Council to end fiscal year on compromising note

By Anthony Flint,

Boston Globe, 06/23/98

Not always neat and tidy, this business of city government.

With June 30, the close of the fiscal year, fast approaching, MayorThomas M. Menino and members of the City Council are scrambling to reworkordinances that have already been passed by the council - creating an airof chaos at City Hall Plaza.

``I wish we could be perfect,'' said Councilor at Large Francis M. ``Mickey''Roache, who championed the living-wage ordinance. ``It reminds me of themerger'' of Boston City Hospital and Boston University's hospital. ``Somepeople do well in an atmosphere of crisis. But no piece of legislationever goes through the first time around.''

Yesterday, 11-hour negotiations at City Hall produced a crazy quiltof policy making, including:

A decision by Menino to shelve new regulations for bicycle messengers,passed earlier this month, so the council can pass a compromise versionat the regular meeting tomorrow.

The new version contains ironed-out details such as whether messengersmust wear armbands showing licenses and how they must renew their licenseswhen they change companies.

The regulation of bicycle messengers was a different story. The councilmade some minor changes to the new rules, submitted by Menino. They includedeliminating the requirement to wear armbands, paying a $25 fee when renewinga license, and reducing the background-check waiting period on messengersfrom five to three days.

Councilor at Large Stephen J. Murphy, who shepherded the measure throughthe council, said he thought the administration was in agreement with thosechanges, but ultimately Menino balked, leaving the measure to die yesterday.That prompted a round of negotiations.

Update

By Anthony Flint,

Boston Globe, 06/25/98

In addition, the council approved a measure to enact new rules for bicyclemessengers. The item was amended to address several technical issues onlicensing and identification that Menino had found objectionable. The measuregoes to the mayor's desk for his signature and then to the state Legislaturefor final approval, since it involves regulating bikes on public roadways.

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