No Vote Yet on Gas Well Settlement

A final vote on a proposed settlement of the Bass Energy lawsuit might take place at Tuesday's City Council meeting.

The resolution authorizing a $600,000 settlement payment was on the agenda of a special council meeting last night, but no vote was taken. Mayor Scott Coleman said city officials didn't want to take action at a special meeting, but might decide the matter on May 8.

"We want to put this behind us as soon as possible," he said.

Bass Energy had sought $7 million in its breach of contract lawsuit, filed in 2008 after council rescinded a lease for two gas wells in the city's park. The lease had been signed by Coleman in 2007.

A settlement considered earlier this year would have allowed two wells to be drilled in the park, but council unanimously rejected that proposed lease and decided instead to proceed to arbitration to settle the lawsuit.

However, Murphy, Coleman and Law Director Tim Paluf meet with Bass Energy representatives and they agreed to a $600,000 payment to settle the lawsuit.