The Hall Monitors

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

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

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

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

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

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?

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!