SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
-------------------------
SCHEDULE 13D
(Rule 13d-101)
INFORMATION TO BE INCLUDED IN STATEMENTS FILED PURSUANT
TO RULE 13d-1(a) and AMENDMENTS THERETO FILED PURSUANT TO
RULE 13d-2(a)
(Amendment No. ____)(1)
CROWN CASTLE INTERNATIONAL CORP.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Name of Issuer)
Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Title of Class of Securities)
228227104
-----------------
(CUSIP Number)
Cellco Partnership, a Delaware general partnership
doing business as Bell Atlantic Mobile
180 Washington Valley Road
Bedminster, NJ 07921
with a copy to:
P. Alan Bulliner, Esq.
Vice President - Corporate Secretary and Counsel
Bell Atlantic Corporation
1095 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10036
--------------------------------------------------------
(Name, Address and Telephone Number of Person Authorized
to Receive Notices and Communications)
March 31, 1999
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Date of Event which Requires Filing of this Statement)
If the filing person has previously filed a statement on Schedule 13G to report
the acquisition which is the subject of this Schedule 13D, and is filing this
schedule because of Rule 13d-1(e), 13d-1(f) or 13d-1(g), check the following box
|_|.
Note: Schedules filed in paper format shall include a signed original and give
copies of the schedule, including all exhibits. See Rule 13d-7(b) for other
parties to whom copies are to be sent.
(Continued on following pages)
(Page 1 of 7 pages)
(1) The remainder of this cover page shall be filled out for a reporting
person's initial filing on this form with respect to the subject class of
securities, and for any subsequent amendment containing information which would
alter disclosures provided in a prior cover page.
The information required on the remainder of this cover page shall not be deemed
to be "filed" for the purpose of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section of the Act but
shall be subject to all other provisions of the Act (however, see the Notes).
Cusip No. 228227104 Page 2 of 7
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 NAME OF REPORTING PERSON
I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NOS. OF ABOVE PERSONS (ENTITIES ONLY)
Cellco Partnership, a Delaware general partnership doing
business as Bell Atlantic Mobile
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2 CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP* (a) |_|
(b) |_|
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3 SEC USE ONLY
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4 SOURCE OF FUNDS*
OO
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5 CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEMS
2(d) or 2(e) |_|
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6 CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
Delaware
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
7 SOLE VOTING POWER
NUMBER 0 shares
OF SHARES ----------------------------------------------------------
8 SHARED VOTING POWER
BENEFICIALLY 15,597,783 shares
OWNED ----------------------------------------------------------
9 SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
BY EACH 0 shares
REPORTING ----------------------------------------------------------
10 SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
PERSON WITH 15,597,783 shares
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
11 AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
15,597,783 shares
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
12 CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES* |X|
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
13 PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)
16.4%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
14 TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON*
PN
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*SEE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE FILLING OUT!
Cusip No. 228227104 Page 3 of 7
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 NAME OF REPORTING PERSON
I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NOS. OF ABOVE PERSONS (ENTITIES ONLY)
Bell Atlantic Corporation
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2 CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP* (a) |_|
(b) |_|
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3 SEC USE ONLY
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4 SOURCE OF FUNDS*
OO
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5 CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEMS
2(d) or 2(e) |_|
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6 CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
Delaware
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
7 SOLE VOTING POWER
NUMBER 0 shares
OF SHARES ----------------------------------------------------------
8 SHARED VOTING POWER
BENEFICIALLY 15,597,783 shares
OWNED ----------------------------------------------------------
9 SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
BY EACH 0 shares
REPORTING ----------------------------------------------------------
10 SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
PERSON WITH 15,597,783 shares
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
11 AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
15,597,783 shares
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
12 CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES* |X|
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
13 PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)
16.4%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
14 TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON*
CO
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*SEE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE FILLING OUT!
Cusip No. 228227104 Page 4 of 7
Item 1. Security and Issuer.
This statement relates to the common stock, par value $0.01 per share (the
"Common Stock"), of Crown Castle International Corp., a Delaware corporation
(the "Corporation"). The principal executive offices of the Corporation are
located at 510 Bering Drive, Suite 500, Houston, Texas 77057.
Item 2. Identity and Background.
This Statement is being filed by Cellco Partnership, a Delaware general
partnership doing business as Bell Atlantic Mobile ("BAM"), and Bell Atlantic
Corporation, a Delaware corporation ("BAC"). The general partners of BAM are (i)
Bell Atlantic Mobile, Inc., a Delaware corporation, (ii) Bell Atlantic Cellular
Holdings, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership and (iii) NYNEX PCS Inc., a
Delaware corporation. BAC is the indirect parent corporation of Bell Atlantic
Mobile, Inc., Bell Atlantic Cellular Holdings, L.P. and NYNEX PCS Inc.
The principal business address of BAM is 180 Washington Valley Road,
Bedminster, New Jersey 17921. Its principal business is providing wireless
communications services to customers in the Northeast, mid-Atlantic, and,
through an independent subsidiary, Southeast and Southwest portions of the
United States. BAM is the chief wireless subsidiary of BAC.
The principal business address of Bell Atlantic Mobile, Inc. is 180
Washington Valley Road, Bedminster, New Jersey 07921. Its principal business is
holding an interest in, and acting as managing general partner of, Cellco
Partnership. The directors and officers of Bell Atlantic Mobile, Inc. are set
forth on Schedule I hereto, which schedule lists for each such person his or her
name, business address (or residence address where indicated), present principal
occupation or employment and the name, principal business and address of any
corporation or other organization in which such employment is conducted, and
citizenship, and which are incorporated herein by reference. Bell Atlantic
Mobile, Inc. is an indirect subsidiary of BAC.
The principal business address of Bell Atlantic Cellular Holdings, L.P. is
1717 Arch Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103. Its principal business is
holding partial ownership of Cellco Partnership. The general partner of Bell
Atlantic Cellular Holdings L.P. is Metro Mobile CTS of Charlotte, Inc. The
directors and officers of Metro Mobile CTS of Charlotte, Inc. are set forth on
Schedule II hereto, which schedule lists for each such person his or her name,
business address (or resident address where indicated), present principal
occupation or employment and the name, principal business and address of any
corporation or other organization in which such employment is conducted, and
citizenship, and which are incorporated herein by reference
The principal business address of NYNEX PCS Inc. is 1095 Avenue of the
Americas, New York, New York 10036. Its principal business is holding partial
ownership of Cellco Partnership. The directors and officers of NYNEX PCS Inc.
are set forth on Schedule III hereto, which schedule lists for each such person
his or her name, business address (or residence address where indicated),
present principal occupation or employment and the name, principal business and
address of any corporation or other organization in which such employment is
conducted, and citizenship, and which are incorporated herein by reference.
NYNEX PCS Inc. is a subsidiary of BAC.
BAC is a telecommunications company that operates in a region stretching
from Maine to Virginia. Its principal operating subsidiaries are: New York
Telephone Company, Bell Atlantic-- New Jersey, Inc., Bell Atlantic --
Pennsylvania, Inc., New England Telephone and Telegraph Company, Bell Atlantic
- -- Maryland, Inc., Bell Atlantic -- Virginia, Inc., Bell Atlantic -- West
Virginia, Inc., Bell Atlantic -- Delaware, Inc., Bell Atlantic -- Washington,
D.C., Inc. and BAM. Subsidiaries of BAC are engaged in the businesses of
providing domestic wireline telecommunications services through local telephone
services, including voice and data transport, enhanced and custom calling
features, network access, directory assistance, private lines, public
telephones, customer premises equipment distribution,
Cusip No. 228227104 Page 5 of 7
systems integration, billing and collections, and Internet access services;
wireless telecommunications products and services to United States and foreign
customers, including cellular mobile service; domestic and international
publishing businesses, including print directories and Internet-based shopping
guides, as well as website creation and hosting and other electronic commerce
service; and international wireline telecommunications investments and lease
financing and other businesses. The address of BAC's principal executive offices
is 1095 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York 10036 (Attention: Mr. P. Alan
Bulliner). The names, business addresses and principal occupations of the
executive officers and directors of BAC, all of whom are United States citizens,
are set forth in Schedule IV hereto and are incorporated herein by reference.
During the last five years, none of BAM, Bell Atlantic Mobile, Inc., Bell
Atlantic Cellular Holdings, L.P., NYNEX PCS Inc. or BAC, and to the best
knowledge of each of them, none of the persons listed in Schedules I, II and III
has been convicted in a criminal proceeding or been a party to a civil
proceeding of a judicial or administrative body of competent jurisdiction and as
a result of such proceeding been or become subject to a judgment, decree or
final order enjoining future violations of, or prohibiting or mandating
activities subject to, federal or state securities laws or finding any violation
with respect to such laws.
Item 3. Source and Amount of Funds or Other Considerations.
On March 31, 1999, BAM acquired shared voting power with CCA Investment
Corp. ("CCA"), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Corporation, and shared
investment power with CCA over an aggregate of 15,597,783 shares of Common Stock
of the Corporation (the "Contributed Shares"), when the Contributed Shares were
contributed by CCA to Crown Atlantic Holding Company LLC, a Delaware limited
liability company ("HoldCo"), pursuant to the terms of the Operating Agreement
of HoldCo entered into as of March 31, 1999 by BAM and CCA (the "HoldCo
Operating Agreement"). BAM's actual economic interest in the Contributed Shares
is determined under the terms of the HoldCo Operating Agreement. A copy of the
HoldCo Operating Agreement is filed as Exhibit 3 hereto and incorporated herein
by reference.
The HoldCo Operating Agreement was entered into in connection with the
closing of the transactions contemplated by the Formation Agreement dated as of
December 8, 1998, by and among BAM, CCA, the Corporation and certain
transferring partnerships. The Formation Agreement and Amendment Number 1 to
such Formation Agreement, are filed as Exhibit 1 and Exhibit 2 hereto,
respectively, and are referred to herein collectively as the "Formation
Agreement."
Pursuant to the terms of the Formation Agreement, BAM and CCA formed a
joint venture consisting of three limited liability companies (including HoldCo)
to own and operate a significant portion of BAM's wireless communications
towers. BAM and other transferring partnerships contributed certain of their
respective wireless communications towers and other related assets (the "BAM
Contributed Assets") to Crown Atlantic Company LLC, the operating subsidiary of
the joint venture and CCA contributed the Contributed Shares and $200,000,000 in
cash to HoldCo.
Item 4. Purpose of Transaction.
BAM acquired shared voting and investment power over the Contributed Shares
on March 31, 1999, when CCA contributed the Contributed Shares to HoldCo in
connection with the formation of the joint venture contemplated by the Formation
Agreement. Pursuant to the terms of the HoldCo Operating Agreement, the exercise
of any voting rights with respect to the Contributed Shares requires the mutual
consent of BAM and CCA, and, therefore, BAM shares voting power over the
Contributed Shares with CCA. In the absence of the mutual consent of BAM and CCA
as to the exercise of voting rights, the HoldCo Operating Agreement provides
that the Contributed Shares will be voted on each matter submitted to a vote of
the stockholders of the Corporation for and against such
Cusip No. 228227104 Page 6 of 7
matter in the same proportion as the vote of all other shares entitled to vote
on such matter are voted for and against such matter.
Pursuant to the terms of the HoldCo Operating Agreement, (i) at any time
after March 31, 2002, BAM may unilaterally elect to dissolve HoldCo by giving
written notice of such election to CCA and (ii) at any time after March 31,
2003, CCA may unilaterally elect to dissolve HoldCo by giving written notice of
such election to BAM. In the event of such election by BAM or CCA, the
Contributed Shares, including all dividends payable in stock and distributions
payable with respect to the Contributed Shares will be distributed to BAM,
subject to the limitations set forth in Section 9.5 (a) (2) of the HoldCo
Operating Agreement. BAM does not presently intend to elect the dissolution of
HoldCo.
Other than as disclosed in this Statement and except for enforcement by BAM
of its rights under the HoldCo Operating Agreement and the Formation Agreement,
none of BAM, Bell Atlantic Mobile, Inc., Bell Atlantic Cellular Holdings, L.P.,
NYNEX PCS Inc. or BAC, and to the best knowledge of each of them, none of the
persons named in Schedules I, II and III hereto, presently has any plan or
proposal which relate to, or might result in, any of the events described in
paragraphs (a) through (j), inclusive, of Item 4 of Schedule 13D.
Item 5. Interest in Securities of the Issuer.
BAM is the beneficial owner of 15,597,783 shares of Common Stock of the
Corporation. BAM has, together with CCA Investment Corp., shared voting power
with respect to 15,597,783 shares of Common Stock, which constitutes
approximately 16.4% of the Common Stock of the Corporation outstanding on March
15, 1999, and shared dispositive power with respect to 15,597,783 shares of
Common Stock. BAM and BAC disclaim beneficial ownership of the Contributed
Shares for all purposes other than Section 13 of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended.
None of Bell Atlantic Mobile, Inc., Bell Atlantic Cellular Holdings, L.P.,
NYNEX PCS Inc. or BAC beneficially own any shares of Common Stock.
Item 6. Contract, Arrangements, Understandings or Relationships With Respect to
Securities of the Issuer.
Formation Agreement
BAM, CCA and certain other parties entered into the Formation Agreement on
December 8, 1998, and amended the Formation Agreement with Amendment Number 1
dated March 31, 1999. The following description of certain provisions of the
Formation Agreement is only a summary and does not purport to be complete. This
description is qualified in its entirety by reference to (i) the complete text
of the Formation Agreement, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit 1 and
(ii) the complete text of Amendment Number 1, a copy of which is attached hereto
as Exhibit 2.
Pursuant to the terms of the Formation Agreement, the parties agreed to
create a joint venture to own and manage a significant portion of BAM's wireless
communications towers. BAM and certain transferring partnerships agreed to
transfer the BAM Contributed Assets and the BAM Assumed Liabilities (as both
terms are defined in the Formation Agreement) to Crown Atlantic Company LLC
("OpCo") in exchange for a membership interest in OpCo, and CCA agreed to
transfer $50,000,000 in cash to OpCo in exchange for a membership interest in
OpCo. BAM and CCA agreed to then transfer their respective interests in OpCo
(other than a .001 interest to be retained by BAM) to Crown Atlantic Holding Sub
LLC ("HoldCo Sub") in exchange for membership interests in HoldCo Sub. BAM and
CCA agreed to then contribute to HoldCo their respective interests in HoldCo
Sub, and CCA
Cusip No. 228227104 Page 7 of 7
also agreed to contribute $200,000,000 in cash and the Contributed Shares to
HoldCo, in exchange for membership interests in HoldCo.
The closing of the transactions contemplated by the Formation Agreement
took place on March 31, 1999.
HoldCo Operating Agreement
On March 31, 1999, BAM and CCA entered into the HoldCo Operating Agreement.
The following description of certain provisions of the HoldCo Operating
Agreement is only a summary and does not purport to be complete. This
description is qualified in its entirety by reference to the complete text of
the HoldCo Operating Agreement, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit 3
and incorporated herein by reference.
Pursuant to the terms of the HoldCo Operating Agreement, in exchange for
membership interests in HoldCo, each of BAM and CCA contributed its respective
interest in HoldCo Sub to HoldCo, and CCA contributed $200,000,000 in cash and
the Contributed Shares to HoldCo. At the closing of the transactions
contemplated by the Formation Agreement, CCA received a 61.47% interest in
HoldCo and BAM received a 38.53% interest in HoldCo.
Under the HoldCo Operating Agreement, BAM and CCA share voting power over
the Contributed Shares, and pursuant to the terms of the HoldCo Operating
Agreement, the exercise of any voting rights with respect to the Contributed
Shares requires the mutual consent of BAM and CCA. In the absence of the mutual
consent of BAM and CCA as to the exercise of voting rights, the HoldCo Operating
Agreement provides that the Contributed Shares will be voted on each matter
submitted to a vote of the stockholders of THE CORPORATION for and against such
matter in the same proportion as the vote of all other shares entitled to vote
on such matter are voted for and against such matter.
Additionally, pursuant to the terms of the HoldCo Operating Agreement, (i)
at any time after March 31, 2002, BAM may unilaterally elect to dissolve HoldCo
by giving written notice of such election to CCA and (ii) at any time after
March 31, 2003, CCA may unilaterally elect to dissolve HoldCo by giving written
notice of such election to BAM. In the event of such election by either BAM or
CCA, the Contributed Shares, including all dividends and distributions payable
with respect to the Contributed Shares will be distributed to BAM, subject to
the limitations set forth in Section 9.5 (a) (2) of the HoldCo Operating
Agreement.
Item 7. Material to Be Filed as Exhibits.
Exhibit 1. Formation Agreement dated as of December 8, 1998, by and among
Cellco Partnership, a Delaware general partnership doing business as Bell
Atlantic Mobile, Crown Castle International Corp., CCA Investment Corp. and
certain Transferring Partnerships (excluding Annexes, Schedules and Exhibits).
Exhibit 2. Amendment Number 1 to Formation Agreement dated as of March 31,
1999 by and among Cellco Partnership, a Delaware general partnership doing
business as Bell Atlantic Mobile, Crown Castle International Corp., CCA
Investment Corp. and certain Transferring Partnerships (excluding Annex I).
Exhibit 3. Operating Agreement of Crown Atlantic Holding Company LLC
entered into as of March 31, 1999 by Cellco Partnership, a Delaware general
partnership doing business as Bell Atlantic Mobile, and CCA Investment Corp.
SIGNATURE
After reasonable inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief, I
certify that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and
correct.
CELLCO PARTNERSHIP, a Delaware general
partnership
By: Bell Atlantic Mobile, Inc., its
managing general partner
By: /s/ David H. Benson
---------------------------------
Name: David H. Benson
Title: Chief Financial Officer
Date: April 8, 1999
SIGNATURE
After reasonable inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and
belief, I certify that the information set forth in this statement is true,
complete and correct.
BELL ATLANTIC CORPORATION
By: /s/ P. Alan Bulliner
---------------------------------
Name: P. Alan Bulliner
Title: Vice President -
Corporate Secretary
and Counsel
Date: April 8, 1999
SCHEDULE I
Bell Atlantic Mobile, Inc.
--------------------------
Executive Officers and Directors
- --------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------
Name and Address Position and Principal Occupation
- --------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------
William O. Albertini Director of Bell Atlantic Mobile, Inc.
1717 Arch Street Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103 Bell Atlantic Global Wireless, Inc.
- --------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------
Lawrence T. Babbio, Jr. Director and Chairman of Bell Atlantic Mobile, Inc.
1095 Avenue of the Americas President and Chief Operating Officer of Bell Atlantic
New York, New York 10036 Corporation
- --------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------
Dennis F. Strigl Director of Bell Atlantic Mobile, Inc.
180 Washington Valley Road President and Chief Executive Officer of Bell Atlantic
Bedminster, New Jersey 07921 Mobile, Inc.
- --------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------
David H. Benson Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Bell Atlantic
180 Washington Valley Road Mobile, Inc.
Bedminster, New Jersey 07921
- --------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------
Jeanne Kappel Vice President - Human Resources of Bell Atlantic Mobile,
180 Washington Valley Road Inc.
Bedminster, New Jersey 07921
- --------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------
Richard J. Lynch Executive Vice President and Chief Technical Officer of
180 Washington Valley Road Bell Atlantic Mobile, Inc.
Bedminster, New Jersey 07921
- --------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------
Charles Hand President - New York/New Jersey Region of Bell Atlantic
180 Washington Valley Road Mobile, Inc.
Bedminster, New Jersey 07921
- --------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------
John Stratton President - Philadelphia Tri-State Region of Bell Atlantic
180 Washington Valley Road Mobile, Inc.
Bedminster, New Jersey 07921
- --------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------
S.M. Tuller Vice President - Legal & External Affairs, General Counsel
180 Washington Valley Road and Secretary of Bell Atlantic Mobile, Inc.
Bedminster, New Jersey 07921
- --------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------
Debra Carroll Vice President - Marketing of Bell Atlantic Mobile, Inc.
180 Washington Valley Road
Bedminster, New Jersey 07921
- --------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------
Roger Gurnani Vice President and Chief Information Officer of Bell
180 Washington Valley Road Atlantic Mobile, Inc.
Bedminster, New Jersey 07921
- --------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------
Jack D. Plating Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of
- --------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------
180 Washington Valley Road Bell Atlantic Mobile, Inc.
Bedminster, New Jersey 07921
- --------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------
Robert Stott President - New England/Upstate New York of Bell Atlantic
180 Washington Valley Road Mobile, Inc.
Bedminster, New Jersey 07921
- --------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------
Gary Schulman President Washington/Baltimore of Bell Atlantic Mobile, Inc.
180 Washington Valley Road
Bedminster, New Jersey 07921
- --------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------
* All of the above listed directors and officers are citizens of the United
States.
SCHEDULE II
Metro Mobile CTS of Charlotte, Inc.
-----------------------------------
Executive Officer and Directors
- --------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------
Name and Address Position and Principal Occupation
- --------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------
Dennis F. Strigl Director of Metro Mobile CTS of Charlotte, Inc.
1095 Avenue of the Americas Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive
New York, New York 10036 Officer of Metro Mobile CTS of Charlotte, Inc.
- --------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------
Dermott O. Murphy Director of Metro Mobile CTS of Charlotte, Inc.
1717 Arch Street Executive Vice President of Metro Mobile CTS of Charlotte,
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103 Inc.
Vice President and Controller of Bell Atlantic Global
Wireless, Inc.
- --------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------
John E. Chynoweth Director of Metro Mobile CTS of Charlotte, Inc.
1095 Avenue of the Americas Vice President of Metro Mobile CTS of Charlotte, Inc.
New York, New York 10036 Executive Director of Bell Atlantic Global Wireless, Inc.
- --------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------
Brian W. Dudt Assistant Secretary of Metro Mobile CTS of Charlotte, Inc.
1717 Arch Street
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103
- --------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------
Janet M. Garrity Treasurer of Metro Mobile CTS of Charlotte, Inc.
3900 Washington Street President and Treasurer of Bell Atlantic Network Funding,
Wilmington, Delaware 19802 Inc.
- --------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------
Stephan B. Heimann Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of Metro
1717 Arch Street Mobile CTS of Charlotte, Inc.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103 Senior Attorney - Bell Atlantic Network Services, Inc.
- --------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------
Paul N. Kelly Assistant Treasurer of Metro Mobile CTS of Charlotte, Inc.
1717 Arch Street
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103
- --------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------
Barbara E. Grafton Assistant Secretary of Metro Mobile CTS of Charlotte, Inc.
1717 Arch Street
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103
- --------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------
Patrick Dentico Assistant Treasurer (for tax purposes only) of Metro Mobile
1717 Arch Street CTS of Charlotte, Inc.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103
- --------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------
* All of the above listed directors and officers are citizens of the United
States.
SCHEDULE III
NYNEX PCS Inc.
--------------
Executive Officers and Directors
- --------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------
Name and Address Position and Principal Occupation
- --------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------
William O. Albertini Director of NYNEX PCS Inc.
1717 Arch Street Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103 NYNEX PCS Inc.
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of
Bell Atlantic Global Wireless, Inc.
- --------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------
Dermott O. Murphy Director of NYNEX PCS Inc.
1717 Arch Street Vice President and Comptroller of NYNEX PCS Inc.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103 Vice President and Controller of Bell Atlantic Global
Wireless, Inc.
- --------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------
Ellen C. Wolf Director of NYNEX PCS Inc.
1095 Avenue of the Americas Vice President and Treasurer of Bell Atlantic Corporation
New York, New York 10036
- --------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------
Dennis F. Strigl President and Chief Executive Officer of NYNEX PCS Inc.
1095 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10036
- --------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------
Thomas A. Bartlett President of Bell Atlantic International Wireless and Bell
1095 Avenue of the Americas Atlantic Global Wireless, Inc.
New York, New York 10036
- --------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------
John E. Chynoweth Secretary and Treasurer of NYNEX PCS Inc.
1095 Avenue of the Americas Executive Director of Bell Atlantic Global Wireless, Inc.
New York, New York 10036
- --------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------
Janet M. Garrity Assistant Treasurer of NYNEX PCS Inc.
3900 Washington Avenue President and Treasurer of Bell Atlantic Network Funding,
Wilmington, Delaware 19802 Inc.
- --------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------
Paul N. Kelly Assistant Treasurer (for tax purposes only) of NYNEX PCS Inc.
1717 Arch Street
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103
- --------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------
Richard Weiss Assistant Treasurer (for tax purposes only) of NYNEX PCS Inc.
1095 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10036
- --------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------
* All of the above listed directors and officers are citizens of the United
States.
SCHEDULE IV
Bell Atlantic Corporation
-------------------------
Executive Officers and Directors
- --------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------
Name and Address Position and Principal Occupation
- --------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------
Lawrence T. Babbio, Jr. Director of Bell Atlantic Corporation
Bell Atlantic Corporation President and Chief Operating Officer of Bell Atlantic
1095 Avenue of the Americas Corporation
New York, New York 10036
- --------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------
Richard L. Carrion Director of Bell Atlantic Corporation
Banco Popular de Puerto and Popular, Inc. Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Banco
209 Munoz Rivera Avenue Popular de Puerto Rico and Popular, Inc.
Hato Rey, Puerto Rico 00918
- --------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------
James G. Cullen Director, President and Chief Operating Officer of Bell
Bell Atlantic Corporation Atlantic Corporation
1310 North Court House Road
Arlington, Virginia 22201
- --------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------
Lodewijk J. de Vink Director of Bell Atlantic Corporation
Warner-Lambert Company President and Chief Operating Officer of Warner-Lambert
201 Tabor Road Company
Morris Plains, New Jersey 07950
- --------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------
James H. Gilliam, Jr. Director of Bell Atlantic Corporation
P.O. Box 2205 Attorney and Consultant
Wilmington, Delaware 19899
- --------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------
Stanley P. Goldstein Director of Bell Atlantic Corporation
CVS Corporation Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of CVS
One CVS Drive Corporation
Woonsocket, Rhode Island 02895
- --------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------
Helene L. Kaplan Director of Bell Atlantic Corporation
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom Of Counsel to Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom
919 Third Avenue
New York, New York 10022
- --------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------
Thomas H. Kean Director of Bell Atlantic Corporation
Drew University President of Drew University
36 Madison Avenue
President's Office
Madison, New Jersey 07940-4005
- --------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------
Elizabeth T. Kennan Director of Bell Atlantic Corporation
Bell Atlantic Corporation President Emeritus of Mount Holyoke College
1095 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10036
- --------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------
John F. Maypole Director of Bell Atlantic Corporation
- --------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------
Peach State Real Estate Holding Company Managing Partner of Peach State Real Estate Holding Company
P.O. Box 1223
Toccoa, Georgia 30577
- --------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------
Joseph Neubauer Director of Bell Atlantic Corporation
ARAMARK Corporation Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of ARAMARK Corporation
1101 Market Street
31st Floor
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19107
- --------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------
Thomas H. O'Brien Director of Bell Atlantic Corporation
PNC Bank Corp. Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of PNC Bank Corp.
Pittsburgh National Bank
249 5th Avenue - 30th Floor
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15222
- --------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------
Eckhard Pfeiffer Director of Bell Atlantic Corporation
Compaq Computer Corporation President and Chief Executive Officer of Compaq Computer
20555 State Highway 249 Corporation
P.O. Box 692000 Ms110802
Houston, Texas 77269-2000
- --------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------
Hugh B. Price Director of Bell Atlantic Corporation
National Urban League, Inc. President and Chief Executive Officer of the National Urban
120 Wall Street League, Inc.
8th Floor
New York, New York 10005
- --------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------
Rozanne L. Ridgway Director of Bell Atlantic Corporation
Bell Atlantic Corporation Former Assistant Secretary of State for Europe and Canada
1095 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10036
- --------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------
Frederic V. Salerno Director of Bell Atlantic Corporation
Bell Atlantic Corporation Senior Executive Vice President & Chief Financial
1095 Avenue of the Americas Officer/Strategy & Business Development
New York, New York 10036
- --------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------
Ivan G. Seidenberg Director of Bell Atlantic Corporation
Bell Atlantic Corporation Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Bell Atlantic
1095 Avenue of the Americas Corporation
New York, New York 10036
- --------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------
Walter V. Shipley Director of Bell Atlantic Corporation
The Chase Manhattan Corporation Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of The
270 Park Avenue Chase Manhattan Corporation
New York, New York 10017-2070
- --------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------
John R. Stafford Director of Bell Atlantic Corporation
American Home Products Corporation Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive
5 Giralda Farms Officer of American Home Products Corporation
Madison, New Jersey 07840
- --------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------
Morrison D. Webb Director of Bell Atlantic Corporation
- --------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------
Bell Atlantic Corporation Executive Vice President - External Affairs of Bell
1095 Avenue of the Americas Atlantic Corporation
New York, New York 10036
- --------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------
Shirley Young Director of Bell Atlantic Corporation
General Motors Corporation Vice President - China Strategic Development of General
400 Renaissance Center Motors Corporation
Mail Code 482-D06-C16
Detroit, Michigan
48265-4000
- --------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------
Janet M. Garrity Assistant Treasurer of Bell Atlantic Corporation
Bell Atlantic Corporation President and Treasurer of Bell Atlantic Network Funding,
3900 Washington Avenue Inc.
Wilmington, Delaware 19802
- --------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------
Jacquelyn B. Gates Vice President-Ethics and Corporate Compliance of Bell
Bell Atlantic Corporation Atlantic Corporation
1095 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10036
- --------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------
Alexander H. Good Executive Vice President, Strategy and Corporate
Bell Atlantic Corporation Development of Bell Atlantic Corporation
1310 North Court House Road
Arlington, Virginia 22201
- --------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------
Paul N. Kelly Assistant Treasurer (for tax purposes only) of Bell
Bell Atlantic Corporation Atlantic Corporation
1717 Arch Street
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103
- --------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------
Ellen C. Wolf Vice President and Treasurer of Bell Atlantic Corporation
Bell Atlantic Corporation
1095 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10036
- --------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------
James R. Young Executive Vice President and General Counsel of Bell
Bell Atlantic Corporation Atlantic Corporation
1095 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10036
- --------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------
Doreen A. Toben Vice President and Controller of Bell Atlantic Corporation
Bell Atlantic Corporation
1095 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10036
- --------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------
P. A. Bulliner Associate General Counsel and Corporate Secretary of Bell
Bell Atlantic Corporation Atlantic Corporation
1095 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10036
- --------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------
Sarah B. Deutsch Assistant Secretary (for Intellectual Property matters) of
Bell Atlantic Corporation Bell Atlantic Corporation
1310 North Court House Road
Arlington, Virginia 22201
- --------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------
Robert W. Erb Assistant Secretary of Bell Atlantic Corporation
Bell Atlantic Corporation
1095 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10036
- --------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------
Barbara E. Grafton Assistant Secretary of Bell Atlantic Corporation
Bell Atlantic Corporation
1717 Arch Street
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103
- --------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------
Darlene D. Kleiner Assistant Secretary of Bell Atlantic Corporation
Bell Atlantic Corporation
1095 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10036
- --------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------
Patrick F. Mulhearn Vice President - Corporate Communications of Bell Atlantic
Bell Atlantic Corporation Corporation
1095 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10036
- --------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------
Donald J. Sacco Executive Vice President - Human Resources of Bell Atlantic
Bell Atlantic Corporation Corporation
1095 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10036
- --------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------
Thomas J. Tauke Senior Vice President - Government Relations of Bell
1300 I Street, N.W. Atlantic Corporation
Washington, D.C. 20005
- --------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------
Chester N. Watson Vice President - Internal Auditing of Bell Atlantic
Bell Atlantic Corporation Corporation
1095 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10036
- --------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------
William J. Huntley Assistant Treasurer (for tax purposes only) of Bell
Bell Atlantic Corporation Atlantic Corporation
1095 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10036
- --------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------
* With the exception of Eckhard Pfeiffer, who is a citizen of Germany, all of
the above listed directors and officers are citizens of the United States.
FORMATION AGREEMENT
relating to the formation of
CROWN ATLANTIC COMPANY LLC,
CROWN ATLANTIC HOLDING SUB LLC, and
CROWN ATLANTIC HOLDING COMPANY LLC
Dated: December 8, 1998
CROWN ATLANTIC COMPANY LLC
CROWN ATLANTIC HOLDING SUB LLC
CROWN ATLANTIC HOLDING COMPANY LLC
FORMATION AGREEMENT
EXHIBITS:
Exhibit A - Transferring Partnerships
Exhibit AA - Example Calculations Under Section 3.8(c)
Exhibit A-1 - Apportionments of BAM and Transferring Partnerships
Exhibit B - Form of Joinder
Exhibit 2.2 - OpCo Operating Agreement
Exhibit 2.5 - Global Lease
Exhibit 2.6 - Build-to-Suit Agreement
Exhibit 2.7 - Letter Agreement Regarding Service Agreements
Exhibit 3.2 - HoldCo Sub Operating Agreement
Exhibit 3.5 - HoldCo Operating Agreement
Exhibit 3.6 - Commitment Letter
Exhibit 3.7 - BAM-Sub Guarantee
Exhibit 8.2.12 - Business Plan and Annual Budget
Exhibit 9.8 - Registration Rights
ANNEXES
Annex I - Owned Sites and Leased Sites
Annex II - Site Leases
Annex III - Tower Leases
List of Schedules
Schedule 2.3.2(b) -12-
Schedule 3.10 -22-
Schedule 5.1.3 -25-
Schedule 5.1.4 -26-
Schedule 5.1.6 -27-
Schedule 5.1.7 -27-
Schedule 5.1.8 -27-
Schedule 5.1.9 -28-
Schedule 5.1.10 -28-
Schedule 5.1.11 -29-
Schedule 5.1.12 -29-
Schedule 5.2.3 -30-
Schedule 5.3.3 -31-
Schedule 5.3.5 . -32-
Schedule 5.3.7 -32-
Schedule 6.1.7 -36-
Schedule 7.1.6 -40-
CROWN ATLANTIC COMPANY LLC
CROWN ATLANTIC HOLDING SUB LLC
CROWN ATLANTIC HOLDING COMPANY LLC
FORMATION AGREEMENT
FORMATION AGREEMENT (the "Agreement") dated as of December 8, 1998, by and
among Cellco Partnership, a Delaware general partnership doing business as Bell
Atlantic Mobile ("BAM"), the Transferring Partnerships (defined below), Crown
Castle International Corp., a Delaware corporation ("Bidder"), and CCA
Investment Corp., a Delaware corporation ("Bidder Member").
PREAMBLE
BAM and the Transferring Partnerships are the owners of certain tower
structures, interests in real property related thereto, and related assets,
property rights, liabilities and obligations (hereinafter defined as BAM
Contributed Assets and BAM Assumed Liabilities). Bidder is engaged in the
business of owning, managing and operating assets similar to the BAM
Contributed Assets. BAM, the Transferring Partnerships, Bidder and Bidder
Member desire to: (i) cause BAM and the Transferring Partnerships to
contribute the BAM Contributed Assets and BAM Assumed Liabilities to a
newly organized Delaware limited liability company named Crown Atlantic
Company LLC ("OpCo") in exchange for membership interests in OpCo; (ii)
cause Bidder Member to contribute $250,000,000 in cash (the "Bidder
Contributed Cash") to OpCo in exchange for membership interests in OpCo;
(iii) cause OpCo and BAM and each of the Transferring Partnerships to enter
into the Global Lease (hereinafter defined); (iv) cause OpCo and BAM to
enter into the Build-to-Suit Agreement (hereinafter defined) for the
construction and operation of additional tower structures upon which BAM
(or its affiliates) will lease capacity; (v) thereafter, contribute their
membership interests in OpCo (other than the BAM Retained Interest
(hereinafter defined)) to a newly organized Delaware limited liability
company named Crown Atlantic Holding Sub LLC ("HoldCo Sub") in exchange for
membership interests in HoldCo Sub; (vi) cause OpCo to distribute to HoldCo
Sub $200,000,000 in cash; (vii) thereafter, contribute their membership
interests in HoldCo Sub to a newly organized Delaware limited liability
company named Crown Atlantic Holding Company LLC ("HoldCo") and, in
addition, Bidder
will contribute the Bidder Contributed Shares (hereinafter defined) to
HoldCo in exchange for membership interests in HoldCo; (viii) thereafter,
cause HoldCo Sub to obtain financing in the aggregate principal amount of
at least $180,000,000 (except as adjusted pursuant to its terms and
conditions), which shall be guaranteed by BAM Tower Funding Corporation, a
Delaware corporation ("BAM-Sub") pursuant to the BAM-Sub Guarantee
(hereinafter defined), and make a distribution of $380,000,000 in cash to
HoldCo, and then cause HoldCo to immediately make a distribution of
$380,000,000 in cash to BAM and the Transferring Partnerships; (ix) cause
HoldCo Sub and OpCo to enter into a Management Agreement (hereinafter
defined) pursuant to which HoldCo Sub will provide certain services to and
on behalf of OpCo; (x) cause OpCo, HoldCo Sub and BAM to enter into a
Transitional Services Agreement (hereinafter defined) pursuant to which BAM
will offer to OpCo certain transitional services; and (xi) cause Bidder,
HoldCo Sub and OpCo to enter into a Bidder Services Agreement (hereinafter
defined) pursuant to which Bidder will offer to OpCo and HoldCo Sub certain
services with respect to the tower structures owned by OpCo and HoldCo Sub.
The parties hereto desire to provide in this Agreement for the terms and
conditions under which BAM, the Transferring Partnerships and Bidder Member
will contribute the BAM Contributed Assets and the BAM Assumed Liabilities,
the Bidder Contributed Cash and the Bidder Contributed Shares,
respectively, and OpCo, HoldCo Sub and HoldCo will be organized and
operated. The provisions of this Preamble are subject to the provisions of
Section 3.8.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the Preamble and the terms, conditions,
representations, warranties, covenants, agreements and provisions herein
contained, and intending to be legally bound hereby, the parties hereto agree as
follows:
ARTICLE 1.
CERTAIN DEFINITIONS
For convenience, certain terms used in this Agreement or any Schedule or
Transaction Document are listed in alphabetical order and defined or referred to
below (such terms as well as any other terms defined elsewhere in this Agreement
shall be equally applicable to both the singular and plural forms of the terms
defined). The term "either party" shall, unless the context otherwise requires,
refer to BAM and any of its Affiliates that are parties to this Agreement on the
one hand, and Bidder and any
of its Affiliates that are parties to this Agreement, on the other hand.
"AAA" is defined in Section 11.1.1.
"Accounting Firm" is defined in Section 2.3.8.
"Action" is defined in Section 10.9.
"Additional Consideration" is defined in Section 3.8.
"Actual Third Party Rents for the Included Towers" is defined in Section
3.9.
"Adjusted Aggregate Share Value" is defined in Section 3.8.
"Affiliates" means, with respect to any Person, any Persons controlling,
controlled by or under common control with that Person, as well as any executive
officers, directors and majority-owned entities of that Person or its other
Affiliates.
"Agreement" means this Agreement and the Exhibits and Schedules hereto, as
any of the foregoing may, from time to time, be amended, modified or restated in
accordance with the provisions hereof.
"Agreement Regarding Identified Employees" is defined in Section 6.3.2.
"Amount of Decrease in Consideration" is defined in Section 3.8.
"Anticipated Financing" is defined in Section 3.6.
"Board of Representatives" is defined in Section 8.4.
"BAM" is defined above in the preamble.
"BAM Affiliate" means any Affiliate of BAM.
"BAM Assumed Liabilities" is defined in Section 2.3.3.
"BAM Capital Distribution" is defined in Section 3.4.
"BAM Contracts" is defined in Section 5.1.8.
"BAM Contributed Assets" is defined in Section 2.3.1.
"BAM Excluded Assets" is defined in Section 2.3.2.
"BAM HoldCo Interest" is defined in Section 3.5.
"BAM HoldCo Interest Purchaser" is defined in Section 9.5(b).
"BAM HoldCo Sub Interest" is defined in Section 3.2.
"BAM's knowledge" or "knowledge of BAM" or words of similar import means
the actual knowledge, of any of the following persons who are employees of BAM
holding the position (as of the date hereof) indicated after their name (and any
person succeeding to any such position prior to the Closing but only to the
extent they acquired knowledge): David Wu, Managing Director, Business
Development; Anthony Melone, Executive Director, Network; David Benson, Chief
Financial Officer; and Dennis Strigl, President and Chief Executive Officer.
"BAM Material Adverse Effect" means an Event which has had or is reasonably
likely to have a material adverse effect on (i) the BAM Contributed Assets or
which would materially increase the BAM Assumed Liabilities, in each case taken
as a whole, except any such effect resulting from or arising in connection with
(a) this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby, (b) changes or
conditions (including without limitation changes in technology, law, or
regulatory or market environment) affecting the industry in which the owners or
users of communications tower structures operate, or (c) changes in economic,
regulatory or political conditions generally, (ii) the validity or
enforceability of this Agreement or any of the Transaction Documents, or (iii)
the ability of BAM or any Transferring Partnership to perform its obligations
under this Agreement or any of the Transaction Documents.
"BAM Offer" is defined in Section 9.4.
"BAM OpCo Interest" is defined in Section 2.3.1.
"BAM Retained Interest" is defined in Section 2.3.1.
"BAM Retained Liability" is defined in Section 2.3.4.
"BAM Retained Interest" is defined in Section 2.3.1.
"BAM-Sub" is defined in above in the preamble.
"BAM-Sub Guarantee" is defined in Section 3.7.
"Benefit Plan" means all employee benefit, health, welfare, supplemental
unemployment benefit, bonus, incentive, pension, profit sharing, deferred
compensation, savings and thrift, stock compensation, stock purchase, severance,
retirement, termination, vacation, hospitalization insurance, life and
disability insurance, medical, dental, disability, fringe benefit and similar
plans, programs, arrangements or practices including, without limitation, each
`employee benefit plan' as defined in Section 3(3) of ERISA.
"Bidder" is defined above in the preamble.
"Bidder Affiliate" means any Affiliate of Bidder.
"Bidder Contributed Cash" is defined above in the preamble.
"Bidder Contributed Shares" is defined in Section 3.5.
"Bidder HoldCo Interest" is defined in Section 3.5.
"Bidder HoldCo Interest Purchaser" is defined in Section 9.5(a).
"Bidder HoldCo Sub Interest" is defined in Section 3.2.
"Bidder's knowledge" or "knowledge of Bidder" or words of similar import
means the actual knowledge of any of the following persons who are employees of
Bidder holding the position (as of the date hereof) indicated after their name
(and any person succeeding to any such position prior to the Closing but only to
the extent they acquired knowledge): Ted B. Miller, Jr., Chief Executive Officer
and Vice Chairman, David L. Ivy, President, Charles C. Green, III, Executive
Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, and John Kelly, Chief Operating
Officer of Crown Communications.
