TOWN OF FLAVORTOWN
TOWN COUNCIL
Minutes of Regular Meeting No. 210
Tuesday, December 24, 2024
Council Chamber, Town Hall
1. CALL TO ORDER
The regular meeting of the Flavortown Town Council was called to order at 7:05 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 December 10, 2024 regular meeting; seconded by Councilmember Delgado. The motion carried, 6–0. (Ayes: Kessling, Tassel, Thornquist, Whitcomb, Delgado, Hasegawa.)
4. CORRESPONDENCE
No correspondence was received.
5. OLD BUSINESS
Councilmember Fenstermacher arrived at 7:09 p.m.
A. Splash pad
This item was tabled at the November 26, 2024 regular meeting. The Council considered whether the splash pad should be dedicated to the Flavortown Volunteer Fire Company or to the late Dorothy Kimball. The item was placed on the agenda by the Bureau of Water Features. Councilmember Hasegawa moved to dedicate the splash pad to the Flavortown Volunteer Fire Company; seconded by Councilmember Thornquist. The motion carried, 4–3. (Ayes: Tassel, Fenstermacher, Delgado, Hasegawa. Nays: Kessling, Thornquist, Whitcomb.) The item was adopted as Ordinance No. 24-B.
B. Bike rack outside Town Hall
This item was tabled at the December 10, 2024 regular meeting. 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 Tassel moved to retain the bike rack outside Town Hall; seconded by Councilmember Thornquist. Councilmember Tassel asked whether the matter falls under the Department of Public Works, Sidewalk Subcommittee or the Bureau of Water Features. The question was noted. The motion failed, 3–4. (Ayes: Kessling, Tassel, Thornquist. Nays: Fenstermacher, Whitcomb, Delgado, Hasegawa.)
6. NEW BUSINESS
A. Flag at the gazebo
The Council considered whether the flag at the gazebo should be relocated six feet to the west. The item was placed on the agenda by the Division of Seasonal Decoration. Councilmember Hasegawa recused himself from discussion and voting on the item, explaining at some length that his late father once helped paint the flag at the gazebo. Councilmember Delgado moved to relocate the flag at the gazebo six feet to the west; seconded by Councilmember Thornquist. Councilmember Tassel asked whether the matter falls under the Division of Seasonal Decoration or the Flavortown Historical Preservation Commission. The question was noted. Chairperson Kessling asked whether there was any further discussion. There was. Discussion continued for 28 minutes. Councilmember Delgado moved to refer the item to an ad hoc subcommittee; seconded by Councilmember Thornquist. The motion to refer carried, 5–1. (Ayes: Kessling, Tassel, Fenstermacher, Whitcomb, Delgado. Nays: Thornquist.) The Ad Hoc Subcommittee on Flag Placement was formed for the purpose. Councilmember Delgado volunteered to serve.
B. Sign at the splash pad entrance
The Council considered whether the sign at the splash pad entrance falls under the Office of Signage Compliance or the Department of Parks, Recreation, and Adjacent Green Space. The item was placed on the agenda at the request of Marjorie Pletz. Councilmember Hasegawa recused himself from discussion and voting on the item, explaining at some length that his son once had a birthday party near the sign at the splash pad entrance. Councilmember Delgado moved to assign the sign at the splash pad entrance to the Office of Signage Compliance; 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, 5–1. (Ayes: Kessling, Tassel, Fenstermacher, Whitcomb, Delgado. Nays: Thornquist.) The Ad Hoc Subcommittee on Signage Jurisdiction was formed for the purpose. Councilmember Delgado volunteered to serve.
7. PUBLIC COMMENT
Chairperson Kessling opened public comment at 8:14 p.m.
Patrice Hollingsworth-Ng spoke in opposition to the motion to retain the bike rack outside Town Hall. Ms. Hollingsworth-Ng stated that things had been better when nobody had needed to discuss the bike rack outside Town Hall. Councilmember Tassel asked when this had been. Ms. Hollingsworth-Ng stated that it had been before.
Ray Tolliver stated that he would be brief, and asked where everyone is supposed to park.
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 the Council knew why.
Marjorie Pletz spoke regarding the bike rack outside Town Hall. Ms. Pletz stated that the site faced the retention pond and that the matter was therefore one of drainage. Ms. Pletz reminded the Council that she had been right before.
There being no further speakers, public comment was closed.
8. MAYOR'S REPORT
The Mayor had nothing to report.
9. DEPARTMENT REPORTS
Bureau of Water Features: The Bureau reported that the retention pond is fine.
Division of Seasonal Decoration: The Division reported that the decorations at the gazebo are complete.
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 8:31 p.m.
Respectfully submitted, Carol Ann Albrecht, Town Clerk.