Temple residents could get additional tools to improve their neighborhoods after the city council passed the first reading of an ordinance allowing the creation of neighborhood code enforcement boards Thursday during its regular meeting.

The council will have the second reading and final approval of the ordinance during its Feb. 15 meeting.

City Attorney Jonathan Graham said the ordinance, if approved, could be the only one of its kind it Texas. He said it would serve to empower residents to work together to improve the look and safety of their neighborhoods and at the same time take some of the load off of the Buildings and Standards Commission and city code enforcement officials.

The Buildings and Standards Commission currently hears and enforces city codes ranging from trash violations to unsafe buildings. The commission can