Section 77. Each of said commissioners shall keep a record book in which shall be recorded a brief but clear and comprehensive record of all affairs of the department under his charge as soon as performed, and shall quarterly render to the city council a full report of all operations of his department, and shall annually, and oftener if required by the city council, make a synopsis thereof for publication. All such records shall be open to public inspection. The city council shall provide for the publication of such annual or other reports, and of such parts of the quarterly reports, or of such other information regarding city affairs as it may deem advisable.