Heath Public Works Director Preston Jones gave residents a look at the city's active capital improvement projects in a video update posted Monday, Sept. 28.

The video, shared by the city on X, also covers highlights from the Heath City Council's Sept. 22 regular meeting. It marks Jones' first public briefing since the city announced his hiring Sept. 17. City Engineer John Hernandez provided a similar recap video after the Sept. 8 meeting.

Official minutes from the Sept. 22 meeting have not been published. The video is the only available public account of what the council decided and what Jones reported on project statuses.

The Sept. 22 meeting agenda listed a discussion and update on capital projects led by Hernandez and Jones. Projects included the Hubbard Drive road project, the city's Water Plan, Terry Lane Road rehabilitation, the Candlelite fire flow project, the Public Works facility, trails and the street maintenance program. A separate agenda item covered construction of Department of Public Safety Stations 30 and 31.

Prior council meetings show where those projects stood heading into Sept. 22. The city's Water Plan calls for a 1.5-million-gallon elevated storage tank on Governors Boulevard, a 3-million-gallon ground storage tank at the city's pump station in Rockwall and six potable water wells. The elevated tank was awarded at approximately $8 million, with completion projected for May 2027, according to Sept. 8 council records.

The council voted 5-1 on Sept. 8 to award the Water Well No. 3 construction contract to Hall Resources LLC, known as THI Water Well, for $6,220,545.09. Councilman Moorman voted against. That well, planned for the southern side of Heath in Kaufman County, has a 540-day construction schedule with completion projected in early 2028. Design plans for Water Wells No. 2 and No. 4 were submitted as of Sept. 8, with construction set to begin Sept. 14.

On the road side, Hubbard Drive Phase 1, roughly 1,200 feet of roadway with storm and water improvements, was nearing completion as of Aug. 25. Phase 2 drainage and roadway work was set to begin in August. The Candlelite fire flow project was about 50% complete, with an estimated finish in late December. Terry Lane rehabilitation was substantially complete, with sidewalk design underway through Luck Engineering.

DPS Station 30 was 21.65% complete and Station 31 was 38.56% complete as of Aug. 25. Station 31 received a 36-day extension, pushing its substantial completion to late April 2027. The Public Works facility had garage doors, HVAC, ceiling tiles and interior painting installed, with contractor JC Commercial compiling closeout documents.

The Sept. 22 agenda also included a contract with Axon Enterprises for body-worn cameras, in-car cameras, evidence storage and software not to exceed $647,979.90. A facilities agreement with Savannah Heath Development LLC for the Founders Reserve subdivision and a public hearing on a conditional use permit at 1009 Cedar Glen Trail were also listed.

"Public Works is foundational to Heath's future … My focus is to strengthen our water and wastewater infrastructure, responsibly plan for growth and ensure that we are good stewards of our resources," Jones said in the city's Sept. 17 hiring announcement. He previously served as assistant director of public works for the City of Princeton, where he managed a team of 58 employees.

The next Heath City Council meeting date has not been confirmed by a posted agenda.