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The city of Portland will likely spend $51,885 to put Portland State University students to work as interns in the Bureau of Development Services.

The council on Wednesday approved an intergovernmental agreement with PSU to pay the school to provide three student interns with scholarships and stipends.

Along with providing assistance to plans examiners, the effort is intended to introduce more women and minorities to the field of urban planning. The revenue being spent will come from land use services fees.

鈥淲e think this will help in terms of getting work done and also improving our diversity,鈥� said Rebecca Esau, head of BDS‘ land use division.

Commissioner Dan Saltzman, who oversees BDS, called the agreement a 鈥渢rue win-win in my book.鈥�

BDS employs building inspectors, architects, engineers, plans examiners and urban planners 鈥� positions that Saltzman says haven’t historically been filled by representative portions of minorities.

The council passed the ordinance supporting the IGA by a 4-0 vote, but a second reading is required.