Council backs continued biochar‑kiln use, asks staff to return with pile‑burning parameters

Councilors on Nov. 12 directed staff to continue allowing biochar kilns for public and private use under the city's special‑event permitting provisions and asked staff to return with formal parameters and a plan before authorizing pile burning on city property.

Evan (speaker 19) presented pilot outcomes and recommended two steps: continued allowance of biochar kilns — contingent on workshop attendance and permitting — and a feasibility effort to test pile burning in prescribed places on city land. Evan said the biochar pilot events had no smoke complaints and that the city would require permittees to attend workshops and follow strict oversight including Cal Fire and air‑quality coordination.

Council members from the Fire Safety Advisory Committee described the approach as cautious and supported proceeding: "The biochar kiln has been a great example ... the parameters that were designed ... are very, very structured," said Councilor Gary (speaker 1). Vice Mayor Cici and other councilors asked for details about how many piles would need burning and smoke impacts; staff said the number depends on project scope and seasonal burn windows and that staff would return with a clearer timeline and environmental clearances before broad implementation.

Council did not adopt final pile‑burn parameters on Nov. 12. Instead members gave general direction to continue biochar‑kiln use under existing special‑event rules and requested formal written parameters, environmental clearance status and a schedule for any pile burning before approving the city to conduct pile burns at scale.

Next steps: staff will prepare formal parameters for pile burning, schedule additional public workshops for biochar training, and return to council with a plan that addresses smoke mitigation, timing, and the anticipated number of burn days.