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MEMBER CONTROL AGREEMENT OF
PACIFIC COAST GAMING - CORNING, LLC
THIS MEMBER CONTROL AGREEMENT is made and entered into on this 12th day
of October, 2000, but is effective as of the 12th day of October, 2000 (the
"Effective Date"), by and between LAKES CORNING, LLC, a Minnesota limited
liability company ("Lakes Corning"); and MRD GAMING, LLC, a California limited
liability company ("MRD") (collectively, the "Members"), with respect to PACIFIC
COAST GAMING - CORNING, LLC, a Minnesota limited liability company (the
"Company").
INTRODUCTION AND CERTAIN DEFINITIONS
A. Participation Agreement. The Company is being formed pursuant to a
written Acquisition and Participation Agreement between MRD and Lakes Gaming and
Resorts, LLC, a Minnesota limited liability company ("LGR"), dated August 7,
2000, and amended by a First Amendment thereto, dated October 12, 2000, copies
of which Agreement and Amendment are attached hereto as part of EXHIBIT A
(collectively, the "Participation Agreement").
B. Predecessor Company. As of the Effective Date and pursuant to the
Participation Agreement, MRD acquired 100% of the membership interests of a
Maryland limited liability company called Pacific Coast Gaming - Corning, L.L.C.
(the "Predecessor Company"), which holds certain rights and contracts to develop
a gaming casino on Indian land in Corning, California, more fully described in
the Participation Agreement as the "Paskenta Project" (and herein called the
"Corning Project"). MRD made that acquisition in exchange for (1) a $100,000
cash payment funded by a loan from Lakes Corning to MRD; and (2) MRD causing
Lakes Corning to loan $759,098 to the Predecessor Company, which it used to
satisfy certain advances made by its former owners (the "Advanced Funds Loan").
MRD also entered into a written Consulting Agreement with the former owner of
the Predecessor Company, providing for MRD's obligation to pay consulting fees
equal to the greater of (1) approximately 50% of MRD's share of certain cash
distributions paid by the Company, or (2) approximately 17.5% of all such
distributions (the "MRD Consulting Obligation").
Prior to the Effective Date and pursuant to the Participation
Agreement, LGR has loaned $789,317.03 to MRD, which MRD has in turn loaned to
the Predecessor Company on the same terms and conditions, which are set forth in
promissory notes issued by MRD to LGR (the "Interim MRD Loan") and by the
Predecessor Company to MRD (the "Interim Predecessor Company Loan").
C. Formation of Company and Merger. As of the Effective Date, MRD
assigned to Lakes Corning 65% of the economic interests in the Predecessor
Company, and 50% of the voting interests therein, in exchange for (1) the
release of MRD from its obligation to repay $50,000 of the $100,000 loan made to
MRD by Lakes Corning for the acquisition of the Predecessor Company; and (2)
Lakes Corning's Advanced Funds Loan to the Predecessor
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Company.
As of the Effective Date, MRD has assigned to Lakes Corning the Interim
Predecessor Company Loan, and Lakes Corning has accepted such assignment in
satisfaction of the Interim MRD Loan. Upon the merger of the Predecessor Company
into the Company, the Company shall become obligated to repay the Interim
Predecessor Company Loan and the Advanced Funds Loan, which represent a part of
the Project Companies Loan described in the Participation Agreement.
The Members then organized the Company as of the Effective Date
pursuant to Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 322B (the "LLC Act"), by adopting the
Articles of Organization described in Section 1.1, and agreeing to make capital
contributions to the Company, which agreements have been accepted by a unanimous
action of the Company's Board of Governors dated as of the Effective Date. The
capital contributions of MRD and Lakes Corning to the Company were made as of
the Effective Date by completing the merger of the Predecessor Company into the
Company.
The Members constitute all of the initial members of the Company. Such
Members and any Members admitted to the Company after the Effective Date shall
be identified in Section 6.2.
D. Certain Affiliated Parties. LGR is the sole member of Lakes Corning,
and is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Lakes Gaming, Inc., a publicly held
Minnesota corporation. LGR has assigned all of its rights under the
Participation Agreement to Lakes Corning, which has assumed the obligations of
LGR under the Participation Agreement. The Corning Project is being carried out
for the Paskenta Band of Nomlaki Indians, in Corning, California (the "Paskenta
Tribe").
The only members of MRD are ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇, a Nevada resident; and his
father, ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇, who is a Minnesota resident.
Pursuant to the Participation Agreement, MRD and Lakes Cloverdale, LLC,
another subsidiary of LGR ("Lakes Cloverdale"), have also formed Pacific Coast
Gaming - Santa ▇▇▇▇, LLC, a Minnesota limited liability company (the "Cloverdale
Joint Venture"), to carry out a casino development project similar to the
Corning Project, for the Cloverdale Rancheria of Pomo Indians, in Cloverdale,
California (the "Cloverdale Project").
E. This Agreement. Section 322B.37 of the LLC Act authorizes a member
control agreement for a limited liability company. Each of the Members desires
to enter into such an agreement, in the form of this Agreement, with respect to
the Company.
AGREEMENT
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing facts, the mutual
promises of the Members and the mutual benefits to be gained by the performance
of this Agreement, the Members hereby agree as follows:
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ARTICLE 1
FORMATION OF LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY
1.1 Formation and Articles. As of the Effective Date, the Members have
formed the Company as a limited liability company under the provisions of the
LLC Act. The Company's business shall be conducted to comply with the LLC Act.
The Members hereby adopt and approve the Amended and Restated Articles
of Organization of the Company, as filed by the Company's organizer in the
office of the Secretary of State of the State of Minnesota on June 12, 2000, and
amended by the organizer on September 25, 2000, to and change the Company's name
from "Lakes Auberry, LLC" to "Pacific Coast Gaming - Corning, LLC" (the
"Articles"). A copy of the Articles, as so amended, is attached hereto as
EXHIBIT B and hereby made a part of this Agreement. The Company's Board shall
promptly cause to be executed and so filed any further amendments of such
Articles that may be adopted by the Members or required by law.
Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, the Articles and the
Company's Bylaws, the rights and liabilities of the Members shall be as provided
in the LLC Act. The purpose of the Company is set forth in Article 4.
1.2 Term. The term of the Company shall begin on the Effective Date and
shall continue until the Company is dissolved upon a Liquidation Event as
provided in Article 15.
1.3 Name. The business of the Company shall be conducted under the name
of "Pacific Coast Gaming - Corning, LLC" or such other name as the Board (as
defined in Article 3) may hereafter designate.
ARTICLE 2
PLACE OF BUSINESS AND AGENT FOR PROCESS
2.1 Place of Business. The principal executive office of the Company
shall be located at ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇-▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇. The Board may from time to time change the location of the principal
office of the Company and, in such event, the Chief Manager shall give notice to
the Members within twenty (20) days of the effective date of such change. The
Board may in its discretion establish additional places of business of the
Company.
2.2 Agent for Process. The name and address of the agent for service of
process in the State of Minnesota shall be Lakes Corning, LLC, located at ▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇. The Board may from time to time
replace such agent and, in such event, the Chief Manager shall give notice to
the Members and the appropriate state authorities within twenty (20) days of the
effective date of such change.
ARTICLE 3
GENERAL DEFINITIONS
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Wherever used in this Agreement, unless another meaning is explicitly
indicated by the context, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth
below:
3.1 "Affiliate" means, with respect to a specific Person, any of the
following other Persons: (a) any Person directly or indirectly controlling,
controlled by, or under common control with such Person; (b) any Person owning
or controlling ten percent (10%) or more of the outstanding voting interest of
such Person; (c) any officer, director or general partner of such Person; (d)
any Person who is an officer, director, general partner, trustee or holder of
ten percent (10%) or more of the voting interest of any Person described in
clauses (a) through (c) of this sentence; or (e) any member of the Family or
sibling of the specified Person or member of the sibling's Family. For purposes
of this definition, the terms "control," "is controlled by" or "is under common
control with" shall mean the possession, direct or indirect, of the power to
direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a Person,
whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise.
3.2 "Agreement" or "Member Control Agreement" means this Member Control
Agreement (including all of its Exhibits and Schedules, if any), as amended from
time to time.
3.3 "Articles" shall mean the Articles described in Section 1.1, as
they may be amended from time to time by Members holding at least two-thirds of
the Voting Interests, pursuant to the LLC Act and the Bylaws.
3.4 "Appointing Member" shall mean each Member that is entitled to
appoint one or more Governors pursuant to Article 10, without an election by all
of the Members otherwise entitled to vote with respect to Company matters; and
includes each of its successors and assigns that becomes a Member hereunder with
respect to all of the Voting Interest held by the Appointing Member.
3.5 "Board" means the Board of Governors of the Company, as appointed
by the Appointing Members pursuant to Article 10 and the Bylaws.
3.6 "Bankruptcy" means, with respect to any Person, a "Voluntary
Bankruptcy" or an "Involuntary Bankruptcy."
(a) "Voluntary Bankruptcy" means, with respect to any Person,
the inability of such Person generally to pay his, her or its debts as
such debts become due or an admission in writing by such Person of his,
her or its inability to pay such debts generally or a general
assignment by such Person for the benefit of creditors; the filing of
any petition or answer by such Person seeking to adjudicate it a
bankrupt or insolvent or seeking for such Person any liquidation,
winding up, reorganization, arrangement, adjustment, protection, relief
or composition of such Person or the debts of such Person under any law
relating to bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization or relief of
debtors, or seeking, consenting to or acquiescing in the entry of an
order for relief or the appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian
or other similar official for such Person or for any
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substantial part of such Person's property; or corporate action taken
by such Person to authorize any of the actions set forth above.
(b) "Involuntary Bankruptcy" means, with respect to any
Person, without the consent or acquiescence of such Person, the
entering of an order for relief or approving a petition for relief or
reorganization or any other petition seeking any reorganization,
arrangement, composition, readjustment, liquidation, dissolution or
other similar relief under any present or future bankruptcy, insolvency
or similar statute, law or regulation; or the filing of any such
petition against such Person which petition shall not be dismissed
within ninety (90) days; or, without the consent or acquiescence of
such Person, the entering of any order appointing a trustee, custodian,
receiver or liquidator of such Person or of all or any substantial part
of the property of such Person, which order shall not be dismissed
within ninety (90) days.
3.7 "Bylaws" means the Bylaws of the Company, as adopted by the Board
under the LLC Act and hereafter amended from time to time by the Board. The
initial Bylaws are attached hereto as EXHIBIT C.
3.8 "Capital Account" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
6.1(b).
3.9 "Capital Contribution" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
6.1(c).
3.10 "Cloverdale Joint Venture" shall have meaning set forth in
paragraph D of the Introduction to this Agreement.
3.11 "Cloverdale Project" shall have meaning set forth in paragraph D
of the Introduction to this Agreement.
3.12 "Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from
time to time (and any corresponding provisions of succeeding law).
3.13 "Company" means "Pacific Coast Gaming - Corning, LLC, the
Minnesota limited liability company formed as of the Effective Date pursuant to
the Participation Agreement, this Agreement and the Articles.
3.14 "Company Property" means the Corning Development Rights, the
Corning Project Contracts and the Corning Other Assets, which have been
contributed to the Company by the Members as a result of the merger of the
Predecessor Company into the Company pursuant to the Participation Agreement as
of the Effective Date; and all other real and personal property acquired and
held from time to time by the Company and any improvements thereto, and shall
include both tangible and intangible property.
3.15 "Contribution Agreement" means the Participation Agreement and any
other agreement in writing, executed by the Company and a Person desiring to
become a Member, setting forth the terms of such Person's admission as a Member
including, but not limited to, the
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agreed value of the contribution that shall be made by such Person to the
capital of the Company, and the Percentage Interest and Voting Interest to be
issued by the Company to such Person.
3.16 "Corning Development Rights" shall mean the Development Rights
defined in the Participation Agreement and relating to the Corning Project.
3.17 "Corning Other Assets" shall mean those Other Assets defined in
the Participation Agreement and relating to the Corning Project.
3.18 "Corning Project" shall have the meaning set forth in paragraph D
of the Introduction to this Agreement, which includes the development,
construction, equipment and start-up of a gaming casino on Indian land pursuant
to the Corning Project Contracts. In the Participation Agreement, the Corning
Project is referred to as the "Paskenta Project."
3.19 "Corning Project Companies Loan" means the Interim Predecessor
Company Loan and the Advanced Funds Loan, which together represent a part of the
Project Companies Loan described in the Participation Agreement.
3.20 "Corning Project Contracts" means the Company's Project Contracts
(as that term is defined in the Participation Agreement) with the Paskenta
Tribe, including any amendments or restatements of such Project Contracts, which
provide for completion of the Corning Project. The Corning Project Contracts
have become part of the Company Property as a result of the merger of the
Predecessor Company, as part of the Capital Contributions by the Members.
3.21 "Corning Project Development Loan" means the Project Development
Loan (as defined in the Participation Agreement) to be made to the Company by
Lakes Corning on behalf of LGR.
3.22 "Depreciation" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6.1(d).
3.23 "Development Rights" shall have the meaning given that term in the
Participation Agreement.
3.24 "Direct Lineal Descendants" means children, grandchildren, great
grandchildren and so on, by natural birth or legal adoption, including any
illegitimate child (if acknowledged by the child's parent) and any of the direct
lineal descendants of any such child.
3.25 "Distribution" means any distribution to the Members of cash or
other assets of the Company made from time to time pursuant to the provisions of
this Agreement.
3.26 "Effective Date" means October , 2000, the effective date of
this Agreement and the formation of the Company.
3.27 "Event of Default" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
6.6, and may be either an MRD Event of Default or a Lakes Event of Default (as
those terms are defined in
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Section 6.6), as the context requires.
3.28 "External Net Cash Flows" with respect to the Company shall mean
the net sum of the following, as reasonably determined in good faith by the
Board: (a) gross variable and fixed lease fees (as defined in the Corning
Project Contracts) received by the Company; plus (b) loan payments and all other
fees, amounts and payments received by the Company from the Paskenta Tribe under
the Corning Project Contracts or otherwise with respect to the Corning Project;
plus (c) repayments received by the Company on any advances it made to the
Cloverdale Joint Venture in the form of payments to Lakes Cloverdale of
amortized loan amounts due from the Cloverdale Joint Venture to Lakes Cloverdale
under the Cloverdale Joint Venture's share of the Project Companies Loan or its
Project Development Loan (as such loans are defined in the Participation
Agreement); plus (d) any other cash revenues received by the Company without any
obligation to repay; and less (e) franchise fees, third party financing costs
and other expenses paid to third parties. "External Net Cash Flows" shall not be
reduced by depreciation, amortization, cost recovery deductions or similar
non-cash expense allowances; or any items deducted from External Cash Flows in
determining Internal Cash Flows.
3.29 "Family" means an individual, his or her spouse (but only if he or
she and his or her spouse are not separated), his or her Direct Lineal
Descendants and his or her direct ancestors.
3.30 "Financial Rights" means a Member's rights to (a) a Capital
Account; (b) a Percentage Interest in Company Profits, Losses and Distributions;
(c) payments (if any) under the terms and conditions of Article 13 upon the
Member's termination or other withdrawal and (d) the Member's limited right to
Transfer such rights according to Article 12.
3.31 "Fiscal Year" means (a) the period commencing on the Effective
Date and ending on December 31, 2000, (b) any subsequent calendar year, or (c)
any portion of either of the periods described in clauses (a) and (b) for which
the Company is required to close its books and allocate Profits, Losses and
other Company items pursuant to Article 7.
3.32 "Gaming Licenses" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.5.
3.33 "Governance Rights" means all of a Member's rights as a Member,
other than the Member's Financial Rights. Governance Rights specifically include
(without limitation) the rights of Appointing Members to appoint Governors
pursuant to Article 10 and the right of each Member to vote its Voting Interest.
