Electric-powered Bird scooters were put onto city streets last August with no advance warning. The scooters were activated with a smartphone app and they became an immediate hit with riders using them for routine transportation or for fun.

Almost as quickly, the scooters were attacked as an irritation by people who had to dodge them on sidewalks and in intersections. Finally, late November brought a ban on the scooters until city officials could figure out how to regulate them.

Marilena Guthold, an assistant city attorney for the city, told council members that the draft rules were put together from the ordinance that holds sway in Santa Monica, Calif., the city where Bird is based. Guthold said ideas from other communities, including North Carolina cities Durham, Greensboro and Raleigh, were also incorporated into the draft.

Potential regulations cover permitting, abandonment and impoundment of scooters for rule violations. A maximum of two scooter companies could be permitted to put them out for use, although there’s a provision to allow more in case of demand.

Companies would have to get a permit to put out the scooters. The amount has not been established, but it would be intended to defray costs of administering the ordinance.