§ 2350-d. Powers of the agency. The agency shall have the power, except as otherwise provided herein:

1. To sue and be sued;

2. To have a seal and alter the same at pleasure;

3. To borrow money and issue bonds or other obligations and to provide for the rights of the holders thereof;

4. To enter into contracts and to execute all instruments necessary or convenient or desirable for the purposes of the agency to carry out any powers expressly given to it in this title;

5. To acquire by purchase, gift, grant, transfer, contract or lease or by condemnation pursuant to the eminent domain procedure law, lease as lessee, hold, and use any real or personal property or any interest therein, as the agency may deem necessary, convenient or desirable to carry out the purpose of this title;

6. To develop, construct or maintain a project;

7. To operate and manage and to contract for the operation and management of properties of the agency;

8. To lease properties of the agency to any person and to the county or the state or any state agency or their respective designee or to enter into a service agreement with respect to any properties with the county, upon such terms and conditions as shall be determined by the agency, any person, the county or the state, or any state agency, as the case may be;

9. To apply to the appropriate agencies and officials of the federal, state and local governments for such licenses, permits or approvals of its plans or projects as it may deem necessary or advisable, and upon such terms and conditions as it may deem appropriate, and to accept, in its discretion, such licenses, permits or approvals as may be tendered to it by such agencies and officials;

10. Subject to the provisions of the civil service law and any applicable collective bargaining agreement, to appoint such employees as are required for the performance of its duties, to fix and determine their qualifications, duties and compensation, and to retain or employ counsel, auditors, and private consultants, on a contract basis or otherwise, as independent contractors for rendering professional or technical services and advice;

11. To make plans and studies necessary, convenient or desirable for the effectuation of the purposes and powers of the agency and to prepare recommendations in regard thereto;

12. To enter upon such lands, waters or premises as in the judgment of the agency shall be necessary for the purpose of making surveys, soundings, borings and examinations to accomplish any purpose authorized by this title, the agency being liable only for actual damage done;

13. To apply for and to accept any gifts or grants or loans of funds or property or financial or other aid in any form from the federal government or any agency or instrumentality thereof, or from the state or any agency or instrumentality thereof or from any other source, for any or all of the purposes specified in this title, and to comply, subject to the provisions of this title, with the terms and conditions thereof;

14. To insure or otherwise to provide for the insurance of the corporation's property or operations and also contract against such other risks as the corporation may deem advisable; and

15. To do all things necessary, convenient or desirable to carry out its purposes and for the exercise of the powers granted in this title.