Residents who voted during a three-month period last fall recommended the city adopt a blue and green flag emblazoned with the Columbia logo for the next official flag.

The Columbia City Council is scheduled to review the design at its Monday meeting.

Local artists submitted 84 entries last year during a design competition. After reviewing the submissions, the Commission on Cultural Affairs and the city council whittled the entries down to three finalists for a public vote, which took place between October and January at City Hall. Voters preferred artist Jon Sheltmire�s design, according to a city report.

The flag is blue and green, with the city logo in the middle. A white cross separates the blue and green elements. The cross pattern represents how Columbia is at a crossroads in the center of the state, Sheltmire has said. The logo represents a diverse but close-knit community.

The blue color in the pattern represents the city�s distinctive rivers, creeks and lakes; the green represents the city�s rich parks, woodlands, trails and nature areas, Sheltmire has said.

Two city council members said Friday morning they liked Sheltmire�s design and on Monday would likely support a resolution that asks the council to officially adopt it. The flag will be used for mostly ceremonial and decorative purposes.

Sixth Ward Councilwoman Betsy Peters said the design was not her first choice but noted it is simple and effective. She said the pattern follows good design principles.

Second Ward Councilman Michael Trapp said he prefers the selected flag because one of the other two options was �cartoon-like� and the other looked too similar to the iconic Chicago flag.

�This is a very elegant design,� Trapp said. �I think it will work well for our city.