|
UNITED
STATES
|
OMB APPROVAL
|
|
SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
|
OMB Number: 3235-00595
|
|
Washington,
D.C. 20549
|
Expires: February 28, 2006
|
|
SCHEDULE
14A
|
Estimated average burden
hours per response......... 12.75
|
Proxy
Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of
the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No. )
Filed
by the Registrant x |
Filed
by a Party other than the Registrant o |
|
Check
the appropriate box: |
|
|
o |
Preliminary
Proxy Statement |
o |
Confidential,
for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2)) |
x |
Definitive
Proxy Statement |
o |
Definitive
Additional Materials |
o |
Soliciting
Material Pursuant to Rule §240.14a-12 |
URSTADT
BIDDLE PROPERTIES INC.
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
(Name of
Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check
the appropriate box):
x |
No fee
required. |
|
|
|
o |
Fee computed
on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11. |
|
|
|
|
1. |
Title
of each class of securities to which transaction applies: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2. |
Aggregate
number of securities to which transaction applies: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3. |
Per unit
price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange
Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated
and state how it was determined): |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4. |
Proposed maximum aggregate
value of transaction: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5. |
Total fee paid: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
SEC 1913 (03-04) Persons who are to respond to the Collection of information contained in this form are not required to respond unless the
form displays a currently valid OMB cotrol number. |
|
|
|
o |
Fee paid
previously with preliminary materials. |
|
|
|
o |
Check
box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2)
and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously.
Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form
or Schedule and the date of its filing. |
|
|
|
|
1. |
Amount Previously
Paid: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2. |
Form, Schedule or
Registration Statement No.: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3. |
Filing Party: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4. |
Date Filed: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
URSTADT BIDDLE PROPERTIES INC.
321 RAILROAD AVENUE
GREENWICH, CONNECTICUT 06830
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
March 9, 2006
Notice is
hereby given that the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Urstadt Biddle Properties Inc. will be held at the Hyatt Regency Greenwich, 1800 E. Putnam
Avenue, Old Greenwich, Connecticut, 06870, on Thursday, March 9, 2006, at 2:00 p.m. for the following purposes:
1. |
|
To elect three Directors to serve for three years; |
2. |
|
To ratify the appointment of PKF as the independent registered
public accounting firm of the Company for one year; |
3. |
|
To amend the Companys Restricted Stock Award Plan;
and |
4. |
|
To transact such other business as may properly come before the
meeting or any adjournments thereof. |
Stockholders of record as of the
close of business on January 24, 2006 are entitled to notice of and to vote at the Meeting.
WHETHER OR NOT YOU PLAN TO BE PRESENT AT THE MEETING IN PERSON,
PLEASE SIGN AND DATE THE ENCLOSED PROXY AND RETURN IT PROMPTLY
IN
THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE.
By Order of the Directors
THOMAS D. MYERS
Secretary
February 3, 2006
URSTADT BIDDLE PROPERTIES INC.
321 RAILROAD AVENUE
GREENWICH, CONNECTICUT 06830
PROXY STATEMENT
FOR
ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
to be held on March 9, 2006
This Proxy
Statement is furnished to stockholders of Urstadt Biddle Properties Inc., a Maryland corporation (hereinafter called the Company), in
connection with the solicitation of proxies in the form enclosed herewith for use at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of the Company (the
Meeting) to be held at the Hyatt Regency Greenwich, 1800 E. Putnam Avenue, Old Greenwich, Connecticut, 06870, on March 9, 2006 at 2:00 p.m.
for the purposes set forth in the Notice of Meeting.
The solicitation is made on
behalf of the Directors of the Company and the costs of the solicitation will be borne by the Company. Directors, officers and employees of the Company
and its affiliates may also solicit proxies by telephone, fax or personal interview. The Company will reimburse banks, brokerage firms and other
custodians, nominees and fiduciaries for reasonable expenses incurred by them in sending proxy material to the beneficial owners of the
shares.
Holders of record of Class A
Common Shares and Common Shares of the Company as of the close of business on the record date, January 24, 2006, are entitled to receive notice of, and
to vote at, the Meeting. The outstanding Class A Common Shares and Common Shares constitute the only classes of securities entitled to vote at the
Meeting. Each Common Share entitles the holder thereof to one vote and each Class A Common Share entitles the holder thereof to 1/20 of one vote. At
the close of business on January 24, 2006, there were 18,784,850 Class A Common Shares issued and outstanding and 7,595,131 Common Shares issued and
outstanding.
Shares represented by proxies in
the form enclosed, if such proxies are properly executed and returned and not revoked, will be voted as specified, but where no specification is made,
the shares will be voted as follows: (i) FOR the election of the three Directors; (ii) FOR the ratification of the appointment of PKF as the
Companys independent registered public accounting firm for the ensuing fiscal year; (iii) FOR the amendment of the Companys Restricted
Stock Award Plan; and, as to any other matter which may properly come before the Meeting, in the named proxies discretion to the extent permitted
under relevant laws and regulations. To be voted, proxies must be filed with the Secretary of the Company prior to voting. Proxies may be revoked at
any time before exercise by filing a notice of such revocation, by filing a later dated proxy with the Secretary of the Company or by voting in person
at the Meeting.
The Annual Report to stockholders
for the Companys fiscal year ended October 31, 2005 has been mailed with or prior to this Proxy Statement. This Proxy Statement and the enclosed
proxy were mailed to stockholders on or about February 3, 2006. The principal executive offices of the Company are located at 321 Railroad Avenue,
Greenwich, Connecticut, 06830 (telephone: 203-863-8200; fax: 203-861-6755).
PROPOSAL 1
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
Pursuant to Section 6.2 of the
Companys Articles of Incorporation, the Directors are divided into three classes designated Class I, Class II and Class III, each serving
three-year terms. Three Directors are to be elected at the Meeting. Messrs. Robert R. Douglass, George H. C. Lawrence and Charles J. Urstadt,
comprising Class III, have been nominated by the Board of Directors for election as Directors to hold office until the year 2009 Annual Meeting and
until their successors have been elected and shall qualify. The continuing Directors comprising Class I are Messrs. Willing L. Biddle, E. Virgil Conway
and Robert J. Mueller, whose terms expire at the 2007 Annual Meeting. The continuing Directors comprising Class II are Messrs. Peter Herrick, Charles
D. Urstadt and George J. Vojta, whose terms expire at the 2008 Annual Meeting.
INFORMATION REGARDING DIRECTOR
NOMINEES
The following information
concerning the principal occupation, other affiliations and business experience of each of the three nominees during the last five years has been
furnished to the Company by such nominee.
Robert R. Douglass, age 74, is
Vice-Chairman of the Board of Directors and has served as a Director of the Company since 1991. Currently, Mr. Douglass is of Counsel to Milbank,
Tweed, Hadley and McCloy, attorneys. He also serves as Chairman of the Downtown Lower Manhattan Association and Chairman of the Alliance for Downtown
New York. Mr. Douglass recently served as Chairman and Director, Clearstream International (20002004) and Chairman and Director, Cedel
International (19942002). Previously, Mr. Douglass served as Vice Chairman and Director, The Chase Manhattan Corporation (19851993) and as
Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of The Chase Manhattan Corporation (19761985). Mr. Douglass is a former Trustee of
Dartmouth College (19831993).
George H.C. Lawrence, age 68, has
served as a Director of the Company since 1988. Mr. Lawrence currently serves as President and Chief Executive Officer of Lawrence Properties, Inc.
(since 1970). Mr. Lawrence is an Honorary Trustee of Sarah Lawrence College and serves as a Director of the Westchester County Association; Senior Vice
President and Director of Kensico Cemetery; and member of the Board of Trustees of Indian River Hospital District.
Charles J. Urstadt, age 77, has
served as a Director of the Company since 1975, as Chairman of the Board of Directors since 1986 and as Chief Executive Officer since 1989. Mr. Urstadt
also serves as Chairman and Director of Urstadt Property Company, Inc. (a real estate investment corporation); Vice Chairman of Battery Park City
Authority; and Trustee of Historic Hudson Valley. He is a Retired Director, Putnam Trust Company; Trustee Emeritus, Pace University; and Retired
Trustee, Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association. Mr. Urstadt is the father of Charles D. Urstadt, a Director of the Company, and the father-in-law
of Willing L. Biddle, the Companys President.
At the Annual Meeting, the
stockholders of the Company will be requested to elect three Directors, comprising Class III. The affirmative vote of the holders of not less than a
majority of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock entitled to vote and present, in person or by properly executed proxy, at the
Annual Meeting, subject to quorum requirements, will be required to elect a Director.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE
FOR
APPROVAL OF THE NOMINEES FOR ELECTION AS DIRECTORS.
2
INFORMATION CONCERNING CONTINUING DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE
OFFICERS
Class I Directors with Terms Expiring in
2007
Willing L. Biddle, age 44, has
served as a Director of the Company since 1997 and as President and Chief Operating Officer of the Company since December 1996. Previously, Mr. Biddle
served the Company in other executive capacities: Executive Vice President (March 1996 to December 1996); Senior Vice President Management (June
1995 to March 1996); and Vice President Retail (April 1993 to June 1995). Mr. Biddle serves as an Advisory Director of the Putnam Trust
Company.
E. Virgil Conway, age 76, has
served as a Director of the Company since 1989. Mr. Conway is currently Chairman of Rittenhouse Advisors, LLC. He also serves as a Trustee of Phoenix
Duff & Phelps Mutual Funds and as Vice Chairman of The Academy of Political Science. Within the last five years, Mr. Conway served as Chairman of
the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (19952001); Chairman and Trustee, Consolidated Edison Company of New York, Inc. (19702002);
Director, Union Pacific Corporation (19782002); Trustee, Atlantic Mutual Insurance Company (19742002); and Director, Centennial Insurance
Company (19742002). Previously Mr. Conway served as Chairman of the Financial Accounting Standards Advisory Council (19921995) and Chairman
and Director of The Seamens Bank for Savings, FSB (19691989). Mr. Conway is an Honorary Trustee of Josiah Macy Foundation, Trustee Emeritus
of Pace University and Trustee Emeritus of Colgate University.
