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Home My WebLink About2026-0910 Sept-OctVolume 29, Issue 5 September/October 2026 ANDOVER TODAYNEWSLETTER For one weekend every summer, we get together with our neighbors, friends, family, classmates, and coworkers to embrace community: we eat some great fair food, join in on some healthy competition, and enjoy some spectacular fireworks in our own backyard. To commemorate our 30th year of the AFFF, we celebrated in style with some big giveaways and special events! One of the new highlights this year was a drone show on Friday night – a huge thank you to Andover Huskies Football Association for sponsoring them! Thank you to Beef O’Brady’s for sponsoring the new hotdog eating contest and to Essentials of Life Chiropractic for sponsoring another adorable Baby Crawling Contest! A special thank you for many years of entertainment to the Rockin’ Hollywoods, The Law and Todd (Elvis) Anderson. Congratulations to the Anders family of Andover - Stephanie, Eddie, Hazel (7), Crosby (5) and Huxley (3) - for finding this year’s medallion after just 3 clues in Sunshine Park! Thank you to Premier Banks of Andover for faithfully sponsoring the Medallion Hunt. This festival would not be possible without the volunteers on the AFFF committee and our generous community businesses and organizations for their donations and involvement. Also, thank you to Andover City Hall & Public Works, Andover Community Center, Anoka County Sheriff’s Office, Andover Fire Department, and many other community leaders who volunteered their time and talents to make this a special and safe weekend for our community. For feedback, photos, and to stay connected for next year, please visit our Facebook page: Andover Family Fun Fest or our website at andoverfamilyfunfest.com! We’re already looking forward to next year – mark your calendars for July 9 & 10, 2027!Kayleah Heffron from Premier Banks presents the Anders Family with their prize money. 30TH YEAR COMMUNITY CELEBRATION A HIGHLIGHT OF SUMMER! ANOKA COUNTY SHERIFF OPEN HOUSE 13301 Hanson Blvd. NW, Andover Thursday, September 24th4:00 P.M. – 7:00 P.M. Sheriff Brad Wise and the staff of the Anoka County Sheriff’s Office invite the public to come and experience the office, as well as the services provided to the citizens of Anoka County. Demonstrations, displays, and opportunities to interact with some of the county’s public safety partners will also be available. ANDOVER FIRE DEPARTMENT OPEN HOUSE Saturday, September 12th10:00 A.M. – 1:00 P.M. Andover YMCA Community Center 15200 Hanson Blvd. NW Andover, MN West Parking Lot MAYOR Jamie Barthel (612) 669-7512 cm.barthel@andovermn.gov COUNCIL MEMBERS Rick Engelhardt (612) 889-8097 cm.engelhardt@andovermn.gov Karen Godfrey (612) 670-3186 cm.godfrey@andovermn.gov Scott Schue (763) 276-3493 cm.schue@andovermn.gov Jonathan Shafto (651) 387-2728 cm.shafto@andovermn.gov CITY HALL 1685 Crosstown Boulevard NW Main Phone: (763) 755-5100 Fax Number: (763) 755-8923 COMMUNITY CENTER 15200 Hanson Boulevard NW Main Phone: (763) 755-3238 Email: accinfo@andovermn.gov POLICE & FIRE All Emergencies: 911 Police: (763) 427-1212 Fire: (763) 755-9825 MEETING AGENDAS & MINUTESandovermn.gov QCTVqctv.org/andover REPORT A PROBLEMandovermn.gov CITY WEBSITEandovermn.gov CITY OFFICES WILL BE CLOSED MONDAY SEPTEMBER 7TH LABOR DAY RICK ENGELHARDTCOUNCIL MEMBER’S REPORT As summer winds down and we ease into autumn, I want to take a moment to reflect on what a busy, productive season it has been across Andover. From celebrating our community traditions to advancing key capital and infrastructure improvements, there is much to be proud of as we head into the fall. Celebrating Community & Local Events Our summer season was highlighted by the 30th Anniversary of the Andover Family Fun Fest, where neighbors, families, and visitors gathered for two full days of festivities, fair food, fireworks, and a new Friday night drone show. A sincere thank you goes to the volunteers, city staff, public safety crews, and local sponsors who put in countless hours behind the scenes to make this milestone weekend a resounding success. That spirit of togetherness continued into August with another fantastic Night to Unite, featuring 41 registered neighborhood block parties across the city. Thank you to everyone who hosted or welcomed our fire department and sheriff’s office crews! Looking ahead to early autumn, we have two wonderful community events on the calendar. Mark your calendars for Thursday, September 24th, from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM for the Anoka County Sheriff’s Office Open House, a great family-friendly evening featuring public safety displays, live demonstrations, and local food trucks. Additionally, our Community Puzzle Exchange is returning. You can drop off gently used puzzles at City Hall between September 28th and October 9th, then join us at the Andover Community Center on Saturday, October 10th, to pick out new-to-you