TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Philippe Eskandar, City Manager
BY: Philippe Eskandar, City Manager
DATE: July 8, 2026
SUBJECT: CONSIDERATION OF REQUEST FROM SAN MARINO CITY
CLUB CHARITABLE FUND TO INSTALL STREET LIGHT
POLE BANNERS AND WAIVE ASSOCIATED FEES
STRATEGIC PLAN CRITICAL SUCCESS FACTORS
Engaged and Connected Residents
BACKGROUND
The San Marino City Club (City Club) is a community and civic organization, which has served San Marino since 1926. As stated on their website, their mission is to secure for the citizens of San Marino Unified School District the best civic, educational and cultural services and facilities possible, and to encourage and promote the highest standards of citizenship among its membership. This year, City Club is celebrating their 100th anniversary and are undertaking certain efforts to celebrate the occasion.
DISCUSSION
Created on the eve of the City Club’s 100th anniversary, the San Marino City Club Charitable Fund (Fund) is the charitable giving arm of the San Marino City Club. The fund exists to increase support for community organizations and events that make San Marino a special place to live, learn and celebrate.
The fund is a California non-profit corporation organized to raise and distribute charitable gifts in a manner that qualifies it as tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
The Fund’s mission is: To foster a stronger, more vibrant San Marino by providing focused, effective funding for programs that enrich the lives of our children, strengthen community life, and celebrate San Marino’s civic and Tony Chou, Mayor
Calvin Lo, Vice Mayor
Hunter Chang, Council Member
John Chou, Council Member
Gretchen Shepherd Romey, Council Member
cultural traditions.
The Fund has requested that the City Council approve the placement of up to 50 street pole banners from September 15, 2026 through October 15, 2026.
FISCAL IMPACT & PROCUREMENT REVIEW
The cost for the City’s Parks and Public Works Department personnel to install and remove up to 50 street pole banners is approximately $3,500.00. If approved, no additional budget appropriation is required as City personnel will install and remove the banners during regular City business hours.
LEGAL REVIEW
The City Attorney's office has reviewed and approved as to form.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council consider the street pole banner installation and fee waiver request from the San Marino City Club Charitable Fund. If the City Council wishes to approve the item, an appropriate motion would be:
“I move to approve a request from the San Marino City Club Charitable Fund that is in accordance with Resolution No. R-14-22 for the installation and display of banners between September 15, 2026 and October 15, 2026 and waive the associated fees.”
ATTACHMENTS
1. Resolution No. R-14-22
2. Exhibit A – Street Banner Policy