9,000. As a result, Avalon reduced its recorded liability by $111,000 to reflect the final resolution of this matter. Such adjustment is included under the caption “Costs of operations” in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2003.

 

In the ordinary course of conducting its business, Avalon also becomes involved in lawsuits, administrative proceedings and governmental investigations, including those related to environmental matters. Some of these proceedings may result in fines, penalties or judgments being assessed against Avalon which, from time to time, may have an impact on its business and financial condition. Although the outcome of such lawsuits or other proceedings cannot be predicted with certainty, Avalon does not believe that any uninsured ultimate liabilities, fines or penalties resulting from such pending proceedings, individually or in the aggregate, would have a material adverse effect on it.

 

Note 7. Business Segment Information.

 

In applying Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 131, “Disclosures About Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information”, Avalon considered its operating and management structure and the types of information subject to regular review by its “chief operating decision maker.” On this basis, Avalon’s reportable segments include transportation services, technical environmental services, waste disposal brokerage and management services, and golf and related operations. Avalon accounts for intersegment net operating revenues as if the transactions were with third parties. The segment disclosures are presented on this basis for all periods presented.

 

Avalon’s primary business segment provides transportation services that include transportation of hazardous and nonhazardous waste, transportation of general and bulk commodities, and transportation brokerage and management services. The technical environmental services segment provides environmental consulting, engineering, site assessments, and remediation services. It also operates and manages a captive landfill for an industrial customer. The waste disposal brokerage and management services segment provides hazardous and nonhazardous waste disposal brokerage and management services. The golf and related operations segment includes the operations of a golf course and travel agency. Avalon does not have significant operations located outside the United States and, accordingly, geographical segment information is not presented.

 

For the nine months ended September 30, 2003, one customer and its affiliates accounted for approximately 24% of the transportation services segment’s net operating revenues to external customers and approximately 11% of Avalon’s consolidated net operating revenues. For the nine months ended September 30, 2002, one customer accounted for approximately 22% of the transportation services segment’s net operating revenues to external customers and approximately 11% of Avalon’s consolidated net operating revenues.

 

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The accounting policies of the segments are consistent with those described for the consolidated financial statements in the summary of significant accounting policies. Avalon measures segment profit for internal reporting purposes as income (loss) from continuing operations before taxes. Business segment information including the reconciliation of segment income (loss) to consolidated income (loss) from continuing operations before taxes is as follows (in thousands):

 

    

Three Months Ended

September 30,


   

Nine Months Ended

September 30,


 
     2003

    2002

    2003

    2002

 

Net operating revenues from:

                                

Transportation services:

                                

External customers revenues

   $ 7,463     $ 7,780     $ 21,278     $ 24,866  

Intersegment revenues

     736       1,116       2,429       2,993  
    


 


 


 


Total transportation services

     8,199       8,896       23,707       27,859  
    


 


 


 


Technical environmental services:

                                

External customers revenues

     2,188       3,750       7,405       9,427  

Intersegment revenues

     —         —         —         —    
    


 


 


 


Total technical environmental services

     2,188       3,750       7,405       9,427  
    


 


 


 


Waste disposal brokerage and management services:

                                

External customers revenues

     4,932       6,667       15,231       15,326  

Intersegment revenues

     106       265       176       375  
    


 


 


 


Total waste disposal brokerage and management services

     5,038       6,932       15,407       15,701  
    


 


 


 


Golf and related operations:

                                

External customers revenues

     1,145       919       2,142       1,466  

Intersegment revenues

     17       31       55       65  
    


 


 


 


Total golf and related operations

     1,162       950       2,197       1,531  
    


 


 


 


Segment operating revenues

     16,587       20,528       48,716       54,518  

Intersegment eliminations

     (859 )     (1,412 )     (2,660 )     (3,433 )
    


 


 


 


Total net operating revenues

   $ 15,728     $ 19,116     $ 46,056     $ 51,085  
    


 


 


 


Income (loss) from continuing operations before taxes:

                                

Transportation services

   $ 41     $ (1,886 )   $ (119 )   $ (2,017 )

Technical environmental services

     177       471       322       356  

Waste disposal brokerage and management services

     191       487       578       756  

Golf and related operations

     367       184       250       (148 )

Other businesses

     1       —         —         (1 )
    


 


 


 


Segment income (loss) before taxes

     777       (744 )     1,031       (1,054 )

Corporate interest income

     36       48       125       164  

Corporate other income, net

     39       41       118       79  

General corporate expenses

     (900 )     (918 )     (2,688 )     (2,531 )
    


 


 


 


Loss from continuing operations before taxes

   $ (48 )   $ (1,573 )   $ (1,414 )   $ (3,342 )
    


 


 


 


 

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Business Segment Information (continued)

 

    

Three Months

Ended

September 30,


  

Nine Months

Ended

September 30,


     2003

   2002

   2003

   2002

Interest income:

                           

Transportation services

   $ 10    $ 4    $ 27    $ 15

Technical environmental services

     2      1      5      9

Waste disposal brokerage and management services

     2      3      7      11

Golf and related operations

     —        1      1      2

Corporate

     35      48      124      164
    

  

  

  

Total

   $ 49    $ 57    $ 164    $ 201
    

  

  

  

 

    

September 30,

2003


   

December 31,

2002


 

Identifiable assets:

                

Transportation services

   $ 9,920     $ 10,735  

Technical environmental services

     8,733       8,969  

Waste disposal brokerage and management services

     4,720       4,462  

Golf and related operations

     14,161       14,376  

Other businesses

     85       72  

Corporate

     28,399       28,239  
    


 


Sub Total

     66,018       66,853  

Elimination of intersegment receivables

     (15,692 )     (15,207 )
    


 


Total

   $ 50,326     $ 51,646  
    


 


 

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Note 8. Recently Issued Financial Accounting Standards

 

In January 2003, the FASB issued Interpretation No. 46, “Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities” (FIN 46) to provide guidance on when an investor should consolidate another entity from which they receive benefits or are exposed to risks when those other entities are not controlled based on traditional voting interests or they are thinly capitalized. The provisions of FIN 46 are effective beginning July 1, 2003. The adoption of FIN 46 did not have an effect on Avalon’s financial position or results of operations.

 

In April 2003, SFAS No. 149, “Amendment of Statement 133 on Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities”, was issued. SFAS 149 amends and clarifies financial accounting and reporting for derivatives and hedging activities under SFAS 133 “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities”. This statement is effective for contracts entered into or modified after June 30, 2003. Avalon does not purchase or hold any derivative financial instruments or engage in hedging activities, and therefore, the adoption of SFAS 149 had no impact on Avalon’s financial position or results of operations.

 

In May 2003, SFAS No. 150, “Accounting for Certain Financial Instruments with Characteristics of both Liabilities and Equity,” which establishes standards for how an issuer classifies and measures certain financial instruments with characteristics of both liabilities and equity, was issued. SFAS 150 requires that an issuer classify a financial instrument within its scope as a liability (or an asset in some circumstances) because that financial instrument embodies an obligation of the issuer. This statement is effective for financial instruments entered into or modified after May 31, 2003, and otherwise is effective at the beginning of the first interim period beginning after June 15, 2003. Avalon has not entered into or modified any financial instruments after May 31, 2003 and holds no financial instruments with characteristics of both liabilities and equity, and therefore, the adoption of SFAS 150 had no impact on Avalon’s financial position or results of operations.

 

Note 9. Subsequent Event

 

On October 7, 2003 a wholly owned subsidiary of Avalon entered into a long-term agreement with Squaw Creek Country Club to lease and operate its golf course and related facilities. Squaw Creek is located three miles from the Avalon Lakes Golf Club in Vienna, Ohio. The lease has a commencement date of November 1, 2003 and an initial term of ten (10) years with four (4) consecutive ten (10) year renewal term options unilaterally exercisable by Avalon. Under the lease, Avalon is obligated to pay $15,000 in annual rent and make leasehold improvements to the Squaw Creek golf course and facilities of at least $150,000 per year. Amounts expended by Avalon for improvements during a given year in excess of $150,000 will be carried forward and applied to future obligations. Avalon is obligated to construct certain initial leasehold improvements to the Squaw Creek facilities as soon as reasonably possible. Such construction has commenced and the improvements are currently estimated to cost between $2 million and $3 million.

 

As a result of the transaction with the Squaw Creek facility, the Avalon Lakes Golf Club and Squaw Creek Country Club have combined to form the Avalon Golf and Country Club. In addition to adding a second championship golf course, the Squaw Creek facility includes a swimming pool, tennis courts and a clubhouse that provides dining and banquet facilities. Members of the Avalon Golf and Country Club are entitled to privileges at both facilities.

 

Avalon’s environmental remediation operation has continued to experience operating losses as a result of a decline in business. Avalon has evaluated its ability to sufficiently increase business levels and has explored strategic alternatives to continuing the operation of the remediation business. Recognizing that the continuing losses would adversely impact Avalon’s future financial performance, in the fourth quarter of 2003, management determined that it was in Avalon’s best interest to sell or discontinue the operation of its environmental remediation business. Accordingly, Avalon is attempting to sell its remediation business. In the event the sale of the business does not occur in the near term, Avalon intends to discontinue such operations.

 

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The carrying amount of the major classes of assets and liabilities at September 30, 2003 to be reclassified as held for sale is as follows (in thousands):

 

Current Assets

   $ 1,202

Properties and equipment, net

   $ 136

Current liabilities

   $ 657

 

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ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

The following discussion provides information which management believes is relevant to an assessment and understanding of the operations and financial condition of Avalon Holdings Corporation and its subsidiaries. As used in this report, the term “Avalon” means Avalon Holdings Corporation and its wholly owned subsidiaries, taken as a whole, unless the context indicates otherwise.

 

Statements included in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations which are not historical in nature are intended to be, and are hereby identified as, ‘forward looking statements.’ Avalon cautions readers that forward looking statements, including, without limitation, those relating to Avalon’s future business prospects, revenues, working capital, liquidity, capital needs, interest costs, and income, are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated in the forward looking statements, due to risks and factors identified herein and from time to time in Avalon’s reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

On October 7, 2003 a wholly owned subsidiary of Avalon entered into a long-term agreement with Squaw Creek Country Club to lease and operate its golf course and related facilities located in Vienna, Ohio. The lease has a commencement date of November 1, 2003 and an initial term of ten (10) years with four (4) consecutive ten (10) year renewal term options unilaterally exercisable by Avalon. Under the lease, Avalon is obligated to pay $15,000 in annual rent and make leasehold improvements to the Squaw Creek golf course and facilities of at least $150,000 per year. Amounts expended by Avalon for improvements during a given year in excess of $150,000 will be carried forward and applied to future obligations. Avalon is obligated to construct certain initial leasehold improvements to the Squaw Creek facilities as soon as reasonably possible. Such construction has commenced and the improvements are currently estimated to cost between $2 million and $3 million.

 

For the first nine months of 2003, Avalon utilized existing cash and cash provided by operations to fund capital expenditures and meet operating needs.

 

Avalon’s aggregate capital expenditures in 2003, excluding capital expenditures relating to Squaw Creek Country Club as described above, are expected to be in the range of $.3 million to $.5 million. These expenditures relate principally to the purchase of transportation equipment, vehicles for the technical environmental services operations, and upgrading computer equipment. During the first nine months of 2003, capital expenditures for Avalon totaled $.2 million which was principally related to the purchase of transportation equipment for the transportation services operations.

 

Working capital was $11.8 million at September 30, 2003 compared with $13.8 million at December 31, 2002. The decrease is primarily the result of a reclassification of short-term investments of $2 million to noncurrent investments as a result of a change in maturity dates of certain investments.

 

The increase in accounts payable and prepaid expenses at September 30, 2003 compared with December 31, 2002 is primarily due to the timing of the annual renewal for Avalon’s insurance program in September 2003.

 

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From time to time, Avalon has entered into contracts which require surety bonds or other financial instruments to assure performance under the terms thereof. Although Avalon has obtained such bonds or other financial instruments in the past, substantial changes in the bond market have significantly limited Avalon’s ability to obtain surety bonds. No assurance can be given that such bonds will be available in the future or, if available, that the premiums and/or any collateral requirements for such bonds will be reasonable. Any significant collateral requirements necessary to obtain surety bonds may impact Avalon’s liquidity.

 

Avalon will continue to consider acquisitions that make economic sense, including acquisitions of other golf related operations. Such potential acquisitions could be financed by existing working capital, secured or unsecured debt, issuance of common stock, or issuance of a security with characteristics of both debt and equity, any of which could impact liquidity in the future.

 

Management believes that anticipated cash provided from future operations, existing working capital, as well as Avalon’s ability to incur indebtedness, will be, for the foreseeable future, sufficient to meet operating requirements and fund capital expenditure programs. Avalon does not currently have a credit facility.

 

Results of Operations

 

Overall performance

 

Net operating revenues in the third quarter of 2003 decreased to $15.7 million compared with $19.1 million in the prior year’s third quarter. Costs of operations decreased to $13.7 million in the third quarter of 2003 compared with $16.5 million in the prior year quarter. Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased to $2.2 million in the third quarter of 2003 compared with $4.3 million in the prior year quarter. Avalon incurred a loss from continuing operations of $48,000 or a loss of $.01 per share for the third quarter of 2003 compared with a loss from continuing operations of $1.6 million or a loss of $.41 per share for the third quarter of 2002. For the first nine months of 2003, net operating revenues decreased to $46.1 million compared with $51.1 million for the first nine months of 2002. Cost of operations were $40.9 million for the first nine months of 2003 compared with $46.2 million for the first nine months of the prior year. Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased to $7 million for the first nine months of 2003 compared with $8.8 million for the first nine months of the prior year. Avalon incurred a loss from continuing operations of $1.4 million or a loss of $.37 per share for the first nine months of 2003 compared with a loss from continuing operations of $3.3 million or a loss of $.88 per share for the first nine months of 2002.

 

Performance in the Third Quarter of 2003 compared with the Third Quarter of 2002

 

Segment performance

 

Segment performance should be read in conjunction with Note 7 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

Net operating revenues of the transportation services segment decreased to $8.2 million in the third quarter of 2003 compared with $8.9 million in the third quarter of the prior year. The decrease in net operating revenues is primarily attributable to a significant decrease in the level of business of the transportation brokerage operations and a decrease in the transportation of municipal solid waste, partially

 

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offset by a significant increase in the transportation of general commodities. The decrease in net operating revenues of the transportation brokerage operations was primarily due to providing a significant amount of transportation brokerage services for a single customer on a one-time basis during the third quarter of 2002. The increase in net operating revenues relating to the transportation of general commodities is primarily the result of a significant increase in owner operators contracted to haul general commodities. The transportation services segment recorded income before taxes of $41,000 for the third quarter of 2003 compared with a loss before taxes of $1.9 million for the third quarter of 2002. During the third quarter of 2002 the transportation services segment recorded a charge to the provisions for losses on accounts receivable of $1.9 million as a result of a customer’s financial and operational decline. Excluding the charge, the results for the third quarter of 2003 would have been relatively unchanged from the prior year quarter.

 

Net operating revenues of the technical environmental services segment were $2.2 million in the third quarter of 2003 compared with $3.8 million in the third quarter of 2002. The decrease in net operating revenues is the result of a significant decline in the level of business of both the remediation and the engineering and consulting businesses. The technical environmental services segment recorded income before taxes of $.2 million in the third quarter of 2003 compared with income before taxes of $.5 million in the third quarter of 2002. The decrease in income before taxes is primarily related to the decreased level of business, partially offset by improved operating margins of the engineering and consulting business and an increase in income before taxes of the captive landfill management business from the prior year quarter as a result of a gain on the disposition of a piece of equipment.

 

Net operating revenues of the waste disposal brokerage and management services segment decreased to $5 million in the third quarter of 2003 compared with $6.9 million in the third quarter of the prior year. The decrease in net operating revenues is primarily the result of a decrease in the level of brokerage and management services provided. Income before taxes for the waste disposal brokerage and management services segment was $.2 million in the third quarter of 2003 compared with income before taxes of $.5 million in the second quarter of 2002. The decrease in income before taxes in the third quarter of 2003 compared to the prior year quarter was primarily the result of a charge of $.2 million to the provision for losses on accounts receivable due to a customer filing bankruptcy and a decrease in the level of business, partially offset by improved operating margins.

 

Net operating revenues of the golf and related operations segment were $1.2 million in the third quarter of 2003 compared with $1 million in the third quarter of 2002. The golf and related operations segment recorded income before taxes of $.4 million in the third quarter of 2003 compared with income before taxes of $.2 million in the third quarter of 2002. The increase in net operating revenues and income before taxes is primarily attributed to a significant increase in the number of members of the Avalon Lakes Golf Club in the third quarter of 2003 compared with the prior year quarter, which in turn has significantly increased the number of rounds of golf played. The financial performance of the golf and related operations segment was negatively impacted by adverse weather conditions during the third quarter of 2003. Although the golf course will continue to be available to the general public, the primary source of revenues will be derived from membership dues. Annual membership dues are recognized as net operating revenues during the months of May through October, which generally represents the golf season.

 

Interest income

 

Interest income was $.1 million in both the third quarter of 2003 and 2002.

 

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General corporate expenses

 

General corporate expenses were $.9 million in both the third quarter of 2003 and 2002.

