Highland Heights Gas Well Lease Put on Hold

City Council will not be voting on a proposed gas well lease at tonight's meeting.

Although that was the plan, officials have decided to delay a vote while they explore some concerns brought up at a public hearing last week.

"The reason we're not voting tonight is that there are some concerns about the wetlands issue," Council President Cathy Murphy said.

The proposed lease with Bass Energy calls for two gas wells in Highland Heights Community Park, one near the tennis courts and parking lot and another in the back of the park, behind the old pool house.

Last week, a resident noted that a 2006 report states there are wetlands in the park, although the exact location was not delineated. Murphy said there's no question that the site in the back of the park does not contain wetlands, but the location in front could pose a problem.

Based on that possibility, city officials want to confirm the location of wetlands and may negotiate with Bass Energy to come up with another site.

"We're trying to respond and listen to some of the concerns from the public meeting," Murphy said.

The proposed lease is an attempt to settle a $7 million breach of contract lawsuit Bass Energy filed against the city in 2008. Mayor Scott Coleman had entered into a lease with Bass Energy and council rescinded that lease in January 2008.