SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM S-8
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
CITIZENS UTILITIES COMPANY
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware 06-0619596
(State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
incorporation or organization)
High Ridge Park, Bldg. No. 3, Stamford, Connecticut 06905
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)
Citizens Utilities Company Non-Employee Directors' Fee Deferral Plan
(Full title of the plan)
Robert J. DeSantis
Chief Financial Officer, Vice President and Treasurer
Citizens Utilities Company
High Ridge Park
P.O. Box 3801
Stamford, Connecticut 06905
(Name and address of agent for service)
(203) 614-5600
(Telephone number, including area code,
of agent for service)
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
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============================== ==================== ===================== ======================= ================
Title of Securities to Be Amount to Be Proposed Maximum Proposed Maximum Amount of
Registered Registered (1) Offering Price Per Aggregate Offering Registration
Share (1) Price (1) Fee (1)
============================== ==================== ===================== ======================= ================
Common Stock, par value $.25 1,200,000 $7.71875 $9,262,500 $2,575
per Share
============================== ==================== ===================== ======================= ================
(1) Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee.
Calculated under Rule 457(h) with respect to the estimated maximum
number of registrant's securities issuable under the Plan and a price
per share of $7 23/32, the average of the reported high and low prices
on the New York Stock Exchange on February 2, 1999.
(2) This Registration Statement shall be deemed to cover additional
securities to be issued in connection with or as a result of, stock
splits, stock dividends, distributions of securities, recapitalizations
and similar transactions.
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<PAGE>
PART II
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
Item 3. Incorporation of documents by reference
_______________________________________
The following documents filed by Citizens Utilities Company ("Company"
or "Citizens") with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("Commission")
pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 ("Exchange Act") are hereby
incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement:
1. The Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 1997, as supplemented.
2. The Company's Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the fiscal
quarters ended March 31, June 30, and September 30, 1998.
3. The Company's Current Reports on Form 8-K filed on March 13,
April 7, May 6, May 19, August 14, and November 10, 1998.
All documents filed by Citizens pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or
15(d) of the Exchange Act after the date of this Registration Statement and
prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment which indicates that all
securities offered have been sold or which de-registers all securities then
remaining unsold, shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference in this
Registration Statement and to be a part hereof from the date of filing of such
documents.
The Company will provide without charge to each person to whom a copy
of the material describing the Plan is delivered, upon the written or oral
request, a copy of each document incorporated by reference in Item 3 of Part II
of the Registration Statement (not including the exhibits to such documents,
unless such exhibits are specifically incorporated by reference in such
documents). Such documents are incorporated by reference in the documents
comprising the prospectus. The Company will also provide without charge, upon
written or oral request, copies of other documents required to be delivered to
participants pursuant to Rule 428(b) under the Securities Act of 1933. Requests
for such copies should be directed to Citizens Utilities Company, 1996 Equity
Incentive Plan, Corporate Human Resources, Citizens Utilities Company, High
Ridge Park, Bldg. No. 3, Stamford, Connecticut, 06905 (203-614-5600).
Item 4. Description of Securities
_________________________
The Company's Common Stock is registered under Section 12 of the
Exchange Act.
Item 5. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel
______________________________________
None.
Item 6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers
_________________________________________
Citizens, being incorporated under the Delaware General Corporation
Law, is empowered by Section 145 of such law to indemnify officers and directors
against certain expenses, liabilities and payments, including liabilities
arising under the Securities Act of 1933, (the "Act") as therein provided. In
addition, Citizens' By-Laws 24 and 24A and a resolution adopted by the Board of
Directors in connection with the issuance of certain securities of Citizens
provide for indemnification of specified persons, including officers and
directors of Citizens, for liabilities, including those arising under said Act,
as provided in said By-Laws and resolution. Generally, By-Laws 24 and 24A
provide that, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, Citizens shall
indemnify and hold harmless, among others, any officer or director of Citizens
or any other entity for which he or she is acting at the request of Citizens,
from and against any loss, damage or claim incurred by such person by reason of
any act or omission performed or omitted by such person in good faith on behalf
of Citizens and in a manner such person reasonably believed to be in the best
interests of Citizens. Such By-Laws, generally speaking, also provide that, to
the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, expenses (including legal fees)
incurred by a person in defending against any such liability shall be advanced
by Citizens subject to specified conditions. Citizens' Certificate of
Incorporation further provides that no director shall be liable to Citizens or
its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a
director, with stated exceptions.
Insurance is maintained providing coverage for the Company and its
subsidiaries against obligations incurred as a result of indemnification of
officers and directors. The coverage also insures the officers and directors for
a liability against which they may not be indemnified by the Company or its
subsidiaries but excludes specified dishonest acts.
<PAGE>
Item 7. Exemption from Registration Claimed
___________________________________
Not applicable.
Item 8. Exhibits
________
Exhibit No. Description
__________ ___________
4 Non-Employee Directors' Fee Deferred Plan, as amended.
5 Opinion of Counsel as to legality of Common Stock being issued.
23.1 Consent of KPMG LLP.
23.2 Consent of Counsel (contained in Exhibit 5).
24 Powers of Attorney.
Item 9. Undertakings
____________
(a) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:
(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are
being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement;
(i) To include any prospectus required by Section 10
(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933;
(ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events
arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most
recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the
aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the
registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease
in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered
would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or
high and of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form
of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the
aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than 20 percent
change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the "Calculation
of Registration Fee" table in the effective registration statement; and
(iii) To include any material information with
respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration
statement or any material change to such information in the registration
statement.;
provided, however, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (a)(1)(ii) do
not apply if the registration statement is on Form S-3 or S-8, and the
information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those
paragraphs is contained in periodic reports filed with or furnished to the
Commission by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the
registration statement.
(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under
the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed
to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein,
and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the
initial bona fide offering thereof.
(3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective
amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the
termination of the offering.
(b) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of
determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the
registrant's annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of the
Plan's annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be
deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered
therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be
the initial bona fide offering thereof.
(c) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the
Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling
persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise,
the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and
Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed
in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for
indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the
registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling
person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or
proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in
connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in
the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent,
submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such
indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will
be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
<PAGE>
SIGNATURES
The Registrant. Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of
1933, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it
meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this
Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunder
duly authorized, in the City of Stamford, and State of Connecticut, on the 4th
day of February, 1999.
CITIZENS UTILITIES COMPANY
By: /s/ Robert J. DeSantis
______________________
Robert J. DeSantis
Chief Financial Officer, Vice
President and Treasurer
<PAGE>
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the
capacities and on the dates indicated.
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Signature Title Date
_________ _____ ____
/s/LEONARD TOW* Chief Executive Officer, February 4, 1999
_______________ Chairman of the Board,
(Leonard Tow) and Director
/s/ROBERT J. DESANTIS Chief Financial Officer, February 4, 1999
_____________________ Vice President and
(Robert J. DeSantis) Treasurer
/s/LIVINGSTON ROSS Controller February 4, 1999
___________________
(Livingston Ross)
/s/NORMAN I. BOTWINIK* Director February 4, 1999
______________________
(Norman I. Botwinik)
/s/AARON I. FLEISHMAN* Director February 4, 1999
______________________
(Aaron I. Fleishman)
/s/JAMES C. GOODALE* Director February 4, 1999
____________________
(James C. Goodale)
/s/STANLEY HARFENIST* Director February 4, 1999
____________________
(Stanley Harfenist)
/s/ANDREW N. HEINE* Director February 4, 1999
___________________
(Andrew N. Heine)
/s/JOHN L. SCHROEDER* Director February 4, 1999
_____________________
(John L. Schroeder)
___________________
(Robert D. Siff) Director
/s/ROBERT A. STANGER* Director February 4, 1999
_____________________
(Robert A. Stanger)
___________________________ Director
(Charles H. Symington, Jr.)
/s/EDWIN TORNBERG* Director February 4, 1999
__________________
(Edwin Tornberg)
/s/CLAIRE TOW* Director February 4, 1999
_______________
(Claire Tow)
*By: /s/ ROBERT J. DESANTIS
________________________
(Robert J. DeSantis)
Attorney -in- Fact
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit No. Description
___________ ___________
4 Non-Employee Directors' Fee Deferred Plan
5 Opinion of Counsel
23.1 Consent of KPMG LLP
24 Powers of Attorney
EXHIBIT 4
CITIZENS UTILITIES COMPANY NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTORS' DEFERRED FEE EQUITY PLAN
ARTICLE 1
PURPOSES OF THE PLAN
1.1 Purposes.
The purpose of this Citizens Utilities Company Deferred Fee Equity Plan
For Non-Employee Directors (the "Plan") is to provide each Director with an
opportunity to defer some or all of the Director's Fees and receive compensation
for services in the form of options to purchase Citizens' Common Stock or in
Plan Units which are equivalent to Citizens' Common Stock. The Plan will
implement corporate policy that all employees, officers and directors are to be
encouraged to share in the Company's long-term prospects by taking part of their
compensation in Common Stock and options.
