Exhibit 3.1
RESTATED BYLAWS
OF PS BUSINESS PARKS, INC.
ADOPTED ON MARCH 17, 1998, as amended
ARTICLE I
Definitions
Section 1. Bylaws shall mean these bylaws as amended, restated or modified from time to
time. References in these bylaws to hereof, herein and hereunder shall be deemed to refer to
these bylaws and shall not be limited to the particular article or section in which such words
appear.
Section 2. Code shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as now enacted or hereafter
amended, or successor statutes and regulations promulgated thereunder.
Section 3. Independent Directors shall mean directors who are not affiliated with the
corporation or any of its affiliates (other than by reason of the persons status as a director of
the corporation), whether by ownership of, ownership interest in, employment by, service as an
officer of, or material business or professional relationship with the corporation or its
affiliates.
Section 4. REIT and real estate investment trust shall mean a real estate investment
trust as defined in Sections 856 to 860 of the Code.
Section 5. Securities of the corporation shall mean any securities issued by the
corporation.
Section 6. Shareholders shall mean, as of any particular time, all holders of record of
outstanding shares at such time.
Section 7. shares shall mean shares of the common stock of the corporation.
Section 8. General. Whenever a term is defined in these bylaws in the singular, the
plural of such term may also be used in these bylaws as a defined term and, similarly, whenever a
term is defined in the plural, the singular of such term may also be used as a defined term
hereunder.
ARTICLE II
Offices
Section 1. Principal Executive Office. The principal executive office for the
transaction of the business of the corporation is hereby fixed and located at 701 Western Avenue,
in the City of Glendale, County of Los Angeles, State of California. The Board of Directors may
change the principal executive office from one location to another. Any such change shall be noted
on the bylaws opposite this section, or this section may be amended to state the new location.
Section 2. Other Offices. The board of directors may at any time establish branch or
subordinate offices at any place or places where the corporation is qualified to do business.
ARTICLE III
Meetings of Shareholders
Section 1. Place of Meetings. Meetings of shareholders shall be held at any place
within or outside the State of California designated by the board of directors. In the absence of
any such designation, shareholders meetings shall be held at the principal executive office of the
corporation.
Section 2. Annual Meeting. The annual meeting of shareholders shall be held each
year on a date and at a time designated by the board of directors. The date so designated shall be
within fifteen (15) months after the last annual meeting. At each annual meeting directors shall
be elected and any other proper business may be transacted.
Section 3. Special Meeting. A special meeting of the shareholders may be called at
any time by the board of directors, or by the chairman of the board, or by the president, or by one
or more shareholders holding shares in the aggregate entitled to cast not less than ten percent
(10%) of the votes at that meeting.
If a special meeting is called by any person or persons other than the board of directors, the
request shall be in writing, specifying the time of such meeting and the general nature of the
business proposed to be transacted, and shall be delivered personally or sent by registered mail or
by telegraphic or other facsimile transmission to the chairman of the board, the president, any
vice president or the secretary of the corporation. The officer receiving the request shall cause
the notice to be promptly given to the shareholders entitled to vote, in accordance with the
provisions of Sections 4 and 5 of this Article III, that a meeting will be held at the time
requested by the person or persons calling the meeting not less than thirty-five (35) nor more than
sixty (60) days after the receipt of the request. If the notice is not given within twenty (20)
days after receipt of the request, the person or persons requesting the meeting may give the
notice. Nothing contained in this paragraph of this Section 3 shall be construed as limiting,
fixing or affecting the time when a meeting of shareholders called by action of the board of
directors may be held.
Section 4. Notice of Shareholders Meetings. All notices of meetings of shareholders
shall be sent or otherwise given in accordance with Section 5 of this Article III not less than ten
(10) nor more than sixty (60) days before the date of the meeting. The notice shall specify the
place, date and hour of the meeting and (i) in the case of a special meeting, the general nature of
the business to be transacted, or (ii) in the case of the annual meeting, those matters which the
board of directors, at the time of giving notice, intends to present for action by the
shareholders. The notice of any meeting at which directors are to be elected shall include the
name of any nominee or nominees whom, at the time of the notice, management intends to present for
election.
If action is proposed to be taken at any meeting for approval of (i) a contract or transaction
in which a director has a direct or indirect financial interest within the meaning of Section 310
of the Corporations Code of California, (ii) an amendment of the articles of incorporation pursuant
to Section 902 of the Code, (iii) a reorganization of the corporation pursuant to Section 1201 of
that Code, (iv) a voluntary dissolution of the corporation pursuant to Section 1900 of that Code,
or (v) a distribution in dissolution other than in accordance with the rights of outstanding
preferred shares pursuant to Section 2007 of that Code, the notice shall also state the general
nature of that proposal.
Section 5. Manner of Giving Notice; Affidavit of Notice. Notice of any meeting of
shareholders shall be given either personally or by first-class mail or telegraphic or other
written communication, charges prepaid, addressed to the shareholder at the address of that
shareholder appearing on the books of the corporation or given by the shareholder to the
corporation for the purpose of notice. If no such address appears on the corporations books or is
so given, notice shall be deemed to have been given if sent to that shareholder by first-class mail
or telegraphic or other written communication to the corporations principal executive office, or
if published at least once in a newspaper of general circulation in the county where that office is
located. Notice shall be deemed to have been given at the time when delivered personally or
deposited in the mail or sent by telegram or other means of written communication.
If any notice addressed to a shareholder at the address of that shareholder appearing on the
books of the corporation is returned to the corporation by the United States Postal Service marked
to indicate that the United States Postal Service is unable to deliver the notice to the
shareholder at that address, all future notices or reports shall be deemed to have been duly given
without further mailing if these shall be available to the shareholder on written demand of the
shareholder at the principal executive office of the corporation for a period of one (1) year from
the date of the giving of the notice.
