(A) General rule. Words and phrases shall be taken in their plain, or ordinary and usual sense; however, technical words and phrases having a peculiar and appropriate meaning in law shall be understood according to their technical import.
(B) Definitions. For the purpose of this code, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
CITY. The City of Wadena, Minnesota.
CODE, THIS CODE, or THIS CODE OF ORDINANCES. This city code as modified by amendment, revision, and adoption of new titles, chapters, or sections.
CONVICTION. Either of the following accepted and recorded by the court:
(a) A plea of guilty; or
(b) A verdict of guilty by a jury or a finding of guilty by the court.
COUNCIL or CITY COUNCIL. The City Council of Wadena, Minnesota.
COUNTY. Wadena and Ottertail, Minnesota.
CRIME. Conduct which is prohibited by ordinance and for which the actor may be sentenced to imprisonment or fine.
EX OFFICIO MEMBER. A person who is not counted for the purpose of determining a quorum, and has no right to vote, but shall have the right and obligation (within his or her discretion) to speak to any question coming before the board, commission, or other deliberative body of which he or she is such member.
INTERSECTION. The area embraced within the prolongation or connection of the lateral curb line or, if no curb, then the lateral boundary lines of the roadways or streets which join one another at, or approximately at, right angles or the area within which vehicles traveling upon different streets joining at any other angle may come in conflict.
MAY. The act referred to is permissive.
MISDEMEANOR. The crime for which a sentence of not more than 90 days or a fine of not more than $1,000, or both, may be imposed.
MONTH. A calendar month.
OATH. An affirmation in all cases in which, by law, an affirmation may be substituted for an oath, and in those cases the words SWEAR and SWORN shall be equivalent to the words AFFIRM and AFFIRMED. All terms shall mean a pledge taken by the person and administered by an individual authorized by state law.
OFFICER, OFFICE, EMPLOYEE, COMMISSION, or DEPARTMENT. An officer, office, employee, commission, or department of this city unless the context clearly requires otherwise.
ORDINANCE. An ordinance duly adopted by the City Council of Wadena, Minnesota.
PERSON. Extends to and includes an individual, person, persons, firm, corporation, copartnership, trustee, lessee, or receiver. Whenever used in any clause prescribing and imposing a penalty, the terms PERSON or WHOEVER as applied to any unincorporated entity shall mean the partners or members thereof, and as applied to corporations, the officers, or agents thereof.
PETTY MISDEMEANOR. An offense, which does not constitutes a crime, and for which a sentence of a fine of not more than $300 may be imposed.
POLICE OFFICER and PEACE OFFICER. Every officer, including special police, authorized to direct or regulate traffic, keep the peace, and appointed or employed for the purpose of law enforcement.
PRECEDING or FOLLOWING. Next before or next after, respectively.
PREMISES. Any lot, piece, or parcel of land within a continuous boundary whether publicly or privately owned, occupied or possessed.
PRIVATE PROPERTY. All property not included within the definition of public property or public place.
PUBLIC PROPERTY and PUBLIC PLACE. Any place, property, or premises dedicated to public use, owned by the city, occupied by the city as a lessee, or occupied by the city as a street by reason of an easement, including, but not limited to, streets, parks, or parking lots so owned or occupied.
ROADWAY. The portion of a street improved, designed, or ordinarily used for vehicular travel. In the event a street includes two or more separate roadways, the term ROADWAY as used herein shall refer to any such roadway separately, but not to all such roadways collectively.
SHALL. The act referred to is mandatory.
SIGNATURE or SUBSCRIPTION. Includes a mark when the person cannot write.
STATE. The State of Minnesota.
STREET. The entire area dedicated to public use, or contained in an easement or other conveyance or grant to the city, and shall include, but not be limited to, roadways, boulevards, sidewalks, alleys, and other public property between lateral property lines in which a roadway lies.
SUBCHAPTER. A division of a chapter, designated in this code by a heading in the chapter analysis and a capitalized heading in the body of the chapter, setting apart a group of sections related by the subject matter of the heading. Not all chapters have SUBCHAPTERS.
VIOLATE. Includes failure to comply with.
WRITTEN. Any representation of words, letters, or figures, whether by printing or otherwise.
YEAR. A calendar year, unless otherwise expressed.
(2006 Code, § 1.02) (Ord. 14, 3rd Series, passed 6-18-1981; Ord. 32, 3rd Series, passed 5-30-1984; Ord. 87, 3rd Series, passed 11-28-1991; Ord. 161, 3rd Series, passed 9-20-2005)