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IT IS NOW 6:02 PM ON TUESDAY, JULY 14TH, 2026, AND THE DALLAS AREA RAPID TRANSIT BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING IS CALLED TO ORDER.
OUR FIRST ITEM ON THE AGENDA WILL BE THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.
MAYOR STOFER, SINCE YOU'RE LOOKING AT ME, WOULD YOU MIND LEADING US
[2. Approval of Minutes: June 16, 2026]
OUR NEXT ITEM ON THE AGENDA WILL BE THE APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES FROM THE JUNE 16TH, 2026 MEETING.IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE? IT'S BEEN MOVED.
ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? SEEING NONE.
ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, PLEASE INDICATE BY RAISING YOUR HAND.
ALL OPPOSED, SAME SIGN? YES, THAT MOTION CARRIES.
[Additional Item]
CHAIR WILL TAKE A FEW MOMENTS OF PERSONAL PRIVILEGE, UM, OFF OF OUR AGENDA TO, UM, RECOGNIZE, UH, SOME INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE PRESENT AND, UM, HAVE SOME PROCLAMATIONS AS WELL.AS MANY OF YOU ALL KNOW, UM, THIS PAST WEEK, UH, JULY THE SEVENTH, UM, IS A DAY OF REMEMBRANCE FOR US ALL HERE AT DART.
THERE ARE MOMENTS IN AN ORGANIZATION'S HISTORY THAT FOREVER SHAPE WHO WE ARE FOR DART ON JULY THE SEVENTH, 2016 IS ONE OF THOSE MOMENTS.
10 YEARS AGO, OFFICER BRENT THOMPSON MADE THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE WHILE PROTECTING OTHERS DURING ONE OF THE DARKEST DAYS IN OUR COMMUNITY'S HISTORY.
HIS COURAGE, PROFESSIONALISM, AND SELFLESS COMMITMENT TO PUBLIC SERVICE REPRESENT THE VERY BEST OF THE DARK POLICE DEPARTMENT AND THE VALUES WE STRIVE TO UPHOLD EVERY DAY.
WHILE 10 YEARS HAS PASSED, OUR GRATITUDE HAS NOT.
WE CONTINUE TO HONOR BRENT, NOT ONLY FOR HOW HE DIED, BUT FOR HOW HE LIVED.
HE BELIEVED IN SERVICE AND PROTECTING OTHERS AND IN MAKING OUR COMMUNITY SAFER FOR EVERYONE.
HIS LEGACY ALSO LIVES ON THROUGH THE MEN AND WOMEN OF THE DART POLICE DEPARTMENT, WHO PUT ON THE UNIFORM EACH AND EVERY DAY, ANSWER THE CALL WITHOUT HESITATION AND CARRY FORWARD THE SAME COMMITMENT TO SERVING OUR RIDERS, EMPLOYEES, AND COMMUNITIES.
AS A BOARD, WE BELIEVE IT IS IMPORTANT THAT WE NEVER ALLOW BRENT'S SACRIFICE TO FADE INTO HISTORY.
WE HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO REMEMBER, HONOR AND ENSURE FUTURE GENERATIONS UNDERSTAND THE EXTRAORDINARY PRICE THAT IS SOMETI, THAT IS SOMETIMES PAID IN THE SERVICE OF OTHERS.
TODAY, WE ARE PROUD TO PRESENT A RESOLUTION AS A LASTING EXPRESSION OF OUR GRATITUDE AND RESPECT.
WHILE NO WORDS CAN EVER FULLY REPAY THE SACRIFICE MADE BY OFFICER THOMPSON AND HIS FAMILY, WE HOPE THIS SERVES AS A REMINDER THAT HIS LIFE, HIS SERVICE, AND HIS LEGACY WILL FOREVER REMAIN PART OF DART, PART OF THE DART FAMILY.
WE'LL FIRST HAVE A MOMENT OF SILENCE TO REMEMBER OFFICER THOMPSON.
UM, OUR, UH, AS CHIEF OFFERING OFFICER WILL JOIN ME.
WE ALSO HAVE, UM, OFFICER THOMPSON'S FAMILY.
WE WILL MEET YOU ALL AT THE FRONT AND, AND GIVE, I BELIEVE HE GOES BY COACH, UH, SOME WORDS FOR US AS WELL.
SO COULD YOU PLEASE MEET US AND THEN I THINK THE BOARD, I'LL SAVE YOU THE REST OF ALL THESE WORDS AND JUST READ THE BOTTOM PART.
ON BEHALF OF THE DART BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND ALL EMPLOYEES PAST AND PRESENT, WE WANT TO THANK BRENT ALLEN THOMPSON FOR HIS COMMITMENT, COMPASSION,
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AND COURAGE IN THE FACE OF DANGER, OFFICER THOMPSON LEAVES A LEGACY OF SERVICE TO OUR NATION, STATE, REGION, AND CITY, WHICH INSPIRES ALL WHO PUT ON THE UNIFORM TO SERVE OTHERS.THANK YOU TO THE THOMPSON FAMILY FOR SHARING OFFICER THOMPSON WITH US.
I DON'T THINK, UH, A LOT OF YOU MAY KNOW THIS, BUT WHEN YOU GIVE A RETIRED COACH A MICROPHONE AND A AND A AND AN AUDIENCE OF TWO, I MAY BE HERE ALL NIGHT LONG.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS GREAT HONOR IN REMEMBERING BREN, AND MAY GOD BLESS YOU IN THE FUTURE.
WE ALSO WANT TO, UH, GIVE RECOGNITION TO A GROUP THAT DOES A LOT OF WORK ON OUR BEHALF THAT SOMETIMES DOES NOT GO NOTICE AND RECOGNIZED, AND THAT'S OUR PARATRANSIT AND ACCESSIBILITY ADVISORY GROUP.
FOR THOSE OF YOU ALL THAT DO NOT KNOW THIS MONTH, THIS MONTH OF JUNE IS DISABILITY PRIDE MONTH.
UM, SOME OF OUR MEMBERS THAT SERVE ON OUR ADVISORY GROUP HAVE ALSO BEEN SPEAKING, UM, WITHIN, UH, OTHER CITIES AND OTHER MUNICIPALITIES.
AND SO WE WANT TO ENSURE THAT, UH, WE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO RECOGNIZE THEM HERE WITH US AS WELL.
AND SO IT SAYS, WELL, IF THERE ARE ANY P BOARD MEMBERS, WOULD YOU ALL PLEASE COME FORWARD GUYS, MS. FIRST ALLOW THEM TO INTRODUCE THEMSELVES.
I SHOULD DO THIS ONE HERE, BUD.
I'LL LET YOU DO WHAT YOU GOOD EVENING.
CANDACE WICK AND I HAVE BEEN ON THE, UH, PARATRANSIT ADVISORY GROUP FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS NOW, AND I'M ALSO A, A COMMISSIONER FOR THE CITY OF DALLAS, REPRESENTING DISTRICT THREE ON THE, UH, COMMISSION FOR DISABILITIES, AND IT'S MY HONOR TO SERVE.
I'M 29 AND I'VE BEEN SERVING ON P NOW FOR ABOUT A YEAR, AND IT'S AN HONOR TO GET TO SERVE DALLAS AND THE DISABILITY COMMUNITY AT LARGE.
UM, I'VE BEEN AN ADVOCATE FOR MANY YEARS AND THIS IS A, A BEAUTIFUL GROUP THAT HAS REALLY SHOWN AND CHANGED THE, THE TRAJECTORY OF DALLAS AND OUR ACCESSIBILITY.
HELLO, MY NAME IS TINA PAYNE AND I DON'T KNOW HOW LONG I'VE BEEN ON THE P COMMITTEE AT LEAST A YEAR, BUT I'M NOT SURE ABOUT AFTER THAT.
BUT I REALLY ENJOY, UH, THE THINGS WE GET TO FIND OUT IN THE COMMITTEES AND, AND, UM, GET KIND OF THE INSIDE SCOOP ON THE, THE THINGS GOING ON IN DART.
BUT ANYWAY, I ENJOY IT AND THANK YOU EVERYONE FOR COMING.
I'M MARCIA GALE HAMPTON AND I AM A DISABLED NAVY VETERAN.
I, UM, ENJOY SERVING AND THE P GROUP HAS GIVEN ME A WAY TO, UH, I GUESS BEING A TATTLETALE AND TELL 'EM WHAT'S GOING ON, WHAT I SEE, MY TRUTH AS FAR AS WHEN I WRITE AND MAYBE THINGS THAT HAPPEN I CAN REPORT AND THEY WILL MAKE SURE TO,
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UM, HELP OTHER PEOPLE WITH THAT.BUT I'VE ENJOYED THE GROUP AND EVERYTHING I DO WITH DART AND I REALLY APPRECIATE THE SERVICE.
SO THE RESOLUTION READS, WHEREAS THE PARATRANSIT AND ACCESSIBILITY ADVISOR GROUP IS MADE UP OF DART RIDERS, COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND ADVOCATES WHO PROVIDE FEEDBACK TO THE AGENCY IN SUPPORT OF THE CONTINUED DEVELOPMENT ASSESSMENT AND DELIVERY OF PARATRANSIT AND ACCESSIBLE SERVICES TO PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES.
AND WHEREAS DALLAS AREA RAPID TRANSIT CELEBRATES AND RECOGNIZES THOSE IN THE COMMUNITY WITH A DISABILITY DURING JULY AS PART OF DISABILITY PRIDE MONTH NOW THEREFORE BE RESOLVED BY THE DALLAS AREA RAPID TRANSIT BOARD OF DIRECTORS THAT THE PARATRANSIT AND ACCESSIBILITY ADVISOR GROUP.
THROUGH ITS DEDICATION, COMPASSION, AND COMMITMENT TO SERVING HAS EARNED THE HEARTFELT APPRECIATION FROM THE DART BOARD OF DIRECTORS, THE DART SERVICE AREA, CITIES, AND ALL DART EMPLOYEES.
ON BEHALF OF THE DART BOARD OF DIRECTORS, WE WANT TO THANK THE PARATRANSIT AND ACCESSIBILITY ADVISORY GROUP FOR THEIR CONTINUED PARTNERSHIP, PARTICIPATION, FEEDBACK, AND ADVOCACY FOR PARATRANSIT RIDERS AND THE COMMUNITY OF THE PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES.
LET'S GIVE THEM ALL A ROUND OF APPLAUSE AGAIN.
I HAVE YOU HOLD, IS THAT OKAY? ALRIGHT, LET'S HAVE YOU SQUEEZE IN HERE AND THEN I'LL STAND ON THE OUTSIDE.
TAKE, LET ME DRIVE CORRECTLY, RIGHT? TWO, TWO, OMAR.