 

Net loss

 

Avalon recorded a net loss of $48,000 in the third quarter of 2003 compared with a net loss of $1.6 million in the third quarter of the prior year. Avalon’s overall effective tax rate, including the effect of state income tax provisions, was 0% in the third quarter of 2003 and 2002. The deferred tax benefit arising from the loss before income taxes was offset by a valuation allowance. A valuation allowance is provided when it is more likely than not that deferred tax assets relating to certain federal and state loss carryforwards will not be realized. The overall effective tax rate is different than statutory rates primarily due to the increase in the valuation allowance.

 

Performance in the first nine months of 2003 compared with the first nine months of 2002

 

Segment performance

 

Segment performance should be read in conjunction with Note 7 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

Net operating revenues of the transportation services segment decreased to $23.7 million in the first nine months of 2003 compared with $27.9 million in the first nine months of the prior year. The decrease in net operating revenues is primarily attributable to a significant decrease in the level of business of the transportation brokerage operations and a decrease in the transportation of municipal solid waste, partially offset by an increase in the transportation of general commodities and hazardous waste. The decrease in net operating revenues of the transportation brokerage operations was primarily due to providing a significant amount of transportation brokerage services for a single customer on a one-time basis during the first nine months of 2002. The increase in net operating revenues relating to the transportation of general commodities is primarily the result of a significant increase in owner operators contracted to haul general commodities. The increase in net operating revenues relating to the transportation of hazardous waste in the first nine months of 2003 was primarily the result of an increase in the volume of hazardous waste transported for a single customer. The transportation services segment incurred a loss before taxes of $.1 million for the nine months of 2003 compared with a loss before taxes of $2 million for the first nine months of 2002. In the third quarter of 2002, the transportation services segment recorded a charge to the provision for losses on accounts receivable of $1.9 million as a result of a customer’s operational and financial decline. Excluding the charge, the results for the first nine months of 2003 would have been relatively unchanged from the prior year.

 

Net operating revenues of the technical environmental services segment decreased to $7.4 million in the first nine months of 2003 compared with $9.4 million in the first nine months of 2002. The decrease in net operating revenues is the result of a significant decline in the level of business of both the remediation and the engineering and consulting businesses. The technical environmental services segment recorded income before taxes of $.3 million in the first nine months of 2003 compared with income before taxes of $.4 million in the first nine months of 2002. The decrease in income before taxes is primarily related to the decreased levels of business, partially offset by improved operating margins of the engineering and consulting business. During the first nine months of 2002, both the engineering and consulting business and the remediation business were adversely impacted by charges to the provision for losses on accounts receivable of approximately $.2 million as a result of certain customers filing bankruptcy. Income before taxes of the captive landfill management business increased slightly from the prior year period primarily as a result of a gain on the disposition of a piece of equipment in the third quarter of 2003.

 

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Net operating revenues of the waste disposal brokerage and management services segment decreased to $15.4 million in the first nine months of 2003 compared with $15.7 million in the first nine months of the prior year. The decrease in net operating revenues is primarily the result of a decrease in the level of brokerage and management services provided. Income before taxes for the waste disposal brokerage and management services segment decreased to $.6 million in the first nine months of 2003 compared with $.8 million in the first nine months of the prior year primarily as a result of charges of $.5 million to the provision for losses on accounts receivable due to a two customers filing bankruptcy partially offset by improved operating margins.

 

Net operating revenues of the golf and related operations segment were $2.2 million for the first nine months of 2003 compared with $1.5 million for the first nine months of 2002. The golf course, which is located in Warren, Ohio, was closed during the first three months of 2003 and 2002 due to seasonality. The golf and related operations segment recorded income before taxes of $.3 million in the first nine months of 2003 compared with a loss before taxes of $.1 million in the first nine months of 2002. The increase in net operating revenues and income before taxes is primarily attributed to a significant increase in the number of members of the Avalon Lakes Golf Club in the first nine months of 2003 compared with the first nine months of the prior year, which in turn has significantly increased the number of rounds of golf played. The financial performance of the golf and related operations segment was negatively impacted by adverse weather conditions during the second and third quarters of 2003. Although the golf course will continue to be available to the general public, the primary source of revenues will be derived from membership dues. Annual membership dues are recognized during the months of May through October, which generally represents the golf season.

 

Interest income

 

Interest income was $.2 million in both the first nine months of 2003 and 2002.

 

General corporate expenses

 

General corporate expenses were $2.7 million in the first nine months of 2003 compared with $2.5 million in the first nine months of 2002.

 

Net loss

 

Avalon recorded a net loss of $1.4 million in the first nine months of 2003 compared with a net loss of $4.1 million in the first nine months of the prior year, which included a loss from discontinued operations of $.8 million. Avalon’s overall effective tax rate, including the effect of state income tax provisions, was 0% in the first nine months of 2003 and 2002. The deferred tax benefit arising from the loss before income taxes was offset by a valuation allowance. A valuation allowance is provided when it is more likely than not that deferred tax assets relating to certain federal and state loss carryforwards will not be realized. The overall effective tax rate is different than statutory rates primarily due to the increase in the valuation allowance.

 

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Trends and Uncertainties

 

In the ordinary course of conducting its business, Avalon becomes involved in lawsuits, administrative proceedings and governmental investigations, including those relating to environmental matters. Some of these proceedings may result in fines, penalties or judgments being assessed against Avalon that, from time to time, may have an impact on its business and financial condition. Although the outcome of such lawsuits or other proceedings cannot be predicted with certainty, management assesses the probability of loss and accrues a liability as appropriate. Avalon does not believe that any uninsured ultimate liabilities, fines or penalties resulting from such pending proceedings, individually or in the aggregate, will have a material adverse effect on it.

 

The federal government and numerous state and local governmental bodies are continuing to consider legislation or regulations to either restrict or impede the disposal and/or transportation of waste. A significant portion of Avalon’s transportation and waste disposal brokerage and management revenues is derived from the disposal or transportation of out-of-state waste. Any law or regulation restricting or impeding the transportation of waste or the acceptance of out-of-state waste for disposal could have a significant negative effect on Avalon.

 

As is the case with any transportation company, an increase in fuel prices will subject Avalon’s transportation operations to increased operating expenses, which, in light of competitive market conditions, Avalon may not be able to pass on to its customers.

 

Avalon’s transportation operations utilize power units that are subject to long-term leases. Historically, the level of transportation services provided has resulted in the under-utilization of many of these power units. Although Avalon has taken steps to reduce the number of power units subject to long term leases, the under-utilization of leased power units will adversely impact the future financial performance of the transportation operations.

 

As is the case with any transportation company, Avalon’s transportation operations are significantly dependent upon its ability to attract and retain qualified drivers and independent contractors. Failure to do so will adversely impact the future financial performance of the transportation operations.

 

In connection with the transportation of municipal solid waste, Avalon’s transportation operations provide loading services at several municipal solid waste transfer stations. Because of the fixed costs associated with loading, the profitability of such operations is dependent upon the volume of waste delivered to each transfer station. The volume of waste delivered to each transfer station is not within Avalon’s control and has been less than anticipated.

 

Insurance costs, particularly within the transportation industry, have risen dramatically over the past year. The increase in Avalon’s insurance premiums relating to its transportation operations has increased Avalon’s operating expenses, which, in light of competitive market conditions, Avalon has not been able to fully pass on to its customers.

 

From time to time, Avalon has entered into contracts that require surety bonds or other financial instruments to assure performance under the terms thereof. Although Avalon has obtained such bonds or other financial instruments in the past, substantial changes in the bond market have significantly limited Avalon’s ability to obtain surety bonds. No assurance can be given that such bonds will be available in the future or, if available, that the premiums and/or any collateral requirements for such bonds will be reasonable.

 

Competitive and economic pressures continue to impact the financial performance of Avalon’s transportation services, technical environmental services and waste disposal brokerage and management services. Some of Avalon’s competitors periodically reduce their pricing to gain or retain business, especially during difficult economic times, which may limit Avalon’s ability to maintain rates. A decline in the rates which customers are willing to pay could adversely impact the future financial performance of Avalon.

 

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Avalon’s waste disposal brokerage and management operations obtain and retain customers by providing services and identifying cost-efficient disposal options unique to a customer’s needs. Consolidation within the solid waste industry has resulted in reducing the number of disposal options available to waste generators and has caused disposal pricing to increase. Avalon does not believe that industry pricing changes alone will have a material effect upon its waste disposal brokerage and management operations. However, consolidation has had the effect of reducing the number of competitors offering disposal alternatives that may adversely impact the future financial performance of Avalon’s waste disposal brokerage and management operations.

 

The financial results of the engineering and consulting business have been at a level lower than expected. As a result, during the third quarter of 2003, significant changes in the management of such business were made.

 

Avalon’s environmental remediation operation has continued to experience operating losses as a result of a decline in business. Avalon has evaluated its ability to sufficiently increase business levels and has explored strategic alternatives to continuing the operation of the remediation business. Recognizing that the continuing losses would adversely impact Avalon’s future financial performance, in the fourth quarter of 2003, management determined that it was in Avalon’s best interest to sell or discontinue the operation of its environmental remediation business. Accordingly, Avalon is attempting to sell its remediation business. In the event the sale of the business does not occur in the near term, Avalon intends to discontinue such operations.

 

Avalon is currently evaluating the business and prospects of its transportation operations in light of its financial performance over the past few years. Such evaluation includes an examination of measures to increase the profitability of these operations, as well as the consideration of other strategic alternatives. Continuing operating losses incurred by the transportation business will adversely impact the future financial performance of Avalon.

 

A significant portion of Avalon’s business is not subject to long-term contracts. In light of current economic, regulatory and competitive conditions, there can be no assurance that Avalon’s current customers will continue to transact business with Avalon at historical levels. Failure by Avalon to retain its current customers or to replace lost business could adversely impact the future financial performance of Avalon.

 

Avalon’s captive landfill management business is dependent upon a single customer as its sole source of revenue.

 

Current economic challenges throughout the industries served by Avalon have resulted in a reduction of revenues coupled with an increase in payment defaults by customers. While Avalon continuously endeavors to limit customer credit risks, customer-specific financial downturns are not controllable by management. Significant customer payment defaults in the future will continue to have a material adverse impact upon Avalon’s future financial performance.

 

As a result of the transaction with Squaw Creek Country Club, the Avalon Lakes Golf Club and Squaw Creek Country Club have combined to form the Avalon Golf and Country Club. In addition to adding a second championship golf course, the Squaw Creek facility includes a swimming pool, tennis courts and a clubhouse that provides dining and banquet facilities. Members of the Avalon Golf and Country Club are entitled to privileges at both facilities.

 

The Avalon Golf and Country Club competes with many public courses and country clubs in the area. Although the golf courses will continue to be available to the general public, the primary source of

 

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revenues will be derived from members of the Avalon Golf and Country Club. Avalon believes that the combination of the Squaw Creek and Avalon Lakes facilities will result in a significant increase in the number of members of the Avalon Golf and Country Club. Such increased membership will result in increased net operating revenues and income before taxes, however, there can be no assurance as to when such increased membership will be attained.

 

Avalon’s golf courses are located in Warren, Ohio and Vienna, Ohio and are significantly dependent upon weather conditions during the golf season. Additionally, all of Avalon’s other operations are somewhat seasonal in nature since a significant portion of those operations are primarily conducted in selected northeastern and midwestern states. As a result, Avalon’s financial performance is adversely affected by winter weather conditions.

 

Avalon believes that the current depressed state of the golf market may result in attractive golf course properties becoming available under favorable terms. In addition to the Squaw Creek transaction previously described, it is possible that Avalon will further expand its involvement in the golf business in the future.

 

Management is currently evaluating Avalon’s strategic direction for the future. While there are no specific transactions under negotiation or pending at this time, Avalon does not necessarily intend to limit itself in the future to lines of business which it has historically conducted.

 

Market Risk

 

Avalon does not have significant exposure to changing interest rates. A 10% change in interest rates would have an immaterial effect on Avalon’s income before taxes for the next fiscal year. Avalon currently has no debt outstanding and invests primarily in U.S. Treasury notes, short-term money market funds and other short-term obligations. Avalon does not undertake any specific actions to cover its exposure to interest rate risk and is not a party to any interest rate risk management transactions.

 

Avalon does not purchase or hold any derivative financial instruments.

 

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

 

Avalon’s management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, has conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13a-14. Based on that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the disclosure controls and procedures are effective in ensuring that all material information required to be filed in this quarterly report has been made known to them in a timely fashion. There have been no significant changes in internal controls, or in factors that could significantly affect internal controls, subsequent to the date the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer completed their evaluation.

 

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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1.  Legal Proceedings

 

Reference is made to “Item 3. Legal Proceedings” in Avalon’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002 for a description of legal proceedings.

 

Item 2.  Changes in Securities and Use of Proceeds

 

None

 

Item 3.  Defaults upon Senior Securities

 

None

 

Item 4.  Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

 

None

 

Item 5.  Other Information

 

None

 

Item 6.  Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

 

  (a) Exhibits

 

Exhibit 10.3 Lease Agreement with Squaw Creek Country Club.

 

Exhibit 31.1 Certification pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

Exhibit 31.2 Certification pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

Exhibit 32.1 Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

Exhibit 32.2 Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

  (b) Reports on Form 8-K

 

On October 8, 2003, Avalon Holdings Corporation disclosed a lease transaction with Squaw Creek Country Club.

 

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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.

 

       

AVALON HOLDINGS CORPORATION

       

(Registrant)

Date: November 13, 2003

     

By:        /s/ Timothy C. Coxson


       

Timothy C. Coxson, Chief Financial Officer and

Treasurer (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer

and Duly Authorized Officer)

 

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Exhibit 10.3

 

LEASE

 

This Agreement of Lease dated this 7th day of October, 2003 by and between Squaw Creek Properties, Inc., hereinafter called “LANDLORD” and TBG, Inc., an Ohio corporation, hereinafter called “TENANT”;

 

1. DEMISED PREMISES:

 

In consideration of the rents, covenants and agreements herein reserved and contained on the part of TENANT, to be paid, performed and observed, LANDLORD does hereby demise and lease to TENANT the real property with improvements thereon more particularly described in Exhibit A attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference (hereinafter sometimes called the “Realty” or the “Demised Premises”) together with all fixtures, furnishings, machinery, equipment and other personal property used in the operation and maintenance of the Realty (the “Personalty” and together with the Realty, the “Facilities”), as the same may be improved throughout the Term.

 

2. TERM:

 

2.01. The initial term of this Lease shall be for a period of ten (10) consecutive Lease Years commencing on November 1, 2003 (“Commencement Date”) and ending on October 31, 2013 (the “Initial Term”). Lease Year shall mean a period of twelve (12) consecutive calendar months during the Term from November 1 st until the following October 31 st . Notwithstanding the foregoing, TENANT shall have the right to access the Facilities prior to the Commencement Date, with reasonable notice to and approval of LANDLORD, for the purpose of preparing for the Commencement Date and other actions reasonably necessary for the smooth transition of operations on the Commencement Date and/or for commencement of Required Improvements.

 

2.02. The Initial Term of this Lease shall automatically be extended for up to four (4) consecutive option periods of ten (10) years each (“Extension Term(s)”), unless TENANT


shall, by written notice to LANDLORD, 360 or more days before the end of the Initial Term or Extension Term, as the case may be, elect to terminate this Lease upon the expiration of the then expiring term. The Initial Term and any applicable Extension Term(s) are hereinafter sometimes referred to as the “Term.”

 

3. RENT:

 

3.01. From and after the Commencement Date TENANT covenants and agrees to pay to LANDLORD, without demand, as rent for the Facilities during the Initial Term and each Extension Term (hereinafter sometimes called “Rent”) the sum of Fifteen Thousand and 00/100 Dollars ($15,000.00) per Lease Year.

 

4. TAXES AND ASSESSMENTS:

 

4.01. In addition to the Rent payable hereunder, TENANT shall, at all times during the Term, pay and discharge, before any fine, penalty, interest or cost may be added thereto for the nonpayment thereof, all taxes, assessments, water and sewer rents, and other governmental levies and charges of any kind or nature whatsoever, general and special, ordinary and extraordinary, foreseen and unforeseen, and each and every installment thereof, which at any time during the Term may be assessed, levied, confirmed or imposed upon, or become a lien on, or arise in connection with the use, occupancy or possession of the Demised Premises, buildings or improvements thereon, or any part thereof or any appurtenance thereto (as initially constructed or as the same may at any time thereafter be enlarged or reduced), all of which may be hereafter called “Impositions,” provided, however that when a part of a fiscal period of any Imposition is included within the Term, and a part thereof is included in a period of time before the beginning of or after the termination of this Lease, the amount of any tax, assessment, or governmental charge relating to such fiscal period shall be adjusted between LANDLORD and TENANT as of the date of the beginning of the Lease or of such termination, as the case may be, so that TENANT shall bear the cost


only for that portion thereof which that part of such period which is included within the Term of this Lease bears to the entire such period. If LANDLORD shall have the right to elect to pay any assessment in installments, Impositions for any tax year shall include only the lowest of such installments as LANDLORD may have elected together with interest thereon accrued by law as the result of the election.