1.2 Introduction.
The Plan, as amended, is comprised of three separate plans. Because a
number of administrative and procedural provisions of each of the plans are
similar or identical, the plans have been combined in a single plan for
convenience.
The Plan consists of an option plan through which a director may elect
to receive his or her Fees for a period of up to five years (or a shorter period
in the case of 1994) in an equivalent amount of options to purchase Common
Stock. This plan is referred to as the Option Plan. The provisions of Articles 3
and 4 apply exclusively to the Option Plan.
The Plan also includes a separate stock plan through which a director
may elect (a "Stock Plan Election") to receive his or her Fees for the next
calendar year (or a shorter period in the case of 1994 or a newly elected
director) in an equivalent amount of Plan Units. Upon termination of
directorship, a Stock Plan Participant will receive the value of his Plan Units
in either stock or cash or installments of cash as selected by the Participant
at the time of the related Stock Plan Election. The provisions of Articles 5, 6
and 7 apply exclusively to the Stock Plan.
The Plan also includes a formula stock option plan under which each
Director is automatically granted an option to purchase shares of Common Stock
on January 1 of each year, starting with 1997. The provisions of Article 12
apply exclusively to the Formula Plan.
The term "Plan" includes the Stock Plan, Option Plan and Formula Plan,
all as amended by Amendment No. 1. Plan and Option Plan include the Formula
Plan; Option includes a Formula Plan Option; Option Under the Option Plan
includes an Option under the Formula Plan; Participant includes an Option Plan
Participant, a Stock Plan Participant and a Formula Plan Participant; Election
includes an Option Plan Election and a Stock Plan Election; and Committee
includes the Option Plan Committee and Stock Plan Committee; unless, in each
case, the context requires otherwise.
ARTICLE 2
DEFINITIONS
As used herein, the following words shall have following meanings
unless otherwise specifically provided:
2.1 "Accounting Date" means, for purposes of the Stock Plan, each
January 1, April 1, July 1 and October 1, except that the first Accounting Date
in 1995 shall be February 1.
2.2 "Administrator" means the person or persons appointed by the Board
of Directors to represent the Company in the administration of each Plan
pursuant to the provisions of Article 10.1.
2.3 "Act" means the Securities Act of 1933.
2.4 "Applicable Rate of Interest" means, as of any date, 120% of the
then applicable Federal rate of interest pursuant to the Internal Revenue Code.
The Federal short term rate of interest shall be the interest component
applicable to deferred Fees from the date of deferral until the date of
investment in Plan Units under the Stock Plan. The Federal medium term rate of
interest shall apply to distributions in annual installments deferred after
Termination pursuant to the Stock Plan.
2.5 "Beneficiary" means the person or persons designated in writing by
the Participant as entitled to receive a Stock Plan Participant's Account upon
his death, or to exercise an Option Plan Participant's Option upon his death, or
failing such designation, the person or persons who, upon the death of a
Participant, shall have acquired by will, or the laws of descent and
distribution, the right to receive the benefits specified under this Plan.
Beneficiary designations shall be made in writing and delivered to the
Administrator and shall comply with any applicable state law relating to
testamentary dispositions and other requirements. A Participant may designate a
new Beneficiary or Beneficiaries at any time by notifying the Administrator. The
last such designation received by the Administrator shall be controlling;
provided, however, that no designation, or change or revocation thereof, shall
be effective unless received by the Administrator prior to the Participant's
death, and in no event shall it be effective as of a date prior to such receipt.
"Beneficiary" shall include the person or persons who, upon the disability or
incompetence of a Participant, shall have acquired on behalf of the Participant,
by legal proceeding or otherwise, the right to receive the benefits specified in
this Plan on behalf of the Participant.
2.6 "Board of Directors" means the Board of Directors of the Company.
2.7 "Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
2.8 "Company" means Citizens Utilities Company and its successors and
assigns.
2.9 "Common Stock" means Common Stock Series B, par value $.25 per
share, of the Company or any successor Common Stock.
2.10 "Director" means any director of the Company who is not a
full-time employee of the Company. For the purposes of the Plan, an individual
who is both a full-time employee of the Company and a director of the Company
and therefore ineligible to participate in the Plan and who ceases to be a
full-time employee but remains in office as a director shall become eligible to
participate in the Plan as a Director as of the termination of his or her
service as a full-time employee.
2.11 "Effective Date" means, for Option Plan Elections before July 20,
1994, August 1, 1994; and for other Option Plan Elections, the next January 1.
2.12 "Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. "Rule
16b-3" shall mean such rule promulgated by the Securities and Exchange
Commission under the Exchange Act and, unless the circumstances require
otherwise, shall include any other rule or regulation adopted under Sections
16(a) or 16(b) of the Exchange Act relating to compliance with, or an exemption
from, Section 16(b). Reference to any section of the Exchange Act or any rule
promulgated thereunder shall include any successor section or rule.
2.13 "Fair Market Value" of the Common Stock as of any Accounting Date
or Time of Distribution for the purposes of the Stock Plan, and as of any
Effective Date for purposes of the Option Plan, shall be the average of the
daily high and low prices of shares of Common Stock reported on a composite tape
for securities listed on The New York Stock Exchange or, if such shares are not
listed for trading on such exchange, on any other established securities market
for which quotations are readily available, for the third, fourth, fifth and
sixth trading days of the month which follow each Accounting Date or Time of
Distribution or Effective Date, as the case may be. Participants will be
credited with fractional share interests. If required, an appropriate adjustment
will be made for record dates, payment dates and ex-distribution trading. The
Stock Plan Committee, the Option Plan Committee or the Board of Directors may
select in advance different trading days of the month for determining Fair
Market Value, in their discretion.
2.13A "Family Entity," "Family Member Transfer," "Family Transferee"
and "Family Trust" mean such terms as defined in Section 4.8.
2.14 "Option Plan Committee" means the Committee described in Section
10.1 hereof to administer the Option Plan.
2.15 "Option Plan Election" is an election to receive Options
equivalent in value to Option Plan Fees to be earned during the period August
1-December 31, 1994 or during one or more subsequent Plan Years.
2.16 "Option Plan Fees" are those Directors' Fees which may be the
subject of an Option Plan Election. These are limited to future retainer fees at
the rate in effect in the year in which the Option Plan Election is made and
board and committee meeting fees, up to a maximum of $30,000 per year. Option
Plan Fees for 1994 shall be limited to $12,500.
2.17 "Option Plan Participant" means a Director who has elected to
receive Directors' Fees in the form of Options.
2.18 "Option Value"--For each Option Plan Election, the options granted
hereunder shall be in an amount equivalent to the value of the Directors' Fees
subject to such Option Plan Election. In order to implement this standard, the
Board of Directors has determined at the time of adoption of the Plan that the
"Option Value" of an Option with the terms and conditions of the Option
described herein to purchase one share of Common Stock of the Company is 20% of
the Fair Market Value of such share on the Effective Date of the Option in
question.
2.19 "Plan" means this Citizens Utilities Company Deferred Fee Equity
Plan For Non-Employee Directors.
2.20 "Plan Unit" shall mean a credit established in a Participant's
Stock Plan Account reflecting the number of shares of Common Stock which could
be purchased at Fair Market Value as of each Accounting Date as provided in
Section 6.1. A Plan Unit shall be deemed to be the equivalent of a share of
Common Stock and shall be subject to adjustment in the event of change in Common
Stock as provided in Section 11.5.
2.21 "Plan Year" means the fiscal year of the Company, currently the
twelve-month period ended December 31.
2.22 "Stock Plan Account" shall mean the account established for each
Stock Plan Participant to reflect the amount of Fees which such Participant has
elected to defer under the Stock Plan, any interest component and all Plan Units
which have been acquired with such Fees and interest component.
2.23 "Stock Plan Committee" means the Committee described in Section
10.1 hereof to administer the Stock Plan.
2.24 "Stock Plan Election" means a Stock Plan Participant's delivery of
a written notice of election to the Administrator (a) electing to defer payment
of his or her Fees, and (b) further electing to receive payment of his or her
Stock Plan Account either (i) at Time of Distribution in either (A) Common Stock
or (B) cash, or (ii) in installments in cash annually over a five-year period.
All such elections shall be irrevocable except as otherwise provided in the
Stock Plan.
2.25 "Stock Plan Fees" and "Fees" each mean the retainer fees and Board
of Directors and committee meeting attendance fees unless the context otherwise
requires.
