UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 8-K

 

CURRENT REPORT

 

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): November 22, 2016

 

Minn Shares Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware

 

000-54218

 

37-1615850

(State or other jurisdiction
of incorporation)
  (Commission File Number)   (I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)

 

315 E. Lake St. Suite 301, Wayzata, MN 55391

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

877-973-9191

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:

 

1624 Harmon Place, Suite 210, Minneapolis, MN 55403

( Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registration under any of the following provisions ( see General Instruction A.2. below):

 

Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
   
Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
   
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
   
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 

 

 

     

 

 

Item 1.01 Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.

 

The disclosures set forth in Item 2.01 below are hereby incorporated by reference into this Item 1.01.

 

Item 2.01 Completion of Acquisition or Disposition of Assets.

 

Pursuant to an Agreement and Plan of Securities Exchange dated November 22, 2016 (the “Exchange Agreement”), by and among Minn Shares Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), Titan CNG LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Titan” and together with the Company, “we,” “us,” or “our”), and the holders of 100% of the outstanding equity interests of Titan (the “Members”), the Company acquired all of the Members’ equity interests in exchange for 12,424,058 shares of the Company’s common stock (the “Securities Exchange”). The number of shares of common stock issued in the Securities Exchange represents approximately 91.25% of the Company’s total outstanding shares of common stock on a post-transaction basis. Accordingly, the Securities Exchange resulted in a change in control of the Company. The Securities Exchange was effective as of November 22, 2016.

 

The Securities Exchange will be accounted for as a capital transaction. At the effective time of the Securities Exchange, the business plan of Titan became the business plan of the Company. Upon completion of the Securities Exchange, all officers of the Company resigned and were replaced by officers designated by Titan.

 

The foregoing description of the Exchange Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Exchange Agreement, a copy of which is filed as Exhibit 2.1 hereto and is incorporated by reference herein.

 

On November 23, 2016, the Company and Shock Inc., a Delaware corporation owned by John P. Yeros, Kirk S. Honour and Randy Gilbert (the “Management Entity”) entered into an agreement and plan of merger (the “Merger Agreement”) whereby the Management Entity merged with and into the Company (the “Management Entity Merger”). Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, at the effective time of the Management Entity Merger the separate corporate existence of the Management Entity ceased and the issued and outstanding shares of common stock of the Management Entity converted into 2,244,936 shares of the Company’s common stock. As a result of the Management Entity Merger, the Company succeeded as a party to employment agreements with each of Messrs. Yeros, Honour and Gilbert (the “J. Yeros Employment Agreement,” “K. Honour Employment Agreement” and “R. Gilbert Employment Agreement,” respectively, and collectively, the “Employment Agreements”). See “Description of the Business of Titan – Employees.”

 

The foregoing description of the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Merger Agreement, a copy of which is filed as Exhibit 2.2 hereto and is incorporated by reference herein.

 

As of the date of this report, there are 15,860,342 shares of Company common stock and no shares of Company preferred stock outstanding.

 

Description of the Business of Titan

 

Summary

 

Titan is a compressed natural gas (“CNG”) services business based in Wayzata, Minnesota. We believe that the market for fueling natural gas vehicles (“NGVs”) and other CNG applications is growing for both environmental and economic reasons, and that the CNG industry in general is currently undervalued as a result of the fall in oil prices in 2014 and 2015. Despite oil having traded as low as approximately $30 per barrel and thereby compressing the price advantage natural gas has over gasoline or diesel, the number of gallon equivalents of natural gas sold in the U.S. in 2015 increased by approximately 25%. We believe that while fleet adoption to CNG has slowed relative to pre-2014 levels, the CNG market will continue to grow over the next several years. Titan’s strategy is to acquire existing stations and ancillary businesses serving the CNG industry and to grow organically by constructing public and private NGV stations on the back of long-term customer contracts. Our management team and board of directors has significant experience in acquiring companies, including businesses in distress, and expects to use its acquisition and capital structure experience as well as its operating expertise to create value in the CNG industry.

 

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We acquire, build and operate public and private CNG stations. U.S. Gain, the fourth largest CNG station owner in the U.S., either currently manages or is expected to manage the point of sale system, customer billing, and direct costs made up of natural gas, electricity, and taxes for each of our stations. We opened our first station in Lake Forest, California in February 2015, and in March 2016 Diamond Bar began operations of its CNG station under a lease agreement with the State of California South Coast Air Quality Management District (“SCAQMD”) in Diamond Bar, California We also are currently constructing a private station for Walters Recycling & Refuse in Blaine, Minnesota which we will operate under a seven year take-or-pay contract with Walters. We believe that there are several potential acquisitions available and are actively pursuing a number of acquisition opportunities.

 

We expect to primarily use capital to:

 

Pursue additional acquisitions of CNG related businesses;

 

Upgrade equipment at our El Toro and Diamond Bar stations;

 

Complete construction of one additional station we have underway in Blaine, Minnesota;

 

Refinance short term indebtedness;

 

Hire additional personnel; and

 

Provide working capital for our operations and growth.

 

Market Overview

 

We believe that there is an immediate opportunity to capture market share in the growing U.S. natural gas vehicle fueling market. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, in October 2016 natural gas was selling at retail in the U.S. at approximately $2.05 per gas gallon equivalent while gasoline and diesel were selling for approximately $2.24 and $2.38 per gallon, respectively, per the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Fleets operating under long term fueling contracts, which represent a large part of the natural gas vehicle fueling market, are paying well under $2.00 per gas gallon equivalent (“GGE”). We expect this disparity to remain intact for the foreseeable future, which creates a strong economic incentive for vehicle operators to switch to CNG. In addition, CNG is a significantly cleaner fuel than is gasoline or diesel and creates less engine wear, thereby making its use even more desirable. As of October 2016, there are approximately 950 public CNG stations in the United States based on information published by the U.S. Department of Energy, compared to over 124,000 gasoline stations across the country according to the Association for Convenience and Fuel Retailing. The number of total CNG stations has been growing at a compound annual growth rate of 14% since 2009. This creates an obvious growth opportunity in the U.S. as fleets seek to lower operating costs, reduce emissions, and meet sustainability goals.

 

We believe the opportunity for natural gas as a vehicle fuel source is permanent and growing in the United States. In particular, fleets, especially those operated by large corporations, are continuing to convert vehicles to run on natural gas as opposed to gasoline or diesel for both environmental as well as economic reasons. We believe that these trends will continue for the more detailed reasons below:

 

According to NGV Journal, a natural gas trade publication, as of 2016 there were more than 22.4 million natural gas vehicles in the world. Global usage of natural gas vehicles has grown at a compound annual growth rate of 21.6% for a decade.

   

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The U.S. represents less than 1% of total NGVs with approximately 150,000 natural gas vehicles in operation. That is compared with over 250 million total vehicles in the U.S. As a result, the U.S. is expected to see some of the fastest growth due to abundant proven reserves and the low cost of domestically produced natural gas. As a percentage of all natural gas consumed, natural gas for transportation accounts for only 0.1%. Moreover, natural gas represents less than 0.1% of the 44 billion gasoline gallon equivalents consumed by fleet customers, the largest segment of the addressable market. EIA Annual Energy Outlook 2014 estimates that the U.S. heavy truck market will consume 12 billion diesel gallon equivalents (“DGEs”) annually by 2040.

 

The raw cost of natural gas is less than $0.60 per GGE as of August 2016. Even after adding electricity expenses to run a compressor and other station equipment, and taxes, the average gross margin earned by a station owner is approximately $1.00 per GGE. At the retail pump average price of $2.05, natural gas enjoys a $0.30 per GGE price advantage over diesel and a $0.20 per GGE advantage over gasoline as of October 2016. Because the commodity cost for natural gas is significantly lower than gasoline or diesel, natural gas could rise in price or oil could reduce further in price and still allow for a meaningfully lower price for CNG than for gasoline or diesel. And unlike gasoline and diesel as oil prices rise CNG prices will likely remain stable as natural gas is produced as a by product of oil production.

 

Traditional natural gas produces up to 21% less greenhouse gases than gasoline and diesel on a well-to-wheels basis according to NGVAmerica, a national organization dedicated to the natural gas vehicle industry, and renewable natural gas can achieve a greater than 100% reduction in greenhouse gases according to Argonne National Laboratory. At the same time CNG produces over 90% fewer particulate emissions than diesel according to the U.S. Department of Energy. Several municipalities are encouraging the use of natural gas trucks because of cost savings and their quieter, cleaner operation in urban settings.

 

The United States is the largest producer of natural gas in the world with 689 trillion cubic feet of proven reserves and production in 2015 of 728 billion cubic meters representing over 20% of the global output according to British Petroleum. Corporations and governments looking to have a long-term reliable stably priced transportation fuel source are increasingly cognizant of the natural gas reserves available to U.S. producers.

 

The federal government and numerous state and local governments have offered grants and tax rebates, and have passed regulations promoting the use of natural gas as a vehicle fuel source. In addition many local and state governments operate natural gas vehicles and have become anchor customers for public CNG stations in order of promote CNG usage. We expect these incentives to continue.

 

Natural gas is considered safer than petroleum products because natural gas dissipates into the air when spilled, which significantly reduces the risk of fire caused by spilled fuel. Natural gas ignites at very high temperatures and a very narrow oxygen concentration band, making it less ignitable than gasoline. Also, CNG is not a threat to soil or groundwater as it is stored in above ground tanks.

 

The United States natural gas distribution infrastructure has primarily focused on supplying gas to end users for purposes of home heating and electrical power generation. The United States has a highly developed natural gas pipeline transportations system. These large diameter, high pressure gas lines provide natural gas to most parts of the country.

 

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While pipelines are in place, there are still very few retail CNG fueling stations. California has led the way on developing CNG stations as part of its clean air initiative. However, there are only approximately 950 public CNG stations and approximately 800 private stations.

 

The market for CNG fueling solutions is currently served by a few larger operators and a number of smaller operators with a few stations. The following are the primary competitors serving the CNG market:

 

Clean Energy

 

$608 million market capitalization as of September 6, 2016

Owns and/or operates more than 570 CNG stations in 42 states

Sold 30 million CNG GGE’s in 2015, a 16% increase over 2014

 

TruStar

 

Operates 120 stations

 

Love’s Travel Stops (formerly Trillium)

 

Purchased 40 Trillium stations in February 2016

Now operating over 120 stations

 

U.S. Gain

 

Created by US Venture to focus on fleet CNG fueling needs

Owns/operates 52 stations

 

Other smaller competitors include CNG 4 America, Questar Fueling, Clean N' Green, IGS CNG Services, Freedom CNG, Sparq, Piedmont Natural Gas.

 

Our Strategy

 

Our goal is to capitalize on the current and anticipated growth in the use of natural gas vehicle fuels and to advance our leadership position in that market. To achieve this, we are pursuing the following strategies:

 

Acquire existing CNG stations . Titan intends to identify, analyze, and acquire CNG refueling stations, with a particular focus on stations in the Midwest, West and Southwest regions of the United States. We will seek to acquire CNG refueling stations that we believe have above average sales growth and profit potential.  Titan’s management team will conduct searches in our target markets for CNG refueling stations that meet our preliminary acquisition criteria, which include the following:

 

demographic markets and geographic suitability;

 

status of station performance;

 

potential upside in performance improvement;

 

sales efficiency processes and resources; and

 

service market penetration opportunity.

 

As we identify specific acquisition targets, the Titan management team will analyze each targeted CNG station to determine if it is a suitable acquisition target.  If we determine that a potential target meets our criteria, then we will move toward more formal discussions with the target's ownership.  Once negotiations are completed and acquisition documents, including any financing documents, are finalized, we will complete the transaction and begin to implement our operating plans with respect to the acquired station.

 

Open public stations on the back of anchor fleet customers . We target high-volume fleet customers such as public transit, refuse haulers, regional trucking companies, vehicle fleets that serve airports and seaports and large national companies with distribution and service vehicles. For example, our Titan Diamond Bar station serves the SCAQMD as an anchor customer.

 

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Open private stations serving fleets under take-or-pay contracts . We intend to leverage our expertise in building and operating CNG stations by serving fleet customers that wish to have their own private station to fuel vehicles overnight using a time-fill system and during the day with a fast-fill capability. Our Walters Recycling & Refuse station is being built solely for Walters use and Walters has agreed to purchase a minimum of 144,000 GGEs of fuel from us per year under a seven year contract.

 

Further develop Gain relationship . We believe our developing relationship with U.S. Gain (“Gain”) has significant potential. Gain has one of the largest networks of national fleet customers served through Gain’s 50+ owned stations as well as through joint ventures with other station owners such as Titan. Gain has indicated a desire to continue to expand the relationship beyond our initial two stations of Titan El Toro and Diamond Bar. We believe that by combining Gain’s access to national fleets and our ongoing focus on finding local fleet customers as well as serving retail customers, we can accelerate our growth, increase sales, and improve our margins.

 

Emphasize superior customer service . We work closely with our customers to understand their specific needs and provide relevant solutions.

 

Our Target Customers

 

We target corporate fleet, government fleet and individual customers. Our initial focus is on fleet customers with vehicles that return to a common base each day. We believe that these customers will benefit most immediately from the economic advantages available through CNG usage. Specific types of fleets targeted are:

 

Corporate Fleets:

 

Taxi Fleets: Taxis use a significant amount of fuel each day. Although these vehicles generally have smaller on-board fuel storage tanks, they fill them every day. Ford is selling the Transit Connect for use as a NGV taxi and we believe that many fleets see the value of paying half the price for CNG versus gasoline and are already converting their entire fleets to run on CNG. Taxi fleets already using CNG in certain locations, like Southern California, are a logical target given the local nature of operation and high mileage.

 

Waste Haulers: Titan believes that trash trucks are a natural target market for CNG. The typical garbage truck has a fuel economy of two to three miles per gallon and returns to its base each day. Allied Waste, one of the two largest waste companies in the U.S., only utilizes CNG vehicles at this point.

 

Oilfield Service Fleets: These truck fleets operate in an out-and-back model that we believe is well-suited for a home depot refueling option.

 

Local Day Job Fleets: We believe that local jobbers that are high mileage users in a defined location represent an excellent target market.

 

Airport Shuttle Buses: Shuttle bus fleets can leverage common infrastructure around an airport and off-the-shelf engine conversion options.

 

Long-Haul Class 8 Trucks: There are a growing number of trucks utilizing CNG.

 

Government Fleets:

 

City Buses: Many municipalities, such as Los Angeles, operate buses that run on CNG.

 

Municipal Trash Haulers: The same opportunity exists here as for corporate fleets.

 

Other Government Fleets: Local, State and Federal governments operate a wide range of fleet vehicles which are ripe to benefit from the economic and ecological attributes of NGVs.

 

Individual Customers:

 

Commuter Cars: We expect the individual car market to continue to develop, though more slowly than the fleet market.

 

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Our Existing and Planned Stations

 

Our initial station, Titan El Toro in Lake Forest, California, was opened in February 2015. This station, located immediately off of Interstate 5 on El Toro Road is in a convenient location and features a high fill rate compressor with four dispensers. The station serves a variety of retail customers including AT&T vans, waste haulers, school buses, taxis and commuters. We received $450,000 of state grants to assist in the development of this station which we developed for approximately $2 million.

 

We lease the property for our El Toro station pursuant to a lease agreement dated February 24, 2014 between Titan and Grace Whisler Trust and Whisler Holdings LLC. The lease covers approximately 17,550 rentable square feet and has an initial 5-year term that commenced in July 2014 and expires in February 2019. The lease is net whereby we are required to pay operating expenses, including all costs to maintain and repair the roof and structure of the building, in addition to base rent. The lease contains one renewal option for sixty months and a base rent ranging from $10,000 to $11,604 per month through the term of the lease.

 

We began operating the Titan Diamond Bar station in March 2016. The station is currently fueling 10,000 GGEs per month. The SCAQMD is an ongoing customer, and we serve existing and new retail customers as well. The location of this station is about 30 minutes away from Titan El Toro.

 

We lease the property for our Titan Diamond Bar station pursuant to a lease agreement effective December 13, 2015 between the SCAQMD and Titan Diamond Bar LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Titan. The lease covers approximately 10,000 rentable square feet and has an initial 5-year term that commenced in December 2015 and expires in December 2020. The lease provides for a base rent of $1 for the entire term of the lease, and the SCAQMD has the right to extend the lease for a period not to exceed five years commencing January 1, 2021. Pursuant to the lease, Titan Diamond Bar LLC supplies the SCAQMD with CNG based on actual costs of CNG fuel, including costs for natural gas and electricity, federal and state of California excise taxes plus a fixed fee not to exceed $0.50 per gas gallon equivalent (“GGE”).

 

We have an additional private station under development in Blaine, Minnesota that will serve Walters Recycling & Sanitation as an anchor customer.

 

Sales and Marketing

 

Titan has developed a brand and website as a marketing tool. Our strategy is to provide fast-fill, high reliability fueling solutions and outstanding service that is reflected in our brand. The Titan website, www.TitanNGV.com, is designed to generate new customers while giving our existing customers and us a single point of contact for CNG systems management, logistics coordination, and operations.

 

Tax Rebate Opportunity

 

Under the Volumetric Excise Tax Credit (“VETC”), we are eligible to receive a credit of $.50 per GGE of CNG sold for vehicle fuel use. VETC went into effect on October 1, 2006 and has been extended by Congress a number of times. Most recently, Congress extended VETC in December 2015 through December 31, 2016. There is no assurance any such federal or state tax credits or incentives will be renewed or be enacted or maintained in the future. However, our business is not dependent on taxes or grants for local, state or federal entities. However, when available, we will actively pursue such incentives to lower development and operating costs.

 

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Employees

 

We currently have no employees. We pay John Yeros, our chief executive officer, $10,000 per month as an independent contractor pursuant to a consulting agreement entered into in March 2016, and we expect to continue paying Mr. Yeros in accordance with the consulting agreement until the effective date of the J. Yeros Employment Agreement. The Company succeeded as a party to the J. Yeros Employment Agreement and the other Employment Agreements as a result of the Management Entity Merger. The Employment Agreements will become effective upon the Company successfully acquiring a third party with at least four (4) additional compressed natural gas stations. We also pay Kirk Honour, our president, $15,000 per month as an independent contractor pursuant to a verbal agreement with the Company. We paid Kirk Honour $12,500 per month for his services in 2015.

 

J. Yeros Employment Agreement

 

The J. Yeros Employment Agreement provides for an initial term of four years, with automatic extensions (absent notice to the contrary) of one year upon the expiration of the initial term or any renewal term. Under the J. Yeros Employment Agreement, Mr. Yeros will be entitled to base compensation of $240,000 per year, incentive compensation based on Mr. Yeros’ performance as determined by the Company’s board of directors and awards of stock options pursuant to any plans or arrangements the Company may have in effect from time to time.

 

If Mr. Yeros is terminated without cause or he resigns with good reason, he will be entitled to receive severance, subject to his execution and non-revocation of a release of claims in favor of the Company and its officers, directors and affiliates, equal to: (A) any unpaid base salary, reimbursement for unpaid expenses and all other accrued payments or benefits through his termination date, plus (B) his monthly base salary at the level in effect immediately prior to his termination date, multiplied by the longer of (1) the period between his last day of employment and the one year anniversary of his employment if his employment is terminated prior to such one year anniversary or (2) six months.

 

The J. Yeros Employment Agreement also includes a customary confidentiality covenant and two-year post-termination nonsolicitation and non-interference covenants.

 

K. Honour Employment Agreement

 

The K. Honour Employment Agreement provides for an initial term of four years, with automatic extensions (absent notice to the contrary) of one year upon the expiration of the initial term or any renewal term. Under the K. Honour Employment Agreement, Mr. Honour will be entitled to base compensation of $180,000 per year, incentive compensation based on Mr. Honour’s performance as determined by the Company’s board of directors and awards of stock options pursuant to any plans or arrangements the Company may have in effect from time to time.

 

If Mr. Honour is terminated without cause or he resigns with good reason, he will be entitled to receive severance, subject to his execution and non-revocation of a release of claims in favor of the Company and its officers, directors and affiliates, equal to: (A) any unpaid base salary, reimbursement for unpaid expenses and all other accrued payments or benefits through his termination date, plus (B) his monthly base salary at the level in effect immediately prior to his termination date, multiplied by the longer of (1) the period between his last day of employment and the one year anniversary of his employment if his employment is terminated prior to such one year anniversary or (2) six months.

 

The K. Honour Employment Agreement also includes a customary confidentiality covenant and two-year post-termination nonsolicitation and non-interference covenants.

 

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R. Gilbert Employment Agreement

 

The R. Gilbert Employment Agreement provides for an initial term of four years, with automatic extensions (absent notice to the contrary) of one year upon the expiration of the initial term or any renewal term. Under the R. Gilbert Employment Agreement, Mr. Gilbert will be entitled to base compensation of $150,000 per year, incentive compensation based on Mr. Gilbert’s performance as determined by the Company’s board of directors and awards of stock options pursuant to any plans or arrangements the Company may have in effect from time to time.

 

If Mr. Gilbert is terminated without cause or he resigns with good reason, he will be entitled to receive severance, subject to his execution and non-revocation of a release of claims in favor of the Company and its officers, directors and affiliates, equal to: (A) any unpaid base salary, reimbursement for unpaid expenses and all other accrued payments or benefits through his termination date, plus (B) his monthly base salary at the level in effect immediately prior to his termination date, multiplied by the longer of (1) the period between his last day of employment and the one year anniversary of his employment if his employment is terminated prior to such one year anniversary or (2) six months.

 

The R. Gilbert Employment Agreement also includes a customary confidentiality covenant and two-year post-termination nonsolicitation and non-interference covenants.

 

From time to time we may employ additional full-time employees and may also employ independent contractors, consultants and temporary employees to support our operations. Our future success will depend in part on our ability to attract, train, retain and motivate highly qualified employees, who are in great demand. We may not be successful in attracting and retaining such personnel. We have never experienced a work stoppage.

 

Properties

 

For a description of our properties, see “Description of the Business of Titan – Our Existing and Planned Stations.”

 

Legal Proceedings

 

We are not currently a party to any litigation and we are not aware of any pending or threatened litigation against us that could have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results or financial condition. We may be involved in various legal proceedings from time to time.

 

IMPORTANT FACTORS REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

Certain of the statements set forth under the caption “Description of the Business of Titan” constitute “Forward Looking Statements.” Forward-looking statements include, without limitation, any statement that may predict, forecast, indicate, or imply future results, performance or achievements, and may contain the words “estimate,” “project,” “intend,” “forecast,” “anticipate,” “plan,” “planning,” “expect,” “believe,” “will,” “will likely,” “should,” “could,” “would,” “may” or words or expressions of similar meaning.

 

All such forward looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to: (i) Titan’s business, financial and operating strategies; (ii) our ability to own, operate and market our stations’ services; (iii) our results of operations; (iv) our ability to acquire, finance, develop and open our stations on favorable terms; (v) our ability to successfully operate CNG stations; (vi) expectations concerning the feasibility of Titan’s business plans and assumptions; (vii) the availability to secure working capital to grow and expand our business; (viii) success of Titan’s efforts and acceptance by the public of our model and services; and (ix) other statements that are not historical facts. In addition, our results of operations are subject to the risks described below under the heading “Risk Factors.”

 

You are cautioned that there can be no assurance that the forward-looking statements included in this Current Report will prove to be accurate. In light of the significant uncertainties inherent to the forward looking statements included herein, the inclusion of such information should not be regarded as a representation or warranty by us or any other person that our objectives and plans will be achieved in any specified time frame, if at all. Except to the extent required by applicable laws or rules, we do not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements or to announce revisions to any of the forward-looking statements.

 

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RISK FACTORS

 

Investing in the Company’s common stock involves a high degree of risk. In addition to the other information set forth in this Current Report on Form 8-K, you should carefully consider the factors discussed below when considering an investment in our common stock. If any of the events contemplated by the following discussion of risks should occur, our business, results of operations and financial condition could suffer significantly. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial may also impair our business.

 

Risks Related to the Company

 

We have a limited operating history on which to base an investment decision.

 

Titan was organized in 2012 and opened its first CNG station in February 2015. Thus, we are subject to all the risks associated with any business enterprise with a limited operating history. Our prospects must be considered in light of the risks, expenses and difficulties frequently encountered by companies in their early stages of operation, especially in a relatively nascent and capital intensive industry such as ours. We have not achieved substantial revenues or profitability to date and have limited operating history for you to consider in evaluating our business and prospects. When evaluating our business and prospects, you must consider the risks, expenses and difficulties that we may encounter as a young company in a rapidly evolving consumer market. These risks include, but are not limited to :

 

our initial station, Titan El Toro, is not yet profitable, nor is Titan as a whole;

 

we need to develop, protect and market our CNG stations/services successfully;

 

we need to implement and successfully execute our sales and marketing strategies;

 

we need to manage our rapidly developing and changing operations;

 

we may require additional capital to acquire or develop additional CNG stations;

 

fleet and consumer vehicle preferences are subject to change; and

 

we need to recruit, build, retain and manage a larger management team.

 

We will need substantial additional capital to fund our growth plans and operate our business.

 

We require substantial additional capital to fund our planned marketing and sales activities, to achieve profitability and to otherwise execute on our business plan. The most likely sources of such additional capital include private placements and public offerings of shares of our capital stock, including shares of our common stock or securities convertible into or exchangeable for our common stock, debt financing or funds from potential strategic transactions. We may seek additional capital from available sources, which may include hedge funds, private equity funds, venture capitalists, lenders/banks and other financial institutions, as well as additional private placements. Any financings in which we sell shares of our capital stock will likely be dilutive to our current stockholders. If we raise additional capital by incurring debt a portion of our cash flow would have to be dedicated to the payment of principal and interest on such indebtedness. In addition, typical loan agreements also might contain restrictive covenants that may impair our operating flexibility. Such loan agreements, loans, or debentures would also provide for default under certain circumstances, such as failure to meet certain financial covenants. A default under a loan agreement could result in the loan becoming immediately due and payable and, if unpaid, a judgment in favor of such lender which would be senior to the rights of our stockholders. A judgment creditor would have the right to foreclose on any of our assets resulting in a material adverse effect on our business, operating results or financial condition.

 

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Our ability to raise additional capital may depend in part on our success in meeting station development, sales and marketing goals. We currently have no committed sources of additional capital and there is no assurance that additional financing will be available in the amounts or at the times required, or if it is, on terms acceptable or favorable to us and our current members. If we are unable to obtain additional financing when and if needed, our business will be materially impacted and you may lose the value of your entire investment.

 

If we do not obtain sufficient additional capital or generate substantial revenue, we may be unable to pursue our objectives. This raises doubt related to our ability to continue as a going concern.

 

Our independent registered public accounting firm has included an explanatory paragraph in their opinion that accompanies our audited financial statements as of and for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 indicating that our accumulated deficit raises substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern. If we are unable to improve our liquidity position we might be unable to continue as a going concern. This could significantly reduce the value of our investors’ investment in the Company.

 

We may incur significant costs to comply with public company reporting requirements and other costs associated with being a public company.

 

We may incur significant costs associated with our public company reporting requirements and other rules implemented by the Securities and Exchange Commission. We expect all of these applicable rules and regulations to increase our legal and financial compliance costs and to make some activities more time-consuming and costly. As a public company, we are required to comply with rules and regulations of the SEC, including expanded disclosure and more complex accounting rules. We will need to implement additional finance and accounting systems, procedures and controls as we grow to satisfy these reporting requirements. In addition, we may need to hire additional legal and accounting staff to enable us to comply with these reporting requirements. These costs could have an adverse effect on our financial condition and limit our ability to realize our objectives.

 

We may not be able to meet the internal control reporting requirements imposed by the SEC.

 

As directed by Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, the SEC adopted rules requiring each public company to include a report of management on the company’s internal controls over financial reporting in its annual reports. While we expect to expend significant resources in developing the necessary documentation and testing procedures required by Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, there is a risk that we may not be able to comply timely with all of the requirements imposed by this rule. If we are unable to do timely comply with all of these requirements, potential investors might deem our financial statements to be unreliable and our ability to obtain additional capital could suffer.

 

Additionally, if our independent registered public accounting firm is unable to rely on our internal controls in connection with its audit of our financial statements, and in the further event that it is unable to devise alternative procedures in order to satisfy itself as to the material accuracy of our financial statements and related disclosures, it is possible that we would be unable to file our Annual Report on Form 10-K with the SEC, which could also adversely affect our ability to secure additional capital.

 

Our business faces intense competition.

 

There are numerous other companies that presently compete with us in the CNG fleet fueling station market, such as Clean Energy Fuels, Trillium, TruStar and U.S. Gain amongst others. Many of the companies that compete or may compete with us have greater market exposure, personnel, and financial resources than we do. We also face competition in many of the markets where we operate or intend to operate from natural gas utilities that operate public CNG stations. These utilities have a lower cost of capital and easier access to natural gas lines than we do. There can be no assurance that the Company’s plans for marketing our services will be successful, or that the Company will attain significant sales or profitability. We anticipate that we will incur losses for some time into the future until such time, if any, that we achieve sales sufficient to support our operations. There can be no assurance that we will be successful in addressing any of the many risks we face.

 

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Our near-term results of operations are dependent on sales from our initial California CNG stations.

 

Our near-term financial success and revenue will result entirely from marketing our services at our initial California CNG stations, Titan El Toro and Titan Diamond Bar, which will generate all of our near-term net sales over the next three months. Thus, our financial performance remains dependent on these stations’ success. We may not be able to complete the development of the Titan Blaine Station for economic or other reasons, which would make us more dependent on our initial Titan El Toro and Titan Diamond Bar locations going forward.

 

We partially funded the construction of our Titan El Toro station using grant funds that we are required to repay if we do not satisfy certain operational metrics.

 

We received grants in the amount of $450,000 in 2013 from the California Energy Commission (“CEC”) to provide funds to assist in the construction and equipping of our Titan El Toro station.  We used the grant funds to complete the construction of our Titan El Toro station as contemplated in the grant agreement. The project was completed by an affiliate of the Company, as defined in the grant agreement.  The grant proceeds are subject to repayment if we do not satisfy certain operational metrics contained in the grant agreement through September 2018.  We believe that we can satisfy these objectives, although we cannot provide assurance that we will succeed in satisfying them.  In addition, the use of an affiliate of the Company on the project could be construed as requiring an amendment to the grant agreement or consent from the CEC, neither of which has been obtained by the Company. Our financial condition could be materially adversely affected if we are required to repay the grant proceeds that we used to construct our Titan El Toro station.

 

Many of the key personnel on which we depend to operate our company provide their services to us on a part-time basis and have other business or employment obligations.

 

Our ability to execute our business plans and objectives depends, in large part, on our ability to attract and retain qualified personnel. Competition for personnel is intense and there can be no assurance that we will be able to attract and retain personnel. In particular, we are presently dependent upon the services of our management team and founder members, most of whom are part-time. John Yeros, chief executive officer, and Kirk Honour, president, are the only full-time members of our management team. Our inability to utilize their services could have an adverse effect on us and there would likely be a difficult transition period in finding replacements for any of them. The execution of our strategic plan will place increasing demands on our management and operations. There can be no assurance that we will be able to effectually manage any expansion of our business. Management’s inability to manage our growth effectively could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

We are controlled by our current executive officers, directors and principal stockholders.

 

Immediately following the completion of the Securities Exchange with the members of Titan CNG and the Management Entity Merger, our executive officers, directors and principal stockholders beneficially own approximately 87% of our outstanding common stock. Accordingly, our executive officers, directors and principal stockholders will have the ability to exert substantial influence over our business affairs, including electing directors, appointing officers, determining officers’ compensation, issuing additional equity securities or incurring additional debt, effecting or preventing a merger, sale of assets or other corporate transaction and amending our articles of incorporation. See “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management.”

 

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We may not successfully manage our planned growth.

 

We plan on expanding our business through developing additional CNG refueling facilities. Any expansion of operations we may undertake will entail risks and such actions may involve specific operational activities that may negatively impact our profitability. Consequently, investors must assume the risk that (i) such expansion may ultimately involve expenditures of funds beyond the resources available to us at that time, and (ii) management of such expanded operations may divert management’s attention and resources away from its existing operations. These factors may have a material adverse effect on our present and prospective business activities.

 

Our business is dependent on fluctuating oil prices and general U.S. economic conditions.

 

Demand for our products is dependent on fluctuating oil prices. Generally, if the price of oil is high, then we expect more demand for CNG, which costs less than gasoline or diesel fuels derived from oil. On the other hand, if oil prices are lower, then we expect that potential users of CNG may feel less compelled to use CNG-fueled vehicles, lowering demand for CNG. Several economic and other factors can cause fluctuations in the price of oil, such as economic recession, inflation, unemployment and interest rates. Such changing conditions could reduce demand in the marketplace for our services. We have no control over these macroeconomic trends or the price of crude oil. Moreover, our operating results may fluctuate significantly from period to period as a result of a variety of factors, including purchasing patterns of customers, partner requirements, competitive pricing, debt service and principal reduction payments and general U.S. economic conditions. Consequently, our revenues may vary by quarter, and our operating results may experience resulting fluctuations that may be material.

 

RISKS RELATED TO THE CNG INDUSTRY

 

Our success depends on the continued adoption of natural gas as a vehicle fuel.

 

We solely serve operators of natural gas vehicles. Our business model is predicated on the continued purchase of natural gas by existing customers and on the expectation that fleets and other customers will operate more vehicles on natural gas in the future and that new customers will come to our public stations in the future. In the event that demand for CNG does not increase, or even decreases, we will be unlikely to achieve our forecasted results. Reasons for a decrease in demand for CNG could include significant decreases in oil prices or increases in natural gas prices, changes in regulations, alternative technologies being deemed as superior, lack of availability of NGVs and engines for conversion, lack of availability of vehicle servicing and a reduction in the number of CNG stations in the U.S.

 

There are a limited number of original manufacturers producing NGVs and NGV fuel tanks, which limits our customer base and sales.

 

There are a limited number of original equipment manufacturers of NGVs and the engines, fuel tanks and other equipment required to upfit a gasoline or diesel engine to run on natural gas. In the past, manufactures of NGVs have entered the market and then stopped production of NGVs. If existing customers are unable to replace their natural gas vehicles or new customers are unable to obtain NGVs, our business will be adversely affected.

 

Our business, and our relationship with Gain in particular, is dependent on Class 8 truck use of CNG continuing to develop, which might not happen.

 

We believe the execution of our strategy in general, and in particular our relationship with U.S. Gain, which serves Class 8 truck fleets, is dependent on the development of a meaningful market in the U.S. for heavy-duty natural-gas trucks. Natural gas equipment manufacturers may not produce engines or tanks in the quantities we expect and Class 8 fleet operators may not adopt CNG as rapidly as we expect. If this were to occur, our results would be negatively impacted.

 

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Government incentives promoting CNG may be reduced or eliminated.

 

We received state government grants to assist us in building our Titan El Toro station and many of our customers received tax incentives to offset part or all of the additional up front cost to acquire NGVs or convert vehicles to run on natural gas. In addition, many states offer waivers on vehicle weight to allow for NGVs to operate. These incentives may not continue and if that were to occur, our business may be adversely affected.

 

Improvements in technologies relating to gasoline and diesel emission reduction or in electric vehicle power could reduce NGV demand.

 

We believe that our customers operate NGVs in part due to the lower emissions relative to gasoline and diesel, yet higher power relative to electric or other alternative fuel vehicles. In the event that technologies are developed that either reduce the emissions in gasoline and diesel powered vehicles or improve the operating capabilities of electric, solar, or other alternative fuel technology vehicles, the demand for NGVs could be significantly reduced. Any such reduction in the demand for NGVs will adversely affect our financial performance.

 

Our station development could be delayed or have cost overruns due to permitting processes or lack of availability of suitable properties.

 

We rely on acquiring or leasing suitable properties on which to build our CNG stations. In addition, we are required to obtain a number of permits from various government agencies in order to build and operate our stations. Any inability to find suitable properties in a timely manner and with the right value proposition, or a delay in permitting or a requirement to change our architectural and engineering plans to obtain permits could adversely affect our business.

 

Breaches in information technology security could harm our business.

 

In the event that our networks and data are compromised by hackers or other external threats, our ability to operate our business could be harmed. In addition, if our customer data is stolen, we may lose customers. In any such event or related event, our business could be materially harmed or damaged.

 

Government customers could be subject to reduced funding or a change in mission.

 

We serve the State of California South Coast Air Quality Management District (“SCAQMD”) as a customer at our Titan Diamond Bar station, and will continue to seek long-term CNG contracts with various federal, state and local government entities. If these government agencies no longer receive funding or there is a change in their mission, we may lose them as customers which may adversely affect our business.

 

CNG stations could experience safety issues.

 

Our stations operate under high pressure and could potentially explode or catch on fire and cause death or injury. If this were to occur, we could face liabilities that could negatively impact our business.

 

Our business is subject to various government regulations that could change in a way that harms our business.

 

Various aspects of our business are regulated by a variety of federal, state and local government agencies. Compliance with these regulations is difficult and costly. In addition, these regulations change frequently and may become more onerous or costly to comply with. Our failure to comply with these regulations or adjust to regulatory changes could result in costly monetary penalties or prohibit us from providing services to government entities, either of which would negatively impact our business.

 

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RISKS RELATED TO OUR SECURITIES

 

Because we were considered to be a shell company under applicable securities rules, investors might not be able to rely on the resale exemption provided by Rule 144 of the Securities Act and might therefore be unable to resell their shares.

 

We were considered to be a “shell company” under Rule 405 of Regulation C of the Securities Act. A "shell company" is a company with either no or nominal operations or assets, or assets consisting solely of cash and cash equivalents. Pursuant to Rule 144, one year must elapse from the time a company ceases to be a “shell company” before a restricted shareholder can resell their holdings in reliance on Rule 144. Under Rule 144, restricted or unrestricted securities that were initially issued by a reporting or non-reporting shell company or a company that was at any time previously a reporting or non-reporting shell company, can only be resold in reliance on Rule 144 if the following conditions are met: (1) the issuer of the securities that was formerly a reporting or non-reporting shell company has ceased to be a shell company; (2) the issuer of the securities is subject to the reporting requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act; (3) the issuer of the securities has filed all reports and material required to be filed under Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, as applicable, during the preceding twelve months (or shorter period that the issuer was required to file such reports and materials), other than Form 8-K reports; and (4) at least one year has elapsed from the time the issuer filed the current Form 10 type information with the SEC reflecting its status as an entity that is not a shell company. As a result, our investors are not allowed to rely on Rule 144 of the Securities Act for a period of one year from the filing date of this report. Because investors may not be able to rely on an exemption for the resale of their shares other than Rule 144, and there is no guarantee that we will continue to file all reports and material required to be filed under applicable rules and regulations of the SEC, they may not be able to re-sell their shares in the future.

 

There is no established trading market for our common stock, and our stockholders may be unable to sell their shares.

 

There is no established market, private or public, for any of our securities and there can be no assurance that a trading market will ever develop or, if developed, that it will be maintained. There can be no assurance that the Company’s stockholders will ever be able to resell their shares.

 

Our common stock is subject to the “penny stock” rules of the SEC, which restrict transactions in our stock and may reduce the value of an investment in our stock.

 

Our common stock is currently regarded as a “penny stock” because our shares are not listed on a national stock exchange or quoted on the NASDAQ Market within the United States and our common stock has a market price less than $5.00 per share. The penny stock rules require a broker-dealer to deliver a standardized risk disclosure document prepared by the SEC, to provide a customer with additional information including current bid and offer quotations for the penny stock, the compensation of the broker-dealer and its salesperson in the transaction, monthly account statements showing the market value of each penny stock held in the customer's account, to make a special written determination that the penny stock is a suitable investment for the purchaser, and receive the purchaser's written agreement to the transaction. To the extent these requirements may be applicable; they will reduce the level of trading activity in the secondary market for our common stock and may severely and adversely affect the ability of broker-dealers to sell our common stock.

 

We have never paid and do not expect to pay cash dividends on our shares.

 

We have never paid cash dividends, and we anticipate that any future profits received from operations will be retained for operations. We do not anticipate the payment of cash dividends on our capital stock in the foreseeable future and any decision to pay dividends will depend upon our profitability, available cash and other factors. Therefore, no assurance can be given that there will ever be any cash dividend or distribution in the future. See “Dividend Policy.”

 

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We may in the future issue additional shares of our common stock which would reduce investors’ ownership interests in us and which may dilute our share value.

 

Our certificate of incorporation authorizes the issuance of 110,000,000 shares consisting of: (i) 100,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share; and (ii) 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.0001 per share. The future issuance of all or part of our remaining authorized common stock or preferred stock may result in substantial dilution in the percentage of our common stock held by our then existing stockholders. We may value any common stock issued in the future on an arbitrary basis. The issuance of common stock for future services or acquisitions or other corporate actions may have the effect of diluting the value of the shares held by our investors, and might have an adverse effect on any trading market for our common stock.

 

The Company’s certificate of incorporation permits the board of directors to issue stock with terms that may subordinate the rights of common stockholders or discourage a third party from acquiring the Company in a manner that might result in a premium price to the Company’s stockholders.

 

The Company’s board of directors, without any action by the Company’s stockholders, may amend the Company’s certificate of incorporation from time to time to increase or decrease the aggregate number of shares or the number of shares of any class or series of stock that the Company has authority to issue. The board of directors may also classify or reclassify any unissued common stock or preferred stock into other classes or series of stock and establish the preferences, conversion or other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends or other distributions, qualifications and terms or conditions of redemption of any class or series of stock. Thus, the board of directors could authorize the issuance of preferred stock with terms and conditions that could have a priority as to distributions and amounts payable upon liquidation over the rights of the holders of the Company’s common stock. Preferred stock could also have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control of us, including an extraordinary transaction (such as a merger, tender offer or sale of all or substantially all our assets) that might provide a premium price for holders of the Company’s common stock.

 

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF

FINANCIAL CONDITION AND PLAN OF OPERATIONS

 

The following Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Plan of Operations (“MD&A”) should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements and the related notes included in this report. The MD&A and other sections of this report contain forward-looking statements, as defined by the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that involve risks and uncertainties, such as statements of our plans, objectives, expectations and intentions. Any statements that are not statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements. When used, the words “believe,” “plan,” “intend,” “anticipate,” “target,” “estimate,” “expect” and the like, and/or future tense or conditional constructions (“will,” “may,” “could,” “should,” “if,” etc.), or similar expressions, or the negative of these terms, although the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. These forward-looking statements, which are based on various assumptions and expectations that we believe are reasonable, may include statements about, among other things, projections of our future financial performance based on our growth strategies and anticipated trends in our industry and our business. These statements are only predictions and involve known and unknown risk, uncertainties and other factors that could cause our or our industry’s actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements to differ materially from the historical or future results, level of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These factors include, among others, those discussed under “Forward-Looking Statements” and “Risk Factors” for discussion in this report of the uncertainties, risks and assumptions associated with these forward-looking statements. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date of this Current Report.

 

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General Overview

 

Titan CNG, LLC and Subsidiaries (“We,” the “Company” or “Titan”) was formed in July 2012 and is the parent company of the wholly owned subsidiaries, Titan Blaine, LLC (“Blaine”), formed in 2015, Titan Diamond Bar LLC (“Diamond Bar”), formed in 2015, and Titan El Toro LLC (“El Toro”), which was formed in 2013 and fully acquired in 2016. Titan is a natural gas vehicle (“NGV”) fueling company based in Wayzata, Minnesota. The Company was established to take advantage of the growing U.S. demand for natural gas as a vehicle fuel source. We will acquire, build and operate public and private compressed natural gas (“CNG”) filling stations under our Titan NGV Fueling brand. During February 2015 we opened our first station, Titan El Toro, in Lake Forest, California. In March 2016 we assumed ownership of a public/private CNG station from the State of California South Coast Air Quality Management District (“SCAQMD”) in Diamond Bar, California. We intend to upgrade the capability of this facility and expand it beyond its current client base. We are also investing in the construction and operation of a private station for Walters Recycling & Refuse in Blaine, Minnesota. Lastly, we intend to further develop our relationship with U.S. Gain (“Gain”), the fourth largest CNG fueling company in the U.S., to service Gain’s national fleet customers at our Titan El Toro and Titan Diamond Bar stations and jointly pursue the acquisition and development of additional stations.

 

Going Concern

 

From inception to September 30, 2016, we have accumulated a deficit of approximately $2.7 million, and, as of September 30, 2016, current liabilities exceeded current assets by approximately $2,000,000. We opened our first CNG station in February 2015, and in March 2016 Diamond Bar began operations of its CNG station. Titan is currently constructing a private station for Walters Recycling & Refuse in Blaine, Minnesota which we will operate under a seven year contract with Walters. In addition, we believe that there are several potential acquisitions available to the Company and are actively pursuing these opportunities.

 

We believe in the viability of our business plan to acquire existing stations and ancillary businesses serving the CNG industry and to grow organically by constructing public and private NGV stations on the back of long-term customer contracts. There can be no assurance that the Company will be able to generate sufficient revenues or complete a private placement, raise anticipated proceeds, or that any other debt or equity financing will be available or, if available, that it will be available on terms acceptable to us. If we fail to complete a private placement offering or raise anticipated proceeds, we may not be able to continue operations.

 

We are actively seeking additional sources of financing and have engaged in discussions with investment banking firms to assist in raising additional capital through the issuance of debt or equity.

 

Sources of Revenue

 

We were founded in 2012 and for the first four years only had management fee revenues.

 

Investments in Affiliates

 

The Company was invested in an affiliate through January 1, 2016. The investment was recorded using the equity method of accounting with the Company’s proportionate share of net income or loss of the investee included as a separate line item in the statements of operation. The Company ordinarily would discontinue applying the equity method once the investment (and net advances) were reduced to zero, however the Company is committed to provide further financial support for the investee and through the guarantee of substantially all the assets of the Company by a Small Business Administration (“SBA”) note. The affiliate was the following:

 

1. El Toro, of which the Company currently owns 100% and from El Toro’s formation in 2013 until January 1, 2016, owned 20%. El Toro is located in California and is an unmanned CNG station. The Company’s investment at December 31, 2015 and 2014 was ($214,365) and ($88,475), respectively.

 

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Key Trends

 

In general, CNG has become the primary alternative fueling choice for truck and bus fleets operating in the $134 billion fleet fueling market. Natural gas is sold on a gas gallon equivalent (“GGE”) basis and as of July 2016 is selling at an average price nationally of $2.05 per GGE versus average prices of gasoline and diesel of $2.24 and $2.38 per gallon, respectively, in October 2016. Fleets operating under long term fueling contracts, which represent a large part of the natural gas vehicle fueling market, are paying under $2.00 per GGE. We expect this price advantage to remain intact for the foreseeable future, which creates a strong economic incentive for vehicle operators to switch to CNG. In addition, CNG is a significantly cleaner fuel than is gasoline or diesel. With increased focus on the environment, the benefits from natural gas powered vehicles have an immediate positive impact on the issues of air quality, U.S. energy security and public health. Trucks using CNG produce approximately 80% fewer emissions than diesel. Plus, using renewable CNG can result in greater than 95% less greenhouse gases than traditional petroleum products. And because CNG fuel systems are completely sealed, CNG vehicles produce no evaporative emissions, which are a common hazard when using liquid fuel. Also, CNG creates less engine wear, thereby making its use even more desirable. As of October 2016, there are fewer than 1,000 public CNG stations in the United States, compared to over 124,000 gasoline stations across the country. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, demand for natural gas fuels in the United States increased by approximately 45% during the period from January 1, 2012 through December 31, 2015, with the number of total CNG stations growing at a compound annual growth rate of 14% since 2009.

 

During 2015 and the first nine months of 2016, lower oil prices decreased the pricing advantage of CNG compared to diesel and gasoline. As a result, the adoption of natural gas as a fuel choice for fleets has slowed relative to previous periods, especially amongst smaller fleets. However, this impact is partially offset by a general decrease in the cost of natural gas as well as ongoing adoption of new CNG trucks by larger fleets. In addition, public companies and municipalities in particular are continuing to adopt the use of CNG as a vehicle fuel source for environmental reasons.

 

The natural gas vehicle industry is the beneficiary of federal and state incentives promoting the use of natural gas as a vehicle fuel choice. We received $450,000 of state grants to assist in the development of our El Toro station which was completed for approximately $2 million. In addition, we currently receive a $0.50 per GGE federal tax credit for each GGE sold. In some cases, we share this credit with our customers.

 

Recent Developments

 

On January 1, 2016, the Company exchanged ownership and $942,000 in debt and interest for an additional 80% ownership in Titan El Toro, LLC. As a result, the Company now owns 100% of the membership units in Titan El Toro, LLC. With the combination, the debt and interest were converted to notes payable in the Company at 12% interest and mature in December 2020.

 

During February 2016, the Company paid in full the $150,000 line of credit outstanding at December 31, 2015 and the line was not renewed.

 

On January 1, 2016, we issued eight junior bridge notes (the “Junior Bridge Notes”) with a maturity date of December 31, 2020 for approximately $942,000, as well as 64,387 Class A Membership Units in Titan. We issued an additional Junior Bridge Note on January 1, 2016 for approximately $56,000 to evidence pre-existing indebtedness. The Junior Bridge Notes bear interest at 12% per year with a default rate of 15% per year. The Junior Bridge Notes are secured by a subordinate security interest on substantially all assets of the Company.

 

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On February 29, 2016, we issued five senior bridge notes (the “Senior Bridge Notes”) with an original maturity date of June 28, 2016 for approximately $672,000, as well as 16,791 Class A Membership Units. The Senior Bridge Notes bear interest at 12% per year with a default interest rate of 15% per year. Two of the Senior Bridge Notes were originally long-term debt of Titan outstanding at December 31, 2015 and converted into Senior Bridge Notes. In the event of a default under the Senior Bridge Notes, the Company is required to pay the holder a stated number of Class A Membership Units on the date of default and each 90 day interval thereafter until all amounts due have been paid in full. Effective July 2016, the maturity date of the Senior Bridge Notes was extended to September 30, 2016 and effective March 14, 2016 the interest rate was increased from 12% to 16%. The default interest rate was increased from 15% to 18%. As part of the first amendment, the note holders received 3,359 Class A Membership Units in Titan. In September 2016, the Senior Bridge Notes were amended to extend the due date to January 31, 2017 and the Company paid a fee for the extension of 1% of the outstanding principal balance to the note holders. In addition, at the Company’s sole discretion, assuming the notes are not in default, the Company has the ability to extend the notes to October 31, 2017. A fee of 1% of the outstanding principal balance will be paid at January 31, 2017, April 30, 2017 and again on July 31, 2017 should the Company choose to extend the notes at each of these dates. The notes are secured by a subordinate security interest on substantially all of the Company’s assets and are personally guaranteed by Scott Honour and Kirk Honour.

 

On July 26, 2016, we issued an additional Senior Bridge Note for $200,000 with 16% interest that matures in October 2016. In the event of default the holder is entitled to receive 1,000 Class A Membership Units. We issued 5,000 Class A Membership Units to this noteholder in connection with the issuance of this Senior Bridge Note.

 

On September 26, 2016, we issued an additional Senior Bridge Note for $150,000 with 16% interest that matures in January 2017. We issued 3,750 Class A Membership Units to this noteholder in connection with the issuance of this Senior Bridge Note. In the event of default the holder is entitled to receive 750 Class A Membership Units. We received the proceeds from this note in October 2016.

 

On November 22, 2016, Minn Shares issued three convertible promissory notes (the “Minn Shares Notes”) in the aggregate principal amount of $415,173.98 to Joseph H. Whitney, The Globe Resources Group, LLC and Richard E. Gilbert. The Minn Shares notes bear interest at the rate of 12% per annum and mature in November 2019 unless earlier converted. Each Minn Shares Note is convertible at the holder’s option as follows: (i) upon the sale by the Company of not less than $7,500,000 of its equity securities at a conversion price equal to the price per security issued in such offering, (ii) upon a corporate transaction such as a merger, consolidation or asset sale involving either the sale of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets or the transfer of at least 50% of the Company’s equity securities at a conversion price equal to the enterprise value of the Company, as established by the consideration payable in the corporate transaction or (iii) on or after the maturity date at a conversion price equal to the quotient of $20 million divided by the number of shares of Company stock outstanding on a fully diluted basis. The Minn Shares Notes are subject to mandatory conversion upon the conversion into equity securities of the Junior Bridge Notes and Senior Bridge Notes upon the same conversion terms as the Junior Bridge Notes and Senior Bridge Notes.

 

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Anticipated Future Trends

 

Although natural gas continues to be less expensive than gasoline and diesel in most markets, the price of natural gas has been significantly closer to the prices of gasoline and diesel in recent years as a result of declining oil prices, thereby reducing the price advantage of natural gas as a vehicle fuel. We anticipate that, over the long term, the prices for gasoline and diesel will continue to be higher than the price of natural gas as a vehicle fuel and will increase overall, which would improve the cost savings of natural gas as a vehicle fuel compared to diesel and gasoline. However, the amount of time needed for oil prices to recover from their recent decline is uncertain and we expect that adoption of natural gas as a vehicle fuel, growth in our customer base and gross revenue will be negatively affected until oil prices increase and this price advantage increases. Our belief that natural gas will continue, over the long term, to be a cheaper vehicle fuel than gasoline or diesel is based in large part on the growth in United States natural gas production in recent years.

 

We believe natural gas fuels are well-suited for use by vehicle fleets that consume high volumes of fuel, refuel at centralized locations or along well-defined routes and/or are increasingly required to reduce emissions. As a result, we believe there will be growth in the consumption of natural gas as a vehicle fuel among vehicle fleets, and our goal is to capitalize on this trend, if and to the extent it materializes, and to enhance our leadership position in these markets. Our business plan calls for expanding our sales of natural gas fuels in the markets in which we operate, including heavy-duty trucking, waste haulers, airports, public transit, industrial and institutional energy users and government fleets, and pursuing additional markets as opportunities arise. If our business grows as we anticipate, our operating costs and capital expenditures may increase, primarily from the anticipated expansion of our station network, as well as the logistics of delivering natural gas fuel to our customers on-site.

 

We expect competition in the market for natural gas vehicle fuel to remain steady in the near-term. To the extent competition increases, we would be subject to greater pricing pressure, reduced operating margins and potentially fewer expansion opportunities.

 

Sources of Liquidity and Anticipated Capital Expenditures and Other Uses of Cash

 

Historically, our principal sources of liquidity have consisted of cash on hand, cash provided by financing activities, and cash provided by investors. We have recently begun to generate positive cash flow from our Diamond Bar station, which is offset by negative cash flow at our El Toro station.

 

Our business plan calls for approximately $500,000 in additional capital expenditures for the remainder of 2016, primarily related to the construction and refurbishing of CNG fueling stations. Additionally, of our total indebtedness of approximately $3,000,000 as of September 30, 2016, approximately $1,200,000 is classified as current debt because we are in violations of certain covenants related to the SBA loan and did not receive a waiver. We expect our total consolidated interest payment obligations relating to our indebtedness to be approximately $327,000 for the year ending December 31, 2016.

 

We may also elect to invest additional amounts in companies, assets or joint ventures in the natural gas fueling infrastructure, vehicle or services industries, or use capital for other activities or pursuits. We will need to raise additional capital to fund any capital expenditures, investments or debt repayments that we cannot fund through available cash or cash generated by operations or that we cannot fund through other sources, such as with the sale of our membership units. We may not be able to raise capital when needed on terms that are favorable to us, or at all. Any inability to raise capital may impair our ability to build new stations, develop natural gas fueling infrastructure, invest in strategic transactions or acquisitions or repay our outstanding indebtedness and may reduce our ability to grow our business and generate sustained or increased revenues. See “Liquidity and Capital Resources” below.

 

Business Risks and Uncertainties

 

Our business and prospects are exposed to numerous risks and uncertainties. For more information, see “Risk Factors – Risks Related to the Company” and “Risk Factors – Risks Related to the CNG Industry.”

 

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Results from Operations

 

Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2015 Compared to Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2014

 

Revenue. Titan has devoted substantially all of its efforts on establishing the business and has generated minimal revenues from the core business – to build and operate public and private CNG filling stations under the Titan NGV Fueling brand. We received management fees through the third quarter of 2015 from affiliates. Management fees were assessed for administrative services and oversight provided by Titan. Management fees paid by affiliates were initially set at a monthly rate of $10,000, an ascribed value determined by management. Management fees decreased from $120,000 in 2014 to $29,000 in 2015 as less time was needed to manage sites that had completed the development stage and were in operating mode.

 

Operating expenses. Operating expenses increased from $217,177 in 2014 to $290,901 in 2015. The increase is primarily attributable to legal fees of approximately $50,000 related to preparing the Company to be a public company and an increase of $11,350 in consulting fees also related to preparing the Company to be a public company. The remaining operating expense increase was generated from the Company preparing to open additional stations.

 

Interest expense. Interest expense decreased $17,238 to $17,110 in 2015. This decrease correlates to the decrease in the line of credit between 2014 and 2015 by approximately 75%.

 

Loss in investment of affiliate. Losses from our equity method investments increased by $125,890 to $214,365 for 2015, compared to a loss of $63,736 for 2014 due to losses from our Titan El Toro investment. Titan El Toro began operations in February 2015.

 

Three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 as compared with the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015.

 

Revenue. Titan has devoted substantially all of its efforts on establishing the business and has generated minimal revenues from the core business – to build and operate public and private CNG filling stations under the Titan NGV Fueling brand. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, we received $15,000 and $47,500, respectively, in management fees from affiliates. In the last half of 2015, management suspended the management fees to affiliates to focus available funds to operations within the affiliates. Management fees were assessed for administrative services and oversight provided by Titan. Management fees paid by affiliates were initially set at a monthly rate of $10,000, an ascribed value determined by management.

 

During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, Diamond Bar began operations as a CNG station during March 2016 with sales for the three and nine months ended of $73,723 and $145,213, respectively. On January 1, 2016 Titan acquired the remaining 80% of El Toro. Prior to the acquisition, El Toro was classified as an equity method investment. El Toro sales increased for the nine months ended between 2015 and 2016 by $29,359 from $120,880 to $150,239.

 

Cost of goods sold. Cost of goods sold are comprised of natural gas, electricity, federal excise tax, vendor use fuel tax and credit cards fees. The margin at El Toro is at approximately 40%, with the margin at Diamond Bar approximating 66%. The difference in margins is attributable to the electricity expense. El Toro pays for demand electricity in order to turn on the equipment immediately, which adds additional expense to the cost of goods sold. At Diamond Bar the demand feature is not required. In addition, the electricity at Diamond Bar is less expensive because it is purchased directly from SCAQMD, as defined by the lease agreement.

 

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Operating expenses. Operating expenses increased for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2016 from approximately $177,000 to approximately $1,263,000, respectively. El Toro contributed $329,805 of this increase with $154,000 in depreciation expense; $95,000 in rent expense; repairs and maintenance of $33,000 and other operational expenses of utilities, insurance, janitorial and administrative costs. Diamond Bar operating expenses increased by approximately $42,000 between September 30, 2015 and 2016. The increase was generated from repairs and maintenance and insurance, for approximately $42,000, offset with a decrease in management fees of $10,000, with the remaining increase coming from administrative costs. Titan’s expenses increased between September 30, 2015 and 2016 by approximately $715.000. The increase is attributable to legal and consulting fees for $638,000; member payments of $37,500; with the remaining increase from administrative costs due to additional stations. During the three months ended September 30, 2015 and 2016 operating costs increased by approximately $589,000, with most of the increase resulting from the inclusion of El Toro in 2016, along with legal and consulting fees to prepare the Company for going public.

 

Interest expense. Interest expense increased between the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2016 due to the addition of total debt of $3,060,812, for which interest expense of approximately $194,000 was due to related parties and approximately $46,000 paid on the SBA loan.

 

Loss in investment of affiliate. Losses from our equity method investments increased by $99,038 to $187,514 for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, due to losses from our El Toro investment. El Toro began operations in February 2015. As of January 1, 2016 Titan acquired the remaining 80% of El Toro. As a result of this acquisition, we recorded a $28,090 gain for the excess fair value over its carrying cost of El Toro and loss of $764,676 on the deficit acquired from El Toro.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2015 Compared to Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2014

 

We had cash and cash equivalents of $358 and $21,847 at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. During the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, net cash used by operations was $51,832 and $168,062, respectively. We historically funded our operating losses primarily from the issuance of units, convertible notes payable, member debt and SBA debt.

 

Changes in Liquidity

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents . Cash and cash equivalents were $358 at December 31, 2015 and $21,847 at December 31, 2014. The decrease is primarily attributable to increased administrative costs related to operations.

 

Operating Activities . Net cash used in operations was $51,832 and $168,062 as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. For the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, we had a net loss of $404,901 and $195,261, respectively. Significant changes in working capital during these periods included:

 

Accounts receivable increased by approximately $134,000 from December 31, 2014 from the collection of management fees from two additional subsidiaries.
   

Accounts payable, accounts payable-related party and accrued liabilities increased in aggregate from $73,249 to $115,800, primarily due to the lack of cash to make timely payments.

   
Loss on equity method investment increased by $125,890 in 2015 from the continued losses in El Toro.

 

Investing Activities . There was no cash used in investing activities.

 

Financing Activities . Net cash provided by financing activities was $30,343 and $128,142 for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. The cash provided for 2015 was generated from notes payable from members. The cash provided by financing activities for 2014 were the net borrowings on the line of credit.

 

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Three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 as compared with the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015.

 

We had cash and cash equivalents of $29,712 and $144 at September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively. During the nine months ended September 30, 2016, net cash used in operations amounted to $554,466. As of September 30, 2016 and 2015, we had an accumulated deficit of $2,076,672 and $236,052. We have historically funded our operating losses primarily from the issuance of units, convertible notes payable, member debt and SBA debt.

 

Changes in Liquidity

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents . Cash and cash equivalents were $29,712 at September 30, 2016 and $144 at September 30, 2015, respectively. The increase is primarily attributable to financing activities during the nine months ended September 30, 2016.

 

Operating Activities . Net cash used in operations was $554,466 and $25,501 for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and September 30, 2015, respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, we had a net loss of $2,076,672 and $236,052, respectively. Significant changes in working capital during these periods included:

 

Prepaid expenses increased by $80,000 during the nine months ended September 30, 2016, primarily due to the payment of deposits on the construction of Blaine.

 

Accounts payable, accounts payable – related party and accrued liabilities in aggregate increased by $470,120, during the nine months ended September 30, 2016, primarily due to the lack of cash to make timely payments.

 

Accrued interest increased during the nine months ended September 30, 2016, from the increase of debt and the lack of cash to make timely payments.

 

The non-cash transactions increase is from depreciation expense increasing by approximately $153,000 and the deficit acquired from the purchase of the remaining 80% of El Toro.

 

Investing Activities . Net cash used in investing activities was $98,146 for the nine months ended September 30, 2016. During the nine months ended September 30, 2016, cash was used primarily for the purchase of property and equipment.

 

Financing Activities . Net cash provided by financing activities was $681,966 and $3,798 for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2016, cash provided by financing activities was due to proceeds from long-term debt, related parties of $850,000; and $21,986 from advances from related party, offset by paying off the line of credit for $150,000 and principal payments on the SBA loan of $75,520. For the nine months ended September 30, 2015, cash provided by financing activities was $395,042 for pay down on the line of credit, netted with $7,000 note payable from a related party and $391,840 from advances from related party.

 

Our future liquidity and capital requirements will be influenced by numerous factors, including the extent and duration of future operating losses, the level and timing of future sales and expenditures, working capital required to support our sales growth, the level of our outstanding indebtedness and principal and interest we are obligated to pay on our indebtedness, our capital expenditure requirements (which consist primarily of station construction), the continuing acceptance of our product in the marketplace, competing technologies, market and regulatory developments, ongoing facility requirements, and potential strategic transactions.

 

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Debt Compliance

 

We have previously been and are out of compliance with technical covenants with respect to our Senior Bridge Notes and SBA Loan. We have amended our Senior Bridge Notes to address these issues and are currently in compliance with their covenants. We did not receive a covenant waiver to remedy the technical non-compliance under our SBA Loan. We expect to refinance the SBA Loan in the near term and also refinance the Senior Bridge Notes or exchange the Senior Bridge Notes into equity in the near term.

 

Existing Indebtedness

 

On December 31, 2014, Titan entered into a co-borrower arrangement for a $1,300,000 U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) note with El Toro. The proceeds from the note were received by El Toro and the note payable is recorded by El Toro. The note is a ten year term note with interest fixed at 5.50% for the first five years, then adjusted to the SBA LIBOR Base Rate, plus 2.35% for the remaining five years. The note requires monthly principal and interest payments of $15,288. The note is secured by substantially all of the Company’s business assets and is personally guaranteed by certain members of Titan. Titan issued 35,491 Class A Membership Units to those members as compensation for the guarantee. The amount outstanding on the note as of September 30, 2016 was $1,224,780. The note was obtained pursuant to a Loan Agreement with Tradition Capital Bank dated December 31, 2014 (the facility governed by the Loan Agreement is hereinafter referred to as the “Tradition Facility”). The Company was, as of September 30, 2016, and currently is, in violation of certain covenants.

 

In addition to the Tradition Facility, on January 1, 2016, we issued 64,387 Class A Membership Units and Junior Bridge Notes in the aggregate principal amount of approximately $942,000 to eight accredited investors in exchange for mezzanine debt in El Toro plus approximately 80% of the membership interest in El Toro. We issued an additional Junior Bridge Note to a ninth accredited investor on January 1, 2016 for approximately $56,000 to evidence pre-existing indebtedness. The Junior Bridge Notes bear interest at the annual rate of 12% and mature on December 31, 2020. The Junior Bridge Notes are secured by a subordinate security interest on substantially all of our assets, including accounts receivable and rights to payment, which will remain in effect until such notes are repaid. The holders of the Junior Bridge Notes are the Alpeter Family Limited Partnership, Brian and Renae Clark, Falcon Capital LLC, Honour Capital LP, James Jackson, John Honour, Keith and Janice Clark, and Stephen and Jayne Clark.

 

On February 29, 2016, we issued five senior bridge notes (the “Senior Bridge Notes”) with an original maturity date of June 28, 2016 for approximately $672,000, as well as 16,791 Class A Membership Units. The Senior Bridge Notes bear interest at 12% per year with a default interest rate of 15% per year. Two of the Senior Bridge Notes were originally long-term debt of Titan outstanding at December 31, 2015 and converted into Senior Bridge Notes. In the event of a default under the Senior Bridge Notes, the Company is required to pay the holder a stated number of Class A Membership Units on the date of default and each 90 day interval thereafter until all amounts due have been paid in full. Effective July 2016, the maturity date of the Senior Bridge Notes was extended to September 30, 2016 and effective March 14, 2016 the interest rate was increased from 12% to 16%. The default interest rate was increased from 15% to 18%. As part of the first amendment, the note holders received 3,359 Class A Membership Units in Titan. In September 2016, the Senior Bridge Notes were amended to extend the due date to January 31, 2017 and the Company paid a fee for the extension of 1% of the outstanding principal balance to the note holders. In addition, at the Company’s sole discretion, assuming the notes are not in default, the Company has the ability to extend the notes to October 31, 2017. A fee of 1% of the outstanding principal balance will be paid at January 31, 2017, April 30, 2017 and again on July 31, 2017 should the Company choose to extend the notes at each of these dates. The notes are secured by a subordinate security interest on substantially all of the Company’s assets and are personally guaranteed by Scott Honour and Kirk Honour.

 

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On July 26, 2016, we issued an additional Senior Bridge Note for $200,000 with 16% interest that matures in October 2016. In the event of default the holder is entitled to receive 1,000 Class A Membership Units. We issued 5,000 Class A Membership Units to this noteholder in connection with the issuance of this Senior Bridge Note.

 

On September 26, 2016, we issued an additional Senior Bridge Note for $150,000 with 16% interest that matures in January 2017. We issued 3,750 Class A Membership Units to this noteholder in connection with the issuance of this Senior Bridge Note. In the event of default the holder is entitled to receive 750 Class A Membership Units. We received the proceeds from this note in October 2016.

 

The holders of the Senior Bridge Notes are Red Ocean Consulting, LLC, the Thomas J. Abood Revocable Trust U/A dated 8/17/2012, James Jackson, Alpeter Family Limited Partnership, David M. Leavenworth and Bonita Beach Blues, Inc.

 

On November 22, 2016, Minn Shares issued the Minn Shares Notes in the aggregate principal amount of $415,173.98 to Joseph H. Whitney, The Globe Resources Group, LLC and Richard E. Gilbert. The Minn Shares Notes amended and restated the terms of the previously outstanding loans from Richard Gilbert, Paramount Trading, Ltd. and The Globe Resources Group, LLC. The Minn Shares notes bear interest at the rate of 12% per annum and mature in November 2019 unless earlier converted. Each Minn Shares Note is convertible at the holder’s option as follows: (i) upon the sale by the Company of not less than $7,500,000 of its equity securities at a conversion price equal to the price per security issued in such offering, (ii) upon a corporate transaction such as a merger, consolidation or asset sale involving either the sale of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets or the transfer of at least 50% of the Company’s equity securities at a conversion price equal to the enterprise value of the Company, as established by the consideration payable in the corporate transaction or (iii) on or after the maturity date at a conversion price equal to the quotient of $20 million divided by the number of shares of Company stock outstanding on a fully diluted basis. The Minn Shares Notes are subject to mandatory conversion upon the conversion into equity securities of the Junior Bridge Notes and Senior Bridge Notes upon the same conversion terms as the Junior Bridge Notes and Senior Bridge Notes.

 

Members’ Deficit

 

As of December 31, 2015 there were 38,608 Class A Membership Units outstanding. On January 1, 2016, certain accredited investors contributed their current membership interests, as well as mezzanine debt and other liabilities totaling approximately $942,000 owed to Titan El Toro, LLC in exchange for Junior Bridge Notes in the amount of $942,000 and 64,387 Class A Membership Units in the Company.

 

On January 1, 2016 Members of El Toro also agreed to contribute their membership interests in exchange for 10,892 Class A Membership Units in the Company.

 

In February 2016, the Senior Bridge Notes were issued and the Company issued 16,791 Class A Membership Units to the note holders.

 

In July 2016, the Senior Bridge Notes were extended and the Company issued 3,359 Class A Membership Units to the note holders.

 

In July and September 2016, the Company issued additional Senior Bridge Notes and the Company issued 5,000 and 3,750 Class A Membership Units, respectively, to the note holders.

 

On October 1, 2016 the Company issued 139,839 Class A Membership Units to members.

 

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Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

 

We have no off-balance sheet arrangements.

 

Critical Accounting Policies

 

Our discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations is based upon our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“US GAAP”). The preparation of consolidated financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements, and revenues and expenses recorded during the reporting periods.

 

On a periodic basis we evaluate our estimates based on historical experience and various other assumptions we believe are reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results could differ from those estimates under different assumptions or conditions. For further information on our significant accounting policies, see note 1 to our consolidated financial statements included in this report.

 

We believe the following critical accounting policies involve the most significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements.

 

Basis of Presentation

 

The consolidated financial statements were prepared in accordance with US GAAP. The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries, El Toro, Blaine, and Diamond Bar. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

 

The financial statements have been prepared on the basis that we will continue as a going concern. From inception to September 30, 2016, the Company has accumulated a deficit of approximately $2.7 million, and, as of September 30, 2016, current liabilities exceeded current assets by approximately $2,000,000. The Company opened its first CNG station in February 2015, and Diamond Bar began operations of its CNG station in March 2016. The Company is currently constructing a private station for Walters Recycling & Refuse in Blaine, Minnesota which we will operate under a seven year contract with Walters. In addition, we believe that there are several potential acquisitions available to the Company and are actively pursuing these opportunities.

 

We believe in the viability of our business plan to acquire existing stations and ancillary businesses serving the CNG industry and to grow organically by constructing public and private NGV stations on the back of long-term customer contracts. There can be no assurance that the Company will be able to generate sufficient revenues or complete a private placement, raise anticipated proceeds, or that any other debt or equity financing will be available or, if available, that it will be available on terms acceptable to us. If we fail to complete a private placement offering or raise anticipated proceeds, we may not be able to continue operations.

 

We are actively seeking additional sources of financing and have engaged in discussions with investment banking firms to assist in raising additional capital through the issuance of debt or equity.

 

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Revenue Recognition

 

For the nine months ended September 30, 2016, the Company generated revenue from the sale of natural gas and a federal excise tax refund of $0.50 per GGE. The Company commences revenue recognition at the time the gas is dispensed as all of the following criteria have been met:

 

(1)           persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists;

(2)           delivery has occurred and title and the risks and rewards of ownership have been transferred to the customer or services have been rendered;

(3)           the price is fixed or determinable; and

(4)           collectability is reasonably assured.

 

Applying these factors, we typically recognize revenue from the sale of natural gas fuel at the time it is dispensed.

 

For the nine months ended September 30, 2015, revenue consists of management fees received from El Toro, a related party prior to acquisition.

 

Recently Adopted Accounting Changes and Recently Issued and Adopted Accounting Standards

 

See note 1 to our consolidated financial statements included in this report.

 

Seasonality and Inflation

 

To some extent, we experience seasonality in our results of operations. Natural gas vehicle fuel amounts consumed by some of our customers tend to be higher in summer months when buses and other fleet vehicles use more fuel to power their air conditioning systems. Natural gas commodity prices tend to be higher in the fall and winter months due to increased overall demand for natural gas for heating during these periods.

 

Since our inception, inflation has not significantly affected our operating results. However, costs for construction, repairs, maintenance, electricity and insurance are all subject to inflationary pressures, which could affect our ability to maintain our stations adequately, build new stations, expand our existing facilities or pursue additional RNG production projects, or could materially increase our operating costs.

 

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SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

 

Principal Stockholders

 

The table below reflects beneficial ownership (as such term is defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) by each person or entity who, as of the date of this Report and after the closing date of the Securities Exchange and after the Management Entity Merger, is the beneficial owner of more than 5% of the Company’s common stock.

 

Name of Beneficial Owner 1   Number of Shares of Company Common Stock
Beneficially
Owned
    Percentage Ownership 2  
John P. Yeros     1,232,514       7.77 %
Kirk S. Honour     2,358,570       14.87 %
Scott M. Honour 3     2,305,229       14.53 %
John Honour 4     1,089,884       6.87 %
Tim Gorry 5     1,240,094       7.82 %
James Jackson 6     1,817,500       11.46 %
Steve Alpeter 7     1,812,972       11.43 %
Phil Musser 8     825,293       5.20 %

 

(1) Unless otherwise indicated, the business address of each individual or entity listed in the table is 315 E. Lake St. Suite 301, Wayzata, MN 55391.
(2) For each indicated owner, percentage ownership reflects securities beneficially owned by such owner.
(3) 2,146,799 shares are owned by Falcon Capital LLC, of which Scott M. Honour is the beneficial owner and 158,430 shares are owned by Honour Capital LP, of which Scott M. Honour is the beneficial owner.
(4) The business address of John Honour is 315 E Lake Street, Suite 301 Wayzata, MN 55391.
(5) The business address of Tim Gorry is 1840 Century Park East, Suite 500, Los Angeles, CA 90067-2120.
(6) The business address of James Jackson is 707 Wilshire Blvd. Suite 4600, Los Angeles CA 90017.
(7) 1,812,972 shares are owned by Alpeter Family Limited Partnership, of which Steve Alpeter is the beneficial owner. The business address of Alpeter Family Limited Partnership is 117 Portland Ave., #601, Minneapolis, MN  55401.
(8) 825,293 shares are owned by New Frontier Strategy, of which Phil Musser is the beneficial owner. The business address of New Frontier Strategy is 315 Kentucky Avenue, Alexandria, VA 22305.

 

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Management and Director Stockholders

 

The table below reflects the number of shares of Company common stock beneficially owned as of the closing date of the Securities Exchange and after the Management Entity Merger, by each current director, each executive officer identified in the Summary Compensation Table below, and all current directors and executive officers as a group. Unless otherwise indicated, the stockholders listed in the table have sole voting and investment power with respect to the shares indicated. The business address of each individual listed in the table is 315 E. Lake St. Suite 301, Wayzata, MN 55391.

 

Name of Beneficial Owner 1   Number of Shares of Company Common Stock
Beneficially
Owned Post-Exchange
   

Percentage Ownership

Post-Exchange

 
John P. Yeros     1,232,514       7.77 %
Kirk S. Honour     2,358,570       14.87 %
Randy Gilbert     506,211       3.19 %
Scott M. Honour 2     2,305,229       14.53 %
Thomas J. Abood     329,695       2.08 %
Richard E. Gilbert     215,500       1.36 %
Aaron W. Soderberg     15,000       *  
Officers and Directors as a group (7 persons)     6,962,719       43.90 %

 

* Less than 1%.

(1) For each indicated owner, percentage ownership reflects securities beneficially owned by such owner.
(2) 2,146,799 shares are owned by Falcon Capital LLC, of which Scott M. Honour is the beneficial owner and 158,430 shares are owned by Honour Capital LP, of which Scott M. Honour is the beneficial owner.

 

DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND KEY EMPLOYEES

 

At the effective time of the Securities Exchange, the Company’s board of directors increased the size of the board of directors from three directors to four directors and appointed Scott M. Honour and Thomas J. Abood as directors. At the same time, John P. Yeros, Kirk S. Honour and Randy Gilbert were appointed as chief executive officer, president and chief financial officer, respectively, and Richard Gilbert resigned from his positions as president and secretary of the Company. The following table sets forth information concerning the Company’s directors, executive officers and key employees after the Securities Exchange. All ages are stated as of January 1, 2016.

 

Name   Age   Position
John P. Yeros   64   Chief Executive Officer
Kirk S. Honour   46   President
Randy Gilbert   51   Chief Financial Officer
Scott M. Honour   49   Director
Richard E. Gilbert   75   Director
Aaron W. Soderberg   54   Director
Thomas J. Abood   52   Director

 

Board of Directors

 

Scott M. Honour . Mr. Honour has served as a director of the Company since November 2016, and is a Co-founder of Titan. Scott also serves as Managing Partner of Northern Pacific Group, a Wayzata, Minnesota based private equity firm. Previously, from 2002 to 2012, he was Senior Managing Director of The Gores Group, a Los Angeles based private equity firm with $4 billion of capital under management. Prior to that, Mr. Honour was a Managing Director at UBS Investment Bank from 2000 to 2002 and an investment banker at DLJ from 1991 to 2000. He began his career at Trammell Crow Company in 1988. Scott is also a co-founder of YapStone, Inc. with his brother Kirk in 1999. Scott holds a BS in business administration and a BA in economics from Pepperdine University and an MBA in finance and marketing from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.

 

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We believe that Mr. Honour’s significant experience in transaction planning and private equity investments make him well qualified to serve as a member of our board of directors.

 

Thomas J. Abood . Mr. Abood is a private investor. Mr. Abood has served as a director of the company since November 2016. From 1994 to 2014, Mr. Abood was an owner and Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of Dougherty Financial Group LLC. His principal responsibilities included leadership and management of DFG’s investment advisory business division (2004-2014) and supervision of its legal, compliance and human resources departments. Prior to 1994, Mr. Abood was an associate at the law firm of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom.

 

Mr. Abood is Chair of the Archdiocesan Finance Counsel of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, past Chair of the board of governors of the University of St. Thomas School of Law, past Chair of the governance committee and a member of the board of directors of MacPhail Center for Music and past President and Governor, The Minikahda Club. Mr. Abood is a past director and Chair of the Board of the Minnesota Children’s Museum and a past director of the Notre Dame Club of Minnesota.

 

Mr. Abood was raised in Lansing, Michigan, received his JD from Georgetown University Law Center, cum laude and his BBA from the University of Notre Dame, magna cum laude.

 

We believe that Mr. Abood’s legal and management experience described above, his significant investing experience and his experience serving on various boards make him well qualified to serve as a member of our board of directors.

 

Richard E. Gilbert . Mr. Gilbert has served as a director of the Company since inception. Mr. Gilbert also served as President and Secretary of the Company from inception until November 2016. Mr. Gilbert was elected as Secretary and a director of Minn Shares Minnesota on June 9, 2009 and as President and Chairman of the Board of Minn Shares Minnesota on July 5, 2010. Mr. Gilbert also served as Chief Financial Officer of Minn Shares Minnesota from June 9, 2009 to August 30, 2010. Since June of 2009, Mr. Gilbert has acted as a consultant for Paramount Trading Ltd. (“Paramount”). Prior to that, Mr. Gilbert served as a consultant to Paramount’s founder since August of 2007 researching the reverse merger industry and conducting due diligence of shell or blank check companies. Prior to Mr. Gilbert’s engagement with Paramount and its founder, Mr. Gilbert was a consultant from 1999 to 2006 assisting companies primarily in the mining industry, evaluating financing alternatives to accomplish their growth objectives. From 1997 until 1998, Mr. Gilbert was Vice President of Fleming & Company in New York, where he focused on investment banking activities exclusively in the global mining industry. From 1991 until 1996, Mr. Gilbert was Vice President of Everen Securities, Inc, an investment bank, where he focused exclusively on the North American mining industry. From 1972 until 1990, Mr. Gilbert was President and a director of Resource Management Company, Resource Bank and Trust, Resource Companies, Inc., and Resource Ventures, Inc., entities, which he founded. From 1969 until 1971, Mr. Gilbert was a retail and institutional sales person with Dain Kalman & Quail and Blyth & Company. Mr. Gilbert received his Bachelor of Arts in business education from the University of Minnesota in 1968. Mr. Gilbert served in the United States Marine Corps from 1959 to 1963 and was honorably discharged.

 

We believe that Mr. Gilbert’s consulting and executive experience in evaluating financing alternatives make him well qualified to serve as a member of our board of directors.

 

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Aaron W. Soderberg . Mr. Soderberg has served as a director of the Company since inception and a director of Minn Shares Minnesota since June 9, 2009 As of July 2015, Mr. Soderberg serves as Director of Institutional Marketing for BirdRock Asset Management, LP, an SEC registered investment advisory firm. From March 2014, Mr. Soderberg served as Sr. Vice President of Marketing for Glovista Investments, LLC, an SEC registered investment advisory firm.  Prior to and since April 2011, Mr. Soderberg served as Senior Vice President of Parenteau Associates, LLC, responsible for representing Parenteau Associates’ institutional platform of Money Managers to the Consultant, Pension, Endowment and RIA marketplace. Since 2007, Mr. Soderberg has been the President of Gold Aaro Capital, LLC and the Chief Investment Officer of Gold Aaron Capital Partners. From 2001 until 2006, Mr. Soderberg was managing partner of Portable Storage of Minnesota, Inc., an entity that he co-founded, which was ultimately sold in 2006. From 1989 until 2001, Mr. Soderberg was employed by Equity Securities Trading Company, Inc. Over the course of his 13 year tenure with that company, Mr. Soderberg’s main responsibilities included managing client equity accounts and providing investment banking services. Mr. Soderberg received his BA at the University of Minnesota, where he majored in international relations and international commerce, with a concentration in East Asia and China.

 

We believe that Mr. Soderberg’s prior investment banking experience make him well qualified to serve as a member of our board of directors.

 

Executive Officers and Key Employees

 

John P. Yeros . Mr. Yeros has served as our chief executive officer since November 2016. For the past twenty years Mr. Yeros has devoted his business energies to various segments of the business and high technology arena, including healthcare, Internet-related software development, computer hardware manufacturing, service delivery and the automotive dealership industry. He was Founder, Chairman & CEO of Medix Resources from 1988 until 2000; in this capacity he transformed a start-up healthcare software development firm into a public entity with a 2000 market cap of $450 million. Mr. Yeros then founded HyperSpace Communications in 2001 and completed a public stock offering in 2004; during his tenure the company acquired Idaho-based MPC Computers, Gateway’s Professional Services Division and, as the MPC Corp., it eventually had more than a thousand employees and $500 million in revenue by 2008. Mr. Yeros was named CEO of Intelligent Grid Solutions in 2009 after successfully completing a comprehensive business/market analysis of the Smart Grid market sector on behalf of both FirstEnergy Corporation (NYSE: FE) and First Communications, Inc. (FC). Intelligent Grid Solutions provided a series of interconnected consulting/partnering services related to planning, executing and financing of Smart Grid network projects. Since 2012, Mr. Yeros has served as CEO for Altitude Automotive Group (AAG), a Company Yeros formed to pursue the acquisition of automotive dealerships in the Western and Southwestern United States. Prior to undertaking these varied entrepreneurial ventures Mr. Yeros had a highly successful career in the securities industry starting as a account executive with Merrill Lynch Pierce Fenner & Smith in New York in 1977 and culminating in key management roles with E. F. Hutton, Hanifen Imhoff, Inc. and B. C. Christopher Securities where he last served as Regional VP and was overseeing three offices in the Rocky Mountain Region before launching Medix Resources in 1988. Mr. Yeros has a B. S. degree in education from Wichita State University.

 

Kirk S. Honour . Mr. Honour has served as president of the Company since November 2016, is a co-founder of Titan and has served as its president and managing member since its inception. Prior to Titan, over the past 16 years, Kirk held key executive management positions in the medical device industry with an emphasis on human clinical programs, new product launches and domestic and international market development. Since 2005, Kirk has been managing member of a private investment fund focused on pharmaceutical and medical technologies. In 1999, Kirk co-founded and built YapStone, Inc, a first generation internet start-up company that provides credit card payment solutions to independent landlords and REITs. YapStone currently processes over $15 billion in annual transactions. Kirk holds a BS in Genetics and Cell Biology and a Masters in Biological Science from the University of Minnesota.

 

Randy Gilbert . Mr. Gilbert has served as chief financial officer of the Company since November 2016. Randy has served as chief financial of a number of emerging, growth and mid-market companies. He currently is a principal at Assurance Consulting, LLC and serves as chief financial officer at AdvantEdge. Randy previously served as chief financial officer at VisualGold and worked at Damark, McGladrey & Pullen and KPMG LLP. Mr. Gilbert has a BA in Accounting from University of Minnesota Duluth.

 

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EXECUTIVE AND DIRECTOR COMPENSATION

 

Summary Compensation Table

 

The following table sets forth all of the compensation awarded to, earned by or paid to (i) each individual who served as the Titan principal executive officer during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015; and (ii) the two most highly compensated executive officers other than the principal executive officer who were serving as Titan executives as of December 31, 2015 and who earned total compensation in excess of $100,000 during such fiscal year (collectively, the “named executive officers”).

 

Name and Principal Position  

Year

 

Salary

(a)

   

Bonus

(b)

 

Stock Awards

(c)

 

Option Awards

(d)

 

Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation

(e)

 

Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Earnings

(f)

 

All Other Compensation

(g)

  Total
John P. Yeros
Chief Executive Officer
 

2015

2014

   

None

None

    None
None
  None
None
  None
None
  None
None
  None
None
  None
None
  None
None
Kirk S. Honour
President
 

2015

2014

 

$150,000
$150,000

    None
None
  None
None
  None
None
  None
None
  None
None
  None
None
   

$150,000
$150,000

Randy Gilbert
Chief Financial Officer
 

2015

2014

   

None

None

    None
None
  None
None
  None
None
  None
None
  None
None
  None
None
    None
None

 

We currently have no employees. We currently pay John Yeros, our chief executive officer, $10,000 per month as an independent contractor pursuant to a consulting agreement entered into in March 2016. We also pay Kirk Honour, our president, $15,000 per month as an independent contractor pursuant to a verbal agreement with the Company. We paid Kirk Honour $12,500 per month for his services in 2015 and 2014. Our officers have not received any other cash or other compensation for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014.

 

As a result of the Management Entity Merger, the Company succeeded as a party to the Employment Agreements. See “Description of the Business of Titan – Employees.”

 

No retirement, pension, profit sharing, stock option or insurance programs or other similar programs have been adopted by the Company for the benefit of its employees.

 

Reimbursement Arrangements for Directors

 

No members of our Board of Directors are currently compensated for their services. Our directors are reimbursed for reasonable expenses incurred in connection with their service.

 

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DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE AND RELATED MATTERS

 

Director Independence

 

Our securities are not listed on a national securities exchange or on any inter-dealer quotation system which has a requirement that a majority of directors be independent. We evaluate independence by the standards for director independence set forth in the Nasdaq Listing Rules.

 

Under NASDAQ Rule 5605(a)(2)(A), a director is not considered to be independent if he or she also is an executive officer or employee of the corporation. In considering a director’s independence, the board of directors considers any related-party transactions that currently exist or have occurred during the timeframes specified by Nasdaq Listing Rule 5605(a)(2) and whether the director has any relationships that, in the opinion of the board of directors, would interfere with the exercise of independent judgment in carrying out the responsibilities of a director. Under the Nasdaq Listing Rules, each of Scott M. Honour and Richard E. Gilbert would not be considered an independent director.

 

Family Relationships

 

Scott M. Honour, one of our directors, and Kirk S. Honour, our president, are brothers. There are no other family relationships among our directors or executive officers.

 

Involvement in Certain Legal Proceedings

 

To our knowledge, there have been no events under any bankruptcy act, no criminal proceedings and no federal or state judicial or administrative orders, judgments or decrees or findings, no violations of any federal or state securities law, and no violations of any federal commodities law material to the evaluation of the ability and integrity of any director (existing or proposed) or executive officer (existing or proposed) of the Company during the past ten (10) years.

 

MARKET PRICE OF AND DIVIDENDS ON COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

 

Market Information

 

The Company’s common stock is quoted on the OTC Pink marketplace under the symbol “MSHS”; however, no market has yet developed. The Company expects to change its symbol in the future. The high and low bid information for Company common stock for each of the last ten fiscal quarters, as reported by the OTC Pink marketplace, were:

 

Year Ended December 31, 2014   High     Low  
Quarter ended March 31   $ 0.10     $ 0.10  
Quarter ended June 30   $ 1.00     $ 0.10  
Quarter ended September 30   $ 0.25     $ 0.15  
Quarter ended December 31   $ 0.16     $ 0.16  

 

Year Ended December 31, 2015   High     Low  
Quarter ended March 31   $ 0.16     $ 0.01  
Quarter ended June 30   $ 0.10     $ 0.04  
Quarter ended September 30   $ 0.10     $ 0.05  
Quarter ended December 31   $ 0.05     $ 0.05  

 

Year Ending December 31, 2016   High     Low  
Quarter ended March 31   $ 0.05     $ 0.05  
Quarter ended June 30   $ 0.12     $ 0.02  
Quarter ended September 30   $ 0.04     $ 0.04  

 

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The quotations reflect inter-dealer prices, without retail mark-up, mark-down or commission and may not represent actual transactions. In addition, the quotations are not reflective of regular trading on an established public trading market.

 

Holders of Our Common Stock

 

As of the date of this Report, 15,860,342 shares of the Company’s common stock were issued and outstanding and no shares of preferred stock were issued or outstanding. As of the date of this Report, after giving effect to the Securities Exchange, the Company had approximately 175 stockholders of record of common stock.

 

Description of Securities

 

The following statements are qualified in their entirety by reference to the detailed provisions of the Company’s certificate of incorporation and bylaws.

 

Capital Structure

 

The Company’s certificate of incorporation authorizes us to issue up to 110,000,000 million shares of capital stock, which consists of up to 100,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, and 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.0001 per share.

 

As of the date of this Report, we have issued and outstanding approximately 15,860,342 shares of common stock. There are no shares of preferred stock issued or outstanding.

 

The holders of common stock are entitled to one vote for each share held of record on all matters submitted to a vote of the stockholders and do not have cumulative voting rights. Upon the Company’s liquidation, dissolution or winding down, holders of our common stock will be entitled to share ratably in all of the Company’s assets that are legally available for distribution, after payment of all debts and other liabilities. The holders of the Company’s common stock have no preemptive, subscription, redemption or conversion rights.

 

Holders of the Company’s common stock are entitled to receive such dividends as the board of directors may from time to time declare out of funds legally available for the payment of dividends. We currently intend to retain and use any future earnings for the development and expansion of our business and do not anticipate paying any cash dividends in the foreseeable future.

 

Authority to Issue Stock

 

The Company’s board of directors has the authority to issue the authorized but unissued shares of Company common stock without action by the stockholders. The issuance of such shares would reduce the percentage ownership held by current stockholders.

 

The Company’s board of directors also has the authority to issue up to 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock, none of which are issued or currently outstanding. The board of directors has the authority to fix and determine the relative rights and preferences of preferred shares, as well as the authority to issue such shares, without further stockholder approval. As a result, the board of directors could authorize the issuance of a series of preferred stock that is senior to the common stock and that would grant to holders preferred rights to our assets upon liquidation, the right to receive dividends, additional registration rights, anti-dilution protection, the right to the redemption to such shares, together with other rights, none of which will be afforded holders of our common stock. See “Risk Factors – Risks Related to Our Securities – The Company’s certificate of incorporation permits the board of directors to issue stock with terms that may subordinate the rights of common stockholders or discourage a third party from acquiring the Company in a manner that might result in a premium price to the Company’s stockholders.”

 

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Dividend Policy

 

In the past, we have not distributed earnings to stockholders. Any future decisions regarding dividends will be made by our board of directors. We currently intend to retain and use any future earnings for the development and expansion of our business and do not anticipate paying any cash dividends in the foreseeable future. Our board of directors has complete discretion on whether to pay dividends. Even if our board of directors decides to pay dividends, the form, frequency and amount will depend upon our future operations and earnings, capital requirements and surplus, general financial condition, contractual restrictions and other factors that the board of directors may deem relevant.

 

The Delaware General Corporation Law (“DGCL”) sets out when a company is restricted from declaring or paying dividends. Under Section 170 of the DGCL, a company must pay dividends out of its surplus or, if there is not a surplus, net profits for the current or preceding fiscal year. A company may not declare or pay a dividend out of net profits if the capital of the company is less than the aggregate amount of the capital represented by the issued and outstanding stock of all classes having a preference upon the distribution of assets until the deficiency in the amount of such capital has been repaired.

 

Securities Authorized for Issuance under Equity Compensation Plans

 

No retirement, pension, profit sharing, stock option or insurance programs or other similar programs have been adopted by the Company for the benefit of its employees.

 

Recent Issuances of Unregistered Securities

 

The following summarizes all issuances of unregistered securities by Titan within the past three years.

 

Issuances by Titan

 

On January 1, 2016, we issued 64,387 Class A Membership Units and Junior Bridge Notes in the aggregate principal amount of approximately $942,000 to eight accredited investors in exchange for mezzanine debt in El Toro plus approximately 80% of the membership interest in El Toro. We issued an additional Junior Bridge Note to a ninth accredited investor on January 1, 2016 for approximately $56,000 to evidence pre-existing indebtedness. The Junior Bridge Notes bear interest at the annual rate of 12% and mature on December 31, 2020. The Junior Bridge Notes are secured by a subordinate security interest on substantially all of our assets, including accounts receivable and rights to payment, which will remain in effect until such notes are repaid. The holders of the Junior Bridge Notes are the Alpeter Family Limited Partnership, Brian and Renae Clark, Falcon Capital LLC, Honour Capital LP, James Jackson, John Honour, Keith and Janice Clark, and Stephen and Jayne Clark.

 

On February 29, 2016, we issued five senior bridge notes (the “Senior Bridge Notes”) with an original maturity date of June 28, 2016 for approximately $672,000, as well as 16,791 Class A Membership Units. The Senior Bridge Notes bear interest at 12% per year with a default interest rate of 15% per year. Two of the Senior Bridge Notes were originally long-term debt of Titan outstanding at December 31, 2015 and converted into Senior Bridge Notes. In the event of a default under the Senior Bridge Notes, the Company is required to pay the holder a stated number of Class A Membership Units on the date of default and each 90 day interval thereafter until all amounts due have been paid in full. Effective July 2016, the maturity date of the Senior Bridge Notes was extended to September 30, 2016 and effective March 14, 2016 the interest rate was increased from 12% to 16%. The default interest rate was increased from 15% to 18%. As part of the first amendment, the note holders received 3,359 Class A Membership Units in Titan. In September 2016, the Senior Bridge Notes were amended to extend the due date to January 31, 2017 and the Company paid a fee for the extension of 1% of the outstanding principal balance to the note holders. In addition, at the Company’s sole discretion, assuming the notes are not in default, the Company has the ability to extend the notes to October 31, 2017. A fee of 1% of the outstanding principal balance will be paid at January 31, 2017, April 30, 2017 and again on July 31, 2017 should the Company choose to extend the notes at each of these dates. The notes are secured by a subordinate security interest on substantially all of the Company’s assets and are personally guaranteed by Scott Honour and Kirk Honour.

 

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On July 26, 2016, we issued an additional Senior Bridge Note for $200,000 with 16% interest that matures in October 2016. We issued 5,000 Class A Membership Units to this noteholder in connection with this Senior Bridge Note. In the event of default the holder will receive 1,000 Class A Membership Units.

 

On September 26, 2016, we issued an additional Senior Bridge Note for $150,000 with 16% interest that matures in January 2017. We issued 3,750 Class A Membership Units to this noteholder in connection with this Senior Bridge Note. In the event of default the holder will receive 750 Class A Membership Units.

 

The holders of the Senior Bridge Notes are Red Ocean Consulting, LLC, the Thomas J. Abood Revocable Trust U/A dated 8/17/2012, James Jackson, Alpeter Family Limited Partnership, David M. Leavenworth and Bonita Beach Blues, Inc.

 

On October 1, 2016 we issued 139,839 Class A Membership Units to existing members for no consideration to reconcile the number of Class A Membership Units outstanding with our records.

 

The foregoing issuances were made in reliance on the exemption from registration provided by Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act, because the issuances did not involve a public offering, the recipients took the shares for investment and not resale and Titan took appropriate measures to restrict transfer. Titan did not pay underwriter discounts or commissions in connection with the foregoing transactions.

 

Issuances by Minn Shares

 

On November 22, 2016, Minn Shares issued three convertible promissory notes (the “Minn Shares Notes”) in the aggregate principal amount of $415,173.98 to Joseph H. Whitney, The Globe Resources Group, LLC and Richard E. Gilbert. The Minn Shares Notes amended and restated the terms of the previously outstanding loans from Richard Gilbert, Paramount Trading, Ltd. and The Globe Resources Group, LLC. The Minn Shares notes bear interest at the rate of 12% per annum and mature in November 2019 unless earlier converted. Each Minn Shares Note is convertible at the holder’s option as follows: (i) upon the sale by the Company of not less than $7,500,000 of its equity securities at a conversion price equal to the price per security issued in such offering, (ii) upon a corporate transaction such as a merger, consolidation or asset sale involving either the sale of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets or the transfer of at least 50% of the Company’s equity securities at a conversion price equal to the enterprise value of the Company, as established by the consideration payable in the corporate transaction or (iii) on or after the maturity date at a conversion price equal to the quotient of $20 million divided by the number of shares of Company stock outstanding on a fully diluted basis. The Minn Shares Notes are subject to mandatory conversion upon the conversion into equity securities of the Junior Bridge Notes and Senior Bridge Notes upon the same conversion terms as the Junior Bridge Notes and Senior Bridge Notes.

 

The foregoing issuances were made in reliance on the exemption from registration provided by Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act, because the issuances did not involve a public offering, the recipients took the notes for investment and not resale and Minn Shares took appropriate measures to restrict transfer. Minn Shares did not pay underwriter discounts or commissions in connection with the foregoing transactions.

 

Issuance in Connection with the Securities Exchange

 

On November 22, 2016, the Company issued 12,424,058 shares of Company common stock to the Members in exchange for all of the outstanding membership interests of Titan.

 

On November 23, 2016, the Company issued 2,244,936 shares of Company common stock to John Yeros, Kirk Honour and Randy Gilbert pursuant to the Management Merger Agreement.

 

The foregoing issuances were made in reliance on the exemption from registration provided by Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act, because the issuances did not involve a public offering, the recipients took the shares for investment and not resale and Titan took appropriate measures to restrict transfer. Titan did not pay underwriter discounts or commissions in connection with the foregoing transactions.

 

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Securities Eligible for Future Sale

 

As adjusted for the Securities Exchange and Management Entity Merger, the Company had outstanding 15,860,342 shares of common stock as of the date of this Report. Approximately 15,288,994 of these shares are restricted securities under Rule 144 of the Securities Act, in that they were issued in private transactions not involving a public offering. Approximately 571,348 shares of Company common stock are not restricted securities, because the sale of such shares occurred in connection with secondary transactions by certain stockholders, pursuant to resale registration statements which were in effect at the time of such resales.

 

Restrictions on the Use of Rule 144 by Shell Companies or Former Shell Companies

 

Rule 144 is not available for the resale of securities initially issued by companies that are, or previously were, blank check companies like us, to their promoters or affiliates despite technical compliance with the requirements of Rule 144. Rule 144 also is not available for resale of securities issued by any shell companies (other than business combination-related shell companies) or any issuer that has been at any time previously a shell company. The SEC has provided an exception to this prohibition, however, if the following conditions are met:

 

the issuer of the securities that was formerly a shell company has ceased to be a shell company;

 

the issuer of the securities is subject to the reporting requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act;

 

the issuer of the securities has filed all Exchange Act reports and materials required to be filed, as applicable, during the preceding 12 months (or such shorter period that the issuer was required to file such reports and materials), other than Form 8-K reports; and

 

at least one year has elapsed from the time that the issuer filed current Form 10 type information with the SEC reflecting its status as an entity that is not a shell company.

 

As a result, none of the Company’s stockholders is currently able to sell shares of the Company’s common stock in reliance on Rule 144. Assuming we continue to meet the requirements set forth above, Rule 144 will become available to the Company’s stockholders one year after the date of this Report. The Company’s stockholders may currently resell their shares of the Company’s common stock only pursuant to a registration statement that has been declared effective under the Securities Act or pursuant to another exemption from registration.

 

Delaware Anti-Takeover Statute

 

The Company is subject to Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law. This statute regulating corporate takeovers prohibits a Delaware corporation from engaging in any business combination with any interested stockholder for three years following the date that the stockholder became an interested stockholder, unless:

 

prior to the date of the transaction, the board of directors of the corporation approved either the business combination or the transaction which resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder;

 

upon completion of the transaction that resulted in the interested stockholder becoming an interested stockholder, the interested stockholder owned at least 85% of the voting stock of the corporation outstanding at the time the transaction commenced, excluding for purposes of determining the number of shares outstanding (a) shares owned by persons who are directors and also officers, and (b) shares owned by employee stock plans in which employee participants do not have the right to determine confidentially whether shares held subject to the plan will be tendered in a tender or exchange offer; or

 

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on or subsequent to the date of the transaction, the business combination is approved by the board of directors and authorized at an annual or special meeting of stockholders, and not by written consent, by the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the outstanding voting stock which is not owned by the interested stockholder.

 

Generally, a business combination includes a merger, asset or stock sale, or other transaction resulting in a financial benefit to the interested stockholder. An interested stockholder is any person who, together with such person’s affiliates and associates (i) owns 15% or more of a corporation’s voting securities or (ii) is an affiliate or associate of a corporation and was the owner of 15% or more of the corporation’s voting securities at any time within the three year period immediately preceding a business combination of the corporation governed by Section 203. We expect the existence of this provision to have an anti-takeover effect with respect to transactions our board of directors does not approve in advance. We also anticipate that Section 203 may discourage takeover attempts that might result in a premium over the market price, once a market exists, for the shares of common stock held by our stockholders.

 

CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

 

Certain Relationships of the Company Prior to the Securities Exchange

 

As of December 31, 2015 and 2014, Paramount Trading, Ltd., a Nevada limited liability company, and Richard Gilbert, a director of the Company and the Company’s former president and secretary, have advanced and paid expenses for an aggregate amount of $245,961 and $219,806, respectively, including $42,446 and $32,809 of accrued interest, respectively, on behalf of the Company. The Company agreed to repay such amounts upon the Company entering into a business combination transaction. The Company verbally agreed to repay to Paramount Trading Ltd. all amounts that have been or may in the future, from time to time, be advanced to it or any third parties on behalf of the Company on the earliest to occur of any one of the following events (a) a Business Combination, (b) the third anniversary of the date such advance was made and (c) the Company becoming insolvent. “Business Combination” means an acquisition by or of the Company by merger, capital stock exchange, asset or stock acquisition, reorganization or otherwise, of or with an operating business. The Company verbally agreed that the loans will bear annual interest at 5% and will be due on demand. Interest expense to related parties was $9,637 and $9,344 for 2015 and 2014, respectively.

 

In connection with closing the Securities Exchange, the Company issued three convertible promissory notes (the “Minn Shares Notes”) in the aggregate principal amount of $415,173.98 to Joseph H. Whitney, The Globe Resources Group, LLC and Richard E. Gilbert. The Minn Shares Notes amended and restated the terms of the previously outstanding loans from Richard Gilbert, Paramount Trading, Ltd. and The Globe Resources Group, LLC. The Minn Shares notes bear interest at the rate of 5% per annum and mature in November 2019 unless earlier converted. Each Minn Shares Note is convertible at the holder’s option upon (i) a sale by the Company of not less than $7,500,000 of its equity securities, (ii) a corporate transaction such as a merger, consolidation or asset sale involving either the sale of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets or the transfer of at least 50% of the Company’s equity securities or (iii) the maturity date. The Minn Share Notes are subject to mandatory conversion upon the conversion into equity securities of the Junior Bridge Notes and Senior Bridge Notes upon the same conversion terms as the Junior Bridge Notes and Senior Bridge Notes. Copies of the Minn Shares Notes are filed as Exhibits 4.20, 4.21 an 4.22 and are each incorporated herein by reference.

 

The Company currently utilizes the office space and equipment of its management at no cost. Management estimates such amounts to be immaterial.

 

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Certain Relationships of Titan Prior to the Securities Exchange

 

Company Founders/Managers/Directors Control the Company

 

Immediately prior to the Securities Exchange, Titan’s founders, managing members and directors owned and held a total of 226,125 of Titan’s total 282,626 Class A Membership Units issued and outstanding, or 80% of Titan’s Units in total, including related members/family members. Therefore, such founders, managing members and directors were in a position to control Titan. In addition, they may, in their discretion, enter into certain affiliate transactions among our founders, managers and governors. After giving effect to the Securities Exchange and the Management Entity Merger, Titan’s founders, managing members and directors own 12,185,247 of the Company’s 15,860,342 issued and outstanding common stock, or 76.8% of the Company’s common stock.

 

Founders Investments in Titan El Toro

 

Titan’s founders, managing members and directors invested $109,599 of equity in Titan El Toro which they exchanged for 10,892 Units.

 

Founders Loans to Titan CNG LLC; Loans to Titan El Toro

 

Titan’s founders, managing members and directors previously held $594,000 of mezzanine debt and $367,000 in bridge debt in Titan El Toro. Of those amounts, approximately $942,000 of principal and interest was exchanged for 31,652 Units.

 

In addition, Titan’s founders, managing members and directors hold approximately $450,000 in Junior Bridge Notes and $670,000 in Senior Bridge Notes.

 

Founders Guarantee of Tradition Facility

 

Certain of our founders, managing members and directors have personally guaranteed Titan’s Tradition Facility. These members received 3,359 Class A Membership Units for providing such guarantees.

 

INDEMNIFICATION OF OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS

 

Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law provides that a corporation may indemnify directors and officers as well as other employees and individuals against expenses including attorneys’ fees, judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement in connection with various actions, suits or proceedings, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative other than an action by or in the right of the corporation, a derivative action, if they acted in good faith and in a manner they reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, if they had no reasonable cause to believe their conduct was unlawful. A similar standard is applicable in the case of derivative actions, except that indemnification only extends to expenses including attorneys’ fees incurred in connection with the defense or settlement of such actions, and the statute requires court approval before there can be any indemnification where the person seeking indemnification has been found liable to the corporation. The statute provides that it is not exclusive of other indemnification that may be granted by a corporation’s certificate of incorporation, bylaws, agreement, a vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise.

 

The Company’s Certificate of Incorporation provides that it will indemnify and hold harmless, to the fullest extent permitted by Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, as amended from time to time, each person that such section grants us the power to indemnify.

 

The Delaware General Corporation Law permits a corporation to provide in its certificate of incorporation that a director of the corporation shall not be personally liable to the corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except for liability for:

 

any breach of the director’s duty of loyalty to the corporation or its stockholders;

 

acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law;

 

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payments of unlawful dividends or unlawful stock repurchases or redemptions; or

 

any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit.

 

The Company’s Certificate of Incorporation provides that, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, none of the Company’s directors will be personally liable to us or our stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director. Any repeal or modification of this provision will be prospective only and will not adversely affect any limitation, right or protection of a director of the Company existing at the time of such repeal or modification.

 

To the extent that indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers or persons controlling the Company pursuant to the foregoing provisions, we have been informed that, in the opinion of the SEC, such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is therefore unenforceable. If a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by us of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of our company in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by any of our directors, officers or controlling persons in connection with the securities being registered, we will, unless in the opinion of our counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by us is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of that issue.

 

Item 2.03 Creation of a Direct Financial Obligation or an Obligation under an Off-Balance Sheet Arrangement of a Registrant.

 

The disclosures set forth in Item 2.01 above are hereby incorporated by reference into this Item 2.03.

   

Item 3.02 Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities.

 

The disclosures set forth under “Market Price and Dividends on Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters – Recent Issuances of Unregistered Securities” in Item 2.01 above are hereby incorporated by reference into this Item 3.02. The issuances of shares to the Members in the Securities Exchange and to John Yeros, Kirk Honour and Randy Gilbert in the Management Merger, as well as of the shares underlying the Minn Shares Notes, occurred pursuant to privately negotiated transactions that did not involve a public offering of securities and, accordingly, the Company believes that the transactions were exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act pursuant to Section 4(a)(2) thereof and Rule 506 of Regulation D promulgated thereunder. Each of the Members, each of Messrs. Yeros, Honour and Gilbert, and each of Joseph H. Whitney, The Globe Resources Group, LLC and Richard E. Gilbert represented to the Company in connection with the Securities Exchange, the Management Merger and the issuance of the Minn Shares Notes, as applicable, that he, she or it was an “accredited investor” (as defined by Rule 501 under the Securities Act) and was acquiring the shares for investment and not distribution, that he, she or it could bear the risks of the investment and could hold the securities for an indefinite period of time. The investors received written disclosures that the securities had not been registered under the Securities Act and that any resale must be made pursuant to a registration statement or an available exemption from such registration.

 

Item 5.01 Changes in Control of Registrant.

 

The disclosures set forth in Item 2.01 above are hereby incorporated by reference into this Item 5.01.

 

Item 5.02      Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.

 

At the effective time of the Securities Exchange, the Company’s board of directors increased the size of the board of directors from three directors to four directors and appointed Scott M. Honour and Thomas J. Abood as directors. At the same time, John P. Yeros, Kirk S. Honour and Randy Gilbert were appointed as chief executive officer, president and chief financial officer, respectively, and Richard Gilbert resigned from his positions as president and secretary of the Company.

 

The disclosures set forth in Item 2.01 above, under the headings “Directors, Executive Officers and Key Employees,” “Executive and Director Compensation,” “Director Independence and Related Matters,” and “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions” are hereby incorporated by reference into this Item 5.02.

 

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Item 5.06 Change in Shell Company Status.

 

Upon completion of the Securities Exchange, the Company ceased being a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). The disclosure contained in Item 2.01 above is hereby incorporated by reference into this Item 5.06.

 

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

(a)       Financial statements of businesses acquired: Attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 are audited consolidated financial statements of Titan as of and for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 and the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of Titan as of and for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015.

 

(b)        Pro forma financial information: Attached hereto as Exhibit 99.2 is unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information as of and for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015 and as of and for the nine months ended September 30, 2016.

 

(d)       Exhibits:

 

Exhibit No.   Description
2.1 *   Agreement and Plan of Securities Exchange, dated November 22, 2016, by and among Minn Shares Inc., Titan CNG LLC and the members of Titan CNG LLC**
2.2 *   Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated November 23, 2016, by and between Shock, Inc. and Minn Shares Inc.
4.1 *   Loan Agreement, dated as of December 31, 2014, by and between Titan El Toro, LLC and FirstCNG LLC and Tradition Capital Bank
4.2 *   Junior Bridge Note, dated January 1, 2016, by Titan CNG LLC in favor of the Alpeter Family Limited Partnership
4.3 *   Junior Bridge Note, dated January 1, 2016, by Titan CNG LLC in favor of Brian and Renae Clark
4.4 *   Junior Bridge Note, dated January 1, 2016, by Titan CNG LLC in favor of Falcon Capital LLC
4.5 *   Junior Bridge Note, dated January 1, 2016, by Titan CNG LLC in favor of Honour Capital LP
4.6 *   Junior Bridge Note, dated January 1, 2016, by Titan CNG LLC in favor of James Jackson
4.7 *   Junior Bridge Note, dated January 1, 2016, by Titan CNG LLC in favor of John Honour
4.8 *   Junior Bridge Note, dated January 1, 2016, by Titan CNG LLC in favor of Keith and Janice Clark
4.9 *   Junior Bridge Note, dated January 1, 2016, by Titan CNG LLC in favor of Kirk Honour
4.10 *   Junior Bridge Note, dated January 1, 2016, by Titan CNG LLC in favor of Stephen and Jayne Clark
4.11 *   Secured Bridge Note, dated February 29, 2016, by Titan CNG LLC in favor of Red Ocean Consulting, LLC
4.12 *   Secured Bridge Note, dated February 29, 2016, by Titan CNG LLC in favor of Thomas J. Abood Revocable Trust u/a dated August 17, 2012
4.13 *   Secured Bridge Note, dated February 29, 2016, by Titan CNG LLC in favor of James Jackson
4.14 *   Secured Bridge Note, dated February 29, 2016, by Titan CNG LLC in favor of Alpeter Family Limited Partnership
4.15 *   Secured Bridge Note, dated February 29, 2016, by Titan CNG LLC in favor of David M. Leavenworth
4.16 *   Secured Bridge Note, dated September 26, 2016, by Titan CNG LLC in favor of Red Ocean Consulting, LLC
4.17 *   First Amendment to Senior Bridge Loan Documents, dated July 26, 2016, by and among Titan CNG LLC, Titan Blaine, LLC, Titan El Toro, LLC, Titan Diamond Bar, LLC, Thomas J. Abood Revocable Trust U/A Dated August 17, 2012 As Amended, James Jackson, David M. Leavenworth, Alpeter Family Limited Partnership, Bonita Beach Blues, Inc., Red Ocean Consulting, LLC, Scott Honour and Kirk Honour

 

  41  

 

 

4.18 *   Secured Bridge Note, dated July 26, 2016, by Titan CNG LLC in favor of Bonita Beach Blues, Inc.
4.19 *   Second Amendment to Senior Bridge Loan Documents, dated September 26, 2016, by and among Titan CNG LLC, Titan Blaine, LLC, Titan El Toro, LLC, Titan Diamond Bar, LLC, Thomas J. Abood Revocable Trust U/A Dated August 17, 2012 As Amended, James Jackson, David M. Leavenworth, Alpeter Family Limited Partnership, Bonita Beach Blues, Inc., Red Ocean Consulting, LLC, Scott Honour and Kirk Honour
4.20 *   Convertible Promissory Note, dated November 22, 2016, by Minn Shares Inc.  in favor of Joseph H. Whitney
4.21 *   Convertible Promissory Note, dated November 22, 2016, by Minn Shares Inc.  in favor of The Globe Resources Group, LLC
4.22 *   Convertible Promissory Note, dated November 22, 2016, by Minn Shares Inc.  in favor of Richard E. Gilbert
10.1 *   Compressed Natural Gas Fuel Station Agreement, dated June 28, 2016, by and between Titan Blaine, LLC, Walters’ Recycling & Refuse, Inc. and Walters’ Investments, LLC
10.2 *   Lease Agreement, dated February 24, 2014, between Grace Whisler Trust and Whisler Holdings LLC and FirstCNG LLC
10.3 *   First Amendment to Lease, dated June 9, 2014, between Grace Whisler Trust and Whisler Holdings LLC and FirstCNG LLC
10.4 *   Employment Agreement, dated November 1, 2016, between Shock Inc. and Kirk Honour
10.5 *   Employment Agreement, dated November 1, 2016, between Shock Inc. and John Yeros
10.6 *   Employment Agreement, dated November 1, 2016, between Shock Inc. and Randy Gilbert
10.7 *   Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of Titan CNG LLC, effective as of January 1, 2016
10.8 *   Lease Contract, effective December 19, 2015, between South Coast Air Quality Management District and Titan Diamond Bar LLC
21.1 *   List of Subsidiaries
99.1 *   Audited consolidated financial statements of Titan CNG LLC as of and for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 and unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of Titan CNG LLC as of and for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015
99.2 *   Unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information as of and for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015 and as of and for the nine months ended September 30, 2016

 

* Filed herewith.

 

**          Schedules have been omitted pursuant to Item 601(b)(2) of Regulation S-K. The Company hereby agrees to furnish supplementally a copy of any of the omitted schedules upon request by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

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SIGNATURES

 

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 hereunto duly authorized.

 

Dated: November 29, 2016 By: /s/ John P. Yeros
  Its: Chief Executive Officer

 

  43  

 

 

EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit No.   Description
2.1 *   Agreement and Plan of Securities Exchange, dated November 22, 2016, by and among Minn Shares Inc., Titan CNG LLC and the members of Titan CNG LLC**
2.2 *   Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated November 23, 2016, by and between Shock, Inc. and Minn Shares Inc.
4.1 *   Loan Agreement, dated as of December 31, 2014, by and between Titan El Toro, LLC and FirstCNG LLC and Tradition Capital Bank
4.2 *   Junior Bridge Note, dated January 1, 2016, by Titan CNG LLC in favor of the Alpeter Family Limited Partnership
4.3 *   Junior Bridge Note, dated January 1, 2016, by Titan CNG LLC in favor of Brian and Renae Clark
4.4 *   Junior Bridge Note, dated January 1, 2016, by Titan CNG LLC in favor of Falcon Capital LLC
4.5 *   Junior Bridge Note, dated January 1, 2016, by Titan CNG LLC in favor of Honour Capital LP
4.6 *   Junior Bridge Note, dated January 1, 2016, by Titan CNG LLC in favor of James Jackson
4.7 *   Junior Bridge Note, dated January 1, 2016, by Titan CNG LLC in favor of John Honour
4.8 *   Junior Bridge Note, dated January 1, 2016, by Titan CNG LLC in favor of Keith and Janice Clark
4.9 *   Junior Bridge Note, dated January 1, 2016, by Titan CNG LLC in favor of Kirk Honour
4.10 *   Junior Bridge Note, dated January 1, 2016, by Titan CNG LLC in favor of Stephen and Jayne Clark
4.11 *   Secured Bridge Note, dated February 29, 2016, by Titan CNG LLC in favor of Red Ocean Consulting, LLC
4.12 *   Secured Bridge Note, dated February 29, 2016, by Titan CNG LLC in favor of Thomas J. Abood Revocable Trust u/a dated August 17, 2012
4.13 *   Secured Bridge Note, dated February 29, 2016, by Titan CNG LLC in favor of James Jackson
4.14 *   Secured Bridge Note, dated February 29, 2016, by Titan CNG LLC in favor of Alpeter Family Limited Partnership
4.15 *   Secured Bridge Note, dated February 29, 2016, by Titan CNG LLC in favor of David M. Leavenworth
4.16 *   Secured Bridge Note, dated September 26, 2016, by Titan CNG LLC in favor of Red Ocean Consulting, LLC
4.17 *   First Amendment to Senior Bridge Loan Documents, dated July 26, 2016, by and among Titan CNG LLC, Titan Blaine, LLC, Titan El Toro, LLC, Titan Diamond Bar, LLC, Thomas J. Abood Revocable Trust U/A Dated August 17, 2012 As Amended, James Jackson, David M. Leavenworth, Alpeter Family Limited Partnership, Bonita Beach Blues, Inc., Red Ocean Consulting, LLC, Scott Honour and Kirk Honour
4.18 *   Secured Bridge Note, dated July 26, 2016, by Titan CNG LLC in favor of Bonita Beach Blues, Inc.
4.19 *   Second Amendment to Senior Bridge Loan Documents, dated September 26, 2016, by and among Titan CNG LLC, Titan Blaine, LLC, Titan El Toro, LLC, Titan Diamond Bar, LLC, Thomas J. Abood Revocable Trust U/A Dated August 17, 2012 As Amended, James Jackson, David M. Leavenworth, Alpeter Family Limited Partnership, Bonita Beach Blues, Inc., Red Ocean Consulting, LLC, Scott Honour and Kirk Honour
4.20 *   Convertible Promissory Note, dated November 22, 2016, by Minn Shares Inc.  in favor of Joseph H. Whitney
4.21 *   Convertible Promissory Note, dated November 22, 2016, by Minn Shares Inc.  in favor of The Globe Resources Group, LLC

 

  44  

 

 

4.22 *   Convertible Promissory Note, dated November 22, 2016, by Minn Shares Inc.  in favor of Richard E. Gilbert
10.1 *   Compressed Natural Gas Fuel Station Agreement, dated June 28, 2016, by and between Titan Blaine, LLC, Walters’ Recycling & Refuse, Inc. and Walters’ Investments, LLC
10.2 *   Lease Agreement, dated February 24, 2014, between Grace Whisler Trust and Whisler Holdings LLC and FirstCNG LLC
10.3 *   First Amendment to Lease, dated June 9, 2014, between Grace Whisler Trust and Whisler Holdings LLC and FirstCNG LLC
10.4 *   Employment Agreement, dated November 1, 2016, between Shock Inc. and Kirk Honour
10.5 *   Employment Agreement, dated November 1, 2016, between Shock Inc. and John Yeros
10.6 *   Employment Agreement, dated November 1, 2016, between Shock Inc. and Randy Gilbert
10.7 *   Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of Titan CNG LLC, effective as of January 1, 2016
10.8 *   Lease Contract, effective December 19, 2015, between South Coast Air Quality Management District and Titan Diamond Bar LLC
21.1 *   List of Subsidiaries
99.1 *   Audited consolidated financial statements of Titan CNG LLC as of and for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 and unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of Titan CNG LLC as of and for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015
99.2 *   Unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information as of and for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015 and as of and for the nine months ended September 30, 2016

 

* Filed herewith.

 

**          Schedules have been omitted pursuant to Item 601(b)(2) of Regulation S-K. The Company hereby agrees to furnish supplementally a copy of any of the omitted schedules upon request by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

 

 

45

  Exhibit 2.1

 

 

 

 

AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF SECURITIES EXCHANGE

 

BY AND AMONG

 

MINN SHARES INC.,

 

TITAN CNG LLC

 

AND

 

THE MEMBERS OF TITAN CNG LLC IDENTIFIED HEREIN

 

 

 

   

Dated as of NOVEMBER 22, 2016

 

 

 

 

 

 

AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF SECURITIES EXCHANGE

 

This Agreement and Plan of Securities Exchange (this “ Agreement ”) is entered into as of November 22, 2016, by and among Minn Shares Inc. , a Delaware corporation (“ Minn Shares ”), Titan CNG LLC , a Delaware limited liability company (the “ Company ”), and the holders of 100% of the outstanding membership interests of the Company (the “ Members ”). Collectively, the Company and the Members are referred to herein as the “ Company Parties .”  Each of the parties to this Agreement is individually referred to herein as a “ Party ” and collectively as the “ Parties .”

 

W I T N E S S E T H

 

WHEREAS , the Members collectively own all of the issued and outstanding membership interests of the Company;

 

WHEREAS , in exchange for the sale and assignment of all of the issued and outstanding membership interests of the Company, Minn Shares shall issue to the Members such number of shares (the “ Exchange Shares ”) of Minn Shares Common Stock representing 91.25% of the total amount of issued and outstanding Minn Shares Common Stock as of the date of issuance thereof (the “ Securities Exchange ”), on the terms and conditions set forth herein;

  

WHEREAS , immediately after giving effect to the Securities Exchange, there will be approximately 13,615,406 shares of Minn Shares Common Stock and no warrants, options or other rights to purchase or acquire shares of Minn Shares’ capital stock issued and outstanding; and

  

WHEREAS , the Parties intend, by executing this Agreement, to implement a tax-free exchange of property governed by Section 351 of the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “ Code ”).

  

NOW, THEREFORE , in consideration of the representations, warranties and covenants contained herein, the parties hereto agree as follows:

 

ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS

 

As used herein, the following terms shall have the following meanings (such meaning to be equally applicable to both the singular and plural forms of the terms defined):

 

Affiliate ” has the meaning as defined in Rule 12b-2 promulgated under the Exchange Act, as such regulation is in effect on the date hereof.

 

Closing ” shall have the meaning as set forth in Section 2.2 hereof.

 

Closing Date ” shall have the meaning as set forth in Section 2.2 hereof.

 

Code ” has the meaning ascribed thereto in the preambles to this Agreement.

 

 

 

 

Company Disclosure Schedule ” means the disclosure schedules delivered by the Company to Minn Shares prior to and in connection with the execution of this Agreement.

 

Company Financial Statements ” shall have the meaning as set forth in Section 3.11 hereof.

 

Company Insiders ” shall have the meaning as set forth in Section 3.9 hereof.

 

Company Intellectual Property ” shall have the meaning as set forth in Section 3.19 hereof.

 

Company Latest Balance Sheet ” shall have the meaning as set forth in Section 3.11 hereof.

 

Company Returns ” shall have the meaning as set forth in Section 3.8(a) hereof.

 

Company Units ” means the Company’s Class A Membership Interests and Class B Membership Interests, as such terms are used and defined in the LLC Agreement.

 

Compensatory Plan ” shall mean (i) any employment, consulting, noncompetition, nondisclosure, non-solicitation, severance, termination, pension, retirement, supplemental retirement, excess benefit, profit sharing, bonus, incentive, deferred compensation, retention, change in control and similar plan, program, arrangement, agreement, policy or commitment, (ii) any compensatory equity interest, stock option, restricted stock, deferred stock, performance stock, stock appreciation, stock unit or other equity or equity-based plan, program, arrangement, agreement, policy or commitment, (iii) any savings, life, health, disability, accident, medical, dental, vision, cafeteria, insurance, flex spending, adoption/dependent/employee assistance, tuition, vacation, paid-time-off, other welfare fringe benefit and other employee compensation plan, program, arrangement, agreement, policy or commitment, including any “employee benefit plan” as defined in Section 3(3) of ERISA and any trust, escrow, funding, insurance or other agreement related to any of the foregoing, in any case, to, under or with respect to which, Minn Shares or the Company, as applicable, has any actual or contingent obligation or liability.

 

Copyrights ” shall have the meaning as set forth in Section 3.19(a) hereof.

 

Delaware Law ” shall have the meaning as set forth in Section 3.23 hereof.

 

Effective Date ” shall have the meaning as set forth in Section 2.2 hereof.

 

Effective Time ” shall have the meaning as set forth in Section 2.2 hereof.

 

ERISA ” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, or any successor law and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

Evaluation Material ” shall have the meaning as set forth in Section 7.3(a) hereof.

 

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Exchange Act ” shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, including the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

Exchange Shares ” shall have the meaning as set forth in the recitals to this Agreement.

 

Fully Diluted Basis ” shall mean, with respect to the Company or Minn Shares, the number of Company Units or shares of Minn Shares Common Stock, as applicable, that would be outstanding upon (i) the conversion of all outstanding shares or securities of such issuer’s outstanding preferred stock or units, or (ii) the conversion or exercise, as the case may be, of all securities convertible into, exercisable for, or exchangeable for, directly or indirectly, Company Units or Minn Shares Common Stock, as applicable.

 

GAAP ” shall mean United States generally accepted accounting principles as in effect from time to time.

 

Intellectual Property ” shall have the meaning as set forth in Section 3.19(a) hereof.  

 

Know-How ” shall have the meaning as set forth in Section 3.19(a) hereof .

 

Knowledge ” means, with respect to an individual, that such individual is actually aware of a particular fact or other matter, with no obligation to conduct any inquiry or other investigation to determine the accuracy of such fact or other matter. A Person other than an individual shall be deemed to have Knowledge of a particular fact or other matter if the officers, directors or other management personnel of such Person had Knowledge of such fact or other matter.

 

LLC Agreement ” means the Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement dated January 1, 2015, among the Company and the Members.

 

Material Adverse Effect ” shall, with respect to an entity, mean a material adverse effect on the business, operations, results of operations or financial condition of such entity on a consolidated basis.

 

Member Questionnaire ” shall have the meaning as set forth in Section 8.2(e) hereof.

 

Minn Shares Common Stock ” shall mean the common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of Minn Shares.

 

Minn Shares Disclosure Schedule ” means the disclosure schedules delivered by Minn Shares to the Company Parties prior to and in connection with the execution of this Agreement.

 

Minn Shares Financial Statements ” shall have the meaning as set forth in Section 5.5(b) hereof .

 

Minn Shares Insiders ” shall have the meaning as set forth in Section 5.11 hereof .

 

3  

 

 

Minn Shares Latest Balance Sheet ” shall have the meaning as set forth in Section 5.17 hereof .

 

Minn Shares Notes ” mean those certain outstanding convertible promissory notes issued by Minn Shares on the date hereof in the aggregate principal amount of $415,173.98.

 

Minn Shares Previous Filings ” shall have the meaning as set forth in Section 5.5(a) hereof.

 

Minn Shares Professional Fees ” means the actual and documented fees, costs and expenses of Minn Shares’ attorneys, accountants and other service providers incurred by Minn Shares on or prior to the Closing Date in connection with the preparation and negotiation of this Agreement, the filings with the SEC related hereto, the closing of the transactions contemplated hereby, and the 2015 audit expenses, the Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarterly periods ended June 30, 2016 and September 30, 2016 of Minn Shares, the aggregate amount of which shall not exceed $75,000.00.

