TOWN OF FLAVORTOWN
TOWN COUNCIL
Minutes of Regular Meeting No. 229
Tuesday, September 16, 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 September 2, 2025 regular meeting, specifically the word "interrupted." Councilmember Tassel moved to amend the minutes to read "added"; seconded by Councilmember Thornquist. The amendment carried, 6–0. (Ayes: Kessling, Tassel, Thornquist, Whitcomb, Delgado, 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. Town Hall doors
This item was tabled at the June 24, 2025 regular meeting. The Council considered whether the Town Hall doors should be painted Municipal Gray or Pewter Gray. The item was placed on the agenda by the Division of Seasonal Decoration. 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 Town Hall doors. Councilmember Delgado moved to specify Municipal Gray for the Town Hall doors; seconded by Councilmember Thornquist. Councilmember Tassel moved to amend the motion to strike "Municipal Gray" and insert "Pewter Gray"; seconded by Councilmember Thornquist. Chairperson Kessling asked whether there was any further discussion. There was. Discussion continued for 19 minutes. Councilmember Thornquist moved to table the item; seconded by Councilmember Delgado. The motion to table carried, 4–1. (Ayes: Tassel, Thornquist, Whitcomb, Delgado. Nays: Kessling.) The pending amendment went with it.
B. Bench near the retention pond
This item was tabled at the July 22, 2025 regular meeting. 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. The motion failed, 2–4. (Ayes: Kessling, Delgado. Nays: Tassel, Thornquist, Whitcomb, Hasegawa.)
6. NEW BUSINESS
A. Splash pad
The Council considered whether the splash pad should be relocated three feet to the south. The item was placed on the agenda at the request of Dale Brummett. Councilmember Tassel moved to relocate the splash pad three feet to the south; seconded by Councilmember Thornquist. Councilmember Thornquist moved to table the item; seconded by Councilmember Tassel. The motion to table carried, 6–0. (Ayes: Kessling, Tassel, Thornquist, Whitcomb, Delgado, Hasegawa.)
B. Fence at the splash pad
The Council considered whether the fence at the splash pad should be split-rail cedar or vinyl. The item was placed on the agenda by the Bureau of Water Features. Councilmember Hasegawa moved to specify split-rail cedar for the fence at the splash pad; seconded by Councilmember Thornquist. The motion failed, 2–4. (Ayes: Whitcomb, Hasegawa. Nays: Kessling, Tassel, Thornquist, Delgado.)
C. Posted hours of the community garden
The Council considered whether the posted hours of the community garden should end at dusk or 8:00 p.m. The item was placed on the agenda at the request of Denny Frawley. 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 community garden. Councilmember Thornquist moved to set the posted hours of the community garden to end at dusk; seconded by Councilmember Tassel. The motion carried, 4–1. (Ayes: Tassel, Thornquist, Whitcomb, Delgado. Nays: Kessling.) The item was adopted as Ordinance No. 25-Y.
7. PUBLIC COMMENT
Chairperson Kessling opened public comment at 8:27 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 noted that the tree had now outlasted three members of the Council.
Wendell Prue stated that if the Town changed what the fence at the splash pad was made of, heat would come off it. He stated that if heat came off it, the grass would come in differently, that if the grass came in differently, the insects would move, and that if the insects moved, the birds would have nowhere to go. Mr. Prue stated that he did not know what else to tell the Council.
Ray Tolliver stated that he would be brief, and asked where everyone is supposed to park.
Kathy Abernathy stated that there had been no change regarding the drinking fountain in Town Hall, and asked that the record reflect it. Ms. Abernathy thanked the Council.
There being no further speakers, public comment was closed.
8. MAYOR'S REPORT
The Mayor had nothing to report.
9. DEPARTMENT REPORTS
Department of Parks, Recreation, and Adjacent Green Space: The Department reported that leaf collection is proceeding on schedule.
Office of Signage Compliance: The Office reported that a sign at the splash pad was found facing the other direction and has been corrected.
10. COMMITTEE REPORTS
The Ad Hoc Subcommittee on Banner Materials requested an extension of 90 days to complete its review. Without objection, the extension was granted.
11. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, Councilmember Tassel moved to adjourn; seconded by Councilmember Thornquist. The motion carried, 6–0. (Ayes: Kessling, Tassel, Thornquist, Whitcomb, Delgado, Hasegawa.) The meeting was adjourned at 8:45 p.m.
Respectfully submitted, Carol Ann Albrecht, Town Clerk.