"Bidder Material Adverse Effect" means an Event which has had or is
reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on (i) the business,
operations, assets, liabilities, condition (financial or otherwise) or prospects
of the Bidder and its subsidiaries taken as a whole, except any such effect
resulting from or arising in connection with (a) this Agreement or the
transactions contemplated hereby, (b) changes or conditions (including without
limitation changes in technology, law, or regulatory or market environment)
affecting the industry in which the owners or users of communications tower
structures operate, or (c) changes in economic, regulatory or political
conditions generally, (ii) the validity or enforceability of this Agreement or
any of the Transaction Documents, or (iii) the ability of Bidder to perform its
obligations under this Agreement or any of the Transaction Documents.
"Bidder Member" is defined above in the preamble.
"Bidder Offer" is defined in Section 9.3.
"Bidder OpCo Interest" is defined in Section 2.4.
"Bidder Services Agreement" is defined in Section 2.7.
"Bidder's SEC Reports" is defined in Section 5.3.6.
"Build-to-Suit Agreement" is defined in Section 2.6.
"Business Plan" is defined in Section 8.2.12.
"Charter Documents" means an entity's certificate or articles of
incorporation, certificate defining the rights and preferences of securities,
articles of organization, general or limited partnership agreement, certificate
of limited partnership, limited liability company agreement, joint venture
agreement or similar document governing the entity.
"Claim Notice" is defined in Section 10.5(a).
"Claim Response" is defined in Section 10.5(a).
"Closing" is defined in Section 4.1.
"Closing Date" is defined in Section 4.1.
"Closing Financing Amount" is defined in Section 3.6.
"Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and all
regulations promulgated thereunder, as in effect from time to time, and any
reference to any such statutory or regulatory provision shall be deemed to be a
reference to any successor statutory or regulatory provision.
"Commitment Letter" is defined in Section 3.6.
"Contingent Obligations" is defined in Section 8.1.7.
"Contract" means any written contract, agreement, lease, instrument or
other commitment that is binding on any Person or its property under applicable
Law.
"Contributed Cash Distribution" is defined in Section 3.4.
"Court Order" means any judgment, decree, injunction, order or ruling of
any federal, state, local or foreign court, Governmental Authority or any
arbitrator that is binding on any Person or its property under applicable Law.
"Covered Persons" is defined in Section 5.1.10.
"CPI" means the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers, U.S. City
Average, for All Items (1982-1984 = 100), as published by the Bureau of Labor
Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor, and any successor index. If the CPI
is discontinued and there is no successor index, BAM shall in good faith select
a comparable index to replace the CPI and the index selected by BAM shall be
subject to Bidder's approval, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld
or delayed.
"CTA" is defined in Section 5.1.3.
"CTDEP" is defined in Section 5.1.3.
"Deductible Amount" is defined in Section 10.6.
"Default" means (a) a breach, default or violation, (b) the occurrence of
an event that with or without the passage of time or the giving of notice, or
both, would constitute a breach, default or violation or (c) with respect to any
Contract, the occurrence of an event that with or without the passage of time or
the giving of notice, or both, would give rise to a right of termination,
renegotiation or acceleration or a right to receive damages or a payment of
penalties.
"Dispute" is defined in Section 11.1.
"Encumbrances" means any lien, mortgage, security interest, pledge,
restriction on transferability, defect of title, option or other claim, charge
or encumbrance of any nature whatsoever on any property or property interest.
"Entity" means any corporation, firm, unincorporated organization,
association, partnership, limited liability company, trust (inter vivos or
testamentary), estate of a deceased, insane or incompetent individual, business
trust, joint stock company, joint venture or other organization, entity or
business, whether acting in an individual, fiduciary or other capacity, or any
Governmental Authority.
"Environmental Condition" means any condition or circumstance, including
the presence of Hazardous Substances, created by BAM at any Tower Site that did
or does (a) require abatement or correction under an Environmental Law, (b) give
rise to any civil or criminal Liability on the part of BAM under any
Environmental Law relating to the use or occupancy of the Tower Sites or (c)
constitute a public or private nuisance.
"Environmental Law" means all Laws, Court Orders and principles of common
law relating to Hazardous Substances, pollution, protection of the environment
or human health or safety.
"ERISA" means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as
amended, and all regulations promulgated thereunder, as in effect from time to
time, and any reference to any such statutory or regulatory provision shall be
deemed to be a reference to any successor statutory or regulatory provision.
"Event" means the existence or occurrence of any act, action, activity,
circumstance, condition, event, fact, failure to act, omission, incident or
practice, or any set or combination of any of the foregoing.
"Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
"Expiration Date(s)" is defined in Section 10.8.
"FAA" means the Federal Aviation Administration, or any successor
Governmental Authority.
"FCC" means the Federal Communications Commission, or any successor
Governmental Authority.
"Financing Distribution" is defined in Section 3.6.
"Financing Documents" is defined in Section 4.2.
"GAAP" is defined in Section 5.3.6.
"Global Lease" is defined in Section 2.5.
"Governmental Authority" means any federal, state, territorial, county,
municipal, local or other government or governmental agency or body or any other
type of regulatory body, whether domestic or foreign, including without
limitation the FCC and the FAA.
"Governmental Permits" means all governmental approvals, permits, licenses,
registrations, certificates of occupancy, approvals and other governmental
authorizations.
"Hazardous Substances" means any toxic, radioactive or hazardous gaseous,
liquid or solid material or waste that may or could pose a hazard to the
environment or human health or safety including (a) any `hazardous substances,'
as defined under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and
Liability Act, 42 U.S.C. ss.ss. 9601 et seq., (b) any `extremely hazardous
substance,' `hazardous chemical' or `toxic chemical,' each as defined under the
Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act, 42 U.S.C. ss.ss. 11001 et
seq., (c) any `hazardous waste,' as defined under the Solid Waste Disposal Act,
as amended by the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, 42 U.S.C. ss.ss. 6901
et seq., (d) any `pollutant,' as defined under the Clean Water Act, 33 U.S.C.
ss.ss. 1251 et seq., and (e) any regulated substance or waste under any Laws or
Court Orders that have been enacted, promulgated or issued by any Governmental
Authority concerning pollution, protection of the environment or human health or
safety.
"HoldCo" is defined above in the preamble.
"HoldCo Operating Agreement" is defined in Section 3.5.
"HoldCo Sub" is defined above in the preamble.
"HoldCo Sub Operating Agreement" is defined in Section 3.2.
"HSR Act" means the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976,
as amended, and all regulations promulgated thereunder, as in effect from time
to time, and any
reference to any such statutory or regulatory provision shall be deemed to be a
reference to any successor statutory or regulatory provision.
"Identified Employee" is defined in Section 5.1.9.
"Included Tower Structures" is defined in Section 3.8.
"Indebtedness" is defined in Section 8.1.4.
"Indemnified Party" is defined in Section 10.5(a).
"Indemnified BAM Party" is defined in Section 10.2(a).
"Indemnified OpCo Party" is defined in Section 10.1(a).
"Indemnitor" is defined in Section 10.5(a).
"Intellectual Property" means any patents, patent applications, reissue
patents, patents of addition, divisions, renewals, continuations,
continuations-in-part, substitutions, additions and extensions of any of the
foregoing, fictional business names, trade names, logos, registered and
unregistered copyrights, copyright applications, registered and unregistered
trademarks, trademark applications, registered and unregistered service marks,
service mark applications, technology rights and licenses, trade secrets,
franchises, know-how, inventions and other intellectual property.
"ISRA" is defined in Section 5.1.3.
"Law" means any administrative, judicial, legislative or other statute,
law, ordinance, regulation, rule, order, decree, writ, award or decision
(including without limitation the common law), including those covering
environmental, energy, safety, health, transportation, bribery, recordkeeping,
zoning, antidiscrimination, antitrust, wage and hour, and price and wage control
matters.
"Lender" is defined in Section 3.6.
"Liability" means any direct or indirect liability, indebtedness,
obligation, cost, expense, claim, loss, damage, deficiency, guaranty or
endorsement of (other than endorsements for collection or deposit in the
ordinary course of business) or by any Person.
"Liquidated Claim Notice" is defined in Section 10.5(a).
"Litigation" means any lawsuit, action, arbitration, administrative or
other proceeding, criminal prosecution or formal governmental investigation or
inquiry, counterclaim, whether at law or in equity.
"Losses" is defined in Section 10.1(a).
"Management Agreement" is defined in Section 3.3.
"Maximum Indemnification" is defined in Section 10.6.
"Minor Contract" is defined in Section 5.1.8.
"Monthly Third Party Rent Shortfall" is defined in Section 3.9.
"NJDEP" is defined in Section 5.1.3.
"Non-Assignable Contract" is defined in Section 2.3.6.
"OpCo" is defined above in the preamble.
"OpCo Operating Agreement" is defined in Section 2.2.
"OpCo Towers" is defined in Section 8.2.12.
"Optional Bidder Phase I Report(s)" is defined in Section 6.2.5.
"Ordinary course" or "ordinary course of business" means the ordinary
course of conducting the ownership, operation, use and leasing of the Tower
Structures by BAM and/or the Transferring Partnerships consistent with past
practice.
"Permitted Encumbrances" means (i) liens for current real or personal
property taxes not yet due and payable, (ii) liens or other rights of third
parties disclosed in the Schedules to Section 5.1, (iii) worker's, carrier's and
materialman's liens not yet due and payable, (iv) with respect to Leased Sites
(as defined below in the definition of Tower Sites), any liens placed upon such
real property other than in connection with obligations or liabilities of BAM,
(v) easements, rights of way or similar grants of rights to a third party for
access to or across any real property, including, without limitation, rights of
way or similar rights granted to any utility or similar entity in connection
with the provision of electric, water, sewage, telephone, gas or similar
services, (vi) the Tower Leases (as defined in the definition of Tower Related
Assets), and (vii) liens that are immaterial in character, amount, and extent,
and that do not detract from the value or interfere in any material respect with
the present use of the properties they affect.
"Permitted Schedule Updates" is defined in Section 6.1.2.
"Person" means any natural person or Entity.
"Prime Rate" means the "Prime Rate" of interest, as published in the "Money
Rates" table of The Wall Street Journal, Eastern Edition, from time to time.
"Required BAM Phase I Report(s)" is defined in Section 6.1.7.
"Required Consents" is defined in Section 7.1.6.
"Response Period" is defined in Section 10.5(a).
"Rights Agreement" is defined in Section 6.2.7.
"Rights Agreement Amendment" is defined in Section 6.2.7.
"SEC" means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.
"Securities Act" means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
"Solvent" is defined in Section 8.1.2.
"Swap Lease Agreement(s)" is defined in Section 3.10.
"Target Third Party Rents for the Included Towers" is defined in Section
3.9.
"Taxes" (and "Taxable", which shall mean subject to Tax) means all taxes,
duties, charges, fees, levies or other assessments imposed by any taxing
authority, whether domestic or foreign, including, without limitation, income
(net, gross or other including recapture of any tax items such as investment tax
credits), alternative or add-on minimum tax, capital gains, gross receipts,
value-added, excise, withholding, personal property, real estate, sale, use, ad
valorem, license, lease, service, severance, stamp, transfer, payroll,
employment, customs, duties, alternative, add-on minimum, estimated and
franchise taxes (including any interest, levies, charges, penalties or additions
attributable to or imposed on or with respect to any such assessment).
"Tower Related Assets" shall mean (a) the leases of rights to use spaces on
the Tower Structures that are identified in Annex III hereto and located on
Tower Sites (hereinafter defined) (the "Tower Leases") and security deposits (if
any) from tenants under the Tower Leases, (b) the Site Leases, (c) all Contracts
with respect to the management, operation, maintenance, servicing and
construction of, and the provision of utility services to, the Tower Structures
("Tower Service Contracts"), (d) any existing leases (or licenses or other
Contracts) of BAM or the Transferring Partnerships for equipment or other
personal property which are Tower Structures ("Tower Equipment Leases"), (e) all
prepaid items, unbilled costs and fees, and accounts, notes and other
receivables under the Tower Service Contracts, Site Leases and Tower Equipment
Leases as of the Closing Date
("Prepaid Expenses"), (f) all rights to any warranties held by BAM or the
Transferring Partnerships with respect to the Tower Structures or Tower Related
Assets to the extent such rights are assignable, including those assignable with
consent to the extent such consents are received, or, to the extent not so
received, all amounts received by BAM or the Transferring Partnerships with
respect to claims made after the Closing Date with respect to such unassigned
rights to any warranties, and (g) copies of, or extracts from, all current files
and records of BAM or the Transferring Partnerships to the extent that such
files or records contain information solely related to the design, construction,
management, operation, maintenance, ownership, occupancy or leasing of the BAM
Contributed Assets or the Identified Employees.
"Tower Sites" shall mean the sites of the Tower Structures that are owned
or leased by BAM or the Transferring Partnerships, including all fee, ground
leasehold interests and easements pertaining to such tower sites owned by BAM or
the Transferring Partnerships and shall include a fee ownership in the real
property associated with the Tower Structures designated as "Owned Sites" in
Annex I hereto, and the leasehold interest in and to the real property
associated with the Tower Structures designed as "Leased Sites" in Annex I
hereto pursuant to the terms of the ground leases related thereto identified in
Annex II (the "Site Leases").
"Tower Structures" shall mean the communications tower structures situated
at the locations that are identified on Annex I and owned or leased by BAM or
the Transferring Partnerships, and BAM's and the Transferring Partnerships'
rights to all attached tower lighting equipment, alarm systems, grounding
systems and physical improvements on each Tower Site, including fencing, along
with any tenant leases, easement rights necessary for access to the Tower
Structure and for location of the Tower Structure and guy wires, if any,
associated therewith; provided however, such term does not include any
equipment, property or other assets placed upon the Tower Structures or Tower
Sites by third parties pursuant to Tower Leases or other Contracts or any BAM
Excluded Assets (as defined in Section 2.3.2 hereof).
"Transaction Documents" means, collectively, this Agreement, the Global
Lease, the Build-to- suit Agreement, the Bidder Services Agreement, the
Management Agreement, and each of the other documents and agreements listed in
Section 4.2.
"Transferring Partnership" means those partnerships that are listed on
Exhibit A hereto and which (i) are signatories to this Agreement on the date
hereof, or (ii) have joined in the execution and delivery of this Agreement by
executing and delivering to BAM, Bidder and Bidder Member, after the date hereto
but prior to the Closing, a Joinder to Formation Agreement
in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B (each, a "Joinder"). The Transferring
Partnerships are referred to individually herein as a "Transferring
Partnership".
"Transitional Services Agreement" is defined in Section 2.8.
"Unliquidated Claim" is defined in Section 10.5(a).
ARTICLE 2.
FORMATION OF OPCO
Purpose of OpCo. The purpose of OpCo is (i) to acquire and retain ownership
of, and maintain and operate, the BAM Contributed Assets and the Bidder
Contributed Cash, (ii) to assume, perform and discharge the BAM Assumed
Liabilities, (iii) to perform all obligations under the Global Lease, (iv) to
perform all obligations under the Build-to-Suit Agreement and (v) to make space
on the communications towers owned by OpCo from time to time available for lease
by HoldCo Sub to third parties on behalf of OpCo pursuant to a Management
Agreement.
Formation of OpCo. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement
and in reliance upon the representations and warranties and covenants contained
herein, at the Closing (a) BAM, the Transferring Partnerships, and Bidder Member
shall form OpCo by filing an appropriate certificate of formation with the
Secretary of State of the State of Delaware, and (b) BAM and Bidder Member shall
execute and deliver the OpCo Operating Agreement in the form attached hereto as
Exhibit 2.2 (the "OpCo Operating Agreement").
Contribution of BAM Contributed Assets and BAM Assumed Liabilities.
Transfer of BAM Contributed Assets. Subject to the terms and conditions of
this Agreement, at the Closing, in exchange for the issuance by OpCo to BAM, of
a 48.1 Percentage Interest in OpCo (of which 48.099 Percentage Interests are
referred to herein as the "BAM OpCo Interest" and .001 Percentage Interest is
herein referred to as the "BAM Retained Interest"), which BAM OpCo Interest
shall be apportioned between BAM and the Transferring Partnerships and among the
Transferring Partnerships as set forth on Exhibit A-1, BAM and each of the
Transferring Partnerships shall grant, contribute, convey, assign, transfer and
deliver to OpCo, and OpCo shall acquire and accept the contribution from BAM and
each of the Transferring Partnerships of, all right, title and interest of BAM
or the respective Transferring Partnership in and to all of the assets,
properties and rights of BAM or the respective Transferring Partnership
specifically set forth below in this Section 2.3.1 (collectively, the "BAM
Contributed Assets"), free and clear of all Encumbrances (other than Permitted
Encumbrances), as the same shall exist on the Closing Date:
(a) all Tower Structures;
(b) all of BAM's rights to all Tower Sites;
(c) all Tower Related Assets;
(d) all rights under any Governmental Permits (excluding FCC licenses)
held exclusively with respect to the ownership or use of the Tower
Structures or Tower Sites and not used or useful by BAM or the respective
Transferring Partnership in any other part of its business and operations,
to the extent such Governmental Permits are transferable to OpCo.
The provisions of this Section 2.3.1 are subject to the provisions of Sections
2.3.8, 3.8 and 6.1.7. Exhibit A-1 is not attached to this Agreement as of the
date hereof. Exhibit A-1 shall be prepared by BAM based upon the partnerships
listed on Exhibit A that become Transferring Partnerships. BAM shall deliver
Exhibit A-1 to Bidder and the Transferring Partnerships at the Closing.
Excluded Assets. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in Section 2.3.1,
the BAM Contributed Assets shall not include any of the following (collectively,
the "BAM Excluded Assets"):
(a) any communications antennae, microwave transmitters or receivers,
wiring, devices, switches, generators or other communications equipment, or
any buildings, shelters or other structures housing such equipment with
respect to such Tower Structures and Tower Sites;
(b) BAM's (or the Transferring Partnerships') rights to the real
estate listed in Schedule 2.3.2(b), being real estate on which switch
equipment of BAM or its Affiliates is located;
(c) corporate seals, Charter Documents, minute books, stock books, tax
returns, books of account and other financial records of BAM or the
respective Transferring Partnership, sales and marketing catalogs,
brochures and advertising material, the names "NYNEX," "Bell Atlantic,"
"Bell Atlantic Mobile," "BAM," "Cellco," "Cellular One" and all other names
under which BAM, any Transferring Partnership, or any of their respective
Affiliates conducts business;
(d) all Intellectual Property of BAM or any Affiliate of BAM or any
Transferring Partnership, other than plans and specifications of the Tower
Structures and data (in electronic or machine-readable form) with respect
to third party tenants and lessors with respect to the Tower Structures;
(e) any equipment or transmissions systems used by BAM for the remote
monitoring of the Tower Structures;
(f) any assets, properties or rights which are not exclusively BAM
Contributed Assets;
(g) the rights that accrue or will accrue to BAM under this Agreement
or any of the other Transaction Documents, including the consideration paid
or to be paid to BAM hereunder;
(h) any claims or rights against third parties except solely to the
extent such claims or rights relate to Assumed Liabilities or the BAM
Contributed Assets;
(i) any and all rights retained by and/or granted to BAM pursuant to
the Global Lease;
(j) the assets specified in Schedule 2.3.2;
(k) any of the assets specified in any of the Annexes that are owned
or leased by any partnership which is listed on Exhibit A but does not
become a Transferring Partnership; and
(l) any Tower Sites (and all Tower Structures, Tower Related Assets
and other BAM Contributed Assets associated with such Tower Sites) excluded
from the BAM Contributed Assets pursuant to Sections 2.3.5, 2.3.6 and 6.1.7
below.
The provisions of this Section 2.3.2 are subject to the provisions of Section
2.3.8.
Assumption of BAM Assumed Liabilities. Subject to Section 2.3.4, as of the
Closing, OpCo shall acquire the BAM Contributed Assets subject only to, and
shall undertake, assume, perform and otherwise pay, satisfy and discharge, and
on the terms set forth in Article 10 hold BAM (and the Transferring
Partnerships, as applicable) harmless from, the following Liabilities
(collectively, the "BAM Assumed Liabilities"):
(a) all Liabilities (other than any BAM Retained Liability) of BAM or
the Transferring Partnerships under all Contracts and purchase orders
included within the BAM Contributed Assets;
(b) all Liabilities (other than any BAM Retained Liability) of BAM or
the Transferring Partnerships in respect of the BAM Contributed Assets
existing as of the Closing Date; and
(c) the rents, revenues, Taxes, charges and payments that are
apportioned for the account of OpCo pursuant to Section 2.3.8 hereof.
Limitations on Assumption of Liabilities. Notwithstanding Section 2.3.3,
OpCo is not assuming under this Agreement any Liabilities that are not
specifically described in Section 2.3.3 or any of the following (each, a "BAM
Retained Liability"): (i) any Liabilities arising out of any breach by BAM or
any of the Transferring Partnerships prior to the Closing of any provision of
any Contract; (ii) any product liability or similar claim for injury to any
Person or property, regardless of when made or asserted, that arises out of or
is based upon any express or implied representation, warranty, agreement or
guarantee made by BAM or any of the Transferring Partnerships, or alleged to
have been made by BAM or any of the Transferring Partnerships, or which is
imposed or asserted to be imposed by operation of Law in connection with any
service performed or product sold or leased by or on behalf of BAM or any of the
Transferring Partnerships prior to the Closing; (iii) any federal, state, local
or foreign income or other Tax payable with respect to the BAM Contributed
Assets or other properties or operations of BAM or any member of any affiliated
group of which BAM is a member for any period prior to the Closing; (iv) except
to the extent that such Liabilities are to be assumed by OpCo, as may be set
forth in the Agreement Regarding Identified Employees, any Liabilities arising
prior to or as a result of the Closing to or with respect to any employees,
agents or independent contractors of BAM or any of the Transferring
Partnerships, whether or not employed by OpCo after the Closing and whether or
not arising under any applicable Law, Benefit Plan or other arrangement with
respect thereto; (v) any Liabilities of BAM or any of the Transferring
Partnerships arising from or incurred in connection with the preparation,
negotiation, execution and performance of this Agreement, the other Transaction
Documents and the Transactions except as otherwise provided herein and therein;
(vi) any Liabilities, whether known or unknown, arising from or related to (A)
any violation prior to the Closing of Environmental Laws by BAM or any of the
Transferring Partnerships relating to the ownership, use or occupancy of the BAM
Contributed Assets by BAM, or any Environmental Condition caused by BAM or any
of the Transferring Partnerships existing prior to the Closing, or (B) any
Environmental Condition (which for purposes of this Section 2.3.4(vi)(B) shall
have the meaning set forth in Article 1 except that the phrase "created by BAM"
shall be treated as deleted from such definition) at any of the Tower Sites
included in the BAM Contributed Assets and which is revealed by any of the
Required BAM Phase I Reports, (vii) Events occurring on or after the date hereof
but prior to the Closing Date in connection with the ownership, possession,
occupancy, use and operation of the BAM Contributed Assets, (viii) except to the
extent specifically included in the Assumed Liabilities any and all costs,
expenses or payments associated with the completion of construction of Tower
Structures located on Tower Sites to be conveyed hereunder, except to the extent
that Bidder and BAM have agreed to modifications to such Tower Structures in
which case the cost of such modifications shall be included in the Assumed
Liabilities, and (ix) the rents, revenues, Taxes, charges and payments that are
apportioned for the account of BAM pursuant to Section 2.3.8 hereof.
Assignment or Subcontracting of Purchased Contracts. BAM will use
commercially reasonable efforts to obtain any required consents to the
assignment to OpCo of Contracts or any other assets included in the BAM
Contributed Assets. To the extent that any such required consent to the
assignment of any such Contract or asset is not obtained, BAM will
subcontract to OpCo the performance of all obligations and the right to receive
all benefits thereunder. To the extent the consent of the counterparty to such
subcontracting is required under the terms of any such Contract or asset, BAM
will use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain such consent; and BAM will
not subcontract as described in the immediately preceding sentence in those
cases, if any, in which subcontracting is expressly prohibited. If BAM is
precluded from subcontracting in accordance with the foregoing or entering into
a substantially similar relationship, the subject Contract or asset shall not be
included in the BAM Contributed Assets, and the Liabilities under such Contract
shall not be included in the BAM Assumed Liabilities.
Consent of Third Parties. Nothing in this Agreement shall be construed as
an attempt by BAM to assign to OpCo pursuant to this Agreement any Contract,
Governmental Permit, franchise, claim or asset included in the BAM Contributed
Assets that is by its terms or by Law nonassignable without the consent of any
other party or parties, unless such consent or approval shall have been given,
or as to which all the remedies for the enforcement thereof available to BAM
would not by Law pass to OpCo as an incident of the assignments provided for by
this Agreement (a "Non- Assignable Contract"). To the extent that any consent in
respect of, or a novation of, a Non-Assignable Contract has not been obtained,
BAM shall continue to use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain any such
consent or novation until such time as it shall have been obtained, and BAM
shall use commercially reasonable efforts to cooperate with OpCo to provide that
OpCo shall receive the interest of BAM in the benefits under such Non-Assignable
Contract, including performance by BAM as agent if commercially reasonable,
provided that OpCo shall undertake to pay or satisfy the corresponding
Liabilities under the terms of such Non-Assignable Contract to the extent that
OpCo would have been responsible therefor if such consent or approval had been
obtained. If, despite such efforts, BAM is unable to provide OpCo with the
interest of BAM in the benefits under any such Non-Assignable Contract, such
Non-Assignable Contract shall not be included in the BAM Contributed Assets, and
the Liabilities under such Non-Assignable Contract shall not be included in the
BAM Assumed Liabilities, in each case until such time as BAM is able to provide
OpCo with the interest of BAM in such benefits or BAM obtains the aforesaid
consent or novation with respect to the Non-Assignable Contract.
Bulk Transfer Laws. Bidder, Bidder Member and OpCo each hereby waive
compliance by BAM and the Transferring Partnerships with the provisions of any
and all Laws relating to bulk transfer in connection with the sale of the BAM
Contributed Assets. BAM shall indemnify OpCo from and against any and all
Liabilities (including reasonable attorneys' fees) arising out of noncompliance
with such bulk transfer Laws.
Certain Apportionments. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary in
this Section 2.3 or elsewhere in this Agreement, at the Closing the following
items shall be apportioned between BAM and the Transferring Partnerships, on the
one hand, and OpCo, on the other hand, with such adjustments to be made as of
the Closing Date by the party that on a net basis owes money to the other party
under this Section 2.3.8 by wire transfer of immediately available funds to such
accounts as such other party shall specify in writing: (a) rents and revenues
under all Contracts included in the BAM Contributed Assets; (b) Prepaid
Expenses; (c) federal, state, local or foreign Taxes (other than income taxes)
payable with respect to the BAM Contributed Assets; and (d) charges and payments
under all Contracts included in
the BAM Contributed Assets. Such apportionments shall be made pro rata on a per
diem basis as of the Closing Date so that all such rents, revenues, Taxes,
charges and payments attributable to the period prior to the Closing Date are
for the account of BAM; and all such rents, revenues, Taxes, charges and
payments attributable to the period from and after the Closing Date are for the
account of OpCo. If any of the aforesaid apportionments cannot be calculated
accurately on the Closing Date, then the same shall be calculated and adjusted
once by BAM and OpCo after the Closing Date in accordance with the following
procedures. Within five business days after the last day of the third full
calendar month following the Closing Date, BAM and OpCo shall exchange their
respective post-Closing calculations of such apportionments. BAM and OpCo shall
in good faith agree upon the post-Closing apportionments on or before the last
day of the fourth full calendar month following the Closing Date. If at the end
of such period, BAM and OpCo cannot agree on the post-Closing apportionments,
BAM and OpCo shall submit to an independent accounting firm (the "Accounting
Firm") for review and resolution any and all matters which remain in dispute.
The Accounting Firm shall be Arthur Anderson, LLP or, if such firm is unable or
unwilling to act, such other nationally recognized independent public accounting
firm as shall be agreed upon by BAM and OpCo in writing. The Accounting Firm
shall be instructed to, within thirty (30) days after the submission of any
disputed matters, review and resolve all such disputed matters and to report its
resolution thereof to BAM and OpCo, and such report shall be final, binding and
conclusive on BAM and OpCo with respect to all such disputed matters. The fees
and expenses of the Accounting Firm incurred pursuant to this Section 2.3.8
shall be borne fifty percent (50%) by BAM and fifty percent (50%) by OpCo. No
other post-Closing apportionments shall be made by the parties. Either party
owing the other party a sum of money based on the agreed-upon post-Closing
apportionments shall pay said sum to the other party on or before the last day
of the fifth full calendar month following the Closing Date. If payment of any
such amount is not paid when due, interest shall accrue on the past due amount
at a rate equal to the Prime Rate plus two percent (2%) per annum from the due
date to the date of payment. The aforesaid post-Closing adjustment shall be the
only post-Closing adjustment of the items to be apportioned under this Section
2.3.8. The provisions of this Section 2.3 shall not affect the obligations of
BAM and OpCo under this Agreement with respect to the BAM Retained Liabilities
and the BAM Assumed Liabilities, respectively.
Contribution of Bidder Contributed Cash. Subject to the terms and
conditions of this Agreement, at the Closing, in exchange for the issuance by
OpCo to Bidder Member, of a 51.9 Percentage Interest in OpCo (the "Bidder OpCo
Interest"), Bidder Member shall contribute to OpCo, and OpCo shall accept the
contribution from Bidder Member of, the Bidder Contributed Cash.
Global Lease Agreement. At the Closing, OpCo and BAM (for itself and on
behalf of the Transferring Partnerships) shall execute and deliver the Global
Lease Agreement in the form attached hereto as Exhibit 2.5 (the "Global Lease")
pursuant to which OpCo shall lease to BAM and the Transferring Partnerships
space on certain communications towers.
Build-to-Suit Agreement. At the Closing, OpCo, HoldCo Sub and BAM (for
itself and on behalf of the Transferring Partnerships) shall execute and deliver
the Build-to-Suit Agreement in the form attached hereto as Exhibit 2.6 (the
"Build-to-Suit Agreement") pursuant to which BAM and the Transferring
Partnerships shall offer to OpCo and HoldCo Sub from time to time the right to
build tower structures on the terms and conditions described therein.
Bidder Services Agreement. At the Closing, Bidder, HoldCo Sub and OpCo
shall execute and deliver a Services Agreement, in form and substance reasonably
acceptable to BAM and Bidder and consistent with the terms set forth in the
letter agreement between BAM and Bidder attached hereto as Exhibit 2.7, pursuant
to which Bidder shall offer to OpCo and HoldCo Sub certain services with respect
to the tower structures owned by OpCo and HoldCo Sub on the terms and conditions
described therein (the "Bidder Services Agreement").
Transitional Services Agreement. At the Closing, if BAM and Bidder
determine that such an agreement should be entered into, BAM, OpCo and HoldCo
Sub shall execute and deliver a the Transitional Services Agreement, in form and
substance reasonably acceptable to BAM and Bidder and consistent with the terms
set forth in the letter agreement between BAM and Bidder attached hereto as
Exhibit 2.7, pursuant to which BAM shall offer to OpCo and HoldCo Sub certain
services with respect to the transition of the BAM Contributed Assets to OpCo on
the terms and conditions described therein (the "Transitional Services
Agreement").
ARTICLE 3.
FORMATION OF HOLDCO SUB AND HOLDCO, ANTICIPATED FINANCING
Purpose of HoldCo and HoldCo Sub. The purpose of HoldCo Sub is to own
99.999% of the Percentage Interests in OpCo, to perform its duties under the
Management Agreement, to issue the Anticipated Financing (hereinafter defined),
to make the distributions that it is obligated to make under this Agreement, and
to conduct all business activities related thereto. The purpose of HoldCo is to
own 100% of the Percentage Interests in HoldCo Sub and the Bidder Contributed
Shares.
Formation of HoldCo Sub. Subject to the terms and conditions of this
Agreement and in reliance upon the representations and warranties and covenants
contained herein, at the Closing (a) BAM, the Transferring Partnerships, and
Bidder Member shall form HoldCo Sub by filing an appropriate certificate of
formation with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware, and (b) HoldCo
shall execute and deliver the HoldCo Sub Operating Agreement in the form
attached hereto as Exhibit 3.2 (the "HoldCo Sub Operating Agreement"). BAM, the
Transferring Partnerships, and Bidder Member shall contribute to HoldCo Sub the
BAM OpCo Interest and the Bidder OpCo Interest, respectively, free and clear of
all Encumbrances in exchange for the issuance by HoldCo Sub to BAM, of a 48.1
Percentage Interest in HoldCo Sub (the "BAM HoldCo Sub Interest"), which BAM
HoldCo Sub Interest shall be apportioned between BAM and the Transferring
Partnerships and among the Transferring Partnerships as set forth on Exhibit
A-1, and the issuance to Bidder Member of a 51.9 Percentage Interest in HoldCo
Sub (the "Bidder HoldCo Sub Interest").
Management Agreement. At the Closing, OpCo and HoldCo Sub shall execute and
deliver a Management Agreement, in form and substance reasonably acceptable to
BAM and Bidder and consistent with the terms set forth in the letter agreement
between BAM and Bidder
attached hereto as Exhibit 2.7, pursuant to which HoldCo Sub shall manage and
lease OpCo's assets (the "Management Agreement").
Contributed Cash Distribution. At the Closing, immediately prior to the
formation of HoldCo pursuant to Section 3.5 hereof, OpCo shall cause to be made
to HoldCo Sub a cash distribution of $200,000,000, all of which shall be used to
make a cash distribution to HoldCo after Closing in the amount of $200,000,000,
who will then immediately distribute such cash to BAM and the Transferring
Partnerships (such distribution by HoldCo to BAM and the Transferring
Partnerships is referred to herein as the "Contributed Cash Distribution", and,
together with the Financing Distribution, is referred to herein as the "BAM
Capital Distribution"), which Contributed Cash Distribution shall be apportioned
between BAM and the Transferring Partnerships and among the Transferring
Partnerships as set forth on Exhibit A-1.
Formation of HoldCo. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement
and in reliance upon the representations and warranties and covenants contained
herein, at the Closing, (i) BAM, the Transferring Partnerships, and Bidder
Member shall form HoldCo by filing an appropriate certificate of formation with
the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware, and (ii) BAM and Bidder Member
shall execute and deliver the HoldCo Operating Agreement in the form attached
hereto as Exhibit 3.5 (the "HoldCo Operating Agreement"). BAM and the
Transferring Partnerships shall contribute to HoldCo the BAM HoldCo Sub
Interest, free and clear of all Encumbrances, in exchange for the issuance by
HoldCo to BAM of a 37.7 Percentage Interest in HoldCo (the "BAM HoldCo
Interest"), which BAM HoldCo Interest shall be apportioned between BAM and the
Transferring Partnerships and among the Transferring Partnerships as set forth
on Exhibit A-1. Bidder Member shall contribute to HoldCo (a) the Bidder HoldCo
Sub Interest, free and clear of all Encumbrances, and (b) 15,597,783 shares of
validly issued, fully-paid and non-assessable shares of Common Stock of Bidder,
subject to appropriate adjustment for stock splits, dividends, reclassifications
and similar changes in the capital stock of Bidder occurring after the date of
this Agreement but prior to Closing (the "Bidder Contributed Shares"), free and
clear of all Encumbrances, in exchange for the issuance by HoldCo to Bidder
Member of a 62.3 Percentage Interest in HoldCo (the "Bidder HoldCo Interest").
The aforesaid number of Bidder Contributed Shares is equal to the quotient of
(i) $197,000,000 divided by (ii) $12.63 per share. The provisions of this
Section 3.5 are subject to the provisions of Section 3.8.
Bidder shall pay all expenses, taxes and other charges payable in
connection with the preparation, issuance and delivery of share certificates
evidencing the Bidder Contributed Shares. Bidder shall at its expense promptly
file all necessary listing applications and other filings necessary to cause the
Bidder Contributed Shares to be listed on The NASDAQ Stock Market. Bidder shall
at its expense make all required state "Blue Sky" filings in connection with the
issuance of the Bidder Contributed Shares and the contribution thereof to HoldCo
in connection with the provisions of this Agreement. Each certificate for the
Bidder Contributed Shares or successor securities shall bear the following
legend:
THESE SECURITIES (I) HAVE BEEN ACQUIRED FOR INVESTMENT PURPOSES AND NOT
WITH A VIEW TO OR FOR RESALE IN
CONNECTION WITH THE DISTRIBUTION HEREOF, AND (II) HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED
UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE "SECURITIES ACT"), OR THE
SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE AND MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD, TRANSFERRED,
PLEDGED, HYPOTHECATED OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF EXCEPT PURSUANT TO (A) AN
EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (B) TO THE
EXTENT APPLICABLE, RULE 144 OR ANY OTHER EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT (OR ANY SIMILAR RULE UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT RELATING
TO THE DISPOSITION OF SECURITIES), OR (C) AN OPINION OF COUNSEL, IF SUCH
OPINION SHALL BE REASONABLY SATISFACTORY TO COUNSEL TO THE ISSUER, THAT
REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT IS NOT REQUIRED.
Any certificate issued at any time in exchange or substitution for any
certificate bearing such legend (except a new certificate issued upon completion
of a public distribution pursuant to a registration statement under the
Securities Act) shall also bear such legend unless, in the opinion of counsel
selected by the holder of such certificate and reasonably acceptable to Bidder,
the securities represented thereby need no longer be subject to restrictions on
resale under the Securities Act.
Financing. Bidder has received a letter, dated October 8, 1998 (the
"Commitment Letter"), a true and complete copy of which is contained in Exhibit
3.6 from Key Corporate Capital Inc. (the "Lender") for the financing by HoldCo
Sub on the terms and subject to the conditions described therein (the
"Anticipated Financing") of an amount equal to not less than One Hundred Eighty
Million Dollars ($180,000,000.00) (the "Closing Financing Amount"), except as
adjusted pursuant to its terms and conditions. Bidder shall use its reasonable
best efforts to consummate the Anticipated Financing not later than the Closing
hereunder, after the formation of OpCo, HoldCo Sub and HoldCo. The proceeds of
the Anticipated Financing, as appropriate, shall be used first, to make a
distribution in cash to HoldCo immediately after Closing, who will then
immediately distribute such cash to BAM and the Transferring Partnerships, in
the amount of $180,000,000 (the "Financing Distribution"), which Financing
Distribution shall be apportioned between BAM and the Transferring Partnerships
and among the Transferring Partnerships as set forth on Exhibit A-1; and the
balance of such proceeds shall be used for general business purposes of HoldCo
Sub and OpCo. The provisions of this Section 3.6 are subject to the provisions
of Section 3.8.
BAM-Sub Guarantee. At the closing of the Anticipated Financing, BAM-Sub
shall execute and deliver its Guarantee in the form attached as Exhibit 3.7
hereto (the "BAM-Sub Guarantee").
Adjustments Based Upon Number of Included Tower Structures.
(a) As used in this Agreement, the term "Included Tower Structures"
shall mean all Tower Structures constructed as of the Closing Date and
granted, contributed, conveyed, assigned, transferred
and delivered by BAM and the Transferring Partnerships to OpCo at the
Closing, and all Tower Structures that meet any of the following criteria
(which for purposes of this Section 3.8 shall be deemed to have been
granted, contributed, conveyed, assigned, transferred and delivered by BAM
and the Transferring Partnerships to OpCo at the Closing): (i) any Tower
Structure that is planned, but not yet constructed, and for which a Tower
Site has been secured and all Governmental Permits that are required for
the construction thereof have been secured, (ii) any Tower Structure for
which BAM has not secured a required consent or approval to the assignment
of the related Site Lease to OpCo at the Closing, but for which BAM or a
Transferring Partnership is nonetheless able to deliver to OpCo, from and
after the Closing, the interest of BAM or the applicable Transferring
Partnership in the economic benefits of the Tower Structure, and (iii) any
Tower Structure located on a Tower Site that is the subject of an
Environmental Condition that is being remediated by BAM pursuant to the
provisions of Section 6.1.7 and for which BAM or a Transferring Partnership
delivers to OpCo, from and after the Closing, the interest of BAM or the
applicable Transferring Partnership in the economic benefits of the Tower
Structure.
(b) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement to the
contrary, if the number of Included Tower Structures exceeds 1,427, the
consideration to be paid, distributed and issued to BAM and the
Transferring Partnerships under this Agreement shall be increased by an
amount (the "Additional Consideration") equal to the product determined by
multiplying (i) $320,000 by (ii) the number of Included Tower Structures in
excess of 1,427. Such Additional Consideration shall be provided by
increasing the BAM HoldCo Interest provided, however, that such adjusted
interest must be less than 50%. If the amount of the Additional
Consideration is such that the BAM HoldCo Interest, as adjusted pursuant to
this Section 3.8(b), would be greater than or equal to 50%, the BAM HoldCo
Interest shall be adjusted to 49.9% and Bidder and BAM shall agree upon the
form of additional consideration to be provided by Bidder, which may
include an increase of the Bidder Contributed Cash and an increase in the
number of Bidder Contributed Shares. The increased BAM HoldCo Interest
shall be equal to the quotient of (A) an amount equal to (1) $650,000,000
plus (2) the Additional Consideration less (3) the amount of the BAM
Capital Distribution, divided by (B) an amount equal to (1) $650,000,000
plus (2) the Additional Consideration, plus (3) $250,000,000, being the
amount of the Bidder Contributed Cash, plus (4)
$197,000,000, less (5) the amount of the BAM Capital Distribution.