An affidavit of the mailing or other means of giving any notice of any shareholders meeting
shall be executed by the secretary, assistant secretary or any transfer agent of the corporation
giving the notice, and shall be filed and maintained in the minute book of the corporation.
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Section 6. Quorum. The presence in person or by proxy of the holders of a majority
of the shares entitled to vote in any meeting of shareholders shall constitute a quorum for the
transaction of business. The shareholders present at a duly called or held meeting at which a
quorum is present may continue to do business until adjournment, notwithstanding the withdrawal of
enough shareholders to leave less than a quorum, if any action taken (other than adjournment) is
approved by at least a majority of the shares required to constitute a quorum.
Section 7. Adjourned Meeting; Notice. Any shareholders meeting, annual or special,
whether or not a quorum is present, may be adjourned from time to time by the vote of the majority
of the shares represented at that meeting, either in person or by proxy, but in the absence of a
quorum, no other business may be transacted at that meeting, except as provided in Section 6 of
this Article III.
When any meeting of shareholders, either annual or special, is adjourned to another time or
place, notice need not be given of the adjourned meeting if the time and place are announced at a
meeting at which the adjournment is taken, unless a new record date for the adjourned meeting is
fixed, or unless the adjournment is for more than forty-five (45) days from the date set for the
original meeting, in which case the board of directors shall set a new record date. Notice of any
such adjourned meeting shall be given to each shareholder of record entitled to vote at the
adjourned meeting in accordance with the provisions of Sections 4 and 5 of this Article III. At
any adjourned meeting the corporation may transact any business which might have been transacted at
the original meeting.
Section 8. Voting. The shareholders entitled to vote at any meeting of shareholders
shall be determined in accordance with the provisions of Section 11 of this Article III, subject to
the provisions of Sections 702 to 704, inclusive, of the Corporations Code of California (relating
to voting shares held by a fiduciary, in the name of a corporation or in joint ownership). The
shareholders vote may be by voice vote or by ballot; provided, however, that any election for
directors must be by ballot if demanded by any shareholder before the voting has begun. On any
matter other than elections of directors, any shareholder may vote part of the shares in favor of
the proposal and refrain from voting the remaining shares or vote them against the proposal, but,
if the shareholder fails to specify the number of shares which the shareholder is voting
affirmatively, it will be conclusively presumed that the shareholders approving vote is with
respect to all shares that the shareholder is entitled to vote. If a quorum is present, the
affirmative vote of the majority of the shares represented at the meeting and entitled to vote on
any matter (other than the election of directors) shall be the act of the shareholders, unless the
vote of a greater number or voting by classes is required by California General Corporation Law or
by the articles of incorporation or by these bylaws.
At a shareholders meeting at which directors are to be elected, no shareholder shall be
entitled to cumulate votes (i.e., cast for any one or more candidates a number of votes greater
than the number of the shareholders shares) unless the candidates names have been placed in
nomination prior to commencement of the voting and a shareholder has given notice prior to
commencement of the voting of the shareholders intention to cumulate votes. If any shareholder
has given such a notice, then every shareholder entitled to vote may cumulate votes for candidates
in nomination and give one candidate a number of votes equal to the number of directors to be
elected multiplied by the number of votes to which that shareholders shares are entitled, or
distribute the shareholders votes on the same principle among any or all of the candidates, as the
shareholder thinks fit. The candidates receiving the highest number of votes, up to the number of
directors to be elected, shall be elected.
Section 9. Waiver of Notice of Consent by Absent Shareholders. The transactions of
any meeting of shareholders, either annual or special, however called and noticed and wherever
held, shall be as valid as though had a meeting duly held after regular call and notice, if a
quorum be present either in person or by proxy, and if, either before or after the meeting, each
person entitled to vote who was not present in person or by proxy, or who, though present, has at
the beginning of the meeting properly objected to the transaction of any business because the
meeting was not lawfully called or convened, or to particular matters of business legally required
to be included in the notice but not so included, signs a written waiver of notice or a consent to
a holding of the meeting or an approval of the minutes. The waiver of notice or consent need not
specify either the business to be transacted or the purpose of any annual or special meeting of
shareholders, except that if action is taken or proposed to be taken for approval of any of those
matters specified in the second paragraph of Section 4 of this Article III, the waiver of notice or
consent shall state the general nature of the proposal. All such waivers, consents or approvals
shall be filed with the corporate records or made a part of the minutes of the meeting.
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Section 10. Shareholder Action by Written Consent Without a Meeting. Any action
which may be taken at any annual or special meeting of shareholders may be taken without a meeting
and without prior notice if a consent, in writing, setting forth the action so taken is signed by
the holders of outstanding shares having not less than the minimum number of votes that would be
necessary to authorize or take that action at a meeting at which all shares entitled to vote on
that action were present and voted. In the case of election of directors, such a consent shall be
effective only if signed by the holders of all outstanding shares entitled to vote for the election
of directors; provided, however, that a director may be elected at any time to fill a vacancy on
the board of directors that has not been filled by the directors by the written consent of the
holders of a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote for the election of directors.
All such consents shall be filed with the secretary of the corporation and shall be maintained in
the corporate records. Any shareholder giving a written consent, or the shareholders proxy
holders, or a transferee of the shares, or a personal representative of the shareholder or their
respective proxy holders may revoke the consent by a writing received by the secretary of the
corporation before written consents of the number of shares required to authorize the proposed
action have been filed with the secretary.
If the consents of all shareholders entitled to vote have not been solicited in writing and if
the unanimous written consent of all such shareholders shall not have been received, the secretary
shall give prompt notice of the corporate action approved by the shareholders without a meeting.
