Council approves easement for proposed 42‑inch Mustang Express pipeline after executive session

The City of Cleveland voted to accept an offer for an easement and authorized the city manager to execute a right‑of‑way agreement with Mustang Express Pipeline LLC for a proposed 42‑inch natural‑gas pipeline that would run through an existing pipeline corridor on city‑owned property.

Emilio Lothario, the city’s director of community and economic development, told the council the pipeline’s route extends through the region “from Colorado County all the way down to Jefferson County” and that the company proposes to construct “a new, 42 inch, natural gas pipeline” within the existing corridor. He said the affected city property is vacant, wooded land east of US‑59 and near the bypass and that the pipeline company would be responsible for repair and maintenance of any infrastructure damage related to construction.

Several council members questioned the public facing language in the easement documents — which included the phrase “Inside $10 and other good and valuable consideration” — and asked about the full compensation package and environmental and safety implications. City attorney Charles Williams told the council that the public paperwork referenced “other consideration” and that some competitive terms would not be disclosed in open session.

Because council members wanted more legal and property detail, the item was tabled for executive session. After returning to open session the council moved to accept the easement and authorize the city manager to execute the agreement. The transcript records the motion and a final outcome noted as "Motion carries 6 to 1." The recorded segment does not include a roll‑call vote by name, and the public record in the transcript does not identify which member voted no.

The council’s action authorizes the city manager to sign the easement documents so long as they conform to the authorization given; the transcript does not record additional terms such as the final dollar amounts or any mitigation conditions disclosed in executive session. Councilmembers also noted the matter may be subject to further review and that additional disclosures were withheld from the public record for competitiveness or confidentiality reasons.

Next steps (from the meeting): the city manager is authorized to execute the easement/right‑of‑way agreement in line with council approval; any further public disclosures on payment, environmental protections or mitigation were not included in the open transcript.