 

4.02. TENANT shall have the right, before any tax, assessment or other governmental charge required under Section 4.01 to be paid by TENANT shall become delinquent, to contest or review by appropriate administrative or legal proceedings, diligently conducted in good faith, in the name of TENANT or LANDLORD or both, at TENANT’S sole cost and expense, the amount or validity thereof and the validity of any legislative or administrative action or rule requiring the payment thereof. If the payment of any such tax, assessment or other governmental charge may legally be held in abeyance without the incurring of any lien, charge or liability of any kind against the fee of the Demised Premises, and without subjecting TENANT or LANDLORD to any liability, TENANT may postpone payment thereof until the final determination of any such proceedings, anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding.

 

4.03. Nothing herein shall require TENANT to pay any franchise, personal property (except as otherwise provided in Section 4.05), estate, inheritance, succession, capital levy or transfer tax of LANDLORD, or any income or excess profits, or revenue tax or any other tax, assessment, charge, or levy upon the Rent paid or payable under this Lease (except as otherwise provided in Section 4.06).

 

4.04. TENANT shall furnish to LANDLORD upon request, evidence of the payment of any of the items required to be paid by any of the provisions of this Article 4.

 

4.05. TENANT agrees to pay during the Term, prior to delinquency, any and all taxes and assessments levied or assessed during the Term upon or against: i) all furniture,


fixtures and equipment or other personal property used by TENANT and installed or located within the Demised Premises or Facilities; and ii) all alterations, additions, betterments or Improvements of whatsoever kind or nature, made by TENANT to the Facilities as the same may be separately levied, taxed and assessed against or imposed directly upon TENANT or LANDLORD by the taxing authorities.

 

4.06. If at any time during the Term the methods of taxation prevailing at the Commencement Date shall be altered so that in lieu of, or as a substitute for the whole or any part of, the Impositions (for which TENANT is obligated under this Section 4) now levied, assessed or imposed there shall be levied, assessed or imposed: i) a tax on the rents received from such real estate; or ii) a license fee measured by the rents receivable by LANDLORD for the Demised Premises or any portion thereof; or iii) a tax or license imposed upon LANDLORD which is otherwise measured by or based in whole or in part upon the Demised Premises or any portion thereof or the gross receipts therefrom, then TENANT shall indemnify LANDLORD against the after-tax effect on LANDLORD.

 

4.07 LANDLORD shall pay all corporate franchise taxes related to its corporate existence.

 

5. UTILITIES:

 

5.01. In addition to the Rent payable hereunder, TENANT shall, at its sole cost and expense, pay or cause to be paid all charges for gas, water, sewer, electricity, telephone or other service or services furnished to the Demised Premises, Facilities or to TENANT during the term of this Lease. When a part of any period in which such service is furnished is included within the Term of this Lease and a part thereof is included in a period of time before the beginning of, or after the termination of this Lease, the charges relating to such period shall be adjusted between LANDLORD and TENANT as of the date of the beginning of the Lease or of such termination, so that TENANT shall pay only for that portion thereof


which that part of such period which is included within the Term of this Lease bears to the entire such period. Upon the Commencement Date TENANT shall take all reasonable steps necessary to transfer all Utilities into its own name, and LANDLORD shall cooperate with TENANT. LANDLORD makes no representations about the condition or availability of utility services for the Demised Premises and LANDLORD shall not be liable in damages, or otherwise, if the furnishing of any utility service or other service to the Demised Premises shall be interrupted or impaired by fire, accident, riot, strike, act of God, the making of necessary repairs or improvements, shortage of supply, governmental regulation or request, including, without limitation, energy conservation measures, or by any causes, and such interruption or impairment shall not be construed as an eviction or disturbance of possession nor constitute an abatement of any of the rents payable under this Lease.

 

6. CONDITION OF DEMISED PREMISES:

 

6.01. LANDLORD shall deliver the Facilities to TENANT in their “as is” condition on the Commencement Date without any warranties or obligations as to the condition or repair of the same.

 

6.02. TENANT hereby accepts the Facilities in their present as-is condition existing as of the Commencement Date or the date that TENANT takes possession of the Facilities, whichever is earlier, and subject to all applicable zoning, municipal, county and state laws, ordinances and regulations governing and regulating the use of the Demised Premises, and any contracts or covenants, easements or restrictions of record set forth in Exhibit C, attached hereto and incorporated herein. TENANT acknowledges that LANDLORD has not made any representation or warranty as to the condition of the Facilities or any part thereof or the present or future suitability of the Facilities for the conduct of TENANT’S business. TENANT acknowledges that it has had an opportunity to inspect the Facilities.


7. MAINTENANCE AND REPAIRS:

 

7.01. In addition to the Rent payable hereunder, during the Term, at its sole cost and expense, TENANT shall maintain the Demised Premises and Facilities and all parts thereof and make repairs thereto and replacements thereof, so that the Demised Premises and Facilities shall remain in good repair and operating condition, ordinary wear and tear excepted. All repairs and replacements shall be according to standards and methods and with materials which are consistent with the better private golf or country clubs in the Mahoning and Trumbull County areas, as the same may exist form time-to-time (referred to herein as “Better Private Golf Clubs”).

 

7.02. TENANT shall put, keep and maintain all portions of the Demised Premises and Facilities in a clean and orderly condition free of dirt, rubbish and unlawful obstructions and maintain same in good order consistent with the operation of the Better Private Golf Clubs.

 

7.03. LANDLORD shall not be required to furnish any services or facilities to make any repairs to or replacements or alterations of the Facilities.

 

7.04. Any replacement to any of the Facilities and any repairs to any of the Facilities required to be capitalized under generally accepted accounting principles shall constitute Improvements and shall be applied toward the satisfaction of TENANT’S improvement obligations under this Lease. Except as otherwise provided in Section 11 with respect to a condemnation or as a result of a Default by LANDLORD, the Facilities and all Improvements thereon shall, upon the expiration or sooner termination of this Lease, be the sole and exclusive property of LANDLORD.

 

7.05. LANDLORD acknowledges that TENANT shall have the right to utilize LANDLORD’S golf course maintenance equipment, dining and kitchen equipment and other personal property within the Facilities without any obligation to repair or replace the specific equipment or personal property; provided, however, that TENANT shall at all times comply with its obligation to maintain and operate the Facilities in a manner consistent with the


operation of Better Private Golf Clubs. TENANT shall have the right to use and dispose of in the ordinary course of business, through sale or otherwise, the Personalty and the right to the proceeds thereof; subject, however, at all times to its obligation to maintain and operate the Facilities in a manner consistent with the operation of Better Private Golf Clubs.

 

8. ADDITIONS, ALTERATIONS AND IMPROVEMENTS:

 

Subject to the provisions of Section 9, Exhibit B and Article 21 hereof, TENANT shall have the right to make any and all Improvements to the Facilities as determined by TENANT; provided that TENANT shall comply with all applicable laws with respect to the same. To the extent reasonably possible such Improvements will be made outside of the golf season, or if during the golf season, in a manner that minimizes disruption of the golf activities at the Facilities. LANDLORD agrees that such Improvements may include without limitation, earth moving, removal and/or planting of trees, installation of bunkers and water hazards and modifications to fairways, tees and greens.

 

TENANT acknowledges that LANDLORD has an existing contract with the Ladies Professional Golf Association (“LPGA”) for the hosting of a professional tournament and agrees to abide by the terms of that contract.

 

9. REQUIRED IMPROVEMENTS

 

9.01 In addition to TENANT’s other obligations hereunder, from and after the Commencement Date TENANT covenants and agrees to make Improvements (as hereinafter defined) to the Facilities in the manner provided in Section 9.02 during the Initial Term, and during each Extension Term (if any), in an amount equal to One Million Five Hundred Thousand and 00/100 Dollars ($1,500,000.00) (hereinafter sometimes called “Required Improvements”). The Required Improvements shall be made in annual increments of at least (except as otherwise provided in this Section 9) of One Hundred Fifty Thousand and 00/100


Dollars ($150,000.00). Neither amounts expended for Required Improvements under this Lease nor any other Improvements of Tenant shall (for any purposes) be considered payments of Rent. All of such Improvements, whether Required Improvements, Initial Improvements or otherwise, shall automatically become the property of LANDLORD upon the expiration or earlier termination of this Lease without further act or action by either party. Notwithstanding the foregoing or anything to the contrary in this Lease to the contrary, TENANT shall be entitled to retain and remove from the Facilities or Demised Premises any of its personal property relating to the two residential dwellings on the Demised Premises that was not a Required Improvement..

 

9.02. Except as otherwise provided in Section 9.04, the Required Improvements shall be in the form of (i) replacements, improvements (including excavation and/or demolition), alterations, additions, modifications, repairs, redecoration, and/or re-landscaping of or to the Facilities or (ii) equipment, fixtures, furniture and furnishings dedicated to the Facilities, but only to the extent, in the case of both (i) and (ii) above, they are traditionally capitalized under generally accepted accounting principles to property, plant and/or equipment on the balance sheet of TENANT (“Improvements”). Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event shall Required Improvements include any Improvements to the two residential dwellings on the Demised Premises.

 

9.03. TENANT shall, in a good and workmanlike manner and in accordance with all laws, rules and regulations, construct the Improvements described on Exhibit B attached hereto and incorporated herein (the “Initial Improvements”) as soon as reasonably practicable after the Commencement Date taking into consideration: i) weather, ii) previously scheduled club events, iii) the availability of contractors and materials, iv) commitments under the LPGA contract, and v) events of Force Majeure. TENANT shall complete the Initial Improvements to the Facilities as soon as practicable after the Commencement Date


notwithstanding the fact that the cost of the Initial Improvements may exceed the Required Improvements for the Lease Year(s) in which the Initial Improvements are completed; any such excess to be treated as Carry-Forward Improvements as provided in Section 9.04. Subject to the considerations identified in items i) through v) above, the parties intend that the Initial Improvements will be completed within the first two years of the Lease.

 

9.04. TENANT shall keep accurate and detailed records of all Required Improvements that it has made to the Facilities and shall provide LANDLORD, sixty (60) days following the end of each Lease Year, with an annual summary of the Required Improvements made and the cost of the Required Improvements during the previous year (the “Required Improvement Summary”) and otherwise shall provide such information as is reasonably requested by LANDLORD supporting TENANT’S application of the cost of the Required Improvements toward its obligations in this Section 9. LANDLORD shall have the right, at its own cost and expense at any time within one (1) year of receipt of TENANT’s Required Improvement Summary, to cause an audit to be made by an independent accountant of the books and records of TENANT relating to the Required Improvements. The Required Improvement Summary provided to LANDLORD will be final and binding upon LANDLORD unless the same is objected to by LANDLORD, in writing, within one (1) year after receipt. Amounts expended by TENANT for Required Improvements in any Lease Year in excess of Required Improvements for such Lease Year shall be carried forward and applied so as to reduce the Required Improvements balance of the then current Term and any Extension Term (whether exercised or not) unless otherwise directed by TENANT (“Carry-Forward Improvements”), provided, however, that notwithstanding any application of such Carry-Forward Improvements, all Improvements (Required Improvements, Initial Improvements, Carry-Forward Improvements or otherwise) shall, upon the expiration or


sooner termination of this Lease, be the sole and exclusive property of LANDLORD without further action by either party. Notwithstanding the foregoing or anything to the contrary in this Lease to the contrary, TENANT shall be entitled to retain and remove from the Facilities or Demised Premises any of its personal property relating to the two residential dwellings on the Demised Premises that was not a Required Improvement.. Except as otherwise provided in Section 11 with respect to Condemnation or as a result of a termination of the Lease due to a Default by LANDLORD, TENANT shall not be entitled to any refund or other return of any amounts expended as Required Improvements at the expiration of the Term or for an unexercised Extension Term or upon the earlier termination of this Lease.

 

9.05. In the event that any Required Improvement shall require work and/or expenditures over a period of time that includes multiple Lease Years (a “Multi-year Project”), TENANT shall be entitled to satisfy its Required Improvement obligation for a particular year in a subsequent year provided that TENANT (i) provides LANDLORD advance written notice of its intentions to do so, (ii) provides LANDLORD with such information regarding the Multi-year Project as LANDLORD may reasonably request and (iii) commences the Multi-year Project during the current year and diligently proceeds to complete such Multi-year Project in accordance with the information provided pursuant to item (ii) above.

 

10. INSURANCE - DESTRUCTION OF PREMISES:

 

10.01. In addition to the Rent payable hereunder, TENANT shall insure and/or keep insured during the Term the Facilities and all Improvements and additions thereto, and all items of TENANT’S personal property against loss or damage by fire and such other casualties and events as may be procurable on a commercially reasonable basis now or hereafter under special extended coverage in an amount equal to one hundred percent (100%) of the full replacement cost thereof. Such policy shall not contain a deductible in excess of


the deductible carried by TENANT’s affiliate on Avalon Lakes Golf Club. The insurance shall contain a waiver of subrogation releasing LANDLORD from liability and claims arising from or caused by any hazard covered by such insurance.

 

10.02. TENANT agrees to maintain commercial general liability insurance during the Term hereof, naming the LANDLORD as an additional insured, with limits of not less than $3,000,000.00 for bodily injury, including death and personal injury, for any one occurrence, and not less than $500,000.00 for property damage, or, in lieu of the foregoing minimum limits, combined single limit insurance coverage of $3,000,000.00. The insurance shall include contractual liability coverage and products and completed operations liability coverage and shall not contain a deductible in excess of the deductible carried by TENANT’s affiliate on Avalon Lakes Golf Club. Such coverages may be provided by multiple policies of insurance.

 

10.03. TENANT shall also procure and maintain workers’ compensation insurance as required by law.

 

10.04. All insurance provided for in this Article 10 shall be effected under valid and enforceable policies issued by insurers of recognized responsibility which are well rated by national rating organizations. The insurance policies under this Article 10 shall not contain any co-insurance requirements and shall be written as primary policies and not contributing with or in excess of any coverage which LANDLORD may carry.

 

10.05. In the event of casualty to the Facilities resulting in damage or destruction, TENANT will promptly give written notice thereof to LANDLORD. TENANT shall at its sole cost and expense (but with no obligation to expend more than the proceeds of such insurance plus any deductible), restore, replace, rebuild or alter the same as nearly as possible to its value, condition and character immediately prior to such damage or destruction. The loss, if any, under any policies shall be adjusted with the insurance companies by TENANT.


The proceeds of any such insurance shall be payable to TENANT, in trust for the reconstruction of the Facilities, and shall be deposited into a mutually acceptable construction escrow account (subject to standard conditions of escrow) and released to TENANT in monthly draws as reconstruction or repair progresses. TENANT shall commence reconstruction or repair as soon as reasonably possible following the casualty, and shall prosecute such reconstruction or repair to completion with due diligence.

 

10.06. No destruction or damage to the Facilities or any part thereof by fire or any other casualty shall permit TENANT to surrender this Lease or shall relieve TENANT from its liability to pay the full Rent and other charges payable under this Lease; provided, however, that the Initial or applicable Extension Term of this Lease shall be extended for a period equal to any period of untenantability without any obligation for TENANT to pay Rent during such additional period..

 

10.07. LANDLORD shall be under no obligation to repair or restore any portion of the Facilities damaged by fire or any other casualty after the Commencement Date.

 

10.08. TENANT shall deliver to LANDLORD prior to the Commencement Date, certificates of insurance evidencing the existence and amounts of the policies of insurance required to be carried hereunder. No such policy shall be cancelable or subject to reduction of coverage except after thirty (30) days prior written notice to LANDLORD. If TENANT fails or refuses to procure and maintain the insurance required hereunder, LANDLORD may procure such insurance as it deems appropriate and charge the costs back to TENANT.

 

11. CONDEMNATION OR APPROPRIATION:

 

In the event that any person or corporation, public, private or otherwise, shall, at any time, during the Term take any part or all of said Demised Premises in appropriation proceedings or by any right of eminent domain, or by reason of a conveyance by way of a deed in lieu of such legal proceedings, such taking or appropriation or a deed in lieu thereof


shall not render this Lease void, except that if the amount taken or conveyed makes the Demised Premises untenantable or otherwise unsuitable for use as provided in Section 21, then this Lease shall become void from the time when possession thereof is taken or granted as a result of such proceedings, and the TENANT shall pay all Rent and perform and observe all other covenants hereof up to the time when possession is taken.

 

All damages or awards for any such taking shall be allocated between LANDLORD and TENANT as follows: i) first, to TENANT in an amount equal to the then outstanding balance of any Carry-Forward Improvements, ii) then, the remainder to LANDLORD for diminution in value of leasehold and fee interest. TENANT may pursue separate claim for compensation related to TENANT’s business and/or any lost or diminished profits there from provided it does not reduce the award to LANDLORD.

 

12. DISCHARGE OF LIENS:

 

12.01 Except for the Landlord’s Lien, TENANT shall not permit, consent to or cause to exist any lien, encumbrances (including mortgage or security interest) or charge (collectively “Lien”) to stand against the Facilities or any part thereof, and TENANT acknowledges that it has no authority to permit, consent to or cause to exist any such Lien. In the event that the Facilities or any part thereof shall, at any time during the Term, become subject to any vendor’s, mechanic’s, laborer’s, materialmen’s or other Lien for which TENANT is responsible (other than Impositions not yet due and payable), TENANT shall cause the same, at its sole cost and expense, to be bonded over or discharged within thirty (30) days after notice thereof. TENANT shall not be obligated to cause any Lien arising from any act or omission of LANDLORD, to be discharged.