  

Minn Shares Returns ” shall have the meaning as set forth in Section 5.9(a) hereof .

 

Minn Shares SEC Filings ” shall have the meaning as set forth in Section 5.5(a) hereof .

 

Patents ” shall have the meaning as set forth in Section 3.19(a) hereof .

 

Person ” means any individual, corporation (including any non-profit corporation), general or limited partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, estate, trust, association, organization, labor union, governmental authority or other entity.

 

Schedule ” means either the Company Disclosure Schedule or the Minn Shares Disclosure Schedule.

 

SEC ” shall mean the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

Securities Act ” shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, including the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

Securities Exchange ” has the meaning ascribed thereto in the recitals to this Agreement.

 

Subsidiary ” shall, with respect to any Person, mean (i) each corporation in which such Person owns directly or indirectly fifty percent (50%) or more of the voting securities of such corporation and (ii) any other Person in which such Person owns at least a majority voting interest, and shall, in each case, unless otherwise indicated, be deemed to refer to both direct and indirect subsidiaries of such Person.

 

4  

 

 

Tax ” or “ Taxes ” (and, with correlative meaning, “ Taxable ” and “ Taxing ”) shall mean any federal, state, local or foreign income, gross receipts, license, payroll, employment, excise, severance, stamp, occupation, premium, property or windfall profits taxes, environmental taxes, customs duties, capital stock, franchise, employees’ income withholding, foreign or domestic withholding, social security, unemployment, disability, workers’ compensation, employment-related insurance, real property, personal property, sales, use, transfer, value added, alternative or add-on minimum or other governmental tax, fee, assessment or charge of any kind whatsoever including any interest, penalties or additions to any Tax or additional amounts in respect of the foregoing.

 

Trademarks ” shall have the meaning as set forth in Section 3.19(a) hereof .

 

ARTICLE II
PLAN OF SECURITIES EXCHANGE

 

2.1        The Securities Exchange . Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, on the Closing Date:

 

(a)       Minn Shares shall issue via book-entry the Exchange Shares to each Member in the name of such Member or its designee in accordance with Exhibit A hereto or pursuant to separate written instructions to be delivered by the Company to Minn Shares prior to the Closing Date. The aggregate number of Exchange Shares issued to the Members shall represent 91.25% of the shares of Minn Shares Common Stock on a Fully Diluted Basis immediately after the Closing.

 

(b)       Each Member shall deliver such documentation as may be required and reasonably acceptable to Minn Shares and its counsel to transfer the Company Interests to Minn Shares.

 

2.2        Time and Place of Closing . Subject to the provisions of ARTICLE VIII and ARTICLE IX   hereof, the closing (the “ Closing ”) of the Securities Exchange shall take place on the date of this Agreement (the “ Closing Date ”), at the offices of Fredrikson & Byron, P.A., located at 200 South Sixth Street, Suite 4000, Minneapolis, MN 55402, or remotely by facsimile, .pdf or other electronic means as mutually agreed upon by the Parties hereto, upon the exchange of signature pages and documents simultaneously with the execution of this Agreement. The Securities Exchange shall become effective (the “ Effective Time ”) at such time as all of the conditions to set forth in ARTICLE VIII hereof have been satisfied or waived by the Parties hereto. As used herein, the term “ Effective Date ” shall mean the date on which the Effective Time occurs.

 

2.3        Issuance of Shares; Procedures . The issuance of the Exchange Shares shall be via book-entry, subject to such further conditions and procedures as may, at the time of issuance, be required by the transfer agent of Minn Shares Common Stock or Minn Shares’ Board of Directors.

 

5  

 

 

2.4        Directors and Officers of Minn Shares . At or prior to the Effective Time, the Board of Directors of Minn Shares shall take the following action, to be effective upon the Effective Time: (i) elect Scott M. Honour and Thomas J. Abood to the Board of Directors of Minn Shares; (ii) increase the size of the Board of Directors of Minn Shares to such number of persons equal to elect the foregoing; and (iii) appoint John P. Yeros, Kirk S. Honour and Randy Gilbert as chief executive officer, president and chief financial officer, respectively, of Minn Shares, or, in either case with regard to clauses (i) and (iii), such other persons designated by the Company. All of the persons serving as officers of Minn Shares immediately prior to the Closing shall resign at the Closing from all of such officer positions with Minn Shares. Subject to applicable law, Minn Shares shall take all action reasonably requested by the Company, but consistent with the certificate of incorporation and bylaws of Minn Shares, that is reasonably necessary to effect any such election or appointment of the designees of the Company to Minn Shares’ Board of Directors. The provisions of this Section 2.4 are in addition to and shall not limit any rights which the Company or any of its Affiliates may have as a holder or beneficial owner of shares of capital stock of Minn Shares as a matter of law with respect to the election of directors or otherwise. The newly-appointed directors and officers of Minn Shares shall hold office for the term specified in, and subject to the provisions contained in, the certificate of incorporation and bylaws of Minn Shares and applicable law.

 

ARTICLE III
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY

 

Except as set forth in the relevant sections of the Company Disclosure Schedule, the Company hereby represents and warrants to Minn Shares as follows:

 

3.1        Organization and Qualification . T he Company is, and on the Effective Date will be, a limited liability company duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware, and has the requisite limited liability company power to carry on its business as now conducted. A copy of the LLC Agreement that has been made available to Minn Shares prior to the date of this Agreement is a correct and complete copy of such document as in effect as of the date hereof, and shall be in effect on the Effective Date. The Company is, and on the Effective Date will be, licensed or qualified to do business in every jurisdiction in which the nature of its business or its ownership of property requires it to be licensed or qualified, except where the failure to be so licensed or qualified would not have a Material Adverse Effect on the Company.

 

3.2        Authority Relative to this Agreement; Non-Contravention . The execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Company and the consummation by the Company of the transactions contemplated hereby have been duly authorized by all necessary limited liability company action and no other limited liability company proceedings on the part of the Company are necessary to authorize the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby. This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by the Company and, assuming it is a valid and binding obligation of Minn Shares, constitutes a valid and binding obligation of the Company enforceable in accordance with its terms except as enforcement may be limited by general principles of equity whether applied in a court of law or a court of equity and by bankruptcy, insolvency and similar laws affecting creditors’ rights and remedies generally. Except for approvals under applicable Blue Sky laws and filing of Form D with the Securities and Exchange Commission, no authorization, consent or approval of, or filing with, any public body, court or authority is necessary on the part of the Company for the consummation by the Company of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, except for such authorizations, consents, approvals and filings as to which the failure to obtain or make the same would not, in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on the Company or adversely affect the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby.

 

6  

 

 

3.3        No Conflicts . The Company is not subject to, or obligated under, any provision of (a) the LLC Agreement, (b) any agreement, arrangement or understanding, (c) any license, franchise or permit or (d) any law, regulation, order, judgment or decree, which would conflict with, be breached or violated, or in respect of which a right of termination or acceleration or any security interest, charge or encumbrance on any of its assets would be created, by the execution, delivery or performance of this Agreement, or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, other than any such conflicts, breaches, violations, rights of termination or acceleration or security interests, charges or encumbrances which, in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect on the Company.

 

3.4        Capitalization .

 

(a)        The authorized, issued and outstanding Company Units as of the date hereof are correctly set forth in Schedule 3.4(a) . The issued and outstanding Company Units are, and on the Effective Date will be, duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and not issued in violation of any preemptive rights and, to the Company’s Knowledge, free from any restrictions on transfer (other than restrictions under the Securities Act or state securities laws) or any option, lien, pledge, security interest, encumbrance or charge of any kind. Other than as described in Schedule 3.4(a) , the Company has no other equity interests or securities containing any equity features authorized, issued or outstanding. Except as set forth in Schedule 3.4(a) , there are no agreements or other rights or arrangements existing which provide for the sale or issuance of Company Units or other equity interests by the Company and there are no rights, subscriptions, warrants, options, conversion rights or agreements of any kind outstanding to purchase or otherwise acquire from the Company any Company Units or other equity interests or other securities of the Company of any kind, and there will not be any such agreements prior to or on the Effective Date. There are, and on the Effective Date there will be, no agreements or other obligations (contingent or otherwise) which may require the Company to repurchase or otherwise acquire any Company Units or other of its equity interests.

 

(b)        Schedule 3.4(b) contains a list of the names of the owners of record as of the date of this Agreement of all issued and outstanding Company Units and the number of Company Units that each of them holds and the names of all holders of options, warrants, convertible securities, exchangeable securities and other rights entitling the holder thereof to purchase equity of the Company and the number of Company Units or other equity security underlying each such option, warrant, convertible security, exchangeable security and other right.

 

(c)       Other than Titan El Toro LLC, Titan Diamond Bar LLC and Titan Blaine LLC, the Company does not own, and is not party to any contract to acquire, any equity securities or other securities of any Person or any direct or indirect equity or ownership interest in any other Person. Except as contemplated by this Agreement, the Company is not a party to, and, to the Company’s Knowledge, there do not exist, any voting trusts, proxies, or other contracts with respect to the voting of shares of capital stock of the Company other than the LLC Agreement.

 

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3.5        Litigation . There are no actions, suits, proceedings, orders or investigations pending or, to the Knowledge of the Company, threatened against the Company or its officers, directors, employees or Affiliates, individually or in the aggregate, at law or in equity, or before or by any federal, state or other governmental department, court, commission, board, bureau, agency or instrumentality, domestic or foreign, and to the Knowledge of the Company, there is no reasonable basis for any proceeding, claim, action or governmental investigation directly or indirectly involving the Company or its officers, directors, employees or affiliates, individually or in the aggregate. The Company is not a party to any order, judgment or decree issued by any federal, state or other governmental department, court, commission, board, bureau, agency or instrumentality, domestic or foreign.

 

3.6        No Brokers or Finders . Except as described on Schedule 3.6 , neither the Company nor any of its officers, directors, employees or Affiliates has employed any broker, finder, investment banker or investment advisor or Person performing similar function, or incurred any liability, for brokerage commissions, finders’ fees, investment advisory fees or similar compensation, in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

3.7        Subsidiaries . Other than Titan El Toro LLC, Titan Diamond Bar LLC and Titan Blaine LLC, the Company does not have, and on the Effective Date will not have, any Subsidiaries, nor does it have any direct or indirect interest in any other business entity.

 

3.8        Tax Matters .

 

(a)       (i) Except as set forth in Schedule 3.8 , the Company has timely filed or sent (or has had timely filed or sent on its behalf) all returns, declarations, reports, estimates, information returns, and statements, including any schedules and amendments to such documents (the “ Company Returns ”), required to be filed or sent by it in respect of any Taxes or required to be filed or sent by it by any applicable Taxing authority; (ii) all such Company Returns are complete and accurate in all material respects; (iii) the Company has timely paid (or has had timely paid on its behalf) all Taxes required to have been paid by it; (iv) the Company has established on the Company Latest Balance Sheet, in accordance with GAAP, reserves that are adequate for the payment of any Taxes not yet paid; and (v) the Company has complied with all applicable laws, rules, and regulations relating to the collection or withholding of Taxes from third parties (including without limitation employees) and the payment thereof (including, without limitation, withholding of Taxes under Sections 1441 and 1442 of the Code, or similar provisions under any foreign laws).

 

(b)       There are no liens for Taxes upon any assets of the Company, except liens for Taxes not yet due.

 

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(c)       No deficiency for any Taxes has been asserted, assessed or, to the Company’s Knowledge, proposed against the Company that has not been finally resolved or that is not being contested in good faith. Except as disclosed in Schedule 3.8 , no waiver, extension or comparable consent given by the Company regarding the application of the statute of limitations with respect to any Taxes or the Company Returns is outstanding, nor is any request for any such waiver or consent pending. Except as disclosed in Schedule 3.8 , there are no pending Tax audit or other administrative proceeding or court proceeding with regard to any Taxes or the Company Returns nor has there been any notice to the Company by any Taxing authority regarding any such Tax audit or other proceeding, or, to the Knowledge of the Company, is any such Tax audit or other proceeding threatened with regard to any Taxes or the Company Returns. The Company does not expect the assessment of any additional Taxes of the Company for any period prior to the date hereof and has no Knowledge of any unresolved questions, claims or disputes concerning the liability for Taxes of the Company which would exceed the estimated reserves established on its books and records.

 

(d)       Except as set forth in Schedule 3.8 , the Company has not requested any extension of time within which to file any Company Return, which return has not since been filed.

 

(e)       Neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement nor the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, either alone or in combination with any other event (whether contingent or otherwise) will result in any “parachute payment” under Section 280G of the Code (or any corresponding provision of state, local, or foreign Tax law).

 

(f)       There is no contract, agreement, plan or arrangement to which the Company is a party which requires the Company to pay a Tax gross-up, equalization or reimbursement payment to any Person, including without limitation, with respect to any Tax-related payments under Section 409A of the Code or Section 280G of the Code.

 

(g)       The Company is not liable for Taxes of any other Person under Treasury Regulations Section 1.1502-6 or any similar provision of state, local or foreign Tax law, as a transferee or successor, by Contract or otherwise. The Company is not a party to any Tax sharing, allocation or indemnification agreement. The Company has not agreed or is not required, as a result of a change in method of accounting or otherwise, to include any adjustment under Section 481 of the Code (or any corresponding provision of state, local or foreign law) in Taxable income. The Company will not be required to include any item of income in Taxable income for any Taxable period (or portion thereof) ending after the Closing Date as a result of any (i) prepaid amount received on or prior to the Closing Date or (ii) “closing agreement” described in Section 7121 of the Code (or any similar or corresponding provision of any other Tax law). No claim has ever been made by a Taxing authority in a jurisdiction where the Company does not file a Return that Minn Shares is subject to Tax imposed by that jurisdiction. There are no advance rulings in respect of any Tax pending or issued by any Taxing authority with respect to any Taxes of the Company.

 

(h)       The Company has not been a “distributing corporation” nor a “controlled corporation” (within the meaning of Section 355 of the Code) in a distribution of stock qualifying for tax-free treatment under Section 355 of the Code.

 

(i)       The Company has not requested any extension of time within which to file any Tax Return of the Company, which return has not since been filed.

 

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(j)       The Company has not entered into any transaction that constitutes a “listed transaction” within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Section 1.6011-4(b)(2).

 

(k)       The Company is, and has since its inception, been treated as a partnership for U.S. federal, state and local income Tax purposes and has not made any election to be classified as an “association” taxable as a corporation for U.S. federal, state or local income Tax purposes.

 

(l)       The aggregate tax basis in the Company Units equals or exceeds the aggregate tax basis in the fixed assets owned by the Company.

 

(m)        Schedule 3.8(m) hereto sets forth the tax basis of the assets owned by the Company for U.S. federal, state and local income Tax purposes.

 

3.9        Affiliate Transactions . Except as set forth in Schedule 3.9 hereto, and other than pursuant to this Agreement, no officer, director or employee of the Company, or any Affiliate or member of the immediate family of any such officer, director or employee, or any entity in which any of such persons owns any beneficial interest (other than a publicly-held corporation whose stock is traded on a national securities exchange or in an over-the-counter market and less than five percent of the stock of which is beneficially owned by any of such Persons) (collectively the “ Company Insiders ”), has any agreement with the Company (other than normal employment arrangements the terms of which have been disclosed in writing to Minn Shares) or any interest in any property, real, personal or mixed, tangible or intangible, used in or pertaining to the business of the Company (other than ownership of capital stock of the Company). Except as set forth in Schedule 3.9 , the Company is not indebted to nor has it extended any credit to any Company Insider (except for amounts due as normal salaries and bonuses and in reimbursement of ordinary business expenses) and no Company Insider is indebted to the Company (except for cash advances for ordinary business expenses). None of the Company Insiders has any direct or indirect interest in any competitor, supplier or customer of the Company or in any person, firm or entity from whom or to whom the Company leases any property, or in any other person, firm or entity with whom the Company transacts business of any nature. For purposes of this Section 3.9 , the members of the immediate family of an officer, director or employee shall consist of the spouse, parents, children and siblings of such officer, director or employee.

 

3.10        Compliance with Laws; Permits .

 

(a)       Except for any noncompliance that would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on the Company, the Company and its officers, directors, agents and employees have complied with all applicable laws, regulations and other requirements, including, but not limited to, federal, state, local and foreign laws, ordinances, rules, regulations and other requirements pertaining to equal employment opportunity, employee retirement, affirmative action and other hiring practices, occupational safety and health, environmental protection, workers’ compensation, unemployment and building and zoning codes, and no claims have been filed against the Company, and the Company has not received any notice, alleging a violation of any such laws, regulations or other requirements. The Company is not relying on any exemption from or deferral of any such applicable law, regulation or other requirement that would not be available to Minn Shares after it acquires the Company’s properties, assets and business.

 

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(b)       The Company has obtained all licenses, permits and certificates from federal, state, local and foreign authorities (including, without limitation, federal and state agencies regulating occupational health and safety and environmental protection), that are necessary to the conduct of its operations and business, except where the failure to have any such license, permit or certificate would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on the Company.

 

3.11        Financial Statements . The Company has made available to Minn Shares audited balance sheets of the Company as of December 31, 2014 and 2015, and the related audited statements of income, changes in stockholders’ equity, and cash flows of the Company for the years then ended (the “ Company Financial Statements ”) and its unaudited balance sheet as of September 30, 2016, and the related unaudited statements of income, change in stockholders’ equity and cash flows of the Company for the three-month period then ended (the “ Company Interim Statements ”). Except as set forth on Schedule 3.11 , the Company Financial Statements and the Company Interim Statements were prepared in accordance with GAAP consistently applied with past practice (except in each case as described in the notes thereto) and on that basis present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position and the results of operations, changes in stockholders’ equity, and cash flows of the Company as of the dates of and for the periods referred to in the Company Financial Statements and the Company Interim Statements, respectively.

 

3.12        Books and Records . The books of account, minute books, stock record books, and other records of the Company, complete copies of which have been made available to Minn Shares, have been properly kept and contain no inaccuracies except for inaccuracies that would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on the Company. At the Closing, all of the Company’s records will be in the possession of the Company and will thereafter remain accessible to Minn Shares.

 

3.13        Real Property . The Company does not own any real property. Schedule 3.13 contains an accurate list of all leaseholds and other interests of the Company in any real property. The Company has good and valid title to those leaseholds and other interests free and clear of all liens and encumbrances, and the real property to which those leasehold and other interests pertain constitutes the only real property used in the Company’s business.

 

3.14        Insurance . The insurance policies owned and maintained by the Company are in full force and effect, all premiums due and payable thereon have been paid (other than retroactive or retrospective premium adjustments that the Company is not currently required, but may in the future be required, to pay with respect to any period ending prior to the date of this Agreement), and the Company has received no notice of cancellation or termination with respect to any such policy that has not been replaced on substantially similar terms prior to the date of such cancellation. True, complete and correct copies of such insurance policies have been made available to Minn Shares.

 

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3.15        No Undisclosed Liabilities . Except as reflected in the unaudited balance sheet of the Company at September 30, 2016 (the “ Company Latest Balance Sheet ”) and other than the bridge notes described on Schedule 3.4(a) , the Company has no liabilities (whether accrued, absolute, contingent, unliquidated or otherwise) except (i) liabilities which have arisen after the date of the Company Latest Balance Sheet in the ordinary course of business (none of which is a material uninsured liability), and (ii) liabilities under this Agreement.

 

3.16        Environmental Matters . The operations of the Company have never involved the handling, generation, transportation, treatment, storage or disposal of hazardous substances or hazardous wastes, as defined by any environmental laws, including but not limited to the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (“ CERCLA ”), 42 U.S.C.A. 9601 et seq., or the Resource, Conservation and Recovery Act, 42 U.S.C.A. 6901 et seq. (“ RCRA ”), respectively, or any state, local or foreign equivalents, at or in connection with any real property in which the Company has or has had an interest so as to give rise to any current or future liabilities (including any liability for response costs, corrective action costs, personal injury, natural resource damages, property damage or attorneys’ fees or any investigative, corrective or remedial obligations). Neither the Company nor any of its employees or agents has any reasonable basis to believe that any hazardous substances or hazardous wastes, including petroleum and its constituents or derivatives, including without limitation xylene, benzene, ethylbenzene, toluene, and MTBE, are present on or under or proximate to the Company’s leased or owned real property, that pose a threat to human health or the environment, including by vapor intrusion into occupied dwellings or structures.

 

3.17        Absence of Certain Developments . Except as disclosed in the Company Financial Statements, as otherwise contemplated by this Agreement or as set forth in Schedule 3.17 , since the date of the Company Latest Balance Sheet, the Company has conducted its business only in the ordinary course consistent with past practice and there has not occurred or been entered into, as the case may be: (i) any event having a Material Adverse Effect on the Company, (ii) any event that could reasonably be expected to prevent or materially delay the performance of the Company’s obligations pursuant to this Agreement, (iii) any material change by the Company in its accounting methods, principles or practices, (iv) any declaration, setting aside or payment of any dividend or distribution in respect of the Company Units or any redemption, purchase or other acquisition of any of the Company’s securities, (v) any increase in the compensation or benefits or establishment of any bonus, insurance, severance, deferred compensation, pension, retirement, profit sharing, stock option (including, without limitation, the granting of stock options, stock appreciation rights, performance awards or restricted stock awards), stock purchase or other employee benefit plan or Compensatory Plan of the Company, or any other increase in the compensation payable or to become payable to any employees, officers, consultants or directors of the Company, (vi) other than issuances of options pursuant to duly adopted option plans, the details of which have been disclosed in writing by the Company to Minn Shares, any issuance, grants or sale of any stock, options, warrants, notes, bonds or other securities, or entry into any agreement with respect thereto by the Company, (vii) any amendment to the LLC Agreement, (viii) other than in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice, any (A) capital expenditures by the Company, (B) purchase, sale, assignment or transfer of any material assets by the Company, (C) mortgage, pledge or existence of any lien, encumbrance or charge on any material assets or properties, tangible or intangible of the Company, except for liens for Taxes not yet due and such other liens, encumbrances or charges which do not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect on the Company, or (D) cancellation, compromise, release or waiver by the Company of any rights of material value or any material debts or claims, (ix) any incurrence by the Company of any material liability (absolute or contingent), except for current liabilities and obligations incurred in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice, (x) damage, destruction or similar loss, whether or not covered by insurance, materially affecting the business or properties of the Company, (xi) entry into any agreement, contract, lease or license other than in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice, (xii) any acceleration, termination, modification or cancellation of any agreement, contract, lease or license to which the Company is a party or by which it is bound, (xiii) entry by the Company into any loan or other transaction with or extension of credit to any officers, directors or employees of the Company or Affiliates of family members thereof, (xiv) any charitable or other capital contribution by the Company or pledge therefore, (xv) entry by the Company into any transaction of a material nature other than in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice, or (xvi) any negotiation or agreement by the Company to do any of the things described in the preceding clauses (i) through (xv).

 

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3.18        Employees . Except as otherwise set forth in Schedule 3.18 or as contemplated by this Agreement, to the Knowledge of the Company, (i) neither any executive employee of the Company nor any group of the Company’s employees has any plans to terminate his, her or its employment; (ii) the Company has no material labor relations problem pending and its labor relations are satisfactory; (iii) there are no workers’ compensation claims pending against the Company nor is the Company aware of any facts that would give rise to such a claim; (iv) no employee of the Company is subject to any secrecy or noncompetition agreement or any other agreement or restriction of any kind that would impede in any way the ability of such employee to carry out fully all activities of such employee in furtherance of the business of the Company; (v) no employee or former employee of the Company has any claim with respect to any intellectual property rights of the Company; and (vi) there is no reasonable basis for any of the events described in the preceding clauses (i) - (v).

 

3.19        Intellectual Property .

 

(a)       Except as set forth in Schedule 3.19(a) , to its Knowledge, the Company owns or has valid and enforceable licenses to use all of the following used in or necessary to conduct its business as currently conducted (collectively, the “ Company Intellectual Property ”):

 

(1)       patents, including any registrations, continuations, continuations in part, renewals, and any applications for any of the foregoing (collectively, “ Patents ”);

 

(2)       registered and unregistered copyrights and copyright applications (collectively, “ Copyrights ”);

 

(3)       registered and unregistered trademarks, service marks, trade names, slogans, logos, designs and general intangibles of the like nature, together with all registrations and applications therefor (collectively, “ Trademarks ”);

 

(4)       trade secrets, confidential or proprietary technical information, know-how, designs, processes, research in progress, inventions and invention disclosures (whether patentable or unpatentable) (collectively, “ Know-How ”);

 

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(5)       software (together with Patents, Copyrights, Trademarks, and Know-How, “ Intellectual Property ”).

 

(b)       To its Knowledge, the Company has exclusive rights to the Company Intellectual Property (with the exception of any such rights retained by governmental organizations and licensors), free and clear of all liens and encumbrances and free of all licenses except those set forth in Schedule 3.19(b) and licenses relating to off-the-shelf software having a per-application acquisition price of less than $10,000. No Copyright registration, Trademark registration, or Patent has lapsed, expired or been abandoned or cancelled, or is subject to any pending or, to the Company’s Knowledge, threatened opposition or cancellation proceeding in any country.

 

(c)       Except as set forth in Schedule 3.19(c) , to the Company’s Knowledge (1) neither the conduct of the Company’s business nor the manufacture, marketing, licensing, sale, distribution or use of its products or services infringes upon the proprietary rights of any Person, and (2) there are no infringements of the Company Intellectual Property by any Person. Except as set forth in Schedule 3.19(a) and Schedule 3.19(c) , there are no claims pending or, to the Company’s Knowledge, threatened (1) alleging that the Company’s business as currently conducted infringes upon or constitutes an unauthorized use or violation of the proprietary rights of any Person, or (2) alleging that the Company Intellectual Property is being infringed by any Person, or (3) challenging the ownership, validity or enforceability of the Company Intellectual Property.

 

(d)       The Company has not entered into any consent agreement, indemnification agreement, forbearance to sue, settlement agreement or cross-licensing arrangement with any Person relating to the Company Intellectual Property other than as part of the license agreements listed in Schedule 3.19(b) or set forth in Schedule 3.19(c) .

 

(e)       Except as set forth in Schedule 3.19(e) , the Company is not, nor will it be as a result of the execution and delivery of this Agreement or the performance of its obligations under this Agreement, in breach of any license, sublicense or other contract relating to the Company Intellectual Property that could reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to have a Material Adverse Effect on the Company.

 

3.20        Tax-Free Reorganization . Neither the Company nor, to the Company’s Knowledge, any of its Affiliates has taken or agreed to take any action that would prevent the Securities Exchange from qualifying as a reorganization under Section 351 of the Code.

 

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3.21        Employee Benefit Plans .

 

(a)       The Company does not sponsor, maintain or have any obligation or liability under, or has at any time sponsored, maintained or had any obligation under, any Compensatory Plan. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, neither the Company nor any ERISA Affiliate sponsors, maintains or has any obligation under, or has sponsored, maintained or had any obligation under, any (A) “multiemployer plan” (within the meaning of Section 3(37) of ERISA), or (B) single employer plan or other pension plan subject to Title IV or Section 302 of ERISA or Section 412 of the Code. Each of the Company and its ERISA Affiliates is in compliance in all material respects with the applicable requirements of Section 4980B of the Code and any similar state law.

 

(b)       Neither the execution of this Agreement nor the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall, individually or in the aggregate, (A) result in any payment becoming due to any officer, employee, consultant or director of the Company, (B) increase or modify any benefits otherwise payable by the Company to any employee, consultant or director of the Company, or (C) result in the acceleration of time of payment or vesting of any such benefits.

 

3.22        Foreign Corrupt Practices . Neither the Company nor any of its directors, officers, or agents, employees or other Persons acting on behalf of the Company has, in the course of its actions for, or on behalf of, the Company: (i) used any corporate funds for any unlawful contribution, gift, entertainment or other unlawful expenses relating to political activity; (ii) made any direct or indirect unlawful payment to any foreign or domestic government official or employee from corporate funds; (iii) violated or is in violation of any provision of the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended; or (iv) made other unlawful payment to any foreign or domestic government official or employee.

 

3.23        Ownership of Minn Shares Common Stock . Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries own, directly or indirectly, beneficially or of record, any shares of Minn Shares Common Stock or any other economic interest (through derivative securities or otherwise) in, Minn Shares. Other than as contemplated by this Agreement, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is, nor at any time during the last three years has it been, an “interested stockholder” of the Company within the meaning of Section 203 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (“ Delaware Law ”).

 

3.24        Information . All of the information provided by, or on behalf of, the Company regarding the Company or any of its officers, directors, employees, agents or other representatives, to Minn Shares or its representatives for purposes of, or otherwise in connection with, the preparation of any filings to be made with the SEC and any other governmental authority in connection with the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby is accurate and complete in all material respects.

 

3.25        Full Disclosure . The representations and warranties of the Company contained in this Agreement (and in any schedule, exhibit, certificate or other instrument to be delivered under this Agreement) are true and correct in all material respects, and such representations and warranties do not omit any material fact necessary to make the statements contained therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. There is no fact of which the Company has Knowledge that has not been disclosed to Minn Shares pursuant to this Agreement, including the schedules hereto, all taken together as a whole, which has had or could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on the Company or materially adversely affect the ability of the Company to consummate in a timely manner the transactions contemplated hereby.

 

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ARTICLE IV

 

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF MEMBERS

 

Each Member, severally and not jointly, hereby represents and warrants to Minn Shares, as follows:

 

4.1        Ownership . Such Member is the sole record and beneficial owner of the Company Units identified on Exhibit A as being owned by such Member. Other than the Company Units identified on Exhibit A , such Member does not own any units of membership interests or equity securities of the Company, including any options, warrants or other rights to acquire any such interests or securities. No person has a right to acquire or direct the disposition, or holds a proxy or other right to vote or direct the vote, any of the Company Units held by such Member. Such Member has good and valid title to the Company Units described as being owned by such Member on Exhibit A , as applicable, free and clear of any Encumbrances. The sale and exchange by such Member of the Company Units owned by such Member and the delivery of such Company Units to Minn Shares against receipt of the applicable Exchange Shares will transfer to Minn Shares good and valid title to such Company Units, free and clear of all Encumbrances.

 

4.2        Authorization; No Contravention . This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by such Member and constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of such Member enforceable against such Member in accordance with its terms and such Member has the full power and authority to sell such Member’s Company Units and otherwise perform its obligations under this Agreement. Such Member is not a party to any agreement, arrangement or understanding that restricts transfer of the Company Units, gives a third party the right to vote the Company Units or otherwise restricts or limits such Member’s rights with respect to the Company Units. Except as set forth in Schedule 4.2 , no third party has any right to consent or approve such Member’s sale of the Company Units as contemplated by this Agreement. The execution and delivery of this Agreement by such Member does not, and the performance of this Agreement by such Member will not conflict with or violate any organizational document or law applicable to such Member or by which its properties are bound or affected or require the consent of any other Person.

 

4.3        Accredited Investor . Such Member is either an accredited investor as defined in Rule 501(a) of Regulation D promulgated under the Securities Act or has such knowledge, sophistication and experience in business and financial matters so as to be capable of evaluating the merits and risks of the prospective investment in the Exchange Shares, as confirmed by such Member’s execution of the Member Questionnaire. This Agreement is made with such Member in reliance upon such Member’s representation to Minn Shares, which by such Member’s execution of this Agreement, such Member hereby confirms, that the Exchange Shares to be acquired by such Member will be acquired for investment for such Member’s own account, not as a nominee or agent, and not with a view to the resale or distribution of any part thereof, and that such Member has no present intention of selling, granting any participation in, or otherwise distributing the same. By executing this Agreement, such Member further represents that such Member does not presently have any contract, undertaking, agreement or arrangement with any Person to sell, transfer or grant participations to such Person or to any third Person, with respect to any of the Exchange Shares.

 

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4.4        Restricted Securities . Such Member understands that the Exchange Shares are characterized as “restricted securities” under the Securities Act inasmuch as this Agreement contemplates that, if acquired by such Member pursuant hereto, the Exchange Shares would be acquired in a transaction not involving a public offering. The issuance of the Exchange Shares hereunder is being effected in reliance upon an exemption from registration afforded under Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act and Regulation D promulgated thereunder for transactions by an issuer not involving a public offering. Such Member further acknowledges that if the Exchange Shares are issued to such Member in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement, such Exchange Shares may not be resold without registration under the Securities Act or the existence of an exemption therefrom. Such Member represents that it is familiar with Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act, as presently in effect, and understands the resale limitations imposed thereby and by the Securities Act.

 

4.5        Tax Matters . Such Member has had opportunity to review with such Member’s Tax advisors the applicable Tax consequences of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the exchange of the Exchange Shares acquired from such Member by Minn Shares, if any. Such Member is relying solely on such advisors and not on any statements or representations of counsel to Minn Shares, the Company or their respective representatives with respect to Tax matters. Such Member understands that such Member (and not Minn Shares or the Company) shall be responsible for its Tax liability and any related interest and penalties that may arise as a result of the transactions contemplated by the Agreement.

 

4.6        Ownership of Minn Shares Common Stock . Such Member (including such Member’s Affiliates) does not own, directly or indirectly, beneficially or of record, any shares of Minn Shares Common Stock or any other economic interest (through derivative securities or otherwise) in, Minn Shares. Other than as contemplated by this Agreement, no Member is, nor at any time during the last three years has been, an “interested stockholder” of Minn Shares within the meaning of Section 203 of the Delaware Law.

 

4.7        Legend . Such Member understands and acknowledges that the Exchange Shares will bear a legend substantially as follows:

 

THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), OR ANY STATE SECURITIES LAWS AND NEITHER SUCH SECURITIES NOR ANY INTEREST THEREIN MAY BE OFFERED, SOLD, PLEDGED, ASSIGNED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT (1) PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT AND APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS OR (2) PURSUANT TO AN AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT AND APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS, IN WHICH CASE THE HOLDER MUST, PRIOR TO SUCH TRANSFER, FURNISH TO THE COMPANY AN OPINION OF COUNSEL, WHICH COUNSEL AND OPINION ARE REASONABLY SATISFACTORY TO THE COMPANY, THAT SUCH SECURITIES MAY BE OFFERED, SOLD, PLEDGED, ASSIGNED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED IN THE MANNER CONTEMPLATED PURSUANT TO AN AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT AND APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS.

 

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ARTICLE V

 

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF MINN SHARES

 

Except as set forth in the relevant sections of the Minn Shares Disclosure Schedule, Minn Shares hereby represents and warrants to the Company Parties as follows:

 

5.1        Organization and Qualification . Minn Shares is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware. Minn Shares has, and on the Effective Date will have, the requisite corporate power to carry on its business as now conducted. The copies of the certificate of incorporation and bylaws of Minn Shares which have been made available to the Company on or prior to the date of this Agreement are correct and complete copies of such documents as in effect as of the date hereof, and shall be in effect on the Effective Date. Minn Shares is, and on the Effective Date each will be, licensed or qualified to do business in every jurisdiction which the nature of its business or its ownership of properties require each to be licensed or qualified, except where the failure to be so licensed or qualified would not have a Material Adverse Effect on Minn Shares.

 

5.2        Authority Relative to this Agreement; Non-Contravention . The execution and delivery of this Agreement by Minn Shares, and the consummation by Minn Shares of the transactions contemplated hereby have been duly authorized by the Board of Directors of Minn Shares and no further corporate proceedings on the part of Minn Shares are necessary to authorize the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or will otherwise be sought by Minn Shares. This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by Minn Shares and, assuming it is a valid and binding obligation of the Company and the Members, constitutes a valid and binding obligation of Minn Shares enforceable in accordance with its terms except as enforcement may be limited by general principles of equity whether applied in a court of law or a court of equity and by bankruptcy, insolvency and similar laws affecting creditors’ rights and remedies generally. Except for approvals under applicable Blue Sky laws and the filing of Form D with the Securities and Exchange Commission, no authorization, consent or approval of, or filing with, any public body, court or authority is necessary on the part of Minn Shares for the consummation by Minn Shares of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, except for such authorizations, consents, approvals and filings as to which the failure to obtain or make the same would not, in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on Minn Shares, or adversely affect the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby.

 

5.3        No Conflicts . Minn Shares is not subject to, or obligated under, any provision of (a) its certificate of incorporation or bylaws, (b) any agreement, arrangement or understanding, (c) any license, franchise or permit, nor (d) subject to obtaining the approvals referred to in the next sentence, any law, regulation, order, judgment or decree, which would conflict with, be breached or violated, or in respect of which a right of termination or acceleration or any security interest, charge or encumbrance on any of their respective assets would be created, by the execution, delivery or performance of this Agreement or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, other than any such conflicts, breaches, violations, rights of termination or acceleration or security interests, charges or encumbrances which, in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on Minn Shares.

 

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5.4        Capitalization .

 

(a)       As of the date hereof, Minn Shares is authorized to issue 100,000,000 shares of Minn Shares Common Stock and 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of which 1,191,348 shares of Minn Shares Common Stock and no shares of preferred stock are currently issued and outstanding. The issued and outstanding shares of capital stock of Minn Shares are, and on the Effective Date will be, duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and not issued in violation of any preemptive rights and, to Minn Shares’ Knowledge, free from any restrictions on transfer (other than restrictions under the Securities Act or state securities laws) or any option, lien, pledge, security interest, encumbrance or charge of any kind. Except as set forth on Schedule 5.4 , Minn Shares has, and on the Effective Date will have, no other equity securities or securities containing any equity features authorized, issued or outstanding. Schedule 5.4 lists each option, warrant or other convertible security which will be outstanding on the Effective Date, including the names of the holders thereof, the number of shares subject to each option, warrant or security held by such holder, the exercise or conversion price and termination or maturity date of such option, warrant or security. There are no agreements or other rights or arrangements existing which provide for the sale or issuance of capital stock by Minn Shares and, other than as set forth on Schedule 5.4 , there are no rights, subscriptions, warrants, options, conversion rights or agreements of any kind outstanding to purchase or otherwise acquire from Minn Shares any shares of capital stock or other securities of Minn Shares of any kind, and there will not be any such agreements on the Effective Date. There are, and on the Effective Date there will be, no agreements or other obligations (contingent or otherwise) which may require Minn Shares to repurchase or otherwise acquire any shares of its capital stock.

 

(b)       Minn Shares is not a party to, and, to Minn Shares’ Knowledge, there do not exist, any voting trusts, proxies, or other contracts with respect to the voting of shares of capital stock of Minn Shares.

 

5.5        Exchange Act Reports; Financial Statements .

 

(a)       Since January 1, 2014, Minn Shares has timely filed all reports, forms and documents required to be filed with the SEC (the “ Minn Shares Previous Filings ”). Minn Shares shall notify the Company promptly of the filing of any additional forms, reports or documents with the SEC by Minn Shares after the date hereof and prior to the Effective Time (together with the Minn Shares Previous Filings, the “ Minn Shares SEC Filings ”). As of their respective filing dates, each of the Minn Shares SEC Filings (i) did not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading and (ii) complied as to form in all material respects with the Exchange Act and the applicable rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder.

 

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(b)       The financial statements (including footnotes thereto) included in or incorporated by reference into the Minn Shares SEC Filings (the “ Minn Shares Financial Statements ”) were complete and correct in all material respects as of their respective filing dates, complied as to form in all material respects with the Exchange Act and the applicable accounting requirements, rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder as of their respective dates and have been prepared in accordance with GAAP applied on a consistent basis during the periods involved (except as otherwise noted therein). The Minn Shares Financial Statements fairly present the financial condition of Minn Shares as of the dates thereof and results of operations for the periods referred to therein (subject, in the case of unaudited Minn Shares Financial Statements, to normal recurring year-end adjustments). There has been no change in Minn Shares accounting policies except as described in the notes to the Minn Shares Financial Statements.

 

5.6        Litigation . There are no actions, suits, proceedings, orders or investigations pending or, to the Knowledge of Minn Shares, threatened against Minn Shares or its officers, directors, employees or Affiliates, individually or in the aggregate, at law or in equity, or before or by any federal, state or other governmental department, court, commission, board, bureau, agency or instrumentality, domestic or foreign, and to the Knowledge of Minn Shares, except as set forth on Schedule 5.6 , there is no reasonable basis for any proceeding, claim, action or governmental investigation directly or indirectly involving Minn Shares or its officers, directors, employees or affiliates, individually or in the aggregate. Minn Shares is not a party to any order, judgment or decree issued by any federal, state or other governmental department, court, commission, board, bureau, agency or instrumentality, domestic or foreign.

 

5.7        Subsidiaries . Minn Shares does not have any direct or indirect Subsidiaries and does not own any equity interests in any third party.

 

5.8        No Brokers or Finders . None of Minn Shares or any of its officers, directors, employees or Affiliates has employed any broker, finder, investment banker or investment advisor or Person performing a similar function, or incurred any liability for brokerage commissions, finders’ fees, investment advisory fees or similar compensation in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

5.9        Tax Matters .

 

(a)       (i) Minn Shares has timely filed (or has had timely filed on its behalf) all returns, declarations, reports, estimates, information returns, and statements, including any schedules and amendments to such documents (“ Minn Shares Returns ”), required to be filed by it in respect of any Taxes; (ii) all such Minn Shares Returns are complete and accurate in all material respects; (iii)  Minn Shares has timely paid (or has had timely paid on its behalf) all Taxes required to have been paid by it (whether or not shown on any Return); (iv) Minn Shares has established on the Minn Shares Latest Balance Sheet, in accordance with GAAP, reserves that are adequate for the payment of any Taxes not yet paid; and (v) Minn Shares has complied with all applicable laws, rules, and regulations relating to the collection or withholding of Taxes from third parties (including without limitation employees) and the payment thereof (including, without limitation, withholding of Taxes under Sections 1441 and 1442 of the Code, or similar provisions under any foreign laws).

 

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(b)       There are no liens for Taxes upon any assets of Minn Shares, except statutory liens for current Taxes not yet due.

 

(c)       No deficiency for any Taxes has been asserted, assessed or proposed against Minn Shares that has not been finally resolved. No waiver, extension or comparable consent given by Minn Shares regarding the application of the statute of limitations with respect to any Taxes or Returns is outstanding, nor is any request for any such waiver or consent pending. There is no pending or threatened Tax audit or other administrative proceeding or court proceeding with regard to any Taxes or Returns, nor is any such Tax audit or other proceeding pending, nor has there been any notice to Minn Shares by any Taxing authority regarding any such Tax audit or other proceeding, or, to the Knowledge of Minn Shares, is any such Tax audit or other proceeding threatened with regard to any Taxes or Returns. Minn Shares does not expect the assessment of any additional Taxes of Minn Shares for any period prior to the date hereof and has no Knowledge of any unresolved questions, claims or disputes concerning the liability for Taxes of Minn Shares which would exceed the estimated reserves established on its books and records.

 

(d)       Neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement nor the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, either alone or in combination with any other event (whether contingent or otherwise) will result in any “parachute payment” under Section 280G of the Code (or any corresponding provision of state, local, or foreign Tax law).

 

(e)       There is no contract, agreement, plan or arrangement to which Minn Shares is a party which requires Minn Shares to pay a Tax gross-up, equalization or reimbursement payment to any Person, including without limitation, with respect to any Tax-related payments under Section 409A of the Code or Section 280G of the Code.

 

(f)       Minn Shares is not liable for Taxes of any other Person under Treasury Regulations Section 1.1502-6 or any similar provision of state, local or foreign Tax law, as a transferee or successor, by Contract or otherwise. Minn Shares is not a party to any Tax sharing, allocation or indemnification agreement. Minn Shares has not agreed or is not required, as a result of a change in method of accounting or otherwise, to include any adjustment under Section 481 of the Code (or any corresponding provision of state, local or foreign law) in Taxable income. Minn Shares will not be required to include any item of income in Taxable income for any Taxable period (or portion thereof) ending after the Closing Date as a result of any (i) prepaid amount received on or prior to the Closing Date or (ii) “closing agreement” described in Section 7121 of the Code (or any similar or corresponding provision of any other Tax law). No claim has ever been made by a Taxing authority in a jurisdiction where Minn Shares does not file a Return that Minn Shares is subject to Tax imposed by that jurisdiction. There are no advance rulings in respect of any Tax pending or issued by any Taxing authority with respect to any Taxes of Minn Shares.

 

(g)       Minn Shares has not been a “distributing corporation” nor a “controlled corporation” (within the meaning of Section 355 of the Code) in a distribution of stock qualifying for tax-free treatment under Section 355 of the Code.

 

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(h)       Minn Shares has not requested any extension of time within which to file any Minn Shares Return, which return has not since been filed.

 

(i)       Minn Shares is, and has since its inception, been treated as a C corporation for U.S. federal, state and local income Tax purposes.

 

5.10        Contracts and Commitments . Except as set forth in Schedule 5.10 or contemplated or disclosed herein or in the Minn Shares SEC Filings, Minn Shares is not a party to any contract, agreement, arrangement or other understanding, whether written or oral, which are currently in effect, and which relate to Minn Shares or its business.

 

5.11        Affiliate Transactions . N o officer, director or employee of Minn Shares, or any member of the immediate family of any such officer, director or employee, or any entity in which any of such persons owns any beneficial interest (other than any publicly-held corporation whose stock is traded on a national securities exchange or in an over-the-counter market and less than one percent of the stock of which is beneficially owned by any of such persons) (collectively “ Minn Shares Insiders ”), has any agreement with Minn Shares or any interest in any property, real, personal or mixed, tangible or intangible, used in or pertaining to the business of Minn Shares. Minn Shares is not indebted to any Minn Shares Insider (except for reimbursement of ordinary business expenses and Minn Shares’ obligations under the Minn Shares Notes) and no Minn Shares Insider is indebted to Minn Shares (except for cash advances for ordinary business expenses). For purposes of this Section 5.11 , the members of the immediate family of an officer, director or employee shall consist of the spouse, parents, children or siblings of such officer, director or employee.

 

5.12        Compliance with Laws; Permits .

 

(a)       Except for any noncompliance that would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on Minn Shares, Minn Shares and its officers, directors, agents and employees have complied with all applicable laws, regulations and other requirements, including, but not limited to, federal, state, local and foreign laws, ordinances, rules, regulations and other requirements pertaining to equal employment opportunity, employee retirement, affirmative action and other hiring practices, occupational safety and health, workers’ compensation, unemployment and building and zoning codes, and no claims have been filed against Minn Shares, and Minn Shares has not received any notice, alleging a violation of any such laws, regulations or other requirements. Minn Shares is not relying on any exemption from or deferral of any such applicable law, regulation or other requirement that would not be available to the Company after the completion of the Securities Exchange.

 

(b)       Minn Shares has no licenses, permits and certificates from federal, state, local and foreign authorities (including, without limitation, federal and state agencies regulating occupational health and safety and environmental protection), and none are necessary and material to its operations and business.

 

5.13        Validity of Exchange Shares . The Exchange Shares to be issued pursuant to this Agreement will be, when issued in exchange for the Company Units, duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and free of preemptive rights and encumbrances.

 

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5.14        Books and Records . The books of account, minute books, stock record books, and other records of Minn Shares, complete copies of which have been made available to the Company, have been properly kept and contain no inaccuracies except for inaccuracies that would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on Minn Shares. At the Closing, all of Minn Shares’ records will be in the possession of Minn Shares.

 

5.15        Real Property . Minn Shares does not own or lease any real property.

 

5.16        Insurance . Except as described on Schedule 5.16 , Minn Shares does not own or maintain any insurance policies.

 

5.17        No Undisclosed Liabilities . Except as reflected in the unaudited balance sheet of Minn Shares at September 30, 2016   included in Minn Shares’ Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended on such date (the “ Minn Shares Latest Balance Sheet ”), Minn Shares has no liabilities (whether accrued, absolute, contingent, unliquidated or otherwise except liabilities which have arisen after the date of the Minn Shares Latest Balance Sheet in the ordinary course of business (none of which is a material uninsured liability).

 

5.18        Environmental Matters . None of the operations of Minn Shares involves the generation, transportation, treatment, storage or disposal of hazardous waste, as defined under 40 C.F.R. Parts 260-270 or any state, local or foreign equivalent.

 

5.19        Absence of Certain Developments . Except as disclosed in the Minn Shares SEC Filings, as set forth on Schedule 5.19 or as otherwise contemplated by this Agreement, since the date of the Minn Shares Latest Balance Sheet, Minn Shares has conducted its business only in the ordinary course consistent with past practice and there has not occurred or been entered into, as the case may be: (i) any event having a Material Adverse Effect on Minn Shares, (ii) any event that would reasonably be expected to prevent or materially delay the performance of Minn Shares’ obligations pursuant to this Agreement, (iii) any material change by Minn Shares in its accounting methods, principles or practices, (iv) any declaration, setting aside or payment of any dividend or distribution in respect of the shares of capital stock of Minn Shares or any redemption, purchase or other acquisition of any of Minn Shares’ securities, (v) any increase in the compensation or benefits or establishment of any bonus, insurance, severance, deferred compensation, pension, retirement, profit sharing, stock option (including, without limitation, the granting of stock options, stock appreciation rights, performance awards or restricted stock awards), stock purchase or other employee benefit plan of Minn Shares, or any other increase in the compensation payable or to become payable to any employees, officers, consultants or directors of Minn Shares, (vi) any issuance, grants or sale of any stock, options, warrants, notes, bonds or other securities, or entry into any agreement with respect thereto by Minn Shares, (vii) any amendment to its certificate of incorporation or bylaws, (viii) other than in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice, any (w) capital expenditures by Minn Shares, (x) purchase, sale, assignment or transfer of any material assets by Minn Shares, (y) mortgage, pledge or existence of any lien, encumbrance or charge on any material assets or properties, tangible or intangible of Minn Shares, except for liens for Taxes not yet due and such other liens, encumbrances or charges which do not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect on Minn Shares, or (z) cancellation, compromise, release or waiver by Minn Shares of any rights of material value or any material debts or claims, (ix) any incurrence by Minn Shares of any material liability (absolute or contingent), except for current liabilities and obligations incurred in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice, (x) damage, destruction or similar loss, whether or not covered by insurance, materially affecting the business or properties of Minn Shares, (xi) entry by Minn Shares into any agreement, contract, lease or license other than in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice, (xii) any acceleration, termination, modification or cancellation of any agreement, contract, lease or license to which Minn Shares is a party or by which any of them is bound, (xiii) entry by Minn Shares into any loan or other transaction with any officers, directors or employees of Minn Shares, (xiv) any charitable or other capital contribution by Minn Shares or pledge therefore, (xv) entry by Minn Shares into any transaction of a material nature other than in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice, or (xvi) any negotiation or agreement by Minn Shares to do any of the things described in the preceding clauses (i) through (xv).

 

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5.20        Employee Benefit Plans .

 

(a)       Minn Shares does not sponsor, maintain or have any obligation or liability under, or has at any time sponsored, maintained or had any obligation under, any Compensatory Plan. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, neither Minn Shares nor any ERISA Affiliate sponsors, maintains or has any obligation under, or has sponsored, maintained or had any obligation under, any (A) “multiemployer plan” (within the meaning of Section 3(37) of ERISA), or (B) single employer plan or other pension plan subject to Title IV or Section 302 of ERISA or Section 412 of the Code. Each of Minn Shares and its ERISA Affiliates is in compliance in all material respects with the applicable requirements of Section 4980B of the Code and any similar state law.

 

(b)       Neither the execution of this Agreement nor the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall, individually or in the aggregate, (A) result in any payment becoming due to any officer, employee, consultant or director of Minn Shares, (B) increase or modify any benefits otherwise payable by Minn Shares to any employee, consultant or director of Minn Shares, or (C) result in the acceleration of time of payment or vesting of any such benefits.

 

5.21        Employees . Minn Shares has no employees, other than the individuals serving as unpaid officers of Minn Shares. Other than Minn Shares’ independent auditors and legal counsel, Minn Shares does not engage and has no agreements or other arrangements with any Persons to provide any consulting or advisory services.

 

5.22        Intellectual Property .

 

(a)       Minn Shares does not own or license the right to use any (i) Patents, (ii) Copyrights, (iii) Trademarks, (iv) Know-How, or (v) software, other than off-the-shelf software to manage its accounting and bookkeeping.

 

(b)       To Minn Shares’ Knowledge, Minn Shares is not infringing upon the proprietary rights of any Person. There are no claims pending or, to Minn Shares’ Knowledge, threatened alleging that Minn Shares is currently infringing upon or using in an unauthorized manner or violating the proprietary rights of any Person.

 

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(c)       Minn Shares is not, nor will it be as a result of the execution and delivery of this Agreement or the performance of its obligations under this Agreement, in breach of any license, sublicense or other Contract relating to Intellectual Property that would reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to have a Material Adverse Effect on Minn Shares.

 

5.23        Tax Free Reorganization . Neither Minn Shares nor, to Minn Shares’ Knowledge, any of its Affiliates has through the date of this Agreement, taken or agreed to take any action that would prevent the Securities Exchange from qualifying as a reorganization under Section 351 of the Code.

 

5.24        Investment Company . Minn Shares is not as of the date of this Agreement, nor upon the Closing will be, an “investment company,” a company controlled by an “investment company,” or an “affiliated person” of, or “promoter” or “principal underwriter” for, an “investment company,” as such terms are defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

 

5.25        Foreign Corrupt Practices . Neither Minn Shares nor any of its directors, officers, or agents, employees or other Persons acting on behalf of Minn Shares has, in the course of its actions for, or on behalf of, Minn Shares: (i) used any corporate funds for any unlawful contribution, gift, entertainment or other unlawful expenses relating to political activity; (ii) made any direct or indirect unlawful payment to any foreign or domestic government official or employee from corporate funds; (iii) violated or is in violation of any provision of the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended; or (iv) made other unlawful payment to any foreign or domestic government official or employee.

 

5.26        No Integrated Offering . Neither Minn Shares nor any Affiliates of Minn Shares, nor any Person acting on the behalf of any of the foregoing, has, directly or indirectly, made any offers or sales of any security or solicited any offers to purchase any security, under circumstances that would require registration of any of the shares of Minn Shares Common Stock issuable pursuant to this Agreement under the Securities Act or cause this offering of such shares of Minn Shares Common Stock to be integrated with prior offerings by Minn Shares for purposes of the Securities Act or any applicable stockholder approval requirements of any authority.

 

5.27        Application of Takeover Provisions . Minn Shares has never adopted any stockholder rights plan or similar arrangement relating to accumulations of beneficial ownership of Minn Shares Common Stock or a change in control of Minn Shares.

 

5.28        Information . All of the information provided by, or on behalf of, Minn Shares regarding Minn Shares or any of its officers, directors, employees, agents or other representatives, to the Company or its representatives for purposes of, or otherwise in connection with, the preparation of any filings to be made with the SEC and any other governmental authority in connection with the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby is accurate and complete in all material respects.

 

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5.29        Full Disclosure . The representations and warranties of Minn Shares contained in this Agreement (and in any schedule, exhibit, certificate or other instrument to be delivered under this Agreement) are true and correct in all material respects, and such representations and warranties do not omit any material fact necessary to make the statements contained therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. There is no fact of which Minn Shares has Knowledge that has not been disclosed to the Company pursuant to this Agreement, including the schedules hereto, all taken together as a whole, which has had or could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on Minn Shares, or materially adversely affect the ability of Minn Shares to consummate in a timely manner the transactions contemplated hereby.

 

ARTICLE VI

 

[Intentionally Omitted.]

 

ARTICLE VII 

 

ADDITIONAL COVENANTS AND AGREEMENTS

 

7.1        Governmental Filings . Subject to the terms and conditions herein provided, each Party will use all reasonable efforts to take, or cause to be taken, all actions and to do, or cause to be done, all things necessary, proper or advisable to consummate and make effective as promptly as practicable the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. Each Party will use all reasonable efforts and will cooperate with the other Parties in the preparation and filing, as soon as practicable, of all filings, applications or other documents required under applicable laws, including, but not limited to, the Exchange Act, to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. Prior to submitting each filing, application, registration statement or other document with the applicable regulatory authority, each Party will, to the extent practicable, provide the other Parties with an opportunity to review and comment on each such application, registration statement or other document to the extent permitted by applicable law. Each Party will use all reasonable efforts and will cooperate with the other Parties in taking any other actions necessary to obtain such regulatory or other approvals and consents at the earliest practicable time, including participating in any required hearings or proceedings.

 

7.2        Expenses . The Company shall pay the Minn Shares Professional Fees within thirty (30) days after Closing. No less than five (5) business days prior to the Closing, Minn shares shall furnish to the Company a schedule setting forth in reasonable detail the fees, costs and expenses comprising the Minn Shares Professional Fees.

 

7.3        Due Diligence; Access to Information; Confidentiality .

 

(a)       Between the date hereof and the Closing Date, the Company and Minn Shares have afforded to the other Parties and their authorized representatives the opportunity to conduct and complete a due diligence investigation of the other Parties as described herein and to provide the other Parties a full opportunity to make such investigation and evaluation as it shall reasonably desire to make of the business and affairs of the other Parties; provided, however , that the foregoing rights granted to each Party shall, whether or not and regardless of the extent to which the same are exercised, in no way affect the nature or scope of the representations, warranties and covenants of the respective Party set forth herein.

 

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(b)       As more fully set forth in that certain Confidentiality Agreement between the Company and Minn Shares dated July 29, 2016, the terms and conditions of which are hereby incorporated by reference, the Company and Minn Shares agree that each such Party will not use materials reviewed in its due diligence evaluation (the “ Evaluation Material ”) for any purpose other than in connection with the Securities Exchange and the transactions contemplated hereunder. Each agrees not to disclose or allow disclosure to others of any Evaluation Material, except to such Party’s Affiliates or representatives, in each case, to the extent necessary to permit such Affiliate or representative to assist such Party in connection with the Securities Exchange and the transactions contemplated hereunder.

 

7.4        Tax Treatment . The Parties hereby agree and acknowledge that the transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall be treated for all U.S. federal, state and local income Tax purposes pursuant to the principles set forth in IRS Revenue Ruling 84-111, 1984-2 CB 88. Accordingly, for all U.S. federal, state and local income Tax reporting purposes: (i) the Members shall treat the transfer of the membership interests in the Company as a transfer of interests in a partnership to Minn Shares in exchange for the Exchange Shares; (ii) the transfers to Minn Shares set forth in (i) above are intended to qualify as tax-free capital contributions pursuant to Section 351 of the Code; and (iii) the Company shall be terminated as a “partnership” for income Tax purposes pursuant to Code Section 708(b)(1)(B) and, instead shall, immediately following Minn Shares’ deemed acquisition of the membership interests of the Company, be an entity that is disregarded for income Tax purposes from Minn Shares.

 

7.5        Press Releases; Securities Filings . The Company and Minn Shares shall agree with each other as to the form and substance of any press release or public announcement or filing related to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby; provided, however , that nothing contained herein shall prohibit any Party, following notification to the other Parties, from making any disclosure which is required by law or regulation, including without limitation SEC rules. If any such press release or public announcement is so required, the Party making such disclosure shall consult with the other party prior to making such disclosure, and the Parties shall use all reasonable efforts, acting in good faith, to agree upon a text for such disclosure which is satisfactory to both parties. The Parties acknowledge that the Company shall file, within four (4) business days of the Closing Date, a current report on Form 8-K and attach as exhibits all relevant agreements with the SEC disclosing the terms of this Agreement and other requisite disclosure regarding the Securities Exchange and including the requisite audited consolidated financial statements of the Company, any required interim and pro forma financial statements and the requisite Form 10 disclosure regarding the Company and its Subsidiaries.

 

7.6        Satisfaction of Minn Shares Liabilities . Other than liabilities arising from the Minn Shares Professional Fees or the Minn Shares Notes, Minn Shares shall have no liabilities outstanding as of the Effective Time.

 

7.7        D&O Insurance . Within ninety days after the Effective Date, Minn Shares shall cause to be obtained a customary directors’ and officers’ liability insurance appropriate for a publicly traded company for each person serving as an officer or director of Minn Shares prior to the Effective Time for a period of at least three years from the Effective Date with a coverage amount equal to at least $2 million.

 

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ARTICLE VIII

 

CONDITIONS TO CLOSING

 

8.1        Conditions to Obligations of Each Party . The respective obligations of each Party to effect the transactions contemplated hereby are subject to the fulfillment or waiver at or prior to the Effective Date of the following conditions:

 

(a)        No Prohibitive Change of Law . There shall have been no law, statute, rule or regulation, domestic or foreign, enacted or promulgated which would prohibit or make illegal the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby.

 

(b)        Adverse Proceedings . There shall not be threatened, instituted or pending any action or proceeding before any court or governmental authority or agency (i) challenging or seeking to make illegal, or to delay or otherwise directly or indirectly restrain or prohibit, the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or seeking to obtain material damages in connection with such transactions, (ii) seeking to prohibit direct or indirect ownership or operation by Minn Shares of all or a material portion of the business or assets of the Company, or to compel Minn Shares or the Company to dispose of or to hold separately all or a material portion of the business or assets of Minn Shares or of the Company, as a result of the transactions contemplated hereby; (iii) seeking to invalidate or render unenforceable any material provision of this Agreement or any of the other agreements attached as exhibits hereto or contemplated hereby; or (iv) otherwise relating to and materially adversely affecting the transactions contemplated hereby. 

 

(c)        Governmental Action . There shall not be any action taken, or any statute, rule, regulation, judgment, order or injunction proposed, enacted, entered, enforced, promulgated, issued or deemed applicable to the transactions contemplated hereby, by any federal, state or other court, government or governmental authority or agency, that would reasonably be expected to result, directly or indirectly, in any of the consequences referred to in Section 8.1(b) .

 

(d)        Market Condition . There shall not have occurred any general suspension of trading on the New York Stock Exchange, the Nasdaq Stock Market, or any general bank moratorium or closing or any war, national emergency or other event affecting the economy or securities trading markets in any of the foregoing cases generally that would make completion of the Securities Exchange impossible.

 

8.2        Additional Conditions to Obligation of Minn Shares . The obligation of Minn Shares to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby in accordance with the terms of this Agreement is also subject to the fulfillment or waiver of the following conditions:

 

(a)        Representations and Compliance . The representations of the Company Parties contained in this Agreement were accurate as of the date of this Agreement and are accurate as of the Closing Date, in all respects (in the case of any representation containing any materiality qualification) or in all material respects (in the case of any representation without any materiality qualification), except for representations and warranties made as of a specific date, which shall be accurate as of such date. Each Company Party shall in all material respects have performed each obligation and agreement and complied with each covenant to be performed and complied with by it hereunder at or prior to the Closing Date.

 

28  

 

 

(b)        Officers’ Certificate . The Company shall have furnished to Minn Shares a certificate of the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer of the Company, dated as of the Effective Date, in which such officers shall certify that, to their best Knowledge, the conditions set forth in Section 8.2(a) have been fulfilled.

 

(c)        President’s Certificate . The Company shall have furnished to Minn Shares (i) copies of the text of the resolutions by which the company action on the part of the Company necessary to approve this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby were taken, (ii) a certificate dated as of the Closing Date executed on behalf of the Company by its president certifying to Minn Shares that such copies are true, correct and complete copies of such resolutions and that such resolutions were duly adopted and have not been amended or rescinded, (iii) an incumbency certificate dated as of the Closing Date executed on behalf of the Company by its president certifying the signature and office of each officer of the Company executing this Agreement or any other agreement, certificate or other instrument executed pursuant hereto by the Company, (iv) a copy of the certificate of formation of the Company, certified by the Secretary of State of Delaware, and a certificate from the Secretary of State of Delaware evidencing the good standing of the Company in such jurisdiction as of a recent date prior to the Closing Date, but no more than 15 days prior to the Closing Date and (v) a current copy of the Company’s operating agreement.

 

(d)        Consents and Approvals . The Company shall have obtained all consents and approvals necessary to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, in order that the transactions contemplated herein not constitute a breach or violation of, or result in a right of termination or acceleration of, or creation of any encumbrance on any of the Company’s assets pursuant to the provisions of, any agreement, arrangement or undertaking of or affecting the Company or any license, franchise or permit of or affecting the Company.

 

(e)        Member Questionnaire . Each Member shall have executed and delivered to Minn Shares a completed accredited investor questionnaire in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B (a “ Member Questionnaire ”), accurate in all material respects and attesting that each Member is an “accredited investor” as defined in Regulation D of the Securities Act or otherwise has such knowledge, sophistication and experience in business and financial matters so as to be capable of evaluating the merits and risks of the prospective investment in the Exchange Shares.

 

(f)        No Material Adverse Effect . There shall not have been any occurrence, event, incident, action, failure to act, or transaction since the date of the Company Financial Statements which has had or is reasonably likely to cause a Material Adverse Effect on the Company.

 

(g)        Delivery of Audit Report and Financial Statements . The Company shall have completed the Company Financial Statements for all periods required to be filed in a current report on Form 8-K to be filed within 4 (four) business days following the Closing and shall have received an audit report from an independent audit firm that is registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board for the two most recently completed fiscal years. The form and substance of the Company Financial Statements shall be satisfactory to Minn Shares in its sole and absolute discretion.

 

29  

 

 

(h)        Form 8-K . The Company shall have provided Minn Shares with reasonable assurances that Minn Shares will be able to comply with its obligation to file a current report on Form 8-K within four (4) business days following the Closing containing the requisite financial statements of the Company and the requisite Form 10 required disclosure regarding the Company and its Subsidiaries.

 

8.3        Additional Conditions to Obligation of the Company Parties . The obligation of the Company Parties to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby in accordance with the terms of this Agreement is also subject to the fulfillment or waiver of the following conditions:

 

(a)        Representations And Compliance . The representations of Minn Shares contained in this Agreement were accurate as of the date of this Agreement and are accurate as of the Effective Time, in all respects (in the case of any representation containing any materiality qualification) or in all material respects (in the case of any representation without any materiality qualification), except for representations and warranties made as of a specific date, which shall be accurate as of such date. Minn Shares shall in all material respects have performed each obligation and agreement and complied with each covenant to be performed and complied with by them hereunder at or prior to the Effective Date.

 

(b)        Officer’s Certificate . Minn Shares shall have furnished to the Company Parties a certificate of the Chief Executive Officer of Minn Shares, dated as of the Effective Date, in which such officer shall certify that, to his best Knowledge, the conditions set forth in Section 8.3(a) have been fulfilled.

 

(c)        Secretary’s Certificate . Minn Shares shall have furnished to the Company Parties (i) copies of the text of the resolutions by which the corporate action on the part of Minn Shares necessary to approve this Agreement, the election or appointment of the directors of Minn Shares to serve following the Closing Date and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby were taken, which shall be accompanied by a certificate of the corporate secretary or assistant corporate secretary of Minn Shares dated as of the Closing Date certifying to the Company Parties that such copies are true, correct and complete copies of such resolutions and that such resolutions were duly adopted and have not been amended or rescinded, and (ii) a copy of the certificate of incorporation of Minn Shares, certified by the Secretary of State of Delaware, and certificates from the Secretary of State of Delaware evidencing the good standing of Minn Shares in such jurisdiction as of a recent date prior to the Closing Date.

 

(d)        Consents and Approvals . Minn Shares shall have obtained all consents and approvals necessary to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement in order that the transactions contemplated herein not constitute a breach or violation of, or result in a right of termination or acceleration of, or creation of any encumbrance on any of Minn Shares’ assets pursuant to the provisions of, any agreement, arrangement or undertaking of or affecting Minn Shares or any license, franchise or permit of or affecting Minn Shares.

 

30  

 

 

(e)        Resignations . Each of the officers of Minn Shares immediately prior to the Effective Time shall deliver duly executed resignations from their officer positions with Minn Shares effective at the Effective Time.

 

(f)        No Material Adverse Effect . There shall not have been any occurrence, event, incident, action, failure to act, or transaction since the date of the Minn Shares Financial Statements which has had or is reasonably likely to cause a Material Adverse Effect on Minn Shares.

 

ARTICLE IX
TERMINATION

 

9.1        Termination . This Agreement may be terminated prior to the Effective Date:

 

(a)       by mutual consent of the Company and Minn Shares, if the Board of Directors of the Company and Minn Shares each so determines;

 

(b)       by Minn Shares, if any representation of the Company set forth in this Agreement was inaccurate when made or becomes inaccurate such that the condition set forth in Section 8.2(a)  could not be satisfied;

 

(c)       by the Company, if any representation of Minn Shares set forth in this Agreement was inaccurate when made or becomes inaccurate such that the condition set forth in Section 8.3(a) could not be satisfied;

 

(d)       by Minn Shares, if the Company fails to perform or comply with any of the obligations that it is required to perform or to comply with under this Agreement such that the condition set forth in Section 8.2(a) could not be satisfied;

 

(e)       by the Company, if Minn Shares fails to perform or comply with any of the obligations that it is required to perform or to comply with under this Agreement such that the condition set forth in Section 8.3(a) could not be satisfied;

 

(f)       by either the Company or Minn Shares if the Closing Date is not on or before November 30, 2016, or such later date as the Company and Minn Shares may mutually agree (except that a party seeking to terminate this Agreement pursuant to this clause may not do so if the failure to consummate the Securities Exchange by such date shall be due to the action or failure to act of the party seeking to terminate this Agreement in breach of such party’s obligations under this Agreement); and

 

(g)       by Minn Shares if, after complying with Section 7.7 and affording the Company ten (10) business days’ notice of its proposal to enter into an agreement with a third party for a transaction of a nature specified in Section 7.7  (and, if the Company so elects, after good faith negotiations with the Company during such ten business day period, to attempt to make adjustments in the terms and conditions of this Agreement as would enable Minn Shares to proceed with the Securities Exchange), the Board of Directors of Minn Shares shall have concluded that such third party offer is superior to the provisions of this Agreement, after considering any revised offer made by the Company.

 

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9.2        Effect of Termination .

 

(a)       If this Agreement is terminated pursuant to Section 9.1 hereof, then (i) this Agreement shall become void and have no effect whatsoever, except that the provisions of ARTICLE I (“Definitions”), this ARTICLE IX (“Termination”), ARTICLE X (“General Provisions”) and Section 7.2 (“Expenses”) shall survive any such termination, (ii) no Party hereto shall have any liability hereunder arising from any breach by such Party of any provision of this Agreement if such breach occurred prior to such termination, (iii) each Party will redeliver all documents, work papers and other material of the other Parties relating to the transactions contemplated hereby including such memoranda, notes, lists, records or other documents compiled or derived from such material, whether so obtained before or after the execution hereof, to the Party furnishing the same and (iv) all information received by any Party hereto with respect to the business of the other Parties or their affiliated companies shall remain subject to the terms of Section 7.3(b) - (e) hereof.

 

(b)       Notwithstanding the foregoing, upon a termination occurring pursuant to Sections 9.1(b) or (d) , the Company shall pay to Minn Shares the Minn Shares Professional Fees within two (2) business days of the date Minn Shares furnishes to the Company a schedule setting forth in reasonable detail the fees, costs and expenses comprising the Minn Shares Professional Fees, and such payment shall be made by wire transfer of immediately available funds to an account to be designated by Minn Shares. Upon any other termination under this Agreement, each party hereto shall be responsible for its own fees and expenses.

 

ARTICLE X
general provisions

 

10.1        Notices . All notices and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be sufficiently given if made by hand delivery, by telecopier transmission, by overnight delivery service for next business day delivery, or by registered or certified mail (return receipt requested), in each case with delivery charges prepaid, to the parties at the following addresses (or at such other address for a party as shall be specified by it by like notice):

 

If to the Company:

Titan CNG LLC

315 E. Lake St. Suite 301

Wayzata, MN 55391

Facsimile: (888) 637-1077

Telephone: (877) 973-9191

Attn: Chief Executive Officer

   
With copies to:

Fredrikson & Byron, P.A.

200 South Sixth Street, Suite 4000

Minneapolis, MN 55402

Facsimile: (612) 492-7077

Telephone: (612) 492-7000

Attn: Frank Bennett, Esq. and Christopher J. Melsha, Esq.

 

32  

 

 

If to Minn Shares:

Minn Shares Inc.

1624 Harmon Place, Suite 210

Minneapolis, MN  55403

Facsimile: (815) 642-4491

Telephone: (612) 486-5587

Attn: Chief Executive Officer

   
With copies to:

Duane Morris LLP

1540 Broadway

New York, NY 10036

Facsimile: (212) 202-6094

Telephone: (212) 692-1036

Attn: David N. Feldman, Esq.

 

All such notices and other communications shall be deemed to have been duly given as follows: when delivered by hand, if personally delivered, when received; (i) if delivered by registered or certified mail (return receipt requested), when receipt acknowledged; or (ii) if telecopied, on the day of transmission or, if that day is not a business day, on the next business day; and the next business day delivery after being timely delivered to a recognized overnight delivery service.

 

10.2        No Survival . None of the representations, warranties, covenants and other agreements in this Agreement or in any instrument delivered pursuant to this Agreement, including any rights arising out of any breach of such representations, warranties, covenants and other agreements, shall survive the Effective Time, except for this ARTICLE X , the representation contained in Section 3.16 , which shall survive for one year after the Effective Time and those covenants and agreements herein and Section 7.3 that by their terms apply or are to be performed in whole or in part after the Effective Time.

 

10.3        Interpretation . The headings contained in this Agreement are for reference purposes only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement. References to Sections and Articles refer to Sections and Articles of this Agreement unless otherwise stated. Words such as “herein,” “hereinafter,” “hereof,” “hereto,” “hereby” and “hereunder,” and words of like import, unless the context requires otherwise, refer to this Agreement (including the Schedules hereto). As used in this Agreement, the masculine, feminine and neuter genders shall be deemed to include the others if the context requires.

 

10.4        Severability . If any term, provision, covenant or restriction of this Agreement is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, void or unenforceable, the remainder of the terms, provisions, covenants and restrictions of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect and shall in no way be affected, impaired or invalidated, and the parties shall negotiate in good faith to modify this Agreement and to preserve each Party’s anticipated benefits under this Agreement.

 

10.5        Amendment . This Agreement may not be amended or modified except by an instrument in writing approved by the Parties to this Agreement and signed on behalf of each of the Parties hereto.

 

33  

 

 

10.6        Waiver . At any time prior to the Effective Date, any Party hereto may (a) extend the time for the performance of any of the obligations or other acts of the other party hereto or (b) waive compliance with any of the agreements of the other Parties or with any conditions to its own obligations, in each case only to the extent such obligations, agreements and conditions are intended for its benefit. Any such extension or waiver shall only be effective if made in writing and duly executed by the Party giving such extension or waiver.

 

10.7        Miscellaneous . This Agreement (together with all other documents and instruments referred to herein): (a) constitutes the entire agreement, and supersedes all other prior agreements and undertakings, both written and oral, among the Parties, with respect to the subject matter hereof; and (b) shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns, but shall not be assignable by any Party hereto without the prior written consent of the other Parties hereto.

 

10.8        Counterparts; Facsimile Signatures . This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, which together shall constitute a single agreement. This Agreement and any documents relating to it may be executed and transmitted to any other party by facsimile or email of a PDF, which facsimile or PDF shall be deemed to be, and utilized in all respects as, an original, wet-inked document.

 

10.9        Third Party Beneficiaries . Each Party hereto intends that this Agreement, except as expressly provided herein, shall not benefit or create any right or cause of action in or on behalf of any person other than the Parties hereto.

 

10.10        Governing Law . This Agreement is governed by the internal laws of the State of Delaware without regard to such State’s principles of conflicts of laws that would defer to the substantive laws of another jurisdiction.

 

10.11        Jurisdiction; Service of Process . Any action or proceeding seeking to enforce any provision of, or based on any right arising out of, this Agreement must, to the extent such courts will accept such jurisdiction, be brought against any of the parties in the courts of the State of Minnesota, or, if it has or can acquire jurisdiction, in the United States District Court for the District of Minnesota, and each of the Parties consents to the exclusive jurisdiction of those courts (and of the appropriate appellate courts) in any such action or proceeding and waives any objection to venue laid therein. Process in any such action or proceeding may be served by sending or delivering a copy of the process to the Party to be served at the address and in the manner provided for the giving of notices in Section 10.1 . Nothing in this Section 10.11 , however, affects the right of any Party to serve legal process in any other manner permitted by law.

 

10.12        Disclosure in Schedules . For purposes of this Agreement, with respect to any matter that is clearly disclosed on any Schedule hereto with respect to any Section hereof in such a way as to make its relevance to the information called for by another Section hereof or any other Schedule, as the case may be, reasonably apparent, such matter shall be deemed to have been disclosed in response to such other Section or Schedule, notwithstanding the omission of any appropriate cross-reference thereto; provided, however , that each of Minn Shares and the Company hereby covenants to make a good faith diligent effort to make all appropriate cross-references within and to any and all Sections of this Agreement and Schedules hereto.

 

[ Remainder of Page Left Intentionally Blank - Signature Page to Follow ]

 

34  

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed on the date first written above by their respective officers.

 

  TITAN CNG LLC
     
  By: /s/ John P. Yeros
    Name: John P. Yeros
    Title: Chief Executive Officer
     
  MINN SHARES INC.
     
  By: /s/ Richard E. Gilbert
    Name: Richard E. Gilbert
    Title: Chief Executive Officer

 

Signature Page to Agreement and Plan of Securities Exchange

 

Member Signatures Follow

 

 

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed on the date first written above.

 

MEMBER:

 

Printed Name: Kirk Honour

 

By: /s/ Kirk Honour  

 

Member Signature Page to Agreement and Plan of Securities Exchange

 

 

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed on the date first written above.

 

MEMBER:

 

Printed Name: Falcon Capital LLC

 

By: /s/ Scott M. Honour  
Its: Managing Member  
Name: Scott M. Honour  

 

Member Signature Page to Agreement and Plan of Securities Exchange

 

 

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed on the date first written above.

 

MEMBER:

 

Printed Name: Honour Capital LP

 

By: /s/ Scott M. Honour  
Its: Managing Member  
Name: Scott M. Honour  

 

Member Signature Page to Agreement and Plan of Securities Exchange

 

 

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed on the date first written above.

 

MEMBER:

 

Printed Name: John H. Honour

 

By: /s/ John H. Honour  

 

Member Signature Page to Agreement and Plan of Securities Exchange

 

 

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed on the date first written above.

 

MEMBER:

 

Printed Name: Timothy J. Gorry

 

By: /s/ Timothy J. Gorry  

 

Member Signature Page to Agreement and Plan of Securities Exchange

 

 

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed on the date first written above.

 

MEMBER:

 

Printed Name: James G. Jackson

 

By: /s/ James G. Jackson  

 

Member Signature Page to Agreement and Plan of Securities Exchange

 

 

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed on the date first written above.

 

MEMBER:

 

Printed Name: Alpeter Family Limited Partnership

 

By: /s/ Stephen V. Alpeter  
Its: Member  
Name: Stephen V. Alpeter  

 

Member Signature Page to Agreement and Plan of Securities Exchange

 

 

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed on the date first written above.

 

MEMBER:

 

Printed Name: New Frontier Strategy, LLC

 

By: /s/ Phillip A. Musser  
Its: President  
Name: Phillip A. Musser  

 

Member Signature Page to Agreement and Plan of Securities Exchange

 

 

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed on the date first written above.

 

MEMBER:

 

Printed Name: Sarah Goor Viralam

 

By: /s/ Sarah Goor Viralam  

 

Member Signature Page to Agreement and Plan of Securities Exchange

 

 

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed on the date first written above.

 

MEMBER:

 

Printed Name: John Jay Liljeberg

 

By: /s/ John Jay Liljeberg  

 

Member Signature Page to Agreement and Plan of Securities Exchange

 

 

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed on the date first written above.

 

MEMBER:

 

Printed Name: Brian Clark and Renae Clark

 

By: /s/ Brian Clark and Renae Clark  

 

Member Signature Page to Agreement and Plan of Securities Exchange

 

 

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed on the date first written above.

 

MEMBER:

 

Printed Name: Stephen J. Clark

 

By: /s/ Stephen J. Clark  

 

Member Signature Page to Agreement and Plan of Securities Exchange

 

 

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed on the date first written above.

 

MEMBER:

 

Printed Name: Keith Clark and Janice Clark

 

By: /s/ Keith Clark and Janice Clark  

 

Member Signature Page to Agreement and Plan of Securities Exchange

 

 

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed on the date first written above.

 

MEMBER:

 

Printed Name: Phillip “Ted” Atalla

 

By: /s/ Phillip “Ted” Atalla  

 

Member Signature Page to Agreement and Plan of Securities Exchange

 

 

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed on the date first written above.

 

MEMBER:

 

Printed Name: Richard E. Horn

 

By: /s/ Richard E. Horn  

 

Member Signature Page to Agreement and Plan of Securities Exchange

 

 

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed on the date first written above.

 

MEMBER:

 

Printed Name: Red Ocean Consulting, LLC

 

By: /s/ Brenton Hayden  
Its: Managing Director  
Name: Brenton Hayden  

 

Member Signature Page to Agreement and Plan of Securities Exchange

 

 

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed on the date first written above.

 

MEMBER:

 

Printed Name: Thomas J. Abood Revocable Trust u/a dtd August 17, 2012 as amended

 

By: /s/ Thomas J. Abood  
Its: Trustee  
Name: Thomas J. Abood  

 

Member Signature Page to Agreement and Plan of Securities Exchange

 

 

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed on the date first written above.

 

MEMBER:

 

Printed Name: David M. Leavenworth

 

By: /s/ David M. Leavenworth  

 

Member Signature Page to Agreement and Plan of Securities Exchange

 

 

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed on the date first written above.

 

MEMBER:

 

Printed Name: Bonita Beach Blues, Inc.

 

By: /s/ Robert M. Emfield  
Its: President  
Name: Robert M. Emfield  

 

 

Member Signature Page to Agreement and Plan of Securities Exchange

 

 

Exhibit 2.2

 

AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER
OF
SHOCK INC.,

a Delaware corporation
INTO
MINN SHARES INC.,
a Delaware corporation

 

This Agreement AND PLAN of Merger (this “ Agreement ”), is dated November 23, 2016, by and between Shock Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ Merging Corporation ”), and Minn Shares Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ Surviving Corporation ”). The Merging Corporation together with the Surviving Corporation are sometimes referred to herein as the “ Constituent Corporations ”.

 

Article 1
MERGER OF COMPANIES

 

Section 1.1 Constituent Corporations . The names and addresses of the Constituent Corporations are:

 

(a)       Shock Inc., a Delaware corporation is located at 2415 Annapolis Lane, Suite 100, Plymouth, Minnesota 55441.

 

(b)       Minn Shares Inc., a Delaware corporation is located at 2415 Annapolis Lane, Suite 100, Plymouth, Minnesota 55441.

 

Section 1.2 Merger . The Constituent Corporations shall be combined by the merger of Merging Corporation with and into Surviving Corporation, with Surviving Corporation as the surviving entity (the “ Merger ”), pursuant to the applicable provisions of the Delaware General Corporation Law, as amended (“ DGCL ”).

 

Section 1.3 The Plan of Merger has been approved, adopted, certified, executed and acknowledged by each of the aforesaid Constituent Corporations in accordance with Section 251 of the DGCL. Approval of the Surviving Corporation stockholders is not required to adopt this Agreement and consummate the transactions contemplated hereby because the Merger will be consummated pursuant to Section 251(f) of the DGCL.

 

Section 1.4 The Plan of Merger is on file at the offices of Surviving Corporation, located at 2415 Annapolis Lane, Suite 100, Plymouth, Minnesota 55441. A copy of the Agreement and Plan of Merger will be provided by the Surviving Corporation upon request and without cost to any member of the Constituent Companies.

 

 

 

 

Article 2
MEANS OF EFFECTING MERGER;
CONVERTING MEMBERSHIP INTERESTS

 

Section 2.1 The Merger . The Merger shall become effective on the date on which the Certificate of Merger has been filed with the Delaware Secretary of State (the “ Effective Date ”). On the Effective Date, the Merging Corporation shall be merged with and into the Surviving Corporation in accordance with the provisions of the DGCL, whereupon the separate corporate existence of Merging Corporation shall cease, and Surviving Corporation shall alone continue in existence as the Surviving Corporation. All transactions after the Effective Date shall be deemed transactions of and for the account of Surviving Corporation as Surviving Corporation.

 

Section 2.2 Succession . As of the Effective Date, Surviving Corporation shall succeed to and possess all rights, privileges, powers, franchises, assets, property, and immunities of both Constituent Corporations. The title to any real property or any interest therein vested by deed or otherwise in either constituent company shall not revert or be in any way impaired by reason of the Merger. Further provided, all rights of creditors and all liens upon any property of either of the Constituent Corporations shall be preserved unimpaired, limited in lien to the property affected by such liens at the Effective Date, and all debts, liabilities, and duties of either of the Constituent Corporations shall become those of Surviving Corporation and may be enforced against it to the same extent as if such debts, liabilities and duties had been incurred or contracted by Surviving Corporation.

 

Section 2.3 Instruments of Further Assurance . If at any time after the Effective Date, Surviving Corporation shall determine or be advised that any instrument of further assurance is needed in order to evidence the vesting in it of the title of any of the Constituent Corporations to any of the property rights of the Constituent Corporations, the appropriate officers of the Constituent Corporations are hereby authorized to execute, acknowledge and deliver all such instruments of further assurance and to do all acts or things, in the name of the Constituent Corporations, as may be required or desirable to carry out the provisions of this Agreement.

 

2.4        Conversion and Continued Existence of Shares .

 

(a)        Conversion of Shock Inc. Shares . All issued and outstanding shares of common stock of Shock Inc. immediately prior to the Effective Date shall, by virtue of the Merger and without any action on the part of the holder thereof, convert into 2,244,936 common shares of Minn Shares Inc., as the Surviving Corporation, and be issued to the stockholders of Shock Inc. as follows: (i) 1,232,514 shares to John Yeros, (ii) 506,211 shares to Randy Gilbert and (iii) 506,211 shares to Kirk Honour.

 

(b)        Continued Existence of Minn Shares Inc. Shares . The issued and outstanding common shares of Minn Shares Inc. immediately prior to the Effective Date shall, by virtue of the Merger, and without any action on the part of the holder thereof, remain in existence.

 

  2  

 

 

Article 3
ORGANIZATION OF THE SURVIVING CORPORATION

 

Section 3.1 Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws . The Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws of Surviving Corporation will be the existing Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws of Surviving Corporation in effect prior to the Effective Date until thereafter amended in accordance with applicable law.

 

Section 3.2 Board of Directors and Officers of Surviving Corporation . The Board of Directors and officers of Surviving Corporation prior to the Effective Date will remain the Board of Directors and officers of Surviving Corporation after the Effective Date.

 

[Signature page follows]

 

  3  

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each party hereto has caused this Agreement and Plan of Merger to be signed by its duly authorized representative, all as of the date first above written.

 

Shock Inc. ,

 

Minn Shares Inc. ,

a Delaware corporation   a Delaware corporation
         
/s/ Kirk S. Honour   /s/ John P. Yeros
By: Kirk S. Honour   By: John P. Yeros
Its: President   Its: Chief Executive Officer

 

[Signature page to Agreement and Plan of Merger]

 

 

 

Exhibit 4.1

 

LOAN AGREEMENT

 

THIS LOAN AGREEMENT (“ Agreement ”) is made as of December 31, 2014, by and between TITAN EL TORO LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“ Titan ”); and FIRSTCNG LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“ First ”) (Titan and First shall be collectively referred to herein as the “ Borrower ”), and TRADITION CAPITAL BANK, a Minnesota banking corporation (“ Lender ”).

 

RECITALS

 

A.       The Borrower has requested from the Lender an extension of credit in the form of a term loan in the amount of $1,300,000.00 (the “ Loan ”), the proceeds of which are to be used by Borrower to acquire, construct, improve and equip a distribution and retail compressed natural gas vehicle fueling station facility to be located on that certain real property located at 24201 El Toro Road, in the City of Lake Forest (“ City ”), Orange County, California (the “ Project ”).

 

B.       The Lender is willing to agree to provide the Loan to the Borrower on the terms and conditions hereinafter contained.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants herein contained, the parties hereto agree as follows:

 

1.        Documents Delivered by Borrower . To induce the Lender to commit to make the requested Loan, and as a condition to the advance of the Loan to the Borrower, the Borrower shall, on the date hereof, deliver or cause to be delivered to Lender the following, all of which shall be in form and substance acceptable to the Lender (collectively, the “ Loan Documents ”):

 

1.1 Note . The Note of even date herewith, given by Borrower in favor of Lender in the original principal amount of $1,300,000,00, payable to the Lender (“ Note ”);

 

1.2 Deed of Trust . A First Leasehold Deed of Trust, Assignment of Rents, Security Agreement and Fixture Filing executed and delivered by the Borrower to and in favor of the Lender (“ Deed of Trust ”), whereby Borrower grants to Lender a valid first lien on the leasehold interest in the real estate located at 24201 El Toro Road, Lake Forest, California and more fully legally described on Exhibit A attached hereto and incorporated herein by this reference (the “ Property ”).

 

1.3 Indemnification Agreement . An Indemnification Agreement — Environmental — ADA executed and delivered by Borrower and the Guarantors (as hereinafter defined), except Jamie Honour, to and in favor of Lender (“ Indemnification Agreement ”), whereby Borrower and Guarantors indemnify and hold Lender harmless from any loss or damage resulting from the discovery of any “ Hazardous Substance ” or violation of any violation “ Environmental Regulation ” or “ Accessibility Regulation ” (as those terms are defined in the Indemnification Agreement) related to the Property.

 

 

 

1.4 Guaranty . A guaranty (each, a “ Guaranty ” and collectively, the “ Guaranties ”) of Borrower’s obligations hereunder in favor of Lender executed and delivered by Kirk S. Honour (“ Kirk Honour ”), Scott M. Honour (“ Scott Honour ”), Jamie A. Honour a/k/a Jamie A. Parsley-Honour (“ Jamie Honour ”), James G. Jackson (“ James Jackson ”), John H. Honour and Alpeter Family Limited Partnership, a Minnesota limited partnership (“ Corporate Guarantor ”) (the foregoing each, a “ Guarantor ” and collectively, the “ Guarantors ”), guarantying the Loan as more fully set forth in each respective Guaranty.

 

1.5 Mortgage . A Second Mortgage given by Scott Honour and Jamie Honour in favor of Lender in the amount of $650,000.00 to provide collateral for their Guaranties consisting of the real estate located at 1720 Bohns Point Road, Orono, Minnesota 55391 (the “ MN Property ”).

 

1.6 Request for Notice . A Request for Notice executed by Lender with respect to the MN Property requesting notice of any foreclosure by a senior lender of the MN Property.

 

1.7 Security Agreement . A Security Agreement of Borrower, as debtor, to and in favor of Lender, as secured party, whereby Borrower grants to Lender a security interest in all personal property, which shall include, but not be limited to equipment, inventory, right to payment of money and intangibles in connection with the operation of the Property (“ Security Agreement ”).

 

1.8 Financing Statement . UCC-1 Financing Statement authorized and delivered by the Borrower perfecting the security interest in the collateral set forth in Section 1.7 herein for filing in such offices as the Lender may deem necessary or desirable (“ Financing Statement ”).

 

1.9 Certificate and Resolution of Titan . A Certificate of Incumbency and Resolution executed by Titan wherein are attached copies of Titan’s organizational documents and resolution authorizing the borrowing of the Loan and execution and delivery of the Loan Documents.

 

1.10 Certificate and Resolution of First . A Certificate of Incumbency and Resolution executed by First wherein are attached copies of First’s organizational documents and resolution authorizing the borrowing of the Loan and execution and delivery of the Loan Documents.

 

1.11 Resolution of Corporate Guarantor . A Resolution executed by Corporate Guarantor authorizing the guarantying of the Loan and execution and delivery of the Loan Documents to which it is a party.

 

1.12 Affidavit Regarding Borrower . An Affidavit of Borrower setting forth certain facts pertaining to Borrower and the Property.

 

1.13 Affidavit Regarding MN Property . An Affidavit of Scott Honour and Jamie Honour setting forth certain facts pertaining to the MN Property.

 

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1.14 Collateral Assignment of Life Insurance Proceeds . A Collateral Assignment of Life Insurance Proceeds executed by Kirk Honour assigning a life insurance policy with Principal Life Insurance Company in the amount of $500,000.00, along with a consent signed by the insurer.

 

1.15 Financial Statements . Current financial statements of Borrower and Guarantor prepared in a form and in a manner acceptable to the Lender.

 

1.16 Searches . Complete five part searches (UCC, state and federal tax liens, judgments, bankruptcies and pending litigation) on the Borrower and each Guarantor from such offices as the Lender may request which confirm that there are no interests which would be prior to the Lender’s interest.

 

1.17 Tri-Party Agreement . A Tri-Party Agreement between Borrower, Lender and Sherman L. Pickrell, as Trustee of the Grace Whisler Revocable Trust dated May 22, 1992 and Whisler Holdings LLC, a California limited liability company (“ Landlord ”), all with respect to that certain Standard Industrial/Commercial Single-Tenant Lease-Net dated February 24, 2014, as amended (“ Lease ”), with respect to the lease of the Property.

 

1.18 Title Insurance Policy . A 2006 loon title policy (“ Title Policy ”) from First American Title Insurance Company (“ Title Company ”) issued to lender in the amount of $1,300,000.00 with respect to the Deed of Trust and insuring that the Deed of Trust is a valid first lien on the leasehold interest in the Property to the extent it purports to be free and clear of mechanic’s liens, materialmen’s liens, taxes, easements, or claims of easement not shown in the public records, special assessments, rights of parties in possession and matters of survey and subject only to exceptions specifically approved in writing by Lender.

 

1.19 Title Insurance Policy . A 2006 loan title policy from Custom Home Builders Title, LLC issued to Lender in the amount of $650,000.00 with respect to the Mortgage and insuring that the Mortgage is a valid second lien on the fee simple interest in the Property to the extent it purports to be free and clear of mechanic’s liens, materialmen’s liens, taxes, easements, or claims of easement not shown in the public records, special assessments, rights of parties in possession and matters of survey and subject only to exception’s specifically approved in writing by Lender.

 

1.20 Insurance . Certificates or policies of insurance required by Lender under the terms hereof or the Deed of Trust, to be maintained by Borrower, or of the Mortgage, to be maintained by Scott Honour and Jamie Honour.

 

1.21 Survey . An ALTA/ACSM Land Title Survey prepared and certified by a surveyor licensed in the State of California delivered by Borrower to Lender of the Property containing such matters as required by Lender.

 

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1.22 Appraisals . A current appraisal of the Property, prepared by an appraiser acceptable to Lender, establishing the value of the Property of an amount so that the amount of the Loan is no more than 80% of the appraised value of the Property. A current appraisal of the MN Property, prepared by an appraiser acceptable to Lender, establishing the value of the MN Property of an amount so that the amount of the Loan and the first existing lien of record is no more than 100% of the appraised value of the MN Property.

 

1.23 Environmental Assessment . An Environmental Assessment for the Property conducted by a consultant acceptable to Lender and which discloses no existing or potential hazardous waste or environmental concerns with respect to the Property.

 

1.24 SBA Documents . Certain additional documents required by the U.S. Small Business Administration (“ SBA ”), including, but not limited to, SBA Form 1050 Settlement Sheet, SBA Form 159 (7(a)) Compensation Agreement, SBA Form 722 Equal Opportunity Poster, SBA Form 601 Agreement of Compliance, SBA Form 155 Standby Creditor’s Agreement, and SBA Form 1846 Statement Regarding Lobbying.

 

1.25 Grant Approvals . Evidence that Borrower has received grant approval in the amount of $450,000.00 and approval of the Project by the City, both as reasonable acceptable to Lender and SBA.

 

1.26 Lease . Deliver to Lender a copy of the Lease, with such amendments thereto as reasonably required by Lender.

 

1.27 Subordination . A subordination pertaining to mezzanine debt, whereby such debt is subordinated to the Loan, as more fully described therein.

 

2.        Commitment of Lender .

 

2.1 Loan Advance . So long as there exists no Event of Default hereunder and no event has occurred which would be an Event of Default with the giving of notice or lapse of time or both, and subject to all other terms and conditions hereof, and subject to SBA approval of the Loan and issuance of the SBA Guarantee, the Lender shall lend to the Borrower and Borrower may borrow from the Lender the Loan not to exceed 80% of the appraised value of the Property with a maximum amount of $1,300,000.00, the proceeds of which will be used for the Project as follows: a) $437,000.00 to construct the building on the Property, b) $412,000.00 to purchase equipment, c) $17,000.00 to purchase fixtures, d) $394,000.00 for Borrower to repay Lender under an existing loan, e) $5,875.00 for working capital and f) $34,125.00 for the SBA guarantee fee (“ Guarantee Fee ”).

 

2.2 Fees .

 

(a)        Origination Fee . On the date hereof, Borrower shall pay the Lender an origination fee equal to $2,500.00.

 

(b)        Late Fees . Borrower agrees to pay a late payment service charge in an amount equal to five percent (5.0%) of any installment of principal or interest, including the balloon payment, not received by the Lender within ten (10) days after the date due.

 

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(c)        Guarantee Fee . On the date hereof, Borrower agrees to pay the $34,125.00 Guarantee Fee to the SBA.

 

2.3 Interest and Payments . Monthly payments and interest shall be in conformance with the provisions of the Note.

 

2.4 Maturity . All unpaid principal of the Note and all interest accrued thereon shall be due and payable on February 28, 2024 (the “ Maturity Date ”).

 

2.5 Computations . Interest on the Note and any other compensation payable to Lender thereunder shall be computed on a 365/360 basis; that is, by applying the ratio of the annual interest rate over a year of 360 days, multiplied by the outstanding principal balance, multiplied by the actual number of days the principal balance is outstanding.

 

2.6 Construction Provisions . Borrower shall construct the Project in accordance with the following:

 

(a)       In the construction of a new building or an addition to an existing building for the Project, the construction must conform with the “National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program Recommended Provisions for the Development of Seismic Regulations for New Buildings” (NEHRP), or a building code that SBA has identified as having substantially equivalent provisions. Borrower shall provide Lender with evidence of compliance with these requirements, in form acceptable to Lender.

 

(b)       Lender may charge Borrower a one-time fee not to exceed 2% of the portion of the Loan designated for construction. The actual fee must not exceed the cost of the extra service.

 

(c)       Prior to closing, if an “as completed” appraisal was obtained prior to construction, Borrower must obtain a statement from the appraiser after construction is completed that the building was built with only minor deviations (if any) from the plans and specifications upon which the original estimate of value was based.

 

(d)       Prior to the commencement of any construction, Borrower must provide Lender with:

 

(1) Bonds — Evidence that the contractor has furnished a 100% performance bond and labor and materials payment bond. Only a corporate surety approved by the Treasury Department using an American Institute of Architect’s form or comparable coverage may issue these bonds. Only Borrower may be named as obligee on the bonds.

 

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(2) Insurance — Evidence that contractor carries appropriate Builder’s Risk and Worker’s Compensation Insurance, as determined by Lender.

 

(3) Injection — Evidence that Borrower has injected funds into the Project in the amount no less than $736,000.00.

 

(4) Plans and Specifications — Provide final plans and specifications for Lender review and approval.

 

(5) Construction Contract — One (1) copy of a construction contract with a contractor reasonably acceptable to Lender at a specified price not to exceed $570,000.00. The contract must include an agreement that Borrower will not order or permit any material changes in the approved plans and specifications without prior written consent of Lender and the surety providing the required bonds.

 

(e)       Borrower must also:

 

(1) Cost Overrunds — Provide Lender with evidence of Borrower’s ability to pay cost overrunds or additional construction financing expenses prior to approving any contract modification.

 

(2) Inspection — In addition to the inspection requirements contained in Section 2.7, allow Lender to make interim and final inspections to determine that construction conforms to the plans and specifications.

 

(3) Codes and Permits — Provide Lender with evidence that the Project, when completed, will comply with all state and local building and zoning codes, and applicable licensing and permit requirements.

 

(4) Compliance Form — Provide Lender with SBA Form 601, Applicant’s Agreement of Compliance.

 

(5) Lien Waivers — In addition to the lien waiver requirements contained in Section 2.7, provide Lender with lien waivers or releases from all materialmen, contractors, and subcontractors involved in the construction.

 

(6) Construction Safeguards — Take all normal other construction loan safeguards appropriate for the Loan, as determined by Lender.

 

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2.7 Advances . In addition to the provisions contained in this Section 2, all advances of the Loan shall be made in accordance with and Borrower shall provide to Lender the following:

 

(a)        Advance Documentation . At such time Borrower desires to use proceeds from the Loan to pay for the Project, Borrower shall provide Lender sufficient and reasonable documentation setting forth evidence to support the amount to be paid for the Project.

 

(b)        Project Budget . Borrower shall provide Lender a budget for all improvements at the Property for the Project (each, a “ Project Budget ” and collectively, the “ Project Budgets ”), which shall contain additional columns to list each of the following: i) the change, if any, in the line item from the original such Project Budget; ii) the amount of the current draw for each line item; iii) the amount drawn to date, including the current draw request, for each line item; and iv) the amount remaining to be drawn for each line item.

 

(c)        Borrowing Procedure for Advances . Provided there is not an Event of Default, Borrower may request cash advances at any time and from time to time up to the aggregate amount of the Loan by submitting to the Lender at least five (5) business days (as determined in the State of Minnesota) before the date of any requested advance all of the items requested in Section 2.7 herein along with a written request for advance delivered to the Lender specifying the use to which the proceeds of such advance will be put and certifying that such amounts are currently payable (excluding retainage, if any) for the Project.

 

Within five (5) business days from receipt of such request along with all the documentation required in the preceding paragraph, the Lender shall advance to the Title Company amounts certified by the Borrower to be currently payable, provided that the Lender shall have the right, at its option, to refuse to make advances should there exist and be continuing an uncured Event of Default.

 

(d)        Advances . All requests for an advance shall be supported by a written certification(s) from Borrower that, based upon a visual physical inspection of the Project at the Property, the work to be paid for with the proceeds of the requested advance has been completed in a good and workmanlike manner and the costs to be paid for with such proceeds have been actually incurred by the Borrower.

 

(e)        Disbursement of Loan Proceeds . The Title Company shall disburse at its discretion either directly to the contractors to be paid or directly to Borrower funds advanced to it in accordance with this Agreement. In the event the Title Company shall fail to disburse any advance within one (1) business day after the date of receipt of such advance from the Lender, the Title Company shall return said advance to the Lender, and interest on such advance shall abate from and after the date of such return. Any amounts advanced to the Title Company and returned by the Title Company to the Lender shall not be deemed to have been advanced against the Note.

 

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(f)        No Change in Title . The Title Company shall not disburse any funds hereunder if there have been any changes in the status of title as set forth in the Title Policy which have not been (i) consented to in writing by Lender, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed, or (ii) with respect to any lien, charge or other encumbrance, discharged by bonding or otherwise. Title Company shall in any event promptly notify Lender of any change in the status of title to the Property. After prior written notice to Lender, Borrower may contest, by appropriate legal or other proceedings conducted in good faith and with due diligence, the amount, validity or application, in whole or in part, of any lien, tax or assessment, or any lien of any laborer, mechanic, materialman, supplier or vendor, or the application to Borrower or the Property of any law or the validity thereof, the assertion or imposition of which, of the failure to pay when due, would constitute an Event of Default.

 

(g)        Forms . The form of request for advance, mechanic’s lien waivers, certificates and any and all other instruments or documents required to be delivered in connection with an advance hereunder shall be in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Lender and the Title Company.

 

(h)        Conditions Precedent to All Advances . The obligation of the Lender to make any advances against the Note shall be subject to the further conditions precedent that on the date of such advance the following statements shall be true in all material respects (the receipt by the Borrower of the proceeds of such advance shall be deemed to constitute a representation or warranty by the Borrower that such statements are true in all material respects):

 

i. The representations and warranties contained in Section 3 hereof are correct on and as of the date of such advance as though made on or as of such date; and

 

ii. No Event of Default, as hereinafter defined, is continuing, or would result from such advance and no event has occurred which with the giving of notice or passage of time or both would mature into an Event of Default hereunder.

 

3.        Representations and Warranties . The Borrower represents, warrants and certifies to Lender that:

 

3.1 Organization, Qualification and Authorization of Titan . Titan is a limited liability company duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware; has the power and authority to own its property and to carry on its business as now being conducted; and is duly qualified and licensed to do business, and is in good standing, in Delaware and California.

 

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3.2 Organization, Qualification and Authorization of First . First is a limited liability company duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware; has the power and authority to own its property and to carry on its business as now being conducted; and is duly qualified and licensed to do business, and is in good standing, in Delaware and California.

 

3.3 Organization, Qualification and Authorization of Corporate Guarantor . Corporate Guarantor is a limited partnership duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Minnesota; has the power arid authority to own its property and to carry on its business as now being conducted; and is duly qualified and licensed to do business, and is in good standing, in Minnesota.

 

3.4 Validity of Obligations . Borrower has full power, right and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement, the Note and all other documents and agreements required to be delivered by it hereunder, as applicable to obtain the credit herein provided for, and to perform and observe each and all of the matters and things provided for in the Loan Documents. The execution and delivery of the Loan Documents and the performance or observance of the terms thereof have been duly authorized by all necessary company action and do not contravene or violate any provision of law or any provision of the Borrower’s organizational documents or any covenant, indenture or agreement of or binding upon Borrower nor require the consent or approval of any governmental entity or agency.

 

3.5 Title to Assets . The Borrower has good and marketable title to all of its property and assets reflected in its most recent balance sheet delivered to the Lender, subject to the encumbrances as therein detailed, and subject to such easements, restrictions, encroachments and other encumbrances to which such assets are customarily subject or which have no material adverse effect on the value or development thereof.

 

3.6 Litigation . No actions, suits or proceedings are pending or, to Borrower’s knowledge, threatened, against or affecting it or them before any court, governmental or administrative body or agency which might result in any material adverse change in the operations, business property, assets or condition (financial or otherwise) of Borrower or which would question the validity of this Agreement or of any action taken or to be taken by the Borrower pursuant to or in connection with this Agreement.

 

3.7 Use of Proceeds . The Borrower shall use the Note proceeds for the Project.

 

3.8 No Events of Default . No Event of Default (as hereinafter defined) has occurred and is continuing as of the date hereof and no event has occurred and is continuing which would be an Event of Default hereunder.

 

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3.9 Financial Condition . The financial statements of the Borrower and each Guarantor heretofore furnished to the Lender, if any, are complete and correct in all material aspects and fairly present the respective financial condition of the Borrower and each Guarantor at the date of such statements, and have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, consistently applied. Since the most recent set of financial statements delivered by the Borrower and each Guarantor to the Lender, if any, there has been no Material Adverse Change in the financial condition of the Borrower or any Guarantor. Material Adverse Change means: (a) a material adverse change in the business, operations, assets, liabilities or condition (financial or otherwise); (b) material impairment of ability to perform obligations under the Loan Documents to which it is a party; or (c) a material impairment of the enforceability or priority of Lender’s lien on any collateral of the Loan as a result of an action or failure to act on the part of Borrower or any Guarantor.

 

3.10 Licenses . The Borrower possesses adequate licenses, permits, franchises, patents, copyrights, trademarks and trade names, or rights thereto, to conduct its business substantially as now conducted and as presently proposed to be conducted.

 

3.11 Taxes . The Borrower has filed all tax returns required to be filed and either paid all taxes shown thereon to be due, including interest and penalties, which are not being contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings, or provided adequate reserves for payment thereof, and the Borrower has no information or knowledge of any objections to or claims for additional taxes in respect of federal income or excise profit tax returns for prior years.

 

3.12 Receipt of Authorization . Borrower has received a copy of the SBA Authorization (SBA 7(a) Guaranteed Loan) for this Loan from Lender (“ Authorization ”), and acknowledges that:

 

(a)       The Authorization is not a commitment by Lender to make a loan to Borrower;

 

(b)       The Authorization is between Lender and SBA and creates no third party rights or benefits to Borrower;

 

(c)       The Note will require Borrower to give Lender prior notice of intent to prepay;

 

(d)       If Borrower defaults on Loan, SBA may be required to pay Lender under the SBA guarantee. SBA may then seek recovery of these funds from Borrower. Under SBA regulations, 13 CFR Part 101, Borrower may not claim or assert against SBA any immunities or defenses available under local law to defeat, modify or otherwise limit Borrower’s obligation to repay to SBA any funds advanced by Lender to Borrower; and

 

(e)       Payments by SBA to Lender under SBA’s guarantee will not apply to the Loan account of Borrower, or diminish the indebtedness of Borrower under the Note or the obligations of any personal guarantor of the Note.

 

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3.13 Adverse Change . That there has been no adverse change in Borrower’s financial condition, organization, operations or fixed assets since the date the Loan application was signed.

 

3.14 Child Support . No principal who owns at least 50% of the ownership or voting interest of the Borrower is delinquent more than 60 days under the terms of any (1) administrative order, (2) court order, or (3) repayment agreement requiring payment of child support.

 

3.15 Current Taxes . Borrower is current (or will be current with any loan proceeds specified for eligible tax payments) on all federal, state, and local taxes, including but not limited to income taxes, payroll taxes, real estate taxes, and sales taxes.

 

3.16 Environmental . For the Property, including any real estate where the Borrower is conducting business operations:

 

(a)       At the time Borrower submitted the Loan application, Borrower was in compliance with all local, state, and federal environmental laws and regulations pertaining to reporting or clean-up of any hazardous substance, hazardous waste, petroleum product, or any other pollutant regulated by State or federal law as hazardous to the environment (“ Contaminant ”), and regarding any permits needed for the creation, storage, transportation or disposal of any Contaminant.

 

(b)       Borrower will continue to comply with these laws and regulations.

 

(c)       Borrower, and all of its principals, have no knowledge of the actual or potential existence of any Contaminant that exists on, at, or under the Property, including groundwater under such Property other than what was disclosed in connection with the Environmental Assessment of the Property.

 

(d)       Until full repayment of Loan, Borrower will promptly notify Lender if it knows or suspects that there has been, or may have been, a release of a Contaminant, in, at or under the Property, including groundwater, or if Borrower or such property are subject to any investigation or enforcement action by any federal, state or local environmental agency (“ Agency ”) pertaining to any Contaminant on, at, or under such Property, including groundwater.

 

(e)       As to any Property owned by Borrower, Borrower indemnifies, and agrees to defend and hold harmless Lender and SBA, and any assigns or successors in interest which take title to the Property, from and against all liabilities, damages, fees, penalties or losses arising out of any demand, claim or suit by any Agency or any other party relating to any Contaminant found on, at or under the Property, including groundwater, regardless of whether such Contaminant resulted from Borrower’s operations.

 

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4.        Affirmative Covenants . The Borrower covenants, certifies and agrees with Lender that so long as any amount remains unpaid on the Note, Borrower will:

 

4.1 Maintain Assets . Maintain and keep its assets, properties and equipment in good repair, working order and condition (wear and tear excepted) and from time to time make or cause to be made all needed renewals, replacements and repairs so that at all times Borrower’s business can be operated efficiently.

 

4.2 Insurance . Insure and keep insured all of its property in an insurable value under all risk in an amount reasonably acceptable to the Lender and carry such other property insurance as is usually carried by persons engaged in the same or similar business, all such insurance, to name the Lender as an additional insured/loss payee with a standard mortgage clause, and from time to time furnish to Lender upon request appropriate evidence of the carrying of such insurance.

 

4.3 Financial Information . Furnish to the Lender:

 

(a)       Within 30 days after the end of each Borrower’s fiscal quarter, a set of financial statements for such previous quarter, including a balance sheet, statement of cash flow, profit and loss statement and related statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

 

(b)       Within 90 days after the end of the calendar year, each Borrower shall cause each individual Guarantor to provide a financial statement for such year, prepared on a basis consistent with such financial statement delivered in connection with origination of the Loan and certified by each respective individual Guarantor;

 

(c)       Within 30 days after the end of Corporate Guarantor’s fiscal quarter, each Borrower shall cause the Corporate Guarantor to deliver a financial statement for the preceding quarter, prepared on a basis consistent with such financial statement, delivered in connection with origination of the Loan and certified by Corporate Guarantor;

 

(d)       As soon as available and in any event within thirty (30) days after such returns are filed (and no later than October 25 th of any year) a copy of the federal and state income tax returns of each Borrower (including all schedules and exhibits) or amendments thereto filed for the immediately preceding year;

 

(e)       As soon as available and in any event within thirty (30) days after such returns are filed (and no later than October 25 th of any year) each Borrower shall cause each Guarantor and the Corporate Guarantor to furnish to Lender a copy of each Guarantor’s and the Corporate Guarantor’s federal and state income tax returns (including all K-1 schedules and exhibits) or amendments thereto filed for the immediately preceding year; and

 

(f)       Such other information as the Lender may reasonably request from time to time.

 

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4.4 Access to Records . Permit Lender, at Lender’s expense. upon reasonable prior written notice to visit and inspect any of its properties, company books and financial records and to discuss its affairs, finances and accounts with the principal officers of Borrower, all at such reasonable times and as often as Lender may reasonably request.

 

4.5 Taxes, Assessments and Charges . Promptly pay over to the appropriate authorities all sums for taxes deducted and withheld from wages as well as the employer’s contributions and other governmental charges imposed upon or asserted against Borrower’s income, profits, properties and rental charges or otherwise which are or might become a lien charged upon Borrower’s properties, unless the same are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and adequate reserves shall have been established on Borrower’s books with respect thereto.

 

4.6 Notification . Promptly notify the Lender of:

 

(a)       Any litigation actually known to Borrower which might materially and adversely affect Borrower or any Guarantor or the Property;

 

(b)       The occurrence of any Event of Default under this Agreement or any event of which Borrower has knowledge and which, with the passage of time or giving of notice or both, would constitute an Event of Default under this Agreement; and

 

(c)       Any Material Adverse Change in the operations, business, properties, assets or conditions, financial or otherwise, of the Borrower or any Guarantor.

 

4.7 Company Existence . Borrower shall maintain its company existence in compliance with all applicable statutes, laws, rules and regulations.

 

4.8 Books and Records . Keep true and accurate books, records and accounts in accordance with sound accounting and bookkeeping practices.

 

4.9 Reimbursement of Expenses . Promptly reimburse Lender for any and all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses, and all reasonable fees and disbursements, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, incurred in connection with the preparation and performance of this Agreement and the instruments and documents related thereto, any amendments, extensions or modifications of the Loan Documents, and all expenses of collection of the Loan to be .made hereunder, including reasonable attorneys’ fees.

 

4.10 Debt Service Coverage Ratio . Borrower shall maintain a Debt Service Coverage Ratio of 1.25 to 1.0 to be measured annually commencing with calendar year ending December 31, 2015. Debt Service Coverage Ratio shall mean the annual net operating income (NOI) of the Property, divided by the mandatory principal and interest payments under the. Loan during the same period, Borrower shall submit the certificate attached hereto as Exhibit B annually by no later than January 31st of the following year certifying compliance with the Debt Service Coverage Ratio set forth in this Section 4.10 for the preceding calendar year.

 

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4.11 Lease . Borrower agrees not to materially change any material term of the Lease, including the term or rent, without the consent of the Lender and to immediately provide Lender a copy of any notice or correspondence received from Landlord alleging a default by the Borrower, as tenant, under the Lease, Borrower further agrees not to give Landlord a waiver of or release from the performance of any material obligations Landlord may have under the Lease.

 

4.12 Reimbursable Expenses . Reimburse Lender for expenses incurred in the making and administration of the Loan.

 

4.13 Books, Records, and Reports .

 

(a)       Keep proper books of account in a manner satisfactory to Lender;

 

(b)       Furnish year-end statements to Lender within 120 days of fiscal year end;

 

(c)       Furnish additional financial statements or reports whenever Lender requests them; and

 

(d)       Allow Lender or SBA, at Borrower’s expense, to:

 

(1) Inspect and audit books, records and papers relating to Borrower’s financial or business condition; and

 

(2) Inspect and appraise any of Borrower’s assets; and

 

(3) Allow all government authorities to furnish reports of examinations, or any records pertaining to Borrower, upon request by Lender or SBA.

 

4.14 Equal Opportunity . Post SBA Form 722, Equal Opportunity Poster, where it is clearly visible to employees, applicants for employment and the general public.

 

4.15 American-Made Products . To the extent practicable, purchase only American-made equipment and products with the proceeds of the Loan.

 

4.16 Taxes . Pay all federal, state, and local taxes, including income, payroll, real estate and sales taxes of the business when they come due.

 

4.17 Occupancy . Occupy at least 60% of the rentable Property; (b) Continue to Occupy at least 60% of the rentable Property for the term of the Loan; (c) Lease long term no more than 20% of the rentable Property to one or more tenants for business or residential use; (d) Plan to occupy within three years some of the remaining rentable Property not immediately occupied or leased long term; (e) Plan to occupy within ten years all of the rentable Property not immediately occupied or leased long term; and (f) will not use Loan proceeds to improve the space not immediately occupied by Borrower to enhance the leasehold value to tenant beyond that necessary for the Borrower’s’ intended use as a future occupant under (d) and (e) above, or to enhance the leasehold value to a tenant under (c) above.

 

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4.18 Liquidity . At all times until the Loan is outstanding, Borrower shall cause James Jackson to maintain Liquid Assets of no less than $1,000,000.00. When used herein, “Liquid Assets” shall be defined as assets that can be converted to cash in a short time frame with little to no loss in value.

 

4.19 Tangible Equity . Titan shall maintain at all times while any portion of the Loan is outstanding a minimum tangible equity position of at least $225,000.00, to be tested quarterly, commencing on the first full quarter following the completion of the Project, as determined by Lender.

 

4.20 Debt to Equity . ‘Titan shall not exceed, as of the first full quarter following the closing of the Loan, and each quarter thereafter, a Debt to Equity Ratio of 4:1. Debt to Equity Ratio shall be defined as total liabilities of Titan as to member equity.

 

5.        Negative Covenants . The Borrower hereby covenants, certifies and agrees with the Lender that so long as any amount shall remain unpaid on the Note, Borrower will not:

 

5.1 Merge, Consolidate or Sell (Borrower) . Merge or consolidate with or into another entity, or lease, or sell all or substantially all of its property and business to any other entity or entities without Lender’s written consent. The Borrower or any member in the Borrower shall not sell, dispose or transfer any ownership interest in the Borrower in a single or series of transactions without the express consent of the Lender.

 

5.2 Merge, Consolidate or Sell (Corporate Guarantor) . Allow Corporate Guarantor to merge or consolidate with or into another entity, or lease or sell all or substantially all of its property and business to any other entity or entities without Lender’s written consent, Corporate Guarantor or any partner in Corporate Guarantor shall not sell, dispose or transfer any ownership interest in Corporate Guarantor in a single or series of transactions without the express consent of the Lender.

 

5.3 Default on Other Obligations . Default upon or fail to pay, beyond any applicable periods of grace, any of its other material debts or obligations as the same mature, unless the same are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and adequate reserves shall have been established on Borrower’s books with respect thereto.

 

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5.4 Member Control Agreement . Amend or modify Borrowers’ Member Control Agreement or any organizational documents without Lender’s prior written consent.

 

5.5 Distributions . Make any distribution of company assets that will adversely affect the financial condition of Borrower.

 

5.6 Ownership Changes . Change the ownership structure or interests in the business during the term of the Loan.

 

5.7 Transfer of Assets . Sell, lease, pledge, encumber (except by purchase money liens on property acquired after the date of the Note), or otherwise dispose of any of Borrower’s property or assets, except in the ordinary course of business.

 

5.8 Prohibitions . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, at all Miles that the Loan is outstanding, Borrower shall not do any of the following without Lender’s prior written consent:

 

(a)       make distributions to its members in excess for the payment of taxes;

 

(b)       increase the salary or wage of any member of Borrower by more than three percent (3%) annually; or

 

(c)       purchase within any calendar year fixed assets in excess of the aggregate amount of $50,000.00.

 

6.        Defaults .

 

6.1 Event of Default . Any one or more of the following events shall constitute an Event of Default:

 

(a)        Payment . Borrower shall fail to pay, within ten (10) days of when due any payments due under the Note; or

 

(b)        Other Payments . Borrower shall fail to pay any amounts other than those set forth in Section 6.1(a) herein required by the Borrower under the Loan Documents when due; or

 

(c)        Other Covenants or Agreements Herein . Borrower shall default in the due performance or observance of any term, covenant or agreement contained in this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents (other than payments under the Note) and such default shall continue for a period of thirty (30) days after written notice thereof shall have been given by Lender to Borrower, or, if such default does not consist of the non-payment of money and cannot reasonably be cured within thirty (30) days, for such longer period of time not exceeding sixty (60) days as may be necessary to cure such default with the exercise of due diligence so long as Borrower is diligently proceeding to cure such default; or

 

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(d)        Insolvency . Borrower or any Guarantor shall: (i) become Insolvent; (ii) suspend business; (iii) make a general assignment for the benefit of its or their creditors; (iv) admit in writing its, his or their inability to pay its, his or their debts generally as they mature; (v) file a petition in bankruptcy or a petition or answer seeking a reorganization, arrangement with creditors or other similar relief under the Federal bankruptcy laws or under any other applicable law of the United States of America or any State thereof; (vi) consent to the appointment of a trustee or receiver for Borrower or the Guarantor or for a substantial part of its, his or their property; (vii) be adjudicated a bankrupt or fail to cause an involuntary petition in bankruptcy to be dismissed within sixty (60) days after the filing thereof; (viii) take any action for the purpose of effecting or consenting to any of the foregoing; or (ix) have an order, judgment or decree entered appointing a trustee, conservator or receiver for Borrower or for a substantial part of its property, or approving a petition filed against Borrower seeking a reorganization, arrangement with creditors or other similar relief under the Federal bankruptcy laws or under any other applicable law of the United States of America or any State hereof, which order, judgment or decree shall not be vacated or set aside or stayed within sixty (60) days from the date of entry. For the purposes of this Section, “ Insolvent ” means that the present fair saleable value of assets is less than the amount that will be required to pay the probable liability on existing Debts as they become absolute and matured. For the purposes of this Section, “ Debts ” includes any legal liability for indebtedness, whether matured or unmatured, liquidated or unliquidated, absolute, fixed or contingent; or

 

(e)        Representations and Warranties . If any material representation or warranty contained in this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents or any letter or certificate furnished or to be furnished to the Lender by the Borrower or any Guarantor pursuant to this Agreement proves to be false in any material respect as of the date executed or delivered to Lender; or

 

(f)        Judgments . Judgments against Borrower or any Guarantor for the payment of money totaling in excess of $100,000.00 shall be outstanding for a period of sixty (60) clays without a stay of execution; or

 

(g)        Material Adverse Change . Any Material Adverse Change shall occur in the condition (financial or otherwise) of the Borrower or any Guarantor which, in the reasonable opinion of the Lender, materially increases its risk with respect to the Note; or

 

(h)        Other Agreements . Borrower and/or any Guarantor, alone or collectively, default under the terms and conditions of any other agreements with or indebtedness to the Lender.

 

(i)        Loan Documents . Borrower and/or any Guarantor, alone or collectively, default under the terms and conditions of any of the Loan Documents or any other agreements with respect to the Loan.

 

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6.2 Lender’s Right on Default . Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default, Lender may, at its option: (a) refuse to advance against the Note; (b) accelerate amounts outstanding on the Note and demand their immediate payment in full without presentment or other demand, protest, notice of dishonor or any other notice of any kind, all of which are expressly waived; (c) take such other reasonable actions available under the terms of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents; and (d) take such other reasonable actions as may otherwise be available in equity or at law. All remedies of the Lender shall be cumulative.

 

7.        Miscellaneous .

 

7.1 Binding Effect . The parties hereto agree that this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of their respective successors in interest and assigns including any holder of the Note, provided, however, that Borrower may not assign or transfer its interest hereunder without the prior written consent of the Lender.

 

7.2 Governing Law . This Agreement and the rights and obligations of the parties hereunder and under the Note, as applicable, and any other Loan Documents, shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the laws of the State of Minnesota. Borrower hereby consents to the jurisdiction of the courts of the State of Minnesota for any actions brought hereon or on the Note, as applicable. Notwithstanding the foregoing or anything to the contrary contained herein, the Loan secured by this lien was made under an SBA nationwide program which uses tax dollars to assist small business owner. If the United States is seeking to enforce this document, then under SBA regulations:

 

(a)       When SBA is the holder of the Note, this document and all documents evidencing or securing this Loan will be construed in accordance with federal law.

 

(b)       Lender or SBA may use local or state procedures for purposes such as filing papers, recording documents, giving notice, foreclosing liens, and other purposes. By using these procedures, SBA does not waive any federal immunity from local or state control, penalty, tax or liability. No Borrower or Guarantor may claim or assert against SBA any local or state law to deny any obligation of Borrower, or defeat any claim of SBA with respect to this Loan.

 

Any clause in this document requiring arbitration is not enforceable when SBA is the holder of the Note secured by this instrument.

 

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7.3 Notices . Any notices required or contemplated hereunder shall be effective upon the placing thereof in the United States mail, certified mail and with return receipt requested, postage prepaid, and addressed as follows:

 

If to Borrower:                                 TITAN EL TORO LLC
315 East Lake Street, Suite 301
Wayzata, Minnesota 55391
Attn: Scott Honour

 

FIRSTCNG LLC
315 East Lake Street, Suite 301
Wayzata, Minnesota 55391
Attn: Scott Honour

 

If to Lender:                                     Tradition Capital Bank
7601 France Avenue South, Suite 140
Edina, Minnesota 55435
Attn: Vonda Wurzburger

 

With a Copy to:                                Messerli & Kramer P.A.
1400 Fifth Street Towers
100 South Fifth Street
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55402-1217
Attn: Michelle R. Jester, Esq.

 

7.4 Offset . Borrower hereby grants to Lender a security interest in all accounts of Borrower with the Lender. Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default, Lender is authorized at any time and from time to time without notice to Borrower, to set off any and all deposits, and any other indebtedness at any time held or owing by Lender, to or for the credit or the account of Borrower, against the obligations and liabilities of Borrower to Lender under this Agreement and the Note, as applicable.

 

7.5 No Waivers . No failure or delay on the part of Lender exercising any right, power or privilege hereunder and no course of dealing between Borrower and Lender shall operate as a waiver thereof; nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right, power, or privilege hereunder preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or privilege.

 

7.6 Counterpart Signatures . This Agreement May be executed in any number of counterparts and by different parties hereto on separate counterparts, each of which counterparts, when so executed and delivered, shall be deemed to be an original and all of which counterparts, taken together, shall constitute one and the same Agreement.

 

7.7 Headings . The headings of various sections of this Agreement have been inserted for reference only and shall not be deemed to be a part of this Agreement.

 

7.8 Amendment and Waiver . Neither this Agreement nor any provision hereof may be modified, waived, discharged or terminated orally, but only by an instrument in writing signed by the party against whom enforcement of the change, waiver, discharge or termination is sought.

 

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7.9 Participations . Lender shall have the right to grant participations in the Loan to one or more other lending institutions, and such participants shall be entitled to the benefits of this Agreement, to the same extent as if they were a direct party hereto; provided, however, that no such participation by any such participant shall in any way affect the obligation of the Lender under the Loan; and provided further that no such participant shall be entitled to receive payment hereunder of any amount greater than the amount which would have been payable had the Lender not granted a participation to such participant.

 

7.10 OFAC Lists . Borrower represents and warrants to Lender that: (i) no Related Entity is (and to Borrower’s knowledge after diligent inquiry, no other person holding any legal or beneficial interest whatsoever in Borrower, directly or indirectly, is) included in, owned by, controlled by, acting for or on behalf of, providing assistance, support, sponsorship, or services of any kind to, or otherwise associated with any of the persons referred to or described in any list of persons, entities, and governments issued by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the United States Department of the Treasury (“OFAC”) pursuant to Executive Order 13224 ˗ Blocking Property and prohibiting Transactions with Persons Who Commit, Threaten to Commit, or Support Terrorism, as amended (“ Executive Order 13224 ”), or any similar list issued by OFAC or any other department or agency of the United States of America (collectively, the “ OFAC Lists ”); and (ii) none of the Related Entities are controlled by, acting for or on behalf of, providing assistance, support, sponsorship, or services of any kind to, or otherwise associated with any of the persons referred to or described in any list of persons, entities, and governments issued by OFAC pursuant to Executive Order 13224, or any other OFAC Lists. “ Related Entity ” shall mean Borrower, Guarantor, or any member of Borrower or Guarantor and any other affiliate of Borrower and Guarantor which directly or indirectly owns any legal or beneficial interest in Borrower.

 

7.11 Compliance with Anti-Terrorism Regulations .

 

(a)       Borrower hereby covenants and agrees that: (i) no Related Entity will be included in, owned by, controlled by, act for or on behalf of, provide assistance, support, sponsorship, or services of any kind to, or otherwise associated with any of the persons referred to or described in any list of persons, entities, and governments issued by OFAC pursuant to Executive Order 13224 or any other OFAC Lists; and (ii) none of the Related Entities will be controlled by, act for or on behalf of, provide assistance, support, sponsorship, or services of any kind to, or otherwise associate with any of the persons referred to or described in any list of persons, entities, and governments issued by OFAC pursuant to Executive Order 13224, or any other OFAC lists.

