XML 29 R16.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v3.10.0.1
RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2018
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]  
Related Party Transactions

10. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS



Equity Method Investments



Certain of the Company’s development property investments and bridge loan investments are equity method investments for which the Company has elected the fair value option of accounting. The fair value of these equity method investments at June 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 was $366.0 million and $215.9 million, respectively. The interest income realized and the change in fair value from these equity method investments was $14.7 million and $6.1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively, and $23.0 million and $8.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively.



The Company’s investment in the real estate venture, the SL1 Venture, has a carrying amount of $14.8 million and $13.9 million at June 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively, and the earnings from this venture were $0.4 million and $1.0 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018. The earnings from this venture were $0.6 million and $1.0 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017.



Management Agreement



On April 1, 2015, the Company entered into a Management Agreement with its Manager (the “Management Agreement”). Pursuant to the terms of the Management Agreement, the Manager will be responsible for (a) the Company’s day-to-day operations, (b) determining investment criteria and strategy in conjunction with the Company’s Board of Directors, (c) sourcing, analyzing, originating, underwriting, structuring, and acquiring the Company’s portfolio investments, and (d) performing portfolio management duties. The Manager has an Investment Committee that approves investments in accordance with the Company’s investment guidelines, investment strategy, and financing strategy.



On May 23, 2016, the Company entered into an Amended and Restated Management Agreement (the “Amended and Restated Management Agreement”) by and among the Company, the Operating Company and the Manager that amends and restates the original Management Agreement dated April 1, 2015. The Amended and Restated Management Agreement was approved on behalf of the Company and the Operating Company by a unanimous vote of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors, which consists solely of independent directors.



The Amended and Restated Management Agreement modified certain procedures with respect to the future internalization of the Manager (as described in the Amended and Restated Management Agreement, an “Internalization Transaction”). Prior to entry into the Amended and Restated Management Agreement, if no Internalization Transaction had occurred prior to the end of the last renewal term, the Manager would have been entitled to the Termination Fee (as defined in the Amended and Restated Management Agreement) and the Company would not have acquired the assets of the Manager. The Amended and Restated Management Agreement, however, requires an Internalization Transaction at the end of the last renewal term (if an Internalization Transaction or termination of the Amended and Restated Management Agreement has not occurred prior to that date). The Internalization Price in such event would equal the Termination Fee amount and the Company would receive the Manager’s assets. Accordingly, the amount the Manager would receive has not changed, but the Company now would receive the assets of the Manager, which it would not have received prior to the Amended and Restated Management Agreement. 



Under the Amended and Restated Management Agreement, if an Internalization Transaction has not occurred prior to March 31, 2023, the last day of the last renewal term, then the Manager and the Company shall consummate an Internalization Transaction to be effective as of that date and all assets of the Manager (or, alternatively, all of the equity interests in the Manager) shall be conveyed to and acquired by the Operating Company in exchange for the Internalization Price (as described herein). At such time, all employees of the Manager shall become employees of the Operating Company and the Manager shall discontinue all business activities. Unlike an Internalization Transaction that occurs prior to the end of the final renewal term of the Amended and Restated Management Agreement, an Internalization Transaction that occurs at the end of the final renewal term shall not require a fairness opinion, the approval of a special committee of the Company’s Board of Directors or the approval of the Company’s stockholders.



The “Internalization Price” payable in the event of an Internalization Transaction at the end of the last renewal term shall be equal to the Termination Fee and the Board of Directors of the Company has no discretion to change such Internalization Price or the conditions applicable to its payment.



The Internalization Price paid to the Manager in any Internalization Transaction will be payable by the Operating Company in the number of units of limited liability company interests (“OC Units”) of the Operating Company equal to the Internalization Price, divided by the volume-weighted average of the closing market price of the common stock of the Company for the ten consecutive trading days immediately preceding the date with respect to which value must be determined. However, if the common stock of the Company is not traded on a national securities exchange at the time of closing of any Internalization Transaction, then the number of OC Units shall be determined by agreement between the Board of Directors of the Company and the Manager or, in the absence of such agreement, the Internalization Price shall be paid in cash.



