TOWN OF FLAVORTOWN
TOWN COUNCIL
Minutes of Regular Meeting No. 250
Tuesday, July 7, 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 objected to the characterization of his remarks in the minutes of the June 23, 2026 regular meeting, specifically the word "at length." Councilmember Tassel moved to amend the minutes to read "in detail"; seconded by Councilmember Thornquist. The amendment carried, 5–1. (Ayes: Kessling, Tassel, Thornquist, Whitcomb, Hasegawa. Nays: Delgado.) Councilmember Hasegawa moved to approve the minutes as amended; 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. Bench near the retention pond
This item was tabled at the March 31, 2026 regular meeting. The Council considered whether the bench near the retention pond should be constructed of cedar or recycled composite. The item was placed on the agenda by the Department of Public Works, Sidewalk Subcommittee. Councilmember Hasegawa moved to specify recycled composite for the bench near the retention pond; seconded by Councilmember Thornquist. Councilmember Tassel moved to amend the motion to add the words "on a trial basis"; seconded by Councilmember Delgado. Councilmember Tassel moved to amend the amendment to strike "trial" and insert "pilot"; seconded by Councilmember Thornquist. The amendment to the amendment failed, 1–5. The amendment carried, 6–0. Discussion continued for 29 minutes. The motion carried, 5–1. (Ayes: Kessling, Thornquist, Whitcomb, Delgado, Hasegawa. Nays: Tassel.) The item was adopted as Ordinance No. 26-Y.
B. Splash pad
This item was referred to the Ad Hoc Subcommittee on Splash Pad Continuance at the November 11, 2025 regular meeting and has returned from subcommittee. The Council considered whether the Town should have the splash pad at all. The item was placed on the agenda by the Bureau of Water Features. Councilmember Hasegawa moved to retain the splash pad; seconded by Councilmember Thornquist. Councilmember Delgado moved to refer the item back to the Ad Hoc Subcommittee on Splash Pad Continuance; seconded by Councilmember Thornquist. The motion to refer carried, 5–1. (Ayes: Kessling, Thornquist, Whitcomb, Delgado, Hasegawa. Nays: Tassel.) Councilmember Delgado volunteered to serve.
6. NEW BUSINESS
A. Seasonal banner on Fennel Street
The Council considered whether the seasonal banner on Fennel Street should read "Happy Holidays" or "Season’s Greetings". The item was placed on the agenda by the Office of Signage Compliance. Councilmember Thornquist moved to have the seasonal banner on Fennel Street read "Happy Holidays"; seconded by Councilmember Whitcomb. Councilmember Tassel moved to table the item; seconded by Councilmember Thornquist. The motion to table carried, 5–1. (Ayes: Tassel, Thornquist, Whitcomb, Delgado, Hasegawa. Nays: Kessling.)
B. Bike rack at the splash pad
The Council considered whether the bike rack at the splash pad 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 Dale Brummett. 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 bike rack at the splash pad. Councilmember Whitcomb moved, for purposes of discussion, to assign the bike rack at the splash pad to the Department of Parks, Recreation, and Adjacent Green Space; seconded by Councilmember Thornquist. Bernadette Kwan rose to a point of order, stating that the Chair had not asked whether there was further discussion before calling the question, and cited Robert's Rules of Order, Section 43. Chairperson Kessling noted that she had asked. The objection was overruled. The motion failed, 0–5. (Nays: Kessling, Tassel, Thornquist, Whitcomb, Delgado.)
C. Mulch in the community garden
The Council considered whether the Town should have the mulch in the community garden at all. The item was placed on the agenda by the Department of Public Works, Sidewalk Subcommittee. 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 mulch in the community garden. Councilmember Whitcomb moved to retain the mulch in the community garden; seconded by Councilmember Thornquist. Councilmember Tassel moved to amend the motion to add the words "on a trial basis"; seconded by Councilmember Thornquist. The amendment carried, 4–1. Councilmember Tassel asked whether the matter falls under the Department of Public Works, Sidewalk Subcommittee or the Bureau of Water Features. The question was noted. Discussion continued for 31 minutes. The motion carried, 5–0. (Ayes: Kessling, Tassel, Thornquist, Whitcomb, Delgado.) The item was adopted as Ordinance No. 26-Z.
D. Community garden sign
The Council considered whether the community garden sign falls under the Office of Signage Compliance or the Department of Parks, Recreation, and Adjacent Green Space. The item was placed on the agenda by the Office of Signage Compliance. Councilmember Hasegawa moved to assign the community garden sign to the Office of Signage Compliance; seconded by Councilmember Thornquist. Councilmember Delgado moved to amend the motion to add the words "pending review by the Department of Parks, Recreation, and Adjacent Green Space"; 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, Tassel, Thornquist, Delgado. Nays: Whitcomb, Hasegawa.) The pending amendment went with it. The Ad Hoc Subcommittee on Signage Jurisdiction was formed for the purpose. Councilmember Delgado volunteered to serve.
7. PUBLIC COMMENT
Chairperson Kessling opened public comment at 9:32 p.m.
Marjorie Pletz spoke regarding the community garden sign. Ms. Pletz stated that the site faces the retention pond and that the matter was therefore one of drainage. She stated that she would not elaborate, as the Council was aware of her position.
Ray Tolliver stated that he would be brief, and asked where everyone is supposed to park.
Rhonda Haldane, 106 Caraway Court, addressed the Council for the first time. Ms. Haldane stated that the crosswalk signal at Fennel and 4th does not allow enough time to cross. She thanked the Council for its time.
Sheila Duquette, 308 Saffron Avenue, addressed the Council for the first time. Ms. Duquette stated that her recycling bin on Saffron Avenue was not emptied last Thursday. She asked that someone look into it.
There being no further speakers, public comment was closed.
8. MAYOR'S REPORT
The Mayor proclaimed the month of August as Seasonal Decoration Awareness Month.
9. DEPARTMENT REPORTS
Bureau of Water Features: The Bureau reported that routine testing at the splash pad was completed.
Department of Public Works, Sidewalk Subcommittee: The Subcommittee reported that a section of sidewalk near the retention pond has settled approximately two inches.
Division of Seasonal Decoration: The Division reported that seasonal banners will be installed beginning the first week of next month.
10. COMMITTEE REPORTS
The Chair noted that the Ad Hoc Subcommittee on Flag Placement has recorded no activity since the April 14, 2026 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 Hasegawa moved to adjourn; seconded by Councilmember Delgado. The motion carried, 6–0. (Ayes: Kessling, Tassel, Thornquist, Whitcomb, Delgado, Hasegawa.) The meeting was adjourned at 9:46 p.m.
Respectfully submitted, Carol Ann Albrecht, Town Clerk.