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Residents urge Erie council to slow mineral-rights talks, demand public forums
Summary
Multiple public commenters urged the Erie Town Council to halt or slow consideration of selling or leasing town mineral rights, raised potential property-value and water-use impacts tied to nearby drilling proposals, and asked for transparent, public meetings; council members said any decision will include a public hearing.
Several residents used the councils public-comment period to press elected officials for transparency and public forums on possible sale or leasing of the towns mineral rights and the prospect of new oil-and-gas activity.
Shannon Milliken, introduced by the clerk, told the council she was speaking about "the fear that residents of color in your town have expressed regarding ICE activity," and urged officials to publicly acknowledge those fears and issue a statement affirming that "all families in Erie deserve to be seen, safe, and supported." She asked for a proclamation or public statement that would signal the councils commitment to inclusivity.
Homeowner Steve Drew said offers from companies such as Civitas indicate industry interest and urged the council to "slow our roll" and hold public meetings before decisions are finalized. Citing state studies, he warned of potential property impacts, saying, "If you own a well and they're fracking under you, a 13% to 22% decrease in the value of your home." He also urged the council to consider fiduciary impacts and transparency; he said he wanted public disclosure about consulting relationships and terms in the proposed deals.
Amy Becker, a first-time meeting attendee, said she was concerned about how the council has been run and specifically objected to mineral-rights matters being discussed in executive session rather than in public. "I don't understand why there's so much urgency to accept this bid," she said, urging the council to "slow our roll" and give residents an opportunity to weigh in.
Casey Hedrick asked about the appraisal contract the council approved in December and whether the appraisal and subsequent deliberations would be made public. "Could that be a public hearing?" Hedrick asked, pressing the council to explain whether the town could retain mineral rights to prevent or blunt projects such as the Draco pad.
Council responses emphasized process protections. Mayor Marr told the room that "if there is a desire to move forward with anything on that, there will be a public hearing before any decision is made." Council member Hoback and others urged a town-hall listening session so residents could ask questions outside of the formal public-hearing record.
No formal decision to sell or lease mineral rights was made during the meeting. Council members repeatedly said the town had commissioned an appraisal and that negotiations and potential contracts would follow public-notice and hearing rules before any final action.
The council then moved on to other business and later entered executive session for water- and property-related negotiations.
Ending: Council members and staff said they would provide opportunities for public input before any contract is finalized; a public hearing was pledged by the mayor as part of that process.