2.26 "Stock Plan Participant" means a Director who has elected to defer
payment of all or a portion of his or her Stock Plan Fees and to establish a
Stock Plan Account.
2.27 "Termination" means retirement from the Board of Directors or
termination of service as a Director for death, disability or any other reason.
2.28 "Time of Distribution" means a date ten (10) calendar days after
Termination, except as may be otherwise specified in Article 7; provided that,
if payment is to be made in cash and the Time of Distribution is within six
months after the date of acquisition or crediting of Plan Units within the
contemplation of Rule 16b-3(c)(1) or any successor rule under the Exchange Act,
the Time of Distribution shall be delayed, solely for such Plan Units, until
more than six months shall have elapsed from the date of acquisition or
crediting of such Plan Units.
2.29 "Trust Agreement" means any Trust Agreement entered into between
the Company and any Trustee in connection with the Plan.
2.30 "Trustee" means any entity named as Trustee in the Trust
Agreement, or any successor corporate Trustee thereunder.
The term "Plan" shall mean the original Plan as amended by Amendment
No. 1. The terms "Plan" and "Option Plan" shall include the Formula Plan;
"Option" shall include a Formula Plan Option; "Option under the Option Plan"
shall include an Option under the Formula Plan; and "Participant" shall include
a Formula Plan Participant.
ARTICLE 3
ELECTIONS BY OPTION PLAN PARTICIPANTS
3.1 Directors may elect to receive Fees in the form of Options.
Option Plan Fees to be earned by Directors for the Plan Years 1995
through 1999 may, at the election of a Director, be received as Options as
herein provided. Option Plan Fees to be earned by Directors for the period
August 1, 1994 through December 31, 1994 may also, at the election of a
Director, be received as Options.
3.2 Annual Option Plan Elections.
On or before December 15 of each year (except for 1994 when the Option
Plan Election must be made on or before July 20, 1994) a Director may deliver to
the Administrator his or her Option Plan Election to receive a stated percentage
of his or her Option Plan Fees for one or more of the Plan Years 1995 through
1999 or the period August 1-December 31, 1994, in Options to purchase the number
of shares of Common Stock specified in Section 4.1.
For example: the annual Option Plan Election may cover the Plan Year or
Years set forth below (to the extent not theretofore the subject of an Option
Plan Election).
Plan Years or Periods
for Which Option Plan
Date of Option Plan Election Fees May Be Elected
On or Before July 20, 1994 August 1-December 31, 1994
On or Before July 20, 1994 1995-1999
On or Before December 15, 1995 1996-1999
On or Before December 15, 1996 1997-1999
On or Before December 15, 1997 1998-1999
On or Before December 15, 1998 1999
Elections must include the earliest Plan Year for which unelected Fees exist and
(if additional years are included in the Election) consecutive successive years.
An Option Plan Election covering Option Plan Fees for this period shall preclude
a Stock Plan Election purporting to cover the same Fees.
3.3 Effective Date.
Option Plan Elections made on or before July 20, 1994 shall become
effective on August 1, 1994. Later years' Option Plan Elections shall become
effective as of the next Option Plan Effective Date.
3.4 Adjustment for Actual Fees Earned.
If by the end of any Plan Year a Director shall not have earned the
amount of Option Plan Fees elected by him or her to be received in Options, the
number of shares of Common Stock covered by Options granted for such Plan Year
shall be diminished pro rata. Any Fees earned which have not been the subject of
an Option Plan Election shall be paid in cash in accordance with the normal
payment practices of the Company for Directors' Fees. If a Participant's
directorship shall terminate during a Plan Year which has been the subject of an
Option Plan Election, the portion of the Option which related to Option Plan
Fees earned by the Participant prior to termination of directorship shall remain
in effect and the portion of the Option which relates to Option Plan Fees which
are unearned shall terminate.
3.5 Cancellation of Election.
At any time an Option Plan Participant may cancel one or more Options
or installments of Options held by him or her which relate to future Plan Years
and consequently have not been earned as of the date of such cancellation.
Cancellation shall be effected by delivering a written notice of cancellation to
the Administrator. Such cancellation shall not affect any options held by the
Participant relating to the year in which cancellation occurs or to any prior
year. Option Plan Fees to be earned by a Director covered by a canceled Election
shall thenceforth be paid in cash in accordance with the Company's practices,
and may not thereafter become the subject of an Option Plan Election.
ARTICLE 4
TERMS OF OPTIONS
4.1 Number of Shares covered by an Option.
The number of shares of Common Stock covered by an Option resulting
from an Option Plan Election shall be equal to the Option Plan Fees covered by
the Election divided by the Option Value.
4.2 Maximum Duration.
The maximum exercise period for each Option granted under the Option
Plan shall be ten years from the Effective Date of the Option.
4.3 Initial Exercisability in Installments.
Options representing Option Plan Fees to be earned in one Plan Year
shall become exercisable on January 1 of the following Plan Year.
Options which relate to Fees to be earned in more than one Plan Year
shall become exercisable in installments on the January 1 of the year following
the year in which Fees represented by the installment are earned. For example:
An Election covering the years 1996, 1997 and 1998 would become exercisable: as
to shares representing 1996 Fees-January 1, 1997; as to shares representing 1997
Fees-January 1, 1998; as to the remainder of the shares-January 1, 1999. An
Election covering Fees to be earned in 1999 will first become exercisable on
January 1, 2000.
Options relating to the period August 1, 1994-December 31, 1994 shall
first become exercisable on February 1, 1995.
4.4 Exercise Price.
The Exercise Price for all shares of Common Stock purchasable upon
exercise of an Option shall be 90% of the Fair Market Value as of the Effective
Date applicable to the Option exercised.
4.5 Notice of Exercise.
An Option Plan Participant wishing to exercise an Option may do so by
giving written notice of exercise in the form adopted for the Option Plan.
4.6 Payment of Purchase Price.
At the choice of the holder of the Option, the Purchase Price may be
paid either in cash, or in shares of Common Stock valued at Fair Market Value on
the trading day immediately preceding the date of exercise specified in the
notice of exercise.
4.7 Exercisability Continuing after Termination.
If the directorship of a Participant who has not either reached age 60
or rendered three years of service terminates for any reason, the portion of the
Option which relates to Option Plan Fees earned by a Participant prior to
termination of directorship shall continue to be exercisable by the Participant
or his or her Family Trustee or Beneficiary for a period of twelve months after
termination of directorship. If the directorship of a Participant who has either
reached age 60 or rendered three years or more of service terminates for any
reason, the portion of the Option which relates to Option Plan Fees earned by a
Participant prior to termination of directorship shall continue to be
exercisable by the Participant or his or her Family Trustee or Beneficiary for
the remainder of the stated term of the Option. In no event shall the exercise
date be later than the date specified in Section 4.2.
4.8 Options not transferable; Exceptions.
No Option granted under the Option Plan shall be transferable other
than by will or the laws of descent or distribution except pursuant to a
domestic relations order as defined by the Internal Revenue Code or Title I of
the Employee Retirement Income Security Act ("ERISA") or the rules thereunder
and except that, with the consent of the Committee acting in its sole
discretion, an Option Plan or Formula Plan Participant may transfer (a "Family
Member Transfer") an Option to (i) a member of the Participant's immediate
family (which for the purposes of the Plan shall have the same meaning as
defined in Rule 16a-1 promulgated under the Exchange Act); (ii) a trust (the
"Family Trust") the beneficiaries of which consist exclusively of members of the
Participant's immediate family; and (iii) a partnership, limited partnership or
other limited liability entity ("Family Entity") the members of which consist
exclusively of members of the Participant's immediate family, Family Trusts and
Family Entities; provided that no consideration is paid for the transfer and
that each Family Member Transferee execute an instrument agreeing to be bound by
the provisions of the Plan and the restrictions as to its transferability of the
option. During the lifetime of a Participant, an Option shall be exercisable
only by the Participant or his or her Family Transferee or beneficiary. A
("Family Transferee") is transferee that is a member of the immediate family of
a Participant or a Family Trust or Family Entity."
ARTICLE 5
ELECTIONS BY STOCK PLAN PARTICIPANTS
5.1 Directors may elect to receive Fees in the form of Plan Units.
Directors may elect to receive Directors' Fees (to the extent such
Directors' Fees are not the subject of an Option Plan Election) in the form of
Plan Units.
5.2 Stock Plan Election to Defer.
A Director of the Company may become a Stock Plan Participant by
electing, on an annual basis and prior to June 30 of a Plan Year, to defer
receipt of all or a portion of the Stock Plan Fees payable to such Director for
the next ensuing Plan Year. An Election shall be effective upon the delivery by
a Stock Plan Participant to the Administrator of a written Stock Plan Election
to evidence his or her decision. Such Stock Plan Election shall indicate the
portion of Directors' Fees to be deferred and credited to his or her Stock Plan
Account.
