Minutes
Meeting was held virtually and in-person
Tuesday, November 4, 2025
5:30 P.M.
Regular Meeting
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Ben Bleiman (President), Cyn Wang (Vice President), Maria Davis, Laura Thomas, and Jordan Wilson
COMMISSIONERS EXCUSED: Leonard Poggio and Anthony Schlander
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
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 three minutes at the time such item is called.
Public Comments:
Michael Petrelis expressed disappointment over recent reductions in City Hall meeting coverage, specifically the loss of multiple camera angles and live closed captioning. They noted that the single fixed camera makes it hard to identify speakers or see public commenters and their signs. They emphasized the importance of visual aids like overhead projectors and accessible features like captioning for the deaf and hard of hearing. The speaker urged the Board of Supervisors to restore funding to ensure full, inclusive coverage of public meetings.
3. Approval of Meeting Minutes: Discussion and possible action to approve the minutes of the October 21, 2025 Commission meeting. [Discussion and Possible Action Item]
Support Document: https://media.api.sf.gov/documents/EC_Meeting_Minutes_October_21_Draft.pdf
Commissioner Thomas arrived during this item.
Motion: Commissioner Wilson made a motion to approve the meeting minutes; Vice President Wang seconded the motion.
Action: The Commission approved the minutes of the October 21, 2025 Commission meeting.
Ayes: President Bleiman, Vice President Wang, Commissioner Davis, Commissioner Thomas, and Commissioner Wilson
Nays: None
Public Comments:
Michael Petrelis praised the accuracy and transparency of the meeting minutes, especially how their previous comments about Another Planet Entertainment (APE) and concerns over the Castro Theatre were faithfully recorded. They emphasized the importance of continuing to publish draft minutes before meetings, as it helps the public stay informed and engaged.
4. Report from Executive Director: Legislative/Policy Update: none; Staff and Office Update: none; Update on Board of Appeals Actions: none; Corrective Actions: none. [Discussion and Possible Action 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-1891 – Church of Clown, dba Church of Clown, 2400 Bayshore Blvd, Limited Live Performance
b. EC-1901 - Francesco Covucci of NBR TUMBUNO, dba North Beach Restaurant, 1512 Stockton St, Limited Live Performance
Motion: Commissioner Davis made a motion to approve the permits on the Consent agenda with staff recommendations; Commissioner Wilson seconded the motion.
Action: The Commission approved the permits on the Consent agenda with staff recommendations.
Ayes: President Bleiman, Vice President Wang, Commissioner Davis, Commissioner Thomas, and Commissioner Wilson
Nays: None
Public Comments: None
c. EC-1907 – Atsushi Iyoda and Yuki Yoshikai of KIDDLETON, INC., dba Kiddleton, 3995 Alemany Blvd, Mechanical Amusement Device
Motion: Vice President Wang made a motion to continue this permit application to a future hearing; Commissioner Davis seconded the motion.
Action: The Commission approved to continue this permit application to a future hearing.
Ayes: President Bleiman, Vice President Wang, Commissioner Davis, Commissioner Thomas, and Commissioner Wilson
Nays: None
Public Comments: None
Regular Agenda:
d. EC-1889 – JOSE H BELTRAN of LA CANCHA MEDIA 1, dba La Media Cancha 1, 4995 Mission St, Limited Live Performance
Motion: Commissioner Thomas made a motion to approve the permit application with staff recommendations; Commissioner Davis seconded the motion.
Action: The Commission approved the permit application with staff recommendations.
Ayes: President Bleiman, Vice President Wang, Commissioner Davis, Commissioner Thomas, and Commissioner Wilson
Nays: None
Public Comments:
(=/-) Fay (Teams attendee), the neighbor living next door to the restaurant, acknowledged recent improvements but raised ongoing concerns. They requested that future sound level measurements be conducted in the evening when performances occur, that speakers be moved away from the shared wall to reduce noise disturbances, and that ambient noise levels be measured directly at the common wall due to continued late-night noise impacts.
e. EC-1899 – APESF, LLC, dba The Castro, 429 Castro St, Place of Entertainment
Motion: Commissioner Wang made a motion to approve the permit application with staff recommendations; Commissioner Davis seconded the motion.
Action: The Commission approved the permit application with staff recommendations.
Ayes: President Bleiman, Vice President Wang, Commissioner Davis, Commissioner Thomas, and Commissioner Wilson
Nays: None
Public Comments:
(-) Michael Petrelis, a longtime Castro advocate, showed a sign that says APE = GREED and criticized Another Planet Entertainment (APE) for poor community engagement, noting they’ve held only one public meeting in the Castro since 2022. They urged the board to require APE to hold annual town halls, as they do in other districts, and to provide community support funds. The speaker also raised concerns about the ongoing eviction of two small businesses from the Castro Theatre and called for transparency and accountability from APE regarding their plans and community impact.
(+) Suzanne Ford, Executive Director of SF Pride and resident of the Castro, expressed strong support for the permit, highlighting Another Planet Entertainment’s (APE) positive partnership with San Francisco Pride. They noted that APE hosted a free Pride kickoff event in 2023, which raised $12,000, and that many Castro business owners they know are excited about APE’s involvement.
(+) Jorge Portillo, founder of the local Queer Events Collective and the Manager of Events at The Lookout, voiced strong support for Another Planet Entertainment’s efforts to revitalize the Castro Theatre with live entertainment. They emphasized the importance of supporting ethical, community-rooted businesses to help revive the city’s struggling nightlife and boost local commerce. They praised APE’s stewardship of the historic venue and their inclusive programming, noting that local businesses like The Lookout are also supportive.
(+) Stefano Cassolato expressed enthusiastic support for Another Planet Entertainment’s investment in the Castro Theatre, highlighting the $41 million commitment, job creation, and potential to revitalize the neighborhood. They emphasized the importance of embracing change, welcoming high-caliber talent like Sam Smith, and seeing the project as a positive evolution that could anchor the Castro as a music and cultural destination, benefiting local businesses and aiding the City’s recovery.
(+) James Gonzales (Teams attendee), a neighbor who lives around the corner from Castro Theater with his husband, voiced strong support for Another Planet Entertainment’s permit, emphasizing the Castro’s economic struggles and the importance of revitalizing the neighborhood. They praised the diverse programming planned at the Castro Theatre, including events like Frameline and Sam Smith, and highlighted the excitement among neighbors. They commended APE for their deep investment—both financial and emotional—in the community and urged approval of the permit.
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:
Stefano Cassolato expressed gratitude for the recent celebration of life for Mark Rennie, recognizing his decades of community impact and mentorship. They credited Rennie as a pioneer whose efforts helped lead to the formation and success of the current Commission. The speaker praised the Commission’s evolution, effectiveness, and leadership, calling it one of the best-run in the city.
8. ADJOURNMENT at 6:50 PM