The meeting was called to order at 4:10 p.m.

Legislator Oros explained that he is waiting for an opinion from the County Attorney as to whether or not he has to recuse himself, due to the fact that his wife works at the Medical Center. Therefor, he left the room while the discussion on the reappointments took place.

Mr. Reed, Mr. Spicer and Mr. DelBello are up for reappointment as three voting directors to the governing board of the Westchester County Health Care Corporation for a term of three (3) years. They have served now for one (1) year.

According to Mr. DelBello things have been going smoothly through the transition. The patients would not have known there was a change. Since January 1, 1998 they have been under negotiations with the new Administration, which is a very complex process. They should come to a conclusion within a few weeks. The negotiations have been amicable, both sides have been fair in order to get the medical community stable. The staff is comfortable and supportive of the change over.

This is a tertiary center, it supports all the hospitals in the area. They want to continue to narrow the focus of concern to tertiary care. They provide services that other hospitals are not providing. There is a no turn away policy. Legally they could turn away patients, but they do not. They want to outreach into the community, providing services that would keep patients in the community.

In terms of the ties with the County, it has to be broken into categories; leasing property from the County, service contracts, the County road, there are about thirty (30) contracts in place with the County. Certain ties will always be in place, some will be terminated. Financial dependency from the County is fading out already, they will have their own internal support. Dependency needs to be decreased, all indications are that things are moving in that direction. They want to keep the same services but have less sponsorship and dependency on the County.

It was suggested that the Legislators show support of the Medical Center in their Communities, as a tertiary center. They could help get the word out to reassure the people that they are developing a fundamental medical center.

Legislator Abinanti asked the Committee to wait on voting for the Act reappointing Mr. Spicer, Mr. Reed and Mr. DelBello, for a week. He asked that the Legislators have some time to discuss it among themselves first.

Chairman Latimer motioned to go into executive session at 4:53 p.m. and was seconded by Legislator Stewart-Cousins. The motion was carried by a vote of 5-0.

Legislator Young motioned to come out of executive session at 5:13 p.m. and was seconded by Chairman Latimer. The motion was carried by a vote of 5-0.

Legislator Pinto motioned to approve the minutes of August 31, 1998, and was seconded by Legislator Young. The motion was carried by a vote of 5-0.

Legislator Young motioned to adjourn the meeting at 5:17 p.m. and was seconded by Legislator Pinto. The motion was carried by a vote of 5-0.