The following special provisions shall apply to Directors' Fees for
1994 and 1995: On or before July 20, 1994, a Director may deliver a Stock Plan
Election to the Administrator in which he or she elects to defer receipt of all
or a portion of the Directors' Fees payable to such Director for services during
the period August 1, 1994 through December 31, 1994. In such a case, all
deferred Fees will be held by the Company in the Participant's Stock Plan
Account and will not be invested in Plan Units until February 1, 1995. An
election to defer Fees to be accrued during the period January 1, 1995 through
December 31, 1995 shall be made on or before July 20, 1994 as provided herein
except that the first Accounting Date for investment of such Fees shall be April
1, 1995.
If a person becomes a Director after the beginning of any Plan Year, he
or she may elect to defer receipt of Fees for future services in such Plan Year.
Such Stock Plan Election must be made in writing and delivered to the
Administrator within twenty days after the individual becomes a Director and
will take effect as of the first calendar quarter to start after the date of
such Election. In such a case, deferred Fees will be held by the Company in the
Participant's Stock Plan Account and will not be invested in Common Stock or
Plan Units until the first Accounting Date which is at least six (6) months
after the date that such Stock Plan Election is first delivered to the
Administrator.
5.3 Effectiveness of Elections.
Elections for each Plan Year shall be effective and irrevocable upon
the delivery of a Stock Plan Election to the Administrator, except as
specifically provided in this Plan. Fees deferred pursuant to such Stock Plan
Election shall be credited to the Participant's Stock Plan Account and
distributed at the times and in the manner set forth in such Election.
In the absence of an effective Stock Plan Election to take effect on
the Time of Distribution as to the time and/or manner of distribution, the
payout of a Stock Plan Account shall be in one lump sum cash payment at the Time
of Distribution or as soon thereafter as possible, as provided by Section 2.28.
ARTICLE 6
STOCK PLAN ACCOUNTS AND PLAN UNITS
6.1 Crediting Stock Plan Accounts.
The Stock Plan Account of each Stock Plan Participant shall be credited
as of each Accounting Date with Plan Units equal to the number of shares of
Common Stock (including fractional share entitlements) that could have been
purchased with 110% of the amount credited to his or her Stock Plan Account by
reason of the Fees deferred for the quarter ended on the day before the
Accounting Date and any interest component at the Applicable Rate of Interest.
The quarterly crediting of the Plan Units with deferred Fees has been
established for administrative convenience. As of the date of any payment of a
stock dividend or stock split by the Company, a participant's Stock Plan Account
will be credited with Plan Units equal to the number of shares of Common Stock
(including fractional share entitlements) which are payable by the Company with
respect to the number of shares (including fractional share entitlements) equal
to the number of Plan Units credited to the Participant's Stock Plan Account on
the record date for such stock dividend or stock split. As of the date of any
dividend in cash or property or other distribution payable to holders of Common
Stock, the Participant's Stock Plan Account shall be credited with additional
Plan units equal to the number of shares of Common Stock (including fractional
share entitlements) that could have been purchased at the Fair Market Value as
of such payment date with the amount which would have been received as a
dividend or distribution on the number of shares (including fractional share
entitlements) equal to the Plan Units credited to the Participant's Stock Plan
Account as of the record date.
On a quarterly basis, or as otherwise appropriate to match increases in
Plan Units held in the Plan, the Company may, but shall not be required to,
purchase Common Stock on the open market and hold the same in the "Deferred Fee
Stock Plan for Non-Employee Directors Account." Also, the Company may enter into
a Trust Agreement with a Trustee and may, but shall not be required to, transfer
to the Trustee either (a) the number of shares of Common Stock approximately
equal in Fair Market Value as of the last Accounting Date to the aggregate
dollar amount of credits in the Participants' Stock Plan Accounts for Stock Plan
Fees deferred by the Directors and any interest component on such Accounting
Date, or (b) cash with instructions to purchase shares of Common Stock either
from the Company or in the open market, as determined by the Company. Purchases
in the open market by the Trustee shall not be subject to any direct or indirect
control or influence over the times when, or the prices at which, or the broker
or dealer through which, the Trustee shall buy such shares.
6.2 Establishment of Stock Plan Accounts. The Company, Administrator or the
Trustee, as appropriate, shall establish a separate "Stock Plan Account" for
each Stock Plan Participant who defers Stock Plan Fees pursuant to the Plan, and
credit each Participant's Stock Plan Account with his or her entitlement to
deferred Fees, an interest component at the Applicable Rate of Interest and Plan
Units.
6.3 Adjustment of Stock Plan Accounts. As of each Accounting Date of each Plan
Year and on such other dates as the Administrator directs, the value of each
Stock Plan Account shall be determined by the Company, the Administrator, or the
Trustee, as appropriate.
ARTICLE 7
PAYMENT OF STOCK PLAN ACCOUNTS
7.1 Time and Method of Distribution. Distribution of a Participant's Stock Plan
Account shall commence at Time of Distribution. Distribution shall be made in a
lump sum or in equal annual cash installments over a period of five years.
If a distribution is to be made in a lump sum it may be made either in
shares of Common Stock or in cash. If a distribution is to be made in cash, it
shall be in an amount equal to the Fair Market Value as of the Time of
Distribution (or such later date as may be required to continue an exemption
under Rule 16b-3) of all Plan Units credited to a Participant's Stock Plan
Account plus any uninvested deferred Stock Plan Fees and related interest
component. The distribution shall be paid to the Stock Plan Participant or his
or her Beneficiary.
If a distribution is to be made in shares of Common Stock, the
distribution shall be such number of shares of Common Stock as shall equal the
Plan Units credited to such Participant's Stock Plan Account plus shares of
Common Stock equivalent in Fair Market Value to the amount of any accumulated
uninvested deferred Fees and interest component in such Participant's Stock Plan
Account as of the Time of Distribution. Any remaining fractional interest shall
be paid in cash.
If a distribution is made in annual installments, each annual
installment shall be in cash and equal to one-fifth of the amount of the lump
sum payable as of the Time of Distribution or later date as aforesaid, with
interest on each unpaid installment at the Applicable Rate of Interest in effect
on the date of Termination by a Director of his directorship.
7.2 Election of Method of Distribution.
At the time that a Director first makes a Stock Plan Election to defer
Fees for a Plan Year, such Director may elect whether the payments to be made at
the Time of Distribution for that Plan Year shall be distributed in a lump sum
or in five equal annual cash installments.
At the same time, any Stock Plan Participant electing lump sum payment
may also elect for the payment of such lump sum to be in shares of Common Stock
credited to the Stock Plan Account or in cash. A Stock Plan Participant may, in
connection with his or her retirement, death or disability, change his or her
Stock Plan Election as to the method of payment (shares or cash) of any lump sum
distribution from time to time.
Subject to the provisions of Articles 9 and 10, either the Committee or
the Administrator, in their sole discretion, may direct the distribution of the
Director's entitlement in a lump sum or in annual installments, and the
Committee or Administrator may take into account, but need not take into
account, any request by a Director concerning the period over which his
entitlement will be distributed.
7.3 Merger, consolidation, sale of assets or tender for shares.
In the event of a proposed merger or consolidation in which the Company
will not be the surviving corporation, or a sale of a majority of the assets of
the Company, or in the case of a tender offer for the Company's Common Stock or
a similar corporate transaction which is expected in the view of the Committee
to result in another company, firm, or group acquiring 20% or more of the voting
power of the Company's outstanding securities, the Plan shall take steps to
convert Plan Units held by Participants into shares of Common Stock. The Plan
shall obtain such shares with a view to making the same available for
participation by Stock Plan Participants in the transaction (subject to the
fourth from last sentence of this Section). Such shares may be obtained by the
Plan from the "Deferred Fee Stock Plan for Non-Employee Directors Account," any
trust account for the benefit of Plan Participants, the Company, or any other
source, including authorized and unissued, or issued and reacquired, shares of
Common Stock. In the event that shares of Common Stock are convertible into or
otherwise exchangeable for securities of another corporation, or cash or other
property without the need for action or tender by an individual shareholder, the
Company shall take all necessary steps to carry out such conversion or exchange
and shall deliver to each Stock Plan Participant the securities, cash or other
property into which his or her shares have been exchanged or converted. In the
event of a tender offer or similar event in which an individual shareholder of
the Company may elect to tender shares or otherwise take steps to receive
securities, cash or other property, the Company shall so advise the Participants
and take such action, including tender, or shall refrain from action, as
directed in writing by each Stock Plan Participant. Prior to the completion of
such tender offer or similar event, no Participant shall have any entitlement to
any shares, and if such event is not completed each participant shall be
entitled to Plan Units and not shares of Common Stock. Upon the completion of
such tender offer or similar event, the Company shall distribute to each Stock
Plan Participant any shares of Common Stock, securities, cash or other property
held by the Plan for his or her Stock Plan Account. The Administrator may delay
such distribution to any Stock Plan Participant in order to comply with, or
continue the availability of an exemption under, the Act or Exchange Act. Upon
the completion of such distribution the Stock Plan shall terminate.
