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Governmental Structure, Local Economic Condition and Outlook The City, incorporated in 1948, is part of the St.Paul-Minneapolis, Minnesota metropolitan azea, and is 13.7 squaze miles in size and has a population of 34,194. The City is in Ramsey County and adjoins St. Paul on its northern border, and Minneapolis at its eastern border. The downrown azeas of both St. Paul and Minneapolis are within a 10-mile drive from the City. The City has operated under the council-manager form of government since January 1, 1974, when it became a statutory city. Policy making and legisiative authority aze vested in the City ' Council, which consists of a mayor and a four-member council. The Councit is responsible, ' among other things, for passing ordinances, adopting the budget, appointing committees, and , ', hiring the City Manager and City Attomey. The City Manager is responsible for carrying out the , ' policies and ordinances of the City Council, for overseeing the day-to-day opentions of the city, and for appointing the heads of the City's departments. The Council is elected on a nonpaztisan , ' basis, to four year staggered terms on an at-lazge basis. The economy of the metropolitan Twin City area has continaed to experience significant growth , ' during 1998. Unemployment ended the year at approximately 1.6% as compared to the U.S. ' average of 4.6%. Roseville, as part of suburban Ramsey County, had an unemployment rate of ' approximately 1.1 %, which is slightly below the 1997 level. The Twin Cities Metro Area continues to be considered by most economists as a labor-short region. The City has a diverse economy. Whiie Roseville is considered a major regional retail center, ', employment in the computer, medical, and printing industries has been significant. While major , ', employers in the community have decreased their employment substantially, smaller emerging firms aze growing and employ nearly 10,000 persons. , The most recent retail sales data indicates that the City of Roseville continues to be one of the major retailing centers of the metropolitan area. Retail sales within the City have had a 8.8� compounded growth over the past 10 years. This rate is more than one and one-half times greater than the retail sales growth in the state as a whole. The location of the City and the community emphasis on economic growth indicates a suong potential for the City to continue to be a viable part of the Twin City Metropolitan Area for people to live and work. City Initiatives and Financial Highlights During 1998 The City provides a full range of municipal services as authorized by state statute. This includes general government, public safety, public works, parks and rec:reatior, water and sewer utilities, and community development. Within those areas of responsibilities, the City's goals for 1998 were a continuation of those established in 1993 by the community-based Vista 200O pi�ocess as amended by the City Council from time to time. To continue to strengthen the business environment with an emphasis on retaining as we11 as attracting new businesses.