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Home My WebLink About4.13 Appointment of City of Dublin Poet LaureateSTAFF REPORT CITY COUNCIL Page 1 of 2 Agenda Item 4.13 DATE:June 1, 2021 TO:Honorable Mayor and City Councilmembers FROM:Linda Smith, City Manager SUBJECT:Appointment of City of Dublin Poet Laureate Prepared by: Tyler Phillips, Heritage & Cultural Arts Supervisor EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: The City Council will consider the appointment of a City of Dublin Poet Laureate for a term beginning July 1, 2021 and ending December 31, 2022. STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Confirm the Mayor’s appointment of James Morehead to serve as City of Dublin Poet Laureate for a term beginning July 1, 2021 and ending December 31, 2022. FINANCIAL IMPACT: None. DESCRIPTION: In 2007, the City Council approved the creation of the honorary volunteer position of Poet Laureate with the first volunteer appointed to the position in 2008. At its November 3, 2020, meeting, the City Council approved updated policies (Attachment 1) governing the position of Poet Laureate. Using the updated policies, Staff recruited for the position beginning November 9, 2020. The recruitment closed on November 27, 2020 with no applications received. Due to new interest in the position, Staff re-opened the recruitment on March 12, 2021. The recruitment closed on April 16, 2021 with two applications received (Attachment 2). On May 13, 2021 the Heritage and Cultural Arts Commission reviewed the applications and invited each applicant to read an original poem. Following deliberation, the Heritage and Cultural Arts Commission voted to recommend to the Mayor that James Morehead serve as the next City of Dublin Poet Laureate. The Mayor has concurred with this recommendation. 734 Page 2 of 2 STRATEGIC PLAN INITIATIVE: None. NOTICING REQUIREMENTS/PUBLIC OUTREACH: A copy of this Staff Report has been provided to the applications for the Poet Laureate position and the City Council Agenda was posted. ATTACHMENTS: 1) Program Guidelines for the City of Dublin Poet Laureate 2) Candidate Applications 735 City of Dublin Guidelines for the Poet Laureate & City Historian Approved November 3, 2020 Poet Laureate Overview The Poet Laureate serves as a public advocate for the appreciation and advancement of literary arts in the City of Dublin. Duties •Create and read poetry for civic events, public ceremonies, and dedications, as coordinated through City Staff. •Serve as a resource to Staff, the City Council, and the Commission; may act as a liaison between the City and local schools, literary organizations, and bookstores. •Assist with the development of classes and workshops devoted to poetry; potentially coordinate and participate in staged poetry readings. •On an annual basis, have at least one original poem displayed in a City facility. Qualifications •Be a Dublin resident; at least 18 years old. •Be the author of published poetry or be willing to publish poetry during the term if selected. •Be ready to serve a two-year term with no compensation. •Affiliation with literary organizations is preferred but not necessary for appointment to the position. Service Term The selected Poet Laureate will serve a term of two years, beginning with City Council appointment at a public meeting. A term may be renewed upon submittal of a new application, unless or until a new Poet Laureate applies and is appointed. A Poet Laureate shall be limited to four two-year terms. Application Process Between October and December of the year prior to the formal appointment by the City Council, applicants will be required to submit the following: •An application. •A letter of interest, including what the applicant would like to accomplish if selected as Dublin’s Poet Laureate. •Two original poems. •A resume including a list of published poetry or other evidence of a body of original work (published or unpublished). •Attend a scheduled Commission meeting to read one original poem to commission. Selection Process If more than two applications are received, a Selection Committee coordinated by the Heritage and Cultural Arts Manager will review all applications and submit the top two choices to the Heritage and Cultural Arts Commission for final recommendation. The Selection Committee could include: •Heritage and Cultural Arts Commissioner •Las Positas English Department Representative Attachment 1 736 • Dublin High School English Department Representative • Local creative writing professional or instructor • City Staff person appointed by the City Manager’s Office (e.g., Heritage and Cultural Arts Manager or Parks and Community Services Director) The Heritage and Cultural Arts Commission will present their preferred Poet Laureate to the Mayor for recommendation to the City Council. Following City Council approval, the Poet Laureate will formally begin the two-year term in January of each appointment year. City Historian Overview The City Historian will assist researchers, students, librarians, and members of the public and press in accessing resources for historical information. Duties • Maintain, add to, and facilitate access to City historical records. • Respond to inquiries regarding the City’s past. • Serve as a resource to Staff, the City Council, and the Heritage and Cultural Arts Commission; may act as a liaison between the Commission and local schools, genealogical groups, and members of the media and the public. Qualifications • A demonstrated interest in the history of the City of Dublin, including participation in City Commissions, Committees, and other activities. • A demonstrated ability to maintain records. • Skilled in public speaking. Service Term The selected City Historian will serve a term of four years, beginning with City Council appointment at a public meeting. A term may be renewed, upon submittal of a new application, unless or until a new City Historian applies and is appointed. Application Process Between October and December of the year prior to the formal appointment by the City Council, applicants will submit the following to the Heritage and Cultural Arts Commission: • An application. • A letter of interest, including what the applicant would like to accomplish if selected as Dublin’s City Historian. • A resume of positions held and/or activities related to the position of City Historian. Selection Process Review of applications and selection of the City Historian will be recommended by the Heritage and Cultural Arts Commission, who will put forward a maximum of two applicants to the Mayor. The Mayor will recommend final appointment for approval by the City Council, with the City Historian formally beginning the four-year term in January of each appointment year. Attachment 1 737 https://dublin.ca.gov/Admin/FormCenter/Submissions/Print/4056 1/2 City Poet Laureate Overview The City Poet Laureate serves as a public advocate for the appreciation and advancement of literary arts in the City of Dublin. Duties • Create and read poetry for civic events, public ceremonies, and dedications, as coordinated through City Staff. • Serve as a resource to Staff, the City Council, and the Commission; may act as a liaison between the City and local schools, literary organizations, and bookstores. • Assist with the development of classes and workshops devoted to poetry; potentially coordinate and participate in staged poetry readings. • On an annual basis, have at least one original poem displayed in a City facility. Qualifications • Be a Dublin resident; at least 18 years old. • Be the author of published poetry or be willing to publish poetry during the term, if selected. • Be ready to serve a two-year term with no compensation. • Affiliation with literary organizations is preferred but not necessary for appointment to the position. Service Term The selected Poet Laureate will serve a term just shy of two years, beginning with City Council appointment at a public meeting in April 2021, ending in December 2022. A term may be renewed upon submittal of a new application, unless or until a new Poet Laureate applies and is appointed. A Poet Laureate shall be limited to four two-year terms. Selection Process If more than two applications are received, a Selection Committee coordinated by the Heritage and Cultural Arts Manager will review all applications and submit the top two choices to the Heritage and Cultural Arts Commission for final recommendation. The Heritage and Cultural Arts Commission will present their preferred Poet Laureate to the Mayor for recommendation to the City Council. Following City Council approval, the Poet Laureate will formally begin the two-year term in May. First Name*Last Name* Address1* Address2 City of Dublin Poet Laureate - Submission #4056 Date Submitted: 3/13/2021 James Morehead Application for Poet Laureate - J. Morehead Attachment 2 738 https://dublin.ca.gov/Admin/FormCenter/Submissions/Print/4056 2/2 City State Zip Phone Number*E-mail Address:* How long have you lived in Dublin?* Please upload a Letter of Interest. (Please include what you would like to accomplish.)* James Morehead City of Dublin Poet Laureate Letter of Interest.pdf Please upload a Resume of Positions Held or Activities Conducted Related to the Position.