The city staff, at the behest of the mayor, is exploring ways for Commissioner Dean Lovelace who’s health is preventing him from attending meetings to telecommute instead.

Two weeks ago, Mayor Gary Leitzell asked City Manager Tim Riordan to research what, if any, legal roadblocks might exist. Riordan, at that time, said he hoped to have a legal opinion by the end of last week. A call to Riordan on the progress of the research was not immediately returned Monday.

Commissioner Dean Lovelace has missed 11 consecutive commission meetings as he recovers from a fall this summer and has been excused every time by the commissioners.

The City Charter allows the absence to be excused by a majority of the commissioners. The charter requires any commissioner who has five consecutive unexcused absences be removed from office and the seat filled by special election.

The commissioners approved the first 10 absences unanimously. Last week Leitzell voted against excusing Lovelace, asking the commissioners to come up with a policy for long-term absences or find a way to include Lovelace in the meetings.

Lovelace, 66, and the longest serving member on the commission with 19 years, said Monday he plans to be back on the job by the end of the year. “I plan to fill out my term as soon as I can walk.” Lovelace was re-elected to a sixth consecutive 4-year term last year. His term ends in 2016.

Lovelace — singled out in Leitzell’s State of the City speech earlier this year for his long years of service and as the “dean” of the commission — said the mayor called him three weeks ago to tell him he was going to bring up the absences to the commissioners.

“I’m not upset. … He can do what he needs to do, but I will remember it,” Lovelace said. He said he has been in contact with his colleagues by phone over various issues.

Two weeks ago, Leitzell suggested the city utilize newer technology to allow Lovelace to be part of the commission meeting, possibly by telephone or computer.s

“I swore an oath to uphold the charter with fairness and impartiality,” Leitzell said when questioned last week by Commissioner Nan Whaley about his vote. At first Leitzell suggested he and Whaley get together after the meeting. Pressed by Whaley — who is expected to challenge Leitzell for mayor next year — the mayor explained: “We need to raise this issue. I’m trying to change the way we do things.”

“The man’s been seriously ill. We should honor his long service to the community,” Commissioner Matt Joseph responded in defense of Lovelace.

Whaley said she was offended by the mayor’s action.

The four commissioners earn $36,878 annually; the mayor $44,824. The City Commission this year reduced their five salaries by 1.2 percent, the equivalent of the three cost-savings days, or furlough days, required of other city employees. The mayor and commissioners are considered part-time positions.