Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout8.7 Appointment of City of Dublin Historian and Poet Laureater DUBLIN CALIFORNIA STAFF REPORT CITY COUNCIL Agenda Item 8.7 DATE: December 17, 2024 TO: Honorable Mayor and City Councilmembers FROM: Colleen Tribby, City Manager SU B.ECT: Appointment of City of Dublin Historian and Poet Laureate Prepared by: Shaun Chilkotowsky, Parks & Community Services Manager EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: The City Council will consider the appointment of a City of Dublin Historian to a term from January 1, 2025 to December 31, 2028, and Poet Laureate for a term from January 1, 2025 to December 31, 2026. STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Confirm the Mayor's appointment of Steve Minniear to the position of City of Dublin Historian and Richard Deets to the position of City of Dublin Poet Laureate. FINANCIAL IMPACT: None. DESCRIPTION: In 2007, the City Council approved the creation of the honorary volunteer positions of City Historian and Poet Laureate, with the first volunteers appointed to the positions in 2008. The City Historian serves a four-year term, and the Poet Laureate serves a two-year term. The current term for both positions are slated to expire on December 31, 2024. Staff recruited for the positions beginning September 20, 2024. The recruitment for these positions closed on October 20, 2024, with one qualifying application received for each position. On November 14, 2024, the Heritage and Cultural Arts Commission (HCAC) reviewed the applications and invited each applicant to make a statement on why they should be selected for the position. Following deliberation, the HCAC voted to recommend to the Mayor that Steve Minniear be reappointed as City Historian for another four-year term from January 1, 2025 - December 31, 2028. The HCAC also voted to recommend that Richard Deets be appointed as the Page 1 of 2 1 next City of Dublin Poet Laureate for a two-year term from January 1, 2025 - December 31, 2026. The Mayor concurred with these recommendations. Candidate applications are included as Attachment 1. STRATEGIC PLAN INITIATIVE: None. NOTICING REQUIREMENTS/PUBLIC OUTREACH: The City Council Agenda was posted, and a copy of this Staff Report was provided to the City Historian and Poet Laureate applicants. ATTACHMENTS: 1) City Historian and Poet Laureate Applications Page 2 of 2 2 10/21124, 4:51 PM dublin.ca.govlAdminlFormCenterlSubmissionslPrint18171 Attachment I Print City of Dublin Historian Application 2025-2028 - Submission #8171 Date Submitted: 10/1/2024 City Historian Overview The City Historian will assist researchers, students, librarians, and members of the public and press in accessing resources for historical information. Duties • Maintain, add to, and facilitate access to City historical records. • Respond to inquiries regarding the City's past. • Serve as a resource to Staff, the City Council, and the Heritage and Cultural Arts Commission; may act as a liaison between the Commission and local schools, genealogical groups, and members of the media and the public. Qualifications • Be a Dublin resident at least 18 years old. • Ademonstrated interest in the history of the City of Dublin, including participation in City Commissions, Committees, and other activities. • A demonstrated ability to maintain records. • Skilled in public speaking. Service Term The selected City Historian will serve a term of four years, following City Council appointment at a public meeting, beginning in January 2025. A term may be renewed, upon submittal of a new application, unless or until a new City Historian applies and is appointed. Selection Process Review of applications and selection of the City Historian will be recommended by the Heritage and Cultural Arts Commission, who will put forward a maximum of two applicants to the Mayor. The Mayor will recommend final appointment for approval by the City Council, with the City Historian formally beginning the four-year term in January of each appointment year. First Name* Steve Addressl* Last Name* Minniear Address2 City Dublin State CA Zip 94568 https:lld u bli n. ca.gov(Adm i n/Form Cente r/S u bmis s io n s/Pri nt18171 1123 10/21124, 4:51 PM Phone Number* dublImes.gov/Admin/FormCanter/SubmIssions/Print/8171 E-mail Address:* Attachment I How long have you lived in Dublin?* 33 years Please upload a Letter of Interest. (Please include what you would like to accomplish.)