The Hall Monitors

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...

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...