(c) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement to the
contrary, if the number of Included Tower Structures is less than 1,427,
the consideration to be paid, distributed and issued to BAM and the
Transferring Partnerships under this Agreement shall be decreased by an
amount (the "Amount of Decrease in Consideration") equal to the product
determined by multiplying (i) $320,000 by (ii) the difference between 1,427
and the number of Included Tower Structures. Such decrease in consideration
shall be provided in accordance with the following:
(i) If as a result of the number of Included Tower Structures
being less than 1,427, the Lender reduces the amount of the Closing
Financing Amount, then the amount of the Financing Distribution shall
be reduced by an amount equal to the amount by which the Closing
Financing Amount was reduced; and
(ii) The number of Bidder Contributed Shares shall be decreased
from 15,597,783 shares of Bidder Common Stock to such number of shares
of Bidder Common Stock that is equal to the quotient of (A) the
Adjusted Aggregate Share Value, divided by (B) $12.63 per share. As
used herein, the term "Adjusted Aggregate Share Value" means the
lesser of :
(x) the quotient of (1) the difference between (aa) the
product determined by multiplying (i) 90% by (ii) an amount equal
to $650,000,000 less the Amount of Decrease in Consideration,
less the amount of the BAM Capital Distribution, and (bb) the
product determined by multiplying 10% by $250,000,000, being the
amount of the Bidder Contributed Cash, divided by (2) 110%; or
(y) the difference between (1) the product determined by
multiplying (aa) 90% by (bb) an amount equal to $650,000,000 less
the Amount of Decrease in Consideration, and (2) the amount of
the BAM Capital Distribution; and
(iii) The BAM HoldCo Interest shall be decreased from a 37.7
Percentage Interest to such lower Percentage Interest that is equal to
the quotient of (A) the difference between (1) $650,000,000 less the
Amount of Decrease in Consideration and (2) the amount of the BAM
Capital Distribution, divided by (B) an amount equal to (1)
$650,000,000 less the Amount of Decrease in Consideration, plus (2)
$250,000,000, being the amount of the Bidder Contributed Cash, plus
(3) the Adjusted Aggregate Share Value, less (4) the amount of the BAM
Capital Distribution.
Exhibit AA contains six examples of the above calculations
applicable to this Section 3.8(c), as well as two expanded
calculations.
(d) If any Tower Structure does not qualify as an Included Tower
Structure at Closing because at the Closing BAM or a Transferring
Partnership is unable to deliver to OpCo the interest of BAM or the
applicable Transferring Partnership in the economic benefits of a Tower
Structure (i) for which BAM has not secured a required consent or approval
to the assignment of the related Site Lease to OpCo, or (ii) which is
located on a Tower Site that is the subject of an Environmental Condition
that is being remediated by BAM pursuant to the provisions of Section
6.1.7, and, as a result, the consideration paid, distributed and issued to
BAM and the Transferring Partnerships at the Closing is decreased pursuant
to Section 3.8(c), and if BAM or the applicable Transferring Partnership is
subsequently able to deliver to OpCo the interest of BAM or the applicable
Transferring Partnership in the economic benefits of the Tower Structure,
then, effective as of the date that such economic benefits begin to be
delivered to OpCo, the decrease in consideration that was made pursuant to
Section 3.8(c) with respect to the Tower Structure shall be reversed and
shall be recalculated, counting the Tower Structure as an Included Tower
Structure.
Adjustments Based Upon Revenue Run Rate of Included Towers.
(a) For purposes of this Section 3.9, the average annual aggregate
rents receivable from third party tenants for each Tower Structure shall be
$11,186 per year (determined by dividing (i) $15,962,000 by (ii) 1,427
Tower Structures).
(b) At the Closing, the annualized aggregate rents receivable from
third party tenants for the Included Tower Structures (the "Actual Third
Party Rents for the Included Towers") shall be determined by the parties
and then compared with the product determined by multiplying (i) the number
of Included Tower Structures by (ii) $11,186 (the "Target Third Party Rents
for the Included Towers").
(c) If at the Closing the Actual Third Party Rents for the Included
Towers equal or exceed the Target Third Party Rents for the Included
Towers, there shall be no amounts owing by BAM to OpCo, or by OpCo to BAM,
on account of the amount of rents receivable from third party tenants for
the Included Tower Structures.
(d) If at the Closing the Actual Third Party Rents for the Included
Towers are less than the Target Third Party Rents for the Included Towers,
then the following provisions of this subsection (d) shall apply from and
after the Closing Date until such time that the Actual Third Party Rents
for the Included Towers equal or exceed the Target Third Party Rents for
the Included Towers. On the first day of each calendar month, OpCo shall
calculate the difference between the Actual Third Party Rents for the
Included Towers (expressed in a monthly amount, determined by dividing
the annual rents for each Included Tower Structure by 12) and the Target
Third Party Rents for the Included Towers (expressed in a monthly amount,
determined by multiplying (A) $932.17 by (B) the number of Included Tower
Structures) as of such date. On or before the tenth day of such month, OpCo
shall deliver to BAM an invoice for the difference so calculated (the
"Monthly Third Party Rent Shortfall"), which shall be accompanied by
reasonable evidence supporting OpCo's calculation of the Monthly Third
Party Rent Shortfall. BAM shall pay each such invoice within 30 days after
BAM's receipt of the invoice.
(e) Amounts payable by BAM under Section 3.10 below shall be counted
as rents receivable from third party tenants for the Included Tower
Structures for purposes of determining the Actual Third Party Rents for the
Included Towers under this Section 3.9.
Adjustment Based Upon Revenues Receivable under Certain Third Party Leases.
Set forth on Schedule 3.10 is a description of certain third party leases
covering the Tower Structures which were entered into by BAM or a Transferring
Partnership (as lessor) pursuant to a swap or other arrangement (collectively,
the "Swap Lease Agreements," and each, individually, a "Swap Lease Agreement").
With respect to each Swap Lease Agreement covering any of the Included Tower
Structures, on or before the tenth day of each calendar month from and after the
Closing Date until the time specified in the following sentence, BAM or the
applicable Transferring Partnership shall pay to OpCo an amount equal to the
difference, if any, between (a) the monthly rent that OpCo would have received
under the Swap Lease Agreement if the rents payable by the third party lessee
thereunder were set at the rental rates payable to OpCo under the Global Lease
Agreement, and (b) the monthly rent receivable by OpCo under the Swap Lease
Agreement. The payment obligation of BAM or the applicable Transferring
Partnership under the preceding sentence with respect to a particular Swap Lease
Agreement shall terminate on the date that the third party lessee no longer has
lease rights under the Swap Lease Agreement with respect to the subject Included
Tower Structure.
ARTICLE 4.
CLOSING
Closing. The closing (the "Closing") of the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement shall take place at 10:00 A.M., local time, on March 31, 1999,
or, if later, the first business day following the satisfaction or waiver of the
conditions precedent set forth in Article 4 hereof. The Closing shall take place
at the offices of Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP, 1701 Market Street, Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania 19103 or at such other location as the parties shall agree. The
date of the Closing is sometimes herein referred to as the "Closing Date."
4.1. Items to be Delivered and Actions to be Taken at Closing. At the Closing
and subject to the terms and conditions herein contained:
(a) BAM, the Transferring Partnerships and Bidder Member shall form
OpCo by executing and delivering the OpCo Operating Agreement;
(b) BAM and the Transferring Partnerships shall deliver to OpCo such
deeds, assignments, bills of sale and other good and sufficient instruments
and documents of conveyance and transfer as shall be necessary and
effective (in the reasonable opinion of counsel to Bidder Member,
consistent with the
provisions of this Agreement) to transfer and assign to, and vest in, OpCo
all of the right, title and interest of BAM and the Transferring
Partnerships in and to the BAM Contributed Assets to the extent and as
provided in this Agreement, and OpCo shall deliver to BAM and the
Transferring Partnerships an undertaking whereby OpCo will assume and agree
to pay, discharge or perform, as appropriate, the BAM Assumed Liabilities
to the extent and as provided in this Agreement;
(c) Bidder Member shall deliver to OpCo the Bidder Contributed Cash,
as provided in this Agreement;
(d) OpCo, BAM and each of the Transferring Partnership shall execute
and deliver the Global Lease;
(e) OpCo and BAM (for itself and on behalf of the Transferring
Partnerships) shall execute and deliver the Build-to-Suit Agreement;
(f) BAM, the Transferring Partnerships and Bidder Member shall form
HoldCo Sub by executing and delivering the HoldCo Sub Operating Agreement
and contributing to HoldCo Sub the BAM OpCo Interest and the Bidder OpCo
Interest;
(g) HoldCo Sub and OpCo shall execute and deliver the Management
Agreement;
(h) HoldCo Sub shall deliver to HoldCo cash in an amount equal to the
Contributed Cash Distribution, and HoldCo shall then immediately deliver to
BAM and the Transferring Partnerships the Contributed Cash Distribution by
wire transfer of immediately available funds to such accounts as BAM shall
specify in writing;
(i) BAM, the Transferring Partnerships and Bidder Member shall form
HoldCo by executing and delivering the HoldCo Operating Agreement and
contributing to HoldCo all of their respective interests in HoldCo Sub and
by Bidder Member contributing the Bidder Contributed Shares to HoldCo.;
(j) HoldCo Sub, OpCo, BAM, BAM Sub, the Lender and the financial
institutions referred to below shall consummate the Anticipated Financing
by executing and delivering the following loan documents (the "Financing
Documents"), each in the form of the most recent draft thereof that was
provided by the Lender to BAM and Bidder as of the date of this Agreement,
with such changes thereto as BAM and Bidder may mutually approve, and by
performing the respective obligations to be performed by them at the
closing of the Anticipated Financing pursuant to the provisions of the
Commitment Letter and the Financing Documents:
(i) Loan Agreement among HoldCo Sub, the Lender, as agent, and
the financial institutions listed therein;
(ii) Promissory Note issued by HoldCo Sub to the Lender and such
other financial institutions party to the Loan Agreement;
(iii) Security Agreement between HoldCo Sub and the Lender, as
agent;
(iv) Pledge Agreement between HoldCo and the Lender, as agent;
(v) Tower Subsidiary Guarantee between OpCo and the Lender, as
agent;
(vi) Tower Subsidiary Security Agreement between OpCo and the
Lender, as agent;
(vii) Tower Subsidiary Pledge Agreement among HoldCo Sub, BAM and
the Lender, as agent;
(viii) BAM-Sub Guarantee between BAM Sub and the Lender, as
agent;
(ix) Agreement between the Lender, as agent, and BAM pursuant to
which BAM is granted the right to purchase the position of the Lender
and such financial institutions under all of the Financing Documents
and related documents and instruments upon an event of default by
HoldCo Sub, the right of first offer to purchase any collateral under
any foreclosure action, and certain rights of notice; and
(x) Subordination, Non-Disturbance and Attornment Agreement
between BAM (for itself and on behalf of the Transferring
Partnerships) and the Lender;
(k) HoldCo Sub shall deliver to HoldCo cash in an amount equal to the
Financing Distribution, and HoldCo shall then immediately deliver to BAM
and the Transferring Partnerships the Financing Distribution by wire
transfer of immediately available funds to such accounts as BAM shall
specify in writing;
(l) Bidder, HoldCo Sub and OpCo shall execute and deliver the Bidder
Services Agreement;
(m) If BAM and Bidder determine that such an agreement should be
entered into, BAM, HoldCo Sub and OpCo shall execute and deliver the
Transitional Service Agreement; and
(n) At or prior to the Closing, the parties hereto shall also deliver
to each other the agreements, opinions, certificates and other documents
and instruments referred to in Article 7 hereof.
Further Assurances. Each of BAM, the Transferring Partnerships, Bidder and
Bidder Member, from time to time after the Closing, at OpCo's request, will
execute, acknowledge and deliver to OpCo such other instruments of conveyance
and transfer and will take such other actions and execute and deliver such other
documents, certifications and further assurances as OpCo may reasonably require
in order to vest more effectively in OpCo or to put OpCo more fully in
possession of, any of the BAM Contributed Assets or the Bidder Contributed Cash,
or to better enable OpCo to complete, perform or discharge any of the
liabilities or obligations assumed by OpCo at the Closing pursuant hereto, or to
vest more effectively in HoldCo or to put HoldCo more fully in possession of,
the Bidder Contributed Shares. Each of the parties hereto will cooperate with
the other and execute and deliver to the other parties hereto such other
instruments and documents and take such other actions as may be reasonably
requested from time to time by any other party hereto as necessary to carry out,
evidence and confirm the intended purposes of this Agreement.
ARTICLE 5.
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
Representations and Warranties of BAM. Except as disclosed to OpCo in the
Schedules to this Agreement (with each disclosure made in the Schedule in
response to any Section of these representations and warranties being deemed to
be disclosed in response to, and to qualify, each other Section of these
representations and warranties), BAM hereby represents and warrants to OpCo as
follows:
Corporate. BAM is a general partnership, duly organized and validly
existing under the laws of the State of Delaware. BAM is qualified to do
business in any jurisdiction where the ownership, use or occupancy of the BAM
Contributed Assets would require it to be so qualified, except where the failure
so to qualify would not have a BAM Material Adverse Effect. BAM has the
requisite corporate power and authority to own, lease, use and occupy the BAM
Contributed Assets as they are now being owned, leased, used and occupied.
Authorization. BAM has the requisite corporate power and authority to
execute and deliver the Transaction Documents to which it is a party and to
perform the transactions performed or to be performed by it thereunder. Such
execution, delivery and performance by BAM have been duly authorized by all
necessary corporate action. Each Transaction Document executed and delivered by
BAM has been duly executed and delivered by BAM and constitutes a valid and
binding obligation of BAM, enforceable against BAM in accordance with its terms.
Consents and Approvals. Except for compliance with (w) the HSR Act, (x) to
the extent required, notice to and the consent and approval of the Connecticut
Department of Environmental Protection ("CTDEP") under the Connecticut Transfer
Act ("CTA"), (y) to the extent required, notice to and the consent and approval
of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection ("NJDEP") under the
Industrial Site Recovery Act
("ISRA") and (z) the consents specified in Schedule 5.1.3, neither the execution
and delivery by BAM of the Transaction Documents to which it is a party, nor the
performance of the Transactions performed or to be performed by BAM, will (i)
require any filing, consent or approval or constitute a Default under (A) any
Law or Court Order to which BAM or any of the BAM Contributed Assets is subject,
(B) the Charter Documents or bylaws of BAM or (C) any Contract, Governmental
Permit or other document to which BAM is a party or by which any of the BAM
Contributed Assets is bound, except with respect to clauses (A) and (C), such
Defaults that, individually or in the aggregate, would not have a BAM Material
Adverse Effect, or (ii) result in the creation or imposition of any Encumbrance
upon any of the BAM Contributed Assets, other than Permitted Encumbrances.
Title to and Condition of Assets and Related Matters. To BAM's knowledge,
BAM owns and will transfer to OpCo at the Closing good and marketable title to,
or, with respect to leased assets, a valid leasehold interest in, all of the BAM
Contributed Assets, free from any Encumbrances except Permitted Encumbrances. To
BAM's knowledge, the use of the BAM Contributed Assets is not subject to any
Encumbrances, other than Permitted Encumbrances, and such use does not
materially encroach on the property or rights of any other Person. All of the
BAM Contributed Assets which are personal property or fixtures are in good
operating condition and repair, subject to normal wear and maintenance, are
useable to support the antennae structures of BAM and the other tenants on the
existing Tower Structures as of the date hereof, except for such defects as
would not cost more than $25,000 to correct with respect to each such Tower
Structure or more than $5,000,000 for all such Tower Structures. To BAM's
knowledge, except as disclosed in Schedule 5.1.4 all of the transmitting towers,
ground radials, guy anchors, transmitting buildings and related improvements, if
any, located on the real property owned or leased by BAM are located entirely on
such real property.
Real Property.
(a) Zoning. To BAM's knowledge, BAM's ownership, lease or use of the
real property included in the BAM Contributed Assets or subject to Site
Leases is in compliance with all applicable zoning and other land use
requirements where the failure to so comply would materially limit BAM's
ability to use such real property in the ordinary course of business.
(b) Utility Services. The water, electric, gas and sewer utility
services and the septic tank and storm drainage facilities currently
available to the Tower Sites are adequate for the present use of such Tower
Sites by BAM, are not being appropriated by BAM but rather are being
supplied to BAM by utility companies or municipalities pursuant to valid
and enforceable contracts or tariffs, and there is no condition which will
result in the termination of the present access from the Tower Sites to
such utility services and other facilities.
(c) Access. To BAM's knowledge, BAM has obtained all Governmental
Permits (where required), easements and rights-of-way which are reasonably
necessary to provide vehicular and pedestrian ingress and egress to and
from the Tower Sites for the purposes used by BAM in the ordinary course.
To BAM's knowledge,
no action is pending or threatened which would have the effect of
terminating or limiting such access.
(d) Eminent Domain. BAM has received no written notice that any
governmental body having the power of eminent domain over any of the real
property included in the BAM Contributed Assets has commenced or intends to
exercise the power of eminent domain or a similar power with respect to all
or any part of such real property.
(e) Public Improvements. To BAM's knowledge, no work for municipal
improvements has been commenced on or in connection with the 'Owned Sites'
included in the BAM Contributed Assets. BAM has received no written notice
that any assessment for public improvements has been made against any such
real property which remains unpaid.
Legal Proceedings and Compliance with Law. Except as set forth in Schedule
5.1.6, there is no Litigation that is pending or, to BAM's knowledge, threatened
against BAM with respect to, or involving, any of the BAM Contributed Assets. To
BAM's knowledge, there has been no Default under any Laws applicable to the
ownership, occupancy or use of the BAM Contributed Assets, including
Environmental Laws, except for such Defaults that would not have a BAM Material
Adverse Effect, individually or in the aggregate. Except as set forth in
Schedule 5.1.6, BAM has not received any notices from any Governmental Authority
regarding any alleged Defaults relating to the ownership, use or occupancy of
the BAM Contributed Assets under any applicable Laws, including Environmental
Laws. Except as set forth in Schedule 5.1.6, BAM, with respect to the BAM
Contributed Assets, is not presently subject to the provisions of any Court
Order and there has been no Default with respect to any Court Order applicable
to BAM with respect to the BAM Contributed Assets, except for such Defaults that
would not have a BAM Material Adverse Effect, individually or in the aggregate.
Governmental Permits. Except as set forth on Schedule 5.1.7, BAM has
obtained all Governmental Permits that are required for the ownership, use or
occupancy of the BAM Contributed Assets as now being conducted, all of which are
in full force and effect, except where the failure to obtain any such
Governmental Permit or of any such Governmental Permit to be in full force and
effect would not have a BAM Material Adverse Effect, individually or in the
aggregate. BAM has complied with all such Governmental Permits, except where the
failure so to comply would not have a BAM Material Adverse Effect, individually
or in the aggregate.
Contracts. Schedule 5.1.8 identifies all Contracts of the following types
to which BAM is a party, or by which it is bound, with respect to the BAM
Contributed Assets (other than any Contract that is terminable by a party on not
more than sixty (60) days' notice without any Liability or any Contract under
which the obligation of a party (fulfilled and to be fulfilled) involves an
amount of less than $50,000 (a "Minor Contract")):
(a) Contracts which are Site Leases, disclosing for each the location
of the related Tower Site, the identity of the lessor, the expiration date
of the initial term under the lease, and the amount of the rental paid to
the lessor by BAM
thereunder for the month ended not more than forty-five (45) days prior to
the date of this Agreement;
(b) Contracts which are Tower Leases, disclosing for each the location
of the related Tower Site, the identity of the lessee, the expiration date
of the initial term under the lease, and the amount of the rental paid by
the lessee to BAM thereunder for the month ended not more than forty-five
(45) days prior to the date of this Agreement;
(c) Contracts which are Tower Equipment Leases, disclosing for each
the location of the related Tower Site, the type of equipment leased, the
identity of the lessor, the expiration date of the initial term under the
lease and the amount of the rental paid to the lessor by BAM thereunder for
the month ended not more than forty-five (45) days prior to the date of
this Agreement;
(d) Contracts which are Tower Service Contracts, disclosing for each
the location of the related Tower Site, the identity of the service
provider, the type of service provided, the expiration date of the initial
term under the Contract and the amount of the fees paid by BAM to the
service provider thereunder for the month ended not more than forty-five
(45) days prior to the date of this Agreement;
(e) Contracts under which any Encumbrances, other than Permitted
Encumbrances, exist with respect to the BAM Contributed Assets; and
(f) Contracts (other than Minor Contracts and those described in any
of (a) through (e) above) (i) which relate to the Tower Structures or Tower
Sites which were entered into after December 31, 1997 and which were not
made in the ordinary course of the business of BAM or (ii) which were made
in the ordinary course of business and involve remaining payments under any
such Contract of more than $500,000.
The Contracts listed in Schedule 5.1.8 are referred to herein as the "BAM
Contracts." Except as identified in Schedule 5.1.8, BAM is not in Default under
any BAM Contract in any material respect. BAM has not received any written
communication from, or given any written communication to, any other party
indicating that BAM or such other party, as the case may be, is in Default under
any BAM Contract. To BAM's knowledge, (i) except as identified in Schedule
5.1.8, none of the other parties to any such BAM Contract is in Default
thereunder in any material respect and (ii) each such BAM Contract is in full
force and effect and is enforceable against the other parties thereto in
accordance with its terms, except to the extent that such enforcement may be
limited by applicable bankruptcy, reorganization, insolvency and other Laws of
general application affecting enforcement of creditors' rights generally.
Employees and Employee Relations. Schedule 5.1.9 lists all employees of BAM
who may be hired by OpCo and HoldCo at or immediately after consummation of the
Closing (each, an "Identified Employee") and their dates of hire, present
positions, rates of compensation (including cash and non-cash compensation) and
accrued vacation (such Schedule being subject to change between the date hereof
and the Closing Date as a result of changes in the ordinary course of the
business). BAM is not a party to, involved in, or, to BAM's knowledge,
threatened by, any labor dispute or unfair labor practice charge related to such
Identified Employees. BAM is not a party to or currently negotiating any
collective bargaining agreement related to such Identified Employees.
Employee Benefit Plans.
(a) Schedule 5.1.10 lists each Benefit Plan sponsored or maintained by
BAM under which BAM is or may be obligated to Identified Employees or their
respective beneficiaries (the "Covered Persons").
(b) All such Benefit Plans conform (and at all times have conformed)
in all material respects to, and are being administered and operated (and
have at all times been administered and operated) in material compliance
with, the requirements of ERISA, the Code and all other applicable Laws.
(c) Any such Benefit Plan that is intended to be qualified under
Section 401(a) of the Code and exempt from tax under Section 501(a) of the
Code has been determined by the Internal Revenue Service to be so qualified
and such determination remains in effect and has not been revoked. Nothing
has occurred since the date of any such determination that is reasonably
likely to affect adversely such qualification or exemption, or result in
the imposition of excise Taxes or income Taxes on unrelated business income
under the Code or ERISA with respect to any such Benefit Plan.
(d) There are no pending or, to BAM's knowledge, threatened claims by
or on behalf of any such Benefit Plans, or by or on behalf of any Covered
Persons under any such Benefit Plans, alleging any breach of fiduciary duty
on the part of BAM or any of its officers, directors or employees under
ERISA or any other applicable regulations, or claiming benefit payments
(other than those made in the ordinary operation of such plans), nor is
there, to BAM's knowledge, any basis for any such claim. Such Benefit Plans
are not the subject of any pending or, to BAM's knowledge, threatened
investigation or audit by the Internal Revenue Service, the Department of
Labor or the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation.
(e) BAM has timely made all required contributions under such Benefit
Plans.
(f) BAM has not taken any action that may result in OpCo being a party
to, bound by or subject to any Liability on account of, any such Benefit
Plan following the consummation of the Transactions.
Environmental Matters. Except as set forth on Schedule 5.1.11, to BAM's
knowledge, no Environmental Condition exists at any of the Tower Sites which
would have a BAM Material Adverse Effect, individually or in the aggregate. To
BAM's knowledge, except as set forth on Schedule 5.1.11, (i) there are no
polychlorinated byphenyls in any container or equipment on, about, under or
within any Tower Sites, (ii) there is no asbestos at, on, about, under or within
any Tower Sites, and (iii) there are no underground storage tanks, whether in
service or closed in place, under any Tower Sites.
Absence of Certain Changes or Events. Since June 30, 1998, BAM has made
reasonable efforts consistent with past practice to preserve relationships with
customers, suppliers, employees, lessors, licensors, tenants, licensees,
distributors and others with whom BAM has a business or financial relationship
with respect to the BAM Contributed Assets. Except as set forth on Schedule
5.1.12, BAM has conducted its operations regarding the BAM Contributed Assets in
the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice (including with
respect to the collection of receivables, payment of payables and other
liabilities, capital expenditures, and contributions to or accruals in respect
of the Benefit Plans).
Availability of Documents. BAM has made available to Bidder and Bidder
Member copies of all documents, including without limitation all Contracts
identified in the Schedules to this Section 5.1. Such copies are true and
complete in all material respects and include all material amendments,
supplements and modifications thereto or waivers currently in effect thereunder.
Purchase for Investment. BAM and the Transferring Partnerships are
acquiring the BAM OpCo Interest and the BAM HoldCo Interest for their own
respective accounts and not with a view to the distribution thereof, except in
the case of the Transferring Partnerships. BAM and the Transferring Partnerships
understand that the BAM OpCo Interest and the BAM HoldCo Interest have not been
registered under the Securities Act and may be resold only if registered
pursuant to the provi sions of the Securities Act or if an exemption from
registration is available, except under circumstances where neither such
registration nor such an exemption is required by law.
Broker or Finder. No Person assisted in or brought about the negotiation of
this Agreement or the Transactions in the capacity of investment banker, broker,
agent or finder or in any similar capacity on behalf of BAM or any of its
Affiliates, other than Goldman, Sachs & Co., whose fees will be borne by BAM.
No Other Warranties. Except for the representations and warranties
expressly set forth in this Section 5.1 and Section 5.2, the BAM Contributed
Assets are being sold by BAM and the Transferring Partnerships as is, where is,
and with all faults, and there are no other warranties being made by BAM or the
Transferring Partnerships (INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, ANY WARRANTY OF
HABITABILITY, MERCHANTABILITY OR WARRANTY FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE), express or
implied, in connection with the sale of the BAM Contributed Assets or the other
transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents.
Representations and Warranties of Transferring Partnerships. Except as
disclosed to OpCo in the Schedules to this Agreement, each of the Transferring
Partnerships, severally and not jointly and each solely with respect to itself,
and BAM, jointly with each Transferring Partnership, hereby represents and
warrants to OpCo as follows:
Partnership. Such Transferring Partnership is a partnership, duly formed
and validly existing under the state laws pursuant to which it was formed. Such
Transferring Partnership has the requisite partnership power and authority to
own, lease, use and occupy the BAM Contributed Assets owned by it as they are
now being owned, leased, used and occupied.
Authorization. Such Transferring Partnership has the requisite partnership
power and authority to execute and deliver the Transaction Documents to which it
is a party and to perform the transactions performed or to be performed by it
thereunder. Such execution, delivery and performance by such Transferring
Partnership have been duly authorized by all necessary partnership action. Each
Transaction Document executed and delivered by such Transferring Partnership has
been duly executed and delivered by such Transferring Partnership and
constitutes a valid and binding obligation of such Transferring Partnership,
enforceable against such Transferring Partnership in accordance with its terms,
except to the extent that such enforcement may be limited by applicable
bankruptcy, reorganization, insolvency and other Laws of general application
affecting enforcement of creditors' rights generally.
Consents and Approvals. Except for compliance with the HSR Act and the
consents specified in Schedule 5.2.3, neither the execution and delivery by such
Transferring Partnership of the Transaction Documents to which it is a party,
nor the performance of the Transactions performed or to be performed by such
Transferring Partnership, will (i) require any filing, consent or approval or
constitute a Default under (A) any Law or Court Order to which such Transferring
Partnership or any of the BAM Contributed Assets owned by it is subject, (B) the
partnership agreement or other governing documents of such Transferring
Partnership or (C) any Contract, Governmental Permit or other document to which
such Transferring Partnership is a party or by which any of the BAM Contributed
Assets owned by such Transferring Partnership is bound, except with respect to
clauses (A) and (C), such Defaults that, individually or in the aggregate, would
not have a BAM Material Adverse Effect, or (ii) result in the creation or
imposition of any Encumbrance upon the BAM Contributed Assets owned by such
Transferring Partnership, other than Permitted Encumbrances.
Representations and Warranties of Bidder and Bidder Member. Each of Bidder
and Bidder Member, jointly and severally, hereby represents and warrants to
OpCo, BAM and each of the Transferring Partnerships as follows:
Corporate. Each of Bidder and Bidder Member is a corporation duly
organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of
Delaware. Each of Bidder and Bidder Member has all requisite corporate power and
authority to carry on its
business as it has been and is now being conducted and to own, lease and operate
the properties and assets used in connection therewith.
Authorization. Each of Bidder and Bidder Member has the requisite corporate
power and authority to execute and deliver the Transaction Documents to which it
is a party and to perform the transactions performed or to be performed by it
thereunder. Such execution, delivery and performance by Bidder and Bidder Member
have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action. Each Transaction
Document executed and delivered by Bidder and Bidder Member has been duly
executed and delivered by such corporation and constitutes a valid and binding
obligation of such corporation, enforceable against the corporation in
accordance with its terms.
Consents and Approvals. Except for compliance with the HSR Act and the
consents specified in Schedule 5.3.3, neither the execution and delivery by each
of Bidder and Bidder Member of the Transaction Documents to which it is a party,
nor the performance of the Transactions performed or to be performed by it, will
(i) require any filing, consent or approval or constitute a Default under (A)
any Law or Court Order to which it or its properties and assets are subject, (B)
its Charter Documents or bylaws, or (C) any Contract, Governmental Permit or
other document to which it is a party or by which any of its properties and
assets are bound, except with respect to clauses (A) and (C), such Defaults
that, individually or in the aggregate, would not have a Bidder Material Adverse
Effect, or (ii) result in the creation or imposition of any Encumbrance upon its
properties and assets, other than Permitted Encumbrances.
Broker or Finder. No Person assisted in or brought about the negotiation of
this Agreement or the Transactions in the capacity of investment banker, broker,
agent or finder or in any similar capacity on behalf of Bidder or any of its
Affiliates, other than Salomon Smith Barney, whose fees will be borne by Bidder.
Capital Stock. As of the date hereof, Bidder has authorized capital stock
consisting solely of 690,000,000 shares of Bidder Common Stock, par value $0.01
per share, 90,000,000 shares of Bidder Class A Common Stock, par value $0.01 per
share and 10,000,000 shares of Bidder Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per
share. As of September 30, 1998: (a) 82,548,545 shares of Bidder Common Stock
were issued and outstanding, (b) 11,340,000 shares of Bidder Class A Common
Stock were issued and outstanding, (c) no shares of Bidder Preferred Stock were
issued and outstanding, (d) no shares of Bidder Common Stock, Bidder Class A
Common Stock or Bidder Preferred Stock were held as treasury shares, and (e)
23,343,316 shares of Bidder Common Stock were reserved for issuance under
Bidder's employee stock option plans and warrants (16,064,243 shares of which
were subject to outstanding options, 1,314,990 shares of which were subject to
outstanding warrants and 5,964,083 shares of which were reserved for future
option grants). Except for the 358,678 shares issued in connection with the
acquisition of Millennium Communications Limited, since September 30, 1998, to
the date of this Agreement, no additional shares of capital stock have been
reserved for issuance by Bidder and the only issuances of shares of capital
stock of Bidder have been issuances of Bidder Common Stock upon the exercise of
outstanding Bidder stock options as listed in Schedule 5.3.5 or as permitted
under Section 7.1.9(d). As of the date of this Agreement, there are no existing
subscriptions, options, warrants, convertible securities, calls,
commitments, agreements, conversion rights or other rights of any character
(contingent or otherwise) calling for or requiring the issuance, transfer, sale
or other disposition of any shares of the capital stock of Bidder, or calling
for or requiring the issuance of any securities or rights convertible into or
exchangeable for shares of capital stock of Bidder, in any case except as set
forth in Schedule 5.3.5. Bidder Member is an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of
Bidder.
SEC Reports. Bidder has filed all required forms, reports and documents
with the SEC since January 1, 1998 (collectively, the "Bidder's SEC Reports").
Bidder's SEC Reports complied, as of their respective dates, in all material
respects with all applicable requirements of the Securities Act and the Exchange
Act. As of their respective dates, none of Bidder's SEC Reports, including,
without limitation, any financial statements or schedules included or
incorporated by reference therein, contained any untrue statement of a material
fact or omitted to state a material fact required to be stated or incorporated
by reference therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in
light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. There
have been filed as exhibits to, or incorporated by reference in, Bidder's
Registration Statement on Form S-1 as filed with the SEC on August 18, 1998, all
contracts which, as of the date hereof, are material as described in Item
601(b)(10) of Regulation S-K. Bidder has heretofore delivered to BAM, in the
form filed with the SEC, all of Bidder's SEC Reports. The audited consolidated
financial statements and the unaudited interim financial statements of Bidder,
including in each case the notes thereto, included in the Bidder's SEC Reports
have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles
consistently applied throughout the periods involved (except as may be indicated
therein or in the notes thereto) ("GAAP"), and such balance sheets, including
the related notes, fairly present the consolidated financial position, assets
and liabilities (whether accrued, absolute, contingent or otherwise) of Bidder
and its subsidiaries at the dates indicated and such consolidated statements of
income, changes in stockholders' equity and statements of cash flow fairly
present the consolidated results of operations, changes in stockholders' equity
and cash flow of Bidder for the periods indicated, subject, in the case of the
unaudited interim financial statements, to normal, recurring audit adjustments.
The unaudited financial statements included in the Bidder's SEC Reports contain
all adjustments, which are solely of a normal recurring nature, necessary to
present fairly the results of operations and changes in stockholders' equity and
financial position for the periods then ended.
Absence of Certain Changes. Except as described in Schedule 5.3.7, since
December 31, 1997, Bidder has conducted its business solely in the ordinary
course consistent with past practice and has not been subject to any other
events or conditions of any character that would have a Bidder Material Adverse
Effect.
Bidder Articles and Bylaws. True and complete copies of the Bidder's
charter documents and bylaws as in effect on the date of this Agreement are
included in the Bidder's SEC Reports. Prior to the date hereof, Bidder Member
has provided BAM with true and complete of the Bidder Member's charter documents
and bylaws in effect on the date of this Agreement.
Threatened or Pending Litigation. There are no disputes, claims, actions,
suits or proceedings, arbitrations or investigations pending or, to the
knowledge of
Bidder or Bidder Member, threatened against or affecting Bidder, Bidder Member
or their respective properties, assets or operations that would have a Bidder
Material Adverse Effect.
No Impact of Bidder Agreements on OpCo, HoldCo or HoldCo Sub. Neither
Bidder nor Bidder Member is a party to, nor is Bidder, Bidder Member or any of
their respective properties or assets subject to or bound by, any agreement,
contract or commitment which would restrict the ability of OpCo, HoldCo or
HoldCo Sub to conduct any kind of business, or own or operate any kind of
assets, anywhere in the United States.
Bidder Contributed Shares. The issuance of the Bidder Contributed Shares
has been duly and validly authorized by all necessary corporate action. No
further approval or authorization of the stockholders or the directors of
Bidder, of any Governmental Authority or of any other Person is required for the
issuance by Bidder of the Bidder Contributed Shares and the contribution thereof
to HoldCo in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. When issued and
contributed to HoldCo upon the formation of HoldCo, the Bidder Contributed
Shares shall be duly and validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable, and free
and clear of any Encumbrances and preemptive or similar rights and restrictions
of any nature including, without limitation, any restrictions on the right to
vote, sell or otherwise dispose of the Bidder Contributed Shares (other than any
restrictions imposed under the Securities Act or Section 160(c) of the Delaware
General Corporation Law). The issuance and contribution of the Bidder
Contributed Shares to HoldCo upon the formation of HoldCo shall not be made in
violation of the terms of any preemptive right or agreement of Bidder and shall
be made in compliance with all applicable charter documents and bylaws of Bidder
and all Laws. When distributed to BAM in connection with the dissolution of
HoldCo, as provided in the HoldCo Operating Agreement, the Bidder Contributed
Shares shall be duly and validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable, and free
and clear of any Encumbrances and preemptive or similar rights and restrictions
of any nature (other than any Encumbrance created by BAM) including, without
limitation, any restrictions on the right to vote, sell or otherwise dispose of
the Bidder Contributed Shares (other than any restrictions imposed under the
Securities Act). Such distribution to BAM shall not violate of the terms of any
preemptive right or agreement of Bidder or the charter documents or bylaws of
Bidder or any applicable Law.
Share Ownership Limitations. No "fair price," "moratorium," "control share
acquisition" or other form of anti-takeover statute or regulation as in effect
on the date hereof or any anti-takeover provision in the Certificate of
Incorporation or By-laws of Bidder or Bidder Member or any shareholder rights
plan or similar arrangement or material change of control provision is
applicable to any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the
other Transaction Documents.
Bidder Financing. The Commitment Letter is in full force and effect as of
the date hereof. The Lender has not notified Bidder or otherwise communicated to
Bidder the existence of any fact or condition which would alone or together with
any other fact or condition result in the termination or modification of the
Commitment Letter or cause the Lender to fail to enter into the Financing
Documents or issue the Anticipated Financing. Bidder knows of no fact or
condition which would alone or together with any other fact or condition result
in the termination or modification of the Commitment Letter or a failure by the
Lender to enter into the Financing Documents or issue the Anticipated Financing.
Bidder has complied with, or by Closing will comply with, all conditions,
obligations and requirements that are set forth in the Commitment Letter and
applicable to Bidder and Bidder Member.
Funds Available for Bidder Contribution. Bidder either (a) has sufficient
cash or cash equivalents or unconditional commitments by third parties to pay
such cash or cash equivalents to make the Bidder Cash Contribution or (b) will
have available prior to the Closing sufficient cash or cash equivalents or
unconditional commitments of third parties to pay such cash or cash equivalents.
Purchase for Investment. Bidder Member is acquiring the Bidder HoldCo
Interest for its own account and not with a view to the distribution thereof.
Bidder understands that the Bidder HoldCo Interest has not been registered under
the Securities Act and may be resold only if registered pursuant to the
provisions of the Securities Act or if an exemption from registration is
available, except under circumstances where neither such registration nor such
an exemption is required by law.
No Other Representations or Warranties. Except for the representations and
warranties expressly set forth in this Section 5.3 neither the Bidder nor its
Affiliates (including Bidder Member) has made or is making any representations
or warranties to BAM, the Transferring Partnerships or OpCo, express or implied,
in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents.
ARTICLE 6.
AGREEMENTS PENDING CLOSING
Agreements of BAM Pending the Closing. BAM covenants and agrees that,
pending the Closing, except as otherwise agreed to in writing by Bidder, and
except in connection with the performance of the transactions contemplated
hereby:
Business in the Ordinary Course. BAM shall operate, maintain and service
the BAM Contributed Assets and the BAM Assumed Liabilities in the ordinary
course consistent with past practice and in compliance in all material respects
with all applicable Laws and, to the extent consistent therewith, use all
reasonable efforts to preserve intact the current business organization of the
business of the BAM Contributed Assets, preserve the goodwill and relationships
with customers, suppliers and others having business dealings with the business
of the BAM Contributed Assets, provided that BAM may enter into Tower Leases
with respect to the Tower Structures in the ordinary course consistent with past
practice.
Update Schedules. BAM shall promptly disclose to Bidder any information
contained in its representations and warranties or any of the other Schedules
hereto which, because of an event occurring after the date hereof, is incomplete
or is no longer correct as of all times after the date hereof until the Closing
Date; provided, however, that none of such disclosures shall be deemed to
modify, amend or supplement the representations and warranties of BAM or the
schedules hereto for the purposes of Article VII hereof, unless Bidder shall
have consented thereto in writing, except (a) to the extent that a schedule
update relates to the addition to any Schedule of Tower Structures or Tower
Sites acquired or constructed after the date of this Agreement in the ordinary
course consistent with past practice or the execution and delivery of Tower
Leases or Site Leases entered into after the date
of this Agreement in the ordinary course consistent with past practice and
matters related thereto, (b) for the information contained in the Required BAM
Phase I Reports (as defined in Section 6.1.7) and the Optional Bidder Phase I
Reports (as defined in Section 6.2.5), and (c) for updates to Schedule 5.1.9
with respect to the Identified Employees identified by Bidder and BAM in
accordance with the provisions of Section 6.3.2 ("Permitted Schedule Updates").
Conduct of Business. BAM shall use its reasonable efforts to conduct its
business in such a manner that on the Closing Date the representations and
warranties of BAM contained in this Agreement shall be true as though such
representations and warranties were made on and as of such date. Furthermore,
BAM shall cooperate with Bidder and Bidder Member and use its reasonable efforts
to cause all of the conditions to the obligations of Bidder, Bidder Member and
BAM under this Agreement to be satisfied on or prior to the Closing Date.
Sale of Assets; Negotiations. Without limiting the generality of Section
6.1.3 and except for conveyances to OpCo contemplated hereby, BAM and the
Transferring Partnerships shall not, directly or indirectly, sell or encumber
all or any part of the BAM Contributed Assets, other than in the ordinary course
of its business consistent with past practice or in connection with the sale or
other divestiture of any cellular system owned by BAM or the Transferring
Partnerships, or initiate or participate in any discussions or negotiations or
enter into any agreement to do any of the foregoing provided, however, that the
total number of Tower Structures that BAM sells pursuant to the foregoing shall
not exceed four hundred (400).
Access. BAM shall give to Bidder's officers, employees, counsel,
accountants and other representatives free and full access to and the right to
inspect, during normal business hours, all of the premises, properties, assets,
records, contracts and other documents relating to the BAM Contributed Assets or
the BAM Assumed Liabilities and shall permit them to consult with the officers,
employees, accountants, counsel and agents of BAM for the purpose of making such
investigation of the BAM Contributed Assets or the BAM Assumed Liabilities, as
Bidder shall desire to make, provided that such investigation shall not
unreasonably interfere with the business operations of BAM. Furthermore, BAM
shall furnish to Bidder all such documents and copies of documents and records
and information with respect to the BAM Contributed Assets or the BAM Assumed
Liabilities and copies of any working papers relating thereto as Bidder shall
from time to time reasonably request and shall permit Bidder and its agents to
make such physical inventories and inspections of the BAM Contributed Assets or
the BAM Assumed Liabilities as Bidder may reasonably request from time to time.
Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 6.1.5, BAM shall not be
required to provide any such information to Bidder if, in the reasonable
determination of the general counsel of BAM, access to such information by
Bidder is prohibited by the provisions of any confidentiality agreements binding
upon BAM or any of the Transferring Partnerships or by applicable Law.
Press Releases. Except as required by applicable Law or in connection with
communications with the other partners of the Transferring Partnerships or the
process of obtaining consents contemplated by Sections 2.3.5 and 2.3.6 hereof,
BAM shall not give notice to third parties or otherwise make any public
statement or releases concerning this Agreement or the transactions contemplated
hereby except for such written information as shall have been approved in
writing as to form and content by Bidder, which approval shall not be
unreasonably withheld or delayed and except in connection with obtaining a
required consent to or approval of the transactions contemplated by the
Agreement from the third party so notified.
