Title
Consider recommendations regarding a Resolution Declaring Forfeiture of the Public Franchise Agreement with Ellwood Pipeline, Inc., for New Line 96, Santa Barbara (R/P File No.: 003552), Third District, as follows:
a) Approve and authorize the Chair to execute the Resolution Declaring the Forfeiture of Public Franchise Agreement, which:
i) Declares the forfeiture of the County’s public franchise agreement with Ellwood Pipeline Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Venoco, Inc. (collectively “Venoco”), which has been previously rejected by Venoco in bankruptcy proceedings and relates to the currently idled common carrier pipeline known as New Line 96, which consists of approximately 8 ½ miles of pipeline located within the unincorporated area of the County of Santa Barbara, through certain County roadway along Calle Real Road; and
ii) Thereby makes payable to the County the $100,000.00 bond posted by Venoco pursuant to the public franchise agreement; and
b) Determine that the proposed action of terminating the franchise agreement is not a “Project” as defined in the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) guidelines, Section 15378, finding that the action consists of government fiscal activities which do not involve any commitment to any specific project which may result in a potentially significant physical impact on the environment, and is therefore exempt from further review under CEQA.