7.4 Change in Tax Law.
The Stock Plan is intended to be treated as an unfunded deferred
compensation plan under the Code. It is the intention of the Company that the
amounts deferred pursuant to this Plan shall not be included in the gross income
of the Participants or their Beneficiaries until such time as the deferred
amounts are distributed from the Plan. If, at any time, it is determined or
claimed by the Internal Revenue Service ("Service") that amounts deferred in
earlier plan Years have become currently taxable to the Participants or their
Beneficiaries, the Committee may, in its discretion, terminate the Plan and
distribute amounts credited to the Stock Plan Participants or their
Beneficiaries. Such determination shall be based on a ruling or publicly
available Pronouncement from the Service, or on the position taken by the
Service in audit, or a written opinion from tax counsel.
ARTICLE 8
CREDITORS AND INSOLVENCY
8.1 Unfunded Status.
Any and all payments made to a Stock Plan Participant pursuant to the
Plan shall be made from the general assets of the Company or assets available to
its general creditors. Any payments made in good faith under the terms of the
Plan to a Stock Plan Participant or his Beneficiary shall fully discharge the
Plan, the Company, the Trustee, if any, the Administrator and the Committee from
all further obligations with respect to such payments. The Company intends that
the Plan shall be considered unfunded for all purposes, including tax purposes
and purposes of Title I of ERISA.
8.2 Claims of the Company's Creditors.
All assets held pursuant to the provisions of this Plan shall be
subject to the claims of general creditors of the Company, including judgment
creditors and bankruptcy creditors. The rights of a Stock Plan Participant or
Beneficiary to any assets of the Plan or Trust shall be no greater than the
rights of an unsecured creditor of the Company.
No Stock Plan Participant shall have any claim or entitlement to any
shares of Common Stock which have been purchased, acquired or held by the Plan,
Company or any Trustee. Any and all such shares shall be the property of the
Company and shall only represent funds or assets available to the Company which
it shall have designated to match its obligations and accruals with respect to
the Plan.
8.3 Notification of Trustee, if any.
If the Company has appointed a Trustee for the Plan, the following
provisions shall obtain: In the event the Company becomes insolvent, the Board
of Directors and the Chief Executive Officer of the Company shall immediately
notify the Trustee of that fact. The Trustee shall not make any payments from
the Trust to any Stock Plan Participant or any Beneficiary under the Plan after
such notification is received or at any time after the Trustee has knowledge of
such insolvency. Under any such circumstances, the Trustee shall make available
any property held in the Trust to satisfy the claims of the Company's general
creditors or, upon satisfaction of such claims, to the Participants, as a court
of competent jurisdiction may direct. For purposes of this Plan, the Company
shall be deemed to be insolvent if the Company is subject to a pending voluntary
or involuntary proceeding as a debtor under the United States Bankruptcy Code,
or is unable to pay its debts as they mature. All trust assets shall be subject
to the claims of general creditors of the Company to the fullest extent
contemplated by Revenue Procedure 92-64.
ARTICLE 9
PAYMENT OF SHARES
9.1 Delivery of Certificates for Stock.
At the Time of Distribution or as soon thereafter as practicable,
subject to the fourth paragraph of this Section, the Company shall deliver to a
Stock Plan Participant who has elected to receive shares of Common Stock or to
his Beneficiary a certificate for the shares of Common Stock to which he or she
is entitled. At the time of exercise of an Option, subject to the fourth
paragraph of this Section, the Company shall deliver to the Option Plan
Participant or his or her Beneficiary a certificate for shares of Common Stock
to which he or she is entitled. Such certificates shall be registered in the
name of the Participant or Beneficiary.
The Company shall not be required to issue or deliver any certificates
for, or make book-entry reflecting, shares of Common Stock prior to (a) the
listing of such shares on any stock exchange or quotation system on which the
Common Stock may then be listed or quoted and (b) the completion of any
registration, qualification, approval or authorization of such shares under any
federal or state law, or any ruling or regulation or approval or authorization
of any governmental body which the Company shall, in its sole discretion,
determine to be necessary or advisable.
All certificates for shares of Common Stock delivered under the Plan,
and book entries reflecting such shares, shall be subject to such restrictions
as the Administrator may deem advisable under the rules, regulations, and other
requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission, any stock exchange upon
which the Common Stock is then listed and any applicable federal or state
securities laws.
If the registration of ownership of Common Stock is then being
maintained by the Company or its transfer agent in book-entry form, then the
delivery of shares of Common Stock to the Participant or his Beneficiary may be
evidenced by book entry, unless the Participant or Beneficiary requests
otherwise in writing.
9.2 Taxes.
The Company or the Trustee, as appropriate, shall deduct the amount of
any taxes, if so required by law, from any payments made pursuant to the Plan
and shall transmit the withheld amounts to the appropriate taxing authority, and
provide the Stock Plan Participant or any Beneficiary of appropriate evidence of
withholding. In the case of exercise of an Option under the Option Plan or
payment in shares of Common Stock under the Stock Plan, the Participant may
request the Company to accept payment of any related withholding taxes in the
form of shares of Common Stock valued at Fair Market Value on the trading day
immediately prior to the related exercise of the Option or payment in shares of
Common Stock, as the case may be.
9.3 Payment to Beneficiary, Exercise of Option by Beneficiary.
Upon the death of a Stock Plan Participant, the Stock Plan Account of
the deceased Stock Plan Participant shall be paid to the Beneficiary either (i)
in the same manner as it would have been paid to the Stock Plan Participant or
(ii) in a lump sum settlement, as determined by the Committee or the
Administrator in their sole discretion, consistent with the guidelines referred
to in Article 10. Upon the death of an Option Plan Participant, the Beneficiary
may exercise any Option to the extent exercisable on the date of death.
9.4 Redesignation of Beneficiary.
Amendments which serve only to change the Beneficiary designation shall
be permitted at any time and as often as necessary.
ARTICLE 10
ADMINISTRATION
10.1 Appointment of Committee and Administrator.
The Board of Directors shall appoint a Stock Plan Committee and an
Option Plan Committee (which may be the same Committee), each consisting of not
less than two persons, to administer and interpret the Plan. Members of a
Committee shall hold office at the pleasure of the Board of Directors and may be
dismissed at any time with or without cause.
The Board of Directors shall also designate one or more officers or
employees of the Company to be the Administrator to have the primary
administrative responsibility with respect to each Plan, in coordination with
and under the direction of the Committee.
10.2 Powers of the Administrator and the Committee.
The Stock Plan and Option Plan Committees and the Administrator shall
together administer the Plan. The Committees shall not, under any circumstances,
have authority to select those Directors who will be eligible to participate in
the Plan or to make decisions concerning the timing, pricing or amount of any
benefit, Plan Unit, share of Common Stock or Option under the Plan. All such
matters are determined solely by the provisions of the Plan. The Committees
shall interpret or supplement the provisions of the Plan where desirable or
necessary and may resolve ambiguities or omissions or adopt procedures for the
administration of the Plan consistent with the purpose and provisions of the
Plan and any rules adopted by the Committee. Whenever directions, designations,
applications, requests or other notices are to be given by a Participant under
the Plan, they shall be filed with the Administrator.
Except as provided in the next paragraph, all decisions, determinations
or actions of a Committee made or taken pursuant to grants of authority under
the Plan shall be made or taken in the sole discretion of a Committee and shall
be final, conclusive and binding on all persons for all purposes.
If the taking of any action or the making of any determination by a
Committee or Administrator shall jeopardize the effectiveness of the deferral of
Fees or of credits in Participants' Stock Plan Accounts or Options for federal
income tax purposes or any exemption of any plan of the Company from Section
16(a) and (b) of the Exchange Act, the Committee or Administrator, as the case
may be, shall be deemed to be without the power to take such action or make such
determination.
10.3 Rendering of Quarterly Plan Accounts.
After the close of each quarter, the Administrator will deliver to each
Participant a statement showing the Plan Units which have been credited to his
or her account as of the end of such quarter and any accumulated deferred fees.
The accounting shall also indicate the price per unit for all Plan Units
credited since the end of the previous account. The statement will also show the
Options held and/or elected by a Participant and the terms of such Options.
10.4 Both Elections may apply to a Plan Year. Subject to the limitations
contained in each Plan, a Director may elect to include all or any portion of
his Fees to be earned in any future Plan Year in one or both of the Plans, but
without duplication. If a Director has delivered an Option Plan Election and a
Stock Plan Election for the same Plan Year or period, the Fees covered by such
Elections shall be allocated as specified in such Elections or in other
instructions from the Director. In the event of a conflict in instructions from
a Director, the Administrator shall advise the Director.
