MOORPARK : Officials Lukewarm on City Flag Designs

Moorpark officials, in a continuing quest for an official flag to represent their city, had a less-than-enthusiastic response to several designs that have been submitted for city approval.

After reviewing the four top designs, chosen from more than 30 submissions, the City Council decided Wednesday to postpone a final selection. The council will take up the discussion again at its next meeting.

Councilman Bernardo Perez said the city may ultimately decide to go back to the original idea of using its seal--an apricot blossom in a circular design on a white background--on official correspondence. He said that may be the easiest solution since the seal is already being used.

“Maybe we can use these other designs in city brochures or reports,” Perez said.

City officials have been searching for an official standard since December, after several council members balked at using the town’s seal on a white banner imprinted with the words City of Moorpark. The city opened a design competition for an official flag under the direction of Moorpark’s arts committee, and more than 30 designs were submitted.

Arts committee members pared the submissions down to the best four, member Eloise Brown said.

“The best designs are the ones that were kept simple and reflected the city’s character,” Brown said. Her favorite was one that bears the image of a freeway overpass and a railroad crossing each other, overlaid with an apricot blossom.

The next council meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. July 27 at Moorpark City Hall, 799 Moorpark Ave.