In policy if not in practice, serving on the City Council – at a salary of $90,000 a year – is but a part-time job. A council member of Queens wants that to change, calling the “part-time” status an outdated term that no longer describes the long hours lawmakers put into their jobs.

“The actual role we play is far from part time,” Council Member Joseph Addabbo said. Mr. Addabbo will introduction a resolution today asking that the council hold hearings to investigate how it could take the “part time” reference off the books.

Few dispute the notion that serving on the City Council is far from a part-time position, but changing the official status could be tricky, as it would call into question the income some members earn outside the council by maintaining law practices or being involved in business. Mr. Addabbo gave up his law practice shortly after his election in 2001. He said his goal is not to target the side salaries of his colleagues but simply to correct a relic of terminology and “make the title of council member more accurate.”

A council member who does earn outside income, Lewis Fidler of Brooklyn, has little interest in Mr. Addabbo’s resolution. Mr. Fidler said he didn’t see the importance of holding hearings on a matter of terminology. “Call me part time. Call me full time. Call me Superman. I don’t think it really matters,” he said.

Mr. Fidler defended his continued work as the general counsel for the Brooklyn-based company LawCash, saying he spends about eight to 10 hours a week on that job, compared to about 60 on council matters. He would not say exactly how much he earns, other than that it is less than half his council salary. “I don’t think my constituents have any concerns over the amount of time I put into my job as a council member,” Mr. Fidler said. He said he opposes any change that would prohibit council members from earning outside income, saying it would deter qualified candidates from running.

The executive director of the watchdog group Citizens Union, Richard Dadey, said Mr. Addabbo’s resolution could “ignite an important policy debate” over whether council members should be able to hold paying jobs outside the council. He agreed that describing the position of council member as “part time” was far from apt.

“Calling it part time hearkens back to a time when the City Council was not as serious a legislative body as it is today,” Mr. Dadey said. In 1989, a new city charter eliminated the Board of Estimate, increased the number of council members to 51 from 35, and gave the council enhanced power over the municipal budget and land use issues.