In the construction of this Code, and of all ordinances, the following rules shall be observed, unless such construction would be inconsistent with the manifest intent of the Board of Commissioners.

Board of Commissioners- The words “Board of Commissioners” shall mean the Governing Body of the City of Ottawa, Kansas.

City-The word “City” shall mean the City of Ottawa, Kansas.

City Manager- The term “City Manager” shall mean the person appointed by the Governing Body to fulfill the duties as provided in State Law and City Ordinances.

City Officers, Departments, Boards, Committees, Commissions, etc.- whenever reference is made to an officer, department, board, committee, commission, etc., the same shall be construed as if followed by the words “of the City of Ottawa, Kansas.”

Code- The word “Code” shall mean the Code of the City of Ottawa, Kansas.

Commission- The word “Commission” shall mean the Board of Commissioners of the City of Ottawa, Kansas, constituting the Governing Body of the City.

Commissioner- The word “Commissioner” shall mean a member of the Board of Commissioners of the City of Ottawa, Kansas.

County-The term “County” shall mean Franklin County, Kansas.

Delegation of Authority- Whenever a provision appears requiring a City Officer or City Employee to do some act or make certain inspections, it is to be construed to authorize the head of the department to designate, delegate, and authorize subordinates to perform the required act or make the required inspection, unless the terms of the provision or section designate otherwise.

Governing Body- The words “Governing Body” shall mean the Board of Commissioners of the City of Ottawa, Kansas.

K.S.A- The abbreviation “K.S.A.” shall mean the most recent edition or supplement of the Kansas Statutes Annotated.

May- The word “may” permits discretion to act.

Month- The word “month” shall mean a calendar month.

Number- Any word importing the singular number shall include the plural, and any word importing the plural number shall include the singular.

Oath- The word “oath” shall include an affirmation in all cases in which, by law, an affirmation may be substituted for an oath, and in such cases the words “swear” and “sworn” shall be equivalent to the words “affirm” and “affirmed”.

Person- The word “person” shall extend and be applied to associations, corporations, firms, partnerships, and bodies politic and corporate as well as to individuals.

Roadway- The word “roadway” shall mean that portion of a street improved, designed, or ordinarily used for vehicular traffic. Shall- The word “shall” makes action mandatory.

Sidewalk- The word “sidewalk” shall mean any all-weather surfaced area within the right-of-way between the curb, or the lateral line of the roadway, and the adjacent property line, intended for the use of pedestrians.

Signature or subscription- The word “signature” or “subscription” shall include a mark when a person cannot write.

State- The word “State” shall mean the State of Kansas.

Street- The term “street” means the entire width between the boundary lines of every way publicly maintained when any part thereof is open to the use of the public for purposes of vehicular traffic.

Tense- Words used in the past or present tense include the future as well as the past and present.

Written and in writing- The words “written” and “in writing” shall include any written or printed words, letters or figures.

Year- The word “year” shall mean a calendar year.

(Code 1982; K.S.A. 77-201)