United Cable Seeking Another Extension as L.A. Debates Fine

Officials for United Cable Television of Los Angeles Friday said they plan to ask the city for still more time to install the long-delayed East San Fernando Valley cable TV system. But they refused to say how much more time they need.

Preparation of a new construction schedule was disclosed by company officials during a meeting of the city Telecommunications Commission, which deadlocked 2 to 2 on whether the company should be fined $223,500 for failing to meet a Dec. 31, 1985, deadline for installing the first 270 miles of the 1,140-mile system. As of Friday, United had strung 216 miles of cable.

The stalemate left the issue on the table until Commissioner Ira Distenfield, who was absent Friday, can break the deadlock at the commission’s next meeting, March 21.

United President William Cullen declined to make public the new schedule until it is submitted to the city. Any change in the schedule requires City Council approval.

Has Not Seen Schedule

Susan Herman, general manager of the city Department of Telecommunications, said she has not seen the new schedule and, therefore, cannot comment on specifics. She said, however, that it makes sense for United to revise the schedule, given the company’s failure to meet the existing timetable.

“It’s obvious that the current schedule they have before them is unrealistic,” Herman said. “More false promises to the public is not useful.”

United, which was awarded the East Valley cable franchise in September, 1983, originally was supposed to finish the system in December, 1985. But a year ago, United received a 10-month extension. Then, last October, the council gave United another 10 months--until July 31, 1987--to complete the system.

In doing so, the council established deadlines for completion of segments of the system, with financial sanctions if the company failed to meet them.

United officials appeared before the commission seeking a waiver from fines that were due Friday. The fines increase by $800 each day the company fails to complete the first 270 miles.

Divided on Cause

Commissioners were divided over whether United was responsible for the delays.

“We cannot build any faster,” Scott Adler, a United attorney, told the commission.

Cullen said the company is at fault only for being “overly optimistic.” United officials have blamed the city itself--through its Department of Water and Power--for failing to give quicker approval to the stringing of cable on utility poles.

Company officials also have argued that it is in their own interest to build the system as fast as possible. Until United completes the system, it cannot begin to recover the $10 million already invested in the $68-million project. United officials have previously said that the fines will be passed on to subscribers in the form of higher rates for service.

Commission Chairman Charles M. Firestone, wanting to impose fines, said the city is only seeking to enforce a schedule drawn up by United in the first place.

United expects to start offering service to the first 15,000 of 175,000 East Valley subscribers in early April. The areas to get service first will be in Mission Hills, Pacoima and Sylmar because they are close to the cable studio at San Fernando High School.