Highlights on the Dec 4, 2006 City Council agenda:

The City Manager's Agenda is loaded this week with big ticket items and one item guaranteed to stir some debate. There are also at least three Council orders of some interest.

First, the library appropriations:

Manager's Agenda #17. Transmitting communication from Robert W. Healy, City Manager, relative to the supplemental appropriation of a Massachusetts Public Construction grant from the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners for $4,046,848 to the Public Investment Fund Library Extraordinary Expenditures account to offset the construction costs of the new main library.

This brings the total state grant to $10,698,495.

Manager's Agenda #18. Transmitting communication from Robert W. Healy, City Manager, relative to the appropriation and authorization to borrow an additional $12,925,000 to the Public Investment Fund Library Extraordinary Expenditures account to finance the Main Branch Library renovation project.

This brings the total appropriation for the Main Library expansion to $76,210,495. It's worth noting that when the original library siting vote took place on Dec 11, 2000, Councillor Kathy Born introduced the following amendment to the main motion “ The budget and bond is not to exceed $31,785,495 all-inclusive of open space, relocation costs, contingencies, etc. The Manager would be free to bring in supplemental bond orders.” The original appropriation order was passed to a 2nd reading on Dec 18, 2000 and this vote was made final on Jan 22, 2001.

Manager's Agenda #19. Transmitting communication from Robert W. Healy, City Manager, relative to the appropriation and authorization to borrow an additional $9,890,000 to the Public Investment Public Works Extraordinary Expenditures account to finance the West Cambridge Youth and Community Center project.

That's another $10 million, just in case you're counting - not small change. Political commitments notwithstanding, I'd personally like to see a little more evidence for the need for additional youth centers. It's not all that clear that the demand is all that great.

Manager's Agenda #20. Transmitting communication from Robert W. Healy, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Numbers 06-158 and 06-183, regarding a report on a process that would solicit the general qualities, values and vision that the City Council would like to see in a new Police Commissioner and on appointing a Citizen's Advisory committee.

This response from the manager basically reminds the Council that the responsibility for hiring the next police commissioner is his and that a process is in place with clear criteria. What makes this interesting is that more than one city councillor appears to want some influence in this decision even though the city charter really excludes this. An indication of this is contained in the following Order from Officer Decker:

Order #15. That the City Manager is requested to confer with the Police Commissioner for a status update regarding the meeting held with Anthony Braga.   Councillor Decker

This is yet another order in which a city councillor instructs the police commissioner how to do his job.

For those interested in noise issues, Councillor Kelley has this item:

Order #12. Support of the measurement of mechanical noise as specified in the ordinance requiring "measurement from the nearest point to the nuisance noise source on the lot line of the neighbor or complainant..."   Councillor Kelley

Finally, my personal favorite in the whole bunch:

Order #7. That the Mayor is requested to conduct an interim review of the research assistant program to include an analysis of the research actually conducted by these assistants and a review of any other duties they may carry out.   Councillor Kelley

This is a straightforward request from one councillor for some accountability of the "research assistant" program initiated by Mayor Reeves in payment for the votes that made him mayor. They represent a 50% increase in the budget of the Mayor's Office. A previous order from Councillor Kelley directing these "research assistants" to conduct some actual research was defeated on a 7-1-1 vote. All indications are that these are personal assistants without any research responsibilities at all.

I fully expect the City Council to vote against accountability.