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REGULAR MEETING APRIL 25, 2016 interpreted by anyone for free and for any purpose. The Council passed a resolution that set the frame work for this process and the final step is to bring it to the Council for final approval. They filed a bill almost two (2) months ago and since it has been a while since it got a hearing the public has really run with this design such as T- Shirts, Flags and some other great community response. Aaron Perri, Director of SB150 217 S. Michigan, served as the petitioner for this bill. Mr. Perri expressed the honor it was to be a part of this process and chair the yearlong celebration. Last fall a committee was formed to discover what it would take to introduce a new flag. A public meeting was held to get people's ideas and then the contest was developed which produced over two - hundred (200) designs from the community. This ad -hoc committee, of which Council President Tim Scott was a member, met and was composed of professional marketers, graphic designers and other folks from the public to evaluate the two - hundred (200) designs. They narrowed it down to around twelve (12) designs and met with those designers to learn more about the themes involved in the individual flags. Ultimately three (3) final designs were unveiled to the public and the public gave their comments and provided feedback online or in person. There were elements of all three (3) that the public liked and no clear winner, so designs from all three (3) of the final flags were incorporated into this flag. Mr. Perri invited Garret Gingerich, the final designer of the flag, to explain the elements of the new flag. Mr. Gingerich stated as with any creative project the result is going to be subjective but the North American Vexillological Association has a guide of best practices anyone creating a flag can follow. The first guide is to keep the flag simple, a child should be able to recognize the flag at a distance and be able to draw the design. It should also be reversible so no matter which way it flies it is recognizable. There should be two (2) to three (3) basic colors, nothing too extravagant. They recommend no lettering or seals on the flag. Words defeat the purpose of a good flag or sign. You cannot read words from a distance and it is also hard to replicate them when they are scaled down. Most importantly the flag should have meaningful symbolism. The six - pointed star represents the six (6) districts of the Council and the diverse heritage of the. people who make up each of those districts. The red color is symbolic for the passion and energy behind the City. The river is represented very literally, which the public in the feedback portion wanted to see, in the center of the flag. This makes the flag very unique. The city is represented flowing through the City in the white stripe, this color is associated with the color of peace and also taken from the City Seal. The second thin blue stripe serves as a bridge,to the future to keep the City moving. The yellow dominant color represents the City's generosity and the warm accepting nature of South Bend and was taken from the current city flag. Mr. Perri stated when this ordinance was filed the design became public domain and we are starting to see it in the usual places such as on bumper stickers and lapels. Mr. Perri stated he has been most excited about seeing the public really adopt the flag as their own, flying outside of businesses, at Four Winds Field, t -shirts are starting to be produced and so on. These are really purposes that the old city flag was not a good vehicle for because it was not as adaptable. People are putting it as the background of their Facebook pages and the Human Rights Commission used it to advertise an upcoming event. There is a bicycling team that has put the flag on the back of their jerseys and the South Bend Lacrosse team has put it on the back of their jerseys as well: Mr. Perri invited the lacrosse team, who were in attendance, to stand up to show their jerseys. At so many locations and areas the community has really used this flag to show their pride in South Bend. People are really starting to identify this design and this flag with South Bend. Mr. Perri thanked the Council for supporting the resolution last fall which outlined the selection process and appreciated their support going forward. There were no questions from the Council at this time. Those wishing to speak in favor of the bill: Chad Crabtree, 2135 East Dash Maple Lane Elkhart IN, spoke in favor of the bill as a member of the North American Vexillological Association. He consulted on this project and has done so for other municipalities and organizations as well. This flag clearly meets all the guidelines for a very successful flag as can be seen by all the merchandise and creative adaptations the community is already developing. 4