The V.I. Port Authority’s governing board voted Wednesday to increase by 2.5 percent across the board the pay of nonunion directors and managers employed by the Port Authority. The board discussed and made the decision in executive session after a very busy public meeting, where the board approved an array of contracts and actions.
Reporting on actions taken in the executive session after it was over, VIPA attorney Don Mills said the pay raise would affect about a dozen VIPA employees and cost roughly $63,000 annually in total.
While in executive session to discuss personnel matters, the board also voted to increase the pay of a senior custodial worker who Mills said was "woefully underpaid."
The board also approved:
– the lease of St. Thomas airport space to SITA Information Networking Computing USA Inc. for a three-year term at $500 per month to place a cabinet to house aircraft communicative automotive reporting system;
– the lease of St. Thomas airline counter space to Aviation Partners of Boynton Beach LLC., doing business as Hummingbird Air, for a three-year term at $1,000 per month to operate a charter airline;
– amending the use provision in the lease agreement between VIPA and V.I. Industrial Park Corporation to allow subletting to companies in aquaponics and related industries;
– a request for Polaris Engineering Inc. to lease 53,040 square feet at the Gordon A. Finch Molasses Pier to build and house 12 liquid petroleum gas storage tanks for the V.I. Water and Power Authority for 10 years with a 10-year option at $39,780 per year with a CPI increase every three years;
– and allowing subletting in lease agreement between VIPA and V.I. Finest food – pending a letter from the tenant requesting the change in the lease language.
The board also approved several construction contracts and amendments, including:
– a change order with J. Benton Construction, contractor for roof repairs at the St. Croix airport, adding $17,402 to the cost. Changes included modification in design and increased scope of work to cover concrete that supports air handler units on the terminal roof;
– awarding a St. Croix airport parking lot and roadway lighting contract to Sol Inc. to provide upgraded solar lights to safely illuminate CEKA’s parking lot and roadway. This procurement contract is in the amount of $92,555. VIPA will be able to utilize existing poles and will install new solar lights in-house;
– a change order with URS Caribe LLP in the amount of $46,411 for additional design and construction administration services for St. Croix airport baggage claim renovations and to address safety and security concerns expressed by TSA regarding enclosure of baggage belts.
The board also approved hiring a temporary engineering associate for six months at $35,000 per year.
