§ 909 — Specific powers of political subdivisions

In addition to the general powers in this chapter conferred, and without limitation thereof, a political subdivision which has established or may hereafter establish airports, restricted landing areas or other air navigation facilities, or which has acquired or set apart or may hereafter acquire or set apart real property for such purpose or purposes may:

(1)Delegations of authority. —Vest authority for the construction, enlargement, improvement, maintenance, equipment, operation and regulation thereof in an officer, a board or body of the political subdivision by ordinance or resolution which shall prescribe the powers and duties of the officer, board or body. The expense of construction, enlargement, improvement, maintenance, equipment, operation and regulation shall be a responsibility of the political subdivision.

(2)Rules, regulations and ordinances. —Adopt and amend all needful rules, regulations and ordinances for the management, government and use of any properties under its control, whether within or without the territorial limits of the political subdivision; may appoint airport guards or police, with full police powers; may fix by ordinance or resolution, as may be appropriate, penalties for the violation of its rules, regulations and ordinances, and enforce the penalties in the same manner in which penalties prescribed by other rules, regulations and ordinances of the political subdivision are enforced. For the purposes of such management and government and direction of public use, such part of all highways, roads, streets, avenues, boulevards and territory as adjoins, or lies within 100 feet of the limits of any airport or restricted landing area acquired or maintained under this chapter shall be under like control and management of the political subdivision. It may also adopt and enact rules, regulations and ordinances designed to safeguard the public upon or beyond the limits of private airports or landing strips within the political subdivision or its police jurisdiction against the perils and hazards of instrumentalities used in aerial navigation. Rules, regulations and ordinances shall be published as provided by general law or the charter of the political subdivision for the publication of similar rules, regulations and ordinances. They must conform to and be consistent with the laws of this State and the rules and regulations of the Department of Transportation and shall be kept in conformity, as nearly as may be, with the then current federal legislation governing aeronautics and the regulations duly promulgated thereunder and rules and standards issued from time to time pursuant thereto.

(3)Leases and sales. —Lease under such terms and conditions as it shall decide such airports or other air navigation facilities, or real property acquired or set apart for airport purposes, to private parties, any municipal or state government or the national government, or any department of either thereof, for operation; may lease or assign under such terms and conditions as it shall decide to private parties, any municipal or state government or the national government, or any department of either thereof, for operation or use consistent with the purposes of this chapter, space, area, improvements or equipment on such airports; may sell any part of such airports, other air navigation facilities or real property to any municipal or state government, or to the United States or any department or instrumentality thereof, for aeronautical purposes or purposes incidental thereto and may confer the privileges of concessions of supplying upon its airports goods, commodities, things, services and facilities. In no case in so doing may the public be deprived of its rightful, equal, and uniform use thereof.

(4)Disposition of unnecessary property. —Sell or lease any property, real or personal, acquired for airport purposes and belonging to the political subdivision, which, in the judgment of its governing body, may not be required for aeronautic purposes, in accordance with the laws of this State, or the provisions of the charter of the political subdivision, governing the sale or leasing of similarly owned property.

The proceeds of sale of any property the purchase price of which was obtained by the sale of bonds shall be deposited in the sinking fund from which funds have been authorized to be taken to finance such bonds. In the event all the proceeds of the sale are not needed to pay the principal of the bonds remaining unpaid, the remainder shall be paid into the airport fund of the political subdivision. The proceeds of sales of property the purchase price of which was paid from appropriations shall be paid into the airport fund of the political subdivision.

(5)Charges and rentals; liens. —Determine the charges or rental for the use of any properties under its control and the charges for any services or accommodations, and the terms and conditions under which such properties may be used. In no case may the public be deprived of its rightful, equal and uniform use of such property. Charges shall be reasonable and uniform for the same class of service and established with due regard to the property and improvements used and the expense of operation to the political subdivision. The political subdivision shall have and may enforce liens, as provided by law for liens and enforcement thereof, for repairs to or improvement or storage or care of any personal property, to enforce the payment of any such charges.

(6)Incidental powers. —Exercise all powers necessarily incidental to the exercise of the general and special powers herein granted.