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

Councilman Pedro Espinal Calls for Diversity in the Providence Police Department
Providence, RI (November 19, 2020)…At tonight’s City Council meeting, Councilman Pedro Espinal (Ward 10) introduced a resolution encouraging the Providence Police Department to commit to working towards a more diverse department at all levels. This resolution has been...

City Council Urges Governor to Assist Restaurants Seeking Liquor License Renewals
This evening, the Providence City Council passed a resolution requesting that the State of Rhode Island take an active role in easing the liquor license renewal process for Rhode Island restaurants. This is another step the Providence City Council is taking to...

Councilwoman Carmen Castillo Calls for the Creation of a Special Commission on ATV and Recreational Vehicle Enforcement
Councilwoman Carmen Castillo (Ward 9) introduced a resolution at tonight's City Council meeting calling for the formation of a Special Commission on All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) and Recreational Vehicle Enforcement. Off-road vehicles are currently banned from operating...

Providence City Council Says “Yes” to the Hospitality Worker Comeback Legislation
The Hospitality Worker Comeback Legislation Ensures that Hospitality Workers Laid Off Due to the Pandemic Can Return to Their Jobs and Their Livelihoods Tonight the City Council passed the “Hospitality Worker Comeback” legislation which was introduced by City Council...

Statement from Providence City Council Leadership Regarding Arrest of ‘Providence Purge’ Suspect
Statement from Providence City Council Leadership Regarding Arrest of 'Providence Purge' Suspect We would like to thank the Providence Police Department for their diligent work, apprehending an individual who was inciting fear and violence in the City of Providence....

City Council Approves Extended Contract with Waste Management of Rhode Island
At last week's City Council meeting, the Council approved a resolution proposed by the Committee on Finance to extend the City's contract with Waste Management of Rhode Island by three years. Led by Chairman John J. Igliozzi, Esq. (Ward 7), the Finance Committee has...