Robert J. Mueller, age 64, has
served as a Director of the Company since 2004. Between 1989 and March 2004, Mr. Mueller was employed as Executive Vice President (until 1991) and as
Senior Executive Vice President of The Bank of New York. From 1992 to 1998, Mr. Mueller served as Chief Credit Policy Officer of the bank with
responsibilities as head of worldwide risk management. From 1998 to 2004, his responsibilities included the banks global trading operations,
commercial real estate lending, regional commercial banking, community development, residential mortgage lending and equipment leasing. He was a member
of the banks Senior Planning Committee. Mr. Mueller currently serves on the Boards of the Community Preservation Corp., the Borough of Manhattan
Community College Fund, Danita Container, Inc. and All Ahead, Inc. He is an Advisory Board Member of Neighborhood Housing Services of New York,
Inc.
Class II Directors with Terms Expiring in
2008
Peter Herrick, age 78, has been a
Director of the Company since 1990. Mr. Herrick previously served as Vice Chairman of The Bank of New York (19901992) and as President and Chief
Operating Officer of The Bank of New York (19821990). Mr. Herrick also served as President and Director of The Bank of New York Company, Inc.
(19841992). Mr. Herrick is a former member of the New York State Banking Board (19901993) and has served as a Director of Mastercard
International (19851992) and BNY Hamilton Funds, Inc. (19921999).
Charles D. Urstadt, age 46, has
been a Director of the Company since 1997. Mr. Urstadt is currently President and Director of Urstadt Property Company, Inc. (a real estate investment
corporation). Mr. Urstadt previously served as Executive Vice President, Brown Harris Stevens, LLC (19922001); Publisher, New York Construction
News (19841992); Member, Board of Consultants of the Company (19911997); Director, Friends of Channel 13 (19922001); Board Member,
New York State Board for Historic Preservation (19962002); President and Director, East Side Association (19941997); and Director, New York
Building Congress (19881992).
George J. Vojta, age 70, has been
a Director of the Company since 1999. Mr. Vojta previously served as Vice Chairman and Director of Bankers Trust Company (19921999) and Executive
Vice President of Bankers Trust Company (19841992). Currently, Mr. Vojta maintains the following affiliations: Member, New York State Banking
Board; Director, Private Export Funding Corporation; Chairman, Wharton Financial Institutions Center; Chairman, The Westchester Group, LLC; Director,
Financial Services Forum; Member, Council on Foreign Relations; Chairman, E Standards Forum/Financial Standards Foundation; Chairman, Yale Center for
Corporate Governance; Member, Advisory Board, Yale School of Management; Director, International Executive Service Corps.; Director, Center for
International Private Enterprise; and Director, Cynosure, Inc.
3
Executive Officers who are not Directors
James R. Moore, age 57, has
served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Company since 1996 and as Treasurer since 1987. Previously, Mr. Moore served the
Company as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (19891996); Secretary (19871999) and Vice President Finance and
Administration (19871989).
Raymond P. Argila, age 57, has
served the Company as Senior Vice President and Chief Legal Officer since 1990. Previously, Mr. Argila was employed as Senior Counsel at Cushman &
Wakefield, Inc. (19871990).
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE AND BOARD
MATTERS
Urstadt Biddle Properties Inc. is
committed to maintaining sound corporate governance principles. The Board of Directors has approved formal Corporate Governance Guidelines which are
available on the Companys website at http://www.ubproperties.com. Together with the bylaws of the Company and the charters of the Boards
committees, the Corporate Governance Guidelines provide the framework for the governance of the Company.
Board Independence
The Companys Corporate
Governance Guidelines include specific Director Independence Standards that comply with applicable rules of the SEC and the listing standards of the
New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). The Board requires that at least a majority of its Directors satisfy this definition of independence. The
Board of Directors has considered business and other relationships between the Company and each of its Directors, including information provided to the
Company by the Directors. Based upon its review, the Board of Directors determined that all of its Directors, other than Messrs. Charles J. Urstadt,
Charles D. Urstadt and Willing L. Biddle, are independent, consistent with the Corporate Governance Guidelines.
Committees of the Board of Directors and Certain
Meetings
During the fiscal year ended
October 31, 2005, the Directors held nine meetings. The Directors have four standing committees: an Audit Committee, a Compensation Committee, an
Executive Committee and a Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. Each Director attended at least 75% of the aggregate total number of meetings
held during the fiscal year by the Directors and by all committees of which such Director is a member.
The Audit Committee consists of
three non-employee Directors, each of whom is independent as defined in the listing standards (as amended from time to time) of the New York Stock
Exchange. The Audit Committee held five meetings during the fiscal year ended October 31, 2005. The Audit Committee assists the Board of Directors in
fulfilling its oversight responsibilities. The Committees primary duties are to: (i) monitor the integrity of the Companys financial
statements, financial reporting processes and systems of internal controls regarding finance and accounting matters; (ii) monitor the Companys
compliance with legal and regulatory requirements relating to the foregoing; (iii) monitor the independence and performance of the Companys
independent auditor and internal auditing function; (iv) provide an avenue of communication among the Board, the independent auditor, management and
persons responsible for the internal audit function; and (v) prepare an Audit Committee report as required by the Securities and Exchange Commission
(SEC) to be included in the Companys annual proxy statement. The Board of Directors has approved a written charter for the Audit
Committee, the text of which may be viewed on the Companys website at http:\\www.ubproperties.com. The Audit Committee has sole
authority to appoint, retain, oversee and, when appropriate, terminate the independent auditor of the Company. The Committee reviews with management
and the independent auditor the Companys quarterly financial statements and internal accounting procedures and controls, and reviews with the
independent auditor the scope and results of the auditing engagement. Messrs. Peter Herrick, Robert J. Mueller and George J. Vojta are the current
members of the Audit Committee. The Board of Directors has determined that Mr. Peter Herrick, Chair of the Committee, meets the standards of an
Audit Committee Financial Expert as that term is defined under Item 401(h) of Regulation S-K.
The Compensation Committee
consists of three non-employee Directors, each of whom is independent as defined in the listing standards (as amended from time to time) of the New
York Stock Exchange. The Compensation Committee held one meeting during the fiscal year ended October 31, 2005. Key responsibilities of the
Compensation Committee include: (i) reviewing the Companys overall compensation strategy to assure that it promotes shareholder interests and
supports the Companys strategic objectives; (ii) reviewing and approving corporate goals and objectives relevant to
4
compensation of the
Companys Chief Executive Officer, evaluating the Chief Executive Officers performance in light of those goals and objectives and
establishing the compensation of the Companys Chief Executive Officer; (iii) reviewing and recommending to the Board compensation for Directors
and non-CEO executive officers; (iv) administering the Companys Stock Option Plan and Restricted Stock Plan and approving bonus or cash incentive
plans used to compensate officers and other employees; and (v) preparing a report to be included in the Companys annual proxy statement. The
Board of Directors has approved a written charter for the Compensation Committee, the text of which may be viewed on the Companys website at
http:\\www.ubproperties.com. Messrs. E. Virgil Conway, Robert R. Douglass and George H. C. Lawrence are the current members of the
Compensation Committee.
The Executive Committee held
three meetings during the fiscal year ended October 31, 2005. In general, the Executive Committee may exercise such powers of the Directors between
meetings of the Directors as may be delegated to it by the Directors (except for certain powers of the Directors which may not be delegated). Messrs.
Willing L. Biddle, Peter Herrick, Charles D. Urstadt and Charles J. Urstadt are the current members of the Executive Committee.
The Nominating and Corporate
Governance Committee (Governance Committee) consists of six non-employee Directors, each of whom is independent as defined in the listing
standards (as amended from time to time) of the New York Stock Exchange. The Governance Committee held one meeting during the fiscal year ended October
31, 2005. The principal responsibilities of the Governance Committee are to: (i) establish criteria for Board membership and selection of new
Directors; (ii) recommend nominees to stand for election to the Board, including incumbent Board members and candidates for new Directors; (iii)
develop and recommend a set of corporate governance principles and evaluate compliance by management and the Board with those principles and the
Companys Code of Business Conduct and Ethics; and (iv) with the assistance of the Chief Executive Officer and other members of the Board, develop
and periodically review succession planning for the Chief Executive Officer. The Corporate Governance Guidelines include the Director Candidate
Guidelines recommended by the Governance Committee and approved by the Board of Directors which set forth the minimum qualifications and additional
considerations that the Governance Committee uses in evaluating candidates for election to the Board. The Director Candidate Guidelines include the
following minimum qualifications:
|
|
a candidates demonstrated integrity and ethics consistent
with the Companys Code of Business Conduct and Ethics; |
|
|
a candidates willingness to represent the best interests
of all of the Companys shareholders and not just a particular constituency; and |
|
|
a candidates willingness and ability to participate fully
in Board activities, including active membership and attendance at Board meetings and participation on at least one committee of the Board. |
The Board has not adopted a
numerical limit on the number of public company boards on which its Directors may serve; however, the Committee will consider the demands on a
candidates time in selecting nominees. In addition, the Committee will take into consideration such other factors as it deems appropriate,
including:
|
|
a candidates experience in real estate, business, finance,
accounting rules and practices, law and public relations; |
|
|
the appropriate size and diversity of the Companys Board
of Directors; |
|
|
the needs of the Company with respect to the particular talents
and experience of its Directors and the interplay of the candidates experience with that of other Board members; and |
|
|
a candidates judgment, skill and experience with
businesses and organizations comparable to the Company. |
The Company requires that at
least a majority of its Directors satisfy the independence criteria established by the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and any applicable
SEC rules, as they may be amended from time to time. In addition, the Committee will consider the financial literacy and financial background of
nominees to ensure that the Board has at least one audit committee financial expert on the Audit Committee and that Board members who might
serve on the Audit Committee satisfy the financial literacy requirements of the NYSE. The Committee believes it appropriate for at least one key member
of the Companys management to participate as a member of the Board.
