TOWN OF FLAVORTOWN
TOWN COUNCIL
Minutes of Regular Meeting No. 225
Tuesday, July 22, 2025
Council Chamber, Town Hall
1. CALL TO ORDER
The regular meeting of the Flavortown Town Council was called to order at 7:02 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 July 8, 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, Delgado. Nays: Thornquist, Hasegawa.) 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. Splash pad
This item was tabled at the April 1, 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 Delgado moved to assign the splash pad to the Bureau of Water Features; seconded by Councilmember Thornquist. Discussion continued for 25 minutes. The motion failed, 3–3. (Ayes: Kessling, Thornquist, Delgado. Nays: Tassel, Whitcomb, Hasegawa.)
B. Flag at Town Hall
This item was referred to the Ad Hoc Subcommittee on Flag Materials at the April 15, 2025 regular meeting and has returned from subcommittee. 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 Tassel. Bernadette Kwan rose to a point of order, stating that the motion had not been seconded, and cited Robert's Rules of Order, Section 4. The Clerk confirmed that Councilmember Tassel had seconded the motion. The objection was overruled. 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. The motion carried, 5–1. (Ayes: Kessling, Tassel, Whitcomb, Delgado, Hasegawa. Nays: Thornquist.) The item was adopted as Ordinance No. 25-S.
6. NEW BUSINESS
Councilmember Fenstermacher arrived at 7:55 p.m.
A. Bench near the retention pond
The Council considered whether the bench near the retention pond should be dedicated to the Flavortown Garden Club or to former Chairperson Edna Voss. The item was placed on the agenda at the request of Wendell Prue. Councilmember Delgado moved to dedicate the bench near the retention pond to the Flavortown Garden Club; seconded by Councilmember Thornquist. Councilmember Tassel moved to amend the motion to strike "the Flavortown Garden Club" and insert "former Chairperson Edna Voss"; seconded by Councilmember Thornquist. Councilmember Hasegawa moved to amend the amendment to add the words "or as near thereto as is practicable" after "former Chairperson Edna Voss"; seconded by Councilmember Thornquist. Councilmember Whitcomb moved to table the item pending additional information; seconded by Councilmember Thornquist. The motion to table carried, 4–3. (Ayes: Kessling, Tassel, Thornquist, Whitcomb. Nays: Fenstermacher, Delgado, Hasegawa.) The pending amendments went with it.
B. Banner over the Town Hall entrance
The Council considered whether the banner over the Town Hall entrance should be printed on vinyl or canvas. The item was placed on the agenda at the request of Dale Brummett. Councilmember Whitcomb moved to specify vinyl for the banner over the Town Hall entrance; seconded by Councilmember Delgado. Councilmember Tassel asked whether the matter falls under the Division of Seasonal Decoration or the Department of Public Works, Sidewalk Subcommittee. The question was noted. Discussion continued for 25 minutes. Councilmember Delgado moved to refer the item to an ad hoc subcommittee; seconded by Councilmember Tassel. The motion to refer carried, 5–2. (Ayes: Kessling, Tassel, Whitcomb, Delgado, Hasegawa. Nays: Fenstermacher, Thornquist.) The Ad Hoc Subcommittee on Banner Materials was formed for the purpose. Councilmember Delgado volunteered to serve.
C. Gazebo
The Council considered whether the gazebo should be dedicated to former Chairperson Edna Voss or to the Flavortown Volunteer Fire Company. The item was placed on the agenda at the request of Patrice Hollingsworth-Ng. Councilmember Delgado moved to dedicate the gazebo to former Chairperson Edna Voss; seconded by Councilmember Thornquist. The motion carried, 4–3. (Ayes: Kessling, Tassel, Whitcomb, Delgado. Nays: Fenstermacher, Thornquist, Hasegawa.) The item was adopted as Ordinance No. 25-T.
7. PUBLIC COMMENT
Chairperson Kessling opened public comment at 8:54 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 prayed for each of them. She then stated that the geese had begun arriving at the retention pond in shifts.
Patrice Hollingsworth-Ng spoke in opposition to the motion to dedicate the gazebo to former Chairperson Edna Voss. Ms. Hollingsworth-Ng stated that things had been better when there was a form for this. She did not specify when this had been.
Ray Tolliver stated that he would be brief, and asked where everyone is supposed to park.
Marjorie Pletz spoke regarding the flag at 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 reminded the Council that she had been right before.
Denny Frawley spoke in strong support of the item. Mr. Frawley stated that a parade for the bench near the retention pond was the best idea he had heard in some time. He asked where he could sign up.
Brenda Ashworth, 370 Saffron Avenue, addressing the Council for the first time, stated that the drinking fountain in Town Hall had not worked since she was last in the building. Ms. Ashworth asked that someone look into it.
Curtis Echols, 163 Fennel Street, addressing the Council for the first time, stated that his recycling bin on Fennel Street was not emptied last Thursday. Mr. Echols thanked the Council for its time.
There being no further speakers, public comment was closed.
8. MAYOR'S REPORT
The Mayor had nothing to report.
9. DEPARTMENT REPORTS
Flavortown Historical Preservation Commission: The Commission reported that the plaque inventory is complete.
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 routine testing at the splash pad was completed.
10. COMMITTEE REPORTS
The Chair noted that the Ad Hoc Subcommittee on Signage Jurisdiction has recorded no activity since the April 15, 2025 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.)
The Chair noted that the Ad Hoc Subcommittee on Mulch Materials has recorded no activity since the April 1, 2025 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.)
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 9:15 p.m.
Respectfully submitted, Carol Ann Albrecht, Town Clerk.