(A) General rule. Words and phrases shall be taken in their plain, or ordinary and usual sense. However, technical words and phrases having a peculiar and appropriate meaning in law shall be understood according to their technical import.
(B) Definitions. For the purpose of this code, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
CITY. The City of Aurora, Minnesota, acting by or through its duly authorized representative.
CITY ADMINISTRATOR/CLERK-TREASURER. The person duly appointed by the City Council and acting in that capacity.
CODE, THIS CODE or THIS CODE OF ORDINANCES.
(a) This city code as modified by amendment, revision and adoption of new titles, chapters or sections.
(b) This codification of the ordinances of the City of Aurora, Minnesota, shall henceforth be known as the “city code” and cited thus: “City Code, Sec. ____.”
CONVICTION. Either of the following accepted and recorded by the Court:
(a) A plea of guilty; or
(b) A verdict of guilty by a jury or a finding of guilty by the Court.
COUNCIL and CITY COUNCIL. The City Council of the City of Aurora, Minnesota.
COUNTY. St. Louis County, Minnesota.
CRIME. Conduct which is prohibited by ordinance and for which the actor may be sentenced to imprisonment or fine.
EX OFFICIO MEMBER. A person who is not counted for the purpose of determining a quorum and has no right to vote, but shall have the right and obligation (within his or her discretion) to speak to any question coming before the board, commission or other deliberative body of which he or she is a member.
INTERSECTION. The area embraced within the prolongation or connection of the lateral curb line or, if no curb, then the lateral boundary lines of the roadways or streets which join one another at, or approximately at, right angles or the area within which vehicles traveling upon different streets joining at any other angle may come in conflict.
MAY. The act referred to is permissive.
MISDEMEANOR. The crime for which a sentence of not more than 90 days or a fine of not more than $1,000, or both, may be imposed.
MONTH. A calendar month.
OATH. An affirmation in all cases in which, by law, an affirmation may be substituted for an oath, and in those cases the words SWEAR and SWORN shall be equivalent to the words AFFIRM and AFFIRMED. All terms shall mean a pledge taken by the person and administered by an individual authorized by state law.
OFFICER, OFFICE, EMPLOYEE, COMMISSION or DEPARTMENT. An officer, office, employee, commission or department of this city unless the context clearly requires otherwise.
ORDINANCE. An ordinance duly adopted by the City Council of Aurora, Minnesota.
PERSON. Extends to and includes an individual, person, persons, firm, corporation, copartnership, trustee, lessee or receiver. Whenever used in any clause prescribing and imposing a penalty, the terms PERSON or WHOEVER as applied to any unincorporated entity shall mean the partners or members thereof, and as applied to corporations, the officers or agents thereof.
PETTY MISDEMEANOR. An offense which does not constitute a crime and for which a sentence of a fine of not more than $300 may be imposed.
POLICE OFFICER and PEACE OFFICER. Every officer, including special police, authorized to direct or regulate traffic, keep the peace and appointed or employed for the purpose of law enforcement.
PRECEDING or FOLLOWING. Next before or next after, respectively.
PREMISES. Any lot, piece or parcel of land within a continuous boundary, whether publicly or privately owned, occupied or possessed.
PRIVATE PROPERTY. All property not included within the definition of public property or public place.
PUBLIC PROPERTY and PUBLIC PLACE. Any place, property or premises dedicated to public use, owned by the city, occupied by the city as a lessee or occupied by the city as a street by reason of an easement, including but not limited to streets, parks or parking lots so owned or occupied.
ROADWAY. The portion of a street improved, designed or ordinarily used for vehicular travel. In the event a street includes two or more separate roadways, the term ROADWAY as used herein shall refer to the ROADWAY separately but not to all ROADWAYS collectively.
SHALL. The act referred to is mandatory.
SIGNATURE or SUBSCRIPTION. Includes a mark when the person cannot write.
STATE. The State of Minnesota.
STREET. The entire area dedicated to public use or contained in an easement or other conveyance or grant to the city, and shall include but not be limited to roadways, boulevards, sidewalks, alleys and other public property between lateral property lines in which a roadway lies.
SUBCHAPTER. A division of a chapter, designated in this code by a heading in the chapter analysis and a capitalized heading in the body of the chapter, setting apart a group of sections related by the subject matter of the heading. Not all chapters have SUBCHAPTERS.
VIOLATE. Includes failure to comply with.
(1989 Code, § 1.02)
WRITTEN/IN WRITING. Any representation of words, letters or figures, whether by printing or otherwise.
YEAR. A calendar year, unless otherwise expressed.