Newsletter Supplement

The City of Brewster a City Code and General Ordinance manual, which is available for review at City Hall.  The City of Brewster annually adopts, from the League of Kansas Municipalities, the Kansas version of the Standard Traffic Ordinances and the Uniform Public Offense Codes for Kansas Cities.

If you have debris or trash in and around your yard, CLEAN IT UP. The trash gets on the neighbor’s property.  Weeds and grass must be maintained and kept at less than 12” in height, or action will be taken to correct the problem. One time notice will be served for violators. 

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If you own a property that is uninhabitable and has no city services, we ask that you either remove or repair it.  There have been people looking for rental and purchase properties, so use that to your advantage.  If these properties are not cleaned up, it will be costly for the owners!

TORNADO SIREN – A 3-MINUTE STEADY BLAST SERVING AS A NOTICE FOR A POSTED WARNING. IN THE EVENT OF A TORNADO HEADED IN THE BREWSTER VICINITY, SIRENS WILL BE RUN CONTINUOUSLY, IF AT ALL POSSIBLE.  Everyone is asked to take cover immediately.  People outside the city limits may need to be contacted individually. 

DURING A TORNADO WARNING, THE TORNADO SIREN MAY BE OPERATED EVERY 30 MINUTES UNTIL AN ALL CLEAR IS DETERMINED BY THE NOAA WEATHER OFFICE IN GOODLAND AND/OR THE THOMAS COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE.

TORNADO ALL CLEAR - A 5-SECOND SHORT BLAST.

FIRE SIREN - A WAVERING BLAST BEING RAMPED UP AND DOWN CONTINUOUSLY FOR A MINIMUM OF THREE CYCLES.

(It is unlawful to pursue a fire department to a fire -- please stay back and out of the way).

WATER SERVICE DISRUPTION or REPAIRS - 2 SHORT BLASTS. Remember that City services are not guaranteed.

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Weather is unpredictable so be prepared and stay informed with a battery powered weather radio for watches and warnings.  For other information, please go to the website: www.nssl.noaa.gov/edu/safety/tornadoguide.html. Planning and locating shelter before the need arises should be a priority.

- There is to be NO open burning in any street, alley or vacant lot within the fire limits or within 25’ of any building, except in a screened barrel or approved garbage burner.  An approved container has a tapered barrel, two handles and holds no more than 30 gallons.

It is a violation to allow dogs to be running at large and to harbor vicious dogs.  Dogs must not be allowed to run at large without supervision and need to be under the control of the owner.  Dogs left unattended must be penned or on a leash.

We are updating our “Vicious Dog Ordinance” Ord. 2-213, whereby the City Superintendent/Law Enforcement official has the authority to dispose of any animal showing signs of aggression to preserve the safety of the community.  If you own a dog of this nature, please remove it from the city limits as you will be held fully accountable if and when an attack occurs. 

It is unlawful to allow your dog to disturb the peace.  Please try to keep your dogs from barking excessively and bothering your neighbors.  It is your responsibility.

DOG TAGS - All dogs over six months of age need to be registered with the City Treasurer by May 1st of every year.  Please call Dawn Schultz at 785-694-2205 to register your dog, if you haven't already done so.  Proof of a rabies vaccination needs to be shown to get registered.  

According to Article 8-303 of the City Code, it is unlawful for any person to have a motor vehicle that is not currently registered or tagged, parked in violation of city ordinance, incapable of moving under its own power or in a junked, wrecked or inoperable condition.  Please repair or remove these vehicles from private property.  We have a 72-hour rule on parking without movement on the streets of Brewster.  After 72 hours, your vehicle can be towed at the owner's expense.

The city may exercise the right to file a complaint until the nuisance has been abated or corrected.  The city council appreciates everyone helping to KEEP BREWSTER NEAT and CLEAN.

If you have dead trees, we ask that you remove them from your property.  We would like to encourage everyone to keep their property mowed.  Weeds or grass shall not exceed 12” in height.

