The Ripon City Council may be looking to fast-track the need for a new Corporation Yard.

And a portion of making that happen could come from the Redevelopment Agency funding.

“We’ve been sitting on RDA (bond) money for a long time,” said Councilman Leo Zuber at Tuesday’s monthly session.

He and his colleague Mike Restuccia believe now’s a good time to use these funds – the other option was to take a long-term loan from an existing account (Mitigation Fund from the general fund) for $4.2 million.

Added Zuber: “The longer we wait, the more expensive this project will become – it’s a worthwhile project (and) we have a worthwhile process for funding it. James and his guys deserve a better place to work than what they got now.”

He’s referring to Director of Public Works James Pease and his staff at the outdated corporate yard – the centrally located facility near the intersection of Vera Avenue and Doak Boulevard has been in use since the 1960s, serving as the hub for maintenance and repair for City’s water system, sewer system, vehicles, street lighting, parks and buildings.

The current corporate yard lacks space for the current staff and has become outdated for basic operations and maintenance not to mention some safety issues.

Cost for the first part of the new facility is estimated at $7 million, with the other part of the funding coming from other sources. More on that.

The City has been pursuing the construction of a new corporation yard for quite some time, having purchased a 10-acre site next to its own NGV d/ CNG Refueling station, some two blocks east of the current corporate yard.

LDA Partners Designers & Architects have put together a concept of the Phase I Corporate Yard Improvement project. Included is the vehicle maintenance facility with support spaces, locker rooms, restrooms, and a conference room in possibly a 12,500 square foot building.

“The design would allow for future expansion,” said Eric Wohle of LDA.

“A lot of this is based on growth,” said City Administrator Kevin Werner, who noted that build out is based on population growth in conjunction with the general plan.

The other funding component to Phase 1 of the project is the Corporate Yard Public Facilities Finance Plan fee. Cost would be split 40- and 60- percent between existing and future growth, respectively.

The financing plan – along with increasing Corporate Yard PFFP fee – also calls for taking portions of the Capital Fund (50.3%), Parks Capital Fund (8.2%), Water Enterprise Capital (3.1%), Sewer Enterprise Capital (2.5%), Garbage Enterprise Capital (25.2%), Storm Drain Enterprise Capital (1.2) and Transit (9.4 percent).

Council approved for staff to bring back a resolution to approve an increase in the Corporate Yard PFFP fee along with staff and LPA to complete the Corporate Yard Phase I design in preparation for bidding of the project for construction.

Elected leaders are hoping to get the process of Phase I going as soon as possible.