* James Morehead Resume of Positions Held.pdf Please upload two original poems: Poem #1: tethered by James Morehead.pdf Poem #2: we are one by James Morehead.pdf Dublin California 94568 20 years Application for Poet Laureate - J. Morehead Attachment 2 739 March 13, 2021 James Morehead Dublin, CA 94568 To whom it may concern, Please accept this application for City of Dublin Poet Laureate. I have written poetry for over 40 years, perform regularly in poetry open mics, and will be publishing my first book, “canvas”, this summer featuring my poetry and the art of Kari Byron and Alla Tsank. I’ve included in this application one poem from the book (“tethered”) and a poem written specifically for this application (“we are one”). As City of Dublin Poet Laureate I would build on my deep ties to the community to encourage a love and appreciation of poetry. For over 10 years I founded and led OneDublin.org (City of Dublin’s 2011 Organization of the Year) and was recognized in 2015 with the Mayor’s Award for my service to the community. I’ve had leadership roles on both Fallon Middle School and Dublin High School School Site Councils, and currently serve on the Dublin High School Engineering and Design Academy Advisory Council. In addition to authoring and performing original poetry at City of Dublin events, I plan to organize open mic poetry nights, coordinate poetry performances, and work with the Dublin Unified School District to help make poetry more accessible to students. My love of poetry is thanks to a single teacher in high school; I want to give back to the community as City of Dublin Poet Laureate. Thank you for your consideration and for recognizing the importance of poetry. James Morehead Application for Poet Laureate - J. Morehead Attachment 2 740 James Morehead Resume of Relevant Positions City of Dublin Poet Laureate Application To whom it may concern, My full resume is available at https://www.linkedin.com/in/morehead/; below are positions relevant to this application: ● Experience as a poet ○ I’ve written and published poetry (to the web) for over forty years. I’m publishing my first collection of poetry this summer, featuring art by Kari Byron and Alla Tsank. I perform regularly at poetry open mics. ● CIty of Dublin community service ○ 2020 - Present: Dublin High School Engineering Academy Mentor ○ 2010 - Present: Dublin High School Engineering Academy Advisory Council Member ○ 2009 - 2019: OneDublin.org - Founder, Editor and Author ○ 2010 - 2013: Dublin High School Site Council Co-President ○ 2008 Fallon Middle School School Site Council ○ Participant in multiple City of Dublin Pride Week events ● Awards and recognition ○ City of Dublin 2015 Mayor's Award ○ ACSA 2014 Partners in Education Award (for OneDublin.org) ○ City of Dublin 2011 Organization of the Year (for OneDublin.org) ○ Dublin High School Sue Hahn Spirit Award If you have any questions please contact me at or . Application for Poet Laureate - J. Morehead Attachment 2 741 tethered by James Morehead i’ve long ago learned to ignore the rhythmic tug of the chain that tethers me to the ocean floor a chill curls around my painted stripes as fog rolls toward a distant shore and wave-powered bells warn those sailing near i hear passing ships cutting towards the golden gate and imagine their carefully stacked containers swaying in the swells later fog fades and california’s sun steams dew from my metallic frame unveiling the shore’s outline once more a seagull pauses perched and chattering singing me stories until trade winds lift her to dance above white caps soon the season of storms returns bringing fierce waves and wind to power the peals of my warning bells deep in winter mist freezes to my metallic skin crafting turquoise crystals that flicker in the moonlight but in time calm and warmth return lit by the moon’s waning crescent mirrored on still water’s glass do i measure time in seasons? or dawns and dusks? or count the cycles of frost freezing then dripping melted down my spine? Application for Poet Laureate - J. Morehead Attachment 2 742 or do i set aside time and count the swells? or passing ships? or pods of dolphins shivers of sharks colonies of gulls? i dream of one day being released from my tether my work complete transformed into turquoise sea glass smoothed by tides and resting on a shoreline beach waiting to catch the eye of a strolling passerby Application for Poet Laureate - J. Morehead Attachment 2 743 we are one by james morehead from east of fallon to west of schaefer we are one new american backyard kites fly high over emerald glen park hikers trek up number hill until dark on cool winter mornings deep into march frost sprinkled lawns mt diablo snow topped california sun melts ice into green st. patrick’s day festive place to be seen when spring comes parents push jogging strollers dougherty hills dog park alive with a pack dublin high track and field echoes with cheers until nighttime falls brings families near or maybe you’ll find us during pride week coming together to better this place saturday spent with our neighbors and friends true dublin spirit beginning to end where did we come from to call this place home back 200 years when stage coaches roamed immigrants all amador led the way built adobe homes for workers to stay from far and from wide still more people come model homes built and more classrooms needed faces diverse more languages spoken we are one dublin we can’t be broken Application for