Whenever the common council of any city or the board of trustees of any village shall, by resolution, declare that it is expedient for such city or village to acquire by purchase or to construct as the case may be, works for the purpose of supplying such city or village and the inhabitants thereof with gas, electric or other lights, or when such common council shall deem it expedient to contract for the lighting of such cities and villages with electric or other lights, then such common council or the board of trustees of any village or city shall have power to take such action as shall be deemed expedient to accomplish such purpose, provided such action shall be governed by the provisions of Act No. 5 of the Session Laws of 1870, approved August fourth, 1870 as amended, entitled, “An act to authorize the introduction of water into and the construction or purchase of hydraulic works in the cities and villages in the state of Michigan,” being section 3096 to 3109 of Howell’s annotated statutes, and all the provisions of that act so far as the same shall be material shall apply to and have full force and operation in the case of cities and villages desiring to have the benefit of this act, in the same manner and to the same effect as in the case of cities and villages proposing to purchase or construct works for the purpose of supplying such city or village or the inhabitants thereof with water: Provided, That all contracts for lighting such cities or villages as hereinbefore provided shall be for a period not less than 3 nor more than 10 years: And provided further, That such contract shall be entered into in the manner prescribed by the charter of such city or village for the letting of contracts for public lighting: Provided further, That in case any such common council or board of trustees shall declare that it is expedient for such city or village to acquire by purchase or to construct, as the case may be, works for the purpose of supplying such city or village with electric or other lights, then such common council or board of trustees shall submit to the electors of the city or village the question of purchasing or constructing such works before any further proceedings are had, and no further proceedings shall be had by such common council or board of trustees, unless a majority of such electors vote for the purchasing or constructing of such works.