§ 1-2. Definitions and rules of construction.
In the construction of this Code, and of all ordinances and resolutions passed by the city council, the following definitions and rules shall be observed, unless such construction would be inconsistent with the manifest intent of the city council:
Charter. The word "Charter" shall mean the Charter of the city, as it now exists or as it may be amended in the future.
City. The term "the city," "this city" or "city" shall mean the City of Jersey Village, in the County of Harris and State of Texas.
City attorney; attorney for the city. The terms "city attorney" and "attorney for the city" shall be interchangeable. Where reference is made to the "city attorney" it shall be construed as if followed by the words "or the attorney for the city."
Code. The words "this Code" shall mean the Code of Ordinances, City of Jersey Village, Texas, as designated in section 1-1.
Computation of time means:
(1)
In computing a period of days, the first day is excluded and the last day is included.
(2)
If the last day of any period is a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday, the period is extended to include the next day that is not a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday.
(3)
If a number of months is to be computed by counting the months from a particular day, the period ends on the same numerical day in the concluding month as the day of the month from which the computation is begun, unless there are not that many days in the concluding month, in which case the period ends on the last day of that month.
Council. Whenever the term "council," "the council" or "city council" is used, it shall mean the City Council of the City of Jersey Village, Texas.
County. The term "county," "the county" or "this county" shall mean Harris County, Texas.
Gender. The masculine gender includes the feminine and neuter genders.
Highway. The term "highway" means the width between the boundary lines of a publicly maintained way any part of which is open to the public for vehicular travel.
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 be construed to include an affirmation, and the words "swear" and "sworn" shall be equivalent to the words "affirm" and "affirmed."
Officer, employee, board, commission, department or agency. Whenever reference is made to any officer, employee, board, commission, department or agency, the same shall be construed as if followed by the words "of the City of Jersey Village." Reference to any specific officer shall also be deemed to include his duly authorized assistants and representatives.
Or, and. "Or" may be read "and," and "and" may be read "or" if the sense requires it.
Owner. The word "owner," applied to a building or land, shall include any part owner, joint owner, tenant in common, tenant in partnership, joint tenant or tenant by the entirety of the whole or of a part of such building or land.
Person. The word "person" includes an individual, firm, company, corporation, organization, government or governmental subdivision or agency, business trust, estate, trust, partnership, association, society, group and any other legal entity.
Roadway. The word "roadway" means the portion of a highway, other than the berm or shoulder, that is improved, designed or ordinarily used for vehicular travel. If a highway includes at least two separate roadways, the term applies to each roadway separately.
Shall, may. The term "shall" is mandatory; the term "may" is permissive.
Sidewalk. The word "sidewalk" means the portion of a street that is:
(1)
Between a curb or lateral line of a roadway and the adjacent property line; and
(2)
Intended for pedestrian use.
Signature or subscription. The word "signature" or "subscription" shall include a mark when a person cannot write.
State. The words "the state" or "this state" shall be construed to mean the State of Texas.
Street. The term "street" means the width between the boundary lines of a publicly maintained way any part of which is open to the public for vehicular travel.
Tense. Words used in the past or present tense include the future as well as the past and present.
Vernon's Ann. C.C.P. The term "Vernon's Ann. C.C.P." means Vernon's Annotated Code of Criminal Procedure, as amended from time to time.
Vernon's Ann. Civ. St. The term "Vernon's Ann. Civ. St." means Vernon's Annotated Civil Statutes, as amended from time to time.
V.T.C.A. The term "V.T.C.A." means Vernon's Texas Codes Annotated, as amended from time to time.
Year. The word "year" shall mean a calendar year.
(Code 1977, § 1-2)
State law reference
Code Construction Act, V.T.C.A., Government Code ch. 311; construction of laws, V.T.C.A., Government Code ch. 312; definitions pertaining to traffic, V.T.C.A., Transportation Code ch. 541.