Whenever the following words or terms are used in this City Code, they shall have the meanings herein ascribed to them, unless the context makes such meaning repugnant thereto:
The word "shall" is mandatory and not merely directory. The word "may" is permissive.
AGENT: A person acting on behalf of another with authority conferred, either expressly or by implication.
CITY: The City of West Liberty, Muscatine County, Iowa.
CODE: Unless otherwise specifically stated, this City Code.
COUNCIL: The City Council of West Liberty, Iowa.
COUNTY: County of Muscatine, State of Iowa.
EMPLOYEE: 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 West Liberty" and shall be taken to mean the employee of the City performing the duties indicated.
FEE: A sum of money charged by the City for the carrying on of a business, profession or occupation.
FISCAL YEAR: The "fiscal year" for the City for which taxes are collected through the office of the County Treasurer and for all departments, boards, and commissions thereof shall begin on July 1 each year and shall end on June 30 following.
GENDER: A word importing either the masculine or feminine gender only shall extend and be applied to the other gender and to persons.
KNOWINGLY: Imports only a knowledge that the facts exist which bring the act or omission within the provisions of this Code. It does not require any knowledge of the unlawfulness of such act or omission.
LICENSE: The permission granted for the carrying on of a business, profession or occupation.
MISDEMEANOR: Unless another definition and penalty is expressly provided by this Code for any particular provision, section or chapter, the word "misdemeanor" shall mean any offense punishable as provided in Section 1-4-1 of this Title.
NEGLIGENT: Imports a want of such attention to the nature of probable consequences of the act or omission as a prudent man ordinarily bestows in acting in his own concern.
NUISANCE: Whatever is injurious to health, indecent, or offensive to the senses, or an obstruction to the free use of property, so as essentially to interfere with the comfortable enjoyment of life or property.
OCCUPANT: As applied to a building or land, shall include any person who occupies the whole or any part of such building or land whether alone or with others.
OFFENSE: Any act forbidden by any provision of this Code or the omission of any act required by the provisions of this Code.
OFFICERS: Whenever reference is made in this Code to a City officer by title only, this shall be construed as though followed by the words "of the City of West Liberty" and shall be taken to mean the officer of the City having the title mentioned.
OPERATOR: The person who is in charge of any operation, business or profession.
OWNER: As applied to a building or land, shall include any part owner, joint owner, tenant in common, joint tenant or lessee of the whole or of a part of such building or land.
PERSON: Any individual, partnership, corporation, joint stock association or the State of Iowa or any subdivision thereof, and includes any trustee, receiver, assignee or personal representative thereof.
PERSONAL PROPERTY: Includes 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.
RETAILER: Unless otherwise specifically defined, shall be understood to relate to the sale of goods, merchandise, articles or things in small quantities direct to the consumer.
STATE: State of Iowa.
STREET: Includes alleys, lanes, courts, boulevards, public squares, public places and sidewalks.
TENANT: As applied to a building or land, shall include any person who occupies the whole or any part of such building or land whether alone or with others.
WHOLESALER: Unless otherwise specifically defined, shall be understood to relate to the sale of goods, merchandise articles or things in quantity to persons who purchase for the purpose of resale.
WILFULLY: When applied to the intent with which an act is done or omitted, implies simply a purpose or willingness to commit the act or make the omission referred to. It does not require any intent to violate law, or to injure another, or to acquire an advantage.
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 he is unable to write, by his proper mark. (1975 Code § 1-3-2; amd. 1998 Code)