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ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY BOARD <br />CITY OF RAMSEY <br />ANOKA COUNTY <br />STATE OF MINNESOTA <br />On Monday, August 18, 2025, the Environmental Policy Board (EPB) met in the Council <br />Chambers at the Ramsey Municipal Center, 7550 Sunwood Drive N.W., Ramsey, Minnesota. <br />Members Present: <br />Members Absent: <br />Chairperson Melissa Fetterley <br />Board Member Reid Bernard <br />Board Member Thomas Hagerty <br />Board Member Hassan Salami (arrived at 6:41 p.m.) <br />Board Member Nick Burgess <br />Board Member Paula Houts <br />Board Member Laura Moore <br />Also Present: Planning Manager Todd Larson <br />1. CALL TO ORDER <br />Chairperson Fetterley called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. <br />Chairperson Fetterley acknowledged that there is not a quorum present, but they would still like <br />to allow the presentation to be made that was scheduled for tonight. <br />2. POLICY BOARD BUSINESS <br />2.01: Continued Discussion on Exterior Solid Fuel -Fired Heated Devices <br />Planning Manager Larson introduced the members present to speak on this topic. <br />Tyler Ellis, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) Air Toxics Risk Assessor, introduced <br />himself and his coworker, Megan Kuhl-Stennes, MPCA Air Policy Planner. He stated that they <br />have both worked in woodsmoke jobs with the MPCA and are present to speak about outdoor <br />wood boilers. He provided information on air pollutants and the role that residential woodburning <br />has on them. He reviewed the different types of equipment that make up residential wood smoke <br />and explained the health impacts of air pollution. <br />Megan Kuhl-Stennes provided additional information on outdoor wood boilers, which were <br />designed by farmers and meant to be used on very rural properties where the smoke would not <br />bother anyone else. She commented that even though the equipment is outside, there is a <br />thermostat inside that regulates the temperature and puts a damper on the boiler when the <br />temperature inside gets too hot. She recognized that some people in Minnesota may see an outdoor <br />wood boiler as a benefit, but there are many risks associated with them as well. She stated that <br />there is EPA certification for wood boilers, which were updated in 2015 and 2020, recognizing <br />that many wood boilers being used were purchased before that time. She stated that outdoor wood <br />boilers use a lot of wood, and folks will often get to the point of not having enough dry wood. She <br />Environmental Policy Board / August 18, 2025 <br />Page 1 of 6 <br />