SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Filed by the Registrant [X]
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant [ ]
Check the appropriate box:
[X ] Preliminary Proxy Statement [ ] Confidential, for use of
[ ] Definitive Proxy Statement Commissiononly (as
[ ] Definitive Additional Materials permitted by
[ ] Soliciting Material Pursuant to Rule 14a-6(a)(2))
Rule 14a-11(c) or Rule 14-12
Franklin Select Realty Trust
- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Name of Registrant as Specified In its Charter)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
[x] No fee required.
[ ] Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11.
[ ] Fee paid previously with preliminary material.
[ ] Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule
0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid
previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or
the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.
1) Amount Previously Paid:
2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:
3) Filing Party:
4) Date Filed:
FRANKLIN SELECT REALTY TRUST
777 MARINERS ISLAND BOULEVARD
SAN MATEO, CA 94404
(650) 312-3000
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
TO BE HELD APRIL 27, 1999
Dear Shareholder:
Notice is hereby given that the Annual Meeting of Shareholders (the
"Meeting") of Franklin Select Realty Trust (the "Company") will be held on
April 27, 1999, at 9:00 a.m., Pacific Standard Time, at the offices of
Franklin Resources, Inc., located at 777 Mariners Island Boulevard, San
Mateo, California 94403 for the following purposes:
1. To elect a Board of Directors of the Company to hold office
until the next annual meeting of shareholders or until
their respective successors have been elected and qualified.
2. To ratify the appointment of PriceWaterhouseCoopers LLP,
independent public accountants, as the independent auditors
for the Company for the fiscal year ending December 31,
1999.
3. To consider and approve the amendment and restatement of
the Company's Articles of Incorporation in the form set
forth as EXHIBIT A attached hereto.
4. To consider and approve the amendment and restatement of
the Company's Bylaws in the form set forth as EXHIBIT B
attached hereto.
5. To transact such other business as may properly come before
the Meeting or any postponements or adjournments thereof.
These items are discussed in the following pages, which are made part of this
Notice. Pursuant to the Company's Bylaws, the Board of Directors has fixed
the close of business on March 10, 1999 as the record date for the
determination of shareholders entitled to notice of and to vote at the
Meeting. Only shareholders of record at that time will be entitled to vote at
the Meeting or any adjournment thereof.
You are cordially invited to attend the Meeting in person. Even if you plan
to attend the Meeting, please complete, date, sign, and return the enclosed
proxy promptly in the enclosed self-addressed, stamped envelope. If you
attend the Meeting and wish to withdraw your proxy, you may vote personally.
Dated: March 15, 1999 By Order of the Board of Directors
Richard S. Barone
Secretary
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PLEASE RETURN YOUR PROXY CARD PROMPTLY.
YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT NO MATTER HOW MANY SHARES YOU OWN.
Shareholders are cordially invited to attend the Meeting in person. If you
do not expect to attend the Meeting, please indicate your voting instructions
on the enclosed proxy card, date and sign it, and return it in the envelope
provided, which is addressed for your convenience and needs no postage if
mailed in the United States. In order to avoid the additional expense to the
Company of further solicitation, we ask your cooperation in mailing your
proxy promptly.
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FRANKLIN SELECT REALTY TRUST
PROXY STATEMENT
ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS, APRIL 27, 1999
SOLICITATION, REVOCATION AND VOTING OF PROXIES
This proxy statement and the enclosed proxy are furnished in connection with
the Annual Meeting of Shareholders (the "Meeting") of Franklin Select Realty
Trust, a California corporation (the "Company"), to be held on April 27,
1999, at 9 a.m., Pacific Standard Time, at the offices of Franklin Resources,
Inc. located at 777 Mariners Island Boulevard, San Mateo, California 94403.
Shareholders of record at the close of business on March 10, 1999, are
entitled to notice of and to vote at the Meeting. On that date, there were
12,250,372 shares of Common Stock, Series A, (the "Series A") outstanding,
and 745,584 shares of Common Stock, Series B, (the "Series B") outstanding
(collectively the "Common Stock"). Each holder of Common Stock is entitled
to one vote for each share held as of the record date. Each share of Common
Stock is entitled to one vote for as many separate nominees as there are
Directors to be elected and one vote for or against all other matters
presented. For action to be taken at the Meeting, a majority of the shares
entitled to vote must be represented at the Meeting in person or by proxy.
Under California law, Shareholders are entitled to cumulate their votes in
the election of directors. See "Proposal 1 - Election of Directors" for an
explanation of cumulative voting. The Series A and Series B will vote
together as a single class with respect to the matters to be voted upon at
the Meeting. Director nominees receiving the highest number of affirmative
votes up to the number of Directors to be elected will be elected. For
approval of all other matters, the affirmative vote of the majority of the
shares represented and voting is the minimum approval necessary. Because
abstentions with respect to any matter are treated as shares present or
represented and entitled to vote for the purposes of determining whether that
matter has been approved by shareholders, abstentions have the same effect as
negative votes. Broker non-votes and shares as to which proxy authority has
been withheld with respect to any matter are not deemed to be present or
represented for purposes of determining whether shareholder approval of that
matter has been obtained.
The cost of soliciting proxies will be borne by the Company. The Company has
retained ChaseMellon Shareholder Services, L.L.C, its transfer agent, and may
also retain a professional proxy solicitation firm to assist shareholders and
the Company in the voting process in connection with the Meeting. The
Company may request brokerage houses and other institutions to forward the
solicitation material to persons for whom they hold shares of Common Stock
and to obtain authorization for the execution of proxies. The Company will
reimburse brokerage houses and other institutions for their reasonable
expenses in forwarding the Company's proxy material.
The enclosed proxy is being solicited by the Company's Board of Directors
(the "Board"). When proxies are property dated, executed and returned, the
shares they represent will be voted at the Meeting in accordance with the
instructions of the shareholders. If no specific instructions are given, the
shares will be voted: FOR the election as Directors of each of the nominees
named hereinafter, but the proxy holders reserve full discretion to cast
votes for other persons in the event any such nominees are unable to serve;
FOR the ratification of the appointment of PriceWaterhouseCoopers LLP as
independent auditors for the Company for the fiscal year ending December 31,
1999; FOR the proposed amendment and restatement of the Company's Articles of
Incorporation; FOR the proposed amendment and restatement of the Company's
Bylaws; and, in the discretion of the proxy holders, upon such other matters
not now known or determined which may properly come before the Meeting.
Any person giving a proxy in the form accompanying this Proxy Statement has
the power to revoke it at any time before its exercise by (i) filing with the
Secretary of the Company a signed written statement revoking his or her
proxy, or (ii) submitting an executed proxy bearing a date later than that of
the proxy being revoked. A proxy may also be revoked by attendance at the
Meeting and election to vote in person. Attendance at the Meeting will not
by itself constitute the revocation of a proxy.
This proxy statement and the enclosed proxy are scheduled to be mailed to
shareholders commencing on or about March 15, 1999.
AVAILABLE INFORMATION
The Company is subject to the informational requirements of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and in accordance
therewith files reports, proxy statements and other information with the
SEC. Such reports, proxy statements and other information filed by the
Company may be inspected and copied at the public reference facilities
maintained by the SEC at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549, and
at the regional offices of the SEC located at 75 Park Place, New York, New
York 10007 and 500 West Madison Street, Chicago, Illinois 60661. Copies of
such material can be obtained from the Public Reference Section of the SEC at
450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549, at prescribed rates. In
addition, certain of the documents filed by the Company with the Commission
are available through the Commission's Electronic Data Gathering and
Retrieval System ("EDGAR") at www.sec.gov.
The Company furnishes shareholders with annual reports containing
consolidated financial statements audited by independent certified public
accountants. The Company's 1998 Annual Report, which is integrated with and
included in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December
31, 1998, is being sent to shareholders with this Proxy Statement.
No person is authorized to give any information or to make any
representations other than the information or representations contained
herein and, if given or made, such information or representations should not
be relied upon as having been authorized. This Proxy Statement does not
constitute the solicitation of a proxy in any jurisdiction where, or to any
person to whom, it is unlawful to make such a solicitation. The delivery of
this Proxy Statement shall not, under any circumstances, create any
implication that there has been no change in the affairs of the Company since
the date hereof, or the dates as of which certain information is set forth
herein.
PROPOSAL 1: ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
The enclosed proxy will be voted, unless authority is withheld, for the
election of the nominees named herein as Directors of the Company, to hold
office until the next annual meeting of shareholders and until their
successors are elected and qualified. All of the nominees have consented to
serve as Directors and all of the nominees are presently Directors of the
Company. However, if any nominee is not available for election at the time
of the Meeting, the proxy holders may vote for any substitute person
nominated by the Board, in its discretion. In connection with the election
of Directors, the proxy holders intend to distribute, in such proportions as
they see fit, the votes represented by each proxy among the seven nominees
named herein or any such substitute person nominated by the Board, and
authority to do so is included in the proxy.
Under the General Corporation Law of the State of California, a shareholder
is entitled to cumulate his votes in the election of directors. This means
that a shareholder may give to any one nominee a number of votes equal to the
number of directors to be elected, multiplied by the number of votes to which
his shares are entitled; or, a shareholder may distribute such votes, based
upon the same principle, among as many candidates as he chooses. If a
majority of the shares of Common Stock entitled to vote are represented in
person or by proxy at the Meeting, the seven nominees who receive the highest
number of votes will be the Directors for the next year and until their
successors are elected and qualified. A shareholder may use his proxy for
cumulative voting by noting the number of shares to be voted for each
nominee. Unless otherwise noted on the proxy card, shares of persons
submitting a proxy will be voted equally for each nominee (subject to the
proxy holders' right to cumulate votes represented by each proxy as
referenced above).
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR EACH OF THE NOMINEES NAMED BELOW
OR THEIR SUBSTITUTES AS SET FORTH HEREIN.
NAME, AGE AND FIVE-YEAR BUSINESS EXPERIENCE DIRECTOR
SINCE
DAVID P. GOSS (51) 1989
Mr. Goss is the Chief Executive Officer, President and Director of
the Company. He is also Chief Executive Officer, President and
Director of Property Resources, Inc., Property Resources Equity
Trust (1987 to date), and Franklin Properties Inc., the Company's
Advisor (the "Advisor"). Mr. Goss has a B.A degree from the
University of California, Berkeley, and a J.D. degree from the New
York University School of Law.
BARRY C. L. FERNALD (52) 1996
Mr. Fernald is an Independent Director of the Company. He was
co-founder and, until 1994, a Senior Vice President of Devcon
Construction, Inc. During his association with Devcon, Devcon
developed and constructed more than 20 million square feet of
industrial and commercial buildings in the Silicon Valley and
throughout Northern California. Since retiring from Devcon in
1994, Mr. Fernald continues to manage his real estate holdings, as
well as consult and participate in new real estate ventures. Mr.
Fernald holds a Bachelor of Architecture degree from the University
of California at Berkeley and is a licensed architect in the State
of California. He is a founder of the Children's Discovery Museum
of San Jose and of the Silicon Valley Bank. Mr. Fernald also
serves on the board of directors of the San Jose Jet Center and the
I Think I Can Foundation, is a member of the American Institute of
Architects and is a former Director of the Santa Clara Valley
Chapter of The American Institute of Architects.
LLOYD D. HANFORD, JR. (70) 1989
Mr. Hanford is an Independent Director of the Company. In 1988 he
was co-founder of, and until July 1992, principal of, the
Hanford/Healy Companies, a San Francisco real estate appraisal,
asset management and consulting firm, practicing on a national
basis. In September 1996, GMAC Commercial Mortgage acquired the
assets of the Hanford/Healy Companies. Mr. Hanford is presently an
independent real estate appraiser and consultant but maintains his
offices at Realty Services International, Inc. (the successor by
name change to Hanford/Healy Appraisal Company). Mr. Hanford
graduated from the University of California, Berkeley and holds the
professional designations MAI, CRE and CPM awarded respectively by
the Appraisal Institute, the Counselors of Real Estate and the
Institute of Real Estate Management (IREM). Mr. Hanford is a past
national president of IREM and of the IREM Foundation and was the
1998 Chair of the Appraisal Foundation (Washington, D.C.). Mr.
Hanford is also on the Advisory Board of the Eastern European Real
Property Foundation. Mr. Hanford was also a Director of Franklin
Advantage Real Estate Income Fund (1990 to May 1996).
EGON H. KRAUS (69) 1989
Mr. Kraus is an Independent Director of the Company. He was
formerly Vice President and Director of McNeil Investors Inc.
(1991-1995). He is a Certified Public Accountant, primarily
involved in real estate transactions. He has a B.S. and an M.B.A.
from the University of California, Berkeley, where he was elected
to Phi Beta Kappa. Mr. Kraus is a member of the American Institute
of Certified Public Accountants and a former member of the
Financial Executives Institute and the Tax Executives Institute.
He was also a Director of Franklin Real Estate Income Fund (1988 to
May 1996) and Franklin Advantage Real Estate Income Fund (1990 to
May 1996).
FRANK W.T. LAHAYE (69) 1996
Mr. LaHaye is an Independent Director of the Company. He is
General Partner of Peregrine Associates and Miller & LaHaye, the
latter of which is the General Partner of Peregrine Ventures II, a
venture capital firm. Mr. LaHaye is a Director of Quarterdeck
Corporation, Fischer Imaging Corporation and Digital Transmission
Systems, Inc.; and a Director or Trustee, as the case may be, of
27 investment companies in the Franklin Templeton Group of Funds.
He was also a Director of Franklin Real Estate Income Fund (1995 to
May 1996). Mr. LaHaye received a B.S. degree in Metallurgical
Engineering from Stanford University in 1954.
LARRY D. RUSSEL (52) 1996
Mr. Russel is an Independent Director of the Company. Mr. Russel
was a founder, Chairman of the Board and President of Devcon
Construction, Inc. and was active in its corporate and executive
operations from May 1976 until May 1989. He was Chairman of the
Board of Devcon from 1980 through May 1989. During his association
with Devcon, Devcon was responsible for the construction of more
than 20 million square feet of property throughout Northern
California. Mr. Russel served on the Board of Directors for
Citation Insurance Company, a publicly held insurance company, from
1984 to 1996. Since 1992 he has been Chairman of the Board of
Directors of the San Jose Jet Center. Mr. Russel is a general
partner of Realtec Development Company of San Jose, California.
Realtec was formed in 1981 and has provided real estate management,
financing, design, construction and marketing services for
approximately 500,000 square feet of office and R&D space. Mr.
Russel is a managing partner of the real estate partnerships
Realtec Development Company manages.
E. SAMUEL WHEELER (55) 1989
Mr. Wheeler is an Independent Director of the Company. He is a
Certified Public Accountant, and since 1990, has owned and managed
an accounting and tax practice. He is a member of the National
Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts (NAREIT)'s Government
Relations, Research and Accounting Committees. He received his
B.S. in Accounting and Finance from San Jose State University in
1966, and is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public
Accountants and the California Society of Certified Public
Accountants. Mr. Wheeler was also a Director of Franklin Advantage
Real Estate Income Fund (1990 to May 1996).
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
The following table sets forth the beneficial ownership of the Company's
Common Stock by the Directors and by all Directors and executive officers as
a group, as of February 10, 1999.
AMOUNT AND TYPE
OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY
NAME TITLE OF CLASS OWNED %OF CLASS
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David P. Goss, Chief Common Stock, Series A 7,191 *
Executive Officer,
President and Director
Barry C. L. Fernald, Common Stock, Series A 410,750** 3.25%
Independent Director
Lloyd D. Hanford, Jr., Common Stock, Series A 1,000 *
Independent Director
Egon H. Kraus, Independent Common Stock, Series A 12,430 *
Director
Frank W.T. LaHaye, Common Stock, Series A 1,000 *
Independent Director
Larry D. Russel, Common Stock, Series A 406,250*** 3.21%
Independent Director
E. Samuel Wheeler, Common Stock, Series A 2,000 *
Independent Director
Directors and executive Common Stock, Series A 843,821**** 6.46%
officers as a group
* Indicates ownership of less than 1% of the class.
** Mr. Fernald's holdings consist of 4,500 shares of Common Stock, Series A
and 406,250 shares of Common Stock, Series A issuable upon conversion of
406,250 limited partnership units of FSRT, L.P. (the "Partnership Units").
The Partnership Units are presently convertible into shares of Common Stock,
Series A on a one-for-one basis. The conversion ratio is subject to
adjustment in certain circumstances. The Partnership Units have no voting
rights.
