Section 119-000. Inclusion of Cornell University as a member of the governing body of an entity created by intermunicipal agreement to construct and operate water treatment plants and water distribution systems in or adjoining the county of Tompkins

1.  Notwithstanding  any  other  provision  of  law  to  the  contrary,  the  municipalities in or
  adjoining the county of Tompkins including,  but  not  limited  to,  the
  towns  of Ithaca, Dryden and Lansing, the villages of Cayuga Heights and
  Lansing, and the city of Ithaca,  and  Cornell  University  may  jointly
  provide  for  water  services in the municipalities in and adjoining the
  county  of  Tompkins  and  the  water  districts  located   within   the
  municipalities in or adjoining the county of Tompkins.
    2.  In  addition  to  the  powers  set forth in article five-B of this
  chapter and this article, the municipalities in or adjoining the  county
  of  Tompkins  and water districts within such municipalities, shall have
  the power to, jointly with Cornell University:
    a. Contract, acquire, finance and sell common water supplies;
    b. Construct, operate, maintain, lease, sell, and  otherwise  deal  in
  and supervise water intakes, water treatment plants, water lines, pumps,
  storage  facilities,  distribution  facilities  and all other activities
  normally or reasonably related to the provision of such  services  which
  municipalities individually are authorized to undertake; and
    c. Create, continue, maintain and modify by agreement a governing body
  to  supervise  and  operate  such facilities which governing body may be
  made up of representatives from  the  participating  municipalities  and
  representatives from Cornell University.
    3.  The  inclusion  of  Cornell  University  as  a  party  to any such
  agreement,  and  the  inclusion  of  any  representatives   of   Cornell
  University  as  members  of  any  governing body, shall not be deemed to
  change the characterization of such body as a municipal body with all of
  the  benefits,  liabilities,  immunities  and  responsibilities   of   a
  municipal body.
    4.  The powers granted by this section shall be in addition to and not
  in substitution of any other powers granted to the municipalities in  or
  adjoining the county of Tompkins and Cornell University to provide water
  services,  including,  without limitation, the power to jointly contract
  for obtaining and operating such services pursuant to article five-B  of
  this chapter and this article.