The big wheel at Havens Gardens could be relocated to another area of the waterfront park or stored, depending on what action the Washington City Council might take Monday.

The council is scheduled to consider a recommendation by the city’s Recreation Advisory Committee to relocate the wheel to the bridge side of the park, next to the N.C. Highway 32 bridge that connects Washington and Washington Park or adjacent to the boat ramps on the northeast side of the park. The council could decide to store the wheel at the city warehouse until a suitable location for it can be determined.

The wheel must be relocated so equipment for the Play Together playground can be installed to make the park more accessible for disabled or handicapped children, according to a memorandum from Kristi Roberson, the city’s parks and recreation manager, to the mayor and council members. Roberson is not sure of the wheel’s history, saying it may have been used at a sawmill.

That’s exactly where it came from, according to John Mason. The wheel was the flywheel of a steam engine at the Mason Lumber Co. in Columbia, according to Mason, adding that his parents ran that mill for his grandfather Marvin Mason, who also owned a lumber company in Washington. In 1971, the wheel was donated to the city for display at Havens Gardens, according to Mason.

A $225,000 grant from Trillium Health Resources provides the money for the project. Implementing the plan carries an estimated price tag of $264,055.42, according to a project document. Eliminating some of the new playground equipment can reduce the project’s cost.

The equipment includes items such as an expression swing, crow’s nest (complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act), roller slide, merry musical, water sound panel and merry-go-round. The project also includes a custom-made sign to identify the waterfront park.

In other business, the council is scheduled to receive an audit report regarding fiscal year 2014-2015. That report will be delivered by someone with Martin Starnes & Associates, the city’s auditors.

That report is expected to show the city’s fund balance (general fund) declined from about $8.5 million for fiscal year 2013-2014 to about $6.8 million for fiscal year 2014-2015, which ended June 30, 2-15.

The council meets at 5:30 p.m. Monday in the Council Chambers in the Municipal Building, 102 E. Second St. To view the council’s agenda for a specific meeting, visit the city’s web­site at www.washingtonnc.gov, click “Government” then “City Council” heading, then click “Meeting Agendas” on the menu to the right. Then click on the date for the appropriate agenda.