American Canyon's Aboudamous on excused absence from City Council meetings
American Canyon City Councilmember Mariam Aboudamous hasn't participated in a City Council meeting since April 16, but says she's keeping up on city business.
Aboudamous said she is on maternity leave. She gave birth to a healthy baby boy on June 6 and she is doing well.
On Tuesday, the City Council approved an excused absence for Aboudamous from council meetings from June 4 to Dec. 3, which is the remainder of her term. She didn't run for reelection.
Aboudamous will continue to be paid under the excused absence policy. Council members make $315 a month.
The council took the action on the consent calendar without comment.
"Although I have been unable to attend council meetings, I have not neglected my constituents," Aboudamous said. "In fact, many of them have had the opportunity to meet my children at events such as National Night Out and Meet Me in the Street. I've also been in frequent contact with my council colleagues, as well as my city manager and other city staff."
However, Aboudamous' voice and viewpoints, at least for now, are missing from the discussions at council meetings.
In this high-tech era, elected officials who can't attend a meeting in person often participate by Zoom. But that apparently isn't an option for Aboudamous.
"While Mariam is willing to participate in City Council meetings by Zoom, the state Legislature prohibits women from participating in public meetings from the privacy of their home while caring for a new infant," City Manager Jason Holley said.
Aboudamous said that, "unfortunately, our state Legislature does not take into account things such as new moms needing to care for their newborns" when drafting teleconferencing legislation.
Holley expects Aboudamous will be at the Nov. 19 meeting, when the council will recognize her and Mayor Leon Garcia – who will also be leaving the council in December – for their service, he said.
Aboudamous was elected to the City Council in 2016 and reelected in 2020.
You can reach Barry Eberling at 707-256-2253 or
Napa County Reporter
