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Board authorizes expedited Kleinfelder soil assessment after arsenic detection; not‑to‑exceed $71,570 approved
Summary
Facing elevated arsenic readings in construction fill, the board voted to add and approve a Kleinfelder site assessment contract with expedited testing to avoid moving soil twice; the contract was authorized not to exceed $71,570 and staff were directed to proceed to preserve schedule and potentially reduce hauling costs.
Facilities staff told the board that preliminary testing on construction fill found arsenic in the regulated range and presented three options: haul and test each truck at roughly $240 per load (estimated worst‑case cost near $400,000); run a Kleinfelder mixed‑sample assessment to better characterize soils (staff estimated a not‑to‑exceed cost of about $71,570 for expedited service); or rework the site with retaining walls and pursue a York County Conservation District NPDES permit at additional cost and a four‑ to five‑month delay.
“Our original testing gave higher levels making our fill that’s being taken off of our fields in the regulated range,” the facilities/project staff member said while explaining the three options and the schedule implications. Staff explained that expedited laboratory turnaround reduces the risk and cost of moving the dirt twice and that beginning sampling as York Excavating moves dirt would allow results in days rather than weeks.
The board voted to add the Kleinfelder assessment as an action item that evening and then voted to authorize the assessment with a not‑to‑exceed amount of $71,570, with staff directed to expedite testing where practicable to avoid duplicative hauling and schedule delay. During discussion directors asked for a line item and contingency tracking so the board could monitor actual costs against the authorization.
Why it matters: The choice balances environmental compliance, project schedule and cost. Expedited testing is intended to reduce time and lower the risk and expense of handling contaminated soil twice, but the board authorized an amount that includes the expedited fees.
Actions: The board authorized staff to enter a Kleinfelder site assessment contract (not to exceed $71,570) and to proceed with expedited testing commensurate with construction timing.
Next step: Staff will proceed with sampling and report results back to the board; permitting requirements and any off‑site hauling will follow DEP and York County Conservation District guidance.