3.34 "Governor" shall mean any individual appointed under Section 10.1
to serve on the Board. The first Governors are the two (2) individuals named in
Section 10.2.
3.35 "Interest" shall have the same meaning as Membership Interest
(defined below).
3.36 "Internal Net Cash Flows" with respect to the Company shall mean
the net sum of the following, as reasonably determined in good faith by the
Board: (a) External Net Cash Flows,
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less (b) Overhead Fees paid as described in Section 8.1, less (c) Project
Manager Costs paid as described in Section 11 of the Participation Agreement;
less (d) payments of amortized amounts due Lakes Corning on the Corning Project
Development Loan and the Corning Project Companies Loan, and less (e) repayments
made by the Company on any advances it received from the Cloverdale Joint
Venture in the form of payments to Lakes Corning of amortized amounts due from
the Company to Lakes Corning under the Corning Project Companies Loan or the
Corning Project Development Loan. "Internal Net Cash Flows" shall not be reduced
by depreciation, amortization, cost recovery deductions or similar non-cash
expense allowances.
3.37 "Lakes Cloverdale" shall have the meaning set forth in paragraph D
of the Introduction to this Agreement.
3.38 "Lakes Corning" shall have the meaning set forth in the first
paragraph this Agreement.
3.39 "Lakes Event of Default" shall have meaning set forth in Section
6.6(b) of this Agreement.
3.40 "LGR" shall have the meaning set forth in paragraph A of the
Introduction to this Agreement.
3.41 "LLC Act" means the Minnesota Limited Liability Company Act, as
set forth in Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 322B, as amended from time to time (or
any corresponding provisions of succeeding law).
3.42 "Liquidating Event" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
15.1.
3.43 "Loss" and "Losses" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
7.1.
3.44 "Managers" means the Chief Manager and the Treasurer elected by
the Board and each other individual who shall hereafter be elected, appointed,
or otherwise designated as a Manager by the Board pursuant to Section 9.1 and
the Bylaws, and any other person considered elected as a manager pursuant to the
LLC Act.
3.45 "Member" or "Members" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
5.1.
3.46 "Membership Interest" or "Interest" means the Percentage Interest
and Voting Interest of a Member in the Company and the appurtenant rights,
powers and privileges, including both the Financial Rights and Governance Rights
of such Member with respect to the Company.
3.47 "MRD" shall have the meaning set forth in the first paragraph of
this Agreement.
3.48 "MRD Event of Default" shall have meaning set forth in Section
6.6(a) of this Agreement.
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3.49 "Participation Agreement" shall have the meaning set forth in
paragraph A of the Introduction to this Agreement. In the event of any
inconsistency or conflict between the Participation Agreement and this
Agreement, the provisions of this Agreement shall govern.
3.50 "Paskenta Tribe" shall have the meaning set forth in paragraph D
of the Introduction to this Agreement.
3.51 "Percentage Interest" means the percentage interest of a Member in
the Profits, Losses and Distributions of the Company and shall be the percentage
set forth as its Percentage Interest in Section 6.2, subject to adjustment in
accordance with Section 6.3.
3.52 "Person" means any individual, partnership, limited liability
company, corporation, trust or other entity.
3.53 "Predecessor Company" shall have the meaning set forth in
paragraph A of the Introduction to this Agreement.
3.54 "Profits" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7.1.
3.55 "Regulations" means the Income Tax Regulations, including
Temporary Regulations, promulgated under the Code, as such regulations may be
amended from time to time (including corresponding provisions of succeeding
regulations).
3.56 "Required Records" are the financial records and other records
(including this Agreement) required to be kept at the principal executive office
of the Company under Section 322B.373 of the LLC Act.
3.57 "Transfer" means, as a noun, any voluntary or involuntary transfer
(by operation of law, Bankruptcy, court order or otherwise), sale, exchange,
assignment, pledge or other encumbrance, foreclosure of a security interest
upon, or other disposition of an item; or, as a verb, to voluntarily or
involuntarily cause a Transfer of an item. "Transferred" means, as an adjective,
that an item has been the subject of a Transfer.
3.58 "Voting Interest" means a Member's relative voting power as a
Member and shall be the percentage set forth as such Member's Voting Interest in
Section 6.2, as amended from to time pursuant hereto.
ARTICLE 4
PURPOSES
The Company has been formed for the purposes of (a) acquiring the
Corning Development Rights, the Corning Project Contracts and the Corning Other
Assets from the Predecessor Company and MRD; and (b) completing the Corning
Project by assuming and performing the existing obligations of the Predecessor
Company and MRD under the Corning
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Project Contracts, as more fully set forth in the Participation Agreement; and
for those purposes may, subject to the limitations set forth in Article 9:
(a) finance, acquire, manage and hold property, real or
personal, in fee or by lease (including without limitation the Company
Property being contributed as Capital Contributions), and lend money or
arrange for other financing as required by the Corning Project
Contracts, to the extent the Board determines that such investments are
in the best interests of the Company;
(b) exercise any rights therein as may be necessary or
appropriate for such purposes;
(c) borrow funds for such purposes and to mortgage or
otherwise encumber any or all of the Company Property to secure such
borrowings;
(d) sell or otherwise dispose of the Company's rights or
ownership interests in such Company Property; and
(e) undertake and carry on all activities necessary or
advisable in connection with such purposes, all subject to the
limitations set forth in Article 9.
The Company may not engage in any other business incompatible with the
Corning Project without the consent of Members holding at least two-thirds of
the Voting Interests.
ARTICLE 5
MEMBERS, NEW MEMBERS AND GAMING LICENSES
5.1 Members. The current names and addresses of the Members are set
forth in the following table:
Name of Member Address of Member
Lakes Corning, LLC ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
MRD Gaming, LLC ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇-▇▇,
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Hereafter, any new addresses of each of the Members shall be set forth
in the Company's Required Records, pursuant to notice given to the Company as
provided in Section 16.1.
For all purposes of this Agreement, the terms "Member" or "Members"
means the Persons initially signing this Agreement as Members of the Company
under the LLC Act, in their capacity as Members; and each other Person who shall
hereafter be admitted to the Company as a Member, or is otherwise reflected in
the Required Records of the Company as the owner of any Governance Rights of a
Membership Interest of the Company.
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5.2 Terms of Membership Interests. The original Membership Interests
reflected in the Section 6.2 are ordinary membership interests of one class,
without series, and shall have the rights provided by the LLC Act, subject to
any statements and limitations in the Articles or this Agreement of the specific
rights or terms of such Membership Interests.
The Original Capital Contribution (as defined in Section 6.1),
Percentage Interest and Voting Interest of each of the Members are set forth in
Section 6.2, as amended from time to time pursuant hereto.
Each Member shall be entitled to vote on all matters in proportion to
its Voting Interest, except as may be provided otherwise in this Agreement or
pursuant to the following paragraph. A Member's right to vote is a Governance
Right.
With the consent of Members holding at least two-thirds of the Voting
Interests, the Board may enter into Contribution Agreements with prospective
Members providing for one or more classes of Interests having either Governance
Rights that are limited (as compared with the original Interests) or Financial
Rights that are limited or preferred (as compared with the original Interests),
or any combination of such rights. If any such new class of Interests is issued,
this Agreement shall be amended to state the rights of such Interests.
5.3 Additional Members. Additional Members may be admitted to the
Company only upon such terms and conditions as may be established by written
approval of Members holding at least two-thirds of the Voting Interests,
effective as of any prospective date established by such consent or, if none is
stated, by the Board. The Company may not issue additional Membership Interests
without the prior written consent of Members holding at least two-thirds of the
Voting Interests. Upon such consent and issuance of additional Membership
Interests, Section 6.2 shall be appropriately amended. Nothing in this Section
5.3 shall be construed to limit the effect of Articles 12 and 13 with respect to
the Transfer of Membership Interests by Members.
Each additional Member admitted to the Company shall execute this
Agreement and, if making a Capital Contribution, shall execute and perform a
Contribution Agreement delivered to and accepted on behalf of the Company by the
Managers pursuant to the terms and conditions approved by the Members.
Any Person who is admitted to the Company as a Member shall be subject
to and bound by all the provisions of this Agreement as if originally a party to
this Agreement, including specifically the requirements of Article 6 relating to
Capital Contributions.
Subject to the Member consent requirements of this Section 5.2, the
Board may authorize the Managers to enter into contribution allowance agreements
with current Members or prospective Members pursuant to section 322B.43 of the
LLC Act, providing for the right, but not the obligation, to make a specified
Capital Contribution in the future and thereby purchase a specified Percentage
Interest and Voting Interest, upon such terms and conditions as may be
established by the Board.
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5.4 Agreement Not to Resign. Until all of the Corning Project Contracts
are performed or terminated, each Appointing Member agrees not to withdraw or
otherwise voluntarily resign from membership in the Company for any reason
whatsoever without the consent of each remaining Appointing Member; provided,
however, that Lakes Corning may nevertheless exercise its right to dissolve the
Company pursuant to Section 13 of the Participation Agreement, at any time
permitted thereby.
If an Appointing Member nevertheless withdraws or otherwise voluntarily
resigns from membership in the Company in violation of the preceding paragraph,
the resigning Appointing Member shall be liable to the Company for any damages
(excluding consequential or punitive damages) resulting from that action, and
the purchase price for any purchase of the terminating Appointing Member's
Interest under Article 13 shall be limited to the extent provided in Section
13.8 under such circumstances. Such damages shall nevertheless include, without
limitation, (a) any damages for which the Company becomes liable under the
Corning Project Contracts as a direct result of such withdrawal; and (b) the
expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees) of (i) admitting a new Member,
if necessary; and (ii) if applicable, purchasing the terminating Member's
Membership Interest under Article 13 (excluding the purchase price and any
interest payable thereunder).
5.5 Gaming Licenses and Effect of Adverse Finding. MRD acknowledges
that the primary business of LGR and certain of its Affiliates is the operation
and management of gaming facilities; and that LGR and those of its Affiliates
must obtain and maintain in effect various approvals, findings of suitability,
licenses, permits and registrations (collectively "Gaming Licenses") from
various gaming authorities. Likewise, Lakes Corning recognizes that MRD and
certain of its Affiliates may be subject to similar regulations. The remaining
provisions of this Section 5.5, as they apply to MRD, its owners and each of
their Affiliates other than LGR and its Affiliates (a "Non-Lakes Party"), shall
also apply in the same manner to any other Member that is a successor to MRD and
is a Non-Lakes Party. The remaining provisions of this Section 5.5, as they
apply to LGR, its managers and governors and each of their Affiliates, other
than MRD or any of its Affiliates (a "Non-MRD Party"), shall also apply in the
same manner to any other Member that is a successor to Lakes Corning and is a
Non-MRD Party.
If (a) any Non-Lakes Party or any of its Affiliates, or any other
individual or entity that directly or indirectly owns or has any interest in a
Non-Lakes Party or is otherwise affiliated with a Non-Lakes Party, is found by
any gaming authority with competent jurisdiction to be unsuitable or unqualified
to be associated with LGR or any Affiliate of LGR; or (b) LGR determines in good
faith that the continued association of LGR with the Non-Lakes Party may
reasonably be expected to result in (i) the disapproval, adverse modification or
non-renewal of any contract or agreement under which LGR or any Affiliate of LGR
has sole or shared authority to manage any gaming facility; or (ii) the loss or
non-reinstatement of any Gaming License, then LGR shall give the Non-Lakes
Party written notice of such finding or determination. Such notice shall
describe the situation or relationship that is the basis for such finding or
determination.
Such Non-Lakes Party shall, promptly after its receipt of the written
notice from LGR specifying such finding or determination, take all actions
required to terminate or discontinue or
13
otherwise cure, to the satisfaction of LGR and any gaming authority having
jurisdiction over LGR or any Affiliate of LGR, the situation or relationship
described in the notice given by LGR. If, within thirty (30) days after such
Non-Lakes Party's receipt of the notice given by LGR (or such shorter period of
time as may be required or requested by any gaming authority), such Non-Lakes
Party fails or is unable to take such actions to the satisfaction of LGR and any
gaming authority having jurisdiction, such Non-Lakes Party may at any time
within such period give LGR written notice of such failure or inability or, if
such Non-Lakes Party has not already given such notice, LGR may at the end of
such period give a notice of such failure or inability to such Non-Lakes Party
and the Company. In the event any notice of such failure or inability is given
(whether or not on a timely basis), the Company shall then have the right and
option to purchase such Non-Lakes Party's entire Interest in the Company at a
redemption price determined under Section 13.8, based the fair market value of
such Interest or, if applicable, the lower price applicable upon an Event of
Default; and, if the Company does not exercise such option, Lakes Corning shall
have the right and option to purchase such Interest at the same price available
to the Company.
All of the foregoing provisions of this Section 5.5 regarding any
Non-Lakes Party shall also apply to any Non-MRD Party; and MRD shall have the
same rights as LGR and/or Lakes Corning with respect to determinations relating
to, and actions resulting from, conduct and activities of a Non-MRD Party.
ARTICLE 6
MEMBERS' CAPITAL, LOANS AND EVENTS OF DEFAULT
6.1 Definitions Relating to Capital.
(a) "Additional Capital Contributions" means, with respect to
each Member, the Capital Contributions made by such Member pursuant to
Section 6.3, reduced by the amount of any liabilities of such Member
assumed by the Company in connection with such Capital Contribution or
which are secured by any property contributed by such Member as a part
of such Capital Contribution.
(b) "Capital Account" means, with respect to any Member, the
Capital Account maintained for such Member in accordance with the
following provisions:
(i) To each Member's Capital Account there shall be
credited such Member's Capital Contributions, such Member's
distributive share of Profits and any items in the nature of
income or gain which are specially allocated pursuant to
Section 7.5 or Section 7.6, and the amount of any Company
liabilities assumed by such Member or which are secured by any
Company Property distributed to such Member.
(ii) To each Member's Capital Account there shall be
debited the amount of cash and the Gross Asset Value of any
Company Property distributed to such Member pursuant to any
provision of this Agreement, such Member's
14
distributive share of Losses and any items in the nature of
deductions or expenses that are specially allocated pursuant
to Section 7.5 or Section 7.6, and the amount of any
liabilities of such Member that are assumed by the Company or
secured by any property contributed by such Member to the
Company.
(iii) In the event all or any portion of an Interest
is Transferred in accordance with the terms of this Agreement,
the transferee shall succeed to the Capital Account of the
transferor to the extent it relates to the Transferred
Interest.
(iv) In determining the amount of any liability for
purposes of Sections 6.1(a), 6.1(b)(i), 6.1(b)(ii), and
6.1(f), there shall be taken into account Code section 752(c)
and any other applicable provisions of the Code and
Regulations.
The foregoing provisions and the other provisions of this
Agreement relating to the maintenance of Capital Accounts are intended
to comply with Regulations Section 1.704-1(b), and shall be interpreted
and applied in a manner consistent with such Regulations. In the event
the Board shall determine that it is prudent to modify the manner in
which the Capital Accounts, or any debits or credits thereto
(including, without limitation, debits or credits relating to
liabilities that are secured by contributed or distributed property, or
are assumed by the Company or any Member), are computed in order to
comply with such Regulations, the Board may make such modification;
provided however, that it is not likely to have a material effect on
the amounts distributable to any Member pursuant to Article 15 upon the
dissolution of the Company. The Board also shall (i) make any
adjustments that are necessary or appropriate to maintain equality
between the Capital Accounts of the Members and the amount of capital
reflected on the Company's balance sheet, as computed for book
purposes, in accordance with Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(q);
and (ii) make any appropriate modifications in the event unanticipated
events (for example, the acquisition by the Company of oil or gas
properties) might otherwise cause this Agreement not to comply with
Regulations Section 1.704-1(b).
