§ 1-1-2. Definitions and rules of construction

The following rules or meanings shall be applied in the construction and interpretation of ordinances codified in this Code of Ordinances unless such application would be clearly inconsistent with the plain meaning or intent of the ordinances:

(a) Acts by Agents. When an ordinance requires an act be done by a person which may be legally performed by an authorized agent of that principal person, the requirement shall be construed to include all acts performed by such agents.

(b) City. "City" shall refer to the City of Greenwood, Wisconsin.

(c) Code, Municipal Code and Code of Ordinances. The words "Codes," "Municipal Code" and "Code of Ordinances," when used in any section of this Code, shall refer to this Code of Ordinances, City of Greenwood, Wisconsin, unless the context of the section clearly indicates otherwise.

(d) Computation of Time. In computing any period of time prescribed or allowed by these Ordinances, the day of the act or event from which the period of time begins to run shall not be included, but the last day of the period shall be included, unless it is a Saturday, a Sunday or a legal holiday. If the period of time prescribed or allowed is less than seven (7) days, Saturdays, Sundays and legal holidays shall be excluded in the computation. As used in this Section, "legal holiday" means any statewide legal holiday specified by state law and any other City holiday designated by the Common Council.

(e) Fine. The term "fine" shall be the equivalent of the word "forfeiture," and vice versa.

(f) Gender. Every word in these Ordinances referring to the masculine gender shall also be construed to apply to females, and vice versa; the masculine gender is used solely in the interest of brevity.

(g) General Rule. All words and phrases shall be construed according to their plain meaning in common usage. However, words or phrases with a technical or special meaning shall be understood and construed according to that technical or special meaning if such is the intent of the Ordinances.

(h) Joint Authority. All words purporting to give a joint authority to three (3) or more City officers or employees shall be construed as giving such authority to a majority of such officers of other persons.

(i) Person. The word "person" shall mean any of the following entities: natural persons, corporations, partnerships, associations, bodies politic or any other entity of any kind which is capable of being sued.

(j) Repeal. When any ordinance having the effect of repealing a prior ordinance is itself repealed, such repeal shall not be construed to revive the prior ordinance or any part thereof, unless expressly so provided.

(k) Singular and Plural. Every word in these Ordinances referring to the singular number only shall also be construed to apply to several persons or things, and every word in these Ordinances referred to a plural number shall also be construed to apply to one (1) person or thing.

(l) Tense. The use of any verb in the present tense shall not preclude the interpretation of the verb in the future tense where appropriate.

(m) Wisconsin Statutes. The term "Wisconsin Statutes" and its abbreviation as "Wis. Stats. §" shall mean, in these Ordinances, the Wisconsin Statutes for the year 1997-98, as amended.

(n) Wisconsin Administrative Code. The term "Wisconsin Administrative Code" and its abbreviation as "Wis. Admin. Code" shall mean the Wisconsin Administrative Code as of the adoption of this Code, as amended or renumbered from time to time.

refstatelaw

Legal holidays generally, Wis. Stats. § 895.20.