Shareholders can suggest
qualified candidates for Director by writing to the Companys corporate secretary at 321 Railroad Avenue, Greenwich, CT 06830. Submissions timely
received (as described under Other Matters on page 24) and which comply with the criteria outlined in the preceding paragraphs will be
forwarded to the Chairperson of the
5
Nominating and Corporate
Governance Committee for review and consideration. The Committee does not intend to evaluate such nominees any differently than other nominees to the
Board.
The Board of Directors has
approved a written charter for the Governance Committee, the text of which may be viewed on the Companys website at
http:\\www.ubproperties.com. Messrs. E. Virgil Conway, Robert R. Douglass (Chair), Peter Herrick, George H. C. Lawrence, Robert J. Mueller
and George J. Vojta are the current members of the Governance Committee.
In the fiscal year ended October
31, 2005, the non-management Directors of the Company met once in executive session. Mr. Robert Douglass, Chair of the Nominating and Corporate
Governance Committee, presided over the meeting.
PROPOSAL 2
RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF THE
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM OF THE COMPANY
On January 24, 2006, the Audit
Committee of the Company appointed PKF, Certified Public Accountants, A Professional Corporation (PKF), as the independent registered
public accounting firm of the Company. PKF has not previously acted as independent registered public accounting firm of the Company. During the year
ended October 31, 2005, PKF was engaged by the Company to perform certain internal audit functions in connection with the Companys development
and testing of internal controls over financial reporting. Subject to ratification by the stockholders of the Company, the Audit Committee of the Board
of Directors of the Company has appointed PKF to audit the financial statements of the Company and the Companys internal control over financial
reporting for the ensuing fiscal year. The Board of Directors of the Company recommends to the stockholders that such appointment be ratified.
Representatives of PKF will be present at the Annual Meeting with the opportunity to make a statement if they so desire. Such representatives also will
be available to respond to appropriate questions.
During the years ended October
31, 2005 and October 31, 2004, Ernst & Young LLP acted as independent registered public accounting firm of the Company. The following sets forth
the information required by Item 304(a)(1) of Regulation S-K concerning the change of independent registered public accounting firm of the Company: (i)
on January 24, 2006, the Audit Committee of the Companys Board of Directors agreed, by resolution, to end the engagement of Ernst & Young LLP
as the Companys independent registered public accounting firm as of completion of the audit for the year ended October 31, 2005; (ii) the reports
of Ernst & Young LLP on the Companys consolidated financial statements as of and for the years ended October 31, 2005 and 2004 did not
contain an adverse opinion or a disclaimer of opinion, and were not qualified or modified as to uncertainty, audit scope or accounting principles;
(iii) the decision to change accountants was made by the Companys Audit Committee; (iv) in connection with the audits of the Companys
consolidated financial statements for each of the fiscal years ended October 31, 2005 and 2004 and through January 24, 2006, there were no
disagreements with Ernst & Young LLP on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure, or auditing scope or
procedure, which disagreements, if not resolved to the satisfaction of Ernst & Young LLP, would have caused them to make reference thereto in their
report; and (v) during the years ended October 31, 2005 and 2004 and through January 24, 2006, there have been no reportable events as
defined in Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K. Ernst & Young LLP furnished a letter addressed to the SEC stating that it was in agreement with the
statements contained in subparagraphs (ii), (iv) and (v) above. The decision to replace Ernst & Young LLP as the Companys independent
registered public accounting firm was based primarily on the Audit Committees efforts to reduce the Companys costs for audit services.
Representatives of Ernst & Young LLP have been invited to attend the Annual Meeting and will have the opportunity to make a statement if they so
desire. If in attendance, such representatives will be available to respond to appropriate questions.
The affirmative vote of the
holders of not less than a majority of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock entitled to vote and present, in person or by properly
executed proxy, at the Annual Meeting, subject to quorum requirements, will be required to ratify the appointment of PKF as independent registered
public accounting firm of the Company.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS
A VOTE
FOR RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF PKF
AS INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM OF THE COMPANY.
6
PROPOSAL 3
AMENDMENT OF THE RESTRICTED STOCK AWARD
PLAN
The Company first established a
Restricted Stock Award Plan in 1997. In 2002, the shareholders of the Company approved an Amended and Restated Restricted Stock Award Plan (the
Plan) and approved further amendments to the Plan in 2004. The principal purpose of the Plan is to promote the long-term growth of the
Company by attracting, retaining and motivating Directors and key management personnel possessing outstanding ability and to further the identity of
the interests of such personnel with those of the Companys stockholders through stock ownership opportunities. Pursuant to the Plan, Directors
and management personnel of the Company selected by the Compensation Committee may be issued restricted stock awards.
As of January 6, 2006, awards
representing 455,850 shares of Class A Common Stock and 1,026,600 shares of Common Stock had been issued under the Plan and there remained 167,550
shares which, at the discretion of the Compensation Committee, may be awarded in any combination of Class A Common Stock and Common Stock, available
for future awards.
In order to be able to continue
to attract, retain and motivate qualified individuals as Directors and officers of the Company, the Board of Directors has approved, subject to
stockholder approval, an amendment to the Plan that would increase the maximum number of shares of restricted stock available for issuance thereunder
from 1,650,000 common shares (350,000 shares each of Class A Common Stock and Common Stock and 950,000 shares which, at the discretion of the
Compensation Committee administering the Plan, may be awarded in any combination of Class A Common Stock or Common Stock) to 2,000,000 common shares,
of which 350,000 shares shall be Class A Common Stock, 350,000 shares shall be Common Stock and 1,300,000 shares, at the discretion of the Compensation
Committee administering the Plan, shall be any combination of Class A Common Stock or Common Stock.
Set forth below is a summary of
the principal provisions of the Plan.
Summary of the Restricted Stock Award
Plan
Grant of Restricted Stock
Awards. If Proposal 3 is approved, the Compensation Committee would be authorized to grant restricted stock awards up to 2,000,000 common shares
(350,000 shares each of Class A Common Stock and Common Stock and 1,300,000 shares which, at the discretion of the Compensation Committee, may be
awarded in any combination of Class A Common Stock or Common Stock). The participants eligible to receive the restricted stock awards are management
personnel selected by the Compensation Committee, in its discretion, who are considered to have significant responsibility for the growth and
profitability of the Company as well as Directors.
Principal Terms and Conditions
of Restricted Stock Awards. Each restricted stock award will be evidenced by a written agreement, executed by both the relevant participant and the
Company, setting forth all the terms and conditions applicable to such award as determined by the Compensation Committee. Such terms and conditions
shall include: (i) the length of the restricted period of the award; (ii) the restrictions applicable to the award including, without limitation, the
employment or retirement status rules governing forfeiture, and the prohibition against the sale, assignment, transfer, pledge or other encumbrance of
the restricted stock during the restricted period; and (iii) the eligibility to share in dividends and other distributions paid to the Companys
shareholders during the restricted period.
Lapse of Restrictions. If
a participants status as an employee or non-employee Director of the Company is terminated by reason of death or disability, the restrictions
shall lapse on such date. If such status as an employee or non-employee Director is terminated prior to the lapse of the restricted period by reason of
retirement, the restricted period will continue as if the participant had remained in the employment of the Company. The Compensation Committee has the
authority to accelerate the time at which the restrictions may lapse whenever it considers that such action is in the best interests of the Company and
of its stockholders, whether by reason of changes in tax laws, a change in control as defined in the Plan or otherwise.
Tax Consequences. The
Company is required to withhold taxes to comply with federal and state laws applicable to the value of restricted shares when they are released from
risk of forfeiture. Upon the lapse of the applicable restrictions, the value of the restricted stock will be taxable to the relevant participant as
ordinary income and deductible by the Company.
7
Compliance with SEC
Requirements. No certificates for shares distributed under the terms of the Plan shall be executed and delivered to participants until the Company
shall have taken any action then required to comply with the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the Exchange Act and applicable SEC
requirements.
Adjustments to the Plan.
If the Company subdivides or combines its outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock or Common Stock into a greater or lesser number of shares or if
the Compensation Committee shall determine that a stock dividend, reclassification, business combination, exchange of shares, warrants or rights
offering to purchase shares or other similar event affects the shares of the Company such that an adjustment is required in order to preserve the
benefits or potential benefits intended to be made available under the Plan, the Compensation Committee may make adjustments to the number and class of
shares which may be awarded and the number and class of shares subject to outstanding awards under the Plan.
The affirmative vote of the
holders of not less than a majority of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock entitled to vote and present, in person or by properly
executed proxy, at the Annual Meeting, subject to quorum requirements, will be required to amend the Restricted Stock Award Plan.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE
FOR THE
AMENDMENT OF THE RESTRICTED STOCK AWARD PLAN
Proposal 3
above summarizes the Companys Restricted Stock Award Plan. The amount of specific future awards that may be made under the Plan and the value of
such awards are not determinable at this time. The following table sets forth information concerning the dollar value of awards and the number of
shares of Common stock and Class A Common stock subject to such awards that were made under the Plan during the fiscal year ended October 31, 2005 to
each of the Companys executive officers, to the executive officers as a group, to seven non-executive Directors of the Company as a group and to
eight non-executive officer employees as a group.
