[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},"mediaId",6346709,"mediaKeyId","2246576-c3e5ee4c2d2fe8bfeba411f3252cb4f3","parentId",2246576,"title","Mayor’s Council approves January minutes and treasurer’s report; treasurer to follow up on dues collection","audioSeconds",148,"startMs",6423000,"endMs",6571000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2246576-c3e5ee4c2d2fe8bfeba411f3252cb4f3&start=6423&end=6571","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2246576-c3e5ee4c2d2fe8bfeba411f3252cb4f3/thumbnail_6423000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6346709/Mayors-Council-approves-January-minutes-and-treasurers-report-treasurer-to-follow-up-on-dues-collection","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6346709-79cda93e2b917b355cf366a8f66f15e5/orig.mp4?Expires=1770909318&Signature=ip~Cm7SI6WEzJ5eAelGMbRfFbGZhn78vvybtXGevaSVaC~tbYrpaCaYq4TaUnQ08wEv8Cf1WqVuPuu6OTQVYcarbbV77mzx3lUyU6rbGXaNBnMN7Eg3ueputgAWtA-iSMtDocm4sBolhNUSceZ~18bIgVJaqtA8iyQffv0p9f2hK7Y6Wd4FJeWZbrF~9CzoIqMeJE~3Bcz6NiVivQ3VVS2k-W46oiQQ66GA7hIN~1yt3GDwLmt-TmF6G1o89G57BMshhdcFgNDF5~eLwTKSAKtVrmBlClYUoO6I8HezYhnks9tm2vug1NGYZJ0Yq8YOVBXy2cyg~Np0F6vY0tUVqTw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Mayor's Council of Guam","date","2025-02-05T02:23:16Z","article","The Mayor’s Council of Guam voted to approve the minutes from its January meeting and approved the treasurer’s report during its Feb. 5 meeting.

A motion to approve the January minutes was made by the mayor of Telfofo and seconded by the mayor of Malesso. The motion carried by voice vote with no recorded opposition.

A motion to approve the treasurer’s report was made by the vice mayor of Barrigada and seconded by the mayor of Dededo; that motion also carried by voice vote. During the treasurer’s report the treasurer said he had not realized he was responsible for collecting new‑member dues and that he would follow up.

Why it matters: council approval of minutes and financial reports are routine actions that keep municipal governance records current. The treasurer’s acknowledgement that membership dues collection remains incomplete is an operational item the council directed staff to resolve before the next meeting.

Next steps: the treasurer will follow up on membership‑dues collection and report back; the council’s executive director asked that the treasurer have an update at the next meeting or training session.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Mayors' Council of Guam Monthly Regular Meeting - February 05, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Mayor’s Council of Guam approved the Jan. minutes and the treasurer’s report by voice vote on Feb. 5. The treasurer said he had not yet collected membership dues from new mayors and will follow up.","taxTitle","Mayor’s Council of Guam, Agencies, Executive , Guam","taxId",18961,"location","","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},6346712,"Guam Green Growth offers Conservation Corps schedule, village cleanup and workforce training",811,5662000,6473000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2246576-c3e5ee4c2d2fe8bfeba411f3252cb4f3&start=5662&end=6473","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2246576-c3e5ee4c2d2fe8bfeba411f3252cb4f3/thumbnail_5662000.jpg","/articles/6346712/Guam-Green-Growth-offers-Conservation-Corps-schedule-village-cleanup-and-workforce-training","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6346712-7d22091fcdba992938024c15f32d222c/orig.mp4?Expires=1770909318&Signature=B2GfiEdLcsOB3Eah4qiYtSDWUV4L0iOjHYvljQv0uxSFDQYfbdOrWqRfTENyMF7XuOnlCjxu5ptB64MpyYE5nx3WcL2z~U7VhYm9pn~lfm8DgKFukjunPFodTCYMJFQED5p9QH9LzQjjSNZyA5H8bHY5rB-uwMmUEr-yzgahAAsDju0oNay~TmqiaNe8cDseb7eahAz~oN~elmCTctYvMSFrE704I6znazx1svJUzh6T4dAJLOD1nP~S0ENTCpDXAaVjQQd7~LCNdycVWLsvg9tarXLAsr-3nZ1fZ2ahOq4Gw1ItdzqQDDTLUEdI~p5G1nTenzKurHMgmxyrBXs7ug__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Dr. Austin Shelton, representing the University of Guam Center for Island Sustainability and Guam Green Growth, updated the Mayor’s Council of Guam on Feb. 5 about the Guam Green Growth Conservation Corps and the group’s calendar of village projects for the coming season.

