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To select RVA Entertainment Holdings, LLC, as the City’s preferred casino gaming operator to operate a casino gaming establishment located at 2001 Walmsley Boulevard and 4700 Trenton Avenue and to provide for the requisite referendum thereon pursuant to Va. Code § 58.1-4123.
(8th District)
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WHEREAS, on November 2, 2021, the voters of the City narrowly rejected a referendum pursuant to section 58.1-4123 of the Code of Virginia (1950), as amended, to permit casino gaming at a casino gaming establishment at 2001 Walmsley Boulevard and 4700 Trenton Avenue within the city of Richmond as may be approved by the Virginia Lottery Board; and
WHEREAS, having given substantial weight to the criteria set forth in section 58.1-4107 of the Code of Virginia (1950), as amended, City officials have negotiated a revised Resort Casino Host Community Agreement and a revised Community Support Agreement with RVA Entertainment Holdings, LLC; and
WHEREAS, the Council believes that it is in the best interests of the city of Richmond that the City again select RVA Entertainment Holdings, LLC, as the City’s preferred casino gaming operator and that, upon certification of approval, if necessary, by the independent agency responsible for the administration of the Virginia Lottery for the City to proceed to a referendum and upon execution of a revised Resort Casino Host Casino Agreement and a revised Community Support Agreement with the City’s selected preferred casino gaming operator, the Council petition the Circuit Court of the City of Richmond to order a referendum in 2022 as required by section 58.1-4123 of the Code of Virginia (1950), as amended, as a prerequisite for the grant by the independent agency responsible for the administration of the Virginia Lottery of any initial license to operate a gaming operation in the city of Richmond;
NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND:
That:
1. Pursuant to and in accordance with section 58.1-4107 of the Code of Virginia (1950), as amended, the City selects RVA Entertainment Holdings, LLC, as the City’s preferred casino gaming operator to operate a casino gaming establishment located in the city at 2001 Walmsley Boulevard, with Tax Parcel No. S009-0310/019 in the 2022 records of the City Assessor, and 4700 Trenton Avenue, with Tax Parcel No. S009-0387/001 in the 2022 records of the City Assessor. The Chief Administrative Officer is authorized and requested to promptly submit, if necessary, the City’s preferred casino gaming operator to the independent agency responsible for the administration of the Virginia Lottery as required by section 58.1-4107 of the Code of Virginia (1950), as amended, for preliminary review and certification of approval by such agency for the City to proceed to the referendum required by section 58.1-4123 of the Code of Virginia (1950), as amended.
2. By its adoption of this resolution, the Council both resolves to petition, pursuant to and in accordance with section 58.1-4123 of the Code of Virginia (1950), as amended, the Circuit Court of the City of Richmond asking that a referendum be held on the question of whether casino gaming should be permitted at a casino gaming establishment in the city of Richmond, Virginia, on the property located at 2001 Walmsley Boulevard and 4700 Trenton Avenue as may be approved by the Virginia Lottery Board and authorizes and directs the City Attorney, on behalf of the City and of the Council, to promptly file such petition in such court at such time as (i) the City has received, if necessary, certification of approval pursuant to section 58.1-4107 of the Code of Virginia (1950), as amended, by the independent agency responsible for the administration of the Virginia Lottery for the City to proceed to the referendum required by section 58.1-4123 of the Code of Virginia (1950), as amended, with the City’s preferred casino gaming operator and (ii) the City and RVA Entertainment Holdings, LLC, have executed a revised Resort Casino Host Community Agreement and a revised Community Support Agreement, the City’s execution of which agreements the Council has authorized by ordinance.
3. It is the intent of this resolution that the officers identified above and all other officers and employees of the City be authorized and empowered to take all actions necessary to effectuate the provisions of this resolution within the parameters set by this resolution as soon as practicable after the adoption of this resolution and that no further action by this Council other than as set forth in paragraph 3 of this resolution be necessary or required therefor.
4. This resolution shall be in force and effect upon adoption.