(c) "Capital Contribution" means, with respect to any Member,
the amount of money and the initial Gross Asset Value of any property
(other than money) contributed to the Company with respect to the
Interest held by such Member, and includes an Original Capital
Contribution under Section 6.1(f) and any Additional Capital
Contribution under Section 6.1(a). The principal amount of a promissory
note that is not readily traded on an established securities market and
is contributed to the Company by the maker of the note (or a Member
related to the maker of the note within the meaning of Regulations
Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(c)) shall not be included in the Capital
Account of any Member until the Company makes a taxable disposition of
the note or until (and to the extent) principal payments are made on
the note, all in accordance with Regulations Section
1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(d)(2).
(d) "Depreciation" means, for each Fiscal Year, an amount
equal to the depreciation, amortization or other cost recovery
deduction allowable with respect to an
15
asset for such Fiscal Year, except that (i) with respect to any asset
whose Gross Asset Value differs from its adjusted basis for Federal
income tax purposes at the beginning of such Fiscal Year and which
difference is being eliminated by use of the "remedial method" defined
by Regulations Section 1.704-3(d), Depreciation for that Fiscal year
shall be the amount of book basis recovered for the Fiscal Year under
the rules prescribed by Regulations Section 1.704-3(d)(2); and (ii)
with respect to any other asset whose Gross Asset Value differs from
its adjusted basis for Federal income tax purposes at the beginning of
such Fiscal Year, Depreciation shall be an amount which bears the same
ratio to such beginning Gross Asset Value as the Federal income tax
depreciation, amortization or other cost recovery deduction for such
Fiscal Year bears to such beginning adjusted tax basis; provided,
however, that if the adjusted basis for Federal income tax purposes of
an asset at the beginning of such Fiscal Year is zero, Depreciation
shall be determined with reference to such beginning Gross Asset Value
using any reasonable method selected by the Board.
(e) "Gross Asset Value" means, with respect to any asset, the
asset's adjusted basis for Federal income tax purposes, except as
follows:
(i) The initial Gross Asset Value of any asset
contributed by a Member to the Company shall be the gross fair
market value of such asset, as determined by the contributing
Member and the Board;
(ii) The Gross Asset Values of all items of Company
Property shall be adjusted to equal their respective gross
fair market values, as determined by the Board, as of one of
the following times: (A) the acquisition of an additional
Interest by any new or existing Member in exchange for more
than a de minimis Capital Contribution; (B) the Distribution
by the Company to a Member of more than a de mini mis amount
of Company Property as consideration for an Interest; and (C)
the liquidation of the Company within the meaning of
Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(g); provided, however,
that adjustments pursuant to clauses (A) and (B) above shall
be made only if the Board reasonably determines that such
adjustments are necessary or appropriate to reflect the
relative economic interest of the Members in the Company;
(iii) The Gross Asset Value of any item of Company
Property (other than cash) distributed to any Member shall be
adjusted to equal the gross fair market value of such asset on
the date of Distribution as determined by the distributee and
the Board; and
(iv) The Gross Asset Values of Company Property shall
be increased (or decreased) to reflect any adjustments to the
adjusted basis of such assets pursuant to Code section 734(b)
or Code section 743(b), but only to the extent that such
adjustments are taken into account in determining Capital
Accounts pursuant to Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(m)
and Sections 7.1(f) and 7.5(a); provided, however, that Gross
Asset Values shall not be adjusted pursuant to this
16
paragraph (iv) to the extent the Board determines that an
adjustment pursuant to 6.1(e)(ii) is necessary or appropriate
in connection with a transaction that would otherwise result
in an adjustment pursuant to this paragraph.
If the Gross Asset Value of an asset has been
determined or adjusted pursuant to Section 6.1(e)(i), Section
6.1(e)(ii), or this Section 6.1(e)(iv), such Gross Asset Value
shall thereafter be adjusted by the Depreciation taken into
account with respect to such asset for purposes of computing
Profits and Losses.
(f) "Original Capital Contribution" means, with respect to
each Member, the Capital Contribution made by such Member pursuant to
Section 6.2, reduced by the amount of any liabilities of such Member
that are (i) assumed by the Company in connection with such Capital
Contribution or (ii) secured by any property contributed by such Member
to the Company as a part of such Capital Contribution.
6.2 Capital and Interests of Members. The capital of the Company shall
be contributed by the Members and has been accepted by the Board at the
respective values set forth in the following table:
Member's Name Agreed Form of Contribution Agreed Value Percentage Voting
of Interest Interest
Contribution
Lakes Corning, 65% per cent economic interest, $ 65,000.00 65% 50%
LLC and 50% voting interest, in the
Predecessor Company*
MRD Gaming, 35% per cent economic interest, $ 35,000.00 35% 50%
LLC and 50% voting interest, in the
Predecessor Company; and all
rights of MRD in the Corning
Project Contracts, the Corning
Development Rights and the
Corning Other Assets**
Totals $ 100,000.00 100% 100%
* Plus the obligation of Lakes Corning to provide services and lend
money to the Company, to the extent required of LGR under the Participation
Agreement.
** Plus the obligation to provide services to the Company, to the
extent required of MRD under the Participation Agreement.
As of the Effective Date, each Member shall contribute to the capital
of the Company the amount of property specified following its name in the table
above as its Original Capital Contribution; and shall be credited with the
Percentage Interest and Voting Interest set forth therein. The Original Capital
Contribution, Percentage Interest and Voting Interest of each of the Members
shall be set forth in the table above. In addition, each of the Members agrees
to
17
provide loans and/or services to the Company to the extent either it or any of
its Affiliates is obligated to do so under the Participation Agreement.
6.3 Additional Capital Contributions. Each Member may contribute from
time to time as an Additional Capital Contribution such additional money or
other property as may be approved by the Board and other Members holding at
least two-thirds of the Voting Interests not held by the contributing Member;
provided, however, that any Additional Capital Contribution of property (other
than money) made pursuant to this Section 6.3 shall be subject to the terms and
provisions of a Contribution Agreement to be executed by the contributing Member
and the Company prior to delivery of such property, subject to the approval of
the Board and each of the other Members holding at least a majority of the
Voting Interests.
If Additional Capital Contributions are not made equally by all
Members, the Board shall equitably adjust the Percentage Interests and Capital
Accounts of each Member to account for any non-pro-rata Additional Capital
Contributions on terms that shall be set forth in a Contribution Agreement
approved and signed as provided in the preceding paragraph, which agreement
shall serve as an amendment to Section 6.2. Any such agreement may also
equitably adjust the Members' Voting Interests.
Additional Membership Interests may be granted only as permitted by
Section 5.3. If an additional Membership Interest is granted, Section 6.2 shall
be appropriately amended.
6.4 Other Capital Matters.
(a) Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, no Member
shall demand or receive a return of the Member's Capital Contributions
or withdraw them from the Company without the consent of the Board and
each other Member. Under circumstances allowing or requiring a return
of any Capital Contributions, no Member shall have the right to receive
Company Property other than cash except as may be specifically provided
herein.
(b) Except as expressly provided herein, no Member shall
receive any interest or draw with respect to the Member's Capital
Contributions or the Member's Capital Account.
(c) Except as otherwise provided by any other agreements among
the Members or mandatory provisions of applicable state law, a Member
shall be liable only to make the Member's Capital Contributions and
shall not be required to lend any funds to the Company or, after the
Member's Original Capital Contribution has been made, to make any
Additional Capital Contributions to the Company.
6.5 Loans to the Company. If authorized by the Board and permitted
under Section 9.7, a Member may lend money to the Company from time to time, in
excess of the Member's Capital Contributions.
18
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, by virtue
of assuming the obligations of LGR under the Participation Agreement, Lakes
Corning shall be obligated to lend money to the Company, but only to the extent
that LGR is expressly required by the Participation Agreement to make such
loans. The Company hereby confirms its obligations to pay the Project Companies
Loan described in the Participation Agreement, pursuant to the terms of the
promissory notes evidencing the loans included therein.
No loan obligation due a Member by the Company may be treated as a
Capital Contribution for any purpose or entitle any such Member to any increase
in the Member's Financial Rights or Governance Rights (if any) or any other
share in any Profits, Losses, deductions, credits or Distributions of the
Company, except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement or the
Participation Agreement. The Company shall be obligated to any Member for the
amount of any loan made to the Company by the Member, or any debt owed to a
Member and assumed by the Company with interest thereon at such rate as may have
been agreed upon by such Member and the Company and authorized by the Board or,
if applicable, specified by the Participation Agreement.
6.6 Events of Default by a Member. In the event that a Member fails to
make any payment, or any installment thereof, when due, of any Capital
Contribution or other obligation hereunder or under a Contribution Agreement,
the Board may cause the Company to enforce such obligation in such manner as may
be permitted by law, subject to any enforcement limitations expressly provided
in this Agreement or the Participation Agreement; and each other Member may
enforce such obligation in such manner as may be provided in this Agreement and
the Participation Agreement.
For purposes of this Section 6.6, the term "Tribes" means,
collectively, the Paskenta Tribe and the Cloverdale Rancheria of Pomo Indians,
in Cloverdale, California; the term "▇▇▇▇" means ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇; and the term
"Project Contracts" means, collectively, the Corning Project Contracts and the
Project Contracts (as defined in the Participation Agreement) held by the
Cloverdale Joint Venture.
In particular, the following events of default with respect to a
designated Appointing Member (each, an "Event of Default") shall have the
respective consequences specified below:
(a) MRD Event of Default; Termination of MRD from Projects.
The occurrence of any of the following events shall be considered an
"MRD Event of Default" under this Agreement:
(i) loss by MRD or ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇ ("▇▇▇▇") of any
gaming license for the Corning Project or the Cloverdale
Project, if such license is not reinstated following the
exhaustion of all legal remedies;
(ii) the conviction of MRD or ▇▇▇▇ of criminal
misconduct directly related to gaming activities or related to
MRD's relationship with LGR, Lakes Corning, Lakes Cloverdale
or either of the Tribes;
19
(iii) the death, resignation or disability of ▇▇▇▇ or
any other key employee of MRD, to the extent such death,
resignation or disability prevents MRD from performing its
day-to-day project management duties and obligations under the
Participation Agreement, this Agreement, the Member Control
Agreement of the Corning Joint Venture or any of the Project
Contracts; and, if such key employee is not ▇▇▇▇, he or she is
not replaced within sixty (60) days following the event in
question;
(iv) intentional misconduct of ▇▇▇▇ or MRD that
unreasonably threatens or jeopardizes the continued payment or
performance by either of the Tribes of its obligations under
its Project Contracts, if such misconduct is not cured, before
or following written notice from Lakes Cloverdale or Lakes
Corning, within thirty (30) days or such lesser time as may be
necessary to avoid any interruption of such continued payments
or performance by either of the Tribes (the "MRD Cure
Period");
(v) any fraud or dishonesty of MRD or ▇▇▇▇ with
respect to the Company, the Corning Joint Venture or either of
the Projects, that does or could have a material adverse
effect on such company or such Project;
(vi) a material breach of the Participation
Agreement, this Agreement or the Member Control Agreement of
the Corning Joint Venture by MRD that does or could deprive
LGR, Lakes Cloverdale or Lakes Corning of a significant
benefit under the Participation Agreement, this Agreement or
such Member Control Agreement, if such breach is not cured
before the end of the MRD Cure period; or
(vii) the substantial failure or refusal by MRD to
perform any of its obligations under the Participation
Agreement, this Agreement or the Member Control Agreement of
the Corning Joint Venture, including without limitation MRD's
management obligations thereunder, if such failure or refusal
has or could have a material adverse effect on LGR, Lakes
Cloverdale, Lakes Corning or either of the Projects, or is or
could constitute a material breach of any agreement to which
the Company or the Corning Joint Venture is a party, and such
refusal or failure is not cured before the end of the MRD Cure
Period.
Within sixty (60) days following the occurrence of an MRD
Event of Default, after taking into account any extension of a cure
period during mediation pursuant to Section 16.13, Lakes Corning,
notwithstanding any other provision of the Participation Agreement,
this Agreement, any related loan and security documents, the Member
Control Agreement of the Corning Joint Venture, or any other Additional
Transaction Documents (as defined in the Participation Agreement), may
unilaterally terminate the management positions of ▇▇▇▇, MRD and its
other representatives (including without limitation, their positions as
Governors and Managers) with respect to either or both of
20
the Company or the Corning Joint Venture, by giving MRD a written
notice of such MRD Event of Default; and may thereafter proceed to
redeem MRD's equity interests in either or both of the Company or the
Corning Joint Venture under Section 13 and the corresponding provision
of the Member Control Agreement of the Corning Joint Venture.
(b) Lakes Event of Default; Termination of Lakes Corning from
Projects. The occurrence of any of the following events shall be
considered a "Lakes Event of Default" under this Agreement:
(i) any failure by LGR or Lakes Corning to provide
any material amount of funding required under any of their
lending commitments under the Participation Agreement if such
failure is not cured, before or following written notice from
MRD, within either thirty (30) days or such lesser time as may
be necessary to prevent MRD, the Company or the Corning Joint
Venture from defaulting in any material financial obligation
that was to have been met with such funding (the "Lakes Cure
Period");
(ii) the conviction of LGR, Lakes Corning or Lakes
Cloverdale of criminal misconduct directly relating to gaming
activities or related to the relationship of LGR, Lakes
Corning or Lakes Cloverdale with MRD;
(iii) intentional misconduct of LGR, Lakes Corning or
Lakes Cloverdale that unreasonably threatens or jeopardizes
the continued payment by either of the Tribes of its
obligations under its Project Contracts, if such misconduct is
not cured before the end of the Lakes Cure Period; or
(iv) a material breach by LGR, Lakes Corning or Lakes
Cloverdale of the Participation Agreement, this Agreement or
the Member Control Agreement of the Corning Company that
deprives MRD of a significant benefit under the Participation
Agreement, this Agreement or such Member Control Agreement, if
such breach is not cured before the end of the Lakes Cure
Period.
Within sixty (60) days following the occurrence of a Lakes
Event of Default, MRD may cause either the Company or the Corning Joint
Venture to suspend any payment obligations to Lakes Corning or Lakes
Cloverdale until MRD obtains an alternate investor to replace Lakes
Corning and/or Lakes Cloverdale, by giving Lakes Corning and, if
applicable, Lakes Cloverdale, a written notice of such Lakes Event of
Default; provided, however, that if an alternative investor has not
been found within ninety (90) days, Lakes Corning and Lakes Cloverdale
may require any suspended payments to recommence until such time as MRD
obtains an alternative investor to replace Lakes Corning and Lakes
Cloverdale. MRD's exercise of this option shall not relieve LGR, Lakes
Corning or Lakes Cloverdale of any obligation to continue providing any
previously agreed funding during that period unless and until MRD
notifies Lakes Corning and, if applicable, Lakes Cloverdale that MRD
has obtained an alternate investor. Once MRD obtains an alternate
investor, MRD shall relieve ▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇
Corning and, if applicable, Lakes Cloverdale of any further financing
obligations, and MRD shall, at its option, either prepay Lakes Corning
the unpaid balance on any or all outstanding notes for prior financing
to MRD, the Company and the Corning Joint Venture under the
Participation Agreement, or bring current all payments owed to Lakes
Corning and Lakes Cloverdale with respect to such financing, and
continue meeting those obligations in accordance with the terms of the
note obligations to Lakes Corning and Lakes Cloverdale. MRD may also
thereafter proceed to cause the redemption of Lakes Corning's Interest
in the Company under Section 13, and/or Lakes Cloverdale's equity
interest in the Cloverdale Joint Venture under the corresponding
provision of the Member Control Agreement of the Cloverdale Joint
Venture.
