The Irvine City Council unanimously voted tonight to direct its legal counsel to immediately commence litigation against the county for its many violations of law and to take all available steps to stop a proposal by the Board of Supervisors to create a homeless shelter near the Orange County Great Park.

Mayor Donald P. Wagner called a Special Meeting tonight about 24 hours after the Board of Supervisors voted to move hundreds of homeless citizens to three Orange County cities, including Irvine. A tent area on 100 acres of county-owned land adjacent to the Great Park was chosen on Monday by the supervisors as a location that could be opened within the week.

Nineteen community members spoke during public comment, before the City Council went into closed session, and most strongly oppose the county’s effort.

“How does this solve the problem (of countywide homelessness)?” Mayor Wagner asked.

“Let’s not lose track that … we want to help people. But you can’t do it this way; it’s plain wrong,” said the night’s first speaker, Supervisor Todd Spitzer, who opposes the county plan.

For more information and the locator map of the 100 acres, visit cityofirvine.org.