<PAGE> 1
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
PROXY STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 14(a) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
(AMENDMENT NO. )
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 the Commission Only (as permitted by
Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
[ ] Definitive Proxy Statement
[ ] Definitive Additional Materials
[ ] Soliciting Material Pursuant to 240.14a-11(c) or 240.14a-12
Southern California Water Company
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
[x] No fee required.
[ ] Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(4) and 0-11.
(1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
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(2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
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(3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed
pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (Set forth the amount on which the
filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined):
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(4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
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(5) Total fee paid:
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[ ] Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.
[ ] 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
previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number,
or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.
(1) Amount Previously Paid:
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(2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:
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(3) Filing Party:
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(4) Date Filed:
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<PAGE> 2
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA WATER COMPANY
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS -- APRIL 29, 1997
Dear Shareholder:
The Annual Meeting of the Shareholders of Southern California Water Company
(the "Company") will be held at the Sheraton Suites Fairplex, 601 West McKinley
Avenue, Pomona, California, on Tuesday, April 29, 1997, at 10:00 A.M., Pacific
time, for the following purposes:
1. To elect seven directors to the Board of Directors to serve until the
next Annual Meeting of Shareholders and until their successors are
elected and qualified.
2. To approve an amendment to the Company's Articles of Incorporation to
increase the number of authorized Common Shares from 10,000,000 to
30,000,000.
3. To transact any other business which may properly come before the
meeting or any adjournment thereof.
The Board of Directors has nominated the following individuals for election
as directors: James L. Anderson, Jean E. Auer, William V. Caveney, N.P. Dodge,
Jr., Robert F. Kathol, Lloyd E. Ross and Floyd E. Wicks.
The Board of Directors has fixed the close of business on March 3, 1997, as
the record date for the determination of shareholders entitled to notice of and
to vote at this meeting or any adjournment thereof.
It is important that every shareholder, whether owning one or more shares
and whether or not expecting to attend the meeting in person, sign, date and
promptly return the enclosed proxy. A return envelope, requiring no postage if
mailed in the United States, is enclosed for convenience. By returning your
signed proxy, you can help assure a quorum to transact the business of the
meeting.
By order of the Board of Directors
(SIG)
James B. Gallagher
Secretary
San Dimas, California
March 21, 1997
<PAGE> 3
PROXY STATEMENT
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA WATER COMPANY
630 EAST FOOTHILL BOULEVARD
SAN DIMAS, CALIFORNIA 91773
------------------------
SOLICITATION OF PROXY AND RIGHT OF REVOCATION
The accompanying proxy is solicited by and on behalf of the Board of
Directors (the "Board" or the "Board of Directors") of Southern California Water
Company (the "Company") for use at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held
on April 29, 1997 (the "Annual Meeting"), or any adjournment thereof. Any
shareholder giving a proxy has the power to revoke it at any time before it is
exercised by attending the meeting and voting in person or by a writing
delivered to the Company stating that the proxy is revoked or by a subsequent
proxy executed by the shareholder and presented at the meeting. All shares
represented by each properly executed, unrevoked proxy received in time for the
meeting will be voted as marked on the proxy. If the proxy is signed and
returned, but is not marked, it will be voted for all nominees listed or, if
cumulative voting applies, at the discretion of the proxies named on the
accompanying proxy card, as described herein. You are encouraged to mark your
proxy carefully in accordance with its instructions. Proxy solicitation expense
will be paid by the Company. This proxy statement and the accompanying proxy
were mailed on or about March 21, 1997.
VOTING RIGHTS
The Company's voting securities outstanding on March 3, 1997 were 84,800
Preferred Shares and 8,957,671 Common Shares. Each Preferred Share is entitled
to one vote and each Common Share is entitled to one-tenth of one vote. Except
as otherwise provided in the Company's Articles of Incorporation, as amended,
and under applicable law, Common and Preferred shareholders vote as a single
class.
Votes cast by proxy or in person at the meeting will be counted by an
inspector of election appointed by the Board of Directors to act as an election
inspector for the meeting. Shares represented by proxies that reflect
abstentions will be treated as present and entitled to vote for purposes of
determining the presence of a quorum. Abstentions, however, will not constitute
a vote "for" or "against" any matter and thus will be disregarded in the
calculation of a plurality or of votes cast on any matter submitted to the
shareholders for a vote.
1
<PAGE> 4
The inspector of election will treat shares referred to as "broker
non-votes" (i.e., shares held by brokers or nominees as to which instructions
have not been received from the beneficial owners or persons entitled to vote
and as to which the broker has physically indicated on the proxy that the broker
or nominee does not have discretionary power to vote on a particular matter) as
shares that are present and entitled to vote for purposes of determining the
presence of a quorum. However, for purposes of determining the outcome of any
matter as to which the broker has physically indicated on the proxy that it does
not have discretionary authority to vote, those shares will be treated as not
present and not entitled to vote with respect to that matter (even though those
shares are considered present for quorum purposes and may be entitled to vote on
other matters). Any unmarked proxies, including those submitted by brokers or
nominees, will be voted as indicated in the accompanying proxy card.
