Ah, the city isn't wasting much money, if any, on this lawsuit. I'm sure they have a staff of attorneys on the payroll. Might as well get them to do something for that money. And, it is an interesting tactic by the city seeking declaratory and injunctive relief. Plain Engllish, they are seeking to have the guy' s proposal declared unlawful/unconstitutional, and asking that he be ordered to not file petitions again. Not something we can use as citizens in a similar manner, but it's an interesting take on the issue.
Funny that he can mail out petitions. Around here, every signature has to be witnessed, and the person collecting the signatures must sign under oath that the signatures are legit. Cuts down on petition fraud.