The Hall Monitors

Latest Episodes:

Bonus Mayor’s Minute: 2025 Year-End Reflections Jan 16, 2026

Show notes

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.

Mayor’s Minutes - December 18th - Pet Licensing & Zoning Updates Dec 30, 2025

Show notes

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 Animal Control Regulations Update
01:55 Land Use and Zoning Discussions
02:36 Agritourism and Local Ventures
03:18 Financial Decisions and Agreements
04:47 Riverfest Park Monument Sign Celebration
07:23 Closing Remarks and Holiday Wishes

Mayor’s Minutes - December 4th - Swearing-In & Community Center Masterplan Dec 11, 2025

Show notes

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 design
Capital Improvement Plan Update: review of funding and phasing options for priority projects

Resources:

Meeting Materials: https://desotoks.us/AgendaCenter
Previous Episodes: https://desotoks.us/464/Mayors-Minutes

00:00 Welcome

00:09 Honoring Outgoing and Incoming Council Members

00:32 Proclamation for National Wreaths Across America Day

00:51 Fire District Board Appointment

01:07 Public Safety Update

01:34 Community Center Masterplan

01:55 Capital Improvement Plan and Meeting Reschedule

02:13 Annual Mayor's Tree Lighting Event

02:38 Closing Remarks

Mayor’s Minutes - November 20th - Riverfest Plans & Letter of Interest Nov 26, 2025

Show notes

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 Master Plan adopted
01:35 Riverfest cost estimate, phasing & funding
01:53 Incentives for Merck Animal Health
02:23 IRBs for Eagle Creek Townhomes
02:34 Letter of interest for TerraPower nuclear project
03:00 5-Year CIP discussion
03:09 Farewell to outgoing Council members

Mayor’s Minutes - November 6th, 2025 - Water Expansion & CIP Updates Nov 12, 2025

Show notes

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:

Meeting Materials: https://desotoks.us/AgendaCenter
Previous Episodes: https://desotoks.us/464/Mayors-Minutes

00:00 Introduction and Welcome 00:27 Consent Agenda Highlights 00:50 New Business and Street Overlay Program 01:09 Water System Expansion and Sewer Project 01:56 Financial Approvals and Bonds 02:32 Future Land Use and Capital Improvement Plan Update 02:57 Conclusion and Community Engagement

Mayor’s Minutes - October 2nd - Transportation Plan & New Housing Oct 08, 2025

Show notes

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://desotoks.us/464/Mayors-Minutes

00:00 Welcome to the Mayor's Minute

00:09 City Council Meeting Highlights

00:24 Water System Maintenance

00:45 Upcoming Downtown Event

01:04 Riverfest Disc Golf Course Grand Opening

01:21 95th Street Engineering Study

02:48 Future Development Plans

03:20 Conclusion and Farewell

Mayor’s Minutes - September 18th, 2025 - Budget & Bonds Sep 24, 2025

Show notes

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
Previous Episodes: https://desotoks.us/464/Mayors-Minutes

00:00 Introduction and Constitution Week Proclamation

00:22 Riverfest Park Soccer Field Rebidding

00:49 Supporting Local Students

01:12 2026 Budget Adoption

01:39 General Obligation Bonds and Major Projects

02:58 Merck Animal Health Expansion

03:18 Riverfest Park Monument Sign

03:34 City Hall Renovation Update

03:55 Sponsorship for NAACP Event

04:10 Conclusion and Final Remarks

Mayor’s Minutes - September 4th, 2025 - Limestone Project & Infrastructure Improvements Sep 10, 2025

Show notes

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 property taxes
Agreement for Waverly Road Trail Project

Resources:

Meeting Materials: https://desotoks.us/AgendaCenter
Previous Episodes: https://desotoks.us/464/Mayors-Minutes

00:00 Welcome to Mayor's Minutes
00:20 Proclamation for Hunger Action Month
00:39 Consent Agenda Highlights
01:18 New Business: Development Projects
03:00 Infrastructure and Water Rights Agreements
04:01 2026 City Budget Presentation
04:42 Outro

Mayor’s Minutes - August 21st, 2025 - Rowen Road & Data Center Agreement Aug 28, 2025

Show notes

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: