ATTACHMENT II
HAYWARD CITY COUNCIL
RESOLUTION NO. 26-____
Introduced by Council Member _________
RESOLUTION TO AFFIRM THE APPOINTMENT OF A NEW HAYWARD POET LAUREATE EFFECTIVE APRIL 21, 2026.
WHEREAS, the Hayward City Council established the Hayward Poet Laureate Program in 2015 to raise awareness of the power of poetry and other forms of literature; and
WHEREAS, based on the past success of the Hayward Poet Laureate Program, the Mayor directed Hayward Public Library staff to create a competitive process by which future Poet Laureate appointments would be made with the approval of the City Council; and
WHEREAS, following the acceptance of applications from poets living within City limits of incorporated Hayward, Mo Kim-Tong has been selected to be the next Poet Laureate of Hayward; and
WHEREAS, the Hayward Poet Laureate will act as an ambassador representing the City of Hayward in the local literary arts community and representing poetry in the wider arts community; and
WHEREAS, the Hayward Poet Laureate will r epresent the City in a professional and positive manner; and
WHEREAS, the Hayward Poet Laureate will a ttend between one and four City of Hayward or literary events annually, and they will read or otherwise perform their poetry at these events and may attend additional events at their discretion; and
WHEREAS, the Hayward Poet Laureate will w rite at least two poems annually dedicated to Hayward or major occasions or current events affecting Hayward residents; and
WHEREAS, the Hayward City Council approves that a stipend in the amount of $1,000 for the entire 2-year tenure be provided to the appointed Poets Laureate to help defray the cost of the Poet Laureate’s travel and materials, and to recognize the significant contribution of time and service that the Poet Laureate makes to the Hayward community.
ATTACHMENT II
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Hayward hereby affirms the continuance of the Hayward Poet Laureate Program; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Hayward hereby appoints Poet Mo Kim-Tong to serve as the Hayward Poet Laureate effective April 21, 2026 through March 31, 2028.
IN COUNCIL, HAYWARD, CALIFORNIA __________2026.
ADOPTED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS:
MAYOR:
NOES: COUNCIL MEMBERS:
ABSTAIN: COUNCIL MEMBERS:
ABSENT: COUNCIL MEMBERS:
ATTEST: ______________________________________
City Clerk of the City of Hayward
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
_________________________________________
City Attorney of the City of Hayward