Norman city council considers jail for public drunks

BY JAMES S. TYREE Comments 0
Published: October 27, 2009

NORMAN — A public intoxication conviction in Norman soon could cost someone time as well as money.

The city council tonight is expected to consider a municipal court recommendation of adding up to 10 days in jail in addition to the current fine range of $50 to $500.

In a rationale submitted by Court Clerk Ronda Guerrero, most alcohol-related violations impose a fine and/or jail time, and the presiding judge believes adding a jail option gives greater flexibility with sentencing.

The city council is scheduled to discuss this and other matters at 6:30 p.m. today at the municipal building, 201 W Gray St.

New jail on agenda

The council also is expected to consider agenda items related to the new Cleveland County jail south of Franklin Road between 24th Avenue NW and U.S. 77: to change the Norman 2025 Land Use and Transportation Plan designation from institutional to commercial, rezone the land designation from light industrial to general commercial, and to close Franklin Road at the construction site.

The Cleveland County Justice Authority, the county government entity handling jail decisions, also will ask council members to approve the preliminary and final plats for the jail site at the same time in order to speed up the construction process.

Construction of the 542-bed, $24 million facility began last week and is expected to take about 1½ years to complete.

The council also is expected to consider a preliminary plat for the Tecumseh Road Business Park Addition on the northeast corner of Tecumseh Road and U.S. 77. The proposed project would add a gas station with convenience store at the intersection.