TOWN OF FLAVORTOWN
TOWN COUNCIL
Minutes of Regular Meeting No. 215
Tuesday, March 4, 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 Thornquist moved to approve the minutes of the February 18, 2025 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
A. Splash pad
This item was tabled at the February 18, 2025 regular meeting. 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 Tassel moved to assign the splash pad to the Bureau of Water Features; seconded by Councilmember Thornquist. Councilmember Delgado moved to refer the item to the Ad Hoc Subcommittee on Splash Pad Jurisdiction; seconded by Councilmember Thornquist. The motion to refer carried, 4–2. (Ayes: Kessling, Tassel, Whitcomb, Delgado. Nays: Thornquist, Hasegawa.) Councilmember Delgado volunteered to serve.
B. Bench near the retention pond
This item was referred to the Ad Hoc Subcommittee on Bench Hours at the January 7, 2025 regular meeting and has returned from subcommittee. 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 Thornquist moved to set the hours of use for the bench near the retention pond to end at 7:30 p.m.; seconded by Councilmember Tassel. Councilmember Tassel moved to amend the motion to strike "7:30 p.m." and insert "8:00 p.m."; seconded by Councilmember Thornquist. Councilmember Tassel moved to amend the amendment to add the words "or as near thereto as is practicable" after "8:00 p.m."; seconded by Councilmember Thornquist. The amendment to the amendment carried, 4–2. The amendment carried, 4–2. The motion carried, 4–2. (Ayes: Thornquist, Whitcomb, Delgado, Hasegawa. Nays: Kessling, Tassel.) The item was adopted as Ordinance No. 25-F.
6. NEW BUSINESS
A. Gazebo railings
The Council considered whether the gazebo railings falls under the Division of Seasonal Decoration or the Flavortown Historical Preservation Commission. The item was placed on the agenda by the Division of Seasonal Decoration. Councilmember Whitcomb moved to assign the gazebo railings to the Division of Seasonal Decoration; seconded by Councilmember Thornquist. Chairperson Kessling asked whether there was any further discussion. There was. Discussion continued for 24 minutes. The motion carried, 4–2. (Ayes: Kessling, Thornquist, Whitcomb, Hasegawa. Nays: Tassel, Delgado.) The item was adopted as Ordinance No. 25-G.
B. Posted hours of the community garden
The Council considered whether the posted hours of the community garden should be rescinded. The item was placed on the agenda by the Department of Parks, Recreation, and Adjacent Green Space. Councilmember Tassel moved to retain the posted hours of the community garden; seconded by Councilmember Thornquist. Discussion continued for 14 minutes. Councilmember Hasegawa moved to refer the item to an ad hoc subcommittee; seconded by Councilmember Thornquist. The motion to refer carried, 4–2. (Ayes: Kessling, Tassel, Thornquist, Hasegawa. Nays: Whitcomb, Delgado.) The Ad Hoc Subcommittee on Posted Hours Continuance was formed for the purpose.
Councilmember Fenstermacher arrived at 8:24 p.m.
C. Welcome sign at the town line
The Council considered whether the Town should have the welcome sign at the town line at all. The item was placed on the agenda at the request of Denny Frawley. Councilmember Tassel moved, for purposes of discussion, to retain the welcome sign at the town line; seconded by Councilmember Fenstermacher. The motion failed, 0–7. (Nays: Kessling, Tassel, Fenstermacher, Thornquist, Whitcomb, Delgado, Hasegawa.)
D. Plaque on the gazebo
The Council considered whether the plaque on the gazebo should be relocated eight feet to the west. The item was placed on the agenda at the request of Marjorie Pletz. During discussion, Ms. Pletz withdrew the request.
7. PUBLIC COMMENT
Chairperson Kessling opened public comment at 9:00 p.m.
Connie Vandersloot thanked Chairperson Kessling, Councilmember Tassel, Councilmember Thornquist, Councilmember Whitcomb, Councilmember Delgado, Councilmember Hasegawa, and Councilmember Fenstermacher individually for their service. Ms. Vandersloot stated that she prays for each of them. She then stated that the geese had begun arriving at the retention pond in shifts. She thanked the Council again.
Ray Tolliver stated that he would be brief, and asked where everyone is supposed to park.
Dale Brummett read into the record a prepared statement of four pages concerning the bench near the retention pond. 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. Mr. Brummett concluded at 11 minutes and 59 seconds.
Marjorie Pletz spoke regarding the plaque on the gazebo. Ms. Pletz stated that the site is downhill from Town Hall and that the matter was therefore one of drainage. She asked that the record reflect that she had raised drainage.
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 knows why.
Hal Yoder, 126 Saffron Avenue, addressing the Council for the first time, stated that the storm drain at the end of Saffron Avenue makes a noise when it rains. Mr. Yoder thanked the Council for its time.
There being no further speakers, public comment was closed.
8. MAYOR'S REPORT
The Mayor proclaimed the month of April as Norway Maple Awareness Month.
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.
10. COMMITTEE REPORTS
The Chair noted that the Ad Hoc Subcommittee on Plaque Nomenclature has recorded no activity since the December 10, 2024 regular meeting. Councilmember Tassel moved to dissolve the subcommittee for inactivity; seconded by Councilmember Thornquist. The motion carried, 6–1. (Ayes: Kessling, Tassel, Fenstermacher, Thornquist, Whitcomb, Hasegawa. Nays: Delgado.)
Councilmember Delgado reported for the Ad Hoc Subcommittee on Signage Jurisdiction that the subcommittee continues to gather information.
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 9:23 p.m.
Respectfully submitted, Carol Ann Albrecht, Town Clerk.