Staff Report
PREPARED BY: RYAN BAKER
Library Director
Reviewed by: Town Manager, Assistant Town Manager, Town Attorney, and Finance Director
110 E. Main Street Los Gatos, CA 95030 ● 408-354-6832
www.losgatosca.gov
TOWN OF LOS GATOS
COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
MEETING DATE: 12/18/2018
ITEM NO: 11
DATE: DECEMBER 13, 2018
TO: MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL
FROM: LAUREL PREVETTI, TOWN MANAGER
SUBJECT: APPOINT MICHAEL HALEY MCCULLOUGH TO THE HONORARY POSITION OF
THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS POET LAUREATE FOR A THREE-YEAR TERM
BEGINNING IN JANUARY OF 2019
RECOMMENDATION:
Appoint Michael Haley McCullough to the honorary position of the Town of Los Gatos Poet
Laureate for a three-year term beginning in January of 2019.
BACKGROUND:
The Town of Los Gatos Poet Laureate is an honorary position established in 2010 to further the
appreciation and advancement of poetry and literary arts in Los Gatos. Since the establishment
of this position, Council has appointed three individuals to serve. Parthenia Hicks served a
three-year term from 2010 through 2012. Erica Goss served a three-year term from 2013
through 2015. Stan Garber served a combined three-year term from 2016 through 2018.
To determine the next Town of Los Gatos Poet Laureate, a Selection Committee was formed
consistent with Town Council Policy 2-06: Town Poet Laureate Selection. The Committee was
composed of Rob Rennie (Mayor, Town Council), Sabiha Chunawala (Library Board), and Amy
Fasnacht (Arts and Culture Commission), with Ryan Baker (Library Director) acting as the staff
liaison. The Committee worked via email to develop the process and timeline for Poet Laureate
recruitment. Poet Laureate applications were announced and released on October 2, 2018 via
the Town website and What’s New announcements, Town social media sites including
Nextdoor, and press releases.
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SUBJECT: APPOINT MICHAEL HALEY MCCULLOUGH TO THE HONORARY POSITION OF
THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS POET LAUREATE FOR A THREE-YEAR TERM
BEGINNING IN JANUARY OF 2019
DATE: DECEMBER 13, 2018
S:\COUNCIL REPORTS\2018\12-18-18\Poet Laureate\Staff Report.docx 12/13/2018 8:18 AM
BACKGROUND (continued):
By the application deadline of November 2, 2018, three applications were received. Each
application included three original poems, a cover letter, and two letters of recommendation.
Based on the high quality of the submittals, all three applicants were scheduled to interview
with the Committee. Interviews with the Committee took place on November 14, 2018. After
extensive discussion, the Committee unanimously moved to recommend Michael Haley
McCullough for the position of Town of Los Gatos Poet Laureate.
DISCUSSION:
Michael Haley McCullough is a young and dynamic voice in poetry and focuses on poetry as an
avenue of self-expression during critical times. He strives to empower younger generations to
find a voice through poetry. Michael was originally raised in Los Gatos and is proud to live here
again in this Town he calls home. A sample of his work can be found in Attachment 1.
If the Town Council appoints Michael Haley McCullough as Poet Laureate, Town Staff will work
with him as needed to facilitate programs and collaborate on projects to ensure a successful
term. The term of the appointment would begin January 1, 2019 and end December 31, 2021.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no anticipated fiscal impact associated with the appointment of the Poet Laureate and
its programs and projects.
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT:
This is not a project defined under CEQA, and no further action is required.
Attachment:
1. Sample of Michael Haley McCullough’s poems