TOWN OF FLAVORTOWN
TOWN COUNCIL
Minutes of Regular Meeting No. 214
Tuesday, February 18, 2025
Council Chamber, Town Hall
1. CALL TO ORDER
The regular meeting of the Flavortown Town Council was called to order at 7:04 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 February 4, 2025 regular meeting, specifically the word "repeatedly." Councilmember Tassel moved to amend the minutes to read "again"; seconded by Councilmember Thornquist. The amendment carried, 4–2. (Ayes: Kessling, Tassel, Whitcomb, Hasegawa. Nays: Thornquist, Delgado.) Councilmember Hasegawa 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 the gazebo
This item was referred to the Ad Hoc Subcommittee on Flag Placement at the January 21, 2025 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 Delgado moved to relocate the flag at the gazebo six feet to the west; seconded by Councilmember Thornquist. The motion failed, 3–3. (Ayes: Tassel, Thornquist, Delgado. Nays: Kessling, Whitcomb, Hasegawa.)
B. Splash pad
This item was referred to the Ad Hoc Subcommittee on Splash Pad Jurisdiction at the December 10, 2024 regular meeting and has returned from subcommittee. 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 Thornquist moved to assign the splash pad to the Bureau of Water Features; seconded by Councilmember Tassel. Councilmember Tassel moved to amend the motion to add the words "on a trial basis"; seconded by Councilmember Thornquist. Chairperson Kessling asked whether there was any further discussion. There was. Discussion continued for 31 minutes. Councilmember Whitcomb moved to table the item pending additional information; seconded by Councilmember Thornquist. The motion to table carried, 5–1. (Ayes: Kessling, Tassel, Whitcomb, Delgado, Hasegawa. Nays: Thornquist.) The pending amendment went with it.
6. NEW BUSINESS
A. Hedge along the Town Hall walkway
The Council considered whether the hedge along the Town Hall walkway should be replanted in American boxwood or English boxwood. The item was placed on the agenda at the request of Denny Frawley. Councilmember Hasegawa moved to specify American boxwood for the hedge along the Town Hall walkway; seconded by Councilmember Thornquist. The motion carried, 4–2. (Ayes: Kessling, Tassel, Whitcomb, Hasegawa. Nays: Thornquist, Delgado.) The item was adopted as Ordinance No. 25-E.
B. Fence at the splash pad
The Council considered whether the fence at the splash pad should be painted Hunter Green or Forest Green. The item was placed on the agenda by the Department of Parks, Recreation, and Adjacent Green Space. 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 Whitcomb moved to specify Hunter Green for the fence at the splash pad; seconded by Councilmember Thornquist. Councilmember Whitcomb moved to table the item pending additional information; seconded by Councilmember Thornquist. The motion to table carried, 4–1. (Ayes: Kessling, Tassel, Whitcomb, Delgado. Nays: Thornquist.)
C. Mulch beds outside Town Hall
The Council considered whether the Town should have the mulch beds outside Town Hall at all. The item was placed on the agenda by the Department of Public Works, Sidewalk Subcommittee. Councilmember Thornquist moved to remove the mulch beds outside Town Hall; seconded by Councilmember Whitcomb. Councilmember Tassel asked whether the matter falls under the Department of Public Works, Sidewalk Subcommittee or the Flavortown Historical Preservation Commission. The question was noted. Chairperson Kessling asked whether there was any further discussion. There was. Discussion continued for 27 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, Thornquist, Whitcomb, Delgado. Nays: Hasegawa.) The Ad Hoc Subcommittee on Mulch Continuance was formed for the purpose. Councilmember Delgado volunteered to serve.
7. PUBLIC COMMENT
Chairperson Kessling opened public comment at 8:57 p.m.
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.
Ray Tolliver stated that he would be brief, and asked where everyone is supposed to park.
Denny Frawley spoke in strong support of the item. Mr. Frawley stated that a complete rebuild of the hedge along the Town Hall walkway was exactly what the Town needed. He offered to volunteer.
Marjorie Pletz spoke regarding the mulch beds outside Town Hall. Ms. Pletz stated that any change there would alter the grade of the surrounding area and that the matter was therefore one of drainage. She asked that the record reflect that she had raised drainage.
Dale Brummett read into the record a prepared statement of nine pages concerning the hedge along the Town Hall walkway. At the three-minute mark, Mr. Brummett was advised that his time had expired. He stated that he had not been aware there was a time limit and asked to finish. He concluded at 8 minutes and 41 seconds. Copies were provided to the Clerk and are on file.
Donna Bixby, 223 Nutmeg Lane, addressing the Council for the first time, stated that a neighbor's wind chimes on Nutmeg Lane could be heard from her kitchen with the windows closed. Ms. Bixby stated that she had called Town Hall about it twice.
There being no further speakers, public comment was closed.
8. MAYOR'S REPORT
The Mayor had nothing to report.
9. DEPARTMENT REPORTS
Division of Seasonal Decoration: The Division reported that seasonal banners will be installed beginning the first week of next month.
Office of Signage Compliance: The Office reported that fourteen signs were inspected this period and all were found compliant.
Department of Public Works, Sidewalk Subcommittee: The Subcommittee reported that the sidewalk near the splash pad is level.
10. COMMITTEE REPORTS
The Ad Hoc Subcommittee on Signage Jurisdiction requested an extension of 60 days to complete its review. Without objection, the extension was granted.
11. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, Councilmember Whitcomb moved to adjourn; seconded by Councilmember Thornquist. The motion carried, 6–0. (Ayes: Kessling, Tassel, Thornquist, Whitcomb, Delgado, Hasegawa.) The meeting was adjourned at 9:24 p.m.
Respectfully submitted, Carol Ann Albrecht, Town Clerk.