The Hall Monitors

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Latest Episodes:

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

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

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

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

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

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

The New Kid on the Block (...is 20,000 sq. ft.): Sunflower Fire Station Apr 30, 2025

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 firefighters who serve us every day.

Host: Whitney Lange, Communications Director

Guest: Fire Chief Todd Maxton, NWCFD

00:00 Intro

04:06 The Station That's Served Us Well

08:30 Planning

14:13 Location

15:05 Station Details

18:18 Staffing

18:49 Funding

21:43 Training

25:07 Rapid Fire Questions

28:14 Closing

29:25 Bloopers

Mayor’s Minutes - April 23rd, 2025 - Community Donations & Flint Meadows East Housing Project Apr 23, 2025

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 webpage!

00:00 Welcome to Mayor's Minutes
00:23 Community Donations & Summer Market Series
01:18 Art & Infrastructure Updates
01:38 Housing Developments & Economic Incentives
03:02 City Hall Renovations & Public Safety
04:04 2024 Audit Report & Conclusion

Mayor’s Minutes - April 8th, 2025 - Sewer Benefit District & Community Center Survey Apr 08, 2025

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 Community Center

02:26 Summer Music & Market Series Announcement

03:06 Infrastructure Improvements and Agreements

03:47 Closing Remarks and Community Engagement

Extra Credit: Contain the Rain & Property Tax Relief Programs Mar 31, 2025

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 households, veterans, and seniors, helping to mitigate rising property taxes.

Host: Libby Johnson, Communications & Outreach Coordinator

Guest: Brandon Mills, Assistant City Administrator & City Clerk

00:25 Intro

01:19 Roll Call: Mills, B.

04:57 Contain the Rain Program

09:51 Property Tax Relief Program

19:42 Where are you headed?

20:50 Bloopers

Mayor’s Minutes - March 25th, 2025 - Sunflower Recreational Trail, Permanent Traffic Signals Mar 25, 2025

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 Park Master Plan Update

02:30 Timed Downtown Parking Ordinance

03:04 Traffic Signal Upgrades at Lexington and Commerce

04:35 Conclusion and Contact Information

Mayor’s Minutes - March 17th , 2025 - Downtown Beautification, Property Tax Relief Expansion Mar 17, 2025

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 Program

03:45 Conclusion and Final Remarks

Chalkboards to City Hall: A Historic Renovation in Progress Feb 20, 2025

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 why now is the time for a full-scale renovation.

Key Topics Covered

From School to City Hall – The evolution of a De Soto landmark
Renovation Rundown – What’s changing, what’s staying, and what it means for residents
Preserving the Past – How the city is keeping the building’s history alive

A special thanks to the De Soto Historical Society for sharing historic photos that bring this story to life!

Host: Whitney Lange, City Communications Director

Guest: Mayor Rick Walker

Ding! Was that the bell? Feb 20, 2025

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, and future.

Let’s get to class!

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