Draft Minutes
Meeting was held in-person and viewed on Microsoft Teams
Tuesday, August 4, 2026
5:30 P.M.
Regular Meeting
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Ben Bleiman (President), Cyn Wang (Vice President), Maria Davis, Anthony Schlander, and Laura Thomas
COMMISSIONERS EXCUSED: Lt. Leonard Poggio
STAFF IN ATTENDANCE: Executive Director Maggie Weiland; Deputy Director Kaitlyn Azevedo; Project and Communications Manager Dylan Rice; Senior Inspector Andrew Zverina
SPEAKER KEY:
+ indicates a speaker in support of an item;
- indicates a speaker in opposition of an item; and
= indicates a neutral speaker or a speaker who did not indicate support or opposition
1. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL AT 5:30 PM
2. General Public Comment
Members of the public may address the Commission on items of interest to the public that are within the subject matter jurisdiction of the Commission. With respect to agenda items, members of the public may address the Commission for up to three minutes at the time such item is called.
Public Comments: None
3. Approval of Meeting Minutes: Discussion and possible action to approve the minutes of the June 16, 2026 Commission meetings. [Discussion and Possible Action Item]
Explanatory Document:
https://www.sf.gov/sf-entertainment-commission-minutes-for-june-16-2026
Motion: Commissioner Wang made a motion to approve the meeting minutes; Commissioner Davis seconded the motion.
Action: The Commission approved the minutes for the June 16, 2026 Commission meeting.
Ayes: President Bleiman, Vice President Wang, Commissioner Davis, Commission Schlander, and Commissioner Thomas
Nays: None
Public Comments: None
4. Report from Executive Director: Legislative/Policy Update: none; Staff and Office Update: Update on the Overdose Prevention in Nightlife Campaign; Update on Board of Appeals Actions: Update on Appeal No. 26-031 – EC-1932 Limited Live Performance permit for Sacred Taco; Corrective Actions: Updates on Director's Suspension for Public Safety (6/27/26 - 6/30/26) & Director’s Limited Suspension (7/18/26-7/25/26) issued to Place of Entertainment & Extended Hours Premises Permit #EC-1895 dba 81 Social Galerie; Director’s Order Requiring Compliance with a Revised Security Plan issued to Limited Live Performance Permit #EC-1423 dba Spark Social; and Director’s Order Requiring Compliance with a Revised Security Plan issued to Place of Entertainment Permit #EC-988 dba Mayes. [Discussion Item]
Public Comments: None
5. Report from Senior Inspector: Senior Inspector Andrew Zverina reports on recent enforcement activities. [Discussion and Possible Action Item]
Public Comments: None
6. Hearing and Possible Action regarding applications for permits under the jurisdiction of the Entertainment Commission. [Discussion and Possible Action Item]
Motion: President Bleiman made a motion to move items f. and g. from the “Regular Agenda” to the “Consent Agenda;” Commissioner Thomas seconded the motion.
Action: The Commission voted to move items f. and g. from the “Regular Agenda” to the “Consent Agenda.”
Ayes: President Bleiman, Vice President Wang, Commissioner Davis, Commission Schlander, and Commissioner Thomas
Nays: None
Public Comments: None
Consent Agenda:
a. ECOTE26-240 – Agricultural Institute of Marin, dba Stonestown Farmers Market, 501 Buckingham Way – Amendment to a One Time Outdoor Entertainment and Amplified Sound Permit to host outdoor amplified sound and live entertainment with extended duration on Sundays, 9:00am to 10:30am and 11:30am to 1:00pm from August 9, 2026 to June 6, 2027
b. ECOTE26-244 – Agricultural Institute of Marin, dba Clement St Farmers Market, corner of Clement Street and 3rd Avenue (in front of 152 Clement Street) – Amendment to a One Time Outdoor Entertainment and Amplified Sound Permit to host outdoor amplified sound and live entertainment with extended duration on Sundays, 10:00am to 2:00pm from August 9, 2026 to June 27, 2027
c. EC-1948 - THOMAS JOHN KERBLESKI of RELAX HARDER LLC, dba The Sunset Village Music Hall, 4114 Judah St, Limited Live Performance
d. EC-1950 - Aythami Yanez and Alicia de Alba of NOOK CAFE AND WINE BAR LLC, dba Nook Café & Wine Bar, 1500 Hyde St, Limited Live Performance
e. EC-1955 - Matthew Sengbusch of SMALL CHANGE ARCADE LLC, dba Small Change Arcade, 4740 Mission St, Mechanical Amusement Device
f. ECOTE26-214 Marin Street Enterprises Inc. dba BTSM Block Party - One Time Outdoor Event permit to host outdoor entertainment and amplified sound with extended duration to host outdoor amplified sound with extended duration on 9/04/2026 from 2:00pm - 11:00pm, located at Marin Street between Illinois Street and Easterly Terminus; Michigan Street between Cesar Chavez and Marin Street; Intersection: Michigan Street at Marin Street.
