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The Electric City Power board met on Monday night to discuss the recent announcement that Southern Montana Electric has obtained an $85-million dollar loan to initiate phase one of the Highwood Generating Station.

Documents were filed with Cascade County late last Friday after the funding had been approved.

ECP's executive director Coleen Balzarini said detailed design work is moving forward and contracts for materials are in the process of being negotiated.

Construction is scheduled to begin this summer and projected to wrap up next June.

Despite this news, the conversation quickly turned to the fact that the board members might be replaced.

Mayor Michael Winters said, "I think the cause here, what we're talking about, is: what have you done? And if you remember our first meeting, I asked you what have you done, what are your goals, and what is the avenue you're going to take to get those goals, and none of you answered that question."

ECP board member Bob Pancich said, "Well, somewhat disappointed in the fact that it came on so quickly even though comments have been made by different people at the meeting tonight that our work is appreciated, but it doesn't seem that way when they're going to fire you tomorrow."

At Tuesday's meeting of the Great Falls City Commission, commissioners are scheduled to discuss whether or not to disband the board and take over the responsibilities themselves.

Last week, Mayor Michael Winters brought the idea to the agenda meeting.

However, in January at a joint City Commission-ECP meeting, it was determined that in June the city would decide whether or not to shut down Electric City Power.

Board members said they felt blind-sided by the news they might be replaced and haven't been given a chance to present all their ideas to the city commission.