6.7 Transferee Succeeds to Transferor's Capital Account. If any Member
Transfers all or a part of its Financial Rights in the Company, whether or not
such Transfer is permitted under Article 12, any transferee from the Member
shall succeed to the Capital Account (including any remaining Capital
Contributions) of the transferor Member to the extent of the Interest
Transferred, in accordance with Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(1).
ARTICLE 7
ALLOCATIONS
7.1 Definitions of Profits and Losses. "Profits" and "Losses,"
respectively, shall mean, for each Fiscal Year, an amount equal to the Company's
taxable income or loss (as the case may be) for such Fiscal Year, determined in
accordance with Code section 703(a) (for this purpose, all items of income,
gain, loss, or deduction required to be stated separately pursuant to Code
section 703(a)(1) shall be included in taxable income or loss) with the
following adjustments:
(a) any income of the Company that is exempt from Federal
income tax and not otherwise taken into account in computing Profits or
Losses pursuant to this Section 7.1 shall be added to such taxable
income or loss;
(b) any nondeductible expenditures of the Company described in
Code section 705(a)(2)(B) or treated as Code section 705(a)(2)(B)
expenditures pursuant to Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(i), and
not otherwise taken into account in computing Profits or Losses
pursuant to this Section 7.1, shall be subtracted from such taxable
income or loss;
(c) in the event the Gross Asset Value of any Company asset is
adjusted pursuant to Section 6.1(e)(ii) or Section 6.1(e)(iii), the
amount of such adjustment shall be taken into account as gain or loss
from the disposition of such asset for purposes of computing Profits or
Losses;
(d) gain or loss resulting from any disposition of Company
Property with respect to which gain or loss is recognized for Federal
income tax purposes shall be computed by reference to the Gross Asset
Value of the Company Property disposed of,
22
notwithstanding that the adjusted tax basis of such Company Property
differs from its Gross Asset Value;
(e) in lieu of the depreciation, amortization and other cost
recovery deductions taken into account in computing such taxable income
or loss, there shall be taken into account Depreciation for such Fiscal
Year, computed in accordance with Section 6.1(d);
(f) to the extent an adjustment to the adjusted tax basis of
any Company Property pursuant to Code section 734(b) or Code section
743(b) is required pursuant to Regulations Section
1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(m)(4) to be taken into account in determining Capital
Accounts as a result of a Distribution other than in liquidation of a
Member's Interest, the amount of such adjustment shall be treated as an
item of gain (if the adjustment increases the basis of the asset) or
loss (if the adjustment decreases the basis of the asset) from the
disposition of the asset and shall be taken into account for purposes
of computing Profits or Losses; and
(g) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Section 7.1,
any items that are specially allocated pursuant to Section 7.5 or
Section 7.6 shall not be taken into account in computing Profits or
Losses.
The amounts of the items of Company income, gain, loss or deduction
available to be specially allocated pursuant to Sections 7.5 and 7.6 shall be
determined by applying rules analogous to those set forth in Sections 7.1(a)
through 7.1(f) above.
7.2 Allocation of Profits. After giving effect to the special
allocations set forth in Sections 7.5 and 7.6, the Profits of the Company for
each Fiscal Year for book purposes, whether taxable or nontaxable, shall be
allocated to the Members and their Capital Accounts shall be increased in
accordance with Section 6.1(b), ratably in proportion to their Percentage
Interests, subject to any reallocation of Lakes Corning's share of Profits as
Opening Bonuses due MRD pursuant to Sections 7.9 and 8.2(b).
7.3 Allocation of Losses. After giving effect to the special
allocations set forth in Sections 7.5 and 7.6, the Losses, deductions and
credits of the Company for each Fiscal Year for book purposes, whether taxable
or nontaxable, shall be allocated to the Members and their Capital Accounts
shall be reduced in accordance with Section 6.1(b), ratably in proportion to
their Percentage Interests.
7.4 Pro-ration of Allocations. All Profits, Losses, deductions and
credits for a Fiscal Year allocable with respect to any Member whose Interest
may have been Transferred, forfeited, reduced or changed during such year shall
be allocated based upon the varying Interests of the Members throughout the
year. The precise manner in which such allocation shall be made shall be
determined by the Board and shall be a manner of allocation permitted to be used
for Federal income tax purposes under the Code.
7.5 Special Allocations. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in
this Article 7,
23
the following special allocations shall be made in the following order:
(a) Section 754 Adjustments. To the extent an adjustment to
the adjusted tax basis of any Company Property pursuant to Code section
734(b) or Code section 743(b) is required pursuant to Regulations
Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(m)(2) or Regulations Section
1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(m)(4) to be taken into account in determining Capital
Accounts as the result of a Distribution to a Member in complete
liquidation of the Member's Interest, the amount of such adjustment to
Capital Accounts shall be treated as an item of gain (if the adjustment
increases the basis of the asset) or loss (if the adjustment decreases
such basis) and such gain or loss shall be specially allocated to the
Members in accordance with their Percentage Interests in the Company in
the event Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(m)(2) applies, or to
the Member to whom such Distribution was made in the event Regulations
Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(m)(4) applies.
(b) Minimum Gain Charge-back. "Partnership Minimum Gain"
within the meaning of Regulations Section 1.704-2(b)(2) means an amount
of gain that would be realized by the Company on the disposition of
Company property subject to nonrecourse indebtedness (within the
meaning of Regulation Section 1.704-2(b)(3)), equal to the amount by
which such nonrecourse indebtedness exceeds the adjusted tax basis (or
book value, if the property has been properly entered on the books of
the Company at a value different from its then adjusted tax basis) of
such property. If for any Fiscal Year, there is a net decrease in
Partnership Minimum Gain, each Member shall be allocated items of
Company income and gain in accordance with Regulations Section
1.704-2(f)(1) (a "Minimum Gain Charge-back") for such year (and, if
necessary, for subsequent years) in an amount equal to such Member's
share of such net decrease of Partnership Minimum Gain. For this
purpose, a Member's share of the net decrease in Partnership Minimum
Gain shall be determined under Regulations Section 1.704-2(g)(2). This
paragraph is intended to comply with Regulations Section 1.704-2(f)(1)
and shall be interpreted consistently therewith.
(c) Qualified Income Offset. If any Member at any time
unexpectedly receives any adjustment, allocation or Distribution
described in Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d)(4), (5) or (6),
and if such adjustment, allocation or Distribution results in a
negative balance in such Member's Capital Account in excess of the sum
of (i) the amount such Member is obligated to restore to the Company
under this Agreement or the LLC Act and (ii) the amount such Member is
deemed to be obligated to restore to the Company pursuant to the
penultimate sentences of Regulations Sections 1.704-2(g)(1)(ii) and
1.704-2(i)(5), then items of Company income and gain shall be
specially allocated to such Member so as to eliminate, to the extent
required by Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d), such negative
balance in his or her Capital Account as quickly as possible.
(d) Gross Income Allocation. If any Member would have a
negative balance in its Capital Account at the end of any Fiscal Year
in excess of the sum of (i) the amount such Member is obligated to
restore to the Company under this Agreement and (ii) the
24
amount such Member is deemed to be obligated to restore to the Company
pursuant to the penultimate sentences of Treasury Regulations Sections
1.704-2(g)(1)(ii) and 1.704-2(i)(5), then such Member shall be
specially allocated items of Company income (including gross income) in
the amount of such excess as quickly as possible.
(e) Allocations Relating to Taxable Issuance of Interests. Any
income, gain, loss or deduction realized as a direct or indirect result
of the issuance of an Interest by the Company to a Member (the
"Issuance Items") shall be allocated among the Members so that, to the
extent possible, the net amount of such Issuance Items, together with
all other allocations under this Agreement to each Member, shall be
equal to the net amount that would have been allocated to each such
Members if the Issuance Items had not been realized.
7.6 Curative Allocations. The allocations set forth in paragraphs (a)
through (d) of Section 7.5 (the "Regulatory Allocations") are intended to comply
with certain requirements of the Regulations. It is the intent of the Members
that, to the extent possible, all Regulatory Allocations shall be offset either
with other Regulatory Allocations or with special allocations of other items of
Company income, gain, loss or deduction pursuant to this Section 7.6. Therefore,
notwithstanding any other provision of this Article 7 (other than the Regulatory
Allocations), the Board shall make such offsetting special allocations of
Company income, gain, loss or deduction in whatever manner the Board determines
appropriate so that, after such offsetting allocations are made, each Member's
Capital Account balance is, to the extent possible, equal to the Capital Account
balance such Member would have had if the Regulatory Allocations were not part
of the Agreement and all Company items were allocated pursuant to Sections 7.2,
7.3 and 7.5(e).
7.7 Other Allocation Rules.
(a) For purposes of determining the Profits, Losses or any
other items allocable to any period, those Profits, Losses and any such
other items shall be determined on a daily, monthly or other basis, as
determined by the Board using any permissible method under Code section
706 and the Regulations thereunder.
(b) The Members are aware of the income tax consequences of
the allocations made by this Article 7 and hereby agree to be bound by
the provisions of this Article 7 in reporting their shares of Company
Profit and Loss for income tax purposes.
(c) Solely for purposes of determining a Member's
proportionate share of the "excess nonrecourse liabilities" of the
Company within the meaning of Section 1.752-3(a)(3) of the Regulations,
the Members' interests in Company Profits are in proportion to their
Percentage Interests.
7.8 Tax Allocations under Code Section 704(c). In accordance with Code
section 704(c) and the Regulations thereunder, income, gain, loss and deduction
with respect to any property contributed to the capital of the Company shall,
solely for tax purposes, be allocated among the Members so as to take account of
any variation between the adjusted basis of such
25
property to the Company for Federal income tax purposes and its initial Gross
Asset Value (computed in accordance with Section 6.1(e)(i).
In the event the Gross Asset Value of any Company Property is adjusted
pursuant to Section 6.1(e)(ii), subsequent allocations of income, gain, loss and
deduction with respect to such asset shall take account of any variation between
the adjusted basis of such asset for Federal income tax purposes and its Gross
Asset Value in the same manner as under Code section 704(c) and the Regulations
thereunder. Such allocation shall be made in accordance with the remedial method
described by Regulations Section 1.704-3(d).
Any elections or other decisions relating to such allocations shall be
made by the Board in any manner that reasonably reflects the purpose and
intention of this Agreement. Allocations pursuant to this Section 7.8 are solely
for purposes of Federal, state and local taxes and shall not affect, or in any
way be taken into account in computing, any Member's Capital Account or share of
Profits, Losses, other items or Distributions pursuant to any provision of this
Agreement.
7.9 Special Fee Allocation. If any Overhead Fee or Opening Bonus (as
those terms are defined in Sections 8.1 and 8.2), or any other fee or other
amount payable to a Member, is determined for income tax purposes to be a
payment to such Member of a distributive share of Company income or gain (rather
than being a fee or expenditure in the nature of an amount payable to a Person
who is not a Member or other than in such Person's capacity as a Member), then
such amount shall be treated (for income tax purposes and for purposes of
determining Capital Accounts) as an allocation of gross income to such Member in
the year such amount is accrued, and a Distribution in the year such amount is
paid. However, the priority of payment of any such item shall be unaffected by
such treatment.
ARTICLE 8
DISTRIBUTIONS
8.1 Guaranteed Payments to Appointing Members.
(a) Overhead Fees. In consideration of the services to be
provided to the Company by the Appointing Members pursuant to the
Participation Agreement, and their respective overhead expenses
relating to the Company, the Company shall distribute to each of the
Appointing Members (without regard to the Profits, other income or
Losses of the Company) a monthly "guaranteed payment" equal to $40,000
(or any greater or lesser amount that may be agreed between the
Appointing Members), payable as of the first day of August, 2000 and
each month thereafter until both Project Contracts have terminated,
subject to the limitation and deferral provisions of the following
paragraphs of this Section 8.1 ("Overhead Fees"); provided, however,
that no such payments shall be made to a Appointing Member after an
Event of Default has occurred with respect to the obligations of such
Appointing Member.
(b) Guaranteed Payment and Advances by Lakes Corning. The term
"guaranteed payment" refers only to the treatment of such Overhead Fees
under Code
26
Section 707(c); and does not mean that any Member or Manager is
personally liable for any such payment, except for any temporary
obligation of LGR or Lakes Corning (under the following paragraph) to
advance Overhead Fees to MRD, subject to repayments required to be made
by the Company on the Corning Project Companies Loan or, if applicable,
the Corning Project Development Loan.
(c) Limitations on Overhead Fees. Except as otherwise set
forth below, Overhead Fees shall be paid from External Cash Flows
before any of the other deductions made from External Cash Flows in the
definition of Internal Cash Flows in Article 3, or any Distributions of
Internal Net Cash Flows to the Members under Section 8.2. If External
Net Cash Flows are insufficient to pay the entire Overhead Fees for
both Lakes Corning and MRD for any month during the first six (6)
consecutive months for which Overhead Fees are payable, MRD's Overhead
Fees shall be paid first, and any difference between External Net Cash
Flows and MRD's Overhead Fees shall be paid by LGR or Lakes Corning and
added to the Corning Project Companies Loan or, if such month begins
after the Effective Date, the Corning Project Development Loan.
If, during the second six (6) consecutive months for which
Overhead Fees are payable, External Net Cash Flows available for that
purpose from both the Company and the Cloverdale Joint Venture
(collectively, the "Project Companies") for that month (defining
External Net Cash Flows in a similar way for both companies) are
insufficient for the Project Companies to pay all of the Overhead Fees
otherwise due their members in any given month, the aggregate Overhead
Fees payable by the Project Companies to their members shall be limited
to partial payments that are equal to the greater of $30,000 or the
External Net Cash Flows available for that purpose from both of the
Project Companies for that month, with the remainder of the unpaid
Overhead Fees for that month to be forfeited. If Overhead Fees payable
by both of the Project Companies are limited hereunder to $30,000 for
any month, such amount shall be payable first by the Project Companies
from their External Net Cash Flows available for that purpose (in
proportion to such External Net Cash Flows, unless only one of them has
External Net Cash Flows) and, secondly, one-half of the balance, if
any, shall be payable by each of the Project Companies, such balance to
be funded (to the extent necessary) by Project Development Loans to the
Project Companies.
If, at any time after such twelve (12) month period, External
Net Cash Flows available for that purpose from both Project Companies
for that month are insufficient for the Project Companies to pay all of
the Overhead Fees otherwise due their members in any given month, the
Overhead Fees payable by the Project Companies to their members shall
be limited to partial payments that are equal to their External Net
Cash Flows available for that purpose, with the remainder of the unpaid
Overhead Fees for that month to be forfeited.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, upon the occurrence of any
payment default under the MRD Loans, the Project Companies Loan or any
Project Development Loan (as those loans are defined in the
Participation Agreement), then any Overhead Fees or other
27
amounts thereafter payable to MRD by the Company shall be paid by the
Company to Lakes Corning as payment on such loans until the payment
defaults have been cured.
Payment of the Overhead Fees due Lakes Corning shall commence
at the same time as those due MRD. The Overhead Fees due Lakes Corning
shall be paid after all Overhead Fees due MRD are paid and only to the
extent that External Net Cash Flows are available. All unpaid Overhead
Fees due Lakes Corning shall be paid before any further Distributions
of Internal Net Cash Flows are made under Section 8.2.
8.2 Other Distributions. The following other Distributions shall be
made to Members, but only to the extent such a Distribution is legally
permitted:
(a) Internal Net Cash Flows. Distributions of Internal Net
Cash Flows, if any, shall be made as of the end of each month, and
before the end of the next month, to the Members in proportion to their
Percentage Interests, except as otherwise provided in the following
paragraph, but only to the extent such Distributions are legally
permitted.
