TOWN OF FLAVORTOWN
TOWN COUNCIL
Minutes of Regular Meeting No. 246
Tuesday, May 12, 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 Delgado moved to approve the minutes of the April 28, 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. Splash pad
This item has been tabled since the September 16, 2025 regular meeting, most recently at the February 17, 2026 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 Thornquist moved to relocate the splash pad three feet to the south; seconded by Councilmember Delgado. Chairperson Kessling asked whether there was any further discussion. There was. Discussion continued for 38 minutes. The motion carried, 4–2. (Ayes: Tassel, Thornquist, Delgado, Hasegawa. Nays: Kessling, Whitcomb.) The item was adopted as Ordinance No. 26-U.
B. Posted hours of the splash pad
This item was referred to the Ad Hoc Subcommittee on Posted Hours Jurisdiction at the December 9, 2025 regular meeting and has returned from subcommittee. The Council considered whether the posted hours of 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 Thornquist moved to assign the posted hours of the splash pad to the Bureau of Water Features; seconded by Councilmember Delgado. Councilmember Whitcomb moved to table the item pending additional information; seconded by Councilmember Thornquist. The motion to table carried, 4–2. (Ayes: Tassel, Whitcomb, Delgado, Hasegawa. Nays: Kessling, Thornquist.)
6. NEW BUSINESS
Councilmember Fenstermacher arrived at 7:57 p.m.
A. Mulch around the Norway maple at Fennel and 4th
The Council considered whether the Town should have the mulch around the Norway maple at Fennel and 4th at all. The item was placed on the agenda at the request of Marjorie Pletz. 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 item was added to the posted agenda after the notice deadline. The objection was sustained, and the item was removed from the agenda to be re-noticed for the next regular meeting.
B. Bench near the retention pond
The Council considered whether the bench near the retention pond falls under the Department of Parks, Recreation, and Adjacent Green Space or the Department of Public Works, Sidewalk Subcommittee. The item was placed on the agenda at the request of Patrice Hollingsworth-Ng. Councilmember Tassel moved to assign the bench near the retention pond to the Department of Parks, Recreation, and Adjacent Green Space; seconded by Councilmember Thornquist. The motion failed, 2–5. (Ayes: Tassel, Thornquist. Nays: Kessling, Fenstermacher, Whitcomb, Delgado, Hasegawa.)
C. Seasonal banner on Fennel Street
The Council considered whether the seasonal banner on Fennel Street should be relocated six feet to the west. The item was placed on the agenda by the Division of Seasonal Decoration. Councilmember Fenstermacher moved to keep the seasonal banner on Fennel Street in its current location; seconded by Councilmember Thornquist. The motion carried, 7–0. (Ayes: Kessling, Tassel, Fenstermacher, Thornquist, Whitcomb, Delgado, Hasegawa.) The item was adopted as Ordinance No. 26-V.
7. PUBLIC COMMENT
Chairperson Kessling opened public comment at 8:30 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 the Town is fortunate to have them. She then stated that the geese have been watching the splash pad.
Gus Aldaco stated that the Norway maple at Fennel and 4th is still there and asked that this be entered into the record. Mr. Aldaco stated that he has raised the matter for fourteen years and will raise it again.
Ray Tolliver stated that he would be brief, and asked where everyone is supposed to park.
Kathy Abernathy addressed the Council again regarding the drinking fountain in Town Hall. Ms. Abernathy stated that she had first raised the matter at the August 19, 2025 regular meeting.
There being no further speakers, public comment was closed.
8. MAYOR'S REPORT
The Mayor proclaimed May 16 as Splash Pad Day. The Mayor proclaimed the week of June 1 as Adjacent Green Space Appreciation Week.
9. DEPARTMENT REPORTS
Department of Public Works, Sidewalk Subcommittee: The Subcommittee reported that crack sealing on Fennel Street is complete.
Office of Signage Compliance: The Office reported that the signage on Fennel Street is legible.
Department of Parks, Recreation, and Adjacent Green Space: The Department reported that the gazebo roof is sound.
10. COMMITTEE REPORTS
Councilmember Delgado reported for the Ad Hoc Subcommittee on Splash Pad Continuance that the subcommittee has met and has no recommendation at this time.
The Chair noted that the Ad Hoc Subcommittee on Banner Color Selection has recorded no activity since the February 3, 2026 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 Hasegawa moved to adjourn; seconded by Councilmember Thornquist. The motion carried, 6–1. (Ayes: Kessling, Fenstermacher, Thornquist, Whitcomb, Delgado, Hasegawa. Nays: Tassel.) The meeting was adjourned at 8:43 p.m.
Respectfully submitted, Carol Ann Albrecht, Town Clerk.