Cable TV Transfers Postponed as 3 on Council Decline to Vote

The Los Angeles City Council was forced Friday to delay a final vote to transfer ownership of two San Fernando Valley cable television franchises after three council members recused themselves because of potential conflicts of interest.

The council delayed for a week approval to transfer ownership of the Sylmar and Sunland-Tujunga franchises from MediaOne Group to AT&T; Corp., which agreed to buy MediaOne in May.

Council President John Ferraro and Councilman Hal Bernson recused themselves because they own stock in AT&T;, and Councilman Mike Feuer took himself out of the issue because he has stock in America Online, and the franchise-transfer agreement has a provision that could allow that firm and others to get access to the franchise.

In addition to the two Valley franchises, the ordinance postponed Friday would also approve AT&T; taking over four other city franchises in South Los Angeles.