THANK, WE'LL LET Y'ALL DECIDE IF YOU TAKE A VOTE ON WHO GETS TO KEEP IT.
WE WILL MOVE BACK TO OUR AGENDA.
[4. Public Comments – Agenda Item Specific ]
WE WILL HAVE PUBLIC COMMENTS.MR. GENERAL COUNSEL, WOULD YOU PLEASE READ OUR RULES? THANK YOU, CHAIR.
AT THE BEGINNING OF EACH, UH, DAR BOARD MEETING, TIME IS, UH, ALLOCATED FOR THE PUBLIC TO ADDRESS THE BOOK, THE DARTBOARD ON SPECIFIC OF AGENDA ITEMS. ADDITIONAL TIME FOR GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENTS MAY BE PROVIDED AT THE END OF THE MEETING.
ALL SPEAKERS MUST COMPLETE A PUBLIC COMMENT REQUEST FORM IN PERSON OR ONLINE PRIOR TO SPEAKING.
SPEAKERS WILL BE CALLED IN THE ORDER, WHICH ARE FORMS ARE RECEIVED.
FORMS THAT DO NOT SPECIFY AND AN AGENDA ITEM WILL BE TREATED AS A GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT.
WHEN YOUR NAME IS CALLED, PLEASE STEP TO THE PODIUM AND STATE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS FOR THE RECORD.
EACH SPEAKER WILL HAVE THREE MINUTES TO ADDRESS THE BOARD.
SPEAKERS WHO NEED AN INTERPRETER MAY HAVE AT LEAST SIX MINUTES TO ENSURE THAT ALL SPEAKERS RECEIVE THE SAME OPPORTUNITY TO ADDRESS THE BOARD.
THE BOARD, THE GREEN LIGHT ON THE PODIUM WILL INDICATE WHEN YOU CAN BEGIN.
THE YELLOW LIGHT INDICATES THAT YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE REMAINING, AND THE RED LIGHT INDICATES THAT YOUR TIME IS CONCLUDED.
SPEAKERS MUST REMAIN AT THE PODIUM DURING THEIR COMMENTS.
BOARD MEMBERS WILL NOT ASK QUESTIONS, OFFER THEIR OWN COMMENTS OR OTHERWISE INTERACT WITH SPEAKERS DURING THE, UH, PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD.
BOARD MEMBERS, BOARD MEMBERS CANNOT RESPOND TO PERSONNEL MATTERS DURING THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD.
THEREFORE, EMPLOYEES SHOULD DIRECT THEIR COMMENTS THROUGH THEIR SUPERVISORY CHAIN OF COMMAND OR CONTACT HUMAN RESOURCES.
THE AUDIENCE IS ASKED TO REFRAIN FROM REPORTING OR OTHER EXPRESSIONS OF SUPPORT OR OPPOSITION.
A COPY OF THE FULL PUBLIC COMMENT GUIDELINES IS POSTED IN THE LOBBY AND MAY BE FOUND ON DOOR.ORG WEBSITE.
THANK YOU FOR TAKING THE TIME TO ADDRESS THE BOARD.
UM, BECAUSE OUR LAST AGENDA ITEM WILL BE ONE THAT WE TAKE AN EXECUTIVE SESSION AND OUR, UH, PUBLIC COMMENTS THAT ARE GENERAL, UM, MAY BE DELAYED.
WE ARE MOVING ALL PUBLIC SPEAKERS TO THE FRONT OF THE MEETING SO THAT NO ONE IS INCONVENIENCED.
SO IF YOU FILLED OUT A CARD TO SPEAK, WHETHER THAT WAS A SPECIFIC ITEM OR A GENERAL PUBLIC SPEAK OR SPEECH, IT WOULD BE CONSIDERED NOW AT THIS TIME.
OKAY, SO WE WILL MOVE FORWARD WITH OUR REGISTERED SPEAKERS.
THE FIRST SPEAKER IS ALEX DUNN, FOLLOWED BY TAMMY GREENBERG.
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GOOD EVENING BOARD.I'LL TRY AND KEEP THIS BRIEF SINCE I UNDERSTAND WE PROBABLY HAVE A LONG NIGHT AHEAD OF US.
UH, UH, NAME'S ALEXANDER DUNN, UH, DALLAS, TEXAS.
UH, I AM, UH, FIRST OFF WANT TO SAY THAT I REALLY, REALLY APPRECIATE, UH, THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK WITH ALL OF THE CEO AND PRESIDENT CANDIDATES, UH, THIS PAST SATURDAY.
UH, THAT WAS A VERY VALUABLE OPPORTUNITY TO LISTEN TO THEM, UH, AND PITCH THEIR VISION FOR THE AGENCY, UM, AND TO BE ABLE TO ASK THEM, UH, QUESTIONS DIRECTLY.
UM, YOU KNOW, I WE DON'T THINK ANYBODY SHOULD TAKE FOR GRANTED THE OPPORTUNITY THAT WAS, YOU KNOW, GRANTED TO, TO THE PUBLIC TO BE ABLE TO DO THAT.
UM, I'M ALSO VERY GRATEFUL THAT, UH, THE, YOU KNOW, SLATE OF FINALISTS IN FRONT OF YOU, UH, THAT ALL OF THEM ARE, UH, IN THE TRANSIT PROFESSIONAL WORLD.
I KNOW THERE WAS A LOT OF CONCERN, UH, WHEN THE, THE, UH, THE POSITION WAS, WAS FIRST POSTED.
AND WHETHER OR NOT, YOU KNOW, TRANSIT EXPERIENCE WAS GOING TO BE SOMETHING THAT WAS VIEWED AS A JOB REQUIREMENT.
UM, AND I'M GLAD THAT ALL OF THE FINALISTS ARE VERY, HAVE VERY LONG CAREERS IN TRANSIT AND KNOW WHAT IT TAKES TO RUN A TRANSIT AGENCY.
UM, ALL OF THAT SAID, UH, I DO WANT TO JUST SAY THAT I, HAVING SPOKEN WITH ALL OF THE CANDIDATES NOW HEARD THEIR VISIONS AND, AND THEIR PITCH FOR THE AGENCY.
UH, I DO THINK THAT D LEGETT IS, UH, FAR AND AWAY THE MOST QUALIFIED CANDIDATE OF THE THREE.
UM, I BELIEVE SHE HAS A STRONG VISION FOR THE AGENCY.
SHE HAS ACTIONABLE, UH, I, UH, UH, AN ACTIONABLE PLAN FOR THE FIRST 30, 60, AND 90 DAYS.
UM, SHE UNDERSTANDS WHAT IT TAKES TO RUN THIS, THIS OPERATION.
SHE IS ALREADY WELL CONNECTED WITH THE, UH, THE, THE VARIOUS POWER BROKERS AND, UH, AND OFFICIALS THAT SHE NEEDS TO HIT THE GROUND RUNNING WITH.
UM, BUT NO MATTER WHO YOU CHOOSE, I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE, UH, WANT TO ASK THAT YOU KEEP IN MIND THAT THE TOP PRIORITY NEEDS TO BE THE RIDER AND, UH, AND WHAT IS THE VISION FOR THE RIDER? HOW ARE WE GOING TO GET BACK THE MONEY THAT WE'RE CURRENTLY GIVING UP TO THE GMP? HOW ARE WE GOING TO APPROACH THE LEGISLATURE TO ACCOMPLISH THAT, UM, AND HOW ARE WE GOING TO RESTORE THE SERVICES THAT WE'VE LOST AND THEN EXPAND THEM IN THE FUTURE? UM, AGAIN, THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR, FOR THE TIME.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK WITH THE CANDIDATES ON THE, ON SATURDAY.
OUR NEXT, OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS TAMMY GREENBERG, FOLLOWED BY PATRICK MORGAN.
I RECOMMEND D LEGGED ALSO 'CAUSE SHE'S VERY FAMILIAR WITH DART.
AND BY THE WAY, CARMEN, WE GOT THE APP FIXED.
THE APP IS TOTALLY FIXED, BUT OUR TEAM, IT'S NOT SKIPPING FOR A COUPLE DAYS, SO THANK YOU SO MUCH.
BY THE WAY, WE HAVE CONSTRUCTION GOING ON ALL OVER DALLAS, AND I WAS THINKING THE 2, 3 6 AND THE 2 3 7, THE BUS 13, THE BUS 1 0 3 AND THE 3 0 8.
IS THERE ANY, I WE'RE NOT GONNA DO THE 15 MINUTES ANYMORE.
I THE BUDGET CAN'T DO IT, BUT IF THE BUSES ARE GONNA STILL GOING EVERY 20 MINUTES OR 40 MINUTES, WHY DIDN'T YOU LOOK, SEE HOW YOU CAN WORK AND TRY TO MEET THESE BUSES FIVE MINUTES BECAUSE THE 2 37, THE TWO 30 SAYS ONLY GIVE US FIVE MINUTES AND I MISSED THE 2 37 AND I HAD TO TAKE LIFTS TO ONNA HILL.
SO YOU MIGHT WANNA ADJUST THAT FOR US PLEASE, BECAUSE IT'S NOT WORKING.
I MEAN, BUS 13 TWO BUSES OTHER WEST TRANSFER CENTER IS MEETING TOGETHER.
ONE IS ABOUT TO LEAVE AND THE OTHER ONE IS SITTING THERE FOR 20 MINUTES.
OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS PATRICK MORGAN, FOLLOWED BY PHYLLIS SILVER.
UM, I JUST WANNA SAY THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR HAVING A, A PRETTY OPEN PROCESS ON THE SELECTION OF THE CEO.
UM, I KNOW THERE'S BEEN LOTS OF DISAGREEMENT ON THIS BOARD IN THE PAST AND I JUST REALLY HOPE TONIGHT THAT Y'ALL HAVE A, A SWIFT MEETING THE MINDS AND THAT Y'ALL CHOOSE A GREAT LEADER IN THIS VERY PIVOTAL MOMENT IN DART'S LIFETIME.
OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS PHYLLIS SILVER, FOLLOWED BY LATONYA WALKER.
HELLO, MY NAME IS PHYLLIS SILVER AND I LIVE IN ADDISON.
I WANT TO THANK THE BOARD AND STAFF FOR INCREASING THE FREQUENCY OF THE SILVER LINE DURING ADDISON'S KABOOM TOWN ON JULY THE THIRD.
THAT SHOWS GREAT FLEXIBILITY ON THE PART OF DART.
AS ALWAYS, WE HAD HUGE CROWDS CELEBRATING WITHIN ADDISON CIRCLE PARK AND THE SURROUNDING AREA.
