having, it is escalating into fights and more serious violence, but it was stuff like drinking alcoholic beverages in the line, allowing the line to roll onto the streets. these are kind of zero tolerance, club 101 issues, that every club operator should have a strong hand on. again, an example between the police department and the establishment with cooperation. all of us who have been on the ground floor of this are extremely confident. new security has been brought in. their security as a sense of an apartment, and they have a real voice in the management of this, and we hope this will be off of our radar for a very long time. that is all i have got, unless you have questions of the department. president newlin: commissioner

meko? commissioner meko: i have a friend who lives next door to a nondescript club, and on occasion, the club becomes so low that he does call the police. twice, the officer has told him, two drops officers have told him that if he does not like the amount of noise at his place of residence, maybe he should think about moving someplace else. can you explain how you try to balance this with the officers? we certainly do not what the police department on a jihad against the clubs, but at the same time, i do not think we want to see residence, even poor residents, sro hotels, get that

type of response. >> absolutely not. they have specific rights under the law to the quiet enjoyment of their home. having said that, we know in a densely populated city like san francisco, where there are 4000 licenses and god only knows how many permits, we have to coexist. i cannot speak to those exact comments, because i have got to tell you, there is usually an underlying story. i appreciate that you know this person, but there could be a little bit more to it. i in the first to admit that we can do a better job, and maybe officer that night was a little frustrated with the fact he was not able to help that gentleman. i am not sure. having said that, i think our report -- department is extraordinary, absolutely extraordinary with finding middle ground. we do it every day, and our officers are very good at

finding that, but if this continues to be a problem, i would urge that person to contact my office. we will take a look at it. we will bring the person in with the club management, give them a cell phone number. there is a lot of things we can do. the name of the game, as we oba been saying, is about working collaborative late note -- collaboratively, and we have many club owners who have done tenant improvements, and this person needs our protection, needs our support. like you said, we do have to find this balance in this difficult economy. i would say if you could follow up with your friend, if things are not looking better, if he continues to get that kind of feedback, please direct it to me, and we will work it out.

the community liaison, we would welcome your support, as well. commissioner meko: thank you. president newlin: anything else? >> thank you. >> good evening, commissioners, staff. i am steve mathias from central station. on st. patrick's day, it went real well. we were really happy with the festivities. we did not have any major problems, which we are happy about. one thing to note, working with the entertainment commission, it was helpful. i had an email that was followed -- forwarded to me by jocelyn from a neighbor who had an issue with a street calm and there was a one-night entertainment permit, and they had a person who was concerned about the

block being basically -- basically denying access to the residents, and noise concerns and some other concerns, as well, and what we were able to do was go over to the place and voice what our concerns were, and he was actually able to change the configuration of the street closure so that their security did not have to stop anybody who was going into a house. they had free access. this alleviated quite a bit of problems. also, with the concern of the neighbor who is concerned about the noise, we were able to give him the number to central command, so if there were any issues during the night, he could call us, and i am happy to say that he did not have to call us, so it went very well. it was just a nice event. i think working with the entertainment commission really pay off here. saturday night, the police

responded to a disturbance at atmosphere. someone was being ejected, not that big of an issue, and while they were dealing with that issue, someone went over to the police car and broke off one of the mirrors. luckily, he was caught and charged with a felony, and we tried to look into where the person went, where the suspect had come from, if we could figure out which club, and we are not even sure that he came from a club, so he was in the area, and we are not able to tie it to a specific club. yes? vice chair joseph: why would that matter? why would that matter if he walked up and broke off a mirror? how is that the club's responsibility? >> if they are being served or over search, that is an issue. it is not at issue here, because

we cannot say he came from a club. he could have come from the street, drinking 40-ounce beers. vice chair joseph: welcome back, welcome back. >> i do not want to say that it was near a club atmosphere, so it came from a club. i do not want to do that. we do not just a guess. another issue, on march 20, a group on leavenworth, they wanted to get in without paying the cover charge, and they were denied, and they became real verbal. one of the people had to actually be escorted out, but this is a situation where the people of the door are doing the right thing. people are intoxicated before they even get to their establishment, and they are not

letting them in. a lot of times, some bards think that we hold things like that against them. no, i would much rather have them stop and the problem before it gets and then having the police respond. another note, we went to management training. commissioner al perez ws t -- al perez was there. it comes down to the fire code, but it says for those around 1000 -- vice chair joseph: could you please be quiet when entering the room? thank you. >> 1000 assembling, they're required to have management that is trained, and after going to

training, i think it would be something that would benefit any establishment, so i think we could talk to commission staff with a training that bars and clubs could send people to. i just think it would really help. the last hearing was canceled, so we do still have some other issues. at the statehouse on jackson street, there was an issue as far as overcrowding or possible overcrowding. we had another situation at the rec room, and he was arrested and charged with a felony. at another location, one person was stabbed.

