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Record of Proceedings

Hart Board of Directors Regular Meeting - May 6, 2026

Hillsborough County Archive View Page — Wednesday, May 6, 2026
BodyHillsborough County, Florida
SessionHillsborough County Archive View Page
DateWednesday, May 6, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 24:13

Original source
Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it
0:34

Good morning.

0:35

I'm Council Member Gil Schussler, Hart Chair Board, Hart Board Chair, please solve us all electronic devices with duration of the meeting.

0:42

Welcome to the May 4th, 2026 Board of Directors regular meeting, which is now called to order.

0:48

The meeting format is hybrid with board members physically present at the Hart Administrative Offices, 1201 East 7th Avenue, Florida Conference Room, and participating via communication media technology.

1:00

Please join me.

1:11

Who would she say?

1:21

Thank you very much.

1:22

Um staff Daniel, would you please take attendance?

1:27

Yes, sir.

1:30

Present.

1:43

Here MacAlpatrick.

1:47

Here.

1:53

Here.

1:54

Thank you.

1:55

Director Miller.

1:58

Director Myers?

2:00

Here.

2:00

Director Nebrick.

2:02

Here.

2:03

Chair Schesler.

2:04

Here.

2:04

Director Smith.

2:05

Here.

2:06

Director Vieira.

2:08

Director Williams.

2:09

And Director Wolstall.

2:11

Here.

2:11

You do have a form, sir.

2:13

Thank you very much.

2:14

Okay, next is public comment.

2:15

We'll start with a statement from board counsel, Mr.

2:17

Jeff Gibson.

2:18

Mr.

2:18

Gibson, you're recognized.

2:22

Thank you, uh Chair.

2:23

Members of the public have the right to speak on any relevant issue during the public comment process.

2:28

However, certain items may be rooted in contract, pending legal recourse or prohibited by this board's policy, which prohibits involvement by this board in the normal employer-employee relationship between the CEO and any other employee or employee union of heart.

2:44

While the public could address those matters, board members are advised not to discuss them during this meeting.

2:50

Thank you, Mr.

2:50

Gibson.

2:51

Heart Board of Directors welcomes comments from citizens about any issue or concern.

2:55

Your opinions are valued in terms of providing input to the board members.

2:59

When addressing the board, comments shall not shall be not be directed personally against the board member or staff member, but rather um at the issues.

3:08

This provides a mutual respect between the board member staff and the public.

3:12

The board has set aside a 30-minute period for public comment as stated in HARP Board Policy 2104A.

3:19

The chair will call on speakers by name in order for which the request to receive has been received.

3:23

When addressing the board, please state your name and speak clearly.

3:27

Up to three minutes are allowed for each speaker.

3:30

Please refrain from any discussions on any matters brought up during public comment until after public comment has been completed.

3:42

Mr.

3:42

Green, you're recognized.

3:46

I'll go first.

3:47

Is that okay?

3:50

Okay.

3:51

Thank you.

3:52

We will switch then to Mr.

3:53

Davis Smith.

3:54

Mr.

3:54

Smith, you're recognized.

3:56

Uh good morning.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Personnel Matters████████████████████████24%
Public Transportation█████████████████████21%
Procedural█████████████13%
Public Engagement█████████████13%
Substance Abuse Recovery█████████9%
Technology and Innovation███████7%
Disability Rights███████7%
Budget Equity Analysis██████6%
Summary of Proceedings

Hart Board of Directors Regular Meeting - May 6, 2026

This was a regular meeting of the Hart Board of Directors (Hillsborough County, Florida). The meeting included public comment, approval of minutes, adoption of a revised substance abuse policy, consent agenda approval, a CEO report, and a board counsel update. Note: The transcript states the meeting date as May 4, 2026, but the provided timestamp indicates May 6, 2026. This summary uses the date given in the instruction.