10.5 Advance Notification by Administrator.
On or before May 31 of each year, the Administrator shall notify each
Director that he or she must deliver a written Stock Plan Election to the
Administrator prior to June 30 (or any later cut-off date permitted by the
Administrator) in order to defer Fees during the next calendar year. On or
before November 30 of each year, the Administrator shall notify each Director
that he or she must deliver a written Option Plan Election to the Administrator
prior to December 15 (or any later cut-off date permitted by the Administrator)
in order to elect to receive Options in payment for future services as a
Director in upcoming Plan Years.
ARTICLE 11
MISCELLANEOUS
11.1 Term of Plan.
The Plan shall become effective as provided in Section 11.9 and the
Stock Plan shall continue through the Plan Year 2014 unless earlier terminated
pursuant to Sections 7.3 or 7.4.
11.2 Shares Subject to the Plan.
As of any date the maximum number of shares of Common Stock which the
Plan may be obligated to deliver pursuant to the Stock Plan and the maximum
number of shares of Common Stock which shall have been purchased by Participants
pursuant to Options and which may be issued pursuant to outstanding Options
under the Option Plan shall not be more than one (1%) percent of the total
outstanding shares of Common Stock Series A and Series B of the Company as of
such date, subject to adjustment in the event of changes in the corporate
structure of the Company affecting capital stock. Any Common Stock transferred
by the Company to a Stock Plan Account or to the Trustee or delivered by the
Company upon exercise of an Option hereunder may consist, in whole or in part,
of authorized and unissued shares or treasury shares as the Company shall
determine. Cash transferred to the Trustee may be used to purchase Common Stock
in the open market or from the Company.
In the event that the total number of shares of Common Stock subject
to, or issued pursuant to, the Plan at any one time is in excess of the
above-stated limit, the number need not be reduced if such excess has resulted
from a reduction in the amount of issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock
subsequent to the time that such Options were granted or such shares were
issued. If any shares of Common Stock subject to purchase by a Participant under
an Option under the Plan are not purchased, such shares of Stock shall be deemed
not to have been purchased pursuant to the Plan for purposes of this Section.
Shares of Common Stock received or retained by the Company in payment of the
exercise price of Options or in payment, or in lieu of payment, of withholding
taxes shall not reduce the number of shares deemed to have been purchased
pursuant to the Plan.
11.3 Non-alienation of Benefits.
The rights of a Stock Plan Participant to the payment of deferred
compensation, to funds or shares as provided in this Plan and with respect to
amounts credited to his or her Stock Plan Account and the rights of an Option
Plan Participant with respect to an Option or to purchase shares of Common Stock
upon exercise of an Option are not transferable by a Participant other than by
will or the laws of descent and distribution and shall not be assigned,
transferred, pledged or encumbered or be subject in any manner to alienation or
anticipation, except that an Option Plan Participant and Formula Plan
Participant may make a Family Member Transfer. No Participant may borrow against
his or her Stock Plan Account or Options. No Stock Plan Account nor Option shall
be subject in any manner to anticipation, alienation, sale, transfer,
assignment, pledge, encumbrance, charge, garnishment, execution or levy of any
kind, whether voluntary or involuntary, including, but not limited to, any
liability which is for alimony or other payments for the support of a spouse or
former spouse, or for any other relative of a Participant, except that an Option
Plan Participant and Formula Plan Participant may make a Family Member Transfer.
Neither a Participant's Stock Plan Account or Option hereunder nor a
Participant's rights to benefits hereunder may be assigned to any other party by
means of a judgment, decree or order (including approval of a property
settlement agreement) relating to the provision of child support, alimony
payments, or marital property rights of a spouse, former Spouse, child or other
dependent of the Participant. As contemplated by Revenue Procedure 92-65 under
the Code, a Stock Plan Participant's rights to benefit payments under the Plan
shall not be subject in any manner to anticipation, alienation, sale, transfer,
assignment, pledge, encumbrance, attachment, or garnishment by creditors of the
Participant or the Participant's Beneficiary.
This Plan shall not in any manner be liable for or subject to the
debts, contracts, liabilities, engagements or torts of any persons entitled to
benefits hereunder.
In the event that, notwithstanding the foregoing, any Participant's
benefits are garnisheed or attached by order of any court, the Administrator may
elect to bring an action for a declaratory judgment in a court of competent
jurisdiction to determine the proper recipient of the benefits to be paid by the
Plan. During the pendency of said action, any benefits that become payable may
be paid into the court as they become payable, to be distributed by a court to
the recipient as it deems proper at the close of said action.
In addition, a Participant or Beneficiary shall have no rights against
or security interest in the assets of the Plan, Company or Trust, if any, and
shall have only the Company's unsecured promise to pay benefits. All assets of
the Trust, if any, shall remain subject to the claims of the Company's general
creditors.
11.4 Participants' Rights.
Nothing contained in this Plan shall be construed as giving any
Participant the right to be retained as a Director of the Company. Nothing
contained in this Plan shall be construed as limiting, in any way, any right
that any party or parties may have to remove a Participant as a Director of the
Company or to appoint or to elect another individual to replace a Participant as
a Director of the Company. Nothing contained in this Plan shall be construed as
giving any Participant the right to receive any benefit not specifically
provided by the Plan. Any other provision of the Plan notwithstanding, a Stock
Plan Participant shall not have any interest in the amounts credited to his
Stock Plan Account until such Stock Plan Account is distributed in accordance
with the provisions of Article 7, and all deferred Fees, and all earnings, gains
and losses with respect thereto shall remain subject to the claims of the
Company's general creditors in accordance with the provisions of the Stock Plan.
With respect to amounts credited to a Participant's Stock Plan Account, the
rights of the Stock Plan Participant, the Beneficiary of the Participant or any
other person claiming through the Participant under this Stock Plan shall be
solely those of unsecured general creditors of the Company, and the obligations
of the Company hereunder shall be purely contractual. Such benefits shall be
paid from the general assets of the Company. As contemplated by Revenue
Procedure 92-65 under the Code, Participants shall have the status of general
unsecured creditors of the Company and each Plan, and all rights thereunder,
shall constitute a mere promise of the Company to make benefit payments in the
future.
11.5 Adjustments in Event of Change in Common Stock.
Subject to the provisions of Sections 6.1 and 7.3, in the event of any
stock dividend, stock split, recapitalization, or reclassification of shares of
Common Stock, merger or consolidation of the Company or sale by the Company of
all or a portion of its assets, or tender offer for its securities, or other
event which could distort the implementation of the Plan or the realization of
its objectives, the Administrator shall make such appropriate adjustments in the
number and kind of securities which a Plan Unit will represent or which may be
paid out under the Plan, and in the number of shares of Common Stock or other
securities or number and kind of securities, and the purchase price therefor,
for which an Option may be exercisable or in terms, conditions or restrictions
on securities as the Administrator deems equitable.
In the event of a stock split or stock dividend, the number of shares
purchasable upon exercise of an Option shall be increased to the new number of
shares which result from the shares covered by the Option immediately before the
split or dividend. The purchase price per share shall be reduced proportionately
and the total purchase price will remain the same. In the case of a distribution
in property other than cash the number of shares covered shall be increased to
reflect, in shares valued at the then current market, the fair value of the
distribution.
All events occurring between the Effective Date of the Option and its
exercise shall result in an adjustment to the Option terms.
11.6 Amendments; Other.
The Board or the Committee may amend the Plan to the extent necessary
or appropriate to effect compliance with Rule 16b-3 in order to continue or
provide an exemption from Section 16(a) and (b) of the Exchange Act for either
Plan or any other equity plan of the Company, and the Administrator may change
the cut-off dates for Elections or the dates of effectiveness of transactions or
other events under the Plan to the same end; provided that no such amendments or
change shall materially increase the benefits to or adversely affect the rights
of the Participants.
In addition, the Board may amend the Plan in any other manner,
provided, however, that no amendment shall adversely and materially affect the
rights of a Participant, taken as a whole, to amounts previously credited to his
or her Stock Plan Account or to Options which have been granted unless such
amendment is required by Rule 16b-3 in order to continue or provide an exemption
from Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act for either Plan or any other equity plan
of the Company, or for the deferral of Directors' Fees until the year of payout
or exercise of Options under either Plan for Federal income tax purposes.
Amendments may not be made more frequently than permitted by Rule
16b-3. No amendment shall require shareholder approval unless required under
Rule 16b-3. If shareholders' approval is necessary or desirable for the
continued validity of the Plan or if the failure to obtain such approval would
adversely affect the compliance of the Plan with Rule 16b-3, no such amendment
shall become effective unless approved by affirmative vote of the Company's
shareholders.
