There shall be a Department of Airport, under the direction
of an Airport Director, who shall be appointed by the County Administrator,
subject to confirmation by the Tompkins County Legislature. The Airport
Director shall be appointed on the basis of professional training
and experience and other qualifications appropriate to the responsibilities
of the office. The Airport Director shall be directly responsible
to the County Administrator for the implementation of policies established
by the Tompkins County Legislature.
The Airport Director is responsible for the safe and efficient
operations of the County's airport and its associated facilities.
The Airport Director is responsible for making decisions involving
federal aviation regulations and general aviation operations and safety
practices.
The Airport Director shall have the power to appoint all such
deputies, assistants, and employees of the Department as may be authorized
by the Tompkins County Legislature. All deputies, assistants, and
employees of the Department shall be directly responsible to the Director.
The Airport Director may, within the appropriations provided
therefor, and with the approval of the appropriate committee of the
County Legislature, employ such special engineering or technical consultants
and incur such expenses as may be necessary for the performance of
any of the duties related to airport operations set forth in this
Charter, or in applicable law, except that professional fees or other
compensation shall not exceed amounts approved by the Tompkins County
Legislature.
The Airport Director is responsible for supervision of the airport
employees and airport contractors to ensure compliance with all applicable
regulations and laws. The airport operation is an enterprise activity
and the Airport Director is responsible for all business operations
of the airport.
[Amended 10-2-2018 by L.L. No. 3-2018]
There shall be a County Air Service Board (ASB) appointed by
the Tompkins County Legislature. The number of members shall be determined
by resolution of the County Legislature. Each member shall serve a
three-year term, with no limit on the number of terms a member may
serve. Membership shall include a member of the Tompkins County Legislature,
the County's Commissioner of Planning and Sustainability, a representative
of Cornell University with functional responsibility for air travel
issues, a representative of Ithaca College, and at-large members representing
varied economic development, business, and airport user interests.
The ASB shall have the authority to draft bylaws for approval by the
Tompkins County Legislature, elect officers from its membership, and
establish committees. Updated copies of bylaws must be kept on file
in the office of the Clerk of the Tompkins County Legislature. The
ASB is charged with carrying out the following:
(a)
Advise
the Airport Director on policy and procedures to ensure the successful
operation of the airport;
(b)
Assist
the Airport Director in preparation of a budget that will support
air service in the County;
(c)
Consult
with the Airport Director on opportunities for state and federal funding;
(d)
Promote
the best possible use of all airport resources;
(e)
Improve
existing services; and
(f)
Formulate
policy for consideration by the Legislature.
