CENTERBURG — After a year of waiting to see what the Area Development Foundation would do for the village of Centerburg, council voted unanimously Monday night not to renew its membership.

“Centerburg Area Business Association appreciates council’s willingness to try Area Development Foundation, but it feels it is not an effective use of village funds at this time,” said councilwoman Aimee Humphrey.

CABA asked council to rejoin ADF in 2009 in hopes of bringing more jobs to the village.

Centerburg resident Becky Shaw addressed village council, about a suggestion made in December to remove the phrase “on sidewalk” from parking legislation; she said that could potentially allow motorists to block sidewalks.

“Walking is the most affordable, environmentally friendly [means of travel],” Shaw said. “We need to make our neighborhood more accessible.”

Shaw told council this change would remove a safety factor from the village.

“If you allow this, you will be endangering pedestrians. We need safer sidewalks and crosswalks,” she said.

Village Solicitor Kyle Stroh is looking into what the removal of “on sidewalk” could potentially mean to the village. Village Administrator Phil Lohmeyer is searching for a consultant to assist the village with several parking issues throughout the village.

In his state of the village address, Mayor George Shaw told council the village accomplished quite a bit in a rather quiet 2009.

“I thought we had a pretty quiet year until you go over all that we accomplished,” he said. “I’m pretty proud of all that was done.”

Moving forward on a new wastewater treatment plant was a highlight in 2009, he said. The property at 4545 Lock Road, along with five acres of land, was sold and a house on an adjacent property was used for fire training. The first phase of engineering and design was also completed.

In an effort to build better communication, the mayor and village administrator will begin meeting on a weekly basis and report via e-mail to council members mid-month. A complete monthly report will be provided during council meetings.

“This will give us a checkpoint to take care of issues at hand and not let things fall through the cracks,” Mayor Shaw said.

Councilwoman Diana Stockmaster was voted council president.

The next council meeting will be Feb. 1 at 7 p.m. in council chambers.