 

12.02. LANDLORD shall not permit, consent to or cause to exist any Lien to stand against the Facilities or any part thereof. In the event that the Facilities or any part thereof shall, at any time during the Term, become subject to any vendor’s, mechanic’s, laborer’s,


materialmen’s, or other Lien for which LANDLORD is responsible (other than Impositions not yet due and payable), LANDLORD shall cause the same, at its sole cost and expense, to be bonded over or discharged within 30 days after notice thereof. The default cure period under Section 25.01(b) shall not apply with respect to this Section 12.02. Notwithstanding the foregoing, following a matured default by TENANT, LANDLORD may encumber all or any portion of the Facilities for any valid business purpose. LANDLORD shall not be obligated to cause any Lien arising from any act or omission of TENANT to be discharged.

 

12.03 TENANT shall deliver to LANDLORD prior to the Commencement Date a Security Agreement and UCC-1 Financing Statement in the form attached hereto as Exhibit “I” granting Landlord a first lien on the fixtures, furnishings, machinery, equipment and other personal property dedicated to the Facilities to secure TENANT’S obligations with respect to the Required Improvements and to return the and Facilities (including the Personalty and fixtures comprising Improvements) and other personal property dedicated to the Facilities to LANDLORD free of all liens, claims and encumbrances except those identified on Exhibit “C” upon the expiration or earlier termination of this Lease (“Landlord’s Lien”).

 

13. COMPLIANCE WITH LAW:

 

13.01. TENANT shall during the Term of this Lease, at its sole cost and expense, promptly comply with all laws, ordinances, orders, rules, regulations and requirements of all federal, state and municipal governmental agencies, and all orders, rules and regulations of the cognizant board of fire underwriters or any other body hereafter exercising similar functions, which may be applicable to the Demised Premises, Facilities or to the use, manner of use or occupancy thereof. TENANT shall likewise observe and comply with the requirements of all policies of public liability, fire and other insurance at any time in force with respect to the Facilities.

 

13.02. TENANT shall have the right, after prior written notice to LANDLORD, to


contest by appropriate legal proceedings, in the name of TENANT or LANDLORD, or both, at TENANT’S sole cost and expense, the validity of any law, ordinance, order, rule, regulation or requirement of the nature referred to in Section 13.01. If, by the terms of any such law, ordinance, rule, order, regulation or requirement, compliance therewith may legally be held in abeyance without the incurring of any lien, charge or liability of any kind, against the fee of the Demised Premises, and without subjecting LANDLORD or TENANT to any liability for failure to comply therewith, TENANT may postpone compliance under the final determination of any such proceedings, provided that all proceedings shall be prosecuted with due diligence.

 

14. COVENANT OF TITLE AND QUIET ENJOYMENT:

 

LANDLORD covenants and warrants that it has full right and lawful authority to enter into this Lease for the full Term hereof, and that LANDLORD is lawfully seized of the Demised Premises and has good title thereto, free and clear of all tenancies and encumbrances, except as expressly set forth on Exhibit C, and that at all times when TENANT is not in default during the Term, TENANT’S quiet and peaceable enjoyment of the Facilities shall not be disturbed or interfered with by anyone claiming by or through LANDLORD.

 

15. INSPECTION OF PREMISES BY LANDLORD:

 

15.01. TENANT agrees to permit LANDLORD and the authorized representative of LANDLORD to enter the Demised Premises upon provision of reasonable advance notice and during usual business hours for the purpose of inspecting the same. LANDLORD shall exercise its inspection rights so as to minimize inconvenience to TENANT and disruption to TENANT’S operations.


16. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF LANDLORD:

 

LANDLORD represents and warrants to TENANT as follows:

 

(a) Corporate Existence and Power . LANDLORD is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Ohio. LANDLORD has full corporate power and authority to enter into this Lease and perform its obligations under this Lease.

 

(b) Corporate Authorization . LANDLORD’S execution and delivery of this Lease and consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Lease, have been duly authorized by all requisite corporate action.

 

(c) Binding Effect and Authority . This Lease has been duly executed and delivered by LANDLORD and, this Lease constitutes a valid and binding agreement of LANDLORD. All corporate approvals or authorizations from Squaw Creek Inc. (“SCCC”) for the execution of this Lease and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby have been obtained.

 

(d) Litigation . Except as set forth on Exhibit D, there is no action, suit, arbitration or legal, administrative or other proceeding pending against, or, to LANDLORD’S Knowledge, threatened against or affecting, or, to LANDLORD’S Knowledge, any governmental investigation pending or threatened, against LANDLORD or SCCC.

 

(e) Personalty . Except as set forth on Exhibit C, all of the Personalty, (i) is owned by LANDLORD, (ii) is free and clear of Liens and other matters affecting title or ownership, and (iii) is not the subject matter of any lease or other transaction whereby the ownership or any beneficial interest in all or any part of said Personalty is held by any person or entity other than LANDLORD. LANDLORD has full right and authority to lease the Personalty to TENANT under the terms hereof.

 

(f) No Tenancies . Neither LANDLORD nor SCCC has executed or granted any written or oral lease, tenancy, license or other right of occupancy or use for any portion of the Demised Premises other than as set forth on Exhibit C hereof. The lease between SCCC and LANDLORD has been terminated as of the date of this Lease.


(g) Rights . Except as set forth on Exhibit G, no person, firm, corporation or other entity has or shall have, on the Commencement Date, any written or oral right or option to purchase, lease or otherwise acquire or occupy the Facilities or any portion thereof.

 

(h) Contracts . True and complete copies of each such written contract identified on Exhibit H, including modifications thereof, have been delivered to TENANT.

 

(i) No conflict . To LANDLORD’S Knowledge, the execution and delivery of this Lease, the consummation of the transactions herein contemplated and the compliance with the terms of this Lease do not conflict with or result in a breach of any of the terms or provisions of, or constitute a default under any indenture, loan agreement, contract, lease, agreement or other instrument of any nature whatsoever to which LANDLORD is a party or by which it or its property is bound, or any applicable law, rule, regulation, judgment, order or decree of any governmental instrumentality or court, domestic or foreign having jurisdiction over the LANDLORD or its properties.

 

(j) Knowledge. For purposes of this Section 16, “Knowledge” means the actual knowledge of Dale Damioli, Mandy Matzurus and Eileen Smith.

 

(k) LANDLORD shall, throughout the Term of this Lease, take all actions necessary to maintain its corporate existence in good standing, including, without limitation, payment of its corporate franchise taxes as they come due.

 

17. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF TENANT:

 

TENANT represents and warrants to LANDLORD as follows:

 

(a) Corporate Existence and Power . TENANT is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Ohio. TENANT has full corporate power and authority to enter into this Lease and perform its obligations under this Lease.


(b) Corporate Authorization . TENANT’S execution and delivery of this Lease and consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Lease, have been duly authorized by all requisite corporate action.

 

(c) Binding Effect and Authority . This Lease has been duly executed and delivered by TENANT and, this Lease constitutes a valid and binding agreement of TENANT.

 

(d) Validity . To TENANT’S Knowledge, the execution and delivery of this Lease, the consummation of the transactions herein contemplated and the compliance with the terms of this Lease do not conflict with or result in a breach of any of the terms or provisions of, or constitute a default under any indenture, loan agreement, contract, agreement or other instrument of any nature whatsoever to which TENANT or TENANT’S guarantor is a party or by which it or its property is bound, or any applicable law, rule, regulation, judgment, order or decree of any governmental instrumentality or court, domestic or foreign having jurisdiction over the TENANT or its properties.

 

(e) Securities Filings . The financial statements and other information of Avalon Holdings Corporation and its subsidiaries filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission were accurate in all material respects at the time of such filings. As of the date hereof, there have been no material adverse changes to the financial condition of Avalon Holdings Corporation that would impair its guaranty of TENANT’S rental obligations under this Lease.

 

(f) Knowledge of Inaccurate Statement . TENANT has no Knowledge of any inaccurate statement contained in LANDLORD’s representations and warranties under Section 16.


(g) Corporate Structure . TENANT represents and warrants that it is a wholly owned subsidiary of Avalon Lakes Golf, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Guarantor Avalon Holdings Corporation.

 

(h) Knowledge . For purposes of this Section17, “Knowledge” means the actual knowledge of Ron Klingle and Jeff Grinstein.

 

18. HAZARDOUS MATERIAL:

 

18.01. Hazardous materials means any substance:

 

(a) The presence of which requires investigation or remediation under any federal, state or local statute, regulation, ordinance, order, action, policy or common law; or

 

(b) Which is or becomes defined as a “hazardous waste,” “hazardous substance,” pollutant or contaminant under any federal, state or local statute, regulation, rule or ordinance or amendments thereto including, without limitation, the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (42 U.S.C. Section 9601 et seq.) and/or the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (42 U.S.C. Section 6901 et seq.); or,

 

(c) Which is toxic, explosive, corrosive, flammable, infectious, radioactive, carcinogenic, mutagenic, or otherwise hazardous and is or becomes regulated by any governmental authority, agency, department, commission, board, agency or instrumentality of the United States, the State of Ohio or any political subdivision thereof; or

 

(d) The presence of which on the Demised Premises causes or threatens to cause a nuisance upon the Demised Premises or to adjacent properties or poses or threatens to pose a hazard to the health or safety of persons on or about the Demised Premises.

 

18.02. In the event that TENANT suffers or is subject to any claims, demands, losses, damages, liabilities, fines, penalties, costs and expenses arising from (i) the presence of such Hazardous Materials upon or beneath the Demised Premises or migrating from the Demised Premises prior to the Commencement Date and/or (ii) any activity carried on or undertaken in


connection with the handling, treatment, removal, storage, decontamination, clean-up, transport or disposal of any Hazardous material in, on, under or about the Demised Premises prior to the Commencement Date, either of which condition exists upon the Commencement Date, then TENANT shall have the right, as its sole and exclusive remedy in lieu of any other right or remedy at law or in equity (whether common law, statutory or otherwise), to credit towards its unsatisfied Required Improvement obligations, all costs losses, damages, liabilities, fines, penalties, and expenses incurred as a result thereof, including, without limitation, those arising from the investigation, defense (including atty. fees), negotiation, resolution and remediation of such Hazardous materials.

 

18.03 TENANT shall indemnify, defend, reimburse and hold harmless LANDLORD from and against any and all claims, demands, losses, damages, liabilities, fines, penalties, costs and expenses arising from (i) the presence of Hazardous Materials upon or beneath the Demised Premises or Facilities or migrating from the Demised Premises or Facilities and/or (ii) any activity carried on or undertaken in connection with the handling, treatment, removal, storage, decontamination, clean-up, transport or disposal of any Hazardous Material in, on, under or about the Demised Premises or Facilities either of which condition first exists during the Term of this Lease or as a result of TENANT’s actions therein. In no event shall any costs or expenses of any kind incurred by TENANT with respect to its obligations under this Section 18.03 be credited as an Improvement.

 

19. INDEMNIFICATIONAND WAIVER OF SUBROGATION:

 

19.01 TENANT shall defend, indemnify and save and hold LANDLORD harmless from any claim, action, cause of action, loss, damage, liability, cost and expense, including but not limited to reasonable attorney fees, arising out of any failure of TENANT, to comply with and perform any of its obligations under this Lease, or arising out of any use, possession, occupation, operation, or management of the Demised Premises and Facilities, or arising out


of any work or thing required by TENANT to be done in, on or about the Demised Premises or Facilities, or arising out of any negligence, or intentional or willful misconduct, of TENANT, its agents, employees or contractors, in, on or about the Demised Premises or Facilities.

 

19.02 LANDLORD shall defend, indemnify and save and hold TENANT harmless from any claim, action, cause of action, loss, damage, liability, cost and expense for personal injury or property damage, including but not limited to reasonable attorney fees, arising out of any negligence, or intentional or willful misconduct, of LANDLORD, its agents, employees or contractors, in or about the Demised Premises or Facilities.

 

19.03 LANDLORD and TENANT each hereby waive all rights of recovery against the other and against the officers, employees, agents and representatives of the other, on account of loss by or damage to the waiving party of its property or the property of others under its control, to the extent that such loss or damage is insured against under any fire and extended coverage insurance policy which either may have in force at the time of the loss or damage. TENANT shall, upon obtaining the policies of insurance required under this Lease, give notice to its insurance carrier or carriers that the foregoing mutual waiver of subrogation is contained in this Lease.

 

20. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY

 

Notwithstanding anything contained in this Lease to the contrary, in no event shall LANDLORD or TENANT be liable for incidental, special indirect, punitive or consequential damages of any kind, it being the intent that only direct damages be recovered hereunder.

 

21. USE AND MANAGEMENT UNDERTAKINGS:

 

21.01. TENANT shall, continuously throughout the Term (except as otherwise provided in this Section 21), use and occupy the Demised Premises and Facilities solely for the purpose of operating a golf course and related recreational, therapeutic and/or social uses, and or facilities and other uses offered for the benefit or enjoyment of club members, and for no other purpose whatsoever.


21.02. LANDLORD acknowledges that the Facilities will be available to the public, whether through membership or otherwise, for the purpose of supplementing membership revenues.

 

21.03 In connection with its management and operation of the Facilities, TENANT shall keep, perform and comply with the commitments, and obligations set forth on Exhibit J (attached hereto and incorporated by reference herein). TENANT acknowledges and agrees that the terms of Exhibit J are a material inducement to LANDLORD in entering into this Lease. TENANT shall operate the Facilities consistent with the operation of Better Private Golf Clubs. In connection with TENANT’s obligation to maintain, repair and operate the Facilities consistent with the operation of Better Private Golf Clubs (whether contained in this Section or elsewhere in this Lease), LANDLORD understands and acknowledges that the Facilities may not be up to such standard on the Commencement Date of the Lease Term and that TENANT will need a reasonable period of time within the first three (3) Lease Years to bring the Facilities and their operation up to such a standard.

 

21.04 LANDLORD shall and/or shall cause SCCC to, as the case may be, convey to TENANT at no cost, all restaurant and bar food and beverage inventory existing on the Commencement Date.

 

21.05 If, at any time during the Term, TENANT shall cease or fail to continuously operate the Facilities in accordance with Section 21 of this Lease: i) for reasonable periods for performing repairs, additions, alterations, Improvements or remodeling, ii) due to events of Force Majeure, iii) for a period of no more than one hundred and thirty five (135) days annually during the non-golf season, or iv) for other closures consistent with Better Private Golf Clubs, then TENANT’s failure to operate shall not constitute a Default hereunder.


22. CONTRACT ASSUMPTION:

 

TENANT shall, subject to LANDLORD obtaining any necessary consent from the parties thereto, assume each of the contracts currently existing between LANDLORD or SCCC and third parties identified on Exhibit H, attached hereto and incorporated herein. Any such assumption shall become effective as of the Commencement Date. TENANT shall have no obligation or liability under any assumed contract for events, occurrences or conditions prior to the Commencement Date and, as between LANDLORD and TENANT, LANDLORD shall have no additional obligations or liabilities under any assumed contract arising on or after the Commencement Date.

 

23. INTENTIONALLY DELETED.

 

24. ASSIGNMENT AND SUBLEASE:

 

24.01. Neither LANDLORD nor TENANT shall assign this Lease or the Demised Premises or Facilities or any portion thereof, or sublet or underlet the same in whole or in part without the prior written consent of the other party hereto. Notwithstanding the foregoing, TENANT may assign or sublet the Facilities in whole or in part to an affiliate of TENANT and may sublet any restaurant and/or bar to an unaffiliated third party without LANDLORD’S consent. LANDLORD acknowledges that surrendering possession of all or part of the Facilities for a limited period of time in furtherance of a tournament, exhibition or similar event shall not be deemed a sublease and is permitted. TENANT may also sublet the residential buildings located upon the Demised Premises without LANDLORD’S consent.

 

24.02. If either party proposes to assign this Lease or any interest therein or to sublet all or any portion of the Facilities, such party shall submit to the other party in writing the name of the proposed assignee or subtenant the terms of the proposed subletting or the terms and consideration for the proposed assignment; and any other information reasonably requested by the other party.


24.03. Neither LANDLORD’S nor TENANT’S consent to such proposed assignment or subletting shall be unreasonably withheld or delayed.

 

24.04 Unless otherwise agreed to in writing, any sale or transfer of TENANT or change in majority control of TENANT, other than to an entity ultimately owned or controlled by Avalon Holdings Corporation or any of its subsidiaries, whether by sale of stock, merger, consolidation or otherwise, shall be deemed an assignment of this Agreement and subject to the consent provisions of this Section 24.

 

25. DEFAULTS; REMEDIES:

 

25.01. The occurrence of any one or more of the following events shall constitute a material default and breach of this Lease by TENANT:

 

(a) The failure by TENANT to make any payment of Rent or any other payment required to be made by TENANT hereunder to LANDLORD or to pay Impositions, as and when due, where such failure shall continue for a period of ten (10) days after receipt of written notice thereof from LANDLORD to TENANT;

 

(b) The failure by TENANT to observe or perform any of the covenants, conditions or provisions of this Lease to be observed or performed by TENANT, other than as described in Paragraph (a), (c), (d) and (e) herein, where such failure shall continue for a period of thirty (30) days after written notice thereof from LANDLORD to TENANT; provided, however, that if the nature of TENANT’S default is such that more than thirty (30) days are reasonably required for its cure, then TENANT shall not be deemed to be in default if TENANT commences such cure within said period and thereafter diligently prosecutes such cure to completion; or

 

(c) (i) The making by TENANT, or by any guarantor of TENANT’S obligations under this Lease, of any general arrangement or assignment for the benefit of creditors; (ii) TENANT or TENANT’S guarantor becoming a “debtor” as defined in 11 U.S.C. Section 101


or any successor statute thereto (unless, in the case of a petition filed against TENANT or TENANT’S guarantor, the same is dismissed within sixty (60) days); (iii) the appointment of a trustee or receiver to take possession of substantially all of TENANT’S assets located at the Demised Premises or of TENANT’S interest in this Lease, where possession is not restored to TENANT within thirty (30) days; or (iv) the attachment, execution or other judicial seizure of substantially all of TENANT’S assets located a the Demised Premises or of TENANT’S interest in this Lease, where such seizure is not discharged within thirty (30) days; provided, however, in the event that any provision of this Paragraph 25.1(d) is contrary to any applicable law, such provision shall be of no force or effect.