THE USE OF THE TRAIN HELPED ALLEVIATE SOME OF THE
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TRAFFIC ON THE ROAD WHILE IT SHOWCASED THE SMOOTH AND COMFORTABLE SILVER LINE RIDE ON THE SUBJECT OF ADDISON.I HAVE LEARNED THAT DARTH AND ADDISON ARE CONSIDERING AN INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT FOR THE USE OF ORBIT BY VIA AND ADDISON.
WELL, I REALIZE THAT ADDISON WILL PLAY A KEY ROLE IN THE CONTRACT WITH ORBIT.
I WOULD LIKE TO LET YOU KNOW THAT ACCORDING TO THE CURRENT RULES, EVEN IF ONE PAYS ORBIT IN CASH AS ADDISON TELLS US IS AN OPTION VIA NEEDS TO HAVE YOUR CREDIT CARD ON FILE DURING THE MONTH OF, UM, OF JUNE WHEN RIDES WERE FREE IN ADDISON, I CALLED ORBIT TO RESERVE A RIDE.
THEY WOULD NOT MAKE A RESERVATION UNLESS I SET UP AN ACCOUNT.
I HAD ADDISON STAFF VERIFY THE POLICY AND I WAS TOLD THAT VIA THAT'S VIAS POLICY TO HAVE, UH, AN ACCOUNT INCLUDING YOUR ACCOUNT NUMBER.
I WILL NOT USE A SERVICE THAT NEEDS MY CREDIT CARD INFORMATION IF I'M NOT GOING TO USE THE CREDIT CARD FOR THAT SERVICE.
I'M SURE OTHERS FEEL THIS WAY.
I DON'T KNOW IF JO DART WILL HAVE SOME INPUT ON THIS POLICY IF THE INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT IS CREATED.
HOWEVER, I WANTED TO LET YOU KNOW ABOUT THIS AND REMOVING CREDIT, THE CREDIT CARD REQUIREMENT WOULD ALLOW WRITERS WHO ARE CONCERNED ABOUT FRAUD RISKS TO USE THE VIA ORBIT SERVICE.
OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS LATANYA WALKER, FOLLOWED BY CRYSTAL GAY.
CRYSTAL WITH LAST NAME WITH A G.
UM, MY NAME IS LATONYA WALKER.
I AM A, UM, UNION REP AND I ALSO WORK IN CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT.
I JUST WANT TO BRING TO THE BOARD SOME ISSUES THAT WE ARE HAVING AND I PRAY THAT YOU LISTEN WITH YOUR HEART.
NOT TRYING TO DISCREDIT ANYBODY, BUT YOU NEED TO KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON WITHIN THE CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT.
THERE APPEARS TO BE A COMMUNICATION GAP BETWEEN EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP AND OUR EMPLOYEES EFFECT AFFECTED.
LEADERSHIP BEGINS WITH GATHERING ALL RELEVANT FACTS TO GAIN A COMPLETE UNDERSTANDING OF THE WORKPLACE CONCERNS BEFORE MAKING DECISIONS.
UNFORTUNATELY, THERE IS A GROWING PERCEPTION AMONG EMPLOYEES THAT THE FOCUS HAS SHIFTED TOWARD DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS RATHER THAN UNDERSTANDING THE ROOT CAUSE OF A ISSUE.
AS A RESULT, OPPORTUNITIES FOR MEANINGFUL DIALOGUE, PROBLEM SOLVING, AND EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT ARE OFTEN BEING MISSED.
LEADERSHIP THAT DEMONSTRATES EMPATHY.
ACTIVE LISTENING AND GENUINE, GENUINE COMMITMENT TO UNDERSTANDING EMPLOYEES' PERSPECTIVE FOSTERS TRUST, ACCOUNTABILITY, AND MORE POSITIVE WORK ENVIRONMENT.
QUALITIES IN DAILY LEADERSHIP PRACTICES CAN HELP REDUCE STRESS ANXIETY WHILE IMPROVING MORAL COMMUNICATION AND OVERALL ORGANIZATION EFFECTIVENESS.
WITHIN THE CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT.
AND I JUST WANT TO SAY THIS, I HAVE WORKED WITH, UH, CRYSTAL GAY TOVI LITTLE, WHO ARE TRUE LEADERS THAT BRING MORALE UP TO HELP US DEAL WITH EVERYDAY CUSTOMERS.
'CAUSE OUR MAIN JOB IS TO MAKE SURE THE RIDERS GET WHERE THEY NEED TO GO GET PROPER INFORMATION.
BUT IF YOU COME TO THE WORKPLACE AND YOU'RE FEELING ANXIETY BECAUSE YOU'RE WORRIED ABOUT WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN, LIKE RIGHT NOW AS WE SPEAK, I HAVE A COWORKER IN CUSTOMER SERVICE THAT'S ON A, UM, I DON'T WANNA SAY A BREATHING MACHINE, BUT AN INHALER BECAUSE THERE WAS SOMETHING SPRAYED IN OUR DEPARTMENT AND THEY DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT IT AND SHE'S BEEN TAKING BREATHING TREATMENT AS WE SPEAK AND SHE MAY GO TO THE HOSPITAL.
NOW, NOT ONLY AM I CONCERNED FOR MYSELF BECAUSE I LOVE MY JOB, I LOVE WHAT I DO, BUT I DON'T WANNA BE WORRIED ABOUT IF I COME TO WORK THAT SOMEONE IS GOING TO, UM, GIVE DISCIPLINARY ACTION FOR SOMETHING THEY DON'T UNDERSTAND.
LET'S GET AN UNDERSTANDING HOW IT'S RAN BECAUSE WE ARE THE FACE OF DARK.
WE DO THE WORK, WE SPEAK TO THOSE CUSTOMERS EVERY DAY AND WE SPEAK, WE SPEAK WITH THEM WITH A SMILE ON OUR FACE BECAUSE WE LOVE WHAT WE DO.
ALL 'EM ASKING IS HELP US HELP THIS COMPANY.
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THANK YOU.OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS CRYSTAL GAY, FOLLOWED BY LINDA SCROGGINS.
UM, TO THE BOARD AS WELL AS ALL THAT STANDS BEHIND ME.
I WANNA TAKE A MOMENT TO ADDRESS A FEW ISSUES AND THAT ARE, IN MY OPINION, BUT ALSO AMONGST THE CONVERSATIONS THAT I HAD, UM, AMONGST MY PEERS.
UM, THIS DESERVES GREATER ATTENTION BECAUSE THEY DIRECTLY AFFECT BOTH OUR EMPLOYEES AND THE CUSTOMER SERVICE.
I MEAN THE CUSTOMERS WE SERVE EACH AND EVERY DAY.
I WOULD LIKE TO BEGIN WITH THE CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT.
YES, WE'RE GONNA CONTINUE THIS CONVERSATION ACCORDING TO THE DEPARTMENT STANDARDS, WHICH IS ALSO CALLED THE, UH, SOP, AND THAT IS THE ACRONYM FOR STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES.
THAT WAS REVISED JUNE 13TH, 2022.
THE DEPARTMENT'S GOAL IS TO SERVE AS DART'S KNOWLEDGE CENTER THROUGH A SEAMLESS INTEGRATION OF PEOPLE, TECHNOLOGY, AND BUSINESS SOLUTIONS.
WHILE THIS IS AN EXCELLENT MISSION, THE DAY TO DAY REALITY OFTEN FALLS SHORT BECAUSE OUR EMPLOYEES DO NOT HAVE THE RELIABLE TOOLS NECESSARY TO CONSISTENTLY DELIVER THAT LEVEL OF SERVICE.
OUR CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVES ARE REQUIRED TO UTILIZE MULTIPLE APPLICATIONS, AND LET ME INCLUDE, THEY ARE TRAPEZE, SWIFTLY, AND GOOGLE JUST TO NAME A FEW TO PROVIDE TIMELY AND ACCURATE INFORMATION TO OUR REGIONAL CUSTOMERS.
UNFORTUNATELY, THESE APPLICATIONS ARE FREQUENTLY DISRUPTED DUE TO INTERNET, UH, INTERNET CON, UH, CON CONNECTIVITY, SORRY, ISSUES, SYSTEM FAILURES, OR OTHER TECHNICAL PROBLEMS. THESE INTERRUPTIONS ARE WELL KNOWN AND, UM, THEY ARE ALSO DOCUMENTED.
UM, HOWEVER THE UNDERLINING ISSUES PERSIST, AND YET THE COMPANY STILL DEEMS AND WANTS THESE EMPLOYEES TO CONTINUE TO DOCUMENT WITH NO SOLUTION.
THE RESULT IS NOT JUST AN INCONVENIENCE FOR EMPLOYEES, IT DIRECTLY IMPACTS OUR CUSTOMERS.
CALLS TAKE LONGER AT TIMES TO COMPLETE, WHICH WAS WHY YOU'LL NOT, YOUR CALL ARE HIGHER.
IT SOMETIMES, WHICH WE USE THE WORD PEAK.
UM, CUSTOMERS, UH, SPEND ADDITIONAL TIME WAITING AND QUEUE AND SOME IN CASES CALLED THE CALLS ARE EVEN DISCONNECTED BEFORE THE ASSISTANCE, THE ASSISTANCE CAN EVEN BE PROVIDED.
THIS IS NOT THE LEVEL OF CUSTOMER SERVICE OUR EMPLOYEE STRIVE TO DELIVER.
IT DOES NOT COMPLEMENT THE GOAL OF THAT DEPARTMENT, NOR IS IT THE EXPERIENCE OUR CUSTOMERS DESERVE.
IN ADDITION TO TECHNOLOGY CHALLENGES, THE CUSTOMER CARE DEPARTMENT IS EXPERIENCING A SIGNIFICANT STAFFING CONCERN.
A DEPARTMENT CURRENTLY CONSIST OF FIVE EMPLOYEES, AND WE ARE AWARE THAT THEY DO CURRENTLY HAVE THREE EMPLOYEES THAT ARE IN TRAINING.
IT'S ATTEMPTING TO PERFORM A WORKLOAD THAT WOULD MORE OR APPROPRIATELY REQUIRE APPROXIMATELY 10 EMPLOYEES PER INDIVIDUAL.
THIS SUSTAINED WORKLOAD HAS CONTRIBUTED TO AN INCREASED LEVEL OF STRESS, ANXIETY, FATIGUE, AND EMPLOYEE BURNOUT.
JUST TO NAME A FEW, OUR CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVES REMAIN COMMITTED TO SERVE THE PUBLIC DESPITE THESE CHALLENGES, BUT THEY CANNOT CONTINUE TO DO MORE WITH LESS INDEFINITELY.
I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO ADDRESS OUR RAIL OPERATIONS, IF I MAY, AS WE CONTINUE SUPPORTING FIFA BY SAFELY, UH, TRANSPORTING OUR VISITORS TO AND FROM FAN EVENTS.
