THIS CHATTEL
PAPER IS SUBJECT TO A SECURITY INTEREST IN FAVOR OF THE CIT
GROUP/BUSINESS CREDIT, INC., AS AGENT FOR ITSELF AND OTHER LENDERS.
FURTHER ENCUMBRANCE OR ASSIGNMENT OF THIS CHATTEL PAPER VIOLATES
THE RIGHTS OF THE CIT GROUP/BUSINESS CREDIT, INC. AND SUCH OTHER
LENDERS.
PROMISSORY NOTE
(DEED OF TRUST NOTE)
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$645,000.00
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Midland, Texas
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December 31, 2008
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FOR VALUE
RECEIVED, the undersigned, PROPANE DIRECT ENTERPRISES, LLC,
a Texas limited liability company, whose address is 505 N. Big
Spring, Suite 101, Midland, Texas 79701 (
“Borrower” ) hereby promises to pay to
the order of UNITED FUEL & ENERGY CORPORATION , a Texas
corporation ( “Lender” ) the principal
sum of SIX HUNDRED FORTY-FIVE THOUSAND AND 00/100 DOLLARS
($645,000.00) , with interest on the unpaid principal balance
thereof from date hereof until maturity at the rate hereinafter
provided, both principal and interest payable as hereinafter
provided in lawful money of the United States of America at
Lender’s offices at 1800 W. Katella Ave., Suite 102,
Orange, California, 92867, or at such other place as from time to
time may be designated by the holder of this Note.
The unpaid
principal of this Note from time to time outstanding shall bear
interest prior to maturity at a per annum rate equal to
(i) the London Interbank Offered Rate (defined below), plus
(ii) four percent (4.0%). “London Interbank
Offered Rate” means the rate per annum, determined by
Lender in accordance with its customary procedures utilizing such
electronic or other quotation sources as it considers appropriate,
at which U.S. dollar deposits are offered in the London interbank
market at or about 11:00 a.m. (London time) two
(2) Business Days prior to the commencement of the applicable
Interest Period (the “Index” ). The Index
is not necessarily the lowest rate charged by Lender on its loans.
If the Index becomes unavailable during the term of this loan,
Lender may designate a substitute index after notifying Borrower.
The interest rate change will not occur more often than each
Interest Period. “Interest Period” means
(i) initially, the period commencing on the last day of the
Initial Interest Period (defined below), and ending one
(1) month thereafter, and (ii) thereafter each one
(1) month period commencing on the last day of the next
preceding Interest Period. “Initial Interest
Period” means the period commencing on the date of
this Note and ending on February 1, 2009. The interest rate on
this Note during the Initial Interest Period shall be based on an a
Interest Period of one (1) month although the actual number of
days constituting the Initial Interest Period may be more or less.
Borrower understands that Lender may make loans based on other
rates as well. All calculations of interest chargeable under this
Note shall be made on the basis of actual days elapsed (including
the first day but excluding the last) and a year of 360 days,
unless such calculations would result in a rate in excess of the
Highest Lawful Rate, in which case interest shall be calculated on
the basis of actual days elapsed and a year of 365 or
366 days, as appropriate. NOTICE: Under no circumstances will
the interest rate on this Note be more than the Highest Lawful
Rate.
Commencing on
February 1, 2009, and continuing on the 1st day of each month
thereafter prior to maturity, the principal of this Note shall be
due and payable in monthly installments of $10,573.77 each on the
first day of the month until scheduled maturity, and interest on
the unpaid principal balance of this Note shall be payable as it
accrues on the same dates as and in addition to the installments of
principal. On January 31, 2014, the then unpaid principal
balance of this Note and all accrued and unpaid interest on this
Note shall be finally due and payable in full, without presentment,
demand, protest or any other notice of any kind, all of
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which are
hereby expressly waived. All payments on this Note shall be applied
first to accrued interest and then to principal.
This Note is not a
revolving line of credit, and the total amount of all advances
hereunder shall not exceed $645,000.00.
