Departing commissioner pitches endowment to fund preservation work; commission to place agreement on future agenda

Commissioner Will Roabush, who is leaving the commission after six years, told members he discovered a 2021 draft fund agreement and related correspondence with the Greater Toledo Community Foundation that would create an endowment to support the Historic Preservation Commission's operating capital and programs.

Will described the draft as "pretty close" and said a legal opinion from Michael Marsh (provided to the commission) suggested the proposed language should be acceptable. He recommended the commission vote to enter an agreement subject to city council approval and said, if the commission supports that step, city staff or the city attorney could draft legislation to place the agreement on a council agenda.

"I recently received an opinion from Mr. Marsh on this matter ... Mike feels that the suggested agreement should be fine," Will said, describing next steps that would include a commission vote, council review and final contract execution by the mayor if council approves.

Will said the earlier draft referenced an initial endowment amount of $10,000 as the historical figure used to define an endowed fund, but he recommended the commission confirm current endowment minimums with the Greater Toledo Community Foundation and the Bowling Green Community Foundation. He also said he would forward the original files, inventories and photographs to staff to support the project.

Commission members did not take a final vote during the meeting but agreed to place the item on a future agenda (the commission discussed timing and to have the documents circulated in advance). The item will return for formal action after staff and the commission confirm details with the foundations and city legal counsel.