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<PAGE>
EXHIBIT 10.28
AGREEMENT FOR CONTRIBUTION OF ASSETS
IN EXCHANGE FOR PARTNERSHIP INTERESTS
THIS AGREEMENT is made this _____ day of December, 2002, by and between
V-1 OIL CO., an Idaho corporation ("Transferor") and Heritage Operating, L.P., a
Delaware limited partnership ("Operating"), Heritage Propane Partners, L.P., a
Delaware limited partnership (the "Partnership"), and each of Sandra G. Truex,
Kristie B. Pederson, Mark J. Bennion, Julie B. Mertlich and Patti B. Eaton (each
an "Owner" and collectively these individuals are the "Owners") for purposes of
Sections 8.5, 8.20, 8.23, 12.4, 12.5, 12.6, 12.7 and 12.9.
RECITALS:
A. Transferor owns and operates a business engaged in the retail sales
of propane gas and related products and services, and all activities associated
with that business (the "Operations") in those cities and areas set forth on
Annex I attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference (the "Plant
Facilities"). Transferor uses the Plant Facilities to sell and distribute LP-gas
products and related services in the areas surrounding the Plant Facilities to a
number of individuals and entities (the "Customers"). Transferor desires to
either contribute or sell, as the case may be, all of the assets used in the
Operations other than the "Excluded Assets".
B. Transferor has agreed to contribute to the Partnership, as a capital
contribution thereto, all of the assets of the Transferor described in Section
1.1 as the "Contributed Property" in exchange for the HPP Units (hereinafter
defined).
C. Transferor has agreed to sell to Operating, for the consideration
described in Section 1.2, all of the assets of the Transferor described in
Section 1.2 (the "Additional Property").
D. The Partnership has agreed to contribute to Operating, as a capital
contribution thereto, all of the Contributed Property (hereinafter defined).
E. The Partnership wishes to acquire the Contributed Property used in
the Operations from the Transferor and, thereafter, contribute the same to
Operating upon the terms and conditions set forth herein.
F. Operating wishes to acquire the Additional Property used in the
Operations from the Transferor and the Contributed Property used in the
Operations from the Partnership upon the terms and conditions set forth herein.
H. At the time of the Closing, Operating will assume all obligations of
the Partnership to the Transferor arising hereunder (other than the obligations
to issue HPP Units as hereinafter defined) and issue to the Partnership
additional limited partnership interests in Operating in exchange for the
Partnership's contribution to Operating of the Contributed Property, and as an
accommodation to the Partnership and Operating the Transferor will assign the
Contributed Property directly to Operating.
<PAGE>
DEFINITIONS
The following definitions are used in this Agreement as defined in the
Sections set forth opposite such terms:
<Table>
<Caption>
Defined Term Section Reference
------------ -----------------
<S> <C>
Accounts Receivable 3
Additional Property 1.2
Agreed Value 2
Assets 1.2
Assumed Obligations 6
Average Price 2.4
Billings Fire 2.5
Cash Portion of the Value 1.2
CERCLA 7.5
Certification 7.13
Claims Fund 4.2
Closing 11.1
Code 7.9
Collection Period 3
commercially reasonable best efforts 8.11
Consents 7.2
Contracts 1.2
Contributed Customer Tanks 1.1
Contributed Property 1.1
Count 5.1
Credits 2.2
Customers Recitals
Customer Deposits 2.2
Customer Leases 1.2
Customer Tanks 1.2
Damage 10.1
Deeds 8.2
Delivery Credit 2.2
Disclosure Letters 8.15
Environmental Condition 7.5(b)
Environmental Fund 4.2
ERISA 7.9
Exchange Act 8.16
Exchange Number 1.3
Excluded Assets 1.2
Final Count 5.1
Formula Price 2.4
Hardware 1.2
HPP Unit 1.1
HPP Unit Value 1.3
</Table>
<PAGE>
<Table>
<Caption>
Defined Term Section Reference
------------ -----------------
<S> <C>
HPP Units 1.1
Indemnified Party 10.3
Indemnifying Party 10.3
Interest Factor 9.7(a)
Leased Real Property Schedule 1.2(v)
Lease and Option 8.2
Operations Recitals
Operating Recitals
Owned Real Property Schedule 1.1(ii) and 1.2(v)
Partnership Recitals
Partnership Agreement 7.12
Permitted Encumbrances 7.2
Plant Facilities Recitals
Processing Fee 3
Propane Inventory 1.2
Real Property 1.2
Relocation Cost 8.22
Restricted Area 8.5(a)(1)
Restricted Party 8.5(a)
Restricted Parties 8.5(a)
Sale Customer Tanks 1.2
SEC Documents 9.4
Securities Act 7.12
Security Agreement 4.2
Tank Bucket 5.2
Tax Payment 9.7(a)
Title Commitments 12.1
Transferred Employee 8.3(a)
Transferor Recitals
Transition Services Agreement 8.23
Wyoming Property 8.21
</Table>
NOW, THEREFORE, the parties hereto agree as follows:
