Meetings - November 5, 2019 - Minutes

Meeting Date: 
November 5, 2019 - 5:30pm
Location: 
Related Meeting Content:
Agenda
Entertainment Commission     City and County of San Francisco 
 
Meeting Minutes
 
Room 416, City Hall
1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place
San Francisco, CA. 94102
 
Tuesday, November 5, 2019
5:30 P.M.
Regular Meeting
 
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT:  Ben Bleiman (President), Dori Caminong (Vice President), Al Perez, Dave Falzon
 
COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: Laura Thomas and Steven Lee 
 
STAFF IN ATTENDANCE: Executive Director, Maggie Weiland; Deputy Director, Kaitlyn Azevedo; Senior Analyst, Dylan Rice; Senior Inspector, Jordan Roberts; Commission Aide, Crystal Stewart-Kennedy
 
THE MEETING WAS CALLED TO ORDER BY PRESIDENT BLEIMAN AT 5:36PM 
 
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       
 
1. General Public Comment  
 
No public comment.  None.
  
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.  
 
2. Approval of Meeting Minutes.  Discussion and possible action to approve the minutes of the October 15, 2019, and October 18, 2019 Commission meeting. [Discussion and Possible Action Item]
 
MOTION: Commissioner Falzon moved to approve the October 1, 2019 minutes, Commissioner Caminong seconded the motion.
 
ACTION: Approved Minutes for October 15, 2019 and October 18, 2019
 
AYES: Commissioner Caminong, Commissioner Bleiman, Commissioner Falzon, Commissioner Perez
 
NAYS: None
 
ABSENT: Commissioner Thomas and Commissioner Lee
 
3. Report from Executive Director: Legislative/Policy Update: none; Staff and Office Update: Review of the Annual EC Retreat, and discuss possible date for EC Holiday Party; Update on Board of Appeals Actions: none; Corrective Actions: none. [Discussion Item]
 
4. Report from Deputy Director: Deputy Director Kaitlyn Azevedo reports on recent venue inspections and activities. [Discussion item]  
 
Sun 10/27/2019  2:55:36 AM Penthouse Club 412 Broadway POE/EHP CENTRAL Bass over modulation after hours (2-4AM) Repeated phone calls are ignored. ACTION: Inspector Fiorentino followed up on 311 complaint made earlier in the week. He spoke with the Manager about noise complaint and found the exit door on the ground floor has very little sound abatement. It is in the diretion of residential building next door. However, it is not a factor when music is only playing upstairs and the ground level is about to undergo a remodel. EC Staff will follow up about remodeling the problem door or adding some acoustical gasketing.
 
Tues 10/29/2019  6:04:29 PM Bow Bow Cocktail Lounge 1147 Grant Ave n/a CENTRAL Noise bow wow cocktail lounge. ACTION: Inspector Fiorentino followed up about 311 complaints the following Saturday. Spoke with manager about noise complaints, who said they will keep the door shut going forward. Received contact info for other manager and EC Staff will work with them about getting permitted.
 
Wed 10/30/2019  11:51:43 PM El Trebol 3149 22nd St N/A MISSION El Trebol Bar consistently plays loud live music beyond the noise curfew during the work week until close. They do so with two doors wide open to the outside. Voices are easy to understand clearly from a block away with a window open. They are heard muffled with the window closed. The low frequency bass of the music is heard clearly in both situations. Noticed from a residential unit at 2629 Mission St.
 
ACTION: Deputy Director Azevedo has scheduled an intake meeting with the owners for Friday 11/8/19 to get them permitted. Inspector Savino conducted a site inspection and found DJ in the back. Unpermitted entertainment again. Citation issued. 
 
Thurs 10/31/2019  10:15:00 PM 906 World Cultural Center 906 Broadway n/a CENTRAL This venue is having a lot of parties late at night. They are renting out the church to different venues. Not sure they have permits. a lot of noise at night. ACTION: Inspector Fiorentino responded to 311 complaint and met the event organizers. Large Halloween party with about 400 to 500 people in attendance. Loud music from DJ. Used to be a church and is now a cultural events venue. Deputy Director Azevedo is meeting with event operators on Wednesday (11/6) for LLP permit intake meeting.  
 
5. Report from the Senior Analyst: Dylan Rice provides a status update on the online permitting system for One Time Events and event producer education initiatives. [Discussion Item]
 
Status Update on One Time Event Online Permitting – Screendoor Implementation
 
Since the May launch, 266 One Time Outdoor Permits were issued using the new Screendoor software program. 88% of these were for outdoor events with entertainment, 22% were for amplified sound only. 
 
Since its August launch, 29 One Time Indoor Permits were issued using Screendoor. 
 
