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Commissioners approve expedited KONE contracts to repair flood-damaged courthouse elevators
Summary
Oklahoma County commissioners approved amended contracts with KONE and authorized expedited overtime to repair flood-damaged courthouse elevators, aiming to have elevators operational the first week of August ahead of jury trials; funding will come from unallocated capital while insurance reimbursement with Zurich remains uncertain.
Oklahoma County commissioners on the morning of July 15 approved amended contracts with KONE to repair flood-damaged elevators in the courthouse and authorized expedited overtime to push completion into the first week of August.
The commissioners voted to receive amended contract documents and then to approve two companion contract items related to the elevator repairs (items 36 and 37 on the agenda). The county’s facilities staff said the base KONE contract is about $175,000 and that expedited overtime work could add roughly $90,000 to the bill.
County facilities staff said crews have already mobilized in the alley and the annex, and that one bank of annex elevators will be shut down during work. Staff said removing informational screens and related cabinetry in the courthouse will reveal the hoistway outer doors where a new elevator car will be installed, work that is intended to save money on the KONE contract.
The commissioners were repeatedly told that the expedited schedule is intended to restore elevator service before jury trials resume. County staff identified August 25 as the first day of resumed jury trials; with overtime, KONE expects the work to be completed in the first week of August.
Staff asked the commissioners to fund the expedited costs from the commissioners’ unallocated capital while they press the county’s insurance carrier, Zurich, for reimbursement. Facilities staff said Zurich has been notified but had not yet agreed to advance or guarantee payment for the expedited costs.
Commissioners and staff discussed operational risks if elevators fail before repairs are complete. Staff warned that if the courthouse loses elevator service it would be unable to meet Americans with Disabilities Act requirements and would be forced to curtail hearings, jury operations and other courthouse functions until elevator service is restored.
The board voted to receive the amended contracts and then approve items 36 and 37. Commissioners directed staff to continue pursuing insurance reimbursement and to coordinate with KONE and the county’s owner’s representative, Bill White, on scheduling and any potential reimbursement negotiations.
Funding and final cost remain contingent on Zurich’s response; county staff said the county will initially use unallocated capital to advance work but will seek to recover expedited expenses from insurance.