I BELIEVE OUR RAIL EMPLOYEES HAVE DONE AN OUTSTANDING JOB REPRESENTING, DO AND SERVING OUR COMMUNITY, AND FOR THAT REASON, THEY DESERVE A ROUND OF APPLAUSE FOR THE PROFESSIONALISM THEY HAVE CARRIED EACH AND EVERY DAY THAT THEY HAVE BEEN OUT ON THE L LINE.
AND I'M GONNA CLOSE WITH THAT.
OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS LINDA SCROGGINS, FOLLOWED BY MARSHA HAMPTON.
I'M, I CURRENTLY SERVE AS THE SENIOR MANAGER OF RAIL TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT.
UM, I HAVE DEDICATED 18 YEARS TO DARK.
I BEGAN MY CAREER AS A RAIL OPERATOR.
I SERVED 11 PLUS YEARS AS A RAIL TRAINING SUPERVISOR.
I SPENT THREE YEARS AS A MAINTENANCE TRAINING SPECIALIST AND SERVED AS INTERIM ASSISTANT MANAGER OF RAIL OPERATIONS TRAINING DURING THE PANDEMIC AND NOW LEAD RAIL TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT AS THE SENIOR MANAGER.
FOR APPROXIMATELY 14 YEARS OF MY CAREER, I, I HAVE SERVED IN THE DEPARTMENT, I'M SORRY, I HAVE SERVED IN THE DEPARTMENT RESPONSIBLE FOR DEVELOPING TRAINING, MAINTAINING AND INTERPRETING DART RAIL RULES, STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES AND OPERATIONAL PRACTICES.
REAL TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT IS THE DEPARTMENT CHARGED WITH DEVELOPING ING, MAINTAINING, TEACHING, AND INTERPRETING REAL RULES AND PROCEDURES.
IT IS FROM THAT PERSPECTIVE AND EXPERIENCE THAT I SPEAK TODAY, NOT ONLY AS A MANAGER, BUT AS SOMEONE WHO HAS DEDICATED MUCH OF MY CAREER TO ENSURING THAT RAIL OPERATIONS PERSONNEL ARE TRAINED, EVALUATED, AND SUPPORTED THROUGH THE CONSISTENT AND ACCURATE APPLICATION OF OUR RULES,
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PROCEDURES, AND SAFE PRACTICES.I APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK TODAY BECAUSE MY CONCERN EXTENDS BEYOND MY DEPARTMENT.
IT IS ABOUT LEADERSHIP, OPERATIONAL INTEGRITY, AND QUALITY OF INFORMATION BEING USED TO MAKE EXECUTIVE DECISIONS.
RECENTLY, LEADERSHIP POSITIONS OVERSEEING RAIL OPERATIONS TRAINING HAVE INCREASINGLY BEEN BEEN FILLED WITH INDIVIDUALS WITH LIMITED RAIL OPERATION EXPERIENCE.
WHILE LEADERSHIP SKILLS ARE IMPORTANT, EFFECTIVE OVERSIGHT ALSO REQUIRES AN UNDERSTANDING OF THE OPERATION BEING LED AND A WILLINGNESS TO RELY ON QUALIFIED SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTS.
INSTEAD, I HAVE WITNESSED DECISIONS, CORRECTIVE ACTIONS, AND DEPARTMENTAL PERCEPTIONS BEING SHAPED BY INACCURATE AND INCOMPLETE OPERATIONAL INFORMATION.
I HAVE DOCUMENTED DOCUMENTATION SHOWING A RAIL RULE BEING MISQUOTED TO SUPPORT A PARTICULAR POSITION RESULTING IN EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP RECEIVING INFORMATION THAT WAS NOT CONSISTENT WITH OUR RULE BOOK.
I ALSO POSSESS DOCUMENTATION CONTAINING INACCURATE STATEMENTS THAT HAVE INFLUENCED PERCEPTIONS OF MY DEPARTMENT.
THIS REMINDS ME OF THE EMPEROR'S NEW CLOSE.
AND THAT STORY, THOSE CLOSEST TO THE EMPEROR, REINFORCED A FALSE NARRATIVE UNTIL NO ONE QUESTIONED IT.
THE GREATEST RISK WAS NOT THE EMPEROR, IT WAS THE PEOPLE WHO CONCEIVE, CONVINCED, I'M SORRY, HIM WHO CONVINCED HIM HE WAS SEEING SOMETHING THAT WASN'T THERE.
MY CONCERN IS THAT LEADERSHIP IS NOT ALWAYS RECEIVING OBJECTIVE, TECHNICALLY ACCURATE RAIL INFORMATION BEFORE MAKING DECISIONS.
WHEN INACCURATE NARRATIVES REPLACE OPERATIONAL FACTS, DEPARTMENTS ARE JUDGED UNFAIRLY, EMPLOYEE CONFIDENCE DECLINES AND ORGANIZATIONAL RISK INCREASES.
I RESPECTFULLY ASK THE BOARD AND THE DART NEW CEO TO ENCOURAGE A CULTURE WHERE OPERATIONAL DECISIONS ARE VALIDATED THROUGH QUALIFIED SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTS WHERE FACTS OUTWEIGH INFLUENCE AND WHERE LEADERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO CHALLENGE ASSUMPTIONS BEFORE INCLUSIONS BECOME POLICY.
OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS, UH, MARSHA HAMPTON, FOLLOWED BY TAMIKA JOHNSON.
I AM JUST, UH, GRATEFUL TO BE HERE TO HEAR WHAT'S GOING ON.
I'M A PAG MEMBER AND I'M HAPPY WHEN I CAN HELP OUT WITH THE APPEALS BOARD IN THOSE MEETINGS.
I'M VERY GRATEFUL FOR DART ON DEMAND.
IT REALLY GIVES ME A LOT OF SPONTANEITY IN MY LIFE.
UH, PARATRANSIT, I'M JUST GRATEFUL FOR THE SERVICE PERIOD BECAUSE, UH, I CANNOT DRIVE DUE TO A SEIZURE DISORDER THAT I DEVELOPED ON BOARD SHIP, UH, WHEN I WAS SERVING OUR COUNTRY.
UM, I REALLY MISS, UH, MR. DOUG DOUGLAS AND MS. TAMMY HAING, BUT I'M VERY GRATEFUL THAT THEY HAVE NOW, UH, MR. CHRIS HAWKINS AND MR. NOEL LIN WHO'VE BEEN GREAT WITH ME.
UH, MS. LISA THREE IS STILL ON BOARD.
I'M HAPPY, UH, MR. EDDIE RICO'S BEEN HELPFUL TO ME.
UH, I'M JUST GLAD, VERY GRATEFUL FOR THIS SERVICE AND I DIDN'T REALIZE THAT, AND I DON'T, OF COURSE, HOW COULD I, BUT ALL OF THE PEOPLE THAT ARE WORKING, UM, THAT SPOKE THAT HAVE SO MUCH TO DO WITH THIS COMPANY BEING GREAT, AND I AM HAPPY THAT THE DUST HAS SOMEWHAT SETTLED WITH THE, UH, COMMUNITIES THAT WERE THINKING OF LEAVING, NOT HAVING DARK PART OF THEIR COMMUNITY.
I'M REAL HAPPY FOR ADDISON TO BE IN.
OTHERWISE, HOW COULD I GET MY LAUGH ON AT THE IMPROV
I WANT TO, I'M A BIG ADVOCATE FOR THE A DA MEETINGS AND, UM, I'M GRATEFUL, UH, TO BE HEARD.
AND THANK YOU ALL FOR LISTENING.
OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS TAMIKA JOHNSON, FOLLOWED BY FELIX VALDEZ.
ALL RIGHT, HOW Y'ALL DOING? MY NAME TAMIKA JOHNSON.
I AM EMPLOYED HERE AT DALLAS ALLEY.
WELL DART, I'M A TRAIN OPERATOR.
SO FIRST I WOULD LIKE TO THANK MR. RANDALL BRYANT AND THE OTHERS THROUGHOUT THE COMPANY WHO CONTINUE TO SHOW UP AND SUPPORT OPERATIONS DAILY.
YOUR EFFORT AND LEADERSHIP DO NOT GO UNNOTICED.
[00:35:01]
EMPHASIZE ON THE IMPORTANCE OF HAVING A FRONTLINE EMPLOYEE, WHICH I AM.MANY PEOPLE THAT'S IN THIS ROOM, ESPECIALLY OPERATORS FROM BOTH RAIL AND BUS OPERATIONS REP REPRESENT MORE THAN ONE COMMITTEE.
MY BAD, ESPECIALLY OPERATORS FROM BOTH RAIL AND BUS OP OPERATIONS REPRESENT ON MORE, ON MORE OP C COMMITTEES AND DISCUSSIONS MAKING GROUPS WITHIN DALLAS AREA RAPID TRANSIT.
YES, THE COMPANY HIRE EDUCATED PROFESSIONALS WITH DEGREES AND EX EXPERIENCE.
HOWEVER, THERE IS A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN HAVING A DEGREE AND HAVING A DAILY OPERATION EXPERIENCE ACTUALLY WORKING WITHIN THE SYSTEM.
THIS SYSTEM, TOO OFTEN, MAJOR OPERATION DECISIONS ARE MADE WITHOUT ENOUGH INPUT FROM THE EMPLOYEES WHO ACTUALLY PERFORM THE WORK EVERY DAY.
AND WHILE SOME INDIVIDUAL MAY HAVE EXPERIENCE FROM OTHER TRANSIT AGENCIES, EVERY AGENT, EVERY TRANSIT SYSTEM OPERATES DIFFERENTLY.
WHICH WORKS, WHAT WORKS SOMEWHERE ELSE.
HERE AT DART OPERATORS ARE THE FRONT LINE.
WE SEE THE REAL TIME EFFECT OF CONSTRUCTIONS DELAYS, REROUTES SCHEDULING ISSUES, COMMUNICATION BREAKDOWNS, AND PASSENGER'S CONCERN EVERY SINGLE DAY.
THE CONCERNS ALSO APPLIES TO THE BUS SIDE.
OPERATORS ARE OPERATORS ALREADY FRONTLINE.
THIS CONCERN ALSO APPLIES TO THE BUS BUS SIDE OF THE OPERATIONS.
WE ARE ADAPTING ENOUGH, WE ARE WE COMMUNICATING EFFECTIVELY WITH THE MEMBER CITIES AND CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS.
ROAD CLOSURE AND INFRASTRUCTURE CHANGES THAT DIRECT IMPACT BUS ROUTES AND SERVICE OF LIABILITY.
BECAUSE WHEN COMMUNICATION AND PLANNING ARE NOT ALIGNED, THE OPERATION, THE OPERATORS AND PASSENGER FEEL THE EFFECT IMMEDIATELY.
