Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Supervisor Warren Slocum, District 4
Subject: Reappointments to the Commission on Disabilities
RECOMMENDATION:
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Recommendation for reappointments to the Commission on Disabilities, each for a term ending June 30, 2023:
A) Angela Piazza, for a second term; and
B) Matthew Cadigan Hearn, for a second term; and
C) Chelsea Bonini, for a first full term; and
D) Florence Wong, for a first full term; and
E) Krista Martinelli, for a first full term.
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BACKGROUND:
The Commission on Disabilities is an advisory body to the Board of Supervisors, providing opportunities for people with disabilities to participate in, and influence the development of, public policy that promotes the full integration of people with disabilities in their communities. Members of the Commission are dedicated and committed to improving the quality of life for people with disabilities through San Mateo County.
DISCUSSION:
As per commission bylaws, the terms of members are 3 years, for a maximum of 12 years.
Angela Piazza and Matthew Cadigan Hearn were appointed to the commission in March 2017 and are being recommended to serve a second term.
Angela Piazza currently serves as the Vice President for the Commission on Disabilities, as well as the Chair of the Special Events Committee. She was instrumental in the development and planning of the Annual Inclusion Festival, which last year hosted over 400 people. In addition to her Commission duties, Angela continues to represent the disabilities community through her work as Ms. Wheelchair California 2019.
Matthew Cadigan Hearn currently serves as the Secretary of the commission. He also serves as the Chair of the Accessible Transportation Committee. His advocacy and life experiences of growing up with a disability in the County continue to be of great importance to the commission. Matthew brings a different perspective to the commission that is sorely needed in order for the commission to address the needs of the community.
Chelsea Bonini, Florence Wong, and Krista Martinelli have each served on the commission since their initial partial terms began in January 2019 and are being recommended for their first full terms.
Chelsea Bonini serves as the Chair of the Youth and Family Committee, and is a member for the Legislation, Advocacy and Outreach Committee, and the Executive Committee for the Commission on Disabilities. In addition to this work, Chelsea also serves as the Commission Liaison to the Arts Commission, and the Mental Health and Substance Abuse Recovery Commission. As a parent of a child with a disability, Chelsea brings a unique perspective along with her immensely valuable leadership and continues to be an asset to the Commission as a whole.
Florence Wong currently serves as a member of the Legislation, Advocacy and Outreach Committee, and the Accessible Transportation Committee. Recently Florence was successful in bringing together members of the District Attorney’s Office, local law enforcement, and various Community Based Organizations to work on improving the County’s success in identifying and serving individuals with disabilities and their families who are victims of abuse, as well as prosecuting and convicting their abusers. These efforts led directly to the formation of the Abuse Roundtable Group (ARG).
Krista Martinelli serves as a member of the Youth and Family Committee and is the Commission liaison to Help Me Grow and the Youth Commission. Krista also played an important role in the planning of the Transition to Independence Fair, a community resource fair that assists students with disabilities in transitioning to the workforce or higher education. Krista continues to work towards improving equity and equal access to education for children with disabilities through her own non-profit agency.
FISCAL IMPACT:
None.