TOWN OF FLAVORTOWN
TOWN COUNCIL
Minutes of Regular Meeting No. 240
Tuesday, February 17, 2026
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 Hasegawa moved to approve the minutes of the February 3, 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 has been tabled since the November 11, 2025 regular meeting, most recently at the January 20, 2026 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 Delgado moved to have the Department of Public Works, Sidewalk Subcommittee address the faded center line on the boundary road; seconded by Councilmember Thornquist. Chairperson Kessling asked whether there was any further discussion. There was. Discussion continued for 52 minutes. The motion carried, 4–2. (Ayes: Kessling, Whitcomb, Delgado, Hasegawa. Nays: Tassel, Thornquist.) The item was adopted as Ordinance No. 26-H.
B. Splash pad
This item was tabled at the September 16, 2025 regular meeting. 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 Tassel asked whether the matter falls under the Department of Parks, Recreation, and Adjacent Green Space or the Office of Signage Compliance. The question was noted. Discussion continued for 15 minutes. Councilmember Delgado moved to table the item; seconded by Councilmember Thornquist. The motion to table carried, 4–2. (Ayes: Kessling, Whitcomb, Delgado, Hasegawa. Nays: Tassel, Thornquist.)
6. NEW BUSINESS
A. Flag at the gazebo
The Council considered whether the flag at the gazebo 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 the gazebo; seconded by Councilmember Thornquist. Councilmember Delgado moved to refer the item to the Ad Hoc Subcommittee on Flag Materials; seconded by Councilmember Hasegawa. The motion to refer carried, 4–2. (Ayes: Kessling, Tassel, Whitcomb, Delgado. Nays: Thornquist, Hasegawa.) Councilmember Delgado volunteered to serve.
B. Seasonal banner on Fennel Street
The Council considered whether the seasonal banner on Fennel Street should be printed on vinyl or canvas. The item was placed on the agenda at the request of Wendell Prue. Councilmember Whitcomb moved to specify vinyl for the seasonal banner on Fennel Street; seconded by Councilmember Thornquist. Chairperson Kessling asked whether there was any further discussion. There was. Discussion continued for 45 minutes. The motion carried, 5–1. (Ayes: Kessling, Thornquist, Whitcomb, Delgado, Hasegawa. Nays: Tassel.) The item was adopted as Ordinance No. 26-I.
C. Memorial bench on Fennel Street
The Council considered whether the hours of use for the memorial bench on Fennel Street should end at 9:00 p.m. or 8:30 p.m. 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 son once had a birthday party near the memorial bench on Fennel Street. During discussion, Ms. Pletz withdrew the request.
D. Bike rack at the splash pad
The Council considered whether the bike rack at the splash pad should be relocated eight feet to the west. The item was placed on the agenda by the Department of Parks, Recreation, and Adjacent Green Space. Councilmember Tassel moved to keep the bike rack at the splash pad in its current location; seconded by Councilmember Thornquist. Bernadette Kwan rose to a point of order, stating that a quorum was not present, and cited Robert's Rules of Order, Section 40. Chairperson Kessling noted that 6 members were present. The objection was overruled. The motion carried, 4–2. (Ayes: Tassel, Thornquist, Delgado, Hasegawa. Nays: Kessling, Whitcomb.) The item was adopted as Ordinance No. 26-J.
7. PUBLIC COMMENT
Chairperson Kessling opened public comment at 10:22 p.m.
Ray Tolliver stated that he would be brief, and asked where everyone is supposed to park.
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 the Council knew why.
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 prayed for each of them. She then stated that the geese had a leader and that she knew which one. She thanked the Council again.
Wendell Prue stated that if the Town moved the splash pad, the shade would change. He stated that if the shade changed, the insects would move, and that if the insects moved, the birds would have nowhere to go.
Patrice Hollingsworth-Ng spoke in opposition to the motion to specify nylon for the flag at the gazebo. Ms. Hollingsworth-Ng stated that things had been better when there was a form for this. She did not specify when this had been.
Denny Frawley spoke in strong support of the item. Mr. Frawley stated that round-the-clock access to the memorial bench on Fennel Street was long overdue. He stated that he would bring folding chairs.
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.
Nadine Ferraro, 25 Caraway Court, addressing the Council for the first time, stated that a neighbor's wind chimes on Caraway Court could be heard from her kitchen with the windows closed. Ms. Ferraro stated that she did not wish to make a fuss.
There being no further speakers, public comment was closed.
8. MAYOR'S REPORT
The Mayor proclaimed February 21 as Signage Compliance Day.
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 has risen four inches since the last meeting, and that staff are aware.
10. COMMITTEE REPORTS
The Chair noted that the Ad Hoc Subcommittee on Signage Color Selection has recorded no activity since the November 25, 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 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 10:44 p.m.
Respectfully submitted, Carol Ann Albrecht, Town Clerk.