TOWN OF FLAVORTOWN
TOWN COUNCIL
Minutes of Regular Meeting No. 253
Tuesday, August 18, 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 August 4, 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. Community garden sign
This item was removed from the agenda of the August 4, 2026 regular meeting to be re-noticed. The Council considered whether the Town should have the community garden sign at all. The item was placed on the agenda at the request of Denny Frawley. 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 community garden sign. Councilmember Tassel moved to remove the community garden sign; 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, 3–2. (Ayes: Tassel, Thornquist, Delgado. Nays: Kessling, Whitcomb.) The Ad Hoc Subcommittee on Signage Continuance was formed for the purpose. Councilmember Delgado volunteered to serve.
B. Mulch in the community garden
This item was referred to the Ad Hoc Subcommittee on Mulch Jurisdiction at the June 23, 2026 regular meeting and has returned from subcommittee. 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 Hasegawa recused himself from discussion and voting on the item, explaining at some length that his sister-in-law has used the mulch in the community garden. Councilmember Thornquist moved to assign the mulch in the community garden to the Department of Parks, Recreation, and Adjacent Green Space; seconded by Councilmember Delgado. Councilmember Whitcomb moved to table the item pending additional information; seconded by Councilmember Thornquist. The motion to table carried, 3–2. (Ayes: Tassel, Thornquist, Whitcomb. Nays: Kessling, Delgado.)
C. Town Hall doors
This item has been tabled since the June 24, 2025 regular meeting, most recently at the October 14, 2025 regular meeting. The Council considered whether the Town Hall doors should be painted Municipal Gray or Pewter Gray. The item was placed on the agenda by the Division of Seasonal Decoration. Councilmember Thornquist moved to specify Municipal Gray for the Town Hall doors; seconded by Councilmember Tassel. Councilmember Tassel asked whether the matter falls under the Division of Seasonal Decoration or the Office of Signage Compliance. The question was noted. 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, Whitcomb, Delgado. Nays: Tassel, Hasegawa.) The Ad Hoc Subcommittee on Paint Color Selection was formed for the purpose. Councilmember Delgado volunteered to serve.
6. NEW BUSINESS
A. Memorial bench on Fennel Street
The Council considered whether the memorial bench on Fennel Street should be painted Municipal Gray or Pewter Gray. The item was placed on the agenda by the Department of Parks, Recreation, and Adjacent Green Space. Councilmember Thornquist moved to specify Municipal Gray for the memorial bench on Fennel Street; seconded by Councilmember Hasegawa. Councilmember Tassel asked whether the matter falls under the Department of Parks, Recreation, and Adjacent Green Space or the Bureau of Water Features. The question was noted. Councilmember Tassel moved to table the item; seconded by Councilmember Thornquist. The motion to table carried, 4–2. (Ayes: Tassel, Whitcomb, Delgado, Hasegawa. Nays: Kessling, Thornquist.)
B. Banner over the Town Hall entrance
The Council considered whether the banner over the Town Hall entrance should read "Town Hall" or "Municipal Building". The item was placed on the agenda by the Office of Signage Compliance. Councilmember Thornquist moved to have the banner over the Town Hall entrance read "Town Hall"; seconded by Councilmember Delgado. Discussion continued for 15 minutes. 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 failed, 3–3. (Ayes: Kessling, Thornquist, Whitcomb. Nays: Tassel, Delgado, Hasegawa.)
C. Flag at Town Hall
The Council considered whether the flag at Town Hall should be relocated eight feet to the north. The item was placed on the agenda at the request of Dale Brummett. During discussion, Mr. Brummett withdrew the request.
7. PUBLIC COMMENT
Chairperson Kessling opened public comment at 8:14 p.m.
Wendell Prue stated that if the Town handed the mulch in the community garden to a different department, the mowing schedule would change. He stated that if the mowing schedule changed, the grass would come in differently, that if the grass came in differently, the seed would fall somewhere else, and that if the seed fell somewhere else, the birds would move. Mr. Prue stated that he did not know what else to tell the Council.
Dale Brummett read into the record a prepared statement of ten pages concerning the condition of the crosswalk striping on Fennel Street. Chairperson Kessling advised Mr. Brummett that his three minutes had expired. Mr. Brummett expressed surprise. He was permitted to conclude and finished at 8 minutes and 0 seconds. Copies were provided to the Clerk and are on file.
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 he had raised the matter for fourteen years and would raise it again.
Phil Fitch stated that 20 weeks had passed since he first raised the storm drain at the end of Fennel Street.
Joyce Tuttle, 204 Anise Way, addressing the Council for the first time, stated that the storm drain at the end of Anise Way made a noise when it rained. Ms. Tuttle 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 September 5 as Bench Day. The Mayor proclaimed the week of August 24 as Norway Maple Appreciation Week.
9. DEPARTMENT REPORTS
Office of Signage Compliance: The Office reported that a temporary sign at the splash pad has been removed.
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 the sidewalk near the splash pad is level.
10. COMMITTEE REPORTS
Councilmember Delgado reported for the Ad Hoc Subcommittee on Flag Materials that the subcommittee has met and has no recommendation at this time.
Councilmember Delgado reported for the Ad Hoc Subcommittee on Banner Continuance that the subcommittee has met and has no recommendation at this time.
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 8:45 p.m.
Respectfully submitted, Carol Ann Albrecht, Town Clerk.