1.0 CONTRIBUTION AND SALE OF ASSETS.
1.1 Contribution. Transferor will contribute, in exchange for the
Exchange Number of the Common Units in the Partnership listed for trading on the
New York Stock Exchange (collectively, the "HPP Units" and individually an "HPP
Unit"), and the Partnership will thereby acquire, effective upon the Closing,
the following property and rights which are used in the Operations (the
"Contributed Property") consisting of (i) certain customer storage tanks,
together with pigtails, regulators and other related equipment ("Contributed
Customer Tanks") which are listed on the attached Schedule 1.1(i).
<PAGE>
1.2 Sale. Transferor will sell to Operating for FIFTEEN MILLION
AND NO/100 DOLLARS ($15,000,000.00) in cash, plus the payments for the (i)
Propane Inventory (defined below) and (ii) the Hardware (defined below), each as
provided in Section 2.1, the payment for the Accounts Receivable as provided in
Section 3, and adjustments pursuant to Section 2.2 (collectively, the "Cash
Portion of the Value"), and Operating will thereby acquire effective upon the
Closing the following property and rights which are used in the Operations (the
"Additional Property") consisting of (i) customer storage tanks, together with
pigtails, regulators and other related equipment not otherwise included in the
Contributed Customer Tanks ("Sale Customer Tanks"), (ii) bulk plant storage
tanks with pumps, motors, piping, piers, fencing and other related equipment,
(iii) motor vehicles, (iv) miscellaneous office equipment, tools and other
related equipment, (v) rights in real estate directly related to Transferor's
Operations (the "Real Property"), (vi) customer tank leases ("Customer Leases"),
(vii) contracts with Customers and suppliers ("Contracts"), (viii) the telephone
number(s) and post office box numbers of the Transferor, (ix) Customer lists and
records, goodwill, trade names (including "V-1 Propane," "V-1," and "V-1 Oil")
including the Registered Trademark No. 2,617,855 for V-1 Oil, and (x) all
inventories of propane gas ("Propane Inventory") and of new and saleable
hardware, appliances, fittings, and related items held for sale to Customers
(the "Hardware"), the Transferor's Accounts Receivable (the "Accounts
Receivable"), and all other tangible property used in the Operations not
otherwise included in the Contributed Property, most of which are described on
Schedules 1.2(i) through 1.2(ix), excluding therefrom the property described on
Schedules 1.2(xi) (the "Excluded Assets"). (The Contributed Property and the
Additional Property acquired hereby are collectively referred to as the
"Assets." (The Contributed Customer Tanks and the Sale Customer Tanks are
collectively the "Customer Tanks.")
1.3 Exchange Number. The "Exchange Number" shall be that number
of HPP Units rounded to the nearest whole unit that is equal to the number
derived by dividing $15,000,000 (the "HPP Unit Value") by the Formula Price.
(For example, if the Average Price is $27.50, then the Formula Price is $27.50 x
.97 = $26.675 and the Exchange Number is $15,000,000 / $26.675 or 562,324 HPP
Units.)