All past due
principal and/or interest or installments thereof shall bear
interest from maturity at the Highest Lawful Rate. For so long as
any Event of Default exists under this Note or under any of the
other Loan Documents (hereinafter defined), regardless of whether
or not there has been an acceleration of the indebtedness evidenced
by this Note, and at all times after the maturity of the
indebtedness evidenced by this Note (whether by acceleration or
otherwise), and in addition to all other rights and remedies of
Lender hereunder, interest shall accrue on the outstanding
principal balance hereof at the Highest Lawful Rate, and such
accrued interest shall be immediately due and payable. “
Highest Lawful Rate ” means the maximum
interest rate permitted under applicable law.
This Note is
secured, inter alia , by the (i) Deed of Trust,
Assignment of Leases, Security Agreement and Financing Statement
(2.97 Acre Tract) of even date herewith in favor of Lender
evidencing a security interest in certain real property described
therein, (ii) Deed of Trust, Assignment of Leases, Security
Agreement and Financing Statement (1.50 Acre Tract) of even date
herewith in favor of Lender evidencing a security interest in
certain real property described therein, and (iii) Deed of
Trust, Assignment of Leases, Security Agreement and Financing
Statement (1.39 Acre Tract) of even date herewith in favor of
Lender evidencing a security interest in certain real property
described therein (collectively and individually, the “
Deed of Trust ”) to which Deed of Trust
reference is here made for such descriptions of the property
covered thereby and the nature and extent of the security and the
rights and powers of the holder of this Note in respect of such
security. Subject to the terms of the Loan Documents, upon the
failure to pay any installment of the principal of or interest on
this Note as above promised or upon the occurrence of an Event of
Default or default specified in this Note, any Deed of Trust, or
any other Loan Document, the holder of this Note or any part
thereof shall have the option of declaring the principal balance
hereof and the interest accrued hereon to be immediately due and
payable. The term “ Loan Documents ”
shall mean this Note, the Deed of Trusts, and any other instrument
or agreement executed in connection with this Note, including but
not limited to, (i) each Personal Guaranty executed by Tom
Kelly, Brock Hardy, and Max Hardy of even date herewith, and
(ii) Limited Guaranty executed by Michael Montgomery of even
date herewith.
Borrower shall
have the right to prepay, without penalty, at any time and from
time to time prior to maturity, all or any part of the unpaid
principal balance of this Note and/or all or any part of the unpaid
interest accrued to the date of such prepayment, provided that any
such principal thus paid is accompanied by accrued interest on such
principal. All prepayments of principal shall be applied in the
inverse order of maturity.
1.
Initial Advance . The obligation of Lender to make the
initial advance hereunder shall be subject to satisfaction of each
of the following conditions precedent:
(a) There
shall have been executed, where appropriate, and delivered by
Borrower and any guarantors (and/or any other requisite party
thereto) executed Loan Documents and such other documents or
instruments as Lender may reasonably require.
(b) No
Material Adverse Change shall have occurred in the financial
condition, assets or business prospects of Borrower or any
guarantor.
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2.
Representations and Warranties . In order to induce
Lender to enter into this Note, Borrower represents and warrants to
Lender as of the date hereof, which representations and warranties
shall survive the delivery of the Notes, as follows:
(a)
Existence and Authority . Borrower is a limited liability
company duly organized, legally existing and in good standing under
the laws of the State of Texas. Borrower is duly qualified in all
other jurisdictions wherein its operations, transaction of business
or ownership of property makes such qualification
necessary.
(b)
Powers . Borrower is duly authorized and empowered to
execute and deliver this Note, the other Loan Documents and all
other instruments referred to or mentioned herein to which it is a
party, and all action (limited liability company or otherwise) on
Borrower’s part requisite for the due creation, issuance and
delivery of the Notes and the due execution and delivery of this
Note and the other Loan Document to which it is a party has been
duly and effectively taken. This Note is, and the other Loan
Documents when duly executed and delivered will be, legal, valid
and binding obligations of Borrower, to the extent it is a party
thereto, enforceable in accordance with their terms (subject to any
applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or other laws generally affecting
the enforcement of creditors’ rights). The Loan Documents do
not violate any provisions of Borrower’s certificate of
formation, company agreement or other governing documents, or of
any contract or other agreement, law or regulation to which
Borrower is subject, and the same do not require the consent or
approval of any other person or entity, including without
limitation, any regulatory authority or governmental body of the
United States, of any state or of any political subdivision of the
United States or of any State.
