Elevator Project at St. Paul's E&R

In 2007, St Paul's Council appointed a committee to study the current elevator, prepare specifications for bid, receive and analyze bids for the project and present its recommendation to the Council. Council authorized a Campaign to raise the needed funds to complete this important project.

Attached is a prepared list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs). If you have a question that is not covered, please contact a committee member.

When was the current elevator installed?

o October 1960

What kind of problems have we had with the elevator?

o It frequently fails to "level off". In other words, the elevator does not stop with its’ floor level with the buildings’ floor.

Is the elevator inspected annually? What do the inspection reports say about our elevator?

o Yes, it is inspected at least once each year. The reports indicate that the elevator is safe-to-ride but fails to meet certain code requirements.

Have there been any serious problems with the elevator?

o No, there have been no serious incidents such as someone stuck in the elevator or the elevator dropping unexpectedly to a lower level.

Is there anything unsafe about the elevator?

o No, except that it does not meet various code requirements.

What codes does the elevator fail to meet?

o National Electrical Code (NEC)

o National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)

o American National Standard Institute (ANSI) Safety Code for Elevators

How many elevator companies were contacted for a proposal to "modernize" our elevator?

o Three companies were contacted and all three companies submitted proposals to modernize our elevator: Otis Elevator Company (Dayton), Schindler Elevator Corporation (Cincinnati), and ThyssenKrupp Elevator Company (Cincinnati).

Did the Elevator Modernization Committee unanimously agree upon the selection of ThyssenKrupp’s proposal?

o Yes. They did so following a detailed "apples-to-apples" comparison of the three proposals. Subsequently, the Board of Trustees and the Church Council unanimously accepted the committee’s selection.

Why was ThyssenKrupp selected over the other two elevator companies?

o ThyssenKrupp’s proposal was between the highest of the three (Schlinder) and the lowest of the three (Otis). However, ThyssenKrupp’s sales representative, Mike Banet, showed more interest and cooperation during the selection process.

Who has been selected to do the electrical work and why were they selected?

o Carey Electric Company, Vandalia was chosen because ThyssenKrupp recommended them. They are familiar with the electrical wiring in elevator installations.

Did the Elevator Modernization Committee unanimously agree upon ThyssenKrupp’s recommendation for electrical contractor?

o Yes, without any objections. Subsequently, the Board of Trustees and the Church Council unanimously accepted the committee’s selection.

Has ThyssenKrupp installed any of their elevators in the immediate Piqua area?

o Yes. They installed the elevators in the Piqua Municipal Building. They are also in the process of installing the elevators in the Orr-Statler Renovation Project (Piqua Hotel).

Who authorized the elevator committee to study the current situation with our elevator?

o The Board of Trustees.

Who selected the members of the Elevator Modernization Committee?

o Each member volunteered for the committee. They are: George Ashton, Dave Griffin, Bob Heater, Maggie Mundhenk and Mona Walters.

Scope of the Work:

What all will be done by ThyssenKrupp? Will anything be retained? What will be replaced?

o The simple answer is this – what you see will be retained; what you cannot see will be replaced. Basically, all of the electronic controls will be replaced. Most importantly, a new hydraulic jack assembly will be installed. A summary of the new items is displayed on the bulletin board.

Will St. Paul’s be responsible for contracting any other work to complete the project?

o Yes. We definitely will be responsible for contracting the electrical work, used hydraulic oil removal work, installation of heat and smoke sensors, and installation of an emergency telephone. Other potential work could include asbestos removal and/or jack hole drilling.

What’s the likelihood that there is asbestos in the elevator shaft?

o There is no indication, at all, that any asbestos is present in the shaft.

Under what conditions would the jack hole have to be drilled?

o "The jack hole must be plumb and cased, or jacketed, to prevent the collapse of the hole once the existing jack is removed. It must also be clear of rock, water, concrete, debris or any other underground condition which hinders pulling the existing jack or installing the new jack or which alters the method required to complete the project."