 

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(b)       Borrower hereby covenants and agrees that it will comply at all times with the requirements of Executive Order 13224; the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, 50 U.S.C. Section 1701-06; the United and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001, Pub, L. 107-56; the Iraqi Sanctions Act, Pub. L. 101-513, 104 Stat. 2047-55; the United Nations Participation Act, 22 U.S.C. Section 287c; the Antiterrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act, (enacting 8 U.S.C. Section 219, 18 U.S.C. Section 2332d, and 18 U.S.C. Section 2339b); the International Security and Development Cooperation Act, 22 U.S.C. Section 2349 aa-9; the Terrorism Sanctions Regulations, 31 C.F.R. Part 595; the Terrorism List Government Sanctions Regulations, 31 C.F.R, Part 596; and the Foreign Terrorist Organizations Sanctions Regulations, 31 C.F.R. Part 597 and any similar laws or regulation currently in force or hereafter enacted (collectively, the “ Anti-Terrorism Regulations ”).

 

(c)       Borrower hereby covenants and agrees that if it becomes aware or receives any notice that any Related Entity is named on any of the OFAC Lists (such occurrence, an “ OFAC Violation ”), Borrower will immediately (1) give notice to Lender of such OFAC Violation, and (ii) comply with all laws applicable to such OFAC Violation (regardless of whether the party included on any of the OFAC Lists is located within the jurisdiction of the United States of America), including without limitation, the Anti-Terrorism Regulations, and Mortgagor hereby authorizes and consents to Lender’s taking any and all steps Lender deems necessary, in it sole discretion, to comply with all Laws applicable to any such OFAC Violation, including, without limitation, the requirements of the Anti-Terrorism Regulations (including the “freezing” and/or “blocking” of assets).

 

(d)       Upon Lender’s request from time to time during the term of the Loan, Borrower agrees to deliver a certification confirming that the representations and warranties set forth in Section 7.10 above remain true and correct as of the date of such certificate and confirming Borrower’s compliance with this Section 7.11.

 

7.12 Deposit Account Payments . Borrower shall be required to maintain its primary deposit account for operation of this Property with the Lender while any portion of the Loan is outstanding. Lender may automatically deduct monthly payments due under the Note from the foregoing deposit account, and Borrower shall be responsible for assuring a sufficient amount is in such account to timely make the payments as due under the Note. Borrower hereby consents and agrees that Lender may automatically deduct monthly payments due under the Note from Direct Debit Account #15106537, and Borrower shall be responsible for assuring a sufficient amount is in such account to timely make the payments as due under the Note.

 

7.13 Binding Agreement . The Borrower agrees that it has fully read and understands this Agreement and the Loan Documents and acknowledges that this Agreement and the Loan Documents are binding upon Borrower and its successors and its assigns. The Borrower acknowledges that it had the opportunity to consult with legal counsel of its choosing prior to execution of this Agreement and the Loan Documents and the Borrower has acted of its own free will.

 

[THE REMAINDER OF THIS PAGE IS INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK. SIGNATURE PAGE TO FOLLOW.]

 

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Executed in Minneapolis, Minnesota, as of the year and day first above written.

 

  BORROWER:
   
  TITAN EL TORO LLC,
  a Delaware limited liability company
     
  By: /s/ Kirk S. Honour
    Kirk S. Honour
  Its: President
     
  FIRSTCNG LLC,
  a Delaware limited liability company
     
     
  By: /s/ Kirk S. Honour
    Kirk S. Honour
  Its: President
     
  LENDER:
     
  TRADITION CAPITAL BANK,
a Minnesota banking corporation
      
  By: /s/ Vonda Wurzburger 
    Vonda Wurzburger
  Its: Senior Vice President

 

 

 

EXHIBIT A

 

Legal Description

 

THAT PORTION OF’ LOT A OF THE BALDWIN AND BRIDGER’S SUBDIVISION OF THE RANCHO CANADA DE LOS ALISOS, RECORDED IN BOOK 1 PAGE 79 OF MISCELLANEOUS MAPS, RECORDS OF ORANGE COUNTY, CALIFORNIA, DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS:

 

BEGINNING AT A POINT IN THE CENTER LINE OF THE ROAD TO EL TORO RAILROAD STATION, AS SHOWN ON SAID MAP, DISTANCE NORTH 45° 59’ 00” EAST

 

354.80 FEET FROM THE POINT OF INTERSECTION OF SAID ROAD WITH THE CENTER LINE OF THE CALIFORNIA STATE HIGHWAY, AS DESCRIBED IN DEED TO THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA, RECORDED NOVEMBER 24, 1914 IN BOOK 262 PAGE 224 OF DEEDS; THENCE NORTH 44° 01’ 00” WEST 30.00 FEET; THENCE NORTH 89° 13’ 00” WEST 21.29 FEET; THENCE NORTH 44° 24’ 25” WEST 150.00 FEET; THENCE NORTH 45° 59’ 00” EAST 135.00 FEET; THENCE SOUTH 44° 24’ 25” EAST 195.00 FEET TO A POINT IN THE CENTERLINE OF SAID EL TORO RAILROAD STATION ROAD; THENCE ALONG SAID CENTERLINE, SOUTH 45° 59’ 00” WEST 120.21 FEET TO THE POINT OF BEGINNING.

 

EXCEPTING THEREFROM THOSE PORTIONS CONVEYED TO THE CITY OF LAKE FOREST BY FINAL ORDER OF CONDEMNATION FOR THE PURPOSE OF THE EL TORO ROAD TRAFFIC AND LANDSCAPING IMPROVEMENT PROJECT, SAID FINAL ORDER BEING RECORDED AUGUST 9, 2006, AS INSTRUMENT NUMBER 2006000531657, OF OFFICIAL RECORDS.

 

APN: 617-053-05

 

EXHIBIT A

 

 

 

EXHIBIT B

 

Debt Service Coverage Ratio Compliance Certificate

 

(attached)

 

 

 

EXHIBIT B-1

 

 

 

COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE

 

I,           , the                                  of TITAN EL TORO LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and FIRSTCNG LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (collectively, the “ Borrower ”), acting on behalf of the Borrower under that certain Loan Agreement dated December ___, 2014 (as amended from time to time, the “ Agreement ”), hereby certify to TRADITION CAPITAL BANK, a Minnesota banking corporation (the “ Lender ”), as follows (all capitalized terms used herein have the meanings given to them in the Agreement):

 

As of the close of business on                            , 20___, the following amounts and ratios were true and correct as detailed on Exhibit A to this Certificate and attached hereto:

 

Debt Service Coverage

 

a.  Net Operating Income for period of determination

$ ______________

b.  Debt Service for period of determination

$ ______________

c.  Coverage ratio (a / b)

$ ______________

d.  Required 1.25

 

As of the date of this Certificate, no event has occurred which constitutes a Default or an Event of Default, each as defined in the Agreement.

 

Dated:   ________________ , 20____   TITAN EL TORO LLC,
      a Delaware limited liability company
         
      By:  
      Print Name:    
      Its:  
         
      FIRSTCNG LLC,
      a Delaware limited liability company
         
      By:  
      Print Name:   
      Its:  

 

 

EXHIBIT B-2

 

 

 

Exhibit 4.2

 

THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS INSTRUMENT HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, AND MAY NOT BE SOLD, TRANSFERRED, ASSIGNED, PLEDGED, OR HYPOTHECATED UNLESS AND UNTIL REGISTERED UNDER SUCH ACT, OR UNLESS THE DEBTOR HAS RECEIVED AN OPINION OF COUNSEL OR OTHER EVIDENCE, SATISFACTORY TO THE DEBTOR AND ITS COUNSEL, THAT SUCH REGISTRATION IS NOT REQUIRED.

 

THIS NOTE IS ISSUED WITH ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNT AS DEFINED BY SECTION 1273(a)(1) OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1986, AS AMENDED. THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION IS PROVIDED PURSUANT TO THE INFORMATION REPORTING REQUIREMENTS SET FORTH IN TREASURY REGULATION 1.1275-3.

 

UPON WRITTEN REQUEST TO KIRK HONOUR OF TITAN CNG LLC, AT 315 LAKE STREET E., SUITE 301, WAYZATA, MN 55391 INFORMATION REGARDING THE ISSUE PRICE, AMOUNT OF ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNT, ISSUE DATE AND YIELD TO MATURITY WILL PROMPTLY BE MADE AVAILABLE.

 

THIS JUNIOR BRIDGE NOTE IS ONE IN A SERIES OF SECURED BRIDGE NOTES BEING ISSUED IN CONNECTION WITH A BRIDGE FINANCING OF UP TO $1,169,000, AND ANY PAYMENTS AND ACCESS TO COLLATERAL WILL BE ON A PARI PASSU BASIS WITH SUCH OTHER JUNIOR BRIDGE NOTES.

 

JUNIOR BRIDGE NOTE

 

$263,338 January 1, 2016

Minneapolis, Minnesota

 

FOR VALUE RECEIVED, TITAN CNG LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Debtor”), promises to pay to the order of the Alpeter Family Limited Partnership (“Holder”), the principal sum of $263,338, together with interest, in the manner provided in this Note.

 

1.            Repayment of Principal . All outstanding principal, if not previously paid, will be due and payable on December 31, 2020 (the “Stated Maturity Date”).

 

2.            Interest .

 

2.1          Interest will accrue on all outstanding unpaid amounts evidenced by this Note at an interest rate of 12% per year; provided that if written notice is given by Holder to Debtor of the occurrence of an Event of Default (as defined below), and if Debtor fails to cure the Event of Default within ten (10) days after receipt of such notice, the interest rate will increase to 15% per year.

 

 

 

2.2          All interest will be computed on the basis of a 365-day year containing 12 months, counting the actual number of days in each month. Except as otherwise provided in Section 2.4, all interest will be payable in kind on (and thereby increase) the outstanding principal amount of this Note (as such principal is increased from time to time) until the Stated Maturity Date. All accrued interest will be due and payable on the Stated Maturity Date.

 

2.3          In the event that the Note is prepaid prior to the Stated Maturity Date, a minimum amount of interest equal to four months’ interest will be deemed payable under this Note.

 

2.4          Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, if the aggregate amount of accrued but unpaid interest (including payable in kind interest) on this Note and all unpaid original issue discount on this Note as of the Stated Maturity Date would, but for this provision, exceed an amount equal to the product of:

 

(a)       the issue price (as defined in Sections 1273(b) and 1274(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”)) of this Note; and

 

(b)       the yield to maturity (interpreted in accordance with Section 163(i) of the Code) of this Note (such product, the “Maximum Accrual”),

 

then all accrued and unpaid interest (including the payable in kind interest) and original issue discount on this Note in excess of an amount equal to the Maximum Accrual shall be paid in cash prior to the Stated Maturity Date.

 

It is the intent of the parties that the cash payments required by this Section 2.4 will cause this Note to not be classified as “applicable high yield discount obligations” within the meaning of Section 163(i) of the Code. To the extent that for any reason these provisions do not accomplish this purpose, the parties may modify the payment terms in this Section 2.4 to accomplish the purpose.

 

3.            Method of Payment for Principal and Interest . All payments with respect to this Note will be made by wire transfer, in immediately available funds, to such account as Holder may specify in writing, without any presentation of this Note. Each payment with respect to this Note will be applied (i) first, to any fees, expenses or other amounts (other than principal and interest) due under this Note, (ii) second, to accrued interest, and (iii) third, to outstanding principal. Whenever any payment to be made under this Note is due on a Saturday, Sunday or holiday for banks under the laws of the State of Delaware, such payment may be made on the next succeeding bank business day, and such extension of time will in such case be included in the computation of the amount of interest due.

 

4.            Equity . From and after the occurrence of any Event of Default and until such Event of Default is remedied to the reasonable satisfaction of Holder, Debtor will issue Holder no Class A Membership Units (as defined in the Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company of Debtor (the “LLC Agreement”)) on the date of such Event of Default and each 90 day interval thereafter until all amounts due and owing under this Note have been paid in full.

 

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5.            Events of Default . An “Event of Default” means any of the following:

 

5.1          The failure to pay any principal of, and interest on or any other amount due under this Note when and as the same will become due and payable, whether at the due date thereof or at a date fixed for prepayment thereof or by acceleration thereof or otherwise and such failure continues unremedied for a period of two business days.

 

5.2          A material default by Debtor or any entity in which Debtor controls or owns a majority of the outstanding equity interest therein (each a “Subsidiary” and collectively along with each other Subsidiary and the Debtor, the “Debtor Group” and each individually a “Debtor Group Member”) in the performance or observance of any covenant, condition, undertaking or agreement contained in this Note, and such default continues for a period of 30 days after notice by Holder to Debtor of such default.

 

5.3          If, pursuant to or within the meaning of the United States Bankruptcy Code or any other federal or state law relating to insolvency or relief of debtors (a “Bankruptcy Law”), a Debtor Group Member (a) commences a voluntary case or proceeding; (b) consents to the entry of an order for relief against a Debtor Group Member in an involuntary case; (c) consents to the appointment of a trustee, receiver, assignee, liquidator or similar official; (d) makes an assignment for the benefit of the creditors of any Debtor Group Member; or (e) admits in writing Debtor Group Member’s inability to pay its debts as they become due.

 

5.4          If a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under any Bankruptcy Law that (a) is for relief against a Debtor Group Member in an involuntary case, (b) appoints a trustee, receiver, assignee, liquidator or similar official for Debtor or substantially all of a Debtor Group Member’s properties, or (c) orders the liquidation of a Debtor Group Member and in each case the order or decree is not dismissed within 90 days.

 

5.5          A Debtor Group Member shall fail to discharge within a period of thirty (30) days after the commencement thereof any attachment, sequestration, or similar proceeding or proceedings involving an aggregate amount in excess of One Hundred Thousand and No/100 Dollars ($100,000.00) against any of its assets or properties.

 

5.6          A Debtor Group Member shall fail to satisfy and discharge promptly any judgment or judgments against it for the payment of money in an aggregate amount in excess of One Hundred Thousand and No/100 Dollars ($100,000.00).

 

5.7          A Debtor Group Member shall default in the payment of any of its indebtedness having an aggregate principal amount in excess of One Hundred Thousand and No/100 Dollars ($100,000.00), beyond any applicable grace period, or shall default, in any material respect, in its performance of any material agreement binding upon it or its property.

 

3

 

 

6.            Remedies .

 

6.1          From and after the occurrence of any Event of Default, Holder will be entitled to: (a) by written notice to the Debtor, declare all indebtedness evidenced by this Note to be immediately due and payable; (b) apply any and all amounts owed to Debtor by the Holder to the payment of this Note; (c) exercise and enforce its rights and remedies under this Note; and (d) proceed to protect and enforce its rights under applicable law.

 

6.2          No course of dealing on the part of Holder or any delay or failure on the part of Holder to exercise any right will operate as a waiver of such right or otherwise prejudice the Holder’s rights, powers and remedies.

 

6.3          Debtor will pay to Holder such additional amounts as are sufficient to cover the costs and expenses, including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys’ fees, incurred by Holder in collecting any sums due on account of this Note or otherwise in enforcing its rights hereunder.

 

7.            Optional Prepayments . Subject to the minimum interest payment set forth in Section 2.3, the indebtedness evidenced by this Note may be prepaid, in whole or in part, at any time.

 

8.            General .

 

8.1          Payment of principal or interest on this Note may only be made to, or upon the order of, the registered Holder. This Note is transferable only by surrender of this Note to the Debtor, duly endorsed or accompanied by a written instrument of transfer executed by the registered Holder. Upon surrender of this Note for transfer as provided above, Debtor will issue a new Note to, and register such new Note in the name of, the transferee and such new Note must contain the same legend as provided in this Note.

 

8.2           Debtor:

 

(a)       except as provided in Section 6, waives diligence, presentment, demand for payment, notice of dishonor, notice of non-payment, protest, notice of protest, and any and all other demands in connection with the delivery, acceptance, performance, default or enforcement of this Note;

 

(b)       agrees that Holder will have the right, without notice, to grant any extension of time for payment of any indebtedness evidenced by this Note or any other indulgence or forbearance whatsoever;

 

(c)       agrees that no failure on the part of Holder to exercise any power, right or privilege hereunder, or to insist upon prompt compliance with the terms of this Note, will constitute a waiver of that power, right or privilege; and

 

(d)       agrees that the acceptance at any time by Holder of any past due amounts will not be deemed to be a waiver of the requirement to make prompt payment when due of any other amounts then or thereafter due and payable.

 

4

 

 

8.3          This Note will be construed and enforced in accordance with the substantive laws of the State of Delaware without giving effect to the conflicts of laws principles of any jurisdiction.

 

8.4          AT THE OPTION OF HOLDER, THIS NOTE MAY BE ENFORCED IN ANY STATE OR FEDERAL COURT SITTING IN MINNEAPOLIS OR ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA, AND DEBTOR CONSENTS TO THE JURISDICTION AND VENUE OF ANY SUCH COURT AND WAIVES ANY ARGUMENT THAT VENUE IN SUCH FORUMS IS NOT CONVENIENT. IN THE EVENT DEBTOR COMMENCES AN ACTION IN ANOTHER JURISDICTION OR VENUE UNDER ANY TORT OR CONTRACT THEORY ARISING DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY FROM THE RELATIONSHIP CREATED BY THIS NOTE, OR ALLEGING ANY BREACH OF THIS NOTE, HOLDER AT ITS OPTION IS ENTITLED TO HAVE THE CASE TRANSFERRED TO ONE OF THE JURISDICTIONS AND VENUES DESCRIBED ABOVE, OR IF SUCH TRANSFER CANNOT BE ACCOMPLISHED UNDER APPLICABLE LAW, TO HAVE SUCH CASE DISMISSED WITHOUT PREJUDICE.

 

8.5          DEBTOR WAIVES THE RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION BASED ON OR PERTAINING TO THIS NOTE.

 

8.6          This Note is being issued in exchange for mezzanine debt in Titan El Toro LLC plus approximately 80% of the membership interests in Titan El Toro LLC and pursuant to a Contribution Agreement of even date herewith (the “Contribution Agreement”). In addition, this Note is secured by a subordinate security interest on substantially all of the assets of the Debtor, including accounts receivable and rights to payment, which will remain in effect until such Notes are repaid.

 

8.7           Debtor and Holder agree that (a) this Note and the membership interests of Debtor being issued to Holder pursuant to the Contribution Agreement constitute an “investment unit” for purposes of Section 1273(c)(2)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, (b) the total issue price of the investment unit being issued to Holder is equal to the principal amount of this Note, and (c) for tax purposes, the allocation of the total issue price among this Note and the membership interests in proportion to its fair market value results in an original issue discount. None of the parties will take any position in its tax returns or otherwise that is inconsistent with this paragraph.

 

8.8           Acknowledgement of Bridge Financing . Holder acknowledges and agrees that (a) this Note is one in a series of Junior Bridge Notes (collectively, the “Bridge Financing”), (b) Debtor may seek up to $1,169,000 in connection with the Bridge Financing, and (c) Holder will exchange this Note and the documents and agreements executed in connection herewith for updated documents and agreements that reflect any change to Holder’s pro rata percentage of the outstanding balance under the Bridge Financing.

 

* * * * *

 

5

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Debtor has caused this Note to be signed by a duly authorized officer and dated as of the date first above written.

 

        TITAN CNG LLC
             
        By: /s/ Kirk S. Honour
          Name: Kirk S. Honour
          Its: President
             
Acknowledged and Agreed:        
             
THE ALPETER FAMILY LIMITED PARTNERSHIP      
             
By: /s/ Steven Alpeter        
  Name: Steven Alpeter        
  Its: Limited Partner        

 

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 4.3

 

THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS INSTRUMENT HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, AND MAY NOT BE SOLD, TRANSFERRED, ASSIGNED, PLEDGED, OR HYPOTHECATED UNLESS AND UNTIL REGISTERED UNDER SUCH ACT, OR UNLESS THE DEBTOR HAS RECEIVED AN OPINION OF COUNSEL OR OTHER EVIDENCE, SATISFACTORY TO THE DEBTOR AND ITS COUNSEL, THAT SUCH REGISTRATION IS NOT REQUIRED.

 

THIS NOTE IS ISSUED WITH ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNT AS DEFINED BY SECTION 1273(a)(1) OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1986, AS AMENDED. THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION IS PROVIDED PURSUANT TO THE INFORMATION REPORTING REQUIREMENTS SET FORTH IN TREASURY REGULATION 1.1275-3.

 

UPON WRITTEN REQUEST TO KIRK HONOUR OF TITAN CNG LLC, AT 315 LAKE STREET E., SUITE 301, WAYZATA, MN 55391 INFORMATION REGARDING THE ISSUE PRICE, AMOUNT OF ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNT, ISSUE DATE AND YIELD TO MATURITY WILL PROMPTLY BE MADE AVAILABLE.

 

THIS JUNIOR BRIDGE NOTE IS ONE IN A SERIES OF SECURED BRIDGE NOTES BEING ISSUED IN CONNECTION WITH A BRIDGE FINANCING OF UP TO $1,169,000, AND ANY PAYMENTS AND ACCESS TO COLLATERAL WILL BE ON A PARI PASSU BASIS WITH SUCH OTHER JUNIOR BRIDGE NOTES.

 

JUNIOR BRIDGE NOTE

 

$10,090 January 1, 2016

Minneapolis, Minnesota

 

FOR VALUE RECEIVED, TITAN CNG LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Debtor”), promises to pay to the order of Brian Clark and Renae Clark (“Holder”), the principal sum of $10,090, together with interest, in the manner provided in this Note.

 

1.            Repayment of Principal . All outstanding principal, if not previously paid, will be due and payable on December 31, 2020 (the “Stated Maturity Date”).

 

2.            Interest .

 

2.1          Interest will accrue on all outstanding unpaid amounts evidenced by this Note at an interest rate of 12% per year; provided that if written notice is given by Holder to Debtor of the occurrence of an Event of Default (as defined below), and if Debtor fails to cure the Event of Default within ten (10) days after receipt of such notice, the interest rate will increase to 15% per year.

 

 

 

2.2          All interest will be computed on the basis of a 365-day year containing 12 months, counting the actual number of days in each month. Except as otherwise provided in Section 2.4, all interest will be payable in kind on (and thereby increase) the outstanding principal amount of this Note (as such principal is increased from time to time) until the Stated Maturity Date. All accrued interest will be due and payable on the Stated Maturity Date.

 

2.3          In the event that the Note is prepaid prior to the Stated Maturity Date, a minimum amount of interest equal to four months’ interest will be deemed payable under this Note.

 

2.4          Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, if the aggregate amount of accrued but unpaid interest (including payable in kind interest) on this Note and all unpaid original issue discount on this Note as of the Stated Maturity Date would, but for this provision, exceed an amount equal to the product of:

 

(a)       the issue price (as defined in Sections 1273(b) and 1274(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”)) of this Note; and

 

(b)       the yield to maturity (interpreted in accordance with Section 163(i) of the Code) of this Note (such product, the “Maximum Accrual”),

 

then all accrued and unpaid interest (including the payable in kind interest) and original issue discount on this Note in excess of an amount equal to the Maximum Accrual shall be paid in cash prior to the Stated Maturity Date.

 

It is the intent of the parties that the cash payments required by this Section 2.4 will cause this Note to not be classified as “applicable high yield discount obligations” within the meaning of Section 163(i) of the Code. To the extent that for any reason these provisions do not accomplish this purpose, the parties may modify the payment terms in this Section 2.4 to accomplish the purpose.

 

3.            Method of Payment for Principal and Interest . All payments with respect to this Note will be made by wire transfer, in immediately available funds, to such account as Holder may specify in writing, without any presentation of this Note. Each payment with respect to this Note will be applied (i) first, to any fees, expenses or other amounts (other than principal and interest) due under this Note, (ii) second, to accrued interest, and (iii) third, to outstanding principal. Whenever any payment to be made under this Note is due on a Saturday, Sunday or holiday for banks under the laws of the State of Delaware, such payment may be made on the next succeeding bank business day, and such extension of time will in such case be included in the computation of the amount of interest due.

 

4.            Equity . From and after the occurrence of any Event of Default and until such Event of Default is remedied to the reasonable satisfaction of Holder, Debtor will issue Holder no Class A Membership Units (as defined in the Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company of Debtor (the “LLC Agreement”)) on the date of such Event of Default and each 90 day interval thereafter until all amounts due and owing under this Note have been paid in full.

 

2

 

 

5.            Events of Default . An “Event of Default” means any of the following:

 

5.1          The failure to pay any principal of, and interest on or any other amount due under this Note when and as the same will become due and payable, whether at the due date thereof or at a date fixed for prepayment thereof or by acceleration thereof or otherwise and such failure continues unremedied for a period of two business days.

 

5.2          A material default by Debtor or any entity in which Debtor controls or owns a majority of the outstanding equity interest therein (each a “Subsidiary” and collectively along with each other Subsidiary and the Debtor, the “Debtor Group” and each individually a “Debtor Group Member”) in the performance or observance of any covenant, condition, undertaking or agreement contained in this Note, and such default continues for a period of 30 days after notice by Holder to Debtor of such default.

 

5.3          If, pursuant to or within the meaning of the United States Bankruptcy Code or any other federal or state law relating to insolvency or relief of debtors (a “Bankruptcy Law”), a Debtor Group Member (a) commences a voluntary case or proceeding; (b) consents to the entry of an order for relief against a Debtor Group Member in an involuntary case; (c) consents to the appointment of a trustee, receiver, assignee, liquidator or similar official; (d) makes an assignment for the benefit of the creditors of any Debtor Group Member; or (e) admits in writing Debtor Group Member’s inability to pay its debts as they become due.

 

5.4          If a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under any Bankruptcy Law that (a) is for relief against a Debtor Group Member in an involuntary case, (b) appoints a trustee, receiver, assignee, liquidator or similar official for Debtor or substantially all of a Debtor Group Member’s properties, or (c) orders the liquidation of a Debtor Group Member and in each case the order or decree is not dismissed within 90 days.

 

5.5          A Debtor Group Member shall fail to discharge within a period of thirty (30) days after the commencement thereof any attachment, sequestration, or similar proceeding or proceedings involving an aggregate amount in excess of One Hundred Thousand and No/100 Dollars ($100,000.00) against any of its assets or properties.

 

5.6          A Debtor Group Member shall fail to satisfy and discharge promptly any judgment or judgments against it for the payment of money in an aggregate amount in excess of One Hundred Thousand and No/100 Dollars ($100,000.00).

 

5.7          A Debtor Group Member shall default in the payment of any of its indebtedness having an aggregate principal amount in excess of One Hundred Thousand and No/100 Dollars ($100,000.00), beyond any applicable grace period, or shall default, in any material respect, in its performance of any material agreement binding upon it or its property.

 

3

 

 

6.            Remedies .

 

6.1          From and after the occurrence of any Event of Default, Holder will be entitled to: (a) by written notice to the Debtor, declare all indebtedness evidenced by this Note to be immediately due and payable; (b) apply any and all amounts owed to Debtor by the Holder to the payment of this Note; (c) exercise and enforce its rights and remedies under this Note; and (d) proceed to protect and enforce its rights under applicable law.

 

6.2          No course of dealing on the part of Holder or any delay or failure on the part of Holder to exercise any right will operate as a waiver of such right or otherwise prejudice the Holder’s rights, powers and remedies.

 

6.3          Debtor will pay to Holder such additional amounts as are sufficient to cover the costs and expenses, including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys’ fees, incurred by Holder in collecting any sums due on account of this Note or otherwise in enforcing its rights hereunder.

 

7.            Optional Prepayments . Subject to the minimum interest payment set forth in Section 2.3, the indebtedness evidenced by this Note may be prepaid, in whole or in part, at any time.

 

8.            General .

 

8.1          Payment of principal or interest on this Note may only be made to, or upon the order of, the registered Holder. This Note is transferable only by surrender of this Note to the Debtor, duly endorsed or accompanied by a written instrument of transfer executed by the registered Holder. Upon surrender of this Note for transfer as provided above, Debtor will issue a new Note to, and register such new Note in the name of, the transferee and such new Note must contain the same legend as provided in this Note.

 

8.2           Debtor:

 

(a)       except as provided in Section 6, waives diligence, presentment, demand for payment, notice of dishonor, notice of non-payment, protest, notice of protest, and any and all other demands in connection with the delivery, acceptance, performance, default or enforcement of this Note;

 

(b)       agrees that Holder will have the right, without notice, to grant any extension of time for payment of any indebtedness evidenced by this Note or any other indulgence or forbearance whatsoever;

 

(c)       agrees that no failure on the part of Holder to exercise any power, right or privilege hereunder, or to insist upon prompt compliance with the terms of this Note, will constitute a waiver of that power, right or privilege; and

 

(d)       agrees that the acceptance at any time by Holder of any past due amounts will not be deemed to be a waiver of the requirement to make prompt payment when due of any other amounts then or thereafter due and payable.

 

4

 

 

8.3          This Note will be construed and enforced in accordance with the substantive laws of the State of Delaware without giving effect to the conflicts of laws principles of any jurisdiction.

 

8.4          AT THE OPTION OF HOLDER, THIS NOTE MAY BE ENFORCED IN ANY STATE OR FEDERAL COURT SITTING IN MINNEAPOLIS OR ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA, AND DEBTOR CONSENTS TO THE JURISDICTION AND VENUE OF ANY SUCH COURT AND WAIVES ANY ARGUMENT THAT VENUE IN SUCH FORUMS IS NOT CONVENIENT. IN THE EVENT DEBTOR COMMENCES AN ACTION IN ANOTHER JURISDICTION OR VENUE UNDER ANY TORT OR CONTRACT THEORY ARISING DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY FROM THE RELATIONSHIP CREATED BY THIS NOTE, OR ALLEGING ANY BREACH OF THIS NOTE, HOLDER AT ITS OPTION IS ENTITLED TO HAVE THE CASE TRANSFERRED TO ONE OF THE JURISDICTIONS AND VENUES DESCRIBED ABOVE, OR IF SUCH TRANSFER CANNOT BE ACCOMPLISHED UNDER APPLICABLE LAW, TO HAVE SUCH CASE DISMISSED WITHOUT PREJUDICE.

 

8.5          DEBTOR WAIVES THE RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION BASED ON OR PERTAINING TO THIS NOTE.

 

8.6          This Note is being issued in exchange for mezzanine debt in Titan El Toro LLC plus approximately 80% of the membership interests in Titan El Toro LLC and pursuant to a Contribution Agreement of even date herewith (the “Contribution Agreement”). In addition, this Note is secured by a subordinate security interest on substantially all of the assets of the Debtor, including accounts receivable and rights to payment, which will remain in effect until such Notes are repaid.

 

8.7           Debtor and Holder agree that (a) this Note and the membership interests of Debtor being issued to Holder pursuant to the Contribution Agreement constitute an “investment unit” for purposes of Section 1273(c)(2)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, (b) the total issue price of the investment unit being issued to Holder is equal to the principal amount of this Note, and (c) for tax purposes, the allocation of the total issue price among this Note and the membership interests in proportion to its fair market value results in an original issue discount. None of the parties will take any position in its tax returns or otherwise that is inconsistent with this paragraph.

 

8.8           Acknowledgement of Bridge Financing . Holder acknowledges and agrees that (a) this Note is one in a series of Junior Bridge Notes (collectively, the “Bridge Financing”), (b) Debtor may seek up to $1,169,000 in connection with the Bridge Financing, and (c) Holder will exchange this Note and the documents and agreements executed in connection herewith for updated documents and agreements that reflect any change to Holder’s pro rata percentage of the outstanding balance under the Bridge Financing.

 

* * * * *

 

5

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Debtor has caused this Note to be signed by a duly authorized officer and dated as of the date first above written.

 

        TITAN CNG LLC
             
        By: /s/ Kirk S. Honour
          Name: Kirk S. Honour
          Its: President

 

Acknowledged and Agreed:  
   
/s/ Brian Clark  
Brian Clark  
   
/s/ Renae Clark  

Renae Clark

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 4.4

 

THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS INSTRUMENT HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, AND MAY NOT BE SOLD, TRANSFERRED, ASSIGNED, PLEDGED, OR HYPOTHECATED UNLESS AND UNTIL REGISTERED UNDER SUCH ACT, OR UNLESS THE DEBTOR HAS RECEIVED AN OPINION OF COUNSEL OR OTHER EVIDENCE, SATISFACTORY TO THE DEBTOR AND ITS COUNSEL, THAT SUCH REGISTRATION IS NOT REQUIRED.

 

THIS NOTE IS ISSUED WITH ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNT AS DEFINED BY SECTION 1273(a)(1) OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1986, AS AMENDED. THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION IS PROVIDED PURSUANT TO THE INFORMATION REPORTING REQUIREMENTS SET FORTH IN TREASURY REGULATION 1.1275-3.

 

UPON WRITTEN REQUEST TO KIRK HONOUR OF TITAN CNG LLC, AT 315 LAKE STREET E., SUITE 301, WAYZATA, MN 55391 INFORMATION REGARDING THE ISSUE PRICE, AMOUNT OF ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNT, ISSUE DATE AND YIELD TO MATURITY WILL PROMPTLY BE MADE AVAILABLE.

 

THIS JUNIOR BRIDGE NOTE IS ONE IN A SERIES OF SECURED BRIDGE NOTES BEING ISSUED IN CONNECTION WITH A BRIDGE FINANCING OF UP TO $1,169,000, AND ANY PAYMENTS AND ACCESS TO COLLATERAL WILL BE ON A PARI PASSU BASIS WITH SUCH OTHER JUNIOR BRIDGE NOTES.

 

JUNIOR BRIDGE NOTE

 

$403,512 January 1, 2016

Minneapolis, Minnesota

 

FOR VALUE RECEIVED, TITAN CNG LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Debtor”), promises to pay to the order of Falcon Capital LLC (“Holder”), the principal sum of $403,512, together with interest, in the manner provided in this Note.

 

1.            Repayment of Principal . All outstanding principal, if not previously paid, will be due and payable on December 31, 2020 (the “Stated Maturity Date”).

 

2.            Interest .

 

2.1          Interest will accrue on all outstanding unpaid amounts evidenced by this Note at an interest rate of 12% per year; provided that if written notice is given by Holder to Debtor of the occurrence of an Event of Default (as defined below), and if Debtor fails to cure the Event of Default within ten (10) days after receipt of such notice, the interest rate will increase to 15% per year.

 

 

 

2.2          All interest will be computed on the basis of a 365-day year containing 12 months, counting the actual number of days in each month. Except as otherwise provided in Section 2.4, all interest will be payable in kind on (and thereby increase) the outstanding principal amount of this Note (as such principal is increased from time to time) until the Stated Maturity Date. All accrued interest will be due and payable on the Stated Maturity Date.

 

2.3          In the event that the Note is prepaid prior to the Stated Maturity Date, a minimum amount of interest equal to four months’ interest will be deemed payable under this Note.

 

2.4          Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, if the aggregate amount of accrued but unpaid interest (including payable in kind interest) on this Note and all unpaid original issue discount on this Note as of the Stated Maturity Date would, but for this provision, exceed an amount equal to the product of:

 

(a)       the issue price (as defined in Sections 1273(b) and 1274(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”)) of this Note; and

 

(b)       the yield to maturity (interpreted in accordance with Section 163(i) of the Code) of this Note (such product, the “Maximum Accrual”),

 

then all accrued and unpaid interest (including the payable in kind interest) and original issue discount on this Note in excess of an amount equal to the Maximum Accrual shall be paid in cash prior to the Stated Maturity Date.

 

It is the intent of the parties that the cash payments required by this Section 2.4 will cause this Note to not be classified as “applicable high yield discount obligations” within the meaning of Section 163(i) of the Code. To the extent that for any reason these provisions do not accomplish this purpose, the parties may modify the payment terms in this Section 2.4 to accomplish the purpose.

 

3.            Method of Payment for Principal and Interest . All payments with respect to this Note will be made by wire transfer, in immediately available funds, to such account as Holder may specify in writing, without any presentation of this Note. Each payment with respect to this Note will be applied (i) first, to any fees, expenses or other amounts (other than principal and interest) due under this Note, (ii) second, to accrued interest, and (iii) third, to outstanding principal. Whenever any payment to be made under this Note is due on a Saturday, Sunday or holiday for banks under the laws of the State of Delaware, such payment may be made on the next succeeding bank business day, and such extension of time will in such case be included in the computation of the amount of interest due.

 

4.            Equity . From and after the occurrence of any Event of Default and until such Event of Default is remedied to the reasonable satisfaction of Holder, Debtor will issue Holder no Class A Membership Units (as defined in the Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company of Debtor (the “LLC Agreement”)) on the date of such Event of Default and each 90 day interval thereafter until all amounts due and owing under this Note have been paid in full.

 

2

 

 

5.            Events of Default . An “Event of Default” means any of the following:

 

5.1          The failure to pay any principal of, and interest on or any other amount due under this Note when and as the same will become due and payable, whether at the due date thereof or at a date fixed for prepayment thereof or by acceleration thereof or otherwise and such failure continues unremedied for a period of two business days.

 

5.2          A material default by Debtor or any entity in which Debtor controls or owns a majority of the outstanding equity interest therein (each a “Subsidiary” and collectively along with each other Subsidiary and the Debtor, the “Debtor Group” and each individually a “Debtor Group Member”) in the performance or observance of any covenant, condition, undertaking or agreement contained in this Note, and such default continues for a period of 30 days after notice by Holder to Debtor of such default.

 

5.3          If, pursuant to or within the meaning of the United States Bankruptcy Code or any other federal or state law relating to insolvency or relief of debtors (a “Bankruptcy Law”), a Debtor Group Member (a) commences a voluntary case or proceeding; (b) consents to the entry of an order for relief against a Debtor Group Member in an involuntary case; (c) consents to the appointment of a trustee, receiver, assignee, liquidator or similar official; (d) makes an assignment for the benefit of the creditors of any Debtor Group Member; or (e) admits in writing Debtor Group Member’s inability to pay its debts as they become due.

 

5.4          If a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under any Bankruptcy Law that (a) is for relief against a Debtor Group Member in an involuntary case, (b) appoints a trustee, receiver, assignee, liquidator or similar official for Debtor or substantially all of a Debtor Group Member’s properties, or (c) orders the liquidation of a Debtor Group Member and in each case the order or decree is not dismissed within 90 days.

 

5.5          A Debtor Group Member shall fail to discharge within a period of thirty (30) days after the commencement thereof any attachment, sequestration, or similar proceeding or proceedings involving an aggregate amount in excess of One Hundred Thousand and No/100 Dollars ($100,000.00) against any of its assets or properties.

 

5.6          A Debtor Group Member shall fail to satisfy and discharge promptly any judgment or judgments against it for the payment of money in an aggregate amount in excess of One Hundred Thousand and No/100 Dollars ($100,000.00).

 

5.7          A Debtor Group Member shall default in the payment of any of its indebtedness having an aggregate principal amount in excess of One Hundred Thousand and No/100 Dollars ($100,000.00), beyond any applicable grace period, or shall default, in any material respect, in its performance of any material agreement binding upon it or its property.

 

3

 

 

6.            Remedies .

 

6.1          From and after the occurrence of any Event of Default, Holder will be entitled to: (a) by written notice to the Debtor, declare all indebtedness evidenced by this Note to be immediately due and payable; (b) apply any and all amounts owed to Debtor by the Holder to the payment of this Note; (c) exercise and enforce its rights and remedies under this Note; and (d) proceed to protect and enforce its rights under applicable law.

 

6.2          No course of dealing on the part of Holder or any delay or failure on the part of Holder to exercise any right will operate as a waiver of such right or otherwise prejudice the Holder’s rights, powers and remedies.

 

6.3          Debtor will pay to Holder such additional amounts as are sufficient to cover the costs and expenses, including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys’ fees, incurred by Holder in collecting any sums due on account of this Note or otherwise in enforcing its rights hereunder.

 

7.            Optional Prepayments . Subject to the minimum interest payment set forth in Section 2.3, the indebtedness evidenced by this Note may be prepaid, in whole or in part, at any time.

 

8.            General .

 

8.1          Payment of principal or interest on this Note may only be made to, or upon the order of, the registered Holder. This Note is transferable only by surrender of this Note to the Debtor, duly endorsed or accompanied by a written instrument of transfer executed by the registered Holder. Upon surrender of this Note for transfer as provided above, Debtor will issue a new Note to, and register such new Note in the name of, the transferee and such new Note must contain the same legend as provided in this Note.

 

8.2           Debtor:

 

(a)       except as provided in Section 6, waives diligence, presentment, demand for payment, notice of dishonor, notice of non-payment, protest, notice of protest, and any and all other demands in connection with the delivery, acceptance, performance, default or enforcement of this Note;

 

(b)       agrees that Holder will have the right, without notice, to grant any extension of time for payment of any indebtedness evidenced by this Note or any other indulgence or forbearance whatsoever;

 

(c)       agrees that no failure on the part of Holder to exercise any power, right or privilege hereunder, or to insist upon prompt compliance with the terms of this Note, will constitute a waiver of that power, right or privilege; and

 

(d)       agrees that the acceptance at any time by Holder of any past due amounts will not be deemed to be a waiver of the requirement to make prompt payment when due of any other amounts then or thereafter due and payable.

 

4

 

 

8.3          This Note will be construed and enforced in accordance with the substantive laws of the State of Delaware without giving effect to the conflicts of laws principles of any jurisdiction.

 

8.4          AT THE OPTION OF HOLDER, THIS NOTE MAY BE ENFORCED IN ANY STATE OR FEDERAL COURT SITTING IN MINNEAPOLIS OR ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA, AND DEBTOR CONSENTS TO THE JURISDICTION AND VENUE OF ANY SUCH COURT AND WAIVES ANY ARGUMENT THAT VENUE IN SUCH FORUMS IS NOT CONVENIENT. IN THE EVENT DEBTOR COMMENCES AN ACTION IN ANOTHER JURISDICTION OR VENUE UNDER ANY TORT OR CONTRACT THEORY ARISING DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY FROM THE RELATIONSHIP CREATED BY THIS NOTE, OR ALLEGING ANY BREACH OF THIS NOTE, HOLDER AT ITS OPTION IS ENTITLED TO HAVE THE CASE TRANSFERRED TO ONE OF THE JURISDICTIONS AND VENUES DESCRIBED ABOVE, OR IF SUCH TRANSFER CANNOT BE ACCOMPLISHED UNDER APPLICABLE LAW, TO HAVE SUCH CASE DISMISSED WITHOUT PREJUDICE.

 

8.5          DEBTOR WAIVES THE RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION BASED ON OR PERTAINING TO THIS NOTE.

 

8.6          This Note is being issued in exchange for mezzanine debt in Titan El Toro LLC plus approximately 80% of the membership interests in Titan El Toro LLC and pursuant to a Contribution Agreement of even date herewith (the “Contribution Agreement”). In addition, this Note is secured by a subordinate security interest on substantially all of the assets of the Debtor, including accounts receivable and rights to payment, which will remain in effect until such Notes are repaid.

 

8.7           Debtor and Holder agree that (a) this Note and the membership interests of Debtor being issued to Holder pursuant to the Contribution Agreement constitute an “investment unit” for purposes of Section 1273(c)(2)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, (b) the total issue price of the investment unit being issued to Holder is equal to the principal amount of this Note, and (c) for tax purposes, the allocation of the total issue price among this Note and the membership interests in proportion to its fair market value results in an original issue discount. None of the parties will take any position in its tax returns or otherwise that is inconsistent with this paragraph.

 

8.8           Acknowledgement of Bridge Financing . Holder acknowledges and agrees that (a) this Note is one in a series of Junior Bridge Notes (collectively, the “Bridge Financing”), (b) Debtor may seek up to $1,169,000 in connection with the Bridge Financing, and (c) Holder will exchange this Note and the documents and agreements executed in connection herewith for updated documents and agreements that reflect any change to Holder’s pro rata percentage of the outstanding balance under the Bridge Financing.

 

* * * * *

 

5

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Debtor has caused this Note to be signed by a duly authorized officer and dated as of the date first above written.

 

        TITAN CNG LLC
             
        By: /s/ Kirk S. Honour
          Name: Kirk S. Honour
          Its: President

  

Acknowledged and Agreed:        
             

FALCON CAPITAL LLC

     
             
By: /s/ Scott Honour        
  Name: Scott Honour        
  Its: Manager        

  

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 4.5

 

THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS INSTRUMENT HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, AND MAY NOT BE SOLD, TRANSFERRED, ASSIGNED, PLEDGED, OR HYPOTHECATED UNLESS AND UNTIL REGISTERED UNDER SUCH ACT, OR UNLESS THE DEBTOR HAS RECEIVED AN OPINION OF COUNSEL OR OTHER EVIDENCE, SATISFACTORY TO THE DEBTOR AND ITS COUNSEL, THAT SUCH REGISTRATION IS NOT REQUIRED.

 

THIS NOTE IS ISSUED WITH ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNT AS DEFINED BY SECTION 1273(a)(1) OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1986, AS AMENDED. THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION IS PROVIDED PURSUANT TO THE INFORMATION REPORTING REQUIREMENTS SET FORTH IN TREASURY REGULATION 1.1275-3.

 

UPON WRITTEN REQUEST TO KIRK HONOUR OF TITAN CNG LLC, AT 315 LAKE STREET E., SUITE 301, WAYZATA, MN 55391 INFORMATION REGARDING THE ISSUE PRICE, AMOUNT OF ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNT, ISSUE DATE AND YIELD TO MATURITY WILL PROMPTLY BE MADE AVAILABLE.

 

THIS JUNIOR BRIDGE NOTE IS ONE IN A SERIES OF SECURED BRIDGE NOTES BEING ISSUED IN CONNECTION WITH A BRIDGE FINANCING OF UP TO $1,169,000, AND ANY PAYMENTS AND ACCESS TO COLLATERAL WILL BE ON A PARI PASSU BASIS WITH SUCH OTHER JUNIOR BRIDGE NOTES.

 

JUNIOR BRIDGE NOTE

 

$56,015 January 1, 2016

Minneapolis, Minnesota

 

FOR VALUE RECEIVED, TITAN CNG LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Debtor”), promises to pay to the order of Honour Capital LP (“Holder”), the principal sum of $56,015, together with interest, in the manner provided in this Note.

 

1.            Repayment of Principal . All outstanding principal, if not previously paid, will be due and payable on December 31, 2020 (the “Stated Maturity Date”).

 

2.            Interest .

 

2.1          Interest will accrue on all outstanding unpaid amounts evidenced by this Note at an interest rate of 12% per year; provided that if written notice is given by Holder to Debtor of the occurrence of an Event of Default (as defined below), and if Debtor fails to cure the Event of Default within ten (10) days after receipt of such notice, the interest rate will increase to 15% per year.

 

 

 

2.2          All interest will be computed on the basis of a 365-day year containing 12 months, counting the actual number of days in each month. Except as otherwise provided in Section 2.4, all interest will be payable in kind on (and thereby increase) the outstanding principal amount of this Note (as such principal is increased from time to time) until the Stated Maturity Date. All accrued interest will be due and payable on the Stated Maturity Date.

 

2.3          In the event that the Note is prepaid prior to the Stated Maturity Date, a minimum amount of interest equal to four months’ interest will be deemed payable under this Note.

 

2.4          Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, if the aggregate amount of accrued but unpaid interest (including payable in kind interest) on this Note and all unpaid original issue discount on this Note as of the Stated Maturity Date would, but for this provision, exceed an amount equal to the product of:

 

(a)       the issue price (as defined in Sections 1273(b) and 1274(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”)) of this Note; and

 

(b)       the yield to maturity (interpreted in accordance with Section 163(i) of the Code) of this Note (such product, the “Maximum Accrual”),

 

then all accrued and unpaid interest (including the payable in kind interest) and original issue discount on this Note in excess of an amount equal to the Maximum Accrual shall be paid in cash prior to the Stated Maturity Date.

 

It is the intent of the parties that the cash payments required by this Section 2.4 will cause this Note to not be classified as “applicable high yield discount obligations” within the meaning of Section 163(i) of the Code. To the extent that for any reason these provisions do not accomplish this purpose, the parties may modify the payment terms in this Section 2.4 to accomplish the purpose.

 

3.            Method of Payment for Principal and Interest . All payments with respect to this Note will be made by wire transfer, in immediately available funds, to such account as Holder may specify in writing, without any presentation of this Note. Each payment with respect to this Note will be applied (i) first, to any fees, expenses or other amounts (other than principal and interest) due under this Note, (ii) second, to accrued interest, and (iii) third, to outstanding principal. Whenever any payment to be made under this Note is due on a Saturday, Sunday or holiday for banks under the laws of the State of Delaware, such payment may be made on the next succeeding bank business day, and such extension of time will in such case be included in the computation of the amount of interest due.

 

4.            Equity . From and after the occurrence of any Event of Default and until such Event of Default is remedied to the reasonable satisfaction of Holder, Debtor will issue Holder no Class A Membership Units (as defined in the Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company of Debtor (the “LLC Agreement”)) on the date of such Event of Default and each 90 day interval thereafter until all amounts due and owing under this Note have been paid in full.

 

2

 

 

5.            Events of Default . An “Event of Default” means any of the following:

 

5.1          The failure to pay any principal of, and interest on or any other amount due under this Note when and as the same will become due and payable, whether at the due date thereof or at a date fixed for prepayment thereof or by acceleration thereof or otherwise and such failure continues unremedied for a period of two business days.

 

5.2          A material default by Debtor or any entity in which Debtor controls or owns a majority of the outstanding equity interest therein (each a “Subsidiary” and collectively along with each other Subsidiary and the Debtor, the “Debtor Group” and each individually a “Debtor Group Member”) in the performance or observance of any covenant, condition, undertaking or agreement contained in this Note, and such default continues for a period of 30 days after notice by Holder to Debtor of such default.

 

5.3          If, pursuant to or within the meaning of the United States Bankruptcy Code or any other federal or state law relating to insolvency or relief of debtors (a “Bankruptcy Law”), a Debtor Group Member (a) commences a voluntary case or proceeding; (b) consents to the entry of an order for relief against a Debtor Group Member in an involuntary case; (c) consents to the appointment of a trustee, receiver, assignee, liquidator or similar official; (d) makes an assignment for the benefit of the creditors of any Debtor Group Member; or (e) admits in writing Debtor Group Member’s inability to pay its debts as they become due.

 

5.4          If a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under any Bankruptcy Law that (a) is for relief against a Debtor Group Member in an involuntary case, (b) appoints a trustee, receiver, assignee, liquidator or similar official for Debtor or substantially all of a Debtor Group Member’s properties, or (c) orders the liquidation of a Debtor Group Member and in each case the order or decree is not dismissed within 90 days.

 

5.5          A Debtor Group Member shall fail to discharge within a period of thirty (30) days after the commencement thereof any attachment, sequestration, or similar proceeding or proceedings involving an aggregate amount in excess of One Hundred Thousand and No/100 Dollars ($100,000.00) against any of its assets or properties.

 

5.6          A Debtor Group Member shall fail to satisfy and discharge promptly any judgment or judgments against it for the payment of money in an aggregate amount in excess of One Hundred Thousand and No/100 Dollars ($100,000.00).

 

5.7          A Debtor Group Member shall default in the payment of any of its indebtedness having an aggregate principal amount in excess of One Hundred Thousand and No/100 Dollars ($100,000.00), beyond any applicable grace period, or shall default, in any material respect, in its performance of any material agreement binding upon it or its property.

 

3

 

 

6.            Remedies .

 

6.1          From and after the occurrence of any Event of Default, Holder will be entitled to: (a) by written notice to the Debtor, declare all indebtedness evidenced by this Note to be immediately due and payable; (b) apply any and all amounts owed to Debtor by the Holder to the payment of this Note; (c) exercise and enforce its rights and remedies under this Note; and (d) proceed to protect and enforce its rights under applicable law.

 

6.2          No course of dealing on the part of Holder or any delay or failure on the part of Holder to exercise any right will operate as a waiver of such right or otherwise prejudice the Holder’s rights, powers and remedies.

 

6.3          Debtor will pay to Holder such additional amounts as are sufficient to cover the costs and expenses, including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys’ fees, incurred by Holder in collecting any sums due on account of this Note or otherwise in enforcing its rights hereunder.

 

7.            Optional Prepayments . Subject to the minimum interest payment set forth in Section 2.3, the indebtedness evidenced by this Note may be prepaid, in whole or in part, at any time.

 

8.            General .

 

8.1          Payment of principal or interest on this Note may only be made to, or upon the order of, the registered Holder. This Note is transferable only by surrender of this Note to the Debtor, duly endorsed or accompanied by a written instrument of transfer executed by the registered Holder. Upon surrender of this Note for transfer as provided above, Debtor will issue a new Note to, and register such new Note in the name of, the transferee and such new Note must contain the same legend as provided in this Note.

 

8.2           Debtor:

 

(a)       except as provided in Section 6, waives diligence, presentment, demand for payment, notice of dishonor, notice of non-payment, protest, notice of protest, and any and all other demands in connection with the delivery, acceptance, performance, default or enforcement of this Note;

 

(b)       agrees that Holder will have the right, without notice, to grant any extension of time for payment of any indebtedness evidenced by this Note or any other indulgence or forbearance whatsoever;

 

(c)       agrees that no failure on the part of Holder to exercise any power, right or privilege hereunder, or to insist upon prompt compliance with the terms of this Note, will constitute a waiver of that power, right or privilege; and

 

(d)       agrees that the acceptance at any time by Holder of any past due amounts will not be deemed to be a waiver of the requirement to make prompt payment when due of any other amounts then or thereafter due and payable.

 

4

 

 

8.3          This Note will be construed and enforced in accordance with the substantive laws of the State of Delaware without giving effect to the conflicts of laws principles of any jurisdiction.

 

8.4          AT THE OPTION OF HOLDER, THIS NOTE MAY BE ENFORCED IN ANY STATE OR FEDERAL COURT SITTING IN MINNEAPOLIS OR ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA, AND DEBTOR CONSENTS TO THE JURISDICTION AND VENUE OF ANY SUCH COURT AND WAIVES ANY ARGUMENT THAT VENUE IN SUCH FORUMS IS NOT CONVENIENT. IN THE EVENT DEBTOR COMMENCES AN ACTION IN ANOTHER JURISDICTION OR VENUE UNDER ANY TORT OR CONTRACT THEORY ARISING DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY FROM THE RELATIONSHIP CREATED BY THIS NOTE, OR ALLEGING ANY BREACH OF THIS NOTE, HOLDER AT ITS OPTION IS ENTITLED TO HAVE THE CASE TRANSFERRED TO ONE OF THE JURISDICTIONS AND VENUES DESCRIBED ABOVE, OR IF SUCH TRANSFER CANNOT BE ACCOMPLISHED UNDER APPLICABLE LAW, TO HAVE SUCH CASE DISMISSED WITHOUT PREJUDICE.

 

8.5          DEBTOR WAIVES THE RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION BASED ON OR PERTAINING TO THIS NOTE.

 

8.6          This Note is being issued in exchange for mezzanine debt in Titan El Toro LLC plus approximately 80% of the membership interests in Titan El Toro LLC and pursuant to a Contribution Agreement of even date herewith (the “Contribution Agreement”). In addition, this Note is secured by a subordinate security interest on substantially all of the assets of the Debtor, including accounts receivable and rights to payment, which will remain in effect until such Notes are repaid.

 

8.7           Debtor and Holder agree that (a) this Note and the membership interests of Debtor being issued to Holder pursuant to the Contribution Agreement constitute an “investment unit” for purposes of Section 1273(c)(2)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, (b) the total issue price of the investment unit being issued to Holder is equal to the principal amount of this Note, and (c) for tax purposes, the allocation of the total issue price among this Note and the membership interests in proportion to its fair market value results in an original issue discount. None of the parties will take any position in its tax returns or otherwise that is inconsistent with this paragraph.

 

8.8           Acknowledgement of Bridge Financing . Holder acknowledges and agrees that (a) this Note is one in a series of Junior Bridge Notes (collectively, the “Bridge Financing”), (b) Debtor may seek up to $1,169,000 in connection with the Bridge Financing, and (c) Holder will exchange this Note and the documents and agreements executed in connection herewith for updated documents and agreements that reflect any change to Holder’s pro rata percentage of the outstanding balance under the Bridge Financing.

 

* * * * *

 

5

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Debtor has caused this Note to be signed by a duly authorized officer and dated as of the date first above written.

 

        TITAN CNG LLC
             
        By: /s/ Kirk S. Honour
          Name: Kirk S. Honour
          Its: President

  

Acknowledged and Agreed:        
             

HONOUR CAPITAL LP

     
             
By: /s/ Scott Honour        
  Name: Scott Honour        
  Its: Limited Partner        

  

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 4.6

 

THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS INSTRUMENT HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, AND MAY NOT BE SOLD, TRANSFERRED, ASSIGNED, PLEDGED, OR HYPOTHECATED UNLESS AND UNTIL REGISTERED UNDER SUCH ACT, OR UNLESS THE DEBTOR HAS RECEIVED AN OPINION OF COUNSEL OR OTHER EVIDENCE, SATISFACTORY TO THE DEBTOR AND ITS COUNSEL, THAT SUCH REGISTRATION IS NOT REQUIRED.

 

THIS NOTE IS ISSUED WITH ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNT AS DEFINED BY SECTION 1273(a)(1) OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1986, AS AMENDED. THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION IS PROVIDED PURSUANT TO THE INFORMATION REPORTING REQUIREMENTS SET FORTH IN TREASURY REGULATION 1.1275-3.

 

UPON WRITTEN REQUEST TO KIRK HONOUR OF TITAN CNG LLC, AT 315 LAKE STREET E., SUITE 301, WAYZATA, MN 55391 INFORMATION REGARDING THE ISSUE PRICE, AMOUNT OF ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNT, ISSUE DATE AND YIELD TO MATURITY WILL PROMPTLY BE MADE AVAILABLE.

 

THIS JUNIOR BRIDGE NOTE IS ONE IN A SERIES OF SECURED BRIDGE NOTES BEING ISSUED IN CONNECTION WITH A BRIDGE FINANCING OF UP TO $1,169,000, AND ANY PAYMENTS AND ACCESS TO COLLATERAL WILL BE ON A PARI PASSU BASIS WITH SUCH OTHER JUNIOR BRIDGE NOTES.

 

JUNIOR BRIDGE NOTE

 

$176,221 January 1, 2016

Minneapolis, Minnesota

 

FOR VALUE RECEIVED, TITAN CNG LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Debtor”), promises to pay to the order of James Jackson (“Holder”), the principal sum of $176,221, together with interest, in the manner provided in this Note.

 

1.            Repayment of Principal . All outstanding principal, if not previously paid, will be due and payable on December 31, 2020 (the “Stated Maturity Date”).

 

2.            Interest .

 

2.1          Interest will accrue on all outstanding unpaid amounts evidenced by this Note at an interest rate of 12% per year; provided that if written notice is given by Holder to Debtor of the occurrence of an Event of Default (as defined below), and if Debtor fails to cure the Event of Default within ten (10) days after receipt of such notice, the interest rate will increase to 15% per year.

 

 

 

2.2          All interest will be computed on the basis of a 365-day year containing 12 months, counting the actual number of days in each month. Except as otherwise provided in Section 2.4, all interest will be payable in kind on (and thereby increase) the outstanding principal amount of this Note (as such principal is increased from time to time) until the Stated Maturity Date. All accrued interest will be due and payable on the Stated Maturity Date.

 

2.3          In the event that the Note is prepaid prior to the Stated Maturity Date, a minimum amount of interest equal to four months’ interest will be deemed payable under this Note.

 

2.4          Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, if the aggregate amount of accrued but unpaid interest (including payable in kind interest) on this Note and all unpaid original issue discount on this Note as of the Stated Maturity Date would, but for this provision, exceed an amount equal to the product of:

 

(a)       the issue price (as defined in Sections 1273(b) and 1274(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”)) of this Note; and

 

(b)       the yield to maturity (interpreted in accordance with Section 163(i) of the Code) of this Note (such product, the “Maximum Accrual”),

 

then all accrued and unpaid interest (including the payable in kind interest) and original issue discount on this Note in excess of an amount equal to the Maximum Accrual shall be paid in cash prior to the Stated Maturity Date.

 

It is the intent of the parties that the cash payments required by this Section 2.4 will cause this Note to not be classified as “applicable high yield discount obligations” within the meaning of Section 163(i) of the Code. To the extent that for any reason these provisions do not accomplish this purpose, the parties may modify the payment terms in this Section 2.4 to accomplish the purpose.

 

3.            Method of Payment for Principal and Interest . All payments with respect to this Note will be made by wire transfer, in immediately available funds, to such account as Holder may specify in writing, without any presentation of this Note. Each payment with respect to this Note will be applied (i) first, to any fees, expenses or other amounts (other than principal and interest) due under this Note, (ii) second, to accrued interest, and (iii) third, to outstanding principal. Whenever any payment to be made under this Note is due on a Saturday, Sunday or holiday for banks under the laws of the State of Delaware, such payment may be made on the next succeeding bank business day, and such extension of time will in such case be included in the computation of the amount of interest due.

 

4.            Equity . From and after the occurrence of any Event of Default and until such Event of Default is remedied to the reasonable satisfaction of Holder, Debtor will issue Holder no Class A Membership Units (as defined in the Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company of Debtor (the “LLC Agreement”)) on the date of such Event of Default and each 90 day interval thereafter until all amounts due and owing under this Note have been paid in full.

 

2

 

 

5.            Events of Default . An “Event of Default” means any of the following:

 

5.1          The failure to pay any principal of, and interest on or any other amount due under this Note when and as the same will become due and payable, whether at the due date thereof or at a date fixed for prepayment thereof or by acceleration thereof or otherwise and such failure continues unremedied for a period of two business days.

 

5.2          A material default by Debtor or any entity in which Debtor controls or owns a majority of the outstanding equity interest therein (each a “Subsidiary” and collectively along with each other Subsidiary and the Debtor, the “Debtor Group” and each individually a “Debtor Group Member”) in the performance or observance of any covenant, condition, undertaking or agreement contained in this Note, and such default continues for a period of 30 days after notice by Holder to Debtor of such default.

 

5.3          If, pursuant to or within the meaning of the United States Bankruptcy Code or any other federal or state law relating to insolvency or relief of debtors (a “Bankruptcy Law”), a Debtor Group Member (a) commences a voluntary case or proceeding; (b) consents to the entry of an order for relief against a Debtor Group Member in an involuntary case; (c) consents to the appointment of a trustee, receiver, assignee, liquidator or similar official; (d) makes an assignment for the benefit of the creditors of any Debtor Group Member; or (e) admits in writing Debtor Group Member’s inability to pay its debts as they become due.

 

5.4          If a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under any Bankruptcy Law that (a) is for relief against a Debtor Group Member in an involuntary case, (b) appoints a trustee, receiver, assignee, liquidator or similar official for Debtor or substantially all of a Debtor Group Member’s properties, or (c) orders the liquidation of a Debtor Group Member and in each case the order or decree is not dismissed within 90 days.

 

5.5          A Debtor Group Member shall fail to discharge within a period of thirty (30) days after the commencement thereof any attachment, sequestration, or similar proceeding or proceedings involving an aggregate amount in excess of One Hundred Thousand and No/100 Dollars ($100,000.00) against any of its assets or properties.

 

5.6          A Debtor Group Member shall fail to satisfy and discharge promptly any judgment or judgments against it for the payment of money in an aggregate amount in excess of One Hundred Thousand and No/100 Dollars ($100,000.00).

 

5.7          A Debtor Group Member shall default in the payment of any of its indebtedness having an aggregate principal amount in excess of One Hundred Thousand and No/100 Dollars ($100,000.00), beyond any applicable grace period, or shall default, in any material respect, in its performance of any material agreement binding upon it or its property.

 

3

 

 

6.            Remedies .

 

6.1          From and after the occurrence of any Event of Default, Holder will be entitled to: (a) by written notice to the Debtor, declare all indebtedness evidenced by this Note to be immediately due and payable; (b) apply any and all amounts owed to Debtor by the Holder to the payment of this Note; (c) exercise and enforce its rights and remedies under this Note; and (d) proceed to protect and enforce its rights under applicable law.

 

6.2          No course of dealing on the part of Holder or any delay or failure on the part of Holder to exercise any right will operate as a waiver of such right or otherwise prejudice the Holder’s rights, powers and remedies.

 

6.3          Debtor will pay to Holder such additional amounts as are sufficient to cover the costs and expenses, including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys’ fees, incurred by Holder in collecting any sums due on account of this Note or otherwise in enforcing its rights hereunder.

 

7.            Optional Prepayments . Subject to the minimum interest payment set forth in Section 2.3, the indebtedness evidenced by this Note may be prepaid, in whole or in part, at any time.

 

8.            General .

 

8.1          Payment of principal or interest on this Note may only be made to, or upon the order of, the registered Holder. This Note is transferable only by surrender of this Note to the Debtor, duly endorsed or accompanied by a written instrument of transfer executed by the registered Holder. Upon surrender of this Note for transfer as provided above, Debtor will issue a new Note to, and register such new Note in the name of, the transferee and such new Note must contain the same legend as provided in this Note.

 

8.2           Debtor:

 

(a)       except as provided in Section 6, waives diligence, presentment, demand for payment, notice of dishonor, notice of non-payment, protest, notice of protest, and any and all other demands in connection with the delivery, acceptance, performance, default or enforcement of this Note;

 

(b)       agrees that Holder will have the right, without notice, to grant any extension of time for payment of any indebtedness evidenced by this Note or any other indulgence or forbearance whatsoever;

 

(c)       agrees that no failure on the part of Holder to exercise any power, right or privilege hereunder, or to insist upon prompt compliance with the terms of this Note, will constitute a waiver of that power, right or privilege; and

 

(d)       agrees that the acceptance at any time by Holder of any past due amounts will not be deemed to be a waiver of the requirement to make prompt payment when due of any other amounts then or thereafter due and payable.

 

4

 

 

8.3          This Note will be construed and enforced in accordance with the substantive laws of the State of Delaware without giving effect to the conflicts of laws principles of any jurisdiction.

 

8.4          AT THE OPTION OF HOLDER, THIS NOTE MAY BE ENFORCED IN ANY STATE OR FEDERAL COURT SITTING IN MINNEAPOLIS OR ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA, AND DEBTOR CONSENTS TO THE JURISDICTION AND VENUE OF ANY SUCH COURT AND WAIVES ANY ARGUMENT THAT VENUE IN SUCH FORUMS IS NOT CONVENIENT. IN THE EVENT DEBTOR COMMENCES AN ACTION IN ANOTHER JURISDICTION OR VENUE UNDER ANY TORT OR CONTRACT THEORY ARISING DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY FROM THE RELATIONSHIP CREATED BY THIS NOTE, OR ALLEGING ANY BREACH OF THIS NOTE, HOLDER AT ITS OPTION IS ENTITLED TO HAVE THE CASE TRANSFERRED TO ONE OF THE JURISDICTIONS AND VENUES DESCRIBED ABOVE, OR IF SUCH TRANSFER CANNOT BE ACCOMPLISHED UNDER APPLICABLE LAW, TO HAVE SUCH CASE DISMISSED WITHOUT PREJUDICE.

 

8.5          DEBTOR WAIVES THE RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION BASED ON OR PERTAINING TO THIS NOTE.

 

8.6          This Note is being issued in exchange for mezzanine debt in Titan El Toro LLC plus approximately 80% of the membership interests in Titan El Toro LLC and pursuant to a Contribution Agreement of even date herewith (the “Contribution Agreement”). In addition, this Note is secured by a subordinate security interest on substantially all of the assets of the Debtor, including accounts receivable and rights to payment, which will remain in effect until such Notes are repaid.

 

8.7           Debtor and Holder agree that (a) this Note and the membership interests of Debtor being issued to Holder pursuant to the Contribution Agreement constitute an “investment unit” for purposes of Section 1273(c)(2)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, (b) the total issue price of the investment unit being issued to Holder is equal to the principal amount of this Note, and (c) for tax purposes, the allocation of the total issue price among this Note and the membership interests in proportion to its fair market value results in an original issue discount. None of the parties will take any position in its tax returns or otherwise that is inconsistent with this paragraph.

 

8.8           Acknowledgement of Bridge Financing . Holder acknowledges and agrees that (a) this Note is one in a series of Junior Bridge Notes (collectively, the “Bridge Financing”), (b) Debtor may seek up to $1,169,000 in connection with the Bridge Financing, and (c) Holder will exchange this Note and the documents and agreements executed in connection herewith for updated documents and agreements that reflect any change to Holder’s pro rata percentage of the outstanding balance under the Bridge Financing.

 

* * * * *

 

5

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Debtor has caused this Note to be signed by a duly authorized officer and dated as of the date first above written.

 

        TITAN CNG LLC
             
        By: /s/ Kirk S. Honour
          Name: Kirk S. Honour
          Its: President

  

Acknowledged and Agreed:  
   
/s/ James Jackson  
James Jackson  

   

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 4.7

 

THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS INSTRUMENT HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, AND MAY NOT BE SOLD, TRANSFERRED, ASSIGNED, PLEDGED, OR HYPOTHECATED UNLESS AND UNTIL REGISTERED UNDER SUCH ACT, OR UNLESS THE DEBTOR HAS RECEIVED AN OPINION OF COUNSEL OR OTHER EVIDENCE, SATISFACTORY TO THE DEBTOR AND ITS COUNSEL, THAT SUCH REGISTRATION IS NOT REQUIRED.

 

THIS NOTE IS ISSUED WITH ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNT AS DEFINED BY SECTION 1273(a)(1) OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1986, AS AMENDED. THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION IS PROVIDED PURSUANT TO THE INFORMATION REPORTING REQUIREMENTS SET FORTH IN TREASURY REGULATION 1.1275-3.

 

UPON WRITTEN REQUEST TO KIRK HONOUR OF TITAN CNG LLC, AT 315 LAKE STREET E., SUITE 301, WAYZATA, MN 55391 INFORMATION REGARDING THE ISSUE PRICE, AMOUNT OF ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNT, ISSUE DATE AND YIELD TO MATURITY WILL PROMPTLY BE MADE AVAILABLE.

 

THIS JUNIOR BRIDGE NOTE IS ONE IN A SERIES OF SECURED BRIDGE NOTES BEING ISSUED IN CONNECTION WITH A BRIDGE FINANCING OF UP TO $1,169,000, AND ANY PAYMENTS AND ACCESS TO COLLATERAL WILL BE ON A PARI PASSU BASIS WITH SUCH OTHER JUNIOR BRIDGE NOTES.

 

JUNIOR BRIDGE NOTE

 

$44,713 January 1, 2016

Minneapolis, Minnesota

 

FOR VALUE RECEIVED, TITAN CNG LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Debtor”), promises to pay to the order of John Honour (“Holder”), the principal sum of $44,713, together with interest, in the manner provided in this Note.

 

1.            Repayment of Principal . All outstanding principal, if not previously paid, will be due and payable on December 31, 2020 (the “Stated Maturity Date”).

 

2.            Interest .

 

2.1          Interest will accrue on all outstanding unpaid amounts evidenced by this Note at an interest rate of 12% per year; provided that if written notice is given by Holder to Debtor of the occurrence of an Event of Default (as defined below), and if Debtor fails to cure the Event of Default within ten (10) days after receipt of such notice, the interest rate will increase to 15% per year.

 

 

 

2.2          All interest will be computed on the basis of a 365-day year containing 12 months, counting the actual number of days in each month. Except as otherwise provided in Section 2.4, all interest will be payable in kind on (and thereby increase) the outstanding principal amount of this Note (as such principal is increased from time to time) until the Stated Maturity Date. All accrued interest will be due and payable on the Stated Maturity Date.

 

2.3          In the event that the Note is prepaid prior to the Stated Maturity Date, a minimum amount of interest equal to four months’ interest will be deemed payable under this Note.

 

2.4          Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, if the aggregate amount of accrued but unpaid interest (including payable in kind interest) on this Note and all unpaid original issue discount on this Note as of the Stated Maturity Date would, but for this provision, exceed an amount equal to the product of:

 

(a)       the issue price (as defined in Sections 1273(b) and 1274(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”)) of this Note; and

 

(b)       the yield to maturity (interpreted in accordance with Section 163(i) of the Code) of this Note (such product, the “Maximum Accrual”),

 

then all accrued and unpaid interest (including the payable in kind interest) and original issue discount on this Note in excess of an amount equal to the Maximum Accrual shall be paid in cash prior to the Stated Maturity Date.

 

It is the intent of the parties that the cash payments required by this Section 2.4 will cause this Note to not be classified as “applicable high yield discount obligations” within the meaning of Section 163(i) of the Code. To the extent that for any reason these provisions do not accomplish this purpose, the parties may modify the payment terms in this Section 2.4 to accomplish the purpose.

 

3.            Method of Payment for Principal and Interest . All payments with respect to this Note will be made by wire transfer, in immediately available funds, to such account as Holder may specify in writing, without any presentation of this Note. Each payment with respect to this Note will be applied (i) first, to any fees, expenses or other amounts (other than principal and interest) due under this Note, (ii) second, to accrued interest, and (iii) third, to outstanding principal. Whenever any payment to be made under this Note is due on a Saturday, Sunday or holiday for banks under the laws of the State of Delaware, such payment may be made on the next succeeding bank business day, and such extension of time will in such case be included in the computation of the amount of interest due.

 

4.            Equity . From and after the occurrence of any Event of Default and until such Event of Default is remedied to the reasonable satisfaction of Holder, Debtor will issue Holder no Class A Membership Units (as defined in the Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company of Debtor (the “LLC Agreement”)) on the date of such Event of Default and each 90 day interval thereafter until all amounts due and owing under this Note have been paid in full.

 

2

 

 

5.            Events of Default . An “Event of Default” means any of the following:

 

5.1          The failure to pay any principal of, and interest on or any other amount due under this Note when and as the same will become due and payable, whether at the due date thereof or at a date fixed for prepayment thereof or by acceleration thereof or otherwise and such failure continues unremedied for a period of two business days.

 

5.2          A material default by Debtor or any entity in which Debtor controls or owns a majority of the outstanding equity interest therein (each a “Subsidiary” and collectively along with each other Subsidiary and the Debtor, the “Debtor Group” and each individually a “Debtor Group Member”) in the performance or observance of any covenant, condition, undertaking or agreement contained in this Note, and such default continues for a period of 30 days after notice by Holder to Debtor of such default.

 

5.3          If, pursuant to or within the meaning of the United States Bankruptcy Code or any other federal or state law relating to insolvency or relief of debtors (a “Bankruptcy Law”), a Debtor Group Member (a) commences a voluntary case or proceeding; (b) consents to the entry of an order for relief against a Debtor Group Member in an involuntary case; (c) consents to the appointment of a trustee, receiver, assignee, liquidator or similar official; (d) makes an assignment for the benefit of the creditors of any Debtor Group Member; or (e) admits in writing Debtor Group Member’s inability to pay its debts as they become due.

 

5.4          If a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under any Bankruptcy Law that (a) is for relief against a Debtor Group Member in an involuntary case, (b) appoints a trustee, receiver, assignee, liquidator or similar official for Debtor or substantially all of a Debtor Group Member’s properties, or (c) orders the liquidation of a Debtor Group Member and in each case the order or decree is not dismissed within 90 days.

 

5.5          A Debtor Group Member shall fail to discharge within a period of thirty (30) days after the commencement thereof any attachment, sequestration, or similar proceeding or proceedings involving an aggregate amount in excess of One Hundred Thousand and No/100 Dollars ($100,000.00) against any of its assets or properties.

 

5.6          A Debtor Group Member shall fail to satisfy and discharge promptly any judgment or judgments against it for the payment of money in an aggregate amount in excess of One Hundred Thousand and No/100 Dollars ($100,000.00).

 

5.7          A Debtor Group Member shall default in the payment of any of its indebtedness having an aggregate principal amount in excess of One Hundred Thousand and No/100 Dollars ($100,000.00), beyond any applicable grace period, or shall default, in any material respect, in its performance of any material agreement binding upon it or its property.

 

3

 

 

6.            Remedies .

 

6.1          From and after the occurrence of any Event of Default, Holder will be entitled to: (a) by written notice to the Debtor, declare all indebtedness evidenced by this Note to be immediately due and payable; (b) apply any and all amounts owed to Debtor by the Holder to the payment of this Note; (c) exercise and enforce its rights and remedies under this Note; and (d) proceed to protect and enforce its rights under applicable law.

 

6.2          No course of dealing on the part of Holder or any delay or failure on the part of Holder to exercise any right will operate as a waiver of such right or otherwise prejudice the Holder’s rights, powers and remedies.

 

6.3          Debtor will pay to Holder such additional amounts as are sufficient to cover the costs and expenses, including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys’ fees, incurred by Holder in collecting any sums due on account of this Note or otherwise in enforcing its rights hereunder.

 

7.            Optional Prepayments . Subject to the minimum interest payment set forth in Section 2.3, the indebtedness evidenced by this Note may be prepaid, in whole or in part, at any time.

 

8.            General .

 

8.1          Payment of principal or interest on this Note may only be made to, or upon the order of, the registered Holder. This Note is transferable only by surrender of this Note to the Debtor, duly endorsed or accompanied by a written instrument of transfer executed by the registered Holder. Upon surrender of this Note for transfer as provided above, Debtor will issue a new Note to, and register such new Note in the name of, the transferee and such new Note must contain the same legend as provided in this Note.

 

8.2           Debtor:

 

(a)       except as provided in Section 6, waives diligence, presentment, demand for payment, notice of dishonor, notice of non-payment, protest, notice of protest, and any and all other demands in connection with the delivery, acceptance, performance, default or enforcement of this Note;

 

(b)       agrees that Holder will have the right, without notice, to grant any extension of time for payment of any indebtedness evidenced by this Note or any other indulgence or forbearance whatsoever;

 

(c)       agrees that no failure on the part of Holder to exercise any power, right or privilege hereunder, or to insist upon prompt compliance with the terms of this Note, will constitute a waiver of that power, right or privilege; and

 

(d)       agrees that the acceptance at any time by Holder of any past due amounts will not be deemed to be a waiver of the requirement to make prompt payment when due of any other amounts then or thereafter due and payable.

 

4

 

 

8.3          This Note will be construed and enforced in accordance with the substantive laws of the State of Delaware without giving effect to the conflicts of laws principles of any jurisdiction.

 

8.4          AT THE OPTION OF HOLDER, THIS NOTE MAY BE ENFORCED IN ANY STATE OR FEDERAL COURT SITTING IN MINNEAPOLIS OR ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA, AND DEBTOR CONSENTS TO THE JURISDICTION AND VENUE OF ANY SUCH COURT AND WAIVES ANY ARGUMENT THAT VENUE IN SUCH FORUMS IS NOT CONVENIENT. IN THE EVENT DEBTOR COMMENCES AN ACTION IN ANOTHER JURISDICTION OR VENUE UNDER ANY TORT OR CONTRACT THEORY ARISING DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY FROM THE RELATIONSHIP CREATED BY THIS NOTE, OR ALLEGING ANY BREACH OF THIS NOTE, HOLDER AT ITS OPTION IS ENTITLED TO HAVE THE CASE TRANSFERRED TO ONE OF THE JURISDICTIONS AND VENUES DESCRIBED ABOVE, OR IF SUCH TRANSFER CANNOT BE ACCOMPLISHED UNDER APPLICABLE LAW, TO HAVE SUCH CASE DISMISSED WITHOUT PREJUDICE.

 

8.5          DEBTOR WAIVES THE RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION BASED ON OR PERTAINING TO THIS NOTE.

 

8.6          This Note is being issued in exchange for mezzanine debt in Titan El Toro LLC plus approximately 80% of the membership interests in Titan El Toro LLC and pursuant to a Contribution Agreement of even date herewith (the “Contribution Agreement”). In addition, this Note is secured by a subordinate security interest on substantially all of the assets of the Debtor, including accounts receivable and rights to payment, which will remain in effect until such Notes are repaid.

 

8.7           Debtor and Holder agree that (a) this Note and the membership interests of Debtor being issued to Holder pursuant to the Contribution Agreement constitute an “investment unit” for purposes of Section 1273(c)(2)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, (b) the total issue price of the investment unit being issued to Holder is equal to the principal amount of this Note, and (c) for tax purposes, the allocation of the total issue price among this Note and the membership interests in proportion to its fair market value results in an original issue discount. None of the parties will take any position in its tax returns or otherwise that is inconsistent with this paragraph.

 

8.8           Acknowledgement of Bridge Financing . Holder acknowledges and agrees that (a) this Note is one in a series of Junior Bridge Notes (collectively, the “Bridge Financing”), (b) Debtor may seek up to $1,169,000 in connection with the Bridge Financing, and (c) Holder will exchange this Note and the documents and agreements executed in connection herewith for updated documents and agreements that reflect any change to Holder’s pro rata percentage of the outstanding balance under the Bridge Financing.

 

* * * * *

 

5

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Debtor has caused this Note to be signed by a duly authorized officer and dated as of the date first above written.

 

        TITAN CNG LLC
             
        By: /s/ Kirk S. Honour
          Name: Kirk S. Honour
          Its: President

  

Acknowledged and Agreed:  
   
/s/ John Honour  
John Honour  

   

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 4.8

 

THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS INSTRUMENT HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, AND MAY NOT BE SOLD, TRANSFERRED, ASSIGNED, PLEDGED, OR HYPOTHECATED UNLESS AND UNTIL REGISTERED UNDER SUCH ACT, OR UNLESS THE DEBTOR HAS RECEIVED AN OPINION OF COUNSEL OR OTHER EVIDENCE, SATISFACTORY TO THE DEBTOR AND ITS COUNSEL, THAT SUCH REGISTRATION IS NOT REQUIRED.

 

THIS NOTE IS ISSUED WITH ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNT AS DEFINED BY SECTION 1273(a)(1) OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1986, AS AMENDED. THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION IS PROVIDED PURSUANT TO THE INFORMATION REPORTING REQUIREMENTS SET FORTH IN TREASURY REGULATION 1.1275-3.

 

UPON WRITTEN REQUEST TO KIRK HONOUR OF TITAN CNG LLC, AT 315 LAKE STREET E., SUITE 301, WAYZATA, MN 55391 INFORMATION REGARDING THE ISSUE PRICE, AMOUNT OF ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNT, ISSUE DATE AND YIELD TO MATURITY WILL PROMPTLY BE MADE AVAILABLE.

 

THIS JUNIOR BRIDGE NOTE IS ONE IN A SERIES OF SECURED BRIDGE NOTES BEING ISSUED IN CONNECTION WITH A BRIDGE FINANCING OF UP TO $1,169,000, AND ANY PAYMENTS AND ACCESS TO COLLATERAL WILL BE ON A PARI PASSU BASIS WITH SUCH OTHER JUNIOR BRIDGE NOTES.

 

JUNIOR BRIDGE NOTE

 

$20,179 January 1, 2016

Minneapolis, Minnesota

 

FOR VALUE RECEIVED, TITAN CNG LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Debtor”), promises to pay to the order of Keith Clark and Janice Clark (“Holder”), the principal sum of $20,179, together with interest, in the manner provided in this Note.

 

1.            Repayment of Principal . All outstanding principal, if not previously paid, will be due and payable on December 31, 2020 (the “Stated Maturity Date”).

 

2.            Interest .

 

2.1          Interest will accrue on all outstanding unpaid amounts evidenced by this Note at an interest rate of 12% per year; provided that if written notice is given by Holder to Debtor of the occurrence of an Event of Default (as defined below), and if Debtor fails to cure the Event of Default within ten (10) days after receipt of such notice, the interest rate will increase to 15% per year.

 

 

 

2.2          All interest will be computed on the basis of a 365-day year containing 12 months, counting the actual number of days in each month. Except as otherwise provided in Section 2.4, all interest will be payable in kind on (and thereby increase) the outstanding principal amount of this Note (as such principal is increased from time to time) until the Stated Maturity Date. All accrued interest will be due and payable on the Stated Maturity Date.

 

2.3          In the event that the Note is prepaid prior to the Stated Maturity Date, a minimum amount of interest equal to four months’ interest will be deemed payable under this Note.

 

2.4          Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, if the aggregate amount of accrued but unpaid interest (including payable in kind interest) on this Note and all unpaid original issue discount on this Note as of the Stated Maturity Date would, but for this provision, exceed an amount equal to the product of:

 

(a)       the issue price (as defined in Sections 1273(b) and 1274(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”)) of this Note; and

 

(b)       the yield to maturity (interpreted in accordance with Section 163(i) of the Code) of this Note (such product, the “Maximum Accrual”),

 

then all accrued and unpaid interest (including the payable in kind interest) and original issue discount on this Note in excess of an amount equal to the Maximum Accrual shall be paid in cash prior to the Stated Maturity Date.

 

It is the intent of the parties that the cash payments required by this Section 2.4 will cause this Note to not be classified as “applicable high yield discount obligations” within the meaning of Section 163(i) of the Code. To the extent that for any reason these provisions do not accomplish this purpose, the parties may modify the payment terms in this Section 2.4 to accomplish the purpose.

 

3.            Method of Payment for Principal and Interest . All payments with respect to this Note will be made by wire transfer, in immediately available funds, to such account as Holder may specify in writing, without any presentation of this Note. Each payment with respect to this Note will be applied (i) first, to any fees, expenses or other amounts (other than principal and interest) due under this Note, (ii) second, to accrued interest, and (iii) third, to outstanding principal. Whenever any payment to be made under this Note is due on a Saturday, Sunday or holiday for banks under the laws of the State of Delaware, such payment may be made on the next succeeding bank business day, and such extension of time will in such case be included in the computation of the amount of interest due.

 

4.            Equity . From and after the occurrence of any Event of Default and until such Event of Default is remedied to the reasonable satisfaction of Holder, Debtor will issue Holder no Class A Membership Units (as defined in the Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company of Debtor (the “LLC Agreement”)) on the date of such Event of Default and each 90 day interval thereafter until all amounts due and owing under this Note have been paid in full.

 

2

 

 

5.            Events of Default . An “Event of Default” means any of the following:

 

5.1          The failure to pay any principal of, and interest on or any other amount due under this Note when and as the same will become due and payable, whether at the due date thereof or at a date fixed for prepayment thereof or by acceleration thereof or otherwise and such failure continues unremedied for a period of two business days.

 

5.2          A material default by Debtor or any entity in which Debtor controls or owns a majority of the outstanding equity interest therein (each a “Subsidiary” and collectively along with each other Subsidiary and the Debtor, the “Debtor Group” and each individually a “Debtor Group Member”) in the performance or observance of any covenant, condition, undertaking or agreement contained in this Note, and such default continues for a period of 30 days after notice by Holder to Debtor of such default.

 

5.3          If, pursuant to or within the meaning of the United States Bankruptcy Code or any other federal or state law relating to insolvency or relief of debtors (a “Bankruptcy Law”), a Debtor Group Member (a) commences a voluntary case or proceeding; (b) consents to the entry of an order for relief against a Debtor Group Member in an involuntary case; (c) consents to the appointment of a trustee, receiver, assignee, liquidator or similar official; (d) makes an assignment for the benefit of the creditors of any Debtor Group Member; or (e) admits in writing Debtor Group Member’s inability to pay its debts as they become due.

 

5.4          If a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under any Bankruptcy Law that (a) is for relief against a Debtor Group Member in an involuntary case, (b) appoints a trustee, receiver, assignee, liquidator or similar official for Debtor or substantially all of a Debtor Group Member’s properties, or (c) orders the liquidation of a Debtor Group Member and in each case the order or decree is not dismissed within 90 days.

 

5.5          A Debtor Group Member shall fail to discharge within a period of thirty (30) days after the commencement thereof any attachment, sequestration, or similar proceeding or proceedings involving an aggregate amount in excess of One Hundred Thousand and No/100 Dollars ($100,000.00) against any of its assets or properties.

 

5.6          A Debtor Group Member shall fail to satisfy and discharge promptly any judgment or judgments against it for the payment of money in an aggregate amount in excess of One Hundred Thousand and No/100 Dollars ($100,000.00).

 

5.7          A Debtor Group Member shall default in the payment of any of its indebtedness having an aggregate principal amount in excess of One Hundred Thousand and No/100 Dollars ($100,000.00), beyond any applicable grace period, or shall default, in any material respect, in its performance of any material agreement binding upon it or its property.

 

3

 

 

6.            Remedies .

 

6.1          From and after the occurrence of any Event of Default, Holder will be entitled to: (a) by written notice to the Debtor, declare all indebtedness evidenced by this Note to be immediately due and payable; (b) apply any and all amounts owed to Debtor by the Holder to the payment of this Note; (c) exercise and enforce its rights and remedies under this Note; and (d) proceed to protect and enforce its rights under applicable law.

 

6.2          No course of dealing on the part of Holder or any delay or failure on the part of Holder to exercise any right will operate as a waiver of such right or otherwise prejudice the Holder’s rights, powers and remedies.

 

6.3          Debtor will pay to Holder such additional amounts as are sufficient to cover the costs and expenses, including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys’ fees, incurred by Holder in collecting any sums due on account of this Note or otherwise in enforcing its rights hereunder.

 

7.            Optional Prepayments . Subject to the minimum interest payment set forth in Section 2.3, the indebtedness evidenced by this Note may be prepaid, in whole or in part, at any time.

 

8.            General .

 

8.1          Payment of principal or interest on this Note may only be made to, or upon the order of, the registered Holder. This Note is transferable only by surrender of this Note to the Debtor, duly endorsed or accompanied by a written instrument of transfer executed by the registered Holder. Upon surrender of this Note for transfer as provided above, Debtor will issue a new Note to, and register such new Note in the name of, the transferee and such new Note must contain the same legend as provided in this Note.

 

8.2           Debtor:

 

(a)       except as provided in Section 6, waives diligence, presentment, demand for payment, notice of dishonor, notice of non-payment, protest, notice of protest, and any and all other demands in connection with the delivery, acceptance, performance, default or enforcement of this Note;

 

(b)       agrees that Holder will have the right, without notice, to grant any extension of time for payment of any indebtedness evidenced by this Note or any other indulgence or forbearance whatsoever;

 

(c)       agrees that no failure on the part of Holder to exercise any power, right or privilege hereunder, or to insist upon prompt compliance with the terms of this Note, will constitute a waiver of that power, right or privilege; and

 

(d)       agrees that the acceptance at any time by Holder of any past due amounts will not be deemed to be a waiver of the requirement to make prompt payment when due of any other amounts then or thereafter due and payable.

 

4

 

 

8.3          This Note will be construed and enforced in accordance with the substantive laws of the State of Delaware without giving effect to the conflicts of laws principles of any jurisdiction.

 

8.4          AT THE OPTION OF HOLDER, THIS NOTE MAY BE ENFORCED IN ANY STATE OR FEDERAL COURT SITTING IN MINNEAPOLIS OR ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA, AND DEBTOR CONSENTS TO THE JURISDICTION AND VENUE OF ANY SUCH COURT AND WAIVES ANY ARGUMENT THAT VENUE IN SUCH FORUMS IS NOT CONVENIENT. IN THE EVENT DEBTOR COMMENCES AN ACTION IN ANOTHER JURISDICTION OR VENUE UNDER ANY TORT OR CONTRACT THEORY ARISING DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY FROM THE RELATIONSHIP CREATED BY THIS NOTE, OR ALLEGING ANY BREACH OF THIS NOTE, HOLDER AT ITS OPTION IS ENTITLED TO HAVE THE CASE TRANSFERRED TO ONE OF THE JURISDICTIONS AND VENUES DESCRIBED ABOVE, OR IF SUCH TRANSFER CANNOT BE ACCOMPLISHED UNDER APPLICABLE LAW, TO HAVE SUCH CASE DISMISSED WITHOUT PREJUDICE.

 

8.5          DEBTOR WAIVES THE RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION BASED ON OR PERTAINING TO THIS NOTE.

 

8.6          This Note is being issued in exchange for mezzanine debt in Titan El Toro LLC plus approximately 80% of the membership interests in Titan El Toro LLC and pursuant to a Contribution Agreement of even date herewith (the “Contribution Agreement”). In addition, this Note is secured by a subordinate security interest on substantially all of the assets of the Debtor, including accounts receivable and rights to payment, which will remain in effect until such Notes are repaid.

 

8.7           Debtor and Holder agree that (a) this Note and the membership interests of Debtor being issued to Holder pursuant to the Contribution Agreement constitute an “investment unit” for purposes of Section 1273(c)(2)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, (b) the total issue price of the investment unit being issued to Holder is equal to the principal amount of this Note, and (c) for tax purposes, the allocation of the total issue price among this Note and the membership interests in proportion to its fair market value results in an original issue discount. None of the parties will take any position in its tax returns or otherwise that is inconsistent with this paragraph.

 

8.8           Acknowledgement of Bridge Financing . Holder acknowledges and agrees that (a) this Note is one in a series of Junior Bridge Notes (collectively, the “Bridge Financing”), (b) Debtor may seek up to $1,169,000 in connection with the Bridge Financing, and (c) Holder will exchange this Note and the documents and agreements executed in connection herewith for updated documents and agreements that reflect any change to Holder’s pro rata percentage of the outstanding balance under the Bridge Financing.

 

* * * * *

 

5

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Debtor has caused this Note to be signed by a duly authorized officer and dated as of the date first above written.

 

        TITAN CNG LLC
             
        By: /s/ Kirk S. Honour
          Name: Kirk S. Honour
          Its: President

  

Acknowledged and Agreed:  
   
/s/ Keith Clark  
Keith Clark  
   
/s/ Janice Clark  
Janice Clark  

   

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 4.9

 

THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS INSTRUMENT HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, AND MAY NOT BE SOLD, TRANSFERRED, ASSIGNED, PLEDGED, OR HYPOTHECATED UNLESS AND UNTIL REGISTERED UNDER SUCH ACT, OR UNLESS THE DEBTOR HAS RECEIVED AN OPINION OF COUNSEL OR OTHER EVIDENCE, SATISFACTORY TO THE DEBTOR AND ITS COUNSEL, THAT SUCH REGISTRATION IS NOT REQUIRED.

 

THIS NOTE IS ISSUED WITH ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNT AS DEFINED BY SECTION 1273(a)(1) OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1986, AS AMENDED. THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION IS PROVIDED PURSUANT TO THE INFORMATION REPORTING REQUIREMENTS SET FORTH IN TREASURY REGULATION 1.1275-3.

 

UPON WRITTEN REQUEST TO KIRK HONOUR OF TITAN CNG LLC, AT 315 LAKE STREET E., SUITE 301, WAYZATA, MN 55391 INFORMATION REGARDING THE ISSUE PRICE, AMOUNT OF ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNT, ISSUE DATE AND YIELD TO MATURITY WILL PROMPTLY BE MADE AVAILABLE.

 

THIS JUNIOR BRIDGE NOTE IS ONE IN A SERIES OF SECURED BRIDGE NOTES BEING ISSUED IN CONNECTION WITH A BRIDGE FINANCING OF UP TO $1,169,000, AND ANY PAYMENTS AND ACCESS TO COLLATERAL WILL BE ON A PARI PASSU BASIS WITH SUCH OTHER JUNIOR BRIDGE NOTES.

 

JUNIOR BRIDGE NOTE

 

$127,108 January 1, 2016

Minneapolis, Minnesota

 

FOR VALUE RECEIVED, TITAN CNG LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Debtor”), promises to pay to the order of Kirk S. Honour (“Holder”), the principal sum of $127,108, together with interest, in the manner provided in this Note.

 

1.            Repayment of Principal . All outstanding principal, if not previously paid, will be due and payable on December 31, 2020 (the “Stated Maturity Date”).

 

2.            Interest .

 

2.1          Interest will accrue on all outstanding unpaid amounts evidenced by this Note at an interest rate of 12% per year; provided that if written notice is given by Holder to Debtor of the occurrence of an Event of Default (as defined below), and if Debtor fails to cure the Event of Default within ten (10) days after receipt of such notice, the interest rate will increase to 15% per year.

 

 

 

2.2          All interest will be computed on the basis of a 365-day year containing 12 months, counting the actual number of days in each month. Except as otherwise provided in Section 2.4, all interest will be payable in kind on (and thereby increase) the outstanding principal amount of this Note (as such principal is increased from time to time) until the Stated Maturity Date. All accrued interest will be due and payable on the Stated Maturity Date.

 

2.3          In the event that the Note is prepaid prior to the Stated Maturity Date, a minimum amount of interest equal to four months’ interest will be deemed payable under this Note.

 

2.4          Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, if the aggregate amount of accrued but unpaid interest (including payable in kind interest) on this Note and all unpaid original issue discount on this Note as of the Stated Maturity Date would, but for this provision, exceed an amount equal to the product of:

 

(a)       the issue price (as defined in Sections 1273(b) and 1274(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”)) of this Note; and

 

(b)       the yield to maturity (interpreted in accordance with Section 163(i) of the Code) of this Note (such product, the “Maximum Accrual”),

 

then all accrued and unpaid interest (including the payable in kind interest) and original issue discount on this Note in excess of an amount equal to the Maximum Accrual shall be paid in cash prior to the Stated Maturity Date.

 

It is the intent of the parties that the cash payments required by this Section 2.4 will cause this Note to not be classified as “applicable high yield discount obligations” within the meaning of Section 163(i) of the Code. To the extent that for any reason these provisions do not accomplish this purpose, the parties may modify the payment terms in this Section 2.4 to accomplish the purpose.

 

3.            Method of Payment for Principal and Interest . All payments with respect to this Note will be made by wire transfer, in immediately available funds, to such account as Holder may specify in writing, without any presentation of this Note. Each payment with respect to this Note will be applied (i) first, to any fees, expenses or other amounts (other than principal and interest) due under this Note, (ii) second, to accrued interest, and (iii) third, to outstanding principal. Whenever any payment to be made under this Note is due on a Saturday, Sunday or holiday for banks under the laws of the State of Delaware, such payment may be made on the next succeeding bank business day, and such extension of time will in such case be included in the computation of the amount of interest due.

 

4.            Equity . From and after the occurrence of any Event of Default and until such Event of Default is remedied to the reasonable satisfaction of Holder, Debtor will issue Holder no Class A Membership Units (as defined in the Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company of Debtor (the “LLC Agreement”)) on the date of such Event of Default and each 90 day interval thereafter until all amounts due and owing under this Note have been paid in full.

 

2

 

 

5.            Events of Default . An “Event of Default” means any of the following:

 

5.1          The failure to pay any principal of, and interest on or any other amount due under this Note when and as the same will become due and payable, whether at the due date thereof or at a date fixed for prepayment thereof or by acceleration thereof or otherwise and such failure continues unremedied for a period of two business days.

 

5.2          A material default by Debtor or any entity in which Debtor controls or owns a majority of the outstanding equity interest therein (each a “Subsidiary” and collectively along with each other Subsidiary and the Debtor, the “Debtor Group” and each individually a “Debtor Group Member”) in the performance or observance of any covenant, condition, undertaking or agreement contained in this Note, and such default continues for a period of 30 days after notice by Holder to Debtor of such default.

 

5.3          If, pursuant to or within the meaning of the United States Bankruptcy Code or any other federal or state law relating to insolvency or relief of debtors (a “Bankruptcy Law”), a Debtor Group Member (a) commences a voluntary case or proceeding; (b) consents to the entry of an order for relief against a Debtor Group Member in an involuntary case; (c) consents to the appointment of a trustee, receiver, assignee, liquidator or similar official; (d) makes an assignment for the benefit of the creditors of any Debtor Group Member; or (e) admits in writing Debtor Group Member’s inability to pay its debts as they become due.

 

5.4          If a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under any Bankruptcy Law that (a) is for relief against a Debtor Group Member in an involuntary case, (b) appoints a trustee, receiver, assignee, liquidator or similar official for Debtor or substantially all of a Debtor Group Member’s properties, or (c) orders the liquidation of a Debtor Group Member and in each case the order or decree is not dismissed within 90 days.

 

5.5          A Debtor Group Member shall fail to discharge within a period of thirty (30) days after the commencement thereof any attachment, sequestration, or similar proceeding or proceedings involving an aggregate amount in excess of One Hundred Thousand and No/100 Dollars ($100,000.00) against any of its assets or properties.

 

5.6          A Debtor Group Member shall fail to satisfy and discharge promptly any judgment or judgments against it for the payment of money in an aggregate amount in excess of One Hundred Thousand and No/100 Dollars ($100,000.00).

 

5.7          A Debtor Group Member shall default in the payment of any of its indebtedness having an aggregate principal amount in excess of One Hundred Thousand and No/100 Dollars ($100,000.00), beyond any applicable grace period, or shall default, in any material respect, in its performance of any material agreement binding upon it or its property.

 

3

 

 

6.            Remedies .

 

6.1          From and after the occurrence of any Event of Default, Holder will be entitled to: (a) by written notice to the Debtor, declare all indebtedness evidenced by this Note to be immediately due and payable; (b) apply any and all amounts owed to Debtor by the Holder to the payment of this Note; (c) exercise and enforce its rights and remedies under this Note; and (d) proceed to protect and enforce its rights under applicable law.

 

6.2          No course of dealing on the part of Holder or any delay or failure on the part of Holder to exercise any right will operate as a waiver of such right or otherwise prejudice the Holder’s rights, powers and remedies.

 

6.3          Debtor will pay to Holder such additional amounts as are sufficient to cover the costs and expenses, including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys’ fees, incurred by Holder in collecting any sums due on account of this Note or otherwise in enforcing its rights hereunder.

 

7.            Optional Prepayments . Subject to the minimum interest payment set forth in Section 2.3, the indebtedness evidenced by this Note may be prepaid, in whole or in part, at any time.

 

8.            General .

 

8.1          Payment of principal or interest on this Note may only be made to, or upon the order of, the registered Holder. This Note is transferable only by surrender of this Note to the Debtor, duly endorsed or accompanied by a written instrument of transfer executed by the registered Holder. Upon surrender of this Note for transfer as provided above, Debtor will issue a new Note to, and register such new Note in the name of, the transferee and such new Note must contain the same legend as provided in this Note.

 

8.2           Debtor:

 

(a)       except as provided in Section 6, waives diligence, presentment, demand for payment, notice of dishonor, notice of non-payment, protest, notice of protest, and any and all other demands in connection with the delivery, acceptance, performance, default or enforcement of this Note;

 

(b)       agrees that Holder will have the right, without notice, to grant any extension of time for payment of any indebtedness evidenced by this Note or any other indulgence or forbearance whatsoever;

 

(c)       agrees that no failure on the part of Holder to exercise any power, right or privilege hereunder, or to insist upon prompt compliance with the terms of this Note, will constitute a waiver of that power, right or privilege; and

 

(d)       agrees that the acceptance at any time by Holder of any past due amounts will not be deemed to be a waiver of the requirement to make prompt payment when due of any other amounts then or thereafter due and payable.

 

4

 

 

8.3          This Note will be construed and enforced in accordance with the substantive laws of the State of Delaware without giving effect to the conflicts of laws principles of any jurisdiction.

 

8.4          AT THE OPTION OF HOLDER, THIS NOTE MAY BE ENFORCED IN ANY STATE OR FEDERAL COURT SITTING IN MINNEAPOLIS OR ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA, AND DEBTOR CONSENTS TO THE JURISDICTION AND VENUE OF ANY SUCH COURT AND WAIVES ANY ARGUMENT THAT VENUE IN SUCH FORUMS IS NOT CONVENIENT. IN THE EVENT DEBTOR COMMENCES AN ACTION IN ANOTHER JURISDICTION OR VENUE UNDER ANY TORT OR CONTRACT THEORY ARISING DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY FROM THE RELATIONSHIP CREATED BY THIS NOTE, OR ALLEGING ANY BREACH OF THIS NOTE, HOLDER AT ITS OPTION IS ENTITLED TO HAVE THE CASE TRANSFERRED TO ONE OF THE JURISDICTIONS AND VENUES DESCRIBED ABOVE, OR IF SUCH TRANSFER CANNOT BE ACCOMPLISHED UNDER APPLICABLE LAW, TO HAVE SUCH CASE DISMISSED WITHOUT PREJUDICE.

 

8.5          DEBTOR WAIVES THE RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION BASED ON OR PERTAINING TO THIS NOTE.

 

8.6          This Note is being issued in exchange for mezzanine debt in Titan El Toro LLC plus approximately 80% of the membership interests in Titan El Toro LLC and pursuant to a Contribution Agreement of even date herewith (the “Contribution Agreement”). In addition, this Note is secured by a subordinate security interest on substantially all of the assets of the Debtor, including accounts receivable and rights to payment, which will remain in effect until such Notes are repaid.

 

8.7           Debtor and Holder agree that (a) this Note and the membership interests of Debtor being issued to Holder pursuant to the Contribution Agreement constitute an “investment unit” for purposes of Section 1273(c)(2)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, (b) the total issue price of the investment unit being issued to Holder is equal to the principal amount of this Note, and (c) for tax purposes, the allocation of the total issue price among this Note and the membership interests in proportion to its fair market value results in an original issue discount. None of the parties will take any position in its tax returns or otherwise that is inconsistent with this paragraph.

 

8.8           Acknowledgement of Bridge Financing . Holder acknowledges and agrees that (a) this Note is one in a series of Junior Bridge Notes (collectively, the “Bridge Financing”), (b) Debtor may seek up to $1,169,000 in connection with the Bridge Financing, and (c) Holder will exchange this Note and the documents and agreements executed in connection herewith for updated documents and agreements that reflect any change to Holder’s pro rata percentage of the outstanding balance under the Bridge Financing.

 

* * * * *

 

5

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Debtor has caused this Note to be signed by a duly authorized officer and dated as of the date first above written.

 

        TITAN CNG LLC
             
        By: /s/ Scott M. Honour
          Name: Scott M. Honour
          Its: Chairman

  

Acknowledged and Agreed:  
   
/s/ Kirk S. Honour  
Kirk S. Honour  

    

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 4.10

 

THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS INSTRUMENT HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, AND MAY NOT BE SOLD, TRANSFERRED, ASSIGNED, PLEDGED, OR HYPOTHECATED UNLESS AND UNTIL REGISTERED UNDER SUCH ACT, OR UNLESS THE DEBTOR HAS RECEIVED AN OPINION OF COUNSEL OR OTHER EVIDENCE, SATISFACTORY TO THE DEBTOR AND ITS COUNSEL, THAT SUCH REGISTRATION IS NOT REQUIRED.

 

THIS NOTE IS ISSUED WITH ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNT AS DEFINED BY SECTION 1273(a)(1) OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1986, AS AMENDED. THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION IS PROVIDED PURSUANT TO THE INFORMATION REPORTING REQUIREMENTS SET FORTH IN TREASURY REGULATION 1.1275-3.

 

UPON WRITTEN REQUEST TO KIRK HONOUR OF TITAN CNG LLC, AT 315 LAKE STREET E., SUITE 301, WAYZATA, MN 55391 INFORMATION REGARDING THE ISSUE PRICE, AMOUNT OF ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNT, ISSUE DATE AND YIELD TO MATURITY WILL PROMPTLY BE MADE AVAILABLE.

 

THIS JUNIOR BRIDGE NOTE IS ONE IN A SERIES OF SECURED BRIDGE NOTES BEING ISSUED IN CONNECTION WITH A BRIDGE FINANCING OF UP TO $1,169,000, AND ANY PAYMENTS AND ACCESS TO COLLATERAL WILL BE ON A PARI PASSU BASIS WITH SUCH OTHER JUNIOR BRIDGE NOTES.

 

JUNIOR BRIDGE NOTE

 

$20,179 January 1, 2016

Minneapolis, Minnesota

 

FOR VALUE RECEIVED, TITAN CNG LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Debtor”), promises to pay to the order of Stephen Clark and Jayne Clark (“Holder”), the principal sum of $20,179, together with interest, in the manner provided in this Note.

 

1.            Repayment of Principal . All outstanding principal, if not previously paid, will be due and payable on December 31, 2020 (the “Stated Maturity Date”).

 

2.            Interest .

 

2.1          Interest will accrue on all outstanding unpaid amounts evidenced by this Note at an interest rate of 12% per year; provided that if written notice is given by Holder to Debtor of the occurrence of an Event of Default (as defined below), and if Debtor fails to cure the Event of Default within ten (10) days after receipt of such notice, the interest rate will increase to 15% per year.

 

 

 

2.2          All interest will be computed on the basis of a 365-day year containing 12 months, counting the actual number of days in each month. Except as otherwise provided in Section 2.4, all interest will be payable in kind on (and thereby increase) the outstanding principal amount of this Note (as such principal is increased from time to time) until the Stated Maturity Date. All accrued interest will be due and payable on the Stated Maturity Date.

 

2.3          In the event that the Note is prepaid prior to the Stated Maturity Date, a minimum amount of interest equal to four months’ interest will be deemed payable under this Note.

 

2.4          Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, if the aggregate amount of accrued but unpaid interest (including payable in kind interest) on this Note and all unpaid original issue discount on this Note as of the Stated Maturity Date would, but for this provision, exceed an amount equal to the product of:

 

(a)       the issue price (as defined in Sections 1273(b) and 1274(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”)) of this Note; and

 

(b)       the yield to maturity (interpreted in accordance with Section 163(i) of the Code) of this Note (such product, the “Maximum Accrual”),

 

then all accrued and unpaid interest (including the payable in kind interest) and original issue discount on this Note in excess of an amount equal to the Maximum Accrual shall be paid in cash prior to the Stated Maturity Date.

 

It is the intent of the parties that the cash payments required by this Section 2.4 will cause this Note to not be classified as “applicable high yield discount obligations” within the meaning of Section 163(i) of the Code. To the extent that for any reason these provisions do not accomplish this purpose, the parties may modify the payment terms in this Section 2.4 to accomplish the purpose.

 

3.            Method of Payment for Principal and Interest . All payments with respect to this Note will be made by wire transfer, in immediately available funds, to such account as Holder may specify in writing, without any presentation of this Note. Each payment with respect to this Note will be applied (i) first, to any fees, expenses or other amounts (other than principal and interest) due under this Note, (ii) second, to accrued interest, and (iii) third, to outstanding principal. Whenever any payment to be made under this Note is due on a Saturday, Sunday or holiday for banks under the laws of the State of Delaware, such payment may be made on the next succeeding bank business day, and such extension of time will in such case be included in the computation of the amount of interest due.

 

4.            Equity . From and after the occurrence of any Event of Default and until such Event of Default is remedied to the reasonable satisfaction of Holder, Debtor will issue Holder no Class A Membership Units (as defined in the Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company of Debtor (the “LLC Agreement”)) on the date of such Event of Default and each 90 day interval thereafter until all amounts due and owing under this Note have been paid in full.

 

2

 

 

5.            Events of Default . An “Event of Default” means any of the following:

 

5.1          The failure to pay any principal of, and interest on or any other amount due under this Note when and as the same will become due and payable, whether at the due date thereof or at a date fixed for prepayment thereof or by acceleration thereof or otherwise and such failure continues unremedied for a period of two business days.

 

5.2          A material default by Debtor or any entity in which Debtor controls or owns a majority of the outstanding equity interest therein (each a “Subsidiary” and collectively along with each other Subsidiary and the Debtor, the “Debtor Group” and each individually a “Debtor Group Member”) in the performance or observance of any covenant, condition, undertaking or agreement contained in this Note, and such default continues for a period of 30 days after notice by Holder to Debtor of such default.

 

5.3          If, pursuant to or within the meaning of the United States Bankruptcy Code or any other federal or state law relating to insolvency or relief of debtors (a “Bankruptcy Law”), a Debtor Group Member (a) commences a voluntary case or proceeding; (b) consents to the entry of an order for relief against a Debtor Group Member in an involuntary case; (c) consents to the appointment of a trustee, receiver, assignee, liquidator or similar official; (d) makes an assignment for the benefit of the creditors of any Debtor Group Member; or (e) admits in writing Debtor Group Member’s inability to pay its debts as they become due.

 

5.4          If a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under any Bankruptcy Law that (a) is for relief against a Debtor Group Member in an involuntary case, (b) appoints a trustee, receiver, assignee, liquidator or similar official for Debtor or substantially all of a Debtor Group Member’s properties, or (c) orders the liquidation of a Debtor Group Member and in each case the order or decree is not dismissed within 90 days.

 

5.5          A Debtor Group Member shall fail to discharge within a period of thirty (30) days after the commencement thereof any attachment, sequestration, or similar proceeding or proceedings involving an aggregate amount in excess of One Hundred Thousand and No/100 Dollars ($100,000.00) against any of its assets or properties.

 

5.6          A Debtor Group Member shall fail to satisfy and discharge promptly any judgment or judgments against it for the payment of money in an aggregate amount in excess of One Hundred Thousand and No/100 Dollars ($100,000.00).

 

5.7          A Debtor Group Member shall default in the payment of any of its indebtedness having an aggregate principal amount in excess of One Hundred Thousand and No/100 Dollars ($100,000.00), beyond any applicable grace period, or shall default, in any material respect, in its performance of any material agreement binding upon it or its property.

 

3

 

 

6.            Remedies .

 

6.1          From and after the occurrence of any Event of Default, Holder will be entitled to: (a) by written notice to the Debtor, declare all indebtedness evidenced by this Note to be immediately due and payable; (b) apply any and all amounts owed to Debtor by the Holder to the payment of this Note; (c) exercise and enforce its rights and remedies under this Note; and (d) proceed to protect and enforce its rights under applicable law.

 

6.2          No course of dealing on the part of Holder or any delay or failure on the part of Holder to exercise any right will operate as a waiver of such right or otherwise prejudice the Holder’s rights, powers and remedies.

 

6.3          Debtor will pay to Holder such additional amounts as are sufficient to cover the costs and expenses, including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys’ fees, incurred by Holder in collecting any sums due on account of this Note or otherwise in enforcing its rights hereunder.

 

7.            Optional Prepayments . Subject to the minimum interest payment set forth in Section 2.3, the indebtedness evidenced by this Note may be prepaid, in whole or in part, at any time.

 

8.            General .

 

8.1          Payment of principal or interest on this Note may only be made to, or upon the order of, the registered Holder. This Note is transferable only by surrender of this Note to the Debtor, duly endorsed or accompanied by a written instrument of transfer executed by the registered Holder. Upon surrender of this Note for transfer as provided above, Debtor will issue a new Note to, and register such new Note in the name of, the transferee and such new Note must contain the same legend as provided in this Note.

 

8.2           Debtor:

 

(a)       except as provided in Section 6, waives diligence, presentment, demand for payment, notice of dishonor, notice of non-payment, protest, notice of protest, and any and all other demands in connection with the delivery, acceptance, performance, default or enforcement of this Note;

 

(b)       agrees that Holder will have the right, without notice, to grant any extension of time for payment of any indebtedness evidenced by this Note or any other indulgence or forbearance whatsoever;

 

(c)       agrees that no failure on the part of Holder to exercise any power, right or privilege hereunder, or to insist upon prompt compliance with the terms of this Note, will constitute a waiver of that power, right or privilege; and

 

(d)       agrees that the acceptance at any time by Holder of any past due amounts will not be deemed to be a waiver of the requirement to make prompt payment when due of any other amounts then or thereafter due and payable.

 

4

 

 

8.3          This Note will be construed and enforced in accordance with the substantive laws of the State of Delaware without giving effect to the conflicts of laws principles of any jurisdiction.

 

8.4          AT THE OPTION OF HOLDER, THIS NOTE MAY BE ENFORCED IN ANY STATE OR FEDERAL COURT SITTING IN MINNEAPOLIS OR ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA, AND DEBTOR CONSENTS TO THE JURISDICTION AND VENUE OF ANY SUCH COURT AND WAIVES ANY ARGUMENT THAT VENUE IN SUCH FORUMS IS NOT CONVENIENT. IN THE EVENT DEBTOR COMMENCES AN ACTION IN ANOTHER JURISDICTION OR VENUE UNDER ANY TORT OR CONTRACT THEORY ARISING DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY FROM THE RELATIONSHIP CREATED BY THIS NOTE, OR ALLEGING ANY BREACH OF THIS NOTE, HOLDER AT ITS OPTION IS ENTITLED TO HAVE THE CASE TRANSFERRED TO ONE OF THE JURISDICTIONS AND VENUES DESCRIBED ABOVE, OR IF SUCH TRANSFER CANNOT BE ACCOMPLISHED UNDER APPLICABLE LAW, TO HAVE SUCH CASE DISMISSED WITHOUT PREJUDICE.

 

8.5          DEBTOR WAIVES THE RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION BASED ON OR PERTAINING TO THIS NOTE.

 

8.6          This Note is being issued in exchange for mezzanine debt in Titan El Toro LLC plus approximately 80% of the membership interests in Titan El Toro LLC and pursuant to a Contribution Agreement of even date herewith (the “Contribution Agreement”). In addition, this Note is secured by a subordinate security interest on substantially all of the assets of the Debtor, including accounts receivable and rights to payment, which will remain in effect until such Notes are repaid.

 

8.7           Debtor and Holder agree that (a) this Note and the membership interests of Debtor being issued to Holder pursuant to the Contribution Agreement constitute an “investment unit” for purposes of Section 1273(c)(2)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, (b) the total issue price of the investment unit being issued to Holder is equal to the principal amount of this Note, and (c) for tax purposes, the allocation of the total issue price among this Note and the membership interests in proportion to its fair market value results in an original issue discount. None of the parties will take any position in its tax returns or otherwise that is inconsistent with this paragraph.

 

8.8           Acknowledgement of Bridge Financing . Holder acknowledges and agrees that (a) this Note is one in a series of Junior Bridge Notes (collectively, the “Bridge Financing”), (b) Debtor may seek up to $1,169,000 in connection with the Bridge Financing, and (c) Holder will exchange this Note and the documents and agreements executed in connection herewith for updated documents and agreements that reflect any change to Holder’s pro rata percentage of the outstanding balance under the Bridge Financing.

 

* * * * *

 

5

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Debtor has caused this Note to be signed by a duly authorized officer and dated as of the date first above written.

 

        TITAN CNG LLC
             
        By: /s/ Kirk S. Honour
          Name: Kirk S. Honour
          Its: President

  

Acknowledged and Agreed:  
   
/s/ Stephen Clark  
Stephen Clark  
   
/s/ Jayne Clark  
Jayne Clark  

   

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 4.11

 

The securities represented by this instrument have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and may not be sold, transferred, assigned, pledged, or hypothecated unless and until registered under such act, or unless the Debtor has received an opinion of counsel or other evidence, satisfactory to the Debtor and its counsel, that such registration is not required.

 

THE SECURITIES OFFERED HEREBY HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE FLORIDA SECURITIES ACT AND ARE BEING SOLD IN RELIANCE UPON AN EXEMPTION PROVIDED BY SECTION 517.06I THEREOF. UNLESS THE SECURITIES ARE REGISTERED, THEY MAY NOT BE REOFFERED FOR SALE OR RESOLD IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA EXEMPT AS AN EXEMPT SECURITY OR IN AN EXEMPT TRANSACTION UNDER SAID ACT.

 

EACH OFFEREE WHO IS A FLORIDA RESIDENT SHOULD BE AWARE THAT ANY SALE MADE, TO RESIDENTS OF FLORIDA SHALL BE VOIDABLE WITHIN THREE DAYS AFTER THE FIRST TENDER OF CONSIDERATION IS MADE BY THE PURCHASER TO THE ISSUER OR TO THE PLACEMENT AGENT. EACH PERSON ENTITLED TO EXERCISE SUCH RIGHT TO WITHDRAW AND WHO WISHES TO EXERCISE SUCH RIGHT MUST CAUSE A WRITTEN NOTICE OR TELEGRAM TO BE SENT TO THE ISSUER OR PLACEMENT AGENT WITHIN THE AFOREMENTIONED THREE-DAY PERIOD.

 

THIS NOTE IS ISSUED WITH ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNT AS DEFINED BY SECTION 1273(a)(1) OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1986, AS AMENDED. THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION IS PROVIDED PURSUANT TO THE INFORMATION REPORTING REQUIREMENTS SET FORTH IN TREASURY REGULATION 1.1275-3.

 

UPON WRITTEN REQUEST TO KIRK HONOUR OF TITAN CNG LLC, AT 315 LAKE STREET E., SUITE 301, WAYZATA, MN 55391 INFORMATION REGARDING THE ISSUE PRICE, AMOUNT OF ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNT, ISSUE DATE AND YIELD TO MATURITY WILL PROMPTLY BE MADE AVAILABLE.

 

THIS SECURED BRIDGE NOTE IS ONE IN A SERIES OF SECURED BRIDGE NOTES BEING ISSUED IN CONNECTION WITH A BRIDGE FINANCING OF UP TO $1,500,000, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, THOSE CERTAIN SECURED BRIDGE NOTES DATED ON OR ABOUT THE DATE HEREOF BY TITAN CNG LLC IN FAVOR OF EACH OF Thomas J. Abood Revocable Trust u/a dated August 17, 2012, as amended , JAMES JACKSON, THE ALPETER FAMILY LIMITED PARTNERSHIP, AND DAVID M. LEAVENWORTH, AND ANY PAYMENTS AND ACCESS TO COLLATERAL WILL BE ON A PARI PASSU BASIS WITH SUCH OTHER SECURED BRIDGE NOTES.  

 

 

 

 

SECURED BRIDGE NOTE

 

$250,000.00 February 29, 2016
  Minneapolis, Minnesota

   

FOR VALUE RECEIVED, TITAN CNG LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Debtor”), promises to pay to the order of Red Ocean Consulting, LLC (“Holder”), the principal sum of $250,000.00, together with interest, in the manner provided in this Note. 

 

1.            Repayment of Principal . All outstanding principal, if not previously paid, will be due and payable on June 28, 2016 (the “Stated Maturity Date”).

 

2.            Interest .

 

2.1         Interest will accrue on all outstanding unpaid amounts evidenced by this Note at an interest rate of 12% per year; provided that if written notice is given by Holder to Debtor of the occurrence of an Event of Default (as defined below), and if Debtor fails to cure the Event of Default within ten (10) days after receipt of such notice, the interest rate will increase to 15% per year.

 

2.2         All interest will be computed on the basis of a 365-day year containing 12 months, counting the actual number of days in each month. Except as otherwise provided in Section 2.4, all interest will be payable in kind on (and thereby increase) the outstanding principal amount of this Note (as such principal is increased from time to time) until the Stated Maturity Date. All accrued interest will be due and payable on the Stated Maturity Date.

 

2.3         In the event that the Note is prepaid prior to the Stated Maturity Date, a minimum amount of interest equal to four months’ interest will be deemed payable under this Note.

 

2.4         Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, if the aggregate amount of accrued but unpaid interest (including payable in kind interest) on this Note and all unpaid original issue discount on this Note as of the Stated Maturity Date would, but for this provision, exceed an amount equal to the product of:

 

(a)         the issue price (as defined in Sections 1273(b) and 1274(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”)) of this Note; and

 

(b)         the yield to maturity (interpreted in accordance with Section 163(i) of the Code) of this Note (such product, the “Maximum Accrual”),

 

then all accrued and unpaid interest (including the payable in kind interest) and original issue discount on this Note in excess of an amount equal to the Maximum Accrual shall be paid in cash prior to the Stated Maturity Date.

 

  2  

 

 

It is the intent of the parties that the cash payments required by this Section 2.4 will cause this Note to not be classified as “applicable high yield discount obligations” within the meaning of Section 163(i) of the Code. To the extent that for any reason these provisions do not accomplish this purpose, the parties may modify the payment terms in this Section 2.4 to accomplish the purpose.

 

3.           Method of Payment for Principal and Interest . All payments with respect to this Note will be made by wire transfer, in immediately available funds, to such account as Holder may specify in writing, without any presentation of this Note. Each payment with respect to this Note will be applied (i) first, to any fees, expenses or other amounts (other than principal and interest) due under this Note, (ii) second, to accrued interest, and (iii) third, to outstanding principal. Whenever any payment to be made under this Note is due on a Saturday, Sunday or holiday for banks under the laws of the State of Delaware, such payment may be made on the next succeeding bank business day, and such extension of time will in such case be included in the computation of the amount of interest due.

 

4.            Equity . From and after the occurrence of any Event of Default and until such Event of Default is remedied to the reasonable satisfaction of Holder, Debtor will issue Holder 1,250 Class A Membership Units (as defined in the Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company of Debtor (the “LLC Agreement”)) on the date of such Event of Default and each 90 day interval thereafter until all amounts due and owing under this Note have been paid in full.

 

5.            Events of Default . An “Event of Default” means any of the following:

 

5.1         The failure to pay any principal of, and interest on or any other amount due under this Note when and as the same will become due and payable, whether at the due date thereof or at a date fixed for prepayment thereof or by acceleration thereof or otherwise and such failure continues unremedied for a period of two business days.

 

5.2         A material default by Debtor or any entity in which Debtor controls or owns a majority of the outstanding equity interest therein (each a “Subsidiary” and collectively along with each other Subsidiary and the Debtor, the “Debtor Group” and each individually a “Debtor Group Member”) in the performance or observance of any covenant, condition, undertaking or agreement contained in this Note, the Security Agreement dated on or about the date hereof among Holder, other holders of notes issued in connection herewith and the Debtor Group Members (the “Security Agreement”), or the Pledge Agreements dated on or about the date hereof among Holder, on the one hand, and the other holders of notes issued in connection herewith (the “Pledge Agreements”), and such default continues for a period of 30 days after notice by Holder to Debtor of such default.

 

5.3         If, pursuant to or within the meaning of the United States Bankruptcy Code or any other federal or state law relating to insolvency or relief of debtors (a “Bankruptcy Law”), a Debtor Group Member (a) commences a voluntary case or proceeding; (b) consents to the entry of an order for relief against a Debtor Group Member in an involuntary case; (c) consents to the appointment of a trustee, receiver, assignee, liquidator or similar official; (d) makes an assignment for the benefit of the creditors of any Debtor Group Member; or (e) admits in writing Debtor Group Member’s inability to pay its debts as they become due.

 

  3  

 

 

5.4         If a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under any Bankruptcy Law that (a) is for relief against a Debtor Group Member in an involuntary case, (b) appoints a trustee, receiver, assignee, liquidator or similar official for Debtor or substantially all of a Debtor Group Member’s properties, or (c) orders the liquidation of a Debtor Group Member and in each case the order or decree is not dismissed within 90 days.

 

5.5         A Debtor Group Member shall fail to discharge within a period of thirty (30) days after the commencement thereof any attachment, sequestration, or similar proceeding or proceedings involving an aggregate amount in excess of One Hundred Thousand and No/100 Dollars ($100,000.00) against any of its assets or properties.

 

5.6         A Debtor Group Member shall fail to satisfy and discharge promptly any judgment or judgments against it for the payment of money in an aggregate amount in excess of One Hundred Thousand and No/100 Dollars ($100,000.00).

 

5.7         A Debtor Group Member shall default in the payment of any of its indebtedness having an aggregate principal amount in excess of One Hundred Thousand and No/100 Dollars ($100,000.00), beyond any applicable grace period, or shall default, in any material respect, in its performance of any material agreement binding upon it or its property.

 

6.           Remedies .

 

6.1         From and after the occurrence of any Event of Default, Holder will be entitled to: (a) by written notice to the Debtor, declare all indebtedness evidenced by this Note to be immediately due and payable; (b) apply any and all amounts owed to Debtor by the Holder to the payment of this Note; (c) exercise and enforce its rights and remedies under this Note, the Security Agreement, and the Pledge Agreements; and (d) proceed to protect and enforce its rights under applicable law.

 

6.2         No course of dealing on the part of Holder or any delay or failure on the part of Holder to exercise any right will operate as a waiver of such right or otherwise prejudice the Holder’s rights, powers and remedies.

 

6.3         Debtor will pay to Holder such additional amounts as are sufficient to cover the costs and expenses, including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys’ fees, incurred by Holder in collecting any sums due on account of this Note or otherwise in enforcing its rights hereunder.

 

7.           Optional Prepayments . Subject to the minimum interest payment set forth in Section 2.3, the indebtedness evidenced by this Note may be prepaid, in whole or in part, at any time.

 

  4  

 

 

8.           General .

 

8.1         Payment of principal or interest on this Note may only be made to, or upon the order of, the registered Holder. This Note is transferable only by surrender of this Note to the Debtor, duly endorsed or accompanied by a written instrument of transfer executed by the registered Holder. Upon surrender of this Note for transfer as provided above, Debtor will issue a new Note to, and register such new Note in the name of, the transferee and such new Note must contain the same legend as provided in this Note.

 

8.2         Debtor:

 

(a)         except as provided in Section 6, waives diligence, presentment, demand for payment, notice of dishonor, notice of non-payment, protest, notice of protest, and any and all other demands in connection with the delivery, acceptance, performance, default or enforcement of this Note;

 

(b)         agrees that Holder will have the right, without notice, to grant any extension of time for payment of any indebtedness evidenced by this Note or any other indulgence or forbearance whatsoever;

 

(c)         agrees that no failure on the part of Holder to exercise any power, right or privilege hereunder, or to insist upon prompt compliance with the terms of this Note, will constitute a waiver of that power, right or privilege; and

 

(d)         agrees that the acceptance at any time by Holder of any past due amounts will not be deemed to be a waiver of the requirement to make prompt payment when due of any other amounts then or hereafter due and payable.

 

8.3         This Note will be construed and enforced in accordance with the substantive laws of the State of Delaware without giving effect to the conflicts of laws principles of any jurisdiction.

 

8.4         AT THE OPTION OF HOLDER, THIS NOTE MAY BE ENFORCED IN ANY STATE OR FEDERAL COURT SITTING IN MINNEAPOLIS OR ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA, AND DEBTOR CONSENTS TO THE JURISDICTION AND VENUE OF ANY SUCH COURT AND WAIVES ANY ARGUMENT THAT VENUE IN SUCH FORUMS IS NOT CONVENIENT. IN THE EVENT DEBTOR COMMENCES AN ACTION IN ANOTHER JURISDICTION OR VENUE UNDER ANY TORT OR CONTRACT THEORY ARISING DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY FROM THE RELATIONSHIP CREATED BY THIS NOTE, OR ALLEGING ANY BREACH OF THIS NOTE, HOLDER AT ITS OPTION IS ENTITLED TO HAVE THE CASE TRANSFERRED TO ONE OF THE JURISDICTIONS AND VENUES DESCRIBED ABOVE, OR IF SUCH TRANSFER CANNOT BE ACCOMPLISHED UNDER APPLICABLE LAW, TO HAVE SUCH CASE DISMISSED WITHOUT PREJUDICE.