This notice shall be given in the manner specified in Section 5 of this Article III. In the case
of approval of (i) contracts or transactions in which a director has a direct or indirect financial
interest pursuant to Section 310 of the Corporations Code of California, (ii) indemnification of
agents of the corporation pursuant to Section 317 of that Code, (iii) a reorganization of the
corporation pursuant to Section 1201 of that Code, and (iv) a distribution in dissolution other
than in accordance with the rights of outstanding preferred shares pursuant to Section 2007 of that
Code, the notice shall be given at least ten (10) days before the consummation of any action
authorized by that approval.
Section 11. Record Date for Shareholder Notice, Voting, and Giving Consents. For
purposes of determining the shareholders entitled to notice of any meeting or to vote or entitled
to give consent to corporate action without a meeting, the board of directors may fix, in advance,
a record date which shall not be more than sixty (60) days nor less than ten (10) days before the
date of any such meeting nor more than sixty (60) days before any such action without a meeting,
and in this event only shareholders of record on the date so fixed are entitled to notice and to
vote or to give consents, as the case may be, notwithstanding any transfer of any shares on the
books of the corporation after the record date, except as otherwise provided in the California
General Corporation Law.
If the board of directors does not so fix a record date:
(a) The record date for determining shareholders entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting
of shareholders shall be at the close of business on the business day next preceding the day on
which notice is given or, if notice is waived, at the close of business on the business day next
preceding the day on which the meeting is held.
(b) The record date for determining shareholders entitled to give consent to corporate action
in writing without a meeting (i) when no prior action by the board has been taken, shall be the day
on which the first written consent is given, or (ii) when prior action of the board has been taken,
shall be at the close of business on the day on which the board adopts the resolution relating to
that action, or the sixtieth (60th) day before the date of such other action, whichever is later.
Section 12. Proxies. Every person entitled to vote for directors or on any other
matter shall have the right to do so either in person or by one or more agents authorized by a
written proxy signed by the person and filed with the secretary of the corporation. A proxy shall
be deemed signed if the shareholders name is placed on the proxy (whether by manual signature,
typewriting, telegraphic transmission or otherwise) by the shareholder or the shareholders
attorney-in-fact. A validly executed proxy which does not state that it is irrevocable shall
continue in full force and effect unless (i) revoked by the person executing it, before the vote
pursuant to that proxy, by a writing delivered to the corporation stating that the proxy is
revoked, or by a subsequent proxy executed by, or attendance at the meeting and voting in person
by, the person executing the proxy; or (ii) written notice of the death or incapacity of the maker
of that proxy is received by the corporation before the vote pursuant to that proxy is counted;
provided, however, that no proxy shall be valid after the expiration of eleven (11) months from the
date of the proxy unless otherwise provided in the proxy. The revocability of a
proxy that states on its face that it is irrevocable shall be governed by the provisions of
Sections 705(e) and 705(f) of the Corporations Code of California.
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Section 13. Inspectors of Election. Before any meeting of shareholders, the board of
directors may appoint any persons other than nominees for office to act as inspectors of election
at the meeting or its adjournment. If no inspectors of election are so appointed, the chairman of
the meeting may, and on the request of any shareholder or a shareholders proxy shall, appoint
inspectors of election at the meeting. The number of inspectors shall be either one (1) or three
(3). If inspectors are appointed at a meeting on the request of one or more shareholders or
proxies, the holders of a majority of shares or their proxies present at the meeting shall
determine whether one (1) or three (3) inspectors are to be appointed. If any person appointed as
inspector fails to appear or fails or refuses to act, the chairman of the meeting may, and upon the
request of any shareholder or a shareholders proxy shall, appoint a person to fill that vacancy.
These inspectors shall:
(a) determine the number of shares outstanding and the voting power of each, the shares
represented at the meeting, the existence of a quorum, and the authenticity, validity and
effect of proxies;
(b) receive votes, ballots or consents;
(c) hear and determine all challenges and questions in any way arising in connection
with the right to vote;
(d) count and tabulate all votes or consents;
(e) determine when the polls shall close;
(f) determine the result; and
(g) do any other acts that may be proper to conduct the election or vote with fairness
to all shareholders.
ARTICLE IV
Directors
Section 1. Powers. Subject to the provisions of the California General Corporation
Law and any limitations in the articles of incorporation and these bylaws relating to action
required to be approved by the shareholders or by the outstanding shares, the business and affairs
of the corporation shall be managed and all corporate powers shall be exercised by or under the
direction of the board of directors.
Without prejudice to these general powers and subject to the same limitations, the directors
shall have the power to:
(a) select and remove all officers, agents and employees of the corporation; prescribe
any powers and duties for them that are consistent with law, with the articles of
incorporation and with these bylaws; fix their compensation; and require from them security
for faithful service.
(b) change the principal executive office or the principal business office in the State
of California from one location to another; cause the corporation to be qualified to do
business in any other state, territory, dependency or country and conduct business within or
without the State of California; and designate any place within or without the State of
California for the holding of any shareholders meeting or meetings, including annual
meetings.
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(c) adopt, make and use a corporate seal; prescribe the forms of certificates of stock;
and alter the form of the seal and certificates.
(d) authorize the issuance of shares of stock of the corporation on any lawful terms,
in consideration of money paid, labor done, services actually rendered, debts or securities
cancelled, or tangible or intangible property actually received.
(e) borrow money and incur indebtedness on behalf of the corporation and cause to be
executed and delivered for the corporations purposes, in the corporate name, promissory
notes, bonds, debentures, deeds of trust, mortgages, pledges, hypothecations and other
evidences of debt and securities.
Section 2.1 Number and Qualification of Directors. The number of
directors of the corporation shall be not less than seven (7) nor more than thirteen (13). The
exact number of directors shall be nine (9) until changed, within the limits specified above, by a
bylaw amending this Section 2, duly adopted by the board of directors or by the shareholders. The
indefinite number of directors may be changed, or a definite number fixed without provision for an
indefinite number, by a duly adopted amendment to the articles of incorporation or by an amendment
to this bylaw duly adopted by the vote or written consent of holders of a majority of the
outstanding shares entitled to vote; subject, however, to such additional voting requirement or
limitation as is imposed under applicable law in the case of an amendment reducing the number of
directors to a number less than five (5).
