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County and ABM agree on phased plan for courthouse boilers and jail HVAC; commissioners approve 120‑day extension for ABM project
Summary
ABM updated the court on relief-valve replacements for courthouse boilers and options for jail air‑handling units; county requested written continuous-work schedules and closer coordination with the sheriff. The court also authorized a 120‑day extension for ABM on a large construction contract, while urging stricter oversight and review of contractor bonds if performance does not improve.
Representatives from ABM briefed the Nueces County Commissioners Court on two active infrastructure issues at county facilities: replacement of relief valves on the courthouse boiler system and installation of jail air‑handling units and smoke‑purge equipment.
ABM said manufacturer and third‑party engineering documentation support changing relief valves from 30 PSI to 15 PSI, and that valve replacement work is planned sequentially (boiler 3 first), with roughly three days' work per boiler under the proposed method. County staff and commissioners insisted on written schedules, continuous execution (not stop‑start), and direct coordination with the jail and sheriff’s office to avoid unacceptable inmate relocation or extended downtime. ABM agreed to provide a written timeline and improved lines of communication; county staff will inspect progress.
On jail air handling and smoke purge systems, ABM reported equipment has been received and that scheduling will be revised after further meetings with the sheriff’s office to minimize inmate disruption; multiple shifts and escorted access were discussed.
Separately, the court authorized the county judge to sign, as prepared by county attorneys, a 120‑day extension for ABM on a large construction contract where a prior extension was set to expire. Commissioners voiced frustration with contractor performance and discussed possible use of performance bonds if problems persist, but approved the extension to avoid an immediate $7 million shortfall that could otherwise fall to the county to complete partially finished projects.
The court required ABM to return with written schedules and committed to heightened oversight; commissioners asked county attorneys to prepare the formal extension instrument for the judge’s signature and to bring any future substantive performance issues back to the court for action.