Required BAM Phase I Environmental Reports. At its sole cost and expense,
BAM shall have Phase I Environmental Reports performed for each of the Tower
Sites that includes an Included Tower Structure and was acquired by BAM or any
of the Transferring Partnerships
since January 1, 1995 and for which no such report exists on the date of this
Agreement, which Tower Sites are listed on Schedule 6.1.7 hereto. Such reports
(any such report is referred to herein as a "Required BAM Phase I Report" and
such reports are referred to collectively herein as the "Required BAM Phase I
Reports") shall be performed in accordance with BAM's standard methods and
procedures for performing Phase I Environmental Reports for its cellular tower
sites. Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary BAM shall
have the right, subject to the following provisions of this Section 6.1.7, to
exclude from the BAM Contributed Assets any Tower Site which is the subject of a
Required BAM Phase I Report that reveals an Environmental Condition. In order to
exercise such right, BAM shall give written notice to Bidder of the Tower Sites
to be excluded from the BAM Contributed Assets because of Environmental
Conditions revealed by a Required BAM Phase I Report. Within ten (10) business
days after Bidder's receipt of any such notice from BAM, Bidder shall have the
right to request that BAM obtain an estimate of the costs and expenses required
to remediate the Environmental Conditions affecting any of the Tower Sites
identified in BAM's notice. Within fifteen (15) business days after BAM's
receipt of any such request from Bidder, BAM shall secure, from a reputable
third party environmental consultant or remediation company, a written estimate
of the costs and expenses required to remediate the Environmental Conditions
affecting the subject Tower Sites. BAM shall provide Bidder with a copy of such
estimate promptly upon BAM's receipt thereof. If the third party estimate is
that the total costs and expenses required to remediate the Environmental
Conditions affecting any Tower Site are $150,000 or more, BAM shall have the
right to exclude the Tower Site from the BAM Contributed Assets notwithstanding
Bidder's previous request that the Tower Site be included in the BAM Contributed
Assets. If the third party estimate is that the total costs and expenses
required to remediate the Environmental Conditions affecting any Tower Site are
less than $150,000, BAM shall promptly commence the work required to remediate
the Environmental Conditions affecting the Tower Site and shall continue to
perform such work with reasonable diligence until such work is completed, all at
BAM's sole cost and expense. If such work is not completed prior to the Closing
Date, BAM shall continue to perform such work after the Closing Date until such
work is completed, all at BAM's sole cost and expense; and such Tower Site shall
not be granted, conveyed, assigned, transferred or delivered to OpCo until such
work is completed. With respect to each such Tower Site that is not granted,
conveyed, assigned, transferred or delivered to OpCo at Closing, from and after
the Closing Date, until such time that the remediation work is completed by BAM
and the Tower Site is granted, conveyed, assigned, transferred and delivered to
OpCo, BAM or the applicable Transferring Partnership shall deliver to OpCo the
interest of BAM or such Transferring Partnership in the economic benefits of the
Tower Site and related BAM Contributed Assets. BAM shall provide Bidder with
true and complete copies of the Required BAM Phase I Reports, except any such
report that relates to a Tower Site that is excluded from the BAM Contributed
Assets pursuant to the provisions of this Section 6.1.7. The Required BAM Phase
I Reports and any third party estimate of remediation costs and expenses
obtained by BAM pursuant to this Section 6.1.7 shall used by Bidder solely in
connection with its internal consideration of the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement and not in any way adverse to BAM, and all Required BAM Phase I
Reports and such third party estimates at all times shall be kept strictly
confidential by Bidder; provided that Bidder may provide the Lender with copies
of the Required BAM Phase I Reports and such third party estimates subject to
the conditions that the Lender (a) use such reports and estimates solely in
connection with its internal consideration of the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement and the Financing Documents and not in any way adverse to BAM and
(b) keep all such reports and estimates strictly confidential at all times..
Agreements of Bidder and Bidder Member Pending the Closing. Each of Bidder
and Bidder Member covenants and agrees that, pending the Closing and except as
otherwise agreed to in writing by BAM:
Update Schedules. Bidder and Bidder Member shall promptly disclose to BAM
any information contained in its representations and warranties or any of the
other Schedules
hereto which, because of an event occurring after the date hereof, is incomplete
or is no longer correct as of all times after the date hereof until the Closing
Date; provided, however, that none of such disclosures shall be deemed to
modify, amend or supplement the representations and warranties of Bidder and
Bidder Member or the schedules hereto for the purposes of Article VII hereof,
unless BAM shall have consented thereto in writing.
Conduct of Business. Each of Bidder and Bidder Member shall use its
reasonable efforts to conduct its business in such a manner that on the Closing
Date the representations and warranties of Bidder and Bidder Member contained in
this Agreement shall be true as though such representations and warranties were
made on and as of such date. Furthermore, each of Bidder and Bidder Member shall
cooperate with BAM and use its reasonable efforts to cause all of the conditions
to the obligations of BAM, Bidder and Bidder Member under this Agreement to be
satisfied on or prior to the Closing Date.
Access. Bidder shall give to BAM's officers, employees, counsel,
accountants and other representatives free and full access to and the right to
inspect, during normal business hours, all of the premises, properties, assets,
records, contracts and other documents relating to its business and shall permit
them to consult with the officers, employees, accountants, counsel and agents of
Bidder for the purpose of making such investigation of its business and the
properties and assets used in connection therewith, as BAM shall desire to make,
provided that such investigation shall not unreasonably interfere with the
business operations of Bidder. Furthermore, Bidder shall furnish to BAM all such
documents and copies of documents and records and information with respect to
the affairs of its business and copies of any working papers relating thereto as
BAM shall from time to time reasonably request and shall permit BAM and its
agents to make such physical inventories and inspections of the properties and
assets used in connection with its business as BAM may reasonably request from
time to time. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 6.1.5,
Bidder shall not be required to provide any such information to BAM if, in the
reasonable determination of the general counsel of Bidder, access to such
information by BAM is prohibited by the provisions of any confidentiality
agreement binding upon Bidder or by applicable Law.
Press Releases. Except as required by applicable Law or in connection with
communications with the other partners of the Transferring Partnerships or the
process of obtaining consents contemplated by Sections 2.3.5 and 2.3.6 hereof,
neither Bidder nor Bidder Member shall give notice to third parties or otherwise
make any public statement or releases concerning this Agreement or the
transactions contemplated hereby except for such written information as shall
have been approved in writing as to form and content by BAM, which approval
shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed.
Optional Bidder Phase I Environmental Reports. At its sole cost and
expense, Bidder shall have the right, but not the obligation, to perform
desk-top/NEPA Phase I Environmental Reports for any of the Tower Sites (any such
report is referred to herein as an "Optional Bidder Phase I Report" and such
reports are referred to collectively herein as the "Optional Bidder Phase I
Reports"). Bidder shall provide BAM with true and complete copies of the
Optional Bidder Phase I Reports. The Optional Bidder Phase I Reports shall used
by Bidder solely in connection with its internal consideration of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement and not in any way adverse to BAM,
and all Optional Bidder Phase I Reports at all times shall be kept strictly
confidential by Bidder; provided that Bidder may provide the Lender with copies
of the Optional Bidder Phase I Reports subject to the conditions that the Lender
(a) use such reports solely in connection with its internal consideration of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Financing Documents and not
in any way adverse to BAM and (b) keep all such reports strictly confidential at
all times.
No Modification of Commitment Letter or Forms of Financing Documents.
Bidder shall not agree, without the prior written consent of BAM, to any
modification or amendment to the Commitment Letter or the most recent draft of
any of the Financing Documents that was provided by the Lender to BAM and Bidder
as of the date of this Agreement. Bidder shall promptly provide BAM with copies
of all written, electronic and facsimile communications between the Lender and
Bidder or any of its Affiliates relating to the Anticipated Financing.
Rights Agreement Amendment. Bidder shall cause the Rights Agreement between
Bidder and ChaseMellon Shareholder Services, L.L.C., as Rights Agent (the
"Rights Agreement"), to be amended so that, subject to the condition that BAM
does acquire any other "Voting Securities" (as defined in the Rights Agreement)
beyond those described in the following clauses (i), (ii) and (iii), BAM will
not become an "Acquiring Person" under the Rights Agreement upon (i) the
issuance of the Bidder Contibuted Shares by Bidder and the contribution thereof
by Bidder Member to HoldCo at the Closing and also after Closing in accordance
with the provisions of Section 3.8 hereof, or (ii) the distribution or transfer
of the Bidder Contributed Shares (including all changes in the Bidder
Contributed Shares by reason of dividends payable in stock of Bidder,
distributions, issuance of stock, stock splits, recapitalizations,
reorganizations, mergers, consolidations, combinations, exchanges or other
similar changes with regard to Bidder Common Stock occurring following the
Closing Date, and together with all cash, securities (and rights and interests
therein) and other property received or receivable with respect to the Bidder
Contributed Shares) to BAM in connection with the dissolution of HoldCo or
otherwise, or (iii) the payment by Bidder Member to BAM, made in Bidder Common
Stock in connection with the dissolution of HoldCo pursuant to Section 9.5 of
the HoldCo Operating Agreement, of an amount equal to the Allocated Share (as
defined in the HoldCo Operating Agreement) of the Fair Market Value (as defined
in the HoldCo Operating Agreement) of the HoldCo Sub membership interest (the
"Rights Agreement Amendment").
Agreements of BAM and Bidder Pending Closing.
Approvals and Consents and Regulatory Filings.
(a) Each party hereto agrees to use commercially reasonable efforts to
comply with all legal requirements which may be imposed on such party with
respect to the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents and
to obtain all consents, orders and approvals of Governmental Entities and
non-governmental third parties that may be or become necessary for (i) the
consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents
and (ii) the ownership of OpCo, HoldCo Sub and HoldCo by Bidder Member and
BAM, and each party will cooperate fully with the other parties in promptly
seeking to obtain all such authorizations, consents, orders and approvals.
Without limitation, if required by applicable law, Bidder, Bidder Member
and BAM shall each make an appropriate filing of a Notification and Report
Form pursuant to the HSR Act no later than twenty (20) days after the date
hereof and shall promptly respond to any request for additional information
with respect thereto. Each such filing shall request early termination of
the waiting period imposed by the HSR Act.
(b) Notwithstanding anything else to the contrary contained in this
Agreement, none of OpCo, HoldCo Sub, HoldCo nor BAM
nor any Transferring Partnership shall have any obligation to oppose,
challenge or appeal any suit, action or proceeding by any Governmental
Entity before any court or governmental authority, agency or tribunal,
domestic or foreign or any order or ruling by any such body (i) seeking to
restrain or prohibit or restraining or prohibiting the consummation of the
transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents, (ii) seeking to
prohibit or limit or prohibiting or limiting the ownership, operation or
control by Bidder Member or BAM of HoldCo, HoldCo Sub or OpCo or (iii)
seeking to compel or compelling Bidder or BAM any of their respective
Affiliates to dispose of, grant rights in respect of, or hold separate any
portion of the business or assets of Bidder or BAM or any of their
respective Affiliates.
Identified Employees. Not less than thirty (30) days prior to the Closing
Date Bidder and BAM shall have (a) identified the Identified Employees (and BAM
shall have updated Schedule 5.1.9 with the required information relating to the
Identified Employees), and (b) agreed upon the compensation and other benefits
to be offered by OpCo or HoldCo Sub to the Identified Employees and any other
terms and conditions with respect to the hiring of the Identified Employees by
OpCo or HoldCo Sub, which agreements shall be set forth in an agreement (the
"Agreement Regarding Identified Employees"), which shall in form and substance
mutually acceptable to Bidder and BAM and executed and delivered by Bidder and
BAM not less than thirty (30) days prior to the Closing Date.
ARTICLE 7.
CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO THE CLOSING
Conditions Precedent to BAM's Obligations. All obligations of BAM and the
Transferring Partnerships under this Agreement are subject to the fulfillment or
satisfaction, prior to or at the Closing, of each of the following conditions
precedent:
Representations and Warranties True as of the Closing Date. The
representations and warranties of Bidder and Bidder Member contained in this
Agreement or in any schedule, certificate or document delivered by Bidder or
Bidder Member to BAM and the Transferring Partnerships pursuant to the
provisions hereof shall have been true in all material respects on the date
hereof and shall be true in all material respects on the Closing Date with the
same effect as though such representations and warranties were made as of such
date, in each case without regard to any schedule updates furnished by Bidder or
Bidder Member after the date hereof.
Compliance with this Agreement. Each of Bidder and Bidder Member shall have
performed and complied with all agreements and conditions required by this
Agreement to be performed or complied with by it prior to or at the Closing.
Closing Certificate. BAM and the Transferring Partnerships shall have
received a certificate from each of Bidder and Bidder Member, dated the Closing
Date, certifying in such detail as BAM may reasonably request that the
conditions specified in Sections 7.1.1 and 7.1.2 hereof have been fulfilled.
Financing. HoldCo, HoldCo Sub, OpCo and the Lender shall have entered into
the definitive Financing Documents with respect to the Anticipated Financing,
each in the form of the most recent draft thereof that was provided by the
Lender to BAM and Bidder as of the date of this Agreement, with such changes
thereto as BAM and Bidder may mutually approve, and all conditions precedent to
the obligations of the Lender thereunder to provide such financing shall have
been satisfied or waived.
No Threatened or Pending Litigation. On the Closing Date, no suit, action
or other proceeding, or injunction or final judgment relating thereto, shall be
threatened in writing or be pending before any court or governmental or
regulatory official, body or authority in which it is sought to restrain or
prohibit or to obtain damages or other relief in connection with this Agreement
or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, and no
investigation that might result in any such suit, action or proceeding shall be
pending or threatened.
Consents and Approvals. The waiting period required under the HSR Act for
the transactions contemplated hereby shall have expired or been terminated; if
applicable, the consent and approval of the CTDEP and the NJDEP shall have been
obtained; the consents specified in Schedule 7.1.6 (the "Required Consents")
shall have been obtained; and each governmental, judicial or regulatory
official, body or authority having jurisdiction over BAM, Bidder or Bidder
Member to the extent that their consent or approval is required or necessary
under applicable orders, laws, rules or regulations, for the consummation of the
transactions contemplated hereby in the manner herein provided, shall have
granted such consent or approval.
Optional Bidder Phase I Reports. BAM shall have received from Bidder true
and complete copies of the Optional Bidder Phase I Reports.
Fundamental Transactions. Bidder shall not have (a) been a party to any
merger, consolidation or business combination in which Bidder was not the
surviving corporation, (b) been liquidated, wound-up or dissolved, (c) sold,
transferred or disposed of all or a substantial part of its assets, (d) declared
any dividend, or (e) issued any capital stock having voting rights that are
disproportional to the voting rights of the Bidder Common Stock.
Bidder Services Agreement. Bidder, HoldCo Sub and OpCo shall have executed
and delivered the Bidder Services Agreement, in form and substance reasonably
acceptable to BAM and consistent with the terms set forth in the letter
agreement between BAM and Bidder attached hereto as Exhibit 2.7.
Management Agreement. HoldCo Sub and OpCo shall have executed and delivered
the Management Agreement, in form and substance reasonably acceptable to BAM and
consistent with the terms set forth in the letter agreement between BAM and
Bidder attached hereto as Exhibit 2.7.
Transitional Services Agreement. HoldCo Sub and OpCo shall have executed
and delivered the Transitional Services Agreement, in form and substance
reasonably acceptable to BAM and consistent with the terms set forth in the
letter agreement between BAM and Bidder attached hereto as Exhibit 2.7.
Rights Agreement Amendment. Bidder shall have caused the Rights Agreement
Amendment to have been duly adopted and the same shall have become effective.
Conditions Precedent to the Obligations of Bidder. All obligations of
Bidder and Bidder Member under this Agreement are subject to the fulfillment or
satisfaction, prior to or at the Closing, of each of the following conditions
precedent:
Representations and Warranties True as of the Closing Date. The
representations and warranties of BAM contained in this Agreement or in any
schedule, certificate or document delivered by BAM to Bidder or Bidder Member
pursuant to the provisions hereof shall have been true in all material respects
on the date hereof and shall be true in all material respects on the Closing
Date with the same effect as though such representations and warranties were
made as of such date, in each case without regard to any schedule updates
furnished by BAM after the date hereof other than Permitted Schedule Updates.
Compliance with this Agreement. BAM shall have performed and complied with
all agreements and conditions required by this Agreement to be performed or
complied with by it prior to or at the Closing, except for non-performances or
non-compliances which result in an adjustment pursuant to Section 3.5.3 hereof.
Closing Certificate. Bidder and Bidder Member shall have received a
certificate from BAM, dated the Closing Date, certifying in such detail as
Bidder may reasonably request that the conditions specified in Sections 7.2.1
and 7.2.2 hereof have been fulfilled.
Financing. BAM, BAM Sub, HoldCo, HoldCo Sub, OpCo and the Lender shall have
entered into the definitive Financing Documents with respect to the Anticipated
Financing, each in the form of the most recent draft thereof that was provided
by the Lender to BAM and Bidder as of the date of this Agreement, with such
changes thereto as BAM and Bidder may mutually approve, and all conditions
precedent to the obligations of the Lender thereunder to provide such financing
shall have been satisfied or waived.
No Threatened or Pending Litigation. On the Closing Date, no suit, action
or other proceeding, or injunction or final judgment relating thereto, shall be
threatened in writing or be pending before any court or governmental or
regulatory official, body or authority in which it is sought to restrain or
prohibit or to obtain damages or other relief in connection with this Agreement
or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, and no
investigation that might result in any such suit, action or proceeding shall be
pending or threatened.
Consents and Approvals. The waiting period required under the HSR Act for
the transactions contemplated hereby shall have expired or been terminated; if
applicable, the consent and approval of the CTDEP and the NJDEP shall have been
obtained; the Required Consents shall have been obtained; and each governmental,
judicial or regulatory official, body or authority having jurisdiction over BAM,
Bidder or Bidder Member to the extent that their consent or approval is required
or necessary under applicable orders, laws, rules or regulations, for the
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby in the manner herein
provided, shall have granted such consent or approval.
Required BAM Phase I Reports. Bidder shall have received from BAM true and
complete copies of the Required BAM Phase I Reports which BAM is obligated to
provide to Bidder pursuant to the provisions of Section 6.1.7 hereof.
Bidder Services Agreement. Bidder, HoldCo Sub and OpCo shall have executed
and delivered the Bidder Services Agreement, in form and substance reasonably
acceptable to Bidder and consistent with the terms set forth in the letter
agreement between BAM and Bidder attached
hereto as Exhibit 2.7. If at Closing BAM waives the condition set forth in
Section 7.1.9, at Closing Bidder shall waive the condition set forth in this
Section 7.2.8.
Management Agreement. HoldCo Sub and OpCo shall have executed and delivered
the Management Agreement, in form and substance reasonably acceptable to Bidder
and consistent with the terms set forth in the letter agreement between BAM and
Bidder attached hereto as Exhibit 2.7. If at Closing BAM waives the condition
set forth in Section 7.1.10, at Closing Bidder shall waive the condition set
forth in this Section 7.2.9.
Transitional Services Agreement. BAM shall have executed and delivered the
Transitional Services Agreement, in form and substance reasonably acceptable to
Bidder and consistent with the terms set forth in the letter agreement between
BAM and Bidder attached hereto as Exhibit 2.7. If at Closing BAM waives the
condition set forth in Section 7.1.11, at Closing Bidder shall waive the
condition set forth in this Section 7.2.10.
ARTICLE 8.
CERTAIN POST-CLOSING COVENANTS OF THE PARTIES
Post-Closing Covenants Related to OpCo. From and after the Closing, OpCo
shall, and HoldCo, HoldCo Sub and Bidder Member will cause OpCo to, comply with
each of the following covenants, except as otherwise determined by the mutual
consent of BAM and Bidder Member:
Conduct of Business. OpCo shall not engage in any line of business except
for the ownership, operation and maintenance of the Tower Structures, the
performance of its obligations under the ground leases, easements and
rights-of-way and the performance of its rights and obligations under the
Build-to-Suit Agreement, the Management Agreement and the Global Lease and any
leases or subleases of tower capacity with respect to the Tower Structures
(including, without limitation, Tower Structures developed pursuant to the
Build-to-Suit Agreement). OpCo shall not make any investment in, or acquire any
equity securities of, any Person.
Solvency. OpCo shall not voluntarily take any action that would cause it to
cease to be Solvent. "Solvent" means that the aggregate present fair saleable
value of the applicable Person's assets is in excess of the total cost of its
probable liability on its existing debts to third parties as they become
absolute and matured, such Person has not incurred debts beyond its foreseeable
ability to pay such debts as they mature, and such Person has capital adequate
to conduct the business in which it is presently employed.
Bankruptcy. OpCo shall not voluntarily dissolve or liquidate, shall not
make a voluntary assignment for the benefit of creditors, shall not file a
petition in bankruptcy, shall not petition or apply to any tribunal for any
receiver or trustee, shall not commence any proceeding relating to itself under
any bankruptcy, reorganization, readjustment of debt, dissolution or liquidation
law or statute of any jurisdiction, shall not indicate its consent to, approval
of or acquiescence in any such proceeding and shall use its best efforts to have
discharged the appointment of any receiver of or trustee for OpCo or any
substantial part of its property;
Indebtedness. OpCo shall not, directly or indirectly, remain liable,
create, incur, assume, guaranty, or otherwise become or remain directly or
indirectly liable with respect to
any Indebtedness. "Indebtedness" means, at any time, (a) liabilities for
borrowed money, (b) liabilities for the deferred purchase price of property
acquired by the applicable Person (excluding accounts payable arising in the
ordinary course of business but including all liabilities created or arising
under any conditional sale or other title retention agreement with respect to
any such property); (c) all liabilities appearing on its balance sheet in
accordance with GAAP in respect of capital leases; (d) all liabilities for
borrowed money secured by any Encumbrance with respect to any property owned by
such Person (whether or not it has assumed or otherwise become liable for such
liabilities); (e) all liabilities in respect of letters of credit or instruments
serving a similar function issued or accepted for its account by banks and other
financial institutions (whether or not representing obligations for borrowed
money); (g) any guaranty of such Person with respect to liabilities of a type
described in any of clauses (a) through (e) hereof.
Liens. OpCo shall not, directly or indirectly, maintain, create, incur,
assume or permit to exist any Encumbrance (other than Permitted Encumbrances and
Encumbrances granted to the Lender to secure the Anticipated Financing) on or
with respect to any property or asset (including any document or instrument in
respect of goods or accounts receivable) of OpCo, whether now owned or hereafter
acquired, or any income or profits therefrom.
Issuance of Interests. OpCo shall not authorize or issue any interests in,
or admit any members to, OpCo, other than BAM and HoldCo Sub.
Contingent Obligations. OpCo shall not, directly or indirectly, create or
become or be liable with respect to any Contingent Obligation except:
(a) Contingent Obligations of OpCo arising under the BAM Assumed
Liabilities and successor liabilities thereto;
(b) Contingent Obligations resulting from endorsement of negotiable
instruments for collection in the ordinary course of business;
(c) Contingent Obligations under the Management Agreement, Build-to-
Suit Agreement and Global Lease;
For purposes of this Agreement, the term "Contingent Obligations" shall mean any
direct or indirect liability, contingent or otherwise (1) with respect to any
indebtedness, lease, dividend or other obligation of another if the primary
purpose or intent thereof is to provide assurance to the obligee of such
obligation of another that such obligation of another will be paid or
discharged, or that any agreements relating thereto will be complied with, or
that the holders of such obligations will be protected (in whole or in part)
against loss in respect thereof and (2) with respect to any letter of credit.
Contingent Obligations shall include with respect to OpCo, without limitation,
the direct or indirect guaranty, endorsement (otherwise than for the collection
or deposit in the ordinary course of business), co-making, discounting with
recourse or sale with recourse by OpCo, the obligation to make take-or-pay or
similar payments if required regardless of non-performance by any other party or
parties to an agreement, and any liability of OpCo for the obligations of
another through any agreement (contingent or otherwise) (x) to purchase,
repurchase or otherwise acquire such obligation or any security therefor, or to
provide funds for the payment or discharge of such obligation (whether in the
form of loans, advances, stock purchases, capital contributions or otherwise),
and (y) to maintain the solvency or any balance sheet item, level of income or
financial condition of another, if in the case of any agreement described under
subclause (x) or (y) of this sentence, the primary purpose or intent thereof is
as described in the preceding sentence.
Preservation of Existence. OpCo shall preserve and maintain its existence,
rights, franchises and privileges as a limited liability company under the laws
of the State of Delaware and qualify and remain qualified as a foreign limited
liability company in each jurisdiction in which such qualification is necessary
or desirable in view of its business and operations or the ownership or lease of
its properties.
Merger or Sale of Assets. OpCo shall not merge or consolidate with, or
sell, assign, lease or otherwise dispose of or voluntarily part with the control
of (whether in one transaction or in a series of transactions) a material
portion of its assets to any person (whether now owned or hereinafter acquired)
or sell, assign or otherwise dispose of (whether in one transaction or in a
series of transactions) any of its accounts receivable (whether now in existence
or hereinafter created) at a discount or with recourse, to any person, except
for sales or other dispositions of assets in the ordinary course of business, or
except as permitted under the terms of the Global Lease Agreement.
Dealings with Affiliates. OpCo shall not enter into any transaction,
including, without limitation, any loans or extensions of credit or royalty
agreements with any officer, director or member of OpCo or HoldCo or any
officer, director of Bidder or Bidder Member or holder of more than five percent
(5%) of the outstanding Bidder Common Stock, or any member of their respective
immediate families or any corporation or other entity directly or indirectly
controlled by one or more of such officers, directors or stockholders or members
of their immediate families except in the ordinary course of business and on
terms not less favorable to OpCo than it would reasonably expect to obtain in a
transaction between unrelated parties.
Dividends; Distributions. OpCo shall not declare or pay any dividend, or
make any distribution or return of capital, or redeem any equity interest or
make any similar payments or transfer of property to its members (excluding
payments for goods or services) in amounts in excess of those amounts which
would otherwise be payable under the Management Agreement and then only to the
extent that such amounts had not been paid pursuant to the Management Agreement;
provided, however, that the consent of BAM shall not be required as a condition
to OpCo taking any of the aforesaid actions under this Section 8.1.11 if (a) BAM
has disposed of all of its percentage interest in HoldCo and (b)(i) there are no
further loans or other obligations outstanding under the Financing Documents,
(ii) all commitments in connection with the Financing Documents have been
terminated and (iii) no letters of credit issued under the Financing Documents
are outstanding.
Post-Closing Covenants Related to HoldCo, HoldCo Sub and OpCo. From and
after the Closing, HoldCo and HoldCo Sub shall, and Bidder Member will cause
each of HoldCo, HoldCo Sub and OpCo to, comply with each of the following
covenants, except as otherwise determined by the mutual consent of BAM and
Bidder Member.
Conduct of Business. HoldCo shall not engage in any line of business except
for the ownership of the membership interests in HoldCo Sub and the Bidder
Contributed Shares.
HoldCo Sub shall not engage in any line of business except for the business of
acquiring or constructing, owning or leasing, and maintaining and operating
communications towers in the United States and performing its obligations under
the Management Agreement and performing all business activities related thereto.
HoldCo Sub shall not make any investment in, or acquire any equity securities
of, any Person other than OpCo.
Use of Proceeds. HoldCo Sub shall use the proceeds of the Anticipated
Financing and the Bidder Contributed Cash as follows: (i) to make at Closing the
Financing Distribution and the Contributed Cash Distribution; and (ii)
$50,000,000 of the Bidder Contributed Cash shall be retained in OpCo for working
capital and capital expenditure purposes.
Solvency. Each of HoldCo and HoldCo Sub shall not voluntarily take any
action that would cause it to cease to be Solvent.
Bankruptcy. HoldCo and HoldCo Sub shall not voluntarily dissolve or
liquidate, shall not make a voluntary assignment for the benefit of creditors,
shall not file a petition in bankruptcy, shall not petition or apply to any
tribunal for any receiver or trustee, shall not commence any proceeding relating
to itself under any bankruptcy, reorganization, readjustment of debt,
dissolution or liquidation law or statute of any jurisdiction, shall not
indicate its consent to, approval of or acquiescence in any such proceeding and
shall use its best efforts to have discharged the appointment of any receiver of
or trustee for HoldCo or HoldCo Sub or any substantial part of their respective
properties.
Indebtedness. HoldCo and HoldCo Sub shall not, directly or indirectly,
modify, amend or prepay the Anticipated Financing prior to the seventh (7th)
anniversary of the Closing. HoldCo shall not, directly or indirectly, remain
liable, create, incur, assume, guaranty, or otherwise become or remain directly
or indirectly liable with respect to any Indebtedness.
Liens. HoldCo shall not, directly or indirectly, maintain, create, incur,
assume or permit to exist any Encumbrance (other than Permitted Encumbrances and
Encumbrances on the membership interests in HoldCo Sub granted to the Lender to
secure the Anticipated Financing) on or with respect to any property or asset
(including any document or instrument in respect of goods or accounts
receivable) of HoldCo, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, or any income or
profits therefrom.
Contingent Obligations. HoldCo shall not, directly or indirectly, create or
become or be liable with respect to any Contingent Obligation. Contingent
Obligations shall include with respect to HoldCo, without limitation, the direct
or indirect guaranty, endorsement (otherwise than for the collection or deposit
in the ordinary course of business), co-making, discounting with recourse or
sale with recourse by HoldCo, the obligation to make take-or-pay or similar
payments if required regardless of non-performance by any other party or parties
to an agreement, and any liability of HoldCo for the obligations of another
through any agreement (contingent or otherwise) (x) to purchase, repurchase or
otherwise acquire such obligation or any security therefor, or to provide funds
for the payment or discharge of such obligation (whether in the form of loans,
advances, stock purchases, capital contributions or otherwise), and (y) to
maintain the solvency or any balance sheet item, level of income or financial
condition of another, if in the case of any agreement described under subclause
(x) or (y) of this sentence, the primary purpose or intent thereof is as
described in the preceding sentence.
Issuance of Interests. Except pursuant to a transfer permitted by Section
9.1 or Section 9.2, HoldCo shall not authorize or issue any interests in, or
admit any members to, HoldCo,
other than BAM and Bidder Member. HoldCo Sub shall not authorize or issue any
interests in, or admit any members to, HoldCo, other than HoldCo.
Preservation of Existence. Each of HoldCo and HoldCo Sub shall preserve and
maintain its existence, rights, franchises and privileges as a limited liability
company under the laws of the State of Delaware and qualify and remain qualified
as a foreign limited liability company in each jurisdiction in which such
qualification is necessary or desirable in view of its business and operations
or the ownership or lease of its properties.
Merger or Sale of Assets. Neither HoldCo nor HoldCo Sub shall merge or
consolidate with, or sell, assign, lease or otherwise dispose of or voluntarily
part with the control of (whether in one transaction or in a series of
transactions) a material portion of its assets to any person (whether now owned
or hereinafter acquired) or sell, assign or otherwise dispose of (whether in one
transaction or in a series of transactions) any of its accounts receivable
(whether now in existence or hereinafter created) at a discount or with
recourse, to any person, except for sales or other dispositions of assets in the
ordinary course of business.
Dealings with Affiliates. Neither HoldCo nor HoldCo Sub shall enter into
any transaction, including, without limitation, any loans or extensions of
credit or royalty agreements with any officer, director or member of HoldCo or
HoldCo Sub or any officer, director of Bidder or Bidder Member or holder of more
than five percent (5%) of the outstanding Bidder Common Stock, or any member of
their respective immediate families or any corporation or other entity directly
or indirectly controlled by one or more of such officers, directors or
stockholders or members of their immediate families except in the ordinary
course of business and on terms not less favorable to HoldCo than it would
reasonably expect to obtain in a transaction between unrelated parties.
Business Plan and Annual Budget. On or before November 30 of each year, the
managers of HoldCo shall, in consultation with BAM, develop a business plan and
budget for HoldCo (including HoldCo Sub and OpCo) ("Business Plan") for the
following calendar year of HoldCo (and HoldCo Sub and OpCo). The Business Plan
for the period between the Closing Date and December 31, 1999 is attached hereto
as Exhibit 8.2.12. Each subsequent Business Plan shall be submitted to the
members for review and, subject to the second following sentence, comment and
shall be adopted only with the mutual consent of BAM and Bidder Member. HoldCo
shall use commercially reasonable efforts to, and cause each of HoldCo Sub and
OpCo to, conduct their respective businesses in accordance with the then current
Business Plan.
If by the first date of any year the proposed Business Plan for that year
has not been adopted, the Business Plan for such year shall be deemed to be the
expense portion of the Business Plan in effect for the preceding year increased,
at the discretion of Bidder Member, to an amount not to exceed the sum of:
(a) the average operating cost per communications tower owned by OpCo
(or of which it has the economic benefit) (the "OpCo Towers") based on the
most recent quarterly financial statements available as of the first day of
the current year multiplied by 50% of the sum of (i) the aggregate number
of OpCo Towers constructed, completed or otherwise acquired in the course
of the prior year and (ii) the aggregate number of OpCo Towers
projected to be constructed, completed or otherwise acquired in the current
year in the Business Plan for the prior year; and
(b) the sum of (x) with respect to all contractual price increases
with respect to contracts and agreements to which OpCo is a party and all
increases in Taxes with respect to OpCo Towers, the amount of such increase
and (y) with respect to all other expense items in the previous year's
budget, (A) the amount of such expenses multiplied by (B) the sum of 1 plus
an amount equal to the percentage increase in the CPI during the previous
year.
If BAM and Bidder Member are unable to mutually agree on the Business Plan
for the year commencing January 1, 2000, the Business Plan for such year shall
be deemed to be the quotient of (a) the expense portion of the initial Business
Plan for the period ending December 31, 1999, increased as contemplated by the
foregoing sentence, multiplied by 365 (b) divided by the number of days elapsed
between the Closing Date and December 31, 1999 (including both the Closing Date
and December 31, 1999).
Notwithstanding the foregoing, each Business Plan that is implemented
pursuant to the foregoing two paragraphs of this Section 8.2.12 because BAM and
Bidder Member are unable to mutually agree on the Business Plan must provide for
the payment by OpCo, prior to the allocation of revenues pursuant to such two
paragraphs, of : (i) any and all costs, expenses or payments reasonably
necessary to fulfill OpCo's obligations under the Global Lease Agreement; (ii)
any and all costs, expenses or payments reasonably necessary to fulfill OpCo's
obligations under the Build-to-Suit Agreement; (iii) any and all taxes of any
kind due and owing by OpCo; (iv) any payments or expenditures required under any
lease of real estate, grant of easement, right of way or similar agreement to
which OpCo is a party; (v) any and all costs, expenses or payments reasonably
necessary to fulfill OpCo's obligations under any lease or sublease of tower
space or real estate to any third party; (vi) insurance premiums (including
without limitation, any payments pursuant to premium financing) and/or
deductibles of OpCo; (vii) payments to third parties for equipment or any other
goods and services required to perform OpCo's obligations under existing
agreements including, without limitation, payments required to satisfy any
mechanics's liens; (viii) salaries, commissions, compensation, benefits, and
payments or obligations of a similar nature; and (ix) any and all costs,
expenses and payments required to comply with, or payable pursuant to any
applicable laws, rule, regulations, ordinances, permits or licenses. Further,
any such Business Plan may have the effect of reducing amounts payable under the
Management Agreement so long as the Anticipated Financing remains outstanding.
Certain Contracts. Neither HoldCo, HoldCo Sub, or OpCo shall enter into any
contract, agreement or arrangement (whether written or oral), other than
agreements and contracts in force as of the date hereof and renewals thereof,
which (a) contains provisions restricting HoldCo, HoldCo Sub or OpCo or any
member thereof from competing in any business activity in any geographic area,
(b) contains provisions requiring HoldCo, HoldCo Sub, or OpCo or any member
thereof to deal exclusively with any third party with respect to providing any
goods, services or rights to or acquiring any goods or services or rights from
such third party, (c) contains provisions which are inconsistent with the
obligations of HoldCo, HoldCo Sub or OpCo under any Transaction Document, or (d)
provides for the purchase or sale of goods, services or rights involving an
amount in excess of $10,000,000 per year in any transaction or series of similar
transactions.
Action as Members of HoldCo Sub. HoldCo shall not give any consent, in its
capacity as a member of HoldCo Sub, under Section 3.8 of the HoldCo Sub
Operating Agreement.
Voting of Bidder Contributed Shares. HoldCo shall not exercise any voting
rights with respect to the Bidder Contributed Shares; and in the absence of the
mutual agreement of BAM and Bidder Member as to the exercise of such voting
rights, the Bidder Contributed Shares shall be voted on each matter submitted to
a vote of the shareholders of Bidder for and against such matter in the same
proportion as the vote of all other shares entitled to vote thereon are voted
(whether by proxy or otherwise) for and against such matter.
Delivery of Financial Statements. HoldCo shall, and Bidder Member covenants
and agrees that it shall cause HoldCo to, deliver to BAM:
(a) within thirty (30) days of the end of each month, HoldCo shall
deliver to Bidder Member and BAM an unaudited income statement and schedule
as to the sources and application of funds for such month and an unaudited
balance sheet as of the end of such month, in reasonable detail and
prepared in accordance with GAAP (except as permitted by Form 10-Q under
the Exchange Act), with respect to each of HoldCo, HoldCo Sub and OpCo,
together with an analysis by management of HoldCo's financial condition and
results of operations during such period and explanation by management of
any differences between such condition or results and the budget and
business plan for such period.
(b) as soon as practicable, but in any event within ninety (90) days
after the end of each fiscal year of HoldCo, a consolidated income
statement for such fiscal year, a consolidated balance sheet of HoldCo,
HoldCo Sub and OpCo as of the end of such year, and a schedule as to the
cash flow and changes in members' equity for such year, such year-end
financial reports to be in reasonable detail, prepared in accordance with
GAAP, and audited and certified by HoldCo's independent public accountants;
(c) as soon as practicable, but in any event within thirty (30) days
after the end of each of the first three (3) quarters of each fiscal year
of HoldCo, an unaudited consolidated profit or loss statement and schedule
as to consolidated cash flow for such fiscal quarter and an unaudited
consolidated balance sheet of HoldCo, HoldCo Sub and OpCo as of the end of
such fiscal quarter, in reasonable detail
and prepared in accordance with GAAP (except as permitted by Form 10-Q
under the Exchange Act); and
(d) such other information relating to the financial condition,
business, prospects or corporate affairs of HoldCo, HoldCo Sub and OpCo as
BAM may from time to time reasonably request.
HoldCo, HoldCo Sub and OpCo Boards of Representatives. Subject to the terms
and provisions of this Agreement, the Management Agreement, the HoldCo Operating
Agreement, the HoldCo-Sub Operating Agreement, the OpCo Operating Agreement and
the Global Lease, the policies, business and operations of each of HoldCo,
HoldCo Sub and OpCo shall be subject to the direction of a "Board of
Representatives" for each of HoldCo, HoldCo Sub and OpCo which shall meet not
less than once per calendar quarter. For so long as BAM maintains ownership of
at least a five percent (5%) Percentage Interest in HoldCo, BAM shall have the
right to designate from time to time a number of members of the Board of
Representatives that is equal to the greater of (i) one member or (ii) the
number of members (rounded to the nearest whole number) which is equal to the
same percentage of all members of the Board of Representatives as the Percentage
Interest held by BAM. BAM shall also have the right to designate one member of
each committee of the Board of Representatives that is created pursuant to the
provisions of the HoldCo Operating Agreement, the HoldCo-Sub Operating Agreement
or the OpCo Operating Agreement, which designee may or may not be a member of
the Board of Representatives. HoldCo, HoldCo Sub or OpCo, as appropriate, shall
promptly reimburse such BAM designees for any expenses incurred by them in
connection with their activities as members of the Board of Representatives.
Covenants Are For Benefit of Members. The provisions of Sections 8.1, 8.2,
8.3 and 8.4 are for the benefit of (a) BAM and Bidder Member (and their
respective permitted transferees), in their respective capacities as members of
HoldCo, (b) HoldCo, in its capacity as member of HoldCo Sub, and (c) BAM (and
its permitted transferees) and HoldCo Sub, in their respective capacities as
members of OpCo.
Agreement Regarding Identified Employees. From and after the Closing,
Bidder Member shall cause each of OpCo and HoldCo Sub to perform and observe the
respective terms, conditions and provisions of the Agreement Regarding
Identified Employees that are to be performed and observed by such party.
ARTICLE 9.
CERTAIN ANCILLARY ARRANGEMENTS OF THE PARTIES
Restriction on Sales by Bidder. Without the prior written consent of BAM,
Bidder Member shall not, directly or indirectly, sell, assign, transfer, pledge,
hypothecate, mortgage or dispose of, by gift or otherwise, or in any way
encumber, the Bidder HoldCo Interest unless either (a) the transfer is made to
an entity of which Bidder or Bidder Member owns directly or indirectly all of
the voting power of the outstanding capital stock (provided that (x) such entity
executes an instrument reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to BAM
pursuant to which it agrees to be bound hereby and (y) Bidder (or its successor
by merger) shall not thereafter at any time cease to own directly or indirectly
less than all of the voting power of the outstanding capital stock of such
entity) or (b) Bidder Member has complied with the procedures described in this
Article 9 and (i) the transfer is made subject to the right of first
refusal described in Section 9.3 hereof and (ii) to the extent BAM does not
exercise its right of first refusal described in Section 9.3 hereof, the
transfer is made subject to the right of participation in sales described in
Section 9.5(a) hereof. For purposes of the foregoing, Bidder Member shall not be
deemed to have indirectly transferred any of the Bidder HoldCo Interest if
Bidder or any other parent corporation of Bidder Member is a party to any merger
or consolidation transaction, whether or not such parent corporation is the
surviving entity in such merger. Any purported transfer of the Bidder HoldCo
Interest in violation of this Section 9.1 shall be void.
