Tahlequah city councilors voted 3-0 Monday night to adopt an ordinance increasing the city’s trash collection rates and changes service to once a week.

Mayor Ken Purdy said the new rates will go into effect in 30 days.

The rate hike has been a topic of discussion at the previous two city council meetings, but councilors said they’ve had little input from their constituents on the matter.

“I’m really disappointed,” Ward 2 Councilor Jack Spears said. “I’ve had one call, and that was from a lady on a fixed income.”

Spears said he explained the ordinance called for a senior freeze on rates, and she was pleased.

Purdy said his only call came from someone wanting to opt out of the system as it currently stands. Ward 1 Councilor Jason Nichols said his call was from someone who thought the rates were going up more than $5 per month. The residential and commercial rates are both headed up $2.25 a month.

Ward 4 Councilor JoAnn Bradley said, at the previous meeting, she received several inquiries about the proposed rate increase. However, she was unable to attend Monday’s special meeting.

Spears said he’d still like to hear from the public concerning a possible curbside recycling program. He said he believes people would pay for such a service.

Councilors approved proposed right-of-way parking along Cherokee Avenue at 225 W. Shawnee. They also agreed to publish notice for a consent annexation of Jerry Fuller’s property on Powell Road. City Building Inspector Joe Williford said a new home has been built on the property, and Fuller wants the Tahlequah Public Works Authority to provide electricity on the property.

An ordinance to rezone the corner of Bryant Road and West Allen Road from R-1 to R-3 died when none of the council made a motion. The requester wants to put in a mobile home park.

Dr. Leonard Wilkins’ appeal of an Abatement Board decision to demolish two houses at 305 S. Mission was tabled to Dec. 1.

The council approved establishing a special grant fund titled “Encourage to Arrest Grant,” a grant budget of $352,545 and a cash loan of $25,000 from the general fund.