Alternatively it means they're human.  Some decisions they make are good and turn out as planned; others are more neutral, resulting in a give and take; still others turn out badly.  

This one was a winner.  That doesn't mean those against it were wrong -- they may have had good reasons.  Those for it weren't necessarily for it for the right reasons either.  But it does bear reevaluating what we knew at the time to see what among the information available should have told us that it would likely succeed.  We can use that data in the future to help understand when to approve a deal.

That this success will make the City Council believe "that they are, indeed geniuses" is a bit black and white -- as well as unfairly uncharitable.