Ward 15
All Members
Councilman Oscar Vargas
Councilman Oscar O. Vargas was elected to City Council in the summer of 2021. He represents Ward 15, which includes the parts of Silver Lake, Olneyville, Manton, and Valley neighborhoods. Councilman Vargas is the Chairman of the Committee on Public Works and a member of the Committee on Ordinances. He is also a member of the Water Supply Board.
As a resident of Providence for more than 20 years, Councilman Vargas has had the opportunity to experience firsthand the issues Ward 15 faces.
Born in Zacapa, Guatemala, Councilman Vargas immigrated to Providence, Rhode Island, in 1989. He attended Central High School, and after graduation, he worked at the Citizens Bank Corporation Office. Councilman Vargas has also worked as a jeweler; a year later, he opened his jewelry shop. In 2016 he received an auto mechanic certificate from MTTI.
Ward 15: Olneyville, Silver Lake, Valley
Recent News
City Council Calls on Community Members to Participate in LGBTQIA+ Online Exhibit
The Providence City Council and the Providence City Archives have teamed up to create an online exhibit in celebration of PRIDE Month this June. The exhibit will share the history of LGBTQIA+ rights in Providence as well as highlighting the stories of today’s LGBTQIA+...
Providence City Council to Award Clínica Esperanza/Hope Clinic $100K Grant to Expand COVID-19 Testing
Providence City Council President Sabina Matos (Ward 15) announced today that the City Council would be granting Clínica Esperanza/Hope Clinic a $100 Thousand grant to expand COVID-19 testing at their health clinic. Data made public by the Rhode Island Department of...
Statement from City Council President Sabina Matos Regarding the Cancellation of Tonight’s City Council Meeting
The City Council was scheduled to meet tonight to accept the Mayor’s Budget and to refer to Committee. Unfortunately, the budget articles were not made available to the public prior to our meeting. During these restrictive times, it’s paramount that the public be...
Providence City Council to Hold Virtual Meeting Via Teleconference
Participants Can Call Into the Meeting With Their Phones Providence will be the first Council Body to use this Teleconferencing Technology In light of the worldwide COVID-19 outbreak which has affected many of us here in Rhode Island, the Governor issued an executive...
Thursday’s City Council Meeting to be Livestreamed
In light of the worldwide COVID-19 outbreak which recently reared its head here in Rhode Island, the Governor issued an executive order today lifting OMA restrictions for public meetings. The order allows for adequate alternative means of public access such as over...
Statement from Council President Sabina Matos and the Members of the City Council
Statement Regarding Recent Updates around the State and City's Response to COVID-19 This morning, Governor Gina Raimondo issued an executive order to close all bars and restaurants in the State of Rhode Island. The executive order only allows for carry-out and...
