TOWN OF FLAVORTOWN
TOWN COUNCIL
Minutes of Regular Meeting No. 211
Tuesday, January 7, 2025
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 Tassel objected to the characterization of his remarks in the minutes of the December 24, 2024 regular meeting, specifically the word "interrupted." Councilmember Tassel moved to amend the minutes to read "added"; seconded by Councilmember Thornquist. The amendment carried, 4–2. (Ayes: Tassel, Thornquist, Whitcomb, Delgado. Nays: Kessling, 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
None.
6. NEW BUSINESS
A. Fence at the splash pad
The Council considered whether the Town should have the fence at the splash pad at all. The item was placed on the agenda at the request of Connie Vandersloot. Councilmember Thornquist moved to remove the fence at the splash pad; seconded by Councilmember Hasegawa. Chairperson Kessling asked whether there was any further discussion. There was. Discussion continued for 37 minutes. The motion carried, 4–2. (Ayes: Kessling, Tassel, Thornquist, Delgado. Nays: Whitcomb, Hasegawa.) The item was adopted as Ordinance No. 25-A.
B. Bench near the retention pond
The Council considered whether the hours of use for the bench near the retention pond should end at 8:00 p.m. or 7:30 p.m. The item was placed on the agenda at the request of Marjorie Pletz. Councilmember Whitcomb moved to set the hours of use for the bench near the retention pond to end at 7:30 p.m.; seconded by Councilmember Thornquist. Councilmember Delgado moved to amend the motion to add an effective date of April 1; seconded by Councilmember Thornquist. Councilmember Whitcomb moved to amend the amendment to strike "April 1" and insert "April 15"; seconded by Councilmember Thornquist. Chairperson Kessling asked whether there was any further discussion. There was. Discussion continued for 13 minutes. Councilmember Delgado moved to refer the item to an ad hoc subcommittee; seconded by Councilmember Tassel. The motion to refer carried, 4–2. (Ayes: Tassel, Thornquist, Whitcomb, Delgado. Nays: Kessling, Hasegawa.) The pending amendments went with it. The Ad Hoc Subcommittee on Bench Hours was formed for the purpose. Councilmember Delgado volunteered to serve.
C. Plaque beneath the Norway maple at Fennel and 4th
The Council considered whether the plaque beneath the Norway maple at Fennel and 4th should be cast in bronze or brass. The item was placed on the agenda at the request of Marjorie Pletz. During discussion, Ms. Pletz withdrew the request.
D. Welcome sign at the town line
The Council considered whether the welcome sign at the town line falls under the Department of Parks, Recreation, and Adjacent Green Space or the Office of Signage Compliance. The item was placed on the agenda at the request of Dale Brummett. Councilmember Thornquist moved to assign the welcome sign at the town line to the Department of Parks, Recreation, and Adjacent Green Space; seconded by Councilmember Whitcomb. Councilmember Delgado moved to refer the item to the Ad Hoc Subcommittee on Signage Jurisdiction; seconded by Councilmember Thornquist. The motion to refer carried, 5–1. (Ayes: Kessling, Tassel, Whitcomb, Delgado, Hasegawa. Nays: Thornquist.) Councilmember Delgado volunteered to serve.
7. PUBLIC COMMENT
Chairperson Kessling opened public comment at 8:33 p.m.
Ray Tolliver stated that he would be brief, and asked where everyone is supposed to park.
Wendell Prue stated that if the Town changed what the plaque beneath the Norway maple at Fennel and 4th was made of, the light would change. He stated that if the light changed, the insects would move, and that if the insects moved, the birds would have nowhere to go.
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.
Mr. Aldaco left the chamber at 8:43 p.m.
There being no further speakers, public comment was closed.
8. MAYOR'S REPORT
The Mayor had nothing to report.
9. DEPARTMENT REPORTS
Flavortown Historical Preservation Commission: The Commission reported that the Commission reviewed one application and took no action.
Bureau of Water Features: The Bureau reported that the retention pond is fine.
Department of Public Works, Sidewalk Subcommittee: The Subcommittee reported that the sidewalk outside Town Hall was measured.
10. COMMITTEE REPORTS
None.
11. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, Councilmember Whitcomb moved to adjourn; seconded by Councilmember Thornquist. The motion carried, 5–1. (Ayes: Kessling, Thornquist, Whitcomb, Delgado, Hasegawa. Nays: Tassel.) The meeting was adjourned at 8:49 p.m.
Respectfully submitted, Carol Ann Albrecht, Town Clerk.