Section 3. Independent Directors. A majority of directors of the corporation shall
be Independent Directors, except for a period of 90 days after the death, removal or resignation of
an Independent Director.
Section 4. Election and Term of Office of Directors. Directors shall be elected at
each annual meeting of the shareholders to hold office until the next annual meeting. Each
director, including a director elected to fill a vacancy, shall hold office until the expiration of
the term for which elected and until a successor has been elected and qualified.
Section 5. Vacancies. Except as otherwise agreed by the corporation, vacancies in
the board of directors may be filled by a majority of the remaining directors, though less than a
quorum, or by a sole remaining director, except that a vacancy created by the removal of a director
by the vote or written consent of the shareholders or by court order may be filled only by the vote
of a majority of the shares entitled to vote represented at a duly held meeting at which a quorum
is present, or by the written consent of holders of a majority of the outstanding shares entitled
to vote. Each director so elected shall hold office until the next annual meeting of the
shareholders and until a successor has been elected and qualified.
A vacancy or vacancies in the board of directors shall be deemed to exist in the event of the
death, resignation or removal of any director, or if the board of directors by resolution declares
vacant the office of a director who has been declared of unsound mind by an order of court or
convicted of a felony, or if the authorized number of directors is increased, or if the
shareholders fail, at any meeting of shareholders at which any director or directors are elected,
to elect the number of directors to be voted for at that meeting.
The shareholders may elect a director or directors at any time to fill any vacancy or
vacancies not filled by the directors, but any such election by written consent shall require the
consent of a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote.
Any director may resign effective on giving written notice to the chairman of the board, the
president, the secretary or the board of directors, unless the notice specifies a later time for
that resignation to become effective. If the resignation of a director is effective at a future
time, the board of directors may elect a successor to take office when the resignation becomes
effective.
No reduction of the authorized number of directors shall have the effect of removing any
director before that directors term of office expires.
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Section 6. Place of Meetings and Meetings by Telephone. Regular meetings of the
board of directors may be held at any place within or outside the State of California that has been
designated from time to time by resolution of the board. In the absence of such a designation,
regular meetings shall be held at the principal executive office of the corporation. Special
meetings of the board shall be held at any place within or outside the State of California that has
been designed in the notice of the meeting or, if not stated in the notice or there is no notice,
at the principal executive office of the corporation. Any meeting, regular or special, may be held
by conference telephone or similar communication equipment, so long as all directors participating
in the meeting can hear one another, and all such directors shall be deemed to be present in person
at the meeting.
Section 7. Annual Meeting. Immediately following each annual meeting of
shareholders, the board of directors shall hold a regular meeting for the purpose of organization,
any desired election of officers and the transaction of other business. Notice of this meeting
shall not be required.
Section 8. Other Regular Meetings. Other regular meetings of the board of directors
shall be held without call at such time as shall from time to time be fixed by the board of
directors. Such regular meetings may be held without notice.
Section 9. Special Meetings. Special meetings of the board of directors for any
purpose or purposes may be called at any time by the chairman of the board or the president or any
vice president or the secretary or any two directors.
Notice of the time and place of special meetings shall be delivered personally or by telephone
to each director or sent by first class mail or telegram, charges prepaid, addressed to each
director at that directors address as it is shown on the records of the corporation. In case the
notice is mailed, it shall be deposited in the United States mail at least four (4) days before the
time of the holding of the meeting. In case the notice is delivered personally or by telephone or
telegram, it shall be delivered personally or by telephone or to the telegraph company at least
forty-eight (48) hours before the time of the holding of the meeting. Any oral notice given
personally or by telephone may be communicated either to the director or to a person at the office
of the director who the person giving the notice has reason to believe will promptly communicate it
to the director. The notice need not specify the purpose of the meeting. In addition, the place
of the meeting need not be specified if it is to be held at the principal executive office of the
corporation.
Section 10. Quorum. A majority of the authorized number of directors shall
constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, except to adjourn as provided in Section 12 of
this Article IV. Every act or decision done or made by a majority of the directors present at a
meeting duly held at which a quorum is present shall be regarded as the act of the board of
directors, subject to the provisions of Section 310 of the Corporations Code of California (as to
approval of contracts or transactions in which a director has a direct or indirect material
financial interest), Section 311 of that Code (as to appointment of committees), and Section 317(e)
of that Code (as to indemnification of directors). A meeting at which a quorum is initially
present may continue to transact business notwithstanding the withdrawal of directors, if any
action taken is approved by at least a majority of the required quorum for that meeting.
Section 11. Waiver of Notice. The transactions of any meeting of the board of
directors, however called and noticed or wherever held, shall be as valid as though had at a
meeting duly held after regular call and notice if a quorum is present and if, either before or
after the meeting, each of the directors not present or who though present or who though present
has prior to the meeting or at its commencement protested the lack of proper notice to him, signs a
written waiver of notice, a consent to holding the meeting or an approval of the minutes. The
waiver of notice or consent need not specify the purpose of the meeting. All such waivers,
consents and approvals shall be filed with the corporate records or made a part of the minutes of
the meeting.
Section 12. Adjournment. A majority of the directors present, whether or not
constituting a quorum, may adjourn any meeting to another time and place.
Section 13. Notice of Adjournment. Notice of the time and place of holding an
adjourned meeting need not be given unless the meeting is adjourned for more than twenty-four (24)
hours, in which case notice of the time and place shall be given before the time of the adjourned
meeting in the manner specified in Section 9 of this Article IV to the directors who were not
present at the time of the adjournment.