Restriction on Sales by BAM. Without the prior written consent of Bidder
Member, BAM shall not, directly or indirectly, sell, assign, transfer, pledge,
hypothecate, mortgage or dispose of, by gift or otherwise, or in any way
encumber, the BAM HoldCo Interest unless either (a) the transfer is made to any
entity or which either Bell Atlantic Corporation or BAM Inc. owns directly or
indirectly all of the voting power of the outstanding capital stock (provided
that (x) such entity executes an instrument reasonably satisfactory in form and
substance to Bidder Member pursuant to which it agrees to be bound hereby and
(y) Bell Atlantic Corporation or BAM (or the successor by merger to either)
shall not thereafter at any time cease to own directly or indirectly less than
all of the voting power of the outstanding capital stock of such entity), or (b)
BAM has complied with the procedures described in this Article 9 and (i) the
transfer is made subject to the right of first refusal described in Section 9.4
hereof or (ii) to the extent Bidder Member does not exercise its right of first
refusal described in Section 9.4 hereof, the transfer is made subject to the
right of participation in sales described in Section 9.5(b) hereof. For purposes
of the foregoing, BAM shall not be deemed to have indirectly transferred any of
the BAM HoldCo Interest if Bell Atlantic Corporation or any other parent
corporation of BAM is a party to any merger or consolidation transaction,
whether or not such parent corporation is the surviving entity in such merger.
Any purported transfer of the BAM HoldCo Interest in violation of this Section
9.2 shall be void.
BAM Right of First Refusal.
(a) If at any time Bidder Member wishes to sell all or any part of the
Bidder HoldCo Interest, Bidder Member shall submit a written offer to sell such
Bidder HoldCo Interest to BAM on terms and conditions, including price, not less
favorable to BAM than those on which the Bidder Member proposes to sell the
Bidder HoldCo Interest to any other purchaser (the "Bidder Offer"). The Bidder
Offer shall disclose the identity of the proposed purchaser or transferee, the
percentage of the Bidder HoldCo Interest to be sold, the terms of the sale, any
amounts owed to Bidder Member with respect to the Bidder HoldCo Interest and any
other material facts relating to the sale. BAM shall respond to the Bidder Offer
as soon as practicable after receipt thereof, and in all events within thirty
(30) days after receipt thereof. The Bidder Offer may be revoked at any time.
BAM shall have the right to accept the Bidder Offer as to all (but not less than
all) of the Bidder HoldCo Interest offered thereby. In the event that BAM shall
elect on a timely basis to purchase all (but not less than all) of the Bidder
HoldCo Interest covered by the Bidder Offer, BAM shall communicate in writing
such election to purchase to Bidder Member, which communication shall be
delivered by hand or mailed to Bidder Member at the address set forth in Section
11.9 below and shall, when taken in conjunction with the Bidder Offer, be deemed
to constitute a valid, legally binding and enforceable agreement for the sale
and purchase of the Bidder HoldCo Interest covered thereby; provided, however,
that Bidder Member may elect in its sole discretion to
terminate such agreement at any time prior to the closing of such sale and
purchase, in which case such Bidder HoldCo Interest shall again become subject
to the requirements of a prior offer pursuant to this Section. In the event
Bidder Member terminates any such agreement prior to closing, Bidder Member
shall be prohibited from consummating a transaction for the sale and purchase of
the Bidder HoldCo Interest with the proposed purchaser or transferee for two (2)
years from the date of such termination, and shall be prohibited from
consummating a transaction for the sale and purchase of the Bidder HoldCo
Interest with any other party for six (6) months from the date of such
termination. In the event that any Bidder Offer includes any non-cash
consideration, BAM may in its sole discretion elect to pay a cash amount equal
to the fair market value of such non-cash consideration in lieu of such non-cash
consideration. The closing of the sale and purchase contemplated by any
agreement for the sale and purchase of any portion of the Bidder HoldCo Interest
entered into between BAM and Bidder Member pursuant to this Section 9.3 shall be
consummated within sixty (60) days after the date that such agreement becomes
valid, legally binding and enforceable as aforesaid, subject to extension to the
extent necessary to secure required approvals or consents from Governmental
Authorities. Each of BAM and Bidder Member shall use its reasonable best efforts
to obtain such required approvals or consents from Governmental Authorities.
(b) In the event that BAM does not purchase the Bidder HoldCo Interest
offered by Bidder Member pursuant to the Bidder Offer, such Bidder HoldCo
Interest not so purchased may be sold by the Bidder Member at any time within
ninety (90) days after the expiration of the Bidder Offer, subject to the
provisions of Section 9.5 below. Any such sale shall be to the same proposed
purchaser or transferee, at not less than the price and upon other terms and
conditions, if any, not more favorable to the purchaser than those specified in
the Bidder Offer. If such Bidder HoldCo Interest is not sold within such ninety
(90)-day period, it shall again become subject to the requirements of a prior
offer pursuant to this Section. In the event that such Bidder HoldCo Interest is
sold pursuant to this Section to any purchaser other than BAM, such Bidder
HoldCo Interest shall continue to be subject to the restrictions imposed by this
Section 9.3 with the same effect as though such purchaser were Bidder Member for
purposes of this Section.
Bidder Member's Right of First Refusal.
(a) If at any time BAM wishes to sell all or any part of the BAM HoldCo
Interest, BAM shall submit a written offer to sell such BAM HoldCo Interest to
Bidder Member on terms and conditions, including price, not less favorable to
Bidder Member than those on which BAM proposes to sell the BAM HoldCo Interest,
as the case may be, to any other purchaser (the "BAM Offer"). The BAM Offer
shall disclose the identity of the proposed purchaser or transferee, the
percentage of the
BAM HoldCo Interest to be sold, the terms of the sale, any amounts owed to BAM
with respect to the BAM HoldCo Interest and any other material facts relating to
the sale. Bidder Member shall respond to the BAM Offer as soon as practicable
after receipt thereof, and in all events within thirty (30) days after receipt
thereof. The BAM Offer may be revoked at any time. Bidder Member shall have the
right to accept the BAM Offer as to all (but not less than all) of the BAM
HoldCo Interest offered thereby. In the event that Bidder Member elects on a
timely basis to purchase all (but not less than all) of the BAM HoldCo Interest
covered by the BAM Offer, Bidder Member shall communicate in writing such
election to purchase to BAM, which communication shall be delivered by hand or
mailed to BAM at the address set forth in Section 11.9 below and shall, when
taken in conjunction with the BAM Offer, be deemed to constitute a valid,
legally binding and enforceable agreement for the sale and purchase of the BAM
HoldCo Interest covered thereby; provided, however, that BAM may elect in its
sole discretion to terminate such agreement at any time prior to the closing of
such sale and purchase, in which case such BAM HoldCo Interest shall again
become subject to the requirements of a prior offer pursuant to this Section. In
the event BAM terminates any such agreement prior to closing, BAM shall be
prohibited from consummating a transaction for the sale and purchase of the BAM
HoldCo Interest with the proposed purchaser or transferee for two (2) years from
the date of such termination, and shall be prohibited from consummating a
transaction for the sale and purchase of the BAM HoldCo Interest with any other
party for six (6) months from the date of such termination. In the event that
any BAM Offer includes any non-cash consideration, Bidder Member may in its sole
discretion elect to pay a cash amount equal to the fair market value of such
non-cash consideration in lieu of such non-cash consideration. The closing of
the sale and purchase contemplated by any agreement for the sale and purchase of
any portion of the BAM HoldCo Interest entered into between BAM and Bidder
Member pursuant to this Section 9.4 shall be consummated within sixty (60) days
after the date that such agreement becomes valid, legally binding and
enforceable as aforesaid, subject to extension to the extent necessary to secure
required approvals or consents from Governmental Authorities. Each of BAM and
Bidder Member shall use its reasonable best efforts to obtain such required
approvals or consents from Governmental Authorities.
(b) In the event that Bidder Member does not purchase the BAM HoldCo
Interest offered by BAM pursuant to the BAM Offer, such BAM HoldCo Interest not
so purchased may be sold by BAM at any time within ninety (90) days after the
expiration of the BAM Offer. Any such sale shall be to the same proposed
purchaser or transferee, at not less than the price and upon other terms and
conditions, if any, not more favorable to the purchaser than those specified in
the BAM Offer. If such BAM HoldCo Interest is not sold within such ninety
(90)-day period, such BAM HoldCo Interest shall continue to be subject to the
requirements of a prior offer pursuant to this Section. In the event
that such BAM HoldCo Interest is sold pursuant to this Section to any purchaser
other than Bidder Member, such portion of the BAM HoldCo Interest shall continue
to be subject to the restrictions imposed by this Section 9.4 with the same
effect as though such purchaser were BAM for purposes of this Section.
Right of Participation in Sales.
(a) If at any time Bidder Member wishes to sell all or any portion of the
Bidder HoldCo Interest to any person or entity other than BAM (the "Bidder
HoldCo Interest Purchaser"), BAM shall have the right to offer for sale to the
Bidder HoldCo Interest Purchaser, as a condition of such sale by Bidder Member,
at the same price and on the same terms and conditions as involved in such sale
by Bidder Member, the same proportion of the BAM HoldCo Interest as the proposed
sale represents with respect to the Bidder HoldCo Interest. BAM shall notify
Bidder Member of such intention as soon as practicable after receipt of the
Bidder Offer made pursuant to Section 9.3, and in all events within thirty (30)
days after receipt thereof. In the event that BAM elects to participate in such
sale by Bidder Member, BAM shall communicate such election to Bidder Member,
which communication shall be delivered by hand or mailed to the Bidder Member at
the address set forth in Section 11.9 below. Bidder Member and BAM shall sell to
the Bidder HoldCo Interest Purchaser the Bidder HoldCo Interest proposed to be
sold by Bidder Member and the BAM HoldCo Interest proposed to be sold by BAM, at
not less than the price and upon other terms and conditions, if any, not more
favorable to the Bidder HoldCo Interest Purchaser than those in the Bidder Offer
provided by Bidder Member under Section 9.3 above; provided, however, that any
purchase of less than all of the Bidder HoldCo Interest and the BAM HoldCo
Interest by the Bidder HoldCo Interest Purchaser shall be made from Bidder
Member and BAM pro rata based upon the amount offered to be sold by each. Any
portion of the Bidder HoldCo Interest and the BAM HoldCo Interest sold pursuant
to this Section 9.5 shall no longer be subject to the restrictions imposed by
Sections 9.3 or 9.4 or entitled to the benefit of this Section 9.5(a).
(b) If at any time BAM wishes to sell all or any portion of the BAM HoldCo
Interest to any person or entity other than Bidder Member or Bell Atlantic
Corporation or any other Affiliate of BAM (the "BAM HoldCo Interest Purchaser"),
Bidder Member shall have the right to offer for sale to the BAM HoldCo Interest
Purchaser, as a condition of such sale by BAM, at the same price and on the same
terms and conditions as involved in such sale by BAM, the same proportion of the
Bidder HoldCo Interest as the proposed sale represents with respect to the BAM
HoldCo Interest. Bidder Member shall notify BAM of such intention as soon as
practicable after receipt of the BAM Offer made pursuant to Section 9.4, and in
all events within thirty (30) days after receipt thereof. In the event that
Bidder Member elects to participate in such sale by BAM, Bidder Member shall
communicate such
election to BAM, which communication shall be delivered by hand or mailed to BAM
at the address set forth in Section 11.9 below. BAM and Bidder Member shall sell
to the BAM HoldCo Interest Purchaser the BAM HoldCo Interest proposed to be sold
by BAM and the Bidder HoldCo Interest proposed to be sold by Bidder Member, at
not less than the price and upon other terms and conditions, if any, not more
favorable to the BAM HoldCo Interest Purchaser than those in the BAM Offer
provided by BAM under Section 9.4 above; provided, however, that any purchase of
less than all of the BAM HoldCo Interest and the Bidder HoldCo Interest by the
BAM HoldCo Interest Purchaser shall be made from BAM and Bidder Member pro rata
based upon the amount offered to be sold by each. Any portion of the BAM HoldCo
Interest and the Bidder HoldCo Interest sold pursuant to this Section 9.5 shall
no longer be subject to the restrictions imposed by Sections 9.3 or 9.4 or
entitled to the benefit of this Section 9.5(b).
Transfer of BAM Retained Interest. Without the prior written consent of
Bidder, BAM shall not, directly or indirectly, sell, assign, transfer, pledge
(except the pledge of the BAM Retained Interest to the Lender to secure the
Anticipated Financing), hypothecate, mortgage or dispose of, by gift or
otherwise, or in any way encumber, the BAM Retained Interest unless either (a)
the transfer is made to an entity of which either BAM or Bell Atlantic
Corporation owns directly or indirectly all of the voting power of the
outstanding capital stock, or (b) the transfer is made in connection with a
merger or consolidation transaction to which BAM or Bell Atlantic Corporation is
a party.
Nomination of Director. From and after the distribution of the Bidder
Contributed Shares to BAM in connection with the dissolution of HoldCo, as
provided in the HoldCo Operating Agreement, upon the written request of BAM,
Bidder shall, so long as BAM or its affiliates own at such time at least 7.5% of
the outstanding Bidder Common Stock, expand its Board of Directors by one person
and shall elect to the vacancy so created on Bidder's Board of Directors one
designee of BAM. Thereafter, for so long as BAM or its affiliates own at least
7.5% of the outstanding Bidder Common Stock, at each annual meeting of the
stockholders of Bidder, Bidder shall use its best efforts to nominate one
designee of BAM for election as a director of Bidder if after such meeting no
designee of BAM would hold office as a director of Bidder absent the election of
a BAM designee as a director of Bidder at the meeting. Subject to the fiduciary
duties of the Board of Directors of Bidder, Bidder shall use reasonable efforts
to solicit from the stockholders of Bidder eligible to vote for the election of
directors proxies in favor of the nominees selected in accordance with this
Section 9.7.
Registration Rights. Bidder hereby grants to BAM and its successors and
assigns the registration rights contained in Exhibit 9.8 hereto which are hereby
incorporated by reference in this Agreement with the same effect as if set forth
herein in their entirety.
Specific Performance. Each of the Parties specifically acknowledges and
agrees that the remedy at law for any breach of the covenants contained in this
Article 9 will be inadequate and that any other Party, in addition to any other
relief available to them, shall be entitled to temporary and permanent
injunctive relief without the necessity of proving actual damages.
ARTICLE 10.
INDEMNIFICATION
Indemnification by BAM.
(a) From and after the Closing, BAM shall indemnify and hold harmless OpCo,
its successors and assigns and its officers, directors, employees, agents and
any Person who controls any of the foregoing within the meaning of the
Securities Act (each, an "Indemnified OpCo Party") from and against any
liabilities, claims, causes of action, demands, judgments, losses, costs,
damages or expenses whatsoever (including reasonable attorneys', consultants'
and other professional fees and disbursements of every kind, nature and
description incurred by such Indemnified OpCo Party in connection therewith)
(collectively, "Losses") that such Indemnified OpCo Party may sustain, suffer or
incur and that result from, arise out of or relate to (i) any breach of any of
the representations, warranties, covenants or agreements of BAM contained in
this Agreement or (ii) any BAM Retained Liability.
(b) OpCo acknowledges and agrees that BAM shall not have any Liability
under any provision of this Agreement for any Loss to the extent that such Loss
relates to the failure to act or any action taken by OpCo or any other Person
(other than BAM or any of its Affiliates in breach of this Agreement) or any
Transaction Document after the Closing Date.
(c) OpCo shall take and shall cause its Affiliates to take all reasonable
steps to mitigate any Loss upon becoming aware of any event which would
reasonably be expected to, or does, give rise thereto, including incurring costs
only to the minimum extent necessary to remedy the breach which gives rise to
the Loss.
(d) Nothing herein shall be deemed to limit or restrict in any manner any
rights or remedies which OpCo has or may have, at law, in equity or otherwise,
against BAM based on a willful misrepresentation or willful breach of any
warranty, covenant or agreement by BAM hereunder.
Indemnification by Bidder.
(a) From and after the Closing, Bidder shall indemnify and hold harmless
BAM, its successors and assigns and its officers, directors, employees, agents
and any Person who controls any of the foregoing within the meaning of the
Securities Act or the Exchange Act (each, an "Indemnified BAM Party") from and
against any Losses that such Indemnified BAM Party may sustain, suffer or incur
and that result from, arise out of or relate to any breach of any of the
representations, warranties, covenants or agreements of Bidder contained in this
Agreement.
(b) BAM shall take and cause its Affiliates to take all reasonable steps to
mitigate any Loss upon becoming aware of any event which would reasonably be
expected to, or does, give rise thereto, including incurring costs only to the
minimum extent necessary to remedy the breach which gives rise to the Loss.
(c) Nothing herein shall be deemed to limit or restrict in any manner any
rights or remedies which BAM has or may have, at law, in equity or otherwise,
against Bidder and Bidder Member based on a willful misrepresentation or willful
breach of any, covenant or agreement of warranty by Bidder and Bidder Member
hereunder.
Indemnification by OpCo.
(a) From and after the Closing, OpCo shall indemnify and hold harmless each
Indemnified BAM Party from and against any Losses that such Indemnified BAM
Party may sustain, suffer or incur and that result from, arise out of or relate
to (i) any BAM Assumed Liability or (ii) events occurring after the Closing Date
in connection with OpCo's business, including, without limitation, the use,
ownership, possession or operation of the BAM Contributed Assets from and after
the Closing Date.
(b) BAM shall take and cause its Affiliates to take all reasonable steps to
mitigate any Loss upon becoming aware of any event which would reasonably be
expected to, or does, give rise thereto, including incurring costs only to the
minimum extent necessary to remedy the breach which gives rise to the Loss.
(c) Nothing herein shall be deemed to limit or restrict in any manner any
rights or remedies which BAM has or may have, at law, in equity or otherwise,
against OpCo based on a willful breach of any covenant or agreement hereunder.
Indemnification by Bidder Member.
(a) From and after the Closing, Bidder Member shall indemnify and hold
harmless each Indemnified BAM Party from and against any Losses that such
Indemnified BAM Party may sustain, suffer or incur and that result from, arise
out of or relate to any breach of any of the representations, warranties,
covenants or agreements of Bidder Member contained in this Agreement.
(b) BAM shall take and cause its Affiliates to take all reasonable steps to
mitigate any Loss upon becoming aware of any event which would reasonably be
expected to, or does, give rise thereto, including incurring costs only to the
minimum extent necessary to remedy the breach which gives rise to the Loss.
(c) Nothing herein shall be deemed to limit or restrict in any manner any
rights or remedies which BAM has or may have, at law, in equity or otherwise,
against Bidder and Bidder Member based on a willful misrepresentation or willful
breach of any, covenant or agreement of warranty by Bidder and Bidder Member
hereunder.
Procedure for Claims.
(a) Any Person that desires to seek indemnification under any provision of
this Section 10 or any other provision of this Agreement providing for
indemnification (each, an "Indemnified Party") shall give notice (a "Claim
Notice") to each party responsible or alleged to be responsible for
indemnification hereunder (an "Indemnitor") prior to any applicable Expiration
Date specified below. Such Claim Notice shall briefly explain the nature of the
claim and the parties known to be involved, and shall specify the amount
thereof. If the matter to which a claim relates shall not have been resolved as
of the date of the Claim Notice, the Indemnified Party shall estimate the amount
of the claim in the Claim Notice, but also specify therein that the claim has
not yet been liquidated (an "Unliquidated Claim"). If an Indemnified Party gives
a Claim Notice for an Unliquidated Claim, the Indemnified Party shall also give
a second Claim Notice (the "Liquidated Claim Notice") within sixty (60) days
after the matter giving rise to the claim becomes finally resolved, and the
Second Claim Notice shall specify the amount of the claim. Any failure to give a
Claim Notice in a timely manner pursuant to this Section 10.5(a) shall not limit
the obligation of the Indemnitor under this Section 10, except to the extent
such Indemnitor is prejudiced thereby and except as otherwise provided in
Section 10.8. Each Indemnitor to which a Claim Notice is given shall respond to
any Indemnified Party that has given a Claim Notice (a "Claim Response") within
thirty (30) days (the "Response Period") after the later of (a) the date that
the Claim Notice is given or (b) if a Claim Notice is first given with respect
to an Unliquidated Claim, the date on which the Liquidated Claim Notice is
given. Any Claim Notice or Claim Response shall be given in accordance with the
notice requirements hereunder, and any Claim Response shall specify whether or
not the Indemnitor giving the Claim Response disputes the claim described in the
Claim Notice. If any Indemnitor fails to give a Claim Response within the
Response Period, such Indemnitor shall be deemed not to dispute the claim
described in the related Claim Notice. If any Indemnitor elects not to dispute a
claim described in a Claim Notice, whether by failing to give a timely Claim
Response or otherwise, then the amount of such claim shall be conclusively
deemed to be an obligation of such Indemnitor. If the Indemnitor notifies the
Indemnified Party in the Claim Response that it disputes the claim made by the
Indemnified Party, then the Indemnitor and the Indemnified Party shall endeavor
in good faith for a period of thirty (30) days to settle and compromise such
claim, and if unable to agree on any settlement or
compromise, such claim for indemnification shall be settled by arbitration in
accordance with the provisions of Section 11.1 of this Agreement, and any Loss
established by reason of such settlement, compromise or arbitration shall be
deemed to be finally determined.
(b) Any Loss that is finally determined in the manner set forth in Section
10.5(a) shall be paid by the Indemnitor to the Indemnified Party within thirty
(30) days after (a) the last day of the Claim Response Period or (b) the date on
which such settlement, compromise or arbitration described in the last sentence
of Section 10.5(a) shall have been deemed to be finally determined, as the case
may be. If any Indemnitor fails to pay all or part of any indemnification
obligation when due, then such Indemnitor shall also be obligated to pay to the
applicable Indemnified Party interest on the unpaid amount for each day during
which the obligation remains unpaid at an annual rate equal to the Prime Rate
plus two percent (2%) per annum, and the Prime Rate in effect on the first (1st)
business day of each calendar quarter shall apply to the amount of the unpaid
obligation during such calendar quarter.
Certain Limitations. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this
Agreement, except as provided below in this Section 10.6, (i) OpCo shall be
entitled to indemnification hereunder with respect to the breach of a
representation, warranty, covenant or agreement by BAM only when the aggregate
of all Losses to such Indemnified OpCo Parties from all such breaches exceeds on
a cumulative basis $7,500,000 (the "Deductible Amount"), and then only to the
extent of such excess amount, and (ii) BAM shall not be liable under this
Agreement for an aggregate amount in excess of $195,000,000 (the "Maximum
Indemnification"). The foregoing limitations with respect to the Maximum
Indemnification shall not apply, however, to any willful misrepresentation or
willful breach of warranty by BAM. Notwithstanding the other provisions of this
Section 10, no Indemnified OpCo Party shall be entitled to seek indemnification
under this Section 10 for any individual fact, circumstance, condition or
occurrence that results in a breach of a representation or warranty that
involves Losses of less than $25,000. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions
of this Section 10.6, the indemnification of OpCo by BAM for BAM Retained
Liabilities pursuant to Section 10.1(a)(ii) shall not be subject to the
Deductible Amount or any other deductible, the Maximum Indemnification
limitation, or the limitation under the immediately preceding sentence.
Non-Third Party Claims. In no event shall BAM and its Affiliates, Bidder
and its Affiliates, or Bidder Member and its Affiliates be liable to the other
party hereto for any special, incidental or consequential damages incurred by
such other party and caused by or arising out of any breach of any
representation, warranty, covenant or agreement contained in this Agreement or
the other Transaction Documents.
Claims Period. Any claim for indemnification under this Section 10 shall be
made by giving a Claim Notice under Section 10.5 on or before the applicable
"Expiration Date" specified below in this Section 10.8, if any, or the claim
under this Section 10 shall be invalid. The following claims shall have the
following respective "Expiration Dates": (i) June 30, 2000, with respect to any
claims that are not specified in the succeeding clause (ii); or (ii) the date on
which the applicable statute of limitations expires with respect to any claim
for Losses related to a (x) breach of any covenant or agreement or (y) a breach
of warranty or misrepresentation under Sections 5.1.1, 5.1.2, 5.2.1, 5.2.2,
5.3.1, 5.3.2 and 5.3.11. Notwithstanding the foregoing or any other provision of
this Agreement to the contrary, there shall be no
Expiration Date with respect to (A) any claim by an Indemnified OpCo Party for
Losses related to any BAM Retained Liability, or (B) any claim by an Indemnified
BAM Party for Losses related to any BAM Assumed Liability . So long as an
Indemnified Party gives a Claim Notice for an Unliquidated Claim on or before
the applicable Expiration Date, if any, such Indemnified Party shall be entitled
to pursue its rights to indemnification regardless of the date on which such
Indemnified Party gives the related Liquidated Claim Notice.
Third Party Claims. An Indemnified Party that desires to seek
indemnification under any part of this Section 10 with respect to any actions,
suits or other administrative or judicial proceedings (each, an "Action") that
may be instituted by a third party shall give each Indemnitor prompt notice of a
third party's institution of such Action and tender defense of such Action to
the Indemnitor, with counsel reasonably satisfactory to such Indemnified Party;
provided, however, that such Indemnified Party shall have the right to
participate at its own expense in the defense of such Action; and provided,
further, that the Indemnitor shall not consent to the entry of any judgment or
enter into any settlement, that (x) does not include as an unconditional term
thereof the giving by the claimant or plaintiff to such Indemnified Party of a
complete release therefrom, or (y) provides for injunctive or other non-monetary
relief affecting the Indemnified Party, except with the written consent of such
Indemnified Party (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, delayed or
conditioned). The Indemnified Party shall render all assistance and cooperation
to the Indemnitor (at Indemnitor's sole expense) which the Indemnitor may
request in defense of any such Action including, without limitation, the making
of witnesses and documents available for depositions, interrogatories and court
proceedings. Any failure to give prompt notice and to tender the defense of an
Action pursuant to this Section 10.9 shall not bar an Indemnified Party's right
to claim indemnification under this Section 10, except to the extent that an
Indemnitor shall have been harmed by such failure.
Effect of Investigation or Knowledge. Except as otherwise provided herein,
all covenants, agreements, representations and warranties made herein or in any
agreement, instrument or certificate delivered pursuant to this Agreement shall
not be deemed to be waived or otherwise affected by any investigation at any
time made by or on behalf of any party hereto. No claim for a breach of
representation or warranty shall be made by any Indemnified OpCo Party under
Section 10.1(a) or any Indemnified BAM Party under Sections 10.2 (a), 10.3(a) or
10.4(a) if (i) such claim is based on an event occurring prior to the Closing
(whether or not also occurring prior to the date of this Agreement), (ii) either
(a) such event was disclosed by BAM, Bidder or Bidder Member, as the case may
be, prior to the Closing in a writing which describes such event in reasonable
detail or (b) Bidder, Bidder Member or BAM, as the case may be, had actual
knowledge of such event or such misrepresentation or breach of warranty prior to
the Closing, and (iii) the Closing occurs.
Losses Net of Insurance, Etc. The amount of any Loss for which
indemnification is provided under this Agreement shall be net of (i) any tax
benefit (such as a deduction, credit or deferral) actually realized from any
Loss, (ii) any amounts recovered by the Indemnified Party pursuant to any
indemnification by or indemnification agreement with any third party, and (iii)
any insurance proceeds or other cash receipts or sources of reimbursement
received as an offset against such Loss. Each of OpCo and BAM shall make any
claims for indemnification from a third party or insurance proceeds available to
offset against such Loss and for which it will seek indemnification hereunder,
and to pursue such claims in good faith. If the amount to be netted hereunder
from any Loss is determined after payment by the Indemnitor of any amount
otherwise required to be paid to an Indemnified Party pursuant to this Section
10.11, the Indemnified Party shall repay to the Indemnitor, promptly after such
determination, any amount that the Indemnitor would not have had to pay pursuant
to this Section 10.11 had such determination been made at the time of such
payment.
Sole Remedies. Subject to the provisions of Sections 10.1(c), 10.2(c),
10.3(c) and 10.4(c), the indemnification provisions set forth in this Section 10
constitute the sole and exclusive post-Closing remedies of the parties hereto
with respect to Losses arising out of or relating to this Agreement, and shall
preclude the assertion after the Closing by any party of any other rights, or
the seeking of any other remedies against any other party for claims arising out
of or relating to this Agreement.
ARTICLE 11.
MISCELLANEOUS
Dispute Resolution. In the case of any dispute, controversy or claim
between or among the parties hereto related to this Agreement or the
transactions contemplated hereby or the other documents referred to herein,
except for disputes related to obtaining the equitable remedies of specific
performance, an injunction or a restraining order (a "Dispute"), the parties
will use the procedures set forth in this Section 11.1, in lieu of any party
pursuing other available remedies and as the sole remedy, to resolve the
Dispute.
Submission to Arbitration. Any Dispute will be settled by arbitration
before three arbitrators in accordance with the Rules of the American
Arbitration Association ("AAA") then in effect and as modified by this Section
11.1 or by further agreement of the parties. In addition to what is allowed by
the Rules of the AAA, discovery may be conducted according to the Federal Rules
of Civil Procedure, to be enforced by the AAA, and if necessary, by a court
having jurisdiction. Any such arbitration will be conducted in New York, New
York, unless otherwise agreed by BAM and Bidder Member. The arbitrators will be
selected from a panel of persons (such as retired jurists, distinguished legal
or business professionals, and similar persons) knowledgeable in the specific
areas which may be relevant to the claim, who have had more than ten (10) years
of relevant experience in such areas, who have previously acted as arbitrators,
and who are generally held in the highest regard among professionals in fields
or businesses related or pertinent to such area. Judgment upon the award
rendered by the arbitrators may be entered pursuant to applicable arbitration
statutes.
Authority of Arbitrators. The arbitrators will have no authority to award
punitive damages nor any other damages not measured by the prevailing party's
actual damages, and may not, in any event, make any ruling, finding or award
that does not conform to the terms and conditions of this Agreement.
Confidentiality. Neither the parties hereto nor the arbitrators may
disclose the existence or results of any arbitration under this Agreement or any
evidence presented during the course of the arbitration without the prior
written consent of the parties, other than by entry of a judgment upon any
arbitration award.
Cost of Arbitration. The arbitrators will have the authority to award to
the prevailing party its attorneys' fees and costs incurred in any arbitration.
Absent any such award, each party will bear its own costs incurred in the
arbitration. If any party hereto refuses to submit to arbitration any Dispute
required to be submitted to arbitration pursuant to this Section 11.1, and
instead commences any other proceeding, including, without limitation,
litigation (except to the extent otherwise expressly provided in this
Agreement), then the party who seeks enforcement of the obligation to arbitrate
will be entitled to its attorneys' fees and costs incurred in any such
proceeding.
Bidder's Reasonable Best Efforts Regarding Bidder Member's Performance. For
so long as Bidder Member is a direct or indirect subsidiary of Bidder, Bidder
will use its reasonable best efforts to cause Bidder Member to timely and
completely observe and perform all of its agreements, covenants and obligations
under this Agreement and all of the other Transaction Documents and all
renewals, modifications, amendments and extensions thereof; provided, however,
that in no event shall this Section 11.2 obligate Bidder to make any capital
contributions or loan or otherwise provide any financial assistance to, or on
behalf of, Bidder Member.
Survival of Representations and Warranties. All representations and
warranties made by the parties in this Agreement or pursuant hereto shall
survive the Closing until the Expiration Date.
Transfer Taxes. BAM and Bidder Member shall each pay one-half of all state
and local sales, documentary and other transfer Taxes, if any, due as a result
of the contribution, purchase, sale or transfer of the BAM Contributed Assets
hereunder.
Termination.
(a) Anything herein or elsewhere to the contrary notwithstanding, this
Agreement may be terminated by written notice of termination at any time
before the Closing Date only as follows:
(i) by mutual consent of Bidder and BAM;
(ii) by BAM, upon written notice to Bidder given at any time
after June 30, 1999 (or such later date as shall have been specified
in a writing authorized on behalf of Bidder and BAM) if all of the
conditions precedent set forth in Article 7 hereof have not been met;
(iii) by Bidder, upon written notice to BAM given at any time
after June 30, 1999 (or such later date as shall have been specified
in a writing authorized on behalf of Bidder and BAM) if all of the
conditions precedent set forth in Article 7 hereof have not been met;
(iv) by Bidder at any time prior to the Closing if BAM shall have
breached any of its representations, warranties or other obligations
under this Agreement in any respect which would have a material and
adverse effect on either (A) the Contributed BAM Assets and Assumed
BAM Liabilities taken as a whole, or (B) on the ability of BAM to
consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and such breach shall
not have been cured within thirty (30) days after notice of such
breach; or
(v) by BAM at any time prior to the Closing if Bidder or Bidder
Member shall have breached any of its representations, warranties or
other obligations under this Agreement in any material respect and
such breach shall not have been cured within thirty (30) days after
notice of such breach.
(b) In the event of the termination and abandonment hereof pursuant to
the provisions of this Section 11.5, this Agreement (except for Sections
5.1.15, 5.3.4, 6.1.6, 6.1.7, 6.2.4, 6.2.6 and 11.6 which shall continue)
shall become void and have no effect, without any liability on the part of
any of the parties or their directors, officers, stockholders, partners or
representatives in respect of this Agreement, unless the termination was
the result of the representations and warranties of a party being
materially incorrect when made or the material breach by such party of a
covenant hereunder in which event the party whose representations and
warranties were incorrect or who breached such covenant shall be liable to
the other party for all costs and expenses of the other party in connection
with the preparation, negotiation, execution and performance of this
Agreement.
Expenses. Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, each party hereto
shall pay its own expenses incidental to the preparation of this Agreement, the
carrying out of the provisions of this Agreement and the consummation of the
transactions contemplated hereby.
Contents of Agreement; Parties in Interest; etc. This Agreement and the
other Transaction Documents set forth the entire understanding of the parties
hereto with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby. This Agreement
shall not be amended or modified except by written instrument duly executed by
each of the parties hereto. Any and all previous agreements and understandings
between or among the parties regarding the subject matter hereof, whether
written or oral, are superseded by this Agreement and the other Transaction
Documents. Any term or provision of this Agreement, or any breach thereof, may
be waived at any time by the party entitled to the benefit thereof by a written
instrument duly executed by such party; provided, however, that any waiver by
any party of a breach of any term or provision of this Agreement shall not
operate or be construed as a waiver of any subsequent breach, whether or not
similar, unless such waiver specifically states that it is to be construed as a
continuing waiver.
Assignment and Binding Effect. This Agreement may not be assigned by any
party hereto without the prior written consent of the other parties, provided
that (i) BAM may assign its rights hereunder to any other wholly-owned (direct
or indirect) subsidiary of BAM or Bell Atlantic Corporation or to any transferee
of its entire remaining BAM HoldCo Interest, in each case, in compliance with
Section 9.2, and (ii) each of Bidder and Bidder Member may assign any of its
rights hereunder to any wholly-owned (direct or indirect) subsidiary of Bidder
Member or Bidder or to any transferee of its entire remaining Bidder HoldCo
Interest, in each case, in compliance with Section 9.1. No such assignment shall
relieve BAM, Bidder or Bidder Member of their respective obligations hereunder
except that in connection with a transfer by either Bidder Member or BAM of its
entire remaining Bidder HoldCo Interest or BAM HoldCo Interest, respectively,
made in accordance with the provisions of Article 9, the transferring party
shall be relieved only of its obligations under Articles 8 and 9 of this
Agreement. For purposes of the foregoing, a transfer by merger by Bidder or BAM
(whether or not Bidder or BAM is the surviving corporation), or any direct or
indirect parent corporation of Bidder or BAM, shall not be deemed to be an
assignment for purposes of this Section 11.8. Subject to the foregoing, all of
the terms and provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to
the benefit of and be enforceable by the permitted successors and assigns of
BAM, Bidder and Bidder Member. All references herein to any party shall be
deemed to include any successor to such party, including any corporate
successor.
Notices. All notices, consents or other communications required or
permitted to be given under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be
deemed to have been duly given when delivered personally, delivery charges
prepaid, or three (3) business days after being sent by registered or certified
mail (return receipt requested), postage prepaid, or one (1) business day after
being sent by a nationally recognized express courier service, postage or
delivery charges prepaid, to the parties at their respective addresses stated
below. Notices may also be given by prepaid telegram or facsimile and shall be
effective on the date transmitted if confirmed within twenty-four (24) hours
thereafter by a signed original sent in the manner provided in the preceding
sentence. BAM shall also be furnished copies of any written notices exchanged
hereunder by Bidder or Bidder Member with either HoldCo, HoldCo Sub or OpCo. Any
party may change its address for notice and the address to which copies must be
sent by giving notice of the new address to the other parties in accordance with
this Section 11.9, except that any notice of such change of address shall not be
effective unless and until received.
(a) If to BAM:
Bell Atlantic Mobile
180 Washington Valley Road
Bedminster, NJ 07921
Attention: David Benson, CFO
Fax. No.: 908-306-4350
with required copies to:
Bell Atlantic Corporation
1717 Arch Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103
Attention: Philip R. Marx, Senior Attorney, Mergers & Acquisitions
Fax No.: 215-963-9195
and
Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP
1701 Market Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103
Attention: N. Jeffrey Klauder
Fax No.: 215-963-5299
(b) If to Bidder or Bidder Member:
Crown Castle International Corp.
510 Bering Drive, Suite 500
Houston, TX 77057
Attention: David L. Ivy, President
Fax No.: 713-570-3150
with required copies to:
Cravath, Swaine & Moore
825 Eighth Avenue
New York, NY 10019
Attention: Philip A. Gelston
Fax. No.: 212-474-3700
Tax Reporting. BAM, the Transferring Partnerships, Bidder, Bidder Member,
HoldCo, HoldCo Sub and OpCo shall report the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement in the manner set forth in the following sentences for purposes of
filing U.S. federal, state and local income and other Tax and information
returns, and shall take and defend positions consistent therewith in all
dealings with the Internal Revenue Service and relevant state tax authorities.
Such parties shall report (i) the transfer of the BAM Contributed Assets to OpCo
in exchange for membership interests in OpCo in part as a sale and in part as a
contribution to which Section 721(a) of the Code applies, with the respective
asset values for each such part to be determined in good faith by BAM and Bidder
at the Closing in a manner consistent with Articles 2 and 3 of this Agreement,
(ii) the contribution of the membership interests in OpCo as a contribution to
which Section 721(a) of the Code applies and to which Section 708(b)(1)(B) of
the Code does not apply, and (iii) the distribution of the proceeds of the
Anticipated Financing to HoldCo Sub and subsequently to BAM and the Transferring
Partnerships as a distribution of money that does not result in the recognition
of any gain pursuant to Section 707 of the Code or Section 731(a)(1) of the Code
on account of Section 752 or any other Section of the Code. Such parties shall
file all U.S. federal, state and local income and other Tax returns consistently
with the provisions of this Section 11.10.
Delaware Law to Govern. This Agreement shall be governed by and interpreted
and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, without
regard to the principles of conflict of law thereof.
No Benefit to Others. Except as expressly provided herein, the
representations, warranties, covenants and agreements contained in this
Agreement are for the sole benefit of the parties hereto and OpCo and they shall
not be construed as conferring any rights on any other persons.
Table of Contents; Headings. The table of contents and all Section headings
contained in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only, do not form a
part of this Agreement and shall not affect in any way the meaning or
interpretation of this Agreement.
Schedules and Exhibits. All Exhibits, Annexes and Schedules referred to
herein are intended to be and hereby are specifically made a part of this
Agreement.
Severability. Any provision of this Agreement which is invalid or
unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall be ineffective to the extent of such
invalidity or unenforceability without invalidating or rendering unenforceable
the remaining provisions hereof, and any such invalidity or unenforceability in
any jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in
any other jurisdiction.
Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts
and any party hereto may execute any such counterpart, each of which when
executed and delivered shall be deemed to be an original and all of which
counterparts taken together shall constitute but one and the same instrument.
This Agreement shall become binding when one or more counterparts taken together
shall have been executed and delivered by the parties. It shall not be necessary
in making proof of this Agreement or any counterpart hereof to produce or
account for any of the other counterparts.
Force Majeure. Should any circumstance beyond the reasonable control of any
party occur which delays or renders impossible the performance of its
obligations under this Agreement on the date herein provided for, such
obligation shall be postponed for such time as such performance necessarily has
had to be suspended or delayed on account thereof. In either such event, all
parties shall promptly meet to determine an equitable solution to the effects of
such event, provided that any party who fails because of force majeure to
perform its obligations hereunder will upon the cessation of the force majeure
take all reasonable steps within its power to resume with the least possible
delay compliance with its obligations. Events of force majeure shall include,
without limitation, war, revolution, invasion, insurrection, riots, mob
violence, sabotage or other civil disorders, acts of God, strikes or other labor
disputes, acts, laws, regulations or rules of any government or governmental
agency and any other circumstances beyond the reasonable control of the party,
the obligations of whom are affected thereby.
Directly or Indirectly. Any provision in this Agreement referring to action
to be taken by any Person, or that such Person is prohibited from taking, shall
be applicable whether such action is taken directly or indirectly by such
Person.
Interpretation. When a reference is made in this Agreement to an Article or
Section, such reference shall be to an Article or Section of this Agreement
unless otherwise indicated. Whenever the words "include," "includes" or
"including" are used in this Agreement, they shall be deemed to be followed by
the words "without limitation." The words "hereof," "herein" and "hereunder" and
words of similar import when used in this Agreement shall refer to this
Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement. Any
agreement, instrument or statute defined or referred to herein or in any
agreement or instrument that is referred to herein means such agreement,
instrument or statute as from time to time amended, modified or supplemented,
including (in the case of agreements or instruments) by waiver or consent and
(in the case of statutes) by succession of comparable successor
statutes and references to all attachments thereto and instruments incorporated
therein. References to a Person are also to its permitted successors and
assigns.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have duly executed this
Agreement on the date first written.
CROWN CASTLE INTERNATIONAL CORP.
By: /s/ David L. Ivy
-------------------------------------
Name: David L. Ivy
Title: David L. Ivy
CCA INVESTMENT CORP.
By: /s/ David L. Ivy
-------------------------------------
Name: David L. Ivy
Title: David L. Ivy
CELLCO PARTNERSHIP
By: Bell Atlantic Mobile, Inc., its
managing general partner
By: /s/ David H. Benson
-------------------------------------
Name: David H. Benson
Title: Chief Financial Officer
TRANSFERRING PARTNERSHIPS:
ORANGE COUNTY-POUGHKEEPSIE MSA
LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
By: NYNEX Mobile Limited Partnership 2, its
managing general partner
By: Cellco Partnership, its
managing general partner
By: Bell Atlantic Mobile, Inc., its
managing general partner
By: /s/ David H. Benson
-----------------------------------
Name: David H. Benson
Title: Chief Financial Officer
STEEL CO.
