In the construction of the Codified Ordinances, the following rules and definitions shall control, except those that are inconsistent with the manifest intent of Council as disclosed in a particular provision, section or chapter:
(a) Adopting Ordinance. "Adopting Ordinance" means the ordinance of the City adopting the Codified Ordinances of Christopher, Illinois, 1980, in conformity with State law and this Chapter 202. (k) Authority. Whenever in the Codified Ordinances authority is given to an officer or an act is required to be performed, such authority may be exercised and such act may be performed, at the instance of such officer, by a deputy or subordinate, unless contrary to law or to the clear intent of any such particular provision.
(c) Calendar-Computation of Time. The terms "month" and "year" mean the calendar month or year. The time expressed in days within which an act is to be done or a period is to expire shall be computed by excluding the first and including the last day, unless the last day is a Sunday, in which case it shall be excluded. If time is expressed in hours, the whole of Sunday shall be excluded.
(d) City and Municipality. "City" and "Municipality" mean the City of Christopher, Illinois.
(e) Conjunctions. "And" includes "or" and "or" includes "and," if the sense so requires.
(f) Council. "Council" means the Council of the City of Christopher, Illinois.
(g) County. "County" means the County of Franklin, Illinois.
(h) Gender. Words importing the masculine shall extend and be applied to the feminine and neuter genders,
(i) General Rule. Except as otherwise provided in this section, words and phrases shall be construed according to the common usage of the language, provided, however, that technical words and phrases and such others as may have acquired a special meaning in the law shall be construed according to such technical or special meaning.
(j) Illinois Municipal Code. Illinois Municipal Code means Chapter 24 of the Illinois Revised Statutes.
(k) Joint Authority. Words giving authority to a board, commission, authority or to three or more officers or employees or other persons shall be construed as giving authority to a majority thereof, unless otherwise specifically provided.
(l) Keeper and Proprietor. "Keeper" and "proprietor" mean persons, firms, associations, corporations, clubs and copartnerships, whether acting by themselves or as a servant, agent or employee.
(m) Land and Real Estate. "Land" and "real estate" include rights and easements of an incorporeal nature.
(n) Number. Words in the plural include the singular and words in the singular include the plural number.
(o) Oath. "Oath" includes affirmation. When an oath is required or authorized by law, an affirmation in lieu thereof may be taken by a person having conscientious scruples about taking an oath. An affirmation shall have the same force and effect as an oath.
(p) Owner. "Owner," when applied to property, includes a part owner, joint owner or tenant in common of the whole or any part of such property.
(q) Person. "Person" means an individual, association, club, corporation, firm, partnership or body politic.
(r) Premises. "Premises, " when used as applicable to property, extends to and includes land and buildings.
(s) Property. "Property" includes real and personal property and any mixed and lesser estates or interests therein. "Personal property" includes every kind of property except real property; "real property" includes lands, tenements and hereditaments.
(t) Reasonable Time. In all cases where provision is made for an act to be done or notice to be given within a reasonable time, it shall be deemed to mean such time only as may be necessary for the prompt performance of such act or the giving of such notice,
(u) Sidewalk. "Sidewalk" means any portion of a street between the curb line and the adjacent property line, intended for the use of pedestrians, excluding parkways,
(v) State. "State" means the State of Illinois.
(w) Street, "Street" means alleys, avenues, boulevards, lanes, roads, streets, State highways and other public ways in the City,
(x) Tenant and Occupant. "Tenant" and "occupant," as applied to buildings or land, shall extend and be applied to any person holding a written or oral lease of, or who occupies the whole or any part of, a building or land, alone or with others.
(y) Tenses. The use of any verb in the present tense includes the future.
(z) Time. Whenever any time established in the Codified Ordinances for the taking of any action expires on a Sunday or legal holiday, such time shall not expire on such day but shall expire on the next week day.