2 Board Officers Elected. 3 Runway Resurfacing. 4 Doing Business with VIPA. 5 Earl Finch Pilot Boat Christening. 6 Authority Figures.

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1 A PUBLICATION OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS PORT AUTHORITY Volume 7 Issue 1 April 2011 VIPA Uses $2.9 Million ARRA Grant to Install One of the Largest Solar Power Systems in the Caribbean at CEKA The Virgin Islands Port Authority is proud to be a partner in the territory s efforts to reduce the use of oil-powered energy at its port facilities, and use the power of one the U.S. Virgin Islands most abundantly available natural resources: the sun. VIPA partnered with the Virgin Islands Energy Office and the Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority and received a $2.9 million American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) grant via the VI Energy Office. The grant was used to install a photovoltaic solar power generation system to reduce the amount of electricity drawn from WAPA to power the Cyril King Airport terminal and runway lights. URS Corporation, VIPA s CEKA consultant, was awarded $144,530 to provide the design and project specifications. All Rounder Systems, LLC with Veterans General Contracting, LLC was awarded $2,804,470 to build the solar panel system. This project is one of the largest solar panel projects in the Caribbean and the largest in the U.S. Virgin Islands thus far, said Don Buchanan of the VI Energy Office. The array of rectangular panels measure 1,500 feet long by 14 feet wide and was installed over an old drainage system adjacent to the airport taxiway. The panels will generate about 450 kilowatts of power enough to power 100 standard residential homes per day. This is expected to lower the airport s monthly power bill by at continued on page 2 2 Board Officers Elected 3 Runway Resurfacing 4 Doing Business with VIPA 5 Earl Finch Pilot Boat Christening 6 Authority Figures 7 Employee News 8 New Fire Trucks Virgin Islands Port Authority VIRGIN ISLANDS PORT AUTHORITY P.O. Box St. Thomas, VI Tel: (340) / Fax: (340) info@viport.com Internet:

2 THE VIRGIN ISLANDS PORT AUTHORITY P.O , St. Thomas, VI Tel: (340) / Fax: (340) Web site: info@viport.com MR. ROBERT O CONNOR, JR. Chairman of the Board Private Sector Member, St. John THE HONORABLE BEVERLY NICHOLSON-DOTY Vice Chairwoman of the Board Commissioner of Tourism THE HONORABLE DARRYL A. SMALLS, P.E. Secretary of the Board Commissioner of Public Works THE HONORABLE ALBERT BRYAN, JR. Chairman, Economic Development Authority Board and Commissioner of Labor THE HONORABLE VINCENT FRAZER, ESQ. USVI Attorney General MR. CASSAN PANCHAM Private Sector Member, St. Thomas DR. YVONNE E. L. THRAEN Private Sector Member, St. Thomas MR. GORDON A. FINCH Private Sector Member, St. Croix MR. KENN HOBSON Executive Director MR. DAVID W. MAPP Assistant Executive Director VIPA Going Green continued from page 1 least 15 percent, which VIPA Engineering Director Dale Gregory estimates to be about $50,000 to $75,000 in savings. VIPA s board approved the project in Sept and it will be completed by April 30, The Port Authority has initiated several other energy efficiency projects, with advisement from the federal and local Energy Offices and the Energy Development in Island Nations, including: New meter installations at CEKA, HERA and the Crown Bay Center mall to monitor power usage. An energy efficiency audit and day-lighting plan for the HERA Terminal to try to reduce the $4.5 million spent on energy bills in Solar-powered street and parking lot lights at CEKA and the Theovald Moorehead Marine Facility at Enighed Pond, St. John were installed and funded entirely by the Port Authority. All future port developments will be energy-conscious, said VIPA Executive Director Kenn Hobson. The Authority is committed to going green and we will move forward with projects and new operating procedures aimed at reducing energy consumption at all our port facilities. For tips on how you can do your part as a consumer to join the going green campaign, visit New Board Officers Elected Officers of the board are elected by VIPA s board members at the first board meeting of the year. MONIFA A. MARRERO Public Information Officer Editor & Layout ASSISTANT EDITORS Gail Chinnery, Byron Todman Denise Mills & Julice Harley-Powell VIRGIN ISLANDS PORT Robert O Connor Jr. Board Chairman Private Citizen, St. John Beverly Nicholson-Doty Board Vice Chairwoman Tourism Commissioner Darryl A. Smalls, P.E. Board Secretary Public Works Commissioner 2 VIPA Portfolio, Volume 8, No. 1, Spring 2011