Prior to entry into the Amended and Restated Management Agreement, any Termination Fee would have been payable by the Operating Company in OC Units equal to the Termination Fee divided by the average of the daily market price of the Company’s common stock for the ten consecutive trading days immediately preceding the date of termination within 90 days after occurrence of the event requiring the payment of the Termination Fee. In accordance with ASC 505-50, Equity—Equity-based Payments to Non-Employees, since the number of OC Units to be issued was dependent upon different possible outcomes, the Company recognized the lowest aggregate amount within the range of outcomes. Accordingly, the Company estimated the deferred termination fee payable and accrued the expense over the term of the Management Agreement. Upon entry into the Amended and Restated Management Agreement, the Company ceased recognizing the deferred termination fee expense and reclassified the Non-Controlling Interests to Additional Paid-In-Capital since the Termination Fee is no longer certain of being paid other than in exchange for either the assets or equity of the Manager. Accordingly, the Company recorded no expense during the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017.



On April 1, 2017, the Company, the Operating Company and the Manager entered into a Second Amended and Restated Management Agreement to modify the manner in which certain expenses incurred by the Manager are accounted for and paid by the Company. Under the Amended and Restated Management Agreement, the Manager may engage independent contractors that provide investment banking, securities brokerage, mortgage brokerage and other financial, legal and account services as may be required for the Company’s investments, and the Company agrees to reimburse the Manager for costs and expenses incurred in connection with these services. The Second Amended and Restated Management Agreement now provides that expenses incurred by the Manager are reimbursable to the Manager by the Company only to the extent such expenses are not otherwise directly reimbursed by an unaffiliated third party. The amount of expenses to be reimbursed to the Manager by the Company will be reduced dollar-for-dollar by the amount of any such payment or reimbursement.



On November 1, 2017, the Company, the Operating Company and the Manager entered into the Third Amended and Restated Management Agreement in order to clarify the original intent of the parties with respect to the definition of Core Earnings and to make other minor changes necessary to reflect the current and anticipated business model from and after this time. The Third Amended and Restated Management Agreement is otherwise substantially consistent with the Second Amended and Restated Management Agreement.



Under the Third Amended and Restated Management Agreement, “Core Earnings” is defined as (1) net income (loss) determined under GAAP, plus (2) non-cash equity compensation expense, the incentive fee, depreciation and amortization, plus (3) any unrealized losses or other non-cash expense items reflected in GAAP net income (loss), less (4) any unrealized gains reflected in GAAP net income (including any unrealized appreciation with respect to self-storage facilities that we have not yet acquired). The Third Amended and Restated Management Agreement clarifies that in addition to certain previously agreed upon adjustments, with respect to any self-storage facility acquired by the Company with respect to which we had an outstanding loan as of the time of such acquisition, the amount of Core Earnings determined pursuant to the formula above in the period of such acquisition shall also be increased by the difference between (A) the appraised value, as determined by a nationally recognized, independent third-party appraiser mutually agreed to by the Company and the Manager who has significant expertise in valuing self-storage properties, and (B) (i) the outstanding principal amount of any Company loan secured by such acquired self-storage facility at the time of such acquisition plus (ii) any other consideration given to the former owner upon such acquisition. This addition is intended to include in Core Earnings the amount of the Company’s unrealized gain on account of the Company’s acquisition of a self-storage facility without such facility being sold to a third party buyer in the open market.



The initial term of the Management Agreement will expire on March 31, 2020, with up to a maximum of three, one-year extensions that end on March 31, 2023. The Company’s independent directors review the Manager’s performance annually. Following the initial term, the Management Agreement may be terminated annually upon the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the Company’s independent directors based upon: (a) the Manager’s unsatisfactory performance that is materially detrimental to the Company; or (b) the Company’s determination that the management fees payable to the Manager are not fair, subject to the Manager’s right to prevent termination based on unfair fees by accepting a reduction of management fees agreed to by at least two-thirds of the independent directors. The Company is required to provide its Manager with 180 days’ prior notice of such a termination. Upon such a termination, the Company will pay the Manager a Termination Fee except as provided below.



No later than 180 days prior to the end of the initial term of the Management Agreement, the Manager will offer to contribute to the Company’s Operating Company at the end of the initial term all of the assets or equity interests in the Manager at the internalization price and on such terms and conditions included in a written offer provided by the Manager.



Upon receipt of the Manager’s initial internalization offer, a special committee consisting solely of the Company’s independent directors may accept the Manager’s proposal or submit a counter offer to the Manager. If the Manager and the special committee are unable to agree, the Manager and the special committee will repeat this process annually during the term of any extension of the Management Agreement. Acquisition of the Manager pursuant to this process requires a fairness opinion from a nationally recognized investment banking firm and stockholder approval, in addition to approval by the special committee. As described above, if an Internalization Transaction has not occurred prior to March 31, 2023, the last day of the last renewal term, then the Manager and the Company shall consummate an Internalization Transaction to be effective as of that date, and such Internalization Transaction shall not require a fairness opinion, the approval of a special committee of the Company’s Board of Directors or the approval of the Company’s stockholders.