How long will it take for the material to be ordered?

o Approximately four (4) months.

How long will it be to modernize our elevator?

o Approximately two (2) months.

Has Carey Electric installed electricity for any of ThyssenKrupp elevators in the immediate Piqua area?

o Yes. They are currently doing the electrical work for the elevators in the Orr-Statler Renovation Project.

Who has copies of the contract for me to study?

o Members of the Elevator Modernization Committee, Board of Trustees and Stewardship, to name a few.

The Actual Project:

When will the work actually take place?

o Work will commence January 2009 and be completed by March 2009.

When will the material be delivered?

o Material may be delivered as early as August 2008

Will St. Paul’s be responsible for the storage of the material?

o Yes. Arrangements are made to simply store the material in our basement.

Who will be overseeing the project?

o Many "sidewalk superintendents" are expected. However, the Board of Trustees will specifically be overseeing the work of the elevator company and the electrical contractor.

Since the elevator will be out-of-use for about two months, will other arrangements be made for church services?

o Yes. Plans are to use the Fellowship Hall for the time that the modernization project is taking place.

Cost of the Project:

How much will the total project cost?

o Approximately $100,000.

How much money does ThyssenKrupp want to furnish and install the equipment to modernize our elevator?

o $84,180.

What’s Carey Electric’s estimate to do their work?

o Initial (preliminary) estimate is for about $9,500.

What’s the estimate to remove the used hydraulic oil?

o A conservative estimate is $1,500.

What’s the estimate to drill the jack hole (if needed)?

o We have no estimate. On the other hand, we are somewhat confident that it will not be necessary based on date of installation of current elevator and visual inspection of the current jack assembly.

How much money did ThyssenKrupp require to start the project?

o At least 30% of the contract amount (i.e., $25,254)

When do we pay ThyssenKrupp for the material?

o We pay them 70% of the material amount at the time of delivery to the job site.

When will we pay ThyssenKrupp for the labor to do the work?

o We will be billed monthly as the job progresses starting in January 2009.

Funding of the Project:

Does St. Paul’s have enough money at this time to pay for the entire project?

o Not unless we deplete all monies contained in endowments. To deplete all of the monies would not be good stewardship. Furthermore, many of the endowments prohibit use of principle.

Do the Trustees of the church foresee any other major projects in the near future?

o Yes. A facility such as ours will always require regular maintenance of both the interior and exterior surfaces. At some point in the near future the roofs (both steep and built-up), gutters and downspouts, and stucco siding will require serious attention.

Are any existing funds currently available to the Trustees to cover foreseeable maintenance projects?

o Yes. Certain endowment funds are available.

Who are some of the charitable foundations in our area that might award us grants?

o Piqua Community Foundation; Miami County Foundation; Hartzell-Norris Foundation and Lungard Foundation to name a few. Application for theses various grants will be made according the respective requirements.

Who will be writing the applications for the various grants?

o Maggie Mundhenk and Mona Walters.

What other options are there to pay for the entire project?

o Church council recommends a combination of the following: partial use of endowment funds, bank loan (e.g., Line of Credit from Chase Bank), charitable foundation grants, and pledge campaign.

How much time can I take to pay my pledge to the Elevator Modernization Campaign?

o Payments should be made over a period of 36 months or less. A longer period may be arranged if necessary.

Is my pledge payment in addition to my regular offertory contribution?

o Yes. The Sunday offertory collection pays for the day-to-day operations of St. Paul’s while your pledge in this campaign will be used specifically for the modernization of the elevator.

Will I be sent payment reminders?

o Yes. Payment reminders will mailed to you in accordance with your payment plan.

Will my pledge be kept confidential?

o Yes. Whatever you decide to pledge to the Elevator Modernization Campaign will be held strictly confidential.

Is my pledge legally binding?

o No. Pledges are not legally binding but rather an indication of your intention.

Is my pledge payment tax deductible?

o Yes. Annual payments towards your pledge are deductible for tax purposes.

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