During a recent government meeting, officials discussed outreach efforts related to the design of the city flag for Milwaukee, emphasizing the importance of community engagement and representation. The conversation highlighted the collaboration with local organizations, including boys and girls clubs and schools, to ensure a broad demographic reach.
One official noted that the outreach was open to all Aldermanic districts and included efforts to connect with senior centers. They acknowledged that the previous process in 2016, which primarily relied on online surveys, was insufficient and did not adequately engage the community. The official expressed a commitment to improving outreach methods in light of lessons learned from the pandemic.
The discussion also touched on the possibility of a referendum regarding the flag design. However, it was clarified that current legislation restricts referendums to capital projects, raising questions about whether the flag redesign could be classified as such. The official indicated that restarting the process would be costly and time-consuming, suggesting that the existing design has gained organic support within the community, as evidenced by its visibility across various neighborhoods and local merchandise.
Overall, the meeting underscored the city's ongoing efforts to enhance community involvement in civic projects and the complexities involved in the flag redesign process.