ENTERTAINMENT COMMISSION
City and County of San Francisco
MINUTES OF THE
Tuesday, June 16, 2015
City Hall, Hearing Room 416
Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place
San Francisco, CA  94102
 
COMMISSIONERS

Present
Bryant Tan
Steven Lee
Audrey Joseph
Demetri Moshoyannis
Al Perez
Dori Caminong

STAFF 

Present
Executive Director, Jocelyn Kane
Deputy Director, Cammy Blackstone
Sound Inspector, Sean Burke
Sound Inspector, Jordan Pauley
Commission Aide, Crystal Stewart 
 
CALL TO ORDER

Chair Tan called the meeting to order at 5:37PM.

ROLL CALL

Director, Jocelyn Kane called the Roll. 

Present at the meeting were Commissioners, Bryant Tan, Al Perez, Steven Lee, Audrey Joseph, Demetri Moshoyannis and Dori Caminong.

Absent Liam Frost.

1. 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.

Coyote O’Brien stated she cared about the nature of San Francisco nightlife.   She added she hoped the city and law enforcement did everything in their power to encourage and expand healthy nightlife.

Public comment closed.

2. Review and approve the minutes of June 2, 2015. [Action item]
Commissioner Joseph moved to continue the item until the next Commission meeting Commissioner Perez second the motion.

Vote:
Yeas - Commissioner Lee, Commissioner Joseph, Commissioner Perez, Commissioner Caminong, Commissioner Tan and Commissioner Moshoyannis,
Absence - Commissioner Frost,

3. Report from Executive Director Legislative/Policy Update: Nightlife Protection Implementation Update; Staff and Office Update: Wrap Up on EC Summit June 8, 2015; Corrective Actions: Nothing to Report. Report from Sound Inspector’s Sean Burke and Jordan Pauley report on recent venue sound inspections and report of activities by staff. [Discussion Item]

Inspector Pauley - Notes for EC meeting 6/16/15

INSPECTIONS:
6/12/2015 9:30 PM The Basement 222 Hyde St.: Because of the consistent complaints transmitted by neighbors, I performed a walkthrough sound inspection. Sound levels were not particularly loud, however, a bass cabinet was newly located in the upper bar. Owner was directed to turn down the bass cabinet AND was issued a final informal warning to not violate.

COMPLAINT:
6/10/2015 10:30 PM City Club 155 Sansome St.: a 311 complaint was issued in regards to the City Club who claims to be a private event space. They allegedly operate as a nightclub. Contact was made with management though the outcome is still pending. No issues were observed at the location this past weekend.

6/15/2015 4:00 PM Lone Star Saloon 1354 Harrison St.: a complaint was issued in regards to noise emanating from the venue. Outcome pending.

PERMIT UPDATE:
6/16/2015 10:45 PM Monroe 473 Broadway: Went by Monroe to update Monroe’s permit contact info as they are going through a change of management. The new manager has met with staff in order to coordinate their effort to remain in compliance.
 
4. Police Department Comments & Questions. [Discussion Item]
(This item allows any member of the SFPD to address the Commission regarding matters related to nightlife and public safety).

No comments were made.

5. Hearing and Possible Action regarding applications for permits under the jurisdiction of the Entertainment Commission.              [Action item]

a) Peri, Alexander, dba Swank Cocktail Club, 488 Presidio, Limited Live Performance Permit.

Alex Peri spoke on behalf of his permit.  He added they wants to have monthly acoustic nights since it is a small bar.   He added having unplugged music would add to the business.   He addressed the noise complaints sand the sound systems that were too large for the space that was used in the past and they no longer allow that.  He added he was doing his best not to disrupt the neighborhood.
Officer Ferretti with Richmond station recommended approval with conditions.

Public comment
Marie McNulty stated she was a resident of the neighborhood for the past 40 years and had a few concerns.  She added the applicant has been great informing her of his business plans but she added she had trouble contacting the bar when noise was too loud.  She added she had concerns of the glass sliding doors being open.  She added when the doors are closed they can’t hear anything.  She added it was the same issue each time.   She added they need a real number to contact management for noise complaints including outdoors.

Commissioner Perez moved to approve with SFPD conditions Commissioner Lee second the motion
Vote:
Yeas - Commissioner Lee, Commissioner Joseph, Commissioner Perez, Commissioner Caminong, Commissioner Tan and Commissioner Moshoyannis,
Absence – Commissioner Frost

b) Gerney, James, dba Pucinni & Pinetti, 129 Ellis St, Limited Live Performance Permit.
Jim Gerney stated he was the GM and vice president of the restaurant.  He added they want to add entertainment during brunch and some nighttime events to attract business to their establishment. He reached out to his neighbors and they were in support of his permit application. He added they were sensitive to the noise since they were a hotel.

Officer Torres representing Tenderloin station stated they were in support of the permit application and the applicant operates a good business.

Commissioner Moshoyannis stated new Limited Live Performance would benefit from cheat sheet.
 
Director Kane stated they could develop something.

Commissioner Joseph moved to approve with SFPD conditions Commissioner Caminong second the motion

c) Whittington, Eric, Bird & Beckett, 653 Chenery, Limited Live Performance Permit.

Eric Whittington stated they have had music at the location for years for three nights a week to give work to the jazz musicians and have fundraisers.

Lt. Dave Falzon with SFPD on behalf of McFadden. Supports permit application.
Commissioner Moshoyannis moved to approve with SFPD conditions 1-6 (see file for description) Commissioner Caminong second the motion

Vote:
Yeas - Commissioner Lee, Commissioner Joseph, Commissioner Perez, Commissioner Caminong, Commissioner Tan and Commissioner Moshoyannis,
Absence - Commissioner Frost,

d) Synoground, Barry, dba Code Word/DNA Pizza, 917 Folsom St, Place of Entertainment/Extended Hours Premises Permits.

Barry Synoground stated they planned to entertainment and food similar to 11th street location.   He added he has in been in communications with Lt.F alzon and Officer McGoldrick.

Officer McGoldrick stated he met with the applicant at his venue there was good communication and he sent the applicant recommended conditions that he was fine with.

Public comment

Cameron stated she was a community property manager and had concerns from the new business and the noise and safety issue with loitering.   He add ed he did not receive written notice of the meeting.  He added they would like to request a continuance.

Coyote O’Brien supported the application with song.

Public comment closed.

Commissioner Joseph moved to approved the permit with the police conditions commissioner Lee second the motion.
6. Discussion and possible action to approve the review process for implementation of legislation encouraging compatibility between Entertainment Venues and new Residential Development [File #141298] [Action Item]

Commissioner Moshoyannis moved to continue the item Commissioner Joseph second the motion.
Vote:
Yeas - Commissioner Lee, Commissioner Joseph, Commissioner Perez, Commissioner Caminong, Commissioner Tan and Commissioner Moshoyannis,
Absence - Commissioner Frost,

7.  Commissioner Comments & Questions. [Discussion item]

8.  New Business Request for Future Agenda Items. [Action item] (This item is to allow Commissioners to introduce agenda items for future consideration).

Adjourned at 6:45 P.M.