 

8.5         DEBTOR WAIVES THE RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION BASED ON OR PERTAINING TO THIS NOTE.

 

  5  

 

 

8.6         This Note is secured by the Security Agreement and the Pledge Agreements.

 

8.7         Debtor will cause Brenton Hayden to be a member of the Board of Managers of Debtor for a renewable three year term so long as Holder holds a majority of the membership interests of Debtor being issued to Holder pursuant to that certain Subscription and Investment Representation Agreement dated the date hereof between Debtor and Holder (the “Subscription Agreement”); provided , however , that in the event that there is a Public Offering or Sale of Company (each as defined in the LLC Agreement) or other reorganization of Debtor, Debtor may terminate the board position granted pursuant to this Section 8.7. 

 

8.8         Debtor and Holder agree that (a) this Note and the membership interests of Debtor being issued to Holder pursuant to the Subscription Agreement constitute an “investment unit” for purposes of Section 1273(c)(2)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, (b) the total issue price of the investment unit being issued to Holder is equal to the principal amount of this Note, and (c) for tax purposes, the allocation of the total issue price among this Note and the membership interests in proportion to its fair market value results in an original issue discount. None of the parties will take any position in its tax returns or otherwise that is inconsistent with this paragraph.

 

8.9         On or before two weeks following the date of this Note, Debtor will deliver to Holder a deposit account control agreement with respect to its deposit bank accounts. 

 

8.10       The parties acknowledge and agree that at the closing of the offering contemplated by the PPM (as defined in the Subscription Agreement) (the “PPM Closing”), provided this Note is not then in default, (a) $150,000 of the principal and accrued and unpaid interest under this Note will be converted into the securities issued pursuant to the PPM Closing (it being understood that the resulting Class A Membership Unit Convertible Notes shall entitle Holder to convert such note into Class A Membership Units at the lesser of the price offered to all holders thereof or $10.00 per unit (subject to equitable adjustment for any unit splits or combinations, unit distributions or dividend or similar transactions), and (b) the remaining balance under this Note may be converted into the securities issued pursuant to the PPM Closing at the option of Holder under the same terms.

 

8.11          Acknowledgement of Bridge Financing . Holder acknowledges and agrees that (a) this Note is one in a series of Secured Bridge Notes (collectively, the “Bridge Financing”), (b) Debtor may seek up to $1,500,000 in connection with the Bridge Financing, and (c) Holder will exchange this Note and the documents and agreements executed in connection herewith for updated documents and agreements that reflect any change to Holder’s pro rata percentage of the outstanding balance under the Bridge Financing.

 

8.12          Alpeter Signature Pages . Borrower will deliver to Holder or its legal counsel the Alpeter Family Limited Partnership’s signature pages to the Subordination Agreement dated the date hereof among Debtor, Holder and the Alpeter Family Limited Partnership by March 4, 2016. The failure to deliver such signature pages by March 4, 2016 will constitute an Event of Default under and as defined by this Note.

 

* * * * *

 

  6  

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Debtor has caused this Note to be signed by a duly authorized officer and dated as of the date first above written.

 

      TITAN CNG LLC
       
      By: /s/ Kirk S. Honour
      Name: Kirk S. Honour
      Its: President
         
  Acknowledged and Agreed:      
 

 

RED OCEAN CONSULTING, LLC

     
         
By: /s/ Brenton Hayden      
Name: Brenton Hayden      
Title : Manager      

 

 

7

 

 

Exhibit 4.12

 

The securities represented by this instrument have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and may not be sold, transferred, assigned, pledged, or hypothecated unless and until registered under such act, or unless the Debtor has received an opinion of counsel or other evidence, satisfactory to the Debtor and its counsel, that such registration is not required.

 

THIS NOTE IS ISSUED WITH ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNT AS DEFINED BY SECTION 1273(a)(1) OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1986, AS AMENDED. THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION IS PROVIDED PURSUANT TO THE INFORMATION REPORTING REQUIREMENTS SET FORTH IN TREASURY REGULATION 1.1275-3.

 

UPON WRITTEN REQUEST TO KIRK HONOUR OF TITAN CNG LLC, AT 315 LAKE STREET E., SUITE 301, WAYZATA, MN 55391 INFORMATION REGARDING THE ISSUE PRICE, AMOUNT OF ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNT, ISSUE DATE AND YIELD TO MATURITY WILL PROMPTLY BE MADE AVAILABLE.

 

THIS SECURED BRIDGE NOTE IS ONE IN A SERIES OF SECURED BRIDGE NOTES BEING ISSUED IN CONNECTION WITH A BRIDGE FINANCING OF UP TO $1,500,000, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, THOSE CERTAIN SECURED BRIDGE NOTES DATED ON OR ABOUT THE DATE HEREOF BY TITAN CNG LLC IN FAVOR OF EACH OF RED OCEAN CONSULTING, LLC, JAMES JACKSON , THE ALPETER FAMILY LIMITED PARTNERSHIP, AND DAVID M. LEAVENWORTH, AND ANY PAYMENTS AND ACCESS TO COLLATERAL WILL BE ON A PARI PASSU BASIS WITH SUCH OTHER SECURED BRIDGE NOTES.

 

SECURED BRIDGE NOTE

 

$250,000.00 February 29, 2016
  Minneapolis, Minnesota

   

FOR VALUE RECEIVED, TITAN CNG LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Debtor”), promises to pay to the order of the Thomas J. Abood Revocable Trust u/a dated August 17, 2012, as amended (“Holder”), the principal sum of $250,000.00, together with interest, in the manner provided in this Note.

 

1.            Repayment of Principal . All outstanding principal, if not previously paid, will be due and payable on June 28, 2016 (the “Stated Maturity Date”).

 

2.            Interest .

 

2.1         Interest will accrue on all outstanding unpaid amounts evidenced by this Note at an interest rate of 12% per year; provided that if written notice is given by Holder to Debtor of the occurrence of an Event of Default (as defined below), and if Debtor fails to cure the Event of Default within ten (10) days after receipt of such notice, the interest rate will increase to 15% per year.

 

 

 

 

2.2         All interest will be computed on the basis of a 365-day year containing 12 months, counting the actual number of days in each month. Except as otherwise provided in Section 2.4, all interest will be payable in kind on (and thereby increase) the outstanding principal amount of this Note (as such principal is increased from time to time) until the Stated Maturity Date. All accrued interest will be due and payable on the Stated Maturity Date.

 

2.3         In the event that the Note is prepaid prior to the Stated Maturity Date, a minimum amount of interest equal to four months’ interest will be deemed payable under this Note.

 

2.4         Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, if the aggregate amount of accrued but unpaid interest (including payable in kind interest) on this Note and all unpaid original issue discount on this Note as of the Stated Maturity Date would, but for this provision, exceed an amount equal to the product of:

 

(a)         the issue price (as defined in Sections 1273(b) and 1274(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”)) of this Note; and

 

(b)         the yield to maturity (interpreted in accordance with Section 163(i) of the Code) of this Note (such product, the “Maximum Accrual”),

 

then all accrued and unpaid interest (including the payable in kind interest) and original issue discount on this Note in excess of an amount equal to the Maximum Accrual shall be paid in cash prior to the Stated Maturity Date.

 

It is the intent of the parties that the cash payments required by this Section 2.4 will cause this Note to not be classified as “applicable high yield discount obligations” within the meaning of Section 163(i) of the Code. To the extent that for any reason these provisions do not accomplish this purpose, the parties may modify the payment terms in this Section 2.4 to accomplish the purpose.

 

3.           Method of Payment for Principal and Interest . All payments with respect to this Note will be made by wire transfer, in immediately available funds, to such account as Holder may specify in writing, without any presentation of this Note. Each payment with respect to this Note will be applied (i) first, to any fees, expenses or other amounts (other than principal and interest) due under this Note, (ii) second, to accrued interest, and (iii) third, to outstanding principal. Whenever any payment to be made under this Note is due on a Saturday, Sunday or holiday for banks under the laws of the State of Delaware, such payment may be made on the next succeeding bank business day, and such extension of time will in such case be included in the computation of the amount of interest due.

 

4.            Equity . From and after the occurrence of any Event of Default and until such Event of Default is remedied to the reasonable satisfaction of Holder, Debtor will issue Holder 1,250 Class A Membership Units (as defined in the Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company of Debtor (the “LLC Agreement”)) on the date of such Event of Default and each 90 day interval thereafter until all amounts due and owing under this Note have been paid in full.

 

  2  

 

 

5.            Events of Default . An “Event of Default” means any of the following:

 

5.1         The failure to pay any principal of, and interest on or any other amount due under this Note when and as the same will become due and payable, whether at the due date thereof or at a date fixed for prepayment thereof or by acceleration thereof or otherwise and such failure continues unremedied for a period of two business days.

 

5.2         A material default by Debtor or any entity in which Debtor controls or owns a majority of the outstanding equity interest therein (each a “Subsidiary” and collectively along with each other Subsidiary and the Debtor, the “Debtor Group” and each individually a “Debtor Group Member”) in the performance or observance of any covenant, condition, undertaking or agreement contained in this Note, the Security Agreement dated on or about the date hereof among Holder, other holders of notes issued in connection herewith and the Debtor Group Members (the “Security Agreement”), or the Pledge Agreements dated on or about the date hereof among Holder, on the one hand, and the other holders of notes issued in connection herewith (the “Pledge Agreements”), and such default continues for a period of 30 days after notice by Holder to Debtor of such default.

 

5.3         If, pursuant to or within the meaning of the United States Bankruptcy Code or any other federal or state law relating to insolvency or relief of debtors (a “Bankruptcy Law”), a Debtor Group Member (a) commences a voluntary case or proceeding; (b) consents to the entry of an order for relief against a Debtor Group Member in an involuntary case; (c) consents to the appointment of a trustee, receiver, assignee, liquidator or similar official; (d) makes an assignment for the benefit of the creditors of any Debtor Group Member; or (e) admits in writing Debtor Group Member’s inability to pay its debts as they become due.

 

5.4         If a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under any Bankruptcy Law that (a) is for relief against a Debtor Group Member in an involuntary case, (b) appoints a trustee, receiver, assignee, liquidator or similar official for Debtor or substantially all of a Debtor Group Member’s properties, or (c) orders the liquidation of a Debtor Group Member and in each case the order or decree is not dismissed within 90 days.

 

5.5         A Debtor Group Member shall fail to discharge within a period of thirty (30) days after the commencement thereof any attachment, sequestration, or similar proceeding or proceedings involving an aggregate amount in excess of One Hundred Thousand and No/100 Dollars ($100,000.00) against any of its assets or properties.

 

5.6         A Debtor Group Member shall fail to satisfy and discharge promptly any judgment or judgments against it for the payment of money in an aggregate amount in excess of One Hundred Thousand and No/100 Dollars ($100,000.00).

 

5.7         A Debtor Group Member shall default in the payment of any of its indebtedness having an aggregate principal amount in excess of One Hundred Thousand and No/100 Dollars ($100,000.00), beyond any applicable grace period, or shall default, in any material respect, in its performance of any material agreement binding upon it or its property.

 

  3  

 

 

6.           Remedies .

 

6.1         From and after the occurrence of any Event of Default, Holder will be entitled to: (a) by written notice to the Debtor, declare all indebtedness evidenced by this Note to be immediately due and payable; (b) apply any and all amounts owed to Debtor by the Holder to the payment of this Note; (c) exercise and enforce its rights and remedies under this Note, the Security Agreement, and the Pledge Agreements; and (d) proceed to protect and enforce its rights under applicable law.

 

6.2         No course of dealing on the part of Holder or any delay or failure on the part of Holder to exercise any right will operate as a waiver of such right or otherwise prejudice the Holder’s rights, powers and remedies.

 

6.3         Debtor will pay to Holder such additional amounts as are sufficient to cover the costs and expenses, including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys’ fees, incurred by Holder in collecting any sums due on account of this Note or otherwise in enforcing its rights hereunder.

 

7.           Optional Prepayments . Subject to the minimum interest payment set forth in Section 2.3, the indebtedness evidenced by this Note may be prepaid, in whole or in part, at any time.

 

8.           General .

 

8.1         Payment of principal or interest on this Note may only be made to, or upon the order of, the registered Holder. This Note is transferable only by surrender of this Note to the Debtor, duly endorsed or accompanied by a written instrument of transfer executed by the registered Holder. Upon surrender of this Note for transfer as provided above, Debtor will issue a new Note to, and register such new Note in the name of, the transferee and such new Note must contain the same legend as provided in this Note.

 

8.2         Debtor:

 

(a)         except as provided in Section 6, waives diligence, presentment, demand for payment, notice of dishonor, notice of non-payment, protest, notice of protest, and any and all other demands in connection with the delivery, acceptance, performance, default or enforcement of this Note;

 

(b)         agrees that Holder will have the right, without notice, to grant any extension of time for payment of any indebtedness evidenced by this Note or any other indulgence or forbearance whatsoever;

 

(c)         agrees that no failure on the part of Holder to exercise any power, right or privilege hereunder, or to insist upon prompt compliance with the terms of this Note, will constitute a waiver of that power, right or privilege; and

 

  4  

 

 

(d)         agrees that the acceptance at any time by Holder of any past due amounts will not be deemed to be a waiver of the requirement to make prompt payment when due of any other amounts then or hereafter due and payable.

 

8.3         This Note will be construed and enforced in accordance with the substantive laws of the State of Delaware without giving effect to the conflicts of laws principles of any jurisdiction.

 

8.4         AT THE OPTION OF HOLDER, THIS NOTE MAY BE ENFORCED IN ANY STATE OR FEDERAL COURT SITTING IN MINNEAPOLIS OR ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA, AND DEBTOR CONSENTS TO THE JURISDICTION AND VENUE OF ANY SUCH COURT AND WAIVES ANY ARGUMENT THAT VENUE IN SUCH FORUMS IS NOT CONVENIENT. IN THE EVENT DEBTOR COMMENCES AN ACTION IN ANOTHER JURISDICTION OR VENUE UNDER ANY TORT OR CONTRACT THEORY ARISING DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY FROM THE RELATIONSHIP CREATED BY THIS NOTE, OR ALLEGING ANY BREACH OF THIS NOTE, HOLDER AT ITS OPTION IS ENTITLED TO HAVE THE CASE TRANSFERRED TO ONE OF THE JURISDICTIONS AND VENUES DESCRIBED ABOVE, OR IF SUCH TRANSFER CANNOT BE ACCOMPLISHED UNDER APPLICABLE LAW, TO HAVE SUCH CASE DISMISSED WITHOUT PREJUDICE.

 

8.5         DEBTOR WAIVES THE RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION BASED ON OR PERTAINING TO THIS NOTE.

 

8.6         This Note is secured by the Security Agreement and the Pledge Agreements.

 

8.7         Debtor will cause Thomas Abood to be a member of the Board of Managers of Debtor for a renewable three year term so long as Holder holds a majority of the membership interests of Debtor being issued to Holder pursuant to that certain Subscription and Investment Representation Agreement dated the date hereof between Debtor and Holder (the “Subscription Agreement”).

 

8.8         Debtor and Holder agree that (a) this Note and the membership interests of Debtor being issued to Holder pursuant to the Subscription Agreement constitute an “investment unit” for purposes of Section 1273(c)(2)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, (b) the total issue price of the investment unit being issued to Holder is equal to the principal amount of this Note, and (c) for tax purposes, the allocation of the total issue price among this Note and the membership interests in proportion to its fair market value results in an original issue discount. None of the parties will take any position in its tax returns or otherwise that is inconsistent with this paragraph.

 

8.9         The parties acknowledge and agree that at the closing of the offering contemplated by the PPM (as defined in the Subscription Agreement) (the “PPM Closing”), provided this Note is not then in default, (a) $150,000 of the principal and accrued and unpaid interest under this Note will be converted into the securities issued pursuant to the PPM Closing (it being understood that the resulting Class A Membership Unit Convertible Notes shall entitle Holder to convert such note into Class A Membership Units at the lesser of the price offered to all holders thereof or $10.00 per unit (subject to equitable adjustment for any unit splits or combinations, unit distributions or dividend or similar transactions), and (b) the remaining balance under this Note may be converted into the securities issued pursuant to the PPM Closing at the option of Holder under the same terms.

 

8.10          Acknowledgement of Bridge Financing . Holder acknowledges and agrees that (a) this Note is one in a series of Secured Bridge Notes (collectively, the “Bridge Financing”), (b) Debtor may seek up to $1,500,000 in connection with the Bridge Financing, and (c) Holder will exchange this Note and the documents and agreements executed in connection herewith for updated documents and agreements that reflect any change to Holder’s pro rata percentage of the outstanding balance under the Bridge Financing.

 

8.11          Alpeter Signature Pages . Borrower will deliver to Holder or its legal counsel the Alpeter Family Limited Partnership’s signature pages to the Subordination Agreement dated the date hereof among Debtor, Holder and the Alpeter Family Limited Partnership by March 4, 2016. The failure to deliver such signature pages by March 4, 2016 will constitute an Event of Default under and as defined by this Note.

 

* * * * *

 

  5  

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Debtor has caused this Note to be signed by a duly authorized officer and dated as of the date first above written.

 

    TITAN CNG LLC
     
    By: /s/ Kirk S. Honour
    Name: Kirk S. Honour
    Its: President
       
Acknowledged and Agreed:      

 

THOMAS J. ABOOD REVOCABLE TRUST U/A DATED AUGUST 17, 2012, AS AMENDED

     
       
/s/ Thomas Abood      
THOMAS ABOOD, its trustee      

 

 

6

 

 

Exhibit 4.13

 

The securities represented by this instrument have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and may not be sold, transferred, assigned, pledged, or hypothecated unless and until registered under such act, or unless the Debtor has received an opinion of counsel or other evidence, satisfactory to the Debtor and its counsel, that such registration is not required.

 

THIS NOTE IS ISSUED WITH ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNT AS DEFINED BY SECTION 1273(a)(1) OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1986, AS AMENDED. THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION IS PROVIDED PURSUANT TO THE INFORMATION REPORTING REQUIREMENTS SET FORTH IN TREASURY REGULATION 1.1275-3.

 

UPON WRITTEN REQUEST TO KIRK HONOUR OF TITAN CNG LLC, AT 315 LAKE STREET E., SUITE 301, WAYZATA, MN 55391 INFORMATION REGARDING THE ISSUE PRICE, AMOUNT OF ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNT, ISSUE DATE AND YIELD TO MATURITY WILL PROMPTLY BE MADE AVAILABLE.

 

THIS SECURED BRIDGE NOTE IS ONE IN A SERIES OF SECURED BRIDGE NOTES BEING ISSUED IN CONNECTION WITH A BRIDGE FINANCING OF UP TO $1,500,000, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, THOSE CERTAIN SECURED BRIDGE NOTES DATED ON OR ABOUT THE DATE HEREOF BY TITAN CNG LLC IN FAVOR OF EACH OF RED OCEAN CONSULTING, LLC, THE Thomas J. Abood Revocable Trust u/a dated August 17, 2012, as amended, THE ALPETER FAMILY LIMITED PARTNERSHIP, AND DAVID M. LEAVENWORTH, AND ANY PAYMENTS AND ACCESS TO COLLATERAL WILL BE ON A PARI PASSU BASIS WITH SUCH OTHER SECURED BRIDGE NOTES.

 

SECURED BRIDGE NOTE

 

$14,117.00 February 29, 2016
  Minneapolis, Minnesota

   

FOR VALUE RECEIVED, TITAN CNG LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Debtor”), promises to pay to the order of James Jackson (“Holder”), the principal sum of $14,117.00, together with interest, in the manner provided in this Note.

 

1.            Repayment of Principal . All outstanding principal, if not previously paid, will be due and payable on June 28, 2016 (the “Stated Maturity Date”).

 

2.            Interest .

 

2.1         Interest will accrue on all outstanding unpaid amounts evidenced by this Note at an interest rate of 12% per year; provided that if written notice is given by Holder to Debtor of the occurrence of an Event of Default (as defined below), and if Debtor fails to cure the Event of Default within ten (10) days after receipt of such notice, the interest rate will increase to 15% per year.

 

 

 

 

2.2         All interest will be computed on the basis of a 365-day year containing 12 months, counting the actual number of days in each month. Except as otherwise provided in Section 2.4, all interest will be payable in kind on (and thereby increase) the outstanding principal amount of this Note (as such principal is increased from time to time) until the Stated Maturity Date. All accrued interest will be due and payable on the Stated Maturity Date.

 

2.3         In the event that the Note is prepaid prior to the Stated Maturity Date, a minimum amount of interest equal to four months’ interest will be deemed payable under this Note.

 

2.4         Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, if the aggregate amount of accrued but unpaid interest (including payable in kind interest) on this Note and all unpaid original issue discount on this Note as of the Stated Maturity Date would, but for this provision, exceed an amount equal to the product of:

 

(a)         the issue price (as defined in Sections 1273(b) and 1274(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”)) of this Note; and

 

(b)         the yield to maturity (interpreted in accordance with Section 163(i) of the Code) of this Note (such product, the “Maximum Accrual”),

 

then all accrued and unpaid interest (including the payable in kind interest) and original issue discount on this Note in excess of an amount equal to the Maximum Accrual shall be paid in cash prior to the Stated Maturity Date.

 

It is the intent of the parties that the cash payments required by this Section 2.4 will cause this Note to not be classified as “applicable high yield discount obligations” within the meaning of Section 163(i) of the Code. To the extent that for any reason these provisions do not accomplish this purpose, the parties may modify the payment terms in this Section 2.4 to accomplish the purpose.

 

3.           Method of Payment for Principal and Interest . All payments with respect to this Note will be made by wire transfer, in immediately available funds, to such account as Holder may specify in writing, without any presentation of this Note. Each payment with respect to this Note will be applied (i) first, to any fees, expenses or other amounts (other than principal and interest) due under this Note, (ii) second, to accrued interest, and (iii) third, to outstanding principal. Whenever any payment to be made under this Note is due on a Saturday, Sunday or holiday for banks under the laws of the State of Delaware, such payment may be made on the next succeeding bank business day, and such extension of time will in such case be included in the computation of the amount of interest due.

 

4.            Equity . From and after the occurrence of any Event of Default and until such Event of Default is remedied to the reasonable satisfaction of Holder, Debtor will issue Holder 70.59 Class A Membership Units (as defined in the Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company of Debtor (the “LLC Agreement”)) on the date of such Event of Default and each 90 day interval thereafter until all amounts due and owing under this Note have been paid in full. 

 

  2  

 

 

5.            Events of Default . An “Event of Default” means any of the following:

 

5.1         The failure to pay any principal of, and interest on or any other amount due under this Note when and as the same will become due and payable, whether at the due date thereof or at a date fixed for prepayment thereof or by acceleration thereof or otherwise and such failure continues unremedied for a period of two business days.

 

5.2         A material default by Debtor or any entity in which Debtor controls or owns a majority of the outstanding equity interest therein (each a “Subsidiary” and collectively along with each other Subsidiary and the Debtor, the “Debtor Group” and each individually a “Debtor Group Member”) in the performance or observance of any covenant, condition, undertaking or agreement contained in this Note, the Security Agreement dated on or about the date hereof among Holder, other holders of notes issued in connection herewith and the Debtor Group Members (the “Security Agreement”), or the Pledge Agreements dated on or about the date hereof among Holder, on the one hand, and the other holders of notes issued in connection herewith (the “Pledge Agreements”), and such default continues for a period of 30 days after notice by Holder to Debtor of such default.

 

5.3         If, pursuant to or within the meaning of the United States Bankruptcy Code or any other federal or state law relating to insolvency or relief of debtors (a “Bankruptcy Law”), a Debtor Group Member (a) commences a voluntary case or proceeding; (b) consents to the entry of an order for relief against a Debtor Group Member in an involuntary case; (c) consents to the appointment of a trustee, receiver, assignee, liquidator or similar official; (d) makes an assignment for the benefit of the creditors of any Debtor Group Member; or (e) admits in writing Debtor Group Member’s inability to pay its debts as they become due.

 

5.4         If a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under any Bankruptcy Law that (a) is for relief against a Debtor Group Member in an involuntary case, (b) appoints a trustee, receiver, assignee, liquidator or similar official for Debtor or substantially all of a Debtor Group Member’s properties, or (c) orders the liquidation of a Debtor Group Member and in each case the order or decree is not dismissed within 90 days.

 

5.5         A Debtor Group Member shall fail to discharge within a period of thirty (30) days after the commencement thereof any attachment, sequestration, or similar proceeding or proceedings involving an aggregate amount in excess of One Hundred Thousand and No/100 Dollars ($100,000.00) against any of its assets or properties.

 

5.6         A Debtor Group Member shall fail to satisfy and discharge promptly any judgment or judgments against it for the payment of money in an aggregate amount in excess of One Hundred Thousand and No/100 Dollars ($100,000.00).

 

5.7         A Debtor Group Member shall default in the payment of any of its indebtedness having an aggregate principal amount in excess of One Hundred Thousand and No/100 Dollars ($100,000.00), beyond any applicable grace period, or shall default, in any material respect, in its performance of any material agreement binding upon it or its property.

 

  3  

 

 

6.           Remedies .

 

6.1         From and after the occurrence of any Event of Default, Holder will be entitled to: (a) by written notice to the Debtor, declare all indebtedness evidenced by this Note to be immediately due and payable; (b) apply any and all amounts owed to Debtor by the Holder to the payment of this Note; (c) exercise and enforce its rights and remedies under this Note, the Security Agreement, and the Pledge Agreements; and (d) proceed to protect and enforce its rights under applicable law.

 

6.2         No course of dealing on the part of Holder or any delay or failure on the part of Holder to exercise any right will operate as a waiver of such right or otherwise prejudice the Holder’s rights, powers and remedies.

 

6.3         Debtor will pay to Holder such additional amounts as are sufficient to cover the costs and expenses, including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys’ fees, incurred by Holder in collecting any sums due on account of this Note or otherwise in enforcing its rights hereunder.

 

7.           Optional Prepayments . Subject to the minimum interest payment set forth in Section 2.3, the indebtedness evidenced by this Note may be prepaid, in whole or in part, at any time.

 

8.           General .

 

8.1         Payment of principal or interest on this Note may only be made to, or upon the order of, the registered Holder. This Note is transferable only by surrender of this Note to the Debtor, duly endorsed or accompanied by a written instrument of transfer executed by the registered Holder. Upon surrender of this Note for transfer as provided above, Debtor will issue a new Note to, and register such new Note in the name of, the transferee and such new Note must contain the same legend as provided in this Note.

 

8.2         Debtor:

 

(a)         except as provided in Section 6, waives diligence, presentment, demand for payment, notice of dishonor, notice of non-payment, protest, notice of protest, and any and all other demands in connection with the delivery, acceptance, performance, default or enforcement of this Note;

 

(b)         agrees that Holder will have the right, without notice, to grant any extension of time for payment of any indebtedness evidenced by this Note or any other indulgence or forbearance whatsoever;

 

(c)         agrees that no failure on the part of Holder to exercise any power, right or privilege hereunder, or to insist upon prompt compliance with the terms of this Note, will constitute a waiver of that power, right or privilege; and

 

  4  

 

 

(d)         agrees that the acceptance at any time by Holder of any past due amounts will not be deemed to be a waiver of the requirement to make prompt payment when due of any other amounts then or hereafter due and payable.

 

8.3         This Note will be construed and enforced in accordance with the substantive laws of the State of Delaware without giving effect to the conflicts of laws principles of any jurisdiction.

 

8.4         AT THE OPTION OF HOLDER, THIS NOTE MAY BE ENFORCED IN ANY STATE OR FEDERAL COURT SITTING IN MINNEAPOLIS OR ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA, AND DEBTOR CONSENTS TO THE JURISDICTION AND VENUE OF ANY SUCH COURT AND WAIVES ANY ARGUMENT THAT VENUE IN SUCH FORUMS IS NOT CONVENIENT. IN THE EVENT DEBTOR COMMENCES AN ACTION IN ANOTHER JURISDICTION OR VENUE UNDER ANY TORT OR CONTRACT THEORY ARISING DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY FROM THE RELATIONSHIP CREATED BY THIS NOTE, OR ALLEGING ANY BREACH OF THIS NOTE, HOLDER AT ITS OPTION IS ENTITLED TO HAVE THE CASE TRANSFERRED TO ONE OF THE JURISDICTIONS AND VENUES DESCRIBED ABOVE, OR IF SUCH TRANSFER CANNOT BE ACCOMPLISHED UNDER APPLICABLE LAW, TO HAVE SUCH CASE DISMISSED WITHOUT PREJUDICE.

 

8.5         DEBTOR WAIVES THE RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION BASED ON OR PERTAINING TO THIS NOTE.

 

8.6         This Note is secured by the Security Agreement and the Pledge Agreements.

  

8.7         Debtor and Holder agree that (a) this Note and the membership interests of Debtor being issued to Holder pursuant to the Subscription Agreement constitute an “investment unit” for purposes of Section 1273(c)(2)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, (b) the total issue price of the investment unit being issued to Holder is equal to the principal amount of this Note, and (c) for tax purposes, the allocation of the total issue price among this Note and the membership interests in proportion to its fair market value results in an original issue discount. None of the parties will take any position in its tax returns or otherwise that is inconsistent with this paragraph.

 

8.8         The parties acknowledge and agree that at the closing of the offering contemplated by the PPM (as defined in the Subscription and Investment Representation Agreement dated the date hereof) (the “PPM Closing”), provided this Note is not then in default, (a) $8,470.20 of the principal and accrued and unpaid interest under this Note will be converted into the securities issued pursuant to the PPM Closing (it being understood that the resulting Class A Membership Unit Convertible Notes shall entitle Holder to convert such note into Class A Membership Units at the lesser of the price offered to all holders thereof or $10.00 per unit (subject to equitable adjustment for any unit splits or combinations, unit distributions or dividend or similar transactions), and (b) the remaining balance under this Note may be converted into the securities issued pursuant to the PPM Closing at the option of Holder under the same terms. 

 

8.9          Acknowledgement of Bridge Financing . Holder acknowledges and agrees that (a) this Note is one in a series of Secured Bridge Notes (collectively, the “Bridge Financing”), (b) Debtor may seek up to $1,500,000 in connection with the Bridge Financing, and (c) Holder will exchange this Note and the documents and agreements executed in connection herewith for updated documents and agreements that reflect any change to Holder’s pro rata percentage of the outstanding balance under the Bridge Financing.

 

8.10        Alpeter Signature Pages . Borrower will deliver to Holder or its legal counsel the Alpeter Family Limited Partnership’s signature pages to the Subordination Agreement dated the date hereof among Debtor, Holder and the Alpeter Family Limited Partnership by March 4, 2016. The failure to deliver such signature pages by March 4, 2016 will constitute an Event of Default under and as defined by this Note.

 

* * * * *

 

  5  

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Debtor has caused this Note to be signed by a duly authorized officer and dated as of the date first above written.

 

    TITAN CNG LLC
     
    By: /s/ Kirk S. Honour
    Name: Kirk S. Honour
    Its: President
       
Acknowledged and Agreed:      
       
/s/ James Jackson      
JAMES JACKSON      

 

 

6

 

 

Exhibit 4.14

 

The securities represented by this instrument have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and may not be sold, transferred, assigned, pledged, or hypothecated unless and until registered under such act, or unless the Debtor has received an opinion of counsel or other evidence, satisfactory to the Debtor and its counsel, that such registration is not required.

 

THIS NOTE IS ISSUED WITH ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNT AS DEFINED BY SECTION 1273(a)(1) OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1986, AS AMENDED. THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION IS PROVIDED PURSUANT TO THE INFORMATION REPORTING REQUIREMENTS SET FORTH IN TREASURY REGULATION 1.1275-3.

 

UPON WRITTEN REQUEST TO KIRK HONOUR OF TITAN CNG LLC, AT 315 LAKE STREET E., SUITE 301, WAYZATA, MN 55391 INFORMATION REGARDING THE ISSUE PRICE, AMOUNT OF ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNT, ISSUE DATE AND YIELD TO MATURITY WILL PROMPTLY BE MADE AVAILABLE.

 

THIS SECURED BRIDGE NOTE IS ONE IN A SERIES OF SECURED BRIDGE NOTES BEING ISSUED IN CONNECTION WITH A BRIDGE FINANCING OF UP TO $1,500,000, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, THOSE CERTAIN SECURED BRIDGE NOTES DATED ON OR ABOUT THE DATE HEREOF BY TITAN CNG LLC IN FAVOR OF EACH OF RED OCEAN CONSULTING, LLC, THE Thomas J. Abood Revocable Trust u/a dated August 17, 2012, as amended, JAMES JACKSON, AND DAVID M. LEAVENWORTH, AND ANY PAYMENTS AND ACCESS TO COLLATERAL WILL BE ON A PARI PASSU BASIS WITH SUCH OTHER SECURED BRIDGE NOTES.  

 

SECURED BRIDGE NOTE

 

$7,521.00 February 29, 2016
  Minneapolis, Minnesota

   

FOR VALUE RECEIVED, TITAN CNG LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Debtor”), promises to pay to the order of the Alpeter Family Limited Partnership (“Holder”), the principal sum of $7,521.00, together with interest, in the manner provided in this Note. 

 

1.            Repayment of Principal . All outstanding principal, if not previously paid, will be due and payable on June 28, 2016 (the “Stated Maturity Date”).

 

2.            Interest .

 

2.1         Interest will accrue on all outstanding unpaid amounts evidenced by this Note at an interest rate of 12% per year; provided that if written notice is given by Holder to Debtor of the occurrence of an Event of Default (as defined below), and if Debtor fails to cure the Event of Default within ten (10) days after receipt of such notice, the interest rate will increase to 15% per year.

 

 

 

 

2.2         All interest will be computed on the basis of a 365-day year containing 12 months, counting the actual number of days in each month. Except as otherwise provided in Section 2.4, all interest will be payable in kind on (and thereby increase) the outstanding principal amount of this Note (as such principal is increased from time to time) until the Stated Maturity Date. All accrued interest will be due and payable on the Stated Maturity Date.

 

2.3         In the event that the Note is prepaid prior to the Stated Maturity Date, a minimum amount of interest equal to four months’ interest will be deemed payable under this Note.

 

2.4         Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, if the aggregate amount of accrued but unpaid interest (including payable in kind interest) on this Note and all unpaid original issue discount on this Note as of the Stated Maturity Date would, but for this provision, exceed an amount equal to the product of:

 

(a)         the issue price (as defined in Sections 1273(b) and 1274(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”)) of this Note; and

 

(b)         the yield to maturity (interpreted in accordance with Section 163(i) of the Code) of this Note (such product, the “Maximum Accrual”),

 

then all accrued and unpaid interest (including the payable in kind interest) and original issue discount on this Note in excess of an amount equal to the Maximum Accrual shall be paid in cash prior to the Stated Maturity Date.

 

It is the intent of the parties that the cash payments required by this Section 2.4 will cause this Note to not be classified as “applicable high yield discount obligations” within the meaning of Section 163(i) of the Code. To the extent that for any reason these provisions do not accomplish this purpose, the parties may modify the payment terms in this Section 2.4 to accomplish the purpose.

 

3.           Method of Payment for Principal and Interest . All payments with respect to this Note will be made by wire transfer, in immediately available funds, to such account as Holder may specify in writing, without any presentation of this Note. Each payment with respect to this Note will be applied (i) first, to any fees, expenses or other amounts (other than principal and interest) due under this Note, (ii) second, to accrued interest, and (iii) third, to outstanding principal. Whenever any payment to be made under this Note is due on a Saturday, Sunday or holiday for banks under the laws of the State of Delaware, such payment may be made on the next succeeding bank business day, and such extension of time will in such case be included in the computation of the amount of interest due.

 

4.            Equity . From and after the occurrence of any Event of Default and until such Event of Default is remedied to the reasonable satisfaction of Holder, Debtor will issue Holder 37.6 Class A Membership Units (as defined in the Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company of Debtor (the “LLC Agreement”)) on the date of such Event of Default and each 90 day interval thereafter until all amounts due and owing under this Note have been paid in full.

 

  2  

 

 

5.            Events of Default . An “Event of Default” means any of the following:

 

5.1         The failure to pay any principal of, and interest on or any other amount due under this Note when and as the same will become due and payable, whether at the due date thereof or at a date fixed for prepayment thereof or by acceleration thereof or otherwise and such failure continues unremedied for a period of two business days.

 

5.2         A material default by Debtor or any entity in which Debtor controls or owns a majority of the outstanding equity interest therein (each a “Subsidiary” and collectively along with each other Subsidiary and the Debtor, the “Debtor Group” and each individually a “Debtor Group Member”) in the performance or observance of any covenant, condition, undertaking or agreement contained in this Note, the Security Agreement dated on or about the date hereof among Holder, other holders of notes issued in connection herewith and the Debtor Group Members (the “Security Agreement”), or the Pledge Agreements dated on or about the date hereof among Holder, on the one hand, and the other holders of notes issued in connection herewith (the “Pledge Agreements”), and such default continues for a period of 30 days after notice by Holder to Debtor of such default.

 

5.3         If, pursuant to or within the meaning of the United States Bankruptcy Code or any other federal or state law relating to insolvency or relief of debtors (a “Bankruptcy Law”), a Debtor Group Member (a) commences a voluntary case or proceeding; (b) consents to the entry of an order for relief against a Debtor Group Member in an involuntary case; (c) consents to the appointment of a trustee, receiver, assignee, liquidator or similar official; (d) makes an assignment for the benefit of the creditors of any Debtor Group Member; or (e) admits in writing Debtor Group Member’s inability to pay its debts as they become due.

 

5.4         If a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under any Bankruptcy Law that (a) is for relief against a Debtor Group Member in an involuntary case, (b) appoints a trustee, receiver, assignee, liquidator or similar official for Debtor or substantially all of a Debtor Group Member’s properties, or (c) orders the liquidation of a Debtor Group Member and in each case the order or decree is not dismissed within 90 days.

 

5.5         A Debtor Group Member shall fail to discharge within a period of thirty (30) days after the commencement thereof any attachment, sequestration, or similar proceeding or proceedings involving an aggregate amount in excess of One Hundred Thousand and No/100 Dollars ($100,000.00) against any of its assets or properties.

 

5.6         A Debtor Group Member shall fail to satisfy and discharge promptly any judgment or judgments against it for the payment of money in an aggregate amount in excess of One Hundred Thousand and No/100 Dollars ($100,000.00).

 

5.7         A Debtor Group Member shall default in the payment of any of its indebtedness having an aggregate principal amount in excess of One Hundred Thousand and No/100 Dollars ($100,000.00), beyond any applicable grace period, or shall default, in any material respect, in its performance of any material agreement binding upon it or its property.

 

  3  

 

 

6.           Remedies .

 

6.1         From and after the occurrence of any Event of Default, Holder will be entitled to: (a) by written notice to the Debtor, declare all indebtedness evidenced by this Note to be immediately due and payable; (b) apply any and all amounts owed to Debtor by the Holder to the payment of this Note; (c) exercise and enforce its rights and remedies under this Note, the Security Agreement, and the Pledge Agreements; and (d) proceed to protect and enforce its rights under applicable law.

 

6.2         No course of dealing on the part of Holder or any delay or failure on the part of Holder to exercise any right will operate as a waiver of such right or otherwise prejudice the Holder’s rights, powers and remedies.

 

6.3         Debtor will pay to Holder such additional amounts as are sufficient to cover the costs and expenses, including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys’ fees, incurred by Holder in collecting any sums due on account of this Note or otherwise in enforcing its rights hereunder.

 

7.           Optional Prepayments . Subject to the minimum interest payment set forth in Section 2.3, the indebtedness evidenced by this Note may be prepaid, in whole or in part, at any time.

 

8.           General .

 

8.1         Payment of principal or interest on this Note may only be made to, or upon the order of, the registered Holder. This Note is transferable only by surrender of this Note to the Debtor, duly endorsed or accompanied by a written instrument of transfer executed by the registered Holder. Upon surrender of this Note for transfer as provided above, Debtor will issue a new Note to, and register such new Note in the name of, the transferee and such new Note must contain the same legend as provided in this Note.

 

8.2         Debtor:

 

(a)         except as provided in Section 6, waives diligence, presentment, demand for payment, notice of dishonor, notice of non-payment, protest, notice of protest, and any and all other demands in connection with the delivery, acceptance, performance, default or enforcement of this Note;

 

(b)         agrees that Holder will have the right, without notice, to grant any extension of time for payment of any indebtedness evidenced by this Note or any other indulgence or forbearance whatsoever;

 

(c)         agrees that no failure on the part of Holder to exercise any power, right or privilege hereunder, or to insist upon prompt compliance with the terms of this Note, will constitute a waiver of that power, right or privilege; and

 

  4  

 

 

(d)         agrees that the acceptance at any time by Holder of any past due amounts will not be deemed to be a waiver of the requirement to make prompt payment when due of any other amounts then or hereafter due and payable.

 

8.3         This Note will be construed and enforced in accordance with the substantive laws of the State of Delaware without giving effect to the conflicts of laws principles of any jurisdiction.

 

8.4         AT THE OPTION OF HOLDER, THIS NOTE MAY BE ENFORCED IN ANY STATE OR FEDERAL COURT SITTING IN MINNEAPOLIS OR ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA, AND DEBTOR CONSENTS TO THE JURISDICTION AND VENUE OF ANY SUCH COURT AND WAIVES ANY ARGUMENT THAT VENUE IN SUCH FORUMS IS NOT CONVENIENT. IN THE EVENT DEBTOR COMMENCES AN ACTION IN ANOTHER JURISDICTION OR VENUE UNDER ANY TORT OR CONTRACT THEORY ARISING DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY FROM THE RELATIONSHIP CREATED BY THIS NOTE, OR ALLEGING ANY BREACH OF THIS NOTE, HOLDER AT ITS OPTION IS ENTITLED TO HAVE THE CASE TRANSFERRED TO ONE OF THE JURISDICTIONS AND VENUES DESCRIBED ABOVE, OR IF SUCH TRANSFER CANNOT BE ACCOMPLISHED UNDER APPLICABLE LAW, TO HAVE SUCH CASE DISMISSED WITHOUT PREJUDICE.

 

8.5         DEBTOR WAIVES THE RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION BASED ON OR PERTAINING TO THIS NOTE.

 

8.6         This Note is secured by the Security Agreement and the Pledge Agreements.

 

8.7         Debtor and Holder agree that (a) this Note and the membership interests of Debtor being issued to Holder pursuant to the Subscription Agreement constitute an “investment unit” for purposes of Section 1273(c)(2)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, (b) the total issue price of the investment unit being issued to Holder is equal to the principal amount of this Note, and (c) for tax purposes, the allocation of the total issue price among this Note and the membership interests in proportion to its fair market value results in an original issue discount. None of the parties will take any position in its tax returns or otherwise that is inconsistent with this paragraph.

 

8.8         The parties acknowledge and agree that at the closing of the offering contemplated by the PPM (as defined in the Subscription and Investment Representation Agreement dated the date hereof) (the “PPM Closing”), provided this Note is not then in default, (a) $4,512.60 of the principal and accrued and unpaid interest under this Note will be converted into the securities issued pursuant to the PPM Closing (it being understood that the resulting Class A Membership Unit Convertible Notes shall entitle Holder to convert such note into Class A Membership Units at the lesser of the price offered to all holders thereof or $10.00 per unit (subject to equitable adjustment for any unit splits or combinations, unit distributions or dividend or similar transactions), and (b) the remaining balance under this Note may be converted into the securities issued pursuant to the PPM Closing at the option of Holder under the same terms.

 

8.9         Acknowledgement of Bridge Financing . Holder acknowledges and agrees that (a) this Note is one in a series of Secured Bridge Notes (collectively, the “Bridge Financing”), (b) Debtor may seek up to $1,500,000 in connection with the Bridge Financing, and (c) Holder will exchange this Note and the documents and agreements executed in connection herewith for updated documents and agreements that reflect any change to Holder’s pro rata percentage of the outstanding balance under the Bridge Financing.

 

8.10         Alpeter Signature Pages . Borrower will deliver to Holder or its legal counsel the Alpeter Family Limited Partnership’s signature pages to the Subordination Agreement dated the date hereof among Debtor, Holder and the Alpeter Family Limited Partnership by March 4, 2016. The failure to deliver such signature pages by March 4, 2016 will constitute an Event of Default under and as defined by this Note.

 

* * * * *

 

  5  

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Debtor has caused this Note to be signed by a duly authorized officer and dated as of the date first above written.

 

      TITAN CNG LLC
       
      By: /s/ Kirk S. Honour
      Name: Kirk S. Honour
      Its: President
Acknowledged and Agreed:      
       

ALPETER FAMILY LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

     
         
By:

/s/ Steven Alpeter

     
Name:

/s/ Steven Alpeter

     
Its: Limited Partner      

 

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 4.15

 

The securities represented by this instrument have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and may not be sold, transferred, assigned, pledged, or hypothecated unless and until registered under such act, or unless the Debtor has received an opinion of counsel or other evidence, satisfactory to the Debtor and its counsel, that such registration is not required.

 

THIS NOTE IS ISSUED WITH ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNT AS DEFINED BY SECTION 1273(a)(1) OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1986, AS AMENDED. THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION IS PROVIDED PURSUANT TO THE INFORMATION REPORTING REQUIREMENTS SET FORTH IN TREASURY REGULATION 1.1275-3.

 

UPON WRITTEN REQUEST TO KIRK HONOUR OF TITAN CNG LLC, AT 315 LAKE STREET E., SUITE 301, WAYZATA, MN 55391 INFORMATION REGARDING THE ISSUE PRICE, AMOUNT OF ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNT, ISSUE DATE AND YIELD TO MATURITY WILL PROMPTLY BE MADE AVAILABLE.

 

THIS SECURED BRIDGE NOTE IS ONE IN A SERIES OF SECURED BRIDGE NOTES BEING ISSUED IN CONNECTION WITH A BRIDGE FINANCING OF UP TO $1,500,000, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, THOSE CERTAIN SECURED BRIDGE NOTES DATED ON OR ABOUT THE DATE HEREOF BY TITAN CNG LLC IN FAVOR OF EACH OF RED OCEAN CONSULTING, LLC, THE Thomas J. Abood Revocable Trust u/a dated August 17, 2012, as amended , THE ALPETER FAMILY LIMITED PARTNERSHIP, AND JAMES JACKSON, AND ANY PAYMENTS AND ACCESS TO COLLATERAL WILL BE ON A PARI PASSU BASIS WITH SUCH OTHER SECURED BRIDGE NOTES.

 

SECURED BRIDGE NOTE

 

$150,000.00 February 29, 2016
  Minneapolis, Minnesota

   

FOR VALUE RECEIVED, TITAN CNG LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Debtor”), promises to pay to the order of David M. Leavenworth (“Holder”), the principal sum of $150,000.00, together with interest, in the manner provided in this Note. 

 

1.            Repayment of Principal . All outstanding principal, if not previously paid, will be due and payable on June 28, 2016 (the “Stated Maturity Date”).

 

2.            Interest .

 

2.1         Interest will accrue on all outstanding unpaid amounts evidenced by this Note at an interest rate of 12% per year; provided that if written notice is given by Holder to Debtor of the occurrence of an Event of Default (as defined below), and if Debtor fails to cure the Event of Default within ten (10) days after receipt of such notice, the interest rate will increase to 15% per year.

 

 

 

 

2.2         All interest will be computed on the basis of a 365-day year containing 12 months, counting the actual number of days in each month. Except as otherwise provided in Section 2.4, all interest will be payable in kind on (and thereby increase) the outstanding principal amount of this Note (as such principal is increased from time to time) until the Stated Maturity Date. All accrued interest will be due and payable on the Stated Maturity Date.

 

2.3         In the event that the Note is prepaid prior to the Stated Maturity Date, a minimum amount of interest equal to four months’ interest will be deemed payable under this Note.

 

2.4         Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, if the aggregate amount of accrued but unpaid interest (including payable in kind interest) on this Note and all unpaid original issue discount on this Note as of the Stated Maturity Date would, but for this provision, exceed an amount equal to the product of:

 

(a)         the issue price (as defined in Sections 1273(b) and 1274(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”)) of this Note; and

 

(b)         the yield to maturity (interpreted in accordance with Section 163(i) of the Code) of this Note (such product, the “Maximum Accrual”),

 

then all accrued and unpaid interest (including the payable in kind interest) and original issue discount on this Note in excess of an amount equal to the Maximum Accrual shall be paid in cash prior to the Stated Maturity Date.

 

It is the intent of the parties that the cash payments required by this Section 2.4 will cause this Note to not be classified as “applicable high yield discount obligations” within the meaning of Section 163(i) of the Code. To the extent that for any reason these provisions do not accomplish this purpose, the parties may modify the payment terms in this Section 2.4 to accomplish the purpose.

 

3.           Method of Payment for Principal and Interest . All payments with respect to this Note will be made by wire transfer, in immediately available funds, to such account as Holder may specify in writing, without any presentation of this Note. Each payment with respect to this Note will be applied (i) first, to any fees, expenses or other amounts (other than principal and interest) due under this Note, (ii) second, to accrued interest, and (iii) third, to outstanding principal. Whenever any payment to be made under this Note is due on a Saturday, Sunday or holiday for banks under the laws of the State of Delaware, such payment may be made on the next succeeding bank business day, and such extension of time will in such case be included in the computation of the amount of interest due.

 

4.            Equity . From and after the occurrence of any Event of Default and until such Event of Default is remedied to the reasonable satisfaction of Holder, Debtor will issue Holder 750 Class A Membership Units (as defined in the Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company of Debtor (the “LLC Agreement”)) on the date of such Event of Default and each 90 day interval thereafter until all amounts due and owing under this Note have been paid in full.

 

  2  

 

 

5.            Events of Default . An “Event of Default” means any of the following:

 

5.1         The failure to pay any principal of, and interest on or any other amount due under this Note when and as the same will become due and payable, whether at the due date thereof or at a date fixed for prepayment thereof or by acceleration thereof or otherwise and such failure continues unremedied for a period of two business days.

 

5.2         A material default by Debtor or any entity in which Debtor controls or owns a majority of the outstanding equity interest therein (each a “Subsidiary” and collectively along with each other Subsidiary and the Debtor, the “Debtor Group” and each individually a “Debtor Group Member”) in the performance or observance of any covenant, condition, undertaking or agreement contained in this Note, the Security Agreement dated on or about the date hereof among Holder, other holders of notes issued in connection herewith and the Debtor Group Members (the “Security Agreement”), or the Pledge Agreements dated on or about the date hereof among Holder, on the one hand, and the other holders of notes issued in connection herewith (the “Pledge Agreements”), and such default continues for a period of 30 days after notice by Holder to Debtor of such default.

 

5.3         If, pursuant to or within the meaning of the United States Bankruptcy Code or any other federal or state law relating to insolvency or relief of debtors (a “Bankruptcy Law”), a Debtor Group Member (a) commences a voluntary case or proceeding; (b) consents to the entry of an order for relief against a Debtor Group Member in an involuntary case; (c) consents to the appointment of a trustee, receiver, assignee, liquidator or similar official; (d) makes an assignment for the benefit of the creditors of any Debtor Group Member; or (e) admits in writing Debtor Group Member’s inability to pay its debts as they become due.

 

5.4         If a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under any Bankruptcy Law that (a) is for relief against a Debtor Group Member in an involuntary case, (b) appoints a trustee, receiver, assignee, liquidator or similar official for Debtor or substantially all of a Debtor Group Member’s properties, or (c) orders the liquidation of a Debtor Group Member and in each case the order or decree is not dismissed within 90 days.

 

5.5         A Debtor Group Member shall fail to discharge within a period of thirty (30) days after the commencement thereof any attachment, sequestration, or similar proceeding or proceedings involving an aggregate amount in excess of One Hundred Thousand and No/100 Dollars ($100,000.00) against any of its assets or properties.

 

5.6         A Debtor Group Member shall fail to satisfy and discharge promptly any judgment or judgments against it for the payment of money in an aggregate amount in excess of One Hundred Thousand and No/100 Dollars ($100,000.00).

 

5.7         A Debtor Group Member shall default in the payment of any of its indebtedness having an aggregate principal amount in excess of One Hundred Thousand and No/100 Dollars ($100,000.00), beyond any applicable grace period, or shall default, in any material respect, in its performance of any material agreement binding upon it or its property.

 

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6.           Remedies .

 

6.1         From and after the occurrence of any Event of Default, Holder will be entitled to: (a) by written notice to the Debtor, declare all indebtedness evidenced by this Note to be immediately due and payable; (b) apply any and all amounts owed to Debtor by the Holder to the payment of this Note; (c) exercise and enforce its rights and remedies under this Note, the Security Agreement, and the Pledge Agreements; and (d) proceed to protect and enforce its rights under applicable law.

 

6.2         No course of dealing on the part of Holder or any delay or failure on the part of Holder to exercise any right will operate as a waiver of such right or otherwise prejudice the Holder’s rights, powers and remedies.

 

6.3         Debtor will pay to Holder such additional amounts as are sufficient to cover the costs and expenses, including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys’ fees, incurred by Holder in collecting any sums due on account of this Note or otherwise in enforcing its rights hereunder.

 

7.           Optional Prepayments . Subject to the minimum interest payment set forth in Section 2.3, the indebtedness evidenced by this Note may be prepaid, in whole or in part, at any time.

 

8.           General .

 

8.1         Payment of principal or interest on this Note may only be made to, or upon the order of, the registered Holder. This Note is transferable only by surrender of this Note to the Debtor, duly endorsed or accompanied by a written instrument of transfer executed by the registered Holder. Upon surrender of this Note for transfer as provided above, Debtor will issue a new Note to, and register such new Note in the name of, the transferee and such new Note must contain the same legend as provided in this Note.

 

8.2         Debtor:

 

(a)         except as provided in Section 6, waives diligence, presentment, demand for payment, notice of dishonor, notice of non-payment, protest, notice of protest, and any and all other demands in connection with the delivery, acceptance, performance, default or enforcement of this Note;

 

(b)         agrees that Holder will have the right, without notice, to grant any extension of time for payment of any indebtedness evidenced by this Note or any other indulgence or forbearance whatsoever;

 

(c)         agrees that no failure on the part of Holder to exercise any power, right or privilege hereunder, or to insist upon prompt compliance with the terms of this Note, will constitute a waiver of that power, right or privilege; and

 

  4  

 

 

(d)         agrees that the acceptance at any time by Holder of any past due amounts will not be deemed to be a waiver of the requirement to make prompt payment when due of any other amounts then or hereafter due and payable.

 

8.3         This Note will be construed and enforced in accordance with the substantive laws of the State of Delaware without giving effect to the conflicts of laws principles of any jurisdiction.

 

8.4         AT THE OPTION OF HOLDER, THIS NOTE MAY BE ENFORCED IN ANY STATE OR FEDERAL COURT SITTING IN MINNEAPOLIS OR ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA, AND DEBTOR CONSENTS TO THE JURISDICTION AND VENUE OF ANY SUCH COURT AND WAIVES ANY ARGUMENT THAT VENUE IN SUCH FORUMS IS NOT CONVENIENT. IN THE EVENT DEBTOR COMMENCES AN ACTION IN ANOTHER JURISDICTION OR VENUE UNDER ANY TORT OR CONTRACT THEORY ARISING DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY FROM THE RELATIONSHIP CREATED BY THIS NOTE, OR ALLEGING ANY BREACH OF THIS NOTE, HOLDER AT ITS OPTION IS ENTITLED TO HAVE THE CASE TRANSFERRED TO ONE OF THE JURISDICTIONS AND VENUES DESCRIBED ABOVE, OR IF SUCH TRANSFER CANNOT BE ACCOMPLISHED UNDER APPLICABLE LAW, TO HAVE SUCH CASE DISMISSED WITHOUT PREJUDICE.

 

8.5         DEBTOR WAIVES THE RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION BASED ON OR PERTAINING TO THIS NOTE.

 

8.6         This Note is secured by the Security Agreement and the Pledge Agreements.

 

8.7         Debtor and Holder agree that (a) this Note and the membership interests of Debtor being issued to Holder pursuant to the Subscription Agreement constitute an “investment unit” for purposes of Section 1273(c)(2)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, (b) the total issue price of the investment unit being issued to Holder is equal to the principal amount of this Note, and (c) for tax purposes, the allocation of the total issue price among this Note and the membership interests in proportion to its fair market value results in an original issue discount. None of the parties will take any position in its tax returns or otherwise that is inconsistent with this paragraph.

 

8.8         The parties acknowledge and agree that at the closing of the offering contemplated by the PPM (as defined in the Subscription and Investment Representation Agreement dated the date hereof) (the “PPM Closing”), provided this Note is not then in default, (a) $90,000 of the principal and accrued and unpaid interest under this Note will be converted into the securities issued pursuant to the PPM Closing (it being understood that the resulting Class A Membership Unit Convertible Notes shall entitle Holder to convert such note into Class A Membership Units at the lesser of the price offered to all holders thereof or $10.00 per unit (subject to equitable adjustment for any unit splits or combinations, unit distributions or dividend or similar transactions), and (b) the remaining balance under this Note may be converted into the securities issued pursuant to the PPM Closing at the option of Holder under the same terms. 

 

8.9          Acknowledgement of Bridge Financing . Holder acknowledges and agrees that (a) this Note is one in a series of Secured Bridge Notes (collectively, the “Bridge Financing”), (b) Debtor may seek up to $1,500,000 in connection with the Bridge Financing, and (c) Holder will exchange this Note and the documents and agreements executed in connection herewith for updated documents and agreements that reflect any change to Holder’s pro rata percentage of the outstanding balance under the Bridge Financing.

 

8.10          Alpeter Signature Pages . Borrower will deliver to Holder or its legal counsel the Alpeter Family Limited Partnership’s signature pages to the Subordination Agreement dated the date hereof among Debtor, Holder and the Alpeter Family Limited Partnership by March 4, 2016. The failure to deliver such signature pages by March 4, 2016 will constitute an Event of Default under and as defined by this Note.

 

* * * * *

 

  5  

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Debtor has caused this Note to be signed by a duly authorized officer and dated as of the date first above written.

 

    TITAN CNG LLC
     
    By: /s/ Kirk S. Honour
    Name: Kirk S. Honour
    Its: President
       
Acknowledged and Agreed:      
       
/s/ David M. Leavenworth      
DAVID M. LEAVENWORTH      

 

 

6

 

 

Exhibit 4.16

 

The securities represented by this instrument have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and may not be sold, transferred, assigned, pledged, or hypothecated unless and until registered under such act, or unless the Debtor has received an opinion of counsel or other evidence, satisfactory to the Debtor and its counsel, that such registration is not required.

 

THE SECURITIES OFFERED HEREBY HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE FLORIDA SECURITIES ACT AND ARE BEING SOLD IN RELIANCE UPON AN EXEMPTION PROVIDED BY SECTION 517.061 THEREOF. UNLESS THE SECURITIES ARE REGISTERED, THEY MAY NOT BE REOFFERED FOR SALE OR RESOLD IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA EXEMPT AS AN EXEMPT SECURITY OR IN AN EXEMPT TRANSACTION UNDER SAID ACT.

 

EACH OFFEREE WHO IS A FLORIDA RESIDENT SHOULD BE AWARE THAT ANY SALE MADE TO RESIDENTS OF FLORIDA SHALL BE VOIDABLE WITHIN THREE DAYS AFTER THE FIRST TENDER OF CONSIDERATION IS MADE BY THE PURCHASER TO THE ISSUER OR TO THE PLACEMENT AGENT. EACH PERSON ENTITLED TO EXERCISE SUCH RIGHT TO WITHDRAW AND WHO WISHES TO EXERCISE SUCH RIGHT MUST CAUSE A WRITTEN NOTICE OR TELEGRAM TO BE SENT TO THE ISSUER OR PLACEMENT AGENT WITHIN THE AFOREMENTIONED THREE-DAY PERIOD.

 

THIS NOTE IS ISSUED WITH ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNT AS DEFINED BY SECTION 1273(a)(1) OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1986, AS AMENDED. THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION IS PROVIDED PURSUANT TO THE INFORMATION REPORTING REQUIREMENTS SET FORTH IN TREASURY REGULATION 1.1275-3.

 

UPON WRITTEN REQUEST TO KIRK HONOUR OF TITAN CNG LLC, AT 315 LAKE STREET E., SUITE 301, WAYZATA, MN 55391 INFORMATION REGARDING THE ISSUE PRICE, AMOUNT OF ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNT, ISSUE DATE AND YIELD TO MATURITY WILL PROMPTLY BE MADE AVAILABLE.

 

THIS SECURED BRIDGE NOTE IS ONE IN A SERIES OF SECURED BRIDGE NOTES BEING ISSUED IN CONNECTION WITH A BRIDGE FINANCING OF UP TO $1,500,000, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, THOSE CERTAIN SECURED BRIDGE NOTES DATED ON OR ABOUT THE DATE HEREOF BY TITAN CNG LLC IN FAVOR OF EACH OF Thomas J. Abood Revoc ABLE TRUST U/A DATED AUGUST 17, 2012, AS AMENDED, JAMES JACKSON, THE ALPETER FAMILY LIMITED PARTNERSHIP, DAVID M. LEAVENWORTH, AND BONITA BEACH BLUES, INC. (COLLECTIVELY, THE “OTHER BRIDGE LENDERS”) AND ANY PAYMENTS AND ACCESS TO COLLATERAL WILL BE ON A PARI PASSU BASIS WITH SUCH OTHER SECURED BRIDGE NOTES.

 

 

 

 

SECURED BRIDGE NOTE

 

$150,000.00 September 26, 2016
  Minneapolis, Minnesota

 

FOR VALUE RECEIVED, TITAN CNG LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Debtor”), promises to pay to the order of Red Ocean Consulting, LLC, a Florida limited liability company (“Holder”), the principal sum of $150,000.00, together with interest, in the manner provided in this Note.

 

1.            Repayment of Principal . All outstanding principal, if not previously paid, will be due and payable on January 31, 2017 (the “Stated Maturity Date”), as the same may be extended pursuant to that certain Second Amendment to Senior Bridge Loan Documents, dated as of the date hereof, among Debtor, its subsidiaries, Scott Honour and Kirk Honour, on one hand, and Holder and the Other Bridge Lenders, on the other hand (the “Second Amendment”), which Second Amendment is incorporated herein by this reference and made a part of this Note

 

2.            Interest .

 

2.1         Interest will accrue on all outstanding unpaid amounts evidenced by this Note at an interest rate of 16% per year; provided that if written notice is given by Holder to Debtor of the occurrence of an Event of Default (as defined below), and if Debtor fails to cure the Event of Default within ten (10) days after receipt of such notice, the interest rate will increase to 18% per year.

 

2.2         All interest will be computed on the basis of a 365-day year containing 12 months, counting the actual number of days in each month. Prior to the occurrence of any Event of Default (in which case this Note shall be due and payable in full), payments of interest shall be made pursuant to the terms of the Second Amendment.

 

2.3         In the event that the Note is prepaid prior to the Stated Maturity Date, a minimum amount of interest equal to four months’ interest will be deemed payable under this Note.

 

2.4         Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, if the aggregate amount of accrued but unpaid interest (including payable in kind interest) on this Note and all unpaid original issue discount on this Note as of the Stated Maturity Date would, but for this provision, exceed an amount equal to the product of:

 

(a)           the issue price (as defined in Sections 1273(b) and 1274(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”)) of this Note; and

 

(b)           the yield to maturity (interpreted in accordance with Section 163(i) of the Code) of this Note (such product, the “Maximum Accrual”),

 

then all accrued and unpaid interest (including the payable in kind interest) and original issue discount on this Note in excess of an amount equal to the Maximum Accrual shall be paid in cash prior to the Stated Maturity Date.

 

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It is the intent of the parties that the cash payments required by this Section 2.4 will cause this Note to not be classified as “applicable high yield discount obligations” within the meaning of Section 163(i) of the Code. To the extent that for any reason these provisions do not accomplish this purpose, the parties may modify the payment terms in this Section 2.4 to accomplish the purpose.

 

3.            Method of Payment for Principal and Interest . All payments with respect to this Note will be made by wire transfer, in immediately available funds, to such account as Holder may specify in writing, without any presentation of this Note. Each payment with respect to this Note will be applied (i) first, to any fees, expenses or other amounts (other than principal and interest) due under this Note, (ii) second, to accrued interest, and (iii) third, to outstanding principal. Whenever any payment to be made under this Note is due on a Saturday, Sunday or holiday for banks under the laws of the State of Delaware, such payment may be made on the next succeeding bank business day, and such extension of time will in such case be included in the computation of the amount of interest due.

 

4.            Equity . From and after the occurrence of any Event of Default and until such Event of Default is remedied to the reasonable satisfaction of Holder, Debtor will issue Holder 750 Class A Membership Units (as defined in the Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company of Debtor (the “LLC Agreement”)) on the date of such Event of Default and each 90 day interval thereafter until all amounts due and owing under this Note have been paid in full.

 

5.            Events of Default . An “Event of Default” means any of the following:

 

5.1         The failure to pay any principal of, and interest on or any other amount due under this Note when and as the same will become due and payable, whether at the due date thereof or at a date fixed for prepayment thereof or by acceleration thereof or otherwise and such failure continues unremedied for a period of two business days.

 

5.2         A material default by Debtor or any entity in which Debtor controls or owns a majority of the outstanding equity interest therein (each a “Subsidiary” and collectively along with each other Subsidiary and the Debtor, the “Debtor Group” and each individually a “Debtor Group Member”) in the performance or observance of any covenant, condition, undertaking or agreement contained in this Note, the Security Agreement dated on or about the date hereof among Holder, other holders of notes issued in connection herewith and the Debtor Group Members (the “Security Agreement”), or the Pledge Agreements dated on or about the date hereof among Holder, on the one hand, and the other holders of notes issued in connection herewith and the Debtor (the “Pledge Agreements”), and such default continues for a period of 30 days after notice by Holder to Debtor of such default.

 

5.3         If, pursuant to or within the meaning of the United States Bankruptcy Code or any other federal or state law relating to insolvency or relief of debtors (a “Bankruptcy Law”), a Debtor Group Member (a) commences a voluntary case or proceeding; (b) consents to the entry of an order for relief against a Debtor Group Member in an involuntary case; (c) consents to the appointment of a trustee, receiver, assignee, liquidator or similar official; (d) makes an assignment for the benefit of the creditors of any Debtor Group Member; or (e) admits in writing Debtor Group Member’s inability to pay its debts as they become due.

 

  3  

 

 

5.4         If a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under any Bankruptcy Law that (a) is for relief against a Debtor Group Member in an involuntary case, (b) appoints a trustee, receiver, assignee, liquidator or similar official for Debtor or substantially all of a Debtor Group Member’s properties, or (c) orders the liquidation of a Debtor Group Member and in each case the order or decree is not dismissed within 90 days.

 

5.5         A Debtor Group Member shall fail to discharge within a period of thirty (30) days after the commencement thereof any attachment, sequestration, or similar proceeding or proceedings involving an aggregate amount in excess of One Hundred Thousand and No/100 Dollars ($100,000.00) against any of its assets or properties.

 

5.6         A Debtor Group Member shall fail to satisfy and discharge promptly any judgment or judgments against it for the payment of money in an aggregate amount in excess of One Hundred Thousand and No/100 Dollars ($100,000.00).

 

5.7         A Debtor Group Member shall default in the payment of any of its indebtedness having an aggregate principal amount in excess of One Hundred Thousand and No/100 Dollars ($100,000), beyond any applicable grace period, or shall default, in any material respect, in its performance of any material agreement binding upon it or its property.

 

6.            Remedies .

 

6.1         From and after the occurrence of any Event of Default, Holder will be entitled to: (a) by written notice to the Debtor, declare all indebtedness evidenced by this Note to be immediately due and payable; (b) by written notice to the Debtor, require Debtor and each applicable Subsidiary to execute and deliver one or more leasehold mortgages to Holder in form and substance reasonably acceptable to Debtor and Holder to secure the Debtor Group Members’ obligations under the Security Agreement; (c) apply any and all amounts owed to Debtor by the Holder to the payment of this Note; (d) exercise and enforce its rights and remedies under this Note, the Security Agreement, and the Pledge Agreements; and (e) proceed to protect and enforce its rights under applicable law.

 

6.2         No course of dealing on the part of Holder or any delay or failure on the part of Holder to exercise any right will operate as a waiver of such right or otherwise prejudice the Holder’s rights, powers and remedies.

 

6.3         Debtor will pay to Holder such additional amounts as are sufficient to cover the costs and expenses, including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys’ fees, incurred by Holder in collecting any sums due on account of this Note or otherwise in enforcing its rights hereunder.

 

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7.            Optional Prepayments . Subject to the minimum interest payment set forth in Section 2.3, the indebtedness evidenced by this Note may be prepaid, in whole or in part, at any time.

 

8.            General .

 

8.1         Payment of principal or interest on this Note may only be made to, or upon the order of, the registered Holder. This Note is transferable only by surrender of this Note to the Debtor, duly endorsed or accompanied by a written instrument of transfer executed by the registered Holder. Upon surrender of this Note for transfer as provided above, Debtor will issue a new Note to, and register such new Note in the name of, the transferee and such new Note must contain the same legend as provided in this Note.

 

8.2         Debtor:

 

(a)           except as provided in Section 6, waives diligence, presentment, demand for payment, notice of dishonor, notice of non-payment, protest, notice of protest, and any and all other demands in connection with the delivery, acceptance, performance, default or enforcement of this Note;

 

(b)           agrees that Holder will have the right, without notice, to grant any extension of time for payment of any indebtedness evidenced by this Note or any other indulgence or forbearance whatsoever;

 

(c)           agrees that no failure on the part of Holder to exercise any power, right or privilege hereunder, or to insist upon prompt compliance with the terms of this Note, will constitute a waiver of that power, right or privilege; and

 

(d)           agrees that the acceptance at any time by Holder of any past due amounts will not be deemed to be a waiver of the requirement to make prompt payment when due of any other amounts then or hereafter due and payable.

 

8.3         This Note will be construed and enforced in accordance with the substantive laws of the State of Delaware without giving effect to the conflicts of laws principles of any jurisdiction.

 

8.4         AT THE OPTION OF HOLDER, THIS NOTE MAY BE ENFORCED IN ANY STATE OR FEDERAL COURT SITTING IN MINNEAPOLIS OR ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA, AND DEBTOR CONSENTS TO THE JURISDICTION AND VENUE OF ANY SUCH COURT AND WAIVES ANY ARGUMENT THAT VENUE IN SUCH FORUMS IS NOT CONVENIENT. IN THE EVENT DEBTOR COMMENCES AN ACTION IN ANOTHER JURISDICTION OR VENUE UNDER ANY TORT OR CONTRACT THEORY ARISING DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY FROM THE RELATIONSHIP CREATED BY THIS NOTE, OR ALLEGING ANY BREACH OF THIS NOTE, HOLDER AT ITS OPTION IS ENTITLED TO HAVE THE CASE TRANSFERRED TO ONE OF THE JURISDICTIONS AND VENUES DESCRIBED ABOVE, OR IF SUCH TRANSFER CANNOT BE ACCOMPLISHED UNDER APPLICABLE LAW, TO HAVE SUCH CASE DISMISSED WITHOUT PREJUDICE.

 

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8.5         DEBTOR WAIVES THE RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION BASED ON OR PERTAINING TO THIS NOTE.

 

8.6         This Note is secured by the Security Agreement and the Pledge Agreements.

 

8.7         Debtor will cause Brenton Hayden to be a member of the Board of Managers of Debtor for a renewable three year term so long as Holder holds a majority of the membership interests of Debtor being issued to Holder pursuant to that certain Subscription and Investment Representation Agreement dated as of February 29, 2016, between Debtor and Holder (the “Subscription Agreement”); provided , however , that in the event that there is a Public Offering or Sale of Company (each as defined in the LLC Agreement) or other reorganization of Debtor, Debtor may terminate the board position granted pursuant to this Section 8.7.

 

8.8           Debtor and Holder agree that (a) this Note and the membership interests of Debtor being issued to Holder pursuant to the Subscription Agreement constitute an “investment unit” for purposes of Section 1273(c)(2)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, (b) the total issue price of the investment unit being issued to Holder is equal to the principal amount of this Note, and (c) for tax purposes, the allocation of the total issue price among this Note and the membership interests in proportion to its fair market value results in an original issue discount. None of the parties will take any position in its tax returns or otherwise that is inconsistent with this paragraph.

 

8.11        Acknowledgement of Bridge Financing . Holder acknowledges and agrees that (a) this Note is one in a series of Secured Bridge Notes (collectively, the “Bridge Financing”), (b) Debtor may seek up to $1,500,000 in connection with the Bridge Financing, and (c) Holder will exchange this Note and the documents and agreements executed in connection herewith for updated documents and agreements that reflect any change to Holder’s pro rata percentage of the outstanding balance under the Bridge Financing.

 

* * * * *

 

  6  

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Debtor has caused this Note to be signed by a duly authorized officer and dated as of the date first above written.

 

      TITAN CNG LLC
         
      By: /s/ Kirk S. Honour
      Name: Kirk S. Honour
      Its: President
         
Acknowledged and Agreed:      
       
RED OCEAN CONSULTING, LLC      
         
By: /s/ Brenton Hayden      
Name: Brenton Hayden      
Title: Manager      

   

 

[Signature Page to Bridge Note]

 

 

7  

 

 

 

Exhibit 4.17

 

First Amendment to

Senior Bridge Loan Documents

 

This First Amendment to Senior Bridge Loan Documents, (as hereinafter defined), is entered into effective as of the 26 th day of July, 2016 (the “First Amendment”).

 

Whereas , the undersigned lender parties (the “Senior Bridge Lenders”) loaned money to Titan CNG, LLC (the “Borrower”) pursuant to those certain Subscription Agreements, Bridge Promissory Notes (“Bridge Notes”), Security Agreement, Personal Guaranties of Scott Honour and Kirk Honour, Pledge Agreements and Subordination Agreements from prior lenders, (collectively referred to as the “Senior Bridge Loan Documents”) all dated on or about February 29, 2016, except for those Senior Bridge Loan Documents entered into with Bonita Beach Blues, Inc., a Florida corporation (the “Emfield Lender”) which are dated on or about July 26, 2016; and

 

Whereas , the parties desire to enter into this First Amendment to modify certain terms, conditions, and covenants in the Senior Bridge Loan Documents,

 

Now, Therefore , for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties agree as follows:

 

1.            Incorporation of Recitals .

 

The recitals set forth above are incorporated herein by this reference and made a part of this First Amendment.

 

2.            Modification of Terms, Conditions and Covenants . All of the Senior Bridge Loan Documents are hereby amended to incorporate the following terms and conditions:

 

a.           The due date or maturity date of each Bridge Note is hereby amended to be September 30, 2016.

 

b.           Interest on outstanding principal under each Bridge Note shall be at the rate of 16% per annum as of March 14, 2016. In the event of the occurrence of an event of default under the Senior Bridge Loan Documents, as amended by this First Amendment, after the date hereof, and such default is not cured within seven (7) days of notice of event of default is delivered to Borrower, interest shall increase to the rate of 18% per annum until such default is cured. Minimum interest due on a Bridge Note that is redeemed earlier than four months from issuance will be calculated based on a rate of 12% per annum.

 

c.           Any unpaid interest that is accrued as of July 31, 2016, shall be due and payable on July 31, 2016.

 

d.           A payment of monthly interest only will be made on August 31, 2016.

 

 

 

 

e.           In consideration for entering into this First Amendment, each Senior Bridge Lender other than the Emfield Lender will receive the number of Class A Units opposite their name on Exhibit A hereto.

 

f.           The covenants in the Senior Bridge Loan Documents requiring Borrower to deliver an Inter-Creditor Agreement, DACA and any leasehold mortgages are hereby suspended from the Senior Bridge Loan Documents but, at the election of the Collateral Agent (as defined in the Senior Bridge Loan Documents) shall be in full force and effect in the event there is an event of default under the Senior Bridge Loan Documents, as amended by this First Amendment, that remains uncured for a period of seven (7) days after notice of event of default is delivered to Borrower (at which time each such document shall be delivered within ten (10) business days of the expiration of such 7-day period).

 

g.           Each Senior Bridge Lender hereby acknowledges its intention to roll their Bridge Note into the PIPES Equity Financing that is being pursued by the Borrower upon the closing of such offering at a minimum closing level of $5,000,000, subject to the reservation of rights by Red Ocean Consulting, LLC, to elect not to rollover its Bridge Loan if it does not reasonably believe it has sufficient other liquidity at the time of such closing, provided such financing has closed on or before September 30, 2016. Any accrued but unpaid interest will be due at the time a Bridge Note is rolled into the PIPES Equity Financing.

 

3.            Conflicts . In the event of a conflict in the term of any Senior Bridge Loan Document and this First Amendment, the terms of this First Amendment shall control.

 

4.            Other Terms and Conditions . Except to the extent amended herein, the terms and conditions of the Senior Bridge Loan Documents shall continue in full force and effect.

 

5.            No Default . The parties confirm that there are no currently existing events of default under the Senior Bridge Loan Documents as amended by this First Amendment.

 

6.            Miscellaneous .

 

a.           This Agreement is the entire agreement of the parties with respect to the subject matter of this Agreement.

 

b.           No purported amendment, modification or waiver of any provision of this Agreement shall be binding unless set forth in a written document signed by Borrower and the Senior Bridge Lenders.

 

c.           This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which shall constitute one and the same instrument.

 

d.           Copies of this Agreement with signatures transmitted electronically (e.g., by facsimile or pdf) shall be deemed to be original signed versions of this Agreement.

 

e.           This First Amendment will be governed by the laws of the state of Minnesota.

 

[Signature pages follow]

 

  2  

 

 

In witness whereof , the parties have executed this agreement effective as of the day and year first above written.

 

BORROWER:

 

  Titan CNG, LLC
     
  /s/ Kirk S. Honour
  By: Kirk S. Honour
  Its: President

 

ADDITIONAL BORROWERS:

 

The undersigned hereby reaffirm their obligations under the Security Agreements and Pledge Agreements, as well as any other documents executed by the undersigned in favor of the Senior Bridge lenders:

 

  Titan Blaine, LLC
     
  /s/ Kirk S. Honour
  By:  Kirk S. Honour
  Its: President
     
  Titan El Toro, LLC
     
  /s/ Kirk S. Honour
  By:   Kirk S. Honour
  Its: President
     
  Titan Diamond Bar, LLC
     
  /s/ Kirk S. Honour
  By:   Kirk S. Honour
  Its: President

 

  3  

 

 

SENIOR Bridge Lenders :

 

  Thomas J. Abood Revocable Trust U/A Dated August 17, 2012 As Amended
   
  /s/ Thomas J. Abood
  Thomas J. Abood, its Trustee
   
  /s/ James Jackson
  James Jackson
   
  /s/ David M. Leavenworth
  David M. Leavenworth
   
  Alpeter Family Limited Partnership
   
  /s/ Steven Alpeter
  By: Steven Alpeter
  Its: Limited Partner
   
  Bonita Beach Blues, Inc
   
  /s/ Robert Emfield
  By:   Robert Emfield
  Its:  
   
  Red Ocean Consulting, LLC
   
  /s/ Brenton Hayden
  By: Brenton Hayden
  Its: Manager

 

  4  

 

 

The undersigned each hereby reaffirm their obligations under their respective Guaranties and agree that no changes herein shall affect their obligations thereunder :

 

  /s/ Scott Honour
  Scott Honour
   
  /s/ Kirk Honour
  Kirk Honour

 

  5  

 

 

EXHIBIT A

 

Name   Additional Class A Units
Red Ocean Consulting, LLC   1,250
     
Thomas J. Abood Revocable Trust U/A Dated August 17, 2012   1,250
     
James Jackson   71
     
Alpeter Family Limited Partnership   38
     
David M. Leavenworth   750

 

 

6

 

Exhibit 4.18

 

The securities represented by this instrument have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and may not be sold, transferred, assigned, pledged, or hypothecated unless and until registered under such act, or unless the Debtor has received an opinion of counsel or other evidence, satisfactory to the Debtor and its counsel, that such registration is not required.

 

THIS NOTE IS ISSUED WITH ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNT AS DEFINED BY SECTION 1273(a)(1) OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1986, AS AMENDED. THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION IS PROVIDED PURSUANT TO THE INFORMATION REPORTING REQUIREMENTS SET FORTH IN TREASURY REGULATION 1.1275-3.

 

UPON WRITTEN REQUEST TO KIRK HONOUR OF TITAN CNG LLC, AT 315 LAKE STREET E., SUITE 301, WAYZATA, MN 55391 INFORMATION REGARDING THE ISSUE PRICE, AMOUNT OF ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNT, ISSUE DATE AND YIELD TO MATURITY WILL PROMPTLY BE MADE AVAILABLE.

 

THIS SECURED BRIDGE NOTE IS ONE IN A SERIES OF SECURED BRIDGE NOTES BEING ISSUED IN CONNECTION WITH A BRIDGE FINANCING OF UP TO $1,500,000, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, THOSE CERTAIN SECURED BRIDGE NOTES DATED ON OR ABOUT FEBRUARY 29, 2016 BY TITAN CNG LLC IN FAVOR OF EACH OF RED OCEAN CONSULTING, LLC, THE Thomas J. Abood Revocable Trust u/a dated August 17, 2012, as amended, THE ALPETER FAMILY LIMITED PARTNERSHIP, JAMES JACKSON AND DAVID M. LEAVENWORTH, AND ANY PAYMENTS AND ACCESS TO COLLATERAL WILL BE ON A PARI PASSU BASIS WITH SUCH OTHER SECURED BRIDGE NOTES.

 

SECURED BRIDGE NOTE

 

$200,000 July 26, 2016
  Minneapolis, Minnesota

   

FOR VALUE RECEIVED, TITAN CNG LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Debtor”), promises to pay to the order of Bonita Beach Blues, Inc., a Florida corporation (“Holder”), the principal sum of $200,000, together with interest, in the manner provided in this Note. 

 

1.            Repayment of Principal . All outstanding principal, if not previously paid, will be due and payable on October 31, 2016 (the “Stated Maturity Date”).

 

2.            Interest .

 

2.1         Interest will accrue on all outstanding unpaid amounts evidenced by this Note at an interest rate of 12% per year; provided that if written notice is given by Holder to Debtor of the occurrence of an Event of Default (as defined below), and if Debtor fails to cure the Event of Default within ten (10) days after receipt of such notice, the interest rate will increase to 15% per year.

 

 

 

 

2.2         All interest will be computed on the basis of a 365-day year containing 12 months, counting the actual number of days in each month. Except as otherwise provided in Section 2.4, all interest will be payable in kind on (and thereby increase) the outstanding principal amount of this Note (as such principal is increased from time to time) until the Stated Maturity Date. All accrued interest will be due and payable on the Stated Maturity Date.

 

2.3         In the event that the Note is prepaid prior to the Stated Maturity Date, a minimum amount of interest equal to four months’ interest will be deemed payable under this Note.

 

2.4         Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, if the aggregate amount of accrued but unpaid interest (including payable in kind interest) on this Note and all unpaid original issue discount on this Note as of the Stated Maturity Date would, but for this provision, exceed an amount equal to the product of:

 

(a)         the issue price (as defined in Sections 1273(b) and 1274(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”)) of this Note; and

 

(b)         the yield to maturity (interpreted in accordance with Section 163(i) of the Code) of this Note (such product, the “Maximum Accrual”),

 

then all accrued and unpaid interest (including the payable in kind interest) and original issue discount on this Note in excess of an amount equal to the Maximum Accrual shall be paid in cash prior to the Stated Maturity Date.

 

It is the intent of the parties that the cash payments required by this Section 2.4 will cause this Note to not be classified as “applicable high yield discount obligations” within the meaning of Section 163(i) of the Code. To the extent that for any reason these provisions do not accomplish this purpose, the parties may modify the payment terms in this Section 2.4 to accomplish the purpose.

 

3.           Method of Payment for Principal and Interest . All payments with respect to this Note will be made by wire transfer, in immediately available funds, to such account as Holder may specify in writing, without any presentation of this Note. Each payment with respect to this Note will be applied (i) first, to any fees, expenses or other amounts (other than principal and interest) due under this Note, (ii) second, to accrued interest, and (iii) third, to outstanding principal. Whenever any payment to be made under this Note is due on a Saturday, Sunday or holiday for banks under the laws of the State of Delaware, such payment may be made on the next succeeding bank business day, and such extension of time will in such case be included in the computation of the amount of interest due.

 

4.            Equity . From and after the occurrence of any Event of Default and until such Event of Default is remedied to the reasonable satisfaction of Holder, Debtor will issue Holder 1000 Class A Membership Units (as defined in the Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of Debtor (the “LLC Agreement”)) on the date of such Event of Default and each 90 day interval thereafter until all amounts due and owing under this Note have been paid in full. 

 

  2  

 

 

5.            Events of Default . An “Event of Default” means any of the following:

 

5.1         The failure to pay any principal of, and interest on or any other amount due under this Note when and as the same will become due and payable, whether at the due date thereof or at a date fixed for prepayment thereof or by acceleration thereof or otherwise and such failure continues unremedied for a period of two business days.

 

5.2         A material default by Debtor or any entity in which Debtor controls or owns a majority of the outstanding equity interest therein (each a “Subsidiary” and collectively along with each other Subsidiary and the Debtor, the “Debtor Group” and each individually a “Debtor Group Member”) in the performance or observance of any covenant, condition, undertaking or agreement contained in this Note, the Security Agreement dated on or about the date hereof among Holder, other Holder of notes issued in connection herewith and the Debtor Group Members (the “Security Agreement”), or the Pledge Agreements dated on or about the date hereof among Holder, on the one hand, and the other Holder of notes issued in connection herewith (the “Pledge Agreements”), and such default continues for a period of 30 days after notice by Holder to Debtor of such default.

 

5.3         If, pursuant to or within the meaning of the United States Bankruptcy Code or any other federal or state law relating to insolvency or relief of debtors (a “Bankruptcy Law”), a Debtor Group Member (a) commences a voluntary case or proceeding; (b) consents to the entry of an order for relief against a Debtor Group Member in an involuntary case; (c) consents to the appointment of a trustee, receiver, assignee, liquidator or similar official; (d) makes an assignment for the benefit of the creditors of any Debtor Group Member; or (e) admits in writing Debtor Group Member’s inability to pay its debts as they become due.

 

5.4         If a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under any Bankruptcy Law that (a) is for relief against a Debtor Group Member in an involuntary case, (b) appoints a trustee, receiver, assignee, liquidator or similar official for Debtor or substantially all of a Debtor Group Member’s properties, or (c) orders the liquidation of a Debtor Group Member and in each case the order or decree is not dismissed within 90 days.

 

5.5         A Debtor Group Member shall fail to discharge within a period of thirty (30) days after the commencement thereof any attachment, sequestration, or similar proceeding or proceedings involving an aggregate amount in excess of One Hundred Thousand and No/100 Dollars ($100,000.00) against any of its assets or properties.

 

5.6         A Debtor Group Member shall fail to satisfy and discharge promptly any judgment or judgments against it for the payment of money in an aggregate amount in excess of One Hundred Thousand and No/100 Dollars ($100,000.00).

 

5.7         A Debtor Group Member shall default in the payment of any of its indebtedness having an aggregate principal amount in excess of One Hundred Thousand and No/100 Dollars ($100,000.00), beyond any applicable grace period, or shall default, in any material respect, in its performance of any material agreement binding upon it or its property.

 

  3  

 

 

6.           Remedies .

 

6.1         From and after the occurrence of any Event of Default, Holder will be entitled to: (a) by written notice to the Debtor, declare all indebtedness evidenced by this Note to be immediately due and payable; (b) apply any and all amounts owed to Debtor by the Holder to the payment of this Note; (c) exercise and enforce its rights and remedies under this Note, the Security Agreement, and the Pledge Agreements; and (d) proceed to protect and enforce its rights under applicable law.

 

6.2         No course of dealing on the part of Holder or any delay or failure on the part of Holder to exercise any right will operate as a waiver of such right or otherwise prejudice the Holder’ rights, powers and remedies.

 

6.3         Debtor will pay to Holder such additional amounts as are sufficient to cover the costs and expenses, including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys’ fees, incurred by Holder in collecting any sums due on account of this Note or otherwise in enforcing its rights hereunder.

 

7.           Optional Prepayments . Subject to the minimum interest payment set forth in Section 2.3, the indebtedness evidenced by this Note may be prepaid, in whole or in part, at any time.

 

8.           General .

 

8.1         Payment of principal or interest on this Note may only be made to, or upon the order of, the registered Holder. This Note is transferable only by surrender of this Note to the Debtor, duly endorsed or accompanied by a written instrument of transfer executed by the registered Holder. Upon surrender of this Note for transfer as provided above, Debtor will issue a new Note to, and register such new Note in the name of, the transferee and such new Note must contain the same legend as provided in this Note.

 

8.2         Debtor:

 

(a)         except as provided in Section 6, waives diligence, presentment, demand for payment, notice of dishonor, notice of non-payment, protest, notice of protest, and any and all other demands in connection with the delivery, acceptance, performance, default or enforcement of this Note;

 

(b)         agrees that Holder will have the right, without notice, to grant any extension of time for payment of any indebtedness evidenced by this Note or any other indulgence or forbearance whatsoever;

 

(c)         agrees that no failure on the part of Holder to exercise any power, right or privilege hereunder, or to insist upon prompt compliance with the terms of this Note, will constitute a waiver of that power, right or privilege; and

 

  4  

 

 

(d)         agrees that the acceptance at any time by Holder of any past due amounts will not be deemed to be a waiver of the requirement to make prompt payment when due of any other amounts then or hereafter due and payable.

 

8.3         This Note will be construed and enforced in accordance with the substantive laws of the State of Delaware without giving effect to the conflicts of laws principles of any jurisdiction.

 

8.4         AT THE OPTION OF HOLDER, THIS NOTE MAY BE ENFORCED IN ANY STATE OR FEDERAL COURT SITTING IN MINNEAPOLIS OR ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA, AND DEBTOR CONSENTS TO THE JURISDICTION AND VENUE OF ANY SUCH COURT AND WAIVES ANY ARGUMENT THAT VENUE IN SUCH FORUMS IS NOT CONVENIENT. IN THE EVENT DEBTOR COMMENCES AN ACTION IN ANOTHER JURISDICTION OR VENUE UNDER ANY TORT OR CONTRACT THEORY ARISING DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY FROM THE RELATIONSHIP CREATED BY THIS NOTE, OR ALLEGING ANY BREACH OF THIS NOTE, HOLDER AT ITS OPTION IS ENTITLED TO HAVE THE CASE TRANSFERRED TO ONE OF THE JURISDICTIONS AND VENUES DESCRIBED ABOVE, OR IF SUCH TRANSFER CANNOT BE ACCOMPLISHED UNDER APPLICABLE LAW, TO HAVE SUCH CASE DISMISSED WITHOUT PREJUDICE.

 

8.5         DEBTOR WAIVES THE RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION BASED ON OR PERTAINING TO THIS NOTE.

 

8.6         This Note is secured by the Security Agreement and the Pledge Agreements.

 

8.7         Debtor and Holder agree that (a) this Note and the membership interests of Debtor being issued to Holder pursuant to the Subscription Agreement constitute an “investment unit” for purposes of Section 1273(c)(2)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, (b) the total issue price of the investment unit being issued to Holder is equal to the principal amount of this Note, and (c) for tax purposes, the allocation of the total issue price among this Note and the membership interests in proportion to its fair market value results in an original issue discount. None of the parties will take any position in its tax returns or otherwise that is inconsistent with this paragraph.

 

8.8         The parties acknowledge and agree that at the closing of the transaction contemplated in the supplement to the PPM or any subsequent supplement thereto (as defined in the Subscription and Investment Representation Agreement dated the date hereof) (the “PPM or PIPES Closing”), provided this Note is not then in default, (a) $120,000 (60%) of the principal and accrued and unpaid interest under this Note will be converted into the securities issued pursuant to the PPM or PIPES Closing (it being understood that the resulting Class A Membership Unit Convertible Notes shall entitle Holder to convert such note into Class A Membership Units at the lesser of the price offered to all Holder thereof or $10.00 per unit (subject to equitable adjustment for any unit splits or combinations, unit distributions or dividend or similar transactions), and (b) the remaining balance under this Note may be converted into the securities issued pursuant to the PPM or PIPES Closing at the option of Holder under the same terms. 

 

8.9          Acknowledgement of Bridge Financing . Holder acknowledges and agrees that (a) this Note is one in a series of Secured Bridge Notes (collectively, the “Bridge Financing”), (b) Debtor may seek up to $1,500,000 in connection with the Bridge Financing, and (c) Holder will exchange this Note and the documents and agreements executed in connection herewith for updated documents and agreements that reflect any change to Holder’s pro rata percentage of the outstanding balance under the Bridge Financing.

 

* * * * *

 

  5  

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Debtor has caused this Note to be signed by a duly authorized officer and dated as of the date first above written.

 

      TITAN CNG LLC
       
      By: /s/ Kirk S. Honour
      Name: Kirk S. Honour
      Its: President
         
         
Acknowledged and Agreed:      

 

BONITA BEACH BLUES, INC.

     
         
By: /s/ Robert Emfield      
 

Robert Emfield

     
Its:        

 

 

6

 

 

Exhibit 4.19

 

SECOND Amendment to

Senior Bridge Loan Documents

 

This Second Amendment to Senior Bridge Loan Documents, (as hereinafter defined), is entered into effective as of the 26 th day of September, 2016 (the “Second Amendment”).

 

Whereas , the undersigned lender parties (the “Senior Bridge Lenders”) loaned money to Titan CNG LLC (the “Borrower”) pursuant to those certain Subscription Agreements, Bridge Promissory Notes (“Bridge Notes”), Security Agreement, Personal Guaranties of Scott Honour and Kirk Honour, Pledge Agreements and Subordination Agreements from prior lenders, (as amended, collectively referred to as the “Senior Bridge Loan Documents”) all dated on or about February 29, 2016, except for those Senior Bridge Loan Documents entered into with Bonita Beach Blues, Inc., a Florida corporation (the “Emfield Lender”) which are dated on or about July 26, 2016; and

 

WHEREAS , on or about July 26, 2016, the parties entered into that certain First Amendment to Senior Bridge Loan Documents (the “First Amendment”) pursuant to which certain terms, conditions and covenants in the Senior Bridge Loan Documents were modified; and

 

Whereas , the parties desire to enter into this Second Amendment to modify certain terms, conditions, and covenants in the Senior Bridge Loan Documents.

 

Now, Therefore , for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties agree as follows:

 

1.        Incorporation of Recitals .

 

The recitals set forth above are incorporated herein by this reference and made a part of this Second Amendment.

 

2.        Modification of Terms, Conditions and Covenants . All of the Senior Bridge Loan Documents are hereby amended to incorporate the following terms and conditions:

 

a.       The due date or maturity date of each Bridge Note is hereby amended to be January 31, 2017 (the “Stated Maturity Date”); provided, however, that if no default or event of default has occurred and is continuing the Borrower may, in the Borrower’s sole discretion upon providing written notice to the Senior Bridge Lenders, (i) extend the Stated Maturity Date to April 30, 2017 by paying each of the Senior Bridge Lenders a fee equal to 1% of the outstanding balance due on such lender’s Bridge Note; (ii) if the Stated Maturity Date was extended to April 30, 2017 as provided in the foregoing clause, subsequently extend the Stated Maturity Date to July 31, 2017 by paying each of the Senior Bridge Lenders an additional fee equal to 1% of the then-outstanding balance due on such lender’s Bridge Note; and (iii) if the Stated Maturity Date was extended to July 31, 2017 as provided in the foregoing clause, subsequently extend the Stated Maturity Date to October 31, 2017 by paying each of the Senior Bridge Lenders an additional fee equal to 1% of the then-outstanding balance due on such lender’s Bridge Note.

 

 

 

 

b.      Payments of monthly interest only will be made on the last business day of each calendar month beginning on September 30, 2016 until the Stated Maturity Date (as the same may be extended as provided above) at which time the entire balance due on the Bridge Notes shall be due and payable in full (unless previously converted).

 

3.        Additional Indebtedness . On the date hereof, Red Ocean Consulting, LLC is purchasing an additional Bridge Note in the principal amount of $150,000 and each of the parties hereto, along with each guarantor and subsidiaries of the Borrower agree it shall have the same rights, preferences and security of each other Bridge Note.

 

4.        Conversion . Section 2(g) of the First Amendment is hereby amended and restated in its entirety as follows:

 

g.       Each Senior Bridge Lender hereby acknowledges its intention to roll his, her or it Bridge Note into the PIPES Equity Financing that is being pursued by the Borrower upon the closing of such offering at a minimum closing level of $5,000,000, provided such financing has closed on or before the Stated Maturity Date, as the same may be extended pursuant to any agreement among the Senior Bridge Lenders and the Borrower. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Red Ocean Consulting, LLC shall have no obligation to convert any of its Bridge Notes into equity.

 

5.        Fees . Borrowers shall pay each Senior Bridge Lenders a fee on September 30, 2016 equal to 1% of the outstanding balance due on such lender’s Bridge Note in consideration for their agreement to entering into this Second Amendment. Borrower will reimburse the Senior Bridge Lenders for its reasonable legal fees incurred in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Second Amendment and the First Amendment

 

6.        Conflicts . In the event of a conflict in the term of any Senior Bridge Loan Document and this Second Amendment, the terms of this Second Amendment shall control.

 

7.        Other Terms and Conditions . Except to the extent amended herein, the terms and conditions of the Senior Bridge Loan Documents shall continue in full force and effect.

 

8.        Prior Events; Equity Issuances . Provided no default or event(s) of default shall occur (subject to any cure rights of the Borrower) after the date hereof, the Senior Bridge Lenders agree not to declare or attempt to enforce any rights with respect to any actual or alleged default or event of default which may have occurred prior to the date hereof; provided, however, that Borrower hereby agrees to nevertheless issue any equity interests in which the Borrower has agreed to issue prior to the date hereof to the Senior Bridge Lenders.

 

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9.        Miscellaneous .

 

a.       This Second Amendment is the entire agreement of the parties with respect to the subject matter of this Second Amendment.

 

b.      No purported amendment, modification or waiver of any provision of this Second Amendment shall be binding unless set forth in a written document signed by Borrower and the Senior Bridge Lenders.

 

c.       This Second Amendment may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which shall constitute one and the same instrument.

 

d.      Copies of this Second Amendment with signatures transmitted electronically (e.g., by facsimile or pdf) shall be deemed to be original signed versions of this Second Amendment.

 

e.       This Second Amendment will be governed by the laws of the state of Minnesota.

  

 

[Signature pages follow]

 

  3  

 

 

In witness whereof , the parties have executed this Second Amendment effective as of the day and year first above written.

 

BORROWER:

 

  Titan CNG LLC
   
  /s/ Kirk Honour
  By: Kirk Honour
  Its: President

 

ADDITIONAL BORROWERS:

 

The undersigned hereby reaffirm their obligations under the Security Agreements and Pledge Agreements, as well as any other documents executed by the undersigned in favor of the Senior Bridge lenders:

 

  Titan Blaine, LLC
   
  /s/ Kirk Honour
  By: Kirk Honour
  Its: President

 

  Titan El Toro LLC
   
  /s/ Kirk Honour
  By: Kirk Honour
  Its: President

 

  Titan Diamond Bar LLC
   
  /s/ Kirk Honour
  By: Kirk Honour
  Its: President

 

  4  

 

 

SENIOR Bridge Lenders :

 

  Thomas J. Abood Revocable Trust U/A Dated August 17, 2012 As Amended
   
  /s/ Thomas J. Abood
  Thomas J. Abood, its Trustee

 

  /s/ James Jackson
  James Jackson

 

  /s/ David M. Leavenworth
  David M. Leavenworth

 

  Alpeter Family Limited Partnership
   
  /s/ Steven Alpeter
  By: Steven Alpeter
  Its: Limited Partner

 

  Bonita Beach Blues, Inc
   
  /s/ Robert Emfield
  By:  Robert Emfield
  Its:                                                             

 

  Red Ocean Consulting, LLC
   
  /s/ Brenton Hayden
  By: Brenton Hayden
  Its: Manager

 

  5  

 

 

The undersigned each hereby reaffirm their obligations under their respective Guaranties and agree that no changes herein shall affect their obligations thereunder :

 

  /s/ Scott Honour
  Scott Honour

 

  /s/ Kirk Honour
  Kirk Honour

 

 

 6

 

Exhibit 4.20

 

NEITHER THIS CONVERTIBLE PROMISSORY NOTE NOR ANY OF THE SECURITIES ISSUABLE UPON CONVERSION HEREOF HAVE BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), OR UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY FOREIGN JURISDICTION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES LAWS WITHIN THE UNITED STATES AND MAY NOT BE OFFERED FOR SALE, SOLD OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED UNLESS THERE IS A REGISTRATION STATEMENT EFFECTIVE UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT AND OTHER APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS IN EFFECT COVERING THIS CONVERTIBLE PROMISSORY NOTE OR SUCH SECURITIES, AS THE CASE MAY BE, OR THERE IS AVAILABLE AN EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT AND APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS.

 

CONVERTIBLE PROMISSORY NOTE

 

No. CN-1 Date of Issuance
US$276,825.03 November 22, 2016

 

FOR VALUE RECEIVED , Minn Shares Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”), hereby promises to pay to the order of Joseph H. Whitney (the “ Holder ”), the principal sum of US$276,825.03 (the “ Principal Amount ”), together with interest thereon from the date of issuance of this convertible promissory note (this “ Note ”). Interest will accrue at a simple rate of 12% per annum. Unless earlier converted into Conversion Shares (as defined below), the principal and accrued interest of this Note will be due and payable by the Company at any time on or after November 22, 2019 (the “ Maturity Date ”) at the Company's election or upon demand by the Holder. Capitalized terms not otherwise defined in this Note will have the meanings set forth in Section 3.1 .

 

Background

 

WHEREAS, Paramount Trading, Ltd., a company owned by the Holder (“ Paramount ”), previously extended to the Company loans (the “ Loans ”) in the aggregate principal amount of $276,825.03 with interest accruing at 5% per annum (the “ Loan Balance ”); and

 

WHEREAS, Paramount was dissolved in September 2016; and

 

WHEREAS, the Company and the Holder desires to amend and restate the terms of the Loans by entering into this Note, which reflects the Loan Balance as of the date hereof, which as a result of Paramount’s liquidation, are owed to the Holder.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, for good and valuable consideration, the receipt, sufficiency and adequacy of which are hereby acknowledged, intending to be legally bound, the parties hereby agree as follows:

 

1.        Payment . All payments will be made in lawful money of the United States of America, in immediately available funds, by such method and at such place as the Holder may from time to time designate in writing to the Company. Payment of principal and interest will be credited first to accrued interest due and payable, with any remainder applied to principal. Prepayment of principal, together with accrued interest, may be made at any time without premium or penalty (subject to the provisions of Section 3 hereof).

 

 

2.        Security . This Note is a general unsecured obligation of the Company.

 

3.        Conversion . This Note will be convertible into Equity Securities pursuant to the following terms.

 

3.1        Definitions .

 

(a)       “ Common Stock ” means the Company's common stock, par value US $0.0001 per share.

 

(b)       “ Conversion Shares ” (for purposes of determining the type of Equity Securities issuable upon conversion of this Note) means:

 

(i)       with respect to a conversion pursuant to Section 3.2 , shares of the Equity Securities issued in the Next Equity Financing;

 

(ii)      with respect to a conversion pursuant to Section 3.3 , shares of the Equity Securities issued in the Corporate Transaction; and

 

(iii)     with respect to a conversion pursuant to Section 3.4 , shares of Common Stock.

 

(c)       “ Conversion Price ” means (rounded to the nearest 1/100th of one cent):

 

(i)       with respect to a conversion pursuant to Section 3.2 , the price per security issued in a Next Equity Financing;

 

(ii)      with respect to a conversion pursuant to Section 3.3 , a conversion price that is equal to the enterprise value of the Company, as established by the consideration payable in the Corporate Transaction, so as to permit the Holder to receive the cash, securities or other property to which the Holder would be entitled in the Corporate Transaction on account of the Holder’s ownership of the Common Stock; and

 

(iii)     with respect to a conversion pursuant to Section 3.4 , the quotient resulting from dividing (x) the Valuation Cap by (y) the Fully Diluted Capitalization immediately prior to such conversion.

 

(d)       “ Corporate Transaction ” means:

 

(i)       the closing of the sale, transfer or other disposition, in a single transaction or series of related transactions, of all or substantially all of the Company's assets;

 

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(ii)       the consummation of a merger or consolidation of the Company with or into another entity (except a merger or consolidation in which the holders of capital stock of the Company immediately prior to such merger or consolidation continue to hold a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the capital stock of the Company or the surviving or acquiring entity immediately following the consummation of such transaction); or

 

(iii)      the closing of the transfer (whether by merger, consolidation or otherwise), in a single transaction or series of related transactions, to a “person” or “group” (within the meaning of Section 13(d) and Section 14(d) of the Exchange Act), of the Company's capital stock if, after such closing, such person or group would become the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) of more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities of the Company (or the surviving or acquiring entity).

 

For the avoidance of doubt, a transaction will not constitute a “Corporate Transaction” if its sole purpose is to change the state of the Company's incorporation or to create a holding company that will be owned in substantially the same proportions by the persons who held the Company's securities immediately prior to such transaction. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the sale of Equity Securities in a bona fide financing transaction will not be deemed a “Corporate Transaction.”

 

(e)       “ Equity Securities ” means (i) Common Stock; (ii) any securities conferring the right to purchase Common Stock; or (iii) any securities directly or indirectly convertible into, or exchangeable for (with or without additional consideration) Common Stock. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the following will not be considered “Equity Securities”: (A) any security granted, issued or sold by the Company to any director, officer, employee, consultant or adviser of the Company for the primary purpose of soliciting or retaining their services; (B) any convertible promissory notes (including this Note) issued by the Company; and (C) any SAFEs that have been issued by the Company.

 

(f)       “ Exchange Act ” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

(g)       “ Fully Diluted Capitalization ” means the number of issued and outstanding shares of the Company's capital stock, assuming the conversion or exercise of all of the Company's outstanding convertible or exercisable securities, including shares of convertible Preferred Stock and all outstanding vested or unvested options or warrants to purchase the Company's capital stock. Notwithstanding the foregoing, “Fully Diluted Capitalization” excludes: (A) any convertible promissory notes (including this Note) issued by the Company; (B) any SAFEs (as defined below) issued by the Company; and (C) any Equity Securities that are issuable upon conversion of any outstanding convertible promissory notes or SAFEs.

 

  3  

 

(h)       “ Next Equity Financing ” means any subsequent sales by the Company of its Equity Securities, in one or a series of related transactions, following the date of issuance of this Note from which the Company receives aggregate gross proceeds of not less than US$7,500,000.00 (excluding, for the avoidance of doubt, the aggregate principal amount of this Note).

 

(i)       “ Preferred Stock ” means all series of the Company's preferred stock, whether now existing or hereafter created.

 

(j)       “ SAFE ” means any simple agreement for future equity (or other similar agreement) which is issued by the Company for bona fide financing purposes and which may convert into the Company's capital stock in accordance with its terms.

 

(k)       “ Securities Act ” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

 

(l)       “ Valuation Cap ” means US$20,000,000.

 

3.2        Next Equity Financing Conversion . In the event that, at any time while this Note shall remain outstanding, a Next Equity Financing shall occur, the Holder, at its sole option, may elect in writing to convert the principal balance and unpaid accrued interest on this Note upon the closing of the Next Equity Financing. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company may, at its option, pay any unpaid accrued interest on this Note in cash at the time of conversion. The number of Conversion Shares the Company issues upon such conversion will equal the quotient (rounded down to the nearest whole share) obtained by dividing (x) the outstanding principal balance and unpaid accrued interest under this Note on the date of conversion by (y) the applicable Conversion Price. At least five (5) days prior to the closing of the Next Equity Financing, the Company will notify the Holder in writing of the terms of the Equity Securities that are expected to be issued in such financing. The issuance of Conversion Shares pursuant to the conversion of this Note will be on, and subject to, the same terms and conditions applicable to the Equity Securities issued in the Next Equity Financing.

 

3.3        Corporate Transaction Conversion . In the event of a Corporate Transaction prior to the conversion of this Note pursuant to Section 3.2 or Section 3.4 or the repayment of this Note, at the closing of such Corporate Transaction, the Holder may elect that either: (a) the Company will pay the Holder an amount equal to the sum of (x) all accrued and unpaid interest due on this Note and (y) the outstanding principal balance of this Note; or (b) this Note will convert into that number of Conversion Shares equal to the quotient (rounded down to the nearest whole share) obtained by dividing (x) the outstanding principal balance and unpaid accrued interest of this Note on the date of conversion by (y) the applicable Conversion Price.

 

3.4        Maturity Conversion . At any time on or after the Maturity Date, at the election of the Holder, this Note will convert into that number of Conversion Shares equal to the quotient (rounded down to the nearest whole share) obtained by dividing (x) the outstanding principal balance and unpaid accrued interest of this Note on the date of such conversion by (y) the applicable Conversion Price.

 

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3.5        Mandatory Conversion . In the event that, at any time while this Note shall remain outstanding, a conversion of the senior and junior debts of Titan CNG LLC represented by those certain promissory notes set forth on Exhibit A attached hereto (collectively, the “ Debts”) shall occur, the entire outstanding principal amount and all interest accrued and unpaid on the Note shall automatically convert upon the full conversion of the Debts, with no further action by the Holder, on the same terms and conditions as those received by the holders of the Debts. For the avoidance of doubt, the Holder shall receive a conversion on the most favorable terms and conditions provided to any holder of the Debts. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, this Section 3.5 shall be effective only as of the effective time of that certain Agreement and Plan of Securities Exchange by and among the Company, Titan CNG LLC and the Members of Titan CNG LLC identified therein, dated as of November 22, 2016.

 

3.6        Conversion Mechanism .

 

(a)        Financing Agreements . The Holder acknowledges that the conversion of this Note into Conversion Shares pursuant to Section 3.2 or Section 3.5 may require the Holder's execution of certain agreements relating to the purchase and sale of the Conversion Shares, as well as registration rights, rights of first refusal and co-sale, rights of first offer and voting rights, if any, relating to such securities (collectively, the “ Financing Agreements ”). The Holder agrees to execute all of the Financing Agreements in connection with a Next Equity Financing.

 

(b)        Certificates . As promptly as practicable after the conversion of this Note and the issuance of the Conversion Shares, the Company (at its expense) will issue and deliver a certificate or certificates evidencing the Conversion Shares (if certificated) to the Holder, or if the Conversion Shares are not certificated, will deliver a true and correct copy of the Company's share register reflecting the Conversion Shares held by the Holder. The Company will not be required to issue or deliver the Conversion Shares until the Holder has surrendered this Note to the Company (or provided an instrument of cancellation or affidavit of loss). The conversion of this Note pursuant to Section 3.2 and Section 3.3 may be made contingent upon the closing of the Next Equity Financing and Corporate Transaction, respectively.

 

4.        Representations and Warranties of the Company . In connection with the transactions contemplated by this Note, the Company hereby represents and warrants to the Holder as follows:

 

4.1        Due Organization; Qualification and Good Standing . The Company is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware and has all requisite corporate power and authority to carry on its business as now conducted. The Company is duly qualified to transact business and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which the failure to so qualify or to be in good standing would have a material adverse effect on the Company.

 

4.2        Authorization and Enforceability . Except for the authorization and issuance of the Conversion Shares, all corporate action has been taken on the part of the Company and its officers, directors and stockholders necessary for the authorization, execution and delivery of this Note. Except as may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or similar laws relating to or affecting the enforcement of creditors' rights, the Company has taken all corporate action required to make all of the obligations of the Company reflected in the provisions of this Note valid and enforceable in accordance with its terms.

 

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5.        Representations and Warranties of the Holder . In connection with the transactions contemplated by this Note, the Holder hereby represents and warrants to the Company as follows:

 

5.1        Authorization . The Holder has full power and authority (and, if an individual, the capacity) to enter into this Note and to perform all obligations required to be performed by it hereunder. This Note, when executed and delivered by the Holder, will constitute the Holder's valid and legally binding obligation, enforceable in accordance with its terms, except (a) as limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, fraudulent conveyance and any other laws of general application affecting enforcement of creditors' rights generally, and (b) as limited by laws relating to the availability of specific performance, injunctive relief or other equitable remedies.

 

5.2        Purchase Entirely for Own Account . The Holder acknowledges that this Note is made with the Holder in reliance upon the Holder's representation to the Company, which the Holder hereby confirms by executing this Note, that this Note, the Conversion Shares, and any Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the Conversion Shares (collectively, the “ Securities ”) will be acquired for investment for the Holder's own account, not as a nominee or agent (unless otherwise specified on the Holder's signature page hereto), and not with a view to the resale or distribution of any part thereof, and that the Holder has no present intention of selling, granting any participation in, or otherwise distributing the same. By executing this Note, the Holder further represents that the Holder does not have any contract, undertaking, agreement or arrangement with any person to sell, transfer or grant participations to such person or to any third person, with respect to the Securities. If other than an individual, the Holder also represents it has not been organized solely for the purpose of acquiring the Securities.

 

5.3        Disclosure of Information; Non-Reliance . The Holder acknowledges that it has received all the information it considers necessary or appropriate to enable it to make an informed decision concerning an investment in the Securities. The Holder further represents that it has had an opportunity to ask questions and receive answers from the Company regarding the terms and conditions of the offering of the Securities. The Holder confirms that the Company has not given any guarantee or representation as to the potential success, return, effect or benefit (either legal, regulatory, tax, financial, accounting or otherwise) of an investment in the Securities. In deciding to acquire the Securities, the Holder is not relying on the advice or recommendations of the Company and has made its own independent decision that the investment in the Securities is suitable and appropriate for the Holder. The Holder understands that no federal or state agency has passed upon the merits or risks of an investment in the Securities or made any finding or determination concerning the fairness or advisability of this investment.

 

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5.4        Investment Experience . The Holder is an investor in securities of companies in the development stage and acknowledges that it is able to fend for itself, can bear the economic risk of its investment and has such knowledge and experience in financial or business matters that it is capable of evaluating the merits and risks of the investment in the Securities.

 

5.5        Accredited Investor . The Holder is an “accredited investor” within the meaning of Rule 501 of Regulation D promulgated under the Securities Act and has delivered to the Company, a true, correct and completed form of the Investor Questionnaire attached hereto as Exhibit B. The Holder agrees to furnish any additional information requested by the Company or any of its affiliates to assure compliance with applicable U.S. federal and state securities laws in connection with the purchase and sale of the Securities.

 

5.6        Restricted Securities . The Holder understands that the Securities have not been, and will not be, registered under the Securities Act or state securities laws, by reason of specific exemptions from the registration provisions thereof which depend upon, among other things, the bona fide nature of the investment intent and the accuracy of the Holder's representations as expressed herein. The Holder understands that the Securities are “restricted securities” under U.S. federal and applicable state securities laws and that, pursuant to these laws, the Holder must hold the Securities indefinitely unless they are registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“ SEC ”) and registered or qualified by state authorities, or an exemption from such registration and qualification requirements is available. The Holder acknowledges that the Company has no obligation to register or qualify the Securities for resale and further acknowledges that, if an exemption from registration or qualification is available, it may be conditioned on various requirements including, but not limited to, the time and manner of sale, the holding period for the Securities, and on requirements relating to the Company which are outside of the Holder's control, and which the Company is under no obligation, and may not be able, to satisfy.

 

5.7        No General Solicitation . The Holder, and its officers, directors, employees, agents, stockholders or partners have not either directly or indirectly, including through a broker or finder solicited offers for or offered or sold the Securities by means of any form of general solicitation or general advertising within the meaning of Rule 502 of Regulation D under the Securities Act or in any manner involving a public offering within the meaning of Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act. The Holder acknowledges that neither the Company nor any other person offered to sell the Securities to it by means of any form of general solicitation or advertising within the meaning of Rule 502 of Regulation D under the Securities Act or in any manner involving a public offering within the meaning of Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act.

 

5.8        Residence . If the Holder is an individual, then the Holder resides in the state or province identified in the address shown on the Holder's signature page hereto. If the Holder is a partnership, corporation, limited liability company or other entity, then the Holder's principal place of business is located in the state or province identified in the address shown on the Holder's signature page hereto.

 

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6.        Events of Default; Remedies .

 

6.1        Events of Default . The occurrence of any of the following circumstances shall be an event of default (“ Event of Default ”):

 

(a)       The breach or default by the Company of any of its obligations under this Note.

 

(b)       The Company commences any case, proceeding or other action (i) under any existing or future law relating to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, or other relief of debtors, seeking to have an order for relief entered with respect to it, or seeking to adjudicate it as bankrupt or insolvent, or seeking reorganization, arrangement, adjustment, winding-up, liquidation, dissolution, composition or other relief with respect to it or its debts, or (ii) seeking appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian, conservator or other similar official for it or for all or any substantial part of its assets, or the Company makes a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors.

 

(c)       An involuntary petition is filed against the Company under any bankruptcy statute now or hereafter in effect, or a custodian, receiver, trustee, assignee for the benefit of creditors (or other similar official) is appointed to take possession, custody or control of any property of the Company which (i) results in the entry of an order for relief or any such adjudication or appointment or (ii) remains undismissed, undischarged or unbonded for a period of sixty (60) days.

 

(d)       The failure of the Company to timely file with the Securities Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) all such filings, reports information statements, forms, correspondences and schedules required to be filed by it pursuant to the Exchange Act (the “ SEC Filings ”), which results in the Company not being current with its SEC Filings.

 

6.2 Remedies . Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, the Holder may, by written notice thereof provided to the Company, declare the entire outstanding principal amount and all interest accrued and unpaid on the Note to be, and the Note shall thereupon become, forthwith due and payable, without any presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby expressly waived. No course of dealing on the part of the Holder nor any delay or failure on the part of the Holder to exercise any right shall operate as a waiver of such right or otherwise prejudice such holders’ rights, powers and remedies. In addition to the foregoing remedies, upon the occurrence of and during the continuance of any Event of Default, the Holder may elect to exercise any other right, power or remedy permitted by law, either by suit in equity or by action at law, or both.

 

7.        Miscellaneous .

 

7.1        Successors and Assigns . Except as otherwise provided herein, the terms and conditions of this Note will inure to the benefit of, and be binding upon, the respective successors and assigns of the parties; provided, however, that the Company may not assign its obligations under this Note without the written consent of the Holder. This Note is for the sole benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns, and nothing herein, express or implied, is intended to or will confer upon any other person or entity any legal or equitable right, benefit or remedy of any nature whatsoever under or by reason of this Note.

 

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7.2        Governing Law . This Note will be governed by and construed in accordance with the internal laws of the State of Delaware without giving effect to any choice or conflict of law provision or rule (whether of the State of Delaware or any other jurisdiction).

 

7.3        Counterparts . This Note may be executed in counterparts, each of which will be deemed an original, but all of which together will be deemed to be one and the same agreement. Counterparts may be delivered via facsimile, electronic mail (including PDF or any electronic signature complying with the U.S. federal ESIGN Act of 2000, e.g. , www.docusign.com) or other transmission method, and any counterpart so delivered will be deemed to have been duly and validly delivered and be valid and effective for all purposes.

 

7.4        Titles and Subtitles . The titles and subtitles used in this Note are included for convenience only and are not to be considered in construing or interpreting this Note.

 

7.5        Notices . All notices and other communications given or made pursuant hereto will be in writing and will be deemed effectively given: (a) upon personal delivery to the party to be notified; (b) when sent by email or confirmed facsimile; (c) five (5) days after having been sent by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid; or (d) one (1) day after deposit with a nationally recognized overnight courier, specifying next day delivery, with written verification of receipt. All communications will be sent to the respective parties at the addresses shown on the signature pages hereto (or to such email address, facsimile number or other address as subsequently modified by written notice given in accordance with this Section 7.5 ).

 

7.6        No Finder's Fee . Each party represents that it neither is nor will be obligated to pay any finder's fee, broker's fee or commission in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Note. The Holder agrees to indemnify and to hold the Company harmless from any liability for any commission or compensation in the nature of a finder's or broker's fee arising out of the transactions contemplated by this Note (and the costs and expenses of defending against such liability or asserted liability) for which the Holder or any of its officers, employees or representatives is responsible. The Company agrees to indemnify and hold the Holder harmless from any liability for any commission or compensation in the nature of a finder's or broker's fee arising out of the transactions contemplated by this Note (and the costs and expenses of defending against such liability or asserted liability) for which the Company or any of its officers, employees or representatives is responsible.

 

  9  

 

7.7        Expenses . Each party will pay all costs and expenses that it incurs with respect to the negotiation, execution, delivery and performance of this Note.

 

7.8        Attorneys' Fees . If any action at law or in equity is necessary to enforce or interpret the terms of this Note, the prevailing party will be entitled to reasonable attorneys' fees, costs and necessary disbursements in addition to any other relief to which such party may be entitled.

 

7.9        Entire Agreement; Amendments and Waivers . This Note constitutes the full and entire understanding and agreement between the parties with regard to the subject hereof. Any term of this Note may be amended and the observance of any term may be waived (either generally or in a particular instance and either retroactively or prospectively) with the written consent of the Company and the Holder. Any waiver or amendment effected in accordance with this Section 7.9 will be binding upon each future holder of this Note and the Company.

 

7.10        Severability . If one or more provisions of this Note are held to be unenforceable under applicable law, such provisions will be excluded from this Note and the balance of the Note will be interpreted as if such provisions were so excluded and this Note will be enforceable in accordance with its terms.

 

7.11        Transfer Restrictions .

 

THIS NOTE AND THE SECURITIES ISSUABLE UPON THE CONVERSION HEREOF HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT. THEY MAY NOT BE SOLD, OFFERED FOR SALE, PLEDGED, HYPOTHECATED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE ACT OR UPON RECEIPT BY THE COMPANY OF AN OPINION OF COUNSEL SATISFACTORY TO THE COMPANY THAT REGISTRATION IS NOT REQUIRED UNDER THE ACT OR UNLESS SOLD PURSUANT TO RULE 144 UNDER THE ACT.

 

7.12        Acknowledgment . For the avoidance of doubt, it is acknowledged that the Holder will be entitled to the benefit of all adjustments in the number of shares of the Company's capital stock as a result of any splits, recapitalizations, combinations or other similar transactions affecting the Company's capital stock underlying the Conversion Shares that occur prior to the conversion of this Note.

 

7.13        Further Assurances . From time to time, the parties will execute and deliver such additional documents and will provide such additional information as may reasonably be required to carry out the terms of this Note and any agreements executed in connection herewith.

 

7.14        Limitation on Interest . In no event will any interest charged, collected or reserved under this Note exceed the maximum rate then permitted by applicable law, and if any payment made by the Company under this Note exceeds such maximum rate, then such excess sum will be credited by the Holder as a payment of principal.

 

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7.15        Officers and Directors not Liable . In no event will any officer or director of the Company be liable for any amounts due and payable pursuant to this Note.

 

7.16        Approval . The Company hereby represents that its board of directors, in the exercise of its fiduciary duty, has approved the Company's execution of this Note based upon a reasonable belief that the principal provided hereunder is appropriate for the Company after reasonable inquiry concerning the Company's financing objectives and financial situation. In addition, the Company hereby represents that it intends to use the principal of this Note primarily for the operations of its business, and not for any personal, family or household purpose.

 

7.17        Waiver of Jury Trial . EACH PARTY HEREBY WAIVES ITS RIGHTS TO A JURY TRIAL OF ANY CLAIM OR CAUSE OF ACTION BASED UPON OR ARISING OUT OF THIS NOTE, THE SECURITIES OR THE SUBJECT MATTER HEREOF OR THEREOF. THE SCOPE OF THIS WAIVER IS INTENDED TO BE ALL-ENCOMPASSING OF ANY AND ALL DISPUTES THAT MAY BE FILED IN ANY COURT AND THAT RELATE TO THE SUBJECT MATTER OF THIS TRANSACTION, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, CONTRACT CLAIMS, TORT CLAIMS (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE), BREACH OF DUTY CLAIMS, AND ALL OTHER COMMON LAW AND STATUTORY CLAIMS. THIS SECTION HAS BEEN FULLY DISCUSSED BY EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO AND THESE PROVISIONS WILL NOT BE SUBJECT TO ANY EXCEPTIONS. EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY FURTHER REPRESENTS AND WARRANTS THAT SUCH PARTY HAS REVIEWED THIS WAIVER WITH ITS LEGAL COUNSEL, AND THAT SUCH PARTY KNOWINGLY AND VOLUNTARILY WAIVES ITS JURY TRIAL RIGHTS FOLLOWING CONSULTATION WITH LEGAL COUNSEL.

 

[signature pageS follow]

 

  11  

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has executed this Note as of the first date written above.

 

  MINN SHARES INC.
     
  By: /s/ Richard E. Gilbert 
  Name: Richard E. Gilbert
  Title: Chief Executive Officer
     
  Address:
 
  Minn Shares Inc.
  1624 Harmon Place, Suite 210
  Minneapolis, MN 55403
  Attn: Chief Executive Officer
 
  Email Address: re@lrj.net 

 

Agreed to and accepted:

 

If an individual :  
     
By: /s/ Joseph H. Whitney  
Name:

Joseph H. Whitney

 
   
Address:  
   
547 Cordillera Trace  

Boerne, TX 78006

 
Email Address: jwhitney2@hotmail.com  

  

[Signature page to Convertible Note]

 

 

EXHIBIT A

 

Promissory Notes of Titan CNG LLC

 

Junior Notes

 

Holder   Issuance Date     Principal Amount  
Alpeter Family Limited Partnership     01/01/2015     $ 263,338  
Brian and Renae Clark     01/01/2015     $ 8,250  
Falcon Capital LLC     01/01/2015     $ 140,645  
Honour Capital Partners LP     01/01/2015     $ 56,015  
John H Honour     01/01/2015     $ 42,805  
James Jackson     01/01/2015     $ 176,221  
Kirk Honour     01/01/2015     $ 127,108  
Keith and Janice Clark     01/01/2015     $ 16,500  
Steve and Jayne Clark     01/01/2015     $ 16,500  

 

Senior Notes

 

Holder   Issuance Date     Principal Amount  
Red Ocean Consulting, LLC     02/29/2016     $ 250,000  
Thomas J. Abood Revocable Trust u/a dated August 17, 2012, as amended     02/29/2016     $ 250,000  
James Jackson     02/29/2016     $ 14,117  
Alpeter Family Limited Partnership     02/29/2016     $ 7,521  
David M. Leavenworth     02/29/2016     $ 150,000  
Bonita Beach Blues, Inc.     07/26/2016     $ 200,000  
Red Ocean Consulting, LLC     09/26/2016     $ 150,000  

 

 

EXHIBIT B

 

Investor Questionnaire

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 4.21

 

NEITHER THIS CONVERTIBLE PROMISSORY NOTE NOR ANY OF THE SECURITIES ISSUABLE UPON CONVERSION HEREOF HAVE BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), OR UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY FOREIGN JURISDICTION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES LAWS WITHIN THE UNITED STATES AND MAY NOT BE OFFERED FOR SALE, SOLD OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED UNLESS THERE IS A REGISTRATION STATEMENT EFFECTIVE UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT AND OTHER APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS IN EFFECT COVERING THIS CONVERTIBLE PROMISSORY NOTE OR SUCH SECURITIES, AS THE CASE MAY BE, OR THERE IS AVAILABLE AN EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT AND APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS.

 

CONVERTIBLE PROMISSORY NOTE

 

No. CN-2 Date of Issuance
US$118,194.57 November 22, 2016

 

FOR VALUE RECEIVED , Minn Shares Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”), hereby promises to pay to the order of The Globe Resources Group, LLC (the “ Holder ”), the principal sum of US$118,194.57 (the “ Principal Amount ”), together with interest thereon from the date of issuance of this convertible promissory note (this “ Note ”). Interest will accrue at a simple rate of 12% per annum. Unless earlier converted into Conversion Shares (as defined below), the principal and accrued interest of this Note will be due and payable by the Company at any time on or after November 22, 2019 (the “ Maturity Date ”) at the Company's election or upon demand by the Holder. Capitalized terms not otherwise defined in this Note will have the meanings set forth in Section 3.1 .

 

Background

 

WHEREAS, the Holder previously extended to the Company loans (the “ Loans ”) in the aggregate principal amount of $118,194.57 with interest accruing at 5% per annum (the “ Loan Balance ”); and  

 

WHEREAS, the Company and the Holder desires to amend and restate the terms of the Loans by entering into this Note, which reflects the Loan Balance as of the date hereof.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, for good and valuable consideration, the receipt, sufficiency and adequacy of which are hereby acknowledged, intending to be legally bound, the parties hereby agree as follows:

 

1.        Payment . All payments will be made in lawful money of the United States of America, in immediately available funds, by such method and at such place as the Holder may from time to time designate in writing to the Company. Payment of principal and interest will be credited first to accrued interest due and payable, with any remainder applied to principal. Prepayment of principal, together with accrued interest, may be made at any time without premium or penalty (subject to the provisions of Section 3 hereof).

