(a) The Department of Transportation is authorized to establish air markers at appropriate locations throughout the state to facilitate air navigation within the state. Said markers shall consist of painting on appropriately located roofs of buildings the names of towns or cities within which such buildings are located, such names to be painted in sufficient size to be legible under good visibility conditions from a height of at least 3,000 feet.

(b) The department is authorized to obtain roof releases from the owners of buildings upon which air markers are to be painted, or otherwise to obtain permission from such owners to use such roofs for such purposes, and to pay the owners reasonable and nominal rentals therefor, if payment is necessary in order to obtain the appropriate permission for the use of such roofs for such purposes.