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Public Works Yard

Updated September 11th 2024

Public Works yard Update Project

This project is quite different than the proceding ones.
Instead of Operations Centre, it has been changed to Public Works Yard.


Replacement of TWO BUILDINGS
-fleet maintance building
-crew and admistration building

Borrowing UP TO $90 MILLION

To move ahead the city is going with another Alternative Approval Process (AAP)

September 18 2024 to October 31 2024 is the timeline for voicing your opposition.
If you are in favour, do nothing.

Opposition forms will be available at City Hall on dates above at legislative services.  Enter City Hall main floor, go to your right.

number of forms need to block AAP is 7,974

 

The Alternative Approval Process (AAP) is a mechanism used by local governments in British Columbia to gauge public support for certain initiatives without holding a full referendum. Here’s how it works:

  1. Proposal Announcement: The local government announces a proposed initiative.
  2. Public Notification: Residents are informed about the proposal and the AAP through public notices.
  3. Response Forms: Eligible electors (voters) can submit response forms if they oppose the initiative.
  4. Threshold: If 10% or more of the eligible electors submit opposition forms, the local government must either hold a referendum or abandon the initiative1

 

AAP - LAST TWO were INCOMPLETE due to errors by City

NANAIMO ALTERNATIVE APPROVAL PROCESS - PARTICIPATE

SHOW YOUR OPPOSITION
At their meeting on Monday, Dec. 4, 2023,
Nanaimo City Council voted to proceed
with a second (revised) Alternative Approval Processs (AAP)
for the borrowing bylaw for up to $48.5 million
for the first phase of the Nanaimo Operations Centre (Public Works yard) project.

The second (revised) AAP will commence on Jan. 18, 2024,
and conclude at 4:30 p.m. on Feb. 20, 2024.

During this period, eligible electors in the City of Nanaimo will have the
opportunity to submit their responses regarding the borrowing bylaw. 
Official forms will be available to pick up from City Hall and for printing from the City website beginning on Jan. 18, 2024.

I will provide a link to print your own copy of the AAP form when it is available.

NANAIMO OPERATIONS CENTRE OVERVIEW

 

The potential NOC Project consists of:
  • redevelopment of the Public Works Yard located at 2020 Labieux Road, 
  • upgrades to the adjacent Fire Training Tower operations, 
  • relocation of some Parks Operations, 
  • renovation of the Parks Prideaux Yard located at 89 Prideaux Street, and 
  • freeing up Nanaimo Annex site at 1151 Nanaimo Lakes Road for other uses.

City operations are currently provided at the Public Works Yard on Labieux Road, the Parks Operations Yard on Prideaux Street and the Nanaimo Lakes Road Parks satellite yard.

The original Public Works buildings were constructed in the 1960’s and then evolved as the City population grew from less than 45,000 in 1980 to over 100,000 in 2021. Much of the additional space was added using modular temporary facilities, not intended for permanent use.  The original buildings and additions have exceeded their useful life and are costing a considerable amount to sustain them.

HISTORY OF AAPS IN BRITISH COLUMBIA

History of AAPs in British Columbia

The authority for local governments to choose how to obtain elector approval in order to borrow for capital projects and to provide new services is not new. Municipalities have been required to hold a vote to obtain elector approval for loan authorization bylaws since 1873.

In 1962, the “counter-petition process” was introduced so municipalities could test the waters with their citizens in an effort to streamline and reduce the cost associated with the borrowing process. When 10% or more of eligible electors “voted” against the borrowing bylaw, municipalities had to then hold a vote in order to proceed with the bylaw. If fewer than 10% of the electors were against the bylaw, municipalities could adopt the bylaw and proceed with the matter without holding a vote.

The counter-petition threshold was lowered from 10% to 5% in 1968.

In 2003, the counter-petition process was replaced by the AAP under the Community Charter and the threshold was returned to 10%.

The counterpetition terminology was also changed to alternative approval process to signify electors' desire for increased public engagement for those matters considered "significant" to the community.