If the Management Agreement terminates other than for Cause (as defined below), voluntary non-renewal by the Manager or the Company being required to register as an investment company under the 1940 Act, then the Company shall pay to the Manager, on the date on which such termination is effective, a Termination Fee equal to the greater of (i) three times the sum of the average annual Base Management Fee and Incentive Fee earned by the Manager during the 24-month period prior to such termination, calculated as of the end of the most recently completed fiscal quarter prior to the date of termination, or (ii) the offer price, which will be based on the lesser of (a) the Manager’s earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (adjusted for unusual, extraordinary and non-recurring charges and expenses), or “EBITDA” annualized based on the most recent quarter ended, multiplied by a specific multiple, or EBITDA Multiple, depending on the Company’s achieved total annual return, and (b) the Company’s equity market capitalization multiplied by a specific percentage, or Capitalization Percentage, depending on the Company’s achieved total return (the Internalization Price). Any Termination Fee will be payable by the Operating Company in cash.



The Company also may terminate the Management Agreement at any time, including during the initial term, without the payment of any Termination Fee, with 30 days’ prior written notice from the Board of Directors, for cause. “Cause” is defined as: (i) the Manager’s continued breach of any material provision of the Management Agreement following a prescribed period; (ii) the occurrence of certain events with respect to the bankruptcy or insolvency of the Manager; (iii) a change of control of the Manager that a majority of the Company’s independent directors determines is materially detrimental to the Company; (iv) the Manager committing fraud against the Company, misappropriating or embezzling the Company’s funds, or acting grossly negligent in the performance of its duties under the Management Agreement; (v) the dissolution of the Manager; (vi) the Manager fails to provide adequate or appropriate personnel that are reasonably necessary for the Manager to identify investment opportunities for the Company and to manage and develop the Company’s investment portfolio if such default continues uncured for a period of 60 days after written notice thereof, which notice must contain a request that the same be remedied; (vii) the Manager is convicted (including a plea of nolo contendere) of a felony; or (viii) both the current Chief Executive Officer and the current President and Chief Operating Officer are no longer senior executive officers of the Manager or the Company during the term of the Management Agreement other than by reason of death or disability.



The Manager may terminate the Management Agreement if the Company becomes required to register as an investment company under the 1940 Act, with such termination deemed to occur immediately before such event, in which case the Company would not be required to pay the Manager a Termination Fee. The Manager may also decline to renew the Management Agreement by providing the Company with 180 days’ written notice, in which case the Company would not be required to pay a Termination Fee.



The Management Agreement provides for the Manager to earn a base management fee and an incentive fee, both of which are described further below. In addition, the Company will reimburse certain expenses of the Manager, excluding the salaries and cash bonuses of the Manager’s chief executive officer and chief financial officer, a portion of the salary of the president and chief operating officer, and certain other costs as determined by the Manager in accordance with the Management Agreement. Certain prepaid expenses and fixed assets are also purchased through the Manager and reimbursed by the Company. In the event that the Company terminates the Management Agreement pursuant to its terms, other than for Cause or the Company being required to register as an investment company under the 1940 Act, there will be a Termination Fee due to the Manager. Amounts reimbursable to the Manager for expenses are included in general and administrative expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Operations and totaled $0.9 million and $0.6 million for the three months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively, and $1.8 million and $1.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively.



Management Fees



As of June 30, 2018, the Company did not have any personnel. As a result, the Company is relying on the properties, resources and personnel of the Manager to conduct operations. Pursuant to the Management Agreement, the Company pays the Manager a base management fee in an amount equal to 0.375% of the Company’s stockholders’ equity (a 1.5% annual rate) calculated and payable quarterly in arrears in cash. For purposes of calculating the base management fee, the Company’s stockholder’s equity means: (a) the sum of (i) the net proceeds from all issuances of the Company’s equity securities since inception (allocated on a pro rata daily basis for such issuances during the fiscal quarter of any such issuance), plus (ii) the Company’s retained earnings at the end of the most recently completed fiscal quarter (without taking into account any non-cash equity compensation expense incurred in current or prior periods); less (b) any amount that the Company pays to repurchase the Company’s common stock since inception, provided that if the Company’s retained earnings are in a net deficit position (following any required adjustments set forth below), then retained earnings shall not be included in stockholders’ equity. It also excludes (x) any unrealized gains and losses and other non-cash items that have impacted stockholders’ equity as reported in the Company’s financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, or GAAP, and (y) one-time events pursuant to changes in GAAP (such as a cumulative change to the Company’s operating results as a result of a codification change pursuant to GAAP), and certain non-cash items not otherwise described above (such as depreciation and amortization), in each case after discussions between the Company’s Manager and the Company’s independent directors and approval by a majority of the Company’s independent directors. As a result, the Company’s stockholders’ equity, for purposes of calculating the base management fee, could be greater or less than the amount of stockholders’ equity shown on the Company’s financial statements. The base management fee is payable independent of the performance of the Company’s portfolio. The Manager computes the base management fee within 30 days after the end of the fiscal quarter with respect to which such installment is payable and promptly delivers such calculation to the Company’s Board of Directors. The amount of the installment shown in the calculation is due and payable no later than the date which is five business days after the date of delivery of such computation to the Board of Directors. The calculation generally will be reviewed by the Board of Directors at their regularly scheduled quarterly board meeting. The base management fee was $1.6 million and $0.7 million for the three months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively, and $2.9 million and $1.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively. At June 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, the Company had outstanding fees due to Manager of $1.9 million and $1.5 million, respectively, consisting of the management fees payable and certain general and administrative reimbursements payable.