RESTRICTED STOCK AWARD PLAN
Awards to Employees
and Non-employee Directors
During the Year ended October 31, 2005
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of Shares
|
|
Name and Position
|
|
|
|
Dollar Value (1)
|
|
Common Shares
|
|
Class A Common Shares
|
Charles J.
Urstadt Chairman & Chief Executive Officer |
|
|
|
$ |
1,304,875 |
|
|
|
75,000 |
|
|
|
6,250 |
|
|
Willing L.
Biddle President & Chief Operating Officer |
|
|
|
$ |
1,683,900 |
|
|
|
100,000 |
|
|
|
5,000 |
|
|
James R.
Moore Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer |
|
|
|
$ |
314,625 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
18,750 |
|
|
Raymond P.
Argila Senior Vice President & Chief Legal Officer |
|
|
|
$ |
92,290 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5,500 |
|
|
Total
Executive Group |
|
|
|
$ |
3,395,690 |
|
|
|
175,000 |
|
|
|
35,500 |
|
|
Non-Executive
Director Group |
|
|
|
$ |
93,344 |
|
|
|
800 |
|
|
|
4,800 |
|
|
Non-Executive
Officer Employee Group |
|
|
|
$ |
593,593 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
35,375 |
|
(1) |
|
Amounts shown represent the dollar value on the date of grant.
Restricted stock vests between five and ten years after the date of grant, as determined by the Compensation Committee at the time of each
grant. |
8
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND
MANAGEMENT
The following tables set forth
certain information as of January 6, 2006 available to the Company with respect to the shares of the Company (i) held by those persons known to the
Company to be the beneficial owners (as determined under the rules of the SEC) of more than 5% of the Class A Common Shares and Common Shares then
outstanding and (ii) held by each of the Directors, each of the executive officers named in the Summary Compensation Table below, and by all of the
Directors and such executive officers as a group:
Name and Address of Beneficial Owner
|
|
|
|
Common Shares Beneficially Owned
|
Percent of Class
|
|
Class A Common Shares Beneficially Owned
|
|
Percent of Class
|
|
Charles J.
Urstadt Urstadt Biddle Properties Inc. 321 Railroad Ave. Greenwich, CT 06830 |
|
|
|
|
2,929,479 (1 |
) |
38.5% |
|
268,925 (2) |
|
1.4% |
|
|
Willing L.
Biddle Urstadt Biddle Properties Inc. 321 Railroad Ave. Greenwich, CT 06830 |
|
|
|
|
1,346,874 (3 |
) |
17.7% |
|
159,230 (4) |
|
.8% |
|
(1) |
|
Of these shares, 536,439 are owned by Urstadt Property Company,
Inc. (UPCO), a company of which Mr. Urstadt is the chairman, a director and a principal stockholder, 1,901,006 shares are owned by Urstadt
Realty Associates Co LP (URACO), a Delaware limited partnership of which UPCO is the general partner, 21,300 shares are owned by Elinor
Urstadt, Mr. Urstadts wife, and 7,620 shares are held by The Trust Established Under the Urstadt Biddle Properties Inc. Excess Benefit and
Deferred Compensation Plan (the Compensation Plan Trust). See Compensation and Transactions with Management and Others
below. |
(2) |
|
Of these shares, 41,425 shares are owned by URACO, 19,750 shares
are owned by Elinor Urstadt, Mr. Urstadts wife, and 100,000 shares are owned by the Urstadt Conservation Foundation (the Conservation
Foundation), of which Mr. Urstadt and his wife are the sole trustees. Mr. Urstadt disclaims beneficial ownership of any shares held by the
Conservation Foundation. See Compensation and Transactions with Management and Others below. |
(3) |
|
Of these shares, 2,743 shares are held by the Compensation Plan
Trust, 2,307 shares are owned by the Willing L. Biddle IRA, 4,475 shares are owned beneficially and of record by Catherine U. Biddle, Mr. Biddles
wife, 555 shares are owned by the Catherine U. Biddle IRA and 1,070 shares are owned by the Charles and Phoebe Biddle Trust UAD 12/20/93, of which Mr.
Biddle and Charles J. Urstadt are the sole trustees, for the benefit of the issue of Mr. Biddle. |
(4) |
|
Of these shares, 4,475 shares are owned beneficially and of
record by Catherine U. Biddle and 555 shares are owned by the Catherine U. Biddle IRA. |
9
DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
Name
|
|
Common
Shares
Beneficially
Owned (1)
|
|
Percent
Of Class (1)
|
|
Class
A
Common Shares
Beneficially
Owned (2)
|
|
Percent
of
Class (2)
|
Charles
J. Urstadt |
|
2,929,479 |
(3) |
|
38.5% |
|
268,925 |
(4) |
|
1.4% |
Willing
L. Biddle |
|
1,346,874 |
(5) |
|
17.7% |
|
159,230 |
(6) |
|
* |
E.
Virgil Conway |
|
7,625 |
|
|
*
|
|
76,196 |
(7) |
|
* |
Robert
R. Douglass |
|
11,157 |
(8) |
|
*
|
|
31,843 |
(9) |
|
* |
Peter
Herrick |
|
|
|
|
*
|
|
80,774 |
|
|
* |
George
H.C. Lawrence |
|
26,945 |
|
|
*
|
|
38,820 |
|
|
* |
Robert
J. Mueller |
|
|
|
|
*
|
|
8,645 |
|
|
* |
Charles
D. Urstadt |
|
19,276 |
(10) |
|
*
|
|
3,153 |
(11) |
|
* |
George
J. Vojta |
|
525 |
|
|
*
|
|
2,625 |
|
|
* |
James
R. Moore |
|
18,016 |
(12) |
|
*
|
|
176,425 |
(13) |
|
* |
Raymond
P. Argila |
|
15,566 |
(14) |
|
*
|
|
90,766 |
(15) |
|
* |
Directors
& Executive Officers
as a group (11 persons) |
|
4,375,463 |
(16) |
|
57.5% |
|
937,402 |
(17) |
|
5.0% |
(1) |
|
On August 14, 1998, the Company paid a stock dividend in the
form of one share of Class A Common Stock for each outstanding share of Common Stock (the Stock Dividend). In connection with the Stock
Dividend, each of the directors options to purchase shares of Common Stock awarded prior to the Stock Dividend (each an Existing
Option) is deemed to be, upon his election with respect to each Existing Option: (i) an option (each, a Common Stock Option) to
purchase such number of shares of Common Stock as shall be equal in aggregate fair market value to the aggregate fair market value of the shares of
Common Stock issuable pursuant to the related Existing Option; (ii) an option (each, a Class A Stock Option) to purchase such number of
shares of Class A Common Stock as shall be equal in aggregate fair market value to the aggregate fair market value of the shares of Common Stock
issuable pursuant to the related Existing Option; or (iii) an option (each, a Combination Option) to purchase such number of shares of
Common Stock and such number of shares of Class A Common Stock, in each case, as shall be equal to the number of shares of Common Stock issuable
pursuant to the related Existing Option. |
|
|
The exercise price for the purchase of one share of Common Stock
and/or one share of Class A Common Stock pursuant to any Common Stock Option, Class A Stock Option or Combination Option has been set according to the
proportional allocation of the exercise price for the purchase of one share of Common Stock pursuant to the related Existing Option, such proportional
allocation being determined according to the fair market values of the underlying shares of Common Stock (ex-Stock Dividend) and Class A Common
Stock. |
|
|
The figures presented in this column assume, in connection with
the determination of the number of Common Shares issuable upon exercise of options exercisable within 60 days by Messrs. Douglass and C.D. Urstadt,
that such individuals will elect the Common Stock Option with respect to all of such options. If either of such individuals elects the Combination
Option or the Class A Stock Option with respect to any or all of such options, the number of Common Shares issuable upon exercise of options
exercisable within 60 days, the total number of Common Shares beneficially owned and the Percent of Class would be less for such
individual. |
(2) |
|
The figures presented in this column assume, in connection with
the determination of the number of Class A Common Shares issuable upon exercise of options exercisable within 60 days by Messrs. Douglass and C.D.
Urstadt, that such individuals will elect the Class A Stock Option with respect to all of such options. If such individual elects the Combination
Option or the Common Stock Option with respect to any or all of such options, the number of Class A Common Shares issuable upon exercise of options
exercisable within 60 days, the total number of Class A Common Shares beneficially owned and the Percent of Class would be less for such
individual. |
10
(3) |
|
See note (1) under the preceding table titled 5%
Beneficial Owners. |
(4) |
|
See note (2) under the preceding table titled 5%
Beneficial Owners. |
(5) |
|
See note (3) under the preceding table titled 5%
Beneficial Owners. |
(6) |
|
See note (4) under the preceding table titled 5%
Beneficial Owners. |
(7) |
|
This figure includes 10,000 Class A Common Shares held of record
by The Conway Foundation of which Mr. Conway and his wife, Elaine Conway, are the sole directors. Mr. Conway disclaims beneficial ownership of any
shares held by The Conway Foundation. |
(8) |
|
This figure includes 4,932 Common Shares issuable upon exercise
of options which are currently exercisable or which will become exercisable within 60 days. See footnote (1) above. |
(9) |
|
This figure includes 4,906 Class A Common Shares issuable upon
exercise of options which are currently exercisable or which will become exercisable within 60 days. See footnote (1) above. |
(10) |
|
This figure includes 2,966 Common Shares issuable upon exercise
of options which are currently exercisable or which will become exercisable within 60 days. See footnote (1) above. |
(11) |
|
This figure includes 2,953 Class A Common Shares issuable upon
exercise of options which are currently exercisable or which will become exercisable within 60 days. See footnote (1) above. |
(12) |
|
This figure includes 5,000 Common Shares issuable upon exercise
of options which are currently exercisable or which will become exercisable within 60 days. |
(13) |
|
This figure includes 15,009 Class A Common shares held of record
by the Compensation Plan Trust. |
(14) |
|
This figure includes 3,000 Common Shares issuable upon exercise
of options which are currently exercisable or which will become exercisable within 60 days. |
(15) |
|
This figure includes 3,000 Class A Common Shares issuable upon
exercise of options which are currently exercisable or which will become exercisable within 60 days. |
(16) |
|
This figure includes 15,898 Common Shares issuable upon exercise
of options which are currently exercisable or which will become exercisable within 60 days. |
(17) |
|
This figure includes 10,859 Class A Common Shares issuable upon
exercise of options which are currently exercisable or which will become exercisable within 60 days. |
11
COMPENSATION AND TRANSACTIONS WITH MANAGEMENT AND
OTHERS
Executive Officer Compensation
There is set forth below
information concerning the annual and long-term compensation paid by the Company during each of the three years ended October 31, 2005 to those persons
who were, at October 31, 2005 (i) the chief executive officer and (ii) the three other most highly compensated executive officers of the Company,
constituting the only persons who were serving as executive officers at such date.