I BELIEVE FRONT THE FRONTLINE OPERATIONAL OPERATION EMPLOYEES, OPERATIONAL EMPLOYEES SHOULD HAVE THE STRONG VOICE BEFORE MAJOR CHANGES ARE IMPLEMENTED, NOT AFTERWARDS.
ARE Y'ALL LISTENING? THIS IS NOT BEING DISRESPECTED.
DISRESPECTING OUR DIS DISCREDIT THE EDUCATION THAT SOME PEOPLE COME HERE WITH LEADERSHIP.
IT'S ABOUT BALANCE MANAGEMENT, EDUCATION, AND OPERATION EXPERIENCE SHOULD WORK TOGETHER TO CREATE BETTER OUTCOMES OF THE EMPLOYEES AND OPERATIONS AND RIDING PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION.
OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS FELIX VALDEZ, FOLLOWED BY MADISON MCNAIR.
AMIR COMPLAIN ABOUT A DRIVER'S NOT STOPPING WHEN THEY SEE A OLD MAN STANDING THERE WITH MY CARD.
UH, Y'ALL NEED TO, UH, LOOK INTO THEM SMOKING WEED, DRINKING BEER, AND DOING ALL THEM DRUGS BEFORE THEY GET ABOARD THESE BUSES AND TRAINS AND STUFF.
THIS IS A SECOND TIME THAT THEY HAVE DONE THIS TO ME.
I'M GONNA ASK Y'ALL TO LOOK INTO IT AND HAVE THEM FIRED AND I WOULD BE HAPPY.
OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS MADISON MCNAIR, FOLLOWED BY GLEN JONES.
FOR WHAT PURPOSE? CAN, CAN WE HAVE SOMEBODY, UH, FROM STAFF, UH, ADDRESS SOME OF, UH, THE GENTLEMAN'S ISSUES? MADAM CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER.
DO I USE THIS ONE? YOU CAN, IT MIGHT BE TURNED OFF THOUGH.
YOU MIGHT NEED TO CLICK IT BACK UP.
I WAS BORN AND RAISED AND LIVE IN DALLAS MY ENTIRE LIFE.
UM, I CURRENTLY LIVE IN THE BISHOP ARTS AREA OF OAK CLIFF.
FIRST, I WOULD LIKE TO EXPRESS MY SINCEREST GRATITUDE TO THE DARK BOARD FOR NOT ONLY RECOGNIZING DISABILITY PRIDE MONTH, BUT ALSO HONORING THE PARATRANSIT AND ACCESSIBILITY ADVISORY GROUP.
I'VE BEEN LUCKY ENOUGH TO BE ON THIS GROUP FOR OVER A YEAR, AND I HAVE BEEN A PUBLIC TRANSIT PARATRANSIT USER FOR A BIT LONGER THAN THAT.
PAG WAS CREATED IN 1994 AS PART OF THE DART, UH, AS A PART OF DART TO ASSIST THE DISABLED COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND IDENTIFIES WAYS THAT, THAT THEY COULD HELP.
AND BECAUSE I'M A P MEMBER, BECAUSE I'M DISABLED, I WOULD LIKE TO PROVIDE MY FEEDBACK ON THE CHOICE FOR THE FUTURE.
CEO OF DART ACCESSIBILITY IS NOT AN OPTION.
IT IS OUR FREEDOM, OUR LIFELINE, AND OUR CONNECTION TO THE COMMUNITY.
FOR THESE REASONS, I BELIEVE DELE IS THE RIGHT CHOICE FOR THE NEXT DART, CEO AND DEE'S HANDOUT.
SHE SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT ACCESSIBILITY IS A SYSTEM THAT IS EASY TO USE AND DESIGNED TO CONNECT PEOPLE WITH JOBS, EDUCATION, HEALTHCARE, AND OPPORTUNITY.
I ENCOURAGE THE DART BOARD TO CONSIDER WHAT ACCESSIBILITY MEANS AND HOW DLE IT CAN ENSURE THAT IT IS A PRIORITY GOING FORWARD.
[00:40:01]
YOU.OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS GLEN JONES, FOLLOWED BY BERNARD WADE.
FOUR, NINE YEARS OLD DART BUS.
IT'S GREAT TO HAVE IT, BUT THE WORKERS, THE DRIVERS NEED SOME HELP.
I'VE BEEN IN THE CUSTOMER SERVICE, UH, FIELD FOR OVER 22 YEARS.
I SEE THE BUS DRIVERS GET THEIR ROUTE TRAINING, BUT THESE BUSES, THESE BUS DRIVERS HERE IN THE DART SYSTEM, THEY NEED A TRAINING.
THEY DON'T LIKE TO BE TALKED TO.
YOU CAN'T ASK 'EM ANY KIND OF QUESTION.
WHEN YOU DON'T KNOW, WHEN YOU DON'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT THE, WHEN THE, THE, UH, DARK BUS, YOU CAN'T EVEN ASK 'EM WHAT TIME THE BUS LEAVE.
THE STATION GOT A DIGITAL CLOCK RIGHT IN FRONT OF YOU.
I LET 'EM KNOW THAT EVERY TIME I WANNA KNOW THAT THEY TELL ME TO GET OUT THEIR FACE.
MY JOB IS TO DRIVE, NOT TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS.
I LET 'EM, FIRST THING I LET 'EM KNOW IS HOW DO YOU KNOW I GOT A PHONE TO EVEN LOOK AT IT? I'M ASKING YOU TO DO YOUR CUSTOMER SERVICE.
NOT ONLY DRIVE, BUT DO YOUR CUSTOMER SERVICE TO PEOPLE WHO DON'T KNOW YOUR SYSTEM.
I WOULDN'T TRAINED IN YOUR SYSTEM.
SOMETIMES I DON'T KNOW IF THEY APPRECIATE THEIR JOB, BUT THEY DEFINITELY NEED SOME TRAINING.
I WORK IN CUS LIKE I SAID, I WORK IN CUSTOMER SERVICE.
QA WILL BE ALL OVER ME AND TELL ME TO GET OUT THE DOOR.
WE ARE THE PEOPLE WHO PAY THEIR SALARIES.
Y'ALL GOT A $1.7 BILLION BUDGET.
CUSTOMER SERVICE IS NOT A HARD THING TO DO TO PEOPLE WHO WANT A JOB, ESPECIALLY IN THESE DAYS WITH THE ECONOMY GOING ON THE WAY IT IS.
I'VE HAD SEVERAL DRIVERS, Y'ALL GOT ENCLOSED, Y'ALL GOT ENCLOSED APARTMENTS WHERE WE SIT DOWN SOMETIMES TO SIT DOWN 'CAUSE WE'RE TIRED WAITING ON A BUS.
BUT SOME OF THESE BUSES TRYING TO GET FROM PART A TO PART B, LOOKING AT THEIR DIGITAL CLOCK, I DON'T KNOW WHO TELLS 'EM WHAT TIME TO GET TO PART A TO PART B, BUT SOMETIMES THEY IN A HURRY TO GET THERE BECAUSE THEY WANT TO USE THE RESTROOM.
THEY WANT TO PLAY ON THEIR PHONE, THEY WANT DO CERTAIN THINGS, BUT THEY WOULD GO RIGHT PAST US AND I'VE BEEN WAITING ON 'EM FOR A LONG TIME.
SOMETIMES I'LL CHASE 'EM DOWN TO THE RED LIGHT AND ASK 'EM WHY THEY PA PASS ME UP.
AND THE FIRST THING THEY SAY, WELL, I'M TRYING TO GET SOMEWHERE.
I DIDN'T SEE YOU WASN'T HUGGING ON THE P YOU WASN'T HUGGING ON THE POLE THAT THAT SAYS DARK.
I SAID, WHAT IS THAT BENCH FOR? THEN I SAID, MAN, Y'ALL NEED TO GET Y'ALL STRAIGHT.
Y'ALL NEED TO GET Y'ALL STUFF STRAIGHT BECAUSE I'M A CUSTOMER HERE AND I PAY PART OF YOUR SALARY AND I SEE YOU BE RUDE TO OTHER PEOPLE TOO.
I SAID, THIS IS THE SECOND LARGEST DART SYSTEM OR BUS SYSTEM, PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM IN THIS STATE.
AND Y'ALL ACT LIKE Y'ALL JUST DON'T APPRECIATE THE CUSTOMERS WHO COME HERE AND PAY Y'ALL EVERYDAY SALARY.
HAVE SOME CUSTOMER, SOME CUSTOMER SERVICE TRAINING.
DON'T JUST TELL ME YOUR JOB IS TO DRIVE AND NOT ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS.
GET ON YOUR PHONE OR GO OUTSIDE AND LOOK AT WHAT TIME THE BUS LEAVE.
IT'S A LOT OF PEOPLE MOVING HERE THAT DON'T KNOW YOUR SYSTEM.
A LOT OF PEOPLE GOT ANSWERS OR QUESTIONS.
AND SOME OF THESE PEOPLE I'M TALKING ABOUT A LOT OF 'EM THAT, THAT UH, PHONE OUT THERE WE DO COMPLAINTS ON.
WE DON'T GET ANY, WE DON'T GET ANY CALLBACKS.
UH, I KNOW Y'ALL GOT A NEW CCEO COMING.
I WOULD WANT TO GO TALK TO NATHANIEL, UH, DIDI OR MONICA ABOUT THIS.
DEI IS THE PERSON WHO'S THE OVER THE BUSINESS OVER HERE, THE BUSINESS.
BUT THAT'S WHAT I WANNA LET THEM KNOW.
THEY NEED SOME CUSTOMER SERVICE TRAINER AND IT'S THAT SIMPLE TO DO.
OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS BERNARD WADE, FOLLOWED BY DIEGO GARCIA.
UH, FIRST I WANT APOLOGIZE TO THAT GENTLEMAN WHO JUST LEFT HERE AND THE OTHER GENTLEMAN WHO FEELS THAT, UH, WE ARE ON A BUS SMOKING AND DRINKING.
THERE'S A REASON WE GET UP BECAUSE FOR 28 YEARS THIS IS WHAT I HAVE BEEN DOING.
I LOVE WHAT I DO AS WELL AS A BUNCH OF THE OPERATORS THAT STAND BEHIND ME AND THE PEOPLE THAT COME HERE.
WE HAVE CONCERNS AND WHEN YOU HEAR THE CONCERNS HERE AT THE BOARD IS THAT WE FEEL THAT THIS IS OUR LAST RESORT.
SO YOU GOING TO HEAR SOME THINGS THAT YOU MAY NOT NORMALLY HEAR THAT RELATES TO THE COMPANY.
