The City Council will hold a hearing on Wednesday, Dec. 1 on how to handle City Councillor Chuck Turner's felony conviction, City Council President Michael Ross said this week. The hearing -- public at Turner's request -- will take place at 3 p.m., immediately following the weekly meeting.

Ross, in a brief interview while walking out of City Hall on Monday, called Turner's conviction an "extremely serious matter." Asked if he felt Turner was guilty, Ross noted that Turner had been convicted by a jury and said, "We only have one justice system in these United States."

Holding the hearing is not about one city councillor, he added, but about the "integrity of the City Council."

The date allows the winner of the special election to replace former City Councillor John Tobin to weigh in, since he is expected to be seated by then.

Turner, who was convicted of accepting a $1,000 bribe and lying to the FBI about the act, has maintained his innocence and demanded that the council not take action until he is sentenced by a federal judge in January. He will not appeal the verdict, he said.

In a letter to councillors on Sunday, Turner said he would not run for District 7 city councillor in 2011.

"Two years ago, I told Tito Jackson that if he wanted the District 7 seat, I would support him in 2013 given my decision to run for only one more term," Turner said in the email. "However, over the weekend, I told him that I would support him in a special election if I am removed from the Council or in next year's regular election if allowed to stay. He indicated he is interested and ready to run for City Council either immediately or next year."

He added in the email: "I realize that my decision not to resign and to fight to complete my term creates a difficult situation for you. However, I believe that my constituents have a right to have me complete the term to which I was elected."

Other potential names drawing the chatter of political insiders include Monica Dean, former chief of staff to former state Sen. Dianne Wilkerson; Roxbury attorney Hassan Williams, who unsuccessfully mounted a primary challenge against state Sen. Sonia Chang-Diaz; former City Council At-Large candidate Scotland Willis.

Turner's district includes Roxbury, Lower Roxbury, and parts of the Fenway, South End, and Dorchester.