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Home My WebLink About2024-0506 May-June24Volume 27, Issue 3 May/June 2024 MATERIALS THAT HAVE CHARGES: • APPLIANCES: Most - $10 each;. Camper refrigerators - $75; Gas/Ammonia (Servel) refrigerators - $150 and up • ELECTRONICS: Charge is determined by item/ size • FLUORESCENT LAMPS: First 5 free per household for Andover residents • MATTRESSES & BOX SPRINGS: Dry and not moldy. $25 each CASH OR MAKE CHECKS PAYABLE TO: City of Andover For a complete list of items accepted and their charges, please visit www.andovermn.gov • TIRES: Price depends on size CASH OR MAKE CHECKS PAYABLE TO: First State Tire MATERIALS THAT ARE FREE: • BATTERIES: Lead acid car, boat and motorcycle rechargeable batteries - The Knights of Columbus collect these batteries • BICYCLES: Any condition. They are repaired and given away • DOCUMENT SHREDDING • PROPANE TANKS • SCRAP METAL: All metals must be free from other materials • USED EYE GLASSES: The Andover Lions collect these. This is an ongoing project. We can NOT accept any furniture. Do not bring Household Hazardous Waste. Anoka County HHW Facility (763) 324-3400 Call (763) 767-5114 with recycling questions. ANDOVER SPRING RECYCLING DAY Saturday, May 11th 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Andover Public Works - 1785 Crosstown Boulevard NW It’s the Annual Arbor Day Event “TREE TIME” Saturday, May 11th 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. 1785 Crosstown Boulevard NW Free saplings will be dispersed to Andover residents! A map with event location, species of trees to be handed out and helpful tips prior to arrival, are available at https://www. andovermn.gov/227/Seedlings If you have any questions, contact Kameron with Natural Resources at (763) 767-5137. ANDOVER TODAYNEWSLETTER CALL BEFORE YOU DIG! Contact Gopher State One Call (GSOC) before starting any excavation project. Whether the project is large or small, if you are using machine-powered equipment or just a shovel and rake to plant a garden, get your work area marked. Contacting GSOC in advance helps you and your loved ones dig safely while avoiding costly damages to underground facilities. For more information about types of tickets and ticket response codes, visit www.gopherstateonecall.org/ticketing. Page 2 AndoverTodayPage 2 AndoverToday COUNCIL MEMBER’S REPORT RICK ENGELHARDT What a long, strange winter we’ve had, like many I’m glad it’s finally over and spring is upon us. This year’s spring feels well- deserved after a long winter. Though hard, frustrating and as always, cold, winter had a few bright spots including the first and highly enjoyable City Tree Lighting Event. After a short 2 weeks or so of planning and logistics, came off with great success. As a member of the City Council and a former service member, it’s always exciting when we have the chance to welcome new public safety personnel, especially our firefighters. The interactions with these new firefighters always touches my heart as I am reminded of Shipboard. Andover is fortunate to have an organized and well-trained fire department. Many of the firefighters do the job in addition to full-time employment and while firefighters commit to the training, practice and duty, their families share in this burden. The commitment to service and the sacrifices do not come easy as firefighters are also involved in many events such as the Andover Family Fun Fest, A Night to Unite and many other civic, public safety and charitable causes. Public safety personnel don’t do their jobs just for thanks and appreciation, they do it to make the community better. A little-known note of recognition, May 4th is also recognized as Firefighter Appreciation Day. Yes, I know it’s also Star Wars Day, however it’s a great opportunity to say thank you and give a little recognition and support to those who serve as firefighters through saying thanks, a little prayer or just a slight nod of appreciation. Springtime also brings household tasks that we’ve found over the winter months or possibly did not finish last year. This may include landscaping, fences, accessory structures and other renovations, repairs or improvements. Please be sure to check with the City regarding any needed permits or placement issues. Many times, we’ve seen residents fall victim to placing a fence over a property line, trees on adjacent properties, retaining walls in easements, etc., all which can be prevented through proper permitting. A little-known fact I learned at the North Suburban Home Show is that many times you may