 

 

2.        Security . This Note is a general unsecured obligation of the Company.

 

3.        Conversion . This Note will be convertible into Equity Securities pursuant to the following terms.

 

3.1        Definitions .

 

(a)       “ Common Stock ” means the Company's common stock, par value US $0.0001 per share.

 

(b)       “ Conversion Shares ” (for purposes of determining the type of Equity Securities issuable upon conversion of this Note) means:

 

(i)       with respect to a conversion pursuant to Section 3.2 , shares of the Equity Securities issued in the Next Equity Financing;

 

(ii)      with respect to a conversion pursuant to Section 3.3 , shares of the Equity Securities issued in the Corporate Transaction; and

 

(iii)     with respect to a conversion pursuant to Section 3.4 , shares of Common Stock.

 

(c)       “ Conversion Price ” means (rounded to the nearest 1/100th of one cent):

 

(i)       with respect to a conversion pursuant to Section 3.2 , the price per security issued in a Next Equity Financing;

 

(ii)      with respect to a conversion pursuant to Section 3.3 , a conversion price that is equal to the enterprise value of the Company, as established by the consideration payable in the Corporate Transaction, so as to permit the Holder to receive the cash, securities or other property to which the Holder would be entitled in the Corporate Transaction on account of the Holder’s ownership of the Common Stock; and

 

(iii)     with respect to a conversion pursuant to Section 3.4 , the quotient resulting from dividing (x) the Valuation Cap by (y) the Fully Diluted Capitalization immediately prior to such conversion.

 

(d)       “ Corporate Transaction ” means:

 

(i)       the closing of the sale, transfer or other disposition, in a single transaction or series of related transactions, of all or substantially all of the Company's assets;

 

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(ii)       the consummation of a merger or consolidation of the Company with or into another entity (except a merger or consolidation in which the holders of capital stock of the Company immediately prior to such merger or consolidation continue to hold a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the capital stock of the Company or the surviving or acquiring entity immediately following the consummation of such transaction); or

 

(iii)      the closing of the transfer (whether by merger, consolidation or otherwise), in a single transaction or series of related transactions, to a “person” or “group” (within the meaning of Section 13(d) and Section 14(d) of the Exchange Act), of the Company's capital stock if, after such closing, such person or group would become the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) of more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities of the Company (or the surviving or acquiring entity).

 

For the avoidance of doubt, a transaction will not constitute a “Corporate Transaction” if its sole purpose is to change the state of the Company's incorporation or to create a holding company that will be owned in substantially the same proportions by the persons who held the Company's securities immediately prior to such transaction. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the sale of Equity Securities in a bona fide financing transaction will not be deemed a “Corporate Transaction.”

 

(e)       “ Equity Securities ” means (i) Common Stock; (ii) any securities conferring the right to purchase Common Stock; or (iii) any securities directly or indirectly convertible into, or exchangeable for (with or without additional consideration) Common Stock. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the following will not be considered “Equity Securities”: (A) any security granted, issued or sold by the Company to any director, officer, employee, consultant or adviser of the Company for the primary purpose of soliciting or retaining their services; (B) any convertible promissory notes (including this Note) issued by the Company; and (C) any SAFEs that have been issued by the Company.

 

(f)       “ Exchange Act ” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

(g)       “ Fully Diluted Capitalization ” means the number of issued and outstanding shares of the Company's capital stock, assuming the conversion or exercise of all of the Company's outstanding convertible or exercisable securities, including shares of convertible Preferred Stock and all outstanding vested or unvested options or warrants to purchase the Company's capital stock. Notwithstanding the foregoing, “Fully Diluted Capitalization” excludes: (A) any convertible promissory notes (including this Note) issued by the Company; (B) any SAFEs (as defined below) issued by the Company; and (C) any Equity Securities that are issuable upon conversion of any outstanding convertible promissory notes or SAFEs.

 

(h)       “ Next Equity Financing ” means any subsequent sales by the Company of its Equity Securities, in one or a series of related transactions, following the date of issuance of this Note from which the Company receives aggregate gross proceeds of not less than US$7,500,000.00 (excluding, for the avoidance of doubt, the aggregate principal amount of this Note).

 

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(i)       “ Preferred Stock ” means all series of the Company's preferred stock, whether now existing or hereafter created.

 

(j)       “ SAFE ” means any simple agreement for future equity (or other similar agreement) which is issued by the Company for bona fide financing purposes and which may convert into the Company's capital stock in accordance with its terms.

 

(k)       “ Securities Act ” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

 

(l)       “ Valuation Cap ” means US$20,000,000.

 

3.2        Next Equity Financing Conversion . In the event that, at any time while this Note shall remain outstanding, a Next Equity Financing shall occur, the Holder, at its sole option, may elect in writing to convert the principal balance and unpaid accrued interest on this Note upon the closing of the Next Equity Financing. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company may, at its option, pay any unpaid accrued interest on this Note in cash at the time of conversion. The number of Conversion Shares the Company issues upon such conversion will equal the quotient (rounded down to the nearest whole share) obtained by dividing (x) the outstanding principal balance and unpaid accrued interest under this Note on the date of conversion by (y) the applicable Conversion Price. At least five (5) days prior to the closing of the Next Equity Financing, the Company will notify the Holder in writing of the terms of the Equity Securities that are expected to be issued in such financing. The issuance of Conversion Shares pursuant to the conversion of this Note will be on, and subject to, the same terms and conditions applicable to the Equity Securities issued in the Next Equity Financing.

 

3.3        Corporate Transaction Conversion . In the event of a Corporate Transaction prior to the conversion of this Note pursuant to Section 3.2 or Section 3.4 or the repayment of this Note, at the closing of such Corporate Transaction, the Holder may elect that either: (a) the Company will pay the Holder an amount equal to the sum of (x) all accrued and unpaid interest due on this Note and (y) the outstanding principal balance of this Note; or (b) this Note will convert into that number of Conversion Shares equal to the quotient (rounded down to the nearest whole share) obtained by dividing (x) the outstanding principal balance and unpaid accrued interest of this Note on the date of conversion by (y) the applicable Conversion Price.

 

3.4        Maturity Conversion . At any time on or after the Maturity Date, at the election of the Holder, this Note will convert into that number of Conversion Shares equal to the quotient (rounded down to the nearest whole share) obtained by dividing (x) the outstanding principal balance and unpaid accrued interest of this Note on the date of such conversion by (y) the applicable Conversion Price.

 

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3.5        Mandatory Conversion . In the event that, at any time while this Note shall remain outstanding, a conversion of the senior and junior debts of Titan CNG LLC represented by those certain promissory notes set forth on Exhibit A attached hereto (collectively, the “ Debts”) shall occur, the entire outstanding principal amount and all interest accrued and unpaid on the Note shall automatically convert upon the full conversion of the Debts, with no further action by the Holder, on the same terms and conditions as those received by the holders of the Debts. For the avoidance of doubt, the Holder shall receive a conversion on the most favorable terms and conditions provided to any holder of the Debts. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, this Section 3.5 shall be effective only as of the effective time of that certain Agreement and Plan of Securities Exchange by and among the Company, Titan CNG LLC and the Members of Titan CNG LLC identified therein, dated as of November 22, 2016.

 

3.6        Conversion Mechanism .

 

(a)        Financing Agreements . The Holder acknowledges that the conversion of this Note into Conversion Shares pursuant to Section 3.2 or Section 3.5 may require the Holder's execution of certain agreements relating to the purchase and sale of the Conversion Shares, as well as registration rights, rights of first refusal and co-sale, rights of first offer and voting rights, if any, relating to such securities (collectively, the “ Financing Agreements ”). The Holder agrees to execute all of the Financing Agreements in connection with a Next Equity Financing.

 

(b)        Certificates . As promptly as practicable after the conversion of this Note and the issuance of the Conversion Shares, the Company (at its expense) will issue and deliver a certificate or certificates evidencing the Conversion Shares (if certificated) to the Holder, or if the Conversion Shares are not certificated, will deliver a true and correct copy of the Company's share register reflecting the Conversion Shares held by the Holder. The Company will not be required to issue or deliver the Conversion Shares until the Holder has surrendered this Note to the Company (or provided an instrument of cancellation or affidavit of loss). The conversion of this Note pursuant to Section 3.2 and Section 3.3 may be made contingent upon the closing of the Next Equity Financing and Corporate Transaction, respectively.

 

4.        Representations and Warranties of the Company . In connection with the transactions contem plated by this Note, the Company hereby represents and warrants to the Holder as follows:

 

4.1        Due Organization; Qualification and Good Standing . The Company is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware and has all requisite corporate power and authority to carry on its business as now conducted. The Company is duly qualified to transact business and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which the failure to so qualify or to be in good standing would have a material adverse effect on the Company.

 

4.2        Authorization and Enforceability . Except for the authorization and issuance of the Conversion Shares, all corporate action has been taken on the part of the Company and its officers, directors and stockholders necessary for the authorization, execution and delivery of this Note. Except as may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or similar laws relating to or affecting the enforcement of creditors' rights, the Company has taken all corporate action required to make all of the obligations of the Company reflected in the provisions of this Note valid and enforceable in accordance with its terms.

 

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5.        Representations and Warranties of the Holder . In connection with the transactions contemplated by this Note, the Holder hereby represents and warrants to the Company as follows:

 

5.1        Authorization . The Holder has full power and authority (and, if an individual, the capacity) to enter into this Note and to perform all obligations required to be performed by it hereunder. This Note, when executed and delivered by the Holder, will constitute the Holder's valid and legally binding obligation, enforceable in accordance with its terms, except (a) as limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, fraudulent conveyance and any other laws of general application affecting enforcement of creditors' rights generally, and (b) as limited by laws relating to the availability of specific performance, injunctive relief or other equitable remedies.

 

5.2        Purchase Entirely for Own Account . The Holder acknowledges that this Note is made with the Holder in reliance upon the Holder's representation to the Company, which the Holder hereby confirms by executing this Note, that this Note, the Conversion Shares, and any Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the Conversion Shares (collectively, the “ Securities ”) will be acquired for investment for the Holder's own account, not as a nominee or agent (unless otherwise specified on the Holder's signature page hereto), and not with a view to the resale or distribution of any part thereof, and that the Holder has no present intention of selling, granting any participation in, or otherwise distributing the same. By executing this Note, the Holder further represents that the Holder does not have any contract, undertaking, agreement or arrangement with any person to sell, transfer or grant participations to such person or to any third person, with respect to the Securities. If other than an individual, the Holder also represents it has not been organized solely for the purpose of acquiring the Securities.

 

5.3        Disclosure of Information; Non-Reliance . The Holder acknowledges that it has received all the information it considers necessary or appropriate to enable it to make an informed decision concerning an investment in the Securities. The Holder further represents that it has had an opportunity to ask questions and receive answers from the Company regarding the terms and conditions of the offering of the Securities. The Holder confirms that the Company has not given any guarantee or representation as to the potential success, return, effect or benefit (either legal, regulatory, tax, financial, accounting or otherwise) of an investment in the Securities. In deciding to acquire the Securities, the Holder is not relying on the advice or recommendations of the Company and has made its own independent decision that the investment in the Securities is suitable and appropriate for the Holder. The Holder understands that no federal or state agency has passed upon the merits or risks of an investment in the Securities or made any finding or determination concerning the fairness or advisability of this investment.

 

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5.4        Investment Experience . The Holder is an investor in securities of companies in the development stage and acknowledges that it is able to fend for itself, can bear the economic risk of its investment and has such knowledge and experience in financial or business matters that it is capable of evaluating the merits and risks of the investment in the Securities.

 

5.5        Accredited Investor . The Holder is an “accredited investor” within the meaning of Rule 501 of Regulation D promulgated under the Securities Act and has delivered to the Company, a true, correct and completed form of the Investor Questionnaire attached hereto as Exhibit B. The Holder agrees to furnish any additional information requested by the Company or any of its affiliates to assure compliance with applicable U.S. federal and state securities laws in connection with the purchase and sale of the Securities.

 

5.6        Restricted Securities . The Holder understands that the Securities have not been, and will not be, registered under the Securities Act or state securities laws, by reason of specific exemptions from the registration provisions thereof which depend upon, among other things, the bona fide nature of the investment intent and the accuracy of the Holder's representations as expressed herein. The Holder understands that the Securities are “restricted securities” under U.S. federal and applicable state securities laws and that, pursuant to these laws, the Holder must hold the Securities indefinitely unless they are registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“ SEC ”) and registered or qualified by state authorities, or an exemption from such registration and qualification requirements is available. The Holder acknowledges that the Company has no obligation to register or qualify the Securities for resale and further acknowledges that, if an exemption from registration or qualification is available, it may be conditioned on various requirements including, but not limited to, the time and manner of sale, the holding period for the Securities, and on requirements relating to the Company which are outside of the Holder's control, and which the Company is under no obligation, and may not be able, to satisfy.

 

5.7        No General Solicitation . The Holder, and its officers, directors, employees, agents, stockholders or partners have not either directly or indirectly, including through a broker or finder solicited offers for or offered or sold the Securities by means of any form of general solicitation or general advertising within the meaning of Rule 502 of Regulation D under the Securities Act or in any manner involving a public offering within the meaning of Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act. The Holder acknowledges that neither the Company nor any other person offered to sell the Securities to it by means of any form of general solicitation or advertising within the meaning of Rule 502 of Regulation D under the Securities Act or in any manner involving a public offering within the meaning of Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act.

 

5.8        Residence . If the Holder is an individual, then the Holder resides in the state or province identified in the address shown on the Holder's signature page hereto. If the Holder is a partnership, corporation, limited liability company or other entity, then the Holder's principal place of business is located in the state or province identified in the address shown on the Holder's signature page hereto.

 

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6.        Events of Default; Remedies .

 

6.1        Events of Default . The occurrence of any of the following circumstances shall be an event of default (“ Event of Default ”):

 

(a)       The breach or default by the Company of any of its obligations under this Note.

 

(b)       The Company commences any case, proceeding or other action (i) under any existing or future law relating to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, or other relief of debtors, seeking to have an order for relief entered with respect to it, or seeking to adjudicate it as bankrupt or insolvent, or seeking reorganization, arrangement, adjustment, winding-up, liquidation, dissolution, composition or other relief with respect to it or its debts, or (ii) seeking appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian, conservator or other similar official for it or for all or any substantial part of its assets, or the Company makes a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors.

 

(c)       An involuntary petition is filed against the Company under any bankruptcy statute now or hereafter in effect, or a custodian, receiver, trustee, assignee for the benefit of creditors (or other similar official) is appointed to take possession, custody or control of any property of the Company which (i) results in the entry of an order for relief or any such adjudication or appointment or (ii) remains undismissed, undischarged or unbonded for a period of sixty (60) days.

 

(d)       The failure of the Company to timely file with the Securities Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) all such filings, reports information statements, forms, correspondences and schedules required to be filed by it pursuant to the Exchange Act (the “ SEC Filings ”), which results in the Company not being current with its SEC Filings.

 

6.2 Remedies . Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, the Holder may, by written notice thereof provided to the Company, declare the entire outstanding principal amount and all interest accrued and unpaid on the Note to be, and the Note shall thereupon become, forthwith due and payable, without any presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby expressly waived. No course of dealing on the part of the Holder nor any delay or failure on the part of the Holder to exercise any right shall operate as a waiver of such right or otherwise prejudice such holders’ rights, powers and remedies. In addition to the foregoing remedies, upon the occurrence of and during the continuance of any Event of Default, the Holder may elect to exercise any other right, power or remedy permitted by law, either by suit in equity or by action at law, or both.

 

7.        Miscellaneous .

 

7.1        Successors and Assigns . Except as otherwise provided herein, the terms and conditions of this Note will inure to the benefit of, and be binding upon, the respective successors and assigns of the parties; provided, however, that the Company may not assign its obligations under this Note without the written consent of the Holder. This Note is for the sole benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns, and nothing herein, express or implied, is intended to or will confer upon any other person or entity any legal or equitable right, benefit or remedy of any nature whatsoever under or by reason of this Note.

 

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7.2        Governing Law . This Note will be governed by and construed in accordance with the internal laws of the State of Delaware without giving effect to any choice or conflict of law provision or rule (whether of the State of Delaware or any other jurisdiction).

 

7.3        Counterparts . This Note may be executed in counterparts, each of which will be deemed an original, but all of which together will be deemed to be one and the same agreement. Counterparts may be delivered via facsimile, electronic mail (including PDF or any electronic signature complying with the U.S. federal ESIGN Act of 2000, e.g. , www.docusign.com) or other transmission method, and any counterpart so delivered will be deemed to have been duly and validly delivered and be valid and effective for all purposes.

 

7.4        Titles and Subtitles . The titles and subtitles used in this Note are included for convenience only and are not to be considered in construing or interpreting this Note.

 

7.5        Notices . All notices and other communications given or made pursuant hereto will be in writing and will be deemed effectively given: (a) upon personal delivery to the party to be notified; (b) when sent by email or confirmed facsimile; (c) five (5) days after having been sent by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid; or (d) one (1) day after deposit with a nationally recognized overnight courier, specifying next day delivery, with written verification of receipt. All communications will be sent to the respective parties at the addresses shown on the signature pages hereto (or to such email address, facsimile number or other address as subsequently modified by written notice given in accordance with this Section 7.5 ).

 

7.6        No Finder's Fee . Each party represents that it neither is nor will be obligated to pay any finder's fee, broker's fee or commission in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Note. The Holder agrees to indemnify and to hold the Company harmless from any liability for any commission or compensation in the nature of a finder's or broker's fee arising out of the transactions contemplated by this Note (and the costs and expenses of defending against such liability or asserted liability) for which the Holder or any of its officers, employees or representatives is responsible. The Company agrees to indemnify and hold the Holder harmless from any liability for any commission or compensation in the nature of a finder's or broker's fee arising out of the transactions contemplated by this Note (and the costs and expenses of defending against such liability or asserted liability) for which the Company or any of its officers, employees or representatives is responsible.

 

7.7        Expenses . Each party will pay all costs and expenses that it incurs with respect to the negotiation, execution, delivery and performance of this Note.

 

7.8        Attorneys' Fees . If any action at law or in equity is necessary to enforce or interpret the terms of this Note, the prevailing party will be entitled to reasonable attorneys' fees, costs and necessary disbursements in addition to any other relief to which such party may be entitled.

 

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7.9        Entire Agreement; Amendments and Waivers . This Note constitutes the full and entire understanding and agreement between the parties with regard to the subject hereof. Any term of this Note may be amended and the observance of any term may be waived (either generally or in a particular instance and either retroactively or prospectively) with the written consent of the Company and the Holder. Any waiver or amendment effected in accordance with this Section 7.9 will be binding upon each future holder of this Note and the Company.

 

7.10        Severability . If one or more provisions of this Note are held to be unenforceable under applicable law, such provisions will be excluded from this Note and the balance of the Note will be interpreted as if such provisions were so excluded and this Note will be enforceable in accordance with its terms.

 

7.11        Transfer Restrictions .

 

THIS NOTE AND THE SECURITIES ISSUABLE UPON THE CONVERSION HEREOF HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT. THEY MAY NOT BE SOLD, OFFERED FOR SALE, PLEDGED, HYPOTHECATED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE ACT OR UPON RECEIPT BY THE COMPANY OF AN OPINION OF COUNSEL SATISFACTORY TO THE COMPANY THAT REGISTRATION IS NOT REQUIRED UNDER THE ACT OR UNLESS SOLD PURSUANT TO RULE 144 UNDER THE ACT.

 

7.12        Acknowledgment . For the avoidance of doubt, it is acknowledged that the Holder will be entitled to the benefit of all adjustments in the number of shares of the Company's capital stock as a result of any splits, recapitalizations, combinations or other similar transactions affecting the Company's capital stock underlying the Conversion Shares that occur prior to the conversion of this Note.

 

7.13        Further Assurances . From time to time, the parties will execute and deliver such additional documents and will provide such additional information as may reasonably be required to carry out the terms of this Note and any agreements executed in connection herewith.

 

7.14        Limitation on Interest . In no event will any interest charged, collected or reserved under this Note exceed the maximum rate then permitted by applicable law, and if any payment made by the Company under this Note exceeds such maximum rate, then such excess sum will be credited by the Holder as a payment of principal.

 

7.15        Officers and Directors not Liable . In no event will any officer or director of the Company be liable for any amounts due and payable pursuant to this Note.

 

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7.16        Approval . The Company hereby represents that its board of directors, in the exercise of its fiduciary duty, has approved the Company's execution of this Note based upon a reasonable belief that the principal provided hereunder is appropriate for the Company after reasonable inquiry concerning the Company's financing objectives and financial situation. In addition, the Company hereby represents that it intends to use the principal of this Note primarily for the operations of its business, and not for any personal, family or household purpose.

 

7.17        Waiver of Jury Trial . EACH PARTY HEREBY WAIVES ITS RIGHTS TO A JURY TRIAL OF ANY CLAIM OR CAUSE OF ACTION BASED UPON OR ARISING OUT OF THIS NOTE, THE SECURITIES OR THE SUBJECT MATTER HEREOF OR THEREOF. THE SCOPE OF THIS WAIVER IS INTENDED TO BE ALL-ENCOMPASSING OF ANY AND ALL DISPUTES THAT MAY BE FILED IN ANY COURT AND THAT RELATE TO THE SUBJECT MATTER OF THIS TRANSACTION, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, CONTRACT CLAIMS, TORT CLAIMS (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE), BREACH OF DUTY CLAIMS, AND ALL OTHER COMMON LAW AND STATUTORY CLAIMS. THIS SECTION HAS BEEN FULLY DISCUSSED BY EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO AND THESE PROVISIONS WILL NOT BE SUBJECT TO ANY EXCEPTIONS. EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY FURTHER REPRESENTS AND WARRANTS THAT SUCH PARTY HAS REVIEWED THIS WAIVER WITH ITS LEGAL COUNSEL, AND THAT SUCH PARTY KNOWINGLY AND VOLUNTARILY WAIVES ITS JURY TRIAL RIGHTS FOLLOWING CONSULTATION WITH LEGAL COUNSEL.

 

[signature pageS follow]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has executed this Note as of the first date written above.

 

  MINN SHARES INC.
     
  By: /s/ Richard E. Gilbert 
  Name: Richard E. Gilbert
  Title: Chief Executive Officer
     
  Address:
 
  Minn Shares Inc.
  1624 Harmon Place, Suite 210
  Minneapolis, MN 55403
  Attn: Chief Executive Officer
 
  Email Address: re@lrj.net 

 

Agreed to and accepted:

 

THE GLOBE RESOURCES GROUP, LLC  
     
By: /s/ Gerald E. O’Shaughnessy  
Name:              Gerald E. O’Shaughnessy  
Title:                Chairman  
Address: 8301 E. 21 st St. N., Suite 420  
  Wichita, KS 6702  
Email Address: cherry@ everdesk.com; and gos@everdesk.com  

  

[Signature page to Convertible Note]

 

 

EXHIBIT A

 

Promissory Notes of Titan CNG LLC

 

Junior Notes

 

Holder   Issuance Date     Principal Amount  
Alpeter Family Limited Partnership     01/01/2015     $ 263,338  
Brian and Renae Clark     01/01/2015     $ 8,250  
Falcon Capital LLC     01/01/2015     $ 140,645  
Honour Capital Partners LP     01/01/2015     $ 56,015  
John H Honour     01/01/2015     $ 42,805  
James Jackson     01/01/2015     $ 176,221  
Kirk Honour     01/01/2015     $ 127,108  
Keith and Janice Clark     01/01/2015     $ 16,500  
Steve and Jayne Clark     01/01/2015     $ 16,500  

 

Senior Notes

 

Holder   Issuance Date     Principal Amount  
Red Ocean Consulting, LLC     02/29/2016     $ 250,000  
Thomas J. Abood Revocable Trust u/a dated August 17, 2012, as amended     02/29/2016     $ 250,000  
James Jackson     02/29/2016     $ 14,117  
Alpeter Family Limited Partnership     02/29/2016     $ 7,521  
David M. Leavenworth     02/29/2016     $ 150,000  
Bonita Beach Blues, Inc.     07/26/2016     $ 200,000  
Red Ocean Consulting, LLC     09/26/2016     $ 150,000  

 

 

EXHIBIT B

 

Investor Questionnaire

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 4.22

 

NEITHER THIS CONVERTIBLE PROMISSORY NOTE NOR ANY OF THE SECURITIES ISSUABLE UPON CONVERSION HEREOF HAVE BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), OR UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY FOREIGN JURISDICTION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES LAWS WITHIN THE UNITED STATES AND MAY NOT BE OFFERED FOR SALE, SOLD OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED UNLESS THERE IS A REGISTRATION STATEMENT EFFECTIVE UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT AND OTHER APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS IN EFFECT COVERING THIS CONVERTIBLE PROMISSORY NOTE OR SUCH SECURITIES, AS THE CASE MAY BE, OR THERE IS AVAILABLE AN EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT AND APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS.

 

CONVERTIBLE PROMISSORY NOTE

 

No. CN-3 Date of Issuance
US$20,154.38 November 22, 2016

 

FOR VALUE RECEIVED , Minn Shares Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”), hereby promises to pay to the order of Richard E. Gilbert (the “ Holder ”), the principal sum of US$20,154.38 (the “ Principal Amount ”), together with interest thereon from the date of issuance of this convertible promissory note (this “ Note ”). Interest will accrue at a simple rate of 12% per annum. Unless earlier converted into Conversion Shares (as defined below), the principal and accrued interest of this Note will be due and payable by the Company at any time on or after November 22, 2019 (the “ Maturity Date ”) at the Company's election or upon demand by the Holder. Capitalized terms not otherwise defined in this Note will have the meanings set forth in Section 3.1 .

 

Background

 

WHEREAS, the Holder previously extended to the Company loans (the “ Loans ”) in the aggregate principal amount of $20,154.38 with interest accruing at 5% per annum (the “ Loan Balance ”); and

 

WHEREAS, the Company and the Holder desires to amend and restate the terms of the Loans by entering into this Note, which reflects the Loan Balance as of the date hereof.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, for good and valuable consideration, the receipt, sufficiency and adequacy of which are hereby acknowledged, intending to be legally bound, the parties hereby agree as follows:

 

1.        Payment . All payments will be made in lawful money of the United States of America, in immediately available funds, by such method and at such place as the Holder may from time to time designate in writing to the Company. Payment of principal and interest will be credited first to accrued interest due and payable, with any remainder applied to principal. Prepayment of principal, together with accrued interest, may be made at any time without premium or penalty (subject to the provisions of Section 3 hereof).

 

 

2.        Security . This Note is a general unsecured obligation of the Company.

 

3.        Conversion . This Note will be convertible into Equity Securities pursuant to the following terms.

 

3.1        Definitions .

 

(a)       “ Common Stock ” means the Company's common stock, par value US $0.0001 per share.

 

(b)       “ Conversion Shares ” (for purposes of determining the type of Equity Securities issuable upon conversion of this Note) means:

 

(i)       with respect to a conversion pursuant to Section 3.2 , shares of the Equity Securities issued in the Next Equity Financing;

 

(ii)      with respect to a conversion pursuant to Section 3.3 , shares of the Equity Securities issued in the Corporate Transaction; and

 

(iii)     with respect to a conversion pursuant to Section 3.4 , shares of Common Stock.

 

(c)       “ Conversion Price ” means (rounded to the nearest 1/100th of one cent):

 

(i)       with respect to a conversion pursuant to Section 3.2 , the price per security issued in a Next Equity Financing;

 

(ii)      with respect to a conversion pursuant to Section 3.3 , a conversion price that is equal to the enterprise value of the Company, as established by the consideration payable in the Corporate Transaction, so as to permit the Holder to receive the cash, securities or other property to which the Holder would be entitled in the Corporate Transaction on account of the Holder’s ownership of the Common Stock; and

 

(iii)     with respect to a conversion pursuant to Section 3.4 , the quotient resulting from dividing (x) the Valuation Cap by (y) the Fully Diluted Capitalization immediately prior to such conversion.

 

(d)       “ Corporate Transaction ” means:

 

(i)       the closing of the sale, transfer or other disposition, in a single transaction or series of related transactions, of all or substantially all of the Company's assets;

 

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(ii)       the consummation of a merger or consolidation of the Company with or into another entity (except a merger or consolidation in which the holders of capital stock of the Company immediately prior to such merger or consolidation continue to hold a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the capital stock of the Company or the surviving or acquiring entity immediately following the consummation of such transaction); or

 

(iii)      the closing of the transfer (whether by merger, consolidation or otherwise), in a single transaction or series of related transactions, to a “person” or “group” (within the meaning of Section 13(d) and Section 14(d) of the Exchange Act), of the Company's capital stock if, after such closing, such person or group would become the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) of more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities of the Company (or the surviving or acquiring entity).

 

For the avoidance of doubt, a transaction will not constitute a “Corporate Transaction” if its sole purpose is to change the state of the Company's incorporation or to create a holding company that will be owned in substantially the same proportions by the persons who held the Company's securities immediately prior to such transaction. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the sale of Equity Securities in a bona fide financing transaction will not be deemed a “Corporate Transaction.”

 

(e)       “ Equity Securities ” means (i) Common Stock; (ii) any securities conferring the right to purchase Common Stock; or (iii) any securities directly or indirectly convertible into, or exchangeable for (with or without additional consideration) Common Stock. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the following will not be considered “Equity Securities”: (A) any security granted, issued or sold by the Company to any director, officer, employee, consultant or adviser of the Company for the primary purpose of soliciting or retaining their services; (B) any convertible promissory notes (including this Note) issued by the Company; and (C) any SAFEs that have been issued by the Company.

 

(f)       “ Exchange Act ” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

(g)       “ Fully Diluted Capitalization ” means the number of issued and outstanding shares of the Company's capital stock, assuming the conversion or exercise of all of the Company's outstanding convertible or exercisable securities, including shares of convertible Preferred Stock and all outstanding vested or unvested options or warrants to purchase the Company's capital stock. Notwithstanding the foregoing, “Fully Diluted Capitalization” excludes: (A) any convertible promissory notes (including this Note) issued by the Company; (B) any SAFEs (as defined below) issued by the Company; and (C) any Equity Securities that are issuable upon conversion of any outstanding convertible promissory notes or SAFEs.

 

(h)       “ Next Equity Financing ” means any subsequent sales by the Company of its Equity Securities, in one or a series of related transactions, following the date of issuance of this Note from which the Company receives aggregate gross proceeds of not less than US$7,500,000.00 (excluding, for the avoidance of doubt, the aggregate principal amount of this Note).

 

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(i)       “ Preferred Stock ” means all series of the Company's preferred stock, whether now existing or hereafter created.

 

(j)       “ SAFE ” means any simple agreement for future equity (or other similar agreement) which is issued by the Company for bona fide financing purposes and which may convert into the Company's capital stock in accordance with its terms.

 

(k)       “ Securities Act ” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

 

(l)       “ Valuation Cap ” means US$20,000,000.

 

3.2        Next Equity Financing Conversion . In the event that, at any time while this Note shall remain outstanding, a Next Equity Financing shall occur, the Holder, at its sole option, may elect in writing to convert the principal balance and unpaid accrued interest on this Note upon the closing of the Next Equity Financing. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company may, at its option, pay any unpaid accrued interest on this Note in cash at the time of conversion. The number of Conversion Shares the Company issues upon such conversion will equal the quotient (rounded down to the nearest whole share) obtained by dividing (x) the outstanding principal balance and unpaid accrued interest under this Note on the date of conversion by (y) the applicable Conversion Price. At least five (5) days prior to the closing of the Next Equity Financing, the Company will notify the Holder in writing of the terms of the Equity Securities that are expected to be issued in such financing. The issuance of Conversion Shares pursuant to the conversion of this Note will be on, and subject to, the same terms and conditions applicable to the Equity Securities issued in the Next Equity Financing.

 

3.3        Corporate Transaction Conversion . In the event of a Corporate Transaction prior to the conversion of this Note pursuant to Section 3.2 or Section 3.4 or the repayment of this Note, at the closing of such Corporate Transaction, the Holder may elect that either: (a) the Company will pay the Holder an amount equal to the sum of (x) all accrued and unpaid interest due on this Note and (y) the outstanding principal balance of this Note; or (b) this Note will convert into that number of Conversion Shares equal to the quotient (rounded down to the nearest whole share) obtained by dividing (x) the outstanding principal balance and unpaid accrued interest of this Note on the date of conversion by (y) the applicable Conversion Price.

 

3.4        Maturity Conversion . At any time on or after the Maturity Date, at the election of the Holder, this Note will convert into that number of Conversion Shares equal to the quotient (rounded down to the nearest whole share) obtained by dividing (x) the outstanding principal balance and unpaid accrued interest of this Note on the date of such conversion by (y) the applicable Conversion Price.

 

  4  

 

3.5        Mandatory Conversion . In the event that, at any time while this Note shall remain outstanding, a conversion of the senior and junior debts of Titan CNG LLC represented by those certain promissory notes set forth on Exhibit A attached hereto (collectively, the “ Debts”) shall occur, the entire outstanding principal amount and all interest accrued and unpaid on the Note shall automatically convert upon the full conversion of the Debts, with no further action by the Holder, on the same terms and conditions as those received by the holders of the Debts. For the avoidance of doubt, the Holder shall receive a conversion on the most favorable terms and conditions provided to any holder of the Debts. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, this Section 3.5 shall be effective only as of the effective time of that certain Agreement and Plan of Securities Exchange by and among the Company, Titan CNG LLC and the Members of Titan CNG LLC identified therein, dated as of November 22, 2016.

 

3.6        Conversion Mechanism .

 

(a)        Financing Agreements . The Holder acknowledges that the conversion of this Note into Conversion Shares pursuant to Section 3.2 or Section 3.5 may require the Holder's execution of certain agreements relating to the purchase and sale of the Conversion Shares, as well as registration rights, rights of first refusal and co-sale, rights of first offer and voting rights, if any, relating to such securities (collectively, the “ Financing Agreements ”). The Holder agrees to execute all of the Financing Agreements in connection with a Next Equity Financing.

 

(b)        Certificates . As promptly as practicable after the conversion of this Note and the issuance of the Conversion Shares, the Company (at its expense) will issue and deliver a certificate or certificates evidencing the Conversion Shares (if certificated) to the Holder, or if the Conversion Shares are not certificated, will deliver a true and correct copy of the Company's share register reflecting the Conversion Shares held by the Holder. The Company will not be required to issue or deliver the Conversion Shares until the Holder has surrendered this Note to the Company (or provided an instrument of cancellation or affidavit of loss). The conversion of this Note pursuant to Section 3.2 and Section 3.3 may be made contingent upon the closing of the Next Equity Financing and Corporate Transaction, respectively.

 

4.        Representations and Warranties of the Company . In connection with the transactions contemplated by this Note, the Company hereby represents and warrants to the Holder as follows:

 

4.1        Due Organization; Qualification and Good Standing . The Company is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware and has all requisite corporate power and authority to carry on its business as now conducted. The Company is duly qualified to transact business and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which the failure to so qualify or to be in good standing would have a material adverse effect on the Company.

 

4.2        Authorization and Enforceability . Except for the authorization and issuance of the Conversion Shares, all corporate action has been taken on the part of the Company and its officers, directors and stockholders necessary for the authorization, execution and delivery of this Note. Except as may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or similar laws relating to or affecting the enforcement of creditors' rights, the Company has taken all corporate action required to make all of the obligations of the Company reflected in the provisions of this Note valid and enforceable in accordance with its terms.

 

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5.        Representations and Warranties of the Holder . In connection with the transactions contemplated by this Note, the Holder hereby represents and warrants to the Company as follows:

 

5.1        Authorization . The Holder has full power and authority (and, if an individual, the capacity) to enter into this Note and to perform all obligations required to be performed by it hereunder. This Note, when executed and delivered by the Holder, will constitute the Holder's valid and legally binding obligation, enforceable in accordance with its terms, except (a) as limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, fraudulent conveyance and any other laws of general application affecting enforcement of creditors' rights generally, and (b) as limited by laws relating to the availability of specific performance, injunctive relief or other equitable remedies.

 

5.2        Purchase Entirely for Own Account . The Holder acknowledges that this Note is made with the Holder in reliance upon the Holder's representation to the Company, which the Holder hereby confirms by executing this Note, that this Note, the Conversion Shares, and any Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the Conversion Shares (collectively, the “ Securities ”) will be acquired for investment for the Holder's own account, not as a nominee or agent (unless otherwise specified on the Holder's signature page hereto), and not with a view to the resale or distribution of any part thereof, and that the Holder has no present intention of selling, granting any participation in, or otherwise distributing the same. By executing this Note, the Holder further represents that the Holder does not have any contract, undertaking, agreement or arrangement with any person to sell, transfer or grant participations to such person or to any third person, with respect to the Securities. If other than an individual, the Holder also represents it has not been organized solely for the purpose of acquiring the Securities.

 

5.3        Disclosure of Information; Non-Reliance . The Holder acknowledges that it has received all the information it considers necessary or appropriate to enable it to make an informed decision concerning an investment in the Securities. The Holder further represents that it has had an opportunity to ask questions and receive answers from the Company regarding the terms and conditions of the offering of the Securities. The Holder confirms that the Company has not given any guarantee or representation as to the potential success, return, effect or benefit (either legal, regulatory, tax, financial, accounting or otherwise) of an investment in the Securities. In deciding to acquire the Securities, the Holder is not relying on the advice or recommendations of the Company and has made its own independent decision that the investment in the Securities is suitable and appropriate for the Holder. The Holder understands that no federal or state agency has passed upon the merits or risks of an investment in the Securities or made any finding or determination concerning the fairness or advisability of this investment.

 

  6  

 

5.4        Investment Experience . The Holder is an investor in securities of companies in the development stage and acknowledges that it is able to fend for itself, can bear the economic risk of its investment and has such knowledge and experience in financial or business matters that it is capable of evaluating the merits and risks of the investment in the Securities.

 

5.5        Accredited Investor . The Holder is an “accredited investor” within the meaning of Rule 501 of Regulation D promulgated under the Securities Act and has delivered to the Company, a true, correct and completed form of the Investor Questionnaire attached hereto as Exhibit B. The Holder agrees to furnish any additional information requested by the Company or any of its affiliates to assure compliance with applicable U.S. federal and state securities laws in connection with the purchase and sale of the Securities.

 

5.6        Restricted Securities . The Holder understands that the Securities have not been, and will not be, registered under the Securities Act or state securities laws, by reason of specific exemptions from the registration provisions thereof which depend upon, among other things, the bona fide nature of the investment intent and the accuracy of the Holder's representations as expressed herein. The Holder understands that the Securities are “restricted securities” under U.S. federal and applicable state securities laws and that, pursuant to these laws, the Holder must hold the Securities indefinitely unless they are registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“ SEC ”) and registered or qualified by state authorities, or an exemption from such registration and qualification requirements is available. The Holder acknowledges that the Company has no obligation to register or qualify the Securities for resale and further acknowledges that, if an exemption from registration or qualification is available, it may be conditioned on various requirements including, but not limited to, the time and manner of sale, the holding period for the Securities, and on requirements relating to the Company which are outside of the Holder's control, and which the Company is under no obligation, and may not be able, to satisfy.

 

5.7        No General Solicitation . The Holder, and its officers, directors, employees, agents, stockholders or partners have not either directly or indirectly, including through a broker or finder solicited offers for or offered or sold the Securities by means of any form of general solicitation or general advertising within the meaning of Rule 502 of Regulation D under the Securities Act or in any manner involving a public offering within the meaning of Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act. The Holder acknowledges that neither the Company nor any other person offered to sell the Securities to it by means of any form of general solicitation or advertising within the meaning of Rule 502 of Regulation D under the Securities Act or in any manner involving a public offering within the meaning of Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act.

 

5.8        Residence . If the Holder is an individual, then the Holder resides in the state or province identified in the address shown on the Holder's signature page hereto. If the Holder is a partnership, corporation, limited liability company or other entity, then the Holder's principal place of business is located in the state or province identified in the address shown on the Holder's signature page hereto.

 

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6.        Events of Default; Remedies .

 

6.1        Events of Default . The occurrence of any of the following circumstances shall be an event of default (“ Event of Default ”):

 

(a)       The breach or default by the Company of any of its obligations under this Note.

 

(b)       The Company commences any case, proceeding or other action (i) under any existing or future law relating to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, or other relief of debtors, seeking to have an order for relief entered with respect to it, or seeking to adjudicate it as bankrupt or insolvent, or seeking reorganization, arrangement, adjustment, winding-up, liquidation, dissolution, composition or other relief with respect to it or its debts, or (ii) seeking appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian, conservator or other similar official for it or for all or any substantial part of its assets, or the Company makes a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors.

 

(c)       An involuntary petition is filed against the Company under any bankruptcy statute now or hereafter in effect, or a custodian, receiver, trustee, assignee for the benefit of creditors (or other similar official) is appointed to take possession, custody or control of any property of the Company which (i) results in the entry of an order for relief or any such adjudication or appointment or (ii) remains undismissed, undischarged or unbonded for a period of sixty (60) days.

 

(d)       The failure of the Company to timely file with the Securities Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) all such filings, reports information statements, forms, correspondences and schedules required to be filed by it pursuant to the Exchange Act (the “ SEC Filings ”), which results in the Company not being current with its SEC Filings.

 

6.2 Remedies . Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, the Holder may, by written notice thereof provided to the Company, declare the entire outstanding principal amount and all interest accrued and unpaid on the Note to be, and the Note shall thereupon become, forthwith due and payable, without any presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby expressly waived. No course of dealing on the part of the Holder nor any delay or failure on the part of the Holder to exercise any right shall operate as a waiver of such right or otherwise prejudice such holders’ rights, powers and remedies. In addition to the foregoing remedies, upon the occurrence of and during the continuance of any Event of Default, the Holder may elect to exercise any other right, power or remedy permitted by law, either by suit in equity or by action at law, or both.

 

7.        Miscellaneous .

 

7.1        Successors and Assigns . Except as otherwise provided herein, the terms and conditions of this Note will inure to the benefit of, and be binding upon, the respective successors and assigns of the parties; provided, however, that the Company may not assign its obligations under this Note without the written consent of the Holder. This Note is for the sole benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns, and nothing herein, express or implied, is intended to or will confer upon any other person or entity any legal or equitable right, benefit or remedy of any nature whatsoever under or by reason of this Note.

 

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7.2        Governing Law . This Note will be governed by and construed in accordance with the internal laws of the State of Delaware without giving effect to any choice or conflict of law provision or rule (whether of the State of Delaware or any other jurisdiction).

 

7.3        Counterparts . This Note may be executed in counterparts, each of which will be deemed an original, but all of which together will be deemed to be one and the same agreement. Counterparts may be delivered via facsimile, electronic mail (including PDF or any electronic signature complying with the U.S. federal ESIGN Act of 2000, e.g. , www.docusign.com) or other transmission method, and any counterpart so delivered will be deemed to have been duly and validly delivered and be valid and effective for all purposes.

 

7.4        Titles and Subtitles . The titles and subtitles used in this Note are included for convenience only and are not to be considered in construing or interpreting this Note.

 

7.5        Notices . All notices and other communications given or made pursuant hereto will be in writing and will be deemed effectively given: (a) upon personal delivery to the party to be notified; (b) when sent by email or confirmed facsimile; (c) five (5) days after having been sent by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid; or (d) one (1) day after deposit with a nationally recognized overnight courier, specifying next day delivery, with written verification of receipt. All communications will be sent to the respective parties at the addresses shown on the signature pages hereto (or to such email address, facsimile number or other address as subsequently modified by written notice given in accordance with this Section 7.5 ).

 

7.6        No Finder's Fee . Each party represents that it neither is nor will be obligated to pay any finder's fee, broker's fee or commission in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Note. The Holder agrees to indemnify and to hold the Company harmless from any liability for any commission or compensation in the nature of a finder's or broker's fee arising out of the transactions contemplated by this Note (and the costs and expenses of defending against such liability or asserted liability) for which the Holder or any of its officers, employees or representatives is responsible. The Company agrees to indemnify and hold the Holder harmless from any liability for any commission or compensation in the nature of a finder's or broker's fee arising out of the transactions contemplated by this Note (and the costs and expenses of defending against such liability or asserted liability) for which the Company or any of its officers, employees or representatives is responsible.

 

7.7        Expenses . Each party will pay all costs and expenses that it incurs with respect to the negotiation, execution, delivery and performance of this Note.

 

7.8        Attorneys' Fees . If any action at law or in equity is necessary to enforce or interpret the terms of this Note, the prevailing party will be entitled to reasonable attorneys' fees, costs and necessary disbursements in addition to any other relief to which such party may be entitled.

 

  9  

 

7.9        Entire Agreement; Amendments and Waivers . This Note constitutes the full and entire understanding and agreement between the parties with regard to the subject hereof. Any term of this Note may be amended and the observance of any term may be waived (either generally or in a particular instance and either retroactively or prospectively) with the written consent of the Company and the Holder. Any waiver or amendment effected in accordance with this Section 7.9 will be binding upon each future holder of this Note and the Company.

 

7.10        Severability . If one or more provisions of this Note are held to be unenforceable under applicable law, such provisions will be excluded from this Note and the balance of the Note will be interpreted as if such provisions were so excluded and this Note will be enforceable in accordance with its terms.

 

7.11        Transfer Restrictions .

 

THIS NOTE AND THE SECURITIES ISSUABLE UPON THE CONVERSION HEREOF HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT. THEY MAY NOT BE SOLD, OFFERED FOR SALE, PLEDGED, HYPOTHECATED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE ACT OR UPON RECEIPT BY THE COMPANY OF AN OPINION OF COUNSEL SATISFACTORY TO THE COMPANY THAT REGISTRATION IS NOT REQUIRED UNDER THE ACT OR UNLESS SOLD PURSUANT TO RULE 144 UNDER THE ACT.

 

7.12        Acknowledgment . For the avoidance of doubt, it is acknowledged that the Holder will be entitled to the benefit of all adjustments in the number of shares of the Company's capital stock as a result of any splits, recapitalizations, combinations or other similar transactions affecting the Company's capital stock underlying the Conversion Shares that occur prior to the conversion of this Note.

 

7.13        Further Assurances . From time to time, the parties will execute and deliver such additional documents and will provide such additional information as may reasonably be required to carry out the terms of this Note and any agreements executed in connection herewith.

 

7.14        Limitation on Interest . In no event will any interest charged, collected or reserved under this Note exceed the maximum rate then permitted by applicable law, and if any payment made by the Company under this Note exceeds such maximum rate, then such excess sum will be credited by the Holder as a payment of principal.

 

7.15        Officers and Directors not Liable . In no event will any officer or director of the Company be liable for any amounts due and payable pursuant to this Note.

 

  10  

 

7.16        Approval . The Company hereby represents that its board of directors, in the exercise of its fiduciary duty, has approved the Company's execution of this Note based upon a reasonable belief that the principal provided hereunder is appropriate for the Company after reasonable inquiry concerning the Company's financing objectives and financial situation. In addition, the Company hereby represents that it intends to use the principal of this Note primarily for the operations of its business, and not for any personal, family or household purpose.

 

7.17        Waiver of Jury Trial . EACH PARTY HEREBY WAIVES ITS RIGHTS TO A JURY TRIAL OF ANY CLAIM OR CAUSE OF ACTION BASED UPON OR ARISING OUT OF THIS NOTE, THE SECURITIES OR THE SUBJECT MATTER HEREOF OR THEREOF. THE SCOPE OF THIS WAIVER IS INTENDED TO BE ALL-ENCOMPASSING OF ANY AND ALL DISPUTES THAT MAY BE FILED IN ANY COURT AND THAT RELATE TO THE SUBJECT MATTER OF THIS TRANSACTION, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, CONTRACT CLAIMS, TORT CLAIMS (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE), BREACH OF DUTY CLAIMS, AND ALL OTHER COMMON LAW AND STATUTORY CLAIMS. THIS SECTION HAS BEEN FULLY DISCUSSED BY EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO AND THESE PROVISIONS WILL NOT BE SUBJECT TO ANY EXCEPTIONS. EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY FURTHER REPRESENTS AND WARRANTS THAT SUCH PARTY HAS REVIEWED THIS WAIVER WITH ITS LEGAL COUNSEL, AND THAT SUCH PARTY KNOWINGLY AND VOLUNTARILY WAIVES ITS JURY TRIAL RIGHTS FOLLOWING CONSULTATION WITH LEGAL COUNSEL.

 

[signature pageS follow]

 

  11  

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has executed this Note as of the first date written above.

 

  MINN SHARES INC.
     
  By: /s/ Richard E. Gilbert 
  Name: Richard E. Gilbert
  Title: Chief Executive Officer
     
  Address:
 
  Minn Shares Inc.
  1624 Harmon Place, Suite 210
  Minneapolis, MN 55403
  Attn: Chief Executive Officer
 
  Email Address: re@lrj.net 

 

Agreed to and accepted:

 

If an individual :  
     
By: /s/ Richard E. Gilbert  
Name: Richard E. Gilbert  
   
Address:  
   
23558 Lidz Drive  
Pelican Rapids, MN 56572  
Email Address: re@lrrj.net  

  

[Signature page to Convertible Note]

 

 

EXHIBIT A

 

Promissory Notes of Titan CNG LLC

 

Junior Notes

 

Holder   Issuance Date     Principal Amount  
Alpeter Family Limited Partnership     01/01/2015     $ 263,338  
Brian and Renae Clark     01/01/2015     $ 8,250  
Falcon Capital LLC     01/01/2015     $ 140,645  
Honour Capital Partners LP     01/01/2015     $ 56,015  
John H Honour     01/01/2015     $ 42,805  
James Jackson     01/01/2015     $ 176,221  
Kirk Honour     01/01/2015     $ 127,108  
Keith and Janice Clark     01/01/2015     $ 16,500  
Steve and Jayne Clark     01/01/2015     $ 16,500  

 

Senior Notes

 

Holder   Issuance Date     Principal Amount  
Red Ocean Consulting, LLC     02/29/2016     $ 250,000  
Thomas J. Abood Revocable Trust u/a dated August 17, 2012, as amended     02/29/2016     $ 250,000  
James Jackson     02/29/2016     $ 14,117  
Alpeter Family Limited Partnership     02/29/2016     $ 7,521  
David M. Leavenworth     02/29/2016     $ 150,000  
Bonita Beach Blues, Inc.     07/26/2016     $ 200,000  
Red Ocean Consulting, LLC     09/26/2016     $ 150,000  

 

 

EXHIBIT B

 

Investor Questionnaire

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 10.1

 

COMPRESSED NATURAL GAS FUEL STATION AGREEMENT

 

This Compressed Natural Gas Fuel Station Agreement (the “ Agreement ”) made this 28th day of June, 2016 (“ Effective Date ”), is by and between Titan Blaine, LLC , a Minnesota limited liability company with offices located at 315 E Lake Street, Suite 301 Wayzata MN 55391 (“ Titan ”), Walters’ Recycling & Refuse, Inc ., a Minnesota corporation with offices located at 2830 101st Ave. NE, Blaine, Minnesota 55449 (“ Walters ”) and Walters’ Investments, LLC , a Minnesota limited liability company with offices located at 2830 100 th Ave. NE, Blaine, Minnesota 55449 (“ Owner ”).

 

RECITALS

 

WHEREAS , Titan is in the business of constructing, maintaining and operating compressed natural gas (“ CNG ”) fueling systems as well as supplying CNG to said systems;

 

WHEREAS , Walters desires to have a private CNG dispensing system constructed at its principal place of business located at 2830 101st Ave NE, Blaine, Anoka County, Minnesota (the “ Property ”) for its private use;

 

WHEREAS , Owner is the fee simple owner of the Property and consents to Titan constructing the CNG dispensing system on a portion of the Property;

 

WHEREAS , upon completion of the construction of the CNG dispensing system, Walters’ desires to purchase and Titan desires to provide the CNG for use by Walters;

 

NOW, THEREFORE , in consideration of the mutual covenants, promises and agreements set forth herein, the parties hereto agree as follows:

 

1.          SYSTEM . Titan, at its sole cost and expense, agrees to design, construct, install, and maintain the CNG dispensing system (equivalent to Bauer C26.10 175HP) consisting of all tanks, pumps, piping, fixtures and equipment, as more fully described in Exhibit A attached hereto and incorporated herein (the “ System ”). The System shall include, at a minimum, thirteen twelve (13) time fill posts and one (1) non-metered fast fill post installed on cement barriers with above ground plumbing and electrical and shall be capable of fueling a minimum of thirteen (13) vehicles overnight. The System shall be constructed on the Property in a location designated and delineated by Owner and Walters in consultation with Titan and as approved by all governmental authorities. Titan also agrees to design, construct, install and maintain such additional compression and time fill posts on the Property as Walters and Owner shall designate in the future from time to time or as becomes necessary to accommodate Walters demand for CNG gasoline gallon equivalents (“ GGE ”). The System shall only be used for the purposes of filling Walters’ vehicles and authorized Titan vehicles and trailers. Titan shall neither commit nor permit any waste to occur on the Property. Titan, at its sole cost and expense, shall comply with all laws, ordinances and regulations, and all declarations, covenants and restrictions applicable to the Property, and with all governmental orders and directives which impose any duty or restriction with respect to the use or operation of the System and occupation of the Property.

 

  

 

 

1.1.       Construction of the System . Titan agrees that the System shall be fully operational within twelve (12) months from the Effective Date; provided, however, in the event the System is not fully operational within said time period, Walters may terminate this Agreement on thirty (30) days written notice to Titan and Titan shall return the Property to its pre-construction condition. As part of the construction process, Titan may, at its sole cost and expense, survey the Property as needed. Titan may not commence construction, nor make any other improvements, alterations, additions or installations in or to the Property without first obtaining Owners prior written consent, which shall only be considered after Owner first receives from Titan its final written plans and specifications, substantially similar to the preliminary site plan attached hereto as Exhibit B, a sworn construction statement, copies of contracts, necessary permits and licenses, an indemnification in such form and amount as may be reasonably satisfactory to Owner. All authorized change orders must also be submitted to Owner, and approved in writing, prior to performance. All work related to the construction shall be completed by licensed and bonded contractors, of Titan’s choosing with a provision in each contract that states: “Contractor hereby waives its right to file a lien against the Property arising from or relating to performance of the contemplated construction or any other labor, equipment, services and/or materials contributed to the Property for which a mechanic’s lien could otherwise be filed against the Property but for this Agreement, including any and all such labor, services and/or materials provided or supplied to the Property by Contractor or its Subcontractors. Nothing in this Section is intended to affect the provisions of the Construction Contract that address rights of the parties in connection with improperly performed or non-conforming work. Contractor or its Subcontractors hereby agree to look solely to Titan in the event of non-payment.” All construction shall be completed in a professional manner. Titan represents and warrants it shall design, construct and maintain the System in compliance with all applicable governmental statutes, ordinances, regulations and codes, as well as reasonable directions from Owner and/or Walters so as not to unreasonably interfere with the performance of Walters’ business operations. Owner’s approval of plans and specifications shall not constitute an acknowledgment that the construction of the System if done in conformity therewith will so conform and Titan shall be solely responsible for corrections to the construction required by any governmental agency or Owner’s or Walters’ insurance carrier. Owner reserves the right to require changes in the construction when necessary by reason of code requirements or directives of governmental authorities having jurisdiction over the System or the Property. Titan shall secure its own building and occupancy permits, licenses, zoning and other governmental or regulatory approvals. Owner agrees to cooperate with Titan in order to facilitate Titan securing the necessary permits for the construction and operation of the System. Titan shall not erect, maintain, or display any signs or advertising on the Property; provided, however, Titan may brand the System components with its Marks (as defined below) subject further to all applicable laws, ordinances and regulations, and subject to Walters prior right to review and approve such branding which shall not be unduly withheld, conditioned or delayed. At no time shall Titan allow any liens, judgments, security interests or other encumbrances to accrue against the Property. Upon completion of construction, Titan shall provide copies of full and final lien waivers to Walters and Owner from all of Titan’s contractors, subcontractors, suppliers, vendors or other persons providing materials or labor to the System, as well as evidence of issuance of any certificates, licenses, or other approvals from any governmental agency or regulatory inspections indicating the System is in compliance with all applicable laws, codes, regulations and governmental approvals. Upon the System becoming operational, Owner’s lender is requiring that an ALTA survey (certified to Owner, lender and title company) and a title insurance policy date-down endorsement be obtained, therefore, Titan shall, at its sole cost and expense, cause said ALTA survey to be performed by a licensed and registered land surveyor and said date-down endorsement be obtained by lender’s title company.

 

2

 

 

1.2.       Ownership of Improvements . Titan shall retain ownership of all unattached movable components of the System, including but not limited to fixtures, personal property, appliances and other equipment (collectively, the “ Equipment ”) but specifically excluding than those components which are permanent in nature or if removed from the Property, would cause substantial and/or permanent damage to the Property. Such items, at the expiration of the Term (as defined below), or earlier termination of this Agreement shall become the property of Owner and Titan shall execute all necessary documentation to evidence the same. Upon the expiration of the Term, or earlier amicable termination of this Agreement, Walters shall have the first right of refusal to purchase any or all Titan owned Equipment relating to the System under the terms and conditions of a purchase agreement to be negotiated between the parties in good faith upon notice that this Agreement is expiring or is being terminated.

 

1.3.       Utilities . As part of the construction of the System, Titan shall install separately metered utility services as required to operate the System, under Titan’s name and at Titan’s sole expense. Titan shall be responsible for the cost of all utilities supplying the System. In the event separate utility service cannot be established, through no fault of the parties to this Agreement, Titan, on a monthly basis, shall pay to Walters or Owner, as applicable, within thirty (30) days from receipt of an invoice for its share of the System utilities, as determined by a separate agreement between Walters and Titan negotiated in good faith. Said agreement shall provide that a finance charge will be imposed at a rate of 1.0% (one percent) per month on any balances that remain unpaid after thirty (30) days past the invoice date. The balance to which the rate will be applied includes any arrearages or finance charges. For purposes of computing the finance charge, a month runs from one date in a month to the corresponding date in the following month, or, if there is no corresponding data, then to the last day of the following month. A day is considered 1/30th of a month if the computation is made for a fraction of a month. Owner and Walters shall not be liable to Titan for any failure or interruption of any utility service supplying the System, whether said service is separately metered or obtained through the use of Walters or Owner’s existing utility services.

 

1.4.       Indemnification . Titan shall indemnify and hold Walters and Owner harmless from any and all claims arising out of or relating to the construction of the System, including, but not limited to any construction defects, or arising out of relating to any act or omission of Titan, its contractors, agents, representatives, and employees, including, but not limited to any claims by Titan’s employees or agents. Indemnification shall include all expenses, including, without limitation, attorney fees and costs incurred by Walters or Owner in investigation and defense of the claim. This indemnification shall not require payment as a condition precedent to recovery.

 

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2.          TERM . This Agreement shall commence on the Effective Date. For CNG supply purposes this Agreement the term shall commence on the date the System becomes fully operational and is first used by Walters; provided, however, that if that date is any date other than the first day of the calendar month, then for CNG supply purposes, the commencement date shall be deemed to be the first day of the first full calendar month after the System becomes fully operational and is first used by Walters (the “ Commencement Date ”). For CNG supply purposes, this Agreement shall be for an initial term of seven (7) years commencing on the Commencement Date (the “ Term ”). So long as a default is not then existing hereunder, Walters shall have the right to renew this Agreement for four (4) additional periods of two (2) years each (each an “ Option Period ”). Titan shall give Walters written notice of Walters’ option to extend not less than three (3) months and not more than nine (9) months prior to the expiration of the Term or any previously exercised Option Period (the “ Option Notice ”). To exercise any Option Period, Walters shall issue a written renewal notice (the “ Renewal Notice ”) to Titan not less than thirty (30) days and not more than six (6) months prior to the expiration of the Term or any previously exercised Option Period. Walters may issue its Renewal Notice regardless of whether it has first received Titan’s Option Notice. If Walters, after receiving the Option Notice from Titan in a timely fashion, does not provide its Renewal Notice within the timeframe set forth herein this Agreement shall automatically expire at the end of the Term or applicable Option Period. Notwithstanding the foregoing to the contrary, if Titan fails to give Walters the Option Notice as required hereunder and if Walters fails to give Titan the Renewal Notice or written notice of its intent to let this Agreement terminate at the end of the Term or any applicable Option Period, and if the parties continue to operate under this Agreement past the end of the Term or any applicable Option Period, this Agreement shall continue on a month to month basis but Walters shall thereafter have the ongoing option, upon thirty (30) days written notice to Titan, to either extend this Agreement for a period of two (2) years from the date of Walters notice or to terminate this Agreement at the end of such thirty (30) day period; provided, however, that Titan may, upon written notice to Walters (the “ Requirement Notice ”), require Walters to elect to either renew or terminate this Agreement within thirty (30) days of service of the Requirement Notice. If Walters, after receiving the Requirement Notice from Titan, does not provide written notice of its intent to exercise its right to extend this Agreement for two (2) years from the date of the Requirement Notice, this Agreement shall automatically expire at the end of the Term or applicable Option Period. Whenever reference is made in this Agreement to the Term of this Agreement, such reference shall include any Option Period if it is so exercised.

 

3.          CNG SUPPLY . Beginning on the Commencement Date, Walters agrees to purchase CNG exclusively from Titan during the Term hereof except in the circumstances where the System is offline (an Offline Event as defined in Section 5 below) or a vehicle needs intraday fueling and it is impractical for the vehicle to refuel at the System. Walters agrees to purchase a minimum of Twelve Thousand (12,000) GGE per calendar month (“ Minimum GGE ”) from Titan to the extent that Titan is able to supply the same. The monthly calculation of the Minimum GGE shall include: (a) GGEs from the System and (b) all purchases of CNG from a supplier other than Titan during an Offline Event. Walters’ shall provide Titan with receipts for any CNG purchased during a calendar month under sub-paragraph (b) above as proof of the GGEs purchased.

 

3.1.       Rates . The initial billing rates for the CNG as agreed to by Walters and Titan are set forth on Exhibit C, as may be amended from time to time during the Term (“ Rates ”).

 

3.2.       Billing and Credits . Titan shall invoice Walters on a monthly basis, in arrears, in accordance with the Rates, for the minimum 12,000 GGE per month, or Walters’ actual CNG usage, whichever is greater. In the event any fuel tax credits or other credits become available for Walters use of CNG, all such credits shall be split equally between the parties by Titan issuing Walters a credit against its next coming due invoice. Titan shall be solely responsible for filing all required information and documentation with the applicable governmental or regulatory agency to receive said credits and shall provide Walters with a detailed calculation of all the credits received and the applicable split.

 

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3.3.       Payment . All fees shall be payable within thirty (30) days of receipt by Walters of Titan’s invoice. Walters is entitled to withhold payment until such time as Titan provides Walters with a completed W-9 form or in the event Titan is in default under the terms and conditions of this Agreement. The parties acknowledge and agree that the foregoing is a reasonable requirement to allow Walters to comply with its legal requirements. A finance charge will be imposed at a rate of 1.0% (one percent) per month on any balances that remain unpaid after thirty (30) days past the invoice date. The balance to which the rate will be applied includes any arrearages or finance charges. For purposes of computing the finance charge, a month runs from one date in a month to the corresponding date in the following month, or, if there is no corresponding data, then to the last day of the following month. A day is considered 1/30th of a month if the computation is made for a fraction of a month.

 

3.4.       Taxes . Titan shall be solely responsible for remitting any applicable excise, sales, fuel, or use taxes relating to the purchase by Walters of CNG under this Agreement to the applicable authority, and for payment of all personal property taxes assessed or otherwise asserted against or upon the System and Equipment and Titan shall indemnify Walters and Owner from the payment thereof. Walters or Owner shall be responsible for payment of all real estate taxes and assessments assessed or otherwise asserted against the Property and shall indemnify Titan from the payment thereof; provided, however, if the construction of the System on the Property causes an increase in the assessed value of the Property which results in an incremental increase in the real estate taxes and assessments asserted against the Property, Titan shall pay to Walters, upon demand each year, the incremental increase in said real estate taxes and assessments, as the same is determined by Walters in its reasonable discretion.

 

3.5.       Abatement . If at any time during the Term of this Agreement, Walters is prevented from utilizing the System due to Force Majeure, condemnation, fire or casualty damage, or other catastrophic event, through no fault of Walters, the Minimum GGE purchase requirement shall abate until such time as Walters can once again fully utilize the System, or in the event the System becomes or will be completely inoperable for a period of ninety (90) days or more, the Minimum GGE purchase requirement shall abate and Walters may, at its option, terminate this Agreement with thirty (30) days written notice to Titan after the occurrence of the precipitating event.

 

4.          ACCESS .

 

4.1.       Right of Access to Property to Construct, Repair and Maintain . Owner and Walters hereby grant to Titan the right to enter on, over, across, in, through and under the Property for the purpose of accessing, installing, constructing, operating, maintaining, repairing, restoring, replacing and removing, existing and future utility lines, pipes, systems, and components, including Titan’s CNG pipeline, to the extent reasonably necessary, from time to time, to initially construct and thereafter maintain and service the System; provided, however that such access shall be subject to: (a) reasonable advance notice by Titan (or its contractors or agents) to Owner and Walters, and (b) Titan’s good faith efforts when accessing the Property to limit its interference with Walters or Owner’s operations on the Property. Titan shall, at all times, comply with any reasonable time, access, vehicle flow, and other reasonable restrictions as Walters or Owner may impose to maintain the integrity of the Property and the efficient operation of Walters’ business. The term of the right to access granted in this Paragraph 4.1 shall commence upon the Effective Date and continue until the expiration or earlier termination of this Agreement. The location and configuration of the applicable access rights will be agreed upon in writing by the parties prior to the commencement of the System’s construction.

 

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4.2.       Access to the System . Once constructed and continuing throughout the Term, Walters shall have access to the System on a twenty-four (24) hour, seven (7) day a week priority basis.

 

4.3.       Fueling Truck Access . In addition to Titan’s rights set forth in Paragraph 4.1 above, Owner and Walters hereby grant to Titan the right to enter onto the Property for the limited purposes of using the one or more time fill post to fuel Titan’s remote fueling trucks (“ Fueling Truck Access ”), subject to the parties first agreeing in writing as to a schedule of when the System shall be available for Fueling Truck Access and the procedure for documenting the CNG consumption and reimbursement of underlying expenses (i.e., electricity use, etc.). Titan’s Fueling Truck Access is not assignable to any third party and Titan shall have no access to the System or the Property for the purpose of making commercial sales of CNG to third parties. Titan’s Fueling Truck Access shall commence upon the Effective Date and continue until the expiration or earlier termination of this Agreement.

 

5.          SYSTEM OFFLINE . An “ Offline Event ” shall occur when any event, through no fault of Walters: (a) causes the System to be nonoperational for a period of twelve (12) or more continuous hours, or (b) prevents Walters vehicles from being fully fueled prior to the start of Walters business operations each morning assuming such vehicles were waiting to be fueled at the System for at least eight (8) hours prior to the start of that day’s business operations. In the event of an Offline Event which requires Walters vehicles to be fueled elsewhere, Titan shall provide Walters a one to one credit against the Minimum GGE for all CNG purchased from a supplier other than Titan and in addition, Titan agrees to pay or reimburse Walters the difference in CNG cost between the price per GGE under this Agreement for the applicable month and the actual cost paid by Walters per GGE to fuel its vehicles at another CNG fuel providers station, including all applicable fees, surcharges and taxes. In the event that there are four (4) or more Offline Events during any rolling twelve (12) month period, beginning with the Commencement Date, Walters shall have the right to terminate this Agreement with thirty (30) days written notice to Titan.

 

6.          MAINTENANCE .

 

6.1.       System Maintenance . At all times during the Term Titan shall carry out, at its sole cost and expense, regular and routine inspections of the System on at least a monthly basis and shall conduct all maintenance and make all improvements, replacements, or repairs of every kind or character to the System, including any Titan owned or leased Equipment, as well as all mechanical, electrical and other systems servicing the System, and shall keep and maintain the same in a safe and sightly manner and in good working order and repair. Titan shall provide Walters with copies of any and all documentation created as part of the inspection process, whether manually or electronically created through internal monitoring mechanisms of the System. Titan understands and agrees that the obligations described herein are critical to Walters and failure of Titan to meet these obligations may have a material and adverse impact on Walters’ business. As such, Titan shall, at no cost to Walters, provide appropriate training and written manuals to Walters’s employees on the proper manner in which to engage in inspection, repair and/or routine maintenance of the System, including, but limited to Equipment, owned or leased by Titan. Walters and its employees shall have no liability to Titan for any loss or damage which may result by reason of said inspection, repairs and/or routine maintenance performed by Walters’s employees.

 

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6.2.       Property Maintenance . Except for those matters deemed Titan’s responsibility in this Agreement, Walters and Owner agree, at their sole cost and expense, to keep the Property in a good state of repair, neat and sanitary in condition, and matters of like nature governing the maintenance and use of the Property.

 

7.          REGULATORY .

 

7.1.       Vehicle Fuel Tank Inspections . If required by a governmental or regulatory authority, Walters will cause its employees, certified in CNG inspections, to conduct cylinder and fuel system inspections on each of its vehicles and maintain evidence of said inspections. Proof of inspection shall consist of the fully completed inspection form, accompanied by the automobile repair/inspection work order showing the date, inspector name and qualifications, and the results of the performance of the inspection.

 

7.2.       Regulatory Authority Compliance . This Agreement shall at all times be subject to any changes or modifications the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission or any other applicable federal, state or local regulatory authority may direct from time to time in the exercise of its jurisdiction. Titan shall immediately notify Walters of any such changes or modifications that may affect Walters’ obligations under this Agreement.

 

7.3.       Zoning, Permits, Licenses . Titan shall be responsible, at its sole cost and expense, for securing and maintaining any permits, licenses, or other regulatory approvals required to design, construct, maintain and operate the System during the Term, Walters and Owner shall have no responsibility related to said permits, licenses or approvals other than cooperation with Titan to secure any applicable permit, license and approval.

 

8.          MARKS . Each party understands and agrees that the trademarks, trade names, service marks, logos (the “ Marks ”) are the exclusive property of the applicable party and the other party asserts no claim and shall at no time assert any claim of ownership to the other party’s Marks. Neither party shall contest the ownership of the other party’s Marks or their validity. Nothing in this Agreement shall be construed to give, license, sell, or otherwise transfer a party’s right or interest in or to its Marks or their use, to the other party without the prior written consent of the granting party. Neither party is granting the other party any express or implied right, including any license, to use the other party’s Marks in the operation of the party’s business or otherwise.

 

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9.          INDEMNIFICATION .

 

9.1.       By Titan . Titan hereby agrees to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Walters and Owner, their agents and affiliates, their respective successors and assigns, and their respective employees, officers, directors, and shareholders, with respect to and in connection with any /STA liability, damage, penalty, fine, forfeiture, loss, claims, and expenses, including reasonable attorneys’ fees but excluding punitive, incidental, and consequential losses, damages, and expenses (collectively the “ Walters’ Damages ”) arising out of, relating in, or resulting in any way from the performance of any aspect of this Agreement, including, but not limited to construction defects in the System, to the extent that such Walters’ Damages are (a) attributable to bodily or personal injury, sickness, disease, or death or to injury to or destruction of tangible property, either real or personal; and(b) caused by the act or omission of (i) Titan, (ii) anyone directly or indirectly employed by or contracting with Titan (other than Walters/Owner), or (iii) anyone else for whose acts Titan may be legally liable. The provisions of this Section shall survive the termination or expiration of this Agreement, and shall apply to and inure to the benefit of all heirs, successors, and assigns of Walters and Owner, their directors, officers, shareholders, employees, tenants, sub-tenants, and affiliates. This indemnification shall not require payment as a condition precedent.

 

9.2.       By Walters . Walters hereby agrees to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Titan, its affiliates and agents, its respective successors and assigns, and its respective employees, officers, directors, and shareholders, with respect to and in connection with any harm, liability, damage, penalty, fine, forfeiture, loss, claims, and expenses, including reasonable attorneys’ fees but excluding punitive, incidental, and consequential losses, damages, and expenses (collectively the “ Titan’s Damages ”) arising out of, relating to, or resulting in any way from the performance of the Agreement to the extent that such Titan’s Damages are (a) attributable to bodily or personal injury, sickness, disease, or death or to injury to or destruction of tangible property, either real or personal, and (b) caused by the act or omission of (i) Walters, (ii) anyone directly or indirectly employed by or contracting with Walters (other than Titan or any of Titan’s agents or employees), or (iii) anyone else for whose acts Walters may be legally liable. The provisions of this Section shall survive the termination or expiration of this Agreement, and shall apply to and inure to the benefit of all heirs, successors, and assigns of Titan, its directors, officers, shareholders, employees, and affiliates. This indemnification shall not require payment as a condition precedent.

 

9.3.       Limitations on Liability . Except as set forth herein to the contrary, neither Walters, Owner nor Titan shall in any event be liable in damages for each other’s customer loss or other consequential damages of whatever kind or nature, regardless of the cause of the damages, and each party, and anyone claiming by or through them, expressly waives all claims for such damages.

 

10.        DEFAULT AND TERMINATION .

 

10.1.     Walters Default . An event of default shall be deemed to have occurred if: (a) Walters fails to pay Titan any sum payable under this Agreement within thirty (30) days of invoice, other than sums that Walters is contesting in good faith, and such failure shall continue for a period of thirty (30) days after delivery of written notice to Walters specifying the default; (b) default shall be made in the prompt and full performance of any covenant, condition or agreement of this Agreement to be kept or performed by Walters (other than a default involving payment of money) and such default or breach of performance shall continue for a period of thirty (30) days after delivery of written notice to Walters specifying such default or breach of performance, provided, however, that if such default cannot be reasonably cured within such thirty (30) day period, Walters shall be entitled to reasonable additional time within which to effect a cure so long as such cure is commenced within that thirty (30) day period and Walters thereafter diligently prosecutes the cure to completion; or (c) any proceeding shall be commenced to declare Walters bankrupt or insolvent or to obtain relief under any chapter or provision of any bankruptcy or debtor relief law or act or to reduce or modify Walters’ debts or obligations or to delay or to extend the payment thereof, or any assignment of Walters’ property be made for benefit of creditors, or a receiver or trustee be appointed for Walters, or any of Walters’ property or business. Upon the occurrence of an uncured event of default, Titan may terminate this Agreement upon thirty (30) days written notice to Walters of it exercising its option to terminate.

 

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10.2.     Titan Default . An event of default shall be deemed to have occurred if (a) Titan fails to pay Walters or Owner any sum payable under this Agreement within thirty (30) days of invoice, other than sums that Titan is contesting in good faith, and such failure shall continue for a period of thirty (30) days after delivery of written notice to Titan specifying the default; (b) default shall be made in procuring or maintaining any policy of insurance required under this Agreement to be procured and maintained by Titan, and such default shall continue for a period of ten (10) days after delivery to Titan of notice specifying such default; (c) default shall be made in the prompt and full performance of any covenant, condition or agreement of this Agreement to be kept or performed by Titan (other than a default involving payment of money or insurance coverage) and such default or breach of performance shall continue for a period of thirty (30) days after delivery of written notice to Titan specifying such default or breach of performance, provided, however, that if such default cannot be reasonably cured within such thirty (30) day period, Titan shall be entitled to reasonable additional time within which to effect a cure so long as such cure is commenced within that thirty (30) day period and Titan thereafter diligently prosecutes the cure to completion; or (d) any proceeding shall be commenced to declare Titan bankrupt or insolvent or to obtain relief under any chapter or provision of any bankruptcy or debtor relief law or act or to reduce or modify Titan’s debts or obligations or to delay or to extend the payment thereof, or any assignment of Titan’s property be made for benefit of creditors, or a receiver or trustee be appointed for Titan, or any of Titan’s property or business. Upon the occurrence of an uncured event of default, Walters or Owner, as may be applicable, may, at its option, without further notice or demand of any kind to Titan or any other person, exercise the following described remedies (in addition to all other legal or equitable remedies): (a) terminate this Agreement upon thirty (30) days written notice to Titan; or (b) without terminating this Agreement, perform any covenant or agreement or satisfy or observe any condition creating or giving rise to a default under this Agreement and Titan agrees to pay to Walters or Owner, as applicable, on demand, the amount expended by Walters or Owner in performing such covenants or agreements or satisfying or observing such condition. If Walters or Owner, their agents or employees, perform any covenant or condition that is the responsibility of Titan under this Agreement, such performance shall not terminate this Agreement nor relieve Titan from the continued performance of all covenants, conditions and agreements of this Agreement, and Titan further agrees that Walters and Owner shall not be liable for any claims for loss or damage to Titan or anyone claiming through or under Titan.

 

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11.         REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES .

 

11.1.     By Owner . Owner hereby represents and warrants that: (a) Owner has good and marketable title to the Property, free and clear of any and all liens and encumbrances except those of record thereon; (b) Owner is duly organized and validly existing under the laws of its state of organization, with full power and authority to enter into this Agreement and perform and consummate the transaction herein contemplated; and (c) this Agreement constitutes the valid and binding obligation of Owner, enforceable in accordance with its terms, without any other or further action.

 

11.2.     By Walters . Walters hereby represents and warrants that: (a) Walters is rightfully possessed and occupying the Property; (b) Walters is duly organized and validly existing under the laws of its state of incorporation, with full power and authority to enter into this Agreement and perform and consummate the transaction herein contemplated; (c) the execution and delivery of this Agreement has been duly authorized, and this Agreement constitutes the valid and binding obligation of Walters, enforceable in accordance with its terms, without any other or further action; (d) the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by Walters does not and will not conflict with or violate any law, judgment, order, decree, agreement, limitation, or restriction to which Walters is a party or by which it or its assets are bound or encumbered; and (e) there are no bankruptcy, receivership, or tax deficiency proceedings pending or, to the knowledge of Walters, threatened against Walters in any court or before any federal or state commission or authority, and there are no claims, actions, or proceedings pending or, to the knowledge of Walters, threatened which would prohibit or affect the validity of the transaction contemplated by this Agreement.

 

11.3.     By Titan . Titan hereby represents and warrants to Walters and Owner that: (a) Titan is duly organized and validly existing under the laws of its state of organization, with full power and authority to enter into this Agreement and perform and consummate the transaction herein contemplated; (b) the execution and delivery of this Agreement by Titan has been duly authorized by Titan, and this Agreement constitutes the valid and binding obligation of Titan, enforceable in accordance with its terms, without any other or further action; (c) the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by Titan does not and will not conflict with or violate any law, judgment, order, decree, agreement, limitation, or restriction to which Titan is a party; (d) Titan has good and marketable title to the Equipment and components comprising the System free and clear of any and all liens and encumbrances; (e) Titan possesses or will possess all required permits, licenses and approvals for the operation of its business; (f) there are no bankruptcy, receivership, or tax deficiency proceedings pending or, to the knowledge of Titan, threatened against Titan in any court or before any federal or state commission or authority, and there are no claims, actions, or proceedings pending or, to the knowledge of Titan, threatened which would prohibit or affect the validity of the transaction contemplated by this Agreement; (g) the construction of the System shall meet the requirements of this Agreement, comply with all warranties imposed by law, rule, regulation upon Titan and/or its contractors; (h) Titan, at its sole cost and expense, shall timely repair or remedy, or caused to be repaired or remedied, any defects in workmanship and material; and (i) Titan, its contractors, representatives, employees and agents shall observe all safety, nondiscrimination, equal employment, business ethics and other rules and policies and shall comply with all applicable laws, rules and regulations or any governmental authority in performing its obligations under this Agreement. All warranties shall survive the expiration or earlier termination of this Agreement.

 

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12.        INSURANCE .

 

12.1.     Construction Insurance . Prior to commencement of construction and continuing until completion thereof, or the Commencement Date, whichever is the last to occur, Titan shall maintain, or cause to be maintained, casualty insurance in builder’s risk form insuring on an “all risk” basis, subject to policy exclusions, equal to the maximum probable loss and covering the System, the Property and all materials and equipment to be incorporated therein, including property in transit or elsewhere, covering Walters, Owner, and each of their respective agents and beneficiaries, Titan and Titan’s contractors and subcontractors as their interests may appear, against loss or damage by fire, vandalism and malicious mischief, and such other risks. In addition, Titan agrees to require its contractor and subcontractors engaged in the performance of the construction to effect, maintain and deliver to Titan, Walters and Owner certificates evidencing the existence of, prior to the commencement of construction and until completion thereof, the minimum insurance coverage’s described in Paragraphs 12.1.1 through 12.1.3 below. Prior to the commencement of construction, Titan shall deliver or cause to be delivered to Walters and Owner certificates of all required insurance and evidence of the payment of premiums thereon (and certificates of renewal, and evidence of premium payments with reference thereto, where appropriate) evidencing Walters and Owner as additional insureds on a primary and non-contributory basis. All such insurance shall provide, and certificates thereof shall state, that the same is non-cancelable and non-amendable without thirty (30) days prior written notice to Walters and Owner.

 

12.1.1       Workmen’s compensation insurance, in accordance with the laws of the State of Minnesota, including Employer’s Liability Insurance, to the limits of $1,000,000 each accident.

 

12.1.2       General liability insurance against bodily injury, including death resulting therefrom, Premise/Ongoing Operations and Products/Completed Operations insurance to the combined aggregate limits of $3,000,000.

 

12.1.3       Automobile insurance, including “hired/non-owned” automobiles against bodily injury, including death resulting therefrom to the combined aggregate limit of $1,000,000 for personal injury, and against property damage to the combined aggregate limit of $1,000,000.

 

12.2.     Insurance of Titan . Titan agrees to procure and maintain at its sole cost and expense the following insurance to protect Walters and Owner from claims that may arise out of or relate to the performance of this Agreement by Titan or anyone directly or indirectly employed by or contracting with Titan or anyone else for whose acts Titan may be liable, and such insurance shall be maintained in full force and effect during the full Term:

 

12.2.1       Workers’ compensation insurance as required by law, including employers’ liability coverage for injury, disease, and death, with coverage limits of not less than $500,000 per accident and $1,000,000 per employee.

 

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12.2.2       Property insurance with an extended coverage endorsement covering the System, the improvements to the Property which relate to the System, and Equipment, furnishings, and personal property thereto in an amount equal to one hundred percent (100%) of the replacement cost of such property.

 

12.2.3       Commercial general liability insurance, including contractual liability insurance, premise/ongoing operations and products/completed operations coverage, on an occurrence basis for bodily injury, disease, death, property damage, personal injury, and contractual liability, with coverage limits of not less than $1,000,000 per occurrence and $2,000,000 general aggregate for bodily injury and property damage.

 

12.2.4       Automobile insurance, including “non-owned” automobiles against bodily injury, including death resulting therefrom to the combined aggregate limit of $500,000 for personal injury, and against property damage to the combined aggregate limit of $100,000.

 

12.2.5       Umbrella liability insurance on an occurrence form, with coverage limits of not less than $5,000,000 per occurrence and in the aggregate.

 

12.3.     Other Requirements . All insurance policies required hereunder shall be written by one or more insurance carriers rated A-/Size VII or better by A.M. Best Company which are licensed to do business in the State of Minnesota. All deductibles for insurance required hereunder shall be at the sole expense of the party carrying such insurance. Titan shall forward or cause to be forwarded to Walters and Owner evidence of all insurance policies which are required hereunder within thirty (30) days of the Effective Date and upon any renewal of the insurance coverage during the Term. Such evidencing certificate(s) shall provide that: (a) Walters and Owner be named as additional insured on a primary and non-contributory basis; and (b) insurance carriers shall endeavor to provide Walters and Owner with not less than thirty (30) days’ written notice prior to cancellation or non-renewal of any required policy. Titan agrees to have their respective property damage insurance carriers waive any right to subrogation that such companies may have against Walters, so long as the insurance is not invalidated thereby.

 

13.        LIENS . During the Term, Titan shall promptly pay for any work done or material furnished in or about the Property under Titan’s direction, or the direction of Titan’s employees, agents, contractors, or representatives, including all construction work, and shall not permit or suffer any lien, judgment or security interest to attach to the Property and shall promptly cause any such lien, judgment, security interest, or any claim therefore to be released; provided, however, that if Titan elects to contest a claim to any lien, judgment or security interest, Titan shall indemnify Walters and Owner and provide to Walters and Owner a corporate surety bond in an amount equal to twice the amount of the contested lien, judgment or security interest, issued by a surety company satisfactory to Walters and Owner. Titan shall have no authority or power, express or implied, to create or cause any lien, judgment, security interest, charge or encumbrance of any kind against the Property. Titan shall save, protect, indemnify and hold harmless Walters, Owner, the Property, from and against all claims in the nature of mechanics’ liens, statutory liens, judgments or security interests arising out of any contracts entered into, or any services, labor or materials rendered, with respect to the System, the System itself, the Property or any other Titan improvements.

 

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14.        ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS .

 

14.1.     Definitions . For the purposes of this Agreement, the term “ Hazardous Materials ” shall mean any hazardous or toxic substance, material, chemical, or waste, including those substances, materials, chemicals, and wastes listed in the United States Department of Transportation Hazardous Materials Table (49 C.F.R. § 172.01) or by the Environmental Protection Agency as hazardous substances (40 C.F.R. Part 302), and amendments thereto; or such substances, materials, chemicals, and wastes that are or become regulated under any applicable, local, state, or federal law, rule, or regulation, or as defined as “hazardous substances,” to any law, including, without limitation, petroleum, petroleum by-products and derivatives, asbestos, urea formaldehyde, or polychlorinated biphenyls. The term “ Environmental Law ” shall mean, collectively, all applicable laws, ordinances, and regulations (including consent decrees and administrative orders) relating to public health and safety and protection of the environment, including but not limited to the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act, the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act, the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, the Superfund Amendment and Reauthorization Act, the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, the Clean Water Act, the Clean Air Act and any other applicable federal, state or local law, regulation, ordinance or requirement (including consent decrees and administrative orders) relating to or imposing liability or standards of conduct concerning any hazardous, toxic, or dangerous waste, substance or material, all as amended, modified and/or hereinafter created or enacted, from time to time.

 

14.2.     Titan’s Representations and Warranties . Titan represents, warrants and covenants to Walters and Owner that Titan:

 

14.2.1       shall use, handle, control, and dispose of any Hazardous Material used with the System or placed on the Property in accordance with any applicable Environmental Law and shall not cause or permit to occur any generation, manufacture, storage, treatment, transportation, release, or disposal of any harmful, hazardous or toxic wastes or substances (as those terms are defined under any applicable Environmental Law) on, in, under, about or from the System or the Property except in quantities required for the conduct of Titan’s business and only then, pursuant to handling practices permitted by any and all applicable Environmental Laws;

 

14.2.2       shall obtain and keep in effect all governmental permits and approvals relating to the use or operation of the System or the Property required by applicable Environmental Laws, and Titan agrees to comply with the terms of the same;

 

14.2.3       shall immediately notify Owner and provide copies upon receipt of all written complaints, claims, citations, demands, inquiries, reports, or notices relating to compliance with Environmental Laws and shall, at its sole cost, promptly cure and have dismissed with prejudice any such actions;

 

14.2.4       shall keep the Property free of any lien imposed pursuant to any Environmental Laws;

 

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14.2.5       shall immediately orally notify Owner and forward written notice within twenty-four (24) hours, in the event that Titan becomes aware of a spill, release, discharge, or disposal of Hazardous Materials from the System or in the vicinity of the System and shall take all corrective action required by any applicable Environmental Law resulting from the release of any Hazardous Material at the System or on the Property;

 

14.2.6       shall properly dispose of all waste regulated by any governmental agency in a manner that complies with all such applicable regulations, laws and codes; and

 

14.2.7       shall be responsible for all resulting damages, penalties, injunctive relief, and cleanup costs pursuant to any applicable Environmental Law.

 

14.3.     Indemnification by Titan . If Titan, through its use, handling, storage, manufacturing or disposal of any substances, negligently or otherwise contaminates the Property, or any portion thereof or improvement thereon, the environment or any natural resources (collectively, the “ Area ”), notwithstanding any other provisions contained herein to the contrary, Titan shall immediately remove such substances from the Area, and cleanse the contaminated Area and any improvements, according to the specifications and requirements of any appropriate governmental agency. Titan also agrees to pay all such removal and cleansing costs, and to pay all damages suffered by Owner and/or Walters. In addition to all other indemnity rights granted Owner and/or Walters hereunder, Titan shall indemnify Owner and/or Walters and hold Owner and/or Walters harmless against and shall reimburse Owner and/or Walters for all costs relating to any and all claims, demands, judgments, penalties, liabilities, costs, damages, and expenses including costs of experts and attorneys’ fees and disbursements directly or indirectly incurred by Owner and/or Walters, both in connection with and prior to any trial or administrative hearing in any action against or involving Titan or affecting the Area resulting from the failure of Titan to comply with any covenant relating to hazardous substances, or breach of Titan’s environmental representations, warranties, and covenants contained in this Agreement. It is the intent hereof that Owner and/or Walters shall have no liability or responsibility for damage or injury to human health, the environment or natural resources, or any improvements thereon, caused by, for abatement and/or clean-up of, or otherwise with respect to hazardous substances brought onto the Area or manufactured upon the Area by Titan. This indemnity shall run in favor of Owner and/or Walters and their successors and assigns, and shall survive the termination of this Agreement or any renewal. Included within the indemnity herein provided is indemnity against loss in value to be determined by appraisal. In addition to the rights set forth above, Owner and/or Walters shall have the right at all reasonable times and from time to time to conduct environmental audits of the Property, and Titan shall cooperate in the conducting of those audits. The audits shall be conducted by a consultant of Owner’s and/or Walters’ choosing. If any Hazardous Material in violation of any of Titan’s warranties, representations, or covenants contained in this Agreement is discovered as a result of such audit, the fees and expenses of such consultant shall be borne by Titan and shall be paid under this Agreement on demand by Owner and/or Walters.

 

14.4.     Survivorship . All representations, warranties, and other agreements described in this Section 14 shall survive the termination or expiration of this Agreement, and shall apply to and inure to the benefit of all heirs, successors, and assigns of Walters, Owner and Titan, their respective directors, officers, shareholders, employees, tenants, sub-tenants, and affiliates.

 

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15.        SURRENDER . No later than three (3) months following the termination or expiration of this Agreement by its terms, Titan shall, to the extent reasonable: (a) remove or cause to be removed from the Property by competent professionals all Equipment and all other unattached movable appurtenances installed, placed, or located at, on, or about the System, and (b) restore the Property to its original condition as of the Effective Date of this Agreement, except for ordinary wear and tear and damages by the elements. Walters, Owner and Titan agree that Titan shall not be required to remove any improvements contemplated hereunder which are permanent in nature, including, but not limited to, foundations, footings, pipelines, utility systems, concrete, paving, gravel, and utilities and Titan hereby agrees that title to such improvements shall pass to Owner as of the expiration or earlier termination of this Agreement and Titan agrees to execute all documentation as may be required to transfer all rights and/or ownership to such permanent improvements to Walters or Owner as the case may be. The location of the System on the Property shall be surrendered to Walters immediately following such removal and restoration. If Titan, contrary to the provisions of this Paragraph, fails to remove Titan’s Equipment from the Property following the expiration or sooner termination of this Agreement, then Owner may, at its option, deem any or all of Titan’s Equipment left in, upon or about the Property, to be abandoned, and Owner shall have the absolute right to dispose of such Equipment, at Titan’s expense, in such manner as Owner deems appropriate or Owner, at its option, may retain some or all of such Equipment and in such event, such retained property shall be and become the property of Owner, without any claim therein of Titan. In addition, if Titan fails to repair all damage to the Property following the expiration or sooner termination of this Agreement, Owner may, but is not obligated to, at its option, repair all damage to the Property, at Titan’s expense. Upon termination of this Agreement or of Titan’s possession, Titan shall surrender all keys for the Property and/or System and shall inform Owner of all security and entry codes and all combinations of locks or other security devices, if any.

 

16.        FIRE AND CASUALTY DAMAGE . If the System is damaged or rendered untenantable by fire or other casualty such that the repair, restoration, or rebuilding of the System would require more than ninety (90) days for completion, Walters shall have the option, upon written notice to Titan within thirty (30) days after the occurrence of such fire or other casualty, to terminate this Agreement and in such an event, the Term shall expire as of the date of such fire or other casualty. If Walters does not give such notice, Titan shall immediately proceed to repair, restore, and rebuild the System, at Titan’s cost and expense, and complete the repairs within a reasonable amount of time. The Minimum GGE purchase requirement shall abate from the date of such fire or other casualty until the repairs, restoration, and/or rebuilding shall be completed. If this Agreement is terminated pursuant to notice as provided in this Paragraph, no fees shall be payable by Walters for any period after the date of such fire or other casualty and the same shall be apportioned as of such date and any fees paid for any period beyond such date shall be repaid to Walters.

 

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17.        CONDEMNATION . Walters or Owner shall fully advise Titan in a timely manner of all condemnation proceedings or prospective condemnation proceedings so that Titan may fully protect and prosecute its rights and claims relating to the Property. If the whole of the Property shall be taken or condemned by, or transferred in lieu of condemnation to, any governmental or quasi-governmental authority or agency with the power of condemnation during the Term, Titan shall be entitled to any award based upon its interest as set forth in this Agreement, along with the value of all Titan’s improvements which are not re-usable by Titan, including, without limitation, the System, Titan’s Equipment, fencing, and for all of Titan’s other personal property, trade fixtures, fixtures, moving expenses, business damages, business interruption, business dislocation, or other losses or expenses as may be incurred. In the event only a portion of the Property, which portion does not include the whole of the System, shall be taken or condemned by, or transferred in lieu of condemnation to, any governmental or quasi-governmental authority or agency with the power of condemnation during the Term, the parties shall have the option to terminate this Agreement. In either event, Titan shall be entitled to any award from a governmental authority based upon the value of all Titan’s improvements, including, without limitation, the System, Titan’s Equipment, fencing, and for all of Titan’s other personal property, trade fixtures, fixtures, moving expenses, business damages, business interruption, business dislocation, or other losses or expenses as may be incurred. Nothing contained herein shall prohibit Titan from making its own claims against any condemning authority for any losses or damages Titan shall incur as a result of a condemnation, or sale in lieu of condemnation, of the whole or any portion of the Property. In no event shall Titan be entitled to any type of compensation or award from Walters or Owner for condemnation.

 

18.        ALTERATIONS; ADDITIONS; IMPROVEMENTS . Titan shall have the right, at Titan’s sole expense, from time to time, with Walters and Owner’s prior written consent, to make such alterations, changes, installations, additions, or improvements (collectively, the “ Changes ”), in, on, to, or about such parts of the System and Property as Titan shall deem expedient or necessary for the use, operation and maintenance of the System. Except as set forth herein to the contrary, all of Titan’s installations, additions, or improvements shall remain the property of Titan. No Changes shall affect the safety or impair the value of the Property and all work related thereto shall be done in a good and workmanlike manner in accordance with all applicable laws, codes, and regulations. No Changes shall result in any liens, judgments or security interests being placed upon the Property and Titan shall indemnify Owner against any such liens that accrue against the Property.

 

19.        MISCELLANEOUS .

 

19.1.     Training . Titan, at no cost to Walters, shall provide appropriate training and written training materials and operating manuals on the use of the System, troubleshooting the System, emergency repairs and shut-down of the System, and the proper manner of fueling a vehicle to each employee designated by Walters upon the System becoming fully operational and at such other times as any changes or upgrades are made to the System by Titan.

 

19.2.     Reserved Rights . Owner reserves the right to further develop or improve the Property as it deems appropriate, and to, at any and all times, have full and unrestricted access to the area on which the System is located.

 

19.3.     Data . Titan has the limited right to collect, use, or distribute all non-proprietary vehicle performance data relating to the Walters’ CNG vehicle operations upon prior written consent of Walters.

 

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19.4.     Assignment . This Agreement may not be assigned by Titan without the prior written consent of Walters which will not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned, or delayed. Walters may assign this Agreement at any time without limitation. If this Agreement is assigned, it shall be binding on the party to which it is assigned. Assignment of this Agreement shall not release the assigning party from any of its obligations under this Agreement unless such a release is agreed to in writing by the other party and the assuming party.

 

19.5.     Entire Agreement . This Agreement constitutes the complete agreement of the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof. No representations, inducements, promises, or agreements, oral or written, have been made by any party, or anyone acting on behalf of any party, which are not contained herein, and any prior agreements, promises, negotiations, or representations are superseded by this Agreement. This Agreement may not be amended except by an instrument in writing signed by all affected parties. The headings and captions inserted in this Agreement are for convenience only and in no way define, limit, or otherwise describe the scope or intent of this Agreement, or any provision hereof, or in any way affect the interpretation of this Agreement. The parties agree to keep the terms of this Agreement strictly confidential and not disclose the same to any other person or entity, except as may be required by the order of a court with jurisdiction. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original and all of which, when taken together, shall be deemed to constitute one and the same instrument and any of the parties hereto may execute this Agreement by signing any such counterpart. Any party may deliver its signature via facsimile or e-mail (in the form of a PDF or otherwise), and any signature so delivered shall be binding on the delivering party.

 

19.6.     Severability . If any clause or provision of this Agreement is illegal, invalid, or unenforceable under present or future laws, then and in that event, it is the intention of the parties hereto that the remainder of this Agreement shall not be affected thereby.

 

19.7.     Force Majeure . Neither party shall be held responsible for delays in the performance of its nonmonetary obligations hereunder when caused by strikes, lockouts, labor disputes, acts of God, inability to obtain labor or materials or reasonable substitutes therefor, governmental restrictions, governmental regulations, governmental controls, enemy or hostile governmental action, civil commotion, fire or other casualty, and other causes beyond the reasonable control of such party.

 

19.8.     Waiver . Either party’s failure strictly to enforce any provision of this Agreement shall not be construed as a waiver of that provision or as excusing the other party from future performance. One or more waivers of any covenant, term, or condition hereof shall not be construed as a waiver of a subsequent breach of the same covenant, term, or condition.

 

19.9.     Brokers . Titan represents and warrants that Titan has not signed a listing agreement, dealt with, or otherwise agreed to pay a broker’s commission, finder’s fee, or other like compensation, if any, to any party other than Titan, its employees or any entity or individual which is an independent contractor of Titan, in connection with the System or the transaction contemplated by this Agreement and Titan agrees to indemnify and hold Walters harmless from and against any such claims or costs, including attorneys’ fees, incurred as a result of the transaction contemplated by this Agreement.

 

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19.10.   Notice . All written notices, requests, demands, consents, certificates, or other communications required or permitted to be given under this Agreement shall be sufficiently given when (i) mailed by certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, (ii) sent via commercial overnight delivery courier, fees prepaid, or (iii) sent by facsimile or other electronic transmission and confirmed by method (i) or (ii) above, addressed to the applicable party, as the case may be, at their respective most recent addresses on file with the other party hereto. Either party may by like notice at any time and from time to time designate a different address to which notices shall be sent. Notices given in accordance with these provisions shall be deemed received when mailed.

 

19.11.   Binding Effect; Further Assurances . The covenants and conditions of this Agreement shall apply to and be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and any other person or entity having any interest therein during their ownership thereof, and their respective grantees, heirs, successors, executors, administrators, successors and assigns, and all parties claiming under them. Each of the parties hereto shall execute and deliver to the other party hereto such other instruments as may be reasonably required in connection with the performance of this Agreement.

 

19.12.   Governing Law . The parties intend that this Agreement and the relationship of the parties will be governed by the laws of the State of Minnesota. The normal rule of construction to the effect that any ambiguities are to be resolved against the drafting party will not be employed in the interpretation of this Agreement or of any amendments to this Agreement.

 

19.13.       Independent Supplier . It is expressly understood and agreed that Titan retains its independent existence and all rights to independently manage its business. Walters is not offering to provide and Titan is not expecting that Walters provide any significant assistance in the operation of Titan’s business. Titan shall not be considered the agent or representative of Walters and Titan shall have no authority to incur any obligation on the behalf of or in the name of Walters or Owner.

 

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

 

TITAN:   WALTERS:
Titan CNG Blaine, LLC   Walters Recycling & Refuse, Inc.
         
By: /s/ Kirk Honour   By:   /s/ George Walter
Its:   President   Its:   Owner
         
      OWNER :
      Walters Investments, LLC
         
      By:   /s/ George Walter
      Its:   Owner

 

  

 

 

EXHIBIT A
System Components

 

Item   Initial Quantity
C26.10 Bauer Xfill Compressor with Crank Case
Heater, Audible Alarm, Remote Communications Modem, Interstage Temperature and Pressure Monitoring, Infrared Gas Detector, Interior Light (2 lights and vent fan)
  1
Under-mount Storage - ASME 3 pack 24"x16'   1
Electronic Priority Panel with fast fill priority and time
fill temp/pressure control
  1
NEMA 4 PLC cabinet - locally mounted on
cabinet/skid
  1
NEMA 4 Cabinet Power Pane   1
Xebex STV20NGX-2-150A-110-220   1
FasTech K-Rail Single Hose FT-TFP-01-KRM   14
Concrete Jersey Barriers   23

 

  

 

 

EXHIBIT B
Preliminary Site Plan

 

 

 

  

 

 

EXHIBIT C
CNG Rate Schedule

 

Initial 6-Month Rate : $1.95 / GGE with minimum take pay of 12,000 GGE per month. Monthly take or pay billing will be $23,400 per Month, plus any reconciled adjustment for prior month overage, plus (or minus) any utilities purchased from Walters.

 

Regular Rate after 6-Months : $0.710 / GGE plus the actual cost of the natural gas plus any federal excise taxes plus any imposed state taxes plus the cost of electricity less Walters’ portion of any fuel tax credits or other credits received, with a minimum take pay of 12,000 GGE per month.

 

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 10.2

 

AIR COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE ASSOCIATION
STANDARD INDUSTRIAL/COMMERCIAL SINGLE-TENANT LEASE -- NET

 

(DO NOT USE THIS FORM FOR MULTI-TENANT BUILDINGS)

 

1.       Basic Provisions (“Basic Provisions”).

 

1.1        Parties : This Lease (“ Lease ”), dated for reference purposes only February 24, 2014 is made by and between Grace Whisler Trust and Whisler Holdings LLC (“ Lessor ”) and FirstCNG, LLC (“ Lessee ”), (collectively the “ Parties ,” or individually a “ Party ”).

 

1.2        Premises: That certain real property, including all improvements therein or to be provided by Lessor under the terms of this Lease, and commonly known as 24201 El Toro Road, Lake Forest (Assessor’s Parcel No. 61705305) located in the County of Orange State of California and generally described as (describe briefly the nature of the property and, if applicable, the “ Project ”, if the property is located within a Project) a land area of approximately 17,550 gross rentable square feet ( Premises ”). (See also Paragraph 2)

 

1.3        Term : Five (5) years and 0 months (“ Original Term ”) commencing March 1, 2014 (“Commencement Date”) and ending February 28, 2019 ( Expiration Date ). (See also Paragraph 3)

 

1.4        Early Possession : If the Premises are available Lessee may have non -exclusive possession of the Premises commencing March 1, 2014 assuming mutual lease execution, receipt of applicable monies, and proof of Lessee’s required insurance. The period March 1, 2014 through May 31, 2014 constitutes the entire rental abatement period for the Term of the Lease (“ Early Possession Date ”). (See also Paragraphs 3.2 and 3.3)

 

1.5        Base Rent : $10,000.00 per month (“ Base Rent ”), payable on the first day of each month commencing June 1, 2014 (See also Paragraph 4)

 

☒   If this box is checked, there are provisions in this Lease for the Base Rent to be adjusted. See Paragraph 51

 

1.6        Base Rent and Other Monies Paid Upon Execution:

 

(a)        Base Rent: $10, 000.00 for the period June 1, 2014 - June 30, 2014

(b)        Security Deposit : $66, 781.00 (“ Security Deposit ”) (See also Paragraph 5)

(c)        Association Fees : $0.00 for the period      - -  

(d)        Other : $0 .00 for      - -  

 

Note: $55,177.00 of the Security deposit shall apply as prepaid rent for month 13 ($10,500.00 for March 2015), Month 14 ($10,500 for April 2015), Month 25 ($11,025.00 for March 2016), Month 31 ($11,576.00 for September 2016), and Month 37 ($11,576.00 for April 2017). The remaining $11,604.00 to be held throughout the term of the lease and any option period.

 

(e)        Total Due Upon Execution of this Lease : $66, 781.00

 

1.7        Agreed Use: Distribution and retail sales of natural gas to supply natural gas vehicles, and related uses including those customary ancillary uses of gasoline dispensing service stations. (See also Paragraph 6)

 

1.8        Insuring Party : Lessor is the “ Insuring Party ” unless otherwise stated herein. (See also Paragraph 8)

 

1.9        Real Estate Brokers : (See also Paragraph 15 and 25)

 

(a)        Representation : The following real estate brokers (the “ Brokers ”) and brokerage relationships exist in this transaction (check applicable boxes):

 

Lee & Associates Commercial Real Estate Services, Inc. - Orange (Chuck Hardy) and Lee & Associates - Irvine, Inc. / Tom Gioia represents Lessor exclusively (“ Lessor’s Broker” );

 

NAI Capital (Phlllio Attalla, Richard Horn, and Howard Lee represents Lessee exclusively (“ Lessee’s Broker ”);                         or represents both Lessor and Lessee (“ Dual Agency ”).

 

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(b)        Payment to Brokers : Upon execution and delivery of this Lease by both Parties, Lessor shall pay to the Brokers for the brokerage services rendered by the Brokers the fee agreed to in the attached separate written agreement or if no such agreement is attached the sum of              or four (4) % of the total Base Rent payable for the Original Term to be divided as follows: Three percent (3%) to Lee & Associates-Orange & Irvine. One percent (1%) to NAI Capital, the sum of          or           of the total Base Rent payable during any period of time that the Lessee occupies the Premises subsequent to the Original Term and/or the sum of          or          % of the purchase price in the event that the Lessee or anyone affiliated with Lessee acquires from Lessor any rights to the Premises.

 

1.10       Guarantor . The obligations of the Lessee under this Lease are to be guaranteed by                  (“ Guarantor ”). (See also Paragraph 37)

 

1.11       Attachments. Attached hereto are the following, all of which constitute a part of this Lease:

 

an Addendum consisting of Paragraphs                 through 55 ;

a plot plan depicting the Premises;

a current set of the Rules and Regulations;

a Work Letter;

other (specify):                                                                                                                                                                                                 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                             

                                                                                                                                                                                                                             

 

2.       Premises.

 

2.1.      Letting . Lessor hereby leases to Lessee, and Lessee hereby leases from Lessor, the Premises, for the term, at the rental, and upon all of the terms, covenants and conditions set forth in this Lease. While the approximate square footage of the Premises may have been used in the marketing of the Premises for purposes of comparison, the Base Rent stated herein is NOT tied to square footage and is not subject to adjustment should the actual size be determined to be different. Note: Lessee is advised to verify the actual size prior to executing this Lease .

 

2.2.      Condition . Lessor shall deliver the Premises to Lessee broom clean and free of debris on the Commencement Date or the Early Possession Date, whichever first occurs (“ Start Date ”), and, so long as the required service contracts described in Paragraph 7.1(b) below are obtained by Lessee and in effect within thirty days following the Start Date, warrants that the existing electrical, plumbing, fire sprinkler, lighting, heating, ventilating and air conditioning systems (“ HVAC ”), loading doors, sump pumps, if any, and all other such elements in the Premises, other than those constructed by Lessee, shall be in good operating condition on said date, that the structural elements of the roof, bearing walls and foundation of any buildings on the Premises (the “ Building ”) shall be free of material defects, and that the Premises do not contain hazardous levels of any mold or fungi defined as toxic under applicable state or federal law. If a non-compliance with said warranty exists as of the Start Date, or if one of such systems or elements should malfunction or fail within the appropriate warranty period, Lessor shall, as Lessor’s sole obligation with respect to such matter, except as otherwise provided in this Lease, promptly after receipt of written notice from Lessee setting forth with specificity the nature and extent of such non-compliance, malfunction or failure, rectify same at Lessor’s expense. The warranty periods shall be as follows: (i) 6 months as to the HVAC systems, and (ii) 30 days as to the remaining systems and other elements of the Building. If Lessee does not give Lessor the required notice within the appropriate warranty period, correction of any such non-compliance, malfunction or failure shall be the obligation of Lessee at Lessee’s sole cost and expense.

 

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2.3.      Compliance . Lessor warrants that to the best of its knowledge the improvements on the Premises comply with the building codes, applicable laws, covenants or restrictions of record, regulations, and ordinances (“ Applicable Requirements ”) that were in effect at the time that each improvement, or portion thereof, was constructed. Said warranty does not apply to the use to which Lessee will put the Premises, modifications which may be required by the Americans with Disabilities Act or any similar laws as a result of Lessee’s use (see Paragraph 50), or to any Alterations or Utility Installations (as defined in Paragraph 7.3(a)) made or to be made by Lessee. NOTE: Lessee is responsible for determining whether or not the Applicable Requirements, and especially the zoning, are appropriate for Lessee’s intended use, and acknowledges that past uses of the Premises may no longer be allowed. If the Premises do not comply with said warranty, Lessor shall, except as otherwise provided, promptly after receipt of written notice from Lessee setting forth with specificity the nature and extent of such non-compliance, rectify the same at Lessor’s expense. If Lessee does not give Lessor written notice of a non-compliance with this warranty within 6 months following the Start Date, correction of that non-compliance shall be the obligation of Lessee at Lessee’s sole cost and expense. If the Applicable Requirements are hereafter changed so as to require during the term of this Lease the construction of an addition to or an alteration of the Premises and/or Building, the remediation of any Hazardous Substance, or the reinforcement or ether physical modification of the Unit, Premises and/or Building (“ Capital Expenditure ”), Lessor and Lessee shall allocate the cost of such work as follows:

 

(a)       Subject to Paragraph 2.3(c) below, if such Capital Expenditures are required as a result of the specific and unique use of the Premises by Lessee as compared with uses by tenants in general, Lessee shall be fully responsible for the cost thereof, provided, however, that if such Capital Expenditure is required during the last 2 years of this Lease and the cost thereof exceeds 6 months’ Base Rent, Lessee may instead terminate this Lease unless Lessor notifies Lessee, in writing, within 10 days after receipt of Lessee’s termination notice that Lessor has elected to pay the difference between the actual cost thereof and an amount equal to 6 months’ Base Rent. If Lessee elects termination, Lessee shall immediately cease the use of the Premises which requires such Capital Expenditure and deliver to Lessor written notice specifying a termination date at least 90 days thereafter. Such termination date shall, however, in no event be earlier than the last day that Lessee could legally utilize the Premises without commencing such Capital Expenditure.

 

(b)       If such Capital Expenditure is not the result of the specific and unique use of the Premises by Lessee (such as, governmentally mandated seismic modifications), than Lessor shall pay for such Capital Expenditure and Lessee shall only be obligated to pay, each month during the remainder of the term of this Lease or any extension thereof, on the date that on which the Base Rent is due, an amount equal to 1/144th of the portion of such costs reasonably attributable to the Premises. Lessee shall pay interest on the balance but may prepay its obligation at any time. If, however, such Capital Expenditure is required during the last 2 years of this Lease or if Lessor reasonably determines that it is not economically feasible to pay its share thereof, Lessor shall have the option to terminate this Lease upon 90 days prior written notice to Lessee unless Lessee notifies Lessor, in writing, within 10 days after receipt of Lessor’s termination notice that Lessee will pay for such Capital Expenditure. If Lessor does not elect to terminate, and fails to tender its share of any such Capital Expenditure, Lessee may advance such funds and deduct same, with interest, from Rent until Lessor’s share of such costs have been fully paid. If Lessee is unable to finance Lessor’s share, or if the balance of the Rent due and payable for the remainder of this Lease is not sufficient to fully reimburse Lessee on an offset basis, Lessee shall have the right to terminate this Lease upon 30 days written notice to Lessor.

 

(c)       Notwithstanding the above, the provisions concerning Capital Expenditures are intended to apply only to non-voluntary, unexpected, and new Applicable Requirements. If the Capital Expenditures are instead triggered by Lessee as a result of an actual or proposed change in use, change in intensity of use, or modification to the Premises then, and in that event, Lessee shall either: (i) immediately cease such changed use or intensity of use and/or take such other steps as may be necessary to eliminate the requirement for such Capital Expenditure, or (ii) complete such Capital Expenditure at its own expense. Lessee shall not, however, have any right to terminate this Lease.

 

2.4.      Acknowledgements . Lessee acknowledges that: (a) it has been given an opportunity to inspect and measure the Premises, (b) it has been advised by Lessor and/or Brokers to satisfy itself with respect to the size and condition of the Premises (including but not limited to the electrical, HVAC and fire sprinkler systems, security, environmental aspects, and compliance with Applicable Requirements and the Americans with Disabilities Act), and their suitability for Lessee’s intended use, (c) Lessee has made such investigation as it deems necessary with reference to such matters and assumes all responsibility therefor as the same relate to its occupancy of the Premises excepting latent defects not reasonably discoverable by Lessee, (d) it is not relying on any representation as to the size of the Premises made by Brokers or Lessor, (e) the square footage of the Premises was not material to Lessee’s decision to lease the Premises and pay the Rent stated herein, and (f) neither Lessor, Lessor’s agents, nor Brokers have made any oral or written representations or warranties with respect to said matters other than as set forth in this Lease. In addition, Lessor acknowledges that: (i) Brokers have made no representations, promises or warranties concerning Lessee’s ability to honor the Lease or suitability to occupy the Premises, and (ii) it is Lessor’s sole responsibility to investigate the financial capability and/or suitability of all proposed tenants.

 

2.5.      Lessee as Prior Owner/Occupant . The warranties made by Lessor in Paragraph 2 shall be of no force or effect if immediately prior to the Start Date Lessee was the owner or occupant of the Premises. In such event, Lessee shall be responsible for any necessary corrective work.

 

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3.       Term.

 

3.1.      Term . The Commencement Date, Expiration Date and Original Term of this Lease are as specified in Paragraph 1.3.

 

3.2.      Early Possession . Any provision herein granting Lessee Early Possession of the Premises is subject to and conditioned upon the Premises being available for such possession prior to the Commencement Date. Any grant of Early Possession only conveys a non-exclusive right to occupy the Premises. If Lessee totally or partially occupies the Premises prior to the Commencement Date, the obligation to pay Base Rent shall be abated for the period of such Early Possession. All other terms of this Lease (including but not limited to the obligations to pay Real Property Taxes and insurance premiums and to maintain the Premises) shall be in effect during such period. Any such Early Possession shall not affect the Expiration Date.

 

3.3.      Delay in Possession . Lessor agrees to use its best commercially reasonable efforts to deliver possession of the Premises to Lessee by the Commencement Date. If, despite said efforts, Lessor is unable to deliver possession by such date, Lessor shall not be subject to any liability therefor, nor shall such failure affect the validity of this Lease or change the Expiration Date. Lessee shall not, however, be obligated to pay Rent or perform its other obligations until Lessor delivers possession of the Premises and any period of rent abatement that Lessee would otherwise have enjoyed shall run from the date of delivery of possession and continue for a period equal to what Lessee would otherwise have enjoyed under the terms hereof, but minus any days of delay caused by the acts or omissions of Lessee. If possession is not delivered within 60 days after the Commencement Date, as the same may be extended under the terms of any Work Letter executed by Parties, Lessee may, at its option, by notice in writing within 10 days after the end of such 60 day period, cancel this Lease, in which event the Parties shall be discharged from all obligations hereunder. If such written notice is not received by Lessor within said 10 day period, Lessee’s right to cancel shall terminate. If possession of the Premises is not delivered within 120 days after the Commencement Date, this Lease shall terminate unless other agreements are reached between Lessor and Lessee, in writing.

 

3.4.      Lessee Compliance . Lessor shall not be required to deliver possession of the Premises to Lessee until Lessee complies with its obligation to provide evidence of insurance (Paragraph 8.5). Pending delivery of such evidence, Lessee shall be required to perform all of its obligations under this Lease from and after the Start Date, including the payment of Rent, notwithstanding Lessor’s election to withhold possession pending receipt of such evidence of insurance. Further, if Lessee is required to perform any other conditions prior to or concurrent with the Start Date, the Start Date shall occur but Lessor may elect to withhold possession until such conditions are satisfied.

 

4.       Rent.

 

4.1.      Rent Defined . All monetary obligations of Lessee to Lessor under the terms of this Lease (except for the Security Deposit) are deemed to be rent (“ Rent ”).

 

4.2.      Payment . Lessee shall cause payment of Rent to be received by Lessor in lawful money of the United States, without offset or deduction (except as specifically permitted in this Lease), on or before the day on which it is due. All monetary amounts shall be rounded to the nearest whole dollar. In the event that any invoice prepared by Lessor is inaccurate such inaccuracy shall not constitute a waiver and Lessee shall be obligated to pay the amount set forth in this Lease. Rent for any period during the term hereof which is for less than one full calendar month shall be prorated based upon the actual number of days of said month. Payment of Rent shall be made to Lessor at its address stated herein or to such other persons or place as Lessor may from time to time designate in writing. Acceptance of a payment which is less than the amount then due shall not be a waiver of Lessor’s rights to the balance of such Rent, regardless of Lessor’s endorsement of any check so stating. In the event that any check, draft, or other instrument of payment given by Lessee to Lessor is dishonored for any reason, Lessee agrees to pay to Lessor the sum of $25 in addition to any Late Charge and Lessor, at Its option, may require all future Rent be paid by cashier’s check. Payments will be applied first to accrued late charges and attorney’s fees, second to accrued interest, then to Base Rent, Insurance and Real Property Taxes, and any remaining amount to any other outstanding charges or costs.

 

4.3.      Association Fees . In addition to the Base Rent, Lessee shall pay to Lessor each month an amount equal to any owner’s association or condominium fees levied or assessed against the Premises. Said monies shall be paid at the same time and in the same manner as the Base Rent.

 

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5.       Security Deposit. Lessee shall deposit with Lessor upon execution hereof the Security Deposit as security for Lessee’s faithful performance of its obligations under this Lease within 30 days. If Lessee fails to pay Rent, or otherwise Defaults under this Lease, Lessor may use, apply or retain all or any portion of said Security Deposit for the payment of any amount already due Lessor, for Rents which will be due in the future, and/or to reimburse or compensate Lessor for any liability, expense, loss or damage which Lessor may suffer or incur by reason thereof. If Lessor uses or applies all or any portion of the Security Deposit, Lessee shall within 10 days after written request therefor deposit monies with Lessor sufficient to restore said Security Deposit to the full amount required by this Lease. If the Base Rent increases during the term of this Lease, Lessee shall, upon written request from Lessor, deposit additional monies with Lessor so that the total amount of the Security Deposit shall at all times bear the same proportion to the increased Base Rent as the initial Security Deposit bore to the initial Base Rent. Should the Agreed Use be amended to accommodate a material change in the business of Lessee or to accommodate a sublessee or assignee, Lessor shall have the right to increase the Security Deposit to the extent necessary, in Lessor’s reasonable judgment, to account for any increased wear and tear that the Premises may suffer as a result thereof. If a change in control of Lessee occurs during this Lease and following such change the financial condition of Lessee is, in Lessor’s reasonable judgment, significantly reduced, Lessee shall deposit such additional monies with Lessor as shall be sufficient to cause the Security Deposit to be at a commercially reasonable level based on such change in financial condition. Lessor shall not be required to keep the Security Deposit separate from its general accounts. Within 90 days after the expiration or termination of this Lease, Lessor shall return that portion of the Security Deposit not used or applied by Lessor. No part of the Security Deposit shall be considered to be held in trust, to bear interest or to be prepayment for any monies to be paid by Lessee under this Lease.

 

6.       Use.

 

6.1.      Use . Lessee shall use and occupy the Premises only for the Agreed Use, or any other legal use which is reasonably comparable thereto, and for no other purpose. Lessee shall not use or permit the use of the Premises in a manner that is unlawful, creates damage, waste or a nuisance, or that disturbs occupants of or causes damage to neighboring premises or properties. Other than guide, signal and seeing-eye dogs, Lessee shall not keep or allow in the Premises any pets, animals, birds, fish, or reptiles. Lessor shall not unreasonably withhold or delay its consent to any written request for a modification of the Agreed Use, so long as the same will not impair the structural integrity of the improvements on the Premises or the mechanical or electrical systems therein, and/or is not significantly more burdensome to the Premises. If Lessor elects to withhold consent, Lessor shall within 7 days after such request give written notification of same, which notice shall include an explanation of Lessor’s objections to the change in the Agreed Use.

 

6.2.      Hazardous Substances .

 

(a)        Reportable Uses Require Consent . The term “ Hazardous Substance ” as used in this Lease shall mean any product, substance, or waste whose presence, use, manufacture, disposal, transportation, or release, either by itself or in combination with other materials expected to be on the Premises, is either: (i) potentially injurious to the public health, safety or welfare, the environment or the Premises, (ii) regulated or monitored by any governmental authority, or (iii) a basis for potential lability of Lessor to any governmental agency or third party under any applicable statute or common law theory. Hazardous Substances shall include, but not be limited to, hydrocarbons, petroleum, gasoline, and/or crude oil or any products, by-products or fractions thereof. Lessee shall not engage in any activity in or on the Premises which constitutes a Reportable Use of Hazardous Substances without the express prior written consent of Lessor and timely compliance (at Lessee’s expense) with all Applicable Requirements. “ Reportable Use ” shall mean (i) the installation or use of any above or below ground storage tank, (ii) the generation, possession, storage, use, transportation, or disposal of a Hazardous Substance that requires a permit from, or with respect to which a report, notice, registration or business plan is required to be filed with, any governmental authority, and/or (iii) the presence at the Premises of a Hazardous Substance with respect to which any Applicable Requirements requires that a notice be given to persons entering or occupying the Premises or neighboring properties. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Lessee may use any ordinary and customary materials reasonably required to be used in the normal course of the Agreed Use, ordinary office supplies (copier toner, liquid paper, glue, etc.) and common household cleaning materials, so long as such use is in compliance with all Applicable Requirements, is not a Reportable Use, and does not expose the Premises or neighboring property to any meaningful risk of contamination or damage or expose Lessor to any liability therefor. In addition, Lessor may condition its consent to any Reportable Use upon receiving such additional assurances as Lessor reasonably deems necessary to protect itself, the public, the Premises and/or the environment against damage, contamination, injury and/or liability, including, but not limited to, the installation (and removal on or before Lease expiration or termination) of protective modifications (such as concrete encasements) and/or increasing the Security Deposit.

 

(b)        Duty to Inform Lessor . If either Party knows, or has reasonable cause to believe, that a Hazardous Substance has come to be located in, on, under or about the Premises, other than as previously consented to or disclosed by Lessor, then such Party shall immediately give written notice of such fact to the other Party and provide the other Party with a copy of any report, notice, claim or other documentation which it has concerning the presence of such Hazardous Substance. I f Lessee knows or has reasonable cause to believe that a Hazardous Substance has come to be located in or under or about the Premises, other than as previously consented to by Lessor, Lessee shall immediately give written notice of such fact to Lessor, and provide Lessor with a copy of any report, notice, claim or other documentation which it has concerning the presence of such Hazardous Substance.

 

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(c)        Lessee Remediation . Lessee shall not cause or permit any Hazardous Substance to be spilled or released in, on, under, or about the Premises (including through the plumbing or sanitary sewer system) and shall promptly, at Lessee’s expense, comply with all Applicable Requirements and take all investigatory and/or remedial action reasonably recommended, whether or not formally ordered or required, for the cleanup of any contamination of, and for the maintenance, security and/or monitoring of the Premises or neighboring properties, that was caused or materially contributed to by Lessee, or pertaining to or involving any Hazardous Substance brought onto the Premises during the term of this Lease, by or for Lessee, or any third party.

 

(d)        Lessee Indemnification . Lessee shall indemnify, defend and hold Lessor, its agents, employees, lenders and ground lessor, if any, harmless from and against any and all loss of rents and/or damages, liabilities, judgments, claims, expenses, penalties, and attorneys’ and consultants’ fees arising out of or involving any Hazardous Substance brought onto the Premises by or for Lessee or any third party (provided, however, that Lessee shall have no liability under this Lease with respect to underground migration of any Hazardous Substance under the Premises from adjacent properties not caused or contributed to by Lessee. Lessee’s obligations shall include, but not be limited to, the effects of any contamination or injury to person, property or the environment created or suffered by Lessee, and the cost of investigation, removal, remediation, restoration and/or abatement, and shall survive the expiration or termination of this Lease. No termination, cancellation or release agreement entered into by Lessor and Lessee shall release Lessee from Its obligations under this Lease with respect to Hazardous Substances, unless specifically so agreed by Lessor in writing at the time of such agreement.

 

(e)        Lessor Indemnification . Except as otherwise provided in paragraph 8.7, Lessor and its successors and assigns shall indemnify, defend, reimburse and hold Lessee, its employees and lenders, harmless from and against any and all environmental damages, including the cost of remediation, liabilities, judgements, claims, expenses, penalties, and attorney’s and consulting fees, which result from Hazardous Substances which existed on the Premises prior to Lessee’s occupancy or which are caused by the gross negligence or willful misconduct of Lessor, its agents or employees. Lessor’s obligations, as and when required by the Applicable Requirements, shall include, but not be limited to, the cost of investigation, removal, remediation, restoration and/or abatement, and shall survive the expiration or termination of this Lease.

 

(f)        Investigations and Remediation . Lessor shall retain the responsibility and pay for any investigations or remediation measures required by governmental entities having jurisdiction with respect to the existence of Hazardous Substances on the Premises prior to Lessee’s occupancy, unless such remediation measure is required as a result of Lessee’s use (including “ Alterations ”, as defined in paragraph 7.3(a) below) of the Premises, in which event Lessee shall be responsible for such payment. Lessee shall cooperate fully in any such activities at the request of Lessor, including allowing Lessor and Lessor’s agents to have reasonable access to the Premises at reasonable times in order to carry out Lessor’s investigative and remedial responsibilities.

 

(g)        Lessor Termination Option . If a Hazardous Substance Condition (see Paragraph 9.1(e)) occurs during the term of this Lease, unless Lessee is legally responsible therefor (in which case Lessee shall make the investigation and remediation thereof required by the Applicable Requirements and this Lease shall continue in full force and effect, but subject to Lessor’s rights under Paragraph 6.2(d) and Paragraph 13), Lessor may, at Lessor’s option, either (i) investigate and remediate such Hazardous Substance Condition, if required, as soon as reasonably possible at Lessor’s expense, in which event this Lease shall continue in full force and effect, or (ii) if the estimated cost to remediate such condition exceeds 12 times the then monthly Base Rent or $100,000, whichever is greater, give written notice to Lessee, within 30 days after receipt by Lessor of knowledge of the occurrence of such Hazardous Substance Condition, of Lessor’s desire to terminate this Lease as of the date 60 days following the date of such notice. In the event Lessor elects to give a termination notice, Lessee may, within 10 days thereafter, give written notice to Lessor of Lessee’s commitment to pay the amount by which the cost of the remediation of such Hazardous Substance Condition exceeds an amount equal to 12 times the then monthly Base Rent or $100,000, whichever is greater. Lessee shall provide Lessor with said funds or satisfactory assurance thereof within 30 days following such commitment. In such event, this Lease shall continue in full force and effect, and Lessor shall proceed to make such remediation as soon as reasonably possible after the required funds are available. If Lessee does not give such notice and provide the required funds or assurance thereof within the time provided, this Lease shall terminate as of the date specified in Lessor’s notice of termination.

 

6.3.      Lessee’s Compliance with Applicable Requirements . Except as otherwise provided in this Lease, Lessee shall, at Lessee’s sole expense, fully, diligently and in a timely manner, materially comply with all Applicable Requirements, the reasonable requirements of any applicable fire insurance underwriter or rating bureau, and the recommendations of Lessor’s engineers and/or consultants which relate in any manner to the such Requirements, without regard to whether such Requirements are now in effect or become effective after the Start Date. Lessee shall, within 10 days after receipt of Lessor’s written request, provide Lessor with copies of all permits and other documents, and other information evidencing Lessee’s compliance with any Applicable Requirements specified by Lessor, and shall immediately upon receipt, notify Lessor in writing (with copies of any documents involved) of any threatened or actual claim, notice, citation, warning, complaint or report pertaining to or involving the failure of Lessee or the Premises to comply with any Applicable Requirements. Likewise, Lessee shall immediately give written notice to Lessor of: (i) any water damage to the Premises and any suspected seepage, pooling, dampness or other condition conducive to the production of mold; or (ii) any mustiness or other odors that might indicate the presence of mold in the Premises.

 

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6.4.      Inspection; Compliance . Lessor and Lessor’s “ Lender ” (as defined in Paragraph 30) and consultants shall have the right to enter into Premises at any time, in the case of an emergency, and otherwise at reasonable times after reasonable notice, for the purpose of inspecting the condition of the Premises and for verifying compliance by Lessee with this Lease. The cost of any such inspections shall be paid by Lessor, unless a violation of Applicable Requirements, or a Hazardous Substance Condition (see paragraph 9.1) is found to exist or be imminent, or the inspection is requested or ordered by a governmental authority. In such case, Lessee shall upon request reimburse Lessor for the cost of such inspection, so long as such inspection is reasonably related to the violation or contamination. In addition, Lessee shall provide copies of all relevant material safety data sheets ( MSDS ) to Lessor within 10 days of the receipt of a written request therefor.