2. AGREED VALUE AND ADJUSTMENTS. The Agreed Value for all of the Assets
other than the Hardware (valued pursuant to Section 2.1(b)), the Propane
Inventory (valued pursuant to Section 2.1(a)) and the Accounts Receivable
(valued pursuant to Section 3) (the "Agreed Value") shall be THIRTY MILLION AND
NO/100 DOLLARS ($30,000,000.00) in the form of the Cash Portion of the Value for
the Additional Property and the HPP Unit Value for the Contributed Property,
subject to adjustment as provided in this Sections 2.2 and 2.5.
2.1 Inventory.
(a) Propane Inventory. As of Closing, an inventory of Propane
Inventory shall be conducted jointly by the parties and the value of such
Propane Inventory shall be computed utilizing Transferor's laid-in cost for the
Propane Inventory, which includes freight. The value of such Propane Inventory
shall be paid by Operating to Transferor by check within thirty (30) days
following Closing.
<PAGE>
(b) Hardware Inventory. An inventory of the Hardware shall be
conducted jointly by the parties as of Closing and the value of such Hardware,
as agreed, shall be paid by Operating to Transferor by check within thirty (30)
days following the Closing. The inventory of new and saleable hardware,
appliances, fittings, and related items held for sale to Customers will be
valued at Transferor's cost. Obsolete and/or used equipment and parts will be
excluded from the sale and retained by the Transferor.
2.2 Adjustment to Cash Portion of the Value for Taxes, Tank Rent,
Utilities, Rents, Customer Deposits, Credit Balances and Other Prorations. The
parties will calculate and prorate, as of the day of the Closing, all taxes
(other than taxes measured by revenues or income) with property taxes, if not
assessed for the current year, calculated on a calendar basis based on the prior
year's assessment, which are attributable to the Assets acquired hereunder.
Transferor shall be responsible for the charges attributable to the period
through Closing and Operating for periods thereafter. All sales, use or other
transactional taxes imposed on the transfer of any of the Assets shall be
charged fifty percent (50%) to the Transferor and fifty percent (50%) to
Operating. Operating will give the Transferor credit for any transferred utility
deposits. If utility charges are not available as of the day of the Closing,
they shall be prorated and paid upon their receipt, and each party shall
cooperate in the transfer of ownership and contracting for such services.
Rentals on all Leased Real Property will be prorated to the date of Closing. Any
tank rents received or invoiced by Transferor prior to Closing for property
transferred hereunder shall be prorated as of the day of Closing. Transferor's
credit balances shall be identified on Schedule 2.2 (the "Delivery Credit") and
shall be deducted from the Cash Portion of the Value and Operating shall assume
responsibility for such future delivery or other credit. All of Transferor's
outstanding customer deposits are identified on Schedule 2.2 (the "Customer
Deposits"), and Operating will be given credit by reduction of the Cash Portion
of the Value and Operating will assume the obligation for such Customer
Deposits. Any customer credit balances ("Credits") not otherwise identified
herein are also identified on Schedule 2.2 and Operating will be given credit
therefor. The Payment in cash at Closing pursuant to Section 4.1 shall be
increased or decreased, as the case may be, to reflect any amounts due on
account of prorations and adjustment of Section 2.2.
2.3 Exchange Issue Price. The HPP Units will be exchanged at the
per unit price equal to the Formula Price.
2.4 Formula Price/Average Price. The "Formula Price" shall be the
Average Price times 0.97. The "Average Price" means the average of the closing
sales prices of a HPP Unit as reported in The Wall Street Journal - Composite
Transactions for the 20 consecutive trading days commencing on the tenth trading
day prior to the day that the transaction contemplated by this Agreement is
publicly announced.
