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Resident alleges denial of accessible parking at McDonald's; civil-rights activist criticizes council conduct
Summary
During public comment a Rohnert Park resident said McDonald's employees asked her to move from accessible parking despite a disability placard and made dismissive remarks about her child; the city manager and HR director offered to follow up. A separate speaker, activist Dina Flores, criticized council actions and raised concerns about representation and past personnel actions.
Two public commenters spoke during the council’s public-comment period on March 25.
First, a resident named Samantha described an incident at a local McDonald’s in which employees allegedly asked her to move from an accessible parking space — despite displaying a disability placard — and threatened to block her vehicle if she did not comply. The resident said employees questioned whether her son looked disabled and said the encounter was recorded on her phone and dashcam. The mayor and city manager acknowledged the complaint on the record and the city manager and the director of human resources offered to follow up and make contact to gather more details.
Later in the public-comment period, Dina Flores, identifying herself as a Sonoma County civil-rights activist and referencing family experience with city employment, criticized council conduct and representation of women of color. Flores alleged the council has dismissed dissenting Latino women and raised concerns over local positions on electric-vehicle policy and political influence. Her remarks were strongly worded; no formal response was provided beyond the public record other than council acknowledgement.
City follow-up: the city manager said staff would contact the resident to gather details and the HR director flagged making contact to assist; no enforcement action or findings were announced at the meeting.