 

7.       Maintenance; Repairs, Utility Installations; Trade Fixtures and Alterations.

 

7.1.      Lessee’s Obligations .

 

(a)        In General . Subject to the provisions of Paragraph 2.2 (Condition), 2.3 (Compliance), 6.3 (Lessee’s Compliance with Applicable Requirements), 7.2 (Lessor’s Obligations), 9 (Damage or Destruction), and 14 (Condemnation), Lessee shall, at Lessee’s sole expense, keep the Premises, Utility Installations (intended for Lessee’s exclusive use, no matter where located), and Alterations in good order, condition and repair (whether or not the portion of the Premises requiring repairs, or the means of repairing the same, are reasonably or readily accessible to Lessee, and whether or not the need for such repairs occurs as a result of Lessee’s use, any prior use, the elements or the age of such portion of the Premises), including, but not limited to, all equipment or facilities, such as plumbing, HVAC equipment, electrical, lighting facilities, boilers, pressure vessels, fire protection system, fixtures, walls (interior and exterior), foundations, ceilings, roofs, roof drainage systems, floors, windows, doors, plate glass, skylights, landscaping, driveways, parking lots, fences, retaining walls, signs, sidewalks and parkways located in, on, or adjacent to the Premises. Lessee, in keeping the Premises in good order, condition and repair, shall exercise and perform good maintenance practices, specifically including the procurement and maintenance of the service contracts required by Paragraph 7.1(b) below, but excluding ordinary wear and tear, act of God, or maintenance and repairs that are the Lessor’s obligations. Lessee’s obligations shall include restorations, replacements or renewals when necessary to keep the Premises and all improvements thereon or a part thereof in good order, condition and state of repair. Lessee shall, during the tern of this Lease, keep the exterior appearance of the Building in a first-class condition (including, e.g. graffiti removal) consistent with the exterior appearance of other similar facilities of comparable age and size in the vicinity, including, when necessary, the exterior repainting of the Building.

 

(b)        Service Contracts . Lessee shall, at Lessee’s sole expense, procure and maintain contracts, with copies to Lessor, in customary form and substance for, and with contractors specializing and experienced in the maintenance of the following equipment and improvements, if any, if and when installed on the Premises: (i) HVAC equipment, (ii) boiler, and pressure vessels, (iii) fire extinguishing systems, including fire alarm and/or smoke detection, (iv) landscaping and irrigation systems, (v) roof covering and drains, and (vi) clarifiers. However, Lessor reserves the right, upon notice to Lessee, to procure and maintain any or all of such service contracts, and Lessee shall reimburse Lessor, upon demand, for the cost thereof.

 

(c)        Failure to Perform . If Lessee fails to perform Lessee’s obligations under this Paragraph 7.1, Lessor may enter upon the Premises after 10 days’ prior written notice to Lessee (except in the case of an emergency, in which case no notice shall be required), perform such obligations on Lessee’s behalf, and put the Premises in good order, condition and repair, and Lessee shall promptly pay to Lessor a sum equal to 115% of the cost thereof.

 

(d)        Replacement . Subject to Lessee’s indemnification of Lessor as set forth in Paragraph 8.7 below, and without relieving Lessee of liability resulting from Lessee’s failure to exercise and perform good maintenance practices, if an item described in Paragraph 7.1(b) cannot be repaired other than at a cost which is in excess of 50% of the cost of replacing such item, then such item shall be replaced by Lessor, and the cost thereof shall be prorated between the Parties and Lessee shall only be obligated to pay, each month during the remainder of the term of this Lease, on the date on which Base Rent is due, an amount equal to the product of multiplying the cost of such replacement by a fraction, the numerator of which is one, and the denominator of which is 144 (i.e., 1/144th of the cost per month). Lessee shall pay interest on the unamortized balance but may prepay its obligation at any time.

 

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7.2.      Lessor’s Obligations . Subject to the provisions of Paragraphs 2.2 (Condition), 2.3 (Compliance), 9 (Damage or Destruction) and 14 (Condemnation), it is intended by the Parties hereto that Lessor have no obligation, in any manner whatsoever, to repair and maintain the Premises, or the equipment therein, all of which obligations are intended to be that of the Lessee. It is the intention of the Parties that the terms of this Lease govern the respective obligations of the Parties as to maintenance and repair of the Premises, and they expressly waive the benefit of any statute now or hereafter in effect to the extent it is inconsistent with the terms of this Lease.

 

7.3.      Utility Installations; Trade Fixtures; Alterations .

 

(a)        Definitions . The term “ Utility Installations ” refers to all floor and window coverings, air and/or vacuum lines, power panels, electrical distribution, security and fire protection systems, communication cabling, lighting fixtures, HVAC equipment, plumbing, and fencing in or on the Premises. The term “ Trade Fixtures ” shall mean Lessee’s machinery and equipment that can be removed without doing material damage to the Premises. The term “ Alterations ” shall mean any modification of the improvements, other than Utility Installations or Trade Fixtures, whether by addition or deletion. “ Lessee Owned Alterations and/or Utility Installations ” are defined as Alterations and/or Utility Installations made by Lessee that are not yet owned by Lessor pursuant to Paragraph 7.4(a).

 

(b)        Consent . Lessee shall not make any Alterations or Utility Installations to the Premises without Lessor’s prior written consent. Lessee may, however, make non-structural Alterations or Utility Installations to the interior of the Premises (excluding the roof) without such consent but upon notice to Lessor, as long as they are not visible from the outside, do not involve puncturing, relocating or removing the roof or any existing walls, will not affect the electrical, plumbing, HVAC, and/or life safety systems, and the cumulative cost thereof during this Lease as extended does not exceed a sum equal to 3 month’s Base Rent in the aggregate or a sum equal to one month’s Base Rent in any one year. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Lessee shall not make or permit any roof penetrations and/or install anything on the roof without the prior written approval of Lessor. Lessor may, as a precondition to granting such approval, require Lessee to utilize a contractor chosen and/or approved by Lessor. Any Alterations or Utility Installations that Lessee shall desire to make and which require the consent of the Lessor shall be presented to Lessor in written form with detailed plans. Consent shall be deemed conditioned upon Lessee’s: (i) acquiring all applicable governmental permits, (ii) furnishing Lessor with copies of both the permits and the plans and specifications prior to commencement of the work, and (iii) compliance with all conditions of said permits and other Applicable Requirements in a prompt and expeditious manner. Any Alterations or Utility Installations shall be performed in a workmanlike manner with good and sufficient materials. Lessee shall promptly upon completion furnish Lessor with as-built plans and specifications. For work which costs an amount in excess of one month’s Base Rent, Lessor may condition its consent upon Lessee providing a lien and completion bond in an amount equal to 150% of the estimated cost of such Alteration or Utility Installation and/or upon Lessee’s posting an additional Security Deposit with Lessor.

 

(c)        Liens; Bonds . Lessee shall pay, when due, all claims for labor or materials furnished or alleged to have been furnished to or for Lessee at or for use on the Premises, which claims are or may be secured by any mechanic’s or materialmen’s lien against the Premises or any interest therein. Lessee shall give Lessor not less than 10 days notice prior to the commencement of any work in, on or about the Premises, and Lessor shall have the right to post notices of non-responsibility. If Lessee shall contest the validity of any such lien, claim or demand, then Lessee shall, at its sole expense defend and protect itself, Lessor and the Premises against the same and shall pay and satisfy any such adverse judgment that may be rendered thereon before the enforcement thereof. If Lessor shall require, Lessee shall furnish a surety bond in an amount equal to 150% of the amount of such contested lien, claim or demand, indemnifying Lessor against liability for the same. If Lessor elects to participate in any such action, Lessee shall pay Lessor’s attorneys’ fees and costs.

 

7.4.      Ownership; Removal; Surrender; and Restoration .

 

(a)        Ownership. Subject to Lessor’s right to require removal or elect ownership as hereinafter provided, all Alterations and Utility Installations made by Lessee shall be the property of Lessee, but considered a part of the Premises. Lessor may, at any time, elect in writing to be the owner of all or any specified part of the Lessee Owned Alterations and Utility Installations. Unless otherwise instructed per paragraph 7.4(b) hereof, all Lessee Owned Alterations and Utility Installations shall, at the expiration or termination of this Lease, become the property of Lessor and be surrendered by Lessee with the Premises.

 

(b)        Removal. By delivery to Lessee of written notice from Lessor not earlier than 90 and not later than 30 days prior to the end of the term of this Lease, Lessor may require that any or all Lessee Owned Alterations or Utility Installations be removed by the expiration or termination of this Lease. Lessor may require the removal at any time of all or any part of any Lessee Owned Alterations or Utility Installations made without the required consent.

 

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(c)        Surrender; Restoration. Lessee shall surrender the Premises by the Expiration Date or any earlier termination date, with all of the improvements, parts and surfaces thereof broom clean and free of debris, and in good operating order, condition and state of repair, ordinary wear and tear excepted. “ Ordinary wear and tear ” shall not include any damage or deterioration that would have been prevented by good maintenance practice. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if this Lease is for 12 months or less, then Lessee shall surrender the Premises in the same condition as delivered to Lessee on the Start Date with NO allowance for ordinary wear and tear. Lessee shall repair any damage occasioned by the installation, maintenance or removal of Trade Fixtures, Lessee owned Alterations and/or Utility Installations, furnishings, and equipment as well as the removal of any storage tank installed by or for Lessee. Lessee shall completely remove from the Premises any and all Hazardous Substances brought onto the Premises by or for Lessee, or any third party (except Hazardous Substances which were deposited via underground migration from areas outside of the Premises) even if such removal would require Lessee to perform or pay for work that exceeds statutory requirements. Trade Fixtures shall remain the property of Lessee and shall be removed by Lessee. Any personal property of Lessee not removed on or before the Expiration Date or any earlier termination date shall be deemed to have been abandoned by Lessee and may be disposed of or retained by Lessor as Lessor may desire. The failure by Lessee to timely vacate the Premises pursuant to this Paragraph 7.4(c) without the express written consent of Lessor shall constitute a holdover under the provisions of Paragraph 26 below.

 

8.       Insurance; Indemnity.

 

8.1.      Payment For Insurance. Lessee shall pay for all insurance required under Paragraph 8 except to the extent of the cost attributable to liability insurance carried by Lessor under Paragraph 8.2(b) in excess of $2,000,000 per occurrence. Premiums for policy periods commencing prior to or extending beyond the Lease term shall be prorated to correspond to the Lease term. Payment shall be made by Lessee to Lessor within 10 days following receipt of an invoice.

 

8.2.      Liability Insurance.

 

(a)        Carried by Lessee. Lessee shall obtain and keep in force a Commercial General Liability policy of insurance protecting Lessee and Lessor as an additional insured against claims for bodily injury, personal injury and property damage based upon or arising out of the ownership, use, occupancy or maintenance of the Premises and all areas appurtenant thereto. Such insurance shall be on an occurrence basis providing single limit coverage in an amount not less than $1,000,000 per occurrence with an annual aggregate of not less than $2,000,000. Lessee shall add Lessor as an additional insured by means of an endorsement at least as broad as the Insurance Service Organization’s “ Additional Insured-Managers or Lessors of Premises ” Endorsement. The policy shall not contain any intra-insured exclusions as between insured persons or organizations, but shall include coverage for liability assumed under this Lease as an “insured contract” for the performance of Lessee’s indemnity obligations under this Lease. The limits of said insurance shall not, however, limit the liability of Lessee nor relieve Lessee of any obligation hereunder. Lessee shall provide an endorsement on its liability policy(ies) which provides that its insurance shall be primary to and not contributory with any similar insurance carried by Lessor, whose insurance shall be considered excess insurance only. Lessee shall be the insuring party.

 

(b)        Carried by Lessor. Lessor shall maintain liability insurance as described in Paragraph 8.2(a), in addition to, and not in lieu of, the insurance required to be maintained by Lessee. Lessee shall not be named as an additional insured therein.

 

8.3.      Property Insurance – Building; Improvements and Rental Value.

 

(a)        Building and Improvements. The Insuring Party shall obtain and keep in force a policy or policies in the name of Lessor, with loss payable to Lessor, any ground-lessor, and to any Lender insuring loss or damage to the Premises. The amount of such insurance shall be equal to the full insurable replacement cost of the Premises, as the same shall exist from time to time, or the amount required by any Lender, but in no event more than the commercially reasonable and available insurable value thereof. Lessee Owned Alterations and Utility Installations, Trade Fixtures, and Lessee’s personal property shall be insured by Lessee not by Lessor. If the coverage is available and commercially appropriate, such policy or polices shall insure against all risks of direct physical loss or damage (except the perils of flood and/or earthquake unless required by a Lender), including coverage for debris removal and the enforcement of any Applicable Requirements requiring the upgrading, demolition, reconstruction or replacement of any portion of the Premises as the result of a covered loss. Said policy or policies shall also contain an agreed valuation provision in lieu of any coinsurance clause, waiver of subrogation, and inflation guard protection causing an increase in the annual property insurance coverage amount by a factor of not less than the adjusted U.S. Department of Labor Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers for the city nearest to where the Premises are located. If such insurance coverage has a deductible clause, the deductible amount shall not exceed $5,000 per occurrence, and Lessee shall be liable for such deductible amount in the event of an Insured Loss.

 

(b)        Rental Value. The insuring Party shall obtain and keep in force a policy or policies in the name of Lessor with loss payable to Lessor and any Lender, insuring the loss of the full Rent for one year with an extended period of indemnity for an additional 180 days (“ Rental Value insurance ”). Said insurance shall contain an agreed valuation provision in lieu of any coinsurance clause, and the amount of coverage shall be adjusted annually to reflect the projected Rent otherwise payable by Lessee, for the next 12 month period. Lessee shall be liable for any deductible amount in the event of such loss.

 

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(c)        Adjacent Premises. If the Premises are part of a larger building, or of a group of buildings owned by Lessor which are adjacent to the Premises, the Lessee shall pay for any increase in the premiums for the property insurance of such building or buildings if said increase is caused by Lessee’s acts, omissions, use or occupancy of the Premises.

 

8.4.      Lessee’s Property; Business Interruption Insurance; Workers Compensation Insurance.

 

(a)        Property Damage. Lessee shall obtain and maintain insurance coverage on all of Lessee’s personal property, Trade Fixtures, and Lessee Owned Alterations and Utility Installations. Such insurance shall be full replacement cost coverage with a deductible not to exceed $1,000 per occurrence. The proceeds from any such insurance shall be used by Lessee for the replacement of personal properly, Trade Fixtures and Lessee Owned Alterations and Utility Installations.

 

(b)        Business Interruption. Lessee shall obtain and maintain loss of income and extra expense insurance in amounts as will reimburse Lessee for direct or indirect loss of earnings attributable to all perils commonly insured against by prudent lessees in the business of Lessee or attributable to prevention of access to the Premises as a result of such perils.

 

(c)        Worker’s Compensation Insurance. Lessee shall obtain and maintain Worker’s Compensation Insurance in such amount as may be required by Applicable Requirements. Such policy shall include a “ Waiver of Subrogation ” endorsement. Lessee shall provide Lessor with a copy of such endorsement along with the certificate of insurance or copy of the policy required by paragraph 8.5.

 

(d)        No Representation of Adequate Coverage. Lessor makes no representation that the limits or forms of coverage of insurance specified herein are adequate to cover Lessee’s property, business operations or obligations under this Lease.

 

8.5.      Insurance Policies. Insurance required herein shall be by companies maintaining during the policy term a “ General Policyholders Rating ” of at least A-, VII, as set forth in the most current issue of “Best’s Insurance Guide,” or such other rating as may be required by a Lender. Lessee shall not do or permit to be done anything which invalidates the required insurance policies. Lessee shall, prior to the Start Date, deliver to Lessor certified copies of policies of such insurance or certificates with copies of the required endorsements evidencing the existence and amounts of the required insurance. No such policy shall be cancelable or subject to modification except after 30 days prior written notice to Lessor. Lessee shall, at least 10 days prior to the expiration of such policies, furnish Lessor with evidence of renewals or “insurance binders” evidencing renewal thereof, or Lessor may order such insurance and charge the cost thereof to Lessee, which amount shall be payable by Lessee to Lessor upon demand. Such policies shall be for a term of at least one year, or the length of the remaining term of this Lease, whichever is less. If either Party shall fail to procure and maintain the insurance required to be carried by it, the other Party may, but shall not be required to, procure and maintain the same.

 

8.6.      Waiver of Subrogation. Without affecting any other rights or remedies, Lessee and Lessor each hereby release and relieve the other, and waive their entire right to recover damages against the other, for loss of or damage to its property arising out of or incident to the perils required to be insured against herein. The effect of such releases and waivers is not limited by the amount of insurance carried or required, or by any deductibles applicable hereto. The Parties agree to have their respective property damage insurance carriers waive any right to subrogation that such companies may have against Lessor or Lessee, as the case may be, so long as the insurance is not invalidated thereby.

 

8.7.      Indemnity. Except for Lessor’s gross negligence or willful misconduct, Lessee shall indemnify, protect, defend and hold harmless the Premises, Lessor and its agents, Lessor’s master or ground lessor, partners and Lenders, from and against any and all claims, loss of rents and/or damages, liens, judgments, penalties, attorneys’ and consultants’ fees, expenses and/or liabilities arising out of, involving, or in connection with, the use and/or occupancy of the Premises by Lessee if any action or proceeding is brought against Lessor by reason of any of the foregoing matters. Lessee shall upon notice defend the same at Lessee’s expense by counsel reasonably satisfactory to Lessor and Lessor shall cooperate with Lessee in such defense. Lessor need not have first paid any such claim in order to be defended or indemnified.

 

8.8.      Exemption of Lessor and Its Agents from Liability. Notwithstanding the negligence or breach of this Lease by Lessor or its agents, neither Lessor nor its agents, but excepting gross negligence, willful misconduct, or fraud by the Lessor, shall be liable under any circumstances for: (i) injury or damage to the person or goods, wares, merchandise or other property of Lessee, Lessee’s employees, contractors, invitees, customers, or any other person in or about the Premises, whether such damage or injury is caused by or results from fire, steam, electricity, gas, water or rain, indoor air quality, the presence of mold or from the breakage, leakage, obstruction or other defects of pipes, fire sprinklers, wires, appliances, plumbing, HVAC or lighting fixtures, or from any other cause, whether the said injury or damage results from conditions arising upon the Premises or upon other portions of the building of which the Premises are a part, or from other sources or places; (ii) any damages arising from any act or neglect of any other tenant of Lessor or from the failure of Lessor or its agents to enforce the provisions of any other lease in the Project; or (iii) injury to Lessee’s business or for any loss of income or profit therefrom. Instead, it is intended that Lessee’s sole recourse in the event of such damages or injury be to file a claim on the insurance policy(ies) that Lessee is required to maintain pursuant to the provisions of paragraph 8.

 

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8.9.      Failure to Provide Insurance. Lessee acknowledges that any failure on its part to obtain or maintain the insurance required herein will expose Lessor to risks and potentially cause Lessor to incur costs not contemplated by this Lease, the extent of which will be extremely difficult to ascertain. Accordingly, for any month or portion thereof that Lessee does not maintain the required insurance and/or does not provide Lessor with the required binders or certificates evidencing the existence of the required insurance, the Base Rent shall be automatically increased, without any requirement for notice to Lessee, by an amount equal to 10% of the then existing Base Rent or $100, whichever is greater. The parties agree that such increase in Base Rent represents fair and reasonable compensation for the additional risk/costs that Lessor will incur by reason of Lessee’s failure to maintain the required insurance. Such increase in Base Rent shall in no event constitute a waiver of Lessee’s Default or Breach with respect to the failure to maintain such insurance, prevent the exercise of any of the other rights and remedies granted hereunder, nor relieve Lessee of its obligation to maintain the insurance specified in this Lease.

 

9.       Damage or Destruction.

 

9.1.      Definitions.

 

(a)       “ Premises Partial Damage ” shall mean damage or destruction to the improvements on the Premises, other than Lessee Owned Alterations and Utility Installations, which can reasonably be repaired in 6 months or less from the date of the damage or destruction. Lessor shall notify Lessee in writing within 30 days from the date of the damage or destruction as to whether or not the damage is Partial or Total. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Premises Partial Damage shall not include damage to windows, doors, and/or other similar items which Lessee has the responsibility to repair or replace pursuant to the provisions of Paragraph 7.1.

 

(b)       “ Premises Total Destruction ” shall mean damage or destruction to the Premises, other than Lessee Owned Alterations and Utility Installations and Trade Fixtures, which cannot reasonably be repaired in 6 months or less from the date of the damage or destruction. Lessor shall notify Lessee in writing within 30 days from the date of the damage or destruction as to whether or not the damage is Partial or Total.

 

(c)       “ Insured Loss ” shall mean damage or destruction to improvements on the Premises, other than Lessee Owned Alterations and Utility Installations and Trade Fixtures, which was caused by an event required to be covered by the insurance described in Paragraph 8.3(a), irrespective of any deductible amounts or coverage limits involved.

 

(d)       “ Replacement Cost ” shall mean the cost to repair or rebuild the improvements owned by Lessor at the time of the occurrence to their condition existing immediately prior thereto, including demolition, debris removal and upgrading required by the operation of Applicable Requirements, and without deduction for depreciation.

 

(e)       “ Hazardous Substance Condition ” shall mean the occurrence or discovery of a condition involving the presence of, or a contamination by, a Hazardous Substance, in, on, or under the Premises which requires remediation.

 

9.2.      Partial Damage - Insured Loss. If a Premises Partial Damage that is an Insured Loss occurs, then Lessor shall, at Lessor’s expense, repair such damage (but not Lessee’s Trade Fixtures or Lessee Owned Alterations and Utility Installations) as soon as reasonably possible and this Lease shall continue in full force and effect; provided, however, that Lessee shall, at Lessor’s election, make the repair of any damage or destruction the total cost to repair of which is $10,000 or less, and, in such event, Lessor shall make any applicable insurance proceeds available to Lessee on a reasonable basis for that purpose. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the required insurance was not in force or the insurance proceeds are not sufficient to effect such repair, the Insuring Party shall promptly contribute the shortage in proceeds (except as to the deductible which is Lessee’s responsibility) as and when required to complete said repairs. In the event, however, such shortage was due to the fact that, by reason of the unique nature of the improvements, full replacement cost insurance coverage was not commercially reasonable and available, Lessor shall have no obligation to pay for the shortage in insurance proceeds or to fully restore the unique aspects of the Premises unless Lessee provides Lessor with the funds to cover same, or adequate assurance thereof, within 10 days following receipt of written notice of such shortage and request therefor. If Lessor receives said funds or adequate assurance thereof within said 10 day period, the party responsible for making the repairs shall complete them as soon as reasonably possible and this Lease shall remain in full force and effect. If such funds or assurance are not received, Lessor may nevertheless elect by written notice to Lessee within 10 days thereafter to: (i) make such restoration and repair as is commercially reasonable with Lessor paying any shortage in proceeds, in which case this Lease shall remain in full force and effect or (ii) have this Lease terminate 30 days thereafter. Lessee shall not be entitled to reimbursement of any funds contributed by Lessee to repair any such damage or destruction. Premises Partial Damage due to flood or earthquake shall be subject to Paragraph 9.3, notwithstanding that there may be some insurance coverage, but the net proceeds of any such insurance shall be made available for the repairs if made by either Party.

 

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9.3.      Partial Damage - Uninsured Loss. If a Premises Partial Damage that is not an Insured Loss occurs, unless caused by a negligent or willful act of Lessee (in which event Lessee shall make the repairs at Lessee’s expense), Lessor may either (i) repair such damage as soon as reasonably possible at Lessor’s expense, in which event this Lease shall continue in full force and effect, or (i) terminate this Lease by giving written notice to Lessee within 30 days after receipt by Lessor of knowledge of the occurrence of such damage. Such termination shall be effective 60 days following the date of such notice. In the event Lessor elects to terminate this Lease, Lessee shall have the right within 10 days after receipt of the termination notice to give written notice to Lessor of Lessee’s commitment to pay for the repair of such damage without reimbursement from Lessor. Lessee shall provide Lessor with said funds or satisfactory assurance thereof within 30 days after making such commitment. In such event, this Lease shall continue in full force and effect, and Lessor shall proceed to make such repairs as soon as reasonably possible after the required funds are available. If Lessee does not make the required commitment, this Lease shall terminate as of the date specified in the termination notice.

 

9.4.      Total Destruction. Notwithstanding any other provision hereof, if a Premises Total Destruction occurs, this Lease shall terminate 60 days following such Destruction. If the damage or destruction was caused by the gross negligence or willful misconduct of Lessee, Lessor shall have the right to recover Lessor’s damages from Lessee, except as provided in Paragraph 8.6.

 

9.5.      Damage Near End of Term. If at any time during the last 6 months of this Lease there is damage for which the cost to repair exceeds one month’s Base Rent, whether or not an Insured Loss. Lessor may terminate this Lease effective 60 days following the date of occurrence of such damage by giving a written termination notice to Lessee within 30 days after the date of occurrence of such damage. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if Lessee at that time has an exercisable option to extend this Lease or to purchase the Premises, then Lessee may preserve this Lease by, (a) exercising such option and (b) providing Lessor with any shortage in insurance proceeds (or adequate assurance thereof) needed to make the repairs on or before the earlier of (i) the date which is 10 days after Lessee’s receipt of Lessor’s written notice purporting to terminate this Lease, or (ii) the day prior to the date upon which such option expires. If Lessee duly exercises such option during such period and provides Lessor with funds (or adequate assurance thereof) to cover any shortage in insurance proceeds, Lessor shall, at Lessor’s commercially reasonable expense, repair such damage as soon as reasonably possible and this Lease shall continue in full force and effect. If Lessee fails to exercise such option and provide such funds or assurance during such period, then this Lease shall terminate on the date specified in the termination notice and Lessee’s option shall be extinguished.

 

9.6.      Abatement of Rent; Lessee’s Remedies.

 

(a)        Abatement. In the event of Premises Partial Damage or Premises Total Destruction or a Hazardous Substance Condition for which Lessee is not responsible under this Lease, the Rent payable by Lessee for the period required for the repair, remediation or restoration of such damage shall be abated in proportion to the degree to which Lessee’s use of the Premises is impaired, but not to exceed the proceeds received from the Rental Value insurance. All other obligations of Lessee hereunder shall be performed by Lessee, and Lessor shall have no liability for any such damage, destruction, remediation, repair or restoration except as provided herein.

 

(b)        Remedies. If Lessor is obligated to repair or restore the Premises and does not commence, in a substantial and meaningful way, such repair or restoration within 90 days after such obligation shall accrue. Lessee may, at any time prior to the commencement of such repair or restoration, give written notice to Lessor and to any Lenders of which Lessee has actual notice, of Lessee’s election to terminate this Lease on a date not less than 60 days following the giving of such notice. If Lessee gives such notice and such repair or restoration is not commenced within 30 days thereafter, this Lease shall terminate as of the date specified in said notice. If the repair or restoration is commenced within such 30 days, this Lease shall continue in full force and effect. “ Commence ” shall mean either the unconditional authorization of the preparation of the required plans, or the beginning of the actual work on the Premises, whichever first occurs.

 

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9.7.      Termination; Advance Payments. Upon termination of this Lease pursuant to Paragraph 6.2(g) or Paragraph 9, an equitable adjustment shall be made concerning advance Base Rent and any other advance payments made by Lessee to Lessor. Lessor shall, in addition, return to Lessee so much of Lessee’s Security Deposit as has not been, or is not then required to be, used by Lessor.

 

10.     Real Property Taxes.

 

10.1.    Definition. As used herein, the term “ Real Property Taxes ” shall include any form of assessment; real estate, general, special, ordinary or extraordinary, or rental levy or tax (other than inheritance, personal income or estate taxes); improvement bond; and/or license fee imposed upon or levied against any legal or equitable interest of Lessor in the Premises or the Project. Lessor’s right to other income therefrom, and/or Lessor’s business of leasing, by any authority having the direct or indirect power to tax and where the funds are generated with reference to the Building address and where the proceeds so generated are to be applied by the city, county or other local taxing authority of a jurisdiction within which the Premises are located. Real Property Taxes shall also include any tax, fee, levy, assessment or charge, or any increase therein: (i) imposed by reason of events occurring during the term of this Lease, including but not limited to, a change in the ownership of the Premises; and (ii) levied or assessed on machinery or equipment provided by Lessor to Lessee pursuant to this Lease.

 

10.2.    Payment of Taxes. In addition to Base Rent, Lessee shall pay to Lessor an amount equal to the Real Property Tax installment due at least 20 days prior to the applicable delinquency date. If any such installment shall cover any period of time prior to or after the expiration or termination of this Lease, Lessee’s share of such installment shall be prorated. In the event Lessee incurs a late charge on any Rent payment, Lessor may estimate the current Real Property Taxes, and require that such taxes be paid in advance to Lessor by Lessee monthly in advance with the payment of the Base Rent. Such monthly payments shall be an amount equal to the amount of the estimated installment of taxes divided by the number of months remaining before the month in which said installment becomes delinquent. When the actual amount of the applicable tax bill is known, the amount of such equal monthly advance payments shall be adjusted as required to provide the funds needed to pay the applicable taxes. If the amount collected by Lessor is insufficient to pay such Real Property Taxes when due, Lessee shall pay Lessor, upon demand, such additional sum as is necessary. Advance payments may be intermingled with other moneys of Lessor and shall not bear interest. In the event of a Breach by Lessee in the performance of its obligations under this Lease, then any such advance payments may be treated by Lessor as an additional Security Deposit.

 

10.3.    Joint Assessment . If the Premises are not separately assessed, Lessee’s liability shall be an equitable proportion of the Real Property Taxes for all of the land and improvements included within the tax parcel assessed; such proportion to be conclusively determined by Lessor from the respective valuations assigned in the assessor’s work sheets or such other information as may be reasonably available.

 

10.4.    Personal Property Taxes. Lessee shall pay, prior to delinquency, all taxes assessed against and levied upon Lessee Owned Alterations, Utility Installations, Trade Fixtures, furnishings, equipment and all personal property of Lessee. When possible, Lessee shall cause its Lessee Owned Alterations and Utility Installations, Trade Fixtures, furnishings, equipment and all other personal property to be assessed and billed separately from the real property of Lessor. If any of Lessee’s said property shall be assessed with Lessor’s real property, Lessee shall pay Lessor the taxes attributable to Lessee’s property within 10 days after receipt of a written statement setting forth the taxes applicable to Lessee’s property.

 

11.     Utilities and Services. Lessee shall pay for all water, gas, heat, light, power, telephone, trash disposal and other utilities and services supplied to the Premises, together with any taxes thereon. If any such services are not separately metered or billed to Lessee, Lessee shall pay a reasonable proportion, to be determined by Lessor, of all charges jointly metered or billed. There shall be no abatement of rent and Lessor shall not be liable in any respect whatsoever for the inadequacy, stoppage, interruption or discontinuance of any utility or service due to riot, strike, labor dispute, breakdown, accident, repair or other cause beyond Lessor’s reasonable control or in cooperation with governmental request or directions.

 

12.     Assignment and Subletting.

 

12.1.    Lessor’s Consent Required.

 

(a)       Lessee shall not voluntarily or by operation of law assign, transfer, mortgage or encumber (collectively, “ assign or assignment ”) or sublet all or any part of Lessee’s interest in this Lease or in the Premises without Lessor’s prior written consent, with the exception of affiliate transfers and corporate reorganizations.

 

(b)       Unless Lessee is a corporation and its stock is publicly traded on a national stock exchange, a change in the control of Lessee shall constitute an assignment requiring consent. The transfer, on a cumulative basis of 25% or more than 50% of the voting control of Lessee shall constitute a change in control for this purpose.

 

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(c)       The involvement of Lessee or its assets in any transaction, or series of transactions (by way of merger, sale, acquisition, financing, transfer, leveraged buy-out or otherwise), whether or not a formal assignment or hypothecation of this Lease or Lessee’s assets occurs, which results or will result in a reduction of the Net Worth of Lessee by an amount greater than 25% of such Net Worth as it was represented at the time of the execution of this Lease or at the time of the most recent assignment to which Lessor has consented, or as it exists immediately prior to said transaction or transactions constituting such reduction, whichever was or is greater, shall be considered an assignment of this Lease to which Lessor may withhold its consent. “ Net Worth of Lessee ” shall mean the net worth of Lessee (excluding any guarantors) established under generally accepted accounting principles.

 

(d)       An assignment or subletting without consent shall, at Lessor’s option, be a Default curable after notice per Paragraph 13.1(c), or a noncurable Breach without the necessity of any notice and grace period. If Lessor elects to treat such unapproved assignment or subletting as a noncurable Breach, Lessor may either: (i) terminate this Lease, or (ii) upon 30 days written notice, increase the monthly Base Rent to 110% of the Base Rent then in effect. Further, in the event of such Breach and rental adjustment: (i) the purchase price of any option to purchase the Premises held by Lessee shall be subject to similar adjustment to 110% of the price previously in effect, and (ii) all fixed and non-fixed rental adjustments scheduled during the remainder of the Lease term shall be increased to 110% of the scheduled adjusted rent.

 

(e)       Lessee’s remedy for any breach of Paragraph 12.1 by Lessor shall be limited to compensatory damages and/or injunctive relief.

 

(f)       Lessor may reasonably withhold consent to a proposed assignment or subletting if Lessee is in Default at the time consent is requested.

 

(g)       Notwithstanding the foregoing, allowing a de minimis portion of the Premises, ie, 20 square feet or less, to be used by a third party vendor in connection with the installation of a vending machine or payphone shall not constitute a subletting.

 

12.2.    Terms and Conditions Applicable to Assignment and Subletting.

 

(a)       Regardless of Lessor’s consent, no assignment or subletting shall: (i) be effective without the express written assumption by such assignee or sublessee of the obligations of Lessee under this Lease, (ii) release Lessee of any obligations hereunder, or (iii) after the primary liability of Lessee for the payment of Rent or for the performance of any other obligations to be performed by Lessee.

 

(b)       Lessor may accept Rent or performance of Lessee’s obligations from any person other than Lessee pending approval or disapproval of an assignment. Neither a delay in the approval or disapproval of such assignment nor the acceptance of Rent or performance shall constitute a waiver or estoppel of Lessor’s right to exercise its remedies for Lessee’s Default or Breach.

 

(c)       Lessor’s consent to any assignment or subletting shall not constitute a consent to any subsequent assignment or subletting.

 

(d)       In the event of any Default or Breach by Lessee, Lessor may proceed directly against Lessee, any Guarantors or anyone else responsible for the performance of Lessee’s obligations under this Lease, including any assignee or sublessee, without first exhausting Lessor’s remedies against any other person or entity responsible therefor to Lessor, or any security held by Lessor.

 

(e)       Each request for consent to an assignment or subletting shall be in writing, accompanied by information relevant to Lessor’s determination as to the financial and operational responsibility and appropriateness of the proposed assignee or sublessee, including but not limited to the intended use and/or required modification of the Premises, if any, together with a fee of $500 as consideration for Lessor’s considering and processing said request. Lessee agrees to provide Lessor with such other or additional information and/or documentation as may be reasonably requested. (See also Paragraph 36).

 

(f)       Any assignee of, or sublessee under, this Lease shall, by reason of accepting such assignment, entering into such sublease, or entering into possession of the Premises or any portion thereof, be deemed to have assumed and agreed to conform and comply with each and every term, covenant, condition and obligation herein to be observed or performed by Lessee during the term of said assignment or sublease, other than such obligations as are contrary to or inconsistent with provisions of an assignment or sublease to which Lessor has specifically consented to in writing.

 

(g)       Lessor’s consent to any assignment or subletting shall not transfer to the assignee or sublessee any Option granted to the original Lessee by this Lease unless such transfer is specifically consented to by Lessor in writing. (See Paragraph 39.2).

 

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12.3.    Additional Terms and Conditions Applicable to Subletting. The following terms and conditions shall apply to any subletting by Lessee of all or any part of the Premises and shall be deemed included in all subleases under this Lease whether or not expressly incorporated therein:

 

(a)       Lessee hereby assigns and transfers to Lessor all of Lessee’s interest in all Rent payable on any sublease, and Lessor may collect such Rent and apply same toward Lessee’s obligations under this Lease; provided, however, that until a Breach shall occur in the performance of Lessee’s obligations, Lessee may collect said Rent. In the event that the amount collected by Lessor exceeds Lessee’s then outstanding obligations, any such excess shall be refunded to Lessee. Lessor shall not, by reason of the foregoing or any assignment of such sublease, nor by reason of the collection of Rent, be deemed liable to the sublessee for any failure of Lessee to perform and comply with any of Lessee’s obligations to such sublessee. Lessee hereby irrevocably authorizes and directs any such sublessee, upon receipt of a written notice from Lessor stating that a Breach exists in the performance of Lessee’s obligations under this Lease, to pay to Lessor all Rent due and to become due under the sublease. Sublessee shall rely upon any such notice from Lessor and shall pay all Rents to Lessor without any obligation or right to inquire as to whether such Breach exists, notwithstanding any claim from Lessee to the contrary.

 

(b)       In the event of a Breach by Lessee, Lessor may, at its option, require sublessee to attorn to Lessor, in which event Lessor shall undertake the obligations of the sublessor under such sublease from the time of the exercise of said option to the expiration of such sublease; provided, however, Lessor shall not be liable for any prepaid rents or security deposit paid by such sublessee to such sublessor or for any prior Defaults or Breaches of such sublessor.

 

(c)       Any matter requiring the consent of the sublessor under a sublease shall also require the consent of Lessor.

 

(d)       No sublessee shall further assign or sublet all or any part of the Premises without Lessor’s prior written consent.

 

(e)       Lessor shall deliver a copy of any notice of Default or Breach by Lessee to the sublessee, who shall have the right to cure the Default of Lessee within the grace period, if any, specified in such notice. The sublessee shall have a right of reimbursement and offset from and against Lessee for any such Defaults cured by the sublessee.

 

13.     Default; Breach; Remedies.

 

13.1.    Default; Breach. A “ Default ” is defined as a failure by the Lessee to comply with or perform any of the terms, covenants, conditions or Rules and Regulations under this Lease. A “ Breach ” is defined as the occurrence of one or more of the following Defaults, and the failure of Lessee to cure such Default within any applicable grace period:

 

(a)       The abandonment of the Premises, or the vacating of the Premises without providing a commercially reasonable level of security, or where the coverage of the property insurance described In Paragraph 8.3 is jeopardized as a result thereof, or without providing reasonable assurances to minimize potential vandalism.

 

(b)       The failure of Lessee to make any payment of Rent or any Security Deposit required to be made by Lessee hereunder, whether to Lessor or to a third party, when due, to provide reasonable evidence of insurance or surety bond, or to fulfill any obligation under this Lease which endangers or threatens life or property, where such failure continues for a period of 3 business days following written notice to Lessee. THE ACCEPTANCE BY LESSOR OF A PARTIAL PAYMENT OF RENT OR SECURITY DEPOSIT SHALL NOT CONSTITUTE A WAIVER OF ANY OF LESSOR’S RIGHTS, INCLUDING LESSOR’S RIGHT TO RECOVER POSSESSION OF THE PREMISES.

 

(c)       The failure of Lessee to allow Lessor and/or its agents access to the Premises or the commission of waste, act or acts constituting public or private nuisance, and/or an illegal activity on the Premises by Lessee, where such actions continue for a period of 3 business days following written notice to Lessee.

 

(d)       The failure by Lessee to provide (i) reasonable written evidence of compliance with Applicable Requirements, (ii) the service contracts, (iii) the rescission of an unauthorized assignment or subletting, (iv) an Estoppel Certificate or financial statements, (v) a requested subordination, (vi) evidence concerning any guaranty and/or Guarantor, (vii) any document requested under Paragraph 42, (viii) material safety data sheets (MSDS), or (ix) any other documentation or information which Lessor may reasonably require of Lessee under the terms of this Lease, where any such failure continues for a period of 10 days following written notice to Lessee.

 

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(e)       A Default by Lessee as to the terms, covenants, conditions or provisions of this Lease, or of the rules adopted under Paragraph 40 hereof, other than those described in subparagraphs 13.1(a), (b), (c) or (d), above where such Default continues for a period of 30 days after written notice; provided, however, that if the nature of Lessee’s Default is such that more than 30 days are reasonably required for its cure, then it shall not be deemed to be a Breach if Lessee commences such cure within said 30 day period and thereafter diligently prosecutes such cure to completion.

 

(f)       The occurrence of any of the following events: (i) the making of any general arrangement or assignment for the benefit of creditors; (ii) becoming a “debtor” as defined in 11 U.S.C. §101 or any successor statute thereto (unless, in the case of a petition filed against Lessee, the same is dismissed within 60 days); (iii) the appointment of a trustee or receiver to take possession of substantially all of Lessee’s assets located at the Premises or of Lessee’s interest in this Lease, where possession is not restored to Lessee within 30 days; or (v) the attachment, execution or other judicial seizure of substantially all of Lessee’s assets located at the Premises or of Lessee’s interest in this Lease, where such seizure is not discharged within 30 days; provided, however, in the event that any provision of this subparagraph is contrary to any applicable law, such provision shall be of no force or effect, and not affect the validity of the remaining provisions.

 

(g)       The discovery that any financial statement of Lessee or of any Guarantor given to Lessor was materially false.

 

(h)       If the performance of Lessee’s obligations under this Lease is guaranteed: (i) the death of a Guarantor; (ii) the termination of a Guarantor’s liability with respect to this Lease other than in accordance with the terms of such guaranty; (iii) a Guarantor’s becoming insolvent or the subject of a bankruptcy filing; (iv) a Guarantor’s refusal to honor the guaranty; or (v) a Guarantor’s breach of its guaranty obligation on an anticipatory basis, and Lessee’s failure, within 60 days following written notice of any such event, to provide written alternative assurance or security, which, when coupled with the then existing resources of Lessee, equals or exceeds the combined financial resources of Lessee and the Guarantors that existed at the time of execution of this Lease.

 

13.2.    Remedies. If Lessee fails to perform any of its affirmative duties or obligations, within 10 days after written notice (or in case of an emergency, without notice), Lessor may, at its option, perform such duty or obligation on Lessee’s behalf, including but not limited to the obtaining of reasonably required bonds, insurance policies, or governmental licenses, permits or approvals. Lessee shall pay to Lessor an amount equal to 115% of the costs and expenses incurred by Lessor in such performance upon receipt of an invoice therefor in the event of a Breach. Lessor may, with or without further notice or demand, and without limiting Lessor in the exercise of any right or remedy which Lessor may have by reason of such Breach:

 

(a)       Terminate Lessee’s right to possession of the Premises by any lawful means, in which case this Lease shall terminate and Lessee shall immediately surrender possession to Lessor. In such event Lessor shall be entitled to recover from Lessee: (i) the unpaid Rent which had been earned at the time of termination; (ii) the worth at the time of award of the amount by which the unpaid rent which would have been earned after termination until the time of award exceeds the amount of such rental loss that the Lessee proves could have been reasonably avoided; (iii) the worth at the time of award of the amount by which the unpaid rent for the balance of the term after the time of award exceeds the amount of such rental loss that the Lessee proves could be reasonably avoided; and (iv) any other amount necessary to compensate Lessor for all the detriment proximately caused by the Lessee’s failure to perform its obligations under this Lease or which in the ordinary course of things would be likely to result therefrom, including but not limited to the cost of recovering possession of the Premises, expenses of releting, including necessary renovation and alteration of the Premises, reasonable attorneys’ fees, and that portion of any leasing commission paid by Lessor in connection with this Lease applicable to the unexpired term of this Lease. The worth at the time of award of the amount referred to in provision (iii) of the immediately preceding sentence shall be computed by discounting such amount at the discount rate of the Federal Reserve Bank of the District within which the Premises are located at the time of award plus one percent. Efforts by Lessor to mitigate damages caused by Lessee’s Breach of this Lease shall not waive Lessor’s right to recover any damages to which Lessor is otherwise entitled. If termination of this Lease is obtained through the provisional remedy of unlawful detainer, Lessor shall have the right to recover in such proceeding any unpaid Rent and damages as are recoverable therein, or Lessor may reserve the right to recover all or any part thereof in a separate suit. If a notice and grace period required under Paragraph 13.1 was not previously given, a notice to pay rent or quit, or to perform or quit given to Lessee under the unlawful detainer statute shall also constitute the notice required by Paragraph 13.1. In such case, the applicable grace period required by Paragraph 13.1 and the unlawful detainer statute shall run concurrently, and the failure of Lessee to cure the Default within the greater of the two such grace periods shall constitute both an unlawful detainer and a Breach of this Lease entitling Lessor to the remedies provided for in this Lease and/or by said statute.

 

(b)       Continue the Lease and Lessee’s right to possession and recover the Rent as it becomes due, in which event Lessee may sublet or assign, subject only to reasonable limitations. Acts of maintenance, efforts to relet, and/or the appointment of a receiver to protect the Lessor’s interests, shall not constitute a termination of the Lessee’s right to possession.

 

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(c)       Pursue any other remedy now or hereafter available under the laws or judicial decisions of the state wherein the Premises are located. The expiration or termination of this Lease and/or the termination of Lessee’s right to possession shall not relieve Lessee from liability under any indemnity provisions of this Lease as to matters occurring or accruing during the term hereof or by reason of Lessee’s occupancy of the Premises.

 

13.3.    Inducement Recapture. Any agreement for free or abated rent or other charges, or for the giving or paying by Lessor to or for Lessee of any cash or other bonus, inducement or consideration for Lessee’s entering into this Lease, all of which concessions are hereinafter referred to as “ Inducement Provisions ,” shall be deemed conditioned upon Lessee’s full and faithful performance of all of the terms, covenants and conditions of this Lease. Upon Breach of this Lease by Lessee, any such Inducement Provision shall automatically be deemed deleted from this Lease and of no further force or effect, and any rent, other charge, bonus, inducement or consideration theretofore abated, given or paid by Lessor under such an inducement Provision shall be immediately due and payable by Lessee to Lessor, notwithstanding any subsequent cure of said Breach by Lessee. The acceptance by Lessor of rent or the cure of the Breach which initiated the operation of this paragraph shall not be deemed a waiver by Lessor of the provisions of this paragraph unless specifically so stated in writing by Lessor at the time of such acceptance.

 

13.4.    Late Charges. Lessee hereby acknowledges that late payment by Lessee of Rent will cause Lessor to incur costs not contemplated by this Lease, the exact amount of which will be extremely difficult to ascertain. Such costs include, but are not limited to, processing and accounting charges, and late charges which may be imposed upon Lessor by any Lender. Accordingly, if any Rent shall not be received by Lessor within 5 days after such amount shall be due, then, without any requirement for notice to Lessee, Lessee shall immediately pay to Lessor a one-time late charge equal to 10% of each such overdue amount or $100, whichever is greater. The Parties hereby agree that such late charge represents a fair and reasonable estimate of the costs Lessor will incur by reason of such late payment. Acceptance of such late charge by Lessor shall in no event constitute a waiver of Lessee’s Default or Breach with respect to such overdue amount, nor prevent the exercise of any of the other rights and remedies granted hereunder. In the event that a late charge is payable hereunder, whether or not collected, for 3 consecutive installments of Base Rent, then notwithstanding any provision of this Lease to the contrary, Base Rent shall, at Lessor’s option, become due and payable quarterly in advance. Lessor shall grant Lessee one (1) waiver of the foregoing late charge each calendar year.

 

13.5.    Interest. Any monetary payment due Lessor hereunder, other than late charges, not received by Lessor, when due as to scheduled payments (such as Base Rent) or within 30 days following the date on which it was due for non-scheduled payment, shall bear interest from the date when due, as to scheduled payments, or the 31st day after it was due as to non-scheduled payments. The interest (“ Interest ”) charged shall be computed at the rate of 10% per annum but shall not exceed the maximum rate allowed by law. Interest is payable in addition to the potential late charge provided for in Paragraph 13.4.

 

13.6.    Breach by Lessor.

 

(a)        Notice of Breach. Lessor shall not be deemed in breach of this Lease unless Lessor fails within a reasonable lime to perform an obligation required to be performed by Lessor. For purposes of this Paragraph, a reasonable time shall in no event be less than 30 days after receipt by Lessor, and any Lender whose name and address shall have been furnished Lessee in writing for such purpose, of written notice specifying wherein such obligation of Lessor has not been performed; provided, however, that if the nature of Lessor’s obligation is such that more than 30 days are reasonably required for its performance, then Lessor shall not be in breach if performance is commenced within such 30 day period and thereafter diligently pursued to completion.

 

(b)        Performance by Lessee on Behalf of Lessor . In the event that neither Lessor nor Lender cures said breach within 30 days after receipt of said notice, or if having commenced said cure they do not diligently pursue it to completion, then Lessee may elect to cure said breach at Lessee’s expense and offset from Rent the actual and reasonable cost to perform such cure; provided, however, that such offset shall not exceed an amount equal to the greater of one month’s Base Rent or the Security Deposit, reserving Lessee’s right to seek reimbursement from Lessor for any such expense in excess of such offset. Lessee shall document the cost of said cure and supply said documentation to Lessor.

 

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14.     Condemnation. If the Premises or any portion thereof are taken under the power of eminent domain or sold under the threat of the exercise of said power (collectively “ Condemnation ”), this Lease shall terminate as to the part taken as of the date the condemning authority takes title or possession, whichever first occurs. If more than 10% of the Building, or more than 25% of that portion of the Premises not occupied by any building, is taken by Condemnation, Lessee may, at Lessee’s option, to be exercised in writing within 10 days after Lessor shall have given Lessee written notice of such taking (or in the absence of such notice, within 10 days after the condemning authority shall have taken possession) terminate this Lease as of the date the condemning authority takes such possession. If Lessee does not terminate this Lease in accordance with the foregoing, this Lease shall remain in full force and effect as to the portion of the Premises remaining, except that the Base Rent shall be reduced in proportion to the reduction in utility of the Premises caused by such Condemnation. Condemnation awards and/or payments shall be the property of Lessor, whether such award shall be made as compensation for diminution in value of the leasehold, the value of the part taken, or for severance damages; provided, however, that Lessee shall be entitled to any compensation paid by the condemnor for Lessee’s relocation expenses, loss of business goodwill and/or Trade Fixtures, without regard to whether or not this Lease is terminated pursuant to the provisions of this Paragraph. All Alterations and Utility Installations made to the Premises by Lessee, for purposes of Condemnation only, shall be considered the property of the Lessee and Lessee shall be entitled to any and all compensation which is payable therefor. In the event that this Lease is not terminated by reason of the Condemnation, Lessor shall repair any damage to the Premises caused by such Condemnation.

 

15.     Brokerage Fees.

 

15.1.    Additional Commission. In addition to the payments owed pursuant to Paragraph 1.9 above, and unless Lessor and the Brokers otherwise agree in writing, Lessor agrees that (a) if Lessee exercises any Option, (b) if Lessee or anyone affiliated with Lessee acquires any rights to the Premises or other premises owned by Lessor and located within the same Project, if any, within which the Premises is located, (c) if Lessee remains in possession of the Premises, with the consent of Lessor, after the expiration of this Lease, or (d) if Base Rent is increased, whether by agreement or operation of an escalation clause herein, then Lessor shall pay Brokers a fee in accordance with the fee schedule of the Brokers in effect at the time the Lease was executed.

 

15.2.    Assumption of Obligations. Any buyer or transferee of Lessor’s interest in this Lease shall be deemed to have assumed Lessor’s obligation hereunder. Brokers shall be third patty beneficiaries of the provisions of Paragraphs 1.9, 15, 22 and 31. If Lessor fails to pay to Brokers any amounts due as and for brokerage fees pertaining to this Lease when due, then such amounts shall accrue Interest. In addition, if Lessor fails to pay any amounts to Lessee’s Broker when due, Lessee’s Broker may send written notice to Lessor and Lessee of such failure and if Lessor fails to pay such amounts within 10 days after said notice, Lessee shall pay said monies to its Broker and offset such amounts against Rent. In addition, Lessee’s Broker shall be deemed to be a third party beneficiary of any commission agreement entered into by and/or between Lessor and Lessor’s Broker for the limited purpose of collecting any brokerage fee owed.

 

15.3.    Representations and Indemnities of Broker Relationships. Lessee and Lessor each represent and warrant to the other that it has had no dealings with any person, firm, broker or finder (other than the Brokers, if any) in connection with this Lease, and that no one other than said named Brokers is entitled to any commission or finder’s fee in connection herewith. Lessee and Lessor do each hereby agree to indemnify, protect, defend and hold the other harmless from and against liability for compensation or charges which may be claimed by any such unnamed broker, finder or other similar party by reason of any dealings or actions of the indemnifying Party, including any costs, expenses, attorneys’ fees reasonably incurred with respect thereto.

 

16.     Estoppel Certificates.

 

(a)       Each Party (as “ Responding Party” ) shall within 10 days after written notice from the other Party (the “ Requesting Party ”) execute, acknowledge and deliver to the Requesting Party a statement in writing in form similar to the then most current “ Estoppel Certificate ” form published by the AIR Commercial Real Estate Association, plus such additional information, confirmation and/or statements as may be reasonably requested by the Requesting Party. Any such request may only be made once per calendar year by Lessee.

 

(b)       If the Responding Party shall fail to execute or deliver the Estoppel Certificate within such 10 day period, the Requesting Party may execute an Estoppel Certificate stating that: (i) the Lease is in full force and effect without modification except as may be represented by the Requesting Party, (ii) there are no uncured defaults in the Requesting Party’s performance, and (iii) if Lessor is the Requesting Party, not more than one month’s rent has been paid in advance. Prospective purchasers and encumbrancers may rely upon the Requesting Party’s Estoppel Certificate, and the Responding Party shall be estopped from denying the truth of the facts contained in said Certificate. In addition, Lessee acknowledges that any failure on its part to provide such an Estoppel Certificate will expose Lessor to risks and potentially cause Lessor to incur costs not contemplated by this Lease, the extent of which will be extremely difficult to ascertain. Accordingly, should the Lessee fail to execute and/or deliver a requested Estoppel Certificate in a timely fashion, the monthly Base Rent shall be automatically increased, without any requirement for notice to Lessee, by an amount equal to 10% of the then existing Base Rent or $100, whichever is greater for remainder of the Lease. The Parties agree that such increase in Base Rent represents fair and reasonable compensation for the additional risk/costs that Lessor will incur by reason of Lessee’s failure to provide the Estoppel Certificate. Such increase in Base Rent shall in no event constitute a waiver of Lessee’s Default or Breach with respect to the failure to provide the Estoppel Certificate nor prevent the exercise of any of the other rights and remedies granted hereunder.

 

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(c)       If Lessor desires to finance, refinance or sell the Premises or any part thereof, Lessee and all Guarantors shall within 10 days after written notice from Lessor deliver to any potential lender or purchaser designated by Lesser such financial statements as may be reasonably required by such lender or purchaser, including but not limited to, Lessee’s financial statements for the past 3 years. All such financial statements shall be received by Lessor and such lender or purchaser in confidence and shall be used only for the purposes herein set forth.

 

17.     Definition of Lessor. The term “ Lessor ” as used herein shall mean the owner or owners at the time in question of the fee title to the Premises, or, if this is a sublease, of the Lessee’s interest in the prior lease in the event of a transfer of Lessor’s title or interest in the Premises or this Lease. Lessor shall deliver to the transferee or assignee (in cash or by credit) any unused Security Deposit held by Lessor. Upon such transfer or assignment and delivery of the Security Deposit, as aforesaid, the prior Lessor shall be relieved of all liability with respect to the obligations and/or covenants under this Lease thereafter to be performed by the Lessor. Subject to the foregoing, the obligations and/or covenants in this Lease to be performed by the Lessor shall be binding only upon the Lessor as hereinabove defined.

 

18.     Severability. The invalidity of any provision of this Lease, as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction, shall in no way affect the validity of any other provision hereof.

 

19.     Days. Unless otherwise specifically indicated to the contrary, the word “days” as used in this Lease shall mean and refer to calendar days.

 

20.     Limitation on Liability. The obligations of Lessor under this Lease shall not constitute personal obligations of Lessor or its partners, members, directors, officers or shareholders, and Lessee shall look to the Premises, and to no other assets of Lessor, for the satisfaction of any liability of Lessor with respect to this Lease, and shall not seek recourse against Lessor’s partners, members, directors, officers or shareholders, or any of their personal assets for such satisfaction.

 

21.     Time of Essence. Time is of the essence with respect to the performance of all obligations to be performed or observed by the Parties under this Lease.

 

22.     No Prior or Other Agreements; Broker Disclaimer. This Lease contains all agreements between the Parties with respect to any matter mentioned herein, and no other prior or contemporaneous agreement or understanding shall be effective. Lessor and Lessee each represents and warrants to the Brokers that it has made, and is relying solely upon, its own investigation as to the nature, quality, character and financial responsibility of the other Party to this Lease and as to the use, nature, quality and character of the Premises Brokers have no responsibility with respect thereto or with respect to any default or breach hereof by either Party.

 

23.     Notices.

 

23.1.    Notice Requirements. All notices required or permitted by this Lease or applicable law shall be in writing and may be delivered in person (by hand or by courier) or may be sent by regular, certified or registered mail or U.S. Postal Service Express Mail, with postage prepaid or by facsimile transmission, and shall be deemed sufficiently given it served in a manner specified in this Paragraph 23. The addresses noted adjacent to a Party’s signature on this Lease shall be that Party’s address for delivery or mailing of notices. Either Party may by written notice to the other specify a different address for notice, except that upon Lessee’s taking possession of the Premises, the Premises shall constitute Lessee’s address for notice. A copy of all notices to Lessor shall be concurrently transmitted to such party or parties at such addresses as Lessor may from time to time hereafter designate in writing.

 

23.2.    Date of Notice. Any notice sent by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, shall be deemed given on the date of delivery shown on the receipt card, or if no delivery date is shown, the postmark thereon. if sent by regular mail the notice shall be deemed given 72 hours after the same is addressed as required herein and mailed with postage prepaid. Notices delivered by United States Express Mail or overnight courier that guarantees next day delivery shall be deemed given 24 hours after delivery of the same to the Postal Service or courier. Notices transmitted by facsimile transmission or similar means shall be deemed delivered upon telephone confirmation of receipt (confirmation report from fax machine is sufficient), provided a copy is also delivered via delivery or mail. If notice is received on a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday, it shall be deemed received on the next business day.

 

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24.     Waivers.

 

(a)       No waiver by Lessor of the Default or Breach of any term, covenant or condition hereof by Lessee, shall be deemed a waiver of any other term, covenant or condition hereof, or of any subsequent Default or Breach by Lessee of the same or of any other term, covenant or condition hereof. Lessor’s consent to, or approval of, any act shall not be deemed to render unnecessary the obtaining of Lessor’s consent to, or approval of, any subsequent or similar act by Lessee, or be construed as the basis of an estoppel to enforce the provision or provisions of this Lease requiring such consent.

 

(b)       The acceptance of Rent by Lessor shall not be a waiver of any Default or Breach by Lessee. Any payment by Lessee may be accepted by Lessor on account of moneys or damages due Lessor, notwithstanding any qualifying statements or conditions made by Lessee in connection therewith, which such statements and/or conditions shall be of no force or effect whatsoever unless specifically agreed to in writing by Lessor at or before the time of deposit of such payment.

 

(c)       THE PARTIES AGREE THAT THE TERMS OF THIS LEASE SHALL GOVERN WITH REGARD TO ALL MATTERS RELATED THERETO AND HEREBY WAIVE THE PROVISIONS OF ANY PRESENT OR FUTURE STATUTE TO THE EXTENT THAT SUCH STATUTE IS INCONSISTENT WITH THIS LEASE.

 

25.     Disclosures Regarding the Nature of a Real Estate Agency Relationship.

 

(a)       When entering into a discussion with a real estate agent regarding a real estate transaction, a Lessor or Lessee should from the outset understand what type of agency relationship or representation it has with the agent or agents in the transaction. Lessor and Lessee acknowledge being advised by the Brokers in this transaction, as follows:

 

(i)        Lessor’s Agent . A Lessor’s agent under a listing agreement with the Lessor acts as the agent for the Lessor only. A Lessor’s agent or subagent has the following affirmative obligations: To the Lessor : A fiduciary duty of utmost care, integrity, honesty, and loyalty in dealings with the Lessor. To the Lessee and the Lessor : a. Diligent exercise of reasonable skills and care in performance of the agent’s duties. b. A duty of honest and fair dealing and good faith. c. A duty to disclose all facts known to the agent materially affecting the value or desirability of the property that are not known to, or within the diligent attention and observation of, the Parties. An agent is not obligated to reveal to either Party any confidential information obtained from the other Party which does not involve the affirmative duties set forth above.

 

(ii)       Lessee’s Agent . An agent can agree to act as agent for the Lessee only. In these situations, the agent is not the Lessor’s agent, even if by agreement the agent may receive compensation for services rendered, either in full or in part from the Lessor. An agent acting only for a Lessee has the following affirmative obligations. To the Lessee : A fiduciary duty of utmost care, integrity, honesty, and loyalty in dealings with the Lessee. To the Lessee and the Lessor : a. Diligent exercise of reasonable skills and care in performance of the agent’s duties. b. A duty of honest and fair dealing and good faith. c. A duty to disclose all facts known to the agent materially affecting the value or desirability of the property that are not known to, or within the diligent attention and observation of, the Parties. An agent is not obligated to reveal to either Party any confidential information obtained from the other Party which does not involve the affirmative duties set forth above.

 

(iii)      Agent Representing Both Lessor and Lessee . A real estate agent, either acting directly or through one or more associate licenses, can legally be the agent of both the Lessor and the Lessee in a transaction, but only with the knowledge and consent of both the Lessor and the Lessee. In a dual agency situation, the agent has the following affirmative obligations to both the Lessor and the Lessee: a. A fiduciary duty of utmost care, integrity, honesty and loyalty in the dealings with either Lessor or the Lessee. b. Other duties to the Lessor and the Lessee as stated above in subparagraphs (i) or (ii). In representing both Lessor and Lessee, the agent may not without the express permission of the respective Party, disclose to the other Party that the Lessor will accept rent in an amount less than that indicated in the listing or that the Lessee is willing to pay a higher rent than that offered. The above duties of the agent in a real estate transaction do not relieve a Lessor or Lessee from the responsibility to protect their own interests. Lessor and Lessee should carefully read all agreements to assure that they adequately express their understanding of the transaction. A real estate agent is a person qualified to advise about real estate. If legal or tax advice is desired, consult a competent professional.

 

(b)       Brokers have no responsibility with respect to any default or breach hereof by either Party. The Parties agree that no lawsuit or other legal proceeding involving any Breach of duty, error or omission relating to this Lease may be brought against Broker more than one year after the Start Date and that the liability (including court costs and attorneys’ fees), of any Broker with respect to any such lawsuit and/or legal proceeding shall not exceed the fee received by such Broker pursuant to this Lease; provided, however, that the foregoing limitation on each Broker’s liability shall not be applicable to any gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Broker.

 

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(c)       Lessor and Lessee agree to identify to Brokers as “Confidential” any communication or information given Brokers that is considered by such Party to be confidential.

 

26.     No Right To Holdover. Lessee has no right to retain possession of the Premises or any part thereof beyond the expiration or termination of this Lease. In the event that Lessee holds over, then the Base Rent shall be increased to 150% of the Base Rent applicable immediately preceding the expiration or termination. Nothing contained herein shall be construed as consent by Lessor to any holding over by Lessee.

 

27.     Cumulative Remedies. No remedy or election hereunder shall be deemed exclusive but shall, wherever possible, be cumulative with all other remedies at law or in equity.

 

28.     Covenants and Conditions; Construction of Agreement. All provisions of this Lease to be observed or performed by Lessee are both covenants and conditions. In construing this Lease, all headings and titles are for the convenience of the Parties only and shall not be considered a part of this Lease. Whenever required by the context, the singular shall include the plural and vice versa. This Lease shall not be construed as if prepared by one of the Parties, but rather according to its fair meaning as a whole, as if both Parties had prepared it.

 

29.     Binding Effect Choice of Law. This Lease shall be binding upon the Parties, their personal representatives, successors and assigns and be governed by the laws of the State in which the Premises are located. Any litigation between the Parties hereto concerning this Lease shall be initiated in the county in which the Premises are located.

 

30.     Subordination; Attornment; Non-Disturbance.

 

30.1.    Subordination. This Lease and any Option granted hereby shall be subject and subordinate to any ground lease, mortgage, deed of trust, or other hypothecation or security device (collectively, “ Security Device ”), now or hereafter placed upon the Premises, to any and all advances made on the security thereof, and to all renewals, modifications, and extensions thereof. Lessee agrees that the holders of any such Security Devices (in this Lease together referred to as “ Lender ”) shall have no liability or obligation to perform any of the obligations of Lessor under this Lease. Any Lender may elect to have this Lease and/or any Option granted hereby superior to the lien of its Security Device by giving written notice thereof to Lessee, whereupon this Lease and such Options shall be deemed prior to such Security Device, notwithstanding the relative dates of the documentation or recordation thereof.

 

30.2.    Attornment. In the event that Lessor transfers title to the Premises, or the Premises are acquired by another upon the foreclosure or termination of a Security Devise to which this Lease is subordinated (i) Lessee shall, subject to the non-disturbance provisions of Paragraph 30.3, adorn to such new owner, and upon request, enter into a new lease, containing all of the terms and provisions of this Lease, with such new owner for the remainder of the term hereof, or, at the election of the new owner, the Lease will automatically become a new lease between Lessee and such new owner, and (ii) Lessor shall thereafter be relieved of any further obligations hereunder and such new owner shall assume all of Lessor’s obligations, except that such new owner shall not: (a) be liable for any act or omission of any prior lessor or with respect to events occurring prior to acquisition of ownership; (b) be subject to any offsets or defenses which Lessee might have against any prior lessor; (c) be bound by prepayment of more than one month’s rent; or (d) be liable for the return of any security deposit paid to any prior lessor which was not paid or credited to such new owner.

 

30.3.    Non-Disturbance. With respect to Security Devices entered into by Lessor after the execution of this Lease, Lessee’s subordination of this Lease shall be subject to receiving a commercially reasonable non-disturbance agreement (a “ Non-Disturbance Agreement ”) from the Lender which Non-Disturbance Agreement provides that Lessee’s possession of the Premises, and this Lease, including any options to extend the term hereof, will not be disturbed so long as Lessee is not in Breach hereof and attorns to the record owner of the Premises. Further, within 60 days after the execution of this Lease, Lessor shall, if requested by Lessee, use its commercially reasonable efforts to obtain a Non-Disturbance Agreement from the holder of any pre-existing Security Device which is secured by the Premises. In the event that Lessor is unable to provide the Non-Disturbance Agreement within said 60 days, then Lessee may, at Lessee’s option, directly contact Lender and attempt to negotiate for the execution and delivery of a Non -Disturbance Agreement.

 

30.4.    Self-Executing. The agreements contained in this Paragraph 30 shall be effective without the execution of any further documents; provided, however, that, upon written request from Lessor or a Lender in connection with a sale, financing or refinancing of the Premises, Lessee and Lessor shall execute such further writings as may be reasonably required to separately document any subordination, attornment and/or Non-Disturbance Agreement provided for herein.

 

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31.     Attorneys’ Fees. If any Party or Broker brings an action or proceeding involving the Premises whether founded in tort, contract or equity, or to declare rights hereunder, the Prevailing Party (as hereafter defined) in any such proceeding, action, or appeal thereon, shall be entitled to reasonable attorneys’ fees. Such fees may be awarded in the same suit or recovered in a separate suit, whether or not such action or proceeding is pursued to decision or judgment. The term, “ Prevailing Party ” shall include, without limitation, a Party or Broker who substantially obtains or defeats the relief sought, as the case may be, whether by compromise, settlement, judgment, or the abandonment by the other Party or Broker of its claim or defense. The attorneys’ fees award shall not be computed in accordance with any court fee schedule, but shall be such as to fully reimburse all attorneys’ fees reasonably incurred. In addition, Lessor shall be entitled to attorneys’ fees, costs and expenses incurred in the preparation and service of notices of Default and consultations in connection therewith, whether or not a legal action is subsequently commenced in connection with such Default or resulting Breach ($200 is a reasonable minimum per occurrence for such services and consultation).

 

32.     Lessor’s Access; Showing Premises; Repairs. Lessor and Lessor’s agents shall have the right to enter the Premises at any time, in the case of an emergency, and otherwise at reasonable times after reasonable prior notice for the purpose of showing the same to prospective purchasers, lenders, or tenants, and making such alterations, repairs, improvements or additions to the Premises as Lessor may deem necessary or desirable and the erecting, using and maintaining of utilities, services, pipes and conduits through the Premises and/or other premises as long as there is no material adverse effect to Lessee’s use of the Premises. All such activities shall be without abatement of rent or liability to Lessee.

 

33.     Auctions. Lessee shall not conduct, nor permit to be conducted, any auction upon the Premises without Lessor’s prior written consent. Lessor shall not be obligated to exercise any standard of reasonableness in determining whether to permit an auction.

 

34.     Signs. Lessor may place on the Premises ordinary “ For Sale ” signs at any time and ordinary “ For Lease ” signs during the last 6 months of the term hereof. Except for ordinary “for sublease” signs, Lessee shall not place any sign upon the Premises without Lessor’s prior written consent. All signs must comply with all Applicable Requirements.

 

35.     Termination; Merger. Unless specifically stated otherwise in writing by Lessor, the voluntary or other surrender of this Lease by Lessee, the mutual termination or cancellation hereof, or a termination hereof by Lessor for Breach by Lessee, shall automatically terminate any sublease or lesser estate in the Premises; provided, however, that Lessor may elect to continue any one or all existing subtenancies, Lessor’s failure within 10 days following any such event to elect to the contrary by written notice to the holder of any such lesser interest, shall constitute Lessor’s election to have such event constitute the termination of such interest.

 

36.     Consent. Except as otherwise provided herein, wherever in this Lease the consent of a Party is required to an act by or for the other Party, such consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed. Lessor’s actual reasonable costs and expenses (including but not limited to architects’, attorneys’, engineers’ and other consultants’ fees) incurred in the consideration of, or response to, a request by Lessee for any Lessor consent, including but not limited to consents to an assignment, a subletting or the presence or use of a Hazardous Substance, shall be paid by Lessee upon receipt of an invoice and supporting documentation therefor but shall not exceed $1,500.00. Lessor’s consent to any act, assignment or subletting shall not constitute an acknowledgment that no Default or Breach by Lessee of this Lease exists, nor shall such consent be deemed a waiver of any then existing Default or Breach, except as may be otherwise specifically stated in writing by Lessor at the time of such consent. The failure to specify herein any particular condition to Lessor’s consent shall not preclude the imposition by Lessor at the time of consent of such further or other conditions as are then reasonable with reference to the particular matter for which consent is being given. In the event that either Party disagrees with any determination made by the other hereunder and reasonably requests the reasons for such determination, the determining party shall furnish its reasons in writing and in reasonable detail within 10 business days following such request.

 

37.     Guarantor.

 

37.1.    Execution. The Guarantors, if any, shall each execute a guaranty in the form most recently published by the AIR Commercial Real Estate Association, and each such Guarantor shall have the same obligations as Lessee under this Lease.

 

37.2.    Default. It shall constitute a Default of the Lessee if any Guarantor fails or refuses, upon request to provide: (a) evidence of the execution of the guaranty, including the authority of the party signing on Guarantor’s behalf to obligate Guarantor, and in the case of a corporate Guarantor, a certified copy of a resolution of its board of directors authorizing the making of such guaranty, (b) current financial statements, (c) an Estoppel Certificate, or (d) written confirmation that the guaranty is still in effect.

 

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FORM STN-15-9112E

 

 

38.     Quiet Possession. Subject to payment by Lessee of the Rent and performance of all of the covenants, conditions and provisions on Lessee’s part to be observed and performed under this Lease, Lessee shall have quiet possession and quiet enjoyment of the Premises during the term hereof.

 

39.     Options. If Lessee is granted any Option, as defined below, then the following provisions shall apply:

 

39.1.    Definition. Option ” shall mean: (a) the right to extend or reduce the term of or renew this Lease or to extend or reduce the term of or renew any lease that Lessee has on other property of Lessor; (b) the right of first refusal or first offer to lease either the Premises or other property of Lessor; (c) the right to purchase, the right of first offer to purchase or the right of first refusal to purchase the Premises or other property of Lessor.

 

39.2.    Options Personal to Original Lessee. Any Option granted to Lessee in this Lease is personal to the original Lessee, and cannot be assigned or exercised by anyone other than said original Lessee and only while the original Lessee is in full possession of the Premises and, if requested by Lessor, with Lessee certifying that Lessee has no intention of thereafter assigning or subletting.

 

39.3.    Multiple Options. In the event that Lessee has any multiple Options to extend or renew this Lease, a later Option cannot be exercised unless the prior Options have been validly exercised.

 

39.4.    Effect of Default on Options.

 

(a)       Lessee shall have no right to exercise an Option: (i) during the period commencing with the giving of any notice of Default and continuing until said Default is cured, (ii) during the period of time any Rent is unpaid (without regard to whether notice thereof is given Lessee), (iii) during the time Lessee is in Breach of this Lease or (iv) in the event that Lessee has been given 3 or more notices of separate Default, whether or not the Defaults are cured during the 12 month period immediately preceding the exercise of the Option .

 

(b)       The period of time within which an Option may be exercised shall not be extended or enlarged by reason of Lessee’s inability to exercise an Option because of the provisions of Paragraph 39.4(a).

 

(c)       An Option shall terminate and be of no further force or effect, notwithstanding Lessee’s due and timely exercise of the Option, if, after such exercise and prior to the commencement of the extended term or completion of the purchase, (i) Lessee fails to pay Rent for a period of 30 days after such Rent becomes due (without any necessity of Lessor to give notice thereof), or (ii) if Lessee commits a Breach of this Lease.

 

40.     Multiple Buildings. If the Premises are a part of a group of buildings controlled by Lessor, Lessee agrees that it will abide by and conform to all reasonable rules and regulations which Lessor may make from time to time for the management, safety, and care of said properties, including the care and cleanliness of the grounds and including the parking, loading and unloading of vehicles, and to cause its employees, suppliers, shippers, customers, contractors and invitees to so abide and conform. Lessee also agrees to pay its fair share of common expenses incurred in connection with such rules and regulations.

 

41.     Security Measures. Lessee hereby acknowledges that the Rent payable to Lessor hereunder does not include the cost of guard service or other security measures, and that Lessor shall have no obligation whatsoever to provide same. Lessee assumes all responsibility for the protection of the Premises, Lessee, its agents and invitees and their property from the acts of third parties.

 

42.     Reservations. Lessor reserves to itself the right, from time to time, to grant, without the consent or joinder of Lessee, such easements, rights and dedications that Lessor deems necessary, and to cause the recordation of parcel maps and restrictions, so long as such easements, rights, dedications, maps and restrictions do not unreasonably interfere with the use of the Premises by Lessee. Lessee agrees to sign any documents reasonably requested by Lessor to effectuate any such easement rights, dedication, map or restrictions.

 

43.     Performance Under Protest . If at any time a dispute shall arise as to any amount or sum of money to be paid by one Party to the other under the provisions hereof, the Party against whom the obligation to pay the money is asserted shall have the right to make payment “under protest” and such payment shall not be regarded as a voluntary payment and there shall survive the right on the part of said Party to institute suit for recovery of such sum. If it shall be adjudged that there was no legal obligation on the part of said Party to pay such sum or any part thereof, said Party shall be entitled to recover such sum or so much thereof as it was not legally required to pay. A Party who does not initiate suit for the recovery of sums paid “under protest” with 6 months shall be deemed to have waived its right to protest such payment.

 

44.     Authority; Multiple Parties; Execution.

 

(a)       If either Party hereto is a corporation, trust, limited liability company, partnership, or similar entity, each individual executing this Lease on behalf of such entity represents and warrants that he or she is duly authorized to execute and deliver this Lease on its behalf. Each Party shall, within 30 days after request, deliver to the other Party satisfactory evidence of such authority.

 

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FORM STN-15-9112E

 

 

(b)       If this Lease is executed by more than one person or entity as “ Lessee ”, each such person or entity shall be jointly and severally liable hereunder. It is agreed that any one of the named Lessees shall be empowered to execute any amendment to this Lease, or other document ancillary thereto and bind all of the named Lessees, and Lessor may rely on the same as if all of the named Lessees had executed such document.

 

(c)       This Lease may be executed by the Parties in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original and all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

 

45.     Conflict. Any conflict between the printed provisions of this Lease and typewritten or handwritten provisions shall be controlled by the typewritten or handwritten provisions.

 

46.     Offer. Preparation of this Lease by ether Party or their agent and submission of same to the other Party shall not be deemed an offer to lease to the other Party. This Lease is not intended to be binding until executed and delivered by all Parties hereto .

 

47.     Amendments. This Lease may be modified only in writing, signed by the Parties in interest at the time of the modification. As long as they do not materially change Lessee’s obligations hereunder, Lessee agrees to make such reasonable non-monetary modifications to this Lease as may be reasonably required by a Lender in connection with the obtaining of normal financing or refinancing of the Premises.

 

48.     N/A. Waiver of Jury Trial. THE PARTIES HEREBY WAIVE THEIR RESPECTIVE RIGHTS TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING INVOLVING THE PROPERTY OR ARISING OUT OF THIS AGREEMENT.

 

49.     Arbitration of Disputes. An Addendum requiring the Arbitration of all disputes between the Parties and/or Brokers arising out of this Lease ☐ is ☐ is not attached to this Lease.

 

50.     Americans with Disabilities Act. Since compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is dependent upon Lessee’s specific use of the Premises, Lessor makes no warranty or representation as to whether or not the Premises comply with ADA or any similar legislation. In the event that Lessee’s specific and unique use of the Premises requires modifications or additions to the Premises in order to be in ADA compliance, Lessee agrees to make any such necessary modifications and/or additions at Lessee’s expense.

 

LESSOR AND LESSEE HAVE CAREFULLY READ AND REVIEWED THIS LEASE AND EACH TERM AND PROVISION CONTAINED HEREIN, AND BY THE EXECUTION OF THIS LEASE SHOW THEIR INFORMED AND VOLUNTARY CONSENT THERETO. THE PARTIES HEREBY AGREE THAT, AT THE TIME THIS LEASE IS EXECUTED, THE TERMS OF THIS LEASE ARE COMMERCIALLY REASONABLE AND EFFECTUATE THE INTENT AND PURPOSE OF LESSOR AND LESSEE WITH RESPECT TO THE PREMISES.

  

ATTENTION : NO REPRESENTATION OR RECOMMENDATION IS MADE BY THE AIR COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE ASSOCIATION OR BY ANY BROKER AS TO THE LEGAL SUFFICIENCY, LEGAL EFFECT, OR TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THIS LEASE OR THE TRANSACTION TO WHICH IT RELATES. THE PARTIES ARE URGED TO:

 

1. SEEK ADVICE OF COUNSEL AS TO THE LEGAL AND TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THIS LEASE.

 

2. RETAIN APPROPRIATE CONSULTANTS TO REVIEW AND INVESTIGATE THE CONDITION OF THE PREMISES. SAID INVESTIGATION SHOULD INCLUDE BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO: THE POSSIBLE PRESENCE OF HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES, THE ZONING OF THE PREMISES, THE STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY, THE CONDITION OF THE ROOF AND OPERATING SYSTEMS, AND THE SUITABILITY OF THE PREMISES FOR LESSEE’S INTENDED USE.

  

WARNING : IF THE PREMISES IS LOCATED IN A STATE OTHER THAN CALIFORNIA, CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF THE LEASE MAY NEED TO BE REVISED TO COMPLY WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE IN WHICH THE PREMISES IS LOCATED.

 

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FORM STN-15-9112E

 

 

The parties hereto have executed this Lease at the place and on the dates specified above their respective signatures.

 

Executed at:     Executed at:  9601 Wilshire Boulevard, Beverly Hills
On:     On:  24-Feb-2014
         
By LESSOR:     By LESSEE:  
         
Grace Whisler Trust   FirstCNG, LLC
     
         
By:     By: /s/ Timothy J. Gorry
Name Printed: Sherman Pickrell   Name Printed: Timothy J. Gorry
Title: Trustee   Title:  
By:     Address: 9601 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 1185
Name Printed:       Beverly Hills, CA 90210
Title:     Telephone: 877-973-9191
Address: 424 E. Alton   Facsimile: 888-637-1077
  Santa Ana, CA 92707   Email: tgorry@firstcng.com
Telephone: (714) 662-5797   Federal ID No.  
Facsimile: (714) 662-7809      
Email:        
Email:     By: /s/ Kirk Honour
Federal ID No.     Name Printed: Kirk Honour
      Title: Chief Executive Officer
      Address: 315 E. Lake Street, Suite 301
        Wayzata, MN 55391
      Telephone:  
      Facsimile:  
      Email:  
      Email:  
      Federal ID No.  
         
Whisler Holdings LLC      
         
By: /s/ Cyndee Solis      
Date: 2/27/14      
Name Printed: Cyndee Solis      
Title: Trustee      
Address: 1930 Village Center Circle #3-418      
  Las Vegas, NV 89134      
Telephone:        
Facsimile:        
Email:        
Federal ID No.        

 

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FORM STN-15-9112E

 

 

BROKER:

 

Lee & Associates Commercial Real Estate   NAI Capital
Services, Inc.– Orange | Corp. ID #01011260    
Attn: Chuck Hardy   Attn: Philip Attala
Title: Principal   Title: Senior Vice President/Industrial Manager
Address: 1004 W. Taft Avenue, Suite 150   Address: 500 Citadel Drive, Suite 100
  Orange, CA 92865     Los Angeles, CA 90040
Telephone: (714) [          ]   Telephone: (323) 201.3608
Facsimile: (714) 543.5285   Facsimile: (323) 201.3636
Email: chardy@lee-associates.com   Email: pattala@naicapital.com
Federal ID No. 33 0264675   Federal ID No.  
Broker/Agent DRE License #: 00482557   Broker/Agent DRE License #: 01049278
     
     
         
         
Lee & Associates – Irvine, Inc.      
Corp. ID #01044791      
         
Attn: Tom Gioia      
Title: Principal      
Address: 111 Pacifica, Suite 3101      
  Irvine, CA 92618      
Telephone: (949) 727.1200      
Facsimile: (949) 727.1299      
Email: tgioia@lee-associates.com      
Federal ID No.        
Broker/Agent DRE License #: 01219394      

 

 

NOTICE: These forms are often modified to meet changing requirements of law and industry needs. Always write or call to make sure you are utilizing the most current form: AIR Commercial Real Estate Association, 800 W 6 th Street, Suite 800, Los Angeles, CA 90017. Telephone No.: (213) 687-8777. Fax No.: (213) 687-8616.

 

© Copyright 2001 – By AIR Commercial Real Estate Association. All rights reserved.
No part of these works may be reproduced in any form without permission in writing.

 

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54.      Notice Requirements : For any delinquent rent, to the extent that Lessee has received written notice pursuant to Section 23.1 of this Lease, Lessee shall have 15 days from the date of such notice to cure any rent default prior to the Lessor applying the security deposit to the delinquent rent pursuant to this paragraph.

 

55.     Lessors have reviewed and approved the plans for the construction of a Compressed Natural Gas station on the Premises (the “ CNG Station ”), subject to the following terms and conditions:

 

a)       The CNG Station shall be built at Lessee’s sole cost and expense, on a lien-free basis and shall be performed in accordance with the approved plan and with all terms and provisions of the Lease, including without limitation Paragraphs 7.3 and 7.4 of the Lease.

 

b)       The work shall be performed in a good and workmanlike manner and in strict compliance with all applicable laws relating thereto. Any required building permits shall be obtained from the Development Services Department of the City of Lake Forest and a copy shall be provided to Lessors prior to commencement of work.

 

c)       Lessee shall provide at least five (5) business days prior written notice to Lessors of Lessee’s intended start date for construction.

 

d)       A copy of Lessee’s general contractor’s insurance certificate, in form and content satisfactory to Lessors naming Lessors as additional named insured shall be provided to Lessors prior to the commencement of work.

 

By LESSOR:  Grace Whisler Trust   By LESSEE: FirstCNG, LLC
         
By:     By: /s/ Timothy J. Gorry 
Name Printed:   Sherman Pickrell   Name Printed: Timothy J. Gorry
Title: Trustee   Title: Director
Date:     Date: 2/24/14
         
      By:  
         
         
      By: /s/ Kirk S. Honour 
LESSOR: Whisler Holdings LLC   Name Printed:   Kirk Honour
      Title: Chief Executive Officer

By:

/s/ Cyndee Solis    Date: 24-Feb-2014
Name Printed: Cyndee Solis      
Title: Trustee      
Date: 2/27/14      

 

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FORM STN-15-9112E

 

 

OPTION(S) TO EXTEND

STANDARD LEASE ADDENDUM

 

  Dated                                                                                            
       
  By and Between (Lessor) Grace Whisler Trust and  
    Whisler Holdings LLC  
       
  By and Between (Lessee) FirstCNG  
       
       
  Address of Premises: 24201 El Toro Road  
    Lake Forest, CA  
    Assessor’s Parcel No. 61705305  

 

Paragraph 52

 

A.       OPTION(S) TO EXTEND:

Lessor hereby grants to Lessee the option to extend the term of this Lease for one (1) additional sixty (60) month period(s) commencing when the prior term expires upon each and all of the following terms and conditions:

 

(i)       in order to exercise an option to extend, Lessee must give written notice of such election to Lessor and Lessor must receive the same at least six (6) but not more than eight (8) months prior to the date that the option period would commence, time being of the essence. If proper notification of the exercise of an option is not given and/or received, such option shall automatically expire. Options (if there are more than one) may only be exercised consecutively.

 

(ii)       The provisions of paragraph 39, including those relating to Lessee’s Default set forth in paragraph 39.4 of this Lease, are conditions of this Option.

 

(iii)       Except for the provisions of this Lease granting an option or options to extend the term, all of the terms and conditions of this Lease except where specifically modified by this option shall apply.

 

(iv)       This Option is personal to the original Lessee, and cannot be assigned or exercised by anyone other than said original Lessee and only while the original Lessee is in full possession of the Premises and without the intention of thereafter assigning or subletting.

 

(v)       The monthly rent for each month of the option period shall be calculated as follows, using the method(s) indicated below:

 

☐ I.     Cost of Living Adjustments (COLA)

 

a.         On (Fill in COLA Date):                                                                                                                                                    the Base Rent shall be adjusted by the change, if any, from the Base Month specified below, in the Consumer Price Index of the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor for (select one): ☐ CPI W (Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers) or ☐ CPI U (All Urban Consumers) for (Fill in Urban Area):
                                                                                                                                                                                                                          

                                                                                                                                                                                                                         

All items (1982 – 1984 = 100) herein referred to as “CPI”

 

b.         The monthly rent payable in accordance with paragraph A.1.a of this Addendum shall be calculated as follows: the Base Rent set forth in paragraph 1.5 of the attached Lease, shall be multiplied by a fraction, the numerators of which shall be the CPI of the calendar month 2 months prior to the month(s) specified in paragraph A.1.a above during which the adjustment is to take effect and the denominator of which shall be the CPI of the calendar month which is 2 months prior to (select one: ☐ the first month of the terms of this Lease as set forth in paragraph _____ “Base Month” or ☐ (Fill in Other Base Month).

                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

                                                                                                                                                                                                                        

 

                  

                  

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The sum so calculated shall constitute the new monthly rent hereafter, but in no event shall any such new monthly rent be less than the rent payable for the month immediately preceding the rent adjustment.

 

c.          In the event the compilation and/or publication of the CPI shall be transferred to any other governmental department or bureau or agency or shall be discontinued, then the index most nearly the same as the CPI shall be used to make such calculation. In the event that the Parties cannot agree on such alternative index, then the matter shall be submitted for decision by the American Arbitration Association in accordance with the then rules of said Association and the decision of the arbitrators shall be binding upon the Parties. The cost of said Arbitration shall be paid equally by the Parties.

 

☐ II. Market Rental Value Adjustment(s) (MRV)  

a.        On (Fill in MRV Adjustment Date(s):                                                 the Base Rent shall be adjusted to the “Market Rental Value” of the property as follows:

 

1)        Four months prior to each Market Rental Value Adjustment Date described above, the Parties shall attempt to agree upon what the new MRV will be on the adjustment date. If agreement cannot be reached within thirty days then:

 

(a) Lessor and Lessee shall immediately appoint a mutually acceptable appraiser or broker to establish the new MRV within the next 30 days. Any associated costs will be split equally between the Parties, or

 

(b) Both Lessor and Lessee shall immediately make a reasonable determination of the MRV and submit such determination in writing to arbitration in accordance with the following provisions:

 

(i) Within 15 days thereafter Lessor and Lessee shall each select an ☐ appraiser or ☐ broker “Consultant” (check one) as the choice to act as an arbitrator. The two arbitrators so appointed shall immediately select a third acceptable Consultant to act as a third arbitrator.

 

(ii) The 3 arbitrators shall within 30 days of the appointment of the third arbitrator reach a decision as to what the actual MRV for the Premises is and whether Lessor’s or Lessee’s submitted MRV is the closest thereto. The decision of a majority of the arbitrators shall be binding on the Parties. The submitted MRV which is determined to be the closest to the actual MRV shall thereafter be used by the Parties.

 

(iii) If either of the Parties fails to appoint an arbitrator within the specified 45 days, the arbitrator timely appointed by one of them shall reach a decision on his or her own and said decision shall be binding on the Parties.

 

(iv) The entire cost of such arbitration shall be paid by the party whose submitted MRV is not selected, ie the one that is NOT the closest to the actual MRV.

 

2)        Notwithstanding the foregoing, the new MRV shall not be less than the rent payable for the month immediately preceding the rent adjustment.

 

b.         Upon the establishment of each New Market Rental Value:

 

1)        the new MRV will become the new “Base Rent” for the purpose of calculating any further Adjustments, and

 

2)        the first month of each Market Rental Value term shall become the new “Base Month” for the purpose of calculating any further Adjustments.

 

                  

                  

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☒ III. Fixed Rental Adjustment(s) (FRA)

 

The Base Rent shall be increased to the following amounts on the dates set forth below:

 

On (Fill in FRA Adjustment Date(s)): The New Base Rent shall be:
   
  $12,763.00 per month
  $13,401.00 per month
  $14,071.00 per month
2022 $14,775.00 per month
  $15,514.00 per month
   
   
   

 

B.       NOTICE:

 

Unless specified otherwise herein, notice of any rental adjustments, other than Fixed Rental Adjustments, shall be made as specified in paragraph 23 of the Lease.

 

C.       BROKER’S FEE:

 

The Brokers shall be paid a Brokerage Fee for each adjustment specified above in accordance with paragraph 15 of the Lease or ___ applicable paragraph ___ of the Sublease.

 

NOTICE: These forms are often modified to meet changing requirements of law and industry needs. Always write or call to make sure you are utilizing the most current form: AIR Commercial Real Estate Association, 500 N. Brand Blvd., Suite 900, Glendale, CA 91203. Telephone No.: (213) 687-8777. Fax No.: (213) 687-8616.

 

 

                  

                  

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©2000 - AIR COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE ASSOCIATION FORM OE-3-8/00E

 

 

 

Exhibit 10.3

 

FIRST AMENDMENT TO LEASE

 

This First Amendment to Lease (“ First Amendment ”) is made as of June 9, 2014 (“ Effective Date ”) and is entered into by and between First CNG, LLC, (“ Lessee ”) and Grace Whisler Trust and Whisler Holdings, LLC, (“ Lessor ”).

 

Recitals

 

A.      Lessor and First CNG, LLC entered into that certain AIR Commercial Real Estate Association Standard Industrial/Commercial Single-Tenant Lease - Net dated February 24, 2014 for reference purposes (the “ Lease ”) whereby Lessee leased from Lessor the premises commonly known by the street address of 24201 El Toro Rd., Lake Forest, California (the “ Premises ”).

 

B.        Lessor and Lessee desire to amend the Lease as provided for in this First Amendment.

 

The Lease is hereby amended as follows.

 

Agreement

 

1. Capitalized Terms . Capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Lease.

 

2. Lease Commencement Date . The Commencement Date of the Original Term shall be extended by one (1) month, from June 1, 2014 to July 1, 2014.

 

3. Rental Abatement . The period March 1, 2014 through June 30, 2014 constitutes the entire Rental Abatement Period for the term of the lease.

 

4. Lessee’s Estoppel . Lessee hereby certifies and acknowledges that, as of the date of the mutual execution of this First Amendment, (a) Lessor is not in Default or Breach in any respect under the Lease; (b) Lessee does not have any defenses to its obligations under the Lease; (c) and there are no offsets against rent. Lessee acknowledges and agrees that: (a) the representations herein set forth constitute a material consideration to Lessor in entering into this First Amendment; (b) such representations are being made by Lessee for purposes of inducing Lessor to enter into this First Amendment; and (c) Lessor is relying on such representations in entering into this First Amendment.

 

5. Effect of Amendment . Except to the extent the Lease is modified by this First Amendment, the remaining terms and conditions of the February 24, 2014 Lease shall remain unmodified and in full force and effect. In the event of a conflict between the terms and conditions of the Lease and the terms and conditions of this First Amendment, the terms and conditions of this First Amendment shall prevail and control.

 

6. Entire Agreement . The Lease, together with this First Amendment, embodies the entire understanding between Lessor and Lessee with respect to its subject matter and supersedes any prior agreements, negotiations and communications, oral or written. No subsequent agreement, representation, or promise made by either party hereto, or by or to any employee, officer, agent or representative of either party hereto shall be of any effect unless it is in writing and executed by the party to be bound thereby. This First Amendment and the Lease can be changed only by an instrument in writing signed by Lessor and Lessee.

 

7. Counterparts; Facsimile Signatures; Signatures in PDF Form . This First Amendment may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which will be deemed an original, but all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same instrument. Delivery of a copy of this First Amendment bearing a signature by facsimile transmission or Email in PDF form will have the same effect as physical delivery of the document bearing the original signature.

 

  

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the parties hereto have caused this First Amendment to be executed as of the dale first written above.

 

LESSOR:   LESSOR:
     

Grace Whisler Trust and

Whisler Holdings, LLC

  First CNG, LLC
     
/s/ Sherman Pickrell   /s/ Timothy J. Gorry
Sherman Pickrell   Timothy J. Gorry
Trustee   Director & General Counsel
     
6/13/14    6/12/14 
Date   Date
     
Whisler Holdings, LLC    
     
/s/ Cyndee Solis   /s/ Kirk Honour

Cyndee Solis

  Kirk Honour
Trustee   Chief Executive Officer
     
6/13/14    6/12/14 
Date   Date

 

 

2

 

Exhibit 10.4

 

EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

 

This Executive Employment Agreement (the " Agreement ”) is entered into as of November 1, 2016 by and between Shock, Inc. (the “ Company ”) and Kirk S. Honour (“ Executive ”). This Agreement will become effective upon the Company successfully acquiring a third party with at least four (4) additional compressed natural gas stations (the “ Effective Date ”). Absent such event, this Agreement shall be null and void and of no force or effect. This Agreement cancels and supersedes the Executive Employment Agreement between Executive and the Company signed by Executive on August 1, 2016.

 

1.            Duties and Scope of Employment .

 

(a)            Positions and Duties . During the Employment Term (as defined below), Executive will serve as President of the Company and shall report to the Company’s Chief Executive Officer (the “ CEO ”). Executive’s authority, duties, and responsibilities will correspond to Executive’s position and will include any particular authority, duties, and responsibilities consistent with Executive’s position that the CEO may assign to Executive from time to time. Executive shall initially report to the Company’s offices located in the Minneapolis Metropolitan area; provided that Executive’s duties will include reasonable travel, including but not limited to travel to offices of the Company, its subsidiaries and affiliates, and such other business travel as is reasonably necessary and appropriate to the performance of Executive’s duties hereunder.

 

(b)            Obligations . During the Employment Term, Executive is required to faithfully and conscientiously perform his assigned duties and to diligently observe all of his obligations to the Company. Executive agrees to devote his full business time and efforts, energy and skill to his employment at the Company, and Executive agrees to apply all his skill and experience to the performance of his duties and advancing the Company’s interests. The foregoing shall not preclude Executive from engaging in civic, charitable or religious activities or, with the prior written consent of the Board, from serving on the boards of directors of other companies, as long as the activities do not interfere or conflict with Executive’s responsibilities to or his ability to perform his duties hereunder. During the Employment Term, Executive may not perform services as an employee or consultant of any other competitive organization and Executive will not assist any other person or organization in competing with the Company or in preparing to engage in competition with the business or proposed business of the Company. Executive shall comply with and be bound by Company’s operating policies, procedures, and practices from time to time in effect during his employment. By signing this Agreement, Executive confirms to the Company that he has no contractual commitments or other legal obligations that would prohibit him from performing his duties for the Company.

 

(c)            Employment Term . The term of this Agreement shall be four (4) years commencing on the Effective Date, unless terminated earlier pursuant to the terms herein (the “ Initial Term ”). Unless earlier terminated pursuant to the terms herein, the Initial Term shall be automatically extended for additional one-year terms (each, a “ Renewal Term ”) upon the expiration of the Initial Term or any Renewal Term unless the Company or Executive delivers to the other at least 90 days prior to the expiration of the Initial Term or the then-current Renewal Term, as the case may be, a written notice specifying that the term of Executive’s employment will not be renewed at the end of the Initial Term or the then-current Renewal Term, as the case may be. Like the Initial Term, the then-current Renewal Term is subject to earlier termination pursuant to the terms herein. The Executive’s period of employment hereunder is referred to herein as the “ Employment Term .” Notice of non-renewal given by the Company shall constitute the termination of Executive’s employment by the Company pursuant to Section 7(a) hereof effective as of the last day of the then-current Initial Term or Renewal Term, as the case may be, unless the Company satisfies the requirements of Section 7(b) for a termination for Cause, death or Disability or otherwise enters into an agreement with Executive that supersedes this Agreement.

 

 

 

2.            At-Will Employment . The parties agree that Executive’s employment with the Company will be “at-will” employment and may be terminated at any time, by either party, with or without Cause or Good Reason, or advance notice. Executive understands and agrees that neither his job performance nor promotions, commendations, bonuses or the like from the Company give rise to or in any way serve as the basis for modification, amendment, or extension, by implication or otherwise, of his employment with the Company. However, as described in this Agreement, Executive may be entitled to severance benefits depending upon the circumstances of Executive’s termination of employment as set forth in Section 7 below.

 

3.            Compensation .

 

(a)            Initial Base Salary . During the Employment Term the Company will pay Executive an annual base salary as compensation for his services (the “ Base Salary ”), initially at the rate of $180,000. The Base Salary will be paid periodically in accordance with the Company’s normal payroll practices. The Base Salary will be subject to review and adjustments will be made based upon the Company’s standard practices.

 

(b)            Annual Incentive Bonus . During the Employment Term, Executive will be eligible, at the discretion of the Board (or a committee thereof), to earn an annual incentive bonus (an “ Annual Bonus ”). The Board (or a committee thereof), in its sole discretion, will determine Executive’s target bonus opportunity and the criteria for earning such bonus, as well as Executive’s achievement of such criteria, and the amount of the Annual Bonus earned and payable to Executive for such year. Any Annual Bonus that is earned and becomes payable pursuant to this Section 3(b) will be paid no later than March 15 of the calendar year immediately following the calendar year to which the Annual Bonus relates, but the Executive must remain continuously employed by the Company through the payment date in order to earn the Annual Bonus. The determinations of the Board (or a committee thereof) with respect to the Annual Bonus will be final and binding.

 

(c)            Equity . Executive will be eligible to receive awards of stock options pursuant to any plans or arrangements the Company may have in effect from time to time. The Board (or a committee of the Board, if applicable) will determine in its discretion whether Executive will be granted any such equity awards and the terms of any such award in accordance with the terms of any applicable plan or arrangement that may be in effect from time to time.

 

4.            Employee Benefits . During the Employment Term, Executive will be entitled to participate in the employee benefit plans and programs currently and hereafter maintained by the Company of general applicability to other senior executives of the Company, subject to eligibility requirements and the applicable terms and conditions of the plan or program in question and the determination of any committee administering such plan or program. The Company reserves the right to cancel or change the benefit plans and programs it offers to its employees at any time.

 

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5.            Vacation . Executive will be entitled to paid vacation of up to 20 days per calendar year, prorated for any partial calendar year of employment, in accordance with the Company’s vacation policy (including, without limitation, its policy relation to maximum accrual, carry-over and payout), with the timing and duration of specific vacations mutually and reasonably agreed to by Executive and the Board.

 

6.            Expenses . The Company will reimburse Executive for reasonable travel, entertainment or other expenses incurred by Executive in the furtherance of or in connection with the performance of Executive’s duties hereunder, in accordance with the Company’s expense reimbursement policy as in effect from time to time.

 

7.            Severance .

 

(a)            Termination by the Company without Cause; Resignation by Executive for Good Reason . If the Company terminates Executive’s employment without Cause or Executive resigns for Good Reason during the Employment Term, then, subject to Sections 8 and 11(c), Executive will be entitled to:

 

(i)           (A) any unpaid Base Salary through Executive’s termination of employment; (B) reimbursement for any unreimbursed expenses incurred through Executive’s termination of employment; and (C) all other accrued payments or benefits to which Executive is entitled and has earned under the terms of any applicable compensation arrangement or benefit plan or program (collectively, the “ Accrued Obligations ”). Accrued Obligations shall be paid to Executive in a lump sum in cash within thirty (30) days following Executive’s termination of employment, unless otherwise required by law or the terms of the applicable compensation arrangement or benefit plan or program;

 

(ii)           payment of cash severance in an amount equal to (A) the number of months in the Severance Period, multiplied by (B) the Executive’s monthly Base Salary (at the level in effect immediately prior to his termination date), payable to Executive in substantially equal monthly installments in accordance with the Company’s standard payroll procedures, commencing on the 60th day following Executive’s termination of employment;

 

(iii)           to the extent Executive and Executive’s spouse and dependent children properly (and timely) elect COBRA continuation coverage under the Company’s group health plan, the Company shall reimburse Executive for the proportionate cost of the premiums due for such coverage, as determined by the cost ratio policy for the Company’s employees in effect from time to time, for a period beginning on Executive’s termination date and ending on the earliest to occur of (A) the date on which Executive is no longer entitled to COBRA continuation coverage under the Company’s group health plan, (B) the last day of the month that includes or immediately precedes the first day that Executive is covered under another employer’s group health plan, and (C) the last day of the month in which the Severance Period ends, whichever is shortest; provided, however, that notwithstanding the foregoing or any other provision in this Agreement to the contrary, the Company may unilaterally amend this Section 7(a)(iii) or eliminate the benefit provided hereunder to the extent it deems necessary to avoid the imposition of excise taxes, penalties or similar charges on the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates, including, without limitation, under Code Section 4980D; provided further that any reimbursements to which Executive becomes entitled pursuant this Section 7(a)(iii) shall be paid to Executive no later than the last day of the calendar month immediately following the calendar month to which they relate (provided, however, that the first such reimbursement shall be made within ten (10) days after the 60th day following Executive’s termination of employment and shall include all such reimbursements as may relate to periods prior to such date).

 

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(b)            Termination for Cause, Death, Disability or Voluntary Resignation . If Executive’s employment with the Company terminates for Cause by the Company, without Good Reason by the Executive, or due to Executive’s death or Disability, then all payments of compensation by the Company to Executive hereunder will terminate immediately (except as to Accrued Obligations) and he shall not receive any amounts or benefits pursuant to Sections 7(a)(ii) or (iii).

 

8.            Conditions to Receipt of Severance .

 

(a)            Separation Agreement and Release of Claims . The receipt of any amounts or benefits pursuant to Sections 7(a) (other than Accrued Obligations) will be subject to Executive signing, allowing to become effective, not revoking and complying with a general release and waiver of claims in favor of the Company and its officers, directors and affiliates, which general release and waiver of claims shall be in a form prepared by the Company, in its reasonable discretion, and delivered to the Company no later than the due date set forth therein. By way of example and not limitation, the general release and waiver of claims will include any claims for wages, bonuses, employment benefits, or damages of any kind whatsoever, arising out of any contracts, express or implied, any covenant of good faith and fair dealing, express or implied, any theory of wrongful discharge, any legal restriction on the Company’s right to terminate employment, or any federal, state or other governmental statute or ordinance, including, without limitation, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the federal Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the American with Disabilities Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act, or any other legal limitation on the employment relationship.

 

(b)            Compliance with Covenants . The receipt of any severance benefits pursuant to Section 7(a) (other than Accrued Obligations) will be subject to Executive’s compliance with Sections 9(a), 9(b) and 9(c) of this Agreement. In the event Executive breaches any of Sections 9(a), 9(b), or 9(c), (i) all continuing payments and benefits to which Executive may otherwise be entitled pursuant to Section 7(a) (other than Accrued Obligations) will immediately cease, and (ii) Executive will repay, or cause to be repaid, to the Company the full amount of any payments and benefits previously paid by the Company to the Executive pursuant to Section 7(a) (other than Accrued Obligations) prior to the date of such breach.

 

9.            Restrictive Covenants .

 

(a)            Non-Competition . In recognition of the consideration set forth herein, the sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, Executive hereby covenants and agrees that while employed during the Employment Term and for twenty-four (24) months after termination of Executive’s employment for any reason, whether voluntary or involuntary (the “ Restricted Period ”), Executive shall not either directly or indirectly, whether for consideration or otherwise: (A) engage in (except on behalf of the Company or its subsidiaries), or compete with the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates in, a Competing Business anywhere in the Territory (any such entity, a “ Competing Entity ”); or (ii) form or assist others in forming, be employed by, perform services for, become an officer, director, member or partner of, or participant in, or consultant or independent contractor to, invest in or own any interest in (whether through equity or debt securities), assist (financially or otherwise) or lend Executive’s name, counsel or assistance to any Competing Entity.

 

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(b)            Non-Solicitation . Also in recognition of the consideration set forth herein, Executive hereby covenants and agrees that during the Restricted Period, Executive shall not either directly or indirectly, whether for consideration or otherwise: (A) solicit or accept business from any customer of the Company for the purpose of providing goods or services in a Competing Business or solicit or induce any customer of the Company to terminate, reduce or alter in a manner adverse to the Company, any existing business arrangement or agreement with the Company, (B) be employed by any customer of the Company, or (C) solicit, hire, attempt to solicit or attempt to hire any person who is or was an employee, third party consultant or independent contractor of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates at any time during the twelve (12) months prior to such solicitation or hire. The restrictions set forth in this Section 9(b) shall not prohibit any form of general advertising or solicitation that is not directed at a specific person or entity and does not relate to a Competing Business.

 

(c)            Non-Disclosure and Non-Use of Confidential Information . At all times both during employment of Executive with the Company, and after the employment relationship with the Company has ended for any reason, Executive agrees that he will not, either directly or indirectly, (i) divulge, use, disclose (in any way or in any manner, including by posting on the Internet), reproduce, distribute, or reverse engineer or otherwise provide Confidential Information to any person, firm, corporation, reporter, author, producer or similar person or entity; (ii) take any action that would make available Confidential Information to the general public in any form; (iii) take any action that uses Confidential Information to solicit any customer or prospective customer of the Company; or (iv) take any action that uses Confidential Information for solicitation or marketing for any service or product or on Executive’s behalf or on behalf of any entity other than the Company or its subsidiaries or affiliates with which Executive may become associated, except (A) as required in connection with the performance of such Executive’s duties to the Company, (B) as required to be included in any report, statement or testimony requested by any municipal, state or national regulatory body having jurisdiction over Executive or his affiliates, (C) as required in response to any summons or subpoena or in connection with any litigation, (D) to the extent necessary in order to comply with any law, order, regulation, ruling or governmental request applicable to Executive, (E) as required in connection with an audit by any taxing authority, or (F) as permitted by the express written consent of the Board of Directors. In the event that Executive is required to disclose Confidential Information pursuant to the foregoing exceptions, Executive shall promptly notify the Company of such pending disclosure and assist the Company (at the Company’s expense) in seeking a protective order or in objecting to such request, summons or subpoena with regard to the Confidential Information. If the Company does not obtain such relief prior to the time that Executive is legally compelled to disclose such Confidential Information, Executive may disclose that portion of the Confidential Information which counsel to Executive advises Executive that he is legally compelled to disclose or else stand liable for contempt or suffer censure or penalty. In such cases, Executive shall promptly provide the Company with a copy of the Confidential Information so disclosed. This provision applies without limitation to unauthorized use of Confidential Information in any medium, including film, videotape, audiotape and writings of any kind (including books, articles, e-mails, texts, blogs and websites).

 

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Executive is hereby notified, pursuant to the federal Defend Trade Secrets Act of 2016 (“DTSA”), that an individual shall not be held criminally or civilly liable under any federal or state trade secret law for the disclosure of a trade secret that is made (i) in confidence to a federal, state, or local government official, either directly or indirectly, or to an attorney, and (ii) solely for the purpose of reporting or investigating a suspected violation of law; or where the disclosure of a trade secret is made in a complaint or other document filed in a lawsuit or other proceeding, if such filing is made under seal.  In addition, Executive is hereby notified under the DTSA that if an individual files a lawsuit for retaliation by an employer for reporting a suspected violation of law, the individual may disclose a trade secret to his or her attorney and use the trade secret information in the court proceeding if the individual (i) files any document containing the trade secret under seal; and (ii) does not disclose the trade secret, except pursuant to court order.

 

(d)            Inventions and Patents; Third Party Information . The results and proceeds of Executive’s services to the Company hereunder (whether prior to or after the date of this Agreement), including, without limitation, any works of authorship related to the Company resulting from Executive’s services during Executive’s employment with the Company and any works in progress, will be works-made-for-hire and the Company (or its designee) will be deemed the sole owner throughout the universe of any and all rights of whatsoever nature therein, whether or not now or hereafter known, existing, contemplated, recognized or developed, with the right to use the same in perpetuity in any manner the Company determines in its sole discretion without any further payment to Executive whatsoever. If, for any reason, any of such results and proceeds will not legally be a work-for-hire and/or there are any rights which do not accrue to the Company under the preceding sentence, then Executive hereby irrevocably assigns and agrees to assign any and all of Executive’s right, title and interest thereto, including, without limitation, any and all copyrights, patents, trade secrets, trademarks and/or other rights of whatsoever nature therein, whether or not now or hereafter known, existing, contemplated, recognized or developed to the Company, and the Company will have the right to use the same in perpetuity throughout the universe in any manner the Company determines without any further payment to Executive whatsoever. Executive will, from time to time, as may be requested by the Company and at the Company’s sole expense, do any and all things which the Company may deem useful or desirable to establish or document the Company’s exclusive ownership of any and all rights in any such results and proceeds, including, without limitation, the execution of appropriate copyright and/or patent applications or assignments. To the extent Executive has any rights in the results and proceeds of Executive’s services to the Company that cannot be assigned in the manner described above, Executive unconditionally and irrevocably waives the enforcement of such rights. This Section 9(d) is subject to, and will not be deemed to limit, restrict or constitute any waiver by the Company of any rights of ownership to which the Company may be entitled by operation of law by virtue of the Company being Executive’s employer. This Agreement does not apply to an invention for which no equipment, supplies, facility or trade secret information of the Company was used and which was developed entirely on Executive’s own time, and (1) which does not relate (a) directly to the business of the Company or (b) to the Company’s actual or demonstrably anticipated research or development, or (2) which does not result from any work performed by you for the Company.

 

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(e)            Enforcement; Remedies . Executive acknowledges that the covenants set forth in Sections 9(a), 9(b), 9(c) and 9(d) impose a reasonable restraint on Executive in light of the business and activities of the Company and its subsidiaries or affiliates. Executive acknowledges that Executive’s expertise is of a special and unique character which gives this expertise a particular value, and that a breach of Sections 9(a), 9(b), 9(c) or 9(d) by Executive will cause serious and potentially irreparable harm to the Company and its subsidiaries or affiliates. Executive therefore acknowledges that a breach of Sections 9(a), 9(b), 9(c) or 9(d) by Executive cannot be adequately compensated in an action for damages at law, and equitable relief would be necessary to protect the Company and its subsidiaries or affiliates from a violation of this Agreement and from the harm which this Agreement is intended to prevent. By reason thereof, Executive acknowledges that the Company and its subsidiaries or affiliates are entitled, in addition to any other remedies it may have under this Agreement or otherwise, to preliminary and permanent injunctive and other equitable relief to prevent or curtail any breach of this Agreement. Executive acknowledges, however, that no specification in this Agreement of a specific legal or equitable remedy may be construed as a waiver of or prohibition against pursuing other legal or equitable remedies in the event of a breach of this Agreement by Executive. If Executive breaches or threatens to breach this Agreement, Executive shall pay the reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs incurred by the Company in connection with enforcing its rights under this Agreement. Executive’s sole and exclusive remedy in the event of a breach of this Agreement by the Company shall be payment of severance benefits pursuant to Section 7(a).

 

(f)            Modification . In the event that any provision or term of Section 9(a), 9(b), 9(c) or 9(d), or any word, phrase, clause, sentence or other portion thereof (including, without limitation, the geographic and temporal restrictions and provisions contained in Section 9(a) or 9(b)) is held to be unenforceable or invalid for any reason, such provision or portion thereof will be modified or deleted in such a manner as to be effective for the maximum period of time for which it/they may be enforceable and over the maximum geographical area as to which it/they may be enforceable and to the maximum extent in all other respects as to which it/they may be enforceable. Such modified restriction(s) shall be enforced by the court or adjudicator. In the event that modification is not possible, because each of Executive’s obligations in Sections 9(a), 9(b), 9(c) and 9(d) is a separate and independent covenant, any unenforceable obligation shall be severed and all remaining obligations shall be enforced.

 

10.            Definitions .

 

For purposes of this Agreement, the following defined terms have the following meanings:

 

(a)           “ Cause ” means any of the following: (i) Executive’s conviction of, or plea of guilty or nolo contendere to, a misdemeanor involving dishonesty, wrongful taking of property, immoral conduct, bribery or extortion or any felony; (ii) willful material misconduct by Executive in connection with the business of the Company and its affiliates; (iii) Executive’s continued and willful failure to perform substantially his responsibilities to the Company under this Agreement, after written demand for substantial performance has been given by the Board that specifically identifies how Executive has not substantially performed his responsibilities; (iv)  Executive’s improper disclosure of confidential information or other material breach of this Agreement; (v) Executive’s material fraud or dishonesty against the Company or its affiliates; (vi)  Executive’s willful and material breach of the Company’s written code of conduct and business ethics or other material written policy, procedure or guideline in effect from time to time (provided that Executive was given access to a copy of such policy, procedure or guideline prior to the alleged breach) relating to personal conduct; or (vii) Executive’s willful attempt to obstruct or willful failure to cooperate with any investigation authorized by the Board or any governmental or self-regulatory entity. Any determination of Cause by the Company shall be made by a resolution approved by a majority of the members of the Board, provided that, with respect to Section 10(a)(iii), the Board must give the Executive notice and thirty (30) days to cure the substantial nonperformance.

 

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(b)            “ Code ” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

 

(c)           “ Competing Business ” means (i) a business that is engaged in the acquisition or operation of compressed natural gas fueling stations, or (ii) any other business in which the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates is then-currently engaged or was engaged at any time in the twelve (12) month period prior to Executive’s last day of employment with the Company.

 

(d)           “ Confidential Information ” means confidential or proprietary information and/or techniques of the Company or its subsidiaries or affiliates entrusted to, developed by, or made available to Executive, whether in writing, in computer form, reduced to a tangible form in any medium, or conveyed orally, that is not generally known by others in the form in which it is or was used by the Company or its subsidiaries or affiliates. Examples of Confidential Information include, without limitation: (i) sales, sales volume, sales methods, sales proposals, business plans or statements of work; (ii) customers, prospective customers, and customer records, including contact, preference and other customer information; (iii) costs and general price lists and prices charged to specific customers; (iv) the names, addresses, contact information and other information concerning any and all brokers, vendors and suppliers and prospective brokers, vendors and suppliers; (v) pricing information; (vi) terms of contracts; (vii) non-public information and materials describing or relating to the business or financial affairs of the Company or its subsidiaries or affiliates, including but not limited to, financial statements, budgets, projections financial and/or investment performance information, research reports, personnel matters, products, services, operating procedures, organizational responsibilities and marketing matters, policies or procedures; (viii) information and materials describing existing or new processes, products and services of the Company or its subsidiaries or affiliates, including marketing materials, analytical data and techniques, and product, service or marketing concepts under development, and the status of such development; (ix) the business or strategic plans of the Company or its subsidiaries or affiliates; (x) the information technology systems, network designs, computer program code, and application practices of the Company or its subsidiaries or affiliates; (xi) acquisition candidates of the Company or its subsidiaries or affiliates or any studies or assessments relating thereto; and (xii) trademarks, service marks, trade secrets, trade names and logos. Confidential Information does not include information that, other than as a result of a breach by Executive of this Agreement, is or becomes generally known to and available for use by the public.

 

(e)            “ Disability ” means Executive’s inability to perform one or more essential functions of his position, notwithstanding the provision of reasonable accommodation, by reason of any medically diagnosed physical or mental impairment which inability has lasted for a continuous period of 120 calendar days or more. A determination of such Disability will be made by a physician reasonably acceptable to the Company.

 

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(f)           “ Good Reason ” means the occurrence of any of the following events, without the written consent of Executive:

 

(i)           a reduction by the Company in Executive’s Base Salary (as may have been increased after the Effective Date) by more than ten percent (10%), except as part of an across the board uniformly applied reduction affecting all senior executives;

 

(ii)           A material and permanent reduction in Executive’s authority, duties or responsibilities, other than any reduction which occurs solely as a result of the Company being acquired and made a part of a larger entity (as for example, when the Chief Executive Officer of the Company remains as such following an acquisition and is not made the Chief Executive Officer of the acquiring corporation or entity);

 

(iii)           Any other action or inaction that constitutes a material breach by the Company of this Agreement or any other agreement under which Executive provides services to the Company.

 

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement to the contrary, Executive shall not be deemed to have terminated his employment for Good Reason unless (A) Executive notifies the Company in writing of the condition that Executive believes constitutes Good Reason within ninety (90) days of the initial existence thereof (which notice specifically identifies such condition and the details regarding its existence), (ii) the Company fails to remedy such condition within thirty (30) days after the date on which it receives such notice (the “ Remedial Period ”), and (iii) Executive terminates employment with the Company (and its subsidiaries and affiliates) within thirty (30) days after the end of the Remedial Period.

 

(g)           “ Section 409A ” means Section 409A of the Code and the Treasury Regulations and guidance issued thereunder.

 

(h)           “ Severance Period ” means (i) the period between the Executive’s last day of employment and the one year anniversary of Executive’s employment hereunder if Executive’s employment is terminated under Section 7(a) prior to such one year anniversary or (ii) six (6) months, whichever period is longer.

 

(i)           “ Territory ” means any State in the United States in which the Company, its subsidiaries or affiliates then-currently conduct their business or have conducted their business at any time in the prior twelve (12) months.

 

11.            Tax Matters

 

(a)            Withholding . All payments made pursuant to this Agreement will be subject to withholding of applicable taxes.

 

(b)            Responsibility . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, the Company makes no representations or warranties to Executive with respect to any tax, economic or legal consequences of this Agreement or any payments or other benefits provided hereunder, including without limitation under Section 409A, and no provision of the Agreement shall be interpreted or construed to transfer any liability for failure to comply with Section 409A or any other legal requirement from Executive or any other individual to the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates. Executive, by executing this Agreement, shall be deemed to have waived any claim against the Company and its subsidiaries and affiliates with respect to any such tax, economic or legal consequences.

 

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(c)            Section 409A . The parties intend that this Agreement and the payments and other benefits provided hereunder be exempt from the requirements of Section 409A to the maximum extent possible, whether pursuant to the short-term deferral exception described in Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(b)(4), the involuntary separation pay plan exception described in Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(b)(9)(iii), or otherwise. To the extent Section 409A is applicable to this Agreement and any such payments and benefits, the parties intend that this Agreement and such payments and benefits comply with the deferral, payout and other limitations and restrictions imposed under Section 409A. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement to the contrary, this Agreement shall be interpreted, operated and administered in a manner consistent with such intentions. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, and notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement to the contrary:

 

(i)           if at the time Executive’s employment hereunder terminates, Executive is a “specified employee,” as defined in Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(i) and determined using the identification methodology selected by the Company from time to time, or if none, the default methodology, then to the extent necessary to avoid subjecting Executive to the imposition of any additional tax under Section 409A, any and all amounts payable under this Agreement on account of such termination of employment that would (but for this provision) be payable within six (6) months following the date of termination, shall instead be paid in a lump sum on the first day of the seventh month following the date on which Executive’s employment terminates or, if earlier, upon Executive’s death;

 

(ii)           a termination of employment shall not be deemed to have occurred for purposes of any provision of this Agreement providing for the payment of amounts or benefits upon or following a termination of employment unless such termination is also a “separation from service,” as defined in Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(h) after giving effect to the presumptions contained therein, and, for purposes of any such provision of this Agreement, references to “terminate,” “termination,” “termination of employment” and like terms shall mean separation from service;

 

(iii)           each payment made under this Agreement shall be treated as a separate payment and the right to a series of installment payments under this Agreement shall be treated as a right to a series of separate payments; and

 

(iv)           with regard to any provision in this Agreement that provides for reimbursement of expenses or in-kind benefits, except for any expense, reimbursement or in-kind benefit provided pursuant to this Agreement that does not constitute a “deferral of compensation,” within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(b), (A) the right to reimbursement or in-kind benefits shall not be subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit, (B) the amount of expenses eligible for reimbursement, or in-kind benefits provided, during any taxable year shall not affect the expenses eligible for reimbursement, or in-kind benefits to be provided, in any other taxable year, and (C) such payments shall be made no later than two and a half months after the end of the calendar year in which the expenses were incurred.

 

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(d)            Limitation on Payments Under Certain Circumstances .

 

(i)           Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement to the contrary, in the event that Executive becomes entitled to receive or receives any payments, options, awards or benefits (including, without limitation, the monetary value of any non-cash benefits and the accelerated vesting of stock awards) under any plan, agreement or arrangement with the Company or any person affiliated with the Company (collectively, the “ Payments ”), that may separately or in the aggregate constitute “parachute payments” within the meaning of Code Section 280G and the Treasury regulations promulgated thereunder (“ Section 280G ”) and it is determined that, but for this Section 12(d)(i), any of the Payments will be subject to any excise tax pursuant to Code Section 4999 or any similar or successor provision (the “ Excise Tax ”), the Company shall pay to Executive either (i) the full amount of the Payments or (ii) an amount equal to the Payments reduced by the minimum amount necessary to prevent any portion of the Payments from being an “excess parachute payment” (within the meaning of Section 280G) (the “ Capped Payments ”), whichever of the foregoing amounts results in the receipt by Executive, on an after-tax basis (with consideration of all taxes incurred in connection with the Payments, including the Excise Tax), of the greatest amount of Payments notwithstanding that all or some portion of the Payments may be subject to the Excise Tax. For purposes of determining whether Executive would receive a greater after-tax benefit from the Capped Payments than from receipt of the full amount of the Payments and for purposes of Section 11(d)(iii) (if applicable), Executive shall be deemed to pay federal, state and local taxes at the highest marginal rate of taxation for the applicable calendar year.

 

(ii)           All computations and determinations called for by Sections 11(d)(i) and 12(d)(iii) shall be made and reported in writing to the Company and Executive by a third-party service provider selected by the Company (the “ Tax Advisor ”), and all such computations and determinations shall be conclusive and binding on the Company and Executive. For purposes of such calculations and determinations, the Tax Advisor may rely on reasonable, good faith interpretations concerning the application of Code Sections 280G and 4999. The Company and Executive shall furnish to the Tax Advisor such information and documents as the Tax Advisor may reasonably request in order to make their required calculations and determinations. The Company shall bear all fees and expenses charged by the Tax Advisor in connection with its services.

 

(iii)           In the event that Section 11(d)(i) applies and a reduction is required to be applied to the Payments thereunder, the Payments shall be reduced by the Company in a manner and order of priority that provides Executive with the largest net after-tax value; provided that payments of equal after-tax present value shall be reduced in the reverse order of payment. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, any such reduction shall be structured in a manner intended to comply with Section 409A.

 

12.            Assignment . This Agreement and Executive’s rights under this Agreement is personal to Executive and shall not be assignable by Executive. The Company may assign this Agreement to any affiliated or successor company. As used in this Agreement, “ Company ” means Shock, Inc. and any successor to its business and/or assets as aforesaid that assumes and agrees to perform this Agreement by contract, operation of law or otherwise; and as long as such successor assumes and agrees to perform this Agreement, the termination of Executive’s employment by one such entity and the immediate hiring and continuation of Executive’s employment by the succeeding entity shall not be deemed to constitute a termination or trigger any severance obligation under this Agreement. All the terms and provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the parties hereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns.

 

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13.            Notices . All notices, requests, demands and other communications called for hereunder will be in writing and will be deemed given (a) on the date of delivery if delivered personally, (b) one (1) day after being sent by a well established commercial overnight service, or (c) four (4) days after being mailed by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, prepaid and addressed to the parties or their successors at the following addresses, or at such other addresses as the parties may later designate in writing:

 

If to the Company:

 

Shock, Inc.

 

2415 Annapolis Lane, Suite 100

 

Plymouth, MN 55441

 

Attn : John P. Yeros

 

If to Executive:

 

Kirk S. Honour

 

5320 Lee Circle

 

Shorewood, MN 55331

 

14.            Severability . In the event that any provision hereof becomes or is declared by a court of competent jurisdiction to be illegal, unenforceable or void, this Agreement will continue in full force and effect without said provision.

 

15.            Integration . This Agreement represents the entire agreement and understanding between the parties as to the subject matter herein and supersedes all prior or contemporaneous agreements whether written or oral. No waiver, alteration or modification of any of the provisions of this Agreement will be binding unless in writing that specifically references this Section and signed by duly authorized representatives of the parties hereto.

 

16.            Waiver of Breach . The waiver of a breach of any term or provision of this Agreement, which must be in writing, will not operate as or be construed to be a waiver of any other previous or subsequent breach of this Agreement.

 

17.            Headings . All captions and section headings used in this Agreement are for convenient reference only and do not form a part of this Agreement.

 

18.            Governing Law . This Agreement will be construed and interpreted in accordance with, and any dispute or controversy arising from any breach or asserted breach of this Agreement will be governed by, the laws of the State of Minnesota, without regard to any choice of law rules. Any action brought to enforce or interpret this Agreement must be brought in the state or federal courts for the State of Minnesota, sitting in Hennepin County, and the parties hereby consent to the jurisdiction and venue of such courts in the event of any dispute. Each of the parties knowingly and voluntarily waives all right to trial by jury in any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement, Executive’s employment by the Company, or for recognition or enforcement of any judgment.

 

19.            Acknowledgment . Executive acknowledges that he has had the opportunity to discuss this matter with and obtain advice from his private attorney, has had sufficient time to, and has carefully read and fully understands all the provisions of this Agreement, and is knowingly and voluntarily entering into this Agreement.

 

20.            Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, including by facsimile or electronic transmission, and each counterpart will have the same force and effect as an original and will constitute an effective, binding agreement on the part of each of the undersigned.

 

{Signature Page Follows}

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties has executed this Executive Employment Agreement, in the case of the Company by its duly authorized officers, as of the day and year first above written.

 

COMPANY:    
     
Shock, Inc.    
       
By: /s/ John P. Yeros   Date: November 1, 2016
Title: Chief Executive Officer    
       
EXECUTIVE:    
     
/s/ Kirk S. Honour   Date: November 1, 2016
Kirk S. Honour    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 10.5

 

EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

 

This Executive Employment Agreement (the " Agreement ”) is entered into as of November 1, 2016 by and between Shock, Inc. (the “ Company ”) and John P. Yeros (“ Executive ”). This Agreement will become effective upon the Company successfully acquiring a third party with at least four (4) additional compressed natural gas stations (the “ Effective Date ”). Absent such event, this Agreement shall be null and void and of no force or effect.

 

1.            Duties and Scope of Employment .

 

(a)              Positions and Duties . During the Employment Term (as defined below), Executive will serve as Chief Executive Officer of the Company and shall report to the Company’s Board of Directors (the “ Board ”). Executive’s authority, duties, and responsibilities will correspond to Executive’s position and will include any particular authority, duties, and responsibilities consistent with Executive’s position that the Board may assign to Executive from time to time. Executive shall initially report to the Company’s offices located in the Minneapolis Metropolitan area; provided that Executive’s duties will include reasonable travel, including but not limited to travel to offices of the Company, its subsidiaries and affiliates, and such other business travel as is reasonably necessary and appropriate to the performance of Executive’s duties hereunder.

 

(b)            Obligations . During the Employment Term, Executive is required to faithfully and conscientiously perform his assigned duties and to diligently observe all of his obligations to the Company. Executive agrees to devote his full business time and efforts, energy and skill to his employment at the Company, and Executive agrees to apply all his skill and experience to the performance of his duties and advancing the Company’s interests. The foregoing shall not preclude Executive from engaging in civic, charitable or religious activities or, with the prior written consent of the Board, from serving on the boards of directors of other companies, as long as the activities do not interfere or conflict with Executive’s responsibilities to or his ability to perform his duties hereunder. During the Employment Term, Executive may not perform services as an employee or consultant of any other competitive organization and Executive will not assist any other person or organization in competing with the Company or in preparing to engage in competition with the business or proposed business of the Company. Executive shall comply with and be bound by Company’s operating policies, procedures, and practices from time to time in effect during his employment. By signing this Agreement, Executive confirms to the Company that he has no contractual commitments or other legal obligations that would prohibit him from performing his duties for the Company.