Transactions under each Plan are intended to comply with applicable
conditions of Rule 16b-3, except that a purchase under the Option Plan may be
deemed to occur on an Effective Date. To the extent any provision of each Plan
intended to comply, or action by the Administrator, fails to so comply, it shall
be deemed null and void, to the extent permitted by law and declared advisable
by the Administrator.
11.7 Notices.
All elections, designations, requests, notices, instructions and other
communications from a Director, Participant, Beneficiary or other person to the
Administrator, required or permitted under the Plan, shall be in such form as is
prescribed from time to time by the Administrator and shall be mailed by first
class mail, delivered by facsimile or otherwise delivered to such location as
shall be specified by the Administrator.
11.8 Binding Effect.
The terms of the Plan shall be binding upon the Company and its
successors and assigns.
11.9 Effective Date of Original Plan.
The Plan shall be effective as of June 28, 1994, subject to approval by
the shareholders of the Company. All deferrals or credits to a Stock Plan
Account, and all Options, made prior to such shareholder approval shall be
contingent on such approval. The existing Citizens Utilities Company Deferred
Compensation Plan for Directors shall continue to be available for compensation
deferrals and shall not be affected by the adoption of this Plan.
ARTICLE 12
FORMULA PLAN
<PAGE>
12.1 Eligibility.
All Directors of the Company shall automatically participate in the
Formula Plan.
12.2 Shares subject to the Formula Plan.
Shares of Common Stock which shall have been purchased or which may be
issued upon the exercise of the Options under the Formula Plan shall be included
as shares which shall have been purchased by Participants pursuant to Options
and which may be issued pursuant to Options under the Option Plan for purposes
of the maximum share limitation of Section 11.2.
12.3 Terms, Conditions and Form of Options.
Each Option granted under the Formula Plan shall be evidenced by
written agreement in such form and containing such terms, consistent with the
Plan, as the Committee shall from time to time approve. All Options and said
agreements shall be subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this
Article 12 and to the other applicable terms and conditions of the Plan.
12.4 Grant.
On the first day of each Plan Year starting with the calendar 1997 and
continuing through 2002 (and for successive years thereafter if the Plan is
extended by the Board of Directors), Options to purchase 5,000 shares of Common
Stock, as adjusted pursuant to Section 11.5, shall be awarded to each Director
in office on such date, without the need for further corporate action. The Grant
Date for such Options shall be the first day of each year. In addition, on
September 1, 1996, Options to purchase 2,500 shares of Common Stock shall be
granted to each Director of the Company in office on such date. In each Plan
Year, the Board of Directors may change the number of shares of Common Stock
which will be subject to purchase upon exercise of the Options to be awarded
during the succeeding Plan Year subject to a maximum of 10,000 shares of Common
Stock per year, as adjusted pursuant to Section 11.5.
12.5 Subsequently Elected Directors.
For years subsequent to 1996, individuals who are not Directors on the
first day of a Plan Year but who become Directors of the Company on or before
the date of the annual meeting of stockholders for the election of directors
shall be awarded, as of the Grant Date, without need for further corporate
action, Options to purchase 5,000 shares of Common Stock. The Grant Date for
such Options shall be the date upon which such individual first becomes a
Director. Individuals who become a Director or who become eligible to
participate in the Plan during a Plan Year, but after the date of the annual
meeting of stockholders, shall not be eligible to receive options until the
first day of the next Plan Year.
12.6 Exercise Price.
The purchase price per share of Common Stock for which each Option is
exercisable shall be 100% of the Fair Market Value per share of Common Stock on
the Grant Date for such Option. "Fair Market Value" shall have the meaning as
defined in Article 2 assuming that the Grant Date is a date specified in the
definition.
12.7 Exercisability; Term of Options.
Each option under the Formula Plan will vest and become exercisable six
months after the Grant Date (provided that the Participant is a Director at that
time) or on such earlier date that a Participant ceases to be a Director by
reason of retirement (which for these purposes shall mean retirement pursuant to
Board policy), death or disability. Except as otherwise provided in this
Section, each Option granted under the Formula Plan shall remain exercisable
until the 10th anniversary of its Grant Date.
12.8 Other.
To the extent not inconsistent with the provisions set forth in this
Article 12, Options awarded pursuant to the Formula Plan, Participant's rights
and the Company's obligations shall be subject to the provisions of Sections
4.5, 4.6, 4.7 and 4.8 and Articles 2, 9, 10 and 11 of the Plan.
12.9 Compliance with law.
All Options granted pursuant to the Formula Plan will be subject to
compliance with all applicable laws, rules and regulations of any regulatory or
other governmental body having jurisdiction, and with any rules or policies of
any stock exchange on which shares of Common Stock may be listed, and each
option agreement shall provide that the validity of the Options and the
Company's obligation to issue Shares of Common Stock upon exercise of the Option
are subject to such compliance."
<PAGE>
12.10 Duration of the Formula Plan; Effective Date.
Amendment No. 1 to the Plan shall become effective on August 20, 1996,
provided that the effectiveness of the Formula Plan and the amendment to the
Plan modifying Section 4.7 shall be subject to approval of the stockholders of
the Company at the first annual meeting of the stockholders held after the end
of the 1996 to the extent, in each case, that such approval is called for by the
rules or policies of the New York Stock Exchange or is otherwise deemed
advisable by the Company. The period during which Option awards may be made
under the Formula Plan shall terminate on December 31, 2002. Such termination
shall not effect the terms of any then outstanding Options. The Board of
Directors of the Company shall have the right to extend the effectiveness of the
Formula Plan, with such amendments to the Plan as they may deem appropriate, for
an additional six-year period until December 31, 2008 without any additional
approval by the stockholders of the Company being required, it being understood
that if any approval of stockholders of the Company is obtained during 1997,
such approval shall include the Plan as and if so extended by the Board of
Directors.
EXHIBIT 5
Winthrop, Stimson, Putnam & Roberts
One Battery Park Plaza
New York, NY 10004-1490
(212) 858-1000
January 28, 1999
Citizens Utilities Company
Three High Ridge Park
Stamford, CT 06905
Gentlemen:
As special counsel to Citizens Utilities Company (the
"Company"), a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), in connection with the
registration under the Securities Act of 1933 (the "Act"), of up to 600,000
shares (subject to adjustment) of common stock of the Company, par value $.25
per share, to be sold or delivered by the Company from time to time pursuant to
the Citizens Utilities Company Non Employee Directors' Deferred Fee Plan
("Plan"), we have examined the registration statement on Form S-8 (the
"Registration Statement") in regard thereto filed under the Act, and such other
documents as we have considered necessary for the purposes of this opinion.
Based upon such examination, we hereby advise you that:
We are of the opinion that, in the event that originally
issued shares of common stock of the Company shall be sold or delivered to Plan
participants pursuant to the provisions of the Plan (the "Offered Stock"), and
such Offered Stock is sold or delivered in accordance with the Plan and the
Registration Statement, as amended or supplemented from time to time, upon
completion of the steps enumerated in the next succeeding paragraph, the Offered
Stock will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.
The steps which are referred to in the foregoing opinion are:
(a) It shall be determined that the public service
commissions, or other regulatory agencies or bodies, or other political entities
relating to public utilities matters of the pertinent states shall be without
jurisdiction, or shall have declined to exercise jurisdiction over the issuance
and sale of the Offered Stock pursuant to the Plan, or shall have issued
appropriate orders approving and authorizing the issuance of the Offered Stock
pursuant to the Plan and such orders shall be in full force and effect;
(b) An appropriate order of the Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission with respect to the issuance of the Offered Stock pursuant to the
Plan shall be in full force and effect;
(c) The Offered Stock shall have been duly issued, delivered
and consideration therefore received in accordance with the provisions of the
Plan;
We have assumed that the consideration received will equal or
exceed the par value per share of the Offered Stock.
We are members of the bar of the State of New York. In
rendering the foregoing opinion we express no opinion as to laws other than the
laws of the State of New York, the General Corporation Law of the State of
Delaware and the Federal laws of the United States.
We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit
to the Registration Statement and to the reference made to our firm under "Legal
Opinions" in the prospectus constituting part of the Registration Statement. In
giving such consent, we do not hereby admit that we are within the category of
persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Act or the rules and
regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Very truly yours,
/s/ Winthrop, Stimson, Putnam & Roberts
EXHIBIT 23.1
The Board of Directors
Citizens Utilities Company
We consent to the incorporation by reference in the registration statement on
Form S-8 of Citizens Utilities Company of our report dated March 11, 1998,
relating to the balance sheets of Citizens Utilities Company as of December 31,
1997, 1996, and 1995, and the related statements of income, shareholders' equity
and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31,
1997, which report appears in the December 31, 1997 annual report on Form 10-K
of Citizens Utilities Company.
