(b) The board, on behalf of the eligible entity, exclusively has the following powers:

1. (1) To acquire, establish, construct, improve, equip, maintain, control, lease, and regulate municipal airports and landing fields and other air navigation facilities, for the use of airplanes and other aircraft, either inside or outside the corporate limits of the entity, subject to statutory limitations; to acquire by lease (with or without the option to purchase) airports, landing fields, air navigation facilities, and any other structures, equipment, and related improvements; and to erect, install, construct and maintain at those airports facilities for the servicing of aircraft and for the comfort and accommodation of air travelers and the public; and the fiscal body of the entity may by ordinance provide that any land suitable for these purposes that is owned by the entity shall be put under the control of the board of aviation commissioners for aviation and public purposes. However, if at the time of the creation, appointment, and qualification of the board in an entity, the entity owns or controls an airport, landing field, or other air navigation facilities, then the exclusive control, management, and authority over the airport, landing field, or other air navigation facilities shall at once be transferred to the board without the adoption of an ordinance; and the department, board, officer, or officers of the entity, or other persons having possession or control, shall at once turn over and deliver to the board all personal property, records, books, plans, maps, and other papers and documents relating to the aviation business of the entity. The unexpended balance of any fund or funds appropriated by the entity for aviation purposes becomes a part of the aviation fund of the department of aviation. Before land may be purchased by an entity for the establishment of an airport or landing field or an airport or landing field may be established by an entity the action or acquisition of land must be granted by the aeronautics commission of Indiana.
2. (2) To elect a secretary from its membership or to employ a secretary, and to employ superintendents, managers, engineers, surveyors, attorneys, clerks, guards, mechanics, laborers, and all employees the board considers expedient, and to prescribe and assign their respective duties and authorities and to fix and regulate their compensation, in accordance with the appropriations made by the fiscal body of the entity. All employees shall be selected irrespective of their political affiliations.
3. (3) To make rules and regulations, consistent with law, for the management and control of its airports, landing fields, air navigation facilities, and other property under its control. The board may require a special detail of police or hire guards to execute the orders and enforce the rules and regulations.
4. (4) To acquire by lease the use of an airport or landing field for aircraft pending the acquisition and improvement of an airport or landing field. However, a lease must be approved by ordinance or resolution of the fiscal body of the entity before it takes effect.
5. (5) To manage and operate all airports, landing fields, and other air navigation facilities acquired or maintained by the entity; and to lease all or part of an airport, landing field, or any buildings or other structures to fix, charge, and collect rentals, tolls, fees, and charges to be paid for the use of the whole or a part of the airports, landing fields, or other air navigation facilities by aircraft landing there and for the servicing of the aircraft; to construct public recreational facilities that will not interfere with air operational facilities; to fix, charge, and collect fees for public admissions and privileges; to make contracts for the operation and management of the airports, landing fields, and other air navigation facilities; and to provide for the use, management, and operation of the air navigation facilities through lessees, through its own employees, or otherwise. Contracts or leases for the maintenance, operation, or use of the airport or any part of it may be made for a term not exceeding fifteen (15) years, and may be extended for similar terms of years, except that any parcels of the land of the airport may be leased for any use connected with the operation and convenience of the airport for an initial term not exceeding forty (40) years, and may be extended for a period not to exceed ten (10) years. If a person whose character, experience, and financial responsibility has been determined satisfactory by the board offers to erect a permanent structure that facilitates and is consistent with the operation, use, and purpose of the airport, on land belonging to the airport. A lease may be entered into for a period not to exceed ninety-nine (99) years. However, the fiscal body must pass an ordinance authorizing the board to enter into such a lease. The board may not grant an exclusive right for the use of a landing area under its jurisdiction. However, this does not prevent the making of leases in accordance with other provisions of this chapter. All contracts and leases are subject to restrictions and conditions that the board prescribes.
6. (6) To sell machinery, equipment, or material under the control of the board belonging to the eligible entity that is not required for aviation purposes. The proceeds shall be deposited with the entity's treasurer or controller to the credit of the department of aviation.
7. (7) To negotiate and execute contracts of sale or purchase, lease, personal services, materials, supplies, equipment, or any other transaction or business relative to an airport under the board's control. However, whenever the board determines to sell part or all of aviation lands or improvements owned by the eligible entity, the sale must be in accordance with section 8 of this chapter.
8. (8) To vacate all or parts of roads, highways, streets, or alleys in land under control of the board in the manner provided by statute.
9. (9) To approve, together with the fiscal body of the entity, any state, county, city, or other highway, road, street, or other public way, railroad, power line, or other right of way that may be laid out or opened across an airport or in such proximity as to affect the safe operation of the airport.
10. (10) To construct drainage and sanitary sewers with connections and outlets as are necessary for the proper drainage and maintenance of an airport or landing field acquired or maintained under this chapter, including the necessary buildings and improvements and for the public use of them, in the same manner that the eligible entity may construct sewers and drains. However, with respect to the construction of drains and sanitary sewers beyond the boundaries of the airport or landing field, the board shall proceed in the same manner as private owners of property and may institute proceedings and negotiate with the departments, bodies, and officers of the entity to secure the proper orders and approvals.
11. (11) To order a public utility or public service corporation or other person to remove or to install in underground conduits, wires, cables, and power lines passing through or over the airport or landing field or along the borders or within a reasonable distance that may be determined to be necessary for the safety of operations of the airport or landing field, upon payment to the utility or other person due compensation for the expense of the removal or reinstallation. The board must consent to any franchise granted by state or local authorities for the construction or maintenance of any railway, telephone, telegraph, electric power, pipe, or conduit line upon, over, or through land under the control of the board or within a reasonable distance of land that is necessary for the safety of operation. The board must also consent to the installation of overhead electric power lines carrying a voltage of over forty-four hundred (4,400) volts and having poles, standards, or supports over thirty (30) feet in height within one-half (1/2) mile of a landing area acquired or maintained under this chapter.

12. (12) To contract with any other state agency or instrumentality or any political subdivision for the rendition of services, the rental or use of equipment or facilities, or the joint purchase and use of equipment or facilities that are necessary for the operation, maintenance, or construction of an airport operated under this chapter.

    [Pre-Local Government Recodification Citation: 19-6-1-6.]

    As added by Acts 1980, P.L.8, SEC.73. Amended by Acts 1981, P.L.57, SEC.28; P.L.130-1987, SEC.1; P.L.29-1999, SEC.1.