2.5 Adjustment for Impairment of Assets. Should any portion of
the Assets be materially impaired in value by any casualty between the date of
this Agreement and the Closing, the parties shall adjust the Cash Portion of the
Value by reducing the Cash Portion by the amount of the reduction of the fair
market value of the property injured caused by such loss. In addition, the Cash
Portion shall be reduced by the (i) value of the supplies, tools, equipment and
miscellaneous items lost or injured by reason of the Billings, Montana District
fire at this location that occurred on or about October 29, 2002 (the "Billings
Fire"); (ii) amount of the insurance proceeds received by Transferor plus the
amount of Transferor's deductible relating to the bobtail delivery vehicle lost
or
<PAGE>
injured by reason of the Billings Fire; and (iii) amount of the insurance
proceeds received by Transferor plus the amount of Transferor's deductible
relating to bobtail delivery vehicle #9740 lost or injured by reason of the
accident occurring near Dubois, Wyoming on or about December 5, 2002.
3. ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE. At the Closing Operating shall acquire the
Transferor's Accounts Receivable arising from the Operations on the following
basis:
(a) Current accounts (less than 31 days old) at 92% of
face value;
(b) Accounts 31-60 days old at 87% of face value;
(c) Accounts 61-90 days old at 80% of face value;
(d) Accounts 91-365 days old at 50% of face value; and
(e) All other accounts at 0% of face value;
provided, however, (i) if any single account is in excess of 4.9% of the total
Accounts Receivable, (ii) the account is owned by an affiliate of the
transferor, (iii) the account debtor is in any bankruptcy or receivership
proceeding, or (iv) the account is subject to a Conditional Sale Security
Agreement, then in any such case the parties shall enter into a mutual agreement
as to its value, and if they fail to reach agreement, it shall be excluded from
the sale.
The total of the payment for the Accounts Receivable shall be
determined and paid within three (3) business days following the Transferor's
delivery of a listing of such accounts verified by an officer of Transferor as
being true and correct in all material respects.
4. PAYMENT OF AGREED VALUE, INVENTORIES, AND ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE. The
Agreed Value shall be paid at the time and in the following manner:
4.1 Transfers at Closing. The Cash Portion of the Value, plus
such additions and credits as provided in this Agreement and less such
deductions and credits as provided in this Agreement, shall be paid by wire
transfer at Closing to an account designated by the Transferor at least three
(3) business days prior to the Closing, and the HPP Unit Value will be exchanged
by delivery to the Transferor of the certificates representing the HPP Units at
or within three (3) business days following the Closing.
4.2 Segregation of Cash Portion of Value Into Secured Funds. The
sum of FIVE MILLION FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS ($5,500,000.00) shall be
deducted from the Cash Portion of the Value and shall be paid by Operating to a
separate account of the Transferor to be held subject to a first security
interest in favor of Operating and subject to claims hereunder, to be held
pursuant to the terms of the Security Agreement attached as Exhibit 4.2 (the
"Security Agreement"). (The Security Agreement provides for two (2) accounts:
(i) $2,000,000 for any claims (other than those in subsection (ii) which
follows), which account will not be reduced except for any claims under this
Agreement held for a period of two (2) years (the "Claims Fund"), and (ii)
$3,500,000 that will be held for five (5) years for (a) claims arising pursuant
to Section 7.5,
<PAGE>
(b) costs of remediation payable pursuant to the terms of the Security Agreement
(the "Environmental Fund"), (c) any payment of a Relocation Cost under Section
8.22, and (d) payments under Section 8.21.)
4.3 Inventories and Accounts Receivable. Operating and the
Partnership shall pay for the Propane Inventories and Hardware Inventory within
thirty (30) days following the Closing, and the Accounts Receivable shall be
paid within three (3) business days of the receipt of and the agreement to the
Accounts Receivable listing.
5. VERIFICATION OF CUSTOMER STORAGE TANKS.
5.1 Count of Customer Storage Tanks. After the Closing, Operating
will diligently proceed to physically count and otherwise verify the number of
Customer Tanks actually existing and will deliver its report of that number (the
"Count") to Transferor not later than six (6) months after the day of the
Closing. The notice supplied to Transferor shall identify those Customer Tanks
not verified to the Customer Listing set forth on Schedule 1.2(vi) and/or
Schedule 1.2(vii). Upon receipt of such notice, Transferor (at its effort and
expense) shall have one (1) month to verify those storage tanks not verified by
Operating. The Count, subject to any adjustment by Transferor by providing
verification of missing tanks, shall become the "Final Count" at the end of the
two hundred ten (210) day period.
