Minutes
Meeting was held virtually and in-person
Tuesday, October 21, 2025
5:30 P.M.
Regular Meeting
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Ben Bleiman (President), Maria Davis, Leonard Poggio, Anthony Schlander (tardy), 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; 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 5:39 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:
Jeremy Paul, a longtime permit consultant and nightlife advocate, spoke in remembrance of Terrance Alan, the founder of the San Francisco Entertainment Commission. He reflected on Alan’s legacy, describing how Alan, a former seminarian and queer man, found spiritual meaning in nightlife and fought against restrictive permitting practices. Alan led efforts to establish the Commission and served as its first President, passionately advocating for vibrant nightlife and cultural expression. Paul urged the Commission to honor Alan’s memory by continuing their work with purpose and dedication.
Michael Petrelis (Teams caller), a longtime Castro advocate, urged the Commission to require Another Planet Entertainment (APE) to hold quarterly public meetings at the Castro Theatre as a condition of their entertainment permit. He emphasized the need for transparency and community engagement, especially with the upcoming opening of the Castro Theatre as a music venue and the expected influx of concertgoers. Petrelis also raised concerns about the eviction of two long-standing small businesses within the theater building, criticizing the lack of communication from both APE and city officials. He called for regular forums where the community can ask questions and stay informed about APE’s operations.
3. Approval of Meeting Minutes: Discussion and possible action to approve the minutes of the October 7, 2025 Commission meeting. [Discussion and Possible Action Item] Support Document: https://media.api.sf.gov/documents/EC_Meeting_Minutes_October_7_Draft.pdf
Motion: Commissioner Thomas made a motion to approve the meeting minutes; Commissioner Davis seconded the motion.
Action: The Commission approved the minutes of the October 7, 2025 Commission meeting.
Ayes: President Bleiman, 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: none; Update on Board of Appeals Actions: Update on Appeal No. 25-044 – issuance of a Limited Suspension of Place of Entertainment and Extended Hours Premises permits EC-1862 for Castle SF; Corrective Actions: none. [Discussion and Possible Action Item]
Public Comments:
Michael Petrelis expressed frustration over the delay in obtaining documents related to Another Planet Entertainment’s permit application. He stated that it took six days to receive answers to his questions from the Executive Director and access the 39-page permit application, highlighting concerns about transparency and responsiveness in the process.
Executive Director Weiland responded for the record that City departments have at least 10 days to respond to public records requests and any additional filings will be made available to the public 72 hours prior to that hearing. We are currently 2 weeks out from the hearing for that permit application.
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:
- EC-1896 - Liz Cahill, Ben Draffin, Billy Song, and Rhea Joseph of Decentered Arts, dba Decentered Arts, 1175 Folsom St Unit 2A, Limited Live Performance
Motion: Commissioner Thomas made a motion to approve the permit on the Consent agenda with staff recommendations; Commissioner Davis seconded the motion.
Action: The Commission approved the permit on the Consent agenda with staff recommendations.
Ayes: President Bleiman, Commissioner Davis, Commissioner Poggio, Commissioner Schlander, Commissioner Thomas, and Commissioner Wilson
Nays: None
Public Comments: None
Regular Agenda:
b. EC-1886 – Onan E Lopez Lainez of El Trebo Sport Bar LLC, dba El Trebo, 2888 San Bruno Ave, Place of Entertainment
Motion: Commissioner Poggio made a motion to approve the permit application with staff recommendations; Commissioner Schlander seconded the motion.
Action: The Commission approved the permit application with staff recommendations.
Ayes: President Bleiman, Commissioner Davis, Commissioner Poggio, Commissioner Schlander, Commissioner Thomas, and Commissioner Wilson
Nays: None
Public Comments: None
c. EC-390 - Tito Avila and Paul Kozel of Savoy Tivoli Management Corp, dba Savoy Tivoli, 1434 Grant Ave, Place of Entertainment amendment
Motion: Commission Daivs made a motion to approve the permit application with staff recommendations; Commissioner Schlander seconded the motion.
Action: The Commission approved the permit application with staff recommendations.
Ayes: President Bleiman, Commissioner Davis, Commissioner Poggio, Commissioner Schlander, Commissioner Thomas, and Commissioner Wilson
Nays: None
Public Comments:
(+) Sam Brown, neighbor to Savoy Tivoli, commented in support of the permit application.
(+) Troy Keon, bartender at Savoy Tivoli, commented in support of the permit application.
(+) Kim McKeoun, bartender and bar manager at Savoy Tivoli, commented in support of the permit application.
d. EC-1897 - Shol Eletu and Stacey Eletu of Budda Mack LLC, dba The Budda, 333 11th St, Place of Entertainment & Extended Hours Premises
Motion: Commissioner Davis made a motion to approve the permit application with staff recommendations; Commissioner Wilson seconded the motion.
Action: The Commission approved the permit application with staff recommendations.
Ayes: President Bleiman, Commissioner Davis, Commissioner Poggio, Commissioner Schlander, Commissioner Thomas, and Commissioner Wilson
Nays: None
Public Comments: None
e. EC-1898 - Thomas Ysturiz-Dougherty of SC Hospitality LLC, dba Silver Cloud, 1994 Lombard St, Place of Entertainment
Motion: Commissioner Bleiman made a motion to approve the permit application with staff recommendations; Commissioner Schlander seconded the motion.
Action: The Commission approved the permit application with staff recommendations.
Ayes: President Bleiman, Commissioner Davis, Commissioner Poggio, Commissioner Schlander, Commissioner Thomas, and Commissioner Wilson
Nays: None
Public Comments: None
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:
Jeff Garcia, New York City's Nightlife Mayor, expressed appreciation for being welcomed to observe the meeting. They praised the Commission’s fair and inclusive process and commended the prioritization of nightlife in San Francisco. They encouraged the Commission to continue its important work supporting the city’s nightlife culture.
Allison Harnden, Pittsburgh’s Nighttime Economy Manager, expressed enthusiasm for attending the meeting and praised the Commission’s work, noting that Pittsburgh does not have an entertainment permit system. They shared that they are learning from San Francisco’s approach to help reform sound enforcement policies in Pennsylvania, where the Liquor Control Board currently oversees such matters. They thanked the Commission for its informative and inspiring work.
Corean Reynolds, Boston’s Director of Nightlife Economy, praised the San Francisco Entertainment Commission for its members’ personal connection to the local nightlife scene, noting how refreshing it was to hear Commissioners reference specific venues and neighborhoods. They appreciated the lived experience and insight San Francisco’s approach brings to supporting small businesses.
Jim Peters, Responsible Hospitality Institute's Founder and President, expressed appreciation for attending in person and praised the San Francisco Entertainment Commission as a global model for nightlife management. They noted that the Commission’s work has been showcased to cities across North America and credited former leaders for sharing its innovative practices. With over 40 years of experience in 90+ cities, Peters emphasized that San Francisco’s approach remains unmatched.
8. ADJOURNMENT in honor of Terrance Alan at 6:51 PM