Poet Laureate - J. Morehead Attachment 2 744 1/2 City Poet Laureate Overview The City Poet Laureate serves as a public advocate for the appreciation and advancement of literary arts in the City of Dublin. Duties • Create and read poetry for civic events, public ceremonies, and dedications, as coordinated through City Staff. • Serve as a resource to Staff, the City Council, and the Commission; may act as a liaison between the City and local schools, literary organizations, and bookstores. • Assist with the development of classes and workshops devoted to poetry; potentially coordinate and participate in staged poetry readings. • On an annual basis, have at least one original poem displayed in a City facility. Qualifications • Be a Dublin resident; at least 18 years old. • Be the author of published poetry or be willing to publish poetry during the term, if selected. • Be ready to serve a two-year term with no compensation. • Affiliation with literary organizations is preferred but not necessary for appointment to the position. Service Term The selected Poet Laureate will serve a term just shy of two years, beginning with City Council appointment at a public meeting in May 2021, ending in December 2022. A term may be renewed upon submittal of a new application, unless or until a new Poet Laureate applies and is appointed. A Poet Laureate shall be limited to four two-year terms. Selection Process If more than two applications are received, a Selection Committee coordinated by the Heritage and Cultural Arts Manager will review all applications and submit the top two choices to the Heritage and Cultural Arts Commission for final recommendation. The Heritage and Cultural Arts Commission will present their preferred Poet Laureate to the Mayor for recommendation to the City Council. Following City Council approval, the Poet Laureate will formally begin the two-year term in May. First Name*Last Name* Address1* Address2 City of Dublin Poet Laureate - Submission #4136 Date Submitted: 3/28/2021 Marie-Anne Poudret Application for Poet Laureate - M. Poudret Attachment 2 745 https://dublin.ca.gov/Admin/FormCenter/Submissions/Print/4136 2/2 City State Zip Phone Number*E-mail Address:* How long have you lived in Dublin?* Please upload a Letter of Interest. (Please include what you would like to accomplish.)* M.A.P. Dublin Poet Laureat.pdf Please upload a Resume of Positions Held or Activities Conducted Related to the Position.* Resume 2021 .pdf Please upload two original poems: Poem #1: Soliloquy.pdf Poem #2: Thirteen Stripes.pdf Dublin California 94568 7 years Application for Poet Laureate - M. Poudret Attachment 2 746 March 28, 2021 Dublin City Hall 100, Civic Plaza Dublin, CA 94568 Dear Members of Dublin City Council, I have lived in Dublin for seven years with my husband and children. Our family lived in France for four years, then in England for seven years, before settling in the Bay Area. I want to use my knowledge of French, British, and American poetry to serve Dublin's city and help everyone dwelling in Dublin to deepen their respect for their neighbors' diversity and beauty. The city's enthusiasm for bringing all people together around the symbol of Ireland, food, music, and joy has given me peace. In 2014, my family had ﬁnally found its city. Since then, we went to many parades, Splash, and farmers market's events. Recently, Melissa Hernandez's election as Mayor of Dublin gave me hope that she guides our city with wisdom and dynamism. I want to be Dublin Poet Laureate so that the world of the Arts and poetry talks about the poets of Dublin, California. I want to follow the example of poet Dana Gioia, creator of The Big Read. "As poets, we are exploring the invisible world of our lives." We have poets and bards in our American Backyard who create bridges between the abyss of our differences. These bridges are a crucial element for the future of our community. English is not my ﬁrst language, but my experience on three continents, among different linguistic communities, trained me to be open-minded and to love the art of language. Dana Gioia says with justice that "their face is different // their voice is the same." Pending a favorable response, please accept my best regards, Marie-Anne Poudret - Dublin, CA 94568 Application for Poet Laureate - M. Poudret Attachment 2 747 Marie-Anne Poudret English Writer and French Teacher Published Poet and Expert first language and second language French teacher Creative teaching methods to boost retention of vocabulary and sentence structure of 1 2 WORK EXPERIENCE English Writer •Tri-Valley Writers Club member 01/2020 - Present French Teacher •EFBA Bay Area California 10/2009 - 06/2017 School Teacher in France INSPECTION A CADÉMIQUE DES HAUTS DE SEINE 09/1995 -10/1997 Preschool - Special Needs - 5th grade Summer Camp Counsellor EFBA June-July 2012 - 2013 - 2014 Creation of activities to learn French through play