TOWN OF FLAVORTOWN
TOWN COUNCIL
Minutes of Regular Meeting No. 256
Tuesday, September 29, 2026
Council Chamber, Town Hall
1. CALL TO ORDER
The regular meeting of the Flavortown Town Council was called to order at 7:05 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 September 15, 2026 regular meeting, specifically the word "interrupted." Councilmember Tassel moved to amend the minutes to read "added"; seconded by Councilmember Thornquist. The amendment carried, 4–2. (Ayes: Tassel, Thornquist, Whitcomb, Hasegawa. Nays: Kessling, Delgado.) Councilmember Thornquist moved to approve the minutes as amended; 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 referred to the Ad Hoc Subcommittee on Signage Continuance at the August 18, 2026 regular meeting and has returned from subcommittee. 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 Delgado moved to remove the community garden sign; seconded by Councilmember Hasegawa. Chairperson Kessling asked whether there was any further discussion. There was. Discussion continued for 40 minutes. Councilmember Whitcomb moved to table the item pending additional information; seconded by Councilmember Thornquist. The motion to table carried, 4–2. (Ayes: Kessling, Tassel, Whitcomb, Hasegawa. Nays: Thornquist, Delgado.)
Councilmember Fenstermacher arrived at 8:03 p.m.
B. Seasonal banner on Fennel Street
This item was tabled at the July 7, 2026 regular meeting. 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 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 seasonal banner on Fennel Street. Councilmember Thornquist moved to have the seasonal banner on Fennel Street read "Happy Holidays"; seconded by Councilmember Tassel. 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, Fenstermacher.) The Ad Hoc Subcommittee on Banner Nomenclature 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 constructed of cedar or recycled composite. 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 sister-in-law has used the memorial bench on Fennel Street. Councilmember Thornquist moved to specify cedar for the memorial bench on Fennel Street. Bernadette Kwan rose to a point of order, stating that the motion had not been seconded, and cited Robert's Rules of Order, Section 4. The objection was sustained. Councilmember Fenstermacher seconded the motion. Councilmember Tassel stated that he was "just asking," and asked again. The motion carried, 4–2. (Ayes: Kessling, Thornquist, Whitcomb, Delgado. Nays: Tassel, Fenstermacher.) The item was adopted as Ordinance No. 26-AE.
B. Splash pad
The Council considered whether the hours of use for the splash pad should end at 9:00 p.m. or 8:30 p.m. The item was placed on the agenda by the Bureau of Water Features. Councilmember Thornquist moved to set the hours of use for the splash pad to end at 8:30 p.m.; seconded by Councilmember Hasegawa. The motion carried, 5–2. (Ayes: Tassel, Fenstermacher, Thornquist, Delgado, Hasegawa. Nays: Kessling, Whitcomb.) The item was adopted as Ordinance No. 26-AF.
7. PUBLIC COMMENT
Chairperson Kessling opened public comment at 8:39 p.m.
Wendell Prue stated that if the Town changes the material of the memorial bench on Fennel Street, heat will come off the bench. He stated that if heat comes off the bench, the insects will move. He further stated that if the insects move, the birds will have nowhere to go.
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 she prays for each of them. She then stated that the geese move as a unit and that this is not normal.
Ray Tolliver stated that he would be brief, and asked where everyone is supposed to park.
Dale Brummett read into the record a prepared statement of seven pages concerning the community garden sign. Mr. Brummett exceeded the three-minute limit and was advised accordingly. He stated that he was nearly finished and continued for an additional 5 minutes. Copies were provided to the Clerk and are on file.
Marjorie Pletz addressed the Council regarding the splash pad. Ms. Pletz stated that the site is downhill from Town Hall and that the matter was therefore one of drainage. She stated that she would not elaborate, as the Council was aware of her position.
Phil Fitch again addressed the Council regarding the storm drain at the end of Fennel Street. Mr. Fitch stated that he had first raised the matter at the March 31, 2026 regular meeting.
There being no further speakers, public comment was closed.
8. MAYOR'S REPORT
The Mayor proclaimed the week of October 19 as Sign Appreciation Week. The Mayor proclaimed October 10 as Gazebo Day.
9. DEPARTMENT REPORTS
Department of Public Works, Sidewalk Subcommittee: The Subcommittee reported that the sidewalk near the splash pad is level.
Office of Signage Compliance: The Office reported that fourteen signs were inspected this period and all were found compliant.
10. COMMITTEE REPORTS
The Chair noted that the Ad Hoc Subcommittee on Hedge Materials has recorded no activity since the June 9, 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.)
The Chair noted that the Ad Hoc Subcommittee on Mulch Jurisdiction 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, 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 9:05 p.m.
Respectfully submitted, Carol Ann Albrecht, Town Clerk.