* Dublin City Historian Application 102024.docx Please upload a Resume of Pnsitions Held or Activities Conducted Related to the Position,* SSM History Presentations and Work 08272024 Historian Application.docx https:ll d u bli n. ca.g av1Ad m i n/Form Cente rlS u b m i s s i o n s/Pri nt18171 212 4 Attachment I October 1, 2024 Mayor City of Dublin 100 Civic Center Plaza Dublin, CA 94568 Subject: Application for Dublin's Historian Dear Mayor, I appreciate being the Dublin Historian and I have accomplished much. It would be an honor to serve another four years and make more progress promoting our community's history. Since I moved to Dublin in 1990, the rich and varied history of this community has fascinated me. In my four years as Dublin Historian, I completed efforts to research, document, interpret and promote Dublin's history through presentations, articles, videos, social media posts, and books. I estimate my efforts reached several thousand people. And I have had the distinct pleasure to collaborate with other local historians, local civic groups, and the Dublin Unified School District in researching and promoting our community story. Enclosed is a list of presentations and publications. I would love the opportunity to continue this work. Dublin's history is not over. In fact, it is still being made. If I am selected as the City of Dublin Historian, I would propose two projects to address immediately. First, Dublin needs an actual, physical space to routinely engage the public with our community history. During my appointment I worked with City and Dublin Library staff to create a local history room into the Dublin Library expansion space. Having a space, staffed by volunteers, easily available to the public and holding physical and digital historical information will: • Provide students a place to research and ask questions from knowledgeable people for school history projects; • Allow residents to tell, record, and document their experiences with our ever -developing community; and • Enable researchers to collect, store and share local history sources, such as books, newspaper articles, scrap books, publications, and images. The City and the Library are finalizing plans for the construction of a local history room in the library expansion space. It is important to finish the work and put together the best local history resources in Dublin and the Tri-Valley. Secondly, now is the time to continue to collect artifacts and stories about Dublin's second pioneer period: the 196os through the 198os. It was the period Dublin evolved from a tiny little crossroads farming community to a bustling suburban city. Over 6o years have passed since that evolution of Dublin; as more time passes, we lose those 5 Attachment I modern pioneer's stories, as well as the physical structures, houses, and businesses that we built during that time. Thank you for considering my reapplication for Dublin historian. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me ). Respectfully, Steven S. Minniear, MA Dublin, CA 94568 Enclosed (List of Accomplishments) 6 Attachment I Highlighted text represents Dublin and Tri-Valley history work done during tenure as City of Dublin Historian (2020 — 2024). Publications: Books Alameda County Sheriffs Office, Images of America, Arcadia Publishing, 2024. Dublin, California: A Brief History, The History Press, 2018. Dublin and the Tri-Valley: The World War II Years, Images of America, Arcadia Publishing, 2014. Fleet City: Selected Images from the Camp Parks Collection, self -published, 2011. Publications: Articles and Book Reviews Book review: The Convoy, HG-76.• Taking the Fight to Hitlers U-Boats. By Angus Konstam. Under review at the Journal of Military History, 2024. "James Witt Dougherty," Wikipedia, June 2023. "Grace Adams East," Wikipedia, November 2019. "Vanished Fleet City: Camp Parks, Camp Shoemaker and Shoemaker Naval Hospital," Journal of America's Military Past, Spring/Summer 2015. Television and Video Work Interview with the Dublin Historian, "We Are Tri-Valley: Dublin Heritage Park & Museums in Dublin, CA," video for Visit Tri-Valley, filmed on 18 April 2023, released October 2023. Zip Trips: Dublin, interview on Dublin's history, KTVU Fox Television, 12 August 2022. Camp Parks and Livermore Naval Air Station, TV30, March 2016. Social Media Activities Other People's Photos, and Stories, a microblog, substack.com, since 2020. Dublin: The Making of a City, video, City of Dublin, CA, 2022, advisor and speaker, available on YouTube. Friends of the Dublin Camp Parks Military History Center, Facebook. Friends of the Dublin Heritage Park & Museums, Facebook. Dublin Historical Society (previously Dublin Historical Preservation Association), Facebook and Instagram. WWII Dublin Camp Parks Museum Opening, May 2017, YouTube. When Inmates Lived Underground, August 2017, Mercury News, YouTube. 