*** Mr. Russel's holdings consist of 406,250 shares of Common Stock, Series A
issuable upon conversion of 406,250 Partnership Units. The Partnership Units
are presently convertible into shares of Common Stock, Series A on a
one-for-one basis. The conversion ratio is subject to adjustment in certain
circumstances. The Partnership Units have no voting rights.
**** Consists of 31,321 shares of Common Stock, Series A, and 812,500 shares
of Common Stock, Series A issuable upon conversion of 812,500 Partnership
Units. The Partnership Units are presently convertible into shares of Common
Stock, Series A on a one-for-one basis. The conversion ratio is subject to
adjustment in certain circumstances. The Partnership Units have no voting
rights.
To the Company's knowledge, as of February 10, 1999, no person beneficially
owned more than 5% of the outstanding Common Stock except as set forth below:
AMOUNT AND
NATURE OF
NAME AND ADDRESS TITLE OF CLASS SHARES % OF CLASS
BENEFICIALLY
OWNED
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Franklin Resources, Inc. Common Stock, 1,685,400 13.0%
777 Mariners Island Series A
Boulevard
San Mateo, CA 94404
Franklin Properties, Inc. Common Stock, 745,584
1800 Gateway Drive Series B 100%*
San Mateo, CA 94404
EastGroup Properties, Common Stock, 736,000 5.7%
Inc.** Series A
300 One Jackson Place
188 East Capital Street
Jackson, Mississippi
39201
* The Company has one class of Common Stock in two series, designated Series
A and Series B. Pursuant to that certain Amended and Restated Series B Stock
Exchange Agreement dated as of May 7, 1996 between the Company and Franklin
Properties, Inc., the outstanding shares of Common Stock, Series B are
convertible into 622,395 shares of Common Stock, Series A upon the occurrence
of certain conditions based upon the market price of Common Stock, Series A.
The conversion ratio is subject to adjustment in certain circumstances. The
Common Stock, Series B represents 5.7% of the total outstanding shares of
common Stock, Series A and Common Stock, Series B and 100% of the outstanding
shares of Common Stock, Series B.
** The information concerning EastGroup Properties, Inc. ("EastGroup") has
been obtained solely from filings made with the Securities and Exchange
Commission by EastGroup pursuant to Sections 13(d) and 13(g) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
The executive officers of the Company other than those listed above are:
RICHARD S. BARONE (48)
Mr. Barone has been Secretary of the Company from 1989 to date. He is also
Secretary of the Advisor, Property Resources, Inc., and Property Resources
Equity Trust. He is also Senior Vice President-Legal of the Advisor and
Property Resources, Inc., and Senior Corporate Counsel of Franklin Resources,
Inc. Mr. Barone received a B.A degree and a J.D. degree from the University
of San Francisco. He is a member of the State Bar of California.
MARK A. TENBOER (42)
Mr. TenBoer is Vice President - Finance and Chief Financial Officer of the
Company and has served as Vice President - Asset Management for the Advisor
and Property Resources, Inc. since 1991. From 1983 to 1991 he was Director -
Portfolio Management and Controller of the Advisor and Property Resources,
Inc. He received a B.S. degree in Accounting from the University of
Illinois. Mr. TenBoer is a Certified Public Accountant.
COMMITTEES AND MEETINGS OF DIRECTORS
The Board of Directors met seven times during 1997 and 18 times during 1998.
The Audit Committee, which consists of all the Independent Directors of the
Company, met twice during 1997 and twice during 1998. The Audit Committee
advises and assists the Company's principal financial officer in making
periodic overall reviews of the Company's internal controls and financial
statements, appoints the Company's independent auditors for the Company's
annual audit, and meets periodically with the auditors to discuss their
audit. During 1998 the Company had a Special Committee of Independent
Directors (the "Special Committee") consisting of all the Independent
Directors of the Company. The Special Committee was formed in 1998 for the
purpose of reviewing strategic alternatives available to the Company and
related matters. Mr. Wheeler was chairman of the Special Committee during
1998. The Special Committee met 21 times during 1998. The Company had no
standing nominating or compensation committees during 1997 and 1998. During
each of 1997 and 1998, no Director attended fewer than 75% of the aggregate
of (1) the total number of meetings of the Board and (2) the total number of
meetings held by all committees of the Board on which he served.
No direct compensation has been paid by the Company to its Directors or its
executive officers, or the Directors or executive officers of the Advisor, in
1997 or 1998, except that the Independent Directors received fees of $6,000
per year plus $500 for each regular Board meeting attended and $400 for each
telephonic Board meeting attended. In addition, in 1998 the Independent
Directors received fees of $2,500 each per quarter for their service on the
Special Committee, except that Mr. Wheeler received fees of $3,500 per
quarter for his service as chairman of the Special Committee. Fees to all
Directors for attendance at Board meetings totaled approximately $58,000 for
1997 and approximately $145,000 for 1998, including an aggregate of $64,000
paid to the Independent Directors in 1998 for their service on the Special
Committee.
The Company has no annuity, pension or retirement plans or any existing plans
or arrangement under which payments have been or will in the future be made
to any Director or officer. The Company has paid certain fees and will
reimburse certain expenses of the Advisor. See "Other Information."
COMPLIANCE WITH SECTION 16(A) OF THE EXCHANGE ACT
Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act and the rules of the Securities and
Exchange Commission (the "Commission") thereunder require the Company's
Directors and executive officers to file reports of their ownership and
changes in ownership of Common Stock with the Commission. Personnel of the
Company generally prepare these reports on the basis of information obtained
from each Director and executive officer. Based on such information, the
Company believes that all reports required by Section 16(a) of the Exchange
Act to be filed by its Directors and executive officers during the last
fiscal year were filed on time.
PERFORMANCE GRAPH
The following graph compares the yearly percentage change in the Company's
cumulative total stockholder return with two indices, the Equity REIT Index
prepared by the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts
("NAREIT"), and the S&P 500 Index. The period covered by the graph commences
on January 14, 1994, which is the date when the Company's Series A commenced
trading on the American Stock Exchange. Prior to that date, there was no
established trading market for the shares. The graph assumes $100 was
invested in January 14, 1994, in the Series A and the indices, and that all
dividends were reinvested throughout the period. Data points on the graph
are annual, except that the first point represents January 14, 1994.
Historic stock price performance is not necessarily indicative of future
stock price performance.
PERFORMANCE MEASUREMENT COMPARISON
TOTAL RETURN
FRANKLIN SELECT REALTY TRUST
PERFORMANCE MEASUREMENT COMPARISON
EDGAR REPRESENTATION OF DATA POINTS USED IN THE PRINTED GRAPHIC
THE COMPANY REIT EQUITY INDEX S&P 500 INDEX
----------- ----------------- -------------
1/94 100.00 100.00 100.00
1994 78.03 103.18 101.31
1995 91.96 118.93 139.22
1996 136.33 160.87 171.19
1997 174.26 193.46 228.32
1998 188.34 159.60 293.56
PROPOSAL 2: RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
The Board of Directors recommends ratification of its appointment of
PriceWaterhouseCoopers LLP as independent auditors to audit the financial
statements of the Company for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1999. For
the fiscal year ended December 31, 1998, the audit services of
PriceWaterhouseCoopers LLP (and, for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997,
the audit services of its predecessor, Coopers & Lybrand LLP) consisted of
the rendering of opinions on the financial statements of the Company.
PriceWaterhouseCoopers LLP has no material direct or indirect beneficial
interest in the Company or the Advisor. PriceWaterhouseCoopers LLP does not
intend to send a representative to be present at the Meeting and, therefore,
does not intend to have a representative available to respond to questions.
However, if PriceWaterhouseCoopers LLP does send a representative to the
Meeting, such representative will be available to respond to questions.
Unless marked to the contrary, proxies received will be voted for the
ratification of the appointment of PriceWaterhouseCoopers LLP as independent
auditors to audit the financial statements of the Company for the fiscal year
ending December 31, 1999.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR THE RATIFICATION OF THE
APPOINTMENT OF PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LLP AS INDEPENDENT AUDITORS TO AUDIT
THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF THE COMPANY FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING DECEMBER
31, 1999.
PROPOSAL 3: TO AMEND AND RESTATE THE COMPANY'S ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION
Except as described below, the Board has unanimously approved, and recommends
that the shareholders approve, the amendment and restatement of the Company's
Articles of Incorporation, as set forth in EXHIBIT A to this Proxy Statement
(the "Amended Articles"). The only Director who is not an Independent
Director abstained from voting with respect to the decision to amend the
Articles to provide that the liability of all Directors for monetary damages
is eliminated to the fullest extent permitted by California law; this
provision currently applies only to Independent Directors. The amendments to
the Company's existing Articles of Incorporation (the "Existing Articles")
are summarized below. The summary is qualified by reference to the full text
of the Amended Articles.
The reasons for the proposed amendments are:
1. To clarify that the order of priority specified in the Existing Articles
for distributions to the holders of Series A shares and Series B shares of
net proceeds from the sale, financing or refinancing of real property
which are not reinvested in real property does not REQUIRE that such
distributions be made, but rather, specifies the relative rights of the
holders of Series A shares and Series B shares as to any such
distributions that may be made; and
2. To update the provisions eliminating liability of the Directors for
monetary damages to the Company, and the provisions authorizing the
Company to indemnify its agents (including Directors), by making such
provisions consistent with current California corporate practice. In
particular, the elimination of liability for monetary damages, which
currently applies only to Independent Directors, would be extended to
include all Directors, and any repeal or amendment of the exculpation and
indemnity provisions would not adversely affect any rights in effect at
the time of the repeal or amendment.
The Existing Articles provide that the net proceeds from any sale, financing
or refinancing of the Company's real property which are not reinvested in
real property are to be distributed as follows: (i) $10 per share to the
holders of Series A shares before any net proceeds are distributed to the
holders of Series B shares, (ii) if any net proceeds remain after the
distribution to the holders of the Series A shares, then, $10 per share to
the holders of Series B shares before any further net proceeds are
distributed to the holders of Series A shares, (iii) if net proceeds remain
after the distribution to the holders of the Series B shares, then, an amount
equal to a 6% per annum cumulative (non-compounded) return on the "adjusted
price" per Series A share (as defined therein) to the holders of Series A
shares before any further net proceeds are distributed to the holders of
Series B shares, (iv) if any net proceeds remain after the distribution to
the holders of the Series A shares, then, an amount equal to a 6% per annum
cumulative (non-compounded) return on the adjusted price per Series B share
(as defined therein) to the holders of the Series B Shares before any further
net proceeds are distributed to the holders of Series A shares, and (v) any
remaining net proceeds that are distributed, are distributed pro rata to the
holders of Series A shares and Series B shares.
In September, 1994 the Company was changed from a finite life REIT to an
infinite life REIT. A requirement that the Company distribute to the
Shareholders the net proceeds from all sales, financings or refinancings of
its real property would be inconsistent with the Company's status as an
infinite life REIT. The Existing Articles would be amended to clarify that
net proceeds from the sale, financing or refinancing of real property which
are not reinvested need not be distributed to the holders of Series A shares
or Series B shares, but rather, that IF net proceeds are distributed, the
existing order of priority would be preserved. The Company is considering
buying back Series A shares in open market and/or negotiated transactions
using some or all of the proceeds received from the sale of certain of its
properties, including the November, 1998 sale of shopping centers located in
Reno, Nevada and Vallejo, California.
The Existing Articles would also be amended to provide that the ten dollar
($10.00) per share distribution amount referred to therein would be
appropriately adjusted if the shares of Series A or Series B, as the case may
be, are subdivided by stock split, stock dividend, reclassification or
similar action, or if they are combined or consolidated into a lesser number
of shares.
The Existing Articles contain a section eliminating the liability of the
Independent Directors for monetary damages to the fullest extent permissible
under California law. This section would be amended to treat all Directors
equally, by providing that the elimination of liability for monetary damages
would extend to ALL Directors. The Company believes that this change is
consistent with current California corporate practice.
The Existing Articles authorize the Company to indemnify the Company's agents
(as defined in Section 317 of the California Corporations Code, which
definition includes directors) in excess of the indemnification otherwise
permitted by Section 317 of the California Corporations Code, subject to the
applicable limits set forth in Section 204 of the California Corporations
Code (which prohibits the elimination of liability, for, and the
indemnification with respect to, specified acts and omissions). The Amended
Articles would provide that any repeal or amendment of the indemnity
provisions of the Amended Articles shall not adversely affect any right or
protection afforded any agent in effect at the time of the repeal or
amendment. The Company believes that this change is consistent with current
California corporate practice.
Certain other, non-substantive, drafting changes also have been made to the
Existing Articles.
VOTE REQUIRED.
The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares
of Common Stock is required to adopt the proposed Amended Articles.
THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT THE SHAREHOLDERS VOTE FOR THE PROPOSAL TO APPROVE
THE AMENDED ARTICLES.
PROPOSAL 4: TO AMEND AND RESTATE THE COMPANY'S BYLAWS
The Board has unanimously approved, and recommends that the Shareholders
approve, the amendment and restatement of the Company's Bylaws so that the
Company's Bylaws shall read in their entirety as set forth in the Third
Amended and Restated Bylaws attached to this Proxy Statement as EXHIBIT B
(the "Amended Bylaws"). The amendments to the existing Bylaws (the "Existing
Bylaws") are summarized below. The summary is qualified by reference to the
full text of the Amended Bylaws.
In connection with the Board's review of the Existing Articles, the Board
reviewed the Existing Bylaws. The Existing Bylaws contain provisions that are
cumbersome, redundant and do not reflect current California corporate
practice. The Existing Bylaws may be amended or repealed ONLY by the vote or
written consent of the holders of a majority of voting Shares (with a
two-thirds vote of any class of Shares required for amendments that would
reduce the rights of such class by reducing liquidation payments or voting
rights of that class). The Board may not amend the Existing Bylaws without
Shareholder approval except for Bylaw provisions that are in conflict with
the REIT provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the
"Code"). The Board believes that requiring a Shareholder vote as the only
way to amend the Bylaws is cumbersome and is not customary for publicly
traded California corporations.
The proposed amendments would allow the Board to amend or repeal the Bylaws
without a Shareholder vote, subject, however, to the right of the
Shareholders to amend or repeal the Bylaws and subject to limitations imposed
by California law on the Board's ability to amend or repeal certain Bylaw
provisions concerning the number of Directors without Shareholder approval.
However, the two-thirds class vote requirement for amendments that would
reduce the rights of a class of Shares by reducing liquidation payments or
voting rights of such class would be retained. Also, a majority Shareholder
vote would still be required to amend or repeal Section 4.14 (which requires
that a majority of Directors be Independent Directors and that certain
transactions, including those between the Company and the Advisor, be
approved by an absolute majority of Independent Directors), Section 1.3(l)
(which defines "Independent Director") and the first sentence of Section 4.17
(which requires that a majority of the members of each Board committee be
Independent Directors).
Section 3.2 of the Existing Bylaws requires that the annual shareholders
meeting shall be held not less than 30 days after the annual report has been
sent to the Shareholders. This requirement has been deleted in the Amended
Bylaws. The Amended Bylaws still require the Board to cause an annual report
to be sent to the Shareholders, not later than 120 days after the close of
the fiscal or calendar year and not less than 15 days before the date of the
annual Shareholders meeting. (Section 10.6 of the Existing Bylaws requires
that the annual report be sent not less than 30 days before the annual
meeting. The Amended Bylaws change this requirement to 15 days.)
Section 3.4 of the Existing Bylaws requires that notice of a meeting of
Shareholders requested by a holder of not less than 10% of the outstanding
shares shall be given within ten days after receipt of such request. The
Amended Bylaws provide, in Section 3.3, that such notice shall be given
within twenty days after receipt of such request.
A provision has been added to Section 3.4 of the Existing Bylaws requiring
that notice of a Shareholders meeting shall state the general nature of
certain proposed actions at the meeting, including transactions in which
Directors have a financial interest, certain amendments to the Articles of
Incorporation, reorganizations, voluntary dissolutions and distributions in
dissolution that require approval of the Shareholders. This addition is
consistent with current California corporate practice.