ALL THEY WANT TO DO IS BE HEARD AND THEY WANT TO KNOW THAT YOU ARE HEARING THEM WHEN THEY SAY SOMETHING.
UH, THE NEW CEO WE CAN'T MAKE THAT DECISION FOR YOU ALL.
EACH ONE OF 'EM HAS SOME GOOD POINTS.
SOME OF 'EM ARE BETTER THAN OTHERS, BUT YOU ALL WOULD HAVE TO MAKE THE FINAL DECISION ON WHO YOU CHOOSE TO HELP RUN THIS COMPANY.
WHO YOU CHOOSE TO HELP BRING THIS COMPANY BACK TO THE FIVE STAR SERVICE THAT WE HAVE.
ONE AGENCY OF THE YEAR, TWICE WITHIN
[00:45:01]
THE 20, 28 YEARS THAT I'VE BEEN HERE.I KNOW THAT'S WHAT WE LOOKING FORWARD TO.
WHILE WE LOOKING FORWARD TO DOING SO, WE ALSO ASK YOU TO HAVE COMPASSION ON OUR EMPLOYEES.
THERE ARE SOME CONCERNS AND THERE ARE WANTS, UH, OPERATORS ARE ASKING FOR THINGS THAT WILL HELP THEM.
MECHANICS ARE ASKING FOR TOOLS THAT WILL ENABLE THEM TO CONTINUE TO PROVIDE THIS SERVICE FOR THIS COMPANY SO WE CAN PROVIDE FOR THE MEMBER CITIES.
WE ARE ASKING THAT YOU MAKE A CONSCIOUS GOOD DECISION ON WHO YOU CHOOSE TO BE THE NEW CEO OF THIS COMPANY.
HOPE THAT PERSON, WHOEVER YOU CHOOSE, IS ABLE TO TAKE IT ON THE CHIN BECAUSE THERE'RE GONNA BE A WHOLE LOT OF PUNCHES THROWN THAT PERSON'S WAY FROM US.
AND YOU'VE HEARD IT FROM US OVER THE YEARS.
OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS DIEGO GARCIA, FOLLOWED BY DAVE BRADY.
WELL, FIRST I'D LIKE TO SEND CONDOLENCES TO THE THOMPSON FAMILY, YOU KNOW, AND, UH, RESPECT OFFICER THOMPSON FOR SACRIFICE HE MADE IN, UH, THROUGHOUT A DART POLICE TEAM AS WELL.
UM, SO, UM, THERE'S A, THERE'S A BIG EVENT RIGHT NOW.
OBVIOUSLY WE ALL KNOW ISN'T THE FIRST ONLY EVENT THAT DART HAS, UH, CONTRIBUTED TO TRANSPORTING PEOPLE.
YOU KNOW, WE HEARD ABOUT IT FOR YEARS, YOU KNOW, YEARS AHEAD OF TIME.
WORLD CUPS COME AND IT'S GONNA BE LIKE TEXAS OU WEEKEND FOR 39 DAYS STRAIGHT.
WITH THAT SAID, WE KNEW THESE YEARS AHEAD OF TIME, HOWEVER, A LOT OF THE EMPLOYEES LIVES WERE ADVERSELY IMPACTED LAST MINUTE EMPLOYEES.
WE HAVE A MARKUP, WE HAVE SENIORITY IN HERE, IN THIS, THIS BUSINESS HERE, THIS INDUSTRY.
SENIORITY IS ALL WE HAVE AS OUR EMPLOYEES.
YOUR TENURE COUNTS FOR SOMETHING.
WE DON'T GET A SIX FIGURE SALARY.
WE DON'T GET TENS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS OF BONUSES WE DON'T GET EVERY WEEKEND OFF.
SO FOR, TO GO AND CALL US THE DAY BEFORE AND SAY, OH, THIS IS YOUR NEW SCHEDULE WITH NO REGARD TO SENIORITY, NO REGARD OR OUR INPUT.
I'M SORRY, BUT IT WAS A TERRIBLE PLAN.
WE WENT FROM HAVING 24 7 COVERAGE TO HAVING A 10 HOUR GAP OF NO COVERAGE FOR TOW TRUCK DRIVERS.
Y'ALL, IT AFFECTED OUR 4TH OF JULY HOLIDAY.
Y'ALL AFFECTED OUR DAILY SCHEDULE, OUR WEEKLY SCHEDULE, MEANING OUR DAYS OFF AND OUR HOURS OF THE DAY HAVING TO ADJUST OUR SLEEP.
YOU KNOW, SOME OF US HAVE KIDS, SOME OF US HAVE BABIES AT HOME, SO THAT WAS A TERRIBLE DECISION.
IT SEEMS. IT SOUNDS LIKE WE HAVE ISSUES EVERYWHERE THROUGHOUT THE AGENCY.
AS YOU HEARD FROM CUSTOMER SERVICE, YOU HEARD FROM BUS RAIL OPERATORS.
UH, THE REASON EVERYTHING'S FALLING APART 'CAUSE THERE'S NO COMMUNICATION, THERE'S NO REGARD OR ANY FEEDBACK FOR THE FRONTLINE EMPLOYEES WHO ARE OUT THERE EVERY DAY.
WE, WE, WE, THE ONES THAT KEEP THIS OPERATION GOING.
EVERY PLAN THAT YOU HAVE, WE'RE THE ONES THAT ARE GONNA EXECUTE IT WITHOUT US NOT GONNA BE EXECUTED.
I DON'T WANT TO GO AIR OUT ALL OUR DIRTY LAUNDRY, BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY, THAT'S THE MAIN POINT.
WE NEED TO COMMUNICATE AND TAKE THE FRONTLINE APPROACH INTO CONSIDERATION WITH ALL THESE DECISIONS THAT ARE BEING MADE.
THERE'S A LOT OF DISCRE GOING ON AND LIKE I SAID, IF, IF I CAN'T EVEN GET AN EMAIL RETURN, I CAN'T EVEN GET A RESPONSE TO AN EMAIL I SEND.
I MEAN, WHAT KIND OF COMMUNICATION IS THAT? I EXHAUSTED MY RESOURCES.
YOU SAID IN THE BEGINNING OF THE MEETING, HEY, IF YOU HAVE ISSUES, CONTACT CHAIN OF COMMAND, GO TO HR, WHATEVER.
WE'RE HERE NOW TO SAY WE'RE SERIOUS ABOUT THIS AND OUR VOICE NEED TO BE HEARD.
OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS DAVE BRADY, FOLLOWED BY DR.
THE MEET AND GREET EVENT HELD LAST SATURDAY WAS AN OUTSTANDING DISPLAY, A REESTABLISHMENT OF THE CITIZENS' TRUST IN THE FUTURE OF DART.
ALL OF YOU AS BOARD MEMBERS SHOULD BE COMMENDED FOR THE APPROACH OF LETTING THE TAXPAYERS PROVIDE
[00:50:01]
INPUT FOR THE SELECTION PROCESS FOR THE NEW PRESIDENT AND THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF DART AS WELL.ALL THE PARTICIPATING STAFF MEMBERS DESERVE A REALLY BIG THANK YOU FOR THE WAY THEY WORKED.
EVERYONE THROUGH THAT MAZE OF QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS AND TALKING WITH THE CANDIDATES THAT YOU'VE SELECTED.
WHAT I WOULD HAVE TO URGE YOU TO DO, READ THE NOTES THAT I LEFT FOR ALL OF YOU AND THEN CONSIDER WHEN YOU'RE IN CLOSED SESSION TO TAP D LARD AS THE NEXT CEO OF DART.
SHE HAS ALL OF THE INTIMATE KNOWLEDGE OF THIS AGENCY AND SHE UNDERSTANDS THE POLITICAL AND SOCIAL STRESSES THAT DART IS ENTWINED TODAY.
AND SHE HAS THE INSTINCTS THAT WE NEED TO DEAL WITH THE INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL FINANCIAL CHALLENGES AHEAD.
THEY'RE GOING TO BE TOUGH AT THE NEXT LEGISLATIVE SESSION.
HER PRIOR EXECUTIVE TENURE AND WORK WITH DART EMPLOYEES PROVIDES MORE OPPORTUNITIES FOR A REALLY SMOOTH TRANSITION FOR DART.
BUT YOU CAN ALSO CONSIDER A THOUGHT THAT CAME TO MY MIND ON THE BLUE LINE GOING HOME THAT DAY.
THE GENTLEMAN FROM JACKSONVILLE HAS GOT SOME GOOD OPERATIONS EXPERIENCE AND HE MIGHT WELL BE OFFERED A JOB AS A SENIOR VP OR EXECUTIVE VP OF OPERATIONS AND BRING THE BEST QUALITIES OF BOTH OF YOUR TOP CHOICE CANDIDATES TO DART AND IF ACHIEVED, IT WOULD GIVE EVERY BIT OF THE OPPORTUNITIES FOR BUILDING STRONGER RIDERSHIP, WHICH IS A GOAL THAT WE ALL HAVE.
THE THIRD CANDIDATE SEEMED LIKE A NICE YOUNG LADY JUST SEEKING TO REESTABLISH HOMETOWN ROOTS, BUT SHE WENT BLANK WHEN I ASKED HER ABOUT THE TRIP.
THE LACK OF UNDERSTANDING OF DART'S MOST IMPORTANT PRODUCT PROVIDED EVIDENCE.
SHE'S NOT RIGHT YET READY TO HANDLE THE BIG BUSINESS OF DART THE WAY YOU HAVE TO DO.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALL YOUR EFFORT.
OUR NEXT AND FINAL SPEAKER IS DR.
CANDACE WICKS, A RESIDENT OF DISTRICT THREE IN THE CITY OF DALLAS, COMMISSIONER FOR THE COMMISSION ON DISABILITIES, AND A MEMBER OF THE DARK PERIOD TRANS ACCESSORY ADVISORY GROUP.
IT IS AN HONOR TO JOIN YOU IN CELEBRATING DISABILITY PRIDE MONTH.
A TIME TO RECOGNIZE THE STRENGTH, RESILIENCE, AND ACHIEVEMENTS OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES.
DISABILITY PRIDE REMINDS US THAT DISABILITY IS NOT INABILITY.
EVERY PERSON HAS VALUE, PURPOSE, AND UNIQUE GIFTS TO OFFER OUR COMMUNITIES.
WE ALL DESERVE DIGNITY, RESPECT, EQUAL OPPORTUNITY, AND FULL INCLUSION.
THE DISABILITY PRIDE FLAG REFLECTS THE DIVERSITY OF OUR COMMUNITY.
ITS COLORS EACH CARRYING A SPECIAL MEANING RED, REPRESENTING PHYSICAL DISABILITIES, GOLD REPRESENTING NEURODIVERSITY, WHITE REPRESENTING INVISIBLE AND UNDIAGNOSED DISABILITIES.
