The V.I. Port Authority Board of Governors on Thursday approved several action requests, including contract extensions and change orders, but postponed a decision on one item — a move that drew frustration from board Chair Willard John.

Tabled was the Frederiksted Waterfront Master Plan. Derek Gabriel, a board member and Public Works commissioner, said the way the plan was being handled could lead to confusion because the Master Plan covered property owned by the central government, not the Port Authority.

John said that, though he agreed with Gabriel’s points, he worried that if the project was tabled, nothing would happen. “I want to see something happen,” he said.

Approval would have allowed Moffatt & Nichol to provide planning services for the Frederiksted Waterfront, but not exceed $118,218 in expenses.

The staff report said, “Being that the Frederiksted Waterfront surrounds the Ann E. Abramson Cruise Pier, it is prudent for VIPA to engage in this planning study to identify opportunities to advance the economic and cultural viability of the Virgin Islands’ tourism industry.” The report added that Moffatt & Nichol, VIPA’s on-call Architectural-Engineering Consultant for Marine projects, has provided VIPA with a proposal including:

• Existing Conditions Assessment

• Market Assessment

• Program and Planning Framework Preparation

• Initial Pier and Waterfront Concepts

• Final Master Plan Preparation

The work was expected to be completed within 18 weeks after the task order was issued.

Moffatt & Nichol received approval for $410,255 for design and permitting services related to structural repairs for waterfront infrastructure in St. Thomas and St. John.

Eleven Construction received approval of a change order for the existing contract for the repairs to the Tender Landing Pier at the Ann E. Abramson Marine Facility, not to exceed $95,690 for costs associated with unforeseen subgrade conditions and port usage delays, and removal of one excess pile.

Eleven Construction also received a change order extending the timeline for finishing the above project.

The board also approved a contract between VIPA and NW Bend Boats, DBA North River Boats, to begin construction of two 40-foot pilot boats for a sum not to exceed $1,700,000 for the Marine Division.

Attending the meeting were board members John, Kevin Rodriquez, Leona Smith, Joseph Boschulte, and Derek Gabriel. Board member Gordon Rhea was absent.