5.2 Shortage of Tanks. In the event the Final Count discloses a
number of Customer Tanks that is lower than that shown on Schedules 1.1(i) and
1.2(i), the Agreed Value shall be reduced by an amount equal to the product of
multiplying the number of each type of tank that is short by the value of that
type of tank listed on Schedule 5.2, and the value of any overage of tanks in
one category may be offset against a shortage in another category. If the amount
of such reduction exceeds five percent (5%) of the total value of all Customer
Tanks (using Schedule 5.2) (the "Tank Bucket"), then the amount of the payment
in excess of the Tank Bucket shall be refunded to Operating (with interest at
six percent (6%) per annum) from the funds held subject to the Security
Agreement within ten (10) days of receiving written request for such payment.
5.3 Proof of Ownership. For the purpose of verification of the
number of Customer Tanks pursuant to Section 5.1 hereof, only the following
Customer Tanks physically verified and with one of the following proofs of
ownership shall be included in the Count and the Final Count:
(a) Those Customer Tanks for which Transferor has a valid
executed lease agreement between Transferor (or any predecessor in interest) and
a Customer or a valid contract that recognizes the Transferor's ownership of
such tank; or
(b) Those Customer Tanks for which Transferor, with, if
necessary, the cooperation and assistance of Operating's representatives, is
able to secure a new lease agreement after Operating shall have furnished the
Transferor a listing of unverified tanks; or
(c) Those Customer Tanks for which Transferor is receiving
tank rental incomes; or
<PAGE>
(d) All Customer Tanks stored at the Plant Facilities as of
the day of the Closing.
6. NO ASSUMPTION OF LIABILITIES. Neither the Partnership nor Operating
shall assume any liabilities of Transferor, except those for which the
Partnership or Operating has received credit as an adjustment at Closing and
those described in Schedule 6 hereto (the "Assumed Obligations").
7. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF TRANSFEROR. As additional
consideration for the transactions contemplated herein, Transferor makes the
following representations, warranties, and covenants as of the date hereof and
(except as may be set forth in a Disclosure Letter as provided by Section 8.15,
if any, and specifically waived by Operating at Closing) as of the Closing, each
of which is deemed by the parties to be material and shall survive the Closing:
7.1 Corporate Standing, Powers, Authorizations and
Non-Violations. Transferor is a corporation duly organized, validly existing,
and in good standing under the laws of the state of Idaho, has full corporate
power to own its properties and to carry on the Operations as now being
conducted, and has full corporate power to execute, deliver, and perform this
Agreement, and has obtained all corporate authorizations and any other approvals
or consents necessary for the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereunder without violation of any
agreement or order to which the Transferor or its property is subject,
including, without limitation, the approval of its board of directors and its
stockholders.
7.2 Marketable Title/Condition. Transferor has good and
marketable title to all of the Assets to be acquired by Operating hereunder,
free and clear of any mortgage, pledge, lien, conditional sales agreement, lease
(except leases on Customer Tanks, provided that the same do not contain any
purchase option for said tank at less than the fair market value at the time of
purchase), judgment, or other claim, charge, or encumbrance of any kind or
character, except for liens for current property taxes not delinquent, the
materiality of which does not impair marketability ("Permitted Encumbrances").
The Real Property, except as may be specifically disclosed in the Title
Commitments, (i) has all necessary access to public roads, electricity, water
and other utilities used and necessary in the Operations, (ii) is not subject to
any special assessment, condemnation or eminent domain proceeding, (iii) is not
subject to any agreement that would preclude the transfer to Operating or the
continued Operations by Operating thereon, (iv) and all improvements constructed
thereon are within the boundaries thereof, do not encroach on any other parcel
of adjacent real estate and, where appropriate, are set back from the boundaries
to comply with all applicable codes and regulations covering the Operations, and
(v) no structure primarily located on another parcel of real property encroaches
thereon. Except for the consents listed on Schedule 7.2 (the "Consents"), each
lease that constitutes a part of the Assets is freely assignable to Operating at
no additional consideration.
