Ward 15
All MembersCouncilman 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

Statement from City Council President Sabina Matos on Nightlife Issues in the City of Providence
Last Thursday, the City Council approved a resolution sponsored by Majority Leader Ryan to engage a consultant to provide an updated evaluation of the Board of Licenses. Last Thursday I also announced the creation of a Night Life Working Group to assess the numerous...

City Council Calls for Review of Board of Licenses and Creates a Working Group to Explore Nightlife Culture
The City Council tonight announced initiatives to review the processes and procedures to review the Board of Licenses, and to also set up a working group to address the issues surrounding nightlife that we are facing in Providence. This Council will be engaging the...

City Council Votes to Create Community Choice Electricity Aggregation
The Providence City Council voted tonight to authorize the Mayor and the City’s Office of Sustainability to develop and implement an aggregation plan to allow the residents of Providence to have more control over their electric bills. According to the EPA, Community...

Statement From City Council President Sabina Matos Regarding the Council’s Notice of Non-Oppostion
Today, I sent a letter to Commissioner Infante-Green expressing that the City Council would not be issuing any "Show-Cause Materials," and have instead provided a Notice of Non-Opposition. Below is a copy of that letter: September 4, 2019 Angélica Infante-Green,...

Statement from City Council President Sabina Matos
I am devastated to learn that a 15-year-old girl was allegedly sexually assaulted in Donigian Park last night. Our city parks are meant to be refuges from city living, and a place of safety and comfort for kids and adults alike. Assault of any kind can have...

Statement from City Council President Sabina Matos Regarding this Morning’s Recent Acts of Violence
Waking up to the news of more violence in our City is disheartening. As the Council President, I am committed to working with my colleagues on the Council, the Board of Licenses, public safety officials, and the Administration to work collaboratively to find ways to...