As Marion City Council discussed battery-powered tornado sirens and heard complaints regarding flooding, a storm was brewing Monday evening.

Lights flickered several times, which possibly prompting officials to move forward with plans to replace outdated electric sirens that don’t function in power failures.

Three bids were presented. They ranged from $12,950 per siren to $23,355, with one or two sirens being considered. The two most expensive sirens would be expected to have lower maintenance costs.

A demonstration will be planned to determine whether the siren could be heard throughout the entire town. A decision will be made at a future council meeting.

Drainage issues

A special meeting is planned for 4:30 p.m. Tuesday at the city building to allow residents to complain about drainage in the city.

Jean Case, 110 N. Lincoln St., asked for the meeting. She said her yard and porch flooded after heavy rain because rainwater does not flow through her alley as it used to. Bob Jirak, 112 N. Cedar St., said there has been as much as 15 inches of water in his garage.

Marty Fredrickson, city street superintendent, said the city had been having problems with heavy rain. “It’s a maintenance nightmare,” he said. To fix the problems will be expensive, he said.