FORMATION AGREEMENT
Table of Contents
Page
ARTICLE 1 - CERTAIN DEFINITIONS -2-
ARTICLE 2 - FORMATION OF OPCO -11-
2.1 Purpose of OpCo. -11-
2.2 Formation of OpCo -11-
2.3 Contribution of BAM Contributed Assets and BAM Assumed
Liabilities. -12-
2.3.1 Transfer of BAM Contributed Assets. -12-
2.3.2 Excluded Assets. -12-
2.3.3 Assumption of BAM Assumed Liabilities. -13-
2.3.4 Limitations on Assumption of Liabilities. -14-
2.3.5 Assignment or Subcontracting of Purchased Contracts. -14-
2.3.6 Consent of Third Parties. -15-
2.3.7 Bulk Transfer Laws. -15-
2.3.8 Certain Apportionments. -15-
2.4 Contribution of Bidder Contributed Cash -16-
2.5 Global Lease Agreement. -16-
2.6 Build-to-Suit Agreement -16-
2.7 Bidder Services Agreement -16-
2.8 Transitional Services Agreement -17-
ARTICLE 3 - FORMATION OF HOLDCO SUB AND HOLDCO, ANTICIPATED FINANCING -17-
3.1 Purpose of HoldCo and HoldCo Sub -17-
3.2 Formation of HoldCo Sub. -17-
3.3 Management Agreement -17-
3.4 Contributed Cash Distribution -17-
3.5 Formation of HoldCo -18-
3.6 Financing -19-
3.7 BAM-Sub Guarantee. -19-
3.8 Adjustments Based Upon Number of Included Tower Structures -19-
3.9 Adjustments Based Upon Revenue Run Rate of Included Towers -21-
3.10 Adjustment Based Upon Revenues Receivable under Certain Third
Party Leases -22-
ARTICLE 4 - CLOSING -22-
4.1 Closing -22-
4.2 Items to be Delivered and Actions to be Taken at Closing -22-
4.3 Further Assurances -24-
ARTICLE 5 - REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES -25-
5.1 Representations and Warranties of BAM -25-
5.1.1 Corporate -25-
5.1.2 Authorization -25-
5.1.3 Consents and Approvals -25-
5.1.4 Title to and Condition of Assets and Related Matters -26-
5.1.5 Real Property -26-
5.1.6 Legal Proceedings and Compliance with Law -27-
5.1.7 Governmental Permits -27-
5.1.8 Contracts -27-
5.1.9 Employees and Employee Relations -28-
5.1.10 Employee Benefit Plans -28-
5.1.11 Environmental Matters -29-
5.1.12 Absence of Certain Changes or Events -29-
5.1.13 Availability of Documents -29-
5.1.14 Purchase for Investment -29-
5.1.15 Broker or Finder -30-
5.1.16 No Other Warranties -30-
5.2 Representations and Warranties of Transferring Partnerships -30-
5.2.1 Partnership -30-
5.2.2 Authorization -30-
5.2.3 Consents and Approvals -30-
5.3 Representations and Warranties of Bidder and Bidder Member -31-
5.3.1 Corporate -31-
5.3.2 Authorization -31-
5.3.3 Consents and Approvals -31-
5.3.4 Broker or Finder -31-
5.3.5 Capital Stock -31-
5.3.6 SEC Reports -32-
5.3.7 Absence of Certain Changes -32-
5.3.8 Bidder Articles and Bylaws -32-
5.3.9 Threatened or Pending Litigation -33-
5.3.10 No Impact of Bidder Agreements on OpCo, HoldCo or HoldCo Sub -33-
5.3.11 Bidder Contributed Shares -33-
5.3.12 Share Ownership Limitations -33-
5.3.13 Bidder Financing -33-
5.3.14 Funds Available for Bidder Contribution -34-
5.3.15 Purchase for Investment -34-
5.3.16 No Other Representations or Warranties -34-
ARTICLE 6 - AGREEMENTS PENDING CLOSING -34-
6.1 Agreements of BAM Pending the Closing -34-
6.1.1 Business in the Ordinary Course -34-
6.1.2 Update Schedules -34-
6.1.3 Conduct of Business -35-
6.1.4 Sale of Assets; Negotiations -35-
6.1.5 Access -35-
6.1.6 Press Releases -35-
6.1.7 Required BAM Phase I Environmental Reports -36-
6.2 Agreements of Bidder and Bidder Member Pending the Closing -37-
6.2.1 Update Schedules -37-
6.2.2 Conduct of Business -37-
6.2.3 Access -37-
6.2.4 Press Releases -37-
6.2.5 Optional Bidder Phase I Environmental Reports -38-
6.2.6 No Modification of Commitment Letter or Forms of Financing
Documents -38-
6.2.7 Rights Agreement Amendment -38-
6.3 Agreements of BAM and Bidder Pending Closing -38-
6.3.1 Approvals and Consents and Regulatory Filings -38-
6.3.2 Identified Employees -39-
ARTICLE 7 - CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO THE CLOSING -39-
7.1 Conditions Precedent to BAM's Obligations -39-
7.1.1 Representations and Warranties True as of the Closing Date -39-
7.1.2 Compliance with this Agreement -40-
7.1.3 Closing Certificate -40-
7.1.4 Financing -40-
7.1.5 No Threatened or Pending Litigation -40-
7.1.6 Consents and Approvals -40-
7.1.7 Optional Bidder Phase I Reports -40-
7.1.8 Fundamental Transactions -40-
7.1.9 Bidder Services Agreement -40-
7.1.10 Management Agreement -41-
7.1.11 Transitional Services Agreement -41-
7.1.12 Rights Agreement Amendment -41-
7.2 Conditions Precedent to the Obligations of Bidder -41-
7.2.1 Representations and Warranties True as of the Closing Date -41-
7.2.2 Compliance with this Agreement -41-
7.2.3 Closing Certificate -41-
7.2.4 Financing -41-
7.2.5 No Threatened or Pending Litigation -41-
7.2.6 Consents and Approvals -42-
7.2.7 Required BAM Phase I Reports -42-
7.2.8 Bidder Services Agreement -42-
7.2.9 Management Agreement -42-
7.2.10 Transitional Services Agreement -42-
ARTICLE 8 - CERTAIN POST-CLOSING COVENANTS OF THE PARTIES -42-
8.1 Post-Closing Covenants Related to OpCo -42-
8.1.1 Conduct of Business -42-
8.1.2 Solvency -43-
8.1.3 Bankruptcy -43-
8.1.4 Indebtedness -43-
8.1.5 Liens -43-
8.1.6 Issuance of Interests -43-
8.1.7 Contingent Obligations -43-
8.1.8 Preservation of Existence -44-
8.1.9 Merger or Sale of Assets -44-
8.1.10 Dealings with Affiliates -44-
8.1.11 Dividends; Distributions -44-
8.2 Post-Closing Covenants Related to HoldCo, HoldCo Sub and OpCo -45-
8.2.1 Conduct of Business -45-
8.2.2 Use of Proceeds -45-
8.2.3 Solvency -45-
8.2.4 Bankruptcy -45-
8.2.5 Indebtedness -45-
8.2.6 Liens -45-
8.2.7 Contingent Obligations -46-
8.2.8 Issuance of Interests -46-
8.2.9 Preservation of Existence -46-
8.2.10 Merger or Sale of Assets -46-
8.2.11 Dealings with Affiliates -46-
8.2.12 Business Plan and Annual Budget -46-
8.2.13 Certain Contracts -48-
8.2.14 Action as Members of HoldCo Sub -48-
8.2.15 Voting of Bidder Contributed Shares -48-
8.3 Delivery of Financial Statements -48-
8.4 HoldCo, HoldCo Sub and OpCo Boards of Representatives -49-
8.5 Covenants Are For Benefit of Members -49-
8.6 Agreement Regarding Identified Employees -49-
ARTICLE 9 - CERTAIN ANCILLARY ARRANGEMENTS OF THE PARTIES -49-
9.1 Restriction on Sales by Bidder -49-
9.2 Restriction on Sales by BAM -50-
9.3 BAM Right of First Refusal -50-
9.4 Bidder Member's Right of First Refusal -51-
9.5 Right of Participation in Sales -52-
9.6 Transfer of BAM Retained Interest -53-
9.7 Nomination of Director -53-
9.8 Registration Rights -53-
9.9 Specific Performance -53-
ARTICLE 10 - INDEMNIFICATION -54-
10.1 Indemnification by BAM -54-
10.2 Indemnification by Bidder -54-
10.3 Indemnification by OpCo -55-
10.4 Indemnification by Bidder Member -55-
10.5 Procedure for Claims -55-
10.6 Certain Limitations -56-
10.7 Non-Third Party Claims -57-
10.8 Claims Period -57-
10.9 Third Party Claims -57-
10.10 Effect of Investigation or Knowledge -57-
10.11 Losses Net of Insurance, Etc. -58-
10.12 Sole Remedies -58-
ARTICLE 11 - MISCELLANEOUS -58-
11.1 Dispute Resolution -58-
11.1.1 Submission to Arbitration -58-
11.1.2 Authority of Arbitrators -59-
11.1.3 Confidentiality -59-
11.1.4 Cost of Arbitration -59-
11.2 Bidder's Reasonable Best Efforts Regarding Bidder Member's
Performance -59-
11.3 Survival of Representations and Warranties -59-
11.4 Transfer Taxes -59-
11.5 Termination -59-
11.6 Expenses -60-
11.7 Contents of Agreement; Parties in Interest; etc -60-
11.8 Assignment and Binding Effect -61-
11.9 Notices -61-
11.10 Tax Reporting -62-
11.11 Delaware Law to Govern -63-
11.12 No Benefit to Others -63-
11.13 Table of Contents; Headings -63-
11.14 Schedules and Exhibits -63-
11.15 Severability -63-
11.16 Counterparts -63-
11.17 Force Majeure -63-
11.18 Directly or Indirectly -63-
11.19 Interpretation -63-
AMENDMENT NUMBER 1 TO FORMATION AGREEMENT
AMENDMENT NUMBER 1 TO FORMATION AGREEMENT (the "Amendment") dated as of
March 31, 1999, by and among Cellco Partnership, a Delaware general partnership
doing business as Bell Atlantic Mobile ("BAM"), the Transferring Partnerships
listed on the signature pages hereto, Crown Castle International Corp., a
Delaware corporation ("Bidder"), and CCA Investment Corp., a Delaware
corporation ("Bidder Member").
BACKGROUND
A. BAM, Bidder, Bidder Member and the Transferring Partnerships are parties
to a Formation Agreement dated as of December 8, 1998. All capitalized terms
used herein and not otherwise defined herein shall have the respective meanings
ascribed thereto in the Formation Agreement.
B. BAM, Bidder, Bidder Member and the Transferring Partnerships desire to
make certain amendments to the Formation Agreement and are entering into this
Amendment for that purpose.
NOW, THEREFORE, for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and
sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, and intending to be legally bound
hereby, the parties hereto agree as follows:
1. Bidder Contributed Cash. Among other things, the Formation Agreement
provides that: (a) in connection with the formation of OpCo, Bidder Member will
contribute the Bidder Contributed Cash ($250,000,000 in cash) in exchange for
the Bidder OpCo Interest, (b) in connection with the formation of HoldCo Sub,
Bidder Member will contribute the Bidder OpCo Interest to HoldCo Sub in exchange
for the Bidder's interest in HoldCo Sub, (c) immediately prior to the formation
of HoldCo, OpCo will distribute $200,000,000 of the Bidder Contributed Cash to
HoldCo Sub and retain $50,000,000 of the Bidder Contributed Cash for working
capital and capital expenditure purposes, (d) in connection with the formation
of HoldCo, Bidder Member will contribute the Bidder HoldCo Sub Interest and the
Bidder Contributed Shares to HoldCo in exchange for the Bidder HoldCo Interest,
and (e) immediately after Closing, HoldCo Sub will distribute $200,000,000 in
cash to HoldCo and HoldCo will then immediately make the Contributed Cash
Distribution ($200,000,000 in cash) to BAM and the Transferring Partnerships.
BAM, Bidder, Bidder Member and the Transferring Partnerships desire to
amend the relevant provisions of the Formation Agreement that cover the
foregoing formation steps to provide that: (i) in connection with the formation
of OpCo, Bidder Member will contribute $50,000,000 in cash (the "Bidder
Contributed Cash to OpCo") in exchange for the Bidder OpCo Interest, (ii) in
connection with the formation of HoldCo Sub, Bidder Member will contribute the
Bidder OpCo Interest in exchange for the Bidder HoldCo Sub Interest, (iii) in
connection with the formation of HoldCo, Bidder Member will contribute the
Bidder HoldCo Sub Interest, the Bidder Contributed Shares and $200,000,000 in
cash (the "Bidder Contributed Cash to HoldCo"; and, together with the Bidder
Contributed Cash to OpCo, the "Bidder Contributed Cash") in exchange for the
Bidder HoldCo Interest, and (iv) immediately after Closing, HoldCo will make the
Contributed Cash Distribution ($200,000,000 in cash) to BAM and the Transferring
Partnerships.
Accordingly, the following amendments to the Formation Agreement are hereby
made to effectuate the foregoing:
(A) Clauses (ii), (vi) and (vii) of the third sentence of the Preamble
to the Formation Agreement are amended and restated as follows:
"(ii) cause Bidder Member to contribute $50,000,000 in cash (the
"Bidder Contributed Cash to OpCo") to OpCo in exchange for membership
interests in OpCo;
(vi) [intentionally omitted];
(vii) thereafter, contribute their membership interests in HoldCo Sub
to a newly organized Delaware limited liability company named Crown
Atlantic Holding Company LLC ("HoldCo") and, in addition, Bidder
Member will contribute the Bidder Contributed Shares (hereinafter
defined) and $200,000,000 in cash (the "Bidder Contributed Cash to
HoldCo") to HoldCo in exchange for membership interests in HoldCo;"
(B) The defined term "Bidder Contributed Cash" in Article 1 of the
Formation Agreement is amended and restated as follows:
"`Bidder Contributed Cash' means the Bidder Contributed Cash to OpCo
and the Bidder Contributed Cash to HoldCo."
(C) The following defined terms are added to Article 1 of the
Formation Agreement, immediately after the defined term "Bidder Contributed
Cash" therein:
"`Bidder Contributed Cash to HoldCo' is defined above in the preamble.
`Bidder Contributed Cash to OpCo' is defined above in the preamble."
(D) The words "Bidder Contributed Cash" in clause (i) of Section 2.1
of the Formation Agreement are deleted and the words "Bidder Contributed
Cash to OpCo" are inserted in their place.
(E) The words "Bidder Contributed Cash" in Section 2.4 of the
Formation Agreement are deleted and the words "Bidder Contributed Cash to
OpCo" are inserted in their place.
(F) Section 3.4 of the Formation Agreement is amended and restated in
its entirety as follows:
"3.4 Contributed Cash Distribution. At the Closing, immediately after
the formation of HoldCo pursuant to Section 3.5 hereof, HoldCo shall
distribute $200,000,000 in cash to BAM and the Transferring
Partnerships (such distribution by HoldCo to BAM and the Transferring
Partnerships is referred to herein as the "Contributed Cash
Distribution", and, together with the Financing Distribution, is
referred to herein as the "BAM Capital Distribution"), which
Contributed Cash Distribution shall be apportioned between BAM and the
Transferring Partnerships and among the Transferring Partnerships as
set forth
2
on Exhibit A-1."
(G) The third sentence of the first paragraph of Section 3.5 of the
Formation Agreement is amended and restated in its entirety as follows:
"Bidder Member shall contribute to HoldCo (a) the Bidder HoldCo Sub
Interest, free and clear of all Encumbrances, (b) 15,597,783 shares of
validly issued, fully-paid and non-assessable shares of Common Stock
of Bidder, subject to appropriate adjustment for stock splits,
dividends, reclassifications and similar changes in the capital stock
of Bidder occurring after the date of this Agreement but prior to
Closing (the "Bidder Contributed Shares"), free and clear of all
Encumbrances, and (c) the Bidder Contributed Cash to HoldCo, in
exchange for the issuance by HoldCo to Bidder Member of a 62.3
Percentage Interest in HoldCo (the "Bidder HoldCo Interest")."
(H) The words "Bidder Contributed Cash" in Section 4.2(c) of the
Formation Agreement are deleted and the words "Bidder Contributed Cash to
OpCo" are inserted in their place.
(I) Sections 4.2(h) and (i) of the Formation Agreement are amended and
restated in their entirety as follows:
"(h) BAM, the Transferring Partnerships and Bidder Member shall form
HoldCo by executing and delivering the HoldCo Operating Agreement and
contributing to HoldCo all of their respective interests in HoldCo Sub
and by Bidder Member contributing to HoldCo the Bidder Contributed
Shares and the Bidder Contributed Cash to HoldCo;
(i) HoldCo shall deliver to BAM and the Transferring Partnerships the
Contributed Cash Distribution by wire transfer of immediately
available funds to such accounts as BAM shall specify in writing;"
(J) The words "Bidder Contributed Cash" in the first sentence of
Section 4.3 of the Formation Agreement are deleted and the words "Bidder
Contributed Cash to OpCo" are inserted in their place. The words "and the
Bidder Contributed Cash to HoldCo" are inserted at the end of the first
sentence of such Section 4.3.
(K) Section 8.2.2 of the Formation Agreement is amended and restated
in its entirety as follows:
"8.2.2 Use of Proceeds. HoldCo shall use the Bidder Contributed Cash
to HoldCo to make at Closing the Contributed Cash Distribution. HoldCo
Sub shall use the proceeds of the Anticipated Financing to make at
Closing the Financing Cash Distribution. The Bidder Contributed Cash
to OpCo shall be retained in OpCo for working capital and capital
expenditure purposes."
2. Identified Employees. BAM, Bidder, Bidder Member and the Transferring
Partnerships have agreed that identifying the employees of BAM who may be hired
by OpCo or HoldCo Sub, and the compensation and other benefits to be offered by
OpCo and HoldCo Sub, will be dealt with after Closing,
3
and that the Formation Agreement will not contain any representations,
warranties, covenants or conditions relating to those issues. Accordingly, the
following amendments to the Formation Agreement are hereby made:
(A) The defined terms "Agreement Regarding Identified Employees" and
"Identified Employee" are deleted from Article 1 of the Formation
Agreement.
(B) The words "or the Identified Employees" at the end of the defined
term "Tower Related Assets" in Article 1 of the Formation Agreement are
deleted.
(C) Clause (iv) of Section 2.3.4 of the Formation Agreement is amended
and restated in its entirety as follows:
"(iv) except to the extent that such Liabilities are to be assumed by
OpCo, as may be set forth in a written agreement between OpCo and BAM,
any Liabilities arising prior to or as a result of the Closing to or
with respect to any employees, agents or independent contractors of
BAM or any of the Transferring Partnerships, whether or not employed
by OpCo after the Closing and whether or not arising under any
applicable Law, Benefit Plan or other arrangement with respect
thereto;"
(D) The following provisions of the Formation Agreement are deleted in
their entirety and the words "[Intentionally Omitted]" are inserted in
their place: Sections 5.1.9, 5.1.10, 6.3.2 and 8.6, and clause (c) of
Section 6.1.2.
3. Tower Structures Under Construction. The following amendments to the
Formation Agreement are hereby made, each of which relates to Tower Structures
under construction on Tower Sites as of the Closing:
(A) The following defined term is added to Article 1 of the Formation
Agreement, immediately after the defined term "Tower Structures" therein:
"`Tower Structures Under Construction' shall mean the Tower Structures
identified in subsection (d) of Annex I."
(B) Clause (viii) of Section 2.3.4 of the Formation Agreement is
amended and restated in its entirety as follows:
"(vii) except to the extent specifically included in the Assumed
Liabilities, any and all costs, expenses, payment or performance
obligations associated with the completion of construction of the
Tower Structures located on Tower Sites to be conveyed hereunder
(including, without limitation, the Tower Structures Under
Construction), except to the extent that Bidder and BAM have agreed to
modifications to such Tower Structures in which case the cost of such
modifications shall be included in the Assumed Liabilities, and;"
(C) Section 5.1.4 of the Formation Agreement is amended by adding the
following
4
sentence at the end of such Section:
"As regards each of the Tower Structures Under Construction (and Tower
Sites related thereto), BAM has received all Governmental Permits
necessary to commence the construction of such Tower Structures Under
Construction."
(D) Article 8 of the Formation Agreement is amended to include the
following new Section 8.7:
"8.7 Completion of Tower Structures Under Construction. From and after
the Closing, BAM and the Transferring Partnerships shall, at their
sole cost and expense, complete construction of all Tower Structures
Under Construction. BAM and the Transferring Partnerships shall
perform and complete such construction obligations in accordance with
existing Governmental Permits and BAM's existing practices, policies
and standards relating to the construction of communication tower
structures. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Tower Structures Under
Construction shall, as of the Closing Date, be subject to the terms
and provisions of the Global Lease, and lease Supplements (as defined
in the Global Lease) shall be executed effective the Closing Date with
respect to all Tower Structures Under Construction."
4. Delaware Law to Govern. This Amendment shall be governed by and
interpreted and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware,
without regard to the principles of conflict of law thereof.
5. Severability. Any provision of this Amendment which is invalid or
unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall be ineffective to the extent of such
invalidity or unenforceability without invalidating or rendering unenforceable
the remaining provisions hereof, and any such invalidity or unenforceability in
any jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in
any other jurisdiction.
6. Ratification. Except as specifically modified by this Amendment, all of
the provisions of the Formation Agreement are hereby ratified and confirmed to
be in full force and effect.
7. Binding Effect. This Amendment shall be binding upon, and shall inure to
the benefit of the parties and their respective permitted successors and
assigns.
8. Counterparts. This Amendment may be executed in any number of
counterparts and any party hereto may execute any such counterpart, each of
which when executed and delivered shall be deemed to be an original and all of
which counterparts taken together shall constitute but one and the same
instrument. This Amendment shall become binding when one or more counterparts
taken together shall have been executed and delivered by the parties. It shall
not be necessary in making proof of this Amendment or any counterpart hereof to
produce or account for any of the other counterparts.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have duly executed this Amendment on
the date first written.
5
CROWN CASTLE INTERNATIONAL CORP.
By: /s/ David L. Ivy
-----------------------------------
Name: David L. Ivy
Title: President
CCA INVESTMENT CORP.
By: /s/ David L. Ivy
-----------------------------------
Name: David L. Ivy
Title: President
CELLCO PARTNERSHIP
By: Bell Atlantic Mobile, Inc., its
managing general partner
By: /s/ A.J. Melone
-----------------------------------
Name: A.J. Melone
Title: Vice President
Network Planning and
Administration
TRANSFERRING PARTNERSHIPS:
ALLENTOWN SMSA LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
By: Bell Atlantic Mobile Systems of Allentown, Inc., its
managing general partner
By: Cellco Partnership, its
managing general partner
By: Bell Atlantic Mobile, Inc., its
managing general partner
By: /s/ A. J. Melone
------------------------------------
Name: A.J. Melone
Title: Vice President
Network Planning and Administration
6
COLUMBIA CELLULAR TELEPHONE COMPANY
By: Cellco Partnership, its managing general partner
By: Bell Atlantic Mobile, Inc., its
managing general partner
By: /s/ A.J.Melone
------------------------------------
Name: A.J. Melone
Title: Vice President
Network Planning and Administration
NEW YORK SMSA LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
By: Cellco Partnership, its managing general partner
By: Bell Atlantic Mobile, Inc., its
managing general partner
By: /s/ A.J. Melone
------------------------------------
Name: A.J. Melone
Title: Vice President
Network Planning and Administration
ORANGE COUNTY-POUGHKEEPSIE MSA
LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
By: NYNEX Mobile Limited Partnership 2, its
managing general partner
By: Cellco Partnership, its
managing general partner
By: Bell Atlantic Mobile, Inc., its
managing general partner
By: /s/ A.J. Melone
------------------------------------
Name: A.J. Melone
Title: Vice President
Network Planning and Administration
7
PENNSYLVANIA RSA NO. 6 (II) LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
By: Cellco Partnership, its managing general partner
By: Bell Atlantic Mobile, Inc., its
managing general partner
By: /s/ A.J. Melone
------------------------------------
Name: A.J. Melone
Title: Vice President
Network Planning and Administration
PITTSBURGH SMSA LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
By: Cellco Partnership, its managing general partner
By: Bell Atlantic Mobile, Inc., its
managing general partner
By: /s/ A.J. Melone
------------------------------------
Name: A.J. Melone
Title: Vice President
Network Planning and Administration
WASHINGTON, DC SMSA LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
By: Cellco Partnership, its managing general partner
By: Bell Atlantic Mobile, Inc., its
managing general partner
By: /s/ A.J. Melone
------------------------------------
Name: A.J. Melone
Title: Vice President
Network Planning and Administration
8
PH02A/13896.11
CROWN ATLANTIC HOLDING COMPANY LLC
OPERATING AGREEMENT
THIS OPERATING AGREEMENT (this "Operating Agreement") is made and entered
into as of March 31, 1999 (the "Effective Date") by and between Cellco
Partnership, a Delaware general partnership doing business as Bell Atlantic
Mobile ("BAM"), and CCA Investment Corp., a Delaware corporation ("CCIC Member")
and a wholly-owned indirect subsidiary of Crown Castle International Corp., a
Delaware corporation ("CCIC"). BAM and CCIC Member (and such other persons who
shall be admitted in the future in accordance with the terms hereof and shall
have agreed to be bound hereby), being hereinafter sometimes referred to
individually as a "Member" and collectively as the "Members."
WHEREAS, BAM, CCIC, CCIC Member and certain transferring partnerships (the
"Transferring Partnerships") have entered into a Formation Agreement dated as of
December 8, 1998, as amended by Amendment Number One to such Formation Agreement
dated as of March 31, 1999 and as further amended by the Schedule updates
contemplated by Sections 6.1.2 and 6.2.1 of such Formation Agreement (as so
amended, the "Formation Agreement"), pursuant to which, among other things, BAM
and the Transferring Partnerships will (i) contribute the BAM Contributed Assets
and the BAM Assumed Liabilities (both as defined in the Formation Agreement) to
Crown Atlantic Company LLC, a Delaware limited liability company ("OpCo"), in
exchange for membership interests in OpCo; (ii) thereafter, contribute their
membership interests in OpCo (other than the BAM Retained Interest (as
hereinafter defined)) to Crown Atlantic Holding Sub LLC, a Delaware limited
liability company ("HoldCo Sub") in exchange for membership interests in HoldCo
Sub; and (iii) thereafter, contribute their membership interests in HoldCo Sub
to Crown Atlantic Holding Company LLC, a Delaware limited liability company
("HoldCo" or the "Company"), and, in addition, CCIC Member will contribute the
CCIC Contributed Shares (as defined below) to the Company, in exchange for
membership interests in the Company;
WHEREAS, in exchange for certain consideration, each Transferring
Partnership will transfer its respective interest in the Company to BAM
immediately following the formation of the Company;
NOW, THEREFORE, the parties hereto agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
GENERAL PROVISIONS
Section I.1 Certain Definitions. As used in this Agreement, the following
terms have the respective meanings assigned to them below:
"Affiliates" means, with respect to any Person, any Persons controlling,
controlled by or under common control with that Person, as well as any executive
officers, directors and majority-owned entities of that Person or its other
Affiliates.
"Allocated Share" shall mean, except as otherwise provided in Section
9.5(b), (i) fourteen percent (14.0%) of the Fair Market Value (as defined in
Section 9.5(b)), if the BAM HoldCo Interest as set forth on Exhibit A is 37.7%,
or (ii) if the BAM HoldCo Interest as set forth on Exhibit A is other than
37.7%, the fraction, expressed as a percentage, the numerator of which is the
difference between (V) $650,000,000, increased by any Additional Consideration
(as defined in Section 3.8 of the Formation Agreement) or decreased by any
Amount of Decrease in Consideration (as defined in Section 3.8 of the Formation
Agreement) (the "Adjusted Total Consideration") and the sum of (W) the BAM
Capital Distribution (as defined in Section 3.4 of the Formation Agreement and
(X) the Adjusted Aggregate Share Value (as defined in Section 3.8 of the
Formation Agreement), and the denominator of which is the difference between the
sum of (Y) the Adjusted Total Consideration and the Bidder Contributed Cash (as
defined in the Formation Agreement) minus (Z) the BAM Capital Distribution (as
defined in Section 3.4 of the Formation Agreement).
"Anticipated Financing" shall mean the proposed financing by HoldCo Sub
contemplated by Section 3.6 of the Formation Agreement of an amount equal to not
less than One Hundred Eighty Million Dollars ($180,000,000.00) (the "Closing
Financing Amount"), except as adjusted pursuant to its terms and conditions.
"BAM" is defined in the Preamble.
"BAM HoldCo Interest" is defined in Section 8.2.
"BAM HoldCo Interest Purchaser" is defined in Section 8.5.
"BAM Offer" is defined in Section 8.4.
"BAM Retained Interest" shall mean the .001 Percentage Interest in OpCo
held by BAM.
"Bidder Services Agreement" shall mean the Services Agreement among CCIC,
OpCo and HoldCo Sub, in form and substance reasonably acceptable to BAM and CCIC
and consistent with the terms set forth in the letter agreement between BAM and
CCIC set forth as Exhibit 2.7 to the Formation Agreement, pursuant to which CCIC
shall offer to OpCo and HoldCo Sub certain services with respect to the tower
structures owned by OpCo and HoldCo Sub on the terms and conditions described
therein.
-2-
"Build-to-Suit Agreement" shall mean the Build-to-Suit Agreement among
OpCo, HoldCo Sub and BAM (for itself and on behalf of the Transferring
Partnerships) pursuant to which BAM and the Transferring Partnerships shall
offer to OpCo and HoldCo Sub from time to time the right to build tower
structures on the terms and conditions described therein.
"Business Plan" is defined in Section 10.3.
"CCIC" is defined in the Preamble.
"CCIC Common Stock" shall mean the common stock, $.01 par value of CCIC.
"CCIC Contributed Shares" shall mean those shares of CCIC Common Stock
contributed to the Company by CCIC Member pursuant to Section 3.5 of the
Formation Agreement.
"CCIC HoldCo Interest" is defined in Section 8.1.
"CCIC HoldCo Interest Purchaser" is defined in Section 8.5.
"CCIC Member" is defined in the Preamble.
"CCIC Offer" is defined in Section 8.3.
"CPI" means the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers, U.S. City
Average, for All Items (1982-1984 = 100), as published by the Bureau of Labor
Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor, and any successor index. If the CPI
is discontinued and there is no successor index, BAM shall in good faith select
a comparable index to replace the CPI and the index selected by BAM shall be
subject to CCIC Member's approval, which approval shall not be unreasonably
withheld or delayed.
"Effective Date" is defined in the Preamble.
"Exchange Act" is defined in Section 10.4(a).
"Fair Market Value" is defined in Section 9.5(b).
"Formation Agreement" is defined in the Preamble. All terms not defined
herein shall have the meaning given to them in the Formation Agreement.
"GAAP" is defined in Section 3.8(e).
-3-
"Global Lease" shall mean the Global Lease Agreement among OpCo and BAM
(for itself and on behalf of the Transferring Partnerships) pursuant to which
OpCo shall lease to BAM and the Transferring Partnerships space on certain
communications towers.
"Governmental Authority" means any federal, state, territorial, county,
municipal, local or other government or governmental agency or body or any other
type of regulatory body, whether domestic or foreign, including without
limitation the Federal Communications Commission, or any successor Governmental
Authority and the Federal Aviation Administration, or any successor Governmental
Authority.
"HoldCo" is defined in the Preamble.
"HoldCo Sub" is defined in the Preamble.
"HoldCo Sub Operating Agreement" shall mean the Operating Agreement of
HoldCo Sub entered into as of March 31, 1999 by HoldCo.
"Lender" shall mean Key Corporate Capital Inc.
"Management Agreement" shall mean the Management Agreement between HoldCo
Sub and OpCo, in form and substance reasonably acceptable to BAM and CCIC and
consistent with the terms set forth in the letter agreement between BAM and CCIC
as set forth on Exhibit 2.7 to the Formation Agreement, pursuant to which HoldCo
Sub shall manage and lease OpCo's assets.
"Managers" is defined in Section 1.2.
"Members" is defined in the Preamble.
"OpCo" is defined in the Preamble.
"OpCo Towers" is defined in Section 10.3.
"Person" means any natural person or entity.
"Solvent" is defined in Section 3.8(c).
"Taxes" means all taxes, duties, charges, fees, levies or other assessments
imposed by any taxing authority, whether domestic or foreign, including, without
limitation, income (net, gross or other including recapture of any tax items
such as investment tax credits), alternative or add-on minimum
-4-
estimated and franchise taxes (including any interest, levies, charges,
penalties or additions attributable to or imposed on or with respect to any such
assessment).
"Transaction Documents" means, collectively, the Formation Agreement, the
Global Lease, the Build-to-Suit Agreement, the Bidder Services Agreement, the
Management Agreement and each of the other documents and agreements listed in
Section 4.2 of the Formation Agreement.
"Transferring Partnership" is defined in the Preamble.
Section I.2 Formation. Upon the filing of the Certificate of Formation (the
"Certificate") with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware, the Members
and the Transferring Partnerships have formed Crown Atlantic Holding Company
LLC, a limited liability company, pursuant to the Delaware Limited Liability
Company Act of 1992, as amended from time to time (the "Act"), for the purposes
hereinafter set forth. The Transferring Partnerships, after the filing of the
Certificate and prior to the execution and delivery of this Agreement,
transferred all of their respective interests in the Company to BAM. The Company
was formed as a limited liability company managed by its managers (the
"Managers") under the supervision of the Board of Representatives (as defined in
Section 1.10) and the laws of the State of Delaware, upon the terms and
conditions hereinafter set forth. The Members intend that the Company shall be
taxed as a partnership. Promptly following the execution hereof, the Members
shall execute or cause to be executed all other necessary certificates and
documents, and shall make all other such filings and recordings, and shall do
all other acts as may be necessary or appropriate from time to time to comply
with all requirements for the formation, continued existence and operation of a
limited liability company in the State of Delaware. This Operating Agreement is
intended to serve as a "limited liability company agreement" as such term is
defined in ss. 18-101(7) of the Act.
Section I.3 Company Name and Address. The Company shall do business under
the name Crown Atlantic Holding Company LLC or such other name as the Board of
Representatives may determine from time to time. The Board of Representatives
shall promptly notify the Members of any change of name of the Company. The
initial registered agent for the Company shall be CT Corporation System. The
initial registered office of the Company in the State of Delaware shall be 1209
Orange Street, Wilmington, Delaware 19801. The registered office and the
registered agent may be changed from time to time by action of the Board of
Representatives by filing notice of such change with the Secretary of State of
the State of Delaware. The Board of Representatives will promptly notify the
Members of any change of the registered office or registered agent. The Company
may also have offices at such other places within or outside of the State of
Delaware as the Board of Representatives may from time to time determine.
-5-
Section I.4 Term. The Company shall commence operating as of the date the
Certificate is filed with the Secretary of the State of Delaware, and shall have
perpetual existence unless terminated or dissolved pursuant to Section 9.1 of
this Operating Agreement.
Section I.5 Business of the Company. The purpose of the Company is to own
(i) one hundred percent (100%) of the percentage interests in HoldCo Sub and
(ii) the CCIC Contributed Shares. The Company shall not engage in any line of
business except for (i) the ownership of the membership interests in, and
operation and management of, HoldCo Sub and any and all activities ancillary or
related thereto and (ii) the ownership of the CCIC Contributed Shares. The
Company shall possess and may exercise all the powers and privileges granted by
the Act or by any other law, together with any powers incidental thereto, so far
as such powers and privileges are necessary or convenient to the conduct,
promotion or attainment of the business, purposes or activities of the Company.
Section I.6 Names and Addresses of the Members. The names and addresses of
the Members are set forth in Schedule A.
Section I.7 Partition. No Member, nor any successor-in-interest to any
Member, shall have the right, while this Operating Agreement remains in effect,
to have the property of the Company partitioned, or to file a complaint or
institute any proceeding at law or in equity to have the property of the Company
partitioned, and each of the Members, on behalf of itself and its successors,
representatives and assigns, hereby irrevocably waives any such right.
Section I.8 Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of the Company shall begin on
January 1 and end on December 31 of each calendar year.
Section I.9 Title to Company Property. All property owned by the Company,
whether real or personal, tangible or intangible, shall be deemed to be owned by
the Company, and no Member individually shall have any interest in such
property. Title to all such property may be held in the name of the Company or a
designee, which designee may be a Member or an entity affiliated with a Member.
Section I.10 Board of Representatives.
(a) General. A Board of Representatives (the "Board of
Representatives") shall be established to oversee the Managers and review
the Business Plan (as defined in Section 10.3). There shall be no less than
five (5) Representatives, nor more than fifteen (15) Representatives, as
may be determined from time to time by the Board of Representatives.
Initially, there shall be six (6) Representatives. Each Member shall
designate that number of Representatives determined by multiplying the
total number of Representatives by that Member's Percentage Interest in the
Company and rounding to the nearest whole number. If such calculation shall
result in a greater number of Representatives than the total to be
designated, then the Board of Representatives shall be expanded to the
extent permitted by the
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second sentence of this Section 1.10(a) or if, despite such expansion,
there would still be a greater number of Representatives than the total to
be designated, the Members shall by vote determine a proportionate
readjustment with each Member entitled to a number of votes equal to its
Percentage Interest. Notwithstanding the foregoing, for so long as BAM
maintains ownership of at least a five percent (5%) Percentage Interest in
the Company, BAM shall have the right to designate from time to time a
number of Representatives that is equal to the greater of (i) one (1)
Representative or (ii) the number of Representatives (rounded to the
nearest whole number) which is equal to the same percentage of all
Representatives as the Percentage Interest in the Company held by BAM.
Initially, BAM shall designate two (2) Representatives and CCIC Member
shall designate four (4) Representatives.
(b) Representatives and Alternates. Each Member shall also be entitled
to designate one (1) alternate to each such Representative (each an
"Alternate"). In the event a Representative is unable to attend a meeting
of the Board of Representatives or otherwise participate in any action to
be taken by the Board of Representatives, the Alternate associated with
such Representative shall take such Representative's place for all purposes
on the Board of Representatives. Each Member shall designate its
Representatives and the associated Alternates by written notice to the
Company and each other Member. The initial Representatives and Alternates
of each Member are set forth on Schedule B. The Representatives and
Alternates shall at all times be executive officers or other full-time
employees of either such Member or any affiliate of such Member. For so
long as BAM has the right to designate at least one (1) Representative of
the Company, the Representatives and Alternates of the Company shall also
serve as the Representatives and Alternates of HoldCo Sub and OpCo.
(c) Resignation. A Representative or Alternate of the Company may
resign at any time by giving written notice to the Company or to the Member
who designated such Representative or Alternate.
(d) Removal. Each Member may, at any time, replace any of its
Representatives or Alternates with a new Representative or Alternate and,
upon such change or upon the death or resignation of any Representative or
Alternate, a successor shall be designated in writing by the Member that
appointed the Representative or Alternate being replaced.
(e) Vacancies. Any vacancy with respect to any Representative or
Alternate occurring for any reason may be filled by the Member who
designated the Representative or Alternate who vacated or was removed from
his or her position.
(f) Compensation. Without the approval of the Members, the
Representatives or Alternates will not be entitled to compensation for
their services as Representatives or Alternates. The Company shall,
however, reimburse the Representatives and Alternates for their reasonable
expenses incurred in connection with their services to the Company.
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Section I.11 Membership Interests Uncertificated. The interests of the
Members in the Company shall not be certificated.
ARTICLE II
MEETINGS GENERALLY
Section II.1 Manner of Giving Notice.
(a) A notice of meeting shall specify the place, day and hour of the
meeting and any other information required by any provision of the Act, the
Certificate or this Operating Agreement.
(b) When a meeting at which there is a duly constituted quorum is
adjourned, it shall not be necessary to give any notice of the adjourned
meeting or of the business to be transacted at an adjourned meeting, other
than by announcement at the meeting at which the adjournment is taken,
unless the adjournment is for more than sixty (60) days in which event
notice shall be given in accordance with Section 2.2 or Section 2.3, as
applicable.
Section II.2 Notice of Meetings of the Board of Representatives. Notice of
every meeting of the Board of Representatives shall be given to each
Representative by telephone or in writing at least 24 hours (in the case of
notice by telephone, telex or facsimile transmission) or 48 hours (in the case
of notice by telegraph, courier service or express mail) or five (5) days (in
the case of notice by first class mail) before the time at which the meeting is
to be held. Every such notice shall state the time and place of the meeting.
Subject to the provisions of Sections 3.3 and 4.5, neither the business to be
transacted at, nor the purpose of, any meeting of the Board of Representatives
need be specified in a notice of the meeting.
Section II.3 Notice of Meetings of Members. Written notice of every meeting
of the Members shall be given to each Member of record entitled to vote at the
meeting at least five (5) days prior to the day named for the meeting. If the
Managers neglect or refuse to give notice of a meeting, the person or persons
calling the meeting may do so.
Section II.4 Waiver of Notice.
(a) Whenever any written notice is required to be given under the
provisions of the Act, the Certificate or this Operating Agreement, a
waiver thereof in writing, signed by the person or persons entitled to the
notice, whether before or after the time stated therein, shall be deemed
equivalent to the giving of the notice. Neither the business to be
transacted at, nor the purpose of, a meeting need be specified in the
waiver of notice of the meeting.
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(b) Attendance of a person at any meeting shall constitute a waiver of
notice of the meeting except where a person attends a meeting for the
express purpose of objecting, at the beginning of the meeting, to the
transaction of any business because the meeting was not lawfully called or
convened.
Section II.5 Use of Conference Telephone and Similar Equipment. Any
Representative may participate in any meeting of the Board of Representatives,
and any Member may participate in any meeting of the Members, by means of
conference telephone or similar communications equipment by means of which all
persons participating in the meeting can hear each other. Participation in a
meeting pursuant to this Section shall constitute presence in person at the
meeting.
Section II.6 Consent in Lieu of Meeting. Any action required or permitted
to be taken at a meeting of the Board of Representatives or Members may be taken
without a meeting if, prior or subsequent to the action, written consents
describing the action to be taken are signed by the minimum number of
Representatives or Members that would be necessary to authorize the action at a
meeting at which all Representatives or Members entitled to vote thereon were
present and voting; provided that, prior to any such written consent becoming
effective, such written consent has been provided to all Representatives or
Members entitled to vote, and the Representatives or Members shall have ten (10)
days to review such consent prior to such written consent becoming effective
(unless otherwise agreed to by all Representatives or their respective
Alternates or each Member, respectively). The consents shall be filed with the
Managers. Prompt notice of the taking of Company action without a meeting by
less than unanimous written consent shall be given to those Members who have not
consented in writing.