IT IS NOT THE CITIES RESPONSIBILITY TO CLEAN UP YOUR TRASH OR DEBRIS from a storm.  You are responsible to clean up your trees and branches if they fall and or break.  All trees and branches picked up by the sanitation service, must be less than 4” in diameter, less than 50 lbs., less than 36” in length, tied and in bundles less than 18” in diameter.  *Municipal code 15-305

It is unlawful to "dolly down" trailers on any of the asphalt streets in the City of Brewster.  Parking in the proper direction, according to traffic laws, should be followed. 

Water Rates Updated October, 2022 - The minimum monthly water bill service is $35.00 per month for residential customers.  Water use will be charged at the rate of $1.00 per 1,000 gallons thereafter. For customers outside the city limits the charge shall be a minimum of $40.00 for the service and then $2.00 per 1,000 gallons thereafter.  The bulk water rate at the water dock is $3.00 per 1,000 gallons and bulk water through the fire hydrants is $10.00 per 1,000 gallons of water or any fraction thereof. 

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Water Bills are due by the 15th of the month and termination is on the 25th of the month.  We have two containers where you can drop off your payment.  One is inside the Brewster Grocery Store and the other is located by the southwest corner of the City Building at 425 Illinois Ave.  You may also mail your payment to the City of Brewster, P.O. Box 147, Brewster, Kansas 67732.  If you cannot make your payment by the due date, you need to contact the city mayor, city superintendent or office staff in writing to make arrangements prior to the due date.  Please pay your bills on time so there is no confusion.

Autopay:  We have been working on our upgraded billing service and we now can offer “AUTOPAY (bank draws)” for the services from the city as in “water, sewer and trash”.  Please contact the office for the form.  This service was requested by many and our new program provides it.  The payment is taken out on the 15th of the month and for the amount due only.

All residential and business properties need visible addresses at all locations.  We are asking that you place your property numbers by the front door of your property.  This is to help with 911 emergency calls for emergency rescue personnel. 

• According to State law, they are not to be operated on a public roadway without the proper permitting. (Proof of liability insurance is required). Liability will be your concern if you ride on public streets and an accident should happen. The city council has given exception to those used as work vehicles only (spraying, snow removal etc.).  Special use vehicles will be reviewed by the council on a case by case basis.

Bikes and riders are subject to the same regulations as motorized vehicles in that you must obey all traffic laws. Please share with your children that it is their responsibility to pay attention before entering onto a public street. During harvest we ask that parents use common sense to prevent a bike/truck/child accident from happening.  These trucks cannot stop on a dime, and it is often difficult to see small children.  Supervision is critical during these times.

Families should be prepared for all hazards that affect their area. NOAA's National Weather Service, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and the American Red Cross urge each family to develop a family disaster plan.

Where will your family be when disaster strikes? They could be anywhere - at work, at school, or in the car. How will you find each other?  Will you know if your children are safe?  Disasters may force you to evacuate your neighborhood or confine you to your home. What would you do if basic services - water, gas, electricity or telephones - were cut off?

Make A Plan | Ready.gov

In accordance with State Law, BB/Pellet Guns are illegal to use in the city unless operated in the manner listed below.

*UPOC 10.6 - AIR GUN, AIR RIFLE, BOW AND ARROW, SLINGSHOT, BB GUN OR PAINT BALL GUN. The unlawful operation of an air gun, air rifle, bow and arrow, slingshot, BB gun or paint ball gun is the shooting, discharging or operating of any air gun, air rifle, bow and arrow, slingshot, BB gun or paint ball gun within the city, except within the confines of a building or other structure from which the projectiles cannot escape. Unlawful operation of an air gun, air rifle, bow and arrow, slingshot, BB gun or paint ball gun is a Class C violation whereby not to exceed one month in jail and payment of a fine of not more than $500.00.