7.3 Tangible Personal Property. All tangible property being
transferred to Operating hereunder is in good operating condition and is
suitable for its current use and, where appropriate, such property is in
compliance with (i) the rules and regulations of the applicable authorities for
the storage and handling of propane, (ii) the current National Fire Protection
Association Pamphlet No. 58 (including, but not limited to, bona fide valid data
plates affixed to all
<PAGE>
bulk storage tanks, and location and placement of all tanks on the Real Property
in relation to the property lines and the surrounding areas), and (iii) the
requirements and standards as promulgated by the United States Department of
Transportation for LP gas products. All the property being transferred
(including, without limitation, bulk and Customer Tanks and vehicles and their
installation) complies with all relevant governmental codes and good operating
practices and safety standards in the propane business and the state of location
of such asset.
7.4 Legal or Administrative Liability. There is no suit, action,
arbitration, or legal, administrative, or other proceeding, or governmental
investigation pending or to the knowledge of Transferor threatened against
Transferor or affecting Transferor or any of its assets which relates to the
Operations, except as set forth in Schedule 7.4 attached hereto, all of which
litigations or claims will be defended by Transferor, or its insurance
companies, and liability in respect of which is expressly not assumed by
Operating and against which Transferor indemnifies and holds harmless Operating
and the Partnership. Transferor has not received any notice that it is under
investigation with respect to any alleged violation of any provision of federal,
state, local law or administrative regulations with respect to the Operations.
Transferor is not in default with respect to any order, writ, injunction, or
decree of any federal, state, local, or foreign court, department, agent, or
instrumentality.
7.5 No Violation of Governmental Regulations.
(a) General Operations. The Operations and the Assets have not
been, and were not prior to the day of the Closing, conducted in any material
violation of any statute, law, ordinance, or regulation of any governmental
entity. The Real Property is zoned and permitted for its current use and the
Transferor is in compliance with all zoning laws and any applicable permit. The
current uses of the real estate upon which the Plant Facilities are located are
not nonconforming or special uses or special exceptions, which uses could be
terminated upon the sale of the Operations to Operating; the current uses and
improvements at the Plant Facilities are not "grandfathered" under any previous
zoning laws or ordinances; and Transferor has no knowledge of any contemplated
changes under current zoning classification which would adversely affect the
Operations.
(b) Environmental Conditions. Except as set forth on Schedule
7.5(b) (the "Environmental Conditions"), the Transferor is not and has not in
the past been, in violation of, or charged with, convicted of or investigated
for any violation of any federal, state or local environmental law or regulation
by any court, governmental body or agency with respect to the Real Property or
in its Operations, nor does any environmental condition exist on any portion of
the Real Property that would likely give rise to a claim that Transferor is in
violation of any such federal, state or local law, rule or regulation; there
have been no disposals, releases of hazardous substances, materials or wastes,
or pollutants or contaminants, from, in or under any of the Real Property. For
purposes of this Agreement, the terms "release" and "hazardous substances" shall
have the definitions assigned thereto by the Federal Comprehensive Environmental
Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980, 42 U.S.C. Section 9601, et
seq., as amended ("CERCLA"). Except as set forth on Schedule 7.5(b) (the
"Environmental Conditions"), there (i) are presently no tanks for storage of
petroleum products or other material (other than propane inventory) located on
the Real Property; (ii) have been no, nor are there now any, electrical
transformers or other equipment containing PCBs located on or under the Real
Property; (iii) have been no, nor are there
<PAGE>
now any drums, cans, canisters, or containers buried underground located on the
Real Property; (iv) have been no, nor are there now any, wastes buried
underground on the Real Property; (v) have been no, nor is there now any,
asbestos of any type or character located on the Real Property; (vi) is no
contamination of soil, ground water or surface water on or under the Real
Property; (vii) is no portion of the Real Property that is or has been on any
list prepared by any federal, state or local governmental body or agency as
requiring remedial environmental action; and (viii) has been no release of any
hazardous substance, material or waste, or pollutants or contaminants on, in,
from or under any property adjacent to the Real Property. Transferor has
furnished Operating with copies of all environmental studies or reports
referring to or relating to the Real Property. Schedule 7.5(b) contains an
accurate summary of the state of all remediation actions at each parcel of Real
Property and the Transferor's plan of action with respect thereto.