ruby skye, there was an altercation there, where someone was ripping things down, and a fight ensued. ambassador, after midnight, a victim was struck by suspects two times in the neck for no reason, and the area was searched, and they were gone on arrival. the last one was a club horizon. the police were summoned there for some patrons that were causing problems, and they went in there to take them out. a fight began, and they assaulting a police office, and there were two arrests. any questions? president newlin: know. i do not think so. any public comment on this? >> i am sorry, commissioners. i would be remiss if i did not

point this out. the police department has been at a loss because officer mathias has been gone for a couple of months, he had a work- related injury, and i just wanted to point that out. president newlin: 80. welcome back. we do not have to do this tonight? director: i might suggest that you read the director's report at your leisure. that is what i was going to talk about. you have some information, and if you do not know about that, you will.

otherwise, i think you can take the balance of the items in either continue them or not. vice chair joseph: do we need a motion to continue? director: i think you should do a motion for the minutes, and the rest of it, i do not think you do. vice chair joseph: ok, i have a motion. director: ok, house, , print >> -- ok, same house, same call. commissioner: do we license the club on san bruno? >> there is a permit at el toro.

we do regulate them, and we have been in contact with them about the incident. today, we received information, and we're going to be working with them this week to fact find and go from there. commissioner: ok. president newlin: i would like to call item no. 7, new business. i am sorry. no. 7. ok. it is number eight, actually. the following agenda will be considered by the entertainment commission as discussions related to the relative hey and set up -- health and safety of permitted and uncommitted events. we we are joined by the youth commission. we have a few chairs and some folding chairs. members of the public that are here to speak, after the

commission's make their opening remarks, we are going to -- i see we have supervisor weiner here to make some comments. the public will be limited to two minutes. we want to hear what everybody has to say, but it is possible not to keep repeating things, that would be good. >> 30 seconds. >> go ahead.

>> he said somebody wanted to call the names? >> i first want to welcome the commission here tonight. i am not sure if you want to ask them to introduce themselves. some of them have some nameplates. president newlin: 30 seconds to get set up. >> as far as passing the devil, it is up to you guys. we have overflow rooms as well. let it be known you are being watched in room 421 and in the light court. i am not sure how many people we have here. >> does the commission want to introduce themselves? >> i guess i will start. i am the chair of the youth commission.

>> i am daniel herstein, a commissioner. i am the legislative affairs coordinator. >> i am marisol, community outreach officer. president newlin: anyone else? >> other members of the commission will be here shortly. they will probably be mixed in the crowd with you or sitting up here with us. be on the lookout. i guess i will begin martin. >> i would like to call this meeting to order. may i have a roll call please? >> commissioner zuckerman?

commissioner ben-ezra? chair lacroix? we are expecting commissioner liang, plus some of our executive committee. are there any you commissioners i missed? we are expecting at least two more. that concludes the call to order and the roll call. >> before we have commissioner comments, i recommend we call the supervisor of so he can make his comments. you are in no hurry? you want to be last? all right. i will open it up to and the commissioners that would like to

make some kind of introductory comments before we start listening to the testimony. commissioner joseph? vice chair joseph: i wanted to say our youth and our young citizens are our future. entertainment, music, and dance gatherings are vital in molding a character come out responsibility, and interpersonal social relationships. paul simon always said every generation throws paper he wrote up the pop charts, and that is true. in world war two, swing dancing took people happy. rock-and-roll debuted in the '50s. people thought the world was coming to the end and morals went out the window with elvis presley. but then we have not the age of innocence. we had disco, punk, new wave, rap, hip-hop, and electronic music. all of these are deejay-driven

music genres. they could be considered electronic dance music. i would like to lend my support for the young people. in mind -- in the same vein, i believe our young people have to take responsibility for their actions. they need to look up for one another, facilitate a reduction with regard to drinking, drugs, and violence. if we are not figuring out who we need to grow up to be and fall in love with, and who we are going to date and stuff -- it just robs us of such an important part of our live. all of us did it, even the people who are against electronic dance music. all of us had that, growing up. as female appointees -- as the

mayoral appointee, i strongly support the use commission in trying to find good news for people to go to. >> any other commissioners? >> my name is leah lacroix. the commission is a 17-member advisory body appointed by the mayor and members of the board of supervisors. we have few duties -- a few duties that speak to today's hearing. one is identifying unmet needs of san francisco youth and holding a public forum where youth and adults are encouraged to participate. that is why we are here. i know my colleague, commissioner zuckerman, has more to say.