Trash is picked up every Tuesday morning for all residents.  Trash should be in the designated pickup location by 8:30 a.m.  The City has trash containers, trash carts and trash bags for sale (see pricing below) or you may purchase your own.

If you would like to purchase or rent a dumpster or purchase a container or bags, contact the City Superintendent.

The following are trash containers which attach to the trash truck and may be purchased from the city:

Trash containers of 96-gallon capacity – are available for the cost of $85.00. 

3-yd. trash dumpsters are available to rent or purchase.  Dumpsters are available for rent at $15.00 per month.  Please contact the City if you would like pricing to purchase a dumpster. All are subject to a monthly pickup fee (see monthly charges to dump with rented containers below).

TRASH RATES:

*$15.00/month from all residence containers within the city limits.

*$17.50/month for all commercial accounts with containers.

*$23.75/month for dumping dumpsters, owned or rented.

*Rolls of 50 “City of Brewster” trash bags are available for $10.26 per roll (tax included).

IMPORTANT – Disposing of any items at the Waste Water Stabilization Ponds is illegal.  Any person found disposing of items without first obtaining permission from the City Superintendent may be prosecuted for trespassing and illegal dumping.  In addition, “contract” or “for hire” services are not allowed to dispose of items at the Waste Water Stabilization Ponds.

Plastic bags of not less than 1.5 mills in thickness may be used and must be securely closed and kept away from animals.

We ask that you BAG ALL HOUSEHOLD WASTE. Loose trash during windy days creates a mess. The acceptable trash containers shall be tapered in shape, made of galvanized iron or plastic material of substantial construction, they need to have suitable handles to permit lifting, have a lid and a capacity of no more than 30 gallons.  Trash will not be picked up in unapproved containers. 

CHEMICAL BARRELS ARE NOT APPROVED CONTAINERS FOR TRASH PICKUP. 

Tires, cement, metal or trees larger than 4" in diameter and 36” in length will not be accepted.

All branches must be tied and bundled.

Bagged grass will be accepted for disposal at the landfill.  We cannot take wooden pallets, appliances, etc. 

NO trees or branches shall be taken to the sewer plant, without permission from the City Superintendent.

Fines may be issued for non-compliance.

There have been numerous reports of individuals illegally dumping into private containers.  We remind those individuals that if they are dumping without paying for the service, it is illegal and they are stealing services.

The rate for all customers is $10.00 per month.  All sanitary sewer system users need to please refrain from flushing any products that are not biodegradable.  This may include, and is not limited too: disposable towels, handiwipes, diapers or sanitary/feminine products.  These products are overloading our wastewater system, and without elimination of the problem, higher cost for the service will be incurred in disposing of those products by mechanical methods.  Please dispose of these products in a trash receptacle only.   

Water treatment systems known as POU’s or reverse osmosis treatment units are available online and with other water treatment providers.  You may privately purchase one of these if you so chose but understand that our municipal water is tested routinely and safe to drink. 

Nitrates: The Kansas Department of Health and Environment’s maximum contaminant levels (MCLs).  The state’s level is set at 10 parts per million (ppm) and we have reduced our nitrates to just over 5 ppm.  We use chlorination per KDHE guidelines to keep the water supply from having bacteria. Chlorination is widely used and is the most effective treatment in water production practices.

This is a water quality and monitoring report available for citizens, which was previously mailed to you annually.  The Environmental Protection Agency recently passed Senate Bill 1578 whereby allowing the cities in Kansas to now provide CCR reports electronically, rather than by mail, to save on postage expense. This went into effect on July 1, 2013.  To access the report electronically, go to the following address on the internet: www.brewsterkansas.com or go to www.krwa.net/ccr/brewster. If you have no internet access, paper copies will be available for those who request one.  Please notify the city office if you would like or need a paper copy.

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Lead Service Line Inventory - Brewster has no Lead Service lines in our system for the public drinking water.