(a)   There is established the Hiawatha Municipal Airport, referred to in this chapter as the airport.

(b)   The location of the airport is on a tract of land in the county described as follows:

       The south half of the northwest quarter and the north half of the southwest quarter of Section 16, Township Two, Range 17, in the county.

(Code 1977, 12.36.010)

(a)   No person, firm or corporation shall make exhibition flights or flights displaying banners or operate a loud speaking or a skywriting device from any aircraft flying within or over the corporate limits of the city without first obtaining a permit from the governing body.

(b)   The governing body may issue such permit if the person, firm or corporation who will operate the aircraft is duly licensed by the Federal Aviation Administration and if the aircraft to be used is licensed by the Federal Aviation Administration. The permit shall not be issued until the person, firm or corporation making application has paid to the city clerk a fee of $5.00 for an individual flight.

(c)   The permits provided for in this section may be issued by the governing body for periods of not longer than six months when a permit fee of $25.00 is paid; provided that such six months’ permit shall be revoked by the governing body upon violation of any provisions of this chapter.

(Code 1977, 12.36.100)

(a)   It is unlawful for any person to use or travel upon any portion of the airport except when the same is clearly opened and maintained for public use or travel.

(b)   The speed of all vehicles shall not exceed the posted speed limit per hour on any public way of the airport, and at no time shall be more than 20 miles per hour.

(Code 1977, 12.36.140)

(a)   The airport shall be under the supervision and control of the governing body. The airport board shall be advisory and shall consist of seven members, of which one but not more than two shall be a member of the governing body, at least three shall be residents of the city and the rest shall be users of the airport and/or residents of Brown County, KS.

(b)   The seven person airport board shall be appointed by the mayor and ratified by a majority of the governing body, and shall consist of a chairperson, vice-chairperson and secretary who shall all be elected annually by the airport board members. The members of the board shall be appointed on staggering terms initially. Two shall be appointed for a one year term, two shall be appointed for two year terms, and three shall be appointed for three year terms. Thereafter, all board members shall be appointed for a three year term.

(c)   After the appointment of its members by the governing body, the airport board is authorized to adopt such rules and regulations as it deems necessary or advisable for the proper management, control and operation of the airport; the rules and regulations shall be recommended for adoption by resolution of the governing body and filed with the city clerk.

(d)   At the recommendation of the airport board, the governing body is authorized and empowered to employ an airport manager or superintendent, or such other persons, as deemed necessary; and to fix their salaries by resolution. Alternatively, the governing body may enter into agreement with a fixed base operator in place of an airport manager or superintendent.

(Code 1977, 2.56.010; Ord. 2042)

The governing body may lease, assign or sublease the whole or any part of the airport or municipal field, for aviation or revenue-producing purposes, to one or more responsible persons, associations or corporations, jointly or severally; and for any purpose directly or incidentally and necessarily required for the successful and proper operation of such property, upon such terms as insure the impartial operation thereof and retention of services and conveniences thereon, on an equal basis to all users of the airport or municipal field for aviation purposes.

(Code 1977, 2.56.020; Ord. 2042)

(a)   Subject to the approval of the Mayor and City Commission, the airport board shall adopt and promulgate the rules and regulations for the conduct, administration and management of the Hiawatha Municipal Airport and shall further assist, advise and direct as deemed necessary the activities of any citizen groups or others in the promotion of the Hiawatha Municipal Airport. The Board shall make recommendations to the City Commission on all leases, grant applications and improvements at the airport.

(b)   The airport board shall recommend an annual budget to the governing body which shall include a capital improvement program and a report concerning the operation and maintenance of the airport.

(c)   At a minimum, it shall make an annual financial report to the governing body.

(d)   Advise on the annual, yet continuous, operation and maintenance functions of the airport by doing, but not limited to the following:

(e)   Developing and approving specific rules and regulations;

(f)   Establishing priorities for maintenance and upgrading projects for the airport;

(g)   Conducting periodical safety inspections of the airport.

(h)   The airport board shall prepare, review and update a long-range plan for airport development to include but not be limited to a capital improvement program, including federal, state and local funding; and promoting orderly but compatible development of adjacent land to its maximum revenue-generating capacity.

(i)    The airport board shall serve as a communications conduit for airport-related matters to include but not be limited to the following:

(1)   Holding board meetings at least monthly;

(2)   Providing accurate information on facilities to federal, state and local agencies;

(3)   Providing liaison between airport users and local governmental officials;

(4)   Assist in resolving conflicts which may periodically develop between the airport and its surrounding landowners, users and citizens.

(Code 1977, 2.56.030; Ord. 2042)

The governing body shall include the airport in its insurance and liability program. The airport board members shall be protected from liability as any other governing body member of the city.

(Code 1977, 2.56.040)

The governing body shall have the power to dissolve the airport board by an ordinance passed by a majority of its members.

(Code 1977, 2.56.050)