 

(d) Any guarantor of this Lease is in default under any guaranty of this Lease.

 

(e) A material failure by TENANT to perform in a manner consistent with the standard for Better Private Golf Clubs where such performance is required under this Lease, where such failure shall continue for a period of thirty (30) days after written notice thereof from LANDLORD to TENANT; provided, however, that if the nature of TENANT’S default is such that more than thirty (30) days are reasonably required for its cure, then TENANT shall not be deemed to be in default if TENANT commences such cure within said period and thereafter diligently prosecutes such cure to completion. For purposes this Section 25.01(e), a material failure of TENANT shall mean a significant failure in TENANT’s performance and not isolated instances of employee neglect or of service failures. The provisions of this subsection (e) shall not apply to all of TENANT’s obligations to maintain, repair and operate the Facilities; only those obligations where the alleged default is failure to be “consistent with Better Private Golf Clubs” as required under this Lease.

 

25.02. In the event of any material default or breach by TENANT as set forth in Section 25.01 hereof LANDLORD may, except as provided in Section 25.03, at any time thereafter, with or without notice or demand and without limiting LANDLORD in the exercise of any right or remedy which LANDLORD may have by reason of such default or breach:


(a) Terminate TENANT’S right to possession of the Facilities, with or without terminating the Lease, by any lawful means (including self-help), in which case TENANT shall immediately surrender possession of the Facilities to LANDLORD. No re-entry or retaking of possession of the Demised Premises by LANDLORD shall be construed as an election on its part to terminate this Lease unless a notice of termination is given to TENANT. Should LANDLORD elect to terminate this Lease, LANDLORD shall be entitled to recover from TENANT all damages incurred by LANDLORD by reason of TENANT’S default including, but not limited to, the cost of recovering possession of the Facilities; expenses of reletting, reasonable attorney’s fees, and; the worth at the time of award by the court having jurisdiction thereof of the amount by which the unpaid Rent for the balance of the Term after the time of such termination exceeds the amount of such Rental loss for the same period that TENANT proves could be reasonably avoided;

 

(b) Maintain TENANT’S right to possession in which case this Lease shall continue in effect whether or not TENANT shall have abandoned the Demised Premises. In such event LANDLORD shall be entitled to enforce all of LANDLORD’S rights and remedies under this Lease, including the right to recover the Rent as it becomes due hereunder.

 

(c) Pursue any other remedy now or hereafter available to LANDLORD under the laws or judicial decisions of the State of Ohio.

 

25.03. Notwithstanding anything in this Lease to the contrary, in the event that LANDLORD and TENANT are engaged in a bona fide dispute regarding a default under the Lease, LANDLORD shall not have any right to exercise the remedy provided in Section 25.02(a) or any right to enter upon and take possession of the Facilities or any right to expel or remove TENANT from the Facilities or any other right to disturb, restrict or remove


TENANT from the use or possession of the Facilities unless and until LANDLORD undertakes the following procedures:

 

a) LANDLORD provides TENANT with written notice of the dispute;

 

b) LANDLORD shall submit the dispute to mediation and LANDLORD and TENANT shall undertake to resolve the dispute in mediation for a period of fifteen (15) days; and

 

c) In the event the dispute has not been resolved through mediation, LANDLORD shall submit the dispute to binding “final position” arbitration administered by the American Arbitration Association under its Rules for the Real Estate Industry, provided, however, that the arbitration shall be completed and the award of the arbitrator issued within sixty (60) days of submittal. Included in the arbitration award shall be a determination by the arbitrator of the prevailing and non-prevailing party. The arbitrators shall be empowered to order specific performance of this Agreement. The arbitrators’ decision may only consist of the final position of one of the parties and may not vary therefrom.

 

d) In the event that LANDLORD is the prevailing party in arbitration, TENANT shall immediately remedy or otherwise cure the default in accordance with the award of the arbitrator. If TENANT shall fail to cure or remedy such default within fifteen (15) days of the arbitrator’s award, or, if the nature of TENANT’S remedy or cure is such that more than fifteen (15) days are reasonably required, TENANT shall fail to commence such cure within said period or fail to thereafter diligently prosecutes such cure to completion within the time period stipulated in the arbitration award, LANDLORD shall be entitled to immediately pursue the remedies provided in Section 25.02(a) or otherwise to enter upon and take possession of the Facilities or to expel or remove TENANT from the Facilities.

 

With respect to any arbitration commenced in accordance with subsection c) above, the non-prevailing party shall pay and/or reimburse the prevailing party for: i) all costs,


expenses and fees of the arbitrators, and ii) the prevailing party’s reasonable attorney fees and costs incurred with respect to the dispute from the submission to mediation until the award of the arbitrator. In addition, in the event that either party has been the non-prevailing party in arbitrations commenced in accordance with subsection c) above: (y) two (2) or more times on the same or substantially the same issue, or (z) three (3) or more times on any issue within any twenty-four (24) month period, then the non-prevailing party shall pay and or reimburse the prevailing party for: i) all costs, expenses and fees of the arbitrators, and ii) two (2) times the amount of the prevailing party’s reasonable attorney fees and costs incurred with respect to the dispute from the submission to mediation until the award of the arbitrator. The parties acknowledge that the provisions with respect to the payment of attorney fees provided above are not a penalty but an attempt to discourage habitual noncompliance and frivolous disputes.

 

25.04 LANDLORD shall, upon default of TENANT, take commercially reasonable steps to mitigate its damages.

 

25.05. If LANDLORD fails to perform any obligation required by LANDLORD and fails to cure such default within thirty (30) days after written notice by TENANT to LANDLORD specifying with particularity the nature and extent of the default (provided, however, that if the nature of LANDLORD’S obligation is such that more than thirty (30) days are required for performance then LANDLORD shall not be in default if LANDLORD commences performance within such thirty (30) day period and thereafter diligently prosecutes the same to completion.) TENANT shall be entitled to exercise any and all rights afforded to it by law or in equity.

 

26 . NO WAIVER - NO CHANGE:

 

The failure to insist in any one or more cases upon the strict performance of any of the covenants of this Lease, or to exercise any option herein contained shall not be construed as a waiver or relinquishment for the future of such covenant or option. No waiver, change,


modification or discharge by either party hereto of any provision in this Lease shall be deemed to have been made or shall be effective unless expressed in writing and signed by both parties.

 

27. SURRENDER OF DEMISED PREMISES:

 

27.01. Upon the expiration or sooner termination of this Lease, TENANT will quietly and peacefully surrender to LANDLORD the Facilities together with all Improvements (both fixtures and personal property) and other personal property dedicated to the Facilities, in its then condition subject to the requirements of Section 7.01. The parties agree for the TENANT to deliver the Facilities, Improvements (both fixtures and personal property) and other personal property dedicated to the Facilities to LANDLORD upon expiration or termination of this Lease is fair and reasonable in light of the fact that: i) the Personalty was delivered to TENANT at the Commencement of the Lease, and ii) as an inducement to LANDLORD to enter into this Lease, that LANDLORD would receive at the expiration or termination of this Lease the personalty then used for the operation of the Facilities. Upon expiration or earlier termination of this Lease, the Facilities, together with all Improvements (whether Required, Initial or otherwise) and other personal property dedicated to the Facilities, shall be surrendered by TENANT and shall be the sole and exclusive property of LANDLORD. Notwithstanding the foregoing or anything to the contrary in this Lease to the contrary, TENANT shall be entitled to retain and remove from the Facilities or Demised Premises any of its personal property relating to the two residential dwellings on the Demised Premises that was not a Required Improvement..

 

28. RIGHT OF EACH PARTY TO PERFORM OTHER’S COVENANTS:

 

28.01. In the event of default by either party, each party shall have the right at any time, after thirty (30) day’s notice to the other party (or without notice in case of emergency


or in case any fine, penalty, interest or cost may otherwise be imposed or incurred), to make any payment or perform any act required by such other party under any provision in this Lease, and in exercising such right, to incur necessary costs and expenses, including reasonable counsel fees. Nothing herein shall imply any obligation on the part of either party to make any payment or perform any act required of the other party, and the exercise of the right so to do shall not constitute a release of any obligation or a waiver of any default.

 

28.02. All payments made and all costs and expenses incurred in connection with any exercise of such right shall be reimbursed by the other party within ten (10) days after such payment together with interest at the rate of twelve percent (12%) per annum (the “Default Rate”) from the respective date of the making of such payments or the incurring of such costs and expenses, to the party making and paying the same.

 

28.03. Amounts due from one party to the other under this Lease that are not paid when due shall accrue interest at the Default Rate from the date due until actually paid.

 

29. HOLDING OVER:

 

In the event TENANT continues to occupy the Demised Premises after the last day of the Term, and the LANDLORD elects to accept Rent thereafter, a tenancy from month to month only shall be created and not for any longer period, such month-to-month tenancy shall be on all of the same terms and conditions as during the Term except that: i) Rent shall be one hundred and fifty percent (150%) of the Rent payable by TENANT during prior to the expiration of the Term.

 

30. NOTICES:

 

All notices herein required or permitted to be given to or served upon either party shall be in writing. Any such notice shall be sufficiently given or served, if served personally on an officer of such party, or if sent by certified mail or if sent by a nationally recognized overnight delivery service addressed to such party at its address set forth below, or at such other address as it shall designate in a notice to the other party, as follows:


In the case of a notice to LANDLORD:

 

Squaw Creek Properties, Inc.

C/O

Dale Damioli, President

1340 Virginia Trail

Youngstown, Ohio 44505

 

With a copy to:

 

Brouse McDowell

500 First National Tower

Akron, Ohio, 44308-1474

Attn: Robert P. Reffner

 

In the case of a notice to TENANT:

 

TBG, Inc .

One American Way

Warren, Ohio 44484-5555

Attention: Jeff Grinstein, Esq.

Fax Number: 330-856-8483

 

With a copy to:

 

Avalon Holdings Corporation

One American Way

Warren, Ohio 44484-5555

Attention: Ron Klingle

Fax Number: 330-856-8483

 

Notices may also be delivered by facsimile transmission but shall be followed by an original by one of the means described above within three (3) days, in which case the date of transmission of such facsimile shall be deemed the date of the receipt of such notice unless such facsimile is sent after business hours or on a non-business day; in which case the date of transmission will be deemed to be the next business day.


31. SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS:

 

All rights and obligations under this Lease shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the successors in interest, and assigns of the LANDLORD, and of the TENANT, as the case may be, but no assignment or sublease made contrary to or in violation of the terms hereof shall vest in such assignee or sublessee any rights hereunder.

 

32. INVALIDITY OF PARTICULAR PROVISIONS:

 

If any provision of this Lease or the application thereof to any person or circumstances shall, to any extent, be invalid or unenforceable, the remainder of this Lease, or the application of such provision to persons or circumstances other than those as to which it is invalid or unenforceable, shall not be affected thereby and each provision of this Lease shall be valid and be enforced to the fullest extent permitted by law.

 

33. COUNTERPARTS:

 

This Lease may be in multiple originals, each of which is, in all respects, shall be deemed an original.

 

34. GOVERNING LAW:

 

This Lease shall be governed by the laws of the State of Ohio.

 

35. DISSENTER’S RIGHTS:

 

35.01. Notwithstanding anything contained in this Lease to the contrary, but subject to Section 35.02 below, each of LANDLORD’S and TENANT’S obligations hereunder is fully conditioned upon not more than two percent (2%) of LANDLORD’S shareholders seeking relief as a dissenting shareholder as contemplated by Chapter 1701 of the Ohio Revised Code.

 

35.02. In the event that more than two percent (2%) of LANDLORD’S shareholders seek relief as described above, LANDLORD may require that the parties proceed with their respective obligations hereunder provided that the commencement of this Lease is not stayed or enjoined by judicial or administrative proceedings and each of the following takes place unless otherwise waived by TENANT in writing:


(a) LANDLORD agrees in writing and to the satisfaction of TENANT to defend, indemnify and hold TENANT harmless from all costs, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses arising from the demands of such dissenting shareholders; and

 

(b) LANDLORD provides TENANT with adequate assurances, acceptable to TENANT in its sole discretion, of LANDLORD’S financial ability to satisfy all of its obligations to TENANT arising under Paragraph (a) above and any dissenting shareholders.

 

36. AUTHORITY OF SIGNATORIES:

 

Each of the persons executing this Lease on behalf of LANDLORD and TENANT respectively hereunder hereby represents and warrants that he or she as the case may be, has the full power and authority to act for and bind LANDLORD or TENANT, as the case may be, with respect to all matters contained herein.

 

37. NO THIRD PARTY BENEFICIARIES:

 

Nothing express or implied in this Lease is intended or shall be construed to confer upon or give any person other than the parties to this Lease any rights or remedies under or by reason of this Lease.

 

38. SURVIVAL:

 

Any obligation which shall have arisen pursuant to this Lease prior to any termination or expiration hereof shall survive such termination or expiration of this Lease and shall remain in full force and effect until discharged, satisfied or waived.

 

39. RECORDING:

 

LANDLORD and TENANT shall execute and deliver to the TENANT for recording a short-form memorandum of this Lease and TENANT, at the TENANT’S option and expense shall record the same in the Office of the Recorder of Deeds in which the Demised Premises is located.


40. FORCE MAJEURE:

 

If LANDLORD or TENANT is delayed or prevented from performing any of their respective obligations because of strikes, lockouts, labor troubles, inability to procure materials, failure of power, governmental restrictions or delays (provided LANDLORD or TENANT, as applicable, has made timely application and diligently pursued such required governmental action or approval) or reasons of a like nature not the fault of the party delayed in performing such obligation (each an event of “Force Majeure”), then the period of such delays shall be deemed added to the time herein provided for the performance of any such obligation and the defaulting party shall not be liable for losses or damages caused by such delays; provided, however, that: i) this Section shall not affect Tenant’s obligation to pay Rent or any other sums of money hereunder or any obligation of LANDLORD or TENANT that can be satisfied by the payment of money (provided, however, that the foregoing shall not require TENANT to pay LANDLORD in cash if TENANT is delayed due to an event of Force Majeure in pursuing its Improvement obligations provided in Section 9), and ii) the party delayed by an event of Force Majeure provides written notice to the other party at the time of such event citing the specific cause for the delay. Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, in no event shall the inability to transfer or obtain a liquor permit be considered an event of Force Majeure.

 

41. LIQUOR PERMIT

 

LANDLORD and TENANT agree that TENANT is taking over SCCC’s operation of the restaurant and bar at the Demised Premises, including the sale of beer ,wine and spirituous liquors in accordance with SCCC’s Liquor Permit No. 8458287. LANDLORD shall deliver to TENANT upon full execution of this Lease such documents and instruments as are reasonably requested by TENANT to assist in TENANT’s application for the transfer of SCCC’s Liquor Permit and/or to allow TENANT to obtain its own permit(s). Such documents shall include, without limitation, a Summary of Tenancy, a Management and


Indemnification Agreement substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit K and any other documentation required to be submitted to the Department of Liquor Control. Notwithstanding the foregoing, TENANT acknowledges and agrees that the transfer and/or issuance of a liquor permit to TENANT is not a condition of this Lease and that LANDLORD has no control over the process or ability to effect the transfer or issuance other than assisting TENANT in the application process. Upon the expiration or earlier termination of this Lease, TENANT shall deliver to LANDLORD such documents and instruments as are reasonably requested by LANDLORD to assist in LANDLORD’s application for the transfer of TENANT’s Liquor Permit to LANDLORD, including any documentation required by the Department of Liquor Control.

 

42. FURTHER ASSURANCES:

 

LANDLORD and TENANT agree to cooperate with each other and take such acts or actions, and execute and deliver such documents or instruments as either party may from time to time reasonably request to effectuate the transaction contemplated hereunder, including but not limited to transferring utilities, permits, assigning contracts, etc. LANDLORD shall cause SCCC to cooperate with TENANT and take such acts or actions, and execute such documents or instruments as TENANT may from time to time reasonably request to effectuate the transaction contemplated hereunder, including, but not limited to transferring utilities, permits, assigning contracts, etc.

 

43. REASONABLE CONSENT:

 

Whenever the consent of one party is requested or required under the terms of this Lease, such consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed.

 

44. TRUE LEASE:

 

LANDLORD and TENANT acknowledge and agree that this Lease is a true lease of property and is not intended as a mortgage or other financing instrument, whether equitable or otherwise.


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Lease to be executed in their respective capacities, all as of the day and year first above written. Witnesses:

 

“LANDLORD”

Squaw Creek Properties, Inc.