(c)
Financial Statements . The pro forma and projected financial
statements of Borrower which have been delivered to Lender, are
complete and correct, and fairly present the pro forma and
projected financial condition and results of operations of
Borrower, as of the dates and for the periods stated.
(d)
Liabilities . As of the date hereof, Borrower has no
material liabilities, direct or contingent, other than those set
forth in the pro forma financial statements referenced in Section
(c) immediately preceding above. Borrower knows of no fact,
circumstance, act, condition or development that will or could
cause a Material Adverse Change. “ Material Adverse
Change ” is defined as a material adverse effect on,
as applicable (i) the validity, performance, or enforceability
of any Loan Document, (ii) the financial condition or business
operations of Borrower, or (iii) the ability of Borrower to
fulfill its obligations under the terms and conditions of the Loan
Documents.
(e)
Litigation . Borrower is not involved in, or is not aware of
the threat of, any litigation, nor are there any outstanding or
unpaid judgments against Borrower.
(f)
Taxes . All tax returns required to be filed by Borrower in
all jurisdictions have been filed, and all taxes, assessments, fees
and other governmental charges upon Borrower or upon any of its
property, income or franchises, which are due and payable, have
been paid, or adequate reserves determined in conformity with
United States generally accepted accounting principles as
promulgated by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“
GAAP ”) have been provided for payment
thereof.
(g) Purpose of
Loan . The proceeds of any advances (i) are not and will
not be used directly or indirectly for the purpose of purchasing or
carrying, or for the purpose of extending
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credit to
others for the purpose of purchasing or carrying, any “margin
stock” as that term is defined in Regulation U of the
Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, as amended; and
(ii) will be otherwise used for lawful purposes.
(h)
ERISA . All employee benefits plans maintained by Borrower
are in compliance with all funding and other requirements of the
Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended
(“ ERISA ”), and none have been
terminated or have accrued any funding deficiency for which
Borrower would be liable under said statute.
(i)
Permits and Franchises, Etc . Borrower has all rights,
licenses, permits, franchises, patents, trademarks, trademark
rights and copyrights that are required in order for it to conduct
its business as now conducted without known conflict with the
rights of others. Borrower is not aware of any fact or condition
that might cause any of such rights not to be renewed in due
course.
(j)
Subsidiaries . Borrower has no subsidiaries and does not own
any stock in any other corporation or association. Borrower is not
a member of any general or limited partnership, joint venture or
association of any type whatsoever.
(k)
Hazardous Wastes and Substances . Borrower and its
properties are in compliance in all material respects with
applicable state and federal environmental laws and regulations and
Borrower is not aware of, and has not received any notice of, any
violation of any applicable state or federal environmental law or
regulation and there has not heretofore been filed any complaint,
nor commenced any administrative procedure, against Borrower, or
any of its predecessors, alleging a violation of any environmental
law or regulation. Except in compliance with relevant environmental
laws, Borrower has not installed, used, generated, stored or
disposed of any hazardous waste, toxic substance, asbestos or
related material (“ Hazardous Materials
”) on its properties. For the purposes of this Note,
Hazardous Materials shall include, but shall not be limited to,
substances defined as “hazardous substances” or
“toxic substances” in the Comprehensive Environmental
Response Compensation and Liability Act of 1980, as amended, 42
U.S.C. §9061, et seq., Hazardous Materials Transportation Act,
49 U.S.C. §1802, et seq., and the Resource Conservation and
Recovery Act, 42 U.S.C. §6901, et seq., or as “hazardous
substances,” “hazardous waste” or
“pollutant or contaminant” in any other applicable
federal, state or local environmental law or regulation.