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Section 14. Action Without Meetings. Any action required or permitted to be taken by
the board of directors may be taken without a meeting if all members of the board shall
individually or collectively consent in writing to that action. Such action by written consent
shall have the same force and effect as a unanimous vote of the board of directors. Such written
consent or consents shall be filed with the minutes of the proceedings of the board.
Section 15. Fees and Compensation of Directors. Directors and members of committees
may receive such compensation, if any, for their services and such reimbursement of expenses as may
be fixed or determined by resolution of the board of directors. This Section 15 shall not be
construed to preclude any director from serving the corporation in any other capacity as an
officer, agent, employee or otherwise, and receiving compensation for those services.
ARTICLE V
Committees
Section 1. Committees Of Directors. The board of directors may, by resolution
adopted by a majority of the authorized number of directors, designate one or more committees, each
consisting of two or more directors, to serve at the pleasure of the board. The board may
designate one or more directors as alternate members of any committee who may replace any absent
member at any meeting of the committee. Any committee, to the extent provided in the resolution of
the board, shall have all the authority of the board, except with respect to:
(a) the approval of any action which, under the General Corporation Law of California,
also requires shareholders approval or approval of the outstanding shares;
(b) the filling of vacancies on the board of directors or in any committee;
(c) the fixing of compensation of the directors for serving on the board or on any
committee;
(d) the amendment or repeal of bylaws or the adoption of new bylaws;
(e) the amendment or repeal of any resolution of the board of directors which by its
express terms is not so amendable or repealable;
(f) a distribution to the shareholders of the corporation, except at a rate or in a
periodic amount or within a price range determined by the board of directors; or
(g) the appointment of any other committees of the board of directors or the members of
these committees.
Section 2. Meetings and Action of Committees. Meetings and action of committees
shall be governed by, and held and taken in accordance with, the provisions of Article IV of these
bylaws, Sections 6 (place of meetings), 8 (regular meetings), 9 (special meetings and notice), 10
(quorum), 11 (waiver of notice), 12 (adjournment), 13 (notice of adjournment), and 14 (action
without meeting), with such changes in the context of those bylaws as are necessary to substitute
the committee and its members for the board of directors and its members, except that the time of
regular meetings of committees may be determined either by resolution of the board of directors or
by resolution of the committee; special meetings of committees may also be called by resolution of
the board of directors; and notice of special meetings of committees shall also be given to all
alternate members who shall have the right to attend all meetings of the committee. The board of
directors may adopt rules for the government of any committee not inconsistent with the provisions
of these bylaws.
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ARTICLE VI
Officers
Section 1. Officers. The officers of the corporation shall include a president, a
secretary and a chief financial officer. The corporation may also have, at the discretion of the
board of directors, a chairman of the board, one or more
vice presidents, a treasurer, one or more assistant secretaries, one or more assistant treasurers
and such other officers as may be appointed in accordance with the provisions of Section 3 of this
Article VI. If there is a treasurer, he shall be the chief financial officer unless some other
person is so appointed by the board of directors. Any number of offices may be held by the same
person.
Section 2. Election of Officers. The officers of the corporation, except such
officers as may be appointed in accordance with the provisions of Section 3 or Section 5 of this
Article VI, shall be chosen by the board of directors, and each shall service at the pleasure of
the board, subject to the rights, if any, of an officer under any contract of employment.
Section 3. Subordinate Officers. The board of directors may appoint, and may empower
the chairman of the board or president to appoint, such other officers as the business of the
corporation may require, each of whom shall hold office for such period, have such authority and
perform such duties as are provided in the bylaws or as the board of directors may from time to
time determine.
Section 4. Removal and Resignation of Officer. Subject to the rights, if any, of an
officer under any contract of employment, any officer may be removed, either with or without cause,
by the board of directors, at any regular or special meeting of the board or, except in case of an
officer chosen by the board of directors, by an officer upon whom such power of removal may be
conferred by the board of directors. Any officer may resign at any time by giving written notice
to the corporation. Any resignation shall take effect at the date of the receipt of that notice or
at any later time specified in that notice; and, unless otherwise specified in that notice, the
acceptance of the resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective. Any resignation is
without prejudice to the rights, if any, of the corporation under any contract to which the officer
is a party.
Section 5. Vacancies in Offices. A vacancy in any office because of death,
resignation, removal, disqualification or any other cause shall be filled in the manner prescribed
in these bylaws for regular appointments to that office.
Section 6. Chairman of the Board. The chairman of the board, if such an officer be
elected, shall, if present, preside at meetings of the board of directors and exercise and perform
such other powers and duties as may be from time to time assigned to him by the board of directors
or prescribed by the bylaws. If there is no president, the chairman of the board shall in addition
be the chief executive officer of the corporation and shall have the powers and duties prescribed
in Section 7 of this Article VI. The chairman of the board may be the chief executive officer of
the corporation, notwithstanding that there is a president, if the board of directors so
determines.
Section 7. President. Subject to such supervisory powers, if any, as may be given by
the board of directors to the chairman of the board, if there be such an officer, the president
shall, subject to the control of the board of directors, have general supervision, direction and
control of the business and the officers of the corporation. In the absence of the chairman of the
board, or if there be none, he shall preside at all meetings of the shareholders and at all
meetings of the board of directors. He shall have the general powers and duties of management
usually vested in the office of president of a corporation and shall have such powers and duties as
may be prescribed by the board of directors or the bylaws. The president shall be the chief
executive officer of the corporation unless the chairman of the board, if any, is so designated.
Section 8. Vice Presidents. In the absence or disability of the president, the vice
presidents, if any, in order of their rank as fixed by the board of directors or, if not ranked, a
vice president designated by the board of directors, shall perform all duties of the president, and
when so acting shall have all the powers of, and be subject to all the restrictions upon, the
president. The vice presidents shall have such other powers and perform such other duties as from
time to time may be prescribed for them respectively by the board of directors or the bylaws and
the president or the chairman of the board.