By:


Its:


“TENANT”

TBG, Inc.

By:


Its:



STATE OF

 

)

   

) SS:

COUNTY OF


 

)

 

Before me, a Notary Public in and for said County and State, this day personally appeared              by              , its              , who executed the above instrument and acknowledged that he/she did sign it and that such signing was his/her free act and deed and the free act and deed in the capacities indicated by his/her signatures and designations.

 

WITNESS my signature and notarial seal at Youngstown, Ohio this              day of              , 20      .

 

 


NOTARY PUBLIC

 

STATE OF

 

)

   

) SS:

COUNTY OF


 

)

 

Before me, a Notary Public in and for said County and State, this day personally appeared              by              , its              , who executed the above instrument and acknowledged that he/she did sign it and that such signing was his/her free act and deed and the free act and deed in the capacities indicated by his/her signatures and designations.

 

WITNESS my signature and notarial seal at Youngstown, Ohio this              day of              , 20      .

 

 


NOTARY PUBLIC


STATE OF

 

)

   

) SS:

COUNTY OF


 

)

 

Before me, a Notary Public in and for said County and State, this day personally appeared              by              , its              , who executed the above instrument and acknowledged that he/she did sign it and that such signing was his/her free act and deed and the free act and deed in the capacities indicated by his/her signatures and designations.

 

WITNESS my signature and notarial seal at Youngstown, Ohio this              day of              , 20      .

 

 


NOTARY PUBLIC


MEMORANDUM OF LEASE

 

This Memorandum of Lease (the “Memorandum”) is made and entered into as of the              day of October, 2003 by and between SQUAW CREEK PROPERTIES, INC. and TBG, INC., an Ohio corporation.

 

WHEREAS, the parties have entered into a Lease Agreement; and

 

WHEREAS, the parties desire to have a Memorandum of the Lease Agreement recorded in the County Clerk’s Office of Trumbull County, Ohio.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, the parties hereby state the following for recording:

 

1. Squaw Creek Properties, Inc., with an address of C/O Dale Damioli, President, 1340 Virginia Trail, Youngstown, Ohio 44505 (“Landlord”), and TBG, Inc., with an address of One American Way, Warren, Ohio 44484-5555 (“Tenant”), entered into that certain lease agreement dated October      , 2003 (the “Lease”), whereby Landlord leased to Tenant certain real property located in the County of Trumbull, State of Ohio and further described in attached Exhibit A (the “Property”).

 

2. The initial term of the Lease (“Initial Term”) is for a period of ten (10) consecutive Lease Years, commencing on November 1, 2003 and ending on October 31, 2013. For purposes of this Memorandum, “Lease Year” shall mean a period of twelve (12) consecutive calendar months from November 1 st until the following October 31 st .

 

3. The Initial Term of the Lease shall automatically be extended for up to four (4) consecutive option periods of ten (10) years each (“Extension Term(s)”), unless Tenant shall, by written notice to Landlord three hundred sixty (360) days or more before the end of the Initial Term or Extension Term, as the case may be, elect to terminate the Lease upon the expiration of the then expiring term.

 

4. In the event of termination of the Lease for any reason contained therein, or upon the expiration of the Initial Term or the Extension Term(s), if applicable, this Memorandum shall be deemed terminated, null and void, and of no further force and effect and removed of record.

 

1


5. This Memorandum has been executed for recording purposes only, and shall not be deemed to amend or supplement any of the terms contained in the Lease, which terms are by this reference incorporated herein and made a part hereof as if fully set forth herein. In the event of any conflicts between the provisions of this Memorandum and the provisions of the Lease, the provisions of the Lease shall prevail.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Memorandum of Lease as of the day and year first above written.

 

LANDLORD:

SQUAW CREEK PROPERTIES, INC..

By:


Its:


TENANT:

TBG, INC.

By:


Its:


 

2


STATE OF OHIO

 

)

   

) SS:

COUNTY OF


 

)

 

BEFORE ME, a Notary Public, in and for said County and State, personally appeared              , the              of Squaw Creek Properties, Inc., who executed the above instrument and acknowledged that he/she did sign the foregoing instrument and that such signing is his/her free act and deed and the free act and deed of said corporation.

 

IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and official seal this              day of              , 2003.

 

 


Notary Public

 

STATE OF OHIO

 

)

   

) SS:

COUNTY OF


 

)

 

BEFORE ME, a Notary Public, in and for said County and State, personally appeared              , the              of TBG, Inc., who executed the above instrument and acknowledged that he/she did sign the foregoing instrument and that such signing is his/her free act and deed and the free act and deed of said corporation.

 

IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and official seal this              day of              , 2003.

 

 


Notary Public

 

This instrument prepared by:

 

Brouse McDowell, L.P.A.

1001 Lakeside Avenue, Suite 1600

Cleveland, Ohio 44114

216.830.6830

 

3


EXHIBIT A

 

LEGAL DESCRIPTION

 

4


EXHIBIT A

 

DESCRIPTION OF REALTY

 

All right title and interest in and to the land and improvements located at 761 Youngstown-Kingsville Road, S.E. in the Township of Vienna, County of Trumbull and State of Ohio as follows: [See legal description attached hereto as Exhibit A and incorporated by reference]

 

Together with all easements, powers, rights, ways, privileges and appurtenances pertaining thereto, including without limitation any rights in and to any oil and/or gas leases (including payments and profits therefrom); together with LANDLORD’S rights to all rentals, rents and lease agreements; together with all public and private utility rights, allotments and permits affecting or which may benefit the property and all zoning, use, environmental, and other rights, licenses, permits and approvals affecting or which may affect the property.


Order No:  

NO049927AC

Reference No:  

127546

 


 

Exhibit “A”

 

Situated in the Township of Vienna, County of Trumbull and State of Ohio:

 

And known as being a part of Lot Numbers Fifteen and Sixteen (15 and 16) of the Original Survey of said Township, bounded and described as follows:

 

Beginning at an iron pin on the Easterly line of the State Road from Youngstown to Dorset, said iron pin being located South 86 deg. 31’ East, Thirty-three (33) feet from an iron pin at the Southwesterly corner of Lot No. 16 placed in the public highway;

 

Thence from said point of beginning North 3 deg. 48’ East, along the Easterly line of said State Road a distance of Five Hundred Twenty-nine and Ninety-nine Hundredths (529.99) feet to an iron pin, said pin is witnessed North 85 deg. 39’ West, Thirty-three (35) feet to an iron pin in the public highway located on the Westerly line of said Lot No. 16;

 

Thence South 85 deg. 39’ East, along the Northerly line of Squaw Creek Land Company’s land, the same being also the Southerly line of lands now or formerly owned by Matilda Everett, a distance of Four thousand Eight hundred Seventy and Twenty Hundredths (4870.20) feet to an old stone monument located on the Easterly line of Lot No. 16, said stone corner is witnessed North 61 deg. 29’ West, Eight and Seven Hundredths (8.07) feet to tack and two blazes in Maple Tree D 7” and North 10 deg. 36’ West, Twenty and Forty-six Hundredths (20.46) feet to tack and two blazes in Maple Tree D 6”;

 

Thence South 3 deg. 43  1 / 2 ’ West, along the Easterly line of Lots Numbers 16 and 15 a distance of One Thousand Four Hundred Sixty-seven and Fifty-nine Hundredths (1467.59) feet to an old iron pin at the Southwesterly corner of the Mary J. Stewart farm in Lot No. 8;

 

Thence South 4 deg. 4  1 / 2 West, further along the Easterly line of Lot No. 15, a distance of Five Hundred Twenty-four and Sixty-nine Hundredths (524.69) feet to an iron pin and corner, said corner is witnessed South 38 deg. 31’ West, Thirty-two and Forty-nine Hundredths (32.49) feet to a tack and two blazes in Maple Tree D 12” and North 50 deg. 53’ West Eleven Thirty-one Hundredths (11.31) feet to tack and two blazes in small Hickory Tree D 2”;

 

Thence North 85 deg. 58’ West, across the lands of Squaw Creek Land Company, a distance of Four Thousand Eight Hundred Fifty-two and Forty-two Hundredths (4852.42) feet to an iron pipe and corner on the Easterly line of said the State Road hereto fore mentioned;

 

Thence North 3 deg. 10’ East, along the Easterly line of said State Road a distance of One Thousand Four Hundred Eighty-nine and Sixty-five hundredths (1489.65) feet to the place of beginning and contains Two Hundred Twenty-four (224) acres of land, as shown by survey made by D. Wise, C.E., dated November 1922, to which reference is hereby made.

 

Be the same more or less, but subject to all legal highways.

 

Youngstown Kingsville Road

Vienna, Ohio 44473

 

PPN: 16-182790 (as to Lot 15)

 

V/L Youngstown Kingsville Road

Vienna, Ohio 44473

 

PPN: 16-182790 (as to Lot 16)


EXHIBIT B

 

INITIAL IMPROVEMENTS

 

PHASE I

 

1) New Men’s Locker Room

 

  New wood paneled lockers and benches comparable to those at Avalon Lakes

 

  New carpeting

 

  New lighting

 

  New tile and bath room fixtures

 

  New or refurbished steam room

 

  Upgraded attendant’s room

 

  Upgraded main hallway in basement

 

2) New Bar and Mixed Grille

 

  The existing women’s card room and adjoining storage room will be converted into a bar and mixed grille. The bar front and soffit face will consist of raised panels with the back of the bar mirrored. Other furnishings and walls in the bar area will give the entire bar area an overall wood appearance.

 

  Gameroom will be installed just off of the bar room.

 

3) New Addition

 

  A new addition consisting of: a pro shop; waitress station and kitchen/grill room; snack facility servicing golfers, tennis players and swimmers; men’s and women’s restrooms; women’s dressing room for pool activities and golf bag storage room will be located on the east side of the existing building. It will have a full basement and ramps leading to it which will house 80 golf carts.

 

  Poolside amenities will include a 16’ deep covered columned patio. The poolside patio will be over 100’ long and will provide members with an area out of the weather for lounging and dining. The new snack facility will have a service window, which will allow swimmers and sunbathers to benefit from the menu that is available to the bar and mixed grill room diners. Men and women’s restrooms and a women’s dressing/changing area are also included.

 

  Golf amenities will include a new pro shop and starter area. A covered walkway and cart staging area is also included for the golfers. This area will also have access to the new snack and restroom facilities. A golf bag storage room will be located at the end of the new addition. The existing pro shop, bag room and cart storage building will be eliminated.

 

PHASE II

 

1)

A new entrance and covered and columned patio will be constructed. The new entrance will provide the existing structure with the “grand” entrance that it is lacking from an architectural point of view. The columned and covered patio with a pitched roofline will provide the existing structure with a totally new look. The existing exterior brick walls will be painted white. The roof lines on all patio areas, including those in Phase I will


 

have at least a 6/12 pitch with a premium grade shingle. The columns and new rooflines will provide a greatly improved building façade and will also provide the benefit of hiding all exhaust fans and air conditioning units located on the roof. The new covered patio will be as large in size as the existing ballroom and will provide the perfect place for outdoor weddings and summertime club parties.

 

2) The interior floor plan of the existing building will be altered. The existing mixed grillroom will be converted into an upscale lounge and game/reading room off of the new foyer.

 

The existing lounge and hall will be eliminated thereby greatly expanding the size of the existing ballroom. Access to the ballroom will be from the new lounge or the existing entrance.

 

The existing formal dining room and men’s grillroom will be converted into the dining room.

 

The existing bathrooms near the existing lounge will be upgraded and enlarged.


EXHIBIT C

 

ENCUMBRANCES

 

Incorporated by reference are all encumbrances disclosed in the title insurance commitment, attached hereto.

 

Lou Greco’s right to house under employment agreement

 

Rental Application, Lease and Receipts Agreement between Squaw Creek Properties, Inc. and Rebecca Carroll signed April 5, 2002 (now month-to-month)

 

Provisions of Working Relationship with Mahoning Valley Sports Charities dba Giant Eagle LPGA Classic executed by Squaw Creek Country Club on November 1, 2000.

 

Golf carts are leased from GC Supply, Inc.

 

Linens are leased from Holowid’s Specialty Linens

 

Mail machine and scale are leased from Pitney Bowes

 

Copier is leased from ComDoc

 

There is an outstanding financing statement filed by New Holland Credit Company on a New Holland Tractor Model TC45 , file number #AP314674, which obligation Landlord has paid in full.

 

The 2000 Ford Explorer used by Lou Greco is leased.

 

The use of an aerator is shared with Trumbull Country Club.

 

Water softener is leased.

 

Easement to Ohio Edison Company filed July 30, 2003 as Instrument No. 300307300033033 of Trumbull County Records.


Endress Title

A Division of Lawyers Title Insurance Corporation

195 South Main Street, Suite 202

Akron OH 44308

(330) 376-0000

FAX: (330) 873-9529

 

Title Insurance Commitment

 

Order No:  

NO049927AC

Reference No:  

127546

Effective Date:  

June 26, 2003 at 6:59 a.m.

 


 

Schedule A

 

1. Policies
 
  a. Policy to be Issued:

ALTA Loan Policy (10/17/1992)

Proposed Insured:        To be determined

Amount of Insurance: $To be determined

 
  b. Policy to be Issued:

ALTA Owner’s Policy (10/17/1992)

Proposed Insured:        To be determined

Amount of Insurance: $To be determined

 

2. The estate or interest in the land described or referred to in this Schedule and covered herein is a Fee Simple and title thereto is at the effective date hereof vested in:

 

Squaw Creek Properties, Inc., by deed filed May 27, 1938 and recorded in Volume 400, Page 513, of the Trumbull County Records.

 

3. The land referred to in this Report is described in Exhibit “A” attached hereto and made part hereof.

 

 

   

Countersigned:

   

BY: [GRAPHIC APPEARS HERE]


   

Authorized Officer or Agent


Order No:  

NO049927AC

Reference No:  

127546


 

Schedule B Section 1

 

Requirements

 

THE FOLLOWING REQUIREMENTS MUST BE MET:

 

  1. This Title Insurance Commitment (the “Commitment”) is issued pursuant to the Agreement to Issue Policy contained on the American Title Association (1966) front cover form (“The Form”) and is subject to the Conditions and Stipulations stated therein, all of which are incorporated herein. If this copy of the Commitment is not accompanied by the Form, a copy of the Form may be obtained from this Company upon request.

 

  2. Instruments necessary to create the estate or interest to be insured must be properly executed, delivered and duly filed for record. Any instrument of conveyance creating an insured interest must comply with local rules on descriptions and conveyances pursuant to Sections 315.251 and 319.203 of the Ohio Revised Code.

 

  3. Payment of the full consideration to, or for the account of the grantors or mortgagors should be made.

 

  4. Payment of taxes, charges, and assessments levied and assessed against subject premises, which are due and payable.

 

  5. Receipt of proof of corporate status, or limited liability company status, or partnership status, and all agreement(s), and necessary consents, authorizations, resolutions, notices and corporate/company/partnership actions have been conducted, given or properly waived relating to the transaction to be insured, including entity resolution(s) authorizing and designating appropriate officers/members/or partners to execute any and all necessary documents.

 

  6. Survey satisfactory to the Company be provided, if survey exceptions are to be deleted.

 

  7. Owners/Sellers Affidavit covering matters of title in a form acceptable to the Company.

 

  8. Further exceptions and/or requirements may be made upon review of the proposed documents and/or upon further ascertaining the details of the transaction.


Order No:  

NO049927AC

Reference No:  

127546


 

Schedule B Section 2

Exceptions

 

The policy or policies to be issued will contain exceptions to the following unless the same are disposed of to the satisfaction of the Company:

 

1.

 

2. Assessments, if any, not yet certified to the County Auditor.

 

3. Rights or claims of parties other than Insured in actual possession of any or all of the property.

 

4. Easements or claims of easements not shown by the public records, boundary line disputes, overlaps, shortages in area, encroachments, and any matters not of record which would be disclosed by an accurate survey and inspection of the premises.

 

5.

 

6 No liability is assumed for tax increases occasioned by retroactive revaluation change in land usage, or loss of any homestead exemption status for insured premises.

 

7. Any inaccuracy in the specific quantity of acreage contained on any survey if any or contained with the legal description of premises insured herein.

 

8. Reservations, restrictions, covenants, limitations, easements, and/or conditions, as established in instrument, filed for record April 10, 1923, in Volume 295, Page 270, of the Trumbull County Records.

 

9. Easement to State of Ohio, filed for record August 16, 1954, in Volume 601, Page 450, of the Trumbull County Records.

 

10. Easement to Ohio Edison Company, filed for record April 6, 1960, in Volume 753, Page 270, of the Trumbull County Records.

 

11. Easement to Ohio Edison Company, filed for record May 26, 1970, in Volume 913, Page 522, of the Trumbull County Records.

 

12. Oil and Gas Lease by and between Squaw Creek Properties, Inc. and Trumbull Resources, filed for record July 28, 1983, in OR Volume 147, Page 118, of the Trumbull County Records.

 

NOTE: FOR FURTHER CONDITIONS, SEE RECORD. THIS COMPANY HAS MADE NO FURTHER EXAMINATION UNDER THE ABOVE INSTRUMENT.

 

13. Oil and Gas Lease by and between Squaw Creek Properties, Inc. and Trumbull Resources, filed for record July 28, 1983, in OR Volume 147, Page 128, of the Trumbull County Records.

