J
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Philippe Eskandar, City Manager
BY: Joseph Montes, City Attorney
DATE: November 12, 2025
SUBJECT: APPROVAL OF A FIRST AMENDMENT TO THE AMENDED
AND RESTATED CITY MANAGER EMPLOYMENT
AGREEMENT AND CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION NO.
R-25-37 TO REVISE THE SALARY SCHEDULE
STRATEGIC PLAN CRITICAL SUCCESS FACTORS
Engaged and Connected Residents
Efficient, Responsive and Effective City Services
Fiscally Responsible and Transparent City Government
BACKGROUND
This item was approved by the City Council on October 31, 2025. However, as that meeting was a Special Meeting of the City Council and not a Regular Meeting, the item must be revisited in order to satisfy State law. The following report is identical to that which was provided in the October 31, 2025 agenda packet:
In June of 2023 the City Council appointed Philippe Eskandar as the City Manager. The City entered into an employment agreement with Mr. Eskandar, effective as of July 1, 2023. Pursuant to the terms of that agreement, the City Council is to annually review Mr. Eskandar’s performance and consider whether or not to change any aspects of the agreement. The City Council conducted a performance review on September 26 and October 7, 2025.
Additionally, the salary and benefits for the City’s unrepresented employees are set forth in Resolution No. R-25-14. That resolution includes a salary schedule for the employees covered by the resolution.
Gretchen Shepherd Romey, Mayor
Tony Chou, Vice Mayor
Calvin Lo, Council Member
Hunter Chang, Council Member
John Chou, Council Member
DISCUSSION
As a result of the City Manager’s performance review, and his leadership and performance during the past year of his service as City Manager, the City Council and City Manager would like to amend the existing agreement, with the following modifications:
The base salary is increased to $278,460 as of July 1, 2025; He is allocated a one-time additional 3 weeks of sick leave to be used before any sick leave he has accrued is used;
His severance payment in the event of a termination without cause has been increased to an amount equivalent to 12 months of base salary; The term of his agreement has been extended to and through June 30, 2032.
Included as part of the Council’s action on this item is an amendment to the City’s Salary Schedule to reflect the change in the City Manager’s base salary.
FISCAL IMPACT & PROCUREMENT REVIEW
The change in base salary can be accommodated within the existing FY 2025- 26 budget based upon salary savings year to date.
LEGAL REVIEW
The City Attorney's office has reviewed and approved as to form.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the City Council approve a First Amendment to the Amended and Restated City Manager Employment Agreement and adopt Resolution No. R-25-37, amending the salary schedule. If the City Council agrees, an appropriate motion would be:
“I move to approve the First Amendment to the Amended and Restated City Manager Employment Agreement Between the City of San Marino and Philippe Eskandar and to Adopt Resolution No. R-25-37.”
ATTACHMENTS
1. First Amendment to the Amended and Restated City Manager Employment Agreement
2. Resolution No. R-25-37