On September 3, 2024, the Ann Arbor City Council approved a new Ann Arbor flag designed by Dennis Scherdt. According to Resolution 24-1444 (link) on the Council agenda, the flag design was selected by both the Ann Arbor Public Art Commission and a majority of community members in an online survey, following the announcement of five finalists earlier this year.
This design was selected from five finalists announced by the City on May 29, 2024. (link to finalists). Mr Scherdt gave the following description of his design: “This flag design highlights Ann Arbor’s many parks, trees, and the Huron River with its blue and green colors. The central tree symbolizes growth, community, and environmental commitment, paying homage to the original Ann Arbor seal.”
The resolution also states that the City Administrator should “move forward with a local printer to produce official flags for City use, and additional souvenir flags for the community to purchase”. The City Administrator was also directed to prepare an Ordinance amendment “to officially recognize and codify the new City flag”. In order to amend the city code, Council must vote to approve the new Ordinance at two Council meetings, and it will also be the subject of a public hearing.
MLive reported on the new flag:
https://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/2024/09/a-great-city-deserves-a-great-flag-ann-arbors-new-city-flag-unveiled.html
Full text of resolution 24-1444 (link) on the September 3, 2024 Ann Arbor City Council agenda.
Title: Resolution to Accept the New City of Ann Arbor Flag Redesign in Honor of the 2024 Bicentennial Celebration
Sponsors: Christopher Taylor, Cynthia HarrisonWhereas, City Council Resolution R-23-103 requested that the Public Art Commission establish a project plan to redesign the City of Ann Arbor City flag in honor of the 2024 Bicentennial Celebration;
Whereas, The Commission’s project plan included a design contest which called for public submittals;
Whereas, The Public Art Commission in collaboration with the Mayor’s Office created a Bicentennial Flag committee comprised of city leaders and community members to review the submissions and select a field of finalists;
Whereas, Public input on the five finalists selected was requested via an online survey and both the majority of community members as well as the committee selected the design submitted by Mr. Scherdt;
Whereas, The flag design submitted by Mr. Scherdt highlights Ann Arbor’s many parks, trees, and the Huron River with its blue and green colors while the central tree symbolizes growth, community, and environmental commitment, paying homage to the original Ann Arbor seal; and
Whereas, The design follows the North American Vexillological Association recommendations that comprise the Five Basic Principles of Flag Design — simplicity of design, use of meaningful symbolism, two or three basic colors, no lettering or seals, and distinctiveness.
RESOLVED, That City Council accepts the flag designed by Mr. Schertz as recommended by the Public Art Commission and directs the City Administrator to move forward with a local printer to produce official flags for City use, and additional souvenir flags for the community to purchase; and
RESOLVED, That the City Administrator is directed to prepare an Ordinance amendment to Chapter 9 of the City Code to officially recognize and codify the new City flag.
Sponsored by: Mayor Taylor and Councilmember Harrison