LOS ANGELES—Los Angeles City Councilman Mark Ridley-Thomas, who was indicted last week on federal bribery and conspiracy charges stemming from his time on the county Board of Supervisors, sent a letter to his colleagues Oct. 18 saying he will “immediately step back” from council and committee meetings, but he intends to remain in office and resume participating “at the earliest appropriate time.” The Los Angeles city council is scheduled to meet at 10 a.m. Tuesday, its first meeting since the charges against Ridley-Thomas were announced. “I fully appreciate the importance of the council being able to conduct its business with minimal distractions. With that in mind, and with deep respect for each of you, I write to let you know of my intention to immediately step back from participating in both full council and committee meetings,” Ridley-Thomas wrote in the letter. On Friday afternoon, Ridley-Thomas, 66, announced in his first …