A third AAP has wrapped, as the City looks to fund its proposed $90 million upgrade to public works facilities on Labieux Rd. (Alex Rawnsley/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

project on pause

Proposed $90m Nanaimo public works upgrade halted after third AAP

Nov 29, 2024 | 12:06 PM

NANAIMO — Borrowing money to construct a slimmed down, “fit for purpose” revamp of the City’s public works facility has been denied by local voters.

The City of Nanaimo confirmed the results of an Alternative Approval Process (AAP) on Friday, Nov. 29, a process designed to either grant or deny the City permission to borrow up to $90 million for a new fleet maintenance building and administrative offices along Labieux Rd.

During a six-week-long AAP which began in mid-September, 8,655 valid forms were received with 7,974 (representing 10 per cent of eligible Nanaimo voters) required to halt borrowing.

“On the basis of the elector response forms received before the deadline, the Deputy Corporate Officer has determined and certified that elector approval, in accordance with Section 86 of the Community Charter, has not been obtained,” a release from the City read.

New maintenance bays and administrative offices are proposed to be built at the northern end of the Labieux Rd. facility, eventually replacing current shops. (Alex Rawnsley/NanaimoNewsNOW)

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An AAP sees voters submit forms against a specific idea or proposal, instead of an election or referendum where voters typically vote for an individual or idea.

City Councillors will be presented with future funding options for the project at their meeting on Monday, Dec. 2.

Potential paths forward include a referendum on the project, or financing it internally through taxation increases.

The results mark the end of a third AAP for public works upgrades over the last year.

A first process in November 2023 saw just under four per cent of voters opposed, however, results were overturned after legal advice at the time suggested the City had not followed proper procedure as outlined by provincial guidelines.

Further review in the months following indicated the City indeed followed the correct, and recently updated rules.

A second AAP started in January 2024 but was cancelled in early February after an administrative error by City staff.

This forced a spring and summer review of the AAP, the City’s ability to execute it and whether there was appetite at the Council table for a third attempt.

Current maintenance bays for vehicles at the Labieux Rd. facility either don’t fit, or barely fit, the vehicles to be worked on. (Alex Rawnsley/NanaimoNewsNOW)

Opposition to the project has largely centered around use of the AAP itself.

While some expressed reservations about the size of the project, most who spoke to Council said they wanted a project of this scope to go to a referendum.

The City, to date, has been against the use of a referendum for this project citing cost concerns.

Council have also repeatedly said AAPs are designed to be used in situations where the City has deployed them recently and in the past, including in 2018 for the new No. 1 Fire Hall downtown.

Updates to the Labieux St. facility would help solidify a City response to a natural disaster by ensuring vital equipment and personnel are located in a modern, earthquake-resilient facility.

It would also better ensure continued City operations ranging from garbage collection and snow removal to delivery of sewer and water services, as the region’s population continues to grow.

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