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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 2020.06.22 - 37360OAKLAND COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS 1200 NORTH TELEGRAPH ROAD, PONTIAC, MICHIGAN 48341-0470 Telephone: (248) 585-0100 FAX: (248) 858-1572 PANDEMIC RESPONSE AND ECONOMIC RECOVERY COMMITTEE David T. Woodward, Chairperson MARCIA GERSHENSON Helaine Zack Vice Chairperson Janet Jackson MICHAEL SPISZ June 22, 2020 Penny Luebs Minority Vice Chairperson William Miller Kristen Nelson Shelley Taub Philip Weipert Thomas Kuhn Chairperson Woodward called the meeting of the Pandemic Response and Economic Recovery Committee to order at 1:05 p.m. MEMBERS PRESENT : David Woodward, Marcia Gershenson, Michael Spisz, Helaine Zack, Janet Jackson, Penny Luebs, William Miller, Kristen Nelson, Shelley Taub, Philip Weipert, Thomas Kuhn MEMBERS ABSENT WITH NOTICE: None PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Chairperson W oodward led the Committee in the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES Weipert moved approval of the minutes from June 1, 2020, as presented. Seconded by Nelson. Motion carried. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Chairperson Woodward requested the Agenda be amended to remove item #7, “MR #20156 – Board of Commissioners – Support to Protect Workers in the Workplace as the Economy Reopens.” There were no objections. Spisz moved approval of the agenda, as amended. Seconded by Luebs. Motion carried. PUBLIC COMMENT None. COMMUNICATIONS A. County Executive – COVID-19 Update Chairperson Woodward requested that Communications item A, “County Executive – COVID-19 Update” be received and filed at the next Committee meeting. There were no objections. Pandemic Response and Economic Recovery Committee Page 2 June 22, 2020 B. County Executive – Goldman Sachs Philanthropy Fund/Ballmer Group Donation for COVID-19 Related Emergency Support Hilarie Chambers, Chief Deputy County Executive, provided a report regarding the Goldman Sachs Philanthropy Fund/Ballmer Group Donation for COVID-19 Related Emergency Support and addressed questions posed by the Commissioners. Spisz moved to receive and file Item B, “Goldman Sachs Philanthropy Fund/Ballmer Group Donation for COVID-19 Related Emergency Support.” Seconded by Luebs. Motion carried. REGULAR AGENDA 1. COUNTY EXECUTIVE/ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND COMMUNITY AFFAIRS - APPROPRIATION FOR THE OAKLAND COUNTY SMALL BUSINESS AND CHAMBER/DISTRICT/AUTHORITY RECOVERY GRANT PROGRAMS Zack moved to recommend approval of the attached suggested resolution. Seconded by Weipert. Kuhn moved to amend the 1st BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED clause, as follows: BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Oakland Together Small Business Recovery Grant Program grant application will make available funding to small businesses, less than 50 100 employees, operating in retail, food services, accommodations, restaurants, bars, cafes, gyms, entertainment venues, business services and personal services. Seconded by Spisz. Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote. Kuhn moved to amend the 4th BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED clause, as follows: BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Recovery Grant program shall be administered by the Department of Economic Development of Community Affairs (EDCA) and shall ensure compliance with all CARES Act requirements. The grant application period shall be open from two to six weeks. Seconded by Weipert. Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote. Kuhn moved to amend the resolution as follows: Amend the NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, as follows: NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Oakland County Board of Commissioners approves the additional one-time appropriation of up to $32,000,000 $50,000,000 from the $219,438,710 Coronavirus Relief Fund allocation received by the county to further support the small business community through the Oakland Together Small Business Recovery Grant Program. Amend the 9th BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED clause to the following: BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the FY 2020 budget is amended as follows: GENERAL FUND (#10100) FY 2020 PCBU: GRANT Project: 100000003215 Bud Ref: 2020 Activity: GLB Analysis: GLB Pandemic Response and Economic Recovery Committee Page 3 June 22, 2020 Revenue 9010101-133095-610313 Federal Operating Grants $ 32,000,000 50,000,000 Total Revenue $ 32,000,000 50,000,000 Expenditures 1090201-133095-731598 Regranting Program $ 32,000,000 50,000,000 Total Expenditures $ 32,000,000 50,000,000 Seconded by Weipert. ROLL CALL VOTE AYES: Taub, Weipert, Kuhn, Spisz (4) NAYS: Zack, Jackson, Luebs, Miller, Nelson, Woodward, Gershenson (7) Motion failed for lack of a majority vote. Main motion, as amended, carried unanimously on a roll call vote. 2. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND COMMUNITY AFFAIRS/WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT DIVISION – ALLOCATION OF CARES ACT FUNDING TOWARDS COVID-19 PANDEMIC EMERGENCY RESPONSE MEASURES FOR OAKLAND COUNTY MICHIGAN WORKS! CENTERS Zack moved to recommend approval of the attached suggested resolution. Seconded by Jackson. Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote with Weipert absent. 3. HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES/HEALTH DIVISION – OAKLAND TOGETHER SCHOOL NURSE PROGRAM IN PARTNERSHIP WITH OAKLAND SCHOOLS Zack moved to recommend approval of the attached suggested resolution. Seconded by Luebs. Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote with Miller absent. 