Section 3.9 of the Existing Bylaws provides that the transactions of any
Shareholders meeting, however called and noticed, shall be valid if a quorum
is present either in person or by proxy and if, either before or after the
meeting, each of the Shareholders entitled to vote who is not present in
person or by proxy signs a written waiver of notice or a consent to the
meeting. The Amended Bylaws provide that, with certain exceptions, the
waiver of notice or consent need not specify the intended business or purpose
of the meeting. Consistent with current practice, Section 3.9 of the Amended
Bylaws also provides that attendance by a person at a meeting shall also
constitute a waiver of notice of that meeting except when the person objects
at the beginning of the meeting because the meeting is not lawfully called or
convened, and except that attendance at a meeting is a not a waiver of any
right to object to consideration of matters required by law to be in the
notice of meeting that were not so included.
Section 3.10 of the Existing Bylaws authorizes action without a meeting of
the Shareholders if written consent is obtained from the holders of the
requisite number of outstanding shares, except that Directors may not be
elected by written consent except by unanimous written consent of all
shares. The Amended Bylaws provide that a Director may be elected at any
time, to fill a vacancy on the Board that has not been filled by the
Directors, by the written consent of a majority of the outstanding shares
entitled to vote for the election of Directors. This provision has been
added to make Section 3.10 consistent with Section 4.3 of the Existing
Bylaws, which provides that the Shareholders may elect a Director at any time
to fill a vacancy on the Board that has not been filled by the Directors, and
that such election by written consent requires the consent of the majority of
the outstanding shares entitled to vote.
Section 4.3 of the Existing Bylaws provides that if the Board accepts the
resignation of a Director tendered to take effect at a future time, the Board
or the Shareholders shall have the power to elect a successor to take office
when the resignation is to become effective; provided, however, that any
remaining Independent Directors shall nominate replacements for Independent
Director vacancies. Section 4.3 of the Amended Bylaws provides that the
resignation of a Director takes effect at the time of receipt of notice of
resignation or at any later time specified therein and, unless specified in
the notice, the acceptance of such resignation is not necessary to make it
effective.
Section 4.6 of the Existing Bylaws, which prescribes notice requirements for
special meetings of the Board, is changed in the Amended Bylaws to allow 48
hours notice to be given if delivered personally or by telephone (including
voice mail), facsimile, electronic mail or other electronic means. Also, the
notice or waiver of notice need not specify the purpose of the meeting.
Section 4.12 of the Existing Bylaws provides that Directors and officers of
the Company who are affiliated with the Advisor shall not receive
compensation from the Company for their services as Directors or officers of
the Company. The Amended Bylaws provide that such compensation shall not be
received except as approved by a majority of the Independent Directors then
in office.
Section 4.14(a) of the Existing Bylaws contains a sentence requiring the
Independent Directors to determine that the Advisor's compensation is within
limits set forth in specified sections of the Bylaws. However, the specified
sections do not exist. This sentence has been deleted from the Amended
Bylaws. The Amended Bylaws retain the requirement that all transactions
between the Company and the Advisor be approved by a majority of the
Independent Directors then in office.
Section 4.14 of the Existing Bylaws is changed in the Amended Bylaws to
require that if, as a result of the death, resignation or removal of any
Director or any increase in the authorized number of Directors, less than a
majority of the remaining Directors are Independent Directors, the remaining
Independent Directors have 60 days to nominate a replacement or replacements
for such Independent Director vacancy or vacancies.
Section 7.2 of the Existing Bylaws provides that the advisory contract with
the Advisor may be terminated without penalty by the Advisor upon one hundred
and twenty days written notice or by the Company without cause or penalty by
action of the Directors, the Independent Directors or a majority of the
Shareholders upon sixty days written notice. This provision has been deleted
from the Amended Bylaws. The Amended Bylaws retain the requirement that all
transactions between the Company and the Advisor, including the advisory
contract, be approved by a majority of the Independent Directors then in
office.
Section 8.1(L) of the Existing Bylaws prohibits the Company from investing in
equity securities of any non-governmental issuer for a period in excess of 18
months. This restriction has been clarified in the Amended Bylaws to provide
explicitly that it does not apply to the Company's repurchase of its own
equity securities or to equity securities of other REITs. The Company is
considering buying back its Series A shares in open market and/or negotiated
transactions using some or all of the proceeds received from the sale of
certain of its properties, including the November, 1998 sale of shopping
centers located in Reno, Nevada and Vallejo, California. The Company also
may elect to invest excess cash in stock of other REITs.
Section 10.7 of the Existing Bylaws requires the Company to send shareholders
reports in addition to the annual report. This requirement has been removed
from the Amended Bylaws. The Company is subject to the reporting
requirements of Section 13 of the Exchange Act and files periodic reports
pursuant to the Exchange Act. Detailed information about the Company is
available to the Shareholders on a regular basis.
Section 10.8 of the Existing Bylaws requires the Company to send a statement
containing specified information to the former registered owner and new
registered owner after the transfer of shares owned in uncertificated form.
The Company is also required to send such a statement no less than frequently
than annually and to the registered owner at any time upon reasonable
request. These requirements have been changed in the Amended Bylaws to
require the Company to send a statement to the former registered owner and
new registered owner after the transfer of the shares, and to the current
registered owner at any time upon reasonable request.
Section 11.1 of the Existing Bylaws requires the vote or written consent of
Shareholders entitled to exercise a majority of the voting power of the
Company in order to adopt, amend or repeal the Bylaws (except that, without
Shareholder approval, the Board may amend provisions of the Bylaws that are
in conflict with the REIT provision of the Code), and further provides that
any amendment of the Bylaws which would affect any rights with respect to any
outstanding class of securities of the Company, by reducing the amount
payable upon liquidation of the Company, or by diminishing or eliminating any
voting rights pertaining thereto, may not be amended unless approved by the
vote or written consent of the holders of two-thirds of the outstanding
securities of such class.
The Amended Bylaws preserve the right of the Shareholders to adopt, amend or
repeal the Bylaws by the vote or written consent of the holders of a majority
of the outstanding shares entitled to vote, but the Amended Bylaws also
provide that the Board may adopt, amend or repeal the Bylaws. Moreover, as
required by California law, the Amended Bylaws provide that Bylaws
specifying or changing a fixed number of Directors or the maximum or minimum
number or changing from a fixed to a variable Board or vice versa may only be
adopted by the Shareholders, and that a Bylaw reducing the number or the
minimum number of Directors to a number less than five cannot be adopted if
the votes cast against its adoption at a meeting or the shares not consenting
in the case of action by written consent, are equal to more than sixteen and
two-thirds percent (16-2/3%) of the outstanding shares entitled to vote. In
addition, the Amended Bylaws provide that a majority Shareholder vote would
be required to amend or repeal Section 4.14 (which requires that a majority
of Directors be Independent Directors and that certain transactions,
including those between the Company and the Advisor, be approved by an
absolute majority of Independent Directors), Section 1.3(l) (which defines
"Independent Director") and the first sentence of Section 4.17 (which
requires that a majority of the members of each Board committee be
Independent Directors). The Amended Bylaws preserve the requirement that
amendments that would affect any rights with respect to any outstanding class
of securities, by reducing the amount payable upon the liquidation of the
Company, or by diminishing or eliminating any voting rights pertaining
thereto, may not be amended without the vote or written consent of the
holders of two-thirds of the outstanding securities of such class.
Provisions of the Existing Bylaws that relate to the initial public offering
of securities by the Company and provisions that have time periods that are
measured from dates certain, which time periods have passed, have been
deleted in the Amended Bylaws. The Amended Bylaws contain certain other,
non-substantive, drafting changes, including the elimination of redundant
provisions and the updating and streamlining of provisions on inspection of
Company records by Shareholders.
VOTE REQUIRED
The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares
of Common Stock is required to adopt the proposed Amended Bylaws.
THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT THE SHAREHOLDERS VOTE FOR THE PROPOSAL TO APPROVE
THE AMENDED BYLAWS.
OTHER MATTERS
The Board knows of no other matters to be brought before the Meeting. If any
other matters properly come before the Meeting, the proxy holders will vote
the proxies in accordance with their best judgment. In the event that
sufficient votes in favor of the proposals set forth in the Notice of Annual
Meeting of Shareholders are not received by the date of the Meeting, the
proxy holders may propose one or more adjournments of the Meeting for a
period or periods of not more than 45 days in the aggregate to permit further
solicitation of proxies, even though a quorum is present. Any such
adjournment will require the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast
on the question in person or by proxy at the session of the meeting to be
adjourned. The proxy holders will vote in favor of such adjournment those
proxies which they are entitled to vote in favor of the election of the
nominees as Directors. The costs of any such additional solicitation and of
any adjourned session will be borne by the Company.
OTHER INFORMATION
The Board (including all of the Independent Directors) has determined, after
review, that the compensation paid to the Advisor and to Continental Property
Management Co. in 1997 and 1998, as well as the reimbursements made by the
Company to the Advisor in 1997 and 1998 for certain types of compensation and
payments, were fair and reasonable to the Company.
ADVISOR
The Advisor has entered into an agreement with the Company to administer the
day-to-day operations of the Company. Under the terms of the agreement,
which is renewable annually and has been renewed for 1999, the Advisor will
receive an annualized advisory fee equal to .50% of the book value of the
Company's real estate assets (without deduction for depreciation), which is
payable in quarterly installments. The fee is reduced to .40% for gross real
estate assets exceeding $200 million. The Company paid $766,000 in advisory
fees to the Advisor for the year ended December 31, 1997 and expects to pay
$753,000 for the year ended December 31, 1998.
PROPERTY MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT
Pursuant to an agreement entered into between Continental Property Management
Co. ("CPMC") and the Company, CPMC is the property manager for all of the
Company's properties. CPMC is an affiliate of the Advisor. The Company paid
CPMC property management and other fees totaling $854,000 for the year ended
December 31, 1997 and expects to pay $919,000 for the year ended December 31,
1998.
SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS
Any Shareholders intending to present any proposal for consideration at the
Company's next Annual Meeting of Shareholders must, in addition to meeting
other applicable requirements, mail such proposal to the Company so that it
is received at the Company's executive offices not later than December 28,
1999.
BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Richard S. Barone
Secretary
SHAREHOLDERS ARE REQUESTED TO FILL IN, DATE AND SIGN THE PROXY AND RETURN IT
PROMPTLY IN THE ENCLOSED POSTAGE PREPAID ENVELOPE.
WHEN SIGNING AS ATTORNEY, EXECUTOR, ADMINISTRATOR, TRUSTEE OR GUARDIAN, GIVE
YOUR FULL TITLE AS SUCH. WHERE STOCK IS HELD JOINTLY, BOTH SIGNATURES ARE
REQUESTED.
EXHIBIT A
AMENDED AND RESTATED
ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION
OF
FRANKLIN SELECT REALTY TRUST
ARTICLE I
The name of this corporation is:
FRANKLIN SELECT REALTY TRUST
ARTICLE II
The purpose of the corporation is to engage in any lawful act or
activity for which a corporation may be organized under the California
General Corporation Law other than the banking business, the trust
corporation business, or the practice of a profession permitted to be
incorporated by the California Corporations Code.
ARTICLE III
A. The corporation is authorized to issue one class of shares
designated "Common Stock." The total number of shares of Common Stock which
this corporation is authorized to issue is fifty-one million (51,000,000).
This corporation is authorized to issue two Series of Common Stock,
which shall be designated as Common Stock, Series A (the "Series A") and
Common Stock, Series B (the "Series B"), respectively.
This corporation is authorized to issue fifty million (50,000,000)
shares of Series A and one million (1,000,000) shares of Series B.
B. The rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions granted to
or imposed upon the Series A and Series B are as follows:
1. DIVIDENDS. Subject to Subsection B.2. below, the holders of
Series A shall be entitled to receive dividends when, as and if declared by
the board of directors out of any assets at the time legally available
therefor. No dividends shall be paid or other distributions made with
respect to the Series B during any fiscal year of this corporation, other
than distributions of Net Proceeds (as defined below) distributed in
accordance with Subsection B.2. below and dividends payable solely in Series
B.
2. PREFERRED RETURNS. (a) If proceeds from the sale, financing or
refinancing of real property of the corporation, after payment by the
corporation of expenses incurred in connection with such sale, financing or
refinancing ("Net Proceeds"), are distributed to the holders of Common Stock,
whether by dividend or otherwise, the holders of Series A shall be entitled
to receive Net Proceeds up to a cumulative aggregate of $10 (ten dollars) per
share (such amount, subject to adjustment as provided in paragraph (b) below,
the "Series A Original Invested Capital") prior to any distribution of Net
Proceeds to the holders of Series B. Thereafter, if Net Proceeds remain
available after distribution of the Series A Original Invested Capital, then
the holders of Series B shall be entitled to receive Net Proceeds up to a
cumulative aggregate of $10 (ten dollars) per share (such amount, subject to
adjustment as provided in paragraph (c) below, the "Series B Original
Invested Capital"). Thereafter, if additional Net Proceeds are available for
distribution to the holders of Common Stock, the holders of Series A shall be
entitled to receive an amount equal to a 6% per annum cumulative
(noncompounded) return on the Series A Adjusted Price Per Share, as
calculated from time to time (and no more), prior to any further
distributions of Net Proceeds to the holders of Series B. Thereafter, if
additional Net Proceeds are available for distribution to the holders of
Common Stock, the holders of Series B shall be entitled to receive an amount
equal to a 6% per annum cumulative (noncompounded) return on the Series B
Adjusted Price Per Share, as calculated from time to time (and no more),
prior to any further distributions of Net Proceeds to the holders of Series
A. Thereafter, if additional Net Proceeds are available for distribution to
the holders of Common Stock, such Net Proceeds, after payment of incentive
fees to the corporation's adviser plus any other liabilities, shall be
distributed pro rata to the holders of Series A and Series B. The "Series A
Adjusted Price Per Share" shall be the Series A Original Invested Capital
less all distributions of Net Proceeds to the holders of Series A. The
"Series B Adjusted Price Per Share" shall be the Series B Original Invested
Capital less all distributions of Net Proceeds to the holders of Series B.
(b) If the outstanding shares of Series A shall be subdivided (by
stock split, stock dividend, reclassification or otherwise) into a greater
number of shares of Series A, then, concurrently with the effectiveness of
such subdivision, the Series A Original Invested Capital then in effect shall
be proportionately decreased. If the outstanding shares of Series A shall be
combined or consolidated, by reclassification or otherwise, into a lesser
number of shares of Series A, then concurrently with the effectiveness of
such combination or consolidation, the Series A Original Invested Capital
then in effect shall be proportionately increased.
(c) If the outstanding shares of Series B shall be subdivided (by
stock split, stock dividend, reclassification or otherwise) into a greater
number of shares of Series B, then, concurrently with the effectiveness of
such subdivision, the Series B Original Invested Capital then in effect shall
be proportionately decreased. If the outstanding shares of Series B shall be
combined or consolidated, by reclassification or otherwise, into a lesser
number of shares of Series B, then, concurrently with the effectiveness of
such combination or consolidation, the Series B Original Invested Capital
then in effect shall be proportionately increased.
(d) Nothing contained in this Article III, Section B shall require
the payment of dividends or other distributions of Net Proceeds to the
holders of Common Stock; the purpose of this Section B is to set forth the
relative priorities of Series A and Series B with respect to any dividends or
other distributions of Net Proceeds that may be made.
ARTICLE IV
The board of directors of this corporation shall have the power to
prevent the transfer of, or may call for redemption of, in a manner approved
by the board of directors, a number of the shares of Series A sufficient in
the opinion of the board of directors to maintain or bring the direct or
indirect ownership of such shares of this corporation into conformity with
the requirements for a Real Estate Investment Trust under the provisions of
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and any successor statute (the
"Code"). The redemption price shall be (i) the last reported sales price of
the shares of Series A on the last business day prior to the redemption date
on the principal national securities exchange on which the shares of Series A
are listed or admitted to trading, (ii) if the shares of Series A are not so
listed or admitted to trading, the average of the highest bid and lowest
asked prices on such last business day as reported by the Nasdaq Stock Market
or a similar organization selected by the board of directors for the purpose,
or (iii) if no such independent quotations exist, as determined in good faith
by the board of directors. The holders of any shares of Series A so called
for redemption shall be entitled to payment of such redemption price within a
reasonable time of the date fixed for redemption. From and after the date
fixed for redemption by the board of directors, the holder of any shares of
Series A so called for redemption shall cease to be entitled to dividends,
distributions, voting rights and other benefits with respect to such shares
of Series A, excepting only the right to payment of the redemption price
fixed as described above. The board of directors may require, whenever it is
deemed by them reasonably necessary to protect the tax status of this
corporation, statements or affidavits from any holder of shares of Series A
or proposed transferee of shares of Series A, setting forth the number of
shares of Series A already owned by him and any related person specified in
the form prescribed by the board of directors for that purpose. If, in the
opinion of the board of directors, which shall be conclusive upon any
proposed transferor or proposed transferee of shares of Series A, any
proposed transfer would jeopardize the status of this corporation as a Real
Estate Investment Trust under the Code, the board of directors may refuse to
permit the transfer. Any attempted transfer as to which the board of
directors have refused their permission shall be void and of no effect to
transfer any legal or beneficial interest in the shares of Series A. All
contracts for the sale or other transfer or exercise of shares of Series A
shall be subject to this provision.
