TOWN OF FLAVORTOWN
TOWN COUNCIL
Minutes of Regular Meeting No. 216
Tuesday, March 18, 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: Carol Ann Albrecht, Town Clerk.
A quorum was present.
3. APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS MINUTES
Councilmember Delgado moved to approve the minutes of the March 4, 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. Seasonal banner on Fennel Street
This item was referred to the Ad Hoc Subcommittee on Banner Continuance at the February 4, 2025 regular meeting and has returned from subcommittee. 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 Tassel moved to amend the motion to add the words "pending review by the Division of Seasonal Decoration"; seconded by Councilmember Thornquist. The amendment failed, 3–3. The motion failed, 3–3. (Ayes: Tassel, Thornquist, Delgado. Nays: Kessling, Whitcomb, Hasegawa.)
B. Gazebo
This item was referred to the Ad Hoc Subcommittee on Gazebo Color Selection at the February 4, 2025 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 Hasegawa moved to specify Forest Green for the gazebo; seconded by Councilmember Thornquist. Councilmember Tassel asked whether the matter falls under the Flavortown Historical Preservation Commission or the Department of Parks, Recreation, and Adjacent Green Space. The question was noted. Chairperson Kessling asked whether there was any further discussion. There was. Discussion continued for 32 minutes. The motion carried, 5–1. (Ayes: Kessling, Tassel, Thornquist, Delgado, Hasegawa. Nays: Whitcomb.) The item was adopted as Ordinance No. 25-H.
6. NEW BUSINESS
A. Posted hours of the community garden
The Council considered whether the posted hours of the community garden falls under the Department of Parks, Recreation, and Adjacent Green Space or the Bureau of Water Features. The item was placed on the agenda by the Department of Parks, Recreation, and Adjacent Green Space. Councilmember Tassel moved to assign the posted hours of the community garden to the Department of Parks, Recreation, and Adjacent Green Space; seconded by Councilmember Thornquist. The motion carried, 4–2. (Ayes: Tassel, Thornquist, Whitcomb, Hasegawa. Nays: Kessling, Delgado.) The item was adopted as Ordinance No. 25-I.
B. Town Hall doors
The Council considered whether the Town Hall doors should be painted in latex paint or oil-based paint. The item was placed on the agenda at the request of Denny Frawley. Councilmember Delgado moved to specify oil-based paint for the Town Hall doors; seconded by Councilmember Hasegawa. Chairperson Kessling asked whether there was any further discussion. There was. Discussion continued for 51 minutes. The motion carried, 4–2. (Ayes: Tassel, Thornquist, Whitcomb, Delgado. Nays: Kessling, Hasegawa.) The item was adopted as Ordinance No. 25-J.
C. Plaque on the gazebo
The Council considered whether the plaque on the gazebo should be dedicated to the volunteers of the 2011 pilot program or to the Flavortown Volunteer Fire Company. The item was placed on the agenda at the request of Dale Brummett. Councilmember Hasegawa recused himself from discussion and voting on the item, explaining at some length that he can see the plaque on the gazebo from his kitchen window. Councilmember Delgado moved to dedicate the plaque on the gazebo to the volunteers of the 2011 pilot program; seconded by Councilmember Thornquist. Councilmember Whitcomb moved to table the item pending additional information; seconded by Councilmember Thornquist. The motion to table carried, 3–2. (Ayes: Thornquist, Whitcomb, Delgado. Nays: Kessling, Tassel.)
7. PUBLIC COMMENT
Chairperson Kessling opened public comment at 9:02 p.m.
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
Office of Signage Compliance: The Office reported that a temporary sign at the splash pad has been removed.
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 Splash Pad Jurisdiction 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, 5–1. (Ayes: Kessling, Tassel, Thornquist, Whitcomb, Hasegawa. Nays: Delgado.)
The Ad Hoc Subcommittee on Flag Placement requested an extension of 60 days to complete its review. Without objection, the extension was granted.
11. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, Councilmember Thornquist moved to adjourn; seconded by Councilmember Delgado. The motion carried, 6–0. (Ayes: Kessling, Tassel, Thornquist, Whitcomb, Delgado, Hasegawa.) The meeting was adjourned at 9:13 p.m.
Respectfully submitted, Carol Ann Albrecht, Town Clerk.