Work that started in 1994 is continuing to move forward this year for the development of the Stevens Quarry, if council authorizes Mayor Bev Buckway to sign off on a contribution agreement with the Yukon government.

Staff brought forward the recommendation to council at its meeting Monday night.

The project began 16 years ago with a development plan for the 139-hectare site between the Alaska Highway and Takhini River.

Last June, a contribution agreement was approved with the Yukon government to finish the planning work to develop the quarry site.

"During the planning process, it became clear that further information was required regarding the amount and location of granular resources in the Stevens area,” notes the report presented by city planner Kinden Kosick.

"The Yukon Contractors Association requested that further investigation be done to determine the quality of resources at Stevens.”

Planning manager Mike Gau said the original planning study was a more general look at the area, with the additional work set to look specifically at things like what material is available where on the site.

"It's starting to get more detailed,” Gau said.

It's expected the additional work would bring up the cost of the project to $135,000 to cover the contract for EBA Engineering to do testing in the area.

"EBA Engineering completed the original geotechnical work for the 1994 study, and have submitted a quote of $31,500 to complete the additional testing,” reads the report.

While the city is responsible for arranging and providing planning services for the quarry, the Yukon government is responsible for paying for the planning work provided by the city.

Questioned by Coun. Florence Roberts, Kosick said if council votes in favour of authorizing Buckway to sign off on the updated agreement, a contract would likely be in place for EBA by Nov. 1.

There would then likely be about a three-month period as the proposed work goes through the Yukon Environmental Socio-economic Assessment Board. If it's approved, it's anticipated testing would happen in March, with the results coming forward in April.

Buckway and Coun. Doug Graham were absent from Monday night's meeting.