ARTICLE V
A. The liability of the directors of this corporation for monetary
damages shall be eliminated to the fullest extent permissible under
California law.
B. This corporation is authorized to provide indemnification of
agents (as defined in Section 317 of the California Corporations Code) to the
fullest extent permissible under California law through bylaw provisions,
agreements with the agents, votes of shareholders or disinterested directors,
or otherwise, in excess of the indemnification otherwise permitted by Section
317 of the California Corporations Code, subject only to applicable limits
set forth in Section 204 of the California Corporations Code with respect to
actions for breach of duty to the corporation and its shareholders.
C. Any repeal or amendment of this Article V shall not adversely
affect any right or protection afforded any agent of the corporation in
effect at the time of the repeal or amendment.
EXHIBIT B
THIRD
AMENDED AND RESTATED
BYLAWS
OF
FRANKLIN SELECT REALTY TRUST
ARTICLE I
THE COMPANY; DEFINITIONS
1.1 NAME. The name of the corporation is FRANKLIN SELECT REALTY TRUST and is
referred to in these Bylaws as the "Company." As far as practicable and
except as otherwise provided in the Organization Documents, the Directors
shall direct the management of the business and the conduct of the affairs of
the Company, execute all documents and sue or be sued in the name of the
Company. If the Directors determine that the use of that name is not
practicable, legal or convenient, they may use such other designation or may
adopt another name under which the Company may hold property or conduct all
or part of its activities.
If Franklin Properties, Inc., or any parent, subsidiary, Affiliate or
successor of such corporation shall cease, for any reason, to render to the
Company the services of Advisor pursuant to the agreement referred to in
Article VII and any renewal or extension of said agreement, then the
Directors shall, upon request of Franklin Resources, Inc., or its successor,
promptly cause the Articles of Incorporation and these Bylaws to be amended
to change the name of the Company to one which does not include any reference
to "Franklin" or any approximation or abbreviation of that name.
1.2 NATURE OF COMPANY. The Company is a corporation organized under the laws
of the State of California. It is intended that the Company shall carry on
business as a "real estate investment trust" as defined in the Code (as
defined below).
1.3 DEFINITIONS. Whenever used in these Bylaws, the terms defined in this
Section 1.3 shall, unless the context otherwise requires, have the respective
meanings specified in this Section 1.3. In these Bylaws, words in the
singular number include the plural and in the plural number include the
singular.
(a) ADVISOR. Franklin Properties, Inc. or any other Person
appointed or employed by or who contracted with the Company under the
provisions of Article VII, and who is responsible for directing or
performing the day-to-day business affairs of the Company.
(b) AFFILIATE. As to any Person, (i) any other Person directly or
indirectly controlling, controlled by or under common control with such
Person, (ii) any other Person owning or controlling 10% or more of the
outstanding voting securities or beneficial interests of such Person,
(iii) any officer, director, trustee or general partner of such Person
and (iv) if such other Person is an officer, director, trustee or
partner of another entity, then the entity for which that Person acts
in any such capacity.
(c) ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS. As set forth in Section 3.2.
(d) ANNUAL REPORT. As set forth in Section 10.6.
(e) APPRAISAL. The value as of the date of the appraisal of real
property in its existing state or in a state to be created as
determined by the Directors, the Advisor or by a disinterested person,
having no economic interest in the real property, who is a member in
good standing of a nationally recognized society of appraisers or who
in the sole judgment of the Directors is properly qualified to make
such a determination. The Directors may in good faith rely on a
previous Appraisal made on behalf of another Person, provided, (i) it
meets the standards of this definition and was made in connection with
an investment in which the Company acquires the entire or a
participating interest, and (ii) it was prepared not earlier than two
years prior to the acquisition by the Company of its interest in the
real property. In appraising properties, appraisers may take into
consideration each of the specific terms and conditions of a purchase,
including any leaseback or other guarantee arrangement. The Appraisal
may not necessarily represent the cash value of the property but may
consider the value of the income stream from such property plus the
discounted value of the fee interest and other terms of the purchase.
Such Appraisal shall be obtained from an independent qualified
appraiser if a majority of the Independent Directors so decides or if
the transaction is with the Advisor, Directors or any of their
Affiliates, and such Appraisal shall be maintained in the Company's
records for a minimum of five (5) years and shall be available for
inspection and duplication by any Shareholder.
(f) ASSET COVERAGE. The ratio which the value of the total assets
of the Company, less all liabilities and indebtedness (other than
unsecured borrowings) bears to the aggregate amount of all unsecured
borrowings of the Company.
(g) AVERAGE INVESTED ASSETS. The average of the aggregate book
value of the assets of the Company invested, directly or indirectly, in
equity interests in and loans secured by real estate, before reserves
for depreciation or bad debts or other similar non-cash reserves,
computed by taking the average of such values at the end of each month
during any period.
(h) BYLAWS. These Bylaws, including all amendments, restatements,
or modifications.
(i) CORPORATIONS CODE. The California Corporations Code, as
amended from time to time, and any successor statute.
(j) CODE. The Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and any
successor statute.
(k) DIRECTORS. As of any particular time, the Directors of the
Company holding office at such time.
(l) INDEPENDENT DIRECTOR. A Director of the Company who is not
affiliated, directly or indirectly, with the Advisor whether by
ownership of, ownership interest in, employment by, any material
business or professional relationship with or service as an officer or
director of the Advisor, or an affiliated business entity of the
Advisor (other than as an independent director of another real estate
investment trust advised by the Advisor or as an "independent director"
(as required by the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended) of any
mutual fund advised by an affiliate of the Advisor), and who performs
no other services for the Company. An indirect relationship shall
include circumstances in which a member of the immediate family of a
Director has one of the foregoing relationships with the Advisor or the
Company.
(m) NET ASSETS. The total assets of the Company (other than
intangible assets) at cost before deducting depreciation or other
non-cash reserves less total liabilities, calculated at least quarterly
on a basis consistently applied.
(n) NET INCOME. The total revenues of the Company for any period,
computed on the basis of its results of operations for that period,
after deduction of all expenses other than additions to reserves for
depreciation or bad debts or other similar non-cash reserves.
(o) OPERATING EXPENSES. The aggregate annual expenses of every
character regarded as Operating Expenses in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principles, as determined by independent
accountants selected by the Directors, including regular compensation
payable to the Advisor, excluding, however, the following: (i) the cost
of money borrowed by the Company, (ii) taxes on income and taxes and
assessments on real property and all other taxes applicable to the
Company, (iii) expenses of acquiring, financing, refinancing, disposing
of, maintaining, managing and owning real estate equity interests or
other property (including the costs of legal services, brokerage and
sales commissions, maintenance, repair and improvement of property);
(iv) insurance as required by the Directors (including directors' and
officers' liability insurance); (v) expenses of organizing, revising,
amending, converting, or terminating the Company; (vi) expenses
connected with payments of dividends or interest or distributions in
cash or any other form made or caused to be made by the Directors to
holders of Securities of the Company; (vii) all expenses connected with
communications to holders of Securities of the Company and the other
bookkeeping and clerical work necessary in maintaining relations with
holders of Securities of the Company, including the cost of printing
and mailing certificates for Securities and proxy solicitation
materials and reports to holders of Securities of the Company; (viii)
transfer agent's, registrar's, dividend disbursing agent's, dividend
reinvestment plan agent's and indenture trustee's fees and charges;
(ix) other legal, accounting and auditing fees and expenses; and (x)
non-cash expenditures (including depreciation, amortization and bad
debt reserve).
(p) ORGANIZATION DOCUMENTS. The Articles of Incorporation of the
Company and these Bylaws, as the same may be amended from time to time.
(q) PERSON. An individual, corporation, partnership, joint
venture, association, company, trust, bank or other entity, or
government and any agency and political subdivision of a government.
(r) REIT. A real estate investment trust, as defined in the Code
and regulations and rulings promulgated thereunder.
(s) REIT PROVISIONS OF THE CODE. Part II, Subchapter M of
Chapter 1 of the Code and regulations and rulings promulgated
thereunder.
(t) SECURITIES. Any stock, shares, voting trust certificates,
bonds, debentures, notes or other evidences of indebtedness, secured or
unsecured, convertible, subordinated or otherwise or in general any
instruments commonly known as "securities" or any certificates of
interest, shares or participations in temporary or interim certificates
for, receipts for, guarantees of, or warrants, options or rights to
subscribe to, purchase or acquire any of the foregoing.
(u) SHARES. All of the shares of the common stock of Company,
which shall be all of one class called "Common Stock" and which shall
include all of the Series A Shares and all of the Series B Shares, as
designated in the Company's Articles of Incorporation.
(v) SERIES A SHARES. The shares of Common Stock, Series A, of the
Company.
(w) SERIES B SHARES. The shares of Common Stock, Series B, of the
Company.
(x) SHAREHOLDERS. As of any particular date, all holders of record
of outstanding Shares at such time.
ARTICLE II
OFFICES
2.1 PRINCIPAL OFFICE. The principal executive office of the Company is
hereby fixed and located at 777 Mariners Island Boulevard, City of San Mateo,
State of California. The Board of Directors is hereby granted full power and
authority to change the principal office from one location to another within
or without that County.
2.2 OTHER OFFICES. Other offices may at any time be established by the
Board of Directors at any place or places they deem appropriate.
ARTICLE III
MEETINGS OF SHAREHOLDERS
3.1 PLACE OF MEETINGS. All annual and all other meetings of
Shareholders shall be held at the principal office of the Company, or at any
other place within or without the State of California which may be designated
by the Board of Directors (the "Board").
3.2 ANNUAL MEETINGS. The Annual Meeting of Shareholders shall be held
on such date as is fixed by the Directors and stated in the notice of
meeting. At Annual Meetings, Directors shall be elected, reports of the
affairs of the Company shall be considered, and any other business may be
transacted as shall properly come before the meeting.
3.3 SPECIAL MEETINGS. Special meetings of the Shareholders may be
called at any time for any purpose or purposes whatsoever by the President,
by a majority of the Board, by a majority of Independent Directors, by the
Chairman of the Board or by one or more Shareholders holding not less than
ten percent (10%) of the outstanding Shares entitled to vote. If a meeting
is called by any Person or Persons other than the Board, the Chairman of the
Board or the President, a request shall be made in writing, specifying the
time of the meeting and the general nature of the business proposed to be
transacted, and shall be delivered personally or sent by registered mail or
by facsimile transmission to the Chairman of the Board, the President, or the
Secretary of the Company. Within twenty (20) days after receipt by the
Company, in person, or by registered mail of a written request for a meeting
by the Shareholders holding not less than ten percent (10%) of the
outstanding Shares entitled to vote at such meeting, the Company shall
provide written notice of such meeting to all Shareholders, and such meeting
shall be held not less than thirty-five (35) nor more than sixty (60) days
after the Company's receipt of such written Shareholder request. To the
extent permitted by applicable law, the twenty (20) day time period may be
extended for a reasonable time period as determined by the Board to allow the
Board to solicit proxies in connection with the giving of notice of any such
meeting. Nothing contained in this Section 3.3 shall be construed as
limiting, fixing or affecting the time when a meeting of Shareholders called
by action of the Board may be held.
3.4 NOTICE: AFFIDAVIT OF NOTICE. Notice of meetings of the
Shareholders of the Company shall be given in writing to each Shareholder
entitled to vote thereat, either personally or by first-class mail, or, if
the Company has 500 or more Shareholders, by third-class mail, or other means
of written communication, charges prepaid, addressed to the Shareholder at
his address appearing on the books of the Company or given by the Shareholder
to the Company for the purpose of notice. Notice of any such meeting of
Shareholders shall be sent to each Shareholder entitled thereto not less than
ten (10) nor more than sixty (60) days before the meeting. All notices given
pursuant to this Section shall state the place, date and hour of the meeting
and, (1) in the case of special meetings, the general nature of the business
to be transacted, and that no other business may be transacted, or (2) in the
case of Annual Meetings, those matters which the Board, at the time of the
mailing of the notice, intends to present for action by the Shareholders, and
(3) in the case of any meeting at which directors are to be elected, the
names of the nominees intended at the time of the mailing of the notice to be
presented by management for election. An affidavit of the mailing or other
means of giving any notice of any Shareholders' meeting shall be executed by
the Secretary, Assistant Secretary or any transfer agent of the Company
giving the notice, and shall be filed and maintained in the minute book of
the Company.
The notice shall also state the general nature of any proposed action
at the meeting to approve:
(a) A transaction in which a Director has a financial interest,
within the meaning of Section 310 of the Corporations Code;
(b) An amendment of the Articles of Incorporation under Section 902
of the Corporations Code;
(c) A reorganization under Section 1201 of the Corporations Code;
(d) A voluntary dissolution of the Corporation under Section 1900 of
the Code; or
(e) A distribution in dissolution that requires approval of the
outstanding shares under Section 2007 of the Corporations Code.
3.5 RECORD DATE FOR SHAREHOLDER NOTICE, VOTING AND GIVING CONSENTS.
For purposes of determining the Shareholders entitled to notice of any
meeting or to vote or entitled to give consent to corporation action with a
meeting, the Board may fix, in advance, a record date, which shall not be
more than sixty (60) days nor less than ten (10) days before the date of any
meeting nor more than sixty (60) days before any action without a meeting,
and in this event only Shareholders of record on the date so fixed are
entitled to notice and to vote or to give consents, as the case may be,
notwithstanding any transfer of any Shares on the books of the Company after
the record date, except as otherwise provided in the California General
Corporation Law.
If the Board does not so fix a record date:
(a) The record date for determining Shareholders entitled to notice of
or to vote at a meeting of Shareholders shall be at the close of business on
the business day next preceding the day on which notice is given or, if
notice is waived, at the close of business on the business day next preceding
the date on which the meeting is held.
(b) The record date for determining Shareholders entitled to give
consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting, (i) when no prior
action by the Board has been taken, shall be the day on which the first
written consent is given, or (ii) when prior action of the Board has been
taken, shall be at the close of business on the day on which the Board adopts
the resolution relating to that action, or the sixtieth (60th) day before the
date of an action not initiated by the Board, whichever is later.
3.6 ADJOURNED MEETING NOTICE. Any Shareholders' meeting, annual or
special, whether or not a quorum is present, maybe adjourned from time to
time by the vote of the majority of the Shares, the holders of which are
either present in person or represented by proxy, but in the absence of a
quorum no other business may be transacted at the meeting except as provided
in Section 3.8.
When any Shareholders' meeting, either annual or special, is adjourned
for more than forty-five (45) days or if after the adjournment a new record
date is filed for the adjourned meeting, notice of the adjourned meeting
shall be given as in the case of a special meeting. In all other cases, it
shall not be necessary to give any notice of an adjournment or of the
business to be transacted at an adjourned meeting other than by announcement
at the meeting at which the adjournment is taken.
3.7 VOTING AT MEETINGS OF SHAREHOLDERS. Subject to the provisions of
Sections 702 through 704, inclusive, of the California Corporations Code, and
subject to the right of the Board to provide otherwise, only persons in whose
name Shares entitled to vote standing on the stock records of the Company on
the record date shall be entitled to the notice of and to vote at the
meeting, notwithstanding any transfer of any Shares on the books of the
Company after the record date.