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Long Term Compensation
|
|
|
|
|
|
Annual Compensation
|
|
Awards
|
|
Payouts
|
|
|
Name and Principal Position
|
|
|
|
|
Year
|
|
Salary
|
|
Bonus
|
|
Total
|
|
Restricted Stock (1)
|
|
# Options SARs
|
|
LTIP Payouts $
|
|
All Other Compensation (2)
|
|
Charles J.
Urstadt |
|
|
|
|
2005 |
|
$294,167 |
|
$30,000 |
|
$324,167 |
|
$1,304,875 |
|
0 |
|
0 |
|
$15,708 |
|
Chairman and
Chief |
|
|
|
|
2004 |
|
$289,166 |
|
$30,000 |
|
$319,166 |
|
$1,205,063 |
|
0 |
|
0 |
|
$15,958 |
|
Executive
Officer |
|
|
|
|
2003 |
|
$286,650 |
|
$30,000 |
|
$316,650 |
|
$882,500 |
|
0 |
|
0 |
|
$15,832 |
|
|
Willing L.
Biddle |
|
|
|
|
2005 |
|
$272,500 |
|
$30,000 |
|
$302,500 |
|
$1,683,900 |
|
0 |
|
0 |
|
$15,125 |
|
President
and Chief |
|
|
|
|
2004 |
|
$258,333 |
|
$30,000 |
|
$288,333 |
|
$1,376,688 |
|
0 |
|
0 |
|
$14,417 |
|
Operating
Officer |
|
|
|
|
2003 |
|
$250,819 |
|
$30,000 |
|
$280,819 |
|
$1,261,875 |
|
0 |
|
0 |
|
$14,041 |
|
|
James R.
Moore |
|
|
|
|
2005 |
|
$228,333 |
|
$20,000 |
|
$248,333 |
|
$314,625 |
|
0 |
|
0 |
|
$12,417 |
|
Executive
Vice President |
|
|
|
|
2004 |
|
$218,333 |
|
$20,000 |
|
$238,333 |
|
$214,800 |
|
0 |
|
0 |
|
$11,917 |
|
and Chief
Financial |
|
|
|
|
2003 |
|
$209,990 |
|
$20,000 |
|
$229,990 |
|
$171,000 |
|
0 |
|
0 |
|
$11,500 |
|
Officer |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Raymond P.
Argila |
|
|
|
|
2005 |
|
$170,833 |
|
$10,000 |
|
$180,833 |
|
$92,290 |
|
0 |
|
0 |
|
$9,042 |
|
Senior Vice
President |
|
|
|
|
2004 |
|
$164,000 |
|
$ 9,000 |
|
$173,000 |
|
$64,440 |
|
0 |
|
0 |
|
$8,650 |
|
and Chief
Legal Officer |
|
|
|
|
2003 |
|
$158,089 |
|
$27,000 |
|
$185,089 |
|
$45,600 |
|
0 |
|
0 |
|
$8,279 |
|
(1) |
|
Amounts shown represent the dollar value on the date of grant.
The aggregate number of shares of restricted stock held on October 31, 2005 and the value thereof as of such date were as follows: Urstadt, 102,500
Class A Common Shares and 356,250 Common Shares ($7,940,950); Biddle, 117,500 Class A Common Shares and 437,500 Common Shares ($9,613,150); Moore,
66,250 Class A Common Shares and 5,500 Common Shares ($1,194,785); and Argila, 20,000 Class A Common Shares and 2,000 Common Shares ($366,640).
Restricted stock vests between five and ten years after the date of grant, as determined by the Compensation Committee at the time of each grant.
Dividends on shares of restricted stock are paid as declared. During the year ended October 31, 2005, Mr. Moore became fully vested in 5,500 shares
each of Class A Common Stock and Common Stock that were granted as restricted stock in 2000. Mr. Argila became fully vested in 2,000 shares each of
Class A Common Stock and Common Stock that were granted as restricted stock in 2000. |
(2) |
|
Consists of a discretionary contribution by the Company to the
Companys Profit Sharing and Savings Plan (the 401(k) Plan) allocated to an account of the named executive officer and related excess
benefit compensation. |
Director Compensation
For the year ended October 31,
2005, other than Messrs. C.J. Urstadt and Biddle, each Director received an annual retainer of $20,000 and compensation of $1,600 for each Director
meeting and each committee meeting attended. Such Directors also received 800 shares each of restricted stock under the Restricted Stock Award Plan
which, at the election of each Director, were shares of either Common Stock or Class A Common Stock. The restricted stock vests five years after the
date of grant. The Chairmen of the Audit Committee, Compensation Committee and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee each received an
additional annual retainer of $3,000.
12
Excess Benefit and Deferred Compensation
Plan
Effective since November 1996,
the Company has maintained the Urstadt Biddle Properties Inc. Excess Benefit and Deferred Compensation Plan (as amended the Original Plan).
In response to changes required by the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004, in December 2004 the Directors voted to freeze the Original Plan and adopted
a new Urstadt Biddle Properties Inc. Excess Benefit and Deferred Compensation Plan (the Revised Plan), effective January 1, 2005. The
Original Plan was (for the period through December 31, 2004) and the Revised Plan is (for the period after December 31, 2004) intended to provide
eligible employees with benefits in excess of the amounts which may be provided under the Companys tax-qualified Profit Sharing and Savings Plan
(a 401(K) plan), and to provide such employees with the opportunity to defer receipt of a portion of their compensation. Participation is limited to
those employees whose annual compensation exceeds $150,000.
The Original Plan provided, and
the Revised Plan currently provides, that a participant is credited with an amount equal to the contributions which would have been credited to the
participant if the applicable compensation limitation under the Profit Sharing and Savings Plan did not apply.
Amounts credited under the
Original Plan and the Revised Plan vest under the same rules as under the Profit Sharing and Savings Plan. In addition, each Participant may elect to
defer the receipt of a portion of his or her compensation until a later date. Amounts credited under the Original Plan and the Revised Plan are
increased with interest at a rate set from time to time by the Compensation Committee. For the fiscal year ended October 31, 2005, the Company paid
interest on deferred compensation accounts at a rate based upon the rate of interest applicable to United States Five Year Treasury Notes plus two
percent. In the event of a change of control (as defined in each Plan), the Compensation Committee may in its discretion accelerate the vesting of
benefits under either Plan.
Each of the Original Plan and the
Revised Plan provide for a trust to hold funds allocated under the respective Plan. Members of the Compensation Committee act as trustees of each
trust. Eligible participants in the Original Plan (for the period through December 31, 2004) and eligible participants in the Revised Plan (for the
period after December 31, 2004) may elect to have all or a portion of their deferred compensation accounts in the applicable Plan invested in the
Companys Class A Common Stock, Common Stock or such other securities as may be purchased by the trustees in their discretion.
Change of Control Agreements
The Company has agreements with
each of its executive officers, including Messrs. Urstadt, Biddle, Moore and Argila, under which, in certain circumstances following a Change of
Control of the Company (as defined in such agreements), the Company would pay severance benefits to such persons. If, within 18 months following the
Change of Control, the Company terminates the executives employment other than for cause, or if the executive elects to terminate his employment
with the Company for reasons specified in the agreement, the Company will make a severance payment equal to a portion of such persons base
salary, together with medical and other benefits during such period. Messrs. Urstadt, Biddle, Moore and Argila each would receive a severance payment
equal to their respective twelve month salaries plus benefits. The salaries of Messrs. Urstadt, Biddle, Moore and Argila are currently $295,000,
$280,000, $235,000 and $177,000, respectively. Each of such agreements has an indefinite term.
Stock Options
The Company maintains a Stock
Option Plan pursuant to which 824,093 shares of the Companys authorized but unissued Common Shares and 744,464 shares of the Companys Class
A Common Shares have been reserved for issuance upon the exercise of options which have been or may be granted under the Plan. The persons eligible to
participate in the Plan are such key employees of the Company as may be selected from time to time by the Compensation Committee in its discretion, as
well as non-employee Directors. The Plan is administered by the Compensation Committee. There were no grants of stock options made under the Stock
Option Plan in the fiscal year ended October 31, 2005.
Prior to enactment of the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, the Compensation Committee authorized loans to finance the exercise of stock options granted to executive officers. One
loan is outstanding to Willing L. Biddle in the principal amount of $1,300,000. The loan has a ten-year term maturing in 2012, bears interest at 6.78%
and
13
is secured by a pledge of the
related shares. The loan becomes due on termination of employment by the Company, but is automatically extended for seven months following termination
of employment other than for cause.
