TOWN OF FLAVORTOWN
TOWN COUNCIL
Minutes of Regular Meeting No. 212
Tuesday, January 21, 2025
Council Chamber, Town Hall
1. CALL TO ORDER
The regular meeting of the Flavortown Town Council was called to order at 7:01 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 Whitcomb moved to approve the minutes of the January 7, 2025 regular meeting; 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 the gazebo
This item was referred to the Ad Hoc Subcommittee on Flag Placement at the December 24, 2024 regular meeting and has returned from subcommittee. 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 Tassel moved to relocate the flag at the gazebo six feet to the west; seconded by Councilmember Thornquist. Councilmember Tassel moved to amend the motion to add the words "pending review by the Flavortown Historical Preservation Commission"; seconded by Councilmember Thornquist. Councilmember Tassel asked whether the matter falls under the Division of Seasonal Decoration or the Office of Signage Compliance. The question was noted. Councilmember Delgado moved to refer the item back to the Ad Hoc Subcommittee on Flag Placement; seconded by Councilmember Thornquist. The motion to refer carried, 5–1. (Ayes: Kessling, Thornquist, Whitcomb, Delgado, Hasegawa. Nays: Tassel.) The pending amendment went with it. Councilmember Delgado volunteered to serve.
B. Sign at the splash pad entrance
This item was referred to the Ad Hoc Subcommittee on Signage Jurisdiction at the December 24, 2024 regular meeting and has returned from subcommittee. 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 Tassel moved to assign the sign at the splash pad entrance to the Office of Signage Compliance; seconded by Councilmember Thornquist. Chairperson Kessling asked whether there was any further discussion. There was. Discussion continued for 38 minutes. The motion carried, 4–2. (Ayes: Kessling, Tassel, Thornquist, Whitcomb. Nays: Delgado, Hasegawa.) The item was adopted as Ordinance No. 25-B.
6. NEW BUSINESS
A. 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 relocated eight feet to the north. The item was placed on the agenda by the Flavortown Historical Preservation Commission. Councilmember Hasegawa recused himself from discussion and voting on the item, explaining at some length that his sister-in-law has used the plaque beneath the Norway maple at Fennel and 4th. Councilmember Tassel moved to keep the plaque beneath the Norway maple at Fennel and 4th in its current location; seconded by Councilmember Thornquist. The motion failed, 2–3. (Ayes: Tassel, Thornquist. Nays: Kessling, Whitcomb, Delgado.)
B. Fence at the splash pad
The Council considered whether the fence at the splash pad, removed under Ordinance No. 25-A, should be reinstalled. The item was placed on the agenda at the request of Patrice Hollingsworth-Ng, citing the matter of the second gazebo. 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 fence at the splash pad. Councilmember Delgado moved to reinstall the fence at the splash pad; seconded by Councilmember Thornquist. Chairperson Kessling asked whether there was any further discussion. There was. Discussion continued for 39 minutes. The motion carried, 3–2. (Ayes: Kessling, Tassel, Delgado. Nays: Thornquist, Whitcomb.) The item was adopted as Ordinance No. 25-C.
7. PUBLIC COMMENT
Chairperson Kessling opened public comment at 8:52 p.m.
Dale Brummett read into the record a prepared statement of ten pages concerning the flag at the gazebo. Chairperson Kessling advised Mr. Brummett that his three minutes had expired. Mr. Brummett expressed surprise. He was permitted to conclude and finished at 10 minutes and 34 seconds. Copies were provided to the Clerk and are on file.
Marjorie Pletz spoke regarding the sign at the splash pad entrance. She stated that the site sits at a low point and that the matter was therefore one of drainage. Ms. Pletz stated that she would not elaborate, as the Council was aware of her position.
Ray Tolliver stated that he would be brief, and asked where everyone is supposed to park.
Wendell Prue stated that if the Town handed the sign at the splash pad entrance 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 worms would go deeper, and that if the worms went deeper, the birds would have nowhere to go. Mr. Prue stated that he did not know what else to tell the Council.
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 noted that the tree had now outlasted three members of the Council.
Denny Frawley spoke in strong support of the item. Mr. Frawley stated that the installation of the flag at the gazebo was the best idea he had heard in some time. He offered to volunteer.
There being no further speakers, public comment was closed.
8. MAYOR'S REPORT
The Mayor proclaimed the week of February 10 as Seasonal Decoration Appreciation Week.
9. DEPARTMENT REPORTS
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 near the splash pad is level.
Office of Signage Compliance: The Office reported that a temporary sign at the splash pad has been removed.
10. COMMITTEE REPORTS
None.
11. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, Councilmember Tassel moved to adjourn; seconded by Councilmember Thornquist. The motion carried, 6–0. (Ayes: Kessling, Tassel, Thornquist, Whitcomb, Delgado, Hasegawa.) The meeting was adjourned at 9:15 p.m.
Respectfully submitted, Carol Ann Albrecht, Town Clerk.