Considering how many items are on currently on consent this morning, you’d assume that the first Birmingham City Council meeting of 2011 should move as quickly as the last one of the year. We already know that this will most likely not be the case because of the expected proposal from Mayor Bell about to use that expected $9 million mid-year budget surplus.

Items 4-27 cover an insanely large amount of properties being taxed for overgrown weeds, meaning that by the time you get to page 32 you may not be in the mood to look at Item 29 (it allows the city to enter into an agreement with ESPN Regional Television to help publicize the BBVA Compass Bowl for the next four years – beginning with this year’s edition.

Preparations for this year’s game is well underway (especially since it’s scheduled to take place this Saturday).

The other item of interest involves Item 30. This would begin the process of expanding the yet-to-be-completed Fair Park Natatorium by allowing the mayor to place Davis Architects under contract. He first hinted at bringing this to the council back in late November.

Then there’s Item 2 involving the revoking of the Sheraton Birmingham’s limosinue license – it’s on consent.

The fun starts at 9:30 this morning and the replay is available online.