Draft Minutes
Meeting was held virtually and in-person
Tuesday, November 18, 2025
5:30 P.M.
Regular Meeting
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Ben Bleiman (President), Cyn Wang (Vice President), Maria Davis, Leonard Poggio, Anthony Schlander, Laura Thomas, and Jordan Wilson
COMMISSIONERS EXCUSED: None
STAFF IN ATTENDANCE: Executive Director Maggie Weiland; Deputy Director Kaitlyn Azevedo; Project and Communications Manager Dylan Rice; Commission Secretary May Liang; 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
*Note: public comments were limited to 2 minutes for this meeting due to the volume of agenda items. This was announced at the beginning of the meeting. *
1. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL AT 5:33 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 two 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 November 18, 2025 Commission meeting. [Discussion and Possible Action Item]
Support Document: https://www.sf.gov/sf-entertainment-commission-minutes-for-november-18-2025
Motion: Commissioner Thomas made a motion to approve the meeting minutes; Commissioner Wilson seconded the motion.
Action: The Commission approved the minutes of the November 18, 2025 Commission meeting.
Ayes: Vice President Wang, Commissioner Davis, Commissioner Poggio, Commissioner Schlander, Commissioner Thomas, and Commissioner Wilson
Nays: None
Public Comments: None
4. Report from Executive Director: Legislative/Policy Update: none; Staff and Office Update: Entertainment Commission Annual Holiday Party debrief; Update on Board of Appeals Actions: none; Corrective Actions: Director’s Order Requiring Compliance with a Revised Security Plan for Place of Entertainment Permit #EC-1844 for Bodega SF/The Felix. [Discussion and Possible Action Item]
President Bleiman arrived at the meeting during this 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]
Consent Agenda:
a. EC-1902 - Babak (Bobby) Marhamat of MOVIDA ENTERPRISES LLC, dba Movida, 555 2nd St, Limited Live Performance
b. ECOTE25-493 – Comfort & Joy, dba AfterGlow Up, Southbound lane of Barneveld Avenue in front of Space 550 Barneveld, 550 Barneveld Ave. - One Time Outdoor Event Permit to host outdoor entertainment and amplified sound with extended duration on Wednesday, December 31, 2025 at 9:00pm to Thursday, January 1, 2026 at 2:00am
c. ECOTE25-469 Pacific Coast Farmers Market Association dba Inner Sunset Farmers' Market, 1325 9th Ave/Irving Lot between 8th Ave and 9th Ave – One Time Outdoor Event Permit to host outdoor entertainment and amplified sound with extended duration on Sundays from 9:00am-1:00pm, from 01/04/2026 – 12/27/2026.
d. ECOTE25-468 Pacific Coast Farmers Market Association dba Castro Farmers' Market, Noe St between Market St and Beaver St – One Time Outdoor Event Permit to host outdoor entertainment and amplified sound with extended duration on Wednesdays from 3:00pm-7:00pm, from 04/01/2026 – 11/18/2026.
e. ECOTE25-467 Pacific Coast Farmers Market Association dba Fillmore Farmers' Market, O’Farrell St between Steiner St and Fillmore St – One Time Outdoor Event Permit to host outdoor entertainment and amplified sound with extended duration on Saturdays from 9:00am-1:00pm, from 01/03/2026 – 12/26/2026.
Motion: Commissioner Thomas made a motion to approve the permits with staff recommendations; Commissioner Schlander seconded the motion.
Action: The Commission approved the permits with staff recommendations.
Ayes: President Bleiman, Vice President Wang, Commissioner Davis, Commissioner Poggio, Commissioner Schlander, Commissioner Thomas, and Commissioner Wilson
Nays: None
Public Comments: None
Regular Agenda:
f. ECOTE25-479 Hayes Valley Neighborhood Association dba Live Music on the Hayes Street Shared Space, Hayes St between Octavia St and Gough St – Amendment to a One Time Outdoor Event Permit to host outdoor entertainment and amplified sound with extended duration on Fridays from 4:00pm-10:00pm and Saturdays from 10:00am-10:00pm, from 12/19/2025 – 11/28/2026, not to exceed a total of 6 hours per day.