The vote may be viva voce or by ballot; provided, however, that all
elections for Directors must be by ballot upon demand made by any Shareholder
at any election and before the voting begins. Except as provided in this
Section 3.7, each outstanding Share shall be entitled to one vote on each
matter submitted to a vote of Shareholders. Every Shareholder entitled to
vote at any election for Directors shall have the right to cumulate his votes
and give one candidate a number of votes equal to the number of Directors to
be elected, multiplied by the number of votes to which his Shares are
entitled, or to distribute his votes on the same principle among as many
candidates as he shall think fit; provided that the names of the candidate or
candidates for whom the Shareholder votes have been placed in nomination
prior to the voting and that at least one Shareholder has given notice prior
to the voting of an intention to cumulate votes. The candidates receiving
the highest number of votes up to the number of Directors to be elected shall
be elected.
3.8 QUORUM. The presence in person or by proxy of a majority of the
Shares entitled to vote at any meeting shall constitute a quorum for the
transaction of business. Except as provided in the next sentence, the
affirmative vote of a majority of the Shares represented and voting at a duly
held meeting at which a quorum is present shall be an act of the
Shareholders, unless a vote of a greater number is required by the Articles
of Incorporation, these Bylaws or by the California Corporations Code. The
Shareholders present at a duly called or held meeting at which a quorum is
present may continue to do business until adjournment, notwithstanding the
withdrawal of enough Shareholders to leave less than a quorum, if any action
taken (other than adjournment) is approved by at least a majority of the
Shares present in person or represented by proxy, required to constitute a
quorum.
3.9 WAIVER OF NOTICE OR CONSENT OF ABSENT SHAREHOLDERS. The
transactions of any meeting of Shareholders, either annual or special,
however called and noticed, shall be as valid as though had at a meeting duly
held after regular call and notice if a quorum is present either in person or
by proxy and if, either before or after the meeting, each of the Shareholders
entitled to vote, not present in person or by proxy, signs a written waiver
of notice or a consent to the holding of the meeting or an approval of the
minutes. The waiver of notice or consent need not specify either the
intended business or the purpose of the meeting, except that if action is
taken or proposed to be taken regarding any of the matters specified in
Section 601(f) of the Corporations Code, the general nature of the action or
proposed action must be stated in the waiver of notice or consent. All
waivers, consents or approvals shall be filed with the corporate records or
made a part of the minutes of the meeting.
Attendance by a person at a meeting shall also constitute a waiver of
notice of that meeting, except when the person objects, at the beginning of
the meeting, to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not
lawfully called or convened, and except that attendance at a meeting is not a
waiver of any right to object to the consideration of matters required by law
to be included in the notice of the meeting, but were not so included, if
that objection is expressly made at the meeting.
3.10 ACTION WITHOUT MEETING Except as elsewhere provided in this
Section 3.10, any action which may be taken at any annual or special meeting
of Shareholders may be taken without a meeting and without prior notice, if a
consent in writing, setting forth the action so taken, shall be signed by the
holders of outstanding Shares having not less than the minimum number of
votes that would be necessary to authorize or take such action at a meeting
at which all Shares entitled to vote were present and voted.
In the case of the election of Directors, such consent shall be
effective only if signed by the holders of all outstanding Shares entitled to
vote for the election of Directors; provided, however, that a director may be
elected at any time to fill a vacancy on the Board that has not been filled
by the Directors by the written consent of a majority of the outstanding
Shares entitled to vote for the election of Directors.
Any Shareholder giving a written consent, or the Shareholder's
proxyholder, or a transferee of the Shares or a personal representative of
the Shareholder or its respective proxyholder, may revoke the consent by a
writing received by the Company prior to the time that written consents of
the number of Shares required to authorize the proposed action have been
filed with the Secretary of the Company, but may not do so thereafter. The
revocation is effective upon its receipt by the Secretary of the Company.
Unless the consents of all Shareholders entitled to vote have been
solicited in writing:
(a) Notice of any Shareholder approval without a meeting by less than
unanimous written consent regarding certain transactions relating to
conflicts of interest of officers or Directors, indemnification of Company
agents, reorganizations, and plans of distribution on liquidation, only to
the extent that those four subjects are treated in Corporations Code Sections
310, 317, 1201 and 2007, shall be given at least ten (10) days before the
consummation of the action authorized by that approval, and
(b) Prompt notice shall be given of the taking of any other corporate
action approved by Shareholders without a meeting by less than unanimous
written consent, to those Shareholders entitled to vote who have not
consented in writing. This notice shall conform to the requirements of
Section 3.4.
Any form of written consent distributed to ten (10) or more
Shareholders must afford the Person whose consent is thereby solicited an
opportunity to specify a choice among approval, disapproval or abstention as
to each matter or group of related matters presented, other than elections of
Directors or officers.
3.11 PROXIES. Every person entitled to vote or execute consents shall
have the right to do so either in person or by one or more agents authorized
by a written proxy executed by such person or his duly authorized agent and
filed with the Secretary of the Company, provided that no such proxy shall be
valid after the expiration of eleven (11) months from the date of its
execution, unless the person executing it specifies in the proxy the length
of time for which the proxy is to continue in force.
A proxy shall be deemed signed if the Shareholder's name is placed on
the proxy (whether by manual signature, typewriting or otherwise) by the
Shareholder or the Shareholder's attorney in fact. A validly executed proxy
which does not state that it is irrevocable shall continue in full force and
effect unless revoked by the Person executing it before the vote pursuant to
that proxy by (1) a writing delivered to the Company stating that the proxy
is revoked, (2) execution of a subsequent proxy, (3) attendance at the
meeting and voting in person (but only as to any items on which the
Shareholder chooses to vote in person), or (4) transfer of the Shares
represented by the proxy to a transferee who becomes a Shareholder of record
prior to the record date established for the vote. A validly executed proxy
otherwise may be revoked by written notice of the death or incapacity of the
maker of that proxy received by the Company before the vote pursuant to that
proxy is counted. The revocability of a proxy that states on its face that
it is irrevocable shall be governed by the provisions of Section 705(e) and
705(f) of the Corporations Code of California.
Any proxy distributed to ten (10) or more Shareholders must afford the
Person voting an opportunity to specify a choice among approval, disapproval
or abstention as to each matter or group of related matters, other than
election of Directors or officers.
3.12 INSPECTORS OF ELECTION. Before any meeting of Shareholders, the
Board may appoint any Persons other than nominees for office to act as
inspectors of election at the meeting or its adjournment. If no inspectors
of election are so appointed, the Chairman of the meeting may, and on the
request of any Shareholder or a Shareholder's proxy shall, appoint inspectors
of election at the meeting. The number of inspectors shall be either one (1)
or three (3). If inspectors are appointed at a meeting on the request of one
or more Shareholders or proxies, the holders of a majority of Shares or their
proxies present at the meeting shall determine whether one (1) or three (3)
inspectors are to be appointed. If any Person appointed as inspector fails
to appear or fails or refuses to act, the Chairman of the meeting may, and
upon the request of any Shareholder or a Shareholder's proxy shall, appoint a
Person to fill that vacancy.
These inspectors shall:
(a) Determine the number of Shares outstanding and the voting power of
each, the shares represented at the meeting, the existence of a quorum, and
the authenticity, validity and effect of proxies;
(b) Receive votes, ballots or consents;
(c) Hear and determine all challenges and questions in any way arising
in connection with the right to vote;
(d) Count and tabulate all votes or consents;
(e) Determine when the polls shall close;
(f) Determine the result; and
(g) Do any other acts that may be proper to conduct the election or
vote with fairness to all Shareholders.
ARTICLE IV
DIRECTORS
4.1 POWERS. Subject to limitations of the Articles of Incorporation,
of these Bylaws and of the California Corporations Code relating to action
required to be authorized or approved by the Shareholders, or by the
outstanding Shares, and subject to the duties of Directors as prescribed by
these Bylaws, all corporate powers shall be exercised by or under the
authority of, and the business and affairs of the Company shall be controlled
by, the Board. The Board may delegate the management of the day-to-day
operation of the business of the Company to the Advisor, provided that the
business and affairs of the Company shall be managed and all corporate powers
shall be exercised under the ultimate direction of the Board. The Board
shall establish written policies on investments and borrowing and shall
monitor the administrative procedures, investments, operations and
performance of the Company and the Advisor, to assure that such policies are
carried out.
Each individual Director, including each Independent Director, may
engage in other business activities of the type conducted by the Company and
are not required to present to the Company any investment opportunities
presented to them, even though the investment opportunities may be within the
Company's investment policies.
In the event that it shall become necessary to engage the services of a
successor Advisor to Franklin Properties, Inc., the Board shall affirmatively
determine that such successor Advisor possesses sufficient qualifications to
perform the functions required of the Advisor and to justify the compensation
provided for in such successor Advisor's contract with the Company.
4.2 NUMBER, TENURE AND QUALIFICATIONS. The authorized number of
Directors of the Board shall be not less than five (5) nor more than nine (9)
as shall be determined from time to time by resolution of the Board.
Directors shall hold office until the next Annual Meeting of
Shareholders and until their respective successors are elected. If any such
annual meeting is not held, or the Directors are not elected, the Directors
may be elected at any special meeting of Shareholders held for that purpose.
Each individual Director, including each Independent Director, shall
have at least three (3) years of relevant experience demonstrating the
knowledge and experience required to successfully acquire and manage the type
of assets being acquired by the Company, and as set forth in Section 4.14, at
least one (1) Independent Director shall have relevant real estate
experience. Directors need not be Shareholders.
4.3 VACANCIES. Vacancies in the Board may be filled by a majority of
the remaining Directors, though less than a quorum, or by a sole remaining
Director, except that a vacancy created by the removal of a Director by the
vote or written consent of the Shareholders or by court order may be filled
only by the vote of a majority of the Shares entitled to vote represented at
a duly held meeting at which a quorum is present, or by the written consent
of holders of a majority of the outstanding Shares entitled to vote. Each
Director so elected shall hold office until his successor is elected at an
annual or a special meeting of the Shareholders.
A vacancy or vacancies in the Board shall be deemed to exist in case of
the death, resignation or removal of any Director in accordance with
applicable law or if the authorized number of Directors be increased or if
the Shareholders fail, at any annual or special meeting of Shareholders at
which any Director or Directors are elected, to elect the full authorized
number of Directors to be voted for at that meeting.
Any Director may resign effective on giving written notice to the
Chairman of the Board, the President, the Secretary or the Board. Such
resignation shall take effect at the time of receipt of such notice or at any
later time specified therein, and, unless otherwise specified therein, the
acceptance of such resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective.
Any remaining Independent Directors shall nominate replacements for vacancies
among the Independent Director positions in accordance with Section 4.14.
The Shareholders may elect a Director or Directors at any time to fill any
vacancy or vacancies not filled by the Directors. Any election by written
consent to fill a vacancy shall require the consent of a majority of the
outstanding Shares entitled to vote.
No reduction of the authorized number of Directors shall have the
effect of removing any Director prior to the expiration of his term of office.
If the number of vacancies occurring during a year is sufficiently
large that a majority of the Directors in office has not been elected by the
Shareholders, the holders of five percent (5%) or more of the outstanding
Shares entitled to vote may call a special meeting of Shareholders to elect
the entire Board.
4.4 PLACE OF MEETING. Regular meetings of the Board shall be held at
any place within or without the State of California which has been designated
from time to time by the Chairman of the Board or by written consent of all
members of the Board. In the absence of a designation, regular meetings
shall be held at the principal office of the Company. Special meetings of
the Board may be held either at a place so designated or at the principal
office. Members of the Board may participate in a meeting through use of
conference telephone or similar communication equipment, so long as all
members participating in such meeting can hear one another. Participation in
a meeting by telephone or communication equipment shall constitute presence
in person at the meeting.
4.5 ORGANIZATION MEETING. Immediately following each annual meeting of
Shareholders, the Board shall hold a regular meeting for the purpose of
organization, election of officers and the transaction of other business.
Notice of that meeting is hereby dispensed with.
4.6 SPECIAL MEETINGS. Special meetings of the Board for any purpose or
purposes shall be called at any time by the Chairman of the Board or the
President or Vice President or the Secretary or any two Directors.
Special meetings shall be held on at least four (4) days' notice by
mail or forty-eight (48) hours' notice delivered personally or by telephone,
including a voice messaging system or other system or technology designed to
record and communicate messages, telegraph, facsimile, electronic mail, or
other electronic means. Oral notice given personally or by telephone may be
transmitted either to the Director or to a person at the Director's office
who can reasonably be expected to communicate it promptly to the Director.
Written notice, if used, shall be addressed to each Director at his or her
address shown on the corporate records. The notice or a waiver of notice
need not specify the purpose of the meeting, nor need it specify the place if
the meeting is to be held at the principal executive office of the Company.
The transactions of any meeting of the Board, however called and noticed and
wherever held, shall be as valid as though had at a meeting duly held after
regular call and notice, if a quorum be present and if, either before or
after the meeting, each of the Directors not present signs a written waiver
of notice of or a consent to holding such meeting or any approval of the
minutes thereof and if none of the Directors present have protested, prior to
or at the commencement of the meeting, the lack of notice. All such waivers,
consents and approvals shall be filed with the corporate records or made a
part of the minutes of the meeting.
4.7 ADJOURNMENT. A majority of the Directors present, whether or not a
quorum is present, may adjourn any Directors' meeting to another time and
place.
4.8 NOTICE OF ADJOURNMENT. If a meeting is adjourned for more than
twenty-four (24) hours, notice of any adjournment to another time or place
shall be given prior to the time of the adjourned meeting to the Directors
who were not present at the time of adjournment.
4.9 ENTRY OF NOTICE. Whenever any Director has been absent from any
special meeting of the Board, an entry in the minutes to the effect that
notice has been duly given shall be conclusive and incontrovertible evidence
that due notice of the special meeting was given to that Director as required
by law and the Bylaws of the Company.
4.10 WAIVER OF NOTICE. The transactions of any meeting of the Board,
however called and noticed, or wherever held, shall be as valid as though had
at a meeting duly held after regular call and notice if a quorum is present
and if, either before or after the meeting, each of the Directors not present
signs a written waiver of notice of or consent to holding the meeting or an
approval of the minutes. All waivers, consents or approvals shall be filed
with the corporate records or made a part of the minutes of the meeting.
4.11 QUORUM. A majority of the authorized number of Directors shall be
necessary to constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, except to
adjourn as provided below or to fill a vacancy. Every act or decision done
or made by a majority of the Directors at a meeting duly held at which a
quorum is present shall be regarded as an act of the Board unless a greater
number be required by law or by the Articles of Incorporation or these
Bylaws. However, a meeting at which a quorum is initially present may
continue to transact business notwithstanding the withdrawal of Directors, if
any action taken is approved by at least a majority of the required quorum
for the meeting.
4.12 FEES AND COMPENSATION. The Directors shall be entitled to receive
such reasonable compensation for their services as Directors as the Directors
may fix or determine from time to time by resolution of the Board; provided,
however, that Directors and officers of the Company who are affiliated with
the Advisor shall not receive compensation from the Company for their
services as Directors or officers of the Company, except as approved by an
absolute majority of the Independent Directors. The Directors, either
directly or indirectly, shall also be entitled to receive remuneration for
services rendered to the Company in any other capacity. Those services may
include, without limitation, services as an officer of the Company, legal,
accounting or other professional services, or, services as a broker, transfer
agent or underwriter, whether performed by a Director or any person
affiliated with a Director.
4.13 ACTION WITHOUT MEETING. Any action required or permitted to be
taken by the Board under the Corporations Code and these Bylaws may be taken
without a meeting if all members of the Board individually or collectively
consent in writing to such action. The consent or consents shall be filed
with the minutes of the meetings of the Board. Any certificate or other
document filed under the provision of the Corporations Code which relates to
action so taken shall state that the action was taken by unanimous written
consent of the Board without a meeting.
