CITY HAUL: City Hall is emptier than...

CITY HAUL: City Hall is emptier than usual this week. Six council members are in Phoenix for a conference, but those who stayed behind are plenty busy. Councilman Mike Feuer, above, stuck around to discuss budget issues with police and fire officials. . . . Said aide Howard Gantman: “Just because the council isn’t meeting doesn’t mean there isn’t an incredible amount of work.”

CITY HAUL II: In fact, the council has not met since last Wednesday and canceled its meetings until Dec. 5 for the National League of Cities conference. . . . So far, the six on the trip have been advanced $5,890 to cover air fare and hotels. When they return, they are expected to submit additional receipts for meals and transportation costs.

JUDICIAL JEST: Judge Stanley Weisberg cracked a funny as the Van Nuys murder trial of Lyle and Erik Menendez resumed Monday. As pathologist Cyril Wecht listed his credentials, including his consulting work on the death of Elvis Presley, the judge asked: “Is he dead, by the way?” . . . Without missing a beat, Wecht quipped: “Your Honor, there’s one more Greek island to be checked.”

Valley Business / UPS AND DOWNS: Stock in Valley companies jumped 12% in the third quarter--more than double the Dow. (D7A) . . . But Woodland Hills-based Janex International slumped 35.9%--and blamed the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers. . . . Janex sold $6.2 million in Power Ranger merchandise last year, but a mere $1 million this year, said Janex CFO Michael Manahan.

FEELING GREAT: Centerfold model Anna Nicole Smith has recovered from her stay at St. Joseph’s Medical Center in Burbank. . . . Smith, 27, had an adverse reaction to prescription drugs, but was also suffering the early stages of pneumonia, her publicist said. He added that Smith’s stay was “not in any way” related to a drug overdose.