puzzles. Infrastructure & City Projects Behind the scenes, our Engineering, Public Works, and Community Development departments have maintained strong momentum on long-term infrastructure and development projects. We recently reached a major milestone in the Red Oaks Mitigation Area, where all 82 participating homes are now officially connected to city water as street paving, driveway restoration, and sodding wrap up. Thank you to the homeowners for their patience and to staff for their dedicated efforts on this vital utility project! Park and trail infrastructure also advanced significantly this season. The new bridge for the Coon Creek Corridor Trail east of Prairie Road was successfully placed earlier this summer, and city staff are currently working with American Ramp Company to draft plans for the upcoming Sunshine Park Skate Park renovation and expansion. Watch for upcoming public outreach sessions where residents can share their feedback on the design. Meanwhile, local development remains vibrant across Andover, with over 60 new home permits issued so far this year alongside steady progress on major commercial projects like Crosstown Landing senior living and the new Bank of Elk River location on Round Lake Boulevard. Community Center & Tech Enhancements We are currently focused on making city services and recreational activities as accessible as possible. Staff at the Andover Community Center are rolling out a new mobile app linked directly to their scheduling software. This app will allow user groups and residents to easily view activity schedules, manage memberships, reserve the golf simulator, and register for programs right from their phones. Work is simultaneously underway on a newly redesigned, intuitive city website to streamline communication across all departments. Voting & Elections InformationFinally, as we look toward the election season, please note that the candidate filing window for municipal offices closed on July 28th. With the August primary behind us, early absentee voting for the General Election will open on Friday, September 18th, leading up to Election Day on Tuesday, November 3rd. Residents can verify polling locations, register to vote, or view sample ballots anytime online at mnvotes.gov. Thank you for making Andover such a vibrant and supportive place to call home. If you ever have questions, comments, or ideas, please do not hesitate to reach out to me or any member of the City Council. I wish you all a safe and enjoyable fall season! Page 2 AndoverToday ANDOVER SENIOR GROUP COME JOIN US! We meet for social interaction and fun in the afternoons of the 1st and 3rd Mondays of the month and every Friday for game day at the Senior Center next door to City Hall located at 1685 Crosstown Blvd. NW. For more information, call (763) 767-5159 and leave your name/number and we will return your call as soon as we retrieve the message. AndoverToday Page 3 PARK PLACE Parks Department Summer is always a busy season for our Parks Department, and this year has brought major progress to Andover’s parks and trails. Beyond our ongoing daily maintenance, we are excited to highlight two key projects that enhance our community amenities for years to come. Renovations and Expansion of the Skate Park This project has been identified in the city’s Capital Improvement Plan for several years and is now in the early design phase, with construction planned for 2027. The city is actively collaborating with a specialized design firm to bring this project to life. The project will replace aging ramps and features that have reached the end of their useful life, while expanding the overall footprint with durable, modular equipment and all- concrete features. Community input will be a vital part of the design process, and opportunities for public engagement will be announced soon. We are excited to move this project forward! Keep an eye on the City of Andover website and social media pages for updates and engagement dates as details progress. Reservable Shelter at Pine Hills North Park A major addition that opened this summer is the new reservable shelter at Pine Hills North Park (3535 161st Ave NW). Nestled among the trees, this beautiful shelter offers a quiet, private setting away from the games on the soccer fields. The facility features covered seating for up to 50 people, an outdoor grill, indoor restrooms, and a convenient food service area equipped with electrical outlets. It’s an ideal spot for birthday parties, graduation celebrations, and family gatherings! Reservation details and a list of FAQs are available on the City of Andover website, or you can reserve directly by calling City Hall at (763) 755-5100. Share Your Input with the Park & Recreation Commission The Park & Recreation Commission meets regularly to discuss and make recommendations on improvements, maintenance, and future enhancements to our city parks and trail system. Public input is essential as staff and commissioners plan for the future of Andover. If you