(b) Opening Bonuses. Lakes Corning agrees that a portion of
its share of any Distributions of Internal Net Cash Flows shall be
payable to MRD as bonus payments in the amount of $1,000,000 after the
opening of the permanent casino for the Corning Project; provided,
however, that these bonus payments shall be paid to MRD only when and
to the extent Lakes Corning's share of Internal Net Cash Flows is
sufficient to pay such amounts to MRD. If Lakes Corning's share of
Internal Net Cash Flows is insufficient to pay the entire bonus amount
in a single month, the unpaid balance shall be paid from Lakes
Corning's share of Internal Net Cash Flows in subsequent months.
(c) Excess Cash. Except as otherwise provided in the following
paragraph, if and to the extent the Company has any excess cash on hand
that is not distributable as Internal Net Cash Flows, not committed to
payments that are deductions from External Net Cash Flows or Internal
Net Cash Flows, nor currently included in a cash reserve reasonably
determined in good faith by the Board for other Company expenses, debt
payments, capital improvements, replacements and contingencies, then
Distributions of such excess cash shall be made from time to time, but
no less frequently than annually, to the Members in proportion to their
Percentage Interests.
(d) Sale of Substantially All Company Property. Distribution
of any net proceeds upon the sale, exchange or other disposition of all
or substantially all of the Company Property shall be made in
accordance with Section 15.3.
ARTICLE 9
MANAGEMENT AND OPERATION OF BUSINESS
9.1 Management and Control of the Company. The Appointing Members shall
appoint the Board, and Governors shall be removed or replaced, all pursuant to
Article 10 and the Bylaws. Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, the
Board shall have the sole and
28
exclusive control of the conduct, operations and management of the business of
the Company, subject to the results of any mediation or arbitration required
under Section 9.6 in event of a deadlock of the Board. The Board shall manage
the affairs of the Company in a prudent and businesslike fashion and shall use
its best efforts to carry out the purposes and the business of the Company.
The Board shall carry out its duties through a Chief Manager, a Manager
acting as Treasurer and such other Managers as it shall deem necessary or
desirable. The Managers shall be elected and removed by the Board, and their
duties shall be established by the Board, all as provided in the Bylaws.
The Board and the Managers shall devote such of their time as the Board
deems necessary to the management of the business of the Company.
9.2 Authority of Board. The Board shall have all necessary powers to
carry out the purposes and business of the Company, including without limitation
the power to delegate appropriate authority to the Company's Managers; provided,
however, that the Managers shall at all times remain subject to the supervision
of the Board. Without limiting the foregoing, in addition to any other rights
and powers that the Board may possess, the Board shall have all specific rights
and powers required or appropriate in the management of the business of the
Company, and only the Board shall have these rights and powers, including the
following, any of which may be exercised only in furtherance of the purposes set
forth in Article 4, as amended from time to time:
(a) To acquire, own, hold and dispose of items of the Company
Property, any interest therein or appurtenant thereto, whether real,
personal or mixed, including the purchase, lease, development,
improvement, maintenance, exchange, trade or sale of any Company
Property at such price, rental or amount for cash, securities or other
property and upon such other terms as the Board, in its sole
discretion, may deem to be in the best interest of the Company, but
limited to the extent set forth in Section 9.3;
(b) To the extent of Company assets, to prosecute, defend,
settle or compromise actions or claims at law or in equity at the
Company's expense as may be necessary or proper to enforce or protect
the Company's interests; and to satisfy any judgment, decree, decision
or settlement of any such suit or claim; first, out of any insurance
proceeds available therefor, and next, out of the Company's assets and
income;
(c) To enter into and carry out contracts and agreements and
to do and perform all such other things as may be in furtherance of
Company purposes; and to cause the Managers to execute, acknowledge and
deliver any and all instruments that may be deemed necessary or
convenient to effect the foregoing;
(d) To acquire and enter into any contract of insurance that
the Board may deem necessary and proper for the protection of the
Company or for any purpose beneficial to the Company;
29
(e) To employ, engage or retain, at the expense of the
Company, such Persons to perform such services as the Board may deem
necessary or advisable for the efficient operation of the business of
the Company and to pay to such Persons such compensation as the Board
shall determine; provided, however, that such compensation is at the
then prevailing rate for the type of services and materials provided;
(f) To cause the Managers to execute and deliver on behalf of
the Company, leases, contracts or agreements of any nature and any or
all instruments necessary or desirable to effectuate the foregoing
powers; and
(g) To accept and value the Capital Contributions made to the
Company by Members pursuant to this Agreement.
9.3 Restrictions on Authority of Board. In addition to other acts
expressly prohibited or restricted by this Agreement or by law, the Board shall
have no authority to act on behalf of the Company and is expressly prohibited
from the following:
(a) Doing any act in contravention of this Agreement;
(b) Doing any act that would make it impossible to carry on
the ordinary business of the Company, other than as permitted in this
Agreement;
(c) Seizing Company Property or assigning the rights of the
Company and specific Company Property for other than a Company purpose;
(d) Admitting any Person as a Member except as provided in
this Agreement;
(e) Performing any act (other than an act required by this
Agreement or an act taken in good faith or in reliance upon counsel's
opinion) that would, at the time such act occurred, subject any Member
to liability as a general partner in any jurisdiction;
(f) Selling, exchanging or otherwise disposing of all or
substantially all of the Company's assets; or
(g) Taking any action that, in the prudent exercise of
business discretion, could reasonably be expected to have a material
adverse effect on the Company or the assets or operations thereof.
All such actions shall require the approving vote of Members holding at
least two-thirds of the Voting Interests or such larger proportion of the Voting
Interests or other Interests as may be required by the LLC Act or another
provision of this Agreement in a particular case; including in any event,
however, the approving vote of the Board.
9.4 Obligations of the Board. In addition to the obligations expressly
provided by law
30
or this Agreement, the Board, to the extent of Company assets, shall:
(a) Perform or cause the Managers to perform all acts
necessary or desirable, with respect to the purposes of the Company, to
lease, sublease and operate any real estate acquired by the Company;
(b) Cause to be filed and published all certificates,
statements and other instruments required by law for the formation,
qualification and operation of the Company and for the conduct of its
business in all appropriate jurisdictions;
(c) Cause the Company to prepare or have prepared all
financial and tax statements and reports required under Article 11; and
(d) Cause the Company to keep the Required Records at its
principal office.
9.5 Reimbursement of Expenses. The Members, the Governors and the
Managers shall be reimbursed for all expenses incurred on behalf of the Company
only to the extent approved by the Board and permitted by Section 9.8. In
general, the Overhead Fees described in Section 8.1 are intended to cover all
but extraordinary expenses of the Members and the Governors.
9.6 Mediation and Arbitration in the Event of Board or Member Deadlock.
If the Board is deadlocked with respect to a substantial issue involving
management of the Company's affairs after negotiating in good faith for a period
of at least ten (10) days and the Members are unable to break the deadlock, or
if the Members are deadlocked after negotiating in good faith for a period of at
least ten (10) days with respect to any substantial issue properly put to a vote
of Members, the Members hereby agree that such issue shall be mediated as set
forth in Section 16.13 and, if a resolution of the issue still cannot be
reached, that such issue shall be arbitrated as set forth in Section 16.14.
9.7 "Tax Matters Partner". If required by the Code, Lakes Corning shall
serve as "Tax Matters Partner," as defined for Federal income tax purposes under
section 6231(a)(7) of the Code, until a new Tax Matters Partner is appointed by
the remaining Appointing Members.
If on advice of counsel, the Tax Matters Partner determines that is in
the best interests of the Members that the final results of any administrative
proceeding be appealed by the institution of legal proceedings, the Tax Matters
Partner is hereby authorized to commence such legal proceedings in such forum as
it, on advice of counsel, determines to be appropriate. In the event the Tax
Matters Partner selects a forum for appeal in which it is required to deposit a
proportionate share of any disputed tax before making such appeal, it must
obtain the consent of the Board and Members holding at least two-thirds of the
Voting Interests. If such consent is obtained, each of the Members will be
required to deposit and pay its proportionate share of such disputed tax before
participating in such appeal. The Members acknowledge that such deposit under
current law does not earn interest and that a failure to make such a deposit may
preclude a Member from pursuing any other sort of appeal by court action.
31
The Tax Matters Partner shall not be liable to any other Member for any
action taken with respect to any such administrative proceeding or appeal, so
long as the Tax Matters Partner is not grossly negligent or guilty of willful
misconduct. Any costs paid or incurred by the Tax Matters Partner in connection
with its activities in such capacity shall be reimbursed by the Company. Each
Member acknowledges that any cost it may incur in connection with an audit of
such Member's income tax return, including any audit relating to its investment
in this Company, is such Member's sole responsibility and obligation; and
neither the Company, the Board, the Managers, nor the Tax Matters Partner shall
be liable to any Member for reimbursement or sharing of any such costs.
9.8 Conflicts of Interest. Any Person, whether a Member, Manager,
Governor, any of their Affiliates or otherwise, may be employed or engaged by
the Board to render to the Company any services that such Person is not already
required to perform hereunder or under the Participation Agreement, including,
but not limited to, consulting, building, financing, constructing, leasing,
property management, brokerage, accounting and legal services. If such Person is
a Member or an Affiliate of a Member, then such Person must have been previously
engaged in the business of rendering such services or selling or leasing such
goods, independent of the Company and as an ordinary and on-going business; and
such Person shall be entitled to, and shall be paid, compensation for such
services to the extent permitted by the Board.
The fact that a Member, Governor, Manager or any of their Affiliates is
employed by, or is directly or indirectly interested in or connected with any
Person from whom or which the Company may buy services, merchandise or other
property, shall not prohibit the Board from employing such Person or from
otherwise dealing with such Person to the extent permitted under the preceding
paragraph.
9.9 Other Activities. Any of the Members, Governors, Managers and their
Affiliates may engage in, possess and acquire interests in other business
ventures of any nature and description independently or with others, including,
but not limited to, the ownership, financing, leasing, operation, management,
brokerage and development of gaming and real estate development activities,
except as otherwise provided in Section 13 of the Participation Agreement.
Except in the case of any activities that violate any applicable restrictions in
Section 13 of the Participation Agreement, neither the Company nor the Members
shall have any right by virtue of this Agreement in and to such independent
ventures or to the income or profits derived therefrom.
9.10 Indemnification. The Company shall indemnify the Members,
Governors and Managers against any loss, claim or liability incurred by any of
them in connection with the business of the Company, to the greatest extent
permitted by the Articles and the LLC Act. However, any amount paid to indemnify
a Person shall be paid only out of Company assets; and Members shall not be
liable for any amount to be paid to indemnify a Person, except to the extent of
any amount of the Capital Contribution of a Member that is due and owing to the
Company and remains unpaid. Neither the Company nor any Member shall have any
claim against any of the Governors or Managers based upon or arising out of any
act or omission of such Governor or
32
Manager; provided, however, that such Manager or Governor acted in good faith
and was not grossly negligent or guilty of willful misconduct.
9.11 Liability Under Other Agreements. The obligations of the Members,
Managers and Governors or their Affiliates, pursuant to any agreement or
contract entered into in their personal capacity with the Company (whether or
not such agreements are referred to herein) shall be separate and distinct from
their obligations hereunder. Any default or failure of performance with respect
to such separate agreements or contracts, unless otherwise specified in this
Agreement, shall have the consequences provided for in such separate agreements
or contracts or by applicable law and shall not constitute a breach hereunder.
ARTICLE 10
GOVERNORS
10.1 Appointment and Election of Governors. The Board shall consist of
two (2) individuals serving as Governors. MRD shall appoint one (1) Governor to
serve on the Board and Lakes Corning shall appoint one (1) Governor to serve on
the Board.
10.2 First Governors. The initial Governors appointed by each of the
Appointing Members are the individuals designated in the following table
opposite the Appointing Member's name, as follows:
Appointed by Lakes Corning Appointed by MRD
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇
The individual listed in the above table under the name of an
Appointing Member is hereby confirmed and appointed by such Appointing Member,
to hold office until their successors are appointed and qualified pursuant to
this Agreement; or removed pursuant to this Agreement.
10.3 Removal, Resignation and Replacement of Governors. The Appointing
Member who appointed any Governor under this Article 10 shall have the power to
remove and replace that Governor, without the consent of any other Member. Any
Governor may resign at any time by giving written notice to the Board and each
Member appointing the Governor. In the event of an MRD Event of Default, Lakes
Corning may remove any Governor appointed by MRD, pursuant to Section 6.6(a);
and thereafter appoint such Governor's successors.
ARTICLE 11
BOOKS OF ACCOUNT AND REPORTS
11.1 Books of Account. The Board shall cause to be kept complete and
accurate accounts of all transactions of the Company in proper books of account
and shall enter or cause to be entered therein a full and accurate account of
each and every Company transaction in accordance with accounting principles as
set forth in Section 11.2. The books and records of the Company shall be closed
and balanced as of the end of each Fiscal Year. The books of account
33
and other records of the Company shall at all times be kept at the place of
business of the Company. Each of the Members and Governors shall have access to
and may inspect and copy any of such books and records at all reasonable times.
11.2 Accounting Practices. The books of account of the Company shall be
kept on the cash or accrual basis, as determined by the Board and consistent
with the applicable requirements of the Code, according to generally accepted
accounting principles consistently applied. Such principles shall be applied by
the Board upon the advice of the Company's accountants. The Board shall have the
authority to designate and retain a firm of independent certified public
accountants to assist in the maintenance and preparation of such books, records
and reports as the Board deems desirable and, if requested by either of the
Appointing Members, to review or audit such books and records and the annual
financial statements of the Company.
11.3 Bank Accounts. The Company shall maintain bank accounts in such
bank or banks as may be selected by the Board. All withdrawals from such bank
accounts shall be made by check or other instrument, signed by such Person or
Persons as the Board may designate.
11.4 Reports to Members. Not later than seven (7) days after the end of
each month and the end of each Fiscal Year of the Company, the Chief Manager
shall caused to be delivered to the Board and each Member a report of the
business and operations of the Company during such month, which report shall
constitute the accounting of the Board to the Members for such month and such
Fiscal Year. The report shall contain financial statements, including statements
of assets and liabilities, income and expenses, Members' equity and
Distributions, changes in financial position, External Net Cash Flows, Internal
Net Cash Flows, Overhead Fees, comparisons of actual results to budgets
determined pursuant to the Participation Agreement, and the amount and nature of
any other compensation paid to the Members, Governors, Managers or their
Affiliates during the period, including a description of the services performed
in relation thereto; and shall otherwise be in such form and have such content
as the Board and each Appointing Member deems proper. Such report shall state
income and receipts from every source, including net gains from disposition or
sale of Company assets.
11.5 Partnership Tax Status and Information. The Members acknowledge
that the Company will be treated as a "partnership" for income tax purposes.
Not later than seventy-five (75) days after the end of each Fiscal Year
of the Company, the Manager acting as Treasurer shall cause to be delivered to
each Person who was a Member at any time during such Fiscal Year, a Form K-1 and
such other information, if any, with respect to the Company as may be necessary
for the preparation of such Person's Federal, state and local income tax (or
information) returns, including a statement showing such Person's share of
income, gain or loss and credits for such Fiscal Year, as determined for
Federal, state and local income tax purposes.
In addition, the Chief Manager shall from time to time cause to be
delivered to each Member adequate information relating to the Company's
operations to enable each Member to complete and file all Federal, state and
local estimated tax returns for which the Member may be
34
liable.
11.6 Tax Basis Elections. In the event of a Transfer or a repurchase by
the Company or Distribution of Company Property by the Company in exchange for
all or part of the Interest of any Member, the Company may elect, pursuant to
Section 754 of the Code (or any successor provision), to adjust the basis of the
assets of the Company. Such election must be agreed to by Members holding at
least two-thirds of the Voting Interests.
