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CC Work Session <br />Meeting Date: 03/24/2026 <br />Primary Strategic Plan Initiative: Not Applicable <br />Information <br />Title: <br />Outdoor Wood -Burning Boiler Discussion <br />2. 4. <br />Purpose/Background: <br />On February 25, 2025, staff and City Council had a discussion regarding outdoor wood -burning boilers (OWB) <br />because of an ongoing complaint by a resident. There have been questions about the regulations surrounding this <br />type of heating system and concerns about potential air quality, especially for individuals that may have <br />underlying health issues. City Council directed staff to prepare an educational article for the Ramsey Resident and <br />for the Environmental Policy Board to discuss the ordinance. <br />An article was placed in the May/June 2025 Ramsey Resident. On August 18, 2025, the Environmental Policy <br />Board (EPB) had a discussion and staff from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) presented <br />information. The presentation can be viewed through QCTV. The MPCA made suggestions to better regulate the <br />use of OWB. However, the majority of the suggestions don't address the ongoing complaint/issue. The MPCA <br />briefly discussed the use of the purple air -sensor to show particle levels. The readings could potentially be used to <br />declare the OWB a nuisance. However, in the case of an ongoing issue, the purple air -sensor reports show very <br />brief episodes of high particle levels which may be difficult to enforce under the nuisance code. <br />Some suggestions include: <br />Require permits (other than mechanical) to install OWB (doesn't address current issue) <br />Require EPA Certification on all newly installed OWB's (doesn't address current issue) <br />Increase setbacks and lot size requirements (doesn't address current issue) <br />Ban future OWB's (doesn't address current issue) <br />Require the removal at time of sale of property (will help with current issues in the future) <br />Require best maintenance practices, such as annual chimney sweep, woodsheds (to keep wood dry) and <br />regulating the burning of clean dried wood (requires the use of a moisture meter) <br />Over the past three (3) years, the Ramsey Police Department has received complaints from the resident regarding <br />the smoke from the neighboring outdoor wood -burning boiler. Complaint numbers are as follows: <br />2024 - 5; 2025 - 6; 2026 - 8 (January/February numbers). <br />Notification: <br />Not Applicable <br />Time Frame/Observations/Alternatives: <br />If City Council gives direction to update the city code, staff will begin the amendment process. The process could <br />take up to 3 to 4 months. Staff will work with MPCA staff and the City Attorney as part of the process. <br />Alternatives: <br />1. Direct staff to update the city code <br />2. Direct staff to leave the city code as is <br />