ENTERTAINMENT COMMISSION
City and County of San Francisco
 
MINUTES OF THE
Tuesday, November 10, 2015 HEARING
City Hall, Hearing Room 263
Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place
San Francisco, CA  94102

 
COMMISSIONERS

Present
Bryant Tan
Steven Lee
Audrey Joseph
Liam Frost
Dori Caminong

STAFF 

Present
Deputy Director, Maggie Weiland
Sound Inspector, Sean Burke
Sound Inspector, Jordan Pauley
Commission Aide, Crystal Stewart

 

 
 
CALL TO ORDER

Chair Tan called the meeting to order at 5:36PM.

ROLL CALL

Deputy Director, Maggie Weiland called the Roll. 

Present at the meeting were Commissioners, Bryant Tan, Steven Lee, Audrey Joseph, Dori Caminong and Liam Frost.

Al Perez were absent at time of roll call.

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.

Deputy Director Maggie Weiland Deputy Director Weiland asked for a motion to remove The Midway from the regular agenda per the owner’s request; Mr. Langer would like it to be continued to the December 1, 2015 hearing date due to personal emergency.

No public comment.

2. Review and approve the minutes of October 6, 2015 [Action item]

Commissioner Joseph moved to approve Commissioner Lee second the motion
Vote:
Yeas - Commissioner Lee, Commissioner Joseph, Commissioner Caminong, Commissioner Tan
Absence - Commissioner Perez
Abstain - Commissioner Frost
3. Report from the Sound Inspector’s Sean Burke and Jordan Pauley report on recent venue sound inspections and report of activities by staff. [Discussion Item]

Inspector Burke - Notes for EC meeting 11/10/15
NEW COMPLAINTS
10/7/15 Double Dutch 3192 16th St.
Reports of noise stemming from the recent opening of an outdoor patio. Upon inspection it appears that there is a new neighbor above the venue who is hosting residential parties.

10/17/15 Greens Bar 2239 Polk St.
Reports of loud music emanating from open doors and windows generated by house sound system. No POE. Has MAD, and will be reminded of Good Neighbor Policy.

COMPLAINT FOLLOW-UPS
ORIGINAL COMPLAINT - 10/4/15 9:00 PM Balancoire 2565 Mission St.
ACTION TAKEN - 10/9/15 11:00 PM  Windows and doors facing Mission St. were open upon arrival. Spoke with manager regarding Good Neighbor Policy and remained on site until all windows and doors were closed. Manager assured me that all staff would be informed of GNP and no additional complaints have been received.
ORIGINAL COMPLAINT - 9/27/15 5:30 PM El Amigo 3355 Mission St.
ACTION TAKEN - 10/25/15 3:45 PM Had been unable to verify complaint for weeks. Again, no entertainment on premises. Spoke with bar manager who said that they sometimes use an iPod during busier times. We discussed the permitting process and they were encouraged to reach out if they plan on doing entertainment in the future.

SOUND INSPECTIONS
10/25/15 7:30 PM Oracle OpenWorld 747 Howard St. – Outdoor amplification inspection. Sound controlled well.

SITE INSPECTIONS
10/16/15 11:45 PM Red Vic B&B 1665 Haight St. - Onviewed live event. No POE. Will contact before next event.
10/25/15 12:00 PM Reed & Greenough 3251 Scott St. – Routine permit inspection and walkthrough. All OK.
10/30/15 11:30 PM Slate 2925 16th St. – Routine permit inspection and walkthrough. All OK.
10/30/15 11:45 PM Bruno’s 2389 Mission St. – Routine permit inspection and walkthrough. All OK.
10/31/15 11:00 PM W Hotel 181 3rd St. – Holiday event permit inspection and walkthrough. All OK.
11/1/15 12:00 AM Space 550 550 Barneveld St. – Holiday event permit inspection and walkthrough. All OK.
11/1/15 12:30 AM Ghost Ship Pier 70 – Holiday event permit inspection and walkthrough. All OK.
11/1/15 1:15 AM The Midway 900 Marin St. – Holiday event permit inspection and walkthrough. All OK.
No public comments were made.
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).

