The Hall Monitors
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!
Listen on:
Episodes
2 hours ago
2 hours ago
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
Wednesday May 21, 2025
Wednesday 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
Thursday May 15, 2025
Thursday 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.
Tuesday May 06, 2025
Tuesday 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
Wednesday Apr 30, 2025
Wednesday 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
Wednesday Apr 23, 2025
Wednesday 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 Minutes00:23 Community Donations & Summer Market Series01:18 Art & Infrastructure Updates01:38 Housing Developments & Economic Incentives03:02 City Hall Renovations & Public Safety04:04 2024 Audit Report & Conclusion
Tuesday Apr 08, 2025
Tuesday 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
Monday Mar 31, 2025
Monday 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
Tuesday Mar 25, 2025
Tuesday 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
Monday Mar 17, 2025
Monday 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