In the election of directors, the candidates for election receiving the
highest number of affirmative votes of the shares entitled to be voted for them,
up to the number of directors to be elected, will be elected. Votes cast against
a candidate or votes withheld will have no legal effect. No shareholder will be
entitled to cumulate votes (i.e., cast for any candidate a number of votes
greater than the number of such shareholder's shares in the case of Preferred
Shares or one-tenth that number in the case of Common Shares) unless such
candidate's name has been placed in nomination prior to the voting and the
shareholder has given notice at the meeting, prior to the voting, of the
shareholder's intention to cumulate the shareholder's votes. If any one
shareholder has given such notice, all shareholders may cumulate their votes for
candidates who have been nominated. If voting for directors is conducted by
cumulative voting, each share will be entitled to the number of votes equal to
the number of directors authorized times the number of votes to which such share
is otherwise entitled, which votes may be cast for a single candidate or may be
distributed among two or more candidates in whatever proportion the shareholder
may desire. The accompanying proxy card will grant the named proxies
discretionary authority to vote cumulatively, if cumulative voting applies. In
such event, unless otherwise instructed, the named proxies intend to vote
equally FOR each of the seven candidates for the office of director; provided,
however, that if sufficient numbers of Company shareholders exercise cumulative
voting rights to elect one or more candidates, the named proxies will determine
the number of directors they are entitled to elect, select such number from
among the named candidates, cumulate their votes, and cast their votes for each
candidate among the number they are entitled to elect. If voting is not
conducted by cumulative voting, each Preferred Share will be entitled to one
vote and each Common Share will be entitled to one-tenth of one vote, and
shareholders having a majority of the voting power exercised at the meeting will
be able to elect all of the directors if they choose to do so. In that event,
the other shareholders will be unable to elect any director or directors.
Except as otherwise provided in the Company's Articles of Incorporation or
under applicable law, on all matters other than the election of directors, the
affirmative vote of the majority of the voting power of shares represented and
voting at the meeting (if the shares voting affirmatively also
2
<PAGE> 5
represent at least a majority of the voting power required for a quorum) is
required for the shareholders to take action. As noted below under "Item
2 -- Proposal to Increase Authorized Number of Common Shares," the affirmative
vote of the majority of the Common Shares voting as a separate class, as well as
the affirmative vote of the majority of the voting power of the outstanding
Common Shares and Preferred Shares entitled to vote, is required for the
approval of such proposal. Assuming the presence of a quorum, the shareholders
present at the meeting may continue to do business until adjournment,
notwithstanding the withdrawal of shareholders holding sufficient voting power
to leave less than a quorum, if any action taken (other than adjournment) is
approved by at least a majority of the voting power required to constitute a
quorum.
ITEM 1.
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
Action will be taken at the Annual Meeting to elect seven directors to the
Board of Directors to serve until the next Annual Meeting of Shareholders and
until their successors are elected and qualified. R. Bradbury Clark, who is
currently a Director of the Company, has reached the mandatory retirement age
from the Board of Directors and is not eligible for, nor is he seeking, re-
election in 1997. It is intended that the proxies solicited and received by and
on behalf of the Board of Directors will be voted for the re-election of the
current directors, who are standing for re-election, and for the New Nominee
listed below (the "Nominees"), unless authority is withheld. If voting for
directors is conducted by cumulative voting, the proxies named on the enclosed
form of proxy will have discretionary authority to cumulate votes among the
Nominees named herein.
The proxies may also be voted for a substitute Nominee or Nominees in the
event any one or more of the persons named below shall be unable to serve for
any reason or be withdrawn from nomination, a contingency not now anticipated.
A brief biography of each Nominee is set forth below, including the
Nominee's business experience during the last five years.
JAMES L. ANDERSON, Senior Vice President, since September, 1996, of Americo
Life Inc. located in Orange, California. Prior to its acquisition by Americo
Life Inc., Mr. Anderson had served as President and Chief Executive Officer,
since 1986, of Fremont Life Insurance Company. Mr. Anderson, age 53, has, at
various times from 1982 to 1986, served as President and Chief Operating Officer
of Fremont Insurance Services, Chairman and Chief Operating Officer of
Physicians & Surgeons Underwriting Corporation and Founder, Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer of Hospital Insurance Services, a management company for
hospital medical malpractice and general liability programs throughout
California. From 1975 to 1982, Mr. Anderson served as President and Chief
Operating Officer of National American Insurance Company of California, a
property and casualty company.
3
<PAGE> 6
JEAN E. AUER, Consultant, member of the Board of Directors of the Water
Education Foundation and member of the town council of Hillsborough, California.
Mrs. Auer has served as Consultant to the San Francisco Estuary Project since
1990. Mrs. Auer has previously served as a member of the National Drinking Water
Advisory Board to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, a member of
the California State Water Resources Control Board and a member of both the
Central Coast and the San Francisco Regional Water Quality Control Boards. Mrs.
Auer, age 60, is a member of the Company's Compensation, Nominating and Business
Opportunities Committees and has served as a director of the Company since 1995.
WILLIAM V. CAVENEY, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Company since
April, 1992. Mr. Caveney was Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer
of the Company from April, 1990 to March, 1992 and President and Chief Executive
Officer of the Company from April, 1982 to March, 1990. Mr. Caveney, age 70, is
Chairman of the Company's Compensation Committee and a member of the Business
Opportunities Committee and has served as a director of the Company since 1980.
N.P. DODGE, JR., President of the N.P. Dodge Company, a full service real
estate concern in Omaha, Nebraska. Mr. Dodge, age 59, is a director of the Omaha
Public Power District. Mr. Dodge is a member of the Company's Compensation
Committee and Chairman of the Audit Committee and has served as a director of
the Company since 1990.
ROBERT F. KATHOL, Executive Vice President of Kirkpatrick, Pettis, Smith,
Polian, Inc., an investment banking firm in Omaha, Nebraska. Mr. Kathol, age 56,
is a member of the Company's Compensation and Audit Committees and has served as
a director of the Company since 1995.
LLOYD E. ROSS, Managing Partner of Invermex, L.P., a company developing
hotels in the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. For more than 35
years prior to his current position, Mr. Ross was associated with SMI
Construction Co., a commercial and industrial general contracting firm in
Irvine, California, having served as its President and Chief Executive Officer
since 1976. Mr. Ross, age 56, also is a director of PacifiCare Health Systems.
Mr. Ross is a member of the Company's Compensation Committee and Chairman of the
Company's Nominating Committee and Business Opportunities Committee and has
served as a director of the Company since 1995.
FLOYD E. WICKS, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company since
April, 1992. Mr. Wicks served as President of the Company from April, 1990 to
March, 1992 and as Vice President of Operations from January, 1988 to March,
1990. Mr. Wicks, age 53, is a member of the Company's Business Opportunities and
Nominating Committees and has served as a director of the Company since 1990.
No Nominee is or has been employed in his or her principal occupation or
employment during the past five years by the Company or other organization that
is a parent, subsidiary or affiliate of the Company, other than Mr. Caveney and
Mr. Wicks whose relationships are as described above.
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<PAGE> 7
RECOMMENDATION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The Board of Directors recommends that shareholders vote FOR the election
of each of the above nominees mentioned in this Item 1.
The following table sets forth, as of March 3,1997, the beneficial
ownership of Common Shares of the Company by each Nominee and R. Bradbury Clark,
who is a current member of the Board of Directors but not a Nominee. No Nominee
owns any of the Company's Preferred Shares.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
AMOUNT AND NATURE OF PERCENT OF CLASS
NAME BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP BENEFICIALLY HELD
-------------------------------------------- -------------------- -----------------
<S> <C> <C>
James L. Anderson........................... 0 *
Jean E. Auer................................ 600 *
William V. Caveney.......................... 7,695 *
R. Bradbury Clark........................... 3,019 *
N.P. Dodge, Jr. ............................ 3,600 *
Robert F. Kathol............................ 1,250 *
Lloyd E. Ross............................... 427 *
Floyd E. Wicks.............................. 2,209 *
</TABLE>
- ---------------
* Less than one percent
SECTION 16(A) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE
During 1996, there was one report required by Section 16(a) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that was not timely filed. Specifically, a Form
3 -- Initial Statement of Beneficial Ownership -- for McClellan Harris III was
not timely filed in connection with his election as an officer of the Company.
The Form 3 was filed on January 9, 1997.
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
Kirkpatrick, Pettis, Smith, Polian Inc., of which Robert F. Kathol is an
Executive Vice President, has served, at various times in the past five years,
as co-manager of the Company's offerings of Common Shares and as co-agent on the
Company's debt issuances. A subsidiary, KPM Investment Management, Inc., had
also been, until December, 1995, the Company's 401(k) Plan investment manager.
Neither Kirkpatrick, Pettis, Smith, Polian Inc. nor its subsidiaries currently
provide any services to the Company.
O'Melveny & Myers LLP, for which R. Bradbury Clark is of counsel, and of
which he is a retired partner, provides legal services to the Company. Mr. Clark
has reached the mandatory retirement age from the Board of Directors of the
Company and is not eligible for, nor is he seeking, re-election in 1997.
5
<PAGE> 8
The Board of Directors has an Audit Committee, a Nominating Committee, a
Compensation Committee and a Business Opportunities Committee. The Audit
Committee provides advice and assistance to the Board of Directors on accounting
and financial reporting practices of the Company. It reviews the scope of audit
work and findings of the firm of independent public accountants who serve as
auditors of the Company and also monitors the work of the Company's internal
auditors. It also reviews the qualifications of and recommends to the Board of
Directors a firm of independent auditors and reviews and approves fees charged
by the independent auditors. The Nominating Committee assesses qualifications of
and makes recommendations as to candidates to fill vacancies on the Board of
Directors. The Nominating Committee will consider nominations of persons for
election to the Board of Directors recommended by shareholders. In order to
submit a nomination to the Nominating Committee, such nomination must be
submitted in writing and addressed to the Office of the Secretary at the
Company's corporate headquarters. The Compensation Committee reviews and makes
recommendations to the Board of Directors as to appropriate compensation for the
President and other executive officers of the Company and determines the awards
to be made under the Company's Key Executive Long-Term Incentive Plan (see table
and accompanying footnotes on pages 11 and 12). The Business Opportunities
Committee reviews potential changes to the regulated and non-regulated
operations of the Company including acquisitions, divestitures, joint ventures
and partnerships and makes recommendations to the Board of Directors as to the
financial and operational integrity of such changes. There is no Executive
Committee.
Outside directors (presently all directors except Messrs. Caveney and
Wicks) are paid an annual retainer, payable monthly, of $15,000. In addition,
each such director receives a $1,000 fee for each meeting attended, although the
regular and organizational meetings of the board in April are deemed one meeting
for purposes of the per-meeting fee. In addition each outside director who is a
member of the Compensation Committee, Nominating Committee, Audit Committee or
Business Opportunities Committee will receive a $500 fee for each meeting
attended and the chairperson of each committee, if an outside director, will
receive an additional fee of $250 for each committee meeting attended.
Chairman of the Board Caveney earned $70,000 as chairman during 1996. The
current annual rate for such service is $50,000 effective June, 1996. President
Wicks was compensated as an officer of the Company. Neither Mr. Caveney nor Mr.
Wicks received separate compensation as a director.
During 1996, directors met as a board 9 times. The Audit Committee,
consisting of N.P. Dodge, Jr., Robert F. Kathol and R. Bradbury Clark, met 4
times in 1996; the Compensation Committee, consisting of W.V. Caveney, R.
Bradbury Clark, Jean E. Auer, N.P. Dodge, Jr., Lloyd E. Ross and Robert F.
Kathol, met 4 times in 1996; the Nominating Committee, consisting of Jean E.
Auer, Lloyd E. Ross and Floyd E. Wicks, met twice during 1996; and the Business
Opportunities Committee, consisting of Lloyd E. Ross, R. Bradbury Clark, Jean E.
Auer, W.V. Caveney and Floyd
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<PAGE> 9
E. Wicks, met twice in 1996. No director attended less than 75% of the board
meetings and other committee meetings on which such director serves.
ITEM 2.
PROPOSAL TO INCREASE AUTHORIZED NUMBER OF COMMON SHARES
The Board of Directors has approved a resolution to amend the Restated
Articles of Incorporation (the "Articles") to increase the authorized number of
Common Shares of the Company, par value of $2.50 per share, from 10,000,000
shares to 30,000,000 shares. The amendment will not effect any other changes to
the Articles. The 150,000 authorized $100 Preferred Shares with a par value of
$100 per share, of which none are outstanding, and the 86,400 authorized
Preferred Shares with a par value of $25, of which 84,800 are outstanding, will
remain unchanged.
The additional authorized Common Shares could be used for a variety of
purposes, including, among other things, financing transactions, acquisitions,
and other corporate purposes, all as may be deemed to be feasible and in the
best interests of the Company and its shareholders. Additional Common Shares
will be issued under the Company's Dividend Reinvestment and Common Share
Purchase Program and 401(k) Plan.
Except under certain limited circumstances, the Board of Directors will
have the authority to issue the additional Common Shares without further action
by the shareholders. For example, the issuance of additional Common Shares or of
securities convertible into additional Common Shares, for cash or property,
including the issuance of shares to directors, officers or employees, or as a
stock dividend would not ordinarily require shareholder approval. However,
shareholder approval of some kinds of transactions in which additional Common
Shares were to be issued, such as merger transactions, might be required. In
addition, issuances of additional Common Shares by the Company would be subject
to the approval of the California Public Utilities Commission. Shareholder
approval of the proposed increase in the number of authorized Common Shares is
being sought at this time to enable the Board of Directors to meet possible
future developments without the expense and delay of holding a special meeting
of shareholders to obtain their approval if a specific need arises in the
future.
The issuance of additional Common Shares may, among other things, dilute
the equity or book value per share, earnings per share and voting power of the
existing shareholders of the Company. Since the Common Shares have no preemptive
rights, the directors of the Company have the power to issue authorized but
unissued Common Shares at such times and for such purposes and for such
consideration as they may determine without first offering Common Shares to the
holders of Common Shares.
An increase in the number of authorized Common Shares could enable the
Board of Directors to render more difficult or discourage an attempt to obtain
control of the Company by means of a
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<PAGE> 10
merger, tender offer or other business combination transaction directed at the
Company. For example, the issuance of Common Shares in a public or private sale,
merger or similar transaction would increase the number of outstanding Common
Shares, thereby diluting the interest of a party attempting to obtain control of
the Company. The Company is not aware of any attempt, whether formal or
informal, to acquire a controlling interest in the Company.
If approved, the proposal to increase the authorized number of Common
Shares of the Company will be implemented by filing with the Secretary of State
of California a Certificate of Amendment amending the first paragraph of Article
IV of the Articles. In all other respects, Article IV as presently included in
the Articles will remain unchanged. The text of the first paragraph of Article
IV as it is proposed to be amended is as follows:
This Corporation is authorized to issue three classes of stock to be
designated, respectively, "$100 Preferred Shares", "Preferred Shares", and
"Common Shares". The total number of shares which this Corporation is
authorized to issue is 30,234,800 and the aggregate par value of all such
shares is $92,120,000; all shares of each class are to have a par value;
150,000 shares are to be $100 Preferred Shares with a par value of $100 per
share and an aggregate par value of $15,000,000; 84,800 shares are to be
Preferred Shares with a par value of $25 per share and an aggregate par
value of $2,120,000; and 30,000,000 shares are to be Common Shares with a
par value of $2.50 per share and an aggregate par value of $75,000,000.
The affirmative vote of the majority of the Common Shares voting as a
separate class, as well as the affirmative vote of the majority of the voting
power of the outstanding Common Shares and Preferred Shares entitled to vote, is
required for the approval of the proposed amendment to the Articles.
RECOMMENDATION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The Board of Directors recommends that shareholders vote FOR the approval
of the amendment to the Articles as described in this Item 2.
8
<PAGE> 11
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
EXPERIENCE, SECURITY OWNERSHIP AND COMPENSATION
In addition to Chairman Caveney (information about whose business
experience and beneficial share ownership is set forth on pages 3 and 4), the
Company had eight executive officers as of December 31, 1996. Information
regarding the identities, business experience and beneficial ownership of shares
of such individuals is shown in the following table and footnotes thereto:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
HELD SUCH COMMON SHARES PERCENT
PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION AND EXPERIENCE POSITION BENEFICIALLY OF
NAME DURING THE PAST FIVE YEARS AGE SINCE OWNED CLASS
- ------------------ --------------------------------------- --- --------- ------------- -------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Floyd E. Wicks President and Chief Executive 53 4/92 2,209 *
Officer(1)
Thomas J. Bunosky Vice President -- Customer Service of 42 4/94 641 *
Region II(2)
Joel A. Dickson Vice President -- Customer Service of 44 4/94 2,920 *
Region III(3)
James B. Gallagher Vice President -- Finance, Chief 42 4/94 1,233 *
Financial
Officer and Secretary(4)
McClellan Harris Vice President and Treasurer(5) 45 10/96 538 *
III
Donald K. Saddoris Vice President -- Customer Service of 53 4/94 2,374 *
Region I(6)
Randell J. Vogel Vice President -- Customer and 61 4/94 982 *
Operations
Support(7)
Joseph F. Young Vice President -- Regulatory Affairs(8) 52 4/94 9,537 *
</TABLE>
- ---------------
* Less than one percent
(1) President from 4/90 to 3/92.
(2) Vice President of Operations from 3/93 to 3/94; Manager of Operations from
5/91 to 2/93.
(3) Vice President -- Regulatory Affairs and Utility Business Development from
9/90 to 3/94.
(4) Secretary, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer from 10/90 to 3/94.
(5) Treasurer from 4/94 to 9/96; Director of Financial Management from 6/90 to
3/94.
(6) Director of Operations -- Northern/Coastal Division from 5/90 to 3/94.
