No Conflict of Interest Found for Burbank Councilman

The Fair Political Practices Commission has advised the city of Burbank that Councilman Thomas E. Flavin does not have a conflict in voting on issues affecting the Walt Disney Co., which pays an annual $1,000 membership fee to the nonprofit organization that employs Flavin.

Sandra Michioku, a commission spokeswoman, said Monday that Flavin may participate in City Council decisions regarding Burbank’s proposed Media District Specific Plan, which could affect Disney’s development plans. Disney owns and operates studios and corporate offices in the district, a 1.2-square mile area in the southwest corner of Burbank and composed mostly of motion picture and television studios.

Michioku said Disney’s membership fee in the Economic Development Corp. of Los Angeles County, of which Flavin is executive vice president, is not considered a source of income to the councilman. The development corporation’s main function is to assist county businesses in attaining financial assistance for expansion.

Burbank City Atty. Juli Scott said her office requested the advice from the commission in July on Flavin’s behalf.

Flavin said Monday, “I didn’t expect that there would be any conflict, but I just wanted to be sure.”

Burbank is considering the adoption of a Media District Specific Plan as an element of the city’s general plan. The specific plan is to set strict design standards regulating development by the studios and other property owners.