City Council
Report
City Council Meeting: March 10, 2026
Agenda Item: 4.C
1 of 3
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Erica Cuyugan, City Librarian, Library Services Department Subject: Appointment of Jay Baldwin as the Poet Laureate for the 2026-2028 Program Year
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Adopt a finding of no possibility of significant effect pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) (Common Sense Exemption) of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) guidelines ;and
2. Appoint Jay Baldwin as the City of Santa Monica’s Poet Laureate for the 2026- 2028 Program Year.
Summary
On August 22, 2023, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 11543 (CCS) establishing a City of Santa Monica Poet Laureate Program and outlining the program’s terms and conditions. Pursuant to the Resolution, the Director of the Library is responsible for recommending a Poet Laureate to the City Council for approval every two years.
The inaugural Poet Laureate term concludes in 2026. Following a public application process and review, the Library Director recommends appointing Jay Baldwin to serve as the City of Santa Monica Poet Laureate for the 2026–2028 term.
Discussion
The Poet Laureate Program was established to celebrate the spirit and diversity of Santa Monica through the literary arts and to expand opportunities for community engagement with poetry. The program supports arts education and cultural programming throughout the community.
2 of 3
During the inaugural 2024–2026 term, the Poet Laureate contributed original poetry celebrating Santa Monica, participated in National Poetry Month programming, and engaged residents through original works, poetry readings, writing workshops, and civic events. The program has enhanced the visibility of poetry in Santa Monica and fostered meaningful community connections.
In accordance with the Resolution, the Library conducted an open application process for the upcoming term. Applications were reviewed by Library staff in collaboration with representatives from the Library Board and Arts Commission. Following this review, the Library Director recommends Jay Baldwin for appointment.
Jay Baldwin is an accomplished poet and community arts advocate whose work reflects Santa Monica’s diversity and creative vitality. If appointed, Jay would serve a two-year term from 2026 through 2028 and fulfill the program deliverables as outlined in Resolution No. 11543 (CCS), including:
• Creating an annual original poem celebrating Santa Monica • Contributing to National Poetry Month programming at the Santa Monica Public Library
• Organizing poetry-related readings and workshops at City-sponsored events, subject to approval by the Library and City Manager’s Office The full details of the Poet Laureate’s duties and responsibilities are described in Section 5 (“Roles and Responsibilities of the Poet Laureate”) of the Resolution.
Environmental Review
The recommendation to appoint a Poet Laureate is exempt from CEQA pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) of the CEQA Guidelines (the common sense exemption) which states that CEQA does not apply, “where it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity in question may have a significant effect on the environment.” The appointment will allow the City to implement the Poet Laureate program as described in Resolution No. 11543 (CCS) as approved by the City Council and is administrative in nature.
Past Council Actions
3 of 3
Meeting Date Description
11/29/2022 Request of Councilmembers Negrete, Parra, and Brock that the City Manager develop and return to City Council with recommendations for a Poet Laureate program for the City of Santa Monica
8/22/2023 Adoption of Resolution to Establish a City of Santa Monica Poet Laureate Program
Financial Impacts and Budget Actions
There is no immediate financial impact or budget action necessary as a result of the recommended action. On-going operating funds to support the Poet Laureate program are budgeted and available in the Library’s FY 2025-26 Adopted Budget.
Prepared By: Daniel Soto, Principal Administrative Analyst Approved Forwarded to Council
Attachments:
A. Resolution Appointing Jay Baldwin as the Poet Laureate for the 2026-2028 Term B. Written Comments