TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Philippe Eskandar, City Manager
BY: Philippe Eskandar, City Manager
DATE: April 8, 2026
SUBJECT: RECOMMENDATION FOR CITY COUNCIL CONCURRENCE
ON THE CITY MANAGER'S SELECTION FOR DIRECTOR OF
COMMUNITY SERVICES
STRATEGIC PLAN CRITICAL SUCCESS FACTORS
Efficient, Responsive, and Effective City Services
Fiscally Responsible and Transparent City Government
BACKGROUND
Sections 02.03.04, 02.03.07, and 02.04.02 of the San Marino Municipal Code (SMMC) authorize the City Manager to appoint and remove department heads from office, with the concurrence of the City Council. Specifically, SMMC §
02.04.02(B) states, “All department heads shall be ‘at will employees,’ serving at the pleasure of the City Manager. The hiring or discharge of department heads shall be subject to concurrence by the Council…”
DISCUSSION
The City’s former Community Services Director retired from the City in December 2025. At that time, Recreation Manager Eduardo ‘Eddie’ Covarrubias was appointed as the Interim Community Services Director in order to ensure effective continuity of operations within the Department.
Mr. Covarrubias has been with the City of San Marino since July 2015 beginning his tenure with the City as a Recreation Supervisor, followed by a promotion to Recreation Manager, and now serving as the Interim Director.
Prior to joining San Marino. Mr. Covarrubias held similar roles with the City of El Monte and the County of Los Angeles Department of Beaches and Harbors.
Tony Chou, Mayor
Calvin Lo, Vice Mayor
Hunter Chang, Council Member
John Chou, Council Member
Gretchen Shepherd Romey, Council Member
Mr. Covarrubias holds a Bachelor of Arts from California State Polytechnic University and a Master of Public Administration from the University of La Verne.
Throughout his career and in particular during his tenure with San Marino, Mr.
Covarrubias has demonstrated passion for, and a commitment to the field of community services. His time with San Marino has spanned through periods of both contraction and growth within the Department which have afforded him unique opportunities to understand what the community of San Marino expects from the Community Services Department.
In response to goals outlined by the City Manager during the past several months of his time as Interim Director, Mr. Covarrubias has prioritized several areas of his leadership for the betterment of the Department and organization as a whole. They include but are not limited to: customer service excellence, effective communication, community connections, relationship building, accountability, creativity, proactiveness, and team development to name a few.
With his experience, established community relationships, and understanding of San Marino, Mr. Covarrubias is uniquely qualified to serve as the City’s Director of Community Services.
FISCAL IMPACT & PROCUREMENT REVIEW
No additional appropriations are necessary for this recommendation. The position of Community Services Director is already budgeted for in the FY 2025-26 budget.
LEGAL REVIEW
The City Attorney’s Office has reviewed this report and approved it as to form.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the Council concur with the City Manager’s selection. If the City Council concurs with staff’s recommendation, an appropriate motion would be:
“I move that the City Council concur with the City Manager’s hiring of Eduardo Covarrubias as Director of Community Services.”
ATTACHMENTS
None.