 

(c)            Employment Term . The term of this Agreement shall be four (4) years commencing on the Effective Date, unless terminated earlier pursuant to the terms herein (the “ Initial Term ”). Unless earlier terminated pursuant to the terms herein, the Initial Term shall be automatically extended for additional one-year terms (each, a “ Renewal Term ”) upon the expiration of the Initial Term or any Renewal Term unless the Company or Executive delivers to the other at least 90 days prior to the expiration of the Initial Term or the then-current Renewal Term, as the case may be, a written notice specifying that the term of Executive’s employment will not be renewed at the end of the Initial Term or the then-current Renewal Term, as the case may be. Like the Initial Term, the then-current Renewal Term is subject to earlier termination pursuant to the terms herein. The Executive’s period of employment hereunder is referred to herein as the “ Employment Term .” Notice of non-renewal given by the Company shall constitute the termination of Executive’s employment by the Company pursuant to Section 7(a) hereof effective as of the last day of the then-current Initial Term or Renewal Term, as the case may be, unless the Company satisfies the requirements of Section 7(b) for a termination for Cause, death or Disability or otherwise enters into an agreement with Executive that supersedes this Agreement.

 

 

 

2.            At-Will Employment . The parties agree that Executive’s employment with the Company will be “at-will” employment and may be terminated at any time, by either party, with or without Cause or Good Reason, or advance notice. Executive understands and agrees that neither his job performance nor promotions, commendations, bonuses or the like from the Company give rise to or in any way serve as the basis for modification, amendment, or extension, by implication or otherwise, of his employment with the Company. However, as described in this Agreement, Executive may be entitled to severance benefits depending upon the circumstances of Executive’s termination of employment as set forth in Section 7 below.

 

3.            Compensation .

 

(a)              Initial Base Salary . During the Employment Term the Company will pay Executive an annual base salary as compensation for his services (the “ Base Salary ”), initially at the rate of $240,000. The Base Salary will be paid periodically in accordance with the Company’s normal payroll practices. The Base Salary will be subject to review and adjustments will be made based upon the Company’s standard practices.

 

(b)            Annual Incentive Bonus . During the Employment Term, Executive will be eligible, at the discretion of the Board (or a committee thereof), to earn an annual incentive bonus (an “ Annual Bonus ”). The Board (or a committee thereof), in its sole discretion, will determine Executive’s target bonus opportunity and the criteria for earning such bonus, as well as Executive’s achievement of such criteria, and the amount of the Annual Bonus earned and payable to Executive for such year. Any Annual Bonus that is earned and becomes payable pursuant to this Section 3(b) will be paid no later than March 15 of the calendar year immediately following the calendar year to which the Annual Bonus relates, but the Executive must remain continuously employed by the Company through the payment date in order to earn the Annual Bonus. The determinations of the Board (or a committee thereof) with respect to the Annual Bonus will be final and binding.

 

(c)            Equity . Executive will be eligible to receive awards of stock options pursuant to any plans or arrangements the Company may have in effect from time to time. The Board (or a committee of the Board, if applicable) will determine in its discretion whether Executive will be granted any such equity awards and the terms of any such award in accordance with the terms of any applicable plan or arrangement that may be in effect from time to time.

 

4.            Employee Benefits . During the Employment Term, Executive will be entitled to participate in the employee benefit plans and programs currently and hereafter maintained by the Company of general applicability to other senior executives of the Company, subject to eligibility requirements and the applicable terms and conditions of the plan or program in question and the determination of any committee administering such plan or program. The Company reserves the right to cancel or change the benefit plans and programs it offers to its employees at any time.

 

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5.            Vacation . Executive will be entitled to paid vacation of up to 20 days per calendar year, prorated for any partial calendar year of employment, in accordance with the Company’s vacation policy (including, without limitation, its policy relation to maximum accrual, carry-over and payout), with the timing and duration of specific vacations mutually and reasonably agreed to by Executive and the Board.

 

6.            Expenses . The Company will reimburse Executive for reasonable travel, entertainment or other expenses incurred by Executive in the furtherance of or in connection with the performance of Executive’s duties hereunder, in accordance with the Company’s expense reimbursement policy as in effect from time to time.

 

7.            Severance .

 

(a)            Termination by the Company without Cause; Resignation by Executive for Good Reason . If the Company terminates Executive’s employment without Cause or Executive resigns for Good Reason during the Employment Term, then, subject to Sections 8 and 11(c), Executive will be entitled to:

 

(i)           (A) any unpaid Base Salary through Executive’s termination of employment; (B) reimbursement for any unreimbursed expenses incurred through Executive’s termination of employment; and (C) all other accrued payments or benefits to which Executive is entitled and has earned under the terms of any applicable compensation arrangement or benefit plan or program (collectively, the “ Accrued Obligations ”). Accrued Obligations shall be paid to Executive in a lump sum in cash within thirty (30) days following Executive’s termination of employment, unless otherwise required by law or the terms of the applicable compensation arrangement or benefit plan or program;

 

(ii)           payment of cash severance in an amount equal to (A) the number of months in the Severance Period, multiplied by (B) the Executive’s monthly Base Salary (at the level in effect immediately prior to his termination date), payable to Executive in substantially equal monthly installments in accordance with the Company’s standard payroll procedures, commencing on the 60th day following Executive’s termination of employment;

 

(iii)           to the extent Executive and Executive’s spouse and dependent children properly (and timely) elect COBRA continuation coverage under the Company’s group health plan, the Company shall reimburse Executive for the proportionate cost of the premiums due for such coverage, as determined by the cost ratio policy for the Company’s employees in effect from time to time, for a period beginning on Executive’s termination date and ending on the earliest to occur of (A) the date on which Executive is no longer entitled to COBRA continuation coverage under the Company’s group health plan, (B) the last day of the month that includes or immediately precedes the first day that Executive is covered under another employer’s group health plan, and (C) the last day of the month in which the Severance Period ends, whichever is shortest; provided, however, that notwithstanding the foregoing or any other provision in this Agreement to the contrary, the Company may unilaterally amend this Section 7(a)(iii) or eliminate the benefit provided hereunder to the extent it deems necessary to avoid the imposition of excise taxes, penalties or similar charges on the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates, including, without limitation, under Code Section 4980D; provided further that any reimbursements to which Executive becomes entitled pursuant this Section 7(a)(iii) shall be paid to Executive no later than the last day of the calendar month immediately following the calendar month to which they relate (provided, however, that the first such reimbursement shall be made within ten (10) days after the 60th day following Executive’s termination of employment and shall include all such reimbursements as may relate to periods prior to such date).

 

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(b)            Termination for Cause, Death, Disability or Voluntary Resignation . If Executive’s employment with the Company terminates for Cause by the Company, without Good Reason by the Executive, or due to Executive’s death or Disability, then all payments of compensation by the Company to Executive hereunder will terminate immediately (except as to Accrued Obligations) and he shall not receive any amounts or benefits pursuant to Sections 7(a)(ii) or (iii).

 

8.            Conditions to Receipt of Severance .

 

(a)            Separation Agreement and Release of Claims . The receipt of any amounts or benefits pursuant to Sections 7(a) (other than Accrued Obligations) will be subject to Executive signing, allowing to become effective, not revoking and complying with a general release and waiver of claims in favor of the Company and its officers, directors and affiliates, which general release and waiver of claims shall be in a form prepared by the Company, in its reasonable discretion, and delivered to the Company no later than the due date set forth therein. By way of example and not limitation, the general release and waiver of claims will include any claims for wages, bonuses, employment benefits, or damages of any kind whatsoever, arising out of any contracts, express or implied, any covenant of good faith and fair dealing, express or implied, any theory of wrongful discharge, any legal restriction on the Company’s right to terminate employment, or any federal, state or other governmental statute or ordinance, including, without limitation, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the federal Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the American with Disabilities Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act, or any other legal limitation on the employment relationship.

 

(b)            Compliance with Covenants . The receipt of any severance benefits pursuant to Section 7(a) (other than Accrued Obligations) will be subject to Executive’s compliance with Sections 9(a), 9(b) and 9(c) of this Agreement. In the event Executive breaches any of Sections 9(a), 9(b), or 9(c), (i) all continuing payments and benefits to which Executive may otherwise be entitled pursuant to Section 7(a) (other than Accrued Obligations) will immediately cease, and (ii) Executive will repay, or cause to be repaid, to the Company the full amount of any payments and benefits previously paid by the Company to the Executive pursuant to Section 7(a) (other than Accrued Obligations) prior to the date of such breach.

 

9.            Restrictive Covenants .

 

(a)            Non-Competition . In recognition of the consideration set forth herein, the sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, Executive hereby covenants and agrees that while employed during the Employment Term and for twenty-four (24) months after termination of Executive’s employment for any reason, whether voluntary or involuntary (the “ Restricted Period ”), Executive shall not either directly or indirectly, whether for consideration or otherwise: (A) engage in (except on behalf of the Company or its subsidiaries), or compete with the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates in, a Competing Business anywhere in the Territory (any such entity, a “ Competing Entity ”); or (ii) form or assist others in forming, be employed by, perform services for, become an officer, director, member or partner of, or participant in, or consultant or independent contractor to, invest in or own any interest in (whether through equity or debt securities), assist (financially or otherwise) or lend Executive’s name, counsel or assistance to any Competing Entity.

 

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(b)            Non-Solicitation . Also in recognition of the consideration set forth herein, Executive hereby covenants and agrees that during the Restricted Period, Executive shall not either directly or indirectly, whether for consideration or otherwise: (A) solicit or accept business from any customer of the Company for the purpose of providing goods or services in a Competing Business or solicit or induce any customer of the Company to terminate, reduce or alter in a manner adverse to the Company, any existing business arrangement or agreement with the Company, (B) be employed by any customer of the Company, or (C) solicit, hire, attempt to solicit or attempt to hire any person who is or was an employee, third party consultant or independent contractor of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates at any time during the twelve (12) months prior to such solicitation or hire. The restrictions set forth in this Section 9(b) shall not prohibit any form of general advertising or solicitation that is not directed at a specific person or entity and does not relate to a Competing Business.

 

(c)            Non-Disclosure and Non-Use of Confidential Information . At all times both during employment of Executive with the Company, and after the employment relationship with the Company has ended for any reason, Executive agrees that he will not, either directly or indirectly, (i) divulge, use, disclose (in any way or in any manner, including by posting on the Internet), reproduce, distribute, or reverse engineer or otherwise provide Confidential Information to any person, firm, corporation, reporter, author, producer or similar person or entity; (ii) take any action that would make available Confidential Information to the general public in any form; (iii) take any action that uses Confidential Information to solicit any customer or prospective customer of the Company; or (iv) take any action that uses Confidential Information for solicitation or marketing for any service or product or on Executive’s behalf or on behalf of any entity other than the Company or its subsidiaries or affiliates with which Executive may become associated, except (A) as required in connection with the performance of such Executive’s duties to the Company, (B) as required to be included in any report, statement or testimony requested by any municipal, state or national regulatory body having jurisdiction over Executive or his affiliates, (C) as required in response to any summons or subpoena or in connection with any litigation, (D) to the extent necessary in order to comply with any law, order, regulation, ruling or governmental request applicable to Executive, (E) as required in connection with an audit by any taxing authority, or (F) as permitted by the express written consent of the Board of Directors. In the event that Executive is required to disclose Confidential Information pursuant to the foregoing exceptions, Executive shall promptly notify the Company of such pending disclosure and assist the Company (at the Company’s expense) in seeking a protective order or in objecting to such request, summons or subpoena with regard to the Confidential Information. If the Company does not obtain such relief prior to the time that Executive is legally compelled to disclose such Confidential Information, Executive may disclose that portion of the Confidential Information which counsel to Executive advises Executive that he is legally compelled to disclose or else stand liable for contempt or suffer censure or penalty. In such cases, Executive shall promptly provide the Company with a copy of the Confidential Information so disclosed. This provision applies without limitation to unauthorized use of Confidential Information in any medium, including film, videotape, audiotape and writings of any kind (including books, articles, e-mails, texts, blogs and websites).

 

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Executive is hereby notified, pursuant to the federal Defend Trade Secrets Act of 2016 (“DTSA”), that an individual shall not be held criminally or civilly liable under any federal or state trade secret law for the disclosure of a trade secret that is made (i) in confidence to a federal, state, or local government official, either directly or indirectly, or to an attorney, and (ii) solely for the purpose of reporting or investigating a suspected violation of law; or where the disclosure of a trade secret is made in a complaint or other document filed in a lawsuit or other proceeding, if such filing is made under seal.  In addition, Executive is hereby notified under the DTSA that if an individual files a lawsuit for retaliation by an employer for reporting a suspected violation of law, the individual may disclose a trade secret to his or her attorney and use the trade secret information in the court proceeding if the individual (i) files any document containing the trade secret under seal; and (ii) does not disclose the trade secret, except pursuant to court order.

 

(d)            Inventions and Patents; Third Party Information . The results and proceeds of Executive’s services to the Company hereunder (whether prior to or after the date of this Agreement), including, without limitation, any works of authorship related to the Company resulting from Executive’s services during Executive’s employment with the Company and any works in progress, will be works-made-for-hire and the Company (or its designee) will be deemed the sole owner throughout the universe of any and all rights of whatsoever nature therein, whether or not now or hereafter known, existing, contemplated, recognized or developed, with the right to use the same in perpetuity in any manner the Company determines in its sole discretion without any further payment to Executive whatsoever. If, for any reason, any of such results and proceeds will not legally be a work-for-hire and/or there are any rights which do not accrue to the Company under the preceding sentence, then Executive hereby irrevocably assigns and agrees to assign any and all of Executive’s right, title and interest thereto, including, without limitation, any and all copyrights, patents, trade secrets, trademarks and/or other rights of whatsoever nature therein, whether or not now or hereafter known, existing, contemplated, recognized or developed to the Company, and the Company will have the right to use the same in perpetuity throughout the universe in any manner the Company determines without any further payment to Executive whatsoever. Executive will, from time to time, as may be requested by the Company and at the Company’s sole expense, do any and all things which the Company may deem useful or desirable to establish or document the Company’s exclusive ownership of any and all rights in any such results and proceeds, including, without limitation, the execution of appropriate copyright and/or patent applications or assignments. To the extent Executive has any rights in the results and proceeds of Executive’s services to the Company that cannot be assigned in the manner described above, Executive unconditionally and irrevocably waives the enforcement of such rights. This Section 9(d) is subject to, and will not be deemed to limit, restrict or constitute any waiver by the Company of any rights of ownership to which the Company may be entitled by operation of law by virtue of the Company being Executive’s employer. This Agreement does not apply to an invention for which no equipment, supplies, facility or trade secret information of the Company was used and which was developed entirely on Executive’s own time, and (1) which does not relate (a) directly to the business of the Company or (b) to the Company’s actual or demonstrably anticipated research or development, or (2) which does not result from any work performed by you for the Company.

 

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(e)            Enforcement; Remedies . Executive acknowledges that the covenants set forth in Sections 9(a), 9(b), 9(c) and 9(d) impose a reasonable restraint on Executive in light of the business and activities of the Company and its subsidiaries or affiliates. Executive acknowledges that Executive’s expertise is of a special and unique character which gives this expertise a particular value, and that a breach of Sections 9(a), 9(b), 9(c) or 9(d) by Executive will cause serious and potentially irreparable harm to the Company and its subsidiaries or affiliates. Executive therefore acknowledges that a breach of Sections 9(a), 9(b), 9(c) or 9(d) by Executive cannot be adequately compensated in an action for damages at law, and equitable relief would be necessary to protect the Company and its subsidiaries or affiliates from a violation of this Agreement and from the harm which this Agreement is intended to prevent. By reason thereof, Executive acknowledges that the Company and its subsidiaries or affiliates are entitled, in addition to any other remedies it may have under this Agreement or otherwise, to preliminary and permanent injunctive and other equitable relief to prevent or curtail any breach of this Agreement. Executive acknowledges, however, that no specification in this Agreement of a specific legal or equitable remedy may be construed as a waiver of or prohibition against pursuing other legal or equitable remedies in the event of a breach of this Agreement by Executive. If Executive breaches or threatens to breach this Agreement, Executive shall pay the reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs incurred by the Company in connection with enforcing its rights under this Agreement. Executive’s sole and exclusive remedy in the event of a breach of this Agreement by the Company shall be payment of severance benefits pursuant to Section 7(a).

 

(f)            Modification . In the event that any provision or term of Section 9(a), 9(b), 9(c) or 9(d), or any word, phrase, clause, sentence or other portion thereof (including, without limitation, the geographic and temporal restrictions and provisions contained in Section 9(a) or 9(b)) is held to be unenforceable or invalid for any reason, such provision or portion thereof will be modified or deleted in such a manner as to be effective for the maximum period of time for which it/they may be enforceable and over the maximum geographical area as to which it/they may be enforceable and to the maximum extent in all other respects as to which it/they may be enforceable. Such modified restriction(s) shall be enforced by the court or adjudicator. In the event that modification is not possible, because each of Executive’s obligations in Sections 9(a), 9(b), 9(c) and 9(d) is a separate and independent covenant, any unenforceable obligation shall be severed and all remaining obligations shall be enforced.

 

10.            Definitions .

 

For purposes of this Agreement, the following defined terms have the following meanings:

 

(a)           “ Cause ” means any of the following: (i) Executive’s conviction of, or plea of guilty or nolo contendere to, a misdemeanor involving dishonesty, wrongful taking of property, immoral conduct, bribery or extortion or any felony; (ii) willful material misconduct by Executive in connection with the business of the Company and its affiliates; (iii) Executive’s continued and willful failure to perform substantially his responsibilities to the Company under this Agreement, after written demand for substantial performance has been given by the Board that specifically identifies how Executive has not substantially performed his responsibilities; (iv)  Executive’s improper disclosure of confidential information or other material breach of this Agreement; (v) Executive’s material fraud or dishonesty against the Company or its affiliates; (vi)  Executive’s willful and material breach of the Company’s written code of conduct and business ethics or other material written policy, procedure or guideline in effect from time to time (provided that Executive was given access to a copy of such policy, procedure or guideline prior to the alleged breach) relating to personal conduct; or (vii) Executive’s willful attempt to obstruct or willful failure to cooperate with any investigation authorized by the Board or any governmental or self-regulatory entity. Any determination of Cause by the Company shall be made by a resolution approved by a majority of the members of the Board, provided that, with respect to Section 10(a)(iii), the Board must give the Executive notice and thirty (30) days to cure the substantial nonperformance.

 

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(b)            “ Code ” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

 

(c)           “ Competing Business ” means (i) a business that is engaged in the acquisition or operation of compressed natural gas fueling stations, or (ii) any other business in which the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates is then-currently engaged or was engaged at any time in the twelve (12) month period prior to Executive’s last day of employment with the Company.

 

(d)           “ Confidential Information ” means confidential or proprietary information and/or techniques of the Company or its subsidiaries or affiliates entrusted to, developed by, or made available to Executive, whether in writing, in computer form, reduced to a tangible form in any medium, or conveyed orally, that is not generally known by others in the form in which it is or was used by the Company or its subsidiaries or affiliates. Examples of Confidential Information include, without limitation: (i) sales, sales volume, sales methods, sales proposals, business plans or statements of work; (ii) customers, prospective customers, and customer records, including contact, preference and other customer information; (iii) costs and general price lists and prices charged to specific customers; (iv) the names, addresses, contact information and other information concerning any and all brokers, vendors and suppliers and prospective brokers, vendors and suppliers; (v) pricing information; (vi) terms of contracts; (vii) non-public information and materials describing or relating to the business or financial affairs of the Company or its subsidiaries or affiliates, including but not limited to, financial statements, budgets, projections financial and/or investment performance information, research reports, personnel matters, products, services, operating procedures, organizational responsibilities and marketing matters, policies or procedures; (viii) information and materials describing existing or new processes, products and services of the Company or its subsidiaries or affiliates, including marketing materials, analytical data and techniques, and product, service or marketing concepts under development, and the status of such development; (ix) the business or strategic plans of the Company or its subsidiaries or affiliates; (x) the information technology systems, network designs, computer program code, and application practices of the Company or its subsidiaries or affiliates; (xi) acquisition candidates of the Company or its subsidiaries or affiliates or any studies or assessments relating thereto; and (xii) trademarks, service marks, trade secrets, trade names and logos. Confidential Information does not include information that, other than as a result of a breach by Executive of this Agreement, is or becomes generally known to and available for use by the public.

 

(e)            “ Disability ” means Executive’s inability to perform one or more essential functions of his position, notwithstanding the provision of reasonable accommodation, by reason of any medically diagnosed physical or mental impairment which inability has lasted for a continuous period of 120 calendar days or more. A determination of such Disability will be made by a physician reasonably acceptable to the Company.

 

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(f)           “ Good Reason ” means the occurrence of any of the following events, without the written consent of Executive:

 

(i)           a reduction by the Company in Executive’s Base Salary (as may have been increased after the Effective Date) by more than ten percent (10%), except as part of an across the board uniformly applied reduction affecting all senior executives;

 

(ii)           A material and permanent reduction in Executive’s authority, duties or responsibilities, other than any reduction which occurs solely as a result of the Company being acquired and made a part of a larger entity (as for example, when the Chief Executive Officer of the Company remains as such following an acquisition and is not made the Chief Executive Officer of the acquiring corporation or entity);

 

(iii)           Any other action or inaction that constitutes a material breach by the Company of this Agreement or any other agreement under which Executive provides services to the Company.

 

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement to the contrary, Executive shall not be deemed to have terminated his employment for Good Reason unless (A) Executive notifies the Company in writing of the condition that Executive believes constitutes Good Reason within ninety (90) days of the initial existence thereof (which notice specifically identifies such condition and the details regarding its existence), (ii) the Company fails to remedy such condition within thirty (30) days after the date on which it receives such notice (the “ Remedial Period ”), and (iii) Executive terminates employment with the Company (and its subsidiaries and affiliates) within thirty (30) days after the end of the Remedial Period.

 

(g)           “ Section 409A ” means Section 409A of the Code and the Treasury Regulations and guidance issued thereunder.

 

(h)           “ Severance Period ” means (i) the period between the Executive’s last day of employment and the one year anniversary of Executive’s employment hereunder if Executive’s employment is terminated under Section 7(a) prior to such one year anniversary or (ii) six (6) months, whichever period is longer.

 

(i)           “ Territory ” means any State in the United States in which the Company, its subsidiaries or affiliates then-currently conduct their business or have conducted their business at any time in the prior twelve (12) months.

 

11.            Tax Matters

 

(a)            Withholding . All payments made pursuant to this Agreement will be subject to withholding of applicable taxes.

 

(b)            Responsibility . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, the Company makes no representations or warranties to Executive with respect to any tax, economic or legal consequences of this Agreement or any payments or other benefits provided hereunder, including without limitation under Section 409A, and no provision of the Agreement shall be interpreted or construed to transfer any liability for failure to comply with Section 409A or any other legal requirement from Executive or any other individual to the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates. Executive, by executing this Agreement, shall be deemed to have waived any claim against the Company and its subsidiaries and affiliates with respect to any such tax, economic or legal consequences.

 

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(c)            Section 409A . The parties intend that this Agreement and the payments and other benefits provided hereunder be exempt from the requirements of Section 409A to the maximum extent possible, whether pursuant to the short-term deferral exception described in Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(b)(4), the involuntary separation pay plan exception described in Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(b)(9)(iii), or otherwise. To the extent Section 409A is applicable to this Agreement and any such payments and benefits, the parties intend that this Agreement and such payments and benefits comply with the deferral, payout and other limitations and restrictions imposed under Section 409A. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement to the contrary, this Agreement shall be interpreted, operated and administered in a manner consistent with such intentions. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, and notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement to the contrary:

 

(i)           if at the time Executive’s employment hereunder terminates, Executive is a “specified employee,” as defined in Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(i) and determined using the identification methodology selected by the Company from time to time, or if none, the default methodology, then to the extent necessary to avoid subjecting Executive to the imposition of any additional tax under Section 409A, any and all amounts payable under this Agreement on account of such termination of employment that would (but for this provision) be payable within six (6) months following the date of termination, shall instead be paid in a lump sum on the first day of the seventh month following the date on which Executive’s employment terminates or, if earlier, upon Executive’s death;

 

(ii)           a termination of employment shall not be deemed to have occurred for purposes of any provision of this Agreement providing for the payment of amounts or benefits upon or following a termination of employment unless such termination is also a “separation from service,” as defined in Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(h) after giving effect to the presumptions contained therein, and, for purposes of any such provision of this Agreement, references to “terminate,” “termination,” “termination of employment” and like terms shall mean separation from service;

 

(iii)           each payment made under this Agreement shall be treated as a separate payment and the right to a series of installment payments under this Agreement shall be treated as a right to a series of separate payments; and

 

(iv)           with regard to any provision in this Agreement that provides for reimbursement of expenses or in-kind benefits, except for any expense, reimbursement or in-kind benefit provided pursuant to this Agreement that does not constitute a “deferral of compensation,” within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(b), (A) the right to reimbursement or in-kind benefits shall not be subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit, (B) the amount of expenses eligible for reimbursement, or in-kind benefits provided, during any taxable year shall not affect the expenses eligible for reimbursement, or in-kind benefits to be provided, in any other taxable year, and (C) such payments shall be made no later than two and a half months after the end of the calendar year in which the expenses were incurred.

 

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(d)            Limitation on Payments Under Certain Circumstances .

 

(i)           Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement to the contrary, in the event that Executive becomes entitled to receive or receives any payments, options, awards or benefits (including, without limitation, the monetary value of any non-cash benefits and the accelerated vesting of stock awards) under any plan, agreement or arrangement with the Company or any person affiliated with the Company (collectively, the “ Payments ”), that may separately or in the aggregate constitute “parachute payments” within the meaning of Code Section 280G and the Treasury regulations promulgated thereunder (“ Section 280G ”) and it is determined that, but for this Section 12(d)(i), any of the Payments will be subject to any excise tax pursuant to Code Section 4999 or any similar or successor provision (the “ Excise Tax ”), the Company shall pay to Executive either (i) the full amount of the Payments or (ii) an amount equal to the Payments reduced by the minimum amount necessary to prevent any portion of the Payments from being an “excess parachute payment” (within the meaning of Section 280G) (the “ Capped Payments ”), whichever of the foregoing amounts results in the receipt by Executive, on an after-tax basis (with consideration of all taxes incurred in connection with the Payments, including the Excise Tax), of the greatest amount of Payments notwithstanding that all or some portion of the Payments may be subject to the Excise Tax. For purposes of determining whether Executive would receive a greater after-tax benefit from the Capped Payments than from receipt of the full amount of the Payments and for purposes of Section 11(d)(iii) (if applicable), Executive shall be deemed to pay federal, state and local taxes at the highest marginal rate of taxation for the applicable calendar year.

 

(ii)           All computations and determinations called for by Sections 11(d)(i) and 12(d)(iii) shall be made and reported in writing to the Company and Executive by a third-party service provider selected by the Company (the “ Tax Advisor ”), and all such computations and determinations shall be conclusive and binding on the Company and Executive. For purposes of such calculations and determinations, the Tax Advisor may rely on reasonable, good faith interpretations concerning the application of Code Sections 280G and 4999. The Company and Executive shall furnish to the Tax Advisor such information and documents as the Tax Advisor may reasonably request in order to make their required calculations and determinations. The Company shall bear all fees and expenses charged by the Tax Advisor in connection with its services.

 

(iii)           In the event that Section 11(d)(i) applies and a reduction is required to be applied to the Payments thereunder, the Payments shall be reduced by the Company in a manner and order of priority that provides Executive with the largest net after-tax value; provided that payments of equal after-tax present value shall be reduced in the reverse order of payment. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, any such reduction shall be structured in a manner intended to comply with Section 409A.

 

12.            Assignment . This Agreement and Executive’s rights under this Agreement is personal to Executive and shall not be assignable by Executive. The Company may assign this Agreement to any affiliated or successor company. As used in this Agreement, “ Company ” means Shock, Inc. and any successor to its business and/or assets as aforesaid that assumes and agrees to perform this Agreement by contract, operation of law or otherwise; and as long as such successor assumes and agrees to perform this Agreement, the termination of Executive’s employment by one such entity and the immediate hiring and continuation of Executive’s employment by the succeeding entity shall not be deemed to constitute a termination or trigger any severance obligation under this Agreement. All the terms and provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the parties hereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns.

 

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13.            Notices . All notices, requests, demands and other communications called for hereunder will be in writing and will be deemed given (a) on the date of delivery if delivered personally, (b) one (1) day after being sent by a well established commercial overnight service, or (c) four (4) days after being mailed by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, prepaid and addressed to the parties or their successors at the following addresses, or at such other addresses as the parties may later designate in writing:

 

If to the Company:

 

Shock, Inc.

 

2415 Annapolis Lane, Suite 100

 

Plymouth, MN 55441

 

Attn : Chair, Board of Directors

 

If to Executive:

 

John P. Yeros

 

7874 Vallagio Lane

 

Englewood, CO 80112

 

14.            Severability . In the event that any provision hereof becomes or is declared by a court of competent jurisdiction to be illegal, unenforceable or void, this Agreement will continue in full force and effect without said provision.

 

15.            Integration . This Agreement represents the entire agreement and understanding between the parties as to the subject matter herein and supersedes all prior or contemporaneous agreements whether written or oral. No waiver, alteration or modification of any of the provisions of this Agreement will be binding unless in writing that specifically references this Section and signed by duly authorized representatives of the parties hereto.

 

16.            Waiver of Breach . The waiver of a breach of any term or provision of this Agreement, which must be in writing, will not operate as or be construed to be a waiver of any other previous or subsequent breach of this Agreement.

 

17.            Headings . All captions and section headings used in this Agreement are for convenient reference only and do not form a part of this Agreement.

 

18.            Governing Law . This Agreement will be construed and interpreted in accordance with, and any dispute or controversy arising from any breach or asserted breach of this Agreement will be governed by, the laws of the State of Colorado, without regard to any choice of law rules. Any action brought to enforce or interpret this Agreement must be brought in the state or federal courts for the State of Colorado, sitting in Denver County, and the parties hereby consent to the jurisdiction and venue of such courts in the event of any dispute. Each of the parties knowingly and voluntarily waives all right to trial by jury in any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement, Executive’s employment by the Company, or for recognition or enforcement of any judgment.

 

19.            Acknowledgment . Executive acknowledges that he has had the opportunity to discuss this matter with and obtain advice from his private attorney, has had sufficient time to, and has carefully read and fully understands all the provisions of this Agreement, and is knowingly and voluntarily entering into this Agreement.

 

20.            Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, including by facsimile or electronic transmission, and each counterpart will have the same force and effect as an original and will constitute an effective, binding agreement on the part of each of the undersigned.

 

{Signature Page Follows}

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties has executed this Executive Employment Agreement, in the case of the Company by its duly authorized officers, as of the day and year first above written.

 

COMPANY:    
     
Shock, Inc.    
       
By: /s/ Randy Gilbert   Date: November 22, 2016
Title: Chief Financial Officer    
       
EXECUTIVE:    
     
/s/ John P. Yeros   Date: November 1, 2016
John P. Yeros    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 10.6

 

EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

 

This Executive Employment Agreement (the " Agreement ”) is entered into as of November 1, 2016 by and between Shock, Inc. (the “ Company ”) and Randy W. Gilbert (“ Executive ”). This Agreement will become effective upon the Company successfully acquiring a third party with at least four (4) additional compressed natural gas stations (the “ Effective Date ”). Absent such event, this Agreement shall be null and void and of no force or effect. This Agreement cancels and supersedes the Executive Employment Agreement between Executive and the Company signed by Executive on August 4, 2016.

 

1.            Duties and Scope of Employment .

 

(a)                 Positions and Duties . During the Employment Term (as defined below), Executive will serve as Chief Financial Officer of the Company and shall report to the Company’s Chief Executive Officer (the “ CEO ”). Executive’s authority, duties, and responsibilities will correspond to Executive’s position and will include any particular authority, duties, and responsibilities consistent with Executive’s position that the CEO may assign to Executive from time to time. Executive shall initially report to the Company’s offices located in the Minneapolis Metropolitan area; provided that Executive’s duties will include reasonable travel, including but not limited to travel to offices of the Company, its subsidiaries and affiliates, and such other business travel as is reasonably necessary and appropriate to the performance of Executive’s duties hereunder.

 

(b)            Obligations . During the Employment Term, Executive is required to faithfully and conscientiously perform his assigned duties and to diligently observe all of his obligations to the Company. Executive agrees to devote his full business time and efforts, energy and skill to his employment at the Company, and Executive agrees to apply all his skill and experience to the performance of his duties and advancing the Company’s interests. The foregoing shall not preclude Executive from engaging in civic, charitable or religious activities or, with the prior written consent of the Board, from serving on the boards of directors of other companies, as long as the activities do not interfere or conflict with Executive’s responsibilities to or his ability to perform his duties hereunder. During the Employment Term, Executive may not perform services as an employee or consultant of any other competitive organization and Executive will not assist any other person or organization in competing with the Company or in preparing to engage in competition with the business or proposed business of the Company. Executive shall comply with and be bound by Company’s operating policies, procedures, and practices from time to time in effect during his employment. By signing this Agreement, Executive confirms to the Company that he has no contractual commitments or other legal obligations that would prohibit him from performing his duties for the Company.

 

(c)            Employment Term . The term of this Agreement shall be four (4) years commencing on the Effective Date, unless terminated earlier pursuant to the terms herein (the “ Initial Term ”). Unless earlier terminated pursuant to the terms herein, the Initial Term shall be automatically extended for additional one-year terms (each, a “ Renewal Term ”) upon the expiration of the Initial Term or any Renewal Term unless the Company or Executive delivers to the other at least 90 days prior to the expiration of the Initial Term or the then-current Renewal Term, as the case may be, a written notice specifying that the term of Executive’s employment will not be renewed at the end of the Initial Term or the then-current Renewal Term, as the case may be. Like the Initial Term, the then-current Renewal Term is subject to earlier termination pursuant to the terms herein. The Executive’s period of employment hereunder is referred to herein as the “ Employment Term .” Notice of non-renewal given by the Company shall constitute the termination of Executive’s employment by the Company pursuant to Section 7(a) hereof effective as of the last day of the then-current Initial Term or Renewal Term, as the case may be, unless the Company satisfies the requirements of Section 7(b) for a termination for Cause, death or Disability or otherwise enters into an agreement with Executive that supersedes this Agreement.

 

 

 

2.            At-Will Employment . The parties agree that Executive’s employment with the Company will be “at-will” employment and may be terminated at any time, by either party, with or without Cause or Good Reason, or advance notice. Executive understands and agrees that neither his job performance nor promotions, commendations, bonuses or the like from the Company give rise to or in any way serve as the basis for modification, amendment, or extension, by implication or otherwise, of his employment with the Company. However, as described in this Agreement, Executive may be entitled to severance benefits depending upon the circumstances of Executive’s termination of employment as set forth in Section 7 below.

 

3.            Compensation .

 

(a)            Initial Base Salary . During the Employment Term the Company will pay Executive an annual base salary as compensation for his services (the “ Base Salary ”), initially at the rate of $150,000. The Base Salary will be paid periodically in accordance with the Company’s normal payroll practices. The Base Salary will be subject to review and adjustments will be made based upon the Company’s standard practices.

 

(b)            Annual Incentive Bonus . During the Employment Term, Executive will be eligible, at the discretion of the Board (or a committee thereof), to earn an annual incentive bonus (an “ Annual Bonus ”). The Board (or a committee thereof), in its sole discretion, will determine Executive’s target bonus opportunity and the criteria for earning such bonus, as well as Executive’s achievement of such criteria, and the amount of the Annual Bonus earned and payable to Executive for such year. Any Annual Bonus that is earned and becomes payable pursuant to this Section 3(b) will be paid no later than March 15 of the calendar year immediately following the calendar year to which the Annual Bonus relates, but the Executive must remain continuously employed by the Company through the payment date in order to earn the Annual Bonus. The determinations of the Board (or a committee thereof) with respect to the Annual Bonus will be final and binding.

 

(c)            Equity . Executive will be eligible to receive awards of stock options pursuant to any plans or arrangements the Company may have in effect from time to time. The Board (or a committee of the Board, if applicable) will determine in its discretion whether Executive will be granted any such equity awards and the terms of any such award in accordance with the terms of any applicable plan or arrangement that may be in effect from time to time.

 

4.            Employee Benefits . During the Employment Term, Executive will be entitled to participate in the employee benefit plans and programs currently and hereafter maintained by the Company of general applicability to other senior executives of the Company, subject to eligibility requirements and the applicable terms and conditions of the plan or program in question and the determination of any committee administering such plan or program. The Company reserves the right to cancel or change the benefit plans and programs it offers to its employees at any time.

 

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5.            Vacation . Executive will be entitled to paid vacation of up to 20 days per calendar year, prorated for any partial calendar year of employment, in accordance with the Company’s vacation policy (including, without limitation, its policy relation to maximum accrual, carry-over and payout), with the timing and duration of specific vacations mutually and reasonably agreed to by Executive and the Board.

 

6.            Expenses . The Company will reimburse Executive for reasonable travel, entertainment or other expenses incurred by Executive in the furtherance of or in connection with the performance of Executive’s duties hereunder, in accordance with the Company’s expense reimbursement policy as in effect from time to time.

 

7.            Severance .

 

(a)            Termination by the Company without Cause; Resignation by Executive for Good Reason . If the Company terminates Executive’s employment without Cause or Executive resigns for Good Reason during the Employment Term, then, subject to Sections 8 and 11(c), Executive will be entitled to:

 

(i)           (A) any unpaid Base Salary through Executive’s termination of employment; (B) reimbursement for any unreimbursed expenses incurred through Executive’s termination of employment; and (C) all other accrued payments or benefits to which Executive is entitled and has earned under the terms of any applicable compensation arrangement or benefit plan or program (collectively, the “ Accrued Obligations ”). Accrued Obligations shall be paid to Executive in a lump sum in cash within thirty (30) days following Executive’s termination of employment, unless otherwise required by law or the terms of the applicable compensation arrangement or benefit plan or program;

 

(ii)           payment of cash severance in an amount equal to (A) the number of months in the Severance Period, multiplied by (B) the Executive’s monthly Base Salary (at the level in effect immediately prior to his termination date), payable to Executive in substantially equal monthly installments in accordance with the Company’s standard payroll procedures, commencing on the 60th day following Executive’s termination of employment;

 

(iii)           to the extent Executive and Executive’s spouse and dependent children properly (and timely) elect COBRA continuation coverage under the Company’s group health plan, the Company shall reimburse Executive for the proportionate cost of the premiums due for such coverage, as determined by the cost ratio policy for the Company’s employees in effect from time to time, for a period beginning on Executive’s termination date and ending on the earliest to occur of (A) the date on which Executive is no longer entitled to COBRA continuation coverage under the Company’s group health plan, (B) the last day of the month that includes or immediately precedes the first day that Executive is covered under another employer’s group health plan, and (C) the last day of the month in which the Severance Period ends, whichever is shortest; provided, however, that notwithstanding the foregoing or any other provision in this Agreement to the contrary, the Company may unilaterally amend this Section 7(a)(iii) or eliminate the benefit provided hereunder to the extent it deems necessary to avoid the imposition of excise taxes, penalties or similar charges on the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates, including, without limitation, under Code Section 4980D; provided further that any reimbursements to which Executive becomes entitled pursuant this Section 7(a)(iii) shall be paid to Executive no later than the last day of the calendar month immediately following the calendar month to which they relate (provided, however, that the first such reimbursement shall be made within ten (10) days after the 60th day following Executive’s termination of employment and shall include all such reimbursements as may relate to periods prior to such date).

 

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(b)            Termination for Cause, Death, Disability or Voluntary Resignation . If Executive’s employment with the Company terminates for Cause by the Company, without Good Reason by the Executive, or due to Executive’s death or Disability, then all payments of compensation by the Company to Executive hereunder will terminate immediately (except as to Accrued Obligations) and he shall not receive any amounts or benefits pursuant to Sections 7(a)(ii) or (iii).

 

8.            Conditions to Receipt of Severance .

 

(a)            Separation Agreement and Release of Claims . The receipt of any amounts or benefits pursuant to Sections 7(a) (other than Accrued Obligations) will be subject to Executive signing, allowing to become effective, not revoking and complying with a general release and waiver of claims in favor of the Company and its officers, directors and affiliates, which general release and waiver of claims shall be in a form prepared by the Company, in its reasonable discretion, and delivered to the Company no later than the due date set forth therein. By way of example and not limitation, the general release and waiver of claims will include any claims for wages, bonuses, employment benefits, or damages of any kind whatsoever, arising out of any contracts, express or implied, any covenant of good faith and fair dealing, express or implied, any theory of wrongful discharge, any legal restriction on the Company’s right to terminate employment, or any federal, state or other governmental statute or ordinance, including, without limitation, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the federal Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the American with Disabilities Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act, or any other legal limitation on the employment relationship.

 

(b)            Compliance with Covenants . The receipt of any severance benefits pursuant to Section 7(a) (other than Accrued Obligations) will be subject to Executive’s compliance with Sections 9(a), 9(b) and 9(c) of this Agreement. In the event Executive breaches any of Sections 9(a), 9(b), or 9(c), (i) all continuing payments and benefits to which Executive may otherwise be entitled pursuant to Section 7(a) (other than Accrued Obligations) will immediately cease, and (ii) Executive will repay, or cause to be repaid, to the Company the full amount of any payments and benefits previously paid by the Company to the Executive pursuant to Section 7(a) (other than Accrued Obligations) prior to the date of such breach.

 

9.            Restrictive Covenants .

 

(a)            Non-Competition . In recognition of the consideration set forth herein, the sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, Executive hereby covenants and agrees that while employed during the Employment Term and for twenty-four (24) months after termination of Executive’s employment for any reason, whether voluntary or involuntary (the “ Restricted Period ”), Executive shall not either directly or indirectly, whether for consideration or otherwise: (A) engage in (except on behalf of the Company or its subsidiaries), or compete with the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates in, a Competing Business anywhere in the Territory (any such entity, a “ Competing Entity ”); or (ii) form or assist others in forming, be employed by, perform services for, become an officer, director, member or partner of, or participant in, or consultant or independent contractor to, invest in or own any interest in (whether through equity or debt securities), assist (financially or otherwise) or lend Executive’s name, counsel or assistance to any Competing Entity.

 

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(b)            Non-Solicitation . Also in recognition of the consideration set forth herein, Executive hereby covenants and agrees that during the Restricted Period, Executive shall not either directly or indirectly, whether for consideration or otherwise: (A) solicit or accept business from any customer of the Company for the purpose of providing goods or services in a Competing Business or solicit or induce any customer of the Company to terminate, reduce or alter in a manner adverse to the Company, any existing business arrangement or agreement with the Company, (B) be employed by any customer of the Company, or (C) solicit, hire, attempt to solicit or attempt to hire any person who is or was an employee, third party consultant or independent contractor of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates at any time during the twelve (12) months prior to such solicitation or hire. The restrictions set forth in this Section 9(b) shall not prohibit any form of general advertising or solicitation that is not directed at a specific person or entity and does not relate to a Competing Business.

 

(c)            Non-Disclosure and Non-Use of Confidential Information . At all times both during employment of Executive with the Company, and after the employment relationship with the Company has ended for any reason, Executive agrees that he will not, either directly or indirectly, (i) divulge, use, disclose (in any way or in any manner, including by posting on the Internet), reproduce, distribute, or reverse engineer or otherwise provide Confidential Information to any person, firm, corporation, reporter, author, producer or similar person or entity; (ii) take any action that would make available Confidential Information to the general public in any form; (iii) take any action that uses Confidential Information to solicit any customer or prospective customer of the Company; or (iv) take any action that uses Confidential Information for solicitation or marketing for any service or product or on Executive’s behalf or on behalf of any entity other than the Company or its subsidiaries or affiliates with which Executive may become associated, except (A) as required in connection with the performance of such Executive’s duties to the Company, (B) as required to be included in any report, statement or testimony requested by any municipal, state or national regulatory body having jurisdiction over Executive or his affiliates, (C) as required in response to any summons or subpoena or in connection with any litigation, (D) to the extent necessary in order to comply with any law, order, regulation, ruling or governmental request applicable to Executive, (E) as required in connection with an audit by any taxing authority, or (F) as permitted by the express written consent of the Board of Directors. In the event that Executive is required to disclose Confidential Information pursuant to the foregoing exceptions, Executive shall promptly notify the Company of such pending disclosure and assist the Company (at the Company’s expense) in seeking a protective order or in objecting to such request, summons or subpoena with regard to the Confidential Information. If the Company does not obtain such relief prior to the time that Executive is legally compelled to disclose such Confidential Information, Executive may disclose that portion of the Confidential Information which counsel to Executive advises Executive that he is legally compelled to disclose or else stand liable for contempt or suffer censure or penalty. In such cases, Executive shall promptly provide the Company with a copy of the Confidential Information so disclosed. This provision applies without limitation to unauthorized use of Confidential Information in any medium, including film, videotape, audiotape and writings of any kind (including books, articles, e-mails, texts, blogs and websites).

 

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Executive is hereby notified, pursuant to the federal Defend Trade Secrets Act of 2016 (“DTSA”), that an individual shall not be held criminally or civilly liable under any federal or state trade secret law for the disclosure of a trade secret that is made (i) in confidence to a federal, state, or local government official, either directly or indirectly, or to an attorney, and (ii) solely for the purpose of reporting or investigating a suspected violation of law; or where the disclosure of a trade secret is made in a complaint or other document filed in a lawsuit or other proceeding, if such filing is made under seal.  In addition, Executive is hereby notified under the DTSA that if an individual files a lawsuit for retaliation by an employer for reporting a suspected violation of law, the individual may disclose a trade secret to his or her attorney and use the trade secret information in the court proceeding if the individual (i) files any document containing the trade secret under seal; and (ii) does not disclose the trade secret, except pursuant to court order.

 

(d)            Inventions and Patents; Third Party Information . The results and proceeds of Executive’s services to the Company hereunder (whether prior to or after the date of this Agreement), including, without limitation, any works of authorship related to the Company resulting from Executive’s services during Executive’s employment with the Company and any works in progress, will be works-made-for-hire and the Company (or its designee) will be deemed the sole owner throughout the universe of any and all rights of whatsoever nature therein, whether or not now or hereafter known, existing, contemplated, recognized or developed, with the right to use the same in perpetuity in any manner the Company determines in its sole discretion without any further payment to Executive whatsoever. If, for any reason, any of such results and proceeds will not legally be a work-for-hire and/or there are any rights which do not accrue to the Company under the preceding sentence, then Executive hereby irrevocably assigns and agrees to assign any and all of Executive’s right, title and interest thereto, including, without limitation, any and all copyrights, patents, trade secrets, trademarks and/or other rights of whatsoever nature therein, whether or not now or hereafter known, existing, contemplated, recognized or developed to the Company, and the Company will have the right to use the same in perpetuity throughout the universe in any manner the Company determines without any further payment to Executive whatsoever. Executive will, from time to time, as may be requested by the Company and at the Company’s sole expense, do any and all things which the Company may deem useful or desirable to establish or document the Company’s exclusive ownership of any and all rights in any such results and proceeds, including, without limitation, the execution of appropriate copyright and/or patent applications or assignments. To the extent Executive has any rights in the results and proceeds of Executive’s services to the Company that cannot be assigned in the manner described above, Executive unconditionally and irrevocably waives the enforcement of such rights. This Section 9(d) is subject to, and will not be deemed to limit, restrict or constitute any waiver by the Company of any rights of ownership to which the Company may be entitled by operation of law by virtue of the Company being Executive’s employer. This Agreement does not apply to an invention for which no equipment, supplies, facility or trade secret information of the Company was used and which was developed entirely on Executive’s own time, and (1) which does not relate (a) directly to the business of the Company or (b) to the Company’s actual or demonstrably anticipated research or development, or (2) which does not result from any work performed by you for the Company.

 

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(e)            Enforcement; Remedies . Executive acknowledges that the covenants set forth in Sections 9(a), 9(b), 9(c) and 9(d) impose a reasonable restraint on Executive in light of the business and activities of the Company and its subsidiaries or affiliates. Executive acknowledges that Executive’s expertise is of a special and unique character which gives this expertise a particular value, and that a breach of Sections 9(a), 9(b), 9(c) or 9(d) by Executive will cause serious and potentially irreparable harm to the Company and its subsidiaries or affiliates. Executive therefore acknowledges that a breach of Sections 9(a), 9(b), 9(c) or 9(d) by Executive cannot be adequately compensated in an action for damages at law, and equitable relief would be necessary to protect the Company and its subsidiaries or affiliates from a violation of this Agreement and from the harm which this Agreement is intended to prevent. By reason thereof, Executive acknowledges that the Company and its subsidiaries or affiliates are entitled, in addition to any other remedies it may have under this Agreement or otherwise, to preliminary and permanent injunctive and other equitable relief to prevent or curtail any breach of this Agreement. Executive acknowledges, however, that no specification in this Agreement of a specific legal or equitable remedy may be construed as a waiver of or prohibition against pursuing other legal or equitable remedies in the event of a breach of this Agreement by Executive. If Executive breaches or threatens to breach this Agreement, Executive shall pay the reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs incurred by the Company in connection with enforcing its rights under this Agreement. Executive’s sole and exclusive remedy in the event of a breach of this Agreement by the Company shall be payment of severance benefits pursuant to Section 7(a).

 

(f)            Modification . In the event that any provision or term of Section 9(a), 9(b), 9(c) or 9(d), or any word, phrase, clause, sentence or other portion thereof (including, without limitation, the geographic and temporal restrictions and provisions contained in Section 9(a) or 9(b)) is held to be unenforceable or invalid for any reason, such provision or portion thereof will be modified or deleted in such a manner as to be effective for the maximum period of time for which it/they may be enforceable and over the maximum geographical area as to which it/they may be enforceable and to the maximum extent in all other respects as to which it/they may be enforceable. Such modified restriction(s) shall be enforced by the court or adjudicator. In the event that modification is not possible, because each of Executive’s obligations in Sections 9(a), 9(b), 9(c) and 9(d) is a separate and independent covenant, any unenforceable obligation shall be severed and all remaining obligations shall be enforced.

 

10.            Definitions .

 

For purposes of this Agreement, the following defined terms have the following meanings:

 

(a)           “ Cause ” means any of the following: (i) Executive’s conviction of, or plea of guilty or nolo contendere to, a misdemeanor involving dishonesty, wrongful taking of property, immoral conduct, bribery or extortion or any felony; (ii) willful material misconduct by Executive in connection with the business of the Company and its affiliates; (iii) Executive’s continued and willful failure to perform substantially his responsibilities to the Company under this Agreement, after written demand for substantial performance has been given by the Board that specifically identifies how Executive has not substantially performed his responsibilities; (iv)  Executive’s improper disclosure of confidential information or other material breach of this Agreement; (v) Executive’s material fraud or dishonesty against the Company or its affiliates; (vi)  Executive’s willful and material breach of the Company’s written code of conduct and business ethics or other material written policy, procedure or guideline in effect from time to time (provided that Executive was given access to a copy of such policy, procedure or guideline prior to the alleged breach) relating to personal conduct; or (vii) Executive’s willful attempt to obstruct or willful failure to cooperate with any investigation authorized by the Board or any governmental or self-regulatory entity. Any determination of Cause by the Company shall be made by a resolution approved by a majority of the members of the Board, provided that, with respect to Section 10(a)(iii), the Board must give the Executive notice and thirty (30) days to cure the substantial nonperformance.

 

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(b)            “ Code ” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

 

(c)           “ Competing Business ” means (i) a business that is engaged in the acquisition or operation of compressed natural gas fueling stations, or (ii) any other business in which the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates is then-currently engaged or was engaged at any time in the twelve (12) month period prior to Executive’s last day of employment with the Company.

 

(d)           “ Confidential Information ” means confidential or proprietary information and/or techniques of the Company or its subsidiaries or affiliates entrusted to, developed by, or made available to Executive, whether in writing, in computer form, reduced to a tangible form in any medium, or conveyed orally, that is not generally known by others in the form in which it is or was used by the Company or its subsidiaries or affiliates. Examples of Confidential Information include, without limitation: (i) sales, sales volume, sales methods, sales proposals, business plans or statements of work; (ii) customers, prospective customers, and customer records, including contact, preference and other customer information; (iii) costs and general price lists and prices charged to specific customers; (iv) the names, addresses, contact information and other information concerning any and all brokers, vendors and suppliers and prospective brokers, vendors and suppliers; (v) pricing information; (vi) terms of contracts; (vii) non-public information and materials describing or relating to the business or financial affairs of the Company or its subsidiaries or affiliates, including but not limited to, financial statements, budgets, projections financial and/or investment performance information, research reports, personnel matters, products, services, operating procedures, organizational responsibilities and marketing matters, policies or procedures; (viii) information and materials describing existing or new processes, products and services of the Company or its subsidiaries or affiliates, including marketing materials, analytical data and techniques, and product, service or marketing concepts under development, and the status of such development; (ix) the business or strategic plans of the Company or its subsidiaries or affiliates; (x) the information technology systems, network designs, computer program code, and application practices of the Company or its subsidiaries or affiliates; (xi) acquisition candidates of the Company or its subsidiaries or affiliates or any studies or assessments relating thereto; and (xii) trademarks, service marks, trade secrets, trade names and logos. Confidential Information does not include information that, other than as a result of a breach by Executive of this Agreement, is or becomes generally known to and available for use by the public.

 

(e)            “ Disability ” means Executive’s inability to perform one or more essential functions of his position, notwithstanding the provision of reasonable accommodation, by reason of any medically diagnosed physical or mental impairment which inability has lasted for a continuous period of 120 calendar days or more. A determination of such Disability will be made by a physician reasonably acceptable to the Company.

 

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(f)           “ Good Reason ” means the occurrence of any of the following events, without the written consent of Executive:

 

(i)           a reduction by the Company in Executive’s Base Salary (as may have been increased after the Effective Date) by more than ten percent (10%), except as part of an across the board uniformly applied reduction affecting all senior executives;

 

(ii)           A material and permanent reduction in Executive’s authority, duties or responsibilities, other than any reduction which occurs solely as a result of the Company being acquired and made a part of a larger entity (as for example, when the Chief Executive Officer of the Company remains as such following an acquisition and is not made the Chief Executive Officer of the acquiring corporation or entity);

 

(iii)           Any other action or inaction that constitutes a material breach by the Company of this Agreement or any other agreement under which Executive provides services to the Company.

 

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement to the contrary, Executive shall not be deemed to have terminated his employment for Good Reason unless (A) Executive notifies the Company in writing of the condition that Executive believes constitutes Good Reason within ninety (90) days of the initial existence thereof (which notice specifically identifies such condition and the details regarding its existence), (ii) the Company fails to remedy such condition within thirty (30) days after the date on which it receives such notice (the “ Remedial Period ”), and (iii) Executive terminates employment with the Company (and its subsidiaries and affiliates) within thirty (30) days after the end of the Remedial Period.

 

(g)           “ Section 409A ” means Section 409A of the Code and the Treasury Regulations and guidance issued thereunder.

 

(h)           “ Severance Period ” means (i) the period between the Executive’s last day of employment and the one year anniversary of Executive’s employment hereunder if Executive’s employment is terminated under Section 7(a) prior to such one year anniversary or (ii) six (6) months, whichever period is longer.

 

(i)           “ Territory ” means any State in the United States in which the Company, its subsidiaries or affiliates then-currently conduct their business or have conducted their business at any time in the prior twelve (12) months.

 

11.            Tax Matters

 

(a)            Withholding . All payments made pursuant to this Agreement will be subject to withholding of applicable taxes.

 

(b)            Responsibility . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, the Company makes no representations or warranties to Executive with respect to any tax, economic or legal consequences of this Agreement or any payments or other benefits provided hereunder, including without limitation under Section 409A, and no provision of the Agreement shall be interpreted or construed to transfer any liability for failure to comply with Section 409A or any other legal requirement from Executive or any other individual to the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates. Executive, by executing this Agreement, shall be deemed to have waived any claim against the Company and its subsidiaries and affiliates with respect to any such tax, economic or legal consequences.

 

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(c)            Section 409A . The parties intend that this Agreement and the payments and other benefits provided hereunder be exempt from the requirements of Section 409A to the maximum extent possible, whether pursuant to the short-term deferral exception described in Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(b)(4), the involuntary separation pay plan exception described in Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(b)(9)(iii), or otherwise. To the extent Section 409A is applicable to this Agreement and any such payments and benefits, the parties intend that this Agreement and such payments and benefits comply with the deferral, payout and other limitations and restrictions imposed under Section 409A. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement to the contrary, this Agreement shall be interpreted, operated and administered in a manner consistent with such intentions. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, and notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement to the contrary:

 

(i)           if at the time Executive’s employment hereunder terminates, Executive is a “specified employee,” as defined in Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(i) and determined using the identification methodology selected by the Company from time to time, or if none, the default methodology, then to the extent necessary to avoid subjecting Executive to the imposition of any additional tax under Section 409A, any and all amounts payable under this Agreement on account of such termination of employment that would (but for this provision) be payable within six (6) months following the date of termination, shall instead be paid in a lump sum on the first day of the seventh month following the date on which Executive’s employment terminates or, if earlier, upon Executive’s death;

 

(ii)           a termination of employment shall not be deemed to have occurred for purposes of any provision of this Agreement providing for the payment of amounts or benefits upon or following a termination of employment unless such termination is also a “separation from service,” as defined in Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(h) after giving effect to the presumptions contained therein, and, for purposes of any such provision of this Agreement, references to “terminate,” “termination,” “termination of employment” and like terms shall mean separation from service;

 

(iii)           each payment made under this Agreement shall be treated as a separate payment and the right to a series of installment payments under this Agreement shall be treated as a right to a series of separate payments; and

 

(iv)           with regard to any provision in this Agreement that provides for reimbursement of expenses or in-kind benefits, except for any expense, reimbursement or in-kind benefit provided pursuant to this Agreement that does not constitute a “deferral of compensation,” within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(b), (A) the right to reimbursement or in-kind benefits shall not be subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit, (B) the amount of expenses eligible for reimbursement, or in-kind benefits provided, during any taxable year shall not affect the expenses eligible for reimbursement, or in-kind benefits to be provided, in any other taxable year, and (C) such payments shall be made no later than two and a half months after the end of the calendar year in which the expenses were incurred.

 

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(d)            Limitation on Payments Under Certain Circumstances .

 

(i)           Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement to the contrary, in the event that Executive becomes entitled to receive or receives any payments, options, awards or benefits (including, without limitation, the monetary value of any non-cash benefits and the accelerated vesting of stock awards) under any plan, agreement or arrangement with the Company or any person affiliated with the Company (collectively, the “ Payments ”), that may separately or in the aggregate constitute “parachute payments” within the meaning of Code Section 280G and the Treasury regulations promulgated thereunder (“ Section 280G ”) and it is determined that, but for this Section 12(d)(i), any of the Payments will be subject to any excise tax pursuant to Code Section 4999 or any similar or successor provision (the “ Excise Tax ”), the Company shall pay to Executive either (i) the full amount of the Payments or (ii) an amount equal to the Payments reduced by the minimum amount necessary to prevent any portion of the Payments from being an “excess parachute payment” (within the meaning of Section 280G) (the “ Capped Payments ”), whichever of the foregoing amounts results in the receipt by Executive, on an after-tax basis (with consideration of all taxes incurred in connection with the Payments, including the Excise Tax), of the greatest amount of Payments notwithstanding that all or some portion of the Payments may be subject to the Excise Tax. For purposes of determining whether Executive would receive a greater after-tax benefit from the Capped Payments than from receipt of the full amount of the Payments and for purposes of Section 11(d)(iii) (if applicable), Executive shall be deemed to pay federal, state and local taxes at the highest marginal rate of taxation for the applicable calendar year.

 

(ii)           All computations and determinations called for by Sections 11(d)(i) and 12(d)(iii) shall be made and reported in writing to the Company and Executive by a third-party service provider selected by the Company (the “ Tax Advisor ”), and all such computations and determinations shall be conclusive and binding on the Company and Executive. For purposes of such calculations and determinations, the Tax Advisor may rely on reasonable, good faith interpretations concerning the application of Code Sections 280G and 4999. The Company and Executive shall furnish to the Tax Advisor such information and documents as the Tax Advisor may reasonably request in order to make their required calculations and determinations. The Company shall bear all fees and expenses charged by the Tax Advisor in connection with its services.

 

(iii)           In the event that Section 11(d)(i) applies and a reduction is required to be applied to the Payments thereunder, the Payments shall be reduced by the Company in a manner and order of priority that provides Executive with the largest net after-tax value; provided that payments of equal after-tax present value shall be reduced in the reverse order of payment. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, any such reduction shall be structured in a manner intended to comply with Section 409A.

 

12.            Assignment . This Agreement and Executive’s rights under this Agreement is personal to Executive and shall not be assignable by Executive. The Company may assign this Agreement to any affiliated or successor company. As used in this Agreement, “ Company ” means Shock, Inc. and any successor to its business and/or assets as aforesaid that assumes and agrees to perform this Agreement by contract, operation of law or otherwise; and as long as such successor assumes and agrees to perform this Agreement, the termination of Executive’s employment by one such entity and the immediate hiring and continuation of Executive’s employment by the succeeding entity shall not be deemed to constitute a termination or trigger any severance obligation under this Agreement. All the terms and provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the parties hereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns.

 

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13.            Notices . All notices, requests, demands and other communications called for hereunder will be in writing and will be deemed given (a) on the date of delivery if delivered personally, (b) one (1) day after being sent by a well established commercial overnight service, or (c) four (4) days after being mailed by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, prepaid and addressed to the parties or their successors at the following addresses, or at such other addresses as the parties may later designate in writing:

 

If to the Company:

 

Shock, Inc.

 

2415 Annapolis Lane, Suite 100

 

Plymouth, MN 55441

 

Attn : John P. Yeros

 

If to Executive:

 

Randy W. Gilbert

 

224 Ridgeview Drive E

 

Wayzata, MN 55391

 

14.            Severability . In the event that any provision hereof becomes or is declared by a court of competent jurisdiction to be illegal, unenforceable or void, this Agreement will continue in full force and effect without said provision.

 

15.            Integration . This Agreement represents the entire agreement and understanding between the parties as to the subject matter herein and supersedes all prior or contemporaneous agreements whether written or oral. No waiver, alteration or modification of any of the provisions of this Agreement will be binding unless in writing that specifically references this Section and signed by duly authorized representatives of the parties hereto.

 

16.            Waiver of Breach . The waiver of a breach of any term or provision of this Agreement, which must be in writing, will not operate as or be construed to be a waiver of any other previous or subsequent breach of this Agreement.

 

17.            Headings . All captions and section headings used in this Agreement are for convenient reference only and do not form a part of this Agreement.

 

18.            Governing Law . This Agreement will be construed and interpreted in accordance with, and any dispute or controversy arising from any breach or asserted breach of this Agreement will be governed by, the laws of the State of Minnesota, without regard to any choice of law rules. Any action brought to enforce or interpret this Agreement must be brought in the state or federal courts for the State of Minnesota, sitting in Hennepin County, and the parties hereby consent to the jurisdiction and venue of such courts in the event of any dispute. Each of the parties knowingly and voluntarily waives all right to trial by jury in any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement, Executive’s employment by the Company, or for recognition or enforcement of any judgment.

 

19.            Acknowledgment . Executive acknowledges that he has had the opportunity to discuss this matter with and obtain advice from his private attorney, has had sufficient time to, and has carefully read and fully understands all the provisions of this Agreement, and is knowingly and voluntarily entering into this Agreement.

 

20.            Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, including by facsimile or electronic transmission, and each counterpart will have the same force and effect as an original and will constitute an effective, binding agreement on the part of each of the undersigned.

 

{Signature Page Follows}

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties has executed this Executive Employment Agreement, in the case of the Company by its duly authorized officers, as of the day and year first above written.

 

COMPANY:    
     
Shock, Inc.    
       
By: /s/ John P. Yeros   Date: November 1, 2016
Title: Chief Executive Officer    
       
EXECUTIVE:    
     
/s/ Randy W. Gilbert   Date: November 22, 2016
Randy W. Gilbert    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 10.7

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED

 

LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT

 

OF

 

TITAN CNG, LLC

 

A DELAWARE LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY

 

 

 

Effective as of January 1, 2016

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED

LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT

OF

TITAN CNG, LLC

A DELAWARE LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY

 

THIS AMENDED AND RESTATED LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT (this “ Agreement ”) of TITAN CNG, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “ Company ”), is entered into as of the 1 st day of January, 2016 (the “ Effective Date ”), by and among those parties whose names are set forth on the signature pages hereto.

 

RECITALS

 

WHEREAS , on July 9, 2012, a Certificate of Formation (the “ Certificate ”) was filed for the Company with the office of the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware; and such filing as updated on September 28 th 2015 and October 1 st , 2015.

 

WHEREAS , the Members entered into a Limited Liability Company Agreement of Titan CNG, LLC dated as of May 26, 2015 (the “ Prior LLC Agreement ”).

 

WHEREAS, the parties hereto desire to enter into this Agreement to amend and restate the Prior LLC Agreement in its entirety, and to provide for the management of the business and the affairs of the Company, the allocation of profits and losses, the distribution of cash of the Company among the Members, the rights, obligations and interests of the Members to each other and to the Company, and certain other matters.

 

NOW, THEREFORE , in consideration of the foregoing and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the Members and Manager hereby amend and restate the Prior LLC Agreement as follows:

 

ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS; INTERPRETATION

 

1.1        Definitions . Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined have the meanings assigned to them in Schedule II attached hereto.

 

1.2        Accounting Terms and Determinations . Unless otherwise specified, (i) all accounting terms used herein shall be interpreted, (ii) all accounting determinations hereunder shall be made, and (iii) all financial statements required to be delivered hereunder shall be prepared, in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, as in effect from time to time, consistently applied.

 

  2  

 

 

1.3        Interpretation . In this Agreement, unless otherwise specified (i) singular words include the plural and plural words include the singular; (ii) words which include a number of constituent parts, things or elements, shall be construed as referring separately to each constituent part, thing or element thereof, as well as to all such constituent parts, things or elements as a whole; (iii) words importing any gender include the other gender; (iv) references to any statute or other law include all applicable rules, regulations, and orders adopted or made thereunder and all statutes or other laws amending, consolidating or replacing the statute or law that is referred; (v) references to any agreement or other document, including this Agreement, include all subsequent amendments, modifications, or supplements to such agreement or document; (vi) the words “include” and “including” and words of similar import, shall be deemed to be followed by the words “without limitation”; (vii) the words “hereto,” “herein,” “hereof,” “hereunder” and words of similar import, refer to this Agreement in its entirety; (viii) references to Articles, Sections, paragraphs, Schedules and Exhibits are to the Articles, Sections, paragraphs, Schedules and Exhibits of this Agreement; (ix) numberings and headings of Articles, Sections, paragraphs, Schedules and Exhibits are inserted as a matter of convenience and shall not affect the construction of this Agreement; and (x) all Schedules and Exhibits to this Agreement are incorporated herein by this reference thereto as if fully set forth herein, and all references herein to this Agreement shall be deemed to include all such incorporated Schedules and Exhibits.

 

ARTICLE II
ORGANIZATIONAL MATTERS

 

2.1        Filing of the Certificate . The parties have organized the Company pursuant to the Act and the provisions of this Agreement and, for that purpose, have caused the Certificate to be prepared, executed and filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on July 9, 2012. The Members agree that the rights, duties and liabilities of the Members and the Board shall be as provided in the Act, except as otherwise expressly provided herein.

 

2.2        Name of Company . The name of the Company is “TITAN CNG, LLC”. The Company may do business under that name and under any other name or names that the Board selects. If the Company does business under a name other than that set forth in the Certificate, then the Company shall comply with any requirements of the Act or applicable law related thereto.

 

2.3        Address of Company . The principal executive office of the Company shall be situated at 315 Lake Street E, Suite 301 Wayzata, Minnesota 55391, or such other place or places as may be determined by the Board from time to time.

 

2.4        Agent for Service of Process . The agent for service of process of the Company in the State of Delaware shall be the registered agent named in the Certificate or such Person or Persons as the Board may designate from time to time in the manner provided by applicable law.

 

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2.5        Business Purposes . The purpose of the Company is to conduct the Business. The Company shall possess and may exercise all powers necessary or convenient to the conduct and promotion of the Business.

 

2.6        Tax Treatment as Partnership . It is the intent of the Members that the Company shall be operated in a manner consistent with its treatment as a “partnership” for Federal income tax purposes; provided, however , that the Board, in its discretion, may elect to cause the Company to be treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Except as provided in the foregoing sentence, the Members intend the Company to be a limited liability company under the Act, and that they be Members, and not partners in a partnership. No Member shall take any action inconsistent with the express intent of the parties hereto.

 

2.7        Term of Company’s Existence . The term of existence of the Company commenced on the effective date of filing of the Certificate with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware, and shall continue in perpetuity, unless sooner terminated by the provisions of this Agreement or as provided by law.

 

2.8        Units .

 

(a)        Generally . Each Member’s Membership Interest shall be represented by units of limited liability company interest (each, a “ Unit ”). As of the date hereof, there are two classes of Units, Class A Membership Units and Class B Membership Units. All Units outstanding prior to the Effective Date are hereby designated as Class A Membership Units. Class A Membership Units will be entitled to one vote per Unit, and Class B Membership Units will have no voting rights hereunder. The Company is authorized to issue up to 10,000,000 Class A Membership Units and 87,672 Class B Membership Units. The ownership by a Member of Units shall entitle such Member to allocations of Net Income and Net Loss and other items of income, gain, loss or deduction, and distributions of cash and other property, as set forth in ARTICLE IV . The Company may issue fractional Units and all Units shall be rounded to the third decimal place. The names of the Members, and the number of Units held by such Members, among other things, shall be as set forth on Schedule I attached hereto, as such Schedule may be amended by the Board from time to time in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

 

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(b)        Class B Membership Units . The Board shall have the right to cause the Company to issue Class B Membership Units to a Person in exchange for services performed or to be performed for the Company or one of its Subsidiaries by such Person, rather than in exchange for Capital Contributions made to the Company by such Person; provided, however , that the Percentage Interest of all issued and outstanding Class B Membership Units shall not exceed 10% at the time any such Class B Membership Units are granted. All Class B Membership Units shall be issued pursuant to a grant agreement (each such agreement, a “ Restricted Unit Grant Agreement ”), approved by the Board, between the Company and the recipient of such Class B Membership Unit. Each Restricted Unit Grant Agreement may provide for, among other matters, the forfeiture of, transfer restrictions relating to, and repurchase by the Company of, such Class B Membership Units. A Person shall be awarded Class B Membership Units, and, to the extent not already a holder of Units, shall become a Member upon the execution of the Restricted Unit Grant Agreement and the Joinder attached hereto as Exhibit A . Class B Membership Units issued on or after the date of this Agreement are intended to be treated as “profits interests” under IRS Revenue Procedure 93-27 and IRS Revenue Procedure 2001-43 and the provisions of this Agreement shall be interpreted and applied consistently therewith. Each Class B Membership Unit issued after the date hereof shall contain such provisions in order for such Class B Membership Unit to be treated as a “profits interest,” including (A) a threshold amount (at least equal to the Liquidation Value of such Unit being issued absent such a threshold amount) of cumulative Distributions that must be made with respect to all or one or more specified classes of Units outstanding immediately prior to the issuance of such Class B Membership Unit before such Class B Membership Unit may receive any distributions (other than Tax Distributions) (the “ Distribution Threshold ”) or (B) requiring that the recipient thereof pay the Company an amount per Unit at least equal to the Liquidation Value thereof. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Distribution Threshold established for any Class B Membership Unit will be not less than an amount equivalent to $12.00 per Unit.

 

ARTICLE III
CAPITAL ACCOUNTS AND CAPITAL CONTRIBUTIONS

 

3.1        Initial Capital Contributions and Capital Accounts . An individual Capital Account shall be maintained for each Member in accordance with the requirements of Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv), and the provisions of this Agreement respecting the maintenance of Capital Accounts shall be interpreted and applied in a manner consistent with those Regulations. If any Membership Interest (or portion thereof) is Transferred pursuant to and in accordance with this Agreement, the Transferee of such Membership Interest (or portion thereof) shall succeed to the transferring Member’s Capital Account attributable to such Membership Interest (or portion thereof). Each Member has made Capital Contributions and has a Percentage Interest and Capital Account as set forth on Schedule I attached hereto.

 

3.2        [Intentionally omitted]

 

3.3        Return of Capital Contributions . Except in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, no Member shall be entitled to receive any distributions, whether of money or property, from the Company.

 

3.4        No Interest on Capital Contributions or Capital Accounts . Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, no interest shall be paid on any Capital Contributions or on the balance of any Capital Account.

 

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3.5        Member Loans .

 

(a)       Any Member or an Affiliate of a Member may, but shall not be required to, lend money to the Company with the Board’s prior written consent. Such loan (a “ Member Loan ”) shall not be treated as a Capital Contribution by that Member or entitle the Member to an increase in that Member’s Percentage Interest. The Member Loan shall be a debt due from the Company, repayable out of the Company’s assets, bear interest at the lower of the Prime Rate or the maximum rate permitted by law, and shall be on such other terms as the Company and the Member agree.

 

(b)       The Members acknowledge that any Member or Affiliate of a Member who loans money to the Company pursuant to this Section 3.5 (each a “ Lender ”) shall have rights, the exercise of which may be in conflict with the Company’s best interests. In that regard, the Members hereby authorize, agree, and consent to the Lender’s exercise of any of Lender’s rights under any promissory note, security agreement, or other loan document, even though the Lender’s exercise of those rights may be detrimental to the Company or its business. Further, the Members agree that any Lender’s proper exercise of rights shall not be deemed a breach of that Lender’s fiduciary duties, if any, to the Company.

 

3.6        Limited Liability  Except as otherwise provided by the Act, the debts, obligations and liabilities of the Company, whether arising in contract, tort or otherwise, shall be solely the debts, obligations and liabilities of the Company, and no Member, officer or Manager shall be obligated personally for any such debt, obligation or liability of the Company solely by reason of being a Member or acting as an officer or Manager of the Company; provided that a Member shall be required to return to the Company any distribution made to it in clear and manifest accounting or similar error. The immediately preceding sentence shall constitute a compromise to which all Members have consented within the meaning of the Act. Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, the failure of the Company to observe any formalities or requirements relating to the exercise of its powers or management of its business and affairs under this Agreement or the Act shall not be grounds for imposing personal liability on the Members, officers or Managers for liabilities of the Company, except to the extent constituting fraud, willful misconduct or a violation of the express terms of this Agreement by such Members, officers or Managers. No amendment or repeal of this Section 3.6 shall have any effect on a Person’s rights under this Section 3.6 with respect to any act or omission occurring prior to such amendment or repeal. 

 

ARTICLE IV
PROFITS, LOSSES AND DISTRIBUTIONS

 

4.1        Allocations of Net Income and Net Loss . Subject to Section 4.2 , Net Income and Net Loss of the Company for each Fiscal Year shall be allocated among the Members so as to reduce, proportionately, the difference between their respective Target Capital Accounts and Partially Adjusted Capital Accounts as of the end of such Fiscal Year.

 

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4.2        Regulatory Allocations . Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the following special allocations shall be made in the following order:

 

(a)        Minimum Gain Chargeback . If there is a net decrease in Company Minimum Gain during any fiscal year, each Member shall be specially allocated items of Company income and gain for such year (and, if necessary, for subsequent years) in an amount equal to such Member’s share of the net decrease in Company Minimum Gain, as determined under Regulations Section 1.704-2(g). Allocations pursuant to the previous sentence shall be made in proportion to the respective amounts required to be allocated to each Member pursuant thereto. The items to be so allocated shall be determined in accordance with Regulations Sections 1.704-2(f)(6) and 1.704-2(j)(2). This Section 4.2(a) is intended to comply with the “minimum gain chargeback” requirements of Regulations Section 1.704-2(f) and shall be interpreted consistently therewith.

 

(b)        Chargeback Attributable to Member Nonrecourse Debt . If there is a net decrease in Member Minimum Gain during any Fiscal Year, each Member with a share of Member Minimum Gain at the beginning of such Fiscal Year shall be specially allocated items of income and gain for such Fiscal Year (and, if necessary, for subsequent Fiscal Years) in an amount equal to such Member’s share of the net decrease in Member Minimum Gain, determined in accordance with Regulations Section 1.704-2(i)(4) and (5). Allocations pursuant to the previous sentence shall be made in proportion to the respective amounts required to be allocated to each Member pursuant thereto. The items to be so allocated shall be determined in accordance with Regulations Sections 1.704-2(i)(4) and 1.704-2(j)(2)(i). This Section 4.2(b) is intended to comply with the “partner minimum gain chargeback” requirements of Regulations Section 1.704-2(i)(4) and shall be interpreted consistently therewith.

 

(c)        Qualified Income Offset . If any Member unexpectedly receives any adjustment, allocation or distribution described in Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d)(4), (5) or (6) which results in an Adjusted Capital Account Deficit for the Member, such Member shall be allocated items of income and book gain in an amount and manner sufficient to eliminate such Adjusted Capital Account Deficit as quickly as possible; provided , that an allocation pursuant to this Section 4.2(c) shall be made if and only to the extent that such Member would have an Adjusted Capital Account Deficit after all other allocations provided for in this ARTICLE IV have been tentatively made as if this Section 4.2(c) were not in the Agreement. This Section 4.2(c) is intended to constitute a “qualified income offset” as provided by Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d) and shall be interpreted consistently therewith.

 

(d)        Member Nonrecourse Deductions . Member Nonrecourse Deductions shall be allocated among the Members who bear the Economic Risk of Loss for the Member Nonrecourse Debt to which such Member Nonrecourse Deductions are attributable in the ratio in which they share Economic Risk of Loss for such Member Nonrecourse Debt. This Section 4.2(d) is to be interpreted in a manner consistent with the requirements of Regulations Section 1.704-2(b)(4) and (i)(1).

 

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(e)        Nonrecourse Deductions . Any Nonrecourse Deductions (as defined in Regulations Section 1.704-2(b)(1)) for any Fiscal Year or other period shall be specially allocated to the Members in proportion to their Percentage Interests.

 

(f)        Regulatory Allocations . The allocations set forth in this Section 4.2 (the “ Regulatory Allocations ”) are intended to comply with certain requirements of the applicable Regulations promulgated under Code Section 704(b). Notwithstanding any other provision of this ARTICLE IV , the Regulatory Allocations shall be taken into account in allocating Net Income, Net Loss and other items of income, gain, loss and deduction to the Members for Capital Account purposes so that, to the extent possible, the net amount of such allocations of Net Income, Net Loss and other items shall be equal to the amount that would have been allocated to each Member if the Regulatory Allocations had not occurred.

 

4.3        Distributions of Available Cash . Subject to Section 4.10, Available Cash shall be distributed to the Members in proportion to their respective Percentage Interests, as and when determined by the Board; provided, however , that in no event shall any distribution be made with respect to a Class B Membership Unit unless and only to the extent that the Company has already made aggregate distributions under this Section 4.3 (excluding Tax Distributions) equal to the Distribution Threshold applicable to such Class B Membership Unit, taking into account only distributions hereunder from and after the date of issuance of such Class B Membership Unit.

 

4.4        Record Dates . All Net Income and Net Loss shall be allocated, and all distributions shall be made, to the Persons shown on the records of the Company to have been Members as of the last day of the taxable year for which the allocation or distribution is to be made. Notwithstanding the foregoing, unless the Company’s taxable year is separated into segments, if there is a Transfer of a Membership Interest during the taxable year, the Net Income and Net Loss shall be allocated between the original Member and the successor on the basis of the number of days each was a Member during the taxable year; provided , however , the Company’s taxable year shall be segregated into two or more segments in order to account for Net Income, Net Loss, or proceeds attributable to any extraordinary non-recurring items of the Company.

 

4.5        Withholding Taxes .

 

(a)       Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, each Member authorizes the Company to withhold and to pay over, or otherwise pay, any withholding or other taxes payable by the Company (pursuant to the Code or any provision of the United States federal, state, local or foreign tax law) with respect to such Member or as a result of such Member’s participation in the Company; and if and to the extent that the Company shall be required to withhold or pay any such withholding or other taxes, such Member shall be deemed for all purposes of this Agreement to have received a payment from the Company as of the time such withholding or other tax is required to be paid, which payment shall be deemed to be a distribution with respect to such Member’s interest in the Company.

 

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(b)       Any withholdings referred to in this Section 4.5 shall be made at the maximum applicable statutory rate under the applicable tax law unless the Board shall have received an opinion of counsel or other evidence, satisfactory to the Board, to the effect that a lower rate is applicable, or that no withholding is applicable.

 

(c)       If the Company receives a distribution from or in respect of which tax has been withheld, the Company shall be treated as having received cash in an amount equal to the amount of such withheld tax, and each Member shall be treated as having received as a distribution the portion of such amount that is attributable to such Member’s interest in the Company as equitably determined by the Board.

 

4.6        No Restoration of Negative Capital Accounts . No Member shall be obligated to restore a Capital Account with a balance of less than zero.

 

4.7        Compliance with Laws and Regulations . It is the intent of the Members that each Member’s distributive share of Company tax items be determined in accordance with this Agreement to the fullest extent permitted by Sections 704(b) and 704(c) of the Code.  Therefore, notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, if the Company is advised, as a result of the adoption of new or amended regulations pursuant to Code Sections 704(b) and 704(c), or the issuance of authorized interpretations, that the allocations provided in this Agreement are unlikely to be respected for Federal income tax purposes, the Board is hereby granted the power to amend the allocation provisions of this Agreement, on advice of accountants and legal counsel, to the minimum extent necessary to cause such allocation provisions to be respected for Federal income tax purposes.

 

4.8        Code Section 704(c) Allocations . Notwithstanding any other provision in this ARTICLE IV , in accordance with Code Section 704(c) and the Treasury Regulations, income, gain, loss, and deduction with respect to any property contributed to the capital of the Company, or property with respect to which there has been an adjustment to the Book Value pursuant to the definition of Book Value, shall, solely for tax purposes, be allocated among the Members so as to take account of any variation between the adjusted basis of such property to the Company for federal income tax purposes and its Book Value, using the “traditional method” described in Regulations Section 1.704-3(b). Allocations pursuant to this Section 4.8 are solely for purposes of federal, state and local taxes. As such, they shall not affect or in any way be taken into account in computing a Member’s Capital Account.

 

4.9        Obligations of Members to Report Allocations . The Members are aware of the income tax consequences of the allocations made by this ARTICLE IV , and hereby agree to be bound by the provisions of this ARTICLE IV in reporting their shares of Company income and loss for income tax purposes.

 

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4.10        Distributions with Respect to Taxes .

 

(a)       Within ninety (90) days after the conclusion of each Fiscal Year, and to the extent of the Available Cash, the Company shall make a distribution to each Member (a “ Tax Distribution ”) which is equal to the amount by which (A) the product of (i) the highest combined marginal Federal and local income tax rates imposed on the ordinary income of individuals who are residents of Minnesota for tax purposes (taking into account the deductibility of local taxes for Federal income tax purposes); and (ii) the Company's taxable income for federal income tax purposes allocated to such Member for such Fiscal Year, exceeds (B) the aggregate amount of distributions made by the Company to such Member pursuant to Section 4.3 with respect to such Fiscal Year; provided , however , that to the extent possible, the Company shall make quarterly distributions in respect of the amounts to be distributed annually pursuant to this Section 4.10(a) in order to facilitate the Members’ ability to make quarterly estimated tax payments with respect to the taxable income of the Company allocated to them, and in determining and making the required Tax Distribution after the end of each Fiscal Year, the Company shall make appropriate adjustments to reflect the actual results of such Fiscal Year and take into account any quarterly Tax Distributions made during such Fiscal Year.

 

(b)       The amount of any Tax Distributions made to a Member under Section 4.10(a) shall be offset against future distributions to which such Member is entitled under Section 4.3 as quickly as possible in such a manner that, immediately after any distribution has been made pursuant to Section 4.3, the cumulative amount of distributions that have actually been received by each Member pursuant to Section 4.3 and Section 4.10(a) shall equal (to the extent possible) the distributions to which such Member would have been entitled if all such distributions had been made by the Company in accordance with Section 4.3 .

 

4.11        Imputed Underpayments . If a Member is required to bear the financial burden specified in Section 7.6(b)(ii), any amounts otherwise distributable under Section 4.3 or Section 9.2(b) shall be adjusted by the Board to cause the Member to bear such burden; provided , however that if the amount of any “imputed underpayment” (as determined under Section 6225 of the Code, as amended by the Bi-partisan Budget Act of 2015) (an “ Imputed Underpayment ”) is modified in accordance with Section 6225(c) of the Code, as amended by the Bi-partisan Budget Act of 2015, amounts otherwise distributable under Section 4.3 or Section 9.2(b) shall be adjusted by the Board so that each Member who or which files an amended return and pays the resulting tax and interest due, or whose status as tax-exempt, foreign or being subject to a lower tax rate, results in a modification of the Imputed Underpayment otherwise payable by the Company, realizes the benefit of such modification.

 

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ARTICLE V
MANAGEMENT

 

5.1        Management .

 

(a)        Management by the Board of Managers . In accordance with Section 18-401 of the Act, and except for matters for which approval by all or any portion of the Members is expressly required by this Agreement, the business, property and affairs of the Company shall be managed, and all powers of the Company shall be exercised, by or under the direction of the Board of Managers. Except for matters for which approval by all or any portion of the Members is expressly required by this Agreement or the mandatory provisions of the Act, (i) all decisions concerning the management, operation and policy of the Company’s business shall be made by the Board, and (ii) the Board shall have full, complete and exclusive authority, power and discretion to manage and control the business, property and affairs of the Company, to make all decisions regarding those matters and to perform any and all acts or activities customary or incident to the management, operation and policy of the Company’s business, property or affairs. Decisions of the Board shall be binding upon the Company and each Member. Except for matters for which approval by all or any portion of the Members is expressly required by this Agreement or the mandatory provisions of the Act, no Member shall have the right to vote on any matters concerning the business, property or affairs of the Company.

 

(b)        Actions on Behalf of Company . Without limiting the generality of Section 5.1(a) , and except for matters for which approval by all or any portion of the Members is expressly required by this Agreement, the Board is authorized and empowered to carry out and implement any and all of the following actions on behalf of the Company:

 

(i)       engaging personnel, including the officers of the Company, and doing such other acts and incurring such other expenses on behalf of the Company as the Board may deem necessary or advisable in connection with the conduct of the Company’s affairs, including the determination and payment of distributions to Members, and compensation to the Board (if any), in accordance with this Agreement;

 

(ii)       engaging and compensating independent attorneys, accountants, investment advisers, agents or other such Persons as the Board may deem necessary or advisable;

 

(iii)       opening, maintaining, conducting and closing accounts, including depositary, custodial, brokerage, margin, client or discretionary accounts, with banks, brokers, investment advisers, or other Persons, and paying the fees and charges for transactions in such accounts;

 

(iv)       acquiring, disposing of and/or refinancing property, including the Property, owned, directly or indirectly, by the Company or any of its subsidiaries;

 

(v)       executing, delivering and performing such other contracts, agreements, and such other undertakings as it may deem necessary or advisable for the conduct of the Company’s business;

 

(vi)       amending Schedule I hereto, from time to time, to accurately reflect the Members and their respective Percentage Interests, Capital Accounts and Units;

 

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(vii)       taking such actions and making such elections to change the Company’s classification for U.S. federal income tax purposes; and

 

(viii)       filing, if advisable, a Code Section 754 election for the Company.

 

(c)        Devotion of Time as Manager . It is acknowledged that each Manager has other business interests to which he may devote part of such Person’s time, and, except as provided in the last sentence of this Section 5.1(c), nothing herein shall require a Manager to devote such Manager’s full time to the business and affairs of the Company. Nothing contained in this Agreement shall preclude a Manager or any of its members, managers, employees, Affiliates or agents from acting as a director, stockholder, member, manager, officer, official, consultant or employee of any Person, from receiving compensation for services rendered in connection with any of the foregoing, from acting as a principal or employee of any Person with whom the Company may contract for services or otherwise, or participating in profits derived from investments in any such Person, or from investing in any securities or other property for its own account. In addition to the foregoing, and notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, each Manager and its members, managers, employees, Affiliates and agents shall be entitled to engage in any business activity of any kind (“ Other Activities ”), and none of the Members or the Company shall have any interest or right in or to the Other Activities or to the income or proceeds derived therefrom. Notwithstanding the foregoing, each Manager shall devote sufficient time to the Company to perform his duties hereunder in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

 

(d)        Compensation and Reimbursement . The Board, at its discretion, may offer compensation to members of the Board of Managers. The Company shall reimburse each Manager for reasonable out-of-pocket expenditures that such Manager makes on behalf of the Company, as long as such Manager submits substantiating evidence of such expenditures to the Company. Affiliates, employees, agents, and consultants of a Manager, and employees, agents and consultants of Affiliates of a Manager, may be employed by or otherwise may perform services for the Company, and may be compensated by the Company for services rendered.

 

(e)        Exculpation . None of the Management Parties shall be liable to the Company or any Member for any claims, costs, expenses, damages or losses arising out of or in connection with the performance of its duties as or with respect to a Manager, or for any act or omission performed or omitted to be performed by any Management Party in good faith and pursuant to the authority granted to a Manager under this Agreement, other than those directly attributable to such Management Party’s gross negligence or willful misconduct. No Manager shall be liable to any Member for claims, costs, expenses, damages or losses due to circumstances beyond such Manager’s control, including, without limitation, due to the negligence, dishonesty, bad faith or malfeasance of any employee, broker or other agent of the Company. Any fiduciary duties of the Management Parties are hereby reduced to the maximum extent permissible under Delaware law.

 

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5.2         Composition of the Board .

 

(a)        Number and Appointment . The Board shall determine the size of the Board from time to time. As of the Effective Date, the Managers are as set forth on Exhibit B , each of whom is elected to serve until his or her death, resignation or earlier removal. The Managers shall be elected, designated, or appointed as follows: (i) each of the Chief Executive Officer and the President of the Company, so long as such person holds that office, shall be designated a Manager; and (ii) the Initial Members shall be entitled to elect the other Managers.

 

(b)        Term . Each Manager appointed shall serve until a successor is appointed or designated in accordance with the terms hereof or his or her earlier resignation, death or removal. A Manager may resign at any time upon written notice to the Company. Such resignation shall be effective upon receipt unless it is specified to be effective at some other time or upon the happening of some other event.

 

(c)        Vacancies . A vacancy in the Board because of resignation, death or removal of a Manager shall be filled by the Members entitled to designate such Manager.

 

(d)        Chairman . The Board may designate one of the Managers to serve as chairman. If so designated, the chairman shall preside at all meetings of the Board (but shall have no other rights or responsibilities). In the absence of the chairman, or if no chairman is so designated, then a majority of the Managers present at a meeting shall designate a Manager to preside at such meeting.

 

5.3        Board Actions; Meetings .

 

(a)       Unless another percentage is set forth in this Agreement or required by applicable law, any determination or action required to be taken by the Board shall be taken by a majority of the Managers then in office (through meetings of the Board or written consents pursuant to this Section 5.3 ). A majority of the Managers shall constitute a quorum sufficient for conducting meetings and making decisions. The act of a majority of the Managers present at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the Board. Each Manager serving on the Board shall be entitled to one vote on all matters coming before the Board.

 

(b)       Regular meetings of the Board may be held on such date and at such time and at such place as shall from time to time be determined by the Board. Special meetings of the Board may be called from time to time by any Manager. Notice of each special meeting of the Board stating the date, place, time and purpose of such meeting shall be given to each Manager by hand, email, telephone, telecopy, overnight courier or the U.S. mail at least 24 hours prior to any meeting of the Board. Notice may be waived before or after a meeting or by attendance without protest at such meeting.

 

(c)       Any action to be taken by the Board may be taken at a meeting of the Board or by a written consent executed by a majority of the Managers.

 

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(d)       Managers may participate in a meeting of the Board by means of telephone conference, video conference or similar communications equipment by which all Persons participating in the meeting can communicate with each other, and such participation in a meeting shall constitute presence in person at the meeting. Any Manager unable to attend a meeting of the Board may designate another Manager as his or her proxy. The Board may adopt such other procedures governing meetings and the conduct of business at such meetings as it shall deem appropriate.

 

5.4        Officers . The Board may appoint officers of the Company in his discretion. Any number of offices may be held by the same person. The Board may choose such officers and agents, as he shall deem necessary, who shall hold their offices for such terms and shall exercise such powers and perform such duties as shall be determined from time to time by the Board. Any such officers of the Company shall be empowered to carry out the day-to-day operations of the Company and to implement the actions authorized by the Board. Any officer may be removed either with or without cause by the Board at any time, subject to the rights, if any, of such officer under any employment agreement with the Company. Any officer may resign at any time by giving written Notice to the Board. No officer need be a Member.

 

5.5        Affiliate Transactions . The Members acknowledge and agree that the Company may enter into certain arrangements or agreements (either written or oral) with the Managers and/or their Affiliates, whereby a Manager or one of its Affiliates may provide certain services to the Company at reasonable rates, including, without limitation, sub-leasing office space to the Company, providing certain administrative services for the Company, providing investment banking advice, etc.

 

5.6        Reliance on Others . In performing its duties, the Managers and Officers shall be entitled to rely in good faith on the provisions of this Agreement and on information, opinions, reports, or statements (including financial statements and information, opinions, reports or statements as to the value or amount of the assets, liabilities, Net Income or Net Loss of the Company or any facts pertinent to the existence and amount of assets from which distributions of Available Cash to Members might properly be paid), of the following other Persons or groups: (a) the Officers or employees of the Company; (b) any attorney, independent accountant, consultant or other Person employed or engaged by the Company; or (c) any other Person who has been selected with reasonable care by or on behalf of the Company, in each case, as to matters which such relying Person reasonably believes to be within such other Person’s professional or expert competence.

 

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ARTICLE VI
MEMBERSHIP, MEETINGS, VOTING

 

6.1        Members and Voting Rights .

 

(a)       The Members holding Class A Membership Units shall have the right to vote upon only those matters as to which this Agreement or the Act expressly requires such Member action. Unless otherwise provided in this Agreement, actions of Members shall be pursuant to the prevailing vote or written consent of a majority of the Percentage Interests. Unless otherwise provided in this Agreement, no Member shall be prohibited from voting merely by reason of the fact that the Member would be voting on a matter of particular interest to that Member. The Class B Membership Units shall not be entitled to vote on any matter.

 

6.2        Record Dates . The record date for determining the Members entitled to Notice at any meeting or to vote, or entitled to receive any distribution, or to exercise any right in respect of any other lawful action, shall be the date set by the Board.

 

6.3        Membership Certificates . The Company may, but shall not be required, to issue certificates evidencing Units to Persons who, from time to time, are Members of the Company; provided , that if such certificates are issued to a Member, they shall also to be issued to all other Members as necessary to reflect current Units held by Members. Certificates shall be in such form as may be approved by the Board, shall be manually signed by the Board, and shall bear conspicuous legends evidencing the restrictions on Transfer described in, and the purchase rights of the Company and Members set forth in, ARTICLE VIII . All issuances, reissuances, exchanges and other transactions in Units involving Members shall be recorded in a permanent ledger as part of the books and records of the Company. The failure of any person signing as Manager to continue to be Manager shall not affect the validity of the certificates.

 

6.4        Meetings: Call, Notice and Quorum . The Company shall not be required to hold an annual meeting of Members. Special meetings of the Members may be called at any time by the Board, for the purpose of addressing any matters on which the Members may vote by delivering Notice to the Members entitled to vote on the matters thereon. Meetings may be held at the principal executive office of the Company or at such other location as may be designated by the Board. Following the call of a meeting, the Board shall give Notice of such meeting not less than ten (10) or more than sixty (60) days prior to the date of the meeting to all Members entitled to vote at the meeting.  The Notice shall state the place, date, and hour of the meeting and the general nature of business to be transacted.  No other business may be transacted at the meeting. A quorum at any meeting of Members shall consist of Members holding more than 50% of the Percentage Interests entitled to vote at the meeting, represented in person or by proxy.  The Members present at a duly called or held meeting at which a quorum is present may continue to transact business until adjournment, notwithstanding the withdrawal of enough Members to leave less than a quorum, if the action taken, other than adjournment, is approved by the requisite approval as specified in this Agreement or the Act.

 

6.5        Adjournment of Meetings . A meeting of Members at which a quorum is present may be adjourned to another time or place and any business which might have been transacted at the original meeting may be transacted at the adjourned meeting.  If a quorum is not present at an original meeting, that meeting may be adjourned by the vote of Members holding more than 50% of the Percentage Interests entitled to vote at the meeting, represented at that meeting either in person or by proxy.  Notice of the adjourned meeting need not be given to Members entitled to Notice if the time and place thereof are announced at the meeting at which the adjournment is taken, unless the adjournment is for more than forty-five (45) days, or if, after the adjournment, a new record date is fixed for the adjourned meeting, in which cases Notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given to each Member of record entitled to vote at the adjourned meeting in the manner provided in Section 6.4 .

 

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6.6        Waiver of Notice . The transactions of any meeting of Members, however called and noticed, and wherever held, shall be as valid as though consummated at a meeting duly held after regular call and notice, if a quorum is present at that meeting, either in person or by proxy, and if, either before or after the meeting, each of the persons entitled to vote, not present in person or by proxy, signs either a written waiver of notice, a consent to the holding of the meeting, or an approval of the minutes of the meeting. Attendance of a Member at a meeting shall constitute waiver of notice, except when that Member objects, at the beginning of the meeting, to the transaction of any business on the ground that the meeting was not lawfully called or convened. 

 

6.7        Proxies . At all meetings of Members, a Member may vote in person or by proxy, which proxy must be in writing. Such proxy shall be filed with the Board before or at the time of the meeting, and may be filed by facsimile transmission to the Board at the principal office of the Company or such other address as may be given by the Board to the Members for such purposes.

 

6.8        Participation in Meetings by Conference Telephone . Members may participate in a meeting through use of conference telephone or similar communications equipment, so long as all Members participating in such meeting can hear one another. Such participation shall be deemed attendance at the meeting.

 

6.9        Action by Members Without a Meeting . Any action that may be taken at any meeting of the Members may be taken without a meeting if a consent in writing, setting forth the action so taken, is signed by Members having not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take that action at a meeting at which all Members entitled to vote thereon were present and voted. Any action taken without a meeting shall be effective when the required minimum number of votes have been received. Prompt Notice of the action taken shall be given to all Members who have not consented to the action.

 

6.10        No Withdrawal . Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, no Member may withdraw from the Company without the prior written consent of the Board, which consent may be withheld, conditioned or delayed for any reason or no reason.

 

6.11        Restriction on Members’ Authority . No Member is an agent of the Company solely by virtue of being a Member, and no Member has the authority to act for or bind the Company or any other Member solely by virtue of being a Member.

 

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ARTICLE VII
ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL REPORTING

 

7.1        Accounts and Accounting . Proper and complete books of account of the Company’s business, in which each Company transaction shall be fully and accurately entered, shall be kept at the Company’s principal executive office, and at such other locations as the Board shall determine from time to time.

 

7.2        Accounting . The financial statements of the Company shall be prepared in a form which is appropriate and adequate for the Company’s business and for carrying out the provisions of this Agreement. The annual accounting period of the Company shall be its taxable year. The Company’s taxable year shall be selected by the Board, subject to the requirements of the Code.

 

7.3        Records . At all times during the term of existence of the Company, and beyond that term if the Board deems it necessary, the Company shall cause to be kept the books of account referred to in Section 7.1 , together with:

 

(a)       True and full information regarding the status of the business and financial condition of the Company;

 

(b)       Copies of the Company’s Federal, state, and local income tax or information returns and reports, if any, for each of the Company’s taxable years;

 

(c)       A current list of the name and last known business, residence or mailing address of each Member and Manager;

 

(d)       A copy of this Agreement and the Certificate and all amendments thereto, together with executed copies of any written powers of attorney pursuant to which this Agreement and the Certificate and all amendments thereto have been executed; and

 

(e)       True and full information regarding the amount of Capital Contributions in the form of cash and a description and statement of the agreed value of any other Capital Contributions of each Member and which each Member has agreed to contribute in the future, and the date on which each became a Member.

 

7.4        Member’s Rights to Records .

 

(a)       Upon the request of any Member, for purposes reasonably related to the interest of such Member, within five (5) business days of Manager’s receipt of such request, the Company shall cause to be delivered to such Member, at the expense of such Member, a copy of the information required to be maintained pursuant to Section 7.3 and any other information required by the Act.

 

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(b)       Each Member has the right, upon reasonable prior written notice, for purposes reasonably related to the interests of such Member, to inspect and copy during normal business hours any of the records required by Section 7.3 and any other information required by the Act.

 

7.5        Financial Reports . The Company shall provide the following financial reports to the Members:

 

(a)       Within one hundred twenty (120) days after the end of each Fiscal Year, deliver to the Members annual unaudited financial statements for the Company;

 

(b)       Within seventy-five (75) days after the end of each of the first three fiscal quarters of each Fiscal Year, deliver to the Members unaudited quarterly financial statements of the Company, which will provide narrative and summary financial information of the Company; and

 

(c)       Send, or cause to be sent, in writing to each Member, within the time period prescribed by law, after the end of each Fiscal Year the information necessary for each Member to complete federal and state income tax or information returns, and a copy of the Company’s federal, state, and local income tax or information returns for such Fiscal Year.

 

7.6        Tax Matters Member .

 

(a)        Current Law . For periods not governed by the BBA Partnership Audit Rules, James Jackson shall act as the Tax Matters Member of the Company pursuant to section 6231(a)(7) of the Code, and in such capacity shall represent the Company in all disputes, controversies or proceedings with the Internal Revenue Service.

 

(b)        Periods Governed by the BBA Partnership Audit Rules .

 

(i)        Effective as of January 1, 2018, or if later, the date that the BBA Partnership Audit Rules are first applicable to the Company, the Board shall designate the “partnership representative” as defined in Section 6223 of the Code, as amended by the Bi-partisan Budget Act of 2015 (the “ Partnership Representative ”). The Partnership Representative is authorized and required to represent the Company (at the Company’s expense) in all disputes, controversies or proceedings with the Internal Revenue Service, and, in its sole discretion, is authorized to make any available election with respect to the BBA Partnership Audit Rules and take any action it deems necessary or appropriate to comply with the requirements of the Code and to conduct the Company’s affairs with respect to the BBA Partnership Audit Rules. Each Member and former Member will cooperate fully with the Partnership Representative with respect to any such disputes, controversies or proceedings with the Internal Revenue Service, including providing the Partnership Representative with any i nformation reasonably requested to comply with and make elections under the BBA Partnership Audit Rules.

 

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(ii)        The financial burden of any Imputed Underpayment and associated interest, adjustments to tax and penalties arising from a partnership adjustment that are imposed on the Company, and the cost of contesting any such partnership adjustment, shall be borne by the Members and former Members pro rata based on their respective distribution entitlements during the reviewed fiscal year. To the extent feasible, the preceding sentence shall be implemented through adjustments to distributions in accordance with Section 4.11 , but Members and former Members shall be obligated to indemnify and hold harmless the Company to the extent that the preceding sentence cannot be so implemented. The provisions contained in this Section 7.6(b)(ii) shall survive the termination of the Company and the withdrawal or termination of any Member.

 

(iii)        The Partnership Representative shall use its reasonable best efforts to minimize the financial burden of any partnership adjustment to each Member and former Member holding Units during the reviewed fiscal year, through the application of the procedures established pursuant to Section 6225(c) of the Code, or through an election and the furnishing of statements pursuant to Section 6226 of the Code.

 

(iv)        The provisions of this Section 7.6 shall survive the termination of the Company or the termination of any Member’s Membership Interest in the Company and shall remain binding on the Members for as long a period of time as is necessary to resolve with any taxing authority any and all matters regarding the U.S. federal, state or local income taxation of the Company or the Members.

 

ARTICLE VIII
TRANSFERS OF MEMBERSHIP INTERESTS

 

8.1        Transfer and Assignment of Interests . Subject to the requirements of this ARTICLE VIII , a Member may only Transfer all or any part of its Membership Interest (a) upon the prior written approval of the Board, which approval may not be withheld, conditioned or delayed for any reason, (b) pursuant to Section 8.6 , or (c) pursuant to Section 8.7 . After the consummation of any Transfer of any part of a Member’s Membership Interest, the Membership Interest so Transferred shall continue to be subject to the terms and provisions of this Agreement and any further Transfers shall be required to comply with all the terms and provisions of this Agreement. Any voluntary Transfer in violation of the provisions of this ARTICLE VIII shall be void ab initio .

 

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8.2        Further Restrictions on Transfer of Interests . In addition to any other restriction contained in this Agreement, no Member shall Transfer all or any part of its Membership Interest: (a) without complying with all federal and state securities laws to the extent applicable, (b) without causing payment of all expenses reasonably incurred by the Company (or reimbursement therefore), including reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs, in connection with the Transfer, (c) without the Transferee executing and delivering to the Board a copy of the Joinder attached hereto as Exhibit A (the “ Joinder ”), and (d) if the Membership Interest to be Transferred, when added to the total of all Membership Interests Transferred in the preceding twelve (12) consecutive months prior thereto, would cause the tax termination of the Company under Code Section 708(b)(1)(B), unless such tax termination would not have a material adverse effect on any non-transferring Member.

 

8.3        Permitted Transfers . Notwithstanding the provisions of Sections 8.1 , 8.6 and 8.7 , the Membership Interest of any Member may be Transferred, with or without consideration, subject to compliance with Section 8.2 , and without the prior consent of the Board, to (a) the Member’s inter vivos trust for estate planning purposes, (b) a spouse or any lineal descendant of a Member, and with respect to a Member that is a trust, the spouse or lineal descendant of its trustor, or (c) an Affiliate of such Member (in each case, a “ Permitted Transfer ”).

 

8.4        Effective Date of Permitted Transfers . Any Permitted Transfer or other Transfer of all or any portion of a Member’s Membership Interest made in compliance with the terms of this ARTICLE VIII shall be effective on the day following the date upon which the requirements of Section 8.1 and Section 8.2 have been satisfied. The Member that is a party to the Transfer shall provide the Board and all other Members with written Notice of such Transfer as promptly as possible after the requirements of Section 8.1 and Section 8.2 have been met, as well as any such documents as reasonably requested by the Board upon such request. Any Transferee of all or any portion of a Member’s Membership Interest shall take subject to the terms and provisions of this Agreement.

 

8.5        Intentionally Omitted .

 

8.6        Tag Along Rights . Except in the case of a Permitted Transfer, not less than 20 days prior to any proposed Transfer of Class A Membership Units by a Member in an arms-length transaction pursuant to a bona fide offer from a third party (which third party is not an Affiliate of the Transferring Member), the Transferring Member shall deliver to the holders of Class A Membership Units a written notice (the “ Sale Notice ”) specifying in reasonable detail the identity of the proposed Transferee(s), the number of Class A Membership Units proposed to be sold, and the terms and conditions of the proposed Transfer. Each such Member holding Class A Membership Units may elect to participate in the proposed Transfer by delivering to the Transferring Member a written notice of such election within the 20-day period following delivery of the Sale Notice. If any such Members elect to participate in such Transfer, the Transferring Member and each such participating Member shall be entitled to sell in such proposed Transfer, at the same price and on the same terms, a number of Units included in such Transfer equal to the product of (a) the quotient determined by dividing the number of Class A Membership Units proposed to be sold then held by the Transferring Member or such participating Member (as determined on a Fully Diluted Basis), as the case may be, by the number of Class A Membership Units proposed to be sold then held by the Transferring Member and all participating Members (as determined on a Fully Diluted Basis), multiplied by (b) the number of Class A Membership Units to be sold in such proposed Transfer (as determined on a Fully Diluted Basis). Provided that such Transfer is consummated, each participating Member shall (x) join, on a pro rata basis (based on the value of the proceeds to be received from the sale of the Units by such Member) in any representations, warranties, covenants and indemnities or other obligations required to be provided in connection with such Transfer (other than any such obligations that relate specifically to a holder of such Units, such as indemnification with respect to representations and warranties given by a Member regarding such Member’s title to and ownership of Class A Membership Units); and (y) pay the Member’s pro rata share (based on the value of the proceeds to be received from the sale of the Class A Membership Units by such holder) of any costs of the transaction that are not otherwise paid by the Company or the acquiring Person.

 

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8.7        Reorganization; Public Offering .

 

(a)        The Board shall have the sole and exclusive right, power and privilege to reorganize the Company into one or more different entities or forms (collectively, the “ New Entities ”). Any action taken by the Board under this Section 8.7 shall be final and binding on all Members. The securities of the New Entities issued in exchange for Units shall not be transferable to any greater degree than Units held subject to this Agreement and all such new securities of the New Entities shall be subject to all restrictions provided herein or in any Restricted Unit Grant Agreement as if such new securities were Units. Each Member shall execute all documents (including amendments to this Agreement and any Restricted Unit Grant Agreement), and take any and all actions reasonably necessary or advisable, in the discretion of the Board, to permit the Board to reorganize the Company into the New Entities pursuant to the terms of this Section 8.7 , such actions to include contributions of Units to New Entities, execution of consents for recapitalization of the Company or to the assignment of Company assets to New Entities, or approval of a merger and/or consolidation of the Company with New Entities.

 

(b)        Each Member shall take all actions reasonably necessary or desirable in connection with the consummation of any Public Offering as requested by the Company (including the execution of customary lock-up, underwriting or other agreements, provided that such agreements shall not disproportionately impact such Member). If such Public Offering is an underwritten offering and the managing underwriters advise the Company that in their opinion the structure of the Company would adversely affect the marketability of the offering, each Member shall consent to and vote for a recapitalization, reorganization and/or exchange of the Company into an entity with authorized securities that the managing underwriters and the Company find acceptable, and each such Member shall take all actions reasonably necessary or desirable in connection with the consummation of the recapitalization, reorganization and/or exchange as requested by the Company.

 

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ARTICLE IX
DISSOLUTION AND WINDING UP

 

9.1        Mandatory Dissolution . The Company shall be dissolved immediately upon the first to occur of the following events:

 

(a)       The happening of any event of dissolution specified in the Certificate;

 

(b)       The sale of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets for cash;

 

(c)       The written consent of the Board and a Majority-in-Interest of the Members; and

 

(d)       The entry of a decree of judicial dissolution pursuant to Section 18-802 of the Act.

 

9.2        Winding Up . Upon the dissolution of the Company, the Company shall engage in no further business other than that necessary to wind up the business and affairs of the Company. The Board or its designee shall wind up the affairs of the Company in an orderly manner. The Board or its designee shall give written notice of the commencement of winding up by mail to all known creditors and claimants against the Company whose addresses appear in the records of the Company. After paying or adequately providing for the payment of all known debts and liabilities of the Company (including all costs of dissolution), the remaining assets of the Company shall be distributed or applied in the following order of priority:

 

(a)       First, to the establishment of reasonable reserves which the Board or its designee may deem reasonably necessary for contingent or unforeseen liabilities or obligations of the Company; and

 

(b)       Second, to the Members in accordance with Section 4.3 .

 

9.3        Distributions in Kind . Any non-cash asset distributed to one or more Members shall first be valued at its fair market value to determine the Net Income or Net Loss that would have resulted if such asset were sold for such value. Such Net Income or Net Loss shall then be allocated among the Members pursuant to ARTICLE IV , and the Members’ Capital Accounts shall be adjusted to reflect such allocations. The amount distributed and charged to the Capital Account of each Member receiving an interest in such distributed asset shall be the fair market value of such interest (net of any liability secured by such asset that such Member assumes or takes subject to). The Board shall determine the fair market value of such asset.

 

9.4        Deficits . Each Member shall look solely to the assets of the Company for the return of its investment, and if the Company property remaining after the payment or discharge of the debts and liabilities of the Company is insufficient to return the investment of each Member, such Member shall have no recourse against any other Member or Management Party for indemnification, contribution or reimbursement except as specifically provided in this Agreement.

 

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ARTICLE X
LIABILITY/INDEMNIFICATION

 

10.1        Liability .

 

(a)       No Member shall be personally liable for any debt, obligation or liability of the Company, whether that liability or obligation arises in contract, tort or otherwise, except as otherwise provided in the Act or in this Agreement.

 

(b)       No Member shall be liable, responsible or accountable, in damages or otherwise, to any Member or to the Company for any act or omission by such Member within the scope of the authority conferred on such Member by this Agreement, except for any liability that result from such Member’s gross negligence or willful misconduct.

 

10.2        Indemnification of Members, Manager, Officers and Certain Agents . The Company shall defend, indemnify and hold harmless the Members, the Board, and any officer of the Company and their respective partners, officers, directors, shareholders, managers, general partners, members, equity holder and trustees (individually, an “ Indemnitee ”) to the fullest extent permitted by law in effect on the Effective Date and to such greater extent permitted by law as may hereafter from time to time permit, against any and all Losses, amounts paid in settlement, judgments, fines, and penalties actually incurred by or levied against such Indemnitee in connection with any Proceeding to which the Indemnitee was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party, or in which the Indemnitee is otherwise involved, by reason of the fact that the Indemnitee was or is a Member, Manager, or officer of the Company, other than such a Proceeding initiated by the Company, or any other Member or Members (an “ Excluded Proceeding ”). Each Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification under this Section 10.2 in the case of such Proceedings (other than Excluded Proceedings) in all instances, without further action or determination by the Company, except in the event that it is judicially determined, that the Indemnitee is guilty of gross negligence, bad faith, fraud or willful misconduct in the discharge of Indemnitee’s duties as an agent of the Company.

 

10.3        Defense of Proceeding .

 

(a)       An Indemnitee shall give prompt written Notice to the Company of the commencement, assertion or threat of any Proceeding in respect of which such Indemnitee shall seek defense or indemnification hereunder. Any failure to so notify the Company shall not relieve the Company from any liability that it may have to such Indemnitee under this Agreement unless the failure to give such Notice materially and adversely prejudices the Company.

 

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(b)       The Company shall have the right to assume control of the defense, settlement or other disposition of such Proceeding on such terms, as it deems appropriate; provided , however :

 

(i)       If the Company so elects to assume the control of the defense, settlement or other disposition of such Proceeding, it will notify the Indemnitee reasonably promptly so as to avoid any material adverse prejudice to the Indemnitee;

 

(ii)       The Indemnitee shall be entitled, at Indemnitee’s own expense, to participate in the defense of any Proceeding;

 

(iii)      The Company shall obtain the prior written approval of the Indemnitee, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed, before entering into or making any settlement, compromise, admission, or acknowledgment of the validity of such Proceeding or any liability in respect thereof if, pursuant to or as a result of such settlement, compromise, admission, or acknowledgment, injunctive or other equitable relief would be imposed against the Indemnitee;

 

(iv)       The Company shall not consent to the entry of any judgment or enter into any settlement with or involving any claimant or plaintiff that does not include as an unconditional term thereof the execution and delivery of a release from all liability in respect of such Proceeding by such claimant or plaintiff to, and in favor of, each of the Indemnitees; and

 

(v)       The parties hereto shall extend reasonable cooperation in connection with the defense of any Proceeding pursuant to this and, in connection therewith, shall furnish such records, information, and testimony and attend such conferences, discovery proceedings, hearings, trials, and appeals as may be reasonably requested.

 

(c)       In the event the Company elects not to assume control of the defense, settlement or other disposition of such Proceeding, (i) the Company shall make payments of all amounts required to be made pursuant to the provisions of this ARTICLE X to or for the account of the Indemnitee from time to time promptly upon receipt of bills or invoices relating thereto or when otherwise due and payable, provided, that the Indemnitee has agreed in writing to reimburse the Company for the full amount of such payments if the Indemnitee is ultimately determined not to be entitled to such indemnification, (ii) Indemnitee shall obtain the prior written approval of the Company before entering into or making any settlement, compromise, admission, or acknowledgment of the validity of such Proceeding or any liability in respect thereof, and (iii) the parties hereto shall extend reasonable cooperation in connection with the defense of any Proceeding pursuant to this and, in connection therewith, shall furnish such records, information, and testimony and attend such conferences, discovery proceedings, hearings, trials, and appeals as may be reasonably requested.

 

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10.4        Permissive Indemnification . Subject to the mandatory indemnification obligations of the Company set forth in Section 10.2 , the Company may, but shall not be obligated to, indemnify any Person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to, or otherwise becomes involved in, any Proceeding (including, without limitation, an Excluded Proceeding) by reason of the fact that such Person was or is a Member, Manager, officer, employee, or agent of the Company, to the same extent as is provided in Section 10.2 and Section 10.3 with respect to the Indemnitees set forth therein.

 

10.5        Indemnity Not Exclusive . The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by, or granted pursuant to, the provisions of this ARTICLE X , shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which any Person seeking indemnification or advancement of expenses may be entitled under any agreement, action of the Members, or otherwise, both as to action in such Person’s capacity as an agent of the Company and as to action in another capacity while serving as an agent. All rights to indemnification under this ARTICLE X , shall be deemed to be provided by a contract between the Company and each Indemnitee while this Agreement and relevant provisions of the Act and other applicable law, if any, are in effect. Any repeal or modification hereof or thereof shall not affect any such rights then existing.

 

10.6        Insurance . The Company may, but shall not be obligated to, purchase and maintain insurance, at the Company’s expense, on behalf of the Members, the Board, and such other persons as the Board shall determine, against any liability that may be asserted against, or any expense that may be incurred by, such Person in connection with the activities of the Company or the Members’ or Manager’s acts or omissions as the Members or Manager of the Company, regardless of whether the Company would have the power to indemnify such Person against such liability under the provisions of this Agreement.

 

10.7        Partial Indemnification . If a Person is entitled under any provision of this ARTICLE X to indemnification by the Company for a portion of Losses, incurred by such Person in connection with any Proceeding but not, however, for the total amount thereof, the Company shall nevertheless indemnify such Person for the portion of such Losses, amounts paid in settlement, judgments, fines or penalties to which such Person is entitled.

 

10.8        Heirs and Estate . The indemnification provisions and advancement of expenses provided by, or granted pursuant to, this ARTICLE X shall, unless otherwise provided when authorized or ratified, continue as to a Person who has ceased to be an agent of the Company and shall inure to the benefit of such Person’s heirs and estate.

 

10.9        Assets . Any indemnification under this ARTICLE X shall be satisfied solely out of the assets of the Company. No Member or Management Party shall be subject to personal liability or required to fund or cause to be funded any obligation by reason of these indemnification provisions.

 

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ARTICLE XI
POWER OF ATTORNEY

 

11.1        Appointment of Manager as Attorney-in-Fact .

 

(a)       Each Member, by the execution of this Agreement, irrevocably constitutes and appoints the Board its true and lawful attorney-in-fact with full power and authority in its name, place and stead to execute, acknowledge, deliver, swear to, file and record at the appropriate public offices such documents as may be necessary or appropriate to carry out the provisions of this Agreement, including, but not limited to:

 

(i)       All fictitious name certificates and all certificates and other instruments (including the Certificate and counterparts of this Agreement), and any amendment or restatement thereof, which the Board deems appropriate to form, qualify or continue the Company as a limited liability company in the jurisdictions in which the Company may conduct business or in which such formation, qualification or continuation is, in the opinion of the Board, necessary or desirable to protect the limited liability of the Members;

 

(ii)       All amendments to this Agreement and the Certificate adopted in accordance with Section 14.3 , and all instruments which the Board deems appropriate to reflect a change or modification of the Company in accordance with the terms of this Agreement; and

 

(iii)       All conveyances and other instruments which the Board deems appropriate to reflect the dissolution and termination of the Company.

 

(b)       The foregoing appointment shall be deemed to be a power coupled with an interest, in recognition of the fact that each of the Members under this Agreement will be relying upon the power of the Board to act as contemplated by this Agreement in any filing and other action by it on behalf of the Company, and shall survive the bankruptcy, death, adjudication of incompetence or insanity, or dissolution of any Member hereby giving such power and the transfer or assignment of all or any part of the Membership Interest of such Member; provided , however , that in the event of the Transfer by a Member of all of its Membership Interest, the foregoing power of attorney of a transferor Member shall survive such Transfer only until such time as the Transferee shall have been admitted to the Company as a Member, and all required documents and instruments shall have been duly executed, filed and recorded to effect such substitution.

 

ARTICLE XII
CONFIDENTIALITY

 

12.1        Proprietary Information . Each Member acknowledges and agrees that it will receive and become aware of certain information which is proprietary to the Company, including, without limitation, prices, costs, personnel, knowledge, data and techniques, other non-public information concerning the business or finances of the Company, and any other information the disclosure of which might harm or destroy the competitive advantage of the Company (all of the foregoing shall hereinafter be referred to as the “ Proprietary Information ”). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Proprietary Information shall not include any information which (a) a Member obtains other than as a result of being a Member or Manager, or (b) is generally known or becomes part of the public domain through no fault of a Person.

 

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12.2        Confidentiality . Each Member agrees that it shall not, directly or indirectly, disclose any Proprietary Information to third parties other than such Member’s attorneys, accountants, and financial advisors, copy or use any Proprietary Information, or publish any Proprietary Information, except for the purpose of fulfilling its obligations to the Company. Notwithstanding the immediately preceding sentence, it shall not be a breach of this Section 12.2 if any Person obligated to maintain the confidentiality of any Proprietary Information is requested or required (by oral questions, interrogatories, request for information documents in legal proceedings, subpoenas, civil investigative demands or similar processes) to disclose any Proprietary Information; provided , however , that such Person uses commercially reasonable efforts to provide the Company with prompt Notice of such request or requirement so that the Company may seek a protective order or other appropriate remedy. If, in the absence of a protective order or other remedy, such Person is nonetheless legally compelled to disclose any Proprietary Information, such Person may, without liability hereunder, disclose that portion of the Proprietary Information which is legally required to be disclosed, provided such Person exercises reasonable efforts to preserve the confidentiality of the Proprietary Information.

 

12.3        Equitable Relief . Each Member hereby acknowledges and agrees that the breach by such Member of its covenants and obligations under this ARTICLE XII will cause irreparable harm and significant injury to the Company which could be difficult to limit or quantify. Accordingly, such Member agrees that the Company shall have the right to seek an immediate injunction, specific performance or other equitable relief due to any such breach, without posting any bond therefor, in addition to any other remedies that may be available to the Company or the other Members at law or in equity.

 

ARTICLE XIII
SECURITIES LAWS AND INVESTMENT REPRESENTATIONS

 

 

13.1        Securities Laws . The sale of Membership Interests in the Company to the Members has not been qualified or registered under the securities laws of any state, nor registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, in reliance upon exemptions from the registration provisions of such laws.  In addition, no attempt has been made to qualify the offering and sale of Membership Interests to Members under any state’s “blue sky” laws, also in reliance upon an exemption from the requirement that a permit for issuance of securities be procured.

 

  27  

 

 

Each Member hereby represents and warrants to, and agrees with, the Members and the Company as follows:

 

13.2        Preexisting Relationship or Experience . It has a preexisting personal or business relationship with the Company, the Board or one or more of its officers or controlling persons, which may include its position as an officer or employee of the Company, or by reason of its business or financial experience (including, without limitation, experience in making investments similar to its investment in the Company), it is capable of evaluating the risks and merits of an investment in the Company and of protecting its own interests in connection with this investment. It has been afforded ample opportunity to ask any questions of the Company and the Board, and has been satisfied with the responses to any such questions.

 

13.3        High Risk Investment . Each Member understands that there is a high degree of risk in this investment. Investment into this Company should not be purchased by any purchaser who cannot afford the loss of its entire investment. An investment in a Membership Interest is riskier than an investment in publicly traded securities of companies traded on exchanges or over-the-counter, mutual funds, certificates of deposit, municipal bonds, corporate bonds, government obligations or securities purchased in firmly underwritten offerings. Only those investors who can tolerate such risk should purchase the Membership Interest. Furthermore, the Company has negligible cash and is dependent upon proceeds of this offering to finance its business.

 

13.4        No Advertising . It has not seen, received, been presented with, or been solicited by any leaflet, public promotional meeting, article or any other form of advertising or general solicitation with respect to the sale of the Membership Interests.

 

13.5        Investment Intent . It is acquiring the Membership Interest for investment purposes for its own account and not with a view to or for sale in connection with any distribution of all or any part of the Membership Interest. No other Person will have any direct or indirect beneficial interest in or right to the Membership Interest.

 

13.6        Accredited Investor . It is an “accredited investor” within the meaning of Rule 501 under Regulation D of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

 

13.7        No Obligation to Register . It understood as of the date of its investment in the Company, and understands as of the Effective Date, that the Company is under no obligation to register or qualify the Membership Interest under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or under any state securities law, or to assist it in complying with any exemption from registration and qualification.

 

13.8        Information Reviewed . Prior to the date on which it invested in the Company, it received and reviewed all information it considered necessary or appropriate for deciding whether to purchase the Membership Interest. Prior to making its investment in the Company, it had an opportunity to ask questions and receive answers from the Company regarding the terms and conditions of purchase of the Membership Interest and the business, financial affairs, and other aspects of the Company. Prior to the date on which it invested in the Company, it had the opportunity to obtain all information (to the extent the Company possessed such information) which it deemed necessary to evaluate its investment and to verify the accuracy of information otherwise provided to it.

 

  28  

 

 

ARTICLE XIV
GENERAL PROVISIONS

 

14.1        Notices . Any Notice which may or must be given under this Agreement shall be addressed to a Member at the address set forth under such Member’s name in Schedule I hereto, or, if such Notice is by means of facsimile or e-mail, to the facsimile number or e-mail address, as applicable, set forth under such Member’s name in Schedule I hereto.

 

14.2        Entire Agreement . This Agreement and the Schedules, appendices and Exhibits attached hereto contains the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and transactions contemplated hereby, and supersedes all negotiations, agreements, representations, warranties commitments, whether in writing or oral, prior to the Effective Date, including, without limitation, the Prior LLC Agreement.

 

14.3        Amendment .

 

(a)       The Board shall have the power, without the consent of any Members or class thereof, to amend this Agreement as may be required to facilitate or implement any of the following purposes:

 

(i)       To reflect the issuance of Units or the admission, substitution, termination or withdrawal of a Member, all in accordance with this Agreement;

 

(ii)       To reflect a change that is of inconsequential nature and does not adversely affect the other Members in any material respect, or to cure any ambiguity, correct or supplement any provision in this Agreement not inconsistent with law or with other provisions, or make other changes with respect to matters arising under this Agreement that will not be inconsistent with law or with the provisions of this Agreement; and

 

(iii)       To satisfy requirements, conditions or guidelines contained in ay order, directive, opinion, ruling or regulation of a federal or state agency or contained in federal or state law.

 

Otherwise, any amendment to this Agreement requires the approval of the holders of a majority of the Class A Membership Units.

 

14.4        Choice of Law . This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of Delaware, without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law rules or provisions (whether of the State of Delaware or any other jurisdiction) that would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than the State of Delaware.

 

  29  

 

 

14.5        Jurisdiction . The parties hereto hereby consent to the sole and exclusive jurisdiction of the state and federal courts sitting in Delaware, for any action, suit, proceeding, claim or counterclaim directly or indirectly arising out of, under or in any way relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

14.6        Successors and Assigns . This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Members and their respective legal representatives, successors and assigns.

 

14.7        Injunctive Relief; Specific Performance . The parties hereby agree and acknowledge that a breach of any material term, condition or provision of this Agreement that provides for an obligation other than the payment of money would result in severe and irreparable injury to the other party, which injury could not be adequately compensated by an award of money damages, and the parties therefore agree and acknowledge that they shall be entitled to seek injunctive relief in the event of any breach of any material term, condition or provision of this Agreement, or to enjoin or prevent such a breach, including without limitation an action for specific performance hereof, and the parties hereby irrevocably consent to the issuance of any such injunction. The parties further agree that no bond or surety shall be required in connection therewith.

 

14.8        Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, any of which may be executed and transmitted electronically (including by e-mail and facsimile), and each of which will be deemed an original of this Agreement, and all of which, when taken together, shall be deemed to constitute one and the same Agreement.

 

14.9        Waiver . No term, condition or provision of this Agreement may be waived except by an express written instrument to such effect signed by the party hereto to whom the benefit of such term, condition or provision runs. No such waiver of any term, condition or provision of this Agreement shall be deemed a waiver of any other term, condition or provision, irrespective of similarity, or shall constitute a continuing waiver of the same term, condition or provision, unless otherwise expressly provided. No failure or delay on the part of any party hereto in exercising any right, power or privilege under any term, condition or provision of this Agreement shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall a single or partial exercise thereof preclude any other or further exercise of any other right, power or privilege.

 

14.10        Further Assurances . Each party hereto shall timely execute and deliver any and all additional documents, instruments, notices, and other assurances, and shall do any and all acts and things reasonably necessary in connection with the performance of their obligations hereunder and to carry out the intent of the parties hereto.

 

14.11        Partition . Each Member irrevocably waives any right which it may have to maintain an action for partition with respect to property of the Company.

 

14.12        Authority to Contract . Each party hereto hereby represents and covenants to the other Members that it has the capacity and authority to enter into this Agreement without the joinder of any other person. All undertakings and agreements herein shall be binding upon the Members hereto, their permitted successors and assigns.

