Enforcement report: club complaints fall after security steps; Blue Light given notice of violation

Deputy Director Azavito delivered the enforcement report, telling the commission that inspectors conducted site visits and issued outreach materials and that several problem venues have responded to enforcement and operational changes.

Azavito said Club 26 had a series of short-term complaints from tenants across the street but that security and inspector follow-up have reduced complaints over the last two weekends. "Since two weekend last weekend, we haven't had any complaints," Azavito said of the venue, adding that inspectors and the venue's head of security have been cooperating.

Azavito also said the department received seven 311 complaints related to Outside Lands that were forwarded to the Recreation and Park Department. On the Blue Light matter, Azavito said an inspector took a sound measurement when the venue's door was open and found the venue exceeding its sound limits; staff issued a notice of violation and said citation is the next escalation. He noted that three sound citations within 90 days could allow the director to suspend a permit for up to two weeks under the Good Neighbor policy.

Commissioners asked whether inspectors shut down unpermitted events. Azavito said the team's approach is education first and that inspectors collect contact information and assist unpermitted operators to begin the permitting process; repeat offenders may be subject to further enforcement and the Police Department generally avoids acting as a judge without an articulable public-safety exigency. Azavito pointed out that the Fire Department retains the authority to close a place entirely for safety reasons.

Commissioners requested continued documentation of sound readings and escalation steps and asked staff to notify the Commission when citation thresholds are reached. Azavito said staff will provide updates.