The following table sets forth,
for the executive officers named in the Summary Compensation Table, information concerning the fiscal year-end value of unexercised options and
SARs.
Aggregated
Options/SAR Exercises in Last Fiscal Year and FY-End Option/SAR Values
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
# of Unexercised Class A Common And Common
Share Options/SARs at FY-End
|
|
Value of Unexercised In-the-Money Options/SARs
at FY-End ($)
|
|
Names
|
|
|
|
Shares Acquired On Exercise (#)
|
|
Value Realized ($)
|
|
Exercisable
|
|
Unexercisable
|
|
Exercisable
|
|
Unexercisable
|
Charles J.
Urstadt |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Class
A |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Willing L.
Biddle |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Class
A |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
James R.
Moore |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Class
A |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common |
|
|
|
|
7,000 |
|
|
$ |
65,528 |
|
|
|
5,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
49,294 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Raymond P.
Argila |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Class
A |
|
|
|
|
6,000 |
|
|
$ |
53,753 |
|
|
|
3,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
26,599 |
|
|
|
|
|
Common |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
29,576 |
|
|
|
|
|
Restricted Stock Plan
Under the Companys
Restricted Stock Award Plan (the Plan), 350,000 shares each of the Companys authorized but unissued Class A Common Stock and Common
Stock and 950,000 shares, which at the discretion of the Compensation Committee may be awarded in any combination of Class A Common Stock and Common
Stock, have been reserved for issuance in connection with restricted stock awards that have been or may be granted under the Plan. The persons eligible
to receive restricted stock awards are selected by the Compensation Committee, in its discretion, from among management personnel who are considered to
have significant responsibility for the growth and profitability of the Company and non-employee Directors. The Plan is administered by the
Compensation Committee.
Each restricted stock award is
evidenced by a written agreement, executed by both the relevant participant and the Company, setting forth all the terms and conditions applicable to
such award as determined by the Compensation Committee. Such terms and conditions shall include: (i) the length of the restricted period of the award;
(ii) the restrictions applicable to the award including, without limitation, the employment or directorship status rules governing forfeiture and
restrictions on the sale, assignment, transfer, pledge or other encumbrance of the restricted stock during the restricted period; and (iii) the
eligibility to share in dividends and other distributions paid to the Companys stockholders during the restricted period.
If a participant ceases to be
employed or ceases to be a Director prior to the lapse of the restricted period by reason of death or disability, the restrictions shall lapse on such
date. If a participant ceases to be employed or ceases to be a Director by reason of Retirement (as defined in the Plan), all awards of restricted
stock continue to vest as if Retirement had not occurred until such time as the restrictions lapse.
The Compensation Committee has
the authority to accelerate the time at which the restrictions may lapse whenever it considers that such action is in the best interests of the Company
and of its stockholders, whether by reason of changes in tax laws, a change in control (as defined in the Plan) or
otherwise.
14
As set forth under Proposal
3 Amendment of the Restricted Stock Award Plan, the Board of Directors has approved, subject to approval of the stockholders of the
Company, an amendment to the Plan which would increase the number of shares available for issuance under the Plan to 2,000,000 common shares, of which
350,000 shares shall be Class A Common Stock, 350,000 shares shall be Common Stock and 1,300,000 shares, at the discretion of the Compensation
Committee administering the Plan, shall be any combination of Class A Common Stock or Common Stock.
Equity Compensation Plan Information
The Company has two compensation
plans under which equity securities have been authorized for issuance and have been issued to employees and non-employee Directors: the Restricted
Stock Award Plan and the Stock Option Plan. Each of these plans has been approved by the Companys shareholders. For a description of the
Restricted Stock Award Plan, see Proposal 3 (page 7) and page 14 in this proxy statement. For a description of the Stock Option Plan, see page
13.
The following table shows for
these plans as a group the number of Class A Common Shares and Common Shares to be issued upon exercise of options outstanding at October 31, 2005, the
weighted average exercise price of these options and the number of Class A Common Shares and Common Shares remaining available for future issuance at
October 31, 2005, excluding shares to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options.
Equity Compensation Plan Table
|
|
|
|
(a) |
|
(b) |
|
(c) |
Plan category
|
|
|
|
Number of Securities to be Issued Upon Exercise
of Outstanding Options, Warrants and Rights
|
|
Weighted-Average Exercise Price of
Outstanding Options, Warrants and Rights
|
|
Number of Securities Remaining Available for
Future Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans (Excluding Securities Reflected in Column (a))
|
Equity
Compensation plans approved by security holders |
|
|
|
12,359 (1)(4) 17,398 (2)(5) |
|
$8.34 (1) $8.05 (2) |
|
2,406 (2) 412,400 (3) |
|
|
Total |
|
|
|
12,359 (1)(4) 17,398 (2)(5) |
|
$8.34 (1) $8.05 (2) |
|
2,406 (2) 412,400 (3) |
|
The Company
has no equity compensation plans which are not approved by the stockholders.
(1) |
|
Class A Common Shares |
(3) |
|
Either Common or Class A Common Shares |
(4) |
|
As more fully described in footnote (1) to the table titled
Directors and Officers under the caption Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management, the figure presented
assumes, in connection with 5,859 Class A Common Shares to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, that all individuals for whom an election
has been granted will elect the Class A Stock Option. If any individual elects the Combination Option or the Common Stock Option with respect to any or
all of such options, the total number of Class A Common Shares to be issued would be less. |
(5) |
|
As more fully described in footnote (1) to the table titled
Directors and Officers under the caption Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management, the figure presented
assumes, in connection with 5,898 Common Shares to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, that all individuals for whom an election has been
granted will elect the Common Stock Option. If any individual elects the Combination Option or the Class A Stock Option with respect to any or all of
such options, the total number of Common Shares to be issued would be less. |
15
Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting
Compliance.
Section 16(a) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act), requires the Directors and officers, and persons who own more than 10% of a registered
class of the Companys equity securities, to file initial reports of ownership and reports of changes in ownership of such equity securities with
the SEC. Such persons also are required by SEC regulations to furnish the Company with copies of all Section 16(a) forms they file. Based solely on a
review of the copies of such forms furnished to the Company, or written representations that no Forms 5 were required, the Company believes that, with
respect to the period from November 1, 2004 through October 31, 2005, its Directors, officers and greater than 10% beneficial owners complied with all
Section 16(a) filing requirements.
16
Report of Compensation Committee on Executive
Compensation
Overview
The Compensation Committee of the
Board of Directors is composed of three independent, non-employee Directors, none of whom have interlocking relationships as defined by the SEC. The
Committee is responsible for approving the Companys overall compensation strategy, determining the compensation package for the Chief Executive
Officer, including base salary, cash bonus and long-term compensation and for administering the Companys Stock Option Plan and Restricted Stock
Plan. The Committee believes that compensation should be structured to attract and retain high quality executives, with an emphasis on long-term
incentive compensation that is related to the performance and profitability of the Company. Thus, in making its recommendations regarding compensation,
the Committee attempts to align the financial interests of the Companys executive officers with those of its shareholders.
Executive Compensation
In approving compensation for
executive officers, the Committee evaluated the potential long-term profitability of the Company and the contributions of the respective executive
officers. In considering such compensation, the Committee did not use an established formula with specific numerical targets, but evaluated a number of
factors. Those factors included, among other things, acquisition and leasing activity, projected and actual cash flow, containment of expenses and
total return to stockholders. The Committee examined competitive compensation information for executive positions of comparable responsibility with
similarly sized REITs which the Committee believes are representative of the companies against which the Company competes for executive talent. These
companies may not be identical to the peer group included in the performance graph in this proxy statement, which is determined by NAREIT. The emphasis
is on long-term incentive compensation using the Restricted Stock Plan, thus providing the Companys key executives with a direct incentive to
improve the Companys performance and enhance shareholder value. The Restricted Stock Plan provides that the recipient does not become vested in
restricted stock until after a specified time after it is issued. The Compensation Committee determines the vesting period which may range between five
and ten years after the date of grant. Unless an exception is approved by the Compensation Committee, if the executive leaves the Company other than by
retirement, death or disability, unvested stock is forfeited. Restricted stock awards serve as both a reward for performance and a retention device for
key executives and help to align their interests with all shareholders.
For the year ended October 31,
2005, the Compensation Committee particularly noted the following: (i) the sale, consistent with the Companys long-term business plan, of both a
non-core office building in the Midwest and a lesser performing retail property with the successful redeployment of funds from those transactions into
two retail properties in the Companys target region; (ii) the successful public offering of approximately $59.4 million (net of fees and
expenses) of a new class of Series D Preferred Stock; (iii) continued strong leasing performance with a lease rate of 98% for its core properties; and
(iv) total return to the Companys stockholders of 19.6% for the Common stock and 8.7% for the Class A Common stock.
All executive compensation paid
in 2005 was fully deductible by the Company in accordance with Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code.
CEO Compensation
Annual base salaries for
executive officers are based upon a calendar year. For the year 2006, the Compensation Committee approved a base salary for Charles J. Urstadt, the
Chief Executive Officer, of $295,000 (unchanged from 2005). The Committee awarded Mr. Urstadt a cash bonus of $30,000 for 2005. The Committee also
awarded Mr. Urstadt restricted stock in the amount of 65,000 Common shares and 5,000 Class A Common shares under the Restricted Stock Plan. The
restricted stock awarded to Mr. Urstadt is subject to his continued employment and vests after five years. In the event of a change of control, the
restricted stock would become 100% vested.
