R.I. Gen. Laws § 45-5-21: Power of city and town councils to appropriate funds granted by the federal government.

In addition to the powers granted by charter or the public laws of the state especially relating to city and town councils, all city and town councils are authorized, through passage of an ordinance, to appropriate and obligate funds received by the city or town from the federal government under the provisions of title II, Anti-Recession Provisions, Local Public Works Act of 1976, 42 U.S.C. § 6721 et seq.