As used in this code, the following definitions shall apply:
AGENT: A person acting on behalf of another with authority conferred, either expressly or by implication.
ATTEST: To affirm to be true or genuine; to certify.
CALENDAR YEAR: January 1 through December 31.
CITY: The city of Iowa City, county of Johnson, state of Iowa and shall extend to its several officers, agents and employees.
CITY CODE: The city code of the city of Iowa City.
COMPUTING TIME; HOLIDAYS: In computing time, the first day shall be excluded and the last included unless the last falls on Sunday or a holiday, in which case, the time prescribed shall be extended so as to include the whole of the following Monday or first working day.
COUNTY: The county of Johnson in the state of Iowa.
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 other agents or employees to perform the required act or make the required inspection unless the terms of the provision or section designate otherwise.
EMPLOYEES: Whenever reference is made in this code to a city employee by title only, this shall be construed as though followed by the words "of the city of Iowa City".
LAND, REAL ESTATE, REAL PROPERTY: Includes land, buildings, structures, tenements, hereditaments and all rights thereto and interests therein, equitable as well as legal.
MONTH, YEAR, DAY: The word "month" means a calendar month, the word "year" means a twelve (12) month period, and the word "day" means a calendar day unless specified otherwise.
OATH, AFFIRMATION: The word "oath" includes affirmations in all cases where an affirmation may be substituted for an oath, and in like cases, the word "swear" includes "affirm".
OFFENSE: Any act forbidden by any provision of this code or the omission of any act required by the provisions of this code.
OFFICIALS, OFFICERS, BOARDS, COMMISSIONS: Whenever reference is made to officials, officers, boards and commissions by title only, i.e., "council", "clerk", "the mayor", such terms shall be deemed to refer to the officials, officers, boards and commissions of the city of Iowa City.
PERSON: Any public or private corporation, joint venture, firm, partnership, association, organization, responsible party, government or any other group or entity acting as a unit, as well as a natural person.
PERSONAL PROPERTY: Shall include every description of money, goods, chattels, effects, evidence of rights in action and all written instruments by which any pecuniary obligation, right or title to property is created, acknowledged, transferred, increased, defeated, discharged or diminished and every right or interest therein.
SHALL; MAY: "Shall" is mandatory; "may" is permissive.
WRITTEN, IN WRITING: May include printing and any other mode of representing words and letters, but when the written signature of any person is required by law to any official or public writing or bond, it shall be in the proper handwriting of such person, or in case the person is unable to write, by proper mark. Due to a physical handicap, if a person is unable to make a written signature or mark, that person may substitute the following in lieu of a signature required by law:
A. The person's name written by another upon the request and in the presence of the person with a disability; or
B. A rubber stamp reproduction of the name of the person with a disability or facsimile of the actual signature when adopted by the person with a disability for all purposes requiring a signature and then only when affixed by that person or another upon request and in the presence of the person with a disability. (1978 Code §2-1; amd. 1994 Code)