(7) Vice President of Administration from 2/93 to 3/94, Director of
Administration from 1/93 to 2/93, Director of Information Systems from 6/92
to 12/92; Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Suburban
Water Systems from 10/85 to 4/92.
(8) Assistant Vice President for Conservation Management and Governmental
Affairs from 4/92 to 3/94, Assistant Vice President of Operations from 5/91
to 3/92 and Director of Operations from 4/89 to 4/91.
Directors and executive officers of the Company as a group beneficially own
37,025 Common Shares of the Company, which is less than one percent of the total
shares outstanding. No director or executive officer of the Company owns any of
the Company's outstanding Preferred Shares.
9
<PAGE> 12
The following table sets forth information on compensation of the Company's
Chief Executive Officer and its four most highly compensated executive officers
for the three most recent calendar years:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
LONG TERM
COMPENSATION
------------
ANNUAL PAYOUTS
COMPENSATION ------------
NAME AND PRINCIPAL ------------ LTIP ALL OTHER
POSITION YEAR SALARY(1) PAYOUTS(2) COMPENSATION(3)
- ------------------------- ----- ------------ ------------ ---------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Floyd E. Wicks - 1996 $279,054 $28,910
President and Chief 1995 263,584 4,767
Executive Officer 1994 251,796 3,700
Randell J. Vogel - Vice 1996 157,349 19,250
President - Customer 1995 143,699 4,322
and Operations 1994 124,023 2,061
Support
Joel A. Dickson - Vice 1996 154,626 19,682
President - Customer 1995 147,039 4,548
Service of Region III 1994 139,625 2,313
Thomas J. Bunosky - 1996 150,821 16,808
Vice President - 1995 142,739 4,452
Customer Service 1994 138,307 2,282
of Region II
James B. Gallagher - Vice 1996 136,609 18,795
President - Finance, 1995 128,167 3,990
Chief Financial Officer 1994 121,488 2,016
and Secretary
</TABLE>
- ---------------
(1) The executive officers of the Company receive certain perquisites, including
the personal use of a Company vehicle and personal computer. However, the
aggregate amount of such perquisites received by each named officer does
not, in the case of any such named officer, exceed 10% of the total annual
salary of such officer.
(2) The Company has a Key Executive Long-Term Incentive Plan, the provisions of
which became effective on January 1, 1995. Any payouts, which are made in
cash and/or Common Shares of the Company, would not occur prior to 1998 for
the three-year performance cycle beginning January 1, 1995, except in
certain circumstances provided in the Plan.
(3) Includes Company payment of premium on business travel and accident policy
of $39 per person per year and Company payment of the premium on group life
insurance of $212 per person per year and, in 1996 only, a special award
authorized by the Board of Directors. The balance represents the Company's
matching contribution to the 401(k) Plan for the benefit of the named
officer.
10
<PAGE> 13
The Company currently has no other bonus, profit sharing, stock option,
stock appreciation right or other remunerative program (other than pension and
welfare benefits) in effect. The Company implemented a Key Executive Long-Term
Incentive Plan effective as of January 1, 1995 (see footnote 2 above). The
following table sets forth information about this Plan for the three-year
performance cycle that began January 1, 1996.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PERFORMANCE ESTIMATED FUTURE PAYOUTS UNDER NON-STOCK
OR OTHER PRICE-BASED PLANS(2)
PERIOD UNTIL -----------------------------------------------
MATURATION THRESHOLD TARGET MAXIMUM
NAME AND PRINCIPAL POSITION OR PAYOUT(1) (# OR $)(3) (# OR $)(4) (# OR $)(3)
- ------------------------------- ------------ ----------- ----------- -----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Floyd E. Wicks - 3 years $15,720 N/A $ 104,800
President and Chief
Executive Officer
Joel A. Dickson - Vice 3 years $ 7,300 N/A $ 43,800
President - Customer
Service of Region III
Thomas J. Bunosky - 3 years $ 7,050 N/A $ 42,300
Vice President -
Customer Service
of Region II
Randell J. Vogel - Vice 3 years $ 7,350 N/A $ 44,100
President - Customer
and Operations
Support
James B. Gallagher - Vice 3 years $ 6,350 N/A $ 38,100
President - Finance,
Chief Financial Officer
and Secretary
</TABLE>
- ---------------
(1) It is intended, but not required, under the Company's Key Executive
Long-Term Incentive Plan that a three-year performance cycle (as such cycle
is defined in the Plan, the "Performance Cycle") until payout of the awards
under the Plan will begin to run at the start of each calendar year. The
information presented in the table above is for the three-year performance
cycle that began January 1, 1996. Payment of awards is to be made as soon as
practicable after the end of the Performance Cycle to which they relate. If
a Termination of Service (as defined in the Plan) of a participant occurs
during a Performance Cycle for any reason other than death, disability,
normal retirement or early retirement, the participant will forfeit the
opportunity to receive an award for that Performance Cycle. If a participant
dies, becomes disabled or retires during a Performance Cycle, the
participant will be eligible to receive a pro rata award (based on the
number of days the participant was employed substantially full-time during
that Performance Cycle) for that Performance Cycle. The Plan also contains
provisions for the payment of awards if there is a change of control of the
Company (as defined in the Plan) before the end of a Performance Cycle.
11
<PAGE> 14
(2) Awards under the Plan are established as a percentage of each Plan
participant's annual base salary and are payable in cash and/or Company
Common Shares. Awards for the Performance Cycle that began in 1996 will be
based on the Company's ranking, expressed as a percentile, for growth in
earnings per share and total shareholder return relative to the
corresponding measures for the companies that comprise the Peer Group
referred to on page 17. A ranking below the 40th percentile among the
companies in the Peer Group with respect to either performance measure will
result in no award with respect to that measure, while the maximum award for
either performance measure will be paid for a ranking at or above the 75th
percentile with respect to that measure. Awards will be reduced if the
Company's return on equity falls more than 50 basis points below the
Company's Authorized Rate of Return (as defined in the Plan), and awards
will not be paid at all if the Company's share price at the end of a
Performance Cycle is less than 80% of its price at the beginning of that
cycle.
