City Mourns Loss Of Planning Commissioner, Longtime Volunteer

MANHATTAN BEACH, CA – The City of Manhattan Beach announced Monday the passing of Planning Commissioner and longtime community volunteer Sandra Seville-Jones. Seville-Jones died in the early morning hours of March 9, due to complications following surgery, the City said.

She was a "tireless community volunteer" and served as a member of the Planning Commission from 2007-2012 and from 2017-2019, according to the City. She also served as a member on the Public Improvements Commission from 2005 to 2007 and was "deeply involved in the community" through the leadership training program, Leadership Manhattan Beach (LMB), the Hometown Fair Board, and biennial City Council candidate forums, the press release said.

“The City is deeply saddened by the loss of Sandra Seville-Jones. Sandra was always thoughtful, prepared, insightful, and courteous to those who appeared before the Commission. More than that, she was a true friend and will be greatly missed,” said Mayor Steve Napolitano.

Seville-Jones led the City Council simulation exercise within the annual LMB program for more than a decade. City officials said she elevated the exercise with feedback for participants and interactive questions for City officials who attended the proceedings.

Seville-Jones was a corporate lawyer at Munger, Tolles & Olson’s since 1986 and was most recently the Co-Managing Partner, the press release said. She served in this role since 2009, advocating for diversity and inclusion in the legal industry and at the law firm, the City said.

"She frequently spoke at conferences focused on women in law, serving as a member of the Leadership Council on Legal Diversity, and championing benefits to support working parents," the City said.

Manhattan Beach will adjourn the next City Council meeting scheduled for March 19 in her memory.