Department of Water and Power chief David Nahai has hired former Assemblywoman (and City Council candidate) Cindy Montañez to do whatever it is that pols do at the big-spending agency. "Cindy will provide expert advisory services, advocacy, strategic analysis, and stakeholder development relative to California state policy and legislation," Nahai says, per Kerry Cavanuagh in the Daily News. Montañez, you'll recall, stepped aside from the city council race in 2006 so that Richard Alarcon could be elected without a fight. She later got a planning commission appointment from Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. Her DWP salary has not yet been disclosed.