Motion: Commissioner Davis 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, Commissioner Poggio, Commissioner Schlander, Commissioner Thomas, and Commissioner Wilson
Nays: None
Public Comment:
(=/-) Richard Johnson, representative from HV Safe, spoke about issues with this event coinciding with other events hosted in the same area and make suggestions regarding parameters around sound.
(+) Trent Berry, representative from HVNA and founder of Hayes Valley FB page, commented in support of the permit application.
(-) Frank Malinaro, resident in the area, commented in opposition of the permit application.
(+) David Robinson (Teams), resident, homeowner, and President of the Hayes Valley Neighborhood Association, commented in support of the permit application.
(+) Molly (Teams), D5 resident, commented in support of the permit application.
(+) Austin (Teams), D6 resident, commented in support of the permit application.
(+) Brian (Teams), neighbor who lives 1 block away, commented in support of the permit application.
(+) Juliana (Teams), D2 resident and regular attendee, commented in support of the permit application.
(+) Ainsley (Teams), volunteer with Hayes Promenade, commented in support of the permit application.
g. EC-1903 - Jahaziel (Jazzy) Garay of BEAUTY ENTERTAIMENT, dba Beauty Bar, 2299 Mission St, Place of Entertainment that includes outdoor amplified sound
Motion: President Bleiman made a motion to approve the permit with staff recommendations; Commissioner Schlander seconded the motion.
Action: The Commission approved the permit with staff recommendations.
Ayes: President Bleiman, Vice President Wang, Commissioner Davis, Commissioner Poggio, Commissioner Schlander, Commissioner Thomas, and Commissioner Wilson
Nays: None
Public Comment: None
h. EC-1905 - Richard Yu, Victor Pichardo, and Jacob Cortes of EQUAL PARTS SF LLC, dba Equal Parts SF, 478 Green St, Limited Live Performance
Motion: Commissioner Thomas 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, Commissioner Poggio, Commissioner Schlander, Commissioner Thomas, and Commissioner Wilson
Nays: None
Public Comment: None
i. EC-1913 - Kingston Wu of 2001 CHESTNUT STREET LLC, dba Morella, 2001 Chestnut St, Place of Entertainment that includes outdoor amplified sound
Motion: Vice President Wang made a motion to approve the permit with staff recommendations; Commissioner Schlander seconded the motion.
Action: The Commission approved the permit with staff recommendations.
Ayes: President Bleiman, Vice President Wang, Commissioner Davis, Commissioner Poggio, Commissioner Schlander, Commissioner Thomas, and Commissioner Wilson
Nays: None
Public Comment: None
j. EC-1901 - Linh Viet Nguyen of HOME COOKING SM888, INC, dba Gao Viet Kitchen & Bar, 1900-1906 Irving St, Place of Entertainment
Motion: Commissioner Wang made a motion to approve the permit with staff recommendations; Commissioner Poggio seconded the motion.
Action: The Commission approved the permit with staff recommendations.
Ayes: President Bleiman, Vice President Wang, Commissioner Davis, Commissioner Poggio, Commissioner Schlander, Commissioner Thomas, and Commissioner Wilson
Nays: None
Public Comment:
(+) Forrest Liu, Stop Asian Hate activist and representative from Dear Community, commented in support of the permit application.
(+) Tam Ngo, SF resident and representative from Deal Community, commented in support of the permit application.
(+) Linda Phung, born and raised in SF, producer with ImaginAsian Productions, commented in support of the permit application.
(+) Patricia Lee, born and raised in SF/Richmond District, commented in support of the permit application.
(+) Alan Nguyen, resident of Richmond District, commented in support of the permit application.
(+) Ting Chen, BOD member of AREAA, commented in support of the permit application.
(+) Stefano Cassolato commented in support of the permit application.