ARTICLE 12
RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFERS OF MEMBERSHIP INTERESTS
12.1 General Restriction. Except to the limited extent permitted under
this Article 12, no part of a Member's Interest may be Transferred during
lifetime or at death, whether voluntarily or involuntarily, and whether with or
without consideration; nor may a Member enter into a binding agreement to
Transfer all or any part of the Member's Interest. Any Transfer or attempted
Transfer of all or any portion of an Interest in violation of this Agreement
shall nevertheless be subject to the applicable purchase options and rights of
Article 13. The Required Records and other appropriate records of the Company
shall be noted to prevent the Transfer of Interests except in accordance with
this Article 12 and Article 13.
12.2 Permitted Transfers. The following Transfers are permitted to the
extent provided in this Section 12.2 (a "Permitted Transfer"); provided,
however, that any such Transfer and the parties thereto comply with all of the
applicable conditions pertaining to Permitted Transfers under this Article 12:
(a) All of any portion of a Member's Interest may be
Transferred to the extent permitted by Section 12.3, but only if any
consent required for such Transfer is obtained pursuant to Section
12.3.
(b) Subject to Section 12.4, Lakes Corning may Transfer all or
any portion of its Interest to any wholly-owned direct or indirect
subsidiary of LGR (which subsidiary shall then be bound by all of the
terms, conditions, guaranties and representations contained in the
Participation Agreement and applicable to LGR); provided, however, that
LGR shall retain the responsibility for providing all financing
required of LGR under the Participation Agreement, and LGR shall have
guaranteed the performance of any such subsidiary to which such
Interest may be assigned, with respect to the provision of such
financing.
(c) Subject to Section 12.4, MRD may: (i) grant a collateral
security interest in MRD's Financial Rights and Governance Rights to
any subsidiary of LGR to which the Interest of Lakes Corning may be
Transferred pursuant to the preceding paragraph (b) of this Section
12.2), to the extent permitted or required by the Participation
Agreement; and (ii) Transfer to the former owner of the Predecessor
Company (as collateral security or directly) from MRD's Financial
Rights a portion equal to the greater of (A) approximately 50% of MRD's
Financial Rights, or (B) 17.5% of all Financial Rights of the Members,
to
35
secure or satisfy the deferred payments due such former owner from MRD
under the MRD Consulting Obligation (as defined in part B of the
Introduction to this Agreement).
(d) Either Appointing Member may Transfer all or any portion
of its Interest to the other Appointing Member.
(e) All or any portion of a Member's Interest may be
Transferred to the extent permitted under Section 13.7, if the proposed
or attempted Transfer is subject to a purchase option under Article 13;
and neither the Company nor any of the Members purchase the Interest
pursuant to Article 13.
12.3 Consent to Certain Transfers.
(a) Consent Required for Transfer of Governance Rights.
Subject to Section 12.4, a Member's Governance Rights may be
Transferred, in whole or in part, only if: (i) all the Appointing
Members, other than the Member seeking to make the Transfer, approve
the Transfer by unanimous written consent, which consent may be granted
or withheld, as the remaining Appointing Members may determine in their
sole discretion; and (ii) the assignee executes this Agreement, as
amended to reflect such assignee's interest in the Company, and any
other instrument or instruments that the Board may reasonably deem
necessary or desirable to effect such Transfer. Notwithstanding the
prior sentence, no consent is required for a Transfer pursuant to
Section 13.7. If the Company has no Appointing Members, such consent
may be given by Members holding at least two-thirds of the Voting
Interests, excluding the Member seeking to make the Transfer.
(b) Consent Required for Transfer of Financial Rights. The
consent rules of the preceding paragraph (a) shall also apply to any
Transfer of a Member's Financial Rights, except that such consent may
not be unreasonably withheld or conditioned or unduly delayed. If a
Member obtains the foregoing consent and Transfers all or any portion
of the Member's Financial Rights, the transferee shall thereafter
continue to be subject to all of the terms and conditions of this
Agreement; and any foreclosure of Financial Rights so Transferred as
collateral security for a debt of a Member shall be subject to Section
12.2 and Article 13.
(c) Request for Consent. Any Member desiring to Transfer, in
whole or in part, any Financial or Governance Rights pursuant to this
Section 12.3, shall notify the Board of such desire.
(d) Member Approval. In the event that the Interest sought to
be Transferred requires the consent of any Member or Members other than
Appointing Members, and the Board decides not to exercise the Company's
purchase option under Section 13.5 (if applicable), the Board shall so
notify the Members and, by special meeting called on ten (10) days'
written notice, or by solicitation of signatures on ten (10) days'
written notice or, if applicable, during the thirty (30) day period
specified in Section 13.6, shall request
36
in writing the decision of each Member whether or not to exercise the
Members' purchase option under Section 13.6 (if applicable) and, if
such decision is negative or does not apply, to grant or withhold
consent pursuant to paragraph (a) or (b) of this Section 12.3, as
applicable. If a Member does not grant any consent requested pursuant
to Section 12.3(b), the Member shall provide to the Member requesting a
Transfer of Financial Rights a written statement of the reason for that
refusal.
12.4 Conditions to Permitted Transfers. Any Permitted Transfer of all
or any portion of a Member's Membership Interest under this Agreement shall be
effective only if each of the following conditions is satisfied:
(a) Governance Rights. If the Transfer will include any
Governance Rights, the Member shall Transfer all such Governance
Rights, coupled with a simultaneous Transfer to the same transferee of
all of the Member's Financial Rights relating to such Interest.
(b) Investment Representations. The Member or the proposed
transferee shall provide the following documentation to the Board: (i)
an opinion of counsel (whose fees and expenses shall be borne by such
Member or transferee), satisfactory in form and substance to the Board,
to the effect that either (1) the Transfer constitutes an exempt
transaction and does not require registration under applicable
securities laws, or (2) the Interest to be Transferred is duly and
properly registered under all applicable securities laws; (ii) evidence
satisfactory to the Board that the transferee is eligible to become a
Member pursuant to this Article 12 and of the transferee's agreement to
comply with and be bound by the terms of this Agreement and to execute
any and all documents that the Board may deem necessary in connection
with his, her or its becoming a Member; (iii) evidence satisfactory to
the Board that the Transfer will not impair the ability of the Company
to be taxed as a partnership for Federal income tax purposes under the
Code or to take advantage of accelerated depreciation under the Code;
(iv) representations in form and substance satisfactory to the Board
that the transferee is acquiring the Interest for his, her or its own
account for investment and not with a view to the distribution thereof;
and (v) a written agreement signed by the transferee that the Interest
being acquired will in no event be resold unless properly registered
under all applicable securities laws or exempt therefrom.
(c) Other Documents and Expenses. As a condition to admission
as a Member, any transferee of all or part of the Interest of any
Member, or the legatee or distributee of all or any part of the
Interest of any Member, shall execute and acknowledge such instruments,
in form and substance satisfactory to the Board, as the Board shall
reasonably deem necessary or advisable to effect such admission and to
confirm the agreement of the Person being admitted as such Member to be
bound by all the terms and provisions of this Agreement. Such
transferee, legatee or distributee shall also pay all reasonable
expenses in connection with such admission as a Member, including, but
not limited to, legal fees and costs of the preparation of any
amendment to this Member Control Agreement that the Board finds to be
reasonably necessary or
37
desirable in connection therewith.
(d) Effective Date of Transfer. All Transfers of Interests
occurring during any month shall be deemed effected on the first day of
the month next following the month in which the Transfer occurs.
12.5 Acquit Company. In the absence of written notice to the Company of
any Transfer of a Membership Interest, any payment by the Company to the
transferring Member or his or its executors, administrators or representatives
shall acquit the Company of liability, to the extent of such payment, to any
other Person who may have an interest in such payment by reason of a Transfer by
the Member or by reason of such Member's death or otherwise.
12.6 Prohibition of Involuntary Transfers. Except as expressly
permitted by the LLC Act, a Member's Governance Rights shall not be subject to
involuntary Transfer (as that term is defined in Article 13), by operation of
law or otherwise, and any attempted involuntary Transfer shall be void and of no
effect. If such a Transfer is attempted, whether or not permitted by applicable
law, the affected portion of the Member's Interest shall thereupon be subject to
the options and rights of first refusal set forth in Article 13.
If all or any portion of a Member's Financial Rights are the subject of
a foreclosure of pledge or an involuntary Transfer (as those terms are defined
in Article 13), or if the Member becomes insolvent (as that term is defined in
Article 13), the affected portion of the Member's Financial Rights shall
thereupon be subject to the options and rights of first refusal set forth in
Article 13.
12.7 Effect of Attempts to Make Prohibited Transfers. Any purported
Transfer (of all or any portion of an Interest) that is not permitted under this
Article 12 shall be null and void and of no force or effect whatever; provided,
however, that, if the Company is required by applicable law to recognize a
Transfer that is not so permitted (or if the Board, in its sole discretion,
elects to recognize a Transfer that is not so permitted), the Transferred
Interest shall be strictly limited to the transferor's Financial Rights as
provided by this Agreement with respect to the Transferred Interest, which may
be applied (without limiting any other legal or equitable rights of the Company)
to satisfy any debts, obligations or liabilities for damages that the transferor
or transferee of such Interest may have to the Company.
In the case of a Transfer or attempted Transfer of an Interest that is
not permitted hereunder, the parties engaging or attempting to engage in such
Transfer shall be liable to indemnify and hold harmless the Company and the
other Members from all cost, liability and damage that any of such indemnified
Persons may incur (including, without limitation, incremental tax liabilities,
lawyers' fees and expenses) as a result of such Transfer or attempted Transfer
and efforts to enforce the indemnity required hereby.
12.8 Limited Rights of Unadmitted Transferees. A Person who acquires
any part of an Interest, but is not admitted as a substitute Member: (a) shall
be subject to the restrictions of
38
Section 12.1, (b) shall be entitled only to Profit and Loss allocations and
Distributions with respect to such Interest in accordance with this Agreement,
(c) shall have no right to any information or accounting of the affairs of the
Company, (d) shall not be entitled to inspect the books or records of the
Company, (e) shall not be entitled to exercise any Governance Rights and (f)
shall not have any of the other rights of a Member under the LLC Act or this
Agreement.
ARTICLE 13
RIGHTS, OPTIONS AND VALUATION
RESULTING FROM TRANSFERS OR EVENTS OF DEFAULT
13.1 Definitions. Wherever used in this Article 13, unless another
meaning is explicitly indicated by the context, the following terms shall have
the meanings set forth below:
(a) "Affected Interests" shall mean any of the following:
(i) all or any portion of a Member's Financial Rights
Transferred (including proposed or attempted Transfers) by any
Person in violation of this Agreement;
(ii) a Member's entire Membership Interest in the
event of either (A) a Transfer (including a proposed or
attempted Transfer) by any Person of all or any portion of the
Member's Governance Rights in violation of this Agreement; or
(B) a termination of the Member's membership in the Company,
unless a dissolution of the Company occurs in connection with
such termination; or
(iii) a Member's entire Membership Interest in the
event such Interest becomes subject to the right of the
Company or any other Member to purchase such Interest under
this Article 13 for any other reason.
(b) "Transferring Holder" shall mean any of the following
Persons: (i) a Member whose Affected Interest is being terminated or is
the subject of any other event that caused such Interest to become an
Affected Interest; (ii) any non-Member transferee holding an Affected
Interest as a result of a Transfer or attempted Transfer that made it
an Affected Interest; and (iii) any legal representative of either.
Additional definitions used in this Article 13 are set forth below.
13.2 Events Creating Option To Buy. If any of the following events
occurs or is attempted or proposed, the Company and the Members shall have the
option and the right to buy the Affected Interest of the Transferring Holder and
that Transferring Holder shall be obligated to sell the Affected Interest
pursuant to the terms and conditions of this Article 13:
(a) "Death" The death of any Member who is an individual.
(b) "Event of Default Termination." If an Appointing Member
elects to
39
terminate the Participation Agreement pursuant to Section 6.6 upon an
Event of Default with respect to the other Appointing Member, the
defaulting Member's Interest shall become an Affected Interest as
provided in Section 6.6 and the holder thereof shall become a
Transferring Holder obligated to sell such Affected Interest pursuant
to the applicable terms and conditions of this Article 13.
(c) "Foreclosure of Pledge." Foreclosure of a pledge shall
occur if (i) any Person attempts to gain absolute rights to an Affected
Interest as a result of default under a security interest, whether
pursuant to the Uniform Commercial Code or otherwise and regardless of
whether the security interest is termed as a pledge, collateral, a
conditional assignment, an outright assignment, or in any equivalent
manner, and regardless of whether the security interest is perfected;
(ii) an agreement is entered into to do any of the foregoing except as
permitted by Section 12.2; or (iii) the foreclosure is otherwise
treated under applicable law as a repossession, cancellation,
enforcement, foreclosure or similar action.
(d) "Gaming Rights Purchase Option." If an Appointing Member
becomes entitled to purchase the Interest of any Member under Section
5.5, the Interest subject to such purchase options shall be an Affected
Interest and the holder thereof shall become a Transferring Holder
obligated to sell such Affected Interest pursuant to the applicable
terms and conditions of this Article 13.
(e) "Insolvency." A Transferring Holder shall be considered
insolvent upon filing a petition for Voluntary Bankruptcy or being the
subject of a petition for Involuntary Bankruptcy (which involuntary
petition is not dismissed within ninety (90) days of filing), or if a
receiver, whether permanent or temporary, of a Transferring Holder's
property or any part thereof, shall be appointed by a court of
competent authority, or if a Transferring Holder shall make a general
assignment for the benefit of creditors, or if any material judgment
against a Transferring Holder remains unsatisfied or unbonded of record
for thirty (30) days or longer.
(f) "Involuntary Transfer." An involuntary Transfer shall
occur if any Person attempts to gain absolute rights to an Affected
Interest by any of the following means (other than the foreclosure of a
pledge as described above): (i) sale pursuant to a levy of execution;
(ii) garnishment; (iii) attachment; (iv) property division or
settlement in a marriage dissolution proceeding; (v) the dissolution of
a Member that is a corporation, partnership, limited liability company,
trust or other business entity or (vi) other legal process, including
without limitation Bankruptcy or receivership proceedings, that is
intended to Transfer the Affected Interest.
(g) "Voluntary Transfer." A voluntary Transfer shall occur if
(i) an Affected Interest is sold, exchanged, pledged, encumbered,
given, gifted or otherwise voluntarily Transferred, with or without
full consideration; or (ii) an agreement is entered into to do any of
the foregoing; provided, however, that if a Transfer is permitted by
Section 12.2, the Transfer shall not be an event creating an immediate
option to buy the Affected
40
Interest.
(h) "Withdrawal." A withdrawal shall occur if a Member resigns
or otherwise declares in writing an intention to withdraw from active
participation, including without limitation any withdrawal prohibited
by Section 5.4.
13.3 Right to Require Company Purchase after Event of Default. If an
Appointing Member terminates the Participation Agreement pursuant to Section 6.6
upon an Event of Default with respect to the other Appointing Member (the
"Defaulting Member"), then either of the Appointing Members (an "Electing
Member") may elect to require the Company to purchase the entire Affected
Interest of the Defaulting Member, unless the non-defaulting Appointing Member
purchases the entire Affected Interest pursuant to Section 13.6. Any such
election shall be made in a written notice delivered by the Electing Member to
the other Appointing Member within thirty (30) days after the notice of such
termination is given pursuant to Section 6.6. If such an election is made and
the non-defaulting Appointing Member does not purchase the Affected Interest,
the Company shall purchase and the Defaulting Member (who shall thereupon become
a Transferring Holder) shall sell the entire Affected Interest of such
Transferring Holder to the Company, pursuant to the applicable terms and
conditions of this Agreement.
Under no other circumstances shall the Company or any Member be
required to purchase any part of the Interest of any Member, except as may be
expressly required by the LLC Act or upon the exercise of an option to purchase
such Interest pursuant to this Article 13.
