Members of the Senate Committee on Budget, Appropriations, and Finance approved leases for a helicopter pad and a weather tower fixture Friday, but held the one requested by the WSTA radio station in committee.
The lease for parcels the WSTA Radio station uses in Submarine Base substantially differs from the lease agreement the station previously had with the territory.
Sen. Kurt Vialet was among the senators who praised testifier Peter Ottley, president of WSTA Radio, for keeping the radio station on the air during hurricanes. Sen. Ray Fonseca said the station has comforted residents during storms.
However, senators disagreed on how to proceed with the lease of a third of an acre of government land at No. 121 Submarine Base, St. Thomas, for $30,000 annually.
According to the post-audit report presented to the senators, “The lease agreement presents several internal inconsistencies that warrant closer examination, particularly regarding provisions related to assignment, transfer, and subleasing. Subsection (a) of Section 3.01 stipulates that in the event the Lessee assigns or transfers the lease, the annual rent shall increase from $30,000 to $90,000 — a 200% escalation.” It added that this “appears to deviate from standard leasing practices historically administered by the Department of Property and Procurement”
As for the helipad lease, the post audit report said it “represents a forward-thinking initiative to enhance emergency medical response and interisland transportation within the Virgin Islands.”
Several senators question why Caribbean Buzz, an established, FAA-approved helicopter operator, did not already have agreements with local medical facilities regarding medical transportation.
Vincent Richards, assistant commissioner of the Property and Procurement Department, testified that though Caribbean Buzz might someday have such transportation agreements, that discussion “was not what we are here for today.”
Charlotte Van Heurck, whose parents founded Caribbean Buzz, testified, “This lease is more than a land-use arrangement – it represents a vital solution to a long-standing challenge faced by residents, visitors, and emergency responders on the island of St. John.”
The lease is for part of No. 3B Estate Susannaberg, Cruz Bay Quarter, St. John, to operate and manage a helicopter transportation service at the existing helipad.
Few questions were asked about the lease agreement between the government and NOAA for a portion of the telecommunications tower located on Parcel R-22 of tract 1, Estate Nazareth, No. 1 Redhook Quarter, St. Thomas. The lease is for 20 years, at an annual rent of $1,200. NOAA shall use it to receive and transmit weather information.
Sens. Hubert Frederick, Marvin Blyden, Dwayne DeGraff, Ray Fonseca, Novelle Francis Jr., Marise James, Milton Potter, and Kurt Vialet attended the meeting.
St. Croix Source
Local government, Local news
