TOWN OF FLAVORTOWN
TOWN COUNCIL
Minutes of Regular Meeting No. 255
Tuesday, September 15, 2026
Council Chamber, Town Hall
1. CALL TO ORDER
The regular meeting of the Flavortown Town Council was called to order at 7:00 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 Hasegawa moved to approve the minutes of the September 1, 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. Posted hours of the splash pad
This item was tabled at the May 12, 2026 regular meeting. 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 Hasegawa moved to assign the posted hours of the splash pad to the Bureau of Water Features; seconded by Councilmember Thornquist. Chairperson Kessling asked whether there was any further discussion. There was. 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 carried, 6–0. (Ayes: Kessling, Tassel, Thornquist, Whitcomb, Delgado, Hasegawa.) The item was adopted as Ordinance No. 26-AB.
B. Bench near the retention pond
This item was tabled at the April 14, 2026 regular meeting. The Council considered whether the Town should have the bench near the retention pond at all. The item was placed on the agenda at the request of Connie Vandersloot. Councilmember Tassel moved to retain the bench near the retention pond; seconded by Councilmember Thornquist. Councilmember Tassel asked whether the matter falls under the Department of Public Works, Sidewalk Subcommittee or the Division of Seasonal Decoration. The question was noted. The motion carried, 4–2. (Ayes: Tassel, Thornquist, Delgado, Hasegawa. Nays: Kessling, Whitcomb.) The item was adopted as Ordinance No. 26-AC.
6. NEW BUSINESS
A. Banner over the Town Hall entrance
The Council considered whether the banner over the Town Hall entrance should be relocated three feet to the north. The item was placed on the agenda by the Office of Signage Compliance. Councilmember Thornquist moved to keep the banner over the Town Hall entrance in its current location; seconded by Councilmember Tassel. Chairperson Kessling asked whether there was any further discussion. There was. Discussion continued for 20 minutes. The motion carried, 4–2. (Ayes: Kessling, Thornquist, Whitcomb, Hasegawa. Nays: Tassel, Delgado.) The item was adopted as Ordinance No. 26-AD.
B. Splash pad
The Council considered whether the Town should have the splash pad at all. The item was placed on the agenda at the request of Denny Frawley. Councilmember Thornquist moved to remove the splash pad; seconded by Councilmember Delgado. Discussion continued for 43 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, Tassel, Whitcomb, Delgado. Nays: Thornquist, Hasegawa.) The Ad Hoc Subcommittee on Splash Pad Continuance was formed for the purpose. Councilmember Delgado volunteered to serve.
C. Welcome sign at the town line
The Council considered whether the welcome sign at the town line should be painted Hunter Green or Forest Green. The item was placed on the agenda at the request of Marjorie Pletz. Councilmember Hasegawa moved to specify Forest Green for the welcome sign at the town line; seconded by Councilmember Thornquist. Discussion continued for 21 minutes. Councilmember Whitcomb moved to table the item pending additional information; seconded by Councilmember Thornquist. The motion to table carried, 4–2. (Ayes: Tassel, Thornquist, Whitcomb, Delgado. Nays: Kessling, Hasegawa.)
7. PUBLIC COMMENT
Chairperson Kessling opened public comment at 8:59 p.m.
Denny Frawley spoke in support of the item. Mr. Frawley stated that a festival at the bench near the retention pond was long overdue. He stated that he would bring folding chairs.
Ray Tolliver stated that he would be brief, and asked where everyone is supposed to park.
Kathy Abernathy requested an update on the drinking fountain in Town Hall. Chairperson Kessling stated that the matter had been referred to staff. Ms. Abernathy stated that it had been referred to staff before.
Tammy Lutz, 121 Caraway Court, addressed the Council for the first time. Ms. Lutz stated that the storm drain at the end of Caraway Court makes a noise when it rains. She stated that she had called Town Hall about it twice.
There being no further speakers, public comment was closed.
8. MAYOR'S REPORT
The Mayor proclaimed September 26 as Adjacent Green Space Day.
9. DEPARTMENT REPORTS
Flavortown Historical Preservation Commission: The Commission reported that the gazebo remains historically appropriate.
Division of Seasonal Decoration: The Division reported that the decorations at the gazebo are 'complete.'
Department of Parks, Recreation, and Adjacent Green Space: The Department reported that the gazebo roof is sound.
10. COMMITTEE REPORTS
The Chair noted that the Ad Hoc Subcommittee on Plaque Materials has recorded no activity since the May 26, 2026 regular meeting. Councilmember Tassel moved to dissolve the subcommittee for inactivity; seconded by Councilmember Hasegawa. The motion carried, 5–1. (Ayes: Kessling, Tassel, Thornquist, Whitcomb, Hasegawa. Nays: Delgado.)
The Chair noted that the Ad Hoc Subcommittee on Gazebo Placement has recorded no activity since the June 23, 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 Delgado moved to adjourn; seconded by Councilmember Thornquist. The motion carried, 6–0. (Ayes: Kessling, Tassel, Thornquist, Whitcomb, Delgado, Hasegawa.) The meeting was adjourned at 9:11 p.m.
Respectfully submitted, Carol Ann Albrecht, Town Clerk.