(l)
Compliance with Laws . Borrower is in compliance in all
material respects with all laws and orders of all governmental
authorities that are applicable to it or its business, operations
or properties.
(m)
General . There are no significant material facts or
conditions relating to the Loan Documents, any of the Mortgaged
Property (as defined in the Deed of Trust), or the financial
condition or business of Borrower that could, collectively or
individually, cause a Material Adverse Change and that have not
been related, in writing, to Lender as an attachment to this Note;
and all writings heretofore or hereafter exhibited or delivered to
Lender by or on behalf of Borrower are and will be genuine and in
all respects what they purport and appear to be.
(n)
Public Utility Holding Company Act . Neither Borrower nor
any subsidiary is a “holding company”, or
“subsidiary company” of a “holding
company”, or an “affiliate” of a “holding
company” or of a “subsidiary company” of a
“holding company”, or a “public utility”
within the meaning of the Public Utility Holding Company Act of
1935, as amended.
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3.
Affirmative Covenants . As an inducement to Lender to
enter into this Note, Borrower covenants and agrees that, from the
date hereof and until termination of this Note and payment in full
of the obligation, unless otherwise agreed to by Lender in
writing:
(a)
Financial Statements and Other Information . Borrower and
each guarantor will promptly furnish or cause to be furnished to
Lender copies of (i) such information regarding their business
and affairs and financial condition as Lender may reasonably
request, and (ii) without request, the following:
(i) as soon as
available and in any event within ninety (90) days after the
end of each fiscal year of Borrower, an audited balance sheet of
Borrower as of the close of such fiscal year and the related
audited statements of income, cash flows, contingent obligations
and owners’ equity of Borrower for such year, prepared in
accordance with GAAP;
(ii) as soon as
available and in any event within fifteen (15) days after the
end of each calendar month, a balance sheet of Borrower as of the
end of such month and the related statements of income (including
information relating to the amount of commodity-based inventory
sold), cash flows, contingent obligations and owners’ equity
of Borrower for such month;
(iii) as soon as
available and in any event within five (5) days after the
1 st
and 15 th of
each calendar month, a schedule of accounts receivable listing all
accounts receivable of Borrower as of the 1
st and 15 th of
such month setting forth (i) the name of each account debtor,
together with a schedule of the date each account is, or is
expected to be, due and receivable or, as may be required by
Lender, detail by invoice number, amount, invoice date and terms,
and (ii) an aging of all accounts setting forth accounts
30 days past due or less, accounts over 30 days past due
less than 61 days past due, accounts over 60 days past
due but less than 91 days past due, accounts over 90 days
past due but less than 121 days past due, and accounts over
120 days past due;
(iv) as soon as
available and in any event within thirty (30) days after the
filing of same, copies of all federal and state tax returns filed
by Borrower;
(v) immediately
upon becoming aware of the existence of, or any material change in
the status of, any litigation which could create a Material Adverse
Change if determined adversely against Borrower or any guarantor, a
written communication to Lender of such matter;
(vi) immediately
upon becoming aware of an Event of Default or the existence of any
condition or event that constitutes, or with notice or lapse of
time, or both, would constitute an Event of Default, a verbal
notification to Lender specifying the nature and period of
existence thereof and what action Borrower or any guarantors are
taking or propose to take with respect thereto and, immediately
thereafter, a written confirmation to Lender of such
matters;
(vii) immediately
upon becoming aware that any person has given notice or taken any
other action with respect to a claimed default under any material
indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, promissory note, loan
agreement, note agreement or joint venture agreement or any other
material agreement or undertaking to which Borrower, any guarantor
or any subsidiary of Borrower is a party, a verbal notification to
Lender
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specifying the
notice given or action taken by such person and the nature of the
claimed default and what action Borrower or any guarantors are
taking or propose to take with respect thereto and, immediately
thereafter, a written communication to Lender of such matters;
and
(viii) immediately
upon becoming aware of the commencement of any material action or
material proceeding ag
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