1 City Council Meeting: March 10, 2026 Santa Monica, California RESOLUTION NUMBER _________ (CCS)
(City Council Series)
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA MONICA
APPOINTING JAY BALDWIN AS THE CITY OF SANTA MONICA POET LAUREATE FOR THE 2026–2028 TERM
WHEREAS, on August 22, 2023, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 11543 (CCS) establishing the City of Santa Monica Poet Laureate Program to encourage appreciation and create opportunities for dissemination of poetry in the City, promote the appreciation and knowledge of poetry among City residents and visitors, and permit the selection of a Poet Laureate to serve as a spokesperson for the growing number of poets and writers in the City; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 2 of Resolution No. 11543 (CCS), the Director of the Santa Monica Public Library is authorized to recommend a Poet Laureate for appointment by the City Council every two years; and
WHEREAS, the term of the current Poet Laureate concludes in March 2026; and WHEREAS, the Santa Monica Public Library conducted an open application and review process consistent with the criteria set forth in Resolution No. 11543 (CCS); and WHEREAS, following review of submitted applications and qualifications, the Director of the Santa Monica Public Library has recommended Jay Baldwin for appointment as the City of Santa Monica Poet Laureate for the 2026–2028 term; and WHEREAS, Jay Baldwin possesses the requisite qualifications, experience, and demonstrated excellence in the literary arts consistent with the standards established in Resolution No. 11543 (CCS).
2 NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA MONICA DOES RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. The City Council hereby appoints Jay Baldwin as the City of Santa Monica Poet Laureate for a two-year term commencing March 10, 2026, and concluding March 1, 2028, unless sooner removed at the discretion of the City Council consistent with Resolution No. 11543 (CCS).
SECTION 2. During the term of appointment, the Poet Laureate shall perform the roles and responsibilities set forth in Resolution No. 11543 (CCS) and any applicable agreement executed with the City.
SECTION 3. The Santa Monica Public Library is authorized to administer the Poet Laureate Program consistent with Resolution No. 11543 (CCS), including execution of an agreement consistent with the approved program terms and subject to available appropriations.
SECTION 4. The City Clerk shall certify to the adoption of this Resolution, and thenceforth and thereafter the same shall be in full force and effect.
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
_________________________
Heidi Von Tongeln
Interim City Attorney
3 Adopted and approved this 10th day of March, 2026.
_________________________
Caroline Torosis
Mayor
I, ________________________, City Clerk of the City of Santa Monica, do hereby certify that Resolution No. _____ (CCS) was duly adopted at a meeting of the Santa Monica City Council held on the 10th day of March, 2026, by the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ATTEST:
_________________________
Denise Anderson-Warren
Interim City Clerk