7.6 Insurance and Workers' Compensation. With respect to the
Operations, Transferor has had continuously in force policies of liability
insurance for the 3-year period prior to the Closing, in the amount of at least
$1,000,000 and workers' compensation insurance coverage in compliance with the
minimum standards of the state(s) where the Operations are conducted. True and
complete copies of such policies and a listing of all claims Transferor has made
over the past three (3) years and all workers' claims made or being paid during
the past three (3) years have been supplied to Operating and certificates
reflecting such coverages are attached hereto as Schedule 7.6. All of such
liability policies provide insurance on an "occurrence" basis with respect to
all risks normally insured against by companies similarly situated. There are
presently no existing conditions, claims or injuries to any current employee
that will rise to any claims under the workers' compensation laws.
7.7 Ordinary Course of Business. The Operations have been
conducted and the Assets have been operated and maintained by Transferor in
accordance with standards of operation and maintenance generally recommended in
the propane industry.
7.8 Taxes and Employee Pension and Profit Sharing Plans. The
Transferor's Operations have been conducted in conformity with all applicable
tax laws and all necessary returns and filings have been or will be made and the
related taxes paid such that there is and will not be any liability to Operating
for any taxes, penalties or interest for any Operations that occurred prior to
the Closing.
7.9 Benefit Plans.
(a) Schedule 7.9 contains an accurate and complete list of all
Benefit Plans and any employment contracts (whether individually or with any
union or labor organization) existing with or maintained or sponsored by the
Transferor or covering any employees of the Transferor to which the Transferor
is obligated to contribute or with respect to which the Transferor has any
material liability. For purposes of the Agreement, the term "Benefit Plans"
shall mean: (i) employee benefit plans as defined in Section 3(3) of the
Employment Retirement Security Act of 1974, as amended ("ERISA"), (ii)
employment agreements, and (iii) fringe benefit plans, policies, programs and
arrangements, whether or not subject to ERISA, and whether or not funded. Except
as set forth on Schedule 7.9, the Transferor has no obligations to contribute to
any "multiemployer pension plan," as such term is defined in section 3(37) of
ERISA, or with respect to any employee benefit plan of the type
<PAGE>
described in Sections 4063 and 4064 of ERISA or in Section 413(c) of the Code
(and regulations promulgated thereunder).
(b) Except as set forth on Schedule 7.9, the Transferor does
not contribute to or have any liability with respect to any Benefit Plan which
provides health, life insurance, accident or other "welfare-type" benefits to
current or future retirees or current or future former employees, their spouses
or dependents, other than in accordance with Section 4980B of the Code or
applicable state continuation coverage law.
(c) Except as set forth on Schedule 7.9, each Benefit Plan and
all related trusts, insurance contracts and funds have been maintained, funded
and administered in compliance with the terms of such Benefit Plan and with all
reporting and disclosure requirements and applicable laws and regulations,
including, but not limited to, ERISA and the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended (the "Code"). As of the date hereof, no actions, suits, claims (other
than routine claims for benefits), taxes, penalties or liens with respect or
relating to the Benefit Plans are pending or, to the knowledge of the
Transferor, threatened, or have been assessed or incurred. There have been no
"prohibited transactions" as defined in Section 4975 of the Code with respect to
each Benefit Plan, and, to the knowledge of the Transferor, no employee of the
Transferor who acts as a fiduciary for any Benefit Plan has any liability for
breach of a fiduciary duty or any failure to act or comply in connection with
the administration or investment of the assets of any Benefit Plan.
