Mr Adie, also known as "the Brockville Battler", announced earlier this month his presentation to the council's annual plan would be his last, saying he was giving up his battle of wills with the council.
He formally resigned at a meeting on Monday, but said yesterday he hoped the association could continue in his absence, and a new chairman would be found at the annual meeting on June 22.
He plans to maintain his links with the association.
Mr Adie's involvement began 20 years ago, when, as a member of the Rate Crisis Committee, he first challenged the council in a campaign to change its rating from land value to capital value.
Dunedin Mayor Peter Chin said while a reception was still in the planning stage, it was a good idea to acknowledge Mr Adie's work over a long period.
Mr Chin, who has known Mr Adie since before he was a councillor, saidMr Adie was passionate about Dunedin.
While he did not always agree with his stand on city issues, "I would never ever question his loyalty for Dunedin and his love of the city".
Mr Adie said there was a member of "the younger generation" considering the role of association chairman, which would provide a fresh look for the association.
His involvement from now on would be to deal with any interactions between the association and Local Government Minister Rodney Hide until the minister's involvement with the Forsyth Barr Stadium was finished.
In April, Mr Hide requested information to ensure the city council and Otago Regional Council were acting appropriately in backing the stadium, and signalled he would visit Dunedin to look at the situation, although he made it clear he would not be intervening.
Mr Adie believed Mr Hide would visit the city in "the near future".
He hopes to ask the minister where concerned ratepayers could complain when they were unhappy with their council, as complaints to bodies like the Office of the Ombudsmen had not helped with the stadium.
Mr Adie joked he would not complain about the cost of his coming civic reception.
"It's been 20 years - I may as well have a cup of tea on the ratepayer."