BLUE REPRESENTING EMOTIONAL AND PSYCHIATRIC DISABILITIES.
GREEN REPRESENTS SENSORY DISABILITIES.
THE BLACK BACKGROUND HONORS THOSE WHO HAVE LOST THEIR LIVES DUE TO DISABILITY RELATED ILLNESS, VIOLENCE, NEGLECT, OR ABLEISM, WHILE ALSO SYMBOLIZING RESILIENCE AND STRENGTH.
AS A MEMBER OF THE P GROUP, I REMAIN COMMITTED TO ADVOCATING FOR ACCESSIBILITY, EQUITY, AND
[00:55:01]
INCLUSION SO THAT EVERYONE HAS THE OPPORTUNITY TO LIVE, WORK, LEARN, AND THRIVE WITHOUT UNNECESSARY BARRIERS.THE BIBLE REMINDS US IN PSALM 1 39 14.
I PRAISE YOU BECAUSE I AM FEARFULLY AND WONDERFULLY MADE.
EACH OF US IS CREATED WITH PURPOSE AND WITH OUR DIFFERENCES.
THEY ARE A PART OF WHAT MAKES OUR COMMUNITIES STRONGER.
AS WE CONTINUE TO CELEBRATE THIS MONTH, LET US CONTINUE TO REMOVE BARRIERS, CHALLENGE STEREOTYPES, AND BUILD A FUTURE WHERE EVERYONE IS WELCOME AND VALUED AND EMPOWERED, ESPECIALLY HERE AT DART.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT, YOUR ADVOCACY, AND YOUR COMMITMENT TO CREATING A MORE INCLUSIVE COMMUNITY.
GOD BLESS YOU AND HAPPY DISABILITY PRIDE MONTH.
[Consent Items]
TO OUR CONSENT AGENDA.IT CONSISTS OF ITEMS FIVE THROUGH 12.
IS THERE ANY BOARD MEMBERS THAT WOULD LIKE TO PULL ANY ITEMS FOR INDIVIDUAL CONSIDERATION? SEEING NONE, CAN I GET A MOTION TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA AS STATED? SO MOVED.
ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? SEEING NONE.
ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, PLEASE INDICATE BY RAISING YOUR HAND.
THE CONSENT AGENDA IS APPROVED.
[13. +Approval of Contracts for Miscellaneous Spare Parts for DART’s Bus Fleet (Presenters: Patrick J. Kennedy/Trenise Winters)]
UM, ITEM 13, APPROVAL OF CONTRACTS FOR MISCELLANEOUS SPARE PARTS FOR DART BUS.IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE? SO MOVED THERE.
ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? SEEING NONE.
ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, PLEASE INDICATE BY RAISING YOUR HAND.
ANY ABSTENTIONS? OKAY, AND MOTION CARRIES.
[15. +Approval of Employment Agreement with Chief Audit Officer (Presenters: Roy C. Lopez/Randall B. Bryant/Rosa Medina-Cristobal) ]
WE WILL TAKE UP APPROVAL OF EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT WITH CHIEF AUDIT OFFICER CHAIR LOPEZ.I MOVE FOR APPROVAL OF THE EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT WITH THE INCOMING CHIEF AUDIT OFFICER, EFFECTIVE AUGUST 19TH, 2026.
ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? SEEING NONE.
ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, PLEASE INDICATE BY RAISING YOUR HAND.
[Additional Item]
ON TUESDAY, JULY 14TH, 2026.AND THE DALLAS AREA RAPID TRANSIT BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING IS GOING TO CLOSE SESSION UNDER SECTION 5 5 1 0.074 OF THE TEXAS OPEN MEETINGS ACT, WHICH ALLOWS THE DELIBERATION OF A PERSONNEL MATTER TO DISCUSS AGENDA ITEM 16 AND 17.
IT IS NOW 9:34 PM ON TUESDAY, JULY 14TH, 2026 AND THE DALLAS AREA RAPID TRANSIT BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING IS BACK INTO OPEN SESSION.
[16. +Recommendation of Candidate for Position of President & Chief Executive Officer (Presenters: Gary Slagel/Randall B. Bryant/Rosa Medina-Cristobal)]
NUMBER 16, RECOMMENDATION OF CANDIDATE FOR POSITION OF PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER CHAIR SLAGEL, DO YOU HAVE A MOTION? YES, SIR.I HAVE A MOTION I MOVE TO, I MOVE THAT CANDIDATE A BE SELECTED FOR THE POSITION OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER.
ANY DISCUSSION? I SEE, UH, DIRECTOR BASS.
IS THERE A DATE CERTAIN? NO, SIR.
I, I AM CONFERRING WITH THE GENERAL COUNSEL.
I RECOGNIZE THE, UM, GENERAL COUNSEL.
THIS IS, UH, GENE GOVIN, THE GENERAL COUNSEL.
YOUR MOTION TO BE A TABLE? I THINK, I THINK IT'S A, UH, IF I'M UNDERSTANDING CORRECTLY, IT'S, IT'S MORE IN LINE
[01:00:01]
OF A MOTION TO POSTPONE AND IT'S GOTTA BE A TIME CERTAIN IS THAT, IS THAT, UH, WHAT, WHAT THE REFERENCE WAS? YES.THE REFERENCE IS TO TIME CERTAIN, ALTHOUGH I DON'T BELIEVE THAT THERE HAS TO BE A TIME.
UM, THERE DOESN'T HAVE TO BE A TIME ATTACHED TO THE MOTION.
WHAT I, WHAT I'M GONNA DO IS, IS GO AHEAD AND READ AND READ THE, UH, THE RULE, UH, THE ON ROBERT'S RULES OF ORDERS, UH, THE POSTPONE, IT IS NOT ADDRESSED IN OUR BYLAWS OR OUR RULES.
AND IT SAYS WHENEVER THERE'S NOT A, UM, UH, WHEN THEY'RE NOT ADDRESSING OUR BYLAWS ON OUR RULES, WE REFER TO A, UH, UM, TO THE ROBERT RULES OF ORDERS.
UM, AND HERE, I'M JUST GONNA PARAPHRASE THIS.
SUPPOSE THAT YOU ARE IN THE MIDDLE OF A DEBATE ON A MOTION.
PERHAPS YOU FEEL MORE INFORMATION IS NEEDED AND ONE TIME TOGETHER, UH, BEFORE THE DECISION, THE MOTION TO POSTPONE TO A CERTAIN TIME MEETS ITS NEED.
IF ADOPTED THE MAJORITY OF AWARD, IT PUTS IT FURTHER CONSIDERATION THAT THE MAIN MOTION TO A LATER TIME OR MEETING NAMED INTO MOTION.
MR. BA, DO YOU HAVE A DATE CERTAIN FOR THE MOTION? I DON'T HAVE HAVE, UH, UM, MY CALENDAR IN FRONT OF ME.
UM, I WOULD JUST SAY TO, UM, TABLE TILL THE NEXT, UM, TILL THE NEXT CITY COUNCIL FOR A REGULAR SESSION MEETING.
BUT, UH, NEXT, UH, COUNCIL IS THE WHOLE MEETING.
WHAT'S THE NEXT COMMITTEE? THE WHOLE MEETING.
THE NEXT COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING IS AUGUST THE 14TH.
AND SECOND BY MR. BARBERA TO, UM, DELAY THIS ITEM UNTIL AUGUST 14TH.
IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION ON THE MOTION? YES.
MR. BARBERA RECOGNIZED FOR THREE MINUTES ON THE AMENDMENT.
UM, I SUPPORT THE MOTION BECAUSE WE ARE GOING TO BE ASKED SHORTLY TO SUPPORT MICROPHONE ON IT IS, IT'S GREEN.
THIS IS NOT GONNA TAKE FROM MY TWO, MY THREE MINUTES.
UM, I SUPPORT THE MOTION BECAUSE WE ARE BEING ASKED, UH, TO VOTE SHORTLY ON A CANDIDATE, UM, THAT WE HAVE HAD TWO BUSINESS DAYS TO DO DUE DILIGENCE ON, UM, THAT WASN'T A CANDIDATE, UM, UNTIL BROUGHT TO THIS BOARD UNTIL TWO BUSINESS DAYS AGO.
I DID NOT FEEL THAT BASED ON THE HISTORY OF THIS CANDIDATE'S, UM, TENURE AT OTHER ORGANIZATIONS, THAT IT'S FAIR TO ASK THIS BOARD TO MAKE A VOTE IN TWO BUSINESS DAYS AND WOULD LIKE AND SUPPORT THE MOTION FOR TILL THE NEXT BOARD MEETING TO RELEASE SOME OF THAT INFORMATION.
I AM GOING TO, DOES THAT CONCLUDE YOUR TIME? YES, SIR.
UM, I'M GONNA HAVE OUR HR DIRECTOR COME UP AND THEN I'M GONNA RECOGNIZE YOU.
YOU CAN PUT ME ON FOR THREE MINUTES.
YOU WANNA GIVE US, GIVE US YOUR NAME? YES.
ROSA MEDINA CRISTOBAL, SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT AND CHIEF HUMAN RESOURCES OFFICER.
UM, I JUST WANNA JUST CONFIRM SOME DATES WITH YOU AS FAR AS WHAT OUR PROCESS HAS BEEN UP UNTIL THIS POINT.
UM, ON APRIL THE SEVENTH, THE BOARD, UH, APPROVED THE JOB DESCRIPTION FOR THIS POSITION, CORRECT? THAT IS CORRECT.
AND ON APRIL 24TH, UH, MYSELF, YOU AND OUR OUTSIDE CONSULTANT MET WITH THE CITY MANAGERS TO DISCUSS WHAT THAT JOB DESCRIPTION WAS.
AND THEN ON APRIL THE 27TH, WE POSTED THE JOB DESCRIPTION ONLINE.
ON JUNE AND, AND, AND BETWEEN THEN AND JUNE THE NINTH, WE RECEIVED OVER 100 APPLICATIONS, CORRECT? UM, 32 OF WHICH SPECIFICALLY WERE PROVIDED TO THE BOARD FOR REVIEW.
AND THAT WAS ON JUNE THE NINTH, AND THEN WE NARROWED DOWN OUR CANDIDATES.
WE THEN HAD ANOTHER MEETING ON JUNE THE 16TH MM-HMM
WITH VIRTUAL INTERVIEWS FOR CANDIDATES.
AND THEN, UM, THIS PAST JULY THE 10TH WE HAD IN-PERSON INTERVIEWS WITH OUR CANDIDATES.