4. MR #20172 – BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS – ENCOURAGE OAKLAND COUNTY VOTERS TO VOTE BY MAIL IN 2020 AUGUST PRIMARY AND NOVEMBER GENERAL ELECTIONS AND DECL ARE SUPPORT FOR MICHIGAN SECRETARY OF STATE JOCELYN BENSON’S ACTION TO MAIL OUT ABSENTEE BALLOT APPLICATIONS TO ALL MICHIGAN REGISTERED VOTERS Gershenson moved to report to recommend approval of the attached suggested resolution. Seconded by Luebs. Taub moved to report to amend the resolution by striking the 3rd WHEREAS clause, as follows: WHEREAS Oakland County has the highest number of cases of any county in Michigan; and Seconded by Gershenson. Motion carried. Vote on main motion, as amended: ROLL CALL VOTE AYES: Nelson, Weipert, Woodward, Gershenson, Zack, Jackson, Luebs (7) NAYS: Taub, Kuhn, Spisz (3) ABSENT: Miller Main motion, as amended, carried on a roll call vote with Miller absent. Pandemic Response and Economic Recovery Committee Page 4 June 22, 2020 5. MR #20190 – BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS – ESTABLISHMENT OF OAKLAND TOGETHER EMERGENCY FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM AND APPROPRIATION OF CARES ACT GRANT CORONAVIRUS RELIEF FUNDS Gershenson moved to report to recommend approval of the attached suggested resolution. Seconded by Luebs. Gershenson moved to report to amend the resolution, as follows: Amend the title, as follows: IN RE: BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS – ESTABLISHMENT OF THE OAKLAND TOGETHER EMERGENCY FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE AND WORKING FAMILIES SUPPORT PROGRAM AND APPROPRIATION OF CARES ACT GRANT CORONAVIRUS RELIEF FUNDS Amend the 2nd WHEREAS statement, as follows: WHEREAS the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in significant economic impacts to the residents and working families of Oakland County and the State of Michigan; and Insert the following after the 5th WHEREAS statement: WHEREAS assisting child care facilities to reopen safely is essential to helping working families and workers return to work; and Delete the 7th WHEREAS statement, as follows: WHEREAS due to major staff reductions and the enactment of a new automated system under the prior Governor Rick Snyder Administration, the Unemployment Insurance Agency has been overwhelmed to the point where it is ineffective within the time frames necessary to meet the economic needs of those financially vulnerable individuals impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic; and Amend the NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED clause, as follows: NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Oakland County Board of Commissioners hereby establishes the Oakland Together Emergency Financial Assistance and Working Family Support Program. The purpose of this program is to assist the most vulnerable individuals and families affected by the COVID-19 public health emergency. Amend the 1st BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED clause, as follows: BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Oakland Together Emergency Financial Assistance and Working Family Support Program shall include a program framework to assist Oakland County residents with, but not limited to, the following: 1. Payment of overdue rent or mortgage to avoid eviction or foreclosure 2. Payment of overdue utility bills (water, sewer, electricity, and/or gas) to prevent shutoff resulting in unhealthy living conditions and/or to prevent eviction, or payment of overdue telephone and/or internet service needed for employment in a “work from home” setting; 3. Food Assistance provided in the form of food vouchers from a food pantry or store. 1. Up to $5 million to be utilized by the Economic Development and Community Affairs - Community Home Improvement Division should the $4,322,290 of Coronavirus response funding through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG-CV) and the Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG-CV) provided by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) be inadequate in meeting the rental and mortgage assistance needs of Oakland County families. Pandemic Response and Economic Recovery Committee Page 5 June 22, 2020 2. Up to $5 million to be utilized for a grant program to provide support for early childhood education (ECE) organizations that need assistance to safely re-open their organizations under new protocols established by the Centers for Disease Control, the State of Michigan, and the Oakland County Health Division. 3. Up to $5 million to be utilized for microgrants to individuals and families in need of emergency assistance including but not limited to overdue utility bills (water, sewer, electricity, and/or gas) to prevent shutoff resulting in unhealthy living conditions and/or to prevent eviction, or payment of overdue telephone and/or internet service needed for employment in a “work from home” setting; child care assistance, funeral expenses, and food assistance. 