Fenton committee approves $10,000 contingency to stabilize Budweil Park playground soils

The committee approved a contingency April 9 to allow the contractor to incorporate Codell lime into fill at Budweil Park to reduce soil plasticity and achieve required compaction for the new playground.

Dan (project representative) introduced Doug Hicks, who described soils testing done by Holland Engineering and explained that optimal moisture for compaction is about 14% but current on‑site moisture readings are in the low‑ to mid‑20s. Doug said Codell lime can lower moisture and reduce plasticity, allowing the contractor to compact six‑foot lifts in a matter of days when weather permits.

“Once we get those lifts in, it’s never coming out,” Doug said, describing the chemical change that stabilizes the fill. He said the work would take less than three days of good weather and estimated the added cost at roughly $10,000.

Board members and residents raised environmental and timing concerns. One council member asked whether lime could leach or cause long‑term problems for nearby concrete or vehicles; Doug and other participants answered that when properly incorporated the lime becomes part of the soil matrix and is not expected to leach. Several aldermen said they were skeptical that the soil conditions were not discovered earlier during stripping and grading, and some urged patience if the work could be completed by waiting for drier months.

After weighing durability and safety for the city’s roughly $500,000 playground project against the added contingency, a member moved to approve the Codell lime application as a final contingency to stabilize the fill and support construction; the motion carried.

What’s next: Contractor and staff will schedule the lime application during a suitable weather window and proceed with the remaining lifts and compaction testing. Staff and contractor said they will not attempt work during unsuitable weather and will re‑expose and cover work as necessary if storms occur.