TOWN OF FLAVORTOWN
TOWN COUNCIL
Minutes of Regular Meeting No. 207
Tuesday, November 12, 2024
Council Chamber, Town Hall
1. CALL TO ORDER
The regular meeting of the Flavortown Town Council was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Chairperson Kessling.
2. ROLL CALL
Present: Chairperson Kessling, Councilmembers Tassel, Thornquist, Whitcomb, Delgado, and Hasegawa.
Absent: Councilmember Fenstermacher.
Also present: Bud Coolidge, Mayor; Carol Ann Albrecht, Town Clerk.
A quorum was present.
3. APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS MINUTES
Councilmember Thornquist moved to approve the minutes of the October 29, 2024 regular meeting; seconded by Councilmember Tassel. The motion carried, 6–0. (Ayes: Kessling, Tassel, Thornquist, Whitcomb, Delgado, Hasegawa.)
4. CORRESPONDENCE
The Clerk read into the record a letter from the Mayor of Muștăreni, Romania, thanking Mr. Dale Brummett for his recent visit and conveying the village's warm regards to the people of Flavortown. The letter was received and filed. A reply will be sent over the signature of Mayor Coolidge.
5. OLD BUSINESS
None.
6. NEW BUSINESS
Councilmember Fenstermacher arrived at 7:05 p.m.
A. Posted hours of the community garden
The Council considered whether the posted hours of the community garden falls under the Bureau of Water Features or the Department of Parks, Recreation, and Adjacent Green Space. The item was placed on the agenda at the request of Dale Brummett. Bernadette Kwan rose to a point of order, stating that the item had not been properly noticed, and cited Robert's Rules of Order, Section 9. The Clerk confirmed that the item was added to the posted agenda after the notice deadline. The objection was sustained, and the item was removed from the agenda to be re-noticed for the next regular meeting.
B. Gazebo
The Council considered whether the gazebo should be painted Hunter Green or Forest Green. The item was placed on the agenda at the request of Dale Brummett. Councilmember Whitcomb moved to specify Forest Green for the gazebo; seconded by Councilmember Thornquist. Councilmember Delgado moved to refer the item to an ad hoc subcommittee; seconded by Councilmember Thornquist. The motion to refer carried, 4–3. (Ayes: Fenstermacher, Thornquist, Whitcomb, Delgado. Nays: Kessling, Tassel, Hasegawa.) The Ad Hoc Subcommittee on Gazebo Color Selection was formed for the purpose. Councilmember Delgado volunteered to serve.
C. Hedge bordering the retention pond
The Council considered whether the hedge bordering the retention pond falls under the Department of Public Works, Sidewalk Subcommittee or the Department of Parks, Recreation, and Adjacent Green Space. The item was placed on the agenda at the request of Dale Brummett. Councilmember Tassel moved to assign the hedge bordering the retention pond to the Department of Public Works, Sidewalk Subcommittee; seconded by Councilmember Thornquist. Chairperson Kessling asked whether there was any further discussion. There was. Discussion continued for 27 minutes. The motion carried, 4–3. (Ayes: Tassel, Thornquist, Delgado, Hasegawa. Nays: Kessling, Fenstermacher, Whitcomb.) The item was adopted as Ordinance No. 24-A.
7. PUBLIC COMMENT
Chairperson Kessling opened public comment at 7:57 p.m.
Marjorie Pletz spoke regarding the hedge bordering the retention pond. Ms. Pletz stated that the site faces the retention pond and that the matter was therefore one of drainage. She reminded the Council that she had been right before.
Ray Tolliver stated that he would be brief, and asked where everyone is supposed to park.
Dale Brummett read into the record a prepared statement of fourteen pages concerning his recent visit to Muștăreni, Romania, the Town's sister city. Mr. Brummett described in detail the bus schedule, the village bakery, and the condition of the sidewalks there, and stated that he had been received warmly. At the three-minute mark, he was advised that his time had expired. Mr. Brummett stated that he had not yet reached the second day and asked to continue. He concluded at 16 minutes and 32 seconds. Copies were provided to the Clerk and are on file.
Gus Aldaco stated that the Norway maple at Fennel and 4th was still there and asked that this be entered into the record. Mr. Aldaco stated that he had raised the matter for fourteen years and would raise it again.
Wendell Prue stated that if the Town handed the hedge bordering the retention pond to a different department, the mowing schedule would change. Mr. Prue stated that if the mowing schedule changed, the grass would come in differently, and that if the grass came in differently, the birds would move.
Lorraine Kowalczyk, 453 Caraway Court, addressing the Council for the first time, stated that a parking ticket she received on Fennel Street was issued four minutes before the posted restriction began. Ms. Kowalczyk asked that someone look into it.
Curtis Nakamura, 364 Thyme Road, addressing the Council for the first time, stated that the hedge at the corner of Thyme Road and 4th blocked the view of oncoming traffic. Mr. Nakamura thanked the Council for its time.
There being no further speakers, public comment was closed.
8. MAYOR'S REPORT
The Mayor proclaimed the month of December as Hedge Awareness Month.
9. DEPARTMENT REPORTS
Flavortown Historical Preservation Commission: The Commission reported that the plaque inventory is complete.
Department of Parks, Recreation, and Adjacent Green Space: The Department reported that the gazebo roof is sound.
10. COMMITTEE REPORTS
None.
11. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, Councilmember Tassel moved to adjourn; seconded by Councilmember Thornquist. The motion carried, 7–0. (Ayes: Kessling, Tassel, Fenstermacher, Thornquist, Whitcomb, Delgado, Hasegawa.) The meeting was adjourned at 8:22 p.m.
Respectfully submitted, Carol Ann Albrecht, Town Clerk.