Overall, the Screendoor transition has been successful. The new digital end-to-end application process has improved clarity, efficiency and transparency for both applicants and EC staff:
 
  • The application status notification emails are helping to reduce the number of staff time doing calls/emails with event organizers to confirm receipt or where the application is in the approval process
  • The shortened, simplified step-by-step instructions on the front end are improving the accuracy and completeness of permit applications 
  • Incorporating the fee waiver request into the application has centralized the application process and has reduced staff time answering questions and tracking down forms.
  • Applicants are responsive to Screendoor allowing them to revise their application – if EC gives them approval to make a revision. This saves time and sorting through emails when applicants had to submit a new PDF via email in the past. 
  • Among staff, the status notification emails and the ability to see each other’s notes/changes/approvals have reduced staff time. 
 
There is still room for improvement in the following ways:
 
  • Applicants are often uploading incorrect or incomplete documents (departments’ approvals, floorplans, budgets). This is requiring additional staff time to track down the correct documents from the applicants.
  • Applicants are still confused by the difference between the entertainment and amplified sound permits for outdoor events and the price difference. Staff still need to field those questions and explain which permit and fee are applicable.
  • While the payment system is easier to find and integrated into the application (less questions), it has not increased promptness of payment. Many applicants are waiting for their application to nearly complete the review process before they submit payment. This creates an extra step to remind the applicants to submit payment in order for us to issue the final permit.   Senior Analyst Dylan Rice gave a brief presentation on the use of the screendoor online application process.
 
Education Initiatives for Event Organizers
 

The Fall Issue of the SF Outdoor Event Industry Bulletin was released on Oct 25. In this issue:

  • Tips on Starting the Permit Process Early
  • New Online Application for One Time Indoor Events 
  • New Rules for Reusable Beverage Cups and Compostable Foodware
  • Grant Opportunities
 
The next SF Outdoor Events Network will be in winter 2020 and will be a collaboration with the Dept. of the Environment. Topic will be greening your event and new rules and regs for Zero Waste. 
 
5. Police Department Comments & Questions. This item allows any member of the SFPD to address the Commission regarding matters related to nightlife and public safety. [Discussion Item]
SPEAKERS: None
 
6. Hearing and Possible Action regarding applications for permits under the jurisdiction of the Entertainment Commission. [Discussion and Possible Action Item]  
Consent Calendar:
 
All matters listed hereunder constitute a Consent Calendar, are considered to be routine by the Entertainment Commission, and will be acted upon by a single roll call vote of the Commission.  There will be no separate discussion of these items unless a member of the Commission, the public, or staff so requests, in which event the matter shall be removed from the Consent Calendar and considered as a separate item at this or a future hearing. 
Consent Agenda: 
 
a) EC-1553 - Brian Sheehy and Doug Dalton of Electrocelt Promotions, Inc., dba Devil’s Acre, 256 Columbus Ave., Billiard Parlor permit
 
b) EC-1555 – Peter and Jacqueline Cooper, dba Ireland’s 32, 3920 Geary Blvd., Billiard Parlor
 
SPEAKERS:  = Deputy Director, Kaitlyn Azevedo, staff report
 
PUBLIC COMMENT: None 
 
MOTION: Commissioner Caminong moved to approve the consent agenda, with the Good Neighbor Policy, Commissioner Perez seconded the motion.
 
ACTION: The Consent agenda was approved and both Billiard Parlor permits were conditionally granted to the applicants.
 
AYES: Commissioner Caminong, Commissioner Bleiman, Commissioner Perez, Commissioner Falzon
 
ABSENT: Commissioner Thomas and Commissioner Lee
 
Regular Agenda:
 
a) EC-1551 – Scott Morton of Salty Restaurant Group LLC, dba Momo’s, 760 2nd St., Place of Entertainment – change in ownership permit.
 
Staff recommendation:  
 
A. Approval with Good Neighbor Policy. 
 
B. Direct staff to set outdoor sound limit in accordance with MPC 1060.16.
 
C. Adopt the following SFPD permit conditions:
 
1. Hire sufficient staff or 10B (off-duty SFPD) to facilitate events. 
 
2. Permit holder shall be responsible for the management of outside promoters, special events, and the patrons inside and on the perimeter of the venue. 
 
3. Notify (via email) the Southern Station Permits Officer, Southern Station Events Supervisor, and the Entertainment Commission of Special Events for situational awareness. 
 
SPEAKERS: = Deputy Director, Kaitlyn Azevedo, staff report
+ Scott Morton, of Salty Restaurant Group LLC, owner of Momo’s.
 
PUBLIC COMMENT:  No public comment
 
MOTION: Commissioner Falzon moved to approve with the staff recommendations of the Good Neighbor Policy and SFPD recommendations, Commissioner Perez seconded the motion.
 
ACTION: The Place of Entertainment Permit – change in ownership was granted to the applicant. 
 
AYES: Commissioner Caminong, Commissioner Bleiman, Commissioner Perez, Commissioner Falzon
 
ABSENT: Commissioner Thomas, Commissioner Lee
 
7. Commissioner Comments & Questions. [Announcements]   
ADJOURNMENT 6:11 PM