have suggestions, questions, or ideas regarding our parks and trails, we invite you to attend an upcoming meeting. The Commission meets at City Hall at 6:00 PM on the first and third Thursdays of most months, with time specifically set aside at the beginning of each meeting for open public comment. Digital park and trail maps are available anytime on the city website at andovermn.gov, or you can pick up a free printed map at City Hall! SNOWPLOW STAKES Help Us Help You: Snowplow Staking Tips for Winter Not that we want to think about winter yet, it will be here before we know it. To assist snowplow operators during early-season snowfalls, residents are encouraged to place wooden stakes along their curb line. These markers help drivers clearly identify the edge of the street, especially before a solid snowpack forms, ensuring safer, more efficient plowing while protecting your lawn. Free Stakes at City Hall Compliments of the city, wooden stakes painted with four-inch orange tips will be available at City Hall from the second week of October through the end of November (while supplies last). Placement Guidelines: • Use Wood Only: Please use wooden stakes - do not use steel posts, which can cause severe damage to plow equipment and pose safety risks.• Positioning: Set stakes no more than 6 inches behind the curb and space them roughly 25 feet apart. Please Note: The city right-of-way (ROW) is the designated area for snow storage during winter operations. The City of Andover is not responsible for damage to items placed within the right-of-way, including landscaping features, sod, or private irrigation systems. Page 4 AndoverToday America honors its veterans because they have served with courage, honor and commitment. Make someone’s memories last forever. A beautiful gift that keeps on giving. If you are a veteran or have a loved one who is a veteran, be a part of our memorial by having your name or veteran of your choice engraved in a granite plaque. Our beautiful Veterans Memorial is the perfect place to honor those who have served in the military for our country. For more information, please refer to Veterans Memorial Policy on the City’s website andovermn.gov/488/Veterans-Memorial. VETERANS MEMORIAL PLAQUES LITHIUM-ION BATTERY SAFETY: CHARGE SMART, STAY SAFE Lithium-ion batteries power many of the everyday items in our homes including cell phones, laptops, power tools, e-bikes, scooters, and toys. While generally safe, improper charging practices or damaged batteries can cause overheating, fires, or dangerous thermal explosions. Protect your home and family by following these simple charging and maintenance safety rules: 1. Use the Right Charger • Always use the original charger or a replacement approved by the manufacturer. • Off-brand or cheap aftermarket chargers often lack built-in safety controls and can deliver incorrect voltage, causing the battery to overheat. 2. Charge in a Safe Location • Hard, flat surfaces: Charge batteries on non-combustible surfaces like tile, concrete, or metal. Avoid charging on beds, couches, carpet, or cluttered desks. • Keep clear of flammables: Keep charging stations away from paper, cardboard, drapes, and other flammable materials.• Provide ventilation: Ensure adequate airflow around the device while it charges, and avoid charging in direct sunlight or hot environments. 3. Avoid Overcharging• Unplug devices or chargers once the battery reaches full charge. Avoid leaving devices charging unattended overnight. • Never leave damaged or swelling batteries connected to a power source. 4. Inspect Before You Plug In - Check your devices regularly and discontinue use immediately if you notice:• Swelling, bulging, or cracking in the casing• Burn marks, discoloration, or fluid leakage • Excessive heat coming from the device while charging • Unusual odor, hissing, or popping sounds Important Disposal Tip: Never throw lithium-ion batteries in your household trash or curbside recycling bins. Damaged batteries crush easily in sanitation trucks and can ignite major fires. Take them to the Anoka County Household Hazardous Waste Facility. Visit their website for location and business hours; anokacountymn.gov/369/ Household-Hazardous-Waste-Facility. Emergency Response: What to Do in a Fire If a battery catches fire, produces smoke, or rapidly overheats: 1. Evacuate immediately: Alert everyone in the home and get outside. 2. Call 911: Report the battery fire to emergency responders right away.3. Do not touch or move it: Do not attempt to carry a burning or smoking battery outside. Note: Even after a lithium-ion fire appears to be out, damaged battery cells can re-ignite hours or even days later. Always let fire personnel handle the scene. OPEN HOCKEY - Weekday Adult Hockey 18+ gloves and helmets are required. Goalies skate for FREE. OPEN SKATE - All ages welcome. Skate rental available for $5 per pair, sizes available youth 8 – adult 13. Skate sharpening available $8 per pair. PICKLEBALL - Drop-in open pickleball times include weekday, evening and weekend hours. Graphite paddle rental available $3 ea. Visit the website for more information on lessons and skills and drills sessions. VOLLEYBALL - Volleyball is for participants who are 14 years of age or older. WALKING TRACK - The indoor walking/jogging track is open daily. Hours may vary based on private rentals and facility hours of operation. 