3 CEKA Resurfacing Completed, HERA Resurfacing Begins CYRIL E. KING AIRPORT, ST. THOMAS The Virgin Islands Port Authority has made it a priority to upgrade the territory s airport runways. Paving of the Cyril E. King Airport Runway on St. Thomas which began in March 2010 is substantially completed, and VIPA has already begun the paving of the Henry E. Rohlsen Airport Runway on St. Croix. VIPA Executive Director Kenn Hobson said that Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspectors found several areas of pavement failure on the runway at the HERA during an annual certification inspection last year. "The majority of the runway that is being repaired was last resurfaced in the 1970's. The repairs are necessary to ensure the safety of travelers and aircraft using the Rohlsen airport," said Hobson. The HERA runway paving project was started on Jan. 20th and should take about 270 days to complete. The Port Authority hired VI Paving, Inc. to perform the work which will be done six days a week from 10 p.m. through 5 a.m. Mondays thru Saturdays. VIPA was awarded a $7.1 million Airport Improvement Project (AIP) grant from the FAA to fund the design and construction phases of the project. The FAA will fund 95 percent of the project and VIPA will fund five percent from its HENRY E. ROHLSEN AIRPORT, ST. CROIX fiscal year 2011 capital improvements budget. VI Paving also performed the repairs of the Cyril E. King Airport runway and will close out the project after completion of some minor electrical work. The entire project costs about $15 million and was also funded through an FAA AIP grant in which the FAA paid 95 percent of the costs and VIPA paid the remainder. Hobson said the agency has more plans for improvement of its St. Thomas airport. VIPA is using an $819,851 FAA grant received in March 2010 to conduct a passenger terminal study and pavement management plan for CEKA. The pavement management plan will identify shortterm and long-range maintenance and rehabilitation requirements, along with maintenance policies and a budget for maintenance costs. Hobson said the pavement program will provide VIPA with a maintenance schedule for the King runway and maximize the consistency and reliability of the runway pavement for another 20 years. The grant also provides funding for a terminal study to examine the entire CEKA terminal foot print and recommend a reorganization/expansion plan to include expansion in phases and a financial program to fund the improvements. Virgin Islands Port Authority 3

4 Doing Business With VIPA January 2011 Board Actions Meeting was canceled due to a lack of a quorum. February 2011 Board Actions Board officers elected-chair: Robert O'Connor Jr.; Vice Chair: Beverly Nicholson-Doty; Secretary: Darryl A. Smalls. Approved the alteration of the UV Fredericks Marine Terminal parking lot to build a bus stop. VI Water & Power Authority: Approved request to waive $1,600 of rent for repairs to parking lot in the past and to pay remaining outstanding rents in installments; approved tenant's request to reverse finance charges on delayed reimbursement of repairs to roof leaks and parking lot repairs; and denied request to waive remaining finance charges for late payment of rent and/or non-payment of rent. Approved Seaflight lease of hangar and office space at HERA for three years with one three-year option. Reaffirmed intention to uphold its Nov. 17, 2010 decision to evict residents of the Bournefield. Notices to Quit will be issued on March 31, Awarded $243,100 contract to URS Corp. for design work to repair the CEKA terminal roof. Awarded $625,000 contract to HCS Consulting & Marine Construction to dredge the East Gregorie Channel to -10 meters to accommodate Princess Cruise Line ships. Directed that no lease to be assigned to VI Waste Management Authority until approved