OF THE THREE CANDIDATES THAT, UM, WE VOTED ON, UM, LAST, OR OF THE THREE CANDIDATES THAT CHAIRMAN SLAGEL READ INTO THE RECORD LAST WEEK, WERE ALL OF THEM A PART OF THE ORIGINAL APPLICATION PROCESS OF THAT 132? CORRECT.
UM, WOULD YOU SAY THAT IN RELATION TO OUR MOST RECENT PREVIOUS CEO, THAT THIS PROCESS WAS QUICKER OR LONGER OR SHORTER THAN THAT MOST RECENT ONE? THE PROCESS WAS LONGER THAN THE LAST CEO PROCESS.
SO I JUST WANT THE GENERAL PUBLIC TO HEAR THAT, UH, WHAT THE PROCESS ACTUALLY WAS FOR THIS, UH,
[01:05:01]
CEO SEARCH AND THAT ALL APPLICANTS WERE IN THE ORIGINAL POOL THAT WE ORIGINALLY REVIEWED ON JUNE THE NINTH, THE FIRST TIME THAT WE DID AS A BOARD, AND THAT THIS PROCESS IN TOTALITARIAN WAS LONGER THAN OUR MOST PREVIOUS CEO SEARCH.IS THAT ALL CORRECT? THAT IS CORRECT.
MR. MCGREGOR THREE MINUTES CHAIR, THE WORDS OUTTA MY MOUTH, CRYSTAL, ALL THAT I WAS GONNA ASK THAT.
I I WAS JOKING TO SAY YOU TOOK THE WORDS OUTTA MY MOUTH, SO I DON'T NEED TO SPEAK ANYMORE.
ANYONE ELSE? THIS IS ON THE MOTION TO DELAY.
I SAID YOU DIRECTOR ENOCH THREE MINUTES? YEAH, I WOULD, NO, I I MIGHT MAKE SURE.
I WAS ALSO GONNA SAY THAT THE THREE CANDIDATES THAT, UH, CHAIRS LEGGO READ ALSO APPEARED BEFORE MANY FOLKS THIS WEEKEND AND WERE VETTED IN LARGE WORK BY OUR CITIES AND OUR CONSTITUENTS.
AND AT THAT UNPRECEDENTED, WE'VE NEVER DONE THAT BEFORE.
SO THE MOTION IS TO DELAY, UM, DIRECTOR BASS.
I SEE YOUR HANDS STILL RAISE THAT.
YOU WANT TO COMMENT? UH, NO, I DIDN'T TURN ON.
SO THE MOTION IS TO DELAY UNTIL THE AUGUST 14TH, 14TH MEETING.
UH, ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, PLEASE INDICATE BY RAISING YOUR HAND.
ALL OPPOSED, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND.
WE HAVE FIVE IN FAVOR, TENANT OPPOSITION.
WE'RE BACK ON THE MAIN MOTION, WHICH WAS READ INTO THE RECORD, UH, FOR CANDIDATE A.
IS THERE ANY OTHER DISCUSSION? MR. RICKARD? MR. RICKARD? THREE MINUTES.
JUST WANTED TO MAKE A, A QUICK STATEMENT THAT, UH, AS OTHERS HAVE ARTICULATED, UH, I THINK THE, THE LAST LEG OF THIS PROCESS OVER THIS PAST WEEK HAS BEEN PRETTY FAST MOVING AND, UH, THERE ARE SOME FACTORS I JUST BECAME AWARE OF TODAY.
I'VE GOTTEN SOME ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS AND I APPRECIATE THOSE.
I STILL HAVE REMAINING QUESTIONS THOUGH, BEFORE I COULD, UH, CONSIDER VOTING FOR CANDIDATE A, UH, I WOULD NEED TO DO MORE DUE DILIGENCE.
AND SO FOR THOSE REASONS, GIVEN THE DENIAL OF THE MOTION TO TABLE, UH, I'LL HAVE TO VOTE NOW AT THIS TIME.
FIRST OF ALL, I'D LIKE TO THANK ALL THE CANDIDATES FOR THEIR INTEREST.
AT THE BEGINNING OF THE SEARCH, A PROCESS WAS LAID OUT AND THERE WAS CONSENSUS AMONGST THE BOARD REGARDING THAT PROCESS.
THEN LAST WEEK, FOUR OF THE 15 BOARD MEMBERS CHANGED THAT PROCESS AND AS A RESULT, A CANDIDATE BYPASSED THE PROCESS AND NAMED A FINALIST ON FRIDAY, JULY 10TH.
TWO BUSINESS DAYS LATER, WE ARE BEING ASKED TO VOTE ON THAT CANDIDATE SINCE FRIDAY.
RED FLAG AFTER RED FLAG AFTER RED FLAG HAS BEEN UNCOVERED.
AND AS A BOARD MEMBER, WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO HAVE THE APPROPRIATE AMOUNT OF TIME TO DO OUR RESEARCH AND CONDUCT DUE DILIGENCE BEFORE WE TAKE A VOTE.
SO FOR THOSE REASONS, I AM VOTING.
ANYONE ELSE? MR. BARBERA? THREE MINUTES.
UM, I'LL JOIN MY COLLEAGUES, UH, IN MY VOTE NO.
UM, WE WERE TOLD THAT PERSON THAT WE'RE BE ASKED TO VOTE FOR HAD TAKEN HIS NAME OUT OF CONSIDERATION.
AND THEN AS CHAIRMAN, UH, PROJECT JUST MENTIONED, WE WERE TOLD, UH, THAT FOUR MEMBERS OF THE BOARD HAD DECIDED TO MAKE HIM A CANDIDATE AGAIN.
AND IRONICALLY, ON THE EXACT SAME DAY, THE CANDIDATE RESIGNED FROM HIS CURRENT JOB, UH, HIS CURRENT AGENCY.
UM, I THINK THERE IS TIME IS NEEDED TO DO D DUE DILIGENCE ON THE FACT THAT, UH, EVERY SINGLE AGENCY THAT THE CANDIDATE HAS LEFT FROM, HAS LEFT AND A CLOUD OF SPENDING CONTROVERSIES.
AND I JUST SIMPLY DO NOT WANT THAT TO HAPPEN TO DART IN TWO YEARS FROM NOW.
ANYONE ELSE WANTS TO SPEAK FOR OR AGAINST A MOTION? UM, MR. GENERAL COUNSEL, UM, I JUST WANT TO CONFIRM WITH YOU, TO THE BEST OF YOUR KNOWLEDGE, WAS THIS PROCESS FAIR TO ALL CANDIDATES? NOT BEING A LOT OF THIS WAS DONE, UH, THE WHOLE PROCESS.
I WASN'T IN ALL THE, THE ASPECTS OF IT, UH, FROM, I KNOW THAT, UH, MR. GREG MOSER WAS INVOLVED IN SOME OF 'EM, UM, I'M NOT SURE THAT THAT I CAN GIVE THAT ANSWER BECAUSE I WASN'T INVOLVED IN ALL OF IT.
HAS IT BEEN CONSISTENT WITH OTHER EXECUTIVE SEARCHES THAT WE'VE DONE? FROM WHAT I'VE SEEN THAT IT HAS AND, AND, UH, THAT'S THE EXTENT I CAN SAY IT WAS POSTED.
[01:10:01]
IT'S STILL OPEN TODAY, UH, BUT I'M NOT SURE THAT I CAN SAY THAT LAST PART BECAUSE I'VE NOT BEEN INVOLVED IN ALL THE PROCESS OF, OF IT.UH, MS. ROSA, COULD YOU COME BACK FOR JUST A QUICK ONE QUESTION? YES.
UM, AS FAR AS ALL THE CANDIDATES THAT WE REVIEWED UP UNTIL THIS POINT, AND OF CANDIDATES THAT WE MOVE FORWARD TO THE FINALISTS AND ALL THE CANDIDATES, DO YOU BELIEVE THAT THERE WAS ANY UN ANY UNFAIRNESS OR IMPARTIALITY TO ANY CANDIDATES? NO.
MY, ONCE THE THIRD CANDIDATE WAS BROUGHT BACK IN MY, UM, ASK OF THE BOARD WAS THAT THEY UNDERGO THE SAME PROCESS THAT THE OTHER TWO CANDIDATES UNDERWENT.
SO IN MY OPINION, ALL THREE CANDIDATES WENT THROUGH THE SAME PROCESS.
SO THAT, UM, MADE THE PROCESS FAIR FOR ALL THREE.
UM, I'LL GIVE YOU A ROUND TWO.
AND DID THAT PROCESS HAPPEN TWO DAYS AGO WITH ONE OF THE CANDIDATE, TWO BUSINESS DAYS AGO WITH ONE OF THE CANDIDATES HE REJOINED THE CANDIDATE POOL ON FRIDAY? YES, SIR.
TWO BUSINESS DAYS AGO? YES, ON FRIDAY.
I, I WILL OF COURSE BE SUPPORTING, UH, THIS PARTICULAR CANDIDATE.
I THINK THAT THE CONCERNS THAT HAVE BEEN RAISED BOTH ABOUT THE PROCESS AND ABOUT UNEARTHING CERTAIN FACTS MAKES IT ALL LOOK VERY, UH, SUSPICIOUS AND, AND MCCARVER.
BUT THE FACT IS THOSE CONCERNS ARE PREPOSTEROUS TO ME.
UH, THEY ARE, UH, THEY ARE ALL ISSUES THAT CAN BE EASILY RESOLVED BEFORE, UH, THEY'RE ALL QUESTIONS THAT, SORRY.
THEY'RE ALL QUESTIONS THAT CAN EASILY BE ANSWERED BEFORE, UH, OR DURING THE CONTRACT NEGOTIATION PROCESS WITH THAT CANDIDATE.
SO I DON'T SEE ANY REASON TO DELAY AND I DON'T SEE ANY REASON WHY THE, THE CANDIDATE SELECTED SHOULD NOT NOT BE INCLUDED.
THE MOTION IS TO APPROVE CANDIDATE A.
ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, PLEASE INDICATE BY RAISING YOUR HAND.
ALL OPPOSED? SAME SIGN WITH NINE IN FAVOR.
[17. +Authorization to Negotiate Employment Agreement with President & Chief Executive Officer Candidate (Presenters: Gary Slagel/Randall B. Bryant/Rosa Medina-Cristobal) ]
IS ITEM 17, AUTHORIZATION TO NEGOTIATE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT WITH PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, CANDIDATE CHAIR.LEGAL, DO YOU HAVE A MOTION? YES, SIR.
I MOVE THAT THE, I DO AUTHORIZE OUR CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD TO NEGOTIATE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT WITH THE PRESIDENT AND CEO.
ANY DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, PLEASE INDICATE BY RAISING YOUR HAND.
IT IS NOW 9:49 PM AND THIS MEETING IS ADJOURNED.