RESOLUTION

RESOLUTION TO DIRECT THE FILING OF A PETITION

FOR WRIT OF ELECTION TO HOLD
A REFERENDUM ON CASINO GAMING AT
500 GATE CITY HIGHWAY, BRISTOL, VIRGINIA 24201
(FORMER BRISTOL MALL)

WHEREAS, the Commonwealth of Virginia has legalized casino gaming in five

localities across the Commonwealth pursuant to Virginia Code § 58.1-4100 et. seq.; and
WHEREAS, the City of Bristol, Virginia meets the criteria as set forth in Virginia Code §
58.1-4107(A)(3); and

WHEREAS, the City of Bristol, Virginia solicited request for information proposals from
potential preferred casino gaming operators on April 17, 2020 with a deadline to respond
by 5:00 p.m. on May 8, 2020; and

WHEREAS, HR Bristol, LLC (members of which are Hard Rock International, The
United Company and Par Ventures (collectively, the “HR Bristol Members”)) submitted
the lone proposal to operate a resort and casino at the former Bristol Mall located at 500
Gate City Highway, Bristol, Virginia 24201; and

WHEREAS, the City considered all the factors set forth in Virginia Code § 58.1-4107(B)
in reviewing the lone proposal and adopted an amended Resolution on May 29, 2020,
stating HR Bristol, LLC (members of which are Hard Rock International, The United
Company and Par Ventures (collectively, the “HR Bristol Members”)) shall be the City’s
preferred casino gaming operator; and

WHEREAS, the City, pursuant to Va. Code § 58.1-4107(F) submitted the required
information to the Virginia Lottery Board on June 1, 2020, for review; and

WHEREAS, the Virginia Lottery Board has granted HR Bristol, LLC (members of which
are Hard Rock International, The United Company and Par Ventures (collectively, the
“HR Bristol Members”)) certification of approval to proceed to local referendum to
operate as the preferred casino gaming operator in the City of Bristol, Virginia; and

WHEREAS, Virginia Code § 58.1-4123 requires a local referendum be held on the

question of whether casino gaming shall be permitted in the City of Bristol; and

WHEREAS, Virginia Code § 58.1-4123 requires the governing body to petition the court,
by resolution, asking that a referendum be held on the question of whether casino gaming
shall be permitted within the city; and

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Bristol,
Virginia on the basis of the foregoing and other deliberations and in careful consideration
of the public, health, safety, and welfare, hereby resolves in accordance with Virginia
Code §§ 58.1-4123 and 24.2-684, to direct the City Attorney to file in the Circuit Court
for the City of Bristol Virginia a petition for a writ of election to hold a referendum on
the question of casino gaming at 500 Gate City Highway (former Bristol Mall location),
Bristol, VA 24201; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOVLED, the Council directs that the question on the ballot for the
referendum be stated, in accordance with Virginia Code § 58.1-4123, as follows:

"Shall casino gaming be permitted at a casino gaming establishment in the City of

Bristol, Virginia at 500 Gate City Highway, Bristol, Virginia 24201 (former
Bristol Mall) as may be approved by the Virginia Lottery Board?”

This the 14th day of July, 2020. The foregoing resolution was duly adopted by the
following vote:

Mayor, Bill Hartley ____

Vice Mayor, Anthony Farnum ____
Council Member, Kevin Mumpower ____
Council Member, Neal Osborne ____
Council Member, Kevin Wingard ____

(SEAL)
Attest: Nicole Storm CITY COUNCIL
CLERK OF THE CITY OF
BRISTOL, VIRGINA

By By
Clerk Mayor