13.4 Notices To Company and Members. Except as otherwise provided
below, each Transferring Holder shall give written notice to the Company and to
the other Members within thirty (30) days after any event described in Section
13.2. If an Appointing Member gives a notice of its election to require the
Company to purchase an Affected Interest pursuant to Section 13.3, that Member
shall also give a copy of that notice to the Company at the same time. Any such
notice sent to the Company shall be directed to a Manager who is not employed by
the Transferring Holder, at the Company's office where such Manager receives
mail. Such Manager shall also send a copy of each such notice to each Member who
did not send the original notice, at the most recent address reflected on the
Company's Required Records or such other address as the Manager giving notice
has reason to know is more current. If the Transferring Holder or another Member
required to give any such notice fails or refuses to give such notice, the
Company or any other Member may do so as soon as it has the information required
to be given in such notice.
Each such notice shall contain the following information:
(a) Notice of Death. Any notice of death shall state the date
of death and give the name and address of the personal representative,
if one has been appointed, or the proposed personal representative if
known. A copy of the order appointing the personal representative, if
any, shall be attached to the notice.
(b) Notice of Event of Default Termination. Any notice of a
termination of
41
the Participation Agreement upon an Event of Default shall be given by
the Appointing Member who determines that such Event of Default has
occurred with respect to the other Appointing Member. Any such notice
shall be given at the time provided in Section 6.6, shall set forth the
facts alleged to constitute the Event of Default and shall state the
sender's intention to terminate the Participation Agreement.
(c) Notice of Election of Mandatory Purchase. Any notice of an
election by an Appointing Member to require a mandatory purchase under
Section 13.3 shall state such intention.
(d) Notice of Foreclosure of Pledge. The notice of foreclosure
of pledge of an Affected Interest shall identify to whom the Member
pledged the Affected Interest, a description of the Affected Interest,
the reason for the foreclosure, and shall identify all material terms
of the pledge agreement and the foreclosure. A copy of all agreements
and documents relating to the pledge shall be attached to the notice.
(e) Notice of Gaming Rights Purchase Option. If an Appointing
Member becomes entitled to purchase the Interest of any other Member
under Section 5.5, the notice provisions of Section 5.5 shall apply.
(f) Notice of Insolvency. Any notice of insolvency shall
identify the manner in which the Transferring Holder is deemed
insolvent (as defined in Section 13.2) and shall identify any trustee
or fiduciary appointed with regard to the Transferring Holder. A copy
of any petition for bankruptcy, petition for involuntary bankruptcy,
order appointing a receiver, whether permanent or temporary, order
creating an assignment for the benefit of the Transferring Holder's
creditors, and/or any judgment against the Transferring Holder that has
remained unsatisfied or unbonded for a period of thirty (30) days or
longer shall be attached to the notice.
(g) Notice of Involuntary Transfer. Any notice of involuntary
Transfer shall identify: the order, decree or directive requiring the
involuntary Transfer of an Affected Interest, a description of the
Affected Interest, the reason for the involuntary Transfer, and the
pertinent terms of the involuntary Transfer. A copy of the relevant
order, decree or directive shall be attached to the notice.
(h) Notice of Voluntary Transfer. Any notice of voluntary
Transfer shall identify the transferee to whom the Transferring Holder
desires to sell, exchange or give an Affected Interest, a description
of the Affected Interest and the consideration, if any, for the
Transfer. The notice shall also identify all pertinent terms of the
Transfer. A copy of all agreements and documents pertinent to the
Transfer shall be attached to the notice.
(i) Notice of Withdrawal. A notice of withdrawal shall
identify all pertinent details a Member's withdrawal described in
Section 13.2. If a Member withdraws from the Company without giving
such a notice, the Board or any other Member may give such a notice to
the withdrawing Member; provided, however, that the Member alleged to
be
42
withdrawing shall be permitted to continue as a Member if he, she or it
demonstrates reasonable cause for the lack of participation and
promptly resumes such participation.
13.5 Company's Option To Purchase. For the period commencing upon the
occurrence of an event giving rise to an option to buy, as specified in Section
13.2, and continuing thereafter until thirty (30) days after the Company's
receipt of notice of the event giving rise to the option, which notice is in
substantial compliance with the provisions of Section 13.4, the Company shall
have the option to purchase all, but not less than all, of the Affected Interest
of a Transferring Holder, which option and right to purchase are at the
applicable price and according to the terms and conditions provided in this
Article 13.
The Company may exercise its right and option to purchase by giving
written notice to the Transferring Holder and to the other Members of its
intention to exercise its right and option before the expiration of such thirty
(30) day period. In no event shall the Transferring Holder vote, either by its
appointed Governor or as a Member, on the question of whether the Company will
elect to exercise its option.
13.6 Members' Option To Purchase. If the Company does not exercise its
option to purchase as provided for in Section 13.5, then after the expiration of
the thirty (30) days provided for in Section 13.5, the remaining Members of the
Company shall have, for a period of thirty (30) days thereafter, the option and
right to collectively purchase all, but not less than all, of the Affected
Interest, which option and right to purchase are at the applicable price and
according to the terms and conditions provided in this Article 13. Each Member
(other than the Transferring Holder) shall have the option and right to purchase
that fraction of the Affected Interest, which the Percentage Interest owned by
each bears to the total Percentage Interests owned by all such other Members
(excluding any Interest held by the Transferring Holder); provided, however,
that any Appointing Member or Appointing Members participating in such purchase
shall have the right to exclude any other Members from such purchase.
Members shall exercise their right and option to purchase by giving
written notice to the Transferring Holder and to the other Members and the
Company of their intention to exercise their right and option within such thirty
(30) day period. In the event that one or more Members elect to purchase their
proportionate part of the Affected Interest and one or more Members do not so
elect, the electing Members shall be required to purchase that fraction of the
Affected Interest not purchased by such non-electing Members, which the
Percentage Interest owned by each bears to the total Percentage Interests of all
such Members who have elected to exercise their option.
13.7 Failure of Company and Members To Exercise Option. In the event
that the Company does not exercise its option to purchase the Affected Interest
as provided for in Section 13.5 in the time period provided therein, the Members
do not exercise their option to purchase the Affected Interest pursuant to
Section 13.6 in the time period provided therein, and neither of the Appointing
Members has elected to require the Company to purchase the Affected Interest
pursuant to Section 13.3, then:
43
(a) the Transferring Holder shall be free to retain the
Financial Rights and any Governance Rights included in the Affected
Interest or, if applicable, to Transfer such Financial Rights to any
Person identified as a transferee in the notice given pursuant to
Section 13.4, within ninety (90) days of the date of such notice;
(b) any attempted or purported Transfer of any Governance
Rights shall be disregarded as provided in Subdivision 5 of Section
322B.313 of the Act and Sections 12.7 and 12.8 of this Agreement,
unless the remaining Members consent to such Transfer and admit the
transferee as a new Member pursuant to Section 5.3, in which case such
transferee must execute this Agreement; and
(c) if any actual, attempted or purported Transfer giving rise
to such options is found by a court of competent jurisdiction to be an
event causing a dissolution of the Company under this Agreement or the
Act, whether or not such Transfer is prohibited under this Agreement or
the Act, then the Company shall thereupon be dissolved and liquidated
pursuant to Article 15, unless its dissolution is avoided by one or
more Members under Section 322B.80, clause (5), Subdivision 1 of the
LLC Act.
In the event that any proposed Transfer of the Affected Interest is not
made in accordance with the notice given pursuant to Section 13.4, within ninety
(90) days of the date of such notice, and the Company is not liquidated under
Article 15 during that period, then the provisions and conditions of this
Agreement (including, without limitation, Section 12.1 and this Article 13)
shall continue to apply to the Affected Interest. If a proposed Transfer of the
Affected Interest is completed in accordance with the notice provided given
pursuant to Section 13.4, the Affected Interest and such transferee shall be
subject to the provisions and conditions of this Agreement (including, without
limitation, Section 12.1 and this Article 13), even if such transferee has not
executed this Agreement.
13.8 Purchase Price. Subject to the offset provisions of Section
13.9(b), in the event of a purchase of an Affected Interest pursuant to this
Article 13, the purchase price of the Affected Interest shall be equal to its
fair market value, determined by agreement or appraisal as follows; provided,
however, that if the event giving rise to the purchase is an Event of Default
(other than the death or disability of any individual), the purchase price of
the Affected Interest shall not exceed the balance of the terminated Appointing
Member's Capital Account balance as of the effective date of such purchase. If
the purchase of an Affected Interest pursuant to this Article 13 is due to an
Event of Default solely caused by the death or disability of an individual, the
purchase price of the Affected Interest shall nevertheless be its fair market
value determined under this Section 13.8. The purchase price of the Affected
Interest, as finally agreed or determined by appraisal or arbitration hereunder,
is hereinafter referred to as the "Final Price."
(a) Agreement. The parties to the purchase and sale shall
attempt to agree upon the fair market value of the Affected Interest,
within fifteen (15) days of the date of notice of exercise of the
option to purchase or, if no option to purchase is exercised and an
Appointing Member has elected to require a mandatory purchase pursuant
to Section 13.3, within fifteen (15) days after the later of (i) the
date of such mandatory purchase
44
election or the (ii) date on which the last such purchase option
expires. If the parties do not agree on a purchase price within the
applicable period, they shall mediate the dispute pursuant to Section
16.13.
(b) Appraisal. If the parties are unable to agree upon a
valuation within the applicable period, including any period of
mediation provided hereunder, the value of the Affected Interest shall
be determined by appraisal as follows. Such parties shall first attempt
to agree upon a qualified independent business appraiser (an
"Appraiser"). If they are unable to do so within ten (10) days of the
date of notice of exercise of the option to purchase, then the
Transferring Holder shall name one Appraiser, and the acquiring party
(the Company or other Members, as the case may be) shall collectively
name another Appraiser. The two Appraisers shall within five (5)
business days after their appointment appoint a third Appraiser who,
within thirty (30) days after its appointment, shall make a
determination of the fair market value of the Affected Interest, and
such determination shall be final and binding on all parties to such
determination in the same manner as an arbitration award under Section
16.14.
(c) Valuation Standard. For purposes of this Agreement, the
fair market value of an Affected Interest shall be the cash price that
would be payable to a reasonable seller by an unrelated reasonable
buyer for such Interest, taking into account all relevant facts
including without limitation the present value of the Transferring
Holder's share of future Overhead Fees (if any) and Internal Net Cash
Flows from the Company for the remaining term of the Project Contracts,
without any discount for minority Voting or Percentage Interests or any
premium for majority Voting or Percentage Interests (except that an
appropriate discount shall be applied if the Affected Interest does not
include any Governance Rights).
13.9 Closing Date and Terms of Purchase.
(a) Purchaser; Closing or Expedited Closing to Protect Gaming
Rights. For purposes of this Section 13.9, the Person or Persons
purchasing an Affected Interest (who may be the Company, one Member or
several Members) shall be collectively referred to as the "Purchaser"
unless the context indicates otherwise.
Ordinarily, in the event of any sale and purchase of an
Affected Interest pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, the sale and
purchase shall close on a reasonable date, at a reasonable place and at
a reasonable time to be selected by the Purchaser, which shall be no
later than thirty (30) days after the Final Price is determined
pursuant to Section 13.8.
However, the Members acknowledge that it is likely that, if
the Purchaser is an Appointing Member who has exercised its right and
option to purchase the Affected Interest pursuant to Section 5.5, such
Purchaser will exercise that option to protect the ability of the
Purchaser (or any of its subsidiaries or other Affiliates) to obtain or
maintain a Gaming License (as defined in Section 5.5) or a contract or
agreement to manage a gaming facility. Accordingly, such Purchaser may
need to exercise its option and right to
45
purchase such Affected Interest and close such purchase (an "Expedited
Closing") before the Final Price of such Affected Interest is
determined under Section 13.8.
Therefore, any Purchaser under Section 5.5 shall have the
right to require the Transferring Holder to assign the Affected
Interest to the Purchaser pursuant to subsection (e) of this Section
13.9, at any time after the event giving rise to the option under
Section 5.5, and before its Final Price is determined, by giving the
Transferring Holder written notice of the Purchaser's exercise of such
purchase option and its election to require an Expedited Closing. If
the Purchaser elects an Expedited Closing, then (i) the Transferring
Holder and the Purchaser shall complete the conveyance of the Affected
Interest to the Purchaser at a closing within five (5) business days
after the Transferring Holder's receipt of notice of the Expedited
Closing election; (ii) the Purchaser shall pay to the Transferring
Holder at such closing an amount of cash equal to the amount in the
Transferring Holder's Capital Account as of the first date the Company
becomes entitled to the purchase option under Section 5.5, which amount
shall be deducted from the Final Price when paid by the Purchaser;
(iii) the Purchaser shall pay the balance (if any) of the Final Price
(less the advance payment made under the preceding clause) to the
Transferring Holder pursuant to the following provisions of this
Section 13.9, on a closing date within thirty (30) days after such
Final Price is determined; and (iv) if the amount of any such advance
payment exceeds the Final Price, the Transferring Holder shall repay
the excess amount to the Purchaser on such closing date.
(b) Offset of Final Price. Any Purchaser may offset the Final
Price of an Affected Interest (or any advance payment under the
preceding paragraph) by any debts due from the Transferring Holder to
the Purchaser or the Company, including without limitation any actual
damages (not including any consequential or punitive damages) due to
(i) an Event of Default with respect to the Transferring Holder, (ii) a
Transfer or attempted Transfer in violation of this Agreement, or (iii)
the withdrawal of the Transferring Holder as a Member (for any reason
other than the death or disability of an individual) in violation of
Section 5.4, and to the extent that such debts are due the Company and
it is not the Purchaser, such offset shall be treated as a reduction of
the Final Price. Any such offset may, at the election of the Purchaser,
be used first to reduce amounts due at any closing under subsection (a)
above, second to reduce any amount due at the closing under the
following paragraph (c), and then to reduce the first payments due on
any promissory note delivered under paragraph (d) below.
(b) Cash Payment at Closing. Subject to any offset pursuant to
paragraph (b) above, on the date of closing the Purchaser shall pay to
the Transferring Holder an amount of cash equal to 25% of the Final
Price of the Affected Interest. The remaining amount owing shall be
paid to the Transferring Holder annually in three (3) equal
installments together with interest at a rate equal to the applicable
Federal rate in effect under Code section 1274(d) as of the closing
date, commencing on the first anniversary of the closing date.
(c) Promissory Note (or Notes) at Closing. In the case of a
single Purchaser,
46
the Purchaser shall execute a promissory note for the remaining balance
of the purchase price, which note shall contain the provisions of and
be in the form of that note attached hereto as EXHIBIT D.
In the event of a purchase by more than one Purchaser, the
purchasing parties shall execute separate notes for their proportionate
shares of the unpaid purchase price, which notes shall be pursuant to
the terms of and in the form of the note attached hereto as EXHIBIT D.
(d) Transfer and Pledge of Affected Interest. Upon delivery of
the cash payment at closing and delivery of the installment note or
notes specified in the preceding paragraph, the Affected Interest shall
be assigned to the Purchaser with all necessary instruments required to
complete the Transfer of the Affected Interest on the Company's
Required Records.
Once the Affected Interest has been Transferred, the portion
of the Affected Interest received by each Purchaser shall be pledged by
that Purchaser to the Transferring Holder, to be held as collateral
security for the payment of the note issued by that Purchaser, pursuant
to the provisions of the Pledge Agreement attached hereto as EXHIBIT E,
which each Purchaser shall execute on the date of closing. Each
Purchaser shall have the right, while such pledge is effective, to vote
any Governance Rights pledged by that Purchaser and to receive
Distributions with respect to the Financial Rights pledged by that
Purchaser (other than liquidating Distributions under Section 15.3,
which shall be subject to the terms of the Pledge Agreement).
