CITY OF DE SOTO NEWSLETTER

Your City Hall news bulletin with updates on all things De Soto.

May 5th, 2023

City News & Updates

Parade of Hearts Downtown


There’s a Parade of Hearts heart in the heart of De Soto!


The Parade of Hearts is a public art experience that celebrates art while raising money to support local nonprofits. There are 39 other 5-foot by 5-foot heart sculptures around the metro - each with a unique design by a local Kansas City artist.


The heart was sponsored by Panasonic Energy, and will be on display next to the sunflower mural on 83rd until the 4th of July!

Summer Events Announced


Bring your chairs & blankets to the park and enjoy FREE events all summer long!


Movies in the Park (Saturdays):

  • June 10th - Top Gun: Maverick
  • August 5th - Encanto
  • September 16th - Super Mario Bros


Concert Series (Fridays):

All events are at Riverfest Park except the first movie on June 10th, which is at Miller Park.

Summer Event Vendors


Calling all vendors!


Summer concert (mentioned above) & 4th of July vendor spots are open!



There is no vendor fee, and electrical service is provided.

Public Vision Survey


As we design De Soto and update the City’s Strategic Plan, one way we're gathering citizen input is through monthly online surveys.


This month we're focusing on housing and want your input on the types of housing needed in the future.

Take the Public Vision Survey

Contain the Rain


Thinking about upgrading your landscaping this season? You could be eligible for up to 50% reimbursement of materials and installation costs of eco-friendly additions like rain barrels, rain gardens, pollinators, or native plants! 


Visit containtherainjoco.com to learn more and apply for reimbursement.

We're Hiring


Come join our team! We're hiring several new positions -- full-time, part-time, and seasonal:

  • Building Inspector
  • Seasonal Street Maintenance
  • Lifeguards & Concessions
  • Umpires/Sports Officials
  • Building Custodian/Gym Monitor (PT)
  • Wastewater Technician


Check out our Job Board for more info.

Ottawa Street Bridge Project


The Ottawa Street Reconstruction Project is expected to be completed this month!


The next steps are laying the surface coat, sealing the road, backfilling behind the curbs, and finishing the 8-foot-wide sidewalk.

Reimagine Rural Podcast


Mayor Rick Walker and City Administrator Mike Brungardt were recently on The Brookings Institution podcast, Reimagine Rural, where they talk about reimagining De Soto while still protecting the integrity of the community.


The De Soto portion begins approx. 22 minutes in.

Listen to Podcast

City Council Meeting Recap

The De Soto City Council held its regularly scheduled meeting last night, May 4th, at City Hall. View the agenda here. Here is a quick run-down:


  • Approved temporary use permit for Spring Fling Event
  • Approved donation request from Starside Elementary PTA
  • Approved agreement with Johnson County Government for NotifyJoCo services
  • Received a construction update from the Kansas Department of Transportation
  • Approved a CMB license for Pizza Hut of De Soto
  • Approved final plat #12 for Carriage House
  • Approved final plat for Cottage Creek
  • Approved revisions to incentives policy
Watch the Meeting

Parks & Recreation

Aquatic Center Memberships


The De Soto Aquatic Center's opening day is Saturday, May 27th!


Purchase your season memberships here.


For more information about membership prices or pool opportunities in general, check out the Aquatics Center page.

Toddler Time


Toddler Time has been so popular, we're extending this program throughout the summer! Bring your little ones to the De Soto Community Center every Wednesday from 8:30am-10:30am.


  • $1 per child
  • Guardian required to stay with child

Construction & Development

KDOT Construction Updates


At the May 4th City Council meeting, the Kansas Department of Transportation and Clarkson Construction gave an update on upcoming construction activities, including...


  • Anticipated project schedule
  • Expected road closures & traffic impacts
  • K-10 signage update


The streamed presentation begins at 12 minutes; you can find the PowerPoint slides here.

Panasonic Has Gone Vertical


After moving more than 4.5 million cubic yards of earth since November, workers erected the first steel beam on the site of the new EV battery facility.


This marks the latest milestone for the biggest economic development project in Kansas history. 

 

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