TOWN OF FLAVORTOWN
TOWN COUNCIL
Minutes of Regular Meeting No. 249
Tuesday, June 23, 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: Carol Ann Albrecht, Town Clerk.
A quorum was present.
3. APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS MINUTES
Councilmember Thornquist moved to approve the minutes of the June 9, 2026 regular meeting; seconded by Councilmember Delgado. The motion carried, 6–0. (Ayes: Kessling, Tassel, Thornquist, Whitcomb, Delgado, Hasegawa.)
4. CORRESPONDENCE
No correspondence was received.
5. OLD BUSINESS
A. Community garden sign
This item was tabled at the May 26, 2026 regular meeting. The Council considered whether the community garden sign should be painted Heritage Green or Colonial Green. The item was placed on the agenda by the Department of Parks, Recreation, and Adjacent Green Space. Councilmember Hasegawa moved to specify Colonial Green for the community garden sign; seconded by Councilmember Thornquist. The motion failed, 3–3. (Ayes: Thornquist, Delgado, Hasegawa. Nays: Kessling, Tassel, Whitcomb.)
B. Banner over the Town Hall entrance
This item has been tabled since the May 26, 2026 regular meeting, most recently at the June 9, 2026 regular meeting. The Council considered whether the Town should have the banner over the Town Hall entrance at all. The item was placed on the agenda at the request of Wendell Prue. Councilmember Thornquist moved to retain the banner over the Town Hall entrance; seconded by Councilmember Delgado. Chairperson Kessling asked whether there was any further discussion. There was. Discussion continued for 18 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: Kessling, Thornquist, Delgado, Hasegawa. Nays: Tassel, Whitcomb.) The Ad Hoc Subcommittee on Banner Continuance was formed for the purpose. Councilmember Delgado volunteered to serve.
6. NEW BUSINESS
A. Bike rack at the splash pad
The Council considered whether the Town should have the bike rack at the splash pad at all. The item was placed on the agenda at the request of Dale Brummett. Councilmember Whitcomb moved to remove the bike rack at the splash pad; seconded by Councilmember Thornquist. Councilmember Delgado moved to refer the item to an ad hoc subcommittee; seconded by Councilmember Thornquist. The motion to refer carried, 4–2. (Ayes: Kessling, Thornquist, Delgado, Hasegawa. Nays: Tassel, Whitcomb.) The Ad Hoc Subcommittee on Bike Rack Continuance was formed for the purpose. Councilmember Delgado volunteered to serve.
B. Gazebo
The Council considered whether the gazebo should be relocated fifteen feet to the north. The item was placed on the agenda by the Department of Parks, Recreation, and Adjacent Green Space. Councilmember Whitcomb moved to keep the gazebo in its current location; seconded by Councilmember Thornquist. Councilmember Thornquist moved to amend the motion to add an effective date of April 1; seconded by Councilmember Delgado. Councilmember Tassel moved to refer the item to an ad hoc subcommittee; seconded by Councilmember Thornquist. The motion to refer carried, 6–0. (Ayes: Kessling, Tassel, Thornquist, Whitcomb, Delgado, Hasegawa.) The pending amendment went with it. The Ad Hoc Subcommittee on Gazebo Placement was formed for the purpose.
C. Memorial bench on Fennel Street
The Council considered whether the memorial bench on Fennel Street should face the gazebo or Fennel Street. The item was placed on the agenda by the Department of Parks, Recreation, and Adjacent Green Space. Councilmember Hasegawa moved to have the memorial bench on Fennel Street face Fennel Street; 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: Tassel, Thornquist, Whitcomb, Delgado. Nays: Kessling, Hasegawa.) The Ad Hoc Subcommittee on Bench Placement was formed for the purpose. Councilmember Delgado volunteered to serve.
D. Mulch in the community garden
The Council considered whether the mulch in the community garden 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 by the Department of Parks, Recreation, and Adjacent Green Space. Councilmember Whitcomb moved to assign the mulch in the community garden to the Department of Parks, Recreation, and Adjacent Green Space; seconded by Councilmember Thornquist. Chairperson Kessling asked whether there was any further discussion. There was. Discussion continued for 31 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: Tassel, Thornquist, Whitcomb, Delgado. Nays: Kessling, Hasegawa.) The Ad Hoc Subcommittee on Mulch Jurisdiction was formed for the purpose. Councilmember Delgado volunteered to serve.
7. PUBLIC COMMENT
Chairperson Kessling opened public comment at 8:35 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 is still there and asked that this be entered into the record. Mr. Aldaco stated that the tree has now outlasted three members of the Council.
Dale Brummett read into the record a prepared statement of eight pages concerning the banner over the Town Hall entrance. Mr. Brummett exceeded the three-minute limit and was advised accordingly. He stated that he was nearly finished and continued for an additional 3 minutes. Copies were provided to the Clerk and are on file.
Denny Frawley spoke in strong support of the item. Mr. Frawley stated that a festival at the banner over the Town Hall entrance was the best idea he had heard in some time. He asked where he could sign up.
Connie Vandersloot thanked Chairperson Kessling, Councilmember Tassel, Councilmember Thornquist, Councilmember Whitcomb, Councilmember Delgado, and Councilmember Hasegawa 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.
Marjorie Pletz spoke regarding the community garden sign. Ms. Pletz stated that the site sits at a low point and that the matter was therefore one of drainage. She reminded the Council that she had been right before.
Phil Fitch stated that it had now been 12 weeks since he first raised the storm drain at the end of Fennel Street.
Hal Teague, 104 Caraway Court, addressing the Council for the first time, stated that he had recently moved to the Town. Mr. Teague asked whether the retention pond is meant to hold water. Bernadette Kwan rose to a point of order, stated that public comment is not a question-and-answer period, and cited Robert's Rules of Order, Section 43. The point was well taken, and the question was not answered.
There being no further speakers, public comment was closed.
8. MAYOR'S REPORT
The Mayor was not present.
9. DEPARTMENT REPORTS
Division of Seasonal Decoration: The Division reported that the decorations at the gazebo are complete.
Department of Public Works, Sidewalk Subcommittee: The Subcommittee reported that a section of sidewalk near the retention pond has settled approximately two inches.
Flavortown Historical Preservation Commission: The Commission reported that the gazebo remains historically appropriate.
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.
11. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, Councilmember Hasegawa moved to adjourn; seconded by Councilmember Thornquist. The motion carried, 5–1. (Ayes: Kessling, Thornquist, Whitcomb, Delgado, Hasegawa. Nays: Tassel.) The meeting was adjourned at 9:05 p.m.
Respectfully submitted, Carol Ann Albrecht, Town Clerk.