(e) Guaranty Contribution Agreement. In the event a Member's
entire Membership Interest is purchased under this Article 13, and the
former Member is required to pay a Company debt because of the former
Member's guaranty of the debt, each remaining Member or Members who
also guaranteed such debt shall contribute toward that payment by
reimbursing such former Member for their respective shares of such
payment, reduced by any amounts due the Company under Section 13.9(b)
that have not been paid or offset against the Final Price. The share of
such payment due from each remaining Member that guaranteed such debt
shall be that fraction of such payment which the Percentage Interest
held by each remaining Member who guaranteed such debt bears to the
total of Percentage Interests owned by all remaining Members who
guaranteed such debt.
ARTICLE 14
AMENDMENT OF AGREEMENT
14.1 Amendment Procedure. When circumstances require amendment of this
Agreement to comply with any law, or at any time the Members holding thirty
percent (30%) or more of the aggregate Voting Interests may propose an amendment
to this Agreement, in such event the Chief Manager shall call a special meeting
of all Members for the purpose of considering such proposed amendment. At least
thirty (30) days prior to such meeting, the Board
47
shall deliver to each Member written notice of the meeting and a statement of
the purposes of the amendment and such other matters as the Board deems material
to consideration of the amendment. The amendment so proposed shall be adopted if
unanimously approved by the Appointing Members and other Members holding at
least two-thirds (2/3) of the Voting Interests held by such Members.
Alternatively, this Agreement may be amended by a written action signed by each
of the Members.
14.2 Limitation on Amendments. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this
Agreement shall not be amended without the consent of each Member adversely
affected if such amendment would (a) adversely affect the limited liability of a
Member or (b) adversely affect the Governance or Financial Rights of a Member.
ARTICLE 15
DISSOLUTION
15.1 Liquidating Events.
(a) The Company shall be dissolved upon the occurrence of any
of the following events (a "Liquidating Event"):
(i) by the unanimous written agreement of the
Appointing Members;
(ii) upon the vote of Members holding at least
two-thirds of the Voting Interests of the Company, in favor of
a proposal to dissolve the Company, at a meeting held pursuant
to Section 322B.806 of the LLC Act;
(iii) upon any election by Lakes Corning to exercise
its option, as set forth in Section 13 of the Participation
Agreement, to cease further funding of the Corning Project,
cause the liquidation of the Company, accelerate payment of
the Corning Project Companies Loan and the Corning Project
Development Loan and accelerate payment of that $50,000
portion of the remaining balance of the MRD Loans (as defined
in the Participation Agreement) relating to the Company; or
(iv) any other event described in Section 322B.80 of
the LLC Act, excluding clause (5) of Subdivision 1 thereof
(concerning termination of the continued membership of a
Member).
(b) As soon as possible following the occurrence of any
Liquidating Event that causes the dissolution of the Company, the
appropriate representative of the Company shall give all of the Members
a written notice of such Liquidating Event and execute a notice of
dissolution in such form as shall be prescribed by the Secretary of
State of Minnesota, setting forth the information required under
Subdivision 1 of Section 322B.81 of the LLC Act and shall file that
notice with the Secretary of State's office.
(c) If the Company is dissolved, the Company shall cease to
carry on its
48
business upon filing a notice of dissolution with the Minnesota
Secretary of State, except insofar as may be necessary for the winding
up of the Company's business and any Distributions under Section 15.3,
but its separate existence shall continue until a certificate of
termination has been issued by such Secretary of State or until a
decree dissolving the Company has been entered by a court of competent
jurisdiction.
15.2 Agreement to Avoid Dissolution. Each Member specifically
acknowledges and agrees that the Company shall not be dissolved upon the
withdrawal of any Member or other termination of any Member's Interest in the
Company.
15.3 Distributions on Liquidation. Upon liquidation of the Company, its
business shall be wound up, the Board (or other Person designated by all of the
Members) shall take full account of the Company assets and liabilities, and all
assets (tangible and intangible) shall be liquidated as promptly as is
consistent with obtaining the fair value thereof. If any assets are not sold,
gain or loss shall be allocated to the Members in accordance with Article 7 as
if such assets had been sold at their fair market value at the time of the
liquidation. If any assets are distributed to a Member, rather than sold, the
Distribution shall be treated as a Distribution equal to the fair market value
of the assets at the time of the liquidation. The assets of the Company shall be
applied and distributed in the following order of priority:
(a) To the payment of all debts and liabilities of the
Company, including without limitation all debts due the Members,
Governors, Managers and their Affiliates, in the order of priority as
provided by law;
(b) To the establishment of any reserves deemed necessary by
the Board or other Person winding up the affairs of the Company for any
contingent liabilities or obligations of the Company; and
(c) To the Members, ratably in proportion to the credit
balances in their respective Capital Accounts, in an amount equal to
the aggregate credit balances in the Capital Accounts after and
including all allocations to the Members under Article 7, including the
allocation of any Profit or Loss from the sale, exchange or other
disposition (including a deemed sale pursuant to this Section 15.3) of
the Company's assets.
(d) Last, to the Members in proportion to their Percentage
Interests.
The Company may offset any amount due a Member under this Section 15.3
by the amounts of (i) any debts owed the Company by the Member, and (ii) any
damages suffered by the Company as a result of an Event of Default with respect
to that Member, or that Member's other breach (if any) of this Agreement or any
Contribution Agreement by which such Member is bound.
ARTICLE 16
MISCELLANEOUS
49
16.1 Notices. All notices, requests or demands and other communication
from any party hereto to another shall be in writing and shall be considered to
have been duly given (i) when delivered personally, (ii) twenty-four (24) hours
after sent by telephone facsimile transmission, (iii) the next business day when
sent via a nationally recognized overnight courier for next business day
delivery to the recipient or (iv) four (4) business days after sent by certified
or registered mail, postage prepaid, to the other party. Such notices, requests,
demands and other communication may be sent by any of the foregoing means, but
if faxed, mailed or sent by overnight courier, shall be directed to the
addresses (or fax number) indicated below, or such other address (or fax number)
as may be provided in writing to each party from time to time:
(a) If to Lakes Corning: Lakes Corning, LLC
(or any of its Affiliates) ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Attention: ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇
Fax: (▇▇▇) ▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
with a copy to: ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ & Brand, LLP
3300 ▇▇▇▇▇ Fargo Center
▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
Attention: ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, Esq.
Fax: (▇▇▇) ▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
(b) If to MRD: MRD Gaming, LLC
(or any of its Affiliates) ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇, ▇ - ▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Attention: ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇
Fax: (▇▇▇) ▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
with a copy to: Larkin, Hoffman, ▇▇▇▇ & ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, Ltd.
1500 ▇▇▇▇▇ Fargo Financial Center
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Attention: ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇, Esq.
Fax: (▇▇▇) ▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
(c) If to the Company: Pacific Coast Gaming - Corning, LLC
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇, ▇ - ▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇
Attention: ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇
Fax: (▇▇▇) ▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
with a copy to: Lakes Corning, LLC
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Attention: ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇
Fax: (▇▇▇) ▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
Such notices may be given to a Member at the latest address specified
in the Company's Required Records, if different than those specified above. Any
Member or the Company may, at any time by giving five (5) days' prior written
notice to the other Members and the Company, designate any other address in
substitution of the foregoing address to which such notice will be
50
given.
All notices, offers, demands, certificates or other communications
required or permitted under this Agreement shall be in writing, signed by the
Person giving the same.
16.2 Consent and Waiver. No consent under and no waiver of any
provision of this Agreement on any one occasion shall constitute a consent under
or waiver of any other provision on such occasion or on any other occasion, nor
shall it constitute a consent under or waiver of the consented-to or waived
provision on any other occasion. No consent or waiver shall be enforceable
unless it is in writing and signed by the party against whom such consent or
waiver is sought to be enforced.
16.3 Entire Agreement. Except for the Articles, the Company's Bylaws,
the Participant Agreement and the promissory notes and loan and security
agreements executed and delivered pursuant to the Participant Agreement, this
Agreement constitutes the entire agreement among the parties with respect to the
Company, supersedes any prior agreement or understanding among them, and may not
be modified or amended in any manner other than as set forth herein.
16.4 Governing Law. This Agreement and the rights of the parties
hereunder shall be governed by, interpreted and enforced in accordance with the
laws of the State of Minnesota.
16.5 Binding Effect. Except as herein otherwise specifically provided,
this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Members and
their legal representatives, heirs, administrators, executors, successors and
permitted assigns, as the case may be.
16.6 Number and Gender. Wherever from the context it appears
appropriate, each term stated in either the singular or the plural shall include
the singular and the plural and pronouns stated in either the masculine, the
feminine or the neuter gender shall include the masculine, feminine and neuter.
16.7 Interpretation. Except as otherwise indicated by the context, all
references herein to Articles, Sections and paragraphs refer to Articles,
Sections and paragraphs of this Agreement. All such Article, Section and
paragraph headings are for reference purposes only and shall not affect the
interpretation of this Agreement.
16.8 Severability. If any provision of this Agreement or the
application of such provision to any Person or circumstances, shall be held
invalid, the remainder of the Agreement, or the application of such provision to
Persons or circumstances other than those to which it is held invalid, shall not
be affected thereby.
16.9 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of
counterparts, all of which taken together shall constitute one agreement binding
on all Members and the Company. Each Member shall become bound by this Agreement
immediately upon signing any counterpart, independently of the signature of any
other Member. However, in making proof of this Agreement, it will be necessary
to produce only one copy signed by the party to be charged.
51
16.10 Right to Specific Performance. In view of the fact that the
Membership Interests subject to this Agreement are of a closely-held limited
liability company, and in view of the purposes of this Agreement, it is agreed
that the remedy at law for failure of any party to perform would be inadequate
and that the injured party or parties, at his, her or their option, shall have
the right to compel the specific performance of this Agreement in a court of
competent jurisdiction, to the extent permitted by the LLC Act and other
applicable law, and not expressly prohibited by this Agreement.
16.11 Additional Documents and Acts. Each Member agrees to execute and
deliver such additional documents and instruments and to perform such additional
acts as may be necessary or appropriate to effectuate, carry out and perform all
of the terms, provisions, and conditions of this Agreement and the transactions
contemplated hereby.
16.12 No Third Party Beneficiary. This Agreement is made solely and
specifically among and for the benefit of the parties hereto, and their
respective successors and permitted assigns; and no other Person will have any
rights, interest, or claims hereunder or be entitled to any benefits under or on
account of this Agreement as a third party beneficiary or otherwise.
16.13 Non-binding Mediation. Except with respect to matters for which a
Member or the Company believes it necessary to seek equitable relief permitted
under a written agreement, or otherwise to prevent irreparable harm to such
party, each party to this Agreement agrees to enter into mediation and to cause
the Governors appointed by the Appointing Members agrees to enter into
mediation, of all disputes involving this Agreement or any aspect of their
business relationship (including without limitation any deadlock of the Board or
the Members required by Section 9.6 to be mediated, and including any failure to
agree on a Final Price under Section 13.8), for a minimum of four (4) hours of
mediation, prior to the initiation of any arbitration, legal action or claim
against any other party. Such mediation shall be conducted pursuant to Section
21 of the Participation Agreement. Any decision or other actions of a mediator
under this Agreement or the Participation Agreement shall not be binding upon
the Board, any Member or the Company; and no such mediator shall have the
authority to impose a settlement upon the Board, any Member or the Company.
Rather any mediator shall attempt to assist the Board, the Members and the
Company (as applicable) to reach a satisfactory resolution of such matter.
If a notice of any action, inaction, condition or event alleged to be a
default by an Appointing Member has been issued by the other Appointing Member
pursuant to Section 6.6, and such default is subject to cure before actually
becoming an Event of Default, the period for cure shall be tolled until the
mediation under this Section 16.13 is complete; provided, however, that the
request for mediation was made at least ten (10) days before such action,
inaction, condition or event shall become an Event of Default. However, such
tolling shall not apply to any payments owed to third parties if the failure to
make such payment would result in any significant penalties to any Member, the
Company or the Paskenta Tribe.
16.14 Confidential Arbitration. Except with respect to matters for
which a party to this Agreement believes it necessary to seek equitable relief
permitted under a written agreement, any
52
dispute among or between any of the parties hereto or between the Governors (the
"disputants") arising directly or indirectly out of, pursuant to or under this
Agreement, and any other dispute among or between any such disputants, however
arising (including without limitation any deadlock of the Board or the Members
required by Section 9.6 to be arbitrated, but excluding any purchase price
appraisal under Section 13.8), which they are not able to resolve on their own
or through mediation hereunder, shall be resolved by binding arbitration in
Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Appointing Members agree to cause the Governors
appointed by them to submit any such deadlock to arbitration hereunder.
Any such arbitration shall be administered by the American Arbitration
Association in accordance with its Commercial Arbitration Rules then in effect,
except that: (a) the question whether or not a dispute is arbitrable under this
Agreement shall be a matter for binding arbitration by the arbitrators, such
question shall not be determined by any court and, in determining any such
question, all doubts shall be resolved in favor of arbitrability; (b) discovery
shall be permitted in accordance with the Minnesota Rules of Civil Procedure,
subject to supervision as to scope and appropriateness by the arbitrators; (c)
judgment on the award may be entered in any court of competent jurisdiction; and
(d) each of the disputants shall be entitled to present evidence and argument to
the arbitrator. The arbitrator shall have the right only to interpret and apply
the provisions of this Agreement (including other applicable agreements) and may
not change any of such provisions. The arbitrator shall give written notice to
the disputants stating the arbitrator's determination, and shall furnish to each
disputant a signed copy of such determination. The expenses of arbitration shall
be borne equally by the opposing disputants or as the arbitrator shall otherwise
equitably determine under Section 16.15.
All aspects of such arbitration shall be conducted in the strictest
confidence, and each party agrees not to disclose any information concerning any
dispute or arbitration hereunder to any person except as may be required by law
or this Agreement.
16.15 Litigation Expense. If any disputant (as defined in Section
16.15, and including all disputants opposing one or more other disputants as one
party) is made or shall become a party to any litigation (including arbitration)
commenced by or against another disputant involving the enforcement of any of
the rights or remedies of such disputant, or arising on account of a default of
the other disputant in its performance of any of the other disputant's
obligations hereunder, then the prevailing disputant in such litigation shall
receive from the other disputant all costs incurred by the prevailing disputant
in such litigation, plus reasonable attorneys' fees to be fixed by the court or
arbitrator (as applicable), with interest thereon from the date of judgment or
arbitrator's decision at the rate specified in Section 13.9(c) or, if less, the
maximum rate permitted by law.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned Members have duly executed this
Member Control Agreement, with respect to Pacific Coast Gaming - Corning, LLC,
on the day and year first above written, to be effective as of the Effective
Date.
LAKES CORNING, LLC
53
By /s/ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇
-------------------------------------------------------
Its Chief Financial Manager, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇
MRD GAMING, LLC
By /s/ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇
------------------------------------------------------
Its Manager/Member, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇
MEMBERS
The Company hereby accepts the foregoing Agreement as a party thereto
and agrees to perform its obligations thereunder, including without limitation
those set forth in Article 13.
PACIFIC COAST GAMING - CORNING, LLC
By /s/ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇
--------------------------------------------------------
Its Chief Manager, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇
As parties to the Participation Agreement described in paragraph A of
the Introduction to the foregoing Member Control Agreement, Lakes Gaming &
Resorts, LLC ("LGR") and MRD Gaming, LLC ("MRD") hereby accept the foregoing
Agreement as an amendment of the Participation Agreement, to the extent provided
in Section 3.50 of the foregoing Member Control Agreement.
LAKES GAMING AND RESORTS, LLC
By /s/ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇
--------------------------------------------------------
Its Chief Financial Manager, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇
MRD GAMING, LLC
By /s/ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇
--------------------------------------------------------
Its Manager/Member, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