§ 1-2. Rules of construction.

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 city council:

Alderman, councilman. The term "aldermen" or "councilman" shall refer to a member of the city council or other governing body of the city.

City. The words "the city" or "this city" shall mean the City of Decatur, Alabama.

Corporate limits. "Corporate limits" shall mean the corporate limits of Decatur, not including its police jurisdiction.

Council, governing body. Whenever either of the following: Council or governing body, is used, it shall be construed to mean the governing body of the City of Decatur.

County. The words "the county" or "this county" shall mean the County of Morgan, Alabama.

Gender. A word importing the masculine gender only shall extend and be applied to females and to firms, partnerships and corporations as well as to males.

Mayor. Whenever the word "mayor" is used, it shall be construed to mean the mayor of the City of Decatur.

Number. Words used in the singular include the plural, and the plural includes the singular number.

Oath. The word "oath" shall be construed to 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."

Or, and. "Or" may be read "and" and "and" may be read "or" if the sense requires it.

Other city officials or officers. Whenever reference is made to officials, boards, commissions, departments, etc., by title only, i.e., "city clerk," "municipal utilities board," "chief of police," etc., they shall be deemed to refer to the officials, boards, commissions and departments of the City of Decatur.

Person. The word "person" shall extend and be applied to firms, partnerships, associations, organizations and bodies politic and corporate, or any combination thereof, as well as to individuals.

Police jurisdiction. The words "police jurisdiction" mean the territory outside of the corporate limits of the city but within one and one-half (1½) miles of such limits, but not including territory within the corporate limits of any other incorporated municipality.

Signature or subscription includes a mark when the person cannot write.

State. The words "the state" or "this state" shall be construed to mean the State of Alabama.

Street. The word "street" shall be construed to embrace streets, avenues, boulevards, roads, alleys, lanes, viaducts and all other public highways in the city and shall embrace all parts thereof within the designated right-of-way.

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

Written or in writing shall be construed to include any representation of words, letters or figures, whether by printing or otherwise.

(Code 1956, § 1-2; Ord. No. 16-4268 , § 1, 6-6-16)

State law reference

Similar state law definitions, Code of Ala. 1975, §§ 1-1-1, 1-1-2; police jurisdiction of city, Code of Ala. 1975, § 11-40-10.