R&M's cover page for the design proposal for Lutak Dock.

R&M’s cover page for the design proposal for Lutak Dock.

Conceptual design work on Haines’ Lutak Dock will move forward in the next couple months.

The borough asked for proposals that will address both refurbishment and replacement of the dock.

On Tuesday, the Haines Borough Assembly approved a $130,000 design contract with Anchorage-based R&M Engineering.

R&M’s bid was one of six proposals the borough received. A committee made up of Public Facilities Director Brad Ryan, Assembly member Margaret Friedenauer, Harbormaster Shawn Bell, Planning Commissioner Donnie Turner and Harbor committee member Fred Gray reviewed the proposals. They recommended R&M’s proposal.

At the assembly meeting Tuesday, most of the discussion centered on the fact that the contract was originally listed on the assembly’s consent agenda. The consent agenda is approved at the beginning of the meeting without any dialogue, unless an assembly member asks to move it to the regular agenda.

After that discussion, the assembly unanimously approved the agreement.

In R&M’s proposal, the company says it is ready to begin work this month. That work will include three public meetings to gather input and explain ideas.

R&M proposes the first public meeting could take place as soon as November 2.