first class 1. a. Notwithstanding the provisions of the “Local Lands and Buildings Law,” P.L.1971, c.199 (C. 40A:12-1 et seq.) or any other law, rule or regulation to the contrary, when the governing body of a city of the first class shall determine by ordinance, with or without competitive bidding, that it is in the public interest to contract with a duly incorporated nonprofit association for the provision of water supply services as defined in subsection (16) of section 15 of P.L.1971, c.198 (C. 40A:11-15), or for the provision of wastewater treatment services as defined in subsection (19) of section 15 of P.L.1971, c.198 (C. 40A:11-15), the governing body is hereby authorized to lease any real property, capital improvement or personal property, or interests therein, or any part thereof, without compliance with any other law governing disposal of lands by municipalities except as provided pursuant to paragraph (1) of this subsection. Any such lease may be made or given, with or without consideration, for a period not to exceed 40 years and under any agreement and on any terms and conditions which may be approved by the governing body and which may be agreed to by the nonprofit association.

(1) (a) Any lands subject to the provisions of P.L.1988, c.163, as amended by P.L.1990, c.19, that are leased or otherwise conveyed to a duly incorporated nonprofit association pursuant to the provisions of P.L.2002, c.47 (C. 40A:12-17.1 et al.) shall continue to be subject to the provisions of P.L.1988, c.163, as amended by P.L.1990, c.19.

(b) Upon leasing or otherwise controlling lands subject to the provisions of P.L.1988, c.163, as amended by P.L.1990, c.19, a duly incorporated nonprofit association subject to the provisions of P.L.2002, c.47 (C. 40A:12-17.1 et al.) shall be subject to the provisions of P.L.1988, c.163, as amended by P.L.1990, c.19, with respect to those lands.

(c) The leasing of lands subject to the provisions of P.L.1988, c.163, as amended by P.L.1990, c.19, by a city of the first class to a duly incorporated nonprofit association pursuant to the provisions of P.L.2002, c.47 (C. 40A:12-17.1 et al.) shall not be considered a conveyance for the purposes of P.L.1988, c.163, as amended by P.L.1990, c.19.

(d) Any lands that are leased or otherwise conveyed to a duly incorporated nonprofit association pursuant to the provisions of P.L.2002, c.47 (C. 40A:12-17.1 et al.) shall not be developed for any purpose other than for the provision of water supply services or wastewater treatment services as determined by the Commissioner of Environmental Protection.

(2) Nothing contained in this section abrogates, amends, modifies, impairs or repeals the obligations previously assumed by a city of the first class pursuant to the provisions of R.S.58:14-1 et seq., including any contract or compact entered into thereby.

b. The authorization provided in this section shall be subject to the provisions of sections 3 through 6 of P.L.2002, c.47 (C. 58:28-4 through 58:28-7).

c. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this section to the contrary, a duly incorporated nonprofit association that intends to enter into a contract with the governing body of a city of the first class for the provision of water supply services as defined in subsection (16) of section 15 of P.L.1971, c.198 (C. 40A:11-15), or for the provision of wastewater treatment services as defined in subsection (19) of section 15 of P.L.1971, c.198 (C. 40A:11-15), or both, as the case may be, shall be subject to the provisions of the “Local Fiscal Affairs Law,” N.J.S. 40A:5-1 et seq., the “Local Authorities Fiscal Control Law,” P.L.1983, c.313 (C. 40A:5A-1 et seq.), the “Local Government Ethics Law,” P.L.1991, c.29 (C. 40A:9-22.1 et seq.), and the “Open Public Meetings Act,” P.L.1975, c.231 (C. 10:4-6 et seq.), inclusive, and shall be considered a “local unit” pursuant to N.J.S.40A:5-2, an “authority” pursuant to section 3 of P.L.1983, c.313 (C. 40A:5A-3), a “local government agency” pursuant to section 3 of P.L.1991, c.29 (C. 40A:9-22.3), and a “public body” pursuant to section 3 of P.L.1975, c.231 (C. 10:4-8), respectively.

d. Notwithstanding the provisions of any other law to the contrary, any property that is leased or otherwise conveyed to a duly incorporated nonprofit association pursuant to the provisions of P.L.2002, c.47 (C. 40A:12-17.1 et al.) shall not be subject to any exemption from taxation.

e. Nothing contained in this section or in any contract entered into pursuant to sections 1 and 2 of P.L.2002, c.47 (C. 40A:12-17.1 and C. 40A:11-5.1) abrogates, amends, modifies, impairs or repeals the obligations and responsibilities imposed on a city of the first class or a duly incorporated nonprofit association by the environmental laws of this State, including, but not limited to, the “Water Pollution Control Act,” P.L.1977, c.74 (C. 58:10A-1 et seq.), the “Safe Drinking Water Act,” P.L.1977, c.224 (C. 58:12A-1 et seq.), the “Water Supply Management Act,” P.L.1981, c.262 (C. 58:1A-1 et seq.), and the “Water Supply and Wastewater Operators’ Licensing Act,” P.L.1983, c.230 (C. 58:11-64 et seq.).

L.2002,c.47,s.1.