Mayor Jim Watson feels it's time for College ward's city councillor to make a decision.

College City Councillor Rick Chiarelli has only made one appearance at city hall since August, and now Ottawa's mayor is asking him to make up his mind regarding his future.

Mayor Jim Watson spoke about the councillor's time off Wednesday, and noted that not having a full-time council at this time of year is difficult for residents.

"It's really hard on those folks who don't have a voice around the table, particularily at budget time," explained the mayor. "And we don't have a list of requests that he wants in the budget for his ward."

While Chiarelli is away for what he claims are medical reasons, councillors Scott Moffatt and Allan Hubley are trying to help out with any issues in College ward.

"But, as you know, councillor Hubley has a big responsibility with transit. Councillor Moffatt has a big responsibility with environment and five kids, and his duties as a councillor," said Watson. "So it's putting pressure on them and it's putting pressure on the whole system."

Watson explained that council has no choice but to just let this play out because they have no power to remove a councillor, but he is trying to find a sensible solution if this is to continue.

"I don't want to go blurt something out which has no basis in law," said the mayor. "We still don't really have a clear idea in terms of what the medical condition of Mr. Chiarelli [is]. He may be ill, he may not be. He came and showed up [at city hall earlier this month] and did at least one interview and then left the building."

Watson really just wants a decision to be made, and soon.

"My hope is that Mr. Chiarelli makes a decision. Either he decides he's going to come back to work, which he's been paid for for the last several months, or he decides to resign."

Right now, the councillor is away on sick leave, but council has not officially approved his application for a long-term leave of absence. This means that he has to appear at council meetings at least once every three months or he could lose his seat around the table.

His appearance at city hall for the draft budget vote on November 6, essentially reset the clock on his allowed time away.

Chiarelli is currently under investigation by the city's Integrity Commissioner for allegations of sexual misconduct -- allegations that Chiarelli has denied.