(3) Figures listed represent the amount of awards that would be payable to the
executives if the Company were to achieve a ranking among the Peer Group at
the 40th percentile (Threshold) and for any percentile at or above the 75th
percentile (Maximum) for each of the performance measures. The Plan also
specifies awards for performance at the 50th and 60th percentiles with
respect to each of the performance measures. Awards for performance at
percentiles between such stated percentiles will be calculated by linear
interpolation.
(4) Participants in the Plan are not assigned a "target" award. Rather, awards
are variable depending upon the Company's performance with respect to each
of the performance measures for the Performance Cycle (see footnote (3)
above).
12
<PAGE> 15
PENSION PLAN
The Company maintains a noncontributory, defined benefit pension plan.
Benefits are determined under a formula applied uniformly to all employees,
regardless of position, and amounts depend on length of service and the average
of the five highest consecutive years of compensation earned. For purposes of
pension calculations, compensation includes salary and all other compensation
but excludes the value of personal use of Company vehicles and other
perquisites. An employee who terminates employment after having at least five
years of service with the Company has a vested interest in the plan.
Annual benefits payable at retirement (at age 65 or beyond) are reduced by
a percentage of primary social security benefits based upon years of credited
service and are payable monthly. The following table illustrates the estimated
annual benefits payable upon retirement for persons in the earnings
classifications with years of service as shown, but excluding the Social
Security deduction.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
BENEFITS BASED ON LENGTH OF SERVICE
AVERAGE ANNUAL --------------------------------------------------------------------------
SALARY FOR HIGHEST 15 20 25 30
CONSECUTIVE FIVE YEARS YEARS YEARS YEARS YEARS 35 YEARS 40 YEARS
- ------------------------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
$ 75,000 $22,500 $30,000 $37,500 $45,000 $ 52,500 $ 60,000
100,000 30,000 40,000 50,000 60,000 70,000 80,000
125,000 37,500 50,000 62,500 75,000 87,500 100,000
150,000 45,000 60,000 75,000 90,000 105,000 120,000
</TABLE>
The executive officers of the Company not presently receiving pension
benefits have the following credited years of service under the pension plan:
Floyd E. Wicks -- 9; McClellan Harris III -- 6; Joel A. Dickson -- 6; Thomas J.
Bunosky -- 6; Randell J. Vogel -- 4, James B. Gallagher -- 9, Joseph F.
Young -- 19 and Donald K. Saddoris -- 29.
The plan provides an early retirement option for those employees the sum of
whose age and number of years of service equals at least 90.
The Company has a Retirement Plan for Non-Employee Directors (the
"Non-Employee Directors Plan") of the Company. This Plan provides annual
benefits to an eligible director in an amount equal to the annual retainer in
effect at the director's date of retirement. Benefits are payable in monthly
installments for a period equal to the shortest of (a) the period he or she was
a director or (b) 10 years. In the case of a director's death, benefits will
continue to be received by that director's surviving spouse for the remaining
period for which the director would have been entitled to receive benefits
except for death. Benefits are payable to directors after the age of 62 and
after retirement from the Board, except that a director who ceases to be a
director before attaining age 62 because of ill health or death may receive
benefits immediately after retirement from the Board, or at such later date as
he or she may request. Directors who are "removed for cause" are not eligible
for benefits under the Non-Employee Directors Plan. As a condition of
participation in the Non-Employee Directors Plan, an eligible director must
agree to retire from the Board at the annual shareholders'
13
<PAGE> 16
meeting occurring on or next following such director's 72nd birthday, and to
accept nomination as a director if requested by the Board (and to serve if so
nominated) for at least 10 years after his or her first election to the Board.
DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN FOR DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVES
Under the Company's Deferred Compensation Plan for Directors and
Executives, directors and eligible officers and employees are entitled to defer
all, in the case of directors, or a portion, in the case of officers and
employees, of their compensation until specified times after the deferral.
Interest accrues on amounts deferred under this Plan.
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION
The Compensation Committee's report on executive compensation is set forth
below. Mr. William V. Caveney, a member of this Committee and Chairman of the
Board of Directors, is, in his capacity as Chairman, an officer of the Company.
Mr. Caveney does not actively participate in the daily operation of the Company,
duties as to which are the responsibility of Mr. Wicks, President and Chief
Executive Officer of the Company. The Compensation Committee does not recommend
or determine Mr. Caveney's compensation as Chairman of the Board. No other
member of this Committee is a current or former officer or employee of the
Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates.
All of the Company's directors except Mr. Wicks are members of the
Compensation Committee. Mr. Kathol is Executive Vice President of Kirkpatrick,
Pettis, Smith, Polian Inc., which has served as co-manager of the Company's
Common Share offerings and as co-agent on the Company's debt sales in the past.
A subsidiary, KPM Investment Management, Inc., had also been, until December,
1995, the Company's 401(K) Plan investment manager. The firm of Kirkpatrick,
Pettis, Smith, Polian Inc. and its subsidiaries do not currently provide any
services to the Company.
O'Melveny & Myers LLP, for which R. Bradbury Clark is of counsel, and of
which he is a retired partner, provides legal services to the Company. Mr. Clark
has reached the mandatory retirement age from the Board of Directors of the
Company and is not eligible for, nor is he seeking, re-election in 1997.
The following Report and the Performance Graph included in this proxy
statement shall not be deemed to be incorporated by reference by any general
statement incorporating by reference this proxy statement into any filing under
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
as amended, except to the extent the Company specifically incorporates this
Report or the Performance Graph by reference therein, and shall not be deemed
soliciting material or otherwise deemed filed under either of such Acts.