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 andovermn.gov/494/Andover-Residents 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. GOLF AND MULTI-SPORT SIMULATOR - An Indoor simulator located on the 2nd level of the Andover Community Center Sports Complex. Reservations available at andovermn.gov/532/Simulator, Rental fee is $40/ hr + tax. In addition to golf, multi-sport options include basketball, football, soccer, pitching, disc golf, foot golf, bowling, cornhole, and dodgeball. BIRTHDAY PARTY PACKAGES - Gym and Ice Skating packages available. For more information and pricing, visit andovermn.gov/200/Birthday-Party-Packages. TOT TIME OPEN GYM - Tot Time Open Gym is a non- structured indoor playtime for youth ages 6 and under. Tot Time meets most Mondays and Thursdays, October - April from 9:30 am - 11:30 am. Activity admission is $5 per child, adults are FREE. Meet new friends, socialize, and play with age appropriate equipment. Adult supervision is required, 1:4 ratio. Various activities are held throughout the month, view monthly schedule on the website. Pre-registration is not required, attend when it works for you! Please note, Tot Time will not be held when school district #11 is not in sessions. INTRODUCTION TO ICE SKATING - Introduces the sport of ice skating to youth ages 3 - 5 who have little to no skating experience. Classes held Sunday evenings, 30 minutes in length and features age appropriate, off and on- ice activities. Program meets for 3-weeks and cost is $62 per skater. Two sessions will be offered this fall, starting on October 4th and November 1st. ICE SKATING LESSONS - Fall lessons for youth ages 3 - 15 will be held Sunday evenings, October 4th - November 14th (6 sessions) $102 per skater. Lessons include 30 minutes of instruction and 30 minutes of optional on-ice practice. ACC INDOOR SOCCER PROGRAM - The Fall Indoor Youth Soccer Program is for youth ages 4 - 9. Program will be held Saturday mornings, October 3rd – November 14th (6 sessions) $93 per player. This recreational program focuses on individual skill development and having fun. All players will be organized into age-appropriate teams with each player receiving a team t-shirt and an award. Teams will practice skills for the first 30 minutes then scrimmage against another team for the remaining 30 minutes of the program. This program is a great start for beginners and fun for those who have already played organized soccer. Website: AndoverMN.Gov/ACC • Email: accinfo@andovermn.gov • Main Phone: (763) 755-3238 REGISTER FOR ACC PROGRAMS acc.finnlyconnect.com/registration/activitylist AndoverToday Page 5 Crooked Lake WardLake LakeLeman RoundLake BunkerLake Coon Cr e e k Rum R i v e r Ced a r C r e e k Coon C r e e k Coon Cree k Rum R i v e r Rum Ri v e r Blaine Ramsey East Bethel Coon Rapids HamLake Nowthen Oak Grove Anoka RestrictedZone North RestrictedZone South RestrictedZone South ProhibitedZone TU L I P S T S COON CREEK DR RO A N O K E S T CR O O K ED L A K E B L V D 143RD AVE 167TH AVE NW 7T H A V E CROSSTOWNBLVD RO U N D L A K E B L V D VE R D I N S T 157TH AVE 159TH AVE 38TH AVE NIG H T I N G A L E S T WINTERGREENST CROSSTOWN D R RO U N D L A KEBLV D VETERANSMEMORIAL B L V D 157TH AVE VALLEYDR STATIONPKWY BUNKER L A K E B L V D VENTRE S T 145THAVE 147TH AVE 177TH LN 161ST AVE 174THLN ANDOVER BLVD UN I V E R S I T Y A V E 165TH AVE 181ST AVE 133RD AVE HA N S O N B L V D JAY S T PRA I R I ERD CROS S T O W N B L V D 146TH LN COUNTYRD116 CONSTANCE BLVD 168TH L N BUT T ERN U T ST FLIN TWO O D ST173RD LN 177TH AVE WA R D L A K E D R PAL M S T XE O N S T 167TH AVE Incorporated 1974 Date Exported: 6/2/2022 2:32 PMPath: H:\GIS\Working\Projects\CommunityDevelopment\Planning\GeneralMapping\GeneralMapping.aprx Andover GISData Credit: Anoka County GIS, ESRI, MN Geospatial Commons, City of Andover This map is intended for referencepurposes only with mapping gradeaccuracy of the data. The City of Andoverdoes not make claim that the featuresdepicted represent true locations;therefore the City assumes no liability forany errors or omissions herein. 