The language set forth in this chapter shall be interpreted in accordance with the following rules of construction, unless the context clearly requires a different construction.
(A) The singular includes the plural and the plural the singular;
(B) The present tense includes the past and future, and the future includes the present;
(C) The words “should” or “shall” are mandatory, while the word “may” is permissive;
(D) Terms connoting a particular gender include each and every other gender;
(E) Whenever a word or term defined hereinafter appears in the text of this chapter, its meaning shall be construed as set forth in the definition thereof, and any word appearing in the parenthesis between a word and its definition shall be construed in the same sense as that word;
(F) All words and terms not defined herein shall be construed in their generally accepted meaning; and
(G) The terms “corporate authority,” “Mayor and Council,” “City Council” and “Council” all mean the Mayor and City Council of the City of Monticello.