A. Liberal Construction: 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 mayor and city council may be fully carried out.
B. Minimum Requirements: In the interpretation and application of any provision of this code, it shall be held to be the minimum requirements adopted for the promotion of the public health, safety and general welfare.
C. Computation Of Time: Whenever a notice is required to be given or an act to be done in a certain length of time before any proceeding shall be had, the day on which such notice is given or such act is done shall be counted in computing the time, but the day on which such proceeding is to be held shall not be counted.
D. Delegation Of Authority: Whenever a power is granted to or a duty is imposed upon a public officer or employee, the power may be performed by an authorized deputy or designee or by any person authorized pursuant to law or ordinance, unless this code expressly provides otherwise.
E. Gender: A word importing the masculine gender only shall extend and be applied to females and to firms, partnerships and corporations as well as to males.
F. Joint Authority: All words giving joint authority to three (3) or more persons or officers shall be construed as giving such authority to a majority of such persons or officers.
G. May/Shall: The word "may" is permissive; the word "shall" is mandatory.
H. Or/And: "Or" may be read "and", and "and" may be read "or", if the sense requires it.
I. Nontechnical And Technical Words: Words and phrases shall be construed according to the common and approved usage of the language, but technical words and phrases and such others as may have acquired a peculiar and appropriate meaning in law shall be construed and understood according to such meaning.
J. Number: A word importing the singular number only may extend and be applied to several persons and things as well as to one person and thing.
K. Officers And Employees Generally: Whenever any officer or employee is referred to by title only, such reference shall be construed as if followed by the words "of the city of Catoosa".
L. Tense: Words used in the past or present tense include the future as well as the past and present.
M. Statutory References: Reference to the statutes of the state of Oklahoma means the statutes as they now are or as they may be amended.
N. Law: Includes applicable federal law, provisions of the constitution and statutes of the state of Oklahoma, the ordinances of the city, and when appropriate, any and all rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
O. Ordinance: The word "ordinance" contained in the ordinances of the city has been changed in the content of this city 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. (1992 Code §§ 1-102, 1-201; amd. 2006 Code)