§ 10.14 INTERPRETATION.

   Unless otherwise provided herein, or by law or implication required, the same rules of construction, definition, and application shall govern the interpretation of this code as those governing the interpretation of state law.

§ 10.15 AMENDMENTS TO CODE; AMENDATORY LANGUAGE.

   (A)   Any chapter, section, or division amended or added to this code by ordinances passed subsequent to the adoption of this code may be numbered in accordance with the numbering system of this code and need not be inserted in this code, but shall be treated as if printed for inclusion herein.

   (B)   The following language should be used by the municipality to amend, add, or repeal a chapter, section, or division:

      (1)   To amend a section: “Section                 of the Municipal Code of Ordinances is amended to read as follows: . . . .”

      (2)   To add a section: “Section                 of the Municipal Code of Ordinances, which is to be added to and amends the Municipal Code of Ordinances, reads as follows: . . . .”

      (3)   To repeal a section: “Section                 of the Municipal Code of Ordinances, which reads as follows, is repealed: . . . .”

§ 10.16 STATUTORY REFERENCES.

   (A)   If a statutory cite is included in the history, located in parenthesis immediately following a division or section of this code, this indicates that the text of the division or section reads substantially the same as the statutory provision. Example: (R.C. § 4511.02)

   (B)   If a statutory cite is set forth as a “statutory reference” following the text of a section, this indicates that the reader should refer to that statute for further information. Example:

      § 30.08 PUBLIC RECORDS AVAILABLE.

         Unless otherwise exempted by state law, all public records shall be promptly prepared and made available for inspection to any person.

      (R.C. § 149.43(B))

      Statutory reference:

         Public records, see R.C. § 149.43

§ 10.17 PRESERVATION OF PENALTIES, OFFENSES, RIGHTS AND LIABILITIES.

   All offenses committed under laws in force prior to the effective date of this code shall be prosecuted and remain punishable as provided by those laws. This code does not affect any rights or liabilities accrued, penalties incurred, or proceedings begun prior to the effective date of this code. The liabilities, proceedings and rights are continued; punishments, penalties, or forfeitures shall be enforced and imposed as if this code had not been enacted. In particular, any agreement granting permission to utilize highway rights-of-way, contracts entered into or franchises granted, the acceptance, establishment or vacation of any highway, and the election of corporate officers shall remain valid in all respects, as if this code had not been enacted.

§ 10.18 DETERMINATION OF LEGISLATIVE INTENT.

   (A)   In enacting an ordinance, it is presumed that:

      (1)   Compliance with the constitutions of the State and of the United States is intended;

      (2)   The entire ordinance is intended to be effective;

      (3)   A just and reasonable result is intended;

      (4)   A result feasible of execution is intended.

(R.C. § 1.47)

   (B)   An ordinance is presumed to be prospective in its operation unless expressly made retrospective.

(R.C. § 1.48)

   (C)   If an ordinance is ambiguous, the court, in determining the intention of the Legislative Authority, may consider among other matters:

      (1)   The object sought to be attained;

      (2)   The circumstances under which the ordinance was enacted;

      (3)   The legislative history;

      (4)   The common law or former legislative provisions, including laws upon the same or similar subjects;

      (5)   The consequences of a particular construction;

      (6)   The administrative construction of the ordinance.

(R.C. § 1.49)