In the construction of this code, the following rules shall be observed, unless such construction would be inconsistent with the manifest intent of the city council or repugnant to the context of the provisions: (2008 Code § 1-2)
A. Verb Tense And Plurals: Words used in the present or past tense include the future as well as the present and past, the singular number includes the plural and the plural number includes the singular.
B. Gender: The use of any gender based pronoun should not be construed to be gender biased, but is only used for grammatical simplicity.
C. Interpretation: All general provisions, terms, phrases, and expressions contained in this code shall be liberally construed in order that the true intent and meaning of the council may be fully carried out.
D. Delegation Of Authority: Whenever a provision appears requiring an officer of the city to do some act or make certain inspections, it is to be construed to authorize the officer to designate, delegate and authorize subordinates to perform the required act or make the required inspection unless the terms of the provision or section designate otherwise.
E. Or, And: "Or" may be read "and", and "and" may be read "or" if the sense requires it.
F. Nontechnical And Technical Terms: Words and phrases shall be construed according to the context and the approved usage of the language; technical words and phrases, and such others as may have acquired a peculiar and appropriate meaning in law, shall be construed according to such meaning.
G. Computing Time; Holidays: In computing time, the first day shall be excluded and the last included, unless the last day falls on Sunday, in which case the time prescribed shall be extended so as to include the whole of the following Monday. However, when by the provisions of a statute or rule prescribed under authority of a statute, the last day for the commencement of any action or proceedings, the filing of any pleading or motion in a pending action or proceedings, or the perfecting or filing of an appeal from the decision or award of a court, board, commission or official falls on a Saturday, a Sunday, a day on which the office of the clerk of the district court is closed in whole or in part pursuant to the authority of the supreme court, January 1, the third Monday in January, February 12, the third Monday in February, the last Monday in May, July 4, the first Monday in September, November 11, the fourth Thursday in November, December 25 and the following Monday when any of the foregoing named legal holidays fall on a Sunday, and any day appointed or recommended by the governor of Iowa or the president of the United States as a day of fasting or thanksgiving, the time shall be extended to include the next day which the office of the clerk of the court or the office of the board, commission, or official is open to receive the filing of a commencement of an action, pleading or a motion in a pending action of proceeding, or the perfecting or filing of an appeal.
H. Officials, Boards, Commissions: Whenever reference is made to officials, boards and commissions by title only, i.e., "council", "clerk", "the mayor", etc., they shall be deemed to refer to the officials, boards and commissions of the city of Bettendorf.
I. Ordinance: The word "ordinance" contained in the ordinances of the city has been changed in the content of this code to "title", "chapter", "section" and/or "subsection" or words of like import for organizational and clarification purposes only. Such change to the city's ordinances is not meant to amend passage and effective dates of such original ordinances. (2008 Code § 1-2; amd. 2015 Code)