4. Up to $2 million to evaluate food insecurity needs within the county and the permanent structures and cooperative efforts needed based on the pandemic response and in anticipation of ongoing needs. Delete the 2nd BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED clause, as follows: BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED the following minimum eligibility requirements are established for a grant from the Oakland Together Emergency Financial Assistance Program. Applicants must: 1) Be a resident of Oakland County 2) Be a citizen of the United States 3) Be in compliance with all criteria as required in the CARES Act Coronavirus Relief Funds Grant, Guidance provided by U.S. Department of Treasury, and policies approved by the Board and the Program Oversight Committee 4) Applicants must demonstrate that they had income, but it was reduced or eliminated as a direct result of COVID-19 impacts. Income must be at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines at the time of application. Amend the 3rd BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED clause, as follows: BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Board of Commissioners establishes the Oakland Together Emergency Financial Assistance and Working Family Support Program Oversight Committee. The Oversight Committee shall consist of: 1) A County Commissioner from the m ajority party, or their designee, and an alternate, 2) A County Commissioner from the minority party, or their designee, and an alternate, 3) An appointee of the Oakland County Executive, or their designee. Insert the following as the 4th BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED clause: BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Board of Commissioners authorizes the Oversight Committee to make adjustments to the program framework and the allocations of funds to each program area as needed to best meet community need. Should any adjustments be made, the Oversight Committee shall notify the Oakland County Board of Commissioners. Amend the 7th BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED clause, as follows: BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Board of Commissioners hereby allocates $30,000,000 $17,000,000 in funding from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act for the Oakland Together Emergency Financial Assistance and Working Family Support Program. Insert the following as the 8th BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED clause: BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED the Oversight Committee shall issue a report to the Board of Commissioners by September 30, 2020. Insert the following as the 9th BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED clause: BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Board of Commissioners reserves an additional $8,000,000 from funding from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Pandemic Response and Economic Recovery Committee Page 6 June 22, 2020 for supplemental funding for the Oakland Together Emergency Financial Assistance and Working Family Support Program. If the Board of Commissioners does not act to appropriate this reserve by October 15, 2020, these funds are released to support other county COVID-19 response and recovery needs. Amend the 8th BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, as follows: BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the FY 2020 budget be amended as follows: GENERAL FUND (#10100) FY 2020 Revenue Expenditures Seconded by Nelson. Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote with Miller absent. Main motion, as amended, carried on a roll call vote with Taub and Kuhn voting no and Miller absent. 6. MR #20194 – BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS – CREATION OF OAKLAND COUNTY MINORITY- OWNED SMALL BUSINESS GRANT PROGRAM AND APPROPRIATION FROM CARES ACT CORONAVIRUS RELIEF FUNDS Jackson moved to report to recommend approval of the attached suggested resolution. Seconded by Zack. Gershenson moved to amend the resolution as follows: Amend the title, as follows: BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS – POLICY FOR ECONOMICALLY AND SOCIALLY DISADVANTAGED SMALL BUSINESSES DISPROPORTIONATELY IMPACTED BY COVID-19 CREATION OF OAKLAND COUNTY MINORITY- OWNED SMALL BUSINESS GRANT PROGRAM AND APPROPRIATION FROM CARES ACT CORONAVIRUS RELIEF FUNDS Amend the 2nd WHEREAS, as follows: WHEREAS while all residents have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, the evidence is clear that the economic and human costs have of the Coronavirus pandemic and economic recession have been disproportionately borne by economically and socially disadvantaged individuals, neighborhoods and communities minorities, particularly African-Americans; and Delete the 3rd – 9th WHEREAS statements, as follows: WHEREAS the number of working African American business owners in the United States plummeted more than 40 percent as the coronavirus shut down much of the economy — a far steeper drop than other racial groups experienced, according to an analysis published in the Washington Post; and WHEREAS according to a survey conducted by the Global Strategy Group just 12% of black and latino small business owners who applied for assistance from the Small Business Administration reported receiving what they had asked for, while 26% said they had received only a fraction of what they had requested. Nearly half of all owners said they anticipated having to permanently close in the next six months; and WHEREAS as of April, the country lost nearly 450,000 active African American business owners as the pandemic intensified, he found. But the disparities extended into every minority group. The number of working Latino business owners dropped 32 percent from February to April, while the number of Asian business owners decreased by about a quarter; and WHEREAS an April 6th report from the Center for Responsible Lending (CRL) found that roughly 95% of Black-owned businesses, 91% of Latino-owned businesses, 91% of Native Hawaiian or Pacific Pandemic Response and Economic Recovery Committee Page 7 June 22, 2020 Island-owned businesses, and 75% of Asian-owned business “stand close to no chance of receiving a PPP loan through a mainstream bank or credit union.”; and WHEREAS many minority-owned businesses, who had never sought a loan in the past, were