Emotions build over fracking at Youngstown council meeting - 21 News Now, More Local News for Youngstown, Ohio -

YOUNGTOWN, Ohio – Thirty-year-old Elizabeth Khumprakob was arrested for causing an outburst before a Youngstown City Council meeting Wednesday night.

But emotions were high moments before that during the pre-meeting caucus session over an ordinance that would allow the city to lease its land to oil and gas companies.

Councilman Mike Ray raised concerns. "We have a lot of citizens who are concerned and I think we need to do our due diligence. We're accountable to the citizens and we need to make sure that we listen to them," Ray said.

Mayor Charles Sammarone said council members had every opportunity to ask questions about the ordinance.

"I talked to every council member four weeks ago and they were on board with it," Sammarone said.

Three members of Frack Free Mahoning Valley addressed council with their concerns over fracking in the city.

State Representative Bob Hagan thinks municipalities should wait for an Environmental Protection Agency report to come out in December before leasing their mineral rights

"And then if we decide that we want to be part and partial to making some money off of this, then we can do it as learned individuals," Hagan said.

Council did not pass the ordinance. It has been moved to a second reading.