Consent Calendar

  • Approved the consent agenda (items 5A-5C) as recommended by the Finance and Audit Committee (April 20, 2026). Motion carried unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • David Smith (former employee) spoke about his termination, alleging miscommunication, contradictory evidence, excessive discipline (stacking of infractions), and lack of due process. He asked for a fair review of the evidence and process.
  • Mr. Green (speaker, no first name given) supported Smith, claiming Hart uses administrative policy and the union contract (CBA) to circumvent fair process and target employees. He urged the board to review the case.

Discussion Items

  • Approval of Minutes (April 6, 2026): Approved unanimously.
  • Adoption of Board Policy 430.02 (Substance Abuse Program Policy): Board counsel Jeff Gibson introduced the item. HR Director Audrey Evans presented revisions to address Federal Transit Administration audit findings, ensuring compliance with 49 CFR parts 40 and 655. Key changes include clear prohibited behaviors (BAC limit of 0.04), standardized testing categories, expanded refusal-to-test definitions, stronger reporting, zero tolerance enforcement, and audit-ready documentation. No financial impact. Approved unanimously.
  • CEO Report (Mr. Drainville):
    • Introduced new Director of Procurement Daniel Marty (returning to Hart after previous service).
    • Submitted two community project funding requests (total $4.8M) for paratransit fleet replacement, supported by Congresswoman Castor and Congressman Lee.
    • Received GFOA Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for FY2026 budget.
    • Executed FTA certifications and insurance for FY2026.
    • Implemented CAD/AVR system for real-time bus tracking and communication.
    • Hart’s Transit Development Plan (TDP) annual update approved by Florida District 7.
    • Launched Sunflower Program to support passengers with hidden disabilities (training for employees).
  • Board Counsel Report (Jeff Gibson):
    • Update on TCO streetcar renaming issue: Director requested a 30-day update. Gibson reported positive discussions with TICO but no joint business plan yet. TICO asked Hart for a business plan, but Hart cannot proceed without the streetcar operator at the table.

Key Outcomes

  • Approved minutes of the April 6, 2026 regular meeting.
  • Adopted revised Board Policy 430.02 (Substance Abuse Program Policy) effective immediately.
  • Approved the consent agenda (items 5A-5C).
  • Received CEO report and board counsel report; no further action taken.
  • No old or new business; meeting adjourned.

Meeting Transcript

Good morning. I'm Council Member Gil Schussler, Hart Chair Board, Hart Board Chair, please solve us all electronic devices with duration of the meeting. Welcome to the May 4th, 2026 Board of Directors regular meeting, which is now called to order. The meeting format is hybrid with board members physically present at the Hart Administrative Offices, 1201 East 7th Avenue, Florida Conference Room, and participating via communication media technology. Please join me. Who would she say? Thank you very much. Um staff Daniel, would you please take attendance? Yes, sir. Present. Here MacAlpatrick. Here. Here. Thank you. Director Miller. Director Myers? Here. Director Nebrick. Here. Chair Schesler. Here. Director Smith. Here. Director Vieira. Director Williams. And Director Wolstall. Here. You do have a form, sir. Thank you very much. Okay, next is public comment. We'll start with a statement from board counsel, Mr. Jeff Gibson. Mr. Gibson, you're recognized. Thank you, uh Chair. Members of the public have the right to speak on any relevant issue during the public comment process. However, certain items may be rooted in contract, pending legal recourse or prohibited by this board's policy, which prohibits involvement by this board in the normal employer-employee relationship between the CEO and any other employee or employee union of heart. While the public could address those matters, board members are advised not to discuss them during this meeting. Thank you, Mr. Gibson. Heart Board of Directors welcomes comments from citizens about any issue or concern. Your opinions are valued in terms of providing input to the board members. When addressing the board, comments shall not shall be not be directed personally against the board member or staff member, but rather um at the issues. This provides a mutual respect between the board member staff and the public. The board has set aside a 30-minute period for public comment as stated in HARP Board Policy 2104A. The chair will call on speakers by name in order for which the request to receive has been received. When addressing the board, please state your name and speak clearly. Up to three minutes are allowed for each speaker. Please refrain from any discussions on any matters brought up during public comment until after public comment has been completed. Mr.

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