Shelton said the Corps is a workforce-development program that trains members in agriculture, aquaculture, invasive-species removal, renewable energy and ocean conservation while partnering with village offices for weekly island‑beautification events. “This is a workforce development program that's preparing our island for the emerging green economy,” Shelton told mayors.

Why it matters: the Conservation Corps links hands-on restoration, recycling and education work with local governments. Shelton said the program has graduated 48 members across four seasons and that, in prior seasons, the Corps recycled 31,000 aluminum cans and removed 13,000 pounds of trash; the recycled-can proceeds supported local schools.

Shelton said the Corps will visit every village during the season (the packet lists a tentative schedule beginning in late March) and asked village offices to nominate projects and volunteer partners. The Corps can do cleanups, murals, plantings, removal of tires and bulky items and certain small‑scale erosion‑control or sediment‑check projects; large disposals or landfill tipping fees remain the responsibility of the village or solid‑waste authority.

Administrative details: Shelton introduced Anna Nia Nauta as the Corps contact and asked that mayors review the printed schedule and provide project requests. Mayor Jesse Alec asked staff to re‑send the packet electronically to all mayors; Shelton confirmed the team will meet village staff and volunteers to coordinate specific dates and tasks.","Dr. Austin Shelton described Guam Green Growth’s Conservation Corps — a six-month workforce-development and village beautification program that begins in late March — and offered mayors hands-on support for municipal cleanups and small projects.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},6346717,"Waste‑to‑energy plan pushed as landfill nears capacity; proponent seeks Mayor’s Council support",2262,3601000,5863000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2246576-c3e5ee4c2d2fe8bfeba411f3252cb4f3&start=3601&end=5863","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2246576-c3e5ee4c2d2fe8bfeba411f3252cb4f3/thumbnail_3601000.jpg","/articles/6346717/Wastetoenergy-plan-pushed-as-landfill-nears-capacity-proponent-seeks-Mayors-Council-support","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6346717-723b699bfd4fed00247031f7848d6036/orig.mp4?Expires=1770909318&Signature=YMAqqI-zhyWn5ZIk2VowjLKbM5gelLNOyzJRo-l87s~3fJcIc7Xt4f8QfLyx613DND4l~F~heaJPmMBk5Win6TPnRTeIsgAlH47r1L5w8~t2Gtw~NsvU~jWIyn5IqKICSvH6d-dStKgWw5kOgmf5HrLM1BlNtx2Rd1ovz1QiplvDpcNgeVXcCeHINSjSQb5s5Lfi~Tb2~udaEY~BHOduauBtLTepYs6j6jgq6hgNKkHWoAb~V7BYrhkgpegGlhdPzLwEQ0FPvZ9CQWmEPcRJ5HVJd88v5A2kdUwrl5l8kVtV8nKDt2rd89Ubb3gClfA9XRwjwakC~HeBocmUePmo2A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Dave Sablan, representing Guam Resource Recovery Partners, briefed the Mayor’s Council of Guam on Feb. 5 about a proposed waste‑to‑energy (incineration with energy recovery) project and asked the council for support in moving a resolution and legislative action.

Sablan said a properly designed facility would burn the combustible fraction of municipal solid waste, produce steam to run turbines and generate electricity, and reduce landfill volume by about 90 percent. “The incinerator boils the water, the water creates steam, the steam turns the turbine, the turbine turns the generator, and you have electricity,” Sablan told mayors.

Why it matters: Sablan said Lezon (the island landfill referenced in the meeting) is filling cells at a pace that will require either new cells or a new approach; he estimated the capital cost for a facility sized to Guam’s waste stream at roughly $200 million and a construction timeline of about 2½ to 3 years. He told mayors the project could lower per‑ton disposal costs (he cited current collection/transport costs to the landfill at roughly $230/ton versus a projected $60–$80/ton for incineration) and produce electricity that would be delivered to the Guam Power Authority.