by FAA. Approved marine tariff terminology changes: Facility Use Fee (formerly wharfage) and Harbor Use Fee (formerly tonnage) Adhere to arbitration order of ARFF, Law Enforcement Officers and Aviation unions to increase salaries to step from 2007 through February 2011 Special Board Meeting Actions Forestalled Bournefield evictions by 60 days. Formed board ad-hoc committee to develop procedure for possible merger of VIPA and the West Indian Company, Ltd. Postponed discussions of marine tariff changes with Florida-Caribbean Association officials. March 2011 Board Actions Accept CH2M Hill Marine Rates study with the exception of the St. Croix cruise ship fee. Bournefield Housing: Rescinded eviction notices issued in Nov. 2010; establish a policy to include: (1) the gradual & eventual conversion of Bournefield from residential use to a use compatible with airport infrastructure support; (2) establish operational & maintenance procedures to ensure that units at Bournefield are maintained by established USVI housing standards; and (3) to provide relocation guideline assistance for residents of Bournefield where possible. Changed terms of UVF Marine Terminal food vendor's rent increase to be adjusted via CPI. Crown Bay Center: Established guidelines and rates for special events, and market Bldg. H as "Crown Bay Expo Center;" established overnight parking policy and fees; and authorized developing a security plan to provide additional security overnight and for ship days. Approved kiosk agreement renewals for Joann Warner and Ana C. Ortiz. All kiosks agreement terms changed from one year to two-year terms and tenants required to provide sales reports. Approved office space for VI Board of Elections at Crown Bay Center. Awarded $88,695 contract to PBS&J for the design of the Container Port General Cargo Bldg. fire protection system. Approved three change orders for public parking lot project at Enighed Pond; contract amount changed to $1,178, Approved $387, CEKA Runway Rehabilitation project s only and final change order to complete additional work as required by FAA. Approved Container Port change order to repair apron to include fuel fill station. Approved St. Croix Navigational Aids replacement project change order #1 to increase contract to $255,220. Approved hiring a governing board administrative officer. 4 VIPA Portfolio, Volume 8, No. 1, Spring 2011

5 New Pilot Boat Named in Honor of Former St. Croix Marine Manager VIPA officials and employees, family and friends of Earl Larry Finch attended the March 3rd christening ceremony of VIPA s newest pilot boat to service the ports of St. Croix - named in honor of Finch who served as VIPA s St. Croix marine manager for 13 years. Finch is a native of St. Thomas and a graduate of Charlotte Amalie High School Class of He attended college, then served in the US military from in Vicenza, Italy as a ballistic missile repair man. Finch was employed by VIPA on St. Thomas in January 1969 and worked as an engineering draftsman, assistant surveyor and construction inspector. In 1975 he transferred to St. Croix to be the inspector on the restoration of the Henry E. Rohlsen Airport west taxiway. In 1986 Finch was promoted to the position of St. Croix marine manager. He was responsible for overseeing the operations of all public seaport facilities owned by the Port Authority on St. Croix. Finch s extensive aviation knowledge also allowed him to serve as the acting airport manager on St. Croix on many occasions. He retired in November 1999 after 30 years and 10 months of dedicated service. A Timely Gift Cyril E. King Airport Manager Jose Nazario represented the VI Port Authority at a ceremony to accept the donation of a four-dial clock at the St. Thomas airport to commemorate Rotary International s centennial celebration. The clock costs $25,000 and was paid for by Rotary fundraisers and donations. USVI Showcased at 2011 Seatrade Convention The Virgin Islands Port Authority and the Virgin Islands Department of Tourism partnered again to promote the U.S. Virgin Islands as a premier cruise destination at the annual Seatrade Cruise Shipping Convention. The event was held March 15th through March 17th at the Miami Beach Convention Center in Miami Beach, Fla. The USVI booth was located in the Caribbean Village area of the exhibit floor in the front row amongst other Caribbean ports. Visitors were able to collect brochures and DVD s about the territory s ports, things to do and off-ship excursions while visiting the U.S. Virgin Islands. Entertainment included mocko jumbie dancers, live steel pan music and Cruzan Rum tasting. Virgin Islands Port Authority 5