ARTICLE III
MANAGEMENT
Section III.1 Management of the Company Generally. The business and affairs
of the Company shall be managed by its Managers under the supervision of the
Board of Representatives (a) in accordance with the provisions of this Operating
Agreement and the Business Plans and the other resolutions and directives of the
Board of Representatives adopted by the Board of Representatives and in effect
from time to time, and (b) subject to the provisions of the Act, the Certificate
and this Operating Agreement including, without limitation, the provisions of
Section 3.8 hereof. Unless authorized to do so by this Operating Agreement or by
the Board of Representatives or the Managers of the Company (provided that the
Managers are authorized to grant such authority), no attorney-in-fact, employee,
officer or agent of the Company other than the Managers shall have any power or
authority to bind the Company in any way, to pledge its credit or to render it
liable pecuniarily for any purpose. No Member shall have any power or authority
to bind the Company unless the Member has been expressly authorized by the Board
of Representatives to act as an agent of the Company. All Managers of the
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Company, as between themselves and the Company, shall have such authority and
perform such duties in the management of the Company as may be provided by or
pursuant to resolutions or orders of the Board of Representatives or in the
Business Plan, or, in the absence of controlling provisions in the resolutions
or orders of the Board of Representatives, as may be determined by or pursuant
to this Operating Agreement. The Board of Representatives may confer upon any
Manager such titles as the Board deems appropriate, including, but not limited
to, President, Vice President, Secretary or Treasurer, and subject to the
limitations set forth in Section 3.8 of this Operating Agreement, delegate
specifically defined duties to the Managers. Notwithstanding the foregoing or
any other provision of this Operating Agreement or of the Act to the contrary,
no Manager of the Company shall have the power or authority to do or perform any
act with respect to any of the matters set forth in Section 3.8 of this
Operating Agreement unless such matter has been approved by the mutual consent
of BAM and CCIC Member in accordance with the provisions of this Operating
Agreement.
Section III.2 Meetings of the Board of Representatives. Meetings of the
Board of Representatives shall be held at such time and place within or without
the State of Delaware as shall be designated from time to time by resolution of
the Board of Representatives or by written notice of any Manager or by written
notice of any Member; provided that meetings of the Board of Representatives
shall be held no less than quarterly, on a date to be determined by the mutual
consent of BAM and CCIC Member. At each meeting of the Board of Representatives,
the Managers shall (i) provide the Board of Representatives with a report on the
financial condition and operations of the Company, including, without
limitation, a report on the results of operations compared to the then
applicable Business Plan, (ii) disclose to the Board of Representatives any
material event or contingency occurring since the previous meeting and (iii)
disclose to the Board of Representatives all matters which would require
disclosure to, or the approval of, the board of directors of a Delaware
corporation. For so long as BAM is entitled to designate at least one (1)
Representative to the Board of Representatives of the Company, any meeting of
the Board of Representatives of the Company shall also be deemed to be a meeting
of the Boards of Representatives of HoldCo Sub and OpCo.
Section III.3 Quorum. The presence of at least one of the Representatives
or Alternates designated by each of BAM and CCIC Member shall be necessary to
constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at a meeting of the Board of
Representatives and the acts of a majority of the Representatives or Alternates
present and voting at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the acts
of the Representatives or Alternates; provided, however, that if notice of a
meeting is provided to the Representatives and Alternates, and such notice
describes the business to be considered, the actions to be taken and the matters
to be voted on at the meeting in reasonable detail, and insufficient
Representatives or Alternates attend the meeting to constitute a quorum, the
meeting may be adjourned by those Representatives or Alternates attending such
meeting for a period not to exceed twenty (20) days. Such meeting may be
reconvened by providing notice of the reconvened meeting to the Representatives
and Alternates no less than ten (10) days prior to the date of the meeting
specifying that the business to be considered, the actions to be taken and the
matters to be voted upon are those set forth in
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the notice of the original adjourned meeting. If, at the reconvened meeting, a
quorum of Representatives or Alternates is not present, a majority of the
Representatives and Alternates present and voting will constitute a quorum for
purposes of the reconvened meeting; provided, however that such Representatives
and Alternates may only consider the business, take the actions or vote upon the
matters set forth in the notice of the original meeting.
Notwithstanding the foregoing or any other provision in this Operating
Agreement, no Representative, Alternate or Manager shall have any power or
authority to do or perform any act with respect to any of the matters set forth
in Section 3.8 of this Operating Agreement unless such matter has been approved
by the mutual consent of BAM and CCIC Member in accordance with the provisions
of this Operating Agreement.
Section III.4 Manner of Acting. Other than any action contemplated by
Section 3.8, which shall require the mutual consent of CCIC Member and BAM,
whenever any Company action is to be taken by a vote of the Board of
Representatives, it shall be authorized upon receiving the affirmative vote of a
majority of the Representatives and Alternates present and voting at a duly
constituted meeting at which a quorum is present.
Section III.5 Designation of Managers. CCIC Member shall designate all
Managers. The initial Managers are set forth on Schedule C. CCIC Member shall
promptly give each Member notice of the designation of any new Manager.
Section III.6 Qualifications. Each Manager of the Company shall be a
natural person of full age who need not be a resident of the State of Delaware.
Section III.7 Number, Selection and Term of Office.
(a) There shall be no less than 2 Managers, nor more than 10, as may
be determined from time to time by the Board of Representatives. Initially,
there shall be 5 Managers.
(b) Each Manager shall hold office until a successor has been selected
and qualified or until his or her earlier death, resignation or removal.
Section III.8 Approval of Certain Matters by the Members. Notwithstanding
any provision of this Operating Agreement or the Act to the contrary, the
following matters require the mutual consent of BAM and CCIC Member, given by
their respective Representatives (acting as a group) at a meeting of the Board
of Representatives or by written consent, or if BAM has no Representatives, such
consent shall be given by BAM in its capacity as a Member, and the Managers
shall have no power or authority to do or perform any act with respect to any of
the following matters without the mutual consent of BAM and CCIC Member, given
in accordance with the provisions of this Operating Agreement:
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(a) Certain Contracts. The entering into any contract, agreement or
arrangement (whether written or oral) by the Company, other than agreements
and contracts in force as of the date hereof and renewals thereof, which
(i) contains provisions restricting HoldCo or HoldCo Sub or any member
thereof from competing in any business activity in any geographic area,
(ii) contains provisions requiring HoldCo or HoldCo Sub or any member
thereof to deal exclusively with any third party with respect to providing
any goods, services or rights to or acquiring any goods or services or
rights from such third party, (iii) contains provisions which are
inconsistent with the obligations of HoldCo or HoldCo Sub under any of the
Transaction Documents, or (iv) provides for the purchase or sale of goods,
services or rights involving an amount in excess of $10,000,000 per year in
any transaction or series of similar transactions.
(b) Conduct of Business. The engagement by the Company in any line of
business other than (i) the ownership of the membership interests in HoldCo
Sub and (ii) the ownership of the CCIC Contributed Shares. The engagement
by HoldCo Sub in any line of business other than the business of acquiring
or constructing, owning or leasing, and maintaining and operating
communications towers in the United States and performing its obligations
under the Management Agreement and performing all business activities
related thereto. The making by HoldCo Sub of any investment in, or the
acquisition by HoldCo Sub of any equity securities of, any Person other
than OpCo.
(c) Solvency. The voluntary taking of any action by the Company or
HoldCo Sub that would cause the Company or HoldCo Sub to cease to be
Solvent. As used herein, the term "Solvent" means that the aggregate
present fair saleable value of the Company's (or HoldCo Sub's, as
applicable) assets is in excess of the total cost of its probable liability
on its existing debts to third parties as they become absolute and matured,
the Company (or HoldCo Sub, as applicable) has not incurred debts beyond
its foreseeable ability to pay such debts as they mature, and the Company
(or HoldCo Sub, as applicable) has capital adequate to conduct the business
in which it is presently employed.
(d) Bankruptcy. The voluntary dissolution or liquidation of the
Company or HoldCo Sub, the making by the Company or HoldCo Sub of a
voluntary assignment for the benefit of creditors, the filing of a petition
in bankruptcy by the Company or HoldCo Sub, the Company or HoldCo Sub
petitioning or applying to any tribunal for any receiver or trustee, the
Company or HoldCo Sub commencing any proceeding relating to itself under
any bankruptcy, reorganization, readjustment of debt, dissolution or
liquidation law or statute of any jurisdiction, the Company or HoldCo Sub
indicating its consent to, approval of or acquiescence in any such
proceeding and failing to use its respective best efforts to have
discharged the appointment of any receiver of or trustee for the Company or
HoldCo Sub or any substantial part of their respective properties.
(e) Indebtedness. The direct or indirect modification, amendment or
prepayment of the Anticipated Financing under the Formation Agreement by
the Company or
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HoldCo Sub prior to the seventh (7th) anniversary of the closing of the
transactions contemplated by the Formation Agreement. The Company directly or
indirectly, creating, incurring, assuming, guaranteeing, or otherwise becoming
or remaining directly or indirectly liable with respect to any Indebtedness. As
used herein, "Indebtedness" means, at any time, (i) liabilities for borrowed
money, (ii) liabilities for the deferred purchase price of property acquired by
the Company (excluding accounts payable arising in the ordinary course of
business but including all liabilities created or arising under any conditional
sale or other title retention agreement with respect to any such property);
(iii) all liabilities appearing on its balance sheet in accordance with
generally accepted accounting principles consistently applied throughout the
periods involved ("GAAP") in respect of capital leases; (iv) all liabilities for
borrowed money secured by any Encumbrance with respect to any property owned by
the Company (whether or not it has assumed or otherwise become liable for such
liabilities); (v) all liabilities in respect of letters of credit or instruments
serving a similar function issued or accepted for its account by banks and other
financial institutions (whether or not representing obligations for borrowed
money); and (vi) any guaranty of the Company with respect to liabilities of a
type described in any of clauses (i) through (v) hereof.
(f) Liens. The Company, directly or indirectly, maintaining, creating,
incurring, assuming or permitting to exist any Encumbrance (other than
Encumbrances on the membership interests in HoldCo Sub granted to the
Lender to secure the Anticipated Financing) on or with respect to any
property or asset (including any document or instrument in respect of goods
or accounts receivable) of the Company, whether now owned or hereafter
acquired, or any income or profits therefrom.
(g) Issuance of Interests. Except pursuant to a transfer permitted by
Section 8.1 or Section 8.2, the authorization or issuance of any interests
in, or the admission of any members to, the Company or HoldCo Sub, other
than BAM and CCIC Member, including, without limitation, the authorization
or issuance of any additional interests in the Company to BAM or CCIC
Member beyond those interests authorized and issued in connection with the
formation of the Company.
(h) Contingent Obligations. The Company, directly or indirectly,
creating or becoming or being liable with respect to any Contingent
Obligation.
As used herein, the term "Contingent Obligations" means any direct or indirect
liability, contingent or otherwise (i) with respect to any indebtedness, lease,
dividend or other obligation of another if the primary purpose or intent thereof
is to provide assurance to the obligee of such obligation of another that such
obligation of another will be paid or discharged, or that any agreements
relating thereto will be complied with, or that the holders of such obligations
will be protected (in whole or in part) against loss in respect thereof and (ii)
with respect to any letter of credit. Contingent Obligations shall include with
respect to the Company, without limitation, the direct or indirect guaranty,
endorsement (otherwise than for the collection or deposit in the ordinary course
of business), co-making, discounting with recourse or sale with recourse by the
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Company, the obligation to make take-or-pay or similar payments if required
regardless of non-performance by any other party or parties to an agreement, and
any liability of the Company for the obligations of another through any
agreement (contingent or otherwise) (x) to purchase, repurchase or otherwise
acquire such obligation or any security therefor, or to provide funds for the
payment or discharge of such obligation (whether in the form of loans, advances,
stock purchases, capital contributions or otherwise), and (y) to maintain the
solvency or any balance sheet item, level of income or financial condition of
another, if in the case of any agreement described under subclause (x) or (y) of
this sentence, the primary purpose or intent thereof is as described in the
preceding sentence.
(i) Preservation of Existence. Any action contrary to the preservation
and maintenance of the Company's and HoldCo Sub's existence, rights,
franchises and privileges as a limited liability company under the laws of
the State of Delaware. Any action which would prevent the Company or HoldCo
Sub from qualifying and remaining qualified as a foreign limited liability
company in each jurisdiction in which such qualification is necessary or
desirable in view of its business and operations or the ownership or lease
of its properties.
(j) Merger or Sale of Assets. Any merger or consolidation by the
Company or HoldCo Sub with any Person. Any sale, assignment, lease or other
disposition by the Company or HoldCo Sub of (whether in one transaction or
in a series of transactions), or any voluntarily parting with the control
of (whether in one transaction or in a series of transactions), a material
portion of the Company's or HoldCo Sub's assets (whether now owned or
hereinafter acquired), except in accordance with the provisions of any of
the Transaction Documents, and except for sales or other dispositions of
assets in the ordinary course of business. Any sale, assignment or other
disposition of (whether in one transaction or in a series of transactions)
any of the Company's or HoldCo Sub's accounts receivable (whether now in
existence or hereinafter created) at a discount or with recourse, to any
Person, except for sales or other dispositions of assets in the ordinary
course of business.
(k) Dealings with Affiliates. Except pursuant to the Transaction
Documents, the entering into by the Company or HoldCo Sub of any
transaction, including, without limitation, any loans or extensions of
credit or royalty agreements with any Representative, Manager, officer or
member of the Company or HoldCo Sub or any officer, director of CCIC or
CCIC Member or holder of more than five percent (5%) of the outstanding
CCIC Common Stock, or any member of their respective immediate families or
any corporation or other entity directly or indirectly controlled by one or
more of such officers, directors or stockholders or members of their
immediate families except in the ordinary course of business and on terms
not less favorable to the Company or HoldCo Sub than it would reasonably
expect to obtain in a transaction between unrelated parties.
(l) Dividends; Distributions. The declaration or payment by the
Company or HoldCo Sub of any dividend, or making by the Company or HoldCo
Sub of any distribution or return of capital, or the redemption by the
Company or HoldCo Sub of any equity
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interest, or the making by the Company or HoldCo Sub of any similar
payments or transfer of property to its Members (excluding payments for
goods or services).
(m) Method of Certain Calculations. The determination of any method to
be used in calculating any of the payments to be made under the Management
Agreement or the Bidder Services Agreement.
(n) Business Plan. The approval of the Business Plan as set forth in
Section 10.3.
(o) Actions as Member of HoldCo Sub. The Company giving any consent,
in its capacity as a member of HoldCo Sub, under Section 3.8 of the HoldCo
Sub Operating Agreement.
(p) Voting of CCIC Contributed Shares held by the Company. The Company
exercising any voting rights with respect to the CCIC Contributed Shares
held by the Company, and in the absence of the mutual agreement of BAM and
CCIC Member as to the exercise of such voting rights, the CCIC Contributed
Shares shall be voted on each matter submitted to a vote of the
stockholders of CCIC for and against such matter in the same proportion as
the vote of all other shares entitled to vote thereon are voted (whether by
proxy or otherwise) for and against such matter.
Whenever the mutual consent of BAM and CCIC Member is required under either this
Operating Agreement, the HoldCo Sub Operating Agreement or the OpCo Operating
Agreement, the Managers shall only take action, vote the membership interests in
HoldCo Sub or authorize the Managers of HoldCo Sub to vote the membership
interest in OpCo in accordance with the direction of BAM and CCIC Member as
provided for in this Section 3.8.
Section III.9 Exculpation. No Member, Manager, Representative, Alternate or
officer shall be liable to the Company or to any Member for any losses, claims,
damages or liabilities arising from, related to, or in connection with, this
Operating Agreement or the business or affairs of the Company, except for any
losses, claims, damages or liabilities as are determined by final judgment of a
court of competent jurisdiction to have resulted from such Member, Manager,
Representative, Alternate or officer's gross negligence or willful misconduct.
To the extent that, at law or in equity, any Member, Manger, Representative,
Alternate or officer has duties (including fiduciary duties) and liabilities
relating thereto to the Company or to any Member, such Member, Manager,
Representative, Alternate or officer acting in connection with this Operating
Agreement or the business or affairs of the Company shall not be liable to the
Company or to any Member, Manager, Representative, Alternate or officer for its
good faith conduct in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement or any
approval or authorization granted by the Company or any Member, Manager,
Representative, Alternate or officer. The provisions of this Operating
Agreement, to the extent that they restrict the duties and liabilities of any
Member, Manager, Representative, Alternate or officer otherwise existing at law
or in
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equity, are agreed by the Members to replace such other duties and liabilities
of such Member, Manager, Representative, Alternate or officer.
Section III.10 Reliance on Reports and Information by Member,
Representative, Alternate or Manager. A Member, Representative, Alternate or
Manager of the Company shall be fully protected in relying in good faith upon
the records of the Company and upon such information, opinions, reports or
statements presented to the Company by any of its other Managers, Members,
Representatives, Alternates, officers, employees or committees of the Company,
or by any other person, as to matters the Member, Representative, Alternate or
Manager reasonably believes are within such other person's professional or
expert competence and who has been selected with reasonable care by or on behalf
of the Company, including information, opinions, reports or statements as to the
value and amount of the assets, liabilities, profits or losses of the Company or
any other facts pertinent to the existence and amount of assets from which
distributions to Members might properly be paid.
Section III.11 Bank Accounts. The Managers may from time to time open bank
accounts in the name of the Company, and the Managers, or any of them, shall be
the sole signatory or signatories thereon, unless the Managers determine
otherwise.
Section III.12 Resignation. A Manager of the Company may resign at any time
by giving written notice to the Company. The resignation of a Manager shall be
effective upon receipt of such notice or at such later time as shall be
specified in the notice. Unless otherwise specified in the notice, the
acceptance of the resignation shall not be necessary to make such resignation
effective.
Section III.13 Removal. Any individual Manager may be removed from office
at any time, without assigning any cause, by CCIC Member.
Section III.14 Vacancies. Any vacancy with respect to a Manager occurring
for any reason may be filled by CCIC Member.
Section 3.15 Salaries. The salaries of the Managers shall be fixed from
time to time by the Board of Representatives in accordance with the Business
Plan or by such Manager as may be designated by resolution of the Board of
Representatives. The salaries or other compensation of any other employees and
other agents shall be fixed from time to time by the Board of Representatives or
by such Manager as may be designated by resolution of the Board of
Representatives.
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ARTICLE IV
MEMBERS
Section IV.1 Admission of Members.
(a) A person acquiring an interest in the Company in connection with
its formation shall be admitted as a Member of the Company upon the later
to occur of the formation of the Company or when the admission of the
person is reflected in the records of the Company.
(b) After the formation of the Company, a person acquiring an interest
in the Company from the Company, is admitted as a Member upon the
satisfaction of all requirements in Article VIII of this Operating
Agreement.
Section IV.2 Meetings. Meetings of the Members, for any purpose or
purposes, unless otherwise prescribed by statute, may be called by any Manager
or by any Member.
Section IV.3 Place of Meeting. The Managers or Members calling a meeting
pursuant to Section 4.2 may designate any place as the place for any meeting of
the Members. If no designation is made, the place of meeting shall be the
principal office of the Company.
Section IV.4 Record Date. For the purpose of determining Members entitled
to notice of, or to vote at, any meeting of Members or any adjournment of the
meeting, or Members entitled to receive payment of any distribution, or to make
a determination of Members for any other purpose, the date on which notice of
the meeting is mailed or the date on which the resolution declaring the
distribution or relating to such other purpose is adopted, as the case may be,
shall be the record date for the determination of Members. Only Members of
record on the date fixed shall be so entitled notwithstanding any permitted
transfer of a Member's Membership Interest after any record date fixed as
provided in this Section. When a determination of Members entitled to vote at
any meeting of Members has been made as provided in this section, the
determination shall apply to any adjournment of the meeting.
Section IV.5 Quorum. A meeting of Members of the Company duly called shall
not be organized for the transaction of business unless a quorum is present. The
presence of each Member, represented in person or by proxy, shall constitute a
quorum at any meeting of Members, provided, however, that if notice of a meeting
is provided to the Members, and such notice describes the business to be
considered, the actions to be taken and the matters to be voted on at the
meeting in reasonable detail, and insufficient Members attend the meeting to
constitute a quorum, the meeting may be adjourned by those Members attending
such meeting for a period not to exceed twenty (20) days. Such meeting may be
reconvened by providing notice of the reconvened meeting to the Members no less
than ten (10) days prior to the date of the meeting specifying that the business
to be considered, the actions to be taken and the matters to be voted
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upon are those set forth in the notice of the original adjourned meeting. If, at
the reconvened meeting, a quorum of Members is not present, a majority of the
Members present and voting will constitute a quorum for purposes of the
reconvened meeting; provided, however that such Members may only consider the
business, take the actions or vote upon the matters set forth in the notice of
the original meeting. At an adjourned meeting at which a quorum shall be present
or represented, any business may be transacted which might have been transacted
at the meeting as originally noticed. The Members present at a duly organized
meeting may continue to transact business until adjournment, notwithstanding the
withdrawal during the meeting of Members whose absence would cause less than a
quorum.
Notwithstanding the foregoing or any other provision in this Agreement, no
Member shall have any power or authority to do or perform any act with respect
to any of the matters set forth in Section 3.8 of this Operating Agreement
unless such matter has been approved by the mutual consent of BAM and CCIC
Member in accordance with the provisions of this Operating Agreement.
Section IV.6 Manner of Acting. Except as otherwise provided in the Act or
the Certificate or this Operating Agreement, including, without limitation,
Section 3.8 hereof, whenever any Company action is to be taken by vote of the
Members of the Company, it shall be authorized upon receiving the affirmative
vote of Members entitled to vote who own a majority of the Percentage Interests
(as defined in Section 6.1) then held by Members.
Section IV.7 Voting Rights of Members. Unless otherwise provided in the
Certificate, every Member of the Company shall be entitled to a percentage of
the total votes equal to that Member's then current Percentage Interest.
Section IV.8 Relationship of Members. Except as otherwise expressly and
specifically provided in or as authorized pursuant to the Certificate or this
Operating Agreement, (a) in the event that any Member (or any of such Member's
shareholders, partners, members, owners, or Affiliates (collectively, the
"Liable Member")) has incurred any indebtedness or obligation prior to the date
of this Agreement that relates to or otherwise affects the Company, neither the
Company nor any other Member shall have any liability or responsibility for or
with respect to such indebtedness or obligation unless such indebtedness or
obligation is assumed by the Company pursuant to this Operating Agreement, the
Formation Agreement or any of the other Transaction Documents, or a written
instrument signed by all Members; (b) neither the Company nor any Member
pursuant to this Agreement shall be responsible or liable for any indebtedness
or obligation that is incurred after the date of this Agreement by any Liable
Member, and in the event that a Liable Member, whether prior to or after the
date hereof, incurs (or has incurred) any debt or obligation that neither the
Company nor any of the other Members is to have any responsibility or liability
for, the Liable Member shall indemnify and hold harmless the Company and the
other Members from any liability or obligation they may incur in respect
thereof; (c) nothing contained herein shall render any Member personally liable
for any debts, obligations or liabilities incurred by the other Members or the
Company whether arising in
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contract, tort or otherwise or for the acts or omissions of any other Member,
Manager, agent or employee of the Company; (d) no Member shall be constituted an
agent of the other Members or the Company; (e) nothing contained herein shall
create any interest on the part of any Member in the business or other assets of
the other Members; (f) nothing contained herein shall be deemed to restrict or
limit in any way the carrying on (directly or indirectly) of separate businesses
or activities by any Member now or in the future, even if such businesses or
activities are competitive with the Company; and (g) no Member shall have any
authority to act for, or to assume any obligation on behalf of, the other
Members or the Company. No Member or any of its affiliates or any of their
respective officers, directors, employees or former employees shall have any
obligation, or be liable, to the Company or any other Member pursuant to this
Agreement for or arising out of the conduct described in the preceding clause
(f), for exercising, performing or observing or failing to exercise, perform or
observe, any of its rights or obligations under the Formation Agreement or any
other Transaction Document, for exercising or failing to exercise its rights as
a Member or, solely by reason of such conduct, for breach of any fiduciary or
other duty to the Company or any Member. In the event that a Member, any of its
Affiliates or any of their respective officers, directors, employees or former
employees acquires knowledge of a potential transaction, agreement, arrangement
or other matter which may be a corporate opportunity for both the Member and the
Company, neither the Member nor such Affiliate, officers, directors, employees
or former employees shall have any duty to communicate or offer such corporate
opportunity to the Company, and neither the Member nor such Affiliate, officers,
directors, employees or former employees shall be liable to the Company for
breach of any fiduciary or other duty, as a member or otherwise, by reason of
the fact that the Member or such Affiliate, officers, directors, employees or
former employees pursue or acquire such corporate opportunity for the Member,
direct such corporate opportunity to another person or entity or fail to
communicate such corporate opportunity or information regarding such corporate
opportunity to the Company.
Section IV.9 Business Transactions of Member, Representative or Alternate
with the Company. A Member, Representative or Alternate may lend money to,
borrow money from, act as a surety, guarantor or endorser for, guarantee or
assume one or more obligations of, provide collateral for, and transact any and
all other business with the Company and, subject to other applicable law, has
the same rights and obligations with respect to any such matter as a person who
is not a Member, Representative or Alternate.
ARTICLE V
INDEMNIFICATION
Section V.1 Indemnification by the Company.
(a) The Company shall indemnify an indemnified representative against
any liability incurred in connection with any proceeding in which the
indemnified representative
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may be involved as a party or otherwise, as and when incurred, by reason of
the fact that such person is or was serving in an indemnified capacity,
including, without limitation, liabilities resulting from any actual or
alleged breach or neglect of duty, error, misstatement or misleading
statement, negligence, gross negligence or act giving rise to liability,
except:
(1) where such indemnification is expressly prohibited by
applicable law;
(2) where the conduct of the indemnified representative has been
finally determined:
(i) to constitute willful misconduct or recklessness
sufficient in the circumstances to bar indemnification against
liabilities arising from the conduct; or
(ii) to be based upon or attributable to the receipt by the
indemnified representative from the Company of a personal benefit
to which the indemnified representative is not legally entitled;
or
(3) to the extent such indemnification has been finally
determined in a final adjudication to be otherwise unlawful.
(b) If an indemnified representative is entitled to indemnification in
respect of a portion, but not all, of any liabilities to which such person
may be subject, the Company shall indemnify such indemnified representative
to the maximum extent for such portion of the liabilities.
(c) The termination of a proceeding by judgment, order, settlement or
conviction or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent shall not of
itself create a presumption that the indemnified representative is not
entitled to indemnification.
(d) Definitions. For purposes of this Article:
(1) "indemnified capacity" means any and all past, present and
future service by an indemnified representative in one or more
capacities as a Member, Manager, Representative, Alternate or
authorized agent of the Company;
(2) "indemnified representative" means any and all Members,
Managers, Representatives, Alternates and authorized agents of the
Company and any other person designated as an indemnified
representative by the mutual consent of BAM and CCIC Member, given in
accordance with the provisions of this Operating Agreement;
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(3) "liability" means any damage, judgment, amount paid in
settlement, fine, penalty, punitive damages, excise tax assessed with
respect to an employee benefit plan, or cost or expense of any nature
(including, without limitation, attorneys' fees and disbursements);
and
(4) "proceeding" means any threatened, pending or completed
action, suit, appeal or other proceeding of any nature, whether civil,
criminal, administrative or investigative, whether formal or informal,
and whether brought by or in the right of the Company, a class of its
Members or security holders or otherwise.
Section V.2 Proceedings Initiated by Indemnified Representatives.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Article, the Company shall not
indemnify under this Article an indemnified representative for any liability
incurred in a proceeding initiated (which shall not be deemed to include
counterclaims or affirmative defenses) or participated in as an intervenor or
amicus curiae by the person seeking indemnification unless such initiation of or
participation in the proceeding is authorized, either before or after its
commencement, by the unanimous consent of the Board of Representatives. This
Section does not apply to reimbursement of expenses incurred in successfully
prosecuting or defending the rights of an indemnified representative granted by
or pursuant to this Article.
Section V.3 Advancing Expenses. The Company shall pay the expenses
(including attorneys' fees and disbursements) incurred in good faith by an
indemnified representative in advance of the final disposition of a proceeding
described in Section 5.1 or the initiation of or participation in which is
authorized pursuant to Section 5.2 upon receipt of an undertaking by or on
behalf of the indemnified representative to repay the amount if it is ultimately
determined that such person is not entitled to be indemnified by the Company
pursuant to this Article. The financial ability of an indemnified representative
to repay an advance shall not be a prerequisite to the making of such advance.
Section V.4 Payment of Indemnification. An indemnified representative shall
be entitled to indemnification within thirty (30) days after a written request
for indemnification has been delivered to the secretary of the Company.
Section V.5 Arbitration.
(a) Any dispute related to the right to indemnification, contribution
or advancement of expenses as provided under this Article, except with
respect to indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act
of 1933, as amended, that the Company has undertaken to submit to a court
for adjudication, shall be decided only by arbitration in the metropolitan
area in which the principal executive offices of the Company are located at
the time, in accordance with the commercial arbitration rules then in
effect of the American Arbitration Association ("AAA"), before a panel of
three arbitrators, one of whom shall be
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selected by the Company, the second of whom shall be selected by the
Indemnified Representative and the third of whom shall be selected by the
other two arbitrators. In the absence of the AAA, or if for any reason
arbitration under the arbitration rules of the AAA cannot be initiated, and
if one of the parties fails or refuses to select an arbitrator or the
arbitrators selected by the Company and the Indemnified Representative
cannot agree on the selection of the third arbitrator within thirty (30)
days after such time as the Company and the Indemnified Representative have
each been notified of the selection of the other's arbitrator, the
necessary arbitrator or arbitrators shall be selected by the presiding
judge of the court of general jurisdiction in such metropolitan area.
(b) Each arbitrator selected as provided in this Section is required
to be or have been a manager, director or executive officer of a limited
liability company, corporation or other entity whose equity securities were
listed during at least one (1) year of such service on the New York Stock
Exchange or the American Stock Exchange or quoted on the National
Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations System.
(c) The party or parties challenging the right of an Indemnified
Representative to the benefits of this Article shall have the burden of
proof.
(d) The Company shall reimburse an Indemnified Representative for the
expenses (including attorneys' fees and disbursements) incurred in
successfully prosecuting or defending such arbitration.
(e) Any award entered by the arbitrators shall be final, binding and
nonappealable and judgment may be entered thereon by any party in
accordance with applicable law in any court of competent jurisdiction,
except that the Company shall be entitled to interpose as a defense in any
such judicial enforcement proceeding any prior final judicial determination
adverse to the indemnified representative under Section 5.1 in a proceeding
not directly involving indemnification under this Article. This arbitration
provision shall be specifically enforceable.
Section V.6 Contribution. If the indemnification provided for in this
Article or otherwise is unavailable for any reason in respect of any liability
or portion thereof, the Company shall contribute to the liabilities to which the
indemnified representative may be subject in such proportion as is appropriate
to reflect the intent of this Article or otherwise.
Section V.7 Mandatory Indemnification of Members and Managers. To the
extent that an indemnified representative of the Company has been successful on
the merits or otherwise in defense of any proceeding or in defense of any claim,
issue or matter therein, such person shall be indemnified against expenses
(including attorneys' fees and disbursements) actually and reasonably incurred
by such person in connection therewith.
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Section V.8 Contract Rights; Amendment or Repeal. All rights under this
Article shall be deemed a contract between the Company and the indemnified
representative pursuant to which the Company and each indemnified representative
intend to be legally bound. Any repeal, amendment or modification hereof shall
be prospective only and shall not affect any rights or obligations then
existing.
Section V.9 Scope of Article. The rights granted by this Article shall not
be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which those seeking indemnification,
contribution or advancement of expenses may be entitled under any statute,
agreement, vote of disinterested Members or disinterested Representatives,
Alternates, Managers or otherwise, both as to action in an indemnified capacity
and as to action in any other capacity. The indemnification, contribution and
advancement of expenses provided by or granted pursuant to this Article shall
continue as to a person who has ceased to be an indemnified representative in
respect of matters arising prior to such time, and shall inure to the benefit of
the heirs, executors, administrators, personal representatives, successors and
permitted assigns of such a person.
Section V.10 Reliance on Provisions. Each person who shall act as an
indemnified representative of the Company shall be deemed to be doing so in
reliance upon the rights of indemnification, contribution and advancement of
expenses provided by this Article.
ARTICLE VI
CAPITAL ACCOUNTS
Section VI.1 Definitions. For the purposes of this Operating Agreement,
unless the context otherwise requires:
(a) "Adjusted Capital Account" shall mean, for any Member, its Capital
Account balance maintained and adjusted as required by Treasury Regulation
Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv).
(b) "Capital Account" shall mean, with respect to a Member, such
Member's capital account established and maintained in accordance with the
provisions of Section 6.5.
(c) "Capital Contribution" means any contribution to the capital of
the Company in cash, property or expertise by a Member whenever made. A
loan by a Member of the Company shall not be considered a Capital
Contribution.
(d) "IRC" shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
(e) "Membership Interest" means a Member's interest in the Company.
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(f) "Percentage Interest" means, with respect to any Member, the
Percentage Interest set forth opposite such Member's name on Schedule A
attached hereto, as amended from time to time to reflect transfers of
Membership Interests in accordance with this Operating Agreement.
(g) "Profits" and "Losses" mean, for each fiscal year, an amount equal
to the Company's taxable income or loss for such fiscal year, determined in
accordance with IRC ss.703(a). For the purpose of this definition, all
items of income, gain, loss or deduction required to be stated separately
pursuant to IRC ss.703(a)(1) shall be included in taxable income or loss
with the following adjustments:
(1) Any income of the Company that is exempt from federal income
tax and not otherwise taken into account in computing Profits or
Losses pursuant to this Section shall be added to such taxable income
or loss;
(2) Any expenditures of the Company described in IRC
ss.705(a)(2)(B) or treated as IRC ss.705(a)(2)(B) expenditures
pursuant to Treasury Regulation ss.1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(i), and not
otherwise taken into account in computing Profits or Losses pursuant
to this Section shall be subtracted from such taxable income or loss.
(h) "Treasury Regulations" include proposed, temporary and final
regulations promulgated under the IRC in effect as of the date of this
Operating Agreement and the corresponding sections of any regulations
subsequently issued that amend or supersede such regulations.
Section VI.2 Determination of Tax Book Value of Company Assets.
(a) Except as set forth below, the "Tax Book Value" of any Company
asset is its adjusted basis for federal income tax purposes.
(b) The initial Tax Book Value of any assets contributed by a Member
to the Company shall be the agreed fair market value of such assets,
increased by the amount of liabilities of the contributing Member assumed
by the Company in connection with the contribution of such assets plus the
amount of any other liabilities to which such assets are subject.
(c) The Tax Book Values of all Company assets may be adjusted by the
Managers to equal their respective gross fair market values as of the
following times: (i) the admission of an additional Member to the Company
or the acquisition by an existing Member of an additional Membership
Interest; (ii) the distribution by the Company of money or property to a
withdrawing, retiring or continuing Member in consideration for the
retirement of all or a
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portion of such Member's Membership Interest; and (iii) the termination of
the Company for Federal income tax purposes pursuant to Section
708(b)(1)(B) of the IRC.
Section VI.3 Capital Contributions.
(a) The initial capital contributions to be made by the Members shall
be contributed in cash, property, services rendered, as a credit for
expenses incurred by such Member for the benefit of the Company or a
promissory note or other obligation to contribute cash or property or
perform services. The initial capital contribution of each Member will be
reflected in the books and records of the Company.
(b) No Member shall be obligated to make any capital contributions to
the Company in excess of its initial capital contribution.
(c) No Member shall be permitted to make any capital contributions to
the Company unless mutually agreed by BAM and CCIC Member.
Section VI.4 Liability for Contribution.
(a) A Member of the Company is obligated to the Company to perform any
promise to contribute cash or property or to perform services, even if the
Member is unable to perform because of death, disability or any other
reason. If a Member does not make the required contribution of property or
services, the Member is obligated at the option of the Company to
contribute cash equal to that portion of the agreed value (as stated in the
records of the Company) of the contribution that has not been made. The
foregoing option shall be in addition to, and not in lieu of, any other
rights, including the right to specific performance, that the Company may
have against such Member under applicable law.
(b) The obligation of a Member of the Company to make a contribution
or return money or other property paid or distributed in violation of the
Act may be compromised only by consent of all the Members. Notwithstanding
the compromise, a creditor of the Company who extends credit, after
entering into this Operating Agreement or an amendment hereof which, in
either case, reflects the obligation, and before the amendment hereof to
reflect the compromise, may enforce the original obligation to the extent
that, in extending credit, the creditor reasonably relied on the obligation
of a Member to make a contribution or return. A conditional obligation of a
Member to make a contribution or return money or other property to the
Company may not be enforced unless the conditions of the obligation have
been satisfied or waived as to or by such Member. Conditional obligations
include contributions payable upon a discretionary call of the Company
prior to the time the call occurs.
Section VI.5 Capital Accounts. A separate Capital Account will be
maintained for each Member. The initial Capital Accounts shall consist solely of
the initial capital contributed by the Members pursuant to Section 6.3. BAM's
Capital Account will be reduced immediately
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after the BAM Capital Distribution by the amount distributed to BAM (and the
Transferring Partnerships). BAM's Capital Account balance after the BAM Capital
Distribution will be reflected on the books and records of the Company.
Notwithstanding any other provision hereof, the Company shall determine and
adjust the Capital Accounts in accordance with the rules of Treasury Regulation
Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv). Except as otherwise required in the Act, no Member
shall have any liability to restore all or any portion of a deficit balance in
the Member's Capital Account.
Section VI.6 No Interest on or Return of Capital. No Member shall be
entitled to interest on any Capital Contribution or Capital Account. No Member
shall have the right to demand or receive the return of all or any part of any
Capital Contribution or Capital Account except as may be expressly provided
herein, and no Member shall be personally liable for the return of the Capital
Contributions of any other Member.
Section VI.7 Percentage Interest. The Percentage Interests of the Members
are as set forth on Schedule A. The Percentage Interests shall be updated by the
Managers to reflect any transfers of Membership Interests, set forth on a
revised Schedule A and filed with the records of the Company. The sum of the
Percentage Interests for all Members shall equal 100 percent.
Section VI.8 Allocations of Profits and Losses Generally. After the
allocations in Section 6.9, at the end of each year (or shorter period if
necessary or longer period if agreed by all of the Partners), Profits and Losses
shall be allocated as follows:
(a) Profits. Profits shall be allocated to the Members in proportion
to their respective Percentage Interests.
(b) Losses. Losses shall be allocated to the Members in proportion to
their respective Percentage Interests.
Section VI.9 Allocations Under Regulations.
(a) Company Nonrecourse Deductions. Loss attributable (under Treasury
Regulation Section 1.704-2(c)) to "partnership nonrecourse liabilities"
(within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-2(b)(1)) shall be
allocated among the Members in the same proportion as their respective
Percentage Interests.
(b) Member Nonrecourse Deductions. Loss attributable (under Treasury
Regulation Section 1.704-2(i)(2)) to "partner nonrecourse debt" (within the
meaning of Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-2(b)(4)) shall be allocated,
in accordance with Treasury Regulation Section 1.704- 2(i)(1), to the
Member who bears the economic risk of loss with respect to the debt to
which the Loss is attributable. The Members acknowledge that the
Anticipated Financing shall be treated as "partner nonrecourse debt."
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(c) Minimum Gain Chargeback. Each Member will be allocated Profits at
such times and in such amounts as necessary to satisfy the minimum gain
chargeback requirements of Treasury Regulation Sections 1.704-2(f) and
1.704-2(i)(4).
(d) Qualified Income Offset. Losses and items of income and gain shall
be specially allocated when and to the extent required to satisfy the
"qualified income offset" requirement within the meaning of Treasury
Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d).
Section VI.10 Other Allocations.
(a) Allocations when Tax Book Value Differs from Tax Basis. When the
Tax Book Value of a Company asset is different from its adjusted tax basis
for income tax purposes, then, solely for federal, state and local income
tax purposes and not for purposes of computing Capital Accounts, income,
gain, loss, deduction and credit with respect to such assets ("Section
704(c) Assets") shall be allocated among the Members to take this
difference into account in accordance with the principles of IRC Section
704(c), as set forth herein and in the Treasury Regulations thereunder and
under IRC Section 704(b). Except to the extent otherwise required by final
Treasury Regulations, the calculation and allocations eliminating the
differences between Tax Book Value and adjusted tax basis of the Section
704(c) Assets shall be made on an asset-by-asset basis without curative or
remedial allocations to overcome the "ceiling rule" of Treasury Regulation
Section l.704-1(c)(2) and Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-3(b)(1).
(b) Change in Member's Interest.
(1) If during any fiscal year of the Company there is a change in
any Member's Membership Interest, then for purposes of complying with
IRC Section 706(d), the determination of Company items allocable to
any period shall be made by using any method permissible under IRC
Section 706(d) and the Regulations thereunder as may be determined by
the Managers.
(2) The Members agree to be bound by the provisions of this
Section 6.10(b) in reporting their shares of Company income, gain,
loss, and deduction for tax purposes.
(c) Allocations on Liquidation. Notwithstanding any other provision of
this Article VI to the contrary, in the taxable year in which there is a
liquidation of the Company, after the allocations in Sections 6.8 and 6.9
hereof, the Capital Accounts of the Members will, to the extent possible,
be brought to the amount of the liquidating distributions to be made to
them under Section 9.5 hereof by allocations of items of profit and loss
and, if necessary, by guaranteed payments (within the meaning of Code
Section 707(c)) credited to the Capital Account of a Member whose Capital
Account is less than the amount to be distributed to it and
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debited from the Capital Account of the Member whose Capital Account is
greater than the amount to be distributed to it.
Section VI.11 Limitations Upon Liability of Members. Except as otherwise
expressly and specifically provided in or required by the Certificate or this
Operating Agreement, the personal liability of each Member to the Company, to
the other Members, to the creditors of the Company or any third party for the
losses, debts or liabilities of the Company shall be limited to the amount of
its Capital Contribution which has not theretofore been returned to it as a
distribution (including a distribution upon liquidation). For purposes of the
foregoing sentence, distributions to a Member shall first be deemed a return of
its Capital Contribution. No Member shall at any time be liable or held
accountable to the Company, to the other Members, to the creditors of the
Company or to any other third party for or on account of any negative balance in
its Capital Account.
ARTICLE VII
DISTRIBUTIONS
Section VII.1 Net Cash From Operations and Distributions.