not need a permit such as to install a sprinkler system, but you need a permit to connect to the City water supply. The City Code is not meant to be an obstacle course, however, is there to provide safety and reliability for many of the home systems that we rely on. As Andover grows and ages, housing needs change and families adjust to new lifestyles and care requirements. We have been fortunate to be a community that is a responsible partner in growth and meeting the needs of an ever changing population. The City, after much review, agreed to welcome the Andover Senior campus by SilverCrest Senior Living and JA Wedum Foundation, who has agreed in principal to develop a Senior living and care facility in Andover. While we are just in the early stages of the effort, the location at Hanson Boulevard NW and Crosstown Boulevard NW across from the City Campus/YMCA is being planned. This will ease a growing need for senior living, wellness care, memory care, with a recognized community partner. Though the road is just beginning, We are glad to see the cooperation and sensitivity to the communities needs and wishes. This spring also marks the start of the private well contamination mitigation in the Red Oaks neighborhood, with initial work beginning April 15, 2024. The work will begin with the clearance of trees and bushes in preparation for the installation of the water main. Appropriate signage and neighborhood notifications have been distributed to those residents that may be impacted more directly. For questions or concerns please feel free to contact the City Engineering team with any questions or concerns. In closing, congratulations to the Andover students who attend Andover, Anoka, Coon Rapids, Legacy and St. Francis High Schools, or home schooled who are part of the graduating class of 2024. As you take time to celebrate the completion of what might seem like a long journey, enjoy and celebrate with family and friends, share the journey you have completed over the many years. For some of you, it’s a day you’ve been waiting for; others may be a bit overwhelmed, not sure what is next or if your plans are truly the path forward. Whether you are headed to a university, community college, apprenticeship or military training, a new job, or a job you’ve chosen as a career, a grand journey awaits you. May you have the wind at your back, and a spring in your step, and remember those who have gotten you this far. Nobody takes the journey on their own, and the path forward is truly unknown. You’ve prepared and have been tested, and the world is yours to explore. Be safe, best wishes and congratulations. ANDOVER CITY OFFICIALS MAYOR Sheri Bukkila . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .(763) 757-4808 cm .bukkila@andovermn .gov POLICE & FIRE All Emergencies . . . .911 Police . . . .(763) 427-1212 Fire . . . .(763) 755-9825 COUNCIL MEMBERS Jamie Barthel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .(612) 669-7512 cm .barthel@andovermn .gov Ted Butler . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .(763) 712-0277 cm .butler@andovermn .gov Rick Engelhardt . . . . . . . . . . . . (612) 889-8097 cm .engelhardt@andovermn .gov Randy Nelson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .(763) 862-8878 cm .nelson@andovermn .gov CITY HALL 1685 Crosstown Boulevard NW Phone: (763) 755-5100 Fax: (763) 755-8923 COMMUNITY CENTER Main Phone: (763) 755-3238 Email: accinfo@andovermn .gov COMMUNITY GARDEN UPDATE Please review your garden rules before planting. For those that have rented a Garden Plot this year, planting begins May 6th. Weather Permitting. NOTE: If you purchased a plot but do not plant anything in the plot by May 27th, your plot will be offered to others on our waiting list. PARK PLACE Jason Baumunk, Parks & Streets Operations Manager The City of Andover has an Adopt-A-Park Program which allows individuals or community groups to adopt a park and keep it litter free for a two or four-year commitment. A sign will be placed in the park recognizing your contribution to the park system. If you are interested in adopting one of the available parks, please contact the Public Works Administrative Assistant at (763) 767-5175 or d.lenzmeier@ andovermn.gov. ADOPT-A-PARK PROGRAM Hopefully everyone enjoyed the mild winter after the non-stop snow the year before. The Park & Recreation Commission is actively discussing park improvements for 2025 and beyond. For this summer, we have three playgrounds replacements that we received a matching grant through GameTime Equipment. This grant will help us