 

14.13        Titles and Headings . The Article, Section and paragraph titles and headings contained in this Agreement are inserted only as a matter of convenience and for ease of reference and in no way define, limit, extend or proscribe the scope of this Agreement or the intent or content of any provision hereof. All references to Articles, Sections, Schedules or Exhibits contained herein mean Articles, Sections, Schedules or Exhibits of this Agreement unless otherwise stated.

 

14.14        Validity and Severability . If any provision of this Agreement is held invalid or unenforceable, such decision shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision of this Agreement, all of which other provisions shall remain in full force and effect.

 

14.15        Statutory References . Each reference in this Agreement to a particular statute or regulation, or a provision thereof, shall be deemed to refer to such statute or regulation, or provision thereof, or to any similar or superseding statute or regulation, or provision thereof, as is from time to time in effect.

 

[ The remainder of this page intentionally left blank. Signature pages follow. ]

 

  30  

 

 

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

 

  Manager :
   
  TITAN CNG, LLC,
   
  a Delaware limited liability company
     
  By: /s/ Kirk S. Honour
  Name: Kirk S. Honour
  Title: President

 

[Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of TITAN CNG, LLC]

 

 

 

 

LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT

OF

TITAN CNG, LLC

A DELAWARE LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY

 

SIGNATURE PAGE

 

[This page shall constitute a signature to the Amended and Restated Limited Liability
Company Agreement of TITAN CNG, LLC]

 

“Member”

 

By: /s/ Kirk Honour  
     
Name:   Kirk Honour  
     
Its: President  
     
SSN/EIN:    
     
Address:    
     
     
     
     
     
Tel. No.:    
     
Fax. No:    

 

 

 

 

SCHEDULE I

 

Members, Units, Percentage Interests and Capital Accounts

 

Member Name   Units   Percentage Interest  

Capital

Account

 

[ To be Updated Following Completion of Offering ]

             
             
             
             
             
             
Totals       100%    

 

 

 

 

SCHEDULE II

 

Capitalized terms used in the Agreement have the meanings specified in this Schedule or elsewhere in the Agreement. In referring to sections or provisions of the Code or Regulations, it is intended that the terms “partner” and “partnership” (or variations thereof) appearing therein shall be read, respectively, as “Member” or “Company” (or variations thereof).

 

Act ” means the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act, codified in the Delaware General Corporation Law, Section 18-101 et seq ., as the same may be amended from time to time.

 

Adjusted Capital Account Deficit ” means, with respect to any Person, the deficit balance, if any, in such Person’s Capital Account as of the end of the relevant Fiscal Year, after giving effect to the following adjustments:

 

(a)       credit to such Capital Account any amounts which such Person is obligated to restore pursuant to any provision of this Agreement or is deemed to be obligated to restore pursuant to the next to the last sentence of Sections 1.704-2(g)(1) and 1.704-2(i)(5) of the Regulations after taking into account any changes during such year in Company Minimum Gain and Member Minimum Gain; and

 

(b)       debit to such Capital Account the items described in Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d)(4), (5) and (6) of the Regulations.

 

The foregoing definition of Adjusted Capital Account Deficit is intended to comply with the provisions of Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d) of the Regulations and shall be interpreted consistently therewith.

 

Affiliate ” means with respect to a specified Person: (a) any Person that directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, alone or through an affiliated group, controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, such specified Person, and (b) any Person that is an officer, director, partner, trustee, or employee of, or serves in a similar capacity with respect to, such specified Person (or an Affiliate of such specified Person).

 

Agreement ” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

 

Available Cash ” means the amount of cash held by the Company, less (a) all current liabilities of the Company, and (b) reasonable working capital and other amounts that the Board reasonably deems necessary for the operation of the business of the Company, including amounts that the Board deems necessary to place into reserves for known, contingent, or potential claims with respect to the business of the Company.

 

BBA Partnership Audit Rules ” means Sections 6221 through 6241 of the Code, as amended by the Bi-partisan Budget Act of 2015, including any other Code provisions with respect to the same subject matter as Sections 6221 through 6241 of the Code, and any regulations promulgated or proposed under any such Sections and any administrative guidance with respect thereto.

 

SCHEDULE II

  1  

 

 

Board” means the Board of Managers of the Company established pursuant to Section 5.2 .

 

Book Value ” means, with respect to any asset of the Company, the asset’s adjusted basis for federal income tax purposes, except as follows:

 

(a)       The initial Book Value of any asset contributed by a Member to the Company shall be such asset’s gross fair market value at the time of such contribution, as determined by the Board;

 

(b)       The Book Value shall be adjusted in the same manner as would the asset’s adjusted basis for federal income tax purposes, except that the depreciation deduction taken into account each Fiscal Year for purposes of adjusting the Book Value of an asset shall be the amount of Depreciation with respect to such asset taken into account for purposes of computing Net Income or Net Loss for the Fiscal Year;

 

(c)       The Book Value of any asset distributed to a Member by the Company shall be such asset’s gross fair market value at the time of such distribution, as determined by the Board; and

 

(d)       Upon election by the Board, the Book Value of all Company assets shall be adjusted upon the events and in the manner specified in Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(f).

 

Business ” means the ownership of and operation of an energy company which provides, without limitation, natural gas fueling and conversion solutions, which in turn may own or lease Property for fueling stations and operations, and all things incidental or reasonably related thereto, including, but not limited to, the disposition thereof.

 

Capital Account ” means, in respect of any Member, the capital account that the Company establishes and maintains for such Member pursuant to Section 3.1 .

 

Capital Contribution ” means, with respect to any Member, the amount of money and the fair market value of any property (other than money) contributed (or deemed contributed pursuant to Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(d)) to the Company (net of liabilities secured by such contributed property that the Company is considered to assume or take “subject to” under Code Section 752) with respect to the Membership Interest held by such Member.

 

Certificate ” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

 

Class A Membership Unit ” means a Unit having the rights and obligations specified with respect to Class A Membership Units in this Agreement.

 

SCHEDULE II

  2  

 

 

Class B Membership Unit ” means a Unit having the rights and obligations specified with respect to Class B Membership Units in this Agreement. Class B Membership Units issued on or after the date of this Agreement are intended to be treated as “profits interests” under IRS Revenue Procedure 93-27 and IRS Revenue Procedure 2001-43 and the provisions of this Agreement shall be interpreted and applied consistently therewith.

 

Code ” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or any corresponding provision of any succeeding law.

 

Company ” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

 

Company Minimum Gain ” has the meaning ascribed to the term “partnership minimum gain” in Regulations Section 1.704-2(d).

 

Convertible Securities ” means any securities directly or indirectly convertible or exchangeable for Units.

 

Depreciation ” means an amount equal to the depreciation, amortization or other cost-recovery deduction allowable with respect to an asset for the Fiscal Year or other period, except that if the Book Value of an asset differs from its adjusted tax basis at the beginning of the Fiscal Year or other period, Depreciation will be an amount which bears the same ratio to the beginning Book Value as the Federal income tax depreciation, amortization or other cost-recovery deduction for the Fiscal Year or other period bears to the beginning adjusted tax basis; provided , however , that if the Federal income tax depreciation, amortization or other cost-recovery deduction for the Fiscal Year or other period is zero, Depreciation will be determined by reference to the beginning Book Value using any reasonable method.

 

Distribution Threshold ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.8(b) .

 

Economic Interest ” means a Person’s right to share in the income, gains, losses, deductions, credit or similar items of, and to receive distributions from, the Company, but does not include any other rights of a Member, including the right to vote, participate in the management of the Company, or the right to information concerning the business and affairs of the Company.

 

Economic Risk of Loss ” has the meaning specified in Regulations Section 1.752-2.

 

Effective Date ” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

 

Equity Securities ” means (a) Units (including Class A Membership Units and Class B Membership Units) or other equity interests in the Company (including other classes, groups or series thereof having such relative rights, powers, and/or obligations as may from time to time be established by the Board, as the case may be, including rights, powers, and/or duties different from, senior to or more favorable than existing classes, groups and series of units and other equity interests in the Company, and including any so-called “profits interests”), (b) obligations, evidences of indebtedness or other securities or interests convertible or exchangeable into Units or other equity interests in the Company, and (c) warrants, options or other rights to purchase or otherwise acquire Units or other equity interests in the Company.

 

SCHEDULE II

  3  

 

 

TITAN CNG ” means TITAN CNG, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.

 

Fiscal Year ” means the Company’s fiscal year, which shall be the calendar year (except as otherwise required by law), and any partial year with respect to the fiscal years in which the Company is organized and dissolved or terminated.

 

Fully Diluted Basis ” assumes the full conversion into Units of all Convertible Securities, if any, that at the time of any such determination would be entitled to participate in the distributions upon consummation of the proposed Transfer or other transaction in question.

 

Imputed Underpayment ” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.11 .

 

Indemnitee ” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.2 .

 

Initial Members ” means the Members set forth on Schedule I of the Prior LLC Agreement. A reference to an “Initial Member” means any of the Initial Members.

 

Joinder ” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.2 .

 

Lender ” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.5(b) .

 

Liquidation Value ” shall mean, with respect to any Unit, the amount of cash that would be distributed to a Member in respect of such Unit if the Company sold all of its assets for an amount of cash equal to their fair market value and distributed the proceeds pursuant to Section 9.2(b) .

 

Losses ” means all damages, liabilities, awards, judgments, assessments, fines, sanctions, penalties, charges, costs, liens, losses, payments, expenses and fees, including all court costs and reasonable attorneys’ and accountants’ fees and expenses sustained or incurred in connection with the defense or investigation of any Proceeding.

 

Majority-in-Interest ” means the vote or written consent of Members holding greater than 50% of the total of all issued and outstanding Units.

 

Management Party ” or “ Management Parties ” means, collectively, each Manager and their respective officers, directors, managers, members, shareholders or other equity holders.

 

Manager ” means each Person duly appointed as a member of the Board of Managers of the Company from time to time in accordance with Section 5.2 .

 

SCHEDULE II

  4  

 

 

Member ” means an Initial Member or a Person who otherwise acquires a Membership Interest, has executed the Joinder, and has been admitted as a Member as permitted under this Agreement, whose Membership Interest has not been terminated.

 

“Member Loan ” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.5(a) .

 

Member Minimum Gain ” has the meaning ascribed to the term “partner nonrecourse debt minimum gain” in Regulations Section 1.704-2(i)(2).

 

Member Nonrecourse Debt ” has the meaning ascribed to the term “partner nonrecourse debt” in Regulations Section 1.704-2(b)(4).

 

Member Nonrecourse Deductions ” means items of Company loss, deduction, or Code Section 705(a)(2)(b) expenditures that are attributable to Member Nonrecourse Debt within the meaning of Regulations Section 1.704-2(i).

 

Membership Interest ” means a Member’s entire interest in the Company, including, without limitation, such Member’s Economic Interest, Percentage Interest, right to vote and to participate in the management of the Company, if any, and the right to information concerning the business and affairs of the Company. The term Membership Interest is used interchangeably with the term Unit throughout this Agreement.

 

Net Income ” and “ Net Loss ” means, for each fiscal year of the Company (or other period for which Net Income and Net Loss must be computed), an amount equal to the Company’s taxable income or loss for such year or period, determined in accordance with Code Section 703(a) and the Regulations, and, for this purpose, all items of income, gain, loss or deduction required to be stated separately pursuant to Code Section 703(a)(1) shall be included in taxable income or loss. The determination of Net Income and Net Loss pursuant to the previous sentence shall be subject to the following adjustments:

 

(e)       Any income of the Company that is exempt from federal income tax and not otherwise taken into account in computing Net Income or Net Loss shall be added to such taxable income or loss;

 

(f)       Any expenditures of the Company described in Code Section 705(a)(2)(B) or treated as Code Section 705(a)(2)(B) expenditures pursuant to Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(i) and not otherwise taken into account in computing Net Income or Net Loss shall be subtracted from Net Income or Net Loss;

 

(g)       Gains or losses resulting from any disposition of a Company asset with respect to which gains or losses are recognized for federal income tax purposes shall be computed with reference to the Book Value of the Company asset disposed of, notwithstanding the fact that the adjusted tax basis of such Company asset differs from its Book Value;

 

SCHEDULE II

  5  

 

 

(h)       In lieu of the depreciation, amortization and other cost recovery deductions taken into account in computing the taxable income or loss, there will be taken into account Depreciation;

 

(i)       If the Book Value of any Company asset is adjusted pursuant to the definition of “Book Value,” the amount of the adjustment will be taken into account as gain or loss from the disposition of the asset for purposes of computing Net Income or Net Loss; and

 

(j)       Notwithstanding any other provision of this subsection, any items of income, gain, loss or deduction that are specially allocated shall not be taken into account in computing Net Income or Net Loss.

 

New Entity ” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.7 .

 

Non-Electing Member ” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.7(c) .

 

Nonrecourse Liability ” has the meaning set forth in Regulations Section 1.752-1(a)(2).

 

Notice ” means a written notice required or permitted under this Agreement. A Notice shall be deemed given or sent when deposited, as certified mail, return receipt requested, postage and fees prepaid, in the United States mails; when personally delivered to the recipient; when transmitted by electronic means (including e-mail and facsimile), and such transmission is electronically confirmed as having been successfully transmitted; or when delivered to the home or office of a recipient in the care of a person whom the sender has reason to believe will promptly communicate the Notice to the recipient.

 

Other Activities ” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.1(c) .

 

Partially Adjusted Capital Account ” means, with respect to any Member and any Fiscal Year, the aggregate capital account of such Member in the Company as of the beginning of such Fiscal Year, adjusted in accordance with Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv) with respect to such Fiscal Year but before giving effect to any allocations of Net Income or Net Loss or items of income, gain, loss and deduction of such Fiscal Year.

 

Partnership Representative ” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.6(b)(i) .

 

Percentage Interest ” means, with respect to a Member, the percentage set forth opposite such Member’s name on Schedule I attached hereto, which shall be amended from time to time in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

 

Permitted Transfer ” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.3 .

 

Person ” means and includes any natural person, corporation, firm, joint venture, partnership, limited liability company, trust, unincorporated organization, government or any department, political subdivision or agency of a government.

 

SCHEDULE II

  6  

 

 

Prior LLC Agreement ” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

 

Proceeding ” means and includes any action, suit, arbitration, alternative dispute resolution mechanism, investigation, administrative hearing or other proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative in nature.

 

Property ” means any property purchased, acquired, leased or otherwise held by TITAN CNG.

 

Proprietary Information ” has the mean set forth in Section 12.1 .

 

Public Offering ” means any underwritten sale of Units of the Company (or any corporate successor thereto) pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

Regulations ” means the income tax regulations promulgated by the United States Department of the Treasury and published in the Federal Register for the purpose of interpreting and applying the provisions of the Code, as such Regulations may be amended from time to time, including corresponding provisions of applicable successor regulations.

 

Regulatory Allocations ” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.2(f) .

 

Restricted Unit Grant Agreement ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.8(b).

 

Subsidiary ” means any corporation, partnership, joint venture, limited liability company, association, or other entity in which such Person owns, directly or indirectly, 50% or more of the outstanding equity securities or interests, the holders of which are generally entitled to vote for the election of the board of directors or other governing body of such entity.

 

Target Capital Account ” means, with respect to any Member as of any date, an amount (which may be either a positive or a deficit balance) equal to the amount that such Member would receive as a distribution if all assets of the Company as of such date were sold for cash equal to the Book Value of such assets on the books of the Company, all liabilities of the Company were satisfied to the extent required by their terms, and the net proceeds were distributed by the Company to the Members pursuant to Section 4.3 .

 

Transfer ” means and includes, in respect of a Membership Interest, or any element thereof, when used as a noun, any sale, hypothecation, pledge, assignment, attachment, gift or other disposition of a Membership Interest or any element thereof, and, when used as a verb, to sell, hypothecate, pledge, assign, attach, bequest or otherwise dispose of a Membership Interest or any element thereof.

 

Transferee ” means a Person who obtains or receives a Membership Interest or any element thereof by means of a Transfer.

 

Unit ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.8 .

 

SCHEDULE II

  7  

 

 

Exhibit A

TITAN CNG, LLC

JOINDER

 

The undersigned hereby acknowledges that the undersigned has received and reviewed a true and correct copy of that certain Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of TITAN CNG, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, dated as of May 26, 2015 (as amended, the “ LLC Agreement ”). Each capitalized term used in this Joinder, but not otherwise defined herein, shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in the LLC Agreement.

 

This Joinder (this “ Joinder ”) is hereby incorporated into and made a part of the LLC Agreement for all purposes. The Company hereby acknowledges and agrees that the undersigned is hereby deemed a Member under the LLC Agreement for all purposes as of the date of this Joinder. On and after the date of this Joinder, each reference in the LLC Agreement to “this Agreement,” “hereunder,” “hereof,” or words of like import referring to the LLC Agreement, shall mean and be a reference to the LLC Agreement, incorporating this Joinder.

 

The undersigned hereby approves, consents to and agrees to be bound by the terms, conditions and other provisions of the LLC Agreement to the extent that such terms, conditions and other provisions are expressly imposed upon the undersigned as a Member as provided therein. The Company acknowledges and agrees that the undersigned shall have all of the rights of a Member subject to the terms, conditions and other provisions of the LLC Agreement.

 

Dated : [INSERT DATE]

 

Name of Member : [INSERT NAME]

 

Number of Units : [INSERT # OF UNITS; ROUND TO 3RD DECIMAL PLACE]

 

_____________________________

 

[INSERT NAME]

 

[ The remainder of this page is intentionally left blank. Signature page follows .]

 

EXHIBIT A

 

 

 

  Company :
   
  TITAN CNG, LLC
   
  a Delaware limited liability company  
     
  By: Kirk Honour, its Manager
       
    By: /s/ Kirk Honour
    Name: Kirk Honour
    Title: President

 

EXHIBIT A

 

 

 

Exhibit B

 

Board of Managers of Titan CNG, LLC

 

as of January 1, 2016

 

Scott M. Honour Chairman

John P. Yeros

Kirk S. Honour

Timothy Gorry

James G. Jackson

Steve Alpeter

 

EXHIBIT B

 

 

 

Exhibit 10.8

  

South Coast Contract No. 16059
Air Quality Management District Standard       

 

South Coast

 

This Contract consists of 26 pages.

 

1. PARTIES - The parties to this Contract are the South Coast Air Quality Management District (referred to here as “SCAQMD”) whose address is 21865 Copley Drive, Diamond Bar, California 91765-4178, and Titan Diamond Bar, LLC a Delaware Limited Liability Company (referred to here as “CONTRACTOR”) whose address is 315 E. Lake Street, Suite 301 Wayzata MN 55931.
2. RECITALS
A. SCAQMD is the local agency with primary responsibility for regulating stationary source air pollution within the geographical boundaries of the South Coast Air Quality Management District in the State of California. SCAQMD desires to contract with CONTRACTOR for services described in Attachment 1 Statement of Work, attached here and made a part here by this reference. CONTRACTOR warrants that it is well-qualified and has the experience to provide such services on the terms set forth here.
B. CONTRACTOR is authorized to do business in the State of California and attests that it is in good tax standing with the California Franchise Tax Board.
C. All parties to this Contract have had the opportunity to have this Contract reviewed by their attorney.
3. PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS
A. CONTRACTOR agrees to obtain and maintain the required licenses, permits, and all other appropriate legal authorizations from all applicable federal, state and local jurisdictions and pay all applicable fees. CONTRACTOR further agrees to immediately notify SCAQMD in writing of any change in its licensing status which has a material impact on the CONTRACTOR’s performance under this Contract.
B. CONTRACTOR shall submit reports to SCAQMD as outlined in Attachment 1 - Statement of Work. All reports shall be submitted in an environmentally friendly format: recycled paper; stapled, not bound; black and white, double-sided print; and no three-ring, spiral, or plastic binders or cardstock covers. SCAQMD reserves the right to review, comment, and request changes to any report produced as a result of this Contract.

 

 

 

 

C. CONTRACTOR shall perform all tasks set forth in Attachment 1 - Statement of Work, and shall not engage, during the term of this Contract, in any performance of work that is in direct or indirect conflict with duties and responsibilities set forth in Attachment 1 - Statement of Work.
D. CONTRACTOR shall be responsible for exercising the degree of skill and care customarily required by accepted professional practices and procedures subject to SCAQMD’s final approval which SCAQMD will not unreasonably withhold. Any costs incurred due to the failure to meet the foregoing standards, or otherwise defective services which require re-performance, as directed by SCAQMD, shall be the responsibility of CONTRACTOR. CONTRACTOR’s failure to achieve the performance goals and objectives stated in Attachment 1 - Statement of Work, is not a basis for requesting re-performance unless work conducted by CONTRACTOR is deemed by SCAQMD to have failed the foregoing standards of performance:
E. CONTRACTOR shall require its subcontractors to abide by the requirements set forth in this Contract.
4. TERM - The term of this Contract begins thirty days from date of last signature to December 31 2020, unless further extended by amendment of this Contract in writing.
5. LEASE — SCAQMD shall lease to CONTRACTOR, for a sum of One Dollar for the entire Contract term, the area described in Attachment 3: Leased Premises and located at 21865 Copley Drive, Diamond Bar, CA 91765, for the purpose of operating and maintaining a publicly accessible Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) station (“Leased Premises”) described in Attachment 1 - Statement of Work. CONTRACTOR shall not use the Leased Premises for any other purpose than that of providing natural gas fueling services.
6. ALTERATION & IMPROVEMENTS — CONTRACTOR, at CONTRACTOR’s expense, shall have the right, following SCAQMD’s written consent, to remodel, redecorate, and make improvements and replacements of and to all or any part of the Leased Premises from time to time as CONTRACTOR may deem desirable, provided the same are made in a workmanlike manner and utilizing good quality materials. CONTRACTOR shall have the right to place and install personal property, trade fixtures, equipment and other temporary installations in and upon the Leased Premises necessary for the operation and maintenance of the CNG station, and fasten the same to the premises. All personal property, equipment, machinery, trade fixtures and temporary installations, whether acquired by CONTRACTOR at the commencement of the Lease term or placed or installed on the Leased Premises thereafter, shall remain CONTRACTOR’s property free and clear of any claim by SCAQMD. CONTRACTOR shall have the right to remove the same at any time during the term of this Agreement provided that all damage to the Leased Premises caused by such removal shall be repaired by CONTRACTOR at CONTRACTOR’s expense.

 

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7. LIENS - CONTRACTOR shall pay, when due, all claims for labor or materials furnished or alleged to have been furnished to or for CONTRACTOR at or for use at the Leased Premises, which claims are or may be secured by any mechanics’ or materialmen’s liens against the Leased Premises or any interest therein. CONTRACTOR shall give SCAQMD not less than ten (10) days’ notice prior to the commencement of any work in the Leased Premises, and SCAQMD shall have the right to post notices of non-responsibility in or on the Leased Premises as provided by law If CONTRACTOR shall, in good faith, contest the validity of any such lien, claim or demand, then CONTRACTOR shall, at its sole expense defend itself and SCAQMD against the same and shall pay and satisfy any such adverse judgment that may be rendered thereon before the enforcement thereof against the SCAQMD or the Leased Premises, upon the condition that if SCAQMD shall require, CONTRACTOR shall furnish to SCAQMD a surety bond satisfactory to SCAQMD in an amount equal to such contested lien claim or demand indemnifying SCAQMD against liability for the same and holding the Leased Premises free from the effect of such lien or claim. In addition, SCAQMD may require CONTRACTOR to pay SCAQMD’s attorney’s fees and costs in participating in such action if SCAQMD shall decide it is in its best interest to do so.
8. REPAIR AND RESTORATION - CONTRACTOR shall be responsible for any damage to SCAQMD’s property or that of third parties resulting from any exercise of CONTRACTOR’s rights granted herein, including but not limited to soil erosion, subsidence or damage resulting therefrom. CONTRACTOR shall promptly repair and restore to its original condition any of SCAQMD’s property, including, but not limited to, roads, utilities, buildings and fences that may be altered, damaged or destroyed in connection with CONTRACTOR’s rights granted herein, use of the Leased Premises, or removal of CONTRACTOR’s personal property and improvements.
9. UTILITIES — CONTRACTOR shall pay all charges for water, sewer, gas, electricity, telephone and other services and utilities used by CONTRACTOR on the Leased Premises during the term of this Agreement unless otherwise expressly agreed in writing by SCAQMD. In the event that any utility or service provided to the Leased Premises is not separately metered, SCAQMD shall pay the amount due and separately invoice CONTRACTOR for CONTRACTOR’s pro rata share of the charges. CONTRACTOR shall pay such amounts within fifteen (15) days of invoice.
10. TERMINATION
A. In the event any party fails to comply with any term or condition of this Contract, or fails to provide services in the manner agreed upon by the parties, including, but not limited to, the requirements of Attachment 1 - Statement of Work, this failure shall constitute a breach of this Contract. The non-breaching party shall notify the breaching party, in writing, that it must cure this breach within 30 days, or such longer period as may be reasonably agreed to by the non-breaching party in its sole discretion. Failure to cure such breach within the cure period shall entitle the non-breaching party to terminate this Contract upon thirty (30) days’ written notification. The non-breaching party reserves all rights under law and equity to enforce this contract and recover damages

 

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B. Should the Leased Premises be so badly damaged by fire, incidents of war, earthquake, flood or other acts of nature as to render it wholly unfit for CONTRACTOR’s occupancy, then this Contract shall be terminated immediately upon the happening of any such event, and CONTRACTOR shall surrender the premises and shall not be liable for any further rent. In the event of any lesser damage by any such cause, SCAQMD shall restore the premises to the condition it was in immediately prior to the event cause the damage. If SCAQMD should fail to pursue said restoration work with reasonable diligence and completion, CONTRACTOR may terminate this Agreement upon fourteen (14) days’ written notification.
C. Either party may terminate this Contract, in whole or in part without cause, upon sixty (60) days’ written notice. If SCAQMD terminates without cause, SCAQMD shall, at SCAQMD’s option, either purchase CONTRACTOR’s property necessary for the operation of the CNG station at the Leased Premises or reimburse CONTRACTOR for the cost of removing CONTRACTOR’s property from the Leased Premises. If CONTRACTOR terminates without cause, SCAQMD shall have the option to either purchase CONTRACTOR’s property necessary for the operation of the CNG station or require CONTRACTOR to remove CONTRACTOR’s property from the Leased Premises at no cost to SCAQMD in accordance with Clause 10.D. below. CONTRACTOR shall ensure that all necessary “point of sale” payment and billing transaction software and hardware have been upgraded in accordance with current business and industry standards and practices prior to the effective date of termination. If the installation of the New Station under Task 4 of the Statement of Work has not been completed upon the effective date of termination, SCAQMD’s purchase price for the CNG station shall be CONTRACTOR’s actual cost upgrading the “point of sale” payment and billing transaction software and hardware. Otherwise, SCAQMD’s purchase price shall be the fair market value of the completed New Station.
D. Within three months post-expiration or termination of this Contract, CONTRACTOR shall, at no cost to SCAQMD, or at SCAQMD’s cost if SCAQMD terminates without cause, properly remove from the Leased Premises any and all of the CONTRACTOR’s personal property, including but not limited to CONTRACTOR improvements installed in, on, under or above the Leased Premises and any and all equipment and trade fixtures used in the conduct of CONTRACTOR’s business located in, on, under or above the Leased Premises, whether or not such property be attached to the Leased Premises.

 

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11. INSURANCE
A. CONTRACTOR shall procure and maintain for the duration of this Contract insurance against claims for injuries to persons or damages to property which may arise from or in connection with the CONTRACTOR’s exercise of its rights under this Contract. The cost of such insurance shall be borne by the CONTRACTOR. Coverage shall be at least as broad as:
a. Commercial General Liability covering liability arising from property damage, bodily injury and personal injury, with a limit of not less than $[5,000,000] per occurrence, and $[10,000,000] in a general aggregate. SCAQMD shall be named as an additional insured in any such policy.
b. Workers’ Compensation - statutory limits for all states of operation.
c. Employers Liability - $[1,000,000] each employee for bodily injury by accident and $[1,000,000] each employee for bodily injury by disease.
d. Commercial Automobile Liability Insurance , including owned, non-owned and hired automobiles covering bodily injury and property damage, to a combined single limit of $[1,000,000].
e. Excess Liability Insurance with limits of liability of not less than $[5,000,000] occurrence/aggregate in excess of the primary liability coverages and limits above.
f. Property Insurance against all risks of loss for the full cost of replacement of the CNG station, at the time of any loss, during the term of this CONTRACT and through the time CONTRACTOR has decommissioned the CNG station and removed it from SCAQMD’s Real Property. The proceeds of any insurance payable with respect to loss of damage to the CNG station may, at CONTRACTOR’s sole option, be used to replace, restore or repair the CNG station. This insurance shall include “all risk” insurance for physical loss or damage including without duplication of coverage, at least theft, vandalism, malicious mischief, transit, collapse, temporary buildings, debris removal, flood, earthquake and testing. CONTRACTOR shall increase limits of coverage, if necessary, to reflect estimated replacement cost. The insurance policy shall be written without a co-insurance clause. CONTRACTOR shall be solely responsible for deductible amounts.
B. CONTRACTOR’s insurance coverage as required herein shall be primary insurance as respects SCAQMD, its officers, employees and representatives. Any insurance or self-insurance maintained by SCAQMD, its officers, employees and representatives shall be excess of CONTRACTOR’s insurance and shall not contribute to it.
C. Each insurance policy required above shall contained, or be endorsed to contain, a waiver of all rights of subrogation against SCAQMD.
D. SCAQMD shall be named as an additional insured on the above required policies of insurance, excluding Workers’ Compensation.
E. CONTRACTOR shall provide to SCAQMD certificates of insurance evidencing compliance with the insurance requirements set forth above. The certificate(s) shall provide that SCAQMD will receive thirty (30) days’ prior written notice of any termination. Such certificates shall be in a form acceptable to, and underwritten by insurance company(ies) authorized to write such policies in the state where the Leased Premises is located.

 

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F. CONTRACTOR shall cause its subcontractor to purchase and maintain insurance of the types specified above, and CONTRACTOR shall ensure that SCAQMD is an additional insured on insurance required from subcontractors. It is agreed that the subcontractors minimum limits of insurance shall not be greater than those to be carried by CONTRACTOR, and may change from the specified coverages based on the scope of work being done by the subcontractor (i.e., the requirements for the subcontractor to provide professional liability coverage if engineering/design work is being performed and/or pollution legal liability if construction work is being performed, an MCS-90 endorsement on the automobile liability if the transportation of fuel and/or any other hazardous substance is being transported onto the site). When requested by SCAQMD in writing, CONTRACTOR shall furnish copies of certificates of insurance evidencing coverage for each CONTRACTOR’s subcontractor.
12. INDEMNIFICATION — CONTRACTOR shall indemnify, defend, and hold harmless SCAQMD, its officers, agents and employees, from and against any claims, damages, costs, expenses, or liabilities (collectively “Claims”) arising out of or in any way connected with this Contract, including, without limitation, Claims for loss or damage to any property, or for death or injury to any person or persons, caused or claimed to be caused by the exercise of CONTRACTOR’s rights under this Contract, or use of the Leased Premises by CONTRACTOR, its contractors, agents, officers, employees or invitees, except CONTRACTOR’s indemnification obligations do not extent to those Claims caused solely by the willful or negligent acts or omissions of SCAQMD. This Indemnification Clause shall survive the expiration or termination (for any reason) of the Contract and shall remain in full force and effect.
13. HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
A. Definitions . As used herein, the term “Hazardous Materials” refers to any unlawful level(s) of any solvents, chemicals, hazardous substances, hazardous waste, petroleum products, pesticides, toxic substances or any other hazardous or toxic material, pollutant or contaminant as defined by Environmental Laws; and the term “Environmental Laws” means any and all lawfully promulgated and applicable federal, state, or local law relating to protection of health and/or the environment including but not limited to the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act, 42 U.S.C. §§ 9601 et seq. (“CERCLA”); the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, 42 U.S.C. §§ 6901 et seq.; the Clean Air Act, 42 U.S.C. §§ 7401 et seq.; the Clean Water Act, 33 U.S.C.A. §§ 1252 et seq.; and the Emergency Planning and Community Right to Know Act, 42 U.S.C. §§ 11001 et seq.
B. CONTRACTOR is permitted to make use of only those Hazardous Materials that are required to be use in the normal course of CONTRACTOR’s business at the Leased Premises, provided that CONTRACTOR complies with all applicable laws related to the Hazardous Materials. CONTRACTOR shall promptly respond to and remedy (by removal and proper disposal or such other methods as shall be reasonably required) to the satisfaction of applicable governmental agencies any release or discharge of any Hazardous material connected with CONTRACTOR’s operation or CONTRACTOR’s presence on the Leased Premises. All such action shall be done in CONTRACTOR’s name, and at CONTRACTOR’s sole cost and expense.

 

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C. CONTRACTOR shall indemnify, defend and hold SCAQMD, its officers, employees or representatives harmless from any and all actions, claims, losses, damages, liabilities and expenses (including governmental penalties and reasonable expert and attorneys’ fees) incurred by SCAQMD which arise from the presence of Hazardous Materials in the soil or groundwater at or under the Leased Premises as a result of CONTRACTOR’s acts or omissions in handling Hazardous Materials.
D. SCAQMD shall indemnify, defend and hold CONTRACTOR, its officers, employees or representatives harmless from any and all actions, claims, losses, damages, liabilities and expenses (including governmental penalties and reasonable expert and attorneys’ fees) incurred by CONTRACTOR which arise from the presence of Hazardous Materials in the soil or groundwater at or under the Leased Premises as a result of SCQAMD or any prior Contractor or assign’s acts or omissions in handling Hazardous Materials prior to the effective date of this Agreement.
E. The provisions of this Article shall survive the termination of the Contract.
14. RECORDS RETENTION, ON-SITE INSPECTIONS AND AUDIT
A. CONTRACTOR agrees to the following Records Retention Period: maintain records related to this Contract during the Contract term and continue to retain these records for a period of three years beyond the Contract term.
B. SCAQMD, or its designee(s), shall have the right to conduct on-site inspections of the project and to audit records related to this Contract during the Records Retention Period. CONTRACTOR agrees to include a similar right for SCAQMD to conduct on-site inspections and audits in any related subcontract.
C. If an amount is found to be inappropriately expended, SCAQMD may withhold payment, or seek reimbursement, from CONTRACTOR in the amount equal to the amount which was inappropriately expended. Such withholding or reimbursement shall not be construed as SCAQMD’s sole remedy and shall not relieve CONTRACTOR of its obligation to perform under the terms of this Contract.
15. COMPLIANCE WITH APPLICABLE LAWS - CONTRACTOR agrees to comply with all federal, state, and local laws, ordinances, codes and regulations and orders of public authorities in the performance of this Contract. CONTRACTOR must also ensure that the vehicles and/or equipment to be purchased, leased or installed is in compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local air quality rules and regulations and that it will maintain compliance for the full Contract term. CONTRACTOR shall ensure that the provisions of this clause are included in all subcontracts.

 

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16. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS - Title and full ownership rights to any software developed by SCAQMD and documents, or reports developed under this Contract and submitted to SCAQMD shall at all times remain with SCAQMD. Such material is agreed to be SCAQMD proprietary information.
A. Rights of Technical Data - SCAQMD shall have the unlimited right to use technical data, including material designated as a trade secret, resulting from the performance of services by CONTRACTOR under this Contract. CONTRACTOR shall have the right to use technical data for its own benefit.
B. Copyright - CONTRACTOR agrees to grant SCAQMD a royalty-free, nonexclusive, irrevocable license to produce, translate, publish, use, and dispose of all copyrightable material first produced or composed in the performance of this Contract.
C. CONTRACTOR may be granted the limited right to use SCAQMD’s name for promotional purposes, stating that CONTRACTOR is “CNG provider to SCAQMD” or similar message. Any such message shall be submitted to the SCAQMD for review and approval prior to public release or issuance, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld. Notwithstanding the above, the use of SCAQMD’s logo for promotional purposes is strictly prohibited.
17. NOTICES - Any notices from either party to the other shall be given in writing to the attention of the persons listed below, or to other such addresses or addressees as may hereafter be designated in writing for notices by either party to the other. Notice shall be given by certified, express; or registered mail, return’ receipt requested, and shall be effective as of the date of receipt indicated on the return receipt card.

 

  SCAQMD:  

South Coast Air Quality Management District

21865 Copley Drive

Diamond Bar, CA 91765-4178

Attn: Phil Barroca, Technology Advancement

       
  CONTRACTOR:  

Titan Diamond Bar LLC

315 E Lake Street, Suite 301

Wayzata, MN 55931

Attn: Legal Dept

 

18. INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR - CONTRACTOR is an independent contractor. CONTRACTOR, its officers, employees, agents, representatives, or subcontractors shall in no sense be considered employees or agents of SCAQMD, nor shall CONTRACTOR, its officers, employees, agents, representatives, or subcontractors be entitled to or eligible to participate in any benefits, privileges, or plans, given or extended by SCAQMD to its employees. SCAQMD will not supervise, direct, or have control over, or be responsible for, CONTRACTOR’s or subcontractor’s means, methods, techniques, work sequences or procedures or for the safety precautions and programs incident thereto, or for any failure by them to comply with any local, state, or federal laws, or rules or regulations, including state minimum wage laws and OSHA requirements. CONTRACTOR shall promptly notify SCAQMD of any material changes to subcontracts that affect the Contract’s scope of work, deliverable schedule, and/or payment/cost schedule.

 

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19. CONFIDENTIALITY - It is expressly understood and agreed that either party may designate in a conspicuous manner the information which the receiving party (“Receiving Party”) obtains from the disclosing party (“Disclosing Party”) as confidential. The Receiving Party agrees to:
A. Observe complete confidentiality with respect to such information, including without limitation, agreeing not to disclose or otherwise permit access to such information by any other person or entity in any manner whatsoever, except that such disclosure or access shall be permitted to employees or subcontractors of Receiving Party requiring access in fulfillment of the services provided under this Contract.
B. Ensure that Receiving Party’s officers, employees, agents, representatives, and independent contractors are informed of the confidential nature of such information and to assure by agreement or otherwise that they are prohibited from copying or revealing, for any purpose whatsoever, the contents of such information or any part thereof, or from taking any action otherwise prohibited under this clause.
C. Not use such information or any part thereof in the performance of services to others or for the benefit of others in any form whatsoever whether gratuitously or for valuable consideration, except as permitted under this Contract.
D. Notify the Disclosing Party promptly and in writing of the circumstances surrounding any possession, use, or knowledge of such information or any part thereof by any person or entity other than those authorized by this clause.
E. Take at Receiving Party’s expense, but at Disclosing Party’s option and in any event under Disclosing Party’s control, any legal action necessary to prevent unauthorized use of such information by any third party or entity which has gained access to such information at least in part due to the fault of Receiving Party.
F. Take any and all other actions necessary or desirable to assure such continued confidentiality and protection of such information:
G. Prevent access to such information by any person or entity not authorized under this Contract.

 

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H. Establish specific procedures in order to fulfill the obligations of this clause.
I. Notwithstanding the above, nothing herein is intended to abrogate or modify the provisions of Government Code Section 6250 et seq. (Public Records Act).
20. PUBLICATION
A. SCAQMD shall have the right of prior written approval of any document which shall be disseminated to the public by CONTRACTOR in which CONTRACTOR utilized information obtained from SCAQMD in connection with performance under this Contract.
B. Information, data, documents, or reports developed by CONTRACTOR for SCAQMD, pursuant to this Contract, shall be part of SCAQMD public record unless otherwise indicated. CONTRACTOR may use or publish, at its own expense, such information provided to SCAQMD. The following acknowledgment of support and disclaimer must appear in each publication of materials, whether copyrighted or not, based upon or developed under this Contract.
     
    “This report was prepared as a result of work sponsored, paid for, in whole or in part, by the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD). The opinions, findings, conclusions, and recommendations are those of the author and do. not necessarily represent the views of SCAQMD. SCAQMD, its officers, employees, contractors, and subcontractors make no warranty, expressed or implied, and assume no legal liability for the information in this report. SCAQMD has not approved or disapproved this report, nor has SCAQMD passed upon the accuracy or adequacy of the information contained herein.”

 

C. CONTRACTOR shall inform its officers, employees, and subcontractors involved in the performance of this Contract of the restrictions contained herein and require compliance with the above.
21. NON-DISCRIMINATION - In the performance of this Contract, CONTRACTOR shall not discriminate in recruiting, hiring, promotion, demotion, or termination practices on the basis of race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, age, or physical or mental disability and shall comply with the provisions of the California Fair Employment & Housing Act (Government Code Section 12900 et seq.), the Federal Civil Rights Act of 1964 (P.L. 88-352) and all amendments thereto, Executive Order No 11246 (30 Federal Register 12319), and all administrative rules and regulations issued pursuant to said Acts and Order.
22. SOLICITATION OF EMPLOYEES - CONTRACTOR expressly agrees that CONTRACTOR shall not, during the term of this Contract, nor for a period of six months after termination, solicit for employment, whether as an employee or independent contractor, any person who is or has been employed by SCAQMD during the term of this Contract without the consent of SCAQMD.

 

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23. PROPERTY AND SECURITY - Without limiting CONTRACTOR obligations with regard to security, CONTRACTOR shall comply with all the rules and regulations established by SCAQMD for access to and activity in and around SCAQMD premises.
24. ASSIGNMENT - The rights granted hereby may not be assigned, sold, licensed, or otherwise transferred by either party without the prior written consent of the other, and any attempt by either party to do so shall be void upon inception; except CONTRACTOR may assign the rights granted hereby without SCAQMD’s prior written consent to the parent, subsidiary or affiliated companies of CONTRACTOR, or to any entity which acquires substantially all of the assets of CONTRACTOR as a going concern of the business that is being conducted on the Leased Premises.
25. NON-EFFECT OF WAIVER - The failure of CONTRACTOR or SCAQMD to insist upon the performance of any or all of the terms, covenants, or conditions of this Contract, or failure to exercise any rights or remedies hereunder, shall not be construed as a waiver or relinquishment of the future performance of any such terms, covenants, or conditions, or of the future exercise of such rights or remedies, unless otherwise provided for herein.
26. ATTORNEYS’ FEES . In the, event any action is filed in connection with the enforcement or interpretation of this Contract, each party shall bear its own attorneys’ fees and costs.
27. FORCE MAJEURE - Neither SCAQMD nor CONTRACTOR shall be liable or deemed to be in default for any delay or failure in performance under this Contract or interruption of services resulting, directly or indirectly, from acts of God, civil or military authority, acts of public enemy, war, strikes, labor disputes, shortages of suitable parts, materials, labor or transportation, or any similar cause beyond the reasonable control of SCAQMD or CONTRACTOR.
28. SEVERABILITY - In the event that any one or more of the provisions contained in this Contract shall for any reason be held to be unenforceable in any respect by a court of competent jurisdiction, such holding shall not affect any other provisions of this Contract, and the Contract shall then be construed as if such unenforceable provisions are not a part hereof.
29. HEADINGS - Headings on the clauses of this Contract are for convenience and reference only, and the words contained therein shall in no way be held to explain, modify, amplify, or aid in the interpretation, construction, or meaning of the provisions of this Contract.
30. DUPLICATE EXECUTION - This Contract is executed in duplicate. Each signed copy shall have the force and effect of an original.
31. GOVERNING LAW - This Contract shall be construed and interpreted and the legal relations created thereby shall be determined in accordance with the laws of the State of California. Venue for resolution of any disputes under this Contract shall be Los Angeles County, California.

 

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32. CITIZENSHIP AND ALIEN STATUS
A. CONTRACTOR warrants that it fully complies with all laws regarding the employment of aliens and others, and that its employees performing services hereunder meet the citizenship or alien status requirements contained in federal and state statutes and regulations including, but not limited to, the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 (P.L. 99-603). CONTRACTOR shall obtain from all covered employees performing services hereunder all verification and other documentation of employees’ eligibility status required by federal statutes and regulations as they currently exist and as they may be hereafter amended. CONTRACTOR shall have a continuing obligation to verify and document the continuing employment authorization and authorized alien status of employees performing services under this Contract to insure continued compliance with all federal statutes and regulations. Notwithstanding the above, CONTRACTOR, in the performance of this Contract, shall not discriminate against any person in violation of 8 USC Section 1324b.
B. CONTRACTOR shall retain such documentation for all covered employees for the period described by law. CONTRACTOR shall indemnify, defend, and hold harmless SCAQMD, its officers and employees from employer sanctions and other liability which may be assessed against CONTRACTOR or SCAQMD, or both in connection with any alleged violation of federal statutes or regulations pertaining to the eligibility for employment of persons performing services under this Contract.
33. OPTION TO EXTEND THE TERM OF THE CONTRACT - SCAQMD reserves the right to extend the contract for a period not to exceed five years commencing January 1, 2021 at no additional cost. In the event that SCAQMD elects to extend the contract, a written notice of its intent to extend the contract shall be provided to CONTRACTOR no later than sixty (60) days prior to Contract expiration.
34. PREVAILING WAGES - CONTRACTOR is alerted to the prevailing wage requirements of California Labor Code section 1770 et seq., and the compliance monitoring and enforcement of such requirements by the Department of Industrial Relations (“DIR”). CONTRACTOR and all of CONTRACTOR’s subcontractors must comply with the California Public Works Contractor Registration Program and must be registered with the DIR to participate in public works projects. CONTRACTOR shall be responsible for determining the applicability of the provisions of California Labor Code and complying with the same, including, without limitation, obtaining from the Director of the Department of Industrial Relations the general prevailing rate of per diem wages and the general prevailing rate for holiday and overtime work, making the same available to any interested party upon request, paying any applicable prevailing rates, posting copies thereof at the job site and flowing all applicable prevailing wage rate requirements to its subcontractors. Proof of compliance with these requirements must be provided to SCAQMD upon request. CONTRACTOR shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless the South Coast Air Quality Management District against any and all claims, demands, damages, defense costs or liabilities based on failure to adhere to the above referenced statutes.
35. ENTIRE CONTRACT - This Contract represents the entire agreement between the parties hereto related to CONTRACTOR providing services to SCAQMD and there are no understandings, representations’ or warranties of any kind except as expressly set forth herein. No waiver, alteration, or modification of any of the provisions herein shall be binding on any party unless in writing and signed by the party against whom enforcement of such waiver, alteration, or modification is sought.

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties to this Contract have caused this Contract to be duly executed on their behalf by their authorized representatives.

 

SOUTH COAST AIR QUALITY MANAGEMENT DISTRICT     TITAN DIAMOND BAR LLC
     
By: /s/ William A. Burke   By: /s/ Kirk S. Honour
  Dr. William A. Burke, Chairman, Governing Board   Name:  Kirk S. Honour  
      Title:  President
Date: 12/19/2015   Date:12/13/2015
       
ATTEST:      
Saundra McDaniel, Clerk of the Board      
       
By: /s/ Saundra McDaniel      
  APPROVED AS TO FORM:   Kurt R. Wiese, General Counsel        
       
By: /s/ Kurt R. Weise      
  //Standard Boilerplate Revised:  September 4, 2015      

 

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ATTACHMENT 1
STATEMENT OF WORK FOR
TITAN DIAMOND BAR LLC

 

TRANSFER OF OWNERSHIP,
OPERATION, MAINTENANCE, and MANAGEMENT of CNG FUELING STATION,
CONSTRUCTION of NEW CNG FUELING STATION, and FUELING RATE

 

The SCAQMD owns and operates a public access, fast-fill compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicle fueling station (Station) on its property located at 21865 Copley Drive, Diamond Bar, CA 91765. This project is to lease SCAQMD property for the continued operation of a CNG vehicle refueling station, to transfer ownership of the Station and its assets to CONTRACTOR for the purpose of continuing operation, maintenance, monitoring, and management of the Station, to construct, operate, maintain, monitor and manage anew public access fast-fill CNG vehicle refueling station on this leased property (New Station), and to provide SCAQMD with a fueling rate based on actual costs plus fee.

 

Task 1 TRANSFER OF OWNERSHIP OF CNG STATION

 

1.1 There is currently an existing CNG station (Station) owned and operated by SCAQMD on the Leased Premises, comprising of the items listed in Attachment 2 - Acquired Assets (“Acquired Assets”). CONTRACTOR agrees to accept from SCAQMD, and SCAQMD agrees to transfer to CONTRACTOR free of charge, all of SCAQMD’s right, title and interest in the Acquired Assets. Thirty (30) days from the date of the last signature on the Contract, CONTRACTOR shall assume ownership of the Acquired Assets, SCAQMD shall deliver to CONTRACTOR and CONTRACTOR shall accept a duly executed Bill of Sale and General Assignment in the form attached hereto as Exhibit 1, and SCAQMD shall deliver to CONTRACTOR and CONTRACTOR shall accept the Acquired Assets.
1.2 Except as otherwise provided, SCAQMD represents and warrants that: (a) SCAQMD has good title to the Acquired Assets, free and clear of all liens; (b) the Acquired Assets are suitable and appropriate for providing natural gas vehicle fueling services; (c) the Acquired Assets are in good condition and repair, subject to normal wear and tear, and (d) to the best of SCAQMD’s knowledge, the Acquired Assets are in conformity with all applicable laws, rules, regulations and ordinances. SCAQMD further represents and warrants that to the best of SCAQMD’s knowledge, there are no actions, claims, complaints, demands, suits or notices that have been filed, commenced or threatened against SCAQMD relating to the Acquired Assets or the existing CNG station. EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE SPECIFIED IN THIS CONTRACT, THE SCAQMD HEREBY DISCLAIMS ALL OTHER WARRANTIES, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION ALL IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.
1.3 Sale of Surplus Assets . CONTRACTOR shall, within one hundred eighty (180) days from Contract Execution, make a determination of which assets are deemed surplus to the operation of the Station and provide a list to Project officer of such Surplus Assets. CONTRACTOR shall make best efforts to sell those Surplus Assets and distribute the net proceeds for such sales as ten percent (10%), to CONTRACTOR and ninety percent (90%) to SCAQMD. Net proceeds shall be based on and subsequent to commissions, taxes, and other sales expenses associated with such sales.

 

 

 

 

Task 2 OPERATION and MANAGEMENT of STATION and NEW STATION

 

2.1 CONTRACTOR shall assume full responsibility of Station operation and management effective thirty (30) days from the date of the last signature on the contract.
2.2 CONTRACTOR shall ensure continuous fast-fill CNG vehicle fueling and dispensing at SCAQMD with minimal downtime and with both 3,600 psig filling and 3,000 psig filling hoses and nozzles. The 3,000 psig fueling system shall only be maintained until such time that SCAQMD has no further vehicles requiring 3,000 psig. After such time CONTRACTOR may maintain the 3,000 psig nozzle system at CONTRACTOR’s discretion.
2.3 CONTRACTOR shall be responsible for recording all CNG vehicle fueling transactions at SCAQMD and shall provide to SCAQMD each month a record of the prior month’s CNG fueling transactions at SCAQMD per Task 6.
2.4 CONTRACTOR shall ensure that all CNG fueling transactions at SCAQMD are by approved bankcards, credit cards, debit cards, or fleet cards only. CONTRACTOR shall utilize a Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI) compliant point of sales system.
Task 3 MONITORING and MAINTENANCE of STATION and NEW STATION

 

3.1 CONTRACTOR shall assume full responsibility of monitoring and maintenance of CNG fueling at SCAQMD effective thirty (30) days from the date of the last signature on the contract, including, but not limited to, all equipment associated with Station and New Station.
3.2 CONTRACTOR shall provide a 24-hour available “help phone” at the fueling dispenser area to help SCAQMD staff and third-party CNG fueling customers with questions and problems.
3.3 CONTRACTOR shall ensure that all CNG fast-fill dispensers are maintained to allow adequate and uninterrupted fueling for SCAQMD and third-party CNG vehicles on a 24-hour basis.
3.4 CONTRACTOR shall ensure that a three (3)-minute automated notice to CONTRACTOR, upon CNG service interruption, is implemented and maintained throughout the contract period.
3.5 CONTRACTOR shall train SCAQMD staff on the safe operation of any CNG vehicle fueling equipment employed at the SCAQMD and in the minimal daily maintenance activities to be conducted on-site.

 

  - 2 -  

 

 

3.6 CONTRACTOR shall ensure a response time of two hours or less for CNG fueling service interruptions.
3.7 CONTRACTOR shall install and maintain remote video monitoring of the CNG fueling island.
3.8 CONTRACTOR shall install and maintain remote computer telemetry monitoring of the CNG fueling equipment and performance.
3.9 CONTRACTOR shall be responsible for periodic and other maintenance on the Station and New Station and any and all equipment associated with them, as per the manufacturer specifications, in order to keep Station and New Station operational and avoid breakdowns.
3.10 CONTRACTOR shall, at their expense, provide all necessary labor and parts to maintain the equipment and continue CNG fueling operations at the Station and New Station.
3.11 CONTRACTOR shall minimize downtime for all maintenance and repair activities, informing SCAQMD staff of all downtime in excess of one day (24 hours) with the associated reasons for that downtime and the duration of that downtime.
3.12 CONTRACTOR shall provide quarterly written reports documenting and explaining all downtime, including any maintenance or repair activities performed.
Task 4 STATION UPGRADES (NEW STATION)

 

4.1 CONTRACTOR shall install a new fast-fill CNG station (New Station) at the SCAQMD and shall be wholly responsible for all costs associated with the planning, design, construction, equipment, maintenance, management, and marketing of the New Station.
4.2 CONTRACTOR shall continue providing fast-fill CNG fueling services to SCAQMD and the public at the Leased Premises, and shall make reasonable and diligent efforts to minimize refueling downtime.
4.2 CONTRACTOR shall be responsible for upgrading all necessary “point of sale” payment and billing transaction software and hardware in accordance with current business and industry standards and practices to ensure uninterrupted CNG vehicle fueling transactions at the SCAQMD. All necessary upgrades and performance testing of these upgrades to meet these standards and ensure uninterrupted sale transaction services shall be completed prior to December 31, 2015.

 

  - 3 -  

 

 

4.3 CONTRACTOR shall be responsible for constructing and installing the New Station on the Leased Premises using new equipment. The New Station shall meet or exceed all performance and rating specifications as prescribed in CONTRACTOR’s proposal approved by the SCAQMD and pursuant to the terms and conditions specified in the Request for Proposal P2015-18. At a minimum th e New Station shall be comprised of the following:
One (1) Four Stage, 125 h.p., 90kW natural gas compressor with soft start high efficiency electric motor and minimum 85 GGE/hr. maximum fuel delivery rate.
Two (2) new fast-fill type CNG dispensers, each with card readers and two hoses, with a minimum combined total of two (2) 3,600 psig fueling hoses and two (2) 3,000 psig fueling hoses. Or no new 3,000 psig hoses if 3,000 psig is provided in at least one operational dispenser.
Manual regenerative natural gas dryer.
196 GGE of useable CNG fuel storage.
24-hr remote surveillance and monitoring.
Task 5 Station Commissioning

 

5.1 CONTRACTOR shall complete New Station construction and New Station commissioning within eight (8) months of Contract Execution date.
5.2 CONTRACTOR shall submit to SCAQMD a Compliance Testing Report for the New Station verifying the following:
the station is performing to design specifications
all equipment installed is new and working properly
connectors are holding and gas and electricity is flowing
start-up process was successful
formal startup and debug/performance testing was successful
Compliance Testing Report should include colored photographs of commissioned station.
Task 6 CNG Fueling Rate

 

All fueling terms of this agreement pertain exclusively to the fueling station owned and operated by CONTRACTOR and located on SCAQMD property. The Fueling R ate for SCAQMD shall be based on actual utility costs, taxes, and a CONTRACTOR fee not to exceed $0.50/GGE. Both parties agree to exchange all information necessary to determine actual costs, including, but not necessarily limited to, monthly gas and electricity usages, charges, and billing statements.

 

  - 4 -  

 

 

6.1 UTILITIES
  A. Natural Gas

 

Natural Gas Supply, Metering, and Reporting

 

CONTRACTOR shall be responsible for securing an independent billable account with the Southern California Gas Company (SoCalGas) for all gas supplied to the Station and New Station. CONTRACTOR shall be responsible for all equipment, permitting, fees, and expenses associated with and incurred with natural gas supplied to the Station and New Station. CONTRACTOR shall make available upon request of SCAQMD, monthly billing statements of the gas delivered to the Station and New Station under CONTRACTOR account. CONTRACTOR shall be responsible for paying all gas costs billed to the Station and New Station.

 

  B. Electricity

Electricity Supply, Metering, and Reporting

 

SCAQMD has an electricity account (SCAQMD account) with Southern California Edison (SCE) and this account includes electricity supplied to operate and maintain CNG vehicle refueling operations at the SCAQMD. SCAQMD agrees to provide electricity to CONTRACTOR to operate the Station or New Station based on terms prescribed and agreed to by SCAQMD and CONTRACTOR.

 

CONTRACTOR shall procure and install a certified “Smart” meter to display, report, and continuously record electricity in both Demand usages in kilowatts (kW) and Energy usages in kilowatt-hours (kWh). The Smart meter shall provide this information telemetrically to both CONTRACTOR and SCAQMD. The information collected by the Smart meter shall be used to determine and quantify actual electricity usages associated with the operation of the Station and New Station, for calculating fueling rates; and, for quantifying electrical costs and charges to be paid, by CONTRACTOR. In the event the Smart meter is incapable at any time of determining electricity usages relevant to SCE billing rate structure, a set of default factors shall be used to calculate electricity costs. The default factors shall use the most conservative estimates including at minimum the equipment’s maximum rated power demand and SCE’s maximum electrical cost rates in effect at that time.

 

CONTRACTOR will provide to SCAQMD by the 10th of each month, a report of electricity Demand (kW) and Energy (kWh) usages for the prior month. Demand usage shall be reported in kilowatts (kW) versus time of day in 15 minute increments commencing “on-the-hour”. Energy usage shall be reported in kilowatt-hours (kWh) versus time of day and sorted into peak periods as defined by the applicable SCE rate schedule in effect during that period.

 

Within one year of commencing operation of the New Station, CONTRACTOR shall develop and provide a Cost Benefit Analysis (CBA) to SCAQMD on securing an independent billable electricity account (CONTRACTOR account) with SCE or continuing to purchase electricity through the SCAQMD account. The analysis of securing CONTRACTOR account shall include, but not be limited to, identifying the work and the party responsible for work, costs of work, and time and scheduling to complete work. Costs in the CBA shall include all work costs to secure CONTRACTOR account, electrical costs incurred through each account based on current and projected electricity demands over five years using known or best estimated SCE rate structures, electrical cost variations during each calendar year, e.g. Summer and Winter electricity rates, and the net effects on CNG fuel, rates for each account.

 

  - 5 -  

 

 

6.2 BILLING and INVOICING
  A. CNG Fueling Rate, Payment

 

CONTRACTOR agrees to sell CNG fuel to SCAQMD based on actual costs of delivered CNG fuel, including the costs for natural gas delivered and billed to CONTRACTOR by SoCalGas, the costs for electricity used and billed to SCAQMD by Southern California Edison, (SCE) to operate the equipment at the Station and New Station, the associated federal and state of California excise taxes for CNG vehicle fuel dispensed, and .a fixed fee to CONTRACTOR not to exceed $0.50/GGE. CONTRACTOR will develop and post the retail CNG fuel rate at the station in units of dollars per gasoline gallon equivalent ($/GGE).

 

  B. Electricity Metering Demonstration and Interim Electricity Payments

 

SCAQMD and CONTRACTOR agree to a one-year demonstration of the electricity Smart meter to assess actual electricity usages by the New Station. The one-year electricity usage assessment will include the continuous monitoring, measurement, and recording of both electricity Demand usages in kW and electricity Energy usages in kW-hours and subsequent analysis and evaluation. A primary focus of this evaluation will be to determine if, when, and by how much the CNG station contributes to SCAQMD electricity charges. The one-year demonstration will commence with the commissioning of the New Station. During the one-year demonstration period, the SCAQMD agrees to assume and pay all Demand (kW) charges associated with the New Station and CONTRACTOR agrees to assume and pay all Energy (kWh) charges associated with the New Station as determined by the Smart meter. In the event the Smart meter is incapable at any time of determining electricity Energy usage, Energy usage and associated costs shall be calculated using maximum ratings of the CNG equipment, including but not limited to, electricity ratings, fuel delivery ratings, and the quantity of fuel delivered during the periods in which the Smart meter is incapacitated.

 

SCAQMD and CONTRACTOR agree to develop Fuel Rate Structure terms and language subsequent to the one-year demonstration, not to exceed thirty (30) days from the one-year anniversary of commencement of the demonstration. SCAQMD and CONTRACTOR agree to apply the same Demand and Energy charges and payment responsibilities cited above under the one-year Smart meter demonstration, to the operation of the existing Station, but only prior to June 1, 2016.

 

  - 6 -  

 

 

  C. Mobile Refueling and Rates

 

CONTRACTOR shall be responsible for securing and providing any CNG mobile refueling services at the SCAQMD in the event that CNG fueling from Station or New Station is temporarily unavailable due to scheduled inoperability of Station or New Station expected to exceed 72 hours.

 

CONTRACTOR shall ensure that the mobile refueling service shall provide sufficient CNG fuel to meet normal daily demands based on recent daily usages.

 

CONTRACTOR shall ensure that CNG fueling provided by mobile refueling integrates with the fueling payment transaction equipment at Station or New Station.

 

CONTRACTOR shall make every effort to secure the lowest price for fuel provided at SCAQMD by mobile refueling.

 

CONTRACTOR agrees to sell to SCAQMD fuel provided by mobile refueling at a rate comparable to actual costs plus fee as described in A.

 

  D. Fueling Transaction and Payment

 

All fuel purchases made by SCAQMD at the station will be executed with approved purchasing cards and through a Point of Sale system installed and maintained by CONTRACTOR. SCAQMD shall provide CONTRACTOR with the identity of all purchasing cards to be used by SCAQMD and SCAQMD shall maintain and shall provide amendment of this list to CONTRACTOR at or before the end of the currently effective monthly billing period.

 

  E. Reconciliation and Invoicing

 

CONTRACTOR and SCAQMD agree to reconcile costs or credits incurred by or owed to each for any fuel purchases or electricity charges associated with any CNG fueling operation at the SCAQMD within 60 days from the end of that calendar month’s CNG usage.

 

CONTRACTOR will provide to SCAQMD, by the 10th of each month, an Excel file which lists all fueling transactions executed in the prior billing period. Each fueling transaction shall have a record of time and date, fueling card type and identifying number (e.g. last four digits of card), and amount of fuel purchased in GGE. CONTRACTOR shall provide a separate Excel worksheet with the above information exclusive to SCAQMD’s usage during that period.

 

Subsequent to CONTRACTOR providing to SCAQMD the above mentioned fueling transaction information and subsequent to SCAQMD’s receipt of SCE billing for the same fueling period, SCAQMD shall provide CONTRACTOR with an assessment of electricity usages and costs for the fueling period.

 

SCAQMD and CONTRACTOR shall make available to each other any necessary documentation to assess any and all fuel charges.

 

  - 7 -  

 

 

ATTACHMENT 2 - ACQUIRED ASSETS

 

Description:   Trillium CNG/Ariel Three-Stage Natural Gas Compressor System JGP-2 with Buffer and 5-inch Hydraulic Intensifying Compressor (HIC)
     
Serial No.s:  

Ariel Frame:F17003; Stage 1: C52030; Stage 2: C52031; Stage 3: C52032 Ariel

Motor: Baldor 125; SN: CO202215035

Buffer Capacity: 15 cu.ft.; SN: 2702

HIC: Model-5BD-6.5x16; SN: 302040529-001

HIC Motor: Baldor 50; SN: CO203270103

     
Capacity:   400 SCFM

 

Qty   Description
1   60 GPM Hydraulic Pump
2   Gas to Air Heat Exchangers, 10°F - 12°F above ambient
1   75 GPM Hydraulic Spool Valve
1   50 h.p. Motor, 1750 RPM, (TEFC)
3   High Pressure Solenoid Valves, 5000 psig
1   5000 psig Check Valve
1   Zebec STCNG24-201 Natural Gas Dryer ASME Standard providing SAE J1 616 gas dew point depression
1   ASME 24-inch OD x 20-ft 6-inch Naptech Pressure Vessel with Racks, valves, pressure relief device
1   Nowata Coalescer, SY2C600NHCURR, 6000 psig
3   TrilliumCNG two-hose dispensers, each with one 3600 psig-and one 3000 psig hose and nozzle
1   Multiforce Card Lock System
1   Natural Gas ASME
1   Standard Inlet Scrubber
1   Flame Detector or Gas Monitor in Compressor Housing Compressor Housing Sound Attenuation
1   Gas to Air Heat Exchangers, 10°F 12°F above ambient
1   2 h.p. Glycol Circulating Pump
1   7.5 h.p. Cooling Fan
1   Computer controlled, UL sealed control package with remote diagnostic capabilities Fleet Management System
1   60 gallon Hydraulic Circulation Pump
1   Hydraulic Relief Valves
1   Oil Heater
1   Oil to Air Heat Exchanger
1   20 GPM Hydraulic Circulation Pump
1   2 h.p. Motor for Circulation Pump, 1750 RPM (TEFL)
1   Inlet Solenoid 1.5-inch 100 psi with built-in check
5   Murphy Pressure Transducers
6   Mercer Pressure Relief Valves
1   Ariel JGP2 400 SCFM frame, cylinders, pulsation dampeners, inter-stage scrubber
1   125 h.p. standard efficiency Baldor electric motor with 1.15 service factor, 1750 RPM (TEFC)
1   Remote video, audio, digital telemetry communication software package, high resolution B/W camera

 

*TEFC-Totally Enclosed, Fan-Cooled

 

  - 8 -  

 

 

ATTACHMENT 3 – LEASED PRESMISES
(CNG STATION BOUNDARIES)

 

 

 

 

 

 

ATTACHMENT 3 – LEASED PREMISES
(cont.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 21.1

 

Subsidiaries of Titan CNG LLC

 

Entity Jurisdiction of Incorporation
Titan El Toro LLC Delaware
Titan Diamond Bar LLC Delaware
Titan Blaine LLC Minnesota

 

Exhibit 99.1

 

 

 

 

Titan CNG, LLC
and Subsidiaries

 

Consolidated Financial Statements

 

December 31, 2015 and 2014

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Titan CNG, LLC and Subsidiaries

 

CONTENTS

 

  Page(s)
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm 1
Consolidated Financial Statements  
Balance Sheets 2
Statement of Operations 3
Statements of Members' Deficit 4
Statements of Cash Flows 5
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 6 - 13

 

 

 

 

 

 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

 

The Members

Titan CNG, LLC and Subsidiaries

Plymouth, Minnesota

 

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Titan CNG, LLC and Subsidiaries (the Company) as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, and the related consolidated statements of operations, members' deficit, and cash flows for each of the years in the two-year period ended December 31, 2015. Titan CNG, LLC’s management is responsible for these financial statements. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits.

 

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Titan CNG, LLC and Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the years in the two-year period ended December 31, 2015 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

 

The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared assuming the Company will continue as a going concern. As discussed in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements, the company is in violation certain debt covenants, as well as the Company has had limited revenues, recurring losses from operations and has a members’ deficit. These conditions raise substantial doubt about its ability to continue as a going concern. Management’s plans regarding those matters are also described in Note 1. The consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.

 

  /s/ Lurie, LLP
  Lurie, LLP
   
  Minneapolis, Minnesota
  October 18, 2016

 

2501 Wayzata Boulevard ● Minneapolis, MN 55405 ● LurieLLP.com ● O/612.377.4404 ● F/612.377.1325

 

  1  

 

 

Titan CNG, LLC and Subsidiaries

 

Consolidated Balance Sheets

 

December 31   2015     2014  
ASSETS            
Current Assets            
Cash   $ 358     $ 21,847  
Accounts receivable, related party     -       134,000  
Due from related party     21,986       391,840  
Total Current Assets     22,344       547,687  
Property and Equipment     -       967  
Other     977       977  
Total Assets   $ 23,321     $ 549,631  
                 
LIABILITIES AND MEMBERS' DEFICIT                
Current Liabilities                
Bank line of credit   $ 150,000     $ 543,442  
Accounts payable     46,807       12,278  
Accounts payable, related parties     114,510       60,352  
Accrued liabilities     32,264       6,689  
Accrued interest     11,189       9,651  
Total Current Liabilities     354,770       632,412  
Long-Term Liabilities                
Due to related parties     85,599       55,256  
Losses in equity method investment     214,365       88,475  
Total Long-Term Liabilities     299,964       143,731  
Total Liabilities     654,734       776,143  
Commitments and Contingencies                
Member's Deficit     (631,413 )     (226,512 )
Total Liabilities and Members' Deficit   $ 23,321     $ 549,631  

 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

  2  

 

 

Titan CNG, LLC and Subsidiaries

 

Consolidated Statement of Operations

 

Year Ended December 31   2015     2014  
Revenue   $ 29,000     $ 120,000  
Operating Expenses     290,901       217,177  
Loss from Operations     (261,901 )     (97,177 )
Other Income (Expense)                
Interest expense     (17,110 )     (34,348 )
Losses in equity method investment     (125,890 )     (63,736 )
Total Other Income (Expense)     (143,000 )     (98,084 )
Net Loss   $ (404,901 )   $ (195,261 )

 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

  3  

 

 

Titan CNG, LLC and Subsidiaries

 

Consolidated Statements of Members' Deficit

 

    Members'  
    Deficit  
Balance, December 31, 2013   $ (31,251 )
         
Net loss     (195,261 )
         
Balance, December 31, 2014     (226,512 )
         
Net loss     (404,901 )
Balance, December 31, 2015   $ (631,413 )

 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

  4  

 

 

Titan CNG, LLC and Subsidiaries

 

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

 

Year Ended December 31   2015     2014  
Operating Activities            
Net loss   $ (404,901 )   $ (195,261 )
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used by operating activities:                
Depreciation     967       967  
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:                
Accounts receivable, related party     134,000       (5,075 )
Due from related party     (23,588 )     (105,678 )
Accounts payable     34,529       11,701  
Accounts payable, related parties     54,158       52,060  
Accrued liabilities     27,113       9,488  
Losses in equity method investment     125,890       63,736  
Net Cash Used by Operating Activities     (51,832 )     (168,062 )
Financing Activities                
Proceeds on line of credit     -       136,000  
Payments on line of credit     -       (7,858 )
Proceeds on notes payable, related parties     30,343       -  
Net Cash Provided by Financing Activities     30,343       128,142  
Net Decrease in Cash     (21,489 )     (39,920 )
Cash                
Beginning of year     21,847       61,767  
End of year   $ 358     $ 21,847  

 

Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information

 

Line of credit paid as a reduction in due from related parties   $ 393,442     $ -  

 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

  5  

 

 

Titan CNG, LLC and Subsidiaries

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

1. Nature of Operations and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

 

The Company

 

Titan CNG, LLC is a management company and the parent company to two wholly owned subsidiaries. The wholly owned subsidiaries were formed in 2015 and had minimal activity during 2015. The subsidiaries intend to provide comprehensive natural gas vehicle solutions to corporate and municipal fleet operators as well as individual consumers.

 

Basis of Presentation

 

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Titan CNG, LLC and its wholly owned subsidiaries Titan Blaine, LLC and Titan Diamond Bar, LLC (the Company). All intercompany transactions have been eliminated. The Company has prepared the consolidated financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

 

Use of Estimates

 

The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

 

Revenue Recognition

 

Revenue consists of management fees received from Titan El Toro, LLC, a related party.

 

Credit Risk

 

The Company maintains cash in financial institutions which, at times, may exceed amounts insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. The Company has not experienced any losses in such accounts and does not believe it is exposed to any significant credit risk on cash.

 

Accounts Receivable

 

Accounts receivable represent amounts due for management fees from a related party. Management determines the allowance for doubtful accounts by regularly evaluating individual customer receivables and considering a customer's financial condition, credit history and current economic conditions. Accounts receivable are written off when deemed uncollectible. Recoveries of accounts receivable previously written off are recorded when received. As of December 31, 2015 and 2014, management did not feel an allowance was necessary.

 

Equity Method Investment

 

Investments in 20% through 50% owned entities in which the Company has significant influence over operating and financial affairs are accounted for under the equity method of accounting, whereby the investment is carried at the cost of the investment, plus the Company's equity in undistributed earnings or losses. Dividends received are considered a return of capital and are accordingly deducted from the carrying value of the investment. Losses are only recorded to the extent the Company's investment is greater than zero, unless the Company has guaranteed obligations of the investee or is otherwise committed to provide further financial support for the investee.

 

  6  

 

 

Titan CNG, LLC and Subsidiaries

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

1. Nature of Operations and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

 

Property and Equipment

 

Depreciation and amortization is computed using the straight-line method over the following estimated useful lives:

 

Computer equipment 3 years

 

Major additions and improvements are capitalized, while replacements, maintenance and repairs, which do not improve or extend the life of the respective assets, are expensed as incurred. When assets are retired or otherwise disposed of, related costs and accumulated depreciation and amortization are removed and any gain or loss is reported.

 

Income Taxes

 

Profits and losses of the Company are reported on the income tax returns of the members. Accordingly, no provision for income taxes is recorded by the Company.

 

Accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America require management to evaluate tax positions taken by the Company and recognize a tax liability (or asset) if the Company has taken an uncertain position that more likely than not would not be sustained upon examination by a taxing authority. Management has analyzed the tax positions taken by the Company, and has concluded that as of December 31, 2015, there are no uncertain positions taken or expected to be taken that would require recognition of a liability (or asset) or disclosure in the consolidated financial statements. The Company is subject to routine audits by taxing jurisdictions; however, there are currently no audits for any tax periods in progress. Management believes it is no longer subject to income tax examinations for years prior to inception in 2012.

 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

On May 28, 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2014-09, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers." The core principle of the ASU is for companies to recognize revenue to depict the transfer of goods or services to customers in amounts that reflect the consideration, or payment, to which the company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The ASU may also result in enhanced disclosures about revenue. For public entities, the ASU was to be effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016. On July 9, 2015, the FASB voted to allow a one year deferral of the effective date to annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017. The deferral permits early adoption, but does not allow adoption any earlier than the original effective date of the standard. The Company has not yet selected a transition method and is currently evaluating the impact this standard will have on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

 

In August 2014, the ASB issued ASU 2014-15, “Disclosure of Uncertainties about an Entity's Ability to Continue as a Going Concern.” The amendments provide guidance about management's responsibility to evaluate whether there is substantial doubt about an entity's ability to continue as a going concern and to provide related footnote disclosures. The standard will be effective for the Company on December 31, 2016. The adoption of this pronouncement may impact future assessment and disclosures related to the Company's ability to continue as a going concern.

 

In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-03, “Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs,” which modifies the presentation of debt issuance costs in financial statements to present such costs as a direct deduction from the related debt liability rather than as an asset. The ASU became effective for public companies during interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015. The Company has adopted this ASU as of June 30, 2016 on a retrospective basis.

 

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

1. Nature of Operations and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements (continued)

 

In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-01, “Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities,” which requires that most equity instruments be measured at fair value, with subsequent changes in fair value recognized in net income. The pronouncement also impacts the financial liabilities under the fair value option and the presentation and disclosure requirements for financial instruments. The ASU does not apply to equity method investments or investments in consolidated subsidiaries. The revised guidance is effective for fiscal years, and for interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2017, with early adoption permitted and amendments to be applied as a cumulative-effect adjustment to the balance sheet in the year of adoption. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the ASU on its consolidated financial statements and disclosures.

 

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02 “Leases,” which sets out the principles for the recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure of leases for both lessees and lessors. The new guidance requires lessees to apply a dual approach, classifying leases as either finance or operating leases based on the principle of whether or not the lease is effectively a finance purchase by the lessee. This classification will determine whether lease expense is recognized based on an effective interest method or on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease, respectively. A lessee is also required to record a right-of-use asset and a lease liability for all leases with a term greater than 12 months, regardless of their classification. Leases with a term of 12 months or less will be accounted for similar to existing guidance for operating leases. The new standard supersedes the previous leasing standard. The standard is effective for fiscal years, and for interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2018. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the ASU on its consolidated financial statements and disclosures.

 

The Company’s management has reviewed and considered all other recent accounting pronouncements and we believe there are none that could potentially have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial condition, results of operations, or disclosures.

 

Going Concern

 

The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared on the basis that the Company will continue as a going concern. The company’s 20% owned subsidiary (on January 1, 2016 it purchased the remaining 80%) is currently in violation of certain debt covenants. From inception to June 30, 2016, the Company has accumulated a deficit of approximately $2 million, and, as of June 30, 2016, current liabilities exceeded current assets by approximately $1.6 miliion. The Company opened its CNG first station in February 2015. The company is currently constructing a private station in Blaine, Minnesota which the Company will operate under a seven year contract and provides the Company a fixed spread of $0.71 per gas gallon equivalent (“GGE”) plus 50% of any federal tax rebate which is currently $0.50 per GGE. In addition, the Company believes that there are several potential acquisitions available to the Company and are actively pursuing these opportunities.

 

While the Company believes in the viability of its business plan to acquire existing stations and ancillary businesses serving the CNG industry and to grow organically by constructing public and private NGV stations there can be no assurance that the Company will be able to generate sufficient revenues or complete a private placement, raise anticipated proceeds, or that any other debt or equity financing will be available or, if available, that it will be available on terms acceptable to the Company.  If the Company fails to complete a private placement offering or raise anticipated proceeds, the Company may not be able to continue operations.

 

The Company is actively seeking additional sources of financing and has engaged in discussions with investment banking firms to assist in raising additional capital through the issuance of debt or equity.

 

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

2. Property and Equipment

 

Property and equipment consisted of the following:

 

  December 31   2015     2014  
  Computers and equipment   $ 2,901     $ 2,901  
  Less accumulated depreciation     2,901       1,934  
  Property and Equipment   $ -     $ 967  

 

Depreciation expense was $967 for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014.

 

3. Equity Method Investment

 

The Company has a 20% ownership in Titan El Toro, LLC (El Toro). During 2015 and 2014, the Company recorded losses in the amount of $125,890 and $63,736, respectively, related to its investment in El Toro. The carrying value of the investment of $(214,365) and $(88,475) at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, has been reduced below zero as the Company is in a co-borrowing and co-lessee arrangement with this equity investee.

 

The Company has an accounts receivable balance for management fees due from El Toro of $134,000 at 2014. The Company has a due from El Toro of $21,986 and $391,840 at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

 

Condensed, unaudited financial information of El Toro as of December 31, 2015 and for the year then ended consisted of the following:

 

      December 31, 2015  
  Assets      
  Current assets   $ 31,163  
  Property and equipment, net     1,271,617  
  Other long-term assets     38,359  
  Total Assets     1,341,139  
  LIABILITIES AND MEMBERS' EQUITY        
  Current liabilities   $ 235,662  
  Notes payable, long-term     2,000,826  
  Other long-term liabilities     36,027  
  Members' deficit     (931,376 )
  Total Liabilities and Members' Equity   $ 1,341,139  

 

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

3. Equity Method Investment (continued)

 

  Year Ended December 31, 2015   Total  
  Revenues   $ 169,642  
  Net loss   $ (629,445 )

 

Co-Borrowing Arrangement

 

On December 31, 2014 the Company entered into a co-borrower arrangement for a $1,300,000 U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) note with El Toro a related party and equity method investee. The proceeds from the note were received by El Toro and the note payable is recorded by El Toro. The note is a ten year term note with interest fixed at 5.50% for the first five years, then adjusted to the SBA LIBOR Base Rate, plus 2.35% for the remaining five years. The note then requires interest only payments for the first 12 months. The note then requires monthly principal and interest payments of $15,288. The note is secured by substantially all of the Company's business assets and is a mortgage. The note is guaranteed by certain members of the Company. The amount outstanding on the note as of December 31, 2015 was $1,300,000. The Company was in violation of certain bank covenants as of December 31, 2015.

 

4. Line of Credit

 

In September 2013 the Company entered into a line of credit agreement for $555,000 with interest at 5.95%. The principal was due in monthly installments of $6,741 starting in November 2014 with the entire remaining outstanding principal due in July 2015. The note was secured by all business assets and was guaranteed by certain members. The loan was amended on December 31, 2014 to reduce the maximum amount of the line of credit to $150,000, and to release certain property as security for the note and to remove a certain guarantor from the agreement. In August 2015 the line was renewed for a period of three months for $150,000 with interest at prime plus 1% with a minimum interest rate of 5.50%. In December 2015 the loan was amended to extend the maturity from October 2015 to February 2016. The Company repaid the line in full in February 2016 and the line was not renewed.

 

5. Notes Payable to Related Parties

 

Notes payable to related parties consisted of the following:

   

  December 31   2015     2014  
  Note payable, due October 2014, with interest at 8%, payable at maturity   $ 17,000     $ 10,000  
  Note payable, due April 2014, with interest at 8%, payable at maturity     47,043       42,256  
  Note payable, due December 2016, with interest at 12%, payable at maturity     7,500       -  
  Note payable, due December 2016, with interest at 12%, payable at maturity     14,056       -  
  Total     85,599       52,256  
  Less current maturities     -       (52,256 )
  Notes Payable, Related Parties   $ 85,599     $ -  

 

All of the outstanding notes are subordinated to the SBA loan.

 

Subsequent to December 31, 2015, two of the notes were amended to allow for an extension at the discretion of the Company through October 2017. The remaining two notes were extended to December 2020.

 

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

5. Notes Payable to Related Parties (continued)

 

Future maturities of notes payable, related parties are as follows:

 

  Year Ending December 31   Amount  
  2016   $ -  
  2017     21,556  
  2018     -  
  2019     -  
  2020     64,043  
  Total   $ 85,599  

 

6. Members' Equity

 

The Company was incorporated as First CNG, LLC in January 2012. As of December 31, 2014 there were 3,117 units issued and outstanding. In May 2015 the Company changed its name to Titan CNG, LLC. In connection with the SBA loan, certain members were issued 35,491 units for personal guarantees provided on the loan.

 

In October 2015 the board authorized the issuance of 10,000,000 units; none of the units have been issued as of December 31, 2015.

 

7. Station Operations and Lease Agreement

 

In December 2015, Titan Diamond Bar, LLC (Diamond Bar) entered into a transfer of ownership and lease arrangement with the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD). This property has an existing compressed natural gas (CNG) station owned and operated by the SCAQMD. Thirty days after the date of the agreement, SCAQMD will transfer to Diamond Bar, without charge, all of their rights and interests in the existing assets. The Agreement also specifics that Diamond Bar lease the property for $1 and identifies certain commitments agreed to by the parties. Some of the more significant ones are as follows:

 

Within 180 days from the contract execution, Diamond Bar, using its best efforts, shall sell any surplus assets and provide SCAQMD with 90% of the net proceeds, as defined.

 

Diamond Bar is also required to comply with certain provisions in the agreement with regards to the operation and maintenance of the station.

 

Diamond Bar, at their expense and upon written consent from SCAQMD, can remodel, redecorate or otherwise make improvements and replacements of and to all or any part of the leased premises.

 

Diamond Bar is required to install specific station upgrades, as defined, and is responsible for the cost of these upgrades. All upgrades must be completed within eight months of the execution date. Any improvements made to the premises remain the property of Diamond Bar and can be removed by Diamond Bar.

 

The fueling rate charged to the SCAQMD will be based on actual utility costs, taxes and a fee not to exceed $0.50 per Gasoline Gallon Equivalent (GGE). Currently the rate charged is substantially equal to the market rate charged to all other customers.

 

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

7. Station Operations and Lease Agreement (continued)

 

The contract ends December 31, 2020. SCAQMD can extend the contract for a period not to exceed five years starting January 1, 2021 at no additional cost. Either party may terminate the contract with sixty days’ notice. If the SCAQMD terminates without cause they will be required to either purchase the property necessary for the operation of the CNG station or reimburse Diamond Bar for the cost of removing the property. If Diamond Bar terminates the contract without cause, the SCAQMD shall have the option to either purchase the property necessary for the operation of the station or require Diamond Bar to remove the property at no cost to SCAQMD.

 

8. Grant Agreements

 

In 2013 the Company was the recipient of two grants in the amount of $300,000 and $150,000 from the California Energy Commission (“CEC”) and South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD), respectively. The grants were provided to assist in the construction and equipping of a compressed natural gas (CNG) filling station in Lake Forest, California. The grant funds were used to complete the construction of a facility on El Toro Road as contemplated in the grant agreements. The project was completed by an Affiliate of the Company.  The grant proceeds are subject to repayment if the Company does not satisfy certain operational metrics contained in the grant agreements. The Company believes that it can satisfy these objectives, although it cannot provide assurance that such future events will occur. In addition, the use of an Affiliate of the Company on the project could be construed as requiring amendments to the grant agreements or consent from the CEC or SCAQMD, neither of which has been obtained by the Company.

 

9. Operating Leases

 

The Company leases its Plymouth, Minnesota office under an operating lease agreement that expired in October 2014. Upon expiration the lease was renewed on a month to month basis with payments of $977 per month.

 

In March 2014 the Company entered into an operating lease agreement for their El Toro location which expires in February 2019, with an option to extend to February 2024. In November 2014 the lease was amended to add Titan El Toro, LLC, a related party and equity method investee, as a co-lessee. The monthly payments range from $10,000 to $11,604. The rent is paid by and recorded on El Toro's books.

 

Approximate future minimum base rent commitments under the California operating lease are as follows:

 

  Year Ending December 31   Amount  
  2016   $ 133,454  
  2017     139,164  
  2018     139,248  
  2019     23,208  
  Total   $ 435,074  

 

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

10. Supplementary Disclosures of Cash Flow Information

 

Additional cash flow information consisted of the following:

 

  Year Ended December 31   2015     2014  
  Cash paid for interest   $ 15,573     $ 27,540  

 

11. Subsequent Events

 

Titan El Toro, LLC

 

On January 1, 2016 certain accredited investors contributed their current membership interests, as well as mezzanine debt and accrued interest totaling approximately $942,000 owed to Titan El Toro, LLC in exchange for Junior Bridge Notes in the amount of $942,000 and 64,387 Class A Membership Units in Titan CNG, LLC. As a result, the Company now owns 100% of the membership units in Titan El Toro, LLC.

 

Notes Payable Agreements

 

In July and September 2016 the Company entered into two additional Senior Notes for $200,000 and $150,000, respectively. The interest is at 12% and 16%, respectively, with a maturity date of October 31, 2016 and January 31, 2017, respectively. The notes contain certain conversion and default provisions and can be extended at the option of the Company through July 2017 for a fee of 1% of the outstanding principal balance at the time of the extension.

 

Walters Recycling & Refuse Station

 

In June 2016 Titan Blaine, LLC ("Blaine") entered into a compressed natural gas fuel station agreement (the “Agreement”) with Walters Recycling & Refuse, Inc. (“Walters”), an unrelated third party. Under the agreement Blaine will construct, at its sole expense, a CNG dispensing system (the “System”) on a portion of the property owned by Walters. The System shall include the required elements as defined in the contract. The System shall only be used for the purpose of filling Walter’s vehicles and authorized Blaine vehicles and trailers. Titan is required to have the System fully operational by June 2017. If the System is not fully operational by June 2017 Walters may terminate the agreement with 30 days written notice to Blaine. Blaine will be required to return the property to its pre-construction condition. Blaine shall retain ownership of all unattached movable components of the System. In addition, Blaine is responsible for all costs relating to installing the utilities required for the System as well as the costs for all ongoing system and property maintenance. The term of the agreement shall be for a period of seven years and shall commence on the date the system becomes fully operational and is first used by Walters, as defined in the agreement. Walters has the right to renew the agreement for four additional two year renewal periods. Beginning on the commencement date and through the contract term, Walters agrees to purchase 12,000 gasoline gallon equivalent (GGE) of compressed natural gas (CNG), as defined, exclusively from Blaine. The rate charged to Walters includes an initial six month rate which is then adjusted as stated in the agreement.

 

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TITAN CNG, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

September 30, 2016

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Unaudited)

 

    September 30,     December 31,  
    2016     2015  
ASSETS            
             
CURRENT ASSETS            
Cash and cash equivalents   $ 29,712     $ 358  
Advances from related party     -       21,986  
Prepaids     80,000       -  
Other current assets     39,724       -  
Total current assets     149,436       22,344  
                 
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, net     1,621,585       -  
OTHER LONG-TERM ASSETS     24,891       977  
                 
TOTAL ASSETS   $ 1,795,912     $ 23,321  
                 
LIABILITIES AND MEMBERS’ DEFICIT                
                 
CURRENT LIABILITIES                
Line of credit   $ -     $ 150,000  
Accounts payable     758,804       46,807  
Accounts payable – related parties     -       114,510  
Accrued expenses     196,408       32,264  
Accrued interest     -       11,189  
Deferred rent, current portion     11,880       -  
Note payable to member     35,500       -  
Current portion of long-term debt, net     1,171,873       -  
Total current liabilities     2,174,465       354,770  
                 
LONG-TERM LIABILITIES                
Accounts payable – related parties     212,196       -  
Accrued interest     205,482       -  
Deferred rent     19,932       -  
Long-term debt, related parties     1,842,332       85,599  
Losses in equity method accounting     -       214,365  
Total liabilities     4,454,407       654,734  
                 
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES                
                 
MEMBERS’ DEFICIT     (2,658,495 )     (631,413 )
                 
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND MEMBERS’ DEFICT   $ 1,795,912     $ 23,321  

 

See notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(Unaudited)

 

    Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
    2016     2015  
             
REVENUES   $ 295,452     $ 47,500  
                 
COST OF REVENUE     139,468       -  
                 
GROSS PROFIT     155,984       47,500  
                 
OPERATING EXPENSES     1,263,490       176,594  
                 
OPERATING LOSS     (1,107,506 )     (129,094 )
                 
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE)                
Interest expense     (264,444 )     (7,920 )
Loss on equity method investment     -       (99,038 )
Loss on acquisition of El Toro     (736,586 )     -  
Other income     31,864       -  
Total other income (expense)     (969,166 )     (106,958 )
                 
NET LOSS   $ (2,076,672 )   $ (236,052 )

 

See notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF MEMBERS’ DEFICIT

(Unaudited)

 

    Members’
Deficit
 
       
Balance, December 31, 2015   $ (631,413 )
         
Issuance of units     49,590  
Net loss     (2,076,672 )
         
Balance, SEPTEMBER 30, 2016   $ (2,658,495 )

 

See notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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TITAN CNG, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES.

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited)

 

    Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
    2016     2015  
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES            
Net loss   $ (2,076,672 )   $ (236,052 )
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:                
Depreciation     153,936       967  
Amortization of deferred financing costs     4,782       -  
Accretion of debt discount     13,905       -  
(Gain) loss from equity method investment     (28,090 )     99,039  
                 
Deficit acquired     764,676       -  
Changes in assets and liabilities:                
Prepaids     (80,000 )     (10,429 )
Other current assets     (5,127 )     98,400  
Other long-term assets     14,445       -  
Accounts payable     309,033       18,171  
Accounts payable – related parties     49,406       10,711  
Accrued expenses     133,874       (6,689 )
Accrued interest     195,581       381  
Deferred rent     (4,215 )     -  
Net cash used in operating activities     (554,466 )     (25,501 )
                 
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES                
Purchases of property and equipment     (94,712 )     -  
Cash deficit acquired from El Toro     (3,434 )     -  
                 
Net cash used in investing activities     (98,146 )     -  
                 
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES                
Payments on line of credit     (150,000 )     (395,042 )
Payments on long-term debt     (75,520 )     -  
Proceeds from long-term debt, related parties     850,000       -  
Proceeds from note payable to member     35,500       7,000  
Advances from related party     21,986       391,840  
                 
Net cash provided by financing activities     681,966       3,798  
                 
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS     29,354       (21,703 )
                 
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS                
Beginning of period     358       21,847  
                 
End of period   $ 29,712     $ 144  

 

See notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

1. Description of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies –

 

Business

 

Titan is a compressed natural gas (“CNG”) service business based in Plymouth, Minnesota. Titan CNG, LLC (“Titan CNG”) is a management company and the parent company to three wholly owned subsidiaries, Titan El Toro, LLC (“El Toro”), Titan Diamond Bar, LLC (“Diamond Bar”) and Titan Blaine, LLC (“Blaine”), (collectively, the “Company”). El Toro was formed during 2013 and began operations during 2015. El Toro, located in Lake Forest, California, is a comprehensive natural gas vehicle solutions provider that offers products and services to corporate and municipal fleet operators as well as individual consumers. Blaine and Diamond Bar were formed in 2015. Blaine had minimal activity during the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and the year ended December 31, 2015. In March 2016 Diamond Bar began operations of its CNG station under a lease agreement with the State of California South Coast Air Quality Management District (“SCAQMD”) in Diamond Bar, California. The Company is currently constructing Blaine, a private station, for Walters Recycling & Refuse in Blaine, Minnesota (Walters) which it will operate under a seven year take-or-pay contract with Walters. These subsidiaries also intend to provide comprehensive natural gas vehicle solutions to corporate and municipal fleet operators as well.

 

Titan’s strategy is to acquire existing stations and ancillary businesses serving the CNG industry and to grow organically by constructing public and private Natural Gas Vehicle (“NGV”) stations. U.S. Gain (“Gain”), the fourth largest CNG station owner in the U.S., either currently manages or is expected to manage the point of sale system, customer billing, and direct costs made up of natural gas, electricity, and taxes for each of the Company’s stations.

 

Basis of Presentation

 

The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements of the Company were prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) for interim financial information. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements. The information furnished includes all adjustments and accruals of a normal recurring nature, which, in the opinion of management, are necessary for a fair presentation of results for the interim periods. The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries, El Toro, Blaine, and Diamond Bar. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

 

Equity Method Investment

 

Investments in 20% through 50% owned entities in which the Company has significant influence over operating and financial affairs are accounted for under the equity method of accounting, whereby the investment is carried at the cost of the investment, plus the Company’s equity in undistributed earnings or losses. Dividends received are considered a return of capital and are accordingly deducted from the carrying value of the investment. Losses are only recorded to the extent the Company’s investment is greater than zero, unless the Company has guaranteed obligations of the investee or is otherwise committed to provide further financial support for the investee.

 

(continued)

 

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NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

1. Description of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies – (continued)

 

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

 

The Company uses fair value measurements to record fair value adjustments for certain financial instruments and to determine fair value disclosures. The carrying value of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable approximated fair value due to the short maturity of those instruments. With respect to determination of fair values of financial instruments there are the following three levels of inputs:

 

  Level 1 Inputs   Quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets.
       
  Level 2 Inputs   Quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active; and model-derived valuations whose inputs are observable or whose significant value drivers are observable.
       
  Level 3 Inputs   Instruments with primarily unobservable value drivers.

 

Use of Estimates

 

The preparation of these condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that may affect certain reported amounts assets and liabilities and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

 

The most significant estimates include the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern, assumptions used to value units issued and the useful lives of fixed assets.

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents

 

For purposes of the statement of cash flows, the Company considers all highly liquid investments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents. Cash and cash equivalents are maintained at several financial institutions and, at times, balances may exceed federally insured limits. The Company has never experienced any losses related to these balances and does not believe it is exposed to any significant credit risk on cash and cash equivalents.

 

Property and Equipment

 

Property and equipment is stated at cost. Depreciation is provided utilizing the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives, ranging from 3 to 40 years and the lesser of the useful life or related lease terms for leasehold improvements.

 

Construction in process represents the accumulated costs of assets not yet placed in service and primarily relates to equipment purchases and architectural fees for the private CNG station being constructed by Blaine.

 

Major additions and improvements are capitalized, while replacements, maintenance and repairs, which do not improve or extend the life of the respective assets, are expensed as incurred. When assets are retired or otherwise disposed of, related costs and accumulated depreciation and amortization are removed and any gain or loss is reported.

 

(continued)

 

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TITAN CNG, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

1. Description of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies – (continued)

 

Deferred Rent

 

The Company’s leases include escalating rental payments. Rent expense is recognized in equal annual amounts over the terms of the leases. Deferred rent consists of cumulative rent expense in excess of cumulative contractual rent payments.

 

Deferred Financing Costs

 

Deferred financing costs are reported as a reduction of the related debt and amortized over the lives of the related debt agreements. The costs are amortized to interest expense using the effective interest method. In the event debt is converted or paid prior to maturity, any unamortized issuance costs are charged to expense in the period in which conversion or repayment occurs.

 

Revenue Recognition

 

For the nine months ended September 30, 2016, the Company generates revenue from the sale of natural gas and a federal excise tax refund of $0.50 per gas gallon equivalent (“GGE”). The Company commences revenue recognition at the time the gas is dispensed as all of the following criteria have been met:

 

there is persuasive evidence of an arrangement;

 

the service has been or is being provided to the customer;

 

collection of the fees is reasonably assured; and

 

the amount of fees to be paid by the customer is fixed or determinable.

 

For the nine months ended September 30, 2015, revenue consists of management fees received from El Toro, a related party prior to its acquisition (Note 2).

 

Income Taxes

 

The Company has elected to be treated as a limited liability company for income tax purposes. Accordingly, taxable income and losses of the Company are reported on the income tax returns of the Company's members, and no provisions for federal income taxes have been recorded on the accompanying consolidated financial statements.

 

U.S. GAAP requires management to evaluate tax positions taken by the Company and recognize a tax liability (or asset) if the Company has taken an uncertain position that more likely than not would not be sustained upon examination by the Internal Revenue Service. Management has analyzed the tax positions taken by the Company and has concluded that as of September 30, 2016, there are no uncertain positions taken or expected to be taken that would require recognition of a liability (or asset) or disclosure in the consolidated financial statements. The Company is subject to routine audits by taxing jurisdictions. Management believes the Company is no longer subject to income tax examinations since inception in 2012.

  

(continued)

 

  21  

 

 

TITAN CNG, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

1. Description of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies – (continued)

 

Going Concern

 

The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared on the basis that the Company will continue as a going concern. The Company is currently in violation of certain debt covenants.  From inception to September 30, 2016, the Company has accumulated a deficit of approximately $2.7 million, and, as of September 30, 2016, current liabilities exceeded current assets by approximately $2.0 million. The Company opened its first CNG station in February 2015 and its second CNG station in March 2016. The Company is currently constructing a private station in Blaine, Minnesota which the Company will operate under a seven year contract and provides the Company a fixed spread of $0.71 per GGE plus 50% of any federal tax rebate which is currently $0.50 per GGE. In addition, management believes that there are several potential acquisitions available to the Company and are actively pursuing these opportunities. 

 

While the Company believes in the viability of its business plan to acquire existing stations and ancillary businesses serving the CNG industry and to grow organically by constructing public and private NGV stations there can be no assurance that the Company will be able to generate sufficient revenues or complete a private placement, raise anticipated proceeds, or that any other debt or equity financing will be available or, if available, that it will be available on terms acceptable to the Company.  If the Company fails to complete a private placement offering or raise anticipated proceeds, the Company may not be able to continue operations.

 

The Company is actively seeking additional sources of financing and has engaged in discussions with investment banking firms to assist in raising additional capital through the issuance of debt or equity.

 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

On May 28, 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers.” The core principle of the ASU is for companies to recognize revenue to depict the transfer of goods or services to customers in amounts that reflect the consideration, or payment, to which the company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The ASU may also result in enhanced disclosures about revenue. For public entities, the ASU was to be effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016. On July 9, 2015, the FASB voted to allow a one year deferral of the effective date to annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017. The deferral permits early adoption, but does not allow adoption any earlier than the original effective date of the standard. The Company has not yet selected a transition method and is currently evaluating the impact this standard will have on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

 

In August 2014, the ASB issued ASU 2014-15, “Disclosure of Uncertainties about an Entity's Ability to Continue as a Going Concern.” The amendments provide guidance about management's responsibility to evaluate whether there is substantial doubt about an entity's ability to continue as a going concern and to provide related footnote disclosures. The standard will be effective for the Company on December 31, 2016. The adoption of this pronouncement may impact future assessment and disclosures related to the Company's ability to continue as a going concern.

 

(continued)

 

  22  

 

 

TITAN CNG, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

1. Description of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies – (continued)

 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements (continued)

 

In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-03, “Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs,” which modifies the presentation of debt issuance costs in financial statements to present such costs as a direct deduction from the related debt liability rather than as an asset. The ASU became effective for public companies during interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015. The Company has adopted this ASU as of June 30, 2016 on a retrospective basis.

 

In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-01, “Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities,” which requires that most equity instruments be measured at fair value, with subsequent changes in fair value recognized in net income. The pronouncement also impacts the financial liabilities under the fair value option and the presentation and disclosure requirements for financial instruments. The ASU does not apply to equity method investments or investments in consolidated subsidiaries. The revised guidance is effective for fiscal years, and for interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2017, with early adoption permitted and amendments to be applied as a cumulative-effect adjustment to the balance sheet in the year of adoption. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the ASU on its consolidated financial statements and disclosures.

 

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02 “Leases,” which sets out the principles for the recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure of leases for both lessees and lessors. The new guidance requires lessees to apply a dual approach, classifying leases as either finance or operating leases based on the principle of whether or not the lease is effectively a finance purchase by the lessee. This classification will determine whether lease expense is recognized based on an effective interest method or on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease, respectively. A lessee is also required to record a right-of-use asset and a lease liability for all leases with a term greater than 12 months, regardless of their classification. Leases with a term of 12 months or less will be accounted for similar to existing guidance for operating leases. The new standard supersedes the previous leasing standard. The standard is effective for fiscal years, and for interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2018. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the ASU on its consolidated financial statements and disclosures.

 

The Company’s management has reviewed and considered all other recent accounting pronouncements and believes there are none that could potentially have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial condition, results of operations, or disclosures.

 

2. Acquisition –

 

Through December 31, 2015 the Company had a 20% investment in El Toro and accounted for this investment as an equity method investment. For the year ended December 31, 2015 the Company recorded a loss in the amount of $(125,890) related to its investment in El Toro. The carrying value of the investment was $(214,365) as of December 31, 2015.

 

On January 1, 2016, certain accredited investors contributed their current membership interests, as well as mezzanine debt and other liabilities totaling approximately $942,000 owed to Titan El Toro, LLC in exchange for Junior Bridge Notes in the amount of $942,000 and 64,387 Class A Membership Units in Titan CNG, LLC. In addition, members of El Toro agreed to contribute their membership interest in exchange for 10,892 Class A Membership Units in the Company. The Company acquired the remaining 80% of El Toro to further its business relationship in alignment with the Company’s business model to acquire existing CNG stations.

 

(continued)

 

  23  

 

 

TITAN CNG, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

2. Acquisition – (continued)

 

As required by ASC 805, Accounting for Business Combinations , when a company has a pre-existing ownership in another company and an acquisition is completed where control is obtained of the acquired company, the buyer must first measure the acquisition-date fair value of its previously held equity interest in the acquired company and recognize either (1) a gain for the excess of the fair value of the previously held interest over its carrying value or (2) a loss for the excess of carrying value over fair value. As a result of this acquisition, the Company recorded a $28,090 gain for the excess fair value over its carrying cost of El Toro. Management determined that the asset approach was the most appropriate methodology to determine the estimated fair value at the date of acquisition. As a result of the recentness of the procurement of El Toro’s assets and debt, management has determined that the estimated fair value is not materially different than the historical carrying values. The fair value of El Toro was as follows:

 

      January 1, 2016  
         
  Checks in excess of deposits   $ (3,434 )
  Current assets     34,597  
  Property and equipment     1,271,617  
  Other long-term assets     38,359  
  Total assets acquired     1,341,139  
           
  Current liabilities     113,080 )
  Accrued interest     122,582  
  Notes payable, long-term     2,000,826  
  Other long-term liabilities     36,027  
  Total liabilities assumed     2,272,515  
  Net liabilities acquired   $ (931,376 )

 

The following table sets forth the unaudited pro forma results of the Company for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, as if the acquisition had taken place on the first day of the period presented. These combined results are not necessarily indicative of the results that may have been achieved had the companies always been combined:

 

      Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
      2016     2015  
               
  Revenues   $ 295,452     $ 120,880  
  Net loss   $ (2,076,672 )   $ (731,242 )

 

El Toro’s revenues and net loss for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 were $150,239 and $(285,928), respectively, and are included in the total consolidated results presented above.

 

  24  

 

 

TITAN CNG, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

3. Property and Equipment –

 

Property and equipment consist of the following:

 

      September 30,
2016
    December 31,
2015
 
               
  Equipment   $ 776,927     $ -  
  Site development     401,462       -  
  Building     161,467       -  
  Leasehold improvements     46,728       -  
  Computer equipment     2,901       2,901  
  Construction in process     388,937       -  
        1,778,422       2,901  
  Less accumulated depreciation     (156,837 )     (2,901 )
      $ 1,621,585     $ -  

 

Construction in process contains amounts paid and accrued for construction of the Blaine private CNG station that has not been placed into service as of September 30, 2016 and Diamond Bar equipment that has not been put into service.

 

Depreciation expense was approximately $154,000 and $1,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

 

4. Line of Credit –

 

In September 2013, the Company entered into a line of credit (“the Line”) agreement for $555,000 with interest at 5.95%. The principal was due in monthly installments of $6,741 starting in November 2014 with the entire remaining outstanding principal due in July 2015. The Line was secured by all business assets and is guaranteed by certain members. The Line was amended on December 31, 2014 to reduce the maximum amount of the Line to $150,000, and to release certain property as security for the Line and to remove a certain guarantor from the agreement. In August 2015 the Line was renewed for a period of three months for $150,000 with interest at prime plus 1% with a minimum interest rate of 5.50%. In December 2015 the Line was amended to extend the maturity from October 2015 to February 2016. The Company repaid the Line in full in February 2016 and the Line was not renewed.

 

  25  

 

 

TITAN CNG, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

5. Long-Term Debt –

 

Long-term debt consists of the following:

 

      September 30,
2016
    December 31,
2015
 
               
  Small Business Administration Note   $ 1,224,480     $ -  
  Subordinated convertible senior notes payable to members (net of debt discount of $35,685)     835,871       -  
  Notes payable, due December 2016 with interest at 12.00% payable at maturity. In January 2016 these notes were rolled into the subordinated convertible senior notes payable to members.     -       21,556  
  Subordinated notes payable to members with interest at 12.00% per year with maturity on December 31, 2020, secured by a subordinate security interest on substantially all assets of the Company.     989,461       -  
  Note payable, due April 2014, with interest at 8.00%, payable at maturity. In January 2016 the note was rolled into the subordinated notes payable to members.     -       47,043  
  Note payable, due October 2014, with interest at 8.00%, payable at maturity. In 2016 the note was extended to October 2020.     17,000       17,000  
  Total long-term debt     3,066,812       85,599  
  Unamortized deferred financing costs     (52,607 )     -  
  Less current portion     (1,171,873 )     -  
  Long-term debt, net   $ 1,842,332     $ 85,599  

 

(continued)

 

  26  

 

 

TITAN CNG, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

5. Long-Term Debt – (continued)

 

Small Business Administration (SBA) Note

 

On December 31, 2014 Titan CNG, LLC and El Toro entered into a co-borrower arrangement for a $1,300,000 SBA note. The note proceeds were received by El Toro. The note is a ten year term note with interest fixed at 5.50% for the first five years, then adjusted to the SBA LIBOR base rate, plus 2.35% for the remaining five years. The note requires interest only payments for the first twelve months and then monthly principal and interest payments of $15,288 through maturity. The note is secured by substantially all of the Company’s business assets and is personally guaranteed by certain members. The Company issued to members 35,491 units in Titan CNG, LLC as compensation for the guarantee. The Company was in violation of certain bank covenants as of September 30, 2016.

 

Subordinated Convertible Senior Notes Payable to Members

 

On February 29, 2016, the Company issued five senior bridge notes with a maturity date of June 28, 2016 for approximately $672,000, as well as 16,791 Class A Membership Units. In July, the Company issued an additional Senior Bridge Note (collectively the “Senior Bridge Notes”) for $200,000 that matured in October 2016. In connection with the note issuance the Company issued 5,000 Class A Membership Units to the note holder. The Senior Bridge Notes bear interest at 12% per year with a default interest rate of 15% per year. In the event of a default under the Senior Bridge Notes, the Company is required to pay the holder a stated number of Class A Membership Units on the date of default and each 90 day interval thereafter until all amounts due have been paid in full. Effective July 2016, the maturity date of the Senior Bridge Notes was extended to September 30, 2016 and allowed for an interest rate increase from 12% to 16% effective March 14, 2016. The default interest rate was increased from 15% to 18%. As part of the first amendment, the note holders received 3,359 Class A Membership Units in Titan. In September 2016, the Senior Bridge Notes were amended to extend the due date to January 31, 2017 and the Company paid a fee for the extension of 1% of the outstanding principal balance to the note holders. In addition, at the Company's sole discretion, assuming the notes are not in default, the Company has the ability to extend the notes to October 31, 2017. A fee of 1% of the outstanding principal balance wiII be paid at January 31, 2017, April 30, 2017 and again on July 31, 2017 should the Company choose to extend the notes at each of these dates. The notes are secured by a subordinate security interest on substantially all of the Company's assets and are personally guaranteed by two members.

 

On September 26, 2016, the Company issued an additional Senior Bridge Note for $150,000. The note bears interest at 16% per year with a default interest rate of 18% per year, and it matures in January 2017. The note includes the same extension provisions as the above mentioned Senior Bridge Notes through October 31, 2017, including the required 1% fee of the outstanding principal balance at the time of extension. The Company issued 3,750 Class A Membership Units to this noteholder in connection with this Senior Bridge Note. The Company did not receive the proceeds from the note until October 2016. In the event of default the holder will receive a stated number of Class A Membership Units.

 

  27  

 

 

TITAN CNG, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

5. Long-Term Debt – (continued)

 

Annual maturities of long-term debt, assuming a 5.50% interest rate on the SBA note, are as follows:

 

  Period   Related Party     Non-Related Party     Total  
                     
  Three Months Ending December 31, 2016   $ -     $ 1,224,480     $ 1,224,480  
  2017     871,556       -       871,556  
  2018     -       -       -  
  2019     -       -       -  
  2020     1,006,461       -       1,006,461  
      $ 1,878,017     $ 1,224,480     $ 3,102,497  

 

6. Members’ Equity –

 

As of December 31, 2015 there were 38,608 Class A Membership Units outstanding. On January 1, 2016, certain accredited investors contributed their current membership interests, as well as mezzanine debt and other liabilities totaling approximately $942,000 owed to Titan El Toro, LLC in exchange for Junior Bridge Notes in the amount of $942,000 and 64,387 units in Titan CNG, LLC.

 

On January 1, 2016 Members of El Toro also agreed to contribute their membership interests in exchange for 10,892 Class A Membership Units in the Company.

 

In February 2016, the Senior Bridge Notes were issued and the Company issued 16,791 units to the note holders.

 

In July 2016, the Senior Bridge Notes were extended and the Company issued 3,359 units to the note holders.

 

In July and September 2016, the Company issued additional Senior Bridge Notes and the Company issued 5,000 and 3,750 units, respectively, to the note holders.

 

The following is a summary of Class A Membership Units as of September 30, 2016:

 

      Class A Units  
         
  BALANCE, December 31, 2015     38,608  
  Acquisition of El Toro     64,387  
  Exchange of El Toro units     10,892  
  February Bridge Notes     16,791  
  July Senior Bridge Note extension     3,359  
  July Senior Bridge Note     5,000  
  September Bridge Note     3,750  
  BALANCE, September 30, 2016     142,787  

 

  28  

 

 

TITAN CNG, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

7. Grant Agreements –

 

In 2013 the Company was the recipient of two grants in the amount of $300,000 and $150,000 from the California Energy Commission (“CEC”) and SCAQMD. The grants were provided to assist in the construction and equipping of a CNG filling station in Lake Forest, California. The grant funds were used to complete the construction of a facility on El Toro Road as contemplated in the grant agreements. The project was completed by an Affiliate of the Company, as defined in the agreement. The grant proceeds are subject to repayment if the Company does not satisfy certain operational metrics contained in the grant agreements. The Company believes that it can satisfy these objectives, although it cannot provide assurance that such future events will occur. In addition, the use of an Affiliate of the Company on the project could be construed as requiring amendments to the grant agreements or consent from the CEC or SCAQMD, neither of which has been obtained by the Company.

 

8. Commitments and Contingencies –

 

Operating Leases

 

The Company leases its Plymouth, Minnesota office under an operating lease agreement that expired in October 2014. Upon expiration the lease was renewed on a month to month basis with payments of $977 per month.

 

In March 2014 the Company entered into an operating lease agreement for the El Toro location which expires in February 2019, with an option to extend to February 2024. In November 2014 the lease was amended to add El Toro, as a co-lessee. The monthly payments range from $10,000 to $11,604.

 

The Company's El Toro lease calls for rent increases over the term of the lease. The Company records rent expense on a straight line basis using average rent for the term of the lease. The excess of the expense over cash rent paid is shown as deferred rent.

 

Approximate annual future minimum lease payments under these leases are as follows:

 

  Period   Amount  
         
  Three Months Ending December 31, 2016   $ 35,000  
  2017     139,000  
  2018     139,000  
  2019     23,000  
           
      $ 336,000  

 

The rent expense under all leases was approximately $103,000 and $8,800, respectively, for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015.

  

(continued)

 

  29  

 

 

TITAN CNG, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

8. Commitments and Contingencies – (continued)

 

Walters Recycling & Refuse Station

 

In June 2016 Blaine entered into a compressed natural gas fuel station agreement (the “Agreement”) with Walters Recycling & Refuse, Inc. (“Walters”), an unrelated third party. Under the agreement Blaine will construct, at its sole expense, a CNG dispensing system (the “System”) on a portion of the property owned by Walters. The System shall include the required elements as defined in the contract. The System shall only be used for the purpose of filling Walter’s vehicles and authorized Blaine vehicles and trailers. Titan is required to have the System fully operational by June 2017. If the System is not fully operational by June 2017 Walters may terminate the agreement with 30 days written notice to Blaine. Blaine will be required to return the property to its pre-construction condition. Blaine shall retain ownership of all unattached movable components of the System. In addition, Blaine is responsible for all costs relating to installing the utilities required for the System as well as the costs for all ongoing system and property maintenance. The term of the agreement shall be for a period of seven years and shall commence on the date the system becomes fully operational and is first used by Walters, as defined in the agreement. Walters has the right to renew the agreement for four additional two year renewal periods. Beginning on the commencement date and through the contract term, Walters agrees to purchase 144,000 GGE, annually, of CNG, as defined, exclusively from Blaine. The rate charged to Walters includes an initial six month rate which is then adjusted as stated in the agreement.

 

Station Operations and Lease Agreement

 

In December 2015, Diamond Bar entered into a transfer of ownership and lease arrangement with the SCAQMD. This property has an existing CNG station owned and operated by the SCAQMD. Thirty days after the date of the agreement, SCAQMD transferred to Diamond Bar, without charge, all of their rights and interests in the existing assets. The agreement also specifies that Diamond Bar lease the property for $1 and identifies certain commitments agreed to by the parties. Some of the more significant ones are as follows:

 

Within 180 days from the contract execution, Diamond Bar, using its best efforts, shall sell any surplus assets and provide SCAQMD with 90% of the net proceeds, as defined. To date Diamond Bar has been unable to sell the surplus assets.

 

Diamond Bar is also required to comply with certain provisions in the agreement with regards to the operation and maintenance of the station.

 

Diamond Bar, at their expense and upon written consent from SCAQMD, can remodel, redecorate or otherwise make improvements and replacements of and to all or any part of the leased premises.

 

Diamond Bar is required to install specific station upgrades, as defined, and is responsible for the cost of these upgrades. All upgrades must be completed within eight months of the execution date. Any improvements made to the premises remain the property of Diamond Bar and can be removed by Diamond Bar.

 

The fueling rate charged to the SCAQMD will be based on actual utility costs, taxes and a fee not to exceed $0.50 per GGE. Currently the rate charged is substantially equal to the market rate charged to all other customers.

 

(continued)

  30  

 

 

TITAN CNG, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

8. Commitments and Contingencies – (continued)

 

The contract ends December 31, 2020. SCAQMD can extend the contract for a period not to exceed five years starting January 1, 2021 at no additional cost. Either party may terminate the contract with sixty days’ notice. If the SCAQMD terminates without cause they will be required to either purchase the property necessary for the operation of the CNG station or reimburse Diamond Bar for the cost of removing the property. If Diamond Bar terminates the contract without cause, the SCAQMD shall have the option to either purchase the property necessary for the operation of the station or require Diamond Bar to remove the property at no cost to SCAQMD.

 

9. Supplementary Disclosure of Cash Flow Information –

 

Additional cash flow information consisted of the following:

 

  Nine Months Ended September 30   2016     2015  
  Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing and financing activities:            
  Accounts payable added to debt   $ 89,038     $ -  
  Fixed asset purchases in accounts payable   $ 409,192     $ -  
  Issuance of units for debt   $ 49,590     $ -  
  Interest added to debt   $ 123,870     $ -  
  Supplemental disclosures of cash flow activity:                
  Cash paid for interest   $ 47,316     $ 7,886  
                   

 

10. Subsequent Events –

 

On October 1, 2016, the Company issued 139,839 units to existing members.

 

 

31

 

Exhibit 99.2

 

UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF

MINN SHARES INC AND TITAN CNG LLC

 

The following presents unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements of Minn Shares Inc. (“Minn Shares”) and Titan CNG LLC (“Titan”) as if the Securities Exchange had been completed at the beginning of each of the periods presented for statement of operations purposes and as of September 30, 2016, for balance sheet purposes. The following unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements are based on an assumption that all of Titan’s equity interest were exchanged for Minn Shares’ common stock in the Securities Exchange. The Securities Exchange was accounted for as a capital transaction, with Titan as the acquiring entity for accounting purposes.

 

The historical data of Minn Shares and Titan for the year ended December 31, 2015, has been derived from their audited financial statements. The historical data of Minn Shares and Titan as of and for the nine months ended September 30, 2016, has been derived from their unaudited financial statements. The unaudited pro forma condensed combined balance sheet and statements of operations are based on assumptions and include adjustments as explained in the notes thereto.

 

The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements include adjustments, which are based upon preliminary estimates, to reflect the allocation of the purchase price to the acquired assets and assumed liabilities of Minn Shares. The final allocation of the purchase price will be determined after the completion of the acquisition and will be based upon actual net tangible and intangible assets acquired as well as liabilities assumed. The preliminary purchase price allocation for Minn Shares is subject to revision as more detailed analysis is completed and additional information on the fair values of Minn Shares’ assets and liabilities becomes available. Any change in the fair value of the net assets of Minn Shares will change the amount of the purchase price allocation. Additionally, changes in Minn Shares’ working capital, including the results of operations from September 30, 2016, through the date the transaction is completed, will change the amount of the purchase price allocation. Furthermore, the final purchase price is dependent on the actual amount of Minn Shares common stock and the Minn Shares price per share on the date of closing. Final purchase accounting adjustments may differ materially from the pro forma adjustments presented here.

 

The summary unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements do not necessarily reflect the results of operations of Minn Shares and Titan that actually would have resulted had the Securities Exchange been consummated as of the dates referred to above. Accordingly, such data should not be viewed as fully representative of the past performance of Minn Shares or Titan or indicative of future results.

 

These unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements are based upon the respective historical financial statements of Minn Shares and Titan and should be read in conjunction with the historical financial statements of Minn Shares and Titan and the related notes.

 

 

 

 

Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Balance Sheet

September 30, 2016

 

    Minn Shares, Inc.     Titan CNG, LLC and Subsidiaries     Pro Forma Adjustments     Pro Forma Combined  
ASSETS                        
CURRENT ASSETS                        
Cash   $ 3,377     $ 29,712     $ -     $ 33,089  
Prepaids     -       80,000       -       80,000  
Other current assets     -       39,724       -       39,724  
Total current assets     3,377       149,436       -       152,813  
                                 
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, NET     -       1,621,585              -       1,621,585  
OTHER ASSETS     -       24,891       -       24,891  
                                 
TOTAL ASSETS   $ 3,377     $ 1,795,912     $ -     $ 1,799,289  
                                 
LIABILITIES AND MEMBERS AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (DEFICIT)                                
CURRENT LIABILITIES                                
Accounts payable   $ 61,781     $ 758,804     $ -     $ 820,585  
Accrued expenses     -       196,408       -       196,408  
Deferred rent, current portion     -       11,880       -       11,880  
Note payable to member     -       35,500       -       35,500  
Current portion of long-term debt, net     -       1,171,873       -       1,171,873  
Due to Global Resources Group     117,407       -       -       117,407  
Due to related parties     279,950       -       -       279,950  
Total current liabilities     459,138       2,174,465       -       2,633,603  
                                 
ACCOUNTS PAYABLE, RELATED PARTIES     -       212,196       -       212,196  
ACCRUED INTEREST     -       205,482       -       205,482  
DEFERRED RENT     -       19,932       -       19,932  
LONG-TERM DEBT, RELATED PARTIES     -       1,842,332       -       1,842,332  
                                 
TOTAL LIABILITIES   $ 459,138     $ 4,454,407     $ -     $ 4,913,545  
                                 
CONTINGENCIES AND COMMITMENTS                                

  

(continued)

 

See notes to unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements.

 

  2  
 

 

Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Balance Sheet (continued)

September 30, 2016

 

    Minn Shares, Inc.     Titan CNG, LLC and Subsidiaries     Pro Forma Adjustments     Pro Forma Combined  
MEMBERS’ AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (DEFICIT)                        
Preferred stock, $.0001 par value; 10,000 shares authorized, no shares issued and outstanding   $ -     $ -     $ -     $ -  
Common stock, $.0001 par value; 100,000 shares authorized; 1,191,348  shares issued and outstanding     119       -       1,244 (3)     1,363  
15,860,342 pro forma shares issued and outstanding     -               224 (7)     224  
Additional paid-in capital     594,022               (594,022 )(3)     -  
                      897,750 (7)     897,750  
Accumulated deficit     (1,049,902 )     (2,658,495 )     594,022 (3)     (3,114,375 )
                      (1,244 )(3)     (1,244 )
                      (897,974 )(3)     (897,974 )
TOTAL MEMBERS’ AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (DEFICIT)     (455,761 )     (2,658,495 )     -       (3,114,256 )
                                 
TOTAL LIABILITIES, MEMBERS’ AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (DEFICIT)   $ 3,377     $ 1,795,912     $ -     $ 1,799,289  

 

See notes to unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements.

 

  3  
 

 

Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Statement of Operations

For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016

 

    Minn Shares, Inc.     Titan CNG, LLC and Subsidiaries     Pro Forma Adjustments     Pro Forma Combined  
                         
REVENUES   $ -     $ 295,452     $ -     $ 295,452  
                                 
COST OF REVENUES     -       139,468       -       139,468  
                                 
GROSS PROFIT     -       155,984       -       155,984  
                                 
OPERATING EXPENSES     75,761       1,276,096       427,500 (7)     1,779,357  
                                 
OPERATING LOSS     (75,761 )     (1,120,112 )     (427,500 )     (1,623,373 )
                                 
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE)                                
Interest expense     (11,970 )     (264,444 )     -       (276,414 )
Loss on acquisition of El Toro     -       (723,980 )     -       (723,980 )
Other income     -       31,864       -       31,864  
Total other income (expense)     (11,970 )     (956,560 )     -       (968,530 )
                                 
NET LOSS ATTRIBUTABLE TO COMMON STOCKHOLDER   $ (87,731 )   $ (2,076,672 )   $ (427,500 )   $ (2,591,903 )
                                 
BASIC AND DILUTED LOSS PER SHARE                                
Basic and diluted net loss per common share   $ (0.07 )                   $ (0.16 )
                                 
Weighted average number of units and common shares outstanding   $ 1,191,348                     $ 15,860,342  

 

See notes to unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements.

 

  4  
 

 

Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Statement of Operations

For the Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2015

 

    Minn Shares, Inc.     Titan CNG, LLC and Subsidiaries     Pro Forma Adjustments     Pro Forma Combined  
                         
REVENUES   $ -     $ 29,000     $ -     $ 29,000  
                                 
OPERATING EXPENSES     34,375       290,901       1,467,974 (7)     1,793,250  
                                 
LOSS FROM OPERATIONS     (34,375 )     (261,901 )     (1,467,974 )     (1,764,250 )
                                 
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE)                                
Interest expense     (14,768 )     (17,110 )     -       (31,878 )
Losses in equity method investment     -       (125,890 )     -       (125,890 )
Total other income (expense)     (14,768 )     (143,000 )     -       (157,768 )
                                 
NET LOSS ATTRIBUTABLE TO COMMON STOCKHOLDER   $ (49,143 )   $ (404,901 )   $ (1,467,974 )   $ (1,922,018 )
                                 
BASIC AND DILUTED LOSS PER SHARE                                
Basic and diluted net loss per common share   $ (0.04 )                   $ (0.12 )
                                 
Weighted average number of units and common shares outstanding   $ 1,191,348                     $ 15,860,342  

 

See notes to unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements.

 

  5  
 

 

NOTES TO UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED

COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

1. Merger and Basis of Presentation

 

On November 22, 2016, Minn Shares entered into an Agreement and Plan of Securities Exchange (Exchange Agreement) with Titan. Titan is a privately held company that is a compressed natural gas (“CNG”) services business based in Plymouth, Minnesota. Pursuant to the terms of the Exchange Agreement, at the effective time of the Securities Exchange, the business plan of Titan became the business plan of Minn Shares.

 

Pursuant to the terms of the Exchange Agreement, each unit of Titan that was issued and outstanding at the closing of the Exchange Agreement was cancelled and converted into the right to receive a proportionate share of 14,668,994 shares of Minn Shares’ common stock. 12,424,058 shares of Minn Shares’ common stock were issued in exchange for the units of Titan, giving effect to the conversion of all of Titan’s outstanding units. Upon consummation of these transactions, current Titan security holders will own approximately 91.25% of Minn Shares’ common stock on a fully diluted basis.

 

Upon the closing of the transaction, Titan unitholders will own a majority of the voting stock of the combined company, pre-Securities Exchange officers of Titan will assume key management positions at the combined company and two pre-Securities Exchange directors of Titan will serve on the board of directors of the combined company. As a result, Titan will be deemed to be the acquiring company for accounting purposes and the transaction will be accounted for as a reverse acquisition in accordance with FASB Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 805, Business Combinations. Accordingly, the assets and liabilities of Minn Shares will be recorded at their estimated fair values as of the Securities Exchange closing date.

 

2. Estimate of Consideration Expected to be Transferred

 

After consideration of the historical market price of Minn Shares’ common stock, on November 25, 2016 ($0.40 per share), the last practicable date to allow for preparation of this filing, the purchase price of Minn Shares was estimated at $ $5,000,000 plus the assumption of the historical net liabilities at the date of the exchange ($409,942). This purchase price represents the estimated fair value of the 1,191,348 shares of Minn Shares’ common stock, $0.0001 par value, to be retained by the existing stockholders of Minn Shares. As Minn Shares had no tangible or identifiable intangible assets at the time of the exchange and recognition of goodwill is not permitted in this type of transaction, no assets were recorded as a result of the transaction.

 

3. Common Stock and Additional Paid-in Capital

 

The following is a summary of Minn Shares common stock outstanding after the Securities Exchange:

 

         
  Common Stock   Shares  
  Shares held by existing Minn Shares common stockholders as of September 30, 2016     1,191,348  
  Shares of Minn Shares common stock to be issued to Titan stockholders     12,424,058  
  Additional Shares of Minn Shares common stock to be issued to shareholders of Shock Inc.     2,244,936  
           
  Total Shares outstanding after the Securities Exchange     15,860,342  

 

The pro forma condensed combined financial statements also reflect elimination of Minn Shares’ historical accumulated deficit as a result of the Securities Exchange.

 

  6  
 

 

4. Securities Exchange Related Charges

 

The total Securities Exchange related costs have been preliminarily estimated to be approximately $290,000 and are not included in the unaudited pro forma condensed combined statements of operations.

 

5. Basic and Diluted Income (Loss) per Share

 

Basic income (loss) per common share is computed by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted average common shares outstanding. Diluted income (loss) per common share is computed by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted average common shares outstanding and common stock equivalents related to stock options when dilutive. The effect of any outstanding common stock equivalents for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and the year ended December 31, 2015 has not been included in the pro forma per shares amounts as it would be anti-dilutive.

 

Pro forma weighted average Shares outstanding were as follows:

 

      Nine Months
Ended
September 30, 2016
    Year Ended
December 31,
2015
 
  Minn Shares’ historical weighted average shares     1,191,348       1,191,348  
  Minn Shares’ shares issued from conversion of Titan’s membership units     12,424,058       12,424,058  
  Additional shares of Minn Shares common stock to be issued to Shock Inc. shareholders     2,244,936       2,244,936  
                   
  Weighted average Shares outstanding—basic and diluted     15,860,342       15,860,342  

 

6. Income Taxes

 

No income tax benefit was included in the unaudited pro forma condensed combined statements of operations because a full valuation allowance has been established on the deferred tax asset as it is more likely than not that future tax benefits will not be realized.

 

7. Management Entity Shares

 

On November 23, 2016, Minn Shares and Shock Inc., an entity owned by John Yeros, Kirk Honour and Randy Gilbert, entered into a merger agreement with Minn Shares whereby the issued and outstanding shares of Shock will be converted into 2,244,936 shares of Minn Shares. As a result, Minn Shares succeeded as a party to the employment agreements with these executive officers.

 

8. Events Subsequent to September 30, 2016

 

On October 1, 2016, the Company issued 139,839 units to existing members.

 

 

 

7