← see the minutes from our previous Council meeting

← Results from #DunesVotes

Thanks to everyone who attended the 7th Dunes Council meeting!

Attendance

• Dunes Council
  • AnvilFrost, General Council
  • CadrienK, Vice Chair
  • luiqid_salad, Master of Events
  • MJFurman_16, Master of Diplomacy (delayed by IRL)
  • nmjk, Council Chair
  • Zarishendu, General Council
  • Absent:
    • pizzaman321, General Council (IRL)
    • vK_InFaMy, General Council (IRL)
• Guests
  • K54, Chief of Police of Desert Task Force (DTF), Barrens Council
  • Elf-Jazai

Agenda

1. Welcome to new Council members
2. Update about Council roles & responsibilities
3. Results of merger referendum, Dunes/Barrens collaboration plans
4. Proposed constitution is now official
5. Resolutions from Cross-District Meeting #5 (which require response)
6. Law Enforcement in the Dunes, whether to renew contract with Desert Task Force
7. Medical update about were-beaver situation
8. Recent elf attacks on Dunian dwarves -- how to handle
9. Update on Olympics outcomes
10. Desert Nismas plans
11. Coe's Birthday Anniversary Celebration (Happy birthday, Coe!)

1. Welcome to new Council members

After the #DunesVotes weekend, we are please to announce the new council. All of the details are now on our reddit-wiki. Make sure to say hi to us when you see us!

2. Update about Council roles & responsibilities

In recognition of there being some imbalance in the work load of various roles, we converted some of the roles to "General Council". These 4 council members will be much more flexible and able to provide their attention to a variety of matters. Among those include: Laws & Enforcement, Commerce, Council Funds, and Residence Management. We're working out who will take on those various responsibilities (and others), and will provide an update when it's finalized. Sorry for that delay!

3. Results of merger referendum, Dunes/Barrens collaboration plans

Several weeks ago, the Barrens Council proposed that Dunes and Barrens merge. Council could not make that decision unilaterally, and chose instead to put it to a Dunes-wide referendum during the #DunesVotes weekend. Full results are available here, but in summary, the two districts will not be merging. However, both Councils are planning to do a lot more collaboratively in the future.

4. Proposed constitution is now official

Also covered during the #DunesVotes weekend was the constitution that vK_InFaMy proposed a number of weeks ago. It is now official and can be read on our reddit-wiki.

5. Resolutions from Cross-District Meeting #5 (which require response)

At the recent 5th Cross-District Meeting, several topics were raised that required Dunes' representatives to report back. They are as follows.

• Magic usage has been unchecked recently, so any magic usage should now be reported to the respective district authorities.
  In our case, that is currently the Desert Task Force. However, magic usage is not yet legislated in the Dunes (only the Barrens), so Council will be working to amend that as soon as possible.
  
• There have been some great concerns with netherrack spreading in the caves.
  It is primarily an issue in Dwarven and Vineyard areas, but many caves connect to each other. There are a number of avid cavers & explorers in the Dunes, so if you are in the caves and you notice any netherrack, please report it to Council, along with coordinates.
  
• The districts discussed cross-district citizenship.
  Not all were unanimous on the matter, but Dunes agreed that multiple citizenship is approved. However, any citizen of multiple districts must choose one district for any political participation, referring primarily to taking a role of responsibility. Citizens are still free to communicate with other councils with the same discretion that has always been exercised.

6. Law Enforcement in the Dunes, whether to renew contract with Desert Task Force

The one-month Dunes Law Enforcement contract with the Desert Task Force ends this weekend, so a vote was taken regarding satisfaction with DTF's ability to meet Dunes' law enforcement needs.

Some concerns expressed include low DTF numbers, which we hadn't had a chance to address due to the DTF's ambassador to the Dunes leaving the force suddenly, and (at the end of the meeting) the limited ability of the DTF to do much, due to the limited laws currently in place in the Dunes. Council is currently working on a proposal for a Dunes police force which, when ready, will be presented at a future Council meeting.

