HomePage / Your Government / News & Events / Fire Station Rebuild to go to Alternative Approval Process

Fire Station Rebuild to go to Alternative Approval Process

Province gives statutory approval for borrowing bylaw

NEWS RELEASE - Distributed March 20, 2018 11:00 AM

Summary

The City of Nanaimo has been given statutory approval from the Province of BC for a borrowing bylaw to rebuild Fire Station #1. With this approval, the City will commence an Alternative Approval Process to gain permission from residents to borrow the necessary funds. The process begins Tuesday, April 3, 2018 and will run for one month.

The Fire Station #1 Borrowing Bylaw 2018 No. 7257 which received three readings of Council on February 19, 2018, will see the City borrowing a sum not exceeding $17,000,000, repayable over a period of no more than 20 years.

More information on the Alternative Approval Process will be released in the coming weeks. To stay up to date, visit the www.nanaimo.ca/goto/AAP

*Updated to reflect the borrowing will not directly impact taxes. Payments will come from the General Fund Asset Management Reserve Fund. Created in 2013, this Statutory Fund has an annual contribution from taxes each year.

Link to Strategic Plan: Rebuilding Fire Station #1 supports Public Safety and Asset Management.

Key Points

  • The Alternative Approval Process will run from Tuesday, April 3 through to Friday, May 4 at 4:30 p.m.
  • Residents who DO NOT wish to borrow the funds to rebuild Fire Station #1 may fill out an Elector Response Form and hand it in or mail it to City Hall. All forms must arrive by 4:30 p.m. on Friday, May 4, 2018. Forms can be mailed to the attention of the Corporate Officer, Legislative Services, City Hall, 455 Wallace Street, Nanaimo, BC V9R 5J6.
  • If 10% or more of eligible voters submit an Alternative Approval Process form in opposition, the borrowing bylaw will be brought back to Council to determine if Council would like to proceed with the matter and next steps.

Quotes

"Municipalities are required to obtain approval of the electors via Assent vote or Alternative Approval Process. In this instance, Council has chosen the Alternative Approval Process. Legislative Services staff will conduct the process in accordance with applicable legislation. Please stay up to date on the AAP by visiting the City website and following our social media channels."

Sheila Gurrie
City Clerk
City of Nanaimo

Quick Facts

  • Councils most commonly use an AAP to gauge public opinion - it is a less expensive option than using Assent Voting (also known as a Referendum) and can be used whenever the legislation requires the City to obtain permission from the electors.
  • During their meeting on Monday, February 19, 2018, Nanaimo City Council voted to conduct an Alternative Approval Process to gain permission from residents to borrow funds for the rebuild of Fire Station #1. The bylaw was then sent to the Province for their approval.
-30-

Contact:

Sheila Gurrie
City Clerk
City of Nanaimo
250-755-4494

Print News Release

Is there anything wrong with this page?

Help us improve our website

Don't include private or financial information in this form.
Collection and use of your personal information

Information collected on this form is done so under the general authority of the Community Charter and Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FOIPPA), and is protected in accordance with FOIPPA. Questions about the collection of your personal information may be referred to the Legislative Services Department at 250-755-4405, or via email at foi@nanaimo.ca. Please also see our Privacy Policy.