The AAP did not change the principles of transparency, neutrality, engagement and stewardship of the public trust that underpinned the counter-petition process. Over the years the authority for how local governments could use AAPs has expanded; however, the underlying principles have remained in place.
 

IS THE 10% VOTER REQUIRMENT FAIR?

Half of all councillors in the 2022 City Election, each got less than 10% of the number of voters required for an Alternative Approval Process. We need to go back to the 5% required.

Erin Hemmens 7,497
Janice Perrino 7,131
Tyler Brown 6,805
Hilary Eastmure 5,650

Number needed for AAP failure is 7890

LEEDS PROGRAM - WHAT IS IT?

In discussions regarding Public Buildings, we often hear of the LEED certification system which consists of 4 levels:

Certified (40 – 49 points)
Silver (50 – 59 points)
Gold (60 – 79 points)
Platinum (80+ points).

In order to achieve them, a building must focus on reducing energy consumption and waste, managing resources efficiently and reducing operating costs.

The City of Nanaimo builds public buildings to Gold Standards.

If you think of certification, most times & especially in this case, money has to be paid to a team who come out and award points and the certification it was built to. The City of Nanaimo does not pay to be certified, but claim their buildings fit the 60+points. A complex program.The City of Nanaimo builds public buildings to Gold Standards.

If you think of certification, most times & especially in this case, money has to be paid to a team who come out and award points and the certification it was built to. The City of Nanaimo does not pay to be certified, but claim their buildings fit the 60+points. A complex program.
 
The photo gives an idea - this is for existing buidlings being upgrade to various Leeds standards.

SHORT-TERM BORROWING

Short-term borrowing (five years or less) is different than the long-term borrowing that the City has done in the past.

These are some factors to be aware of (assuming borrowing is through the Municipal Finance Authority):
• No elector or minister approval is required. This is permitted under Section 175 of the Community Charter.
• The interest rate is variable, not fixed; therefore, there is a risk that the rate will increase over the five-year period.
• Interest is calculated daily and paid monthly.
• Interest is simple interest, not compounded.
• The debt cannot be converted to long-term debt or extended beyond the five years.
• The principal payments can be made at any time (most make annual payments).
• The principal can be paid back in full at any time without penalty.
• The debt does count against calculations of the City's borrowing limit.
• The City loan will be secured with a promissory note.
• The MFA will require a Council resolution that must include a repayment schedule (ie. commit to repaying the principal).

If Council agrees to do short-term borrowing, then Staff will bring back a report with an appropriate resolution.
 
Editors Note: I am opposed to AAP's and would have loved to see a referendum. Sadly that was not asked for, nor was a motion made in that direction. Council decided to go for an AAP starting in January. If and when that fails, then it could go to referendum and if that fails, the City has stated they would go to short-term borrowing which is why this information is available.

NANAIMO ORIGINAL WATERFRONT VS TODAY *IN RED*

2024-2028 Provisional Financial Plan

At their meeting on Dec. 18, 2023, Nanaimo City Council passed three readings of the City's 2024-2028 Provisional Financial Plan. The plan is based on the road map Council established through their strategic framework and reflects a eight per cent tax increase including a one per cent increase for the General Asset Management Reserve for 2024.

The 2024 provisional budget includes the following:
  • Property tax increase of eight per cent, equivalent to $213 for a household with an assessed value of $808,873.
  • Water user fee increase of six per cent, equivalent to $28
  • Sewer user fee increase of four per cent, equivalent to $6
  • Solid waste user fee increase of seven per cent, equivalent to $7
This equals to an annual increase of $254 or roughly $21 per month in taxes and fees for a typical household. (what is typical?)
Council will have opportunities to review and amend the Financial Plan in April 2024 before adopting the 2024 Property Tax Rates Bylaw.

__________________________________________________________
The projected tax increase is on the municipal share only. The City also collects taxes on behalf of other agencies, such as School board, Nanaimo Regional Hospital, Vancouver Island Regional Library and the Nanaimo Regional District. These bodies set their own budgets.

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