The tie-breaking vote came from Leatha who voted by absentee ballot from her down town Des Moines hospital bed where she was recovering from the birth of her child The First Year A review of the minutes of the City Council during the first year after incorporation provides some insights into the problems of a new fledgling city and its early leaders as they struggled to build the foundations of a community within a very stringent budget. Although most actions by the City Council were the result of unanimous votes, discussions often became very heated. In those days, the Council met at Windsor Church, 63rd Street and University Avenue and in October 1941 moved to a new Council room at 66th Street and University Avenue. No mention was made of a table. Keep in mind, this was 1941.
Frugality is also evident in the history of the town's purchases of equipment.
A lesson had evidently been learned. The lack of adequate fire protection was a primary reason for incorporation, so the subject was frequently discussed in the early Council meetings. In February 1942, the Council sent some of its members to Burlington, Iowa, to look at a used fire truck advertised in the Sunday Des Moines Register. However, its ability to start on cold days was very questionable and at one point when the city had a garage with two vehicles parked one behind the other. The old fire engine was always parked in front so the other vehicle could give it a helpful push.