The Hall Monitors

Latest Episodes:

Mayor’s Minutes - June 4th - Digital Realty Presentation & 2027 Budget Discussion Jun 15, 2026

Show notes

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 development within Astra Enterprise Park.

View the full meeting agenda and materials: https://ow.ly/B9Xe50Zc605
Watch the full City Council meeting: https://ow.ly/RkwH50Zc606
Hear the full presentation from Digital Realty: https://ow.ly/BJ6C50Zc604

00:00 Welcome and Meeting Recap
00:11 Gun Violence Awareness Day
00:27 Consent Agenda Highlights
01:10 Digital Realty Introduction
02:33 Culvert Project Agreement
03:01 Parade of Hearts Proposal
03:29 First Look at the 2027 Budget
04:53 Deeper Dive on Data Centers
10:11 Closing Thanks and Sign-Off

Mayor’s Minutes - May 21st - Future Grant Projects & Comprehensive Plan Update Jun 01, 2026

Show notes

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: https://desotoks.us/AgendaCenter

00:00 Welcome
00:53 Consent Agenda Highlights
01:40 Audit Results
02:01 CDBG Grant Projects
02:45 Comprehensive Plan Update
03:23 Lexington and 95th Rezoning
03:55 Mixed Use Incentives Preview
04:23 Sewer Lift Generator Fix
04:58 State of the City Reminder
05:15 Closing Thanks

Mayor’s Minutes - May 7th - Annual Sidewalk/Curb Program & Community Rec Center Update May 18, 2026

Show notes

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 00:22 Data Center Comments 00:54 Beale Agreement 01:47 Process and Next Agenda 02:08 Sheriff Quarterly Report 02:26 Sidewalk Curb Program 02:46 Mount Sunflower Reviews 03:13 CDBG 2027 Planning 03:31 Trail and Culvert Funding 04:09 Community Center Master Plan 04:46 Sewer Easement Step 05:06 Closing Thanks

Mayor’s Minutes - April 15th - Swearing-In & Capital Improvements Plan Adopted Apr 23, 2026

Show notes

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

Mayor’s Minutes - April 2nd - Riverfest Ball Field Design & New Waverly Water Tower Apr 14, 2026

Show notes

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 Agenda Highlights
00:31 Filling Council Vacancy
00:45 Riverfest Park Upgrades
01:09 Waverly Water Tower
01:23 Astra Right of Way
01:34 Code Update Barbed Wire
01:50 Rio Apartments Extension
02:03 Meeting Wrap Up

Mayor’s Minutes - March 19th - Sidewalk Contract & Astra Enterprise Park Zoning Mar 26, 2026

Show notes

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 Schedule Updates 00:52 Council Vacancy Process 01:04 Astra Park Rezoning 01:41 Growth and Closing

Mayor’s Minutes - March 5th - Zoning Code Updates & Lexington Sidewalk Project Mar 12, 2026

Show notes

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 and Recap

00:11 Consent Agenda Highlights

00:37 Data Center Planning

00:54 Zoning Code Updates

01:31 Tree Planting Flexibility

01:54 Accessory Building Sizes

02:04 Street District Termination

02:12 CDBG Sidewalk Project

02:31 Sheriff’s Office Update

02:41 Council Vacancy Process

02:50 Wrap Up and Thanks

Mayor’s Minutes - February 19th - CIP Outlook & Soccer Fields Feb 26, 2026

Show notes

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 Riverfest Soccer Fields Project
Launching the Road Assessment Program for 2026 street repairs

Meeting Agenda and Materials: https://desotoks.us/AgendaCenter

00:00 Council Meeting Recap 00:10 Consent Agenda Highlights 00:15 Capital Improvement Plan 00:37 83rd Street Design Push 01:33 Riverfest Soccer Fields 02:00 95th Street BUILD Grant 02:28 2026 Road Assessments 02:51 Hometown Table Invite 03:42 Closing Thanks

City Hall Remodel Project Update - February 2026 Feb 24, 2026

Show notes

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 trim and interior details.

Focus has shifted to the first floor, where crews have been framing, hanging drywall, painting, and reshaping the layout. If you’ve stopped by recently, you may have seen the progress as this level continues to take shape!

To explore the history of the building and learn more about the project, visit the City Hall Remodel page.

Mayor’s Minutes - February 5th - Data Center Terms & Info Sessions Feb 11, 2026

Show notes

Mayor Walker is back with a recap of the February 5th City Council meeting! The agenda included: