A longtime educator will fill a seat on the York City Council left vacant by an activist-turned-councilwoman who died last month after a lengthy battle with cancer.

Replacing Joanne Borders as the fifth member of the council is David Satterlee, the dean of student affairs at HACC's York campus and a Linden Avenue homeowner.

Satterlee, 46, rose to the top of a field of 21 candidates who submitted resumes earlier this month for the council to consider in its search for a fifth member. The council had 30 days to appoint a replacement, a clock that started ticking the day after Borders' Sept. 24 death.

Mayor Kim Bracey cast a tiebreaker vote Monday to appoint Satterlee after the council's four remaining members split their top picks between Satterlee and Bryan Tate, the vice president of philanthropy at the York County Community Foundation.

Bracey had not attended a public meeting Oct. 15, during which the council interviewed five finalists for the job. But, Bracey said Monday, she watched the interviews on White Rose Community Television.

Councilmen Henry Nixon and Michael Helfrich both pegged Tate, a former chief of staff for U.S. Rep. Todd Platts, as their top choice Monday. They cited his legislative and budgetary experience.

But Council President Carol Hill-Evans and Councilwoman Renee Nelson zeroed in on Satterlee's potential as a representative of the disenfranchised. Hill-Evans cited his "compassion" and "open-mindedness."

Before the vote, Bracey asked Satterlee and Tate to disclose their political-party affiliation and their reasons for that choice - a question that later drew criticism from members of the public as being unnecessarily partisan.

Satterlee, a Democrat, said he values diversity and inclusiveness. Tate, a Republican, said he values smaller, more responsible government. Both expressed a commitment to York City.

As a council member, Satterlee said he will aim to make decisions in a fair and inclusive democratic process. He said he is interested in ensuring high-quality service for city residents, who must have a way to express concerns and expect a response.

After the meeting, Nixon said he was pleased with Satterlee's appointment. But, he said, he was disappointed that the law governing the appointment process calls for the mayor to cast tiebreaker votes.

"I wish that council would have been able to make the decision on its own," Nixon said.

- Erin James may also be reached at ejames@yorkdispatch.com.