In determining Mr. Urstadts
compensation, the Compensation Committee does not use an established formula, but reviews the same criteria as set forth above for executive
compensation generally. In addition, the Committee may consider the Companys performance compared to the prior year(s), the individuals
performance compared
17
to the prior year(s) and the
Companys performance as compared to others in the REIT industry. The Committee considered the Chief Executive Officers successful execution
of strategic transactions, noting the redeployment of non-core assets into two retail properties in the Companys target region and the public
offering of 2,450,000 shares of a new Series D preferred stock. The Compensation Committee believes that the Chief Executive Officers disciplined
commitment to the Companys principal objectives, including the selective acquisition of retail properties in the Companys preferred region
in the face of a highly competitive market and the CEOs emphasis on direct property management and cost containment, have been instrumental in
the Companys steady growth in asset size, operating income, dividends and total shareholder return.
Other Compensation
The Compensation Committee
believes that Mr. Biddles continued strong leadership during fiscal 2005 in all areas of operations, including acquisitions, leasing, property
management and cost containment, also merits special recognition. In addition to the acquisition of the two retail properties in the Companys
targeted area which added over 378,000 square feet of leasable space to the Companys portfolio, the Committee noted the substantial renovation
and expansion projects concluded during the year and leasing efforts under Mr. Biddles leadership which helped maintain a lease rate of 98% for
the Companys core properties. The Committee recommended to the Board of Directors and the Board approved an award of restricted stock to Mr.
Biddle in the amount of 100,000 Common Shares and 5,000 Class A Common Shares under the Restricted Stock Plan. The restricted stock awarded to Mr.
Biddle is subject to continued employment and vests after ten years. In the event of a change in control, the restricted stock would become 100%
vested.
The Committee believes that the
total compensation paid to Messrs. Urstadt and Biddle was appropriate in light of the results achieved by the Company under their leadership. By
placing greater emphasis on restricted stock awards tied to the Companys performance, the Committee believes that the compensation of the Chief
Executive Officer and President is more directly linked to performance on behalf of all shareholders.
|
E.
Virgil Conway, Chairman Robert R. Douglass George H.C. Lawrence |
18
Report of Audit Committee
This report shall not be
deemed incorporated by reference by any general statement incorporating by reference this Proxy Statement into any filing under the Securities Act of
1933 or under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, except to the extent the Company specifically incorporates this report by reference, and shall not
otherwise be deemed filed under such Acts.
The Audit Committee of the
Companys Board of Directors consists of the three non-employee directors listed below. Each of the members of the Audit Committee is independent,
as such term is defined by the listing standards of the New York Stock Exchange (as amended from time to time). The Companys Board of Directors
has adopted a written charter for the Audit Committee, a copy of which may be viewed on the Companys website at http://www.ubproperties.com under
Investor Relations and Governance Documents. The duties of the Audit Committee are summarized in this Proxy Statement on page 4
and are more specifically set forth in the charter. During the last fiscal year, the Audit Committee reviewed the adequacy of the Audit Committee
Charter and after appropriate consideration and discussion, determined that the Committee Charter is adequate under applicable SEC and NYSE rules and
that the Committee had fulfilled its responsibilities as described in the Committee Charter.
During the last year, management
of the Company completed the documentation, testing and evaluation of the Companys internal control over financial reporting in accordance with
the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. The Audit Committee provided oversight of this process and met regularly with, and received periodic updates from, both
management and Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered public accounting firm. The Audit Committee reviewed Ernst & Young LLPs Report
of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm included in the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K related to its audit of (i) the
Companys consolidated financial statements, (ii) managements assessment of the effectiveness of the Companys internal control over
financial reporting, and (iii) the effectiveness of the Companys internal control over financial reporting.
The Audit Committee also reviewed
and discussed with management and the independent registered public accounting firm, the disclosures made in Managements Discussion and
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and the audited financial statements included in the Companys Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2005. This review included a discussion with the independent registered public accounting firm of the
matters required to be discussed by Statement on Auditing Standards No. 61, Communications with Audit Committees, as amended, by the Auditing
Standards Board of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.
The Audit Committee has received
and reviewed the written disclosures and the letter from the independent registered public accounting firm required by Rule 3600T of the Public Company
Accounting Oversight Board which adopts on an interim basis Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1, Independence Discussions with Audit
Committees, as amended, relating to independence with audit committees, and has discussed with the independent registered public accounting firm
their independence from the Company and its management. The Audit Committee considered whether (and determined that) the provision by Ernst & Young
LLP of the services described below under Fees Billed by Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm is compatible with Ernst & Young
LLPs independence from both management and the Company.
In reliance upon the review and
discussions referred to above and the report of Ernst & Young LLP, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board of Directors that the financial
statements referred to above be included in the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended October 31, 2005 for filing with the
SEC.
19
Among its responsibilities, the
Audit Committee has sole authority to retain, set the terms of engagement of, evaluate and, when appropriate, replace the independent registered public
accounting firm and persons responsible for the Companys internal audit function. As described in Proposal 2 in this proxy statement, the Audit
Committee has appointed a new independent registered public accounting firm, PKF, to audit the financial statements of the Company for the ensuing
fiscal year and recommends to the stockholders that such appointment be ratified. The Audit Committee also has engaged Berdon LLP, certified public
accountants and advisors, to provide internal audit services for the Company in 2006. During the year ended October 31, 2005, Berdon LLP provided
consulting services to assist the Company in its compliance with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.
|
Peter
Herrick, Chairman Robert J. Mueller George J. Vojta |
20
FEES BILLED BY INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING
FIRM
The SEC
requires disclosure of the fees billed by Ernst & Young LLP, the Companys independent registered public accounting firm, for certain
services. The following table sets forth the aggregate fees billed by Ernst & Young LLP during the fiscal years ended October 31, 2005 and
2004.
|
|
|
|
FY Ended 10/31/05
|
|
FY Ended 10/31/04
|
Fees
Billed:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Audit
Fees |
|
|
|
$ |
677,500 |
|
|
$ |
211,500 |
|
Audit-Related
Fees |
|
|
|
$ |
25,000 |
|
|
$ |
-0- |
|
Tax
Fees |
|
|
|
$ |
31,820 |
|
|
$ |
27,500 |
|
All Other
Fees |
|
|
|
$ |
-0- |
|
|
$ |
-0- |
|
Total |
|
|
|
$ |
734,320 |
|
|
$ |
239,000 |
|
Audit Fees include amounts
billed to the Company related to the audit of the consolidated financial statements of the Company and for quarterly reviews for that year. For the
fiscal year ended October 31, 2005, this amount included $300,000 for the audit and quarterly reviews of the Companys financial statements and
$325,000 for the audit of managements assessment of, and the effectiveness of, the Companys internal control over financial reporting and
$52,500 related to SEC filings and comfort letters in connection with the Companys sale of equity securities.
Audit-Related Fees include
amounts billed to the Company for services rendered in connection with required audits of certain acquired properties during the year.
Tax Fees include amounts
billed to the Company primarily for tax planning and consulting, tax compliance and a review of the Companys and its consolidated joint
ventures federal and state income tax returns.
All Other Fees
there were no fees billed or incurred related to other fees or financial information systems design and implementation.
Audit Committee Pre-Approval Policy
During the fiscal year ended
October 31, 2005, the Audit Committee approved, prior to engagement, all audit and non-audit services provided by the Companys independent
registered public accounting firm and all fees to be paid for such services. The Audit Committee has pre-approved all audit services to be provided by
the Companys independent registered public accounting firm related to reviews of the Companys quarterly financial reports on Form 10-Q for
the year ending October 31, 2006. All other services are considered and approved on an individual basis.
Fees Paid in Connection with Internal Audit and Consulting
Services
The year ended October 31, 2005
represented the first year in which the Company was subject to the requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. In addition to the fees
enumerated above which were paid to the Companys independent registered public accounting firm, the Company incurred fees of approximately
$140,000 to PKF for internal audit services related to Section 404 compliance and approximately $238,000 to Berdon LLP, special consultant on Section
404 compliance.
21
Shares Performance Graph
The following graph compares, for
the five-year period beginning October 31, 2000 and ending October 31, 2005, the Companys cumulative total return to holders of the
Companys Class A Common Shares and Common Shares with the returns for the NAREIT All REIT Total Return Index (a peer group index) published by
the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts (NAREIT) and for the S&P 500 Index for the same period.
COMPARISON OF CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN*
FOR THE
FIVE-YEAR PERIOD OCTOBER 31, 2000 TO OCTOBER 31, 2005
AMONG URSTADT BIDDLE PROPERTIES INC. CLASS A COMMON SHARES (UBA),
URSTADT BIDDLE
PROPERTIES INC. COMMON SHARES (UBP), THE S&P 500 INDEX
AND THE NAREIT ALL-REIT INDEX
|
|
|
|
10/00
|
10/01
|
|
10/02
|
|
10/03
|
|
10/04
|
|
10/05
|
|
UBA |
|
|
|
|
100.00 |
|
144.17 |
|
181.91 |
|
241.17 |
|
303.09 |
|
329.59 |
|
UBP |
|
|
|
|
100.00 |
|
135.56 |
|
187.74 |
|
231.67 |
|
285.30 |
|
341.13 |
|
S&P
500 |
|
|
|
|
100.00 |
|
75.10 |
|
63.75 |
|
77.01 |
|
84.27 |
|
91.62 |
|
NAREIT
ALL-REIT INDEX |
|
|
|
|
100.00 |
|
115.57 |
|
124.36 |
|
168.42 |
|
216.45 |
|
246.96 |
|
* |
|
$100 INVESTED ON 10/31/00 IN STOCK OR INDEXINCLUDING
REINVESTMENT OF DIVIDENDS, FISCAL YEAR ENDING OCTOBER 31. |
The stock price performance shown on the graph is not
necessarily indicative of future price performance.
22
SOLICITATION OF PROXIES AND VOTING
PROCEDURES
The cost of soliciting proxies
will be borne by the Company. In addition to solicitation by mail, solicitations also may be made by personal interview, facsimile transmission or
telephone. Directors and officers of the Company may participate in such solicitation and will not receive additional compensation for such services.