(d) Except as set forth on Schedule 7.9, each Benefit Plan
that is intended to be qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code, and each
trust (if any) forming a part thereof, if requested has received a favorable
determination letter from the IRS as to the qualification under the Code of such
Benefit Plan and the tax-exempt status of such related trust, and, to the
knowledge of the Transferor, nothing has occurred since the date of such
determination through the date hereof, that could adversely affect the
qualification of such Benefit Plan or the tax-exempt status of such related
trust.
7.10 Disclosure. Neither this Agreement nor any Schedule or
Exhibit hereto nor any other document, certificate of instrument delivered to
Operating by or on behalf of Transferor in connection with the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement contains any untrue statement of a material fact
or omits to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements
contained herein and therein not misleading. There is no fact known to
Transferor that is not set forth in the Schedules of this Agreement that
materially and adversely affects, nor so far as Transferor can now foresee will
materially and adversely affect the Property.
7.11 Written Material. All written materials heretofore supplied
to Operating, including, without limitation, the 2000 and 2001 financial
statements and revenue and expense computations are correct, complete and
accurate in all material respects and none of such financial computations omits
any item of material cost which should have been included under proper
accounting practice.
7.12 Securities Representation, Application for Admission as
Limited Partner and Acceptance of Partnership Agreement. Transferor hereby
represents that (i) Transferor has such knowledge and experience in financial
and business matters that it, with its advisors, are capable of
<PAGE>
evaluating the merits and risks of the investment in the Limited Partner
Interests and the HPP Units and (ii) it understands and agrees that if it
desires to avail itself of the exemption from underwriter liability under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), it may only resale
the HPP Units in compliance with Rule 145 of the Securities Act. Transferor
represents that it has reviewed the SEC Documents and Partnership Agreement
described in Section 9.4 and has had such opportunity as it deems necessary to
ask questions of the Partnership and its affiliates, officers and employees to
enable the Transferor, to make an investment decision concerning the receipt of
the HPP Units and the operation of the Partnership. The Transferor, by entering
into this Agreement, requests admission as a Limited Partner of the Partnership
and agrees to comply with, and be bound by, and hereby executes, the Amended and
Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of the Partnership, as amended,
supplemented or restated to the date hereof (the "Partnership Agreement"), (b)
represents and warrants that the Transferor has all right power and authority
and, if an individual, the capacity necessary to enter into the Partnership
Agreement, (c) appoints the General Partner of the Partnership and, if a
Liquidator shall be appointed, the Liquidator of the Partnership as the
Transferor attorney-in-fact to execute, swear to, acknowledge and file any
document, including, without limitation, the Partnership Agreement and any
amendment thereto, necessary or appropriate for the Transferor admission as a
Additional Limited Partner and as a party to the Partnership Agreement, (d)
gives the power of attorney provided for in the Partnership Agreement and (e)
makes the waivers and gives the consents and approvals contained in the
Partnership Agreement. Capitalized terms not defined in this paragraph have the
meanings assigned to such terms in the Partnership Agreement
7.13 Admission to Partnership. At the Closing Transferor will
deliver the completed form of Certification To Partnership attached as Exhibit
7.13 qualifying the Transferor to be a limited partner in the Partnership (the
"Certification").
8. COVENANTS OF OWNERS, TRANSFEROR, OPERATING AND THE PARTNERSHIP.
8.1 Records. Transferor agrees to transfer and convey to
Operating on the day of the Closing the following items, including all rights
associated therewith as they relate to the Operations. Transferor, after Closing
if necessary for business purposes, may have access to these records if it
provides reasonable notice to Operating of its need to review such documents:
(a) All Customer files, including, without limitation, credit,
sales, tank leases, and other records in regard to the Operations.
(b) All other records in the possession of Transferor relating
to the Operations, all such records shall be available to the Transferor during
normal business hours.
8.2 Transfer of Real Property. At the Closing Transferor will
convey to Operating all of its right, title, and interest in and to the Real
Property, other than that listed on Schedule 8.22(A), by (i) General Warranty
Deeds (the "Deeds"), (ii) any leased property utilized in the Operations
described on Schedule 1(v) by a properly approved assignment of lease in form
satisfactory to Operating, and (iii) grant to Operating the Lease and Option to
purchase in the






