WAPA board approved contract, fuel and financing items at Nov. 30 meeting

Official document: https://www.viwapa.vi/docs/default-source/news-(docs)/press-release---wapa-governing-board-approves-key-items.pdf?sfvrsn=e2e358d0_2

Archive page: https://www.viwapa.vi/news-information/press-releases/press-release-details/2022/11/30/wapa-governing-board-approves-key-items

The Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority’s governing board approved several contract, fuel and financing items during its Nov. 30, 2022, meeting, according to the authority.

The board approved a 46-day no-cost time extension for the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga’s archaeological services contract tied to the Cruz Bay Underground Project, moving the contract end date from Dec. 31, 2022, to Feb. 15, 2023. WAPA said Phase 1, Feeder 7E of the project was 97% complete and was expected to be finished by the end of 2022.

The board also approved a $1.32 million increase for the Cruz Bay Underground Project for scope changes related to the discovery of human remains along Strande Gade and Bay Street near the St. John Cemetery.

In other action, the board authorized WAPA’s chief executive officer and executive director to contract with Aggreko LLC for a two-year lease under the same terms as the existing lease, with two changes: a monthly capacity charge of no more than $28.67 per kilowatt-month in the first year and $27.36 per kilowatt-month in the second year, and an exit option beginning after month 12. Under that option, WAPA could end the lease for a payment of $656,160, declining by $54,680 each month during months 13 through 24.

The board also authorized the chief executive officer and executive director to purchase propane in an amount not to exceed $500,000 per day from Carib LPG, Rubis, Antilles/Parkland or Polaris. WAPA said that authorization was temporary and expired on Jan. 6, 2023.

The board approved an increase in WAPA’s Geographic Information System contract with Symbiosa to $6,697,419.52 from $6,687,594.35 to cover higher material costs. WAPA said the increase was fully funded by FEMA grants.

The board also approved extending FirstBank lines of credit and an overdraft facility through April 30, 2023, at a cost not to exceed $120,000.