Special Notice / Hearing: None
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Supervisor Noelia Corzo, District 2
Subject: Appointment and Reappointment to the Domestic Violence Council
RECOMMENDATION:
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Recommendation for the following actions to the San Mateo County Domestic Violence Council:
A) Appointment of Lisa Maguire, as a member representing the San Mateo County Bar Association who is also a member of the Private Defender Program, for an initial term ending December 31, 2027; and
B) Confirmation of reappointment of Ruben Abrica, representing Council of Cities, for a second term ending December 31, 2026.
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BACKGROUND:
The San Mateo County Domestic Violence Council is responsible for establishing policies to reduce and prevent domestic violence and enhance victim’s services.
Members of the Domestic Violence Council evaluate, make recommendations and initiate activities regarding: current response of law enforcement, the judicial system, health care services and community resources; local government efforts to reduce domestic and family violence; public awareness and public education necessary to state and local laws; and the need for services for those who are victims of domestic and family violence. The Council develops an annual work plan and submits an annual report to the Board of Supervisors. For the Council of Cities representative, the Board of Supervisors confirms appointments by board action, upon approval of this memorandum.
DISCUSSION:
Lisa Maguire, a resident of Redwood City, has volunteered for years on various nonprofit and school board in her community. She is a member of the San Mateo County Bar Association, as well as the Private Defender Program. Lisa wholeheartedly believes that her experience in the field of intimate partner violence and her unique qualifications allow her to be part of the conversation that explores better outcomes for all those involved.
On December 15, 2023, the Council of Cities voted at the City Selection Committee meeting to reappoint East Palo Alto Councilmember Ruben Abrica as its representative on the Domestic Violence Council for a second 3-year term ending December 31, 2026.
Ruben Abrica has served on the Domestic Violence Council since initial appointment began in January 2021. He was elected to the City Council in 2004 and re-elected in 2014, serving as Mayor in 2012-2013. He has lived in East Palo Alto for over 30 years, and was involved in the movement to form a city government and served on the first East Palo Alto City Council in the 1980’s. In 2006 he became the first Latino Mayor in the history of the City, and was selected as Mayor again in 2009. Ruben has worked as an Instructor at De Anza Community College in the Intercultural/ International Studies Division and as an adjunct professor at The National Hispanic University. His professional work in education includes working in educational research, supervising high school tutor-counselors for Upward Bound, teaching ESL and adult education, working as a consultant for the California Department of Education, and serving as a Spanish Language Trainer for Peace Corps. Ruben received his M.A. in Education from Stanford University in the Linguistic and Cultural Pluralism Program and did graduate work in Linguistics at UC San Diego.
FISCAL IMPACT:
None.