In the meantime, because the proposal is not yet finished, a vote was taken about whether to renew the DTF contract for one week.

The Desert Task Force, as led by K54, will continue to do their best to enforce what few laws the Dunes currently has.

7. Medical update about were-beaver situation

Cadrien reported on behalf of Dr. Koalalover1235, who is out of town. Regarding the recent outbreak of were-beavers, it has been determined that the ailment is transmitted through bites and that symptoms include possessing the head and body of a beaver. Were-beavers are also known to roar. If you hear such a roar, please seek shelter immediately. Dr. Koala and the clinic doctor have come up with a cure infused with a carrot and washed down with a glass of water. Patients have shown a turn-around time of about a day. Residents are advised to remain indoors if a were-beaver is on the rampage, as there is currently no vaccine. Prevention and safety are key.

8. Recent elf attacks on Dunian dwarves -- how to handle

There have been some elf sightings lately and, even worse, some unfortunate violence. One resident was shanked, and another had their legs broken, both in elf-instigated incidents.

At this point in the meeting, what seemed to be a senior elf interrupted with what we're taking as an apology on behalf of the violent elf in question. It turns out that elf-keyda19 is an impetuous, rebellious, teen-aged elf who has spent too much time recently reading the old fairy tales. We were informed that elves do not seek to wipe the dwarves out... merely to toy with us in lighthearted mischief.

"We creep, we annoy from time to time, yet we do not want to fight."

As an offer of good faith, elf-keyda19 will be shovelling snow in the Dunes to make up for the injurious incidents. There has also been an assurance that the elves will not harrass Stanley, and will not throw snowballs at children or the elderly.

Dunes Council expressed hope that peace will be kept and that all mischief will be taken in the Spirit of Nismas.

9. Update on Olympics outcomes

Dunes is very proud to honour Silver UHC medalists WesGutt and Darbooma, and Bronze Diving medalist OsakaKitty. Our competitors also made a very respectable showing at all the other events. We're proud of our district!

In the feedback we offered to the Barrens Council yesterday, we expressed concerns with how judging was handled. It was unregulated, and we feel very slighted by the fashion show judges. Still working on how to resolve that.

10. Desert Nismas plans

Nismas is coming up very soon! Various festivities in Dong Dank are being planned, but us desert folk have some plans, too. MJFurman_16 is running a Santa project. On the date of the Nismas celebration (Dec 14, we believe), he will distribute his gathered gifts to as many Dunians as he can. Make sure you have a donation chest visible on your plot! If you want to donate to the cause (please do!), you can leave your contributions in the chests under his Nismas-decorated tree. MJFurman_16 lives in West Purple 2, x:430 z:560.

We've also challenged the Barrens to a snowball fight! Add your smack talk here! We'll make them eat snow.

Watch our subreddit for more information about the Desert-Nismas celebration!

11. Coe's Birthday Anniversary Celebration (Happy birthday, Coe!)

Today (Saturday) and tomorrow (Sunday) is the celebration of the Anniversary of Coe's Birthday. DrLolzworth brought every bit of his expertise to constructing the Dunes/Barrens plot at the pier. Make sure to head down and enjoy some games and drinks and competition!

Open Questions

Q: Do we know when the opening of the Royal Queen Shay Zoo is?
A: No, we don't. Stay tuned for updates from the Queen and her Palace retinue.

Q: What will happen once our contract with the Desert Task Force ends? Won't we need something else to rely on for law enforcement?
A: Yes, Council is working on a proposal.

Q: Does the Dunes support slavery in any form? If not, the constitution should be amended.
A: That (and other proposed laws) is something Council will be discussing, and will present for a vote at a future Council meeting.

Q: Has the Dunes thought about making more tourist attractions to bring in more people?
A: Our Council will be working with the Barrens and their experienced Tourism Advisor to collaboratively increase the visibility of our fair desert lands. There are also already some attractions, such as Queen Shay's palace.

Questions? Corrections?

Please let me know! And watch for the meeting/agenda post for next week's meeting, coming soon.

Now with 100% less time travel in the title! (Original post had the wrong date >_<)