Local Politics
  1. Home
  2. US
  3. Guam
  4. Hagåtña
  5. Meetings

2026-08-12 - Mayors' Council of Guam

Summary

Built from the posted Secretary's Minutes of the 18th Mayors' Council of Guam (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 10:08 a.m. by President Mayor Alig of Piti; adjourned at 11:04 a.m. Seventeen members were present at roll call. Mayor Gumataotao of Hagåtña was marked absent.
  • July minutes approved (the only confirmed approval of a prior set; see 2026-07-01 - Mayors' Council of Guam), and the treasurer's report approved.
  • A motion to keep the unspent $10,000 Guam Visitors Bureau sponsorship in a "lockbox" for the 83rd Liberation queen's float carried; a motion to extend the 82nd queen's reign a second year failed 3 to 15.
  • The Standard Operating Procedures are not ready for adoption; a revised draft is due in one to two weeks.
  • The Council will seek a $1.0 to $1.5 million appropriation from the recycling revolving fund for village cleanup.

Approvals and Executive Director's report

  • Vice Mayor Bautista moved to approve the July minutes, seconded by Mayor Taitague; carried. Mayor Taitague moved to approve the treasurer's report, seconded by Vice Mayor Bautista; carried.
  • Executive Director Arceo reported on ARPA Interest Allocation: $500,000 split between two villages, with payments already sent to village accounts.
  • Ethics training August 21 at 8:30 a.m. (staff who have not attended must participate); residency-verification training for the new system tentatively starts August 19 (see Village Management System); the Typhoon Bavi financial report is due Monday, August 17 to the Governor, the Legislature and the Public Auditor under 38-134.

Department of Education Relations

  • Mayor Alig had still received no response from the Guam Department of Education (GDOE) Superintendent to his June 3 request for a meeting, and suggested separate work sessions with GDOE, since 15 minutes on a Council agenda is too little.
  • Vice Mayor Blas was introduced as the Council's alternate on the Guam Education Board. He and Mayor Terlaje signed a letter opposing use of the George Washington High School campus for the Sifa Charter School. Mayor Terlaje relayed Board members' concerns about school readiness; the Deputy Superintendent said principals should not ask mayors' offices for grass cutting because maintenance contracts exist.

Liberation Queen Pageant

  • The 82nd Liberation Queen Committee (Mayors Terlaje and Santos) submitted a closeout report; a balance of just over $5,000 remains in the 82nd Liberation account.
  • Of a $15,000 Guam Visitors Bureau sponsorship, $5,000 paid for the queen's brunch and $10,000 was left after the typhoon-related parade cancellation; the Bureau authorized carrying it over. Motion to hold the $10,000 in the MCOG revolving fund as a lockbox for the 83rd queen's float and royal court: moved by Mayor Terlaje, seconded by Mayor Taitague; carried.
  • Motion to have the 82nd queen and court reign one more year with no 83rd pageant: moved by Mayor Terlaje, seconded by Mayor Quinata. Concerns: it would shut out villages wishing to enter a candidate in 2027, and past turnout was only one to three candidates; some wanted a new queen and better year-round use of the court. Show of hands: 3 yes, 15 no; failed.
  • Mayor Alig suggested using the royal court as year-round advocates, for example partnering with the child protective agency and the Council to promote foster families (see Foster Care Initiative); to be taken to the committee.

Typhoon Bobby Disaster Assistance

  • Under "Typhoon Bavi Updates," the Executive Director reminded members of the required expenditure report. Mayor Susuico of Hågat said the Hågat green waste list was still not cleared; staff will remind the Department of Public Works. No other concerns; item closed.

Standard Operating Procedures Revision

  • Mayor Alig said the circulated SOP is not ready for adoption. Issues: confusing thresholds for approval of expenditures from non-appropriated fund (NAF) and revolving accounts (including above $25,000); the three-quote rule and "no quote" responses (the Executive Director said a "no quote" is a non-response, and a sole vendor needs an attestation of a tested market); and the flow of civil wedding revenue.
  • Action: Mayor Alig and the Executive Director will revise and circulate a draft in one to two weeks; a work session may precede adoption.

Recycling Revolving Fund

  • The Council wants to reclaim the recycling revolving fund for an island-wide cleanup program, saying the Department of Public Works may have enough for itself but not for villages. Intent: a separate appropriation of about $1.0 to $1.5 million for junk and recyclables removal. No legislative draft yet; Mayor Alig will report back.

Announcements

  • The Guam Preservation Trust asked for northern and southern village presentations before August 31 on the National Heritage Area Feasibility Study.
  • Second annual Yona Cultural Festival by the Sea, August 28 to 30 at Tagachang Beach; Hågat's Mount Carmel Fiesta Carnival and Car Show, August 29 to 30.

Sources