× Expand The recommendations of the Art Board regarding selecting a new city flag were discussed at a meeting at city hall Tuesday

The Milwaukee Arts Board and its official flag subcommittee, following months of discussion and debate, outlined its final recommendations regarding a request for proposal (RFP) process for a new official city flag. The Legislative Reference Bureau (LRB) prepared and presented a report Tuesday with the recommendations. The recommendations will have to be approved by the Common Council at a future date, meaning there is no current timeline set for the process of selecting a new city flag.

The official flag subcommittee was formed by the Arts Board after the Common Council said that the People’s Flag of Milwaukee selection process was flawed. The subcommittee decided that a request for proposals process was the best option at a meeting last week. Of the board’s recommendations regarding this process, the subcommittee said that an RFP resulting in one design team would be best. They also said that the RFP should not be limited to entities based in the City of Milwaukee and that inclusivity should be “very important” in the process.

Other recommendations said that the design team should “work closely with Common Council members to determine the best ways to reach constituents in each council district.” They also said that the design criteria should be left open and that the designer should submit at least three flag designs for consideration, with public comment to follow. Additionally, it is recommended that the Common Council vote on the final designs.

Cost for the implementation of a new flag has not yet been decided. The board said that the RFP could determine the cost. Alternatively, the Common Council could set a budget as well. The board has to present its final recommendations regarding the RFP process to the Common Council before the end of 2018.

Last summer, members of the Steering and Rules Committee said that the People’s Flag of Milwaukee selection process lacked inclusion—specifically regarding inner-city individuals. The Milwaukee Arts Board also agreed that the process did not include the elderly, or “technology-rich” in Milwaukee.

“We respect their decision to do their due diligence,” said a spokesperson for People’s Flag of Milwaukee. “This is a big step for our city.”

The People’s Flag of Milwaukee is the result of a 2016 design contest organized by Steve Kodis to create a new city flag that included more than 1,000 entries. Robert Lenz’s Sunrise over the Lake design was selected as the winner after receiving more than 6,000 votes online. Alderman Michael Murphy, the Arts Board chair, said that the Arts Board is neither endorsing nor saying no to the Sunrise over the Lake design.

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“The flag is very much a political, rather than aesthetical issue,” said Ald. Michael Murphy at a meeting two weeks ago. “The People’s Flag, I am just very impressed with them and I want to recognize that. I personally like the flag a lot, but we are going to come back with a recommendation and go from there.”

The Shepherd reached out to Common Council President Alderman Ashanti Hamilton regarding the schedule for the vote, but he did not respond before the story was published. The LRB recommendations report additionally found that the total cost to retrofit new decals onto existing vehicles and equipment could cost up to $252,000.

You can read more about the flag debate here.