By Lexi MooreHills City Council members met for their regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday.Representatives from the Martin Township and the Hills Fire Department were in attendance to discuss budget concerns and the Hills Fire Department truck replacement fund.Hills Fire Chief Jeff Bass stressed the importance of replacing the 1976 International tank truck that is currently used to haul 1,800 gallons of water to rural fires. The fire department has concerns for the safety of those driving the truck and would like to have the option of carrying more water in a bigger tank.The Hills Council, Martin Township and Clinton Township have been adding money to a truck replacement fund for several years to offset the cost of a new tank truck.Council members asked Bass questions regarding specifications of a new truck and what kind of time frame the fire department is looking at.Bass suggested finding a used truck that would carry at least 2,200 gallons of water from a fire station supplier. "I’m not talking new, but it needs to be replaced." He stressed the importance of doing this within the next year or two.The council requested that Bass research the cost of replacing the truck and how much the department could get on a trade-in or sale of the current vehicle.Copies of the figures need to be turned in to Martin Township prior to their annual meeting the second Tuesday in March. This will allow the township to budget the additional cost into their 2006 levy.In other city news:oWayne Ward was appointed city weed inspector instead of Dave Leenderts. Because the city licenses Wayne for commercial general grounds and mosquito control, it made since to give him the appointment.oThe council approved the bid from Jerry Hoff Floor Covering to replace carpet in the Legion Building office, following the removal of walls.oConcerns over stray cats within the Hills city limits were discussed. It was concluded that Ward would set live traps in an effort to catch and remove the animals from within the city limits. "These cats are wild. They hiss and bite when approached. They are not pets. People that have pet cats keep them inside," Ward said.