Section 9. Secretary. The secretary shall keep or cause to be kept, at the principal
executive office or such other place as the board of directors may direct, a book of minutes of all
meetings and actions of directors, committees of directors and shareholders, with the time and
place of holding, whether regular or special and, if special, how authorized, the notice given, the
names of those present at directors meetings or committee meetings, the number of shares present
or represented at shareholders meetings and the proceedings.
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The secretary shall keep, or cause to be kept, at the principal executive office or at the
office of the corporations transfer agent or registrar, as determined by resolution of the board
of directors, a share register, or a duplicate share register, showing the names of shareholders
and their addresses, the number and classes of shares held by each, the number and date of
certificates issued for the same, and the number and date of cancellation of every certificate
surrendered for cancellation.
The secretary shall give, or cause to be given, notice of all meetings of the shareholders and
of the board of directors required by the bylaws or by law to be given, and he shall keep the seal
of the corporation if one be adopted, in safe custody, and shall have such other powers and perform
such other duties as may be prescribed by the board of directors or by the bylaws.
Section 10. Chief Financial Officer. The chief financial officer shall keep and
maintain, or cause to be kept and maintained, adequate and correct books and records of accounts of
the properties and business transactions of the corporation, including accounts of its assets,
liabilities, receipts, disbursements, gains, losses, capital, retained earnings and shares. The
books of account shall at all reasonable times be open to inspection by any director.
The chief financial officer shall deposit all moneys and other valuables in the name and to
the credit of the corporation with such depositories as may be designated by the board of
directors. He shall disburse the funds of the corporation as may be ordered by the board of
directors, shall render to the president and directors, whenever they request it, an account of all
of his transactions as chief financial officer and of the financial condition of the corporation,
and shall have other powers and perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the board of
directors or the bylaws.
ARTICLE VII
Indemnification
Section 1. Indemnification of Directors, Officers, Employees and Other Agents. The
corporation shall indemnify each of its agents to the maximum extent permitted by the California
General Corporation Law, as the same exists on the date of adoption of this Article VII or may
hereafter be amended or interpreted (but in the case of any such amendment or interpretation, only
to the extent that such amendment or interpretation permits the corporation to provide broader
indemnification rights than were permitted prior to such amendment or interpretation), against
expenses, judgments, fines, settlements and other amounts actually and reasonably incurred in
connection with any proceeding arising by reason of the fact any such person is or was an agent of
the corporation. For purposes of this Article, an agent of the corporation includes any person
who is or was a director, officer, employee, or other agent of the corporation, or is or was
serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee, or agent of another
corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, or other enterprise, or was a director, officer,
employee or agent of a corporation which was a predecessor corporation of the corporation or of
another enterprise at the request of such predecessor corporation.
Section 2. Insurance. Upon and in the event of a determination by the board of
directors of this corporation to purchase such insurance, this corporation shall purchase and
maintain insurance on behalf of any agent of the corporation against any liability asserted against
or incurred by the agent in such capacity or arising out of the agents status as such whether or
not this corporation would have the obligation to indemnify the agent against that liability under
the provisions of this Article VII.
ARTICLE VIII
Records and Reports
Section 1. Maintenance and Inspection of Share Register. The corporation shall keep
at its principal executive office, or at the office of its transfer agent or registrar, if either
be appointed and as determined by resolution of the board of directors, a record of its
shareholders, giving the names and addresses of all shareholders, the number of shares and the
class or series of shares held by each shareholder and the number of certificates, if any,
representing the shares.
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A shareholder or shareholders of the corporation holding at least five percent (5%) in the
aggregate of the outstanding voting shares of the corporation may (i) inspect and copy the records
of shareholders names and addresses
and shareholdings during usual business hours on five (5) days prior written demand on the
corporation, and (ii) obtain from the transfer agent of the corporation, on written demand and on
the tender of such transfer agents usual charges for such list, a list of the shareholders name
and addresses who are entitled to vote for the election of directors and their shareholdings as of
the most recent record date for which that list has been compiled or as of a date specified by the
shareholder after the date of demand. This list shall be made available to any such shareholder by
the transfer agent on or before the later of five (5) days after the demand is received or the date
specified in the demand as the date as of which the list is to be compiled. The record of
shareholders shall also be open to inspection on the written demand of any shareholder or holder of
a voting trust certificate, at any time during usual business hours, for a purpose reasonably
related to the holders interests as a shareholder or as the holder of a voting trust certificate.
Any inspection and copying under this Section 1 may be made in person or by an agent or attorney of
the shareholder or holder of a voting trust certificate making the demand.
Section 2. Maintenance and Inspection of Bylaws. The corporation shall keep at its
principal executive office, or if its principal executive office is not in the State of California,
at its principal business office in this state, the original or a copy of the bylaws as amended to
date, which shall be open to inspection by the shareholders at all reasonable times during office
hours. If the principal executive office of the corporation is outside the State of California and
the corporation has no principal business office in this state, the secretary shall, upon the
written request of any shareholder, furnish to that shareholder a copy of the bylaws as amended to
date.
Section 3. Maintenance and Inspection of Other Corporate Records. The accounting
books and records and minutes of proceedings of the shareholders and the board of directors and any
committee or committees of the board of directors shall be kept at such place or places designated
by the board of directors or, in the absence of such designation, at the principal executive office
of the corporation. The minutes shall be kept in written form and the accounting books and records
shall be kept either in written form or in any other form capable of being converted into written
form. The minutes and accounting books and records shall be open to inspection upon the written
demand of any shareholder or holder of a voting trust certificate, at any reasonable time during
usual business hours, for a purpose reasonably related to the holders interests as a shareholder
or as the holder of a voting trust certificate. The inspection may be made in person or by an
agent or attorney and shall include the right to copy and make extracts. These rights of
inspection shall extend to the records of each subsidiary corporation of the corporation.
