Divided Campbell council agrees to drill lease - 21 News Now, More Local News for Youngstown, Ohio -

CAMPBELL, Ohio - Campbell has joined the ranks of cities entering into contracts for oil and gas exploration on city owned land.

The agreement to lease rights to oil and natural gas on 167 acres of city owned property passed city council on a vote of 3-2.

The deal is with Texas-based Hilcorp Energy Company for $5,000 per acre for a total of more than $850,000.

A councilman, who voted no, said they only heard about the offer last Wednesday, and felt rushed to make a decision on Monday.

"We had the meeting today and then we're told we have to have a yes or no vote before the end of the business day and then read the contract. It was just too fast," said Joseph Mazzocca, Campbell Third Ward Couniclman.

A drill pad requires at least seven acres of land, so council does not anticipate any wells near residential areas. The most likely sites would be on old industrial land near Castlo and the Mahoning River, or possibly Campbell's Urban Renewal Area off Wilson Avenue.

The council president says there are actually few suitable sites in Campbell. "Basically they said a pad might not even go in the city of Campbell. It could go in Coitsville, could go in Youngstown and they come two miles horizontally into the city of Campbell," said George Levendis, Campbell Council President.

Councilman Robert Yankle says the city has been struggling for a long time and this could be a once in a lifetime opportunity for Campbell to get a major influx of new revenue.

"I feel using this money, not only having a back up of money, but now we can finally get some money put in the community development fund where we can get the city going again," said Robert Yankle, Campbell Fourth Ward Councilman.

The agreement does not allow for injection wells, the type that created earthquake concerns in Youngstown.