Officer Steve Mathias spoke about three different venues in the Central district and how they are handling problems.   He added the Cellar has had some on and off situation with the neighbors for calls of services for noise and fight disturbances.  He added the Cellar has continue to be a problem per a neighborhood resident on nights and weekends.  He added the incidents would be forward to the ALU for a disorderly house.  He added Fort One had issues of noise fights and crowds.  He added there were some ABC violations and they were being evaluated for a disorderly house as well.  He added the last venue was club Hue formerly Atmosphere, he added a citizen flagged down sfpd about an intoxicated person who was passed out in front of club Hue, he added they were overserved at the venue.  He added these were some of the major issues they are dealing with in the Central district.

Commissioner Joseph asked how the Commission could assist in this case.

Officer Mathias suggested meeting with the club owners at a commission or staff meeting to improve the situation.

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

a) EC-1349 – Chin, Cheryln, Tank18 Winery, 1345 Howard Street, Limited Live Performance Permit.

b) EC-1350 – Lewis, Case, Folsom Street Foundry, 1425 Folsom Street, Limited Live Performance Permit.

c) EC-1351 – Felkner, Timothy, Oro, 8 Mint Plaza, Limited Live Performance Permit.

Commissioner Joseph moved to approve the consent calendar Commissioner Caminong second the motion.

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

a) EC-1352 – GSW Arena, LLC, Golden State Warriors Event Center, Mission Bay South Blocks 29-32, Place of Entertainment Permit. Discussion and possible action to adopt a resolution (1) adopting environmental findings under the California Environmental Quality Act, and (2) conditionally granting a Place of Entertainment permit to GSW Arena, LLC for the Golden State Warriors Event Center at Mission Bay South Redevelopment Project Area Blocks 29-32. (ACTION).

Adopting environmental findings under the California Environmental Quality Act, and (2) conditionally granting a Place of Entertainment permit to GSW Arena, LLC for the Golden State Warriors Event Center at Mission Bay South Redevelopment Project Area Blocks 29-32.

Stephen Collins stated he is the new CEO of the new San Francisco event Center and spoke on the details of the Golden State Warriors Event Center.

Public comment

Officer McGoldrick stated he has meet with the warrior’s on a few different occasions and a lot of the practices he has a Madison Square

Gardens is exactly what he would want and they were on the same page.
 Adam Vanwater the president with the office of Economic Workforce Development stated the Budget and Finance committee received a unanimous recommendation to establish a Mission Bay transportation Improvement Fund which is a reserved fund for these cost for extra parking control, bus drivers and foot patrol officers.  

Matt Prieshoff is the chief operating officer for Live Nation for the state of California, Anaheim, Bakersfield, Carson Fresno, Stockton, Long Beach and Redding, Oakland, Ontario, San Jose, Sacramento times two LA and San Diego times two arenas. He added it was time for San Francisco to have one as well, as the top 20 cities San Francisco was the only one without an arena.   He added the Warriors have done everything right to get them to this point and it was time to move forward.   He added they have been great partners to the community and San Francisco and he knows they will be great partners for a long time to come.  He asked the Commission to approve the permit application and to move forward.   He added they were excited about the arena so San Francisco did not have to drive to Oakland or San Jose to see another show.

Michelle Logwaton stated she was born and raised in San Francisco and have attended Warrior events and meeting and it got her really excited.   She added knowing that the city would be able to bring this type of venue to an area that needs vibrancy and a much needed nightlife.  She added at one of the meetings they discussed the importance of having a fairy port to help allow people to not only travel through bus and car transportation.  She added having a fairy would elevate traffic.   She added it was always a dream to see the Warriors in San Francisco.

