The Tulare City Council on Dec. 16 approved two items aimed at park and economic development: a design contract and additional appropriation for a maker space inside the TBIS facility, and authorization to proceed with a master plan for the El Bayou natural preserve using park development impact fees.

Maker space: City staff reminded council that the U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration had awarded the city grant funds to build roughly 2,000 square feet of maker‑space in the TBIS basement. The city must match the federal award; staff said the EDA grant was “just under $600,000” and the required local match was a bit over $250,000. Council awarded the design contract and appropriated $42,680 from the CIP to complete drawings and permitting required for the buildout.

El Bayou master plan and impact‑fee rules: Council also discussed item 7.13, the proposed professional services agreement to prepare a master plan for the El Bayou area. Staff explained that park development impact fees (including projects that participate in the statewide 'skip' financing program) are legally restricted to park capacity projects and — if received under the skip program — must be obligated to eligible projects within three years or otherwise refunded. Council members sought confirmation that the funds proposed for the El Bayou master plan were coming from restricted park impact fee accounts and not from sales tax or general fund dollars; staff confirmed the use was consistent with the restrictions.

Why it matters: Both actions further implementation of the city’s downtown and parks strategy — the maker space ties to the adjacent TBIS business accelerator while the El Bayou master plan aims to create a phased capital program to use incoming impact fees without violating state timelines. Council adopted both items unanimously.

Next steps: Staff will execute the design contract, return with project‑level updates, and begin public engagement for the El Bayou master plan; finance staff will track the restricted impact fees and present obligation timelines as required by program rules.