our appointing officers -- i would like to think everyone here who wishes to speak. if they do not wish to speak, thank you for coming in engaging in this people democratic process. without you here, we would not be able to hold this hearing. it speaks a lot to see this many people here and downstairs as well. entertainment, music, and so forth is very important to us. just an fyi for everyone. there are speaker cards and agenda packets right next to the podium and also by the entrance of the door. we ask that everyone who wishes to speak please fill out a comment card so we will call your name and know when you are coming up. also, for people who are downstairs be up here in time for your names. with that, i would like to turn it over to commissioner zukerman.

>> i want to thank chair lacroix for what the commission does. the city charter asks the commission to advise the mayor and board of supervisors with identifying unmatched needs of children and youth in public forums, such as today. youth and san francisco comprise roughly 21% of the city population. there are 117,000 youths between the ages of zero and 17. that is a big part of the population. we want to receive honest input from the source, you. we want to know what you think is not safe. we want to know what you think can be safer and what you think can be done to make things safer. tonight's gathering is reminiscent of the youth commission hearing held in 2004. then as now, we remain concerned with efforts to erase use spaces.

i would like to thank the supervisor for being here today i would like to thank the department of public health, the police department, and the recreation and parks department. and i would like to think the entertainment commission for sponsoring this hearing and doing all their great work. i would like to invite supervisor weiner, who introduced this issue at today's board of supervisors' meeting, to share some remarks. thank you for being here. supervisor weiner: thank you for having me here today and taking time to do this important hearing. i want to thank you for your service. being a commissioner is not always the most glamorous job. we do not always appreciate the many hours you put in.

you are a critical part of making our city government work. especially for the youth commission, it is so hard to get young people in gauged in city government in san francisco. what you're doing is incredibly important. we thank you. when i was sworn in to the board of supervisors in january, i submitted that one of the issues i was really going to focus on was ensuring that we have a vibrant nightlife and entertainment for youth in san francisco. we have struggled with that lately. we have a tendency in san francisco and at the board, unfortunately, that when something bad happens, a novelist as it may be, -- anomolous as it may be, we have a reaction that we should ban it because it is the safest thing to do.

well that might be the safest thing to do, it is not necessarily the best thing to do. a month ago i requested that we find out people understand how important this is to san francisco culturally or economically. in terms of youth access to entertainment, we need to understand that this is a critical part of growing up and developing as a person. you cannot just take it away if there are some challenges and expect that everyone is still going to be around. it is not like young people are going to just disappear. but they are going to have fewer outlets and fewer ways to

express themselves. that is just not the right way for us to proceed. i did offer a resolution today supporting youth entertainment and youth access to night life in san francisco. i am going to continue to work on that. i look forward to working with the entertainment commission, the youth commission, and others. my office is always available when these issues come up if you think that the agency is not acting appropriately, or maybe is a little misguided in how they are applying rules. please let me know or let my staff know. we want to be of help and want to work with you to make this the kind of city we all know it can be. thank you very much. commissioner zukerman: thank you. it department representatives want to say anything, now is the time. >> are there any more presentations? >> this is from recreation and

park. >> thank you. >> hello, commissioners. i is found out i had to do this three hours ago, so forgive me if i do not know what i am saying. i am facility coordinator representing the recreation and parks department. i have been with them for over 20 years now. i feel for our teenagers, young youth, and young adults. considering all the deficit cuts there have been in our department, in the last six months we have made some big changes following a new model that is based on -- hold on. let me see what it is called. it is best practices being used across the country.

in the last six months, we were able to see successes because of this new model. there has been a 20% increase in registration for our program, more than 25,000 additional hours of programming offered, 30% increase in youth sports registration, up more than $1 million in additional revenue, more than $500,000 in scholarships applied for and received to attend recreation programs, which was $250,000 more than last year. on behalf of the assistant superintendent, who chose me to do this speech, he says the department is now more of corporate place to be responsive to san franciscan -- is no more -- is now a more appropriate place to be a representative to san franciscans.

we look forward to finding creative solutions to all your reservation needs. >> can i ask you a question really quickly? how many venues or park facilities are used for youth music and dance in the early evenings, or in the evenings at all? any of them? >> we have one special site called the harvey milk center. it has been renovated. the offer digital art, performance arts, natural science and art. >> but no place for socializing, music, and dance? >> they are mostly class is. -- classes. i can say we do need a center, a place just for teenagers. teen-agers and preteens are a whole other world.