6 Milton Potter is the VI Port Authority s Director of Human Resources. Potter supervises the VIPA personnel office which serves Port Authority employees on St. Thomas, St. Croix and St. John. He is responsible for recruiting qualified candidates for employment and manages existing human resources of the Authority. As director of human resources, Potter also plans and executes all internal, local and federal personnel polices. He represents the Authority in matters concerning federal and local employee laws, contracts and union grievances, as well as all community programs related to VIPA s employees. Potter reports to the executive director. Vickeé Armstrong, CSM, CMD is the General Manager of the Crown Bay District on St. Thomas. Armstrong is the property manager for the surrounding areas of the Crown Bay district, including the 55,000 square feet mall known as the Crown Bay Center at the Austin Babe Monsanto Marine Terminal. She supervises a staff of five employees and implements operating policies, budgets and manages tenant relations. She also develops marketing programs in conjunction with VIPA s long term goals of enhancing the value of the properties in the Crown Bay district and promoting the Crown Bay Center mall. Armstrong reports to the executive director. Alpheaus Lindsey is the VI Port Authority s Information Systems Manager. Lindsey, more commonly known as Rush, directs all information systems operations including computer systems and provides technical support, analysis and programming. He also directs database management, telecommunications, all technical training programs and microcomputer equipment acquisition for the Port Authority. Lindsey has one assistant and together they provide technical assistance for all VIPA offices on St. Thomas, St. Croix and St. John. He reports to the director of administration and finance. Arnold Payne, St. Croix Airport Rescue and Fire Fighter Chief, commands all aircraft related incidents at the Henry E. Rohlsen Airport and within a three-mile perimeter of the airport. He is also charged with developing new policies and changes as it relates to ARFF operations, and monitors fire prevention programs at the airport. Payne oversees a staff of 14 firefighters which is divided into three shifts supervised by two crew chiefs and one acting crew chief. He is responsible for ensuring his staff is trained according to Federal Aviation Administration regulations He also supervises two airfield ramp controllers. Airport fire fighters perform fire safety inspections of aviation-related leased tenant facilities, and also serve as the airport s emergency first responders. Payne reports to the assistant executive director. 6 VIPA Portfolio, Volume 8, No. 1, Spring 2011

7 Personnel changes from January 2010 through March 2011 CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR PROMOTIONS Marcus J. Compton, from harbor pilot trainee to harbor pilot, STT Rueben Jennings, from senior bookkeeper to accountant II Michelle M. Johnson, from administrative secretary to management assistant Arnold Payne, from acting airport rescue fighter (ARFF) chief to ARFF chief Queen Ivory Jahmi Rhasba, from senior bookkeeper to accountant Aisha de Parrilla-Rhymer, from airport fire fighter trainee to airport rescue fire fighter Russell E. Smith, from acting lieutenant to lieutenant law enforcement officer, STT Marisa R. Turnbull-Smith, from airport operations clerk to administrative assistant NEW EMPLOYEES Milton Potter, human resources director Veronica Vickeé Armstrong, Crown Bay general manager Alpheaus Lindsey, information systems officer Peter D Abreau, senior bookkeeper, accounting Herle Carol Howe, senior bookkeeper, accounting Lelia Christopher, law enforcement officer, STT Jalaunie George, law enforcement officer, STT