This series is divided into the following sub-series: correspondence, papers and pamphlets. The majority of the material in this series is papers on subjects that pertain to Johnson and the City Commission. The papers are arranged alphabetically from Affirmative Action Plan to Zainea (City Manager). These papers contain background information on particular subjects or projects that Johnson was involved with during his years as commissioner of the first ward of Grand Rapids.

Correspondences consist of letters that describe some of the issues that he faced or came across as city commissioner. Some of the important issues include the following: zoning ordinance, community needs and proposals, education, senior housing development, health hazards, construction of the West River Bank Parking, housing inspections, street improvement project, Affirmative Action Plan, landfill site, alley refuse collections, Schaffer Avenue Water main Project, appointment of alternate members to the Board of Zoning Appeals, Chief of Police Robert Anderson Case, Fair Housing Plan, Neighborhood Organizing Project, Johnson's salary and pension, reducing taxes, human rights, Michigan Public Service Commission Case No. U-5545, improvement and sale of city owned vacant lots, contract compliance standards, and the police department. Moreover, there are letters from his constituents that describe their feelings toward his viewpoints on certain issues, and the admiration they had for him as their representative. In addition, there are letters that pertained to invitations that he received to attend local events, and meetings of local organizations.

Pamphlets are valuable in describing some of the issues that pertained to the city commission, and in describing the rules and regulations of the city commission. In addition, there are some pamphlets that contain historical information on Grand Rapids. Those pamphlets that are valuable include: "A Landmark In Cooperation", "City Commission Policy Manual", "Final Report of the Task Force on Citizen Participation", "Forecasting Electric Energy Demand in Michigan", "Handbook for Newly Elected Michigan Municipal Officials", "Proposed 1978 State Plan for Services to the Elderly", "Standing Rules: Grand Rapids City Commission", and "What we do today will be tomorrow's heritage".