Yesterday, we highlighted Ald. Berny Stone's (50th Ward) failed -- yet amusing-- effort to discredit the Independent Voters of Illinois-Independent Precinct Organization's (IVI-IPO) new lawsuit challenging the legality of 75-year lease of the city's parking meters. Now the city is taking a crack. The law department released a brief statement yesterday describing the suit as “wholly without merit.” But the Better Government Association's Andy Shaw disagrees.  Appearing on FOX's Good Day Chicago, the watchdog noted that "the legal argument is pretty good." But there's more at stake than just a courtroom victory, Shaw added. "Win or lose, we need some answers." Watch:

SHAW: I think winning the suit is less important that airing some of the issues. Remember that this was a backroom deal, in effect. It was rammed through the City Council in two days last December without public hearings on its impact or due diligence ... and as a result it has been rammed down the throats of Chicago residents and they've been seething ever since. So I think if nothing else, if we get to answer some questions here, the public will be well served.

Already some answers appear to be shaking loose. This morning, Ald. Scott Waguespack's (32nd Ward) office emailed over an unreadcted version of the mysterious agenda for unsealing the parking meter bids. The documents lay out the chain of responsibility in accepting the bid and then quickly moving it through the City Council. Read for yourself (click in the upper right corner to enlarge):

We're still waiting to hear back from the alderman to get his take on the documents. Look for an update on that front. In the meantime, check out WBEZ's recent interview with the group's attorney Clinton Krislov here for more on the legal basis of the IVI-IPO's suit.