4.14 INDEPENDENT DIRECTORS. A majority of the Directors of the
Company, and a majority of the members of any Board committee, shall at all
times be Independent Directors; provided, however, that if as a result of the
death, resignation or removal of any Director or any increase in the
authorized number of Directors, less than a majority of the remaining
Directors are Independent Directors, the remaining Independent Directors
shall have sixty days to nominate a replacement or replacements for such
Independent Director vacancy or vacancies. At least one (1) of the
Independent Directors shall have had three (3) years of actual direct
experience in acquiring or managing the type of real estate to be acquired by
the Company for his or her account or as an agent. Notwithstanding any other
provision of these Bylaws, the Independent Directors, in addition to their
other duties, to the extent that they may legally do so, shall:
(a) Monitor the relationship of the Company with the Advisor. In
this regard, the Independent Directors as a group, in addition to all
Directors as a group, will monitor the Advisor's performance of the
Advisory Agreement and will determine at least annually that the
Advisor's compensation is reasonable in relation to the nature and
quality of services performed. This determination will be based on (i)
the size of the advisory fee in relationship to the size, composition
and profitability of the invested assets; (ii) the investment
opportunities generated by the Advisor, (iii) advisory fees paid to
other advisors by other real estate investment trusts and to advisors
performing similar services by investors other than real estate
investment trusts; (iv) additional revenues realized by the Advisor and
its Affiliates through their relationship with the Company, including
loan administration, underwriting or broker commissions, servicing,
engineering, inspection and other fees, whether paid by the Company or
by others with whom the Company does business; (v) the quality and
extent of service and advice furnished by the Advisor, (vi) the
performance of the investment portfolio of the Company, including
income, conservation or appreciation of capital, frequency of problem
investments and competence in dealing with distress situations; (vii)
quality of the portfolio of the Company in relationship to the
investments generated by the Advisor for its own account; and (viii)
all other factors the Independent Directors may deem relevant.
The Independent Directors shall approve all transactions between
the Company and the Advisor or any Affiliates of the Company or the
Advisor. The material terms and circumstances of all such approved
transactions shall be fully disclosed in the Annual Report of the
Company as required by Section 10.6, and the Independent Directors
shall examine and comment in the Annual Report on the fairness of such
transactions.
(b) Review at least annually the Company's investment policies to
determine that they remain in the best interests of the Shareholders.
The findings of the Independent Directors shall be set forth in the
minutes of meetings of the Board. Such investment policies may be
altered from time to time by the Board with the consent of a majority
of the Independent Directors and without approval of the Shareholders,
upon a determination that such a change is in the best interests of the
Company and the Shareholders.
(c) Take reasonable steps to ensure that the Annual Report is sent
to Shareholders and that the Annual Meeting is conducted pursuant to
Article III.
(d) Approve the standards for selection of qualified independent
real estate appraisers to determine the fair market value of all
property to be acquired by the Company, whose Appraisal shall be the
basis of the consideration to be paid by the Company for such property.
(e) Determine at least annually that the total fees and expenses of
the Company are reasonable in light of its net assets and net income,
the investment experience of the Company, and the fees and expenses of
comparable advisors in real estate. In this regard, the Independent
Directors will have the fiduciary responsibility of limiting Operating
Expenses to amounts that do not exceed the limitation set forth in
Section 7.4, unless they conclude that a higher level of expense is
justified based on unusual, nonrecurring or other factors which they
deem sufficient. .
(f) The Independent Directors shall review at least quarterly
the aggregate borrowings, secured and unsecured, of the Company to
determine that the relation of such borrowings to net assets does not
exceed the limitations set forth in Section 8.1(h) and (i) of Article
VIII of these Bylaws.
(g) Approve the acquisition of any property in exchange for
Securities of the Company.
For all purposes, a transaction or other matter which is subject to
approval by the Independent Directors shall be set forth in the minutes and
shall be approved if the Independent Directors voting to approve the
transaction or other matter in any vote of the Directors, constitute an
absolute majority of all Independent Directors serving at such time.
4.15 REMOVAL OF DIRECTOR FOR CAUSE. The Board may declare vacant the
office of a Director who has been declared of unsound mind by an order of
court, or who has pled guilty or nolo contendere to or been convicted of a
felony involving moral turpitude.
4.16 REMOVAL OF DIRECTOR WITHOUT CAUSE. Any or all Directors may be
removed without cause if such removal is approved by the affirmative vote of
a majority of the outstanding Shares entitled to vote at an election of
Directors; provided, however, that unless the entire Board is removed, no
individual Director may be removed when the votes cast against removal, or
not consenting in writing to such removal, would be sufficient to elect such
Director if voted cumulatively at an election at which the same total number
of votes cast were cast (or, if such action is taken by written consent, all
shares entitled to vote were voted) and the entire number of Directors
authorized at the time of the Director's most recent election were then being
elected. Any reduction of the authorized number of Directors shall not
operate to remove any Director prior to the expiration of such Director's
term of office.
4.17 COMMITTEES. The Board may, by resolution adopted by a majority of
the authorized number of Directors, designate one or more committees, each
consisting of three (3) or more Directors, a majority of whom shall be
Independent Directors, to serve at the pleasure of the Board. The Board may
designate one or more Directors as alternate members of any Committee, who
may replace any absent member at any meeting of the Committee. The
appointment of members or alternate members of a Committee requires the vote
of a majority of the authorized number of Directors. Any such Committee, to
the extent provided in the resolution of the Board, shall have all the
authority of the Board in the management of the business and affairs of the
Company, except that no Committee shall have authority to take any action
with respect to (a) the approval of any action requiring Shareholders'
approval or approval of the outstanding Shares, (b) the filling of vacancies
on the Board or any Committee, (c) the fixing of compensation of Directors
for serving on the Board or a Committee, (d) the adoption, amendment or
repeal of Bylaws, (e) the amendment or repeal of any resolution of the Board
that by its express terms is not so amendable or repealable, (f) a
distribution to Shareholders, except at a rate or in a periodic amount or
within a price range determined by the Board, and (g) the appointment of
other Committees of the Board or the members thereof.
4.18 FIDUCIARY RELATIONSHIP. The Directors have a fiduciary
relationship to the Shareholders as provided by applicable California law.
ARTICLE V
OFFICERS
5.1 OFFICERS. The officers of the Company shall be as determined by
the Board and may include a Chairman of the Board, President, Secretary,
Chief Financial Officer (Treasurer) and such other officers with such titles
and duties as may be appointed in accordance with the provisions of Section
5.3 of this Article. Any number of offices may be held by the same person.
5.2 ELECTION. The officers of the Company, except such officers as may
be appointed in accordance with the provisions of Section 5.3 or Section 5.5
of this Article, shall be chosen annually by the Board to serve at the
pleasure of the Board, and each shall hold his office until he shall resign
or shall be removed or otherwise disqualified to serve or his successor shall
be elected and qualified. All officers serve at the will of the Board and
nothing in these Bylaws shall give any officer any expectation or vesting of
employment
5.3 SUBORDINATE OFFICERS. The Board may appoint other officers as the
business of the Company may require, each of whom shall hold office for the
period, have the authority and perform the duties as are provided in the
Bylaws or as the Board may from time to time determine.
5.4 REMOVAL AND RESIGNATION. Any officer may be removed, either with
or without cause, by a majority of the Directors at the time in office, at
any regular or special meeting of the Board or, except in the case of an
officer chosen by the Board, by any officer upon whom such power of removal
may be conferred by the Board
Any officer may resign at any time by giving written notice to the
Board or to the Chairman, the President or to the Secretary of the Company.
A resignation shall take effect at the date of the receipt of the notice or
any later time specified in the notice; and, unless otherwise specified, the
acceptance of the resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective.
5.5 VACANCIES. A vacancy in any office because of death, resignation,
removal, disqualification or any other cause shall be filled in the manner
prescribed in the Bylaws for regular appointments to such office.
5.6 CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD. The Chairman of the Board, if one is
designated, shall be the Chief Executive Officer of the Company, and, if
present, preside at all meetings of the Board and Shareholders and exercise
and perform all other powers and dudes as may from time to time be assigned
to him by the Board or prescribed by the Bylaws.
5.7 PRESIDENT. The President shall, subject to the Board and the
supervisory powers of the Chairman of the Board, have general supervision,
direction and control of the business of the Company. He will preside at
meetings of the Shareholders or at meetings of the Board if the Chairman is
absent. He shall have general powers and dudes of management, together with
any other powers and duties as may be prescribed by the Board. If no
Chairman of the Board is designated, the President shall be the Chief
Executive Officer of the Company.
5.8 VICE PRESIDENTS. In the absence or disability of the President,
the Vice Presidents in order of their rank as filed by the Board or, if not
ranked, the Vice President designated by the Board, shall perform all the
duties of the President and, when so acting, shall have all the powers of and
be subject to, all the restrictions upon the President. The Vice Presidents
shall have any other powers and shall perform other duties as from tame to
time may be prescribed for them respectively by the Board or the Bylaws.
5.9 SECRETARY. The Secretary shall keep, or cause to be kept, a book
of minutes at the principal office, or any other place as the Board may
order, of all meetings of Directors and Shareholders, with the time and place
of holding, whether regular or special and, if special, how authorized, the
notice thereof given, the names of those present at Directors' meetings, the
number of Shares present or represented at Shareholders' meetings and the
proceedings of meetings.
The Secretary shall keep, or cause to be kept, at the principal office
or at the office of the Company's transfer agent, a Share register or a
duplicate Share register showing the names of the Shareholders and their
addresses, the number and classes of Shares held by each (whether in
certificate or unissued certificate form), the number and the date of
certificates issued, if any, and the number and date of cancellation of every
certificate surrendered for cancellation
The Secretary shall give, or cause to be given, notice of all the
meetings of the Shareholders and of the Board required by the Bylaws or by
law to be given, shall keep the seal of the Company in safe custody and shall
have such other powers and shall perform such other duties as may be
prescribed by the Board or the Bylaws.
5.10 ASSISTANT SECRETARIES. In the absence or disability of the
Secretary, the Assistant Secretaries in order of their rank as filed by the
Board or, if not ranked, the Assistant Secretary designated by the Board,
shall perform all the duties of the Secretary and, when so acting, shall have
all the powers of and be subject to, all the restrictions upon the
Secretary. The Assistant Secretaries shall have any other powers and shall
perform other duties as from time to time may be prescribed for them
respectively by the Board or the Bylaws.
5.11 CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER. The Chief Financial Officer may also be
designated by the alternate title of "Treasurer." The Chief Financial Officer
shall have custody of all moneys and securities of the Company and shall keep
regular books of account. Such officer shall disburse the funds of the
Company in payment of the just demands against the Company, or as may be
ordered by the Board, taking proper vouchers for such disbursements, and
shall render to the Board from time to time as may be required of such
officer, an account of all transactions as Chief Financial Officer and of the
financial condition of the Company. Such officer shall perform all duties
incident to such office or which are properly required by the President or by
the Board. A bond shall be obtained for such officer only if required by the
Board.
5.12 ASSISTANT CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICERS. The Assistant Chief Financial
Officer (Assistant Treasurer) or the Assistant Chief Financial Officers
(Assistant Treasurers), in the order of their seniority, shall, in the
absence or disability of the Chief Financial Officer, or in the event of such
officer's refusal to act, perform the duties and exercise the powers of the
Chief Financial Officer, and shall have such powers and discharge such duties
as may be assigned from time to time by the President or by the Board.
ARTICLE VI
SHARES OF STOCK
6.1 REGISTERED OWNERSHIP SHARE CERTIFICATES AND SHARES IN
"UNCERTIFICATED" FORM. Certificates shall be issued and transferred in
accordance with these Bylaws, but need not be issued if the Shareholder
elects to have his Shares maintained in "uncertificated" form or if the
Shareholder is an Individual Retirement Account or a Keogh Plan account. The
Persons in whose names certificates or Shares in "uncertificated" form are
registered on the records of the Company shall be deemed the absolute owners
of the Shares represented thereby for all purposes of the Company, but
nothing in these Bylaws shall be deemed to preclude the Directors or
officers, or their agents or representatives, from inquiring as to the actual
ownership of Shares. The Shares are non-assessable. Until a transfer is
duly effected on the records of the Company, the Directors shall not be
affected by any notice of transfer, either actual or constructive. The
receipt by the Person in whose name any Shares are registered on the records
of the Company or of the duly authorized agent of that Person, or if the
Shares are so registered in the names of more than one Person, the receipt of
any one of those Persons, or of the duly authorized agent of that Person,
shall be a sufficient discharge for all dividends or distributions payable or
deliverable in respect of the Shares and from all liability to see the
application of those funds. The certificates of Shares of the capital stock
of the Company, if any, shall be in a form consistent with the Articles of
Incorporation and the laws of the State of California as shall be approved by
the Board. All certificates shall be signed by the Chairman of the Board or
the President or a Vice President and by the Treasurer or an Assistant
Financial Officer or the Secretary or any Assistant Secretary, certifying the
number of Shares and the class or series of Shares owned by the Shareholder.
Any or all of the signatures on the certificate may be facsimile.
6.2 TRANSFER OF SHARES. Subject to the provisions of law and of
Sections 6.3, 6.4 and 6.5, Shares shall be transferable on the records of the
Company only by the record holder or by his agent "hereunto duly authorized
in writing upon delivery to the Directors or a transfer agent of the
certificate or certificates (unless held in "uncertificated" form, in which
case an executed stock power duly guaranteed must be delivered), properly
endorsed or accompanied by duly executed instruments of transfer and
accompanied by all necessary documentary stamps together with evidence of the
genuineness of each endorsement, execution or authorization and of other
matters as may reasonably be required by the Directors or transfer agent.
Upon delivery, the transfer shall be recorded in the records of the Company
and a new certificate, if requested, for the Shares so transferred shall be
issued to the transferee and in case of a transfer of only a part of the
Shares represented by any certificate or account, a new certificate or
statement of account for the balance shall be issued to the transferor. Any
Person becoming entitled to any Shares in consequence of the death of a
Shareholder or otherwise by operation of law shall be recorded as the holder
of such Shares and shall receive a new certificate, if requested, but only
upon delivery to the Directors or a transfer agent of instruments and other
evidence required by the Directors or the transfer agent to demonstrate that
entitlement, the existing certificate (or appropriate instrument of transfer
if held in "uncertificated" form) for the Shares and any necessary releases
from applicable governmental authorities. Nothing in these Bylaws shall
impose upon the Directors or a transfer agent any duty or limit their rights
to inquire into adverse claims.
6.3 DISCLOSURES BY HOLDERS OF SERIES A SHARES: REDEMPTION OF SERIES A
SHARES. The holders of Series A Shares shall upon demand disclose to the
Directors in writing such information with respect to direct and indirect
ownership of their Series A Shares as the Directors deem necessary to comply
with the REIT Provisions of the Code or to comply with the requirements of
any taxing authority. If the Directors shall at any time and in good faith
be of the opinion that direct or indirect ownership of Series A Shares of the
Company has or may become concentrated to an extent which would prevent the
Company from qualifying as a REIT under the REIT Provisions of the Code, the
Directors shall have the power by lot or other means deemed equitable by them
to prevent the transfer of and/or call for redemption a number of the
Series A Shares sufficient in the opinion of the Directors to maintain or
bring the direct or indirect ownership of Series A Shares into conformity
with the requirements for a REIT. The redemption price for Series A Shares
shall be (i) the last reported sale price of the Series A Shares on the last
business day prior to the redemption date on the principal national
securities exchange on which the Series A Shares are listed or admitted to
trading, or (ii) if the Series A Shares are not so listed or admitted to
trading, the average of the highest bid and lowest asked prices on such last
business day as reported by the Nasdaq Stock Market or a similar organization
selected by the Company for that purpose, or (iii) if no such independent
quotations exist, as determined in good faith by the Directors. The holders
of any Series A Shares so called for redemption shall be entitled to payment
of such redemption price within a reasonable time not to exceed sixty (60)
days of the date fixed for redemption. From and after the redemption date,
the holder of any Series A Shares so called for redemption shall cease to be
entitled to dividends, distributions, voting rights and other benefits with
respect to the Shares, excepting only to the right to payment of the
redemption price fixed as described above.
For the purpose of Sections 6.3 through 6.5, the term "individual"
shall be construed as provided in Section 542(a) (2) of the Code, or any
successor provisions, and "ownership" of Shares shall be determined as
provided in Section 544 of the Code, or any successor provisions.
6.4 RIGHT TO REFUSE TO TRANSFER SERIES A SHARES. Whenever it is deemed
by them to be reasonably necessary to protect the tax status of the Company,
the Directors may require statements or affidavits from any holder of
Series A Shares or proposed transferee of Series A Shares, setting forth the
number of Series A Shares already owned by him and any related Person
specified in the form prescribed by the Directors for that purpose. If, in
the opinion of the Directors, which shall be conclusive upon any proposed
transferor or proposed transferee of Series A Shares, any proposed transfer
or exercise would jeopardize the status of the Company as a REIT under the
Code, the Directors may refuse to permit the transfer or exercise. Any
attempted transfer or exercise as to which the Directors have refused their
permission shall be void and of no effect to transfer any legal or beneficial
interest in the Series A Shares. All contracts for the sale or other
transfer or exercise of Series A Shares shall be subject to this provision.