Rudolph Hyndman, law enforcement officer, STT Natalie Joseph, law enforcement officer, STT Quianah Molyneaux, law enforcement officer, STT Ryan Thomas, law enforcement officer, STT Keith Reed, law enforcement officer, STT Jarmel Rubaine, law enforcement officer, STT Victor Graham, law enforcement officer, STX Robert Tonachel, harbor pilot, STT/STJ Gregory George, dockmaster, STT Eric Mollah, dockmaster, STT Lornette Elaine Penn, dockmaster, STJ Wilfred Fuentes Santos, coxswain, STX Rudolph Dunlop Jr., marine facilities caretaker, STT Elton Jones, marine facilities caretaker, STT Shandel Edwards, marine facilities caretaker, STJ Rodney Gumbs, maintenance assistant, STT Omari Randolph, ramp controller, CEKA Shawn Sutton, ramp controller, HERA Kareem McKenzie, airport security clerk, CEKA Charlene Claxton, airport security monitor, CEKA Sherifa Gumbs, airport security monitor CEKA Carla Marsham, airport security monitor, CEKA Samuel Rodriguez, custodian, CEKA Claudette Christian, custodian, CEKA Glynn Theodore, custodian, HERA Kenny John, general maintenance worker, STX Clement Magloire, electrician, maintenance, STX RESIGNATIONS Andrea Penn, federal projects coordinator Fernando Cabret Jr., equipment dispatcher, maintenance, STX George Richards, refrigeration helper, STT Dorian Foster, law enforcement officer, STT *deceased Steve Miller, airport security monitor, STT RETIREES Joseph Cranston Sr., special assistant to the executive director Thomas Richards, maintenance painter, STT DECEASED Lisa Gumbs Penn, dockmaster, STT VIRGIN ISLANDS PORT Virgin Islands Port Authority 7

8 Three New Airport Fire Trucks The Virgin Islands Port Authority purchased three new 1,500- gallon Oshkosh Striker fire trucks for its airport rescue and fire fighting departments on St. Thomas and St. Croix. The fire fighters at the Cyril E. King Airport received one of the trucks plus a Ford Danko F-550 quick dash truck. The Henry E. Rohlsen Airport fire squad has two new Striker trucks and a quick dash. St. Croix now has three trucks and one quick dash, and St. Thomas has four trucks and one quick dash. VIPA must update its fire trucks based on the Federal Aviation Administration s Code of Federal Regulations Part 139 requirements. Trucks typically last 10 years, said VIPA ARFF Chief Derek Smith. VIPA awarded a $2,372,367 contract in August 2009 to Oshkosh to purchase the three new 1,500-gallon trucks. The trucks were custom-built and delivered to the territory in late The FAA paid 95 percent of the cost for the trucks and VIPA paid the balance. Since 2009, the Virgin Islands Port Authority and its employees have been committed to assisting the American Cancer Society via fundraising activities and participation in the Relay For Life cancer benefits on St. Thomas and St. Croix. VIPA has signed on this year as a gold sponsor of the St. Thomas event and has contributed $1,275 to sponsor the benefit. Relay For Life walkathons will be held May 14th and 15th at the Educational Complex on St. Croix, and at the Charlotte Amalie High School track on St. Thomas on June 25th and 26th. EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS ARE YOU READY? Emergencies and natural disasters usually occur when least expected. Be prepared for the unexpected by preparing a disaster supply kit. Assemble supplies you might need in an evacuation. Store them in an easy-to-carry container and include: A supply of water (one gallon per person per day). Store water in sealed, unbreakable containers. Identify the storage date and replace every six months. A supply of non-perishable packaged or canned food and a non-electric can opener. A change of clothing, rain gear and sturdy shoes. Blankets or sleeping bags. A first aid kit and prescription medications. An extra pair of glasses. A battery-powered radio, flashlight & extra batteries. Credit cards and cash. An extra set of car keys. A list of family physicians. A list of important family information. The style and serial number of medical devices such as pacemakers. Special items for infants, elderly or disabled family members. A complete checklist is provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) at 8 VIPA Portfolio, Volume 8, No. 1, Spring 2011