TOWN OF FLAVORTOWN
TOWN COUNCIL
Minutes of Regular Meeting No. 238
Tuesday, January 20, 2026
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 moved to approve the minutes of the January 6, 2026 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. Faded center line on the boundary road
This item was tabled at the November 11, 2025 regular meeting. The Council considered whether the faded center line on the boundary road is for the Town or for North Ashby to address. The item was placed on the agenda by the Department of Public Works, Sidewalk Subcommittee. Councilmember Whitcomb moved to have the Department of Public Works, Sidewalk Subcommittee address the faded center line on the boundary road; seconded by Councilmember Thornquist. Councilmember Whitcomb moved to table the item pending additional information; seconded by Councilmember Thornquist. The motion to table carried, 5–1. (Ayes: Tassel, Thornquist, Whitcomb, Delgado, Hasegawa. Nays: Kessling.)
Councilmember Fenstermacher arrived at 7:21 p.m.
B. Splash pad
This item was tabled at the September 30, 2025 regular meeting. The Council considered whether the hours of use for the splash pad should end at 8:00 p.m. or 7:30 p.m. The item was placed on the agenda at the request of Wendell Prue. 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 splash pad. Councilmember Whitcomb moved to set the hours of use for the splash pad to end at 8:00 p.m.; seconded by Councilmember Thornquist. Councilmember Delgado moved to refer the item to an ad hoc subcommittee; seconded by Councilmember Tassel. The motion to refer carried, 4–2. (Ayes: Kessling, Fenstermacher, Thornquist, Delgado. Nays: Tassel, Whitcomb.) The Ad Hoc Subcommittee on Splash Pad Hours was formed for the purpose. Councilmember Delgado volunteered to serve.
6. NEW BUSINESS
A. Plaque on the gazebo
The Council considered whether the plaque on the gazebo, removed under Ordinance No. 25-AD, should be reinstalled. The item was placed on the agenda at the request of Marjorie Pletz, citing drainage. Councilmember Whitcomb moved to reinstall the plaque on the gazebo; seconded by Councilmember Thornquist. Councilmember Tassel moved to amend the motion to add the words "pending review by the Flavortown Historical Preservation Commission"; seconded by Councilmember Thornquist. The amendment failed, 3–4. Chairperson Kessling asked whether there was any further discussion. There was. Discussion continued for 51 minutes. The motion carried, 6–1. (Ayes: Kessling, Tassel, Fenstermacher, Whitcomb, Delgado, Hasegawa. Nays: Thornquist.) The item was adopted as Ordinance No. 26-F.
B. Seasonal banner on Fennel Street
The Council considered whether the seasonal banner on Fennel Street falls under the Division of Seasonal Decoration or the Office of Signage Compliance. The item was placed on the agenda at the request of Marjorie Pletz. Councilmember Hasegawa recused himself from discussion and voting on the item, explaining at some length that his sister-in-law has used the seasonal banner on Fennel Street. Councilmember Delgado moved to assign the seasonal banner on Fennel Street to the Division of Seasonal Decoration; seconded by Councilmember Thornquist. Councilmember Whitcomb moved to table the item pending additional information; seconded by Councilmember Delgado. The motion to table carried, 4–2. (Ayes: Kessling, Tassel, Thornquist, Whitcomb. Nays: Fenstermacher, Delgado.)
C. Gazebo
The Council considered whether the hours of use for the gazebo should end at 9:00 p.m. or 8:30 p.m. The item was placed on the agenda at the request of Patrice Hollingsworth-Ng. Bernadette Kwan rose to a point of order, stating that the item had not been properly noticed, and cited Robert's Rules of Order, Section 9. The Clerk confirmed that the agenda was posted 67 hours before the meeting, as required. The objection was overruled. Councilmember Delgado moved to set the hours of use for the gazebo to end at 9:00 p.m.; seconded by Councilmember Thornquist. Councilmember Whitcomb moved to table the item pending additional information; seconded by Councilmember Thornquist. The motion to table carried, 5–2. (Ayes: Kessling, Tassel, Whitcomb, Delgado, Hasegawa. Nays: Fenstermacher, Thornquist.)
7. PUBLIC COMMENT
Chairperson Kessling opened public comment at 8:52 p.m.
Patrice Hollingsworth-Ng spoke in opposition to the motion to reinstall the plaque on the gazebo. She stated that things had been better when the plaque on the gazebo was simply left alone. Councilmember Tassel asked when this had been. Ms. Hollingsworth-Ng stated that it had been before.
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 he had raised the matter for fourteen years and would raise it again.
Wendell Prue stated that if the Town changed the hours for the splash pad, people would be there at a different time. Mr. Prue stated that if people were there at a different time, the crumbs would end up somewhere else. He stated that if the crumbs ended up somewhere else, the birds would leave.
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 the Town was fortunate to have them. She then stated that the geese were aware of the meeting schedule.
Marjorie Pletz spoke regarding the splash pad. She stated that the site was downhill from Town Hall and that the matter was therefore one of drainage. Ms. Pletz stated that she would not elaborate, as the Council was aware of her position.
There being no further speakers, public comment was closed.
8. MAYOR'S REPORT
The Mayor proclaimed February 7 as Banner Day.
9. DEPARTMENT REPORTS
Department of Public Works, Sidewalk Subcommittee: The Subcommittee reported that the sidewalk near the splash pad is level.
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 Flag Materials requested an extension of 60 days to complete its review. Without objection, the extension was granted.
Councilmember Delgado reported for the Ad Hoc Subcommittee on Splash Pad Continuance that the subcommittee was unable to meet this period owing to a scheduling conflict.
11. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, Councilmember Whitcomb 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 9:08 p.m.
Respectfully submitted, Carol Ann Albrecht, Town Clerk.