The Hall Monitors

Catch the latest Council update from the October 1st meeting.   Highlights include: Changes to the Mount Sunflower (Beale) development agreement, including a reduction in water usage and about $30 million in funding for water system and community improvements Updates on the 99th Street Water Main Project Scheduling a November 19th public hearing for a proposed Digital Realty tax increment financin...

Catch the latest Council update from the September 17th meeting.   Topics include: Rezoning land at Astra Enterprise Park to Light Industrial Adoption of the 2027 Budget, including a lower mill levy and added services Industrial revenue bonds for the second phase of Residences at Lexington A request to add approx. six acres to the Limestone Development Residential Housing Incentive District   Sept...

Catch the latest Council update from the September 2nd meeting.   Mayor Walker shares a quick overview of the proposed 2027 Budget, including a proposed mill levy reduction and some of the key considerations behind the budget.   Other highlights include: Hunger Action Month and the De Soto Food Pantry donation barrel at City Hall. An update from the latest Johnson County Sheriff’s Office report. T...

Over the past several months, a variety of questions have been raised about data centers in De Soto. This special Mayor's Minute series takes a closer look at those questions, one topic at a time.   Part 2: What about the noise? In this episode, Mayor Walker explains where data center noise comes from, how the City’s current noise standards apply, and the role distance, site design, acoustic model...

Mayor Rick Walker is back with a recap of the August 20th City Council meeting. 🎧 Highlights include: A KDOT grant agreement to help fund a citywide roadway safety plan Policy proposals related to environmental health oversight, economic development NDAs, and private well permitting A proposed 2027 Budget that would lower the mill levy without increasing the amount of property tax revenue the Cit...

Catch the latest Council update from the August 6th meeting. Topics include: Design plans to replace Well 12 An update to the Wastewater Treatment Plant’s stormwater pollution prevention plan An initial TIF incentive request from Digital Realty Discussion of additional environmental oversight for large-scale industrial projects   August 6th Meeting Agenda and Materials: https://ow.ly/sGEP50ZwjXP  ...

Mayor Rick Walker is back with a recap of the July 16th City Council meeting.   Topics include: Next steps for an independent review of the City’s industrial noise standards Creation of a TIF district for a proposed memory care facility on Commerce Drive Discussion of a shared fire prevention officer position with the Northwest Consolidated Fire District Continued work on potential service and cap...

Over the past several months, Council has received many questions about data centers in De Soto. This special Mayor's Minute series takes a closer look at those questions, one topic at a time. Part 1: How did the Beale data center become larger than what the City Council originally approved? In this episode, Mayor Walker explains what the Council approved last August, why the proposed data center...

Mayor Rick Walker provides a brief recap of the July 2nd City Council meeting. Topics include: Next steps in the sanitary sewer easement process The 99th Street water main project for the Beale site and updated water system plans Continued discussion of the 2027 Budget and the revenue neutral rate Check out the full meeting agenda and materials: https://desotoks.us/AgendaCenter 00:00 July 2 Meetin...

This week’s Mayor’s Minute covers highlights from the June 18th City Council meeting. This episode includes improvements to Wells 11 and 17, rezoning for future Arbor Ridge development, updates to De Soto’s residential building code, continued work to select a noise ordinance consultant, and 2027 Budget discussions focused on water and sewer funds Mayor Walker also previews a separate upcoming epi...

In this edition of Mayor’s Minutes, Mayor Walker recaps the June 4th City Council meeting, including plans for the annual Fourth of July fireworks show, the 89th Street Culvert Replacement Project, and the first major discussion of the 2027 budget. Beginning at 4:53, Mayor Walker takes a closer look at Digital Realty’s introductory presentation and their early plans for a proposed data center deve...

Mayor Walker shares several updates from the May 21st City Council meeting, including: Comprehensive Plan update Future Community Development Block Grant projects Land rezoning near 95th & Lexington to C-2 Business General He also shares a quick reminder about the upcoming State of the City presentation on Wednesday, June 3rd, from 6pm-8pm! Check out the full meeting agenda and materials: http...

Tune in to the latest edition of Mayor’s Minutes with Mayor Walker, recapping highlights from the May 7th City Council Meeting.    Topics include: Reflection on data center comments shared during call to public 2026 Sidewalk & Curb Replacement Program Sunflower Road Shared-Use Path grant application Findings from Phase 1 of the Community Rec Center Master Plan   00:00 Welcome and Overview 00:2...

Mayor Walker is back with a quick recap of the April 15th City Council meeting. The main highlights include the swearing-in of new City Council Member Lindsay McCracken and adoption of the 2026-2031 Capital Improvements Plan.    April 15th agenda & materials: https://ow.ly/2miI50YJ24y

Catch a quick recap of the April 2nd City Council meeting! Highlights include: Design work for new baseball and softball fields at Riverfest Park Construction of the new 150,000-gallon Waverly Water Tower Appointment of Lindsay McCracken to fill the Council vacancy   Meeting Agenda and Materials: https://desotoks.us/AgendaCenter   00:00 Welcome and Recap 00:08 Fair Housing Month 00:19 Consent Agen...

Mayor Walker shares a quick Council recap this week, covering: The Lexington Ave sidewalk project contract, which will connect 95th and Commerce A brief Council vacancy discussion A rezoning of ~425 acres at Astra Enterprise Park to M-1 Meeting Agenda and Materials: https://desotoks.us/AgendaCenter   00:00 March 19 Update 00:16 Consent Agenda Highlights 00:21 Lexington Sidewalk Project 00:40 Fee S...

Mayor Walker shares a recap of the March 5th City Council meeting, including several zoning code updates, an agreement supporting planning work for the data center project, and approval of a Community Development Block Grant sidewalk project along Lexington Avenue.   Watch the full meeting: https://ow.ly/9aGj50Yt9Yx Meeting Agenda & Materials: https://desotoks.us/AgendaCenter   0:00 Welcome an...

Quick updates from the February 19th Council meeting! A lot of the conversation centered on the Capital Improvement Plan — the roadmap for major investments in streets, utilities, parks, and public facilities over the next five years. Highlights include: Advancing design work on the 83rd Street Project Supporting the 95th Street BUILD grant to bring in federal funding Moving forward on the Riverfe...

Big progress is happening on the City Hall Remodel Project!   The second floor is largely complete with new meeting room spaces, staff work areas, and a full refresh of the long-untouched upstairs from the building’s school days.   On the ground level, the project is nearing the finish line. The ADA ramp is nearly complete, and community spaces are coming together with finishing touches like new t...

Mayor Walker is back with a recap of the February 5th City Council meeting! The agenda included: Development terms for the proposed Data Center Project Phase 2 of Water & Wastewater asset management Application funding for a 95th Street improvement grant An updated communications agreement for 2026   Meeting Materials: https://desotoks.us/AgendaCenter Previous Episodes: https://desotoks.us/464...

In this edition of Mayor’s Minutes, we’re taking a step back from the usual agenda items (don’t worry - that’s coming next week!) to reflect on 2025 — and the moments, milestones, and people who shaped it.

Hear a quick recap from the December 18th Council meeting + a shoutout for the new welcome sign at Riverfest Park, reflecting De Soto’s history and community identity.   Resources: Meeting Materials: https://desotoks.us/AgendaCenter Previous Episodes: https://desotoks.us/464/Mayors-Minutes 00:00 Introduction and Meeting Overview 00:16 Consent Agenda Highlights 00:36 City Hall Remodel Project 01:13...

Catch a quick recap of the December 4th City Council meeting, including the swearing-in of newly elected officials and recognition of outgoing Councilmembers Rob Daniels and Kevin Honomichl for their service.    Other Highlights:  Public Safety Update: no increase in crime or traffic accidents  Community Center Masterplan: next phase begins early 2026, including public engagement and concept desig...

Hear highlights from the November 20th Council meeting, including a roadmap for future Riverfest Park improvements, incentives for Merck Animal Health, and a letter of interest to learn more about a Kansas nuclear energy project.   Resources: Meeting Materials: https://desotoks.us/AgendaCenter Previous Episodes: https://desotoks.us/464/Mayors-Minutes   00:00 Introduction 00:09 Riverfest Park Maste...

City Council was back in session on November 6th, and this week’s Mayor’s Minutes has the highlights! Neighborhood streets added to the 2025 Mill & Overlay Program Initial discussion of community priorities for the 5-Year Capital Improvement Plan update Approval of 2025 general obligation bonds & special assessments to fund upcoming City projects Tune in to hear the full recap!   Resources...