stay on schedule with replacements while staying within budget. Below is a list of some of the projects happening in the parks this summer. • The playground at Shady Knoll Park is getting a full replacement as it is going on 19 years old. New equipment, swings and wood fiber mulch will be installed early this summer. • The playground at Oakview Park is getting a full replacement as well. This playground is going on 18 years old. The wood fiber mulch will be replaced in the process as well. • Woodland Estates Park is also being replaced and a new concrete boarder to expand the size of the playground area to better match the size of other neighborhood parks. Like the others, this will have new wood fiber mulch installed. • The City was awarded a MNDNR grant to replace the aging boardwalk at Kelsey Round Lake Park trail system and this project was completed over the winter. If you have not been out to utilize it yet I highly recommend it. It is a beautiful addition to one of Andover’s premier parks. • The tennis courts at Northwoods West Park are being repaired and resurfaced this spring. One of the courts is being converted into two pickleball courts for public use. • Irrigation is being installed at Sophie’s Park to make the green space more useable in that park. The irrigation at Hickory Meadows Park is also being expanded into the open green space at that park. • The Hills of Bunker Lake West Park is going to see the parking lot paved with some concrete curb and storm water improvements. The Park & Recreation Commission meets regularly to discuss and make recommendations on the improvements or changes to our parks and trails. Public input is very valuable to the Commission and to staff in helping make decisions on the future for the City’s park system. If you have input on any parks or trail improvements, additions, or changes, attending a Park & Recreation Commission meeting is a great opportunity to give your input. The meetings are held at City Hall on the first and third Thursdays of the month at 6:00 p.m. of most months. At the beginning of each meeting there is time for resident input. Although they are formal meetings, they are a very relaxed environment for you to present your ideas to the Commission and to staff. Check the City of Andover’s website for meeting dates. Thank you and have a great summer! AndoverToday Page 3 Woodland Meadows Park Sandhill Nursery & Greenhouse 16485 Tulip Street NW (763) 360-0663 sandhillnurserygreenhouse.com ASH INJECTION PROGRAM • Clean up a neighborhood, park, street or plant something between April 10th - May 12th. • Submit pictures and description to: s.morgan@ andovermn.gov • Participants will be entered into a drawing to win an outdoor bench made of recycled plastic! Open to Andover Residents Only! The 2023 Water Quality Report or otherwise known as the Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) is available on the City of Andover website. If you would like a hard copy of the report you can get it by printing it off the website, stopping by City Hall to pick it up or by calling (763) 755-5100 and requesting a copy to be mailed to you. The direct link to the CCR is: https://www.andovermn.gov/DocumentCenter/View/6319/2024-MDH- Water-Quality-Consumer-Confidence-Report-for-2023 2023 WATER QUALITY REPORT The City has once again hired a contractor who will offer a discounted rate for injecting eligible ash trees to help protect them from falling victim to Emerald Ash Borer (EAB). If you have ash trees that are worthy of saving, now is the time to get them treated or retreated. For more information on this program, go to: www.andovermn.gov and click on the links “Your Government” “Natural Resources” “EAB,” “City Ash Injection Program” Backflow prevention protects potable (drinkable) water from contamination by unsanitary/unsafe sources such as soap, chemical tanks, dispensing/injection systems, landscape irrigation systems, boiler systems and pathogens from animals or human waste. The Minnesota State Plumbing Code requires testing of all “testable” backflow prevention devices installed in residential and commercial after January 22, 2016. Testing must be done when installed and annually thereafter. Backflow preventer testing is to be conducted by a Minnesota Certified Tester who must label the tested backflow preventer, providing date tested and certification number of tester. TESTING RESPONSIBILITIES: The owner of the backflow prevention device (if installed after January 22, 2016) is responsible for making sure the backflow device is tested upon installation