6.5 LIMITATION ON ACQUISITION OF SHARES.
(a) Subject to the provisions of Sections 6.5(b) and (d), no Person may
own in excess of 9.9% of the total outstanding Shares, and no Shares shall be
transferred (or issued) to any Person if, following the transfer, the
Person's direct or indirect ownership of Shares would exceed this limit.
(b) If Shares are purportedly acquired by any Person in violation of
this Section 6.5, the acquisition shall be valid only to the extent it does
not violate this Section 6.5, and the acquisition shall be null and void with
respect to any excess Shares ("Excess Shares"). Excess Shares shall be
deemed to have been acquired by the Company, shall not be considered to be
outstanding for quorum or voting purposes, and shall not be entitled to
receive dividends, interest or any other distribution.
(c) The Company shall, if deemed necessary or desirable to implement
the provisions of this Section 6.5, include on the face or back of each Share
certificate issued by the Company an appropriate legend referring the holder
of the certificate to the restrictions contained in this Section 6.5 and
stating that the complete text of these Bylaws is on file with the Secretary
of the Company at the Company's offices.
(d) The Board may establish percentage limits to the extent necessary
and appropriate to assure, to the extent possible, that no five Persons own
more than 50% of the outstanding Shares. The Directors also may waive the
percentage limits set forth in this Section 6.5 in a specific instance.
Nothing in these Bylaws shall limit the ability of the Directors to impose,
or to seek judicial or other imposition of additional or different
restrictions if deemed necessary or advisable to protect the Company and the
interests of its Shareholders by preservation of the Company's status as a
qualified REIT.
(e) If any provision of this Section 6.5 is determined to be invalid,
in whole or in part, by any federal or state court having jurisdiction, the
validity of the remaining provisions shall not be affected and the provision
shall be affected only to the extent necessary to comply with the
determination of the court.
(f) For purposes of this Section 6.5, "Shares" means the Shares of the
Company as defined in these Bylaws, and includes any Shares issuable upon
conversion, surrender or exercise of any other Securities of the Company.
6.6 LOST OR DESTROYED CERTIFICATES. The holder of any Shares shall
immediately notify the Company of any loss or destruction of the Share
certificate, and the Company may issue a new certificate in the place of any
certificate alleged to have been lost or destroyed upon approval of the
Board. The Board may, in its discretion, as a condition to authorizing the
issue of such new certificate, require the owner of the lost or destroyed
certificate, or his legal representatives, to make proof satisfactory to the
Board of the loss or destruction and to give the Company a bond or other
security, in such amount and with such surety or sureties, as the Board may
determine as indemnity against any claim that may be made against the Company
on account of the certificate alleged to have been lost or destroyed.
6.7 DIVIDEND RECORD DATE AND CLOSING STOCK BOOKS. The Board may fix a
date in the future as a record date for the determination of the Shareholders
entitled to receive any dividend or distribution or any allotment of rights
or to exercise rights with respect to any change, conversion or exchange of
Shares. The record date so filed shall not be more than sixty (60) days nor
less than ten (10) days prior to the date of the event for the purposes of
which it is filed. When a record date is so filed, only Shareholders of
record on that date shall be entitled to receive the dividend, distribution
or allotment of rights or to exercise the rights, as the case may be,
notwithstanding any transfer of any Shares on the books of the Company after
the record date.
ARTICLE VII
EMPLOYMENT OF ADVISOR AND LIMITATION ON EXPENSES
7.1 EMPLOYMENT OF ADVISOR. The Directors are responsible for the
general policies of the Company and for general supervision of the business
of the Company conducted by all officers, agents, employees, advisors,
managers or independent contractors of the Company as may be necessary to
insure that the business conforms to the provisions of these Bylaws.
However, the Directors shall not be required personally to conduct all the
business of the Company, and consistent with their ultimate responsibility as
stated above, the Directors shall have the power to appoint, employ or
contract with any Person (including one or more of themselves or any
corporation, partnership, or company in which one or more of them may be
directors, officers, stockholders, partners or directors) as the Directors
may deem necessary or proper for the transaction of the business of the
Company. The Directors may employ or contract with such a Person (the
"Advisor") and the Directors may grant or delegate authority to the Advisor
as the Directors may in their sole discretion deem necessary or desirable
without regard to whether that authority is normally granted or delegated by
Directors.
The Directors (subject to the provisions of this Article VII) shall
have the power to determine the terms and compensation of the Advisor or any
other Person whom they may employ or with whom they may contract; provided,
however, that any determination to employ or contract with any Director or
any Person of which a Director is an Affiliate, shall be valid only if made,
approved or ratified by the Independent Directors. The Directors may
exercise broad discretion in allowing the Advisor to administer and regulate
the operations of the Company, to act as agent for the Company, to execute
documents on behalf of the Company, and to make executive decisions which
conform to general policies and general principles previously established by
the Directors.
7.2 TERM. The Directors shall not enter into any advisory contract
with the Advisor unless the contract has a term of no more than one (1) year
and provides for annual renewal or extension thereafter. The Directors shall
not enter into a similar contract with any Person of which a Director is an
Affiliate unless the contract provides for renewal or extension by the
Independent Directors. The advisory contract shall also require the Advisor
to cooperate with the Company to provide an orderly management transition
after any termination.
7.3 OTHER ACTIVITIES OF ADVISOR. The Advisor shall not be required to
administer the investment activities of the Company as its sole and exclusive
function and may have other business interests and may engage in other
activities similar or in addition to those relating to the Company, including
the performance of services and advice to other persons (including other real
estate investment companies) and the management of other investments
(including investments of the Advisor and its Affiliates). The Directors may
request the Advisor to engage in other activities which complement the
Company's investments, and the Advisor may receive compensation or
commissions for those activities from the Company or other Persons.
The Advisor shall be required to use its best efforts to present a
continuing and suitable investment program to the Company which is consistent
with the investment policies and objectives of the Company, but neither the
Advisor nor any Affiliate of the Advisor (subject to any applicable provision
of Sections 9.4 and 9.5 herein) shall be obligated to present any particular
investment opportunity to the Company even if the opportunity is of character
which, if presented to the Company, could be taken by the Company, and,
subject to the foregoing, shall be protected in taking for its own account or
recommending to others the particular investment opportunity.
Upon request of any Director, the Advisor and any Person who controls,
is controlled by, or is under common control with the Advisor, shall from
time to time promptly furnish the Directors with information on a
confidential basis as to any investments within the Company's investment
policies made by the Advisor or the other Person for its own account.
7.4 LIMITATION ON OPERATING EXPENSES. The Operating Expenses of the
Company for any fiscal year shall not exceed the greater of (a) 2% of its
Average Invested Assets or (b) 25% of the Net Income of the Company, unless
the Independent Directors conclude that a higher level of expense is
justified, as provided for in Section 4.14(e) and the California Commissioner
of Corporations concurs therein, provided however, that such expenses
(including subitems iv through ix of Section 1.3 (o)) shall not exceed the
foregoing limitation unless the Independent Directors conclude that a higher
level of expenses is justified as provided for in Section 4.14(e).
Within 60 days after the end of any fiscal quarter of the Company for
which Operating Expenses (for the 12 months then ended) exceed the
limitations set forth herein, there shall be sent to the Shareholders a
written disclosure of such fact together with an explanation of the factors
the Independent Directors considered in arriving at the conclusion that the
higher Operating Expenses were justified. In the event the Independent
Directors do not determine such excess expenses were justified, the Advisor
shall reimburse the Company at the end of the 12-month period the amount by
which the aggregate annual Operating Expenses paid or incurred by the Company
exceeded the limitations herein provided.
ARTICLE VIII
RESTRICTIONS ON INVESTMENTS AND ACTIVITIES
8.1 RESTRICTIONS. Notwithstanding any other provision of these Bylaws,
the Company shall not:
(a) invest in commodities or commodity future contracts;
(b) invest in contracts for the sale of real estate;
(c) engage in any short sale;
(d) Reserved;
(e) issue equity Securities on a deferred payment basis or other
similar arrangement;
(f) issue debt Securities in the absence of adequate cash flow to
cover debt service;
(g) issue equity Securities which are non-voting or assessable;
(h) incur any indebtedness, secured or unsecured, which would
result in an aggregate amount of indebtedness in excess of 300% of Net
Assets;
(i) borrow on an unsecured basis if such borrowing will result in
Asset Coverage of less than 300%;
(j) make or invest in mortgage loans, including construction loans,
on any one property if the aggregate amount of all mortgage loans
outstanding on the property, including loans of the Company, would
exceed an amount equal to 85% of the appraised value of the property as
determined by an Appraisal unless substantial justification exists
because of the presence of other underwriting criteria; provided,
however, that the Company shall not make or invest in mortgage loans
that are subordinate to any mortgage or equity interest of the Advisor,
Directors or any of their Affiliates; and provided further, that any
such Appraisal shall be retained in the Company's records for a period
of five (5) years and shall be available for inspection and copying by
any shareholder.
(k) issue "redeemable securities," as defined in Section 2(a) (32)
of the Investment Company Act of 1940;
(l) invest in any equity Security of any non-governmental issuer
(including limited partnerships) except the Company and other REITS,
for a period in excess of 18 months; provided that any such investment
in an entity affiliated with the Advisor, Directors or Affiliates
thereof shall comply with the requirements of Section 9.5.
(m) engage in trading, as compared with investment activities, or
engage in the business of underwriting or agency distribution of
Securities issued by others;
(n) hold property primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary
course of the trade or business of the Company, but this prohibition
shall not be construed to deprive the Company of the power to sell any
property which it owns at any time;
(o) grant warrants or options to purchase voting shares of
beneficial interest of the Company unless such warrants or options (i)
are issued ratably to the holders of all voting shares of beneficial
interest or (ii) are issued as part of a financing arrangement;
provided that any warrants or options issued are at an exercise price
greater than or equal to the fair market value of the voting shares of
the Company on the date of the grant and for consideration (including
services) that in the judgment of a majority of the Independent
Directors has a market value at least equal to the value of the warrant
or option on the date of grant, and the warrants and options granted to
the Advisor, Directors or Affiliates thereof are granted on the same
terms as such warrants and options are sold to the general public and
do not exceed an amount equal to 10% of the outstanding Shares on the
date of grant of such warrants and options;
(p) invest in or make mortgage loans unless an Appraisal is
obtained concerning the underlying property and, in addition to the
Appraisal, the Company shall obtain a mortgagee's or owner's title
insurance policy or commitment as to the priority of the mortgage or
the condition of the title;
(q) invest in indebtedness, including construction loans (herein
called "junior debt") secured by a mortgage on real property which is
subordinate to the lien of other indebtedness (herein called "senior
debt"), except where the amount of such junior debt, plus the
outstanding amount of the senior debt, does not exceed 85% of the
appraised value of such property as determined by Appraisal, if after
giving effect thereto, the value of all such investments of the Company
(as shown on the books of the Company in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principles after all reasonable reserves but before
provision far deprecation) would not then exceed 25% of the Company's
tangible assets, provided that the value of all investments in junior
debt of the Company which does not meet the aforementioned requirements
would be limited to 10% of the Company's tangible assets (which would
be included within the 25% limitation);
(r) acquire Securities in any company holding investments or
engaging in activities prohibited by the Code or the California
statutes governing the activities of REITs; or
(s) invest in real estate contracts of sale or land sale contracts
unless such contracts are in recordable form and are appropriately
recorded in the chain of title.
The foregoing limitations shall not limit the manner in which any
required investment by the Advisor or its Affiliates in the Company is made
or preclude the Company from structuring an investment in real property to
minimize Shareholder liability and facilitate the investment policies of the
Company under Article VIII.
ARTICLE IX
LIABILITY OF DIRECTORS,
SHAREHOLDERS AND OFFICERS AND OTHER MATTERS
9.1 EXCULPATION OF DIRECTORS, OFFICERS AND OTHERS. The Directors are
required to perform their duties with respect to the Company's business in
good faith, in a manner believed by the Directors to be in the best interests
of the Company and with the care, including reasonable inquiry, as an
ordinary prudent Person in a like position would use under similar
circumstances. A Director who performs his duties in accordance with the
foregoing standards shall not be liable to any person for failure to
discharge his obligations as a Director. Notwithstanding the additional
responsibilities of Independent Directors, an Independent Director shall not
have any greater liability than that of a Director who is not independent.
Moreover, the Company's officers, employees and other agents are also
required to act in good faith, in a manner believed by them to be in the best
interest of the Company, and with the care, including reasonable inquiry, as
an ordinary prudent Person in a like position would use under similar
circumstances, in handling its affairs. An officer, employee or other agent
who performs his duties in accordance with the foregoing standards shall not
be liable to any person for failure to discharge his obligations as an
officer, employee or agent.
9.2 EXPRESS EXCULPATORY CLAUSES AND INSTRUMENTS. In all agreements,
obligations, instruments, and actions in regard to the affairs of this
Company, this Company and not its Directors, Shareholders, officers,
employees or agents shall be the principal and the Company shall be entitled
as such to enforce the same, collect damages, and take all other action. All
agreements, obligations, instruments, and actions shall be made, executed,
incurred, or taken by or in the name and on behalf of this Company.
9.3 INDEMNIFICATION AND REIMBURSEMENT OF CORPORATE AGENTS.
(a) The Company shall indemnify each of its agents against expenses,
judgments, fines, settlements and other amounts, actually and reasonably
incurred by such Person by reason of such Person's having been made or having
threatened to be made a party to a proceeding in excess of the
indemnification otherwise permitted by the provisions of Section 317 of the
California Corporations Code subject to the limits on such excess
indemnification set forth in Section 204 of the California Corporations Code,
and the Company shall advance the expenses reasonably expected to be incurred
by such agent in defending any such proceeding upon receipt of the
undertaking required by subdivision (f) of said Section 317. The terms
"agent," "proceeding" and "expenses" made in this Section 9.3 shall have the
same meaning as such terms in said Section 317, except that directors who are
not Independent Directors and the Advisor may only be indemnified as follows:
1. The Board has determined, in good faith, that the course of conduct
which caused the loss or liability was in the best interests of the Company,
and
2. Such liability or loss was not the result of negligence or
misconduct by the Director.
Indemnification will not be allowed for any liability imposed by
judgment and costs associated therewith, including attorneys' fees, arising
from or out of a violation of state or federal securities laws associated
with the offer and sale of the Company's shares. Indemnification will be
allowed for settlements and related expenses of lawsuits alleging securities
law violations, and for expenses incurred in successfully defending such
lawsuits, provided that a court either:
(i) Approves the settlement and finds that indemnification of the
settlement and related costs should be made, or
(ii) Approves indemnification of litigation costs if a successful
defense is made.
Any rights of indemnification and reimbursement shall be satisfied only
out of Company property.
(b) The rights accruing to any Person under these provisions shall not
exclude any other right to which he may be lawfully entitled, nor shall
anything in these Bylaws restrict the right of the Company to indemnify or
reimburse the Person in any proper case even though not specifically provided
for in these Bylaws, nor shall anything in these Bylaws restrict the Person's
right to contribution as may be available under applicable law.
(c) The Company shall have power to purchase and maintain insurance on
behalf of any Person entitled to indemnity under these provisions against any
liability asserted against him and incurred by him ;n any capacity or arising
out of his status. The Company, however, shall not purchase and maintain
insurance for liabilities for which indemnification is not permitted under
these provisions.
(d) No claim for indemnification under this Section 9.3 by any Person
for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 or under state
securities laws may be permitted by the Company. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, a claim for indemnification will be permitted for settlements and
related expenses in connection with defending a civil or criminal action,
suit or proceeding arising under the Securities Act of 1933 or under state
securities laws provided that a court of competent jurisdiction approves the
settlement and finds that indemnification is not against public policy or
approves indemnification of litigation costs if a successful defense is made.