7 Attachment I Note: A number of presentations listed below for the Museum of the San Ramon Valley are posted on their YouTube channel. Presentations (Partial List) "Alameda County Sheriff's Office: A Storied Past," a presentation at the Livermore Public Library, sponsored by the Livermore Heritage Guild, Livermore, CA, 18 July 2024. "Alameda County Sheriff's Office," a presentation at the Washington Township Historical Society, Fremont, CA, 18 July 2024. "Why Dublin?" A presentation to the Bray and County Wicklow Delegation, Serendipity Labs, Dublin, CA, 18 March 2024. Alameda County Sheriff's Office, via Zoom, Museum of the San Ramon Valley, 18 January 2024, also on YouTube. Dublin's History, presentation to the City of Dublin's Inside Dublin program, in person, Dublin, CA, 12 October 2023. A History of the Dublin Library, an in -person presentation as part of the 20th Anniversary of the Dublin Library at Civic Plaza, Dublin Branch, Alameda County Library, 1 April 2023 A History of Dublin, Stoneridge Retirement Community, in person, Pleasanton, CA, 18 October 2022. Dublin's History, presentation to the City of Dublin's Inside Dublin program, in person, Dublin, CA, 13 October 2022. Camp Parks and World War II, Fleet City: A Uniquely Dublin Military Story, Sons of the American Revolution, in person, Concord, CA, 17 September 2022. A Short History of Camp Parks, in person, Alamo Women's Club, 25 May 2022 Camp Parks, in person, Naval Commandery of San Francisco, 4 April 2022. Traveling to Dublin: A Different Irish Immigrant Story, via Zoom, Museum of the San Ramon Valley, March 17, 2022. Story vs. History: Integrating Stories into a Broader Appreciation of History, Tri-Valley Writers, in person, 20 November 2021. Danville and the San Ramon Valley During World War II, Eugene O'Neill National Historical Monument, Danville, CA, 24 July 2021, in person. Grace Adams East, America's Foremost Woman Trumpeter, Part II, Etude Club of Berkeley, 17 May 2021, via Zoom. A History of Camp Parks, Museum of the San Ramon Valley, 18 March 2021, via Zoom. A version can be found on YouTube. 8 Attachment I How Did Dublin Get its Name? Part of Dublin, California, St. Patrick's Day Festivities, 2021, 17 March 2021, via Zoom. A version can be found on YouTube. Grace Adams East: The First 38 Years, Etude Club of Berkeley, 25 January 2021, via Zoom. World War 2 in the Tri-Valley, Tri-Valley Rotary, October 2020, via Zoom. Highway 21, Museum of the San Ramon Valley, June 2020, via Zoom, recorded, on YouTube. Charles Wellman Parks, C. W. Parks Detachment, Sea Cadets, November 2019. Dublin History, Pleasanton Museum on Main, September 2019. Livermore Naval Air Station, Livermore Heritage Guild, 2019. Highway 21, California Council of Historical Societies, June 2018. Highway 21, Contra Costa Historical Society, June 2018. Taking a Step Beyond the Usual Genealogy: The History Behind Our Ancestors, Dublin Library, October 2017. Camp Parks History, Opening of Dublin Camp Parks History Center, May 2017. Fleet City, Dublin Rotary, April 2017. Fleet City Just Down the Road, Walnut Creek Sons In Retirement, April 2017. Fleet City, American Legion Lafayette, March 2017. Fleet City, Amador Daughters of the American Revolution, March 2017. Dublin in '36, Dublin Reads, Dublin Library, July 2016. Dublin and the Local Area in History, Diablo Country Club, June 2016. Livermore Naval Air Station, Livermore Rotary, March 2016. Livermore Naval Air Station, Livermore Heritage Guild, August 2015. Dublin History, Dublin -San Ramon Women's Club, November 2014. Dublin and the Tri-Valley: The World War II Years, Firehouse Theater, March 2014. Work with Dublin Unified School District Consulted with staff and parents of Emerald High School on items to be placed in Time Capsule project, September 2024. Consulted with Dublin Unified School District on preserving and digitizing past Murray School District Board of Trustee minutes and documents. Work is ongoing during 2024/2025 school year. 9 Attachment I Murray School District and Dublin Unified School District (DUSD) Chronology, document on Dublin Unified School District webpage, continually updated since 2015. Recommended consideration of Virginia Bennett for name of new high school. The Dublin Unified School District Board later recommended Emerald High School library be named for Virginia Bennett, 2020. Multicultural Dublin History Material, Dougherty School, February 2019. Advisor, Cottonwood Creek School naming committee. Consultant, Murray School District