Second in a series

Re “Weissman, City Hall’s Answer Man”

The question was put directly to City Councilman Emeritus Andy Weissman:

Who deserves the blame for Sentinel Peak Resources’ late-hour backing out of a public debate with the City Council over tighter regulations for the Inglewood Oil Field?

“Not having been on the inside,” said Mr. Weissman, “I don’t know.

“After reading the staff report, though, it sounded as if the oil company was unwilling to (adjust the oil field regulations) the way the city wanted to do it.

Mr. Weissman said he would “put the burden on the oil company. The oil company is the entity that can make or break the cooperative process.”

Is it fair to say City Hall and Sentinel are not equal partners in overseeing the city’s less than 10 percent sliver of the oil field?

“The oil operator is seeking to do business in Culver City,” Mr. Weissman said.

“Culver City has a responsibility to insure that business is done, and that it protects the health, safety and welfare of residents. That is what the oil drilling regulations are about.”

Speaking with deliberation, Mr. Weissman, an attorney, is uncertain whether the breakdown in negotiations constitutes failure.

“The city could have done this 90 days ago, in the spring, but for the fact the oil company said, ‘Let’s see if we can figure a way to move forward together. You can piggyback on our studies, and we will become the applicant.’

“So the oil company and the city met, tried to figure out a way and could not come to an agreement,” Mr. Weissman said.
“I would think the city’s responsibility is to move forward in a manner that is most protective of the community.

“If the oil company wants to participate, it can. In my opinion, it should. But the company chose not to,”

(To be continued)