Patrick Salori stated he was speaking on behalf of the Mission Bay Alliance.  He added there were many deficiencies issues with the environmental review for this project.  He added the new fund that was set up and was being paid for by the project but it is not and was being paid for by the City.   He added the city is agreeing to redirect revenues that would otherwise be obligated to pay and flow into the general fund for use elsewhere in the city.   He added and it’s dedicating those funds to be used solely for this project.  He added the Warriors were getting a pass.

Chair Joseph stated if planning didn’t approve the project it wouldn’t be before the Commission. It was a conditional grant and the conditions need to be met before it becomes a permanent grant.   She added that it would invigorated the city and she supported the permit.

Chair Tan suggested since the stadium would not be built for several years it would be nice if management would come back to report how things were going.
Commissioner Frost stated having the stadium would help out the revenue for San Francisco.

Francesca Gessner, Deputy City Attorney
clarified with the Commission is to adopt the draft motion before the Commission dated November 5, 2015 the resolution adopts CEQA findings and conditionally grants the Place of Entertainment with the conditions that are listed in the resolution.   Two place holders will be struck from the final version.

Commissioner Joseph moved to conditionally grant the permit including the Good Neighbor Policy & A, B & C Commissioner Frost second the motion
Vote:
Yeas - Commissioner Caminong, Commissioner Lee, Commissioner Jospeh, Commissioner Frost and Commissioner Tan
Absence - Commissioner Perez

b) EC-1344 – Langer, Jordan, The Midway, 900 Marin St., Place of entertainment and Extended Hours Premises Permits.

This item has been continued

c) EC-1353 – Eren, Ali, Tunnel Top Bar, 601 Bush Street, Place of Entertainment Permit.

Place of Entertainment permit for Tunnel Top Bar located at 601 Bush Street. Tunnel Top Bar, an over 30 year old 2-story bar atop the Stockton Tunnel is undergoing a change in ownership. The bar proposes to keep the same operations of the previous owner, having DJs for entertainment on Thursday through Saturday evenings as well as holidays. There were several complaints from a neighbor nearby in regard to the bar. The complainant’s email is in your file. Central Station approves the application for a Place of Entertainment permit with the conditions the applicant.

Officer Mathias from Central station stated they have had some complaints and he was concerned about anyone who was a neighbor.  He added he met with staff and the applicant to see what the issues were as far as the past complaints and tried to problem solve and improve the atmosphere at the venue.

Public comment

Conrad Wade stated he asked the security over 20 times to close the doors and turn down the music and they never do.   He added they were breaking multiple Good Neighbor Policy.  He added this was under the new ownership.  He added the building was not made for additional live music.    He added they have a history of breaking the rules.

Public comment closed.

Commissioner Joseph stated she had reservations about the security guard he should look into getting new security or have him lead trained. She added being a responsible owner was really important.

Commissioner Lee stated it was the owner’s responsibility to respond to the complaints.

Commissioner Frost recommended that everyone at his venue knew who the gentleman citizen was so when he comes he gets treated kid gloves.  He added he was standing between the applicants’ bar being successful.  He added he needs to raise his family in an environment that is healthy for him and his family.

Commissioner Lee stated the applicant shall provide air ventilation and his security and staff get LEAD trained and adequate guard card all SFPD’s conditions plus GNP  and a responsive phone numbers to the neighbors
 Commissioner Joseph second the motion
Vote:
Yeas - Commissioner Joseph, Commissioner, Lee Commissioner Frost and Commissioner Tan
Absence - Commissioner Perez & Commissioner Caminong (had to leave earlier. In the meeting)

7.  Commissioner Comments & Questions.
[Discussion item]

Chair Tan stated that two of the permits were
in the western SOMA who were not formerly
able to get Limited Live Permits and thanked
 Supervisor Jane Kim for her leadership in
changing that policy restriction in the Western
Soma plan.

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

Commissioner Joseph suggested they add to
the Good Neighbor Policy that staff has to be
trained with regards to overserving of patrons.  
She added she would be happy to organize
something.

Adjourned 7:55 PM.