 

NOTE: FOR FURTHER CONDITIONS, SEE RECORD. THIS COMPANY HAS MADE NO FURTHER EXAMINATION UNDER THE ABOVE INSTRUMENT.

 

14. Oil and Gas Lease by and between Squaw Creek Properties, Inc. and Trumbull Resources, filed for record July 28, 1983, in OR Volume 147, Page 138, of the Trumbull County Records.

 

NOTE: FOR FURTHER CONDITIONS, SEE RECORD. THIS COMPANY HAS MADE NO FURTHER EXAMINATION UNDER THE ABOVE INSTRUMENT.


15. Oil and Gas Lease by and between Squaw Creek Properties, Inc. and Trumbull Resources, filed for record July 28, 1983, in OR Volume 147, Page 148, of the Trumbull County Records.

 

NOTE: FOR FURTHER CONDITIONS, SEE RECORD. THIS COMPANY HAS MADE NO FURTHER EXAMINATION UNDER THE ABOVE INSTRUMENT.

 

16. Oil and Gas Lease by and between Squaw Creek Properties, Inc. and Trumbull Resources, filed for record March 21, 1986, in OR Volume 284, Page 312, of the Trumbull County Records.

 

NOTE: FOR FURTHER CONDITIONS, SEE RECORD. THIS COMPANY HAS MADE NO FURTHER EXAMINATION UNDER THE ABOVE INSTRUMENT.

 

17. Oil and Gas Lease by and between Squaw Creek Properties, Inc. and Trumbull Resources, filed for record March 21, 1986, in OR Volume 284, Page 320, of the Trumbull County Records.

 

NOTE: FOR FURTHER CONDITIONS, SEE RECORD. THIS COMPANY HAS MADE NO FURTHER EXAMINATION UNDER THE ABOVE INSTRUMENT.

 

18. Water Line Easement to Squaw Creek Properties, Inc., filed for record July 23, 1992, in OR Volume 698, Page 330, of the Trumbull County Records.

 

19. Taxes for the year of 2003, and thereafter, which are not yet due and payable. The

County Treasurer’s General Tax Records for the tax year 2002 are as follows:

 

PPN 16-182790 (as to Lot 15)

Taxes for the first half are paid.

Taxes for the second half are a lien, now due and payable.

Per half amount $20,617.64.

 

PPN 16-182800 (as to Lot 16)

Taxes for the first half are paid.

Taxes for the second half are a lien, now due and payable.

Per half amount $779.40.

 

20. Payment of county taxes and/or special assessments, if applicable, currently due and payable.


Order No:  

NO049927AC

Reference No:  

127546


 

Exhibit “A”

 

Situated in the Township of Vienna, County of Trumbull and State of Ohio:

 

And known as being a part of Lot Numbers Fifteen and Sixteen (15 and 16) of the Original Survey of said Township, bounded and described as follows:

 

Beginning at an iron pin on the Easterly line of the State Road from Youngstown to Dorset, said iron pin being located South 86 deg. 31’ East, Thirty-three (33) feet from an iron pin at the Southwesterly corner of Lot No. 16 placed in the public highway;

 

Thence from said point of beginning North 3 deg. 48’ East, along the Easterly line of said State Road a distance of Five Hundred Twenty-nine and Ninety-nine Hundredths (529.99) feet to an iron pin, said pin is witnessed North 85 deg. 39’ West, Thirty-three (33) feet to an iron pin in the public highway located on the Westerly line of said Lot No. 16;

 

Thence South 85 deg. 39’ East, along the Northerly line of Squaw Creek Land Company’s land, the same being also the Southerly line of lands now or formerly owned by Matilda Everett, a distance of Four thousand Eight hundred Seventy and Twenty Hundredths (4870.20) feet to an old stone monument located on the Easterly line of Lot No. 16, said stone corner is witnessed North 61 deg. 29’ West, Eight and Seven Hundredths (8.07) feet to tack and two blazes in Maple Tree D 7” and North 10 deg. 36’ West, Twenty and Forty-six Hundredths (20.46) feet to tack and two blazes in Maple Tree D 6”;

 

Thence South 3 deg. 43½’ West, along the Easterly line of Lots Numbers 16 and 15 a distance of One Thousand Four Hundred Sixty-seven and Fifty-nine Hundredths (1467.59) feet to an old iron pin at the Southwesterly corner of the Mary J. Stewart farm in Lot No. 8.

 

Thence South 4 deg. 4½ West, further along the Easterly line of Lot No. 15, a distance of Five Hundred Twenty-four and Sixty-nine Hundredths (524.69) feet to an iron pin and corner, said corner is witnessed South 38 deg. 31’ West, Thirty-two and Forty-nine Hundredths (32.49) feet to a tack and two blazes in Maple Tree D 12” and North 50 deg. 53’ West Eleven Thirty-one Hundredths (11.31) feet to tack and two blazes in small Hickory Tree D 2”;

 

Thence North 85 deg. 58’ West, across the lands of Squaw Creek Land Company, a distance of Four Thousand Eight Hundred Fifty-two and Forty-two Hundredths (4852.42) feet to an iron pipe and corner on the Easterly line of said the State Road hereto more mentioned;

 

Thence North 3 deg. 10’ East, along the Easterly line of said State Road a distance of One Thousand Four Hundred Eighty-nine and Sixty-five hundredths (1489.65) feet to the place of beginning and contains Two Hundred Twenty-four (224) acres of land, as shown by survey made by D. Wise, C.E., dated November 1922, to which reference is hereby made.

 

Be the same more or less, but subject to all legal highways.

 

Youngstown Kingsville Road

Vienna, Ohio 44473

 

PPN: 16-182790 (as to Lot 15)

 

V/L Youngstown Kingsville Road

Vienna, Ohio 44473

 

PPN: 16-182790 (as to Lot 16)


EXHIBIT D

 

LITIGATION

 

None


EXHIBIT G

 

RIGHTS WITH RESPECT TO FACILITIES

 

Incorporated by reference are all encumbrances disclosed in the title insurance commitment attached at Exhibit C.

 

Lou Greco’s right to house under employment agreement

 

Rental Application, Lease and Receipts Agreement between Squaw Creek Properties, Inc. and Rebecca Carroll signed April 5, 2002 (now month-to-month)

 

MVSC’s right to occupy the Facilities pursuant to the terms of the Provisions of Working Relationship with Mahoning Valley Sports Charities dba Giant Eagle LPGA Classic executed by Squaw Creek Country Club on November 1, 2000


EXHIBIT H

 

Contracts

 

Agreement between Louis M. Greco and Squaw Creek Country club dated December 15, 2000

 

Rental Application, Lease and Receipts Agreement between Squaw Creek Properties, Inc. and Rebecca Carroll signed April 5, 2002 (now month-to-month)

 

Provisions of Working Relationship with Mahoning Valley Sports Charities dba Giant Eagle LPGA Classic executed by Squaw Creek Country Club on November 1, 2000

 

Letter agreement between Squaw Creek Country Club and Scott Karabin dated December 19, 2002

 

Oil and gas leases described in title insurance commitment attached to Exhibit C

 

Mandy Matsouris agreement regarding promotion to Clubhouse Manager dated November 27, 2002

 

Commercial Music Service Agreement between TCI and Squaw Creek Country Club dated February 3, 1995 (now month-to-month)

 

Rental Fleet Agreement between GC Supply, Inc. and Squaw Creek Country Club dated April 29, 2003 and lease quotation dated August 30, 2001

 

Customer Service Contract between Holowid’s Specialty Linens and Squaw Creek Country Club dated February 6, 2003.

 

Lease of mail machine and scale from Pitney Bowes Credit Corporation

 

Document Management Agreement between ComDoc and Squaw Creek, Inc. dated March 6, 2001

 

Lease of 2000 Ford Explorer used by Lou Greco

 

Agreement with Trumbull Country Club for shared use and ownership of aerator

 

Lease for water softener (month-to-month)

 

Agreement with Liberty Racquet Club/Cathy Ballas for tennis program (year-to-year)


EXHIBIT I

 

SECURITY AGREEMENT AND FINANCING STATEMENT


SECURITY AGREEMENT

 

THIS SECURITY AGREEMENT (the “Agreement”) is made and entered into as of the              day of October, 2003, by and between TBG, Inc., an Ohio corporation (“Debtor”), and Squaw Creek Properties, Inc., an Ohio corporation (“Secured Party”).

 

R E C I T A L S:

 

A. Debtor and Secured Party have entered into that certain Lease of even date herewith (the “Lease”) pursuant to which Secured Party has granted to Debtor a leasehold in substantially all of the assets used in the operation of Squaw Creek Country Club (the “Business”).

 

B. As an inducement to Secured Party to enter into the Lease, Debtor has agreed to grant Secured Party a security interest in certain assets used in the operation of the Business to secure certain obligations of Debtor under the Lease.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises, the mutual covenants, and agreements set forth herein, and for other good and valuable consideration, the parties agree as follows:

 

1. Grant of Security Interest . Debtor hereby grants to Secured Party a security interest in and to all Debtor’s fixtures, furnishings, machinery, equipment and other personal property dedicated to the Facilities (as such term is defined in the Lease) including all substitutions and replacements of the foregoing, and excluding personal property relating to the two residential dwellings on the Demised Premises (as such term is defined in the Lease) (such property hereinafter referred to as the “Collateral”). Terms not otherwise defined in this Agreement shall have the meanings attributed to such terms in the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in the State of Ohio from time to time.

 

2. Obligations Secured . The security interest granted by Debtor to the Secured Party hereunder shall secure Debtor’s obligations to make the Required Improvements as provided in the Lease and to return the Personalty and Facilities (including the Personalty and fixtures comprising Improvements) to Secured Party free of all liens, claims and encumbrances except as identified on Exhibit C of the Lease upon the expiration or earlier termination of the Lease (the “Obligations”). All capitalized terms used in this Section 2 and not specifically defined herein shall have the meaning given to such terms in the Lease.

 

3. Financing Statements . Debtor hereby authorizes Secured Party to execute and cause to be filed any and all necessary Financing Statements (as defined in and pursuant to the Uniform Commercial Code in effect in the State of Ohio) with regard to the Collateral.

 

4. Continuing Agreement . This is a continuing Agreement and will continue in effect until the Obligations have been performed and fully made.


5. Organization of Debtor . Debtor warrants to Secured Party that it is a registered Ohio corporation. Debtor warrants that its exact legal name is as set forth in the first paragraph of this Agreement. Debtor will notify Secured Party thirty (30) days prior to a change of its organizational status or the state of its incorporation, or its name.

 

6. Corporate Acknowledgement . Debtor acknowledges and represents that it is duly authorized to enter into this Agreement.

 

7. Disposition of Collateral . Debtor shall not sell, assign, transfer, grant, give away, hypothecate, pledge or in any manner dispose of or encumber the Collateral and/or Secured Party’s rights with respect to the Collateral until the Obligations have been fully performed, without the prior consent of Secured Party, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld; provided, however, that Debtor may sell or dispose of Collateral (free of the lien created hereby) in the ordinary course of its business, including as items of Collateral are replaced or rendered obsolete, without the prior consent of Secured Party or any further action on the part of Secured Party. Secured Party hereby gives Debtor full power and authority on Secured Party’s behalf to file partial releases and execute such other documents necessary to release the lien created by this Agreement with respect to Collateral sold or disposed of in compliance with this Section 7.

 

8. Default . Debtor may retain possession of the Collateral and use it as permitted by this Agreement so long as the Debtor is not in default hereunder. Debtor shall be considered to be in default of this Agreement if Debtor is in default under Section 25.01(c) of the Lease and/or Secured Party is entitled to exercise its rights under Section 25.02 of the Lease after complying with the provisions of Section 25.03 thereof.

 

9. Waiver . Secured Party shall not be deemed to have waived any rights under this Agreement unless such waiver is given in writing and signed by Secured Party. No delay or omission on the part of Secured Party in exercising any right shall operate as a waiver of such right or any other right. A waiver by Secured Party of a provision of this Agreement shall not prejudice or constitute a waiver of Secured Party’s right otherwise to demand strict compliance with that provision or any other provision of this Agreement. No prior waiver by Secured Party, or any course of dealing between Secured Party and Debtor shall constitute a waiver of any of Secured Party’s rights or of any of Debtor’s obligations as to any future transactions. Whenever the consent of Secured Party is required under this Agreement, such consent shall not be unreasonably withheld. The granting of such consent by Secured Party in any instance shall not constitute continuing consent to subsequent instances where such consent is required.

 

10. Notices . All notices required to be given under this Agreement shall be given in writing and shall be provided to the addresses set forth in the notices section of the Lease or such other address as a party may give notice of in accordance with this section. Notice shall be personally delivered, delivered by facsimile with proof of receipt, or delivered by certified United States mail, postage prepaid.

 

2


11. Entire Agreement . This Agreement, the Financing Statements and the documents referred to therein represent the entire understanding and agreement between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof and supersede all prior negotiations and understandings, if any, between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof.

 

12. Further Assurances . Debtor shall take such acts and actions, and execute and deliver such documents and instruments as Secured Party may reasonably request from time to time to assure Secured Party of the security interests, liens, and rights granted herein, and the perfection of such security interest and liens.

 

13. Severability . In the event that any of the terms or provisions of this Agreement are determined to be unenforceable by any court of competent jurisdiction, the parties to this Agreement shall consider such terms or provisions amended and modified so as to eliminate such invalidity or unenforceability and all other terms and provisions shall remain in full force and effect as originally written.

 

14. Binding Effect . Subject to the restrictions on assignment contained in this Agreement, this Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective heirs, personal representatives, successors and assigns.

 

15. Amendments . No amendment or variation of the terms and conditions of this Agreement shall be valid unless the same is in writing and signed by all the parties hereto.

 

16. Headings . The paragraph headings contained herein are for convenience only and shall not in any way affect the interpretation or enforceability of any provision hereof.

 

17. Governing Law . This Agreement and all transactions contemplated hereby shall be governed, construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of Ohio, without giving effect to the principles of conflicts of laws thereof. The parties agree that any action with respect to an alleged breach of this Agreement will be brought in the federal or state courts located in Trumbull County, Ohio, and the parties hereby consent to being subject to the jurisdiction of such courts and to have any such proceeding take place in Trumbull County, Ohio.

 

3


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement on the day and year first written above.

 

DEBTOR:

TBG, INC.

By:

 

 


Its:

 

 


SECURED PARTY:

SQUAW CREEK PROPERTIES, INC.

By:

 

 


Its:

 

 


 

4


UCC FINANCING STATEMENT

FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS (front and back) CAREFULLY

 

A. NAME & PHONE OF CONTACT AT FILER [optional]

Joy A. Moxon            330-535-5711

B. SEND ACKNOWLEDGMENT TO: (Name and Address)

 

Joy A. Moxon

Brouse McDowell

106 S. Main Street, Suite 500

Akron, Ohio 44308

 

THE ABOVE SPACE IS FOR FILING OFFICE USE ONLY

 

1. DEBTOR’S EXACT FULL LEGAL NAME - insert only one debtor name (1a or 1b) - do not abbreviate or combine names
     1a. ORGANIZATION’S NAME
OR        TGB, Inc.
   1b. INDIVIDUAL’S LAST NAME    FIRST NAME    MIDDLE NAME      SUFFIX
1c. MAILING ADDRESS    CITY    STATE    POSTAL CODE      COUNTRY
    One American Way        Warren        OH        44484-5555      U.S.
1d.  SEE INSTRUCTIONS    ADD’L INFO RE
ORGANIZATION
DEBTOR
  

1e. TYPE OF ORGANIZATION


    Corporation

  

1f. JURISDICTION OF ORGANIZATION


    Ohio

  

1g. ORGANIZATIONAL
ID #, if any

861805

   ¨ NONE
2. ADDITIONAL DEBTOR’S EXACT FULL LEGAL NAME - insert only one debtor name (2a or 2b) - do not abbreviate or combine names
     2a. ORGANIZATION’S NAME                      
     2b. INDIVIDUAL’S LAST NAME    FIRST NAME    MIDDLE NAME      SUFFIX
2c. MAILING ADDRESS    CITY    STATE    POSTAL CODE      COUNTRY
2d. SEE INSTRUCTIONS    ADD’L INFO RE
ORGANIZATION
DEBTOR
   2e. TYPE OF ORGANIZATION    2f. JURISDICTION OF ORGANIZATION    2g. ORGANIZATIONAL
ID #, if any
   ¨ NONE
3. SECURED PARTY’S NAME (or NAME of TOTALASSIGNEE of ASSIGNOR S/P) - insert only one secured party name (3a or 3b)
     3a. ORGANIZATION’S NAME
OR        Squaw Creek Properties, Inc.
   3b INDIVIDUAL’S LAST NAME    FIRST NAME    MIDDLE NAME      SUFFIX
3c MAILING ADDRESS    CITY    STATE    POSTAL CODE      COUNTRY
    c/o Dale Damioli, President, 1340 Virginia Trail        Youngstown        OH        44505          U.S.
4. This FINANCING STATEMENT covers the following collateral:

 

All Debtor’s fixtures, furnishings, machinery, equipment and other, personal property dedicated to the Facilities (as such term is defined in that certain lease between Debtor and Secured Party signed October 7, 2003 (the “Lease”)), including all substitutions and replacements of the foregoing, and excluding personal property relating to the two residential dwellings on the Demised Premises (as such term is defined in the Lease).

