The Hall Monitors

Latest Episodes:

The Big Projects Binder: Capital Improvement Plan Update Aug 04, 2025

Show notes

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 others, and how community feedback helps shape the plan.

This episode is a good starting point for anyone who wants to understand how big projects come together—and how planning today affects what gets built tomorrow.

Resources:

00:00 Pre-Intro

00:46 Welcome

03:13 Capital Improvement Plan Overview

05:23 Capital Improvement Plan Projects

08:59 CIP Overhaul

14:08 Grants, Partners, & Outside Funding Sources

17:29 Community Feedback

19:48 Outro

20:45 Bloopers

Mayor’s Minutes - July 17th, 2025 - Official Ice Cream Flavor & De Soto Library Renovation Jul 24, 2025

Show notes

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 Library Renovation Update
01:03 Housing and Development Projects
01:29 Law Enforcement and Safety Report
01:49 2026 Budget Discussions
02:04 Wilderness Park Camping Policy
02:19 Discussion on boutique retail zoning
02:49 Stay Connected

Mayor’s Minutes - July 3rd, 2025 - Community Center Update & 80-Acre Rezoning Jul 11, 2025

Show notes

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 at the 2026 budget projections for key special use funds

Tune in for the latest updates!

00:00 Introduction and Welcome
00:12 De Soto Days Festival Sponsorship Increase
00:40 Community Center Update
01:04 Rezoning for Future Development
01:25 2026 Budget Projections
01:39 Red, White, Rhythm & Roots Celebration Recap
02:03 Conclusion and Stay Connected

Hometown Hall Pass: State of the City Jul 02, 2025

Show notes

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 Soto.

Highlights include:

New businesses and services in the community
De Soto’s historic property tax cut
Local investments and economic growth
Current housing development and future rooftops
Outdoor recreation and pedestrian connectivity

00:00 Welcome

02:00 Quality of Life

02:38 Riding the Economic Current

04:27 Economic Drivers

06:06 Retail Sales

07:08 Streets, Sidewalks, & Infrastructure

07:46 Infrastructure Upgrades

08:22 Water Treatment Facility & New Water Tower

08:41 Wastewater Treatment Plant

08:54 103rd Street Complete

09:16 Energy Way

09:42 New Fire Station & Aerial Truck

10:38 Housing

13:02 Community Engagement

14:43 Public Safety

15:46 Schools

16:21 Outdoor Recreation

18:14 Community Center

19:04 City Hall Remodel

19:49 Southwest Growth Area

20:30 Transportation Connection

21:16 All Eyes on Us

21:56 Community

Mayor’s Minutes - June 18th, 2025 - Special Meeting Jun 30, 2025

Show notes

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 and Property Updates 02:16 Restoration and Connectivity Projects 02:57 Budget and Financial Highlights 03:29 New Council Appointment and Closing Remarks

Mayor's Minutes - June 5th, 2025 - CCA & Renaming to Energy Way Jun 11, 2025

Show notes

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 Consent Agenda

01:18 New Business Highlights

02:21 City Hall Renovation Updates

02:52 2026 Budget Focus

03:17 Community Events Recap

04:09 Closing Remarks

Summer Syllabus: De Soto Events, Rooted in Community Jun 05, 2025

Show notes

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 parties at the DAC
LearNature Camp
De Soto Days

It takes a village (and some great partnerships) to pull off a summer like this. Big thanks to the partners behind these events—and to everyone who plays a part in building up our community year-round.

Want to stay in the loop?

View the City calendar & community events: desotoks.us
Follow us on Facebook: facebook.com/CityofDeSotoKS/
Sign up for our twice-monthly newsletter: desotoks.us/282/Newsletters

00:00 Intro 05:01 Rhythm & Roots 09:37 Rhythm & Roots at Riverfest 11:31 Movies in the Park 13:12 State of the City 13:46 Pop-Ups, Partners, & Parks & Rec 14:00 Aquatic Center 14:34 Touch-A-Truck 15:16 LearNature Summer Camp - City Government Day 16:09 De Soto Days 16:44 Questions 18:39 Where Are You Headed? 19:50 Bloopers

Mayor’s Minutes - May 15th, 2025 - Southwest Growth Area Plan & Councilmember Farewell May 21, 2025

Show notes

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 Business and Development Plans

03:01 Community Development Initiatives

03:52 Farewell to Council Member Courtney Tripp

04:36 Upcoming Community Events

04:59 Conclusion and Sign-Off

Mayor’s Minutes - May 15th, 2025 - Bonus: Why Growth? May 15, 2025

Show notes

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.

Mayor’s Minutes - May 6th, 2025 - Economic Incentive & Stormwater Management May 06, 2025

Show notes

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

01:08 Stormwater Management Project

01:31 City Hall Renovations Update

02:15 Community Development Block Grant

02:45 Rhythm & Roots Event Recap

03:22 Conclusion