The Hall Monitors

This week’s Mayor’s Minutes breaks down the October 2nd Council meeting — featuring the first look at the traffic study for 95th Street between Lexington & Sunflower. Other items covered include: Cleaning and rehabilitating Well 17 Riverfest Disc Golf Course grand opening Plans for a new housing project     Resources: Meeting Materials: https://desotoks.us/AgendaCenter Previous Episodes: https...

Hear the latest Council updates in this week’s Mayor’s Minutes—including the 2026 budget with a 6% reduction in City property taxes.     Catch other highlights, like: Rebidding of the Riverfest Soccer Fields project Sponsorship for De Soto High School students' trip to Make48 Nationals Plans for a Riverfest Park monument sign     Resources: Meeting Materials: https://desotoks.us/AgendaCenter Previ...

Get a breakdown of the September 4th Council meeting in this week’s Mayor’s Minutes!   Mayor Walker covers a proclamation recognizing September as Hunger Action Month, funding for the De Soto Fine Arts Show, and an update on the Sunflower Road Trail.   Plus new business, which includes: Grata Development incentive package and project plans 2026 Budget presentation—6% mill reduction on City propert...

In this week’s Mayor’s Minutes, Mayor Walker recaps the August 21st City Council meeting — including a closer look at the incentive package Council approved for a multi-billion-dollar data center project being privately developed at the Flint Commerce Center.   Also in this episode: A donation request from the De Soto Food Pantry Development agreement with Flint Meadows East for Rowen Road Discuss...

Mayor’s Minutes - August 7th - Car Cruise & Nigerian Dwarf Goats   In the edition of Mayor’s Minutes, we’re talking classic cars, community planning, and Nigerian Dwarf goats!   Mayor walker recaps the August 7th Council meeting, which included: The Dean Weller Car Cruise event on August 23rd Rezoning for property on Evening Star Road near K-10 The Arbor Ridge Reinvestment Housing Incentive Di...

In this episode, we’re talking about De Soto’s Capital Improvement Plan—what it is, how it works, and why it plays such a big role in shaping the city’s future. City Administrator Mike Brungardt joins us to walk through how major projects like road improvements, park expansions, and water system upgrades are identified, prioritized, and funded. We also talk about why some projects take longer than...

Catch the latest City Council updates in this week's Mayor's Minutes!    Mayor Walker recaps highlights from the July 17th meeting, including:  De Soto's official 2025 ice cream flavor: Bubble gum!  An update on the De Soto Library renovation project  A law enforcement update    Tune in to stay in-the-know!      00:00 Welcome to Mayor's Minutes 00:11 Official Ice Cream Flavor of 2025 00:40 De Soto...

In this episode of Mayor’s Minutes, we’re talking festivals, future facilities, and funding.   Mayor Walker recaps the July 3rd Council Meeting, which included: An increase in City sponsorship for the De Soto Days Festival A financial outlook for a potential community center, presented by the YMCA Rezoning 80 acres near K-10 & Evening Star Road from Rural Residential to Commercial A look ahead...

Couldn’t make it to State of the City? No worries—we saved you the best seat in the house.  The Hall Monitors were behind the scenes on this one to bring you a special podcast episode – “Hometown Hall Pass: State of the City 2025.” Our latest podcast episode brings you Mayor Walker’s address–plus a full-screen view of the presentation slides–so you can see what’s going on and what’s ahead for De S...

The latest edition of Mayor’s Minutes is here! We’re recapping highlights from the June 18th Council Meeting, including: Donation for a community fundraiser 38 new street lights along Commerce Dr. Sidewalk plans on Lexington Ave. New Council Member: Rhonda Patterson 00:00 Welcome to Mayor's Minutes  00:22 Community Initiatives and Events 01:02 Infrastructure and Development Projects 01:49 Zoning a...

In this edition of Mayor’s Minutes, Mayor Walker recaps the June 5th City Council meeting, including the renaming of a portion of 103rd Street to Energy Way and expansion of the Downtown Common Consumption Area (CCA) hours of operation. Meeting agendas and supporting documents are always available at: https://desotoks.us/AgendaCenter   00:00 Welcome to Mayor's Minutes 00:26 Key Items from the Cons...

Your De Soto Summer Syllabus just dropped. From pool parties to fireworks, we’re sharing what to expect, what to bring, and some behind-the-scenes context on what it takes to bring these community events to life!   Plus, a look at some hometown favorites on the 2025 lineup: Rhythm & Roots (Downtown AND Riverfest!) Movies in the Park State of the City Touch-A-Truck Miller Park games Pool partie...

In this episode of Mayor’s Minutes, Mayor Walker recaps the May 15th City Council meeting—highlighting projects and decisions shaping the future of De Soto. From sidewalk and road upgrades to long-term planning efforts like the Southwest Growth Area Plan, this update covers how the City is managing growth with intention.   00:00 Welcome to Mayor's Minutes 00:23 Consent Agenda Highlights 01:32 New...

We’ve got a bonus Mayor’s Minute this week — and it’s a little different than the usual Council recap. In this episode, Mayor Walker talks about a topic that’s on a lot of people’s minds: growth in De Soto. Tune in to hear why it’s happening, what it means for our community, and how the City is planning for the future.

We’re back with another Mayor’s Minute(s), recapping highlights from the May 1st City Council meeting, with Mayor Rick Walker! Tune in for updates on an economic incentive agreement with Geiger Ready-Mix Co., changes to the City Hall renovation project, and a stormwater improvement plan for 89th Street.   00:00 Welcome to Mayor's Minutes  00:17 Supporting Education  00:32 Economic Development  01:...

The New Kid on the Block (…is 20,000 Sq. Ft.) This episode, the Hall Monitors take a field trip to the Northwest Consolidated Fire District to chat with Fire Chief Todd Maxton about the new Sunflower Fire Station. We talk about how the downtown station - formerly City Hall - has served the community for decades, why it’s time for an upgrade, and how the new station will better serve the firefighte...

In this episode of The Mayor's Minute(s), Mayor Rick Walker recaps the April 17th City Council meeting that had a variety of agenda topics. Hear about donations to local groups, an update on the CTEC student art sculpture for City Hall, the Flint Meadows East housing project, and other important topics!   For more information on the upcoming summer events, check out the Rhythm & Roots Market w...

In this episode of the Mayor’s Minute, Mayor Walker recaps a full agenda from the April 3rd City Council meeting. Tune in for updates on the Sewer Benefit District, insights from the Community Center Feasibility Study, and details about an exciting new Summer Concert & Market Series.   00:00 Introduction and Welcome 00:27 95th Street Sewer Benefit District Update  01:29 Exploring a New Communi...

In this episode of the Hall Monitors podcast, we’re breaking down two impactful City resources for the community: Contain the Rain Program—A City & County program that promotes sustainable landscaping by reimbursing residents and businesses 50% of costs for eco-friendly projects like rain barrels and native plants. Property Tax Relief Program—A program that provides tax rebates to low-income h...

In this episode of the Mayor’s Minute(s), Mayor Rick Walker covers the rezoning request for Evening Star Road, a recreational trail project, and permanent traffic signals!   00:00 Introduction and Welcome  00:17 Rezoning Request for Evening Star Road  00:50 Sunflower Road Recreational Trail Project  01:24 Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan  01:49 Digitizing Old Paper Records  02:06 Riverfest Par...

In this first episode of the Mayor's Minute(s), Mayor Rick Walker chats about Youth Art Month in De Soto, downtown beautification efforts, and the expansion of our property tax relief program! 00:00 Introduction and Welcome 00:08 Youth Art Month Proclamation 00:29 Downtown Beautification Project 00:58 New Storm Sirens Installation 01:17 Capital Improvement Plan Update 01:42 Property Tax Relief Pro...

Welcome to the first episode of The Hall Monitors podcast! Since our podcast name honors City Hall’s past as a former schoolhouse, we’re starting by exploring the building’s unique history and its long-awaited renovation. Mayor Rick Walker, who once walked these halls as a junior high student, joins us to share memories from the old school days, how the City bought the building for just $10, and w...

Welcome to The Hall Monitors—a podcast brought to you by the City of De Soto’s communications team, recorded right here at City Hall. It used to be the hall monitors that kept an eye on this old school building. Now we’re the ones keeping up with the big projects, decisions and stories that shape our city. So, grab your hall pass, and let’s take a walk (not a run) through De Soto’s past, present,...