 

5. ALTERNATIVE DESIGNATION [if applicable]:    ¨ LESSEE/LESSOR    ¨ CONSIGNEE/CONSIGNOR    ¨ BAILEE/BAILOR    ¨ SELLER/BUYER    ¨ AG, LIEN  ¨   NON-UCC FILING
6. ¨ THIS FINANCING STATEMENT is to be filed [for record] (or recorded) in the REAL ESTATE RECORDS Attach Addendum [if applicable]   

7. Check to REQUEST SEARCH REPORT(S) on Debtor(s) [ADDITIONAL FEE]

[optional]

   ¨  All Debtors    ¨  Debtor 1   ¨ Debtor 2

8. OPTIONAL FILER REFERENCE DATA

 


 

FILING OFFICE COPY - UCC FINANCING STATEMENT (FORM UCC1) (REV, 05/22/02)


EXHIBIT J

 

MANAGEMENT OBLIGATIONS

 

1. Subject to payment of applicable dues, each Squaw Creek Country Club member (regardless of category of membership) electing to continue as a member as of the Commencement Date (a “SCCC Member”) will be eligible for membership in any of the Avalon Lakes Golf Club (“Avalon”) membership categories (i.e., family, social, individual) and enjoy the right to use the facilities of Avalon and Squaw Creek.

 

2. The initiation fee for membership in the Avalon Lakes Golf Club will be waived for each SCCC Member.

 

3. TENANT will offer to hire all SCCC employees employed by SCCC as of the Commencement Date. No assurance is made by TENANT of the continued employment of any person accepting TENANT’S employment offer.

 

4. TENANT will assume the employment agreement with Lou Greeco, subject to Article 35 of the Lease.

 

5. If TENANT does not elect to continue SCCC’s relationship with Scott Karabin with respect to the operation of the SCCC pro shop, TENANT shall purchase Mr. Karabin’s saleable inventory at cost.

 

6. TENANT will assume the rights and responsibilities of SCCC, LANDLORD, and Squaw Creek Tournaments, Inc. under those certain Provisions of Working Relationship with Mahoning Valley Sports Charities dba Giant Eagle LPGA Classic executed by SCCC on November 1, 2000, subject to Article 34 of the Lease.

 

7. TENANT shall host a golf outing for the Jewish Community Center on an annual basis, free of course rental charges.


8. The current schedule of Avalon membership rights, privileges and costs is attached hereto as Schedule 1. LANDLORD acknowledges that such Schedule is subject to change, except that no changes shall be in contravention of the provisions of this Exhibit as they apply to SCCC Members.

 

9. Until December 31, 2006, TENANT will set aside tee times from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. on Saturdays and Sundays at the Squaw Creek course for the use of all Avalon members. TENANT will substitute the Avalon Lakes or other comparable course if Squaw Creek is unavailable for any reason. During the aforementioned Saturday and Sunday time intervals, SCCC Members will have at least one (1) week reservation priority for the Squaw Creek course over other Avalon members. Until December 31, 2006, women SCCC Members will have a similar reservation priority for an agreed upon two (2) hour interval on Tuesdays at the Squaw Creek course.

 

10. TENANT will maintain the name Squaw Creek in an agreed upon fashion.

 

11. There will be no charge to SCCC Members for bag transfer between Squaw Creek and Avalon Lakes.

 

12. No year end assessments for SCCC Members.

 

13. No minimum purchase requirements for SCCC Members.

 

14. Golf carts at Avalon Lakes and Squaw Creek shall be equipped with GPS or comparable system, which is included in Avalon’s golf cart fee through 2006. SCCC Members electing membership under Plan 1, Plan 2 or the family golf plan shall have no golf cart fee at the Squaw Creek course through 2006.

 

15. Annual dues increases for SCCC Members shall be capped at 5% through 2005.


16. TENANT will honor any Squaw Creek events booked prior to September 15, 2003, and set forth on Schedule II.

 

17. Avalon will form a social committee which will include representation from Squaw Creek’s social members.

 

18. Smoking inside the Squaw Creek clubhouse will be limited to the bar only.

 

19. House charges will be permitted to SCCC Members.

 

20. Squaw Creek restaurant/bar and club operation open year-round, subject to reasonable use.

 

21. No additional charges to SCCC Members for use of tennis courts.

 

22. Golf members will enjoy all social membership privileges.

 

23. Squaw Creek tennis courts and pool will be maintained for three (3) years; thereafter, subject to reasonable use.

 

24. Women’s card room at Squaw Creek will remain open year-round through 2006


Schedule 1

 

The Avalon Lakes Golf & Country Club

 

Dues and Fees Schedule for 2003

 

Membership
Programs


   Annual
Dues


   Golf Fees
Avalon Lakes


   Golf Fees
Squaw Creek


   Walk/
Caddy


  

Bag
Storage/
Inter-

Club
Transfer


   Driving
Range


   Fitness
Facility-
Lakes


   Swim/
Tennis-
Creek


   Annual
Locker
Rental


   Year
End
Assess-
Ments


   Minimum
Purchase
Require-
ments


      Golf

   Cart

   Golf

   Cart

                       

Family Plans

                                                                            

—Member & Spouse/ Children

   $ 4,000    $ 0    $ 15    $ 0    $ 0    Yes    Included    Included    Included    Included    $ 190    None    None

—Social

   $ 1,000      N/A      N/A      N/A      N/A    N/A    N/A    N/A    Included    Included    $ 190    None    None

Individual Plans

                                                                            

Plan 1

   $ 3,000    $ 0    $ 15    $ 0    $ 0    Yes    Included    Included    Included    Included    $ 190    None    None

Plan 2

   $ 2,400    $ 20    $ 15    $ 0    $ 15    Yes    Included    Included    Included    Included    $ 190    None    None

Plan 3

   $ 1,000    $ 50    $ 15    $ 25    $ 15    Yes    Included    Included    Included    Included    $ 190    None    None

Social -Individual

   $ 500      N/A      N/A      N/A      N/A    N/A    N/A    N/A    Included    Included    $ 190    None    None

Accompanied Guest Fees

          $ 60    $ 15    $ 40    $ 15    Yes    Included    Included    N/A    Included      Included    N/A    N/A

Unaccompanied Guest Fees

          $ 85    $ 15    $ 50    $ 15    Yes    Included    Included    N/A    Included      Included    N/A    N/A

Public Rates

          $ 135    $ 15    $ 85    $ 15    Yes    N/A    Included    N/A    N/A      Included    N/A    N/A

 

3


EXHIBIT K

 

MANAGEMENT AND INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT


MANAGEMENT AND INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT

 

THIS MANAGEMENT AND INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT (“Agreement”) is entered into as of this              day of October, 2003, by and between Squaw Creek, Inc., an Ohio nonprofit corporation (“Owner”) and TBG, Inc., an Ohio corporation (“Manager”).

 

R E C I T A L S:

 

A. Owner is the holder of that certain D4 liquor permit duly issued by the Department of Liquor Control of the State of Ohio (the “Department”), known as Liquor Permit No. 8458287, (the “Liquor Permit”), for use at the restaurant and bar at Squaw Creek Country Club located at 761 Youngstown Kingsville Rd. SE, Vienna, Ohio 44473 (the “Property”).

 

B. Pursuant to that certain Lease, of even date herewith, between Squaw Creek Properties, Inc., an Ohio corporation (“Properties”), of which Owner is a majority shareholder, and Manager (the “Lease”), Properties has agreed to lease all of the assets and business operations of Squaw Creek Country Club (the “Business”) to Manager. Manager intends to continue to use the Liquor Permit at the Property upon commencement of the Lease.

 

C. Owner desires to engage Manager’s services to manage and operate the Business for the time period necessary for the Department to approve the transfer of the Liquor Permit to Manager, on the condition that Manager agrees to indemnify and hold Owner harmless from any and all claims, causes of action, damages and liabilities asserted against or incurred by Owner as a result of Manager’s operation of the Business.

 

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing premises and the mutual covenants and agreements herein contained, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and adequacy of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties agree as follows:

 

1. Term . Owner shall permit Manager to continue to operate the Business for and on behalf of Owner for the time period commencing the day and year first above written until such time that the Liquor Permit is legally transferred to Manager (the “Management Term”). The Management Term is subject to earlier termination upon any of the following events:

 

(a) Manager obtains a new D5 or D6 permit from the Department for use at the Property; or

 

(b) Thirty (30) days after Owner delivers a written notice of default to Manager following a material breach of this Agreement by Manager; or

 

(c) Owner and Manager agree in writing to terminate this Agreement.


2. Responsibilities of Manager . Manager shall have the following responsibilities with regard to the operation of the Business during the term of this Agreement:

 

  (a) Manage and supervise the operation of the Business, including the sale of beer, wine, and liquor, in a proper businesslike and lawful manner;

 

  (b) Purchase all necessary beverages, supplies, and products.

 

  (c) Keep a substantially complete set of books and records which shall show all business transacted;

 

  (d) Pay all expenses of operating the Business, including, without limitation, all wages, payroll taxes, sales taxes, worker’s compensation and unemployment compensation premiums, federal unemployment taxes, permit fees, vendor’s fees, utilities and rent due for the Business incurred in the course of Manager’s operation of the Business, whether during or after the Management Term.

 

  (h) Comply with all federal, state and local laws, rules and regulations pertaining to the operation of the Business and to wages, hours and conditions of employment. All fines or penalties chargeable by reason of Manager’s violation of any law applicable to the Liquor Permit shall be paid by Manager, except (1) those fines, penalties, “watch” fees, or taxes of any description existing at or before the date of this Agreement; and (2) fines, penalties, fees, or taxes of any description imposed after the date of this Agreement but that were caused by actions at or before the date of this Agreement. Manager further agrees not to cause a suspension, revocation, or cancellation of the Liquor Permit;

 

  (i) Hire, fire and control of the conduct of all employees of the Business and supervise all personnel having duties incident to the operation of the Business;

 

  (j) Prepare and file all tax returns or reports relating to the operation of the Business under this Agreement, including, without limitation, worker’s compensation, unemployment compensation, federal unemployment taxes, federal and state income withholding taxes, permit fees and vendor fees.

 

4. Compensation . Manager shall retain one hundred percent (100%) of the net profits and any and all other economic benefits related to the Business during the Management Term.


5. Agency . With respect to the performance of the services hereunder, the acquisition of all inventory and contracting for services and other merchandise required by law in the operation of the Business, Manager shall be acting as Owner’s agent. Manager’s authority in this regard is limited to purchasing inventory in the ordinary course of business in a reasonable businesslike manner and on reasonable and customary terms and conditions.

 

6. Insurance . As of the commencement of the Management Term, Manager shall maintain a public liability insurance policy with coverage to include alcohol service liability and with limits not less than the limits set forth in the public liability insurance policy maintained by Owner for the operation of the Business for the time period immediately preceding the effective date of this Agreement.

 

7. Indemnification . Manager hereby agrees to indemnify and hold Owner harmless from any and all claims, losses, causes of action, damages and liabilities asserted against or incurred by Owner as a result of Manager’s operation of the Business under this Agreement. Owner agrees that should it receive notice of any claim, action or demand with respect to any matter to which it is entitled to be indemnified under this Agreement, Owner will immediately provide written notice thereof to Manager. Manager shall then have the right to contest and defend, by all appropriate legal or other proceedings such claim, action or demand, provided that:

 

  (a) Written notice of the intention of Manager to contest and defend such claim, action or demand shall be delivered to Owner within fifteen (15) days from the date Manager received notice from Owner of its request to be indemnified;

 

  (b) Manager shall pay all expenses in connection with the defense of such claim, action or demand;

 

  (c) The defense of such claim, action or demand shall be undertaken by attorneys chosen by Manager but which are reasonably acceptable to Owner. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, Owner shall have the right to participate in such proceedings and to be represented by additional attorneys of its own choosing, but such additional attorneys shall be at Owner’s own cost and expense.

 

If Manager does not elect to contest or defend any such claim, action or demand, Manager and Owner shall be bound by the results obtained by Owner, including any out-of-court settlement or compromise.

 

If requested by Manager, Owner agrees to fully cooperate in the defense of any such claim, action or demand which is being contested or defended and, if applicable, Owner agrees to cooperate in making any counterclaim which Manager deems advisable.


Manager agrees that the foregoing indemnity shall survive any termination of the Management Term or this Agreement, no matter what the cause of the termination.

 

8. Limitation of Liability . OWNER AND MANAGER AGREE THAT UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCE SHALL EITHER PARTY BE HELD LIABLE OR RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, EXEMPLARY OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF OR IN ANY MANNER RELATING TO THE PERFORMANCE OR NONPERFORMANCE OF THIS AGREEMENT.

 

9. Relationship of the Parties . Manager’s authority shall be derived wholly from this Agreement and Manager shall have no authority to act for or represent Owner, except as herein specified. This Agreement constitutes a management agreement only and shall not be construed to create a joint venture or partnership between the parties hereto.

 

10. Miscellaneous .

 

  (a) Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall constitute an original instrument, but all of which together shall constitute one instrument.

 

  (b) Other Agreements . This Agreement supersedes any other agreements, written or oral, that may have been made or entered into by the parties before the date hereof relating to management of the Business. Nothing expressed or implied in this Agreement is intended or shall be construed to confer upon or give any person, firm, or corporation other than the parties hereto any rights or remedies under or by reason of this Agreement.

 

  (c) Assignment . Neither party may assign any of its rights or delegate any of its obligations under this Agreement without the prior written consent of the other party. Subject to the preceding sentence, this Agreement will apply to, be binding in all respects upon and inure to the benefit of the successors and permitted assigns of the parties.

 

  (d) Modification of Agreement . No change, alteration, or modification of this Agreement shall be effective unless in writing and signed by the parties.

 

  (e) Governing Law . This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of Ohio, without giving effect to the conflict of laws provisions thereof.


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have set their hands on the day and year first above written.

 

Signed in the Presence of:

  TBG, Inc.

 

By:

 

 

 

Its:

 

 
    Squaw Creek, Inc.

 

By:

 

 

 

Its:

 

 

Exhibit 31.1

 

AVALON HOLDINGS CORPORATION

CERTIFICATIONS PURSUANT TO

SECTION 302 OF

THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

 

CERTIFICATION

 

I, Ted Wesolowski, certify that:

 

1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Avalon Holdings Corporation;

 

2. Based on my knowledge, this quarterly report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this quarterly report;

 

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this quarterly report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this quarterly report;

 

4. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14) for the registrant and we have:

 

  a) designed such disclosure controls and procedures to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this quarterly report is being prepared;

 

  b) evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing date of this quarterly report (the “Evaluation Date”); and

 

  c) presented in this quarterly report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures based on our evaluation as of the Evaluation Date;

 

5. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent function):

 

  a) all significant deficiencies in the design or operation of internal controls which could adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial data and have identified for the registrant’s auditors any material weaknesses in internal controls; and

 

  b) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal controls; and

 

6. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have indicated in this quarterly report whether or not there were significant changes in internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect internal controls subsequent to the date of our most recent evaluation, including any corrective actions with regard to significant deficiencies and material weaknesses.

 

Date: November 13, 2003

 

/s/ Ted Wesolowski


Ted Wesolowski
Chief Executive Officer

 

23

Exhibit 31.2

 

AVALON HOLDINGS CORPORATION

CERTIFICATIONS PURSUANT TO

SECTION 302 OF

THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

 

CERTIFICATION

 

I, Timothy C. Coxson, certify that:

 

1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Avalon Holdings Corporation;

 

2. Based on my knowledge, this quarterly report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this quarterly report;

 

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this quarterly report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this quarterly report;

 

4. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14) for the registrant and we have:

 

  a) designed such disclosure controls and procedures to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this quarterly report is being prepared;

 

  b) evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing date of this quarterly report (the “Evaluation Date”); and

 

  c) presented in this quarterly report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures based on our evaluation as of the Evaluation Date;

 

5. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent function):

 

  a) all significant deficiencies in the design or operation of internal controls which could adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial data and have identified for the registrant’s auditors any material weaknesses in internal controls; and

 

  b) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal controls; and

 

6. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have indicated in this quarterly report whether or not there were significant changes in internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect internal controls subsequent to the date of our most recent evaluation, including any corrective actions with regard to significant deficiencies and material weaknesses.

 

Date: November 13, 2003

 

/s/ Timothy C. Coxson


Timothy C. Coxson
Chief Financial Officer

 

24

Exhibit 32.1

 

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO

18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,

AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO

SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

 

In connection with the Quarterly Report of Avalon Holdings Corporation on Form 10-Q for the period ending September 30, 2003 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Ted Wesolowski, Chief Executive Officer of Avalon Holdings Corporation, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

 

  (1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

 

  (2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of Avalon Holdings Corporation.

 

/s/ Ted Wesolowski


Ted Wesolowski
Chief Executive Officer

November 13, 2003

 

25

Exhibit 32.2

 

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO

18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,

AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO

SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

 

In connection with the Quarterly Report of Avalon Holdings Corporation on Form 10-Q for the period ending September 30, 2003 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Timothy C. Coxson, Chief Financial Officer of Avalon Holdings Corporation, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

 

  (1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

 

  (2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of Avalon Holdings Corporation.

 

/s/ Timothy C. Coxson


Timothy C. Coxson
Chief Financial Officer

November 13, 2003

 

26