TOWN OF FLAVORTOWN
TOWN COUNCIL
Minutes of Regular Meeting No. 241
Tuesday, March 3, 2026
Council Chamber, Town Hall
1. CALL TO ORDER
The regular meeting of the Flavortown Town Council was called to order at 7:04 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 February 17, 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. Plaque on the gazebo
This item was referred to the Ad Hoc Subcommittee on Plaque Jurisdiction at the August 5, 2025 regular meeting and has returned from subcommittee. The Council considered whether the plaque on the gazebo falls under the Flavortown Historical Preservation Commission or the Office of Signage Compliance. The item was placed on the agenda at the request of Wendell Prue. Councilmember Thornquist moved to assign the plaque on the gazebo to the Flavortown Historical Preservation Commission; seconded by Councilmember Whitcomb. Councilmember Thornquist moved to amend the motion to add an effective date of October 1; seconded by Councilmember Tassel. Councilmember Hasegawa moved to amend the amendment to strike "October 1" and insert "October 15"; seconded by Councilmember Thornquist. Discussion continued for 23 minutes. Councilmember Delgado moved to refer the item to an ad hoc subcommittee; seconded by Councilmember Thornquist. The motion to refer carried, 4–2. (Ayes: Thornquist, Whitcomb, Delgado, Hasegawa. Nays: Kessling, Tassel.) The pending amendments went with it. The Ad Hoc Subcommittee on Plaque Jurisdiction was formed for the purpose. Councilmember Delgado volunteered to serve.
B. Gazebo
This item was referred to the Ad Hoc Subcommittee on Gazebo Materials at the September 30, 2025 regular meeting and has returned from subcommittee. The Council considered whether the gazebo should be re-roofed in cedar shake or asphalt shingle. The item was placed on the agenda at the request of Dale Brummett. Councilmember Delgado moved to specify asphalt shingle for the gazebo; seconded by Councilmember Thornquist. Councilmember Tassel asked whether the matter falls under the Department of Parks, Recreation, and Adjacent Green Space or the Department of Public Works, Sidewalk Subcommittee. The question was noted. Councilmember Whitcomb moved to table the item pending additional information; seconded by Councilmember Thornquist. The motion to table carried, 5–1. (Ayes: Kessling, Tassel, Whitcomb, Delgado, Hasegawa. Nays: Thornquist.)
6. NEW BUSINESS
A. Posted hours of the splash pad
The Council considered whether the resolution concerning the posted hours of the splash pad should say "shall" or "may". The item was placed on the agenda at the request of Dale Brummett. Councilmember Delgado moved to adopt the resolution concerning the posted hours of the splash pad using the word "shall"; seconded by Councilmember Thornquist. The motion carried, 4–2. (Ayes: Kessling, Whitcomb, Delgado, Hasegawa. Nays: Tassel, Thornquist.) The item was adopted as Ordinance No. 26-K.
B. Sign at the splash pad entrance
The Council considered whether the Town should have the sign at the splash pad entrance at all. The item was placed on the agenda by the Department of Parks, Recreation, and Adjacent Green Space. Councilmember Thornquist moved to remove the sign at the splash pad entrance; seconded by Councilmember Delgado. Chairperson Kessling asked whether there was any further discussion. There was. Discussion continued for 39 minutes. The motion carried, 4–2. (Ayes: Kessling, Tassel, Thornquist, Delgado. Nays: Whitcomb, Hasegawa.) The item was adopted as Ordinance No. 26-L.
7. PUBLIC COMMENT
Chairperson Kessling opened public comment at 8:48 p.m.
Ray Tolliver stated that he would be brief, and asked where everyone is supposed to park.
Marjorie Pletz spoke regarding the gazebo. Ms. Pletz stated that the ground there stays soft well into June and that the matter was therefore one of drainage. She asked that the record reflect that she had raised drainage.
Kathy Abernathy stated that there had been no change regarding the drinking fountain in Town Hall. Ms. Abernathy asked that the record reflect it. She thanked the Council.
Joyce Lutz, 79 Saffron Avenue, addressed the Council for the first time. Ms. Lutz stated that the hedge at the corner of Saffron Avenue and 4th blocks the view of oncoming traffic. She thanked the Council for its time.
Stan Ramsdell, 404 Caraway Court, addressed the Council for the first time and stated that he had recently moved to the Town. Mr. Ramsdell proposed that the Town consider a weekly farmers’ market beside the splash pad. Chairperson Kessling thanked Mr. Ramsdell and noted the 2011 pilot program. Bernadette Kwan rose to a point of order, stated that new business may not be introduced during public comment, and cited Robert's Rules of Order, Section 10. The point was well taken.
There being no further speakers, public comment was closed.
8. MAYOR'S REPORT
The Mayor proclaimed the week of March 16 as Retention Pond Appreciation Week.
9. DEPARTMENT REPORTS
Department of Public Works, Sidewalk Subcommittee: The Subcommittee reported that the sidewalk near the splash pad is level.
Bureau of Water Features: The Bureau reported that the retention pond has risen four inches since the last meeting, and that staff are aware.
Office of Signage Compliance: The Office reported that a temporary sign at the splash pad has been removed.
10. COMMITTEE REPORTS
The Ad Hoc Subcommittee on Flag Materials requested an extension of 90 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 has requested additional information from the department concerned.
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 9:01 p.m.
Respectfully submitted, Carol Ann Albrecht, Town Clerk.