Section 4. Inspection by Director. Every director shall have the absolute right at
any reasonable time to inspect all books, records and documents of every kind and the physical
properties of the corporation and each of its subsidiary corporations. This inspection by a
director may be made in person or by an agent or attorney and the right of inspection includes the
right to copy and make extracts of documents.
Section 5. Annual Report to Shareholders. The board of directors shall cause an
annual report to be sent to the shareholders not later than one hundred twenty (120) days after the
close of the fiscal year adopted by the corporation. This report shall be sent at least fifteen
(15) (or if sent by third-class mail, thirty-five (35)) days before the annual meeting of
shareholders to be held during the next fiscal year and in the manner specified in Section 5 of
Article III of these bylaws for giving notice to shareholders of the corporation. The annual
report shall contain a balance sheet as of the end of the fiscal year and an income statement and
statement of changes in financial position for the fiscal year, prepared in accordance with
generally accepted accounting principles applied on a consistent basis and accompanied by any
report of independent accountants.
Section 6. Disclosure on Distribution. Any distribution of income or capital assets
of the corporation to holders of securities of the corporation other than its promissory notes
shall be accompanied by a written statement disclosing the source of the funds distributed. If, at
the time of distribution, this information is not available, a written explanation of the relevant
circumstances shall accompany the distribution and the written, statement disclosing the source of
the funds distributed shall be sent to such holders not later than seventy-five (75) days after the
close of the fiscal year in which the distribution was made.
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Section 7. Financial Statements. A copy of any annual financial statement and any
income statement of the corporation for each quarterly period of each fiscal year and any
accompanying balance sheet of the corporation as of the end of each such period that has been
prepared by the corporation shall be kept on file in the principal executive office of
the corporation for twelve (12) months, and each such statement shall be exhibited at all
reasonable times to any shareholder demanding an examination of any such statement or a copy shall
be mailed to any such shareholder.
If a shareholder or shareholders holding at least five percent (5%) of the outstanding shares
of any class of stock of the corporation makes a written request to the corporation for an income
statement of the corporation for the three-month, six-month or nine-month period of the then
current fiscal year ended more than thirty (30) days before the date of the request, and a balance
sheet of the corporation as of the end of that period, the chief financial officer shall cause that
statement to be prepared, if not already prepared, and shall deliver personally or mail that
statement or statements to the person making the request within thirty (30) days after the receipt
of the request. If the corporation has not sent to the shareholders its annual report for the last
fiscal year, this report shall likewise be delivered or mailed to the shareholder or shareholders
within thirty (30) days after the request.
The corporation shall also, on the written request of any shareholder, mail to the shareholder
a copy of the last annual, semi-annual or quarterly income statement which it has prepared, and a
balance sheet as of the end of that period.
The quarterly income statements and balance sheets referred to in this section shall be
accompanied by the report, if any, of any independent accountants engaged by the corporation or the
certificate of an authorized officer of the corporation that the financial statements were prepared
without audit from the books and records of the corporation.
Section 8. Annual Statement of General Information. The corporation shall, during
the period commencing on January 1st and ending on June 30th in each year, file with the Secretary
of State of the State of California, on the prescribed form, a statement setting forth the
authorized number of directors, the number of vacancies on the board of directors the names and
complete business or residence addresses of all incumbent directors, the names and complete
business or residence addresses of the chief executive officer, secretary and chief financial
officer, the street address of its principal executive office or principal business office in this
state, and the general type of business constituting the principal business activity of the
corporation, together with a designation of the agent of the corporation for the purpose of service
of process, all in compliance with Section 1502 of the Corporations Code of California.
ARTICLE IX
General Corporate Matters
Section 1. Record Date for Purposes Other than Notice and Voting. For purposes of
determining the shareholders entitled to receive payment of any dividend or other distribution or
allotment of any rights or entitled to exercise any rights in respect of any other lawful action
(other than action by shareholders by written consent without a meeting), the board of directors
may fix, in advance, a record date which shall not be more than sixty (60) days before any such
action, and in that case only shareholders of record on the date so fixed are entitled to receive
the dividend, distribution or allotment of rights or to exercise the rights, as the case may be,
notwithstanding any transfer of any shares on the books of the corporation after the record date so
fixed, except as otherwise provided in the California General Corporation law.
If the board of directors does not so fix a record date, the record date for determining
shareholders for any such purpose shall be at the close of business on the day on which the board
adopts the applicable resolution or the sixtieth (60th) day before the date of that action,
whichever is later.
Section 2. Checks, Drafts, Evidence of Indebtedness. All checks, drafts or other
orders for payment of money, notes or other evidences of indebtedness, issued in the name of or
payable to the corporation, shall be signed or endorsed by such person or persons and in such
manner as set from time to time shall be determined by resolution of the board of directors.
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Section 3. Corporate Contracts and Instruments; How Executed. The board of
directors, except as otherwise provided in these bylaws, may authorize any officer or officers,
agent or agents, to enter into any contract or execute any instrument in the name of and on behalf
of the corporation, and this authority may be general or confined to specific instances; and,
unless so authorized or ratified by the board of directors or within the agency power of an
officer, no
officer, agent or employee shall have any power or authority to bind the corporation by any
contract or engagement or to pledge its credit or to render it liable for any purpose or for any
amount.