(=/+) Michelle Ruth (Teams), neighbor who was involved in the petition opposing the permit application, wanted to make clear that they are small business and this business being successful, but the main concern is noise until 2am. She was happy with parameters discussed with the owner and felt fortunate that their concerns were heard.
k. EC-1908 - Jay Bordeleau of BERGAMOT OIL, LLC, dba The Deluxe, 1509 Haight St, Place of Entertainment
Motion: Commissioner Thomas 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, Commissioner Poggio, Commissioner Schlander, Commissioner Thomas, and Commissioner Wilson
Nays: None
Public Comment:
(=/-) Alex Dacus (Teams), neighbor that lives above the business, commented about his concern with regards to the noise and wanted to ensure that they do proper soundproofing and keep the door closed. It would negatively impact his quality of life if the noise exceeded appropriate levels.
l. EC-1111 - Arvind Patel of the Ramp Restaurant Co., dba The Ramp, 855 Terry Francois Blvd, Limited Live Performance amendment to include outdoor entertainment & amplified sound
Vice President Wang recused herself for this item.
Motion: Commissioner Thomas 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, Commissioner Davis, Commissioner Poggio, Commissioner Schlander, Commissioner Thomas, and Commissioner Wilson
Nays: None
Public Comment: None
m. EC-1911 - Shawn "Sean" Ahearn of ELEVATION SKY PARK SF LLC, dba Elevation Sky Park SF, 1070 Maryland St Pier 70, Place of Entertainment that includes outdoor entertainment and amplified sound
Vice President Wang recused herself for this item.
Motion: Commissioner Davis made a motion to approve the permit with staff recommendations; Commissioner Schlander seconded the motion.
Action: The Commission approved the permit with staff recommendations.
Ayes: President Bleiman, Commissioner Davis, Commissioner Poggio, Commissioner Schlander, Commissioner Thomas, and Commissioner Wilson
Nays: None
Public Comment: None
n. EC-1912 - Jose G Falla and Ingrid Escobar of GRIZZLY'S BAR INC, dba Grizzly’s, 4431 Mission St, Place of Entertainment
Motion: President Bleiman made a motion to approve the permit with staff recommendations; Commissioner Wilson seconded the motion.
Action: The Commission approved the permit with staff recommendations with an amendment for the number of cameras inside.
Ayes: President Bleiman, Vice President Wang, Commissioner Davis, Commissioner Poggio, Commissioner Schlander, Commissioner Thomas, and Commissioner Wilson
Nays: None
Public Comment:
(-) John Davidson (Teams), neighbor directly behind the bar, commented with concerns regarding noise impacting them and that direct contact with the owner has not been respected.
(=) Monica (Teams chat), commented that she supports the business with the contingency of lowering the volume after midnight and continuing to work on the soundproofing system.
o. EC-1895 - Mohammad Awadalla of 81 SOCIAL GALERIE, dba 81 Social Galerie, 81 Cedar St, Place of Entertainment and Extended Hours Premises
Motion: President Bleiman made a motion to approve the permit with staff recommendations including the recommendation from SFPD Captain McCormick of Northern Station; Commissioner Thomas seconded the motion.
Action: The Commission approved the permit with staff recommendations including recommendation from SFPD Captain McCormick of Northern Station.
Ayes: President Bleiman, Vice President Wang, Commissioner Davis, Commissioner Poggio, Commissioner Schlander, Commissioner Thomas, and Commissioner Wilson
Nays: None
Public Comment:
(+) Ginger Robyn, artist/photographer and patron of the business, commented in support of the permit application, specifically with regards to having a place to go to past 2am.
(+) Michael Im, resident in the area and a regular patron at this business, commented in support of the permit application.
p. EC-1915 - Rakesh "Kash" Devineni of KORTEX LLC, dba Indigo, 3321 Steiner St, Place of Entertainment that includes outdoor amplified sound
Motion: Commissioner Poggio made a motion to approve the permit with staff recommendations with the corrected address; Commissioner Davis seconded the motion.
Action: The Commission approved the permit with staff recommendations with the corrected address.
Ayes: President Bleiman, Vice President Wang, Commissioner Davis, Commissioner Poggio, Commissioner Schlander, Commissioner Thomas, and Commissioner Wilson
Nays: None
Public Comment:
(=/-) Joan Diamond, neighbor at 3315 Steiner next door to restaurant, commented with concerns about any outdoor sound as her window is directly over their outdoor patio. It was clarified that there will be no change to that portion of the business from before.
7. 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. [Action item and Announcements]
Public Comments: None
8. ADJOURNMENT at 8:33 PM