g. ECOTE26-291 The Mid-Market Foundation dba Busk It on Larkin, 422 Larkin St, 601 Eddy St, 510 Larkin St, 601 Larkin St, 639 Larkin St, 670 Larkin St, 721 Larkin St, 800 block of Larkin St adjacent to Macaulay Park at various sidewalk and private property locations – Amendment to a One Time Outdoor Event permit to host outdoor entertainment and amplified sound with extended duration daily, 8/9/26 - 11/01/26 from 11am-8pm, except 11am-9pm on the first and second Thursdays, and except 12pm-2pm on 8/12/26, 8/26/26, 9/9/26, 9/23/26, 10/14/26 and 10/28/26 on the sidewalk on the 800 block of Larkin St adjacent to Macaulay Park. Not to exceed six (6) hours of outdoor entertainment and amplified sound per day. No performances on 9/12/26 and 10/10/26.
Motion: Vice President Wang made a motion to approve the Consent Agenda permit application items, including items f. and g. moved from the “Regular Agenda” to the “Consent Agenda,” with staff recommendations; Commissioner Thomas seconded the motion.
Action: The Commission approved the Consent Agenda permit application items, including items f. and g. moved from the “Regular Agenda” to the “Consent Agenda” with staff recommendations.
Ayes: President Bleiman, Vice President Wang, Commissioner Davis, Commission Schlander, and Commissioner Thomas
Nays: None
Public Comment: None
Regular Agenda:
h. EC-1953 – Francisco Ramos and Juan Rosas of EL DORADO NIGHCLUB BAR & RESTAURANT, dba El Dorado Nightclub & Restaurant, 1851 Union St, Limited Live Performance
Note: President Bleiman directed staff to inspect the business prior to the next Commission hearing due to social media marketing of entertainment prior to permit issuance, and to report back on any compliance issues during the standing enforcement report item at that time.
Motion: President Bleiman made a motion to approve the permit with staff recommendations; Commissioner Thomas seconded the motion.
Action: The Commission approved the permit with staff recommendations.
Ayes: President Bleiman, Vice President Wang, Commissioner Davis, Commission Schlander, and Commissioner Thomas
Nays: None
Public Comment:
(+) Stefano Cassolato, nightlife advocate, spoke in support of the permit application.
i. EC-1958 - Juan Carlos De Leon Hernández, Fernando De Leon Bamaca, and Enedina M Hernandez Feliciano of TIKAL GROUP CORPORATION, dba Tikal Restaurante Y Panaderia, 2338 Mission St, Place of Entertainment
Motion: Commissioner Davis made a motion to approve the permit with staff recommendations; Commissioner Thomas seconded the motion.
Action: The Commission approved the permit with staff recommendations.
Ayes: President Bleiman, Vice President Wang, Commissioner Davis, Commission Schlander, and Commissioner Thomas
Nays: None
Public Comment: None
j. EC-1940 - Jovany Torres Cuellar and Nicholas Ocegueda of GDL ENTERTAINMENT GROUP, INC, dba GDL Reserve, 491 Potrero Ave, Place of Entertainment and Billiard Parlor
Note: President Bleiman announced that public comment on this agenda item would be limited to two minutes per speaker due to the large number of anticipated speakers.
Motion: Vice President Wang made a motion to approve the permit with staff recommendations, with the exception that indoor entertainment is allowed 12pm-12am Sunday to Wednesday and 12pm-2am Thursday to Saturday; President Bleiman seconded the motion.
Action: The Commission approved the permit with staff recommendations, with the exception that indoor entertainment is allowed 12pm-12am Sunday to Wednesday and 12pm-2am Thursday to Saturday.
Ayes: President Bleiman, Vice President Wang, Commissioner Davis, Commission Schlander, and Commissioner Thomas
Nays: None
Public Comments:
(-) Gianna Giancarlo, neighborhood resident, spoke in opposition of the permit application. The public commentor requested denial of the permit application or that the permit’s entertainment hours be reduced commensurate with a Limited Live Performance permit.
(-) Debra A. Santiago, neighborhood resident, spoke in opposition of the permit application.
(-) Morningstar Vancil, neighborhood resident, spoke in opposition of the permit application based on concerns from previous experiences with nightlife businesses.
(=) Jennifer LaRocca, neighborhood resident, spoke more generally about the permit application, welcoming the business, but heeding the Commission to consider potential hours limitations.
(-) Laurie Burgess, no affiliation listed, spoke in strong opposition of the permit application based on allegations that there is affiliation with 26 Mix, and that they did work without permits.
(-) Mark Mitchell, no affiliation listed, spoke in opposition of the permit application based on allegations that there is affiliation with 26 Mix, and that they did work without permits. The commentor asked for a denial, or if the permit is issued, asked that the hours be limited and that the Commission conduct a review after six months of operation.
(+) Kali Aroche, affiliated with Clecha, asks that the Commission review and approve this permit without prejudice.
