The Santa Rosa Metropolis Council censured Dianna MacDonald on Tuesday for participating in reportedly “negative and offensive” conduct towards metropolis workers in a case stemming from her private relationship with a metropolis staffer.
MacDonald was the lone opposition when the council, on the finish of its common assembly, endorsed the findings of a metropolis investigation that decided her actions violated the council’s code of conduct and town’s anti-harassment coverage.
The extraordinary step marked solely the second censure of a council member in current Santa Rosa historical past. It doesn’t have an effect on her seat on the seven-member panel, however Mayor Mark Stapp signaled he intends to advance strikes subsequent month to take away MacDonald from her numerous city-related board and fee appointments.
A tearful MacDonald, in a ready assertion she learn from the dais, apologized for her conduct and mentioned she was dedicated to studying from the expertise and to reaffirming her duties as a council member.
“I want to sincerely apologize for any of my actions that made anyone feel uncomfortable, especially our city staff. For that I’m truly sorry,” she mentioned.
However she mentioned whereas she revered the investigative course of, was keen to take part in additional coaching and supported directing workers to make vital updates to metropolis coverage to forestall comparable circumstances sooner or later, she didn’t agree with all of the findings.
She opposed the censure movement earlier than recusing herself on a vote to deliver again dialogue a few new coverage relating to council and worker relationships.
MacDonald, who didn’t return to the council chambers, didn’t instantly return a request for remark Wednesday.
Santa Rosa Mayor Mark Stapp, proper, spoke in regards to the want for council members to set a greater instance simply earlier than a vote to censure council member Dianna MacDonald, left, for office misconduct and harassment at a gathering Tues., Dec.16, 2025. (John Burgess / The Press Democrat)
Santa Rosa Metropolis Council member Dianna MacDonald wipes away a tear throughout her speech promising to do higher Tues., Dec.16, 2025 after the remainder of the council voted unanimously to censure her for office misconduct and harassment. (John Burgess / The Press Democrat)
Santa Rosa Metropolis Legal professional Teresa Stricker presents the choices to censure Council member Dianna MacDonald for office misconduct and harassment Tues., Dec.16, 2025 after an impartial investigation discovered due trigger. (John Burgess / The Press Democrat)
Santa Rosa Council member Dianna MacDonald leaves the chamber after being censured for office misconduct and harassment Tues., Dec.16, 2025 in a unanimous vote by the remainder of the council. (John Burgess / The Press Democrat)
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Santa Rosa Mayor Mark Stapp, proper, spoke in regards to the want for council members to set a greater instance simply earlier than a vote to censure council member Dianna MacDonald, left, for office misconduct and harassment at a gathering Tues., Dec.16, 2025. (John Burgess / The Press Democrat)
Develop
The censure movement adopted a metropolis probe that discovered MacDonald made unwelcome sexual feedback to metropolis workers about her romantic relationship with the staffer, engaged in what was described as detrimental conduct towards metropolis workers due to that relationship, and tried to make use of her place to affect a metropolis resolution she believed would profit her associate, in line with findings by an out of doors lawyer laid out by town and in assembly paperwork.
In a strongly worded assertion, Mayor Stapp condemned MacDonald’s reported conduct and mentioned council members should create a constructive and respectful work tradition. The council, he mentioned, has an obligation to keep up belief with workers and the general public and to carry its personal members accountable in the event that they behave inappropriately.
“Part of our work as City Council is to make sure they feel valued and supported and have a respectful and positive workplace free from harassment so they can do their jobs, ” he mentioned. “Simply put, city council members should support our staff not be sources of distraction and anxiety.”
“While none of us wish to be here in the position of censuring a colleague, this is our duty right now,” he continued.
Metropolis Legal professional Teresa Stricker and out of doors counsel Jenica Maldonado, who has been supporting town on the matter, summarized the findings from the city-ordered investigation. It was spurred by an worker grievance about MacDonald and value at the very least $67,000.
Council members authorised the censure movement with out dialogue and earlier than a principally empty chamber apart from a few of MacDonald’s family and friends and some frequent Metropolis Corridor followers who decried the motion as politically motivated.
The political ramifications for MacDonald are but unknown. She has served in metropolis workplace since 2022, representing District 3, spanning town’s jap hillside neighborhoods and Oakmont, however is wrapping up the primary yr of her first full time period in that seat.
Throughout her time on the council she has positioned herself as a fiscal steward, confronting metropolis staffers with questions on contracts and spending. She additionally has been a staunch supporter of public security workers and backed enterprise causes.
A censure doesn’t take away her from workplace, an influence left to voters. As an alternative, the movement is the strongest type of official punishment elected officers can hand their fellow colleagues, although the step is commonly seen as a public slap on the wrist for inappropriate conduct.
Subsequent month, Stapp mentioned he’ll act each unilaterally and search council help for a set of actions that will strip MacDonald of assorted metropolis appointments, together with her position as chair of the Violence Prevention Partnership, an initiative to help youth packages and a assist curb gang membership.
“Representing the city of Santa Rosa is a privilege and in light of the findings of the outside independent investigator I believe Council member MacDonald is currently no longer an appropriate representative,” he mentioned.
Town in June acquired a grievance from an worker who reported MacDonald had “engaged in allegedly negative and offensive behavior toward city employees that appeared motivated by the council member’s publicly known, consensual romantic relationship with a different city employee.”
Town subsequently employed Van Dermyden Makus Legislation Company, an impartial lawyer with experience in office investigations, to look into the claims and the investigator in November issued its report back to town that concluded MacDonald’s conduct doubtless violated metropolis coverage.
The council code of conduct requires that elected officers’ “professional and personal conduct … be above reproach and avoid the appearance of impropriety” to keep up public confidence in metropolis authorities and create a constructive office atmosphere. The anti-harassment coverage requires council members to deal with metropolis workers with respect and to “model appropriate behavior.”
Tuesday’s dialogue revealed few new particulars in regards to the grievance and scope of the investigation.
Town has declined to reply questions from The Press Democrat in regards to the scope of the investigation or present the city-ordered report, arguing it’s exempt from disclosure as a document generated below attorney-client privilege.
The final council incumbent to be censured was Gary Wysocky, who was admonished by his colleagues in 2014 for uncivil and abusive conduct towards govt workers throughout a interval of bitter infighting at Metropolis Corridor and amongst council members. The Press Democrat reported on the time it was the primary recognized censure of a council member.
The episode resulted in updates to town’s anti-harassment coverage to incorporate a course of for dealing with complaints towards metropolis council members however it appeared to have few implications for Wysocky himself, who went on to serve the rest of his time period.