and at least annually thereafter. The backflow device tester is responsible for testing the backflow device and tagging it with the testing date, tester signature and backflow certification number. Written records of testing and maintenance must be maintained by the owner and submitted to the City of Andover Building Department within 30 days following the test. For additional information regarding protection of the potable water supply, please contact the Andover Building Department at (763) 755-8700. PROTECTION OF OUR DRINKING WATER SYSTEM DEPENDS ON YOU Atmospheric Vacuum Breaker [AVB] Backflow Preventers (pictured) most common to landscape irrigation and other non-backpressure potable water connections. The City has in place watering restrictions that will allow everyone to water their grass and shrubs and maintain an adequate water system. These restrictions start every year on May 1st and run through August 31st. For more information about the restrictions, please visit the City’s website at https://www.andovermn.gov/ Summer Water Restriction Information - City of Andover Code 10- 1-13 Deficiency of Water or call City Hall at (763) 755-5100. WATER RESTRICTIONS Page 4 AndoverToday PROTECTION OF OUR DRINKING WATER SYSTEM DEPENDS ON YOU Illicit Discharges in Streets Did you know that stormwater that runs off properties and onto impervious surfaces is supposed to be just that, water? Unfortunately, that often isn’t the case. Various materials such as grass clippings, fertilizer, dog feces, vehicle fluids, winter salt, etc. can get carried away by the stormwater and into our storm sewer system and water bodies. This pollutes them and hurts water quality and wildlife, negatively affects their integrity and causes them to be aesthetically unappealing. Also, it can require more maintenance costs. Thus, it’s very important to ensure these pollutants are kept off impervious surfaces including driveways, sidewalks, streets and gutters. These substances are called Illicit Discharges - “any discharge to a storm drain system that is not composed entirely of stormwater, with some exceptions,” such as firefighting or permitted discharges (Andover City code 10-7). Common Illicit Discharge Examples From Homes Toxic materials in street: Motor oil and grease, pesticides, herbicides and paint. “Organic” materials in street: Grass clippings, leaves, sand, winter salt/de-icer and pet waste. If you see anyone spilling, dumping or disposing of materials listed above into a storm drain or the street, please report to City Hall at (763) 755-5100. If it’s an environmental emergency, call 911. The County Compost Site accepts grass clippings and leaves which could also just be mulched into the lawn to add natural fertilizer to the soil. Vehicles should ideally be washed on the lawn or at a commercial carwash to avoid the soaps and fluids from running into the storm drain system and into ponds, wetlands and streams. Pick up pet waste and discard in trash and sweep up grass clippings. With questions, contact Kameron with Andover Natural Resources at (763) 767-5137 or Dawn with the Coon Creek Watershed District (CCWD) at (763) 755-0975. Keep It Clean, Andover! Did you know that Andover has four nature preserves owned and maintained by the City? These beautiful, natural spaces provide habitats for native plant species and wildlife to thrive. We are lucky to have access to these protected areas for hiking, wildlife observation and the pure enjoyment of being out in nature. We encourage you to check out all four! First there is Martin’s Meadows located on the Rum River. Then in the heart of Andover just off Hanson Boulevard NW there is the North Woods and the Maple View Preserves. Finally on the northeastern edge of Andover is the Dalske Woodlands Preserve. Each of these locations provide a variety of plants, animals and habitats to explore. To learn more about Andover’s nature preserves, go to Andover’s website at: www.andovermn.gov then click on “Our Community” and select “Nature Preserves.” ANDOVER NATURE PRESERVE PARKS Martin’s Meadows AndoverToday Page 5 ILLICIT DISCHARGES IN STREETS SOLICITORS Solicitors, peddlers and transient merchants are required to carry a permit approved by the City. If someone approaches you at your home or if someone is selling at a location (parking lot, street corner), you can ask if they have a permit from the City. If they do not, call the non-emergency police number at (763) 427-1212 to report them. Each approved solicitor is issued a City badge with the following information on the badge: license number, expiration date, company they are representing and their name. A current list of licensed solicitors is located on the City’s website. CITY OFFICES WILL BE CLOSED MAY 27TH IN OBSERVANCE OF MEMORIAL DAY The City of Andover and the YMCA collaborated in 2005 to provide the community the Andover YMCA Community Center. The City of Andover operates the indoor ice arena, sports complex and the fieldhouse, which requires no membership. The YMCA leases a portion of the building providing members use of the aquatics and fitness center. Listed below are Andover Community Center activities and programs. Visit www.AndoverMN.Gov/ACC for more information. ADULT HOCKEY Weekday Adult Open Hockey 16+. Gloves and helmets are required. Goalies skate FREE. BASKETBALL All ages shoot hoops. No full court games, team practices or training equipment allowed. ½ court games allowed if space allows. OPEN SKATE All ages welcome. Skate rental available for $4 per pair, sizes available youth 8 – adult 13. Skate sharpening available $6 per pair. PICKLEBALL Drop-in open pickleball times include weekday, evening and weekend hours. VOLLEYBALL Volleyball is for participants who are 14 years of age or older. WALKING TRACK As a reminder, the indoor walking/jogging track hours vary this time of year based on private rentals and facility hours of operation. Monthly track hours are posted on the website. Admission is free for Andover residents, however, those utilizing the track between the hours of 6:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Monday - Friday must check in at the information desk to show proof of residency. Create your household account at www. AndoverMN.Gov/ACC for easy check-in. Individuals using the track evenings and weekends are not required to check-in. Non- resident admission fees are $2 per person, Monday – Friday, 6:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. ACTIVE OLDER ADULTS - FOREVERWELL A number of activities are available for active older adults to participate in while at the Andover YMCA Community Center. The Foreverwell Newsletter link can be found on the Community Center’s website under Older Adult Activities or contact Rewa at the Andover YMCA (612) 465-0515. You do not need to be a member of the YMCA to participate in many of these activities. ACTIVITIES Monthly activity calendars provide specific dates and times of ACC activities listed below. These activities are open to the public, no pre-registration required. Admission is $7 per person. Calendars available on the website. Cash, credit, ACC Punch Cards and Free Andover Resident Passes accepted for activity admission fees. Page 6 AndoverToday AndoverToday Page 7 SAVE THE DATE: July 12th & 13th Lauren Bertilson, AFFF Committee Member Scan to register online Summer is on it’s way and planning is in full swing for the Andover Family Fun Fest! Mark your summer calendars for Friday and Saturday, July 12th & 13th for a weekend of family- friendly activities, parade, great food, live music and fireworks! We’re looking forward to celebrating our community with you! Visit the AFFF Facebook page or website at https://www.andovermn.gov/252/Andover-Family-Fun-Fest for registration links to the parade, community booths, Fun Run 5k and bean bag tournament. For more updates and information regarding the AFFF, please follow our Facebook page, Andover Family Fun Fest. Register early for the 5K, save $10 on your entry fee and ensure you will receive a race shirt and finishers medal! $30 per person through June 14th . Then it’s $40 per person, tee shirts as available, not guaranteed . On-line registration ends July 10th . Race day registration 7:00 a .m . to 7:45 a .m . Questions: Contact Race Director Brian Siddons at BrianJSiddons@gmail .com Andover TodAyAndover TodAy ANDOVER’S ANNUAL CITY WIDE GARAGE SALE May 9th - 11th (Thursday – Saturday) Sale hours: 9:00 a .m . – 5:00 p .m . Registration deadline is May 3rd. Maps will be available on the City’s website and at City Hall by May 8th . There is no cost to participate . Advertising will be on the City’s Website, Craigslist and other free sites . 2024 CITY WIDE GARAGE SALE REGISTRATION FORM Name: Address: Phone: Email address: Items for sale (list up to 5 items): Days of Sale: (Please circle all that apply) Thursday Friday Saturday Please return completed form to: City Hall, 1685 Crosstown Blvd, NW, Andover, MN 55304 ECRWSSRESIDENTAndover, MN 55304 POSTMASTER: TIME SENSITIVE MAIL 1685 Crosstown Blvd. N.W. Andover, MN 55304 DATED MATERIAL PRSRT STDU.S. PostagePAIDPermit No. 26 Anoka, MN