(+) Edgar de Leon, of deLeon Productions SF, spoke in favor of the permit application due to the character and willingness to collaborate from the GDL Reserve team.
(-) Todd Weaver, neighborhood resident, spoke in opposition of the permit application due to the advertising of the business indicating that it is not just going to be a neighborhood bar. The commentor noted that they do not trust the business owners.
(+) Thomas Wilson, of One Life Productions, spoke in favor of the permit application and the business owners.
(-) Sophia Kokores, resident of Potrero Hill, spoke in opposition of the permit application due to concerns about proximity to a nearby homeless and supportive housing facility, and proximity to residents.
k. EC-1945 – Kingston Wu of FOURTH & GOAL LLC, dba Thriller Social Club, 508 4th St, Place of Entertainment
Motion: President Bleiman made a motion to approve the permit with staff recommendations; Commissioner Davis seconded the motion.
Action: The Commission approved the permit with staff recommendations.
Ayes: President Bleiman, Vice President Wang, Commissioner Davis, Commission Schlander, and Commissioner Thomas
Nays: None
Public Comment: None
l. EC-1946 – Salar and Saleh Golrang of FLYING FIGS LLC, dba Flying Figs Wine Bar, 1870 Fillmore St, Limited Live Performance with outdoor amplified sound
Motion: Commissioner Davis made a motion to approve the permit with staff recommendations; Commissioner Thomas seconded the motion.
Action: The Commission approved the permit with staff recommendations.
Ayes: President Bleiman, Vice President Wang, Commissioner Davis, Commission Schlander, and Commissioner Thomas
Nays: None
Public Comment:
(-) Valentina Nesci, resident living above Flying Figs wine Bar, spoke in opposition of the entertainment permit due to concerns with sound during the workday and in the evenings on weekdays after 9pm.
(-) John Tsou, no affiliation listed, spoke in opposition of the permit application.
m. EC-1947 – Farnaz Khorram and Gianmatteo Costanza of HIDDEN FREQUENCY LLC, dba Hidden Frequency, 2500 Mission St, Place of Entertainment and Extended Hours Premises
Motion: President Bleiman made a motion to approve the permit with staff recommendations; Vice President Wang seconded the motion.
Action: The Commission approved the permit with staff recommendations.
Ayes: President Bleiman, Vice President Wang, Commissioner Davis, Commission Schlander, and Commissioner Thomas
Nays: None
Public Comment: None
n. EC-1956- Justin Dolezal, Jeremy Castillo, Daniel Small, Eric Ochoa of BAR LIMBO LLC, dba Downtime, 2243 Mission St, Place of Entertainment and Extended Hours Premises change in ownership
Motion: Commissioner Thomas made a motion to approve the permit with staff recommendations, with the exception that indoor entertainment is allowed until 4am Monday – Friday and until 6am Saturday and Sunday and on Monday when the Monday is a holiday; Commissioner Schlander seconded the motion.
Action: The Commission approved the permit with staff recommendations, with the exception that indoor entertainment is allowed until 4am Monday – Friday and until 6am Saturday and Sunday and on Monday when the Monday is a holiday.
Ayes: President Bleiman, Vice President Wang, Commissioner Davis, Commission Schlander, and Commissioner Thomas
Nays: None
Public Comment: None
7. Election of Vice President: This item allows the Commissioners to nominate and elect the seat of Vice President of the Entertainment Commission for one-year term. [Action Item]
Motion: President Bleiman made a motion to nominate Commissioner Wang as Vice President of the Entertainment Commission for a one-year term; Commissioner Thomas seconded the motion.
Action: The Commission moved to approve Commissioner Wang as the Vice President of the Entertainment Commission for a one-year term.
Ayes: President Bleiman, Vice President Wang, Commissioner Davis, Commission Schlander, and Commissioner Thomas
Nays: None
Public Comment: None
8. Election of President: This item allows the Commissioners to nominate and elect the seat of President of the Entertainment Commission for one-year term. [Action Item]
Motion: Commissioner Thomas made a motion to nominate Commissioner Bleiman as President of the Entertainment Commission for a one-year term; Commissioner Davis seconded the motion.
Action: The Commission moved to approve Commissioner Bleiman as the President of the Entertainment Commission for a one-year term.
Ayes: President Bleiman, Vice President Wang, Commissioner Davis, Commission Schlander, and Commissioner Thomas
Nays: None
Public Comment: None
9. Commissioner Comments & Questions; New Business Request for Future Agenda Items: This item is to allow Commissioners to introduce agenda items for future consideration, and to make announcements. [Discussion Item]
Public Comments:
(-) David Schmitz, resident manager next door to 81 Social Galerie, spoke in opposition of the permit holder, noting concerns about the business and stating that he is not a good player.
(-) Amir, no affiliation listed, spoke in opposition of the permit holder, noting the concern that the business continues to remain open after 2am with entertainment on weeknights despite not being allowed to do so.
10. ADJOURNMENT at 8:05 PM