Sablan addressed environmental controls, saying modern facilities operate at much higher temperatures than backyard burning and use scrubbers and continuous emissions monitoring to meet regulatory limits. He also said the project’s license traces to earlier contract arrangements and that parts of past agreements were amended; he asked the Mayor’s Council to consider a resolution backing legislative steps to clear remaining procurement and permitting processes.

Concerns and follow-up: several mayors raised air‑quality and siting questions; Sablan said regulators such as the U.S. EPA and Guam authorities would set and enforce emissions limits and that the project team would conduct environmental and historic‑preservation reviews before construction. He said the project team has discussed potential sites and that siting options have included lands near existing power facilities and other government land, but negotiations and leases would need to be resolved.

Sablan said he prepared a draft resolution and asked the Mayor’s Council to consider endorsing it so the project proponents could approach the governor and the legislature. The council asked for the written packet Sablan referenced; staff said they would redistribute the materials electronically and follow up with additional briefings.","Dave Sablan of Guam Resource Recovery Partners told the Mayor’s Council that a waste‑to‑energy plant could cut landfill volume 90 percent, produce electricity and cost about $200 million; he requested a council resolution to advance the project to the legislature.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},6346721,"USDA outlines feral swine trapping, warns of disease and funding shortfalls",1487,2149000,3636000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2246576-c3e5ee4c2d2fe8bfeba411f3252cb4f3&start=2149&end=3636","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2246576-c3e5ee4c2d2fe8bfeba411f3252cb4f3/thumbnail_2149000.jpg","/articles/6346721/USDA-outlines-feral-swine-trapping-warns-of-disease-and-funding-shortfalls","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6346721-c9f857596cd08ca9e4f3b2b629148d34/orig.mp4?Expires=1770909318&Signature=dXOxB~b-6yZtg-w0ThvMWZVfF~iDGSkALS5XDhiYFsDdlC0bhhwVvQ~FTz9vpLxQDO2Lf8~YuqWdMzoVkM3XDdTKOvnMzc4yehrrlNWVTpsbkuCaFWu7t3uelL87qHs9HyRPI4OUPf-qvxe~VGmuOKtXpXWV0a3OxNke-sMUTHCIEpI0MRDk0DOhU7yoIe-bWDDxIpBZM11Ojbd-gKMsECIFz0VR6fBM2JZfyzLk7YtWSHpWtenv-rjs6ugmLhW3TY9ortcCeBqOmIF1Guq~LkndqIgE2WGuZwoKALCUstp3N8x59-dXJnEG13yEbLVfjg-TqtbbBYE1UgxE4O12Jg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Chad Richardson, who supervises the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Wildlife Services feral swine program on Guam, told the Mayor’s Council of Guam on Feb. 5 that feral pigs pose collision, disease and property risks and that the federal and local program funding is insufficient to meet demand.

Richardson described modern corral traps that capture entire sounders and remote-monitoring systems that allow the team to close traps quickly and remove large numbers of pigs. “A pig is a pig is a pig,” Richardson said, summarizing his more than two decades of experience with swine control.

Why it matters: feral pigs damage yards, crops and trash cans, can collide with vehicles and carry zoonotic diseases Richardson said are more prevalent on Guam than on the U.S. mainland. The USDA team is operating a small field staff of three trappers plus a program lead and, when fully funded, removes roughly 1,000 pigs a year; Richardson said the program needs more stable, longer-term funding to expand coverage.

Richardson described partnerships and current funding sources: a federal allocation tied to the national feral swine program for territories, Fish and Wildlife Service money for work at Rotidian (Guam National Wildlife Refuge), and grants from Northern and Southern Soil and Water Conservation Districts. He said the territories currently receive a flat federal appropriation of $125,000 a year for feral swine efforts — an amount he called inadequate to sustain staffing, traps and equipment across the island.

Mayor Jesse Alec urged the council to consider seeking a single appropriation from the legislature to fund the island-wide effort rather than relying on each village’s small budgets. Alec said the feral swine program affects every village and that a centralized request to the governor and legislature would be more effective than piecemeal village funding.

Richardson said he will follow up individually with mayors and bring field staff to meet each village to plan local responses, share maps of hot spots and discuss priorities for trap placement. He asked mayors to consider local contributions that could stabilize staffing and expand response capacity.

