§ 10.04 RULES OF CONSTRUCTION.
   (A)   Word usage. Words and phrases shall be read in context and construed according to the rules of grammar and common usage. Words and phrases that have acquired a technical or particular meaning, whether by legislative definition or otherwise, shall be construed accordingly.
   (B)   Singular and plural; gender. As used in the code, unless the context otherwise requires, the following shall apply.
      (1)   The singular includes the plural, and the plural includes the singular.
      (2)   Words of one gender include the other genders.
   (C)   Tense. Except as otherwise specifically provided or indicated by the context, all words indicating the present tense shall not be limited to the time of adoption of this code but shall extend to and include the time of the happening of any act, event, or requirement for which provision is made therein, either as a power, immunity, requirement, or prohibition.
   (D)   Calendar; computation of time.
      (1)   The time within which an act is required by law to be done shall be computed by excluding the first and including the last day; except that when the last day falls on Sunday or a legal holiday, then the act may be done on the next succeeding day which is not a Sunday or a legal holiday.
      (2)   When a public office in which an act required by law is to be performed is closed to the public for the entire day which constitutes the last day for doing such act, or before its usual closing time on such day, then such act may be performed on the next succeeding day which is not a Sunday or a legal holiday.
      (3)   When an act is to take effect or become operative from and after a day named, no part of that day shall be included.
      (4)   If a number of months is to be computed by counting the months from a particular day, the period ends on the same numerical day in the concluding month as the day of the month from which the computation is begun, unless there are not that many days in the concluding month, in which case the period ends on the last day of that month.
      (5)   In all cases where the law requires any act to be done in a reasonable time or reasonable notice to be given, such reasonable time or notice shall mean the time only as may be necessary for the prompt performance of such duty or compliance with such notice.
   (E)   Authority. When the law requires an act to be done which may by law as well be done by an agent as by the principal, such requirement shall be construed to include such acts when done by an authorized agent.
   (F)   Joint authority. All words purporting to give joint authority to three or more municipal officers or other persons shall be construed as giving such authority to a majority of the officers or other persons, unless it is otherwise expressly declared in the law giving the authority or inconsistent with state statute or other provisions.
   (G)   Exceptions. The rules of construction shall not apply to any law which contains any express provision excluding such construction, or when the subject matter or context of such law may be repugnant thereto.
(‘83 Code, § 10.04)