0 10.5 Miles ³ Prohibited Zone Restricted Zone South Restricted Zone North City Limits Hunting / Discharge Map WEAPONS/HUNTING REQUIREMENTS Scan for Hunting Discharge of Weapons Map ANDOVER COMMUNITY GARDEN PLOT RENTERS As the gardening season comes to a close, we’d like to remind all gardeners that garden plots must be cleaned out and cleared by the end of the day on Sunday, October 18, 6. Please refer to your Garden Plot Guidelines for the complete clean-up rules and requirements. Thank you for helping keep the garden in great condition. We hope you had a wonderful gardening season and look forward to seeing you again next year! With hunting season approaching the City would like to remind residents of the restrictions regarding the discharge of ¿rearms and bows in Andover. Hunters must always have permission from the property owner and meet all regulations listed below, which are unchanged from previous years. The information below is a summary of City Code 54 Weapons. For complete regulations, contact City Hall or visit the City’s website at www.andovermn.gov for copies of City Code. The map below indicates the various zones within the City. Prohibited Zone: The discharge of ¿rearms and bows is prohibited. Restricted Zone North: To discharge a ¿rearm a minimum of ten (10) acres is required. To discharge a bow, a minimum of two and onehalf .5 acres is reTuired. A Deer Hunting Permit is not reTuired for this ]one regardless of weapon. Restricted Zone South: • Early Goose and Regular Waterfowl Season: To discharge a ¿rearm a minimum of ten 1 acres is reTuired. Refer to the MN DNR for speci¿c dates and regulations. No city hunting permit is required for goose/waterfowl hunting. • Deer Hunting Bow: To discharge a bow, a minimum of two and one-half (2.5) acres is required. Bow hunting does not reTuire a city Deer Hunting Permit.• Deer Hunting Firearm To discharge a ¿rearm shotgun only), a minimum of forty (40) acres is required as well as a Cityissued Deer Hunting Permit. A permit is reTuired for each hunter and all rules/regulations established by the MN DNR apply. No discharge shall occur within oneTuarter mile of any urban development, park, or institutional use. • Deer Hunting Permit To receive a City Deer Hunting Permit an individual must be the landowner or an immediate family member and have written permission from at least ¿fty 5 percent of adMacent landowners. If you are applying for a Deer Hunting Permit or have any additional questions, please contact Aidan Breen at (763) 767-5142 or a.breen@andovermn.gov. ADOPT A PARK PROGRAM The AdoptaPark Program is a great community service activity that gives the citizens of Andover the opportunity to participate in helping to keep the parks clean and looking good. Individuals or community groups that adopt a park are responsible for picking up litter twice a year, spring and fall. If your group, organization, family or yourself are interested in doing something to make the community a better place to live, work and play consider AdoptingaPark. Contact the Public Works Administrative Assistant at 763 7675175 or d.lenzmeier@andovermn.gov for more information. Page 6 AndoverToday AndoverToday Page 7 ANDOVER RECYCLING Monthly recycling events for appliances, electronics, mattresses, box springs, paper shredding and more the second Saturday of every month. For more information and fees associated with recycling, visit andovermn. gov/266/Recycling. Upcoming monthly recycling events will take place Saturday, September 12th and Saturday, October 10th from 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Did you know, that from January - June of this year, the Andover Recycle Center donated 489 bikes to Bikes4Kids and recycled 4,834 pounds of plastic bags, wow that’s 2.41 TONS! SOLICITORS Solicitors, peddlers, transient merchants and food trucks 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. HOMESTEAD FILING New homeowners are reminded that December 31, 2026 is the deadline to file for Homestead Classification. You can file electronically on the Anoka County website, anokacountymn.gov/4278/Homesteading. If you have any questions, contact Anoka County at (763) 323-5400. For more information, visit anokaswcd.org/well-sealing. 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 Andover TodAyAndover TodAy Page 8 AndoverToday EXPANDING ACCESS TO LIFESAVING NALOXONE IN ANOKA COUNTY Anoka County’s Opioid Solutions Initiative (ACOSI) has partnered with local organizations to place nasal naloxone (Narcan) with more than 500 AED units across the county. Naloxone is a safe, easy to use medication that can rapidly reverse an opioid overdose if administered promptly. Because opioid overdose is a leading cause of accidental death, having naloxone available alongside AEDs helps ensure quick access to this lifesaving tool. If you know of an AED location that does not yet have naloxone and would like to request a free supply, please contact opioids@anokacountymn.gov. ACOSI also encourages individuals to have naloxone on hand. More than 30 naloxone access sites are available throughout Anoka County where anyone can walk in and pick up free naloxone and fentanyl test strips. A map and list of locations can be found at facesofhopeanoka.org/resources#pickup. Naloxone is not addictive, cannot be used to get high, and will not cause harm if given to someone who is not experiencing an opioid overdose. Minnesota state law allows anyone to carry and administer naloxone, making it an important tool for community safety.