The Santa Rosa City Council will consider a formal censure of Council Member Dianna MacDonald. This follows an independent investigation into allegations of workplace harassment. The investigation began after an employee filed a complaint in the summer of 2025. It found that MacDonald violated the City’s Anti-Harassment policy. The report states she made unwelcome sexual comments to employees about her consensual relationship with another City employee. It also found she showed negative behavior toward staff related to that relationship and tried to influence an operational decision to benefit her partner.
The City Council will discuss the issue at its meeting on December 16, 2025. If approved, the censure would formally reprimand MacDonald. It would also direct staff to review and possibly change operational procedures. The Council may update the City’s Anti-Harassment policy and Code of Conduct. Additional training for Council Members and a study session on policies about relationships between Council Members and staff are also proposed…