KPMG LLP
New York, New York
February 1, 1999
EXHIBIT 24
POWER OF ATTORNEY
CITIZENS UTILITIES COMPANY
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned director of CITIZENS
UTILITIES COMPANY constitutes and appoints Robert J. DeSantis and Livingston E.
Ross, jointly and severally, to act for him in any and all capacities to sign on
Form S-8 registering securities to be offered pursuant to the following employee
benefit plan of CITIZENS UTILITIES COMPANY:
Citizens Utilities Company Non-Employee Directors' Deferred Fee Equity Plan
(1995)
and any and all amendments and supplements to such Form, including any
amendments or supplements filing reoffer prospectuses for said Forms S-8, and to
file the same with the Securities and Exchange Commission, hereby ratifying and
conforming all that each of said attorneys-in-fact, or his substitute or
substitutes may do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
/s/ Andrew N. Heine
-----------------------
Andrew N. Heine
December 15, 1998
<PAGE>
POWER OF ATTORNEY
CITIZENS UTILITIES COMPANY
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned director of CITIZENS
UTILITIES COMPANY constitutes and appoints Robert J. DeSantis and Livingston E.
Ross, jointly and severally, to act for him in any and all capacities to sign on
Form S-8 registering securities to be offered pursuant to the following employee
benefit plan of CITIZENS UTILITIES COMPANY:
Citizens Utilities Company Non-Employee Directors' Deferred Fee Equity Plan
(1995)
and any and all amendments and supplements to such Form, including any
amendments or supplements filing reoffer prospectuses for said Forms S-8, and to
file the same with the Securities and Exchange Commission, hereby ratifying and
conforming all that each of said attorneys-in-fact, or his substitute or
substitutes may do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
/s/ Norman I. Botwinik
-----------------------
Norman I. Botwinik
December 15, 1998
<PAGE>
POWER OF ATTORNEY
CITIZENS UTILITIES COMPANY
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned director of CITIZENS
UTILITIES COMPANY constitutes and appoints Robert J. DeSantis and Livingston E.
Ross, jointly and severally, to act for him in any and all capacities to sign on
Form S-8 registering securities to be offered pursuant to the following employee
benefit plan of CITIZENS UTILITIES COMPANY:
Citizens Utilities Company Non-Employee Directors' Deferred Fee Equity Plan
(1995)
and any and all amendments and supplements to such Form, including any
amendments or supplements filing reoffer prospectuses for said Forms S-8, and to
file the same with the Securities and Exchange Commission, hereby ratifying and
conforming all that each of said attorneys-in-fact, or his substitute or
substitutes may do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
/s/ Aaron I. Fleischman
-----------------------
Aaron I. Fleischman
December 15, 1998
<PAGE>
POWER OF ATTORNEY
CITIZENS UTILITIES COMPANY
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned director of CITIZENS
UTILITIES COMPANY constitutes and appoints Robert J. DeSantis and Livingston E.
Ross, jointly and severally, to act for him in any and all capacities to sign on
Form S-8 registering securities to be offered pursuant to the following employee
benefit plan of CITIZENS UTILITIES COMPANY:
Citizens Utilities Company Non-Employee Directors' Deferred Fee Equity Plan
(1995)
and any and all amendments and supplements to such Form, including any
amendments or supplements filing reoffer prospectuses for said Forms S-8, and to
file the same with the Securities and Exchange Commission, hereby ratifying and
conforming all that each of said attorneys-in-fact, or his substitute or
substitutes may do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
/s/ James C. Goodale
-----------------------
James C. Goodale
December 15, 1998
<PAGE>
POWER OF ATTORNEY
CITIZENS UTILITIES COMPANY
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned director of CITIZENS
UTILITIES COMPANY constitutes and appoints Robert J. DeSantis and Livingston E.
Ross, jointly and severally, to act for him in any and all capacities to sign on
Form S-8 registering securities to be offered pursuant to the following employee
benefit plan of CITIZENS UTILITIES COMPANY:
Citizens Utilities Company Non-Employee Directors' Deferred Fee Equity Plan
(1995)
and any and all amendments and supplements to such Form, including any
amendments or supplements filing reoffer prospectuses for said Forms S-8, and to
file the same with the Securities and Exchange Commission, hereby ratifying and
conforming all that each of said attorneys-in-fact, or his substitute or
substitutes may do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
/s/ John L. Schroeder
-----------------------
John L. Schroeder
December 15, 1998
<PAGE>
POWER OF ATTORNEY
CITIZENS UTILITIES COMPANY
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned director of CITIZENS
UTILITIES COMPANY constitutes and appoints Robert J. DeSantis and Livingston E.
Ross, jointly and severally, to act for him in any and all capacities to sign on
Form S-8 registering securities to be offered pursuant to the following employee
benefit plan of CITIZENS UTILITIES COMPANY:
Citizens Utilities Company Non-Employee Directors' Deferred Fee Equity Plan
(1995)
and any and all amendments and supplements to such Form, including any
amendments or supplements filing reoffer prospectuses for said Forms S-8, and to
file the same with the Securities and Exchange Commission, hereby ratifying and
conforming all that each of said attorneys-in-fact, or his substitute or
substitutes may do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
/s/ Edwin Tornberg
-----------------------
Edwin Tornberg
December 15, 1998
<PAGE>
POWER OF ATTORNEY
CITIZENS UTILITIES COMPANY
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned director of CITIZENS
UTILITIES COMPANY constitutes and appoints Robert J. DeSantis and Livingston E.
Ross, jointly and severally, to act for him in any and all capacities to sign on
Form S-8 registering securities to be offered pursuant to the following employee
benefit plan of CITIZENS UTILITIES COMPANY:
Citizens Utilities Company Non-Employee Directors' Deferred Fee Equity Plan
(1995)
and any and all amendments and supplements to such Form, including any
amendments or supplements filing reoffer prospectuses for said Forms S-8, and to
file the same with the Securities and Exchange Commission, hereby ratifying and
conforming all that each of said attorneys-in-fact, or his substitute or
substitutes may do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
/s/ Robert A. Stanger
-----------------------
Robert A. Stanger
December 15, 1998
<PAGE>
POWER OF ATTORNEY
CITIZENS UTILITIES COMPANY
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned director of CITIZENS
UTILITIES COMPANY constitutes and appoints Robert J. DeSantis and Livingston E.
Ross, jointly and severally, to act for him in any and all capacities to sign on
Form S-8 registering securities to be offered pursuant to the following employee
benefit plan of CITIZENS UTILITIES COMPANY:
Citizens Utilities Company Non-Employee Directors' Deferred Fee Equity Plan
(1995)
and any and all amendments and supplements to such Form, including any
amendments or supplements filing reoffer prospectuses for said Forms S-8, and to
file the same with the Securities and Exchange Commission, hereby ratifying and
conforming all that each of said attorneys-in-fact, or his substitute or
substitutes may do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
/s/ Stanley Harfenist
-----------------------
Stanley Harfenist
December 15, 1998
<PAGE>
POWER OF ATTORNEY
CITIZENS UTILITIES COMPANY
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned director of CITIZENS
UTILITIES COMPANY constitutes and appoints Robert J. DeSantis and Livingston E.
Ross, jointly and severally, to act for her in any and all capacities to sign on
Form S-8 registering securities to be offered pursuant to the following employee
benefit plan of CITIZENS UTILITIES COMPANY:
Citizens Utilities Company Non-Employee Directors' Deferred Fee Equity Plan
(1995)
and any and all amendments and supplements to such Form, including any
amendments or supplements filing reoffer prospectuses for said Forms S-8, and to
file the same with the Securities and Exchange Commission, hereby ratifying and
conforming all that each of said attorneys-in-fact, or her substitute or
substitutes may do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
/s/ Claire Tow
-----------------------
Claire Tow
December 15, 1998
<PAGE>
POWER OF ATTORNEY
CITIZENS UTILITIES COMPANY
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned director of CITIZENS
UTILITIES COMPANY constitutes and appoints Robert J. DeSantis and Livingston E.
Ross, jointly and severally, to act for him in any and all capacities to sign on
Form S-8 registering securities to be offered pursuant to the following employee
benefit plan of CITIZENS UTILITIES COMPANY:
Citizens Utilities Company Non-Employee Directors' Deferred Fee Equity Plan
(1995)
and any and all amendments and supplements to such Form, including any
amendments or supplements filing reoffer prospectuses for said Forms S-8, and to
file the same with the Securities and Exchange Commission, hereby ratifying and
conforming all that each of said attorneys-in-fact, or his substitute or
substitutes may do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
/s/ Leonard Tow
-----------------------
Leonard Tow
December 15, 1998
