As expected, the St. Paul City Council in Wednesday approved a contract with Car2Go, which will allow the car sharing company to begin service on July 1.
The vote came after much discussion and a desire from residents who wanted the service. It also came after an analysis found a high number of Car2GO vehicles that were congregated near the Minneapolis-St. Paul border, presumably because St. Paul residents were using them but prohibited from parking them across the border.
Under the terms, Car2go would park a minimum of 185 vehicles within the city, and with approval up that number to 285 within six to 12 months. The agreement, if approved, would run through Dec. 31, 2015.
Car2go would pay the city $975 per vehicle for parking privileges at city meters and residential locations restricted by permits. Vehicles that are parked on city streets must comply with other ordinances and regulations, including no parking in loading zones, in "No Parking" zones, streets with rush hour restrictions, hooded parking meters, Snow Emergency routes when in effect and spaces reserved for motorists with disabilities.
My colleague Kevin Duchschere filed this story on Wednesday's council meeting.
