Minutes of public meeting of the Senate

November 11, 2018

1) Strymon reported that he is attending today as Proxy for Senator Rad Parthicus.

2) Senate Lead Beningborough announced that Guy Leone has resigned his position as Senator.

3) Emperor Galtier reviewed the rationale (essentially lack of demand) and implementation of the closing of Romanum II, the second oldest in the Empire. He was able to report that all who had property in this earliest of sims in the Empire have been able to find new accommodation in Romanum V. Romanum II has been repurposed. The zoo will find a new home there and Stef Drakon will develop public land on that sim. In response to a question about making input to the use of that public land, the Emperor stated that the Consul will handle the matter.

4) Ras Parthicus, Tribunate Lead reported that once the Emperor approves the plan, a small group will be convened to develop any changes needed to the current policy.

Ras also updated those in attendance on issues emanating from the Tribunate: removal of proxies; election of tribunes; and a submission regarding urban design.

5) Markus Vindelici spoke to the contest for Mr. Romanum. At this time there are no candidates. The deadline will be extended and depending on developments in the near future, the contest may be deferred to 2019. He further clarified that you can enter by sending a notecard with picture to him or to Petrus. Markus also asked that all citizens with ideas for the Saturnalia forward them to the coordinators.

6) The meeting on November 18 at 9 a.m. slt regarding the future of the zoo and Marcellus Theatre will proceed as scheduled.

7) Twiztid Drakon on the Hunt to the Ring event, noting that it was very successful. The winners were: Emmerick Gallicus, Ruggeris Britannicus and Janu Vindelici. He reported that Zarek will work with the Emperor on awarding the Imperial Laurel of Honour. The committee continues to encourage people to create backstories for notecards and, finally, it is working an RP101 notecard for easy reference. He reported that his committee is hoping to resurrect an RP event for the Saturnalia as well. Those will suggestions should contact Zarek Antonius.

8) Matters of changes to the Tribunate, its membership, the process for election, recommended changes emanating from the Tribunes themselves and those attending public meetings were then the topic of lengthy and animated discussion. Emperor Galtier first asked all current members of the Tribunate to remain in office until the next elections. He then referred to a memo he had distributed earlier, which in summary, included the following:

1. The Tribunate body would be reduced to 5 members. That decision was made because we had trouble getting 10 people to run for Tribunate in the first place and about half the Tribunate resigned during the year.

2. When a Tribune resigns or is removed from office, the Consuls would appoint a replacement for that year. Another option had been to hold a special election to replace that Tribune.

3. Reduce the number of votes each citizen can cast for the Tribunate election from 10 to 1. This was done to reduce excessive influence from the more powerful families.

4. Keep the option of Tribunes appointing a proxy to represent them at a Tribunate meeting. The Tribunes wanted to eliminate proxies and the Senate concurred. The Consuls felt removing this option was not advisable.

These decisions were met with extensive critical response.

The Emperor then announced that he wished these matters to be the subject of open discussion at this meeting. Animated discussion followed during which several speakers addressed issues involved in the changes suggested and others they felt were important. At the conclusion of this discussion Emperor Galtier put a series of questions to the Senators present. In summary the Senators agreed that: a) the number of Tribunes should be reduced to 5 members (10 in favour, 1 abstention); b) each citizen shall be allowed three votes (6 in favour, 3 opposed, 1 abstention); c) each vote must be for a different candidate (9 votes for this option, 1 for option #1, 1 abstention); d) by a narrow margin (option #1 5 votes, option #2 4 votes, 1 abstention), the Consuls will appoint a replacement for a resigned/removed Tribune.

Regarding proxies, both the Tribune and Senate agreed to eliminate them for the Tribunate at a previous meeting. The Consuls will revisit their decision on this matter.

6) All remaining matters on the posted agenda were deferred to the next meeting.

7) The next open meeting of the Senate will be on Sunday, December 9, 2018 at 11 a.m. slt.

Gratitude,

Ejix E. Silvercloud

Tribunate Scribe on behalf of Ixion Parthicus, Senate Scribe.