The Moorpark City Council agreed Wednesday night to move forward with building the Ruben Castro Human Services Center, an all-under-one-roof facility and day laborer site, set for a groundbreaking in the fall.

The $13.9 million facility will benefit low- to moderate-income residents and include a medical and dental clinic. It will also include space to be leased to charities. The two-building complex, totaling about 25,000 square feet, is expected to be completed by January 2010.

After a short public hearing, the council voted unanimously to proceed with the project, which has been one of the top goals for the city for the past several years.

"This will be a great asset to the community as a whole," council member Keith Millhouse said.

The single-story center off Spring Road and Flinn Avenue will include a 10,000-square-foot medical clinic and a 15,000-square-foot services building for nonprofits, including the Moorpark Food Pantry, Catholic Charities and Neighborhoods for Learning. The two buildings will include offices and storage areas.

Some questions were brought up about the day laborer site.

Council member Mark Van Dam asked about the visibility of the area.

"Is there going to be any type of wall in front of the street, or trees or plants, to lessen the impact of guys looking for work?" he asked.

City staff members said there were plans for coverage in the area.

He was also told there would be restroom access for the day laborers.

Councilwoman Roseann Mikos suggested there should be some outreach, in a "caring and humane way" to talk to the day laborers, who now congregate at the Tipsy Fox, a liquor store nearby on Spring Road and High Street.

"I don't think we can expect to snap our fingers, for one day to move them from one place to another," she said.

Diane Galvin, a volunteer with the Moorpark Food Pantry for the past two years, is in favor of the project.

She noted there is a misunderstanding about the men who wait for work.

"People have a misconception that these are illegal aliens," Galvin said. "But these are hardworking people looking for work and need extra money to support their families."

Councilwoman Janice Parvin asked questions about signs at the facility. She suggested the signs be similar in color and design to the Police Services Center, its neighbor.

"I think it would be complementary if we put it in our plans," Parvin said.

The center will also have an 85-space parking area and a courtyard entry with public art.

Mikos suggested bringing in the Moorpark Arts Commission for future input, and the council agreed.

Funds for the long-awaited project come from the Community Development Block Grant program, through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The Redevelopment Agency has also earmarked money for the project.