The Fort Dodge City Council on Monday began the process of updating the plumbing, electrical, mechanical and fuel gas codes.

The council approved the first reading of measures updating the codes currently in place with new ones written by national organizations.

The codes are vital to people working in those trades. However, most residents will not notice anything different after the codes are updated.

The updates must be approved two more times to go into effect.

Also on Monday, the council purchased new video detection equipment for operating the traffic lights at U.S. Highway 169 and Triton Circle. The current equipment was purchased in 2008 and is failing.

The new equipment was purchased from General Traffic Controls, of Spencer, for $26,985.