14
<PAGE> 17
REPORT ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
To: The Board of Directors
The principal responsibility of the Compensation Committee is to review and
make recommendations as to the compensation of the executive officers of the
Company (other than the Chairman of the Board). In addition to recommending cash
and other kinds of compensation, our responsibility includes the consideration
of related matters such as evaluating management performance and planning for
management planning and succession. The Compensation Committee reviews these
matters in detail with you and reports to you the Committee's recommendations as
to compensation of these executive officers.
The Compensation Committee particularly reviews, in detail, the performance
and other aspects of compensation for the President and Chief Executive Officer,
Floyd E. Wicks.
In its deliberations concerning compensation for Mr. Wicks and the
Company's other executive officers in April, 1996, the Committee relied on both
objective and subjective criteria. We reviewed comparative salary and total
compensation data for Mr. Wicks and other executive officers, the results of
which were included as part of a report entitled "An Assessment of Executive
Compensation", prepared by Strategic Compensation Associates ("SCA"). This
report was initially prepared in January, 1995 and was updated by SCA at the
request of this committee. In addition, we relied on other compensation data
developed by the Company's Human Resources department, which included comparable
cash salary data of other water utilities, as well as comments and evaluative
recommendations of Mr. Wicks based on his formal appraisal of each executive's
performance. In conducting the formal appraisals, Mr. Wicks reviewed the
contribution of each executive in the areas of regulatory matters,
implementation of the Company's organizational goals and general progress made
toward the achievement of individually determined, job-related goals.
As part of our review, we recognize that our responsibilities also extend
to offering compensation opportunities designed to retain and attract managerial
talent. We believe that the Key Executive Long-Term Incentive Plan will result
in closer alignment of management's goals with those of the shareholders by
providing compensation to management based upon the Company's achievement, over
rolling three-year performance cycles, of specified targets for total
shareholder return and growth in earnings per share. Awards earned under the
Plan supplement base compensation and should enhance the Company's ability to
attract and retain qualified personnel.
As in the past, we have not adopted a direct formula relationship between
the Company's financial performance and the level of compensation paid to Mr.
Wicks and other executive officers in part because of the pervasive effects that
varying regulatory practices and weather conditions have on financial
performance. We believe that these effects are largely outside the immediate
control of the executive officers. Accordingly, in determining executives'
compensation, the committee also relied
15
<PAGE> 18
upon its subjective evaluation of the Company's earnings performance, in light
of those considerations, and of the performance of the executives in maintaining
and enhancing the Company's ability to meet its challenges. These challenges
include (i) water quality and water supply, (ii) appropriately enhancing
earnings and (iii) successfully resolving issues before the California Public
Utilities Commission and other regulatory agencies (including the Company's
continuing response to the CPUC-ordered management audit). Upon review of all of
the objective and subjective factors described above, in April 1996, we
recommended and the Board authorized that Mr. Wicks' annual base compensation be
set at $275,000.
We recognize that changes to the Internal Revenue Code in 1993 affect,
subject to limited exceptions, the deductibility of compensation in excess of
$1,000,000 for certain executive officers unless such compensation qualifies as
"performance-based." However, since the Company's current compensation program
does not provide for annual compensation to any executive in excess of
$1,000,000, the deduction limitations are presently inapplicable to the Company.
We will address this limitation if and when it becomes meaningful.
Compensation Committee
Jean E. Auer N.P. Dodge, Jr.
William V. Caveney Robert F. Kathol
R. Bradbury Clark Lloyd E. Ross
16
<PAGE> 19
PERFORMANCE GRAPH
The graph below compares the performance of the Company to that of (1) the
Standard & Poor's 500 Stock Index, (2) a peer group index developed by the
Company for the Key Executive Long-Term Incentive Plan (the "Former Peer Group")
and (3) a peer group index developed by the Company currently in effect for the
Key Executive Long-Term Incentive Plan (the "Current Peer Group").
The 17 water and electric companies initially selected by the Compensation
Committee of the Board of Directors and included in the Former Peer Group were
intended to provide an appropriate basis for comparison with the Company in
determining awards payable under the Key Executive Long-Term Incentive Plan. The
Former Peer Group consisted of 17 companies: American Water Works Inc., Aquarion
Company, Consumers Water Company, Connecticut Water Service, Inc., California
Water Service Company, Citizens Utilities Company (Class A and Class B), Empire
District Electric Company, E'Town Corporation, Green Mountain Power Corporation,
IWC Resources Corporation, Middlesex Water Company, Northwestern Public Service
Company, Philadelphia Suburban Corporation, St. Joseph Light & Power Company,
SJW Corp., Southwest Water Company and United Water Resources, Inc. However,
based on current trends affecting the electric utility industry as well as
reconsideration of the degree of comparability of certain water utilities to the
Company, the Compensation Committee has modified the Former Peer Group index to
include 8 water utilities only. The 8 water companies which comprise the Current
Peer Group are: Aquarion Corp., Consumers Water Company, California Water
Service Company, E'Town Corp., IWC Resources Corp., Philadelphia Suburban Corp.,
SJW Corp. and United Water Resources, Inc.
17
<PAGE> 20
The graph below shows the total return to shareholders for the last five
years of an initial investment of $100 made on December 31, 1991 and assuming
reinvestment of all dividends. As with any investment, the historical
performance reflected in the performance graph is not necessarily indicative of
future performance.
COMPARISON OF FIVE YEAR CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN*
AMONG SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA WATER COMPANY, THE S & P 500 STOCK INDEX,
A FORMER PEER GROUP AND A CURRENT PEER GROUP.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
MEASUREMENT PERIOD SOUTHERN CALIFOR- CURRENT PEER
(FISCAL YEAR COVERED) NIA WATER CO. GROUP FORMER PEER GROUP S & P 500
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
12/91 100 100 100 100
12/92 127 110 112 108
12/93 147 125 129 118
12/94 125 119 108 120
12/95 155 134 127 165
12/96 177 178 135 203
</TABLE>
- ---------------
* $100 invested on December 31, 1991 in stock or index including reinvestment of
dividends. Fiscal year ended December 31.