Arrangements will be made with custodians, nominees and fiduciaries for forwarding of proxy solicitation material to beneficial owners of Class A
Common Shares and Common Shares and the Company will reimburse such custodians, nominees and fiduciaries for reasonable expenses incurred in connection
therewith.
The presence, either in person or
by properly executed proxy, of a majority of the Companys outstanding Class A Common Shares and Common Shares is necessary to constitute a quorum
at the Annual Meeting. Each Common Share outstanding on the Record Date entitles the holder thereof to one vote and each Class A Common Share
outstanding on the Record Date entitles the holder thereof to 1/20 of one vote. An automated system administered by the Companys transfer agent
tabulates the votes.
The election of the Directors,
the ratification of the appointment of the Companys independent registered public accounting firm and the amendment of the Companys
Restricted Stock Award Plan each requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock entitled to
vote and present, in person or by properly executed proxy, at the Annual Meeting. Abstentions will thus be the equivalent of negative votes and broker
non-votes will have no effect with respect to such proposals, as any Class A Common Shares or Common Shares subject to broker non-votes will not be
present and entitled to vote with respect to any proposal to which the broker non-vote applies.
Each of the Proposals presented
to the Company at the Annual Meeting is being presented as a separate and independent Proposal and no Proposal is conditioned upon adoption or approval
of any other Proposal.
AVAILABLE INFORMATION
The Company is subject to the
informational requirements of the Exchange Act, and in accordance therewith files reports, proxy statements, and other information with the SEC. Such
reports, proxy statements and other information may be inspected without charge at the principal office of the SEC, 100 F Street, N. E., Washington,
D.C. 20549, and copies of all or any part thereof may be obtained at prescribed rates from the SECs Public Reference Section at such address.
Information on the operation of the Public Reference Section may be obtained by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. The SEC maintains a World Wide Web
site on the Internet at http://www.sec.gov that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding registrants that
file electronically with the SEC. Such reports, proxy and information statements and other information also can be inspected at the office of the New
York Stock Exchange, Inc., 20 Broad Street, New York, NY 10005.
The Companys Annual
Report to Stockholders for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2005 (which is not part of the Companys proxy soliciting materials) has been mailed
to the Companys stockholders with or prior to this proxy statement. A copy of the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K, without exhibits,
will be furnished without charge to stockholders upon request to:
Thomas D. Myers, Secretary
Urstadt Biddle Properties
Inc.
321 Railroad Avenue
Greenwich, CT 06830
The Companys Corporate
Governance Guidelines, Code of Business Conduct and Ethics and the Charters for each of the Audit Committee, Compensation Committee and the Nominating
and Corporate Governance Committee are available on the Companys website at http:\\www.ubproperties.com and are available in print to
any stockholder upon request to the corporate secretary at the address set forth above.
23
CONTACTING THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Any shareholder who desires to
contact the Companys Board of Directors may do so by writing to: Board of Directors, c/o Secretary, Urstadt Biddle Properties Inc., 321 Railroad
Avenue, Greenwich, CT 06830. Communications received will be distributed to the Chairperson of the appropriate committee of the Board depending on the
facts and circumstances outlined in the communication. Shareholders also may direct communications solely to the non-management Directors of the
Company by addressing such communications to the Non-Management Directors, c/o Secretary, at the address set forth above. In addition, The Board of
Directors maintains special procedures for the receipt, retention and treatment of complaints received by the Company regarding accounting, internal
accounting controls or auditing matters and for the submission by employees of the Company, on a confidential and anonymous basis, of concerns
regarding questionable accounting or auditing matters. Such communications may be made by writing to the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors, c/o
Secretary, at the address set forth above. Any such communication marked confidential will be forwarded by the Secretary, unopened, to the
Chairperson of the Audit Committee.
OTHER MATTERS
The Directors know of no other
business to be presented at the Annual Meeting. If other matters properly come before the Meeting in accordance with the Articles of Incorporation, the
persons named as proxies will vote on them in accordance with their best judgment.
The Company encourages, but does
not require, that members of its Board of Directors attend the Annual Meeting of Stockholders. Eight of the Companys nine Directors attended the
Annual Meeting of Stockholders held March 9, 2005.
Any stockholder who intends to
present a stockholder proposal for consideration at the Companys 2007 Annual Meeting of Stockholders by utilizing Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange
Act, must comply with the requirements as to form and substance established by the SEC for such proposals to be included in the Companys proxy
statement for such Annual Meeting and such proposals must be received by the Company by October 6, 2006.
Any stockholder who intends to
present a stockholder proposal for consideration at the Companys 2007 Annual Meeting of Stockholders without complying with Rule 14a-8 or who
intends to make a nomination for election to the Companys Board of Directors at the 2007 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, must comply with certain
advance notification requirements set forth in the Companys bylaws. The Companys bylaws provide, in part, that any proposal for stockholder
action, or nomination to the Board of Directors, proposed other than by the Board of Directors must be received by the Company in writing, together
with specified accompanying information, at least 75 days prior to an annual meeting in order for such action to be considered at the meeting. The year
2007 Annual Meeting of Stockholders is currently anticipated to be held on March 8, 2007. Any notice of intent to consider other matters and/or
nominees, and related information, must therefore be received by the Company by December 26, 2006. The purpose of the bylaw is to assure adequate
notice of, and information regarding, any such matter as to which shareholder action may be sought.
You are urged to complete, date,
sign and return your Proxy Card promptly to make certain your Shares will be voted at the Annual Meeting, even if you plan to attend the meeting in
person. If you desire to vote your Shares in person at the meeting, your proxy may be revoked. For your convenience in returning the Proxy Card, a
pre-addressed and postage paid envelope has been enclosed.
YOUR PROXY IS IMPORTANT
WHETHER YOU OWN FEW OR MANY
SHARES.
PLEASE DATE, SIGN AND MAIL THE ENCLOSED PROXY CARD TODAY.
24
6 DETACH PROXY CARD HERE 6 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Please vote and sign on this side and return promptly in the enclosed envelope.
Do not forget to date your proxy.
|
|
x |
|
|
Votes must be indicated (x) in Black or Blue ink.
|
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR EACH OF THESE
PROPOSALS
Proposal 1. To elect three Directors to serve for three years.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FOR |
|
AGAINST |
|
ABSTAIN |
|
FOR all nominees listed
below |
|
o |
|
WITHHOLD AUTHORITY to vote for all nominees listed below
|
|
o |
|
*EXCEPTIONS |
|
o |
|
Proposal 2. |
|
To ratify the appointment of PKF as the independent registered public
accounting firm of the Company for one year. |
o |
|
o |
|
o |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Proposal 3. |
|
To amend the Companys Restricted Stock Award Plan. |
o |
|
o |
|
o |
|
Nominees to serve for three years: Robert R. Douglass, George H.C.
Lawrence and Charles J. Urstadt.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(INSTRUCTIONS: To withhold authority to vote for any individual nominee,
mark the Exceptions box and write that nominees name in the space provided below.) *Exceptions
|
|
Please sign name exactly as shown. When there is more than one holder, each should sign. When signing as an attorney, administrator, guardian or trustee, please add your
title as such. If executed by a corporation or partnership, the proxy should be signed by a duly authorized person, stating his or her title or
authority. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Please sign exactly as
your name appears hereon. When signing in a representative capacity,
please give full title. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Date Share
Owner sign
here Co-Owner
sign here |
|
URSTADT
BIDDLE PROPERTIES INC.
PROXY FOR ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
To be held on March 9, 2006
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF URSTADT BIDDLE PROPERTIES INC.
The undersigned
hereby constitutes and appoints Willing L. Biddle and Thomas D. Myers, and each of them,
as Proxies of the undersigned, with full power to appoint his substitute, and authorizes
each of them to represent and vote all Class A Common Stock or Common Stock, par value
$.01 per share, as applicable, of Urstadt Biddle Properties Inc. (the Company)
held of record as of the close of business on January 24, 2006, at the Annual Meeting of
Stockholders of the Company (the Annual Meeting) to be held at 2:00 p.m. on
Thursday, March 9, 2006 at the Hyatt Regency Greenwich, 1800 E. Putnam Avenue, Old
Greenwich, Connecticut 06870 and at any adjournments or postponements thereof.
When properly
executed, this proxy will be voted in the manner directed herein by the undersigned
stockholder(s). If no direction is given, this proxy will be voted: (i) FOR the election
of three Directors of the Company to serve for three years, as set forth in Proposal 1;
(ii) FOR the ratification of the appointment of PKF as the independent registered public
accounting firm of the Company for the ensuing fiscal year, as set forth in Proposal 2;
and (iii) FOR the amendment of the Companys Restricted Stock Award Plan, as set
forth in Proposal 3. In their discretion, the Proxies are each authorized to vote upon
such other business as may properly come before the Annual Meeting and any adjournments
or postponements thereof. A stockholder wishing to vote in accordance with the Board of
Directors recommendations need only sign and date this proxy and return it in the
enclosed envelope.The undersigned
hereby acknowledge(s) receipt of a copy of the accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting of
Stockholders, the Proxy Statement and the Companys Annual Report to Stockholders
and hereby revoke(s) any proxy or proxies heretofore given. This proxy may be revoked at
any time before it is exercised by filing a notice of such revocation, by filing a later
dated proxy with the Secretary of the Company or by voting in person at the Annual
Meeting.
|
|
(Continued and to be signed and dated on reverse side.) |
|
URSTADT BIDDLE PROPERTIES INC. |
|
| |
P.O. BOX 11040 | |
| |
NEW YORK, N.Y. 10203-0040 | |
| |
| |
To change your
address, please mark this box. o