9.4 RIGHT OF DIRECTORS, OFFICERS AND OTHERS TO OWN SHARES OR OTHER
PROPERTY AND TO ENGAGE IN OTHER BUSINESS. Any Director, officer, employee or
agent of the Company may acquire, own, hold and dispose of shares in the
Company, for his individual account, and may exercise all rights of a
Shareholder to the same extent and in the same manner as if he were not a
Director, officer, employee or agent of the Company. Any Director, officer,
employee or agent of the Company may have personal business interests and may
engage in personal business activities, which interests and activities may
include the acquisition, syndication, holding, management, operation or
disposition, for his own account or for the account of others, of interests
in real property (including, but not limited to, real property investments
presented to and rejected by the Company or the Advisor), interests in
mortgages, or interests in Persons engaged in the real estate business,
including persons authorized as investments pursuant to the other provisions
of these Bylaws. Subject to the provisions of Article VII, any Director,
officer, employee or agent may be interested as Director, officer, director,
stockholder, partner, member, advisor or employee, or otherwise have a direct
or indirect interest in any Person who may be engaged to render advice or
services to the Company, and may receive compensation from that Person as
well as compensation as Director, officer, or agent of the Company. None of
these activities shall be deemed to conflict with his duties and powers as
Director or officer.
9.5 TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES. The Company shall not:
(a) Engage in transactions with the Advisor, any Director, officer or
Affiliates thereof, except to the extent that each such transaction has,
after disclosure of such affiliation, been approved or ratified by the
affirmative vote of a majority of the Directors (including a majority of
Independent Directors) not affiliated with the Person who is party to the
transaction and not otherwise interested in such transaction and:
(i) the transaction is fair and reasonable to the Company and its
Shareholders,
(ii) the terms of such transaction are at least as favorable as the
terms of any comparable transactions made on an arm's length basis and
known to the Directors; and
(iii) payments to the Advisor, its Affiliates or Directors for
services rendered in a capacity other than that as Advisor or as
Directors may only be made upon a determination that (A) the
compensation is not in excess of the compensation paid for any
comparable services, and (B) the compensation is not greater than the
charges for comparable services available from others who are competent
and not affiliated with any of the parties involved.
(b) Purchase property from the Advisor, any Director, or Affiliates
thereof, unless a majority of Directors (including a majority of Independent
Directors) not otherwise interested in such transaction approve the
transaction as being fair and reasonable to the Company and at a price to the
Company no greater than the cost of the asset to such Advisor, Director or
Affiliate thereof, or, if the price to the Company is in excess of such cost,
that substantial justification for such excess exists and such excess is not
unreasonable. In no event shall the cost of such asset to the Company exceed
its current appraised value.
(c) Sell property to the Advisor, any Director or Affiliates thereof.
(d) Borrow money from the Advisor, any Director, or affiliates thereof,
unless a majority of Directors (including a majority of Independent
Directors) not otherwise interested in such transaction approves the
transaction as being fair, competitive, and commercially reasonable and no
less favorable to the Company than loans between unaffiliated lenders and
borrowers under the same circumstances.
(e) Invest in joint ventures with the Advisor, any Director, or
Affiliates thereof, unless a majority of Directors (including a majority of
Independent Directors) not otherwise interested in such transactions,
approves the transaction as being fair and reasonable to the Company and
shall be on substantially the same terms and conditions as those received by
the other joint venturers.
(f) Make loans to the Advisor, any Director or Affiliates thereof.
9.6 RESTRICTION OF DUTIES AND LIABILITIES. The duties and liabilities
of Shareholders, Directors and officers shall in no event be greater than the
duties and liabilities of shareholders, directors and officers of a
California corporation. The Shareholders, Directors and officers shall in no
event have any greater duties or liabilities than those imposed by applicable
law as shall be in effect from time to time.
9.7 PERSONS DEALING WITH DIRECTORS OR OFFICERS. Any act of the
Directors or officers purporting to be done in their capacity as such shall
as to any Persons dealing in good faith with the Directors or officers, be
conclusively deemed to be within the purposes of this Company and within the
powers of the Directors and officers.
The Directors may authorize any officer or officers or agent or agents
to enter into any contract or execute any instrument in the name and on
behalf of the Company and/or Directors.
No Person dealing in good faith with the Directors or any of them or
with the authorized officers, employees, agents or representatives of the
Company, shall be bound to see to the application of any funds or property
passing into their hands or control. The receipt of the Directors, or any of
them, or of authorized officers, employees, agents, or representatives of the
Company, for moneys or other consideration, shall be binding upon the Company.
9.8 RELIANCE. The Directors and officers may consult with counsel and
the advice or opinion of that counsel shall be full and complete personal
protection to all of the Directors and officers in respect of any action
taken or suffered by them in good faith and in reliance on and in accordance
with such advice or opinion. In discharging their duties, Directors and
officers, when acting in good faith, may rely upon financial statements of
the Company represented to them to be correct by the Chairman or the officer
of the Company having charge of its books of account, or stated in a written
report by an independent certified public accountant fairly to present the
financial position of the Company. The Directors may rely, and shall be
personally protected in acting, upon any instrument or other document
believed by them to be genuine.
9.9 INCOME TAX STATUS. Without limitation of any rights of
indemnification, or non-liability of the Directors, the Directors by these
Bylaws make no commitment or representation that the Company will qualify for
the dividends paid deduction permitted by the Code, and any failure to so
qualify at any time shall not render the Directors liable to the Shareholders
or to any other person.
ARTICLE X
MISCELLANEOUS
10.1 INSPECTION OF BYLAWS. The Company shall keep at its principal
office in this state for the transaction of business, the original or a copy
of these Bylaws as amended, certified by the Secretary, which shall be open
to inspection by Shareholders at any reasonable time during office hours.
10.2 INSPECTION OF CORPORATE RECORDS. A Shareholder or Shareholders of
the Company, together holding at least 5% of the aggregate outstanding voting
Shares of the Company have the absolute right to inspect and copy a record of
Shareholders' names, addresses and shareholdings or to demand the same from
the Company's transfer agent, upon specified notice. In addition, any
Shareholder shall have the absolute right upon written demand at any time
during normal business hours, to inspect the Company's accounting books and
records, and minute books for any purpose reasonably related to such person's
interest as a Shareholder.
10.3 CHECKS, DRAFTS, ETC. All checks, drafts or other orders for
payment of money, notes or other evidences of indebtedness, issued in the
name of or payable to the Company, shall be signed or endorsed by the person
or persons and in the manner as from time to time shall be determined by
resolution of the Board.
10.4 CONTRACTS, ETC., HOW EXECUTED. The Board, except as provided
elsewhere in the Bylaws, may authorize any officer or officers or agent or
agents to enter into any contract or execute any instrument in the name of
and on behalf of the Company. That authority may be general or confined to
specific instances. Unless so authorized by the Board, no officer, agent or
employee shall have any power or authority to bind the Company by any
contract or engagement or to pledge its credit to render it liable for any
purpose or to any amount.
10.5 REPRESENTATION OF SHARES OF OTHER CORPORATIONS. The Chairman or
the President or, in the event of their absence or inability to serve, any
Vice President and the Secretary or Assistant Secretary of this Company are
authorized to vote, represent and exercise, on behalf of the Company, all
rights incidental to any and all shares of any other company standing in the
name of the Company. The authority granted to the officers to vote or
represent on behalf of the Company any and all Shares held by the Company in
any other company may be exercised by any authorized person in person or by
proxy or power of attorney duly executed by the officers.
10.6 ANNUAL REPORT. The Board of the Company shall cause to be sent to
the Shareholders, not later than one hundred twenty (120) days after the
close of the fiscal or calendar year, and not less than fifteen (15) days
before the date of the Company's Annual Meeting of Shareholders as provided
in Section 3.2 of these Bylaws, an Annual Report in the form deemed
appropriate by the Board. The reports shall also disclose the ratio of the
cost of raising capital to the capital raised during the year and the
aggregate amount of the advisory fees and other fees paid during the year to
the Advisor and its Affiliates, including fees or charges paid to the Advisor
and Affiliates by a third party. The Annual Report also shall include as
required by Section 4.14 full disclosure of all material terms, factors and
circumstances surrounding any and all transactions involving the Company and
the Directors, Advisor and/or Affiliates thereof occurring during the year,
and the Independent Directors shall examine and comment in the report as to
the fairness of any such transactions. The Annual Report shall include a
statement of assets and liabilities and a statement of income and expense of
the Company prepared in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting
Principles. The financial statements shall be accompanied by the report of
an independent certified public accountant. A manually signed copy of the
accountant's report shall be filed with the Directors.
10.7 STATEMENTS RE SHARES OWNED IN "UNCERTIFICATED" FORM. Within two
(2) business days after the transfer of Shares owned in uncertificated form,
the Company shall send a statement to the former registered owner and to the
new registered owner containing the information described in this Section
10.7. In addition the Company shall send such a statement to the registered
owner at any time upon the reasonable request of the registered owner. A
statement sent pursuant to this Section 10.7 shall contain the following
information:
(a) A description of the issue of which the Shares are a part;
(b) The name and address and any taxpayer identification number of the
registered owner;
(c) The number of Shares registered in the name of the registered owner
in uncertificated form on the date of the statement;
(d) The name and address and any taxpayer identification number of any
registered pledgee and the number of Shares subject to the pledge;
(e) A notation of any liens and restrictions of the Company and any
adverse claims to which the Shares are or may be subject or a statement that
there are none of those liens, restrictions, or adverse claims;
(f) Anything else required by subdivision (b) of Section 416 of the
California Corporations Code.
10.8 PROVISIONS OF THE COMPANY IN CONFLICT WITH LAW OR REGULATION.
(a) The provisions of these Bylaws are severable, and if the Directors
shall determine, with the advice of counsel, that any one or more of these
provisions (the "Conflicting Provisions") are in conflict with the REIT
Provisions of the Code, or with other applicable laws and regulations, the
Conflicting Provisions shall be deemed never to have constituted a part of
these Bylaws, and the Directors shall be able to amend or revise the Bylaws
to the extent necessary to bring the provisions of these Bylaws into
conformity with the REIT Provisions of the Code or any other applicable law
or regulation; provided, however, that this determination by the Directors
shall not affect or impair any of the remaining provisions of these Bylaws or
render invalid or improper any action taken or omitted (including but not
limited to the election of Directors) prior to the determination. A
certification signed by a majority of the Directors setting forth any such
determination and reciting that it was duly adopted by the Directors, or a
copy of these Bylaws, with the Conflicting Provisions removed pursuant to the
determination, signed by a majority of the Directors, shall be conclusive
evidence of such determination when lodged in the records of the Company.
The Directors shall not be liable for failure to make any determination under
this Section 10.8.
(b) If any provisions of these Bylaws shall be held invalid or
unenforceable, the invalidity or unenforceability shall attach only to that
provision and shall not in any manner affect or render invalid or
unenforceable any other provision, and these Bylaws shall be carried out as
if the invalid or unenforceable provision were not present.
10.9 FISCAL YEAR. The Company's fiscal year shall end on December 31
of each year.
10.10 VOLUNTARY DISSOLUTION. The Company may elect to wind up and
dissolve by the vote of Shareholders entitled to exercise a majority of the
voting power of the Company.
10.11 DISTRIBUTIONS. Subject to the Company's Articles of
Incorporation, the payment of distributions on Shares shall be at the
discretion of the Directors and shall depend upon the earnings, cash flow and
general financial condition of the Company, and such other factors as the
Directors deem appropriate.
ARTICLE XI
AMENDMENTS TO BYLAWS
11.1 BY THE SHAREHOLDERS. Bylaws may be adopted, amended or repealed
by the vote or written consent of holders of a majority of the outstanding
Shares entitled to vote; provided however, that these Bylaws or any provision
hereof which would affect any rights with respect to any outstanding class of
Securities of the Company, by reducing the amount payable upon the
liquidation of the Company, or by diminishing or eliminating any voting
rights pertaining thereto, may not be amended unless approved by the vote or
written consent of the holders of two-thirds of the outstanding Securities of
such class. Bylaws specifying or changing a fixed number of Directors or the
maximum or minimum number or changing from a fixed to a variable Board or
vice versa may only be adopted by the Shareholders; provided, however, that a
Bylaw or amendment of the Articles of Incorporation reducing the number or
the minimum number of Directors to a number less than five cannot be adopted
if the votes cast against its adoption at a meeting or the Shares not
consenting in the case of action by written consent are equal to more than
16-2/3% of the outstanding Shares entitled to vote.
11.2 BY THE BOARD. Subject to the right of the Shareholders to adopt,
amend or repeal Bylaws, Bylaws (other than a Bylaw or amendment thereof
specifying or changing a fixed number of directors or the maximum or minimum
number or changing from a fixed to a variable Board or vice versa) may be
adopted, amended or repealed by the Board; provided however, that these
Bylaws or any provision hereof which would affect any rights with respect to
any outstanding class of Securities of the Company, by reducing the amount
payable upon the liquidation of the Company, or by diminishing or eliminating
any voting rights pertaining thereto, may not be amended unless approved by
the vote or written consent of the holders of two-thirds of the outstanding
Securities of such class. Notwithstanding the foregoing, however, amendment
or repeal of Section 1.3 (l), Section 4.14 or the first sentence of Section
4.17 shall require the vote or written consent of the holders of a majority
of the outstanding Shares entitled to vote.
Franklin Select Realty Trust
777 Mariners Island Boulevard
San Mateo, CA 94404
(650) 312-3000
FRANKLIN SELECT REALTY TRUST 1999 PROXY
This proxy is solicited on behalf of the Board of Directors.
The undersigned hereby appoints DAVID P. GOSS AND RICHARD S. BARONE,
jointly and severally, with full power of substitution, the proxies of the
undersigned to vote all shares of Common Stock (Series A and Series B) of
Franklin Select Realty Trust which the undersigned is entitled to vote at the
Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held at the offices of Franklin Resources,
Inc., 777 Mariners Island Boulevard, San Mateo, California on April 27, 1999, at
9:00 a.m., Pacific Standard Time, and upon all motions and resolutions which may
properly be presented for consideration at said meeting or at any adjournment
thereof.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT SHAREHOLDERS VOTE FOR PROPOSALS 1, 2, 3
AND 4.
PROPOSAL NO.1: ELECTION OF DIRECTORS:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C> <C> <C>
- - ---------------------------- -------------------- ------------------------ ------------------------
FOR all nominees listed WITHHOLD AUTHORTIY NOMINEES:
(except as marked to the (to vote for all
contrary) nominees listed) David P. Goss E. Samuel Wheeler
Egon H. Kraus Frank W. T. LaHaye
/ / Lloyd D. Hanford, Jr. Barry C. L. Fernald
/ / Larry D. Russel
- - ---------------------------- -------------------- ------------------------ ------------------------
- - ---------------------------- -------------------- -------------------------------------------------
(Instruction: To withhold authority for any
individual nominee, strike a line through the
nominee's name listed above.)
- - ---------------------------- -------------------- -------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
PROPOSAL NO. 2: RATIFY THE APPOINTMENT OF PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LLP AS
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS TO AUDIT THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF THE COMPANY FOR THE
FISCAL YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1999.
FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN
/ / / / / /
PROPOSAL NO. 3: TO APPROVE THE PROPOSED AMENDED AND RESTEATED ARTICLES OF
INCORPORATION:
FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN
/ / / / / /
PROPOSAL NO. 4: TO APPROVE THE PROPOSED THIRD AMENDED AND RESTATED BY-LAWS:
FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN
/ / / / / /
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED BY THE DIRECTORS AND MAY BE REVOKED PRIOR TO EXERCISE.
THIS PROXY, WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED, WILL BE VOTED AS SPECIFIED. IF NO
SPECIFICATION IS MADE, THIS PROXY SHALL BE VOTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE BOARD OF
DIRECTORS' RECOMMENDATIONS AND WITHIN THE DISCRETION OF THE PROXYHOLDERS AS TO
OTHER MATTERS WHICH MAY PROPERLY COME BEFORE THE MEETING AND ANY POSTPONEMENTS
OR ADJOURNMENTS THEREOF.
TO VOTE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDATIONS, MERELY SIGN
BELOW, NO BOXES NEED BE CHECKED.
THE PROXYHOLDERS DESIGNATED HEREON ARE DIRECTED TO VOTE AS SPECIFIED OR, IF NO
SPECIFICATION IS MADE, TO VOTE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE
BOARD OF DIRECTORS, AND TO VOTE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROXY HOLDERS' DISCRETION
ON SUCH OTHER MATTERS THAT MAY PROPERLY COME BEFORE THE MEETING AND ANY
POSTPONEMENTS OR ADJOURNMENTS THEREOF.
(Please sign exactly as the name or names appear on your account statement or
your Common Stock certificate. In signing as attorney, executor, administrator,
trustee or guardian, or for a corporation, please give your full title. When
shares are in the names of more than one person, each should sign the proxy.)
Signature
Date
Signature (if held jointly)
Date