18
<PAGE> 21
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS
The following table sets forth information with respect to the beneficial
owners of more than five percent of any class of the Company's voting securities
on February 28, 1997 based upon public information known to the Company.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
AMOUNT AND
NATURE OF
NAME AND ADDRESS OF BENEFICIAL PERCENT
BENEFICIAL OWNER TITLE OF CLASS OWNERSHIP OF CLASS
- ---------------------------------------- ------------------ ------------------ --------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Co. Preferred Shares 12,000 -- Direct 14.1
1295 State Street
Springfield, MA
J.P. Morgan & Co., Incorporated Common Shares 413,500 -- Direct 5.2
60 Wall Street
New York, NY
</TABLE>
ANNUAL REPORT (FORM 10-K)
The Company undertakes, on written request, to provide, without charge,
each person from whom the accompanying proxy is solicited, with a copy of the
Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1996 as
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the financial
statements and schedules. Requests should be addressed to Southern California
Water Company, 630 East Foothill Boulevard, San Dimas, California 91773,
Attention: Office of the Treasurer.
RELATIONSHIP WITH INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
Arthur Andersen LLP served as the Company's independent public accountants
for the year ended December 31, 1996. No accounting firm has been selected for
the current year. The Board of Directors normally selects the public accountants
for each year in July of that year. Representatives of Arthur Andersen LLP will
be at the Annual Meeting and will have an opportunity to make a statement if
they so desire, and will be available to respond to appropriate questions.
19
<PAGE> 22
OTHER MATTERS
Management of the Company knows of no business, other than that mentioned
above, to be transacted at the Annual Meeting, but if other matters do properly
come before the meeting, it is the intention of the persons named in the
enclosed proxy to vote in regard thereto in accordance with their judgment, and
discretionary authority to do so is included in the proxy. Whether or not you
intend to be present at the meeting, you are urged to complete, sign and return
your proxy promptly.
PROPOSALS FOR NEXT ANNUAL MEETING
Any proposal which a shareholder intends to present at the next Annual
Meeting of Shareholders to be held in April, 1998 must be received at the
principal executive office of the Company by November 15, 1997 if such proposal
is to be considered for inclusion in the Company's proxy statement and form of
proxy relating to that meeting. In addition, the Company's bylaws contain
separate notice requirements applicable to the bringing of business before the
Annual Meeting of Shareholders by a shareholder of the Company. The Company
maintains at its principal executive offices in San Dimas, California, a copy of
its bylaws, as amended, which bylaws will be open to inspection by shareholders
at all reasonable times during office hours.
20
<PAGE> 23
PROXY
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA WATER COMPANY
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The undersigned hereby appoints N.P. Dodge, Jr. and W.V. Caveney proxies, with
power to act without the other and with power of substitution, and hereby
authorizes them to represent and vote, as designated on the other side, all the
shares of stock of Southern California Water Company standing in the name of the
undersigned with all powers which the undersigned would possess if present at
the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of the Company to be held April 29, 1997 or
any adjournment of that meeting.
(CONTINUED, AND TO BE MARKED, DATED AND SIGNED, ON THE OTHER SIDE)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FOLD AND DETACH HERE
IMPORTANT NOTICE TO SHAREHOLDERS
OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA WATER COMPANY
THE ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS WILL BE HELD ON
APRIL 29, 1997 AT 10:00 A.M.
AT THE SHERATON SUITES FAIRPLEX
MAP TO SHERATON SUITES FAIRPLEX
601 WEST MCKINLEY AVE. POMONA, CA. 91768
PHONE: (909) 622-2220 -- (800) 722-6055
[MAP]
<PAGE> 24
Please mark
your votes as /X/
indicated in
this example
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS
A VOTE FOR EACH OF THE DIRECTOR
NOMINEES LISTED IN ITEM 1 AND FOR
THE PROPOSAL DESCRIBED IN ITEM 2.
Item 1. ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
Nominees: James L. Anderson Jean E. Auer
Robert F. Kathol William V. Caveney
Lloyd E. Ross N.P. Dodge, Jr.
Floyd E. Wicks
FOR WITHHELD
FOR ALL
/ / / /
WITHHELD FOR: (write name of such Nominee(s)
in the space provided below.)
____________________________________________
Item 2. Proposal to increase the number of authorized
common shares from 10,000,000 to 30,000,000.
FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN
/ / / / / /
Item 3. In their discretion, the Proxies are authorized to vote upon
such other business as may properly come before the meeting.
IF THIS PROXY CARD IS SIGNED AND RETURNED BUT IS
NOT MARKED, IT WILL BE VOTED FOR EACH OF THE DIRECTOR NOMINEES
LISTED UNDER ITEM 1 AND FOR THE PROPOSAL DESCRIBED IN ITEM 2.
Signature(s)___________________________________________Date____________________
NOTE: Please sign as name appears hereon. Joint owners should each sign. When
signing as attorney, executor, administrator, trustee or guardian, please give
full title as such.
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*FOLD AND DETACH HERE*
Dear Shareholder:
The Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Southern California Water Company
will be held on Tuesday, April 29, 1997, at 10:00 A.M., Pacific time, at the
Sheraton Suites Fairplex, 601 West McKinley Avenue, Pomona, California. You
are cordially invited to attend.
The enclosed notice of the meeting and accompanying proxy statement
cover the formal business of the meeting.
Your continued interest in Southern California Water Company is
appreciated and we hope that you will find it convenient to attend the
meeting. However, whether or not you plan to attend in person, please assure
representation of your shares by marking, signing and mailing in the
accompanying proxy card.
Sincerely,
/s/ W.V. Caveney
W.V. Caveney
Chairman of the Board