Board of Trustee Minutes and Agenda Inventory. Other Projects Featured in: "The History of Alameda County Sheriff's Office," Pleasanton Weekly and Livermore Vine, website, Jeanita Lyman, February 29, 2024. Dublin Chronology, document on City of Dublin webpages, continually updated since 2015. Consultations on signage for and renovation of Camp Parks Main Gate sign with Parks Reserve Forces Training Area and City of Dublin, ongoing, 2021-2024. Research, writing and consultations on renovations of Iron Horse Trail, City of Dublin, ongoing 2023. Quoted in newspaper article, "Dublin: An In -Depth Look at its History," The [Livermore] Independent, 60th Anniversary Edition, October 2023. Pioneer Cemetery Tour for the San Ramon Genealogical Society, Dublin Heritage Park & Museums, Mount Diablo Genealogical Society, 3 October 2023. Local railroad history consultations and site tour with Architectural Historian Ed Yarbrough, Iron Horse Trail Park, Dublin, CA, 29 June 2022. Part of a park creation and land use documentation effort. Guided Tour of the Dublin Camp Parks Military History Center, Alamo Women's Club, in person, 1 May 2022. Dublin and Pleasanton location photography for a book project on the movie career of Mary Pickford, March 2022. Sponsor, Lieutenant Colonel Michael Marks (U.S. Army), Military Banner Program, City of Dublin, 2024. Sponsor, Colonel Merlin Carter (U.S. Air Force), Military Banner Program, City of Dublin, 2023. Sponsor, Rear Admiral Charles Wellman Parks (U.S. Navy), Military History Banner, City of Dublin, 2022. 10 Attachment I Advisor, Specialist Connie Mack (U.S. Army), Military History Banner, City of Dublin, 2022. Sponsor, Rear Admiral William Rawle Shoemaker (U.S. Navy), Military History Banner, City of Dublin 2021. 11 10/21/24, 4:52 PM dublIn,oa.govlAdmin/FormCanter/SubmIssions/Print18190 Attachment I Print City of Dublin Poet Laureate 2025-2026 - Submission #8190 Date Submitted: 10/20/2024 City Poet Laureate Overview The City Poet Laureate serves as a public advocate for the appreciation and advancement of literary arts in the City of Dublin, Duties • Create and read poetry for civic events, public ceremonies, and dedications, as coordinated through City Staff. • Serve as a resource to Staff, the City Council, and the Commission; may act as a liaison between the City and local schools, literary organizations, and bookstores. • Assist with the development of classes and workshops devoted to poetry; potentially coordinate and participate in staged poetry readings. • On an annual basis, have at least one original poem displayed in a City facility. Qualifications • Be a Dublin resident; at least 18 years old. • Be the author of published poetry or be willing to publish poetry during the term, if selected. • Be ready to serve a two-year term with no compensation. • Affiliation with literary organizations is preferred but not necessary for appointment to the position. Service Term The selected Poet Laureate will serve a term of two years following City Council appointment at a public meeting, beginning in January 2025, ending in December 2026. A term may be renewed upon submittal of a new application, unless or until a new Poet Laureate applies and is appointed. A Poet Laureate shall be limited to four two-year terms. Selection Process If more than two applications are received, a Selection Committee coordinated by the Heritage and Cultural Arts Manager will review all applications and submit the top two choices to the Heritage and Cultural Arts Commission for final recommendation. The Heritage and Cultural Arts Commission will present their preferred Poet Laureate to the Mayor for recommendation to the City Council. Following City Council approval, the Poet Laureate will formally begin the two-year term in May. First Name* Richard Addressl" Last Name* Deets Address2 N/A https:lldublin.ca.govfAdm in/FormCente r/Submiss ions/Print18190 10/21 /24, 4:52 PM City dublImea.gov/Admin/FormCenter/Subrnissions/Print/8190 State Attachment I Zip Dublin Phone Number* CA E-mail Address:* 94568 How long have you lived in Dublin?* 15 years Please upload a Letter of Interest. (Please include what you would like to accomplish.]* —Letter of Interest.docx Please upload a Resume of Positions Held or Activities Conducted Related to the Position.