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Ulysses City Council heard an update on planned construction work on Highway 160 and tabled an ordinance adjusting times city parks would be open during Thursday’s Ulysses City Council meeting.
The meeting was moved from Wednesday to Thursday because of the threat of severe weather on Wednesday, which never materialized.
The Highway 160 improvement project will not take place until the Spring of 2026, but the council approved $200,000 for its contribution to the roadwork. The city put the project up for bid and has received several bids.
“K-DOT felt like they were pretty competitive bids,” said City Administrator Luke Grimes. "As far as the city’s share of costs, it’s a little higher than I was wanting simply because we’ve already spent a quarter of a million on engineering.”
Grimes was hoping the quarter-million already spent would be the final share, which ended up not being the case. The amount initially stated was much higher.
“I let the state know we were not prepared to pay that much and they came back with a much more favorable setup for us,” Grimes said. “So, we’re at 200 grand for the construction project.”
The project will improve Highway 160 from Missouri Street east to Stubbs Road and will add center turn lanes. Councilman Mark Diaz asked Grimes to clarify and quell rumors about the project.
The project will NOT include roundabouts.
“It’s been brought up several times,” Diaz said.
“This project does not include a roundabout,” Grimes said. “It’ll go right up to where the new asphalt is on Stubbs. No roundabout is involved in this project.”
Grimes said the idea has been brought up for the intersection on Stubbs Road, because of the safety concerns with that intersection, which has been the site of unfortunate fatality wrecks in the past.
“That’s where it’s coming from, that has nothing to do with this project,” Grimes emphasized. “There’s nothing like that right now or in the near future in the works.”
The intersection of Stubbs and Highway 160 will not be changed, only a new and improved surface will be added.
In other business:
νThe council tabled Ordinance 1351, which would have changed the hours of operation for Lazy G Park, Barb Dye Park, Russ Binney Park and St. Mary Park from 6 a.m.-Midnight.
“We, over the course of some discussion with the (police) chief, myself and the parks director, think this addition will be helpful for us for just some enforcement of general hooliganry,” Grimes said. “Sometimes, kids just get into trouble in the parks at night and the chief thinks it will be helpful to have something to approach people about when they’re suspected of other offenses.”
Councilman Ken Warner wanted to table the item, because the council has not had any discussion with residents who use those parks.
“I just don’t think we’ve had any discussion about it except for this evening,” Warner said. “What’s the real issue and what are good times?”
Warner said it would affect early morning walkers, especially at Frazier Park and Barb Dye Park.
νGrimes presented a concept for what is now being called Market Square at the corner of Grant and Main, where the weekly Farmer’s Market takes place. Grimes wants to add more parking and potentially a restroom area. The parking would be ideal for parades and other Main Street events and still allow the Farmer’s Market.
The cost to acquire the lot is $10,000, which is what Economic Development paid for the lot.
“I would love a public restroom on it,” Grimes said. “I really think a public restroom would give people a place to stop and not have to bother businesses – that’s a complaint I regularly get about our events – the public pops in to use restrooms without buying something, without patronizing the businesses there.”
Warner thought maybe Eco Devo would just give it to the city or lease it for a dollar a year, and Diaz agreed the city should have a discussion with Eco Devo.
“I’m not really ready to commit money a whole bunch at this point in time, because we’ve just got a lot of projects out there right now,” Warner said. “I would not be opposed to having a discussion with Economic Development.”
Diaz agreed.
“We’ve given Economic Development, also, money and helped finance it, so how do we know some of our money has not been to purchase this?” Diaz said. “So, I don’t think we should have to pay the full price. I think we’re here to work together, the city and Economic Development.”
The item was just for discussion and not up for a vote, so no action was taken.
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