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2026-05-06 - Mayors' Council of Guam

Summary

Built from the posted Secretary's Minutes (the text layer has recognition errors, and dollar signs were read from context). These minutes are posted but their approval is unconfirmed. No video is posted, so there is no transcript or timing.

  • Regular monthly meeting, called to order at 10:11 a.m. by President Mayor Alig of Piti; adjourned at 12:05 p.m. Sixteen members were present at roll call. Mayor Gumataotao of Hagåtña was marked absent.
  • Main business was Typhoon Sinlaku recovery: damage reporting for FEMA assistance, lessons learned and the $250,000 emergency fund.
  • The Council voted to ask the Legislature to extend use of the remaining emergency funds.
  • The Liberation Queen funding schedule was revised after the typhoon.
  • March minutes and the treasurer's report were approved.

Approvals and Executive Director's report

  • March minutes: moved by Mayor Ungacta, seconded by Mayor Taitague; carried. Treasurer's report: moved by Mayor Hofmann, seconded by Vice Mayor Bautista; carried.
  • Executive Director Arceo: laptops awarded the previous September have arrived, one per village, being tagged for distribution; several villages have not filed second-quarter reports; third-quarter reports are due July 15.

Department of Education Relations

  • Mayor Terlaje reported on talks with the Superintendent about school grounds maintenance contracts, a joint meeting with all mayors and vice mayors, and recent school break-ins. The Superintendent awaits a formal invitation; a signed grounds contract exists (the mayor asked to see it); one elementary school will pilot break-in safety precautions. Plan: send a letter of invitation listing the mayors' concerns for the next monthly meeting.

Guam Visitors Bureau Event Funding

  • Mayor Hofmann reported for the Guam Visitors Bureau and urged mayors to apply early: the Bureau wants 90 days' lead time; 15 memorials are scheduled (3 are not MCOG events) and Guam has 43 fiestas but few applications. Standard funding: major fiestas $5,000, minor fiestas $3,000, festivals $5,000 per day, memorials $3,000. Funds for mayors' events are in the coming fiscal year's budget. Unspent funds act as a cushion because tourism revenue is down, and the Bureau has recently stopped entertaining outside requests to protect mayors' events and Liberation.

Liberation Day Events

  • Mayor Salas said the Asan USMC memorial was "totally destroyed" by Typhoon Sinlaku, the site is dangerous, and the mayor does not expect to hold the July 15 memorial there. The mayor is working with the Department of Parks and Recreation on the site MOU; the land is Government of Guam under Parks and Recreation, and the mayor's office has maintenance responsibility only. Mayor Alig warned mayors to tell the MCOG administration before taking on MOUs or responsibilities for government property.

Liberation Queen Pageant

  • Mayor Terlaje proposed counting the $2,000 eligibility payment in the first funding count instead of the April 24 deadline, with counts on June 6 (before 5:00 p.m.), June 20 and June 24 and the pageant targeted for June 27; mayors with confirmed candidates had signed. Moved by Mayor Terlaje, seconded by Mayor Santos; carried by voice vote, no opposition. In announcements she urged mayors to find a candidate for each village.

Senior Citizens Program (unfinished business)

  • On Senior Citizens Month, with typhoon recovery under way, the Chair asked whether to hold an island-wide event or leave observances to individual senior centers. With no objection, they remain at the senior center level and no Council-wide program will be organized this year.

Typhoon Sinlaku Recovery

  • Mr. Forrest (Territorial Disaster Recovery Coordinator) explained the Initial Damage Assessment needed for a major disaster declaration and FEMA Individual Assistance. Residents call their mayor's office with four data points (name, contact number, physical address, damage level); this is not an application. Training for mayors and staff next day at Adelup. No mayor objected to using their offices as the first point of contact.
  • Deputy Director Jack Hattig described the Public Assistance platform: by Friday, mayors enter location, damage description, photos and estimated repair cost for each damaged public site.
  • Mayor Alig stressed documentation (DLAN tickets and email before chat groups), preparedness and clearer green waste and debris instructions after delays with roll-off bins and vendor capacity. The $250,000 emergency fund is for preparedness and response, with concern that unspent balances may lapse. Motion to formally ask the Legislature to extend or reauthorize use of the remaining funds: moved by Mayor Hofmann, seconded by Mayor Rivera; carried by voice vote. A package of balances, spending summaries and spending plans will go to the Legislature, with Mayor Hofmann leading.
  • Relief for the Northern Mariana Islands and Chuuk: Mayor Susuico is the point of contact for village drives of supplies; a separate meeting is needed on any financial contribution.

National Heritage Area Feasibility Study

  • The Guam Preservation Trust will run an island-wide assessment of cultural sites and traditions, with a standardized survey in every municipality.

Other announcements

  • May is Senior Citizens and Foster Care Month; Mayor Alig asked mayors to promote foster care awareness (see Foster Care Initiative).

Sources