French Textbook Writer EFBA 09/2014-07/2015 •Cahiers d’Activités VIRGULE 1 Grands Francophones 2015 •Cahiers d’Activités VIRGULE 2 Grands Francophones 2015 Published English Work June 2020 •“Nobody’s soliloquy” Homeward HAVIK PERSONAL PROJECTS French Club Creation of a French Club in UK 2003 French Tutor 09/1999 -Present French and English Writer 09/1995 - Present Young Readers - Short Stories - Poems - Plays EDUCATION Université de Bourgogne Bachelor of Arts in French 06/1993 Bachelor of Education in French 06/1993 IUFM de Bourgogne Professeur des Écoles graduate 06/1995 Las Positas College California ECD 50 - ECD 56 Spring 2016 ECD 62 - ECD 63 Fall 2016 ESL 23 - ESL 25 Spring 2019 English 1A Fall 2019 English 13A - English 12A Spring 2020 Dublin, California Application for Poet Laureate - M. Poudret Attachment 2 748 Marie-Anne Poudret English Writer and French Teacher Published Poet and Expert first language and second language French teacher Creative teaching methods to boost retention of vocabulary and sentence structure of 2 2 DIVERSITY CURRICULUM DESIGN INTERPERSONAL SKILLS TEAM WORK ORGANIZATION COMMUNICATION LEARNER ORIENTED A PPROACH PEDAGOGY COMPUTER LITERATE SKILLS LANGUAGES CERTIFICATES •Certificate of Naturalization 02/22/2017 No. 38647858 U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services •Incident Command System 100 04/13/2013 Foster City Fire Department •Mandated Reporter Educators Training 09/25/2015 CDSS •First Aid CPR AED 09/10/2015 Safety Training Seminars CA-20784 Fluent in French & English INTERESTS Bible Study Family Friendship Poetry Neighborhood Drawing Hiking and Biking Food and Gardening Application for Poet Laureate - M. Poudret Attachment 2 749 1. You!re a little hoarse to call me this morning to tell your story. Zebra! Zebra in pajamas! Tell me about the savannas! 2. Zebra! Zebra!s running fast down the grassy vales dead-ends. "What amoral beast or man has spooked your peaceful herd of friends?” 3. Sleepy leopards perching aloft opened their eyes but missed your rump. Whiskers over claws, they fell soft, Snarling at the speeding chump. 4. "What amoral beast or man has spooked your peaceful herd of friends?” Zebra! Zebra!s stopping at last to graze around the vales dead ends. 5. Felon lions stalking their prey, hiding under the canopy, headwind blowing their scent away, draw close, and you graze slap happy. 6. Fancy, trendy in savannas, Zebra! Zebra! You, silly horse! Aren!t you a little too hoarse to tell stories in pajamas? 7. Snap! A twig breaks. Fuzzy ears twitched. Two swift lionesses pounced on your black stripes. Missed by an inch! Faster, you saved your skin this once, 8. my cunning horse who pranced. Of course. Zebra! Zebra in pajamas, Fastest reflex in savannas! Survival was your thriving force. 9. Stung by horse-flies the wildebeest Reeled away from the waterhole. Your stripes were your shield at nightfall. Bite-free, you always drank in peace. 10. Zebra! Zebra in pajamas, You, lucky horse! You pranced, of course. Fancy! Trendy in savannas. Wild mane!s style! No silk! All coarse! 11. "Are there more black in your white stripes? Or are there more white stripes than black?(1) ” Striking smart horse dressed in pinstripes, smooth, you blur the lines of leaves and bark. 12. Bleached and tall, the grass blades hid you. Jeeps and men with guns roamed near. Stood still, as their dangerous crew Killed—the zebra disappeared. 13. Zebra! Zebra! You! lonely horse behind zoo bars, you cry, of course. Zebra! Zebra! You miss the plains, where warm winds brush black and white manes. (1) Madagascar, by Eric Darnell and Tom McGrath, Dreamworks, 2005 Application for Poet Laureate - M. Poudret Attachment 2 750 A Nobody’s Soliloquy After “Hamlet’s Soliloquy,” Shakespeare To post or not to post: a scribe’s conundrum: Whether ’tis worthier on our screen, to capture The wits and styles of the World Wizards of the West, Or to take hold of the heart of the Old Eastern Bards, And by writing to bridge over them. To publish: to print; Again; and by a print to say we win The arch head and the thousand artiﬁcial shelves That books are heir to, ‘tis a coronation Devoutly to be reached. To publish, to print; To print: perchance to sell. Ay, there’s the rub! For in that check of myths, what fame may come When we have published this manuscript, Must give us pain. For who would avoid the spurns That patient scribe of the publishers takes? Who would not stardom bear? But that the dread of something like despair, The glorious trench from whose turbid night So few authors return, freezes the quill And makes us rather stay treadmill scribes Than dare to claim a name, we may die from? Thus the fresh joy of publication Is dampened by the sour taste of shame, And storytellers of sharp style and panache With this plunge, their wit turns away, And their voice misses in action. Application for Poet Laureate - M. Poudret Attachment 2 751