Follow-up: the Mayor’s Council agreed to consider a coordinated funding request to the legislature and for USDA Wildlife Services to meet one‑on‑one with villages to refine trapping plans.","USDA Wildlife Services briefed mayors on feral pig threats, trapping methods and disease risks and asked the Mayor’s Council to consider a unified funding request after federal territory funding proved insufficient.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},6346724,"Presiding judge asks mayors to partner on treatment courts as drug, alcohol cases grow",1542,717000,2259000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2246576-c3e5ee4c2d2fe8bfeba411f3252cb4f3&start=717&end=2259","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2246576-c3e5ee4c2d2fe8bfeba411f3252cb4f3/thumbnail_717000.jpg","/articles/6346724/Presiding-judge-asks-mayors-to-partner-on-treatment-courts-as-drug-alcohol-cases-grow","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6346724-71b76ccb29d1d18167117ae9518d52a8/orig.mp4?Expires=1770909318&Signature=WSJbHkD4VV-T3ZXMaxth0X6J3V~NZxQKW~XNIaRZcm0Z2X2hfMr184OBgJI8CxiqiwBRlmj6n3iQ5TB3Yi4G70TfnzZcOB~Te6yIOjiI0MuRKr56nseVdgmdl7Wv-yOWVnjkxeWvhi4sP4ZK27I0RDbQqQbRbk4YRnK8HJZo7hl-4hwdVzdmlSSVXSm85fWMNBDqmERVDuZ5ZSVi4hsFzX2An5UPJFhqn2snX18B2xTWOFAiRbYQImqKM~S7wK853w2uwj6l4O7Cnc8AWomYxOMtNah7PEviKGuh1lDaYiyKpq1lxnP28YWZ9dmqieTUZVYv2EvpfWNRAc9MekJn8A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Presiding Judge Lamorena, Presiding Judge of the Superior Court of Guam, told the Mayor’s Council of Guam on Feb. 5 that the island’s treatment courts and community treatment capacity are overwhelmed and asked mayors to join a coordinated response.

Lamorena said the island has more people seeking treatment than the court-funded slots can handle and urged mayors to help identify community options that do not require prosecution. “We just have too few openings for too many people trying to get in,” Lamorena said at the council meeting.

Why it matters: the judge said treatment courts — a collaboration of the court, Guam Behavioral Health, local recovery providers and other agencies — provide intensive, federally funded treatment for people charged with substance offenses, but slots are limited. Lamorena described long-term trends in methamphetamine cases and said the court and health providers need municipal partners to expand noncourt treatment placements and local support services.

Lamorena gave historical context in the meeting. He said the Superior Court handled “over 3,000 cases” by people charged with possession of a controlled substance in the early 2000s, and that the Attorney General filed about 900 felony cases last year, “half of them were possession cases.” He warned that many residents cannot access treatment because federal treatment‑court grants require quality standards and the current capacity is limited.

The judge described four pillars of recovery that treatment programs emphasize — sobriety, rebuilding social relationships, employment and self‑esteem through volunteering — and asked mayors to consider community roles such as supporting recovery jobs, local prevention work and graduation recognition. He also said many treatment providers are people in recovery themselves and stressed that creating local social bonds can support long-term sobriety.

After the presentation, Mayor Jesse Alec, President of the Mayor’s Council of Guam, asked to schedule a dedicated meeting for mayors and treatment stakeholders. Lamorena agreed and the council’s staff indicated they will help coordinate a follow-up meeting with the presiding judge’s chambers, Guam Behavioral Health and recovery providers to present available options and resources.

Next steps: council staff will help schedule a stakeholder briefing so mayors can review treatment‑court operations, community treatment options and local roles in prevention and recovery referrals. The judge said the court will participate in the meeting and urged mayors to bring community questions and lists of local resources.","Presiding Judge Lamorena told the Mayor’s Council of Guam on Feb. 5 that treatment-court capacity is far short of need and asked the mayors to help plan noncourt and court-linked treatment options; the council agreed to schedule a stakeholder meeting.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Mayor’s Council approves January minutes and treasurer’s report; treasurer to follow up on dues collection

Guam Green Growth offers Conservation Corps schedule, village cleanup and workforce training

Waste‑to‑energy plan pushed as landfill nears capacity; proponent seeks Mayor’s Council support

USDA outlines feral swine trapping, warns of disease and funding shortfalls

Presiding judge asks mayors to partner on treatment courts as drug, alcohol cases grow