Draft Minutes
Meeting was held virtually and in-person
Tuesday, February 17, 2026
5:30 P.M.
Regular Meeting
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Ben Bleiman (President), Maria Davis, Lt. Leonard Poggio, Anthony Schlander, Laura Thomas, and Jordan Wilson
COMMISSIONERS EXCUSED: Cyn Wang (Vice President)
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
- CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL AT 5:32 PM
- 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 - Approval of Meeting Minutes: Discussion and possible action to approve the minutes of the February 3, 2026 Commission meeting. [Discussion and Possible Action Item]
Explanatory Document:
https://www.sf.gov/sf-entertainment-commission-minutes-for-february-3-2026
Motion: Commissioner Thomas made a motion to approve the meeting minutes; Commissioner Davis seconded the motion.
Action: The Commission approved the minutes of the February 3, 2026 Commission meeting.
Ayes: President Bleiman, Commissioner Davis, Commissioner Poggio, Commissioner Schlander, Commissioner Thomas, and Commissioner Wilson
Nays: None
Public Comments: None - Report from Executive Director: Legislative/Policy Update: none; Staff and Office Update: Reminder about SF Music Week; Update on Board of Appeals Actions: Appeal No. 26-006 RE: POE permit issuance for EC-1906 dba Golden Eye Social, located at 311 3rd Street; Corrective Actions: none. [Discussion and Possible Action Item]
Public Comments: None - Report from Senior Inspector: Senior Inspector Andrew Zverina reports on recent enforcement activities. [Discussion and Possible Action Item]
Public Comments:
(=) Jessica Pessecow, unidentified affiliation, commented on the update regarding 81 Social Galerie stating that she had seen the owner and someone identifying themselves as a security guard of the business talking in the hallway. - Hearing and Possible Action regarding applications for permits under the jurisdiction of the Entertainment Commission. [Discussion and Possible Action Item]
Consent Agenda: None
Regular Agenda:
Motion: President Bleiman made a motion to move permit item b. EC-1917 dba Rikki’s Bar to the first permit application on the agenda. Commissioner Schlander seconded the motion.
Action: The Commission moved permit item b. EC-1917 dba Rikki’s Bar to the first permit application on the agenda.
Ayes: President Bleiman, Commissioner Davis, Commissioner Poggio, Commissioner Schlander, Commissioner Thomas, and Commissioner Wilson
Nays: None
Public Comment: None
b. EC-1917 - Sara Yergovich and Danielle Thoe of THE LIBRA PROJECT, LLC, dba Rikki’s Bar, 2223 Market St, Limited Live Performance that includes outdoor amplified sound
Commissioners Thomas and Wilson recused themselves for this item.
Motion: Commissioner Davis 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, Commissioner Davis, Commissioner Poggio, Commissioner Schlander
Nays: None
Public Comment: None
a. ECOTE26-012 The Mid-Market Foundation dba Busk It!, 945 Market St, 966 Market St, 998 Market St, 1 Taylor St, 1059 Market St, 1095 Market St, 87 McAllister St, 1127 Market St, 1120 Market St, 1192 Market St, 1276 Market St, 1145 Market St, 1355 Market St, 1390 Market St at various sidewalk and private property locations – One Time Outdoor Event Permit to host outdoor entertainment and amplified sound with extended duration on 2/27/26 – 3/13/26, 3/15/26 – 6/19/26, 6/22/26 – 6/27/26, 6/29/26 - 12/20/26 daily from 11am-8pm, not to exceed a total of 6 hours per day.
Motion: Commissioner Poggio 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
c. EC-1910 - Alfonso and Oliver Eduardo Guzman Illanes of GUZMAN ENTERTAINMENT LLC, dba Copacabana, 358 Ocean Ave, Place of Entertainment
Motion: Commissioner Bleiman made a motion to approve the permit with staff recommendations and the following added condition: “Permit holder shall have a minimum of 4 security cameras outside and 6 security cameras inside and shall retain the video footage for a minimum of 14 calendar days and it shall be made available to SFPD upon request;” Commissioner Davis seconded the motion.
Action: The Commission approved the permit with staff recommendations and the following added condition: “Permit holder shall have a minimum of 4 security cameras outside and 6 security cameras inside and shall retain the video footage for a minimum of 14 calendar days and it shall be made available to SFPD upon request.”
Ayes: President Bleiman, Commissioner Davis, Commissioner Poggio, Commissioner Schlander, Commissioner Thomas, and Commissioner Wilson
Nays: None
Public Comment:
(+) Flavio Barrientos of Kusi Cuna spoke in favor of the permit application.
(+) Jose Luis Droysett, a capoeira artist, spoke in favor of the permit application.
(+) Ailin Alvarez, a neighbor, spoke in favor of the permit application.
(+) Ignacio Gamboa, a former student of the owner, spoke in favor of the permit application.
(+) Chad Feagley, a local business owner, spoke in favor of the permit application.
(+) Dr. David Jablons, a community member, spoke in favor of the permit application. (+) Ricardo Castro, a friend of the owner, spoke in favor of the permit application.
(-) David Hooper, a neighbor of the business, spoke in opposition of the permit application stating that he thinks it is a bad fit for the community.
(+) Skot Kuiper, a nearby neighbor, spoke in favor of the permit application and reactivating this space.
(=) Elias Izaguirre, affiliated with IAFCJ San Francisco, a church nearby, spoke about the fact that foot traffic sometimes conflicts with the operation of the proposed business. (-) Barbara Cornejo, Daring Faith Celebration Centre, spoke in opposition of the permit application stating that the location and use of the space is problematic.
(-) Henry Peterson, a neighbor who lives 2.5 blocks away, states that nightclubs operating in this neighborhood are problematic.
(+) Danielle Flores, a supporter of the business, spoke in favor of the permit application.
(+) Delaney Guzman, sister of the owner and SF native, stated on the record she has no financial interest in the business and spoke in favor of the permit application.
(+) Crispin McCabe, neighbor of the business, spoke in favor of the permit application and addressed the difference between a Type 90 and Type 48 liquor license.
(+) Stefano Cassolato, nightlife industry stakeholder, spoke in favor of the permit application.
(+) Ivana Barrios, a family friend, spoke in favor of the permit application.
(+) Jessica Pessecow, a San Francisco resident, spoke in favor of the permit application. (-) Ulysses Rivas, a neighbor of the business, spoke in opposition of the permit application.
d. EC-1920 – GIANTS ENTERPRISES LLC, dba China Basin Park, 1 China Basin Park, Limited Live Performance that includes outdoor entertainment and amplified sound
Motion: Commissioner Thomas 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:
(-) Ace Rudolfo, a resident of Mission Rock, submitted a public comment to be read aloud by staff in opposition of this permit application.
e. EC-1924 – GIANTS ENTERPRISES LLC, dba Pier 48 Sheds A, B, & C, Pier 48, Place of Entertainment includes outdoor entertainment and amplified sound
Motion: Commissioner Thomas made a motion to approve the permit with staff recommendations; Commissioner Wilson 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:
(-) Ace Rudolfo, a resident of Mission Rock, submitted a public comment to be read aloud by staff in opposition of this permit application. (=) Jessica Pessecow, a San Francisco resident, asks the permit applicant to consider advocating for more buses to the area. - 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:
(=) Jessica Pessecow, a San Francisco resident, asks if there can be SF Music Week events in District 10. She also asks if they can use the revenue that the Entertainment Commission collects for overdose prevention work. She also states that the Entertainment Commission educates on decibel levels. - ADJOURNMENT at 7:36 PM