Section 4. Certificates for Shares. Each shareholder shall be entitled to a
certificate or certificates for shares of the capital stock of the corporation signed in the name
of the corporation by the chairman of the board or vice chairman of the board, or the president or
vice president, and by the chief financial officer or an assistant treasurer or the secretary or
any assistant secretary, certifying the number of shares and the class or series of shares owned by
the shareholder. Any or all of the signatures on the certificate may be facsimile. In case any
officer, transfer agent or registrar who has signed or whose facsimile signature has been placed on
a certificate shall have ceased to be that officer, transfer agent or registrar before that
certificate is issued, it may be issued by the corporation with the same effect as if that person
were an officer, transfer agent or registrar at the date of issue.
Section 5.2 Stock Certificates and Uncertificated Stock. Shares of the
corporations stock may be certificated or uncertificated, as provided under California law. Every
certificate of stock of the corporation shall be signed in the name of the corporation by the
chairman of the board or vice chairman of the board, or the president or a vice president, and by
the chief financial officer or an assistant treasurer or the secretary or any assistant secretary,
certifying the number of shares and the class or series of shares owned by the shareholder. Any or
all of the signatures on the certificate may be facsimile. In case any officer, transfer agent or
registrar who has signed or whose facsimile signature has been placed on a certificate shall have
ceased to be that officer, transfer agent or registrar before that certificate is issued, it may be
issued by the corporation with the same effect as if that person were an officer, transfer agent or
registrar at the date of issue.
Certificates for shares and uncertificated shares may be issued prior to full payment under
such restrictions and for such purposes as the board of directors may provide; provided, however,
that on any certificate issued to represent any partly paid shares, or, for uncertificated shares,
on the initial transaction statement for such partly paid shares, the total amount of the
consideration to be paid therefor and the amount paid thereon shall be stated.
Section 6.2 Lost Certificates. The board of directors may, in case any
share certificate or certificate for any other security is alleged to have been lost, stolen, or
destroyed, authorize the issuance of a replacement certificate or uncertificated shares in lieu
thereof on such terms and conditions as the board may require, including provision for
indemnification of the corporation secured by a bond or other adequate security sufficient to
protect the corporation against any claim that may be made against it, including any expense or
liability, on account of the alleged loss, theft or destruction of the certificate or the issuance
of the replacement certificate or uncertificated shares.
Section 7. Restrictions on Transactions with Affiliates. The corporation may engage
in transactions with affiliates provided that a purchase or sale transaction with an affiliate is
(i) approved by a majority of the corporations Independent Directors and (ii) fair to the
corporation based on an independent appraisal or fairness opinion.
Section 8. Repurchase of Shares. The corporation may purchase or reacquire its
shares and invest its assets in its own shares, provided that in each case the consent of the board
of directors shall have been obtained.
Section 9. Provisions in Conflict with Law or Regulations. The provisions of these
bylaws are severable, and if the directors shall determine, with the advice of counsel, that any
one or more of such provisions (the Conflicting Provisions) are in conflict with the provisions
of Section 850 through 860 of the Code or with other applicable federal or California laws and
regulations, the Conflicting Provisions shall be deemed never to have constituted a part of these
bylaws; provided, however, that such determination by the directors shall not affect or impair any
of the remaining provisions of these bylaws or render invalid or improper any action taken or
omitted (including but not limited to the election of directors) prior to such determination. Such
determination shall become effective when a certificate signed by a majority of the directors
setting forth any such determination and reciting that it was duly adopted by the directors, shall
be filed with the books and records of the corporation. The directors shall not be liable for
failure to make any determination under this Section. Nothing in this Section shall in any way
limit or affect the right of the directors or the shareholders to amend these bylaws.
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Section 10. Construction. Unless the context requires otherwise, the general
provisions, rules of construction and definitions in the California General Corporation Law shall
govern the construction of these bylaws.
Section 11. Proposal for Sale or Financing of Properties. During 1997, unless
shareholders had previously approved such a proposal, the shareholders will be presented with a
proposal to approve or disapprove (a) the sale or financing of all or substantially all of the
corporations properties and (b) the distribution of the proceeds from such transaction and, in the
case of a sale, the liquidation of the corporation, unless the proceeds of such sale include
deferred payments, in which case the corporation would be liquidated following receipt of all
deferred payments; provided, however, that this provision shall not be applicable if the merger of
American Office Park Properties, Inc. into the corporation is completed. This provision may not be
amended or repealed without the vote or written consent of holders of a majority of the outstanding
shares entitled to vote.
ARTICLE X
Investment Policy
Section 1. Statement of Investment Policy. The general investment policy of the
corporation shall be to engage in any lawful activity for which a corporation may be organized
under applicable law.
ARTICLE XI
Amendments
Section 1. Amendment by Shareholders. New bylaws may be adopted or these bylaws may
be amended or repealed by the vote or written consent of holders of a majority of the outstanding
shares entitled to vote; provided, however, that if the articles of incorporation of the
corporation are amended in accordance with Section 2302 of the Corporations Code of California and
if such articles of incorporation thereafter set forth the number of authorized directors of the
corporation, the authorized number of directors may be changed only by an amendment of the articles
of incorporation.
Section 2. Amendment by Directors. Subject to the rights of the shareholders as
provided in Section 1 of this Article XI, to adopt, amend or repeal bylaws, bylaws may be adopted,
amended or repealed by the board of directors; provided, however, that after the issuance of
shares, the board of directors may adopt a bylaw or amendment of a bylaw changing the authorized
number of directors only for the purpose of fixing the exact number of directors within the limits
specified in the articles of incorporation or in Section 2 of Article IV of these bylaws, and
provided further that bylaws relating to the corporations qualification as a real estate
investment trust (Section 9 of Article IX), bylaws requiring that a majority of the directors be
Independent Directors (Section 3 of Article IV), bylaws relating to restrictions on transactions
with affiliates (Section 7 of Article IX) and bylaws relating to restrictions on the repurchase by
the corporation of its shares (Section 8 of Article IX), may not be amended or repealed without the
vote or written consent of holders of a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote.
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