At the city council's meeting today on the impending budget cuts, council president Eric Garcetti apparently was noticeably pointed in defense of colleagues who felt roughly handled in comments last week by Mayor Villaraigosa and LAPD chief Bratton. The LAO reader who listened in wondered if Garcetti's remarks signaled new independence from the mayor. Time will tell, I guess. Garcetti returned early from Naval Reserve duty to preside.

Noted: County supervisor and former councilman Zev Yaroslavsky remembers his friend Si Frumkin.

* Update: Compromise is close to nearly maintain LAPD staffing by matching attrition, LAT's Phil Willon says.