Incentive Fee



The Manager is entitled to an incentive fee with respect to each fiscal quarter (or part thereof that the Management Agreement is in effect) in arrears in cash. The incentive fee is an amount, not less than zero, determined pursuant to the following formula:



Incentive Fee = .20 times (A minus (B times .08)) minus C



In the foregoing formula:

 

A equals the Company’s Core Earnings (as defined below) for the previous 12-month period;

 

B equals (i) the weighted average of the issue price per share of the Company’s common stock of all of its public offerings of common stock, multiplied by (ii) the weighted average number of all shares of common stock outstanding (including (i) any restricted stock units and any restricted shares of common stock in the previous 12-month period and (ii) shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of outstanding OC Units); and

 

C equals the sum of any incentive fees earned by the Manager with respect to the first three fiscal quarters of such previous 12-month period.



Notwithstanding application of the incentive fee formula, no incentive fee shall be paid with respect to any fiscal quarter unless cumulative annual stockholder total return for the four most recently completed fiscal quarters is greater than 8%. Any computed incentive fee earned but not paid because of the foregoing hurdle will accrue until such 8% cumulative annual stockholder total return is achieved. The total return is calculated by adding stock price appreciation (based on the volume-weighted average of the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the New York Stock Exchange (or other applicable trading market) for the last ten consecutive trading days of the applicable computation period minus the volume-weighted average of the closing market price of the Company’s common stock for the last ten consecutive trading days of the period immediately preceding the applicable computation period) plus dividends per share paid during such computation period, divided by the volume-weighted average of the closing market price of the Company’s common stock for the last ten consecutive trading days of the period immediately preceding the applicable computation period. For purposes of computing the Incentive Fee, “Core Earnings” is defined as net income (loss) determined under GAAP, plus non-cash equity compensation expense, the incentive fee, depreciation and amortization (to the extent that the Company forecloses on any facilities underlying the Company’s target investments), any unrealized losses or other non-cash expense items reflected in GAAP net income (loss), less any unrealized gains reflected in GAAP net income. The amount will be adjusted to exclude one-time events pursuant to changes in GAAP and certain other non-cash charges after discussions between the Manager and the Company’s independent directors and after approval by a majority of the independent directors.  The Third Amended and Restated Management Agreement clarifies that in addition to certain previously agreed upon adjustments, with respect to any self-storage facility acquired by the Company with respect to which we had an outstanding loan as of the time of such acquisition, the amount of Core Earnings determined pursuant to the formula above in the period of such acquisition shall also be increased by the difference between (A) the appraised value, as determined by a nationally recognized, independent third-party appraiser mutually agreed to by the Company and the Manager who has significant expertise in valuing self-storage properties, and (B) (i) the outstanding principal amount of any Company loan secured by such acquired self-storage facility at the time of such acquisition plus (ii) any other consideration given to the former owner upon such acquisition. This addition is intended to include in Core Earnings the amount of the Company’s unrealized gain on account of the Company’s acquisition of a self-storage facility without such facility being sold to a third party buyer in the open market.



The Manager computes each quarterly installment of the incentive fee within 45 days after the end of the fiscal quarter with respect to which such installment is payable and promptly delivers such calculation to the Company’s Board of Directors. The amount of the installment shown in the calculation is due and payable no later than the date which is five business days after the date of delivery of such computation to the Board of Directors. The calculation generally will be reviewed by the Board of Directors at their regularly scheduled quarterly board meeting. The Manager has not earned an incentive fee for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017.