A lengthy meeting on St. Thomas this week allowed the V.I. Port Authority board to take action on several leases, insurance renewals and new fee proposals, along with issues related to everything from dredging permits to upgrading a few of the authority’s job classifications.
On the issue of dredging, the board authorized the VIPA’s executive director to acquire an ocean dumping permit from the Army Corps of Engineers that will address the issue of where to put any future dredge spoils from Port Authority projects. Board members explained during the meeting that the authority can now only place its dredge spoils in a small spot of land near St. Croix’s Henry E. Rohlsen Airport.
The authority detailed in April plans to dredge the East Gregerie Channel in Crown Bay and perform some maintenance dredging at St. Croix’s Gordon A. Finch Molasses Pier. In a recent news release, VIPA Executive Director Carlton Dowe announced that a joint application to the V.I. Coastal Zone Management Commission and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers was submitted by the port for 11 meters worth of dredging in the East Gregerie Channel and the north side of the Crown Bay cruise ship dock.
Dowe has said that dredging in the area will allow "existing and future" cruise ships to berth at the dock and help them to navigate the channel safely when entering and leaving. Dowe told board members during the meeting this week that the dredging application has been deemed complete by the Army Corps.
A public notice of the application will be issued, with a public hearing to follow.
In other action, the board approved:
-a contract with Ricondo & Associates to perform an aviation industry study that would include on overview of the market along with an analysis of potential rates;
-a contract with Bermello Ajamil & Partners for a marine industry rate study;
-a renewal of the authority’s marine liability insurance policies from June 10, 2013, through June 10, 2014. Renewal rate is $452,333.56 with the broker of Nausch, Hogan and Murray. Board members said there will be no increases on renewal premiums;
– a renewal of the authority’s property and terrorism liability insurance policies with Theodore Tunick & Company;
– a five year lease for FS Islander Holdings, doing business as Sotheby’s International Realty for space at the Red Hook ferry terminal. The company is required to complete construction on the space as a condition of the lease;
– a lease for Patrick Bellantoni at the Red Hook ferry terminal for vacant food vending space. The lease is for three years, with a three-year option to renew, at a rate of $797.89 per month;
– a payment plan for Rush It Inc, doing business as Padgett Transport, for outstanding rent owed for space at the Cyril E. King Airport. The plan would require the company to pay $500 per month on a payment plan in addition to current monthly rental amount of $2,900;
– the implementation of a water tour operator fee of $5 per passenger at the Austin Babe Monsanto Marine Terminal in Crown Bay;
– a supplemental agreement with URS Caribe in the amount of $46,240 for design, bidding and construction phase services to replace the entire security fence of the Cyril E. King Airport;
-directing the executive director to enter into a contract with Sixel Consulting Services to provide aviation professional services that would bring in more air traffic to St. Croix;
– $25,000 per island for VIPA’s summer employment program;
-hiring a harbor pilot that would be stationed on St. Croix but trained to work in both districts. The starting salary will be $30,000 and, upon completion of apprenticeship, will increase to the starting salary of a harbor pilot;
-upgrading the accounting manager position to the “accounting and business affairs manager”;
-reinstating a fourth crew chief position for Rohlsen Airport;
-an upgrade to the current "marine mechanic" job position to “chief marine mechanic.”
The board denied a request from MSI Building Supplies Inc. for a five-year extension of its lease. They also denied a request for Tibbar Energy USVI to lease property at the Henry E. Rohlsen Airport, but said the company could submit another proposal.