* Please upload a Resume of Positions Held or Activities Conducted Related to the Position.docx Please upload two original poems: Poem #1: Poem #2: Autumn Collage.docx Christinas Courage.docx https://dublin.ca.gov/Admin/FormCenter/Submissions/Print/8190 Attachment I Richard Deets has been a Dublin resident since 2009. He served on the Dublin Heritage and Cultural Arts Commission 2014 - 2016. • Richard Deets published Poetic Diversities, a chap book of his poems. • His poems have been published in Poetry Today, Disabled World, and numerous digital publications. • He is a member of the Academy of American Poets and the California State Poetry Society. • Richard Deets is currently the Vice President Membership of the California State Poetry Society • Richard is active in the poetry community, participating in poetry workshops and poetry Open Mics. • As a Secondary Education Teacher for 31 years, Richard taught poetry units in culturally diverse middle and high schools as well as adult education classes. He formed the Monroe Poetry Society at James Monroe High School in Los Angeles. • Richard teamed up with internationally acclaimed artist Lilly Xu and Livermore Poet Laureat, Charan Sue Wollard, for the l lth annual East Meets West, Livermore, CA. The show, organized by artist Lily Xu, showcased the visual, literary and performing arts from various cultures. • His poem, "I Hear Peace" was recently featured at the 50th Anniversary of the Texas International Pop Festival ("Woodstock of the West") in Lewisville, Texas • Richard's poem, "Water, Water Everywhere" was featured at the Red River Unitarian Universalist Church's Celebration of Water in Denton, Texas. • His poem, "Chritina's Courage" is required reading in the Delhi University English Department Disabilities Studies graduate program. • Richard's poem, "We Sailed on With Happy Hearts" was the International Society of Poets 2008 Grand Prize -Winning Poem. As a long time Dublin resident, I have always appreciated Dublin as a story of a Ohlone communoty that has grown into a global community welcoming people of diverse backgrounds, resulting in substantial economic growth and civic pride. If chosen as the next Dublin Poet Laureate, I would be an advocate for the appreciation and advancement of poetry in classrooms and public spaces; continue in the steps of James Morehead and previous Dublin Poet Laureates in building a community of local poets, and bring the City of Dublin's unique culture to life through the power of both the spoken word and the written word. 14 Attachment I Autumn Collage by Richard M. Deets Autumn bounced summer's hot red ball to next year. All at once, summer collapsed into autumn. The days oh so short, nights so quick to flee. Morning sun pours in like honey to greet A brand - new November day - it's a gift! The crescent moon hangs like a waning silver Bowl in early morning skies as horned larks Call chirping from edges of river shallows. Gathering swallows twitter in the skies And raptors in migration Uber song birds Soaring high on wings of autumnal winds. Predators fly next to tiny warblers They would eat in a different season. Gabbling geese fly in formation as rainbow Altocumulus clouds touch vast mustard Wavery stubble meadows with a rosy hue. Roadside fiery trees hold onto their last Leaves, red and gold, in the final few months Of this unfinished year. Hairy woodpecker Drills and drums into a red oak branch dropping Acorns in puddle notes singing in the rains. Robins whistle new songs from the orchard Where trees bend; apples ripe to the core Drop for blackbirds and waxwings in autumn. The year's last loveliest smile when everything Bursts with its last beauty, as if nature Herself had been saving up all year for this fiery spectacular grand finale. 15 Attachment I © Christina's Courage by Richard Deets a piece of poetry relating to disability. We were in Chadds Ford and talked of Wyeth art, Timeless as Brandywine Valley landscapes. We weighed the mystery of Christina's courage Rising above the crippling curse of polio. Mid -March chills encroached upon the evening hour. Then the wind battered shutters and bent Daffodils and chickweed, and rain Splashed the riverward windows. We romanticized ourselves With memories as children bicycling winding country roads Over rolling hills dropping into sleepy valleys, Your flaming auburn hair was always beyond reach. Suddenly rain showers slowed to a quiet drizzle. The only sound - a cardinal striking the casement window. I stood in the cottage entry drying forearm crutches, and turned to see you drooping in your wheelchair, staring stainless Braces stacked in night shadows as if searching for the child Paralysis free, I watched a tear round your pale cheek and fall. And what of the spring day remained? A Norfolk Southern freight Whistle faded northward and the courage of Christina, Which we had discussed, appeared out of reach in the rain. 16