TOWN OF FLAVORTOWN
TOWN COUNCIL
Minutes of Regular Meeting No. 209
Tuesday, December 10, 2024
Council Chamber, Town Hall
1. CALL TO ORDER
The regular meeting of the Flavortown Town Council was called to order at 7:03 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 Tassel objected to the characterization of his remarks in the minutes of the November 26, 2024 regular meeting, specifically the word "insisted." Councilmember Tassel moved to amend the minutes to read "stated"; seconded by Councilmember Thornquist. The amendment carried, 4–2. (Ayes: Kessling, Tassel, Thornquist, Whitcomb. Nays: Delgado, Hasegawa.) Councilmember Delgado moved to approve the minutes as amended; seconded by Councilmember Thornquist. The motion carried, 6–0. (Ayes: Kessling, Tassel, Thornquist, Whitcomb, Delgado, Hasegawa.)
4. CORRESPONDENCE
No correspondence was received.
5. OLD BUSINESS
A. Flag at Town Hall
This item was tabled at the November 26, 2024 regular meeting. The Council considered whether the flag at Town Hall falls under the Division of Seasonal Decoration or the Flavortown Historical Preservation Commission. The item was placed on the agenda at the request of Connie Vandersloot. Councilmember Whitcomb moved to assign the flag at Town Hall to the Division of Seasonal Decoration; seconded by Councilmember Thornquist. Chairperson Kessling asked whether there was any further discussion. There was. Discussion continued for 38 minutes. The motion failed, 2–4. (Ayes: Kessling, Whitcomb. Nays: Tassel, Thornquist, Delgado, Hasegawa.)
6. NEW BUSINESS
A. Bike rack outside Town Hall
The Council considered whether the Town should have the bike rack outside Town Hall at all. The item was placed on the agenda by the Department of Public Works, Sidewalk Subcommittee. Councilmember Delgado moved to retain the bike rack outside Town Hall; seconded by Councilmember Thornquist. Discussion continued for 20 minutes. Councilmember Tassel moved to table the item; seconded by Councilmember Thornquist. The motion to table carried, 4–2. (Ayes: Kessling, Tassel, Delgado, Hasegawa. Nays: Thornquist, Whitcomb.)
Councilmember Fenstermacher arrived at 8:25 p.m.
B. Town Hall doors
The Council considered whether the Town Hall doors falls under the Flavortown Historical Preservation Commission or the Division of Seasonal Decoration. The item was placed on the agenda at the request of Dale Brummett. Councilmember Tassel moved to assign the Town Hall doors to the Flavortown Historical Preservation Commission. Bernadette Kwan rose to a point of order, stating that the motion had not been seconded, and cited Robert's Rules of Order, Section 4. The objection was sustained. Councilmember Thornquist seconded the motion. Councilmember Tassel moved to amend the motion to add an effective date of June 1; seconded by Councilmember Thornquist. The amendment failed, 3–4. Discussion continued for 39 minutes. The motion failed, 3–4. (Ayes: Tassel, Thornquist, Delgado. Nays: Kessling, Fenstermacher, Whitcomb, Hasegawa.)
C. Splash pad
The Council considered whether the splash pad falls under the Bureau of Water Features or the Department of Parks, Recreation, and Adjacent Green Space. The item was placed on the agenda by the Bureau of Water Features. Councilmember Hasegawa moved to assign the splash pad to the Bureau of Water Features; 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: Thornquist, Whitcomb, Delgado, Hasegawa. Nays: Kessling, Tassel, Fenstermacher.) The Ad Hoc Subcommittee on Splash Pad Jurisdiction was formed for the purpose. Councilmember Delgado volunteered to serve.
D. Plaque on the gazebo
The Council considered whether the plaque on the gazebo should read "Dedicated" or "Rededicated". The item was placed on the agenda at the request of Connie Vandersloot. Councilmember Delgado moved to have the plaque on the gazebo read "Rededicated"; 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, 5–2. (Ayes: Tassel, Fenstermacher, Thornquist, Whitcomb, Delgado. Nays: Kessling, Hasegawa.) The Ad Hoc Subcommittee on Plaque Nomenclature was formed for the purpose. Councilmember Delgado volunteered to serve.
7. PUBLIC COMMENT
Chairperson Kessling opened public comment at 9:26 p.m.
Gus Aldaco stated that the Norway maple at Fennel and 4th remained in place and asked that this be entered into the record. Mr. Aldaco noted that the tree had now outlasted three members of the Council.
Wendell Prue stated that if the Town handed the Town Hall doors to a different department, the mowing schedule would change. He stated that if the mowing schedule changed, the grass would come in differently, that if the grass came in differently, the seed would fall somewhere else, and that if the seed fell somewhere else, the birds would leave. Mr. Prue stated that he did not know what else to tell the Council.
Ray Tolliver stated that he would be brief, and asked where everyone is supposed to park.
Gail Castellano, of 345 Fennel Street, addressed the Council for the first time. Ms. Castellano stated that the hedge at the corner of Fennel Street and 4th blocked the view of oncoming traffic. She stated that she did not wish to make a fuss.
There being no further speakers, public comment was closed.
8. MAYOR'S REPORT
The Mayor proclaimed December 14 as Adjacent Green Space Day.
9. DEPARTMENT REPORTS
Office of Signage Compliance: The Office reported that the signage on Fennel Street is legible.
Flavortown Historical Preservation Commission: The Commission reported that the Commission reviewed one application and took no action.
10. COMMITTEE REPORTS
None.
11. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, Councilmember Thornquist moved to adjourn; seconded by Councilmember Delgado. The motion carried, 6–1. (Ayes: Kessling, Fenstermacher, Thornquist, Whitcomb, Delgado, Hasegawa. Nays: Tassel.) The meeting was adjourned at 9:40 p.m.
Respectfully submitted, Carol Ann Albrecht, Town Clerk.