(a) Except as otherwise provided in this Operating Agreement
including, without limitation, in Section 3.8 hereof, and subject to any
restrictions contained in any credit or other agreements to which the
Company is a party, Net Cash From Operations, if any, shall be determined
annually by the Managers and distributed for each fiscal year to the
Members in accordance with their Percentage Interests.
(b) For purposes of this Operating Agreement, "Net Cash From
Operations" means the gross cash proceeds from Company operations less the
portion thereof used to, or expected to be used to, pay expenses, debt
payments, capital improvements, replacements and increases to reserves
therefor. "Net Cash From Operations" shall not be reduced by depreciation,
amortization, cost recovery deductions or similar allowances, but shall be
increased by any reductions to reserves previously established.
Section VII.2 Limitations on Distributions.
(a) The Company shall not make a distribution to a Member to the
extent that at the time of the distribution, after giving effect to the
distribution, all liabilities of the Company, other than liabilities to
Members on account of their interests in the Company and liabilities for
which the recourse of creditors is limited to specified property of the
Company, exceed the fair value of the assets of the Company, except that
the fair value of property that is subject to a liability for which the
recourse of creditors is limited shall be included in the assets of the
Company only to the extent that the fair value of that property exceeds
that liability.
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(b) A Member who receives a distribution in violation of subsection
(a), and who knew at the time of the distribution that the distribution
violated this section, shall be liable to the Company for the amount of the
distribution. A Member who receives a distribution in violation of this
section, and who did not know at the time of the distribution that the
distribution violated this section, shall not be liable for the amount of
the distribution. Subject to subsection (c), this subsection shall not
affect any obligation or liability of a Member under other applicable law
for the amount of a distribution.
(c) A Member who receives a distribution from the Company shall have
no liability under this Section, the Act or other applicable law for the
amount of the distribution after the expiration of three (3) years from the
date of the distribution unless an action to recover the distribution from
such Member is commenced prior to the expiration of the said three (3)-year
period and an adjudication of liability against such Member is made in the
action.
Section VII.3 Amounts of Tax Paid or Withheld. All amounts paid or withheld
pursuant to the IRC or any provision of any state or local tax law with respect
to any Member shall be treated as amounts distributed to the Member pursuant to
this Article for all purposes under this Operating Agreement.
Section VII.4 Distribution in Kind. The Company shall not distribute any
assets in kind, except pursuant to a dissolution in accordance with Article IX.
ARTICLE VIII
TRANSFERABILITY
Section VIII.1 Restriction on Transfers by CCIC Member. Without the prior
written consent of BAM, CCIC Member shall not have the right, directly or
indirectly, to sell, assign, transfer, pledge, hypothecate, mortgage or dispose
of, by gift or otherwise, or in any way encumber, any interest in the Company
held by CCIC Member (the "CCIC HoldCo Interest") unless either (a) the transfer
is made to an entity of which CCIC or CCIC Member owns directly or indirectly
all of the voting power of the outstanding capital stock (provided that (x) such
entity executes an instrument reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to
BAM pursuant to which it agrees to be bound hereby and (y) CCIC (or its
successor by merger) shall not thereafter at any time cease to own directly or
indirectly less than all of the voting power of the outstanding capital stock of
such entity), or (b) CCIC Member has complied with the procedures described in
this Article VIII and (i) the transfer is made subject to the right of first
refusal described in Section 8.3 hereof, and (ii) to the extent BAM does not
exercise its right of first refusal described in Section 8.3 hereof, the
transfer is made subject to the right of participation in sales described in
Section 8.5(a) hereof. For purposes of the foregoing, CCIC Member shall not be
deemed to have indirectly transferred any of the CCIC HoldCo Interest if CCIC or
any other parent corporation of CCIC Member is a party to any merger or
consolidation transaction, whether or
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not such parent corporation is the surviving entity in such merger. Any
purported transfer of the CCIC HoldCo Interest in violation of this Section 8.1
shall be void.
Section VIII.2 Restriction on Transfers by BAM. Without the prior written
consent of CCIC Member, BAM shall not have the right, directly or indirectly, to
sell, assign, transfer, pledge, hypothecate, mortgage or dispose of, by gift or
otherwise, or in any way encumber, any of the interest in the Company held by
BAM (the "BAM HoldCo Interest") unless either (a) the transfer is made to any
entity of which either Bell Atlantic Corporation or BAM owns directly or
indirectly all of the voting power of the outstanding capital stock (provided
that (x) such entity executes an instrument reasonably satisfactory in form and
substance to CCIC Member pursuant to which it agrees to be bound hereby and (y)
Bell Atlantic Corporation or BAM (or the successor by merger to either) shall
not thereafter at any time cease to own directly or indirectly less than all of
the voting power of the outstanding capital stock of such entity), or (b) BAM
has complied with the procedures described in this Article VIII and (i) the
transfer is made subject to the right of first refusal described in Section 8.4
hereof or (ii) to the extent CCIC Member does not exercise its right of first
refusal described in Section 8.4 hereof, the transfer is made subject to the
right of participation in sales described in Section 8.5(b) hereof. For purposes
of the foregoing, BAM shall not be deemed to have indirectly transferred any of
the BAM HoldCo Interest if Bell Atlantic Corporation or any other parent
corporation of BAM is a party to any merger or consolidation transaction,
whether or not such parent corporation is the surviving entity in such merger.
Any purported transfer of the BAM HoldCo Interest in violation of this Section
8.2 shall be void.
Section VIII.3 BAM Right of First Refusal of Transfer.
(a) If at any time CCIC Member wishes to sell all or any part of the
CCIC HoldCo Interest, CCIC Member shall submit a written offer to sell such
CCIC HoldCo Interest to BAM on terms and conditions, including price, not
less favorable to BAM than those on which CCIC Member proposes to sell the
CCIC HoldCo Interest to any other purchaser (the "CCIC Offer"). The CCIC
Offer shall disclose the identity of the proposed purchaser or transferee,
the percentage of the CCIC HoldCo Interest to be sold, the terms of the
sale, any amounts owed to CCIC Member with respect to the CCIC HoldCo
Interest and any other material facts relating to the sale. BAM shall
respond to the CCIC Offer as soon as practicable after receipt thereof, and
in all events within thirty (30) days after receipt thereof. The CCIC Offer
may be revoked at any time. BAM shall have the right to accept the CCIC
Offer as to all (but not less than all) of the CCIC HoldCo Interest offered
thereby. In the event that BAM shall elect on a timely basis to purchase
all (but not less than all) of the CCIC HoldCo Interest covered by the CCIC
Offer, BAM shall communicate in writing such election to purchase to CCIC
Member, which communication shall be delivered by hand or mailed to CCIC
Member at the address set forth in Schedule A hereto and shall, when taken
in conjunction with the CCIC Offer, be deemed to constitute a valid,
legally binding and enforceable agreement for the sale and purchase of the
CCIC HoldCo Interest covered thereby; provided, however, that CCIC Member
may elect in its sole discretion to terminate such agreement at any time
prior to the closing of such sale and
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purchase, in which case such CCIC HoldCo Interest shall again become
subject to the requirements of a prior offer pursuant to this Section. In
the event CCIC Member terminates any such agreement prior to closing, CCIC
Member shall be prohibited from consummating a transaction for the sale and
purchase of the CCIC HoldCo Interest with the proposed purchaser or
transferee for two (2) years from the date of such termination, and shall
be prohibited from consummating a transaction for the sale and purchase of
the CCIC HoldCo Interest with any other party for six (6) months from the
date of such termination. In the event that any CCIC Offer includes any
non-cash consideration, BAM may in its sole discretion elect to pay a cash
amount equal to the fair market value of such non-cash consideration in
lieu of such non-cash consideration. The closing of the sale and purchase
contemplated by any agreement for the sale and purchase of any portion of
the CCIC HoldCo Interest entered into between BAM and CCIC Member pursuant
to this Section 8.3 shall be consummated within sixty (60) days after the
date that such agreement becomes valid, legally binding and enforceable as
aforesaid, subject to extension to the extent necessary to secure required
approvals or consents from Governmental Authorities. Each of BAM and CCIC
Member hereby agrees to use its reasonable best efforts to obtain such
required approvals or consents from Governmental Authorities.
(b) In the event that BAM does not purchase the CCIC HoldCo Interest
offered by CCIC Member pursuant to the CCIC Offer, such CCIC HoldCo
Interest not so purchased may be sold by CCIC Member at any time within
ninety (90) days after the expiration of the CCIC Offer, subject to the
provisions of Section 8.5 below. Any such sale shall be to the same
proposed purchaser or transferee, at not less than the price and upon other
terms and conditions, if any, not more favorable to the purchaser than
those specified in the CCIC Offer. If such CCIC HoldCo Interest is not sold
within such ninety (90)-day period, it shall again become subject to the
requirements of a prior offer pursuant to this Section 8.3. In the event
that such CCIC HoldCo Interest is sold pursuant to this Section 8.3 to any
purchaser other than BAM, such CCIC HoldCo Interest shall continue to be
subject to the restrictions imposed by this Operating Agreement and Section
9.3 of the Formation Agreement with the same effect as though such
purchaser were CCIC Member for purposes of this Section.
Section VIII.4 CCIC Member's Right of First Refusal of Transfer.
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(a) If at any time BAM wishes to sell all or any part of the BAM
HoldCo Interest, BAM shall submit a written offer to sell such BAM HoldCo
Interest to CCIC Member on terms and conditions, including price, not less
favorable to CCIC Member than those on which BAM proposes to sell the BAM
HoldCo Interest to any other purchaser (the "BAM Offer"). The BAM Offer
shall disclose the identity of the proposed purchaser or transferee, the
percentage of the BAM HoldCo Interest to be sold, the terms of the sale,
any amounts owed to BAM with respect to the BAM HoldCo Interest and any
other material facts relating to the sale. CCIC Member shall respond to the
BAM Offer as soon as practicable after receipt thereof, and in all events
within thirty (30) days after receipt thereof. The BAM Offer may be revoked
at any time. CCIC Member shall have the right to accept the BAM Offer as to
all (but not less than all) of the BAM HoldCo Interest offered thereby. In
the event that CCIC Member elects on a timely basis to purchase all (but
not less than all) of the BAM HoldCo Interest covered by the BAM Offer,
CCIC Member shall communicate in writing such election to purchase to BAM,
which communication shall be delivered by hand or mailed to BAM at the
address set forth in Schedule A hereto and shall, when taken in conjunction
with the BAM Offer, be deemed to constitute a valid, legally binding and
enforceable agreement for the sale and purchase of the BAM HoldCo Interest
covered thereby; provided, however, that BAM may elect in its sole
discretion to terminate such agreement at any time prior to the closing of
such sale and purchase, in which case such BAM HoldCo Interest shall again
become subject to the requirements of a prior offer pursuant to this
Section. In the event BAM terminates any such agreement prior to closing,
BAM shall be prohibited from consummating a transaction for the sale and
purchase of the BAM HoldCo Interest with the proposed purchaser or
transferee for two (2) years from the date of such termination, and shall
be prohibited from consummating a transaction for the sale and purchase of
the BAM HoldCo Interest with any other party for six (6) months from the
date of such termination. In the event that any BAM Offer includes any
non-cash consideration, CCIC Member may in its sole discretion elect to pay
a cash amount equal to the fair market value of such non-cash consideration
in lieu of such non-cash consideration. The closing of the sale and
purchase contemplated by any agreement for the sale and purchase of any
portion of the BAM HoldCo Interest entered into between BAM and CCIC Member
pursuant to this Section 8.4 shall be consummated within sixty (60) days
after the date that such agreement becomes valid, legally binding and
enforceable as aforesaid, subject to extension to the extent necessary to
secure required approvals or consents from Governmental Authorities. Each
of BAM and CCIC Member hereby agrees to use its reasonable best efforts to
obtain such required approvals or consents from Governmental Authorities.
(b) In the event that CCIC Member does not purchase the BAM HoldCo
Interest offered by BAM pursuant to the BAM Offer, such BAM HoldCo Interest
not so purchased may be sold by BAM at any time within ninety (90) days
after the expiration of the BAM Offer, subject to the provisions of Section
8.5 below. Any such sale shall be to the same proposed purchaser or
transferee, at not less than the price and upon other terms and conditions,
if any, not more favorable to the purchaser than those specified in the BAM
Offer. If such BAM HoldCo Interest is not sold within such ninety (90)-day
period, such BAM HoldCo Interest shall continue to be subject to the
requirements of a prior offer pursuant to this Section. In the event
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that such BAM HoldCo Interest is sold pursuant to this Section to any
purchaser other than CCIC Member, such portion of the BAM HoldCo Interest
shall continue to be subject to the restrictions imposed by this Operating
Agreement and Section 9.4 of the Formation Agreement with the same effect
as though such purchaser were BAM for purposes of such Section.
Section VIII.5 Right of Participation in Sales.
(a) If at any time CCIC Member wishes to sell all or any portion of
the CCIC HoldCo Interest to any person or entity other than BAM or any
Affiliate of CCIC Member (the "CCIC HoldCo Interest Purchaser"), BAM shall
have the right to offer for sale to the CCIC HoldCo Interest Purchaser, as
a condition of such sale by CCIC Member, at the same price and on the same
terms and conditions as involved in such sale by CCIC Member, the same
proportion of the BAM HoldCo Interest as the proposed sale represents with
respect to the CCIC HoldCo Interest. BAM shall notify CCIC Member of such
intention as soon as practicable after receipt of the CCIC Offer made
pursuant to Section 8.3, and in all events within thirty (30) days after
receipt thereof. In the event that BAM elects to participate in such sale
by CCIC Member, BAM shall communicate such election to CCIC Member, which
communication shall be delivered in accordance with Section 11.5. CCIC
Member and BAM shall sell to the CCIC HoldCo Interest Purchaser the CCIC
HoldCo Interest proposed to be sold by CCIC Member and the BAM HoldCo
Interest proposed to be sold by BAM, at not less than the price and upon
other terms and conditions, if any, not more favorable to the CCIC HoldCo
Interest Purchaser than those in the CCIC Offer provided by CCIC Member
under Section 8.3 above; provided, however, that any purchase of less than
all of the CCIC HoldCo Interest and the BAM HoldCo Interest by the CCIC
HoldCo Interest Purchaser shall be made from CCIC Member and BAM pro rata
based upon the amount offered to be sold by each. Any portion of the CCIC
HoldCo Interest and the BAM HoldCo Interest sold pursuant to this Section
8.5(a) shall no longer be subject to the restrictions imposed by Sections
8.3 or 8.4 of this Operating Agreement or entitled to the benefit of this
Section 8.5(a).
(b) If at any time BAM wishes to sell all or any portion of the BAM
HoldCo Interest to any person or entity other than CCIC Member or Bell
Atlantic Corporation or any other Affiliate of BAM (the "BAM HoldCo
Interest Purchaser"), CCIC Member shall have the right to offer for sale to
the BAM HoldCo Interest Purchaser, as a condition of such sale by BAM, at
the same price and on the same terms and conditions as involved in such
sale by BAM, the same proportion of the CCIC HoldCo Interest as the
proposed sale represents with respect to the BAM HoldCo Interest. CCIC
Member shall notify BAM of such intention as soon as practicable after
receipt of the BAM Offer made pursuant to Section 8.4, and in all events
within thirty (30) days after receipt thereof. In the event that CCIC
Member elects to participate in such sale by BAM, CCIC Member shall
communicate such election to BAM, which communication shall be delivered in
accordance with Section 11.5. BAM and CCIC Member shall sell to the BAM
HoldCo Interest Purchaser the BAM HoldCo Interest proposed to be sold by
BAM and the CCIC HoldCo Interest proposed to be sold by CCIC Member, at not
less than the price and upon other terms and conditions, if any, not more
favorable to the BAM HoldCo Interest Purchaser
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than those in the BAM Offer provided by BAM under Section 8.4 above;
provided, however, that any purchase of less than all of the BAM HoldCo
Interest and the CCIC HoldCo Interest by the BAM HoldCo Interest Purchaser
shall be made from BAM and CCIC Member pro rata based upon the amount
offered to be sold by each. Any portion of the BAM HoldCo Interest and the
CCIC HoldCo Interest sold pursuant to this Section 8.5(b) shall no longer
be subject to the restrictions imposed by Sections 8.3 or 8.4 or entitled
to the benefit of this Section 8.5(b).
Section VIII.6 Effect of Transfer.
(a In addition to satisfaction of Section 4.1 and the above provisions
of this Article VIII, no assignee or transferee of all or part of a
Membership Interest in the Company shall have the right to become admitted
as a Member, unless and until:
(1 the assignee or transferee has executed an instrument
reasonably satisfactory to the Managers accepting and adopting
the provisions of this Operating Agreement;
(2 the assignee or transferee has paid all reasonable
expenses of the Company requested to be paid by the Managers in
connection with the admission of such assignee or transferee as a
Member; and
(3 such assignment or transfer shall be reflected in a
revised Schedule A to this Operating Agreement.
(b A person who is a permitted assignee of an interest in the Company
transferred in compliance with the provisions of this Article VIII shall be
admitted to the Company as a Member and shall receive an interest in the
Company without making a contribution or being obligated to make a
contribution to the Company.
Section VIII.7 No Resignation of Members. A Member may not withdraw or
resign from the Company prior to dissolution or winding up of the Company. If a
Member is a corporation, trust or other entity and is dissolved or terminated,
the powers of that Member may be exercised by its legal representative or
successor.
ARTICLE IX
DISSOLUTION AND TERMINATION
Section IX.1 Dissolution. The Company shall be dissolved upon the
occurrence of any of the following events:
(a By the written consent of both BAM and CCIC Member;
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(b Upon the entry of a decree of judicial dissolution under ss. 18-802
of the Act;
(c Upon the unilateral election by BAM, exercisable at any time after
the third anniversary of the Effective Date of this Agreement by BAM giving
written notice thereof to CCIC Member; or
(d Upon the unilateral election by CCIC Member, exercisable at any
time after the fourth anniversary of the Effective Date of this Agreement
by CCIC Member giving written notice thereof to BAM.
Section IX.2 Events of Bankruptcy of Member. The occurrence of any of the
events set forth in this Section 9.2, with respect to any Member, shall not
result in the dissolution of the Company. Such Member shall cease to be a Member
of the Company, but shall, however, retain its interest in allocations and
distributions, upon the happening of any of the following bankruptcy events:
(a) A Member takes any of the following actions:
(1) Makes an assignment for the benefit of creditors.
(2) Files a voluntary petition in bankruptcy.
(3) Is adjudged a bankrupt or insolvent, or has entered against
the Member an order for relief, in any bankruptcy or insolvency
proceeding.
(4) Files a petition or answer seeking for the Member any
reorganization, arrangement, composition, readjustment, liquidation,
dissolution or similar relief under any statute, law or regulation.
(5) Files an answer or other pleading admitting or failing to
contest the material allegations of a petition filed against the
Member in any proceeding of this nature.
(6) Seeks, consents to or acquiesces in the appointment of a
trustee, receiver or liquidator of the Member or of all or any
substantial part of the properties of the Member.
(b) one hundred twenty (120) days after the commencement of any
proceeding against the Member seeking reorganization, arrangement,
composition, readjustment, liquidation, dissolution or similar relief under
any statute, law or regulation, if the proceeding has not been dismissed,
or if within ninety (90) days after the appointment without the consent or
acquiescence of the Member, of a trustee, receiver or liquidator of the
Member or of all or any
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substantial part of the properties of the Member, the appointment is not
vacated or stayed, or within ninety (90) days after the expiration of any
such stay, the appointment is not vacated.
Section IX.3 Judicial Dissolution. On application by or for a Member or a
Manager, a court may decree dissolution of the Company whenever it is not
reasonably practicable to carry on the business in conformity with this
Operating Agreement.
Section IX.4 Winding Up.
(a The Managers shall wind up the affairs of the Company or may
appoint any person or entity, including a Member, who has not wrongfully
dissolved the Company, to do so (the "Liquidating Trustee").
(b Upon dissolution of the Company and until the filing of a
certificate of cancellation as provided in Section 9.6, the persons winding
up the affairs of the Company may, in the name of, and for and on behalf
of, the Company, prosecute and defend suits, whether civil, criminal or
administrative, gradually settle and close the business of the Company,
dispose of and convey the property of the Company, discharge or make
reasonable provision for the liabilities of the Company, and distribute to
the Members any remaining assets of the Company, all without affecting the
liability of Members and Managers and without imposing liability on a
Liquidating Trustee.
Section IX.5 Distribution of Assets.
(a In the event of any dissolution of the Company, upon the winding up
of the Company, its assets shall be distributed as follows:
(1 First, to creditors, including Members and Managers who are
creditors, to the extent otherwise permitted by law, in satisfaction
of liabilities of the Company (whether by payment or the making of
reasonable provision for payment thereof) other than liabilities for
which reasonable provision for payment has been made;
(2 Next, (i) the CCIC Contributed Shares, including all changes
in the CCIC Contributed Shares by reason of dividends payable in stock
of CCIC, distributions, issuance of stock, stock splits,
recapitalizations, reorganizations, mergers, consolidations,
combinations, exchanges or other similar changes with regard to CCIC
Common Stock occurring following the Effective Date, and together with
all cash, securities (and rights and interests therein) and other
property received or receivable with respect to the CCIC Contributed
Shares shall be distributed to BAM and (ii) subject to the condition
that CCIC Member makes the payment required under the following
subsection (b), the one hundred percent (100%) percentage membership
interest in HoldCo Sub held by the Company shall be distributed
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to CCIC Member; provided, however, (iii) that in the event that (x)
the value of the CCIC Contributed Shares at the date of dissolution of
the Company exceeds (y) the value of the CCIC Contributed Shares on
the Closing Date compounded to the date of dissolution of the Company
at twenty percent (20%) per annum (the excess of (x) over (y) is
referred to as the "Excess Return" herein), then at CCIC Member's
election, CCIC Member shall be entitled to ten percent (10%) of the
Excess Return, to be provided to CCIC Member as a cash distribution of
the net proceeds of the sale of a number of the CCIC Contributed
Shares equal in value to ten percent (10%) of the Excess Return; with
such election to be made as part of CCIC Member's election pursuant to
Section 9.1(d) or within ten (10) days of receipt of BAM's election
pursuant to Section 9.1(c); and
(3 Then, to the Members in proportion to their Percentage
Interests.
(b) In consideration of the distribution to CCIC Member of the HoldCo
Sub membership interest, CCIC Member shall make a payment to BAM in an
amount equal to the Allocated Share of the Fair Market Value of such
membership interest in HoldCo Sub, which reflects the underlying value of
the assets held by each of HoldCo and OpCo; provided, however, that in the
event that CCIC Member makes the election set forth in Section
9.5(a)(2)(iii), then (x) "nineteen percent (19.0%)" shall be substituted
for "fourteen percent (14.0%)" in subsection (i) of the definition of
"Allocated Share" in Section 1.1; and (y) the determination of "Allocated
Share" pursuant to subsection (ii) of such definition shall be performed
appropriately taking into account the substitution described in (x) above.
At the option of CCIC Member, such payment shall be made either (i) in cash
or (ii) in shares of CCIC Common Stock, with the number of shares of CCIC
Common Stock determined by dividing the Allocated Share by the average
trading price of CCIC Common Stock in the sixty (60) trading days preceding
payment. For purposes of this Section, "Fair Market Value" of the HoldCo
Sub membership interest shall be calculated as follows: (i) BAM and CCIC
Member shall negotiate in good faith to determine Fair Market Value and
(ii) if BAM and CCIC Member fail to agree on Fair Market Value within
thirty (30) days after such trigger event, the Fair Market Value of the
HoldCo Sub membership interest shall be determined pursuant to the
appraisal process described below:
(1) Not later than five (5) days after the expiration of the
period during which BAM and CCIC Member are to negotiate in good faith
to determine the Fair Market Value, BAM and CCIC Member shall each
select an appraiser (which may or may not be a Qualified Investment
Banking Firm (as hereinafter defined)) and shall give the other party
notice of such selection. Each of such appraisers (the "Original
Appraisers") shall determine the fair market value of the HoldCo Sub
membership interest at the time such appraiser renders its written
appraisal.
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(2) Each Original Appraiser shall deliver its written appraisal
to the party retaining such Original Appraiser within twenty (20) days
following the date of the selection of both Original Appraisers. Such
written appraisals shall be exchanged by BAM and CCIC Member at the
offices of Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP, or such other place as the
parties shall designate, at 10:00 a.m. local time on the twenty-first
(21st) day following the date of the selection of both Original
Appraisers. In the event that the Original Appraisers agree on the
fair market value, the Fair Market Value shall be such agreed-upon
amount. In the event that the Original Appraisers do not agree on the
fair market value, (i) if the higher of the two valuations is not more
than one hundred ten percent (110%) of the lower valuation of the
Original Appraisers, the Fair Market Value shall be the mean of the
two valuations, and (ii) if the higher of the two valuations is
greater than one hundred ten percent (110%) of the lower valuation,
the Original Appraisers shall elect a Qualified Investment Banking
Firm which shall independently calculate the fair market value within
fifteen (15) days of such election. If the Original Appraisers cannot
agree upon a third appraiser within five (5) days following the end of
the twenty (20) day period referred to above, then the third appraiser
shall be a Qualified Investment Banking Firm appointed by the AAA.
Neither BAM nor CCIC Member nor either of the Original Appraisers
shall provide the third appraiser, directly or indirectly, with a copy
of the written appraisal of either of the Original Appraisers, an oral
or written summary thereof, or the valuation determined by either of
the Original Appraisers, either orally or in writing. The valuation of
the third appraiser will be compared with the two valuations of the
Original Appraisers, and the valuation farthest from the third
valuation will be disregarded. The Fair Market Value shall be the mean
of the two remaining valuations.
(3) BAM and CCIC Member shall give to the Original Appraisers and
the third appraiser, and shall cause HoldCo Sub and OpCo to give to
the appraisers, free and full access to and the right to inspect,
during normal business hours, all of the premises, properties, assets,
records, contracts and other documents relating to HoldCo Sub and OpCo
and shall permit them and cause HoldCo Sub and OpCo to permit them to
consult with the officers, employees, accountants, counsel and agents
of HoldCo Sub, OpCo, BAM and CCIC Member for the purpose of making
such investigation of HoldCo Sub and OpCo as they shall desire to
make. Furthermore, BAM and CCIC Member shall furnish to the Original
Appraisers and the third appraiser, and shall cause HoldCo Sub and
OpCo to furnish to such appraisers, all such documents and copies of
documents and records and information with respect to the affairs of
HoldCo Sub and OpCo and copies of any working papers relating thereto
as they shall from time to time reasonably request.
(4) "Qualified Investment Banking Firm" means any firm engaged in
providing corporate finance, merger and acquisition, and business
valuation services and deriving revenues therefrom (excluding any
revenues derived from merchant banking activities) of at least $25
million during its last completed fiscal year, but excluding, however,
any firms which received more than $250,000 in fees during the
preceding twenty-four (24) calendar months from BAM or CCIC Member or
their respective affiliates and any firms selected by BAM or CCIC
Member as an Original Appraiser.
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(c) The Company following dissolution shall pay or make reasonable
provision to pay all claims and obligations, including all contingent,
conditional or unmatured claims and obligations, known to the Company and
all claims and obligations which are known to the Company but for which the
identity of the claimant is unknown. If there are sufficient assets, such
claims and obligations shall be paid in full and any such provision for
payment made shall be made in full. If there are insufficient assets, such
claims and obligations shall be paid or provided for according to their
priority and, among claims and obligations of equal priority, ratably to
the extent of assets available therefor. Any remaining assets shall be
distributed as provided in subsection (a). Any Liquidating Trustee winding
up the affairs of the Company who has complied with this Section shall not
be personally liable to the claimants of the dissolved Company by reason of
such person's actions in winding up the Company.
Section IX.6 Cancellation of Certificate. The Certificate of the Company
shall be canceled upon the dissolution and the completion of winding up of the
Company.
ARTICLE X
BOOKS; REPORTS TO MEMBERS; TAX ELECTIONS
Section X.1 Books and Records.
(a The Managers shall maintain separate books of account for the
Company which shall show a true and accurate record of all costs and
expenses incurred, all charges made, all credits made and received and all
income derived in connection with the conduct of the Company and the
operation of its business, and, to the extent inconsistent therewith, in
accordance with this Operating Agreement.
(b Except as and until otherwise required by the IRC, the books of the
Company shall be kept in accordance with the accrual method of accounting.
(c Each Member of the Company has the right to obtain from the Company
from time to time upon demand for any purpose reasonably related to the
Member's interest as a Member of the Company:
(1) True and full information regarding the status of the
business and financial condition of the Company.
(2) Promptly after they become available, a copy of the federal,
state and local income tax returns for each year of the Company.
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(3) A current list of the name and last known business, residence
or mailing address of each Member and Manager.
(4) A copy of this Operating Agreement, the Certificate and all
amendments thereto.
(5) Any information or report deemed necessary by either BAM or
CCIC Member in order to prepare Securities and Exchange Commission
filing documents, financial statements or tax returns.
(6) Other information regarding the affairs of the Company as is
just and reasonable.
(d Each Manager shall have the right to examine all of the information
described in subsection (c) of this Section for a purpose reasonably
related to its position as a Manager.
Section X.2 Tax Information. Within ninety (90) days after the end of each
fiscal year, the Company shall supply to each Member all information necessary
and appropriate to be included in each Member's income tax returns for that
year.
Section X.3 Business Plans. On or before November 30 of each year, the
Managers of the Company shall, in consultation with BAM, develop a business plan
and budget for the Company (including HoldCo Sub and OpCo) (the "Business Plan")
for the following calendar year of HoldCo (and HoldCo Sub and OpCo). The
Business Plan for the period between the Effective Date and December 31, 1999 is
attached hereto as Schedule D. Each subsequent Business Plan shall be submitted
to the Members for review and, subject to the second following sentence,
comment, and shall be adopted only with the mutual consent of BAM and CCIC
Member. The Company shall use commercially reasonable efforts to, and cause each
of HoldCo Sub and OpCo to, conduct their respective businesses in accordance
with the then current Business Plan.
If by the first date of any year the proposed Business Plan for that year has
not been adopted, the Business Plan for such year shall be deemed to be the
expense portion of the Business Plan in effect for the preceding year increased,
at the discretion of CCIC Member, to an amount not to exceed the sum of:
(a) the average operating cost per communications tower owned by OpCo
(or of which it has the economic benefit) (the "OpCo Towers") based on the
most recent quarterly financial statements available as of the first day of
the current year multiplied by fifty percent (50%) of the sum of (i) the
aggregate number of OpCo Towers constructed, completed or otherwise
acquired in the course of the prior year and (ii) the aggregate number of
OpCo Towers projected to be constructed,
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completed or otherwise acquired in the current year in the Business Plan
for the prior year; and
(b) the sum of (x) with respect to all contractual price increases
with respect to contracts and agreements to which OpCo is a party and all
increases in Taxes with respect to OpCo Towers, the amount of such increase
and (y) with respect to all other expense items in the previous year's
budget, (A) the amount of such expenses multiplied by (B) the sum of one
(1) plus an amount equal to the percentage increase in the CPI during the
previous year.
If BAM and CCIC Member are unable to mutually agree on the Business Plan for the
year commencing January 1, 2000, the Business Plan for such year shall be deemed
to be the quotient of (a) the expense portion of the initial Business Plan for
the period ending December 31, 1999, increased as contemplated by the foregoing
sentence, multiplied by three hundred sixty-five (365) (b) divided by the number
of days elapsed between the Effective Date and December 31, 1999 (including both
the Effective Date and December 31, 1999).
Notwithstanding the foregoing, each Business Plan that is implemented pursuant
to the foregoing two paragraphs of this Section 10.3 because BAM and CCIC Member
are unable to mutually agree on the Business Plan must provide for the payment
by OpCo, prior to the allocation of revenues pursuant to such two paragraphs,
of: (i) any and all costs, expenses or payments reasonably necessary to fulfill
OpCo's obligations under the Global Lease; (ii) any and all costs, expenses or
payments reasonably necessary to fulfill OpCo's obligations under the
Build-to-Suit Agreement; (iii) any and all taxes of any kind due and owing by
OpCo; (iv) any payments or expenditures required under any lease of real estate,
grant of easement, right of way or similar agreement to which OpCo is a party;
(v) any and all costs, expenses or payments reasonably necessary to fulfill
OpCo's obligations under any lease or sublease of tower space or real estate to
any third party; (vi) insurance premiums (including without limitation, any
payments pursuant to premium financing) and/or deductibles of OpCo; (vii)
payments to third parties for equipment or any other goods and services required
to perform OpCo's obligations under existing agreements including, without
limitation, payments required to satisfy any mechanics's liens; (viii) salaries,
commissions, compensation, benefits, and payments or obligations of a similar
nature; and (ix) any and all costs, expenses and payments required to comply
with, or payable pursuant to any applicable laws, rule, regulations, ordinances,
permits or licenses. Further, any such Business Plan may have the effect of
reducing amounts payable under the Management Agreement so long as the
Anticipated Financing remains outstanding.
Section X.4 Reports. The Company shall cause to be prepared, and each
Member furnished with, financial statements accompanied by a report thereon of
the Company's accountants stating that such statements are prepared and fairly
stated in all material respects in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles, and, to the extent inconsistent therewith, in accordance with this
Operating Agreement, including the following:
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(a) within thirty (30) days of the end of each month, the Company
shall deliver to BAM and CCIC Member an unaudited income statement and
schedule as to the sources and application of funds for such month and an
unaudited balance sheet of the Company as of the end of such month, in
reasonable detail and prepared in accordance with GAAP (except as permitted
by Form 10-Q under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the
"Exchange Act")), together with an analysis by management of the Company's
financial condition and results of operations during such period and
explanation by management of any differences between such condition or
results and the budget and business plan for such period;
(b) as soon as practicable, but in any event within ninety (90) days
after the end of each fiscal year of the Company, a consolidated income
statement for such fiscal year, a consolidated balance sheet of the Company
as of the end of such year, a schedule as to the cash flow and a statement
of the Members' Capital Accounts, changes thereto for such fiscal year and
Percentage Interests at the end of such year, such year-end financial
reports to be in reasonable detail, prepared in accordance with GAAP and
audited and certified by the Company's independent public accountants;
(c) as soon as practicable, but in any event within thirty (30) days
after the end of each of the first three (3) quarters of each fiscal year
of the Company, an unaudited consolidated profit or loss statement and
schedule as to consolidated cash flow for such fiscal quarter and an
unaudited consolidated balance sheet of the Company as of the end of such
fiscal quarter, in reasonable detail and prepared in accordance with GAAP
(except as permitted by Form 10-Q under the Exchange Act); and
(d) such other information relating to the financial condition,
business, prospects or limited liability company affairs of the Company as
any Member may from time to time reasonably request.
Section X.5 Tax Matters Partner.
(a) BAM is hereby appointed and shall serve as the tax matters partner
of the Company (the "Tax Matters Partner") within the meaning of IRC ss.
6231(a)(7) for so long as it is not the subject of a bankruptcy event as
defined in Section 9.2 and otherwise is entitled to act as the Tax Matters
Partner. The Tax Matters Partner may file a designation of itself as such
with the Internal Revenue Service. The Tax Matters Partner shall (i)
furnish to each Member affected by an audit of the Company income tax
returns a copy of each notice or other communication received from the IRS
or applicable state authority, (ii) keep such Member informed of any
administrative or judicial proceeding, as required by Section 6223(g) of
the Code, and (iii) allow such Member an opportunity to participate in all
such administrative and judicial proceedings. The Tax Matters Partner shall
take such action as may be reasonably necessary to constitute the other
Member a "notice partner" within the meaning of Section 6231(a)(8) of the
Code, provided that the other Member provides the Tax Matters Partner with
the information that is necessary to take such action; and
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(b) The Company shall not be obligated to pay any fees or other
compensation to the Tax Matters Partner in its capacity as such. However,
the Company shall reimburse the expenses (including reasonable attorneys'
and other professional fees) incurred by the Tax Matters Partner in such
capacity. Each Member who elects to participate in Company administrative
tax proceedings shall be responsible for its own expenses incurred in
connection with such participation. In addition, the cost of any
adjustments to a Member and the cost of any resulting audits or adjustments
of a Member's tax return shall be borne solely by the affected Member; and
(c) The Company shall indemnify and hold harmless the Tax Matters
Partner from and against any loss, liability, damage, cost or expense
(including reasonable attorneys' fees) sustained or incurred as a result of
any act or decision concerning Company tax matters and within the scope of
such Member's responsibilities as Tax Matters Partner, so long as such act
or decision was not the result of gross negligence, fraud, bad faith or
willful misconduct by the Tax Matters Partner. The Tax Matters Partner
shall be entitled to rely on the advice of legal counsel as to the nature
and scope of its responsibilities and authority as Tax Matters Partner, and
any act or omission of the Tax Matters Partner pursuant to such advice
shall in no event subject the Tax Matters Partner to liability to the
Company or any Member.
Section X.6 Tax Audits/Special Assessments. If the federal tax return of
either the Company or an individual Member with respect to an item or items of
Company income, loss, deduction, etc., potentially affecting the tax liability
of the Members generally is subject to an audit by the Internal Revenue Service,
the Managers may, in the exercise of their business judgment, determine that it
is necessary to contest proposed adjustments to such return or items. If such a
determination is made, the Managers will finance the contest of the proposed
adjustments out of the Net Cash From Operations.
Section X.7 Tax Elections. The Company will elect to amortize
organizational costs. Upon the death of a Member, or in the event of the
distribution of property, the Company may file an election, in accordance with
applicable Treasury Regulations, to cause the basis of the Company's property to
be adjusted for federal income tax purposes as provided by IRC ss.734, IRC
ss.743 and IRC ss.754. The determination whether to make and file any such
election shall be made by the Managers in their sole discretion.
ARTICLE XI
MISCELLANEOUS
Section XI.1 Binding Effect. This Operating Agreement shall be binding upon
BAM and CCIC Member and any permitted transferee or permitted assignee of an
interest in the Company.
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Section XI.2 Entire Agreement. This Operating Agreement, the Certificate,
the Formation Agreement and the other Transaction Documents contain the entire
agreement of the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and
supersede all prior understandings and agreements of the parties with respect
thereto.
Section XI.3 Amendments. The Certificate and this Operating Agreement may
not be amended except by the written agreement of all of the Members.
Section XI.4 Choice of Law. Notwithstanding the place where this Operating
Agreement may be executed by any of the parties hereto, the parties expressly
agree that all the terms and provisions hereof shall be construed under the laws
of Delaware (without regard to any conflicts of law principles).
Section XI.5 Notices. Except as otherwise provided in this Operating
Agreement, any notice, demand or communication required or permitted to be given
by any provision of this Operating Agreement shall be deemed to have been
sufficiently given or served for all purposes if delivered personally or sent by
facsimile transmission or overnight express to the party or to an executive
officer of the party to whom the same is directed or, if sent by registered or
certified mail, postage and charges prepaid, addressed to the Member's or
Company's address, as appropriate, which is set forth in this Operating
Agreement or Schedule A hereto.
Section XI.6 Headings. The titles of the Articles and the headings of the
Sections of this Operating Agreement are for convenience of reference only and
are not to be considered in construing the terms and provisions of this
Operating Agreement.
Section XI.7 Pronouns. All pronouns shall be deemed to refer to the
masculine, feminine, neuter, singular or plural, as the identity of the person
or persons, firm or corporation may require in the context thereof.
Section XI.8 Waivers. The failure of any party to seek redress for
violation of or to insist upon the strict performance of any covenant or
condition of this Operating Agreement shall not prevent a subsequent act, that
would have originally constituted a violation, from having the effect of an
original violation.
Section XI.9 Severability. If any provision of this Operating Agreement or
its application to any person or circumstance shall be invalid, illegal or
unenforceable to any extent, the remainder of this Operating Agreement and its
application shall not be affected and shall be enforceable to the fullest extent
permitted by law.
Section XI.10 No Third Party Beneficiaries. None of the provisions of this
Operating Agreement shall be for the benefit of or enforceable by any person
other than the parties to this Agreement and their respective permitted
successors and permitted transferees and assigns.
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Section XI.11 Interpretation. It is the intention of the Members that,
during the term of this Operating Agreement, the rights of the Members and their
successors-in-interest shall be governed by the terms of this Agreement, and
that the right of any Member or successor-in-interest to assign, transfer, sell
or otherwise dispose of any interest in the Company shall be subject to
limitations and restrictions of this Operating Agreement.
Section XI.12 Further Assurances. Each Member shall execute all such
certificates and other documents and shall do all such other acts as the
Managers deem appropriate to comply with the requirements of law for the
formation of the Company and to comply with any laws, rules, regulations and
third-party requests relating to the acquisition, operation or holding of the
property of the Company.
Section XI.13 Counterparts. This Operating Agreement may be executed in
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which taken
together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned Members, intending to be legally bound,
have executed this Operating Agreement as of the date first above written.
CELLCO PARTNERSHIP
By BELL ATLANTIC MOBILE INC., its managing
general partner
By: /s/ A.J. Melone
------------------------------------
Name: A.J. Melone
Title: Vice President
Network Planning and
Administration
CCA INVESTMENT CORP.
By: /s/ David L. Ivy
------------------------------------
Name: David L. Ivy
Title: President
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SCHEDULE A
MEMBER NAME AND
NOTICE ADDRESS PERCENTAGE INTEREST
Bell Atlantic Mobile 38.53%
180 Washington Valley Road
Bedminster, NJ 07921
Attention: David Benson, CFO
CCA Investment Corp. 61.47%
Crown Castle International Corp.
510 Bering Drive, Suite 500
Houston, TX 77057
Attention: David L. Ivy, President
PH02A/13896.11
SCHEDULE B
LIST OF INITIAL REPRESENTATIVES AND ALTERNATES
REPRESENTATIVES ALTERNATES
- --------------- ----------
1. David Benson 1. Christine Mihok
2. David L. Ivy 2. Charles C. Green, III
3. Brian Jacks 3. William Ruhl
4. John Patrick Kelly 4. John Powers
5. Richard Lynch 5. Tony Melone
6. Ted B. Miller, Jr. 6. Ed Wallander
SCHEDULE C
INITIAL MANAGERS
NAME TITLE
- ---- -----
John Patrick Kelly President
David L. Ivy Executive Vice President
Charles C. Green, III Executive Vice President, Chief
Financial Officer and Treasurer
Kathy Glass Broussard Secretary
Holly Ernst Groschner Assistant Secretary
SCHEDULE D
BUSINESS PLAN
(for period beginning Effective Date and ending December 31, 1999)
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