Chapter 1.10
GENERAL RULES OF CONSTRUCTION
Sections:
1.10.020 Legality and severability.
1.10.040 Tense, number and gender.
1.10.060 Powers and functions.
1.10.010 Applicability.
The provisions of this chapter shall be observed in the construction of the ordinances of the city unless the construction would be inconsistent with the manifest intent of the city council. (Ord. O-93-6-6 § 1 (part), 1994)
1.10.020 Legality and severability.
Any ordinance enacted by the city council which lacks a severability clause shall be construed as though it contains the clause in the following language, “If any provision of this Ordinance, or the application thereof to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of this Ordinance and the application to other persons or circumstances shall not be affected by that invalidation.” (Ord. O-93-6-6 § 1 (part), 1994)
1.10.030 Words and phrases.
(a) Words and phrases shall be construed according to the rules of grammar and according to their common and approved usage. Technical words and phrases and those which have acquired a peculiar and appropriate meaning, whether by legislative definition or otherwise, shall be construed according to the peculiar and appropriate meaning.
(b) When the word “includes” or “including” is used in an ordinance, it shall be construed as though followed by the phrase “but not limited to.” (Ord. O-93-6-6 § 1 (part), 1994)
1.10.040 Tense, number and gender.
(a) Words in the present tense include the past and future tenses, and words in the future tense include the present tense.
(b) Words in the singular number include the plural, and words in the plural number include the singular.
(c) Words of any gender may, when the sense so indicates, refer to any other gender. (Ord. O-93-6-6 § 1 (part), 1994)
1.10.050 Headings.
The headings of the several titles, chapters and sections of this Code are intended for topical arrangement and topical reference only, and shall not be construed to aid in the interpretation of the chapter or section. (Ord. O-93-6-6 § 1 (part), 1994)
1.10.060 Powers and functions.
(a) A liberal construction shall be given to all powers and functions of the city conferred by Alaska law and the provisions of this code.
(b) Unless otherwise limited by law, the city has and may exercise all powers and functions necessarily or fairly implied in or incident to the purpose of all powers and functions conferred by Alaska law and the provisions of this code.
(c) Specific examples in an enumerated power or function conferred by this code is illustrative of the object and not a limitation on or exclusion from the exercise of the power or function. (Ord. O-93-6-6 § 1 (part), 1994)
1.10.070 Definitions.
In this Code of ordinances and other laws of the city, unless the context or superior law otherwise requires:
“City” means the city of Nome, Alaska, its officers, agents and employees.
“City council,” “common council” and “council” mean the city council of the city of Nome, Alaska.
“Oath” means and includes affirmation or declaration, and the words “swear” and “sworn” shall be equivalent to the words “affirm” and “affirmed.”
“Person” means and includes a corporation, company, partnership, firm, association, organization, business trust or society, as well as a natural person.
“Personal property” means and includes money, goods, chattels, things in action, and evidence of debt.
“Property” means and includes real and personal property.
“Real property” is coextensive with land, tenements and hereditaments.
“State” means the state of Alaska unless applied to the different parts of the United States and in the latter case it includes the District of Columbia and the territories. (Ord. O-93-6-6 § 1 (part), 1994)