AGENDA ITEM REPORT
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A RESOLUTION APPOINTING A POET LAUREATE FOR A TWO (2) YEAR TERM, BEGINNING ON SEPTEMBER 1, 2024, AND ENDING AUGUST 31, 2026. (THIS ITEM AS BEEN POSTPONED)
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BACKGROUND:
The City of Coconut Creek seeks to promote poetry and the literary arts to all sectors of the community and encourages the reading of existing and new poetry at civic occasions, local celebrations, and City-sponsored events. The City Commission appoints a new Poet Laureate every two years in August, and Laura McDermott Matheric has served as the City's first Poet Laureate since September 2022, with her two (2) year term ending on August 31, 2024.
DISCUSSION:
During the open application cycle for the position of Poet Laureate, the City received five (5) responsive applications from the community: Phyllis Cambria, Jason Cheseborough, Christian Clyde Singh, Brian Hugon, and Laura Matheric McDermott. One (1) applicant, Owen Blake, was deemed ineligible because he is not a Coconut Creek resident. Each applicant supplied biographical information, poetry experience, sample poems, which are attached as backup to this agenda item, and a video entry, which can be viewed on the City's website at the following link: www.coconutcreek.net/poetvideos.
In addition to reciting poems at City events, the Poet Laureate will provide an original quarterly poem to be shared on the City's social media platforms and assist with ideas and promotions for Poetry Month (April). The City will provide the Poet Laureate with an honorarium of $250 per year, not to exceed of $500 for the two (2) year term.
During the City Commission meeting of June 13, 2024, there was a resident suggestion to form a Poet Society; however, the application process for individual Poet Laureate submissions had already been advertised on the City's website, social media, and CocoGram. Staff supports the idea of a Poet Society, but do not feel it is appropriate to add a new or expanded program at this tim...
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