Title
Recommendation to Appoint Kimi Sugioka as Alameda’s Poet Laureate. (Library 5210)
Body
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
In 2002, the City Council created the position of Alameda Poet Laureate. The Poet Laureate is an honorary title given to a person who has exhibited excellence in the literary arts. Mary Rudge, Julia Park Tracey, Cathy Dana, and Gene Kahane have all served as Poet Laureates representing the City of Alameda (City). The appointment term for the Poet Laureate is three (3) years with the possibility of one reappointment, it is now time to appoint or reappoint Alameda’s Poet Laureate.
BACKGROUND
The following are some of the key goals of the Alameda Poet Laureate.
• The Poet Laureate encourages citizens to express their literary creativity; and
• The Poet Laureate will promote and showcase original works of citizens; and
• The Poet Laureate will promote a love of poetry, literature, and the written word in Alameda and beyond; and
• The Poet Laureate creates works of the written word that commemorates special events in the life of the City of Alameda.
The Poet Laureate’s term will begin in September 2020, during which they will raise the profile of poetry and creative writing in general within Alameda through public events and community service activities, and provide mentorship to the city’s youth.
DISCUSSION
A call for nominations and applications began in June 2020 for the Alameda Poet Laureate.
Qualifications for Alameda Poet Laureate included:
1. Applicant must be a resident of Alameda for at least two years;
2. Applicant must have an established history of activity in the Alameda literary community (i.e. readings, publications, public presentations, and/or teaching);
3. Applicants will have demonstrated a commitment to and passion for poetry and embrace the opportunity to engage in community service to make poetry more accessible and available to all ages; and
4. Applicants must be willing to promote poetry in Alameda.
Applicants were requested to submit their application, a resume with their qualifications, and three original poems. All applications received were reviewed by a selection committee comprised of representatives from the Alameda Island Poets, the Friends of the Alameda Free Library, Library Staff, and the Library Director. The committee individually ranked all submissions in a blind reading, authorship unknown. All rankings were assigned a point value and the final ratings were established. The short list was compiled based on those final ratings and the short list was forwarded to the Mayor for interview and selection.
ALTERNATIVES
The Mayor may pursue several different alternatives:
1. Appoint Kimi Sugioka as Alameda’s Poet Laureate.
2. Make no appointment at this time and reopen the nomination/application period for new or additional submissions.
3. Choose not to have a Poet Laureate representing the City of Alameda.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
The Alameda Poet Laureate is a voluntary appointment, and there is no fiscal impact to the City’s Budget.
MUNICIPAL CODE/POLICY DOCUMENT CROSS REFERENCE
This action does not affect the Alameda Municipal Code
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) applies only to projects that have the potential for causing a significant effect on the environment. This action is not a project pursuant to Public Resources Code section 21065 and CEQA Guidelines section 15378.
CLIMATE IMPACTS
No Climate Impacts.
RECOMMENDATION
Appoint Kimi Sugioka as Alameda’s Poet Laureate.
CITY MANAGER RECOMMENDATION
The City Manager concurs with recommendation.
Respectfully submitted,
Jane Chisaki, Library Director
Financial Impact section reviewed,
Nancy Bronstein, Acting Finance Director
Exhibit:
1. Inaugural Poem
cc: Eric Levitt, City Manager