TOWN OF FLAVORTOWN
TOWN COUNCIL
Minutes of Regular Meeting No. 218
Tuesday, April 15, 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 April 1, 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. Welcome sign at the town line
This item was referred to the Ad Hoc Subcommittee on Signage Jurisdiction at the January 7, 2025 regular meeting and has returned from subcommittee. The Council considered whether the welcome sign at the town line falls under the Department of Parks, Recreation, and Adjacent Green Space or the Office of Signage Compliance. The item was placed on the agenda at the request of Dale Brummett. Councilmember Hasegawa moved to assign the welcome sign at the town line to the Department of Parks, Recreation, and Adjacent Green Space; seconded by Councilmember Thornquist. Councilmember Delgado moved to table the item; seconded by Councilmember Thornquist. The motion to table carried, 4–2. (Ayes: Tassel, Whitcomb, Delgado, Hasegawa. Nays: Kessling, Thornquist.)
B. Fence at the splash pad
This item was tabled at the February 18, 2025 regular meeting. 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 he served on a committee in 2011 that discussed the fence at the splash pad. Councilmember Tassel 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, 3–2. (Ayes: Kessling, Thornquist, Whitcomb. Nays: Tassel, Delgado.)
6. NEW BUSINESS
A. Memorial bench on Fennel Street
The Council considered whether the memorial bench on Fennel Street should be dedicated to the late Dorothy Kimball or to the volunteers of the 2011 pilot program. The item was placed on the agenda by the Department of Parks, Recreation, and Adjacent Green Space. Councilmember Delgado moved to dedicate the memorial bench on Fennel Street to the late Dorothy Kimball; seconded by Councilmember Thornquist. Councilmember Tassel moved to amend the motion to strike "the late Dorothy Kimball" and insert "the volunteers of the 2011 pilot program"; seconded by Councilmember Thornquist. The amendment carried, 5–1. The motion failed, 3–3. (Ayes: Tassel, Delgado, Hasegawa. Nays: Kessling, Thornquist, Whitcomb.)
B. Flag at Town Hall
The Council considered whether the flag at Town Hall should be made of nylon or polyester. The item was placed on the agenda by the Flavortown Historical Preservation Commission. Councilmember Whitcomb moved to specify nylon for the flag at Town Hall; seconded by Councilmember Thornquist. Councilmember Tassel moved to amend the motion to add the words "on a trial basis"; seconded by Councilmember Thornquist. Councilmember Tassel moved to amend the amendment to add "of not more than ninety days" after "trial basis"; seconded by Councilmember Thornquist. Councilmember Tassel moved to refer the item to an ad hoc subcommittee; seconded by Councilmember Thornquist. The motion to refer carried, 4–2. (Ayes: Tassel, Whitcomb, Delgado, Hasegawa. Nays: Kessling, Thornquist.) The pending amendments went with it. The Ad Hoc Subcommittee on Flag Materials was formed for the purpose.
7. PUBLIC COMMENT
Chairperson Kessling opened public comment at 8:14 p.m.
Dale Brummett read into the record a prepared statement of seven pages concerning the welcome sign at the town line. 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 9 minutes and 42 seconds. Copies were provided to the Clerk and are on file.
Patrice Hollingsworth-Ng spoke in opposition to the motion to dedicate the memorial bench on Fennel Street to the late Dorothy Kimball. Ms. Hollingsworth-Ng stated that things had been better when nobody had needed to discuss the memorial bench on Fennel Street. 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.
Connie Vandersloot thanked Chairperson Kessling, Councilmember Tassel, Councilmember Thornquist, Councilmember Whitcomb, Councilmember Delgado, and Councilmember Hasegawa individually for their service. Ms. Vandersloot stated that she prays for each of them. She then stated that the geese are aware of the meeting schedule.
There being no further speakers, public comment was closed.
8. MAYOR'S REPORT
The Mayor had nothing to report.
9. DEPARTMENT REPORTS
Department of Public Works, Sidewalk Subcommittee: The Subcommittee reported that the sidewalk outside Town Hall was measured.
Bureau of Water Features: The Bureau reported that the retention pond is fine.
10. COMMITTEE REPORTS
Councilmember Delgado reported for the Ad Hoc Subcommittee on Signage Jurisdiction that the subcommittee has met and has no recommendation at this time.
The Chair noted that the Ad Hoc Subcommittee on Bench Hours has recorded no activity since the January 7, 2025 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.)
11. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, Councilmember Thornquist moved to adjourn; seconded by Councilmember Tassel. The motion carried, 6–0. (Ayes: Kessling, Tassel, Thornquist, Whitcomb, Delgado, Hasegawa.) The meeting was adjourned at 8:37 p.m.
Respectfully submitted, Carol Ann Albrecht, Town Clerk.