In this state, no one vets people's initiatives for legality or validity before they go on the ballot. That may be a messy way to do it, but the state supreme court has expressed a preference for the people's voice to be heard regardless, which is a good point. 

But governments still have an imperative duty to challenge initiatives  that appear to violate law. Ours did, and the courts ruled for the city. That decision is no less valid for the split vote, and the initiative was no more valid for the number of signatures. 

Initiative and referendum are fine tools when used wisely. A referendum, for instance, could have overturned the fireworks ordinance; but no one petitioned for one. There is definitely no authority for a second-class city to use these powers. It would be foolish to throw that tool out because someone couldn't use it, when someone else may know the way.