Nanaimo residents are still waiting to learn the result of an alternative-approval process to borrow $90 million for upgrades to the public works yard.
"Unlike an election, where voting machines are used and votes are tabulated automatically as individuals vote, in an AAP this process is done manually, and each elector response form must be reviewed individually and manually input into a database," said Karen Robertson, Nanaimo's deputy corporate officer in the legislative services department, in a statement. "Staff are continuing to process AAP forms received by the [Oct. 31] deadline."
On Sept. 18, the city launched an AAP to request resident permission to borrow up to $90 million to build a fleet maintenance shop and administration building at the works yard on Labieux Road. Until Oct. 31 residents could submit a response form registering opposition, and if 10 per cent or more of the electorate signed, equalling a minimum of 7,974 response forms, the AAP fails.
According to the project information on the city's website, the public works yard employees are "working out of buildings which are no longer functional and were never intended to still be in use." Public works employees are responsible for maintaining and operating water systems, sewers, drainage, roads, snow removal and more for the city.
"The public works facilities have exceeded staff capacity and considerable efforts have been made to accommodate increasing needs by converting unsuitable spaces or adding additional trailer units to create working room," the website reads. "The overall result is a facility that struggles or fails to meet existing operational needs, environmental regulations, as well as building code or accessibility and gender-equity considerations."
At the current rate of population growth, the city stated that the demand for services "cannot feasibly be met with the existing facility" over the next 25 years.
Following the forms being processed, Robertson said a corporate officer must then certify each response form before it is finalized.
"At this point there is no estimated timeframe as to when the results will be released but once certified by the corporate officer, we will share the information on city website, provide council with an update, and bring forward a staff report to a future council meeting. "
