TOWN OF FLAVORTOWN
TOWN COUNCIL
Minutes of Regular Meeting No. 213
Tuesday, February 4, 2025
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: Carol Ann Albrecht, Town Clerk.
A quorum was present.
3. APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS MINUTES
Councilmember Delgado moved to approve the minutes of the January 21, 2025 regular meeting; seconded by Councilmember Thornquist. The motion carried, 6–0. (Ayes: Kessling, Tassel, Thornquist, Whitcomb, Delgado, Hasegawa.)
4. CORRESPONDENCE
The Clerk read into the record a letter from the Town of North Ashby advising, as a courtesy, that a flock of geese had been observed crossing the boundary road in the direction of the retention pond. The letter was received and filed.
5. OLD BUSINESS
Councilmember Fenstermacher arrived at 7:08 p.m.
A. Gazebo
This item was referred to the Ad Hoc Subcommittee on Gazebo Color Selection at the November 12, 2024 regular meeting and has returned from subcommittee. 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 Fenstermacher moved to specify Forest Green for the gazebo; seconded by Councilmember Thornquist. Councilmember Whitcomb moved to refer the item back to the Ad Hoc Subcommittee on Gazebo Color Selection; seconded by Councilmember Thornquist. The motion to refer carried, 4–3. (Ayes: Tassel, Fenstermacher, Thornquist, Whitcomb. Nays: Kessling, Delgado, Hasegawa.)
6. NEW BUSINESS
A. Mulch beds outside Town Hall
The Council considered whether the mulch beds outside Town Hall should be pine bark nuggets or pine bark mini-nuggets. The item was placed on the agenda at the request of Connie Vandersloot. During discussion, Ms. Vandersloot withdrew the request.
B. Seasonal banner on Fennel Street
The Council considered whether the Town should have the seasonal banner on Fennel Street at all. The item was placed on the agenda at the request of Wendell Prue. Councilmember Tassel moved to remove the seasonal banner on Fennel Street; 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: Kessling, Thornquist, Whitcomb, Delgado. Nays: Tassel, Fenstermacher, Hasegawa.) The Ad Hoc Subcommittee on Banner Continuance was formed for the purpose. Councilmember Delgado volunteered to serve.
C. Welcome sign at the town line
The Council considered whether the welcome sign at the town line should be painted Heritage Green or Colonial Green. The item was placed on the agenda at the request of Connie Vandersloot. Councilmember Fenstermacher moved to specify Heritage Green for the welcome sign at the town line; seconded by Councilmember Thornquist. Councilmember Whitcomb moved to table the item pending additional information; seconded by Councilmember Thornquist. The motion to table carried, 6–1. (Ayes: Kessling, Tassel, Fenstermacher, Thornquist, Whitcomb, Delgado. Nays: Hasegawa.)
D. Fence around the retention pond
The Council considered whether the fence around the retention pond should be split-rail cedar or vinyl. The item was placed on the agenda at the request of Denny Frawley. Councilmember Tassel moved to specify split-rail cedar for the fence around the retention pond; seconded by Councilmember Thornquist. Councilmember Tassel asked whether the matter falls under the Bureau of Water Features or the Department of Public Works, Sidewalk Subcommittee. The question was noted. The motion carried, 5–2. (Ayes: Kessling, Tassel, Thornquist, Whitcomb, Hasegawa. Nays: Fenstermacher, Delgado.) The item was adopted as Ordinance No. 25-D.
7. PUBLIC COMMENT
Chairperson Kessling opened public comment at 8:34 p.m.
Gus Aldaco stated that the Norway maple at Fennel and 4th is still there and asked that this be entered into the record. Mr. Aldaco stated that he has raised the matter for fourteen years and will raise it again.
Connie Vandersloot thanked Chairperson Kessling, Councilmember Tassel, Councilmember Thornquist, Councilmember Whitcomb, Councilmember Delgado, Councilmember Hasegawa, and Councilmember Fenstermacher individually for their service. She stated that the Town is fortunate to have them. Ms. Vandersloot then stated that the geese were not at the pond on Tuesday and that the Council should ask itself where they were.
Patrice Hollingsworth-Ng spoke in opposition to the motion to specify Heritage Green for the welcome sign at the town line. She stated that things had been better when people knew where things went. 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.
There being no further speakers, public comment was closed.
8. MAYOR'S REPORT
The Mayor was not present.
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 outside Town Hall was measured.
Flavortown Historical Preservation Commission: The Commission reported that the plaque inventory is complete.
10. COMMITTEE REPORTS
Councilmember Delgado reported for the Ad Hoc Subcommittee on Flag Placement that the subcommittee has adopted its rules of procedure.
11. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, Councilmember Whitcomb 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 8:48 p.m.
Respectfully submitted, Carol Ann Albrecht, Town Clerk.