turned away by banks who stated they were only considering applications from existing customers; and WHEREAS the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Office of Inspector General issued a report, dated May 8, 2020, which reviewed the SBA Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and found that rural, minority, and women-owned businesses may not have received the loans as intended; and WHEREAS researchers at the University of Illinois, Harvard Business School, Harvard University and the University of Chicago have found that more than 100,000 small businesses have already gone out of business since March and that in May, their survey suggests that 2% of small businesses are gone nationwide; and Insert the following WHEREAS statements after the 2nd WHEREAS: WHEREAS according to the latest statistics on the Oakland County’s COVID-19 Dashboard, communities of Pontiac, Southfield, Lathrup Village, Oak Park represent approximately 13% of Oakland County’s population but are accounted for more than 31% of COVID-19 confirmed cases and 28% of all Oakland County’s COVID-19 caused deaths; and WHEREAS evidence indicates that other communities, including Charter Township of Royal Oak, Hazel Park, Walled Lake, Wixom, Madison Heights, and Keego Harbor are statistically significantly economically disadvantaged comparable to the median household in Oakland County and many of these communities were severely impacted by the COVID-19 virus and mitigation measures; and Delete the 19th WHEREAS statement, as follows: WHEREAS Section 1102 of the CARES Act states that the processing and disbursement of covered loans prioritizes small businesses in underserved and rural markets, including those owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals (m inorities), women, and in operation for under 2 years; and Amend the 20th WHEREAS statement, as follows: WHEREAS the Oakland County Board of Commissioners is committed to assisting our minority-owned economically and socially disadvantaged small businesses located in communities disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 virus and intends, with adoption of this policy, to reserve a minimum distribution of grant assistance from small business and economic recovery programs established with to utilize the funding provided to Oakland County under the CARES Act Coronavirus Relief Funds to aid these targeted small businesses to establish a minority-owned, small business grant program . Amend the NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED clause, as follows: NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Oakland County Board of Commissioners hereby establishes the “Policy for Economically and Socially Disadvantaged Small Businesses Disproportionately Impacted by Covid-19”. authorizes the creation of the Minority-Owned Small Business Grant Program for the purpose of offering minority-owned small businesses in Oakland County grant funding for CARES Act Coronavirus Relief Funds (CRF) eligible expenses. Delete the 1st – 10th BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED clauses, as follows: BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the priorities for the Minority-Owned Small Business Grant Program include, but are not limited to: 1. Businesses that have specific COVID-19 related expenses. 2. Businesses that need reimbursement for the costs of business interruption caused by required closures. 3. Businesses that have been and will continue to be on the frontlines of emergency assistance during the pandemic. Pandemic Response and Economic Recovery Committee Page 8 June 22, 2020 4. Businesses that have programming which provides economic support to individuals or families suffering from employment or business interruptions due to COVID-19 related business closures. This direct assistance may include, but is not limited to utilities, prescriptions, rent, virtual learning, understanding public health orders and COVID-19 safety protocols, financial counseling. 5. Businesses that address critical needs in the community and/or serve a vulnerable population. 6. Businesses that have a long-standing track record in the community. 7. Businesses that have not received federal, state, county, foundation or philanthropic support sufficient to continue providing service in the community. There shall be no duplicative funding for the same services provided. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the program shall be administered by the Department of Economic Development of Community Affairs and shall ensure compliance with all CARES Act requirements. The Department shall support the Grant Oversight Committee in the fulfillment of their duties and responsibilities enumerated below. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the grant application will make available funding with a maximum award amount of up to $10,000. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the requirements of the grant include but are not limited to: 1. Applicants must be Oakland County based, or servicing Oakland County residents. 2. Applicants must be a small business, as defined by the Small Business Act, and a minority- owned business, meaning at least 51% owned, financed, operated, and controlled by someone who is a member of a recognized minority group. This typically means Black, Hispanic, Asian, East Asian Indian, and/or Native American. 1. Funds must cover costs incurred by December 30, 2020. 2. Funds may not be used as revenue replacement and must be for costs not accounted for in a budget approved as of March 27, 2020. 3. Applicants must agree to reporting requirements due 30 days after expenditure of funds or January 30, 2021. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Board of Commissioners hereby establishes the Minority-Owned Small Business Grant Oversight Committee. The Committee shall consist of: 1. Two (2) County Commissioner from the majority party; and their alternates 2. One (1) County Commissioner from the minority party; and their alternate 3. Two (2) appointee of the Oakland County Executive; and their alternates BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Oversight Committee shall be authorized to act on behalf of Oakland County for the purpose of: 1. Reviewing applications and standard criteria for the evaluation of grants. 2. Reviewing final evaluations and approve final award recommendations of grant submission, to ensure consistency with standard criteria. The Oversight Committee may, at its discretion, delegate BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED the Oversight Committee shall be charged with the development, determination of eligible applicants, release, review and recommendation of a grant application process for the Program. In the conduct of their work, the Committee shall consult with appropriate outside and internal counsel and staff for compliance with federal and state regulations. In addition, the Committee shall consult with County public health experts and emergency operations, to ensure grant planning and priority funding are consistent with current COVID-19 response and recovery strategies. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED the purpose of this program shall be to help minority-owned small businesses financially struggling as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Board of Commissioners approves the allocation and appropriation of $5,000,000 in CARES Act Coronavirus Relief Funds for the Minority-Owned Small Business Grant Program. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the FY 2020 budget be amended as follows: GENERAL FUND (#10100) FY 2020 Pandemic Response and Economic Recovery Committee Page 9 June 22, 2020 PCBU: GRANT Project: 10000000XXXX Bud Ref: 2020 Activity: GLB Analysis: GLB Revenue 9010101-133095-610313 Federal Operating Grants $5,000,000 Total Revenue $5,000,000 Expenditures 9010101-133095-788001-29245 Transfers Out $5,000,000 Total Expenditures $5,000,000 MICHIGAN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT (#29245) FY 2020 GR0000000923 Activity: GLB Analysis: GLB Budget Ref: 2020 Revenue 1090101-133095-695500-10100 Transfers In $5,000,000 Total Revenue $5,000,000 Expenditures 1090101-133095-731598 Regranting Program $5,000,000 Total Expenditures $5,000,000 Insert the following BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED clauses after the NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED clause: BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Economic Development and Community Affairs (EDCA) shall be charged with the development and implementation of this policy. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the EDCA Department shall develop standard criteria for participation in the program. Criteria shall include the following factors: 1. History of economic and/or social disadvantage in compliance with criteria established in Section 8(a) of the Small Business Administration programs; 2. Business location or substantially servicing a low-income community; 3. Business location or substantially servicing a community disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 virus and mitigation measures. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the EDCA Department shall present a detailed report on the finalized weighted factors that will be utilized for screening application for participation in the program to the Board of Commissioners as communication. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that not less than $5 million of economic grant awards shall be reserved for businesses that qualify under the Oakland County Economically and Socially Disadvantaged Small Businesses Policy from all economic recovery and small business grant programs established with CARES Act Coronavirus Relief Funds. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that for the purposes of compliance with this program policy, the grant funds shall be totaled in aggregate among all authorized programs. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the EDCA Department may, at their discretion, utilize contractual services from highly qualified organizations and professionals for the purposes of counseling applicants and assisting with the grant application process. The costs associated from such contractual services may be deducted from the amount reserved above. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the EDCA Department shall report on the participation and success of the program periodically and at the close of each grant program. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED the purpose of this policy shall be to help economically and socially disadvantaged small businesses located and serving communities disproportionately impacted and financially struggling as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Seconded by Zack. Pandemic Response and Economic Recovery Committee Page 10 June 22, 2020 Motion carried on a roll call vote with Miller absent. Main motion, as amended, carried on a roll call vote with Spisz and Taub voting no and Miller absent. OTHER BUSINESS/ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Committee, the meeting adjourned at 3:44 p.m. ______________________________________ _________________________________ Wendy McBride, Elections Division Sandra O’Brien, Deputy Clerk/Register of Deeds NOTE: The foregoing minutes are subject to Committee approval.