He got drunk last night with one of the electeds. He'd clearly been assuming Livi was elected too, and Livi hadn't bothered to correct him. At least this way he's not thinking Livi is some peasant.
Anyways, Livi had been complaining about the Slavery committee, and the elected had suggested he just make his own with no monsters or slips. Livi had said that he wasn't stupid, there was no way the archmage would go for that. The elected had tipped back the last of his drink and pointed out that he could just form an unofficial committee, still make recommendations, and only allow normal people on it. It's not like there's a rule that only official committees can find a room and meet in it.
So now he's trying to spread the word around normal people who understand that you shouldn't steal people's stuff. He tells the Abadaran specifically about it, and he's hired a tough-looking ex-soldier to make absolutely sure no rabble shows up.