Alternative Approval Process for Nanaimo Operations Centre begins next week

Residents invited to attend Public Works tours, info sessions

NEWS RELEASE - Distributed January 10, 2024 1:15 PM

Summary

An Alternative Approval Process (AAP) to gain permission from residents to borrow an amount not to exceed $48,500,000 to finance the cost of construction of Phase 1 of the Nanaimo Operation Centre (Public Works yard) begins on Thursday, Jan. 18, 2024. Eligible voters in Nanaimo will have a 34-day period to oppose the borrowing bylaw and may do so by filling out a response form which will be available to pick up at City Hall or can be printed off from the City website beginning on Jan. 18, 2024.

As in an election, each eligible voter is permitted one response. Completed forms must be dropped off or mailed to City Hall by 4:30 pm on Tuesday, Feb. 20, 2024. The City cannot accept copies of forms or forms that are emailed or faxed.

The City is hosting information sessions and tours of the Public Works yard for residents to learn more about the project, the services Public Works provides and the AAP. Residents are invited to attend the following:

Thursday, Jan. 18 at 7 p.m.: Council Workshop and Information Session. Tune in or come in person to a Special Governance and Priorities Committee meeting to see presentations about the project and ask questions in the Vancouver Island Conference Centre's Shaw Auditorium.
Saturday, Jan. 20 and Wednesday, Jan. 31, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.: Public Works Tours. Register for a 45-minute guided tour of Nanaimo's Public Works yard. Space is limited. Registration is required for this free tour at recreation.nanaimo.ca or call 250-756-5200 (Use the keyword "Public Works" when searching)
Thursday, Jan. 25 and Wednesday, Feb. 7, 4:30-6 p.m.: Pop-up Info Sessions. Stop by the City's booth in Country Club Mall to talk with staff about the project.

To learn about how an Alternative Approval Process works and voting eligibility, visit www.nanaimo.ca/goto/AAP. For more information on the Nanaimo Operations Centre Alternative Approval Process visit the City website at www.nanaimo.ca/goto/NOC-AAP and for more information on the project visit www.nanaimo.ca/goto/NOC.

Link to Strategic Plan: N/A

Key Points

The Alternative Approval Process begins on Thursday, Jan. 18, 2024 and runs until 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 20. The AAP process is designed to be accessible, allowing electors the flexibility to engage without the need for in-person voting, thereby reducing costs.
If 10 per cent 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.
The City is conducting various information sessions and tours to educate residents about the project, Public Works services and the AAP process. Residents can attend a Council workshop and info session, Public Works tours and pop-up info sessions to gain insight, ask questions and make informed decisions.

Quotes

"Residents are invited to participate in Public Works tours and information sessions to learn more about the project and the AAP. To voice opposition to the borrowing bylaw, individuals can fill out response forms available at City Hall or downloadable from the City website. Completed forms must be submitted by Feb. 20, 2024, either in person or via mail to City Hall."

Sheila Gurrie

Director, Legislative Services

City of Nanaimo

Contact:

For media enquiries, please contact:

Communications

City of Nanaimo

250-754-4251

Media.Requests@nanaimo.ca

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