Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Detention Elevator Failure topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Detention-center elevators fail safety tests; county seeks expedited repairs
Summary
The Oklahoma County Detention Center reported multiple elevator safety failures, leaving one secured elevator operational; county maintenance presented a KONE modernization proposal and commissioners discussed emergency measures and expedited infrastructure review.
Donald Brassy, director of maintenance at the Oklahoma County Detention Center, told county commissioners that recent safety testing found all five secured elevators had failed inspection, leaving a single secured elevator available for inmate movement, medical transports and court movement. "All 5 of our elevators had failed the test," Brassy said, and two were red-tagged after the most recent inspection.
Brassy presented a proposal from KONE for modernization of the three secured elevators and said the vendors price had increased roughly $100,000 since an earlier quote. He warned that replacement parts for some components are no longer manufactured and that a full modernization would require extended lead time: "They have 18 weeks per unit plus 2 weeks for testing," he said. KONE also indicated it had proposed cannibalizing parts from one unit to restore another temporarily.
Commissioners and staff described the situation as urgent. A commissioner asked whether any nonsecure elevators could be used for food or medical movement; Brassy explained those nonsecure units are too small and have lower weight capacity, making them unsuitable for inmate transportation. Board members discussed calling a special infrastructure meeting and a special budget meeting to accelerate the procurement and funding process. "Because of the amount, we would have to put this to bid," one member said, noting the possible exception if a vendor on state contract is available.
County officials confirmed KONE conducted the most recent testing and that the clerk's office could provide copies of testing documentation and the vendor proposal. Commissioners asked for immediate interim repairs where possible and for infrastructure staff to prepare a detailed scope and cost estimate to present at a special meeting.
No funding motion or final procurement decision was taken at the meeting; the board moved to "receive" the report and referred the matter to the infrastructure committee for expedited review. Next steps identified on the record were: provide the KONE proposal and test reports to commissioners, have infrastructure and procurement assess options, and schedule special meetings to consider emergency repairs or modernization funding.
