§ 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.