Online vote backs new flag for Salt Lake City

Salt Lake City residents voted online by a 3-to-1 ratio in favor of a new city flag. Now the City Council wants to know what other residents think.

The council will solicit public comment at its meeting Tuesday at 7 p.m., 451 S. State, Room 315.

Mayor Rocky Anderson has been pushing for a new city flag since 2004 because he said the current flag is too exclusive and focuses entirely on the city's LDS Church heritage. He also sees it as visually boring. The council rejected the winner of an early design contest, so a committee came up with a new proposal.

The current city flag shows Mormon pioneers standing next to a sunset. It includes a covered wagon, seagulls and the words "Salt Lake City." The background is white.

The proposed new flag shows the city skyline in front of the Wasatch Mountains. The more colorful background is green and blue.

Voting by 477 people on the city's Web site in August showed 77 percent approval for the new design.

Comments are also being solicited by e-mail at council.comments@slcgov.com or by phone at 535-7654.